Obama and Race

The first African-American presidential candidate delivered a wonderful speech about race. With his mixed race background, Obama can understand and relate to both races. I also agreed when he declared that this country has never had a discussion about race.

To judge anyone's character on their skin color is as useful a measure as judging someone by their eye color.

I also thought he was courageous to continue to associate with the minister who caused the racial controversy. In effect, Obama said some things (interpersonal relationships) were too important to politicize.

Kudos to him for a thoughtful, compassionate, and balanced speech about this extremely difficult subject.

Oklahoma Rep. Kern

Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern was recently recorded as saying:

"The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation, OK, it's just a fact. Studies show no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted, you know, more than a few decades. So it's the death knell in this country."

"I honestly think it's the biggest threat that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam, which I think is a big threat."

(Click on her quote for the link to the Fox news story.)

The homosexual agenda? Where do I get a copy? Which gay organization coordinates that? Do the gay Republicans know about it? Is Larry Craig supporting it? Why wasn't I given a copy?

How does fighting for equality weaken a nation? Doesn't fairness and equality strengthen a country? Did Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement weaken us? How about the women's rights movement?

Which civilizations collapsed after "embracing" homosexuality? Is she referring to Rome? Didn't Rome collapse from Barbarian invasions? And didn't Rome last for hundreds of years rather than "a few decades"?

She lumps gays with terrorists. Indeed, using my rights to free speech, to petition my elected officials, and to protest are subversive -- that's why the country's founders placed these rights in the constitution. Is she comparing my use of these rights to bombing buildings and people?

I think she is terribly misinformed.

(If you want to hear her speech, click here).

Ralph is Right (for once)

Ralph Nader announced his candidacy for president; his run in 2000 probably cost Al Gore the presidency and the country is still reaping the unfortunate consequences.

Nader said he was running because none of the candidates were talking about needed consumer protections. Unfortunately, he's correct. Where are the proposals for strengthening consumer protections? To protect consumers from outrageous credit card rates? From contracts that do not disclose all the fees (just look at your cell bill for all the add-on fees masquerading as governmental compliance fees)? What about prohibiting prepayment penalties? Allowing consumers to freeze their credit reports to help prevent identity theft (some state laws allow this for their residents, but there is no federal protection)? How about making banks liable for late electronic bill payments that were delayed because of bank error?

Who Would Have Thought!

Conventional wisdom holds that long primaries damage the eventual nominee. The candidate that is losing attempts to win by highlighting all the negatives of their opponent. Yet when Hillary tried this strategy, she was unsuccessful because people are so tired of negative campaigning.

So the democrats are waging a campaign that is mostly free of negative campaigning - which is refreshing - and which is proving very advantageous. It is sparking interest in both candidates, involving many new voters, building organizations in the primary states that can be used for the general election, and providing publicity for the candidates' themes. For Obama, it has the additional advantage of introducing him to voters, since he lacks the long political involvement that Hillary has.

Obama looks to be the eventual nominee, but a long primary would benefit him and the Democrats - as long as they continue to avoid negative campaigning.

Thanks

The Bright Light Bulb won this award from Faye! (Thank you.)

Click on the link for Faye's blog - and other blogs to which she gave awards.

My One Rule for Voting Applied to the Presidental Race

My one rule for voting is simple: never vote for any candidate who I wouldn't want to have elected.

In the Republican race, it means I only have one choice: John McCain. Romney was a good governor, but he has repudiated most of his past policy choices while Huckabee is a religious ideologue.

On the Democratic side, I think Obama is the most inspiring candidate. Certainly, he is more able to unite the country than Clinton. Wouldn't it be great to have a President that makes us proud to be American?

Whoever wins, I hope they close the Guantanamo detention center, renounce the use of torture, and halt the military trials of civilians. Otherwise, how do we differ from the terrorists?

Gore Endorses Gay Marriage

Former Vice President Al Gore endorsed gay marriage saying:

"I think it's wrong for the government to discriminate against people because of that person's sexual orientation. I think that gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women -- to make contracts, to have hospital visiting rights, to join together in marriage, and I don't understand why it is considered by some people to be a threat to heterosexual marriage to allow it by gays and lesbians." (More details).

May the religious nuts who oppose gay marriage lose many, many nights of sleep over this statement. :-)

A Pleasure to Watch

The last two Democratic presidential debates were a pleasure to watch. The candidates were all articulate, intelligent, and well-informed. There were even flashes of humor. I still think John Edwards is the best candidate, but Obama is the future of the party and I would have no problem supporting him.

I still have reservations about Hillary (I use her first name to distinguish between her and her husband, the former President; I don't use her first name to patronize or to be disrespectful). To her credit, I think she has been a more effective Senator than either Edwards or Obama.

Isn't it wonderful to have choices? So many countries do not.

Historic Firsts in Our Presidential Candidates

This year's presidential race has many historic firsts by the candidates. For the first time, we have a Presidential candidate who is:

- Female (Hillary)
- African-American (Obama)
- Latino (Richardson)
- Mormon (Romney)

That Obama and Hillary are the candidates to beat for the Democratic Presidential nomination shows how far this country has progressed.

The Presidential Race

Tonight, Iowa kicks off the first in a series of state presidential nominating contests. The Republican candidates are all lackluster. Mitt Romney could debate himself, he has changed his positions on so many issues. That's unfortunate, because he was probably the best of the Republicans.

Last election, I voted for John Edwards, but I doubt he has the charisma to win. Obama is too inexperienced, but I would love to see him run again. Like Edwards, Obama has an optimism that I like. Hillary is too much like Mitt Romney, drifting with the winds of public opinion. The other two serious candidates, Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd, are both well qualified but I have been unable to find much info about them. I had emailed the Richardson campaign a question, never received a reply, but have duly been added to their email (spam!) list.

From my perspective, any of the Democrats would be an improvement over the current occupant. Several of the Republicans (Romney, McCain) would also probably be an improvement. When you've hit rock bottom, then improvement is easy.