"Kicking the tires." Checking out candidates, NH style: The Democrats
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As a New Hampshire resident and an active citizen journalist sharing my observations and opinions here on the 'Grok, on the radio program "Meet the New Press", and in a weekly newspaper column in the Laconia Daily Sun, media pass in-hand, I have had the opportunity to see a fair number of presidential wannabees live and in person. With the future of the New Hampshire “first in the Nation” primary uncertain, it has been my mission to partake of as much of what could very well be the last of its kind in its present form. Whether Republican or Democrat, I have found it both interesting and enlightening to get up close to listen to what these guys (and “gal”) actually have to say directly to real people, without the benefit of the normal filters in place throughout the old-fashioned mainstream media. As the wags like to say, I have “gone out and kicked the tires.” At the end of it all, one of these people is going to be our next president. Given the dangerous reality of the present times, it’s of paramount importance we choose wisely. In this post, I will focus on the Democrats.
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So, what have I learned? Well, first of all, as a conservative, ordinary-thinking and involved citizen, fairly well-informed, the prospect of a Democratic-controlled White House scares me above all else. When listening to their (mostly) big- government, socialistic sounding ideas and themes, I wonder how it can possibly be made to work. To hear them speak so freely of using the powers of government to dictate, regulate, and outright take from the private sector in the form of mandates and new taxes ought to frighten anyone that still believes in the right to keep a portion, no matter how small, of the fruits of their labor. Fuel efficient cars? We’ll just mandate them, and they shall be so. Oh- if it’s been that easy, why didn’t we just do so a long time ago? Let’s review…
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Listening to Dennis Kucinich wasn’t as bad as it might sound. While he has far-out notions and ideas, having heard his fellow Democrats on the campaign stump, I’ve learned that they’re not much different than what his more “mainstream” comrades are offering. The difference is that Dennis is more direct, and leaves no room for wiggling. He is completely honest in his plans for introducing wholesale socialism in America. Government-run healthcare? Definitely. Government run and OWNED energy and other resources? Definitely. It’s not much different than what Hillary’s peddling, other than Dennis is being honest with the voters.
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When I saw Hillary in Manchester last week with hubby Bill, unlike all her counterparts, she took no questions from the crowd. There will be no spontaneity or unscripted interaction from her campaign. All we get is what she decides to give us, which, last Friday, wasn’t much. Aside from the usual pap about universal health care, she had nothing to say about illegal immigration. At nearly every event I’ve attended this year, almost without fail, the first question is about just that. While she shouted for better pay and benefits for cops, teachers, and fireman, she also included, believe it or not, lawyers. In Hillary Clinton’s world, lawyers are among the downtrodden. What did she say about the most vital issue the president has responsibility for: homeland security? Not one word. Who has time for that when there’s a class- war that needs to be ignited?
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While Joe Biden’s rhetoric might match that of his fellow Democrats pandering to that party’s far-left base, he definitely doesn’t cause me as much worry as some of the others. Buried in his meandering, detailed talk (nirvana for the policy-wonk types) was a lot of realism and honesty. Too bad he doesn’t have a prayer of a chance. After all, the liberals in the crowd picked up on the same things I did.
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Barack Obama held the most interest from me as an observer of the presidential political scene. I have often stated that politics, especially the higher up you go, is less about the actual issues, and more about emotion and style. The office of president is the pinnacle of this sad, but true reality. People as a rule, are going to vote for the guy that makes them feel good—about the candidate, and about themselves. (This is not only true for Democrats. It works both ways—i.e. Ronald Reagan) Barack did just that. He was an excellent speaker that uses the language with grace and ease. While delivering his message and theme, by no means conservative in any stretch of the imagination, he never once said anything openly negative or derogatory about the current president and administration. I, for one appreciated that. Considering the whole package weighed against Hillary Clinton, if forced to choose, I’d take Obama any day. He took questions, including one on illegal immigration, head-on- saying we must close the borders first.
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New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson made that very same point during a house party in Wolfeboro I attended Tuesday. Like Obama, he promised to crack down on those who illegal employ people. What’s troubling is that he promises a massive shift in mandated energy requirements in the name of global warming, noting that it might be a real sacrifice that we’ll all have to share. A candidate that offers “pain” instead of “feeling your pain” doesn’t stand a chance. Other than guns and the aforementioned immigration stand, what struck me about Bill Richardson the most was how truly liberal he actually is. As president, he will propose a mandatory $45,000 minimum entry wage for public school teachers. Can anybody tell me how this works in NH? Can the President of the United States order the Gilford School Board to simply raise my property taxes?
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson made that very same point during a house party in Wolfeboro I attended Tuesday. Like Obama, he promised to crack down on those who illegal employ people. What’s troubling is that he promises a massive shift in mandated energy requirements in the name of global warming, noting that it might be a real sacrifice that we’ll all have to share. A candidate that offers “pain” instead of “feeling your pain” doesn’t stand a chance. Other than guns and the aforementioned immigration stand, what struck me about Bill Richardson the most was how truly liberal he actually is. As president, he will propose a mandatory $45,000 minimum entry wage for public school teachers. Can anybody tell me how this works in NH? Can the President of the United States order the Gilford School Board to simply raise my property taxes?
Comments
Posted by: Judy Paris | July 19, 2007 1:51 PM
Posted by: Mary | July 19, 2007 5:27 PM
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Posted by: mike | July 20, 2007 12:14 PM