Politics of Racism, 1903, 1968, 1988, 2009

I collect political memorabilia. As I looked through my junk last night I realized how much we have changed.

I have a George Wallace neck tie from his 1968 run at the Presidency. It is a thin white tie with bold red letters horizontally positioned that reads Wallace ’68. Twenty years ago I attached a campaign button to the Wallace tie – it reads Jesse Jackson ’88.

2008 Election: Winners and Losers

By Chris Cillizza Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States. John McCain will not, likely capping a long and well-decorated political career with a loss. Democrats will expand their majorities in the House and the Senate. Republicans will be relegated to minority status in both chambers, forced to re-calculate what their […]

Barack Obama – The Color of Water

These are troubling times of war and of economic despair. Yet there is a sense of hope. 50 million people in this country lack health care. Yet there is a sense of hope. We speak of immigration as if we are talking about cattle. Yet there is a sense of hope. Hope transcends troubles. Hope […]

DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN!

We don’t want to see this headline again.  It was 1948.  Harry Truman was running to capture the White House on his own merit.  He had been Vice President to Franklin Roosevelt when Roosevelt passed away in 1945.  Truman was not popular and was challenged by Thomas Dewey – the darling of the Republican Party.  […]

Education and the Presidential Election of 2008

Education, experience, life – what is really important when choosing a President.  Morality, integrity, honesty, compassion, empathy – we could go on with our hopes for the next President – but for now, let’s look at education. John McCain “…graduated, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1958, and the National War College, Washington, D.C. 1973…”  […]

Teddy Roosevelt, Racism and the Presidency

Teddy Roosevelt was the Vice President under McKinley. He went about the ceremonial duties of the Vice President of that time – accepting an invitation by Booker T. Washington to visit Tuskegee Institute. But fate interceded, McKinley was assassinated and Roosevelt became President. Roosevelt offered a dinner invitation to Booker T. Washington which was readily […]

McCain, Palin is Great Because I was a POW

John McCain had a news flash for Americans in the town hall debate the other day.  McCain was clever in demonstrating his comprehension of American politics.  Some of his jargon is difficult to follow – probably because his language was affected while serving as a POW. Highlights from McCain’s debate answers: The moderator is a […]

Tina Fey In The Debate

Saturday Night Live has hit a gold mine with Governor Sarah Palin.  Tina Fey has mastered the impersonation.  This particular piece of October 4, 2008, captures the comedy of Joe Biden and Sarah Palin in their one and only vice presidential debate. …… Check out Brian Williams with David Letterman HERE.

Biden, Palin Debate, 10-2-2008

Tonight is the night.  This is the most talked about debate in recent memory (we have Alzheimers, or some cousin of that dementia) – so it should be interesting.  Everyone is looking for theater – It is almost as if no one expects substance – we are looking for the big gaff.  The nice thing […]

Who Won The Debate, 9-26-2008

This writer watched closely. We felt that each candidate accomplished what they needed for this particular evening. Obama showed he could stand on the stage of foreign policy with McCain. After a tumultuous week of zig zagging McCain needed to show himself in command of his faculties. Here are some reviews done by other media […]

Slacker Uprising – Michael Moore

The devil is in the house.  Michael Moore has created a new documentary encouraging all slackers to get out and vote.  Moore traveled to 62 cities in battle ground states and chronicled his journey and his audience response.  This man is gifted – that is not to say correct – but he is gifted. By […]

McCain’s RNC speech – text & video, 2008

I don’t mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I’ve had quite a few tough ones in my life. But I learned an important lesson along the way. In the end, it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test.I fight for Americans. I fight for […]

Joe Biden responds to Governor Palin

Joe Biden talked on the air with Matt Laur – that guy from one of those morning shows.  Joe Biden is not intimidated and is showing his considerable political skill.  McCain’s speech writers prepared a well crafted speech – but Sarah Palin delivered it with vigor and skill. Listen to Biden’s response:

Sarah Palin RNC Speech video and text – 2008

The McCain staff did a nice job of writing this speech for Governor Palin. Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States… I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America. I accept the challenge […]

Karl Rove on Palin and election (video)

The Washington Post is very generous in sharing information (well, I guess that is their job). This writer believes that Karl Rove is an excellent example of someone who does things right – but seldom does the right things.  This is a man who has successfully shaped American politics the past eight years.  This is […]

Barack Obama DNC speech, Video and Text, 8-28-2008

Some speeches are meant to be read, some to be heard.  Barack Obama’s style punctuates his rhetoric with exponential force.  Obama’s speeches are meant to be heard – delivered by Obama himself. Barack Obama’s prepared speech for the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 29, 2008. “Four years ago, I stood before you and […]

Joe Biden DNC Speech Text & Video, 8-27-2008

Joe Biden was emotionally introduced by his son Beau. Beau is the Attorney General of the State of Deleware. He is also a Captain in the Army Guard – in a unit that is being activated for duty in Iraq. Beau Biden is on his way to Iraq. Here is the Biden speech: I love […]

Michael Phelps, Pro Bowl in Eight Positions

Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in one Olympics.  Mark Spitz won seven in the 1972 Olympics.  Johnny Weissmuller won four in the 1928  Olympics.  All in swimming.  So multiple gold medals is not unheard of.  But it is certainly unusual.  Why is this so? This writer has been digesting the news of the Phelps […]

Obama on Hardball, 4-2-2008

Barack Obama is the guest on Hardball’s College tour. I’ll give some summary comments. Matthews: “How do we know you are tough enough?” Omaba: “…I am leading in a contest with a very powerful political Clinton machine – I think I have proved I am tough…” Matthews, “Can you ignore public opinion to do the […]

Schizophrenic Politics – a Penrose Triangle

The observation of politics is a science and an art. The Love/Hate relationships of candidates create that schizophrenic confusion that befuddles ordinary people. The triangles of relationships is unsettling. Obama and McCain challenge each other – but what is the context? We can follow an argument, or debate if you will, along logical lines – […]

Ralph Nader is a Beetle

Son, Ralph Nader is running for President – again. Well, he is not actually running for President – he is running for wackiest looney to have ever achieved notoriety. His sad story began with legitimate consumer safety studies that changed the way people view transportation. He changed the world of auto making – and in […]

McCain looks to Rove

Son, The ultimate in betrayal. The turning on one’s followers. The lost hope. John McCain was once the hope of the Republican Party. McCain was the man who was to bring the Party back from the wacko fringe of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. He was the man who was to restore the Reagan Revolution. […]

Republican Debate, 1-24-08

Son, Brian Williams is on stage to moderate his biased colleague Tim Russert. The Republicans are at it. These folks are much less inspiring than the Democrats. Is this because I don’t believe that any one of these men will be elected President. Perhaps. At any rate the Republican debate is at times boring. Mike […]

Bush – the Jimmy Carter of Republicans

Son, We should thank George Bush. He is the Jimmy Carter of Republicans. People talk about the Reagan Revolution – it was really the anti-Carter Revolution. Bush has led this country to a new revolution. His hard line on everything has highlighted the fundamental problem with being hard line. He has highlighted the fundamental problem […]

2008 Resolutions – Gotta have a list

Son, The idea of resolve – what a concept. Who needs it? What about a parent – should they have resolve? How about Democrats, or Republicans – what might resolve look like in a political party? And how about elected government leaders – a little resolve could go a long way with those folks. So […]