Election 2008 is just getting started

Some people think that Hilary Clinton or Barack Obama have sealed up the presidency. I beg to differ and think that the election cycle has not even started. Sure, some candidates have well established infrastructures and money but there are two new entries into the race.

No Senator has gone straight to the presidency since JFK and he barely got in. This election is shaping up to be different from all others in modern history but don't count out precedence just yet. Governor Bill Richardson has perhaps the most impressive resume of all of the leading democratic nominees and his trump card is that he is the only governor. He has experience as a former Congressman, Energy Secretary, Ambassador to the UN, and now Governor of New Mexico. He has just entered the race so he has nowhere near the amount of money or resources of Obama or Clinton but watch out for this guy. Senators have the luxury of changing their position on an issue without needing to be tied to it. John Kerry's statement "I voted for it before I voted against it" doomed him in 2004 and the American public has a way of spotting the strengths of somebody who has executive experience. The electorate admires somebody who has to make a decision on a policy and stick with it.

Fred Thompson is in the early stages of filing for candidacy. Right now the GOP is in disarray while candidates compete for the heart and soul of the electorate. The evangelical base that got Bush into office in 2004 has yet to get behind one candidate. Although the base may not identify with Thompson the way they did under George W. Bush, he may prove to be the least objectionable candidate. Both paries need to win some states in the south and Fred Thompson from Tennessee has the potential to capture all of it.

Robert Zoellick to World Bank

President Bush formally announced the nomination of former US Trade Representative, Robert Zoellick to the World Bank. Politically astute Hank Paulson headed the search for the new institution head which has been traditionally held by an American. The Bush Administration has made the right move to nominate an individual whose competence is not questioned while is also in good international standing. Mr. Zoellick comes with an established resume as former Dputy Scretary of Sate, US Trade Representative, head of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and senior official at Goldman Sachs. Unfortunately, it took the Bush Administration too long to understand the importance of picking people who are not only politically loyal, but also competent and widely respected. Paul Wolfowitz had a long resume that seemed perfect for the World Bank however the Bush Administration miscalculated on his ability to navigate the political sensibilities of the institution. The Bush Administration learned the hard way that the nomination of cronies like Harriet Myers to the Supreme Court, Alberto Gonzalez at Justice, and Scott McClellan as Press Secretary would come back to haunt them. The Administration has finally understood the importance of quality in its recent personnel decisions with Hank Paulson at Treasury, Robert Gates as Defense Secretary, Robert Zoellick at the World Bank, Eliot Cohen as Senior Advisor at State, and Tony Snow as White House Press Secretary. Why did it take so long?

Article of the Day - The Frayed Knot

Here is a great article on the effects of marriage and/or divorce. Hopefully you have access to the Economist.

The Frayed Knot

Proud to be a Bruin

This week, the UCLA women's water polo team clinched the National Championship. Kudos to my fellow UCLA Bruins who can celebrate our 100th national sports championship. But what does that mean? Jeff Miller of the Orange County Register looks for the answer but I think he is asking the wrong question. This national championship continues a tradition of excellence in Westwood which permeates the entire University in athletics, academics, and research. Do not forget that these are student athletes. The average GPA of incoming freshmen is 4.2. The UCLA Medical Center is widely accepted as the best hospital in the West and their graduate programs are almost always in the top 20 nationally. So you say UCLA is not a football powerhouse? Okay, but do not miss out on the big picture. The basketball team has made it to the Final Four the last two years and they are primed to be a national powerhouse for years to come under Ben Howland. That is quite a boast since under modern competition no school will ever repeat a John Wooden-like era. This commitment to excellence is UCLA's contribution to young adults that they will take with them for the rest of their lives. As a life-long Bruin and graduate of the school I say thank you. A lot of other universities may encourage excellence but at UCLA there is a reason why they only hang championship banners in Pauley Pavilion.

Article for the Day - Missionaries in Northern Virginia

Former Bush Administration speechwriter Michael Gerson is right on target in today's article. This time, we need the Africans coming to save us. (Subscription required)

Missionaries in Northern Virginia

By Michael GersonWednesday, May 16, 2007; Page A15

Article for the Day 2 - Stripped

Viva las repentence? Sin city's religious makeover

Pastor shares all in "Stripped: Uncensored Grace on the Streets of Vegas"

Light in what you may think is the darkest of places.

Article for the Day - Latino Catholics

In U.S., Hispanics bring Catholicism to its feet

Church offers livelier services for a growing constituency of charismatics

Can you explain this?

Article for the Day - Angels

This is how you build a baseball team.