Thursday, November 13, 2008
Economy
Okay, you may be tired of me harping on this, but I keep getting interesting feedback from friends and readers around the country. A good friend is attending a construction forum in the state of California this week. He contacted me last night to let me know that very few construction companies are even talking about the economy. I was shocked.
The focus of conversation, at the event, was Card-Check. As my friend said, "People aren't discussing the economy, because if "Card-Check" is passed, the economy will be the least of our problems."
On election day, I believe that America voted based on their fears. I think the current economic malaise is due to businesses now embracing that same level of fear.
Sarah Palin
It's interesting to see all the media attention being focused on Sarah Palin, now that the election is over.
I don't recall John Edwards or Joe Lieberman receiving this sudden, fawning interest as the losing vice presidential candidates.
It would seem that there's something a little more sinister taking place.
The media is touting Sarah Palin as the new standard bearer for the Republicans. Of course, they'd like to foist her as the "voice of Republicans". She's still getting her footing on a variety of issues, and is not well served to be the "voice of opposition" against an Obama juggernaut. But that, I believe, is exactly what the media wants.
Voices like Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney offer the background and experience to provide insightful comment on the harmful policies of an Obama administration. Yet, the media, that now have their darling in the White House, seem intent on silencing vocal opposition to their man, as well.
It reminds me of the 2000 election cycle, and in particular, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. At the Democratic Convention, that year, CNN and other news booths were filled with celebrities who were making eloquent pitches on behalf of candidate Gore. Of course, these celebrities were lobbed all sorts of softball questions.
And then the Republican Convention rolled around. Guess who the chief "entertainment" spokesperson was for candidate Bush. None other than..... (drum roll please).....
Miss Loretta Lynn!
Now I like Loretta Lynn. But with her deep southern accent, and clear uncertainty on global issues, she was less than impressive when pummeled with policy questions by the same CNN commentators.
Example: CNN to Democratic Star: "Is it too late for Al Gore to save America?
CNN to Loretta Lynn: "How do you defend George Bush's policy on Bosnia which will necessarily cause hunger among children, death to the elderly, and fattening lard to be use in all fried foods?"
Okay, I've overstated it a little. But it was clearly heavy handed.
Sarah Palin won't be going away. It has nothing to do with her standing in the Republican Party and everything to do with the media's intention to use her as a tool.
Okay, you may be tired of me harping on this, but I keep getting interesting feedback from friends and readers around the country. A good friend is attending a construction forum in the state of California this week. He contacted me last night to let me know that very few construction companies are even talking about the economy. I was shocked.
The focus of conversation, at the event, was Card-Check. As my friend said, "People aren't discussing the economy, because if "Card-Check" is passed, the economy will be the least of our problems."
On election day, I believe that America voted based on their fears. I think the current economic malaise is due to businesses now embracing that same level of fear.
Sarah Palin
It's interesting to see all the media attention being focused on Sarah Palin, now that the election is over.
I don't recall John Edwards or Joe Lieberman receiving this sudden, fawning interest as the losing vice presidential candidates.
It would seem that there's something a little more sinister taking place.
The media is touting Sarah Palin as the new standard bearer for the Republicans. Of course, they'd like to foist her as the "voice of Republicans". She's still getting her footing on a variety of issues, and is not well served to be the "voice of opposition" against an Obama juggernaut. But that, I believe, is exactly what the media wants.
Voices like Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney offer the background and experience to provide insightful comment on the harmful policies of an Obama administration. Yet, the media, that now have their darling in the White House, seem intent on silencing vocal opposition to their man, as well.
It reminds me of the 2000 election cycle, and in particular, the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. At the Democratic Convention, that year, CNN and other news booths were filled with celebrities who were making eloquent pitches on behalf of candidate Gore. Of course, these celebrities were lobbed all sorts of softball questions.
And then the Republican Convention rolled around. Guess who the chief "entertainment" spokesperson was for candidate Bush. None other than..... (drum roll please).....
Miss Loretta Lynn!
Now I like Loretta Lynn. But with her deep southern accent, and clear uncertainty on global issues, she was less than impressive when pummeled with policy questions by the same CNN commentators.
Example: CNN to Democratic Star: "Is it too late for Al Gore to save America?
CNN to Loretta Lynn: "How do you defend George Bush's policy on Bosnia which will necessarily cause hunger among children, death to the elderly, and fattening lard to be use in all fried foods?"
Okay, I've overstated it a little. But it was clearly heavy handed.
Sarah Palin won't be going away. It has nothing to do with her standing in the Republican Party and everything to do with the media's intention to use her as a tool.
Re: Gov. Palin - This is a theory I'd not thought of. Do you think the left sees her as a threat later on once she achieves the footing you speak of? I think they are taking a move out of the old Barney Fife playbook: "We've gotta nip this in the bud, nip it in the bud!"
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I don't see how they can look at Palosie
and badmouth Sara.
Keep up good work.
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Andy,
I don't think the media sees her as a threat. She doesn't have the national organization or fundraising ability to mount a credible campaign. Of course, that could change in 4 years.
In the meantime, she's not the most credible voice for Republicans - a fact the media is all too happy to exploit.
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Andy,
While Palin could be a contender in the future. Four years is not long enough to build a national organization and fundraising appeal with the Republican base.
In the meantime, I think the media will use her as their own "tool".
Former CBS reporter, Bernard Goldberg wrote a compelling book on media bias. By example, he pointed out that the media would cover the gun control issue by interviewing an incredibly eloquent spokesperson for the anti-gun crowd, and then "balance" that view by interviewing a rather inarticulate gun shop owner.
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That's a shame. I think if the Gov. could polish her oratory on the double (to take away the threat of the media exploitation,) she could be a leader on a national level for the Conservative movement. Her ideology is firmly on the 3-legged stool.
I certainly don't want to participate in the perpetual campaign that seems to have been started in 2006, but Romney/Jindal (don't care which order) is where I'm looking in '12. The only caveat would be if Kinky Friedman through his sizable hat into the ring… on second thought, maybe Kinky would make a better "roving diplomat to the world."
PS - I love Bernie. He did some solid work on HBO Sports, as well. Which book was that from?
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I'm not sold on Palin being the leader of the GOP just yet. She's got promise and would have made a great VP. However, she does have some learning to do, and if things play out right in the Alaskan senate race, she might get some federal experience after all.
The problem is that the conservatives are in the same place we were in 1976. "Moderates" and liberals are in control of the party right now, and doling out $700 billion bailout. George Bush went from compassionate conservative to liberal nationalizer real quick and in a hurry. The conservatives saved the Republicans in 1980 and it will be up to us to do it again.
Another problem is that we have no standard barer that we can rally around. I blame that on the people that are running the show right now. Republicans are too scared to stand on principles and stick to their guns. We've become obsessed with polls and trying to win over people that most likely will not vote for a Republican even if Jesus himself was on the ticket. We need a leader on a national scale. We lost Reagan and Buckley Jr. We have Rush, but even he'll tell you he's an entertainer, not a journalist or politician. The military is conservative and votes Republican by a good majority, can we not find a retired general to through his hat in the ring? Or a business guru like Cavuto? I liked Steve Forbes, but he reminds me too much of Dr. Strangelove.
Lastly, we need to get over the feeling of shame that is imposed on us for being conservative by the liberal media, Hollywood, and card carrying liberal Democrats. Stand up and be heard and don't back down. What's wrong with wanting low taxes, open shop policies, promoting businesses, strong defense, family values, enforcing immigration laws, protecting the 2nd Amendment, and small government?
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