The Debate:
I imagine that partisans both think their guy won. I thought McCain had a slight advantage; this was confirmed when I saw that “unbiased” news reports called the debate a draw.
I am in the camp of those who think Obama benefited from the debate more than McCain. His number one goal had to be to “look Presidential” or at least look like he was up to the job. I’d have to say he probably succeeded there.
McCain seemed to me to be the visceral or emotional candidate. Obama seemed like the controlled or programmed one. Obama was better on his feet than I thought he might be, but he pulled it off by using his talking points and standard responses. McCain seemed more genuine.
The debate left me more convinced than ever that if Obama is elected, he will rival Jimmy Carter as being the man most unsuited for the job. Obama will “rule by committee”. He has to. He will rely heavily on his advisers, because he just isn’t capable of decisive, independent action. On the other hand, McCain is certain of his own rectitude. I don’t see him putting too many decisions up to a vote. Perhaps there is something incautious or even dangerous about that, but I think leadership is what Americans really want, not talking points or position papers. That is McCain all day long.
Financial Mess:
If this is the last big issue George W. handles, it is quite apropos that the PR was bungled. How did the administration let the plan get characterized as a “bailout of Wall Street”? I realize that the underlying problems are quite complex, but like so many other things, Bush’s attempts to oversimplify things worked against him.
If there was any doubt about media bias, the fact that the media is covering up the Democrats responsibility for the sub-prime mortgage boom should eliminate it. How can it be that Barney Frank’s 2003 comment* scoffing about Fannie and Freddie’s problems isn’t on the front pages? And why is it that only bloggers can point out Obama’s connections to Fannie and Freddie?
Assemblyman Hoyt:
Frankly, if you aren’t smart enough to know that e-mails are not secure, you’re not competent to be in the New York State Assembly. If his lack of morality doesn’t disqualify him, stupidity should.
* ”These two entities — Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — are not facing any kind of financial crisis,” said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ”The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.”
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Dollars and (Non)Sense
The turmoil in the financial markets continued today as questions abounded over the government's mortgage lender bail-out proposal.
I haven't had enough time to truly digest all of the possibilities and ramifications of the plan, but a couple of things have been bothering me about it.
First, I question whether or not the average Senator or Congressman has a sufficient understanding of economics to render competent decisions regarding the plan. I shudder whenever there is large-scale legislation or government intervention regarding the economy. The Law of Unintended Consequences almost always rears its head in these situations. This is particularly true because our government officials and legislators cannot resist the temptation to pursue political advantage through such efforts.
Lets not forget that a good part of this crisis had its genesis in legislation. The early nineties saw legislation which eliminated distinctions between types of financial institutions in order to 'level the playing field". We also saw lenders being jawboned by government into lending to lower-income, higher risk borrowers on the threat of being called "red-liners". Those efforts set the table for the practices which brought us to the current crisis.
Further, the entire concept of a "bail-out" troubles me. I understand the argument that the situation is so wide-spread that we cannot afford to sit idly by. But what ever happened to the bedrock values which underpinned our country and economy for so long? Concepts like hard-work, thrift, and personal responsibility appear to have become passe.
If all of these bad loans are forgiven, what does that say to the vast majority of borrowers who have cut corners, taken second jobs, scrimped and saved, and paid their bills on time? We will once again be rewarding behavior we do not want and "punishing" behavior we should be promoting. Can the government (meaning us taxpayers) really afford to cushion every economic failure?
Once again, I guess its too soon to really know whether or not this plan is the right move. I just have to wonder if Capitalism is on its deathbed.
I haven't had enough time to truly digest all of the possibilities and ramifications of the plan, but a couple of things have been bothering me about it.
First, I question whether or not the average Senator or Congressman has a sufficient understanding of economics to render competent decisions regarding the plan. I shudder whenever there is large-scale legislation or government intervention regarding the economy. The Law of Unintended Consequences almost always rears its head in these situations. This is particularly true because our government officials and legislators cannot resist the temptation to pursue political advantage through such efforts.
Lets not forget that a good part of this crisis had its genesis in legislation. The early nineties saw legislation which eliminated distinctions between types of financial institutions in order to 'level the playing field". We also saw lenders being jawboned by government into lending to lower-income, higher risk borrowers on the threat of being called "red-liners". Those efforts set the table for the practices which brought us to the current crisis.
Further, the entire concept of a "bail-out" troubles me. I understand the argument that the situation is so wide-spread that we cannot afford to sit idly by. But what ever happened to the bedrock values which underpinned our country and economy for so long? Concepts like hard-work, thrift, and personal responsibility appear to have become passe.
If all of these bad loans are forgiven, what does that say to the vast majority of borrowers who have cut corners, taken second jobs, scrimped and saved, and paid their bills on time? We will once again be rewarding behavior we do not want and "punishing" behavior we should be promoting. Can the government (meaning us taxpayers) really afford to cushion every economic failure?
Once again, I guess its too soon to really know whether or not this plan is the right move. I just have to wonder if Capitalism is on its deathbed.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
New Bills Come of Age
As most of you know, the Buffalo Bills scored a great come-from-behind victory Sunday over the Oakland Raiders.
The Bills had started the season with great promise, winning their first two games. The next three opponents did not seem too tough. Dreams of a 5-0 start and a division lead were on the lips of many Bills fans. But, through the first three quarters of yesterday's game, it looked like the Bills were going to come crashing to Earth. They suffered through a dismal and mistake-filled performance in the face of a young, fired-up Raider squad.
When Oakland scored in the fourth quarter, many Bills fans were suffering deja vu; another hopeful start foundering on the shoals of reality. But this week, the new Bills came of age. Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch led a resilient bunch of Bills to two scores and sole possession of first place in their division. Where the Bills of the past few seasons would have folded, these new Bills found a way to win.
I think a new era began in Orchard Park on Sunday.
The Bills had started the season with great promise, winning their first two games. The next three opponents did not seem too tough. Dreams of a 5-0 start and a division lead were on the lips of many Bills fans. But, through the first three quarters of yesterday's game, it looked like the Bills were going to come crashing to Earth. They suffered through a dismal and mistake-filled performance in the face of a young, fired-up Raider squad.
When Oakland scored in the fourth quarter, many Bills fans were suffering deja vu; another hopeful start foundering on the shoals of reality. But this week, the new Bills came of age. Trent Edwards and Marshawn Lynch led a resilient bunch of Bills to two scores and sole possession of first place in their division. Where the Bills of the past few seasons would have folded, these new Bills found a way to win.
I think a new era began in Orchard Park on Sunday.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Obama Misses The Mark
This is Barak Obama's latest ad.
Very witty, no? Well it turns out that the reason John McCain cannot send e-mail is the same reason he can't comb his hair. It is due to his mistreatment by the Vietnamese while he was a POW.
Read more in this PowerLine post.
Very witty, no? Well it turns out that the reason John McCain cannot send e-mail is the same reason he can't comb his hair. It is due to his mistreatment by the Vietnamese while he was a POW.
Read more in this PowerLine post.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Great Divide
It remains to be seen whether or not the Sarah Palin pick turns out to be the decisive move of the 2008 Presidential campaign. Obviously, if she can successfully take on Joe Biden in the VP debate, it will be seen as a vindication of McCain's decision.
What seems beyond debate, however, is the fact that her nomination has exposed the wide gulf between the big city media and inside-the-beltway punditry on the one hand and the average guy (and gal) on the other. The enthusiasm of the GOP base, the swelling crowds of spectators at campaign stops and the spike in donations all speak to the connection Sarah Palin has made with so many Americans. Many of us are head over heels for her. There is something about her that simply resonates.
The contrast with the media is amazing. It is quite funny to listen to the pundits hedge their bets on the "Palin effect". Will it last? Will she make a blunder? Is there a skeleton in her closet? The talking heads want to appear cool , reserved and above it all. They want to be in a position to shake their heads knowingly should she fail. They can't let on that they "feel it" too.
Who knows? Its only been a week. She may turn out to be a flash in the pan (as so many lefty journalists, telling us that these polls are meaningless, hope she will be). My money is on her, though. She is just a breath of fresh air in the musty world of national politics. So many of us hope that she and John McCain will prevail and bring some real and valuable changes to Washington.
I haven't felt so un-cynical about politics for a long time. I sure hope Sarah and John can make this feeling last.
What seems beyond debate, however, is the fact that her nomination has exposed the wide gulf between the big city media and inside-the-beltway punditry on the one hand and the average guy (and gal) on the other. The enthusiasm of the GOP base, the swelling crowds of spectators at campaign stops and the spike in donations all speak to the connection Sarah Palin has made with so many Americans. Many of us are head over heels for her. There is something about her that simply resonates.
The contrast with the media is amazing. It is quite funny to listen to the pundits hedge their bets on the "Palin effect". Will it last? Will she make a blunder? Is there a skeleton in her closet? The talking heads want to appear cool , reserved and above it all. They want to be in a position to shake their heads knowingly should she fail. They can't let on that they "feel it" too.
Who knows? Its only been a week. She may turn out to be a flash in the pan (as so many lefty journalists, telling us that these polls are meaningless, hope she will be). My money is on her, though. She is just a breath of fresh air in the musty world of national politics. So many of us hope that she and John McCain will prevail and bring some real and valuable changes to Washington.
I haven't felt so un-cynical about politics for a long time. I sure hope Sarah and John can make this feeling last.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
McCain
John McCain had a bit of a tough assignment. He had to follow one of the greatest political performances most Americans have ever seen. He did a pretty good job.
One commentator pointed out that McCain secured the GOP base with the Palin pick so he was free to try to be "the old maverick McCain" from 2000. He did criticise the GOP as having "lost its way" and did emphasize the "scars" he got in some of his battles with the party establishment.
Another twist, McCain downplayed the experience angle (to some extent, he's already won that battle) and went to a newer theme of being a "fighter" and seeking change but "the right kind of change".
I'd call it a good speech, especially in the context of the Palin boom.
One last thing, I read a comment from the National Review Online wherein the writer suggested that in addition to energizing the base, Palin seems to have energized McCain, as well.
I think that's right.
One commentator pointed out that McCain secured the GOP base with the Palin pick so he was free to try to be "the old maverick McCain" from 2000. He did criticise the GOP as having "lost its way" and did emphasize the "scars" he got in some of his battles with the party establishment.
Another twist, McCain downplayed the experience angle (to some extent, he's already won that battle) and went to a newer theme of being a "fighter" and seeking change but "the right kind of change".
I'd call it a good speech, especially in the context of the Palin boom.
One last thing, I read a comment from the National Review Online wherein the writer suggested that in addition to energizing the base, Palin seems to have energized McCain, as well.
I think that's right.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Palin Warms GOP Hearts; Rudy Rips Obama
Sarah Palin passed her first big test with flying colors.
She gave a great speech with poise and humor. Her family and her personal story were clearly things that will help her connect with middle America.
Some of her best lines dealt with the criticism she has endured for her alleged lack of experience.
She pointed out that she had become the Mayor of her hometown and "that her opponents didn't think much of that experience". She went on to say that their criticism may have come from the fact that "they don't know what the job of Mayor requires". She continued, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening".
"We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco".
I loved it!
Earlier, Rudy Giuliani made me proud to have supported his candidacy. Rudy simply ripped Obama to shreds.
There were so many shots, I can barely remember them all. One of the good ones came after Rudy went through a list of Obama flip-flops, saying: "If I'm Joe Biden, I'm thinking I'd better get that VP thing in writing."
Rudy had one other line that was great, but may be lost in the Palin glow. He asked "how dare they ask how Gov. Palin can be a good mother and work as VP? Would they dare ask that of a man?"
Obviously, its a long way from a convention to the White House, but I know the Democrats are worried. The MSNBC crowd was nearly speechless at first after Palin was done. Andrea Mitchell was almost in tears as she asked Rudy if he didn't think his ridicule of Obama was too harsh.
He didn't.
She gave a great speech with poise and humor. Her family and her personal story were clearly things that will help her connect with middle America.
Some of her best lines dealt with the criticism she has endured for her alleged lack of experience.
She pointed out that she had become the Mayor of her hometown and "that her opponents didn't think much of that experience". She went on to say that their criticism may have come from the fact that "they don't know what the job of Mayor requires". She continued, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening".
"We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco".
I loved it!
Earlier, Rudy Giuliani made me proud to have supported his candidacy. Rudy simply ripped Obama to shreds.
There were so many shots, I can barely remember them all. One of the good ones came after Rudy went through a list of Obama flip-flops, saying: "If I'm Joe Biden, I'm thinking I'd better get that VP thing in writing."
Rudy had one other line that was great, but may be lost in the Palin glow. He asked "how dare they ask how Gov. Palin can be a good mother and work as VP? Would they dare ask that of a man?"
Obviously, its a long way from a convention to the White House, but I know the Democrats are worried. The MSNBC crowd was nearly speechless at first after Palin was done. Andrea Mitchell was almost in tears as she asked Rudy if he didn't think his ridicule of Obama was too harsh.
He didn't.
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