Jim Spiri in Iraq

Let's start with the Democrats for on that side of the aisle at this time, it appears theirs is the most unpredictable at the moment, at least that is what some would have us believe. Mrs. "Bill" Clinton or Barrack Hussein Obama, that is what it has come down to. The Kennedy dynasty, although split on the surface, has brought together the patriarch and matriarch of their Klan, (Ted Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy) and come out in full support of Sen. Obama, of Illinois. (or is he from Hawaii, no one can say for sure). In my view, this is clearly for political window dressing purposes only. Here is how I see it.

Senator Obama is no doubt an eloquent orator. He is even sounding like a "John Kennedy" of a half century ago. The difference in the 21st century between Barrak Obama and John Kennedy is substance. Obama offers no substance, just a phrase called hope. It is intangible at best, but it captivates a non thinking audience. The famous, or infamous Kennedy dynasty, (depending on how one looks at history) knows this little tidbit better than most. So going out on a limb at this time in the political foray with absolutely nothing to lose makes it quite simple to appear that they (the Kennedy dynasty) is still championing the cause of the so-called "under-dog mantle carrier" of change. It works well for their purposes in months and years ahead of cashing in political chips with certain groups when deals are needing to be made. Simply put, in my view, the going out on a limb at this time in support of Obama by the giant Kennedy machine, only puts more capital in the deal making bank for later purposes. It has nothing to do with Obama winning the nomination. The Kennedy's know Obama will not win the Democratic nomination, Mrs. "Bill" (Hillary) Clinton will capture that coveted crown. Only political junkies with their head, or some other part of their body, still stuck in the sand, will disagree.

With former Senator John Edwards having now dropped out of the race, a void has been left open for those Democrats that actually care about real issues. Edwards spoke well, projected an image of concern for the underclass, but my own personal experience with Edwards sealed my decision about him back in November of 2003. Edwards who spoke often about health insurance issues for Americans neglected his responsibility in my book when he was given the chance to support a bill in Congress back in 2003 addressing a loop hole for military service member that Tri Care tried desperately to leave unaddressed. I know it well, for it was in honor of my late son, a Marine. Ninety-six Senators from both sides of the aisle voted in favor of it, two against it (Akaka from Hawaii and Byrd of West Virginia) and two abstained from voting for political reasons only. Their names were Kerry of Massachusetts and Edwards from North Carolina. This one political move by Edwards sealed his fate in my book forever. He miscalculated one citizen's strength. Although he (Edwards) sounded good on the stump, when it came down to the rubber meeting the road, he failed in his responsibility for the things he speaks of. Now, the question is, where will his supporters go? They will go to Sen. Clinton of NY, or is it Arkansas or is it Illinois, I cannot actually tell for sure.

Mrs. "Bill" (Hillary) Clinton will gain the Democratic nod and will be the nominee in November. Listen to what she says and read between the lines, she has way too much invested since years and years ago, to not win. Too many political uncashed IOU's are out there waiting to be deposited. The Clinton(s) machine is just now gearing up. She will win and if she is smart, she will pick former General Wesley Clark for her VP choice. This is how I see it coming down the pike in the days, weeks and months ahead leading to November. She is a woman on a mission, that is not going to lose.

Enough said about the Democrats. Let's talk about the TWO Republican parties vying for the nomination in November. Yes, I said two Republican parties, not two Republican candidates.

These days there is a clear split in the Republican party. So much so that many have said the Republicans are trying vehemently to throw in the towel in 2008 with a view towards 2012. This thinking in my book makes no sense at all but then again, power is strange bird. The Neo-Cons of the 21st century have messed things up so bad lately, they've decided to play dirty, once again, which is of no real surprise. What has been lost in the shuffle with the current rhetoric is the party of Abraham Lincoln seems to have lost its identity in search of a mantle-bearer that represents something a little right of Attilla the Hun. Enter now the likes of one Mitt Romney.

Former Governor Mitt Romney, of Massachusetts, who claims Michigan as his home, has tried unsuccessfully to claim this mantle that no one can clearly define as of yet. Romney who has hundreds of millions of dollars mostly gained through his dealings with Bain Capital and shady off shore accounts has tried desperately to speak as of late like he's the one who invented Ronald Reagan, et all. Romney who has been characterized as a "wind up Ken Doll" who changes position depending on the flavor of the audience in the early going, had found that his millions are not able to purchase integrity no matter how "conservative" his stump speeches seem to sound. He basically was lost long before he ever got started. He banked on the things that most politicians do. He mistakenly figured the electorate would not see through is facade and that the truth of his flip flopping would be able to be concealed. Although I agree to an extent that the average voter's attention span is more likely akin to that of a four year old pre-schooler, the fact remains that deep down in every concerned citizen of this great land, the term "We the People" still carries a high level of responsibility and in the end calls the shots, if allowed to function freely.

Romney made a critical error in statements concerning himself and his son's service to country during a time when the global war on terrorism is being fully waged. Romney who received nine years of deferments during the Viet Nam years, and spent a great deal of time in France going house to house sampling cheese, while John McCain was tied up in a North Viet Nam prison cell, responded to a question about his son's lack of service to country. Romney was asked why his sons have not served. His response that the five boys, while running around the USA in an RV seeking to get their father elected, were serving their country just as soldiers do, proved that he (Romney) is an elitist who has no intentions of his offspring ever getting near anything that is considered "in harms way" while having no second thoughts at all of sending the rest of America's sons and daughter's down the precarious roads to war zones across the globe in Humvees rather than RV's. This one element defines Romney's attitude towards those he desires to govern. No longer will the electorate stand by idly and listen to how conservative he was, is or will be in the future, while he (Romney and sons) sample cheese in RV's across America. This dog just won't hunt.

There are many other factors that will preclude Romney from getting the nomination by the Republicans, whether or not the likes of Rush Limbaugh (who also avoided service by deferments during the Viet Nam years) decide to boycott the November election should their Neo-Con not be on the ballot. But at this time it seems irrelevant to enumerate them all. The fact is no matter how much money one has to buy the Presidency, true patriots see through the facade, the slick hair styles, the double talk no matter what kind of conservative cloak one tries to put on it. A rich white boy from a wealthy Mormon family, who spent years seeking deferments away from the war in Viet Nam, has not earned the respect of John Q. Public and his sons, during the time we call the global war on terrorism.

Now comes Senator John McCain, R-AZ, who many wrote off way back in the summer of '07, while his support for the troop surge seemingly was destined to cause him political suicide. However, low and behold, McCain is now the front runner and is pegged by many to not only be the nominee but has the best chance to win the Presidency in November. How can this be one might ask. It is very simple from my point of view.

McCain won the respect of most Americans long before he entered politics. Simply by refusing to give in to North Vietnamese prison guards and refusing early release. All knew McCain's father's status at Pacific Commander during those years. It was at that time that McCain decided not to play into anyone's political games. And this trait continued through the days of his political career subsequently labeling him a "maverick" within his own party. And the electorate took note year after year. In 2000, McCain was subjected to the dirty politics of the Bush soon to be Cheney machine and lost a bid then for his party's nomination. But eight years later McCain is headed up the most dramatic political comeback in recent historical times and is now today the undisputed front runner poised to perhaps win the Presidency in November.

The other Republican party (The Neo Cons who are not used to losing) are fuming in their own shoes. So much so that they are willing to for go the White House in '08 and regroup for a harder fought battle in 2012. But their plan will not succeed. McCain has something that cannot be duplicated or mimicked in order to sway a weary voter this or that way. McCain has the experience of being a warrior that has been tested. No amount of rhetoric, no amount of money, no amount of political double talk can compare to this one attribute. Simply put, it is called experience under fire. No other candidate can claim this mantle, no matter what party affiliation they are of. In short, the country is at war. McCain has been to war. His son is currently in Iraq, at war. Another of his sons is being trained by US Naval Academy. These sons are not running around the country in RV's. They are in and being prepared for war. McCain is the only one running that truly counts the cost before making any decision for those he intends to govern. Romney cannot claim this, no matter how much money he spends. And the average voter knows this.

In the end, the political season of 2008 is now in full swing. It's a long way to November, but it will come up fast. Senator John McCain, R-AZ, has a growing list of endorsements from a wide spectrum of support. People from all across the political aisles are now lining up and jumping on the McCain straight talk express band wagon. People who vote, do like straight talk. It's not always pretty talk, but it's straight up and truthful. Those in the Republican party who are throwing a temper tantrum at the moment would be wise to get in line now and for once care for the betterment of the country rather than their own bank accounts. Whomever becomes President this time around will of course govern only one country. It is why we are called the UNITED States of America. John McCain has proven he is already uniting an entire country simply by speaking truthfully, even when the truth hurts. McCain is running as a Republican. But first and foremost he is an American.

Sincerely,

Jim Spiri
jimspiri@yahoo.com