Biden bests them all but can he really help Obama?

So it’s Joe Biden.

The ’scrappy kid from Scranton‘ is finally a heartbeat away from the presidency. Congratulations are definitely in order, the scrappy kid certainly isn’t scrappy anymore..lol.

Now, while I like Joe Biden as a person and as a politician (he’s certainly more honest and funnier than most remember a noun, a verb and 911..i’m still laughing at that one) I do not believe that he will be a critical asset to Obama’s campaign. Of course, his experience and his knowledge will help Obama in some pivotal areas but his gravitas cannot be compared to say the selection of Dick Cheney by George Bush back in 2000.  

As I’ve said in earlier posts, Obama has weak foreign policy and national security credentials but who wouldn’t when compared to John McCain?  And while Biden does help to shore up Obama in this particular area I do not believe that he will help Obama win critical states in November and in the end that is what matters.

The Obama campaign is betting that Biden’s image as a candid politician and his working class roots will help Obama win votes among white working class voters and indeed he may but I think it’s a risky gamble. 

Blue collar voters are not going to start loving Obama simply because he chose Biden. Obama is not one of them but he can show that he shares their beliefs and values,  that he will protect their interests and that he is the best man for the job. Period.  

And while Biden might help Obama pick up a few of these voters here and there can he actually bring entire states into Obama’s column? I really don’t think he can so in the end Obama’s inability to sway the political landscape at it’s very roots (the electoral college doesn’t care how many african american or young voters you can bring out if you can’t add or subtract states from the red or blue column you’re not going to win) may actually cause him and Democrats the presidency once again.

We’ll just have to wait and see, come November, and for once I’m really hoping I’m wrong.

Obama’s VP, who will it be?

 

So, the wait could finally be over, Obama according to news sources is finally ready to announce his choice for VP.

I am on the edge of my seat.  We could know THIS WEEK, the other half of an Obama presidency. This man or woman (probably not) would be part of a historic campaign and an even more historic presidency.

Oh why, oh why couldn’t it have been me?..lol

I have a sneaky suspicion that his choice will be someone that we didn’t even suspect was in the running or even hone in on but at the same time I’m pretty certain it wouldn’t be the dream ticket choice of Hillary Clinton, but hey he could surprise us all and choose Ms.Clinton.

Former Senator Sam Nunn’s name has been bandied around left and right and many have floated the possiblity of a Joe Biden vice presidency but I really don’t like either of these choices but for the same reason.

While Sam Nunn and Joe Biden have significant foreign policy experience neither man can help Obama win states that he couldn’t have won without them. So in my book they should be ruled out simply because they don’t bring enough to the table.

Senator Evan Byah of Indiana and Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia on the other hand could help Obama win their  respective home state come November. Since they are not only popular with their base constituencies but also with independents and moderate leaning Republicans they could help Obama solidify and reassure skeptical white working class men and women about an Obama presidency. And while we can wish it wasn’t so or even try to wish it away at the end of the day Obama does and will need to calm any fears within this particular constituency in order to win the election and Byah and Kaine can help him to do so.

In the long run, Obama’s lack of of foreign policy and national security experience, can be compensated for with a campaign focus on national issues which are of greater importance this election cycle and in the end he must win the election and carry the electoral college in order to become President and that must be the central focus of the campaign.

What if China dominates US at Olympics?

Let’s just say the Chinese do overtake America at this year’s Olympics in the overall medal standings for the first time in Olympic history would that have a devastating impact on our psyche? or would we just say oh well who cares about the Olympics anyway?

On the one hand I think a lot of people would probably lean toward the latter but I just can’t imagine the majority of Americans taking a lost like that to China, it’s one thing when it comes to overtaking us as the leading producers of white cotton T-shirts but to beat us at the Olympics..that would be like taking away our turkeys at thanksgiving..so, I can’t imagine us taking that lying down..can you?

But seriously, the Chinese are hell bent on taking that the top spot and they have a pretty good chance according to some observers..but I never bet against the US..NEVER.. no matter how good the opposition.

Kilpatrick should stop killing Detroit and resign immediately

 

Kwame Kilpatrick the scandal plagued and proned  Mayor of Detroit should resign immediately.

He has not only disrespected himself and his family by his actions but he has shown no respect for the office of Mayor or for the people of Detroit ( by using city money to cover up his affair and then crying racism when the press starts to investigate) and so he does not deserve or should he serve another day in that office.

Why he was elected boggles my mind..but that’s a blog for another day.

As a former resident of Detroit, I always speak with a heavy heart when talking about Detroit. I love the city of Detroit. From it’s historic downtown buildings,  KING’s BOOKSTORE, Greektown, to the surrounding liberal enclaves of Royal Oak and Ferndale. Detroit grabbed me at first sight and it’s a pity I had to let go, but it’s high crime, high (catastrophic, in my opinion) unemployment and lack of true vision by it’s leaders caused me to relocate within the past year.

I could not grow in Detroit and unfortunately it seems the Motor City is doomed to fail because of leaders like Kwame Kilpatrick and Coleman Young . And while its residents long for and dream of the golden days of yore their leaders rape and pillage the city’s coffers and use the city’s name and extensive good will towards it to advance their own political and professional careers

Kwame Kilpatrick is a failure.

Detroiters and Michiganders are not.

They deserve better but first they must expect more and ask more of themselves and from those who lead them.

N.B I know I haven’t blogged in a while, please humble reader accept my sincere apology, however once again life got the better of me (well not really but it certainly caused me not to blog..lol) but I’m back and hopefully better..join me once again on my journey.