Tuesday, January 24, 2012
State of the Union Address
Barack Obama
The word of the year is fair. President Obama delivered an effective and eloquent State of the Union Address that laid out his goals for the year and called Congress into action. Obama said the defining issue of the time is keeping the promise that everyone has the ability to work oneself up. The issue is fairness. The President presented ideas that would certainly level the playing field but will infuriate conservatives. Obama addressed the issue of outsourcing jobs, saying tax cuts for companies who outsource will be cut and tax benefits will be created for companies that are creating domestic jobs. This is just common sense. When we have so many unemployed people in the U.S., companies should not be able to outsource labor and worse out domestic issues. Obama said manufacturing will come back because it is becoming economically beneficial. He addressed the business owners watching and said, "Bring jobs back to your country and your country will do its best to help you." The speech then turned to the broken tax code. Using the popular Warren Buffet example, Obama proposed improvements to the current tax code. These changes would encourage manufacturing companies to set up in poor neighborhoods and create jobs and establish a base-line tax for all multi-national companies. These measures will add to Obama's goal from 2 years ago to double U.S. exports by 2015. To keep international trade fair, Obama proposed the formation of a Trade Enforcement Unit. This group would investigate counter fit goods and unsafe products. The purpose to to prevent any foreign country from getting an advantage on the U.S. Another proposition for fairness in this State of the Union was to create forcused skills training for Americans that will lead directly to a job. This will fix the problem of the 2 million trained workers in the U.S. who cannot find jobs within their skill-sets. This plan would convert community colleges into community career centers, utilizing programs we already have and tweaking them to accomidate the current needs of workers. Obama expounded on his training plan with ideas on higher level education. He began with, "every person in this room can point to a teacher who changed their life," teaching really is the most important aspect, so it makes most sense to improve the quality of teachers. That is a very reasonable goal, putting good teachers in the classroom is no more expensive than putting bad teachers in the classroom. As any student knows, a teacher can make or break a class and make all the difference. Obamas next call to the states is less likely to be well-received. He said all states should require students to stay in school through the completion of high school or until 18. I cannot see states heading this suggestion because it is such an over-stretch of executive federal power. The President also presented plans to make college more affordable. Making college an option for more willing students will improve the quality of the workforce and give high schoolers more incentive. President Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address presented many plans that will give every citizen a closer-to-fair chance to succeed.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Gingrich the Divider
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Meet the Press
David Gregory, interviewer
The morning after his win in South Carolina, Newt Gingrich caught up with David Gregory to discuss his prospects. Gingrich emerged from the South Carolina scramble, as Gregory calls it, with 40% of the vote, leaving Romney with only 28%. Gingrich says the South Carolina Primary sent two big messages to the candidates and the nation. The first is that there is real pain in the lives of the unemployed and that creating jobs is a central issue in this election. The second is that many people are angry at the national government. This is somewhat ironic because Gingrich is the most entangled with the national government out of all the GOP candidates. Expanding on this irony, Gregory asked Gingrich how he has been playing this "inside-outside game." After taking some offense to being called a lobbyist, Gingrich explained that all of his advising to Freddie Mac was in line with the legislation he backed. The conversation then turned to Gingrich's electability. According to an MSNBC poll, Gingrich has a 56% unfaverability rating. There have also been statements from those who he has worked with that he is risky and erratic. Because beating Obama is the top priority of the Republican Party, Gingrich being dislikable could severely hurt that cause. There are many who argue that Obama won the South Carolina because it halted Romney's momentum and Gingrich is unlikely to win over independent voters. Gingrich is respected as a smart candidate, but his electability is scarce. The problem for the Republican Party, is that he can hurt Romeny's chances and divide the party at a time it is striving to come together.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/vp/46090515#46090515
Meet the Press
David Gregory, interviewer
The morning after his win in South Carolina, Newt Gingrich caught up with David Gregory to discuss his prospects. Gingrich emerged from the South Carolina scramble, as Gregory calls it, with 40% of the vote, leaving Romney with only 28%. Gingrich says the South Carolina Primary sent two big messages to the candidates and the nation. The first is that there is real pain in the lives of the unemployed and that creating jobs is a central issue in this election. The second is that many people are angry at the national government. This is somewhat ironic because Gingrich is the most entangled with the national government out of all the GOP candidates. Expanding on this irony, Gregory asked Gingrich how he has been playing this "inside-outside game." After taking some offense to being called a lobbyist, Gingrich explained that all of his advising to Freddie Mac was in line with the legislation he backed. The conversation then turned to Gingrich's electability. According to an MSNBC poll, Gingrich has a 56% unfaverability rating. There have also been statements from those who he has worked with that he is risky and erratic. Because beating Obama is the top priority of the Republican Party, Gingrich being dislikable could severely hurt that cause. There are many who argue that Obama won the South Carolina because it halted Romney's momentum and Gingrich is unlikely to win over independent voters. Gingrich is respected as a smart candidate, but his electability is scarce. The problem for the Republican Party, is that he can hurt Romeny's chances and divide the party at a time it is striving to come together.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032608/vp/46090515#46090515
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Gringrich's Debate
January 19, 2012
L.A. Times
Seema Mehta and John Hoeffel
"Gingrich rips into media, then his rivals, in GOP debate"
The final GOP debate before the South Carolina Primary was a heated and tense one. Gingrich was at the center of the fry when angry accusations directed at the press, a face-off with Santorum, and rebutting personal attacks. Moderator John King asked Gringrich about reports that his second wife sought an open marriage. Gingrich replied curtly and with a look that could scare lions. Next, Gingrich and Santorum debated social issues, both trying to win over the conservative vote. They are both trying to edge Romney out. The issue of the size of the candidate's pay checks and tax returns was another hot topic of the debate. Gingrich pressed Romney to release his tax returns. Gingrich thinks that Romney's tax returns will offend many voters and make him a less likable candidate. Everyone knows Romney makes a lot of money, so his tax returns will only convince people that his taxes are in order. All in all the debate was more of the usual attacks on Romney.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120120,0,5109569.story
L.A. Times
Seema Mehta and John Hoeffel
"Gingrich rips into media, then his rivals, in GOP debate"
The final GOP debate before the South Carolina Primary was a heated and tense one. Gingrich was at the center of the fry when angry accusations directed at the press, a face-off with Santorum, and rebutting personal attacks. Moderator John King asked Gringrich about reports that his second wife sought an open marriage. Gingrich replied curtly and with a look that could scare lions. Next, Gingrich and Santorum debated social issues, both trying to win over the conservative vote. They are both trying to edge Romney out. The issue of the size of the candidate's pay checks and tax returns was another hot topic of the debate. Gingrich pressed Romney to release his tax returns. Gingrich thinks that Romney's tax returns will offend many voters and make him a less likable candidate. Everyone knows Romney makes a lot of money, so his tax returns will only convince people that his taxes are in order. All in all the debate was more of the usual attacks on Romney.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-debate-20120120,0,5109569.story
Perry Took One For the Team
January 19, 2012
The Chicago Tribune
Maeve Reston
"Why Rick Perry Stayed in the Race--and Why He Left"
Perry dropped out of the GOP Primary for a few reasons, some even seem noble. Firstly, Perry chose to leave the race because conservatives need to throw their weight behind a single candidate and he though the ticket was splitting the conservative vote too much. This really is a noble decision, Perry left for the betterment of the Republican Party because he saw the field has being too similar. On the other hand, Perry was not really hurting Santorum and Gingrich's numbers; they were hurting his. So, maybe less noble? Perry had also exhausted most of his funds in a last minute bid for South Carolina. After a disappointing fifth-place finish in Iowa, Perry decided he was financially able and determined enough to continue his campaign. However, yesterday Perry come to the decision that his campaign was not financially sustainable. In his announcement, Perry backed Gingrich as the best conservative candidate. Perry's aides have even said that his belief that Gingrich is a similar and better candidate played a large roll in his decision to drop out. Perhaps Perry is aiming to be Gingrich's Vice President?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-rick-perry-stayed-in-the-raceand-why-he-left-20120119,0,6207372.story
The Chicago Tribune
Maeve Reston
"Why Rick Perry Stayed in the Race--and Why He Left"
Perry dropped out of the GOP Primary for a few reasons, some even seem noble. Firstly, Perry chose to leave the race because conservatives need to throw their weight behind a single candidate and he though the ticket was splitting the conservative vote too much. This really is a noble decision, Perry left for the betterment of the Republican Party because he saw the field has being too similar. On the other hand, Perry was not really hurting Santorum and Gingrich's numbers; they were hurting his. So, maybe less noble? Perry had also exhausted most of his funds in a last minute bid for South Carolina. After a disappointing fifth-place finish in Iowa, Perry decided he was financially able and determined enough to continue his campaign. However, yesterday Perry come to the decision that his campaign was not financially sustainable. In his announcement, Perry backed Gingrich as the best conservative candidate. Perry's aides have even said that his belief that Gingrich is a similar and better candidate played a large roll in his decision to drop out. Perhaps Perry is aiming to be Gingrich's Vice President?
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/la-pn-rick-perry-stayed-in-the-raceand-why-he-left-20120119,0,6207372.story
Iowa Caucus: Take Two
January 19, 2012
The Chicago Tribune
John Hoeffel
"Santorum touts Iowa "win," blasts Gingrich ahead of debate"
Iowa...miscounted? In first grade math you learn yo double check calculations, yet Iowa must have forgotten this on January 3rd. The margin of eight votes between Romney and Santorum was corrected to thirty four votes with Santorum coming out on top. With such a tight result, those forty two votes make all the difference. Changing who won the Iowa Caucus bashes Romney's momentum, undermines his win in New Hampshire, and gives Santorum momentum. Santorum gloated over his new win in Iowa while on the road in South Carolina. Strangely, he focused on bashing Gingrich over Romney. Gingrich and Santorum are grappling to win the conservative vote in South Carolina and beat Romney. Right now Gingrich is rising in the polls while Santorum is falling, it remains uncertain if Santorum's Iowa win will make a difference. Santorum is marketing himself as the true conservative candidate, saying Gingrich shelves important conservative issues instead of facing and fixing them. Santorum paints himself as a consistent conservative with strong core values. This is not false. Santorum has always had very socially conservative views, even if they are crazy. Santorum's win in Iowa may not have any real effect in South Carolina because it is just too late. If the correction had been made before the New Hampshire Primary, Santorum would have picked up Romney's momentum, but the time lapse could potentially nullify Santorum's win.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politicsnow/la-pn-santorum-iowa-win-gingrich-20120119,0,6770941.story
The Chicago Tribune
John Hoeffel
"Santorum touts Iowa "win," blasts Gingrich ahead of debate"
Iowa...miscounted? In first grade math you learn yo double check calculations, yet Iowa must have forgotten this on January 3rd. The margin of eight votes between Romney and Santorum was corrected to thirty four votes with Santorum coming out on top. With such a tight result, those forty two votes make all the difference. Changing who won the Iowa Caucus bashes Romney's momentum, undermines his win in New Hampshire, and gives Santorum momentum. Santorum gloated over his new win in Iowa while on the road in South Carolina. Strangely, he focused on bashing Gingrich over Romney. Gingrich and Santorum are grappling to win the conservative vote in South Carolina and beat Romney. Right now Gingrich is rising in the polls while Santorum is falling, it remains uncertain if Santorum's Iowa win will make a difference. Santorum is marketing himself as the true conservative candidate, saying Gingrich shelves important conservative issues instead of facing and fixing them. Santorum paints himself as a consistent conservative with strong core values. This is not false. Santorum has always had very socially conservative views, even if they are crazy. Santorum's win in Iowa may not have any real effect in South Carolina because it is just too late. If the correction had been made before the New Hampshire Primary, Santorum would have picked up Romney's momentum, but the time lapse could potentially nullify Santorum's win.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politicsnow/la-pn-santorum-iowa-win-gingrich-20120119,0,6770941.story
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Christie Weighs In
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Meet the Press
David Gregory, interviewer
Governor Christ Christie of New Jersey
Gregory sat down with the extremely Governor Christie to discuss the GOP Primary and hear his speculations. Christie is an avid supporter of Romney and consistently praised his intelligence and electability. When asked, Christie said he advised Romney to release his tax returns to the public to end the speculations. Christie reasoned that withholding the information was only giving opposing candidates and Democrats room to make false assumptions. He said Romney has been "extraordinarily successful" in his career and voters respect him for that. But that has not proved to be true. In many debates, other candidates have used Romney's bank account to imply his self-interest and misconduct while working for Bain Capital. Releasing his tax returns will only bring up more prejudice against his money, because there is a tendency to resent those who have what you want. Christie next talked about the need for s governor to be in the White House. He said legislators don't understand how to use executive powers to get things down. Christie thinks that this is the right kind of experience for a presidential candidate because the position is starkly different to that of a Senator or Representative. Finally, Gregory asked Christie if he could consider being Romney's Vice President. Christie is loyal to New Jersey and "sees himself still being the Governor of New Jersey in November." However, he would consider it out of duty to his country, but he does not see himself as a Vice President. Christie is a very well-liked and influential figure and his support of Romney has been unwaveringly enthusiastic, which has greatly helped Romney's popularity.
Meet the Press
David Gregory, interviewer
Governor Christ Christie of New Jersey
Gregory sat down with the extremely Governor Christie to discuss the GOP Primary and hear his speculations. Christie is an avid supporter of Romney and consistently praised his intelligence and electability. When asked, Christie said he advised Romney to release his tax returns to the public to end the speculations. Christie reasoned that withholding the information was only giving opposing candidates and Democrats room to make false assumptions. He said Romney has been "extraordinarily successful" in his career and voters respect him for that. But that has not proved to be true. In many debates, other candidates have used Romney's bank account to imply his self-interest and misconduct while working for Bain Capital. Releasing his tax returns will only bring up more prejudice against his money, because there is a tendency to resent those who have what you want. Christie next talked about the need for s governor to be in the White House. He said legislators don't understand how to use executive powers to get things down. Christie thinks that this is the right kind of experience for a presidential candidate because the position is starkly different to that of a Senator or Representative. Finally, Gregory asked Christie if he could consider being Romney's Vice President. Christie is loyal to New Jersey and "sees himself still being the Governor of New Jersey in November." However, he would consider it out of duty to his country, but he does not see himself as a Vice President. Christie is a very well-liked and influential figure and his support of Romney has been unwaveringly enthusiastic, which has greatly helped Romney's popularity.
Super PAC's Ad Gone Wrong
January 16, 2012
The Huffington Post
Calvin Woodward
"Mit Romney Bain Capital Experience: Gingrich-Allied Super PAC Film Flubs Facts"
An ad, meant to ridicule Romney, was so wrong that Gingrich asked the group to take the ad down. There is raising suspicion that Romney’s work at Bain Capital was not as rosy as he has made it out to be. There is doubt that he really created 100,000 jobs while working there. The Winning for Our Future PAC decided to produce the 28-minute video “King of Bain: When Romney Comes to Town” to highlight this fallacy in Romney’s campaign. The film twists interviews with former employees and numbers to imply resentment and mismanagement that does not really exist. The film blames Romney for the shutdown of KB Toys, even though he was not employed by Bain Capital at the time of its involvement with KB Toys. This ad brings up a huge hole in Romney’s campaign and could have been a crippling blow for the candidate. However, the PAC got it so wrong that it managed to make people defensive of Romney. This issue has the potential to loose Romney the support of many of the unemployed in the country. If Gingrich can dismantle Romney’s claim to be a job-making machine, he will have taken his credibility and a major pillar of his campaign. However, the Winning for Our Future PAC missed this open shot. Good job. They misrepresented the issue so badly that they embarrassed Gingrich more than Romney. A simple representation of the facts should be enough to falsify a claim if it is wrong, however if the claim is write, it should have been left alone. It is now uncertain if the Winning for Our Future PAC had any traction to their claim because their credibility was lost. All in all, “King of Bain: When Romney Comes to Town” is a complete fiasco. Go back to the drawing board and try again!!
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