It's that time...

     It's been a long 2 years since my last post, but I couldn't resist adding my voice to this political season.  
     It's an interesting race by all accounts.  Granted no presidential race is the same.  With increasing technologies and changing/evolving of our country - it's always different.  Media items alone increase the speed of this election to mach 4 compared to those cycles in history.  Items that would have crushed a candidate 12 years ago, are gone in a blink of an eye today.  It really makes one wonder would would have happened in history if Kennedy had to run today.  And if that doesn't blow you away - what if George Washington had to run today?
     Frankly, I am extremely surprised that the 2012 race is as close as it is.  With the economy struggling, this should have been a GOP slam dunk.  Really and truly.  What happened?  The GOP didn't get the right person to run.  They didn't work hard enough to entice Christie, and really, Paul Ryan would have made a much better candidate than Mitt.  Not enough recognition?  Obama beat Hillary - that's not an excuse that holds water anymore.  Try again.  Ryan's track record is solid for the GOP base, meaning he would have difficulty in getting those swing votes - but everyone has trouble getting those.  That is what the campaign is all about.  
     The debates.  I was frustrated with Obama's performance last week.  He didn't come out swinging like he should have.  His energy was off somewhere else - probably expended on Syria and Turkey that day.  Although running as an incumbent is great for recognition, you have to still do the job you're re-interviewing for.  Romney is still heralded as 'winning' this debate.  
     Last evening's VP debate was a bit more lively for Biden.  It was... interesting.  Biden's experience in public office glowed.  He fought.  He knew his data.  He's been around the block more than Ryan's looked at one, let alone traveled one.  Biden is 'old school'.  Biden is a true statesman.  (Please note, the U.S. doesn't have many of these anymore.  It's a sad but true fact.)  Considering this, if you're amazed at what's coming out of someone else's mouth, you laugh (because it just wouldn't do to cry or really yell on national television).  You fight.  This is what Romney did last week - and has been heralded for.  I find it greatly intriguing now that the 'fighter' switched parties, now the 'fighter' is seen as a childish bully.  The spin masters are out working in droves.  Please realize this and go with your gut reaction to performances.  I found Ryan's lack of plan knowledge disturbing.  Truly if you want to know more about the GOP ticket, this debate didn't assist you.   You'd have better luck hitting their website.  When this is taken into consideration, Ryan failed.  
    The people have an interesting way of viewing things as well.  This is where the parties have to take care.  Obama's base may want to see him sling mud.  He cannot.  He must appear presidential, because he is president.  He will not tarnish the office as the last 2 of his predecessors have.  This makes Romney's job easy.  He can sling... but.  He must appear that he can appear presidential.  
     What is a large struggle for the U.S. in general is the economy.  Let's face it, our population is not a patient one.  Immediate gratification drives us and our culture is centered around it.  One thing that really isn't considered by us is that every minute that passes, our economy is internationally linked in a way that cannot be untangled.  CANNOT.  Even if we wanted to.  What does this mean?  This means, there is no solid, true answer for our economic woes.  None.  Just because we beg, borrow, or steal money to float our economy, cut taxes here, raise them there - NOBODY knows what will work.  If someone tells you they know?  They're lying.  We've never had an economy like this.  It is a living breathing beast and nobody knows how to tame it for U.S. domination.  Think this is a stretch?  Ponder this: Greece.  Little, tiny, ancient Greece.  It crashed and those effects were felt everywhere.  And still are.   Europe's not exactly steady Eddy right now - our stock market has been fluctuating based on European headlines.  One item bad, WHOOSH, NYSE is down 200 points and pundits freak out about the worst drop in 'x' amount of time.  A U.S. job's growth headline - ping - NYSE is up 100 points.  But the reactions aren't predictable and do not appear proportionate.  Nobody can predict these economic driving forces, let alone try to manipulate them to the benefit of the U.S.  We're guessing.  Everyone's guessing.  
     Our politicians cannot say this truth because people want a leader with answers to their largest woes.  They cannot state: cuts must be made and we must adhere to a budget.  People will say 'yes', but only if their programs aren't touched in any way.  The 'Not In My Back Yard' syndrome.  Well you wanna know something?  It has to touch everyone's back yard.  Nobody will like it.  But sometimes you gotta do what's right.  Not what's popular.  Statesmanship.  It's lacking here.  I, for one, desperately want it back.
     This race is up for grabs and there's less than a month left in this campaign.  Had the election been held within 48 hours of the 1st debate, it'd be President Romney come January.  Timing is everything, and no matter which party you're rooting for - you'd best hope they get their best swing in within 48 hours of those polls opening.