Well this summer is cruising right along and I was late offering my prediction on who Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama would select as his VP. I will let you know that Joe Biden was not the choice I would have made.
It is a strange pick in my mind. Obama has been campaigning and taking back Washington DC and America as a whole. He follows up that with picking a guy who has been in Washington for one heck of a long time – a time in Congress that Obama has constantly criticized.
At the same time, he did go out and pick someone who helps in several areas. Joe Biden foreign policy knowledge is right at the top of the list with Sam Nunn and Joe Liberman in the Democratic party. He brings Obama an east coast state but it is only Delaware - not a big deal with only three electoral votes. He does bring some clout though in such states as Virginia and Maryland. Biden shores up any questions about the ticket’s experience. Republicans will question whether or not that experience is any good.
Some of the things that Biden does not do for Obama is help him states like New York and California that Hillary Clinton won in the primaries. He does not bring him the woman vote that was so strong for Hillary and who ended up voting in Bill Clinton his two terms. Biden does not offer any clout in the great debate on what should be done by the government with health care. (I will discuss later in later posts why health care being an issue in the 2008 and subsequent elections is ridiculous.)
If you are Republican, you kind of smile at the choice of Biden. While he a smart guy who brings a lot to the table, he is someone that does put his foot in his mouth on what seems like a regular basis only beating Obama in making a fool in himself. He is considered short tempered who is quite reactionary. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that Republicans – while they for sure respect his experience and what he brings to the table for Obama – know there is quite the possibility he may be a great choice for them.
Only time will tell what happens but sure we will sit back and wait now McCain to make his choice – which will probably be…Mitt.
As I close, I am typing this as I watch the Hillary speech from Denver. The beginning saw her explain who she is including a mother but for whatever reason – not a wife. In addition, she was very lukewarm about Obama and not damaging much to McCain. Overall, it was twenty minutes of not much context. Her future will find to be interesting as she decreases the probability she will have a role and the Democratic party continues to be divisive to each other and not untied in their effort.
Showing posts with label Hillary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hillary. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Summer evening random thoughts
Some random thoughts this nice summer evening...
- Why is Angelina Jolie having some babies such a big deal? Just checking.
- I saw the latest Indiana Jones movie. My opinion - don;t rent it and Please Harrison- No more!!
- So let me get this straight. Alex Rodriguez wife left him for Lenny Kravitz and then Alex himself went looking for Madonna? It makes my world spin to think about even playing that "six Degrees of separation" with all these four people only concerning sex partners.
- I said Tigers - 85 wins. It looks good here at the half way point. Their fielding stinks and to be honest they cannot hit the ball. Seems funny from all the talk before the season.
- Brett Favre - go away...
- Who will pick their VP first? Are both McCain and Obama wishing the other would pick theirs and they can counter. I suspect that McCain will wait until after the Democratic Convention.
- If I were a betting man, I would NOT put my money on Hillary. There is too much baggage and Billy Boy will be too much for Barack to handle.
- Obama seems to have a bunch of land mines. Between his pastor, his mistake on how many states are in the US and now Reverend Jesse Jackson showing his discord with him, it may prove to be a very rough ride to November for him.
- With all the talk about change from his camp he will have to pick someone that reinforces that thought. The tough part is finding that person who is not part of that Washington DC machine and whose politics are along the same line. Best bet - Governor.
- The people in the know seem to think one of two people - Mitt Romney or Tom Ridge. Both guys are Midwestern guys for key swing states. Both guys counter McCain's Washington Ties.
- Is it possible that Iraq will not be an issue by the time November rolls around? The insurgence is working. Both candidates have publicly commented that pulling the troops may not be the best thing to right now. What would there be to argue about Iraq at that point?
- Why is Angelina Jolie having some babies such a big deal? Just checking.
- I saw the latest Indiana Jones movie. My opinion - don;t rent it and Please Harrison- No more!!
- So let me get this straight. Alex Rodriguez wife left him for Lenny Kravitz and then Alex himself went looking for Madonna? It makes my world spin to think about even playing that "six Degrees of separation" with all these four people only concerning sex partners.
- I said Tigers - 85 wins. It looks good here at the half way point. Their fielding stinks and to be honest they cannot hit the ball. Seems funny from all the talk before the season.
- Brett Favre - go away...
- Who will pick their VP first? Are both McCain and Obama wishing the other would pick theirs and they can counter. I suspect that McCain will wait until after the Democratic Convention.
- If I were a betting man, I would NOT put my money on Hillary. There is too much baggage and Billy Boy will be too much for Barack to handle.
- Obama seems to have a bunch of land mines. Between his pastor, his mistake on how many states are in the US and now Reverend Jesse Jackson showing his discord with him, it may prove to be a very rough ride to November for him.
- With all the talk about change from his camp he will have to pick someone that reinforces that thought. The tough part is finding that person who is not part of that Washington DC machine and whose politics are along the same line. Best bet - Governor.
- The people in the know seem to think one of two people - Mitt Romney or Tom Ridge. Both guys are Midwestern guys for key swing states. Both guys counter McCain's Washington Ties.
- Is it possible that Iraq will not be an issue by the time November rolls around? The insurgence is working. Both candidates have publicly commented that pulling the troops may not be the best thing to right now. What would there be to argue about Iraq at that point?
Saturday, June 7, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
"Chick Magnet"
I feel like 2008 is moving at light speed. This may have to do with things that keep on coming up at a rapid pace in my life. I have not even submitted an entry in more than a week and it is like I am behind the times. I guess when your car dies and you run around looking for something while your health is far from 100%, you can excuse such things. Anyways – you have had enough of my blubbering and on to some random points.
Your humble blogger was wrong a month or two back when he told you the Pistons were out in the second round. They actually look like they give a damn. I actually look forward to seeing how they do in the next round.
I will admit it – I have lost total and complete interest in this town’s baseball team. I will not even dignify their existence by noting what their name is and commenting on them any further.
Kwame is having fund raisers for his legal funds. The best part – someone is actually attending and PAYING money to aid this cause.
To the guy that sold me the car this week – domestic used cars are not usually thought of as “chick magnets”. They are “modes of transportation” for those of us who can’t figure out where people have the money to even lease those foreign luxury cars when they look fairly younger than themselves.
I am thinking it is time for Hillary to step down to save face. She is losing super delegates at a rapid pace. The Democrats are not able to rest a bit before November. In the process, the longer she waits, the more she is risking losing any opportunities she may have whether it is a VP spot or a place in Obama’s cabinet were he to win in November. Do you think she wants to bow out but her buddy Bubba is telling otherwise? Needless to say he gives the campaign a strange dynamic.
All I think these days when I look at John McCain – Reagan Democrats.
If McCain does not say a word between now and November, I think Obama will do a good job helping John out simply by putting his foot in this mouth as he has done a few times recently. I think Howard Dean and the people have their work out for them. We will see.
Your humble blogger was wrong a month or two back when he told you the Pistons were out in the second round. They actually look like they give a damn. I actually look forward to seeing how they do in the next round.
I will admit it – I have lost total and complete interest in this town’s baseball team. I will not even dignify their existence by noting what their name is and commenting on them any further.
Kwame is having fund raisers for his legal funds. The best part – someone is actually attending and PAYING money to aid this cause.
To the guy that sold me the car this week – domestic used cars are not usually thought of as “chick magnets”. They are “modes of transportation” for those of us who can’t figure out where people have the money to even lease those foreign luxury cars when they look fairly younger than themselves.
I am thinking it is time for Hillary to step down to save face. She is losing super delegates at a rapid pace. The Democrats are not able to rest a bit before November. In the process, the longer she waits, the more she is risking losing any opportunities she may have whether it is a VP spot or a place in Obama’s cabinet were he to win in November. Do you think she wants to bow out but her buddy Bubba is telling otherwise? Needless to say he gives the campaign a strange dynamic.
All I think these days when I look at John McCain – Reagan Democrats.
If McCain does not say a word between now and November, I think Obama will do a good job helping John out simply by putting his foot in this mouth as he has done a few times recently. I think Howard Dean and the people have their work out for them. We will see.
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