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| Tuesday, July 08, 2008 |
| VPs |
Now that Jim Webb pulled out (which surprised me... I think he might have been the guy), I think Obama's running mate will be Joe Biden. Sure, he has lots of warts, but he's sensible. And ultimately, I think Obama wants someone who can help him enact sensible policies, rather than help in the political winds of the campaign. Sebelius, Richardson, Kaine next most likely in my view.
McCain has way more good choices available. Romney, Crist, Jindal, Lieberman, Pawlenty, Portman, Thune, Cantor, Palin, Sanford. All make some sense. I think it will be Thune, Romney, Pawlenty or Palin, in that order. |
posted by CB @ 2:39 PM   |
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| Tuesday, July 01, 2008 |
| It should be said |
Our political system seems incapable of producing long-range answers to big problems or big opportunities
That's Tom Friedman a couple days ago. I couldn't agree more. |
| posted by CB @ 2:36 PM |
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| Friday, June 20, 2008 |
| McCain's Tax Plan: AWFUL! |
Now that the Democratic Party infighting is over, Paul Krugman is back to doing what he does best - sensible issue analysis (or at least, citing of sensible issue analysis).
This piece is on the Tax Policy Center's non-partisan analysis of McCain and Obama's tax plans. (which makes for a good skim).
CONCLUSION: McCain is just doing the Bush cuts for the rich all over again. Under his plan the top 1% earners get an avg 2.4% tax rate cut (avg. $45,361) while the lowest quintile get an avg 0.2% cut (avg. $19. yes that's right. $19). And for the top 0.1%? Avg cut of $269,364. Plus McCain wants to increase the deficit by $250bn.
Obama's plan isn't perfect (some strange features), but at least he gets the distribution right. 6% tax increase for the top 1%, 5% decrease for the lowest quintile. And Obama will reduce the deficit by $700bn.
Krugman is also right that the Republicans have basically won the tax fight. Every candidate, Dem and Rep, now has to propose a big tax cut to be viable, and trying to dial-back the ridiculous Bush tax cuts is politically tricky. |
| posted by CB @ 12:17 PM |
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| Monday, February 25, 2008 |
| Am I the only one... |
... who does NOT think spending $1,200 at Dunkin Donuts in one month is ridiculous for a national presidential campaign? That's only $40 a day, and for how many people???
The real ridiculous expenditure is Mark Penn collecting millions of dollars in fees for a terribly run campaign that is always 3 or 4 moves behind their "less experienced" competition. |
| posted by CB @ 12:52 PM |
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| Friday, February 08, 2008 |
| Peggy Noonan says it best |
It's not often that I give a shoutout to a Republican pundit writing in the Wall Street Journal, but Peggy Noonan gets it exactly right on Hillary versus Obama.
It's the last paragraph that really makes me worried that we might screw this up:
The Democrats continue not to recognize what they have in this guy. Believe me, Republican professionals know. They can tell.
The full section:
He is the brilliant young black man as American dream. No consultant, no matter how opportunistic and hungry, will think it easy--or professionally desirable--to take him down in a low manner. If anything, they've learned from the Clintons in South Carolina what that gets you. (I add that yes, there are always freelance mental cases, who exist on both sides and are empowered by modern technology. They'll make their YouTubes. But the mad are ever with us, and this year their work will likely stay subterranean.)
With Mr. Obama the campaign will be about issues. "He'll raise your taxes." He will, and I suspect Americans may vote for him anyway. But the race won't go low.
Mrs. Clinton would be easier for Republicans. With her cavalcade of scandals, they'd be delighted to go at her. They'd get medals for it. Consultants would get rich on it.
The Democrats have it exactly wrong. Hillary is the easier candidate, Mr. Obama the tougher. Hillary brings negative; it's fair to hit her back with negative. Mr. Obama brings hope, and speaks of a better way. He's not Bambi, he's bulletproof.
The biggest problem for the Republicans will be that no matter what they say that is not issue oriented--"He's too young, he's never run anything, he's not fully baked"--the mainstream media will tag them as dealing in racial overtones, or undertones. You can bet on this. Go to the bank on it.
The Democrats continue not to recognize what they have in this guy. Believe me, Republican professionals know. They can tell. |
| posted by CB @ 1:16 PM |
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