COLUMBUS: President Obama declared May 5 the official start of his re-election campaign. So any political comments and promises made previously are not official.
He started his campaign by speaking to college students in Ohio and Virginia. I think he wanted to offer encouragement to ‘em before they move back in with their parents for the summer. Or longer.
His theme is: “Forward!” You may say it’s not inspirational. But it sure beats Backward. Maybe they will add other words to Forward. See, in 1924 the Democrats used “Economy” as their theme to take on President Coolidge, and they got burned. So in 1992 Bill Clinton changed it to: “It’s the Economy, Stupid.” So, how about “A Big Step Forward”, or “Forward Pass”, or “Paying Forward”, or “Charging Forward”, or “Looking Forward to Prosperity.” “Forward Ho!” has a nice ring to it, but the Secret Service might object.
Mitt Romney has not announced a theme. You might remember a 1928 Republican theme: “A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage.” I doubt if Mr. Romney will use anything connected with cars and garages.
Sometimes it seems that the only millionaires allowed to run for President are Democrats. Franklin Roosevelt was President during the Depression, and no one complained about his family wealth. Did anyone ask President Kennedy how many cars were parked at Hyannis Port? Or what Jackie’s clothes cost? Yes, John Kerry was criticized in 2004 after he married into the Heinz family fortune. And Mrs. Obama received some barbs for wearing expensive shoes.
Frankly, if a rich man or woman, Democrat or Republican, wants to pay $900 for a shirt or buy diamonds at Tiffany’s, that’s fine. It’s their money, and they probably paid cash. But when the government decides to spend an extra Trillion dollars a year, “charged forward” on a Chinese credit card, it doesn’t seem fair to our grandchildren.
France held their election six months before ours. Sarkozy had been trying to pull the country out of their unemployment doldrums and deficit problems so it would not collapse like Greece. But he lost to a socialist, Mr. Hollande, who campaigned on a promise to raise income taxes to 75%, lower the retirement age by two years, and increase government spending. Hollande proclaimed, “Austerity is dead.” President Obama immediately invited him to the U.S. for a NATO meeting, an economic summit, and to ask for advice on campaign tactics.
Sarkozy lost the election, but as long as he doesn’t lose his young wife he’s happy. Don’t be surprised if rich Frenchmen learn to speak English and move to Florida. Or if our tax rates go up to match France, maybe the Cayman Islands.
Historic quotes by Will Rogers:
“Mr. Owen D. Young invited me to annoy on this program this evening. You all know Mr. Young. He’s the sole surviving wealthy Democrat.” The President’s Organization on Unemployment Relief Broadcast (radio), Oct. 18, 1931
“These (unemployed) that you are asked to aid, why they are not asking for charity. They are naturally asking for a job. But if you can’t give them a job why the next best thing you can do is see that they have food and the necessities of life.” Same broadcast.