Posts Tagged ‘politics’

Arizona ruling, and Supreme Court Election Politics

Posted: July 29, 2010 by datechguy in internet/free speech, opinion/news
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Everybody is writing about the court ruling on the Arizona Law. On Morning Joe today they talked a little about the national political reaction.

On Morning Joe they briefly discussed the political impact of the ruling. Charles Blow of the NYT lived up to his name blowing smoke claiming it helps the White House while Mike Barnicle made an important point telling a story that MSNBC viewers likely never heard.

I have yet to see anyone point to the BIG effect this will have on the election. Not in 2010 (everyone knows that the Arizona Law helps republicans) but in 2012.

No matter who the Republican Nominee is they will be able to point to this ruling by a Clinton appointee, they will likely be able to point to a Supreme Court that will have every justice appointed by Barack Obama ruling against said law (Let’s not pretend Justice Sotomayor or a future justice Kagan will vote otherwise).

Abortion is usually the big gun (and don’t get me wrong I expect any republican appointee to be against abortion) but this is an argument that is going to resonate on 2012. Conservatives and tea party members should be making the point every time they make a stop that a vote for Obama is a vote to strike down the Arizona law in the supreme court.

If the ad isn’t already cut it oughta be.

Oh and the “Hispanic” vote is not monolithic on this issue no matter what Chuck Todd says on Morning Joe today.

The citizen in me cheers the partisan frowns…

Posted: July 23, 2010 by datechguy in opinion/news
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…at this story:

The revelation that tax increases could hurt the economy has recently been heard from Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and, most surprising, even from Kent Conrad of North Dakota. On a scale of unlikely events, this is like the Pope coming out against celibacy. As Senate Budget Chairman, Mr. Conrad has rarely seen a tax increase he didn’t like, but this week he averred that “As a general rule, you don’t want to be cutting spending or raising taxes in the midst of a downturn.”

Granted the writer is not aware of the rules concerning married priests in the church but I digress. he continues:

Over in the House, Bobby Bright of Alabama even dared to defend the rich Americans who Democrats have been pounding for years. “I don’t care if it’s the wealthiest of the wealthy. You don’t raise their taxes,” he told The Hill newspaper. “In a recession you don’t tax, burden and restrict.” Better don the body armor on your next visit to the Speaker’s office, Bobby.

The citizen in me is very pleased as HotAir points out:

It’s the wealthy who drive consumer spending and the last thing you want to do in this economy is reduce that by raising taxes on them

No politically this might anger their base a bit but I don’t think it will lose them the votes people think. In fact making the right economic moves makes it more likely that the recession will end and may sustain their re-election.

Now the partisan in me doesn’t like anything that helps the democrats re-election so in that sense this is bad news.

However the citizen always has to trump the partisan. I didn’t become a republican because I like the letter “R”, I vote republican because I have a set of views and beliefs that I believe in and I think are best for the country, I’d just as soon have them soon have them advanced sooner than later. If it means an issue is off the table so be it.

Some serious credit for Morning Joe this morning

Posted: July 19, 2010 by datechguy in media, opinion/news
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They highlighted the Politico story about the difference in opinion between elites and the people:

Obama is far more popular while Palin, the former Alaska governor, is considerably less so. To the vast majority of D.C. elites, the tea party movement is a fad. The rest of the nation is less certain, however, with many viewing it as a potentially viable third party in the future.

The survey also reveals to a surprising degree how those involved in the policymaking and the political process tend to have a much rosier view of the economy than does the rest of the nation — and, in some cases, dramatically different impressions of leading officeholders, political forces and priorities for governing.

Morning Joe really pushed this today and it is to their credit since they are part of that elite. It’s one of the reasons why although they drive me crazy often I just like them. They remind me of my family, you like them even when they drive you nuts.

Why this doesn’t have a memeorandum thread is beyond me.

The poll itself is here.

Update: Memeorandum thread now up.

Bill Gunn for Ma-1: Standout in Fitchburg

Posted: July 18, 2010 by datechguy in elections, opinion/news
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Four on an Island

1st District Candidate Bill Gunn held a standout in Fitchburg Yesterday at the intersections of Bemis Road, Summer Street and John Fitch Highway.

It was a hot day to be out but Bill’ supporters were undeterred and they greeted the passers by:

Waving to the passers by

And posed for the blogger in the hat:

And explained their support

A candidate has to be pretty good to get a young guy to spend his birthday holding a sign on a traffic Island in Fitchburg. Let’s see what the candidate has to say.

You don’t often see a candidate with his motorcycle do you?

Bill Gunn Ma-1 on his way to the next event

I’ll wager that’s not the a shot you see every day of a congressional candidate.

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