SAIGONBOB

Should Bill Clinton Shut Up?

    In the past, most former President's of the United States, felt it was the only dignified position: Stay out of your party's primary.
    After all, most have this mystified position of being a statesman and not a politician.
    It was also considered an unfair advantage to those running against your favorite candidate...to endorse or make "Sermon's on the Mount" on behalf of them.
    Jimmy Carter has certainly made a little bit of a mess, even speaking on harsh terms about a sitting, unpopular president...something rarely done in our history.

    Even Ex-President's have the right of free speech.

    Former President Bill Clinton, is in a difficult position, because his wife, Hillary, is running for President.

    But, lately, he has been taking this partnership to the  extreme.

    Not only supporting the former First Lady, but being critical of a US Senator from Illinois, who is a Constitutional Lawyer, to task, for not being good enough to run for President of the United States---IN the same party.

    Now he is playing "attack dog" in South Carolina, making it appear that this is a Black-White issue, while Hillary,gleefully, campaigns in the Feb. 5th, primary states.

    I think Hillary and Bill Clinton can stop saying this will  "not be a co-presidency."

    I voted twice for Bill Clinton for President, but his legacy...almost re-built, is falling apart in my eyes.

    I can't wait to vote for Barack Obama for a fresh change to the Bush-Clinton-Clinton-Bush-Bush/ Clinton-Clinton?-era.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

      

Obama's Nevada Loss: What is Next?

     It's not over yet, but Senator Obama has to win South Carolina next Saturday, or it will be very tough, going into super-duper Tuesday, February 5th, when 22 states will hold Democratic Primaries.
    California could hold the key to the Democratic nomination on Feb. 5th, as it is around 10% of all delegates chosen for the Denver convention.
    It's not time to panic....but it is getting close for the Obama campaign forces.
    The Clinton's have been in power for 14 straight years (White House+US Senate) and have the establishment mechanics of the party in tow.
    Mr. Obama is fighting not only Hillary, but also the popular former President, Bill Clinton.  It is almost 2 against 1.

    If Senator Obama does win South Carolina, the pundits will say that is only because of the large African-American vote in that state.  It is a way of dismissing his overall strength with the American electorate.

    So, the Obama campaign has to hone in on the message.  Get a lot more specific, with dynamite proposals.

    His recent academic attempt to bring Ronald Reagan into his message, was a mistake for the Democratic primary, but would have been brilliant for the general election.

    For California he can take a hint from Clark County, Nevada.  Las Vegas and environs are a lot like Los Angeles, in it's thinking and lifestyle.  Therefore, he has to take knowledge from that county and apply it to the City of the Angels.

    Hillary is ahead in the polls in California.

    Senator Obama has a couple of weeks, left, to get it together.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

      

Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton: Who is Best to Beat GOP in Fall

    I have nothing against Hillary Clinton, except that, if she gets the Democratic nod in the fall, we will have one of the most divisive and negative campaigns, since the Nixon "plumbers."
    Also, I think she is probably the weakest of all of the front runners, who would face the GOP.
    Yes, she would receive a majority of Women voters,
but all of the old controversies of the Bill Clinton years would surface again.....Whitewater, Rose Law Firm, Travelgate, kissing Mrs. Arafat, etc.
    This would give the Republican candidate a field day against her.
    Mrs. Clinton may still pull it off....but once she is in the oval office--the chances of her having any kind of a honeymoon--is very bleak.
    On the other hand, Senator Barack Obama, comes in with a fresh face, and a lack of controversy surrounding him.

    You may say that his book revealing High School drug use will become an issue....but in reality, the drug and alcohol issues have become such a major concern with parents around the country---Obama's "reform" stature will be a blessing...not a negative.

    If the "experience" issue comes up....just mention Richard Nixon..and how after he was a Congressman, and Vice-President for 8 years under "Ike,"---how he (Nixon) screwed up the nation.

    The fact is that once Barack Obama makes it to the oval office, he will do, what all new President's,  do----gather the military advisers, a new cabinet, and gain input as what to do the day after being elected.

    I think Senator Obama has the brightest future and best chance to beat the Republican nominee in November of 2008.

    If he could win Nevada tomorrow, and South Carolina in a week, he could have the momentum to win California on February 5th, and perhaps get the nomination in Denver.

    There is still much time left....but my vote and heart goes to Barack Obama.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

      

Surviving Cancer with a Political Blog

    After a life in Radio News, Vietnam, Politics, Government, marriage, Divorce, children,---I thought I had gone through it all.
    Boy was I wrong.
    After my recent bout with Cancer, including Chemotherapy, and a month of Radiation, I'm still trying to get my energy back---but, supposedly and happily, I am now Cancer Free.

    Of course they call it "remission," which means it could come back.  I guess they say there is a 5 year window, where if I survive it, I should be good to go.

    It can make you crazy thinking about all the new "bumps" on your body..and has it come back?..or what happens if I get it again?

    I'm no Lance Armstrong, and I am in my 60's, and many of my friends are long gone.

    I started my blog in March of 2006, and outlined some of the experiences I had in Vietnam, the early days of Councilman/Mayor Tom Bradley, the travel with Senator Frank Church, Senator Harold E. Hughes, Senator George McGovern, ---and other political campaigns, such as the colorful contest of Congressman George E. Brown, Jr. in his campaign against Congressman John Tunney....among other things( I once had met baseball great "Satchel" Paige)

    But, one of the things that keeps me involved in life, is my, mostly, political blog.

    It is wonderful that we have entered a Presidential year, so I speculate about the candidates and issues, almost every day---this is what keeps me sane.

    I don't mind making predictions, even if I am wrong...because there is nothing wrong with experimenting and wondering....particularly with Cancer.

    My political blog is a great escape for me.

    Although, I was pretty radical in my younger days, I would consider myself a raging moderate, at this stage of my life.

    I've  been a registered Democrat since I voted for Lyndon Johnson against Barry Goldwater for President.

    Then, Johnson, the "peace" candidate, drafted me, and I served in the Central Highlands of Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division for about a year.

    Even though I have been a registered Democrat for 44 years now, some of my best friends are Republicans.

    It's interesting to note that most of my long time friends are Vietnam Veterans.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

   

   

   

Outrage in Nevada:Preventing Casino Workers from Caucusing on the Strip.

  Update: On Thursday, January 17,2008, a Federal Judge denied the lawsuit by the "Teachers Union" to stop the at-large caucus on the Las Vegas Strip casino's---One news  outlet said the suit was headed by someone deeply involved in the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Usually, Democrats have a tradition of trying to make it easier for workers to vote.
   Because casino workers---maids, bartenders and cooks, don't have time to return to home, during the day, in order to caucus for a couple of hours, a deal was reached some time ago, to allow them to caucus on the strip, next to their workplace.
    However, now that the unions have endorsed Barack Obama, someone (Hillary Clinton supporters are suspected...but no smoking gun, yet) are suing to make it harder for the people who clean your toilets, and make your beds, to caucus on the Las Vegas Strip, right next to their jobs.

     This attempt to discourage voting, is an outrage.

    The Clinton supporters are worried about losing Nevada and South Carolina, just a week prior to super-duper Tuesday, February 5th, 2008.

    I understand their concern, but making it harder for people to vote is really UN-democratic.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

Looking at Michigan: Will "Uncommitted" Beat Hillary Clinton?

    Since Hillary Clinton is the only candidate on the Democratic Ballot for the Tuesday, Jan. 15th, 2008 Primary election, in Michigan, one would think she has it wrapped up.
    However, the Governor of the Michigan has asked Democrats to vote for the "uncommitted" in this contest.
    The Democratic National Committee decided to strip Michigan of all of their delegates for the Denver convention, because they chose to move their primary too far ahead in the calendar.
    In any case, all of the Democratic Candidates decided to follow the rules and withdraw their name from the ballot---except for Mrs. Clinton.

    The only upset here, is if there are more votes for the "uncommitted" than Senator Clinton.

    Looking at the political poll published today (Jan 14th, 2008) in the Detroit Free Press, the former First Lady, has a little better "likability" factor than Barack Obama, for example.

    There is also cross-over voting in the state, which means that many Democrats will be voting for Senator John McCain, in the Republican primary, as they did 8 years ago.

    It will interesting to watch as the news media and political pundits play this one out, on Tuesday evening, January 15th.

    If Uncommitted's, do indeed, post more votes than Senator Clinton, it will be a temporary defeat to her momentum going into the Nevada Caucus, and South Carolina Primary this month.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

      

Will California's 10% Solution on Feb. 5th-Push the Democratic Primary to May for a Decision?

    California's Democratic Primary on Feb. 5th, 2008 was originally set to help Hillary Clinton, at a cost of 60-90 million taxpayer dollars.

    The Golden State was supposed to have its primary in June.  However, the Speaker of the powerful Democratically controlled State Assembly, who is a Hillary Clinton backer, pushed it to February 5th, under the guise of being more relevant to the minority communities.  I suppose under these guidelines he could have endorsed either Gov. Bill Richardson (Latino) or Senator Barack Obama.

    But, a funny thing may happen on the way to the polls: A victory there by Barack Obama may push the election to the end cycle of primaries, now in May.

      Let's say, for arguments sake, that Senator Clinton wins New York and New Jersey, while Mr. Obama takes Illinois and California on that day.

      Since California has about 10% of the delegates going to the Democratic Convention in Denver, this summer, and Florida and Michigan have been striped of their delegates, due to irregularities--no one may have a majority of delegates.

    It is possible by California moving to an early primary, they may have made it a later election.

    We still have a long way to go, since I am writing this before the Nevada and South Carolina elections.  However, it would be interesting to see this go like the 1968 Democratic Primary contest, when Oregon voted for Eugene McCarthy in May, forcing the election to go to California in June, for that ill-fated contest.

    I hope Clinton and Obama can stay out of the snipping contest...but the way this is going...it may be a bitter election.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   
 

 

Eugene Robinson, Barack Obama and the "Bradley Effect."

  Well respected Washington Post columnist, Eugene Robinson, has been writing about the "Bradley Effect" and whether it is or not an aspect of the polling surprise in New Hampshire.

    Bradley was supposedly ahead of his Republican opponent for Governor of California by 10 points or so going into the last days of the 1982 election.  Bradley lost by less than a percentage point.

    Maybe people assumed this was as a result of Tom Bradley being Black and his opposition being white.

    Nothing could be further from the truth.

    The "Bradley Effect," was well known by us after his 1969 defeat and his 1973 victory for Mayor of Los Angeles--a majority white voting city, at the time.

    The problem was the campaign structure, itself.

    While the 1973 campaign was a success, as the Press Secretary for the campaign, I remember fighting on a daily basis with the campaign management about Television advertising running the free media department.

    I was successful in my attempt to promote the "free media" aspect of the campaign without interference.

    This was not true of the 1982 Gubernatorial campaign.

    It was totally a top down campaign, and it was full of "yes-men" to the national Ad executive. Even though I worked for Tom from 1969 to 1975(Appointed as his Press Secretary in 1973), I refused, when asked, to work for this campaign organization, again.  I loved Mayor Bradley, but I couldn't stomach fighting everyday against the philosophy of "buy the Ad" and screw everything else.

    Tom was not prepared.  He went to the Sacramento Press Corps (check with LA Times Columnist, George Skelton) and was totally blown away, because of this lack of preparation.

    Senator Barack Obama, is very prepared for this fight.

    Tom Bradley became over-confident in the last days of the campaign.

    When I went into the campaign manager,at the time, (I will take a lie-detector test on this) I said, I was worried that Tom was going to lose.  He said that, " we are 10 points ahead."  I replied---"Then you're even."

    He disputed me and said that "effect" had already taken place.

    Hindsight is always easy, and I don't think that I am close to perfect in my political judgment---but I think that Senator Obama is running a great campaign, is not over-confident, and has taken into consideration the "Bradley Effect."

    I hope Mr. Obama wins the Democratic Nomination.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

   

   

      
   

Why Barack Obama's Recent Endorsements Mean More for Him Than Other Candidates

    After Tom Bradley's loss to Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty in 1969, it was evident to all who worked for him, that the public was just a little unsure of having the first African-American as Mayor of a majority White voting city.
    Bradley ran a more "establishment" campaign in 1973, and had the support of the business establishment plus the endorsement of Republican Congressman Alphonso Bell.
    Therefore Tom Bradley was "safe" to break the color barrier of Los Angeles power and won every segment of the Los Angeles electorate and became Mayor...for 20 years.

    Barack Obama is trying to break an even tougher barrier---Becoming the first African-American in the nation's history to be President of the United States.

    When Senator's like Ben Nelson of Nebraska, or John Kerry of Massachusetts, and Gov. Nepolitano of Arizona, endorse Senator Obama, it becomes a big deal with voters who may be unsure of voting for the first Black Man to become President.

    Ordinarily, political endorsements don't mean much---certainly in the case of Mrs. Clinton, or Senator John McCain---because they are known quantities.

    Don't underestimate the power of the political endorsement, when it comes to Barack Obama.

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos

      
   

How Mayor Bloomberg can use 1 Billion Dollars to Run Oregon and Not for President

    Some folks can't even find Oregon on the map.  It is a small and rainy state, with independent politicians, lots of small farms, two US Senators--one of whom is very liberal and one of whom is very conservative.
    Lane County, where the the progressive city of Eugene is located, and where the blue collar town of Springfield is situated, will be losing federal money due to the cut back in timber resources.

    The schools will be cut back.  Portland, the big city to the north, has a drop out rate of over 40% in some of its High Schools.

    A few years ago, due to the problems in the more desolate eastern part of the state, the poverty rate was  almost 2nd in the nation.

    Oregon is still a great state, with real energetic population and a beautiful landscape.

    There is a wonderful population that celebrates an alternative lifestyle...but whose car's are older than those of the children who live in Los Angeles.

    In fact many people would rather run a little farm than buy a new car.

    People, even those hundreds of thousands, who can't afford a trip to the doctor, will wave and say "hi" to a stranger walking down the road.

    Now, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is reportedly, ready to spend 1-Billion Dollars for an independent run for President of the United States, if he doesn't like the normal lineup of Democratic and Republican candidates.

    Most of this Billion Dollars, will be spent buying television commercials, telling us what a great guy he is, and how is going to save the world, with his great business sense (FYI to Bloomberg---President Truman couldn't make a dime in the private sector).

    May I make a suggestion:

    Mayor Bloomberg:  Take Oregon under your wings--help 10,000 children with your money...improve a few schools, help them start some small businesses, and improve the state's health care system.

    Work with your business buddies in improving our high schools and vocational schools, so that our children will have better lives in their future.

    A billion dollars goes a long way in the State of Oregon---It's really hard to eat television commercials.

    Your a smart and good guy, Mr. Bloomberg, but do something really creative with your Billion dollars, and help the State of Oregon.

    What a legacy that would be!

    Thanks for reading:

    Bob Kholos