Gubernatorial Handicap: Virginia

Handicap the Virginia Governors Race – Who will win and why?

Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell are in a tight race for the governorship of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I believe, with absolutely no bias of course, that Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate will win. In the presidential election last november, Obama carried Virginia, the first time a Democratic candidate has won thi state in many years. I believe that trend will carry through into this election, especially as it has only been a year since the history making presidential race. The present governor, Tim Kaine, is a Democrat, as are Virginia's current senators. Bob McDonnell has been ahead in most of the polls, but I think that with the Democratic vote, Creigh Deeds has the advantage in the real election.

Bush Handled Afghanistan Situation Poorly

Background: Obama always claimed that Afghanistan would be his foreign policy focus. He holds true on this front, but now he actually sits in the presidency, he isn't rushing to hasty actions.

Summary: One of Obama's top advisors, Rahm Emanuel, said in an interview that Obama feels the Bush Administration asked the wrong questions in Afghanistan, and Obama is having to start from scratch in his efforts there. He also said Obama feels it would be foolish to raise the troop levels now unless it is evident that there is an Afghani partner with which to work with.

Analysis: Obama has his work cut out for him in almost every aspect of his presidency, but he needs to pull through in Afghanistan almost as much as he needs health care to be successful. His reasons for waiting until a clear leader in Afghanistan is chosen are sound, and he is taking the necessary precautionary steps before raising the troop levels there.

Editorial: I think Obama is going about Afghanistan situation well at this point. He isn't being hasty like he was with the stimulus package, he is taking what time he can in order to make his actions, be it raising the troop level or not, the right actions and the ones that will benefit both Afghanis and Americans alike.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/18/emanuel.afghanistan/index.html

Biggest Issue Facing Virginia: The Economy

The economy has hit most places very hard. Unemployment rates are still getting higher, people do not have the kind of money they used to. Small businesses can't hold up and the terrible housing market is causing tens of thousands of people to lose their homes. Obviously relief won't come in just one place, but in the nation as a whole. Us Virginians must continue to suffer through like everyone else and wait for the rough cycle to start to shift to the positive, which hopefully will be soon! The DOW closed above 10,000 for the first time in about a year, and is just below tonight.

Final Health Care Will Have Public Option

Background: The health care debate has been in part about whether the final bill will have a public option or not. The public option is the government owned health care plan that will compete and be an option for those who choose it.

Summary: Senator Tom Harkin has confirmed that the final legislation will include a public option, and that all but five of his party have agreed to voting for this. He claims that his committee will be on Obama's desk by Christmas, and he believes that the five who have not agreed to vote pro yet should, as shown by the clear majority of Democrats who want the plan to pass.

Analysis: The fact that there will be a public option for health care is the most debated topic between Republicans and Democrats. The fact that all but 5 Democrats have agreed to vote makes that debate even more important. If those 5 are swayed by their party then the Democrats have a much easier path to getting this bill passed.

Editorial: First off, I think the public option is a good idea, and everyone should have health care. Second off, I believe those 5 Democrats should vote with their party, as that is clearly what Democrats want.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/16/harkin-final-health-care-bill-will-have-public-option/

Obama Report Card

Health Care- B

President Obama's Health Care reform plan is, in my opinion, actually very good. His issue is battling those against his plan. This is where he loses the coveted 'A.' There is far too much opposition for the health care plan to go through anytime soon as it is. There are obviously going to have to be alterations made to the plan before the House passes it.

Economic Downturn- D

Obama came into the presidency at a very bad point in time. The economy was on its way down and has only recently leveled off and gotten somewhat better. His stimulus package that pushed the deficit well over 1 trillion dollars. That's money we literally can't spend and thus far has hurt much more than helped.

War on Terror- C

Average. That's pretty much all I have to say about Obama's results in the War on Terror. He is definitely focusing more on Afghanistan, which is what he promised, but not much is getting accomplished.

Afghanistan Dilemma

Background: When Obama was campaigning for President, he vowed to withdraw from Iraq and make Afghanistan the main front for the War on Terror. Thus far, he's relocated and added 20,000 troops to Afghanistan, bringing the total amount of U.S. troops there to 68,000.

Summary: Obama's top general in Afghanistan is claiming the need for an additional 40,000 troops to keep the fight going well for the United States. Vice President Joe Biden is urging Obama to bring troops home, not send more away. The "Biden Plan" is to make the fight about 'counter-terrorism' instead of 'counter-insurgency.' Biden wants to concentrate the fight on al-Qaeda over the Taliban. Statistics show that 58% of people openly oppose the war, and only 39% are in favor. Republicans, such as John McCain, have stated that that they hope Obama sticks to his promise and keeps the war going.

Analysis: Obama should follow through with what he promised, because that is what the American people based their valuable vote on. There is evident pressure on President Obama even from his Vice President, along with other high-profile advisors in his Cabinet, to pull out troops, not extend the war indefinitely. His decision on this is unfortunately at the same time as his push for Healthcare, so he is drawing negative views from two vastly different pools.

Editorial: I think that President Obama should send more troops to Afghanistan, and accomplish what he set out to do when I campaigned for the presidency. He should hold to his promises. This will obviously garner some negative feedback and criticism, but Obama has three years to prove what he is doing will work out, so public feedback right at the moment is not as important as what it will be if his decision fails.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/10/02/mann.obama.afghanistan/index.html

Political Issue: The Olympics

The Olympics isn't traditionally viewed as a political issue. In more recent years though, the heads of state, not just a random ambassador, of the main countries vying for the Olympics to be held in one of their cities have made their case to the International Olympics Committee. President Obama at first claimed he would not leave and worry about the Olympics when more important things like Healthcare were being hotly debated on home soil. In the end, President Obama did travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, made his argument, and left within four hours, stating that it is "always a worthwhile endeavor to promote and boost the United States," as a reason for going back on his early assertion to deal with what's going on at home.

This issue greatly interests me, because I would really love to get to see the Olympics, or have them be in a reachable distance (Chicago for instance). Obviously I am ecstatic that the 2012 Olympics are being held in London, because that's my home town! But that doesn't mean its cheap to go and watch. I was lucky enough to get to attend the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, and even though I don't remember a lot, I do remember it being one of the most exciting feelings being in the crowd. I had no idea what was going on as I was four, but the blur from the stadium is still in my head, and it would be really cool to experience that again, from a conscious perspective. I'm sure that the Brazilian Government will do a great job with the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but they can't bring it closer to me. Maybe 2020 then...