Monday, October 31, 2011
Luncheon with Herman Cain
This afternoon I attended a luncheon with Herman Cain at the National Press Club. It was a swell time. Not really sure what inspired me the most: his speech, the 9-9-9 cupcakes, or his singing.
Paul Krugman on: Military Keynesianism?
I admit, I found this on Reddit. But it's something I've always pondered: "small government" and fiscal scrutiny rarely applies to the military.
"Anonymous" hackers threaten Mexican drug cartel
Hacktivists, "Anonymous," continue activity despite controversy and criticism. This time, they're back with a message to the Mexican Drug cartel, "Zetas". Anonymous threatens to expose all information linked to this cartel on November 5th, if their comrade is not released.
One nation, two camps: The most ideological election in years
“It will really be the first election since the 1930s in which there has been such a focus on economic divisions and the role of the state.” - Nolan McCarty
Allegations of sexual harassment leveled at Cain
The allegations come from two women who worked with Cain during his days as the head of the National Restaurant Association. The women were paid to leave the lobbying firm and never to speak about the incidents again.
When Cain was approached by reporters outside CBS News yesterday, he dodged the question. He also did not address the allegations while speaking at AEI this morning.
Should this story affect Cain's standing, which candidate would benefit the most? I'm guessing Perry.
When Cain was approached by reporters outside CBS News yesterday, he dodged the question. He also did not address the allegations while speaking at AEI this morning.
Should this story affect Cain's standing, which candidate would benefit the most? I'm guessing Perry.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Huntsman's 3 daughters spoof Cain's "smoking" ad
Huntsman's daughters recently made a web video (and twitter account) spoofing Herman Cain's silly ad that came out last week. The video itself is pretty hilarious, and the girls obviously will use its boost in popularity to try to draw attention to their dad. Could Huntsman really use this opportunity to catapult himself into the spotlight?
Happy Belated Birthday, Lady Liberty
Here's a video of the festivities as well
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15503621
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Herman Cain Sighting
My post yesterday about the scarcity of political Halloween costumes due to disillusionment with government may have been a little premature. Last night in Adams Morgan I saw this distinguished gentleman.
GOP candidates are in the 1% + Net Worth of all Presidents
Romney, Huntsman, Gingrich, Santorum, and Cain all have wealth that put them in the 1%, whereas Bachmann and Paul have incomes that do not exceed the $700,000 cutoff for the top 1%. (Perry has yet to file a financial disclosure.) Meanwhile, President Obama has amassed a personal fortune, earning between 1.8 and 6.8 million last year; his income was largely based on royalties from his books.
A quick look at the net worths of all 44 presidents reveals a vast array of personal incomes. Plantation owners like Washington and Jefferson had net worths of hundreds of millions; they were truly members of the economic elite. However, presidents such as Lincoln and Grant had smaller net worths. Beginning with Millard Filmore in 1850, several Presidents who had worked in the public sector retired without many assets.
(Not sure if this link has been posted to the blog before.)
A quick look at the net worths of all 44 presidents reveals a vast array of personal incomes. Plantation owners like Washington and Jefferson had net worths of hundreds of millions; they were truly members of the economic elite. However, presidents such as Lincoln and Grant had smaller net worths. Beginning with Millard Filmore in 1850, several Presidents who had worked in the public sector retired without many assets.
"One of the most important conclusions of this analysis is that the presidency has little to do with wealth." While voters this election cycle may be especially sensitive to the personal incomes of the candidates, it probably will not be a deciding factor. Yet PR blunders like the one Romney made when he filed an application to bulldoze his California house and replace it with a larger one should be avoided.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Romney is the candidate to beat in New Hampshire primary
Romney enjoys the support of 40% of New Hampshire Republicans while the candidate with the second highest rate of support, Herman Cain, registered only 13%.
In slightly unrelated news, only 42% of people polled by the Public Religion Research Institute identified Romney as a Mormon. Meanwhile, polling demonstrated that 20%-25% of people expressed misgivings about voting for a Mormon...
In slightly unrelated news, only 42% of people polled by the Public Religion Research Institute identified Romney as a Mormon. Meanwhile, polling demonstrated that 20%-25% of people expressed misgivings about voting for a Mormon...
Halloween costumes, politics not mixing this year
DC is the capitol of topical Halloween costumes. However few have opted for political costumes this year, indicating public dissatisfaction with government
3rd candidate on the rise?
American Elect, a group consisting of Democrats, Republicans & Independents, fed up with party polarization in Washington will be holding a national primary election online for a third party presidential candidate.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Heritage getting a little pushy?
Maybe a bit of over-polarization from the ideologically driven think tanks like we were talking about...
Obama's Mortgage Plan
Personally I like this plan and I am happy to see the administration taking steps to help heavily indebted borrowers refinance their mortgages. However I am concerned that Obama passed this via executive order. I am wary of legislating through executive order. Our Constitution clearly gave Congress the ability to pass laws and I think that in recent years the executive has over-stepped their bounds by taking a lot of liberty with executive orders (whether it be Obama with mortgage changes or Bush with his national security executive orders that allowed for increased surveillance and extradition of suspected terrorists). Presidential executive orders are on the rise and I do not think this is what the framers had in mind when they designed our democracy. What does everyone else think?
Income Inequality Rises According to CBO
I wonder how this will play out in 2012? The economy is definitely stagnant and will probably be the primary issue on voters minds. But it is possible that the anger at the super-rich in this country exemplified by the OWS protests might play out in Dems favor. This might become very important issue especially if the Republican nominee is somewhat like Herman Cain or Rick Perry, both of whom produced economic plans that would significantly benefit the top earners in the country.
U.S. economy grows nearly twice as fast in 3rd quarter
The economy kept "chugging along, steadily if not spectacularly, even amid volatile financial markets, deepening fears about a possible economic collapse in Europe, and a U.S. debt downgrade" (Irwin, Washington Post).
I do not deny that there is high unemployment rates but the constant flow of bad news squashes confidence in our economy. The market is, always has been, and always will be a confidence game.
Overall, this is some moderately good news. Check out the Market this morning (October 27, 2011):
Credit: Bill Cara's Blog
In honor of our debate last night, is it too late for Obama?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Answer to Tim's question
According to this expert, not ok to hand out copies of your resume while working a room.
New Poll Finds a Deep Distrust of Government
This article discusses how Americans current distrust of government will impact the upcoming election.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Obama rasing funds with the 1% in Hollywood
Good to know that Obama is still in DC working hard for the American people- Oh... he's campaigning again...
Obama's West Coast tour just made a stop in Hollywood to raise money with Celebs in expensive fundraisers, and to spend some time talking with Jay Leno for his second time since taking office.
No wonder he's outraised the Republicans so far.
No wonder things aren't getting done in Washington.
Ed Lee is 2 Legit 2 Quit
The Cain video I linked earlier might be one of the worst campaign videos I have ever seen, but this video just might be one of the best...
If research doesn't advance agenda, we'll kill it.
How often do you think this takes place at think tanks? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a strategy?
Monday, October 24, 2011
'New DC Licence Plate'?
Comrades, so after work today, I was walking down on K-Street and I inadvertently ran into my Occupy DC brothers and sisters. This time around, I saw a 'replica' of the DC license plate I thought I should share. Some of you might have already seen this....but I found it quite hilarious. As the fearless leader once said: "Power to the People!" lol Enjoy!
 |
| "Taxation without Representation" is now "Representation Thru Occupation" |
Karl says no election for Obama, too
reasons:
-weak economy
-key voter groups unhappy
-unpopular policies
-poor strategic decisions
-weak economy
-key voter groups unhappy
-unpopular policies
-poor strategic decisions
Results of New Poll of Electoral College
Low percentage of Americans support keeping electral college votes as they are now.
Supporting DC sports
This weekend, the ladies of 512 branched out and journeyed to McLean, VA to participate in a dance class instructed by the Redskins cheerleaders. Tasha is the only Hamilton student in attendance whose moves would make the squad.
Saturday evening, I watched the Caps play the Red Wings, the only 2 teams with undefeated records. With the final score at 7-1, the Caps are 7-0 and going strong.
Saturday evening, I watched the Caps play the Red Wings, the only 2 teams with undefeated records. With the final score at 7-1, the Caps are 7-0 and going strong.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Obama's reelection prospects
-"Even if Obama loses Ohio and Florida, carrying Colorado and Virginia would give him a very plausible path to victory."
-Obama faces a difficult campaign for reelection, but considering the polarizing views of his opponents and their unsubstantiated claims, he is likely to succeed in the general election.
-Obama faces a difficult campaign for reelection, but considering the polarizing views of his opponents and their unsubstantiated claims, he is likely to succeed in the general election.
-The article uses the "Obama donors per capita" as a method of measuring popular support for Obama in each state, and the author correlates donor support in each state with the 2008 electoral college map. As we all know, correlation does not equal causation...
OBAMA will WIN!
This article was written some few months ago, but it still raises some very salient points.
"High unemployment aside, if the history of presidential politics shows anything, it’s that when you give voters a choice between the incumbent they know and the radicals they don’t, the former will win."
Michele Bachmann says Libya should reimburse the US for "liberating" it. What absurdity? Did anyone invite you? Radicalism to its core. I mean, if people like Bachmann are considered 'alternatives' to Obama, then it's a DONE DEAL for him in 2012.
"High unemployment aside, if the history of presidential politics shows anything, it’s that when you give voters a choice between the incumbent they know and the radicals they don’t, the former will win."
Michele Bachmann says Libya should reimburse the US for "liberating" it. What absurdity? Did anyone invite you? Radicalism to its core. I mean, if people like Bachmann are considered 'alternatives' to Obama, then it's a DONE DEAL for him in 2012.
Can Obama win....
by holding himself out as the only thing standing in the way of unified GOP control of government? Not sure many voters decide in the way author suggests.
Will Newt be the new flavor of the week?
An old-ish article, but with 9 9 9 (hopefully) fading into oblivion Newt may be able to pull the underdog routine. But mainly because he's the last candidate that hasn't shined in the spotlight: I can't see a similar surge occurring with Jon Huntsman or Rick Santorum. Definitely the most intellectual candidate, but we aren't in the 1990s: can he still play politics?
Mitt Romney, Walking Press Release
Also, unrelated to the article but I thought you guys might enjoy this:
Carter + Hoover = Obama's reelection role models
Forbes editor-in-chief argues that President Obama can't win the 2012 election if he proposes more programs similar to the days of the New Deal since most Americans disagree that binge spending leads to economic growth.
As former lobbyist, Cain cultivated ties inside the Beltway
Although Herman Cain emphasizes his corporate experience as CEO of Godfather's Pizza, this article notes that it's been over a decade since he last helmed the corporation. Cain's experience as a lobbyist for the National Restaurant Associaion, a "once-sleepy trade group," brought him in close contact with current and former holders of power such as Boehner and Gingrich. In fact, the article states that Cain has toyed with the possibility of asking Gingrich to be his running mate.
Cain's tenure as NRA head was an early foray into politics; he ran unsuccessfully for the White House in 2000. He also ran for the Senate in 2004 but was defeated. In a memo from 1999, Cain's colleague noted that Cain's lack of fundraising experience and "no natural geographic base from which to run" would hamper Cain's candidacy.
Cain's tenure as NRA head was an early foray into politics; he ran unsuccessfully for the White House in 2000. He also ran for the Senate in 2004 but was defeated. In a memo from 1999, Cain's colleague noted that Cain's lack of fundraising experience and "no natural geographic base from which to run" would hamper Cain's candidacy.
Will Obama win the 2012 election?
Charles says no. President Obama was lightning in a bottle back in 2008, but he now has a record that few independents approve of.
It's not about US politics...
But with OWS there's a lot of debate over whether capitalism is "moral." This article reveals the consequence of socialist values.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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