Think About It

John McCain's Image Problem -- Barack Obama's BS Problem

I’ve been watching John McCain more closely than I had in the past.  I’m rooting for McCain, because he has far better credentials to be President than Obama.  He has more experience in every facet of government than Obama.  His plans for the economy, energy, foreign and domestic policies are superior to Obama’s.

So what’s wrong?  Why is Obama reportedly leading McCain by as much as 14%?  John McCain has an image problem – and an oratory problem – and a perceived age problem.  Yes, I know he also has the problem of the liberal media either chipping away at him or simply ignoring him.  McCain needs to make some changes.  One of my sons, who likes and is planning to vote for McCain, told me he thinks McCain comes across as “an old tired white guy.”  I can’t say as I disagree with his assessment.  I think McCain tries to project the image of the wise elder statesman, who speaks slower and in softer tones.  Unfortunately, this is perceived by the masses as an old tired white guy talking.  (I didn’t say the masses were smart.)

Maybe he could start by visiting a tanning salon once a week.  Not too brown, but let’s get rid of the pasty look of someone who hasn’t been outside in 10 years.

Next, let’s get him a voice coach to put some strength and punch into his speeches.  He has the experience advantage; let him project it.  He doesn’t need to pretend he’s 50 again, but neither does he need to look as though he’s eager to embrace 90.

Meanwhile, the black JFK is out enjoying rock star status.  Why?  Because he promises political pork like no other politician has before him – and he does it convincingly.   His voice projects strength and sincerity, albeit fake.  People will bite on a freebee anytime.  “What do I have to lose?” 

Questions:

If you were John McCain’s campaign manager, what advice would you give him?

Is there any chance McCain will change his campaign strategy?

What is the foremost thing that McCain needs to do in order to win?

Bill Clinton and the Strange Article in Vanity Fair

I never thought I would be defending Bill Clinton, but I question the journalistic integrity of Vanity Fair’s upcoming article, titled The Comeback Kid.  According to the author of the article, Bill Clinton has been doing some late night one on one campaigning.  Supposedly, old friends and aides are anxious over Clinton’s recent escapades that include dubious and secretive business dealings, jetting around with a skirt-chasing posse and all-round bad behavior.  The tenor of the article would suggest that Bill Clinton is out playing while Hillary is occupied with her campaign for president.  Oh, a word about the author of the article.  It was written by the husband of Dee Dee Myers, who was Clinton’s White House press secretary.

When I first heard about the Vanity Fair article, I looked forward to reading it.  I was disappointed; instead of a well-documented look into Bill Clinton’s nocturnal forays, it was long on gossipy rumor and short on verifiable facts.  A sample: “Bill Clinton.   He had come to the City of Light (Paris) with the motley crew that constitutes some of the post-presidential rat pack to celebrate the marriage of Douglas Band, the man who for the last decade has been his personal aide, gatekeeper, enforcer, and—more recently—counselor in the multifarious business, philanthropic, and political dealings that keep Clinton restlessly circling the globe.”

According to the article, Bill Clinton is a close “bachelor buddy” of Ron Burkle, the California supermarket billionaire.  Burkle reportedly jets around the world in his converted Boeing 757 that Clinton calls “Ron Air” and Burkle’s circle of young aides privately refer to as “Air Fuck One.”   If one didn’t read carefully, the reader would think Bill Clinton flew to Paris with Burkle, but Clinton flew in with Steve Bing, a real estate heir and Democratic donor.  The article rambles on for several more pages of innuendo.  A strange article.

The timing of this article is interesting to say the least.  The story is breaking just as Hillary Clinton is the last throws of her campaign for President or as some think, Vice-President.  Lots of questions on this one.

Questions:

Was the article a deliberate hatchet piece or just another expose?

Was the timing of the article coincidental?

Are Obama’s people behind it?

Why did Vanity Fair run a piece that didn’t include verifiable sources?

How does Dee Dee Myers figure into this scenario?

Why Won't Barack Obama go to Iraq?

John McCain has invited Barack Obama to come with him to Iraq, but Obama isn’t biting. `Senator Obama has been to Iraq once, a little over two years ago…and he has never seized the opportunity, except in a hearing, to meet with General Petraeus. This is about leadership and learning,” said McCain.

Obama countered by charging McCain is stubbornly clinging to “the failed Bush policy” on Iraq.  There has been a slight shift in Obama’s position on withdrawing troops from Iraq.  A few months ago, Obama called for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.  He has since modified this to “a deliberate, careful strategy to remove our troops…”

Obama let it be known last night that he would consider a visit to Iraq sometime this summer.  This would be his first since becoming a presidential candidate.

Meanwhile McCain said, "To say that we're failing in Iraq and not succeeding does not comport with the facts on the ground, so we've got to show him the facts on the ground."

Questions:

Why is Obama reluctant to go to Iraq?

How will he be greeted by the troops?

If he goes, will he have to admit the surge is working?

Will the contrast between him and McCain be too glaring?

Will he have preconditions to his trip?

If Obama does go, how will he spin it?

Should We Close our Military Prison at Guantanamo?

A friend and I got into a discussion the other night about our military prison in Guantanamo Bay.  He was outraged at the idea that the detainees were on American soil without having the rights and benefits of a detained suspect in our criminal courts.  Ah, where does one start.  Perhaps with this week’s news from the BBC in Iraq:  “Guantanamo Man' in Iraq bombing.”  It seems one Mr. Abdullah al-Ajmi, a former guest at our facilities in Guantanamo Bay took part in a suicide bomb attack in Mosul that killed several members of the Iraqi security forces on April 29.  Abdullah al-Ajmi had been in U.S. custody in Gitmo and because he was a Kuwaiti, the U.S. transferred him to Kuwait in 2005 where he was acquitted of terrorist charges.  More than 80 prisoners have been transferred to other countries, and over 200 have been released.

According to reports, Abdullah al-Ajmi and two alleged accomplices obtained new passports before going to Mosul through Syria.  Once in Iraq, the trio detonated two car bombs that killed the several members of the Iraqi security forces.

The ACLU  and an battalion of defense lawyers tried to make the case that these military combatants should be tried as criminals in the U.S. courts.  Apparently the Supreme Court cringed at the idea of seeing 400 O.J. style trials, so in a 6-3 decision they gave the U.S. Military Tribunals sole jurisdiction at this time.   

What exactly would the three presidential candidates do about our military prison in Guantanamo is unclear, but if Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton get into office, they are pledging to bring the troops home, so presumedly the prison at Gitmo would no longer be necessary.

Questions:

If the war in Iraq and Afghanistan continues, what should be done with the 400+ prisoners in Guantanamo?

If we withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan, will the prisoners simply be released?

Do Military Tribunals provide adequate justice for detainees?
Should we close the prison at Gitmo and move it to Iraq or the Middle-East?

What will John McCain do with Gitmo if he is elected President?

What would Hillary or Obama do if elected?