Results tagged “Obama 08” from Big Money Tony

Actor Really Wants to be a Public Servant

By
Big Money Tony
on April 7, 2009 12:55 PM |
As a warning, please do not read this if you want to be spoiled.  The actor/actress I mention after the jump just finished their "last" project.

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Continue reading Actor Really Wants to be a Public Servant.

No Burris in the Senate Treehouse

By
Big Money Tony
on January 6, 2009 3:09 PM |
It seems odd that after commenting last week that he would not push the envelope, Roland Burris would actually try to get seated at the Senate.  I don't have a strong opinion either way, but I would respect what the law/rules state.

I am NOT a Constitutional Scholar, nor do I have a JD behind my name.  Never attended law school either.  But I am an educated American citizen.  From what I read, given that the Illinois Secretary of State has not signed off on Burris' appointment by Governor Rod Blagojevich.  Some say the role of the Sec of State is administrative and symbolic.  If that's the case, Illinois should do away with the ceremony.  Let's be green!  Save a tree (or sheet of paper).

From the point of the Senate, and particularly leader Harry Reid, the Senate has the right to accept/deny seating of any person.  Given all of this, it appears to be that Burris should not be seated at this time.

There are a few questions.
  • Why does Burris feel he needs to be seated today?  Another symbolic gesture?  Governor Patterson of New York has yet to appoint Caroline Kennedy or another person to the Senate yet.
  • Which law/rule holds true?  Each state has their own rules regarding filling an empty seat. In most situations, federal law supersedes state law.  But there is a difference between appointment and actual seating, so both may be right.  However, there is a question of whether a Senate rule is stronger than state law.
  • Beyond my first question, why does Burris feel he is the appropriate person to fill the vacancy?  He said he had nothing to do with Blagojevich's prior dealings.  Even if true, he could wait until Illinois settles the debate.  Whoever is ultimately given the power to appoint will choose Burris if he is the best person for the job.
Interesting that just a few months ago, the Democrats were looking for a filibuster-proof pool, yet they are short a few heads at the moment and that looks unlikely to change.

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Indifference on the Presidency

By
Big Money Tony
on November 5, 2008 3:24 PM |
Unless you have been sheltered from the media for the past 48 hours and thought today, Wednesday, was Election Day, you know that Barack Obama was elected President of the United States yesterday.  Many rejoiced and many are angered or dejected.  I am neither.  I suspect a small and quiet group of people feel the same way.

I don't know what it was.  While Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention caught my eye, I've never felt comfortable enough with him.  To me, he lacks experience.  I'm not saying that is a bad thing, or that he won't be a good or even great President.  I just would have preferred someone with at least a decade of experience.

Maybe it was John Edwards, the previous moral compass of the Democratic party falling down hard and fast.  Or Hillary Clinton, fighting on way too long in the primaries.  It could have been the non-stop election coverage via Internet, blogs, Twitter, and 24 hour news channels.  I'm guilty of watching and participating in all.  Maybe it was because other than his lack of economic sense, I really liked McCain.  But I will let this pass.  Living in the Washington Metropolitan area, I plan on taking in as much as possible from now until the inauguration.

For the next 4 to 8 years Barack Obama is our President.  We should support him and give him a chance to right the ship for those of you who think it is tilting.  Those who think it's upright, let Obama keep it afloat.

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Debate 08: New York

By
Big Money Tony
on October 15, 2008 9:29 PM |
It was Joe the Plumber night.  Anne Marie Cox said it so right on Twitter.  "Joe the Plumber is so getting laid tonight".

This is the final debate for this election cycle.  Moderated by Bob Schieffer from Hofstra University, this was the most exciting of the three Presidential debates, although it didn't take much.

McCain referenced a conversation Obama had with "Joe the Plumber" and how Obama's tax plans would raise Joe's taxes because he falls in the $250K range.  He came with a great line..."Why would you want to raise anyone's taxes now?".  So true and Obama may yet change his mind on this, but not tonight.

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Debate 08: Nashville

By
Big Money Tony
on October 7, 2008 9:03 PM |
Debate Town Hall style.  This one seemed better than their first debate in Mississippi.  Both seemed more active and in attacking mode on policy, but not personal.  Brian Williams on NBC immediately following said the audience participation was basically minimal.  I agree.

Since the questions were driven by 80 undecided voters instead of moderator Tom Brokaw, it's no surprise that the first half was dominated regarding on the economy.  Actually I shouldn't say dominated, it was the first half of the debate.  Fitting for a day the Dow dropped 500+.  After some discussion on healthcare, social security, and energy, they jumped right back into the economy an hour in.  What was most bothersome, at least to Brokaw, is that neither candidate followed the agreed to rules regarding time.

Both candidates pushed their platform and their strengths.  Obama on his "Change", surprisingly without actually using the word.  McCain on his experience.  I didn't see much that would make anyone lean one way or another.

My favorite line was Obama saying "The Straight Talk Express has lost a wheel" in response to a question about fixing social security.  McCain however fumbled this.  He said it was an "Easy Fix".  Identifying the problem is easy.  Lack of Supply vs. Overwhelming Demand.  There is no easy fix for this.  It shows McCain does have an economy problem.  Anybody with Econ 101 in their pocket knows it's not an easy fix.  Maybe McCain knows more than we do.

The debate veered toward foreign policy in the last 15 minutes.  Iraq, Afghanistan, and Russia.  Both candidates seemed to go on the attack making sure their platform is heard.  McCain used "My Friend(s)" several times.  Maybe it was a tactic to be more homey and friendly, like what is his running mate's personality.  But not overwhelmingly bad, like Palin's annoying way of answering everything.

The last question of the night came from a voter in New Hampshire via the Internet.  "What don't you know and how will you learn it?"  I do not believe Obama really answered it, but used it to summarize his platform.  In a way he did by stating those things.  McCain did something similar.  So it was a wasted question.

My personal analysis...another draw.  With no surprises or wow moments, we are left with mostly scripted answers.  Their individual personalities came out somewhat, but nothing to persuade one to vote either way.  On to October 15 for the final one, and apparently the one we'll all have to use to make final decisions.

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Debate 08: St. Louis - The Veeps

By
Big Money Tony
on October 2, 2008 9:34 PM |
As Chuck Todd just said on NBC, no car wreck.  Governor Sarah Palin seemed to be very well prepared.  Senator Joe Biden was also reading off talking points, but at key times seemed to be talking from his thoughts.  My initial thoughts are that Biden by the slimest of margins.  Maybe as slim as 2000.

Palin was reserved and sounded like she was reading.  Too much unfortunately.  Positively, she was not uninformed.  She got the name of the commander in Iraq wrong.  We can't fault her for that, if we didn't hold it against George W Bush.  Her true to her roots method, with "Say it ain't so Joe", "Darn", "Mainstreeters", and "Heck" thrown about made her seem very much an everyday person.

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Continue reading Debate 08: St. Louis - The Veeps.

Debate 08: Mississippi

By
Big Money Tony
on September 26, 2008 9:27 PM |
So this was supposed to be the one about the War on Terror.  Events of the week however, put the Economy as subject #1, taking about the first half hour of the debate.  Same old, same old.  McCain to reduce taxes on the wealthy, cut spending.  Obama to reduce taxes for the needy, control spending, but spend where needed.  Of note, McCain wants to reduce the overall budget.  I wonder where from.

I did live blogging on the debate on Twitter and reading other Twitters while watching the debate.  The debate overall was boring, except McCain's references to Miss Congeniality.  That was hilarious.  I didn't know the Senate was a beauty contest.

It appeared that McCain was fresh and active, like he took a case of Red Bull before hitting the stage.  Obama, however, looked very tired.  The campaign has aged him.

Everything discussed tonight were things we've heard from the candidates in the past.  No new info.  It was boring and a draw.  However, one could say the Obama won because the War on Terror is McCain's strong suit.

On to the next debate, assuming McCain does not suspend his campaign beforehand.

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Bluff Called

By
Big Money Tony
on September 26, 2008 1:20 PM |
Cancel the debate?  Campaign suspended?  I'm not a great poker player, as my friends can attest to, but I can spot this bluff.

Sure going back to Washington would have helped McCain's image.  Superman to the rescue!  But here's why it's a bluff.
  • McCain has himself admitted his lack of knowledge in economics.
  • There are reports that McCain's camp asked Obama's camp to suspend their campaign as well.  Also they were to both withdraw from the debate or postpone to a later date.
  • When Obama continued with the campaign, McCain relented and returned to the campaign and the debate.
  • David Letterman called a different bluff when McCain cancelled a scheduled appearance shortly before taping citing his need to return to Washington.  He however was on the set of the CBS Evening News preparing to go on an interview with Katie Couric, at the same time as the Late Show taping.
  • Even Haley Barbour hinted at the bluff by stating that he expected the debate to be held on schedule before McCain decided to attend.
If McCain truly thought that working hard on the bailout was in the best interest of the nation, he would still be in DC.  Instead, he's off to 'Ole Miss as designated negotiators are working on the deal.  You would think someone had thought earlier about getting a negotiator.  Then McCain could have stayed in the race without a break.

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Obama-Biden

By
Big Money Tony
on August 24, 2008 8:56 AM |

The long wait is over.  At 3:08 AM Friday night/Saturday morning, I received the long awaited text message.  Joe Biden, running mate.  Duh.  As previously leaked to the press hours before.  While long awaited, it was not unknown.  Hell, it was the obvious choice.  Except in one aspect.

Of course, Biden is the experienced Senator from Delaware.  He has foreign policy under his belt and fills in the "holes" in Obama's platform.  He looks presidential, or maybe I should say vice-presidential?  But that's the problem.  In the campaign that has been sold as "change", the chunk of it is now "old".  Biden is old school Washington.  Maybe the outskirts of it, but he's been part of the mess for 35 years.

This of course leads to the convention this week and waiting for McCain's choice.

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