Day: December 12, 2010

Good Sign For 2012: Michael Bloomberg And Howard Dean Dismiss Idea Of Challenging Barack Obama!

Ronald Leave a comment

Despite the anger in left wing circles over the tax deal struck between President Barack Obama and the Republican leadership, it now seems apparent that no serious chance exists of either a challenge to Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2012, or a serious third party movement from the left.

This conclusion is based on the comments today on the Sunday talk shows by Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean.

Bot have been rumored to be thinking of a challenge, either third party or within the party, but Bloomberg ruled it out completely and hailed the agreement between Obama and the GOP, while Dean said that he saw no chance of anyone challenging the President within his party, despite some disappointment over the tax arrangement.

All that we need to hear is that soon to be former Senator Russ Feingold make a similar announcement, which he should, as to oppose Obama in the presidential primaries would not be productive, and would only help to bring a right wing Republican to the White House in the 2012 election.

So, except for maybe Ralph Nader running, as he does automatically every four years, each time with far less credibility and performance results, Obama will be in far better shape for the 2012 Presidential election than he would be if either Bloomberg or Dean, or additionally Feingold, were to move ahead to be a candidate!

A Weird Scene: Former President Bill Clinton In White House Press Room After President Obama Leaves!

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A first occurred on Friday, when President Barack Obama met privately for 90 minutes with former President Bill Clinton, seeking his advice and support in the tough battle to gain Democratic Congressional support for his deal with Republican leaders on future tax cuts, including a two year extension of the so called Bush program covering all taxpayers, even millionaires and billionaires.

Clinton came to Obama’s defense, asserting that a compromise allowing the extension of unemployment compensation, a cut in the payroll tax on Social Security, and a resuming of the estate tax, although at a lesser rate than many Democrats desired, was the best that could be expected with the GOP taking over the House next year and having more seats in the Senate.

But the startling thing was that Obama announced he had to leave, that his wife Michelle was waiting for him, and then the country witnessed the former President back in the White House press room and at the podium, spending the next half hour enjoying himself, answering questions, and making one almost think that this was deja vu, that we were back in the Clinton era!

Never before had a former President ever been involved in a similar situation, and it demonstrated once again the clear cut ability of Bill Clinton to command attention, and continue, to his delight, to have an impact on events a full decade after he left the Presidency!

The Ghost Of Richard Nixon Returns To Haunt Us! Ethnic Slurs On Newly Released Watergate Tapes! :(

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Sixteen years after the death of President Richard Nixon, and 36 years after he resigned the Presidency in disgrace, the evil side of the 37th President again arises to haunt us.

With the transcription and release of more of the Watergate tapes that has continued as a project of the National Archives for many years now, the voice and thoughts of Richard Nixon and those around him keep on coming back to remind us of the tragedy of this man.

A really brilliant person, Nixon had his demons, which includes insecurity, paranoia tendencies, and the belief that his critics were enemies that had to be investigated and destroyed. But he also had disgraceful attitudes toward different ethnic groups in America, and it shows in great detail on the latest revelations of the White House tapes.

His rants against Jews, African Americans, Italian Americans and Irish Americans are despicable, and contribute to a lowering of his historical image, even with the effort of many scholars to try to show the major contributions he made to foreign and domestic policy.

It is clear that Richard Nixon in many ways had an admirable record as President, but his use of foul language, his ethnic hatreds, his mental instability that led to his authorization of illegal and unethical acts in office, and the fact that his top staff people knew that they could engage in reprehensible behavior and that Nixon would approve of such actions, continues to weigh down on the 37th President, and prevent a full rehabilitation of his character and record.

This is a sad set of circumstances, and in a way, Nixon continues to haunt us and mystify us at the same time! 🙁