Veepstakes: My Prediction Time

Joseph made his predictions just a few nights ago and now I guess it's my turn: 

I believe Senator McCain will choose former Governor Mitt Romney because of his experience with managing and the economy, something Senator McCain lacks in both the reality and the public mind.

 

I believe Senator Obama will choose Senator Jack Reed.  Senator Reed has military and foreign policy experience which Senator Obama lacks.  

 

My own choice for McCain would be Senator Chuck Hagel or Senator Richard Lugar.  Both have common sense and political and foreign policy experience.  They would bring some sanity to McCain's know-it-all attitude.

 

My own choice for Obama would be General Wesley Clark, Senator Jim Webb, or Senator Hillary Clinton.  I once wanted to see Senator Joe Biden as VP, but now feel that he would be more valuable as Secretary of State in an Obama administration.  Clark and Webb have military experience and although Clinton does not, she has the overall experience to make a difference.

 

If I had to pick a potential surprise, a wildcard if you will, I would go with Senator Lindsay Graham for McCain and Governor Ed Rendell or former Senator Sam Nunn for Obama.

 

Whoever Obama and McCain choose, however, lets just hope the next President does not choose another Dick Cheney type.  Only time will tell.

Andrea Mitchell, You've Made Me Proud

Veepstakes: Prediction Time

First let's take a look at the Republican side:  Who's most likely to be John McCain's Veep.  Here's my predictions:

#3: Tom Ridge.  That's right, the former Pennsylvania governor is the third most likely man to be chosen as McCain's Vice-Presidential nominee.  Why?  For starters, McCain likes Ridge.  Ridge is probably who McCain would most like to pick.  The only problem, of course, is that Ridge is pro-choice, and McCain has previously said that it is unlikely he would choose a pro-choice running mate.  Still, Ridge could shift Pennsylvania to McCain and hence throw a huge curve ball into the Democrats' plan to regain the White House.  For that reason alone, Ridge has got to be in serious contention.

#2: Tim Pawlenty.  Pawlenty would be a very interesting choice.  Why is he #2?  Again, McCain likes Pawlenty.  Pawlenty was one of the first politicians to endorse McCain during the primaries and McCain has always been good friends with the Minnesota governor.  Add to the mix that Pawlenty could put Minnesota and its 10 electoral votes in to play and Pawlenty is the second most likely pol to be named McCain's number two.

#1: Mitt Romney.  Indeed if I had to place money on it, I'd say McCain has already decided on Romney.  I'm not sure why as Romney doesn't exactly do that much for McCain.  He might put Michigan in to play, but thats about it.  Also, Romney is conventional wisdom.  Everyone in the media expects it to be Romney.  If McCain truly wants announcing his VP to give him some much needed media attention, shouldn't he pick someone that would be a little less expected?  It's not a wise choice by McCain, but then again, McCain hasn't exactly been making wise choices as of late.

As for as the Veepstakes on the Democratic side go, everything is much less clear.  Everyone in the political world has a different opinion.  I'm positive that McCain's VP will be from the above list, and 95% sure it's Romney, but I could be completely off with Obama's list.  But here goes nothing...

#3: Hillary Clinton.  Many people don't think the "dream ticket" has a chance of happening.  I'm very skeptical myself.  But there is a chance.  Obama wants the fundraising prowess of the "Hillraisers" and the only way he's going to get it 100% is to pick Hillary.  In addition to the money issue, Hillary also gives Obama great strength in the "rust-belt" states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and even Michigan.  

#2: Tim Kaine.  Obama wants to win Virginia.  If there's one state Obama is intent on flipping this cycle, it's Virginia and what better way to get a head start than by putting its very popular governor on the ticket?  

#1: Evan Bayh.  One doesn't hear much about Bayh, but I will guarantee Obama is looking at him seriously.  With recent polls showing the race in Indiana, a traditionally Republican state, so close, Bayh could help Obama grab this red state come November.  Add to that Bayh's executive experience as governor of Indiana as well as his foreign policy experience from being in the Senate and Bayh is as good of a pick as any for the Vice-Presidency.  

(In addition to the 3 previous names, I believe that Joe Biden and perhaps even Jack Reed are in contention for the #2 slot.  I don't think either would be particularly great or exciting choices, but I do believe they are on the elusive list.)

John McCain

I used to like John McCain.  I never liked the majority of his political positions, but I liked John McCain the person.  He had dignity.  He had respect.  He had independence from his party.  He, in many ways, had everything George Bush, Dick Cheney, and the Republican leadership in Congress lacked.  This campaign, however, has changed John McCain; changed him or brought forth the true John McCain --- I'm not sure which.  Whatever the case, my opinion of John McCain has changed, and changed for the worst.

It was not too long ago when John McCain said he would run a respectful campaign.  He correctly claimed that "Americans want a respectful debate" and promised to give America just that.  He vowed not to question his opponents "character and integrity".  

But with the election just months away and McCain bracing for a significant loss, speaking with regard to the electoral college, McCain has changed his tactics.  Desperate to destroy the Democratic nominee, McCain and his camp, just this week, rolled out their latest despicable line of attack --- essentially calling Barack Obama out for treason:

"Obama would rather lose a war in order to win a political campaign."

The previous line was used by McCain over and over again.  This is turning in to 2004 all over again.  Why must one's patriotism be questioned in a political campaign?  Why can't Republicans show some decency and admit that just because they disagree with Democrats on policy, their love for this great country and its troops is equal and abundant.  

Attack lines like the one used by McCain are disgusting.  They are completely uncalled for.  How dare John McCain say that any one wants to lose a war?  How dare he?  

John McCain, sir, you have lost all my respect by going after Sen. Obama in that way, and by extension, all Americans who oppose this war.  No amount of recollections of your time as a POW in Vietnam can restore honor and dignity to you name in my eyes.  You were a hero to this country.  You were honorable.  You came into this campaign with that honor and respect.  But when you use that honor and respect bestowed upon you by the American public for your courageous service to this country, and you twist it in order to make the case that you and your party and only you and your party and it's positions show love for this country and our troops, you lose that honor and respect.  

It Was Reported Here First On POLITIDOSE

For the past week or so, the news media in general has been carrying stories concerning (1) Senator McCain's flubbing the facts as he has done so many times;  (2) The Huffington Post ran comments by Zbigniew Brezezinski and Brent Scowcroft alluding to the fact that Iran will have influence in Iraq regardless what happens in Iraq;  (3)  Also reporting was comments by administration officials and military officials that more troops will be going to Afghanistan because the war is going badly there. 

 

If all of the above sounds familiar it is because you read it here in Politidose first long before the news media picked it up.  The flip flops and inaccurate statements and the derailment of McCain's straight talking express were covered in articles on Politidose dated November 5, 2007, December 18, 2007 and February 23, 2008.

 

The Iran-Iraq alliance was covered on Politidose in an article dated April 8, 2008.  The Afghanistan problem was covered in Politidose in articles dated December 13, 2007, January 19, 2008, January 20, 2008 and January 29, 2008.

 

Politidose was able to bring those stories to the American people long before our government and news media made the connection.  All this adds to the belief that it is the independent ideas and opinions found on blogs such as Politidose, instead of news companies backed by special interests and corporations, that serve to truly inform and enlighten the American people.  

Innovation: Lost in America

Webster's New World Dictionary defines innovation as such:  1) The act or process of innovating;  2) Something newly introduced, new method, custom device, etc.;  3) Change in the way of doing things.

 

Our fore fathers were innovative in the contents of our constitution.  Democracy is a way of life that allows us to be innovative.  American business and industry has been innovative in the past in what they produce and the American people have been innovative in adjusting to conditions thrust upon them.  Sadly, only the former and the latter are working for America and its people at the present time.

 

Corporate America is in the dark age of innovation.  We have a crisis with the use of fossil fuels for many years but noone in corporate America is willing to take the lead and be innovative.  Auto manufacturing have to be told by the government to build better vehicles with better gas mileage.  The oil and gas industry continues to push for more drilling and in pristine places instead of working to produce alternate fuels.  The list can go on and on with all the problems we have today and I know the people understand where I am coming from.

 

The problem is two fold:  Corporate and political greed.  One can not exist without the other.  Why does corporate America have to innovate when they can get corporate welfare and tax breaks from the government for any little thing?  Why do CEO's have to think about innovation when they take home millions even when their companies do poorly?  And why should elected officials perform when they can get elected and reelected because of all the money they receive from lobbyist in the form of campaign contributions?  Make no mistake, our country can handle the problems that are with us today with the right leadership from our elected officials and corporate America.  Innovation can not be bought.  It is an attitude of progress for wanting and creating some thing new and useful to move humankind forward.

 

In order for people to understand how greed has retarded innovation in America I will pass on the following information published in the book, " A Time To Fight" by Senator Jim Webb.  It tells the sad story of what is happening in America.

 

In 1968 The average Corporate CEO made 20 times the salary of his average worker.  Today that multiple is over 400 times his average worker.

 

Japanese CEO's make 10 times the salary of the average worker.

 

German and S. Korean CEO's make 11 times the salary of the average worker.

 

French CEO's make 16 times the salary of the average worker.

 

Italian CEO's make 19 times the salary of the average worker;  Canadian CEO's make 21 times the salary of the average worker;  British CEO's make 25 times the salary of the average worker.

 

All of these foreign CEO's direct companies that compete with the United States.

 

The most productive Countries, Germany, Japan and S. Korea have  the least amount of income disparity between their CEO's and their workers.

 

Half of the stocks in America are owned by 1% of the people.

 

This great disparity between American executives and their workers is a disgrace and has grown at a time when workers are upon hard times.  The American worker should share more in the wealth they helped create but instead, wealth is being transferred to their CEO's.  And get this, corporate America has been cutting back on their workers, retirement, pensions, health insurance and benefits at alarming rates.  Innovation?  You won't find it in corporate America.  Greed, yea you got that right.

 

Former V.P. Al Gore has started a campaign to have the next President and Congress act to have our country produce electric power from renewable fuels and to discontinue using fossil fuels for that purpose and do so in the next 10 years and of course corporate American and those who want to continue the status quo say the goal can not be reached in 10 years.  These are the same voices who said America could not reach President Kennedy's goal of putting a man on the moon.

 

Innovative corporate America --- it has not existed for many years.  Their ideology now is corporate welfare, greed, and tax breaks to add to their profits and transfer of wealth.  If the average worker were allowed to share in the wealth they help create our economy would be strong and sustainable.  The next President  and Congress needs to address the problem.

Road to Victory: Tom Udall (New Mexico)

Another Financial Meltdown On The Republican Watch

The Bush administration's policy and lack of a true economic plan has once again plunged the financial and mortgage industry into collapse.  The Federal Government has already bailed out Bear Stearns.  Now they are bailing out Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae and the FDIC has just announced the take over of Indymac Bank which has $32 Billion of assets.  As of this writing there are 90 Banks on the FDIC's list of problem banks, up 50% since the end of 2006.  No one yet knows where it will end and how much it will cost the taxpayers. 

 

In case one forgets, we had the Savings and Loan meltdown in the 1980's during Reagan's term in office.  50% of the Savings and Loan Industry went belly up.  The Federal Government had to bail the industry out.  The reports say that bail out cost the taxpayers $150 billion.  Some suggest it was 5 times that much but the Federal Government has never given the American people an accurate count of what it actually did cost the taxpayer.

 

Both Bush and Reagan pushed through tax cuts which benefited the wealthy that fit their ideology of trickle down economics.  Both of them also believed in deregulation and letting corporate America do what they want to do at the expense of the middle class. 

 

The Bush administration also presided over the stock market scandal where the regulators did not regulate.  The American people get themselves in trouble by voting Republican especially when Republicans have a sorry record on the economy and protecting the middle class.  Mr. Bush's sorry approval rating of 28% comes after the people elected him twice.  Now as he nears the end of the line the country is in terrible economic shape and no end in sight. 

 

These so called conservative Republican Presidents promise the people tax cuts and then get into the people's pocket a hundred different ways.  When the cost of the current financial meltdown is calculated and the debt created by this President is tallied, God help us all if people still think Republicans are conservatives.

Road to Victory: Rick Noriega (Texas)

As of today, I'm beginning a new series of video posts highlighting the Democrats running, both incumbent and challengers, for the United States Senate this election cycle.  These videos were created by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and highlight each candidate's ability to deliver for their state and for America as a whole.  

The following video is on Lt. Colonel Rick Noriega, who is challenging Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas:

2001-2008 --- A Return To A Time Of Darkness

We were taught in school that there was a time in our history's past when learning seemed to stop.  It was called "The Dark Ages."  Who ever thought history would repeat itself in the 21st century?  The past seven and half years has been a repeat for our leaders who have failed to learn and then stopped learning from their mistakes altogether.

 

The present Dark Age covers a broad spectrum and I will discuss two of them in this post that came to light just in the last few days.  Nothing needs to be said about Iraq because the problem is so obvious.  Now it is Afghanistan and Iran.

 

Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Afghanistan and said more foreign fighters including al Qaeda militants are operating in Pakistan's tribal areas then in the past and they are flowing into Afghanistan more freely this year compared to last.  Attacks in Eastern Afghanistan where American forces operate along the border with Pakistan are up 40% this year.  June was the deadliest month for U.S. and NATO soldiers since 2001.

 

This Dark Age of leadership goes back to our invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 when we failed to seal the borders.  It was known before our invasion that the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan was a haven for training al Qaeda and the Taliban.  After the tragic events of 9-11, Mr. Bush said his administration would make no distinction between the terrorists and those who harbor them.  Not only did our leadership fail to carry out that policy with Pakistan, but seven years into the war in Afghanistan, our Chairman says the problem is still there and worse.

 

Now we have Secretary of State Condi Rice who just warned Iran that its latest launching of rockets was a provocative act and that the U.S. has the ability to counter them --- another example of this Dark Age of leadership failure where our leaders have learned nothing.  Our leadership has a policy of provocations and going along with the threats of Israel's leaders to other countries.  When leaders fail to learn, innocent people pay the price for their mistakes. 

 

Mr. Bush failed to learn that two can play the same game he tries to play.  That failure is darker than dark.  He played the game in Iraq over WMD that did not exist and went on to destabilize Iraq and the middle east.  Iran does not have a history of  invading other countries nor of launching a war against other countries.  Our own intelligence people said they stopped working to produce a nuclear weapon several years ago.  If they are in fact working to acquire such weapons, the U.S. can contain them like we did the Soviet Union for over 40 years.  We don't need a failure in leadership that will push the U.S. into yet another unnecessary war. 

 

This Dark Age of leadership and learning has put our country and its people in peril.  We see the economic repercussions for this failed leadership that touches the people's lives in almost every situation.  Russia was bogged down in Afghanistan for 10 years and then withdrew.  Our leadership furnished the Taliban weapons to fight Russia and they are now using those weapons we supplied them against our own troops.  We also supported Saddam during his invasion of Iran and ten year war.  We even gave Saddam U.S. intelligence gathered on Iran's military movements.  What has our country learned from those Dark Ages? ---Apparently, nothing.  

 

Can our nation escape this present Dark Age where our leaders have stopped learning.  Have we run out of leaders who understand what America is all about and how to use our military power wisely?  Hopefully the next President will answer those questions, in the way that they need to be answered.