And then there were two - left in the democratic race for president. On Wednesday (01.30), John Edwards ended his campaign where he started, in New Orleans. Speaking from a 'Habitat for Humanity' village in New Orleans, Edwards stuck with the issue that took him to the dance - poverty and class struggle. He did not endorse either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
In his speech to supporters Edwards said, "I must step aside so history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final step to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but we do know the Democratic Party will make history." Edwards had a hard time connecting with voters on key issues. He was overshadowed by the two big stars of the Democratic Party. The writing was on the wall after Edwards, a successful trial lawyer, came in third in his home state of South Carolina. His best showing was second in Iowa. Edwards ran as John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 presidential election.
Rudy Giuliani dropped his presidential bid on Wednesday night after a poor showing in the Florida primary. Giuliani pursued a risky strategy of betting the bank on the delegate rich state of Florida and lost. He came in a distant third to McCain and Romney. In his farewell speech, Giuliani endorsed his rival and friend John McCain.
``You don't always win, but you can always try to do it right, and you did,” Giuliani said.
``John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States,'' he said. ``He's an American hero.''
Now, all eyes move to Super Tuesday on February 5, when 24 states hold their primaries and caucuses.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What a Difference a Day Makes in American Politics
And then there were two - left in the democratic race for president. On Wednesday (01.30), John Edwards ended his campaign where he started, in New Orleans. Speaking from a 'Habitat for Humanity' village in New Orleans, Edwards stuck with the issue that took him to the dance - poverty and class struggle. He did not endorse either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
In his speech to supporters Edwards said, "I must step aside so history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final step to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but we do know the Democratic Party will make history." Edwards had a hard time connecting with voters on key issues. He was overshadowed by the two big stars of the Democratic Party. The writing was on the wall after Edwards, a successful trial lawyer, came in third in his home state of South Carolina. His best showing was second in Iowa. Edwards ran as John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 presidential election.
Rudy Giuliani, the Republican Party candidate, dropped his presidential bid on Wednesday night after a poor showing in the Florida primary. Giuliani pursued a risky strategy of betting the bank on the delegate rich state of Florida and lost. He came in a distant third to McCain and Romney. Giuliani endorsed his rival and friend John McCain. In his farewell speech Giuliani said, ``You don't always win, but you can always try to do it right, and you did. ``John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States,'' Giuliani said. ``He's an American hero.''
Now, all eyes move to Super Tuesday on February 5, when 24 states hold their primaries and caucuses.
In his speech to supporters Edwards said, "I must step aside so history can blaze its path. We do not know who will take the final step to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but we do know the Democratic Party will make history." Edwards had a hard time connecting with voters on key issues. He was overshadowed by the two big stars of the Democratic Party. The writing was on the wall after Edwards, a successful trial lawyer, came in third in his home state of South Carolina. His best showing was second in Iowa. Edwards ran as John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 presidential election.
Rudy Giuliani, the Republican Party candidate, dropped his presidential bid on Wednesday night after a poor showing in the Florida primary. Giuliani pursued a risky strategy of betting the bank on the delegate rich state of Florida and lost. He came in a distant third to McCain and Romney. Giuliani endorsed his rival and friend John McCain. In his farewell speech Giuliani said, ``You don't always win, but you can always try to do it right, and you did. ``John McCain is the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States,'' Giuliani said. ``He's an American hero.''
Now, all eyes move to Super Tuesday on February 5, when 24 states hold their primaries and caucuses.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Obama and Kennedy
The former president, Bill Clinton is like a shooting star a brilliant streak of light gliding across the sky leaving a trail in its wake. Lately, Bill Clinton has been on the campaign trail every bit as much as the candidates running for president. He garnishes as much attention as any other candidate and his recent comments on the campaign trail have become more like rants. In South Carolina, he accused the Obama camp of putting a ‘hit-job’ on him. He has fueled talk on race and gender that the only the media jumped all over. In this red-hot race for democratic nominee for president, the gloves are off and both sides are throwing punches but his comments are landing below the belt. Therefore, it was clear to me that the folks in South Carolina were sending Clinton a message when they overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama.
It was not a surprise when Barack Obama won South Carolina on Saturday (0126), after all, he was leading in the polls. The surprise was the large margin of his win, over his chief rival Hillary Clinton. Over half of the state is black and you might think they are more apt to vote for someone who looks like them, but consider this – African Americans affectionately called Bill Clinton the first black president of the United States and this affection rubbed off on his wife Hillary. So what caused over 80% of the black vote in South Carolina to move into Obama’s camp? The pundit talk lays the fault squarely in Bill Clinton’s lap. Running up to the South Carolina primary the former president used divisive tactics to paint Obama as a not just a candidate who happens to be black, but the black candidate. This purposely-divisive tactic was an attempt to turn white voters away from Obama.
In the meantime, Obama acquitted himself well. In the much-publicized last democratic debate in South Carolina, Obama dropped a ‘zinger’ on Hillary. He caught Clinton off guard when she accused him of saying he admired Ronald Regan (the conservative icon)in one of his speeches. In subsequent exchange, Obama accused Hillary’s husband of saying exactly the same thing. Hillary countered by saying she was running for president not her husband. Obama immediately came back by saying he was not sure whom he was running against Hillary or Bill Clinton. In that one line, Obama voiced what many felt - if they voted for Hillary were they really getting Bill.
South Carolinians both black and white saw through Bill Clinton’s underhanded tactic and voted against his wife, as opposed to voting for his wife. In the last two days before the primary, Bill Clinton toned down his rhetoric but the damage was done.
Fast forward to Monday (01.28), and Obama received the public endorsement of Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s daughter. In this presidential race, Obama is consistently compared to J.F.K in both his oratory and his message of hope. Ted Kennedy’s endorsement means a lot to the democratic base who consider Kennedy an elder statesman and inheritor of the Kennedy mantel. In a nutshell, Ted’s endorsement provides legitimacy to Obama’s right to inherit the democratic crown.
It was not a surprise when Barack Obama won South Carolina on Saturday (0126), after all, he was leading in the polls. The surprise was the large margin of his win, over his chief rival Hillary Clinton. Over half of the state is black and you might think they are more apt to vote for someone who looks like them, but consider this – African Americans affectionately called Bill Clinton the first black president of the United States and this affection rubbed off on his wife Hillary. So what caused over 80% of the black vote in South Carolina to move into Obama’s camp? The pundit talk lays the fault squarely in Bill Clinton’s lap. Running up to the South Carolina primary the former president used divisive tactics to paint Obama as a not just a candidate who happens to be black, but the black candidate. This purposely-divisive tactic was an attempt to turn white voters away from Obama.
In the meantime, Obama acquitted himself well. In the much-publicized last democratic debate in South Carolina, Obama dropped a ‘zinger’ on Hillary. He caught Clinton off guard when she accused him of saying he admired Ronald Regan (the conservative icon)in one of his speeches. In subsequent exchange, Obama accused Hillary’s husband of saying exactly the same thing. Hillary countered by saying she was running for president not her husband. Obama immediately came back by saying he was not sure whom he was running against Hillary or Bill Clinton. In that one line, Obama voiced what many felt - if they voted for Hillary were they really getting Bill.
South Carolinians both black and white saw through Bill Clinton’s underhanded tactic and voted against his wife, as opposed to voting for his wife. In the last two days before the primary, Bill Clinton toned down his rhetoric but the damage was done.
Fast forward to Monday (01.28), and Obama received the public endorsement of Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s daughter. In this presidential race, Obama is consistently compared to J.F.K in both his oratory and his message of hope. Ted Kennedy’s endorsement means a lot to the democratic base who consider Kennedy an elder statesman and inheritor of the Kennedy mantel. In a nutshell, Ted’s endorsement provides legitimacy to Obama’s right to inherit the democratic crown.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Manchester Primary, New Hampshire
It was privilege to see a momentous event like the New Hampshire primary. The 2009 presidential election will certainly be a first in American politics. The democratic presidential contender will either be a woman or a black man. I have not written off John Edwards yet but he is fighting an uphill battle.
There were hundreds and maybe even thousands of television, radio, and print reporters, not to mention bloggers, plying their trade on the streets of New Hampshire, in unseasonably warm weather for this part of the States. The lucky ones got to crisscross the state following the presidential campaign buses as the candidates spoke at numerous town halls, local schools and veteran’s halls.
The rest of the media pack ran from primary district, to primary district taking the voters pulse as they begun the process of electing the next president of the free world.
In Manchester, N.H., outside the main network television headquarters (ABC, NBC and CBS) there were elaborate tents set up with multiple cameras lined up in a row, so affiliates from around the nation and international stations could feed their stories live from the New Hampshire primary.
There was a definite buzz in the air during the primaries in New Hampshire.. Along the Interstate were billboards filled with the candidates smiling faces. Television stations served up candidate advertisements in between sitcoms and game shows. Campaign workers trudged through snow banks asking residents to vote for their candidate. Pedestrians walked down the street wearing buttons with the face of their favorite candidate.
The primaries also attracted all kinds of special interest groups looking to promote their cause anyway they can. For example, there were religious conservatives standing strategically outside television headquarters with huge anti-abortion signs in an attempt to get their cause on television. There was a pink pick-up truck in the shape of a pig, snout and all, driving the streets of Manchester denouncing pork barrel spending. (politicians pet projects funded by government tax dollars).
The day after the New Hampshire primary was called, the concession speeches given and the confetti swept off the floor, the candidates board their campaign buses and head out to the next state on their long road to becoming the next President of the United States.
There were hundreds and maybe even thousands of television, radio, and print reporters, not to mention bloggers, plying their trade on the streets of New Hampshire, in unseasonably warm weather for this part of the States. The lucky ones got to crisscross the state following the presidential campaign buses as the candidates spoke at numerous town halls, local schools and veteran’s halls.
The rest of the media pack ran from primary district, to primary district taking the voters pulse as they begun the process of electing the next president of the free world.
In Manchester, N.H., outside the main network television headquarters (ABC, NBC and CBS) there were elaborate tents set up with multiple cameras lined up in a row, so affiliates from around the nation and international stations could feed their stories live from the New Hampshire primary.
There was a definite buzz in the air during the primaries in New Hampshire.. Along the Interstate were billboards filled with the candidates smiling faces. Television stations served up candidate advertisements in between sitcoms and game shows. Campaign workers trudged through snow banks asking residents to vote for their candidate. Pedestrians walked down the street wearing buttons with the face of their favorite candidate.
The primaries also attracted all kinds of special interest groups looking to promote their cause anyway they can. For example, there were religious conservatives standing strategically outside television headquarters with huge anti-abortion signs in an attempt to get their cause on television. There was a pink pick-up truck in the shape of a pig, snout and all, driving the streets of Manchester denouncing pork barrel spending. (politicians pet projects funded by government tax dollars).
The day after the New Hampshire primary was called, the concession speeches given and the confetti swept off the floor, the candidates board their campaign buses and head out to the next state on their long road to becoming the next President of the United States.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The race for the White House
Ready… get set.. go..
Mike Huckabee, the Republican Iowan caucus winner (01/03) maybe an evangelical preacher, but Barack Obama, the Democratic Iowan caucus winner, is America’s new Messiah.
In New Hampshire, the enthusiasm demonstrated by supporters, volunteers and the just plain curious who turn out to see the Senator from Illinois is unmatched by any of his rivals, and I dare say unmatched in American politics since the days of J.F.K (John F. Kennedy) and all those unfulfilled promises.
There is a tremendous groundswell of support for Obama or ‘bounce’ as the political pundits call it, since he won the Iowa caucus on January 3.It is not just democrats who flock to see him give speeches in school gymnasiums or veterans halls across New Hampshire; independent voters (people who choose not to declare themselves republicans or democrats), and new comers to the political process, along with a significant number of republicans come to hear this young charismatic preacher tell his story of hope.
In poll after poll taken in 2007, the American public expressed their displeasure with the Bush administration and with Congress - displeasure reflected in the lowest approval ratings ever for a sitting President (approx. 20%). It seemed that the American public had lost faith in their government and lost confidence in its leadership.
After four years of war; a slowing economy; a mortgage crisis; stagnant wages and, rising oil prices, Americans have declared themselves ready to throw out the partisan politics and the war mongering of the Bush administration and look for a new political direction. Obama is that new direction. He offers a starving American public, a fresh face, a black face and a future full of hope, not frustration, and a future full of optimism, and not fear.
Obama offers Americans a new political reality; a reality that unites rather than divides and offers hope, rather than shame. He delivers his message in impassioned speeches at rallies and town halls across New Hampshire. His speeches are reminiscent of Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, mixed with John F. Kennedy’s ‘ask not what your country can do for you country’ speech.
Iowa Caucus victory speech, in Des Moines, Iowa.
“….when the world sees America differently and America sees itself as a nation less divided and more united. You will be able to look back and say, this was a moment when it all began…this was the moment when we beat back the politics of fear and cynicism. This was the moment when we dared to hope..”
So, as we sit and wait for the 1.3 million New Englanders to choose their next president on Wednesday, January 8, the new Democrat with a black Kenyan father and a white Kansan mother appears more and more presidential by the minute.
In New Hampshire, the most recent CNN-WMUR poll out Monday, gave Obama a nine-point lead over his nearest rival Hilary Clinton, who was comfortably leading Obama last week.
In New Hampshire, the enthusiasm demonstrated by supporters, volunteers and the just plain curious who turn out to see the Senator from Illinois is unmatched by any of his rivals, and I dare say unmatched in American politics since the days of J.F.K (John F. Kennedy) and all those unfulfilled promises.
There is a tremendous groundswell of support for Obama or ‘bounce’ as the political pundits call it, since he won the Iowa caucus on January 3.It is not just democrats who flock to see him give speeches in school gymnasiums or veterans halls across New Hampshire; independent voters (people who choose not to declare themselves republicans or democrats), and new comers to the political process, along with a significant number of republicans come to hear this young charismatic preacher tell his story of hope.
In poll after poll taken in 2007, the American public expressed their displeasure with the Bush administration and with Congress - displeasure reflected in the lowest approval ratings ever for a sitting President (approx. 20%). It seemed that the American public had lost faith in their government and lost confidence in its leadership.
After four years of war; a slowing economy; a mortgage crisis; stagnant wages and, rising oil prices, Americans have declared themselves ready to throw out the partisan politics and the war mongering of the Bush administration and look for a new political direction. Obama is that new direction. He offers a starving American public, a fresh face, a black face and a future full of hope, not frustration, and a future full of optimism, and not fear.
Obama offers Americans a new political reality; a reality that unites rather than divides and offers hope, rather than shame. He delivers his message in impassioned speeches at rallies and town halls across New Hampshire. His speeches are reminiscent of Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, mixed with John F. Kennedy’s ‘ask not what your country can do for you country’ speech.
Iowa Caucus victory speech, in Des Moines, Iowa.
“….when the world sees America differently and America sees itself as a nation less divided and more united. You will be able to look back and say, this was a moment when it all began…this was the moment when we beat back the politics of fear and cynicism. This was the moment when we dared to hope..”
So, as we sit and wait for the 1.3 million New Englanders to choose their next president on Wednesday, January 8, the new Democrat with a black Kenyan father and a white Kansan mother appears more and more presidential by the minute.
In New Hampshire, the most recent CNN-WMUR poll out Monday, gave Obama a nine-point lead over his nearest rival Hilary Clinton, who was comfortably leading Obama last week.
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