Coyote Gulch

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Obama for president?
Western Democrat: "And how will Barack play out in the West? Barack Obama does not fit the stereotype of an Easterner, an elitist, or a member of the establishment; whatever you may conceive those things to be. He doesn't fit any stereotypes at all. But if I had to describe his style, the words that come to mind are from the poet Genevieve Taggard: natural, American, sweet and easy.

"Above all, Barack is a candidate who can transcend boundaries. He can transcend race and party and region. He is not running as a man of color, or as a liberal Democrat, or as a blue-state Senator from the Midwest. He is running as a candidate for Americans of all races, parties, and regions. And that will appeal to a lot of Western Democrats."

Blogs for Bush: "Official Blogs for Bush commentary on Sen. Obama's presidential announcement: He hasn't the experience; Certainly the most impertinent Presidential campaign since Wilke in 1940; Should he get elected, his ultra-liberal policy proposals will just be more-of-the-same political gamesmanship when placed into practice; Democrats would be monumentally stupid to nominate anyone else because ONLY Obama can win at least two or three States won by President Bush twice."

Curious Stranger: "I'm not sure he's got the experience needed to clean up the broken mess the Republicans will be leaving us all in 2008, but he's certainly an intriguing candidate."

Andrew Sullivan: "Mark Steyn makes a predictable jab at Barack Obama's defense of his foreign policy credentials."

Captains Quarter's: "He only has two years of national office under his belt, and has not even faced a credible opponent. He has few legislative accomplishments for his resumé, and no executive experience at all. For the Democratic Party in 2008, that apparently makes Barack Obama the #2 candidate for the Presidential nomination behind Hillary Clinton, a position Obama assumed with his official announcement of candidacy."
"2008 pres"
9:05:08 AM

War on terror
Austin Cline (via Jesus' General): "This week I'd like to write about the same topic I was going to address last week -- it was more timely last week, perhaps, but it never goes out of style: the conservative, Republican use of fear as a political weapon against internal enemies, dissenters, and political opponents."

Deep Blade Journal: "Prepping public for attack on Iran."

Daily Kos: "John McCain thinks he knows why things aren't going so well in Afghanistan. [From a Reuters article:] 'Senator John McCain, a Republican contender for the White House in 2008, chastised Europe on Saturday for failing to supply the troops and money to win in Afghanistan and said NATO's future was at stake. In tough comments that singled out specific countries, McCain told NATO allies to move beyond the 'false debate' over security and development priorities in Afghanistan -- a dispute that dominated a defense ministers' meeting earlier this week. Instead, Europe should follow Washington's lead and put more forces and resources into the war effort.'"

Arnaud de Borchgrave: "At a farewell reception at Blair House for the retiring chief of protocol, Don Ensenat, who was President Bush's Yale roommate, the president shook hands with Washington Life Magazine's Soroush Shehabi. 'I'm the grandson of one of the late Shah's ministers,' said Soroush, 'and I simply want to say one U.S. bomb on Iran and the regime we all despise will remain in power for another 20 or 30 years and 70 million Iranians will become radicalized.'

"'I know,' President Bush answered.

"'But does Vice President Cheney know?' asked Soroush.

"President Bush chuckled and walked away."

Thanks to Talking Points Memo for the link.
"2008 pres"
8:46:36 AM

First Dem Presidential debate February 21st
The Democratic presidential candidates are gearing up for a forum in Carson City, Nevada on the 21st. Here's an opinion piece about the new found western influence on presidential politics from the Nevada Appeal. From the article, "As a registered Democrat (believe it or not) who is thoroughly disillusioned with President Bush and the Republicans, I'm looking for a moderate Democrat to back for president in 2008 - someone like New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who made an early campaign stop in Minden late last month...

"During an early debate among Democratic presidential hopefuls in Carson City on Feb. 21, we'll have a firsthand opportunity to hear what they say about Yucca Mountain and other western regional issues, and we should rule out any of them who don't know how to pronounce the name of our state. To paraphrase an old movie, The politicians are coming! The politicians are coming! Run for the hills."
"2008 pres"
7:42:32 AM