Barack Obama's elitist, upper crust mentality is catching up to him, as John McCain has caught him in the latest polls. McCain has even moved ahead in the polls in key battleground states like Ohio and Florida.
Obama comes across as cold and forbidding, and fumbles almost any verbal message when its not printed out on a teleprompter in front of him. He lacks a sense of humor and ability to relate to the everyday difficulties of the common man. This has proven particularly intractible with white blue collar males, and women over the age of 50--who could swing the election to McCain on their votes alone.
Off-hand cracks like, when asked about food prices, Obama said "have you checked the price of argula at Whole Foods lately," are hardly something average Americans can relate to. Nobody but the yuppie upper crust shops at Whole Foods, and argula is a very expensive vegetable beyond the means of the average family.
Similarly, at a big dollar Hollywood cocktail fundraising party, Obama took a shot at the blue collar workers in Pennsylvania, accusing them of being obssessed with God, beer and guns. There's way more blue collar guys like that, than wealthy Hollywood liberal stars, that will cast votes in November.
This is to say nothing of Obama's brassy, angry wife Michelle, who has caused him no end of grief on the campaign trail, complaining about the cost of student loans and day care, when she was making over $300,000 a year at a Chicago Hospital and Barack has taken in over $4 million from writing and selling his two books.
He won't be helped by shunning veteran Democratic politicians who could help him, like Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland or Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, to favor Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine for his vice presidential running mate.
Kaine has been governor two and one-half years, and was Mayor of Richmond before that. He has an even thinner political resume than Obama has, and neither has any foreign policy or national security or national defense experience. Against McCain's impressive pedigree in these areas, an Obama-Kaine ticket would look weak indeed.
That's why Obama is languishing in the polls and the "Nobama" bumper signs are becoming more prominent.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Leftist protesstors plague conventions
Denver and Minneapolis, hosts of the Democratic and Republican national political conventions, are both fighting it out with the demonstrators and protestors in court--and we're still a month away from show time.
Recreate '68 and Tent State University are in court in Denver right now, suing the City and FBI over the site of demonstrator parades and protest marches that are out of the sight line of convention delegates. The ACLU is saying this violates the demonstrator's free speech rights, while the city and cops are just trying to keep a lid on things, so violence and bloodshed is kept to a minimum.
The City and Country of Denver has refused to allow the 50,000 Tent State demonstrators to camp over night in City Park, saying they will turn on the sprinklers at 10 p.m. each night to drive the protestors out. There would be a horrible lack of sanitary facilities and emergency vehicle access in City Park if camping was allowed. The public safety would be severely compromised.
Thr real question is why the Democratic Party or the Host Committee has to provide housing for outside protestors at all. The convention delegates will all have hotel rooms, and the lobbyists and others seeking influence will have rented hotels, people's homes, etc. Why should demonstrators be any different?
Minneapolis is going through similar contortions with the GOP coming to town two weeks later.
The conventions are a media circus and charade to start with--any serious races or contests have long since been decided. The confabs are strictly for show and free television coverage. The political parties have got to get a handle on this, or they will run out of cities willing to host their conventions.
Recreate '68 and Tent State University are in court in Denver right now, suing the City and FBI over the site of demonstrator parades and protest marches that are out of the sight line of convention delegates. The ACLU is saying this violates the demonstrator's free speech rights, while the city and cops are just trying to keep a lid on things, so violence and bloodshed is kept to a minimum.
The City and Country of Denver has refused to allow the 50,000 Tent State demonstrators to camp over night in City Park, saying they will turn on the sprinklers at 10 p.m. each night to drive the protestors out. There would be a horrible lack of sanitary facilities and emergency vehicle access in City Park if camping was allowed. The public safety would be severely compromised.
Thr real question is why the Democratic Party or the Host Committee has to provide housing for outside protestors at all. The convention delegates will all have hotel rooms, and the lobbyists and others seeking influence will have rented hotels, people's homes, etc. Why should demonstrators be any different?
Minneapolis is going through similar contortions with the GOP coming to town two weeks later.
The conventions are a media circus and charade to start with--any serious races or contests have long since been decided. The confabs are strictly for show and free television coverage. The political parties have got to get a handle on this, or they will run out of cities willing to host their conventions.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Public Barack-lash due to fawning press
Early indications are that the fawning, over-the-top press coverage of Barack Obama's world tour has backfired with the public. Treating him like a rock star and conquering hero, when actually his speeches were very mundane, his non-scripted comments bordering on the inane and his lack of knowledge appalling--even the uninitiated have seen through the media puffery.
There is still a certain level of decorum, propriety and class Americans expect of their leaders, and over-reaching to look like a president when you aren't even nominated yet, does not go over well. His big trip was historic all right--and crass.
Perhaps Obama can be given the benefit of the doubt, that he was quietly, humbly trying to get educated on foreign affairs. The big media spoiled it, and he is blameless. But this explanation stretches credulity.
Obama is in trouble to start with, due to his thin resume and lack of accomplishments in his two public positions: as a state senator in the Illinois legislature and four years as a U.S. Senator. His time was spent politicking for the next job, rather than digging in to the mundate and difficult task of legislating.
The balloon is bound to burst at some point, whether it's over this staged media circus trip, or some other rookie mistake yet to come.
There is still a certain level of decorum, propriety and class Americans expect of their leaders, and over-reaching to look like a president when you aren't even nominated yet, does not go over well. His big trip was historic all right--and crass.
Perhaps Obama can be given the benefit of the doubt, that he was quietly, humbly trying to get educated on foreign affairs. The big media spoiled it, and he is blameless. But this explanation stretches credulity.
Obama is in trouble to start with, due to his thin resume and lack of accomplishments in his two public positions: as a state senator in the Illinois legislature and four years as a U.S. Senator. His time was spent politicking for the next job, rather than digging in to the mundate and difficult task of legislating.
The balloon is bound to burst at some point, whether it's over this staged media circus trip, or some other rookie mistake yet to come.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Ludicrously expensive political conventions
We here in Denver know first hand how badly out of control the costs of national political conventions have become. We are hosting the Democratic national confab in a few weeks, and the costs keep escalating.
Denver was supposed to raise some $40 million to underwrite the confab, and at last tally, was about $11 million short. But that doesn't mean the expenses don't continue to shoot out of control. The latest hit was the decision by probable nominee Barack Obama to give his acceptance speech at Denver's 80,000 seat Mile High Stadium, instead of the indoor Pepsi Center, where the rest of the convention is.
It will cost an estimated $4 million extra to outfit Mile High with the security, stage, media plugins, etc. for this hour and a half extravaganza. Obama just had to give the word, and somebody in Denver has to snap their fingers and spend another $4 million.
Congress appropriated $50 million to each host city for the Democratic and GOP conventions, but that is quickly spent up just in police salaries and overtime, riot gear and other security equipment. The $40 million is in addition to this, and must be begged, borrowed and stolen off private businesses seeking favors from the parties. It is a fundraising outrage, that McCain-Finegold outlawed for candidates but still allows for political conventions. It is ripe for all kinds of mischief.
The inconvenience of closed streets, congested highways and sold-out hotels and restaurants is bad enough for the host cities, but the cost is beyond the pale. It is time for someone to reign in these mass media orgies called political conventions--which are cut-and-dried, and decided in advance, anyway.
Denver was supposed to raise some $40 million to underwrite the confab, and at last tally, was about $11 million short. But that doesn't mean the expenses don't continue to shoot out of control. The latest hit was the decision by probable nominee Barack Obama to give his acceptance speech at Denver's 80,000 seat Mile High Stadium, instead of the indoor Pepsi Center, where the rest of the convention is.
It will cost an estimated $4 million extra to outfit Mile High with the security, stage, media plugins, etc. for this hour and a half extravaganza. Obama just had to give the word, and somebody in Denver has to snap their fingers and spend another $4 million.
Congress appropriated $50 million to each host city for the Democratic and GOP conventions, but that is quickly spent up just in police salaries and overtime, riot gear and other security equipment. The $40 million is in addition to this, and must be begged, borrowed and stolen off private businesses seeking favors from the parties. It is a fundraising outrage, that McCain-Finegold outlawed for candidates but still allows for political conventions. It is ripe for all kinds of mischief.
The inconvenience of closed streets, congested highways and sold-out hotels and restaurants is bad enough for the host cities, but the cost is beyond the pale. It is time for someone to reign in these mass media orgies called political conventions--which are cut-and-dried, and decided in advance, anyway.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
It's gas prices, stupid
While Congress has passed a massive, deficit-busting housing bail-out bill for the 6% of home mortgages that are in default (That's right, 94% of home mortgages are current), the public has turned their attention away from the mortgage crisis and the war in Iraq, to seeth each time they pay $4 a gallon to fill their car tank with gas.
Congress thinks they've bought themselves political cover for re-election this fall, with the housing bill and reauthorization of spending for the war in Iraq, but have done nothing about gas prices. President Bush showed what will work, when he lifted the executive order on offshore drilling.
Just the prospect of greater supplies has driven oil prices down some $27 a barrel in two weeks. This isn't reflectd yet in retail gas prices, although they're down a few cents a gallon, below $4 slightly, in most places.
Even greater oil price drops would come quickly, if Congress passed legislation allowing offshore drilling, arctic drilling and ANWR drilling. Just let the Arab shieks get wind of the U.S. buying one to two-thirds less oil from them, and then watch prices drop. We probably wouldn't even have to go through with any actual drilling.
But no, the environmentalists and Big Government do-gooders have House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in their back pockets, and they wouldn't allow any such bills to come to a vote in Congress. They know too many Democrats recognize the public's ire over gas prices, and they'd join enough Republicans to open up drilling.
I believe the voters will make them pay for their short-sightedness this fall. Gas prices trump the mortgage crisis and Iraq in voter's minds, and Reid and Pelosi are missing the boat.
Congress thinks they've bought themselves political cover for re-election this fall, with the housing bill and reauthorization of spending for the war in Iraq, but have done nothing about gas prices. President Bush showed what will work, when he lifted the executive order on offshore drilling.
Just the prospect of greater supplies has driven oil prices down some $27 a barrel in two weeks. This isn't reflectd yet in retail gas prices, although they're down a few cents a gallon, below $4 slightly, in most places.
Even greater oil price drops would come quickly, if Congress passed legislation allowing offshore drilling, arctic drilling and ANWR drilling. Just let the Arab shieks get wind of the U.S. buying one to two-thirds less oil from them, and then watch prices drop. We probably wouldn't even have to go through with any actual drilling.
But no, the environmentalists and Big Government do-gooders have House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in their back pockets, and they wouldn't allow any such bills to come to a vote in Congress. They know too many Democrats recognize the public's ire over gas prices, and they'd join enough Republicans to open up drilling.
I believe the voters will make them pay for their short-sightedness this fall. Gas prices trump the mortgage crisis and Iraq in voter's minds, and Reid and Pelosi are missing the boat.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Obama world tour leads to McCain gains
Overkill. Like eating a bowl of frosting or nursing a bad hangover the morning after, there is such at thing as too much of a good thing. Barack Obama seems to have discovered that.
His much ballyhooed world tour, with the U.S. press fawning all over him in rapt adoration, seems to have bombed with John Q. Public. Rather than a humble listening tour, as billed, Obama has thrust himself out in front, like a rock star. For many Americans, it is unseemly to see a pretender doing what only the actual U.S. President should do.
Obama isn't president yet, and may have presumed too much. A funny thing happened on the way to the White House . . .
The newest polls show that Americans are most concerned about gas prices at the pump. They view the surge as having worked, and Iraq as no longer America's biggest problem. Obama has joined his fellow leftist-fringe Democrats in being on the wrong side of the oil drilling question. John McCain is having a mini=surge in the latest polls.
As President Bush showed by lifting the presidential executive order to ban offshore oil drilling in U.S. waters, it is the prospect of increased supplies, not the actual oil online, that lower prices. Oil is down some $27 a barrel from its spring high, since Bush's order.
Obama and the Democrats oppose all drilling and supply enhancement. They only support so-called "alternative energy" and are no-so-secretly glad oil prices are high to cut consumption. This is not what the public wants to hear.
The Demorcratic leadership in Congress will not allow bills to allow offshore or arctic oil drilling to come to the floor. They know they'd lose enough Democratic votes to pass them. Today Republicans stalled the Demo's phony "speculator" bill in the Senate, so now Democrats have to fish or cut bait.
Obama has been out of the country, and missed the shift of public sentiment from Iraq to oil prices. He could be in trouble.
His much ballyhooed world tour, with the U.S. press fawning all over him in rapt adoration, seems to have bombed with John Q. Public. Rather than a humble listening tour, as billed, Obama has thrust himself out in front, like a rock star. For many Americans, it is unseemly to see a pretender doing what only the actual U.S. President should do.
Obama isn't president yet, and may have presumed too much. A funny thing happened on the way to the White House . . .
The newest polls show that Americans are most concerned about gas prices at the pump. They view the surge as having worked, and Iraq as no longer America's biggest problem. Obama has joined his fellow leftist-fringe Democrats in being on the wrong side of the oil drilling question. John McCain is having a mini=surge in the latest polls.
As President Bush showed by lifting the presidential executive order to ban offshore oil drilling in U.S. waters, it is the prospect of increased supplies, not the actual oil online, that lower prices. Oil is down some $27 a barrel from its spring high, since Bush's order.
Obama and the Democrats oppose all drilling and supply enhancement. They only support so-called "alternative energy" and are no-so-secretly glad oil prices are high to cut consumption. This is not what the public wants to hear.
The Demorcratic leadership in Congress will not allow bills to allow offshore or arctic oil drilling to come to the floor. They know they'd lose enough Democratic votes to pass them. Today Republicans stalled the Demo's phony "speculator" bill in the Senate, so now Democrats have to fish or cut bait.
Obama has been out of the country, and missed the shift of public sentiment from Iraq to oil prices. He could be in trouble.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Rush draws blood on Sen. Ken Salazar
Colorado's self-proclaimed "moderate" Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar, screams like a wounded elk whenever anyone questions his moderate credentials. Conservative nationally syndicated talk show host Rush Limbaugh, in his morning commentary yesterday, fingered Salazar for keeping oil shale lands from being leased in western Colorado, despite their 800 billion barrels of oil--badly needed in the current energy crisis.
Salazar shot back that the technology isn't developed yet to exploit them, and reverted to the liberal Democratic mantra of attacking the oil companies. The voters are getting wise to Salazar and the other liberals, however.
Having seen that President Bush's lifting of his ban on off-shore oil drilling has peeled $27 a barrel off oil prices in two weeks, they can see that it is the threat of new supplies, not actual oil, that scares the Middle East sultans of the oil trade. Full-speed-ahead development of all possible sources of oil, not the actual oil itself, brings down the price of energy.
The latest presidential preference polls in Colorado have John McCain pulling out ahead of Barack Obama for the first time, largely because he has advocated drilling and exploration as the answer to high gas prices, while liberal Democrats like Obama and Salazar dither about the environment, oil company profits, ad nauseum--with no answers.
The voters are up in arms about $4 gas and $5 diesel. Democrats are thrilled to see it, to cut consumption. Voters see what the answer is, as they are strapped to meet the high fuel prices, and are moving to vote that way.
I wonder if Obama and they boys will wake up and smell the coffee, before its too late.
Salazar shot back that the technology isn't developed yet to exploit them, and reverted to the liberal Democratic mantra of attacking the oil companies. The voters are getting wise to Salazar and the other liberals, however.
Having seen that President Bush's lifting of his ban on off-shore oil drilling has peeled $27 a barrel off oil prices in two weeks, they can see that it is the threat of new supplies, not actual oil, that scares the Middle East sultans of the oil trade. Full-speed-ahead development of all possible sources of oil, not the actual oil itself, brings down the price of energy.
The latest presidential preference polls in Colorado have John McCain pulling out ahead of Barack Obama for the first time, largely because he has advocated drilling and exploration as the answer to high gas prices, while liberal Democrats like Obama and Salazar dither about the environment, oil company profits, ad nauseum--with no answers.
The voters are up in arms about $4 gas and $5 diesel. Democrats are thrilled to see it, to cut consumption. Voters see what the answer is, as they are strapped to meet the high fuel prices, and are moving to vote that way.
I wonder if Obama and they boys will wake up and smell the coffee, before its too late.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Bush sells out on housing bailout
The skids have been greased in Congress and the White House to pass a massive bailout of mortgage lenders, including the quasi-federal Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It will add billions to the deficit, reward the most scandalous of the lenders and the least responsible of the borrowers.
The dumbest thing you could have done, as it turns out, is scrimp and save to pay your mortgage on time, even putting your wife and kids to work, in order to meet the higher payments as your adjustable mortgage goes up. How Norman Rockwell and sappy. You should have just waited it out, and put it on the cuff, with everybody else.
A typical presidential election year vote-getting ploy, the bailout is a slap in the face to the 94% of American mortgage holders whose payments are current and are not close to default.
That President Bush would sign off on this abortion of a bill, greatly lowers him in my estimation. History will prove him to be a hero in the war on terror, but a disaster in handling money. This proves it.
The dumbest thing you could have done, as it turns out, is scrimp and save to pay your mortgage on time, even putting your wife and kids to work, in order to meet the higher payments as your adjustable mortgage goes up. How Norman Rockwell and sappy. You should have just waited it out, and put it on the cuff, with everybody else.
A typical presidential election year vote-getting ploy, the bailout is a slap in the face to the 94% of American mortgage holders whose payments are current and are not close to default.
That President Bush would sign off on this abortion of a bill, greatly lowers him in my estimation. History will prove him to be a hero in the war on terror, but a disaster in handling money. This proves it.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
McCain closing in on veep?
The national press is all a'twitter that the tea leaves are reading like John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, will seek to steal the thunder from Barack Obama's European vacation by naming his vice presidential running mate this week. He has a press conference Thursday, which might provide the forum.
Naturally, the speculation is on who that might be. Rudy Giuliani has been mentioned. Too many wives and unable to carry New York for the ticket. Mitt Romney is a hot prospect who genuinely seems to want it. His Mormonism and eagerness work against him, along with the personal antipathy McCain felt toward him in the primary season. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindahl, the 37-year-old wunderkind, is meeting with McCain this week.
McCain will probably surprise us all, by either not naming a candidate this week, or naming someone that isn't rife with speculation.
Jindahl would be a bold choice. Nearly 10 years younger than Obama, he has been on a steep upward curve since he was named to a major Health, Education and Welfare post in Washington D.C. at age 26. He's also been head of the Louisiana university system and a two-term congressman. He was born in the U.S. of parents from India, is a staunch Catholic and has a wife and two kids.
He is a dynamic, exciting public speaker, and widely touted as the GOP nominee in 2012, whether he's named veep or not. He is a hard core conservative and policy wonk extraordinare. The only knocks on him are his age, lack of foreign policy experience and being from a state McCain will carry anyway.
It would be a very unconventional choice, but would answer Obama's ethnicity and age. It would leave McCain as the unchallenged foreign policy, defense and terrorism expert on either ticket.
Hmmmm . . .
Naturally, the speculation is on who that might be. Rudy Giuliani has been mentioned. Too many wives and unable to carry New York for the ticket. Mitt Romney is a hot prospect who genuinely seems to want it. His Mormonism and eagerness work against him, along with the personal antipathy McCain felt toward him in the primary season. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindahl, the 37-year-old wunderkind, is meeting with McCain this week.
McCain will probably surprise us all, by either not naming a candidate this week, or naming someone that isn't rife with speculation.
Jindahl would be a bold choice. Nearly 10 years younger than Obama, he has been on a steep upward curve since he was named to a major Health, Education and Welfare post in Washington D.C. at age 26. He's also been head of the Louisiana university system and a two-term congressman. He was born in the U.S. of parents from India, is a staunch Catholic and has a wife and two kids.
He is a dynamic, exciting public speaker, and widely touted as the GOP nominee in 2012, whether he's named veep or not. He is a hard core conservative and policy wonk extraordinare. The only knocks on him are his age, lack of foreign policy experience and being from a state McCain will carry anyway.
It would be a very unconventional choice, but would answer Obama's ethnicity and age. It would leave McCain as the unchallenged foreign policy, defense and terrorism expert on either ticket.
Hmmmm . . .
Monday, July 21, 2008
More than he bargained for
Colorado's Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter has to be shaking his head, wondering what he's gotton himself in for.
Here it is some six months until the fall election, but the radio and TV airwaves are already hot with oil industry-funded commercials blasting the Governor and his office for trying to put them out of business. Two initiatives are serious problems for oilmen in Colorado: first was a complete rewrite of oil and gas exploration and production regulations, dramatically increasing the cost of doing business in the state. Now the Governor's friends are trying to petition an initiiative onto the fall ballot to raise serverance taxes on oil and gas, that the industry says could cost some $340 million a year.
It would largely fund college scholarships for Colorado high school graduates, plus some renewable energy initiatives the Governor has been pushing. Colorado college presidents are livid, as they wanted the proceeds to go directly into their budgets, rather than indirectly through student scholarships.
This is shaping up to be a very costly, loud campaign and the colleges may wind up with nothing. The Governor has stirred up a hornet's nest in taking on the oil industry, and the failure to get the college presidents on board before announcing his initiative may have doomed it to failure.
This whole mess may be a bad omen for the Governor's re-election campaign two years from now, if the centerpiece of his agenda crashes and burns in 2008.
Here it is some six months until the fall election, but the radio and TV airwaves are already hot with oil industry-funded commercials blasting the Governor and his office for trying to put them out of business. Two initiatives are serious problems for oilmen in Colorado: first was a complete rewrite of oil and gas exploration and production regulations, dramatically increasing the cost of doing business in the state. Now the Governor's friends are trying to petition an initiiative onto the fall ballot to raise serverance taxes on oil and gas, that the industry says could cost some $340 million a year.
It would largely fund college scholarships for Colorado high school graduates, plus some renewable energy initiatives the Governor has been pushing. Colorado college presidents are livid, as they wanted the proceeds to go directly into their budgets, rather than indirectly through student scholarships.
This is shaping up to be a very costly, loud campaign and the colleges may wind up with nothing. The Governor has stirred up a hornet's nest in taking on the oil industry, and the failure to get the college presidents on board before announcing his initiative may have doomed it to failure.
This whole mess may be a bad omen for the Governor's re-election campaign two years from now, if the centerpiece of his agenda crashes and burns in 2008.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
McCain must get a handle on the economy
Polls are increasingly showing that it's the economy, stupid. The Iraq War is sinking from the public conciousness, as the situation there continues to improve. Just yesterday, the main Sunni political party has agreed to rejoin the Shiite governing coalition in the Iraq government, bringing more peace and stability to the country.
It's in place for Obama to report from his current World Tour, in such a way that it further minimizes the terrorism threat, and maximizes concern for the economy. This falls right into the current public perception, which is great for Obama and of real concern for McCain.
McCain has admitted his real expertise is national security, defense and terrorism. He hasn't specialized in the economy and domestic affairs. In truth, Obama's resume is too short and his experience too brief to have specialized in anything, but he is naturally laying it on thick and heavy, that only he has the expertise to fix the economy.
Naming his vice presidential running mate will be doubly crucial for McCain. It needs not only to be someone younger than he is, but someone with creditable economic expertise. Some are talking Mitt Romney, due to his demonstrated expertise in business and as Governor of Massachusetts. But McCain doesn't like him personally, and the religious right will be up in arms because he is a Mormon. He couldn't carry Massachusetts, but might help in Michigan, another crucial state.
Former Congressmen Rob Portman of Ohio and Christopher Cox of California are now bureaucrats in the Bush administration, and have demonstrated economic expertise, but probably would tie McCain too tightly to Bush's unpopularity. Portman might help McCain carry Ohio, but Cox would be unable to cause the ticket to carry California.
Governors Charlie Crist of Florida, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Mark Sanford of South Carolina might be of some help on economic expertise. Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi would help the most, given his state's rapid recovery from Hurricane Katrina, but he carries a lot of baggage from his years as a Washington lobbyist and wheeler-dealer, and McCain will probably carry Mississippi anyway, as he will Florida and South Carolina. Pawlenty probably can't guarantee carrying Minnesota, another crucial swing state, either.
McCain faces some critical decisions, on the veep and the economy, in the next few days and weeks--and they may well determine the outcome of the election.
It's in place for Obama to report from his current World Tour, in such a way that it further minimizes the terrorism threat, and maximizes concern for the economy. This falls right into the current public perception, which is great for Obama and of real concern for McCain.
McCain has admitted his real expertise is national security, defense and terrorism. He hasn't specialized in the economy and domestic affairs. In truth, Obama's resume is too short and his experience too brief to have specialized in anything, but he is naturally laying it on thick and heavy, that only he has the expertise to fix the economy.
Naming his vice presidential running mate will be doubly crucial for McCain. It needs not only to be someone younger than he is, but someone with creditable economic expertise. Some are talking Mitt Romney, due to his demonstrated expertise in business and as Governor of Massachusetts. But McCain doesn't like him personally, and the religious right will be up in arms because he is a Mormon. He couldn't carry Massachusetts, but might help in Michigan, another crucial state.
Former Congressmen Rob Portman of Ohio and Christopher Cox of California are now bureaucrats in the Bush administration, and have demonstrated economic expertise, but probably would tie McCain too tightly to Bush's unpopularity. Portman might help McCain carry Ohio, but Cox would be unable to cause the ticket to carry California.
Governors Charlie Crist of Florida, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Mark Sanford of South Carolina might be of some help on economic expertise. Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi would help the most, given his state's rapid recovery from Hurricane Katrina, but he carries a lot of baggage from his years as a Washington lobbyist and wheeler-dealer, and McCain will probably carry Mississippi anyway, as he will Florida and South Carolina. Pawlenty probably can't guarantee carrying Minnesota, another crucial swing state, either.
McCain faces some critical decisions, on the veep and the economy, in the next few days and weeks--and they may well determine the outcome of the election.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Obama world tour
Sen. John McCain, a deeply knowledgeable, experienced foreign policy, defense and national security expert, is lucky to draw a few minor political beat reporters on his foreign trips or to U.S. policy speeches.
Then you have Sen. Barack Obama, with no credentials in these areas whatsoever, drawing three major "news" anchors and planeloads of major reporters on his rookie familiarization trip to Afghanistan, Iraq and all politically-advantageous points in between. Obama says he's there to listen, which is about all he can do, since his knowledge and expertise in these areas is so thin.
That the networks would foot the bill, and allow their most prominent, frontline anchors and reporters to serve as props for Obama's video footage for future "foreign policy expert" TV commercials, is bizarre. They will cover, I'm sure, for all the rookie gaffes and missteps Obama is bound to make on the trip, just out of naivete and inexperience, if nothing else.
Meanwhile, McCain wanders around on the domestic front, anonymously and quietly, so Big Media can properly worship, bow and scrape at the feet of the Obama World Tour. McCain should be particularly offended that his urstwhile Senate buddy, "Republican" Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, is at Obama's side, properly fawning and bootlicking, in hopes of a cabinet job and maybe even vice presidential slot, in an Obama administration. Hagel's Senate term can't end too soon.
All is not lost for McCain, however, as Obama, with his dearth of experience and credentials, is almost certain to make some serious errors--whether it's on this trip, or in the campaign afterwards.
There's a reason most presidential candidates of major parties have served years in local, state and congressional posts, even cabinet posts, before they run. You make your amateur mistakes, and learn the hard lessons, out of the public glare, before the scrutiny of a presidential campaign sets in.
Obama's about to find that out, in a painful, very personal, way.
Then you have Sen. Barack Obama, with no credentials in these areas whatsoever, drawing three major "news" anchors and planeloads of major reporters on his rookie familiarization trip to Afghanistan, Iraq and all politically-advantageous points in between. Obama says he's there to listen, which is about all he can do, since his knowledge and expertise in these areas is so thin.
That the networks would foot the bill, and allow their most prominent, frontline anchors and reporters to serve as props for Obama's video footage for future "foreign policy expert" TV commercials, is bizarre. They will cover, I'm sure, for all the rookie gaffes and missteps Obama is bound to make on the trip, just out of naivete and inexperience, if nothing else.
Meanwhile, McCain wanders around on the domestic front, anonymously and quietly, so Big Media can properly worship, bow and scrape at the feet of the Obama World Tour. McCain should be particularly offended that his urstwhile Senate buddy, "Republican" Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, is at Obama's side, properly fawning and bootlicking, in hopes of a cabinet job and maybe even vice presidential slot, in an Obama administration. Hagel's Senate term can't end too soon.
All is not lost for McCain, however, as Obama, with his dearth of experience and credentials, is almost certain to make some serious errors--whether it's on this trip, or in the campaign afterwards.
There's a reason most presidential candidates of major parties have served years in local, state and congressional posts, even cabinet posts, before they run. You make your amateur mistakes, and learn the hard lessons, out of the public glare, before the scrutiny of a presidential campaign sets in.
Obama's about to find that out, in a painful, very personal, way.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Fundraising huge, despite McCain-Feingold
Neither Barack Obama or John McCain is hurting for money, despite John McCain's daffy McCain-Feingold "campaign finance reform."
Ringleading the winks and nods about McCain-Feingold has been none other than John McCain himself, as his campaign has concocted a scheme to get around the $2300 per person limit on contributions to a presidential campaign, that allows a maximum $108,000 per person limit. By dividing the bread between McCain's campaign, the Republican National Committee and the state Republican parties in 17 key states, it skirts McCain-Feingold and thus far has allowed McCain to stay even with Obama in fundraising.
Thus far, over 70 McCain supporters have shelled out the $108,000. A couple have given even more than that, by putting money in their wive's names in addition to their own.
Obama's campaign continues to ring up huge totals on the internet, as it stacks up the big bucks since he has gone back on his word to accept federal funding of his presidential campaign.
Such is that state of "campaign finance reform" in America. Both candidates are openly flouting the system for their gain, taking advantage of every loophold and shortcut to get around the law. The truth is that there is no law that cannot be gotton around, if a candidate is of a mind to do it.
By shutting off large contributions to presidential campaigns directly, it created 527 committees, that can accept unlimited contributions, with no reporting requirement as to who gave or what they gave. Outlaw 527s, and some new way will be found to skirt the law. You can count on it.
It's time to end the farce, and allow unlimted contributions, as long as they are publicly reported.
Ringleading the winks and nods about McCain-Feingold has been none other than John McCain himself, as his campaign has concocted a scheme to get around the $2300 per person limit on contributions to a presidential campaign, that allows a maximum $108,000 per person limit. By dividing the bread between McCain's campaign, the Republican National Committee and the state Republican parties in 17 key states, it skirts McCain-Feingold and thus far has allowed McCain to stay even with Obama in fundraising.
Thus far, over 70 McCain supporters have shelled out the $108,000. A couple have given even more than that, by putting money in their wive's names in addition to their own.
Obama's campaign continues to ring up huge totals on the internet, as it stacks up the big bucks since he has gone back on his word to accept federal funding of his presidential campaign.
Such is that state of "campaign finance reform" in America. Both candidates are openly flouting the system for their gain, taking advantage of every loophold and shortcut to get around the law. The truth is that there is no law that cannot be gotton around, if a candidate is of a mind to do it.
By shutting off large contributions to presidential campaigns directly, it created 527 committees, that can accept unlimited contributions, with no reporting requirement as to who gave or what they gave. Outlaw 527s, and some new way will be found to skirt the law. You can count on it.
It's time to end the farce, and allow unlimted contributions, as long as they are publicly reported.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Americans still not engaged
Labor Day is over a month away, and that's the traditional time that Americans engage in an election year, and really pay attention to what's going on. Polls before that time are generally held to not mean much, when the vast majority of the public isn't paying attention yet.
That's why all the gaa-gaa media types oohing and awwing over every point or two change in the presidential polls between Obama and McCain are so much hot air at this point. Polls are increasingly suspect, as America becomes a nation of cell phones that can't be reached by pollsters.
This factor, when combined with the pre-Labor Day we're still in, makes the polls meaningless. Obama will get a boost out of the Democratic convention in Denver, and McCain will get one a couple of weeks later after the GOP fete in Minneapolis. After those artificial burbles wear off, about Oct. 1--then we'll have some definitive idea of what's really happening.
Much is being made about how McCain has pulled even with Obama in the polls in the last week, which may or may not be significant. The campaigns are still trying out themes and ideas, seeing what engages and moves the public, so they'll be ready for prime time after Labor Day.
It behooves you to keep your powder dry until then.
That's why all the gaa-gaa media types oohing and awwing over every point or two change in the presidential polls between Obama and McCain are so much hot air at this point. Polls are increasingly suspect, as America becomes a nation of cell phones that can't be reached by pollsters.
This factor, when combined with the pre-Labor Day we're still in, makes the polls meaningless. Obama will get a boost out of the Democratic convention in Denver, and McCain will get one a couple of weeks later after the GOP fete in Minneapolis. After those artificial burbles wear off, about Oct. 1--then we'll have some definitive idea of what's really happening.
Much is being made about how McCain has pulled even with Obama in the polls in the last week, which may or may not be significant. The campaigns are still trying out themes and ideas, seeing what engages and moves the public, so they'll be ready for prime time after Labor Day.
It behooves you to keep your powder dry until then.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Obama policy shifts anger ardent supporters
It looks like the national news media's love affair with Barack Obama is starting to fray.
Time magazine this week actually has allowed an article to be printed listing 8 major issues Obama has changed his position on since he because the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. To date, Obama has largely been free of bothersome press scrutiny, as they fawned over his every move.
It's only normal for politicians to move toward the middle once they've won the nomination. Republicans start moving from the right to the center, Democrats from the left to the center. John Kerry destroyed himself doing that, and Obama is certainly in danger. You have to be deft and clever, like Bill Clinton, to get away with it. He called it "triangulation" which caught the media's fancy in his day, and was portrayed as one who was such an intellectual that his positions evolved with time.
The left is miffed as Obama has moved to the center on Iraq, implying he might leave some troops there for a while. The real purists are turned off by his switch on accepting federal funds for his fall campaign. This is the group who have brought the energy and heft to his campaign. He angers them at his own peril.
The natural bent of the national news media would be to blink and ignore what's happening. But once again the blogosphere and the blatantness of Obama's shifts have forced their hand and they can't ignore it.
And by bringing in Arnold Schwartznegger's main political guru, John McCain might just be suddenly positioned to take advantage of it. The ABC new poll and a couple of others show the race even, after earlier showing 8 to 12 point Obama leads.
Fasten your seat belt. This might be a race yet.
Time magazine this week actually has allowed an article to be printed listing 8 major issues Obama has changed his position on since he because the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. To date, Obama has largely been free of bothersome press scrutiny, as they fawned over his every move.
It's only normal for politicians to move toward the middle once they've won the nomination. Republicans start moving from the right to the center, Democrats from the left to the center. John Kerry destroyed himself doing that, and Obama is certainly in danger. You have to be deft and clever, like Bill Clinton, to get away with it. He called it "triangulation" which caught the media's fancy in his day, and was portrayed as one who was such an intellectual that his positions evolved with time.
The left is miffed as Obama has moved to the center on Iraq, implying he might leave some troops there for a while. The real purists are turned off by his switch on accepting federal funds for his fall campaign. This is the group who have brought the energy and heft to his campaign. He angers them at his own peril.
The natural bent of the national news media would be to blink and ignore what's happening. But once again the blogosphere and the blatantness of Obama's shifts have forced their hand and they can't ignore it.
And by bringing in Arnold Schwartznegger's main political guru, John McCain might just be suddenly positioned to take advantage of it. The ABC new poll and a couple of others show the race even, after earlier showing 8 to 12 point Obama leads.
Fasten your seat belt. This might be a race yet.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Denver police gear up for Democrat confab
You taxpayers, also known as the federal government, have put up $50 million for security at the Denver Democratic National Convention the middle of August.
The Denver Police Department will be augmented by all the suburban departments in the metro area, to the tune of several hundred officers, and specialized units in riot control, domestic terrorism, etc. from as far away as Colorado Springs (sending their horse mounted patrol) and the Wyoming National Guard's terrorism unit.
All kinds of riot control gear, sophisticated communication equipment and other high tech gadgets have been purchased for use by the combined force to control the expected huge crowds, and the demonstrators led by groups like Recreate '68, Tent State University and the Pink Brigade.
In the name of giving the Denver Police the tools they need to control the situation, the Denver City Council is passing an ordinance, allegedly to toughen laws to cover those arrested. However, some ultra-liberal ACLU types on the Council, led by Councilman Doug Linkhart, have more concern for the rights of the protestors than either the police or the citizens of Denver who pay them.
He is proposing to allow the demonstrators to wear gas masks and armor, allegedly to protect them from the police. Of course, this would allow the demonstrators to continue their civil disobedience, even as the police are trying to break it up and restore order. Such a bill is, of course, outrageous and we can only hope cooler heads prevail before the Council sends a bill to Mayor John Hickenlooper, who could then veto the wrong kind of ordinance.
Whether he would or not, is open to question, as Hickenlooper is a good liberal himself, and with only one Republican on the 13-member City Council, could get overridden if he did the wrong thing. Hickenlooper mainly likes to avoid controversy, so he has already removed himself from the state Democratic delegation to the convention. He's a "to get along, go along" type, so chances are better on the Council before they pass a bill, than to rely on Mayor Hick.
It ought to be a long, hot summer in Denver. And you'll get to watch the whole thing live on your television and computer, seeing first hand how it plays out.
The Denver Police Department will be augmented by all the suburban departments in the metro area, to the tune of several hundred officers, and specialized units in riot control, domestic terrorism, etc. from as far away as Colorado Springs (sending their horse mounted patrol) and the Wyoming National Guard's terrorism unit.
All kinds of riot control gear, sophisticated communication equipment and other high tech gadgets have been purchased for use by the combined force to control the expected huge crowds, and the demonstrators led by groups like Recreate '68, Tent State University and the Pink Brigade.
In the name of giving the Denver Police the tools they need to control the situation, the Denver City Council is passing an ordinance, allegedly to toughen laws to cover those arrested. However, some ultra-liberal ACLU types on the Council, led by Councilman Doug Linkhart, have more concern for the rights of the protestors than either the police or the citizens of Denver who pay them.
He is proposing to allow the demonstrators to wear gas masks and armor, allegedly to protect them from the police. Of course, this would allow the demonstrators to continue their civil disobedience, even as the police are trying to break it up and restore order. Such a bill is, of course, outrageous and we can only hope cooler heads prevail before the Council sends a bill to Mayor John Hickenlooper, who could then veto the wrong kind of ordinance.
Whether he would or not, is open to question, as Hickenlooper is a good liberal himself, and with only one Republican on the 13-member City Council, could get overridden if he did the wrong thing. Hickenlooper mainly likes to avoid controversy, so he has already removed himself from the state Democratic delegation to the convention. He's a "to get along, go along" type, so chances are better on the Council before they pass a bill, than to rely on Mayor Hick.
It ought to be a long, hot summer in Denver. And you'll get to watch the whole thing live on your television and computer, seeing first hand how it plays out.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Thin-skinned Obamas come unhinged
A clear cartoon parody on the cover of the avant garde magazine New Yorker of Barack and Micelle Obama has their campaign, and the candidate himself, in a major tizzy.
If you haven't surfed the web and seen it yet, the cartoon depicts the Oval Office, with Barack standing their in full Muslim dress with a turbin, and Michelle in full Angela Davis mode--complete with an exaggerated Afro, AK47, and full terrorist gear. A painting on the wall is of Osama Bin Laden, and an American flag is burning in the fireplace.
The cover is so obviously a take-off on current events, printed to sell magazines and draw attention to the New Yorker, that's it's hard to take seriously, if you're anyone other than Obama. There is no companion article inside the magazine that the cartoon calls attention to, a common magazine ploy. There is a 15,000-word tomb on Obama's days in Chicago, but it doesn't tie in to the cover cartoon.
The over-the-top reaction of the Obamas (the magazine doesn't even hit the newsstands until tomorrow), suggests that maybe some of the internet rumors are true. Maybe Obama is a closet Muslim. Maybe Michelle does hate America. Maybe their Chicago friendship with Weathermen Bill Ayres and Bernadette Dorn, and all the radical hate-America spewings of their 20-year pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright--they support.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. When you're not able to look at an obvious parody and have a good belly laugh, no matter how close it hits to home--you're taking yourself too seriously.
We're still nearly 5 months from the election. This is just a minor hit, compared to what's undoubtedly coming. If the Obamas aren't tough enough to stand up to this minor brushfire, they're in bigger trouble than anybody thought.
If you haven't surfed the web and seen it yet, the cartoon depicts the Oval Office, with Barack standing their in full Muslim dress with a turbin, and Michelle in full Angela Davis mode--complete with an exaggerated Afro, AK47, and full terrorist gear. A painting on the wall is of Osama Bin Laden, and an American flag is burning in the fireplace.
The cover is so obviously a take-off on current events, printed to sell magazines and draw attention to the New Yorker, that's it's hard to take seriously, if you're anyone other than Obama. There is no companion article inside the magazine that the cartoon calls attention to, a common magazine ploy. There is a 15,000-word tomb on Obama's days in Chicago, but it doesn't tie in to the cover cartoon.
The over-the-top reaction of the Obamas (the magazine doesn't even hit the newsstands until tomorrow), suggests that maybe some of the internet rumors are true. Maybe Obama is a closet Muslim. Maybe Michelle does hate America. Maybe their Chicago friendship with Weathermen Bill Ayres and Bernadette Dorn, and all the radical hate-America spewings of their 20-year pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright--they support.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. When you're not able to look at an obvious parody and have a good belly laugh, no matter how close it hits to home--you're taking yourself too seriously.
We're still nearly 5 months from the election. This is just a minor hit, compared to what's undoubtedly coming. If the Obamas aren't tough enough to stand up to this minor brushfire, they're in bigger trouble than anybody thought.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
A great idea: global warming reparations
Al Gore's highly political scare campaign on so-called global warming is increasingly seen as a hoax by reputable scientists, who actually collect the data and research what is really happening.
What is really happening is that the earth appears to be entering a period of global cooling, and the last thing we need to be worrying about is globall warming. While there is minor ice melting at the northpole, at the southpole, there is record ice buildup and more on the way.
Even if all the ice melted in the northpole, and that is considered by most scientists to be highly unlikely, seaports on the east coast might see as much as an 8-inch-higher ocean, not the 20 feet told of by Al Gore in his flick, An Inconvient Truth. The ocean adjusts and rises very slowly, and the likelihood of a dramatic flooding of seaports is nil. Evaporation of the ocean increases as it warms, and chances are very good it would not rise at all.
University of Denver scientist Fred Ebert, who has a radio show called Stump the Professor, explained all this this morning. He went on to say that in professional scientific circles he functions in, about 75% of scientists now have doubts about global warming. Having listened to Ebert for several years now, I would characterize him as a liberal Republican--but an honest scientist.
One caller today had a brilliant idea: pay reparations to all those who have suffered at the hands of the global warming hoax.
For his part, Al Gore refuses to debate global warming, or appear on the same stage with doubters. He and his environmentalist cronies perpetuate the hoax that global warming is established scientific fact--when in reality, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Skeptics abound, and are growing in number every day. The hoax is a socialist Robin Hood scheme to take from the rich (read: the United States of America) and give to the poor (the rest of the world). Unable to sell communism, socialism or any other ideology to level society, now global warming is the accepted tool.
But don't worry. As it becomes less and less tenable, a new strategy will emerge. You can count on it.
What is really happening is that the earth appears to be entering a period of global cooling, and the last thing we need to be worrying about is globall warming. While there is minor ice melting at the northpole, at the southpole, there is record ice buildup and more on the way.
Even if all the ice melted in the northpole, and that is considered by most scientists to be highly unlikely, seaports on the east coast might see as much as an 8-inch-higher ocean, not the 20 feet told of by Al Gore in his flick, An Inconvient Truth. The ocean adjusts and rises very slowly, and the likelihood of a dramatic flooding of seaports is nil. Evaporation of the ocean increases as it warms, and chances are very good it would not rise at all.
University of Denver scientist Fred Ebert, who has a radio show called Stump the Professor, explained all this this morning. He went on to say that in professional scientific circles he functions in, about 75% of scientists now have doubts about global warming. Having listened to Ebert for several years now, I would characterize him as a liberal Republican--but an honest scientist.
One caller today had a brilliant idea: pay reparations to all those who have suffered at the hands of the global warming hoax.
For his part, Al Gore refuses to debate global warming, or appear on the same stage with doubters. He and his environmentalist cronies perpetuate the hoax that global warming is established scientific fact--when in reality, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Skeptics abound, and are growing in number every day. The hoax is a socialist Robin Hood scheme to take from the rich (read: the United States of America) and give to the poor (the rest of the world). Unable to sell communism, socialism or any other ideology to level society, now global warming is the accepted tool.
But don't worry. As it becomes less and less tenable, a new strategy will emerge. You can count on it.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
GOP blowing it on gas prices
Fate has handed the Republican Party the single most potent issue that guarantees victory in the 2008 presidential sweepstakes. It's presemptive nominee could be considered fatally flawed on the issue, and thus far all the party's leadership, except for President Bush (remember him?), act like they have rocks in their heads.
The issue? Gasoline prices, of course
Americans are outraged by $4-plus gasoline. They are tired of their money going to people that hate us and fund terrorists to attack us. They do understand the principle of supply and demand, and that if the United States produced more oil itself, it would have to buy less from these thugs.
And the U.S. can produce more oil. A lot more oil. It is the environmentalists and their handmaidens in the Democratic Party who have prevented us from doing so. In the name of saving the whales, saving our oil reserves for future generations, tamping down global warming--whatever excuse you want to use--they have refused to allow oil drilling on the continental shelf offshore in states like California and Florida or to drill in the arctic wasteland called ANWR in Alaska.
Barack Obama has already said it is impossible to drill our way out of the energy crisis, and in fact that he likes $4 gas prices, because it forces people to use less of it. This is not the message Americans want to hear, or will respond positively to, if given a choice.
Tragically, to date John McCain's Senate record has been one of putting in with the liberals, and voting not to drill either. He has inched toward saying the states should decide for themselves whether or not to drill offshore. What he needs to do is dramatically announce that we are in an emergency and that emergencies demand emergency action.
He should come out full bore (how's that for a bad pun?) for offshore and ANWR oil drilling, to let the free enterprise system of supply and demand bring down oil prices. All the liberals and their friends in the mass media are wringing their hands, that oil prices are entirely in the hands of Arab shieks and we can't do anthing about it.
Just watch and see what happens when suddenly the U.S. cuts its foreign oil purchases by one-third to one-half. Voila! Oil prices will come down. Wind and solar power? Oil from shale and tar sands? Hydrogen powered cars? Nuclear power? Yep, I think we should move full speed ahead on all of it.
But its oil that will make the most dramatic and immediate difference. The speculators that have a hand in keeping oil prices high don't need to see actual barrels of oil coming out of the ground--just the threat of it will be sufficient.
John McCain and the GOP need to get out in front of this one. The public believes Obama and the environmentalists have it all wrong.
The issue? Gasoline prices, of course
Americans are outraged by $4-plus gasoline. They are tired of their money going to people that hate us and fund terrorists to attack us. They do understand the principle of supply and demand, and that if the United States produced more oil itself, it would have to buy less from these thugs.
And the U.S. can produce more oil. A lot more oil. It is the environmentalists and their handmaidens in the Democratic Party who have prevented us from doing so. In the name of saving the whales, saving our oil reserves for future generations, tamping down global warming--whatever excuse you want to use--they have refused to allow oil drilling on the continental shelf offshore in states like California and Florida or to drill in the arctic wasteland called ANWR in Alaska.
Barack Obama has already said it is impossible to drill our way out of the energy crisis, and in fact that he likes $4 gas prices, because it forces people to use less of it. This is not the message Americans want to hear, or will respond positively to, if given a choice.
Tragically, to date John McCain's Senate record has been one of putting in with the liberals, and voting not to drill either. He has inched toward saying the states should decide for themselves whether or not to drill offshore. What he needs to do is dramatically announce that we are in an emergency and that emergencies demand emergency action.
He should come out full bore (how's that for a bad pun?) for offshore and ANWR oil drilling, to let the free enterprise system of supply and demand bring down oil prices. All the liberals and their friends in the mass media are wringing their hands, that oil prices are entirely in the hands of Arab shieks and we can't do anthing about it.
Just watch and see what happens when suddenly the U.S. cuts its foreign oil purchases by one-third to one-half. Voila! Oil prices will come down. Wind and solar power? Oil from shale and tar sands? Hydrogen powered cars? Nuclear power? Yep, I think we should move full speed ahead on all of it.
But its oil that will make the most dramatic and immediate difference. The speculators that have a hand in keeping oil prices high don't need to see actual barrels of oil coming out of the ground--just the threat of it will be sufficient.
John McCain and the GOP need to get out in front of this one. The public believes Obama and the environmentalists have it all wrong.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Despite McCain, Phil Gramm's right
Former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, co-chairman of John McCain's presidential campaign and a leading candidate for Secretary of the Treasury in a McCain administration, stated his opinion that America was a bunch of whiners and complainers. He said the country is not close to a recession, much less a depression, and that the economy is actually quite strong, and the press and Americans should quit bellyaching.
Gramm is right, of course, but politically incorrect. Politicians have to have a crisis to solve in order to sell their program. The crisis of the moment is the U.S. economy. When John McCain got word what his old Senator buddy Gramm had said, he immediately blasted it, pointing out that if you're unemployed or your company shut down, you're in a full blown crisis.
Obama has been bleating "recession" ever since he announced his candidacy. The American public believes it, and blames Bush and the Republicans. To show that his independent, maverick streak is intact, McCain has to follow suit.
This is dangerous, in my opinion, because there is a solid third of American voters who think Bush is doing a good job, and most are leery of McCain to start with. When he blasts their hero Bush, he repels his natural base, rather than attracting it.
There is a disturbing pattern in both McCain and Obama, of throwing those closest to them under the bus to make themselves look good. McCain has done it now with Gramm, longtime aide Michael Murphy and evangelist John Hagee. Obama has done with his white grandmother, his 20-year pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his successor Rev. Otis Moss and his old Weatherman neighbors Bernadette Dorn and her husband.
This lack of loyalty and stepping on-and-over whoever you have to, in the name of getting elected, is very disturbing and disquieting. Many people think the President of the United States is better than that--or should be. There's a lot of character and principle shown, when you stand by an old friend who has erred.
You look slick and untrustworthy when you don't. Are McCain and Obama listening?
Gramm is right, of course, but politically incorrect. Politicians have to have a crisis to solve in order to sell their program. The crisis of the moment is the U.S. economy. When John McCain got word what his old Senator buddy Gramm had said, he immediately blasted it, pointing out that if you're unemployed or your company shut down, you're in a full blown crisis.
Obama has been bleating "recession" ever since he announced his candidacy. The American public believes it, and blames Bush and the Republicans. To show that his independent, maverick streak is intact, McCain has to follow suit.
This is dangerous, in my opinion, because there is a solid third of American voters who think Bush is doing a good job, and most are leery of McCain to start with. When he blasts their hero Bush, he repels his natural base, rather than attracting it.
There is a disturbing pattern in both McCain and Obama, of throwing those closest to them under the bus to make themselves look good. McCain has done it now with Gramm, longtime aide Michael Murphy and evangelist John Hagee. Obama has done with his white grandmother, his 20-year pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his successor Rev. Otis Moss and his old Weatherman neighbors Bernadette Dorn and her husband.
This lack of loyalty and stepping on-and-over whoever you have to, in the name of getting elected, is very disturbing and disquieting. Many people think the President of the United States is better than that--or should be. There's a lot of character and principle shown, when you stand by an old friend who has erred.
You look slick and untrustworthy when you don't. Are McCain and Obama listening?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Lobbyists turn up election year heat
In these last few weeks of the current congressional session, before adjourning to campaign for re-election, the eye is on presidential politics and fundraising, not sound legislation.
Not much will pass, and what does, is probably suspect. A good case in point is the rush to eliminate the scheduled 10.6% cut in doctor reimbursements under medicare. The pols need those big doctor checks in the ol' campaign kitty this time of year, and are falling all over each other to do the doctor's bidding. Unless President Bush vetoes it, the 10.6% cut is dead meat.
President Bush did get his way on the foreign surveillance bill, but Democrats could not afford to go into the fall election subject to charges of being weak on national security. Just as Obama is changing his position on Iraq and a host of other issues to appear more moderate for the fall eletion, the Democrats caved on exempting phone companies from prosecution for allowing wire taps. Suddenly, after fighting it for two years, they're allowing it.
The bottom line is that Congress should probably stay out of session in election years. The nation would be better off for it. Solon's eyes are on November, not doing the right thing.
Not much will pass, and what does, is probably suspect. A good case in point is the rush to eliminate the scheduled 10.6% cut in doctor reimbursements under medicare. The pols need those big doctor checks in the ol' campaign kitty this time of year, and are falling all over each other to do the doctor's bidding. Unless President Bush vetoes it, the 10.6% cut is dead meat.
President Bush did get his way on the foreign surveillance bill, but Democrats could not afford to go into the fall election subject to charges of being weak on national security. Just as Obama is changing his position on Iraq and a host of other issues to appear more moderate for the fall eletion, the Democrats caved on exempting phone companies from prosecution for allowing wire taps. Suddenly, after fighting it for two years, they're allowing it.
The bottom line is that Congress should probably stay out of session in election years. The nation would be better off for it. Solon's eyes are on November, not doing the right thing.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Liberal, sympathetic press covers for Jesse
It is well known that old line black leaders like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton loath Barack Obama. Be it jealousy, aversion to his urbane slick and cool, or simply the competition for funds and power--they privately hate his guts.
That attitude will never do publicly however, so they have to act thrilled at the prospect of America electing its first black president, and a liberal to boot. But the bad attitude is alive, bubbling right there under the surface.
It burst out into the open yesterday, when Jesse Jackson was caught, after he thought an interview was over, but alas, one of those pesky mikes was still alive. Ol' Jesse is on tape, using bad language to savage Obama for lecturing blacks. Patronize them, promise them things you can't deliver, fire them up with anti-white rhetoric--all the Jackson and Sharpton stock in trade--but don't tell them the truth, as Obama did.
Even Jesse's own son, the Illinois Congressman who is co-chairman of Obama's campaign, was outraged at his Dad's behavior and upbraided him. But let's face it: it's got to be embarassing when the real Jesse Jackson comes out.
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, in an unguarded moment, referred to Obama as "the first clean black candidate for president." It was Jesse Jackson he had in mind, you better believe, when he said it. Biden, even if politically incorrect, could not have been more right.
That attitude will never do publicly however, so they have to act thrilled at the prospect of America electing its first black president, and a liberal to boot. But the bad attitude is alive, bubbling right there under the surface.
It burst out into the open yesterday, when Jesse Jackson was caught, after he thought an interview was over, but alas, one of those pesky mikes was still alive. Ol' Jesse is on tape, using bad language to savage Obama for lecturing blacks. Patronize them, promise them things you can't deliver, fire them up with anti-white rhetoric--all the Jackson and Sharpton stock in trade--but don't tell them the truth, as Obama did.
Even Jesse's own son, the Illinois Congressman who is co-chairman of Obama's campaign, was outraged at his Dad's behavior and upbraided him. But let's face it: it's got to be embarassing when the real Jesse Jackson comes out.
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, in an unguarded moment, referred to Obama as "the first clean black candidate for president." It was Jesse Jackson he had in mind, you better believe, when he said it. Biden, even if politically incorrect, could not have been more right.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Obama making big pitch to Catholics
Since the initial Reagan campaign in 1980, Republicans have carried the Catholic vote, basing their appeal on anti-abortion and other pro-family issues. The zenith came in 2004, when the Bush campaign had a national committee and 75 regional chairman targeting Catholic voters. They carried the Catholic vote 52-47%.
This was despite the fact that John Kerry was a Catholic. However, several Bishops advocated denying him communion, because he was pro-abortion. Kerry kept quiet, not wanting to further anger the Bishops, so the Bushies had the Catholic playing field to themselves.
A group of Catholic Bishops last year issued a doctrinal statement, that pro-life meant more than just abortion and made the traditional liberal argument that children's health care, welfare, immigration and similar issues were part of being pro-life.
Regardless of the dubious merits of that assertion, it found a ready audience in RINO (Republicans in Name Only) circles like
Pepperdine University law professor Doug Kmiec, a former Reagan justice department official, who this year is a Republican for Obama.
McCain has not had competent spiritual advisors on his campaign, so he accepted the endorsement of evangelist John Hagee, who calls the Catholic Church "the Whore of Babylon." McCain later denounced Hagee, but really has repelled evangelicals and church people with his petty fights with Focus on the Family's James Dobson and Pat Robertson. He still has no active effort underway to carry the Catholic or evangelical vote, so Obama, suspected by some of being a closet Muslim, but at least a very liberal Christian--has an open field in seeking the faith vote.
Oh ya, John and Cindy McCain did attend the North Phoenix Baptist Church last Sunday, getting their picture in the news. That and a $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee at McDonald's.
This was despite the fact that John Kerry was a Catholic. However, several Bishops advocated denying him communion, because he was pro-abortion. Kerry kept quiet, not wanting to further anger the Bishops, so the Bushies had the Catholic playing field to themselves.
A group of Catholic Bishops last year issued a doctrinal statement, that pro-life meant more than just abortion and made the traditional liberal argument that children's health care, welfare, immigration and similar issues were part of being pro-life.
Regardless of the dubious merits of that assertion, it found a ready audience in RINO (Republicans in Name Only) circles like
Pepperdine University law professor Doug Kmiec, a former Reagan justice department official, who this year is a Republican for Obama.
McCain has not had competent spiritual advisors on his campaign, so he accepted the endorsement of evangelist John Hagee, who calls the Catholic Church "the Whore of Babylon." McCain later denounced Hagee, but really has repelled evangelicals and church people with his petty fights with Focus on the Family's James Dobson and Pat Robertson. He still has no active effort underway to carry the Catholic or evangelical vote, so Obama, suspected by some of being a closet Muslim, but at least a very liberal Christian--has an open field in seeking the faith vote.
Oh ya, John and Cindy McCain did attend the North Phoenix Baptist Church last Sunday, getting their picture in the news. That and a $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee at McDonald's.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Obama's big stadium acceptance speech
It was announced today that Sen. Barack Obama will deliver his acceptance speech, after his nomination at the Democratic National Convbention in Denver the third week in August, at Invesco at Mile High football stadium instead of the site of rest of the convention, Pepsi Center.
Indoor Pepsi Center will seat around 21,000, while Invesco will seat upwards of 80,000 for a speech. Since they're playing for the television audience, presumably Obama's advisors have calculated that the bigger outdoor crowd will look better on TV.
Cost is a major consideration, since the Denver host committee for the convention is some $11 million short of raising its $50 million budget. And that was before the considerable extra cost of using Invesco. Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean said only "we'll have to help them out with some outside funds."
What a strange society we have become--what a convoluted sense of values we have--that where the speech is delivered is more important than its content.
Indoor Pepsi Center will seat around 21,000, while Invesco will seat upwards of 80,000 for a speech. Since they're playing for the television audience, presumably Obama's advisors have calculated that the bigger outdoor crowd will look better on TV.
Cost is a major consideration, since the Denver host committee for the convention is some $11 million short of raising its $50 million budget. And that was before the considerable extra cost of using Invesco. Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean said only "we'll have to help them out with some outside funds."
What a strange society we have become--what a convoluted sense of values we have--that where the speech is delivered is more important than its content.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Labor issues big in Colorado elections
Labor issues, both pro- and anti-union, are on the ballot in Colorado this coming November, and promise to affect the outcome of both candidate races, as well as the issues themselves.
Big Labor has promised to pour $300 million into labor issues nationwide, and Colorado will certainly get its share. Right-to-work is on the ballot for the first time since 1958 in Colorado, and in retaliation, Labor put four issues on the ballot, pulling two at the last minute. The toughest one would make a business institute a union shop when a majority of employees sign cards requesting a union, without holding an election.
Democrat Mark Udall, running for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring GOP Sen. Wayne Allard, is a union favorite and has raised millions of dollars during his years in Congress, from Labor. His GOP opponent, former Rep. Bob Schaeffer, is no union fan and the unions will be eager to defeat him.
In 1958, for those too young to remember, Big Labor poured big money into the state, and for the first time in years, elected a Democratic Governor, U.S. Senator and majorities in both houses of the state legislature, as well as defeating the Right-to-work measure on the ballot.
Will 2008 be a repeat? In those days, unions represented about 40% of the state's workers, but only 8% today. Based on that statistic you wouldn't think so, but Colorado has moved to the left in recent years, and despite fewer members in the state, Big Labor money is still a force to be reckoned with.
Big Labor has promised to pour $300 million into labor issues nationwide, and Colorado will certainly get its share. Right-to-work is on the ballot for the first time since 1958 in Colorado, and in retaliation, Labor put four issues on the ballot, pulling two at the last minute. The toughest one would make a business institute a union shop when a majority of employees sign cards requesting a union, without holding an election.
Democrat Mark Udall, running for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring GOP Sen. Wayne Allard, is a union favorite and has raised millions of dollars during his years in Congress, from Labor. His GOP opponent, former Rep. Bob Schaeffer, is no union fan and the unions will be eager to defeat him.
In 1958, for those too young to remember, Big Labor poured big money into the state, and for the first time in years, elected a Democratic Governor, U.S. Senator and majorities in both houses of the state legislature, as well as defeating the Right-to-work measure on the ballot.
Will 2008 be a repeat? In those days, unions represented about 40% of the state's workers, but only 8% today. Based on that statistic you wouldn't think so, but Colorado has moved to the left in recent years, and despite fewer members in the state, Big Labor money is still a force to be reckoned with.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Sorry Obama, you're not "post racial" politics
Despite Barack Obama's claim that since he's half black and half white, he represents "post racial" politics as part of a new day in America.
That might indeed be true, except that Obama has repeatedly played the race card in southern primaries, winning in North Carolina. He has a whole division of his cammpaign organization devoted solely to registering blacks to vote in key states where their vote could make the difference.
Even worse, Obama is not colorblind in policies, either. He continues to back race-based preferences in hiring, school admissions, welfare, scholarships, etc.
Just like in so many other areas, Obama is a typical old line pol. His policies and stands slither and slide to fit the moment. Whatever a given audience wants to hear, he'll tell them.
That's the new politics?
No, that politics as usual.
That might indeed be true, except that Obama has repeatedly played the race card in southern primaries, winning in North Carolina. He has a whole division of his cammpaign organization devoted solely to registering blacks to vote in key states where their vote could make the difference.
Even worse, Obama is not colorblind in policies, either. He continues to back race-based preferences in hiring, school admissions, welfare, scholarships, etc.
Just like in so many other areas, Obama is a typical old line pol. His policies and stands slither and slide to fit the moment. Whatever a given audience wants to hear, he'll tell them.
That's the new politics?
No, that politics as usual.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself
Politics and politicians have always harbored their share of hypocrisy, so it is no great surprise to hear plenty emanating from the mouths of the pols of 2008.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself
Politics and politicians have always harbored their share of hypocrisy, so it is no great surprise to hear plenty emanating from the mouths of the pols of 2008.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself
Politics and politicians have always harbored their share of hypocrisy, so it is no great surprise to hear plenty emanating from the mouths of the pols of 2008.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself
Politics and politicians have always harbored their share of hypocrisy, so it is no great surprise to hear plenty emanating from the mouths of the pols of 2008.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself
Politics and politicians have always harbored their share of hypocrisy, so it is no great surprise to hear plenty emanating from the mouths of the pols of 2008.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
A great old saw, that definitely applies in business and non-profit leadership is "Don't ask others to do what you won't do yourself." It should apply to politics and politicians, but very obviously doesn't.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, speaking in Colorado Springs two days ago, the hotbed of the Christian Right, tried to evoke Biblical principles in urging Young Americans to volunteer, either in the military (the first time he's said that), Peace Corps, Americorps or other non-profit social agency. He came off like most liberal, nominal Christians, speaking of the "helping the poor" doctrines of the Bible, while ignoring bedrock principles like salvation, grace, holiness and carrying the cross.
Obama, of course, did not serve in the military, but did graduate with advanced degrees from elite Eastern schools like Harvard and Princeton. He did serve briefly as a "community organizer" (whatever that is) in Chicago, before running for Congress (and losing), the State Senate, the U.S. Senate and now President. He has never earned a private enterprise dollar and doesn't advocate that anyone else does either.
His recent endorsement from Environmental Guru Al Gore brings to mind another case of asking others to do what he won't do himself. His antebellum mansion in downtown Nashville annually consumes 25 times more energy than an average U.S. residence. Consumption has actually gone up this last year, after the consumption figures were exposed the year before. He and Tipper tule around in matching Cadillac Escalade SUVs. He flies to the ends of the earth in private jets to deliver his global warming screeds. His carbon footprint is enourmous.
Yet we, the unwashed masses, are supposed to stay home in the cold and dark--and conserve.
You get the idea. Hypocrisy in our leadership is alive and well.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The campaign finance farce
According to the lead story today in The Wall Street Journal, the McCain-Finegold "campaign finance reform act," is being shredded and loopholed to death--by it's own sponsor.
Faced with opponent Barack Obama backing out on his pledge to accept federal financing of his general election campaign, with its attendant limit of about $89 million in spending, McCain is still accepting federal funds, but to overcome the extreme disadvantage, allowing 527s and party groups to raise supplemental millions in his indirect behalf.
As Obama is likely to raise and spend something over $200 million with his internet fundraising juggernaut, Republicans are hard pressed make up the difference between the $89 million federal limit and the Obama spending. The Republican National Committee and the Republican Governor's Association, which have much more generous limits than the $2,300 per individual McCain-Finegold allows, are vastly ahead of their Democratic couterparts in bucks raised so far.
They can't spend it directly in ads for McCain, but can spend it on party building and get-out-the-vote efforts that will nonetheless benefit McCain. This is find with me--I don't think there should be any limits or federal funding of political campaigns either, for that matter, as long as the donors and amounts given are disclosed. It is just the hypocrisy involved.
Liberals on the Supreme Court upheld the body of McCain-Finegold, even though it is a clear violation of the First Amendment by limiting free speech. Now even they are chipping away at it in more recent decisions, but it is largely still intact.
But Obama's audacity of fundraising, is likely to drive the final nails in McCain-Finegold's coffin, by forcing everybody out of the closet.
Faced with opponent Barack Obama backing out on his pledge to accept federal financing of his general election campaign, with its attendant limit of about $89 million in spending, McCain is still accepting federal funds, but to overcome the extreme disadvantage, allowing 527s and party groups to raise supplemental millions in his indirect behalf.
As Obama is likely to raise and spend something over $200 million with his internet fundraising juggernaut, Republicans are hard pressed make up the difference between the $89 million federal limit and the Obama spending. The Republican National Committee and the Republican Governor's Association, which have much more generous limits than the $2,300 per individual McCain-Finegold allows, are vastly ahead of their Democratic couterparts in bucks raised so far.
They can't spend it directly in ads for McCain, but can spend it on party building and get-out-the-vote efforts that will nonetheless benefit McCain. This is find with me--I don't think there should be any limits or federal funding of political campaigns either, for that matter, as long as the donors and amounts given are disclosed. It is just the hypocrisy involved.
Liberals on the Supreme Court upheld the body of McCain-Finegold, even though it is a clear violation of the First Amendment by limiting free speech. Now even they are chipping away at it in more recent decisions, but it is largely still intact.
But Obama's audacity of fundraising, is likely to drive the final nails in McCain-Finegold's coffin, by forcing everybody out of the closet.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Denver's National Anthem flap
It was a sacred, annual event in the Denver City Council chambers: Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address. The City Council and many city workers were all assembled as the Boy Scouts color guard brought in the flags in formation, and Rene Marie, a jazz singer, was introduced to sing the National Anthem.
As the music of the Star Spangled Banner was played, she sang the words of what is called the Black National Anthem--a totally different song. There was shock and outrage in the audience, but the good liberals who make up the City Council, and the Mayor, were properly open-minded and dignified, saying and doing nothing.
As the outraged citizenry has reacted on talk radio and the blogosphere, it has forced these over-the-edge liberals to admit that they were wrong.
Two thoughts come to mind:
1. Nobody remembers a word of what the Mayor said in his address. Everybody remembers what Rene Marie sang. In a crumbling economy, with $4 gasoline, record home foreclosures and high food prices, and gang violence in LoDo--all that the Mayor had to say about it was lost.
2. Running from the public as fast as possible, Marie did say that she exercised "artistic license" and that it was all about her experiences as a Black Woman growing up in the United States.
Sorry--it was not all about you, Rene Marie, it was all about the United States of America on a very somber, dignified occasion. You betrayed those who called upon you, and destroyed the reason for the gathering, the Mayor's State of the City address.
As the music of the Star Spangled Banner was played, she sang the words of what is called the Black National Anthem--a totally different song. There was shock and outrage in the audience, but the good liberals who make up the City Council, and the Mayor, were properly open-minded and dignified, saying and doing nothing.
As the outraged citizenry has reacted on talk radio and the blogosphere, it has forced these over-the-edge liberals to admit that they were wrong.
Two thoughts come to mind:
1. Nobody remembers a word of what the Mayor said in his address. Everybody remembers what Rene Marie sang. In a crumbling economy, with $4 gasoline, record home foreclosures and high food prices, and gang violence in LoDo--all that the Mayor had to say about it was lost.
2. Running from the public as fast as possible, Marie did say that she exercised "artistic license" and that it was all about her experiences as a Black Woman growing up in the United States.
Sorry--it was not all about you, Rene Marie, it was all about the United States of America on a very somber, dignified occasion. You betrayed those who called upon you, and destroyed the reason for the gathering, the Mayor's State of the City address.
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