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Alicia Keys “Brand New Me” Is A Great Political Anthem

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on March 5, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

To me, Alicia  Keys has written the political song of the decade unbeknownst to her.   She was writing about love or whatever but the lyrics capture my feelings and concerns for the troubled environment in the political/policy arena.

The arena stinks out loud these days.  People are more interested in fighting the opposition than building solutions which improve our great nation.   Is the tail wagging the dog because people in official Washington are battling and giggling while the rest of the nation scratches our heads.

Look, I don’t hate members of any political party and hope that leaders can constructively dialog with each other.   While television fuels intramural conflicts among Americans, I personal believe (like General Colin Powell) that a silent majority of people in the political center and seeks healthy communication at the policy-making table.

I feel sorry for those who live for negativity and thrive on angst.  My life is too short to spend it bitter—that takes too much energy.   We should look at A. Keyes words as if they were written to ugly-acting political folks on both sides.

To be hopefully, I personally feel that we have many good-hearted Americans in the arena.   To start, I like the spirit of Barrack Obama, Jon Huntsman, Condi Rice, Colin Powell, Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush.   Also, the guys at No Labels are on the right track.  As readers of this blog know, I am a moderate Dem who votes for good people with secondary regard for party.   I am more interested in solutions, peace and regional issues.   Plus, good old plain talk is music to my ears.

In my community, the leaders that get us back to self-reliance and away from governmental preoccupation will be golden.   Politically, I am a brand new kind of me and I feel better than I did during my hyper-partisan college years.   Is anyone with me?   I know that rural southerners generally seek the good in people and situations.

Alicia Keys — Brand New Me

It’s been a while, I’m not who I was before
You look surprised, your words don’t burn me anymore
Been meaning to tell you, but I guess it’s clear to see
Don’t be mad, it’s just the brand new kind of me
Can’t be bad, I found a brand new kind of free
Careful with your ego, he’s the one that we should blame
Had to grab my heart back
God know something had to change
I thought that you’d be happy
I found the one thing I need, why you mad
It’s just the brand new kind of me

It took a long long time to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
It took one too many excuses, one too many lies
Don’t be surprised, don’t be surprised

If I talk a little louder
If I speak up when you’re wrong
If I walk a little taller
I’ve been on to you too long
If you noticed that I’m different
Don’t take it personally
Don’t be mad, it’s just the brand new kind of me
And it ain’t bad, I found a brand new kind of free

Oh, it took a long long road to get here
It took a brave brave girl to try
I’ve taken one too many excuses, one too many lies
Don’t be surprised, oh see you look surprised

Hey, if you were a friend, you want to get know me again
If you were worth a while
You’d be happy to see me smile
I’m not expecting sorry
I’m too busy finding myself
I got this
I found me, I found me, yeah
I don’t need your opinion
I’m not waiting for your ok
I’ll never be perfect, but at least now i’m brave
Now, my heart is open
And I can finally breathe
Don’t be mad, it’s just the brand new kind of free
That ain’t bad, I found a brand new kind of me
Don’t be mad, it’s a brand new time for me, yeah

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Naturally: African Americans, Jack Kingston and the U.S. Senate race

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 10, 2013 | Leave a Comment »

My thoughts on the future of Black political centrists in the South have been two weeks and/or two decades in the making.   So, brace yourself for an unusual brainstorm.  The open U.S. Senate race in Georgia next year forces us to plot our best plan for representation.

 
Senator Saxby Chambliss is an establishment Republican and I have appreciated his service regarding the regional issues of agriculture, military and veterans.   Rep. Sanford Bishop, Rep. Jack Kingston, now Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and those who went to congress in the early 1990s worked together on issues of vital importance to the peach state.   In this Progressives vs. the Tea Party era, I miss that old school dialog.

 
For two weeks, I have been hearing that the Democrats won’t likely field a viable Senate candidate and the practical part of me says that moderate to conservative Georgia Dems could and should vote in the GOP primary next year to ensure that we don’t have a divider  representing our diverse state.

 
I was thinking about who is a “natural” Democrat or “natural” Republican last week and it made my head hurt.   While watching to the T.V. show TMZ, a story came on about Raspberry favoring of food.  It turns out that a food can be labeled as naturally Raspberry because it is natural and taste like Raspberry but it comes from the backside of a beaver. http://www.befoodsmart.com/blog/tag/raspberry-flavor/

 
That isn’t natural to me and it’s not natural to force everyone in a big state like Georgia into two political parties and expected them to naturally and neatly stay there.   A few years ago, the Georgia Dems lost two rising young stars to the GOP.   Ashley Bell of Gainesville and blogger Andre Walker of Atlanta were on CNN explaining their rationale and it seemed natural to me.   Before, they were my brothers and today they are still my brothers.   Walker once wished happy birthday on facebook to the naturalized American actress Charlize Theron, whom he considered an African-American because she is an American born in South Africa. Huh?

 
I personally like the No Labels political movement because we shouldn’t run away trying to put people neatly into boxes and categories. Like they say at church, we should look at a person’s “thoughts, words, and deeds.”

 
A Black conservative from the ATL told me yesterday that Rep. Tom Price looks good to him in the race for U.S. Senate.  I asked about his track record for explaining conservatism to non-conservatives and dude could say anything.   Remember, the wave created by the Tea Party doesn’t cotton well to conservatives talking with others without yelling.  Moderates and liberals are often viewed as the enemy.

 
Look, on Capitol Hill, I worked for Rep. Charles Hatcher, Rep. Don Johnson and Rep. Sanford Bishop and all three strongly insisted that we listened to and served everyone in the congressional district—not just the people who voted for them.   I was personal friends with a staffer in Rep. Kingston’s office and would hang after work with her at conservative functions because she was a natural hair wearing, smart Spelman College woman.   Yeah, Jack had a Spelman grad in a major position on his legislative team.   I talked with Kingston alone at a reception one night for 15 minutes and came away with an appreciation for his commitment to southern Georgia.   He mentioned that he promoted south Georgia colleges and universities during his time in the Georgia statehouse because students should get quality educations in our part of the state also.

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/59464/october-18-2005/better-know-a-district—georgia-s-1st—jack-kingston

 
We would trip about Kingston going to political forums at Savannah State University without staff.   The guy loves the lively debate. Actually, he was the first member of congress to brave Stephan Colbert’s “Better Know a District” segment.   Because Kingston briefly lived in Ethiopia as a child, Colbert decided that he is an African American—like Charlize Theron.   There you have it; Jack Kingston is an African American who might run for U.S. Senate next year.   Some wiseacre is going to Kingston knows as much about the southern African American experience as my man President Obama.   I will leave that alone but he like knows more than most GOP candidates for Senate.

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Hillary Clinton: Clear the Field

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on December 10, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

That Hillary Clinton is sitting in the catbird seat.  She will be serving the nation in or out of office— directly or indirectly.  We know that she has first dibs on the next Democratic nomination because she is overqualified to be president and took one for the team by being gracious in defeat.  Secondly, the juggernaut of two Clintons and two Obamas will be a campaign force of epic proportions.

But check this out: the Dem Team will “clear the field” for her.  In other words, no other candidates enter the primary and she saves the energy and resources that might be used.  The 2012 GOP presidential results might have been different if Romney didn’t stand on the stage with that cast of characters and didn’t have to fight for the far right vote during the primary—so thanks.  If the GOP cleared the field for hipper congressional candidates, they would have a foothold with the Middle.  But, they let Tea Party cats win primaries and those guys are D.O.A. in November. 

On Meet the Press this weekend, they said that polls indicate that Clinton would get 62% of the Republican women vote—“ouch”, game, set, match.  My conservative friends call it identity politics but Hillary and Obama are super without regard to that stuff.  Yes, I would have voted for the Colin Powell or Condi Rice for president.

I see the indirect benefit of Hillary 2016 as this: if the GOP has any hope, they must court the middle and/or the rest of America.  They policies must reflect the interest of the nation wider and not just their circle.  And for that, Hillary will be helping the game while chilling, doing daily zumba and not lifting a finger.  How many times have we told the right that they need to create and cultivate a division similar to the Dem’s Blue Dogs.  But, the hardheaded never learn.  Hillary is going the beat them like a drum.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_politics

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Plantation Mentality of Politics 2012

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on November 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Plantation with modern bridge

To be honest, you should never operate an entity or enterprise without input from all involved people.  On this election day, I can’t help but thing that this election is one of the last of it’s types–or should be. 

The Republicans think they know what is best for this nation and the Democrats think the same thing.  If I put on my old polly sci major hat and observe the situation the way Dr. Hollis taught us at college, I might conclude that the Dems better reflect a cross-section of the American people.

My conservative friends will quickly point out that the majority might be wrong and then the pull out the slavery example from our history.  Well, if you want to talk about that period, we should consider the plantation mentality that makes a small group think their prosperity is good for everyone (i.e. apartheid in South Africa, trickle-down economics in America.)  

Today, they call it plutocracy, rule by the wealth.  I personally think Governor Romney as an elder in his church has done a thousand times more to help needy people than the average American.  But, I also think that this smart, likeable guy is the Trojan horse that gets the plutocrats into the White House. 

We can’t keep having elections where most of the members of a major party look like each other.  Also, the people in that party shouldn’t hate other nations where a religion runs the government while they are trying to do the same thing here.  And don’t get me started on the idea that all members of another party are godless heathens.  As Dr. Hollis, Attorney Tucker and the other professors taught us at Black college, government functions best when all voices are heard. 

When the GOP goes back to the drawing board after this victory or defeat, they should consider using various color markers because (mark my word) that plantation mentality only leads to civic war.  (You know that is what some folks want.)   The silly thing to me is that the GOP doesn’t realize that could have 15% of the vote in my community if they keep to the issues of jobs/economy rather than letting the far right push social issues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutocracy

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Too Close–Obama v. Romney

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on October 19, 2012 | 3 Comments »

We need to remember that more is on the table than Obama’s or Romney’s political career; those guys will be fine.  It’s all about jobs, the economy, gas prices and the role of government. 

The election is too close in more ways than one.  The occupant of the White House could come down to 15,000 or 1,500 voters in a few states.  The election could be won if that number of people took 15 minutes to early vote.  

The future of the Democratic Party in the South is also in the balance.  If this president isn’t enough for you, we should toss in the towel.  After Clinton-Gore helped the nation so much, Gore’s election to the White House should have been easy but is it ever easy when dealing with some folks.  The working people alone should be enough to win reelection for Obama but those same people (people who can freeze for three hours at a high school football game) can’t take half an hour to hit the polling place for president, other offices and ballot initiatives.  

Moderates and centrists have no future home in a national party with the Tea Party but being a free agent is a possibility.  We are too close to a presidential second term and those who remember the Clinton years know that that is when a president loosens up and starts swing for the fences—looking to make history.  Obama’s first second term historical move should be to tell the people that they suck out loud.  He should start with the Kennedy line about “what you can do for your country” then read them/us the riot act.

In the first debate, the president was being too cool.  He had a vibe that said, “hey, I am not begging…I did what I could and if you are feeling it…nice…if not, peace.

Governor Romney isn’t the issue—he is a decent guy.  Those around Romney should scare folks to the polls.  I can imagine being ticked on Thanksgiving if we drop this election by a hair.  We need to have the energy and zest of that guy in the “Too Close” video.   ”So I’ll be on my way.”

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The New Normal: Democrats vs. Republicans with a twist

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on October 10, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

I have been watching NBC’s show “The New Normal” to support Georgia homegirl NeNe Leakes.  They recently had an episode titled “Obama Mama” that covered the major political issues well.  Hell, the show’s character debated President Obama’s positions better than Obama during the Denver debate.

1418571  Democrats vs. Republicans Clip

From All in the Family to Modern Family to the New Normal, T.V. can shape or soften opinions.  Dennis Haysbert, the guy from the insurance ads, contents that his role as president on Fox’s “24” prepped the nation for Obama.  I don’t know about that but he was presidential. We need to see some fire from POTUS Obama during the future debates because too much is on the table to be cool.   

Americans  in real life should able to have a health, civic discussion of the issues with coming to blows.

Full Episode: Obama Mama   

http://www.nbc.com/the-new-normal/video/obama-mama/1418604/

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Obama Can Win Georgia/Glad It’s Not Huntsman

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on September 13, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

 

For those just taking notice of the presidential election, the headlines should currently read “Jon Huntsman and President Obama in vigorous yet civic debate on ideas.”  See, the GOP selected Governor Romney out of a cast of characters and the least amount of interest went to the former Governor of Utah Jon Huntman, a man President Obama appointed Ambassador to China.

Team Obama had the foresight to embrace Huntsman because that sullied him with the conservative movement.  Chicago knew that Huntsman was a candidate who could win the political center.

Chicago and wherever Romney is based has also decided that the election will be won in a few swing states.  Horse feathers!  If most of the south is off the table, the state and local organizational structure isn’t active on the Democrat side.  To me the Red Team is a small, well organized army with weak generals while the Blue Team is a large, unorganized team with better generals. 

Despite the wisdom of Fox News and MSNBC, Georgia can be won by the Democrats.  The  untapped potential for Dems might be motivated the ugliness of the GOP primary–”let’s go to the video tape.”  So, people need to stop this “call your cousins in Florida and North Carolina” talk.  If the people Democrats care about actually voted, the election would be over.  The election might be over if Team Romney doesn’t start producing some plans and ideas.  Romney looks like presidential material; while Obama and Huntsman are presidential material.   

The sweet thing about blogging is that it serves as a record of who wrote what and when it was written.  My friends in the conservative movement know that Michael Steele, Jon Huntsman and I have been begging them to create a moderate wing of their team.  But, they let the crazy 15% drive their bus…off the cliff.

I declare Georgia to be on the table and Romney, a decent fellow, should explain why he doesn’t say anything when the far Right zany talk starts.  Also, I don’t give a dizz-am about party once a candidate wins an election.  If the people are paying your salary, you should visit, listen and explain in every community.  It’s called “forming a more perfect union.”

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GOP: Ashley Bell Didn’t Win….What the (Rhymes with bell)

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on August 2, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Hall County, Georgia, County Commissioner Ashley Bell loss his election Tuesday night– who saw that coming.  Bell is a bright Black attorney who was a college star in the Democrat Party but recently switched to the GOP.  I thought he was a shoe-in to win Tuesday night but the election should have been for a newly created congressional district.

 We can really mess some stuff up down here in the South and one of the biggest messes is politics. Governor Nathan Deal saw Bell as the future of the conservative movement but to me, there is little place for African-Americans in the current southern GOP.  Of course, the few Blacks who spew that mean-spirited talk radio crap will do well speaking to ultra-conservative groups but they will not do much to expand the conservative tent by explaining their policy positions on my side of the tracks.

Michael Steele and Ashley Bell could have changed the course of American politics because they are level-headed but the party that booted Steele and ignored Jon Huntsman isn’t about healing or serving the whole nation.  It’s about getting folks pissed off and inciting a revolution.  Those of us in the political middle needed guys like Bell to speak with his fellow conservatives about reasonable methods of approaching the rest of the country.  If they did that, a third of Blacks who vote in the South  could get their views.  But, they let anger take over and the rest is history.

I think Bell was once a Rep. Sanford Bishop intern and he would be the perfect young conservative to seek that congressional seat once Bishop retires to private life and corporate board wealth.  Ashley is still rooted in our community and could win enough of the Black vote because he is a good brother.  But, I got the call yesterday saying Ashley didn’t win in the GOP primary.  Why the hell didn’t he have a GOP opponent when he was being groomed to be the next great thing? 

Under our primary system, Blacks would not take the GOP primary ballot for Herman Cain, Ashley Bell or anyone because that ballot is associated with the ugliness of the far-right.  What kind of southerners do we have today?  The southern way is to smile and say syrupy-sweet things to get elected then do whatever once in office.   Well, the “powers that be” in the GOP will take care of Ashley but at some point they need to know that a political party in which everyone is the same isn’t good for a diverse nation.  The same principle applies to a southern all Black Democrat party. 

Someone is getting wise to the game on the GOP side because the new anti-Obama ad is too smooth.  The ad basically concedes the fact that Obama is one of the greatest people ever but questions if he is the right person for this good right now—hats off to the smooth slickness of this method.  Someone at the RNC is begging his teammates to keep it policy vs. policy rather than Obama vs. Romney—smart.  If they wanted some more similar smart ideas, I would suggest listening too and respecting Steele and Bell.   

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBqW4NTFiE

After this ad, what’s next.  “It’s not President Obama fault that Americans suck.”  “America doesn’t deserve a great guy like Obama.   Paid for by people who are good at messing with your mind.”

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Belichick, Newt and Obama: Let Them Score

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on February 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

 

I can’t stand Bill Belichick but must admit that he was smart to tell his Patriots defenders to allow the Giants’ Ahmad Bradshaw to score a touchdown in the last few minutes of the Super Bowl.  Belichick did the calculations and knew he wanted the ball back in Tom Brady’s hands.  The decision, which almost won them another championship, put me in the mind of Muhammad Ali’s Rope-dope and made me think about this presidential primary season.

Belichick didn’t tell his team to “let” them score; he told them to “help” them score.  If you noticed, Pats players were prepared to push Bradshaw into the endzone to preserve precious seconds.  President Obama might have a hard time beating a GOP candidate like Mitt Romney because Romney knows business and the business sector needs to create millions of  jobs.  The Belichick type move for Obama supporters would be helping Newt Gingrich score by winning open primary state elections. 

If you notice, I wrote Obama supporters rather than Democrats because the Democratic National Committee would never endorse or support party members voting for any Republican anywhere for any reasons.  I am more interested in holding the White House than protecting their party brand.   If Romney gets his party’s nomination one day, he will become sweet and nice to the political center the next day to win the general election (if the Tea Party lets him.)  It will be Romney’s Belichick type move to soften his party and secure the White House—it might work. 

But, good old Newt doesn’t play that game.  He is hardcore and has a long record to prove it.  Remember, we can beat Newt in November if we help him win the nomination now—hold your nose and think Belichick.

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Democrats for Newt Gingrich….Really

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on January 31, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

I am voting for President Obama in November and Newt Gingrich in March. Obama supporters in conservative states with open primaries should know that giving the president Newt as a target is as important as their general election vote.  Every Mitt Romney associated super PAC T.V. ad regarding Newt’s negatives actually reinforces my contentions.   The reasons Democrats should vote for Newt jump out at you:

Clean cut Romney: That Mitt Romney reminds me of a guy from a soap opera star.  He actually is a nice person with a super family so there is little motivation to vote against him for personal reasons while Newt gets our blood boiling.  “Obama is a food stamp president.”  “Poor kids should work at school.”  A longer GOP primary gives Newt time to rough up Romney. 

Plan B: While we want to see a second Obama term, we must explore options.  To me, Romney is pro-big business but Gingrich would inadvertently improve regular folks’ lives.  The government doesn’t really care about babying grown people nor should it.  With Newt in the White House, everyone would be compelled to step their game up because the safety net would be thin.  Plus, I am tired of watching Obama fight the good fight alone.

Michelle vs. Callista: Quick, name five Black women who are more important that Michelle Obama in the history of this nation.  Better yet, name five women of any color.  The sista is special and I can’t imagine replacing her with Mrs. Gingrich.  Mrs. Obama vs. Mrs. Gingrich would drive millions to the polls for Obama.

Homeboy Newt: Newt knows the South.  If someone other than Obama must be president it should be a Georgian.  As quiet as it is kept, Newt has a great record of supporting African American conservatives.  When I worked on the Hill, a sista was Newt’s Chief of Staff and Newt is constantly cultivating the next generation of Black conservatives.    

Tick off the GOP: The Republicans are purists that only want conservatives voting in their primaries (except Ron Paul.)  Democrats voting in their primary would drive them crazy and distort their statistical analysis.  Actually, open primary better reflect a cross section of the electorate.  

Summary: we need to educate voters on their options.  If you live in an open primary state, voting for Newt is something to consider.

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2012 Political Season: Magic Wand and Understanding

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 27, 2011 | 3 Comments »

If I could wave a magic wand on New Year’s Eve, the notations I would place in southern voters’ minds as we enter the election year would involve understanding.  Kandi from the Real Housewives of Atlanta was in a hip hop group with T.I.’s lady Tiny back in the day and they had a hit called “Understanding.”     

Xcape’s “Understanding” had a line that said, “You don’t really know me… you just want’a do what you want’a do… that’s not the way it is baby…you gotta listen to me.”  That line applies to elections, politics and policy because the South has a history of leaders and parties who arrogantly want to make desicisions for everyone without input from or understanding of everyone else.  

I am an American who is concerned that the so-called developing world could blow past our nation in this century because those hungry people are driven liked we once were.  Simply put, we might get out hustled by Latin America, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia because their young people aren’t playing when it comes to education and training while too many of our youth are soft whiners.  We must understand that the entire nation must be striving collectively.

Anyway, the following points are the ideas I would put in voters’ heads:

1.President Obama can’t improve your life alone.  He can only foster an environment conducive for your personal development.  That’s what he said from the moment he stepped onto the national stage but folks don’t know how to listen.

2. Newt Gingrich as president could actually be good for my community.  While we never know which version of Newt will show up, Speaker Gingrich from the Clinton era was a great ideas person who sincerely wanted to change the cultural mindset of Americans in a positive way.  Look: the government doesn’t now nor has it ever cared about the average person.  With Newt as president we would know that fact without a doubt and get about the business of personal responsibility.

3.  Jon Huntsman is the most Obama-like Republican and moderate Democrats should vote for him to encourage the GOP nominee to make him their VP candidate.  As quiet as it is kept, Obama respects Huntsman more than he does most of the Congressional Black Caucus.  If the GOP takes the White House, moderates will wish level-headed Huntsman was at the table.

4. A small percentage of Democrats could sway the GOP presidential primary.  “Ted, is right..we should vote for Huntsman just in case Obama doesn’t win or Newt to help Obama win.”  Of course, no one understands my points until after the fact.

5.  In South Georgia, running someone against Sanford Bishop will crank up Bishop’s campaign apparatus and organize Democrat GOTV efforts in Albany, Columbus and Macon.  If President Obama wins reelection by a slim margin and by surprisingly winning Georgia, Bishop’s opponents can be thanked.  By the same logic, Democrats can’t beat Austin Scott so we shouldn’t run anyone against him.  That energy would be better spent developing a functional relationship with the young lawmaker. 

Bottomline: Using the “Understanding” song in a blog post is recycling a past post.  Another past post is my notes from “The Art of War.”  That Chinese warfare manual is like a blueprint for politics and modern business.  A central theme in the book is respect for and understanding of the other side. If the GOP understood Democrats, they would select Huntsman as their nom but the hardheaded never learn.  If the Dems understood the Tea Party, they would vote for Huntsman in the GOP primaries in droves to keep them out of the White House.  But, we are more concerned about the NFL playoffs. 

http://projectlogicga.com/2009/06/07/the-art-of-war/

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Vernon Jones and Foul-Mouthed Keisha: New Black Conservative Leadership

Posted in politics, tagged , , , on December 14, 2011 | 4 Comments »

Today, I just came across a Black conservative I called foul-mouthed Keisha. Neither sides of the political establishment knows she is a conservative nor does Keisha know herself but her f-bomb-heavy rants represent the silent majority of Blacks who actually vote. Frustrated working people grow more aggravated when they see society and the government helping those with problems before those who did what they were supposed to do.

(Warning:  one million curse words in ten minutes…NSFW.)

Of course, I am not saying that people don’t need help because hungry kids are the worst things in the world.  But, America needs to have a discussion that starts with Keisha’s frustration. 

Georgia politico Vernon Jones recently wrote a great article about race and the two major political parties.  Jones gets it and he might be one of the leaders of what’s next because our community must remember that we have no permanent friends nor permanent enemies—just permanent interests.  If the Democratic Party because all-Black in the South, we would be putting all of our eggs in one basket.  Actually, conservative beliefs are standard with many southern Black voters; we just don’t like the ugliness of the far Right.  

http://saportareport.com/blog/2011/12/southern-white-democrats-becoming-an-endangered-species/

Cool-headed conservatives like Jon Huntsman get little play from the Right but he could clean up with moderates.  Vernon Jones ran for U.S. Senate but the Dem establishment could understand a Black conservative.   

Keisha, Vernon and I would likely agree that a new form of thinking must replace the current mindset.  Oh, boy, our unlikelyalliesproject.com needs Vernon Jones’ leadership…and Keisha if she can dial down the f-bombs.

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Genesis 4:15: Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman and Charlie Ward

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on November 29, 2011 | 1 Comment »

My thoughts today turn to Genesis 4:15, the original Cain, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman and surprisingly Charlie Ward, Jr.  From Sunday School, we remember that Cain killed his brother Abel and we joked “what did Eve do after Abel died…she raised Cain.”  Seriously, I asked the Sunday school teacher (a high school student) “who was Cain concerned about killing him if Adam, Eve and Cain were the only people on earth and who in time did Cain marry?”

Genesis 4:15 And Jehovah said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.  And Jehovah appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should smite him.

Herman Cain shouldn’t feel the wrath of the GOP if this mess about him is true.  As quiet as it is kept,  they should have vetted him better and he served his purpose.  In 1988, Senator Al Gore ran for president to increase awareness on global warming.  Herman Cain’s chief reasons for entering the presidential race were to highlight problems with the arcane tax code and anti-business governmental policies.  He did that. 

If half of the allegations about Cain are true, Reverend Cain should reread Genesis 4:13 where Cain said to God “my punishment is greater than I can bear.”  Well, the original Cain should have thought about that before he killed his brother and Herman Cain should have thought about that before he stepped onto the presidential stage.  Why do you think those other fellows chose not to run? 

I see parallels between Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward and Jon Huntsman.  Ward was the best college football player in the nation and a Christian athlete who was undrafted by the N.F.L.  Pro scouts didn’t think he was tall enough at quarterback to see receivers over tall linemen.  Jon Huntsman could receive half of the centrist vote if his fellow conservatives could see pass their primary season.  Charlie Ward wasn’t vengeful about his slighting as he resorted to Plan B by having a successful career in the N.B.A.

Jon Huntsman should have a similar Plan B that involves using open state primaries as mini-general elections.  He could show GOP voters that he is the Republican who Democrats find most reasonable.  Of course, red meat Republicans are vengeful at Huntsman because he was patriotic enough to accept President Obama’s request for him to serve as our nation’s ambassador to China. 

Huntsman’s plan to put it all on the line in New Hampshire would be better if he spent some time courting moderate and centrist voters in South Carolina and other southern states.  If Newt Gingrich is the GOP nominee, Huntsman’s coolness could be the perfect counterbalance.  So, maybe  Huntsman’s Plan B is the vice presidency.  I know he would be better received on southern college campuses than any other GOP candidate and he could actually get more votes for non-GOPers than GOPers–that would be wild.

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Open Letter: Regarding Southern Democrats and All Presidential Campaigns

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on November 14, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

If the GOP presidential primary process continues deep into the winter, all candidates will benefit in some way (including President Obama.)  We should pause to think about Tim Pawlenty and Mitch Daniels—good guys that most voters never got to know as presidential candidates because they exited too early.  Those exits should be a lesson for current candidates who don’t see much of a lifeline at this point.  Your lifeline might be open primary states Democrats, a pool of voters rarely mentioned but prime for the taking.

http://unlikelyalliesproject.com/

President Obama will be the Democrat nominee, so most southern Democrats are free to vote in the GOP primary and change the game.  In my opinion, the following presidential campaigns should support our Hear Me Out/ “Unlikely Allies Project.com” effort for these reasons:

President Obama: The GOP candidates’ fighting among themselves shortens the coming barrage against Obama/Biden 2012.  Smooth, reasonable GOP candidates being ignored on the national stage bodes well for the president’s effort because voters wonder why these quality candidates aren’t doing better.

Herman Cain: The best crowd-pumper-upper in the GOP field; has Black Democrats looking seriously at conservatism; fundraising master. The GOP nominee will need him everywhere (if he isn’t the nom.)  

Jon Huntsman: Reasonable guy who Obama appointed ambassador to China; having him in the GOP field makes moderates wonder why the Republicans are looking elsewhere.  Huntsman might get more primary votes from moderates and centrist Democrats than Republicans.  The GOP nominee will need him to campaign for moderate voters; might be U.S. ambassador to U.N. or Secretary of State; the GOP candidate Democrats don’t want in the general election.  

Rick Perry: Despite recent events, Perry could get a support boost from blue –collar southern Democrats; governs a state with an economy larger some nations.

Newt Gingrich: Southerners remember his speakership and Contract With America; ideas guy who needs a little more time to get back in it; some Georgians support Gingrich and Cain for regional reasons.

Ron Paul:  Many Independents, Libertarians and politically homeless people love this guy’s straight talk ; GOP polls don’t reflect his true potential.   

Michelle Bachman: Might do big numbers with Democrat women.  

Like college football 2011: President Obama is like L.S.U. and that would make Mitt Romney one-loss Alabama and Rick Perry maybe Arkansas.  Well, brainy Huntsman (Sanford) and undefeated, unchallenged Cain (U of  Houston) are who Obama/L.S.U. wants to face in the general election/national championship game.  “To be the best you beat the best” sounds great in theory but in reality you want an easier opponent at the end.  LSU/Obama fans are cheering for Houston/Cain and Sanford/Huntsman.    

Summary: We think every presidential campaign (except maybe Romney) should support and promote our UnlikelyAlliesProject.com effort to education open primary states Democrats about their options.  These campaigns should get their folks to “like” our facebook page then come to public forums to speak up.  With the importance of the issues, we must all be engaged every step of the way.

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Red State Democrats and Hillary’s PUMAs: Inconsequential or Potential Game-changers

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on October 25, 2011 | 1 Comment »

To hear experts talk, the next presidential election will be decided in a few swing states.  Democrats in red states must sit back, donate and watch.  The only say many moderates have during the process is the primary elections. 

President Obama will be the Democrat nominee but should Dems hedge our bets by voting in the GOP Primary for the most moderate Republican or the candidate we would like to see faceoff against the president.

When told to fall in line in 2008, Hillary Clinton’s supporters created the moniker PUMAs (Party Unity My Ass.)  They felt it was her turn and that she was better prepared to be POTUS.  Eventually, they got behind the Dem nominee and without them it would be President McCain and yes Vice President Palin.

In 2012, the passionate, committed conservatives won’t compile with party bosses so easily if their guy/gal doesn’t make the final cut.  They talk a good game but must make a PUMA-like decision between selecting a nominee who is most like them (Herman Cain, Rick Perry, Michelle Bachman) or selecting someone who can appeal to political moderates and independents (Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman.)

Did I mention that Red State Democrats have nothing but time on our mischievous hands?  

Red State Democrats should consider these GOP Primary options:

Those Who Love Obama’s vibe: vote Huntsman.

Those Who Love An Economic/Jobs focus: vote Cain, Romney or Gingrich.

Those Who Want to See a Georgian In the Oval Office: vote Cain or Gingrich.

Those Who Want to See the GOP nominee be Just Like the Average Far Right Conservative and therefore Unappealing to the Political Center thus Improving Obama Chances: vote Cain or Perry.

Summary: Red State Democrats are consequential after all but can they be organized to make such crafty, cunning poll move.  “Hell Naw” is the likely answer.

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“Hear Me Out” -Unlikely Allies Project: A Grassroots Voters Education Initiative

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , on October 13, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Have the presidential opponents for November 2012 been determined a year early? We aren’t comfortable with that notion because our community should have more say in the matter. 

Because there is nothing better than a well-informed electorate, we are starting an Unlikely Allies Project called “Hear Me Out” to educate Americans about the primary process and voting options; and to encourage hearing all candidates in every election. Listening to all sides could be considered educational or it could be considered reconnaissance.

 While blogging and social media are useful, real Americans discussing information, issues and options in person is better.  We feel the first option should be pointing out the fact that Georgians and other southerners may vote in either major party primary if they choose.  While party purists dislike that idea, the option should be on the table. 

In the tradition of Helen’s Political Roundtable,  we hope to bring mixers, meetups and socials to your community soon.  So, the “out” in Hear Me Out refers to interesting discussions out or off-line as well as listening to other sides points of views and opinions.  

Hear us out and we want to hear you out.  We might have more in common than you think.

Ted Sadler                             Helen Blocker Adams

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Congressional Map: Rep. Bishop and Rep. Austin Scott safe at home

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , on August 23, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Georgia’s proposed congressional map is out and I feel just fine.  President Obama once said don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.  I would have liked my hometown to remain in Rep. Sanford Bishop’s district but we took one for the team. 

Since my county is GOP-dominated, it’s better for Bishop that we bounce into the 8th congressional district and Rep. Austin Scott is much more open to debate and discussion than the average southern Republican.  The guy can go toe to toe while keeping the punches above the belt.

Being comfortable in a conservative congressional district was prepped by having two conservative U.S. senators and surprisingly by the moderate service of Blue Dogs like Sanford Bishop and former Rep. Jim Marshall.

We must ask ourselves if GOP congressmen are more influenced by the energetic Tea Party Movement or the sizeable moderate sections of their areas.  To be honest, Democrats and Black folks need to build a functional relationship with whoever serves them because elected officials sometimes look at election results and get punitive. 

If this map stands, it would be a waste of time and energy running candidates against Bishop and Scott.  The battleground is the new 12th district and my good friend Helen Blocker Adams might be kingmaker over there because she knows Augusta like the back of her hand and real people trust her.   

Man, I wish Bishop and Scott could take the time they would spend (waste) fundraising and campaign and use that energy to find a common ground.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Joint/reapportionment/Documents/congprop1.pdf

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Crystal Ball: Georgia Reapportionment and 2012 Elections

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , , on August 9, 2011 | 1 Comment »

If crystal balls were real, I would look into one and tell Georgia what will happen with congress reapportionment and the 2012 elections (no need to state the obvious in safe seats.)

Georgia 2nd District: Macon, Columbus and Albany will again be in this district and it will be Dem for the next ten years.  If Rep. Bishop decides to move into a position with the next administration (Obama or some GOP POTUS), the GOP should start grooming a likable African American candidate who is less bitter (a Black Scott Brown.)  If Bishop is unbeatable in 2012, wise guys in the GOP should discourage anyone from running just to be running because Bishop’s campaign apparatus serves as the S.W. Georgia foundation of Obama 2012. 

Georgia 8th District: This district becomes unwinnable for a Democrat with the exit of the Dem. sections of Macon.  As in the 2nd, energy and resources spent running a candidate could be better spent in truly contested congressional districts or charitable contributions.  If we free up members from raising money, they would have more time to seek solutions and would be less beholden big money donors.

Georgia 1st District: While members don’t own districts, Rep. Jack Kingston is one conservative who doesn’t deserve token Dem. opposition.  Kingston has built a strong relationship in the Black community with his work on regional interests, frequent visits to “Democratic” events and his long history of hiring minority staffers.  He covers southeast Georgia like the dew or that funny smell from the paper mills.

Georgia 12th District: With the exit of Savannah to the 1st, this congressional race will be hotter than fish grease.  A few GOP members of the state legislature will run because it’s their turn but they should dust off Michael Steele’s old diversity plans and find a woman, a minority or a minority woman.  From the political center, I will say that the GOP doesn’t understand how easy it would be for women and minorities to support a less bitter conservative who adds range to the old boys club.  Rep. Barrow could switch to the GOP now and be safer; but he will likely stay Dem and count on the GOP producing a primary winner with little appeal to the center.  

Georgia New District: Hall County based…safely conservative.

Summary: Georgia is the biggest state east of the Mississippi River and President Obama needs to win it to have a second term.  Half of Georgia lives in metro Atlanta and there are a dozen different types of Black folks and a dozen different types of White folks in the peach state.  While urban Blacks are real liberals, rural Blacks could support certain conservatives in certain situations.  In this crystal ball, I see President Obama leaving office in 2013 or 2017 (hard to make out) but the aftermath is rough on the Black community.  We put all of our political eggs in one basket and an elephant is kicking that basket across the South. 

With secondary concern with presidential politics, our community should build a functional relationship with conservatives—at least the Black ones.  My dear brother Obama thought he would find a few conservatives interested in dialog and compromise but hell no.  If I could see into the conservative strategy meetings, it seems that the plan is to beat up on the president so much that we would say, “come home, man, before the stress beats you down.”  He said he was tough (which means the ablilty to take punishment like the only Black kid in a whole school.)  But to lead in this times, he needs to be rough also (like elbows on the basketball court.)

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Worst Congress Ever?

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on July 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

On Chuck Todd’s MSNBC show recently, he had a segment asking the question “Is this the worst congress of all-time.”  While I am not sure about all-time, it might be the worst of my adult life for the reasons discussed by former Senator John Breaux and Political Scientist Norm Ornstein.

[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43880181#43880181]

Congress and the White House in the past started with the center (where most Americans still reside politically) and worked on the Left and Right.  Today, policy starts on the Left and Right and goes nowhere.  I think 90% of congress were decent people when elected but they get that “gang mentality” from their political parties and it’s battle battle battle.

Who wants to go through life constantly pissed off?  Senator Breaux was an endangered species as a moderate to conservative Democrat.  The segment rightfully pointed out that there is no more overlap in congress today since centrists like Breaux exited.  In the past, there were a few southern Democrats who were more conservative than California Republicans. 

Why can’t members work together?  When did compromise become a dirty word?  I personally refuse to let anyone pit me against fellow Americans.   Some of MSNBC is slowly becoming the same as Fox News.  If the negativity fostered by media continues, a center-based, anti-party centrists movement might be in order.  

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/07/19/worst_congress_ever

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Jon Huntsman: Obama’s Cousin (Not really)

Posted in politics, tagged , , , , , , on June 21, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Jon Huntsman’s candidacy helps the political arena because he serves as foil to the other GOPers in the race for the White House.  If I remember correctly from junior high lit class, foil is a character who contrasts with another character to highlight features of that character’s personality…i.e. Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes…Morris Day to Prince….Dirk to LeBron.

Huntsman, President Obama’s former ambassador to China,  is smart and level-headed has little chance of coming out of the GOP primary.  Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels or Huntman could secure a sizeable part of the Center voting bloc but my friends on the far Right don’t want to vote for anyone who the Middle find acceptable.    

To be honest, cool Huntsman puts me in the mind of Barrack Obama–they might be cousins.  If President Obama wins reelection, the GOP should know that they could have had a reasonable, non-pissed candidate that centrists could have supported but they looked elsewhere.  Many Democrats thought it was Hillary’s turn and that she was the type tough leader that the nation needed but we knew that the Clinton legacy was a two-edged sword that might motivate some to support the GOP nominee.  Senator Ted Kennedy often said a half a loaf is better than no loaf.  Well, some folks want the whole loaf or nothing.  Huntsman’s demeanor on the debate stage is welcome by some Democrats and if he happens to win the White House, the nation could have done worst.

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