"We can ill afford another New Hampshire..."

*
*
*

Election 2008 News!


News is…not exactly swirling, more meandering…that Bill Richardson will announce today that he is withdrawing from the presidential race after poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire (which should've given him more votes and Edwards less). Democrats in the audience, hang your head in shame. Here is a man, as I've stated, far more qualified than most candidates have been in the last several elections, and he's yet to break out of single-digits in major polls. Let's run down in brief what he has going for him:

*US House Representative (14 yrs)
*US Ambassador to the UN (1yr, moved to…)
*US Secretary of Energy (2+ yrs)
*Governor of New Mexico (2000-present)
*DNC chair (2004)
*Democratic Governor's Association Chair (2005-2006)
*(For the Left) Is Pro-Choice
*(For the Right) Is Pro-Gun RIGHTS, not Control

And he's Hispanic, which helps with that growing minority. Sure, he's a bit tubby and not nearly as flashy as Obama or Clinton. But he speaks well, knows how to get a point across and get things done. He's not hardline left on all issues, so he won't alienate the "right" as it were. I disagree with his Iraq policy, his views on education and health care, but all around, he's a stellar candidate that knows how to manage. Why the hate?

Personally, I think it's because he's Hispanic. Despite not running as a "race" candidate, Barack Obama is nonetheless the best hope the nation has (outside of Colin Powell) for a black president. Michael Eric Dyson is swearing up and down the wall that 1) Obama's New Hampshire loss was race-related and 2) Clinton's teary comments from this past Monday were a racially charged jab. It all comes back to the a black man in the Oval Office. With the media concerned with the double barrel of a black man and the first, serious woman candidate (though that should go to Elizabeth Dole), there's no room for a Hispanic man. I also think there's a stronger prejudice against Hispanics than blacks, possibly fueled by illegal immigration debates and the visible role certain of Latino heritage play (dishwasher, lawn maintenance, fast food worker you can't understand on the other end of the microphone at the drive-thru). They are looked down on more, seen as hard workers, but workers still. Not leaders.

Despite the racial strife between white and black since time immemorial in this country, in the last 20-30 years a lot of that tension has rightfully faded. Still there? Sure! But less so. Politically, and as leaders, the country has begun to embrace more than just old, white men. Now, being black or a woman is no longer a handicap. And yet….

The quiet, disappearing racism in the nation has to draw the line somewhere, and it follows the Rio Grande.

***

In further Election news, Mitt Romney has withdrawn his advertising (TV) from South Carolina and Florida, instead focusing on Michigan as his "take it or leave it" state, much as South Carolina is for Edwards and Thompson. His father was governor there some four decades ago, made a (failed) bid for the presidency and is fondly remembered. Can Mitt assay that into votes? Eh. He is currently around 21%, versus McCain (10%) and Giuliani (12%), but that poll data is from mid-December, and certainly out-of-date now that Huckabee has won Iowa and McCain popped back into prominence. Tracking polls, McCain was on top there last spring and early summer, statistically tied with Romney and then the implosion of his campaign came, dropping him below 10%. He's come back, and will strike at Romney's base in the coming weeks. Moroni, protect your spiritual son!

***

John Kerry supports Obama. Obama (regrettably) does not decline the "favor"…

***

That's a wrap this morning. Keep an eye on the various sites and stations for the Richardson speech (and endorsement. Who will it be?!).

http://www.electoral-vote.com (left-leaning, and just amazing)
http://www.electionprojection.com (right-leaning and better-than-average)

-Hooper McFinney