One Thompson out before the other gets in
This is no shocker… Tommy Thompson is out of the race after an abysmal performance in the Iowa straw poll. No surprise, here. Atleast he came to this realization before too much money was squandered.
Category: 2008 Presidential Race
Democratic Candidates and their puzzling stance on Same Sex Marriage
I am greatly amused when I watch the Democratic candidates for President squirm on the issue of same sex marriage. Clearly, the country does not support same sex marriage. The polls show that. And, since they are Democrats, it is easy to box them into a corner and call them “whack-job” liberals. So, after Dukakis, Mondale, among others… they don’t want to go down that road.
So, to keep from going down that road, they take positions that say pretty much nothing. Here is what they said at the most recent debate … as well as what they really meant:
Hillary…
Asked what was at the heart of her opposition to same-sex marriage, Sen. Hillary Clinton said, “I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions.”
“It’s a personal position,” she said. “For me, we have made it very clear in our country that we believe in equality. How we get to full equality is the debate we’re having.”
Translated… “for political purposes and to get elected, I am opposed to same-sex marriage… though I really believe in it. Don’t worry. After I am elected, I will have a change of heart - if politically feasible.”
Edwards…
John Edwards, a former senator from North Carolina and the Democratic Party’s 2004 vice-presidential nominee, offered an apology for a previous statement that his religious faith was at the heart of his opposition to same-sex marriage.
“I shouldn’t have said that,” said Edwards, who has previously said he has struggled with his position. “I believe to my core in equality. My campaign for the presidency is about equality across the board.”
“All I can tell you is where I am today,” he said. “I do not support same-sex marriage.”
Translated… “Wow, I didn’t know this was going to cause such a huge uproar. Politically, the country does not favor same-sex marriage… look, people, my hands are tied. I can’t and don’t have any more explanation or justification why I believe what I believe. There is no way in hell my flegling campaign will have any shot to continue - if I support this. Come on!!!!”
Obama…
Sen. Barack Obama said his view is that “we should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word ‘marriage,’ which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given couples.”
“My job as president is going to be to make sure that the legal rights that have consequences on a day-to-day basis for loving same-sex couples all across the country … are recognized and enforced,” he said.
Translated… “Don’t worry, people. When I get elected, I will work around this whole “marriage” word and hope people won’t notice. All I can tell you is that right now people are not in favor of same-sex marriage. So, for me to admit what I really believe is death to my chances of beating this maniacal woman to my left.”
Behind each of their words lies an even greater meaning. But, bottom line, their words are easy to decipher. Yes, they oppose same-sex marriage… but, they really don’t want to; they just know they have to.
The impact of the shifting primary schedule on Fred
Volunteer Voters discusses how South Carolina has decided to move its primary up to January 19th.
All the more reason that Fred Thompson should hurry up and declare. Fred simply must win in an early southern primary. It is critical. Mitt Romney will win in New Hampshire. Fred has to be the candidate of the south to establish good momentum going forward.
But, with weak fundraising numbers, thus far, it may be difficult to compete with Romney- unless he hurries up and declares.
Kucinich battling to make himself even more irrelevant!
Given that Rep. Kucinich has also agreed to sign on to this inane bill to impeach Gonzales, Cheney, and censure Bush, it is clear that he has effectively thrown in the towel.
Not that this guy ever had a chance to be President, anyway. But, it is clear that this is a last gasp to get support from the liberal elements of the Democratic party. It should be noted that no southern Democratic reps were dumb enough to sign on to such a measure.
Kaegi leaves Thompson campaign
Is there really a story here? No. Kaegi’s company was paid $35,000 to raise startup money for Fred Thompson. They did it. End of story. But, still, the ridiculously low amount of money raised leads one to question what is going on here. Fred has absolutely nothing to gain by delaying, that I can see. Why wait until September to declare?-
I personally don’t and will not give money to campaigns that don’t exist. And, I think that most people feel that way. If Fred declared, I think we would see a DRAMATIC change (for the positive) in his fundraising efforts.
Obama wants to deploy troops into Pakistan?
Thanks, Bob, for pointing out this article regarding Barack Obama’s speech discussing an “expansion” of the “War on Terror”.
Admittedly, I was surprised to see Obama discussing an expansion of the war into Pakistan. But, I will not fault him for saying this. It is certainly a position that we must consider.
Sure, right now, the US is as unpopular as it has ever been. But, if terrorists are seeking refuge in Pakistan or Afghanistan, why would we not consider the possibility, at least, of going into countries that are protecting them. I, in no way, see this as a sign of an inexperienced candidate. I see this as a possibility worthy of consideration. This move is analogous to Nixon’s decision to hit areas of Communist control along the Cambodian border (Ho Chi Minh trail) in Vietnam. It was, naturally, coldly received in America. But, in the end, it was the correct decision.
I am not saying that it should be done. I am simply saying that it must be an option on the table. If you want to kill a snake, you must chop his head off.
Bredesen as a VP candidate?
It makes perfect sense. Think about it….
No matter what some bloggers may say, Bredesen is a centrist Democrat from a conservative state who has shown that his brand of politics can win - even as Republicans dominate.
Frankly, in retrospect, Bryson had no shot at beating Bredesen because people are happy with the job he is doing. To oust an incumbent, it takes more than a good candidate…. you have to provide the electorate with a reason NOT to vote for the guy in the office!
So, where does that leave Bredesen?… in a perfect position to be a Democratic VP candidate. Look, if either Hillary or Obama get the nomination, Bredesen makes perfect sense. He is perceived as being centrist; they are not. They need a southerner to balance themselves out, geographically.
And, Bredesen will go along with it. I seriously doubt that he has higher aspirations in the future. Let’s face it. He has no charisma. He does not have the charisma that one needs to become President. But, he is enough of a work horse… that people could back him for Vice-President. So, it would not bother him as much to latch himself to a potentially unsuccessful effort.
Fred only raises $3 million
So, Fred has only raised $3 million?
Does this really surprise you? He hasn’t declared. It is August. The primaries are just around the corner. I am starting to give up hope!
Of course, people aren’t going to give money when they are starting to think that he might not run.
There is one solution. Fred must declare or Romney will hammer him.
What will Bloomberg do to this race?
There is a great article in Advertising Age, analyzing the impact of Michael Bloomberg on the Presidential race. No doubt, his role will be substantial. But, with Fred Thompson in this race, I believe that his role will more or less be “spoiler” for the Democrats than President.
From the get-go, let’s get this out of the way. If he drops a billion into this race, he is a legitimate contender. But, one thing Bloomberg lacks is a grassroots party structure that the major parties have. It becomes difficult to build such grassroots support when he is not committed to any particular ideology. You may be saying… well, what about Perot?
Yes, in 1992, Perot ended up with 18% of the popular vote. However, his inability to build a strong grassroots network that reached into small towns throughout America (along with his overall insanity) was his undoing.
I do, however, believe that Bloomberg is a much stronger candidate than Perot. And, if he blows a billion, he WILL win some states. But, I truly believe that his candidacy will hurt Democrats more than Republicans… why?… you may ask.
Right now, Americans are (to put it mildly) disenchanted with the President. And, no doubt, his absurdly low popularity will hurt Fred or any other Republican. So, normally, people who wanted to vote the bums out would go to the Democrats.
But, let’s look at the other side… Hillary Clinton? Does anyone really want to vote for her? Barack? Nice guy… no experience… too young…. and, that is about it for serious candidates (And, no, Edwards is not one.). So, that leaves Bloomberg for Americans who are disenchanted with Bush. And, of course, Fred will rally the Republican faithful.
Bloomberg in the race = a win for Fred and Republicans…. don’t you love how I am already giving this race to Fred and assuming he is the nominee? Let’s be honest… who can hang with him in this race?
The Beginning of the End for Giuliani
In the first GOP Presidential debate, Giuliani reminded us all that he is pro-choice:
“I hate abortion” and encourage adoption, the former New York City mayor said later in the debate. But he added that he “would respect a women’s right to make a different choice.”
I certainly appreciate his honesty and candor. I think that everyone should. It took courage to stand-up and address your convictions and beliefs. But, unfortunately, to get the party’s nomination, you must be in alliance with social conservatives.
Years ago, Bob Dole spoke with Nixon and asked his advice about campaigning for President. Nixon instructed Dole to “run as far as you can to the right to get the nomination and then run toward the middle”. Giuliani is already running to the middle.
To win the nomination, you have to have the support of the “party’s core”. Rudy, indeed , has courage. But, I just don’t think that he is a fit for the party, right now.
I, personally, am not a one issue voter. Frankly, I look at the entire package of a candidate when deciding who to support. But, there are a LOT of social conservatives that focus on abortion as their one voting issue. And, in a field this big… and with such strong competition, not having that many social conservatives onboard with you when you are trying to get the Republican nomination is, frankly, death to a candidacy.
His numbers are high, now. However, I think that we will all look back at this day and recognize it as the beginning of the end for Rudy.