tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post725457061316977498..comments2024-02-25T07:30:31.454-06:00Comments on SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: Presidential Politics - Should A Republican In Texas Vote In The Democrat's Primary?thomsingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230569732505245876noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post-84083409103266925122008-02-27T17:00:00.000-06:002008-02-27T17:00:00.000-06:00Some of us "Republicans" have already jumped ship ...Some of us "Republicans" have already jumped ship and landed on the Obama bandwagon. It's an exciting and hopeful place to be! Come join us! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11195787.post-28733075901202682162008-02-27T16:46:00.000-06:002008-02-27T16:46:00.000-06:00Hey Thom,I think the irony of the political proces...Hey Thom,<BR/><BR/>I think the irony of the political process is that likely between 60-80% of Americans can agree on far more than they disagree on, and in many of those areas where they disagree, that super-majority could likely find compromises that could work for them. At that voting level, it would be veto proof and would set the trend for the country's path to maintain or regain excellence.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, the process that we have now empowers the extreme left and extreme right to set the agenda and close off the middle-ground options that most voters want. The major flaw of the Bush Administration likely was allowing the "Neo-Cons" to run wide for too long, and antagonizing the middle (and middle class) to now more strongly support the Democratic Party candidates. However, despite the extreme left's point of view that the 2006 Mid-term elections were a vindication of the Liberal Agenda, it actually was a validation of the moderate middle - with candidates like Sen. Webb of Virginia (not at all liberal, but moderate). Hopefully we don't trade the "Neo-Cons" in for the "Neo-Libs."<BR/><BR/>The concern that the middle likely needs to watch for is whether the Democrats will falsely see a "mandate" in what likely will be a strong land-slide in many House and Senate races toward a stronger Democratic Congress, and a very strong possibility that Obama will beat Clinton in the primary, and beat McCain in the general. For those historical political junkies, the memory of the 1994 mid-terms come to mind after the Clintons pushed agendas that the middle was not ready to accept. With Nader making noise already about how the Democrats and the Republicans are no different (I guess much like the Earth and Mars look close together if you are a galaxy away), there is a real concern that our country will simply see the political pendulum swing from the extreme right and left continually.<BR/><BR/>So how does this relate to business blogs? As a country, we are facing a growing energy issue because of our dependence on foreign oil, and energy models of the 1900's. We face problems that require new views of our country and the way we do business. If we constantly battle right wing and left wing, even though the middle disagrees with both, we will simply be wasting time and energy (literally) while the Chinese, India and the EU are moving ahead of us. If we as a country want to make sure we stay competitive in business and the world, we have to make sure that regardless of who wins in this cycle, that it is about more than red and blue states. <BR/><BR/>Can Barack Obama get us there? Maybe - his rhetoric is certainly appealing. The real test of him as a candidate is his ability to manage the political enthusiasm and energy he is generating, and be able to contain the extreme liberals and the young, experienced base he lives on, that likely are currently intoxicated by the ideas he so eloquently advocates. The problem with fission reactions is that they can generate so much power that they cannot be contained, until they blow themselves out. <BR/><BR/>While many of Obama's supporters are very politically! active, for Obama's vision to be achieved - he actually has to turn that talk into political and social action! For every great business idea that is dreamed, very few new businesses succeed since it is often the execution of the plan that truly tests one's metal. The strength of both McCain and Clinton is that they do have the experience - and ironically enough have done alot toward moderate policies in the Senate by working together. <BR/><BR/>McCain, Clinton, Obama - regardless of who is President, we voters must forget the labels of politics, start engaging those across the political line, and find answers that most Americans can accept and agree upon - regardless of the political affiliation of their speaker. In a state where they do allow you to vote in the Democratic primary, I think you need to decide for yourself where your political heart lies - and vote according to its voice. You seem to be thoughtful about your choice - and from a fellow voter, it is a good thing that so many people are becoming engaged. <BR/><BR/>jtp.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com