Political Review - realoutlook.com

The party of Political Correctness found itself adrift with the theme of race reverberating through the media coverage of the battle between Democratic Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton in the week leading up to the Michigan Primary. Hillary’s statement about Lyndon Johnson’s Presidency making the civil rights legislation of 1964 possible was seen by some as diminishing the role played by Martin Luther King. (more…)

Barack Obama all but had the 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary wrapped up according to pollsters, the political pundits, the Obama camp as well as the Clinton camp. Every body but the voters. Consensus among the polls was that Obama’s lead was safely beyond the margin of error, as high as 10 percentage points in some cases. However, the earliest results indicated something different was coming about. When the day was done Hillary Clinton would finish with 39% of the Democratic vote to Barack Obama’s 36%. (more…)

Governor Mike Huckabee took time to garner hunting garb for the photos appearing in the local media before tomorrow’s Iowa Caucuses. Image is everything in his campaign to capture the votes of Evangelical Christians and gun rights advocates that dominate Republican politics in the state of Iowa, particularly among caucus goers. When substance finally comes into play the folksy vanier will wear thin and his support will wither. (more…)

Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton can hardly afford the misguided oddities flowing out of the mouth of husband Bill Clinton in addition to those she has inflicted upon herself. Once considered the embodiment of political genus, the former President has portrayed his wife as the little woman victimized by a bunch of rambunctious boys after fellow candidates attacked the former Iowa front runner in a televised debate. In his own words,

“Even though those boys have been getting tough on her lately, she can handle it.”

Hardly the image one would care to garner striving to become the first woman President of the United States. (more…)

In her first political appearance Oprah Winfrey addressed Iowa’s voters beaconing them to embrace a new vision of America with Barack Obama. There is no doubt that Obama’s star has been on the rise recently while the other Democratic presidential candidates languish in a sea of negativity. But how much is Oprah contributing to this trend? (more…)

Mitt Romney delivered his “Faith in America” speech this morning powerfully owning to his own faith and the responsibility of the political office he seeks to respect the faith of others. Like Kennedy, Romney made the speech to erase doubts about his allegiance to a Christian faith considered out of the mainstream, particularly among Iowa’s Evangelicals who have favored the former Baptist minister and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Though many comments were made today regarding the two men and their speeches the difference in political circumstances and the part their beliefs played in the way they lived their lives couldn’t be more different. (more…)

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul stands true to the libertarian credentials that earned him the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination for the 1988 election. Back then he promoted a global policy of non-intervention, abolishing the Federal Reserve and retuning to the gold standard, and stopping Federal involvement in primary education. Move forward nearly two decades and he opposes the United Nations, NATO and, as a Texas Congressman, he voted against the Iraq War Resolution. He has now expanded his opposition to the Fed to abolishing most Federal agencies including the IRS. Always a free trader he opposes NAFTA calling it “managed trade.” (more…)

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards recently escalated his condemnation of Hillary Clinton for the support she receives from corporate contributers. He has also criticized her for accepting money from lobbyists and, last month, stated he would ban lobbyists from giving money to any federal candidates. Not surprising from someone whose fund raising has fallen off a cliff forcing him to opt for public financing of his campaign. The plea on his website reads

“This deadline could not be more important. After November 30, we’ll submit our second filing for federal matching funds. As a part of that submission, a contribution you make today will go directly to the resources we need to compete and win in the critical early states. This is crunch time - your contribution now counts more than ever. And with federal matching funds, your contribution can count double! So don’t wait - help us double our strength by making a contribution today.”

He has further stated he would expand public campaign financing to include congressional candidates. (more…)

The absence of Fred Thompson at Thursday’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate in New Hampshire brought out some clever quibs from the other contenders. “Maybe we’re up past his bedtime…” commented Senator John McCain. Thompson’s delay in declaring his candidacy prompted Former Governor Mitt Romney to add “Why not take some more time off?” From former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani “I think he’s done a pretty good job of playing my part on Law & Order.” Thompson, the former Senator from Tennessee, opted instead to make an appearance on NBC’s Tonight Show with Jay Leno. (more…)

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama seems to be mounting an offensive against his own candidacy by carpet bombing the campaign trail striking friend, foe and occasionally his own foot in the process. While those attending the highly anticipated “YouTube Debate” thought Obama won the day it was here the groundwork for a succession of miss-statements was laid. What seemed an innocuous question allowing Barack to reaffirm his “not responsible for Iraq” credentials blossomed to not responsible at all. (more…)