Rand Paul Vs. Rick Perry – Who Cares?

The last few days saw dueling headlines - the first salvo from Rick Perry, Governor of Texas and, as it happens, a 2016 possible GOP presidential candidate – Perry wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post, blasting Paul for being an isolationist. (Washington Post). What followed was a few other aging GOP’ers joining in the “Pile on” (Politico) of Rand Paul.

Rand Paul, Kentucky Senator, and also, as happens, 2016 potential GOP presidential candidate leading in multiple polls, responded with a sense of humor, laced with heavy sarcasm vis a vis, Governor Perry’s op-ed (Newsweek)

Therefore, as the pundits call it the splitting of the factions of the Republican Party, one who’s got more sense sees it as two candidates with cheerleaders for either both or possibly other candidates, duking it out early for that first place spot on the poll charts – otherwise known as political maneuvering.

When it comes to Democrats, they do have that one thing in common – lockstep. Which can be extremely boring when going into a national election where the county is seeking leaders who will stand out from the bunch of usual tried and true’s from both parties? That’s where both Perry and Paul come in and shine with the normal folk, from both parties and those darn independents that can swing an election.

Some might call it entertaining, and nothing more. Suffice it to say, either of the two aforementioned, would lead and be capable of projecting leadership – different styles to be sure, but both acceptable. Both constitutionalists, both using the word “Liberty” a good deal, and both fiscally sound. Nothing more to see here.

Wendy Davis and Hillary Clinton – Matter Much? – Yes and No

Wendy Davis, Democrat from Texas who is seeking the Governor’s office, apparently has had a few problems in the past. She was the gunner for the pro-abortion lobby, and ensured that Texans had the “right to choose”, yet her past is catching up with her. The Washington Post suggests that although she may have problems with her resume (which is not, when right and left clash in print, the only problems), but she had to run for Governor and lose.. The aforementioned makes no sense at all – in the real world, instead of making excuses for Ms. Davis, ahead of a loss in Texas in 2014, why not vet her first, find a credible female Democrat to run in her stead (surely there is one that hold Progressive tenets and has no .. scandals or misdemeanors or jail time in their past?)

Hillary Clinton is being ballyhooed as the front runner for 2016 – Politico reports that she is cleaning Chris Christies clock in the polls – a veritable shoe in, a done deal. While other news reports suggest that perhaps Benghazi may come back to haunt her – are either a factor?

First Christie, not necessarily the candidate of choice for the Conservative does not have yet to declare, nor has anyone else for that matter, and polls taken only pit Christie against Clinton. The danger there is that the public is led to believe that she is infallible and Christie is the only one running. Secondly, Clinton has run and was, quite clearly, robbed of the nomination in 2008, but that was history – the two major political parties appear to play a game of “the loser get’s the second chance”. In other words, should one come in second, one will come in first the very next opportunity. Never mind that there may be baggage now that was not there in 2008, given her close association tot his administration, and the additional fact that the public is growing sick of the Washington elite.

Yet, depending upon who does run, Clinton may be the best choice – baggage and all. If another female with impeccable credentials, a Governor perhaps, who has held the seat for at the least one full term, would do.

Sadly, the public is weary, both sides of the aisle and their respective media outlets, have hammered the Republican versus Democrat battle to the point where one can’t even stand to read an article, listen to a newscast or even get the energy up to care a whit – which is good news if a candidate is not the darling of either media, or exclusively branded with a major political party. Yes, once again, America needs a shiny new toy, to hold up on a pedestal, but this time, the low information voter may not be so quick to choose, and may want more in the way of leadership than slogans.

Which begs the question for both sides of the aisle and both genders – is there anyone at all, without the baggage or the brand -who would risk the backlash and the cash to take on the nightmare that surely will be the next President’s inheritance?

If a woman does run, regardless of which one, for which race, one would hope that the criticisms of which there will be many would focus on their political acumen, their management skills, rather than their personal lives and/or their wardrobe.

Was it About the Government Shut Down or Even Obama Care (Not Functioning) or was it Really About the Debt Ceiling – Obama Miffed over shutdown –wants rise in Debt Ceiling – A New Age of Politics.

The States were Senators Are Facing Elections in 2014 - the Red and The Blue of it -or perhaps a shade of purple may invade - image polidata.org.

We’ve heard it all before – the sky is falling, the sky is falling – and the horrors one would see when those darn Republican’s did not cave in to the King of the Senate (i.e. Harry Reid) and just go along to get along and agree to anything he suggested as far as a continuing resolution (i.e. temporary spending measure, a gap if one will, to cover programs that are deemed non-essential – really.) – Darn that Ted Cruz, for upsetting Harry and those brown-nosing Republican’s who’d rather be in Harry’s good graces than the American People – so they moaned and groaned and then –that CR went back to the House, where there is currenlty an impasse – so the government shut down and no-one really cares – except for the politicians and the media.

But, the people, not those in power, were unaware, for the most part, that this whole dust up had less to do with Ted Cruz, or Obamacare, or John Mccain, and how far up the media’s but he could get – it was not about Obama either, it was about how much money they needed to fund all the extra’s – and how they needed to rise the debt ceiling – afterall it’s hard ot study blueberries in Maine without the darn funds. According to NBC Obama is ”exasperated” over this shutdown and warns we are in trouble” He’s concerned that people are still uninsured (no fault of the group –Obama care funded or not, has many glitches and a whole lot of disinterest that no one wants to signup anyhow. And so, he’s worried about more programs, and unfortunately for him, so are the people.

The thinking people, the worst sort of people for a Progressive to have to deal with than say – your average voter who they deem stupid – they use the word “uninformed” – but that’s not the case really – it is the same for both sides those voters who hold onto their Democrat or Republican label for dear life –while Washington Burns to the ground – and Harry Reid Fiddles.

It is, in a word, the most absurd time in the History of the nation, from the perspective of one how has seen a lot of absurdity in the past 40 years, or more like 50, but this takes the cake. It’s as if the late great Dr. Timothy Leary dropped a batch of something psychedelic on the whole lot of DC as some kind of experiment –yes, it is that bad. Carter was atrocious – we got that - nice man, but not ready for prime time, and after 4 years, and a press that used to be for the people, not the party, he was out, Reagan followed and the screams from the left were drowned out by the people cheering, from all sides, there were the disasters, term here, term that, Clinton, he was the manager, between him and Newt Gingrich the nation moved forward – including a shutdown – and there was reform and posterity. Bush has the unmitigated gall to be caught in his first year of his first term in a major terrorist attack that cost ht e nation both lives and economically – and the left had gown, to include the universities, and the press, so there was little god that was known about Bush – until Obama came into office – then Bush was missed, especially in Martha vineyard.

Now, we have rampant inflation, few full time jobs, everybody’s brother and aunt receiving some sort of government dole, and a dwindling tax base to support it all – add to that a program that was poorly designed and eats through a second budget, one can see that this takes the cake from an historical perspective.

Although an easy fix, no one in Washington wasn’t to fix it – except for one or two radical libertarian minded individuals who actually will talk to both sides –so we wait while the big boys, (or those acting like spoiled brats) figure out no-one but the press is listening. The Republicans who are so concerned with their image in the press, will have time aplenty in 2014, and 2016 to make good with their friends in the media – most of them might even get a spot here and there on the prime time news – same goes for those Democrats up for election in those periods. Normally this blogger is looking at the candidates for 2016- really here’s my best guess, Hillary Clinton, although she looks like she’s running and would love to run understands that the Jr. Senator from the State of Massachusetts, one Elizabeth Warren (only a tad less experienced that Obama was in 08), will be the choice of the national Democrats. On the Republican Side, normally the last man standing in the prior election goes –so, there are choices, all of them bad choices, Newt, (although a great debater), Rick Santorum, but wait, there’s also Ted Cruz (who’s better suited for the Majority Leadership Role), and Paul Rand and Mike Lee, if he ‘s so inclined – those two are worthy for several reasons, and the ones that can take out the machine that will be Lizzie Borden Warren. We need sense not slogans, but so far, that’s how it looks – What is more important is the battle brewing over the senate and the congress.

With fairly good sources, there will be more money going to individuals who are not necessarily Republicans, but challenging them not necessarily Democrat Progressives, but challenging them and so, we would have ourselves some serious horserace’s and some major shifts in public policy - This is going to be the most exciting time to be – a political junkie

So the sky will not fall, and the nation might not have neigh cash to cover its debts, and Boehner and Cantor (Republican’s light and lighter) will make some kinds of McCain in a deal behind closed doors and put the screws to the public, but Obama will be happy. But it’s short time and of no consequence considering the path has been set.

Imagine new speakers, new leadership – that regardless of who sits I the oval office, will rule al the people’s pleasure, not K street, or some ill conceived Progressive plan, or equally ridiculous Republican plan. Yes, idyllic – true, but completely feasible.

Yes, it is past time for multiple political parties, or more to the point, political thought, so that all voices get share in the Republic – so that Washington is not the Richest city and suburbs in American where they have no industry except collecting taxes, and where the nation can be proud again, and trust again, their leaders in the Congresses. The White House will always be – what it is – the personality rather than the person, good and bad.

Another Step in the Direction of National Health Care at the Hands of the GOP – What is a Government Shutdown? – CA Unions Funding Republicans!

Today is another emotional day for the millions of American’s who are hoping against hope that their erstwhile elected officials in the Senate, will once again, vote “Nay” on Cloture to give them breathing from furthering the start of the Affordable Health Care Act. The tweets at #MakeDCListen are no longer trending on Twitter, yet, they are active, and they are desperate. It is a question of how many people who are not on “twitter” who are silently and sadly waiting for the other shoe to drop – they are neither partisan one way or the other, merely afraid of their own government and what it will do to their health care.

The fault, according to the GOP Senators on the Floor is all Ted Cruz’s, the Senator from Texas who dared to buck the system in an attempt to tell the world for as long as he could, the reasons why Obama care should be brought back to the table and amended (fixed) – but the House Majority Leader Harry Reid, refused and has the unlimited power to do so. Those railing against Obama, as the President, should choose another, more culpable individual – that would be Harry Reid, who is in more powerful position than the President. One might guess that there will be a challenge to Reid in the next election cycle he faces. One might also guess that with his support of this bill, he will join Tom Daschle. He and McCain and those colleges of Cruz, Lee and whoever dared to step on the toes of the Washington ruling class.

Those might think it is just the “crazy tea-party” that is concerned over this ridiculous bill – not so:

The open letter from Jimmy Hoffa, Teamsters Union President, (click here to read), sound word for word, as if it were taken from part of Senator Cruz’s 22 hour and 19 minute call to his Senate Colleges to stop this bill in its Tracks. Those are strange bedfellows one might think.

What is even more startling is what some might see as an upheaval of sorts. The Unions looking towards Republican’s to bail them out of the muck and mire of the economy that this present course of action by the Democrats has wrought. From the Sacramento Bee – the headline screams Teachers union, SEIU open wallets to California Republican Party - , the article godson to point out that both unions (local to CA and that specific area), are donating heavily to the CA Republican Party.

What so many Republican’s have done is the past is despicable – they have railed against the unions, or played down endorsement requests, to their detriment. There is a broad divide in all unions between the national office (which is hard line progressive) and those many field chapters who are the “regular folk”, working class, suffering just like those non-union members. On a local level they may want to endorse a rising national Republican figure, or a local figure yet, add yet, those have, to a majority refused the invitation to “walk “with the local members – This is a symbolic gesture that cements a relationship between the candidate and the local –one that shows the individual by walking with the members, is in solidarity with them, and understand their needs.

How foolish of so many candidates – so fearful of the wrath of the GOP, that they would deny the members and themselves a benefit of mutual understanding – the GOP and the DNC would be reversed.

A source, in the SEIU, (ok, a relative) suggested that the one-time Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee, when asked to walk with a union (SEIU local) in the Pacific Northwest, declined, so they endorsed the Democrats. What a shame – Huckabee, in 2008, could have save the GOP from the embarrassment of John McCain.

Now, those union members are giving to Republican Parties in CA, and one wonders if there are any candidates on the horizon on the Republican ticket that would get off their behinds and go to that local and show support – and then ask for more –in every state, at every level, at every local.

They might find more support than they bargained for – regardless of the fact that the unions are in decline.

Today, the defeatist in the GOP will undoubtedly do exactly what the people are afraid they will, roll over.

To avoid a “Government Shutdown” that isn’t a Government shutdown at all – They are voting on a bill or continuing resolution which only applies to discretionary funding – not the funding of the Federal Government that is set in stone in the budget. Yet they use that as a means and way to vote to get along and the heck with the constituents.

Ironcially - it was those very same Senators, slamming Cruz, Lee, and all who support them, that wanted to shut down the Government in 2009. Short memories – while those who insulted Cruz, like his fellow Senator, Cornyn, are sending out fundraising letters based on their ability to STOP Obama care – really? – They don’t intend to stop anything. The article from Red State, entitled lies, dam lies and republican senators is worth the read.

Also, if so inclined, call your senator and give them a tip on the job at hand and whether or not you want Obama care to go through – pro or con, it allows you to actively participate in the process – the call is free for most of us: the capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121 – just ask to be connected to your Senators office.

Hillary Clinton – Love Her or Not – What’s a Decades Old Sex Tape Between her Husband and His Intern Have to Do with Anything at all?

Hillary Clinton - image from charles city today dot com

From the website Radaronline (via The Drudge Report), headlines blare: “Secret Sex Tape: Monica Lewinsky Caught On Explicit Recording Telling Bill Clinton, ‘I Could Take My Clothes Off…’, the article goes into some details, and suggests the “scoop” by the National Enquirer, might somehow harm Hillary Clinton’s chances should she seek the Democrat Party nomination for President in 2016. What is particularly annoying about trivial junk such as this is that it is blatantly sexist. One must assume that the wife (spouse or partner) is somehow cheapened by the antics of their other half (usually referred to as the better half). The fact that one is in a relationship, especially a marriage, with children involved, puts the onus, not on the victims (spouse, children), but the protagonists (cheating husband and his “flame”). Regardless, the personal heartbreak, and or rage felt by the “wronged” individual, especially if the event took place decades ago, has nothing to do with their ability or inability to apply for a job. The fact that this is a woman at the focus of an article that suggests Sec. of State Clinton would somehow be harmed in her career because of someone else’s actions, (a man-her husband) – suggests a sexists overtone.

Here come the critiques of hairstyle, clothing choice, and anything but where Hillary Clintons stands on the issues. The whole affair and subsequent impeachment had, at the time, and now in the present, done zip to harm the Clinton family, except privately.

These “startling revelations” may sell a few more copies of the tabloid in a grocery store, or Wal-Mart, however, what does it matter in the greater scheme of things?

There is plenty to question politically and ideologically regarding Hillary Clinton and her future plans as a Presidential contender, which would be more germane. There will be multiple candidates from both major parties, and hopefully candidates from a third party - one which will demand some attention due to the distaste for polarization directly tied to the two-party system, and the continual election of members of the political class, or in some cases political dynasties. The problems that Hillary Clinton faces will be scrutiny over decisions made while working for the Obama administration, the fact that she is a woman, unfortunately, can be a challenge, but less so than in previous elections. She is not only part of the permanent political class, but also part of a political dynasty. One might suggest a Bush-Clinton matchup in 2016 would be enough to make one look hard and long at any third party nominee.

There is, as far as one can determine, no suggestion that a royalty of sorts should have evolved from those families who serve our nation. It should be the individual, who is willing to put for their time and treasure as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

From this perspective, a choice between Hillary Clinton, a third party candidate (with actual qualifications – someone such as Dr. Ben Carson, for instance) and Jeb Bush, would make the third party candidate appealing. The political benefit of electing a third party candidate to the highest office is multiple – it would lessen the power of the permanent two party system, bring a perspective to the Congresses that getting along and finding compromise would be beneficial, and it would devastate the special interests that pervade the nation, from the PAC’s to the lobbyists. That’s for starters.

Therefore, it is not what has happened in Clinton’s personal life past, but what her accomplishments, or failures have been in her political offices. The muddying of the waters by downright stupid reporting, whether it is what she wore, how she looks, detracts from her ability to perform as a candidate. This does a great disservice to the nation – something that the mainstream media, the major parties, and their affiliated sycophants are counting on.

An unrelated article, but a must read: From Huffington Post Black Voices, the article “A Message to Trayvon Martin Sympathizers” by contributor Romany Malco. Reach the full article at www.huffingtonpost.com/romany-malco/a-message-to-trayvon-mart_b_3612231.html. It is, without a doubt, one of the smartest articles written regarding the education system, the media, and reality that one might read this month.

I would suggest, hwoever, that a majority of what Mr. Malco is stating, is applicable not only to the African-American community, but to the entire population, regardless of race or ethnicity.

McCain, George H. Bush, Obama - The Assumption (Arrogance) of Presumptive (Assumed)

The first weeks of February, 2008, allowed for some rather interesting speculation by John Q. Public. When it was recently announced that the former (or elder) President Bush was throwing his endorsement to McCain in this 08 election – party leaders were exuberant while John Q. Public reacted differently. Those on the “blue” side of the aisle were jubilant, as they understand that the public in general have no love for any Bush, and this endorsement was exactly what was needed to propel the Democrat’s nominee to the white house in 08. McCain, for his part, has been challenging Obama left and right, and vice versa, as the two presumptive (one has to love that word), nominees an early start to the “us vs. them” mentality of debate that has just sickened the country.


What seems to have been forgotten by the media is that there are still two other candidates (or three, my apologies to Ron Paul) in the race, and that there is a convention to be held, and that convention is held in July. Should anyone care to check a calendar, there is a difference of 5 months between February and June. The last of the primary states to weigh in, goes to the polls in June. The regular voter, not the administration or any party, is aware of the following:



There are still 5 candidates in the field.

Presumptive:

Main Entry: pre•sump•tive

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : based on probability or presumption 2 : giving grounds for reasonable opinion.

Note: presumption: assumed, and one knows what happens when one assumes anything.


So, for the record:

McCain: Senator from Arizona, consistently votes on social issues moderately, and has done so since he took the seat. One can assume this presumptive nominee is conservative, or one can check the record.
U.S. Senate Vote Record One can also access the exact voting record for the Senators campaigning this cycle through their individual pages on this web site.


Clinton: Senator from New York, and the only candidate with experience in the White House. The First Lady’s position, it should be noted, is not a fluff job, but involves actual management of staff. Using the link to the US Senate given above, one can find that Senator Clinton is possibly more moderate in votes than McCain.


Obama: Senator from Illinois. Voting record for Senator Obama is not particularly clear, given his short time in the position. (2006), however, one understands his position is to the left of both Clinton and McCain.


Mike Huckabee: Governor of Arkansas: 10 years as governor. Improved schools, improved conservation, cut taxes (unless federally mandated programs caught the state short budgeted, and then only when the electorate voted yeah or nay to raise taxes), etc. (etc., because, accomplishments to the positive would require a book)
Finding non-partisan records is almost impossible. Every single Republican special interest group has an article decrying his record as one of little note. That said, one can find unbiased reporting on the Governor, if one goes back 20 pages in Google: For a snapshot: Governing 2005
There are more such articles, as ten years is a long-time to govern, but more to the point.


Mike Huckabee and Hillary Clinton are the only two candidates with any management and or governing experience.


Both Senators McCain and Obama have experience legislating and they hire people to manage their staff.


Voting records show that both Clinton and Huckabee would be kind to the American people, not necessarily the party or the press.


In the interest of full disclosure, (although glaringly apparent), I am 100% behind Mike Huckabee’s efforts to bring the final vote for and by the people to the Republican convention. The systematic destruction of two political candidates by their own parties and the media has not gone unnoticed. No matter the outcome in this election, for the first time in a long time, people of opposing political viewpoints are reaching across the aisle and agreeing on one point. Neither the media nor the party has the right to choose the nominee.


Addendum: Club for Growth: Backers- Bush Administration