Edwards Wins Iowa; The Murder of Benazir Bhutto; and Dissociation For Dummies - Vol. 3 Issue 93

Edwards Wins Iowa

Since last year, I have insisted to anyone who will listen that John Edwards would win the Iowa Caucus and go on to win the Democratic Presidential nomination. Through the spring and summer we suffered through the media’s slavish predictions about Hillary Clinton’s “inevitability.” Then this fall came the meteoric rise of Barack Obama. The ever-nattering Press “pack,” indulging in their normal groupthink pattern, told us that the race in Iowa was between Hillary and Barack. All the other candidates were basically ignored for many weeks. About ten days ago, the more intelligent political analysts started noting that while Obama and Clinton’s poll numbers kept fluctuating, John Edward’s numbers didn’t. In fact, Edward’s polling in Iowa has held steady in the low or mid 20’s for the entire year. Last week, the next shoe dropped. When pollsters asked “likely caucus attendees” which candidate they supported, the answer was EDWARDS! Obama has the kids, Hillary has the establishment/office holders and Edwards has the experienced caucus voters.

This is no fluke, folks. Edwards knows how to make a closing argument. He is passionate, articulate and he never “talks down” to his fellow Democrats. And there is something else: whether it is true or not, many of us feel that Barack is not ready for the enormous burdens of the Presidency and that Hillary is too divisive to be elected. So, here is m y prediction for next Thursday night: Edwards 34%, Obama 29% and Hillary 26%. If I am wrong, I will publicly eat crow next Friday’s BNB.

The Murder of Benazir Bhutto

The death of an acquaintance, no matter how remote, is always disconcerting. I did not know Ms. Bhutto that well. I met her in 19’71. She was introduced to me as “Pinky” Bhutto. I had no idea that she was “old money” and the equivalent of a princess in Pakistan. She was shy, soft-spoken and extremely intelligent. I don’t remember the content of our conversations. I believe she was in the survey course on Germany, Hitler and National Socialism. She mostly wore jeans and T-shirts. She loved rock n’ roll and she was incredibly beautiful. It was many years later, when she became Prime Minister, that I realized that the “Pinky” I knew in college and the new Prime Minister Bhutto of Pakistan, were the same person. Her assassination will be enduring symbol of the chaos that was and is “Pakistan.” I applaud her courage and her selfless devotion to improving her nation. Her family has greatly sacrificed for a questionable cause. Still, I am proud to have known her and I send my condolences to her family, friends and admirers. May she know peace.

More Words of Wisdom from Ezra Gottheil

From the NYT:

Testifying before Congress in 2001, Mr. Allbaugh said he was concerned
that federal disaster assistance had become “an oversized entitlement
program” and made it clear that the new administration wanted to
curtail FEMA’s mission.

Allbaugh was Bush’s FEMA head.

"The process of disassociation goes something like this: Disassociate necessities of life from entitlements. Disassociate necessities from people. Disassociate the goals of actions from their consequences. Don’t think about alternatives to what you believe. Are all entitlements bad? Of course. Are all taxes bad? Of course. Are all government activities bad. Of course. When anyone challenges you, transform them into the enemy. Then, lowering taxes and reducing entitlements is necessary, and if a few people suffer, it will make them stronger in the end. This was the logic behind British policy in the Irish famine.

Happy New Year."

Thanks again to Ezra for nailing it. That’s all for this Issue! Have a great 2008. See you all at BNB next year.

Health Happiness and Best to all,

Savant

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