Miscellany: 10/03/11

Quote of the Day  

Dignity consists not in possessing honors, 
but in the consciousness that we deserve them.
Aristotle

The Guillemette Political Principles: Part 1
(Original Quotes)

The word "principle" has multiple meanings; these reflect certain truths or observations (e.g., the "Peter Principle"), not the basis of my political philosophy.

1. Progressives will seek to expand the state's mandate so long as there is net political benefit.
2. Government employees are the first among equal citizens.
3. A politician necessarily promises the unachievable.
4. Those who enable another class are also barbarians.
5. Mature businesses vest in the government.
6. Progressives strip and refinish a veneer platform and sell it as new.
7. Politicians polish common stones and convince the public what they hold are diamonds.
8. Progressives start out with the idea of a glider and end up with a Spruce Goose.
9. A politician out of power will argue a passed bill was both too big and too small.
10. A progressive will write any amount on a voided check.
11. Any novice candidate will note that he's not an incumbent; any incumbent will note that he's not a novice.
12. The length of a politician's speech is inversely related to the sum of his accomplishments.

Political Potpourri
We Can Predict a First Anti-Christie Ad

It has been a fascinating last several weeks watching the Republican race and debates; there has been a fusion of fickle activist/Tea Party votes floating among candidates, depending on which one has the best soundbites; Herman Cain got some attention early by noting he's not been elected to office; Michele Bachmann then got the momentum as the fresh new face and has now faded; Rick Perry got the momentum on his entry; and now the hot votes have gone back to Herman Cain. Fox News for some reason is boosting his consideration, with heavy airplay to a HillaryCare question and answer segment with then President Clinton.

I am not a Herman Cain fan: he has no public sector experience, he's unelectable against President Obama, and he's looked unprepared even on predictable questions like the Palestinian right of return. What's interesting is that as a former 2008 supporter of Mitt Romney, Cain has started to distinguish himself from Romney (both former CEO's) by characterizing Romney as a Wall Street business guy versus his Main Street business perspective. OH, PLEASE!

I think the political death of Rick Perry has been greatly exaggerated. Among all the GOP polls in August and September, Perry had an unbroken string until Fox News' survey last week. He is in a Huckabee-like position, strong in the lower half of the 48 contiguous states. Romney seems to have a decisive advantage in most of the northern states. The problem with Perry, I believe, has to do with electability. Whereas Romney has won two head-to-head polls against Obama over the past month, Perry has lost all of his, up to 5 points      further. I think what's throwing off Perry is not so much the substance of the Gardasil and immigration views that have soured activists on him but the style and approach. It would be more helpful to point out Obama's pick and choosing on immigration, how much Latino immigrants contribute to the Texas economy, etc. Perry also has to work on his nonverbal behaviors: he comes across as brash and judgmental--much like Gore notoriously did during his Presidential debates with George W. Bush. Going up against a well-prepared, sophistical opponent like Obama, that would be a disaster.

Romney has been steady and has averaged within 3 points of Obama overall. I think the best thing he can do for his campaign is to demonstrate his passion for his views and to compare and contrast his bipartisan approach with the legislature to Obama's.

Chris Christie? Fox News continues to run rumors that he might announce something this week which shows he's running. I don't think Christie will run, if  for no reason there are lots of tape around of Christie saying he doesn't feel qualified yet, and he has repeatedly denied this. The Dems, never mind GOP contenders, can easily string together a number of clips of Christie insisting he's not running. I think a Christie candidacy undermines the Romney campaign, and Christie will be subject to the same orthodoxy questions Perry has been exposed to (e.g., on the Second Amendment).

Political Humor



Musical Interlude: My Favorite Groups

Fleetwood Mac, "As Long As You Follow Me"