Bush didn't say it in Israel, but Obama did!

I always know when my children do something wrong when I make a simple statement or ask a simple question and get a reflexively defensive response. Apparently, that is true in politics as well. From Bush's speech today to the Knesset in Israel from whitehouse.gov:

Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided." We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history. (Applause.)

Some people suggest if the United States would just break ties with Israel, all our problems in the Middle East would go away. This is a tired argument that buys into the propaganda of the enemies of peace, and America utterly rejects it. Israel's population may be just over 7 million. But when you confront terror and evil, you are 307 million strong, because the United States of America stands with you. (Applause.)

America stands with you in breaking up terrorist networks and denying the extremists sanctuary. America stands with you in firmly opposing Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. Permitting the world's leading sponsor of terror to possess the world's deadliest weapons would be an unforgivable betrayal for future generations. For the sake of peace, the world must not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. (Applause.)

I have been travelling and missed this happening live earlier today, but this was the response Obama:

"It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack," Obama said in a statement his aides distributed. "George Bush knows that I have never supported engagement with terrorists, and the president's extraordinary politicization of foreign policy and the politics of fear do nothing to secure the American people or our stalwart ally Israel.

What is really sad is that Obama doth protest too much. Had the President mentioned him by name or any Democrat by name, I would buy this specious argument. But given that a parade of Democrats went howling to the microphones today calling foul (Hey Nancy, maybe he was talking about your meeting with Syria or Carter's with Hamas!), it seems that they are awfully defensive on this topic. Good. If you want to side with terrorists, let them tell the American people why.

Since we can't get the media to make the Democrats in this state come clean on their corruption or their free spending of our money on a daily basis, at least we can report when their shrill whining goes over the top. If you really want the facts, read the entire speech here and judge for yourself.

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Hillary and the lunatic fringe

It wasn't too long ago that the nation was riveted to the television watching people evaluate hanging chads and divining voters intent who may have only dented a ballot. This more than anything probably made it impossible for George W Bush to govern in a bipartisan way (as he did in Texas for years). Why? The conspiracy theorist which were fed and watered in Florida never seemed to get over the fact that despite their best efforts at overturning an election, they lost. They lost in the count, they lost in the official recount and they lost when their beloved New York Times recounted again many months later. The only place they had a chance to win was with the Florida Supreme Court which the Supreme Court in Washington snuffed out.



But many of the lunatic fringe continue their mantra of 'selected not elected'. And the Democratic party continues to this day to fan those flames. And along comes this year's primary season. Two large states, Michigan and Florida(again) are in the middle of the discussion regarding the nominating process. The national media would like to change the subject and proceed to the coronation of Barack Obama. But Hillary Clinton (who I absolutely do not support) will not let it go that easily.



Why? Because she knows that with those two states which she won, this race is close to even. And regardless of how that came to be, she knows that there are plenty in the lunatic fringe that can be whipped up in her party to challenge the 'official outcome'. The only problem is that once that genie is out of the bottle it is very hard to put back. I will be the contrarian but Hillary can still win. And the media, the pundits and Obama's team can do very little but watch and continue to fight this out.



Ask yourself why hasn't Obama sealed the deal despite two months of the media declaring him with winner. Hillary can still win. But at what cost? And then what.

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Obama, North Carolina and moving forward.

Barack Obama just closed the deal in North Carolina likely by a big margin. The attribution for this victory in the media are black voters in the state. I don't really think that this is really the story. While the race polarization of the campaign has been driven by the Clinton campaign, it is clear that Mr Obama needs to make a change in the national discussion.

While I have continued to express concern over Obama's way too liberal policies, he still represents what I believe to be a 'good man' politically. I could have a beer with Barack Obama and could never imagine that with Hillary Clinton. There is something there to build on. But what does he need to do to get back on track with the general electorate?

Number one, he needs to stop seeming so indifferent. He can be a fighter and still not stoop to outrageous partison politics. Second, he needs to speak for himself. His wife can make a speech but her message is frankly more polarizing than helpful. Anbd we won't even get into his preacher or other 'friends'. Third, he needs to stop the pandering on things like NAFTA and take leadership positions that aren't easily impeached by real economic data. Fourth, continue his 'take the fight to the terrorist' message. I don't agree with him but when he was in Philadelphia speaking about it, I could respect his position. And lastly, please stop the 'soak the rich and shower the little guy approach'. While tasty rhetoric everyone knows that it is the same old liberal playbook.

Forget all that. Lead Mr Obama. Don't pander. Don't race bait. Don't allow yourself to be defined by negative people. Just lead. And then the national discussion will really begin!

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Rocky and Pennsylvania, Hillary, Barack and Real Life!

In Philadelphia the other day, Hillary Clinton used Rocky as a backdrop for her campaign. First off, Rocky is supporting John McCain. But the main issue is that
the real Rocky's this year are the Philadelphia Flyers and the Sixers!

I was at the Flyers game Friday night. I watched the Flyers play their best game of the year. I listened to the Rocky theme being played on the way in to the arena. And as I sat behind the Devils bench, I watched the reaction of a team frustrated by the excellent play by the underdog.

If Hillary and Barack want to impact Philly politics, they should do the real work the campaign should have told them before they commented on Rocky. Go to South Philly and weigh in. Ginos or Pats. Wiz or Swiss Cheese. Then we'll know.

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Obama's 'Special Interest' Problem

Here in New Jersey, you can't turn on the tv or radio without seeing or hearing an Obama advertisement. The candidate's most common theme is his anti special interests pitch. He claim that he is going to change the tone in Washington because he doesn't take money from lobbyists and special interests. But is his standard stump pitch true?

Truth is probably in the eye of the beholder. For example, in the Democratic primaries unions are well represented but not considered special interests apparently. This is despite the fact that over the past 25 years many unions have morphed almost completely into lobbying organizations for their members. The AFL-CIO building in Washington DC is far bigger and busier than many of its counterparts for business on K street. The building's sole purpose is as a center for advocacy in our nation's capital. But Democrats decry 'big business' lobbying on one hand while pretending that union lobbying isn't the same thing.

Obama may get away with this pitch in the more liberal primaries. But he won't be able to hide in the general election when his massive union support is exposed. Especially when some of the unions in question have played a major part in many of the big issues of the day. For example, how can you talk about inner city education problems without discussing the stranglehold the teacher's unions have on the system which rewards teachers for failing schools filled with failing students.

At some point, when we get past all the flowery oratory, the real questions will be asked. Probably not by fawning journalists at CNN or MSNBC but they will be asked. I look forward to Obama's reply.

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A Historical Perspective on "Super Duper Tuesday"

One of my favorite podcasts ever -- or broadcasts, for that matter -- is called "My History Can Beat Up Your Politics". Over at myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com, Bruce Carlson gives a historical perspective on everything from the role of Vice President Cheney to the importance of the Iowa Caucus to the rumblings of war against Iran. He's balanced -- I don't know whether he's a Democrat or Republican (or other) just from listening to him -- and his insights are really...well, insightful.

His podcast on Super-Duper Tuesday is a keeper. One point he makes that few others have discussed is this: the Super Tuesday primaries only matter if they decide the Democratic nominees. The states who moved their primary earlier in the year did so to increase their relative importance, but if there's no clear winner today, then they will in fact be less important than the states with later primaries. As Bruce says, changing the primaries often has unintended consequences.

That's just one little bit -- the whole podcast is well worth listening to.

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