The race heats up a bit...

A few random political thoughts this Saturday morning…

I wish the Democrats would have been able to last through the convention as it would have quite the show we as Americans have not seen in years. IT would have shed more light on what in the past was a fascinating political process…

Obama has a real choice in front of him. Does he pick Hillary to be a running mate? If he does pick her is he alienating his own supporters? If he does not pick her, is he alienating Democratic party members that so much believe in Hillary? If he picks Hillary, what does Bill mean to the whole thing? The drawbacks of the primaries going on as long as they did was create a divide in the Democrat party and only the future will determine the width of that divide and the time it takes to close it up.
Other issues with picking Hillary – neither of them have ever lead anything. Hillary only elected office experience was in the Senate which she only really spent about two years doing before she was running around the country campaigning for this election. Obama is no different as his Senate record has no real political accomplishment that the public can deem his own work. Obama’s opponent has only congressional experience but a long history of getting work done which will be promoted during the race.

Another challenge in front of Obama is the limited number of people who don’t know what his vision for America is right now. Even after all the campaigning against Hillary much of it was words and not much else. We as the electorate have been told “Change” but that in the end will mean nothing. What do you tell the people who think there is nothing wrong with the US?

He has spoken about how he will treat the Iraq situation but in the end, the American people will want to know how their security will be maintained from Al Quada as well as other terrorists. Based on his series of comments, the American people for sure don’t know where he stands on this one. Something as equally important is how he will deal with Iran, North Korea, and to a slightly lesser extent, Brazil. Will he sit back and wait for an attack inside US borders?
Domestically, he will be looking to reversing Bush Taxes. This will not be a simple task due to a few reasons. One tax revenues are the highest they ever have been in our country’s history. Next, no one knows what Congress will look like when the next President goes into Office next January. Lastly, will the electorate want to hear from both candidates on how they will address spending?

People will look to Obama to see what he will do to save the economy. (Your author will not stop here to explain why people should not be looking at him or McCain to save the economy)Will he be looking to do a tax rebate again next year? Will he do anything with the sub prime mess? Will he rescind Sarbanes Oxley allowing businesses to operate with less restrictions and let them focus on their core business tasks?
Only time will tell how Obama chooses to handle the heavily focused upon health care issues. He has gone back and forth on what he deems will be the solution. He has stated at one point every American should have health insurance. He has since backed off from that statement simply stating something needs to be done.

Obama has a lot going for him whether it be the reinvigorated black voter supporting him or Young America looking at him to provide the vision they don’t believe they have been given in their life time. He speaks to those who have been going through hard times and gives them hope for the future.

McCain is a tough opponent for Democrats especially this go round. The Democrats have spent so much time pulling the carpet out from their opponent in the primaries they forgot to look to see who is on the other side. It has not been since Reagan that the Democrats have run against such a moderate Republican. Clinton in his years was lucky to some extent when he ran against the conservative Dole as well as Bush Sr. Both those candidates were favorites with conservative Republicans but did not translate well to the moderates as well as independent voters. Saying all that, Clinton barely won those elections, walking away with less than 50% of the votes.
McCain’s challenge will be appeasing to the conservative Republican who has quite never warmed up to him after all these years. At the same time, he will have to somehow distance himself from the Bush presidency which this country has so much disdain for right now. Playing this balancing act, he will have to also reach across the aisle to let Democrats he has a plan for this country that will fit their ideals.
Will Democrats value his military experience and believe in some way he will best for national defense? Will conservative Republicans be wary of what he will do with taxes?

Lastly, who does McCain picks as his running mate? His choice will be watched just as much as Obama since McCain is no spring chicken. Is it important someone is picked who can win the next election? Should be pick a former opponent like Romney? Should he pick someone that is a minority for his ticket?
Regardless of how flawed the process is and how gut wrenching the last few months have been we can now start taking the election of 2008 take shape. The games will begin and only time will tell who is making the right choices or simply at the right place at the right time.