I was one of the 400? that stood in Prescott Park for the 18th? kickoff of the McCain for President campaign. The Navy yard in the background looked great. The national media, some crankin music, faces none of us had ever seen before working out lunch spots on cell phones. Portsmouth, NH. A backdrop.

Enter the introduction person. Didn't know her. "Please welcome the next President of the United States, John McCain." From that moment, I was gone. The next President line is part of most campaigns to "pump" up the crowd. The crowd was tepid at best. It was like playing Gary Glitters RocknRoll part 2 in a staduim when your team is down 6-1 with 3 minutes to go.

What is it with the ole standby political speech? Identify something everyone agrees with and say you too agree. "If I am elected president, everyone gets 10 grand." Perfect. Voters in this state and others seem to favor a dynamic personality that transends politics (think the Terminator, Bill Clinton and W.) These are for the most part folksy guys that we understand as being leaders. In McCain's case he resembles the masses. He resembles the Senate. An old retiree looking for an early bird special. Look at the past losers and you will see McCain all over it. Kerry, Gore, McCain, etc. All average made up politicians that look like average made up (read: face makeup) politicians. Some like Edwards, aspire to be this old sort of politician. Don't know why he would take that strategy but he loses too.

So what's left. Obama and Rudi. Thats it unless someone really interesting gets in. There is a "coolness" there. Hilary ain't cool. She too is toast. Sorry John, good try. You remind me of someone that I made the mistake of asking directions to the nearest gas station, and after 15 minutes of listening to you go on and on, realized it was right down the road.

Posted by Rob Connelly at 10:18 AM| Permalink | Comments (1)

I am having no trouble figuring out what Obama would do as President. After hearing many residents at the Forum unsatisfied with the senator's answers, I was confused. I heard him loud and clear. He was there to promise as much money as it took to get votes. If someone wanted cheaper prescription drugs: no problem, he would look into it. If another had children and the expenses were too high, no problem, he would lower costs. Another wants pure universal, natal to grave coverage for free, sure, Obama will hear those concerns and get that done.

It's obviously unpopular, but here it is. Medial insurance is a privilege, not a right. A large portion of our society is not encouraged to save, has little idea about tax policy and even less regarding medical insurance. The simple fact that millions in this country feel entitled to a complete cradle to grave livelihood is killing us all. Millions and millions are spent on research, development of drugs and technologies designed to cure the incurable, not to mention the massive educational costs in biotechnology or simply becoming a doctor. Once they have spent 160k on undergrad, another 100k on grad school, Ph.D. and internships, doctors today are faced with massive liability insurance costs to protect them in the event some gang member gets shot doing a drug deal, the doctor misses a piece of the bullet in the gangster's thigh and the family sues for $30 million.

To lower the cost of health insurance, cap the lawsuits. The simple fact that is if I should break my leg skiing and someone could fix it, I should pay for that, not the American people as a whole. Imagine auto insurance that
covered everything that could go wrong with a car, not just accidents. Many things can go wrong with a body and we have an insurance system to pay for it. Yes it's expensive. Very expensive. Obama should lead by saying to
people "knock off the lawsuits and save your money for the things that really matter: the health of your family." He never will because his audience wants as much for free as it can get, because they don't care about the people that must pay. Remember, money grows on trees when it comes to the federal government.

Oh shoot, never mind. The masters is on, and I want to watch it on my 80 inch plasma. After all, I just sent off a payment in lieu of my Anthem bill. It's ok, if I strain my back cheering, the hospital will have to treat me.

Posted by Rob Connelly at 09:58 AM| Permalink | Comments (0)