Tuesday, February 26, 2008

The McCain-Times Surge

So.... the prestigious NY Times releases a "scandal" piece on John McCain. And I'm thinking that John McCain is loving every minute of it.

No, really, stop and think about it. The whole thing is nonsense. The universal reaction in the press is to (gasp) be astonished and (gasp) wonder how the Times could resort to such gossip rag techniques.

But what better way to advance the liberal agenda by advancing the nearly un-electable McCain? Yes, I said advancing. You see, this "unfair attack" is almost guaranteed to garner conservative sympathy and support for McCain. So, here comes a "big" attack from the "big, bad liberal newspaper."

And, to some degree, it seems to be working. McCain's fundraising and poll numbers have both enjoyed a bump after the Times fiasco. But, I think it will only be a matter of time before the Time's real strategy comes to light. Now that McCain is on the outs with them, it will be a perfect time for them to embrace the fight with McCain and push Obama or Hillary.

You watch, the Times will continue their fight with McCain, conservatives will sort-of gather around him, and the Times will have a perfect excuse to be both against McCain and for him. They'll keep up a phony attack until the Republican convention; then they will attack for real. They will prop up McCain until he's in the way...then all bets are off. The surge will be against McCain then. For real.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

What Now?!

In my profession of teaching, I'm often struck by the phrases kids use. Some are odd. (Brotha from anotha motha) Some are lame. (Oh yeah? Well, yo mama!) And some have an odd little twist to them. (What NOW?!)

That last little phrase is usually delivered after a particularly strong athletic performance in the face of direct opposition. Like today when a 17 year old student of mine rared back and threw a basketball like a baseball...very hard and very straight -- and made a three point shot. Even though it was quite on accident....

"What NOW?!"

It's also the phrase that seems to fit the political season right about now.

To all those who said this was a two man race between McCain and Romney...

"What NOW?!"

To all those who said Huckabee should "have the dignity" to not attend the Reagan Library debate...

"What NOW?!"

To all those who have belittled (Bill O'Reilly), attacked (Rush Limbaugh), slandered (Ann Coulter), condescended to (Sean Hannity), revealed bias against (Laura Ingraham), or made up bogus reasons to dislike (Glenn Beck) Mike Huckabee...

"What NOW!?!"

Not only did we win states and delegates on Super Tuesday, we've outlasted Fred, Rudy, and now Mitt.

"What NOW?!"

But frankly, we need to ask ourselves the same question.

"What now?"

An honest observer will note that Mitt's suspension of campaign was a very classy move, designed to unite the party. At least that's what he says. Even if it isn't, he left the race in a very gracious and dignified manner. Not only do we need to respect that, we need to consider if it is time for us to do the same.

Don't get me wrong. I'm usually a "never say die" person. But is it truly in the nation's best interest for us to stay in? Is it in the party's best interest? Is it in Mike's best interest?

If we truly cannot win, we ought to bow out gracefully in a few days, and stay away from a VP position. Why? Because if we truly cannot win, we are a nuisance to the party winning. We're a laughable distraction.

If we accept a VP position, it will reek of a backroom deal, and look very bad for Huckabee. Not to mention the fact that if McCain loses with a Huckabee VP, Romney becomes the heir apparent for 2012, rather than Huckabee.

But...

If we can really win, we ought to give it one last go. This thing is not sewn up yet, and we have always defied the pundits, pollsters and predictors. They've never really given Huckabee a chance, anyway. The only time they took the Huckster seriously was during the time between Iowa and South Carolina. The media follows the polls; we set the polls on their ears. Time after time, Mike has defied tremendous odds and outperformed expectations. If anyone can pull an upset win, Mike Huckabee can. If anyone can beat the Democrats with less money, Mike Huckabee can. After all, what does he have to lose?

If we stay in, they're going to come after us. We need to be ready to defend Mike against charges of being arrogant and selfish for continuing to seek the nomination. They're going to accuse him of making it easier for the Democrats to win, by battling McCain, the presumptive nominee. They're going to call him a spoiler. Expect some of the talk jocks who hated McCain to suddenly love him and continue a savage attack on Huckabee.

But, we've been through all that before. We can handle it.

What now? After examining the case for getting out, and finding it lacking...

After looking at the case for staying in and deciding we have nothing to lose....

I say, "What NOW!?!"

We're still in the race.