Blitzer stands up to Gingrich: Not this time

Finally, someone in the media stood up to Newt Gingrich. Thank you, thank you Mr Blitzer for seeing through his machinations. You (Newt) make a total issue of Mitt’s taxes in the last debate, ride on his weak answers to a South Carolina win and turnaround to scream “nonsensical” when follow up questions are asked of you? It’s easy to be impressed by big Newty but I can also see why the very people who worked with him in the 1990s would rather he doesn’t get the nomination. Congrats Mr Blitzer. I always admired you but now I totally adore you.

Biden confessions on Osama illuminates Obama's instincts

Details are emerging from the Obama campaign regarding what would go down as one of America’s greatest foreign policy feats: killing Osama bin Laden. Joe Biden is reported to have advised against the raid chiefly because of its high risks. Among Biden’s major concerns were certainty (or not) regarding the accuracy of bin Laden's location, the security of naval seals and the lasting political ramifications of a failed raid. Can you imagine what would have become of Obama had this gone wrong? Catastrophic. It would have been his equivalent of Carter’s Iranian nightmare and emerged as a major policy nemesis with grave electoral consequences.

Bin Laden’s raid might be old news but hearing Biden’s tale of caution even lends greater weight to Barack’s call. Biden was supposed to be the foreign policy expert here. He was supposed to be the policy wonk acting as a buffer when it came to international affairs. Yet had Obama listened to him, Osama would be alive today.

Again and again Barack Obama has shown that experience, degrees and long trails of paperwork do not necessarily make you a good president. He has shown that to be an effective leader, you need the sixth sense: good judgment. Obama has demonstrated good reflexes, depth of conviction and remarkable instincts. On the strength of his foreign policy accomplishments alone, he deserves to be re-elected. The Republicans have decided to make this election an argument on leadership. On this score alone, Obama wins.

There’s no doubt that Hussein Obama will continue to demonstrate such character, judgment and leadership if granted a second term.

How Obama thinks: An Africanist interpretation

Ever since Barack Obama achieved national and global stardom many have struggled to understand his thinking process. In fact The Tea party has its own in-house guidebook on how Obama thinks. Newt Gingrich and Dinesh D’Souza believe the president has a “Kenyan anti-colonial worldview.” The problem with these philosophical viewpoints is that they’re inscribed within old Greco-Roman thematizations which insist that nothing good can come from Africa. To them, the African is backward, uncivilized and incapable of anything positive. If it smells African, then it has to be negative, dark or bad. McLuhan, Conrad and other scholars summarize the old European idea of Africa by referring to the continent as a “mysterious, throbbing, palpable, darkness within the European psyche”. Obama is a pure mystery to these people. As a member of this mysterious club, let me offer some help here.

I wish to argue that one of the ways to understand the Obama phenomenon is through African philosophical thought. We also need to somehow deliver ourselves from the impression that anything African is inferior. This is because at his core, Barack Obama is a community man, a people’s man, a community organizer. Obama’s DNA is ingrained with the philosophical belief that a man is defined not only by his individual agency but his commitment and connection to the wider society. While western thought glorifies individualism and adores exceptionalism or “hero” narratives, African traditional thinking ontologically, epistemologically and pragmatically believes that the community is indispensable to our definition of who we are. John Mbitie foregrounds this basic underpinning of African societies through the enduring dictum: “I am because we are, and since we are, therefore I am”.

Isn’t this what Obama has been saying all along: “I am my brother’s keeper; I am my sister’s keeper…” “We’ve got each other’s back…” And so on and so forth. At his core, Obama deeply believes that the person and community are intrinsically linked. This is not different from Ifeanyi Menkiti’s thesis that “in the African view it is the community which defines the person as a person not some isolated static quality of rationality, will or memory…” To me, the belief in being each other’s keeper does not at all sound at variance to the evangelical doctrine of bearing each other’s burden (Galatians) since Christianity is a huge part of Republicanism—and rightly so. The GOP is going to have to find another narrative to counter the Obama machine this fall. Demonizing Obama and his core values even when they’re right in lockstep with yours is not the way to go.

Moving forward: Romney and Gingrich's paths to winning

What Romney needs to do to win:

• Release tax returns
• Have an Obama moment by addressing the Mormon issue
• Get Santorum to stay in
  
• Make a stronger economic argument
• Deflate some of Gingrich's strengths
• Strengthen his electability message
• Perform better at debates and have ready made answers for attacks
• Sharpen his own attacks
  

What Gingrich needs to do:

• Keep knocking those debates out of the park
• Appeal to read meat
• Hit Obama

Really, that's all Newt needs to do. The message from South Carolina was pretty clear. They don't care bout his marriage foibles. They don't care about his past. They don't care about his so called erratic character. They don't care about his baggage. These people are so mad, so angry at something that all they want is someone who can take the fight to Barack Obama and hopefully "put him in his place" by getting him out of the white House. They would rather go down fighting than hold their noses by voting for Romney. Right now Gingrich has got momentum and all he needs to do is to ride it.

What New Gingrich's win in South Carolina means:

a) GOP voters don't care about "values" after all
b) It's not the economy, stupid
c) The base wants a fighter, the establishment wants a standard bearer
d) Debates matter
e) SuperPacs are overrated

What Ghana & Africa can learn from the Iowa Caucuses

There was no violence, shouting, threats or even a strong room. No one stole a ballot box nor did any candidate threaten war if they lost. In one precinct, people simply left right after voting, trusting the officials to count and report accurately. The whole city did not come to a standstill. People were not wielding machetes, stores did not close down and no one blocked roads. Everyone simply went about their business. Most of the people who came to caucus did not even wear party T shirts. They were just interested in voting. I was almost moved to tears when a young college student mounted the stage to give a forceful pitch for Ron Paul when his turn was due. It wasn’t just about his eloquence. It was about the genuine compassion and love with which he spoke about his country. And you can imagine my delight when I saw student journalists, filming, recording, interviewing and feverishly trying to cover for their publications. Till date, the University of Ghana does not have a TV station or a print/online newspaper.

Every demographic group was represented: young and old, farmers and barbers, professors and artists. Yet the convener and moderator was a college senior. Everything was conducted in an open, transparent and respectful fashion. What was even more admirable was the way loosing candidates conceded and in some cases congratulated the winners both in public and private. It made them look dignified even in defeat. Back home people say democracy is expensive and though that may be true, it is also cultural: a learned culture in which people are willing to participate in a clean, descent and professional manner without invoking doom. It’s a pretty seductive process if you ask me. The Iowa caucuses are an inspiring testament to the beauty and triumph of democracy when given the chance.

Lessons from Iowa: people power prevails

On this day four years ago Iowans unlocked history by paving the way for a tall lanky man of Luo ancestry to become president. No matter what anyone says about America's agricultural heartland or the "Bible belt" as some like to call it, the caucuses hold important lessons for serious democracies anywhere. At 7pm men and women, young and old, farmers and professors, black, white and brown will meet in churches, schools, libraries and homes to engage in political discourse and register their votes in the republican nominating cycle. The concept is novel as much for its process and as its substance. Procedurally it is the last standing attempt at Athenian politics in any developed democracy. But the biggest lesson lies in the substance. Over the years Iowans have defied the odds and despite the ubiquity of horse race coverage inoculated themselves from the daily circus of guessing who is up and who's down by protecting and effectively utilizing the one thing no one can take from them: their voice.

In Iowa you will be vetted, you will be tested and you will be tried. No matter what the political cognoscenti said, no matter what the pundits said, over the years Iowans have used their caucuses to send a message and contribute in significant ways in shaping policy and making history even if their candidate never won the generals. That's what democracy is about. All of us can learn something from this. Whether you're interested in politics or not, polices that are made by rulers affected the ruled. The worst we can do is to be apathetic when we really shouldn't. Change doesn't have to always come through protests. Iowa revolutionized American politics quietly but fundamentally by appropriating the power of their voice. And we can all do the same.

Would Obama prefer Gingrich over Romney? Why democrats should be careful what they wish for.

by Etse Sikanku on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 11:15am

There’s been a lot of talk about how Democrats are salivating over the prospect of taking on Gingrich rather than Romney. I understand in the backrooms of the Democratic operation offices some are doing flip dances and boasting about how they’re going to win 49 states if Gingrich becomes the nominee. I beg to differ. I think this race is actually going to be closely fought one if Gingrich emerges on top.

It’s not difficult to understand why Democrats view Gingrich a weaker opponent. In an era where being a Washington insider is uncool as it can get, Newt carries the burden of the bona fide career politician. His speakership is viewed as the ultimate model of the tempestuous, partisan and combative politics that produces gridlock. Right now, Americans are tired of the bickering and gamesmanship that go on in DC. This past week, ordinary citizens picketed around the offices of House Speaker John Boehner chanting “Pass the jobs bill” Pass the jobs bill. Clearly, democrats will have the chance to channel that anger to a dyed-in-the-wool Washingtonian like Gingrich.

Perhaps even more debilitating for Gingrich than his political history is his commercial antics. Again, there is palpable anger throughout the United States against an increasing inequality gap between the rich and the poor or between the top 1% and the 99%. For many Americans, Gingrich belongs to the 1%. The liberal mainstream media are painting him as “scam artist” and self-serving politician whose only interest is in using political capital as a means to personal gain. In fact John Sununu, former White House official and a Romney surrogate is reported to have used the word “self-aggrandizing” in a recent conference call. This is definitely not a tag any politician wants to be associated with in these days of economic malaise, joblessness and growing animosity against the so called 1%.

However if all the democrats have against Gingrich are tales of historical baggage then 2012 might not be the home run they deem it to be. First, people change. Newt has apologized for some of his missteps in the 1990s. Almost everyone who knows Newt knows about all his political and personal troubles including two failed marriages. Surely conservative voters are well aware of all this baggage but have decided to go with Newt because they want a man they identify with who can take the fight to Obama. Newt’s failures have been reported reported and over reported in the news media so much so that it sounds dead on hearing. There will be nothing new to the ear anymore and Newt is lucky to belong to a race where these dalliances will be forgiven. Once this hurdle is cleared, all we have is a Gingrich who excites conservatives, who will take the fight o Obama and who can use his debating and intellectual prowess to match up or perhaps outmatch Obama. Despite all his baggage Mr. Gingrich is actually leading Obama 46-44 in the battleground state of Ohio.

Romney on the other hand will be easy fodder for Obama. Here’s a man who does not even excite members of his own party. Republicans cannot bear to have Romney on the ticket and the antipathy towards him is so strong that many conservatives will most likely just stay away if Romney gets on top. Romney’s biggest strength in the generals lie in the economy but things could get better and Obama should be able to carve a strong economic argument for 2012. That being said, there are other factors that might seriously affect the 2012 race including the much awaited Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare the biggest policy initiative of the Obama administration, Eric Holder and his fast and furious shenanigans and the state of foreign policy in the heat of campaign season. 2012 is by no means a closed election and the earlier democrats realize this, the better for their own prospects.

Battle of the nerds? Professor Gingrich vs Professor Obama. 2012 shaping up to be a textbook election. Newt prevails in debate.

by Etse Sikanku on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 8:14am

Yesterday’s presidential debate did nothing to stop the changing tides of the Republican race. On a day when Mitt Romney needed to halt the surging Newt, it was the former who came out of the debate bruised by an awkward $10,000 bet with the lowly polled Rick Perry. Mr Gingrich put up a strong and measured performance last night. If nothing dramatic happens between now and January it should be safe to say that Mr Gingrich will end up being Barack Obama’s opponent in 2012.

Let’s face it: Mr Gingrich is a smart man. He reminds me of the wonky kid in graduate school who constantly provides flashes of brilliance and revelation spiced with other “aha moments” during class seminars. For the entire night Newt turned even the most vicious attacks into strong defenses. On the accusation that he’s a career politician he said to Romney: “The only reason you didn’t become a career politician is because you lost to Ted Kennedy”. Ouch. On his Palestinians are "invented" denunciations he retorted: “I will tell the truth, even if it's at the risk of causing some confusion, sometimes with the timid." Somewhere in his answer he managed to invoke the legacy of Regan: "Reagan believed the power of truth, restated to the world, reframed the world," Gingrich said. "I'm a Reaganite. I'm proud to be a Reaganite." How do you pull that off? In just one answer, he managed to call Romney timid, embolden his conservative credentials while appealing to the Jewish vote.

Granted, such responses might not fly well in a general election where independents hold sway but the Republican crowd is a very different one. This race might be over quicker than we imagined. Gingrich is currently leading in all the early nominating states of Iowa, South Carolina and Florida with the exception of New Hampshire. All Gingrich needs to do is to hold steady through the holiday season. If Romney loses in New Hampshire or even wins by a smaller margin than expected, he’s toast. Gingrich will take the momentum into the next two states where he’s polling highly and Romney may never be able to get in even before Super Tuesday. As it stands I don’t see any of the other candidates upending Newmentum so the Obama machine might just as well start preparing for a long and tough slog with Professor Gingrich who if he wins will become America’s first Phd president since Woodrow Wilson.