Many of the President's critics say that he is taking on too much at one time and ask how can he be effective in taking on so many things simultaneously. The simple reason that he has taken so much at one time is that he has to. When you look back at the years of the previous administration, you feel inclined to ask, what really got done domestically? The signature example that someone would give you is the prescription drug benefit for senior, which most seniors would tell you the 'donut hole' aspect of the legislation is a tremendous physical and mental burden on them. Outside of the two wars and the 'war on terror,' nothing else got done so that's why President Obama has many things to tackle.
By that same measure, HIllary Clinton, in the first six months of her tenure as Secretary of State, has logged in over 100,000 miles traversing the globe repairing America's reputation around the world. No easy task given our recent unilateral approach to foreign policy. Mrs. Clinton rightly noted that, 'Our priorities for the last eight years did not seem to include other countries or consider them.' Unilateralism is leadership by 'follow us or else,' which by nature sparks resistance.
However, where the unilateral approach should be maintained is with North Korea, which Mrs. Clinton addressed first in today's exclusive interview. The rudimentary policy toward North Korea is contain, sanction, and deny. Mrs. Clinton stated that North Korea's behavior would not be rewarded. This column would take it further and not reward bad or good behavior by Kim Jung Il's regime. The writing is on the wall, so to speak, for North Korea. Kim Jung Il appointed his youngest son to succeed him. It has been reported that the Great Leader has pancreatic cancer. When he passes, there will most certainly be a power vacuum, and like Rome, once Caesar is gone, those who are left will squabble for control and things will crumble. This will bring the generals to the table and not unwillingly. This is the waiting game being played.
With regard to Iran, a country which this column believes is a linch pin for a more stable world. Secretary Clinton's statements were mixed on the regime and taken at face value, could negatively effect any thawing of relations between the U.S. and Iran. She first stated, "We want to affect The internal calculus of the regime." There are a myriad of interpretations for a statement like that. Knowing how sensitive Iran to such statements, it can be troubling given the tenuous situation post-election in the country. To 'affect the calculus,' or in other words, try to overtly stir the public ire for the regime could see a backfiring effect. The people of Iran, it seems, have come to a conclusion. The people have moved and are fighting past the regime, oppression is no longer tolerable to the Iranian people. Mrs. Clinton's concluding statement should be the tact we take at the moment, which is to say that 'the people deserve better.' Mr. Gregory asked her if the regime was illegitimate, which she wisely circumvented when answering the question.
The other significant topic that needs to be touched on is Afghanistan and the fact this is month has been the most deadly since we entered the country in 2001 - an unsettling fact given that we've been in country for 8 years. David Gregory questioned when Mrs. Clinton pointed out that we are there with the goal to dismantle and destroy Al Qaeda, but that we are fighting the Taliban. Instead of asking this obvious leading question, which only leads us to an answer we already know, why not ask what the depth of the relationship is between Al Qaeda and the Taliban at this point. How much of a proxy are the Tabiban to Al Qaeda now? How coordinated are they? Are they, in fact, what stands in the way of us capturing Al Qaeda leadership?
Mrs. Clinton said that a key strategic change has been that we are clearing and holding areas of the taliban while and training people in those towns/villages to live without a Taliban presence. The United States has to at some time stop the strategy of 'going in, destroying everything, and then leaving things as a crap show' as has been our history. The administration's approach is the right one, but because of this absolutely necessary 'hands-on' approach, proximity is risk and there will unfortunately, but inevitably, be casualties. And had the focus always been on Afghanistan and not Iraq, this month would not carry that statistic.
--
Much has been made, yet not of late, of how the working relationship would be between Secretary Clinton and President Obama. To hear Mrs. Clinton say that the real story should be the common cause that the two officials share is reassuring to say the least, but you also believe it. It's like people of the same zodiac sign, if you believe in that sort of thing. Two people of the same sign get along very well but also occasionally butt heads pretty hard. Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton share the same political sign, not to mention a mutual respect. Mrs. Clinton also mentioned decisiveness and dedication in describing Mr. Obama - these are two qualities Madam Secretary also possesses. Something important should be pointed out with regard to shared philosophy. As we said, everyone wants a piece of Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton and what they both do is talk to ordinary citizens [people] home and abroad. It's not a forum that many politicians are comfortable with and most only meet with country officials when visiting, but this continued effort to connect with the people has immeasurable dividends. This is the dream team - world famous people that others gravitate to - tasked with restoring the American Dream home and abroad. As our parents always said, 'We'll see.'
Pertinent Link from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/us/politics/27clinton.html?_r=1&hp
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
7.12.09: The Tale of Two Tails
This week's Meet The Press boils down to the tale of two political figures - President Barack Obama and Governor Sarah Palin. Some conclusions can be made simply from the nature of the topics discussed in relation to each individual. When discussing Mr. Obama, healthcare, the economy, the deficit, international trips and goals while with Ms. Palin the discussion veers toward weather or not stepping down from the Governor's office in Alaska was the right thing to do.
Roger Simon said on today's program that if the Republicans had to choose a candidate for 2012 today, it would be Sarah Palin. He explained that all she would have to beat is Governor Tim Polenty (R-MN), Bobby Jindal of Louisiana (R), and Mitt Romney (R). The pragmatic reading of Mr. Simon's assessment is that those other individuals don't have enough political clout, popularity, or charisma to win the nomination over someone who just quit her political post.
Today's first guest, the MTP champ, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) he was not shocked but a bit surprised that she stepped down. He explained that the Palin family have had to endure unprecedented, sustained person attacks from the media establishment. In the case of Mr. McCain, all of his Palin statements are a defense of self - simply defending his choice of Ms. Palin as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2008. David Gregory asked Mr. McCain if her if resigning as Alaska's Governor was a poor reflection on her leadership ability. He deferred to the Palin line that stepping down was in the best interest of the state. Andrea Mitchell, one of today's roundtablers, said that the residents of Wasilla feel she quit on them and that the label of 'quitter' is going to stick with her.
How could it not? That is what she, in fact, did. Also, I do not think we've gotten the true reasoning for her decision. Personal attacks are a part of being in public office and not being able to stand that heat doesn't speak at all well of one's leadersthip meddle. Project hypothetically, for a moment, Ms. Palin in the Presidential position - how would she react to a serious crisis or to a scandal (inevitable for any administration)? Mr. McCain said that he was confident that she would make a fine President, but again refused to give her any kind of endorsement for future office.
Meanwhile, Mr. Obama is actually taking heat for his policy decisions - on healthcare, the economy and deficit spending, actions in iraq and afghanistan. Now, granted, he is the President and his feet should be felt to the fire but putting these two individuals in the same arena is ridiculous. How many times does it need to be said that these are serious times and serious people need to make serious decisions. Ms. Palin's doings and actions are those of self-interest and despite her saying it is in the best interest for the people of Alaska that she step down is such an illogical argument, that it throws all of her decisions and motivations into question.
On to more serious topics, Mr. McCain called it 'generational theft' again when referring to Mr. Obama's healthcare plan. But how about the bill for two wars? We'll be paying for those for a long time to come - into the next generation so what does that actually mean. 'Generational Theft' is a catchy political phrase, but no politician right now is immune from that charge. He actually called for lower taxes on corporations and said to focus on small businesses. Hmmm... isn't it the corporations that create an untenable situation for many small businesses to survive, making them unable to compete? Karen Hughes, another on today's roundtable, said that there is a fine line between 'mavericky' and quirky (in referring to Sarah Palin), and in the case of Mr. McCain, maverick has succumbed to empty political bluster.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) followed Mr. McCain to defend Mr. Obama's policy choices and recent statements that the administration misread the economy. To this point, we've all learned by now that there is not an instant fix and the complexity is so vast that no one has a solution or an amount of sufficient cash to correct any one of the various problems. Mr. Schumer defended the President by saying that he wasn't going to be deterred by an one statistic this week or another, but has his eye on the goal of long-term economic stability - gradually but certainly he said. However, the statistics from week to week are daunting and in front of our face, making them impossible to ignore.
There are complaints that the stimulus has not been used for its intended purpose, that it's not enough, that it's a waste, that it contained too much pork, etc. One thing specifically is that the states have used their respective stimulus amounts to sure up the respective state governments instead of creating jobs. This was to be expected because all the states are short of cash. What people don't know or have seem to have forgotten is that during the Bush Administration, the President drastically cut federal aid to all the states, leaving them to borrow and create bonds that are now worth nothing and hence in grave debt as is the case of California and Pennsylvania to name a few.
The stimulus will take time to work, the American people will have stopped waiting and given up on it when we actually see the fruit of it. Roger Simon said that Mr. Obama now owns the economy, it is no longer a Bush mess to clean up. The President's poll numbers are down and it seems as though nothing at the moment is really working. It almost seems like too much for any one individual to carry on his shoulders. Some relish in saying that Mr. Obama is failing in doing so. What do you think Barack Obama is likely to do in the face of all this? Quit?
Hardly.
Roger Simon said on today's program that if the Republicans had to choose a candidate for 2012 today, it would be Sarah Palin. He explained that all she would have to beat is Governor Tim Polenty (R-MN), Bobby Jindal of Louisiana (R), and Mitt Romney (R). The pragmatic reading of Mr. Simon's assessment is that those other individuals don't have enough political clout, popularity, or charisma to win the nomination over someone who just quit her political post.
Today's first guest, the MTP champ, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) he was not shocked but a bit surprised that she stepped down. He explained that the Palin family have had to endure unprecedented, sustained person attacks from the media establishment. In the case of Mr. McCain, all of his Palin statements are a defense of self - simply defending his choice of Ms. Palin as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2008. David Gregory asked Mr. McCain if her if resigning as Alaska's Governor was a poor reflection on her leadership ability. He deferred to the Palin line that stepping down was in the best interest of the state. Andrea Mitchell, one of today's roundtablers, said that the residents of Wasilla feel she quit on them and that the label of 'quitter' is going to stick with her.
How could it not? That is what she, in fact, did. Also, I do not think we've gotten the true reasoning for her decision. Personal attacks are a part of being in public office and not being able to stand that heat doesn't speak at all well of one's leadersthip meddle. Project hypothetically, for a moment, Ms. Palin in the Presidential position - how would she react to a serious crisis or to a scandal (inevitable for any administration)? Mr. McCain said that he was confident that she would make a fine President, but again refused to give her any kind of endorsement for future office.
Meanwhile, Mr. Obama is actually taking heat for his policy decisions - on healthcare, the economy and deficit spending, actions in iraq and afghanistan. Now, granted, he is the President and his feet should be felt to the fire but putting these two individuals in the same arena is ridiculous. How many times does it need to be said that these are serious times and serious people need to make serious decisions. Ms. Palin's doings and actions are those of self-interest and despite her saying it is in the best interest for the people of Alaska that she step down is such an illogical argument, that it throws all of her decisions and motivations into question.
On to more serious topics, Mr. McCain called it 'generational theft' again when referring to Mr. Obama's healthcare plan. But how about the bill for two wars? We'll be paying for those for a long time to come - into the next generation so what does that actually mean. 'Generational Theft' is a catchy political phrase, but no politician right now is immune from that charge. He actually called for lower taxes on corporations and said to focus on small businesses. Hmmm... isn't it the corporations that create an untenable situation for many small businesses to survive, making them unable to compete? Karen Hughes, another on today's roundtable, said that there is a fine line between 'mavericky' and quirky (in referring to Sarah Palin), and in the case of Mr. McCain, maverick has succumbed to empty political bluster.
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) followed Mr. McCain to defend Mr. Obama's policy choices and recent statements that the administration misread the economy. To this point, we've all learned by now that there is not an instant fix and the complexity is so vast that no one has a solution or an amount of sufficient cash to correct any one of the various problems. Mr. Schumer defended the President by saying that he wasn't going to be deterred by an one statistic this week or another, but has his eye on the goal of long-term economic stability - gradually but certainly he said. However, the statistics from week to week are daunting and in front of our face, making them impossible to ignore.
There are complaints that the stimulus has not been used for its intended purpose, that it's not enough, that it's a waste, that it contained too much pork, etc. One thing specifically is that the states have used their respective stimulus amounts to sure up the respective state governments instead of creating jobs. This was to be expected because all the states are short of cash. What people don't know or have seem to have forgotten is that during the Bush Administration, the President drastically cut federal aid to all the states, leaving them to borrow and create bonds that are now worth nothing and hence in grave debt as is the case of California and Pennsylvania to name a few.
The stimulus will take time to work, the American people will have stopped waiting and given up on it when we actually see the fruit of it. Roger Simon said that Mr. Obama now owns the economy, it is no longer a Bush mess to clean up. The President's poll numbers are down and it seems as though nothing at the moment is really working. It almost seems like too much for any one individual to carry on his shoulders. Some relish in saying that Mr. Obama is failing in doing so. What do you think Barack Obama is likely to do in the face of all this? Quit?
Hardly.
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