Cain and Perry - Who Departs First

It was a much more civil debate last night in Detroit when the Republic Party's candidates for the Presidency met to discuss a wide range of issues on CNBC.   Friendlier to each other and not nearly as combative, they reserved most of their criticism and rhetoric for President Obama.  It seems likely that this will be the story going forward with the candidates as they close in on the primaries.  However, Herman Cain managed to convince many viewers that the veracity of accusations against him regarding inappropriate sexual harassment are likely true.  For Rick Perry, he was having difficulty remembering the third cabinet level agency that he would choose to eliminate. 
 

For Herman Cain, his "Princess Nancy" comment pretty much said it all.  This is a man who treats women in that fashion and it was clear for anyone willing to hear it.  Cain was referring to Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.  His actual words were, "you didn't hear about it in the previous Congress because Princess Nancy sent it to committee and it stayed there".  Cain was criticizing Pelosi for not taking action on a healthcare bill when she served in the role of Speaker of the House. 

Not only was comment condescending but it was definitely chauvinistic as well.  It goes without saying that Pelosi is fair game  to be chastised, criticized and even vilified within the political arena.  What's not fair is to do a disservice to the Speaker of the House position she held and the respect she should be afforded by virtue of holding it.  It is important to note that Herman Cain has never served constituents in an elected position.

Cain has repeatedly denied the allegations of inappropriate sexual harassment by four different women.  In fairness, Cain did later apologize for the "Princess Nancy" comment.  For Rick Perry, he forgot the third cabinet level agency that he would disband if he became President.  He was able to note Education and Commerce, two of the more popular agencies that always are on the Republican Party's hit list but he failed to remember the Energy Department. 

The late-night comedians had a field day at Perry's expense.  It is clear that Perry is not a debater by his own admission.  He does not like the format and it clearly shows in his uncomfortable stance, demeanor and overall body language.  One would think that he would remember the agencies that he believes are unnecessary and be able to recite them and why he feels they should be eliminated. 

Rick Perry did have fun with the gaffe himself the next day on a number of television shows and even his performance on David Letterman's Late Night Show doing the Top Ten List.  You have to give him credit for being able to poke fun at himself.  Nevertheless, both Cain and Perry are running out of steam as we approach the first set of primaries.  In the end you wonder if that will benefit the frontrunner, Mitt Romney or the up and coming Newt Gingrich. 

A Win For The American Worker

Yesterday, The State of Ohio and its citizens, made a choice.  The choice was in favor of the American worker.  Sixty-two percent of voters chose to repeal State Senate Bill 5 which restricted and limited the collective bargaining rights of public workers including teachers, police officers and firefighters in the State of Ohio.  The bill centered around salaries, work conditions and hours worked as well as prohibiting strikes, promotions based exclusively on seniority and contributions of public workers to their pensions and health care premiums. 

Similar laws have been passed in Wisconsin and Michigan where the citizens only have the opportunity to recall their elected officials as opposed to offering a referendum like the one Ohio voters overturned yesterday.  The tide in Ohio seemed to turn on the issue of collective bargaining, not so much the unwillingness of the Ohio voter to support public workers having to contribute to their own pensions and cover a portion of their health care premiums.  Most Ohio voters would support greater participation in these benefit programs by public workers.  What they were unwilling to do is to see the public worker denied their opportunity to collective bargain. 

This is an important victory for the American worker on a number of different levels.  It strikes back at the very issue that Occupy Wall Street protesters have voiced.  Although this is state government and public employees, It does speak to the divide between corporate greed and the rights of the American worker.  The opportunity for compromise should now be able to come into play where workers are asked to provide some level of relief to state government with regard to pensions and health care premiums.  There has been a willingness on the part of the worker to make concessions in these areas.  It was more about collective bargaining for them.

Unions and the collective bargaining process have long been controversial and contentious in the industrial marketplace in the United States.  Many Americans have disagreed with union tactics and negotiating over the years.  Many Americans have not viewed the union movement in a positive light.  At the same time, unions have made significant contributions to the plight of the American worker.

Work hours, work conditions, worker safety, minimum wage requirements, benefits and a host of other work-related issues have all been championed by the unions.  All workers, not just Union workers, have benefitted from the gains made by our Unions.  The work week , wages and worker safety are the most significant of these. 

At the same time, some of the gains earned by workers over the years have led to some of the financial issues that state and local governments are having in meeting their budgetary needs.  There will need to be compromise moving forward on the part of both parties.  Not one side getting everything they want.  A fairness for all involved.  The voters of Ohio have sent a loud and clear message that compromise and fairness is the better approach.  Expect to see more of the same in Wisconsin and Michigan moving forward.        

Europe Loves Our President, Why Can't We?

Europe loves our President, Why can't we?

President Obama's recent trip to Cannes, France brings to question why so many Europeans love our President and yet why so many in our own nation do not.  For years now, ever since his speech in Berlin back in 2008 before 200,000 people, Obama has been heavily supported in the European nations.  Over 75% of the people polled in that part of the world approve of his handling of international affairs.  Even the standing of the United States in Europe has improved dramatically during his Administration with nearly a 70% approval rating today. 

I believe it really is the whole "hope and change" message that President Obama trumpeted back in 2008 when seeking the democratic party's nomination and the Presidency.   Europeans are quick to point out the success that the President has had on the world stage.  The President killed Bin laden and a handful of other terrorists; he's pulling out of Iraq as promised;  he's managing the Afghanistan war better than expected; the successful and limited military action in Libya and his restrained efforts with the Arab Spring.  For Europe, President Obama has delivered on what they perceived his promises to be.   For some, even better than expected. 

Europeans also see President Obama as trying to rectify the economic problems not only of the United States but of the European Union as well.  They are frustrated for him that his "Jobs Plan" in the States is being met with heavy resistance.  The President was clearly the one leader in Cannes that everybody was listening to.  His "Action Plan for Growth and Jobs" was well received by the people.   European leaders were less than enthusiastic as evidenced by their lack of leadership in governmental spending and financial regulation.  Clearly, the G-20 has serious work in front of them trying to stabilize Greece and monitor Italy.  Questions abound as well if China will indeed follow through on boosting domestic demand helping the European nations rebound. 

However, the G-20 did take some serious strides forward in their efforts to rescue the European economies.  An aggressive, rapid pace rescue plan was put in place with $1.4 trillion designated to fight the sovereign debt crisis, bank capitalization and additional bailout for Greece.   Still, President Obama is seen as the key leader and his popularity is only increasing among the European nations. 

Back home, the President is not as popular.  The unemployment rate, the housing and foreclosure problems, the growing debt and the inability to have Congress enact even one provision of his Jobs Act threatens his Presidency.  Most Americans like the President according to all the polls.  However, the unemployment rate and the do-nothing nature of the partisan politics in Washington, D.C. are taking their toll. 

It's not for lack of trying on the President's part.  Although characterized as campaigning, the President is out and about across the country trying to sell his Jobs program encouraging Americans to voice their support of his plan with their Congressional leaders.  There are some signs that his message is beginning to have some play among the American people resulting in some softening among a limited number of House republicans.  Just maybe, our President will begin to see his popularity rise here at home as well.