mattp

Will generational change bring new "hot button issues?" If there is a new electorate out there aren't they going to gravitate toward simplistic views of politics and litmus test thinking just out of a practical need to keep it simple?

Good luck with them, Pope. My homeowners renewal is this month and I'm not joking when I say that your post here is causing me to actually undertake more serious consideration whether we should switch insurers (we now have State Farm). My wife thinks PEMPCO is good.

Are you posting about how Obama seemed to posit himself as a "post-racial" candidate? I agree that there are some confusing ideas related to whether this is the first "postracial" President-elect or whether he is the first "African-American" President-elect or both. We'll see how all of this plays out.

Ivan, I try to minimize my participation in these "you are the asshole" vs. "no: you are the asshole" discussions. Once in a while I get dragged into the muck, and I'm usually embarrassed when I do. In the present context, I will tell you that I have not in fact engaged in any behind-the-scenes effort to stir the pot (in fact I've tried to make peace on many occasions with someone who just flamed me). I won't divulge the nature of or senders of private messages I have received which have berated me for posting well stated messages when they didn't have time to reply in kind, or when cc.com poster s have actively threatened me. At this point, it would seem only to inflate things. I know that I annoy some folks with my tenacity, and I know that some folks have found my "tone" condescending but I can't really see how I have come anywhere near close to as offensive as lots of people around here. If someone wants to offer me some pointers, please send a private message. Anyway, I appreciate that some of you have felt the need to defend me in the past week, but I'd rather get back to the issues.

When you are king, maybe your historians will tell you that by tradition we in American have defined multiracial persons, with one black parent, as "black," "African American," or "negro." Seriously. I'm surprised by your post.

Too bad. I actually look forward to discussing these issues with you. I've learned something from all of this debate on cc.com over the years and I value it. I'm not putting you on "ignore," but if you have decided not to converse with me I will genuinely miss you.

I hope you are right about stronger voting for education, Bug, but I didn't see it as a big issue in this election. Yes, leave all the children behind may not be popular right now and I think the general notion that educated people are by definition "out of touch" didn't seem to play well but do you think our overall electorate is going to support increased funding for public education (one of few areas where they often get a vote on taxes) or more funding for research or, say, student loans? Seattle has often voted for public transportation and parks levy's, and the Superintendent race could just as much have to do with dislike for the WASL as anything else, so I'm not sure we can see local results indicative of a trend.

Apart from whether we could live with a single less warhead, Fairweather, what do you think the election said - if anything - about Americans' feelings about our military preparedness? McCain certainly expressed a lot less interest in diplomacy and a tougher rhetorical stance on terrorism but didn't he also at least in a vague way stand for a bigger military than Obama? I don't think reducing our nuclear arsenal is very high on Obama's list of priorities at the moment and I can't imagine him taking any unilateral step toward disarmament except as some kind of efficiency or modernization effort but don't you think he could win points with voters if he at least once in a while says that there are too many nuclear weapons in this world and we should consider dusting off some of the old arms control agreements taht Bush and Co. sought to set aside?

Can you not consider or acknowledge that we might have more nuclear weapons than we could possibly need? I didn't call you any name in my prior post but referred to your same question about Obama. On the other hand, you certainly are some kind of extremist (you pick the flavor) if you cannot fathom the possibility that we could cut our nuclear weapons arsenal even a tiny bit of if you suggest that any talk of pursuing disarmament is the path of a moron. Once again: do you see in this election ANY shift in American politics or is it just politics as usual? The fact that Obama won overwhelmingly with young voters and hispanics, two growing populations, any cause for concern?

Oh. And nuclear weapons? Only a complete moron would think we need them all. You are not a moron, are you?

I don't quite understand all of that Fairweather (is he proposing to take over your 401k or purge the officer corps - whatever that means?) but I'm wondering what you think the election says about your prior estimation of American politics? Do you think this was just a normal election cycle or are we going to see a significant change either in the level of partisan gamesmanship or in the overall political wind?

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not Obama's election represents a mandate. My distinct impression is that the American public has voted FOR healthcare and AGAINST character-attack campaign tactics, but I'm less clear on how we've voted on taxes, foreign policy, and "social" issues. Thoughts? Do you guys who predicted republican landslides for President and Governor have reason to re-evaluate where you think the "center" lies? Or you, who say the Democrats are sellouts to "the middle," any real reason to think they will shift more toward your liking?

I read it the same way Bug did. But I think J_B had a good point. I don't think Obama will be fully in charge of this. And, if he is, I think he'd be out on his ass like Jimmy Carter if he tried an immediate about face.

That was TVash' point yesterday, Doug: after the last 30 years of Reaganomics and the last 7 years of the "war on terror," a moderate set of economic and foreign policies is going to represent a big step left. I AM hoping for a giant leap in our political dialog because I believe our government should work with our allies and abandon the "with us or against" us approach and I think we should scrap the notion that corporate welfare is good but social programs are bad. I also think we should start actually trying to do something about global warming and energy independence. But in terms of actual policy implementation and political pragmatism I don't think the Democrats can pull the plug on Iraq, discontinue all farm subsidies, and mandate solar and wind power for domestic electricity.

I agree. I've already said I don't expect Obama and the Democrats to take a big leap left and it'd be a good thing if Obama can deliver on his promise to be a uniter not a divider but it will require the Republican party to decide not to try to undermine everything he tries to do. In a paradoxical sort of way, the power of "the most liberal member of the Senate" may actually be lessened if Congress can find a way to get back to doing the people's work. If the Republicans decide to play nice they may well strengthen their hand not only in terms of winning power in the short term but they may also figure out how to be a stronger party in the next election cycle.

Yup. Despite the sludge coming from the RNC and repeated by our own KK here on cc.com, Fox news says the selection of Rahm Emanuel is not a sign that Obama wants to be Hitler: rise to the occasion video So does Lindsey Graham: ABC News article I think Emanuel's been quoted as saying the Democrats should not push for dramatic healthcare reform, too. I hope Obama hasn't chosen him for his policy positions but more for his broadly recognized skill for being pragmatic and getting people to fall in line.

Just for grins, I just searched google looking for president-elect Bush's first press conference in 2000. It looks as if it was given by Cheney. CNN

Welcome back, KK.

That's the scathing attack I'd expect from you, KK. Been listening to KVI? Some of your friends over at American Prospect don't see it the same way. Ezra Klein

Really, Bill. I think Bug is right: the article you linked said that Emanuel was on the board for just over a year and specifically noted that he expressed concern about Freddie Mac and has NOT been said to have been responsible for or involved in the mess. Was he irrespnsible as a board member? Maybe, but that single article sure doesn't say so. For someone who spent the last several days demanding links to back up "statements of opinion," you aren't showing much critical thought here. Having said that, I agree with your general skepticism. I don't much appreciate the vicious and in my opinion irresponsible attacks from the right who seem to be trying to undermine Obama before he even gets started but on the other hand I believe that those who expect Obama to change the world are going to be disappointed. I'm afraid he is going to maintain most of Washington just as it is and, indeed, we WILL continue to see the fox guarding the hen house when it comes to the economy.

Allstate and Farmers are both notorious for denying valid claims and obnoxious litigation practices. The plaintiff's attorneys have special workshops about how to deal with them and the judges hate 'em because of their scortched earth litigation tactics. Insurance companies in general seem to really suck. Besides USAA, what other companies may be better than average if you actually have to file a claim?

Is that the Mariacher? I bought a pair of those in Andermatt, Switzerland. I still have 'em in my basement somewhere. Good solid and comfortable shoes!

Let me know when you figure out that you are not god's gift to humanity just because you signed up for the military. You deserve to be proud of your choices; suggesting that anybody who doesn't make the same choices as you has and will not make any difference in this world is weak.

Let me know when you win the war, huh?

Hey big man: I am in awe. I bow to your obvious superiority.