State of the State

The plight of my state has been all over the news the past several weeks. Yesterday's denial of appointed Senator Burris to be seated in the U.S. Senate was a big deal. While the only "technical" reason why he cannot be seated is that Secretary of State Jessie White did not certify our embattled governor's appointment of Burris, there isn't much else that is keeping Burris out of the Senate seat. What makes me sad, is that it didn't matter who our Governor appointed, any candidate would be going through this same issues. Our governor definitely outsmarted everyone by making the move to appoint Roland Burris, but how can the same state that was the home of our next President also be the same state that is embattled and is the laughing stock of the country. *sigh*

To take it up a level. Let's talk about the Senate Democrats for a bleeping moment. What happened?!? All of a sudden they are infighting and just plain old disorganized. I think it all began after the election on what to do with Liebermann, now it's about seating Burris. Harry Ried is loosing a lot of credibility with me. I understand that Sen. Durbin is behind the Burris blocking, but quite honestly this isn't doing anything for our nation or for that matter the party. While the Democrats were all sitting back watching the Republican party implode with their choice of Palin and loosing many seats in the Congress, I can see Dick Chaney and the others in the party just sitting back and watching all of what is going on with a particular sneer.

I am hoping that come January 20th, change will still come to America.

Strategy

I've been thinking about the President-elect- Obama's thoughts on placing Senator Hillary Clinton in his cabinet. It's not that I don't think it is a good idea; having the Senator as part of the cabinet and especially as Secretary of State is a very good choice. But for once I am thinking strategy for Senator Clinton.

If just IF Obama is a 2 term president (I know I am getting ahead of myself), I don't see Senator Biden running for president in 8 years, he will be 74 years old. Which leads to another election where there won't be an incumbent from either party. If Senator Clinton's "dream" is to be the President of the United States someday, taking a job in Obama's cabinet probably won't get her a step closer to being president, but rather father away. Yes, she still will be in the public eye and if selected as Secretary of State will continue to strengthen her foreign policy experience, but history is not on her side. The last Secretary of State to become president was Martin Van Buren in 1837. 1837! That was a long, long, long time ago when cabinet positions, and the office of the Vice President and President basically rotated around the good old boys of New York, Massachusetts and Virgina.

While there is news whirling around that there might be some issues if she does become Secretary of State; but I think what might be best for her and her ambition to become President of the United States . If she just stays in the Senate until her term is up, and then runs for her Senate seat again in 2012. She will be in a prime spot to have more foreign and domestic policy experience under her belt which would put her in a prime slot to win the Democratic nomination and go on to be President. Realistically, this seems like a much better plan of attack. Doesn't that seem like a better idea? Strategy, it's all strategy.

He is OUT!

Dear Mr. Lieberman:

It's official, our relationship is now over. At first I thought you were just being an independent and trying to work both sides of the aisle to make our country a better place. As a democrat, I saw your switch to an independent as a good and strategic move; but lately I have been thinking that maybe your motives were personal. Were you feeling slighted by the party that had you as their nominee for Vice President 4 years ago?

Now Mr. Lieberman, we are taking it personally. As an independent you are able to support whomever you would like during the campaign and you did. You stayed out of the public eye for most of the campaign until the very end when you were seen standing behind Senator McCain at many of his campaign rallies while also taking part and hanging out with the Democratic Caucus.

You can't have it both ways and I along with Senator Reid are slighted by your actions.

Maybe Senator McCain should have listened to his gut and picked you rather than Caribou Barbie, but I think again you would be in the same situation are you now. Please Mr. Lieberman, you've been given your hat, be gracious and respectful to others that you've let down.

Sincerely,

Realpolitik Mama

UPDATE: The Democrats voted. Senator Lieberman is still in. Read this letter to Senator Lieberman

Obamacoma

Yesterday was historic in many ways and thanks to a very good friend I was able to be a part of the celebration by attending the rally at Grant Park or Obamapalooza. What a night! While I stood in Grant Park with over 70,000 of my bestest friends (and Oprah) I got to experience an election party for the 44th President of the United States. photos to be posted soon

Initially, I didn't know how I would react either good or bad, but when CNN announced Senator Obama as the projected winner, when everyone just let out a big cheer, I was astounded, excited and just happy it was all over. My thoughts first went to the daunting challenge ahead for him and the country as we begin to rebuild as well as heal the very distinct division in this country over ideology. There are so many things that need to be "fixed" right now that while I have some uneasiness, but things are bound to get better. This was before Obama actual speech. After Senator Obama came out and spoke to us and the world, my uneasiness faded. It is still there a bit, but my hope for a brighter future on both national and foreign policy issues is stronger than ever.

Now the work begins. In my eyes the right candidate won and will lead us all in the right direction, but I don't wear rose colored glasses. The 4 years and 76 days until the next inauguration day will be a tough and I hope that the issues raised in the campaigns will continue to be scrutinized to keep us challenged and on the path for a better tomorrow.

Bitter Unity?

Ok, so while on vacation I've given myself 15 minutes of surfing. After going to a few of my favorite blogs, I moved on to the news of the day (I have my priorities you know). Well I am not sure exactly what day yet, since an 8 hour time difference makes my days and nights all disconbobulated at the moment, but I digress.

My local paper not giving me all the information I was looking for - except to see that my beloved Chicago Cubs are winning on the road, I purused the New York Times, and came across an article of how the Obama and Clinton campaigns are trying to work together to bring unity to the party. So let's discuss blow by blow.

1. Harden Hillary supporters are still up in arms over Obama clinching the nomination and will not support Obama. my response.....get over yourselves! What are the reasons? Is it policy or experienced based? Or is it that you just don't like him. We, as democrats, need as much support and unity as we can get if we want to win in November. Let's all remember the end result.

2. This "symbolic" gesture of Obama writing a check to the Clinton campaign to help her out with her $+12 million debt. Seriously?! Like this woman and her husband don't have enough money to pay off their own debt. Didn't they start a website to ask people for money to help them with their Whitewater legal bills? Why not do the same now? Quick question, would she write him a check, symbolicly showing that she is behind him?

3. Obama hiring Clinton's people for his own campaign. One gripe Clinton supporters have is that " Mr. Obama’s campaign had made only a perfunctory effort to hire Clinton staff members; the Clinton campaign payroll is ending for most employees in less than a week." Don't we all know that when we work for a campaign that there is a 50/50 chance that you'll be out of a job? Isn't this the chance to take when working for a campaign. Surely they can't be claiming they are poor.

4. I am going to end with this, because I could go on and on and on about this article but this one struck me as a little off. "They are discussing whether Mr. Obama’s campaign will provide a plane and staff for Mrs. Clinton as she travels on his behalf." Does this sound like she wants to be paid off for endorcing Obama. To me it sounds as though she is thinking "well, if he wants me to go away and support him, then he is going to have to pay me for it" Who talks like that?! Do any other people who endorse a candidate get their own plane and staff? Hitch a ride with Obama?! I am sure the DNC has some money to help her out, but maybe it's beneath her to not only endorse the soon to be Democratic nominee, but also any other democrat that might be in that particular state, district, etc.

Obviously I have my own unity issues with Hillary Clinton and her supporters. Hey, if they want to have their own party- go ahead. They seem to know what's better anyway. But come November when we are still going to be stuck in this war, our gas is going to cost $6 a gallon and we aren't any better off, you'll see a "don't blame me my mam voted for Obama" bumpersticker on realpolitik toddler's Sit and Stroll.

Anyone read the NY Times today?

After realpolitik baby went to bed, rather than clean up all the toys off my living room floor, I decided to do a little Google News browsing. What to my surprise do I see? "Clinton Invokes 2000 Recount". Did it really take this long for the Clinton campaign to decide this. For as much as the Clintons and the Gores didn't get a long, did Hillary really not pay attention to the debacle of 2000? The war of words and the clinging on till the bitter end just continues to give the Democrats a bad name. John McCain was spot on during the Weekend Update on SNL,
,
let the Democrats continue to fight it out. As he just sits back works his campaign and watches the possible implosion of the Democratic party. We have another week, but I hope that after the May 31st Rules and By-Laws Committee, whatever the outcome is, doesn't continue to drag this out any further, otherwise I am going to have serious reservations, dare I say it, if the Dems can pull it off in November.

Didn't we learn our lesson the first time?

The subject brings two subjects to light. The first political and the second mom-ical.

1. In the past and specifically over the weekend, the Clinton campaign continues to bring up the fact that she has won the "popular vote", meaning that more people have voted for her than for Obama over the primary season, but he has more the the delegates. So, again I ask. Didn't we, the democratic party, learn our lesson 8 years ago? This is the same argument that the Gore campaign used in 2000, but it didn't change the outcome of the election. Why would it change the outcome of this primary?

2. The past couple of days I have caught realpolitik baby hanging off the side of his crib ready to take the plunge to freedom and the beyond. Today it happened. I was brushing my teeth and all of a sudden I heard a thump, and then cries. I rush to find my son on the floor, no bones broken but just a little freaked out. After a few minutes of consoling and explaining that hanging off the highest point of the crib wasn't such a good idea, he went back into the crib with a book and a little Micheal Jackson music for 5 more minutes. Well, as the title of this blog goes......didn't we learn our lesson the first time? Yet again on the floor, but this time a little less shocked. I knew this day would come.

Portrait of a Wanna Be President

After Tuesday's primaries, there has been much talk about Hillary Clinton and if it is mathematically possible for her to become the nominee for the Democratic Party. Senator Clinton has been very adamant that "it ain't over until it's over" and she is going to see this through to the end. I admire Senator Clinton and her determination, but why don't we look past the primaries and general election into the future when Senator Clinton is President. I think we look at the Senator's performance and attitudes during the election to get a good portrait of how she will be as the Commander in Chief.

What makes me nervous about this portrait is what I've seen so far from Hillary. I don’t believe she has painted a very good picture of herself and how she, as President, would bring this country together after 8 years of division. A big criticism of the current administration is that they do what they want and then ask questions later. I don't see this being any different in Hillary. The attitude of what will happen with the delegates from Michigan and Florida and the Clinton campaign crying “foul” after an agreement had been settled that those delegates wouldn’t count, gives a good snapshot of what may happen. She is very strong minded, which is needed to be President, but is also not willing to budge on issues or arguments – prime example, not exiting the race. While Clinton One (that would be Bill) I thought was very good to broker agreements and work with many to accomplish legislation and policy, I don't see that same characteristic in Hillary. Of course the same charisma of Clinton One is not there, and maybe that is where it all starts for me.

The Best Poll of the Campaign - so far

Yet again I've been out of commission the past week or so due to some family obligations, but I am hoping that after Sunday - Orthodox Easter- I'll have a little more time on my hands to get back to the 2 a week blogging. But in the meantime, this morning I came across the best and maybe what I thought was the craziest polls so far.

Tomorrow is the big Pennsylvania Democratic primary. This is it people, this should (hopefully) tell who the heir apparent will be! So with all this attention on Pennsylvania and deciphering who will win the primary before people in the state go to their polling places, MSNBC/McClatchy/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has done a recent poll to see exactly which way the tide is turning. This poll is a lot like the rest, but what gave me a really good laugh this morning were some of the specific demographics that were polled, specifically Hunters. Gun Owners, Beer drinkers and Bowlers. I am still a little baffled if I am more amused by the the stereotyping of Pennsylvania voters or is it just that I am amused that we've come to this. I guess if the candidates show up at any place, there will now be a poll on that! How about waffle eaters? Pittsburgh Pirate or Steeler fans? I'll admit it was 6am when I flipped on the news and heard about this poll while not firing on all my caffeinated cylinders. But this did give me a good laugh, while the rest of me was not happy to be up so early.