Politics and Truthiness

A Diplomatic Double Standard: Obama won’t talk to Hamas.

ajdipaol — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:48:07 +0000

Time and time again, Barack Obama has claimed as President he would talk to America’s enemies because it is by opening the channels of communication that international progress is made. This is Obama’s stance and includes meeting with leaders from Iran, North Korea and Cuba. He cites JFK and Reagan as examples of past presidents who were not scared to have a discussion with our foes (that the JFK one didn’t go so well, but that’s another posting).

But as Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice is in Israel trying to get the peace process reopened between Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas, Obama, safely back in America declares he will not meet with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This report is according to Tucker Carlson’s show Tucker on MSNBC.

Is this a diplomatic double standard? According to Tucker, Obama says his rationale here is that Hamas refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist. This is followed up with pointing out the cold hard truth that Hamas, though now elected officials, is a terrorist organization. This wouldn’t be an issue if we were talking about the GOP nominee Senator McCain. Let me be clear: the Republicans would not consider talking to Hamas. But Obama is not McCain. And his former stance on talking to America’s enemies is one that he has forcefully defended.

Again, Hamas was elected democratically, but Palestine is not an independent state. Does this matter at all? Maybe in part and maybe not. True, Palestine is not a recognized state, but Hamas is not longer just a non-state actor. The Palestinian situation is a bit different from other situations internationally where groups are seeking independence and the election does matter. If it did not matter, international aid would not have been cut off dramatically to the Palestinians due to Hamas control because they did not immediately end their terrorist ways — as they should to be considered a legitimate organization. But Iran sponsors terrorism and Obama has no problem sitting down with President Ahmadinejad.

Ok, so the real question comes down to this: was Obama again pandering for votes? Was Obama saying what he knew voters in Ohio would respond well to just like he did with the NAFTA debate — even though now he is in a bit of trouble considering accusations that his people told the Canadians not to worry and essentially he was faking his anti-NAFTA stance. Same deal here? According to the Jerusalem Post, the Jewish polulation in Ohio could very well have decided the race. Is Obama really change we can believe in? You decide.

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The end of History and the last (wo)man

ajdipaol — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:31:56 +0000

In the early 1990s, Francis Fukuyama wrote a book called the End of History and the last man, making the argument that all people would eventually live in liberal democracies with the demise of the Cold War.

Fukuyama’s book was referenced on MSNBC last night during their Texas and Ohio primary coverage when Joe Scarborough asked if America was safe. The discussion was based on Hillary Clinton’s 3 a.m. commercial in Texas questioning who is best to answer the red phone in the White House when an international crisis emerges.

Joe asked is the United States safe? This is a good question. There have not been any terrorist attacks in the U.S. since 9/11, but does this actually mean that any threats to the States have been entirely neutralized. But it isn’t just about safety, it is about responsibility. 47% of Americans now believe that the U.S. military should stay in Iraq until the job is done: a stable Iraqi regime. The Democrats should take notice.

Obama answered the 3 a.m. commericial with his own saying that he would not have gone into Iraq in the first place. Ok, but the U.S. army is now there and the question today is not about the past, it is about what is to be done next. Senator Clinton has gone on to say she has a lifetime of experience to bring to the White House. She says John McCain has a lifetime of experience that he would bring to the White House. Barack Obama gave a speech. Burn. But isn’t it true? Wouldn’t there have been pressure on Obama to vote in favor of the war if he were sitting in the Senate? We’ll never know. But that he wasn’t in the Senate in March 2003 shows in and of itself a lack of experience. This lack of experience is not just in national security issues. Senator Clinton has been on the national scene for two decades.

It is too late to stop the Senator from Illinois from getting the Democratic nomination. There will be a lot of pressure on Clinton to bow out now and give the nomination to Obama, despite still garnering a good portion of the Democratic vote nationally. Despite a good showing Tuesday. The fact that the Republicans are coming together behind McCain when it was the GOP who were supposed to go to the national conference in September splintered is a fact no one was anticipating.

It may very well be the end of history for Senator Clinton after all is said and done in Ohio, Vermont, Rhode Island and Texas. But let me say this:

The longer Clinton clings to her political life in this primary campaign, the more she helps the Republicans. And maybe that is exactly what her campaign is trying to do! Clinton’s quote pumping up McCain over Obama having the right experience to be fit for the Oval Office will hurt the Democrats in November. One could possibly construe the situation where the Clinton camp may actually want McCain to win in November, and get that nomination four years from now to run again in 2012. Hmmm….

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Open NAFTA and lose America’s #1 Energy Provider

ajdipaol — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:13:14 +0000

During the final Democratic candidates’ debate before the Ohio and Texas primaries, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both recently committed to renegotiating NAFTA or revoke the treaty altogether. While Clinton guaranteed voters that she was confident a Clinton presidency would result in successful negotiations, Obama did not offer such a strong guarantee of success, thus leaving a real possibility that the end of NAFTA could in fact occur. But are such threats sincere? The Canadian embassy in Washington and Obama’s campaign denied a CTV (Canadian Television) report that Austen Goolsbee, a senior adviser for the Illinois Senator, called the Canadian Ambassador, Michael Wilson, within the past month to let him know that Mr. Obama would be criticizing NAFTA, but that it was “just campaign rhetoric.” Merely campaign rhetoric, or not, making it a campaign guarantee is enough to warn voters about the disaster even renegotiation would result.

Clinton and Obama have been criticized for their position from notable Republicans such as President Bush and the presumptive GOP nominee, Senator John McCain. Bush focused his attacks on the growth of all member states economies under NAFTA. In a press conference on February 28, Bush noted that the agreement “has meant prosperity on both sides of our borders, north and south. And I believe it’s in the interests to continue to seek markets for our farmers, ranchers and businesspeople.” The President then urged the Congress to pass the free trade agreement with Colombia that is current being considered. Senator McCain’s focus was on the jeopardizing of military support, noting that the American and Canadian trade and national security efforts are “interconnected with each other.” Valid points, both. However, NAFTA supporters have yet to point out the bigger problems associated with opening negotiations on the treaty or worse still, scrapping it altogether.

Surely it is the case that when presidential candidates list as a priority the desire to lessen their dependence on foreign energy sources, it is clear they do not mean making it possible for foreign governments to deny selling the resource to them. But if NAFTA is opened up for renegotiations, easy and guaranteed access to oil could be limited or worse still denied. Canada is the number one source of oil for the United States, not Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Venezuela. Oil shipments from Canada to the U.S. averaged 1.86 million barrels a day in 2007. Saudi Arabia was a distant second, shipping on average 1.46 million barrels each day. Canada is not only the largest source of energy for the United States. As the Canadian Trade Minister, David Emerson, noted Canada is also the most stable supplier of energy imports to the United States.

The potential loss of access to oil is not the only thing the American presidential hopefuls should be weary about. If the Democrats open up NAFTA for renegotiation, the Canadians and Mexicans will also have some issues to renegotiate. The dispute-resolution mechanism is the number one gripe of NAFTA for Canadians. Most arbitrations using the NAFTA mechanisms have been decided in favor of the U.S. much to the anger of the Canadian Government for years. The Mexican government may also have a thing or two to complain about. The Democratic presidential hopefuls must understand that NAFTA is not a one-way street and no one seems to be pointing that out. Nor has there been enough emphasis on the fact that NAFTA is not causing the problems with which the voters of Ohio are really concerned.

In the last five years, Ohio has lost 180 000 jobs. However, Derek Burney, the former Canadian Ambassador to the United States, has recently pointed out in a piece written for The Globe and Mail that those who have lost jobs in Ohio have not lost them to Canada or Mexico but rather China and India. Furthermore, there have been positives in the Ohio economy, arguably, as a result of NAFTA. The jobless rate in the state has actually gone down since the 1994 levels, factory output has grown, and exports have gone up 10% every year since the deal was signed.

When deciding who will be the next President in November, voters need to consider the importance of NAFTA and the damage revoking it would do to not only the American economy but that of the entire North America. There has been a gain of 25 million jobs in the United States since 1993. The Canadian economy grew an average 4.1% each year under NAFTA, the American economy 3.8% and Mexico, 3.5%. North American economies share a common challenge from global competition, one that can be slightly mitigated because “NAFTA offers a singular bulwark” in trying to maintain its stance amongst such competition. This argument was used by Al Gore in a debate against Ross Perot. Burney suggests that maybe Mr. Gore would like to “share this ‘inconvenient truth’ with his fellow Democrats.”

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ajdipaol — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:39:23 +0000

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ajdipaol — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:38:44 +0000

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One step closer to the White House: McCain wins FL GOP race and Fox News is a little less dead to me…

ajdipaol — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 04:43:07 +0000

Today was my last day in Florida. In mere hours I will be making my way to the Tampa International Airport. Boo. This has been one of the most fun and amazine experiences. I’ve made friendships that I believe may last forever. I learnt first hand how a campaign works to generate support from a grassroots level. For example, you know how when you watch one of the rallies on tv and you see all those signs in the background that says “Mac is back” or “Florida loves McCain” etc.? The campaign makes them and hands them out to supporters to hold up! Yeah.

Dan, my drive for the week and the person I got to know the most over the course of the week, picked me up at my hotel at 8:45. The volunteers started to make their calls before 9 am. I made calls until 11:30 and then I went to a fundraiser for McCain. About 100 people each paid at least a minimum of $1000 to have lunch with the Senator. The Senator spoke for about 10 minutes and then he made sure everyone who was there had the chance to shake his hand and say a little something something. I was manning the sign in table with Selby Bush, who’s dad’s name is George. When the event started, we got to go in.

I got to talk to the Senator again and tell him where I was from and why I went all the way to Florida. He listened to me and everyone’s stories as we all wanted to talk to McCain as if we knew him. I really enjoyed this moment. After the lunch, I got to hang out with some staffers for McCain. Also a good time. Finally, we went back to the campaign office to make more calls. But this time, my steam was running out. I was tired. I wanted polls to close. We turned the tv and this would end up distracting me all afternoon…more on that later. Just scroll down…

Eventually polls closed and we waited impatiently for the returns. We were told by the Tampa commissioner that the candidate’s headquarters where the main Fox reporter was when the polls closed was who the news channel thought was gonna win based on their exit polls. I was excited to see him at McCain headquarters.

Speaking of Fox…Sean Hannity is still dead to me, but Fox News and I are repairing our strained relationship. This afternoon, I was on FOX News for about 10 or 15 seconds having my picture taken with John McCain at the rally yesterday. I was talking to Gary, this awesome salesman, when everyone started yelling Amanda, Amanda, and then I looked and saw myself on the big 60” tv. I called my mom and she says she’ll tape it for me so if she does, I’ll be hauling out the VCR to show everyone each chance I get!

In the end, my boy won by a margin of 36%-31%, more than 100 000 votes. John McCain won a Republican primary where only Republicans could vote. This was huge. It means Republicans can and did support McCain. Tomorrow morning it is suggested that Rudy is dropping out and endorsing McCain. Sweet. The Senator is unstoppable. He’s now the frontrunner. Those who were worried about the economy voted for McCain more than Romney, Romney’s strength. National Security, 47% of these voters went with McCain. Catholics went with McCain. Hispanics went more than 50% with McCain. It’s done. He’ll be our candidate and he’ll be our next President of the United States.

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Voting Day: 8 am Est.

ajdipaol — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:14:41 +0000

The polls have been open for over an hour. According to CNN, turnout is going to be extraordinary high. This helps McCain. The more people who vote, the more moderates vote. Usually in the primaries it is the traditional base of the party that will take the time to vote. This year, however, there is another issue attached to the primary ticket that people need to vote on. I have no idea what it’s about, but apparently, it is highly contentious and everyone wants their say. This is good news. …Next post, sometime tonight or early in the morning depending on the results.

I’m off to call people who identify themselves as McCainiacs to make sure they voted and voted for the Senator…

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FOX News and the State of the Union

ajdipaol — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:10:59 +0000

This morning, Fox News reported that McCain and Romney were basically tied. They did not give the numbers. The numbers were in fact 33% McCain and 30% Romney according to Reuters. This is hugely significant. Why? Because McCain beat Huckabee in South Carolina by that same 3% margin.

With this information as background information, I’m putting Fox News on notice! I’ve always been a fan. I’d stick up for it when no one else would. Why? Because it is their job to provide a right wing news agenda as an alternative to what conservatives consider to be a left wing mainstream media. But since arriving in Florida, I’ve noticed that the good folk at Fox News will do anything to ensure that Senator John McCain does not get the Republican nomination. They are relentless. They attack him and make fun of him. They might as well openly support Mitt Romney. Again, Fox News, you’re on notice. And Sean Hannity, you’re dead to me!

At for the State of the Union address, I’m going to say one thing. According to polls right after the almost hour long speech, reports suggest that it was very well received. Democrats and Republicans alike loved it. Bush hit a home run! He even made huge funny. And with his war on earmarked spending, I’m hoping this will translate into support for McCain tomorrow! Here’s hoping.

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Proof that grassroots efforts work!

ajdipaol — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:19:33 +0000

I made phone calls today to supporters who have listed they were Mike Huckabee supporters but put McCain as their number 2 choice. This was fun. I informed them, if they had not already changed their minds, that a vote for Huckabee was really a vote for Romney because Mitt and McCain were so close in the polls and Governor Huckabee was too far behind to catch up. This was highly effective. And I had fun doing it.

One thing I noticed about Huckabee supporters was that they were really nice people. I was blessed a good 50 times. I only had a handfull of hangups. These people would listen and speak to me even if they would not move from Huckabee to McCain. But many of them were open to changing position. They like McCain more than Romney, for a variety of reasons. They weren’t dumb and can see the polls. Huckabee isn’t going to win in Florida or the nomination. As a matter of practicality, Huckabee was losing support to McCain so Romney wont’ win. After a day of phone calls, I started to feel caustiously optimistic about tomorrow.

Today I was also able to talk, very briefly, with Senator McCain and he posed for a picture with me. As soon as I get back to Fredericton, I’ll post it online. The other pics I posted were from a CD that a fellow volunteer had burnt for me.

The last rally for McCain before the voting tomorrow took place in Tampa. This guy, Shannon, told me I could be one of the people who stood behind the Senator on stage. I was freaking out with glee and made the fatal error of admitting I’m Canadian. Most people think this is cool. Shannon, not so much. He got me to play security to where the Senator would be making his way out to the stage until showtime at which point he would let me on the stage. Then just as McCain is set to take stage, he tells me he’s only letting Florida residents on stage because they can actually vote for the Senator. Well excuse me, but if you are at a rally for John McCain, chances are, you are there to support the Senator. I complained to anyone of importance who would listen. The other guy doing security with me travels from state to state with team McCain. He was on my side. So was everyone else who would listen to me but this other security guy would make the whole difference in the end.

The rally starts. The crowd goes crazy. McCain and the Governor of Florida enter. They speak. McCain gives the stump speach that I have heard him give now in person three times in the last 4 days. I wonder how many times he says it each day. I know today, he was scheduled to be in three cities. As I recite his words in my head as he tells the same stories with the same passion as though it were the first time the words left his mouth, the twenty minute rally was over as soon as it began, or so it seemed.

Back to the man doing security with me. First of all, he and another Team McCain-er, got the guy from gettyimages to take pictures of me with the Senator. Very cool. The photographer gave me his business card and told me to send him my address and he would send me a nice picture of me with the future President of the United States. Then, the nice man asked who at times drives around the Senator’s wife, Cindy, asked a girl who was an assistant to McCain to make sure I got a picture with the Senator. She took my camera and told the Senator I was a volunteer and really deserved a photo. He shook my hand and I said I flew over 2000 miles to campaign on his behalf in Florida. He said thank you, said it was great and told me he appreciated my support and efforts. The pictures were snapped. I was again supper happy.

But back to Shannon. Don’t tell people you are going to do something if you aren’t and then just change your mind on a whim because you won’t get a vote. Especially if you are on team McCain. McCain stands for integrity, honesty and doing the right thing. Something tells me that the Senator would not approve. In fact, this aid was so stereotypically Republican that he is what those who hate Republicans think of when they think of Republicans. Square, boring and thinks that wearing a monograph on your shirt is cool. As for team McCain in general, everyone else has been so nice and accomodating. These people care about getting the Senator elected and now that it is the volunteers, the grassroots efforts, that really make the difference. I thank them for their hospitality.

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Fighting for every last vote

ajdipaol — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:04:35 +0000

Click on the thumbnail pictures to see larger versions.

Today, I got up at 5:30. Mary Kay was picking me up at 6:15. We were heading to Catholic churches with really nice flyers geared towards Catholics who might be interested in supporting the Senator. The leaflets pointed out that McCain’s kids went to Catholic schools. He’s pro-life, pro-family and is a Reagan conservative, not an evangelical one. We handed out flyers from 7:30-noon.

We actually got kicked off one church by a man we think was a priest. He said that the church did not allow any political propoganda. I’m assuming he meant his church because when I lived in the USA, the priest told us to vote Bush every week, months and months before any elections.

But Mary Kay, also Catholic, and I started to feel guilty about being on church property. At the same time, we were gung-ho on doing it and in fact we had volunteered days earlier. Why? Because Catholics won McCain the New Hampshire primary. Romney had a several point lead but in the last weekend, churches were hit all state over and McCain won, with a large majority of Republican Catholics supporting his candidacy. We wanted to do something that was proven to improve McCain’s chances. Rudy Guiliani and McCain are fighting for Catholic votes. We’ll see who wins out, but America’s Mayor has lots a massive amount of steam, to the benefit of Romney it would appear, not McCain. I say this because the latest poll has McCain and Romney both at 30%. So hitting up my fellow Catholics was essential and a state-wide strategy to garner support. And with so many voters still undecided for Tuesday’s primary, every strategy must help…

Speaking of strategies, I saw a Mitt Romney sign and I nabbed it. I’m bringing it home, mom. That right there must have saved McCain five votes!

We got back to the campaign office at around 1pm. Mary Kay was tired and just dropped me off and left. I hit the phones and didn’t leave until after 8pm. I made calls all afternoon and night. If a voter said they were a Huckabee supporter, I told them a vote for Huck. is a vote for Mitt. This was a successful strategy. If they said they were a Mitt supporter, I would point out his more liberal policies as Governor of MA. If the voter was undecided, I’d point out that national polls show that McCain would beat either Clinton or Obama and that all other Republican candidates will lose the national election. I was successful on the phone and enjoyed it a lot.

I don’t know the extent of how many people all over the state are calling on behalf of the Senator, but I can only hope everyone will be called. Romney sent out automated phone calls. McCain had real people calling, me one of them. This is huge because people would comment how nice to hear a real person.

Despite the good campaigning, I fear Mitt Romney is going to win. Now a loss in Florida may actually not matter if McCain can pull out a win in New York and California, but the chances are that if he loses on Tuesday, it’s over and Romney will carry it on Super Tuesday, February 5th. Of course, no one in the McCain camp would admit this openly.

Tomorrow, there are more calls to make and McCain’s final rally is taking place in Tampa. Of course, I’ll be attending.

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