Palin's Pricey Persona

The finished product that is the GOP Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, was manufactured under a most lavish image building plan that would make paupers of many of the women she hopes to identify with, or those she hopes would want to identify with her. The knowledge that money donated by Republican supporters was used to glamorize and clothe the "Hockey Mom" did not sit well with many of them; and the whopping $150,000 spent for her image was the last thread for some to abandon the party and switch to the democrats.

But it wasn't just the clothes. It included the attitude, the delivery, and the scripts she was made to memorize that went well with the frozen fresh look from the snows of Alaska. The crash course she took at the John McCain Institute of instant political candidates included a "cutesy" wink meant to go with her expensive spectacles. Palin was given a persona that was intended to win women and youth votes for the battle scarred POW. She was therefore encased in stylish and expensive Neiman Marcus apparel which would put her target audience in abject poverty and turn them into bag ladies wearing pricey clothing if they went along with it.

The idea that hard earned money was spent to transform a pitt bull into a poodle with lipstick raised a howl from the party base. McCain and Palin were compelled to say that the snazzy outfits would be donated to charity. But knowing the Republicans, they wouldn't want to see such fortunes go to waste to be used and abused by the poor, whom they so gleefulully impoverish. It wouldn't be surprising to see these garments auctioned on E-Bay with the added value of having been worn by the darling of the GOP. If she wins, it will go up in value; if she loses it will drop like the sub-prime mortgage. And what pervert could resist wearing her used undergarments or fantasizing about what was once on it? That alone could fetch a high price. It should be auctioned soon to add to their campaign funds. These could sell higher than $150,000.

Amidst all these makeovers, Palin is still being used as an attack dog, stopping short of calling Obama a communist. She kept repeating the word "socialist", and described situations where Obama's governance would make all decisions for individual Americans, including personal ones, which was not socialist by any stretch but actually a picture of communist practice. Yet it was McCain who made all the decisions for her, including what to say, how to deliver, what to wear, how to smile...all personal ones; making McCain the communist rather than the Democratic candidate by her own standards.

The fashion does not fit the statements. There are only two occassions left for Palin to express her fashion statement: One is election day itself where her attire may be eagerly awaited. To show that they put "America First", she could wear a white gown made of cashmere and silk, cut like the statue of Liberty, topped by a crown and a torch to light the way for the voters to go with the GOP candidates. It will be the second time she will wear this gown as she would have worn it four days earlier. But in lieu of a torch she would bear a wooden cross; and in place of a crown, she would have the same material as her gown cut into a pointed hood that will cover her entire head - with holes for the eyes and nose. An apt fashion statement for Halloween.

Haaaarrrrrwwwwwk...Twoooooooph...Ting!

Delirious over Democrat Developments

Anyone involved in some way with the Democratic Party's primaries is a glutton for punishment. It is comparable to a masochist who demands more whipping until the flesh is torn from the bones, and the happier he is for it. Why else should one suffer the same old rhetoric, hear embellished stories, applaud at the baby step movements of a campaign that since February 5 has been destined to be decided by the so-called super delegates? It is tiresome and boring with the same anti-climaxes, same demographics, same commentaries, exit polls, and promised victory speeches. This is like being forced to watch an Ed Wood film several times continuously until you're brain dead.

However, everyone looks and sounds delirious. The candidates, the campaigners and supporters, and even the media, who have been mouthing the same things for over 3 months they begin to stammer at their own words groping for new ways of saying the same things. The Republicans are delirious too at seeing the democrats tear each other apart and risk disintegration, giving John McCain an edge to snatch the Presidency. Hillary's only hope is to gather a big chunk of mud to throw at Barack's clean image to guarantee her the eye of the super delegates. Barack's chances rest on the disenfranchisement of Michigan and Florida delegates. But there is absolutely nothing significant about these Democrat primaries.

What is significant is the victory of Don Cazayoux over Woody Jenkins in Louisiana's 6th district which the Republicans controlled for 3 decades. Twenty six other retiring Republicans plus other districts bring a total of 50 vulnerable Republican positions in peril. This could mean Democrat control of Congress. And, despite linking Cazayoux to Obama, the impact did not change a Democrat victory. This, coming after Bill Foster's successful campaign to replace Republican Dennis Hastert in Illinois 2 months ago. Cazayoux won on issues about better paying jobs, affordable health care, and better education - issues related to the economy. The economic situation is not expected to be better come November and this is leading to a trend towards a "Change Election".

What is significant is the impact of the economy on the majority of Americans and how Hillary has re-branded herself as the blue collar champion while tagging Obama as an Ivy League snob, when she is the rich former First Lady and he raised on charity. Significant too is the fact that Obama won overwhelmingly in North Carolina despite the expected fallout from Rev. Jeremiah Wright's crazed oratory and subsequent TV appearances. Also, the emergence of a more consolidated bloc of Latinos and Hispanics flexing their influence on the electoral process, as well as the massing of black voters in support of their candidate. Critical for the Democrats is the reunification of these blocs of supporters after a bitterly fought insignificant primary. Current trends point towards another disintegration.

What is significant for the Republicans is the weakness of their brand represented by the outgoing President Bush and the Party's standard bearer John McCain. A weaker voter turnout for the Republican primaries is also a significant concern, together with the rejection of the McCain brand by its conservative base. The strongest asset of the GOP brand is his position and experience in War but which is now opposed by 68% of Americans. His position on easing ethanol use is weak since it represents only 1.5% of increases in food prices. His current advantage has not made any concrete gains for his candidacy and is languishing under the shadow of the Democrat candidates. His courtship of the Latino and Hispanic blocs is a most significant move, as it may steal the thunder from the Democrats if the break-up at the DNC becomes inevitable.

These developments reveal that the GOP brand must be strengthened in substance and odor, and repackaged for the worsening economic situation. When the pinch of high prices turn to jabs, and food on the table becomes meager, who will recall who was ducking imaginary bullets or screaming mad against America. Besides, guilt by association is a weak argument. It does not make Republicans in Congress men's room sex solicitors nor page chasers simply because they associate with one. Nor does it make Democrats patrons of expensive prostitutes. Also, who'll care? It's food, jobs, and health - these are what's significant. And the sooner the GOP uses it's resources to build on these concerns rather than focus on character assassination, the more responsible leaders they will appear to be and be more credible to the electorate.

President Bush has brought the Republican brand down to the gutters, and Republican supporters calling the opposing candidates names is the pot calling the kettle black. Unconvincing.and childish. The party that closes ranks solidly has a stronger chance. McCain must have a young running mate with strong economic credentials and acceptable to conservatives, to offset his weakness on the economy and his advanced age. A combined Obama/Hillary or Hillary/Obama team would consolidate the Democrats immediately. It's likelihood is doubtful, but recognizing its significance is crucial for the Democrats and America itself.

The predisposition to magnify shallow developments to project momentum, creates the tendency to overlook significant factors that bear on the most critical longer term objective - what citizens need and what is good for the nation. The blurring of what is significant with what is inconsequential would be the undoing of the American political system.

Haaarrrrwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Delays that may Damage and Divide Democrats

Barack Obama is ahead, but he cannot seal his victory. He has the funding and the momentum, but can't seem to spurt his way to a decisive triumph. Hillary Clinton is often on the edge of defeat but always manages to claw her way back in contention. After Pennsylvania, it is clear that neither of them will secure the nomination with 2025 delegates, and the Democrat selection process will drag on until August. This could be damaging for the Democrats in their attempt to retake the White House.

The enmity between these rival camps grow every day and with each approaching primary. Brickbats, accusations and negative portrayals of the other candidate are hurled by both sides, providing tremendous ammunition for the Republicans and dividing the party's voter base. Supporters of either candidate are developing deep seated bitterness that could take this rivalry to a condition that is beyond repair. At the end of the selection process, whoever is selected may alienate the supporters of the defeated candidate. The resulting bitterness may drive them not to support the Democratic candidate, not to vote at all, or worse, vote Republican. The healing and unification process may be more difficult than is normally believed.

The biggest factor that hinders an outright Obama nomination is obviously race. The Clinton's have raised this card early on and chances are the Republicans will do the same should he be the nominee. Conservative white America is just not too comfortable with a Black President. Surveys may show this to be minimal among whites but it could be deceptive since these respondents do not want to be seen as racists. Some may say they want a woman President, but the number of Black women voting for Hillary are in the minority, most are whites. This could indicate that the gender issue is a cover up for a race issue. Latinos and Hispanics opt for Hillary too supposedly on her close ties with this segment. But these voters may fear that Obama's concerns would skew towards blacks rather than Hispanics, advancing the issues of the African American race as against theirs. Again, this is a race issue.

The other major factor going against Obama is his inability to win over the blue collar workers. He projects the persona of an educated man that may be too elitist to grasp the needs of the non-college degree holding factory workers and employees. There is a disconnect in the attraction process that he has difficulty bridging. He has built his bandwagon on new, youthful, educated, voters made up of independents, young Democrats and former Republicans, but cannot win over the workers who are older than his yuppie followers. Same with the older voters 60 and above.

The younger voters are more open and accepting of ideas and are inclined to support the idealistic candidate that speaks their thirst for new politics, after being jaded by the Washington brand of power play. Factory workers are more skeptical, being at the receiving end of bad deals from lying educated lawyers, bureaucrats and politicians. They will not vote for a Black President because he doesn't stand a chance. They'd rather go for the white, man or woman. People 60 and above,? They are conservative types and will go with the white woman too. Barack Obama's failure to connect with these segments may have something to do with race as well.

Hillary's game plan may be to drag the process until the convention with no clear winner, then barge into the nomination by collecting on past favors given to the super delegates. She may also expect Obama to get tired, make mistakes, or lose his cool and talk his way out of the nomination because he doesn't have the temperament of a stable leader; not tough enough to take the hard blows. But Hillary's credibility as a person is so badly damaged by her own embellishments that she has become uncomfortable to trust. The divisive tag given her by the GOP is proving to be true even among her party mates. Electability by virtue of experience or toughness by virtue of battles fought may no longer be the criteria for selecting a President come November. With all the lies that have been dumped on the American people in the last 7 years, trustworthiness may be the key element, as well as a new vision for approaching America's problems.

Obama is on the right track. All he has to do is maintain his composure and be unfazed by Hillary's repetitive rise from the depths of defeat. Hillary's predisposition to look at things in terms of conflict and confrontation, and her knack for doing better when in a crisis situation is chillingly dangerous. Anyone who is in confrontational mode and is good in handling crisis means America will always have a crisis, and will often be on the brink of a confrontation.

Haaarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

Clinton's Clawing Comeback

Unfortunately for the Democrats, the internal struggle for their Party's standard bearer remains mired in uncertainty, while the Republicans are now preparing to mount an elaborate ambush to eliminate their chances for the Presidency. Barack Obama's stunning 12 straight primary and caucus victories have been snapped by Hillary Clinton's huge wins in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas. While Obama still leads in delegate count over Clinton (1515 to 1424), the prolonged process could deplete their respective war chests and may lose their donors to contribution fatigue.

Hillary literally clawed back into the race, fighting tooth and nail to secure victories in these delegate rich states. Over the last two weeks, she mounted some of the most biting attacks against Obama, including a video about a 3 AM critical decision call to the White House which should be answered by one who is experienced; not by one who needs to learn the job. The demographics for these week's primaries remained unchanged: with the Latinos, elder voters, white and women for Hillary; and the younger voters, educated, men and African Americans for Barack. Both candidates need to replenish their funds for what is seen as expensive campaigns in delegate rich Wyoming and Pennsylvania.

Neither candidate is expected to garner the required 2,025 delegates to get the nomination outright, and this would spill over up to the convention. The problem is, the longer it takes, the more bitter it becomes; and the more these two Democrats spew venom at each other, more of the independents become disheartened, which could cost them the election. Obama has used inspiring messages, Hillary has used fear and doubt. Both methods provide ammunition for the Republicans to blast against whoever becomes the nominee. If the trend in the Democrat race for the nomination continues, either candidate may end up with a mountain of issues to defend versus the Republicans. Even if a Democrat wins the Presidency under these conditions, he or she will be so crippled by the general electorate's perception of their inability to unite the nation that it would be impossible for either to start on day one. Day one to one thousand could be a nightmare, for the President and the country.

Haarrrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

McCain's Mantle Of Manliness

Ten months ago, John McCain's candidacy was considered dead in the water. Today, he has captured enough delegates to take the GOP's nomination as its Presidential candidate. What finally worked for John McCain was his determination to plod on, despite ebbing funds, criticism and bitter opposition from the party's conservative base, and major campaign staff changes; he pandered to no segment but stuck to his positions and took the hits like a man. He didn't flip flop on any of the issues he represented to please nor deceive anyone; and this was one factor that brought him closest to the office he so zealously aspires for.

Some analysts claim that moderates and conservatives rallied around McCain for the sake of party unity and to keep the Presidency within the Republican fold. Others say that conservatives voted for McCain to put an end to Mike Huckabee's pathetic campaign and send him back to Arkansas, since his continued presence was becoming an embarrassment. It was like a mouse that believed it could roar as loud as the lion, until it was so hoarse and couldn't even manage a squeak.

Part of the GOP conservative base still dislike McCain for his positions on immigration, tax cuts, finance reform and the Iraq war. The war's declared strategical success since 2007 however, has become a plus for his candidacy. This chunk of the conservative base are left without a candidate and without a party to support. McCain's task, aside from focusing attacks on his Democrat rival(s), should be to mend fences and win back this largely disenchanted block. Of equal importance is for McCain to tackle economic issues which would rise to the top of the voters agenda by November. If the development in these areas is perceived to be slow and/or weak, it would allow McCain to almost taste the Presidency but will never get to eat it. He can say goodbye to this dream a second time around. History will remember him as John McCan't.

Haaarrrwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!