PHOTO INDEX: SENATOR CHRIS DODD, FAILED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, AND GOVERNOR ED RENDELL ENDORSING SENATOR CLINTON.
JUMPING SHIP
The latest person to endorse the candidacy of Barak Obama is Senator Chris Dodd. Dodd who ran an articulate but unsuccessful race for the Presidency this year endorsed Obama because he believed the Illinois Senator could take the Democratic party into the future. Dodd, a good friend of the Clintons said his call to Senator Clinton was difficult for him to make, given his relationship with the family. Not hard enough though for him to not knife them in the back.
STAYING THE COURSE
In stark contrast to Senator Dodd, Governor Rendell has been a most eloquent spokesman for the Senator from New York. Rendell has been making the rounds in Washington, D.C. at the National Governor's Council. The "Guv" was seen on C-SPAN a number of times over the weekend talking about the Democratic race, his state proposals on health care, lobbying the White House for a 12 billion dollar stimulus package for the states from an unresponsive White House which chooses to piss away that money for a month's worth of whatever they are doing in Iraq as well as explaining candidly why he'd be a terrible running mate. Rendell said he has always been on the top of a ticket and therefore responsible for the fate of an election. He confided that his penchant for asking any and all questions with no regard to the political consequences might cause consternation at the top of a ticket he is not in control of. Rendell is committed to the Clinton candidacy and you can bet he'll do all in his power to make the Keystone State a winner for Senator Clinton. Win or lose, Ed Rendell's loyalty and integrity toward the Clintons will serve him well in the short and long run.
RUNNING MATES
With the top of the ticket now secured by a member of the Senate in each party, the nation's Governors, both Republican and Democrat are being looked at as possiible running mates. Here's a rundown on some Governors being mentioned:
REPUBLICANS:
Sarah Palin, Alaska. The state's first woman governor, 44, is an up-and-comer who has had remarkably high approval ratings. But she lacks a national profile. She's also from a far-flung Republican-leaning state that isn't an electoral prize.
Charlie Crist, Florida. His last-minute endorsement was widely credited with helping McCain win the Florida primary and putting Crist, 51, on the national stage. Florida is certain to be in play this fall, but Crist has a centrist agenda that may rankle the GOP base.
Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota. He's a two-term governor and longtime McCain backer who is from the Midwest, a critical electoral-rich, swing-voting region. Pawlenty, 47, has a national platform with the NGA, and will host the GOP nominating convention in his state.
Haley Barbour, Mississippi. The 60-year-old was lauded for his leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He could give McCain a boost in conservative Southern states. But he's also a Washington insider; he's a former national GOP chairman who founded a lobbying firm.
Mark Sanford, South Carolina. While in Congress in 2000, he endorsed McCain in his first presidential bid but was neutral this year as governor. The two remain friendly. Age 47, Sanford has an independent streak that sometimes conflicts with the establishment.
Charlie Crist, Florida. His last-minute endorsement was widely credited with helping McCain win the Florida primary and putting Crist, 51, on the national stage. Florida is certain to be in play this fall, but Crist has a centrist agenda that may rankle the GOP base.
Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota. He's a two-term governor and longtime McCain backer who is from the Midwest, a critical electoral-rich, swing-voting region. Pawlenty, 47, has a national platform with the NGA, and will host the GOP nominating convention in his state.
Haley Barbour, Mississippi. The 60-year-old was lauded for his leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He could give McCain a boost in conservative Southern states. But he's also a Washington insider; he's a former national GOP chairman who founded a lobbying firm.
Mark Sanford, South Carolina. While in Congress in 2000, he endorsed McCain in his first presidential bid but was neutral this year as governor. The two remain friendly. Age 47, Sanford has an independent streak that sometimes conflicts with the establishment.
DEMOCRATS
Janet Napolitano, Arizona. Age 50, she has proven that she can attract independents and crossover Republicans. In any other year, she could help Democrats capitalize on a changing Southwest. This year that would be tough; McCain is an Arizona senator. But she backed Obama and he might find it advantageous to choose a woman if he wins the nomination.
Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas. She knows how to win - twice - in a state that's solidly Republican in presidential elections, which could help the Democratic nominee expand the playing field. Age 59, she has a moderate image and is politically savvy. She's another woman who backed Obama and campaigned for him.
Bill Richardson, New Mexico. He ran for president this year but dropped out after poor showings in a celebrity-packed field. A Hispanic who is 60, he appeals to an up-for-grabs constituency in a politically shifting region. He has foreign policy experience.
Ted Strickland, Ohio. A big-time Clinton backer, he probably would only be considered for the slot if she wins the nomination. Strickland, 66, had a generally moderate voting record in Congress, and could help deliver the pivotal state for her.
Tim Kaine, Virginia. He's another Democrat who ran as a moderate and proved he can win in a state that leans Republican in presidential elections. Virginia, too, is a potential swing state that he could help turn Democratic. Kaine, 49, backed Obama early.
This year Governors in the U.S. present an attractive pool of talent that can easily balance the ticket of an old white established Senator, the first woman running for President or the first black man with little governmental experience. It might take a Governor to balance out the ticket and eliminate any weak spots from the top of the ballot. And Governor Ed is nowhere on the list. My pick for the GOP is Haley Barbour for Veep. Too early to tell for the Dems.
Janet Napolitano, Arizona. Age 50, she has proven that she can attract independents and crossover Republicans. In any other year, she could help Democrats capitalize on a changing Southwest. This year that would be tough; McCain is an Arizona senator. But she backed Obama and he might find it advantageous to choose a woman if he wins the nomination.
Kathleen Sebelius, Kansas. She knows how to win - twice - in a state that's solidly Republican in presidential elections, which could help the Democratic nominee expand the playing field. Age 59, she has a moderate image and is politically savvy. She's another woman who backed Obama and campaigned for him.
Bill Richardson, New Mexico. He ran for president this year but dropped out after poor showings in a celebrity-packed field. A Hispanic who is 60, he appeals to an up-for-grabs constituency in a politically shifting region. He has foreign policy experience.
Ted Strickland, Ohio. A big-time Clinton backer, he probably would only be considered for the slot if she wins the nomination. Strickland, 66, had a generally moderate voting record in Congress, and could help deliver the pivotal state for her.
Tim Kaine, Virginia. He's another Democrat who ran as a moderate and proved he can win in a state that leans Republican in presidential elections. Virginia, too, is a potential swing state that he could help turn Democratic. Kaine, 49, backed Obama early.
This year Governors in the U.S. present an attractive pool of talent that can easily balance the ticket of an old white established Senator, the first woman running for President or the first black man with little governmental experience. It might take a Governor to balance out the ticket and eliminate any weak spots from the top of the ballot. And Governor Ed is nowhere on the list. My pick for the GOP is Haley Barbour for Veep. Too early to tell for the Dems.
HUH?
Last night on Corbett, a caller phoned the erstwhile host and told him that life was good. Corbett wanted to explain have him explain why and the guy said, "He was working 60 to 80 hours a week but was paying his bills on time. He was keeping up with his bills but was not thrilled about paying more than $3.20 a gallon for gas to get back and forth to work. He told Corbett he did not own his own home but given all that, he was doing well. " After he hung up, I thought of another legacy of the George Bush administration: lowered expectations of what a good life is supposed to be. Quality of life is working 60 to 80 hours a week, just paying your bills and not being able to own a home you can call your own? Unreal! And I bet this guy will vote Republican again!
Yonks,
ReplyDeleteBig Doins in Cleveland Tonight!!!
Go Cavs and a Debate on the Lake as the Buckeye State takes its moment at center stage. I'd recommend you dont miss the Rock Hall, Barrack.
one thought that won't leave me alone for Dem Veep is a former Veep, Al Gore. Have no idea if it would happen but it might make things even more interesting.
ReplyDeletemaybe the caller was proud that he was taking care of himself without gov't intervention. wait sorry foreign concept to liberals
ReplyDeleteIN RESPONSE
ReplyDeletemaybe the caller was proud that he was taking care of himself without gov't intervention. wait sorry foreign concept to liberals
I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO BUY A HOME AND MAINTAIN IT WITHOUT HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT. SO DID MY PARENTS. I ALSO HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO GET A COLLEGE EDUCATION AND NOT HAVE A $150,000 STUDENT LOAN TO PAY OFF AT THE AGE OF 23. WHEN I WAS STARTING OUT LIKE THIS YOUNG MAN, IF I HAD WORKED 60 TO 80 HOURS A WEEK, I'D BE LIVING LIKE A KING. IF MY FATHER HAD WORKED 60 TO 80 HOURS A WEEK IN HIS TIME AND COST OF LIVING, HE'D OWN HIS OWN COUNTRY. THE SAD PART ABOUT THE GEORGE BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS THAT IT HAS GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF THE AMERICAN DREAM BY FOCUSING ON FOOLISH PRIORITIES THAT HAVE MADE THE RICH, RICHER, THE POOR, POORER AND THE GUY WORKING 60 TO 80 HOURS A WEEK STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. TO ME, BEING A LIBERAL IS LETTING PEOPLE ALONE TO ACHIEVE ON THEIR OWN. THEY CAN'T WHEN GAS IS 3 BUCKS A GALLON, AND HOUSING LOANS ARE OUT OF SIGHT. THE PARTY THAT HAS BASHED LIBERALS FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION HAVE INTERVENED IN THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY.
“Governor Barbour has the mass appeal needed to help the GOP nominee carry not only the south but the traditional conservative base,” said Joshua W. Jones, chairman of the Draft Haley for Vice President committee. “He doesn’t risk polarizing the constituency like other candidates being discussed by the political pundits.”
ReplyDelete“Governor Haley Barbour is a proven economic leader,” Jones said. “In spite of the nations largest national disaster, he has pulled Mississippi out of a $720 million budget deficit to a $246 million surplus, decreased Medicaid rolls to less than 600,000 and created more than 38,000 jobs—all without raising taxes.”
When Hurricane Katrina struck, Governor Barbour took the lead early on and worked with local, state and national leadership to tap into many resources of assistance for victims of the hurricane. For his leadership, Barbour was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award, which is presented by the bipartisan American Legislative Exchange Council to a nationally recognized leader who has an extraordinary record of successfully advancing Jefferson’s principles.
“For more than a decade, Governor Barbour has fought to defend conservative values, to maintain freedom and to honor faith,” Jones said. “As true conservatives, we want to make our voices heard by drafting Haley Barbour as America’s next vice president.”
The committee has produced its first TV spot highlighting Barbour’s qualifications, which is airing in Mississippi and Arizona markets now.
To sign the petition in support, view the TV spot or learn more about the Draft Haley movement, visit http://www.DraftBarbour.com
another old white guy...... come on, the republican party needs to get young people involved in the conservative movement. Gov. Sarah Palin.... She is the answer, she is popular, tough, doesn't buckle to special interest and for dems like Yonk she has a certain cross over appeal.....
ReplyDelete