LSJ Blogs: People's Politics

The Amazing Race for President

The amazing part of this presidential primary season is the rapid fallout of nominees on both sides of the political spectrum and the unusual but real probability that the Democratic nominee for president is either going to be a woman who has already lived in the White House for eight years or a young man of mixed race parentage that wants to reform the way business is done in DC. It is also readily apparent that the costs of campaigning are so high, unless you win the early primaries as a “front runner” and are able to attract the big bucks; you are forced to drop out early, regardless of the fact that only a handful of the convention delegates have been decided.

Is this Democracy???

So now that a handful of voters have spoken in a few small states (and a couple bigger ones, but those didn't count because they were "too early"), the presidential contenders have dropped to two on one side and two and a half on the other, weeks and months before the vast majority of voters will have any possible voice in these two contests.  Is this democracy???

And the Vice Presidential Candidates Are...

On January 20 I predicted that this would become a 4 person race within three weeks.  I further predicted that the ultimate outcome would be Romney vs. Clinton.  As we approach realization of that 4 person race prediction (only 3 dems and 4 reps remain) (I'm less sure now about Romney winning the nomination), I thought it would be fun to further predict who each candidate might select as a running mate.

The economy and the election

Strange times for both the democrats and republicans--with the stock market melt down, Iraq has disappeared from the front pages.  Despite the fact that terrorism threat, nor the danger faced by Americans in Iraq, hasn’t changed a whit because of the economic chaos, if you read the papers on a routine basis, the Iraq war doesn’t matter anymore and the only thing that counts is the "economy stupid".  What impact does this have on the election?

For a number of years the democrats have been making the case that the Iraq war is the single most important issue facing the country; which in itself is somewhat strange and suspect after decades of ignoring national defense and beating the drums for equal rights, privacy, higher taxes, bigger government, etc.

Then the poor republicans.  They have made a history of being portrayed as strong on defense and protecting the public, but now their theoretical strength as the protectors of big business has evaporated.

On the democratic front, it appears to greatly improve the position of Obama, as Clinton’s main thrust has been that she is experienced and tested and ready to step in as Commander-in-Chief immediately, while Obama is a foreign policy neophyte.  Purely as a digression, if the thought of Clinton as Commander-in-Chief doesn’t send chills down your spine, you have not been following politics for the last 15 years or so.

On the republican side, McCain and Guliani have also been touting their defense and experience as the characteristics most needed now.  With neither of them having ever served a day in the private sector, it seems Romney has been given a clear advantage based on external events, not the brilliance of his campaign.  Clearly, if the American public is awake and believe the economy is the issue, Romney is the only real choice, but likely the election will turn on other matters.

Does the economic “crisis” help the democrats or republicans more?  I think the public says a pox on both of them and will look to a new face to try to sort this out.  That means McCain and Clinton will leave the scene shortly, none too early for my taste.  I believe Romney and Obaba will fight it out for the Presidency, although Guliani still has a chance if Florida swings in his direction.

The only thing for sure is that no one knows.  With no strong feelings for any candidate (many strong feelings against some of them), activity by people like Ahmadinejad and bin Laden or corporations like General Motors and Exxon will likely have far more impact on the election than anything the candidates say or do.

It is a sad commentary on the fickleness and attention span of the American public.

Candidates Gear Up for Super Duper Tuesday

With less than two weeks to go till (on February 5) the first ever Super Duper Tuesday, Democratic and Republican contenders alike are gearing up for a make-or-break campaign moment. Here’s a run-down of how the top contenders may be spending these last crucial days:

Paper Ballots; Voting Fraud Personified

As usual, Mr. Ford’s blog blathering, this time about paper ballots, is filled with outlandish statements and patronizing distortions. The premise that paper ballots are the only way to insure honesty and integrity in elections is simply not true. Additionally, the idea of a “paper trail” for ballots cast, sounds like a wonderful idea, but where were you Mr. Ford during the past 100 years or so when Shoup voting machines were most prevalent here in all Michigan counties. These machines do not have a paper trail and have a history of errors and vote count irregularities.

Rating the Candidates on the Really Important Criteria

Why is it that we blog about the candidates views on the issues and rate them according to their answers to the pressing problems of the day. We premise our vote for a particular candidate on their stated political stands. But what really is important in the big picture of politics and candidates?
Shouldn’t we be asking some questions about the candidates themselves?

In Requiem: A Great American, Gone to His Rest

This week, Lansing – like all of America – had to take a breath and remember a true hero who gave everything he had for this country and its dreams. The sitting-in students of DeWitt High School brought him to our minds, and many tearful ceremonies marked his passing as the solemn event it should be. I speak of course of Fred Thompson, presidential candidate: a man who reminded us that you cannot have a dream if you do not first have a nap, and one who truly appreciated a chance to sit down.

The Front Runner Conundrum

I know all the spin merchants working for all the campaigns want us to believe that their candidate is the front runner, and riding a rising wave of support.  And, I know that encourages (“energizes”) supporters.  But, the spin doctors are paid to muddle up the works.  I’m content to muddle the works for free.

FADING AMERICAN DREAM?

Our politicians have awaken from their long term slumber to prescribe a short sited quick fix economic stimulus package. Lewis Black stated it correctly, they may as well come to your home and urinate on your foot for all the good that it will do. After all it is an election year, what better way to buy votes then by supporting whatever proposal presented.