With the historic day now upon us, we thought it was the least we could do to say a few nice things about Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America. We probably owe it to him after some of the less kind things we've said over the last year, although I stand behind everything we've said.First, we really do hope that Obama is successful in turning the economic state of this country around. This simply isn't fun for anyone... ask anyone whose house has been foreclosed on, who can't pay a bill, or who has lost a job or is nervous about losing one. No matter what one's political leanings are, we simply can't afford to hope that Obama fails, just to prove we were right. Of course, we can hope that he turns things around and then we vote him out in four years, but that's for another post.
Next, so far, it seems that Obama has done a better than expected job with some of his administration picks. Many of them have issues and to be sure, there are some raving liberals (even proclaimed socialists), but on the whole, I think there is more center/balance there than I figured he would have. If you doubt me, read the news accounts of how some of the real left-wing zealots are bitterly disappointed by Obama's picks so far... if they are pissed off, that's gotta be a good thing.
Also, for better or for worse, Obama is enjoying enormous popularity right now. While I personally think that the mainstream media has driven a lot of this, plus a massive movement of people somehow swept up in a wave of groupthink, or simply desperate for a hero/messiah, Obama has the chance to capitalize on that popularity and do some real good for the country. He's going to need it, if he intends to govern from something closer to the center than the Nancy Pelosi/Harry Reid block of the legislative branch, which is enjoying rock-bottom approval ratings right now.
Finally, it's great that the country has elected an African-American as President. While I firmly believe that voting for anyone because of race is just as wrong as voting against someone for their race, there is no denying that racial discrimination has existed and continues to exist in this country, and the struggle for racial equality has been a long one for many, and we're not there yet. But having the first African-American President goes a long way towards fulfilling the dream that all people should be judged on the quality of their character, not their race.
So, let's all take time to congratulate the new President, who stated in his victory speech that he would be 'our' President, too. I hope he meant it, and I wish and pray that he is successful in bringing this country out of the troubled times we find ourselves in today.
10TH DISTRICT REALITY CHECK: In other news, Ellen of the Tenth thinks that the peanut butter/salmonella outbreak is Mark Kirk's fault. No joke.
ALSO HEARD: Congressman Peter Roskam continues to express interest in running for the 'Burris' U.S. Senate seat in 2010, but acknowledges that Mark Kirk will be a "very, very strong candidate"... would Roskam defer to Kirk? Well, Roskam notes that he's a "big Mark Kirk fan." Draw your own conclusions. Frankly, if Mark is going to have a chance, he will need the full endorsement and help of conservatives like Roskam, so we shall see what we shall see...
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15 comments:
Well said!
I am hopeful that President Obama will work closely with people like Congressman Mark Kirk and gather the input from both parties and from all parts of the country. The President has given us that goal and it hopefully will also be the reality.
It is clear to me that Roskam was simply putting his name out there in Senate-land to help nab the Ways and Means assignment. He now has it and now promotes Congressman Kirk...as he should. I believe Congressman Roskam will be a true asset in working with the conservative element of this state in support of Congressman Kirk....should our guy in the 10th decide to get after that much dicussed Senate seat.
About the Lake County Young Republicans: this is great news! We all should do whatever we can to support this group as our current "farm system" of activists with an interest in elective office is as weak as a potential third effort by Dan Seals.
I really miss that guy Seals. If anybody sees him or hears about him....please update us all!
TA, I think the Address today was a good one, not a great one, but certainly a good tone was set. He spoke about what helped build this great country, the risk takers, he alluded to the strength of who we are and what we are as a people. I was especially pleased to hear him talk about those who approach us with the hand of peace. Good sign. We all want our new president to succeed. When he does, we all do.
Let's hope that Peter Roskam uses good judgment. IF Mark Kirk decides that it's in his best interest to run for the Senate Seat in 2010, that Roskam will chair the committee. Too early to make any kind of decision.
As for that sicko with the cat, I thought we decided to just ignore her in the hope that she will disappear. She talks to her herself and that damn cat. It's almost humorous that she is so focused on everything Mark Kirk says, does, thinks and says. I'd say she's just pathetic. Let's go back to ignoring her.
Anon 1:53- you're right about Ellen, and I've been trying to stick to ignoring her, but sometimes it's like a train wreck--you simply can't look away, even thought the sight horrifies you. It does make me chuckle sometimes to hear something bad in the news that has nothing to do with Kirk, but think that, hey, wonder if Ellen will blame this on Kirk?, and lo and behold, somehow, she finds a way. Scary.
If Rep. Kirk runs for the U.S. Senate, Kirk's replacement, in the House, should be St. Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, of the 17th District, which includes Glenview and parts of Northbrook, Wilmette, and Winnetka. She and Kirk agree about many issues, and she's been a legislator since 1999.
Phil Collins
Obama's speech bombed - ask your friends if they can recite one line.
I just don't see Mark capturing the right wing of his party that would otherwise loathe his politics, AND capturing a leftwing state AND raising the $20 million he needs by next march.
It's also helpful to consider that
a)he does navy one weekend a month, limiting time to scoot to other states to fundraise which you have to do at a senate level.
b)has spent the last 4 years locked in around the clock save your seat fundraising and campaigning which would be nothing compared to having to introduce himself to 88 counties and raise money around the country.
c)He has 4 terms of votes in a congress with George W. Bush. As an unknown congressman, he will face the challenge of being defined early by democratic ads without any money.
d)The state GOP is a cycle or 2 away at minimum from being competitive.
FOKLAES
You would have thought that Ellen would have blamed Kirk for the botched swearing in by now. Why not, she blames him for everything else! :-)
Louis G. Atsaves
You are SO right, Lou! While I hope we all continue to just ignore that sicko catwoman, she does seem to be fixated on every move, every word that Mark Kirk says and does. Don't you find all of that bizarre, even bordering on something worse? And why? I'm betting that she's going to come up with some way to tie Mark Kirk into something that wasn't quite right yesterday. That woman needs to get a life outside of stalking Mark Kirk.
TA,
I am glad to see your appreciation for Obama, it makes me hopeful that the Republican Party will act alongside the Obama Administration instead of being a roadblock (by a couple of votes) in the Senate. I was amongst the two million at the Inauguration yesterday and it was incredble how moved everyone was by the ceremony. I spoke with many african-americans who told me stories of things they had done to quietly resist the tacit and blatent violations of their rights in the past. While Obama's speech wasn't at the level of his acceptance speech in Denver or in Chicago, I honestly asked myself what more could he say that hasn't been said? Everyone, regardless of party, knows we have serious problems and that our nation has chosen Obama to lead us in solving them.
It's a real shame that Illinois cannot focus on the positive changes already taking place in DC, but must instead start mobilizing the troops for 2010. Burris only stands a shot if he can author majorly successful legislation in the next 2 years and prove to us that we should keep him. I don't think that Kirk can appeal to Illinois GOP in the south because he's too left for them and he's too far right for those in Chicago, so ultimately he will wind up staying in the 10th. Illinois Senate is still a tossup, but look for someone like Danny Davis or a prominent Chicago democrat to take the seat if Burris doesn't re-run (or they will primary Burris out).
Until Next Time,
A Concerned Colonial
Mark just gave a liberal wacko named Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (think catwoman only with power), who eats saturday breakfast at eastern market, a verbal beating on cspan. I hope team Kirk will put these clips online or aaron lawlor email blast them out to the faithful so that we can see him in action attacking government waste.
CC,
As a member of a party that spent the last 8 years shamelessly attacking President Bush and VPOTUS Cheney, in particular their families, your call for unity is somewhat lame. Most of your party never accepted the President as your leader and you took America to a new low by attacking him abroad and stunts like saying how unproud you were to be an American.
As for Danny Davis, I don't know how happy Illinois is going to be with a Senator like him whose cause celebre has been the rights of convicts. Seems in times like these we would prefer leaders who look out for people that play by the rules rather than those that break them.
Hopefully, Obama can reverse some of the untoward effects of the previous President, the person who ran on a platform of bi-partisanship, small government, and careful spending.
$750 Billion, with half of it having been spent in 3 months, with no strings, no benchmarks for progress, and no requirements like a business plan (like they asked of the auto industry) are not necessarily small government and careful spending.
Mr. Bush borrowed heavily -adding to our current woes- to finance the unnecessary war in Iraq and the unnecessary tax cuts to the people who need it least and who are least likely to spend their additional funds.
Now, Mr. Boehner and Mr. McConnell are complaining about excessive borrowing and excessive spending. It looks like this blog leans quite a bit right, cannot find fault with Republicans, and hasn't learned a darn thing in the last, difficult eight years.
Apparently, despite what the former President and the GOP Presidential candidate said, the fundamentals of the economy have not been close to strong for at least a year.
How about cooperation and really putting country first.
Sara Palin is not putting country first.
Unnecessary wars, strong speech (bring it on?!), and with us or against us is not putting country first.
John McCain the so-called reformer was not putting country first (does Keating or DHL mean anything to you?).
Thank goodness people voted against McCain-Palin.
Finally, although state Repubs claim to be concerned about the junior Senate seat, who did they slate for that very seat the last time around? Jack Ryan and Alan - the Carpet-Bagger - Keyes? GEE THANKS.
Maybe its time for the GOP to re-group and pursue a more Eisenhower-like approach.
TA,
You are really drawing them out of the woodwork. 24 hours in, and already they are in squirm and spin mode.
MarcFeld,
Under Bush this country enjoyed 7 terror (and ACLU liberal crap) free years during which time it had the longest period of uninterrupted economic growth in its history. Watching you and Catwoman aka Ellen Beth Gill, flop like dying fish baking in the sun over Blago, I am seeing what Il Democrats will spend the next 2 years doing-blaming their failures on ol W and Cheney. That's quite something for a party that thinks it is the greatest thing ever because of all its ivy league degrees.
Let's see if you can govern as well as you can defend the rights of Bill Ayeres and sing this land is your land (acoustic version, please).
FOKLAES
I remain completely perplexed here. Someone needs to answer this question which has been hounding me since yesterday:
"How can someone so graceful and agile on a basketball court be such a klutzy dancer?"
Louis G. Atsaves
Bill Ayers?
You mean the guy Canada just turned away at their border? The guy who had to turn around and fly home? The "noted" educator who is "well respected" by his peers?
That Bill Ayers?
Nice to see our neighbors getting it right about the guy. Ayers in the meantime claims that he has no idea why the Canadians punted him out of their own country.
Louis G. Atsaves
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