28.9.08

Good News for Obama

Good News....After the CNN poll showed that Obama had successfully won the first debate according to most Americans ....


" Fifty-one percent of those polled thought Obama did the better job in Friday night's debate, while 38 percent said John McCain did better.

Men were nearly evenly split between the two candidates, with 46 percent giving the win to McCain and 43 percent to Obama. But women voters tended to give Obama higher marks, with 59 percent calling him the night's winner, while just 31 percent said McCain won.

"It can be reasonably concluded, especially after accounting for the slight Democratic bias in the survey, that we witnessed a tie in Mississippi tonight," CNN Senior Political Researcher Alan Silverleib said. "But given the direction of the campaign over the last couple of weeks, a tie translates to a win for Obama."" -CNN



....More good news, Obama nationally has a 8 point lead in the Daily Gallup poll and has now reached 50%. This poling data doesnt have post debate responses..which may give Obama an even larger lead over McCain in the coming days.

"The full impact of the debate and its aftermath will not be reflected in the tracking data until Tuesday's report, which will be based on interviewing conducted Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Still, Gallup's one-day read on the standing of the two candidates on Saturday suggests that Obama held the lead over McCain among registered voters that night, just as he had for the two previous nights." - Gallup

27.9.08

McCain doesn't understand Obama Understands

McCain time after time attacked Obama on foreign policy with possibly a new change again in campaign strategy. Obama showed a lot of poise and calm demeanor in tough attacks. He showed a real separation of real change, versus the Bush Doctrine and the foreign-policy of the last 8 years. The change McCain offers just seems more of the same talking points, and more of the same policies.


26.9.08

Debate Tonight

The First Debate is tonight of course and unfortunately like many other people, I'll be working. The foreign policy section may be short, but look for the key differences on Obama and McCain. Obama will offer a solution that gets the American troops out of Iraq in 16 months. This will be an interesting debate considering the US will loan Wall Street unsaid billions of dollars in addition to the massive deficit it already holds. If Obama can successfully tie the billions a month that we needlessly spend in Iraq (while they run a surplus), with the financial security of our country, then Obama may see a spike in support among undecided voters.

This will be interesting.

25.9.08

Palin Fumbles Opportunity to show Expertise

Sarah Palin fumbled Couric's butter ball of a question. If people were worried about Obama's ability to lead on foreign policy, Palin has butchered another interview. This shows how dangerous of a pick this could be for America. The sooner Palin's honeymoon period comes to an end....the better. Read this and tell me this doesn't concern you at all.


CBS News
"Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don't know, you know … reporters.

Couric: Mocked?

Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state."

Pawlenty leaves Minnesota right when crisis hits

Star Tribune reports - "ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is heading to Europe this weekend.

Pawlenty's office says he flies to Madrid Sunday and on to London on Wednesday as part of a trade mission."


It is nice to know Pawlenty decides to leave the state, right when our economy is hurting. Apparently the projected budget shortfall doesn't mean anything, and a trade mission is in hand. We can spend unsaid amounts of money travelling but can't fund budget priorities. Looks like Pawlenty isn't worried bout job security.

Race getting close according to recent Polls

Pollster.com results show that the senate race is seemingly getting a lot closer after the primary. The four major polls posted in September have an average of Norm receiving a 3.25% lead over Al. With the entry of Barkley, a former Senator, this race is getting interesting. The DFL has the resources to help Franken. Franken should stress his common roots and Midwestern values. This in addition to questionable votes and motives he has shown about Coleman is the formula to success. The race is winnable, especialy with the Economy now in the forefront. Senators shouldn't be getting trips all over the world, when their constiuents can't pay their bills.

MCCain: Above Politics or Political manuevering

Here's the Truth: McCain has suspended his campaign as of this morning. McCain doesn't belong to any key committee, his vote probably won't sway his Republican colleagues, and he hasn't been part of any key negotiations, partly from the fact that he is about 10 days to late to the table.

""I don’t think anyone takes that seriously," said Frank of McCain's suggestion that Friday's debate be delayed. "Sen. McCain trying to use the necessity for his presence to reach a deal that we’ve already reached as a reason to duck the debate is unworthy of him. There is absolutely no reason not to go to the debate."" -Politico

Bailout, but for Who?

The Bailout plan in Washington at a massive 700 Billion. Democrats have successfully negotiated at least preliminarily to help include average citizens. Politico reports that the democrats have given the administration some room to breathe and but with some help for homeowners and average folk that has been stalled for months on Capital Hill. The Bailout Bill hopefully really can help homeowners who have often been coaxed into mortgages
Criticism for the 1st Draft was well placed, oversight, especially with this administration was a must. Further 700 Billion dollars is seemingly coming out of nowhere. This from the same right wing politicians who refuse to offer universal health care or reduced cost education.
Hopefully this bill if nothing else, sways people to expect more from their government. If the government can offer a few wealthy firms on Wall Street, it should be there to help with the everyday struggle of the millions of American living check to check and the 80% who are having a hard time paying their bills.
Congress and the Administration are calling this bill necessary for the economy, and that may be true. Hopefully this bill can help set other priorities. If money exists for Wall Street firms, then there should be more for the citizens who are footed with the bill.
The Bailout Bill hopefully really can help homeowners who have often been coaxed into mortgages.

Why Franken? More like Why Not Norm!

Here is The new Franken Add, it seems his campaign although may be considered turning negative by many, is exploiting the questionable record of Norm Coleman.

While Norm decided to attack Al Franken's passionate remarks of the past make him to ill mannered for Minnesota, many taken out of context, Franken is replying with Adds that show real concerns that Minnesotans should consider. Mostly his ties to business instead of blue collar interests.



Introduction

About Me: My Name is Dane Ryan and I am involved in and a close observer of Democratic-Farmer-Labor politics. I describe myself as an advocate and activist. Politics in my opinion is an engine of change. Politics simply put exists to improve peoples lives. I saw this from a fairly early age, and still remain young now. I am a junior of political science at the University of Minnesota. Previously I had spent time at UM-Duluth in arguably the most blue collar part of the state. I am a proud member of The United Food and Commercial Workers local 653. You might wonder why read another political blog, particularly by a student recently old enough to drink. Well, I feel qualified and that my studies and times on different campaigns gives me a good perspective and has shaped my view. I am particularly interested in populist type politics. The blight of poor people, the massive debt after college, tax policy, worker rights and union protection and the environment among others.

Qualifications:
Writing: Staff Writer for UMD Statesman, regular
Campaigns: 2004 - John Kerry ellection volunteer
2005 - Paul Ostrow City Council Reelection volunteer
2006 - Diane Loeffler for State Representative Reelection volunteer
2006 - Keith Ellison election volunteer
2008 - Obama for Minnesota volunteer

What I want to convey through this blog is not overused talking points that a viewer can't escape on evening talk shows, but a unique perspective from a young American. The Midwest, has long been a hot spot for populist messages, due to the middle class nature of the people here. The key in my opinion to a true populism is the belief in hope for the future. As long as there is space for improvement among the common people of America, populism will be here to stay.
This blog comes from the perspective of middle class student, in debt, working nights at a union job trying to get by and hoping to improve his life and through his work the lives of others too.

“The future will not belong to those who sit on the sidelines. The
future will not belong to the cynics. The future belongs to those who
believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Paul Wellstone