This blog explores the contemporary political and cultural trends from a distinct perspective
A peek into the presidential elections
Published on January 31, 2008 By Bahu Virupaksha In Politics
One may say that November is still far away, and so there is no need to hurry over the nominations. However, this is the first time in recent memory that so late into the primaries, and yet no clear front runner is in sight. For the Republicans it appears that John McCain will, falling short of a major catastrophe, be the Republican nominee. The Democrats are doing, as always, what they do best, destroy each other with a vehemence that even the Republicans cannot match. The exit of John Edwards, not unsurprising, takes place at a time when the electorate was beiginning to see that he was indeed a candidate with a message and a new direction. I think he will endorse Barack Obama and will be assured of a major role in a Obama administration. He was above the petty bickering that marked the Clinton campaign and at least I felt that he emerged as a credible voice after the Mrytle Beach debates. I still feel that since the Florida primary did not really matter, John Edwards could have gone on to Super Tuesday. But it is the end of the road and he did fight fair and square and unlike Clinton did not mount a negative campaign.

The exit of Rudy was long overdue. He really did not jell with the Republicans and though he was a front runner at the start of the campaign. see how fortunes change in politics. The Mitt Rooney- John McCain exchanges were very rough and Mccain did throw a few low blows at Mitt. But at the end of the day, John Maccain will be annointed the Republican candidate and if the democrats make the mistake of nominating Hillary Clinton, then I am certain that Mccain will win the Presidency.

Unfortunately, John Maccain is trying in bring in National Security as an issue in the elections while everyone knowns that it is the economy stu....The cutting of the Fed rate and the Bush tax plans will stimulate the US economy on the short run but the recession will take at least 6 months to abate. The credit crunch and the foreclosures that threaten the American dream of homeownership has not really been addressed by any candidate and Hillary Clinton's solution of a 90 day morotorium will not help at all. Obama does have a point when he says that the Federal Government will have to step in to prevent foreclosures but how is he to accomlish that.

In November it will a tight to the wire finish.

Comments
on Jan 31, 2008

Just out of curiosity, why do you dismiss Romney so quickly?  Florida was important, but losing didn't put him out of the race.

To me, if McCain wins the nomination the Republican Party is in for a huge loss in its base.  Sen. McCain has made a lot of Democrats like him, but at the expense of a huge number of Republicans.  I wonder if he thinks any of the Democrats who like him will actually jump ship and vote Republican this year. 

Stranger things have happened, but I don't see a repeat of the "Reagan Democrat" thing. ;~D

Good take on the situation though.

 

on Jan 31, 2008

Good take on the situation though.

Indeed!  I am impressed.  I could have written this (with only minor changes) as I agree with almost your entire article.

Very good analysis.  Your predictions may be wrong (but then I am predicting the same as you, so I will be wrong as well), but your analysis is top notch!

on Feb 01, 2008
Very good analysis. Your predictions may be wrong (but then I am predicting the same as you, so I will be wrong as well), but your analysis is top notch!


Thank you.

Good take on the situation though.


Thanks.

This morning the debate in Kodak Theatre, was a tame affair. Both Clinton and Obama were extremely subdued and treated each other quite well. Hillary Clinton made a fundamental error of judgement in supporting the Iraq war and Obama has much more credibility on that issue. However, the economy is proving to be a real problem and on immigration also Obama came off sounding more convincing.
on Feb 01, 2008

also Obama came off sounding more convincing.

Just a personal observation.  I think he sounds more convincing because he does not have to remember what he is for.  He speaks from his core convictions (which I do disagree with).  Hillary has to test the winds of change before she speaks, so her position is made up in the recent past, and therefore does not have much strength behind it.

on Feb 01, 2008
Nice article. For once we are actually debating as oppose to insulting. Well written.

One may say that November is still far away, and so there is no need to hurry over the nominations. However, this is the first time in recent memory that so late into the primaries, and yet no clear front runner is in sight.


That's easy. Choosing from the options we have for the next President from either party is like starving on a deserted island and having the option of rotten apples, rotten bananas, rotten pineapples or starve to death. After all the criticism the American people have taken for voting, not once, but twice, Bush into office has people taking baby steps and analyzing every news source, every story, every comment made by the candidates, their history and even the fear of being considered a racist, sexist, a warmonger, arrogant or even not caring about the rest of the world.

At this point our only real motivation to vote is to pick the one candidate who will do the least damage since we already somewhat screwed up, not once but twice already.
on Feb 02, 2008
Charles:
At this point our only real motivation to vote is to pick the one candidate who will do the least damage since we already somewhat screwed up, not once but twice already.


You mean the "twice" Bill Clinton was elected, right? ;~D
on May 15, 2008

 think he will endorse Barack Obama and will be assured of a major role in a Obama administration

I predicted an Edwar endorsement of OBAMA in January itself and it shows once again that I predict this game well.

on May 15, 2008
I predicted an Edwar endorsement of OBAMA in January itself and it shows once again that I predict this game well.


I am glad you said game - it is one. ANd it makes for fine entertainment, but little more.
on May 20, 2008
n November it will a tight to the wire finish.


I have no problem with predicting another presidential election where Republican SOS's "accidentally" scrub alleged felons from voting lists while forgetting to do little things like check to see if they have actually committed a felony.