Here is the cold-hard truth. Were he alive today and running for president in 2016, Abraham Lincoln would never capture his party’s nomination nor would he stand a chance of winning the general election in November.
Why not? Are his 19th century political positions that out-of-step with present day America?
Hardly. Lincoln’s platform of equality for all people, and the creation of job and housing opportunities for all Americans (see the Homestead Act of 1862) would be as popular today as they were in 1860.
So what’s the problem? Why wouldn’t voters today embrace Lincoln and send him to the White House riding the crest of an electoral landslide?
Simply put, Lincoln lacks the right look. In fact, I’ll go a step further. In today’s telegenic age, Honest Abe simply isn’t sexy enough…
The inaugural invocation was a little light on God, too (the first ever to be delivered by layperson), though the Alimighty did make a brief appearance in the President’s speech to endorse climate change legislation. The President also admitted that our rights flowed from God (a very traditional, conservative, natural rights conceptualization), but continued on to argue that “[p]reserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action,” and “[b]eing true to our founding documents [...] does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way… .”
The liberal god is a very strange and fickle being, folks.
New Jersey isn’t a battleground state in 2012, Save Jerseyans. In fact, it hasn’t been seriously contested at the presidential level since George W. Bush rolled the dice late in the 2000 cycle (and ended up losing by double digits).
Paul Ryan is hoping to build on that record when he comes to Essex County this Saturday, October 20th.
He’s slated to attend a high-dollar fundraiser at a private home in Short Hills, New Jersey. Tickets to the general reception cost $1,000; photographs with the next Vice President of the United State are going for $5,000.
Everyone knows that Saturday Night Live is a decidedly liberal program. They go after Republicans far more often than Democrats and often ignore the worst of Democrat scandal, hypocrisy, and stupidity.
However, last night SNL did a great job at reproducing Vice President Biden’s odd behavior at last week’s debate. They also made some funny observations on Paul Ryan drinking way too much water.
Deflated Obama backers concocted a variety of exotic excuses for last week’s epic Romney debate victory. They blamed the moderator, the format, the opponent, the sparring partner… and yes, the altitude.
Thanks, Al.
But ultimately, my dear Save Jerseyans, it was clear enough to the 70 million American who watched the President’s public implosion that he just didn’t feel like debating. Barack Obama wasn’t interested in justifying his policies because he doesn’t feel he should have to explain himself. This is the most arrogant administration in American history; the zero disclosure, media-protected, hyper-partisan, “we have to pass a bill then you’ll know what’s in it” presidency. It showed last Wednesday, and the result was devastating for the Democrat ticket.
That’s why I wasn’t very surprised to see the same stupefying arrogance from Obama’s #2 during last night’s vice presidential debate. Only this time, it took a less passive form. Joe Biden uncontrollablylaughed, smirked and sneered (the RNC counted 82 times) his way through what was supposed to be a respectful discussion of objectively serious topics including, but not limited to, Iran’s nuclear program, historic unemployment, and the events surrounding the death of a U.S. ambassador.
It was weird. It was un-vice presidential. It was… not very endearing. And at the end of the day, ever since the infamous Nixon v. Kennedy clash in 1960, televised debates have served as opportunities for voters to compare “apples to apples” and see whom they “like” more. Americans aren’t ideological, and while they appreciate a healthy level of confidence (how else can you explain Chris Christie’s popularity?), they won’t abide obnoxious audacity unsupported by results (and particularly when it’s designed to mask a dearth of substance).
For that reason and a few others, early indicators point to a Ryan win. We’re not laughing, Mr. Vice President. Our country is grappling with a growing list of crisises both foreign and domestic. Your lies and failures are bad enough on their own; if you and the President can’t summon the requisite level of decency and respect for a productive national debate, then please do us all a favor and take a walk before the election. This country deserves better than what we saw last night.
My initial reaction? I’m glad Joe Biden thinks a nuclear Iran, the worst economy since the Great Depression and my grandmother’s health care are absolutely hilarious… let’s see how his inability to control himself plays with undecided voters.
Here is the cold-hard truth. Were he alive today and running for president in 2016, Abraham Lincoln would never capture his party’s nomination nor would he stand a chance of winning the general election in November.
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