Patriotism as a Political Football

Have we allowed political discourse in this country to fall so far that we need our candidates to defend their patriotism? The answer is yes.

Apparently we need Senators Barack Obama and John McCain to actually come out and discuss their patriotism as a political issue. Because apparently it's not a given that people running for president are patriotic.

Have we become this paranoid about our politicians that simply because we don't agree with their political views we question their loyalty to this country? Have we really allowed ourselves to become so divided as a nation that political strife and discourse has turned us into camps that question each other's PATRIOTISM. 

This line of attack is bi-partisan. Barack Obama looked particularly vulnerable to this attack because he didn't wear a lapel pin. Apparently all you need to do to prove you're a patriot in the days of mass media is wear a lapel pin. Obama's desire not to emulate other politicians, his race, and a series of scurrilous rumors have put him on the defensive about his patriotism. This despite his record as a community organizer, his work in government, and his truly american story. This embodiment of the American Dream has to defend his patriotism because a small few of those who disagree with him politically have used the megaphone of the the internet to claim he doesn't say the pledge of allegiance, he doesn't sing the national anthem, and he was sworn into the senate on the Koran. 

The left in seeking to defend Obama, has it's own lunatic fringe. A fringe actually trying to attack the record of John McCain's war service. For those who have never served to impugn the record of a man like McCain who has not only served but was captured and tortured  is a little like me telling Oscar De La Hoya he's not a very good boxer. 

These men have spent their lives growing careers and skills that have gotten them this close to becoming the next president. They have sacrificed time with their families, personal lives, and submitted to constant public scrutiny. They could not have risen to this level in American politics if their patriotism could ever have been seriously questioned. 

Let's put down the rumors and pick up the questions on real policy. One of these men will guide the future of the nation. Let's agree they love America, and move on. 

The New Spin Room

There was a lot of talk over Obama's decision to forgo the public financing system. His privately raised millions will out gun McCain from now until the election. The decision was clearly tactical, but it raises the larger specter of campaign finance reform. In many ways though, the debate is centered around a dying paradigm

Against the backdrop of an unprecedented internet fundraising campaign Barack Obama hurled himself to national prominence and now is one opponent away from the White House. However, the very same viral power of the Internet to spread Obama's message especially to the young when he needed them most, is also the very power he seeks to combat today. Fightthesmears.com is the Obama campaign's response to rumors that have swept the web. 

All of this stands as background to say that the battle of public relations and spin is moving from television to the internet. Barack Obama announced his decision to leave the public campaign system in a web video, Hillary Clinton announced her campaign online, John McCain is struggling to find his voice on the web, but is already making up ground.

So then the question becomes in this burgeoning internet age, when a candidate can not only fundraise, but indeed control their global message online, why do we need publicly funded campaigns at all? Moreover, why is Senator Obama raising hundreds of millions for the forthcoming fight with McCain? The answer of course is television. Paid television advertising is still the single most costly expense for any state-wide or national campaign. The cost of those 30-second spots all over the nation is what has spun campaign financing out of reach.

But is paid televised political advertising really necessary any more? I think Barack Obama and John McCain would tell you it is. That web video might be the future, but its not the present and plenty of Americans will be introduced to Barack Obama or John McCain via a 30-second spot on their screen.

I am not proposing a ban on political advertising on television it still holds a place in our media landscape. But with it's low cost of entry and global reach, plus the added benefit of having a message go "viral" the internet still offers the promise of a true market place of ideas. A place where not only well-monied candidates compete, but any candidate that can launch a website and start posting on youtube, can find a space on the web. All for far less in real dollars cost than television.

We are seeing the difference between being "good on the web" and "good on tv." The same way we saw the difference in the 60's between being "good on the radio" and "good on the tv." The skill sets are different, the strategy is different, and its the future of campaigning and media. 

So Barack Obama might have smashed the current campaign financing system to pieces when he opted out. But looking at the future of our politics, didn't it need to get rebuilt anyway?

Latinos Lambaste McCain!

Both Republican and Democrats have recently criticized McCain for lacking the ability to energize audiences, and for appearing old when compared with Obama. McCain silenced that group of critics today when a crowd of Latinos seemed quite spirited and roused while being addressed by McCain. Unfortunately for McCain, these emotions took the form of jeers from hecklers who railed against his proposals for the Iraq War. I am somewhat torn on this outcome, because I don't think any dignitary deserves to be interrupted when he has been invited to lay out a platform. While this is not the first appearance of hecklers (Obama has had to deal with his fair share), I certainly hope that it is one of the last. I understand that people want their voices to be heard by government, but I seriously doubt that is the motivating factor in such cases. These people generally seem to be seeking their fifteen minutes of fame, for if they really cared about the issues they would behave in a more dignified and appropriate manner. I also realize these are troubling times and the economy is in shambles, however what will yelling at a candidate truly accomplish? McCain understands just as much as Obama that people are hurting, he doesn't need to be berated and quite frankly as an elder statesman and former war veteran he deserves your attention and respect. Do not go to a public event to dishonor his service in a pathetic attempt to derail his speech. I find myself disagreeing with McCain more often than not, but as a presidential candidate he deserves respect, regardless of how I feel about his policies. Not to sound like an elitist, but recent aggravated verbal assaults provide rationale for the Electoral College. While that is a long debate for another time, let me say that occasionally I am happy that we have a system in place to protect us from emotional voters, who are either misinformed or only vote on one issue. It appears that politics in this country is degenerating into boxing-style press conferences where anybody with a ticket instantly thinks he/ she is an expert in democracy and governance. When the Founding Fathers created a government based upon the voice of the people, I don't think displays like today are what they had in mind. Citizens have every right to be heard, but you have to do something before you get to debate McCain. He's up there on stage, and you're getting escorted by security out the door. There is a reason why. He knows his stuff, and you're an ignorant fool. Enjoy your spaghetti!

Promises, Promises, Promises, Promises.....Pro...You Get it

It will come as a shock to no one reading this blog that politicians, especially Presidential candidates make lots of promises. John McCain has taken the art of promise-making to a new level. On the one hand, John McCain needs to maintain his appeal with his base so he promises to lift the ban on off shore drilling. An act that would do nothing to alleviate short term oil prices and would do everything to maintain the choke-hold oil has on our economy. 

That promise was met by a new one as reported by the Newshour, a $300 million dollar prize for the best car battery.  A promise made to appeal to the independents he needs to win the general election. 

John McCain has made some more promises, like to cut the corporate tax rate and solve the budget gap with spending cuts. Those spending cuts would have to total a 30% cut in non-discretionary spending and virtually all discretionary spending to cover the shortfall we have today, to say nothing of the shortfall that would occur if taxes were cut further. 

Then there's the promise that we would be out of Iraq by 2013, that's a new goal post for success there, how much would you like to bet that if McCain were president sometime around 2011, we'd realize we need to be there until 2018? 

McCain has taken his shots at Obama for breaking his promise on campaign financing, as he should. But where is the media analyzing the promises McCain is making that he has no reasonable means of keeping? 

Oil? Oil? Bit%# you cookin'!?

My pendulum is going to swing to the left from my previous position on Gitmo and the Supreme Court's controversial decision. On Wednesday, George W. Bush called for a lift on the Congressional ban to allow for offshore drilling, which will coincide with the suspension of a similar executive order. This is clearly a knee-jerk reaction to rising gasoline and oil prices, and meant to provide a solid soundbite for November. GOP zombie, John McCain wasted no time in associating himself with Bush's call for action (despite his multiple attempts to say that he is not a third term for Bush). McCain said, "It is much safer now, and if the oil rigs could survive Hurricane Katrina with little spillage then it must be save... ." I won't even get into the fact that oil companies already have a considerable amount of ocean real-estate that remains untapped. This is not about oil prices folks! Price relief at the pump will not be felt until at least three to five years from now if offshore drilling began immediately. I heard the funniest line today while watching CNN that I want to repeat because I think it bears repeating. "In the last eight years, the GOP has become the Gas, Oil, and Petroleum Party..." This is one more attempt to empower the oil companies and their lobbyists while crapping all over the environment. Think back to the oil leak in California in the late 1960's for evidence of what one mistake means for American shorelines and recreation. Sure people hate paying four dollars per gallon to drive to the beach, but what's if the beach is polluted to high hell? I'm far from what one would consider a "tree-hugger" , but I can say that the Bush/McCain solution is the same old solutions to complex problems. Where is the John McCain that opposed offshore drilling only a few years ago? Where has McCain's call for alternative energy and environmental sustainability gone? Funny how last election the Republicans used the word flip-flopper in nearly every sentence to describe Kerry, however John McCain is the "thoughtful candidate that is not afraid to change his mind." Wasn't McCain posturing himself as the candidate that didn't pander to lobbyists and special interest groups? Yet one more reason why the end of the Bush/McCain era can not come fast enough. 

Policy Difference: Obama and McCain on Iraq

A lot of hay has been made over McCain's comments on the Today Show yesterday (who knew the Today Show could make news). His sound bite-let came off more calous than I'm sure he intended but it leads to an important policy difference. McCain has consistently laid out a template wherein the US maintains a long term presence similar to what we have in Japan and all around the world. 

Here's the Today Show Clip one more time. 

Again, set the delivery aside. McCain believes a long term draw down is possible. But to a sustainable troop level.

Senator Obama on the other hand seems to want to get out of Iraq expeditiously. 

Above, Obama gets to lay out his Iraq Policy in some length (from a debate in February). He seems to suggest a draw down and a date certain, but then mentions all of these forces we will need. Embassy protection, counter-terrorism, humanitarian protection. What number are we drawing down to and when? His argument is about strategy on the world stage. It's cerebral and a breath of fresh air after the Bush administration. McCain's is about nuts and bolts military action. The question for voters on this issue is do they want erudite or do they want meat and potatoes? 

Let The General Election Begin

I just wanted to post a quick thought I've been ruminating over for the past few days. In the Democratic Primary, demography was king for voters. Faced with little policy difference between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voters fell into very distinct blocs. 

Now in the general election, there are many real policy difference between Senators Obama and McCain. I wonder now for many independent voters, will these issues permeate the campaign enough to crack the demographic barriers?

That is the key question of the general election. 

McCain wants to hit the road

Jmart over at politico reports that McCain is going to challenge Obama to a series of debates ahead of the officially sanctioned ones. Interesting tack, does he think he can make Obama as uncomfortable in a debate as Hillary Clinton did?

Quick Hit: Try again McCain

Last night as I watched John McCain give what his supporter said would be a "big speech" I was curious to see what kinds of things the Republican nominee had stored up in the past few months. Of all three speeches, I expected his to have the most substance, having so much to say since there has been a virtual media blackout on the Republicans since late winter. His campaign director came on the television and set up a nice preview: Congratulate Hillary and reach out to her supporters, establish himself as a candidate for change, and open the general campaign by making his pitch to the American people. As I watched, I felt terrible that I kept thinking, "Damn he looks so old and confused". His speech was filled with awkward moments where McCain would pause and wait for an overwhelming cheer from his audience, who seemed just as confused and as unenergized as the candidate himself. And yet I continued to watch thinking, "this is awful". Only when the speech was finished and I switched over to CNN, which my friend told me had dropped the speech midway through because it was lackluster even Republicans were admitting that the speech was severely lacking. McCain had better not allow Obama to dictate the agenda and tempo of this general election or he will be sorely outclassed and outspoken. For the first time John McCain showed his age in this election. That is something both the Republicans and the McCain camp cannot afford. Think Nixon and Kennedy televised debate. Yeah, it was that bad.

Brooks Tuesday: Who's gonna bring the reform?

Today Brooks lays out his case the it is McCain the elder statesman that will actually be able to bring change to Washington from his seat at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Brooks takes the farm bill as an example of an opportunity missed for Senator Obama. Take a look and see what you think. 

Oh, and we'll dive into the farm bill soon...

A Pennsylvanian's Take on the Primary from Hell

I barely have enough strength to eloquently argue my true feelings on the primary results from last night's Pennsylvania primary. To be honest, I would support either candidate, despite my preference for Barack Obama. Anybody would be better than John McCain, which will amount to essentially a third term for George W. Bush. My stomach became more sick with every percentage point that Hillary Clinton picked up. Not only because I prefer Obama, but also because the large margin of victory ensures that the Democratic nomination is far from decided. If you listened carefully you could actually hear the tear in the Democratic party get larger last night. Analysis of the voter breakdown displays yet again the deep divide that exists amongst Dems. Individuals 18-29 and African American voters were clearly for Obama, while the elderly, blue-collar, Catholics favored Hillary. As many of my compatriots have eloquently stated in earlier blogs, this election is centered around race and age. Damn, even Ed Rendell weighed in and said Pennsylvanians would have a problem with electing a Black man. Twenty nine percent of "Bitter" Hillary supporters (in Pennsylvania) said they would vote for McCain rather than vote for Obama. Sixteen percent of the Barack faithful would prefer the G.O.P candidate than vote for a Democrat who can elude sniper fire. Some top Democrats say that this infighting will actually produce a stronger candidate in November, but the statistics say otherwise. Let's hypothetically say that this goes all the way to the Convention and the Superdelegates make the final decision (which it probably will). Can you honestly tell me that either side will be happy with the result?  I have traditionally held back on my list of "things I think must happen" but I figure what the hell, so here they are:

1. Howard Dean, get some Kiwi's and get tough on these Superdelegates. Sitting on the fence till the end of the game and choosing a candidate in a smoke filled room will not sit well with the voting public.

2. John Edwards, please find the voice I know you have in you and support somebody. Please be the King (or Queen) maker. At this point, jeopardizing your chance as VP will be a mute point if McCain wins the election.

3. Hillary, stop calling plays from the Karl Rove playbook. I know you say, "it's what he'll have to face in the fall." Why give the Republicans more ammunition than they will already have. Only two months ago, the G.O.P had no idea how to deal with Barack, now they not only have the blueprint, they will just recycle your campaign ads.

4. Barack, I know you're all about the politics of "Hope" and "Change", but if you don't change your tactics, you're going to look weak to top party officials. You worked way too hard to lose it all at the end.

I fear that the Democrats cannot endure another six weeks of the "low-road to victory". If somebody doesn't wise up soon, we Americans can get used to two simple words, "President McCain." Tell me that doesn't send shivers down your spine.