The Evil Genius

Somebody in the RNC is an evil genius. Many say its Gingrich. This evil genius has built a political machine to rival all others. The grease in this machine is in maintaining party unity and discipline no matter what hits the fan (and believe me, there is plenty). There are many smart, talented GOP Senators and Representatives cringing at Bush, but they hold their tongues (and there hearts) to maintain the code of silence. Like cops, or the Baseball Players Union, GOP unity runs deep and true and is ultimately keeping Bush from sliding in the polls.

Lets be frank, Bush is in a world of hurt. I mean it is ugly, but the GOP machine keeps him going.

GOP radio keeps the faithful in place by ridiculously spinning everything (grandma still believes the WMD went to Syria).

The RNC keeps GOP Senators and Reps in line using Frist and Harstart as party muscle to control congressional operations and by using the constant mantra of party discipline no matter how smelly things get.

The Administration keeps the press in control by limiting access and working with softball reporters (although there are tricks to get around this, see Woodward).

GOP operatives fill in the gaps with dirty tricks (i.e., outing Plame or attacking 911 Commission members).

The DNC could never hope to match the coordination of the RNC machine because they don't have an evil genius behind the curtain.

If, like me, your wondering how Bush is still standing, it's because the machine holds him up. And the machine will take him to victory despite the fact that he really isn't presidential material.

The DNC doesn't need a good presidential candidate, they need an evil genius.

Where can you get one of those? Wal Mart maybe.

Kool-Aid Anyone?

I don't understand how Bush's poll numbers can remain decent with all the crap that is going on around his administration. You've heard is all before so I'll be succinct:

Iraq War, WMD, Woodward/60 Minutes, 911 Commission, press conference, deficit, unemployment, Clark, Plame, terrorists, Osama, Powell, Cheney, environment, Medicare, David Kay.

Three theories:
1. Kerry is not projecting a strong enough voice yet. I've not heard him speak once and the press isn't giving him much coverage, so Bush has no foil, no one to compare with yet. I guess we wait til mid summer and the DNC convention to hear serious policy statements from the guy, but now might be a good time to say something. Maybe that is why BushCo is letting all the crap down the river now. By summer, we will have forgotten.

2. Swing voters are feeling sorry for the guy. The Stockholm Syndrome for Presidents. "Look at the liberal media beating up our President, those meanies, leave him alone, he's a doin his bestest, " you might hear on Rush or the NS Zone. In other words, there is so much crap flying arounf, even I feel sorry for the guy.

3. Drinking the Kool-Aid. Religious types and dyed in the wool Repugs will drink the Kool-Aid not matter what. The Gingrich Syndrome, you might say. You see this in congress where there are number of smart GOP Senators (true GOPers: low taxes, small govt, strong military-remember?) who are biting their tongues hard. Jim Jones would be envious.

Kidding aside, I think theory 1 holds the most promise. Bush has many problems, but who is the alternative? I've heard his name, Kerry I think, but not what he thinks. I'm ready to drink Kool-Aid for the guy if he would just tell me when and how.

BTW, I heard another depressing theory, that Bush's massive campaign ads a starting to take effect. TV ads have always been Kool-Aid for America.

Money Ball
There is a lot of talk about Bush's character now, probably because his policies are failures. This talk is BS. Presidents should be judged by what they do on the field, not by how nice or charming they are.

There is a new theory (its actually been around a while but currently vogue) in baseball about how to evaluate talent. It's called Money Ball (that's the name of a book about the theory). Players are evaluated strictly by performance on the field in winning games. Intuition, feelings about a player, even batting averages are minimized. Statistics regarding performance in game situations are emphasized. The Oakland As have had success, although not ultimate success, with this strategy. And it should be applied to Bush and Kerry.

Economy-flat, not inspiring confidence, but sending us over a cliff
Terrorism-Good work here, we have not been attacked since 911
Iraq-big time error that could possibly blow the game

OK, baseball doesn't apply to politics very well (or maybe it's my talent level as a writer), but you get the idea. Forget that George is charming or determined, or God-fearing. What is his on-field, game time performance? Do you want him on your team?

Costco v. Wal-Mart

OK, lets set aside all political thoughts today, and get to something I'm really passionate about. Why is a business in business, or rather what is the moral purpose for the existence of a business? In my opinion, its to give people a living wage. Once a person has a living wage, other things fall into place, i.e., a home, family, etc.

Now, to perform this noble duty for society, a business must be profitable and shareholders must be happy. But these are supportive necessities ancillary to the moral purpose of employing people well.

They don't teach this in business school, obviously, but I think it is true.

Costco thinks so too:

Here is an article about the difference between Costco and Wal-Mart and how they pay their people and Wall Street's insipid role in this business morality play.

From Tompaine.com, a review of a Business Week (that radical biz mag) article titled "The Costco Way,"

The beauty of these findings is that Costco succeeds by doing right by its employees. Wal-Mart/Sams Club also succeeds (understatement alert), but Costco holds the moral highground and ultimately has a stronger purpose and I think shoppers feel this. I certainly do when I shop at Costco. Wal-Mart, well its depressing.

Skeptical? Use your own experience by noting the difference between Costco employees and a Wal-Mart employees.

Bush Not Smart

I've come to a dramatic conclusion on the commute this morning. Setting aside all politics, ideologies, religious persuasions, left or right leanings, everything, I conclude the following:

Bush is not smart enough to be a President of the US.

Man to man, I have no confidence in his ability to lead me or this great country. I see him on TV and feel nothing.

He seems arrogant, mealy-mouthed, and insists of idiotic clichés when we need smarts.

And I think the GOP knows this. The GOP radio hacks do too, that is why they fight so hard and so bitterly to support him. They must hold their noses while at work. But he's all they got.

We must insist on a smart President in the future, GOP or DNC or green or yellow. He/she has to have the smarts to understand the nuances of world affairs.

Deer in the Headlights

It's almost boring to criticize bush these days. He has really been exposed in the last 4 months sense Kay dropped the first bomb.

Last night was down right embarrassing. He could barely answer softball questions. In fact, he looked like he was tired of the whole thing, like he wanted throw up his hands and return to his ranch.

Even tried and true conservatives who like him for no other reason then he's a Jesus lover or a Republican, are having their doubts.

And the hardest stuff is coming up. He has to debate Kerry. He has to answer tough questions from campaign reporters (unless they are from Fox News).

The Nation already has doubts, reporters have doubts, the Washington intelligencia has doubts (right and left), the frickin NRA has doubts. Even the GOP talk shows are questioning Bush.

GOP hardliners are really going to have to hold their noses if they want to pull the lever for Bush in November.

It's not his policies per say, but his person. He really is a dim bulb with little leadership qualities. Certainly not a speech maker. And the curtain has been drawn.

Not since Nixon has a President been so exposed as...well in Nixon's case, as a strange little man, and in Bush's case, as a complete paper tiger.

He had that deer-in-the-headlights look last night, and the lights are only going to get brighter.