So we are in the season of the American circus otherwise known as presidential election season.
The race ramps up as contestants drop and the two main contenders start to take their place. I was off on my predictions as I was sure Jeb Bush, being the establishment favorite, would have made this far and Donald Trump would have announced his plans to start a new Apprentice type reality series based on his experience in politics.
But here we are. Trump just won South Carolina decidedly, leading the pack and Jeb just ended the Bush dynasty in politics. We love a good drama.
I decided to have a little fun with the five players I think are worth watching. Here is my summation of the remaining field of candidates. I hope you enjoy.
HILLARY RODMAN CLINTON
I am huge Clinton fan, I'm just not a Hillary fan, which I think is the case with a lot of other voters. I personally believe she is the best choice of all the candidates running now but I have my issues.
I think she's too hawkish and won't hesitate to put boots on the ground in Syria. I think the email thing could become an unwanted distraction, although it will not dissuade her supporters or attract new ones it will consume resources.
She's been around so long and we know so much about her that they're few surprises left as she has been thoroughly vetted. She has more foreign affairs experience than any of them and understands and knows the players. She knows how Washington works and has the connections to make things happen.
But she's always so focused on herself, so blindly ambitious as she makes the case for why she is the right choice that it seems she loses sight of the big picture, that it's about us... about America and not what is owed to her.
It's a shame all that charm that so easily flows from her hubby can't seem to rub off on her and shape her wooden performances.
MY ADVICE
Relax let people see you warts and all. You know you'll be attacked regardless, you might as well be attacked while being yourself.
BERNIE SANDERS
Oh Bernie where do I start. I truly wish we lived in a society where he could be a successful US President. But as much as I like him we do not.
He doesn't just say the right things, he believes them. He wants a more balanced, more fair, more just society and will fight for it, for us. But he doesn't have the connections or from what I've heard, a realistic plan to make it happen.
Bernie wants to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, Free College for All, Expand and Extend Social Security, Youth Jobs Programs as well was Health Care for Every American. Now this is good stuff EXCEPT he plans to pay for it all be getting rid of loopholes for big corporations and taxing them as stated on his site. Do people really think these guys with their well paid lobbyist in the waiting room of every Congressman and Senator will allow him to get any of this stuff passed?
I have a friend who reminds me that Bernie's plan includes all of our participation, a political revolution. Well it ain't gonna happen. Consider this, about 85% of gun owners and 83% of non gun owners favor background checks for all gun sales... Yet we don't have it. If the system cannot change with such public support how is Bernie going to make it happen? But maybe we don't have it because although they favor it they haven't gotten involved or revolted.
So what does that look like? Three words Occupy Wall Street! Remember that movement?
Now I was inclined to say that bit of civil disobedience didn't accomplish shit, however the Occupy Movement changed the political discourse to NOW include discussions of income inequality among ALL the candidates on both parties, it created energy around the increased minimum wage all over the country while I would say it created the atmosphere for the Black Lives Matter movement which is good.
But, it's yet to influence the passage of a bill which is not outside the realm of reality as evidenced by the good ole' Tea Party. Conservatives are much more poised for revolution. They come out, they're vocal, they're armed at times and they are willing to do what they have to. Progressives vote... sometimes and then go home expecting the world to change when they wake up. This is why I CANNOT VOTE FOR BERNIE.
MY ADVICE
Show the public a concrete plan to get at least some of your proposals accomplished without relying on a major paradigm shift in conservative opposition.
DONALD TRUMP
Oh boy was I ever wrong with this guy. So, my armchair political punditry had him positioned as a "broker" for the Republican vote. I thought he would win enough of a voter block to either make or break the winner.
Basically I thought, after seeing that disgusting display of Republican candidates prostrating themselves on the Las Vegas alter of billionaire Sheldon Adleson, Trump decided he wanted in on the action. He didn't want to be king, he wanted to be KING MAKER and would deliver the votes, which is better than donations.
But along the way he saw he could really go all the way and with the urging of advisers and family has taken the lead. This is what I believed and it can still be true except I also did NOT anticipate he would generate such a strong populist rising.
The things the so called experts are claiming will hurt him actually help, in part because they paint the picture of a genuine person, flawed but genuine. What I mean by that is he speaks his mind unapologetically which is the opposite of Hillary, who seem to measure every syllable mentally for content.
His "tell it like it is" attitude comes of a honest and it seems many are willing to overlook his other gaffes for someone who may not share their values but who understands their values.
MY ADVICE
Start laying out details on your plans especially who you plan to have advise you in foreign affairs, hint - Hillary is not available this time.
TED CRUZWhat can I say about this evangelical Canadian hypocrite who might ironically be disqualified by the same birther fervor he targeted Obama with, who angered his own party with a government shutdown and who claims he got the nod to run for president by God?
He's using the same playbook George W. Bush used by tailoring his campaign to evangelical conservatives except it doesn't seemed to have worked in South Carolina which is heavily conservative and evangelical and where he lost to Trump by 10 points and Rubio.
MY ADVICE
Umm... go back to Canada
MARCO RUBIO
Marco was the Republican Tea Party golden boy... once upon a time until his unpopular stance on immigration and his awkward performances but despite more awkward performances, he's emerging as the establishment favorite since Bush exited the race.
He seems to be content winning just enough of the vote to stay in the race but sooner rather than later, he'll have to start winning and stop making winning speeches when he came in third. Second choice is best runner up, the first loser.
MY ADVICE
You have the establishment backing because they think you can beat Hillary and they're afraid of Trump. Use their desperation to run the campaign you REALLY want to. You still look like an errand boy not a president. Be a president.
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