Obama Seeks to Aid Debt Collectors Now that the Govenrment Owns Student Loan Industry

From CBS News President Obama, bucking his own party, asking Congress to allow private debt collectors, the ability to robo call cell phones in an attempt to collect past due monies owed the Federal Government, including Student Loans.

According to the AP, even Pelosi and Reid are not commenting on Obama's latest efforts to "trim" the deficit. Most student loans are now owned by the Federal Government and with a high sustained unemployment rate, one can anticipate that those who are being put under the microsope of aggressive private collection firms, at Obama's behest, are more than likely those who voted for him in 2008 and have since graduated to find that jobs are either non-existent or mainly available in the service industries, and in all likelihood, putting those student loans in forbearance or default status. The biggest question that remains, is why a private company?

With campaign doners running for the hills and donations for this quarter, coming in less than expected, one has to speculate is this the wisest move to make, or is there a connection to the collection industry?

2012 GOP Potential Challengers – Reading Tea Leaves via Book Tours

Ohio, a swing state in 2008, where President Obama bested GOP Candidate, John McCain by a margin of 51 to 47%, is now, according to an article online at the Cincinnati Enquirer receiving visits from the President and Multiple Potential GOP Candidates. The Premise for the majority of the visits – book tours. Viewing a book tour as a stepping stone to a Presidential run, might on the outside appear a bit ridiculous, as bookstores are located in every state of the union – and of the three “front-runners” mentioned in the article, all have authored books and were “on tour” in the State. Included in this list are Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin, who have been leading in polling for the GOP nomination since the Mid-terms. Newt Gingrich, in this particular article, was in Ohio promoting a movie that he had directed, while others visiting the State had attended purely political events, including: Tim Pawlenty, John Tune and Michele Bachmann.

Bachmann, who has been actively promoting the Tea Party movement in both the national spotlight as well as in early primary states such as Iowa, is seen by some as a potential candidate, however, tea leaves aside, Bachmann, a stalwart, no apologies, Conservative – Tea Party leader is, like the balance of those names (with some exceptions, notably New Jersey Govenor Chris Christie) side-stepping the question of whether or not one will run for the Presidency.

Book tours have taken Mitt Romney, for instance, from New York, across the country and into Canada asking the question on the main tour dates page: “Is Your City Lucky Enough to Have the 45 President of the United States Visit After That?” This, from Mitt Romney Central dot com, leaves little left for Romney to do than formally announce his bid. The Title of Romney’s Book: ”No Apology, Believe in America” a New York Times Best Seller.

Mike Huckabee’s latest book, A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't!)” is set for release on February 22, 2011. His tour dates are based, for now, mainly across the south, beginning in Iowa. Huckabee has noted more than once, that he would be making a decision regarding a run, by summer 2011, however, if one were reading Book Tour Tea Leaves, it would appear that decision may come earlier, in Iowa, in late February.

Sarah Palin’s latest book tour took her to Iowa and South Carolina (as well as Little Rock, AR, Nebraska and Texas, to name a few). ”America by Heart : Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag” her latest, which, incidentally debuted at the number 2 slot on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Therefore, the three most mentioned potential candies, all have current books, and are either on tour, have finished touring and or are about to tour the nation, and stopping at States one traditionally associates with politics.

In 2007, Mike Huckabee went on tour with his book, “From Hope to Higher Ground” The Washington Post headlined on January 28th, 2007, “Mike Huckabee Launches Presidential Bid” however, he formally announced in February.
Obama, dubbed in June of 2008, as the “presumptive nominee”released a “flood” of books prior the election.

Tea Leaves aside, books outlining an individual’s view of American, which is timed for release immediately before or during the general election cycle, compete with book tour that places those individuals in States traditionally on the list of politico’s as a first step towards a Presidential run, have been released by all perceived top runners.

This book tour stage as a stepping stone to the Presidency (or not at the case may be), allows a “potential candidate” to get an idea of just how popular, or unpopular, they may be in key states, allows them to meet the people on the ground, with a fair amount of non-committal book signing, that will, in all likelihood generate both income and interest.

Of Note: Donald Trump, who has announced a possible intent to run for the GOP nomination, has not written a book – yet.

Filling the Shoes of the Chicago Daley Dynasty – Rahm Emmanuel is He Up to the Task?

Mayor Daley with Rahm Emmanuel photo breaking Chicago news.com

The Daley Familyhas held the office of the Mayor of Chicago off and on since the 1950’s - first the father, then his son followed in his footsteps ruling over the Nations third largest metropolis. Like any other major metropolitan area in the United States, Chicago has had its share of problems, organized crime and corruption making headlines off and on for the past sixty years.

Trying to balance the “powers that be” and come off smelling like a rose is not an easy task; with the announcement by seven term Mayor Richard M. Daley that he would not seek reelection, nor name a successor to the “throne”, the field has opened and speculation is rampant nationally. With half of the Chicago “elite” installed in the White House, the one challenger that makes most sense, Rahm Emmanuel, is, once again, under the national press microscope.

As Chief of Staff of an administration that, into its second year, is struggling to maintain control of the behemoth that is the Democrat National Party (or Progressive Party if one will), as well as attempting to run the United States in manner similar to the City of Chicago. If anyone is a natural to go back to the “Windy City”, it would be Rahm – get out of the kitchen before the flames burn it down.
That might not be as easy a task however, as Politico reports that the major voting block of “progressives” that run Chicago’s political scene, are not terribly fond of Rahm. One thing about Socialists and the old revolutionary hippy guard, they lack patience. The charge: Emmanuel did not bring change fast enough, remarks were made to temper plans for several of the Progressive pet projects, and that made him more than a few enemies in the City.
That said, if anyone appears to be a survivor, it would be Emmanuel, who masterminded the takeover of the Congress and Senate in 2006 using the now infamous “blue dog” Democrats (or those Democrats who are all but Republican with the exception of the Democrat tag. The contentious Blue Dogs that Emmanuel brought to the Party gave them a bit of a scare when balking at a few of the bills that were controversial to say the least. However, after experiencing a bit of arm-twisting by Rahm and Pelosi, who had “brought them to the dance” so to speak, Blue Dogs eventually voted on Stimulus and Health Care Reform necessary to push the Progressive projects through.
Emmanuel therefore appears astute and tough enough to take on the job of the City that gave us Barak Obama, the Daley's and the Dillinger’s. Additionally, he will have the added benefit of not being in the neighborhood of Pennsylvania Avenue when the ship that is the Obama Administration goes through the 2011 election into uncharted and perilous waters. With this administration and this president is highly unlikely that he will, like Bill Clinton, move quickly to the middle when faced with a Congress and Senate full of Conservatives bent on restoring some confidence in both august bodies, while re-writing legislation and de-funding programs such as the Health Care Reform Act.

The Health Care reform act may have, by that time, been found unconstitutional – the court case with the Federal Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia, should be able to settle that issue this year. (Some speculation as to timing which should be right before the 2010 midterm vote.) Should the Commonwealth prevail, the entire bill, as written, is thrown out. Not one piece of the monstrosity which not one legislator read, was protected. The bill, in simple terms, was written as one piece; therefore, if it is not constitutionally sound then there is no health care reform. Some might speculate that it was set up that way in order for nervous Democrats to have a way out.

Clinton would have and did compromised when playing with the "other team", Obama may not, and the jury is out on that as he has not been tested. However, if basing futures on his current ideological bent in the face of national disaster is any indication of how he may react (ideologically), Emmanuel will be out of DC when the Obama ship, much like the Carter ship, goes down in 2012.

Emanuel has the background as a Chicago Politico, he is certainly tough enough, and although the Daley Dynasty leaves some huge corrupt shoes to fill, Emmanuel appears to be able to handle the job. He just has to reign in those pesky hippies on the hill the Ayers, and Progressives. Perhaps he can channel Dillinger for a moment and rid both the nation and academia of that bunch. In all seriousness, the City of Chicago and its race to fill the “Daley seat” will be some of the most interesting politico theater post the November mid-terms or not, perhaps Rahm Emmanuel is the man Daley had in mind for the job all along.

Obama - Bush Not to Blame for Economy – Congress To Blame! If that Doesn't Work - Maybe it Will be the FBI Next!

The Democrat Controlled Congress - since 2006 - image NYTimes

The Presidenthas apparently had an epiphany that the tactic of blaming former President George W. Bush for the current economic disaster is no longer working with the general public. It could have been his pending umpteenth vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, where the President discovered Massachusetts residents sporting “George Bush, Miss Me Yet T-shirts, or it could have been the polls, either way, Obama needed a new scapegoat, and he finally got it right.

Blaming Congress, which has been controlled by the Democrat Party since 2006 is where the blame lays, President Obama immediately pointed to the differences and blasted – the minority party in both Houses – unfortunately for Obama, even the Los Angeles Times “gets it”:

According to the president, he's been "adamant" with Congress for months now about a new jobs bill to help small businesses. Obama says this really good bill is stalled in the Senate, where so much administration legislation has been crammed through so effectively by Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Reid's been so good at it, in fact, that he's now running for his political life in a reelection campaign back in Nevada where unemployment is 14.3% and Obama's legislation is not so popular.
Reid's up against a conservative Republican. So, that means Harry Reid must be a Democrat, just like Obama, and just like 59% of the Senate's votes.
The very same party that has controlled both houses of Congress since the 2006 election and really controlled them both since the 2008 hopey-changey balloting.
So, facing the growing grim possibility of a GOP surge on Nov. 2, is this maybe the start of buddy-bickering within the Democratic huddle? Vulnerable people pointing the proverbial political finger of blame at someone else? That's ridiculous, of course.

The article is appropriately entitled: “Obama now blames poor job numbers on congressional inaction. Wait! His party runs Congress” and is further evidence that failure to take responsibility, sooner or later, catches up with the “perfect candidate”.

That’s the problem with “perfect candidates”, especially those who, for some reason, have to point the finger at everyone but themselves. As CEO of these United States of American, Barak Obama is responsible for the actions of his administration – Congress, of course, is the other animal, the animal that holds the purse strings, the animal that writes and approves spending measures, and then hands them off to the administration to either sign off on, or veto! This cannot be done without a - majority.

The people get this – they also get the fact that Democrats, Progressive Democrats have run the Congress in preparation of Obama, (also Progressive) someone who apparently would agree with them completely – (With of course, the ones that are the root cause of all Obama’s problems – Republicans in the minority.)

Of course, all this finger pointing isn’t reserved for the President alone: Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has now hinted, that he may not have been the primary target of investigation by the FBI during his recent trial for “trying to sell a Senate Seat – Barak Obama’s Senate Seat.” He was convicted of lying to the Feds, of course, but that charge is somewhat of an oxymoron, when one considers who’s in charge.

In a recent ABC News interview the former Governor of Illinois implied the Feds were truly after – the Blamer in Chief! – This, with Chicago Politics being what they are – might not be a stretch. Video of that “sit” down below.

One wonders who Obama will blame for a Federal Investigation of himself! George Bush no longer works, we the people will just have to wait and see.

Video also available at: ABC News.go.cm/Blotter/blago-winston-churchill-mount-dramatic-comeback/story?id=1144825"

Democrat Governors Meeting In Boston Fear Election Backlash from Obama’s Suit Against Arizona’s Illegal Immigration Law

The New York Timesreporting on the Governors Association Meeting in Boston reported that Democrat Governors met with Administration officials over the weekend in order to discuss the suit brought against the State of Arizona and its impact on 2010 elections. Apparently, several of the Democrat Governors feel that their chances of re-election, already slim, are not being helped by the Administration’s rift with Arizona. Arizona passed SB 1070 (Short, easy to read Bill here), which enforces existing federal law – something the Federal Government has failed to do for decades. The problem for Democrat governors appears to be the fact that the Arizona Law is extremely popular among voters, with a majority supporting the State of Arizona (Gallop Latest Poll article LA Times). The Governors feel the “timing” was not right, as far as the Administration’s decision to go forward with the suit, suggesting that Obama and Holder should have waited until after the 2010 election. The word used to describe the suit by one anonymous Democrat Governor – “Toxic”.

The topic of Illegal Immigration has been a thorn in the side of Presidents going back decades, with a majority of United States citizens supporting legal immigration, with no support for open border policies that have been in place, or programs allowing for amnesty, which have not worked due to the fact that the border remains extremely porous. After September 11, 2001, the issue of open borders became one of national security, but in recent months it has also become attached to the issue of the economy. With jobs scarce, and states going bankrupt with entitlement programs, the cost of health care going through the roof and increased crime associated with illegal immigrants (specifically those on the Border States such as Arizona where home invasions, murders, et. al, are out of control) have citizens fed up.

As the suits against Arizona pile up, perhaps Holder should look to Rhode Island and consider a similar suit – Rhode Island takes illegal immigration seriously, and has measure in place that are a bit tougher than Arizona’s. However, it may not be politically expedient to do so, as the President and his advisers apparently believe that this suit is a no-brain Hispanic vote-getter. A poll may be in order – United States Citizens of Hispanic descent might view the situation a bit differently than Obama and Company believes.

A side note: In the New York Times Article by Abby Goodnough, the following paragraph should, perhaps, explain the erroneous views of the current administration and the fallacy of Progressive Think as regards the issue of the borders of the United States and the Federal Laws concerning same:

"The Arizona law — which Ms. Brewer signed in April and which, barring an injunction, takes effect July 29 — makes it a crime to be an illegal immigrant there. It also requires police officers to determine the immigration status of people they stop for other offenses if there is a “reasonable suspicion” that they might be illegal immigrants."

To correct Ms. Goodnough and the administration, it is a crime to be an illegal immigrant in any of the 50 states that make up the United States of America. Illegal – by definition, implies that a crime has taken place. When one makes a decision to cross the U.S. Border without going through customs, and/or without documentation, one is indeed committing a crime, regardless of which border one crosses – be it Mexico, Canada or any coastal port.

Update Chicago: Selective Memory and Outright Lies Dominate Blagojevich Trial - Fear and Loathing In DC

As the Blagojevich Trial Continues: The Sun Times is reporting on two separate incidents involving Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Gerry Kozel, a contractor with ties to the Chicago Political Machine. First, Kozel, who is under immunity from prosecution, admitted that he lied to FBI investigators who came to his home:

When the FBI showed up at Krozel's home in the early morning of Dec. 9, 2008, Goldstein noted, Krozel told them he did not feel pressured and that there was no connection between the fund-raising request and the tollway project.
"You are telling your story, but it's a different story than you told on Dec. 9, 2008," Goldstein said, as the witness grew increasingly flustered. "You lied."
Krozel rubbed his forehead and asked to have questions "rephrased" before delving into an emotional explanation: When the FBI showed up, he had been dressing his handicapped wife and was "terrified" that he was going to be arrested and taken away.
"She cannot talk, she cannot write, she loses her balance," the 70-year-old exclaimed from the stand. "I just wanted to get the FBI out of my house."

Jesse Jackson Jr. and his insistence that he had never contacted nor been involved in a pay-to-play for Obama’s vacant Senate Seat has been debunked.

Federal prosecutors said Wednesday for the first time that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. attended a meeting in 2008 at which $1 million in fund-raising for Rod Blagojevich was discussed in exchange for Jackson's own Senate seat appointment.
The meeting described by prosecutors was not previously disclosed by Jackson.

Over at Politico the Headline Blares “Rod Blagojevich trial could singe White House” The piece goes on to detail some of the finer points of the trial so far, specifically as regards Obama sending his Union lackey, Tom Balanoff, to discuss the Senate Seat appointment with Blagojevich. Defense lawyers are about to roll out witnesses, and have successfully subpoenaed Rham Emmanuel and Valerie Jarret, however, a judge ruled that Obama did not have to appear.

That said damage, according to Politico, has been minimal due to the multitude of issues catching the nation’s attention at the movement. From the Oil Spill in the Gulf, Judicial Appointments, ET al, have kept the national limelight off the case, but for how long? With Blagojevich’s Defense Team readying for several weeks of testimony and witnesses who have long ties to the Obama administration and Chicago Politics, chief among them, David Axelrod, who engineered both Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts and Barak Obama’s elections.

Is the White House Concerned? According to Politico – yes:

Said one aide to a top Illinois elected official: “People may be breathing easier, ‘cause there’s been no major revelations really connecting Obama or Rahm to this guy. But you never know what the long-term damage will be. The Obama people may be playing it cool, but trust me, they’re plenty worried.”

A few things to consider coming out of the trail in the next few weeks: Should the trial turn national (and it has begun) especially in August, with only 3 months until the general election in November, the impact of the aspersions cast on the administration, regardless of merit, will stick. Additionally, should Obama be tied to the pay-to-play scheme in his home state of Illinois, with allegations of the same in Congressional district races in both Pennsylvania and Colorado (and at this point, there may be others yet to come forward), Congressional Investigations cannot be far behind. Although Impeachment proceedings appear unlikely, but not improbable, the collective damage to the Administration to date, coupled with an aura of Politics gone dirty, will put whoever runs for the White House (be it Hillary Clinton, Palin, Romney, or, more likely the candidate we have not met) in the driver’s seat for 2012. If Obama, who expertly channels Jimmy Carter, was doomed to be a one-term President, then this trial will, in all likelihood, play a part in ensuring that he faces early retirement.

Gallop Voter Enthusiasm Trends – Republicans Trend Highest In History of Pollster – Surpass 1994 Midterms by 17 Points - Analysis

A newly released Gallop survey on Voter Enthusiasm shows Republicans going into the mid-term elections with an historic 28 point lead in Voter Enthusiasm. The survey, which has been conducted by Gallop since the 1994 mid-terms, includes both major political parties and Independent “leaners”. Republicans scored a 59% enthusiasm versus a 44% enthusiasm by Democrats and Democrat Leaning Independents, compared to 2006, where Democrat Enthusiasm was at 50% versus a 40% score for Republicans. In 1994, when Republicans took control of both houses during a mid-term election, the split was even less pronounced – with Republican’s scoring 42% versus 32% for Democrats.

Gallops analysis cautions that conditions can change prior to the election, as in 1998, when the Democrats picked up seats and points in the survey just prior to the midterms, however, it is also noted that this scenario is unlikely.
Turnout being the key to any given election, the element of enthusiasm among voters is critical to a party’s gains or losses, and in light of recent gains in special elections for Republicans, in consistently Democrat States with a significant disparity in advantage for Democrats.

For example, the New Jersey Governors race and the Massachusetts Senate Race held earlier this year, were early indicators of the mood of the electorate. Although Democrats maintained seats in several Congressional districts, it was not without special circumstances that allowed the gain. The New York 23rd, for example, had a three way split, with Doug Hoffman, the New York Conservative Party candidate, a Republican Candidate that leaned left, and eventually resigned days before the race, throwing an endorsement to the Democrat, Bill Owens, who eventually won by absentee ballot In the Pennsylvania 12th, the Democrat, Mark Critz, ran as far to the right as possible, and in the district, distanced himself from the administration in order to gain the advantage.

The Massachusetts factor:

Although always knows as the Bluest State given the fact that both state and federal elected officials have, for decades, been Democrats, Massachusetts has seen significant political changes beginning in 2009. There are unprecedented numbers of Republican candidates for both state and federal offices, forcing primaries, which is not the norm. The Congressional Delegation from Massachusetts, which is controlled by the Democrats, has multiple challengers to the incumbent. An estimated 178 Republicans are running for office in a State where most pundits continue to nay say any advantage based on voter trends from 2008. That said, when looking at the voter trends from the January 19th, Brown-Coakely special election, one can see where, regardless of district and makeup - there are some significant changes taking place in the Commonwealth. Also significant is the fact that many of those running had made this decision prior to Brown announcing his candidacy for the open Senate Seat.

As Massachusetts was primarily used as a testing ground for the 2008 election of Barak Obama (See David Axelrod and his use of Deval Patrick (source: commentary 2007 at mybaracckobama.com see Screenshot), it goes without saying that having had a virtual preview of “coming attractions”, should the level of enthusiasm in Massachusetts (for national candidates) be any indicator and/or have been exported nationwide (similar to Deval Patrick, i.e. Barack Obama) , the Gallop Enthusiasms tracking should remain even or even increase prior to the election. With the following factors: Unemployment claims continue to rise, a failed stimulus, unprecedented growth of government, several scandal, specifically paying candidates to stay out of races, and/or paying for Senate Seats, the unpopular Health Care Reform Bill, the situation in the Gulf, which is on day 60 something, with a lack of command from the oval office (see MSNBC).


Axelrod on Deval Patricka and Barack Obama 2007

In the case of 2010 and 2012 for that matter, Axelrod may want to go back to journalism, assuming of course, the industry still has a stomach for one-party reporting, and finally figures out that the Internet is not the enemy, rather, the perception of the public accounts for the massive decline in subscriptions.

Bill Clinton Brings Pay-Go Legislation Back – Former President Rally’s Democrats in Congress to get Bill Passed - So Much for Obama.

Bill Clinton recently came back to the Congress to rally the troops; so to speak, into signing legislation that resembles his 1984 pay-go principle. The concept is that the Congress cannot spend unless it cuts somewhere else and stems from a principle Clinton proposed in the 1980’s to balance the budget. His presence and the concept were necessary to bring so-called “Blue Dog” Democrats into the fold. In addition to the pay-go legislation, the Democrats also approved an increase on the debt ceiling – go figure.

Politico has an article here noting that the President “welcomed” the pay-go option.
The question now remains, with former President Bill Clinton making trips to the House to get the job done; will he also hit the campaign trail to aid those Democrats who clearly need a cheerleader? The Baltimore Sun article here , headlines: “Vulnerable Dems seek distance from Obama”: we saw this coming. After losses in states such as Massachusetts, but, even more poignant, relative to Obama’s time spent, New Jersey, those Senators and Represenatitves that are barely polling near or below their Republican rivals, are clearly interested in keeping the President, whose popularity remains below 50% ((Rasmussen)elsewhere during the campaign season.

Longing for the good old days (that eight year period where Clinton managed to balance the budget with the help of a Republican Congress and Senate) – in other words, a time where Clinton, as a moderate, succeeded. However, this is 2010, where the administration is intent to shove legislation through the Congress, without input from the Republicans who are locked out of every meeting, at the speed of light. Although Obama (and those with like minds) continue to shout “Bush-Cheney and the newly coined “Party of No” from the rooftops in order to cast blame elsewhere - it appears that the general public, for the most part (meaning the majority) are not buying that line from the Oval office. The preceding speaks volumes as to the chaos the machine that is the DNC is in total disarray. Barak Obama, after all, is the titular head of the Democrat Party.

Boston - Obama Draws Crowd of 4,000 in Cambridge – LA Times Offers Scathing Review of Obama on the Campaign Trail

The Boston Globe, reporting on Obama’s recent visit to aid embattled Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, spoke of the “large” crowd of 4,000 that was filled with enthusiastic young people (the President spoke at MIT), also noting that there were a few protestors in the mix, among them, anti-war protestors. (You Tube Video of the President's Motorcade and Protestors below tell a different story, with very few supporters lining the street, and perhaps an under reported number of protestors doing the same) The Globe’s pool reporter, Matt Visor, covered the Presidential visit, citing the fundraiser and the fact that it would generate approximately $600,0000 to the Patrick Campaign, as well as Tim Murray (Lieutenant Governor) and the Massachusetts Democrat Party.

One has to understand that the President was in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in one of the bluest States, where a Presidential visit would draw crowds from both the University and elsewhere. The University alone has approximately 10,000 graduate and undergraduate students (Source MIT), therefore, it appears that the majority of the “crowd of 4,000” was local to Cambridge.

This begs the question – is the party over?

Apparently, this has been occurring elsewhere, and is now referred to as ”Obama Hangover” by those very incumbents who the President is attempting to “help”. The main point of his visits to the various states has been fundraising, but to what end? The race that may be the easiest for him to “aid” would be New Jersey, where incumbent Corzine, comes the closest (poll wise) to staying in his job, although he has dismal approval ratings. His trips to Massachusetts, Connecticut and specifically Virginia, may be, for all intents and purposes, a lost cause, as Virginia appears to be lost and with New Jersey, the outcome will be settled in two weeks, Massachusetts and Connecticut, although elections are in 2010, may be an even harder sell, with Chris Dodd and Deval Patrick facing extremely tough campaigns with very uncertain outcomes. The lack of independent crowds lining the streets to welcome the President to their specific state is what may be most telling – outside of the fundraisers and the on-campus visit, there appears to be little to no interest in the President – with the exception of media coverage.

The Los Angeles Times converge of Obama hitting the campaign trail, entitled “Hello, Boston! Obama stumps for troubled pal, Gov. Deval Patrick, then on to help troubled Chris Dodd” is a scathing review of the President on the campaign trail, going into the fact that fundraising is primary, and that he is bringing in less than stellar results, along with a question as to “how much is this costing the taxpayer?” Interesting to see the growing critics coming from, for all intents and purposes, “mainstream media”, but more so the lack of enthusiasm in general for a sitting President perceived as being such a “rock star”. It is the “American Idol Syndrome” that allows for Andy Warhol’s, 15 minutes of fame, that may why those pesky “masses” aren’t appearing in droves when the President in any given state for a “Drive By”, the rest of the populace has been steadily losing patience, as his approval ratings are under 50%, a far cry from the robust 65% he enjoyed on his inauguration day, only ten months ago. This tells us that the President, as head of his political party, has lost the all-important and growing Independent (or Unenrolled) voter who will, in all likelihood, decide the races in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia.

"Crowd in Boston for Obama's Motorcade"


Protestors in Boston

Obama Attends Rally for Embattled NJ Governor Corzine Draws Crowd of 3,500 - Next Stop Massachusetts – Rally for Deval Patrick.

Obama with Corzine, image Trentonian

President Obama has hit the campaign trail to try and bolster Democrat incumbent governor John Corzine, who is just weeks away from from possible early retirement. An article in Politico, entitled “Corzine milks Obama appearance”, speaks to the fact that the polls have tightened in recent days between Corzine and Republican rival, Chris Christie, but fails to mention the fact that there is a third party candidate who has gained ground, with both Corzine and Christie losing ground with New Jersey Voters. The Rasmussen poll suggests that it is impossible to predict an outcome at this point, therefore, one would think that an Obama appearance would bolster Corzine’s chances, attracting a large crowd in order to “get out the vote”.

The event, held at a Hackensack University, drew an enthusiastic crowd of 3,500, most of who were there to see the President. One has to understand that events where a sitting or former president visits a specific state, especially a blue state, are well documented in the press, weeks beforehand, giving plenty of time to draw significant overflow crowds. Former President Bill Clinton’s visit to support John Kerry’s presidential bid in Massachusetts drew crowds of the City of Worcester with people “lining the streets for miles”.

Perhaps Democrats in Massachusetts are more enthusiastic than those in New Jersey – Obama will be attending a fundraiser for Deval Patrick on the 23rd of October in Boston – Massachusetts, known as “the Bluest State”, (see presidential voting patterns by State; Massachusetts has only voted twice for a Republican (Ronald Reagan), in the past 30 years.) should see crowds “lining the street” to honor Obama’s visit to the Bay State. Although the fundraiser will undoubtedly be closed to the public, it has received significant media attention in the state since the announcement in early October, giving those who would even stand a chance of a glimpse of the President time to get into line. It will be interesting to see how this Bay State visit compares to Obama’s draw in New Jersey, as both sitting Governors have dismal approval ratings.

Alternately, Rasmussen’s latest Presidential Tracking Poll shows that the President is enjoying an unhealthy 27 percent “strongly approve”, giving him an overall approval rating of 47% Rasmussen polling has seen the president’s approval “negative” for the past week. This poll, coupled with the poll numbers of the democrat incumbents in both New Jersey and Massachusetts, may act as a harbinger of political rallies for Democrat incumbents elsewhere in the nation. If that is a case, it is a question of a brand gone band, and this will become evident as 2010 election rally’s begin in earnest. The question then will be, is Obama to the Democrats in 2010 as George Bush was to the Republican’s in 2008?

Small Business Tax Incentive Cut from Stimulus Package – Obama bows to Democrats Objections

The $3,000 job creation tax credit to small businesses which had been included President-Elect, Obama’s stimulus package, has been cut due to objections by Democrat legislators. According to Business Week, the Small Business Tax Credit formulated to stimulate job creation, was an part of a larger plan that was “expected to include”: a longer period of time for small businesses to “carry back” losses, an incentive to invest in improvements, and the tax credit for job creation.

Although the loss of the tax credit is being touted as an addition to the stimulus package designed to gain Republican approval by most media - small business tax breaks were part and parcel of the Obama-Biden campaign platform, which included exemption from capital gains.

Congressional Democrats argued that the tax cut included in the stimulus package was “ripe for abuse and difficult to administer.” Apparently, Democrats believe that giving billions of dollars to cities and states for construction projects instead, will be much easier to keep tract of, let alone, be subject to any abuse. One only needs to look at how well the infamous “Big Dig” worked out, to understand what this stimulus package could end up costing the taxpayer.

Therefore, it boggles the mind that Democrats are concerned about giving a $3,000 tax cut to small businesses, while having no concerns at all regarding state and local governments and construction projects. One can be fairly certain that any other “tax cuts” proposed in the stimulus plan, or any other package proposed by the President Elect on the campaign trail or otherwise, will be treated in much the same way. Tax cuts, of any type, are anathema to most Democrats, who, also using similar language regarding the proposed “middle class tax cuts”. The question now remains, will history repeat itself and any proposed tax cuts become tax increases under the new administration?

Obama – the Centrist Military Model and the Lefts Concerns

The Los Angeles Times article, “Antiwar groups fear Barack Obama may create hawkish Cabinet”, voices concerns by leftist activists regarding President-Elect Obama’s cabinet choices being “hawks” as opposed to doves. These are individuals who oppose any military action; regardless of intent or necessity. They are, for all intents and purpose not necessarily opposed to violence, should their voices not be heard, yet, the first to protest against the United States when the nation is attacked – “just in case”. In the weeks following September 11, 2001, anti-war activist sprang into action in the event the US would retaliate – shades of 1968, with a few hundred thousand less attendees. These are the same activists who hounded the Bush administration for the past eight years, and were somehow convinced that should Barack Obama become President, the military would be disabled, and peace would be realized. One has to ask: “What are they smoking?” Actually, one might have a pretty good idea; of what it is they are smoking to come to this harebrained conclusion.

It goes without saying that Barack Obama, like any other man who took the weight of the presidency upon his shoulders, is in a precarious position; with the exception that in this age, at this time in American, Obama will face challenges from all fronts that no-one would want to deal with – the situation is so severe it gives rise to speculation that the incredibly benign campaign run by the RNC was more planned than accidental. That said Obama is facing threats from abroad before even setting foot in the White House. Al-Qaeda’s Zawahiri, (Osama’s number 2), has taken to using racial slurs, in a warning more to his “troops” than the US, of no change in direction or policy with an Obama presidency. There simply is no end in sight to this "War on Terror". Barack Obama is no fool, having risen swiftly from the Illinois Statehouse to the White House; one has to credit his ability to campaign effectively, and to lead effectively in order to continue his success. That is good news for those of us in the trenches, but for those on the fringe, it’s a bit disconcerting.

Unfortunately, the world in which we live is fraught with dangers. Attacks on US soil have been threatened, Iran is tuning up its nuclear abilities, and the Israeli’s are leaning towards the Likud Party, lead by Netanyahu, China, Cuba and Venezuela are holding weekly meetings, and on and on. What’s a President-elect to do? He will surround himself with those who would protect our nation; to leave the United States vulnerable is unacceptable. To the Philip Beringer’s who just don’t “get it”, those who have to make the horrendous decisions to engage an enemy, under any circumstances, do so unwillingly. Obama will be no exception, yet his options are few, and the fronts are many. Campaign promises, are made to be broken, they are not a contract, rather a means to an end.

It’s My Party – Clinton Delegates Move to Obama

After all the speculation, fears of rebellion (from Clinton delegates), hopes for a change (in nominees), and the final role call vote at the DNC gave Barack Obama the nomination to lead the Democrat Party. Although many Clinton supporters felt that a better candidate had been unfairly treated by their Party and the press, they are now resigning themselves to vote the party ticket. All is as it should be in any general election. Will there be those so disappointed in the Progressive takeover of a Party whose focus was once based on raising the standards of living for the lower and middle classes – a Party whose purpose was integration, resulting in a better and more perfect Union – that they will either not vote, or will vote for McCain? It is too soon to make that type of judgment call. Several Delegates released by Clinton yesterday for the roll call vote we conflicted yet – those are party members, so dedicated to a political party that they would even participate in a costly convention – it will be a matter of time before they – too – for the most part, fully back the Party’s candidate.

The same can be said for the Republican camp – those who may have been less than enthused about John McCain moved quickly to embrace the new Party leader, regardless of his more than moderate stance that leaves many ultra-conservatives cringing.

Therefore, it is safe to say that in this general election, the Independents will be the deciding factor. It is a given that most often these Independents are moderates – whoever plays the moderate best – will lead their Party for the next 4 years.

McCain and Obama’s Saddleback Performance – Experience Trumps “Change”

Anyone who took the opportunity to watch the Saddleback Forum, hosted by Rick Warren on Saturday night had an opportunity to watch John McCain score and Obama fumble. The forum, hosted and moderated by Reverend Rick Warren, focused on character, integrity and faith. The presidential hopefuls were interviewed separately, at the request of the campaigns and agreed to answer similar questions. .

Barack Obama appeared generally at ease, but stumbled over questions on abortion (drawing a distinction between morality and science as regards to when life begins and then refusing to answer because “it was above his pay grade”), among others. The most striking were his comments on Supreme Court Justices – he would not have nominated Scalia, which, one would gather Obama would prefer a justice not strictly interpret the Constitution, therefore that was not a surprise. However, he named Clarence Thomas first, reasoning that Thomas lacked experience. Overall, a lackluster performance, rambling as it was unscripted.

John McCain on the other hand surprised those who have felt (author) that he had the charisma of a tranquilizer. Previously and admittedly, the support for John McCain had come from a “lesser of two evils” approach to picking a candidate. McCain came out gunning. He was amusing, connected with the viewer and left one feeling secure.
How was that possible? McCain has an usual style – he answers quickly and decisively – not searching for words in order not to offend anyone, he appears confident in his answers, and promotes hope in the American Dream. If age were an issue, he came across as more lively than the younger Illinois Senator. The Saddleback forum changed minds – and although the media is looking at the forum as one strictly for religious (specifically evangelicals), the reality – the entire spectrum of American society took time to watch this forum; it was broadcast by both Fox and CNN, with additional broadcasts by both networks over the weekend. In discussion with both independent and conservative Massachusetts viewers (where McCain has closed to within 9 points on Barrack Obama), comments focused not on question content, rather on the demeanor of both candidates: simply McCain came across as presidential and confident.

The press reacted, as it was glaringly obvious that McCain outshone Barack Obama, and therefore, he must have somehow cheated. The New York Times is crying foul noting that McCain may have had an opportunity to hear or have knowledge of some of the questions. (This after the Obama campaign accused, scrambling as usual - damage control.) Even if McCain somehow managed to hear or have knowledge of the first 3 similar questions put to Obama (which is an unsubstantiated claim from the Obama campaign), it would not explain the continued excellence of the McCain performance. From NBC to the New York Times, the obvious fact that the candidate who was thought to have Charisma that would outshine experience and put a Progressive into the White House, may now be another Dukakis or McGovern (politically speaking).

As the Democrats head into their convention, with McCain choosing to run 60 second spots on network television during the same time frame, the bounce from the convention may mirror the Obama Tour O8 (plus 9 points which faded within a week), which cannot bode well. It is now patently clear that Obama must stick to scripted debates; his cue card is essential.

Additional thought: Perhaps more important is his choice of running mate (more so than McCain), one can bet the house that should Obama choose John Kerry, (speculation), McCain could add the 12 electoral votes from Massachusetts to his win column.

John Kerry – Defends Barak Obama’s Flip Flops

Massachusetts Senator, John Kerry, on the stump for Barack Obama, appeared CBS’s Face the Nation this past Sunday. The topic: Barack Obama’s apparent change of stance, or evolving view of the War in Iraq – otherwise known as flip-flopping. In defense of Obama, Kerry turned on John McCain, accusing McCain of flip-flopping on, of all things, the war in Iraq. The term, flip-flop, became part of political speak during the 2004 presidential election, when John Kerry changed his position on a variety of issues almost daily. Kerry’s use of euphemisms is therefore, somewhat ironic. John McCain has changed his position on several issues, chief among them, off-shore oil drilling. McCain, in his change of position has responded to the nation’s energy crisis – which is not a flip-flop in the pure sense of political pandering. McCain has also called for a gas-tax holiday to help reduce the burden on consumers, and has also called for long-term solutions to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign oil. However, on the War in Iraq, McCain has remained steadfast. He has been highly critical of the handling of the war, called for an increase in troops on the ground long before the surge was implemented, and has defended the military, over the policy and politics, at all times. Kerry’s position in his 2004 campaign, voted for the war and then against the war as he tried to pacify the left and move to the middle – political pandering at its most transparent.

Barack Obama, in his naiveté, explained his position on his “policy shift”, in two separate press conferences on July 3. Mike Huckabee, former presidential candidate, McCain supporter and Fox News contributor, noted that Barack Obama’s second press conference indicated that the candidate, and or his campaign handlers, understood that he had made an error in his first effort to explain his position.

Barack Obama's flip-flops, Mike Huckabee comments

Jeff Beatty, Republican candidate for Senate, MA, issued the following statements following Kerry’s comments on Sunday: “When John Kerry authorized placing American troops in Iraq, he showed a profound lack of judgment by making it about ‘politics’ and his personal political ambitions, a trend that has marked his entire Senate career.”

“I looked at the same facts that Kerry did. As Senator, I would have voted against this war. But Kerry’s vote for the war wasn’t about ‘facts’ or about protecting families in Massachusetts or our country. It was all about his presidential run. Today, Kerry’s continued insistence on a cut and run timetable is once again all about pandering and politics and will not result in a success. This ‘withdrawal in the face of the enemy’ would lead to more trouble for the United States in the very near future.”

Beatty goes on to question: “Can you trust Kerry to do what is in the interest of Massachusetts citizens or what is in his own political interests?” asks Beatty. Beatty goes on to say, “John Kerry is campaigning - not for the US Senate in Massachusetts, but for Vice President or Secretary of State in a potential Obama Administration. It is actually John Kerry’s lack of interest in serving the people of Massachusetts that is once again exposed, along with his poor judgment and profound lack of trustworthy leadership.”

Beatty, who recently received the endorsement of the national organization VetsforFreedom, is challenging Incumbent John Kerry in the Massachusetts senate race. A recent Suffolk University Poll, which is at odds with a Rasmussen Poll touted by major news networks, indicates that over 50% of the states voters would like a change in the Senate in 2008.

Note: John Kerry has not been campaigning in the Baystate to retain his Senate seat. He faces a challenger within his own party, and must first gain the State Democrat nominee before facing Jeff Beatty in the general election.

Watch John Kerry Speak on Flip Flops