Mitt Horror Voting Show

Apparantly, Democrats are causing some havoc in the Michigan open primary. They are cutting down Mitt Romney by voting for his rival, Rick Santorum. It would be very funny (not for Mitt), if he lost his native state of Michigan in today's primary.

Obama, Massachusetts & the One Term Presidency

In a seemingly impossibility, Massachusetts elected a conservative Republican as its next United States Senator, Scott Brown. What is even more shocking is that it is the same seat held by long time Senator Ted Kennedy, who was a member of the Kennedy dynasty of American leaders. 

If you had told me the outcome of this election a month ago I would never have believed it! Massachusetts, or so I believed, is the bastion of liberal politics. It was as if all the progressive ideas and policies of our great land were born and nurtured first in this state's womb (sick analogy, I know). 

President Barack Obama visited the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to campaign for the Democratic candidate Martha Coakley before last week's special election, but was unable to sway the state's electorate that she was the right individual for the job. What does that say for Obama's presidency?

Barack Obama made the pledge to close Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by January 20, 2010, but that date has come and gone and the illegal W. Bush-era prison is still going strong. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also seem to be without end. Those are three BIG promises made by the administration during campaign times. If I had been president, I would have ensured at least one of my goals had been accomplished by now!

My friends, including you, get tired of me harping about Hillary Clinton. But let's face it, Hillary Clinton was railroaded out of the presidency. Instead of a lion in the White House, we have a lamb. We have the former junior senator from Illinois, who gave the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention (which is his only claim to national fame), as president! I said it many times during the 2008 presidential election, and it bears repeating, but America did not need a president who had to be trained on the job. That is exactly what we have with Barack Obama. Americans are starting to see through his thin veneer of simpleton ideas and promises. 

 Now we are doomed to have a Republican become president in 2012, as I do not see Obama being re-elected for a second term. He is simply too timid for the job of president. Perhaps, the Republican Party will nominate the hot new senator from Massachusetts to represent it in the upcoming presidential election. It would fall into the mainstream of what happened in 2008, when Barack Obama was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. 

I'm thinking Hillary Clinton will be only 69 years young in November 2016!

Dear President Obama

If I had been elected president of the United States in 2008, I would have done things a lot differently. As presidents go, Barack Obama had a staggering cult following and phenomenal ratings in the polls. How else could he have defeated Hillary Clinton? But, now, I digress.

January 20, 2009, is a day that will go into the history books. American voters threw off the yoke of racial divides and set forth a political revolution, of sorts, in national government. We elected a man that wasn't quite as pale as the ones who came before him. Obama will be remembered for that, surely. 

But I want to remember the promises that got him elected in the first place. Democrats put all of their eggs into a very limited basket. They were going up against a Republican machine that was limping and running out of steam. Democrats had the upper-hand and they won the United States Congress and the presidency. It was truly a remarkable election that opened the doors to true social progress.

The war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan were, and are, unpopular. George W. Bush left an enormous mess for the Obama administration to clean up. But has Obama done that? In a word: no. As a result. Democrats are starting to suffer in the polls. The 2010 election is less than a year away and Democrats in the House and Senate are feeling the effects of promises unfilled. It's not just the wars, though. Obama promised to work with the Congress to get Americans a healthcare system that they deserved. Healthcare is a civil right, after all. It is now January 2010 and Congress is meandering toward a watered down version of the promised reform, even though they hold a stark majority in Congress.

Weird.

January 20, 2009, would have been a much different day had I  been president, for sure. After being sworn in and delivering my inauguration speech to the world, I would have high-tailed it from the steps of the Capitol to the Rotunda where I would have signed two Executive Orders. 

The first order would have required all American military involvement in Iraq to cease on July 20, 2010. The order would have further stipulated that American forces currently in the country would be withdrawn in equal three six month phases. The second order would have required all American military involvement in Afghanistan to cease by January 20, 2011. As in Iraq, American forces would be withdrawn in an equal four six month phases. With my plan, the war in Iraq would be over and the war in Afghanistan would be three-fourths over before the 2010 mid-term election, which would ease the minds of American voters and demonstrate to them that, yes, wars can be ended in an orderly and responsible way. People say, "That can't be done." Yes, it can. I just made it happen. 

Also, in the afternoon of January 20, 2009, my administration would have presented to Congress a healthcare bill providing each and every American with access to appropriate healthcare. Would I have expected it to pass on the same day? Of course, not! But the whole idea needed to be in the minds of Americans from day one. In my administration, there would have been no time for late night parties. Parties are for when the job is done.  

I would have been on Capitol Hill frequently to see how progress was going on my healthcare bill. There would be no need for phone calls, I'd be there. Strong-arm tactics often work and are necessary when you believe in something deeply. As a teacher, I have a fool-proof method of getting something done. When all other options of compromise and cajoling have failed I reach deep into myself and let loose a psychopath. Between a yell and a hushed voice, and two inches from their face, I start saying over-and-over, "Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!," while looking in their startled eyes and pounding my index finger onto the table. I love the look on the person's face as I do it. It is complete and utter fear and confusion. In their mind they are thinking, "This guy is completely nuts, I better do what he says or who knows what terrible things are going to happen!" I have a 100% success rate using that method. I would be happy to use that same method in the office of a senator or congressman/woman. There is no shame in winning.

I realize there are many, many other issues that cannot be solved in a single term as president, including the economic meltdown. But the whole point of being president is consistently running for office. After all, the next general election is less than four years away when you take the oath of office as president.

Whine, Whine, Whine

The United States Senate is dragging its feet deep into the ground as it entrenches itself for what will shape up to be a real let down for the American people. 

I am a bit puzzled when the Democrats hold a majority and they cannot get anything accomplished. I remember that the Republicans did whatever they wanted when they had a majority. They certainly never built any bridges of consensus with the Democratic minority. Now, Democrats are having to water down the healthcare overhaul plan, which really will end up being a screwed up version of what we have always had, which is essentially the middle class and upper class being able to afford healthcare, while the lower class has to do without healthcare or depend on public assistance, such as Medicaid. 

As we all know, Barack Obama was never fully behind universal healthcare. His words before the 2008 presidential election were merely face time with those who wanted equity in our health system. Hillary Clinton was adamant that every single American be insured, either privately or publicly. Another disturbing piece to this ugly puzzle is the fact President Obama is unwilling to fight for his own bill. He went to Congress once. If I were him, and it was truly important to me, I'd be on Capitol Hill every single day until the members of Congress did what was right for the American people. 

Now let's move on to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Barack Obama promised that these wars would be ended within 18 months of him becoming president. Instead, we see escalation of the conflict in Afghanistan by sending an additional 30,000 American troops into that lost country. What is the point, really? Will these additional troops benefit the people of Afghanistan? I do not believe they will. It is merely a way to appease those people who say Obama is too weak to be Commander-in-Chief. It takes more courage to do what is right, such as withdrawing our troops, rather than giving into to the policies of George W. Bush's two terms as president. 

In the end, isn't that who Barack Obama is? He is merely a newer, more eloquent, dolled up version of George W. Bush. I hate to say it, but it is true. He didn't really accomplish anything that he set out to do. Healthcare reform is a joke, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan press on, and the economy is still reeling. It may have only been 11 months, but I really believe that more could have been accomplished. He should have hit the floor running on January 20, 2009 at 12:01pm, but instead he dilly-dallied around and let the special interests dig in a bit deeper, so they can do what they do best: run the country from the inside.

I may sound bitter. That's because I am. In our greatest time of need, we needed a doer rather than a dreamer. We needed someone who can get the job done, without having to learn on the fly.

John McCain

Whatever happened to him and his plastic wife? McCain just disappeared from the spotlight on November 4. Unfortunately, his vice president, Sarah Palin, did not.

Barack Obama

Finally, it's over...I guess I can be happy over it.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the final nail in a process that started almost two years ago!

I am happy that we have an electoral process in our country, but that is a ridiculous. I believe that we are in for some big changes tomorrow night. I see Barack Obama winning the necessary 270 electoral votes in the Electoral College.

As for Kentucky's senatorial race, I'm not so sure. I think Bruce Lunsford and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are neck-to-neck in most state polls. McConnell did beat two-term incumbent Walter "Dee" Huddleston (D-KY) in 1984 by 0.4%. Most people did not see that coming. That is why I am hoping McConnell is in for a rude awaking 24-years later.

Sarah Palin goes rogue

Good for Sarah Palin. I'm glad to see she is willing to break free of the John McCain mold. Perhaps, one Republican really gets it. I think she is lining herself up for a shot at the White House in 2012. I don't think she will get it, however. But I wish her luck.

Colin Powell Endorses Obama

George W. Bush's former secretary of state, General Colin Powell, has formally endorsed Democratic presidential nominee, Barack Obama.

Barack Obama's $150,000,000 Month

During the month of September Barack Obama raised an estimated $150 million! That is outrageous.

Not surprisingly none of that money came from me.

McCain & Obama: Final Round

During last night's debate, Senator John McCain spared little expense in labeling Senator Barack Obama a liberal who wants nothing more than a bloated government, while calling himself a strict federalist.

Although, Senator McCain stated he is "no George Bush," he has failed in distancing himself from the 7-plus years of the presidency of George W. Bush.

It is my opinion that McCain's campaign is essentially over. November 4 will simply illustrate this fact in the most sincere manner.

McCain & "That One"

People are being overly aggressive toward John McCain because he referred to Senator Obama as "that one."

It was a botched attempt at humor. That's all there is to it. I noticed that McCain made numerous attempts at humor throughout the debate. I found some of it worth a chortle.

I am not saying McCain and Obama do not have personal anomisity, because they do. It was quite obvious during last night's debate. I believe, however, we should take what people say within the context in which they say it.

Sexism in Politics (and Media)

Politicians have been dodging questions from reporters for centuries. Sufficed to say, most of those politicians have been men, but now that Governor Sarah Palin is on the Republican ticket for vice president, she is being called "stupid" for dodging questions.

Here is the double-standard when it comes to what is acceptable in political double-speak:

If a male politician doesn't want to answer a particular question he shrugs it off and answers a question he wished he'd been asked instead. In that case, pundits say, "He's one crafty S.O.B.!"

If a female politician doesn't want to answer a particular question she shrugs it off and answers a question she wished she'd been asked instead. In that case, pundits say, "She's too dumb to know the answer."

Why?

It's a bitter testimonial to the times we live in. Racism is taboo, but sexism is quite alright.

When I watch Sarah Palin answer questions (yes, Katie Couric's questions), I see her doing the same thing a man would do in her place. She deflects and transitions to a sound bit she wants to deliver. That is part of the political game. That is the way all politicians answer questions.

Let's be fair to all of the candidates, both male and female. Be tough, but balanced.

Obama: "Half-breed Muslin"

If you're going to use mixed slurs then you probably should make sure you spell the words correctly, or you might risk looking like an ignorant redneck (just maybe).

McCain, Obama: The First Debate

The first presidential debate of the 2008 season got off to a rocky start last night, considering many didn't know if Senator John McCain was going to be able to make it.

After McCain's political stunt to look super-presidential back-fired in his face, he decided that he should probably participate in the debate, which was held in Oxford, Mississippi. I'm not sure it was to Obama's credit, however.

John McCain, who is seemingly three days older than God, made Barack Obama look more than a little green, when it came to such things as foreign policy. Senator McCain dropped world leaders' names left and right, including his impressive collection of passport stamps, leaving Senator Obama appearing as if he is an amateur on foreign affairs.

I wonder which Democrat could have made McCain's resume seem a little less daunting? I can't think of anyone, can you? (Hint: Hillary Clinton.)

I'm afraid the Democratic contender for the White House, Barack Obama, who seems strong on domestic issues, comes up short on international affairs. That is something Senator Hillary Clinton had in abundance. (Yes, I am crying over spilled milk!)

SNL: Clinton & Palin

I really enjoyed the Saturday Night Live skit of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. When I first saw it Saturday night (duh), I thought it really was Sarah Palin playing a cameo part. But it turns out that it was Tina Fey, who looks strikingly similar to the Alaska governor. She even plays up her Minnesota-like accent.

"Hillary" stated that she should "have wanted it more," while talking about the presidency. Of course, fewer people could have wanted it more than her.

Clinton & Palin

Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) says that Barack Obama made a mistake when he did not make Hillary Clinton his running mate for the general election.

Yes, I agree with her fully. Hillary would have been a much more suitable candidate for that position than Joe Biden (D-DE).

Biden Agrees on Clinton

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), who is the Democratic vice presidential candidate, said today that he believes Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is more qualified for the job of president than he is, which he logically deduced means she is greatly more qualified for the job of vice president.

Can a black father of 2 really be president?

CNN has an "iReport" question currently on its website that asks, "Can a mom of 5 really be VP?"

I find that repulsive, even if she is a Republican!

This is the same kind of demoralizing comments that brought down Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary season. Now, suddenly Republicans are upset that Barack Obama's campaign--and the media--has brought out the sexist ammunition in the general election, too, against John McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin. (She is being punished for being a mother, too!)

I believe a woman, man, gay, straight, transsexual, white or black can be vice president, and even president of the United States, if they are qualified for the position. It is stupid, and a sign of our times, that such comments can be blatantly made by the media. If they asked the question, which is the title of this post, "Can a black father of 2 really be president?," then the entire nation would be in an uproar over racist sentiments in the media. Of course, there'd be Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to defend Obama (or any minority candidate).

Perhaps, one day, we can live in a country where everyone is truly valued for his/her experience...despite what is in his/her pants!

Barack Obama: "Off limits!"

Speaking of his own child bride mother, Barack Obama said the children of candidates, and especially the children of children of candidates, are off limits to political attacks. Of course, he was referring to the glowing 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice president candidate, Governor Sarah Palin (AK), who is expecting her own baby out of wedlock.

Obama stated his own mother was 18 when she had him. I guess that sets a new level of acceptable motherhood for America's daughters, since his mother did it.

John McCain is trying to figure out when he knew about this. He has to ask his aides, of course, since he has no independent recollection of having been told about the pregnancy of his running mate's daughter.

Obama-Palin '08

(This blog was written while I was a little smashed on vodka...so I am not really responsible for its content, now am I?)