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Selling yourself to the country right now is simply a fundraising tactic. Richardson has the resume' to be a contender but playing to middle America right now doesn't let him control a single aspect of the campaign dialog. He could be immigration guy. He could be the latino candidate. He could be the energy or environment guy. He's avoiding his natural talents, in effect. With the CA primary moved up to Feb, playing the "western" angle seems like a good call...
You think Barack Obama can win Texas?!?
Yup. Just what we need -- more federal gov't. His platform in a nutshell -- "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you." Luckily, Hillary is going to beat him.
We're talking primaries at this point.
Oh. Sorry. I still don't think he has much of a chance, however, against the Hill-train.
She is evil and will be defeated if mankind has any good karma built up.
Judging by the fact that Hillary probably trumping Ron Paul in most every poll, I'd say that mankind's karma is almost spent.
Paul never had a shot. But some of the dems do. This horse race is far from over.
Link to the shrinking government of the last 7 years?
I don't remember saying there has been a shrinking gov't in the last 7 years. You'd have to be an idiot to think such thoughts. Neo-cons suck.But that doesn't change the fact that Obama wants a gigantic federal gov't performing a variety of unconstitutional tasks.
Well sure.But the only candidate in the field who would actually accomplish anything in that area is Ron Paul.Also, re-reading your post, why do you say "luckily, Hillary is going to beat him"? Do you think she'll be that much better?
Yea I'm one of the few that believe the "Hillary is a moderate" schtick. That's why -- of all the Dems running -- she's the one I hope wins the nomination.
A woman who wants to take control of talk radio is a moderate.Yeah, and I'm the Pope.
In Ron Paul's case, you're correct. The Ron Paul bandwagon continues to grow and there's still 7 months or so until the primaries.Oh ye of little faith.
I like some of what he says but he also worries me with some of what he says. Good gadfly not so sure about running things.
In my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives. He supports whacking the IRS, but what he plans to do afterwards with our taxes is a little unclear. However, I believe he is one of the only truly-honest politicians to ever run for President and I do like his overall views on the scheme of things. I'll take that over "the lesser of two evils".
So you think a man who taught Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago for 10 years wants the US government to perform a "variety of unconstitutional tasks"? Where do you come up with this stuff?!? Please. I would very much like to know the specifics of this "plan".
Of course Obama wants a "gigantic federal government" like all Liberals do. They would never show the kind of spending restraint that a conservative President like Bush does. Let's not even get started over how the Bush Administration has upheld and defended the Constitution. The next President can only aspire to maintain such a lofty standard.
Richardson is the candidate being discussed here.
One of the great thing about the Constitution is I don't have to tell you why something is unconstitutional -- you have to prove its constitutional -- that the fed gov't has the power. So here is "Obama on the issues" -- please tell me the constitutional authority for something he could do in his vague stances listed below:Fighting PovertyThere are 37 million poor Americans. Most poor Americans are in the workforce, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet. And too many poor Americans are single mothers who are raising children. Barack Obama has been a lifelong advocate for the poor -- as a young college graduate, he rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for kids.Health CareI...believe that every American has the right to affordable health care. I believe that the millions of Americans who can't take their children to a doctor when they get sick have that right...We now face an opportunity - and an obligation - to turn the page on the failed politics of yesterday's health care debates. It's time to bring together businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties around a comprehensive solution to this crisis, and it's time to let the drug and insurance industries know that while they'll get a seat at the table, they don't get to buy every chair."Energy and the EnvironmentSenator Obama has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for a comprehensive national energy policy and has introduced a number of bills to get us closer to the goal of energy independence. By putting aside partisan battles, he has found common ground on CAFE, renewable fuels, and clean coal.Improving our schoolsWe are failing too many of our children in public schools. Right now, six million middle and high school students read at levels significantly below their grade level. Unfortunately, the debate in Washington has been narrowed: either we need to pour more money into the system, or we need to reform it with more tests and standards. Senator Obama has worked on bills that cut through this false choice and recognize that good schools will require both structural reform and resources.Strengthening Families and CommunitiesStrong families raise successful children and keep communities together. While Senator Obama does not believe that we can simply legislate healthy families, good parenting skills or economic success, he does believe we can eliminate roadblocks that parents face and provide tools to help them succeed. A husband and father of two, Senator Obama has promoted strong families in the Senate.
First off, what a cop out. You make a bold, false, general statement and then say you don't have to back it up. Secondly, the list you posted are issues that Obama is saying are important to him, and either a) show what he's done already in his career about them, or b) identifies some aspects of the problem that he'd like to work on in the future. There are no plans listed here at all. So how you can point to this as proof that Obama "wants a gigantic federal gov't performing a variety of unconstitutional tasks" is ludicrous. Did you even read this?
Of course I read it. I posted it.And its not a copout. If Obama -- or any other politician -- wants to pass a federal law/program, etc, they have to prove that the fed gov't has the power to enact that law.So tell me -- what does he plan to do to fight poverty? He says previously he fought this through job training and after school programs for kids. Is this what he plans to do on the fed level? If so, where's the authority? If not, then what?He says everyone has the right to affordable health care. How does he plan to implement this? Where is the federal authority for that?See?
I must have been asleep in Government class when they went over the part where Congress has to go before the Supreme Court to get approval for any law they want to pass. The Constitution gives a lot of leeway in the form of the Necessary and Proper or "elastic" clause, in which all of the listed issues can be addressed. I doubt Obama is losing any sleep over whether any of the ideas on his prospective legislative agenda are going to be struck down by the Supreme Court.
And don't forget the Commerce clause, which Congress uses as an excuse to regulate nearly everything.I don't believe Obama has announced the specifics of his plan on poverty. However, his health care plan is posted on his webpage here. As I was reading the overview of the plan, there was a side comment from someone other than Obama talking about the plan limiting the profits of pharmaceutical companies. That would definitely be unconstitutional. But in the details, it just talks about getting rid of some of the pharmaceuticals' monopolistic power, and in very specific areas (e.g. allowing the federal gov't the ability to negotiate for lower prices, which is currently banned by Bush's Medicare Prescription Drug bill).
Edit: Nice. Didn't catch that mis-spelling the first time 'round. Was that intentional or a Limbaughian slip?
Ho hum.I understand the justifications and I understand that for the last 80 years the executive, legislature and supreme court have conspired together to distort the constitution beyond all recognition.
The GOP tried to push thru a shrinking government in the 1990s under Gingrich. They ended up getting whacked at the polls, so they stopped pushing the idea this decade. I'd really like to know where this outrage over big government was when the democrats in the senate voted unanimously to kill the Balanced Budget Amendment. If you want less government, the path to take isn't voting democrat and it isn't splitting power between the GOP and the democrats. Its by giving the GOP a powerful majority to push thru those changes.
You are coming in about 200 years and change late on this argument. But you keep fighting the good fight.
VeryArsenal of Doom said:
take that tom tancredo!
Did you know....Ron Paul's nickname is "Dr. No". He's earned that by saying no to anything that goes against the Constitution, which happens to be a lot, thus the nickname.
I guess the point is people thought he couldn't compete financially and certainly the Clintons went to some lengths to make sure of it. The fact that he is will make him a stronger candidate and attract more support long term.
To be fair, she isn't really arguing that Hillary should get the nomination, she's just saying that if Hillary gets the nomination, she should pick Obama to be the VP candidate.With that said, I think it will be moot when Obama wins the nomination. No way he would pick Clinton to be his running mate.
I've always liked the Chris Rock skit about the first black VP:
I agree. Richardson perhaps?To be fair, she isn't really arguing that Hillary should get the nomination, she's just saying that if Hillary gets the nomination, she should pick Obama to be the VP candidate.With that said, I think it will be moot when Obama wins the nomination. No way he would pick Clinton to be his running mate.
I've been saying for months that I think the Democratic ticket will be Obama and Mark Warner.I agree. Richardson perhaps?To be fair, she isn't really arguing that Hillary should get the nomination, she's just saying that if Hillary gets the nomination, she should pick Obama to be the VP candidate.With that said, I think it will be moot when Obama wins the nomination. No way he would pick Clinton to be his running mate.
I'm betting Obama and Jim Webb.I've been saying for months that I think the Democratic ticket will be Obama and Mark Warner.I agree. Richardson perhaps?To be fair, she isn't really arguing that Hillary should get the nomination, she's just saying that if Hillary gets the nomination, she should pick Obama to be the VP candidate.With that said, I think it will be moot when Obama wins the nomination. No way he would pick Clinton to be his running mate.
That would be an interesting ticket. Would the governor get to pick his replacement or would there have to be a special election?Orange Crush said:I'm betting Obama and Jim Webb.fatguyinalittlecoat said:I've been saying for months that I think the Democratic ticket will be Obama and Mark Warner.saintfool said:I agree. Richardson perhaps?fatguyinalittlecoat said:To be fair, she isn't really arguing that Hillary should get the nomination, she's just saying that if Hillary gets the nomination, she should pick Obama to be the VP candidate.With that said, I think it will be moot when Obama wins the nomination. No way he would pick Clinton to be his running mate.Pooch said:
Good question. I'll try to research that later.
Jim Webb would be an excellent choice. Substantial military credentials.Orange Crush said:I'm betting Obama and Jim Webb.fatguyinalittlecoat said:I've been saying for months that I think the Democratic ticket will be Obama and Mark Warner.saintfool said:I agree. Richardson perhaps?fatguyinalittlecoat said:To be fair, she isn't really arguing that Hillary should get the nomination, she's just saying that if Hillary gets the nomination, she should pick Obama to be the VP candidate.With that said, I think it will be moot when Obama wins the nomination. No way he would pick Clinton to be his running mate.Pooch said:
