Biden

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.

Random Comments - Volume....I will figure out for the next time

Random comments from yet another beautiful summer weekend…

Please, please Kwame – do the right thing for ONCE in your life.

I am somewhat irritated by the gas stations in the area charging me another 10 cents a gallon when I charge by credit card, The worst part is despite gas prices going down nearly 10%, that new charge will not be removed from my transaction. I don’t like paying up front because I like to fill up all the way and they are only allowing you to pay cash if you pay before pumping the gas. Now sure I have a rough estimate on what it will cost but in the end, I prefer the credit card. What impact will have on your pocket book? Know you will have to change the numbers based on your filling requirements. Hypothetically, you fill 12 gallons (this number can be different based on the car and how many miles you drive a week) once a week. That means you are spending another almost $63 a year. Of course one would have to ask themselves if that extra cost was already put into the price of gas to begin with and those paying cash are just now getting a discount. I will stop before my mind gets all knotted up.

Someone asked me the other day if I watched any of the coverage of Obama’s trip to Europe and the Middle East. I responded saying there did not seem to be any reason to watch the coverage as I knew how he would be portrayed by the media and it was my understanding he was not answering any questions from journalists. Did he hold press conferences? Yes but only answered questions from military personnel. I am beginning to wonder if being a garbage man is a more enviable job than being President.

I openly admit I am not a big movie guy. I am not sure why other than I find 95% predictable and just sheer lame. I occasionally go the movies. Occasionally means MAYBE twice a year depending on if the crowd has nothing else to do that night. At this point and time I will be committed to be an outsider and say I have zero interest in the new Batman flick.

The Olympics start in less than two weeks. I have watched like 30 minutes of the different trials. With everything being taped delay, waiting for primetime, it will be presented for the first time a full day later. I am one of those people who do not want to watch something that should be seen live.

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?

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.

"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.

Opening Day Random thoughts

Tigers - 85 wins. Finding a ticket will be more difficult now than by August 1st. Their bullpen is awful and I think in the end, the Indians are a better team. They has the best offense in the major last season. They need pitching. They decided to get more offense. They traded away the farm and they have nothing else left to trade from the minors for relief pitching. It will be more than the "human roller coaster" Todd Jones giving me heart burn this summer at around 9:15 PM every summer evening.

People that say the ongoing bickering between Obama and HillBill is hurting the chances of the Democratic party make me chuckle. If the Democratic Representative were determined now, either candidate would be getting zero press time right now. Is McCain even alive? Does Huckabee have a chance still? Is Ron Paul still fighting? Who knows.

Kwame - Stand up, be a man and pay for your own defense.

Strange result of the subprime market failure - Kathie Lee Gifford is back to work.;)

Now have the airlines checked all their planes now?

I am thinking I am one of four people on this planet that will not see their life affected one way or another if Brad and Angelina get married. Even their link to the Democrats does not get me interested.

Super Fat Tuesday

Well, MG has been super busy all week and I have not had a chance to pen any of this thoughts. The following is a political one which I don't usually get comments on but I for sure like writing them. I hope that does not come across as soliciting for comments.

With all the talk going into Super “Fat” Tuesday, it ended up being anticlimactic since nothing real concrete came out of it. It was not until a few days later that Mitt Romney “suspended” his bid for the Republican nomination. Romney is a solid candidate but lacks the connection with the “real people”. He was much more into numbers and looking at running the country as a consultant rather than a leader of the people. Say what you will about the current Bush but he does a decent job of talking to the people leaving them with the feeling he genuinely understands what they are thinking these days. He certainly does not have the smoothness of Clinton. The point is Romney would go along way to learn something from the last two Presidents.

Of course the other thing is make sure that his initiatives are WAY more in line with the party he belongs to right now. When you see his effort for state wide health care in Massachusetts, it raises a series of flags to any member of the Republican Party, let alone those fiscally conservative ones. Whether it be the cost over runs with the process hardly even getting started or the reality that mandated health care will not work in the US let alone if done in each state. It is SO NON-Republican to force people to purchase health care when they have plenty of reason not to like...ummmm … say their right to choose. In other words, I will be happy when health care is no longer a topic. I have yet to see any solution that is remotely close to fixing the root of the problem. I will delve into the solution at a later point.

Know this much about Romney - the fact he was a Mormon had zero to do with the fact that he will not be getting the Republican nod. It came down to what he could offer the US in the position of President.

With Romney out, that means it is a foregone conclusion that McCain will represent the Republicans in the 2008 election. Sure Huckabee will hang out and spend more money but he is not much more than Barry Goldwater. He may win another state or two but he will for sure not enough delegates to overcome McCain.

Unfortunately for the Democrats there is not much to say with their side following Tuesday. It still seems like a dead heat between Obama and Hillary. The funny thing is one might ask whether it is Hillary that Obama is up against or both Bill and Hillary. That leads the next question – does it hurt or help Hillary the “interferences” from Bill? One would have to find out if Bill is as popular with the voting public as he used to be. Despite what you are lead to believe that he was a popular president it does bear repeating that both times he won the vote, he collected less than 50% of the vote. In other words less than fifty percent the voting public wanted him in office both in 1992 and 1996. It would be interesting to delve into the numbers more and try to get a clear reading what the country as a whole thinks about Bill and the Clintons as a whole. Of course, would this tell us how to measure the support for Obama? I am NOT that much of a number person. One thing is for sure – I look forward to seeing what will happen between these two as each will present a good challenger to McCain.

One last thing that probably did take place this week with McCain becoming the Republican candidate – there be no run for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. His base would be drawing from McCain’s group making it very difficult to get a majority of the vote sin the 2008 election. Bloomberg’s chance with his political views would have a chance to win if Huckabee would have got the nod.