What took you So Long?

Whitney M. Duck Bio

There has been a lot a buzz and dissecting of the new book written by Scott McClellan, "What Happened, Inside the Bush White House" . All I can say to Mr. McClellan is what took you so long? The cruel irony is there really is not any new news within this "tell all" book. It appears to be a book giving more details to what we already know or, should have known, for a very long time - the war in Iraq was not necessary.

What even becomes more evident is that the war was "sold" to the American people. I am sure that Mr. McClellan brings forward a new voice and perhaps some insight and some hindsight to the conversation but the truth remains the same. The United States went to war on a whim and the American people got sold a lie. The war in Iraq was not necessary. This is news? Maybe to some out there who are still die hard Iraq supporters and maybe this book will shock a few but on the whole, many Americans have already come to this conclusion, with or without the help of the current Administration.

The true tragedy with this new insight is that Mr. McClellan's book will not change the current policy towards the war. The only people who will benefit from this book are the moneymakers (publisher and author, etc.). In many ways; this book will not sway many who sit on the conservative side of the political fence. They will view Mr. McClellan as a turncoat and trader. The left side will feel a bit more justified and be able to say, "See, I told you so".

I happened to be with a group of friends the other day, strong leaning Democrats, who still can not believe that the American public is not " up in arms" and " hitting the streets" about the Bush Administration and the war. My answer to this inquiry is very simple; too few of us are affected by Iraq and the war. Quite frankly, the war has been pushed back to page three in the newspapers. The local and national TV news does not cover the war with the same intensity it once did. The war is being slowly pushed to the back burner in favor of Democratic infighting and gas prices. Now that that the monthly solider/marine death toll is slowly inching downward and suicide bombings are being conducted further and further apart, our media outlets are giving less and less attention. The coverage of the war has waned a bit.

Is the question Americans do not care anymore about the war? No, I do not believe this is true but I do believe that Americans have become some what numb to the war and the mess that the war has brought forth. During the presidential campaign races, there has been an idea floated to; "let the new Administration handle it". Both Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton see the war differently.

Personally, I no longer care who voted for the war and who did not. I would like to hear about a solution on how to get out of this mess. McCain's idea of a never ending occupation is a bit on the scary side. With his military experience aside, Senator McCain, this might not be such a terrific solution. Whether a Democrat or a Republican sits in the oval office in 2009, the war in Iraq will loom big on the horizon. Being either pro or anti war does not seem to have the same pop as it once did. The war is a huge mess and fixing the puzzle will take much more then "cut and run", a slow and steady troop withdrawal, or a constant military presence.

Ending the Iraq war is going to take a multi year approach. Oil rights, government, rebuilding, Middle East policy, the conduct of US forces and the idea of possible war crimes against civilians will all have to be dealt with. No matter what side of the fence we sit on, liberal or conservative, there is not going to be an easy or graceful exit. There will be winners and losers.

To fight among ourselves on who was right all along and who really messed this war up, is not looking over the next sand dune. The facts are that the United States is in the Middle East and now we must begin to repair all of the damage. The United Sates must rebuild relationships within Iraq and with the countries that line its boarder. The United States must take the good, bad and ugly and begin to repair the country that we broke. The next President must ensure the safety of Americans against future terrorism and that might just mean, talking to the bad guys, whoever they may be. The task at hand is huge and should not be taken lightly.

If anything, Scott McClellan's book points out is that more then one voice of reason might be needed before the United States commits itself to another armed conflict. Although it is the ultimate decision of the President, other opinions weighing in can only be more helpful and more insightful. Having too much arrogance or being too stubborn is not a good thing. It is not a character flaw to ask for help or advice. Hubris is a dirty word when it comes to world affairs. There are too many different cultures in the world.

The United States is a wonderful model in the workings of a democracy but, exporting democracy does not always work. Our own country went through many, many different thoughts processes over time before the final Constitution was written. Having the idea in your head or in your heart is not enough. It takes hard work and some mistakes. Sometimes it is better for the country to not act on every impulse that is in someones head. Talking and negotiation often work to our advantage. Democracy at the end of a gun just does not work! Sadly, somebody or some country, you had not thought of just might be in the crossfire!

Democratic Campaign Chatter 6-2-2008

Senator Edward Kennedy released a statement today announcing he will be undergoing targeted surgery today on his brain tumor at Duke University Medical Center. He will then undergo radiation treatment followed by chemotherapy. The Senator said he looked forward to his return to the Senate and to helping Senator Barack Obama be elected President. Read more here.

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Current Delegate Count - Obama 2070, Clinton 1914. This figure includes the Puerto Rico allocation of delegates based on the results from yesterday. Although, Clinton won the U.S. territory by an impressive 2-1 margin, she is just too far back in delegates to catch up. Clinton won 38 delegates and Obama 17 out of the 55 pledged delegates from Puerto Rico. Obama is now within 48 delegates of the new 2118 number needed to win the nomination.

Tomorrow, 31 pledged delegates, (S. Dakota -15 and Montana -16) are up for grabs in the last two primaries. Obama is favored in Montana and S. Dakota is considered a toss-up. So it appears Obama will pick up approximately 16 delegates tomorrow and will only need approximately 30 of the remaining 176 superdelegates to secure the nomination. With all the pressure they are receiving from party leaders the remaining uncommitted superdelegates are likely to announce their support soon - if not tomorrow evening, certainly by the end of the week.

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Gallup releases poll - "Americans Favor President Meeting With U.S. Enemies". This is a boost to Senator Obama's position on foreign policy.

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Clinton campaign gossip - Reports are she is heading home to New York to meet with husband and senior staff. Another report indicates advance staff are invited to attend New York election night event tomorrow evening but their jobs were ending. Yet another report indicates Clinton hinted on the plane flight the campaign continues. Read more here.

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In a press release issued yesterday, Maryland Democratic Party chair Michael Cryor stressed party unity after the DNC rules & bylaws committee issued their ruling on Michigan and Florida.

....."Some see this year's extended but exciting primary process as a stumbling block for Democrats. Nothing could be further from the truth. This contest between two great candidates has been the vigorous mental and physical exercise that strengthens our party for the future. We are ready and able to take back the White House and grow our majorities in Congress."

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Meanwhile the Senate returns to work after a one week break - A climate bill that limits carbon emissions will be acted on, a war spending bill in the House is still under discussion, and a Farm bill is under consideration. Read more here.

Clinton Wins Puerto Rico

As expected, NBC has now called Clinton the winner in Puerto Rico today. The early numbers coming in show a 2-1 win for Clinton over Obama 68% to 32%. However, as I mentioned earlier in reviewing the delegate math, it is over for Clinton for she is unable to win enough delegates to reach 2118 total delegates to secure the party nomination..

Here are some exit polls from Puerto Rico. The best delegate gain Clinton can hope for today is 17 with a 36-19 delegate split out of the 55 pledged delegates from Puerto Rico. This will put Obama within 48 delegates of 2118.

It is now clear Obama will not declare a victory out of respect for Clinton and the voters in the remaining two primaries until after the primaries are held Tuesday in Montana (16 pledged delegates) and S. Dakota ( 15 pledged delegates). Obama is favored in Montana and S.D. looks like a toss up.

4:22 PM ET Obama speaks to rally in Mitchell, S.D. He said he had called Clinton and congratulated her victory on her victory in Puerto Rico today. He spoke highly of her and said she would be a great asset in November and how Democrats will come together. He then followed with his stump speech directed against McCain and the change that is needed in our country.

5:45 PM ET The prediction of a low turnout in Puerto Rico turned out to be correct. With 57% reporting Clinton 68%, Obama 32% with the vote totals approximately 131,000 to 61,000.

Senator Clinton is set to speak at a rally in San Juan - although she won big today, she must know the delegate math no longer works for her. Will she mention the Michigan ruling and say she will appeal to the DNC credentials committee?

5:52 PM ET Clinton says Thank You Puerto Rico! Speaks of the 17.5 million people who have already voted for her plus the voters today who view her as the best candidate in the Fall - asks for people to check out her web site. She makes her point of winning the popular vote - people have spoken as to who their candidate shall be, then goes on to mention all the battleground states she has won. She hopes by her second term, Puerto Rico will be able to vote in the general election.

Says after the last two primaries on Tuesday she will have won the popular vote and neither candidate will have enough of the pledged delegates to win. Obama will have a slight lead in delegates but the decision will be on the shoulders of the superdelegates. She hoped the superdelegates would view her qualifications - She then went on with why she is the best candidate-ready to lead on day one, etc..... This race is about you, our country can not afford four more years of the same. She then went on to thank all who helped her in the Puerto Rico campaign effort. So no concession here.

The question remains - How does she gracefully exit?

Democratic Campaign Chatter 6-1-2008

Puerto Rico votes today - at stake 55 pledged and 8 superdelegates. The polls close at 3:00 PM ET and we will post the results as soon as they are known. Senator Clinton is projected to win by double digits. However, a low voter turn out is expected.

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Unfortunately for Senator Clinton, the delegate math after the action taken yesterday by the DNC rules & bylaws committee clearly shows it is now over for her. Senator Obama now leads in total delegates 2051 to 1875. The new number needed to clinch the democratic party nomination is 2118. The 53 superdelegates from Michigan and Florida were also given only one-half vote so if they have not been included in any of the delegate projections, it is now impossible for Clinton to win the nomination. There are only 86 pledged delegates remaining in the last three primaries and a total of 179 superdelegates who are uncommitted. If 53 of the superdelegates are from Michigan and Florida, they would equal 26.5 delegates, plus the other 126 superdelegates, plus the 86 pledged delegates equal 238.5. Hillary needs 243 while Obama only needs 67 delegates to win the nomination.

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How does Clinton gracefully exit? This is the question of the hour - even with loyal Clinton campaign strategists Harold Ickes and Howard Wolfson battling until the end, they now know it is over. Yesterday, Ickes threatened the rules and bylaws committee with an appeal of the Michigan ruling to the DNC "credentials committee" and Wolfson was making the case that Clinton will win the popular vote. However, they realize, the democratic nominee is determined by delegate count and the Presidency is determined by the electoral vote. Also, at this point a more favorable ruling in Michigan will not alter the outcome. So when does Clinton concede? The NY Times has a good read here.

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Obama resigns from his Church. After the latest flap with Reverend Pfleger mocking Clinton in a sermon, Obama in a move directed at damage control, severs his ties with the Church. Read more here.

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Ruters/Zogby Index - May results - This is an interesting read and is done every month. They ask the the same questions such as rate the U.S. Bush administration, rate the U.S. congress, Is the U.S. headed in the right direction, performance of U.S. economic and foreign policy and more. The results continue to show dissatisfaction.