A sincere, knowledgeable San Francisco Democrat (there are a few) recently asked me to explain Michelle Bachmann. My response was defensive and a bit snarky. This is what I should have said. First, one needs to understand that there is a large swath from Idaho to Georgia where most people, particularly those outside of the large cities, without embarrassment or political calculation believe in God, the sanctity | Read More »
One central fact is missing in the current debate between increasing taxes and fixing entitlement programs : for the last several years the national Democrats have repeatedly shown an inability to get into the room with the Republicans and make a deal. Pelosi ran the House without any pretense of including Republicans in deliberations; Harry Reid has been bypassed in favor of rump groups; and, most importantly, President | Read More »
Conservatives are focused on the fiscal and foreign policy damage that President Obama is doing, with the underlying assumption that it is part of a general plan. A view from the other side of the political spectrum sees nice speeches, but a continuity of George W. Bush’s policies – suggesting either that Obama really is an agnostic centrist or that he is incompetent. A quick look | Read More »
The cognoscenti have determined that a jobless rate below 7.2% is the key to Obama’s reelection. If only he can somehow get the jobs machine going … at least for a few months next summer. But the problem is a lot bigger than that. 1. The worker problem. Sure, jobs is a big issue with the Congressional Budget Office predicting a headline unemployment rate of 8.2% next year – a | Read More »
Like them or not, there are four truths that govern Middle Eastern outcomes from Pakistan to Morocco. Forget the power of tweets and the Arab Spring. This is the big picture. 1. We are Israel’s guarantor. With the strength of the Jewish lobby there is no alternative. And with Barack Hussein Obama being the darling of Academia where the Palestinians are seen as the | Read More »
What luck!!! We were in London visiting our daughter’s family and President O’bama shows up; then we take a train to Oxford and Michelle is there. Nevertheless, I’ll try to fight off my depression and provide a perspective on the world’s events from across the pond. First, my sources: I am English/Welsh by family background and visit the UK often enough to have some feel for local issues and attitudes. | Read More »
Last week’s premise – the Republican/conservative objective for 2012 is to win the presidency; the key issue is jobs; Mitt Romney is most able to make credible arguments across a broad range of jobs-related subjects – brought an unusual level of criticism from the Left and the Right. I’ll address the major arguments. From the Left: It’s George Bush’s fault. President Obama’s policies have been | Read More »
The objective is winning the presidency. The issue is jobs. The question is which Republican candidate can best convince the electorate that they can energize the economy after the twin disasters of the 2008 financial system meltdown and the Obama administration’s mismanagement. The field is not that big. - Mike Huckaby is a good guy. He has some good experience as a governor and | Read More »
For those who wonder if the Obama administration’s policies really affect job creation, the decision of the National Labor Relations Board to try to block Boeing from installing a production line at their factory in South Carolina to produce their 787 Dreamliner should answer the question. The facts are straightforward: 1. Boeing bought the factory in North Charleston – which made Dreamliner components - from Vought Aircraft in July | Read More »
Few events merit the discussion that the killing of Osama bin Laden is generating. President Obama exhibited uncharacteristic leadership; years of rigorous intelligence work were vindicated; Seal Team 6 performed at the highest standards imaginable. A lifetime ago I spent some years in military intelligence and have the highest regard for the participants. Some reflections: 1. The Bush policies of agressive interrogation, electronic surveillance, and overseas | Read More »
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