Friday, May 27, 2011

Bush Lite/Obama Heavy

I'll admit it here. I'm kind of intrigued by this Huntsman guy (Jon Huntsman, the former Republican Governor of Utah, U.S. Ambassador to China, and a fellow currently contemplating a Presidential run). a) He's a moderate and b) well, he's a moderate!...................................................................................................And it isn't just my testimonial at work here. In a move that even seemed to surprise the host herself, Ralph Becker, the very liberal mayor of Salt Lake City, went on the Rachel Maddow Show and pretty much unreservedly praised Huntsman. For a brief moment, I thought that maybe his goal was to try and sink Huntsman among the Republicans....until I realized, "Republicans, they hardly ever watch Maddow!"....................................................................................................So, there it is, folks. We truly DO seem to have a moderate running this time. Of course, the real question is, what kind of a campaign is this here moderate going to run? Is he going to run a John McCain, circa 2000, campaign - an insurgent/outsider/new kind of Republican campaign that attempts to appeal to Democrats and Independents as well as Republicans? OR, is he going to run a John McCain (or, even worse, a Mitt Romney), circa 2008, campaign - a campaign in which he flip-flops/runs away from his record? So far, folks, the record is mixed. While, yes, he's so far retained his support for civil unions and sensible climate legislation, he's also stated that he indeed WOULD HAVE voted for the Ryan plan. Granted, it looked like he was being force-fed cow crapolla to say it, but he did.......................................................................................................Me, I'm kind of hoping that he doesn't veer too far off. Don't (as the McCain of 2000 so convincingly uttered) be so afraid to lose. That's what I'd be saying to him.

11 comments:

Commander Zaius said...

My fellow liberals will probably condemn me but I'm not out to crucify Ryan. I don't agree with the details of his plan but and how it includes even more tax breaks for the rich but something has to be done to fix/save Medicare.

Getting back on point, Huntsman does seem a "moderate" and I sure as Hell like him better than Romney but the primary systems, in both parties, does not promote moderates. So how long he stays within reasonable bounds is very unclear.

Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...

Double b, the thing that bugs me most about Mr. Ryan is the fact that he doesn't even address the Pentagon. I mean, come on, the guy couldn't find one unnecessary base to close, one unnecessary weapons system to discontinue? THIS, my friend, is the Republicans' sacred cow...........Yeah, you're probably right about Huntsman. By the time that this is over, he's probably going to more closely resemble Rick Parry than Gerry Ford.

Rusty Shackelford said...

Guy's you have to at least give Ryan credit for bringing out a plan.Not one dem has said a word about modifying either Medicade,Medicare or Social Security.Ryan had the balls to touch the third rail.

Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...

True, Russ. When they asked Mrs. Pelosi what her plan was, she said, "Yeah, I have a plan, it's called Medicare."

Dervish Sanders said...

I do give credit to, and commend Paul Ryan for having the balls to put this plan forward. Republicans want to dismantle the social safety net in order to give MORE tax breaks to the wealthy. I hope they all embrace it... and are soundly defeated in 2012.

After the Democrats take back the House and make huge gains overall... perhaps then, instead of compromising with them, President Obama can tell the Republicans to go screw themselves.

Huntsman isn't going to be the nominee. As for that airing of the Rachel Maddow Show you're referring to... boy did Rachel screw up (again)! The guest is supposed to TRASH Republicans, not praise them.

Rusty Shackelford said...

WD,am I wrong here but did'nt Obama have a majotity in both the house and senate until last Nov..
During that period they could'nt even pass a budget.Damn good leadership from Obie.

Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...

I like the fact that Ryan is bringing competition into it/decentralizing things. But without a strong regulatory component that (for example) penalizes companies that discriminate against preexisting conditions, etc., the Ryan plan is unworkable. The fact that elderly people are hard to ensure was a big reason why Medicare was started.

Dervish Sanders said...

What I like about the Ryan plan is how it proposes we kill thousands of seniors by issuing them a voucher that is worth significantly less than what their actual health care costs will be.

We already allow 45000 people a year to needlessly die, but the Republicans think we can do a lot better. The Democratic commercial showing Paul Ryan throwing grandma over a cliff is the plan in a nutshell.

I'm sure the for-profits are chomping at the bit to "compete" to lose money insuring oldsters.

The Republicans are the real death panel party, and the voters will send them packing in 2012 over their vote to kill Medicare/Old people. Or at least the ones who aren't dumb or rich enough to cover their own health care costs will.

Will: I like the fact that Ryan is bringing competition into it.

Because a bunch of companies competing to insure oldsters can deliver a price that's lower than the government doing the job not-for-profit? Care to explain how that's possible?

As for Rusty, I think he needs to get back on his meds ASAP. I don't know what ailment he suffers from, but apparently memory loss is a symptom.

BB-Idaho said...

Huntsman accepts that if a majority of climate scientests observe global warming, it must exist.
That sort of unique stance
will do him in in the GOP
primaries...principle, you know.

Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...

Profit isn't always a bad thing, wd. It makes people money. It employs people. It fosters efficiency. It helps create tax revenue. It helps create charitable giving from folks. YES, THERE ARE ABUSES AND EXCESSES. And, yes, that's why we need a modicum of regulation and oversight. But, overall I'd rather have a choice that gives me quarter from the same folks who gave us Amtrak, the Post Office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, ethanol subsidies, hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars in duplication, waste, etc.. We're a flat-out mixed economy, wd. The far right DOES need to realize that......and so do you.

Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...

Hi BB-Idaho. Welcome. Yeah, Huntsman. I kind of hope that he doesn't run. I like the guy and would really hate to see him pull a Romney/grovel.