How Do Candidates Respond Under Pressure?

I wanted to post this video to show how McCain handled a reasonable question during a normal press session. As you can see he isn't his normal self, or maybe he is; after all, he is just another grumpy old man. This is experience in action.

The Colvin Report: How Do The Candidates Respond Under Pressure?

As I posted earlier this week, Obama had in interview where he got angry and walked away. I wanted to post these videos to show how McCain handled the "sex scandal" compared to how Obama handled the Rezko and NAFTA scandal. I can't find a full video of Obama's interview, but as you can see he isn't his normal self. McCain on the otherhand completely defused the situation and has since moved on. This is experience in action.

Obama Exert



McCain PART I


McCain PART II

The Colvin Report: Does Obama Really Care About College Aged Voters?

It is no secret that Obama has a huge backing of college students around the country. They are inspired by his hope and change and one of his visions hits right at home. Student interest rates have been on the rise for the past 6 years. When I started Undergrad government loans were approximately 2% and now they are 6.5%. For law school, my Grad Plus loans from the government are 8.5%.

Obama has promised change for the young people. He has promised he will make it easier, lower interest rates, repayment, etc.

But, in his brief period in Congress he has had the opportunity to do these things and has failed to act.

Here is his record from VoteSmart.Org. NO VOTE on all of the following:

11/07/2007 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
10/23/2007 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
09/07/2007 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants
07/20/2007 Student Loan Lender Subsidy Cuts and Student Grants

So, What is he going to do as President? After he gets the college vote, is he really going to act, or will he pull a no vote?

I know he was preparing for a Presidential campaign, but Hillary had time to come out and vote YES on 7/20/2007, why couldn't he? Both Clintons have a proven record of supporting college students, so why does Obama get the young democrat vote?

Further, for those students trying to work their way through college and the rest of the country struggling to get by, I find it strange that Obama would vote NO to raising the minimum wage.

06/21/2006 Increasing Minimum Wage Amendment - NO
03/07/2005 Minimum Wage Amendment - NO

Is that the kind of change America's young democrat's are looking for?

For the Dems, It's Sunshine and Rain

That the race to the Democratic nomination is between a black man and a woman is a good thing, right? I guess. That this thing is only going to get uglier, however, is not. The intensity of this race is, of course, thrilling, but it may end up ripping the Democratic party at its seams. That wasn't so much true before last night when Obama had all the momenutm. But now that this thing is in fact a dead heat, what are the superdelegates to do? What is Howard Dean to do about Florida and Michigan whose Governor's have produced a joint statement demanding that thier delegates be seated?

Both HRC and Obama have seen sunny days and rainy days during this primary season, and last night it began to rain on Obama's head again. It's hard to see how all of this can have a happy ending. I imagine that those superdelegates are frozen now. Obama has the following, more states and more delegates. Clinton has won the big states. How do they choose? It seems that the only way to lessen the blow of all this is to have that dream ticket, but I get the feeling that these two can hardly stand each other and that makes the dream ticket look less than realistic.

Obama finds himself in a awkward position. He's run his campaign as that of new, not old, politics. But the scrutiny that everyone has been calling for has reared its head, and I imagine that this scrutiny and Rush Limbaugh helped HRC get those victories last night. And Hillary has greatly sharpened her attacks, too. And they'll only get sharper.

So, what does Obama do? Can he go negative? No, that would undermine his entire message, but because he can't win by losing he does have to find a way to get tougher. Firing that advisor who sent that memo to the Canadians is a start. Distancing himself from Rezko and Farrakahn won't hurt either. He should also make HRC prove this foreign policy experience that she asserts. When the phone rings at 3am would she react presidentially, or would she just cry?.

Maybe a debate in Pennsylvania is in order. I don't know, but she's throwing the kitchen sink at him, and, to get this dark cloud from over his head, back at her he's got to throw the refrigerator.

Bill Endorses 'Hope'

The Colvin Report: Angry Obama Dodges Questions

The first time Obama has to confront the string of allegations, what does he do? He takes a few questions, gets caught in lies, gets mad, and runs for the hills.

As he exits, he angrily replies to the reporters, "come on! I just answered, like, eight questions."

So what were these questions about? Take this exert from the NY Daily News:

"The first question was about a private talk an Obama economic adviser had with a Canadian official - reportedly saying that the harshness of Obama's criticisms of the North American Free Trade Agreement was for political show.

Last week, Obama denied an initial media report about the conversation. But after a Canadian government memo surfaced, he acknowledged yesterday there was a conversation.

"When I gave you that information, that was the information that I had at the time," he said. His camp still disputes the memo's account of the discussion.

The questioning then turned to Obama's links to ex-fund-raiser Tony Rezko, who went on trial in Chicago Monday on corruption charges. A reporter asserted Obama hadn't fully answered journalists' questions on Rezko.

Obama insisted he had - during a past news conference with Chicago media. But another persisted that questions remain unanswered, such as ones about fund-raisers Rezko held for him.

Obama replied, "These requests, I think, can just go on forever. ..." He said the "pertinent" information had been provided."

Sorry Obama, but America is finally realizing that it takes more than a good speech to make a good man.

CNN Reports On Obama/Resko Relationship

The Colvin Report: Change Round 3

In wake of Clinton's victories, I wanted to remind everyone what type of "change" Obama brings to the table. Here is a transcript from Jan 5, 2008 during the New Hampshire Primary Debate. It highlights why Obama doesn't like to talk about what he has done in Congress. Mr. Spalding was the moderator.






SEN. OBAMA: I just want to add I agree with John, which is why I prohibited lobbyists from buying meals for members of Congress --

MR. EDWARDS: Good idea.

SEN. OBAMA: -- because -- and some of them complained. They said --

MR. EDWARDS: Maybe they'll get a little --

MR. SPRADLING: Well, with all due respect --

SEN. OBAMA: -- they said, where am I going to eat?

MR. SPRADLING: They can now buy food for members of Congress if the members of Congress are standing up. (Laughter.) That's my understanding what the rules have changed. You can't sit down and eat, but you can stand up and eat.

SEN. OBAMA: Yeah, well, the --

MR. SPRADLING: Tell me why that's changed. (Laughter.)

SEN. OBAMA: Here's -- here's -- here's -- here's what we did. They can't buy meals, they can't provide gifts; they can no longer lend corporate -- (off mike) --

MR. SPRADLING: They can have huge parties for you as long as you're standing up.

MR. EDWARDS: They can't eat as much if they're standing up, John (sic). (Laughter.)

The Colvin Report: Clinton Wins Big

Clinton wins the Ohio primary by over 225k votes, she wins Rhode Island 106k to 73k, and she wins Texas primary by nearly 100k votes. She fell in the Texas caucus by 2k votes and Vermont by 30k votes, but she overwhelmingly won.

And she won despite allegations of Pollsters in clinton-rich area's of Texas lying to voters, telling them there was no caucus and a judge in an obama-rich area of Ohio ordering polls stay open till 9.

America has spoken.

As soon as press coverage dropped from 5:1 pro Obama to 2:1 pro Obama, Hillary was able to fight back.

She once again exposed Obama's foreign policy inexperience when he got caught giving the "wink-wink" to Canadian officials about his NAFTA stance and McCain helped by teaching Obama that Al Quada is in Iraq.

The phone rang, and Hillary answered.

Obama had went unscathed, chanting about how we should of stayed focused on Afghanistan, but turns out as Chairman of the oversight committee, he hasn't had time in over a year to schedule a meeting.

People are seeing Obama for what he is... Hype not hope... Rhetoric not solutions.

No longer can Obama hide behind the media, this could get ugly.

"When Green's gone too far..."

Maybe all the McCain environmentalism (you know, Global Warming props, talking about winning California on the strength of the 'environmental vote') is going to Republicans' heads.

Headline:

"GOP convention may go much greener than party will" - MinnPost.com

Maybe going green has gone too far... I mean, with Fox News telling conservatives that it doesn't exist, how did the MN GOP get away with this? Didn't they hear their corporate masters?

But what if GE, Wal-Mart and others, just thought it was good business? No matter how much the dead-enders protested, I guess we're going that way. And I think we'll be just fine, either way.

The Colvin Report: Chicago Sun-Times Takes Up for Farrakahn

In a Chicago Sun-Times article titled "Why Obama denounced Farrakahn: It wasn't candidates best move -- but most blacks understnad," Mary Mitchell gives her praise to Ferrakahn and says she understand that Obama is just playing politics.

Here is an exert:

"Although Obama scored points for defusing a political bomb, his answer was insulting.

Yet the stakes are too high for African Americans to lose faith...

At 74 years old, Farrakhan has paid his dues in the battle against racial oppression and hatred. Over the years, a lot of black people have disagreed with Farrakhan on his stance regarding Israel, and many of us have regretted his ongoing controversy with powerful Jewish leaders.

Yet Farrakhan's appeal to masses of African Americans is that he is not a politician. And he is free to speak his mind because his organization does not depend on outside support.

Obama should have found a way to escape Russert's trap without denigrating Farrakhan's legacy.

But, like I said, we understand."

I will shy away from the Farrakahn debate... but this article was too good to pass up, the problem in America is obviously deeper than Obama.

The Colvin Report: Farrakahn Connection Part II

Perhaps HRC was being a bit aggressive asking Obama to denounce and reject Farrakhan, but I'd like to share some direct quotes from Farrakahn that show what he thinks about America and basically anyone who is not a Muslim or Black.

Recall, just a few months ago Obama's church, led by Obama's spiritual adviser who precided over Obama and Michelle's wedding, gave Farrakhan a lifetime achievement award.

If Obama's church is not Muslim (which they are not) then what exactly are they awarding him for?

Here we go:

Jews are "bloodsuckers," and Judaism is a "gutter religion."

"The white man" is the "anti-Christ."

White people are "potential humans … they haven't evolved yet."

He's also called whites "vicious beasts" and "the skunks of the planet."

"A decree of death has been passed on America. The judgment of God has been rendered and she must be destroyed."

"There is no wicked nation in the past that approaches the evil that is practiced in America on a daily basis."

"It is an act of mercy to white people that we end your world. … We must end your world and bring in a new world."

What does Obama's spiritual adviser, Rev. Wright of the Chicago United Trinity Church have to say:

“When Minister Farrakhan speaks, black America listens. His depth on analysis [sic] when it comes to the racial ills of this nation is astounding and eye-opening. He brings a perspective that is helpful and honest.”

Hailing Farrakhan’s “integrity and honesty,” Rev. Wright said, “His love for Africa and African-American people has made him an unforgettable force, a catalyst for change, and a religious leader who is sincere about his faith and his purpose.”

I certainly do not believe "black America listens" when Farrakhan speaks, but I am surprised that a Reverend of a Christian church would hold such feelings.

So, what is wrong with requesting a rejection? Why didn't Obama do it earlier? And Why is Obama a part of a church that follows these values?

The Colvin Report: ELF... The Far-Far Left Act's Again

To combat climate change and the harm that is being done to our environment, one group stands before us to take the weight of action upon their shoulders.

E.L.F. - The Earth Liberation Front.

No they aren't designing legislation or calling upon the liberal elite to put their money where there mouth is or peacefully demonstrating.

They are eco-terrorists and they are doing what they have been doing for decades.

E.L.F. has set fire to a group of 6 houses in Seattle known as the "Street of Dreams"

I understand that the far left is so progressive that the 95% of the U.S. just doesn't understand, but what do these groups really think they are doing?

They continually sabotage businesses, burn down houses, spike trees (to kill loggers) and catch SUV's on fire.

Newsflash... that has a negative effect on the environment, the economy, and is just plain crazy.

I'm just a bill, and I just passed Capitol Hill

No doubt, we all remember the Schoolhouse Rock tune, "I'm just a bill". You know, sitting on Capitol Hill, who wanted to be a law one day. Well, we must be familiar with the typical, yet sinuous, journey a piece of legislation takes through the halls of Congress. Introduction, first and second reading, and then, maybe, to committee. After it squeaks its way through there, it'll be on to the full chamber, then on to the other house of Congress. If we're lucky, it'll one day land on the President's desk, where he'll either sign it into law, or it'll meet the wrong end of a veto and disappear back into the legislative soup. 

It all seems quite straight-forward. Your elected representatives introduce laws that they find to be positive, or at least useful, to the governing of the United States. It's voted upon in the legislative, potentially reviewed by the Judicial, and signed by the executive. Democracy at work! 

But what if the executive branch decided it didn't want to enforce the law, or thought they knew better (better than the judiciary, that is) how it should be interpreted. Well, that's too bad, because they're the executive branch (get it? Execute?), and they are constitutionally mandated to carry out the will of the people as determined by their elected representatives. 

Not so fast, as Mr. Corso would say. Signing statements turn this process on its head. And President George W. Bush has been a prolific user of such statements, attaching them to approximately 10% of the major legislation that has passed by his desk. He isn't the first, or the only recent president to try to expand presidential power through the use of signing statements. 

What's the problem with this strategy, one may ask? Well, suppose you wanted to torture some potential-terrorists down at Gitmo.  And let's say the Congress said: 

"well, we'll sanction rough stuff, but here's what you can't do. Why? Because there are some things that America stands for, and, well, gosh-darnit, we believe in the value of human life (unlike those terrorists), and, barring a ticking-bomb '24' incident (which basically never happens), we don't get anything useful out of tortured guys anyway. Let's just say that we are not going to blow these guys' balls off with a taser, and stick to the conventional tough stuff."

And well, the law's the law, right? Democracy prizes those darn things, even if those sadist jackholes in the caves don't. Bush confers with the executive power freaks in his administration, and they scoff. 'No way, we could get in trouble because we've already been breaking the law', they say... So, Bush signs a little paper attached to this long piece of legislation that worked its way all the way through Congress. And, voila, the executive branch doesn't have to follow the law. 

This isn't how Democracy is supposed to work.

John McCain understands this, unlike any other presidential candidate. He has sworn off signing statements like they were the plague. Obama hasn't, and neither has Senator Clinton. But of course, how could she? It was Bill Clinton that tried to get the line-item veto so he could pull a similar kabuki during his first term. 

When prompted, McCain says "Never, never, never". He adds that he'll just veto bills he doesn't agree with. What a novel concept, not to mention a great stand for the sanctity of the balance of powers described in our Constitution. A refreshing bit of respect for the law, and a strong stance from Senator McCain, someone who, when it comes to public integrity, transparency and accountability seems to "just get it".   

The Colvin Report: Global Cooling Underway

The world has seen some extraordinary winter conditions in both hemispheres over the past year: snow in Johannesburg last June and in Baghdad in January, Arctic sea ice returning with a vengeance after a record retreat last summer, paralyzing blizzards in China, and a sharp drop in the globe’s average temperature. (see here)

Of course a few years isn't an effective away of projecting climate change, but neither is ignoring the millions of years of natural climate change or even the "global cooling" that occurred between 1930-70 when carbon dioxide levels grew exponentially.

Nonetheless, as Marc Morano puts it: “Fair is fair. Noting (not hyping) an unusually harsh global winter is merely pointing out the obvious. Dissenters of a man-made ‘climate crisis’ are using the reality of this record-breaking winter to expose the silly warming alarmism that the news media and some scientists have been ceaselessly promoting for decades.”

Should we all be alarmed about this cold spell... is the next ice age underway? Probably not... but one thing is for sure, it has nothing to do with man-made carbon dioxide emissions.

Want to learn a little more? The Heartland Institute, a public policy research group in Chicago opposed to regulatory approaches to environmental problems, is holding a conference in Times Square on Monday and Tuesday aimed at exploring questions about the cause and dangers of climate change.

Al Gore is not expected to attend.