Republican Debate: Middle-Aged White Guys Ignoring the Issues

Last's night debate of the Republican candidates for the 2008 race for the White House looked like ten wealthy, middle-aged white guys dressed up for the Saturday social event at the local country club.

I have to agree with David Gergen's analysis that the debaters, sadly, ignored the issues of the day. None of the candidates articulated a plan or vision for the future.... other than itching to bomb Iran. They mainly quibbled over unsolvable "social (sexual) issues" and rehashed the past (Teri Schiavo, Scooter Libby, etc.).

Here's my take on the particpants in that debate, moderated by MSNBC's Chris Matthews .

(See my Profile of MSNBC's Chris Matthews at About.com Liberal Politics.)

Sen. John McCain - Angry and creepy, while waving his arms , scrunching his face and squinting his eyes. He looked disoriented. Maybe nerves?

Gov. Mitt Romney - Slick slick slick. Clever and smart. And more slick. This man could sell ice cubes to snow-bound Eskimos, and then convince them that they're still warm.

Gov. Rudy Guiliani - A New York Republican, whatever that might be... The only Republican on-stage who could siphon votes from Democratic candidates.

Sen. Sam Brownback - Perfect candidate for a church search committee for a conservative evangelical pastor. A straight-shooter and a nice man with a good, albeit, conservative heart. Not presidential material for these times.

Rep. Tom Tancredo - Xenophobia in an expensive suit.

Rep. Duncan Hunter - A San Diego hypocrite on immigration reform (support employers; pursue and punish undocumented workers). Otherwise, a respectable, bona fide conservative. Has presidential charisma.

Gov. Tommy Thompson - Said that companies should be allowed to fire employees for being gay. I believe he also said that a few thousand U.S. soldiers have been injured in Iraq. (Answer: Over 25,000 U.S. soldiers have been very seriously wounded.)

What's left to say about someone so out of touch with constitutional rights and the most urgent issue of our day?

The Others - Who the heck are they???

(Also read Liberal Politics at About.com)

Daily YouTube: Karl Rove in 1972, Working for Nixon

Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsefld, Karl Rove... they all got their first national political experience working in the Nixon administration.

And when Richard Nixon fell from public grace, they were determined to return to power, and to implement their strong-arm vision of neoconservative, anti-democratic governance.

And they did, 25 years later, under George W. Bush. The legacy of Richard Nixon lives on in the Bush administration...

Here's a fascinating 1972 video clip of Karl Rove, then 21-year-old GOP College Director of the Republican National Committee

CBS 1972 report on the Nixon Campaign, featuring Karl Rove

Daily YouTube: Men Are Not Clueless Goofballs

I detest the way that men are so often portrayed in the media... on TV sitcoms, in ads, even in films... as clueless goofballs and loveable idiots.

TV examples of this condescending trend includes King of Queens, ABC's According to Jim and CBS's Two and Half Men. (For an intriguing perspective, see Slate 2005 article, Why are fat sitcom husbands paired with great-looking wives?)

The most recent example of husband-as-childish-idiot is the following offensive TV ad:

Burger King Commercial with Outlandishly Childish Husband

The men in my life... husband, sons and son-in-law, father and father-in-law, brother and brother-in-law and nephews, as well as friends, pastors, doctors and the like... are not clueless goofballs.

They're serious, loving, responsible, funny, interesting, imperfect people... just as women are.

Can you imagine the angry outcry if women were portrayed in a similarly demeaning manner in the media?

I grew up with men portrayed on TV as middle-aged, suit-wearing Wise White Fathers... Father Knows Best, Ozzie & Harriet, Leave It to Beaver and the like.

Thankfully, we've grown past that shallow 1950s stereotype.

When will we grow past the 21st century impulse to devalue men, and instead, value them with the gratitude they richly deserve?

As I watch my sons learn to make their ways in a confusing stressed-out world... to build careers, support families, uphold responsibilities... I realize anew that it's not easy to be a man, anymore than it is to be a woman.

Why make life harder via a mean-spirited media campaign demeaning men?

It's wrong... just wrong.

Daily YouTube: Elizabeth Hasselbeck Is a Moron

"The View" is loud, raucous and occasionally offensive. And so is moderator Rosie O'Donnell. In particular, she blurts her truth in a way that bothers men and some conservative women.

Rosie may offend... but she's usually correct. She's dead-on correct in this March 29, 2007 video in which the women "discuss" the Iraq War and 9/11.

And in my opinion, Elizabeth Hasselbeck is a close-minded, stubborn, moron... which is amply illustrated in this video. On many occasions on "The View", she's proudly voiced a complete lack of understanding of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. It's frightening that young people might listen to her uneducated nonsense.

No wonder the Bushies admire Elizabeth, send her Christmas cards, and invite her to White House events. She's a perfect fit with Bushie women ....

The Women of "The View" Wrangle Over Iraq and 9/11

Also read my article, Profile of Rosie O'Donnell, Activist & Talk Show Host .

(See Liberal Politics at About.com )

Daily YouTube: Anderson Cooper, Stuffed Shirt or Serious Journalist?

Anderson Cooper takes his journalism seriously, yet he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. All things considered, that's no small task for an attractive, successful man born with a Vanderbilt silver spoon in his mouth...

But does this YouTube video (below) reveal him to be a stuffed shirt or an above-the-fray, conflict-of-interest free journalist?

I vote responsible journalist. Cooper makes an excellent point about too-close fraternization between the White House and the supposedly objective press.

What do you think?

Anderson Cooper on Karl Rove's Rapping

(Also read Liberal Politics at About.com)


Related Reading
Profile of Anderson Cooper, Journalist & CNN Anchor

Daily YouTube: John McCain's Baloney on Iraq

No wonder John McCain is experiencing problems raising funds for his stalled 2008 run for the White House. Seems the Straight-Talk Express has a proverbial flat tire.

Sen. McCain was admired for his forthrightness... his unflinching grasp on reality, and his perceived compulsion to face and state the truth.

But judging by this CNN clip from March 27, 2007 , McCain has lost touch with the reality-based world, much like the White House has, on the Iraq War.

John McCain without honesty is just another old, angry, cynical politician. And we have too many of those already...


John McCain's Baloney on Iraq, Debunked on CNN


(Also read Liberal Politics at About.com)

Daily YouTube - Elizabeth Edwards: "Decency Costs Nothing"

This touching YouTube video illustrates why I admire Elizabeth Edwards.

On this day that she announced a recurrence of her breast cancer, take a minute to appreciate her insightful message, originally broadcast on CBS News in December 2006.

Decency Costs Nothing by Elizabeth Edwards

Daily YouTube: Paul Simon & George Harrison Duets?

Two extraordinary duets, guaranteed to bring sweet memories to the baby boomer soul...

by Paul Simon and George Harrison!


Absorb. Soar. Smile....

(Liberal Politics at About.com)

Daily YouTube: John Edward's Narcissism on Display

John Edwards and his gorgeous head of hair.

Just because I'm a Democrat doesn't mean I don't find this hilariously, and frighteningly, narcissistic...

Thanks to Mark Daniels for the YouTube clip tip.

(Liberal Politics at About.com)