Mon 21 Apr 2008
As the PA Primary winds down, Democrats should be asking what they gained from it
Posted by DC Republican under Across the US , Campaign '08 , Democrats , Economy , Liberals , Obama , Politics , RNCWith the start of the Pennsylvania Democratic Primary just hours away, I’ve found myself in a reflective state, looking back at what has really been accomplished by the two candidates over the past six weeks.
Of all of the tours had by both candidates around the state, I can’t think that of one new policy idea that was completely rolled out. Furthermore, even after all of the debate and media coverage, I still can’t find myself in a position where I can tell you why one candidate is better than the other.
From what I’ve seen, there are a lot of people who have found themselves in the same position and these are people who live in Pennsylvania.
It’s quite clear that this hasn’t gone unnoticed by the candidate’s campaigns either. Instead of going after statements that were made by either candidate in Pennsylvania, most of the attack ads are focusing on something that has been drawn out too long already – special interest dollars.
Here is a quick video summary:
When the race is between three Senators, as much people might hate it, special interest money is going to come up. All of the candidates have received money from a PAC or PAC affiliated donor at some point. All of the candidates have met with lobbyists, and yes, I guarantee you all of the candidates are friends with at least a handful of DC “power lobbyists.”
Aside from the special interest attack ads, the other attack seems to be on universal health care. What’s funny about these attacks is that they are going after each others plans, when in reality none of them will ever be implemented.
All candidates, Democrats and Republicans, make big plans for when they get elected, in terms of implementing different policies. However, the reality is that the majority of those plans never make it through the legislature.
Just as an example, take President Bush’s 2004 Social Security plans. Even when Republicans had control, they weren’t able to pass one of his biggest campaign pushes.
People shouldn’t be surprised to find that the same will probably hold true if a Democrat is elected, even with a Democratic majority in the House.
These plans, while they might sound good in their initial proposals will never make it through the bodies as they appear now. Each member of Congress wants their stamp on it and will do what they can to make sure it’s there.
This is where almost all legislation seems to fail.
I guess that’s why I’ve found it so odd that this is how the Democrats chose to wind down their races leading into the election.
Instead of driving hard key issue, like the economy, or going after Senator McCain more aggressively, they’ve chosen the path that only highlights both of their weaknesses against each other, instead of showing their viability against Senator McCain.
But, from a Republican perspective – this is great. They’re going to have their donor based maxed and polarized before they even have a presumed nominee. That’s something that even one of Howard Deans spin-cycle emails cant downplay.
Just look at what CNN.com is reporting on their front page today:
Obama has outspent his rival in Pennsylvania, thanks in part to his hefty fundraising.
He raised $41 million in March, compared with Clinton’s $20 million, according to the latest campaign finance report.
In March, Obama spent about $31 million on his presidential campaign, compared with Clinton’s $22 million.
I don’t see any way that Obama or Clinton can raise that much money without their donors reaching the FEC limits.
The Republicans should really start taking advantage of this… soon.
I haven’t seen all that many mail pieces of phone calls going from the McCain camp, or the RNC talking about how we’re at an advantage here.
When a party has been beaten down over the last 8 years, this is positive news that will make people want to make an investment in the GOP.
But you can’t get money if you don’t ask… so hopefully they’ll start soon.
April 21st, 2008 at 11:58 am
The question is, with the RNC really act on it.
I’ve seen the DNC send out an email at least once a week, and maybe once every 2 weeks from the RNC.
April 21st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I think that Obama has been much more diplomatic through all of this, even though he’s been getting a bit more agressive over the past few days - he’s still carried himself better than Clinton
Obama! Obama! Obama!
April 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
N4C:NATIONWIDE RALLY SAT,APRIL 19TH! YES WE CAN AND YES WE DID! NATION FOR CHANGE! WE JUST MADE HISTORY! Saturday,was the first ever nationwide rally in support of Sen. Obama!There were tremendous efforts nationwide in over45 cities,in small towns&the largest cities in our nation. Now it’s on the Net,the news,in the papers,and you’re in our hearts. We didn’t have business sponsorship,large money donors,or mainstream news support to advertise the nationwide rally, but what we had was eachother! Apparently, that was more than enough to deliver a HUGE SUCCESS FOR WE THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION AND SEN. OBAMA! Perhaps the media would print the positives of the campaign and not just air the negatives. Those are the stories that we as citizens are interested in hearing. Please join us at http://www.nationforchange.com for upcoming events and to view pics and videos from the events nation and worldwide!
April 21st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Although I have supported Obama throughout this campaign, I have still managed to respect Clinton. After the debate in Philadelphia last Wednesday, she lost my respect.
April 21st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
It’s funny, for awhile I truly believed that Hillary Clinton would be as good of a campaigner as her husband was. However, after a few weeks I realized that she severely lacked the authenticity that her husband had.
They all said Bill Clinton was a candidate that you would want to go have a beer with after an even. But Hillary has become the reason you’d have to go out and have a beer.
Is she less qualified than Obama? No. But she’s been so damn polarizing. Obama hasn’t been perfect in that sense either, but he’s covered it up nicely.
April 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Whom to vote for? How do they compare?
Obama Clinton
Wrote a book(s)
April 21st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Hit the exit key accidentally.So here goes again.
Whom to vote for? Obama or Clinton?
Obama Clinton
Wrote a book(s) Wrote a book(s)
Serves on Senate Comm. Serves on Senate Co.
Earmarks 91 Earmarks 189
C0-authored bills Co-authored bills
Bills passed__ Bills passed __
Community organizer Health & child care
Farrakhan -church Farrakhan-attended
honored him an event of his
Wright-pastor Wright-invited to
for 20 yrs. Learned President Clinton’s
importance of helping Prayer Breakfast as
the poor, sick, one of 100 highly
jobless,underprivileged regarded pastors.
Ayers-on philanthropic Ayers-husband
foundation committee pardoned 2+ members
with him,Ayers gave of Weather Undergro.
Rezko-illegal use of Paul - illegal us
money campaign money
Larry Sinclair-?? V. Foster -??
(Associations a factor????)
Both have very similar policies with a
slight difference in health care and Iraq or Iran in H’s. case.
He proposes CHANGE in Washington politics.
She claims EXPERIENCE.
Return to the ’90’s or look to the future???
Just some thoughts. I don’t usually vote Democrat, but am not sure about McCain yet, so keep reading, and listening.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 am
Clinton is so obnoxious and so tenacious I’ve wondered if there was a way to productively channel her energy. How about National Poop Collector? It is a perfect calling for Hillary and she’d be ready on Day 1. She could take her low income, low education, old, female constituency with her. Her new Bin Laden TV ad is disgraceful. Her CNN puppy named “Kiki” can also accompany her. Her TV smirk matches the Hillary cackle. Kiki is even more obnoxious than Hillary if that is possible. Hillary is well on the road of being a national joke, a kind of C grade celebrity that might appear on Donald Trump’s next “Celebrity Apprentice” or some reality show, maybe one where can can engage in a desert shot out with Bin Laden since she is now such a great gun person.