Of Obama, Democrats, and Republicans: A Neocon's Misguided Observations

The Westminster Kennel Club show is over, and Uno, the Beagle, was the winner. Clearly THE popular choice, he is now enjoying a blast of media hype, eating steak off a table at Sardi’s, and relegating Snoopy, the former most famous American beagle, into second place. Style is everything, and Uno has style.

While style and breeding are de rigueur in dog shows, it also seems to be de rigueur in this year’s Democratic primary. What do we do with Obama? He is now the front runner in the Democratic presidential primary, blowing past a shrill and teary-eyed Hillary, who would have done well to heed the advice of the 1950’s hit “Cross Over the Bridge”, by leaving her “fickle past” behind her…and dumping that two timing, philandering husband of hers. We all love Bill, but methinks he done her in.

Which leaves us with Barack. Let me start by saying I like this guy. He is the most refreshing politician to come down the pike since Ronald Reagan. When he says he wants “change”, I believe him. He gives a great political speech, and there is nothing I like better than good oratory. He is attractive. He has a lovely family. If his candidacy has done nothing else, it shows the progress we have made in race relations in this country, and that alone is an accomplishment I never would have imagined a year ago. He is the personification of the American dream. Good show!!!

However, a very successful Italian businessman in our area has a word for people like Obama; spaccone. Loosely translated, it means all sizzle and no fire, all flash no cash. Or as the little old lady says in the Wendy’s commercial, “Where’s the beef?” Rhetoric goes only so far. Tell me how you intend to accomplish “change”, and “change” to what? The devil is in the details, and with him being ranked as the most liberal senator in the Senate, the electorate better look at those details under a microscope. You can’t pick and choose what he brings to the White House with him. You get the whole nine yards.

In my lifetime, there have been two presidents that have given me inspiration. Kennedy was the first. But at the end of the day, looking at his too short presidency, it was above average, barely. Had he not been assassinated, he would have accomplished much more as he gained experience. Reagan was the other, and he is up there with greats, with accomplishments that match the oratory.

Obama, on the other hand, reminds me of Jimmy Carter. Carter had a compelling message. He was probably the most honest president in my lifetime, who truly believed in his convictions. He believed that rest of the world would respond to our virtuous behavior. Not quite. For those of you who don’t remember, inflation was 15%, interest rates were 12%, and his foreign policy could be summed up in 2 words, Iranian Hostages. Oh yes, he gave away the Panama Canal. It was a failed presidency.

I would feel better about Obama if I knew he was a pragmatist. On the other hand, Hillary’s weak point is that you can’t trust what she says….which, ironically, is also her strong point. I know that both her and her husband are pragmatists, and more likely than not would do what is right for the country in both foreign and domestic policy, as far as the left wing in their party would let them. There is a reason she is losing. The far left in the Democratic Party doesn’t trust her. Bill Clinton, not withstanding his personal foibles, governed the country from the center, and I suspect Hillary would do the same.

I am a Republican, but I still want the country to have 2 good choices in the upcoming Presidential election. I am pleased that Obama is running for office and doing well, and will be a leader for years to come in this country. I suspect he will be President one day, but his time is still to come.

So, if I were able to choose the Democratic nominee for President, I would choose….Hillary?? Oh my God!!!! Oh well. Those of you who are Dems will have to deal with it. You think you have problems? Look what we got: John Sidney (Sidney?) McCain. What do us Republicans do with him? Maybe I will forget the whole thing and go buy a Beagle. At least you scratch them behind the ears.