Observation: Politics: Playing James Carville on the Ides of Super Tuesday

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

The 2008 Presidential Election Primary comes to my town next week, and I don't know about you, but I am always fascinated by the process of electing the President of the United States. Right now, all over our country, we are engaged in dialogue about who should run the United States for the next four years. And that's a healthy, unique and wonderful American concept.

I honestly, at this point don't know who I will be voting for President in November. And nobody has made me the next Jim Carville (the wonderful political strategist) and asked me to consult with each of the parties...but if they did this is what I would tell them.

On the Republican side we are for all intents and purposes down to two fine men. They are flawed, to be sure, but I would not have an issue with either of these men being our President. What I admire about John McCain is his political experience, his willingness to work with his fellow senators especially across the aisle to get things done. As a former member of our Armed Services and POW, I believe he would be sensitive to the issues relating to our military and he would be careful before putting our brave men and women in harms way. My main concern is his health and age. McCain will be in his early 70's and has had health issues in the past. But if you were listening to Bosco Radio Information channel last Sunday, there was a great interview with John McCain's mother on C-Span's Road to the White House program...still vital and very alert in her mid 90's. Hopefully John McCain has her genes to get through at least one term of office.

Mitt Romney, the other Republican frontrunner is an excellent choice too. I like his track record in turning businesses and organizations like the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics around. We need somebody of his knowledge, caliber and energy in the White House. But that being said, this is what the Republicans should do, in my humble opinion. Give the nomination for president to John McCain and pick Romney as his running mate. You have a powerful ticket there, but not the other way around.

Romney with all his success is part of a religion that is not in the mainstream. This country is still primarily fundamental Christian who does not think Mormonism is the correct way to serve God. And if you don’t think the Fundamentalist Christian movement is influential, all you have to do is go back to the last two elections where it helped George W. Bush to the White House. It’s really too bad that there has not been enough said in the process, so far, about family values because there is no religion bigger on family values than the Latter Day Saints.

The Democratic story is very different. If I was an advisor for the party I would make sure the two frontrunners, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton do not team up. The country might be ready for an African American President (Colin Powell...please) or a Woman President but not both on the same ticket. That would be a certain death for the party’s chances of going back to the White House. The so-called "Dream Team" could be a nightmare.

The Democrats are interesting, because in my heart of hearts they could easily go back to the White House….they have the right people and this is how they could do it. Two people….Al Gore and one of the Clintons (preferably Bill).

Al Gore’s stock has gone way up in the past two years. He has put some great ideas on the table in turning around this country and not just in the area of Global Warming and the Enviroment. He’s not your father’s Al Gore either. This man is strong, vital and very popular. All he has to do is jump into the race, put his differences with the Clintons behind and pick one to be his running mate. Here you have a vital team that has been there and has learned from their mistakes hopefully. Plus I believe a lot of people would vote for Gore because they believe he got gypped out of the White House in his last election. And if you don’t believe Bill Clinton is still popular, try to get into one of his public appearances or book signings. “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow – The Sequel.” Then give Obama and Hillary Clinton cabinet positions. Obama needs to age a bit and get some more experience under his belt for the next round…he is a vissionary and the man of the future but he should gain some more experience at the White House level.

Here in America we definitely need to make some changes…we need to think outside the box. Actually, my ultimate ticket would be to see John McCain and Bill Clinton. But that would never happen. But it would be cool, right? Then appoint Romney, Gore, Hillary Clinton, Obama, and Ron Paul to cabinet positions. Now that’s a team.

What are your thoughts? Let us know. We would love to hear from you. But more importantly, be part of the process and talk it up at your local coffee shop or where you have breakfast. Listen to the offerings on Bosco Radio: Information and News channel especially on Sunday. Then go to the polls and vote the best people you think that will represent us as a nation.