Category: Mason Votes

 

Photo by: cvrcak1

 

The New York Times reported that the billionaire businessman, George Soros, is contributing to three democratic super PACs.  The announcement was made at an event hosted by the Democratic Alliance.  He is giving $1.5 million in total; $1 million going to Obama supporting super PAC, Priorities USA Action and the remaining to two super PACs aimed at helping democratic candidates in congressional races.
This is the first time Mr. Soros will give money to Priorities USA Action.  Having been a high profile donor to Obama’s 2008 campaign efforts, there was speculation that Mr. Soros’ lack of financial support in this election cycle meant that he was not satisfied with the President’s first term.

According to the New York Times, Mr. Soros was not personally able to attend the event where the announcement was made, although he sent an email to the other invitees. It explained that it was his displeasure with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Citizen’s United case in 2010, allowing for super PACs that had caused his hesitation to donate, and that he was in support of the President Obama’s re-election.

The Citizen’s United decision ruled that corporations reserve the right to free speech, allowing for anonymous donors to contribute unlimited amounts of money to political action committees.  Although super PACs have received much criticism for greatly limiting the transparency of campaign finance, they have been utilized in support of both presidential candidates this election season.

Photo from CNN.com

With just six weeks left until the 2012 Presidential election, the attention of many will draw to the many polls.  The national polls do tell us some things about the race in general, but really the state-by-state polls tell us more about the actual outcome of the election.

Most analyses point to about 10 “swing states” that are the closest and will determine the winner.  These 10 states are: New Hampshire (4), Virginia (13), North Carolina (15), Florida (29), Ohio (18), Michigan (16), Wisconsin (10), Iowa (6), Colorado (9), and Nevada (6).  With those states outstanding, the vote count is Obama-221, Romney-191.  A candidate needs 270 electoral votes in order to be elected.

Right now the residual polling bump for Obama or lag for Romney has Obama up in most of these swing state polls.  Certain tactics are aimed at certain states however.   The Romney VP pick of Paul Ryan was aimed, in part, to swing some votes in Ryan’s home state of Wisconsin.  Obama is making a lot of hay out of Ryan’s Medicare reforms in Florida, the home of many seniors.  Romney is making a big push for exploring more energy resources in coal and natural gas in an attempt to sway voters in big coal country in Ohio or even Pennsylvania.  Obama touts his bailout of the auto industry to gain votes in Michigan.

Overall though, the election will bend on three big states.  Along with the wealth of electoral votes, these states have populations that are predictive of a broader trend nationwide.  But just on pure math, if one candidate wins these three states they will win the Presidency.  The states are Ohio, Florida, and Virginia.  No Republican has won the Presidency without winning Ohio.  Along with that fact, Ohio has a diverse population of socio-economic conditions, etc. that make it particularly prophetic.  Florida was the state that decided the Presidency 12 years ago, and remains the biggest prize electorally.  It’s population of older voters and diverse racial populations make it an interesting model to watch.  Finally, Virginia is the purplest of purple states.  A red state for a generation, Virginia went to Obama in 2008.  The state is now trended to conservative down south, more liberal in NoVA.  This simmering split is key to determining whether Obama or Romney will prevail here.

The general consensus seems to be around the fact that the election will be close.  No huge movements in the polls have happened in either direction.  After the economy tanked in September 2008, Barack Obama gained huge ground over John McCain and never gave that lead up.  Such an event hasn’t occurred yet in Election 2012.  Perhaps the debates will provide a push one way or another.

For more information on the Electoral College and the map, you can use the great site www.270towin.com.

Photo by| Obama 2012 Campaign

http://storify.com/nosliwneelloc/obama-campaign-uses-social-media-to-engage-young-v

Pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar is in the middle of a historic 17-day trip to the United States.  Having spent the better part of 20 years on house arrest after co-founding the National League for Democracy, in opposition to the military led government of Myanmar, Suu Kyi has become a global inspiration.

Since being released in 2010, she has been elected to Parliament and received numerous awards for the immense personal sacrifices she has made to bring reform to Myanmar.  While in Washington, DC last week, Suu Kyi was given the highest award presented by Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal and has attended numerous events honoring her commitment to democracy, including a town hall meeting hosted by Amnesty International.

The event took place at the Newseum last Thursday. Human rights activists from far and wide came to hear Suu Kyi speak and ask her questions regarding her experiences as, what Amnesty International calls, a prisoner of conscious.  She discussed the tactics she used to overcome such solitude, which included constantly reading and always acknowledging that whatever horrible thing has happened, will not seem as bad in 24 hours.  She also explained that people should not be deliberately insulting to one another, but governments are not people and should therefore be prepared to take criticism.  Amnesty International had taken an active role in the campaign to free Suu Kyi.  Many protests had been held and letters sent by members of AI, calling for her release.

Suu Kyi’s freedom represents a slow but steady progress towards democracy in Myanmar, allowing for better relations with America.  In 2011, Hilary Clinton was the first Secretary of State in 50 years to visit the Asian nation, and last Wednesday it was announced that the United States Government had lifted sanctions against Myanmar’s President Thein Sein and speaker of the lower house of Parliament Thura Shwe Mann.

The Obama Administration is taking steps to improve relations due to the removal of the military junta from power, and the election of a civilian president in 2011.

Much has been made over the past few weeks of Mitt Romney’s dip in the polls.  President Obama’s lead now has eclipsed the margin of error.  Some may chalk this up to Obama’s convention bounce or the missteps the Romney camp has had recently.  A new tape of Romney at a fundraiser claiming that the 47% of Americans who pay no income tax will automatically vote for Barack Obama doesn’t help his cause.  However, the reason Romney is dipping, or even susceptible to such dips, is an issue of his fundamental campaign strategy.

The Romney general election strategy is based on the notion that no President with an economy this bad can be reelected.  In this scenario, all Romney would have to be is a credible alternative and theoretically he should coast to victory.  It’s the strategy that Chris Christie used in his 2009 New Jersey Gubernatorial win.  He relied on the unpopularity of Jon Corzine to win.  Anyone can look at numbers that say a good majority of Americans say the nation is on the “wrong track”.  You can look at numbers giving Romney a generally positive economic rating while giving Obama a mediocre to low score.  All of the evidence says that Romney should be winning.  Yet, he is not.

The reason behind this anomaly is Romney is only giving reasons to fire Barack Obama and not giving many on why he himself should be hired.  It’s true that many Americans are willing to replace Obama, but they have to simultaneously have a reason to replace him with Romney.  After Paul Ryan was chosen as Romney’s running mate, many conservatives, myself included, rejoiced that finally this election would transcend Mitt Romney’s tax returns and what the Obama camp alleges he did while at Bain Capital.  The Ryan pick allowed Romney to go big.  Ryan is by far the best explainer in the conservative movement.  He’s able to break down cumbersome policy into bite size portions.  Romney should let him do that.  This election should not be about two men, it should be about two sets of ideas and ideologies.

Oddly though, Romney seems to be placing his bet on issues he can’t win.  His focus on biography opens up attacks on Bain and his tax returns.  His push on likability reveals Obama’s massive lead on that score.  He should focus on issues.  Paul Ryan’s budget is now linked to Mitt Romney, so defend it.  Make that the clear alternative to a President who hasn’t signed a budget in over 1,000 days.  This is only the beginning of a real contrast between two ideologies not simply two men.  Romney need only pick up the sword and fight.

If Romney intends to make this election a 1980 style incumbent defeat, he must do what Reagan admitted, “It wasn’t that I was a great communicator, it’s that I communicated great things.” Romney must start talking about the great things he brings to the table, not simply his resume`.  That is how Romney wins this election.  Or put another way, it’s how Mitt Romney gets hired for the job of President of the United States.

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Eleven years ago to the day the United States of America was forever changed. Many in the United States and people around the world who were affected by the tragic events of  September 11^th, 2001 pause to honor and remember the friends and family they lost.

Today at the White House President Obama and the First Lady held a moment of silence marking the anniversary of the first plane hitting World Trade Center tower 1. The Republican nominee for president Mitt Romney said in a statement today:

“Eleven years ago today, from Capitol Hill, I could see the smoke rising from the fires burning in the Pentagon. Like all Americans, I will never forget the moment that our homeland came under attack. For me, this is a day to remember those who perished on that day of terror, including the first responders. It is also a day to pay tribute to all those who have worked quietly and tirelessly both on the home front and abroad to prevent a repetition of such terrible events. And it is a day to give honor to those in our military who have sacrificed so much, including their lives, for the same end.  Their courage and heroism and willingness to answer the call of duty have kept America safe and strong and free.  We are truly the home of the brave.”

Around the country memorials are being held in honor of the victims. President Obama attended a memorial at the Pentagon earlier this morning. The names of those who died in the attacks are being read by friends and family members at a ground zero, and a memorial ceremony is taking place in Shanksville, Pennsylvania where United Airlines flight 93 went down.

Photo:  9/11 Memorial- South Pool | By: Jenn