The Big Cram Session

Not since their school days have Americans ever seen a person cramming so much information into one study session, hoping to learn history and current events at breakneck speed.

However, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is no ordinary student ... and she's preparing for no ordinary test. Without conceding she has no knowledge of foreign policy, the Republicans have set up meetings with Palin and nine international leaders.

These meetings include time with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. There is also a crash course planned with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger ... who is a personal friend of Palin's running mate, Senator John McCain.

Attempting to spin these meetings in the best light, Republican campaign officials claim Palin is no different from recent candidates who possessed very little -- if any -- knowledge about foreign policy before taking office. They point out that other governors moved into high office with just a tiny amount of knowledge of the world around them.

In the last 40-years there have been three governors who became president ... Jimmy Carter of Georgia, Ronald Reagan of California, and Bill Clinton of Arkansas. There have also been two governors who became vice president ... Spiro Agnew of Maryland, and Nelson Rockefeller of New York.

It is that political spin on the matter that brings up some concerns. In the past the Republican party has been skilled at putting a good spin on things ... it got George W. Bush elected, and re-elected. However, the party of Lincoln and Reagan, blew it this time around. If somebody needs remedial classes, don't do the tutoring in public view.

Having Palin go for meetings at the United Nations is like sitting her on the street corner wearing a dunce hat. Schedule these meeting out of the view of cameras and reporters. Have private meetings in embassy buildings, or just about any other location that is less visible. Where did Palin and McCain meet for their first get-together? There was no media there for that meeting.

In a recent interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson, Palin admitted she had never met a head of state. It would be surprising if she had met with the leaders of other countries. Her political experience has been as an alderman, mayor, and now a governor with less than 2-years on the job. However, Palin also told Gibson she is "ready" and did not question her own ability and experience to be vice president and, if necessary, president.

"I answered him 'yes' (when McCain offered the position) because I have the confidence in that readiness. And knowing that you can't blink. You have to be wired in a way of being so committed to the mission, the mission that we're on, reform of this country, and victory in the war. You can't blink. So, I didn't blink then even, when asked to run as his running mate," Palin told Gibson.

Maybe Palin will blink -- at least once -- when she realizes there are more issues at hand than just "reform of this country and victory in the war." This country is facing an economic crisis where much of the money to resolve this predicament is coming from China. Also there is an energy crisis facing the United States. Palin tried to use that to her advantage, stating Alaska -- where she is governor -- produces nearly 20% of the U.S. domestic supply of energy. On it's face, that sounds pretty good. However, according to the Energy Information Administration, the United States imports 66% of its oil from foreign sources ... meaning that 20% to which Palin referred, isn't very much.

Fact is, neither democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama nor Palin have extensive foreign policy experience because of their limited background in government. Obama has seven years experience on the state level, and three years in the U.S. Senate. Palin spent four years as a city council member in Wasilla, Alaska, then six years as mayor of that city, followed by the last 21 months as governor.

Truth is, McCain and democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden have much more experience than Obama and Palin combined.

It's okay to admit one needs to learn more, and it's okay to get the necessary lessons. Be that as it may, when running for political office there is a right way and a wrong way to present it to the public in general, and voters in particular.

Obama did it right by delivering a message to screaming crowds in Berlin. They may or may not have understood what he was saying, but he came off looking good ... very presidential. That's an excellent example of political spin.

Palin did it wrong. Meeting one-on-one with foreign leaders at the United Nations didn't look very vice presidential. Then to make matters worse, she announced she would take no questions from reporters, then wanted to have no reporters in the room; only a a pool photographer and pool videographer. Finally the republicans allowed a reporter in the room, but not before the entire country -- and the world -- knew of the blunder.

It is a very good thing that the election is just 41 days away. Any longer and the candidates may implode much the same way as the U.S. banking system.

" .. or so this news junkie thinks!"

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Professor Henry Higgins from The Music Man can be heard singing his song across the nation with the line that goes ... "we've got trouble, we're got terrible, terrible trouble!"


Unfortunately that song doesn't go with only the movie. Unfortunately, that line goes with the state of the U.S. economy.


The dollar is down, the price of crude oil is up, the stock market is down, the price of gold is soaring, and President George W. Bush says "the whole world is watching." Those were his words as he began nudging Congress to pass his proposed $700-billion bank bailout package.


That bailout was announced  -- with every little detail -- over the weekend. That bailout -- again -- is $700-billion ... that's a seven followed by eight zeros ... $700,000,000. While the plan has been on the table for a couple of days, Americans are beginning to survey the proposal and are now beginning to panic. There are fears the bailout plan may be too expensive to fix the problem, will cause the deficit to increase, and drive up inflation.


Average Americans don't fully understand the problem. They just know they are having difficulty making ends meet. Filling the family car with gas is getting more difficult. Going to the market for groceries produces culture shock with big jumps in the prices of bread, milk, produce, and most everything else. It's getting difficult for Americans to pay their variable- rate mortgages, to pay their credit card bills, to see their doctors and buy their prescriptions.


Americans are looking for answers, and are frustrated with what they are hearing. They see a $7-billion bailout from their lame-duck Republican president, and a Democratic controlled Congress which wants compromises before passing the bailout bill. According to an Associated Press story posted on iwon.com, this is "the worst financial meltdown since the Great Depression." And it will get worse before it gets better, because the bailout may not be a quick fix.


The Associated Press reports economists at Merrill Lynch who say, after the Resolution Trust Corp. was established in 1989 to stop the savings and loan crisis, it took a year for the stock market to hit bottom, two years for the economy and three years for the housing market.



The big bailout plan is meant to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The plan will allow the government to buy mortgage related assets from American companies and foreign companies with access to these assets. The bottom-line is for the government to buy these securities at a discount, hold them, then sell for a profit.


So far, the battle between the president and the Congress centers on two points ... 1) bankruptcy reform to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, and 2) compensation to executives when their companies get government bailouts.


While Wall Street watches, the president plans, the Congress wrangle for compromise, and two men fight to become the next President of the United States, everyday Americans are struggling. Everyday Americans are worried ... everyday Americans are waiting for answers as they ponder the November election and their futures ... everyday Americans are patiently waiting for their nation to get back on track ... and everyday Americans want their leaders to fix what is broken.


".. or so this news junkie thinks!"









  

Remedial Economy 101

For the better part of the past week, American's are hearing the economy is in a free-fall and the government is tossing tons of cash at the crisis which might not end anytime soon.

But what does that mean ... what does it really mean?

Joseph Stiglitz, 2001 Nobel Prize winner in Economics and Columbia University professor, explained the current situation rather simply in a commentary posted on cnn.com. 

"President Bush famously said, a little while ago, that the problem is simple: Too many houses were built. Yes, but the answer is too simplistic: Why did that happen?

"One can say the Fed failed twice, both as a regulator and in the conduct of monetary policy. Its flood of liquidity (money made available to borrow at low interest rates) and lax regulations led to a housing bubble. When the bubble broke, the excessively leveraged loans made on the basis of overvalued assets went sour.

"For all the new-fangled financial instruments, this was just another one of those financial crises based on excess leverage, or borrowing, and a pyramid scheme.

"The new 'innovations' simply hid the extent of systemic leverage and made the risks less transparent; it is these innovations that have made this collapse so much more dramatic than earlier financial crises.

Stiglitz believes there are other key factors to the present crisis, including the lack of proper regulations, a tax-cut in 2001 which did not stimulate the economy, the Iraq war which contributed to soaring oil prices, the drop in household savings in which Americans began living on borrowed time and money, as well as financial institutions which mismanaged risk by misallocating capital. 

Thus the implosion of Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG (American International Group). Now it is the American people -- through the federal government -- who are footing the bill for these setbacks ... to the tune of $816-billion to bolster the present financial situation. Unfortunately, the blood-letting may not be over. There are said to be rough roads ahead for Washington Mutual and Wacovia.

The Federal Reserve is actively working to infuse foreign money into the American financial system. One infusion of cash may come from China which is being encouraged to work with Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is one of only two remaining independent investment banks in the United States.

"Fear is driving this market, not facts, not the fundamentals of so many great American companies," declared Jim Cramer of CNBC. "At times like this, when you're overwhelmed with panic, it helps to know the history," he added.

"What did it feel like today (Wednesday, 9/17/08) ... it felt like 1987 .. it felt like 1990, when the fear was palpable and the market was getting crushed .. pulverized," he stressed. However, this is not a precursor to a recession or a depression, at least not according to Cramer. He points out that this is not consumers who are withdrawing money from both commercial banks or savings and loans. Rather, he explains, this is a case of a run on investment banks by hedge funds.   

All of this has become one of the major points of contention in the 2008 presidential campaign. Both Republican candidate Senator John McCain and Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama quickly produced new television commercials, looking directly into the camera to address the American voters.

"End the 'anything goes' culture on Wall Street with real regulation that protects your investments and pensions.  Fast track a plan for energy ‘made-in-America’ that will free us from our dependence on mid-east oil in 10 years and put millions of Americans to work. Crack down on lobbyists – once and for all -- so their back-room deal-making no longer drowns out the voices of the middle class and undermines our common interests as Americans," said Obama.

"We need strong and effective regulation, a return to job-creating growth and a restoration of ethics and the social contract between businesses and America. Important questions remain to be answered by Wall Street. Did executives mislead investors and regulators about the severity of the problem? We must investigate whether or not there was misrepresentation on part of the company executives. If there was, there must be penalties," said McCain.

As if Americans needed one more example of an economy in trouble, the auto industry may be getting ready to ask for $25-billion in government-backed loans. This measure is now being discussed with the U.S. House of Representatives, according to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, (D-MD).

Thanks to the 2007 Federal Energy Legislation, auto makers may tap $25-billion in low-interest loans to retool and modernize their manufacturing facilities. However, with the American auto industry at its lowest point in 30-years, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler are seeking to double that dollar figure to $50-billion. 

Whether the current financial crisis has been brought about the George W. Bush administration, Wall Street, or consumers, the only certainties in this calamity are that 1) both presidential candidates will push the blame on others, 2) both presidential candidates claim to have the plan for recovery, and 3) Americans are trying to keep their jobs, their homes, and their cool.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

 

Politics Becomes Pop Culture

A funny thing happen on the way to the White House ...

Only 49 More Days ... 

try to decide who will get your vote ... a vote is a terrible thing to waste.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

When Will Everyone Learn?

What part of "evacuate" and "get out of town" do people not understand?

Three years ago the residents of New Orleans were told to get out of town before Hurricane Katrina roared ashore causing the Great Army Corps of Engineers Flood of 2005. People stayed, deciding "to ride it out." Many died, many risked their lives to save the stubborn, and many were in miserable conditions ... all because residents would not -- or could not for a variety of reasons -- heed the warnings. Hurricane Katrina was the most expensive natural disaster in the history of the United States ... totaling $100-billion, according to about.com.

Over Labor Day weekend South Louisiana was threatened with what New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin termed the "mother of all storms." As a result, roughly 2-million people evacuated from the Crescent City and its surrounding parishes. Gustav was no friend to South Louisiana, but was not the evil twin of Katrina. Gustav's insured damage loss may reach $10-billion, according to California-based Risk Management Solutions Inc.

Fortunately, the fact that Gustav weakened before making landfall, coupled with the massive evacuation, kept the death toll to eight individuals.

This past weekend federal, state, and local leaders along the Gulf Cost of Texas issued warnings that all residents of Galveston leave. It was strongly suggested residents of Houston -- the fourth largest city in the United States -- also get out of the way of Hurricane Ike. However, with more than 5-million residents, getting everyone out of the way quickly is almost impossible.

Many Houstonians stayed home, rationalizing they were more than 50-miles from the coast when Ike was predicted to make landfall. By the same token, many Galveston residents elected to ignore the calls to leave, despite a prediction from the National Hurricane Center that Ike had taken aim on their city ... a city that was predicted to be submerged before Ike had completely passed.

Why is it that people stayed? Wasn't the site of bodies floating in the flooded streets of New Orleans enough incentive to leave? Was it not enough to see the fear of individuals having to be plucked by helicopters off of rooftops? Did the misery of people begging for water and food not leave haunting visions? Is protecting one's property more important than protecting one's life? Is any possession worth risking the lives of rescue personnel?

Just three days into the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, it is suggested the monetary cost of the storm may reach $22-million ... according to Jeff Masters of Weather Underground, a commercial forecasting service. While Texas and Louisiana officials continue with search and recovery missions, there are already eight deaths attributed to the storm.

While Houston did not endure flooding the magnitude of New Orleans after Katrina, residents are still facing the misery experienced by residents of South Louisiana and South Mississippi. There is no electricity, limited gasoline, limited water and ice, and many Texans are sleeping in emergency shelters.

With the expert forecasting of storms, computer models which show anticipated tracks, and early warnings, why is it that residents still feel the need to "ride out" a storm? Of course there are the monetary costs involved with evacuations. Some residents will take advantage of free transportation and shelter lodging. Those with transportation, alternative lodging, and the money to evacuate can look at spending almost $1,000 to be away for a few days.

There has to be a better system. Those who "have" can move, and those who "have not" can move. But those who "don't have much, or enough" have trouble evacuating. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will assist individuals with hotel/motel bills during mandatory evacuations, but not those who evacuated to stay with friends and family ... leaving hotel/motel lodging for others. Being away from home involves transportation, gasoline, rooms, and meals. It's like an unplanned vacation with the same price tag and none of the fun.

There is also the wait for the last minute so as to spend the least amount of time away, and the least amount of money. But that produces the gridlock of millions leaving at the same time, crowding thousands of cars on a few roads all at once ... sort of like kicking over an ant hill and watching the ants scurry.

History has shown us that big storms don't come every year, but even one big storm every couple of years is tough. And with Katrina, Rita, and Ike all coming within a three year period, emotions are raw and psyches are bruised.

However, memories can be short-lived. When Gustav turned out to be more tame than expected, many South Louisiana residents believed their elected leaders "cried wolf," and cried too fast. That prompted many residents to claim they will defy the next evacuation order. But then what? Will history repeat itself? Will there again be bodies floating in the streets, and major rescue scenes, and human misery?

Some will stay and some will leave. Some will live and some will die. Some will praise, and some will condemn.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

Second Verse Same As The First

Never before have so few, said so much, about so little ... making it time -- finally -- to say good-by to the lipstick on a pig non-issue, issue.

Let's call it what it really is ... a trick that backfired on the Democrats, and a strategy the Republicans have played as well as Yo-Yo Ma plays his cello.

Since Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama got this whole ordeal started, it has been like running on a treadmill ... running over and over and over without a change of scenery.

Tuesday Obama took a shot at his Republican opponents Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin. "You can put lipstick on a pig ... it's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still going to stink after eight years," Obama said in Virginia.

Obama claims his remarks were not aimed at Palin who -- in her acceptance speech for vice president -- ad libbed a line in which she claimed the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick. How about he take a lie detector test on that tricky claim?

Well, Obama's remarks brought about a swift scream of foul from McCain's campaign. The strategy for McCain's camp has been to keep the outrage going. Tuesday afternoon it was outrage over the remark. Wednesday it was outrage that Obama tried to deny the remark. Thursday it's remarks about how Obama is still taking shots in the dark over the comment ... this time for claiming McCain's people are trying to derail his campaign.

Somebody needs to tell Obama he's right ... McCain's folks are trying to keep Obama off track, and are succeeding. If he wants it to stop ... he needs to put on the brakes. He needs to quit his whining and get back on track. McCain needs to quit his whining, and quit running to the principal.

Both Obama and McCain are seeking the highest office in this country ... and owe it to the American people to talk about the real issues. Those issues are not lipstick on pigs, are not the ever-changing definition of the word "change," and not who is taking jabs at whom.

McCain, Obama, Palin, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden owe it to the American people to talk about what really matters. They need to talk about the two wars presently being fought on far-away lands. They need to talk about healthcare, education, social security, dependence on foreign oil, and clean energy.

These four people, who are asking for the trust of the American people, need to earn that trust ... and they have just 54 days in which to accomplish that goal.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

Sticks And Stones

Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain spent five years sick, hungry, tortured, and often near death in a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp.

He is a man of extraordinary strength who survived what lesser individuals would not survive. So why is he whining like a child while on the campaign trail?

There's an old saying that "all's fair in love and war," and often times the word "politics" is added to that phrase. So, here's the deal.

At the Republican National Convention, McCain's running mate Governor Sarah Palin, stated the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick. It got a loud roar of applause from Palin's family and the rest of the party faithful attending the convention.

Surely she knew her biting speech that night could open the door to potential attacks from her Democratic opponents and their supporters. And Tuesday, when that lipstick line caused a verbal barrage from opposing nominee Senator Barack Obama, no one could be surprised ... least of all Palin and her political partner McCain.

In Virginia, Obama was mocking McCain's promise to bring change to Washington. He claimed McCain is just like President George W. Bush. And then the line of the day was uttered.

"You can put lipstick on a pig ... it's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still going to stink after eight years," Obama said, as the crowd erupted into shouts and applause.

All of a sudden, like a little kid running to tattle to mamma, McCain's campaign shouted foul, called the remark "offensive and disgraceful," and claimed Obama owed an apology to Palin.

Somebody needs to remind McCain and his campaign officials what was taught in Political Science 101 ... winning is everything, and everything is fair game. Somebody also needs to remind the Republicans that one doesn't open a door, if one doesn't want the opponent to walk through that open door.

Obama claims the remark was not targeting Palin, but instead was directed to McCain's claim to being an agent of change and a maverick. Does anybody really believe that?

Truth is, this is a political campaign ... a fight to the finish to gain the two most powerful jobs in the United States. McCain, Palin, Obama, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden are seeking to become the leaders of the free world. Let's face it, these four people are in search of power and history. Consequently, they will do anything -- anything they can get away with -- to pander to the voters and win November's election.

To whine over the "lipstick" remark is petty, childish, and ridiculous. It is reminiscent of the principal reciting the pre-school rhyme of "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

Do Americans really want a president and vice president who whine over words that bite? What will happen -- if McCain and Palin win -- when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says something nasty, or if Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi issues a threat to veto a White House backed measure? Will the duo call their mothers, dispatch the Secret Service, or call out an elite Army unit?

The Republicans need to grow thick skin and wait their turn to get even, because the Democrats will, sooner or later, do something upon which the McCain and Palin ticket will capitalize.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

It's All About Sarah

How can one woman do so much in so little time?

That's the question being asked by Republicans, Democrats, journalists, political pundits, and just about everybody else when it comes to Republican vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin. It was just about one week ago when Palin was introduced as Senator John McCain's running mate. In that time Palin has taken the political season by surprise. According to a Gallup poll, since the Republican convention the McCain campaign has had an 11-point bump in the polls, making the race a statistical dead heat among registered voters.

Additionally, she has helped with white female voters. An ABC News - Washington Post survey shows white woman have moved from Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama by eight points to supporting McCain by 12-points. That was just one of the hopes Republicans had when considering Palin ... finding a way to lure in supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton who lost her bid for her party's nomination.

Palin -- the first term governor of Alaska and mother of five children -- has also help McCain's bank account. According to the Republican National Committee, Palin's addition to the ticket brought in more than $1-million within the first 24-hours of her running for the second highest elected position in the country.

She has also scored big with conservatives and evangelicals with her total anti-abortion stance even in cases of rape and incest, plus her support of hunting and guns. Palin is a born-again evangelical who recently gave birth to a son with Down's syndrome.

But while Palin has scored big with McCain, Republicans, and crowds on the campaign trail, she is still untested when it comes to defending her political record and answering questions from journalists.

Obama and his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, gave Palin a bit of a honeymoon period before pointing out what they believe are inconsistencies in her record. It may have been that they were gracious toward the surprise Republican pick. However, it most likely is because they were as surprised as everybody else with her selection, and needed time to collect their ammunition.

With that ammunition in hand, both Obama and Biden took aim at the 44-year old Monday. "Let's get the facts clear here. When she was mayor, she hired a Washington lobbyist to get earmarks -- pork barrel spending -- all the things John McCain says is bad, she lobbied to get," claimed Obama while speaking in Michigan.

And in Wisconsin, Biden took his turn shooting holes into Palin's stance. "Hopefully by the time the debates take place, we'll have a better sense of her other than some of what she says and what appear to be some very extreme views," he said.

So far, Republicans have kept Palin away from journalists who are anxious to do their jobs and ask the important questions. Not once since her introduction to the country has she answered even a single question. Could it be that Palin doesn't know the "party line" and can't be set out until she has learned the Republican Platform? Maybe she doesn't know McCain's views and, therefore, can't be sent out like a lamb going to the slaughter house?

One can only assume she is a quick study, because ABC News is set to get the first opportunity to interview Palin. Charlie Gibson will be in Alaska Thursday to question Palin and to anchor a live newscast.

Next up will be to see what -- if any -- stance will be taken when Clinton and her former-president husband Bill Clinton campaign on behalf of Obama. Will Hillary Clinton single out Palin -- instead of the McCain-Palin ticket -- and take a swipe at another woman who is set to make history if elected? Chances are she will not target another woman ... especially if she wants to make another run for the White House in the next four or eight years.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

What Can You Get For A Buck?

If you ask Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain, he'll say he can get a couple of Cabinet members for one dollar each ... not a bad deal for a guy who believes middle class is earning less than $5 million annually.

As a guest Sunday on the CBS program "Face the Nation," McCain claimed some of his Cabinet choices -- if elected -- will be asked to work for just a single dollar. Does that mean McCain will be shopping the dollar stores for Cabinet members? That's not probable ... if he even knows there is such a thing as dollar stores.

"We've got to have people who are the best and the brightest. And I'll tell you, some of them, I'll ask to work for a dollar a year. They've made enough money," McCain told Bob Schieffer of CBS News.

What does this say about McCain? Does it mean he knows how to get the best for the least? Or does it say that the wealthy Republican is sticking with the stereotypical profile of the Republican Party? Is that really the way to usher in the "change" both he and his running mate -- Governor Sarah Palin -- spoke of at their convention in St. Paul? Is that really the way to court voters? 

But let's not forget to hear the rest of his conversation with Schieffer regarding the Cabinet in a potential McCain administration. 

"I can tell you, in all due respect to previous administrations, it's not going to be a single, you know, 'Well, we have a Democrat.' It's going to be the best people in America, the smartest people in America. So many of these problems we face -- for example, energy independence. What's partisan about that," explained McCain. 

This may actually open the door for McCain's longtime friend, Senator Joe Lieberman, to enter the Cabinet. Lieberman ran for Vice President in 2000 as a Democrat. He is listed as an "Independent Democrat," sits with the Democratic caucus, and told Republican convention-goers in his address that he is a "Democrat." It will be interesting to see if he is still a Democrat after the election, and if he is still a member of the U.S. Senate come January.

The word most often used by the 72-year old Republican presidential candidate when discussing the administration he envisions is bi- partisan. He uses it in speaking of his experience and his record on Capitol Hill. His running mate uses in when speaking of McCain. And both use the word partisan in speaking of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. It's one root word, used so many ways in one election.

"Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed," said McCain in his acceptance speech. "That's how I will govern as president. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again. I have the record and the scares to prove it. Senator Obama does not," he continued.

"Instead of rejecting good ideas because we didn't think of them first, let's use the best ideas from both sides. Instead of fighting over who gets the credit, let's try sharing it," he said in St. Paul. 

"This amazing country can do anything we put our minds to. I will ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me. And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability," McCain added.

The labels Democrat and Independent, when put together by McCain, may actually spell the name Lieberman ... the colleague McCain would have liked to have had as vice president, who may have a Cabinet position in a McCain administration, and may have a different outlook on his career if there is an Obama administration.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

From Unknown to Rock Star in Eight Days!

What a difference one week can make ... just ask Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

In just eight days, Palin went from being the unknown -- first term -- Governor of Alaska to being the running mate of presidential candidate Senator John McCain. Palin is a self-described hockey mom who is an avid hunter, fishes with her husband, and cares for her five children ... one of whom is an infant with Down's syndrome. 

Unlike former Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton, Palin is seen as a female with whom many American women can identify. She is a working woman who juggles being a wife, a mother, and -- oh, yes -- a governor. 

McCain, and the Republican National Committee, looked to Palin to light a fire under McCain's campaign. She was expected to ignite the way voters view the rather subdued McCain, as well as offer an alternative for women who feel left out now that Clinton is no longer in the race. She is also expected to emphasize she is a Washington outsider ... something the Democrats can't do with Senator Joe Biden.

However, nobody could have expected the firecracker rise of Palin as she hits the campaign trail with McCain. While stumping in Colorado Saturday, McCain and Palin were greeted with chants from voters ... chants for Palin! In fact, since her coming out party in St. Paul last week -- her speech was watched by more than 40-million television viewers -- Palin is the reason many voters are gathering at campaign stops made by the Republicans.

Later in the day in New Mexico ... next door to McCain's home state of Arizona ... the senator admitted he was surprised by the crowds and the reaction to his running mate. "The response to her has been overwhelming ... it's been incredible," declared McCain.

Even admitting her unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant hasn't taken the shine off of Palin's rising star. If anything, polls indicate her family's response to the pregnancy make Palin "more real." That reality charm was much needed in the campaign, especially considering McCain couldn't remember the seven homes owned by his spouse and his declaration that middle-class is anything under $5 million in annual income.

Some of this white-hot reaction by voters may begin to fizzle if the news media every get a chance to ask questions of Palin. She has become a household name in just eight days, but she has yet to face the probing query of reporters or the interrogation from the Sunday morning news programs. Once journalists have a chance to do their jobs, Palin may have to explain more fully her accomplishments. That includes listing the Alaska state plane on ebay ... the one she mentioned in her acceptance speech and implied was sold. The Chicago Tribune and other news outlets report the plane failed to sell on ebay and was, in fact, sold through a broker ... at a loss.

Nevertheless, she has rocked the McCain campaign. But is there a down side to this meteoric rise of Palin? Is she quickly becoming a so-call "rock star" with something similar to celebrity status? Could it be that same celebrity status which McCain said of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama not so very long ago? 

For now, Obama has treated Palin with kidd gloves. Chances are that will change should polls suggest Palin is pushing McCain ahead in the race for the White House. Chances are Obama will unleash his running mate -- Senator Joe Biden -- on Palin in the October vice president debate in St. Louis.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

They Passed the Test ... Or Did They?

Unfortunately this past week the Gulf Coast -- including New Orleans -- had to test its hurricane preparedness procedures.

At first glance, it looks as though the test was passed ... or was it? Yes, Louisiana -- under new governor Bobby Jindal -- did well. The system used to notify residents of an impending storm worked appropriately, as did the system to evacuate residents who were unable to evacuate on their own.

The system of busses and trains worked properly, along with the process of picking up residents and getting them to transportation terminals. Even the process for evacuating pets worked as planned. The only glitch in the evacuation system was the electronic identification program to provide bar coded ID bracelets to all fleeing the area.

However, there were a few other disturbing events. For instance, many of those who evacuated -- either as part of the governmental system or those who evacuated on their own -- believe officials "jumped the gun" in ordering mandatory evacuations. Many were interviewed after the storm complaining officials should have taken a "wait and see" approach before calling for everyone to leave.

The entire metropolitan New Orleans area looked like ghost towns in the hours before the storm made land fall. More than 2-million residents headed north, east, and west to escape the punishing winds and storm surge of Gustav.

For residents not staying with relatives or in emergency shelters, there was a mad scrambled for hotel and motel rooms. Many had to drive 10-hours or more to get rooms as far away as Memphis, Austin, and Little Rock.

By the grace of God, Gustav  was no Katrina, just a lesser cousin which weakened to a Category 2 storm as it came into Louisiana. That "tranquil" classification left many evacuees weary and wondering why they had left their homes and traveled so far. The reality is they took to the roads not only because of mandatory evacuations, but because the horrors of Hurricane Katrina just three years ago were still raw in the minds of everyone.

It is very easy to say the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, Jindal, and even New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin were strong in their statements telling residents to pack their belongings and get out of town. Hindsight is always perfect.

But, what if? What if Gustav had come in as a Cat 4 storm as originally thought? What if the storm had made a "jog" to the east as so often happens with big Gulf of Mexico storms?  What if the levees in and around New Orleans had not held? What if there were scenes of people sweltering in the sun without food and water? What if people had not evacuated and were stranded in their homes or on rooftops? What if bodies were floating in the flood waters? What if Gustav had been the twin brother of Katrina? What if?

The what if would have resulted in chaos again, this time with the whole world asking why wasn't something done. The same people who complained of no help in Katrina, now complain because there was help -- and planning -- for Gustav and future hurricanes.

The process was not perfect ... few things are. And with Hurricane Ike about the enter the Gulf of Mexico, residents and governmental agencies may have to run the entire process again in about one week. The question is whether residents -- with short memories and a bitter taste in their mouths -- will again heed the warnings and mandatory evacuations.

There is no reason to stay. The Army Corps of Engineers has said the levee system in and around New Orleans cannot withstand the surges of a Cat 3 hurricane. For those without money, transportation, or lodging, the state has provided alternatives. For those who can afford the cost and imposition, there are roads out of town and accommodations awaiting.

After Hurricane Katrina everyone was quick to point a finger concerning everything that went wrong. And no one wants to replay the barbarity of that event. Weary or not, residents must follow the calls for evacuation now and in the future. It is the only way to save the most important possession granted to each of us ... life.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

In This Corner ...

Republicans got a good look at Governor Sarah Palin Wednesday night as she accepted the nomination of her party to officially begin her run for Vice-President of the United States.

In accepting the nomination in St. Paul, Palin vowed to help "serve and defend America," but most of all, she accepted "the challenge of a tough fight in this election .. against confident opponents .. at a crucial hour for our country."

If nothing else, Palin -- the virtual unknown from Alaksa -- proved she can deliver a speech. Her address was one that captivated both convention-goers and TV viewers. Palin also proved that she can throw a punch ... and she threw many at the Democratic opponents Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden. 

If Palin was selected by Republican Senator John McCain as a lure for women voters who had supported Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, he succeeded beyond comprehension. If this appearance before the convention and the country was Palin's coming out party, one can start popping the champaign corks.

But there are still questions concerning Palin for Vice-President of the United States...

Is she a female candidate heavy on experience? No.

Is she a female candidate like Clinton?  No. 

Is she a female candidate busting through that glass ceiling spoken of by Clinton? You bet.

Is she a female candidate women can support? Absolutely.

As a vice-presidential candidate Palin threw jabs at the Obama-Biden ticket as she spoke of issues Americas -- and American families -- face daily. She addressed energy, jobs, taxes, terrorism, and the war in Iraq. 

"Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown," she explained. "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except you have actual responsibilities," said Palin as she punched a hole in Obama's past employment and leadership experience.

Palin punctuated her personal profile with several examples of her spunk ... such as placing the Alaska state jet for sale on ebay, firing the governor's personal chef and driver, and taking on the "good-ol' boys" network. She is the mother of five children, including a newborn son with Down's syndrome, a son who enlisted in the Army, a pregnant daughter who is unmarried, and a 7-year old who stole the show by "spit combing" the hair of her little brother. 

As with Biden's acceptance speech one week before, Palin's oration was a sales pitch for the man at the top of her ticket ... John McCain.

"In politics there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change. They're the ones whose names appear on laws and landmark reforms, not just on buttons and banners, or on self-designed presidential seals. Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things. And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things," declared Palin.

"For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words. For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds," Palin said.

And while Palin is still short on deeds and experience, she is able to inspire with her words ... words which may serve her well should she survive the biggest bout of her political career, and find herself on the official podium shortly before Noon on January 20th, 2009.

"... or so this news junkie thinks!"

 

He Really Wanted Joe Lieberman

Generally speaking, a U.S. presidential candidate has the luxury of selecting his or her running mate ... except for maybe Republican candidate Senator John McCain.

Tradition not withstanding, there was no way McCain was going to get approval for putting his good-buddy Senator Joe Lieberman on the Republican ticket. Why, you ask? Because Lieberman was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in 2000, and is now officially listed as an "Independent Democrat" and is part of the Democratic Senate caucus in the 110th Congress.

However, the Republican party didn't mind giving him a keynote address in prime time in support of McCain, even though at the podium on national television he called himself "a Democrat." Why, you ask? Because he paints McCain as a man who crosses the isle in support of issues which put country before party. Lieberman paints McCain as a "maverick," appealing to independent voters who identify with neither the Democrats nor the Republicans.

"Being a Democrat or a Republican is important, but it is no way near as important as being an American," Lieberman told a cheering audience in St. Paul. He described McCain as a man who has spent his entire career in service to the United States ... a man "who will bring our country together, and lead our country forward."

Lieberman, who ran with Al Gore in the contested 2000 election, did everything McCain needed from him. He described how McCain had worked with Democrats in several ways, including forming the 9/11 Commission, structuring ethics reform, and laid the blueprint for campaign finance reform. 

In supporting McCain, Lieberman also took jabs at Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama, claiming during his time in the U.S. Senate, Obama "has not reached across party lines to accomplish anything of significance."

The most important questions to ponder about Lieberman's endorsement of McCain, are what's in this for Lieberman, and what will this cost him? 

Surely the Democrats will retaliate and punish Lieberman. Presently he chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. After the election, that chairmanship may be yanked, as might his privilege to caucus with the Democrats.  

After the election when the Democrats decide Lieberman is no longer needed -- or wanted -- look for him to fill a cabinet position within a possible McCain White House.  

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"

Stop the Presses .. Another Teenager Is Pregnant!

In the United States nearly 1 million teenagers become pregnant each year, all without making news.

However, when one of those teenagers is the daughter of the Republican Party's candidate for Vice-President of the United States, that pregnancy does make news. Monday the campaign of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin announced Palin's oldest daughter -- 17-year-old Bristol -- is pregnant and unmarried. 

Just three days after being introduced to the country as McCain's running mate and parading her family out for all to see, Palin made the announcement adding her daughter will wed the father of her soon-to-be-born child. It should come as no surprise that the campaign did this at a time when Hurricane Gustav was setting its sights on New Orleans ... the first major test for that city since Hurricane Katrina devastated it in 2005.

The Republican campaign announced the news, stating it wanted to put an end to internet stories suggesting Palin's youngest son -- Trig, who was born in April -- was really the child of Bristol Palin. One can calculate the campaign was also hoping the hurricane would outweigh the pregnancy story in the news cycle. It didn't. Gustav got his attention, and so did Bristol's pregnancy.

Despite that, Bristol Palin was granted a degree of compassion. Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama was gracious is his statements. "Let me be as clear as possible: I have said before and I will repeat again, I think people's families are off limits, and people's children are especially off limits," he explained in an interview with ABC News in Michigan.

"I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories," he added.

McCain campaign officials claim Palin was upfront about Bristol's pregnancy during the vetting process, stating the official announcement is no surprise. Steve Schmidt, chief strategist for the Republican campaign, claims McCain calls the pregnancy "a private family matter."

The pro-life conservatives and evangelical Republican advocates are lining up in support of Bristol Palin's decision to keep the child and marry the father. In speaking of the pregnancy, Palin stated her daughter "has our unconditional love and support." 

Palin can thank previous residents of the White House and Number One Observatory Circle for creating an environment where children of presidents and vice-presidents are off-limits. 

If, in fact, Bristol Palin is now pregnant; and if, in fact, Trig is her brother and not her son, then this story should end. On the other hand, if the internet rumors prove to be correct, the story will continue. Nevertheless, the Palin family won't be the first family to protect a daughter and grandchild.

However, it is very hard to believe such a fact could have been kept from John McCain and his vetting committee ... meaning the "internet reports" are not to be confused with "news reports."

" ... and so this news junkie thinks!"