Alright, let's consider these topics still on the table and open for discussion:1) Global Warming - submitted by Jenny
That's fair. It's a big issue. Everyone cares about it.
As it relates to the looking McCain-Obama Uber Showdown of the Century, let me also submit a few more open topics:
2) NAFTA and the Concept of "Job Protection" - Obama has been making big noise recently about how horrible NAFTA is. I submit to things about NAFTA. One, is that it's good public policy. Two, if Obama becomes president he won't do JACK about NAFTA and he will in fact leave it in place untouched. McCain is pretty good on free trade.
3) Education Reform - I submit to you that because Democrats are beholden to the Teacher's Unions they are unable to deal seriously with failing schools. Also, I submit to you that we spend too much money on Education already. Good money after bad. Real reform is found in the private sector. Break up the monopolies. Obama promises more of the same.
4 comments:
Here, here.
Disolve the dept. of education completely.
It is the biggest failure on the planet and it is getting worse and worse.
Hello Oso Famoso,
who are you? No names please. Just indicate you relationship to Walker.
The norm on this blog, the etiquette, so to speak, is that all handles be related to liquor.
Would you like to be Ouzo Famouzo?
I am Dollahon the Younger.
You can call me "Corona."
I don't have time to do this but...
There is only one issue really. Elect-ability. Let's review: W was not the Republican's original choice in 2000 but he turned into the likable guy with loads of money. Which translated into elect-ability. He may have stolen the general e but not the primary.
In 2004 you get the Dems putting forth a completely unelectable ticket with with a very liberal flip flop MA senator Kerry heading it. (I am still mad about that.) One can only think that the Dem Party thought that ANYONE could win because of disaffection with the Republicans.
It turns out, they were wrong. People weren't quite disaffected enough, especially given the alternative. So folks held onto W, claiming -- and how many times did we hear this -- we can't switch "commanders..." (Plus there was the Rove factor, I'll grant you.)
One net result is that John Edwards (actually a thoughtful reformer) is now associated with a major LOSING campaign.
That brings us to 08. Edwards despite 04, still draws people who like ideas and reform and don't like Hillary, who in the meantime, had racked up two WINS for senate in a major state and is associated with the last winning presidential runs by a Dem. But beneath her front runner support are underlying fears regarding her actual elect-ability.
Meantime, the Republican's establishment man, Mitt, isn't winning and now they are suck with the conflicted candidacy of McCain, who has to face a general electorate that by this time has FINALLY gotten fed up with Republicans. (Rural Republicans going Dem...mercy!)
Into this perfect storm arises Obama. Fresh, smart and likable, but a relative greenhorn who's not well known and completely liberal in his politics. Though charisma and hard work, he becomes the nice guy with lots money. And as his elect-ability rises, African American voters can finally jump ship because although he's Black he can win. (In other words, it had nothing to do with policy.)And unions have jumped ship, over policy? I doubt it.
Given the defections and the lack of state Party support and her own baggage, it is amazing that Hillary has done as well as she has. Winning MA was a feat. It may have had something with policy, experience and toughness and track record.
It might be fair to say that we remaining Clinton voters are the anti-charisma crowd. I am like the girl in high school who is inexplicably immune to the charms of the popular guy. But have I thought Hillary was ultimately electable in the general e? Yes I did, and do. Do I think she is electable in the primary? Probably not. Though it will be interesting to see the Latino turnout for her, because as a set of voters they have been made to feel unwelcome by the African American political community -- power sharing, no thank you -- but very welcome by the Clintons for a long time.
But in conclusion, the majority Dems are going to back a winner no matter what. And happily, it looks like the dark days, of having really fine people (like the entire Democratic slate the year Ann Richards lost) lose to any idiot who said he was a Republican, have ended. For Obama supporters, he is one of those really fine people. To me, so is Hillary.
Thanks for taking your time to read this. Alison Fairfield, who has never voted for a Bush. Ever.
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