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.

Sarah cracks a funny on the stump

Such a cool video. She just rocks!

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!

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.

We should be thankful for pro-life Gov Sarah Palin

This extract is the last paragraph of an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, by Marjorie Dannenfelser - president of a nationwide network of pro-life Americans dedicated to advancing pro-life women in the political process, and co-founder of Team Sarah, a national grassroots effort in support of Sarah Palin's vice presidential candidacy.

The whole article is superb, but this paragraph is an excellent summary:

In the next few days, the women of America may have to work hard to hear Palin's voice. They will have to strain to focus on ignoring the media filter and intense anger and exclusionary politics of some on the left; persevere before it is too late. Palin's leadership brings with it great heart and profound respect for life and the ingenuity of every individual. She brings a fresh perspective that America needs.

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!

Yes, take the gloves off - and where Palin should go next

Gov. Sarah Palin wants to take the gloves off. She wants John McCain to take the gloves off.

Good idea!

But, with such a left-wing, inexperienced, rhetorical opponent, with extremely questionable past associations, why were the gloves ever on in the first place?

McCain has withdrawn campaign resources from Michigan, i.e. he's conceded the state to BHO. Big mistake! But Palin wants to go there with her first dude and talk to the people in the factories.

She should do just that.

And after Michigan, Palin should do rallies in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota & North Carolina. And throw in some left-fielders (pun intended) like Washington (state), Maine, Massachusets and New Mexico. I have always been a firm believer in candidates putting in appearances in (what appears to be) their opponents' territory. The benefits are twofold: It keeps your opponents guessing, and helps firm up your own support base in that state. It can also, believe it or not, sway some swinging voters. That's why I think Palin's appearance in California this week was a good thing. I actually hope she gets back there before the election.

In short, Palin needs to visit as many teetering states as possible before November 4. Memo to her campaign managers: if she wants to, let her!!

Palin clinches debate

I watched the debate. At the end, for me (and I know we're a tad biased here - but rightly so!) it was 60/40 Palin.

She was sensational. Poised, calm, folksy and, more importantly, made sure Biden didn't hit any homers.

Poor old Joe looked like he aged ten years in 90 minutes!

Many commentators have said that Palin is the new Reagan.

On April 13, 1998, Time magazine ran a special edition entitled: 'Leaders and Revolutionaries'. Reagan, appropriately, was featured in the 20 profiles in that edition.

Peggy Noonan, Reagan's special assistant and speechwriter, wrote the article, including the following:

Reagan didn't become President to preach some
ego-centric sense of personal destiny...he wanted the presidency so that he could do big things.

John McCain, in deciding to 'tap' Sarah Palin, clearly thought the Alaskan Governor was destined to do big things too. From tonight's debate performance, we should all be glad for McCain's genius and foresight.

The McCain team now must use Sarah a whole lot more on the campaign.

The fight is not over yet, folks.

Ronny is smiling down, I'm sure. Let's hope and pray he can celebrate with the angels - and the rest of us - on November 4.

Corny but amazing

If I'd not seen this I wouldn't have believed it - the things you can do with a GPS and a John Deere tractor...!

The Palin Effect

I found this article by Noemie Emery whilst trawling the net earlier this week. I saved the link, but the link didn't work, so the story took a bit of finding as I couldn't remember its original source or author.

It is long, but well worth reading. A shrewd analysis focusing on the effect of Palin's nomination on the Democrats and Hillary Clinton.

More praise for Palin

This time from Greg Craven in The Australian (full article).

snip...the US presidential race suddenly has gone from being a substitute for strong sedatives to the political equivalent of cocaine with an adrenalin
chaser.

Has it ever!

Her appeal is straightforward. Palin is just like the millions of Americans who are going to vote for her. She is cleverer than them, tougher than them, prettier than them, more ruthless than them and at the same time identical to them. Voting for her is like voting for yourself, but after you've died and gone to heaven.

Great article.

Palin revives Republican campaign (7.30 Report)

Surprisingly balanced story from aunty here (video & transcript at link).

Sister Act

The Hutch was possibly one of the first blogs to draw the similarities between Sarah Palin and Tina Fey.

Tina Fey's appearance on the weekend on Saturday Night Live, in a skit with 'Hilary Clinton', has gone viral. It confirms my view that Fey is a comic genius.

Watch it here.

Pronouncing Nevada

A nice little piece on Sarah Palin's visit to Carson City, Nevada, from the Las Vegas Review Journal.

But this excerpt left me scratching my head:

And Palin passed one test that many out-of-state
politicians have failed: correctly pronouncing Nevada.

I was wondering how anyone, let alone Americans, could possibly mispronounce 'Nevada'.

I turns out that many non-Nevadan natives pronounce it with a long first 'a', as in 'nev-AH-da'. The resulting sound is apparently offensive to Nevadans. The first 'a' should actually be short, like in "glad".

Which all strikes me as very odd, because I thought Americans always had an inclination towards the short 'a', such as 'path', compared to our 'pAH-th'; 'bath', 'math', etc. So I just assumed the silver state would be 'nev-adda'.

Turns out I was right.

Here's proof.

Boring headline of the year award

She's the most talked-about woman in the world at the moment.

She's on the cover this week of half a dozen magazines, including the US, Asia, and South Pacific editions of 'Time'.

Yet, for all the power, grace, guts, determination and intrigue she offers, Time comes up with the blandest, most understated, insipid and plain boring headline I've seen in years.

They may as well have put 'Story about woman from Alaska'.

Thank God Time's sub-editors aren't writing Palin's speeches!

Let's hope for some new lines from Sarah

There is a lot to admire about Sarah Palin, and also a lot to digest about her; but each time I see a video of her speaking at rallies across America, she seems to be repeating large chunks of her speech from the GOP convention. It was a stunning speech that has earned its place in the annals of American politics, but I'm craving some new material.

I realise there will be some people at each rally who didn't hear her speech in St. Paul, however, with a TV audience of 37 million, I can't imagine it would be all that many.

Charles Gibson from ABC America will interview Palin in Alaska across two days. Apparently the McCain-Palin team has said there have been no discussions about specific interview material and, at this stage anyway, all questions are on the table.

This will give interested observers such as I, a fresh look, and hopefully some new insights, into the person who could be about to become the most powerful woman in the world.

The elites are panic-stricken

Outstanding article here on Sarah Palin and how all in the left, especially the media, can't work out what's going on. Beautiful stuff!

UPDATE

Another great article here.

Hiking with the next VP of the USA

Interesting vid here of Sarah Palin and some off-the-cuff comments as she walks with a reporter from the governor's mansion in Juneau to the Capitol building.


Palin comes across as down-to-earth and personable. I'm looking forward to more unscripted moments from her.

Juneau looks like a lovely city with some amazing scenery. I will have to add it to my ever-growing North American "to visit" list.

Palin Rocks 'em in St Paul

For 37 minutes on Wednesday, Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin became the most important - certainly the most looked at - woman in the world.

Her keynote address at the GOP conference in St Paul was arguably the most anticipated speech by a politician in the last ten years.

The speech had it all - it was warm, witty, shrewd, and incredibly confident.

It might have been a bit light on policy, but, to be fair, this probably wasn't the time to knock everyone sideways with ideas for domestic and international affairs.

It was Palin's job tonight - as a relatively unknown politician a week ago - to introduce herself to the world, tell her story and praise her boss.

I am sure she quelled the fears of many Republicans and swinging voters still jittery and bewildered by her meteoric ascension, who wondered whether she'd be able to handle being on the world stage.

I reckon she could handle it, alright!

Palin delivered in spades.

The delegates loved it.

So did I.

Experience? 1-0 Palin

A little from Piers Akerman in his column in the Daily Telegraph today:

Obama is possibly the least experienced person ever to run for US
president, having a resume as thin as rice paper and a sad history of
cultivating the wrong people throughout his brief career.

and

McCain’s experience would bring a unique wisdom to the top job. His running mate, Palin, is an experienced reformer. She has the scalps and the moose stew on the stove to prove it.