Ponderstorm My Brainstorm on Life & Politics

Last night I watched Bobby Jindal give the Republican Response to the State of the Union. I like Bobby Jindal and I liked his message. He is a good leader who has done great things already and has incredible potential.

Unlike the opinions of many TV talking heads and analysts, I think Governor Jindal did reasonably well for such an artificial setting. In fairness, he did not shine to his potential; however, his performance was no worse than many other governors before him in previous years and was better than many. The audio quality was poor which was no fault of his own.

So, with the above in mind, why did the Republican Party allow him to be subjected to such an artificial situation? Why not put him on a stage flanked by American flags and with a crowded room of fans who would interrupt with applause lines? Why did the Republican Party not think about minimizing the contrast between the President’s amazing State of the Union setting and the almost sterile environment of the Republican Response?

I am ashamed that Bobby Jindal had to endure any national ridicule, especially over things exaggerated by aesthetics. His message was good and appropriate but the setting was no match for people who don’t think deeply. More can and should be done in future responses to level the playing field and put Republican candidates in a more favorable light.

Posted under Politics

In Federalist No. 10 James Madison warned that “Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” This leadership status has been true throughout much of our history. Sadly, it will be true in our future as well since our nation did not elect an enlightened statesman yesterday. Instead, as a nation, we chose a politician committed to expanding a radical agenda that includes abortion, socialism, immorality and national weakness.

Now that I’ve had a few more hours to analyze this dramatic leadership shift, I offer the following five thoughts on the state of our nation in general and the conservative movement in particular.

1. Things are worse than they appear.

Public policy will be incredibly more dangerous for unborn babies, the military, businesses, the institution of marriage, our courts, law-abiding gun owners, the size of the national debt and even our very individual freedoms. The Left will have little restraint in pushing through a liberal agenda.

2. Things are not as bad as they appear.

In the future, there will be no question which Party is to blame and what policies to oppose. There will be unity on the Right which will provide a chance for real conservative leaders to emerge. The Left promised much more than they can ever deliver. Swing voters will become disenchanted and look for reasonable alternatives.

3. Republicans got a reboot and will soon be forgiven for their past transgressions.

Voters punished the Republican Party (which deserved it) but will soon grow to distrust the even more expansive Democratic Party and their near lock on power. In such an unrestrained environment, I predict the Democratic Party’s spending excesses and scandals will dwarf those perpetrated by Republicans over the past eight years. During this time the Republican Party will be forced to rebuild and retool but is likely to come back stronger and (hopefully) smarter as was the case in 1980 with Ronald Reagan and 1994 with the Contract with America.

4. Conservatives need to focus on changing hearts and not merely getting votes.

Conservatives cannot look at just winning elections but must focus on converting hearts and minds. That is harder to do and means more work up front by building trust and convincing people on the merits of conservative principles. However, the rewards are far greater and produce potentially life-long supporters.

5. There is no substitute for the values of morality and basic decency.

We’re at a crossroads as a nation. Moral issues like the right to life, the very definition of marriage, the rule of law and private property ownership are under attack. If enough voters don’t believe in these values then there will be no attempt to protect them in our government of the people. In our nation leaders are only as strong as their base of support. If moral and decent people do not make up a voting majority then our nation’s politics will reflect that shift.

So, take courage, Americans, and enlist for the journey ahead. It’s a wearisome road and one that includes setbacks and defeats along the way. I’m convinced, however, that we will finish the journey if we set our hearts firmly on this important task and take things one step at a time. The result will be worth it, and will be not just one, but a series of enlightened statesmen and women at the helm.

Posted under Politics, Quotes

I regularly read Obama 2.0 and just learned of some very interesting commentary by the talented founder of Macho Sauce Productions Alfonzo (Zo) Rachel. In his own words, Zo is a “musician, martial artist, amateure movie makin’, Christian conservative republican.”

His latest video is entitled 1 More B4 11 04 and builds a strong case for electing a conservative as President. He also describes very well the differences between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, and Obama and McCain in ways that are very compelling. His logic is tight (I would dispute his dinosaur comment given some historic and scientific evidence that may suggest otherwise) and his reasons for supporting conservatives and John McCain in particular are some of the best I’ve heard. He is passionate about freedom and excessive government involvement in our lives. It’s well worth watching.

Posted under Barack Obama, Campaign, John McCain, Politics, Video

A few hours ago the U.S. House of Representatives defeated the $700 billion “emergency rescue” package designed to boost our nation’s financial systems and prevent an economic meltdown. More than two-thirds of Republicans and 40% of Democrats voted against this legislation.

AP Reporter Julie Hieschfeld Davis reported the following comments from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) after the measure’s failure to pass:

“The legislation may have failed; the crisis is still with us,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a news conference after the defeat.

“What happened today cannot stand,” Pelosi said. “We must move forward, and I hope that the markets will take that message.”

Sounds like she was disappointed that the vote was insufficient to move the package out of the House, doesn’t it? Likewise Democrats were quick to blame Republicans for defeating this bill. However, that’s only part of the story. Some Republicans are saying they feel that Pelosi poisoned Read More…

Posted under Politics, Video

In the Sunday, September 14, 2008 edition of the Washington Post (Page B01), Randall Kennedy’s “The Big ‘What If’” article was published. Its subtitle, “The hopes of black America ride on his shoulders. But the outcome’s way up in the air.”  When I first read this article I found it interesting yet missing something. After having a few days to mentally chew on it, I now offer the following quick comments.

This opinion piece is obviously written from Kennedy’s perspective. He begins by stating a few demographics, namely that he is a “black man born in 1954″ who grew up during the civil rights movement. He weaves his personal history into his current and expected reaction within the current political climate. The subject is Barack Obama and what this stage in history means to black Americans: “With intelligence, verve and elegance, Obama has opened the public mind to the idea of a black president and made that idea broadly attractive.”

In the fourth paragraph Kennedy builds the case for the basis of the article and in the fifth asks the question that for which the article is entitled.

I know that the conclusion to this electoral drama is far from determined. Yes, political gravity would seem to favor the Democratic candidate after two terms of Republican control of the White House. Yet the possibility is very real: Barack Obama could lose.

If that happens, then what? How will I feel? How will other black Americans feel? How should people like me feel?

The remainder of the article addresses these questions and feelings. I offer my perspective, in part, below. Read More…

Posted under Barack Obama, Campaign, Politics