A Blog Called Hope

Who’s got the “big mo” going into tomorrow’s primary in New Hampshire? No, we’re not talking about the failed “Joe-mentum” of 2004 lore, but the kind that will lead to a win in the Granite State’s first-in-the-nation primary.

Let us know what you think – leave a post and pick your winner.

While none of the Republican candidates have generated much excitement on the campaign trail, one thing has become crystal clear: whoever wins the Republican nomination, a vote for any one of them is a vote for a third Bush term.

On issue after issue, while Democrats are offering real solutions and new ideas for providing the American people the change they want, all of the Republicans have promised four more years of President Bush’s failed policies. The American people want a new direction in Iraq, but not one Republican candidate has a plan to end the war. The voters may be looking for leaders with new ideas for helping more than 47 million uninsured Americans get health care coverage, but none of the Republican candidates have offered a plan to extend coverage or reduce health care costs. While the American people expect a return to fiscal discipline, all of the Republicans have promised to extend President Bush’s budget-busting handouts for the super wealthy and their special interest friends.

No wonder Democrats are generating more energy, money and enthusiasm on the campaign trail. Democratic candidates are attracting more voters to their events, and are much better organized. [Wall Street Journal, 12/31/07] We’ve already seen the record turnout for the Iowa Democratic caucuses, and they expect more of the same tomorrow in New Hampshire. All of this stands in stark contrast to a divided Republican field and a general lack of enthusiasm among Republican voters. Four in 10 GOP voters have switched candidates in the past month alone, and nearly two-thirds say they may change their minds again. [AP, 12/27/07] Meanwhile, polls show voters across the country are “far more likely” to trust Democrats than Republicans when it comes to key issues like the economy and health care. [AP, 12/28/07]

No matter how you look at it, one thing is clear: the voters want change, not a third Bush term. Americans see that Democrats represent the future while Republicans represent the past. Here’s the bottom line:

• No Republican Candidate Has a Plan to End the War in Iraq;
• No Republican Has a Plan to Expand Coverage and Cut Costs;
• All of the Republicans Favor Privatizing Social Security and Cutting Benefits; and
• All of the Republicans Favor More Budget-Busting Tax Cuts for the Wealthy.

No matter who your personal favorite is, once we have a nominee it’s imperative we as Democrats come together and unite behind our candidate. Gov. Dean is asking Democrats to sign a unity pledge in support of whomever is our eventual nominee.

“Stand up and show our candidates, our opponents, and the country just how strong the Democratic Party is by joining me in a pledge to support the Democratic candidate for President in 2008 – no matter who wins. When we have a nominee, they’ll know that thousands of Democrats from across the country are united – even if they may not have supported them in the primary. “

 

That being said, if you’re looking for a cool place to watch the results come in tomorrow, make sure you find you way over to Sen. Josh Miller’s classy establishment: Local 121 for a result-watching party sponsored by Local 121, RI Future, FairVote, Providence Daily Dose, and Not for Nothing.

Iowans will brave the cold tonight for the first-in-the-nation caucuses, and thanks to the Democratic Party of Iowa, you can view the results (real time) as they come in. Also, for those of you who don’t know how caucusing works, check out today’s Boston Globe – they’ve put together a pretty neat demo.

Predictions anyone? Feel free to post your expected winners.

From The Washington Post ‘08 campaign blog:

“We have received reports from Romney supporters who have gotten calls providing inaccurate information about the Governor and caucus locations. There is no excuse for these types of activities and they have no part in the caucus process,” Romney spokesman Matt Rhoades said.

Also, Fred Thompson’s campaign said one staff member and several of its supporters received computerized calls that targeted Thompson and John McCain for criticism. One supporter, according to the campaign, said the call starts with a live operator saying, “Do you have a minute to listen to a taped message from Fred Thompson?” The caller next plays a tape of Thompson talking about how he doesn’t have the “fire in his belly.” The operator then returns and says “Do you really think a man like this could beat Hillary Clinton?”

The Narragansett Times has the scoop this week on Republicans in South Kingston whining about a recent speech given at the high school by Dr. John Nirenberg, a Vermont resident who is walking from Boston to Washington, D.C. to encourage Congress to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney for abusing the Constitution and blindly misleading the country into war.

Both the current and previous local GOP chairs showed up at the last school committee meeting to complain that their children had been subjected to the left-leaning speech and were asked if they wanted to sign Nirenberg’s petition demanding impeachment. Jim Cavanaugh, the former GOP chair, was so peeved he had this to say:

“It’s well I’m not armed. If I find my granddaughter signed that petition, the next time I see you will be in court and I will sue your butts.”

It’s well he’s not armed? You can only imagine what dinner was like in his house that night. “You sign that petition? That’s it, I’m getting my .45!”

Anyway, here’s the man that stirred up all the controversy, in his own words:

I am not an activist. The defense of the Constitution isn’t ideological. I march because it is essential to stand up to this shame. I march also because I am fortunate enough to do so. I march for everyone uncomfortable with movements, organizers and radicals, but who understand the dire straights we’re in. This is about saving our Constitution. This is about restoring the promise of America. This is about doing what I can as a citizen.

It should be noted that Democrats in both the House and Senate have kept their promise to push an agenda that will get us out of Iraq and move the country forward, but unfortunately, they’ve have been rebuffed time and time again by obstructionist Republicans who remain hell-bent on ignoring the overwhelming majority of Americans who want this war brought to an end.

This year Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., told the congressional newspaper Roll Call, “The strategy of being obstructionist can work or fail … and so far it’s worked for us.”