Fantasy Politics USA

Today Rudy Giuliani advocated a return to the days of the arms race with Russia in response to a question about Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The good part with Russia is we’re not in a Cold War, there is no longer a Soviet empire, their desires are still of a matter of concern but they’re not nearly what they used to be and we don’t want to get ourselves back into that,” said Giuliani. He went on to say, “Long term the way we prevent getting ourselves back into that, both with regard to Russia, and even China, is to become militarily even stronger.” He claims the military buildup during the Reagan era defeated the Soviet empire during the Cold War. Guiliani also says the demilitarization of Europe and the USA after World War 1 and World War 2 helped contributed to the growth of Nazism and communism. He also criticized post cold war peace dividend brought on by the Clinton administration as being “way too big.” He doesn’t explain what “stronger” means, only saying that the best answer for the Kremlin is “a substantial increase in the size of our military.” Giulinai would like to keep economic ties with Russia while we hold our big stick over their heads, but says he will criticize them when necessary. “You keep pointing out the ways that which they are sliding back, because Putin is to some extent sliding back, and you keep making the world know that,” he said. This means that Giuliani is advocating a used up policy from the 1980’s on a country that has moved into the 21st century. These aren’t the same Soviets that Reagan was dealing with Rudy. He should stick to fighting terrorist and talking about being mayor.
Alan Cosgrove

Barack Obama was spotted having breakfast with New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg this morning at a Luncheonette on East 50th Street. The two met for their coffee date because they have “mutual interest.” The meeting was closed to the press and the diner was closed to the public while they met for 45 minutes. According to a Bloomberg spokesperson, “We are trying to push our agenda because it helps New Yorkers, and because what’s worked in New York will work elsewhere. There are a lot of people we’d like to speak to and we’re going to continue to press our case.” Earlier this week Bloomberg dined with another presidential hopeful Chuck Hagel. Obama also was seen at the Apollo on Thursday night where people paid 50$ to see him. Before showing up at the Apollo Obama had to court Al Sharpton. New York is Hillary Clinton country, and the Apollo is just a few blocks from Bill Clinton’s office in Harlem. Neither Bloomberg or Sharpton have officially endorsed a candidate. Bloomberg says nice things about Clinton in public, but there is speculation that he is trying to ruffle her feathers for not endorsing him for his mayoral run while he was a republican.
Alan Cosgrove

Hillary Clinton released a statement yesterday saying she would not cross the News Writers picket line to debate, and shortly after other democratic presidential candidates followed suit. CBS is scheduled to have a debate co-sponsored with the Democratic party on December 10th in Los Angeles. On Monday CBS news writers agreed to call a nation wide strike which could still be going on in December. They have been working under an expired contract since April of 2005, and represent about 500 news writers in major cities across the USA. CBS says this is “unfortunate”, and feel they have offered a “fair and reasonable” deal. According to Clinton’s statement, “The workers at CBS News have been without a contract for close to two and a half years. It is my hope that both sides will reach an agreement that results in a secure contract for the workers at CBS News but let me be clear: I will honor the picket line if the workers at CBS News decide to strike. America’s unions are the backbone of America’s middle class and I will always stand with America’s working men and women in the fight to ensure that they are able to earn a fair wage.” John Edwards quickly followed and also decided to cancel his wife’s appearance on “The View.” “In addition, we will also honor any picket lines at CBS News, up to and including the CBS presidential debate on December 10th,” according to the statement released by Edwards. Barack Obama, Chris Dodd, Bill Richardson, and Joe Biden all agreed to also not participate in the debate in support of the striking news writers. According to a spokesperson for the Democratic party they will monitor the strike and cancel the debate if the strike is still going on. This would have been the last Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses on January 3rd. The Democratic Party released the following statement about the strike, “The Democratic Party believes the right to organize and collectively bargain is one of our most fundamental rights, and we are proud to stand with the working men and women in the labor movement. Given the Democratic Party’s long history of supporting the labor movement in America, if the strike is still going on, we will not cross the picket lines.”
Alan Cosgrove

Mitt Romney’s campaign co-chair, New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg, was asked this week about Mike Huckabee’s surge in the polls in Iowa and Gregg said he, “viewed Iowa as being a place where they pick corn and New Hampshire being a place where we pick presidents.” That comment didn’t go over very big in Iowa, and Romney was forced to defend it. “Well it sounds like a New Hampshire senator to me. I don’t subscribe to his comment,” Romney told reporters. “As you know, I’ve spent more time in Iowa than anyone else running for president and probably more time in Iowa than any other state. And, I’m proud of the work here in Iowa, and obviously I wouldn’t have spent the time and effort here had I not believed that Iowa has a huge voice.” Romney doesn’t hold it against Gregg, and even uses him in radio ads in New Hampshire where Gregg can be heard saying the country could use Romney’s, “can-do, get-it-done, let’s-solve-the-problem optimism.”
Alan Cosgrove

John Edwards has launched a new website that takes aim at Hillary Clinton and her recent planted question scandal. The name of the website is Plants for Hillary, which has Plant T.V. that features Hillary’s negative press. It also has a top ten list of questions that a plant should never ask Hillary. They promise a shirt soon that says, “Questions are hard, so plant them.” There is even a way to plant your own question for Hillary.
Alan Cosgrove