03/28/2024
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Thoughts While Shaving

I spent my Sunday afternoon learning about Iowa caucuses, and about some of the candidates.  I have deliberately not watched any of the debates.  When the number is reduced and the serious candidates remain, I will spend some time watching and listening.

I switched between CNN, Fox and MSNBC.  Same ‘crap’ on all, just with a different slant.  What I learned from the networks and some follow up using various sources such as Wikipedia, entertaining but not overly impressive.

Front runners:

Donald Trump, a billionaire, according to him, has been a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent between three marriages.  He is attempting to appeal to the religious right, as well as others.  A week or so ago, his primary outside support was coming from Sarah Palin.  She is expected to join Trump again today.  Jerry Falwell, Jr., a leader at Liberty University, was traveling with him yesterday.

Sen. Ted Cruz appears to be his chief challenger at this time.  Cruz was accused, over the weekend by the Iowa Secretary of State, a Republican, of using questionable mailings.  It has been documented that Cruz, apparently has few friends among his party in the US Senate, at least none who have stepped up to offer support.  One of his greatest accomplishments was his attempt to ‘shut down’ Congress.  He is apparently supported by Americans for Prosperity and Citizens United, both advocacy groups.  Americans for Prosperity’s initial funding came from David H. and Charles Koch, philanthropist brothers associated with numerous conservative efforts.  Former Sen. Bob Dole, Sen. McCain and former candidate, Sen. Lindsey Graham are among those who, according to their comments, are not impressed with the Texas Senator.

Marco Rubio, #3 in recent Iowa polls, is a 44 year old with lots of experience in the Florida Legislature, in his first term in the US Senate.  He, Cruz and Ben Carson appear to be in the running to challenge Trump.  There was little room at the top yesterday for Carson and Rubio, very little TV coverage.

Others who have name recognition include Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Rick Santorum, maybe another one or two.  Some have already ‘dropped out’ and over the next 7 to 10 days, there could be more. 

But, Sunday it was primarily Trump, Cruz and to a lesser degree, Rubio.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton, still facing charges related to using her personal email as Sec. of State for ‘classified’ info.  Early on, she was expected to be anointed as the Dem pick for president.  Turns out she is in a ‘dogfight’ in Iowa and New Hampshire with Sen. Bernie Sanders, a 74 year old Independent seeking the Democratic nomination.  Martin O’Malley is still in the running with about 1% of the vote.

New Hampshire is the next stop after tonight’s Iowa caucuses.

Sadly, did not hear anything related to how candidates would deal with national security, how to deal with groups such as ISIS, or the debt our nation faces, or anything about the future of Social Security.  It was the usual topics of discussion that rise to the top at election time and tend to slide down the ‘to do list” following presidential campaigning. Ex. Immigration, abortion, etc.  Oh, I know it is at the top of the list for a few, but for others…election fodder.

One other interesting note.  General David Petraeus will apparently keep his four star ranking and full retirement pay, despite ‘sharing classified information’ with his biographer and lover, a Charlotte resident.  In fact, he apparently is still advising the White House and both parties in Congress.  The former CIA Director, escapes with a “be nice warning” by all.  Maybe he should advise Hillary Clinton on how to ‘make friends and influence people’ in high places.

To be continued.

How you can tell when it’s going to be a Rotten Day:

You want to put on the clothes you wore home from the party last night, and there aren’t any,

Your blind date turns out to be your ex-wife, and finally,

You wife says, “Good morning, Bill,” and your name is George.

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