Politics 2.0

Ron Paul's foreign policy - Brilliant or naive?

2011-12-20T13:10:00.003-05:00

By Alex Hammer

Is Ron Paul's foreign policy brilliant, or is it naive?

You'll have to read this piece to find out.

Ron Paul believes that our aggressiveness in the world could invite an aggressive response in return. There is some truth to this. Think about the people in your own lives. The ones that are nice to you engender warmer feelings than the ones who are harsh or wish you harm.

The law of reciprocity indicates that we wish to treat people as they treat us.

But what about "no good deed goes unpunished?"

Mitt Romney in the debate insightfully indicated that we can't have a foreign policy of "pretty please"

Ron Paul on Jay Leno recently indicated his belief that Michelle Bachmann hates Muslims.

She may or she may not.

Certainly she and Paul tussled onstage in regard to who is making the world safer and who is not.

What if they're each right?

But each wrong.

Life has a bit of paradox to it. Yes it is true that aggressive actions can elicit aggressive responses. And yes it is also true that weakness also invites attack.

If you doubt the latter think of the law of the jungle, predator versus prey.

And if you doubt the former then you would need to deny that humans are also social, and that cooperation has evolved as a critical tool for survival.

Think economic trade.

Man (and woman) has a Darwinistic nature but, alas, evolutionary forces are social as well as physical. Whether or not you believe in Darwin, or a force that operates beyond and allows evolutionary forces, you are likely to agree that we each have adaptive capabilities that allow us to navigate our way in the world and survive.

And we have instinct, including base instincts as well.

Ron Paul's policies may lay us on a course of appeasement that could make the horrors of World War II look like child's play. These same actions by President Paul might stop the economic bleeding from wars we cannot afford (in money and beyond) and strengthen our economy by shifting our resources to home.

Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul are similar in that they are polar opposites in their foreign policy views. They each represent the extremes.

Mitt Romney is probably closer to Bachman's foreign policy views because Ron Paul tends to stand alone.

Paul is an independent thinker who seems basically immune from common groupthink, and that allows Paul to have a consistency that certainly Romney and many others lack.

Consistency is far preferable to flip-floppers, especially in the position of leader of the free world (although in Paul's case that term would need to be amended)

But it is also famously said that "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds".

In politics there are idealogues and there are politicians. Idealogues are not necessarily principled if their idealogies are skewed but they are principled in that their views stem from core beliefs. Politicians also have a solid core, but it is not based upon ideas, it is based upon survival.

So they each are consistent in their own very different ways.

Is Ron Paul's foreign policy brilliant or naive?

Your answer to that may say as much about you as it does about candidate Paul.

Who will win the Republican 2012 Nomination for President?

2011-11-27T14:09:00.001-05:00

By Alex Hammer

Odds on the field:

Mitt Romney: Odds for nomination: 5-2

The front runner should probably have better odds. He's a solid candidate, generally recognized as the most knowledgeable and unflappable in the field. One can make a reasonably strong argument that he has the best qualifications in regard to his experience.

As everyone knows what could well keep Romney from winning the nomination is support coalescing around another candidate. He is extremely vulnerable to this as no matter how strong his performance he has to date had a very low ceiling of support of 22% - 25%. While Republicans may eventually line up behind him later on, the lack of higher support for another candidate is the result of continual unforced errors if not self-sabotage by his closest rivals, one after the other.

Conservatives prefer not to vote for Romney and there are a great deal of them in the party. But they also hate to lose the election to President Obama as well.

Herman Cain: Odds for nomination 7-1

Most people seem to feel that Herman Cain is not qualified (nor prepared) to be President, but enough Republican voters simply may not care.

Cain has one critical factor working for him. On a personal level people like him, and whether it should be this way or not likability can be a critical factor in voting. Cain has been injured by the sexual harassment allegations, especially with women, but to date this issue doesn't appear to be terminal to his campaign. Worse politically may be his foreign policy gaffes and obvious lack of knowledge in this area. But Cain is a quick learner and the role of foreign policy, unless a major event interjects, is far secondary in an environment of such domestic economic challenge.

Newt Gingrich: Odds for nomination 7-1

Clearly has the intellect (and sufficient experience) to be President but lacks the temperament. Most harmful for Gingrich's chances are the baggage, both policy and personal. Gingrich's numbers are surging and his innovative and articulate thinking are major pluses that will likely make him a factor deep into the race.

Ron Paul: Odds for nomination 7-1

Ron Paul? Ron Paul is not likely to be the nominee but he is quite likely to be one of the last candidates standing. Why is that? One significant factor is that the solidness of Paul's support from his supporters appears, as well documented, to be the strongest (rabid?) of any candidate. One reason for this is that he is so different from any of the other candidates. If you are a conservative you have several choices to consider, and the same is true if you are economically more moderate. But if you are a libertarian? You wouldn't consider anybody else in the field.

Ron Paul is able to raise significant money so he is not dependent upon the media to fuel his campaign. This is very significant. Some polling indicates that Paul is poised, additionally, to do very well in Iowa.

Limiting Paul is that he is not the second or even third choice of most voters. Many consider him too extreme.

Michelle Bachmann: Odds for nomination 10-1

Bachmann has been high in the polls at one time and could return. She is extremely knowledgeable and a forceful and effective presenter. Bachmann is limited by her lack of experience and her propensity for apparent misstatement or mistakes. Some of her positions may also be too far right for many voters.

Following Hillary Clinton's historic run not much has been made of Bachmann's gender, but I think this is a factor that could help her candidacy.

Rick Perry: Odds for nomination 12 -1

Certainly Perry has been too often horrendous in the debates. Personally, I have an aversion to some Perry factors, including the number of people that have been executed in Texas during his tenure.

Perry has, without a doubt, substantial experience, and a phenomenal political history. He appears to be over his head in the Presidential contest (for one thing, unlike Romney, he hasn't had the time necessary to adequately prepare) but he could come back to competitive status.

Jon Huntsman: Odds for nomination 12-1

Hasn't gained traction but he could as the field narrows. Presents very well and is highly experienced and knowledgeable. Doesn't seem to rub voters the wrong way as do some of the other candidates at times.

Rick Santorum: Odds for nomination 50-1

Doesn't have much support but unlike Huntsman Santorum, whose appeal is arguably to a much narrower slice of the party, doesn't seem to have a route to get there. Likely to be one of the very first out of the race.

Brokered Convention: Odds for nomination 50-1

Never say never. Wouldn't that be fun?

Why I Love Twitter - By Alex Hammer

2009-09-08T09:43:00.000-04:00

I don't always like the way I've been treated on Twitter, but I love Twitter.

I'm running for Governor because I love interacting with people (in this case Mainers), seeing what their concerns are, and working to solve problems and improve things.

Of course I have to say that but it's true.

Twitter is a powerful medium because the immediacy of exchange is so strong.

Follow us on Twitter and see.

Why Obama Can't Fix Healthcare - But This is What He Can Do

2009-08-07T15:38:00.000-04:00

Why Obama Can't Fix Healthcare - But This is What He Can Do
By Alex Hammer
Subtitle: How to kill public financing in Maine

The one thing standing in President Obama's way from fixing healthcare in this country is...

Special interests.

Most people know this. But it goes deeper than that.

I didn't say healthcare couldn't be fixed, I said only that President Obama can't fix it. He can't fix it because he is, to large a degree, beholden to the special interests that elect Democrats and Republicans across this country. It's that simple why "Change" in the election becomes "change lite" in office.

Watered down.

As you know, a lot of the, for example, striking differences that he portrayed in the campaign with the previous administration aren't quite so striking now that he is in office. I wouldn't quite call him Bush-lite, as some have done -- that overstates the case. But we do have a duopoly in this country such that both parties are beholden to the same types of influences.

But this is what President Obama can do. And be effective doing. He can use the "bully pulpit" to point out some of the inadequacies of the system (which is built around the party system but he won't mention that) and, perhaps as a result, drive through incremental rather than fundamental change. Some improvement may indeed be better than nothing. The powerful interests will retain much of what they already have (if not gain more), while some minor to moderate improvements may (and I say may) accrue also to the populace at large.

It's only cynical because it is true.

I am running as an Independent for Governor of Maine. Although Maine has had two Independent Governors, James Longley and Angus King (twice), it remains extraordinarily difficult to be elected as an Independent in Maine as it does anywhere else. Luckily, Maine also is a leader in public financing that can hold at bay, somewhat, the effects of special interests. I say somewhat because public financing is under attack in Maine. Surprise, surprise. Does it surprise you that special interests that wield power at National and state levels would sit idly by to such a potential threat to their interests. Public financing is currently too popular in Maine to kill totally (not that they haven't tried). But they do water it down, to the point where the majority of Gubernatorial candidates, reversing a trend, are not in this election even seeking public funds (Note: I am not claiming that I know the funding motivations for all the other candidates, but I do see this as a very interesting result).

In Maine I speak with thousands of Mainers during the course of, and preparing for, the campaign. Doctors tell me that Dirigo is burdened down by special interest mandates that contribute to its costs (I've written on the entire state of healthcare in Maine, there is a lot there). Hey, if you want an entire book of examples of how famous Maine politicians are (if it seems that way to you) beholden also (to varying degrees) to interests of the two party system, check it out for yourself: This Great State.

I'm not saying that politicians of any party, or no party, are any better inherently as individuals in regard to the objectives that they seek, or the means by which they may seek them. What I am saying is that a lot of politicians would like to be able to be able to do a lot more of service for their constituents then they feel that they can do. I speak with them often. Just as in your job maybe you feel, at least at times, a bit constrained by your boss and/or company, money and special interests are still the boss in this country. Maybe it is a bit better than it was at one time, maybe it isn't, I don't really know for sure about that (comparison across history). Maybe it exists because we as a populace allow it. Maybe the strong are strong for a reason because they can impose their will. Maybe the rest of us (we're strong too) give up too easily.

So maybe it's not Obama's problem, or Maine's problem.

Maybe it's your problem, and mine.

How you like that?

Obama Administration versus critics, Drudge report on healthcare reform

2009-08-04T15:14:00.001-04:00

Facts Are Stubborn Things - Whitehousegov.com
Excerpt:
"Opponents of health insurance reform may find the truth a little inconvenient, but as our second president famously said, "facts are stubborn things."

Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to "uncover" the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions.

In this video, Linda Douglass, the communications director for the White House’s Health Reform Office, addresses one example that makes it look like the President intends to "eliminate" private coverage, when the reality couldn’t be further from the truth."

Obama vs. Drudge - The Politico
Excerpt:
"The White House on Tuesday posted a three-minute video punching back at an old clip of President Barack Obama that was featured on the Drudge Report with the headline “Uncovered Video: Obama Explains How His Health Care Plan Will 'Eliminate' Private Insurance.”

The White House response features Linda Douglass, formerly an ABC News correspondent and now a White House official, showing Drudge’s homepage on the screen of her office computer."

Obama And DNC Try Turning Angry Mobs And Drudge Into Benefits - The Huffington Post
Excerpt:
"This wasn't the first time the Obama White House has used its own media outlets to whack its foes. But sources tell Huffington Post that Tuesday's video is the harbinger of a much larger effort to change the tide on health care reform.

As detailed by White House officials and aides at allied groups, the goal going into the August recess is not to be intimidated by the angry protesters laying siege to town hall meetings or the information pushed by unfriendly websites, but rather to turn that anger and material into a rallying point for proponents of reform."

Two Great Books

2009-01-10T10:56:00.000-05:00

Get the juicy inside scoops!!

1. Woodward and Bernstein - Alicia C. Shepard, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2007. ISBN# 0-471-73761-5 (52495) (9780471737612)

2. The Commision The Uncensored History of the 9/11 Investigation - Philip Shenon, Twelve (Hachette Book Group USA), 2008, ISBN-10# 0-446-58075-9 ISBN-13# 978-0-446-58075-5 (52700) (9780446580755)

TechPresident: A New Approach to Open Government: Push It Out of the Website Business

2008-05-26T13:34:00.002-04:00

http://www.techpresident.com/blog/entry/25722/a_new_approach_to_open_government_push_it_out_of_the_website_business
Excerpt:
"The problem with that approach is that almost by definition the various institutions that together make up the federal government are never going to be as nimble and responsive as non-profits, companies, and hackers that operate outside government. Their role is to serve as the establishment. What the article by Princeton's Ed Felten and a team of researchers from the school's Center for Information Technology Policy proposes is that government entities focus on building the infrastructure to produce and distribute data, and then leave it to more capable others to create tools that make use of the it, including mashups, wikis, and visualizations.

There are are only so many hours of the day, even in DC, and the time and energy spent building public-facing websites could be poured into a more useful kind of online publishing -- making sure the data is clean, constant, and consistent."

Alex Hammer: The Most Web 2.0 Savvy Politician?

2008-05-20T11:25:00.001-04:00

Excerpt:"Not only is there more change, but the rate of change is increasing. Even five years ago, on the Internet, you could take a day off and not miss anything. Now you take 20 minutes off, and you're #100 in the comments. Little differences become magnified. You might be 2% more efficient, but 100% more successful."

read more | digg story

Who Barack Obama Subscribes to on Friendfeed

2008-05-19T14:11:00.004-04:00

http://friendfeed.com/barackobama/subscriptions

Some of the top names I noticed:
Robert Scoble
michael arrington
Micah Sifry
Bret Taylor
dan farber
Kevin Rose
Louis Gray
Fred Wilson
mashable
Jason Calacanis
Loic Le Meur
Patrick Ruffini
Paul Buchheit

Yo, Barack ("Alex"rod, Plouffe, Hughes, etc. ) I trust this is just a big oversight!: http://friendfeed.com/alexhammer

Who loves ya baby?

(Hmm, Finn and Daou more reliable contacts??!?!)

Roundup: Secret US plan for military future in Iraq; Obama Catching Up With Clinton In Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; 9 more

2008-04-08T11:48:00.007-04:00

Image from WikipediaSecret US plan for military future in Iraq

Obama Catching Up With Clinton In Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; She's Losing Ground Even Among Women

Iraq: Al-Mahdi army offers to lay down its arms

Mark Penn Speaks (In Private): Will Still Advise Clintons, Calms Nervous Aides

White House On Iraq: 'We've Thrown Out The Rose-Colored Glasses'

Shift at Top May Mean Shift in Tone for Clinton

His Legacy Tarnished, Greenspan Goes on Defensive

FBI Data Transfers Via Telecoms Questioned

Why Rice Will Not Be VP — This Condi for Veep hype is political madness.

401 kids taken in Texas polygamist raid - USATODAY.com

Bill Clinton Visits Puerto Rico, Rich in Culture and Delegates

Roundup: Siegelman: Rove needs to testify about my case.; The Times retracts Tupac Shakur story; Clinton's Chief Strategist Steps Down ; 5 More

2008-04-07T10:28:00.005-04:00

Image from WikipediaSiegelman: Rove needs to testify about my case.

Clinton's Chief Strategist Steps Down - Washington Post

Ex-Clinton Insider Launches Unity Ticket Drive

Iraqi Forces and Militia Clash in Baghdad

RICE BIDS TO BE VP: GOPER

The Times retracts Tupac Shakur story

Clinton: No State Will Be Overlooked

McCain Brushes Back Criticism of Iraq Stance

Roundup: EXCLUSIVE: “Torture Memo” Author John Yoo Responds to This Week's Revelations; McCain Sees King Speech as Chance to Mend Ties; More

2008-04-04T13:25:00.008-04:00

EXCLUSIVE: “Torture Memo” Author John Yoo Responds to This Week's Revelations - Esquire

McCain Sees King Speech as Chance to Mend Ties - The New York Times

Mugabe: I will quit, as long I do not face prosecution

Poll: 76 percent say U.S. ready for black president

The DOJ comments on the Mukasey controversy

Second poll shows Clinton's Pennsylvania lead shrinking

McCain returns $3m in checks as he considers public funding

TechPresident - Favorite Videos of the Week: The McCain Girls Strike Back!

McCain voted against MLK Day at almost 50 years of age!

Clinton to propose 'Poverty Czar'

Knockout try could be risky for Obama

WATCH: Radio Host Suspended For Calling Hillary A "Big F*cking Whore" - Caution: Language - Huffington Post Headline

2008-04-03T16:07:00.001-04:00

Image from WikipediaWATCH: Radio Host Suspended For Calling Hillary A "Big F*cking Whore"

Excerpt:
"Update: Rhodes has been now been suspended from the network. Air America released the following statement:

Air America has suspended on-air host Randi Rhodes for making inappropriate statements about prominent figures, including Senator Hillary Clinton, at a recent public appearance on behalf of Air America in San Francisco which was sponsored by an Air America affiliate station."

Mrs. McCain's Beer Fortune: Private Jets, Vacation Homes - Huffington Post Headline

2008-04-03T16:02:00.002-04:00

Image from WikipediaMrs. McCain's Beer Fortune: Private Jets, Vacation Homes - Huffington Post Headline
Excerpt:
"McCain served as honorary starter of the NASCAR race that weekend in Charlotte, N.C. Earnhardt drove the Budweiser car, painted military camouflage, rather than its trademark red, to honor the troops.

Budweiser, then NASCAR's official beer, is brewed by Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., whose products have made Cindy McCain and her family a fortune."

An ABC News Review Has Found the Clintons Have Made More Than $50 Million Since Leaving the White House

2008-04-03T15:55:00.003-04:00

The Clinton Tax Returns: What Will They Reveal?

An ABC News Review Has Found the Clintons Have Made More Than $50 Million Since Leaving the White House

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4581608&page=1
Excerpt:
"An independent review by ABC News has found that since leaving the White House seven years ago, the senator and her former president husband have made well over $50 million, much of it from paid speeches made by Bill Clinton.

A review of Sen. Clinton's annual ethics filings found that her husband has earned $47 million in fees from more than 280 speeches he has made around the world."

Roundup II: Daily Digest: Obama Girl Is Out?; Pelosi Says No Change in Superdelegate Stance;, Bryant's Hoop Dreams: Obama Will Talk B-Ball With Gumbe

2008-04-03T15:49:00.003-04:00

Image from WikipediaDaily Digest: Obama Girl Is Out?

Pelosi Says No Change in Superdelegate Stance

Bryant's Hoop Dreams: Obama Will Talk B-Ball With Gumbel On HBO

Arianna Huffington: Want a Taste of the McCain Presidency? You've Already Had One

Roundup: Ted Turner: Global warming could lead to cannibalism; Carter hints at Obama backing; Fast Start for Soft Money Groups in 2008 Election

2008-04-03T15:31:00.006-04:00

Image from WikipediaFast Start for Soft Money Groups in 2008 Election

Ted Turner: Global warming could lead to cannibalism

Carter hints at Obama backing

Richardson: I never promised Clintons

How Some Florida Delegates Could Be Seated

For McCain, son's duty in Iraq is not a talking point

Donations to DCCC Spike after Clinton Threat To Pelosi

Obama raises more than $40 million in March

NATO Spurns New Members

Chinese Spying Grows, U.S. Says

FAA Probes 4 Airlines

Murtha: Clinton Cannot Win Nomination Without Popular Vote

Oil execs to take heat from lawmakers Tuesday...

WSJ: New Backing for Obama As Party Seeks Unity... - Drudge Report

Son Makes 'Last Appeal' for Ill Hostage

2008-04-03T09:53:00.002-04:00

Image from Wikipedia
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/son-makes-last-appeal-for-ill-hostage/20080402170909990003
Excerpt:
"France, Spain and Switzerland launched a delicate mission Wednesday to help an ailing hostage held by Colombian rebels, the French president's office announced....

Betancourt - who is both French and Colombian - has been held in a jungle for more than six years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

"A humanitarian mission of three facilitator countries, Spain, France and Switzerland, has started, in liaison with concerned authorities," the statement said, its vagueness underscoring the delicacy of the mission."

$150 Hooker For Senator's Husband - The Smoking Gun

2008-04-02T16:58:00.002-04:00

$150 Hooker For Senator's Husband - The Smoking Gun
Excerpt:
"The husband of a United States senator recently admitted to cops that he paid a 20-year-old hooker $150 to perform oral sex on him at a Michigan hotel. Thomas Athans, the 46-year-old spouse of Senator Debbie Stabenow, was confronted by police on February 26 after departing the Residence Inn in Troy (investigators had been surveilling the hotel after receiving reports that hookers were operating from Room 1822). According to a Troy Police Department report, a copy of which you'll find below, Athans told detectives that he set up the sexual encounter after responding to a Craigslist ad."

McCain Has Yet to Win Over Key Conservatives - The Wall Street Journal

2008-04-02T12:30:00.002-04:00

Image from WikipediaMcCain Has Yet to Win Over Key Conservatives - The Wall Street Journal
Excerpt:
"On the campaign trail last week, Sen. John McCain declared at least three times that the Republican Party is "united."

But is it?

Some prominent conservatives say they remain disenchanted with the party's likely nominee. Sen. McCain isn't doing enough to persuade them of his conservative credentials, they say, or win them over to his side. Although the sentiment among conservative leaders is that they will vote for Sen. McCain come November, they aren't thrilled about the prospect."

Hillary’s a liar, part 99,999,999 - Michelle Malkin - Politics 2.0 Post #5,500

2008-04-02T11:38:00.002-04:00

Hillary’s a liar, part 99,999,999 - Michelle Malkin
"As if…

…you needed…

…any more evidence…"

Obama Gets "Very Flirtatious" At Campaign...

2008-04-02T02:51:00.001-04:00

Image from Wikipedia

Obama Gets "Very Flirtatious" At Campaign...

Excerpt:
"Via Mark Halperin , the pool report from Obama's campaign stop in Allentown, Pennsylvania:

It may be April Fools Day, but Sen. Barack Obama was acting like it was Valentine's Day. He was in full charm mode while touring the Tama Manufacturing plant, a JC Penny supplier of made-in-the-USA clothing in Allentown."

Hillary fired for lies, unethical behavior from Congressional job: former boss

2008-04-02T02:31:00.001-04:00

Image from WikipediaHillary fired for lies, unethical behavior from Congressional job: former boss
Excerpt:
"Dan Calabrese’s new column on Hillary Clinton’s past may bring the curtain down on her political future. Calabrese interviewed Jerry Zeifman, the man who served as chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate hearings, has tried to tell the story of his former staffer’s behavior during those proceedings for years. Zeifman claims he fired Hillary for unethical behavior and that she conspired to deny Richard Nixon counsel during the hearings:"

Hugh's F---ing Hillary - TechPresident

2008-04-02T01:13:00.002-04:00

Image from WikipediaHugh's F---ing Hillary - TechPresident
http://www.techpresident.com/blog/entry/23471/hugh_s_f_ing_hillary
Excerpt:
"Hugh Atkin is at it again. Here's his full-on mashup of Sarah Silverman's "I'm F---ing Matt Damon" repurposed for the Clinton-Obama battle."

Pentagon Releases 2003 'Torture Memo'

2008-04-01T22:59:00.003-04:00

Image from Wikipedia Pentagon Releases 2003 'Torture Memo'

Pentagon Releases 2003 'Torture Memo' Justifying Harsh Interrogation Tactics

Excerpt:
"The Pentagon has released a declassified 2003 Justice Department memo that claimed the president's wartime authority trumps any international ban on torture, and concluded that the Fifth and Eighth amendments do not apply to foreign prisoners held outside the country."