Boo! Jitters! Goosebumps

Cautiously optimistic. That's what all of us who remember well election night 2004. Those of us who believe that we really have the opportunity to elect a great President by voting for Barack Obama -- we are wrecks of anticipation and apprehension. It's, for me a Halloween weekend nightmare! But then I would not trade-off with John McCain's predicted position!

John McCain keeps saying "I've been tested" -- guess referring to what happened to him 40 years ago, and not to:

• The Keating 5 Scandal. Senator McCain was cleared of wrongdoing, however, his judgement was severely criticized.
• His decision to choose Sarah Palin for Vice President is another instance of bad judgement.
• His decision that "The fundamentals of the economy are strong".
• His decision to "suspend" his campaign and ride into Washington and end up having to leave with his tail between his legs when it became obvious to everyone that his presence was harming the bi-partisan work that was being worked out. Where is evidence of good judgement? Then claiming that he had 'saved the day' only to discover that negotiations had completely broken down.
• His decision to not show up for the first debate unless a successful conclusion to the 'bailout' was in hand -- and then showing up ...
• His decision to adopt Joe the Plumber as a spokesman for his faltering campaign without due care and attention as to the who the hell 'Joe' really is but carrying on as if he is really the middle class "everyman". Judgement seems to be lacking again ...
• Oh, yes, let us not forget the judgement and decision-making behind the concern calls made to the unfortunate girl who claidmed to have been mugged by a black man who then carved a "mirror B" on her face -- ending up with egg all over McCain's face when with a little investigation it was proven that she had made the whole story up.

Well, I've voted for Barack Obama already. In Washington State you get a ballot in the mail and can either mail it or take it to a conveniently located drop-off ballot box. So no standing in line and no worries about my ballot being counted.

Chris Dodd for President

Universal Medical Care, Ending the War in Iraq, Education, Energy are just four of the issues that are of great importance to me and Chris Dodd has some inspired thinking that would make him the most worthy Democratic presidential candidate.

But there are other issues that he has thought deeply about, issues that show leadership and ability: He intends to restore Habeas Corpus to the Constitution and to give Seniors retirement security. In addition, his agenda calls for national service that would give a new sense of American community. Chris Dodd was himself inspired by John F. Kennedy -- he joined the Peace Corps and served in the Dominican Republic.

Senator Dodd first came to my attention at one of the early debates last Spring. I was liked his answers during the debate and when he was interviewed afterward. Of all the candidates, he was the only one who did not sound 'rehearsed' -- he did not 'soundbite-speak'. Rather avuncular and serious, there was about him a steadfastness and straightforwardness that impressed me.

It seems to me that rather too much in this pre-primary turmoil has been spin and 'spit and polish'. Too much attention is being paid to not saying the ' wrong' thing, instead of saying the 'right' thing -- the honest and believable thing. Too much attention is being paid to 'image' and not enough to substance. Too much is being said without anything being said. There has not been enough 'heart' -- except for Chris Dodd.

This is the time when Democrats can take control of the spin doctors. This is the time when we can listen for the real meaning and dispense with the rhetoric. I hope the voters in Iowa will live up to their reputation as free thinkers and give their votes and the national spotlight to Senator Chris Dodd.

What a Difference a Year Makes

Two days ago I returned from a trip to visit my mother in Connecticut. As it happens, my last trip was almost exactly one year ago and it seems to me, as a non-resident, that there have been a lot of changes in that time.

Shortly after returning home last year – about a month later – I became aware of The Daily Kos and as a result there have also been big changes in my own awareness of how things stand in the US. But it is also true that my affiliation with DK has made me see things from a perspective that isn’t entirely reflective of how things appeared to me when I was actually there on this most recent trip.

The 2006 mid-term election seems to have brought the media up short and coverage now seems to be much more balanced and honest than it was on my last visit. In my own Congressional District (CT-5) a talented “youngster”, Chris Murphy, trounced the “unbeatable” Nancy Johnson. Murphy ran an excellent campaign and won despite the scepticism of many local Democratic Committees. Thank you Howard Dean and your grass-roots legacy – you have proved that the Democratic Party is still electable.

Back to the media – suddenly Wolf Blitzer sounds even-handed and not the pawn of a Republican media baron. He sounded absolutely companionable with Jack McCafferty. Even Chris Matthews seemed a tad thoughtful! Charles Gibson, disappointingly seems to be upholding the more Republican view – but in ever such a nice Charles Gibson kind of way! However, almost everybody seems to be biding time and fervently hoping that somehow the President can be stopped in his tracks and that Congress will do what it has to get the troops home. Some in the media are held hostage by the dilemma of the US having caused the debacle in Iraq, we have an obligation to stay until it’s sorted out – but I have the sense that most people see it as a never-ending quagmire that we will never be able to solve and so better to cut our losses and get out now. It’s really important that Congress steps up to the mark and the sooner the better. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid seem to be maintaining their popularity to the consternation of the Republican mafia – one just hopes the rest of Congress has the balls to see this thing through and do what they’ve been elected to do. They will be out next time if they don’t. Unless one is particularly interested in politics most Americans would rather ignore the Presidential Hopefuls – except for Barack Obama who attracts enthusiastic crowds wherever he goes.

I also noticed a big change in attitudes toward Green Issues. Possibly this is due to the violent and unpredictable weather the US has been suffering. But most likely this is due to the work Al Gore has done and his film An Inconvenient Truth. Even so, it doesn’t seem to have dented the American enthusiasm for the SUV – loads of those still creeping up behind me! I was surprised that the price of gas was so high – but why should I be – no election this year. Still one ‘helluva’ lot cheaper than Europe – half the price.

The country is holding its collective breath and seems to want some real change. Its good to see ads on TV promoting single-payer health care. There is a lot of momentum building in the political arena, but I hope that by the time its time to vote again that the masses aren’t so numbed by boredom with it all that it will be impossible for them to become politically engaged.

I missed the debate between the Democratic hopefuls, but saw the Republican efforts. All the political pundits I saw seemed to think that both debates were similar in terms of effectiveness. No one really blew it. Rudy Guilliani, John McCain, and Mitt Romney came out on top. Of them all I agree most with the former mayor of New York, but I also liked the Governor of Wisconsin, whose name I can’t recall. He’s the only candidate of both parties who has actually outlined a plan for getting us out of Iraq – and no one I read or heard commented on that let alone discussed it. So much for someone who offers more than sound bites. And so it will go on, I’m sure.

For Hillary Clinton's Blog

I believe you have all the qualities that are important for the President of the United States to have. You are smart enough, have the experience and the insight and political skills that are necessary to do the job. But I am concerned about the 'knives' that will come out should you become the Democratic candidate. On the one hand I am mightily impressed with your political success in New York State -- success that is well-deserved and with merit: you are a damned good Senator. Period.

On the other hand, nationally, you have a lot of political baggage that will make you vulnerable to unjustified, but damaging and extremely personal attack. Old and worn scandals and suspicions will no doubt re-surface and I fear for you, I fear for the party and for the nation.

It may not be deemed politial smart to address this issue. But as a proud member of the Democratic Party, I know that these are concerns shared by many others and that if you do not talk about them, not only will they not go away, it will be to your detriment.