Post debate analysis

I guess both candidates did what they wanted to accomplish in this final debate. Barack handled the attacks from McCain with a certain calmness and respectfulness for McCain in spite of the attacks. I learned one thing tonight, I have no fear with Barack talking to world leaders in difficult times. I feel more confident tonight he listens well and can clearly articulate his differences with the other person while still staying engaged in the topic. No one should underestimate his ability after this debate tonight. He does have a gravitas and is the type of person who will inspire Americans in the difficult times ahead.

I am very happy this was the final debate and I am glad we are about to vote. I just wish it were tomorrow instead of a couple of weeks. Wait a minute, I forgot, I vote absentee and will vote tomorrow.

McCain/Obama first Presidential debate: Who won?

That seemed on everyone's mind last night and this morning. I have received a few emails asking for my opinion and them giving me theirs. What's my analysis? Well, the fact that everyone is asking, including the media, it seems to me that the media is calling it a draw. I was a boxer in my youth and using that metaphor, there was not a knockout punch, nor was there a clear victor on points. I was disappointed in both of them but for different reasons. I'll comment on those disappointments in a moment, and I how would rate the outcome, but first, comments on what was good.

The first thing that was good was that the debate was actually held. Everyone who has been keeping up on my views know I am a Barack Obama supporter in this race, after having initially supported Joe Biden for President in the Primary. McCain had threatened not to debate, as he wanted to go "save the country" by stopping his campaign and going back to Washington to help get something passed with bipartisan support for the governments $700 Billion rescue plan of the Banking industry and ensure that credit was available for business to borrow needed cash. I was angry McCain said he wasn't going to debate, but then I thought, if he could truly do something to help, then he should. I thought he could do both, but who am I to criticize, as I have a hard time just putting on socks in the morning and remembering to take my morning pills. (Multitasking is more difficult as one gets older. :) So I said let's see what McCain actually does. Well I got my answer, NOTHING! Most at the meeting said McCain spoke last at the meeting with the President and when he did speak, they say no one understood what he said, as it was garbled.

So, in retrospect, since the deal was not done, and he had stated he would not debate unless it was done, I am left feeling it was purely political theater by McCain. That is unspeakable during this crisis in our economy. Nevertheless, he did debate and was knowledgeable about facts and his historical recollections were good as well, although his comment about Eisenhower writing 2 letters, one with his resignation, was not true. But he passed the exam by most.

Now for my major disappointment. McCain would not look at Barack Obama the entire debate. His language and body language appeared to disdain Obama and his wise guy comments and humor did nothing but make me angry. In my local San Francisco Chronicle newspaper front page today, there was a picture from the end of the debate with Obama and McCain shaking hands. Guess what? McCain isn't looking at him while shaking his hand, either!

When you treat a Presidential candidate with disrespect, which is what McCain did to Obama, (someone who has earned their Party's nomination after a hard fought Primary race against a very competent candidate as Hillary Clinton,) then you disrespect all Americans. If you are going to disrespect your opponent, who is equally a patriotic American, how can we trust you to talk to the Russians, whom you despise, the Chinese, the Syrians, the North Koreans, the Venezuelan's and other leaders we must engage with. It was contempt of the lowest form and not becoming a Presidential candidate like John McCain. You will notice that I have not made one negative comment on Sarah Palin as a person. I criticized her politic, thought she gave a good speech at the Republican Convention but I did not disrespect her. I did defend her against supposed negative attacks. I would expect McCain to respect Barack Obama not just in words, but in deeds. Let's see if that is possible in the next debate Senator Mccain.

Barack was Presidential, gracious and respectful. Some say he was too respectful, but I don't think so. What disappointed me with Barack was that on several occasions he could have answered McCain with facts that could have made their differences clearer and he chose not to, or forgot the points at the moment. Barack never made the point that, for example, it is the Iraqi's now that want us to leave and that McCain acts like Iraqi's concerns don't matter to him. He could have more clearly stated that it is the Republican Party's mantra for deregulation these past 20 plus years, that got us into this financial mess. And it is the very Lobbyists that are part of McCain's senior staff that had major contracts with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

When I think about the debate, I saw Barack being Presidential, respectful and a clear distinction from the failed policies of the Bush Administration AND McCain. McCain is tied to the failed policies of Bush /Cheney Administration and voted for those policies 90% of the time. The choice is clear with Obama, but the challenge is whether the American people can put their country and their real needs first and vote for him and Joe Biden. Or will they let any Party loyalty or racial prejudice creep into their decision. For the good of the country I hope they can rise to the occasion.

McCain says he will cut government spending. See how he's penny wise and dollar foolish!

Let's face it, McCain has a good line for the part of the population that doesn't think much. He says he's going to cut the millions in Pork Barrel spending and make their supporters names public. Sounds good but what's the truth. The truth is the largest government spending going on is the war in Iraq, which is costing us about $12 Billion a month. Talk about wasteful spending. McCain wants to continue to spend this indefinitely, as he has said he wouldn't mind it if we stayed in Iraq for 100 years. How does he expect to pay for the war? It won't be by cutting back on what he calls "pork". One man's pork is another's important local project. The true cost cutter will be Barack Obama as he will get us out of Iraq responsibly and as soon as possible. That's savings you can count on!

Barack asks 10 supporters backstage but look what States they are from!

Barack Obama's team is planning every aspect of their convention in Colorado. This includes inviting supporters from 10 States to join him backstage as he accepts the nomination.

In the email I received today it lists all 10 people and a little about each of them. They make up all races, ages and backgrounds, according to the email.

But one thing I noticed mostly is the States they are from. Here's the list:


Montana
North Carolina
Indiana
Ohio
Colorado
Florida
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Alaska
North Dakota

Each State represents a State Obama hopes to put in play in this election but you won't read that in this email. Clever, quite clever, in my view. I wonder what else he and his people have up their sleeves? Maybe Sen. Joe Biden for President? I would like that very much as any reader here knows, I supported Sen. Biden in the Primary.

Would Barack Obama, when he becomes President, grant immunity to a departing George W. Bush?

This question is of significant importance because this is what Barack Obama would face as one of his first decision as President, just as President Gerald Ford was faced with the same issue and chose to pardon Richard Nixon. The reason this is important is because Obama has said he will be a uniter not a divider. He said he will work to bring the country together. This single act facing Obama has the potential of causing a significant rift after the election. The same is true if John McCain becomes President, but we know he will grant immunity to Bush. No matter what, if either grants immunity to George W. Bush then we are lost as a country because all due process for the alleged crimes of President Bush, VP Cheney and others will be stopped and the American people will be the losers as well as the Constitution of the United States of America.

This is very important as we are at a decision point in America and God help us if we make the wrong decisions regarding immunity.

Suggestions for this Democratic Congress

Headline today reads: "Bush claims executive privilege on CIA leak" and there is a battle brewing by House Democrats and the President and his surrogate, the Attorney General Mike Mukasey, to get testimony on what happened by whom and when regarding both Vice President Cheney and President Bush. This may be of historical importance to some, but at this stage of the Bush Presidency and the general state of affairs we have on our hands, with Financial institutions on the precipice of disaster, a possible run on banks, continued difficulty in our war in Afghanistan against the Taliban with increased casualties there, it's about time the Democratic Congress wakes up and moves forward. It needs to be preparing suggestions for solutions to implement Barack Obama's strategies at home and abroad. They tire me to the point of apathy but every once in a while I get mad enough to write here to vent my frustration.

There is plenty we can do to Bush, Cheney et al when they leave office. Read the new book by Vincent Bugliosi for some ideas!

Hillary concedes and helps her image

Hillary gave the speech today she should have given after Obama secured the number of delegates to secure the nomination. But she did improve her image today which earlier was damaged. Now if we can focus on the real issues, the debates and both candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama. The country and the world needs a substantive debate on the issues and I really hope we get one this time.

What's wrong about an Obama/Clinton ticket? I'll tell you!

If you want the politics of the past to continue, there is nothing wrong with the ticket. If you want the Red State/Blue State divide to continue, there is nothing wrong with the ticket. If you want to have all the drama of the Clintons, especially Bill Clinton, there is nothing wrong with the ticket. But if you want to change all of those mindsets and set a new course for America, Obama must choose someone different. It is worth risking losing it all for a chance to win it all for America. Obama's willingness to be bold, to talk with our enemies, to unite Democrats and Republicans more with Independents, this is the moment in time we all have been waiting for. Let's bet on change and the future and let go of the past for good. It's America's time and the people's time for real change. No more Red State Blue State divisions. I am tired of using fear to motivate us. I want us to be courageous this time!

Barack Obama Democratic nominee. History is made!

I have more faith tonight in America than I have had in a long time. I know it will be a long general election process. But it is heartwarming to see the outpouring of praise for America in choosing Barack Obama from such people as South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu and written about in morning newspapers from across the world. Much praise is being given our country for its ability to choose a Democratic Presidential candidate who is an Africa-American, when only 42 years ago the Voting Rights Act was passed and Martin Luther King gave his famous speech, "I have a Dream". I will savour this moment for at least a week. Then it's back to the reality of politics and we will all learn what will be the hurdles Barack will have to jump. But for now, it's a wonderful night.

Is John Edwards endorsement of Obama a "better late than never" situation?

Personally I don't think so. Edwards could have helped Obama a while ago when people were having some second thoughts of his electability in the General election over the Rev. Wright flap. Instead he waited until it was evident Hillary couldn't stop Obama by the numbers before he stepped up to the plate. I guess it's calculated politics on his part. What Bill Richardson did as did Ted Kennedy in their early endorsement of Barack Obama was principled and courageous. In my opinion to hold out this long was pure and simple positioning.

Thanks to North Carolina voters and Indiana voters. Barack stops Hillary

The voters of North Carolina didn't let me down and neither did the voters of Indiana because they did what we all had hoped they would do, they helped end the Hillary push and helped to close this long drawn out Primary process that was damaging to the Democratic Party and the Democratic candidate Barack Obama. This will allow the Democrats to start to focus on John McCain. Race was an issue and Rev. Wright was an issue that got Hillary some of the votes she got.

But the voters did restore my belief and help quell my skepticism. Thank you voters in North Carolina, where I have spent some quality time and met some great people in the Raleigh/Chapel Hill area. You have done your Country proud.

Hillary's "Mission Accomplished" moment

When I listened to Hillary's victory speech tonight, it sounded like Bush's Mission Accomplished moment. Declaring victory in Indiana while the results were still "TOO CLOSE TO CALL" there and Barack winning North Carolina with a double digit resounding defeat of Hillary, it is so symbolic of Bush's denial of every fact during his presidency. Maybe Hillary is Presidential material?

And why is it that African-American districts in Indiana, which favor Barack, taking so long in reporting tonight?

Are voters shallow thinkers?

Are voters shallow thinkers or are they just trying to make sense from all the spin out there? It seems to me that those that want to get above the fray can do so by taking the time it takes to learn about the issues independently from the spoon feeding we get from the media at large. The problem is that most are busy working trying to feed their families and take care of their needs and have little time left to do more than just survive.

What also contributes to this problem is that the greed in Corporate America is rampant. CEO's paychecks are way out of line to their contribution to the bottom line of their businesses. For example, Forbes has listed top CEO's and their Executive pay packages. I looked up one in particular and calculated what their hourly rate would be assuming they worked a 40 hour week. Now I know they work more hours but it still makes the point. Can you guess what their hourly rate might be assuming they work for all 52 weeks, where they really don't because of vacations they take? Well it will amaze you but the hourly rate for just one of the CEO's was $25,000 per hour. Now compare that to what an average worker makes and you get a sense at the outrage. As long as we keep the gap this large we are undercutting the middle class and the future tax base of this country.

Voters normally don't have the time to even think. Many eligible voters don't even vote as they don't believe their vote for any candidate will make any difference at all in their lives. One casual review that this is nonsense is to look at what happened over the past 7 plus years of President Bush. We need to choose our President more wisely or our fate, as well as our families and those generations to come, are doomed.

As a society, we think going up the corporate ladder is the way to be "successful". That is not true and is the source of a lot of our troubles. One answer is to work for yourself. That takes time too but at least you are in control of the outcome, not someone else. That is what's wrong with the Primary process. We don't control the outcome with our votes. It is decided by others who have self interests at stake and will not vote what we want but what's best for them individually. You see our Democracy has been bought and paid for by Corporate America as the ultimate bosses of most of the candidates. That is the one good reason to vote for Barack, as he is the least beholding to Corporate interests than either McCain or Hillary. Barack has the least combined income of the 3 candidates and is more like us than any candidate of my memory going back to Eisenhower.

Open letter to Voters of Indiana and North Carolina

That's right. I have heard all the reasons why Hillary should be your choice in the Primary Tuesday in North Carolina and Indiana. The Rev. Wright issue has given voice and excuses to many not to vote for Obama this past few weeks. Many say Barack Obama isn't ready and others say Barack will create change. There has been a double standard here by Republicans, as McCain has cozied up to Pastors who have said some aweful things, don't believe in Evolution and blame New Orleans residents for the wrath of God which was manifested by Hurricane Katrina. Hillary has enjoined those voices and has been willing to do anything to win. Are these two candidates the people you want as President?

Well, Barack has changed this election in ways not imagined a year ago. He has attracted a new generation to get involved, register to vote and will vote tomorrow, many for the first time. If that isn't change, I don't know what is. He is singly responsible for the renewed interest of the youth of our country. If he can do this he can cross the aisle and get bipartisan support for the changes that need to be made in our government. Help us get rid of the politic of the past. Help us save our country Tuesday and vote for Barack Obama.

Prominent Republicans support and praise Hillary. Why?

The big question today: Who do the Republicans really want to run against, Barack or Hillary? It looks as though Chris Matthews, of CNBC's Hardball, has nailed it. He has noticed several prominent Republicans coming to the rescue of Hillary, namely Bill Kristol in his article this Monday in the Washington Post, also, Pat Buchanan and Rush Limbaugh, to name just a few. I think Chris is right on this one. They are all saying Hillary deserves more respect. They say she a candidate who is fighting to compete and deserves praise and credit for what she has done and would make a more formidable candidate, according to these Republicans. But why would they be raising her candidacy? What's their reason? What do they gain if she does better and becomes the nominee? Is Karl Rove nailing this one too and giving the playbook to Republicans in hopes of getting more Independents to vote for her in the remaining primaries? Do they just want to see this go on, as it is good for them?

I think they would love to run against Hillary because, as many have said, the war in Iraq is the issue in the background, but very much there, and Republicans know that if things get worse, they have a chance against Hillary, as she voted as McCain did to give the President authorization to go to war with Iraq. If the war is not a front issue, they know that McCain and Hillary are on the same page on so many issues like suspending the gas tax for the summer months to help consumers temporarily ( Barack is against it as it is a gimmick), and other issues like Energy policy, to name just two issue. They know that the electorate can be fooled, as they have been many times. They are counting on those that are listening to the news and still engaged to consider Hillary for their choice.

To me that is another good reason to vote for Barack Obama. What do you think about the Republicans speaking out in praise of Hillary? And don't just tell me, "Well she has done so well recently and deserves it." Tell me more about Republican motives here.

Are you ready to exert your power in this Election?

They say Barack Obama is caught between a rock and a hard place regarding the weekend comments by Rev. Wright at the NAACP meeting and other media events. They want us to believe that even though Barack has admonished his former pastor's comments, the American people will blur them together including each of their positions with no distinction. When they still haven't made up their mind who to vote for, they will acquiesce and vote for Hillary. If that is so, then the American people will get who they deserve for President.

It is my firm belief that there is at least 30% of the American people who don't think at all. Those are the ones who still approve of President Bush's policies in Iraq and here at home. They are not worth discussing any issue with as they have drunk the Kool-Aid and now are zombies. Then there are about another 15-17 % that will vote for John McCain because he is a Republican. That gets John McCain to 45-47%. The Democrats have given a majority vote for Barack which gives him about 28% and Hillary has about 24%, with Independents the final choosers in the Fall Election. Many Independents have joined with Barack, as they see a new hope not seen since John F. Kennedy.

The only question that truly remains is the following: Are we going to let the media dictate the issues we talk about during the next 6 months? If so then we will decide the election based upon associations and distractions, rather than substantive issues like the war in Iraq, getting a better Energy policy that helps liberate us from the dependence on Middle East Oil and our own Oil companies, giving tax breaks for Middle and low income people and increasing the tax on the wealthiest, helping to solve the Social Security financial crisis by ensuring it is there for our next generation, paying down the National Debt, solving the home foreclosure and subprime loans problem for so many Americans, passing a GI Bill to help support the troops who have given so much for their country, and so many other issues on foreign policy to help restore America's greatness in the world. This is up to us, not someone else. Change the channel of your TV when you here anything that isn't real issue oriented, with the emphasis on the word REAL! When the media ratings drop, maybe they will do something better, like cover real issues. If you speak to others about the Primary, discuss issues, not distractions. Start speaking out about what you want this election to be about or we all lose. And when we lose, the rest of the world does too. Remember, only we can give power to Swift Boat ads when we listen to them and alter our positions as a result.

UPDATE:

I almost forgot this action. Anyone, in the remaining States to still hold their Primary, should help end this folly, by voting overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. That will at least stop the rhetoric till September.

Pennsylvania voters: You blew your chance to make history!

The Pennsylvania today is not the Pennsylvania of yesterday or of our forefathers. There was a battle between the politic of the recent past and a politic of our Founding Fathers. The old politic was brought to you by those who never vote their real interests but get caught up in the issues that keep them financially subservient to Corporations and that are similar of the politic of the Clinton's, and earlier Presidential hopefuls of both parties. The new politic was that of Barack Obama and closer to the politic of our Founding Fathers and the generation that built this country where the individual voted for what was best for the Country in the long run. That group of voters are made up today by the younger voters supporting Barack. They are a movement and no matter what happens in this election cycle, could prove the foundation of an ever growing chorus for changes in our political system. It could spawn a new political party or just change the Democratic Party by increasing numbers. But one thing is for sure, change is in the air and this flame will not be doused anytime soon.

One other thing I must say here, there is an element of bigotry going on in Pennsylvania as was true in New Hampshire as well. What support do I offer for this? Look at the pre election Polls. They showed Barack closing the gap to within 5 points. But when the process concluded there was a 10 point difference. People will say they will vote for a Black person, because it is the politically correct answer, but in the secrecy of the voting poll, they can vote their real feelings. I am surprised this has not been discussed by the media. But there were enough polls that had Barack very close in the final days. And how can people really be undecided when so much had gone on in the six weeks before the election. Those folks also just might not want to say why they are not voting for Barack.

Pennsylvania you had your chance and missed it when you had a chance to be in the history books again as you led this Country in our early years. Now those of you who voted for the politic of the past will have to relegate yourselves to obscurity. New voters of Pennsylvania, help lead your State and Country. Don't give up on the political process. Stay involved, as yours is a noble path.

Open letter to Pennsylvania voters: This chance of a lifetime may never come again!

That's right. I have heard all the reasons why Hillary should be your choice in the Primary tomorrow. Many say Barack Obama isn't ready and others say Barack will create change. Well, Barack has changed this election in ways not imagined a year ago. He has attracted a new generation to get involved, register to vote and will vote tomorrow, many for the first time. If that isn't change, I don't know what is. He is singly responsible for the renewed interest of the youth of our country. If he can do this he can cross the aisle and get bipartisan support for the changes that need to be made in our government. Help us get rid of the politic of the past. Help us save our country tomorrow and vote for Barack Obama.

Iraq war about to get ugly again and cost more U.S. soldiers lives

Things are indeed looking grim in Iraq today. Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gave a "final warning" to the government Saturday to halt a U.S.-Iraqi crackdown against his followers or he would declare "open war until liberation." Al-Sadr was responsible for the cease fire over the last 6 months which significantly reduced the violence in Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, also a Shiite, has ordered al-Sadr to disband the Mahdi Army, Iraq's biggest Shiite militia, or face a ban from politics.

I have said here many times that when one examines all the variables that seem to best correlate to the reduction of violence such as the "surge", buying Sunni loyalty with U.S. Dollars over Al Qaeda, and finally Cleric Al-Sadr's cease fire. It is the cease fire that correlated the best to significantly reduced levels of violence. Now we face a return to the previous violence levels which were the highest in 2007 over all the previous years. This will certainly be bad news for our troops who already have served too many deployments. It ultimately is also bad for John McCain's position on the war and good for Barack's who was opposed to the war all along.

To read the news today on this topic click here.

Nine months to go before Bush is replaced. Democrats need to get united quickly!

Democrats are so busy fighting themselves over how Hillary is going to steal the election away from Barack, that they all are taking their eyes off the prize, waging a battle for the hearts and minds of the electorate because they have better ideas for the future of America. With food prices rising at a dramatic rate, some say because 25% of all corn is going to be used to produce ethanol, and no clear proposals for how to deal with Energy costs, we are going bankrupt as a country. We need this time to forge policy in a whole host of areas. It's about how to end the war in Iraq, helping secure Afghanistan, developing an Energy policy that is on the scale of the Manhattan Project or the Apollo Space program using Wind, Solar, Geothermal and possibly Nuclear.

In the meantime, this President still has enough time to cause big trouble with Iran militarily and the Senate needs to be on record against any military actions inside Iran. Hillary's support for calling Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group, may be just the cover this Administration needs to pursue a military strike against Iran and cause enormous problems for the next President.

We need to focus on job creation here in the U.S., relief for Homeowners faced with foreclosure, increasing taxes on the wealthiest, and the consideration of Community service by youth to gain credit to offset college costs. We need to consider year round schooling for Grades K-12 and increasing salaries for teachers commensurate with working full time in a profession most important to our Nation's future.

Dare we dream and hope for major change or are we doomed as the citizens of this country have been drugged by the rhetoric coming from this White House the past 7 plus years. Much is possible if we unite as a Nation now, because, over time, survival is going to be the mantra of many of our citizens and getting them behind change is going to be difficult at best.