They have been turning out in droves. Registrars in Pennsylvania and Oregon have their hands full. The Republicans are flocking to change their party affiliation before the primaries. They don’t have anything to lose but freedom and security so they are abandoning the “Grand Ole Party”. They seem to be waking up.
Maybe it’s because of their discontent with the way the government has been going. Maybe it’s because they see the path we are going down isn’t leading anywhere good and they know their parties candidate is going to be more of the same. Maybe they just feel that Clinton or Obama could do better than John would and they want something better than he can offer. Maybe they are just acting smart for a change.
In Virginia and Missouri Obama won big because of the Repube vote. Texas and Ohio Repube’s gave the Clinton and Obama campaigns a huge boost. Those places have shown that no one is satisfied with the things going on in Washington and are seeking to change it. And change seems to be the common goal.
They have been running a lot of McCain for president ads on teevee here in New Mexico. We are supposedly a “swing state”. It seems that the pundits are right about him. He seems, through this ad, to be comparing America now with America of Viet Nam times. The ad they are running this week has a lot of footage of him after he was brought to some hospital after his captivity in that war. It almost seems like he wants pity for the prison time he served. The message I get from it is that he seeks revenge on his captors so much he can’t tell the difference between the Vietnamese and the Iraqi’s.
His call for occupation of Iraq for 50 years has been overshadowed by his carefree quip about 100.
“Make it 100.” he said when questioned about his support for an extended occupation.
“We’ve been in South Korea … we’ve been in Japan for 60 years,” he continued. “We’ve been in South Korea for 50 years or so. That would be fine with me. As long as Americans are not being injured or harmed or wounded or killed, that’s fine with me. I hope that would be fine with you, if we maintain a presence in a very volatile part of the world where Al Qaeda is training, recruiting and equipping and motivating people every single day.”
That is just disgusting. Americans ARE being injured, harmed or killed everyday in Iraq so there is no reasoning to this statement.
Maybe this one statement of doddering senility has gotten the Repube populace thinking. McSame is driving them away in a way Bush only dreams about. The thinking people see what disaster lies ahead with him running the great ship America. They are more interested in saving our country than some other place. They know we can’t save the world if we can’t save ourselves. They know the way things are going we are actually destroying ourselves. They want change.
In this race the Republicans can’t count on the conservative evangelical vote. This isn’t a race based on abortion or whatever one issue subject they choose to vote on. This race affects them the same way it does Democrats and “liberals”. Their kids are dying in Iraq the same way those on the left’s kids are. They are tired of being lied to by those they trusted 4 and 8 years ago. Their homes have also been foreclosed on. Their jobs have been shipped out of the country too. Their phones and internet are at risk of being invaded just like the liberals. Their rights are being trampled along with everyone else’s. Only the hardcore are waiting for Bush and McCain to speed up their “rapture” and the end of the world.
I have become an Obama supporter over the last few weeks. I think Clinton brought some good things to the table but she also brought her bucket of mud and has been slinging it much to my dismay. Bill Richardson has endorsed Barack so there is my big turning point. Richardson is the experience and knowlege Obama needs to bring on board so thats my humble endorsement.
I won’t make this page a campaign for any candidate until after the Democratic National Convention and then I will only do what I can to defeat the Republicans and their drive to bring us back to the stone age. Until then I have to depend on the conservatives who are running frantically away from their own party. For whatever reason they are running.
The members of the Grateful Dead also endorsed him by playing a benefit for him so Thats an added bonus as far as I’m concerned.
After showing his ass before the Iowa and New Hampshire votes were cast President Bill Clinton quietened down for a bit. He has been appearing in public more lately after a brief hiatus. It seems he is becoming visible again in a much more subdued form. The dutiful husband form. The under the thumb form. The FORMER president form.
But the real Bill story is coming from Santa Fe it seems. The democratic front runners are courting the man who dropped from the race January 10. The man who can help them win. The one person who has the right experience in foreign relations. New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson.
Bill Richardson’s record on a local, national and international level is tremendous. He worked in the Bill Clinton administration as an Ambassador to the U.N. as well as 14 years as congressman. He was our Secretary of Energy under Clinton. While serving our country he visited many countries around the world promoting good relations with “troublesome” leaders. He did such a good job in the old days with leaders like Saddam Hussein that George W Bush sent him to North Korea last year to deal with Kim Jong il and the nuclear crisis. He came away with success. N. Korea agreed to stop producing weapons and invited the U N to send in inspectors.
In New Mexico he pushed for a medical marijuana law that was shot down 6 times before it passed on the 7th try. Although the Feds are giving growers and patients grief he is pushing for less federal involvement on the laws of our nation. Maybe if he had a position high in the federal government the D.E.A. and other cops would start leaving individuals alone. When asked how the MMJ laws would affect his presidential campaign he said it didn’t matter as “it was the right thing to do”.
He has made law here that gives incentives to homeowners and businesses that go with alternative energy to power their electrical needs. Passed bills requiring the big power companies to use solar or wind for a growing percentage of their output.
He has demanded an end to the US occupation of Iraq. The return of our troops from the face of danger is a high priority in his political opinion. With 3970 American soldiers killed there so far he strongly supports the troops by calling for their rapid return.
President Clinton watched the Super Bowl with the Governor a few weeks ago. Mrs. Clinton stays in close touch with him. Barack Obama calls him often, on the average of every 3 days. They both have told him that they need him. His endorsement would swing so many votes their way and they both know his support would make the candidacy, and the election, theirs.
Richardson has said he is not going to put the offer of possibly being a Vice Presidential running mate or a Secretary of State appointment aside. He is staying in touch with both Obama and Clinton during their campaigns and is remaining friendly and non-controversial. No endorsements yet and thats probably a good thing.
If he were to become the VP nominee for either he would bring a lot to their campaign. Obama’s campaign would benefit from the experience and maturity he would bring. Clinton’s organization would be better off with his diplomatic attitude diverting the publics attention from the silly stuff her husband spews. The nation would be much better off with him as our Vice President what with his “progressive” ideas and policies. As Secretary of State he would be an asset to help heal the broken and bruised image of America the rest of the world has.
So with these thoughts, and others, in mind I am now going to make the Alien Trucker’s endorsement in this presidential race. I am saying, on the record, I am endorsing whoever Bill Richardson endorses. Especially if he is chosen as their running mate.
Does it really matter who I support? I don’t guess so but at least you know how I feel.
The State Of The Union Address sounded like the last 6. Kinda like a KC and the Sunshine Band greatest hits album. The same old shit with new names. You know, like K-Tel’s offerings in the ’70’s and ’80’s TeeVee ads. Nothing thinking people want to hear. Just sappy drivel that may sell to the mentally challenged.
While babbling the reruns he tried to sell America that the State of the Union is strong. Issues addressed were tired old things like reforming Social Security, No Child Left behind and vouchers for schools. He called them “Pell Grants For Kids” but they are still just vouchers that will divert even more money from already underfunded public schools and giving the elite an upper hand.
Surprisingly he called for more support of clean energy and reducing dependancy on oil. I think this was just pandering to the green thinking populace and he really doesn’t care. Reducing the need for oil may hurt his income so I think it was just B.S..
Reforming “entitlement spending”, or social security, seemed to me to be about reducing benefits for those who have payed into this fund for life. Doesn’t sound at all like entitlement. Just getting back what you payed in.
Doubling federal border agents on the Mexican border and more fences were his solve all for immigration. He said we should take measures to make America unappealing. I wonder if that means lowering wages here so people wouldn’t want to come here to work.
When he started calling for more defense in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan Speaker Nancy Pelosi started to read disinterestedly. Watching Cheney and nancy sitting behind Bush was more enlightening than any of the crap spewing from his mouth. She showed disdain by her reading and I thought Dick was going to have heart failure from all the standing and sitting he endured. If he would have died it would have saved him the shame of impeachment. Now to get on with that. I hope.
While sending 3200 Marines to Afghanistan he called the elections there a success. I noticed that congresspersons on both sides of the aisle applauding. It’s not their kids over there fighting so I guess they can praise this louder. The surge in Iraq is working, he said, so we are bringing 20,000 soldiers home in the next few months. He seemed proud of this like he actually was bringing our kids home. Even with 20 thousand coming back there will still be too many US troops staying.
After he renamed the Iraq conflict “Protective Overwatch Mission”, basically admitting a long occupation is planned, his threats to Iran weren’t a surprise. If we keep soldiers there it will be easier to attack Iran short range. The attacks threatened because America will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf.
We need to “defend America’ by monitoring the peoples communication, he said. We will be in “great danger” if congress doesn’t reapprove the spying on America crap that expires February first. Heckuva way to protect us.
He claimed a 95% increase in veteran benefits funding in the last four years. To “meet the needs of a new war” says they are planning a new conflict. Probably with Iran.
All in all it was just rehash of the crap we have heard since the Bushman took office. Old babble mixed with not so new rhetoric. alQaida on the run, Katrina hero’s from ‘05, 2005’s Iraq elections (2503 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the “freedom” came in those elections) and the rehashing of “stopping terrorist plots” in 2002/03.
Just a talking head spewing his “greatest hits”.
Hits that didn’t sell the first time.
Like KC and the Sunshine Band there was no substance.
With Hillary’s count at 1 vote to Barack’s 2 the real race seems to be on. Bill seems to be endorsing McCain and the dems seem to be in confusion. But the reprehensible act of Saturday in South Carolina was John Edwards trip to the coffee shop.
I was watching MSNBC’s coverage of the campaigns and there was footage of Edwards getting a cup of java at some trendy looking shoppe. The server mixed whatever coffee based slop he ordered and John paid with a bill that required him to receive change. The young woman serving him handed the bills and coins and he stuffed them into his pocket. My surprise turned to disapointment when I noticed he completely ignored the tip jar. No tip for the server who made the drink and shook his hand.
Maybe she was getting a livable wage but I really doubt it. Most in the food service industy are underpaid and overworked. Wait staff in restaurant’s and cafe’s depend on their tips to get by. decent service deserves a decent tip. Especially when the customer causes such a stir that serving them becomes more difficult. The cameras and cops surrounded her. The reporters were behind the counter blocking her way. Mixing the drink was made more difficult by this so the tip should have been big.
What kind of message does this send to America? When the elite rich man that tells us he is on the regular folks side ignores common courtesy and stiffs the wait staff I doubt his promises. He doesn’t deserve my support as he doesn’t live up to the most basic of his promises.
While they rushed ballots to the polling places that were running out. While every news channel was predicting a double digit lead for Obama over everyone. While the pundits babbled insipidly about who would win if Bill Clinton were running. While everyone in the media were predicting a neck and neck between McCain and Romney, I slept.
Crying myself into a nap I knew how my life is going to be spent the next few months. Watching the chances of a positive campaign crumble while the sniping and backstabbing grows. Through the rain of mudballs being hurled by the candidates, and some of their spouses, we will have the problem of trying to see which one of them will really bring change and who would lead us down the road to hell we are speeding down so quickly already. Although the mud doesn’t seem to be sticking yet I am sure it will get thicker and nastier as the year runs on.
Hillary’s slim victory over Obama today in New Hampshire is being touted as a major victory. On the Democratic side both Edwards and Richardson have vowed to continue fighting. McCain and Romney have clinched the top 2 while Huckabee, the strong leader in Iowa was pushed down to the Ron Paul level. I was really refreshed to wake and see how lousy the numbers were for 9/11 Gulianni and Thompson. Paul fanatics will actually cause more damage to his cause than the good their money did so I’m not worrying much about his ultra right wing libertarian ass winning anything any more. Dodds poor showing will probably result in him withdrawing from the race along with the other candidates who polled less than 2% in todays primary.
My states governor has decided to concentrate on the western states where he is better known. While others are campaigning in S. Carolina Richardson will be wooing Nevadans and Californians. He still has strong support here in New Mexico because the people have benefitted from his leadership. There are those he needs to court still but I think he will do better out west than he has in Iowa or N.H.. I’m really excited to see how people all over the nation whose states are being invaded by the big news agencies and herds of supporters will react to this circus tour.
It was good to see that no one got the “coronation” the media had been trying to put on Barack all week. I really think that those other Demo candidates need to get a lot more airtime in before the people are forced to go with the top runner. There are more choices than Obama and Clinton so they need to be heard.
I’m glad to see New Hampshire over with. I’m also glad it wasn’t the decider and we still have until November to choose who will be our next president.
While Hillary Clinton was attacking Barack Obama she asked that old question “Where’s the beef”. In 1984 Wendy’s had a commercial campaign starring 3 aging women looking at a big “fluffy” bun with a burger patty almost completely covered with a pickle slice. One of the elderly ladies asked the question. The ad campaign was a success and “Where’s the beef” became a catchphrase across America. T shirts and bumper stickers pondered. I saw posters with buff guys as well as very out of shape fellas blaring that question. Then the ads quit running and the catchphrase died out. In fact Ms. Clinton asking it about Obama was the first time I have heard it in years.
I have been watching the news channels covering the N H Primaries today. The exit polls and those places whose polls are closed already have shown a strong lead for Obama. With such a huge turnout in Iowa and now New Hampshire it seems that the American people are ready for change. And some beef.
With the force Barack supporters have shown up at the polls maybe they will help us see where the beef really is Those who haven’t had their primaries yet will be asking the hard questions. The peoples opinion will show us where the beef really lies.
After the 2000 election fiasco people I have talked to have lost faith in the whole system. The powers that be keep repeating that the system really does work so it seems that Americans are going to try it once again. With surges in registered voters showing up so far as well as reported new registrant rolls growing on both of the major parties sides as well as independent, I think we may really be getting a major change in federal government this time. Everyone seems to be demanding change. Everywhere.
So Hillary I think I know the answer to your question.. The American voters are the beef.
In New Hampshire today Hillary Clinton’s voice kinda cracked and a little tear came to her eye as she spoke to reporters. The good ol’ boy media jumped on this as a sign of weakness. They are playing up the emotion as a symbol of the tried and false assumption that a woman can’t be a good leader. That she would break down in times of crisis and couldn’t make decisions under pressure. I say this coverage is bullshit.
First off I want everyone to realize that I am not a Clinton supporter. I have my personal reasons and they aren’t important for this post. I do believe that she, like most of America, sees the need for change in our country. Change from the war machine pulling Bush’s strings to make the dance of death even more grotesque. Change to include more help for Americans and less spending on an illegal war based on lies. Change from the business as usual politics on the hill and most importantly change for those too poor to have any influence in their own lives.
A lot of what Hillary says is truth. She is a politician and like all of them should never be taken at face value. However she has some ideas that because of her strong voice and political clout the other presidential candidates have to talk about. Her issues should be kept in the forefront. Issues like health care for everyone. Civil rights for everyone regardless of sex, age or orientation. If these issues are kept alive others will have to answer questions and will be forced to deal with them.
I don’t see her tear or two as weakness. I think the campaign trail is tough. I think she needs a good night sleep. But most of all I see the emotion as a grief for the way our country has been treated under the Cheney/Bush administration. She is crying for change.
The people of Iowa went and voted in their local primary caucus. They were the first to choose who they wanted to go forward in the campaigns and eventually become president. They didn’t really have much to choose from. With the ultra right wing neocons in the Republican bunch and the same good ol’ boy offering from the Democratic bunch I was amazed to see record turnouts at the caucus polls. I have been of the frame of thought that the theft of the last 2 presidential elections would make the general public to throw up their hands and say, “Whats the use?’.
Maybe the scandals caused the people of the United States to wake up and realize that their voice can be heard if they actually speak up in the polling booths. Maybe this time the votes of the poor and people of color wont be cast aside. Maybe this time we have a little hope.
Out of all of them I would like to see a Richardson/Kucinich ticket but that doesn’t seem possible since they both want to bring our troops home from Iraq and that isn’t in the war machine’s best interest. The Halliburton, General Motors, General Electric interests are too invested in reaping profits and there is just no way they will let the kids quit dying if it cuts into their pockets. Besides Richardson is pushing for alternative energy and the oil and coal industries will try to stifle that.
Bill has done great things for the state of New Mexico with his energy and medicine policies. The laws give tax breaks to individuals and companies who power their buildings with solar or wind power. Big breaks for the electricity providers too. He fought for compassionate medical marijuana laws and even though the NM legislature shot it down 6 times he persued the issue until we became the 12th state to ok weed for therapeutic use and pain relief. The federal government still hasn’t given the thumbs up for the medicine and the Big Pharm will also fight his candidacy.
I hope the trend of more voters actually casting their ballott will extend beyond the borders of Iowa. Even with the slim pickin’s we have to choose from maybe we can take back our government from those who want to follow the same old same old. If this administration doesn’t strip all of our rights by November we may still have a chance.
Alien Trucker
April 2nd, 2008 by Rocky 
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