Super Committee a Super Disappointment

The Congressional "Super Committee" charged with eliminating $1.4 Trillion in red ink from the Federal Budget announced today that it has failed.  Now, a series of automatic across the board cuts will take place in 2013 if something isn't done to fix our fiscal crisis.  David Gergen wrote an op-ed about the committee and it's failure and what it means for the American People.  He rightly takes Congress and the committee to task for their failure, and points out how dire the consequences are if we do not fix our government.  It is an incredibly articulate and scathing piece.

Have they gone nuts in Washington?

New calls for Hillary to save the Democratic Party

More and more folks are calling on Hillary Clinton to run in the 2012 election.  The most recent pronouncement comes from Patrick Caddell and Douglas Schoen at The Wall Street Journal.  They wrote an op-ed piece today essentially asking President Obama to step aside and allow Secretary Clinton to run as the Democratic nominee.  The reasons presented in the piece are nothing new, but Mr. Caddell and Mr. Schoen are both influential opinion makers in progressive circles, therefore their ideas will be taken seriously.  Add to the fervor the recent polling that showed Clinton performing significantly better than Obama in hypothetical match ups against all the declared Republican candidates.  

Personally, I don't know if it's a good or bad idea.  I am a big fan of both Mr. Caddell and Mr. Schoen, but I am uncertain in regards to the wisdom of such a move, regardless of the political upside.  

Read their Op-Ed Piece for yourself, and see what you think.

Op-Ed: The Hillary Moment

It's Newt!!!

Newt Gingrich has become the new flavor of the month in the Republican presidential field.  New national polling places the former Speaker of the House either tied for first with Herman Cain or Mitt Romney, or well ahead of both.

I suppose it was only a matter of time before Newt made his surge in the polls.  We've seen Bachmann, Perry, and Cain all spike in the polls before being beaten back by increased scrutiny by the media.  The interesting thing about Gingrich is that his whole political career has been on display for decades, making it less likely that some new surprises will pop up.  However, there are a couple of things about Gingrich that I think will make him an unpalatable choice for Republican primary voters.  

Cain Campaign to receive Secret Service Protection

The United States Secret Service confirmed today that the Cain Campaign will receive protective services from the agency.  Mr. Cain is the first Republican candidate to receive protection from the Secret Service this election cycle.  The Secret Service began offering protection for Presidential candidates after Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968.  Since then, it has become standard for front-runner candidates to receive some protection from the agency.  

Read more in CNN's wire report.

Sexual Harassment becomes Sexual Assault for Cain

Sharon Bialek is the 1st woman to publicly address the sexual harassment claims made against GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain.  Her accusations, however, go beyond the standards of sexual harassment and, in fact, may be considered sexual assault.

At a press conference, Ms. Bialek alleged that Cain groped her - specifically putting his hand on her thigh and sliding it up her skirt, as well as pushing her head towards his crotch - following a dinner they both attended in 1997.  Ms. Bialek is not one of the women that POLITICO mentioned when the story first broke.  She also has lawyered up, hiring "Girl Power" attorney Gloria Allred.  

Obama: One Year to go

John Avlon, a CNN contributor, wrote an op-ed that compared President Obama's poll standings 1 year from the election with his predecessors, to get a sense of his chances for re-election.  The piece is very interesting.  Avlon looks back at polls going back as far as Nixon.  The comparisons are fascinating, and the speculation is always fun.  I highly recommend reading it.

A year from election, how does Obama measure up?

Rick Perry: The 'Bobblehead'

Rick Perry hasn't been the best debater in the GOP field of presidential candidates, but he has been an effective speech maker throughout his political career.  However, at a speech given in New Hampshire over the weekend, Perry appeared to try a new approach - humor.  In my opinion, this approach failed miserably, but the end result is so bizarre compared to his earlier speeches.  This wasn't just off-the-cuff for a few moments - this was a full half-hour of wonky.  I'd expect this type of behavior from Michele Bachmann's camp, not the Perry camp.

If this is part of his comeback strategy, I don't think there will be much of a comeback.  Watch the video for yourself.

Rick Perry's attempt at humor

Harassment claims harass Cain

POLITICO is reporting that GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain was accused of harassment by 2 former female employees of the National Restaurant Association.  Mr, Cain ran the organization during the 1990's.  Cain and his campaign have flatly denied the accusations, pointing out an internal investigation that did not find substantial evidence of harassment.  The campaign went further, decrying the media for attacking Cain on a personal level.  

I doubt this revelation amounts to an "October Surprise" in politics, but it makes for good reading.  I think Herman Cain is going to have to get used to being scrutinized more closely.  This is what happens when you become the leader in the polls.  Mitt Romney has been attacked for EVERYTHING, from flip-flopping to voter fraud.  We've scrutinized Michele Bachmann and found out her husband runs a clinic that uses therapy to turn gay people straight, among other things.  Rick Perry got attacked for his 'N*****head' ranch and when the rock was actually painted over.  Now we're getting Herman Cain's decades old sexual harassment complaint.

God Bless Politics, and all it's craziness.

Cain denies harassment allegations

Tea Party Troubles

David Frum is a conservative contributor to CNN and a former George W. Bush adviser.  He has written an op-ed piece about the Tea Party's negative affects on the GOP.  While I generally disagree with Frum's characterizations of "Liberals" and Progressives, I do feel his commentary on the Tea Party is pretty accurate.  He explains 4 separate scenarios and how the Tea Party affects them.  This is honestly one of the best op-eds I've seen - on any subject - for a while.

I also highly recommend taking a look at Frum Forum, David Frum's political blog.  It is Conservative by nature, but it has logic and reason behind it - as well as lots of C.B.O. statistics, charts, and graphs to prove points made!  I love statistics!

Happy Halloween!!!

How tea party could drive GOP to disaster

The Death of the Perry Campaign

James Carville over at CNN wrote a scathing op-ed piece about why Rick Perry's Presidential campaign is essentially over.  I know Carville is a talking head for the 'Loony-Lefties' but I think his critique of Perry is spot-on.  He doesn't back up the arguments against Perry's ability to govern (a vague swipe at Texas's economic disparities doesn't cur it, Mr. Carville) but the main gist of the argument is that Perry is a lightweight when it comes to Presidential politics.  I think it's a funny, though very partisan, piece.  Despite the partisanship, it is also pretty fair.

Why Rick Perry's presidential bid is toast

Herman Cain: Brought to you by Koch Industries

Herman Cain's meteoric rise to Republican frontrunner has been written about to death.  He performed well in the 1st Republican Debate, fell to the wayside for a while as our attention was diverted to Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, but he's had a strong resurgence since last month, and continues to dominate the headlines.  His 'outsider' status, 'straight talk' style, private sector experience, and his "9-9-9" tax plan have given the media and the public a lot to look at.  However, some media outlets have begun to look at how Herman Cain's actual campaign is working.  What has been discovered is kind of scary.

Almost everything that is the Herman Cain campaign has been funded by one source - a Political Action Committee called 'Americans For Prosperity.'  Americans For Prosperity is the brain child of Charles and David Koch, the owners of Koch Industries, which is the largest privately held company in the United States.  Together, the Koch brothers are worth approximately $50 Billion.  David Koch was the Vice Presidential Nominee for the Libertarian Party in 1980.  Together, they have used Americans For Prosperity to funnel money towards ultra conservative Republican causes and have pledged to steer over $200 Million to the 2012 election.

Poll says Hillary would win BIG

A new TIME survey showed that if Hillary Clinton were the Democratic nominee for President in 2012, she would fare far better than Barack Obama against the Republican candidates.  Clinton beats Mitt Romney by 17 points, 55% to 38%.  Obama barely tops Romney, 46% to 43%, in the same poll.  Against Rick Perry, Clinton gets 58% to Perry's 32%.  Obama wins with 50% to Perry's 38%.  And against new Republican frontrunner Herman Cain, Clinton gets 56% to Cain's 34%.  Obama gets 49% to Cain's 37%.  

Secretary Clinton is currently the most popular national figure in politics, with an approval rating of 66% in recent polls.  Though she has said again and again that she will not run in 2012 and is highly unlikely to run in 2016 (she'd be 69 on election day 2016, being one of the oldest Presidential nominees in recent history), the national polling clearly shows a desire for Clinton to return to elected politics.  Last month, I mentioned a Bloomberg Poll showing that a lot of Independents and Democrats wished that Hillary Clinton had won the nomination in 2008, saying they thought she could do a better job than Obama has. 

Bachmann Bets the Farm on Iowa

Congresswoman and GOP Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann must win Iowa.  If she doesn't, her political career may be over.  Her brand as a stalwart conservative and Tea Party darling should resonate with Iowa caucus voters, but political missteps, questionable claims, and downright bizarre accusations have put her at risk.  Also, the meteoric rise of Herman Cain and Rick Perry threaten to split the evangelical vote in Iowa, a situation that could pave the way for a surprise Romney win, despite his near universal hatred among conservatives.

The past week’s sudden resignation of Bachmann’s team in New Hampshire clearly demonstrates her campaign’s vulnerability – she has the adoration of social conservatives, but not the rest of the GOP.  Social conservatives seem to love her irreverent attacks on all things Government – from taxes and social policy to healthcare.  However, her more extreme and wacky pontifications on Abortion, the HPV Vaccine, and other issues have not proven to be very palatable to a large swath of the Republican electorate.  If she cannot prove herself as a viable candidate with a strong showing in Iowa, her presidential run will be over.

Perry & Romney - NOT Friends

Mitt Romney and Rick Perry don't like each other.  This fact was on clear display during the last GOP Presidential Debate.  Despite Herman Cain's rising numbers, Romney feels Perry is his only real competition for the Republican Nomination, and Perry has his eye firmly fixed on taking Romney down.

I enjoy a good political battle, but it appears as though the Perry/Romney fight has gotten personal.  The moment Mitt Romney reached out and touched Perry's shoulder, as if to say "Calm Down" was a moment that deftly explained the dynamics in play between the two.  Romney has tired to maintain his "inevitability" as the Republican nominee by remaining above the fray.  He has been excellent as far as not engaging his competition on the more extreme positions they have staked out.  

The Politics of Faith

Four of the GOP Presidential candidates have cited 'God's Will' as one of the reasons they're running for President.  Faith and Religion have played a major role in Republican Primaries for decades - and each year it appears to take a larger and more meaningful role.  I question weather or not it's right to use one's Faith as a campaign strategy - or as a means to attack another candidate.  The Separation of Church and State applies to our laws - not our politics.

LZ Granderson wrote a column for CNN that addresses this very phenomenon.  The blending of Faith and Politics doesn't appear to be restricted to Republicans only - however, the jarring differences in how the two parties use Religion and how far they press agendas with it... well, it's like comparing apples to cephalopods!

Read LZ's column.  It's really good!

Who does God want in the White House?

If it's Inevitable, will the Tea Party accept it?

Gloria Borger at CNN wrote a wonderful op-ed asking the question: If Mitt Romney ends up being the Republican Nominee, will the Tea Party rally behind him?  It's too early to say definitively who the Republican Nominee will be.  Remember, about this time before the last Presidential election, it was certain that it would be Rudy Giuliani versus Hillary Clinton.   However, Romney has consistently been towards the top of the polls, among likely Republican primary voters.  He performs well in debates.  He is also well liked by Independents.  The question is: Will Conservatives embrace him?

Will Tea Party purists back imperfect Romney?

It REALLY is about the economy, Stupid!

Tonight's GOP Debate in New Hampshire will focus on the Economy.  Despite economic issues being the #1 concern amongst voters, the current field of Republican Presidential candidates haven't said much about the economy.  The candidates have spent most of their time slamming President Obama's policies while slamming each other on social issues.  From Perry's immunization program in Texas, to Romney's heath care plans, to Bachmann's plan to put Don't Ask Don't Tell back in place, to Rick Santorum's insistence that the Defense of Marriage Act is essential for National Security - these issues are not exactly economic in nature.

Unemployed or Poor? Herman Cain says it's your own fault.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, GOP Presidential hopeful, Herman Cain, expressed confusion and bewilderment about the 'Occupy Wall Street' protests.  He didn't understand why they were protesting Wall Street, indicating that their frustration was understandable but misguided. 

"Don't blame Wall Street," Cain said.  "Don't blame the big banks.   If you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself."

Watch the interview below and come to your own conclusions about Mr. Cain.

Palin: Not Running but Not Stupid

Sarah Palin has made it official: She is NOT running for President in 2012.  She also doesn't want to be considered for Vice President... again.  She feels she would be more effective in an advocacy role - assisting Republicans with fundraising and getting out the vote.  Which makes sense, since that is where the money is.

The best part about watching Sarah Palin isn't the inevitable gaffes she will make while speaking, rather the masterful way she manipulates her devotees and the INSANE amount of money she makes while doing it.  Say what you will about her intellect, but Sarah Palin is NOT stupid.  

Absolutely, FOR REAL - He's NOT Running!

New Jersey Governor Chis Christie has stated over and over again that he would not run for the Republican Presidential nomination.  That didn't stop most media outlets and talking heads to salivate over the possibility of a Christie candidacy.  Also, the Republicans have been looking for alternatives to the Romney/Perry choice currently presenting itself.  Major Republican donors had been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for Christie to change his mind and enter the race.  After yesterday's press conference (which occurred at the same time as Apple's iPhone 4S announcement - Christie and Apple CEO Tim Cook shared a split screen on several news networks) people finally have accepted the fact that Gov. Christie isn't going to run.