US House Of Representatives

After So Much Vice Presidential Speculation, New Names Show Up!

Ronald 5 Comments

Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are busy keeping us guessing as to who will be their Vice Presidential choices.

After so much speculation, it turns out, according to latest hints, that others not originally considered likely choices, are surging ahead.

So for the Republicans, Indiana Governor and former Congressman Mike Pence seems like the front runner, with Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions also becoming part of the discussion.

And for the Democrats, suddenly, Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack seems like a possible choice, with Secretary of Labor Tom Perez of Maryland and Virginia Senator, former Governor, and former Mayor of Richmond Tim Kaine as other possible choices.

Compared to bigger names, such as Newt Gingrich or Chris Christie on the Republican side, or Elizabeth Warren or Julian Castro on the Democratic side, these potential choices seem less exciting and dramatic, but that does not mean that there is not an argument for them.

Pence is less controversial than other VP choices for the Republicans, although he signed a bill against the civil rights of gays and lesbians in public accommodations that had to be changed under protest, and with many businesses canceling plans to expand into Indiana, and with him concerned about a gubernatorial race that looks very difficult to win. He is a hard right wing conservative Republican who the Christian right loves, which makes him unable to expand the base of the Republican Party. But Pence does not have a big mouth, and is not considered a bully, as Gingrich and Christie are.

Sessions is the typical Southern conservative very similar to past Southern Democrats up to the 1960s, very hard line on immigration, but the first US Senator to endorse Trump. He is not appealing personally as Pence is.

Tom Vilsack was actually considered on the short list for VP for John Kerry in 2004 and for Hillary Clinton, had she won the nomination of the Democrats in 2008, and is a pleasant enough fellow, and is from a “swing” state.

Tom Perez is Hispanic, Dominican heritage, and also very well liked by Hillary Clinton, and a very effective Secretary of Labor for Barack Obama.

Both Vilsack and Perez as cabinet members do not endanger any Senate seats, which is a plus for both of them.

Kaine was on the short list for VP in 2008, and is well liked, and has been Mayor of Richmond, as well as Governor and Senator, and also Democratic National Chairman, and also well liked by Hillary Clinton. Fortunately, with a Democratic governor in Virginia, an appointment to replace him would be a Democrat. And to top it off, Kaine speaks perfect Spanish, as this blogger has seen on the news reports, a very impressive plus, considering that 55 million Americans, out of 320 million speak or are od Spanish origin.

Trying to guess the ultimate choices for Vice President has become more complex and difficult, so we shall have to wait and see, but it will be interesting to witness what transpires!

All Lives Matter: Both Victims Of Police Overreaction, And Law Enforcement Protecting All Of Us!

Ronald 9 Comments

The tragedies of this week–two African American males shot and killed by police without just cause in Louisiana and Minnesota–and the murder of five law enforcement personnel and wounding of seven others in Dallas, Texas during a peaceful demonstration against those incidents—are a shock to the nation, and one thing MUST be made very clear!

All lives matter, not just black lives, but white lives, Latino lives, Asian American lives, Native American lives, and “Blue Lives”, that of the law enforcement professionals who dedicate their lives to protection of all of us, but in so doing, face possible bodily harm and death every day.

We can be angry at law enforcement when it abuses its power and takes the lives of people who are no threat to them, but realize that the number of such cases, while seemingly too many, is still a miniscule number of cases as compared to the total number of good law enforcement people who get very little recognition or appreciation for the important work they do every day.

This is a time of sober reflection, and the hope that we can work to unite the nation, and not allow race baiting villains of any race to further incite violence.

This also requires politicians to stop provoking, but already being shown to be occurring, as with former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh, former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, and many right wing talk show hosts, who should understand the impact of their words, but still are reckless and demagogic!

Concern About Ages Of Presidential Candidates And Possible Vice Presidential Candidates

Ronald 2 Comments

This blogger has written about his concern over the fact that instead of having younger Presidential candidates, a “new generation of leadership”, we are now faced with having the oldest combination Presidential nominees in American history.

Donald Trump would be 70 years and past seven months old when he would take the oath, and Hillary Clinton would be 69 years and nearly three months if she was to take the oath.

Only Ronald Reagan and Dwight D. Eisenhower were past 70 in office, and Trump would be eight months older than Reagan was for the first term, and older than Eisenhower by four months for Trump’s first term.

Hillary Clinton would be the second oldest first term President behind Reagan at inauguration, at eight months younger than he was for the first term, age 69 and three months.

And now, there is the strong possibility that Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, might be the Vice Presidential running mate for Trump, making him the oldest VP nominee since 1904, at age 73 and seven months. Only Henry G. Davis, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee with Presidential candidate Alton B. Parker in 1904, was older, at the age of 80, and Theodore Roosevelt won a landslide victory over the obscure and mediocre pair of rivals. Davis had served in the US Senate from West Virginia, but it had been 21 years since he finished his service.

As it is, Gingrich has not served in office for 18 years, a tremendously long time, unmatched except for being surpassed by Davis a century ago.

Additionally, if Hillary Clinton selects Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren as her Vice Presidential running mate, as inspiring as that would be, it would mean that we would have the second oldest combination of candidates after Trump and Gingrich, with Warren being 67 and seven months to Hillary’s age of 69 and three months by Inauguration Day.

This is worrisome, as it would be better with two “old” candidates, that the Vice Presidential nominees be substantially younger, rather than three years older in the case of Gingrich and two years younger in the case of Warren.

Revolutionary Moment In History Of House Of Representatives, Unmatched Since 1910 “Revolt” Against Speaker Joseph Cannon!

Ronald 7 Comments

A century ago, in October 1910, Democrats and progressive Republicans united to state a “coup” in the House of Representatives, stripping Speaker of the House Joseph Cannon of his absolute power to decide committee appointments and control the legislative agenda all by himself.

Now in June 2016, the Democrats have staged a one day sit down, demanding a vote on a gun control measure. They proceeded to prevent normal routine in the House of Representatives, and to shout down any attempt at taking action on other legislative business.

While Speaker of the House Paul Ryan was befuddled, and waited until 10pm to attempt normal legislative business, which failed, and led to the end of the official session until after the 4th of July recess, the Democrats have drawn attention to the issue of gun regulation, and it is clear they will defy Ryan again when the House of Representatives comes back into session next month.

The effect will be to put the Republicans on notice, that it is time that they stopped being captives of the National Rifle Association and Wayne La Pierre. The issue will be a major one in November, and hopefully, might cause a massive switch of seats, putting the Democrats into the majority again, although that is still highly difficult to do, as 30 or more seats would need to be gained.

But taking action, led by the icon civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis of Georgia is better than just doing nothing! Hope springs eternal!

Most Important Job In The World: Hire A “Rookie” With No Experience, Or A “Veteran” With Lots Of Experience? A “No Brainer”!

Ronald 21 Comments

The American Presidency is the most important, most crucial job in the world!

Should we hire a “rookie” with no experience at all in government to be our leader; or should we hire a “veteran” who has many years of experience, knowledge, and expertise and is well respected by both friends and adversaries?

This is a “no brainer”, particulary when one examines the Hillary Clinton record as First Lady, US Senator, and Secretary of State, making her one of the most qualified on background of any Presidential nominee in all of American history!

Hillary Clinton has great talents, great intellect, and is well respected even by Republicans who are fighting against her, as they know her ability to work “across the aisle” with the opposition when possible.

Clinton was able to work with former House Majority Whip Tom DeLay of Texas, Senator Lindsey Graham of North Carolina, and Senator John McCain of Arizona among others.

She does not just spout for attention, but rather also listens to others, and knows how to accommplish major goals.

So any intelligent person, while understanding the shortcomings of any public figure, would come to the conclusion that Democrat Hillary Clinton, our first woman nominee for President, is highly qualified to be President, and Donald Trump is totally unqualified, as he is not even a good businessman, but rather a con man who has failed at business, diplomacy, and in his private life!

Bernie Sanders On The Road To Being The Ralph Nader Of 2000! He May Bring Us Donald Trump And A Right Wing Supreme Court!

Ronald 26 Comments

It looks as if Bernie Sanders is on the road to being the Ralph Nader of 2000.

In so doing, he may bring us Donald Trump in the White House, which would condemn him in history, as Nader brought us George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, and two wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and the disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina!

Sanders has failed to win more than a few primaries, mostly winning unrepresentative caucuses; is more than three million popular votes behind Hillary Clinton; and will not have more pledged delegates than Clinton, but he now says he will fight to change “super delegates”, who have pledged to Hillary Clinton, to switch loyalties to him, which will not happen. He is not lifelong Democrat, but rather a Socialist who was allowed to join the Democratic Party, and now is, seemingly, out to harm them for his own ambitions!

But what it means is that we will have division, dissension, and turmoil at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, rather than unity. Already, Sanders has demanded, which will not happen, to remove Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Congresswoman from Florida as the DNC Chair, and also to replace former Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Governor Dan Malloy of Connecticut as leaders of the Platform Committee at the convention.

Bernie now comes across as a bitter, nasty, crotchety old man who seems not to care about whether the progressive agenda wins, but only whether his own ego is satiated!

Paul Ryan’s Surrender To Donald Trump Means The End Of The Republican Party!

Ronald 10 Comments

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s abject surrender to Donald Trump as the Republican Presidential nominee marks the end of the Republican Party completely.

Ryan, as the top ranking Republican in Congress, and two heartbeats away from the Presidency, has lost all credibility, by supporting a man who is a racist, nativist, misogynist, massive liar, and a xenophobe, and who has continued to attack viciously members of his own party who dare to challenge him.

Trump is a Fascist who has the backing of a declining white population who is crazy enough to think a billionaire who has been a bully, a narcissist, an egotist, all of his life, and has abused people verbally, and cheated workers and consumers on a regular basis his entire life, will suddenly show concern for the average American.

We have a lot of delusional people in this nation who clearly have no understanding of what American democracy is all about, that we need to unite, rather than divide, to move to the future .

As long as we have one percent of the population, a true oligarchy, dictating life to the rest of us, we have lost the dream of Theodore Roosevelt more than a century ago who, if he was here on earth now, would be leading the charge against a man who is the most dangerous person ever to compete for the Presidency.

All decent people must go past their biases, their prejudices, their hatreds, and even their finances, to do what is right for America, and that is to deal Donald Trump, the Fascist, a resounding defeat in November, to avoid a constitutional crisis and the danger of world wide war, brought about by this maniac–our Mussolini, our Franco, and maybe even, our Hitler!

A Disastrous Potential Presidential Ticket: Donald Trump And Newt Gingrich (Six Marriages, Horrible Temperament)!

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A rumor is growing that Donald Trump might select former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia to be his running mate for Vice President.

That would be a totally disastrous potential Presidential ticket, and it is hard to imagine it actually occurring.

Between them, they have SIX marriages and FOUR divorces, an equal number of wives, and of adultery!

Both are egotistical narcissists, both braggarts, bullies, obnoxious and horrible temperaments.

Both would be in their 70s, unprecedented in that respect.

It is hard to imagine them working well together, since both wish to be totally in the spotlight.

It is true that Gingrich would bring Washington DC and Congressional experience to the ticket, as he is the consummate DC insider.

But it would not improve Trump’s slim chances to win, and would only insure his Republican base without expanding it one iota!

It would, however, cause lots of media publicity and attention, and a VP debate with whoever the Democratic nominee would be, presents a fascinating theatrical event!

Can Bill Clinton Hold Government Position Under Hillary Clinton? NO, As Of 1964 Nepotism Law

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The Hillary Clinton Presidential campaign is spreading information that former President Bill Clinton may be utilized by his wife in a government position if she wins the White House.

However, under the 1964 Nepotism Law, passed after Robert Kennedy left the government to run for the US Senate, it is illegal for a relative of any President to be in a public, paid position in the government. It is seen as a conflict of interest, so for instance, Jeb Bush, after leaving the Governorship of Florida in 2007, was not eligible to serve in the administration of his brother, George W. Bush.

RFK was Attorney General under his brother, President John F. Kennedy, but the Congress decided after the Kennedy Administration’s end, that such a situation should not happen again. Also, JFK’s brother in law, R. Sargent Shriver, served as head of the Peace Corps.

So Bill Clinton could be an unpaid advisor, but cannot go on the government payroll, even assuming he would agree to donate any government paycheck to charity, as RFK did under his brother.

It is clearly assumed that Bill Clinton would have an important background role, but again, it cannot be as a cabinet officer or an official part of the White House staff, unless Congress agrees to change the law, but that is highly unlikely in the present political climate, with a Republican Congress, and the likelihood that at least the House of Representatives will remain Republican after this year’s Presidential and Congressional elections!

Growing Possibility Of Three Women On National Tickets Of Both Major Parties For The Presidential Election In November!

Ronald 15 Comments

It seems more likely by the day that we may witness having three women on the Presidential tickets of the two major political parties in the upcoming Presidential Election of 2016.

Hillary Clinton, the likely Democratic nominee, may decide to select Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren or Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar as her running mate, which would be a revolutionary act, and likely, a winning combaination.

At the same time, Republican nominee Donald Trump may decide that he must pick a conservative woman to be his running mate, as an attempt to take away the women’s vote from Hillary.

If so, the most likely choices, based on Trump’s statement that he wants someone who is in the DC establishment, would be either Tennessee Congresswoman March Blackburn or Iowa Senator Joni Ernst.

If however, Trump went to the governors in the Republican Party, he could select Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who served in Congress before becoming governor in 2011; or former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer; or South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley; or New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez. The latter two are from minority heritage, with Haley having parents from India, and Martinez being Mexican American, but these two have made it quite clear they do not wish to be considered.

The others mentioned have indicated interest, as has former Alaska Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, the thought of her being tapped a total nightmare, and highly unlikely.

This blogger would bet at this point that Marsha Blackburn or Joni Ernst are the most likely choices, so imagine an all woman Vice Presidential debate of either Blackburn or Ernst against Warren or Klobuchar!

It would be a fascinating and much watched debate, along with the debates between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton!