My Christmas Endorsements

FELIZ NAVIDAD

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

I love Christmas. I remember the Christmas of my youth, further blessed by Three Kings Day, where we would leave food for the Magi; Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, always saying, "which one was the Black one?" and dog food for the camels, which I guess was the urban equivalent of grass or hay.

As a kid and maybe even a teen and young adult, I always waited, hoping for what I was going to get, only to become an adult and actually enjoy the giving more. I don't really appreciate the blatant consumerism of it, of people spending more then they can afford, to compete; although it is likely the only time of the year that I really splurge and even waste money myself, although I must say the best part is enjoying food and cocktails with my friends and family.

I love days where no one has to work, for us we are always rushing around and finally we stop, to enjoy each other's company, to remember why we rush around, so we can make this time special.

This year I look at Xmas, mixed, blessed with the first birthday of my daughter Elena, two days before Xmas, remembering how they barely let us leave on Christmas Eve last year, at which point I probably would have blown a gasket, with the answer to the statement, "she looks a little yellow", being, "well, just put her near a window." So that's why we would have spent another grand in the hospital, well that explains it. The health care crisis I mean. We are blessed by the safe return of my sister's family as well. At the same time, I am perplexed, befuddled, even questioning my faith on the death of my young stepmother in this holiday season.

The alpha, the omega, the questions. The trials and tribulations of that refugee family on one Christmas thousands of years ago.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy every moment.

ON TO THE ENDORSEMENTS!!!

First, my general caveat or disclaimer, I don't want anyone who is running to be President. Regular readers may also note that the guys that I've selected, yup guys, are also the guys that I think will eventually get the nomination when all is said and done, current noise, polls and nonsense aside.

I would love to see Bloomberg ride in with his deep pockets and buy himself right into the race, selecting a team of folks, a vice president with authentic foreign policy/national defense/military credentials or a reasonable facsimile of a dedicated patriot with the best interest of the country at hand and not just some weird ego trip.

SERIOUSLY, WHY IS THIS EVEN A RACE?
OK, now I kissed the President's ass even after he disgraced me and my family, I piloted the Straight Talk Express, I have authentic conservative credentials, I can work across the aisle, oh yeah and I'm a real, fricking war hero and POW. I was strapped up in the Hanoi Hilton, while the dodgy New Yorker was chasing NYU skirt and motionless Mitt was trying to gain converts along the Seine.

McCain is an American classic. Class clown, athlete, born with epaulets in his mouth, became a hero in a war many in his generation with his connections could have avoided, came back, built himself back up not without some sliding back. Outspoken maverick, occasionally overspeaking and to complete the American male story, married into a huge beer bottling company.

So, I don't get it. I'm not a republican so I don't really understand. He's well liked by many moderates in this country, possibly able to reach out to independents in a country where independents control who go to the White House. It may be because he's too old? Is it his occasional rebuking of Republican orthodoxy? His occasional strange carnards, like "it was the hippies who lost Vietnam?" It's unclear to me.

I do have some fear with McCain, his service to his country, his age, and his cancer bouts would make his choice of a vice president very important and there are times, well, where he seems a little unstable. I think that many in the throes of the Bush presidency are looking for someone thoughtful, more pensive, more stable. A valid move, but also one that can lead to mediocrity. For often it is the bold, but well thought out idea that makes history.

I am endorsing McCain because he appears to me to be the most authentic of the candidates. The one that understand public service as more than public management, saving 3 cents over a length of pipe, but as leadership, a stewardship over America. That understanding that public service and leadership is more important than ego fulfillment. The Presidency is not just another line on a resume, it is an entire stamp on human history.

GO GREASED LIGHTNING

The Democratic field is ugly. Not physically ugly, I mean it's not like Nixon has come back from the dead. Just so damn unelectable. Hillary Clinton? Barack Hussein Obama? What five day crack binge did I just wake up from? It's hard to believe that with this opening available for the Democratic party that this is the best we can do. After nearly 8 years of the mad captain with all his rats jumping ship, we come up with this.

Let's be clear about the current front runners. My politics are probably close to Senator Clinton's, Bill Clinton is a political hero of mine who revolutionized politics only to have the DLC demonized so we could go back to the party of McGovern/Mondale/Dukakis, that is the lovable losing of identity politics. Did you see the numbers I got from the lesbian vote in Alabama? Barack Obama, one of the amazing rhetoricians of our generation with stories that can bring you to tears. A great opportunity for a senator that "looks like America"

So when all else fails, run to the good looking, southern white male populist. I think it's great that this millionaire trial lawyer likes poor and working class people. You know as much as everybody likes a tax cut, when you don't make any money in the first place you ain't paying much in taxes. My sister, who is unemployed is tax phobic, I just don't get that.

Anyway, there is something likable about this young man's story, as he will often remind you he is the son of mill workers. Regardless of how you feel about trial lawyers, he made his own money. He has some tragedy in his life, his son passed away in an auto accident and his wife is fighting terminal cancer. He also has young children which can be quite helpful on the campaign trail.

I think that Edwards main selling points well be a. he's not a republican tainted by eight years of a bad presidency b. he's a white guy in a country that is still tainted by racism and sexism c. he's good looking with a nice family that eats at Wendy's and Shoney's just like me and you d. he actually shows concern for working people beyond flag burning and gay marriage and a $300 deficit increasing tax rebate just for being you.

I'm not sold on Edwards, but he's the guy we got. That would be a hell of a campaign sign.