Gretchen Whitmer

Four Democrats, Straight White Christian Men, May Be Best Alternatives For 2028!

Ronald 5 Comments

In a time of so much division and conflict in America, it is noticeable that most of the potential Democratic Party Presidential contenders are perceived as having disadvantages in a time of white Christian nationalist extremism taking over the Republican Party, encouraged by Donald Trump.

The following list of 20 potential Presidential contenders is quite revealing, as we have the elections next week in NYC, New Jersey, Virginia, and the California vote on reapportionment of Congressional seats.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are females—Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Klobuchar.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are African Americans or Latino or Asian ethnicity—Wes Moore, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, Stephen A. Smith, Ruben Gallego, Ro Khanna.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are Jewish—JD Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Jared Polis, Jon Ossoff, Josh Green.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are gay—Pete Buttigieg, Jared Polis.

And then, we have white male “straight” Christian Presidential contenders—Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, Chris Murphy, Mark Kelly.

One could argue that in the present political climate, the latter four names—all white male “straight” Christian contenders—might be the best bet moving forward, although saying that is tragic, as it should not matter if one is a female, a racial minority, Jewish, or Gay individual.

Other than Barack Obama, the sad truth is that no woman, racial minority, Jewish, or gay politician, has been able to break through to this point, a sad commentary on American life!

The 2028 Democratic Presidential Race Has Begun!

Ronald 3 Comments

Here we are just 114 days since the second Trump Presidency began, a constant barrage of actions and abuses of power, far surpassing Franklin D. Roosevelt in actions, and Richard Nixon in abuses of power.

But also, already, there are clear cut signs of Democratic Presidential activity for the 2028 Presidential election beginning.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had a massive crowd in Iowa last night, amid hints of his planning to run, although he made clear that it was too early for such action to begin now.

Illinois Governor JD Pritzker has thrown down the gauntlet to Donald Trump and the Republicans, with aggressive rhetoric and calls for mass resistance.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy has been actively speaking out on the abuses of Trump, and going into Republican congressional districts with Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost to bring pressure on Republicans who could make the difference in the pasaage or failure of Donald Trump’s plans for a “beautiful” budget bill.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has emphasized how he has been able to accomplish goals as a Democratic Governor in a Republican controlled state legislature.

Hints are starting to be dropped that New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is flirting with the possibility of running for President.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego is giving combative retorts to Republicans who are undermining the rights of Latinos, and observers see him potentially running for President.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, after his amazing 25 hour personal filibuster against the Trump Administration, is perceived as likely to announce a run for the Presidency.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee in 2024, is also making speeches as he travels around Midwest states and Republican Congressional districts.

Kamala Harris, the Democratic Presdidential candidate in 2024, is weighing whether to run for the California Governorship, which she would have the edge for, or instead, to try another run for the Oval Office.

This is just a list of the most obvious cases of “hints” of plans to run, but there are many other potential candidacies, including, in no special order:

California Governor Gavin Newsom
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
California Congressman Ro Khanna
Former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
Former Rhode Island Governor and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
Sports Media Personality Stephen A. Smith
Corporate Leader Mark Cuban

This potential list of 22 contenders may have others join it, once the Midterm Elections for Congress and the Governorships are resolved!

Speculation About Futures Of Prominent Democrats In Second Trump Presidency

Ronald 3 Comments

As Donald Trump and Elon Musk run rampant in doing grievious harm to the federal government bureaucracy, speculation about the futures of prominent Democrats in the second Trump Presidency is being considered.

Will Kamala Harris run for California Governor, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Pete Buttigieg run for the open Senate seat in Michigan, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Tim Walz run for the open Senate seat in Minnesota, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Andy Beshear run for the open Senate seat in Kentucky, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Gavin Newsom in California; Jared Polis in Colorado; and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, all term limited as Governors of their states, be candidates for President in 2028?

Will Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania; JB Pritzker in Illinois; Wes Moore in Maryland; and Josh Stein of North Carolina, all Governors of their states, be candidates for President in 2028?

Will members of the US Senate, including Cory Booker of New Jersey; Ruben Gallego of Arizona; Raphael Warnock of Georgia; Chris Murphy of Connecticut; Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; and Jon Ossoff of Georgia be candidates for President in 2028?

Could sitting House of Representatives members, including Ro Khanna of California and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, be candidates for President in 2028?

Who, among these 19 Democrats mentioned above, would have a way forward to the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028?

The Refusal Of So Many Americans To Accept Science, And The Role Of Government

Ronald 2 Comments

It is extremely frustrating to witness, both personally, and in coverage of the news, that so many people refuse to accept science, and also the role of government.

The first purpose of government is to PROTECT and DEFEND the American people, and that includes sacrifice and concern about others, NOT just about one’s own pleasures and desires.

And the promotion of science is essential, and needs to be respected over religious beliefs and whims, and this includes recognition of updates in science over the decades since one learned science when in school!

To see so many people claiming their rights over responsibility to society as a whole is infuriating, and it has made the struggle against COVID 19 ever more difficult, leading to one of every thousand Americans dying as the year 2020 comes to an end!

Any government leader who refuses to put restrictions on the population in a time of a once in a lifetime pandemic is someone who should be summarily removed from office, but instead, we have many Americans condemning such state governors as Andrew Cuomo of New York, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, and Gavin Newsom of California, among others. These are both Democratic and Republican governors, so this is not a political statement!

Instead, these selfish, self centered individuals applaud such reckless and irresponsible governors as Ron DeSantis of Florida and Kristi Noem of South Dakota, who have presided over disastrous conditions, and lied and manipulated the truth, following the lead of Donald Trump, who is responsible for his refusal to accept reality, and promoted masks and social distancing as a model for America!

So the so called “greatest nation in the world” has the biggest loss of life, cases, and hospitalizations of any nation in the world, and it could have been otherwise, but politics and egomaniacal behavior mattered more to Trump than the lives and safety of Americans.

Donald Trump will never live down the massive loss of life in less than one year on his watch, and those who refuse even now to accept science and the role of government will carry the burden of guilt, and many of these same individuals will refuse to accept vaccination, and the hope is that fate will punish them for this stupidity and lack of concern for others!

Donald Trump Demonstrates Mental Instability And Lunacy, Presenting Issue Of 25th Amendment

Ronald 3 Comments

The mental health and condition of President Donald Trump is deteriorating rapidly, and he appears more than ever to be displaying mental instability and lunacy, which is bringing up the issue of the 25th Amendment possibly being considered for use.

Trump has been on Twitter during his COVID 19 illness, attacking his own cabinet members, including Attorney General William Barr and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, along with FBI head Christopher Wray.

He is talking about arresting former President Barack Obama; his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden, who is miles ahead of him in all polls; his former opponent, Hillary Clinton; Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who was the subject of a kidnap plot by right wing fanatics; and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who is calling for Congressional legislation on removal of the President as a threat to national security and safety.

He has also termed Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris as a Communist, endangering her life with extremists by labeling her with such a ridiculous label, reminiscent of former Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy’s Communist “witch hunt” in the 1950s. This will increase the number of threats and dangers to Harris, as she runs for Vice President, and when she is Vice President, a heartbeat away from the Presidency. It will also affect her husband and his two children, who are Jewish. There is a tone of racism in the attack on Harris, as she is of mixed race, with a Jamaican father and Asian Indian mother, a tactic used by the right wing against former President Barack Obama, with his Kenyan African father and his white mother.

As we are down to 25 days until Election Day, and with Trump still apparently affected by powerful steroid drugs, the nation sits on the precipice of the danger of bloodshed and violence, and it seems necessary for powerful leaders in the government to take responsible action to protect the nation from such threat presented by the 45th President of the United States!

All Star Lineup For Four Nights Of Democratic National Convention

Ronald 10 Comments

The Democratic National Convention is being held remotely this week from Monday to Thursday, and there will be an all star cast of speakers each evening.

Monday night, the speakers will include, among others–Amy Klobuchar, Andrew Cuomo, Gretchen Whitmer, Doug Jones, James Clyburn, Bernie Sanders, and Michelle Obama, along with Republican John Kasich.

Tuesday night, the speakers will include, among others—Chuck Schumer, John Kerry, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bill Clinton, and Dr. Jill Biden.

Wednesday night, the speakers will include, among others—Elizabeth Warren, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and Barack Obama.

Thursday night, the speakers will include, among others—Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Tammy Baldwin, Tammy Duckworth, Chris Coons, Andrew Yang, and Presidential nominee Joe Biden.

It will be an opportunity for the Democrats to display all of their “stars”, who have, together, contributed to the present day version of a party that has done so much for America over the decades since Franklin D. Roosevelt onward, responsible for most of the domestic reforms and foreign policy stability that marks the periods of Democratic Party control of Congress and the White House!

50 Years Since Kent State Massacre, And Now Open Carrying Of Firearms On Government Property In Michigan–Both Outrageous!

Ronald 16 Comments

Yesterday, May 4, was the 50th anniversary of the horrific massacre at Kent State University in Ohio, where the National Guard fired live ammunition at anti Vietnam War demonstrators, killing 4 and wounding 10 students.

Many of the victims had not even been engaged in the rock throwing demonstration, but there has never been any justification for using live ammunition against students.

The Ohio Governor, James Rhodes, and the individual National Guardsmen were never held accountable legally.

Now, we have a situation in which gun toting Trumpites stormed the Michigan Legislature to protest the lockdown ordered by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in reaction to the CoronaVirus Pandemic, which is still surging in that state.

Apparently, it is legal for people in Michigan to come into government buildings with firearms, and that should be changed.

Are we going to allow hoodlums to invade government buildings and terrorize government officials doing their duty to protect citizens from a pandemic?

Rightfully, the law enforcement authorities should have prevented the invasion, and ordered everyone out, and if they did not comply , then use force against those who have firearms.

One can be certain that if the gun toting terrorists had been African American or Latino, they would likely have been shot dead.

This is another example of the ongoing racism going on in America, and the growth of Fascist Trumpite followers, who endanger public safety!

The Alternative Vice Presidential Choices For Joe Biden, And The Likely 47th President In The Future

Ronald 5 Comments

Former Vice President Joe Biden has formed a committee to consider 12 Vice Presidential potential choices, apparently all women, based on his pledge to select a female running mate.

While the list has not been made public, it would seem clear, subject to a surprise of course, that there would be five women at the top of the list.

They would include

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts

Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota

Senator Kamala Harris of California

Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan

Former Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams of Georgia

Harris and Abrams are of minority background, with Harris having both Jamaican and Indian ancestry, so therefore multiracial from African and Asian heritage, while Abrams is African American.

So the question arises as to who would be the best choice to be Vice President, and potentially become the 47th President if Joe Biden is unable to finish his term as the 46th President.

The view of this blogger is that two choices should be eliminated immediately, not because they are not good people, but for other reasons.

The first is Elizabeth Warren, due to her age, only six and a half years younger than Joe Biden, making for the oldest Presidential ticket in American history, not a good idea. Also, the likelihood is that the Democrats could, at least temporarily, lose a Senate seat, with a Republican governor in Massachusetts, able to make an appointment, as occurred in 2009 when Scott Brown was appointed to replace Ted Kennedy, upon his death. The Democrats cannot afford to lose a seat in a state with a Republican Governor.

The second is Stacey Abrams, who simply does not have the experience to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. It is true that the Georgia gubernatorial race of 2018 was corrupt, and that Abrams might have been the person who should have been inaugurated.

But that is theory, not reality, and then there is the issue that if Abrams had now been Governor of Georgia, with the CoronaVirus Pandemic raging, should a governor in the midst of the crisis be running for Vice President, and the answer is no!

This also brings Gretchen Whitmer under question, as she is Governor of a state, Michigan, which has had much more severe problems with the CoronaVirus Pandemic than even Georgia. Should she be taking on the campaign for Vice President when Michigan is in crisis?

She is already highly controversial, with the strong reaction in her state by some against her restrictions and quarantine she has imposed, rightfully, but still highly divisive. She served as Minority Leader of the State Senate, after first serving in the Michigan House, so has a similar background as Abrams, with a major difference being that she was successfully elected Governor in 2018.

Both Abrams and Whitmer lack long range national experience, and one wonders if a Governor is the best fit.

And for the Democrats, the Vice Presidential choice for a Presidential campaign has always been a member of the US Senate, except in 1972 and 1984, and both years, the Democrats lost 49 states!

So we come down to two choices—Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar.

Harris is 56 and Klobuchar is 60, and Harris’s seat in California is safely Democratic, as is Klobuchar’s seat in Minnesota, with both states having Democratic Governors who would appoint a Democrat to the seat, not true in Massachusetts.

The one advantage of Klobuchar is that she is from the Midwest, a battleground area, while California is insured to be Democratic.

Either one would be a fine choice to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency, and possibly become the 47th President of the United States!

Strategies For Joe Biden’s Vice Presidential Selection

Ronald 1 Comment

Former Vice President Joe Biden is forming a committee to consider who should be his running mate for Vice President.

The choice of a future Vice President and possible President is crucial, so many of the proposed choices should not be seriously considered.

Any Vice President has to have the experience, the knowledge, the intelligence to take over on a moment’s notice.

That person needs to be much younger than Biden, who will reach 78 two weeks after the Presidential Election of 2020.

Such a person has to have the success of being an officeholder with state wide success.

Such a person should likely not be a Governor, as such a person should be kept busy dealing with the CoronaVirus Pandemic, not running for Vice President.

Such a person should not come from a state where if such person became Vice President, that state’s Senate seat might switch to the Republicans.

So already, just from what this author and blogger has stated, it is his belief that Elizabeth Warren, Stacey Abrams, Gretchen Whitmer, or Michelle Lujan Grisham, and any member of the House of Representatives should automatically be eliminated, such as Val Demings of Florida.

So who is on the list, and clearly stands out, and has already run for President, giving much needed extra national exposure?

Two US Senators are the finalists, with the reality that the Democratic Presidential nominee has always selected a US Senator as a running mate since 1944, except twice.

In 1972, it was George McGovern who chose Senator Thomas Eagleton, but he was forced out due to fears because he had undergone psychiatric treatment, and was replaced by Kennedy brother in law Sergeant Shriver.

And in 1984 ,Walter Mondale blundered in naming Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his Vice Presidential choice.

It should also be pointed out that those two times were the most disastrous for the Democrats, running against second term candidates Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, and in both elections, McGovern and Mondale only won one state and Washington, DC in the Electoral College.

Those two US Senators are Kamala Harris of California and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, with California certain to have a Democratic replacement in the Senate.

But Minnesota is much more uncertain, although right now that state has a Democratic Governor, Tim Walz.

But in a followup election after a temporary appointment, Minnesota could not be guaranteed to elect a permanent Democratic replacement in the US Senate.

So while either Harris or Klobuchar (age 56 or 60) are the two best choices, Harris has a slight edge in the sense her Senate seat is safely Democratic, but either woman would make an excellent VP, and a potential President of the United States!

Heroic State Governors, Democrats And Republicans, And Then The Southern Republican Governors Preaching Prayer As A Solution!

Ronald 10 Comments

There are heroes out there among both Democratic and Republican Governors, who have taken the lead in their states to protect their populations.

They have shown the kind of leadership that our President is incapable of.

They include:

Republican Governors

Mike DeWine of Ohio

Larry Hogan of Maryland

Charlie Baker of Massachusetts

and Democratic Governors

Andrew Cuomo of New York

Phil Murphy of New Jersey

Gavin Newsom of California

Tony Evers of Wisconsin

Tim Walz of Minnesota

Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan

J. B. Pritzker of Illinois

Laura Kelly of Kansas

Andy Beshear of Kentucky

Ralph Northam of Virginia

John Bel Edwards of Louisiana

Jared Polis of Colorado

Steve Bullock of Montana

Kate Brown of Oregon

Jay Inslee of Washington

There are others, but these are the most notable and outspoken in defending their citizenry.

At the same time, we have Governors elsewhere, particularly in Republican governed Southern States who refuse, in some cases vehemently, to take any direct action, believing God will solve the issue, while ignoring health and science experts.

This includes Mississippi (Tate Reeves) , Alabama (Kay Ivey) , South Carolina (Henry McMaster) , Texas (Greg Abbot), Georgia (Brian Kemp) and Florida Ron DeSantis), among others.

They will be held accountable for mass loss of life, as much as Donald Trump will be for his delayed response, and unwillingness to accept science, at least until this past weekend, when so much damage has already occurred!