Regrettably

Reacting to Obama’s “regret” for letting his daughters participate in a Hollywood TV interview, Luke Boggs raised the issue of Senator Barack Obama’s “Regretful Syndrome” in this Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial:

So what jumped out at me was how quickly Obama regretted his decision [especially when there was nothing to regret]. And that, in turn, made me wonder how often the senator has regretted other choices. Answer: pretty often. (Googling “Obama” and “regrets” yields more than a million hits.)

The Senator’s regrets include business deals with now-convicted felon Chicago real estate baron Tony Rezko, calling American lives lost in Iraq “wasted,” and  various other verbal and policy missteps. As Boggs ask, how many “regrets” can a President have before he dooms an entire nation? The office of the President requires firm decisions that cannot be reversed—essential to the security and safety of the nation. Actions with regrets in the Oval Office will not be mere violation of faux-pas or political correctness, but issues of life and death in many cases. Strong character in judgement and the ability to fairly judge the character of those around you are both necessary and vital qualities that the next President of the United States must process. And Senator Obama appears to offer very little of either form.

Assimilation Quotas

I heard an interesting theory on the talk radio circuit today (unfortunately, I cannot remember the show) that gave me pause. The host was discussing illegal immigration with a caller, specifically, the difference in levels of assimilation between current and earlier generations of immigrations. He mentioned that immigration quotas served as a sort of auto-regulator on the flow of immigrants, allowing each wave or generation time to properly assimilate into American society before another wave of “their people” could arrive and disrupt the process. The quotas also limited the number of immigrants from any specific country who could enter the United States and form their own independent communities, which discourage assimilation into the broader American culture. To be sure, places and Chinatown in San Francisco or Chicago’s “Polish Patches” seem to break the rule, but the principle seems to make sense. Should we bring back a quota system instead of the “points” and “as fast or slow as we get your paperwork done” system we have instead? It is certainly an idea worth considering.

The Justice Principle

Yesterday’s Supreme Court decision in Heller v. District of Columbia was not only an important decision for the 2nd Amendment and gun owners, but also shows very clearly the precarious balance of the court. The Heller decision has something in common with the week’s earlier decision regarding the death penalty for child rapist (Kennedy v. Louisiana). Both cases were decided by a 5 to 4 majority: with Justice Kennedy being the fifth vote in each decision. His vote in the Louisiana case was a disappointment to those who favor the death penalty and oppose convoluted readings of the Constitution. His vote in the Heller case is a surprise and a thrill, as it allowed the court to make the proper, Constitutional decision; protecting the value of the 2nd Amendment and ensuring gun owners the right to keep their firearms.

Justice Kennedy’s pattern of being the pivoting “swing” vote in countless decisions is disturbing for many reasons. But it is illustrative of the import of a judge’s character. Judges without solid, grounded principles of justice and fairness deliver popular opinions designed to maintain popularity and image, subverting justice and placing the focus on themselves and not the law they are suppose to protect. Presidents and governors must be accurate judges of character if the legal system is to stop its decay into arbitrary legalism. Judges do matter, and a candidates ability to select qualified and principles judges is as much of a reflection on him as it is our justice system.

Obama Gets It

After my previous post commenting on rising oil prices and the logical result (decreasing oil usage), I am heartened to see that at least someone in this presidential election understands simple economics. At least, as they apply to oil usage.

Barack Obama said on Saturday Americans would start changing the kinds of cars they drive if gasoline prices continue to climb and said he owned a hybrid vehicle, though he doesn’t drive it much.

Without specifically telling Americans to stop buying gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles, the Illinois senator said higher fuel prices would lead to a shift (Reuters).

I’m not quite sure why we need to mention his personal hybrid vehicle, but it is good to hear that the Senator at least understands basic market forces as they apply to the consumer. Now if only he had a better grasp of macro economics…

Three Rings Circus

The “Super Tuesday” primaries were supposed to help bring clarity to the presidential race. And in the Republican race, it did a pretty good job: placing Senator John McCain far ahead of Governor Mitt Romney and leaving the realistic options for the candidates fairly limited. Governor Mike Huckabee, after a decent showing in the South has vowed to continue in his bid to represent a Christian America in the White House, while Romney—ever the businessman—read the forecast and “suspended” his campaign yesterday. McCain is the last man left standing, a conservative who many people thought was thrown out of the party years ago, a conservative who is desperately trying to make peace with certain branches of his more-conservative party. Beside McCain, the hopes for Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul look grim indeed, as McCain will likely be able to gain enough grudging trust from most Republicans to win their votes.

 It isn’t like they have a choice, however. The presidential race has effectively been reduced to a three circus, with McCain emerging the ringmaster of a massive Republican brawl, bruised but standing tall. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to compete however, with no clear leader after the virtually fifty-fifty percent split of the vote on Tuesday. One of them will ultimately emerge victorious to face McCain, but not without great anger and animosity for both sides. Huckabee and Paul will continue to appear as side shows, drawing some attention and applause, but ultimately unable to take the main spotlight from the showdown of the big three: McCain, Obama and Hillary.

John McCain can only hope that Obama and Clinton fight on as long as necessary. Each is deeply committed, and their candidacies have divided the Democratic Party into two very opinionated camps. Obama brings change, Clinton experience; and never shall the two met it seems. If you thought being a conservative this election is hard, just remember the Democrats who have it worse. McCain can only benefit from a long, protracted Democratic fight, allowing him to focus on wooing the many skeptical (and sometimes even hateful—Ann Coulter, anyone?) conservatives who he will need to win the election.

 I’m fairly confidant McCain will be able to bring people to his side, if only through the sheer fear of Clinton or Obama in the White House. And despite his many positions that conservatives bewail as liberal and socialist (campaign finance reform, immigration), many of his positions are actually inline with mainstream conservatism (Iraq especially). This is of course the rub: how mainstream is conservatism, and what is mainstream conservatism? Personally, there are many things I disagree with my party on, whether in scale or scope. And yet I still support the party because I know that my views are limited in their popularity. Many of my friends with similar views are currently Ron Paul supporters, a candidate who I agree with on many things but have remained very skeptical of through the campaign. My objections to a vote for Ron Paul have been erased by McCain’s new position as the presumable nominee, however—a vote for Ron Paul (in the primary, at least) is no longer a vote of indifference to the party, but now an actual statement of discontent with current Republican policies. This I cannot object to, although I still would have reservations about an actual Paul presidency.

The circus has passed the first act, the crazy carnival of pre-primary noise where dozens of candidates try to outshine each other, and has suddenly neared the end of the primary season, the second act of seat-gripping suspense where the many are reduced to the few. Soon, the final act will be upon us, with McCain facing the Democratic nominee and the true battle beginning. And that will be the biggest act of all.