Primary Analysis
Congratulations to the election victors McCain and Clinton. The victory by McCain was not a surprise as in the last couple of days of the election he seemed to be gaining momentum.
Clinton’s win was a bit more of a surprise. Whether or not it has something to do with her tearing up at an election stop or just poor polling analysis is uncertain.
Here are some thoughts and conclusions about the election here in New Hampshire:
· Over 500,000 voters turned out and that was a positive. The more people involved in the process, the better.
· My dad worked the polls as a gatekeeper and he mentioned that there were many first time young voters; I am sure most of them voted Democratic.
· McCain was elected with the votes of independents. The core of the Republican base in New Hampshire voted Romney.
· The Monitor had an impact on this election as did the Union Leader as they both politically assassinated Romney.
· This primary did not establish anyone as the front runner in either party and I wish that pundits would stop speculating the “ifs”.
There are a couple of hopes that I do have and the first concerns Hillary. I am hoping that this primary and her loss in Iowa takes her down a couple of notches and leaves her understanding that if elected, she will need to govern in the best interest in all of the people. She should understand that radical change and saying things like: “some people are going to have to give some things up” is not an attitude that is held by a plurality of the electorate.
McCain should realize that if he should go all of the way, many Republicans will not turn out in November if he continues to skirt the issue of repairing immigration and takes a strong stand against amnesty in any form. He should also understand that although most Republicans would agree with McCain that we should cut taxes along with spending; he will need to convince conservatives that he will indeed continue the tax cuts that have driven this economy for the last eight years.
Obama, in my estimation, has an equal chance of garnering the nomination. The key to his success will be to stay on the high road, keep positive and maintain his composure. After his win in Iowa, Obama appeared to become a bit more smug and his folksy personality hardened a bit. It was quite evident in interviews and news coverage. I do not believe that racism had anything to do with the results in New Hampshire and my hope is that as Obama continues that he does not make race a part of his campaign. I also would hope that he would be clear that there will be no influence in his White House from the likes of Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or similar individuals.
Romney still has an opportunity to succeed and in my estimation is the best choice for Republicans and conservatives. His no nonsense business style is something that we need in Washington. Romney should be a bit more human in his presentation and try to be not quite so “perfect”. Voters seeing a few flaws might help this candidate/
Huckabee could be the nominee and could be a stronger candidate if he dropped the GOD factor. It works in the primaries but he needs to understand that if he were to get the nomination, it will be thrown up in his face and it will polarize voters.
Edwards is done in my estimation. People grew tired of his “two Americas” and championing of the ‘middle class’ (which he never defined as what income group). Edwards is a wealthy attorney supposedly championing the less wealthy. It did not and will not sell. Edwards has proven himself to be a master of selling class envy and division. I estimate that Edwards will be out after South Carolina.
Giuliani has a strategy to capture some states in the South but I doubt that will work and Thompson and Paul are pretty much done.
I would have expected Obama to beat Clinton and that would have been well deserved by Hillary for ‘assuming’ that she is the anointed successor to the throne.
On a side note I also hope that the Obama loss brought our own Rep. Paul Hodes down a few notches as well. I am sure that Hodes will morph himself into a good Democrat if Hillary gets the nomination. Once again, Hodes will demonstrate that he did not take his “backbone to Washington” as he promised.
Breaking news at 9:25AM today: John Kerry just endorsed Obama. Think about that, it could be the “kiss of death”. Obama should not be that happy about this new development; ethically and genuinely Obama is head and shoulders above the privileged and out of touch Kerry.
Then again, I doubt that John Kerry has any influence on the majority of the Democrats. It seems that he just pulled his own “swift boating” of Clinton.
This election is turning into a soap opera of monumental proportions. 2008 will not be a boring news year for sure!!!
Barbara, Nancy and Dianne
I am not sure if you are happy about Nancy, Barbara and Dianne but I can tell you that I am not.
They are shrill and are old lady uber-liberals. They have done nothing to build consensus and move things forward.
There are very few of us "Yankees" left in New Hampshire, We have been overrun by a scourge of Massachusetts transplants who left Massachusetts and the political mess there and moved into the state. They looked for the simpler life but brought their expectations of services to this state.
Champions of the wide open spaces, they woke up one day and wondered: "where are the street lights, where are the sidewalks, what do you mean there is no football team at the high school? and why only three languages taught?" They brought their politics and lifestyle with them. The state should be called Hampshachusetts. So, I am sure it will be as corrupt as Massachusetts soon.
Well I can only assume that your candidate is either Paul, Edwards, Thompson or Giuliani. Who knows what will happen.
Candidates
Not happy with the 3 stooges is an understatement. Although out of the 3, Dianne is probably the least offensive. You are right I am a Republican and my candidate is Rudy.(No I don't agree on his gun control policy, but I do agree more with his platform than not). There is just something about McCain I can't buy into, maybe it's the little man syndrome. For me its all about being Presidential, many of my friends like Thompson, I think they are looking for another Ronnie, but he hasn't done it for me yet. Out of all the people in this country, why can't we get someone who is Presidential?
When I come home my family refers to Mass transplants as "Massholes". The only reason for the influx of them is lack of sales and income taxes, they need to be reminded of that and if they miss the infrastructure of Mass, then they should go home. Remind them that NH people have been born and bred to take care of themselves. Maybe offer a course at night-school on walking on a path rather than a sidewalk. Maybe a few of them have the intestinal fortitude to change. Good Luck.
How can you believe that the
How can you believe that the economy has been driven by tax cuts for the rich? The economy has been driven by deficit spending...that's using your daughters' credit card to pay for illegal, immoral wars and bridges to nowhere. That's what has driven the Bush economy. Sub-prime mortgages for the "ownership" society, that is now costing millions to lose their homes and banks to write off billions in their greed. Greed is a republican value, as we all know, since the days of the idiot Ronald Reagan. Your children and my grandchildren are going to pay the cost of the Bush economy and tax cuts.
And when it comes to illegal immigration...why don't you go after the employers who hire these people so that they can make more money from cheap labor??? Oh, that's right, these are republican thugs who own the republican politicians, that's why. No need for new laws, no need for building fences. The laws are already on the books. You just need an executive who will enforce the laws and put some of his buddies in prison.
Thank goodness that the oil companies are making a profit. Remember when Bush was elected and gas was $1.25 a gallon????? Now these pals are raking in unprecedented profits while working people's incomes are flat or less than they were in 2001, and value of the dollar has been cut in half. I was thinking of that this morning as a purchased a coffee at Irvings, that eight years ago was less than $.90 and today was $1.60.
Republicans have been in power too long and have just about destroyed what was once a great nation in their mindless greed. Time for CHANGE. Kick the bastards out.
You know, you could always
You know, you could always move to Nova Scotia, or better, how about the former Soviet Union? You might be happier there where the "scourge" of people who think differently from you don't live.
Read Wayne Barrett's "Grand
Read Wayne Barrett's "Grand Illusion" and learn what Rudi really is...nothing more than a self-serving stooge. Thank God he'll not be elected.
Hit a nerve, did I?
Wow, guess that's why I still love the Granite State, keep holding onto that passion and may the best man win. Think about this please. If the democrats hadn't been so busy creating entitlements with caps for growth to those entitlements, would we be where we are today? I draw your attention to President Johnson's overhaul. His administration developed "Creative Financing". I have said it over and over, the President is just a figure head. My focus is how do the rest of the world leaders see our nation and it is through our President. And yes I want them to be a bit afraid of what a President may do. The people need to be focused on the representatives and senators that we elect and get rid of trailer bills, and the hired lobbyists. There are as many democrat as there are republican lobbyists. Agree things are broken, but the President can't fix that, no matter how many times he says he or she wants change. It's the big lie. Just don't give up trying... we owe it to those who came before us to keep trying.
Sub Prime Mortgages
This I know a bit about, being a Real Estate Broker for the past 20 years. And no I am not rich. Some years I have made a decent living while others I worked all year for nothing. The years I made good money, the government got much of it. It was our second income and so I have always had the luxury of choosing who I would represent. Here is the one thing I can swear to: Banks and lending institutions who had strong policies did not follow those policies. It was greed that got them into this mess, the quick buck, falsifying applications and they should be held accountable and some should go to jail. Most Buyers trust their agents and want a property therefore they can't or won't look past "I want it, what are my monthly payments. While I counseled Buyers not to get into properties that they could not afford, they would go to someone who made it happen. It is heartbreaking to see the wolves that got the buyers into this situation. It is wrong no matter how you spin it and even more discerning is the Government stepping in. It Will take a long time for all of this to pass, This is not a partisan issue this is an American Issue.
Energy: How come no candidate talks about drilling in Alaska? No-one really wants to solve this problem. In the meantime our money is making the other side of the world rich, allowing them to buy into our banks, etc and since when Is America for Sale? This ties to our housing issue where so many investors are from that world region and have bought these loans in the secondary money market, resulting in a buyers ability to go back to his bank and renegotiate. Think hard about this one.
Immigration: We need to control the borders first and foremost. I think Rudy's plan is not only viable, but workable. Will it need tweaking? Absolutely, but every day we don't control our borders it gets worse. Let's take the first step now.
Fiscally conservative: You simply don't spend money you don't have. We ate hot dogs when we couldn't afford hamburg. You don't leverage. It's simply bad business. You also are not entitled to someone else's money. Accept that.
Health care is out of control. I never would have dreamed even 5 years ago that my husband and I would be paying more than 1/2 of our monthly income for health care premiums, that we also have $5,000. (each) deductible. We are both fairly healthy and because we don't want to lose our home to a major medical emergency or condition our retirement is going to premiums instead of long awaited vacations. I guess we should have been more involved in this debacle.
In spite of our trials and tribulations we are fortunate. We have a roof over our heads that is paid for and we are content to live our lives simply.
What is your view on outsourcing?
Drilling in Alaska is not
Drilling in Alaska is not the answer. Alternative energy, higher cafe standards, and conservation are the answers to the energy crisis. Anything in Alaska will take 10 years or more to harvest snd would only meet current needs for less than 6 months. Not worth the cost, or the destruction of the environment.
I just love talking to agents in India, don't you?
Outsourcing
Yeah, anything with Microsoft I find myself too talking to India. Last week I had problems with my DSL and talked to someone in Mexico City. (I have AT&T) What next? Then my favorite is Press 1 for English! Who would have thunk all this even 10 years ago. Crazy and getting worse. Thanks for the conversation, good luck to all of you that are lucky enough to live in the great Granite State.
He's Baaaaaack!
Michael is back..hello Michael
How can you believe that the economy has been driven by tax cuts for the rich? The economy has been driven by deficit spending...that's using your daughters' credit card to pay for illegal, immoral wars and bridges to nowhere. That's what has driven the Bush economy. Sub-prime mortgages for the "ownership" society, that is now costing millions to lose their homes and banks to write off billions in their greed. Greed is a republican value, as we all know, since the days of the idiot Ronald Reagan. Your children and my grandchildren are going to pay the cost of the Bush economy and tax cuts.
Taxing people just takes money away from them so tax cuts are the only answer. It is not greed it is letting people keep their hard earned money.
Listen, not everyone should own a home. If you can't afford it you wait and purchase it when you are ready. Those millions were complicit and knew what they were doing as did the lenders. It is not a one sided coin
And when it comes to illegal immigration...why don't you go after the employers who hire these people so that they can make more money from cheap labor??? Oh, that's right, these are republican thugs who own the republican politicians, that's why. No need for new laws, no need for building fences. The laws are already on the books. You just need an executive who will enforce the laws and put some of his buddies in prison.
Because the employers can not distinguish between a regular green card and a forgery. I can tell you in the food industry, they earn the same as everyone else. You think Obama or Clinton are going to enforce the borders???? No way JOSE!
Thank goodness that the oil companies are making a profit. Remember when Bush was elected and gas was $1.25 a gallon????? Now these pals are raking in unprecedented profits while working people's incomes are flat or less than they were in 2001, and value of the dollar has been cut in half. I was thinking of that this morning as a purchased a coffee at Irvings, that eight years ago was less than $.90 and today was $1.60.
Actually the % of profit has remained stable. You should not drink that coffee, it is bad for your heart!
Republicans have been in power too long and have just about destroyed what was once a great nation in their mindless greed. Time for CHANGE. Kick the bastards out.
And you can expect that from the first day, just like when Bush was elected they will be watching for anything to impeach her........turnabout is fair play.
Stay and Fight
Michael, you wrote:
You know, you could always move to Nova Scotia, or better, how about the former Soviet Union? You might be happier there where the "scourge" of people who think differently from you don't live.
You disagree that immigration of Massachusetts population brought with them a 'need' and 'desire' for services.
Nova Scotia is beautiful, EH! But I prefer to stay and fight the "scourge".
Michael is RIGHT!!!! (Almost)
Michael wrote:
Drilling in Alaska is not the answer. Alternative energy, higher cafe standards, and conservation are the answers to the energy crisis. Anything in Alaska will take 10 years or more to harvest snd would only meet current needs for less than 6 months. Not worth the cost, or the destruction of the environment.
Michael is absolutely correct that alternative energy, higher cafe standards and conservation are the answers. Not the crazy nut job ideas of the global warming hysterics.
However, if it is going to take 10 years to harvest Alaska and they do not know how much is there (that is an enviro-nazi propaganda point), then let's start now and have a backup. Beyond the Valdez, there has never been environmental damage to Alaska. The pipeline was even build with wildlife in mind.
I just love talking to agents in India, don't you?
It is disgusting to deal with that aspect of support help. Some of it is wages and labor cost and some is just corporate stupidity.
So, Bill, you don't have a
So, Bill, you don't have a problem sticking your kids with the bills you should have paid. Nice dad, NOT.
No, it is corporate greed.
No, it is corporate greed. And being a corporate shill yourself, it must be greed that keeps you going to. Typical republican nutjob.
We have heard that.....
We heard that in the Clinton years and then they pulled that voodoo math to claim that the budget was balanced.
The end of this debate should be a severe cut in entitlement programs as well as moderate spending cuts in the military.
The cradle to grave entitlements that the Left wants, will bankrupt us and then the Left will say 'it was Bush's fault'.
Corporate Greed????
Ok then, what do you propose? There are only a few things we could do to please the Left and here they are:
1) Privatize companies and have them owned by the state
2) Level wages so that a surgeon makes the same wage as a garbage collector
3) Tax the corporations and tell them they can only make "x" amount of profit
4) Give the corporations to the people who work there and away from those who own them.
No, Michael, I work for an LLC and work very hard.
The issue is that so many people as so jealous as the Democrats have created class envy between the working classes.
They certainly are not concerned about the billionaires...aka....their friends and people like them. Limousine Liberalism LIVES!
I don't see Kerry or Edwards giving up their fortunes for the "middle class" that they claim to care so much about!
I don't think we are going
I don't think we are going to change each other's minds about corporate greed. Here's an example on tonight's ABC News. We have a little girl who can't eat food, and an insurance company that won't pay for treatment. That's what we are talking about. No one is suggesting anything like what you've posted. But your blinders won't let you see beyond the end of your republican patrician nose.
I agree
Michael,
I heard that story...albeit not on GE TV and that is absolutely terrible. I think that insurance companies are the worst.
When someone like that is in need we need to react and make it happen. However, that is why catastrophic insurance is so important.
Of course you know that if the government was in charge the red tape to get her food would be much worse.
But you are correct, it is wrong.
Congratulations to all of you who voted. Bill I think it might be fun to track the turnout state by state. I'll Bet NH will be the highest in turnout. NH is not only the first primary as well it should be it is so much more. It people are great examples of respect and duty to the country. It's pride in this nation is an example of how deep and how serious individual freedoms and rights are. I was so surprised by the number of Independents. I was not surprised by the polls. When asked questions Yankees tend to not broadcast their true thoughts, but rather say one thing and leave out the most important thing. After all it is nobody's business how an individual votes. If it were. ..you wouldn't go behind a curtain to do it. I love that. It is a compliment to all of you.
It is so important for all of you to realize how valuable your vote is. I live in a state that gave you Nancy, Barbara, and Dianne. I will make my vote knowing it will not count, but because of my strong convictions that were molded in NH I will vote because it is my duty and my right. By your predictions I'm not sure my candidate will be in the running,but we shall see.
Good Job NH.