The World According to Blondie

China Taking Baby Steps

2008-04-25T16:06:00.002-04:00

The Chinese government has announced, today, that it will hold talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama about the situation in Tibet.

The announcement may be in response to international critics and threats of boycotts of the upcoming Olympic games in Beijing, yet it seems to be a step in the right direction. It may only be a baby step as we will have to see how the talks play out and if the situation itself actually improves. Any willingness to more towards compromise, though, is a good sign.

More Waiting...

2008-04-25T15:27:00.002-04:00

We thought the waiting might be over, but the only thing the Pennsylvania primary showed us is that we will have to wait some more.

Though Obama was able to close, what polls showed to be a 20% gap, he could only cut it in half. Clinton won Pennsylvania with about 55% of the popular vote. Though many still say that Clinton's chances of winning the nomination are slim, it certainly helped her keep the race going strong.

North Carolina and Indiana are the next two big states on the docket though everyone is keeping their eyes focused on the latter state. Obama is the heavily favored winner in N.C. but Indiana, with demographics similar to Pennsylvania, will be a tight race according to the polls.

The way things are looking it doesn't seem as though we will know anything more any time soon, no matter who wins the primaries on May 6th.

News That Does Not Include the Pope

2008-04-18T16:50:00.004-04:00

In case you haven't opened a newspaper or turned on a TV in the past week or more the Pope is in America. Of course, this is newsworthy, but come on now. The way its been covered in the DC metro area, you might think the man cured cancer or ended the war or perhaps that everyone in the world had converted to Catholicism. Sorry to seem anti-religion (I'm not, so don't worry) but the man is everywhere and its slightly annoying...

But anyway, while the Pope has been here the world has continued functioning, perhaps poorly, but functioning all the same:

-There are food riots happening around the world. One of the most notable countries rioting is Haiti.

-The Democratic debate took place in Philadelphia. The first hour or more was focused solely on issues of zero depth, aka bitter feelings and fake Bosnia sniper fire. I was very disappointed with my man Charlie (Gibson- the moderator).

-A Texas polygamist ranch was raided after a 16-year-old girl reported being abused. An unprecedented case about child abuse and religion is likely to ensue.

-The Kenyans came to an official conclusion regarding the election, with the opposition party publicly being offered and accepting the position of PM.

Stirring up bitterness

2008-04-15T13:33:00.004-04:00

Obama has been slammed in the press and by both Clinton and McCain for recent comments he made. During a session in San Francisco Obama was recorded saying that people in small, rural towns are "bitter" and "cling to guns and religion" as a result of the failure of the government on their behalf.

He has now been labeled as an "elitist" and apparently "out of touch" with Democrats. To show that she is one of the people Hillary recently was spotted at a bar drinking beers and downing a shot with a bunch of average joes.

For more on the subject I will again turn to my good friend Jon Stewart. I don't believe I will be able to give an unbiased account of the controversy, and though he won't either, atleast he's funny:

Iraq Hearings in the Senate

2008-04-09T09:16:00.007-04:00

General David Petraeus testified in front of two Senate committees yesterday alongside Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker. Today, the pair will face the House of Representatives.

The pair talked about their recommendations for the future of the military in Iraq and discussed their assessment of the situation. They faced questions from members of the committees, some tough, others not so tough.

The hearings certainly hosted a clash of ideologies and strategies for the war in Iraq, yet as the LA Times pointed out , "...there was no real decision at stake: President Bush is expected Thursday to endorse Petraeus' recommendation for a suspension of withdrawals in July, insisting that security gains over the last 15 months can lead toward a sustainable future, with continued U.S. help."

Among the questioners were all three of the Presidential nominees. Appropriately, most primary politics stayed out of the hearing, though each candidate tried to take the opportunity to stake their stance on Iraq more clearly.

McCain, the highest ranking Republican, was the only presidential candidate that got to make an opening speech before taking his time for questions.

For me, of the parts I saw live, Senator Edward Kennedy had the quote of the day: "A year ago, the president said we couldn't withdraw because there was too much violence. Now he says we can't afford to withdraw because violence is down."

A Strategist with a Bad Strategy

2008-04-07T10:55:00.004-04:00

Mark Penn, pollster and strategist for Hillary Clinton's campaign has "stepped down" due to an unsavory business relationship with Colombia.

Penn met with Colombian officials, while acting in his role of chief executive for Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, to work on a strategy to help aid in getting a Colombian trade agreement through Congress.

The trade deal is something Clinton opposes and Penn's link could be potentially damaging for her in Pennsylvania where other international trade deals, like NAFTA, are not viewed in a favorable light.

Penn was an integral Hillary's campaign strategy, and was a big part of Bill Clinton's campaigns and administration.

Not only has Penn lost his position as chief strategist for the Clinton campaign, but Colombia fired Burson-Marsteller Worldwide after Penn apologized for his link with the deal.

All is not lost for Penn, however, as his campaign communications firm Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, will remain on the Clinton campaign in order to provide polling data.

USA Today has a great list of media reactions to the potential fallout (or perceived lack thereof) from the Penn ordeal.

Democratic Race to Be Decided In an Alley...

2008-04-02T13:05:00.009-04:00

...Not a dark alley. A bowling alley.

After Barack Obama got media attention for going bowling in Altoona, Pennsylvania Hillary Clinton decided she needed to get in on the action challenging Obama to a bowl-off.

It was, of course, an April Fools joke but she milked the metaphor for all it was worth.

"Today I am challenging Senator Obama to a bowl off, a bowling night, right here in Pennsylvania winner take all... I will even spot him 2 frames. It’s time for his campaign to get out of the gutter and allow all of the pins to be counted. I am prepared to play this game all the way to 10th frame. And when this game is over the America people will know when that phone rings at 3am they will have a president who will be able to bowl on day one so let’s strike a deal and go bowling for delegates," CBS news quoted.

It seems that Clinton is reading into Pennsylvanian culture as she also compared herself to Rocky Balboa recently.

We will soon see if Rocky and bowling are in fact keys to Keystone stater's hearts- or at least their votes.

The Cost of Oil

2008-04-02T11:16:00.008-04:00

Oil execs testified in front of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming yesterday.

House members took the oil big wigs to task on their jaw-dropping profits and the soaring price of gas, as well as the need for clean, renewable energy.

In an article by the Washington Post Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) was quoted as saying, "Your approval ratings are down lower than ours [Congress], and that means you are down low." An astute, accurate, and self-deprecating observation.

No clear blame was really laid as the oil executives shot back at Congress for causing high gas prices- citing restrictions on off-shore drilling as the real source of the problem. The high level officials from companies like ExxonMobil and BP also claimed to be major contributors of the move toward alternative fuel sources.

All I know for sure about the situation is that when I first bought my '02 Honda Civic I could fill up for around $15. Now, living in an area with some of the country's highest gas prices, I'm lucky if I get half a tank for that.

Photos, videos and transcripts from the hearing can be found here.

Shoes and Youth: A Fab Combo for McCain

2008-03-26T11:21:00.007-04:00

The daughter of presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain, is putting a youthful and fun spin on her father's campaign.

An article in the Washington Post today highlights Meghan McCain's love of shoes (I like her already) and her father.

She has a blog, McCainBlogette, that even a Democrat can love. She takes readers behind the scenes, commenting on and taking pictures of everything, including, as the Post points out, cute shoes. The Blog description reads, "Musings and Pop Culture on the Political Trail." A perfectly appropriate tagline.

She adds a very human element to all things political. You read about the early mornings and the big figures that one meets along a presidential campaign trail.

She even makes playlists for her readers.

A post about a BBQ the McCains held for journalists in their backyard was a personal fav of mine. Complete with pictures of McCain in a hokey sweatshirt.

Though some may say Meghan could be a political liability, the cute, youthful blonde daughter of the white haired presidential contender can only spell good things for the McCain campaign (as long as there isn't a sex tape).

Forget Disarmament, We'll Give You Nuclear Technology!

2008-03-25T22:01:00.002-04:00

The United States found out last week that it accidentally sent Taiwan 4 tips to nuclear missile warheads. 2 years ago.

The package was supposed to contain helicopter batteries but instead included the electrical fuses for Minuteman nuclear missiles. Whoops!

Taiwan has sent the parts back. They also say they did not attempt to copy any of the technology. (Does anyone actually believe that? I sure don't, but hey, that's just my observation.)

The whole incident has left China and the Department of Defense with a bad taste in their mouths.

Look at the video of the press conference for more details.

5 long years down... ? to go

2008-03-19T09:20:00.008-04:00

It's the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq. (I always thought "anniversary" was a word that should be reserved for happy occasions. Oh, well.)

Bush, is looking on the bright side of, what most Americans consider to be, his folly and celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the surge. Woopie!

The tolls, monetary and human, of the war are higher than expected. (Have you ever noticed the death toll only ever includes American troops, and never Iraqi civilian deaths?)

All the presidential candidates are focused on the day. Both Clinton and Obama are making speeches today about the war. And McCain is in Baghdad.

American citizens haven't forgotten either.

Race in America

2008-03-18T13:43:00.009-04:00

I don't want to make this post about Obama, but I do want to make sure everyone knows about the speech he made today. Not because of what it means for him and for his campaign, but because of the content: The honest and often unacknowledged truth about race in America.

He was honest in a way that is uncommon among politicians, especially those running for the highest position in the land.

Obama has come under harsh scrutiny because of some of the words of his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Wright has talked about white Americans in ways that do not sit well with me or anyone else.

Obama, though, distanced himself from the controversial words while opening up the American people to the anger of blacks and resentment of whites that often does not get voiced in public.

His speech, I dare say, is the "I Have a Dream," of our generation.

Admiting Defeat...or something like that

2008-03-05T09:04:00.008-05:00

I refuse to take a page from Hillary Clinton's playbook. Thus, I will acknowledge the fact that Team Obama did not perform as well as we had hoped in last night's long anticipated primaries.
But let's put things in perspective, folks.

Yes, Clinton won three primaries last night. But, this is only after 13 straight primaries (if you throw Vermont in there since it was the first to report its results last night) for Obama.

They seem so vastly important because we've had to wait awhile for them and the media told us they were make or break for Clinton, which was true.

So now Clinton is not dropping out of the race. Yet.

Let's remember that she is still behind in the delegates. With the difference being virutally the same as it was before the "big" wins for Clinton.

Also, Obama had a rough week because of claims that he flip flo pp ed on NAFTA (something, if true, Clinton is guilty of as well) and having to defend his former relationship with Tony Rezko, whose trial started at the worst time possible.

It is also important to keep in mind that Obama has been behind in the polls in Pennsylvania, the next big primary state. But that is 7 weeks away.

Time, we have seen, is on Obama's side. He is taking a two day rest and then is going to barnstorm PA.

So don't let the headlines fool you. The only thing the results really show is the skin on Clinton's teeth is a little thicker than I would have hoped.

BREAKING NEWS: US fires missles at Somali terror target

2008-03-03T10:30:00.006-05:00

This morning another tense situation has broken out on the African continent, and this time the United States is directly involved.

According to a story on CNN International, "The United States on Monday used precision missiles to strike a 'known terrorist target' in southern Somalia, a U.S. military official said. The strike near Dhoobley, which is close to the Kenyan border, was aimed at a 'facility where there were known terrorists' affiliated with East African al Qaeda operations, according to the official." The U.S. has still not reported any casualties, but 3 women and 3 children are among the dead according to Dhoobley's District Commissioner Ali Nur Ali Dherr who spoke with CNN.

Officials from the U.S. said the strike was executed very carefully in order to avoid hitting any civilians. No word yet, either, on whether the target the U.S. was aiming for was among the 20 other injuries reported by Dherr.

This is certainly something to watch.

Elections, Elections Everywhere

2008-02-29T11:46:00.007-05:00

So as not to be ego-centrist I think it is important to note that there are places all over the world that have had or will have elections in the recent past or near future. These elections are so important to the relations with America and the stability of the countries themselves.

Just look at Kenya. A brutal killing spree verging on ethnic-cleansing/civil war has been raging all because of a disputed election. It looks like now there may be an agreement as the party that "lost" the election has negotiated a prime minister position supplementing the presidency (the powers have not been decided but but it is a step in the right direction).

Then Cuba had an "election," actually should be called an appointment but that's besides the point, that could change the entire dynamic of Cuban-American relations. Even if Raul Castro has been called "Fidel lite"

Pakistan just had an election replacing Musharraf. Bush continues to back the unpopular leader to the chagrin of Pakistanis. This will be something for Americans to watch carefully. Democracy is democracy. Bush has to be aware of the fact that he has touted government by the people for so long (even using it as an excuse for war). If the citizens of a country want a new leader Bush better be prepared to work with that person to negotiate a new anti-terrorism policy.

Russia has an election coming up where Putin has all but ordained his successor.

Check out all the upcoming elections here.

The Week in Short

2008-02-28T11:23:00.008-05:00

~Both McCain and Clinton have been linked with attempts to "muslim-ize" Obama. His name, his heritage, his upbringing and all the non-existent roots that go along with those attributes.

First this picture was leaked to the Drudge Report ...
When accused of being the one responsible for putting it out, Clinton did not deny it but her spokesperson said this, ""If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed."

Sounds fishy to me.

Then a Cincinnati radio jockey introducing McCain used Obama's full name, "Barack Hussein Obama" at least three times in an introduction and more or less outrightly called him a Muslim.

I have never seen such obvious fear and hate mongering since...well, ever. This tactic hasn't been used since we were duped into a war in Iraq. At least Bush made his attempt appear legit, to some people.

This was just pathetic. The only people that will buy this are the crazies that already wouldn't vote for Obama for "being" a Muslim, anyway. Even if he was who cares, maybe Barack could end the war even more effectively that way.

~The debate also was more interesting than I expected. There was some fighting and some whining on top of the same old sameness. Oh, and poor Hillary got the first question again, poor thing. Isn't she the one that wanted to have these debates in the first place? After her performance the other night I can't fathom why.

~Mitt Romney's son is running for Congress in Utah.

~The United States may be facing stagflation. A fun word, but it isn't so fun for the economy.

~Bloomberg isn't running for president. (I didn't think he ever announced, but whatev.)

That's about all that happened on the domestic front this week, besides the Oscars. Here's Jon Stewart's hilarious opening monologue from his stint as host...

Debating the Details

2008-02-22T10:23:00.008-05:00

The first of two post-Super Tuesday debates took place last night in Texas. Debates are a great opportunity for candidates to hash out their policy positions and really get to the nitty-gritty, substantive details. Yet Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama don't have much to debate in that arena. At this juncture in the Democratic primary, for voters, it is more about electing a candidate based on the type of leader they want, not really on the issues.

These candidates are virtually the same on every issue, making it difficult to have a real debate. There were only two minuscule differences discussed on the CNN/Univision debate stage.

The first was the difference that has been leading Clinton to say that Obama's health care plan would leave 15 million people uninsured- something that is not completely true. The difference between the two plans is that Clinton mandates everyone to buy health insurance. Obama's plan operates under the assumption that if people can afford insurance they will buy it. The only mandate is for parents to buy insurance for their children.

Personally, I think Obama won this portion of the debate when he discussed Massachusetts' mandated health care plan where people are still not able to afford health care and then have to pay fines on top of it because they don't have a plan. Fines would only be implemented in his system when people try to abuse the system by going to the hospital when they are sick without insurance, etc.

The other difference was that Obama said he would meet with the new leader of Cuba with a set agenda, but Clinton would only meet with the Raul Castro (or whoever the new leader is) if Cuba has already started democratizing. A fairly minor, somewhat unimportant distinction.
The next debate will probably be pretty boring because it will be the same thing again. These candidates don't have much to debate. I can't even imagine if they had the 5 or so that Hillary had wanted to have. Talk about a snooze-fest.

I think its safe to say neither candidate won or lost voters from their camps. They may have won over some independents- either Obama with his cool, confident, on-top-of-his-game air, or Hillary with her touching answer to the last question- but chances are swing voters weren't given any ammunition to make a decision if they were already on the fence.

Check out the Google News Results for other analysis of the debate.

A Word on Feminism

2008-02-21T12:57:00.006-05:00

The other day I mentioned to a friend that I consider myself a feminist and their reaction was surprising. It was kind of a look of shock. Now this is not necessarily the startling part because people don’t tend to see modern women as feminists unless they- if I may play on a phrase from Little Rascals- are a member of the “she-woman man-haters club.” What really surprised me is that this person knows me. Personally, I feel like I express my feminism on a somewhat daily basis. It is just kind of part of me, or at least that’s how I see it.

Feminism, of course, has evolved over time. It started out that feminists were suffragists just trying to get woman recognized as thinking, rational human beings. Then feminists became known as people like Gloria Steinem, outspoken and in-your-face about women’s rights. Today, although I feel like it is still essential for people like Steinem to keep women’s issues and women’s rights at the forefront, I feel that feminism has taken on more of an everyday kind of aspect.

For me, being a feminist is just knowing that I can do anything as well as, if not better than, a man. I may not be able to do it in the same manner for obvious- and less obvious reasons- but I will get it done. Being a feminist doesn’t mean making yourself masculine either. It means embracing your sex and all the wonderful aspects that come along with being a woman in whatever way you feel is appropriate.

To be a feminist does not mean that you shouldn’t have children or aspire to be a mother and have a family, but it also doesn’t mean you should have to compromise your own goals and dreams for any role because you feel like it is your duty as a woman. You shouldn’t feel like you can’t do laundry or be domestic, but you shouldn’t, as a woman, be pigeonholed into certain duties. If you want to mow the lawn while your husband cooks dinner, all the more power to you. Feminism means being who you are as a person and a woman all at once, not one before the other.

Another misconception about me as a feminist is even more prevalent with this year’s presidential primary election. As I have made fairly evident, I support Barack Obama for president. Most people would hear that I was a feminist and assume I support Hillary Clinton. For me there is no correlation from being a feminist to automatically supporting a woman candidate.

I chose to support Obama because he is the best political fit for me and what I feel is best for the country at this important juncture in out present and future. My choice of Obama defines my feminism. I voted for him because I do not feel obligated as a woman to vote for a woman for that simple and minor fact. Gender should not be a defining characteristic, just as race or sexual orientation should not be. A person should be judged individually not by the labels society attributes to them.

This is my feminism, and I have an inkling that it is others' as well. It is about embracing your womanhood but not being defined by it.

Get out out the broom...

2008-02-13T12:04:00.011-05:00

...Obama swept the Potomac! While the polls somewhat predicted this going in, the margin of victory was larger than what the pollsters saw coming. According to CNN, in yesterday’s so-called Chesapeake, Potomac or Beltway primary (depending on which station you were watching or paper you were reading) Obama won with 60% of the vote or greater in each location and picked up 70 delegates to Clinton’s 33, an amount which puts him further ahead in the popular vote and officially gives him an edge in the delegate count. (!!!!)

Even with this marginal lead and huge momentum of consecutive victories the nomination is not in the bag. There are conflicting messages coming out of the media and both camps, neither of which tell the whole story.

One is that Obama is now the inevitable candidate, a message once tossed around by Clinton. The other is that Clinton still has time in the upcoming primaries in states that aren’t as predisposed to Obama as D.C., Maryland and Virginia were. As Politico.com reported, “Clinton will be forced to answer with not just victories, but landslides of her own, in the big states on which she is staking her hopes – Ohio and Texas, which vote March 4.”

When it comes down to it, as a report this morning illustrated even if Obama continues to wage an incredible fight or if Clinton really does win in both Texas and Ohio neither will be able to attain the magical number of delegates needed to clutch the nomination without the Super Delegates or without Florida and Michigan (both options being controversies in and of themselves).

The only alternative would be if Obama won both Texas and Ohio by very large margins and in all the big delegate districts, something that would, just days ago have seemed impossible. The difference now lies in another interesting detail that emerged from yesterday’s primary. That detail is exit poll data.

Obama put a wedge into the voting blocs that have been, in this campaign season, historically Clinton faithful: older women and Hispanics. Another huge victory for him was the portion of white men who cast their ballot in his favor, all facts noted in a story from ABC’s “Polling Unit.”
Hispanics, though not overwhelmingly, sided with Obama amid suggestions in the media that Latinos would not vote for a black man and were predisposed to vote for Clinton, despite the fact that it is Obama that supports driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants and not Clinton.

The Polling Unit reports, “Obama's overall vote margins in the two states were his widest, outside his home state of Illinois, in any primary where fewer than four in 10 voters were African-Americans. He won women in both states, something he's done outside states with larger black turnout only in Delaware, Iowa and his home state of Illinois. Indeed, in Virginia, Clinton won white women by a scant 6-point margin; he won them by 18 points in Maryland.”

All in all, despite a rocky road that remains ahead, Obama’s victory in the D.C. metro area was noteworthy not just for the hard results that came in but also for the demographics he won. Both of which are facts that should make Hillary Clinton afraid, very afraid.

Really Mitt Romney? Really?

2008-02-12T12:33:00.004-05:00

As I predicted in my last post, Mitt Romney has dropped out, oh wait, I mean "suspended" his bid to become president of the United States. You know you have to sympathize on some level with these candidates when their bid fails, even if you don't agree with their values and stance on the issues. They live on little sleep, literally zig zagging across the country making speech after speech and spending, in Romney's case millions of his own fortune just for a few seconds of fame without any of the glory.

However, I currently have more resentment towards Mitt Romney than I did before he dropped out (in all honesty I didn't have any resentment toward him, he was kind of a non-issue in my mind). I was watching his speech where he declared that he would no longer campaign and I was getting visibly and physically angry. This man who gave a form of universal health care to his constituents in Massachusetts (I know because I did a research paper on it) and who presided over the most liberal state in the union now sounds like one of the jihadists he so fervently denounces. Essentially, Mitt (is that even a name? because I thought it was a piece of baseball equipment...) wants to turn America into a place where the poor are left to fend for themselves, while the rich, porn-free, straight-laced and uber-Christian, will bathe in dollar bills. You think I am over-exaggerating like I have a tendency to do, but really his speech makes it sound like this is what he wants.

So much for his talk of change and bringing folks together. It's his way or the highway. When he swoops down in 2012 to "save" the Republican party I wonder if this speech will come back to bite him? End of a political career anyone? Well maybe not the end but I doubt if he would ever be elected in the Northeast anymore or by anyone that isn't a fascist.

I have talked to some Republican friends of mine and even they were surprised at Mitt Romney's pandering to the Limbaugh's and Coulter's of the party, seemingly so they won't get on him like they have been getting on McCain for not being conservative enough.
Granted I have my political views, but I think it is so important for America to have a president that will seek to bring us together. McCain, though not my first choice, would be a solid option because-- although his views on the war aren't in line with my own-- he is someone that realizes the worth of everyone working together rather than setting an agenda that leaves behind half of the American population.

Forget sympathy, good riddance Mitt Romney.

Jon Stewart summed it up perfectly as only he can. Check it out.

Results but No Conclusion

2008-02-06T15:19:00.004-05:00

The hype leading up to Super Tuesday is starting to settle down but, as was half-expected, neither party has a clear winner.
Super Tuesday results came rolling in late into the night and early this morning on the east coast. In spite of this fact, the puzzle became no clearer than it had been on less super days.

Here is where everything stands by my analysis:

Republicans are much closer than Democrats to picking a nominee. At least they have a front-runner in John McCain who took a large chunk of the states, especially most of the key winner-take-all states. The big shocker was Huckabee carrying Southern states (I don't care about how optimistic he says he was, he had to have surprised himself) , much- I'm sure- to the chagrin of Mitt Romney. Some people are saying Huckabee is a "spoiler," and he's staying in the race just to take votes away from the former Massachusetts governor (word on the street is Huckabee and McCain are buddies and the Huck-man is looking for a veep nod).
All told, Mitt Romney from my estimations is finished. California is his only flimsy hope, and in my humble opinion, even with that, his chances are slim to none of beating McCain.

On the donkey side, Obama and Clinton are probably more gridlocked than ever before simply because Obama is keeping a steady stride. Obama won more states (including a big fish in Missouri) and more delegates, but the big wins for Hillary (namely California and New York) left them in a virtual tie. The good news for the Obama camp is that the primaries coming up are in states (and a District) that are heavy in B.O. supporters.

So, with no clear end in sight, we will have to continue to wait with bated breath.

For all the primary and caucus results broken down state-by-state, click here.

It Sure Is Super!

2008-02-04T13:27:00.004-05:00

"Super" is the word of the week. First there was Super Bowl Sunday and now, tomorrow, is Super Tuesday. For those of you unaware of what kind of super-ness will take place tomorrow- Super Tuesday is a big day in presidential primary season. Over half of all the delegates are up for grabs in elections across 24 states. Usually, the nominee is all but written in stone after this super-duper day (this year may be different given the close races on both sides but that’s a story for a later day).

So given the convenience of the two Super-est days falling so close together I think this is a perfect opportunity for me to take some time to explain my love of politics and maybe win over some converts to the dark side of campaigns and power-seekers.In my last post I paralleled Obama to the Patriots (which I would now like to amend... Obama is like the New York Giants- ahem). I think football, or really sports in general, is a perfect comparison for why everyone should love politics.

Really, when it comes down to it, politics is just a game. “Horserace” coverage is what the insiders call it when the media covers poll data. We are all just choosing the horse we think will win, maybe they’re an underdog with a big pay out or maybe it’s the sure thing with the easy money, but no one ever knows 100% who will cross the line first. To strengthen my argument, the types of elections we hold in the U.S. are referred to as “First Past the Post.” The reason for this is because the person with the most votes wins as opposed to other democracies that use a plurality,- representation by percentage of votes- but when you look at the basis of it one can see that politics is a gamble. It may get ugly sometimes, but if you like to watch a good fight to the top or keep track of the teams throughout the season then you will probably get something out of an election or the struggle to pass a piece of legislation.

What sets politics apart from sports, though, is that you have a say in who wins and loses. Just as important, the impact of a loss or a win for your team and the consequences therein are much more dire and felt for much longer. The New England Patriots just watched a perfect season get stolen with one catch of a ball. They were sent away to lick their wounds, but other then the letdown feeling the players and fans are currently experiencing there are no other repercussions. There is always next season. In politics you can still say, “Well, there is always the next election,” but you have to wait a lot longer. And more than that, at the start of the next football season there is a clean slate. In the beginning of the next election cycle there is the fact that you have to beat an incumbent, a challenge, as most know, in and of itself. Then, if you can win the proverbial Super Bowl, you have to figure out a way to implement your policies and possibly try to undo the policies of the last political champion. Politics is a sport that touches every aspect of your life whether you realize it or not. It determines your taxes (how much or how little), your healthcare (unaffordable for many Americans or available to everyone), your (or your children’s) education, and even if you’re allowed to pump your own gas… everything.

So pay attention people! Learn about the candidates, cast a vote. It’s a game and you control who wins.

It's Not Just Rhetoric (But It Sure Does Help)

2008-01-31T12:38:00.003-05:00

I just got finished watching Barack Obama’s victory speech after South Carolina for the third or fourth time and still have goosebumps. The little hairs are sticking up on the back of my neck. This man blows me away.

The first moment I saw Obama speak at the DNC in 2004 I knew I was in for a long term love affair. No, not an affair, a committed relationship. Not a relationship with the handsome man himself (Michelle and his girls kind of stand in the way of that), but with his energy, with his politics, with his hope. Ever since that moment, where the guy introducing the presidential nominee stole the show from the candidate himself, I have been telling any and everyone about this young man who speaks like MLK Jr. and has an air of leadership like JFK (too bad he doesn’t have three cool initials to go by because that would be a pretty prophetic trend). He is a man I know can get things done. His speech in South Carolina just furthered my resolve about this candidate and reenergized me with the optimism he filled me with four short years ago.
Yet there is still a lot he is up against. Words can mobilize a nation, but he’s the underdog in the eyes of most of Americans.

I am realistic. First off, as Bill Clinton has reminded everyone lately Obama is (gasp) a black man. I know he has to topple the Clinton establishment before he can even worry about toppling the Washington establishment. I also know that he faces the often un-verbalized but ingrained racism that persists in America. I have considered all this but still think he has a shot at the nomination. He’s kind of like the Patriots. He’s had an historical season but still needs to win the Super Bowl. If we are sticking to the football analogy, he has a good chance (maybe Clinton will get the political flu like half the Giants team got the real flu).

And with race starting to leave the campaign rhetoric again (thankfully). We have another kind of rhetoric to worry about. The rhetoric that put Obama on the national scene in the first place: his own. Hillary seems to be attempting to sell Americans on the idea that because someone has a way with words that they probably won’t be able to back it up. On multiple occasions I have heard her say something like, “Yea he talks a good game, but can he bring it like I did when I was in the White House?”

Well, just because you haven’t had the “experience” of being in the immediacy of a president for 8 years doesn’t mean you don’t have the goods. And moreover, just because you talk like an angel sent from heaven (sorry, was that analogy a little over the top?) does not mean you don't have the ideas and wherewithal to get things done. Howard Kurtz astutely pointed out, in a Washington Post article, after hearing one of Obama’s speeches it would have been easy to get caught up in his delivery. “But the address was saturated with proposals. Obama called for tax rebates; a one-time boost in Social Security checks; extending unemployment insurance; mortgage aid for those facing foreclosure; raising the minimum wage; protecting pensions; and college tuition credits. And that was before he got to his support for solar and wind power and biodiesel fuel,” Kurtz remembered.

So next time Barack Obama makes you starry eyed at a speech, whether you’re a supporter or not, don’t forget to listen to what he will do for this country. He will undoubtedly continue to make us weak at the knees with his speeches, but for those of us that so hungrily crave the change he speaks of, he will likely bring us to our knees with the goods he will deliver if given the opportunity.

Hi My Name Is...

2008-01-29T17:32:00.005-05:00

I think it is only proper to start off this little project with a bit of an introduction...

I guess I should probably disclose the fact that this blog is being started because it is a class assignment. Having said that I should also probably say that I have been meaning to start one for awhile. After all, as anyone who knows me would tell you, I am not lacking on opinions and I also do not lack the desire to impart wisdom on anyone who cares to listen. As the name for my blog might suggest, I'm going to focus on any and everything I think is relevant in the world. Once again, most of my family and friends can attest to the fact that I am a self-proclaimed political junkie- and it will likely be obvious in the content to come. BUT- my interests are not limited to politics so don't be surprised if you find something about sports, or a new movie I saw, or even the latest Britney drama (I know, I know but I have to stay current right?).

So now that you know what you are in for, here's a little about Blondie herself:

I am a senior, graduating in May (YAY!!), from George Mason University with a bachelor's in Government and International Politics and a minor in Electronic Journalism. It is a combination that I hope lands me in the communications or press office of a democratic (the party distinction is important to me as you will find out) politician somewhere. Please don't ask me what I am doing after I graduate because I will probably start to cry since I still haven't decided. Breakdowns, I have found, are a common occurrence among college seniors. But, anyway. I grew up at the beach in southern (again, an important distinction) New Jersey. I love anything to do with the beach, including ocean lifeguarding on the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol in the summers. I love my family and I have a twin sister who is pretty much my heart in human form. She may also be the root of my competitive nature. I am very passionate and form strong opinions. Something that is central to my thinking and something I always strive for is open-mindedness. So as enthusiastic (may be somewhat of a euphemism but I will let you decide) as I may get I will always try to understand and appreciatete the opinions of others (even if they are wrong....haha just kidding, of course). So i guess that is all you need to know for now...
Stay tuned!