President Obama at Dobson High School

This morning, I attended President Barack Obama's speech at Dobson High School in Mesa, AZ along with roughly 1500 other people. The President used this speech to talk about the housing crisis facing America, specifically focusing on how his new stimulus package, which he signed into law yesterday, will work to promote healthy lending to fix the economy. When I arrived at Dobson, there was a line nearly as long as the one I stood in on Monday outside the school for people who had tickets to the event. I was near the end of the line, as I arrived a bit later than I'd hoped. Protesters from a variety of issue areas lined the sidewalks making it difficult to sort out who had a ticket and who was there to protest. I saw people from "Impeach Obama," "Stop Sheriff Joe Arpaio," anti-abortion activists, pro-religious activists from a variety of religions, and of course, the people with signs talking about lessening federal spending and cutting pork out of stimulus packages like this one. Eventually, the line got shorter and shorter and we left the protesters outside the secure area and had our tickets checked and passed through metal detectors. Secret Service members were everywhere, of course, and members of the Obama advance team, the Democratic Party of Arizona, and volunteers from what I can only assume were the ASU Young Democrats were also all over the place directing people into the building, in orderly lines, and taking signs and things that weren't allowed at the event. Once inside the gymnasium, we filled in the bleachers along the north wall - the only available seating left in the room. At least since Dobson has a pretty darn small gym (compared to my old one at Skyline HS, anyway) even from the very back we were able to see everything quite well. I picked out a few faces from the crowd - Jan Brewer, governor of Arizona; Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General; Congressman Raul Grijalva (CD-7); Congressman Harry Mitchell (CD-5); Congressman Ed Pastor (CD-4); Jim Pederson, 2006 challenger for Jon Kyl's Senate Seat; Rich Crandall, Republican legislator for LD19; Steve Irvin, ABC15 News evening anchor; Ned Norris Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O'odham Nation; and Randy Pullen, Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. After a short wait, the Dobson High School choir sang a few songs for the crowd, and they did the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem. About 15 minutes later, with the anticipation among the crowd almost palpable - cell phones and cameras held high above heads in the wait to snap a photo of the President - the person working the loudspeaker announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States." And, of course, the crowd went nuts, clapping and screaming their heads off as President Obama took the platform and called for everyone to sit. The President's speech was essentially what I expected, a run-down of how the housing crisis will be alleviated following four main points: 1. Allowing 4 to 5 million people who are currently "underwater" - owing more on their houses than the value of the property itself - to refinance their loans at lower rates. 2. Increasing the number of incentives to lenders who work with buyers to modify the terms of loans for people in at-risk-of-foreclosure situations. Essentially, this increases regulation over the banking industry to provide more "goodies" to subprime loan lenders who "play nice" with borrowers and renegotiate loan terms. Those lenders participating would be required to reduce loan payments to no more than 31% of a person's income. And, "there is a cost" for this - though President Obama never mentioned how much, instead saying that if we don't pay it now, we'll be paying much more in the future - in his view, now "it is a price well worth paying." 3. $200 billion will go toward ensuring that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to continue to "stabilize markets and hold mortgage rates down" while making sure that the process remains open to "transparency and strong oversight so that they do so in responsible ways." 4. Reforming bankruptcy rules to allow judges to order lower payments on people defaulting on loans as long as those people continue to stay in good standing with their banks. 5. In addition to those four, $2 billion will go toward competitive grants for communities who come up with innovative ways to prevent foreclosures. Possibly the best and most honest part of the speech was when President Obama talked about the need for personal responsibility when dealing with fixing the economy. He said, "So solving this crisis will require more than resources – it will require all of us to take responsibility. Government must take responsibility for setting rules of the road that are fair and fairly enforced. Banks and lenders must be held accountable for ending the practices that got us into this crisis in the first place. Individuals must take responsibility for their own actions. And all of us must learn to live within our means again." And he's absolutely right. For as much as I don't like the direction he is taking the government's stake in the economy, government does have the obligation to set rules that are fairly enforced upon all citizens of the United States. Banks need to take responsibility and not provide loans to people who obviously cannot repay them. And individuals need to step up and not sign for loans or buy properties they cannot afford in the first place. I must say that I am impressed with how good a speaker President Obama is. He is articulate, and he absolutely connected with the audience in the room in terms that even the high school students who got tickets could understand. The audience, as a counterpart, received the President well - it was actually a lot more subdued than any Republican event I've been to, which was kind of eerily strange. When the President had finished speaking, he left the podium, shaking hands with those in the front of the room along the cordon as he went. Meanwhile, I stood at my seat in the bleachers. You see, there was only one exit from the room for the listeners, including all the Congressmen and other titled guests, and my seat was pretty much right there. So while everyone left, I got to shake a few hands with people like Rich Crandall, Randy Pullen, and some of the Democratic leaders. Overall, I enjoyed the event. It was fun to be at a presidential speech here in Mesa, even if the key component of the speech was a healthy dose of liberal socialism and big government. I hope I get this type of opportunity again, perhaps next time with a Republican leader instead of a Democratic one so I can really get excited about what he has to say!

Results

ELECTION 2008

Well, Americans, once more you have gone the route of change, though not for the better. Yesterday, you voted for a move to socialism and big government, rather than for sound economic policy and a more limited government. Indeed, we all kind of knew it was coming, because the Republican Party has done little to earn your trust as the party of fiscal restraint, limited government, and sound judgement and morals over the last eight years, but it's still a little disheartening and disappointing. In 2006, voters cast their ballots against Republicans - not for Democrats, a big distinction. In 2008, however, the Republican Party really let conservatives down. Voters voted in liberal ideologues, and for at least two years, we're stuck with that decision. As a party, Republicans are now at a tipping point. Will we tip backwards and become the party of yesteryear, resigned to a fate as the minority in the House, Senate, and White House? Or will we tip forward and work harder to reclaim the majority by getting back to the fundamental principles of conservatism? The 210-plus people we have sent back as Republican delegates to Congress will tell. It's on their heads now. Perhaps Congressman Jeff Flake (R - AZ06) said it best in his guest column "A Way Out of the Wilderness" in the Washington Post this morning:

"There is reason for Republicans to feel optimism. Politically, America remains a center-right country, and America loves a chastened and repentant sinner. As surely as the sun rises in the east, the Democrats will overreach. As long as we Republicans are willing to admit our folly, get back to first principles and work like there's no tomorrow, we've got 'em just where we want 'em."

To Senator McCain, you fought a long, greuling campaign and impressed a lot of people. I am glad you will be coming back to work for the State of Arizona in the Senate. I was at the Biltmore Hotel last night for the results party, and I was moved by how gracious your election concession speech was - your pledge to support President-elect Obama in the Senate, your call to action for your supporters to do the same, and your heartfelt thanks to all those who had made a difference in your campaign. To President-elect Obama, congratulations. Your election is an historic one. While I remain skeptical of your policy positions, I will be among those watching your presidency very closely in the hopes that you do bring some good to our country as you have promised. Good luck, and God speed. To the American electorate, while I am disappointed in your choice, I understand it and was not surprised by it. I urge every citizen of this country to look back on the campaigns that were just fought, and do you part to hold our leaders accountable for their actions in Congress and the White House. In four years, we'll start all this madness again, and it's your right, your duty, and your responsibility to be ready to make the best choice for America at that time. ---------------------- Arizona Results: President: John McCain (54%-45%) CD-1: Ann Kirkpatrick CD-2: Trent Franks CD-3: John Shadegg CD-4: Ed Pastor CD-5: Harry Mitchell CD-6: Jeff Flake CD-7: Raul Grijalva CD-8: Gabby Giffords Prop 100 and Prop 102 passed Prop 101, 105, 200, 201, 202, and 300 failed Maricopa County Sheriff: Joe Arpaio MC Attorney: Andrew Thomas Corporation Commission: S. Kennedy, S. George, and P. Newman (the so-called "Solar Team") LD19 House: Kirk Adams and Rich Crandall LD19 Senate: Chuck Gray

The West Wing

Today, I am reminded of one of my favorite television shows, "The West Wing" which has since ended after seven great seasons. I was thinking today about one particular episode, and indeed one quote. It's the one where Sam Seaborne flies out to Orange County, California, where Will Bailey is running the campaign of a man who died, but whose name will still appear on the ballot. Sam asks Will to stop, because the campaign is becoming "an embarassment to the President" and Will abruptly ends the conversation and starts to walk away. On the way out the door, they stop to talk to a couple little girls who have been making campaign posters.

GIRLS: "We did the PSA." WILL: "Let me see. Very nice. But do me a favor - read this for me." GIRLS: "It doesn't matter who you vote for, make sure you vote!" WILL: "I like the sentiment, but the thing is, I think it does matter who you vote for. What if it said, 'No matter who you vote for, make sure you vote!' What do you think?" GIRLS: "Good."

In this election today, I too think it matters who you vote for. So in the words of Will Bailey, for Election Day, November 4th, 2008, NO MATTER WHO YOU VOTE FOR, MAKE SURE YOU VOTE! Happy Election Day!

Presidential Debate #2

While I know quite well that my posting on the Vice-Presidential debate was long and rather analytical (by which I mean that many of my work-weary friends didn't read all of it), I promise to keep my recap of the second Presidential debate to a shorter length! What McCain Did Well: - The town hall format is HIS format, and he was certainly natural speaking to the audience without the restrictions of a podium. - He articulated his positions effectively to the crowd and clarified his record nicely on a number of recently challenged points. - He spoke about the economic "crisis" without sounding like either a moldy history professor or a communications major in a senior-level accounting course. What Obama Did Well: - He kept pace with McCain in all of the debate questions. - He answered every question fully without jumping off on a lot of tangents. - He spoke about foreign policy well, and very nicely pointed out the differences in his plans for the Middle East and Russia versus McCain's plans. - He didn't attack McCain, but rather let his words on the issues point out stark contrasts between the two men. What McCain Did Poorly On: - He didn't want to stay in his seat when not speaking. - I personally disagree with his "lets have government buy up the mortgage debts and renegotiate them" plan, and I think it is far too neo-conservative a plan for this election cycle. We need a candidate to reign in government control over our property, not extend it. - He failed to answer questions on economic policy, tax policy, and climate change. Instead, he generically spoke about the problems involved in each, and pointed out his record of bipartisanship. I wasn't impressed. What Obama Did Poorly On: - Not abiding by the rules of the debate, which did not allow for rebuttals between candidates on questions. Major Gaffes: - McCain: Government control over mortgage debt - Obama: No major gaffes Best Line: "It's like nailin' Jello to the wall!" - John McCain Style: McCain: Looked like a Commander-in-Chief. Obama: Looked like a President well equipped to look objectively at a situation and utilize his resources to solve problems. Who Won the Debate? - Barack Obama Why? - While both candidates did very well and outperformed my expectations, because the bar was set so much lower for Obama, and because he was able to keep pace with McCain while clearly articulating himself and his positions, I believe he is the winner of this debate. His answers were clear, concise, directed to the question rather than the opposing candidate, and identifiable to the "mainstream American" viewer. ------------------------------------- I'm not really sure how the Republican ticket can recover from three debates so far in which the Democratic candidate has at least kept pace with the Republican candidate, in some areas outperforming the Republican candidate. McCain will need a very clear win in the third debate.