On Friday, Sen. John McCain finally announced his running mate, just a few days out from the Republican National Convention. Instead of nominating someone that people expected him to, like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, he went with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that McCain would go left when everyone else thought he should go right, but Sarah Palin? What exactly does she bring to the table?
Think about this. She's the governor of a state that has less people in it than the city of Memphis. She's a former journalist who ran her husband's fishing business. And she's a former beauty queen. How exactly does that qualify her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?
Best I can figure, McCain is trying to make up for the perceived mistake of Barack Obama in not nominating Hillary Clinton as his VP. I think this is just a transparent attempt by McCain to win the women's vote. Hopefully, women voters will recognize this for what it is and won't let him get away with it.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
A big mistake for Obama
On Saturday, Barack Obama finally announced his running mate for 2008. To everyone's surprise, he chose Deleware Sen. Joseph Biden. The question is, why?
It seems to me that Obama has made a big mistake with his choice. A better choice would have been New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Why? Becaused she came within an eyelash of winning the nomination outright. She has a large bloc of supporters that he could have brought under the Democratic tent, including the all-important women's vote. With her vast experience, she would have made a tremendous choice.
Another good choice would have been New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Not only does he have a sparkling resume (He was a former energy secretary and a former ambassador to the United Nations, as well as a former Congressman), he is Hispanic. Adding him to the ticket would have helped win the Hispanic vote, which continues to grow in importance nationally.
So what does Biden bring to the ticket? That's a good question. He doesn't exactly come from a swing state. If anything, what he brings to the ticket is international experience. He is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also brings plenty of legislative experience. Other than that, he seems like a weak choice and a mis-step by a sudden floundering campaign.
It seems to me that Obama has made a big mistake with his choice. A better choice would have been New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Why? Becaused she came within an eyelash of winning the nomination outright. She has a large bloc of supporters that he could have brought under the Democratic tent, including the all-important women's vote. With her vast experience, she would have made a tremendous choice.
Another good choice would have been New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. Not only does he have a sparkling resume (He was a former energy secretary and a former ambassador to the United Nations, as well as a former Congressman), he is Hispanic. Adding him to the ticket would have helped win the Hispanic vote, which continues to grow in importance nationally.
So what does Biden bring to the ticket? That's a good question. He doesn't exactly come from a swing state. If anything, what he brings to the ticket is international experience. He is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also brings plenty of legislative experience. Other than that, he seems like a weak choice and a mis-step by a sudden floundering campaign.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Hillary and the Convention
On Thursday, it was announced by Fox News that Hillary Clinton's name would be put in nomination at the Democratic National Convention in a couple of weeks. And it is going to be done with the blessing of presumptive nominee Barack Obama.
Apparently, this is going to be a symbolic gesture, a nod to Hillary's historic campaign and a sop to her supporters who were upset when she suspended her campaign. My question is, was this really necessary?
It seems to me this gesture is an empty one. Hillary is not going to get the nomination, so why do it? Add this to the fact that it has the potential to backfire on the Democrats, and it makes you wonder what the heck they're thinking.
What's going to happen if Hillary's supporters refuse to let this be simply a symbolic gesture? What if instead of backing Obama, we end up with a major floor fight? It seems to me that the Democrats need to unite behind Obama and present a solid front to the nation, not make an empty symbolic gesture that really doesn't mean anything
Apparently, this is going to be a symbolic gesture, a nod to Hillary's historic campaign and a sop to her supporters who were upset when she suspended her campaign. My question is, was this really necessary?
It seems to me this gesture is an empty one. Hillary is not going to get the nomination, so why do it? Add this to the fact that it has the potential to backfire on the Democrats, and it makes you wonder what the heck they're thinking.
What's going to happen if Hillary's supporters refuse to let this be simply a symbolic gesture? What if instead of backing Obama, we end up with a major floor fight? It seems to me that the Democrats need to unite behind Obama and present a solid front to the nation, not make an empty symbolic gesture that really doesn't mean anything
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Bush's Legacy?
Recently, President Bush went to China to put in an appearance at the Olympic Games in Beijing. While there, he had the audacity to preach to the Chinese government about the importance of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. When I read his comments, I had two thougts. First, is this guy for real? This is a COMMUNIST country. Of course they're not going to have these things that so many Americans take for granted. Second, what will his legacy be when he leaves office in five months (Thank God)!
Now, admittedly, I'm no Bush fan. Personally, I can't wait until the election in November. But looking at it honestly, I think he will go down in history as one of the most incompetent presidents we've ever had.
In eight years, what has Bush accomplished? He's managed to introduce the concept of "pre-emptive war" to the world and start a two-front war in Afghanistan and Iraq that we are losing badly. He's managed to wreck the economy. Gas prices have tripled under his watch. There's the mortgage crisis. And let's not forget the damage he's done to us on the international stage.
Where once we were respected and listened to, now people look at Bush as a clown, a shoot first and ask questions later cowboy. Our reputation has suffered tremendously, and it may take years before we regain the respect we once had.
That's why I'm no fan of John McCain. To me, he represents the worst parts of the Bush administration and a continuation of eight years of failed policies. He's someone who's pledged to "keep us in Iraq for 100 years if that's what it takes." He has shown his disdain for economic policy. And frankly, he's built his whole campaign on something that happened 40 years ago. I'm sorry, but being a prisoner of war doesn't qualify you to be commander-in-chief.
As for Obama, I'm not sure about him either. He's awfully inexperienced. And he seems to be trying to find his sea legs when it comes to his position on any number of issues. Still, given a choice, he seems to be the best hope of significant change. After all, we could hardly do worse than Bush.
Now, admittedly, I'm no Bush fan. Personally, I can't wait until the election in November. But looking at it honestly, I think he will go down in history as one of the most incompetent presidents we've ever had.
In eight years, what has Bush accomplished? He's managed to introduce the concept of "pre-emptive war" to the world and start a two-front war in Afghanistan and Iraq that we are losing badly. He's managed to wreck the economy. Gas prices have tripled under his watch. There's the mortgage crisis. And let's not forget the damage he's done to us on the international stage.
Where once we were respected and listened to, now people look at Bush as a clown, a shoot first and ask questions later cowboy. Our reputation has suffered tremendously, and it may take years before we regain the respect we once had.
That's why I'm no fan of John McCain. To me, he represents the worst parts of the Bush administration and a continuation of eight years of failed policies. He's someone who's pledged to "keep us in Iraq for 100 years if that's what it takes." He has shown his disdain for economic policy. And frankly, he's built his whole campaign on something that happened 40 years ago. I'm sorry, but being a prisoner of war doesn't qualify you to be commander-in-chief.
As for Obama, I'm not sure about him either. He's awfully inexperienced. And he seems to be trying to find his sea legs when it comes to his position on any number of issues. Still, given a choice, he seems to be the best hope of significant change. After all, we could hardly do worse than Bush.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A story that's not a story
On Friday, it was revealed that former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards had an affair. The question is, who really cares? I know that Edwards is a two-time presidential candidate and a former vice presidential candidate, but he's a private citizen now. Shouldn't he have the right to a private life? I think so. In my mind, the only person who has a right to be concerned about this is Edwards' wife Elizabeth.
Unfortunately this is just a symptom of our tabloid culture. We spend a lot of time looking into other people's private lives. It makes you wonder if we don't have enough to worry about, what with $4 gas, a shaky economy and a war that is now in it's fifth year. It also makes me wonder which came first. Do networks put stories like this on because people watch them? Or do people watch them because they're on?
Unfortunately this is just a symptom of our tabloid culture. We spend a lot of time looking into other people's private lives. It makes you wonder if we don't have enough to worry about, what with $4 gas, a shaky economy and a war that is now in it's fifth year. It also makes me wonder which came first. Do networks put stories like this on because people watch them? Or do people watch them because they're on?
Friday, August 1, 2008
Hillary for VP?
The Democratic National Convention is coming up, followed by the Republican convention. That means time is running short to pick running mates for John McCain and Barack Obama. So who should the candidates pick?
For my money, I'd like to see Obama go with Hillary Clinton as his running mate. I know, Hillary has her detractors. She's someone that you either love or hate. But she also has a solid block of supporters. She came within a breath of winning the nomination outright. Combine her followers with Obama's, and I think you'd have an unbeatable ticket. And don't forget the intelligence and political savvy she brings to the table.
As for McCain, he needs someone who is young and attractive, someone who is intelligent and could step in if McCain were to become incapacitated. For my money, I'd go with Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. He's conservative in ways that even McCain isn't. He's young, and by all accounts, he's intelligent. He's been a success at everything he's ever tried. He's also from a Southern state, and history has proven that winning the South is essential to winning the presidency.
Given the closeness of this race, I think it's safe to say that choice of running mate may very well make the difference.
For my money, I'd like to see Obama go with Hillary Clinton as his running mate. I know, Hillary has her detractors. She's someone that you either love or hate. But she also has a solid block of supporters. She came within a breath of winning the nomination outright. Combine her followers with Obama's, and I think you'd have an unbeatable ticket. And don't forget the intelligence and political savvy she brings to the table.
As for McCain, he needs someone who is young and attractive, someone who is intelligent and could step in if McCain were to become incapacitated. For my money, I'd go with Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. He's conservative in ways that even McCain isn't. He's young, and by all accounts, he's intelligent. He's been a success at everything he's ever tried. He's also from a Southern state, and history has proven that winning the South is essential to winning the presidency.
Given the closeness of this race, I think it's safe to say that choice of running mate may very well make the difference.
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