Who needs, who wants, change? Not Delco.
Incumbents....
Meehan, Pileggi, Killion, Kirkland, Vitali, Micozzie, Miccarelli, Barrar, Davidson, Adolph, and Hackett...
All win.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
A Pyrrhic Victory?
The old joke is that a second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience. The same can be said about the reelection of President Barack Obama.
He is the first sitting president to be returned to office with a smaller margin of victory than in his first go round.
When it was pointed out to John Kennedy that he barely limped into office in 1960 against Richard Nixon, he reportedly said something to the effect "Well, he's there and we're here."
Quite right.
Or as the president might say, "I won."
Obama won by cobbling together a coalition of union workers, liberals, single women, young people and minorities. He also won by effectively demonizing his opponent as an out of touch oligarch, especially in the places it mattered most: the battleground states of Ohio, Virginia, Florida.
In Florida, it was Hispanics who put the president over the top. In Ohio, union workers. In Virginia, government union workers. And in all three places; single women, who Democrats managed to convince that the GOP had declared "war" on them. It was both cynical and very effective.
The president also eked out a 51-48 win in the popular vote. The only thing he didn't win was a mandate. The voters returned control of the House to Republicans; and control of the Senate and the Oval Office to Democrats. What we have is the status quo ante. Apparently, the nation's voters like divided government.
So now what? Again, there is a looming budget crisis, one that the president and Republican leaders failed to deal with last year and kicked down the road. Either the president recognizes the extremely divided nature of the country and invites Republicans leaders in to work on a legitimate compromise that angers both the left and right wings of their parties. Or he stands firm on the need to raise taxes only on the wealthy, refuses to cut government spending in any significant way and kicks the entitlements' can down the road for another two years.
That America remains on a completely unsustainable fiscal path is undeniable. The "blue state" model of governing simply can't pay for itself. The bluest of the blue states, Illinois, California and New York are basket cases. Either reform is coming or bankruptcy. They will not be bailed out by a Republican-controlled House, no matter how badly the president and his fellow Democrats would like to.
In his victory speech last night, the president said "The best is yet to come." The question is, the best compared to what? It won't be hard for the U.S. economy to do better than it did these last four years. The economic recovery was the worst in American history. GDP growth remains sluggish and the jobless rate, downright depressing.
In cities like Chester, the first African-American president was unable to do anything to actually spur job creation or economic development. Unemployment among America's blacks now stands at a whopping 14.4 percent. Candidate Romney vowed to shrink government and lower tax rates to allow the private economy to grow. The old idea being a rising tide lifts all boats.
Instead, we will have a president who vows to make education a national priority. Given the deplorable state public education in America's cities, where drop-out rates are almost as depressing as student test scores, the likelihood of seeing any significant improvement in our nations public schools brought about by federal intervention is virtually zero.
Candidate Romney ran a gallant but flawed campaign. President Obama and his men ran a very smart and effective campaign. Now the question is can he preside over a smarter and more effective government?
He is the first sitting president to be returned to office with a smaller margin of victory than in his first go round.
When it was pointed out to John Kennedy that he barely limped into office in 1960 against Richard Nixon, he reportedly said something to the effect "Well, he's there and we're here."
Quite right.
Or as the president might say, "I won."
Obama won by cobbling together a coalition of union workers, liberals, single women, young people and minorities. He also won by effectively demonizing his opponent as an out of touch oligarch, especially in the places it mattered most: the battleground states of Ohio, Virginia, Florida.
In Florida, it was Hispanics who put the president over the top. In Ohio, union workers. In Virginia, government union workers. And in all three places; single women, who Democrats managed to convince that the GOP had declared "war" on them. It was both cynical and very effective.
The president also eked out a 51-48 win in the popular vote. The only thing he didn't win was a mandate. The voters returned control of the House to Republicans; and control of the Senate and the Oval Office to Democrats. What we have is the status quo ante. Apparently, the nation's voters like divided government.
So now what? Again, there is a looming budget crisis, one that the president and Republican leaders failed to deal with last year and kicked down the road. Either the president recognizes the extremely divided nature of the country and invites Republicans leaders in to work on a legitimate compromise that angers both the left and right wings of their parties. Or he stands firm on the need to raise taxes only on the wealthy, refuses to cut government spending in any significant way and kicks the entitlements' can down the road for another two years.
That America remains on a completely unsustainable fiscal path is undeniable. The "blue state" model of governing simply can't pay for itself. The bluest of the blue states, Illinois, California and New York are basket cases. Either reform is coming or bankruptcy. They will not be bailed out by a Republican-controlled House, no matter how badly the president and his fellow Democrats would like to.
In his victory speech last night, the president said "The best is yet to come." The question is, the best compared to what? It won't be hard for the U.S. economy to do better than it did these last four years. The economic recovery was the worst in American history. GDP growth remains sluggish and the jobless rate, downright depressing.
In cities like Chester, the first African-American president was unable to do anything to actually spur job creation or economic development. Unemployment among America's blacks now stands at a whopping 14.4 percent. Candidate Romney vowed to shrink government and lower tax rates to allow the private economy to grow. The old idea being a rising tide lifts all boats.
Instead, we will have a president who vows to make education a national priority. Given the deplorable state public education in America's cities, where drop-out rates are almost as depressing as student test scores, the likelihood of seeing any significant improvement in our nations public schools brought about by federal intervention is virtually zero.
Candidate Romney ran a gallant but flawed campaign. President Obama and his men ran a very smart and effective campaign. Now the question is can he preside over a smarter and more effective government?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Oooooh Scary!
Oh please. Anyone who is frightened of a New Black Panther needs to grow a set. But, ok, yeah, Democrats would be going nuts if a member of the Klan was out in front of a polling place in full regalia. Big deal!
County Turnout "Brisk," Voter Suppression Not!
As of 2:45 p.m. yesterday, Delaware County Republican Chairman Andy Reilly was reporting no major voting problems or glitches. Turnout is "brisk," and that's neither too bad nor too good for either presidential candidate.
Reilly said he remains "optimistic" about Romney's chances in Delco. Four years ago, McCain lost the county by 64,000 votes. Reilly said if the GOP can cut that margin to 20,000 or less, Romney had a decent chance to win Pennsylvania. He will need the help of apathetic Obama supporters in Philadelphia. If Philly turns out like they did in '08, 650,000 to 700,000, odds favor the incumbent Democrat. But if only 400,000 turn out -- look out.
Reilly also reported that the county worked things out nicely with the U.S. Justice Department. Yesterday, we reported that Voting rights section of DOJ wanted to send federal monitors into a polling place in Thornbury Township, apparently concerned that the rights of Cheyney University students might somehow be oppressed.
At a meeting between county officials and DOJ yesterday, Reilly said he asked if there had been any complaint or problem reported to to DOJ that justified concern. He said he was told no, that this was just a routine request.
Reilly said the federal agents were told they would be welcome inside the polling place but only with a court order or an official designation by the U.S. Attorney General himself that the polling place was somehow suspect.
No court order or designation was forthcoming. So instead, according to Reilly, a couple of federal agents did show up at the township building and stood outside the polls for a couple of hours. They asked exiting Cheyney students - all of them - if they had any problems voting. None were reported, according to Reilly.
"A great use of taxpayer funds," said Reilly, "exit polling."
In Ohio, in the walk up to the election the Cincinnati Enquirer raised grave concerns about "white people" showing up at polling places in "minority communities."
What "they" would say about white federal agents quizzing black college students on their voting experience we shudder to imagine.
Reilly said he remains "optimistic" about Romney's chances in Delco. Four years ago, McCain lost the county by 64,000 votes. Reilly said if the GOP can cut that margin to 20,000 or less, Romney had a decent chance to win Pennsylvania. He will need the help of apathetic Obama supporters in Philadelphia. If Philly turns out like they did in '08, 650,000 to 700,000, odds favor the incumbent Democrat. But if only 400,000 turn out -- look out.
Reilly also reported that the county worked things out nicely with the U.S. Justice Department. Yesterday, we reported that Voting rights section of DOJ wanted to send federal monitors into a polling place in Thornbury Township, apparently concerned that the rights of Cheyney University students might somehow be oppressed.
At a meeting between county officials and DOJ yesterday, Reilly said he asked if there had been any complaint or problem reported to to DOJ that justified concern. He said he was told no, that this was just a routine request.
Reilly said the federal agents were told they would be welcome inside the polling place but only with a court order or an official designation by the U.S. Attorney General himself that the polling place was somehow suspect.
No court order or designation was forthcoming. So instead, according to Reilly, a couple of federal agents did show up at the township building and stood outside the polls for a couple of hours. They asked exiting Cheyney students - all of them - if they had any problems voting. None were reported, according to Reilly.
"A great use of taxpayer funds," said Reilly, "exit polling."
In Ohio, in the walk up to the election the Cincinnati Enquirer raised grave concerns about "white people" showing up at polling places in "minority communities."
Especially in minority communities, they say, the mere presence of a white person who looks and perhaps acts like an election official can have a chilling effect on some voters, particularly if the person seems to be paying close attention to how a voter is processed at the polls.
Anyone who dismisses the fact that such attitudes persist in 2012, they add, is probably not black.They writer of this piece does not immediately identify who "they" are. But "they" - and he - are obviously numbskulls to think that black people are so afraid and intimidated by white people who show up in minority communities to do a job. Anyone who thinks so is probably a white liberal who doesn't know many black people.
What "they" would say about white federal agents quizzing black college students on their voting experience we shudder to imagine.
Meanwhile, in Chester....
At 9th and Kerlin streets a white van boasting Obama/Biden placards and loud speakers is blaring "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now." A recorded voice urges residents to get out and re-elect the president.
At my favorite Chester polling place, Mano's Gulf Station/Cocco's Pizzeria, Romoxie Bivens stood outside handing out Obama literature.
He's a member of Laborer's International Union 413, and out of work. He's 37 years old and he's been out of work for sometime. I asked him how the turnout has been.
"Good," he says. "A lot of people are concerned and want to see Obama with four more years to try to turn this thing around. Four years wasn't enough to accomplish what he wanted to do. So it would be fair to give him one more term." After all, "the past two presidents both received two terms a piece."
And if he doesn't get a second term? Bivens shrugs.
Some people, I tell him, are suggesting that it will be because of race.
"And money," Bivens says quietly. "It will be between the two, race and money. Romney's promising a lot of tax cuts."
But race? Bivens shrugs. "Everybody has their opinion." On the racial question, his isn't that strong. In any case he doesn't believe Romney will be the answer to anyone's prayers, except rich people's.
"I heard he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth."
Down at the polling place at 3rd and Parker, poll worker G. Pete Lewis says voters in Chester's 7th District are "very enthusiastic, more this time than last time." I ask him why he thinks that is.
"Because it's a tighter election. People are very motivated. At this precinct here (the president) is way ahead." I think that's safe bet.
I asked Lewis the same question I asked Bivens: If the president loses will it be because of race. Biven says he's not going to lose. I repeat, "if."
Lewis doesn't think so.
"I think people are looking more at his record. In order to get a raise on a position you have to be productive. If you don't produce your opponent is going to attack you for your lack of production."
Sounded reasonable to me. He said the president "inherited a bad deficit, a bad situation and he tried to bring bills to the table and they (the Republicans) denied him. What good is it to give a man the right to do something but not the means to do it with? He didn't have no support from the right wing. They threw the poison in."
Actually, it was the American people who threw the poison in. In 2010, voters across the country elected a bunch of Republicans to stop the Democrats' agenda of more spending, bigger deficits, and bigger government.
Lewis maintains a healthy skepticism toward politics. He says most politicians are "parasites," and it hasn't escaped his notice that many of the congressman and senators in Washington are millionaires. He's right.
I ask him what he thinks Obama has done in the last four years to help the people of Chester.
"Infrastructure and economic development. Like the soccer stadium." But the soccer stadium was built before Obama took office. Well, he did say "like."
And what can he do in the next four?
"Bring more factories back from China."
And how can he do that?
"He's got to figure that out."
There's always hope. But so far, too little change.
At my favorite Chester polling place, Mano's Gulf Station/Cocco's Pizzeria, Romoxie Bivens stood outside handing out Obama literature.
He's a member of Laborer's International Union 413, and out of work. He's 37 years old and he's been out of work for sometime. I asked him how the turnout has been.
"Good," he says. "A lot of people are concerned and want to see Obama with four more years to try to turn this thing around. Four years wasn't enough to accomplish what he wanted to do. So it would be fair to give him one more term." After all, "the past two presidents both received two terms a piece."
And if he doesn't get a second term? Bivens shrugs.
Some people, I tell him, are suggesting that it will be because of race.
"And money," Bivens says quietly. "It will be between the two, race and money. Romney's promising a lot of tax cuts."
But race? Bivens shrugs. "Everybody has their opinion." On the racial question, his isn't that strong. In any case he doesn't believe Romney will be the answer to anyone's prayers, except rich people's.
"I heard he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth."
Down at the polling place at 3rd and Parker, poll worker G. Pete Lewis says voters in Chester's 7th District are "very enthusiastic, more this time than last time." I ask him why he thinks that is.
"Because it's a tighter election. People are very motivated. At this precinct here (the president) is way ahead." I think that's safe bet.
I asked Lewis the same question I asked Bivens: If the president loses will it be because of race. Biven says he's not going to lose. I repeat, "if."
Lewis doesn't think so.
"I think people are looking more at his record. In order to get a raise on a position you have to be productive. If you don't produce your opponent is going to attack you for your lack of production."
Sounded reasonable to me. He said the president "inherited a bad deficit, a bad situation and he tried to bring bills to the table and they (the Republicans) denied him. What good is it to give a man the right to do something but not the means to do it with? He didn't have no support from the right wing. They threw the poison in."
Actually, it was the American people who threw the poison in. In 2010, voters across the country elected a bunch of Republicans to stop the Democrats' agenda of more spending, bigger deficits, and bigger government.
Lewis maintains a healthy skepticism toward politics. He says most politicians are "parasites," and it hasn't escaped his notice that many of the congressman and senators in Washington are millionaires. He's right.
I ask him what he thinks Obama has done in the last four years to help the people of Chester.
"Infrastructure and economic development. Like the soccer stadium." But the soccer stadium was built before Obama took office. Well, he did say "like."
And what can he do in the next four?
"Bring more factories back from China."
And how can he do that?
"He's got to figure that out."
There's always hope. But so far, too little change.
Welcome to Kender Garden
They arrived in the parking lot of Strath Haven Middle School chanting "U.S.A., U.S.A." and waving little American flags. They ranged in age from 5 to 10 and were driven by Cathe Kender, grandmother to two, day-care provider to the other four.
She does this every year on Election Day. Last year her polling place was at the high school. It's here this year. It is my polling place too.
My wife and I voted first. We were asked for our ID's. She immediately presented hers. I declined. This seemed to flummox the Keeper of the Voter Registration Book. I pointed out that I was not required by law to show my ID so I would not be showing it today.
"Do you have it with you?" he asked.
"Yes."
He kept holding out his hand as if he expected me to give it to him. I told him again I was not required by law to produce it so I wasn't going to.
Next to me, I felt my my wife staring at me and shaking her head. I ignored her.
I reached for the pen he was holding to sign my name but the Keeper of the Book hesitated.
"What's the hold up?" I asked.
Finally, he relented and allowed me to sign in but he seemed unhappy about it.
"You're the first person to refuse," he said.
I'm all for Voter ID, so I took that to be a good sign.
After I canceled out my wife's votes, I did a little exit polling. Kender came out with the kids, several of whom were allowed to go with her into the voting booth.
"I love taking them into the booth," Kender said in the lobby as the kids gathered round. She introduced me to her grandson, Richard Davison. He's 10. He said it was his first time at a polling place and declared it "pretty cool." He volunteered that he watched the presidential debates.
"Weren't you bored?" I asked.
"Not that much," he replied.
I asked him who he was rooting for.
"I'd say Romney." And when I asked him why he said it was because at the debate, "Obama was making faces at Romney when he was speaking." And because "He said, 'Now vote for revenge.'" He agreed with a guy on television who said, "Only losers have to have revenge. Winners don't need revenge."
When I asked him if he was sure it was the president who was making faces, not the Vice President Joe Biden in his debate, he said he was.
"I saw him. He was just like..." And then he did a pretty imitation of Obama scowling at Mitt Romney.
Avery Cavanagh, 8, volunteered that they held a mock election at her school (Wallingford Elementary) and Obama won. I asked her if she voted for him.
"No," she said, "I voted for Mitt Romney."
Why?
"Because I had a feeling that he'd be a good president."
When I asked Matthew Jones, 5, his presidential preference, it was 5-year-old Mallory Cavanagh who spoke up for him.
"He's voting for Mitt Romney."
I asked him if that was right. It wasn't.
"I'm for President Obama," he said, which caused the young Miss Cavanagh to roll her eyes and sigh, "Whatever."
Catherine Davison, 6, was a bit of a fence sitter. As her older brother explained, "She was going to be voting for Mitt Romney but then they handed out a paper at school that at the bottom was a picture of Obama and he had a dog, so..."
I pointed to my wife and told Richard, "That's why she's voting for Obama too."
Richard said he and his mother attempted to reason with Catherine.
"Me and my mom told her she was going to be voting for Mitt Romney, but then she started crying." So who knows. But then Catherine is under 35, female and single so demographically she's a natural Obama supporter.
Last, but not least was Megan Dostillio, 9, who lives in Wallingford and goes to NPE. In her school's mock election she said she went with Romney.
So based on early exit interviews and if can extrapolate parents likely voting patterns from their children and grandchildren, Romney's chances - at least in Wallingford - look pretty good.
As Kender went to sign-in, a couple of the kids took off running.
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