Washington in the Doldrums: 5 Questions to Ponder

It is still January and still in the doldrums in Washington. Congress is not around, the President making it easier for illegal aliens to enter the country and appointing people to posts in direct contravention to the Constitution but really not much to get excited about but much to ponder.

1. Is the departure of White House Chief of Staff William Daley a good or bad thing?

 Former Wall Street and banker and Clinton Commerce Secretary William Daley resigned yesterday as White House Chief of Staff just a year into his tenure. Mr. Daley was supposed to bring some business perspective to the Obama White House and find common ground with Congressional Republicans. Looks like he did not succeed.

Cynically, his departure could be viewed as a rat deserting the sinking ship prior to the election but more likely, he just got fed up with all the crud, being overwhelmed by committed leftist and the prospect of the next year steeped in total campaign mode without even any attempt to address any of the country’s fiscal problems.

I guess no one except Mrs. Daley (if there is one) really cares if he leaves. I don’t. Everyone is expendable.

 2. Have Republicans lost their sense of direction on business issues?

 A person who calls himself a Republican usually has a pro-business bent, a respect for free enterprise and holds private property rights in esteem regard. Heroes would include captains of industry not someone who occupies a tent in McPherson Square. However, to listen to some to the Republican Presidential candidates, you would think, “we were in France” as ex-Senator Jim Bunning once classically said.

Ads, speeches and talking heads attacking Mitt Romney for being a businessman are odd and would seem to turn the world on it head. I thought Republicans believe it will be the private sector with all its good and bad intentions that would propel the economy ahead. The private sector would provide the jobs. Maybe these candidates are advocating another stimulus bill.

 3. Why has it taken so long to complete the Metro Line in Virginia?

 I drive by every morning a mess of construction near a horrible, horrible road called the Capital Beltway, a ring of gridlock circling Washington. An extension of the Washington Metro rail system is being built and is going to pass through one of the ugliest urban sprawls in all of America, called Tyson’s Corner. The real issue is not the cost overruns, the mismanagement, political bickering and shaky finances but why in Hades has it taken so long?

In my daily drive I see about 8 people working each morning. There is one guy in a pickup truck, one guy in a bulldozer and 6 guys just squatting holding shovels. I mean why aren’t there 10,000 guys out there? I know they have made some progress in the last 19 years of construction with these 8 guys. I see a minor change every 2 months or so. But what could 10,000 unemployed shovel-squatting guys do?   What, no one wants a job in this country? Do not have the money to pay to have this finished?

 Get it done. Hire more guys to work.

 4. Will Joe Bidden developed a health problem so Hillary Clinton can be put on the ticket as the Democrat Vice President nominee?

 There have been a few trial balloons floated on replacing Mr. Bidden in favor of the current Secretary of State and former cattle futures magnate.  I am trying to remember why Mr. Bidden was chosen it the first place. Was it his Neil Kinnock declaration about being the first one in his family to learn how to read and write or his knowledge of the Wilmington Delaware train schedule? For the life in me, I cannot remember.

 In any event, even though Mr. Obama will do anything, anything at all to be re-elected, I think this would be a desperation move.  Mrs. Clinton does have her following and her detractors as well and such a move would energize Democrat activists (who will be active anyway) but if successful, then the President would have both Clintons as permanent dinner guests. Interesting idea but I think a nonstarter.

 5. Does anyone care about the New Hampshire Primary?

 In days of yore, the New Hampshire Primary was very important. It was the key kickoff event. It could make or break candidates. Ask Edmund Muskie, John McCain as well as Lyndon Johnson. This year it seems to be an afterthought a yawner, discounted by the media and the candidates. Hey, if I cannot win in NH, I will just go somewhere.

 I spent 10 day in New Hampshire for the 1996 Republican primary. My lasting memories are the incredible number of Dunkin Donuts and road signs that say “Frost Heaves”. It is a cold, dismal place in winter. Mitt Romney will win in New Hampshire. Not sure by how much but the impact of “First in the Nation” has been greatly diminished. Kind of sad but serves them right.

 

 

Comments

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