Could Huntsman be the Man?

Former Utah Governor, diplomat, businessman, husband, and father Jon Huntsman announced last week that he was officially going to be the 8th person to become a GOP candidate for the President of the United States of America. He announced to a small crowd in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty with his wife of 28 years and children present. He was the picture of presidential. His speech was careful and positive.

He pointed out that “The deck is stacked against Americans due to no fault of their own.” He points out that we are passing a country down that is less powerful, confident, compassionate, and competitive to the next generation. He chastises stating that this is “un-American.” He calls America to return to being a “teacher in society” and calls for energy independence. He addressed many of the issues important to most Americans including healthcare, medicare, and the economy.

What he didn’t mention, until the end, was the name Barack Obama. He worked for him as the ambassador to China from 2009-2011. This is especially interesting because it gives him the edge on the other candidates because it is foreign experience as well as a position that will help him to appeal to moderates, and possibly conservative democrats. Not only did he work for Barack Obama, he also worked for Regan, Bush, and W. Bush. He has foreign experience, domestic experience, political experience, and bipartisan experience.

What he did mention was that he has respect for the President, and his fellow GOP candidates. He plans “to take the high road, and not run down someone’s name to win.” He noted that he and the president have a difference in opinions, but calls for people to choose who they believe is the “better president, not the better American. “

Huntsman will without a doubt be compared to Romney. The parallels are as numerous as the comparisons of Bachmann to Palin. They both have that “presidential look,” Mormon faith, former governors, independently wealthy, and fiscally conservative. However, Romney didn’t have the success that Huntsman did as governor. During his time as governor Huntsman enjoyed a 90% approval rating and left office with an 80% approval rating. His state experienced strong of economic growth during his term, making Utah one of the top three states to do business in. His experiences as governor proved to be much more positive than that of Romney’s. Of all the candidates Romney and Huntsman stand out as the most centrist and presidential. However, this will be a real test of separation of church and state for voters. It will be challenging for a Mormon to be elected as president. The bulk of the conservative base happens to be Christian of some sort. Religion is going to be a big challenge for Huntsman.

Undoubtedly Huntsman had one of the best announcement speeches. He appeared to be authentic, sincere, positive, and gave his position on issues rather than tearing down the President or his opponents. However a risk for Huntsman is appearing as the status quo from Washington. He’s had a vast amount of experience in many different administrations, but will that hurt him? Currently an issue at http://thevotereffect.com is, Does Huntsman excite you as a presidential candidate? Go to the site, become a member, and vote now!






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Bachmann Watch

Chances are four years ago you didn’t have a clue who Michelle Bachmann even was, let alone that she even existed. She entered US House of Representatives in 2006 as the first woman Republican from Minnesota. Who would have thought that a woman from up north would make such waves in the political world? I guess that is a scene we’ve seen before. The last northern star, Sarah Palin, seems likely to be replaced by a new GOP star from a really cold state. Why is Michelle Bachmann creating such a stir, and who is she?

Deemed a “Tea Party Darling” Bachmann is staunch about the need for tax reform and major defense of the Constitution. She also is adamant that the Healthcare reform bill has been a gross example of government growing too quickly in the wrong direction. One of the most interesting features about her is her parallel to Sarah Palin. The similarities between the two do not stop at both of them being from frigidly cold states. Both seem to have plenty of missteps and misconceptions that plague their speeches and public opinions. Michelle Bachmann wasn’t sure where the battle of Lexington and Concord happened and Sarah Palin was unclear who it was that warned everyone of the British coming.  Clearly they are not history experts, but it is possible to be president even if you aren’t a history buff. After all, the Whitehouse does have Wi-fi. Why they didn’t use google before they publicly spoke is probably another similarity between the two.

Anyone who watched the CNN Debate, perhaps the most memorable moment was when Michelle Bachmann announced that she plans to run for president. The second most memorable moment was when she mentioned many times that she has 23 foster children, whether it pertained to the question or not. We know more about what she’s against, rather than what she’s for. We know that she’s anti-abortion, gay marriage, increased taxes, government spending, health care reform, and what she defines as big government.

It will be difficult for her to run on what she’s against rather than telling the American people what she is for and what she wants to do. She’s pretty extreme and lacks a good amount of substance. Some controversy surrounds her in the form of farm subsidies and she still has the problems of those gaffes. All in all it will be interesting to see what happens with Michelle Bachmann. My humble prediction is that the lesson was learned with her political double, Sarah Palin. The GOP will select more carefully this time which candidate will be chosen.

Right now at http://thevotereffect.com Michelle Bachmann is an issue. The first question being, “Do you support Michelle Bachmann as the GOP Candidate?” Currently 77% of the users do not support her as the candidate. That means only a mere 23% support her. The second issue being, “Should Michelle Bachmann debate a 16 year old girl?” A shocking 85% of users thought that she should debate a 16 year old girl. Not entirely sure what message that sends.  Go to http://thevotereffect.com and vote for yourself. It is free, fun, and educational. Leave a comment and make your opinion known!  

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Wal-Mart Wins, Women Lose

Today, the shocking Supreme Court Ruling in Dukes vs. Wal-Mart resulted in what is being called a step backwards in gender equality for women. The decision to not certify Dukes as a class action suit was unanimous. So what is this about and what does it all mean? Basically, Wal-Mart wins. Women Lose. Wal-Mart wins. We all lose.

Beating up on Wal-Mart has become a national past time. No one seems happy about Wal-Mart’s destruction of Main Street, decimation of the mom and pop neighborhood store, and generally driving down wages in countless communities all over the United States. Harsh criticisms about Wal-Mart’s refusal to allow their employees to unionize while obviously bulldozing over Little Town, USA all in the name of bringing low prices to the American people.  However, guiltily, most of us shop the discount giant. Possibly many of us exclusively shop Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club, present company embarrassingly included. I could make excuses, but basically Sam’s Club is near my house and I dig buying in volume. I want to know when I buy toilet paper that I won’t have to buy it again for another 6 months. Excuses or not, I don’t love my decision to give them my business.

Okay, so I’m not the world’s hugest Wal-Mart fan. I find it highly annoying that their stores have the lowest prices on groceries.  We as a society sacrifice so much for these low prices. If I were to get petty, which I will, I’d have to point out that I hate when their prices end in $0.96. Traditionally prices end in $0.99 or $0.00. Really? $0.04? Doesn’t seem worth it.  Okay, I’m just being a jerk. I’m certain that Wal-Mart has done plenty for the communities they are a part of. I mean, for one, they do provide low prices for groceries and any other item that you could possibly think of. So why would 1.5 million women attempt to file a class action suit against this store that is seen in nearly every American community?

Rewind to 1996. A woman by the name of Stephanie Odle was told by a supervisor that a male co-worker was paid more because of his need to provide for his wife and his kids. This is the first of many cases for countless women nationwide. Women have been told to “doll up” and sweep “the cobwebs” off of their makeup. Not only offensive comments such as these, but many women have watched as younger men with less experience have been promoted above them. The data supports that in fact women have been promoted less despite stronger evaluation records. They have also been paid less across the country. Sounds to me like Wal-Mart is saying boys are better than girls.

This doesn’t really seem like an argument that should be occurring in 2011. Basically it boils down to that even though the arguments of the women seem compelling the monetary size of the class action suit is too large. Lower courts have ruled in favor of Dukes, but because Wal-Mart kept appealing they made it to the highest court and won. Now the only option for the 1.5 million women violated by Wal-Mart is that they can file individual lawsuits. Sadly, none of the stories of these women have been told in a court of law. They’ve been simply trying to get a court to certify that this indeed is a viable class action suit. That was denied today by the highest court in the land.

This issue is being discussed at http://thevotereffect.com currently. The question being do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s case. Undoubtedly this Supreme Court made a statement. Whether that statement be that they feel big corporations have more of a say than individual citizens, or that this case was simply too big, a statement was made.  Honestly, this decision was disappointing, but it is not the last that will be heard of this case. The American people are all ears and will be watching what happens.

Additional information and sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/20/featherstone.walmart.lawsuit/

http://slatest.slate.com/posts/2011/06/20/wal_mart_sex_discrimination_supreme_court_rules_class_action_can.html

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Spitin' in the Wind

Being a political junkie I love debates. Any kind of political debates. There is something about candidates attacking one another and pointing out flaws that really makes campaigns what they are. After all candidates themselves aren’t going to tell us their own flaws so it is crucial that their opponents point them out. Interestingly, the only candidate’s flaws pointed out during the GOP Debate in New Hampshire was Obama.

The GOP Candidates were united on all typical GOP issues. They were all strongly prolife, pro private sector job creation, pro lowering taxes, against gay marriage, and pro business tax breaks. Candidates didn’t really point out any issues they felt differently about as compared to the other candidates. Briefly Romney was attacked for his “Romneycare” or “Obamneycare.” Pawlenty was given the opportunity to explain himself for tokening the term Obamneycare. Relatively little bantering for 2 hours of debate.

While some may argue that the united GOP candidate field was refreshing, it is interesting when you look at past campaigns. Arguably it was Clinton who did the most vetting of Barack Obama in 2008. She brought out everything that any GOP Candidate would have brought out once the general election took place. Certainly Obama did the same for her. Had she gained the nomination there would have been little that any GOP Candidate could have brought out against her. This was clearly missing during the New Hampshire Debate. Candidates were united in the front of not liking Obama. Which was entirely a waste of time. It is obvious that none of them like Obama because if they liked him they would not be running against him. Thus, every word uttered against him was like spitting into the wind. Pointless.

GOP Candidates made a fatal error by not coming out strongly against each other rather than just coming out against Obama. Surely the GOP constituents aren’t looking for the candidate who most hates Obama and his policies. Rather, aren’t they looking for the candidate with the policies they most believe in? If you watched the debates and a candidate particularly resonated with you, comment and let us know what you think. Then, go to http://thevotereffect.com and join. Become a positive change in the future of politics, while informing yourself about all political topics.  

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When Weiner is More than a Last Name

Who doesn't love a good Washington politician scandal? They are classically intriguing. Nothing gets the country going like a good case of a congressman having a crazy affair, taking naked pictures of themselves, or disappearing for extended periods of time. No matter what the scandal Americans love to follow their trials and tribulations. The most recent: Anthony Weiner. Unless you are living somewhere with no internet, phone, or TV access you know the story. New York Representative sends tweets of his private parts to some girl out in cyberspace. He obviously gets caught, lies, tells the truth, then apologizes for lying to the public, his wife, and even Bill Clinton. Now the plot thickens. He REFUSES to resign.

Currently on http://thevotereffect.com 89% of the users believe that Weiner should resign from his position in Congress. Some of the comments include his pure stupidity as a reason for his resignation, while others believe that Bill Clinton didn’t resign, so why should he? Another issue on The Voter Effect is that recently three other Congressmen have been involved in indiscretions and they have all resigned. Lee, Ensign, and Sanford were all forced to resign so why isn’t anyone forcing Weiner’s resignation?

The facts are that once a political figure participates in an act of indiscretion they lose their party affiliation. Once Weiner was busted sending the lewd photos the Democrats didn’t want to touch him with a ten foot poll. The same thing happened with Lee, Ensign, and Sanford. Once they were caught red handed the Republican Party dropped them like a hot potato. The reason being that there is nothing partisan about an affair or sending of genitals in a picture. Once you do that, you are on your own. Completely on your own. The Democrats are working their tail ends off to get Weiner to resign as much as the Republicans are calling for it. Let’s face it, he’s making everyone look bad.

Weiner is known as a DC outsider anyway. He’s never really done what everyone expects him to do. He’s often known as a media hog, outspoken, brash, and not really one to walk party lines. For someone with a vast group of online friends, in DC he really is surrounded by himself. According to the NY Times he ultimately is being advised by himself, which is dangerous in itself. As of late he hasn’t made the best decisions. He has been belligerent in his decision to not resign and although he initially lied to the public stating that he was the victim of a hacker, he still really seems to think that he needs to be forgiven and keep his position. Resign or not Weiner is politically changed forever. He probably won’t be elected mayor of New York which was his next endeavor.

In the end it is completely mind boggling that these men spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to get elected into office. They spend countless hours convincing their constituents that they are the “right” person for the job. With all of this time and money spent on becoming elected one would think that it wouldn’t be thrown away with some ridiculous decision. Now, I’m not a political mastermind, but I would know enough to not send pictures of myself in compromising positions to a young woman, who is a stranger. Let alone send the pictures via the INTERNET creating digital record that is hard to delete or deny. Maybe someone needs to encourage these men to communicate with these women via snail mail and pay phones. That would at least be significantly less blatant and traceable.

To join the conversation go to http://thevotereffect.com and comment on all issues Weiner. 

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What's With Mitt Romney?

Just look at the man. Mitt Romney exudes a sort of presidential air about him. He looks presidential. He’s tall, nice smile, fabulous hair, well spoken, and even the way he carries himself makes one believe that he could in fact be president. After all he looks the part, and that is half the battle. Right?

Despite how “presidential” he may seem Romney is faced with his own problems in the presidential 2012 GOP battlefield. One glaring problem that is haunting him from his days as Massachusetts governor is the health care reform plan from 2006 that he signed into law. This law mandates that every citizen of Massachusetts have state-government-regulated healthcare. Additionally it subsidizes healthcare for those who may not be able to afford healthcare. Those who do not obtain healthcare are forced to pay tax penalties. Romney received applause from many people for signing this bipartisan law into effect. Both Republicans and Democrats seemed satisfied with the efforts in 2006. Now, however, Mitt Romney is not receiving the same applause for his efforts. In fact he’s downright criticized for ever even supporting the idea.  

Many analysts agree that healthcare will be the proverbial nail in the coffin for Romney in 2012. Despite his taboo bill signing in 2006 it is argued that Romney does have some political assets to his credit. First and foremost being the fact that he was elected governor as a Republican in a dominantly blue state. He has bipartisan tendencies, which is arguably what our country needs right now. Granted when he left office his approval rating was 43%, but that still isn’t bad for a state that typically goes Democrat.

Romney is also often noted as the hero of the economy. Possibly due to his own economic success. Despite his criticism of Obama’s job growth in May, Romney didn’t have the greatest job growth by his own rights when he was governor of Massachusetts. His state in fact rated 47^th in job growth. Also, when googled “Mitt Romney economy” brings up only articles that discuss Romney’s attacks on Obama for his economic decisions and very little about what Romney plans to do for the economy if elected. His personal net worth is between $190 and $250 million which argues that he must know something about money.

Currently the frontrunner in the GOP battle for the presidential bid Romney still has battles to overcome. Beyond healthcare another issue is his religion. He is not part of the typically Christian Coalition of the GOP. 

His religion, although not often mentioned, will undoubtedly be problematic for Romney.

Http://thevotereffect.com has two issues about Mitt Romney right now. The first being, “Does Mitt Romney excite you as a political candidate?” The second being, “Will Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith hurt him as a candidate?” Go to http://thevotereffect.com and vote on both of these issues now. You can also give comments and opinions to share with other voters. This site is an excellent way to become politically active, informed, and connected! Join the Effect!

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