Howey Politics Indiana: The Clintons Bring Dynasty, Inertia and Polarization

[K Gardner]

Of Hillary, Dynasties, Inertia, Polarization and Money Laundering

A Great Piece from Howey Politics Indiana

By BRIAN A. HOWEY

INDIANAPOLIS - I have never been a Clinton hater. When Bill Clinton was president, he produced budget surpluses, reformed welfare (as we knew it) and passed landmark trade legislation. In 1998, as he was being impeached, Osama bin Laden was declaring a fatwa against us. When I suggested to Lee Hamilton that "America had taken its eye off the ball," at first he dismissed the notion. But by the end of the conversation Hamilton acknowledged the statement had kernels of truth.

My concern about "President Hillary Clinton" is that this won’t be a bipartisan era; just the opposite. At a time after America has made many severe mistakes — Iraq and 30 years of energy/security inertia — my 2008 concern is this: What if America compounds her mistakes?

On the Gas Tax and "Money Laundering"

Clinton is urging a suspension of the 18.4 cent a gallon federal gas tax. There are a lot of people in Indiana who would really benefit from a gas tax holiday," Clinton said at Miller Veneers in Indianapolis on Tuesday. "That might not mean much to my opponent, but I think it means a lot to people who are struggling here." Such a suspension might provide temporary relief, like scratching poison ivy with your fingernails, but applying no ointment.

New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman explains, "This is money laundering: we borrow money from China, ship it to Saudi Arabia and take a little cut for ourselves as it goes through our gas tanks. When the summer is over, we will have increased our debt to China, increased our transfer of wealth to Saudi Arabia."

On Dynasties

I’m concerned about dynastic America. Our forefathers purposely created an America where power was not passed between families like kings and queens. Now we face Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton dynasties. We have had a Clinton or a Bush on the national ticket every year since 1980, which corresponds neatly with the era of energy inertia you are now experiencing at the pump. There are more Bushes and Clintons waiting in the wings.

The Chaos Factor and Polarization

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh is encouraging Hoosier Republicans to vote for Clinton, because he thinks she’ll be easier for John McCain to defeat in the fall. The Howey-Gauge Poll released this week show Hoosier Democrats split 46-46 between Obama and Clinton. Crossover Republicans and independents may decide this critical Democratic primary. I file the Limbaugh mischief under the "be careful what you wish for" category. A second Clinton presidency would be good for his radio show ratings. Rush feeds off polarization.

[Road Scholar]

1. K&R nt

[Triana]

2. I certainly hope the SUPERDELEGATES are thinking about these things. n/t