Comments for THE GROFF/ELLISON POLITICAL REPORT http://groffellison.wordpress.com Cutting-edge blogs, analysis and perspective on critical political and public policy issues of the day Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:45:47 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Dean’s Comeback or Healthcare Reform Slowdown? by Joe in Wynnewood http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/deans-comeback-or-healthcare-reform-slowdown/#comment-385 Joe in Wynnewood Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:45:47 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=638#comment-385 Re: Dean may be more interested in staging his own comeback at this point You definitely don't know Gov. Dean if you think anything he does is "all about Gov. Dean". Such a statement flies in the face of just about everything he's done for the past 20 years. Re: Dean may be more interested in staging his own comeback at this point

You definitely don’t know Gov. Dean if you think anything he does is “all about Gov. Dean”.

Such a statement flies in the face of just about everything he’s done for the past 20 years.

]]> Comment on CBC Test by King Politics http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/cbc-test/#comment-375 King Politics Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:38:30 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=625#comment-375 In my POL 101 classes, I always point out the different constituencies and time frames of the president and Congress. People know this, but they fail to think about why it matters: Reps with two year terms and small constituencies, Senators representing states for six years, and the president with his four year term representing the entire country. CBC members, like every other member, think the world revolves around them and their concerns - not so. In my POL 101 classes, I always point out the different constituencies and time frames of the president and Congress. People know this, but they fail to think about why it matters: Reps with two year terms and small constituencies, Senators representing states for six years, and the president with his four year term representing the entire country.

CBC members, like every other member, think the world revolves around them and their concerns – not so.

]]> Comment on Burned Out? by King Politics http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/burned-out/#comment-364 King Politics Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:19:57 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=569#comment-364 I'm willing to chalk this up to bad luck. And, unlike his predecessor in office, I believe Obama will learn from his mistakes. We're not likely to see a repetition of errors. I’m willing to chalk this up to bad luck. And, unlike his predecessor in office, I believe Obama will learn from his mistakes. We’re not likely to see a repetition of errors.

]]> Comment on Obama as “Game Changer” … by King Politics http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/obama-as-game-changer/#comment-354 King Politics Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:24:15 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=535#comment-354 Looking at his governing style as a paradigmatic shift is interesting. Only, in retrospect, we'll know for sure how successful this style is. Although, the 2010 midterm elections, as always, will serve as a two-year referendum. As long as he uses his first six months carefully, the potential for true change looms large. Looking at his governing style as a paradigmatic shift is interesting. Only, in retrospect, we’ll know for sure how successful this style is. Although, the 2010 midterm elections, as always, will serve as a two-year referendum. As long as he uses his first six months carefully, the potential for true change looms large.

]]> Comment on Uneasy Times for Black Politicos by King Politics http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/uneasy-times-for-black-politicos/#comment-349 King Politics Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:00:17 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=515#comment-349 Luckily, new black officials are doing it the right way. Corey Booker, Adrian Fenty and Benjamin Jealous are all doing well because they're transforming the way their cities or orgs do business and in the process transforming the stereotypes of black politicians. Luckily, new black officials are doing it the right way. Corey Booker, Adrian Fenty and Benjamin Jealous are all doing well because they’re transforming the way their cities or orgs do business and in the process transforming the stereotypes of black politicians.

]]> Comment on Uneasy Times for Black Politicos by Cecil Jones http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/uneasy-times-for-black-politicos/#comment-348 Cecil Jones Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:58:04 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=515#comment-348 Part of the reason for the trouble that Black politicians are facing is the fact that they are politicians. The fact that they are Black gets complicated by the fact we have no media advocates. Everytime race is injected into an argument, the story is spun by someone with a hidden agenda. Look at the Burris story. We are waiting for approval from a "Jesse White" to get a "Black Senator?" The law tells us we don't need "White" approval, but the Senate Leaders argue that we do? Where are the advocates for the law? Logic like this gives credibility to people like Rep. Bobby Rush and Rev's Al and Jesse. What pundit in the established or paid media has argued for Burris from day one? Like it or not, it's still about race. Politicians will break the law wherever they can get away with it. If you are Black, you've got no where to hide. Part of the reason for the trouble that Black politicians are facing is the fact that they are politicians. The fact that they are Black gets complicated by the fact we have no media advocates. Everytime race is injected into an argument, the story is spun by someone with a hidden agenda. Look at the Burris story. We are waiting for approval from a “Jesse White” to get a “Black Senator?” The law tells us we don’t need “White” approval, but the Senate Leaders argue that we do? Where are the advocates for the law? Logic like this gives credibility to people like Rep. Bobby Rush and Rev’s Al and Jesse. What pundit in the established or paid media has argued for Burris from day one? Like it or not, it’s still about race. Politicians will break the law wherever they can get away with it. If you are Black, you’ve got no where to hide.

]]> Comment on The Predictable President … by King Politics http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/the-predictable-president/#comment-346 King Politics Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:10:05 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=510#comment-346 I think, given the opportunity and right circumstances, Obama can become a great mediator of international disputes. In the much the same manner that Carter helped negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt, I believe Obama can do so with future foreign conflicts. He'll bring a reasoned approach with a bottom line of peace as the ultimate objective. I think, given the opportunity and right circumstances, Obama can become a great mediator of international disputes. In the much the same manner that Carter helped negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt, I believe Obama can do so with future foreign conflicts. He’ll bring a reasoned approach with a bottom line of peace as the ultimate objective.

]]> Comment on The New Reagan by King Politics http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-new-reagan/#comment-330 King Politics Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:17:28 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=499#comment-330 Political scientists talk about realigning elections. These occur every generation or two and dramatically change the coalitions comprising the two major parties. I'm not quite ready to say 2008 was a realigning year. We need time to assess if moderate white voters have permanently moved over to the Democratic Party. Once Bush has receded from memory, the GOP brand might make a comeback. Might. Political scientists talk about realigning elections. These occur every generation or two and dramatically change the coalitions comprising the two major parties. I’m not quite ready to say 2008 was a realigning year. We need time to assess if moderate white voters have permanently moved over to the Democratic Party. Once Bush has receded from memory, the GOP brand might make a comeback. Might.

]]> Comment on Is He Immune? by Dredded One http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/is-he-immune/#comment-285 Dredded One Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:38:04 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=487#comment-285 It's going to be a rocky road. I think he has to really keep his cool because otherwise his enemies will rise up and those that are on the fence will definitely turn anti-Obama. I think the biggest apolitical issue he's going to face is if he doesn't address any issues for Black America. He'll be viewed as a Tom and a traitor so I hope he makes some kind of effort towards that direction. It’s going to be a rocky road. I think he has to really keep his cool because otherwise his enemies will rise up and those that are on the fence will definitely turn anti-Obama.

I think the biggest apolitical issue he’s going to face is if he doesn’t address any issues for Black America. He’ll be viewed as a Tom and a traitor so I hope he makes some kind of effort towards that direction.

]]> Comment on A Backlash on 11/4 by lunchcountersitin http://groffellison.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/a-backlash-on-114/#comment-261 lunchcountersitin Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:18:34 +0000 http://groffellison.wordpress.com/?p=458#comment-261 For the past two or three decades at least, the black voting rate has been less than the white voting rate. If this election sees a situation where blacks and whites vote at the same rate, I'm OK with that, no matter what the result. I suspect that if there is a "backlash" effect, it will be in the deep South... where Obama is not going to win anyway. For the past two or three decades at least, the black voting rate has been less than the white voting rate.

If this election sees a situation where blacks and whites vote at the same rate, I’m OK with that, no matter what the result.

I suspect that if there is a “backlash” effect, it will be in the deep South… where Obama is not going to win anyway.

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