Why did the Republicans lose the election?

For a start, take a look at the guy at the top of the GOP ticket.

Now, don't get me wrong - I admire John McCain; and he wasn't the only reason they lost.

McCain has been a wonderful servant of his nation in peace and in war. He wanted to do what is right for the American people by serving as their President. Whilst he must shoulder some blame for not winning the Presidency, it was, as I said, by no means entirely his fault.

Whilst I'm talking about blame, I want any liberal or faux-conservative who is reading this to expunge from their mind immediately any notion that the Republicans lost this election because McCain chose Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, to be his running mate. Without Palin, McCain might have won Oklahoma, but precious little else. His choice of running mate was inspired. The GOP's choice of Presidential candidate, however, was not. And it is the GOP at whose feet the carcass of this election campaign now lies.

I refuse to believe that there is such a paucity of talent in the Republican party that it thought its best chance of winning was with a (then) 71-year-old Senator from Arizona. For all his graces, experience, and wartime service, he was, throughout this campaign, immensely uninspiring. Sure, he tried to rouse the faithful with his "stand up and fight" mantra - but it was never going to cut it.

In a perfect world, McCain should have won this election despite his shortcomings. But the final result vindicates my belief that voters are naive and easily conned. Any savvy they have sadly does not extend to understanding political philosophies and ideologies. For such people, personality will always win over political substance. This, however, is by no means a trait exclusive to American voters; my own country, in its last federal election in November 2007, is case in point. And Australians are already asking themselves what on earth it was they did twelve months ago.

After any election defeat - for whichever is the vanquished party - there will always be cries that their time is over, or this is the end for such-and-such.

This, of course, is utter garbage. Defeats, whilst unpleasant for a team's members and supporters, are often the only time parties can take stock, and do some soul-searching.

It was always going to be a tough ask to get the GOP across the line when it has already had eight years in power; but, elections are cyclical things. Political parties change like the seasons, and the Republicans' time will again come.

One saving grace out of all this is that John McCain has drawn back the curtain on a shining Alaskan star. And for that, all Republicans should be forever grateful to him.

The media in Australia can't hide their excitement (for BHO)

Yet again, Channel 9 news (along with the rest of the Australian media) is having trouble countenancing a possible Republican win tomorrow, viz this commentary at the end of a story tonight on the US election:

ANCHOR (Mark Ferguson)...Peter, with so many yet to vote, I guess there's even more travelling ahead for Senator McCain?

REPORTER (Peter Stefanovic) Senator McCain votes tomorrow morning, Mark, and then he has two campaign stops in two other US states. His running mate, Sarah Palin, will then head to Anchorage in Alaska and cast her vote - and the two will meet here (Arizona) tomorrow evening for a speech - which is expected to be a concession speech - but, Mark, this is US politics, and anything can happen.

I suppose it was nice of him to add that little caveat at the end - most don't bother. Let's hope anything does happen, and, when it does, I will be emailing a letter (all of six words) to the editor of The Australian newspaper as soon as the magic 270 number comes up for the Republicans. I can't wait!

A final Appeal to American voters

I know you guys have been able to vote for a while now in this election, but, for those of you who haven't been to a polling booth yet, please remember what is at risk here.

At every election you will hear pundits tell you that "this is the most important election we have ever faced" - almost to the extent where that phrase has lost any impact it ever had. But, that saying should have impact now, because it is very apt for this Presidential election.

I have already written why I think John McCain is deserving of your vote.

I will simply say here, have courage, America.

Have the courage to vote for substance over populism.

And have faith that your fellow countrymen and women will realise what is at risk at this election, and will vote with courage also.

Channel 9 (Australia) to take US election coverage

Apparently Channel 9 will be covering the US election from 11am (EDST) Wednesday November 5. I am not sure whether they will be taking the feed from one of their affiliates (ABC or NBC) or if it will be their own panel. Whatever their forum, it will be biased in favour of the Messiah, of course. If it gets too tendentious I will mute the coverage and just watch the electoral college ticker.

At this stage I don't know if other Aussie free-to-air channels are taking the US election, although I would imagine SBS will, seeing as they took all the debates live.

UPDATE

I can confirm that from 11am on 5 November, Channel 9 will be covering the US elections.

I just saw Nine's news with their US reporter Robert Penfold reporting (from an Obama rally - naturally) and yet again dismissing McCain's chances of winning because of another "bad" poll. One poll. As I have said numerous times on this blog, polls are meaningless, except the one on election day.

While such biased reporting continues to burn my onion, I refuse to let my confidence in a McCain/Palin victory be assuaged or diminished by the bleatings of this country's left wing, guilt-ridden media.

US Electoral Votes '08 - Fearless Prediction

What's a US election without a bit of fun with the electoral college, huh?!

I mentioned on an earlier post that I would blog my prediction as to the outcome of the US elections. I am doing so now, a little earlier than I had planned, but, seeing as voting has already commenced, I might as well put my money where my mouth is.

I am having trouble uploading the image of my completed red and blue map of the USA, so I will give you the states' names, together with the number of electoral college votes for that state.

As previously mentioned, my predictions are not based on any polls, but on gut instinct from thousands of articles and blogs viewed in the past couple of months, and past voting patterns.

I believe strongly that in this election a far greater number of states are "in play" than polling would have us believe, which is why a couple of states that I predict will be in the red column will surprise a few people.

So, without further ado, here are The Hutch's fearless predictions for each camp, starting with the Blue corner:

Democrat states won (prediction):
Hawaii 4
Oregon 7
California 55
Minnesota 10
Iowa 7
Wisconsin 10
Illinois 21
Michigan 17
Pennsylvania 21
New York 31
Vermont 3
Massachusetts 12
Connecticut 7
Rhode Island 4
New Jersey 15
District of Columbia 3
Delaware 3
Maryland 10
for a total electoral college of 240.


And, in the Red corner
Republican states won (prediction):
Alaska 3
Washington 11
Idaho 4
Nevada 4
Arizona 10
Utah 5
Montana 3
Wyoming 3
Colorado 9
New Mexico 5
North Dakota 3
South Dakota 3
Nebraska 5
Kansas 6
Oklahoma 7
Texas 34
Missouri 11
Arkansas 6
Louisiana 9
Mississippi 6
Alabama 9
Georgia 15
Florida 27
South Carolina 8
North Carolina 15
Tennessee 11
Kentucky 8
Indiana 11
Ohio 20
West Virginia 5
Virginia 13
New Hampshire 4
Maine 4
for a total electoral college of 298.

So, my final prediction is Republican 298, Democrat 240.

Don't say you weren't told, now!

The Hutch endorses John McCain

It will come as no surprise to readers of The Hutch that this blog endorses John McCain to become the 44th President of the United States of America.

What groundswell of support there is for Senator Barack Obama to become the next President, appears to be based on three main tenets: 1) he is a fresh face; 2) he is charismatic; and 3) he is not George Bush. Correct though these points may be, they are by no means sufficient reason to entrust Senator Obama with the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Indeed, should the American people appreciate these aforementioned attributes to such an extent that they are unable to see beyond them come the first Tuesday in November, then I truly fear for the future of that great country, and the consequences for the rest of the world. America, it is not too late to wake up!

Now, more than ever, the United States needs a President with a proven track record; an experienced and gutsy politician; a leader who will prove a master-mentor to his second-in-command.

John McCain is a safe pair of hands - a steady, knowledgable rock in these times of economic uncertainty. Oh, sure, I have no doubt he and Gov Palin will shake up the establishment where it's needed. I know Washington won't be looking forward to that, but I certainly am.

Elections are serious business. Contrary to what cynics might think, elections are not popularity contests. They are not American Idol for politicians. This is not the time for the most powerful country in the world to choose as its leader someone with zero executive experience - a populist politician, yet whose resume is thinner than rice paper.

Senator Obama's extreme left-wing, anti-capitalist, Marxist ideologies will, if supported by Congress, do incalculable harm to the USA, let alone the rest of the world.

Senator Obama wants to spread the wealth around. Yet the only way to spread the wealth around is to employ people - not what Senator Obama's tax policy will achieve, indeed, under the best traditions of socialism, rather than stimulating job growth, Obama's is a tax and spend welfare scheme. A scheme that will have the 30 to 40 percent of Americans who pay no tax rubbing their hands together while wondering where to put their second Plasma TV.

John McCain is a man of substance and ability. His opponent is a man of unproven potential. John McCain is a man of principle and courage. His opponent is a man of questionable associations, both in the US and abroad.

Senator John McCain is the man for the times. Governor Sarah Palin will one day be the future.

From this great south island nation, this humble blogger respectfully implores his friends 'across the pond' to endorse John McCain on November 4.

The United States of America, and rest of the free world, are not ready for the type of presidency Barack Hussein Obama would bring; and may it always be ever thus.

SHOCK: Someone in the media reckons McCain won the 3rd debate!!

For those of you, like boring old me, who watched the final Presidential debate today (my time), you would also, no doubt, have taken an interest in who the media said won it. I'm not implying that you would have taken any notice of what the media said of course, merely that you took a passing interest!

It should come as no surprise to any of us that 95% of the fourth estate gave victory to Senator Government Obama. Reading some comments on the net today I have come to the conclusion that the MSM and the rest of the neanderthal left would have given the debate to Obama had he not even turned up!

Regarding the outcome of the debate, one surprising dissenting voice comes from Mark Halperin. I say surprising, because he is writing for Time magazine, no less.

Here is the article.

3rd and final Presidential Debate

Hofstra University, New York: John McCain finally found his mojo, came alive, and kicked serious arse tonight in the third and final Presidential Debate. About time. Will it be too little too late? I hope not.

Some great lines from McCain:

any mention of "Joe the Plumber"

"Senator Government" - a wonderful slip of the tongue when referring to Senator Obama.

"I'm not President Bush. If you wanted to run against Bush you should have run four years ago."

The blogosphere is telling me that the MSM (mainstream media) in America is calling Obama the winner. That is complete, unadulterated heifer dust, as my old GP used to say. McCain wiped the floor with Obama. It was McCain's best debate performance by far. He was punchy, aggressive, spoke TO the American people, and didn't take any of Obama's BS.

US writer, Paul Goodman - although a 60s lefty - got it correct when he said:

The organisation of American society is an ...snip... electorate notoriously unenlightened, misled by a mass media notoriously phoney.

It gives me shivers just thinking about what the hysterical mass media will do when McCain wins on November 4.

My friends, I don't know who won the 2nd Presidential debate

Unfortunately I didn't see the debate, as I was in the car. But thankfully (probably not the most apt choice of words) ABC News Radio took it live off the dish from Nashville.

I don't know who won, and I don't care - because I don't think it's relevant. I mean, no one (at least, no one with a brain) will be voting on November 4, and asking themselves prior to voting, 'now gosh darn it, who won the second debate, 'cos that's who I'm gonna vote for.' It just doesn't happen like that.

But I will say this: John McCain's people need to have a very loud word in whichever ear he hears best out of, and tell him to can the expression 'my friends'. The first couple of times during the debate it was endearing and folksy, but, by the twenty-eighth time he used it, it just got grating, condescending, and left me thinking that he couldn't think of anything else to say.

At this point that's all I have to say!

What caused the subprime crisis

A fascinating look at the financial crisis in the US and the real reasons behind it. Great video! I hope my American friends watch!

Post-council election gaffe-fest

It didn't take long.

Hutchville's local rag today lists our new-look council, complete with the three new faces.

In the same story, comes a gem of a quote from a successfully re-elected councillor - a person known to me and whom I quite like, but who really should have taken a look in the mirror before dropping this clanger:

It is a well-balanced council that represents a good
blend...snip

'Well-balanced' my middle ear!

Three (that I know of, could be more) out of the nine councillors are members of the Australian Labor Party (including the councillor who gave the above quote!!), and another is a member of The Greens - an outfit even more left of the ALP. I call that bordering on 'stacked', not 'balanced'.

Now, I know...people will say that party politics should be put to one side in local councils - and I totally agree - but, notwithstanding, to call this council 'well-balanced' is like calling John McCain 'middle-aged'.

Palin and McCain: The rocker and the crooner

John McCain's speech to the GOP Convention in St. Paul was a heartfelt call to the people.

If Palin rocked them (and she did); McCain crooned them.

It was not a grandiose speech; nor was it particularly rousing (except for the final 60 seconds).

But it showed the character of an extraordinary man.

A man who has gone through more trials and tribulations than 95 percent of those watching.

A man whose unquestionable love for his country has led him to be within sight of the final port of call of an astonishing life.

The grace with which he referred to his oponent, together with the spirit that comes from overcoming adversity, and the courage it will take to stand up to Washington, will I believe, bring new supporters to his campaign and galvanise his current support base.

With Superwoman from Alaska by his side, I think America had better hang on!

Palin To Significance 3

Sorry to keep going on about Sarah Palin. Well, actually I'm not sorry. Not half as sorry as Democrats could be come November.

Of the hundreds of stories on Palin that I've read since Friday, I'm astonished by the number of comments by readers to these articles who insist that her appointment is mere tokenism: a clumsy attempt by McCain to appease (among others) disaffected Hillary supporters and Republican women who are either undecided or who are going to vote for Obama.

Palin's appointment was no tokenism; and those (especially Republicans) intent on peddling this line are not only denying John McCain due credit, but are insulting their own intelligence.

But Palin is inexperienced, the critics bark. It's a very insipid and relative allegation. And so what, anyway? I can't speak French but that didn't stop me from visiting France!

Besides, inexperience can be a good thing. Who better than someone inexperienced, someone not jaded through having spent the past 300 years as a Senator, someone fresh and down-to-earth to change the way things are done. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when some Washington crony tells Palin: "if it ain't broken don't fix it." I hope she finds lots of "broken" things in Washington, as I'm sure she will.

Palin now needs to vindicate McCain's faith in her by selling herself like she's never done before. If she can pull it off come November, then McCain will go down as one of the most inspired Republican leaders in history.

The Chicago Tribune's editorial said that "Sarah Palin embodies John McCain's audacity of hope."

We will have to see, come November, whether the voters of America are as audacious as John McCain - and as visionary.

Palin To Significance

The news of John McCain's remarkable choice of running mate has made the front page today (Monday) of our one national newspaper, The Australian.

In the online edition of the same paper, this article by The Aussie's witty and erudite conservative columnist, Janet Albrechtson, paints a picture of Palin that I wish those whose published letters appear in today's print edition had the benefit of reading before many of them shot her (and McCain) down in flames.

Judging by said letters, the consensus appears to be that McCain chose Palin because she is a woman, and to appease women. Both of which is heifer dust, to put it mildly.

I would encourage Aussies (and anyone else for that matter) to do a bit of research on Sarah Palin before you start vilifying her. I think that the more you read about her, the more intriguing and likeable and, more importantly, capable, she gets.