Just as one can pass laws against prejudice yet can’t control how people think, every sound bite, stage show, and gimmickry can be pursued to create an image of the Clintons supporting Obama and having party uniting; it still will not change how Hillary’s supporters will vote.

One first has to ask why Hillary seemingly walked away so easily after the primary season. Was something promised? I can’t believe Mrs. Clinton walked away quietly into the night with nothing in hand, 50% of the primary vote and resentment over a nomination that should have been hers. A mere primetime convention speaking engagement is not enough.

Thus we have phase one of “the negotiation” (in lieu of a better term) on behalf Hillary’s campaign in demanding a roll call vote. We have chants of “Hillary can still win.” Mrs. Clinton is calling for a strong role to play and respect for her supporters during the convention. Bill is damning with faint praise Obama’s readiness for the Presidency. Seeing a fractured party is not in Barack’s best interest.

He will try to hedge Hillary supporters with “trial balloons” of an Evan Bayh selection, someone Mrs. Clinton considered as her number two. He will beseech Hillary’s endorsers to campaign on his behalf, like Mayor Rendell of Pennsylvania or Senator Schumer of New York. These ploys will fall on deaf ears to Hillary’s clan. Even Hillary’s lukewarm, sporadic pleas cannot maintain her supporter’s resentment.

Obama is currently in a statistical dead heat in the polls and shrinking. If he chooses to go the “non Hillary” route, he is placing a lot of weight on his debate performance against a candidate most Americans trust more, is more experienced and feel more capable of handling foreign affairs.

He has an uphill fight trying to hold onto a group of his party that polls show a possible 35% will bolt to McCain, when a modest 10% slippage (1.8 million votes) will be a death knell. His liberal base might object, but they have nowhere else to turn; they definitely won’t vote McCain.

Barack is looking at a campaign season trying to recapture Clinton supporters when he should be claiming new voters in Red States and independents all around. Meanwhile Bill and Hillary will be out there spreading the message of “We Think He Can” while calculating strategies for 2012.

Obama might want to wish this away, but it’s best he come to terms with the fact he is not the unanimous selection. The other half of the vote, the ones he needs, lies elsewhere; the ones he needs to convince by only one method, otherwise he might see his Presidential aspirations fade like a dream. His choice couldn’t be clearer.

           

David DiBello

In the middle of the 2007 season, Jose Reyes of the Mets suddenly announced, “we are so good, we sometimes get bored.” An interesting comment coming from a member of a team that hadn’t won any championships at that point, and while having many game victories, had a fewer than ten game lead over the second place team with most of the season remaining to be played at the time. Seasoned Met fans remember the 1984 through 1991 years, and a team of underachievers that barely won one World Series.

I was reminded of this as I watched Barack Obama give his speech before a throng of Germans that made one reminiscent of Dr. King’s speech before a DC crowd decades ago. The speech was wonderful, with a highlight being his declaration of love for America in spite of our mistakes. It gave those overseas a sense that we as a people have humility; we are not the heavy handed tyrants in foreign affairs portrayed over the last eight years.

But why was this man delivering this speech and what weight did it have? He is not an elected leader, so there is no power behind his punch. In time if not elected he will just be some weird guy who came to Europe in a “meet and greet” beauty tour that Europeans can tell about to their grandchildren.

Obama is walking a fine line between Presidential and Pretentious. Meeting world leaders and touring countries, meeting citizens in small groups and listening to their grievances is all part of a “getting to know you” strategy needed to be seen capable of being in charge with foreign policy credentials.

However addressing the masses for the whole world to see and telling them what to expect while simultaneously reminding them he isn’t in the White House yet might have crossed that line in the sand. Obama returns to America, the land where any other Democrat would have an eighteen point lead in these times of economic demise, seeing his lead over McCain actually narrow to a virtual dead heat with his opponent, while losing ground amongst independents.

While many Americans feel each candidate is equally arrogant, many believe arrogance of self confidence to be good, whereas an arrogance of taking voters for granted, which is what Obama presumes, to be insulting. Like Jose Reyes of the Mets, Obama seems bored with the need to campaign against the old guy, and wants to start making plans to paint the town red, and the White House black and it’s still only summer. Yes Ludicrous would not make a good VP selection, and is just another on the list of people Obama will need to disown.

His four point cushion, which has been consistent over the weeks, makes his VP selection scream “Hillary,” the candidate that holds the other half of the 36 million votes cast in the Democrat primary, and where any alienation of her voter base will be certain victory for McCain. Add to this the large number of undecided voters that could break either way providing a major surprise for either candidate, and we have a tossup election again, something where Democrats haven’t fared well recently. Of course Democrats have made many foolish mistakes in past nominees and campaigns, and having a candidate walk around like he has already won might be right up there with all the others.

David DiBello

 

Long before the Republican think tank, led by the free talking articulate Phil Gramm, revealed their true mindset, being we workin’ folk are nothing more than a bunch of whining er…witches, the common belief of the GOP is that they stand for big business only. Yet under the rules of “give them another chance” we fell for the big talk of mom and apple pie under the guise of anti flag burning and “save our straight marriages” amendment, and were enthralled with the heavy handed John Wayne / Ronald Reagan cowboy mentality, even if John Wayne and Ronald Reagan only served in the movies. Republicans certainly talk the talk, but are rarely there to do the heavy lifting.

Their new savior, or snake oil salesman, was George W. Bush, a one term governor who seemed to work well with the other side of the aisle (being outnumbered in Texas)and spoke of a conservatism that reached out to the people Phil Gramm has a distaste. We believed the big tent would include us wee folk, the kind that do the daily grind getting those profits for the aristocracy, because candidate Bush spoke of fairness and inclusion in the American dream.

First we had to stand lock step for a big tax cut, the kind we saw during Reaganomics which was great for awhile, then ended in a Black Monday overdose in 1987. A funny thing happened on the way to supply side heaven this time: we weren’t getting trickled on. The Global Economy panacea worked against the American wage earner, the little guy with eyes glowing and hands held out in anticipation. The big guy got the first slice of the pie – a big slice – but this time there were no crumbs leftover.

The remedy? We tightened restrictions on the filing of bankruptcies by irresponsible people, the 80% who ran up credit debt to cover medical bills under our current healthcare arrangement that needed to be reined in. What about the usury of lending institutions? Nothing. When it comes to big business and interest – the sky is the limit.

There was some light. We munchkins were awarded a Medicare prescription program because George suddenly could feel our pain, that and he couldn’t get the Republicans in Congress to block Americans from buying overseas drugs.

When big business is at risk, no amount of Government intervention, the kind that causes an enormous overdraft of the nations’ checking account, is unwarranted. Why not, with the current tax cut plan, the wealthy won’t foot the bill, at least not in proportion to what they should. They want a flat rate tax with no sacrifice of paying extra on behalf of the country, although they talk of sacrifice regarding military service – where they are also AWOL. A win-win for the big guys!

A Bear Stearns bailout? No problem. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – come on down! It seems Government intervention is only bad for the little guy, like with Katrina, or stagnant Pell Grants and Minimum Wage, or the 47 million uninsured, or people who lose their pensions due to corporate malfeasance, or when jobs are shipped overseas and there is no relief for the American worker.

When Thailand was ravaged with a typhoon, it seems America was lagging in a response until some bad press. What was the rush; there were no oil wells there, no threats of nuclear proliferation, no need for regime change?

Whenever government bails out big business with taxpayer money, the little people are used as a dangling carrot, threatened with their own financial demise if they do not support such an effort.  One can say extortion. If business is failing, as with Citigroup and numerous financial institutions, who gets laid off first, the CEO or those far below?

We are at the end of another supply side movie, the part that holds the morale of the whole story. Only this time we had a stingy con artist in the lead role, one who forgot you have to give a little to get a lot. We are currently in a stock market free fall, and the fluid in our half full economic glass is shrinking. We have a future consisting of energy, healthcare and tuition crisis totally ignored for eight years. We have a war that has gone on for too long because instead of addressing it with the right troop level in the beginning, Republicans went for simultaneous tax cuts, limiting our fighting resources. Makes one wonder exactly who bore the sacrifice of this war the past seven years?

Really, we weren’t expecting a kinder, gentler conservatism now, were we? Sen. Gramm is right on one accord.  We tend to whine and complain, but there is only one glaring reality - We voted for them.

Now go ahead…vote McCain. He offers the same.

David DiBello

 

I was amazed  to listen to the evangelist James Dobson call Obama's stance on abortion a "fruitcake" position. I can't recall any of my priests ever using such degrading termionology, but then again they didn't spend time justifying tax cuts or defending the absense of the word "audit" in the Bible as part of their vocation.

One would think by listening to alleged pundits, Barack Obama just won nomination in a 60-40 cakewalk, not the nail biting three tenths of one percent in the popular vote, also in dispute. While Obama ran a well organized campaign consistent on message, given in homily format light on substance and questionable in practice, it is Clinton’s underestimating her opponent and clinging to coronation status that contributed to her demise.

This was a split decision, and we have a nominee going into the general election where half his party voted against him. Unlike other years where supporters of a losing candidate easily switched since their candidate didn’t fare as well, we now have a group of people who are politically centrist and upset over the mistreatment of their candidate by the media, and their own party politicians, and had to listen to a litany of “withdraw” since February. This consists of 18 million who bothered to vote, and an additional amount in states where the outcome was a foregone conclusion and stayed home to pick up their children from school.

They are conservative blue dog democrats and working class blue collars who supported Clinton, and reasonable Iraqi withdrawal plans, and are more aligned to McCain than Obama. Emotions are hot and wounds still open, but if the hemorrhage of Clinton support is diminished to 10%, that’s 2 million turnaround votes for McCain – enough to throw the election to him.

If wisdom prevails, Obama will shelf the ego and dislikes and come to a practical conclusion that he will not win the Presidency without Hillary by his side. There is no other VP choice that can stop the bleeding to McCain, and to think otherwise is delusional. The only possibility Obama can hope for to proceed without Hillary is for unemployment to eclipse 6.5%, the market to fall another 10%, or something really bad happening in Iraq, reminding people we shouldn’t be there.

The likely scenario, and one that will provide the drama necessary to motivate the electorate, is for Obama to stand before the convention after months of secrecy, and say he has selected the person with the experience and knowledge to help get his goals achieved, and …before completing a woman walks up the runway and slowly emerges as Barack completes…she is the best person for that job; Hillary Clinton.

The hysteria will be insurmountable. The bad blood, Clinton fatigue, baggage and kitschy catch phrases of change won’t be as important as the novelty and strength of these two together at last, a forced coupling that will pay dividends come fall.

One would hope that Thursday’s clandestine meeting was a sign of the beginning of the process. Otherwise, why would Hillary do an about face and come away with nothing? That makes no sense, especially in light of her personal beliefs and those of her supporters, and when she has come this far having spent so much money and having a debt to extinguish. It is safe to say something happened Thursday and Hillary will be around, otherwise why not let the process play out to the convention?

If Hillary is not selected VP, many will bolt, hedged by a Democrat majority that will become a plurality, stymieing McCain to puppet status. It is also hoped that McCain, who sold his soul to obtain conservative votes, will revert back to the Senator who thought the tax cut plan favored the wealthy, and who avoided misstatements of a 100 year war.  

So be forewarned Mr. Obama. It is best to take the other half of your vote along for the ride on the completion of your fantastic voyage.

David DiBello

 

Congratulations Hillary, we love you!

Remind everyone of the running back who goes over the 1,000 yard mark then loses 20 yards on next play - delegates, super or otherwise, can change their minds between now and August. Looking at the polls is the best way. You're beating McCain handily.

Amazing in the last week of the campaign, you took two out of three primaries; netted an additional 124,000 votes and certain people were expecting you to concede?

This primary season was utter BS, listening to pundits asking you to drop out months ago, while you were amassing victories, and collecting 18 million votes. What does that say (I know - men!)?

Fight for you right until you're guaranteed the VP. I know it might best to wait for 2012 (Obama can’t win without you), but answer the desire of the people - we can't wait another 4 years. You’ll get more done for those longing for results as VP, and it puts you closer to the pulse of government "for the people."

  

You have passionately advocated "it takes a Village" your whole career, and I can't see any moral person seeing any other way how to help people and strengthen a nation from within. Funny how Republicans co-op the belief they are the party of God yet disbelieves this notion. I thought 9/11 solidified that idea!

Instead we have a President who tells us of the importance of competition in this global economy, then cuts the education budget, and refuses to increases Pell Grants. Republicans talk a good game, like flag lapels, yet is AWOL to its citizens in actions, as with military service.

We need your dedication to the “We are one” principle in office where you can achieve for the good of "the people!"

Don't quit. "We love you!"

David DiBello

Those rascally Republicans are up to their old bag of tricks again, taking a page from the Lee Atwater / Carl Rove Playbook.  In prior years we were led to believe our country had an epidemic: Dukakis asking prisoners to shut the light as they left, Ann Richards having a gay hiring quota, McCain with a mysterious black baby and people lighting their barbeques with Old Glory.

This campaign season’s contrived epidemic is focused on flag lapels, a sign in modern times of Patriotism. It is worn by those who love this country which includes a Vice President who had four deferments (does he wear one lapel for each deferment?), a President who went AWOL although through his connections wasn’t arrested (much like his drunk driving record), and a former defense secretary who was MIA when it came time to serve, yet available to direct other’s children into harm’s way. They compound their audacity by pointing at others who don’t wear flag lapels.

The ability to perpetrate such hypocrisy was created by Reagan, who under the guise of volunteerism ended the draft. What he created was a military class system whereby the well off no longer lived in guilt for not serving. It created the illusion of free choice which is no choice at all for those who feel military service is their only economic option. America wanted an end to the draft as a way to protest service in unjust wars; the wealthy wanted the draft to end as a way for “them” not to fight at all, while the balance of the citizenry fought for their interests.

Many Americans forgo wearing flag lapels and conduct their Patriotism with quiet dignity; no ostentatious displays, no hearts on their sleeves. They are soldiers, volunteers, politicians, and millions of every day Americans who choose to give back to their country as JFK suggested; they choose action over rhetoric and lapels.

I listened to the Limbaugh talk show this past fall as a caller thanked him for his service to our country and “all he does.” Hannity’s callers praise the show’s host for being a great American as he returns the compliment. Both spend days talking about less government, tax cuts and separation of responsibility to this country and its citizens by taxpayers. They pat each other on the back as a form of self reinforced denial and call themselves patriots.

It is wonderful to give back to those who bear the ultimate burden. We contribute to the Freedom Alliance, we provide services for free to injured Vets, we try to get them free education; we idolize their commitment. Showing gratitude is not however comparable to the sacrifice they make – it is simply a way to acknowledge and thank them, and help them when they return home. To think otherwise is an insult to every enlisted soldier and veteran.

The question for every voter is “are we going to get fooled again?” We have an administration who told us we are unpatriotic if we criticize their actions or the war. They expanded wire taps by first breaking the law. They imprisoned people without trial or representation, taking us back to the logic of internment camp days. Is this an example of Patriotism? Isn’t this the tyranny we fought against since Boston Harbor days? Aren’t these issues more important than flag lapels? When it comes to patriotism, this administration displays sound and fury, but when it comes to their personal resume, they baffle us with symbolic gesture that signifies nothing.

Dick Army (R Texas, retired) said of his own party regarding illegal immigration, "God bless them; here's a group of guys who said "let's find the largest growing demographic, and find a way to tick them off!"
  
 Forty seven million people do not have health coverage, and have no idea what people are talking about when they are told "America has the best healthcare in the world." Thats because they are not part of it, and any party who declares "your on your own" when it comes to obtaining coverage will find themselves out in the cold when ot comes to forty seven million votes.
  
  And that's alot of votes.

Isn't President Bush allowed his first ammendment rights to express his beliefs regarding a tough stance on terrorism, and declaring appeasement a failure? Democrat overreaction nd hurt feelings makes one think the President touched a nerve. Do they subconsciuosly believe themselves weak?
  
Rather than wasting energy acting apalled, even though he didn't mention Democrats and cited a former Republican Senator, Democrats should spend their time declaring why their policy of immediate "musical chairs" troop withdrawal (they would redeploy if needed making one wonder "why withdraw in the first place?") is the better option.
  
Democrats should talk about Bush's appeasement of Oil companies and pharmeceuticals, of catering to the wealthy over the middle class, and of a war plan that has been a failure and has not captured Osama Bin Laden. They should point out he chose war time tax cuts rather than fund bomb resistant vehicles, body armor and additional troops so this conflict could have been done by now.
  
They should also note that his tough talk took place in Israel, because any other country wouldn't accept this position for a war that has gone on too long.
  
  Advice to Democrats: stop being so sensitive.

Isn't Pres. Bush allowed his first amendment rights to express his beliefs regarding a tough stance on terrorism, and declaring appeasement a failure? Democrat overreaction and hurt feelings makes one think the President touched a nerve. Do they subconsciously believe themselves weak?

Rather than wasting energy acting appalled, even though he didn't mention Democrats and cited a former Republican senator, Democrats should spend their time declaring why their policy of immediate "musical chairs" troop withdrawal (they would re-deploy if needed making one wonder "why withdraw in the first place?") is the better option.

Democrats should talk about Bush's appeasement of oil companies and pharmaceuticals, of catering to the wealthy over the middle class, and of a war plan that has been a failure and has not captured Osama Bin Laden. They should point out he chose war time tax cuts rather than fund bomb resistant vehicles, body armor and additional troops so this conflict could have been done by now.

They should also note that his tough talk took place in Israel, because any other country wouldn't accept this position for a war that has gone on too long.