The Wicked and the Weak

 Don't trust either of these two men. Ever. 

One, Putin, is pure evil. I feel bad for the Russian people even though they have allowed him to hold power so long he's nearly impossible to remove.  Besides, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.  Whoever takes his place may be even worse though it's hard to imagine.

The second, of course, is our current President. A man so ensconced in corruption for the past 50 years it's hard to imagine why the people of Delaware kept returning him to the Senate. Now he is President. Another big why. His mental faculties are diminished at best, but as his Vice President recently said, we got what we voted for.

Wake up, people! For now, however, we are stuck. We're stuck with his utterances.  I do understand he could have been genuinely outraged by what Putin is doing to Ukraine. Somehow, though, due to his previous performances, I'm inclined to think it was off the cuff theater. Putting a voice to it could and should have been more politic, but with diminished capacity that's a lot to expect.

So we suffered through a lot of weak explanations and walk backs and the war rages on.  It was suggested today that this administration really doesn't want Russia to lose.  If true, why not? Is it a conspiracy theory that Putin has so much on Biden, Biden dares not push too hard? I think that is within the realm of possibility.

Otherwise, why are we still dithering over military aid to the Ukrainians and why don't we give them the planes they so desperately need? We're still urging Ukraine to make a settlement just as things have shifted slightly in their favor. Such actions do exactly instill confidence that the U.S. has their back. We don't and never have.

I'm wondering who would have our back if we needed it.  It will take years to rebuild the trust that has been squandered - if ever.  We've become so driven by hatred of the opposing party that every action of the presiding administration is to destroy everything the preceding one did whether or not it was good for the country.

This has to stop. The politicians aren't going to be the ones to do it.  We the people will have to step up to the plate and get it done. The politicians who hedge their bets, in both parties, lest they antagonize their campaign contributors, need to be removed from office.  Bye, bye. Retire.  Smell the roses.

The Democrats are mean-spirited and power-hungry and totally absurd.  The Republicans go along to get along and are afraid of their own shadow. It's losing those campaign funds that do trickle in even though they do little to deserve them.

Neither side has done much to help our country.  Biden has one of the most amateurish and incapable Cabinets I've ever seen. Trump had some outstanding people in this Cabinet but they tired of his mercurial moods and methods and left.

Both Biden and Trump have indicated they would like to run. Both would be lame-duck presidents.  Get some new, younger blood in there!

And Putin? If he wins this one, he'll still be lurking around the edges waiting for an opening.  He'll be licking his wounds, but they'll heal and he'll be ready to resume his initial and only goal - to re-create Mother Russia.

If that happens the carnage will not stop. For the love of decency and humanity, give Ukraine the planes and the weapons they need. They aren't asking anyone else to do the fighting for them, they're just asking for what is needed to get it done. Defeat Putin.

Donkeys and Democrats

Donkeys are known to be stubborn.  I've read it's about self preservation thus their refusal to go along easily, especially when it's a human giving the orders.

What a perfect mascot for the Democrat Party.  They have their ideology and they will stubbornly resist anybody who tries to wrest it away from them or alter it in any way.

After eight years of having one of their own in the White House it has become readily apparent that their sacred policies did not work and that the American voter soundly rejected them.  Yes, they did. The voters that gave Hillary the edge in the popular vote came from New York and California, both heavily Democrat. And both having their difficulties under Democrat leaders.  Especially California.

What goes on out here in America between Republican and Democrat neighbors has nothing to do with the larger problem of Washington.  I don't think it is Republicans alone who are fed up with the shenanigans of our representatives in Congress. It has become a game between the parties and the most clever will win.  The Democrats did for years under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.  Pelosi is still there but Chuck Schummer is no Harry Reid.  Thank heavens.

The problem for the Republicans is their leadership.  Mitch McConnell has yet to show he has the killer instinct to get things done and for some reason Paul Ryan seems to have an agenda of his own which seems more sacrosanct than the President's.

Therefore both sides are causing fits for the new administration.  You know, it's beginning to be funny to me to watch this slap stick. There is so much drama in the executive branch alone it's hard to keep up with it whats more what is and isn't happening in Congress.

I wonder if it will ever settle down.  Out of the chaos I hear Iran has been put on notice for it's ballistic missile tests.  It was barely a whisper beneath the belligerence in Congress over the hearings on the cabinet appointees.  Yet it is hugely important.  Just what does being put on notice mean to this group?

Trump has disturbed the order of things and those affected don't want to cope nor do I think they know how.  Quick on their feet they are not.

So they want things to remain the same.  The people do not.  We have a President pledged to the people.  The question is who will win?

Independent Thinking, By Jove!

With tongue firmly in cheek I think I've found the answer for floundering Republicans who want anyone other than Trump as their presidential nominee.

There are similarities to be sure, but when it comes to the finer points my suggestion is far superior. Who?

Boris Johnson.  The former mayor of London who was a leader in the Brexit movement.  It was thought he was a shoo in for Prime Minister after Cameron resigned  but was sabotaged by one of his own.  You might say he wasn't treated fairly. Hahahahahaha.

Here's the deal.  He is eligible since he was born in New York City and is over 35.  He's a Conservative by British standards.  Never mind that he'd be a moderate by our standards. Which to my thinking is good but never mind that too.  You can't have everything!

He's flamboyant.  Perhaps best of all he has actual political and government experience gained as mayor of London. He's not nearly as offensive as Trump can be. British manners, don't you know. Plus the accent is appealing.

Oh, wait, even more important might be they could slip him in and the Trumpsters would never notice.

What more could you want??  Turning to a Brit to bail them out would be the irony of ironies on this Independence Day week end.  Have a good one!

Mitt - Too Little Too Late

I was surprised yesterday when I heard that Mitt Romney was going to give a speech on the state of the Republican party. The fact that he is the titular head of the party having been the most recent presidential nominee, he's been pretty much out of the spotlight.

I wondered how hard he could be on Trump since Trump endorsed him in his bid.  Well, that didn't take long to answer.  It is open season on every person past, present and future.  It seems more bloody this year as the Republican establishment tries to find a way to oust Trump.  Needless to say they're botching it but good.

There he stood, still with the movie star looks and beautifully tanned. His voice was firm with conviction.  He sliced and diced Mr. Trump to a fare-thee-well and it rang with truth. I could find no argument with anything he said.  If you haven't heard it here's the transcript.

I shouldn't have been but never-the-less was surprised at how badly it was received by the pundits.  He's old news.  He's the loser, not Trump.  He's the epitome of the "establishment".  Perhaps so and I have lots of ill feelings toward said establishment myself.  One thing that can't be denied, however, put side by side with Trump, who would you rather have facing the world?  Without question I would choose Romney.

Trump took on Romney's remarks during a rally in Portland, Maine.  I watched briefly then went on with my morning chores.  I couldn't listen to any more self aggrandizement in rebuttal.

Romney had an interesting ploy though.  He suggested that people vote for who ever is ranked highest in the polls where it is someone other than Trump.  For instance Kasich in Ohio, Rubio in Florida, Cruz has already won Texas.  Should any of them actually win that would give all the delegates to them thus depriving Trump of the numbers needed.

Point being, after the first vote at the convention delegates are released to vote for whom ever they want.  Thus a brokered convention.  Actually the Democrats may have one themselves if Hillary's troubles catch up with her.  Who would they choose?  Perhaps Biden.  I'm not sure.  But who for the Republicans?  Romney perhaps?  He's said he wouldn't run but could he be chosen after the fact?

Curious times these. I have no idea how this is going to play out but I hope all who are planning to vote realize this isn't a single circle circus.  It has all three rings.  Our domestic woes and foreign policy are the two other than the nominee.  Who ever wants it most had better distinguish himself from the field, as small as its getting to be,  and start talking concrete policy and quit the name calling.

Never Miss An Opportunity To Miss An Opportunity

It never ceases to amaze me that the Republicans continue to earn the title of this post.  Judge Scalia hadn't even gotten cold before they were informing the President no replacement would be considered until we have a new president.

It shows me several things about those nit wits.  The most serious is that no matter how hard we try to show them we're not happy even with a new House Speaker, they just don't get it.

They have no respect for the dearly departed or else they wouldn't have turned Scalia's demise into a political hot potato.  Disgusting.  This goes for the candidates too.

They are still ensnarled in partisan politics.  Sure, Obama would no doubt nominate a left leaning candidate but it is his right to do so and their obligation to do a non-partisan vetting.  Just bear in mind Scalia had very high praise for Justice Kagan.

Then too, the way they have been behaving, there is no guarantee they will win the White House.  They had best consider who they would rather have put forward a nominee - Obama, Clinton or Sanders.  Of course it would be helpful if Obama would be impartial but we know that won't happen!

I have a couple of long time readers who are diametrically opposed to me when it comes to politics, but in deference to them I will say this.  I understand why Obama has taken the executive order road.
Congress is so tied up with their own partisanship ways nothing ever gets accomplished.

Still wondering why Trump is doing so well considering his faults?  He isn't a part of the political process.  Should he be elected he'll need some political guidance to be sure but it will be a presidency such as we've never before seen.  I think the same scenario applies to Sanders and even though he is a sitting Senator he fits no mold other than his own.

What does it take to wake these people up?

Republican Woe

Tomorrow the House Republicans will choose their new leader.  It seems likely to be Kevin McCarthy who has shown little sign of having the ability to make wise decisions.

I listened to House members being interviewed yesterday and not one said he/she would NOT vote for McCarthy even though he does have some competition. Gutless wonders that they are.

If McCarthy had any trait other than blind ambition I might feel better, but after his Benghazi gaffe and the ammunition it gave Democrats he should have taken himself out of the race for Speaker.  People with blind ambition, however, don't make such gestures.

What really worries me is that every step up they give the Democrats the more likely it is we'll have another troika.  House, Senate and Administration all Democrat.  That's fine if you want an even further left leaning country than we have now.  I, obviously, don't.  I think we need, all of us, to admit that the progressive agenda hasn't worked all that well over the past 7 plus years.  To continue on with hope it will get better seems to me to be fool hardy.  But then both the Democrats and Republicans will have to understand compromise is how our government is supposed to function.  I don't see that on the horizon either.

Also worrisome is the lack of a credible front runner on the Republican side. While Trump may make us feel good and says what a lot of us say within the confines of our own homes, I doubt he has the temperament to be an effective President.

I like Ben Carson as a man.  He's incredible.  But he's beginning to make statements I question.  I still like Carly, warts and all but the opposition will grow those warts. As for the politicians running, that none have been able to break through the Trump glitter is troubling.  Obviously their messages aren't  resonating for one and two, the people don't want to hear them anyway.  They're politicians.

We have to get a bit smarter here. We have to take the blinders off and look at the entire world when it comes to choosing our next leader.  It's a mess in large part due to the past two administrations' policies.  In order to fix it and regain our stature we must choose wisely.

Tomorrow will tell us how many Republicans understand this even if it's not the Presidency, merely the Speaker of the House.  But remember he will be second behind the Vice President to serve if needed.

Many of the candidates worry me. Kevin McCarthy shouldn't even be fielded.

Figuring Out Trump's Popularity Isn't Rocket Science

Republicans should take a little more time trying to figure out the Trump appeal rather than trying to oust him from their ranks.

To me it's pretty simple.  He says what he means and means what he says.  When have you heard a politician do the same?  Granted he isn't always artful but a lot of what people "think" he's saying isn't at all accurate.

He has not disparaged our men and women in the military.  Not even close.  Basically he's saying McCain's "heroism" is over blown.  I'm not saying I agree, but I do think "hero" is applied far too often to far too many who don't deserve it.

What McCain endured while a prisoner of war was beyond comprehension, yes.  That he chose to stay behind when he could have left was heroic.  Yes.  Should that, however, give him a pass for the rest of his life even having not lived up to expectations?  I think something like that is what Trump was getting at in a very tortured manner.  Pardon the pun.

Rather than exaggerating the circumstances of gaffes, or bending them to suit their purposes, the Republicans should look at what's stealing their thunder.  Here you have a man who is beholden to no one.  No Chamber of Commerce nor Business Round Table is going to dictate to him how to think.  So far the other candidates, those who are politicians, not outsiders, still dance around everything that might be threatening.  Not so Trump.

What you see is what you get.  If you don't like him, fine.  He doesn't care.  If you do like him what you hear from him is the straight forward Donald Trump. That he is loud, egotistical and often just plain obnoxious is of no matter. To many his being the anti-politician is all they need.  A breath of fresh air.

One day soon I expect he'll have to come up with specifics.  He may have some difficulty with that.  Just as the politicians don't know what to do with him, he'll find dealing with Congress equally as difficult.  Maybe.

Don't forget Obama has set the precedent for going around Congress to get what he wants.  It wouldn't surprise me to see Trump do the same.  The difference being I think he would tell us first exactly what he would do and why.

One other consideration for the Republicans.  If they force Trump into a third party run they might as well kiss the presidency good bye.  Enough people will vote for him, no matter the label, to skew the results.

Perhaps they should tone down their own rhetoric and let the Trump flame burn itself out. If they don't tend to their own business rather than trying to end Trump's they may well find themselves on the outside looking in at their own territory.

Republican Retards

The voters put the Republicans back in the drivers seat but it seems they've forgotten how to drive!  What does it take to make these politicians come to their senses?

I do not for the life of me understand their unwillingness to look at a situation and do what's right.  Like fund the Department of Homeland Security and save the President's fiat over reach for another day.

The Dems have been making the point all along.  With all the terror threats circulating around the world, would we not want Homeland Security up to snuff?  It makes no sense. Not only is it a dangerous gamble but for political purposes alone the optics are terrible.

You'd think they would recognize that part of what put them in the majority was the bad optics of the Democrats.  It goes to show that even though we voted Republicans back to leadership we didn't vote for the right ones.  Ones who understand when to grand stand and when to stop.  Now is the time to stop and get their act together and I mean together.

The argument that they're voting the way their constituents want them to doesn't wash.  It's insulting.  There are other ways of standing up to the President than putting the country at risk.  Don't for a minute think because those DHS employees are considered essential and have to show up for work with no more than a promise of delayed pay that they will do so with their hearts in their jobs.  That in of itself is dangerous.

What the party leaders need to do is sit down and come up with a strategy. On all issues. Why this wasn't done before they took over the reins is beyond me.  There was plenty of time.  Or as like the President, couldn't Mr. Boehner get off the golf course long enough to gather his leadership team and set some priorities?

Thus far I am extremely disappointed in how they are conducting the people's business. They seem to have heard nothing from the electorate other than what they falsely imagine in order to  advance their own personal agendas.  Otherwise business as usual.

As I watch the jockeying for position among the candidates I see some potential for solid leadership.  Should the Republicans be able to prevail over Hillary in the Presidential sweepstakes, what good will it be if the Democrats take back Congress?

Whose hands is it in?  The Republicans.  Mostly in the House. A good share in the Senate.  For the love of country, people, get your blasted act together!

What If The Republicans DO Win?

The news cycles have calmed down a bit over the week end.  The U.S. has finally started sending much needed relief to the Kobani Kurds even though Turkey is not happy about it. What's going on around Baghdad is for another day.

The Ebola hoopla has settled thanks to a lot of people being able to leave quarantine.  Imagine.  Who would ever have thought that our advanced methods of care would be more dangerous to the care givers than what's being done in West Africa.  There's a lesson to be learned there and I think we've learned it.  At least I hope so.

So the news cycled back to the mid-terms and who was likely to win the tight races.  While some say the Republicans are a slam dunk, just as many aren't so sure.  Even the Republican wonks.

There is good reason for this.  It's like they are the stealth party.  Where are they? Who do we know?  Let's see.  McCain, Graham, Paul Ryan, Ted Cruz, Paul, Gowdy.  These are names that just pop into my mind.  None of them are in leadership.

Maybe a Dogwalk solution is needed for the last weeks of campaigning.  If the Republicans win the Senate every leadership position in the House and Senate would be up for grabs.  No more shoo ins because of seniority. They need some leadership with a firm grasp of House and Senate rules along with a personality! Not fire brands, mind you, just a personality.

Toss in an actual agenda for the new leadership to articulate and I'd feel a whole lot better about a lot of things.  Unfortunately, as with most of my Dogwalk solutions, this one has as much of a chance of becoming reality as the Democratic Senate producing a budget.

I'm beginning to relate to partisanship.  There is a lot I'm willing to compromise on but these two items are not negotiable and with most things approached in such a manner I expect gridlock. In other words, if the Republicans win the only change I predict will be the faces.

Scheduling Alone Won't Help The Republicans

The Republican National Committee is striving to eliminate before it starts the self-destruct mode that has become their hallmark in primaries.

Tightening up their primary schedule and holding an early convention seems to me they're putting the cart before the horse.  First they need to decide on where they want to country and how they intend to get there.  Then they have to decide if the big tent is really for them or like Governor Cuomo, declare that there is no place in the party for certain types.  This is the tricky part.

Just who has the responsibility to bring the Tea Party and the main streamers together has been and seems to still be the biggest of their hurdles.  Sure, fewer debates may keep the candidates from destroying one another - or will it? If there is no consensus as to what the party stands for, a one week debate schedule and primary season will do no good. They're going to have to decide whether or not the social issues should get the same amount of play as things like the economy and foreign policy.

Most of you know how I feel.  The economy, jobs, national security and foreign policy effects all of us as a nation.  That's what government is designed to to accommodate.  Social issues like gay marriage and abortion are very personal issues and do not dominate the scope of interests of many of us.  When those issues become the ones most discussed, those who feel it is not in the realm of governance are turned off and walk away from the process.

The Republicans need to create a strategy, too, to keep outside groups from making their issues for them.  The hijacked Tea Party can be thanked for why Harry Reid still leads the Senate.  If they're going to play in the Republican tent they need to abide with what the majority want; not their own interests to the exclusion of others.

They have a pretty good test case before them even before the convention hall doors close.  A Michigan Republican Party committeeman, Dave Agema, has been asked to resign due to disparaging comments about American Muslims and the homosexual lifestyle. He gave the usual response as to how things said had been distorted and taken out of context.  Perhaps, but then they all say the same thing.

However, when the top two officials of the National and Michigan party called for the resignation, there is probably a lot of truth to it.  It's not just some disgruntled locals in a power play.   Mr. Agema says he's drawn voters to the GOP.  Perhaps, but not enough of the kind that win elections, only disrupt the purpose of them.

Ideally the RNC would have criteria for removing officials from their positions if they do not adhere to the guidelines or by laws of the party.  Of course, it would help if they had some in the first place.

It's Time To Change The Programming

The evening airwaves between four and, say, eight are filled with redundancy no matter which channel you favor. I've gotten to the point I want to lash out like Jay Carney did not long ago to a CBS reporter.  "I get it, ...!"

If I see one more clip of Obama saying we can keep our health care, period and the talking head proceed to bug a guest  into say the President LIED, I'm going to get violent.  Then the host usually trots out a litany of citizens who have either lost their coverage or have seen their cost skyrocket.  Okay.  I get it!  How many times is that dead horse going to be beaten?

I beg to question, however, why don't they get it?  The disastrous roll out of the health care website is due to a lot of things, none of which have anything to do with the actual content of the bill.  You could say it shows the government should never get involved in anything in which it lacks expertise. Which is just about everything. It's a given but about as possible under this administration as Ted Cruz's attempt to defund the bill.

They're going to meddle because it's the nature of the beast.  Those in high places always think they know more than the rest of us even though most of them are there for no more than having been a loyal supporter of the man who holds the top job.

In truth, the problem with the bill is it's content.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that when unnecessary benefits are added, demanded, the price is going to increase.  It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to know that those increased prices are going to preclude a lot of the very people they need because of that additional cost.  It should be easy to see that by saying only 5% or 15% of the people are being effected is ignoring the number of bodies actually effected which is in the millions.  A percentage is far more palatable and masks the fact real people with real needs make up that percentage. I could break it down even further but for space and time constraints.

Could the pundits help the case?  I think so but they won't because they have no imagination as to how to program plus it's easier to harangue than offer something of substance.

What would I do?  I'd seek out the Republicans who have had good ideas about how to fix the problem sit down for a serious panel discussion all in one place at the same time.  I'd have each lay out their ideas.  I'd not interrupt. I'd not allow them to interrupt each other.

When they were finished I'd ask them why they don't take themselves off the air, sit down together and piece together the best of each idea.  Then they select the most dynamic among them to be the spokesman for the plan and present it to the people in every venue that would have them.  And fight for those who wouldn't.  Just to keep it fair.  If, say, MSNBC said no thanks, let it be known by every means available.

Yep.  That's what I'd do.  It's the Dogwalk solution for Congressional  inertia and media complacency.

Tea Party Conservatives Are The Bane Of The Republican Party

Anyone who thinks Republicans and Tea Party Republicans are one and the same, think again.  Isn't it time for both to move on?  They're definitely not compatible.

Go back to 2010 with the likes of Tea Party favorites Christine O'Donnell and Sharron Angle.  These Tea Party favorites cost the Republicans two seats and essentially the Senate.  Today's favorites are Ted Cruz who cost the Republicans dearly with his Quixotic stand on ACA defunding.  Marco Rubio has turned tail on immigration reform and Rand Paul is now attacking Chris Christie to deflect his own problems with plagiarism.

Then came Virgina. Yes, Terry McAuliffe's Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. It was the Tea Party Republicans.  He didn't win the race as much as they gave it to him.  They changed the rules to select their nominee for governor from an all inclusive primary to a convention where self interest rules.

They bypassed a very popular Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling, for a social conservative who was far less popular but met their social criteria. Those who read me know I don't think social issues should dominate politics the way they do.  Apparently other Republicans and Independents agree so they now have the less than squeaky clean and very liberal Terry McAuliffe.

For a long time I gave the Tea Party a lot of slack for lack of experience and political savvy.  It is no longer just that.  It has become the vehicle for social conservatives.  All you have to do is listen to the likes of Limbaugh and Hannity, if you can stomach it, to realize this is true.

Social conservatives are all wrong when they label moderates RINOs.  Republicans In Name Only.  They've been around a lot longer and personify what the Grand Old Party used to be.  It's the social conservatives who are out of step with the party, not the other way around.

That being said, the Republicans still need a voice.  Their figurehead is now Chris Christy who has shown he can work with Democrats and more importantly is willing to do so. He can also win!  Too bad he has a state to run because that will keep him busy.  No one in the House or Senate seems to be willing or, more likely, able to take the bull by the horns and do what needs to be done. In one way or another it falls to Christy, at least for awhile.

2014 will be here before we know it and then the action will shift to 2016.  Essentially two years to pull it together.  One hopes they don't wait until the last minute like they usually do.  They may not have an "Obamacare" to bail them out is it almost did for Cuccinelli. Almost.

If the Republicans in Congress won't clamp down on the social conservatives, then what?  So far they aren't strong enough to push their agenda through on their own so they really need the Republicans who have a misguided idea that they have to stick together.  On the other hand the Republicnas really don't need the obstructionist social conservatives.

Perhaps it's time for that third party. Democrats.  Republicans. Social Conservatives.  That gives the independants and libertarians another choice, a better choice.  And the Republicans might actually win something. 

The Republican Civil War And Syria

In listening to the news about the continuing Syrian civil war, it occurred to me the one within the Republican Party isn't very different.  No, no one here is getting killed, but in another sense what had been the traditional Republican Party is being massacred by the Tea Partiers.

When life became impossible Syrian civilians formed a rag tag army to fight an oppressive regime. Without aid they faltered and outside groups, sensing weakness, began infiltrating their ranks.  The fight then became a three way conflict with the former civilians on the losing end.  How it will play out in the end remains to be seen.

In an imperfect analogy, the oppressive government would be the current Democratic administration. The Republicans take the part of the frustrated opposition.  Being unorganized in their resistance the Tea Party sensed weakness. Now it's a three way conflict with the traditional Republicans taking it on the chin.

This does not bode well.  If the Tea Party had stuck to it's original purpose of promoting less intrusive government and fiscal responsibility all would be relatively well.  Slow as molasses to be sure, but never-the-less flowing along.  Then those with ambitions of their own, their chance to be on TV or 15 minutes of fame, began exercising their new found power.

The problem is they got caught up in the power surge without the skill to use it.  They threatened those who didn't agree with them and began backing candidates who lacked the experience and knowledge to be good representatives in either house. A few won unseating good people who understood the process and how to best use it.  Enough lost to have left the Senate in Democratic hands.  It didn't have to be.

They recently took a beating on the defund Obamacare stunt yet they continue onward.  They either are too bull headed to admit their strategy didn't have a chance to work or too dumb.  Take your pick. Yet they threaten more of the same.

The leadership of the majority hasn't found their voice and the longer it takes them to say enough is enough, the more clout the Tea Party, with their irrational and unworkable methods, will gain.  I hope it's a temporary phenomenon.

Of one thing I am certain, the Republicans have an opportunity, purely by happenstance, to regain some support as the ACA continues to flounder.  If, however, the RINOs as the Tea Party love to call them,  aren't themselves willing to work with the Democrats who are also willing, they might as well begin their own party and start again.  The Tea Party doesn't want another party.  They aren't plentiful enough to accomplish anything on their own.  That's why they hijacked the weak Republicans.

In Syria, our inaction paired with the astute and well armed insurgents, has assurred the Syrian regime of keeping Assad at the helm.  In the Republican civil war, if the mainstream can't beat back the inssurgent Tea Party, they will guarentee the American people that the next President will be an extension of the administration now in power.  They will elect Hillary Clinton.

Should that be the case, America will never regain the status  and power for good it once had.  It's not in the Progressives vocabulary nor mind set and it will be a very sad day indeed.

Republicans - Blowing In The Wind Like Autumn Leaves

I've been watching the emerging voices of the Republican Party for a while now.  What I'm seeing is a disconnect from one another.  If they can overcome that I think they have a pretty good chance of overcoming some of their negatives.

For instance.  Ted Cruz stood as the voice of defunding Obamacare.
While misguided by embracing the defunding tack rather than a delay or fix, he did bring himself to a level of prominence.  Come election time 2016 will he be remembered for his blunder or remembered as a passionate voice against the ACA?  My bet is the latter.

Marco Rubio was a leader in the comprehensive immigration reform movement.  He has since seen the error of trying a comprehensive fix and has changed his position.  Will he be remembered for favoring the comprehensive approach or as a passionate advocate of immigration reform in a sensible, doable way?

Rand Paul stood against a multitude of injustices against the people perpetrated by Congress.

In the House you have Jason Chaffetz and Trey Gowdy as articulate and passionate speakers.

My question about all of them is where are those that stand with them?  You see Mike Lee with Ted Cruz but John Barrasso seems to stand alone. As do many others.

There too there are the governors who are just "out" there.  Bobby Jindal, Chris Christie. Can they combine voices on national issues?

What isn't there is all of them all the time for all the causes for which they stand.  Maybe it's the fault of those who book the talk shows or the reporters who do the pre and post session interviews or the members themselves wanting to go it alone for their own ambitions.

I don't think that strategy will work.  What the Republicans don't have is a visible, articulate voice.  If they have a multilayered agenda they want to move forward, the need to do it en masse. To be politic about it, they need their spokesman to be one with charisma.  Mr. Boehner and Mr. McConnell may be politically savvy but neither one inspires - especially to those of us on the outside looking in.

You might say neither do Reid or Pelosi.  That's the point.  Contrast.  A positive outlook rather than the animosity laden rhetoric which is now the norm.

So don't just float around, Republicans.  Rake yourselves into one huge pile, put a voice to yourselves    and tell those who would bag you to remember the alternative.  Winter.  Snow.  Shoveling.  Look what you have to offer.  The beauty of autumn, the crisp air, the  brilliant blue skies, the wonderful scents.  And that the alternative is winter.  Snow.  Shoveling.  Cold.  Bitter howling wind.

Unfortunately in nature we get both just like we do in politics.  Sometimes, though, we get an Indian summer which is a lovely extension of autumn.  Are we due for one or for one more year is it too late?

Maybe for 2013.  It doesn't have to be true for 2014 and it's a more important year anyway when it comes to electoral politics.

The Young Turks Vs. The Old Turkeys

Can you Republicans name these men?  They are your leadership in the Senate.  When was the last time you saw any of them making the rounds of the talk shows? Can you even name them?

I'll bet you can identify Rand Paul and Ted Cruz without any problem.  Every once in awhile when I stop ranting long enough to think things through, I realize that the future of the Republican Party is with men like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. I sometimes don't agree with them on their policy ideas nor their approach but at least they are out there forging the way. Often, too, we see them tweaking their thinking as they learn. That's a good thing.  Seeing a better way is positive.

When was the last time you saw the leadership out there forging anything?  Okay, McConnell has a challenge for his seat coming up.  I hope he shows more enthusiasm to his constituents than he does to his TV audiences.  And John Thune, in the upper left corner, is he asleep while the minority leader speaks or is he merely resting his eyes? At one time I thought he might be Presidential material but who is he?

Could any of them filibuster like Rand Paul did?  Do any of them have the passion? I'm not seeing it.

There was a time that the Presidential nominee, win or lose, was considered the head of the party at least for a time.  Mitt Romney has been missing in action almost since the day after the polls closed.

While the House Republicans are divided at least their fighting for what they believe.  You hear them.  You see them.  Jason Chaffetz, Darrell Issa, Trey Gowdy, Kevin McCarthy to name a few.  They have the easier job of it because they hold the majority. The Pauls, Cruz, Mike Lees and Marco Rubios have it tougher fighting the entrenched Democrats.

They're going to make errors in judgement.  Over play their hands.  In the Senate who do they have to guide them?  McCain and Graham, two old war horses who are pretty good at over playing their own hands and they should know better.  The leadership is no where to be seen.

The difference may well be generational, time served or a combination of the two.  I see McCain and Graham as trying desperately to remain relevant.  I see the others with a passion for what they believe their constituents are telling them and a passion to do right for them.

I'm pretty sure I can say the future is in the hands of the young turks.  As for the old turkeys - well  maybe  by Thanksgiving 2014 a lot of those tough old birds will have gobbled their last in elected office.

Rancor Within The Ranks

In a way I'm happy to see the power struggle within the ranks of the Republican Party.  Leadership is weak and consensus non-existent.  They need both.

Who can get excited about Mitch McConnell or John Boehner?  Both persona's shout BOR-ING.

The same can be said about Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid too.  And they're having some of the same problems as the Republicans.  The young bucks don't toe the line. New leadership is needed on both sides of the aisle and the young bucks need some schooling that current leadership seems unable to provide.

The Republicans seem to have a problem with defining terms.  Like what exactly is a conservative these days?  Is it the belief in small government and fiscal responsibility or is it that plus all the 'conservative' social issues which have no place in governance?  It needs to be cleared up.

To make matters worse they seem to have a problem deciphering the difference between compromise and capitulation.  They have a tendency to cave to what the liberals want while getting nothing in return.  On the other hand they can be incredibly, stupidly stubborn like thinking they can defund Obamacare with the threat of shutting down the government.  Obama is never going to go along with it so why waste the effort?  There is no positive outcome should they insist on trying.

Their time could be better spent.  Instead of fighting like they do with the Democrats among themselves, they ought to sit down privately and talk through their differences.  When the continuing resolution vote comes around in September it would be wise to come forward with a unified face.

Or are they beyond having the ability to do so?  Are they so caught up in animosity with anyone who disagrees they are blind to what they're doing to their own party, never mind the country.

There won't be a viable third party before 2016 but there might as well be - a third, a fourth, maybe even a fifth because the voters will follow where their personal interests lie without regard for the country as a whole.  The social conservatives will follow a Rick Santorum. Centrists may follow a Chris Christy.  Those with a Libertarian/isolationist bent will look to a Rand Paul.  All under the guise of Republicanism. Yet none of them actually are because they don't follow a main stream.  Thus a divided party adding to an already divided country.

Until the end of September.  That's all the time they realistically have because campaigning for 2014 will be heating up.  If the Democrats take the House and hold the Senate it's all over for the duration. By 2016 the country will be beyond recognition from what it had been to generations past and quite likely beyond redemption for generations to come.

We Need A Centrist Media

As I listen to and read the media hype about the Republican candidates, I wonder if Rick Perry didn't have the head of hair he has would he be getting the same amount of attention.  I'm not hearing ideas.  Only self aggrandisement and criticism of what is.

Actually I'm getting tired of the cult of personality ruling the  headlines.  Where the heck are the centrists and independents?  I do my best but with my handful of readers, many who rarely agree with me, I have no impact.

What we need is a press corp who will pay attention to candidates who actually have ideas rather than those playing to a specific crowd.  The conservatives get far more press than they deserve while the moderates get very little.  Who is covering Romney and Huntsman?  Especially Huntsman who is probably the best of the lot though there are subjects on which I disagree with him. That's to be expected.  But where is he?  What is he talking about these days?  The same with Romney.  I could care less whether or not he and Perry like one another.
And Herman Cain.  Is his lack of press because they feel he has no chance? Even Ron Paul who always makes a good showing in the polls.

If the center lets the far right steal the march it will be their own fault for not being vocal enough, though admittedly it's difficult to be vocal if no one picks up on it.

I heard today Sarah Palin is heading to New Hampshire over the Labor Day weekend to talk jobs.  Speculation has it she's getting ready to enter the race.  With a little bit of luck Bachmann, Perry and Palin will cancel each other out.

If it's true they all need the independents to win, they certainly aren't showing it.  No one is wooing us in either party.  But this isn't about the Democrats unless the progressives succeed in getting Hillary to mount a challenge.  It's about the Republicans and a laughably weak field unless you happen to be a staunch Christian Conservative.

I hear about third party efforts all the time but they have no traction.  A non-party, the Tea Party, has hijacked the process with demands that make no sense yet the moderate Republicans seem so afraid of losing their congressional seats they've been rendered impotent.  Some choice.  Far left or far right. It's said the pendulum always swings back.  The problem is the political pendulum we're now witnessing just swings from one extreme to the other.  It seems to be in perpetual motion with no signs of slowing, what's more stopping - in the center.

Red State Blue State

My entire focus on red and blue states recently have been my garden.

Everything political is in limbo until situations shake out.  I can only write about my disgust and disappointment and frustration so many times.

Last night, however, I indulged myself in the FOX Republican debate. Not much else was on.  Hub wasn't interested so he cleaned up his office while I had complete control of the remote and was able to watch the entire debate uninterrupted.  That in of itself was a rare pleasure!

Anyway, to parallel my gardening efforts, you can see Red is ripe for the picking and Blue, well they've proved themselves not yet ready for prime time.  Nice fruit though, don't you think?

I have some strong feelings about who I would not support yet none on who I might.  Just for the record and future reference, this is how last night struck me.

Bachmann - she said nothing of substance other than she is a fighter for her principles.  I had to agree with Santorum when he said fighting for a stance and losing time after time does not show leadership.  She's a featherweight at best though I know people love her.  I don't.

Pawlenty - lacks anything approaching charisma.  I don't think the exchanges between he and Bachmann stood him in good stead.  He just doesn't light my fire.

Romney - is Romney.  He does have business credentials and government credentials and has potential.  He certainly wants it bad enough.  But again, he doesn't get my juices flowing.

Huntsman  - interesting background.  I think he'd be more solid on foreign policy than any of the others.  And again, a good business and governmental background.

Paul - a very angry and frustrated man.  I agree with him on some of his stances, others I consider undoable because of being more extreme than voters will accept.  I'm not quite a Libertarian I guess.

Santorum - he wants it but I'm not sure what he stands for.  Another one who just doesn't touch me.  A bit too socially conservative for me also.

Newt - wow!  He did well.  He is a very bright man and certainly had the back story on everything he espoused.  I agree with him on the issues discussed but wonder if his baggage will be the deciding factor.  He certainly doesn't take any guff from the press.  His wife may be problematic too.

Cain -  I like him though I don't think he has a chance.  My guess is we'll be back to bland white men for awhile.  He should at least get a high profile cabinet post should the Republicans win.  He's smart and precise and has a great sense of humor.  He's the most refreshing candidate out there. I think, though, his lack of government involvement may hurt.  I'd like to think I'm wrong.

So that's it.  I've got to go pick those raspberries now.  I do know what to expect from them!

The Country Held Hostage By One Special Interest

I'm shaking my head in bemusement as I write this. The mainstream Republican plan for getting the country out of it's financial crisis is flawed to say the least.  Better plans have been sabotaged by all sides.  Speaker Boehner could not gather the votes to pass it last night so he tweaked it today.

He added a provision that would insist on a balanced budget amendment.  It won't pass the Senate.  It's not a good idea anyway unless it makes provision for unexpected happenings like another Katrina or another Iraq or Afghanistan.  More off the books budgeting?  And what is gained?

What really makes me angry, however, is that through the past several weeks the country, no the world, has been waiting and watching to see how this little drama is going to play out.  We still don't know.  But the idea that the Club for Growth with their threats toward Tea Partiers could hold intelligent compromise hostage for an ideal that cannot be passed just baffles me.

Last night the shoe seemed on the other foot.  Tea Partier after Tea Partier appeared on camera declaring their fidelity to a plan not even on paper, not caring whether or not they were re-elected.  If true how come the Club for Growth has so much sway?  Oh my, you don't suppose there might be a tad of hypocrisy going around do you?

These who wouldn't budge because they were doing the 'peoples' bidding.  Oh?  It doesn't sound that way to me.  I don't think they are sure what they stand for but as long as their jobs are secure I don't think they care.

There's something to be said for new blood to elicit change but not when it comes to sacrificing the country in a pig headed manner, knowing full well they aren't going to win the war.  That will come later this weekend, hopefully, when the leaders of both houses sit down and hammer out the details of a compromise.

Last night one commentator remarked that the Republicans had become slaves of their own rituals.  It sounds like some spooky religion, doesn't it?  Who ever thought the sacrifice they'd offer up to those gods of rituals would be the fiscal stability and reputation of a nation.
Our nation.  And theirs.