This post originally appeared at Fire Dog Lake's Oxdown Gazette:
Does anyone else notice a pattern?
Here's how the debt has fared under Presidents of the past 30 years:
Jimmy Carter (D) -3.2% Ronald Reagan (R) +11.3% Ronald Reagan (R) +9.2% George H. W. Bush (R) +13.1% Bill Clinton (D) -0.6% Bill Clinton (D) -8.2% George W. Bush (R) +6.9% George W. Bush (R) +3.9% projection
A clear pattern of increasing debt under Republicans and decreasing debt under Dems.
The debt has gone up $4 TRILLION under Bush/McCain -- a 71.9% increase. Biggest increase in U.S. History. The bailout/rescue bill raises the National Debt Limit for the 7th time under Bush.
This massive, crippling debt is not exactly what the Bush Admin was selling to the American people. Check out this remarkable statement from Bush's "Blueprint for New Beginnings" (Feb 2001):
Indeed, the President's Budget pays down the debt so aggressively that it runs into an unusual problem—its annual surpluses begin to outstrip the amount of maturing debt starting in 2007.
Annual surpluses! That worked out real well.
So what's McCain's plan?
A dangerous government-wide spending freeze.
...he offered few details, other than to reiterate his call for a “one-year spending freeze on every agency of the federal government, excepting only national defense, the care of our veterans, and a few critical priorities.’’ He called it a spending “pause” when he first proposed it in April. And, although independent fiscal analysts said that Mr. McCain’s tax cut proposals would make it virtually impossible to balance the budget even before the fiscal crisis hit and the bailout was proposed, he said, “I am committed to billions in spending reductions that will balance the budget, and get us on the path away from ruinous debt.”
...he offered few details, other than to reiterate his call for a “one-year spending freeze on every agency of the federal government, excepting only national defense, the care of our veterans, and a few critical priorities.’’ He called it a spending “pause” when he first proposed it in April.
And, although independent fiscal analysts said that Mr. McCain’s tax cut proposals would make it virtually impossible to balance the budget even before the fiscal crisis hit and the bailout was proposed, he said, “I am committed to billions in spending reductions that will balance the budget, and get us on the path away from ruinous debt.”
The only question remains... Why do Republicans LOVE debt?
Find the original post here:
http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/419
FL may be the key to all this. I have a theory. The Southern Strategy.
Attack McCain hard in FL and it will have an effect on the rest of the swing states. Why? B/c FL is the biggest swing state. One with a mix of the perfect McCain voter, the southern cultural conservative and the senior voters. Rudy Giuliani turf. But they despite that, it is still a chasable huge swing state. With a LOT of young people and elderly. Start changing the race in FL and watch the effect on other swing states, esp southern ones like NC, VA, maybe even OH as they watch the battle unfold.
And, somewhat related, here's a chart of the electoral map:
That basically confirms what Chuck Todd has been saying. That the Rick Warren fiasco only helped McCain shore up with GOP base and Obama didn't lose any Dems. And in fact, he has room to go up as he consolidates the Dem base. Then the final stretch will be Indies and swing states, which, if Obama plays his cards right he is leaning on those now.
Make McCain sweat in FL -- elderly, jewish vote, latinos, offshore drilling, hell, Jeb Bush! -- and it will drive down his #s in other swing states.
UPDATE:
This just in...
FL-Pres (Aug 21 ARG)
McCain (R) 47%, Obama (D) 46%
1 point ballgame in FL.
If we seriously threaten to flip it, that is a huge huge distraction for McCain... Or an outright win for Obama in the EC.
We need to take control of the dialog in this race. ASAP.
It's so easy. Challenge McCain.
Pick a handful of points and CHALLENGE McCain directly on those points.
Such as:
"I challenge John McCain to support my tax cut for the Middle Class."
"I challenge John McCain to support investment in Renewable Energy and Conservation."
"I challenge John McCain to tell us how he would fix the housing market."
"I challenge John McCain to support the Iraqi government's request for a timeline to get us out of Iraq."
Then HAMMER IT HOME.
Change the dialog.
Make HIM respond.
Otherwise, we are letting Karl Rove dictate Barack Obama's campaign.
Dictate the dialog. Rule it. Own it.
Do it NOW or they will STEAL THE ELECTION AGAIN.
Truly, the substance of the race for President DOESN'T MATTER IN THE LEAST if the GOP continues to trivialize and marginalize serious debate. This election is a referendum on leadership of the Republican Party -- George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Senators and House Reps -- and their collective utter failure on the economy, on jobs, on energy, on the War in Iraq, on the War in Afghanistan, on the War on Terror, on upholding the Constitution, on basically every single issue. While energy is a top issue, let's not forget the connection of oil and gas to: The economy, jobs, the War in Iraq, the War in Afghanistan, the War on Terror, pollution, health, climate change, and much more. If we are going to talk about energy, we should discuss all of these issues or we are doing our country a great disservice. 75% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. Let's get down to issues that matter. If the GOP wants to frame the discussion about energy, let's see them talk about energy as it relates to these issues: The economy, jobs, the War in Iraq, OPEC, the War in Afghanistan, the War on Terror, pollution, health, climate change. They are ALL connected to energy. Discuss.
Everyone should check this out if they haven't yet:
The Greenhorns
The Greenhorns is a documentary film that explores the lives of America’s young farming community—its spirit, practices, and needs. As the nation experiences a groundswell of interest in sustainable lifestyles, we see the promising beginnings of an agricultural revival. Young farmers’ efforts feed us safe food, conserve valuable land, and reconstitute communities split apart by strip malls. It is the filmmakers's hope that by broadcasting the stories and voices of these young farmers, we can inspire another generation of optimistic agrarians.
Good people, good food. Sustainable people power. That's what it's all about imho.
Anybody know of any other good things like this?
