In 08': You Decide

A new era began in D.C. when Nancy Pelosi became the first female speaker of the United States House of Representatives. And with a new speaker on Capital Hill Americans began searching for someone to move into the House. Reporting for the Democrats: Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards- and just for fun will throw in Dennis Kucinich. For the Republicans: former NY mayor Rudy Guiliani, Governors Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Sen. John McCain. And former Law & Order star Fred Thompson decided he’d pull a Ronald Regan and joined the race as well.

With Iowa just three days away, and the entire spotlight on the candidates, you’d almost think we didn’t have a president.To me it seems that the only press Bush gets is of how low his approval rating is; that and his “special moments” shown on the Late Show with David Lettermen. It would seem that many Americans are not happy with the way things went in Bush’s second term. So because many are supposedly not happy, they feel, judging by what the media reports, that they should begin the search for our country’s next commander-in-chief.

For much time it was the Democrats receiving all the attention, mostly because they weren’t republicans. The candidates running for president decided the one way to win hearts is by ending the War on Terror. A very touchy subject, Clinton, Obama, and Edwards have all stated their strategic moves on pulling out the supposed thorn in our sides. So flash forward into the future: a Democrat has been elected into office. Troops are beginning to come, families rejoicing, oh happy days are here again! But wait, why are the terrorists rejoicing? Perhaps it’s because the Democrats decided to share their diary with how many troops their pulling out and when.

I want to make it clear that I’m not attacking the Democratic Party, just stating a few issues I had. And hey, it’s not like the Republicans don’t have their share of issues. Guiliani gets cancer once, beats it, gets ill on the campaign trail, next thing you know voters aren’t sure they want to elect a William Henry Harrison. Mike Huckabee receives lavish gifts from supporters, says Merry Ch***sm*s, and he has problems. Mitt Romney is a Mormon, but voters have a problem with that- they aren’t sure they want someone of different faith sitting in the Oval Office.

NEWS FLASH: Religions in America: Catholic, Baptist, Mormon, Seventh - day Adventist, etc. You’re never going to have a president who’s going to share the same faith with everyone.
First Amendment to the United States Constitution: >>>>>Freedom of Religion<<<<<<

And as you may have noticed I haven’t touched on the topics the candidates stand for, but merely problems they have faced. But by showing you problems they have faced, I’ve shown the things that we’re considering calling an issue. Americans are never going to find the man or woman who will be the leader for all; at least I don’t think the days of finding another FDR are going to be happening anytime soon. But we can of course vote for the person who WE find the best for the job, whether they’re a person who has reminded us on occasion that he has led us out of tragedy, or a person who has entertained us on TV. Or even a woman who walks around with her husband, showing that she still needs a little help reeling voters in. So remember, in 08’: You Decide.

Late Bloomer?

It’s becoming somewhat of a burning question: will Michael Bloomberg run for President of the United States? The current mayor of New York City has stated that he has no intentions of running, but recently it would seem that his aides are laying out the groundwork for him. Bloomberg left the Republican Party in June 2007 and if he chose to run he would be running as an Independent. But with Iowa just three days away, only 2008 will tell what will happen with this late bloomer.

In God We Trust

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible.”
-- George Washington

Mitt Romney has had to face voters’ skepticism about his Mormon faith. To address what seems to be the only issue voters currently care to hear about, Romney made a 20-minute address titled “Faith in America”. Romney stated that he would "serve no one religion, no one group, no one cause," adding that a President must serve only the common cause of the people of the United States.

“Be religiously careful in our choice of all public officers . . . and judge of the tree by its fruits.” – Elias Boudinot

A year from now America will have hopefully elected a new leader, and hopefully will have chosen the right person. With so many people of different backgrounds each with their own religion, how can we choose a leader whose faith might be the same as our but differ from someone else’s? And with that question in mind- since when did religion become so important and such a major part of election political leaders? Are there not Americans who are trying to remove religious reminders from government property?

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.” -Thomas Jefferson

So some Americans wish to have the right person in the Oval Office with the right faith. And some wish to have religious symbols removed. Perhaps it’s in time that during this long haul, and amongst all these religions, Americans remember this simple but important phrase that can relate to everyone- “In God We Trust”.

There's nothing wrong with looking for a President who we can religiously identify, it's just impossible to find one who shares the same faith with every American. Maybe we're looking for a leader who has the relationship with God that is needed to run a country. If that's the case than it can't be in man who we trust, but in God we trust.

Republicans: War on Terror/Iran/American Safety

Republicans: War on Terror/ Iran/ American Safety

Top Candidates

Rudy Giuliani:

• Winning the war is a great responsibility.
• America cannot afford to play defense.
  - Weakness encourages aggression
• Timetable for withdrawal would be mistake.
• Failure in Iraq would lead to a broader and bloodier regional conflict in the near future.
• Build an accountable Iraq = Reduction in threat of terrorism
• America will win the war on terror

Mitt Romney

• Stronger military
  - Increase by 100,000 troops
• 4% of gross domestic product to defense.
  - Make up for critical gaps in the modernization of our equipment, personnel and health care efforts
• Funds must be used for critical needs
• Strengthen/Modernize Strategic Planning
• Isolate Iran Diplomatically
• Have Arab states join effort to prevent a Nuclear Iran
• State to Iranians that nuclear capabilities may be a source of pride but can be a source of peril.
• Protect the Homeland

Mike Huckabee

• Top priority- protecting American citizens
• Fight war hard, but fight it smart.
• Strategic strikes on terrorists positions.
• Get tough with President Musharaff who has allowed Al Qaeda and the Taliban to have bases in Waziristan.
• Enemy is Islamic extremism.
• Part of winning the war is winning energy independence.
• Believes in overwhelming force in accomplishing a mission.
• Has executive and crisis management experience, along with the judgment and the temperament.
• Expand the army and increase the defense budget.

In the Hands of Politicians

Earlier today at Hillary Clinton’s campaign office in Rochester, New Hampshire, a man by the name of Leeland Eisenberg took volunteer Clinton supporters hostage. Strapped with supposed bomb to his chest, Eisenberg demanded to speak to Clinton. Despite the fact that his request was not met, Eisenberg did not harm any of the hostages nor did he take his own life. Instead he freed them separately over the course of five hours. And shortly after the final hostage was released after 6 p.m. Eisenberg surrendered to authorities.

On her official website, Clinton praised her supporters for the courage and coolness under the difficult circumstances. Clinton of course did not speak to Eisenberg for if she had it could have had disastrous results for her campaign volunteers.

While watching the events unfold, the question came to mind of how Hillary, a women looking to be the next president of America, would deal with terrorists. But of course I can’t just single Hillary out; the same question goes for any presidential candidate. Should they at any point make contact with someone requesting to speak with them, someone who is capable of endangering the lives of others?

If contact was made the results could go a few ways.

• Terrorist responds with deadly action due to disagreement.
  
• Terrorist’s demands are met and citizens of the country turn on candidate or leader.
  
• Terrorist’s demands are “met” and is instead strategically apprehended.

Of course today’s events show that things can go surprisingly well. So in the event of a possible threat to one’s life like today, would you put your life into the hands of someone you may be voting for? This isn’t a new question; it’s just one being brought back to the table due to today’s situation. Every four years this country elects a person who they feel is right for the job, a person they hope they can feel safe with, any you hope they make the right call. So again, how much trust do you put in the hands of politicians?

Democrats: Ending the War in Iraq

Democrats: Ending the War in Iraq

Top Candidates

Hillary Clinton:

• Draw up a clear, viable plan to bring our troops home starting with the first 60 days of her Administration
• Direct the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare a comprehensive plan to provide the highest quality health care and benefits to every service member
  - including the National Guard and Reserves -- and their families
• Stabilize Iraq – not propping up the Iraqi government
• Support the appointment of a high level U.N. representative
• Organize a multi-billion dollar international effort - funded by a wide range of donor states- to address the needs of Iraqi refugee

Barack Obama:

• All Combat Troops Redeployed by 2009
  - Withdrawal would be strategic and phased
  - Removal of secure areas first; Troops in volatile areas longer
  - One or two combat brigades removed each month
  - Troops engaged in combat operations removed by the end of next year
  
• Residual Force to Remain
  - American troops may remain in Iraq or the region
  - Troops would protect diplomatic and military personnel in Iraq
  - Attack on Al Qaeda would continue
  - Training of Iraqi Security Forces would also continue if needed
  - Right to intervene in the event of an outbreak of genocide
  - Drawing down of American forces is the best way to apply pressure on Iraqi government
  
• Afghanistan
  - End war to finish fight in Afghanistan
  - Would redeploy at least two brigades (7,000) to reinforce counter-terrorism operations
  
• Fulfill America’s Obligation to Accept Refugees
• Secure International Assistance

John Edwards:

• Iraqi people must take responsibility for their country
• mmediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops
• Complete withdrawal within 9-10 months
• 3,000-5,000 troops would remain to protect embassy
• Quick Reaction Forces located outside Iraq
  - prevent Al Qaeda safe haven
• Prevent the further funding of new troops who are not fully prepared

Brown-backs Out

“I'm a son of a farmer from Kansas ... I still think anybody can be president.
I don't think you have to show up with $100 million to do it. ... I'm the tortoise in the race.” Slow and steady wins the race…unless you’re slow to raise money than you’re just out of the race. I don’t believe many of us have been in this situation, but if you’re Sen. Sam Brownback this might just be the case.

According to recent reports, Brownback, who has been a Republican candidate for President, has decided to drop out of the race. Though there has been no official word made, Brownback is expected to make the announcement on Friday. A conservative contender, Brownback had trouble raising enough money to compete in the race. But while he may no longer be interested in the White House, he is believed to run for Kansas governor’s office in 2010.

So is the Republican Party loosing a key member, well depending on what you knew of Sam Brownback the choice would be yours, but as for now Brown-backs out.

Distant Cousins

You may be familiar with the occasional family disagreement. But what kind of argument is it for your family when it comes to politics? Well the differences in politics could not be greater when it comes to the Cheney and Obama families.

According to Lynn Cheney, her husband Vice-President Dick Cheney and Democratic candidate for President, Barack Obama, share a common ancestor. Sure the ancestor goes back eight generations, but that doesn’t keep these two politicians from being all in the family.

Though Barack may be somewhere on the family tree, it doesn’t mean Mrs. Cheney will be leaning towards her husband’s relative. So don’t count on the two families coming together for the holidays anytime soon. But what a great family moment it was when Cheney swore Obama into the Senate in 2005.

But it turns out that Obama’s family ties don’t end with Cheney. According to an article last September, Obama is an 11th cousin to the President as well. I guess Barack Obama is the black sheep in the family, though his campaign spokesman says the opposite about the distant cousins.

An Inconvenient Truth

This Friday in Oslo, Norway, the winner of the Noble Peace Prize will be announced. It is heavily believed that the award will be presented to Al Gore. The former vice-president has spent much of the past year educating the public about the severity of the climate crisis.

With the rumors at hand it raises the question as to whether or not he will toss his hat in the presidential elections. Many Gore supporters have started a draft calling for Gore to run for the position of America’s next Commander-in-Chief. While Gore hasn’t said that he plans to run, he also hasn’t said that he won’t. When asked about Gore on MSNBC’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Hilary Clinton said she felt that the Democratic Party was already full of great candidates- but she hopes he wins the award.

So will Al Gore run? If he was to enter the race, certainly has time, he would change the current course the Democrats are on. But if he did run and was elected, how would he lead America? In his Academy Award-winning documentary film he warned us how it’s time we do something about the problems in the environment, while at the same time did quite a bit of rambling on his own life. Gore certainly has the right attitude in mind when it comes to protecting the environment. But it seems to me to be all talk and no action. Talk about an inconvenient truth.

October 12 Update: Gore Wins Award

This Long Haul

With every passing moment we draw a “little” closer to the 2008 Presidential elections. Though the election is a year away, the race to see who will win the Republican and Democratic nominations has already begun.

It would seem that the little voice speaking of the supposed failure of the Bush administration, is telling the media to promote the Democrats. Turn on your televisions, radios, or flip through a magazine and you will most likely see more coverage on the Democratic candidates. Perhaps if there had never been a war, the Republicans wouldn’t be looked at as the least capable party of cleaning up this “supposed” mess. And maybe if we hadn’t gone to war there would be peace in the world. And we wouldn’t have the problems we have now. Wait sorry this isn’t Hollywood.

America is split into four sections. You have 1) Against the war; 2) For the war; 3) Neutral; and 4) Only cares about what Entertainment Tonight and TMZ have to say. So with this in mind, it would seem this election is more popular. Why? Because everyone is trying to find the person who they believe will lead them to the Promise Land.

So who will it be for both parties? Well the choice of course lies in the hands of America. But look where that gets us. Pro-Bush voters outnumbered Pro-Gore 2000/Kerry 2004 voters. Americans are always going to disagree when it comes to who is sitting in the Oval Office. But when it comes to electing someone to such a high position we have to do two things- 1) Pray that they have the strength to lead; and 2) Remember they're just like us, they just have a bigger job. So keep that in mind on this long haul.