Category Archives: Barack Obama

It seems like the recession is the topic du jour every day and provides journalists, politicians, economists and everyone else for that matter with hours of speculative conversation. While I don’t understand everything discussed, I feel like there seem to be two main thoughts on how best to handle the crisis. The first is a more laissez-faire approach that suggests letting the market self-correct with minimal involvement by cutting both taxes and spending. The second is reminiscent of FDR’s approach advocating government spending for large-scale projects to get money into the economy and create jobs.

Although people are fairly impassioned about what needs to be done, I’m pretty certain that both schools of thought could ultimately work. The real question in my mind is how long would it take and what would the U.S. economy look like after? How many jobs would be lost forever? How many more Americans will be living below, at or near the poverty level? The questions go on and on, but despite the postulating in the media nobody really knows the answers to these questions. Views are shaded by philosophical biases that either advocate for the more laissez-faire or FDR approach.

However, since state and local governments from coast to coast seem to be increasing taxes and fees for both businesses and citizens and since it is unlikely we will curb spending with one war (hopefully) wrapping up in Iraq and another ramping up in Afghanistan – I simply don’t understand how the first approach realistically can even be tried. That leaves me feeling like the only other option is the proverbial – Plan B – or the second option of government stimulus.

So even though I don’t know what to expect from Obama’s $787B stimulus package, I feel like it is realistically the only option available. The decision to commit to this path is not something one makes easily, and I will continue to respectfully listen to those with dissenting opinions on the matter. However, I will need more than dogmatic, philosophical opinions about cutting spending and taxes as reasoning.

For the laissez-faire approach to be tried, the Federal government needs to remove the US from the world-stage and our many costly obligations as well as ensure that states and cities work in conjunction to cut spending and taxes. Otherwise, this approach seems doomed to fail, because we will not be adhering to the principals of less spending and lower taxes. I don’t think the US will ever willingly remove itself from the world stage and I don’t know how the Federal government can make states and cities stop raising revenues through taxes and fees so the point might be moot.

Like the mythic phoenix rising from its own ashes, I feel like America is once again reborn. The rise of the new America comes from a feeling that the political landscape is shifting again. The lessons learnt from previous generations are there for us, but this president and our generation are not encumbered by their hang-ups and generational perceptions that have shaped and sometimes shaded political opinion.

Part of this stems from the fact that what it means to be an American and what an American looks like is truly being redefined. The First family is a tangible example of this, but it goes beyond simply black and white. Today’s Politico.com has an interesting article “Latinos fight for political recognition” by Gebe Martinez.

In the article Martinez reminds us that Latinos voted 10million strong in the November 2008 presidential election and more importantly, they represent significant populations in key states like Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and California. Martinez points out that “there remains a gap between the power they (Latinos) have earned and the Washington elite’s perception of their power.” This provides the newly sworn in President (and his party) the opportunity to reach out and work more closely with this important constituency to help empower them. Closing this gap of perceptions is important, because perception can be misconstrued as reality if not called out.

It probably will not be long before we swear in our first Latino president and when that day comes – it will be just as moving because we will have redefined (yet again) what the office of President means and how people relate to that position of power. Obama’s swearing in really does signify a dawning of a new day. I hope that we can harness this energy and enthusiasm to continue to engage all Americans and welcome them into the political process. Apathy serves nobody in a democracy.

I remember when the Republican Revolution led by Newt Gingrich (R) overtook the House of Representatives in 1994 ending the Democrats 40 year majority in the lower house. That night the Republicans picked up more than 50 seats in the House and nearly 10 seats in the Senate. As a Democrat (and a liberal one at that) the night was quite depressing.

Fast forward 14 years to present day and the discontent that was so clearly levelled against the Democrats in 1994 seems to be this time aimed at Republicans. Most Americans blame the economic problems we face, the quagmire that is referred to as the ‘war in Iraq’ and the diminishing prestige of the United States in the world squarely on the shoulders of President Bush and the Republicans who controlled both houses of Congress for nearly 8 years.

The wave of frustration is sure to provide the Democrats with some remarkable wins on November 4th. The real question remains how much of that frustration will turn into voting out Republican incumbants? Names like Sununu, Dole and Coleman all seem vulnerable and states like NC, FL and GA all have competitive races that might result in Republican incumbents losing what even two months ago were presumed to be ‘safe’ seats. Check out the RealClearPolitics Election ’08 to track the latest Congressional, Governor and Presidential polls.

The potential for a landslide in Presidential, Congressional and Gubenatorial races next week is a mixed blessing. Democrats will inherit a huge budget deficit, bailout promises that must be followed, a country poorer and more disenfranchised as well as a world that is openly hostile to the U.S. due to our ‘cowboy’ foreign policy that showed disdain for diplomacy and tainted our reputation by endorsing the use of torture.

The challenges for the next U.S. President are certain to be many and so it is with baited breath that I wait for Sen. Obama to win what seems to be a potential for a landslide victory – debunking my predictions that he would only win by 2-3% back in August when I wrote Ms. Piggy for President. Without a friendly Congress ready and willing to work with a President Obama I don’t think the country would have a chance to get through this difficult time.

Tonight Barack Obama made history by claiming the Democratic Party’s nomination. His speech was more moving than any I have heard with the possible exception of his speech at the 2004 DNC in Boston.

He is clearly an orator who can articulate his message and motivate masses. These skills will be essential to his campaign as he moves forward and faces John McCain in the general election, but I believe in Obama’s message of change and say, “Yes we can”.

Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s former minister, spoke to the National Press Club in Washington D.C. today. You can read the full transcript here or you can watch the NBC video here.

His comments were hardly humble and his tone anything but conciliatory. For his part, Jeremiah Wright answered questions about some of his more inflamatory sermons, but I doubt that his explanations will matter to most in the public. I found some of his responses humorous and others confusing but Rev. Wright’s comments are not of much interest to me. I recognize that I am in the distinct minority (yet again) and am left scratching my head wondering why people would change their support for Obama because of his past association with the Reverend. Obama’s views with regards to our foreign policy, monetary policy, economy, healthcare, energy independence, etc… have not changed in light of the Rev. Wright’s words so why would I not support him if I agree with those views (views which I see as important to my life and those of my neighbors)?

Democratic Party supporters have a right to be concerned if Obama becomes consumed by the controversy or if Party supporters feel that he could not mount a successful general election campaign because of the commercials Republican 501(c)3 organizations are certain to run against him. However, I am hopeful that this situation allows Obama to rise like the mythological Phoenix and prove himself to those who say he is ‘untested’. If his campaign is de-railed by the words of Rev. Wright then that would be a shame in my mind, but I would gladly support Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton. She is not my first choice but I think she would represent the Party well in a general election and prove to be a formidable opponent.

Time will tell how this all plays out and I for one can hardly wait. As a self-proclaimed political junkie the Primary Season has been one for the record books.

A lot has been made of the contentious primary season in the Democratic Party (negative campaigning and botched primaries in MI and FL), but I think that the race has sharpened both Clinton and Obama and will better prepare who ever wins the nomination for the general election.

Both candidates have done a great job grabbing the headlines away from the Republicans allowing the candidates to define themselves on their own terms while lobbing repeated criticisms at McCain and Bush’s policies. Unlike the press and many Democrats (according to the press) I think that a nominee will emerge in the weeks that follow and the party will be better for it.

All one has to do is look at how much money both candidates have raised and compare that to the money the Republican Party has raised and one gets a sense of how much people want a change at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Who can say for certain what will happen in November but with Clinton and Obama collectively raising $60M in the month of March after several months of record-setting fund raising, I can not help but be optimistic and excited about the campaign.

I really do think that both candidates have inspired an entire generation and political science teachers will for years refer back to how history was re-defined when Clinton and Obama ran a hard fought (and sometimes bruising) race for their Party’s nomination.

After talking to many friends and some serious soul searching I cast my ballot for Barack Obama today in the MA State Primary election. The truth is I’ll be happy to support Hillary Clinton if she ultimately gets the party nomination, but the idealism and message of Barack Obama ultimately appealed to me. I disagree with Barack Obama on a number of issues but I can not overlook how inspiring he is and how much Senator Kennedy’s support for Senator Obama influenced my decision to trust the junior senator from IL. I’ll be up late watching the results pour in and can hardly wait to see how all this plays out tonight.

In all my adult life I can never remember a time when I have been so confliicted about who I would support in a Presidential primary. I think that the problem is that I am so accustomed to voting against a candidate it is almost a novelty to be voting for someone. However, it is the eve of Super Tuesday when voters in 24 states go to the polls (including my state – MA), and I am sitting in my apartment still obsessing about who to vote for.

My head tells me I should vote for Hillary – she is battle-proven and has the experience that I criticized our current President for lacking when he came into office. However, my heart tells me that Obama embodies all that is great in the United States and can not only unite but lead this country as the voice of the next generation.

Tonight the news showed Obama on stage with Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry and Governor Patrick in MA making a last ditch effort to win the state tomorrow. I am not easily swayed by endorsements, but because I am so conflicted and I respect those three men so much it is hard to erase the image. Either way history will be made with this year’s nominee, and I can hardly wait to see how this ultimately plays in the general election.