Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Just a few political musings...

... When is Mike Huckabee going to finally be dismissed as a radical religious candidate? He promises evangelicals that, if he gets nominated, they will run the GOP. So we can assume, I suppose, that if he is elected president they will run the country, too, right? I'm not sure I've been this shocked about something a politician said. And then he told another group that e supports amending the Constitution to bring it in line with the word of God. Specifically, he was talking about banning abortion and gay marriage, but the general idea is even more disturbing. So much for separation of church and state, huh? Can you imagine if Romney told Mormons they'd run the GOP if he got nominated? Or if Obama told blacks they'd run the Democratic Party if he got nominated? Candidacy over. But Huckabee gets a pass?

... As my friend Martin has noted, Bill Clinton is shaming the presidency by acting like a political hack and hatchet man for his wife during this campaign. Can anyone remember a former president getting involved even in a dignified way in any campaign? Even Pappy Bush played it cool in 2000 - though, maybe, it was because he new his son was not the best candidate... But Bill is out of control.

... Given the economy's troubles, "It's the economy, stupid!" could become the mantra of this campaign, as in '92. Unless something terrible happens - God forbid - on the war or terror front, the economy is likely to be one of the two dominant themes of the campaign and perhaps the one that determines the outcome. If so, the candidate who demonstrates the most empathy with the suffering and fears of the middle class will win in November. Too much to ask for empathy with the working poor, right?

... Obama needs to keep his message positive and inspire people. That's what makes him different from Hillary. Too easy to get pulled into a brawl over records and mud-slinging, as he found out last week.

... Other than a local NPR story on voting machines in NJ and NY, has the media taken a close look at how prepared each state is to insure fair and honest voting procedures this year? Lots of money has been spent since the 2000 debacle, but from what I have read over the last couple of years, it seems like there's lots of potential for more problems this year.

Monday, January 07, 2008

The legacy of the next president...

As campaign 2008 gets into high gear for the primary season, I have been thinking about what I would hope to see our next president actually do when he or she takes office in a year. I am more and more convinced that a Manhattan-style project for quitting our dependence on oil would be the most important and politically powerful program to push. People concerned with global warming would love it. People who understand the economic dangers of peak oil and rising global demand for oil would love it. People who want to see us care less about places like Iraq would love it. People tired of paying over $3/gallon for gas and fearful of $4 or $5/gallon prices would love it. It is an urgent and important problem that could easily become a crisis in the coming months and years.

The next president could offer tax credits and other incentives for taxpayers and corporations to use renewable sources and more fuel-efficient technology, funded by a gas tax and CO2 taxes. The government could invest money in research and development of new energy sources conducted at American universities and provide more support for math and science education at high schools across the country - especially those in less affluent districts - to make sure future scientists and engineers are well-educated and inspired.

The reality is that we are probably 10 years or more behind in addressing this issue. So time is of the essence. We ignore is at our peril. But it also seems like a political no-brainer.

Surprising myself...

I often tell my students how I have never really voted for a candidate for president. I've voted against the other candidate. This just might be the year I get to vote FOR someone.

I have been intrigued by Barack Obama since his famous speech at the Democratic convention in 2004. I read his latest book, The Audacity of Hope, and was impressed by his ability to discuss the important issues of the day, acknowledge his own bias and ideological prism as well as his opponents, and identify areas of potential compromise/agreement to move forward and find solutions.

But I have been consciously holding back from jumping onto the Obama bandwagon because I did not want to be disappointed. I wanted to see if he could convince me that he was ready. I wanted to see how he dealt with the rigors of an intense, competitive campaign.

As the Iowa caucuses approach last week, however, I found myself becoming increasingly excited and full of anticipation as Obama's numbers in the polls rose. Then, Thursday night, I was euphoric! I awoke Friday feeling a new sense of optimism and hope. Obama's victory speech Thursday night was one of the best political speeches in years. Once again, he offered the hope that he might be that rare politician who could inspire a country. I want to be inspired by my leaders. I want to feel proud about the person for whom I am casting my vote. Obama just might be that person.

I have no idea whether or not his lack of DC experience would make him less effective as president. I do know that Hillary Clinton has no more executive experience than he does and only a few more years of experience in the U.S. Senate. Being First Lady is not entirely insignificant, but it says nothing about Clinton's readiness to be president.

You never know for sure whether a candidate will prove to be a good president or a bad one. People do seem to be changed by the office. Moreover, so many presidencies have been shaped by the circumstances well as by the person sitting in the Oval Office. So I'll take intelligence, some vision, some inspiration, some charisma, and the hope for change. I'll take a candidate who seems to take health care, Medicare, Social Security, energy policy, and genocide as seriously or more seriously than his opponents. It's more than any of the other candidates can offer.

I'm looking forward to casting my vote in the NY primary and hoping to vote FOR a candidate this November...

Friday, January 04, 2008

YouTube - Obama's Victory Speech

YouTube - Obama's Victory Speech

I have been so incredibly excited since Obama was declared the victor in last night's Iowa caucuses. I have been increasingly impressed by him as the campaign progressed, though I was worried by a weak month or so late this fall.

Last night's victory was a fantastic moment on several levels. Obama ran a great campaign and attracted younger voters, 35% of the women, independents, and even some Republicans. An African American won a critical vote. And Hillary Clinton came in third!

If Obama wins NH and, as looks quite possible, SC, too, then the nomination will be his to lose. Sure, a lot could happen in the coming weeks. But, as David Brooks noted in his op ed today, many Americans are going to get caught up the the Obama successes and the historical significance.

Here's a link to Brooks' article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/opinion/04brooks.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Unequal Treatment at the State Department - The Board - Editorials - Opinion - New York Times Blog

Unequal Treatment at the State Department - The Board - Editorials - Opinion - New York Times Blog

A friend emailed me the farewell address of former US Ambassador to Romania Mike Guest:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/04/AR2007120401785.html

Nice to see the NYT editorial board supporting Mike and his protest of USG/State Department discrimination against gay employees and their partners. I served with Mike in Moscow in the late 1980s. He was an outstanding diplomat and colleague. I am proud to have known and served with him.

Of course, this whole mess is due to the fact that our country discriminates blatantly against homosexuals by not letting them marry. It's ridiculous that in the 21st Century we still have to deal with this issue. Government should not be in the business of denying people rights but protecting them...