2 Replies to “Rick Hamada Show – Audio – August 1st”
Charlie: many thanks for checking in and for taking the time to write. I must confess that I suffer the Syndrome of the Lower 48, that provokes spontaneous amnesia about the important contributions of our two other states. You are certainly right about the biggest state in our great union, and of course, I meant no disrespect.
Perry-Palin? I’m not sure that your former governor would be interested in being #2 twice.
If it is Perry, and its real early to make that speculation, I’d say he’d go for someone with Washington experience – someone who knew their way around the Congress. My first pick here would be John Thune from South Dakota. Solid conservative, with more than 6 years in service. Gov’ Mitch Daniels would be another interesting choice – if he’d accept it. Jon Huntsman? Maybe. A lot of talk about Sen. Marco Rubio, but he has barely had time to get his feet wet in DC, and my preference is for a ticket that has credible experience to contrast with the President when he first ran.
Anita: thank you for listening to my segment with Rick on Saturdays. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be with Rick on the radio and talk through the issues of the day. Thank you also for taking time here to give me your views.
I think that your perspective, having been European born and raised, is particularly compelling.
I have many friends who are foreign nationals. Before President Obama, the standard line was normally ridicule for our “cowboy individualism” which was code for being shallow, intolerant agressive and unsophisticated In the past three years, that narrative has turned to one of alarm. An imperfect analogy is that the US is like a parent with the kids always pointing out the “obvious” shortcomings. But when things get serious, you always expect the parent to be there to protect you and provide guidance and counsel.
In 2008, President Obama did not have a record, and therefore he could not be defined. While most of the informed criticism of his potential policy actions were proven valid, there was no way to contrast that abstract agenda with the power of the mythic hope and change.
Now we know what hope and change meant. The President is trying to make the argument that Republicans have obstructed him from doing all that he wanted. Intellectually, he misses the point that voters put Republicans in his way precisely because they did not approve of his first two years.
On points, the President does not deserve a second term. But there are 14 months left and that is a lifetime in politics. If the GOP nominates a broadly unacceptable candidate, if the super committee cuts a broad based deal that tackles the deficit seriously (and takes that issue off the GOP plate) or if there is a crisis where Obama doesn’t “lead from behind” he could secure a second term – though I think he will face a Republican House and Senate.
Charlie: many thanks for checking in and for taking the time to write. I must confess that I suffer the Syndrome of the Lower 48, that provokes spontaneous amnesia about the important contributions of our two other states. You are certainly right about the biggest state in our great union, and of course, I meant no disrespect.
Perry-Palin? I’m not sure that your former governor would be interested in being #2 twice.
If it is Perry, and its real early to make that speculation, I’d say he’d go for someone with Washington experience – someone who knew their way around the Congress. My first pick here would be John Thune from South Dakota. Solid conservative, with more than 6 years in service. Gov’ Mitch Daniels would be another interesting choice – if he’d accept it. Jon Huntsman? Maybe. A lot of talk about Sen. Marco Rubio, but he has barely had time to get his feet wet in DC, and my preference is for a ticket that has credible experience to contrast with the President when he first ran.
Anita: thank you for listening to my segment with Rick on Saturdays. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be with Rick on the radio and talk through the issues of the day. Thank you also for taking time here to give me your views.
I think that your perspective, having been European born and raised, is particularly compelling.
I have many friends who are foreign nationals. Before President Obama, the standard line was normally ridicule for our “cowboy individualism” which was code for being shallow, intolerant agressive and unsophisticated In the past three years, that narrative has turned to one of alarm. An imperfect analogy is that the US is like a parent with the kids always pointing out the “obvious” shortcomings. But when things get serious, you always expect the parent to be there to protect you and provide guidance and counsel.
In 2008, President Obama did not have a record, and therefore he could not be defined. While most of the informed criticism of his potential policy actions were proven valid, there was no way to contrast that abstract agenda with the power of the mythic hope and change.
Now we know what hope and change meant. The President is trying to make the argument that Republicans have obstructed him from doing all that he wanted. Intellectually, he misses the point that voters put Republicans in his way precisely because they did not approve of his first two years.
On points, the President does not deserve a second term. But there are 14 months left and that is a lifetime in politics. If the GOP nominates a broadly unacceptable candidate, if the super committee cuts a broad based deal that tackles the deficit seriously (and takes that issue off the GOP plate) or if there is a crisis where Obama doesn’t “lead from behind” he could secure a second term – though I think he will face a Republican House and Senate.
We’ll see.
Thanks for writing and please come back often.
–C2