New Hampshire – 2014- Scott Brown – Not Declared – behind Sheehan (D) Incumbent by3 points? –Let the Games Begin

One does not even have to be a declared candidate to meet polling margin of error in 2014 -image Poltiico

2014 is starting to shape up similarly to 2009 - Politico is reporting that Public Policy Polling has Scott Brown with an early deficit of 3 points should he decide to run against the incumbent, Democrat Cindy Sheehan.

To those watching minor mayoral races, city council races, and the like in 2009, there was a refreshing schematic that became apparent in close to sixty percent of the races nationwide, and that was the incumbent – lost. It was not, by any means, a partisan route, as in Democrats only – although that did play a factor in Massachusetts. However, it was anti-incumbency – mad at Congress and the major parties, that had a hand it the vote.

Therefore, one would surmise, that no seat is “safe” in 2014. Of course, that’s a long ways off – and things can and do change. The economy could come roaring back to life, the Democrat and the Republicans in Congress and the Senate, might just put aside all their difference and cooperate on multiple issues, especially the revising the Affordable Health Care Act, the President might just get a little more centric, and Harry Reid may switch parties – all of the aforementioned, of course, are as likely as any change taking place to alleviate the overtaxed and disappearing middle class, as well as the angst felt by those 20 something’s who have – no hope.

Polling is also a funny thing, depending upon the pollster – a recent Rasmussen Poll on Presidential matchups, for example, gave two choices as to whom one would prefer – Hillary Clinton or Chris Christie. One was compelled to finish the polling electing one or the other. If the point of the poll was to see how one would do against another in this hypothetical match up – that’s fine, but if it were to give an overall view of how the vote may go – it was far off the mark. Other choices, could have included Rand Paul, the Senator from Kentucky – who one would hazard to guess would do well across a broad spectrum of voters – as well as anyone who has an idea and not a permanent place in D.C.

Yes, Brown could win New Hampshire easily, he’s new to New Hampshire (sort of), he had a get along and get my way approach to legislation in his short time in the Senate, and he got things done (which message failed to get across with all that screeching about Billionaires, and ads suggesting that ok, he did his job, but he just might vote Republican. In Massachusetts, that’s pretty much all one used to need.

Notice the past tense.

Therefore watching races across the country, look to the underdog –the one candidate that is not politically savvy in the Congressional districts, especially during the primary season. This time around, one thinks it might not be scads of cash that’s going to make or break an election (although it does help) it might just be the people who decide – enough is enough.

U.S. Causalities Continue to Mount in Afghanistan, Who will Speak for those Caught in Obama’s War?

U.S. Soldiers in Afganistan - source: new.soc.mil

The month of Augustsaw an increase in U.S. casualties; the highest since 2001, yet, despite an increase in ground troops, no exist strategy, and a historically impossible nation to conquer (let alone change hearts and minds), there is little to no opposition to this particular “undeclared war”, with very few exceptions. CNN(Word Edition) is reporting, as is the British Press and a bit here and there from Reuters. From the Sun’sreport on the incompetence of the handling of the war, Reuters, India, reporting on U.S. Casualties, , ReutersAsia reporting on Admiral Mulllins statement that the Afghan conflict is serious and “deteriorating” Lastly, CBS Correspondent, Cami McCormick (as reported by CBS World) was gravely injured while covering the “conflict” for CBS News (Radio).

UK Soldiers in Afganistan - Image Daily Mail

There was no need to go this heavily into Afghanistan; the previous administration had kept minimal levels of troops in that country, while continuing to stabilize Iraq. Once campaign promises were made to move the troops out of Iraq immediately and go after “Osama Bin Ladin” by Obama (using the hatred of the left (his base) for George W. Bush and the War in Iraq, while criticizing Bush for not going after the right target – great on the campaign trail – not in real life). Now, a bad situation that was being corrected (slowly and not fast enough for those “timetable” Democrats) in Iraq, has deteriorated, and an unwinnable Viet Nam is in the making in Afghanistan. That said the media has yet to jump on the anti-war bandwagon, with a situation that is beginning to make Iraq pale by comparison. All news reporting on Afghanistan and causalities has been confined to overseas press (includes CNN World). Had Obama wanted to target Bin Ladin, we have the capabilities to do so, using technology. It would not hurt to develop intelligence in these areas, but, as it is becoming more apparent with domestic policy, that may be impossible for this administration.

There is a lone voice crying in the Wilderness – and that is the voice that Obama praised so heartily when Bush was the Target – Cindy Sheehan. Sheehan, turns out to be an honest anti-war activist, a woman who lost a son in Iraq, and perhaps, to the outside observer, went a bit “round the bend’, in her hatred of Bush and his War – she was seen as a partisan, or used by the Democrat Party, in order to bolster Obama’s presidency. She is now targeting Obama, and protesting the Conflict in Afghanistan. ABC and CBS both reported on Ms. Sheehan’s visit to Martha’s Vineyard, but in a condescending manner – very unlike the press she received in 2007 and 2008.
As it is the Woodstock Anniversary – one tune in particular comes to mind – the strongest anti-war song ever written (humble opinion) by one Country Joe McDonald - Video below – just change Viet Nam to Afghanistan and perhaps, one will understand Ms. Sheehan’s angst a bit better.

House Republicans August 4th – Patriots Continue America’s Energy Debate in Darkened House

House Leader, John Boehner (R. Ohio) and Roy Blunt (House Whip, R. Missouri) sent a memo to Republican members of the House and their staff on over the weekend urging them to continue to protest and debate America’s energy crisis on Monday. John Culberson (R. Texas) and other house members, will continue to provide updates to constituants via Twitter today.

To what end? The call to action by this group of House Republicans is in the interest of the people, unlike their Democrat counterparts, led by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi called the House into recess on Friday (5 week summer vacation), while House Republicans continued to protest and debate on the floor. Pelosi has continued to refuse to allow a vote on offshore drilling, despite the fact that the Democrats have a majority in the House and should, if one were to believe they were “one party in concert”, easily defeat the Republican Energy proposal. So, what could possibly prevent the Speaker from putting an end to this? The only logical conclusions are that Pelosi feels she would lose if the bill were put to a vote, or she is simply so power driven that she cannot see the trees for the forest.

Nancy has been busy, she’s promoting her latest book and she is also pushing her choice for the Democrats V.P. pick
Chet Edwards,on Obama. Surely within five weeks, she might find the time to address the American people’s needs? Perhaps she may even take time to notice that Cindy Sheehan, , her San Francisco contemporary, is expected to make the ballot and run against Madam Speaker. In a year where the Democrat controlled Legislature continues to poll at historically low favorability ratings, it would not come as a shock should Ms. Sheehan replace the speaker. (Think San Francisco.)

Republican’s have asked Ms. Pelosi to call Congress back in an emergency session to vote on this bill. From John Boehner’s website: “It’s not a request we make lightly. But the American people are suffering,” Boehner and Blunt said in the memo. “The consequences of continued congressional inaction on gas prices are unacceptable. We’ve called on the Speaker to call Congress back into an emergency session this month and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. We must continue to make a stand until the Speaker complies.”

It is about time that the people we hire (those citizens who we, the people, vote into office to represent our needs) took action on our behalf. The type of “revolt” that the Republican house members began on Friday is exactly what makes one proud to be a part of this great Republic. They are displaying true patriotism. With an issue that is so urgent to the public, it is surprising that not one member from the other side of the political aisle has joined in an attempt to put the needs of their constituents over the wishes of their party master.

Playing “devils advocate”, one might argue that this group of Republicans are only looking for media attention and that they are playing on this issue in order to drive up the stock of the Republican Party. However, were that true, why would they have continued to debate without a single national media outlet available? (House Speaker Pelosi effectively kicked out the media on Friday, shutting down C-Span and removing reporters from the House). With the House still in darkness, and with limited ability to reach the public, the few will continue to speak for the people. Hurrah!