Thoughts

Scott Brown's victory sent shock-waves across the country. The seat once held by the liberal lion has betrayed the legacy of its former holder and has opted for a moderately conservative Republican who promises to fight for a less intrusive government. I might note that the first politician that Brown thanked after his victory was Mitt Romney. This victory only helps his chances for 2012. One thing that did bother me about Brown's win is how the tea-party movement took credit for the victory. Plain and simple, Scott Brown is no tea-partier (and thank god for that!) He's pro-choice, pro gay civil unions, voted for cap and trade in Massachusetts (now regrets that vote), etc...He represents a down to earth, center-right Republican who is willing to take on Washington without aligning himself with the fringe. And just to mention once again, Sarah Palin and her tea-party faithful got on the Scott Brown bandwagon pretty late in the game. And just a few years ago (or months ago for that matter) candidates like Scott Brown would have been attacked as a RINO and would not have received the support of the so-called "true conservatives." There will be more candidates like Scott Brown. Delaware Congressman Mike Castle is looking like the next candidate to pick off a Democrat seat in New England. Castle is a moderate Republican who will not make some conservatives happy. But I hope those who attack Castle once the election picks up will remember that a party cannot set the agenda without having the votes. Castle may not be perfect, but he's good enough.

Speaking of elections, I am currently reading a book about the 1920 presidential election. There is so much drama in that election that it reads like a thriller novel. It's significant because it is hailed as the "year of the six presidents." Harding, Coolidge, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Wilson, and Hoover all played a major role in the election. Some vying for their parties nomination, some running for Vice President. Wilson was finishing up his second term at this point but suffered a massive stroke and could barely function. Incredibly, he still wanted to run for a third term! FDR was the cocky-young VP candidate in the election. Hoover served in Wilson's cabinet but could never make up his mind whether he was a Republican or Democrat. TR despised his fellow progressive Wilson and seriously considered running for President again but his deteriorating health stopped that cause. Harding was the guy who sounded like a president, looked like a president, and really seemed like he was born to be President. Yet, he was a womanizer, drunk, and terrible public speaker. Yet, he ended up winning the election because personality trumped policy. The Socialist Party candidate, Eugene V. Debs, garnered 1 million votes. And incredibly, he did it from federal prison (he was imprisoned by Wilson for protesting the draft of World War I.) So what an election...I can't wait to learn more about this historic time.

Fed Reserve Chairman Ben Bernake is in danger of not being re-appointed to his current role. Major Senate power players have come out against him. The Obama administration has warned that not re-appointing Bernake would cause major financial troubles for stocks. Isn't this a sign of how huge and too powerful the fed has become. It needs to be reformed...now.

President Obama will propose a three year freeze on certain discretionary spending matters. This is just pure political showman ship. Don't believe for a second that Obama means to cut spending. Following this logic, this plan is like charging up a credit to a trillion dollars and then plan on stopping to spend....and patting yourself on the back for it.