Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Pssst...do something...

["Jonathan King" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

It's late, but...

On Fri, May 9, 2008 at 12:50 AM, Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED> wrote:
> On Thu, 8 May 2008, Jonathan King wrote:
> >
> > She has already done a lot to hurt Obama's chances against McCain. Given
> > the way that Democrats apportion delegates, she was 99.5% lost before
> > Pennsylvania, meaning that we have had weeks of her attacking the almost
> > certain nominee of her own party. In the past two weeks, she has added
> > aggressive anti-intellectualism to the mix as well. I have become completely
> > unimpressed with her, I'm sorry to say.
>
>  I haven't seen her attacking him lately.  What has she done that could be
> harming his chances against McCain?  I didn't know about the "aggressive
> anti-intellectualism" -- what did she do?

The best example would be the ludicrous gas tax holiday bill. She
supports it, and when confronted with the fact that *all* economists
think it is silly for Econ 101 reasons said:

"I'm not going to put my lot in with economists"

and also:

"I think we've been for the last seven years seeing a tremendous
amount of government power and elite opinion behind policies that
haven't worked well for hard working Americans,"

OK, so I am not a fan of George W. Bush. But the last thing I would
accuse him of was following "elite opinion". We know what determines
the price of gas when the marginal tax on gas is as low as it is
currently: it's basically supply and demand. We know that is true
because we know what effect that an $.18 per gallon tax has on gas has
on gas prices that are over $3.50 per gallon: very little. Suppliers
will set prices paid at the pump (including taxes) to maximize their
profits. If the feds leave $.18 per gallon on the table, almost all of
it will go to oil companies as additional profit. This is *not* rocket
science. This is *not* elite opinion. Hillary know this, so her
perseverance on the point pretty much has to be due to factors that
are *not* rational. And that's her choice. But to then go out and
impugn "elite" economists (really, all economists) who know very well
that this scheme won't save consumers much of anything...help me out
and tell me what the proper word is here.

jking



>  I think the continued campaigning is good for the Democrats because they
> aren't tearing into one another and it is keeping them in the news and
> McCain on the sidelines.  It really isnt' a bloodbath at all.
>
>
>
>
> > Or, to put it into high relief, here are the high points of the three
> campaigns since Super Tuesday:
> >
> > 1) Obama writes and delivers the "A More Perfect Union" speech.
> > 2) McCain's "Forgotten Places" tour.
> > 3) Clinton's...okay, you tell me. Seriously.
> >
>
>  McCain's "Forgotten Places" tour didn't amount to much.  He had his photo
> taken with some black people in Alabama.
>
>  Obama's speech was good, but I'm more impressed with his ability to
> extemporize and to respond to tricky questions and difficult situations. He
> has amazing skills.
>
>  Hillary has been impressive just by being persistent, not giving up despite
> all the criticisms.  She says that the people want someone who will fight
> for them and not give up easily.  Well, I think she's making a good case for
> herself.  Sometimes I wonder if she will ever give up.  Is she going to show
> up at the White House on January 20?  I do agree that she shouldn't give up
> easily.  She is the first serious female candidate for US President and she
> has to show that she can hang in their with the guys right up to the bitter
> end.  As long as there is any hope, she will not quit.
>
>
>
>  Mike
>
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