Archive for the Election 2008 Category

In a recent interview, presidential candidate Barack Obama was asked to define who, exactly, is “middle class.” Here is his reply:

You know, what I would say is, if you are making more than $250,000, than you’re more than middle class. You’re doing better. If you are making less than $250,000, then you are definitely somewhere in the middle class.

And if you’re making $150,000 or less, than I think most Americans would agree that you’re middle class.

He went on to make the following promise:

… if you are making less than $250,000, you will not see your taxes go up under an Obama administration. And you will get tax cuts and more money in your pocket if you make less $150,000.

I can’t quibble with either of these statements.

If he’s elected, will Obama keep his promises—or will he cave in to even more liberal democrats for whom taxing the “rich” means soaking everyone above the poverty level? This remains to be seen. But for now, Obama’s promise is on the record.

As usual, Rep. Paul is right on the money. Check out this YouTube video:

Paul is pretty much alone in addressing the increase in the cost of living caused by runaway government deficit spending (which is essentially the same thing as printing money and spending it). How sad that he didn’t get very far in his bid for the Presidential candidacy. But then again, the last thing the powers-that-be want is someone who speaks the kinds of truths that Paul does!who speaks the kinds of truths that Paul does!

Let’s face it: we (meaning not just we the people, but also the Chattering Classes whom we listen to) don’t cut politicians much slack when it comes to misspeaking. One “unacceptable” remark, gesture, or even raising of one’s voice can bring to naught a hundred eloquent speeches. Howard Dean’s screams and George Allen’s “macaca” slur immediately come to mind. Both were blown vastly out of proportion to their true significance (if they had any), and ended up sinking two otherwise promising candidates’ campaigns.

Michelle Obama’s statement, uttered back in February, that she was only now, “for the first time in [her] adult lifetime, … really proud of [her] country” touched off a firestorm of indignation, but ultimately didn’t wreck her husband’s campaign—arguably because, after all, it wasn’t the candidate, but only his wife, who had made such a gaffe. And as her subsequent remarks showed, she didn’t really mean that she had never experienced pride in her country until her husband’s campaign picked up steam. She’d simply misspoken.

Should “Bittergate”—the controversy surrounding Senator Obama’s remarks at a private fundraising event in San Francisco—be viewed in the same light? Should we just accept the fact that words sometimes come out wrong even when you’re a presidential candidate, and move on?

I say no.

Why? Because Obama’s remarks, unfortunately, sound much more like something he meant than something he didn’t.
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In a highly perceptive editorial, two guest columnists at Newsday castigate the current presidential candidates’ empty posturing on middle class issues.

“Addressing economic insecurity among the middle class has been a recurring theme among the contenders and a top concern in the polls,” write Jennifer Wheary and Thomas Shapiro. “Candidates have played to this concern, but only superficially. Politics often turns into a game of appearances, so that it’s not about who has the solutions but who has the best sound bites.”

Indeed.
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This just in from Iowa:

Senator John Edwards launched a 36-hour “Marathon for the Middle Class” today that will take him to 15 Iowa counties across the state and culminate in a rally with John Mellencamp tomorrow night in Des Moines.� Over 36 hours, Edwards will talk to thousands of caucus goers and share 36 specific ideas to strengthen the middle class.� On Caucus Day, Edwards will campaign in Des Moines, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

“Middle class families are working hard everyday just to get by, and they deserve a president who will work just as hard on their behalf,” Edwards said.� “I’m looking forward to meeting with Iowans across the state over the 36 hours who are as restless as I am for change – and who understand that making change happen is going to take a fight.� Together, we can take on the special interests and do what’s right for middle class families.”

During each hour of the 36-hour marathon – at events and on www.JohnEdwards.com/Iowa – Edwards will highlight one specific step to strengthen the middle class.� Edwards has outlined his bold solutions for change in an 80-page policy book, “The Plan to Build One America.”

During this final eight-day, “America Rising: Fighting for the Middle Class” bus tour, Edwards is traveling to 38 counties around the state…

Will middle class Americans respond? And more importantly, will Edwards really advocate (and if elected, implement) policies that are really going to help the middle class? Stay tuned…