WagTheNews

See what happens when you click each head!

Obama without a Church? Hillary without Michigan? McCain and Bush without cameras? Has the country gone nutso and have the diversions that led to the creation of WagTheNews hit a new low?

Today we ask: what if the three candidates acquired a new level of honesty, authenticity and candor?

What if Obama came out immeditely and said about Reverend Wright,"what the hell is he talking about, the Obamas need to find a new Church and fast"... instead of using Wright's wrongs as a chance to educate us about race?

What if Hillary said after losing every contest in March, "damn, Obama has caught on like lightning so let's forget that pledge against campaigning in Michigan and Florida, and let the voters decide"... instead of trying to claim victory in two states that have an asterik next to their results?

What if McCain said, "I know the President has the lowest approval ratings ever, but you have to respect the office, and as long as he's in office, I won't ignore he's the President"... instead of clandestine meetings barring photographers from showing the two men hugging?

The truth is the three candidates stop short of being honest, hoping for controversies to blow over (Obama), hoping for a magical turnaround in the results (Clinton), and hoping to take Bush's neocon fundraising machine (McCain) to the bank.

The spectacle may not shift voters, but it does add to the hypnosis that voters feel, spoken and unspoken. And hypnosis is not good for democracy. Hypnosis of the masses gives the powerful the benefit of the doubt. Hypnosis de-sensitizes the masses so when domestic surveillance is revealed, most people question it until their next text message comes through. Hypnosis makes us turn the page when we see a no-bid contract to private companies that under-arm our troops. And hypnosis makes us feel powerless when we learn that foreign entities are in charge of American ports.

So when a candidate of any type doesn't take an issue head on or tries to talk his or her way out of the controversy of the day, the public throws up its hands and says, "wake me up after Labor Day when I can start paying attention." And that's how democracy suffers.

In 1863, President Lincoln spent 2-3 minutes on 10 sentences and 272 words delivering the Gettysburg Address to re-define the purpose of the Unioin fighting the Civil War.

Back then, Lincoln told how a Gettysburg battle should signal "a new birth of freedom", an everlasting freedom in the form of "government of the people, by the people, for the people."

Today, the people are treated like morons with short attention spans, and for good reason. Leaders have learned how to avoid authenticity. They know the best way to keep us from noticing is to overkill issues that don't have anything to do with the mission, call them smokescreens. Unlike Lincoln, today's leaders need an injection of honesty to lead the country to the next "new birth of freedom" for all of us.                                          6/1/08

Mike Huckabee and the NRA. Katrina and the NBA. Hillary and Karl Rove. Barack Obama and George Bush. What does the NBA have to do with the others? Tonight, as pro basketball showcases a do-or-die final game between San Antonio and New Orleans, the backdrop behind the excitement is not an accident. Adoring center court, a banner reads "Where Caring Happens." A stunning comementary for the world to see almost 3 years since the Katrina and the fallout over failed government. 

The NBA knows how to make New Orleans feel hope, feel that we're not leaving them behind, feel that compassion is more than a slogan, even if it is. The GOP could take a page from the NBA's playbook on caring. Swift Boating season has begun. From Israel where Bush linked Obama with appeasment of Hitler. To the U.S. where Rove cited numbers showing Hillary Clinton a bigger threat to a McCain presidency. This from a man who cooked numbers before, during and after the U.S. War in Iraq. But the most shocking and dangerous comments came from Pastor Huck, who after hearing a loud crash during an NRA speech said, not joked, but said the noise was Obama falling off a chair as he dodged a gun aimed at him.

Compare this to Willie Horton. Compare it to Swift Boating a war hero. But make no mistake, this was Aw Shucks Huck auditioning for McCain's Vice President's job. As Hillary questions the electability of Obama in November, Huck and company suggest Obama would face bullets when stating Obama "just tripped off a chair. He was getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him, and he dove for the floor." The NRA meeting was in Louisville, Kentucky,  close enough to Memphis, some 40 years after Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down during the last Presidential election Civil War of '68.

The Clintons haven't had to go that far, but rest assured, this safety issue is one reason why Hillary won't go quietly into the night. She's sticking around incase Obama slips, or more seriously, if Obama falls off a chair dodging a gun, or worse, a bullet. Obama knows history, from the racist criticism to the shots heard from afar. It's no wonder Obama made the earliest request ever for Secret Service protection, last May, a full 18 months before the general election and long before the first taste of success in Iowa 8 months later.

Huckabee said his comments were not intended to be offensive. This coming from a former Pastor, former Governor and former Presidential candidate. Everything said is intended. It was no mistake. Inciting hate is the furthest thing from compassion. as Democrats do the democratic thing and go the distance through every state, the Republicans have yet to show it's true Dixie colors. The GOP is so out of touch with America, that even the NBA resemles the tone of Americans as the place "Where Caring Happens."                                                        5/20/07

Why hasn't John Edwards caught on like we had hoped? Why haven't more Democrats turned to clear and decisive vision for the future? How can't seven years of the Bush-GOP failure make Americans take Edwards and launch him to victories in any of the caucuses and primaries? If change is what Americans want, they are backing candidates who use the word "change" in slogans and posters but who can't be trusted to follow through the way Edwards would. 

Is Edwards too truthful? Do voters think change will come through negotiations with corporate power? If so the elecorate is saying one thing (change) but in reality, really wants the change to occur as business-as-usual in Washington. This is an outrageous contradiction and a sorry state of Americans attention span. 

Unless Edwards pulls a South Carolina miracle (or Obama and Hillary touch a third rail), his supporters will have to choose between Hillary's tough style and Obama's smooth vision. The trend points to Clinton picking up more of Edward's supporters than Obama. Since Iowa, Edwards has gone from 30% to 17% and now 5% in Nevada. As he's lost 25%, Obama has gained 7% between Iowa and Nevada(38% to 45%) while Clinton has gained 21% (29% to 50%) in just over two weeks. This makes the Clinton-Obama head-to-head a dead heat going into South Carolina in a week and Super Tuesday February 5th.

The Edwards campaign can remain on life support through February 5th, but at some point if the trend continues, he'll either withdraw, or hopefully suspend his campaign waiting for a front runner to self destruct. In the meantime, Hillary and Obama will find new ways to differentiate themselves to the voters beyond race, gender and style. Issues will return, decisions made in the buildup to war, votes taken and not taken, and who can better stand face to face with world leaders, let alone the Republican nominee in November.

The "race" debate provides insight in the role campaign surrogates will play. Bill Clinton will not sit idle, no matter what pundits suggest or Democratic insiders whisper. Shelving Bill during Al Gore's closing days remains a debatable losing strategy. The Clinton's will never reflect back at this time and wonder whether the use of a popular ex-President and spouse should have remained subservient, subordinate or invisible. Bill's public profile allows Hillary to have her tender moments while having someone raise harsh realities and strategic doubts about an Obama Presidency.

As Edwards has learned, Americans call for change but haven't supported the most serious challenge to the status quo in this campaign.                                                                 1/19/08

Back in 1988, a memorable Saturday Night Live skit positioned Michael Dukakis (Jon Lovitz) debating George Bush (Dana Carvey). After then VP Bush blabbered "Stay The Course...1,000 Points of Light," he's told he still had 1:20 left to answer. More blabbering of "Stay The Course...1,000 Points of Light." And when Bush finally stopped, Dukakis looked into the camera and said incredulously, "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy?" In 2008, Democrats won't be lamenting like Dukakis. Not any of them. Don't be fooled into thinking Iowa's tight races mean the Democrats and Republicans are running neck and neck. Just listen to Edwards, Clinton, and Obama. Coherent leaders with vision. Then try to endure Huckabee, Romney and Guiliani. Those three can thank the writer's strike from being shellacked by late night television. 

These Republicans don't need comedy writers or Jon Stewart to make fun of them. They are fully capable of going where no candidate should. Take the Sunday morning talk shows. Edwards is passionate and believeable in taking on Washington's establishment. Hillary beats a steady drumbeat even as Bill ad libs. Obama, while low-key to a fault, still conveys vision for the future. Which makes the contrast on the Republican side so laughable. Mike Huckabee, the Andy Taylor of candidates, seems one sentence away from saying, "Well golly Gomer, I'm running for President of THE United States."

Run as he does, the Huckster can't hide from his view on taxes, morality and the world. He credits the liberal New York Times, when it's convenient, for challenging Romney on taxes. When pressed by "Mr. Beltway" Tim Russert for getting a "D" and an "F" on raising taxes, Huckabee sounds like a New Deal Democratic saying it's legit to raise taxes when money improves education or highways. FDR would be proud. 

On foreign affairs, Huckabee the Statesman knew something happened in Pakistan this week and was well scripted with rehearsed facts about the country. But immediately after the assasination, he failed to realize Pakistan's martial law ended two weeks ago. And to prove he's no student of history, even 21st Century history, he surmised American troops could do in Pakistan what Pakistan can't do for themselves. 

What's even more dangerous is how Huckabee uses Pakistan to try to rile up Iowa voters by linking the assasination to our own borders and his need for racial profiling. Just in time for Thursday's caucuses, Huck played the anti-immigrant card while indirectly slapping McCain.  Do these guys read the same cliff notes when it comes to world affairs. Huck was oh so concerned for the Iowa farmer when he linked the assasination to their real world concerns. "How does this event in Pakistan effect the people in Iowa?" Not sure if it was a question or rhetorical statement.

Onto religion and Huck the Preacher says with a straight face, "I've been asked about faith more than any person running for President." Tell that to the man who held a news conference to talk all things Mormon. Mr. Christian can't hide from his 1998 remark about making America Christ-land. "I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ." The "Christian Leader", self-proclaimed in his latest Iowa TV ad, was speaking  to the Southern Baptist Convention and feels since he was speaking to that group, what he said was okay. Huck is such a welcoming Christian that he would have no problem appointing atheists to his cabinet, in fact he says he probably had some working for him as Governor. Not that there's anything wrong with that. 

If it's the economy stupid, Huckabee's double-speak would cause a national crisis from Wall Street to Farm Town USA. He proposes sending the illegals home within a 120 day window before they can apply to return. Millions of them. All of them, even their American-born, American-citizen kids. And although  he once has said sending them back would collapse the American economy, today he says don't worry, "all of them aren't going to go back on the same day."

Once again, Huckabee shows that Republicans love advocating for getting government off our backs but just can't help themselves talk about everybody's personal lives. From gay marriage, sin, deciding when life begins, punishing abortion doctors, viewing homosexuality as deviant..."an abberation like pedophilia, sadomasochism and necrophilia." But they'd probably be welcomed in his cabinet too, right?

Just look at the GOP competition and you can see why Huckabee caught lightning in a bottle in Iowa. Whatever the outcome, trust the Republicans to keep showing Americans how out-of- touch they are with the rest of us. And look forward to the return of Jon Stewart and company to reflect their high-jinx night after night, from here to November. But even without comedy writers, come November, a Democrat, any Democrat, will not be repeating the SNL Dukakis line "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy."                        12/31/07 

The seven year haze is finally coming clean. The national numb that started with hanging chads and Florida's miscount, Supreme Court politics and a defeated-victor in Al Gore. The rush to war, the excitement of the media to have something to cover, the lobbying of the nation's war machine to use the arms it convinced average Americans to buy. The mortgaging of our future at the expense of hundreds of thousands of changed lives. The cesspool of public opinion towards America the Beautiful and the shitstorm that followed the Bush War. Secret prisons and known torture centers. Diversions stirred by Rove, Libby and Cheney outing a CIA operative, hiding caskets and coffins, being no-shows to every single funeral and challenging opposition in the name of patriotism.

A midterm that was supposed to put politics aside and correct the mayhem of arrogance. All the while, Americans watch like it's a sporting event, getting involved until American Idol reappears, and then casting away their individual power as easily as it is to change to another 500 channels.

The trusted media consolidating, with experience pushed aside, leaving a muckraking void that our country won't fully realize until the last of the Donaldson's are gone.

While Christmas shopping in the late 90's, radios tuned to impeachment proceedings. Yet today, barely a hint of prosecuting this Administration for War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Crimes We Not Yet Know. Americans live in a sleep-state, awaken like adrenelin, but then passified back to a coma-state amid planned confusion by our lost leaders.

Yes, life is confusing, yet very cozy for a country that has not been asked to sacrifice. SUVs are put up for sale, not when it's harm to the environment is clear. Not when their guzzling useage is linked to dead soldiers. But only when the paycheck calls for $100 to fill 'er up. SUVs with "Support Our Troops" bumper stickers. And no one thinks that's a crime!

We're onto Iowa, then New Hampshire and at first blush it's cliche to say, "Is this anyway to elect a President?" In this crowded field, there's more money spent and raised, raised and spent, than appears in federal aid to cities and towns that are cutting back your services or taxing you locally. In this crowded field, personality separates souls, nuance creates a gap between who will win and who will lose. And small towners, salt of the earth Americans, will make a resounding call to wake up the rest.

Front runners who are on the ropes. The media pronounces an early winner and then, not surprisingly, the see-saw of public opinion creates electoral chaos. Candidates walk a fine line saying what they must to get elected by each party's extreme voters attending caucuses and casting a primary ballot. 

The media once again tired of all this war-stuff....try to steer the topic to the economy during Sunday pundit talk shows. When in the end, it will be the war for Democrats (Obama/Edwards) and abortion for Republicans (Huckabee). And each side's undedecideds chime in, get swayed or stay true to themselves by judging the last seven years as a complete failure and the desire or dream to change it up.(Clinton, Giuliani, Romney, McCain).

Where will you be come January? Paying attention to what Iowa screamed? 4 years ago, the majority laughed about Howard Dean's famous scream. Would we be facing a war without end and all that comes with it had we stopped for a second and not laughed at Dean? 8 years ago, enough Americans voted for Bush for that aw-shucks "I can have a beer with him" mentality. Would we be facing a generation of debt and an embarrassing image had we just thought we could have a beer with Gore?

Where will you be in January. Where will the country be in November?                                                       12/15/07

Until now, unless you live in Iowa or New Hampshire, the closest you've come to Presidential politics was receiving one of those personal letters from a candidate asking you for money. But summer's ending, it's back to school and all the Presidential aspirants hope you treat them with more respect than Rodney Dangerfield on campus. Most Americans, and probably a majority of whom will be deciding our next President, have yet to dip their toe into the race. Polls reflect the strength of a candidate's fundraising or, vice versa, a candidate's fundraising strength reflects the poll results. Those on the inside hoped to get through summer without touching the third rail while raising as much money as possible and still coming off as a common folk.

But all that will be changing as summer ends, candidates start differentiating more, and the public moves past George Bush and starts deciding who's next. Regardless of party affiliation, every candidate will distance themselves from President Bush, his Cabinet, any remaining ties to the White House and any new Bush or Republican embarrassment including airport bathrooms.

The question now is whether campaigns know how to reach down and grab the public's attention. A lot has changed since 2004 and a lot has not. Internet politics seem to reinforce a surfers beliefs more than it sways the surfers opinion. Web journalism is bound to uncover news as video sharing will slam any and all missteps right into the mainstream news. Mainstream, for its part, has shown as much ability to educate the public on a candidate as that candidate's own web site. Mainstream follows the polls, stacks their newscasts in the order a candidate currently stands, and leaves little to no time for thoughtful conversations, either from front runners or those looking to catch fire. 

Political ads will continue to be the love-hate for the American electorate. The ads are expensive (candidates hate that), seem disingenuous (public hates that), and are no longer the be-all, end-all (consultants hate that) to convincing the voter who to choose.

Before the internet, conventional wisdom held that the way we elect Presidents would barely change. That's the problem with conventional wisdom, it reflects the status quo and is often buried under a rock as a sea change is coming. Chances are we won't have an information technology revolution between now and November 2008, but don't be surprised if in the time of speedy innovation, we're introduced to some sort of enlightenment that helps the best candidate shine alone.

The country needs it, needs a breakthrough of ingenuity from the White House, needs a unifying leader, through a process that is totally transparent. The country needs to lay down their swords, cross party lines and help create a renaissance of thought. America, six years past a crossroad, has lost its standing within its borders and outside, among its friends and amid its growing enemies.

Yes summer is ending. A summer of Rove & Gonzales, a bathroom scandal & investigations of Alaska's Republicans, a bridge collapse and questions of national spending priorities. Reports on Iraq are due, the prospect of White House investigations will loom, and the public, trying to cut through politics as usual, will be making the most important decision since 1968, when Presidential politics were deciding "do we stay or do we go now?"                         8/31/07 

The Amercian public deserves credit. Eight months since the midterms gave Democrats a voice, it's the masses who are going to determine the next move forward in the American War in Iraq. You can count on President Bush and Congress to keep debating bills to re-direct, re-deploy, or remain in Iraq. But the pace and strength of this turning tide of American unrest makes the November elections seem rather quaint. 

The war has proven one thing about leadership in America. The resolve to get America back to its prideful place and respect in the world will be led not by President Bush and Congress. Today's leadership, today's push to our new way forward, rests with ordinary Americans who have gained a stronger, clearer and concise voice since November. The public has done more to connect the dots, blown past the "Wag the Dog" diversions, and ignored the  personalities, power and the politics. The American majority is merging with a growing number of military and their families who will motivate the next moves.

You can see it in the headlines. Anti-war groups see a swell in enrollment from military wives, usually the last bastion of support for the troops. A husband and wife fight his fifth re-deployment. Another man and his girlfriend pay a hitman to shoot out his knee to disable a return to Iraq. And now Iraq's own Prime Minister, the man America put all kinds of faith in says his Iraqi forces is ready to lead his country "any time" American forces want to withdraw. These anecdotes, while separate, are not going unnoticed by the American public.

For President Bush, he is the last man standing at a party. Everyone else has walked out the door. The President watches from his balcony as the masses stream further and further away. His inability to lead, prove he's right, demonstrate his vision to Americans has him paralyzed. As days turn to weeks which turn to months, there is one reasonable, populist and apolitical move America must take: freeze the re-deployment of future American troops to Iraq. Keep them home. All of them. Don't wait for this failure in leadership to concoct another plan. American troops in the United States must stay here. Otherwise Bush will have the ammo to keep the endless war afloat.  

As for the Presidential race, whatever deal was cut in 2004 between Bush and John McCain has turned into "The Curse of the Bam-bush-o. McCain had his chance to be a true maverick and team up with fellow heroic veteran John Kerry as his #2. But McCain said no to Kerry, embaced the President and was likely promised the Bush political machine's help in 2008. Some help. McCain lost his front runner status, can't raise cash and has dropped more staff than a little leaguer drops the fly ball. This past week's political cartoon said it best: The McCain Mutiny. Team Bush was supposed to channel resources and fundraising to get McCain elected. Instead, the link to Team Bush has helped submerge McCain into quicksand. McCain has fallen and he can't get up. Blame the war or immigration. But it is Bush policies that has ker-plunked McCain.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. But it shows how Americans have left the past behind, how an unpopular and unjust war has motivated the public, and how ordinary citizens see through political heirs like Bush, and the presumed heir-apparents like McCain.                         7/15/07

In a Seinfeld episode, George Costanza is haunted by his former gym teacher-turned homeless man named Mr. Heyman. Before being fired for giving George a wedgie, Heyman would call George "Can't Stand Ya" in place of his last name "Costanza." Today Hillary Clinton has a nation filled with Mr. Heyman's, singing the same chorus "Can't Stand Ya." Will it keep her from winning the Democratic nomination and general election? Probably. Unless a third party candidate can do for Hillary, what they've done in the past for her husband Bill.

In a poll released this week, 52% of Americans wouldn't even consider voting for Hillary Clinton for President. Even if she survives strong primary challenges, the outlook is bleak for her to win the general election. The only way Clinton can become President is for a strong third party candidate to emerge in purple swing states or Republican red ones. 

She's seen it happen before. Twice before. Bill Clinton became President without winning the majority of votes. In 1992 he won just 43%. In 1996, it was 49%. Both times, third party candidate Ross Perot gave Clinton the victory. Hillary needs another Ross Perot.

In 1992, Clinton beat Bush-Quayle 43-37% with Perot taking a strong third with 18.9% of the popular vote. If Perot didn't run, Bush would have won re-election with a majority. Clinton would have won just one or two states, Arkansas and perhaps New York, which would have become a toss up. Clinton's impressive electoral victory (370 to 168) would have become a near record landslide for Bush, 499-39. For perspective, Reagan beat Carter with 489 electoral votes, he trounced Mondale with 525, and Nixon embarrassed McGovern with 520 electorals. Perot was the only thing standing in the way of Clinton being added to that hapless group of Democrats.

In 1996, Ross Perot wasn't as in '92 but he again made Clinton the winner. Clinton beat Bob Dole by 8.2 million votes. Perot's 8.08 million votes weren't enough to change the popular vote outcome. But a closer examination of the electoral votes, shows why a strong third party candidate turned the election. Had Perot not run, Dole would have won 11 more states (New Hampshire would have been a toss up if Perot sat out). Dole would have won Florida (25 electoral votes), Pennsylvania (23), Ohio (21), Missouri, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Washington (11 each), Oregon (7), Nevada (4), Arizona and Kentucky (8 each). Do the math: if Perot didn't run, Dole would have won 129 more electoral votes, beating Clinton 288-250, making it a larger victory than Bush beat Kerry in '04 (286-251).

While Perot helped the Democrat, Ralph Nader handed George W. Bush the election in 2000. Without Nader, Al Gore would have flat out won New Hampshire and Florida. As it turned out, Florida received all post election spotlight where Bush beat Gore by just 537 votes. Nader won 97,000 votes, handing the state's 25 electoral votes and the election to Bush. But Gore could have avoided "hanging chads" and court appeals if he had just won New Hampshire. Gore lost the Granite State by 7,000 votes. If Nader didn't run, Gore would have captured enough of Nader's 22,000 votes to give him 4 crucial electoral votes and the election.

In 2004, Nader had less direct impact on the outcome. Bush beat Kerry 50.7% to 48.2%. The closest state Nader played spoiler was in New Mexico where Kerry lost the popular vote by 6000. Had he won all of Nader's 4000 votes, Bush still would have carried the 5 electoral votes by 2,000 votes.

In the last three out of four elections, a strong third party candidate played a role in the outcome. Debates rage over how much of a role. Many third party voters would have likely stayed home and not voted had it not been for a third choice. Plus, regardless of exit poll results, the jury is out whether Perot or Nader took a disproportionate number of votes from either of the major candidates. But a third party candidate could benefit someone like Hillary Clinton and high negatives.

In this week's Mason-Dixon poll, Clinton's high negatives were everywhere. 60 percent of independents, 56 percent of men, 47 percent of women and 88 percent of Republicans were talking like George Costanza's gym teacher saying, they "Can't Stand Ya." 

A strong third party candidate is the only way for any candidate to overcome a majority of negative feelings. But there's one problem for the establishment. With Republicans scarred by the American War in Iraq, and the prospect of Hillary as the Democratic nominee, that third party guy just might win the whole darn race.                                     6/30/07

The best and the brightest of those running treat each day, each photo-op and each Iowa visit like we're all paying attention. Truth be told, this summer dance isn't for us. If you have a bubble, sorry to burst it. The summer lovin' campaign is for money. Raise the most and voters believe you can win. Being seen as a winner elevates your poll numbers. And the higher your polling the more money you raise. Around and around it goes. The Lion King showed us the Circle of Life. This is the "Circle of Life or Death" for every candidate.  

So in between milking cows, meeting farmers in barns and having tea in living rooms, the candidates are on the phone using up all their minutes, blowing past friends and family plans, and looking for the most powerful networks. Campaigns have all sorts of systems, from index cards to computer databases, with names and personal nuggets of people like you, perhaps with dough to donate. For a candidate, there's a script, talking points and the "ask." Dialing for Dollars is how we elect our leaders. The Iowa photo-op is the foreground; raising more money is always the background. It lasts infinitely longer. Hours. Days. Everyday.

Somewhere in the middle (or at the end) are the voters in Iowa and New Hampshire. They take their first-in-the-nation responsibilities pretty seriously. Big money doesn't always sway them. In fact it could hurt if the money drives a wedge between their lives and the lives of the candidates. Iowa and New Hampshire voters know they're being played but still show up every four years like it's the Olympics, only election style.

For the masses, we watch and wait like rubber-necking at a car wreck. History tells us some candidates will flame out. We want to be watching when they do. Some never gain traction in the polls. Some never get their message across. Some just can't get the warchest inflated. What the masses like to see is a self-winnowing process, where candidates fall apart, leaving just a few standing. This makes it easier for voters to pay attention to a few options rather than a stage full. Sometimes, a third party candidate can stand out.

Current events like the "American War in Iraq" and immigration reform will keep some candidates in the race longer than normal. The wide open field, without a President or Vice President running for re-election, will help spread money to lesser knowns. And the cluster of early primaries will help underdogs stretch their budgets, hoping for a miracle in February without having to worry about the long and expensive primary campaign into June.

So enjoy summer, whether you live in Iowa, New Hampshire or another 48. The field will still be there come Labor Day. This is the calm before the fall. And even in the fall, there will likely be a stageful of hopefuls, calling you, knowing something about you, and asking you for a check.           6/17/07

President George Bush is actually acting Presidential. He's off to Europe for a summit. He's sparring with Russian President Putin over missiles. He's talking about curing AIDS and ending global warming. What in God's name is happening?

The American War in Iraq seems "so yesterday" for the White House. In its place: meetings in Berlin between Bush and the Big Eight industrialized countries. Among the leaders will be lameduckers who lined up on opposite ends of Bush's War.

But the talk in Berlin will feel chilly, like the Cold War, as the United States wants to build a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. Putin says not so fast. Do it and I'll point Russian missiles right down the barrel of Europe. Ah, Reagan Republicans must love this stuff. If you're eager to see Bush and Putin together in Berlin, just wait till Bush hosts Putin in the United States on the eve of our country's birthday of democracy and independence, July 1-2.

Seriously (as if talk of missiles isn't serious), is it hypocritical for the U.S. to plan a missile system in Europe while we demand Iraq, North Korea and everyone else to disarm and welcome in democracy? The world has seen the U.S. launch a pre-strike on Iraq. Who among them should believe Bush when he says our msisiles are for defense?

Putin lives in two worlds, one in which Russian is embraced by the free-world for shedding communism. The other Russia keeps a distance from the free world, rattles its saber to excite our enemies and to keep precious recources flowing from Iran and the likes. A chess match in a Cold War-light mode.

On the humanitarian chess board, May 31, 2007 may go down in history for this President as a pivot point. Bush ended last week calling for a gi-normous U.S. commitment to fight AIDS. World AIDS. Just four years after promising $15 billion, he's now asking Congress to double that and find $30 billion. The difference in people-terms is startling: $30 billion would treat 2.5 million people in 15 countries. It's Kennedy-esque.

Turn now to global warming and you wonder if Cheney, Rove and company have left town two years early. Perhaps it's because Al Gore made a movie or the Supreme Court ruled the EPA can determine car emissions impact on global warming. Bush has finally committed a specific target date for cutting U.S. emissions in the next 10-20 years. "In recent years, science has deepened our understanding of climate change and opened new possibilities for confronting it,” he said. 

So what's going on with Bush? Two years before he leaves office, his poll numbers are as low as they can go (they can't go lower, right?). Bush even called on economic sanctions to force Sudan to stop killing Darfur.

Who cares why he's embracing reason. Whether it's legacy building, an olive branch to fundamentalists and environmentalists or a way to bring humanity to the GOP. The Republican Party is in desperate need of a human transfusion before moderates go to vote. All of this love for humanity  may be more symbolic and visionary than actionable, but we've been demanding a pulse of leadership from Bush for all too long.

Now as he flies to and from Europe, let's see if he can use the flight time to apply the same course changes to his messed up War in Iraq.   6/4/2007

On this Memorial Day, we suddenly understand what President George Bush is up to. He's creating more heroes. The problem is, the heroes are being killed in America's War instead of being praised in person in hometown parades.

Memorial Day is the rare moment when we see our leader face to face with reality. It's the closest Bush comes to attending a service for any of the 3600 servicemen and women gunned down or blown up in Iraq. The tidiness of the ceremony resembles the absence of coffins the American public has seen during the past 4+ years. This tidiness has sanitized images of this war and continues to shield the American public from reality at a time citizens should be demanding more from its leaders.

The American death toll in Iraq has risen like no two month period before. April was bad, May is worse. We all watch our own democracy at work in the form of failure. Democrats and Republicans failed to hold Bush to the Midterm Mandate. This failure to drive the issue past a threatened Presidential veto shows America that the politicians we have are mostly all the same. We've endured all the promises of change, the louder voices of reason, the Administration leaning back on its heels instead of pushing its one dimensional agenda on the world. But for the Democrats and Republicans to cave instead of forcing Bush to veto tough legislation, shows their continued obedience to Bush and their fear of standing out, standing ahead, and standing strong to the nation.

Bush used this renewed bravado to prepare Americans for a deadly August. The negative expectation coming from our leader is the equivalent of telling the terrorists to "Bring It On." If the terrorists were NOT planning an August attack, they are now. What kind of terrorists would they be if, when told we EXPECT attacks in August, they sit back and not come through? Bush wants us to be positive, but he's the one putting forth the assumption of a bloody August 3 months early!

The problem with Bush's leadership all along is he has had no vision for peace. Instead of preparing Americans for a bloody August, shouldn't he be the one proud of his efforts, of his surge, of his new initiatives to secure Baghdad, of his daily quoting of General Petraus? It's as if he finally knows the end is near. But truly he's not preparing us for a bad August, he's getting us set for a bad finale'. Bush has already said the end will not resemble a signing ceremony on a ship. We all know it will look a lot more like the choppers leaving Vietnam. And just like the restrictions on showing caskets returning to America, bet the house that we'll see few images of Bush's imminent retreat from the streets of Baghdad and beyond.     5/28/07 

Unlike any President before him, George Bush could care less who follows him in office. There's no VP waiting to step in and continue the Bush Revolution like his dad did after Ronald Reagan's 8 years of Morning in America. And it's too bad for the country.

Bush thinks he's fighting against the Democrats but the truth is he's taking out his one-sided policy on his fellow Republicans. And soon, it will catch up to them. The President has drawn a line in the sand by denouncing any timetable to end the Iraq War. America's line in the sand was the midterm elections, but Bush and the Republicans have paid no attention to this mandate. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Robert Gates and Condoleezza Rice flaunt their power by ignoring options to strengthen our national security. But sooner or later, American troops will pullout. The question is, will it be because President Bush changes his mind or because his faithful Republicans turn on their leader and finally take the side of the American majority.

Either way, the GOP is sunk. The decision to bring home the troops rests primarily with Bush, since the Senate is really 50-50 because of Joe Lieberman's support of the war. So when the decision to withdraw finally comes, either Bush will flip-flop (fat chance) or Republican lawmakers will rebel (start an office pool on the date). Either way, the President and the GOP will be exposed as stubborn, single-minded people who showed no leadership when America needed it most.

Democrats will reap the benefits of being on the right side of the most divisive issue to face the United States since the Cold War and Vietnam.

Bush has had endless opportunities to be the hero even after squandering the post 9/11 goodwill of the world. Even after abuses at known and secret prisons around the world. Even after Texas-style bravado of "Bring Them On" and "Mission Accomplished." Even after the negligent care of troops in the field and returning soldiers to the VA.

WagTheNews encouraged Bush to take over the Super Bowl halftime show to say "mistakes were made" and "we ask for the world's support." The world was watching. In one pronouncement, Bush could have recaptured the leadership of the nation and perhaps the world. Instead we endured another musical act. 

Bush's policies are forcing Republicans to be loyal, even as their support and votes will come back to bite them in the upcoming election.

The bottom line is at some point, Republicans running for re-election to Congress and Republicans running for President will turn against Bush's war policy. The country will ask where was that leadership the past four years or at least since November 2006. The country will correctly view these Republicans as political opportunists and cast them away. Far away.

It will happen. It won't be prettty. And it could usher in a new generation of Democratic leadership in Washington and around the nation.     5/17/07

Senator Joe Lieberman is in another pickle. He supports the Iraq War, President George Bush and the Surge. But as a Jewish American, could Lieberman also support similar strategies and results in Israel? If he does, he'll find himself a loner once more.

Israel didn't waste time in handing out its verdict. Not even a year since rockets blasted Israel and Lebanon, an independent commission, headed by a retired Israeli judge appointed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, found Olmert and company made "serious failures" in fighting Lebanon, failures similar to those of President Bush in Iraq. 

Olmert "made up his mind hastily (Bush too), despite the fact that no detailed military plan was submitted to him (Bush too) and without asking for one...a serious failure in...judgment, responsibility and prudence (Bush too)." And that was for just the first three days of the war. As Paul Harvey says, "the rest of the story" about the rest of the war will be issued by the commission soon.  

We know how Bush would react to such a commission, he'd ignore the findings. Still, we call on Bush to name a retired judge to gauge his handing of the War in Iraq. And we don't want a member of the Federalist Society.

As America is led by Mr. 30%, Olmert's approval is between 2-3%, less than even the margin or error! It's clear Israelis don't need a midterm election, Congressional hearings and leaks to the media to make up their minds. Israelis disappoved of Olmert's reaction to the death and capture of a few soldiers. 34 days worth of ping-ponging rockets between northern Israel and southern Lebanon, Hezbollah was still standing. Not even a year later, Olmert may not survive the week.

How does Israel get to deal with failed leadership so quickly while the United States languishes for years? Maybe it's Israel's history living amidst violence and enemies lined up at every border. That country does't mess around with security. America color-codes its warnings and Karl Rove crafts a message of Mission Accomplished. So many, including mainstream media, take the bait.

Now, it's the fourth anniversary of Bush landing on an aircraft carrier and declaring the end. But with every ending, there is a beginning. Since victory was declared May 1, 2003, more Americans have died, more Americans have been sent overseas and more Americans have returned home to face life and family as just shells of themselves, physically and emotionally. 

It should be criminal for Bush to veto the war spending bill with a timetable for troop withdrawal to begin October 1st. It's even worse for him to do it with a pen given to him from a father of a soldier. For every pen of support, there are thousands writing disapproval. One day Bush will be graded, if not for war crimes, than for failure in judgement, leadership and responsibilty. It's happening in Israel. It will happen here.                             5/2/2007

Will the 30% of Americans supporting President George Bush please stand up? It's important for the majority of us to see what a Bush backer looks like. We see it in the form of Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales and Karl Rove. We see it in the House vote where even more than 30% backed Bush and voted against the winning Democratic plan...a plan to fund the troops like never before, both financially and with compassion of a pullout.

We also see Bush's support on the '08 Presidential trail. McCain, Romney, Giuliani, Brownback, Hunter, Thompson (but not Hunter Thompson). Their gospel reads "Support the President" equals "Support the Troops." But how deep is that love of Bush, troops and our country?

What would this group of conservative, GOP panderers do if and when Dick Cheney can no longer serve out his term? Who among these candidates would step up and serve Mr. Lameluck? Is there a statesman in the House (or Executive Office Building)? They already believe in Bush's Troop Build-up. They defend it everyday. They could step into the VP job without having to change any of their briefing papers. Sadly, that GOP support stops when rubber meets the road. Not one GOP contender would race to the Oval Office any sooner than January 2009. For all the time they spend on the campaign trail, dissing Democrats, praising the President, and trampling over the midterm mandate, not one of these GOP wannabees would come to Bush's rescue. Not one.

Cheney has already blown through his HMO co-pay and flex spending limit. He recently was back in the hospital complaining of leg pain. How appropriate it was his "left" leg causing him discomfort. Cheney no doubt had better results than the men and women returning to nearby Walter Reed, without legs or lives they left with. The aging VP will be a regular at GW Hospital for the rest of his term for follow-up tests on a blod clot.

Imagine the political landscape if Cheney doesn't last through November 2008. Imagine the opportunity for a candidate to start looking Presidential even before the first primary. These GOP's are most alligned with Bush on the troop buildup through their own words:

John McCain- " A substantial and sustained increase in U.S. forces in Baghdad and Anbar province is necessary.

Rudy Giuliani- "I support what the president asked for support to do."

Mike Huckabee- "I'm going to have to trust the people over there sucking that sand into their lungs and putting their boots on the ground every day, that they may know a little more about it than those of us who don't have the stack full of intelligence reports to look at."

Duncan Hunter- "The number of troops that we've got...is still less troops than we had last December."

Mitt Romney- "I believe that so long as there is a reasonable prospect of success, our wisest course is to seek stability in Iraq, with additional troops endeavoring to secure the civilian population.

Tommy Thompson- "We should give this opportunity a chance to work."

Six men wanting to lead the nation. Six men with the same mandate as the current leader. Six men, who embrace lameduck pride and bravado, instead of the voice of the nation. If you needed any foreshadow as to how these six men would lead, let's hope we never see it, whether it's as Bush's #2 or America's #1.         3-26-07 

We wouldn't trust our auto mechanic the way we trust President George Bush. Imagine how many times you'd put up with Mr. Goodwrench saying "mistakes were made" before grabbing your keys and driving away. No one doubts the difficulty of managing a war. For most of us, it's hard enough to navigate between work and family, responsibilities and dreams. But we elected one President and 535 leaders to direct our nation's future, at home and abroad. We grabbed those car keys at the midterm elections but since then, we keep returning to Mr. Goodwrench.

What kind of America do we envision? What place in the world do we see? What issues are most vital for our focus, not day to day, but long range vision? Our government negates our outrage by confusing us, creating a diversion of attention, in the day to day of running the nation. By November 2008, we will have a choice, not of ideas and ideals, but of personality once again. Those personalties will be wrapped around ideas, but we need someone whose ideas are wrapped around their personality. Who has their eye on the future, well beyond 2008? Who among us is demanding more from our leaders? How many of us spend the days chewing up, debating and spitting out what mainstream media hands us each day?

Bush deceived us, trampled our trust, raped, yes raped, the American public of the truth. And now we live in a country which has lost its way. It starts at the top and is like water in the sand. It is in every nook and cranny inside this White House and across the country. The cast of characters should be on the FBIs "10 Most Wanted" poster. They ALL raped America, from Cheney to Rove, Rumsfeld to Wolfowitz, Ashcroft to Gonzales. They make Rice look respectable and make Powell look like the Pope. 

But what they've truly done is break our spirit. Sure we have Pelosi, Reid and Presidential candidates from both parties showing contrast to the Bush White House. But the "gang that couldn't shoot straight" has sucked the hope out of Americans, perhaps even more than Osama Bin Laden did on 9/11. The shame of the midterms is that the 2008 Presidential campaign started the next day. We went from debating and debunking Bush, taking away his keys, and driving our cars into a Jiffy Lube for instant gratification. But you don't always get the best service for $19.95 and the Democrats find themselves in a box as they try to differentiate from their primary competittors. It all confuses Americans in just a different way.

We deserve more. We deserve a higher conversation, a think-tank of patriots from across the spectrum. A meeting of the minds, locked in a room in Richmond or Gettysburg or Springfield. Locked away without lobbyists, without policy aides, without cable news channels. Locked away to come up with a Post-Preamble. What does America stand for and how will we interact first within our borders and then outside. Those who wouldn't celebrate this are those with money to influence, power to broker and shady folks who have had the keys to our cars all too long. It's time to return to keys, drive away and never look back.   3/17/07  

So what did the United States put forth at this time of crisis, corruption and civil wars? Commericals touting consumption, interrupted briefly by six second performances on a football field by 22 men in tights, pads and helmuts butting heads.

President George Bush had the world's stage on Super Bowl Sunday and he probably was eating munchies, checking into storm relief efforts in Florida, and smiling that he made it through another January as President. Did it occur to Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rice or any number of White House cronies that this was THE MOMENT George Bush could have used to improve and define his legacy. This was THE MOMENT George Bush could put meaning behind his message. This was THE MOMENT George Bush could have flashed back to September 11, 2001, and in one fell swoop, mobilize America, our allies and perhaps even our enemies into a new world order?

Bush oversees the most powerful organized nation in the World. The telecommunications industry in America is beholden to his power. Telcoms need his Administration to loosen regulations so they can print more money. Billions of dollars haven't been enough to quench their thrists. So the President didn't need any permission to seize this moment, take over halftime, and address the world. Imagine what that would have been like? Halftime without a musical act, wardrobe malfunction or a seven second delay.

Bush could have told the world he mis-calculated. He had the best intentions and they went South. If he knew then, what he knows now, he would have enlisted our allies, listened to all the U.S. intel that was pointing to NO weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, said Saddam was a menace, but first things first- we all have to find Bin Laden. Then and only then would the near trillion dollar expense and the thousands of lost lives have been considered to topple Saddam. Having already found Bin Laden, Bush could have shown the world America had one voice, and then asked the world to get on our backs, and follow our lead. It could have ensured Republican leadership in the United States for generations.

The Super Bowl could have been a shining moment for George Bush. But instead, it was another lost opportunity. As announcers talked endlessly about the leadership of two coaches off the field and the leadership of two quarterbacks on the field, it was again George Bush's lack of leadership, creativity and vision that is the lasting memory for the world. Within days, most Americans will forget who even won the Super Bowl. They'll be talking about Prince's halftime show and the best and worst commercials. But more importantly, they'll be talking about a President facing the world, with renewed  stubborness, arrogance and no way out of his Super Blunder.       2/4/07