Freeh for Giuliani

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh as publically stated that he will endorse Republican Candidate Rudy Giuliani. Freeh was the director of the FBI from 1993 to 2001. Giuliani says that being backed by a top U.S. law enforcement officer is a key factor in his campaign, which is focused on national security and the war on terrorism.
Freeh also compliments Giuliani for his hard stance in fighting crime and saying that Giuliani is the force that helped turn New York City around.
Freeh had a falling out with Former President Bill Clinton during his years as director due to his lack of effort in the war on terror as well as the affair he had with the White House intern. Freeh has written a book about his fight against organized crime, the war on terror, and his investigation on President Clinton.
What Giuliani says is true. Having a former FBI Director publically state that he supports Giuliani will have a lot of people be confident in Giuliani's actions against security. Freeh resigned in June 2001, before the 9/11 attacks so people won't be able to correlate the FBI's lack of information, but someone out there is bound to tie in something with Freeh. Someone always does. Regardless, my blog digresses. I'll write about my class and having Hugh Hewitt as a guest tomorrow.

Guiliani Hits Up B-Game

The candidates made their visit to California today, and Republican Candidate Rudy Giuliani made a visit to my hometown of Burlingame. Burlingame is full of rich, white, conservative people who come from old money. Giuliani, who is pro choice and pro gay marriage, is one of those "liberal" republicans and I feel that there are a lot those swing voters where I'm from. Actually, younger voters are more likely to swing to whoever gets the most checks on their checklist regardless of their political affiliation. Voting is different now and people aren't loyal to their parties anymore. Giuliani said that the early primaries have turned California into a political "ATM" as he visited one of his contributers at the Broadway Grill. I haven't been there, but when I go home, I'll make sure to make a visit.

Romney is Generous?

Republican Mitt Romney stated that if he were elected president, he would his Presidential salary of $400,000 a year, to charity. While Governor, he declined his salary of $135,000. Of all the candidates, Romney is the wealthiest with assets estimating from $190 million to $250 million. Romney was a venture capitalists and made good choices in investing his money. As a devout Mormon, he is required to donate 10% of his salary to the Church of Latter-day Saints to be in good standing with the church. I guess he's used to donating money to organizations and quite frankly, it doesn't seem like he needs the money anyways. It just goes to show how some gestures from candidates make them stand out more than others. As an elected official, it seems somewhat obligatory for one to give up their salary. The public wants someone for their leadership, not someone who does it for the money. If you think about it, everyone who runs for an office, is somewhat well off anyways. They usually have enough money to fund their own campaign and has something to fall back on after. Other candidates were probably thinking the same, but Romney was fastest to get on the ball.

Obama on Mental Health

Today, Senator Obama said that he would invest hundreds of millions of dollars for the mental health care of our troops and veterans. Seems fit for the Memorial Day weekend. This weekend is the time for us to remember those who've given their lives for our country. Obama's speech for the improvement of the mental health care of our troops now should score him big points with the veterans and those who strongly support our troops. He's using this weekend to bring in support from the highest demographic of U.S. voters. Its been proven that the biggest demographic of U.S. voters are the elderly/older people. It's funny because I've never heard of Obama and his stance on mental heath until today, and it happens to fall on Memorial Day weekend. Anyways, candidates say things for certain crowds and usually promises made pre-victory are often sketch.

Edwards Talks War

Today, Democrat John Edwards stated that the "global war on terror" has become a doctrine created by the Bush Administration which has strained military resources and "emboldened" terrorists. He says we need a post Bush, post 9/11, post Iraq War point of view in order to move on and finish what needs to be done. He gave several steps he would do as President to strengthen the military. He would improvie civilian-miltary relations, only use force on national security missions, and finally, weed out mismanagement in the Pentagon. He would create a national security budget to include many of the agencies which misuse the term "national security" for personal monetary gains. More funding would go into military recruitment as well. His main goal for this statement was to show the country his stance on one of the hot debate topics and to show his leadership skills. Although many specutlate that this was a wrong tactic due to the fact that he is using the troops to improve his image. His statement today was to show that American People that he's comfortable with his stance on the war and the military. He isn't making any flip flop statements about his stance on the war and feels that the public should know his stance on the war.

Bill Richardson is in!

Today, democrat Bill Richardson officially announced his entrance into the Presidential race and publically appealed to Hispanics. His intention was to target the "fastest growing voting block" in the country and stated that he wasn't doing it on purpose, but to show that he understands some of the gameplay mechanics. He announced his candidacy in both English and Spanish stating that he is not exclusively a Hispanic, but as an American Governor representing the state of New Mexico. The reason why he is reaching out to Hispanics is because they don't even know who he is. Which is true because powerhouses like Clinton, Obama, and Edwards dominate the polls and ratings. The third party democrats only have about 2% of the total ratings and get way more facetime in every aspect of media. Everywhere you turn its a commercial about Obama, Clinton, or Edwards on TV, the Internet, or radio. By reaching out to the Hispanic community, Richardson would have a voter base. He openly debates on the immigration issues in Congress and states that those who are the head of the household raising money for their families in another country should be sent back, but let back in with the rights for a citizenship for re-entry.

Clinton Pushes for New Orleans

Senator Hillary Clinton was the commencement speaker at Dillard University today and said that it was an obligation for the United States to restore New Orleans to its former glory. Dillad University was one of thse schools that was heavily hit by Hurrican Katrina. The damages estimated around $400 million and the school is still recovering. Clinton proposed having a "recovery manager" who would report directly to the White House in order to see that preperations were being met. With hurricane season only a few months away, many wonder if New Orleans could actually withstand another hurricane of Katrina's calibur. The public was skeptical about how our government had handled the aftermath of Katrina. Some say the government was to slow to react to the disaster, and some say the government isn't even doing much at all.

Giuliani = $17million?

Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani stated today in his finance report that he is currently worth $17 million. This is from one year of working. He made about $11.4 million giving speeches and publican appearances. He also made about $4 million from his NY bases consulting firm, $1.2 million from his Houston law firm, and about $150 grand in royalties from his book. I understand that these appearances are for rich people who pay about $500 a head a pop. Sometimes these dinners go for about $1000 and its ridiculous. Anyways, that's just about the same for any other front running candidate. Or...at least the more famous ones. Rudy also got a strong political support base after the 9/11 attacks. Portrayed as the strong and dedicated leader of NYC, he has had a political following ever since.
How is it that his one man can generate millions of dollars in one year? How are all these rich people just giving their money to a man that might be president? All these people are attending these poshy events and not caring about the other issues surrounding the presidential campaign. This is the first time ever, that there are different aspects to the campaign. Race, gender, even age are components of this new presidential race. I digress. I have nothing more to say. The next one will be better. I promise.

Romney + Abortion

Mitt Romney has been questioned about his views on abortion recently. As a republican candidate, his conservative views should point him in the direction for a pro-life and anti-abortion stance, but while serving as Governor of Massachusetts, he signed a program that uses tax payers dollars to support health-care, which included abortions. Also, his wife Anne Romney made a $150 donation to Planned Parenthood. Now digging up old graves might seem shady from different points of view, but having a candidate waiver his opinions in controversial issues such as abortion shows signs of weakness to the American voters. Its like having a President who can't make up his mind for what to do in Iraq. Pull troops out? Keep them in? Maybe for a few months? We'll wait till the elections are over? This teeter tottering of decisions can't be good for a candidate. Also, Romney's wife makes donations to an organization in which her husband is not supposed to favor? She could possibly be the next First Lady and if she and her husband are not on the same boat, it is not going to be a smooth Presidency. She could possibly do her own charity work or lead separate lives like FDR and Eleanor, but they have to at least be on the same page on certain controversial issues. I just think this was a folly and will blow over soon.

McCain + Abortion

John McCain was in Iowa today campaigning and said outright that a Republican who supports abortion would probably not get a nomination, and even if they did, the odds would be against them. I agree to some degree because Republicans are usually conservative with their religious views. Conservatives are usually against abortions due to their beliefs on life. They believe that the moment the baby is conceived, is when the life actually begins. Therefore, aborting the embryo would then be ending a life. Its true that Republicans are mostly conservative and Democrats believe in pro choice, but many politicians reaching into both bowls now. You could have a very liberal republican, and a very conservative democrat. Within each party, there are those from one side who favor certain issues that are characteristically view points from the other side. Roe v. Wade keepings getting brought up and I can see why candidates always use it as a big vote grabber. People are very passionate about pro choice and pro life, and it is going to be an on going struggle and campaign hotplate for candidates. Those who make a better stance on pro choice are going to get the liberal vote. Those who make the better pro-life campaign are going to get more conservative votes. It could get messy.

Clinton+School Reform

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had two appointments in Ohio today. She first stoppded by John Hay High School and gave a speech to about 300 people. This school and school district, according to the US Census Bureau, is one of the struggling school districts in the nation. She says that if she were elected president, she was work to revise the "No Child Left Behind Act" from 2002. She quotes, "but one of the saddest parts about whats happening [with the No Child Left Behind] is that schools are cutting so much in their curricula because they are trying to keep up with demands in unfunded mandates." Her second stop was at Wilberforce University where she was the commencement speaker. This university is historically a black college dating back to 1856. She has urged the graduating class of 225 with 4000 in the crowd, "don't let anyone wear you down to the point where you believe it is not worth trying to change your society any longer." Her speech lasted 25 minutes and she touched upon several campaign issues such as Iraq. Her plan to pick up education has been viewed by many as her strongest point in the election so far.

Republican Debate...yay?

Yesterday, was the first time all 10 declared Republican Candidates met for their first debate. Dubbed "the Republican Roundup at the Reagan Ranch," each candidate got to voice their opinion on each topic. However, the debate was NOT held at the Reagan Ranch, but the Reagan Library, which is about 100 miles away. Questions on social issues such as abortion, immigration, stem cell research, and the war were thrown around and some candidates stuck out on certain issues. John McCain for example was opposite of this opponents and was pro stem cell research. Roe v. Wade came up as well and the Terry Schiavo case in Florida as well. Every candidate had a different view on how the war was handled by President Bush. Guiliani said that the right decisions were made at the right time after 9/11. Mitt Romney spoke about the President's "character, passion, and love for the country." McCain said that he would have acted faster on certain issues and would have dismissed Rumsfeld a little sooner. "I would not have mismanaged the war,” McCain said. “And I would have vetoed spending bill after spending bill after pork-barrel project after pork-barrel project, in the tradition of President Reagan."


Provided by the NY Times

Who's That? part 2

When it comes to Iraq, Democratic candidate Bill Richardson is just like any other democrat. However, while the other Democratic candidates want to withdraw the combative troops from Iraq, Richardson wants to withdraw all troops from Iraq.
"I'd pull out our troops, every one of them, even residual forces," the New Mexico governor told the Review-Journal. "Because our troops have become targets. They've become the excuse for propaganda against us, and we are now viewed as occupiers."

Richardson believes that the solution to Iraq is a political solution, no a military solution. According to Richardson, the troops in Iraq are currently being used as pawns for the election. Whoever has the best solution regarding the troops is going to be favored more and he believes that it isn't right. He believes that there should be troops within the military bases, but not out wandering the streets. He also wants divide Iraq into semi-autonomous regions for the Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites. His views on Iraq are somewhat feasible, but segregating relgious groups could feel somewhat taboo to some Americans. However, people don't realize that these ethnic groups have been fighting forever, and that these people just can't get along with one another.

Bush Vetoes Bill

Today, President Bush vetoed a bill that would withdraw troops and withdraw all troops by October. "This is a prescription for chaos and confusion and we must not impose it on our troops," Bush said in a nationally broadcast statement from the White House. He said the bill would "mandate a rigid and artificial deadline" for troop pullouts, and "it makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing." He doesn't want to seem weak and make it look like all his efforts into the war were for nothing. He wants to be remembered for something, which is admirable, but this isn't something that he would be very proud of. House speaker Nancy Pelosi says that the president just wants a blank check and that he wants to be able to have complete control over one thing that he has let slip. For example, global warming....

Bush on Global Warming