The New Ozzie and Harriet

Last night’s State of the Union Address was the last for President George W. Bush. The Bush Twins were both in attendance for the first time to witness a piece of history.

The performance is always a show within a show, a drama within a comedy, with the physical posturing of the politicos in attendance every bit as interesting as the main attraction for the evening.
Did the Ozzie and Harriet Show steal the limelight from Mr. Bush’s address? Ozzie and Harriet—Obama and Hillary, I mean.

I am repeatedly disgusted each year by the public displays of inappropriate body language by these elected sycophants. Probably why I will never run for office; I don’t want to be like them.

There are many who view Mr. Bush’s status as Official Lame Duck as one that will constrain him from accomplishing much. Don’t bet on it.

As our friends at Stratfor.com note, the very lack of political debt might actually empower the Bush White House to accomplish more than expected. Domestic issues are probably toast for the year, especially with the wrangling for each party’s nomination for President. But on the world stage, Mr. Bush’s opportunity to set foreign policy is still viable.

Because Mr. Bush is not running for re-election, he’s not going to be distracted by public opinion polls, and he doesn’t have to worry about protecting a successor, since his party is still in the shake-out process.

As Stratfor.com notes, “all the pieces are in place for a no-holds-barred executive with very few institutional restrictions on his ability to act. Foreign affairs require neither popular support nor congressional approval.”

Meanwhile, the circus continues in America.
What kind of man/woman do you want to be your next President?

Eyebrows were raised when Sen. Ted Kennedy and his niece, Caroline, threw their support behind the Senator from Illinois. What is it about Barak Obama that is so capturing the imagination of younger voters this time?

Ms. Kennedy wrote a moving editorial that was published this week in the International Herald Tribute, called “JFK and Obama: A President Like My Father.” Obama may or may not be another Jack Kennedy, but here is what he has inspired in the last survivor of Camelot, and which may explain his appeal:

“I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift Americans' spirits, and make us believe again that the country needs every one of us to get involved.”

Any questions?