The 2008 Dream Election

Dream Election

Although the election is far away, there is a possibility that my Dream Election would become a reality. My dream team would energize the election and anger all of the extremists, left and right. I don’t know which I like better.

My Dream election would be:

Republicans: Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice

Versus

Democrats: Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barak Obama

Why is this dream?

1. No white man. That would be first in Presidential politics. Many other countries have had women or minorities as leaders; it is time for the USA.
2. Extremist conservatives would have a fit. A woman as President or Vice President and/or a minority leading our country. Most conservatives are not bigots but they are not color blind either. Most would accept a minority Republican President or VP but not Democrat. Extreme conservatives are people who talk the talk about equality but don’t walk the walk.
3. Extremist liberals would be upset that maybe THEIR minorities will not win. Think what these people will do to stop Republican minorities from winning. Of course they would say that they don’t oppose African-American Republicans BUT……! I don’t know which extremist is worse.
4. Which pair would the media side with? The media would drive themselves crazy trying to promote one side only while claiming that their reporting is objective and fair. Oh please! I would have more respect if the media would say “Yes were bias, so what?” Cable and the Internet have polarized the media into camps. I would enjoy watching both sides attack each other.
5. Spin- We would see spin like it never was before. From Hillary’s White House past to Condoleezza’s martial status, the Spin Doctors would reign. A spin doctor believes: "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." -- Henry Mencken

Look forward to more Seriously Warped Reflections on my blog.

Thank you, William

Reasons

The reason I started a blog and website (www.reflectionsofawarpedmind.com) is that I want more control over my life. I have had a good life full of hope. I want to start being able to make money through my own efforts.

What will Hillary do?

Poor Hillary

Poor Hillary Rodham-Clinton, in approximately 92 weeks[1] the next president will be chosen. She has many hurdles to overcome to win. However if she does win, she will face her biggest hurdle of all:

What is she going to do with Bill?

If Hillary becomes the 44^th President, she will be the first woman to be President AND be married to the first man to occupy what has been an exclusively female club. Controversies of the past are nothing compared to her having Bill Clinton in the White House.

1^st Controversy: What will he be called? The first name that comes to mind is ‘First Gentleman’. I cannot imagine the Head Usher of the White House announcing “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President and the First Gentleman” and have it sound dignified. I like the title of “First Dude”. It fits Bill.

2^nd Controversy: How will she keep him on a short leash? Let face it, Bill lives for politics. He has achieved the highest political prize of all and still cannot get enough. He brings in too much money and experience for Hillary to ignore. If he is giving power, he will grab for it like a drowning person would a life preserver. He will not stop until he is saved or he drowns the both of them. Hillary should keep Bill on speaking tours. They will need the money for all the legal fees from lawsuits that a 2^nd Clinton as President will bring.

3^rd Controversy: Would an unscrupulous politician or government employee circumvent the Chain of Command or established governmental procedures by using Bill as a back channel for their pet project? Knowing Bill’s need to be loved and in the center of things, this is a strong possibility. It is best if Bill is bound and gagged for four years or the Internship Program is moved out of the White House.

If Hillary wins, I hope she has considered this question. What she does will set precedents, good and bad.

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[1] As of 26 January, 2007

Can Barak win the Presidency

Can Barak win?

Senator Barak Obama is the first African-American with a strong possibility to win a party’s nomination for Presidency. In a crowded field of declared and speculative candidates, does this newcomer to the national political stage have any chance to win?

His advantages are:

Name – His is a politician’s dream name. It is unique. Only two Presidents in the 20^th Century, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Woodrow Wilson have had names that are in the U.S. Census’s list of the Ten Most Common Last Names. [1]. Senator Obama also has the enviable position to be identified by one name only, ‘Barak’.

Accent – When Barak speaks one hears no strong discernable accent that can ridiculed by comics and candidates alike.

Story – Americans love a good story. From his bi-racial background to his pop star like popularity he is living the American dream. Hollywood could not write Barak’s story better.

His disadvantages are:

Political Office –Senators do not win elections. Since 1960, seven sitting or former Senators (John F. Kennedy, Barry Goldwater, Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern, Bob Dole, Al Gore, and John Kerry) have won their party’s nomination. Only one, JFK went on to win. The favored political office for presidential aspirants is Governor. In fact, of the last 20 Presidents, eleven were Governors at one time.

Age – If elected, Barak will be the fifth youngest President. Although America is obsessed with youth, the voters prefer a President that is older as indicated by the average age of presidents (mid 50’s)[2].

Home State – American population migration in the last 30 years has hurt Mid-Western political clout. Middle America has lost Electoral Votes to the South and Far West. The last truly elected Mid-Western President was Harry S. Truman.

These and other factors as race, finances, competitors, the War in Iraq will influence his chances; Barak has a good chance as any to win the nomination. I wish him well.

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[1] www.census.gov/genealogy/names/dist.all.last

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidents_by_age_at_ascension_to_office