The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall - Obama's Future?

No one is more surprised than I am at the precipitous fall in the President's approval rating (well, there might be a few others). From those heady post-election days when even some Democrats were secretly hoping for some positive change they could believe in.

Today, even Mr. Obama's base is blaming him for spilled oil, Wall Street greed, unemployment, lack of oysters, and maybe even the widespread flooding. Gosh, GOD he is not, despite what those people say.

I, too, was hopeful when Mr. Obama promised to end the rancor and bickering in Washington in the hopes of getting things done. Now even he bashes the Republicans for everything from tax policy to government regulation. He offers no more olive branches to the other side, probably because they just take the olives for their martinis, and return the charred branch. You can only get burned so much before you back off a little.

But I still cringe when Mr. Obama makes light of a ranking conservative using some of the same hyperbole and innuendo he sought to bury. Maybe he has the adopted the age-old philosophy, that "if you can't beat 'em. join 'em." No, not take their side. Oh no, join 'em down in the gutter where playing dirty is now part of the game. The audacity.

Who Knew? It's Clinton with the Cojones

While President Obama is always the cool and collected one, there are more than a few Americans who wonder about his "Mr. Nice Guy Who Will Talk to Anyone" demeanor. Diplomacy is fine if there is progress, but there comes a time when good old plain talk is in order.

Today, Secretary of State Clinton was in Pakistan trying out her charm to get the reticent government of that nation to do a little more of our bidding. They were offended. They were incensed that the U.S. might put conditions on the $7.5 billion we give them. They said it threatens their sovereignty. How can a country declare it is sovereign (read independent) if it is on the dole from its ally, the United States?

When the Pakistani press got its back up and wondered what right the U.S. had to put conditions on our aid, Secretary Clinton could take no more. She basically said that if you don't like the conditions, then don't take the money. Maybe the U.S. needs to say this a little louder to the countries who benefit most from our largesse along with Pakistan. Israel is getting a little feisty these days and Egypt needs to show a little more progress toward democracy if they want to keep taking our money.

Clinton is supposed to be the diplomatic one, but her tough talk will have to stand in for the President until he sees that we are being duped far too often.

What is This About Heath Bar?

Heath Bar....oh, you meant Health Care.....oh, never mind! Just like Emily Litella (Gilda Radner) would say when she heard something wrong, I cannot believe the variety of interpretations of President Obama's health care plan that are tossed out each day.

I have no desire to get in the middle of this discussion, however, it is a discussion that has to happen and something has to be done soon. Kicking the bedpan down the street one more time is really not an option. Health care (to coin a phrase) is "out of control" and if the industry (the fox) won't fix it (the hen house), then who else to try to make it work but the government?

Oh, I know the rap on government control of anything, but some things have worked. Let's see, I have list here somewhere,....oh, never mind.

But seriously folks, this is a critical issue for every American and something needs to change and something needs to work better than what we have now. Those who WANT Obama to fail so they can say, "I told you so", are the scary ones. Failure is NOT an option to borrow a phrase (once again).

This seems to be the closest we have been to working something out with the doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and other allied health agencies. Some are already on board and some will come once a plan takes shape.

Let's all hope that the President and the Congress (that's a stretch for them, I know) can really reach an accord that gives affordable health care to all. I once believed health care was for the privileged few who had good jobs like I did. How stupid and unfair is that? I now believe, in my conservative bones, that a basic level of health care is a right in America, and as the Fram oil filter man once said (to borrow another phrase), "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later".

President Obama Stumbles, But Catches Himself

Our expectations were unrealistically high for the new President, so when we hear of failed cabinet appointments - failing because of issues that should have been caught in the vetting - we being to see a little tarnish on the crown.

Yet, looking back to other great presidents often compared to Mr. Obama, we see that Kennedy and Lincoln made many major mistakes and false starts as well. We remember them mostly for the good things they did, with only a footnote to the errors. Presidents are human and mistakes will be made.

Of course, one man cannot do it all so President Obama's team deserves some "credit" for these missteps. But it is refreshing to see the man himself take the blame. He realizes, after all, that the final decision is always his and therefore he gets to take the credit or the blame as appropriate.

I don't know whether it is off putting or endearing to hear this President say "I screwed up" but for now I'll smile and see him as a normal human being treading on the very thin ice of a new presidency. Unfortunately there are still those who cannot accept that he won the election, fairly and by a wide margin, and who will gleefully rub their hands when he makes a misstep. As Rush Limbaugh once said after Bush took the White House in 2000 in a contested race with Al Gore, "Get over it, Bush won, he is the President". So too I say to those who natter today about Obama's election. Get over it, and come together to make America work.

To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds...

The election tally was what I had hoped for regardless of the winner - a margin of victory (52% - 46%) that would be unassailable by the host of lawyers and partisans just hovering at the polls to mess with the election. Despite some minor problems at some polls (long lines being the worst), the election really came off better than expected.

For many in our country, however, the result was not as they had wanted. If fact, some of the more rabid right-wingers are not shy about their wishes to see President-elect Obama fail. They seem to want to be able to say "I-told-you-so", than to have the hope that our new President can begin to show needed leadership in so many critical areas.

Just as Mr. Obama used President Lincoln's words in his acceptance speech in Chicago, I would like to propose even more use of our greatest President's profound words. During the worst crisis ever in our history, Abraham Lincoln, despite the utter decimation of our young men in the American Civil War, still called on both sides to bind up the nation's wounds rather than continue the old parochial and harmful views of opposing sides.

As a country we must now come together; must now work toward finding common ground to settle our differences. Lincoln also said, "A house divided against itself, cannot stand". Maybe the last chapter in the "The Rise and Fall of the American Empire" does not yet have to be written in maudlin terms, if only all Americans come together where it matters.

No one can blame the opposition for their disappointment, and even their worries about what an Obama presidency might mean to them. But there are truly issues than can transcend politics if only they are tried. All can agree, I believe, that the economy, namely housing and jobs, must be the top priority. Then the wars need to be addressed in a calm, lower key discussion. We can tackle the issues of abortion, climate change, and other more contentious issues in continued healthy discussions, knowing that on some issues, we will not all agree. But we must wade through those jarring economic and defense issues in short order, or there may not be much else to discuss.

The U.S. can withstand a lot of punishment; we have the reserves to do so, but they are not unlimited. We cannot again start the partisan bickering that slows any progress to solving the wicked problems gnawing at our very roots today. For that to work, the government of the people, by the people, and for the people must rely on you and me - the people - to communicate to our leaders to get a grip - on their egos and party loyalty - as well as on the thorns that dig deep into our collective sides. President-elect Obama has won, fairly and handily. He now deserves as much support as we all can muster. God Bless our beloved land, the UNITED States of America.

A Nasty Campaign - Or Is It?

Watching the race to the finish line in the presidential race this past few weeks, I would cringe at some of the nastiness and sarcasm of the ads and, indeed, the candidates own rhetoric. My opinion is that Senator McCain has taken nastier swipes than Senator Obama but both have gotten into the mud at times. From polls, it is clear that the American people do not like to see such personal attacks.

However, my mood was uplifted a little today when I saw the clips from the Al Smith Memorial Fundraising dinner last night. It was a white tie affair at the Waldorf-Astoria (nice place, by the way) where both candidates spoke and took a few shots at themselves. Watching John McCain laugh and applaud Obama's comments and Obama doing the same, made me have hope that we can all come together in the end and work toward restoring America's greatness. I would encourage anyone who has not seen the clips, one of each candidate, to go to CNN.com and view the videos.

It is refreshing to see, in these very tough times, that we cannot always take ourselves too seriously and point out our own foibles and those of our adversaries in a light-hearted manner.

I am sure that many other countries will be puzzled by this incredible lightness between these two seemingly hardened adversaries. But that is America. Despite differences, some as wide as the Grand Canyon, we can come together when needed. And it is very much needed today. God Bless America.

Is It Trouble for Palin, or a Blessed Event?

Pregnancy happens. That is the natural part of life. Of course, in our society and many others it is good to be married before the little ones are conceived. But pregnancy happens and despite some best efforts to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, nature has its way to increase the population.

Governor Palin's daughter, 17 year old Bristol (named after the NASCAR track?), has been said to have the misfortune of expecting a baby with her fiance. They say they plan to marry and raise this child as anyone would. I only hope that their plan was to marry before the indicator turned blue, and not just to legitimize the birth.

But, you know what? Is this really our business; this intimate detail of the daughter of a VP candidate? Generally, it should be business of the family and no one else. Except....

Governor Palin is a staunch pro-life advocate and the recent revelation that her last son Trig, a Down Syndrome child, was not to be aborted despite knowing the outcome far in advance comports with that belief. Now it appears that she (and her daughter) pass the consistency test as well. Bristol could have aborted long ago, but it is enough to say she didn't. Now, as Senator Obama says, this business is off-limits in his campaign. We can't attack Palin's consistent views (the one area open to discussion) so they should all be left alone to prepare for the Blessed Event.

The media likes to call it "trouble for the McCain campaign" or "a dirty little secret of Governor Palin's life", but once the dust has settled and the decisions made, it is and should be just what it is - a Blessed Event, where two loving parents bring a child into the world with the full support of its grandparents. Many other children are not lucky enough to start out that way.

Finally, to be fair, those on the right who are accepting of this situation must also look inside themselves to see if they would have the same reaction if Joe Biden's daughter got pregnant before marriage.

Now with this story, and the alleged trooper firing influence, I don't know if Sarah will be able to survive the rigors of this nasty campaign. If her kids get any more flak, she may find this to be a good excuse to bow out.

McCain is Whining - Not a Pretty Picture

Good grief. I am having a hard enough time determining who I will vote for in November. I admit to waffling (but I am not a politician, so I am allowed), but I can't stand what looks like juvenile behavior in Senator McCain. Mr. Obama has returned from his trip and begins talking about issues, mainly the economy. McCain keeps talking about Obama's trip and really sinks low talking about Obama going to the gym instead of visiting our military heroes. Come on, John. That sounds desperate and it's only July.

That comes on the heels of McCain saying that Obama would rather lose the war than lose the presidency. That kind of rhetoric I did not expect from the straight-talking senator. He has moved down a notch or two with this kind of campaigning. In a previous post I noted that while others in his campaign may revert to cheap, political theatre, I said that John McCain would not do so himself. Apparently I was wrong.

So, Mr. McCain, there is plenty to talk about in this campaign. We'd like to hear what you are going to do (in detail) about the wars, the economy, the crumbling infrastructure, the taxes, and on and on. Attacking Obama for looking good (and maybe even Presidential) in the Middle East and Europe sounds like sour grapes.

Only the fanatics will latch on to the kind of mud slinging going on now. The e-mails and spam will fly across the Internet. I have not yet made up my mind, but I wanted to do it myself. Now Mr. McCain, at least for today, is trying to make up my mind for me.

Flip-flops Are As Common As...Well, Beach Shoes

John Kerry took it on the chin for a few alleged "flip-flops" on political issues as did Mitt Romney this past year. Now nearly everyone with the ability to rub two words together is tossing out criticism of John McCain and his offshore drilling stance as well as Barack Obama's decision to forego public funding for his campaign. Depending on your persuasion, you will argue that your candidate's opponent is "flip-flopping" which, of course, is intended to mean they are indecisive, or worse - they change with the political winds.

I won't speculate on either candidate's motive but I will say that changing your mind on an issue is not all that bad. We all do it at times once we get more information, or talk to others, or even just ruminate on it a little more. The candidates get skewered when, after consideration and maybe some new information, they change their views on an issue. If we couldn't change our minds, or be influenced by other arguments, or see another's point of view, then any further discussion and discourse would ever be necessary.

I, for one, am glad that Obama has decided not to take the taxpayer funding. As he says, he is still getting "public" funding, only now it's voluntary. McCain's change of heart on offshore drilling is also a good one. He should go farther and push for more drilling in many places in the U.S. but that's a topic for another post.

Changing one's mind, even on major issues, should be looked at carefully to be sure that it is not just pandering but we should be glad that some are not stuck in their "hidebound" ideologies and can have the courage to admit their first stance may have been wrong, or at least wrong in the current times. That signifies a greater leader than one who will not budge from a view that is now out of touch. I think both candidates have this ability to listen carefully and maybe be persuaded to consider the other person's view.

Blind Faith should exist only as the name of a band.

Obama vs. Clinton - Is It Over?

It appears that the two may have done some "talking nice" last night, however, the details are secret so far. I can imagine HRC offering to sacrifice herself to help and take the dreaded VP spot. Obama then ponders that while he might be able to abide her presence in the West Wing, he couldn't fathom having WJC dropping by to chat every day. Or wandering the White House anytime he pleases. I mean, how do you tell an ex-President he can't come into the White House. He probably still has his key.

No, I think Obama will let her think she is on the short list, but he won't tell her which list she is really on. He will NOT pick her as VP.

He may offer her a cabinet post, State is the most likely, although HHS might also be palatable for her to gain the bully pulpit for her health care. My money will be on offering no job at all, but if I had to pick, I would think a Presidential Special Assistant for Health care would be amenable to both. Oh, I mean both Barack and Hillary. Bill will be furious.

Obama Could Be a Role Model - Quit Smoking

Mr. Obama's doctor released some information of the condition of the likely Democratic presidential candidate this week. Mr. Obama is as fit as he looks but he did not get a "clean bill of health" - the usual headline when a president is doing just fine.

Mr. Obama is a smoker, or maybe a recovering smoker, depending on the moment. He admits having this nasty habit and promised Michelle he would quit when he ran for this elevated office. He has said he is using Nicorette but he has said that for months now, and the usual regimen is to use this drug only to reset the new habit. If he is still using it, he either has had lots of relapses or is abusing the drug (OK, it's only nicotine).

Yet here is a chance for this young man who has captured much of the young vote to really set an example. He should quit cold turkey, announce that he has done so, while adding to the condemnation of this irredeemable habit. As it sits now, we hear whispers that he is "trying" to quit, still ingesting nicotine in another form, and probably sneaking off taking a puff or two or three when he thinks no one notices. That is a guess but a good one I think.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a former two-pack a day smoker, but quit cold turkey on April 15, 1982. I haven't had a cigarette or any other form of nicotine since then. OK, former smokers can be intolerable at times, but in this case - a presidential candidate and likely nominee should 86 the bad habit. For his sake as well as his family's sake.

If he smokes because of stress, he'd better swear off now so he gets some time under this belt, because the show is only going to get livelier.

Political Pet Peeves

I am one of "those" persons who has a few pet peeves for the world in general. I am usually a nice person so I don't blast people too often, but those who write or say "Me and her went shopping", or "irregardless" grate on me nevertheless.

For today, I will pick on the three current presidential candidates. Nothing big, just irritants that their handlers should have brought up and corrected.

For Hillary the list is long. The woman just rubs me the wrong way. It is more my issue, I guess, than hers. Of course, she would be totally unaware of what I thought, and would care even less. So to be fair, I will only list E pluribus unum (likely only my brother will get the reference).

I don't know if she can help it but the poor lady's voice was not meant to be used above 65 decibels. When she hits 80 dB it is more of a screech and is not becoming of a lady. She should just wait to speak until the roar of the crowd subsides. Or talk at 65 dB so everyone can wonder what she is saying. Remember the Howard Dean shreik didn't win him many votes.

Senator Obama, the great speaker du jour, has this very annoying habit of injecting "you know", when he is stretching for the right words. Actually it is more like "a no" but then most of us slur some of our words. His people should certainly have coached that out of him by now. To me it is like the word "like" in the current teen vernacular. Unnecessary and, like, distracting. I also happen to think he should let his waffle get cold to answer questions in a public setting, but that is just me.

John McCain, as far as I can tell, took my advice and quit using "trancendent" in every other sentence. Dr. M.L. King was a "transcendent figure in American history...", and our need to "confront the transcendent challenge of our time...", and so on, are just a few of Mac's lines. My freshman English teacher, Miss Zirian Blish, always told us, "Use a word three times and its yours". OK, Mr. McCain, I will cede the word to you, just quit letting it trip off your tongue so frequently.

My real peeve about Mr. McCain, great gentleman that he is, is that someone doesn't get him to the dentist to file his offending teeth to stop that shrill whistle when he talks. It wouldn't take but a quick flick of the emery and he would stop alerting the neighborhood dogs. Listen to him next time and it will begin to irritate you as well. And then you can thank me for pointing it out.

When Will It All End?

During our trip back to Wisconsin, I took a break from the news cycle for four days. Although I glanced at the headlines of the U.S. Today in the rack, I did not read much during our hurried trip from Arizona. That is a considerable sacrifice for a newshound like me.

Now I have resumed my daily multiple doses of the news: reading the paper, watching at least two networks new shows, and leafing through news magazines when one appears. I found I didn't miss too much.

Sort of like the soap operas where you can miss a day or two, or heck a week or two, the national news is about the same. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama are still fighting it out, much to the dismay of Howard Dean and other Dems, and much to the glee of Sen. McCain and other Republicans. Of course, it will only intensify and get worse until one of the two yells "Uncle!" and then comes out smiling in support of the other. Wot a country!

I actually enjoy this kind of news, switching with abandon between CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. I listen to the pundits and wanna-be commentators who offer their opinions, for what they are worth. In my opinion, humbly, I am sticking with my statement that Mrs. Clinton will not prevail. That is unless Mr. Obama's "friends" continue to implode his campaign. As of today he can withstand the scrutiny of his pastor's vitriol, his Chicago contributor's felonies, and his colorful background. However, a few more revelations coming out in dribs and drabs might begin to erode support from an already cynical populace.

The same is true for Hillary, of course, and because she already has such a high negative rating, another faux pas, especially if it pins the Truth Meter needle again, will be enough to settle the battle.

Yet today's news is really not just the "same old, same old". It is nuanced just enough to keep us interested. I am not looking forward to the day when there is only one candidate per party to deal with.

What's in a Name? Hussein, Rodham, or Joseph

What a bunch of silliness. I have not yet declared my choice for President (except it won't be Mrs. Clinton), but this teapot tempest about trying to emphasize the Hussein middle name of Barack Obama is juvenile. As if he had any control over what his father's name was (Barack Hussein Obama, Sr.) The name comes from junior's Kenyan grandfather.

This, and the attempt to make Obama a Muslim (as if that is bad), the attempt to portray him as less than patriotic when he forgot to cover his heart during the Pledge, is all part of these political dirty tricks. I have forgotten the hand to heart once or twice and I consider myself a dedicated, stable, patriotic American.

I suppose this will go on as long as Mrs. Clinton thinks she has a chance at the nomination (she doesn't) because I doubt seriously that John McCain himself will stoop to that level of dirty politics. No guarantee, however, that some low-life in the party will see these kinds of things as fair game.

What's in a name? My middle name is Joseph. I am glad I am not competing for anything more important than maybe a Wal-Mart greeter position. I would hate to be have my name besmirched by associations with the likes of Joseph Stalin, Joseph McCarthy, or even Joseph Schmoe.

Potomac Primaries - Is the Die Cast?

Six short months ago I could never have predicted where this presidential campaign is today. McCain was left for dead, and like the Phoenix, (appropos) he rose from the ashes to be the nominative candidate for the GOP. Governor Huckabee is fighting the valiant fight, but short of a major faux pas from Senator Mack, he may only get the VP consolation prize, if that.

Similarly, six months ago Hillary was swatting at the Obama gnats buzzing around, just biding her time until the early primaries would thrust her into the lead and then with a few more, she would be crowned the solid candidate of the Dems. Yet, not many would have predicted the tsunami of the Obama movement that now has left only a few state primaries to save the day for Mrs. Clinton. I am sure that she and Bill are shocked and annoyed that the American people could be so naive as to pass on her candidacy. She is pinning her hopes on Ohio and Texas, seeming to leave Wisconsin alone to go to Obama. He is already beginning to campaign in the Badger State, not wanting to alienate any possible constituency.

Of course it ain't over til its over, but the fat lady is standing in the wings.

Democratic Presidential Debate a Love Fest? - January 31, 2008

Down to two, so that is good. But tonight was almost a love fest. All smiles and hearty Hillary laughs. They seem to agree on more things tonight, just a smidgen of difference according to both of them.

They nearly fell all over themselves making nice to the other. I suppose that is good in some ways, but we need to have a clear division between them to differentiate our votes.

Nothing new tonight. Even some of the questions were softballs tonight. Wolf, tried to press Barack on what was not "humane" about Clinton's immigration policy. He waffled and was pushed a few more times but still gave no real answer.

So, I didn't learn much tonight. But it was nice neither of them turned away when the other offer their hand to shake. Indeed.

Las Vegas Obama Rally

We needed a break from our retirement life in Arizona, so we headed over to Las Vegas for a few days. It was the week of the Nevada caucuses so we asked a TV and radio journalist friend of ours to let us know of any candidate rallies during the week we were there.

We first heard of a Romney meeting at a Claim Jumper Restaurant in Henderson, but then we got a scoop on an Obama Rally at Rancho High School in Las Vegas. Being independent politically (leaning conservative), we wanted to hear the candidates' views in person if we could.

We stood in a long line despite our early arrival. Once inside we got good seats and enjoyed hearing first from Michelle Obama, a great speaker, and then to the candidate himself.

Although I had heard much of the "rhetoric" on TV already, the presentation and delivery was very good and inspiring. This man may have a future in politics. Maybe not this time, but we will hear from him again if he doesn't get the nod in 2008.

We are still undecided, want to hear more from others, but Barack Obama is in our "possible" column.