- Obama Moves to Acquire "Gitmo North". In my November 17 post, I pointed out GOP Senate candidate Mark Kirk's valiant battle against relocating a disproportionate number of Guantanamo Bay detainees in northern Illinois. The New York Times late Monday reports Obama is going ahead with the acquisition, despite the home district Congressman Manzullo's opposition. For Democratic Governor Pat Quinn (Blago's replacement) and Obama, the deal is a win-win: Illinois sells off a $120M white elephant unused prison, and Obama gets to import foreign terrorists.
- Annisse Park Becomes First Openly Gay Mayor. In last Thursday's post, I mentioned a lesbian mayoral candidate in Houston, whom has served as the city controller and on the the city council, was attracting some negative attacks by certain social conservatives (I suspect motivated by Park's enthusiastic support from gay and lesbian groups). One of the things I like about Barack Obama and Annisse Park is the fact that they are focusing on substantive policies, not identity politics. I think that's actually very astute politics: you speak to the average person's concerns, which are not identity politics but policies (the economy, public safety, etc.) Differences (cultural, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, etc.) tend to be minimized once that confidence-building bridge has been established. Polarizing, in-your-face, condescending confrontations are counterproductive.
- Senate Dems May Drop the Medicare Expansion and/or Public Option. The New York Times Monday reported that independent Democrat Joe Lieberman may get his way on stripping some of the more controversial aspects of the Senate Health Care Reform bill. Progressives are reportedly furious, but Joe Lieberman, by stripping these controversial, extraordinarily expensive provisions from an unpopular bill as is, is probably saving the Democrats from themselves. Runaway costs with a health plan, never mind any controversial provisions or shortcomings, passed with no meaningful GOP support leaves the Democrats exposed and politically vulnerable.
I don't even bother to keep up with Obama's ubiquitous appearances in the media (he had yet another 60 Minutes appearance this past weekend) Someone from the White House
Obama, in addition to giving himself a solid B+, also told tough interviewer Oprah Winfrey (after all, just the fact that she backed him with an unprecedented endorsement, fundraising, etc., during last year's primary and general election doesn't mean anything) if he pulls off health reform, he deserves an A-.
I think the President has lost touch with reality. The exaggeration of the hand that he was initially dealt--something he is repetitively asserting time and again, which has been publicly rebuked on several occasions--is ludicrous. The "misery index"--inflation and unemployment--that Reagan inherited from Carter was nearly triple what Obama inherited, and the relevant unemployment rate reached 10.8% during the 1981-82 recession. Unemployment was under 8% when Obama took office, and I've repeatedly noted that Obama publicly pushed the so-called stimulus, promising it would cap unemployment at 8% (even though less than 25% of the money would be disbursed within 6 months of passage). It was much more difficult for individuals and businesses to get affordable loans when interest rates reach 20%. Certainly Obama has had to deal with a dysfunctional automobile sector, but even a surface review of the facts show that Obama vacillated, initially offering more loans (stating bankruptcy meant death of the industry) and then pursuing bankruptcy (at bondholder expense).
But how does Obama define success? How about the fact he promised a post-partisan environment, but the reality is that the Democrats, with large majorities in both houses of Congress, have refused to bargain with Republicans and as a result have pushed highly partisan bills that were too expensive and questionably effective. He promised change--but his two most important appointments (the Defense Secretary and chairman of the Federal Reserve) were initially appointed by George W. Bush. We've been told Afghanistan is continuing to deteriorate to the point Obama finally agreed to a smaller-scale surge. We are seeing counterproductive messages on new energy taxes (climate change), health care taxes/penalties, and job creator tax hikes, none of which encourages business or job growth. Obama has failed to keep the lid on federal spending, broke a key campaign promise to stop earmarks, and didn't address high-priority entitlement spending solvency issues. This deficit is a key issue, especially if foreign investors fail to purchase US debt, which will add to interest rates, inflation, and their crippling effects on economic growth; interest payments will crowd out what we can spend operationally on defense and domestic programs.
But also, just in terms of individual performance, how involved has Obama been in pushing his specific ideas and programs in Congress? From any casual observer, Obama has practiced passive leadership, merely delegating and cheering on Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid, as they wheel-and-deal convoluted, incoherent pieces of legislation that bear no relationship to Obama's high-sounding rhetoric.
The fact that Obama gives himself such high marks in the fact of the highest employment rate in over 25 years and the highest federal deficit ever and rapidly sinking approval numbers reflects a state of denial and a certain narcissism.
Political Cartoon
Eric Allie also should remind people that the Democrats are paying for make-believe jobs with make-believe money.
Christmas Musical Interlude: "The Soldier's Christmas Poem"
Just a reminder that during the holidays, some of our nation's finest young men and women will be working, away from their loving and beloved families, to protect and make this country and the rest of the world a better place. I remember how I felt about my dad spending a year in Southeast Asia where many young men were paying the ultimate sacrifice; I also remember hearing my 2-year-old niece and goddaughter cry, missing her daddy, while he was serving in the Gulf Region. Keep in your thoughts and prayers the ones left behind whom count the minutes until their loved ones' return.
