Three Important Races and My Endorsements

Today is the BIG DAY! If you haven't done so already, you need to go VOTE! In this election cycle there are three races in which I am especially interested in seeing the results.

President: John McCain and Sarah Palin. Anyone who has read my blog in the past will know that I believe the McCain Team to be by far the best for the U.S. His opponent will do all in his power to move our country toward socialism. He must be stopped. John McCain has spent his life in service to his country. That is the kind of leadership we need.

U.S. Senate (Texas): John Cornyn. Senator Cornyn has been a consistently conservative voice for Texas. His votes have reflected thoughtful attention to the traditional family-oriented values of our state. He supports our troops and seeks to protect our borders. We need to return him to Washington.

Texas Railroad Commission: Michael Williams. Commissioner Williams has been endorsed by about every newspaper in the state. The growth in the energy sector in our state has been in good hands under his leadership of the commission. We need to return him to office.

The above individuals are the kind of representatives that we need. They are not power-hungry, self-aggrandizing politicians, but are committed to serving the people of this country. That is what we need.

Contrasting the Presidential Candidates

I find it difficult to write about things political lately. The Presidential election is dominating the landscape in spite of the "financial crisis" that the world is facing. The charges flying back-and-forth between the competing candidates are full of distortions if not outright lies in some cases. It is difficult if not impossible for the average voter to truly understand the positions of each of the candidates.

I have solved that problem for you. I will tell you what I see as the differences.

McCain is pro-American. Obama is "savior" of the world. (By-the-way -- I think God already addressed this issue a little over 2000 years ago.)

McCain primarily believes that we ought to work for a living and be able to enjoy what we earn (although the bailout seems to fly in the face of that). Obama believes that we should take from the wealthy and redistribute it to those who don't work or have no ambition beyond a paycheck followed by beer and t.v.

McCain believes that American sovereignty is inviolate and we should defend our borders vigorously. Obama believes we must be careful of others feelings and let them run over us if they feel like it. After all, we're just a big bully and it's better to cave in to the tantrums of the brats. (If you give a child everything that he wants he will be useless as an adult.)

McCain has a lot of experience. Obama isn't even doing his job in the Senate where he was elected to serve.

McCain believes we have the right to defend our property. Obama wants to take away personal protection and make it easier for criminals to redistribute the wealth (you can see this as a reference to firearms or to taxes -- whichever fits.)

McCain believes marriage should be between one man and one woman. Obama seems to prefer same gender marriages.

McCain believes that babies deserve a chance at life. Obama would prefer that no babies be born except to his liberal elite cohorts. He wants abortion on every corner.

McCain is not the best at delivering his message. He gets angry occasionally and is not brilliantly articulate. So what. It's values that count. Substance -- not fluff. Obama on the other hand is a wonderfully articulate speaker. It's too bad that it's all smoke and mirrors. He seems to be a most artful liar.

McCain fought to defend our country. Obama has aligned himself with anarchists that would tear our country apart.

I cannot understand how anyone could vote for Obama unless they hate this country.

Yard Signs and Newspaper Endorsements

I've been doing a lot of traveling lately. Some has been in Texas and some elsewhere. Last week I was in Florida and Georgia. I saw a lot of McCain-Palin yard signs and very few of the other. It might be because I was mostly in rural areas. While in Georgia I heard very strong support for Senator McCain and saw only one T-shirt that was pro-that-other-guy.

Tonight I'm in Victoria, Texas. As I drove from Amarillo to Victoria I saw almost exclusively McCain-Palin yard signs until I arrived in the Austin area. The same with U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Austin seemed to have a good mix with possibly a slight edge to the more liberal candidate in both the Presidential and the U.S. Senate race.

After I left Austin this morning and headed south to Victoria I saw a few signs promoting the liberal Democrats and a few supporting McCain and Cornyn. It was much more mixed than the western parts of the state.

So, what does that portend for the races? I don't really know except that based on my trip and a rough count of political signs I would call the races (in Texas) 52% McCain and 46% to the Democrat with the remainder going to Ron Paul. In the Senate race I would give 62% to John Cornyn and 35% to the guy that sounds like a Central American dictator and a couple of percent to the fringe parties.

If you look at newspaper endorsements it looks like a sweep by U.S. Senator John Cornyn. I believe that he has 14 endorsements to date while his opponent has ZERO. I don't know about endorsements for McCain/Palin but I suspect that it is in his favor across the state.

The media keep talking about how bad the economy is but I don't see it. The traffic is heavy, trucks are hauling equipment, fields are being harvested or plowed, houses are being built, highways are under construction and restaurants are full. Maybe Texas is unique to the country but I don't think so. I saw the same when I was in southern Georgia and northern Florida last week.

Everywhere I look I see abundance. Our country is amazingly blessed. I think that we need pro-business, pro-growth, pro-family, pro-morality, pro-tax relief, pro-spending control government. I know Senator Cornyn fits that profile and I believe that Senator McCain does as well. If we want to regain control of our country we need to get the Nancy Pelosi's, Harry Reid's and B.O.'s out of Washington.

Random Thoughts on Markets and Elections

It has been difficult to feel like posting anything the last few days. All we hear from the national media is how the economy is falling apart and the Presidential candidates are calling each other names.

It is virtually impossible to pick out the tidbits of truth in the various political advertisements (which includes "debates") because they are hidden in a fog of nothingness. We hear vague statements with little substance.

It is sad that the political process has devolved to mudslinging, but it's been that way since George Washington left the job to his successor. We don't have true debates, just positioning and one-liners designed to get media coverage. Let's talk about the merits of the plans that each candidate offers. Give us some substance instead of smoke for a change. We're big kids now, we can handle it.

Senator McCain is somewhat left of where I'd like him to be on many issues. If it wasn't for Governor Palin's presence on the ticket, he would really be struggling with the conservative voters. The trouble is, there really isn't an alternative. Obama is so far left-of-left (in spite of what he says) that he makes McCain look conservative.

As to the economy, I'm optimistic. Where there is turmoil, there is opportunity. I feel fortunate to live in Texas. We have a little different view of the world here than the folks on either coast. In fact, I expect any day for California and Massachusetts to be asking the State of Texas for a loan. The U.S. government is bound to be running pretty low -- they've given so much away lately. But, hey, what's a few hundred billion here or there anyway? Oh, wait! That's our money! I wish they'd stop doing that!!

Folks panicked this afternoon on the stock market. Maybe after they sleep on it they'll decide it's time to buy back. I'll bet the market opens up in the morning.

Locally our banks are strong and our economy is chugging along steadily. We've been in a bit of a boom -- and still are -- it does appear to be slowing a little bit but not much. We're building windmills and ethanol plants, digging new oil and gas wells, and the traffic on the highways is getting worse all the time. The farmers are harvesting their crops and the cattlemen are turning cattle out for fall grazing. It seems pretty normal around here -- except the old guys in the coffee shop have a little something extra to talk about.

I hate that I missed it, but Senator Cornyn was debating his opponent for his Senate seat tonight in Houston. I'm sure he was attacked over the economic mess but I think if the voters will look around and take stock of what's going on in this state they will recognize that the Senator has done a pretty good job representing their interests. The Senator's opponent -- I keep forgetting his name, but I know it's the same as some Central American Dictator from a few years back -- is clueless. He keeps preaching the same old socialistic theme as the Clintons and Obama/Biden. I guess it has a certain appeal to the deadbeats, but people around here are mostly hard-working, clean-living folks with strong family values. That's the kind of values Senator Cornyn represents. If the people are thinking come election day, instead of listening to the liberal media, the Senator will be going back to Washington to represent us again. Hopefully he will be in a position to start cleaning up the mess they have up there. He can't do it alone though. We need a few more like him. It's too bad some of the other states won't wake up and follow Texas' example on how they are represented in Washington. That's the kind of change we need. I wonder if Senator Cornyn would consider running for President in the future?

McCain Demonstrating Leadership in Financial Crisis

Below, I have posted in its entirety, a news release from the McCain Campaign regarding the Economic Crisis. I believe that he shows the kind of leadership that we need to address the situation. At the bottom is a link that tells about Obama's response.

John McCain's Remarks on the Economic Crisis

New York, NY
Wednesday, September 24, 2008

America this week faces an historic crisis in our financial system. We must pass legislation to address this crisis. If we do not, credit will dry up, with devastating consequences for our economy. People will no longer be able to buy homes and their life savings will be at stake. Businesses will not have enough money to pay their employees. If we do not act, every corner of our country will be impacted. We cannot allow this to happen.

Last Friday, I laid out my proposal and I have since discussed my priorities and concerns with the bill the Administration has put forward. Senator Obama has expressed his priorities and concerns. This morning, I met with a group of economic advisers to talk about the proposal on the table and the steps that we should take going forward. I have also spoken with members of Congress to hear their perspective.

It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the Administration's proposal. I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time.

Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative. I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me.

I am calling on the President to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.

We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved. I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday night's debate until we have taken action to address this crisis.

I am confident that before the markets open on Monday we can achieve consensus on legislation that will stabilize our financial markets, protect taxpayers and homeowners, and earn the confidence of the American people. All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I am committed to doing so.

Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now. Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.

For Obama's response, read the story linked below:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26872907

Witness the Beginning of a World Changer

The world and the Democrats underestimate Governor Sarah Palin, VP running mate of John McCain. The lady has class and poise that cover a solid intellect and a heart for her country and the citizens who dwell in it. With John McCain's experience and heart for service to lead the way, she will become a formidable force within a McCain administration.

Her charm will cross many barriers that might be denied to others. With proper coaching and mentoring, she could potentially play a significant role on the world stage in a manner that is beyond the typical role of a Vice President. Her perceptive mind and graceful presence are a combination that could place her in the forefront of forging strong relationships with leaders throughout the world. She could become a coalition builder unsurpassed in recent U.S. history.

She has a unique opportunity. Through a mentoring/educational process, she can sit down with world leaders and ask them one-on-one, in a manner not usual for diplomatic efforts, what is important to each of them. She can seek to understand the issues that are critical to them by asking questions. Diplomats are "assumed" to have an understanding of the countries with which they deal. She is not bound by those assumptions. She is a fresh slate where new ideas and perceptions can be shaped.

Foreign policy experience? Give her time and she could become a world-changer.

Are Grizzlies Germain to the Reporter's Point?

It seems that no matter what type of article is being written, the reporter often tries to include his or her political views. The article linked here is ostensibly about the recovery of Grizzly Bears in Montana. However, the article attacks John McCain for a floor speech condemning "pork barrel" spending in which the study is mentioned as an example of poor use of taxpayer money. The expenditure of $4.8 million dollars for DNA testing hair samples collected from barbed-wire traps seems on the surface to be a prime example of pork-barrel spending. Without adequate explanation for why the study should be conducted, that would certainly seem to be the case.

When multiple items are rolled into -- or added on -- to a bill, it becomes difficult to truly debate the merits of each item. If the scope of bills could be narrowed to core issues, perhaps this problem could be resolved. There are rules concerning "germainness" of provisions that are supposed to keep the scope of a bill within the realm of its original purpose. It seems that such rules no longer work or are often ignored when it comes to what has come to be known as "pork-barrel" projects. The other issue is that if each item were considered singly, the number of bills before our legislative bodies would increase exponentially. These issues are part of what makes reform of the legislative process so difficult.

I guess this entry seems to be wandering around a bit. It is a circuitous path to this point: The reporter attacks McCain over an issue that is not the problem. It is reform of the legislative process that should have been attacked, not a Presidential candidate who the reporter obviously would like to see defeated.

Personally, I'm happy to know that the Grizzlies of Montana are recovering. I'm sure there is concern among the ranchers about detrimental impacts on their livestock. It is good to know that a higher number of bears may ease restrictions on oil and gas exploration. It is a multi-edged result from an apparent pork-barrel project that was poorly explained because of a legislative process in need of reform.

(The original news release from USGS can be found here.)

The "A" Team

OK. I know The Sun isn't known as a mainstream political authority, but after seeing this article linked on The Drudge Report, I had to post a link to it. The GOP's rock star VP candidate will reach across a lot more lines than people (especially the Dem's) anticipate. I think the futbol crowd wafting a draft in an English/Irish/Scottish/German, etc. pub will appreciate her as much as some of the folks in rural America. Senator McCain also should score well with the baseball crowd on this pick, it was certainly a home run.

There is even talk about a "coattail" effect from the McCain/Palin ticket on a number of House and Senate races. The only thing that surprises me is that no one has started calling them the "A" team. After all, one hails from Arizona and the other from Alaska. Hmm...sounds like a good title for this post.

Lipstick on a Pig

Was the Obama comment intentionally aimed at VP nominee Sarah Palin? That is the hot question of the day. I've given it some thought and come up with what I believe to be a likely scenario of how it came about.

Picture Obama on the plane with his advisors somewhere over the U.S. The candidate is somewhat downbeat because the latest polls show him losing ground. Why? they ask. The answer on everyone's lips -- Sarah Palin. Senator McCain's choice of runningmate totally blew away the Obama "play-it-safe-with-Joe Biden" strategy. What to do....

Advisor A: We've got to attack. We've got to discredit Palin.

Advisor B: We've got to be careful. If we're too harsh, we will alienate the women voters. Besides, you can't go after Palin, it would look bad. You have to focus on McCain -- he's the nominee, she's just his running mate. We can't even bring up her name or it will hurt you. Leave that to Joe.

Obama: We need to use humor -- be subtle -- that's how she attacked me! I don't like it. I want to go after her, she's the real threat.

Advisor A: What about that "lipstick on a pig" thing you've done before?

(Obama chuckles.)

Advisor B: It's too risky -- that thing could backfire on you if it isn't delivered just right -- I don't think you should go there. Use the fish thing we wrote on McCain but stay away from Palin.

Obama: I think I can do it. Hey, the people love me. They'll just laugh. Humor is a good thing -- look what it did for her speech. It wasn't even scripted.

Advisor B: I really don't think you need to use it. If it comes off wrong they'll crucify you.

Advisor A: I agree. You could probably do it if anybody could, but there's a lot of risk.

Obama: OK. I think you're wrong but that's why I hired you.

In the heat of the speech, with the crowd hanging on his every word, the "thinks-he's-great" communicator becomes overconfident. He thinks, "she went off the script -- I can do it too -- they love me!"

He hesitates, he grins, he says, "You know, you can put lipstick on a pig...."

You know the rest of the story.

Presidential qualities? I don't think so.

Presidential Polling Shifts

Are the polls correct? It is sometimes difficult to trust polling results because the questions always reflect the bias of the poll creator. However, in the last few days we have seen multiple articles concerning significant shifts in poll results from Obama to McCain -- especially among women and independents. I doubt that all of the polls are wrong...

Random Thoughts on the Election

As time goes by, we will learn more and more about the amazing story of GOP Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin. The story of the Palin's son Trig is itself a tribute to their beliefs, their ethics and their values.

I have not posted directly on Senator McCain's speech last Thursday evening to the RNC. I thought it was an excellent speech. It was a little slow taking off -- even appeared to be formulaic and safe -- until near the end. I think we saw the man's heart. I believe that we saw a man who is focused on service. It is easy to be cynical and think that every candidate for the highest office in the land is only looking at the power. I don't believe that's the case with John McCain. I am certain that he can be tough, driven and difficult, but I think that deep down it is fueled by a desire to serve his country.

It is time for change in Washington. It is time to get away from politics as usual and tackle the challenges that we are facing. We must tame the energy beast and wean ourselves from economic control of our energy by foreign powers that are not working in our best interests. It is time to trim the federal budget and focus on what government was designed to do rather than making it bigger in an attempt to do all things for all people -- either through misplaced idealism or through the desire to "repay" favors from special interest groups or voter groups. We don't need the bigger government that the Dem's are promising. We need to re-focus our government leaders and bureaucrats on serving the people and not themselves. I believe the McCain/Palin ticket will at least make a valiant attempt to do so. Whether they can overcome the Washington Establishment is a different prospect altogether. At least, they are unlikely to contribute to the explosive growth that is the likely outcome if Obama/Biden should win.

God and Country/Maverick and Barracuda

The last few days I've thought a good bit about Sarah Palin as the VP running mate of Senator John McCain. The choice by Senator McCain was brilliant. It countered the age issue. It showed that the GOP's believes women can do any job. It brought Executive experience. It focused on energy. It highlights marriage and family. It is pro-life. It is about doing the right thing. It says, "we're coming after the good-ol-boy, get-nothing-accomplished, power politics as usual crowd."

On a side note: The media has blasted Governor Palin for not "staying home" with her children. It crossed my mind that they are saying her husband Todd can't handle things at home. That's about as sexist as it can get. The Democrats are saying that men can't be good parents.

I hope the Dem's have met their match. God and country, The Maverick and The Barracuda. Great ticket.

McCain's Wise Choice

This is one that I called back on July 2. I think she is a stellar addition to the McCain team and will complement him well as a running mate.

"McCain picks Palin as running mate

Popular Alaska governor to be first female Republican VP nominee"

Pro-family, pro-life, conservative, pro-business, Christian. This choice shows to me that McCain will exercise some wisdom in his leadership -- surround yourself with people that offset the areas that are not your strengths. Strong leaders surround themselves with strong people.

Thank you, John McCain! The GOP now has its own "Rock Star" but ours has substance!

Decisiveness in Leadership

When you consider the characteristics of a leader (I'm referring to the Presidency), decisiveness is one thing that seems to be high on the list of desirable qualities. We hear from the media how the people are ready for "change" and tired of the Washington insiders. What's interesting is how the one who positions himself as the candidate of change comes across as the smooth, political insider and the one who has been in Washington for years comes across as a bit rough around the edges and something of a "maverick." That "maverick" is showing that he can be decisive. The other one shows that he is a politician -- waffling over every potentially sticky issue.

The result is beginning to show in the polls. Let's hope that Senator McCain can keep the momentum.

Nominating Conventions and Boredom

I recall that as a youngster many years ago, the party nominating conventions for President were a big deal in our house. I loved to watch the speeches -- although at the time I probably was clueless about the implications of all that was said -- and I waited with anticipation the vote by state delegations for their choice of Presidential nominee. There was always an air of "the possible" and some doubt as to how the vote would turn out. That no longer is the case.

Today, the party conventions are a media circus with a foregone conclusion. The only possible question this year is in the Democratic Convention where there is an element of potential surprise by Hillary Clinton. This could be a good thing for Obama. It may create enough interest by the voting public to actually watch the convention to see just what she and her supporters will do. The Republicans don't have that type of question in front of them.

The Republican Convention promises to be boring. Many of the party faithful are less than enamored with their candidate. The vote is expected to be without event. The speeches will likely follow tried-and-true formulas. There is nothing that promises excitement with the possible exception of the expected nominee himself, John McCain. There may be some expectation that his performance will provide news fodder for a few days if his speech is less-than-satisfactory to the political-talking-heads.

Wouldn't it be more fun if it was more of a political brawl with backroom bargaining and ringing floor speeches attempting to sway the delegates? Instead, it will be canned speeches, foregone conclusions and endless analyses by analysts whose primary qualification is that they lost a political race at one time or another. Will there be an audience?

It seems to me that the candidates have more to lose than they have to gain. McCain will have difficulty overcoming the "boring-us-to-death" potential in Minneapolis. Obama will have to come across as Presidential -- not just a rock star. How the Hillary question is played will also affect voter views of him as a leader. I fear the American public will be the big loser as we are subjected to carefully orchestrated television performances -- if we watch at all.

Some Random Thoughts, Links and Observations

I see that Candidate Obama took a Hawaiian vacation -- probably to check in with Pelosi and Reid -- while McCain stepped up his attacks. Senator McCain on the other hand is working with his speech writers on what is expected to be a brief address to the RNC.

Not all of the Democrats are getting a vacation though, it seems that Senator Edwards is busy dodging bullets about his admitted affair.

The Republican Congressional Leadership on the other hand, is spending its vacation speaking to an empty House in Washington. Ah, well, at least CSPAN is listening -- I think -- I haven't checked. Other Republicans are pressing their war to lower gasoline prices in a more practical manner -- by taking it on the stump and to the people. Senator Cornyn (R-Tx) has not let up on his efforts on behalf of energy consumers for several months now. He also expressed his disappointment with the EPA's rejection of Governor Perry's request for relief on the RFS mandates.

The President is in China for the Olympics while the U.S. government is condemning Russia for attacking Georgia, a U.S. ally. This brings to mind thoughts of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in the not-so-distant past. How far will we go on behalf of our allies? Senator McCain seems ready to go a little farther than the President. Perhaps he just isn't encumbered by the trappings of diplomacy yet.

The President and Putin have been discussing the situation in Georgia while grazing the munchies in China. I wonder how their little chat went?

Meanwhile, Paris Hilton is gaining ground in her newly announced bid for the Presidency. She is receiving important endorsements for her Energy Plan. She will have a difficult time getting it through Congress if she's elected. They don't know what an Energy Plan is apparently.

That's the days political news -- at least as much of it as I want to mention.

Speaking Before a Hostile Crowd: McCain

Senator McCain is demonstrating that he can handle foreign policy. Even with potentially hostile situations, he is able to reach out by finding common ground. Being able to deal with those who are openly opposed to you is difficult for many. I think that at times in his career it has been difficult for John McCain. He seems to be overcoming that difficulty.

It is sad that so many people vote for reasons that are not directly tied to the policies or positions of a candidate nor are they tied to their abilities to handle the office. They are often a matter of gender, of race, or of looks. Demonstrated leadership is important. Charisma is NOT the best criteria for selection. Look what that did for us under "what is the definition of is" Clinton. Senator McCain is showing us that he has what it takes to be President.

The Mental Politics of Recessionary Thinking

One of my former Senators who now advises Presidential candidate John McCain has the Dems stirred up about the economy today. What is most interesting is that he is right. The American public is unduly influenced by the doom-and-gloomers of the media as to the condition of our economy. The media is playing into the hands of the Dems because that is who most of them support. The frenzy is self-feeding because the more it is hyped, the greater the impact of that hype on both the actual economy and the attitude of the people toward the economy.

Those who have a positive outlook are reaping the rewards. Those who fear to move forward are creating losses for themselves because of retrenching actions. It is the difference between being proactive and being reactive. Face forward, move forward and move on. The U.S. still has far and away the best economic system on the planet. It works.

Sarah Palin for Vice President

Sarah Palin for Vice President. I'll be honest, a short time ago I had never heard of her. The more I dig into the available information about her the more I am impressed.

Governor Palin has a solid record as a politician that demonstrates the highest levels of personal integrity and a willingness to take on the establishment on behalf of the people of her state. She is pro-life, pro-business, independent, self-reliant and willing to stand up for what she believes.

She has been mentioned as a possible running mate for Senator McCain in his race for the Presidency. She could draw the evangelical vote, the womens vote and the NRA vote. The only problem that I see for McCain is that she might outshine him.

One of the first things that I learned in business is that you try to hire the best and the brightest for your company. If they are smarter than you, that is good. If they bring talents, abilities and strengths that offset your weaknesses, that is better. Sarah Palin's strengths cover the gaps for Senator McCain. I believe she would be a tremendous asset to his team.

A Statistical Dead Heat for the Presidency

The latest CNN poll shows McCain and Obama in a statistical dead heat. The real test will be in the electoral college. The distribution of their support is more important than the overall popular vote numbers. A majority of the popular vote does not mean the candidate will be elected.