After his part in compounding the national and state ineptitude that failed to deal quickly and effectively with Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, a Democrat, campaigned ferociously for reelection to that post, and despite the predictions of many observers, myself included, he won reelection as Mayor, defeating his prominent opponent, Democrat Mitch Landrieu, in the Democratic primary.
Landrieu, the son of former New Orleans Democratic Mayor Moon Landrieu and brother of Louisiana's Democratic U.S. Senator, Mary Landrieu, was a tough, effective, and popular candidate. Yet, despite Katrina, Nagin defeated Landrieu for reelection as Mayor.
Nagin knows that second chances are rare in American politics, but he got one.
He is leading the charge for evacuation from New Orleans in the face of Hurricane Gustav, and rightfully so.
By being proactive, he can justify his reelection and the people's faith in giving him a second chance. If he is successful in helping his people, he could parlay the support into further political distinction in Louisiana politics.
If not, he is toast.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
McCain and Obama Monitor Gustav, Bush Makes Right Choice
I am pleased to see that President Bush is being proactive with regard to Hurricane Gustav's impending ferocity, and that he has chosen to stand with the frightened people of the Gulf Coast instead of attending the Republican National Convention in St.Paul. He finally has acknowledged his administration's terribly inept response to Hurrican Katrina, and the horrible aftermath it helped create.
Senator Obama and his staff have been in contact with first responders and the medical and evacuation officials along the Gulf Coast to offer whatever assistance that is needed, and Senator McCain has consulted with the Southern Governors along the storm's pathway both in person and through surrogates to offer assistance and guidance as well.
Both Democrats and Republicans must continue to acknowledge that when combatting a potential national disaster, unity works better than division.
Senator Obama and his staff have been in contact with first responders and the medical and evacuation officials along the Gulf Coast to offer whatever assistance that is needed, and Senator McCain has consulted with the Southern Governors along the storm's pathway both in person and through surrogates to offer assistance and guidance as well.
Both Democrats and Republicans must continue to acknowledge that when combatting a potential national disaster, unity works better than division.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Democratic Ticket Hits The Road
Acknowledging that they will not cede any region to the Republicans in the election of 2008, The Obama-Biden ticket left Denver and traveled to Beaver and Pittsburgh, PA to campaign in the working class areas of the Rust Belt that the Democrats must retain in their column, and that the Republicans covet. From there, the ticket will travel to both Ohio and Michigan on their Bus Tour with their wives, Michelle and Jill, to continue reaching out to the voters in need of inspiration and hope in this campaign.
Continuing their theme of being civil to their opponents on a personal level, the Obama-Biden ticket called to congratulate Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska on her selection as John McCain's running mate, and welcomed her to the campaign of ideas.
The Democratic Ticket is wise to continue moving, working, speaking, inspiring, and delivering its message of hope for the future as the GOP officially nominates McCain-Palin in St. Paul this week.
I predict we will see a Republican Convention that rallies around The Alaska Governor as a candidate who is a reformer and a challenger of authority.
Continuing their theme of being civil to their opponents on a personal level, the Obama-Biden ticket called to congratulate Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska on her selection as John McCain's running mate, and welcomed her to the campaign of ideas.
The Democratic Ticket is wise to continue moving, working, speaking, inspiring, and delivering its message of hope for the future as the GOP officially nominates McCain-Palin in St. Paul this week.
I predict we will see a Republican Convention that rallies around The Alaska Governor as a candidate who is a reformer and a challenger of authority.
Palin vs.Putin? I Don't Think So
On August 12, 2008 in Pennsylvania, John McCain accused Vladimir Putin of wanting to reestablish the old Soviet Empire. While I think he may be right, how does he prepare to face down the rising, reemerging Russian bear?
He picks a little known, zero foreign policy experience Alaska Governor to be one 72 year old heartbeat away from the presidency.
Tell us Senator, how is Governor Palin's ZERO experience better for us than Senator Obama's 4 year Senatorial experience dealing with international issues, and Senator Biden's 35 years.
Shame on you for pandering to women so blatantly.
He picks a little known, zero foreign policy experience Alaska Governor to be one 72 year old heartbeat away from the presidency.
Tell us Senator, how is Governor Palin's ZERO experience better for us than Senator Obama's 4 year Senatorial experience dealing with international issues, and Senator Biden's 35 years.
Shame on you for pandering to women so blatantly.
Gustav, He's A Comin'
America Beware!
Hurricane Gustav is approaching the Gulf Coast at breakneck speed as of this writing.
I mention it only because the Bush Team that brought you Hurricane Katrina: Preparation? What Preparation? is still in Washington with its crackerjack FEMA Team and poor response time.
Here's hoping that there will be some Gulf Coast left standing if Gustav hits. I would like to hope that our leaders learned their lesson, but they are preoccupied with retaining the White House and convincing America that Sarah Palin deserves to be the nation's next Vice-President.
After all, let's be fair. You can only keep so many balls in the air at one time.
Hurricane Gustav is approaching the Gulf Coast at breakneck speed as of this writing.
I mention it only because the Bush Team that brought you Hurricane Katrina: Preparation? What Preparation? is still in Washington with its crackerjack FEMA Team and poor response time.
Here's hoping that there will be some Gulf Coast left standing if Gustav hits. I would like to hope that our leaders learned their lesson, but they are preoccupied with retaining the White House and convincing America that Sarah Palin deserves to be the nation's next Vice-President.
After all, let's be fair. You can only keep so many balls in the air at one time.
John Edwards Should Take More Time
John Edwards is set to speak on issues at an event on September 8, 2008.
The legions of supporters who were with him in 2004 and 2008 are not yet ready to forgive the former Senator and Vice-Presidential nominee for the extramarital affair that betrayed his wife Elizabeth.
If Senator Edwards ever hopes to be considered an expert on his signature issue of fighting poverty again, then he must take more time to let the dust settle, and to respect his supporters and his wife enough to allow them to start the healing process with him.
One month is not enough time to do so.
The legions of supporters who were with him in 2004 and 2008 are not yet ready to forgive the former Senator and Vice-Presidential nominee for the extramarital affair that betrayed his wife Elizabeth.
If Senator Edwards ever hopes to be considered an expert on his signature issue of fighting poverty again, then he must take more time to let the dust settle, and to respect his supporters and his wife enough to allow them to start the healing process with him.
One month is not enough time to do so.
Friday, August 29, 2008
An Insult To Condi Rice
Though Secretary of State Rice would have brought tremendous liabilities to the McCain ticket in the form of the Bush foreign policy, she is a University of Denver Ph.D. in International Affairs with an M.A. from Notre Dame who served as provost, or chief financial officer of Stanford University for six years.
This is a woman who has run a huge academic corporation (Stanford), served as Assistant National Security Council Advisor under Brent Scowcroft in Bush I for Soviet/Russian Affairs, served as National Security Adv sor and Secretary of State.
The failure of Bush foreign policy could more readily be laid at the feet of Bush II, Cheney, and Rumsfeld.
Condi is appealing to the people of the South (she's from Alabama), to women (obviously), to people of color (obviously), and she espouses moderate Republican social views on issues like gay rights, guns, and affirmative action. Furthermore, as a resident of the state of California, a major Democratic stronghold currently run by The Arnold, Dr. Rice would have helped the Republicans put California in play in 2008.
It is true that Dr. Rice said she was uninterested in the role of Vice-President, but she also said the same in the past about the posts of National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.
A good Democrat-turned-Republican, a concert pianist, and the daughter of a Southern preacher who once LIVED in a church in Alabama, Condi should have been given the honor of being vetted on the McCain short list. Instead, she got a "thanks, but no thanks."
Whether McCain-Palin reaches the White House or not, one thing is certain-Sarah Palin's work in Alaska on issues like the Alaska landscape, oil drilling rights, and as the former Mayor of Wasilla (population 9,000) does not make her ready to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Vladimir Putin, Hu Jintao, Kim Jong il, Mahmoud Abbas, Osama Bin Laden, Muqtada Al Sadir, Al Qaeda, the Iranian Theocracy, Saudi insurgents, Afghan tribal clashes, Hugo Chavez, and islamic fundamentalists worldwide.
Comparatively speaking, even with her flaws, Dr. Condoleeza Rice is ready to step into the presidency on Day One. Sarah Palin is not.
Ignoring her insults her, the Republican base, and those who want to believe that John McCain is a true reformer. Palin is a double at best among women. Several Republican women, including Dr. Condoleeza Rice, would have been a better possibility for a Homerun.
This is a woman who has run a huge academic corporation (Stanford), served as Assistant National Security Council Advisor under Brent Scowcroft in Bush I for Soviet/Russian Affairs, served as National Security Adv sor and Secretary of State.
The failure of Bush foreign policy could more readily be laid at the feet of Bush II, Cheney, and Rumsfeld.
Condi is appealing to the people of the South (she's from Alabama), to women (obviously), to people of color (obviously), and she espouses moderate Republican social views on issues like gay rights, guns, and affirmative action. Furthermore, as a resident of the state of California, a major Democratic stronghold currently run by The Arnold, Dr. Rice would have helped the Republicans put California in play in 2008.
It is true that Dr. Rice said she was uninterested in the role of Vice-President, but she also said the same in the past about the posts of National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.
A good Democrat-turned-Republican, a concert pianist, and the daughter of a Southern preacher who once LIVED in a church in Alabama, Condi should have been given the honor of being vetted on the McCain short list. Instead, she got a "thanks, but no thanks."
Whether McCain-Palin reaches the White House or not, one thing is certain-Sarah Palin's work in Alaska on issues like the Alaska landscape, oil drilling rights, and as the former Mayor of Wasilla (population 9,000) does not make her ready to stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Vladimir Putin, Hu Jintao, Kim Jong il, Mahmoud Abbas, Osama Bin Laden, Muqtada Al Sadir, Al Qaeda, the Iranian Theocracy, Saudi insurgents, Afghan tribal clashes, Hugo Chavez, and islamic fundamentalists worldwide.
Comparatively speaking, even with her flaws, Dr. Condoleeza Rice is ready to step into the presidency on Day One. Sarah Palin is not.
Ignoring her insults her, the Republican base, and those who want to believe that John McCain is a true reformer. Palin is a double at best among women. Several Republican women, including Dr. Condoleeza Rice, would have been a better possibility for a Homerun.
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