More Wildwood Videos

Here are some more Wildwood videos to give you a taste of our trip down the Shore.

Randomness - Baseball Dogs

Nothing profound here. Just ready for break from World Cup Mania.

Random Thoughts About Iowa

A few random thoughts about the Iowa results. As always, I make no claims about accuracy, or that these are deeply thought out. But here they are for you to react to.

• Watching the victory speeches of Obama and Huckabee, I was stricken again by Barack Obama's rhetorical talent. It completely overshadowed Governor Huckabee, who is a minister who thus practiced his rhetoric weekly in sermons. I am wondering if the victory of Obama will push Republicans toward Romney who appears to be the best speech-given of the Republican field.
• Sean made a great point in a recent comment. Senator Clinton's comments after the loss were not those of a champion knocked down, but those of a conquered foe accepting defeat. That move may do more to doom any comeback in New Hampshire than any attack ad or push poll.
• Rudolph Guiliani is taking a huge gamble by ignoring Iowa and New Hampshire. When we arrive at his states on Super Tuesday, I have a feeling it will feel like the candidacy of Fred Thompson did when he finally announced. Too little, too late. It may work if Huckabee wins New Hampshire, though, as Guiliani will be the clear alternative to an Evangelical tidal wave.
• I really like Fred Thompson's ideas. But he has been talking about John McCain so much of late, that I am quite sure he plans to drop out after New Hampshire and endorse Senator McCain. And I am not sure it will help either of their political futures.
• Why is John Edwards in this race? After watching Obama, Clinton, and Edwards, the only reason to choose Senator Edwards over the others is either (1) he has better hair, or (2) no one else is named John Edwards. Either he has not gotten across his message to me, or this really is about vanity for him.

These are admittedly the fevered ramblings of a blogger, so take them all with a grain of salt. But it appears certain things are becoming clear in the American mind, whether they are true or not.

Random thoughts on the 2008 Presidential Campaign

I've been trying to find news on the primaries, but today I thought it might be interesting just to throw out some random thoughts to provoke discussion. These are not cogent arguments, but thoughts I have been working through. So react as you will, but don't take them as pronouncements of Truth.

• Huckabee will do VERY well in Iowa, despite his comments about Mormonism. He will be used there and in New Hampshire to send a message "Don't take the Religious Right for granted." But once the point is made, his support will disappear.
• Fred Thompson does not want to be president. He is running, so that he would not look back on his life later and ask "Why didn't I try?"
• If the Democratic nominee is Barack Obama, and the Republicans nominate Rudy Guiliani, I could see myself voting for Obama so that I could tell my grandchildren that I voted for the first black president.
• The endorsement of Obama by Oprah will not be significant in Iowa or New Hampshire. But the importance will grow with time.
• If Ron Paul fails to win any of the Republican primaries, his followers will originate a new "vast conspiracy" theory to explain his loss, which will become a long-running internet meme.
• I still can't find anyone who is "Pro Hillary Clinton." I can find a lot of people who say they'll vote for her. But no one who likes her or thinks she'll do anything especially good for the country.
• I believe we will see a strong third-party run this cycle, from a person like Ross Perot talking about fiscal responsibility and accountability to the people.
• America is ready for a black, latino, and/or female president.
• If Mitt Romney is the GOP nominee, we will see a brief spike in people converting to Mormonism, which will be heavily covered by the media. It will be used by some religious and anti-religion people as evidence that Romney's election would be dangerous for the soul of America. But it will peter out quickly, and most of the converts will be the kind of lost souls who are "blown here and there by every wind of doctrine" and public whim. Most will not still consider themselves Mormons 4 years later.

There you go. React away. And don't worry, I already know I could be wrong about all of these.

You knew this day would come