Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Well, what's the chance of McCain winning this election?
My grandmother just asked me this question. My thoughts below.
Right now, if McCain's going to have a chance, the economy needs to stabilize a bit, and he needs to develop a more coherent message on the economy. Obama sounds good on the economy until you stop and think about what he says. Trouble is, McCain is Obama-lite when it comes to
the current financial mess, at least rhetorically. Both view it as a market failure caused by the greed of Wall Street fat-cats when there is a convincing case to be made that the failure is a result of government intervention and regulation of the housing market. There is also a compelling case to be made that Obama bears at least partial responsibility for causing the housing mess. McCain isn't making either case, and he isn't making a compelling case for his other economic policies. McCain is great on foreign policy, national security, love of country and duty, but he seems a fish out of water discussing economic issues. He's a Teddy Roosevelt Republican, with all the regulatory baggage that brings, and if he can't bring himself to stand up for the free market and show how government is at the root of our current economic problems, he comes across as a lesser Obama. And if he comes across as a lesser Obama, there's no reason for people to vote for him.
Ultimately, there are quite a few issues on which McCain can effectively and favorably contrast himself with Obama. Unfortunately, the economy hasn't been one of them. What McCain needs to do is root the crisis in the violation of the people's trust by government officials and quasi-government officials like Jim Johnson and Frnaklin Raines. McCain needs to unleash his reformist, maverick streak on the government because doing so would actually begin to address the underlying crisis, and because it undermines Obama's call for further regulation of financial markets. However, he only gets space to make this case once the current crisis abates somewhat. Hopefully, things will clear up within the next week or so, giving McCain three weeks to make his case, starting at the next presidential debate, where he should hit Obama hard both on his calls for further regulation of Wall Street and his involvement with ACORN as they looked to intimidate banks into giving home loans to people with bad credit.
Man, I wish Romney were on the ticket right about now. In fact, Romney-Bolton '08 sounds really goods to me right about now.*
*Not that they'd have much of a chance of winning.
Right now, if McCain's going to have a chance, the economy needs to stabilize a bit, and he needs to develop a more coherent message on the economy. Obama sounds good on the economy until you stop and think about what he says. Trouble is, McCain is Obama-lite when it comes to
the current financial mess, at least rhetorically. Both view it as a market failure caused by the greed of Wall Street fat-cats when there is a convincing case to be made that the failure is a result of government intervention and regulation of the housing market. There is also a compelling case to be made that Obama bears at least partial responsibility for causing the housing mess. McCain isn't making either case, and he isn't making a compelling case for his other economic policies. McCain is great on foreign policy, national security, love of country and duty, but he seems a fish out of water discussing economic issues. He's a Teddy Roosevelt Republican, with all the regulatory baggage that brings, and if he can't bring himself to stand up for the free market and show how government is at the root of our current economic problems, he comes across as a lesser Obama. And if he comes across as a lesser Obama, there's no reason for people to vote for him.
Ultimately, there are quite a few issues on which McCain can effectively and favorably contrast himself with Obama. Unfortunately, the economy hasn't been one of them. What McCain needs to do is root the crisis in the violation of the people's trust by government officials and quasi-government officials like Jim Johnson and Frnaklin Raines. McCain needs to unleash his reformist, maverick streak on the government because doing so would actually begin to address the underlying crisis, and because it undermines Obama's call for further regulation of financial markets. However, he only gets space to make this case once the current crisis abates somewhat. Hopefully, things will clear up within the next week or so, giving McCain three weeks to make his case, starting at the next presidential debate, where he should hit Obama hard both on his calls for further regulation of Wall Street and his involvement with ACORN as they looked to intimidate banks into giving home loans to people with bad credit.
Man, I wish Romney were on the ticket right about now. In fact, Romney-Bolton '08 sounds really goods to me right about now.*
*Not that they'd have much of a chance of winning.
It's All Obama's Fault
Well not all, but Barack Obama certainly bears some responsibility for the current financial mess.
Hat tip: The Corner
Hat tip: The Corner
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
How We Got Here
A must-see on how this financial mess unfolded.
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
Hat-tip: Drudge
Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis?
Hat-tip: Drudge
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
Give It a Rest, Fellas.
It certainly goes without saying that if Republicans had controlled both houses of the Michigan legislature, those absurd tax increases would not have passed last October. It also goes without saying that the Democrat Speaker of the House, Andy Dillon, played an instrumental role in getting the tax increases passed, but they still could not have done it without the capitulation of Senate Republicans on the issue.
On top of this, Dillon is up for reelection this November. Therefore, it makes no sense to try to recall him in the November elections. If his actions in this matter are that unpopular, he should be beatable in November. And if he isn't beatable, it is highly unlikely the recall will succeed.
Furthermore, what is gained by it? It won't prevent Dillon's participation in the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in early October. If Dillon loses his bid for reelection, he'll be out by January, and if he somehow wins his bid for reelection but loses the recall election, he'll have gotten a two month vacation, assuming the legislature is even in session during November and December.
This recall effort serves only to stick a finger in Dillon's eye and won't have any practical impact on legislation or on the makeup of the Michigan House of Representatives. Dillon's up for reelection in two months. If you want him out, vote for his opponent, don't resort to cheap stunts.
On top of this, Dillon is up for reelection this November. Therefore, it makes no sense to try to recall him in the November elections. If his actions in this matter are that unpopular, he should be beatable in November. And if he isn't beatable, it is highly unlikely the recall will succeed.
Furthermore, what is gained by it? It won't prevent Dillon's participation in the budget process for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in early October. If Dillon loses his bid for reelection, he'll be out by January, and if he somehow wins his bid for reelection but loses the recall election, he'll have gotten a two month vacation, assuming the legislature is even in session during November and December.
This recall effort serves only to stick a finger in Dillon's eye and won't have any practical impact on legislation or on the makeup of the Michigan House of Representatives. Dillon's up for reelection in two months. If you want him out, vote for his opponent, don't resort to cheap stunts.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Line I'd Like to Hear from Huckabee
"Sarah Palin took up the burden of raising a child born with Down's Syndrome. Barack Obama voted to let such children be left to die in utility closets."
Mitt's Proposal for Government Regulation
Take a weed-whacker to it. Palin should do him one better and propose a chainsaw.
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