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.

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.

Federal Gas Tax Holiday - Boon or Boondoggle?

Senator Clinton jumped on the bandwagon with Senator McCain by proposing a Federal gas tax holiday for the summer. Both feel this 18.3 cent a gallon decrease will give this huge benefit to the American driving public. But what would it do to the theory of "there is strength in numbers" where that puny 18.3 cents adds up to a 10 b-b-billion dollar hit to the transportation fund. Our road and bridge infrastructure is already failing and now the candidates propose this humongous decrease in the funds to make the repairs.

I understand that Hillary's proposal does not take the money from the transportation fund, but rather she is suggesting that we put some sort of windfall profits tax on the oil companies. Like that is going to happen quick enough to make a difference this summer. This is simply convenient political rhetoric (from both of them, frankly) and in my opinion, a bit of pandering to the masses.

I certainly would like a 18 cent per gallon break in gas prices. After all, I have two cars and own a motor home. But really....what will I save? Let's assume one tank a week (20 gallons) per car, and assume that most families have two cars. This tax break would generate about $3.68 per tankful, or $7.36 per week for the family. That might almost buy lunch... for one. In four months it might generate about $118 for the two car family, a princely sum, but that wouldn't even pay my cable bill for a month. On the other hand, the collective tax of 10 billion dollars might actually make a difference. And if the gas prices keep going up as they have, they will effectively wipe out much of the "savings", and psychologically at least, it will seem that the "quick fix" break went away.

And then on September 2, we all get hit with a 18.3 cent per gallon increase. Seems like a good deal, right?

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.

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.

Who Would Mind the Store - Hillary or Bill?

It looks like Bill Clinton might have toned down his rhetoric in the past week or so since he embarrassed his wife with his fiesty appearances. I'm sure she made it known to him that he wasn't helping her with his sarcastic blasts at Obama, so she put her foot down.

He may be a great asset to her in this election, causing some to believe that he will not only be the "co-president" but will actually be the one leading the nation should Hillary be elected.

I, for one, am not the least bit worried about Bill taking over and calling the shots when it comes to leading our nation. Hillary is her own woman, and, in fact, may have directed more of Bill's presidency that we would be comfortable knowing about. She has a great deal of power over her husband in so many ways. He needs her far more than she needs him these days, so although she will consult with him, the decisions that are made will be hers.

That is not to say two things. First, I am not saying that I want Hillary as our president. I haven't made up my mind yet, but lots would have to change for her to get my vote. Second, my comments are not to say that having Bill help lead the country would be bad. I have said many times, that were it not for his inability to control his urges and the inevitiable fallout it created, I think Bill Clinton had the opportunity to be a true statesman, particularly during these troubled times. But I cannot look at him without thinking of him slinking around the White House hallways and alcoves, doing what he will be remembered for most.

Even the ignominy of being impeached does not trump the thoughts many Americans have when they see Bill campaigning across the country. I did not favor impeachment at the time, as it is a weapon that should only be used for those high crimes and misdemeanors for which it was really intended. However, I still worry that Bill may not be able to control himself with even more time on his hands, and will further embarrass us all. Hillary is powerful and wears the pants, but she cannot watch the boy every minute.

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.