Category: Politics and Government

The Democrats See 3 Doors Ahead. Maybe 5! Which to Choose?

3 Comments on The Democrats See 3 Doors Ahead. Maybe 5! Which to Choose?

 

 

The Media Has Some Doors of Its Own to Choose, Too.

You might recall that a few weeks ago, I noted that what seemed like an interminable primary process would soon hurdle forward at great speed. Buckle your seatbelts. Here we are.

Things are happening pretty fast now. There is much talk about momentum, at least some of which seems overblown. But by the end of the first week of March, a lot will be settled. That is less than two weeks away.

What Door to Walk Through?

Join the discussion at: The Democrats See 3 Doors Ahead. Maybe 5! Which to Choose?

Well, THAT Was a Different Debate

3 Comments on Well, THAT Was a Different Debate

What Changed? What Did We Learn?

We Who are About to Die Salute You

The 9th Democratic Presidential Debate held in Las Vegas was quite different. It had a manageable number of candidates (six), so more time for direct candidates’ cross talk. Mike Bloomberg had his first round in such a forum. The knives were out pretty much all around. So much for playing nicely with each other.

For a minute there, I thought I was watching a replay of a Sharks vs Jets scene from West Side Story. And over it all, the omnipresent shadow of the clock – we are in the stage wherein things begin moving quickly.

Join the discussion at: Well, THAT Was a Different Debate

What’s the Difference Between a Zombie and the Republican Party?

3 Comments on What’s the Difference Between a Zombie and the Republican Party?

Not much, as a Matter of Fact

Consider the Zombie

The zombie. Certainly a popular fellow in mass entertainment these days. We seem to see them everywhere. Consider what makes them different from human beings.

A zombie, at first glance, looks like a human being. But, of course, it is not. It was a human being, but now it is the undead – not really dead or alive, but somewhere in-between. There is no heart. No soul is evident. It has no purpose other than sustaining itself by eating the occasional brain. This, of course,

Join the discussion at: What’s the Difference Between a Zombie and the Republican Party?

Now It Begins – Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Leave a Comment on Now It Begins – Keep Your Eye on the Prize

This Week the Iowa Caucuses Start the Election Season. Let’s Keep Some Factors in Mind

 

And So, It Begins

About the time you read this, the Iowa caucuses will be history. In the matter of a few hours some campaigns will be exuberant, some will be relieved, some will face hard reality. So, too, is it for we who are supporters and voters. Things will happen quickly from here on out. New Hampshire is only days away, followed by South Carolina and Nevada. The last five rounds of debates will come just as Super Tuesday is upon us.

Join the discussion at: Now It Begins – Keep Your Eye on the Prize

And Then There is Joe

4 Comments on And Then There is Joe

The Former Vice President Holds a Lead, but its Tenuous. Is He “The One?”

 

Joe Biden has been a major presence in this campaign, from the beginning – even before he declared his candidacy. Once he did declare, he went immediately to the top of the polls. He still leads in most polls. Slam dunk, right? Not so fast, there.

Yea, Joe

Biden is seen by a lot of Americans as the most electable candidate, the most likely to beat Trump. A lot of people are comfortable with him as a person.

Join the discussion at: And Then There is Joe

Hear Those Footsteps? It’s Mike Bloomberg Stalking the Field

6 Comments on Hear Those Footsteps? It’s Mike Bloomberg Stalking the Field

The Former Mayor of NYC Takes a Different Strategy – and It Might Work

 

Like all candidates, Mike Bloomberg is a complicated fellow. There is much to like, much to be nervous about.

Adding Up Pros and Cons

Some factors look familiar. Do we need another white guy candidate? Do we need another almost octogenarian? Is there any advantage or disadvantage in being the second Jewish candidate? How many billionaires do we want as candidates this time around? Can the father of Stop and Frisk, only now apologized for (and rather weakly at that) rally minority and liberal base voters?

Join the discussion at: Hear Those Footsteps? It’s Mike Bloomberg Stalking the Field

What About Bernie Sanders? Can We? Should We?

4 Comments on What About Bernie Sanders? Can We? Should We?

Few Candidates Have as Complex a Relationship with the Party and Voters as Does Sanders

 

Bernie Sanders is an Interesting Fellow, to Put It Mildly

One can easily, and justifiably, admire his consistency and determination. If there is much difference between this campaign and the one he ran in 2016, it escapes me. Going further back, Sanders has been true to his beliefs over a very long time. No one could doubt his sincerity or commitment.

In many ways, he has helped shape the national dialogue on more than a few issues in a good direction.

Join the discussion at: What About Bernie Sanders? Can We? Should We?

Let’s Talk About Amy Klobuchar

2 Comments on Let’s Talk About Amy Klobuchar

The Second Sleeper is Awakening

 

OK, I have to admit – I am feeling a bit prescient.

A good year ago, I was saying that Pete Buttigieg was likely to be the sleeper candidate that surprised everyone. Not many others were saying that then, but they surely are now. In the last few months, I have been saying that Amy Klobuchare might well be the next, and possibly last, sleeper to come alive. On Monday, the NY Times endorsed her for President (along with Elizabeth Warren – their first ever dual endorsement).

Join the discussion at: Let’s Talk About Amy Klobuchar

Elizabeth Warren? We Have Good News and Bad News

3 Comments on Elizabeth Warren? We Have Good News and Bad News

The Senator from Massachusetts Brings a Lot to the Table – Not All of It Good

A Good Early Start in Washington

I confess to having been something of an Elizabeth Warren fan for quite a while. Her performance in bringing the Consumer Protection Agency into being was nothing short of heroic. She clearly knew her stuff. She would have been a great first Director and should have been. Those about to be regulated were in mortal terror of her. When she decided to run for the US Senate, it seemed a long shot at best,

Join the discussion at: Elizabeth Warren? We Have Good News and Bad News

Why You Should Get Over Mayor Pete’s Youth

1 Comment on Why You Should Get Over Mayor Pete’s Youth

Buttigieg’s Judgement and Articulation Are Exceptional Enough to Deserve Consideration

No, I am not going to tell you who to vote for. You are big boys and girls – you can figure that out yourself. But for a few upcoming posts, I am going to highlight strengths some candidates may not be getting credit for. I will also point out some weaknesses in some candidates that we ignore at great peril. Let us start with the former Mayor of South Bend, IN.

What Makes Us Nervous?

I can understand people being nervous about so young a person running for President.

Join the discussion at: Why You Should Get Over Mayor Pete’s Youth