Well, the weather feels a little more "spring" out there, but this early jump into daylight savings will make for some dark "late winter" mornings. This morning I have discovered VH-1 Classics, which at the moment is showing 80s videos. I've already seen/heard Genesis, the Stray Cats, Fine Young Cannibals, and A-Ha, and it's been only a half hour. To think it's been twenty years (or more for some of them) since I probably last saw these ... well, it's kind of scary. They're showing a commericial for Meat Loaf's latest concert tour. That's kind of scary too. Oh and here comes Chaka Khan. It really would not have been a complete morning without her. What a pleasant and unexpected lead-in to the Sunday morning political shows.
I suppose all of those will focus on Iraq and the 2008 presidential election. And all of them must make at least passing reference to Newt Gingrich's admission this week that he was committing adultery WHILE DRIVING THE EFFORT TO IMPEACH BILL CLINTON. The smell of hypocrisy is so very rank. Of course he will now get in on the 08 election with that skeleton pulled out of the closet. Not to mention how much I think we've come to realize how much Clinton's untruths pale in comparison to lying about a rationale for an invasion and a war and such matters. So Gingrich will be let off with an "oh, that's all?"
Just a random and, to me, terribly ironic fact - of the top three Republican frontrunners (McCain, Giuliani, Romney), the Mormon in the group is the only one to have been married only once.
And poor, poor Rudy. He's looking so very good right now and he's riding high. But this can't last for him. While it's true he's the most "electable" of this field of GOP candidates, once the party establishment gets it act together, he'll fall. On the surface he plays as the "maverick," but the truth is that John McCain has one of the most conservative and rightwing voting records in the Senate. This nomination is his to lose. And Romney will make a great running mate in the second spot next summer. Rudy should start taking measurements in the Homeland Security office.
Of course, this presumes a GOP victory in the general election. The Democrats have a good chance to win. But then again, they have the last two times and look what happened. I like Hillary and naturally would vote for her. But I am one of those with doubts about her ability to win. Ditto with Obama. I like John Edwards, but I'm not sure he can win either. Personally, I would like nothing more than to see Al Gore get in this thing. He could win ... heck, he already has once before.
Further proof that history runs in cycles. 1960. Incumbent vice president Richard Nixon loses a ridiculously close election to John Kennedy. Eight years go by. The country plunges deeper and deeper into a costly and unpopular war. A president from Texas gets most of the blame. Nixon spends the eight years sitting quietly by. 1968. Nixon comes back to win the White House.
Of course we're missing the assassination of a president, the geography of the war is a little different, and Gore has not exactly sat quietly by (he even won an Oscar). But history is a funny thing.
So Al, if by chance you're reading, please jump into this thing.
Until he does, Obama is my guy. The biggest argument against him (too inexperienced) is actually an asset if you ask me. What he has shown is the maturity and intelligence to handle the job. Dare I use these same criteria to evaluate our current president?
But another candidate I'd like to throw out there is Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico. Check this guy's resume and you will find the most qualified guy for the job, especially if you're looking from a foreign policy angle. Regardless of who the presidential candidate is, this guy is a no brainer for the vice presidential nomination. He's got the foreign policy expertise, he served in Congress, he's been a governor, he's from New Mexico (a swing state that leans red), and he's Hispanic (and that's a huge voting demographic).
I think I just talked myself into supporting him for the top job, let alone the second. Not a bad idea. But Gore is my dream. Obama is my choice until then. I like his ideas, I like his approach, and I find him easy to support.
Enough Sunday morning political talk. Simple Minds just ended and Tears for Fears just came on. I need a distraction....
