Blog The Vote- McCain Announces Presidential Bid

Republican Sen. John McCain will officially enter the presidential race his second run after a bitter loss to George W. Bush in 2000 with a formal announcement in early April.

The Arizona senator disclosed the timing of the long-expected announcement in a taping for the “Late Show With David Letterman” on CBS for airing Wednesday night.

“I am announcing that I will be a candidate for president of the United States,” the senator told the talk show host and then added he would give a formal speech to that effect in early April. Read the full story here.

Democrats Disunion

The Politico says that several Democrats are upset with the way Democratic leaders have handled Iraq war policy.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday postponed for at least a week action on a Democratic plan to rewrite the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing the war, imposing new wartime restrictions on the administration.

Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Democrat from Nebraska, said the new Democratic strategy could unfairly hamstring the president and military commanders. "I think it is very difficult to start changing things after the fact and still avoid micromanaging the war."

And Sen. Russ Feingold, a liberal Democrat from Wisconsin, criticized the latest Democratic strategy as too timid and toothless in stopping the war. Approving a new authorization resolution would be the same "as voting for a new Iraq war and that I am not going to do."

This is the problem with the Democratic party, they are not united in their goals and aspirations. Some Democrats would like to cut funding for the war, others want a time table et cetera. In order to achieve anything Democrats need to come together under one banner. Their disunion is only going to hurt them in the long run.

What do you think?

"Better late than never."

"Better late than never," said Leon E. Panetta, a onetime White House chief of staff who served on the Iraq Study Group, when she was asked about scheduled regional conference with Iraq two neighbors Syria and Iran.

The United States where also invited to these talks however will not be the ones running the talks. However, the Iraqi government has called the meeting and will head the meetings, contrary to the recommendations of the panel.

Democrats heralded the plan as a needed change in policy. Sen. Joseph R. Biden said, that "the administration is right to reverse itself and engage Iran and Syria on Iraq. Right now they're a big part of the problem, but they have an interest in becoming part of the solution to prevent chaos in Iraq."

Personally I feel that this is good on many levels. The first is that it shows that the United States recognizes the problems which exist in Syria and Iran and that we will need to help to fix the problem in a diplomatic way. The second and more important is that the Iraqi government is taking a primary role in these talks. It shows that the Iraqi government wants to take control of their country.

What do you think?

Joe Lieberman Part II

Well I think Sen. Lieberman is a really smart, although I do not believe he will ever switch political parties, I feel he is bluffing. I think however he is using his position, as an independent to ensure that the congress continues to support our troops.

The Democrats would be crazy to call his bluff, they do not under any circumstances want to lose their majority status in the Senate. Lieberman knows this fact very well and has used it to his advantage.

What do you think?

ACCORDING TO THE POLITICO: Lieberman Says War Vote Could Prompt Party Switch

The Politico Reports:
Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut told the Politico Thursday that he has no immediate plans to switch parties, but suggested Democratic opposition to funding the war in Iraq might change his mind.

Lieberman, a registered independent who caucuses with Democrats, has been among the strongest supporters of the war and President Bush’s plan to send another 21,500 combat troops into Iraq to help quell the violence there.

"I have no desire to change parties," Lieberman said in a telephone interview. "If that ever happens, it is because I feel the majority of Democrats have gone in a direction that I don't feel comfortable with."

Asked whether that hasn't already happened with Iraq, Lieberman said: "We will see how that plays out in the coming months," specifically how the party approaches the issue of continued funding for the war.

He suggested, however, that the forthcoming showdown over new funding could be a deciding factor that would lure him to the Republican Party.

"I hope we don't get to that point," Lieberman said. "That's about all I will say on it today. That would hurt."

Republicans have long targeted Lieberman to switch – a move that would give them control of the Senate. And Time magazine is set to report Friday that there is a “remote” chance Lieberman would join the GOP.

Blog The Vote- Romney 1st Campaign Ad

The 60 second advertisement will air in Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Johnathan Martin at the Politico has the full story.

Great Britian withdraws troops from Iraq

This morning Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, announced that they will begin with drawing British troops from the southern region of Iraq.

I continue to support the war in Iraq, however as more of our allies begin to pull their troops out, we are no longer fighting a global war on terror but an American war on terror which makes no sense. When we went into Vietnam, we went with a strong coalition which shared the economic costs, life costs, and military costs, in fact the United States made money. The fact of the matter is though that this is not a war that can be solved through a two state division of Iraq, it must end with a "peaceful" and "stable" Iraq. If we cannot help the Iraqi government to accomplish that then there is no hope for peace and stability in the Middle East.

Political Cartoon on Slate.com

This cartoon is great!!!!

Blog The Vote- Romney supports "don't ask, don't tell"

The Washington Post reports:

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R), who once advocated allowing gays to serve openly in the military, said yesterday that he does not think the Pentagon should change its "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the midst of the Iraq war.

" 'Don't ask, don't tell' has worked well. We're in the middle of a conflict. Now is not the time for a change in that regard, and I don't have a policy posture as to allowing gays in the military to serve there openly," Romney, a presidential candidate, said on ABC's "This Week."

This is why I don't like Mitt Romney as a Republican candidate for President. He is not standing by what he has been saying, he is continuously changing his opinion on the social issues which drive American voters. People tend to care less for important political issues like education funding, defense policies, et cetera and care more about issue that impact their everyday life. Romney is doing the same thing that John Kerry did in 2004 flip-flopping and it will cause his demise for the nomination.

Blog The Vote- McCain hits the campaign trail hard

Over the weekend Sen. John McCain hit the campaign trail harder than he had in his 2000 campaign. He spent the weekend in predominantly in Iowa and South Carolina.

For most of the weekend he spent combating question on the Iraq Policy which he has promoted for years and now is held hostage by. McCain has spent the past several years urging congress and the President to increase the number of troops in Iraq, saying that it is our only option for victory and an end to the war.

Now that the President has put that plan into action for McCains sake it must work. Otherwise his aspirations for 2008 have been shot down.

The other major topic impacting the Republican race is abortion. Other contenders, like the pro-choice Giuliani and born-again pro-life Romney, do not sit well with the majority of Republican voters who are opposed to abortion and think that legislation needs to be passed prohibiting it.

McCain on the other hand came out this weekend in front of a large crowd in South Carolina saying that he wants to see Roe v. Wade overturned.

I feel that McCain is the Republicans best chance at victory in 2008. The other two front runners, Romney and Giuliani do not have the same political backing that McCain has. He has been on the national stage for many years and his experience far outweighs them.

Blog the Vote-Information

For the best and most up to the minute campaign coverage check out The Politico, its a new site and DC newspaper. It is in my opinion the best in Politics coverage.

Rice at the Middle East Summit

CNN.com reports:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice held "productive" talks Monday with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and said she expects more negotiations in a bid to restart the Mideast peace process.
Rice's meeting Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas came amid concerns about whether a new Palestinian unity government will renounce terrorism and recognize Israel.

Rice called the meeting "productive and useful," I consider them a waste of money and time at this point. Until the Palestinian "government" recognizes Israels right to exist and renounces violence the Middle East will continue to be at the stalemate its been in for years. Until that happens Israel has the right to be on the defensive against terrorism and any threat that may arise. These meeting are meant to make progress, all I see is a continuation of lies.

Informed Students

Dear Readers,

The blizzard up in Albany, NY where I attend school, has interupted my internet connection. I finally have it again and hope to get some posts up today or tomorrow from home. Keep reading the blog, this weekends Senate vote on the Iraq resolution will be very interesting especially as interrupts campaigning for the ALL the 2008 hopefuls. I will be sure to keep you posted of the developments through the weekend.

The question I pose to all of you is what do you think of the Iraq resolution? Will it do anything?

Political Cartoon on Slate.com

I found this one and it pretty much says what I am expecting tonight as far as weather goes. LOTS OF SNOW, HERE IN ALBANY!!!

Gov. Romney Enters the Race

Mitt Romney stood in front of a large crowd in Michigan at the Henry Ford Museum to announce his candidacy for President. After the announcement Romney will kick off a four day six-state announcement tour, where he will try to boost his credentials with conservative voters. Romney's, religious views as a Mormon will affect his campaign.

Romney talked about Henry Fords innovation and how that had changed America forever, as well continued innovation will change us forever. "Innovation and transformation has been at the heart of American success" and it is needed in American government now more than ever. "It is time for innovation and transformation in Washington," Romney said he continued on with this theme and how Washington needs to be changed from the outside by people who have experienced the real world.

With his family at his side, Romney said that he "declared his intention to run for President of the United States."

Romeny announces his bid for President

A little after 9 a.m. Former Gov. Mitt Romney is expected to announced his run for president.

House votes on Iraq

The House of Representatives will debate a resolution opposing the Bush build up of troops. In short the resolution says that congress oppose the increase of US troops but will continue to support the troops in Iraq.

The Democratic resolution, just 10 lines in length, will frame three days of debate on the war, culminating in an expected vote Friday to put the House on record against President Bush's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to Iraq. In two short paragraphs, the resolution affirms Congress's support for "the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq" before breaking with the president's new strategy. Read more

I have to say that this resolution does nothing at all, except oppose the Presidents new plan. It offers nothing such as another option, or a way for congress to do anything against the troop build up. It is disgusting that the Democrats would do what they are going to do, they are doing something that will make themselves look good in front of ignorant voters. Americans will see that they passed a resolution against the war. I believe that unless the Democrats offer a new plan for victory, not a withdrawal plan then they should not do anything. I say "not a withdrawal plan" because that is not a plan. This is not Vietnam which was an individual situation, if we pulled out of Iraq several nations would be placed in a Middle East power struggle, which would probably end in a multinational war in the Middle East.

Amhadinejad = No Fear

The Guardian discussed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads, comments and his shrugging "off the threat of the a US attack and said accusations that Tehran was arming insurgents in Iraq represented an attempt to find a scapegoat for American "defeats and failures".

U.S. Press Secretary Tony Snow told reporters that "evidence to the effect that there's been the shipment of weaponry, lethal weaponry, into Iraq, some of it of Iranian provenance. And this is something that we think if the president of Iran wants to put a stop to it, we wish him luck and hope he'll do it real soon." He expressed that this is not a way to pave an offensive war against Iran.

I think that it will be disastrous for the United States to enter into an armed conflict with the Iranians at this time. However I think it would be suicide for the United Nations to leave them be, sanctions and multilateral diplomacy is necessary to deal with the Iranian threat, I emphasize threat. Anyone who believes Iran is not a growing threat to Americans home and abroad and American interests in the region is ignorant to the facts. As well Iran's Presidents consistent calls for the destruction of Israel also poses a threat to stability in the region and to the sole democracy in the region.

Amhadinejad = No Fear

The Guardian discussed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads, comments and his shrugging "off the threat of the a US attack and said accusations that Tehran was arming insurgents in Iraq represented an attempt to find a scapegoat for American "defeats and failures".

U.S. Press Secretary Tony Snow told reporters that "evidence to the effect that there's been the shipment of weaponry, lethal weaponry, into Iraq, some of it of Iranian provenance. And this is something that we think if the president of Iran wants to put a stop to it, we wish him luck and hope he'll do it real soon." He expressed that this is not a way to pave an offensive war against Iran.

I think that it will be disastrous for the United States to enter into an armed conflict with the Iranians at this time. However I think it would be suicide for the United Nations to leave them be, sanctions and multilateral diplomacy is necessary to deal with the Iranian threat, I emphasize threat. Anyone who believes Iran is not a growing threat to Americans home and abroad and American interests in the region is ignorant to the facts. As well Iran's Presidents consistent calls for the destruction of Israel also poses a threat to stability in the region and to the sole democracy in the region.

N. Korea Stops Nuclear Armament

The N.Y. Times says:

North Korea agreed Tuesday after arduous talks to shut down its main nuclear reactor and eventually dismantle its atomic weapons program, just four months after the communist state shocked the world by testing a nuclear bomb.

The deal marks the first concrete plan for disarmament in more than three years of six-nation negotiations, and could potentially herald a new era of cooperation in the region with the North's longtime foes -- the United States and Japan -- also agreeing to discuss normalizing relations with Pyongyang.

This is a step in the right direction for the world, bringing an end to nuclear weapons in North Korea shows that in some instances diplomatic talks works. I think however we will have to see how this affect U.S. Foreign policy in general.

John Bolton, former U.N. Ambassador says that this is similar to the deal that the Clinton administration tried to make in the ending days of his administration. The Chief U.S. Negotiator told CNN's American Morning, that this is different because this was not a "bilateral" agreement but an agreement between North Korea, its neighbors and the United States.