tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post4311518718883094401..comments2023-09-15T04:27:57.129-04:00Comments on Commentarama: 2012 Contender: Ron PaulAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-67618489509471766132011-07-22T20:26:55.211-04:002011-07-22T20:26:55.211-04:00Anon, That's a good question.
I would say we ...Anon, That's a good question.<br /><br />I would say we start with the idea of who each job represents. A House member represents a very small district within a state. Their goal is to put forward the interests of their district. A Senator, by comparison, must look a little more broadly at their whole state. And the President need to represent all of the people of the United States.<br /><br />Based on this, I would say that to become a President, you need a definite statesmen-like quality that lets you put the good of the country above just the people who voted for you. I would also say (based on the job requirements) that you need a great deal of knowledge of politics, ideology, economics, culture and foreign affairs. Otherwise you will get rolled.<br /><br />I would then add that a successful President must have solid executive abilities, i.e. the ability to find quality "employees", to delegate responsibilities to the right people, to know when to step in or let the employees work, and an ability to manage a massive bureaucracy.<br /><br />I would further add that a President needs to be a talented negotiator who can gain the trust of all sides, and someone who has a good feel for the mood of the public so they know how to make people comfortable that the right decisions are being made.<br /><br />Personally, I'd also like to see anyone in the job have a solid grasp of their own ideology so that they aren't just lurching from issue to issue.<br /><br />Neither a Senator nor a House member needs any of that.<br /><br />To be a good Senator and House member is roughly similar. First, you need to understand what the people of your state/district want you to achieve.<br /><br />Secondly, you need "legislative insight," by which I mean an ability to craft legislation to achieve your goals AND the ability to build coalitions to get that legislation in place. With rare exceptions, it doesn't do anyone any good if all you can do is talk a big game, but can't ever get anything done.<br /><br />The except to this is someone like Paul (or Sanders on the other side) who act as ideological sparks to remind people of what their ideology really wants them to do.<br /><br />I supposed you could do the job by just being a party lackey, but frankly I'd rather have 200 dynamic conservatives than 300 empty suit party-line voters.<br /><br />Where the House and Senate split (and this isn't much of a split) is mainly in who they represent. Presumably, a Senator would be more aware of all the interests of their state, whereas House members need not look outside their districts. I'm not saying necessarily be more moderate, but just keep in mind that states have more issues to consider than districts do and so they need to think a little broader. For example, a Senator can't just concentrate on the farms in a single district like a House member could.<br /><br />Governors are like mini-presidents. The biggest difference really is that governors tends to be advocates for the interests of their states (like Congressmen) whereas Presidents shouldn't be advocates for any one part of the country. They can also be a lot more partisan in the sense of not caring about the other party) than Presidents because they can't make decisions that affect things like the dollar or whether or not we go to war.<br /><br />I think when you look at politicians, the questions to ask are (1) have they shown the leadership abilities to be president, (2) have they shown the ability to create and pass legislation to make them good legislators, or (3) have they shown both. Both is great. And if they have neither, then they are probably best sent back to where ever they came from.<br /><br />Does that answer your question?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-39056637421612710762011-07-22T19:56:04.533-04:002011-07-22T19:56:04.533-04:00Andrew: "The best thing to do is to figure ou...Andrew: "The best thing to do is to figure out who is best as a Congressman, a President, a Senator, a governor or unemployed and then try to keep them in the spot they are best at. Few are good at all of it." What attributes do you think make a good Congressman, President, Senator, and Governor?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-39790019034377457002011-07-22T16:00:19.226-04:002011-07-22T16:00:19.226-04:00T-Rav, I think that's right. Europe has rotte...T-Rav, I think that's right. Europe has rotted from the inside out and now seems incapable of doing anything except waiting to die.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see if they wake up before it's too late, but I suspect that even if they do wake up, they no longer have the moral strength or courage to do anything about it.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-10024742487442385522011-07-22T15:52:32.150-04:002011-07-22T15:52:32.150-04:00Andrew, all of Europe (western Europe, at least) i...Andrew, all of Europe (western Europe, at least) is morally rotted. It was inevitable that it would reach their brains. Some parts of Europe have a worse problem with Muslims than others; I don't know much about Norway, but next door in Sweden, at least one major city is 25 percent Muslim thanks to immigration and a high birth rate, and as a general rule, ambulances will not go into their neighborhoods because of the rampant crime. And yet their press claims it's "cowboys" like us who are the source of all the trouble. I hope to God Norway doesn't roll over and take this; if they do, it may well be all over with them.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-51125320939466746782011-07-22T15:42:54.481-04:002011-07-22T15:42:54.481-04:00T-Rav,
Jihad's Little Helpers. . . sounds lik...T-Rav,<br /><br />Jihad's Little Helpers. . . sounds like a collection of morons. But then what isn't when it comes to anything "Islam-based."<br /><br />Yeah, there's no way to sweep this one under the rug. What's interesting is hearing all the Norwegians waking up to reality with this "but we thought our cowardice protected us" line of lament. Why do people actually believe that if they cower to someone who want to kill them that they will be left alone?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-79770021452582618432011-07-22T15:35:36.028-04:002011-07-22T15:35:36.028-04:00Well, it's official--an Islamic group with a n...Well, it's official--an Islamic group with a name I can't pronounce but which translates to Helpers of the Global Jihad or something has claimed responsibility for the Norway attacks. Can't sweep that under the rug. <br /><br />Certain eyewitness reports for the Guardian and the Telegraph say there are over 20 bodies at the camp shooting--some of them shot while swimming in the sea after they had jumped in to escape. And maybe seven more at the bombing site. I'm trying to be a proper Christian and avoid saying I hate these twisted freaks, but...T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-43380970969249465192011-07-22T13:57:41.817-04:002011-07-22T13:57:41.817-04:00T-Rav, It turns out the Norwegian Prime Minister w...T-Rav, It turns out the Norwegian Prime Minister was supposed to attend the youth camp.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-29720985368485735752011-07-22T13:35:58.389-04:002011-07-22T13:35:58.389-04:00T-Rav, The Oslo thing is related to the deportatio...T-Rav, The Oslo thing is related to the deportation of an Imam -- which is how Norway deals with terrorists, it deports them.<br /><br />I don't know what the Labor Party thing is about yet. But I will not be surprised at all if it's Islam related or even if it's just some crazed laborite.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-43966092956633581702011-07-22T13:34:00.013-04:002011-07-22T13:34:00.013-04:00T-Rav, If I were running the Republicans, here is ...T-Rav, If I were running the Republicans, here is what I would have done:<br /><br />1. Get them together first, before you ever say a word (Senate, House, Candidates).<br /><br />2. Get them on the same page for the ultimate goals. Share those goals with guys like Rush and National Review.<br /><br />3. Send them out to tell every camera they can find that Obama is endangering the country and playing politics. ALWAYS remind people this is a Democratic mess we are trying to fix.<br /><br />4. Start sending dozens of spending bills to the Senate. Every time they refuse to vote or vote one down, have everyone hit the press complaining about their unwillingness to consider any cuts.<br /><br />5. Make the point very clearly that some deductions need to come out of the tax code (and that these are not tax hike), but that you will only agree to those if rates are lowered across the board and cuts far exceed these cuts.<br /><br />That's the only way to do something like this.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-66478898560800810452011-07-22T13:26:43.353-04:002011-07-22T13:26:43.353-04:00Just to be clear what I'm referencing in the l...Just to be clear what I'm referencing in the link, what appears to be a car bomb tore apart downtown Oslo, Norway several hours ago. Powerful enough to reportedly shatter windows five blocks away, at least four people were killed, more injured, and there may still be people trapped in the rubble. And then an hour or two ago, a man dressed as a cop opened fire at a Labour Party youth conference outside the city and may have killed several more.<br /><br />Oh, and the British and Norwegian press aren't even trying to pretend anyone other than Islamic terrorists are behind this. So they must have some pretty freaking obvious evidence over there that that's the case.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-42049547233299741642011-07-22T13:23:42.579-04:002011-07-22T13:23:42.579-04:00Andrew, I would be feeling a lot of Schadenfreude ...Andrew, I would be feeling a lot of Schadenfreude if the GOP managed to play that on them. More than anything, though, our side has to get on the messaging. He's the one who essentially stood by and demanded that others work out a deal for him, without lifting a finger himself; he's the one who refused to compromise; he's the one who's willing to let the country default for the sake of political benefits. A few Republicans have been hitting him on this, but not as many as there need to be.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-34998689923003905172011-07-22T13:19:49.517-04:002011-07-22T13:19:49.517-04:00T-Rav, Isolationism is not a good idea. You eithe...T-Rav, Isolationism is not a good idea. You either make your own destiny or you trust your future to random chance and the good natures of your enemies.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here's your link: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/jul/22/oslo-explosion-live-coverage" rel="nofollow">LINK</a>AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-43802868982762900732011-07-22T13:17:04.096-04:002011-07-22T13:17:04.096-04:00Also, still somewhat in regard to Ron Paul, this i...Also, still somewhat in regard to Ron Paul, this is why isolationism is not a good idea:<br /><br />http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/jul/22/oslo-explosion-live-coverageT-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-78409917980987008452011-07-22T13:09:24.299-04:002011-07-22T13:09:24.299-04:00T-Rav, I just read something very interesting. Th...T-Rav, I just read something very interesting. The "big deal" they're talking about would involve immediate cuts, future cuts and <i>future</i> hikes. That sounds a lot like Joel's idea of the other day -- use the Democrat's trick against them: agree to tax hikes in the future, then prevent them from happening after the elections.<br /><br />I'm not sure how likely Obama is to go for that, but I'm reading a LOT of articles about the left being furious at him right now.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-50546907137814139232011-07-22T13:06:16.511-04:002011-07-22T13:06:16.511-04:00Andrew, I read that Jim DeMint is going to bring t...Andrew, I read that Jim DeMint is going to bring the bill up for another vote. That might work, if the GOP uses the time to put more pressure on moderate Dems. And if it passed the Senate, then all the pressure would be on "Option D." Not a likely scenario at this point, but hey, I can dream.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-79696576730522712822011-07-22T11:18:10.660-04:002011-07-22T11:18:10.660-04:00Koshkat, P.S. On the idea of sending cuts to the ...Koshkat, P.S. On the idea of sending cuts to the Obama, I think they should have been doing that all along.<br /><br />Start with things like ObamaCare, etc. And then take it down to the level of "elimination $X billion from the budget of DOE", "elimination of Y program," etc. Just send them dozens and dozens of these things. Then the Democrats either need to start accepting the cuts, blocking the cuts or vetoing them. We win either way.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-44419602030373766682011-07-22T11:15:20.424-04:002011-07-22T11:15:20.424-04:00T-Rav, That's no surprise. That's why the...T-Rav, That's no surprise. That's why the Republicans always needed a backup plan. The question is what happens next?<br /><br />I think everyone is backed into a corner at this point and no one has good options. There is no plan the right will accept from the Republicans except pure cuts. There is no plan the left will accept except pure taxes. And a default would be a total disaster.<br /><br />So what to do? They're damned if they do, damned if they don't. So frankly, the best answer from their perspective is to make a huge deal that they think is best for the country and then suffer the wrath of the voters.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-18000075322071059752011-07-22T11:13:00.217-04:002011-07-22T11:13:00.217-04:00Crispy, I'm glad you've found a home! LOL!...Crispy, I'm glad you've found a home! LOL!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-47043001264436851532011-07-22T11:12:23.389-04:002011-07-22T11:12:23.389-04:00Thanks Koshkat! I've enjoyed doing them, thou...Thanks Koshkat! I've enjoyed doing them, though they are a lot of work -- especially a guy like Paul where there's just so much information. Plus, he's such a lighening rod that sorting out what is real and what isn't is very hard with Paul.<br /><br />What's been interesting to me is finding out that my initial opinions of a lot of the candidates were wrong. Some have been much better and some much worse than I expected. Some (like Trump) were exactly what I expected. It's been interesting, that's for sure.<br /><br />On Paul, there are things I absolutely agree with and I love the fact he's out there beating the drum for the Constitution and civil liberties and freedom. But like you, he also makes me cringe at times.<br /><br />If we could find someone who advocates the good about Paul without the bad, that would be huge. That person would make a heck of a conservative standard bearer!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-21373609969049847152011-07-22T11:11:25.866-04:002011-07-22T11:11:25.866-04:00On the debt issue, the Senate just defeated the Ho...On the debt issue, the Senate just defeated the House bill 51-46. Apparently having the support of two-thirds of voters doesn't mean a thing to Harry Reid.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-2943479405600710212011-07-22T10:57:52.142-04:002011-07-22T10:57:52.142-04:00Oh my gosh, Andrew, I had no idea! I'm sorry I...Oh my gosh, Andrew, I had no idea! I'm sorry I didn't comment last night. I read your piece and it convinced me that Ron Paul has all the answers. I immediately ran off to join his cult and open a "bookstore" downtown.<br /><br />There is no gold in Fort Knox... there is no gold in Fort Knox... there is no gold...CrispyRicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07302075204880024936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-37403972489482853792011-07-22T01:26:04.457-04:002011-07-22T01:26:04.457-04:00Love these candidate reviews. Love Paul but he mak...Love these candidate reviews. Love Paul but he make me cringe at times. <br /><br />As for the debt ceiling, I liked your idea of the house just passing multiple bills one after another tying the ceiling with something substantial. They could aim for individual things such as:<br /><br />Repeal Obamacare<br />Reform tax code<br />Increase age to collect social security<br />Reform Medicare<br />Etc.<br /><br />Just keep doing it so Obama looks like the "party of no".Koshcatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-76260921865449290542011-07-21T23:50:47.299-04:002011-07-21T23:50:47.299-04:00Ed, It is a mess. Check out my article from the o...Ed, It is a mess. Check out my article from the other day about some of the details. But by and large, they keep changing by the minute. It sounds like the Gang of 6 and the McConnell plan are dead. The Tea Party plan will be shot down by the Senate.<br /><br />So we're getting the point of either a small or large deal with Obama or a shutdown. I have no idea where things are going.<br /><br />BUT Grover Norquist today strangely said that letting the Bush tax cuts expire would not be a "tax hike".... weird. But talk radio is going insane about any plan to lower rates but eliminate corporate deductions.<br /><br />It's a strange world right now.<br /><br />On the left, they are furious at Medicare cuts.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-77751205494523684172011-07-21T23:37:31.201-04:002011-07-21T23:37:31.201-04:00Andrew, This debt stuff is getting really confusin...Andrew, This debt stuff is getting really confusing. I tried to read several articles about it tonight and no one seems to know who is proposing what or who will accept what. I'm starting to think we're going to end up with a default by default.Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-56370658861820316692011-07-21T20:45:49.607-04:002011-07-21T20:45:49.607-04:00BTW, For those of you scoring this race at home, w...BTW, For those of you scoring this race at home, we got a new entrant into the race today. Buddy Roemer, the former Gov. of Louisiana.<br /><br />He's a former Democrat and he seems to be in the race simply to argue for campaign finance reform.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com