Presidential Politics - I

Who to support????

We see the Democrats performing a type of surgery upon the actions of the President, carefully distinguishing themselves from current policy only on particular matters.  They seem to live in fear of a insider condemnation.  Or they believe the President is essentially correct but for these particular exceptions. Overall, they are mostly united upon social programs.  Overall, they minimize international events, preferring to emphasize domestic issues, upon which there is merit, owing to a world view that every country is an independent agency.  If you so believe, this is your expression of what needs to be achieved.  If you believe climate change is paramount and more importantly anthropomorphic, these folks are your people.   

The Democrats are more-or-less unified in their support for Secretary Clinton.  None of her established blemishes seem to matter.   Bernie is not  viable no matter how many/few like his honest but detached approach.  This is inconceivable for Republicans who delight in oppositional dissections. 

Yet, the Republican candidates have their own issues, particularly when viewed from a contrast viewpoint.  We see a number of approaches, across the board, beyond comparison, with no unifying theme.  Let’s look at just a few suggestions offered to us.  From these, we pick and choose, hoping to select the correct approach.  Most are topical, reflecting current events. 

•   We were a great country, but no longer.  It is time to be great again. 
•  We have become a weakened force for maintaining world peace, partly due to our unwillingness to engage terrorists. 
•  Candidate A tells us Candidate B is absolutely wrong, or stupid, or ill-equipped to correct the wrongs before us. 
•  I can do this – because I have the experience, ability, and my record that so demonstrates. 
•  What we should do is create a no fly zone, bomb the enemy, repeal and replace this program, repeal this or that or all Presidential directives, use more troups, and on and on.
• I blame the current Administration for … whatever.  I won’t do this.  The President is weak and incompetent.
•   The logic of (whatever) is flawed.  What we need is consensus and clarity. (I don’t use “transparency” as this term no longer has any meaning in national rhetoric.)

Pick and choose, don’t ask me how. Most of these points engender temporal loyalties.  The governors cite experience with executive ability; the senators suggest a deep but fresh understanding; the outsiders claim the time is now for hope and change based on non-political dogmas and experience.

Personally, I have trouble with Hillary partly for her penchant for secrecy, her personal signature.  I have trouble with the Republicans mostly because the issues they cite are difficult to prioritize.