Bobby Jindal Could Resurrect GOP

If President Obama is in bad shape by the beginning of 2011, anything can happen. Whether he goes two terms or not, popular or unpopular, keep an eye out for the current Governor of Louisiana - Bobby Jindal.

Bobby Jindal is young (37), articulate, fiercely conservative and is nothing like the familiar faces of the Republican Party. He served in the US House of Representatives from 2005 to 2008. He has a 100% pro-life voting record. He voted yes on making the PATRIOT Act permanent, supported a constitutional amendment banning flag burning, and voted for the Real ID Act of 2005. Jindal has an A rating from Gun Owners of America. Needless to say he opposes same-sex marriage, but even went as far to create a special commission on marriage and family in his state. Jindal supports teaching intelligent design in public schools. He also signed a bill authorizing chemical castration for certain sex offenses as Governor in 2008.

If Obama is riding high by the next Presidential election cycle, the GOP may offer up a sacrificial lamb in 2012. Don't be surprised if it's Sarah Palin. She'll fire up the base and keep them engaged, but she'll go down in flames. By 2016, memories of the Bush Administration will have faded, and the Republicans will be ripe for a comeback. This is when I predict Bobby Jindal will emerge to be the 2016 Republican nominee for President. The best scenario for Republicans is if the President ends his eight years in office unpopular. This would be worse for Democrats in 2016 than it was for Republicans in 2008. However, if Obama goes out in a blaze of glory, the party and whoever he backs as the next Democratic nominee should be in excellent shape.

Republicans are in danger of becoming a regional party rather than a national party. Democrats could be entering a political "golden age" if Obama's economic policies prove to work. Time will tell.

Democratic "Super-Majority"

Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire is being considered for Obama's cabinet as Commerce Secretary. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name soon after the election. Gregg confirmed he is in the running, and is "honored" to be considered. If chosen, and assuming he accepts, NH Gov. John Lynch will appoint a replacement. Lynch is a Democrat, and would more than likely appoint a fellow Democrat. If this happens (assuming Al Franken will eventually be seated as the junior Senator from Minnesota) it will give Democrats a 60 seat, super-majority. The GOP may soon be powerless on Capitol Hill. The only major card they have is just enough seats to block full Senate votes.

Republican House members are already saying no to everything the Obama Administration and Democrats propose. Voting along party lines, with the minority party opposing everything the majority party does is normal. House members only have to worry about the districts they represent. If Democrats get a super-majority in the Senate, however, it will set up an interesting dynamic. Moderate Republicans may not feel as much pressure to tow the party line. There are also several Republicans who announced they will not seek re-election in 2010, which makes them wild cards. If the economy improves and Obama's popularity remains high, it won't be smart for Senators (especially those up for re-election in 2010) to oppose him at every turn... Especially if it wouldn't matter, anyway.

DEFLATED

My mourning period is officially over... I am excited Barack Obama will lead the free world in 2009 and beyond.

What prompted me to start writing again was Sarah Palin's latest attack on Obama. She said Obama "Pals around with terrorists" and sees America as "imperfect". She, of course, and McCain see nothing wrong with this "exceptional" country. There is nothing wrong with what America stands for. But when our children are falling behind in every level academically, our infrastructure is crumbling, our military is stretched and our economy is going down the toilet... There is something wrong with the direction this country is going.

Palin was referring to William Ayers of Weather Underground... A radical group that set off bombs near the Capitol in the 1960's. it was a much different time then, and Ayers is now a professor and deeply involved in Chicago politics when it comes to education. It would be difficult to avoid the guy if you're a big-time politician in Illinois. Besides, Obama was only 8-years old when Ayers was causing trouble. Times change, people change. You can't compare todays hysteria over Islamic terrorism to the political turmoil of the late 60s and early 70s.

Sarah Palin isn't stupid, she's ignorant. There's a difference. What frightens me and most people I speak to is the reasons some people adore her. I'm glad McCain Palin to run with. It's consistent with his erratic behavior. I believe the McCain campaign waited for Obama to make a move. If Obama had chosen Hillary, you can bet Sarah Palin would still be up in Alaska shooting defenseless animals from helicopters. As the convention approached, Palin was chosen in haste without being fully vetted. But who cares? How many scandals could she possibly get herself into up there anyway? By the way she's charming, headstrong and pretty. The gamble was on whether or not she could handle the campaign. Is she slick and smart enough on the issues? I wouldn't be surprised if they are secretly admitting to themselves they made a mistake...A big one.

The economic meltdown took Palin off the front pages... And she's no help in that arena, because she doesn't have a clue! Any economic trouble right now helps the Democrats, anyway. The GOP is expressing public worry about Senate seats in NC, GA, and TN... As the Dems pour money into these states looking for a steal, it in turn helps Obama. The fact that Republicans have to spend money defending Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), for one, shows how bad it is.

The Dems are looking at a near filibuster-proof, 60-seat majority in the Senate. They will probably nab 8 seats, giving them 59 with the help of two independents. There's been some lobbying to get Democrat turned Independent Joe Lieberman to switch to the Republicans. He won't... Who wants to caucus with the losers? - Even if you are unpopular in your own party. The House will likely bump up to a 50-65seat majority after Nov. 4th.

Obama will have a very friendly Congress to work with, but they can't blow it. If they push too much too soon, it could backfire. Americans have short memories, and it won't be long before Republicans mount a takeover plot to win back what they lost in 2010 and 2012.

I do believe if the $700 Billion bailout scheme went down in March, Hillary would be the nominee right now. But Obama has impressed me over the last few months. He is responsive, and fighting back. I can't wait for Nov. 4th!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008

2008 "Best Week Ever" for Hillary

Since the start of 2008 and the January 3rd Iowa caucuses, things were up and down - and then way down for Hillary. That's changed, in a big way.

In the final stretch leading up to the Pennsylvania primary last Tuesday, the Clinton campaign was on the ball. After a convincing win, she's got her fire back. Swooping into Indiana and then North Carolina, she's challenging Obama to another debate, minus the moderators. Obama has declined, but that hasn't kept her from saying "I'll even debate him on the back of a flat-bed truck" - nice touch, Hillary!

It's only Monday, and it's all but official that North Carolina Governor Mike Easley is backing Clinton. There's also rumours that Elizabeth Edwards may campaign with Hillary in the state, in support of her health care plan.

The polls came first...The latest Newsweek national poll has Obama and Clinton tied at 47%... Another nationwide general match-up poll shows Clinton beating McCain 50%-41%. Obama is in a statistical tie with McCain..

This could be a long week for Obama.

The Big Day

It's all about Pennsylvania! Hillary halted Obama's rise in the polls following the last debate, and in the past few days she's expanded her lead. This is exactly what happened in Ohio. Hillary had effectively blunted Obama's momentum in the state and the final polls showed her with a slim 4-5 point lead. Hillary won Ohio by double-digits, and it's attributed mostly to voters who decided the day of the election. If the same is true in Pennsylvania, it's not far-fetched to say Hillary will win by at least 10%.

Philadelphia is Hillary's biggest problem. Half the the Democratic electorate in the city is African-American. It's also much larger than any city in Ohio. If Obama can rack up serious numbers here, it could shrink Hillary's win margin down to single-digits. Hillary is no doubt grateful to have the support of popular Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who is also African American. Hillary also won the endorsement of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, not to mention Pennsylvania Govenor Ed Rendell.

Senator Bob Casey Jr. endorsed Obama, but it's not much of a surprise since the Casey family has a lot of bitter history with the Clintons.

CNN UPDATE:

According to exit polls,

58% of late deciders voted for Clinton.

1 in 7 voters were not registered Democrats before, and 60% of those voted for Obama.

The latest CNN "poll of polls" shows Clinton leading by 9 points.