Obama, Under Siege, Goes to Boston to Defend Obama Care – As Romney Care! – Sebelius Falls on Sword –The Republican Blame Game Begins to Sound Hallow - Ted Cruz to Leno!

From the Boston Globe The President stopped in Boston, Massachusetts yesterday to defend his Obama Care plan, and compare it to the Massachusetts Romney Care plan upon which, he insists, it was modeled. Romney on the other hand, suggested – not-so-much – pointing to the folly of attempting to define what works for one state and transferring that model to the entire nation.

With Massachusetts basically the size of a postage stamp, bleeding population, and with a health care system that is far removed from what Romney envisioned but, for reasons unknown still defends, has enjoyed the following: lower premiums for some, huge increases in the budget, and deficits to run the program, large increases in insurance premiums (on average 20 to 40% per year) for private payer systems, and middle class families that fall through the cracks, completely uninsured. Those that do not make quite enough to qualify for Commonwealth Care subsidies, and with premiums for families at the $800 per month level, a family making less than $50,000 a year (before taxes), simply does not have the room to pay for that kind of coverage – so they pay the annual fee to the Commonwealth, instead – they are not insured.

Imagine transporting that system nationwide before thoroughly investigating the problems, and designing one that would, yes, be similar, but would address those problems so that no-one would fall through the cracks. The practice of hiking insurance premiums through the roof based on one set of economic levels, in order to pay for the subsidies of those that fall below, does not take into account the individual circumstances of those who are “deemed” capable of paying more. Massachusetts’s model has been less than perfect from the get-go – and those who pay the fines rather than enjoy the benefits of insurance – are unreported.

It was a hard sell to begin with to half the nation and now with the individuals nationwide losing insurance coverage as their policies are deemed “inadequate” (they need to pay higher premiums and load the coverage with all types of extra benefits, not necessarily fitting lifestyle in order to pay for others.), the fact that the President lied (along with others in D.C.), that one could keep what they had for coverage, for three years prior to the start date, the fact that the startup was totally mismanaged by a contractor that had ties to the Administration, it is a total mess.

To take the blame outright in order to attempt to appease the detractors, Kathleen Sebelius, took the blame for all, while the President blamed – those Republicans. (New York Times).

Herein lays the problem with that scenario for the thinking person. Yes there was a temporary government shutdown, the purpose of which was to stop funding and delay the program for at least a year, if not entirely. That lasted merely 17 days, with the rollout of Obama Care, supported in the Senate and the House by the Republican Leadership, who were battling their own members who wanted to derail what they felt was certainly going to hurt American People. However, that aside, did 17 days really matter in the grander scheme of things with a program that was signed into law in 2010, and should have been, under any conceivable circumstance, ready to roll out three months minimum before the start date. The entire mess, therefore, belongs to Obama and his administration and to anyone who signed onto the plan in the Senate and the House.

The system could work, with a lot of if’s attached, but in its present form, heavily mandated, driving up individual premiums and driving doctors out of the program, it will not. A few tweaks would help a great deal, and those have all been proposed – by Republican’s in the House. Unfortunately, those who would cast blame (see Harry Reid, Obama, et al), would not even entertain those options. Ego got in the way and they wanted to have a plan that was solely the creation of the Democrats. So, shame on them.

It would be the same if the shoe were on the other foot, and the Republican’s pushed through unpopular legislation, lost control of the House as a result, then pressed on, with a press that would look the other way under any circumstance – and roll out a substandard national program – then blame the Democrats!

Sick of it yet?

One might be going out on a limb here, but one might hope that the President will go on the stump in 2014 and 2016 for every single Democrat candidate who supported this program, and that John McCain might do the same for the Republican candidates that were the counterparts, especially those locked in heated primaries with Conservative candidates. The people may be determined to be “low information voters”, hwoever, should this mess continue, one will bet the House and the Senate, that night major political party will be thrilled with the outcome when the dust settles.

2016 Update - Maybe The Senator that has the ability to say "I told you so", one Ted Cruz of Texas will make an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on November 8th (Variety) . As with past speculation on appearance by Sarah Palin, etc., the appearance does not necessarily mean the individual in question will actually run for the Presidency. In the case of Cruz, it allows him the ability to become more familiar with the general public, and perhaps, give them a little insight into what's up with him and the causes he supports or refutes.

Letterman and Leno Compete with 2012 GOP Frontrunners Palin and Romney

2012 GOP Frontrunners Compete with Late Night Circuit image: indierezoa.com

With Jay Leno back in NBC’s preferred timeslot the battle between Leno and Letterman for ratings has earned more than a few Entertainment headlines. The first night back, Leno won the ratings war between the two hosts - and as guests are such an important aspect of the “circuit” – a couple of “rock star” would be needed to compete for viewers.

An article in Politico’s entertainment section entitled “Much Ado About Ratings” noted that Leno booking Sarah Palin was followed by Letterman’s booking Mitt Romney. Both Romney and Palin are perceived as GOP frontrunners.

Since when are GOP Frontrunners for the 2012 Presidential Race considered to be top-rated guests on left-leaning late night shows? Apparently this occurs when the nation is turning on its heels to the right.

It is not so much that GOP candidates have not been on the circuit before; McCain and Barak Obama campaigned across every talk show available, but the reception for McCain was decidedly respectful in tone, the reception for Obama was enthusiastic, by both hosts and their respective audiences.

However, now that the reality of the Obama administration has set in, and the President is seen as less of a rock star and more as a one-term wonder (as in many independents responsible for his election, wondering why they voted for him in the first place), the general public, journalists, pundits and the like, including late night talk show hosts, are seeking the next “political rock stars”.

The Massachusetts Miracle, Scott Brown was the first to make appearances after his special election win, booking Brown was a Leno coup in his 10:00 pm slot. The blogs are still abuzz over a potential Scott Brown in 2012 bid as if the lessons of Obama have meant nothing. Yet, good looks, and a quick wit appears to be the newest qualifiers for candidates – a popularity contest if you will, rather than one based upon qualifications. Therefore, watching the late night shows (and that will include Saturday Night Live) can be somewhat predictive of which way the political winds are blowing.

More over, from the clips below (CBS Letterman with Mitt Romney and NBC’s Leno with Palin) one sees some of the handwriting on the wall – or the hand. It was enough that these two Conservatives in particular were booked as host, however, as to how serious the nature of the contest will be, one only needs to listen to Mitt Romney discuss Palin with Letterman to understand that, yes all joking aside, there is a contest building between the two. Romney’s warning to Letterman to back off Palin as “she has a gun”, is one of the first shots taken at a viable opponent. Romney of course, repeatedly says that he has not decided to run, however, indicators are strong that he will (PACS, Books and Late Night Appearance), the same for Palin.

Who will emerge next is difficult to say, as so many will be throwing their hats into the ring, but, the early bird(s) will catch the attention of the public, and right now the public is looking at the right in a more friendly, engaging manner.
The reception for both, from competing hosts as well as the audience (cue cards aside), was more in line with a former Obama appearance in 2008. The GOP frontrunners, or anyone remotely deciding on a run, will, in all likelihood, be hitting the late night circuit within the next two to three months.

Should Hillary Clinton start making these appearances, one can well imagine a contest of the century in 2012. The domain has been purchased, and Clinton fans abound, never having strayed far after the 2008 Super Delegate trouncing that the more qualified Clinton received.

Will the public never learn? Possibly not, as the most beautiful, and entertaining are the center of the public’s attention. One can only hope that some substance slips through ones of these political appearances, which will lend, at the very least, a negligibly intelligent decision by viewers to choose someone who has credible experience.

Therefore, the race for 2012 has begun, with two simple appearances on two late night talk shows, with hosts vying for ratings; they pull in the top of the tickets (so to speak) in order to compete. What would better serve the American Public prefer to late night appearance – most likely a reality television show – Survivor 2012.






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The Republican Party - What went wrong in 2008 – The Brand and The Entertainment Factor

There is a lot of finger-pointing going on at the moment – from within the Republican Party and from a gleeful press - as to what caused the failure of the McCain campaign. From McCain’s “soft of Obama” demeanor to an “untested” Palin, a feeding frenzy is taking place – to what end? After eight years of an administration that was never accepted by the Democrats or a press who relentlessly attacked every policy move, foreign or domestic – it was inconceivable that any Republican would be successful in 2008. Additionally, “we the people”, are fickle. The Presidency has devolved into nothing more than a personality contest – from Ophrah to the View and Leno to Letterman, the candidates we’re treated as more “celebrity” than politician – Cable and Broadcast news followed suit, paying as much attention to what was said on the “View”, as to any policy positions. It’s about connecting with and pandering to an Entertainment medium in order to reach the “masses”. It is also degrading to the office these individuals seek.

President Bush was besieged by negative press and negative publicity the moment he set foot in the White House – bitterness over the 2000 elections was nothing compared to palpable hatred that followed in 2004. While it is a fact that the media leans, for the most part, left, it is also a fact that little was done to reach out to the American public through the media – when attacked by the New York Times or any cable or broadcast network, the administration remained silent. When the Democrat leadership used the medium to consistently attack the President, he did nothing to fight back, rather, refused to dignify the consistent attacks. Unfortunately, in today’s age, refusing to acknowledge the power of the media is short-sighted to say the least.

There were, of course, other factors: the biggest being the disconnect between Washington Republicans and their base – in the last 6 years it was difficult for many conservatives to tell the difference between a Republican or a Democrat when it came to spending, special interests and scandals. That said when the new “crop” of candidates emerged in 2006 – those that were most comfortable with the media appeared to fair better; whether it was a question of mutual admiration or not.

Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee could be found on every network, news to talk shows – Huckabee had a instant connect with the media, until of course, he looked more like a front-runner, the gloves came off, and the attacks began; and they will continue because Huckabee, and those Republicans that can connect with the people on a more personal level through Entertainment, are a real threat to the Democrats and those “progressive journalists” who know how fast four years go by.

Sarah Palin is a stunning example of random and specific attacks by both her own party and the press. Palin, who’s support among the Republican base (which itself is derided by the press), is at 60% or better, connected more with those that were working class, than McCain, who represented Washington as usual, despite his long history of bi-partisanship. That history was what bothered most conservatives, it was Palin who brought them back to the fold and now she is paying the price. From the ridiculous squabble over a wardrobe to the anonymous tips emanating from staffers who want to hitch their wagon to Washington, there are, a week after the election, consistent negative articles as well as requests for interviews – Palin, a danger to the left because of her popularity, is also a hot commodity with the press for the same reason, and like Huckabee, she is not backing down, rather standing up and taking the time given to reach out to the base and beyond.

The charge that the Republican Brand is damaged is interesting in that it ties politics to personality - placing a political party in the same category as fast food restaurant or hybrid car – that is also true of the Democrat Brand, which faired this election – simply because they understood how to manipulate the media and the entertainment mediums. Enter the fickle “we the people”. One has to understand that President-Elect Obama is now under great scrutiny and in even greater demand, not only must he govern based on the campaign promises, he must also continue to play the part of “rock star politicians” in the press. Should he fail in either, he will begin to face the same criticism as his predecessor. Those that cannot conceive of this scenario need only look back at the love-hate relationship Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan had with the press, the difference being that those Presidents did not have to deal with Leno, Letterman and the View. There stakes are greater today, and the pressure for “celebrities” to continue to please the American Public is unprecedented. Sarah Palin understands this better than most, so do other “off-beltway Republicans” like Michael Steele, and Mike Huckabee. Should the interviews and interest, be it love or hate, continue past 2009, then one can see a new “Brand of Republican” emerging, one which can compete with the other brand – Coke vs. Pepsi, so to speak. Is this new idea of politician as celebrity dignified and does it represent the Office of the Presidency? In simple terms - Yes.