Joe Takes Ryan to School

Vice President Joe Biden schooled Congressman Ryan during tonight's vice presidential debate. From the economy to foreign policy issues the vice president demonstrated a command and passion for the facts that the Wisconsin congressman lacked. The most damning exchange occurred during a domestic policy discussion when moderator Matha Raddatz and the vice president pressed Ryan for specifics on the Romney-Ryan tax cut plan. Once again Ryan like Romney offered no specifics. The foreign policy debate was completely dominated by Biden which should not be surprising given the vice-president's extensive experience in that realm. However give Ryan's position and experience with foreign policy issues in Congress it is somewhat disturbing that he did not fare better. Given that Biden clearly won the debate, the key question is did Biden disqualify Ryan as vice president. Better stated can you as a voter see Ryan as your president? My answer is a resounding no! Ryan while demonstrating an ability to carry the GOP's message failed to meet even the minimum threshold that voters need to be comfortable with him as vice president. In fact his responses on Iran, Afghanistan and Syria were both naive and bereft of a clear and even moderately sophisticated understanding of the issues. Clearly Ryan is not ready for prime time. Even on domestic issues like the economy where Ryan seemingly would have an advantage he fell short of even modest expectations. One suspects that if Ryan would have been able to present and debate his core conservative beliefs he may have fared better. Still after viewing the debate it is clear that congressman Ryan while he may have a bright future is not ready to be the second in command let alone the leader of the free world. In this match --point Obama-Biden.

Mike Nixon
Copyright 2012 PolitiComm
mike-nixon.blogspot.com

Style vs. Substance: Romney’s Reality TV Campaign is Emmy Worthy

Mitt Romney’s presidential debate performance last night in Denver was astounding! No doubt about it. It was truly a masterful performance. His performance was amazing in an X Factor, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars reality show kind of way. Based on his debate tactics, it appears Romney is treating this election like he is a contestant on Survivor. His campaign motto should be-Out Play, outwit, outlast. Say anything to win. Unfortunately we live in an era where style means everything but substance-not so much. When most Americans that will choose the leader of the free world in a few weeks know more about Snooki from Jersey Shore than Education Secretary Arne Duncan, it is not surprising that most viewers thought Romney won the debate. Damn the facts, Mitt was the aggressor, the energy that drove this made for television event . After all we tune in to reality TV to watch the compelling, conniving, crazy characters willing to deceive and do anything to win. We overlook their character flaws and even revel in them. They are our favorite characters so we give them a pass. But here is the reality America. This is not a TV program it is an important election. An election must be about substance. Facts and details matter regardless of what a candidate says in a debate. They owe you that. When style is more important than substance we get a performance not an honest discussion of the important issues facing our country today. Truth matters too.     

Certainly anyone that has been paying attention knows the overwhelming number of Romney’s responses strained credulity. His ever changing positions on taxes, deficit reduction, healthcare reform and the plight of the middle class are very telling. Unfortunately a significant percentage of the estimated 60 to 70 million people that watched the debate have no idea of the positions of either candidate. So last night was their first opportunity to meet Mitt. Unless you know better one could come away from the debate thinking that Romney is a champion of the middle class. So there is the problem, not for Romney, after all for him it is mission accomplished. He saved his floundering campaign well at least for a week or two. But a lot of voters have been deceived, misled and bamboozled. So if one wins a debate by being intentionally disingenuous and offering few details then Romney won hands down. If the idea is to just win baby then he may be  on the track toward doing that--But at what cost? If you believe as I do that at a minimum any person running for the presidency should be honest, consistent, share facts and provide details then if Romney’s performance propels him to victory we the American people may end up being the Biggest Loser. Not because of any policy disagreements but because style will have triumphed over substance. That is fine for X Factor but not for a presidential election. We need to raise our expectations of the candidates and demand answers. We need to be active participants throughout the election process and do our homework. Go to rallies or call campaign offices and ask questions. So the question becomes will the electorate reward Mitt Romney based on style points or research his real positions at www.MittRomney.com and vote him off the island?

Mike Nixon
Copyright 2012 Politicomm
All Rights Reserved

President Obama ‘s Open Support of Gay Marriage Helps America Take a Giant Step toward True Equality

America Coming of Age

President Obama ‘s Open Support of Gay Marriage Helps America Take a Giant Step toward True Equality

Michael S. Nixon

 “I support gay marriage.” President Obama’s historic utterance of those four words is a landmark moment in American history. Although purely symbolic since it has no direct legislative impact, such clear, unambiguous speech by a sitting president will give momentum to those that champion the cause of equal rights. More importantly it validates the millions and ever growing population of gay Americans that have been relegated to second class citizens when it comes to marriage.

It is refreshing to read opinion polls that indicate that the American people are beginning to support gay rights in ever increasing numbers. It is encouraging to witness the coming of age of our teens that look at their peers being gay the same way as they look at being left-handed. They don’t care.

Gay marriage is truly a matter of equal rights and equal protection under the law. A majority should never have the right to vote on the rights of any other American.  According to the Declaration of Independence, our rights are inalienable and the birthright of every American.  If the majority had the chance to vote on the rights of others many of the great social issues that have raged throughout history, America would be a vastly different place.  In 1920’s America would women have acquired the right to vote with an electorate made up entirely of men? Would the Civil Rights Act of 1964 been passed when those directly impacted had very little input on the decision? Would slavery have been abolished in 1865 when most African Americans were powerless? Clearly the answer in each of these cases is a resounding no. For those that may quarrel with equating women, ethnic minorities, the physically challenged and the mentally ill with gay Americans, I pose this question--Are we not all Americans? An affirmative answer to that question makes it crystal clear that gay Americans deserve the same rights as all Americans. That includes the right to marry whomever they wish. 

For those that argue gay marriage tears at the moral fiber of America, I respond, what tears at the moral fiber of America is not gay marriage, but rather any person, group, religious organization or political party that attempts to deny the rights of Americans.  Further it tears at the tenuous bonds of our democracy.

My fervent hope is to eventually live in an America where I will one day explain to my unborn children, as they stare in disbelief that once upon a time in America every citizen did not have healthcare; That there was once a time when soldiers and sailors that volunteered to defend our country during wartime could not disclose their sexual orientation lest they be discharged in disgrace; That women were paid less than men for doing the same work; That state governments passed laws that dictated to women what they could or could not do with their own bodies and that once upon a time in America  there were people that went hungry everyday despite the fact that they were citizens living in the wealthiest country in the  history of the world.

For me this is personal, although not for the reasons you may think. Although I should not have to disclose my background to make this point, I will. I am a heterosexual. African-American, Ivy League educated male. I was raised as a Catholic and served as an altar boy.  In fact at one point my parents were convinced that I would become a priest.  Based on demographic and statistics I should be opposed to gay marriage. Thankfully I am the product of my parents both of whom were born in the segregated South of the early 1930’s. Certainly one can imagine the struggles and hardships they must have endured. Yet following Mass at breakfast in the kitchen our small West Philadelphia row home on a sunny April day in 1966, the topic of dating was broached by my then 9 year old brother, I was 7 at the time. At some point during the family discussion that included my 8 year old sister and 5 year old brother, my father intoned, “It doesn’t matter if the person you date is black or white.” Then my mother immediately stated, “And It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman.” While I didn’t fully appreciate the context of those statements at the time, as I look back on my life it is clear that they have had a profound impact on how I live my life.  As a result of that conversation, I feel that is my duty to speak out against injustice, to fight against discrimination and where I see unfairness to level the playing field. That is my solemn duty as an American. I believe that is what makes us a more perfect union. More importantly it is my duty to my parents. For it is clear to me now on that day in 1966 in that little kitchen, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, that despite all they had experienced they had a vision for what America would be for their children, an America where their children would be free to pursue their dreams unencumbered by discrimination or prejudice, an America where everyone is truly free, an America where everyone can indeed pursue their own version of happiness. Something they may have been prohibited from doing.  I owe the fight to them. So every step America takes in that direction honors them. I will stand side by side with whomever fights to advance the cause of equal rights in America.

So I say thank you Mr. President for understanding what America can be. Words have power and your words have made America greater. Thank you for moving America closer to that great day when we are all equal. Thank you for having the courage as a president, father, husband and man to do what is right. While your critics will attribute your words as a political ploy because you made them during an election year, history will honor you.  Now I won’t have to have the same conversation my parents had with me and my siblings on that sunny day in 1966. You have honored America and my parents.

May 10, 2012

Copyright 2012 Michael S. Nixon