Republicans and Chris Christie

Chris Christie isn’t running for president. He actually had a chance to save the Republican Party. He refused to run because when the presidential candidates were asked whether any of them would accept a budget deal and they all said no and the Republican Party officially became a danger to itself and to the country. The G.O.P. announced that it would not be a partner for the Grand Bargain. This bargain would simultaneously boost the economy and optimism by its economic logic and the mere fact of the two parties working together. 

 Obama is moving away from this bargain. Him trying to respond to the G.O.P. this close to election time was a bad idea. Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles made a plan that would cut the dent by $3.9 trillion by 2020. Obama didn't support this plan and by making his watered-down version of it, he created a chance for Republicans to take advantage. If Christie would have ran, then the country would win in the election because  the candidates would have been fighting against each other for chance. Instead, the country loses either way.

 

1. How does Friedman feel about Republican taxing and spending policies?

 He thinks the party has become a danger to itself as well as the country

2. What would the Grand Bargain be?

something that provides more near-term investment in the economy that spurs job growth, combined with a credible long-term plan to increase tax revenues and trim entitlement

3. What are the implications of lower government spending for the future?

lower spending today means lower taxes tomorrow

4. What are the implications of refusing to raise taxes for the future?

a high and rising commitment to future taxes

5. What has been Obama's response to the Republican plan?

moving away from entitlement reform and embracing multiple tax increases on the wealthy

6. Is that a good repsonse leading up to an election?

 no it was a huge mistake

7. What was the Simpson - Bowles deficit reduction plan?

through raising tax revenues, cutting defense and increasing the age at which people would qualify for Social Security and Medicare

8. Which groups is this likely to anger?

  old people

9. Because Obama has not embraced the bargain, what opportunities do Republicans have?

 a sane candidate can embrace the bargain and send Obama back to the center

10. Why was Christie so appealing for the general election?

he seemed ready to tell hard truths that Obama has started to shrink from

11. How does Friedman say that the race has changed because there's no Christie and Obama has a new approach?

the whole country is going to lose because the winner will not have had a mandate for the real change we need

12. How would you describe Friedman's political views based on the article?

 He is in favor of raising tax revenues, cutting defense and increasing the age for Social Security and Medicare, the bargain proposed by Simpson and Bowles.

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street is a movement that is spreading fast in cities. It has started recently but it is already struggling to maintain its focus and identity. The future of Occupy Wall Street as a political force may well depend on how well it conveys its message and mission. The group says they cannot wait any longer and let corporate greed and corrupt politics run the nation. The group calls themselves "The 99%." This means that 40% of the nations wealth is in the  hands of the richest 1% of the population.

OWS members are rallying against the military, corporations, Wall Street, political corruption, the president and even capitalism. Protestors are aiming for the political heights achieved by the tea party. The tea party's precedent suggests that a movement can flourish even with an unclear identity and some pretty far-out ideas. Obama was asked about OWS and he said that he understands the frustration and urgent needs of those who are on the economic edge.

1. Why might Occupy Wall Street struggle as a movement as it grows in size?

It is spreading too fast

2. What does OWS mean by "We Are the 99 Percent"?

The richest 1 percent of the population during the recession owns about 40% of the nations wealth. They are saying they are that 99% with barely any money.

3. Which type of interest group tactic would this rally be?

 an unconventional protest

4. What problems are the major parties having with these splinter groups within their bases?

 their are taking the media's attention

5. What is Occupy Wall Street's problem with Obama?

They feel like he is being run and nothing is happening in Washington.

6. What changes would Occupy Wall Street like to see in the government?

the economy, corporate corruption of our political system, and the negative effects of corporate personhood

7. What do you think are its chances as a movement, and why?

 I think it will eventually be successful, because it is becoming increasingly popular and it is growing fast.

Transformative Presidents

America needs a savior. Chris Christie is making a lasting impression, which makes the people want him to be the Republican representative. While Christie is building his hype, Obama is losing some of his voters. Christie is attacking Obama saying that nothing will get done. One-fifth of the population is either without work or searching for new employment. Obama is getting alot of dissatisfied voters.

Not every president who took over during a recession received negative feedback.FDR and Ronald Reagan are prime examples. They both took over during times of economic crises and made attempts at reforms. The reforms eventually worked in their favor and everyone loved them. Americans aren't expecting Obama to get everything done overnight, but they want him to at least look like he's trying. Americans obviously don't feel as if Obama is trying and thats not good as we approach election time.

1. What advantages would Christie have in the general election as a Republican governor of New Jersey?

 Everyone wants him to run

2. What reason is given for voters' dissatisfaction with the current crop of nominees?

 one fifth of the population is either without work or looking for more employment

3. What situations did FDR and Reagan inherit when they came to office?

 They came in during economic crises

4. How did both FDR and Reagan distance themselves from the administrations they replaced?

 they opposed a vulnerable administration, then “cut the knot, raised a new standard, and promised to restore to American government

5. What were FDR's notable achievements?

 He experimented with alot of different reforms and restored the American government during a time of crisis

6. What were Reagan's?

 He passed the largest income tax cut in history and was credited after the economy was rejuvinated.

7. How did Reagan get credit for the economic recovery from the 1980's and do you think Barack Obama is doing the same thing?

 He kept harping on his reconstructive storyline. Yes, both presidents made reforms which went wrong. After the economy is restored Obama will just say he planned that.

8. How are Obama's accomplishments in his first term different from these reconstructive presidents?
Obama is just surviving bill by bill

9. Why is Obama's approach bad for his current situation?
Obama is being too lax about the situation which makes him come off as if he doesn't care.

Political Parties and Safe Districts

Anthony Weiner resigned this summer. The district in Queens had been in Democratic hands for 91 years. The day before the seat was lost, Joe Crowly was out somewhere campaigning for David Weprin. Crowley didn't show up to the victory party however. He was nowhere to be seen, but his communications director just told everybody that he was busy and had to split his time. Crowley's neighbors say that he is barely around.

Had Weiner not resigned, it would have been a no contest victory for him. People think that Weprin isn't charismatic enough and they just plain liked Weiner better. Crowley is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Democratic Party.  The inhabitants of Queens’s District Nine, where Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one and where the last Republican win was in 1920, voted with a resentment that was aimed not just at the president but at his party. This is a big defeat for Obama.

1. Joe Crowly is in charge of the Democratic Party in Queens, New York, but he is a Representative for a district in Virginia. Why might he be campaigning for candidates in New York?

New York changes from democratic to republic and vice versa.

2. What are some possible explanations for the lack of turnout among Democratic voters and volunteers?

 Anthony Weiner's resignation.

3. The article mentions unions pumping money and workers into campaigns, which way do labor unions usually lean?

 Democratic

4. Why would labor unions want to support a candidate for the House?

 increased turnout

5. How does Weiner's resignation illustrate some problems with federalism?

 Congressman can do whatever with no consequence

6. If people are saying that this is a defeat for Obama, what type of voting decision do you think 9th district voters made?

 they voted for whoever is running against Obama

7. What important roles does Crowly have?

 He is in charge of what goes on with the Democrats

8. Why is it so unbelievable that a Republican won in this district?

 It has been in the hands of Democrats for 91 years

9. What has happened if they are talking about eliminating the district? (hint: think about the purpose of the Census) 

 People are either moving away or simply not voting