I’m sure the Obama campaign wasn’t biting their nails as hard as us amateur pundits. Nor were the pollsters because, the polls actually turned out to be pretty close to the finish. Thank God for Facebook friends who provided the most entertaining analysis of the evening, many from the bottom of a glass. I’m on my way out to get a hard copy from the newstand. More later.
It was a bad night for Tea Party candidates. E-bert and I will compare notes.
President Barack Obama made the midnight call to Governor Chris Christie as Sandy began to wreak havoc on the east coast offering Christie whatever resources he needed. Christie strikes me as one of those guys who never forgets a favor even if he’s talked trash about you the week before. Hey, that’s the way it’s done in New Jersey. Whatever the motives, nobody whose electricity is blown or loss their home and/or a family member in the storm could [in the words of the Gov] “give a damn.”
Today, New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergendorsed President Barack Obama acknowledging their mutual concerns about the urgency to take the lead on climate change.
Mayor Bloomberg throws Massachusetts Governor and Republican candidate Mitt Romney under the bus a few compliments on his work in Massachusetts. But the mayor has been rubbed the wrong way by Romney’s extreme right role reversal during the course of his campaign for the White House.
One sees climate change as an urgent problem that threatens our planet; one does not. I want our president to place scientific evidence and risk management above electoral politics.
Days before the storm, the former Republican turned Independent mayor formed his own Super-PAC to reward moderate candidates in any party.
Regardless of what people think about government, it is the first call and responder following a natural disaster. It is the plan and the backup plan. In the aftermath of Sandy, New York and New Jersey may be defining the political football of “bipartisanship.” Sure New Jersey and New York trend blue even when the top tier is red. But in an emergency, color shouldn’t be an issue.
Today the DNC launches their convention in Charlotte, NC. This also marks the 4th anniversary of this blog which was launched at the 2008 DNC convention in Denver. Different kind of convention and energy. Eclectique916.com isn’t boycotting the conventions this year, just taking care of business closer to home. Even the blog has to ask itself, “where do we go from here?” Eclectique916.com is attracting over 1,000 unique readers each month. That’s a real convention bump from where this blog started.
The DNC released their 2012 platform in a tidy online format that you can read in its entirety or just the bits you want. I’ll post some bits from the platform here.
Arts and Culture. Democrats are proud of our support for arts funding and education. We are committed to continuing the policies and programs that have already done so much for our creative arts industry and economy. Investment in the arts strengthens our communities and contributes to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. We will continue to support public funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, for the National Endowment for the Humanities, and for programs providing art and music education in primary and secondary schools. The entire nation prospers when we protect and promote the unique and original artistic and cultural contributions of the women and men who create and preserve our nation’s heritage.
Democrats believe that the right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value; every American should have a voice on the job and a chance to negotiate for a fair day’s pay after a hard day’s work.
The platform is built around the nice ideas goals (including the ones from 2008), lessons (now scripted into goals), and policies of the party’s undisputed and unchallenged candidate, President Barack Obama. If there’s any lesson the DNC has learned over the years is to know when to gather under the big tent. But protest and descension are also part of the party culture in their post-Dixie-crat incarnation. It’s not that Tampa didn’t get their share of protesters and party crashers (The Ron Paul people pulled it off from the inside.) Weather conditions will make it easier in Charlotte for demonstrators and the media. Plus the party who has the power at the top of the chain, has to expect a response to policies enacted, and promises delayed/unkept during President Obama’s first term.
Where is this party going? Who are the party’s new faces? The next generation? We’ll see tonight. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro will give the keynote. He is the first Hispanic American to deliver the keynote at a Democratic convention. But you have to ask if being a “first” in 2012 is something to stand up and cheer about.
BTW Julian has an identical twin brother, Joaquin, who is a state Representative. This could get interesting.
Rule #1 for a political convention: kick it off with a diversity theme. The Hispanic vote is a hot topic with non-Hispanic pundits every four years. First Lady Michelle Obama has women and maybe military families (omitted from the RNC convention) covered. Hopefuly, there won’t be any empty chairs inside the convention hall.
*in photo, Julian Castro is on the left (striped tie); Joaquin is on the right (blue tie).
This is the White House Live. At approximately 1:15 PM, the President will make an important announcement from the Office of Homeland Security about immigration and the status for persons who came into the country under the age of 16. If these individuals meet the criteria as established by Homeland Security, they can apply for work permits whether they are in removal proceedings or not.
Have questions about the announcement? Ask on Twitter with the hashtag #WHChat. Today at 2:00 PM ET, Felicia Escobar, senior policy director for immigration, will answer live during a special session of White House Office Hours. What twitter feed at @WHLive.
For some reason my attention was not focused on how much eye shadow the Easter Bunny is wearing. (Photo taken during the playing of the National Anthem at the White House Easter Egg Roll)