2008 and Politics

The Candidates

It is difficult for me to believe a nation of 300 million people cannot produce better candidates for our top political office.

The Democrats:

John Edwards is the class warfare specialist of 2008. Edwards laments the 'two Americas." He belongs to the rich class of Americans having earned a large fortune sueing doctors and hospitals. Whereas Edwards got rich, his clients are still mostly poor. Why is that? Edwards promises to "help" the poor by taxing the rich. Of course, Edwards can afford the very best tax experts so his fortune will remain safe from the greedy hands of federal bureaucrats. I have not heard Edwards address the real problems facing America: illegal immigration, the decline in education, the threat of international terrorism, the looming danger of the Social Security/ Medicare crisis, or the lack of resolve to develop American based energy sources (which we have in abundance). Fortunately, his negativity will turn off most voters.


Senator Clinton wants badly to be President. Is that enough to propel her into that office? What qualifications does Senator Clinton have for the office? She has served in the US Senate for 7 years (after moving to a blue state to get elected) without distinction, has no real management experience at higher levels, appears to be a control freak, and demonstrated her weakness in foreign affairs recently by commenting that Musharraf of Pakistan may have been involved in the death of Mrs Bhutto because he did not want Bhutto competing against him in the upcoming national election.

Hello!

President Musharraf was ELECTED in October of 2007 and is NOT on the upcoming election ballot.

Why would Senator Clinton say this?

Senator Clinton claims her 8 years in the White House as First Lady as her major qualification for the job. I am not convinced that serving tea and cookies qualifies anyone for the Oval Office.
Some people see Senator Clinton as a neo-Stalinist. I don't know, but her attempt to collectivize
the American health care system lends credence to the suggestion.


Senator Obama is a fresh face! So should the American people elect him to the top job in our system of government for that reason? Hmmmmmmmmmm? Despite Oprah's endorsement I think Obama is too young, too fresh, too inexperienced, too naive, and his cliche campaign slogan "Change" is unworthy of comment.

After listening to Obama for several months I am convinced he is devoid of new ideas, but recycles worn out liberal banalities.


The Republicans:

Senator McCain is an old dog who has been around for ages. He was one of the Keating Five in the 1980s Savings and Loan Scandal. It will haunt him if he is the R nominee. McCain is wrong about illegal immigration, wrong about tax cuts, wrong about how terrorists should be handled, wrong about free political speech (despite SCOTUS), but is right about Iraq.

Sometimes McCain appears more interested in pleasing the mainstream media than in answering the needs of the American people. Obviously, they are not the same thing.


Fred Thompson is tired. I see it in his eyes. Time out for Fred.


Rudy Giuliani is a puzzle. He comes across as sincere, smart, tough at times, a no nonsense man with a strong resume. However, he is weak on illegal immigration and social issues. I have concerns about his health and whether he can face the daily grind and pressure any President endures.


Mitt Romney is a ________. Fill in the blank. I am unsure of Romney's positions on many issues. What are his core values? He has flipped and flopped on some issues just like the last man from his state in 2004. Kerry lost. Romney may be competent and honest, but how he would run the federal government, what kind of judges he would appoint, his tax policy, his foreign affairs, does he think the federal governmen too large and too intrusive, are all mysteries to me.


Mike Huckabee sounds smart, maybe too much of a smarty for me. He reminds me of a slick politician from the same state a few years ago. He does not appeal to me on any level.


Are these candidates the best our nation can produce? I hope not!

More to follow.