Click Here, Lieberman writes an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal
It is a good read.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Lieberman Speaks
There has been a lot of talk about the re-branding of the Republican Party, but here is a new twist. Former Vice Presidential Candidate, Joe Lieberman, who ran with Al Gore in 2000, talks about retro fitting the Democratic Party to its modern day roots of John F Kennedy, Harry Truman and Franklin Roosevelt.
Click Here, Lieberman writes an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal
It is a good read.
Click Here, Lieberman writes an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal
It is a good read.
JCC
It is that time of year, graduation for JCC and other area colleges. The graduation signals the near close of the fiscal year in a couple months and the start of another year beginning in September.
JCC is a valuable asset of this community, providing an opportunity to continue learning and strengthening the quality of the workforce in the area. The college has been the successful starting place for many aspiring to attain a quality education and brilliant career.
The community has a great deal of interest in the college's success, they have been supportive of their efforts and they become deeply concerned when it encounters difficult times as it has experienced in the past couple of years.
So where will the college be when this fiscal year closes and what opportunities will it present to enhance the upcoming year? Since the college is funded by local property taxes and student tuition, this is a legitimate question.
The college, during recent years of stagnant or declining enrollment, has increased its revenue by requesting an increase in funding from Jefferson County annually and periodically raising student tuition. The college received a half million dollar increase in funding last year, and despite the increase it was portrayed by some as a cut because the initial request was for a million dollar increase. The outrage of some was better than their math, it was an increase in funding. The main basis from the college's standpoint for an increase in funding from the county is meeting a state mandated formula, which the county has been able to achieve.
The college and the county working to find an acceptable level of funding should focus on added value that will attract and increase student population and enhance their learning. Absent added value, and amid stagnant or declining student enrollment then a simple cost of living adjustment should be sufficient. But, this community cherishes the college and does not want status quo, it desires to see it excel and will not mind funding the college to see that happen. JCC is a jewel and the community enjoys polishing it at every opportunity presented.
The college and county should refrain from making this a discussion solely on some formula, rather they should boast the accomplishments and share a vision for excellence in serving students, that will be reason enough to invest in our future.
JCC is a valuable asset of this community, providing an opportunity to continue learning and strengthening the quality of the workforce in the area. The college has been the successful starting place for many aspiring to attain a quality education and brilliant career.
The community has a great deal of interest in the college's success, they have been supportive of their efforts and they become deeply concerned when it encounters difficult times as it has experienced in the past couple of years.
So where will the college be when this fiscal year closes and what opportunities will it present to enhance the upcoming year? Since the college is funded by local property taxes and student tuition, this is a legitimate question.
The college, during recent years of stagnant or declining enrollment, has increased its revenue by requesting an increase in funding from Jefferson County annually and periodically raising student tuition. The college received a half million dollar increase in funding last year, and despite the increase it was portrayed by some as a cut because the initial request was for a million dollar increase. The outrage of some was better than their math, it was an increase in funding. The main basis from the college's standpoint for an increase in funding from the county is meeting a state mandated formula, which the county has been able to achieve.
The college and the county working to find an acceptable level of funding should focus on added value that will attract and increase student population and enhance their learning. Absent added value, and amid stagnant or declining student enrollment then a simple cost of living adjustment should be sufficient. But, this community cherishes the college and does not want status quo, it desires to see it excel and will not mind funding the college to see that happen. JCC is a jewel and the community enjoys polishing it at every opportunity presented.
The college and county should refrain from making this a discussion solely on some formula, rather they should boast the accomplishments and share a vision for excellence in serving students, that will be reason enough to invest in our future.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Notable Quotes
"Don’t let the Republicans look more enlightened than us, which they do today. Which is unbelievable. I never thought I would see that."
The values of those people you diminished are the values of America. And those people don’t like getting patronized, or viewed as an alien species….”
Karl Rove (On Obama's bitter remark)
Bill Clinton
The values of those people you diminished are the values of America. And those people don’t like getting patronized, or viewed as an alien species….”
Karl Rove (On Obama's bitter remark)
Clinton Receives Her First 3 AM Call
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, MissouriThe results from Oregon will be a wee bit late tonight due to the time difference, Clinton should receive her first 3 AM call tonight.
Mrs Obama Shows Inexperience Also
If Obama is going to put his wife on the campaign trail to represent him and his views, then her statements are subject to critique. Fair game, play ball, again his rhetoric should not get traction.
Polling Data
The polling data for the Presidential election this year might be considered suspect through out this election cycle.
The polling data collected and disseminated this year is possibly going to be skewed and it has nothing to do with the pollsters or methodology and everything to do with respondents and what is referred to as the "Bradley effect."
The Bradley effect is a so called tendency of white poll respondents to overstate their support for a black candidate thereby skewing the pre-election polling. The Bradley effect is a documented effect on polling in biracial contests that has occurred in previous election contests. It received its tag after a gubernatorial election in California, which Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African American, was leading in polls just days before the election and lost.
The polling anomaly occurred again in the Virginia Governor's race in which L. Douglas Wilder, an African American, barely won despite a large double digit lead. In addition, it has already occurred this election cycle in the New Hampshire primary. Obama led in polls leading up to the primary and was projected to win by 8 points, but lost by 3 points while the undecided voters only went for Clinton by a slight margin, not enough to alter the margin to the extent it changed between polling and outcome.
The Bradley effect was suspected in the Rhode Island primary where Clinton had 9 point lead in the polls prior to the primary and she won by 18 points.
Another factor in forecasting this year's election is the large increase in voter registrations and large projected turn out which will make it difficult to model the actual voters.
Some will doubt and dispute the effect on polling results; nevertheless, it is a phenomenon that has to be considered and will leave suspicion in the minds of those that attempt to predict the results.
The polling data collected and disseminated this year is possibly going to be skewed and it has nothing to do with the pollsters or methodology and everything to do with respondents and what is referred to as the "Bradley effect."
The Bradley effect is a so called tendency of white poll respondents to overstate their support for a black candidate thereby skewing the pre-election polling. The Bradley effect is a documented effect on polling in biracial contests that has occurred in previous election contests. It received its tag after a gubernatorial election in California, which Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African American, was leading in polls just days before the election and lost.
The polling anomaly occurred again in the Virginia Governor's race in which L. Douglas Wilder, an African American, barely won despite a large double digit lead. In addition, it has already occurred this election cycle in the New Hampshire primary. Obama led in polls leading up to the primary and was projected to win by 8 points, but lost by 3 points while the undecided voters only went for Clinton by a slight margin, not enough to alter the margin to the extent it changed between polling and outcome.
The Bradley effect was suspected in the Rhode Island primary where Clinton had 9 point lead in the polls prior to the primary and she won by 18 points.
Another factor in forecasting this year's election is the large increase in voter registrations and large projected turn out which will make it difficult to model the actual voters.
Some will doubt and dispute the effect on polling results; nevertheless, it is a phenomenon that has to be considered and will leave suspicion in the minds of those that attempt to predict the results.
Monday, May 19, 2008
6 Ways The GOP Can Save Itself
JIM VANDEHEI & MIKE ALLEN of Politico suggest six ways for the GOP to save itself.
1. Get A Clue - establish some principles and stand for them, whether it is smaller government, stronger defense, whatever, but form a vision and stick with it.
2. Cut The Crap - GOP has provided an ample supply of bad spending and scandals, clean it up.
3. Beg For Help - Democrats might appear to be in chaos, but it is well financed chaos. GOP needs support and supporters need a reason.
4. Burn The Bush - Loyalty to a point of fault, time to abandon the Titanic.
5. Change The Pitch And Your Face - the party needs fresh reassuring packaging and diversity and youth.
6. Fan The Fear - Democrats are soft on security and terrorists and with McCain atop the ticket GOP should trump their patriotism and protection for the country.
Presidential Candidate John McCain, a nonconformist, is likely the person who can reinvent the Republican brand. An advocate for controlling government spending is a return to a strongly held GOP principle that has been lost recently, but McCain will be more centrist in other areas such as; the environment, and diplomacy in foreign policy. McCain is a strong minded independent thinker who will cross party lines in order to get things done.
Obama is naive if he thinks he is going to run an anti-Washington campaign and get voters to believe he can change the way they do business, many have said that before him and failed to deliver. Obama said the other day; the war is in its sixth year, Osama bin Laden is still free, al-Qaida is active and Iran is bold. It is logical to ask what is his plan, beyond his soaring rhetoric? Obama will have to answer questions, he will not be able to escape simply by his criticisms of the way things are currently, he needs to articulate his positions.
The right candidate is one who can navigate and work issues in a bi-partisan manner and govern from the center, such is the experience of McCain. There is a difference between the candidates, one is just hope and the other is experience and results, if McCain can re-brand Republicans and present them with a vision, he can win.
1. Get A Clue - establish some principles and stand for them, whether it is smaller government, stronger defense, whatever, but form a vision and stick with it.
2. Cut The Crap - GOP has provided an ample supply of bad spending and scandals, clean it up.
3. Beg For Help - Democrats might appear to be in chaos, but it is well financed chaos. GOP needs support and supporters need a reason.
4. Burn The Bush - Loyalty to a point of fault, time to abandon the Titanic.
5. Change The Pitch And Your Face - the party needs fresh reassuring packaging and diversity and youth.
6. Fan The Fear - Democrats are soft on security and terrorists and with McCain atop the ticket GOP should trump their patriotism and protection for the country.
Presidential Candidate John McCain, a nonconformist, is likely the person who can reinvent the Republican brand. An advocate for controlling government spending is a return to a strongly held GOP principle that has been lost recently, but McCain will be more centrist in other areas such as; the environment, and diplomacy in foreign policy. McCain is a strong minded independent thinker who will cross party lines in order to get things done.
Obama is naive if he thinks he is going to run an anti-Washington campaign and get voters to believe he can change the way they do business, many have said that before him and failed to deliver. Obama said the other day; the war is in its sixth year, Osama bin Laden is still free, al-Qaida is active and Iran is bold. It is logical to ask what is his plan, beyond his soaring rhetoric? Obama will have to answer questions, he will not be able to escape simply by his criticisms of the way things are currently, he needs to articulate his positions.
The right candidate is one who can navigate and work issues in a bi-partisan manner and govern from the center, such is the experience of McCain. There is a difference between the candidates, one is just hope and the other is experience and results, if McCain can re-brand Republicans and present them with a vision, he can win.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Mike Flick For Watertown High School Board of Education
Mike Flick deserves the Watertown High School voter's support for school board this year.Mike Flick is a family oriented leader of the community who is employed at the New York State Department of Transportation and he currently is serving on the school board and has done a fine job in all aspects of guiding the district in quality of education and responsibility to the taxpayers.
Mike has served the students and public well from quality curriculum, lunch programs, extra curricular activities and quality facilities. He, along with the other board members and administration have accomplished all this while remaining mindful of who pays the bills; the taxpayers.
Mike believes the school should be the pride of the community and works to develop a strong bond between the community and the school. Mike believes that strong fundamentals form a foundation for our school, and you can read his principles in a statement posted on newzjunky.com.
Mike was recently quoted in the Watertown Daily Times that his favorite part of being on the board is "the feeling like we have an influence over someone's educational experience. I have some small measure in their success."
Mike is truly there for the unselfish reasons, the success of others, and no more needs to be said on why voters should return Mike Flick to the Board of Education.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Kennedy Rushed To Hospital
Ted Kennedy has been air lifted to the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston with "stroke like symptoms" Politico reported the news at around noon today.
Clinton Unlikely Veep
Obama's choice for the Veep slot is unlikely to be Senator Clinton.
The corpse of the Clinton campaign continues to make its way through the remaining primaries but she remains in the race for several possible reasons; a possible huge stumble by Obama accompanied by a mass departure of the super delegates, a last ditch chance the campaign can convince the DNC to seat Florida and Michigan according to their disputed primaries, her need to satisfy the delusional supporters still showing up at her rallies in hopes of her pulling off a Harry Truman turn around or possibly she truly believes Obama is not electable.
It is unlikely she remains just for the Veep slot, she has already proven she is a potential candidate for the slot. Yet, Obama will not choose Clinton, he does not need to be overshadowed by her at any time; possibly drawing larger crowds than him or potentially in the White House. She does not bring anything to the table as far as geography or ideology that he does not already possess. Clinton does not shore up any of Obama's shortcomings.
He will pull her voters without her on the ticket, once they have a cooling period, they are true Democrats and their fingers will recoil before they vote for a Republican. She may not have pulled his voters because she made race such a big issue, but he will get her voters in the end.
What Clinton would bring to the ticket that Obama does not want is her polarizing personality where she has as high of unfavorables as just about anyone (except W) and along with Bill, who seems to be a drag on her campaign, are seen as old time slash and burn political operators something Obama has rigorously campaigned against.
Obama's greatest weakness heading into the fall against McCain is foreign policy and absent the economy going completely in the tank, the focus of the election will continue to be that and the war. McCain masterfully shifted the focus and debate back to his strength by announcing 2013 as a date we will be out of Iraq and Bush reinserted himself by taking a swipe at Obama, all in an attempt to frame the issues. The choice of VP will likely be made prior to any more economic disasters, therefore Obama's choice will be heavily favored to foreign policy and shoring up an exit strategy beyond words.
Sam Nunn for VP, a well respected former Senator with foreign policy and defense experience as chair of the Armed Services committee. Nunn is from the south, having represented Georgia and he is thought to be a conservative Democrat. He shores up Obama's weaknesses in just about every aspect; he adds age, experience and stability to the ticket, ideology and geography and hits the gap with foreign policy.
Obama/Nunn vs. McCain/?
The corpse of the Clinton campaign continues to make its way through the remaining primaries but she remains in the race for several possible reasons; a possible huge stumble by Obama accompanied by a mass departure of the super delegates, a last ditch chance the campaign can convince the DNC to seat Florida and Michigan according to their disputed primaries, her need to satisfy the delusional supporters still showing up at her rallies in hopes of her pulling off a Harry Truman turn around or possibly she truly believes Obama is not electable.
It is unlikely she remains just for the Veep slot, she has already proven she is a potential candidate for the slot. Yet, Obama will not choose Clinton, he does not need to be overshadowed by her at any time; possibly drawing larger crowds than him or potentially in the White House. She does not bring anything to the table as far as geography or ideology that he does not already possess. Clinton does not shore up any of Obama's shortcomings.
He will pull her voters without her on the ticket, once they have a cooling period, they are true Democrats and their fingers will recoil before they vote for a Republican. She may not have pulled his voters because she made race such a big issue, but he will get her voters in the end.
What Clinton would bring to the ticket that Obama does not want is her polarizing personality where she has as high of unfavorables as just about anyone (except W) and along with Bill, who seems to be a drag on her campaign, are seen as old time slash and burn political operators something Obama has rigorously campaigned against.
Obama's greatest weakness heading into the fall against McCain is foreign policy and absent the economy going completely in the tank, the focus of the election will continue to be that and the war. McCain masterfully shifted the focus and debate back to his strength by announcing 2013 as a date we will be out of Iraq and Bush reinserted himself by taking a swipe at Obama, all in an attempt to frame the issues. The choice of VP will likely be made prior to any more economic disasters, therefore Obama's choice will be heavily favored to foreign policy and shoring up an exit strategy beyond words.
Sam Nunn for VP, a well respected former Senator with foreign policy and defense experience as chair of the Armed Services committee. Nunn is from the south, having represented Georgia and he is thought to be a conservative Democrat. He shores up Obama's weaknesses in just about every aspect; he adds age, experience and stability to the ticket, ideology and geography and hits the gap with foreign policy.
Obama/Nunn vs. McCain/?
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