The Washington Post: Robert Costa: Presidential Run Not Off the Table For Paul Ryan

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Rik Schneider

Source:The New Democrat 

I wouldn’t bet anything that Representative Paul Ryan will run for president in 2016. I actually might be leaning in the other direction, because I don’t believe he wants the job at least not now. And besides lets face it, he’s never been elected statewide to anything or even run statewide for anything. He isn’t even in his party’s leadership with real power over what gets done and what is voted on the House floor. Yes he serves in Congress, but in the lower House, the House of Representatives where he serves in a very partisan Republican district.

The reason why the only presidential nominees that have come out of Congress have been Senators at least going back a hundred-sixty years, is because Senators represent the whole state. Senators tend to have at least some executive experience before arriving to the Senate. They also just don’t represent their party in the Senate, but represent their state as a whole. And in many cases they have to appeal to Independents and perhaps moderates in the other party to at least avoid a tough reelection. Representatives especially the stars, don’t have those issues and just need to avoid primaries.

So Representative Ryan would have a major resume problem as a presidential candidate, even if he were to win the GOP nomination. I think Governor of Wisconsin would be very attractive for him, assuming he doesn’t want to be a lifer in the House, as he put it and wants to make a real run for president. Especially if Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin loses tomorrow. And look to run for Governor in 2018 and perhaps the White House in 2020 or 2024, when he would only be in his fifties at that point.

When was the last time and sitting U.S. Representative even made a strong big for their party’s presidential nomination, let alone won it? 1988 maybe with Representative Dick Gephardt, but his campaign because he wasn’t able to appeal outside of the Midwest was fairly short. The same thing happen to him in 2004 and that is when he had just stepped down as House Minority Leader when Democrats failed to win back the House in 2002. There’s a reason why our president’s have tended to be executives for the most part with a few Senators as well. Because those people have to be able to appeal outside of their party’s base to be successful.
.

Posted in The New Democrat, The Washington Post | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Real Time With Bill Maher: ‘Be More Cynical On Religion’

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Erik Schneider

.
Source:The Daily Press

Being cynical is probably a conservative boring way to live your life. Where you’ll end up taking less risks and you’re not putting your heart on the line very often. Not trying to sound gushy, but being cynical has its advantages as well. You’ll probably get burned and disappointed less, because you’re taking less chances. You’re not automatically going to take someone’s word when they say something.

For example when a member of Congress refers to someone from the other party as their friend, which happens all the time in the Senate, you’re not automatically going to assume Sen. Smith is friends with Sen. Jones or John McCain is friends with George W. Bush. Just because they say that, you’ll understand that they may just be saying that.

That’s how Washington works and when a member of Congress is referred to as a distinguished gentlemen or distinguished gentle lady, you know that they not be distinguished at all. Perhaps except for being a leader in Congress when it comes to fundraising, or bridges to nowhere where, or “bringing home the bacon”, that no one eats. Because no one lives or drives there, etc.

If you trust someone who has a good track record with you, they have sound judgement, etc and they invite out to treat you for dinner or will pick up the check, you know to take their word they’ll do those things. But when you offer them something to eat and give it to them, something they never had before and they taste it and have a horrible look on their face and they say it’s not good, chances are they are just being nice and don’t take that seriously. Truth and flattery are different.

The only advice I would give here, is take things in life for what they are. And don’t automatically assume everything you hear is the truth. Especially from people who need you for something. I would start with politicians, but anyone who needs something from you, when they do and say things that make sense and you know why they did it and understand it, great.

But if they do or say something strange that’s out of character and is something that’s not a good thing, for example let’s say you love playing tennis. And someone you know needs something from you. And they don’t have a clue about tennis and don’t even like the game and they start talking to about tennis, trying to express an interest in it, even challenging you to a match, don’t automatically assume they’ve become tennis fans.

They just might want you to believe that they are tennis fans instead, as a way to communicate to you. When they give you an explanation for it, unless it makes sense and adds up, don’t automatically assume they are saying what happened or the whole truth. Because they might only be saying what they want you to hear.

I know I’m a political junky and I have this pattern of using political stories to communicate broader points. But this is my last political story here. Politicians are the perfect people to be cynical about. If a white-collar politician comes to your state, hell let’s say running for President, why not and I’m not going to use a name here, a wealthy white-collar wine and cheese yuppy politician, let’s say.

This person comes to your state and let’s say your state has a lot of blue-collar workers there, lets say Pennsylvania or Ohio. And this politician stops by one of your local taverns or bowling allies in Pittsburgh, to speak to your people. And this person comes to show you his bowling skills, trying to convince you he has some.

Or the white-collar limo owning and riding politician drinks beer to show you he likes beer, but generally doesn’t do these things, don’t automatically assume this politician is like you. But instead wants you to believe he is, to get you to vote for him. He wants your vote not to be friends.

The more you take things as they are and not just what you want them to be, the better you’ll be off if life. And I know that sounds unromantic and perhaps nonreligious, but what do you expect from an Agnostic anyway. Because you’ll always know or at least most of them depending on how intelligent you are, who is with you and who wants you to believe they are with you in order to get something out of you.

Posted in Real Time, The Daily Press | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CNN: State of the Union: This Election Isn’t Over

Posted on November 2, 2014 by kireschneider

.
Source:The New Democrat 

The victory for Democrats in 2014 might be at the state level in the governor’s and state legislature races. Where they are not only in position to win back governorships, but win them in big states. Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and perhaps Ohio which might be out of reach. But they are polling well in Wisconsin as well. And in Massachusetts and Colorado where they may lose, they currently hold the state legislature’s in both states. And in Massachusetts case, they won’t lose both the governorship and legislature.

As I blogged last night, the U.S. Senate is still not out of the question, because of Georgia and Kansas where Senate Democrats are favored to pick up, at least according to the polls. Strong Democratic leaning candidates in Michelle Nunn who is a Democrat in Georgia and liberal leaning Independent Greg Orman in Kansas. But for that to mean anything, they have to hold onto North Carolina and New Hampshire where they are currently leading. And perhaps pull out Louisiana where Mary Landrieu is in a dead heat with Republican Representative Bill Cassidy.

On Tuesday night, House Republicans will not only hold their majority, but perhaps add ten seats and even have a bigger majority that they had in 2011-12 after they won back the House. But the question is who will control the Senate in the next Congress with a Republican House that has a solid majority. And perhaps no one will really control the Senate as far as getting anything done with a 50-50 or 51-49 majority. And the 114th Congress is essentially divided as well like the current Congress.

Posted in CNN, The New Democrat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Tonight Show: Frank Sinatra & Angie Dickinson On Ocean’s Eleven

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Derik Schneider

.
The New Democrat

Frank would’ve made an excellent talk show host with his sense of humor. His ability to sing obviously and all the people he knew. Plus his intelligence and interests the ability to talk about multiple topics. But this interview with Angie Dickenson I bet was fairly easy for him. Except for perhaps trying to focus and pay attention to the interview and not just stare at Angie the whole time. Who just happens to be one of the top goddess’ in Hollywood history.

I bet this interview was easy for Mr. Blue Eyes, because he and Angie knew each other pretty well. They worked together to do the 1960 film Oceans Eleven. They were very friendly and had history together and gave them both an opportunity to talk about some of the better moments in both entertainer’s career. And the time they spent together. I just wish I knew what show this was.

Posted in Carson Classic, The New Democrat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Salon: Rula Jebreal to Bill Maher: ‘When You Talk About Islam in a Certain Way, Some People Feel Threatened’

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Derik Schneider

Source:The New Democrat 

This whole debate has been coming from really the Hollywood and other political correctness leftists against Bill Maher. Because instead of using his time to just critique Christians when it comes to religion, being the true Atheist he is, he goes after other religions he’s not a fan of and other radicals from other religions that he doesn’t like. With the far-left responding by saying essentially “what are you doing? You are supposed to go after Christians and Jews and Israel. Not people we want to protect”. Because they tend not to be Anglo and Western European.

Senator Angus King who is an Independent by the way, but caucus’s with Senate Democrats at least in this Congress, I believe had the best line in this exchange. When he said that “free speech is not just speech that you agree with, but also speech you disagree with and may be offended by.”. Which is really the whole debate on the Left in America with Bill Maher getting in trouble with the far-left and Liberals such as myself defending his right to speak freely regardless of what others think of it.

Bill Maher getting in trouble with political correctness fascists on the far-left who can’t handle anything that contradicts their ideological arguments, especially when they are facts that contradict them. As Bill Maher said that he’s gotten into trouble for speaking the truth on Islam. Again we are talking about free speech. Not politically correct speech, or politically incorrect speech. But free speech that protects everyone’s right to express their opinions. And people shouldn’t get in trouble for speaking their minds and getting censored, especially when it is the truth.

Posted in Real Time, The New Democrat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ABA History: Video: HBO Films: The History of the ABA

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Ederik Schneider

.
This post was originally posted at FRS Daily Journal on Blogger, December, 2012

The old American Basketball Association is not that different then the old American Football League. The National Basketball Association had around 16-18 clubs, in a country at the time of around 200M people. The National Football League in 1959 had twelve clubs in a country of around 150M people. One of the reasons why the AFL was able to establish itself because there were more cities that wanted pro football clubs than the NFL was willing to respond to. Similar situation as the ABA they knew there were cities ready for major league basketball clubs, that weren’t in the NBA. Like Richmond, Lexington, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Houston, San Antonio, Denver, San Diego and others.

And the ABA had the management and financing and believed with the NBA which wasn’t a very popular league yet still trailing the NFL and MLB in the late 1960s and early 1970s. That they believed they could attract the management, coaches and players to play in their league by paying their players more and giving them more playing time up front. Because in the NBA some draft picks they were told that they would have a chance to make the team.

But the ABA were telling potential draft picks that they would make the team and play. And that’s how they lured so many players to the ABA. Players like Julius Erving arguably the best all around player in pro basketball in the 1970s, George Gervin who’s in the Hall of Fame, Artis Gilmore, Rick Barry who are also in the Hall of Fame. And many others including head coaches like Larry Brown who’s also in the Hall of Fame.

The ABA was also very exciting kinda the way the NBA used to be twenty years ago or so. With a lot of run and gun basketball, fast break teams trapping defenses, the three point shot, the red, white and blue basketball. But one thing that the ABA wasn’t able to do was TV. If you weren’t going to the games, you probably didn’t get to see an ABA game unless you lived in a market with an ABA club and they had local television. Unlike the AFL in the 1960s that had a national broadcast contract with ABC. The ABA wasn’t able to get that pro football was more popular than pro basketball at the time.

Football is still more popular that basketball today and had the ABA landed a national broadcast contract like the AFL and even the USFL twenty plus years later, a lot more people would’ve gotten to see how good of a league the ABA was. Because especially in the early and mid 70s, the ABA playoff teams and champions were just as good as the NBA playoff teams and champions. Teams like the New York Nets, Richmond Squires and Indianapolis Pacer because they had players like Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore, George Gervin and many others.

What the ABA proved was that they were major league basketball and that they were an NBA caliber league if not better. And that they deserved to merge with the NBA in the late 70s. Teams like the Nets, Pacers, Rockets, Nuggets, Jazz, are all in the NBA right now and for the most part all making money and prospering.
New York Nets

Posted in NBA Classic | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

HBO Films: Alec Baldwin- ‘The Lost Ballparks of Major League Baseball’

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Rik Schneider

The Lost Ball Parks

Source:HBO– Name this ballpark.

Source:The Daily Post

“During Baseball’s Golden Age, there were several unique places where America’s Past Time was played. Today only Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park remain as vestiges of a bygone era.”

From HBO

As someone who loves baseball especially Major League Baseball, I have a collection of books about its history because it’s such a great game that I love. And has such a great history which to me at least is more interesting than the game today. I feel the same way about the National Football League. I’m into MLB history so much that I have at least three books that are about the old ballparks of MLB.

And in these books you see photos of pass ballparks of MLB. Like the old Yankee Stadium, the old Oakland Coliseum before the Raiders moved back into it. You move the seats forward in the foul territory of the Coliseum and you are talking about a perfect ballpark, as long as you only play baseball in it. It has like a mile of foul territory in it, so dugout seats at the Coliseum or home plate seats actually weren’t that great because you were so far back.

The old Candlestick Park in San Francisco, that didn’t have the upper deck in the outfield, that was put in for the 49ers was a beautiful ballpark. Tiger Stadium in Detroit that was great for both pitchers and batters, depending on where the batter hit the ball. Was also a great ballpark. Baltimore Memorial Stadium one of my favorites as an Orioles fan, but also because I love watching games there, another great ballpark, where the fans were on top of the action. High walls in right and left field so fans there were looking down at the action.

What was great about the old ballparks, unlike the 1970s and 80s with the cookie cutter stadiums that were designed for both football and baseball, was that the old parks were built and designed for baseball. So the fans were on top of the action and had a great view of the game. And in many cases there were no upper decks in the outfield. So you could see a lot of the city that the park was located in. Crosley Field in Cincinnati was a perfect example of that.

So the architecture of these ballparks was a lot better. You just didn’t have great seats and that meant in basically every part of the park, but you had a great view of the rest of the park and part of the city the park was located in. Unlike some of the cookie cutters like in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and other places, where the only view of the park you had, except for the game, was the rest of the stadium depending on where you sat. So if you had upper deck home plate seats, what you saw from there was the upper deck in the outfield.

One of the great things about Major League Baseball is that in the last twenty years, the league has moved away from the cookie cutter multipurpose stadiums. And back to having ballparks just for baseball and other entertainment events, but just the baseball team would play there. Instead of sharing a stadium with a football team, where the stadium is too big for baseball and in some cases too small for football.

Posted in MLB Classic, The Daily Post | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Movie Clips: Primary Colors (1998)

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Erik Schneider

.
Source:The Daily Press

I saw the movie Primary Colors in the spring of 1998. Doesn’t seem that long ago, but that’s a different story with a long time friend of mine from high school who’ll go nameless. And we saw it for free because my friend worked at a movie theater, one of the few perks of being friends of him. And I looked forward to seeing this movie, because it reminded me of a real life Southern politician another New Democrat. The real Liberal Democrats, who’s a political hero of mine, who had the ability and vision to do great things. But lacked personal discipline, made too many mistakes for someone with his intelligence who also had a strong take charge attractive wife played by Emma Thomas. Who’ve could’ve been very successful on her own.

The question being could her husband be successful on his own. Same question in this movie Primary Colors was full of scenes that looked like the real person I’m talking about and if you’ve seen the movie and follow American politics, you probably already know who I’m talking about. And the movie was also based on this real life person, liberal governor from the South who culturally fit in very well with his state and the broader region. Who didn’t have any Federal Government experience, not even serving in the military. Who despite being a Southerner, fit in very well with people outside of that region especially Northeastern and Hollywood Democrats who have a lot of power in the Democratic Party if not run the party.

The main politician in Primary Colors the character played by John Travolta, great actor and a very funny man GOV. Jack Stanton running for President, had the strong wife that I was talking about. Started running for President in New Hampshire with a very small budget and staff, just like the real life person. Had a sex scandal that involved a long time friend of the Governor, had really smart political strategist also from the South played by Billy Bob Thornton. Again long time friend of the Governor just like the real life person, veteran politicos as well a young people on his staff. Just like the real life person and there was a question of whether GOV. Stanton evaded the Vietnam War Draft just like the real life character.

There was a primary debate where GOV. Stanton had a big moment to win the debate just like the real movie. There was a campaign event, where GOV. Stanton was able to connect with the audience his I feel your pain moment just like the real movie. When GOV. Stanton basically told the audience that “I know times are tough, but I can’t promise you the jobs you lost are coming back. That its time that a lot of American workers go back to school and learn other trades”. Which also happened with the real life character. And of course the comeback kid moment in New Hampshire where GOV. Stanton does well enough in New Hampshire to keep his campaign going.

Of course the real life person I”m talking about is Bill Clinton who back in 1991-92, when he was running for President was Governor of Arkansas and was a Liberal Democrat ,but in the true sense. Progressive sure, but also understood the limits of government and the New Deal and Great Society. And that government has to be more responsible with tax revenue and of course all those situations that I just laid in the movie actually happened with Bill Clinton or were very similar.

Very intelligent, but not very discipline, strong intelligent wife with Hillary Clinton. Small budget and campaign in New Hampshire, memorable debate where he takes in Jerry Brown. The campaign event where he feels the senior citizens pain and walks up to her and hugs her. The sex scandal with Jennifer Flowers, the story of whether Bill Clinton dodged the Vietnam War. Great Political Strategist Jim Carville all of these things being true.

Primary Colors was based on Bill Clinton and his 1992 campaign for president where of course he was elected president. And also based on a book by author Joel Klein that was fictional with different names for the characters. But still based on a true story and they both did a very good job and this was a very entertaining movie.

Posted in Political Cinema, The Daily Press | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The McLaughlin Group: Senate Elections on Election Night

Posted on November 1, 2014 by kireschneider

.

Source:The New Democrat 

Just to sort of follow-up on what I was talking about yesterday and the U.S. Senate elections. Senate Republicans should win back the Senate on Tuesday, probably six or seven seats. Or maybe they only win five, but somehow Larry Pressler who is an Independent in North Dakota, wins that Senate election and decides to caucus with Republicans. Giving Senate Republicans a 50-48 and 2 majority. Or similar scenario but Independent Senator Angus King decides to caucus with the Republicans instead of the Democrats.

But as The McLaughlin Group pointed out which is why I’m leaving some hope for Senate Democrats, there are still a couple of critical factors that could save the Senate for Democrats. Michelle Nunn wins the Senate seat in Georgia, Gregg Orman wins in Kansas. Mary Landrieu doesn’t win Louisiana, but Representative Bill Cassidy doesn’t win a majority, forcing the election into a December runoff. Kay Hagan holds the steady lead she’s had for over a year over Tom Tillis in North Carolina and the same thing with Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire over Scott Brown.

Under the reasonable scenarios I just put out, Senate Democrats could lose every other seat that is in play for Republican pickups and still retain the Senate with a 50-50 plus Vice President Joe Biden majority. Keep in mind, only Mary Landrieu is either down barley or tied with her opponent. And she is a great campaigner and has a great campaign machine and Democrats have a great get out the vote operation. And Senator Landrieu has already won a runoff back in 2002 in a big Republican year where Democrats lost the Senate that gave Republicans a united Congress.

Under any other election year and scenario with an unpopular President in Barack Obama that I voted twice for and don’t regret those votes or would change for anything, we should not only be talking about Republicans winning the Senate, but are they going to win 8 or 10 seats. Not 5-7 and giving Democrats life in the Senate. Along with House Republicans picking up twenty or more seats and padding their majority. That is not happening because of the unpopularity of the Republican Party with their candidates and that they have weak incumbents as well.

Posted in McLaughlin Group, The New Democrat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ESPN U: Video: SEC Storied: The Life of Herschel Walker

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Derik Schneider

.
The New Democrat

Imagine being a defender in football and having to try to tackle a man whose 6’1 225 pounds of muscle, probably bench presses four hundred pounds, with track speed probably runs like a 4.3. Because that’s what the challenge was in trying to stop Herschel Walker. A running back no matter what level he ever played at he was always one play away from scoring no matter what part of the field he was on. Because he either broke a tackle from someone who would’ve tackled him if he’s a good tackler, or he would just hit a hole with raw speed.

Try to chase Herschel down would be like trying to chase down a horse on foot. Now imagine if Herschel didn’t play in the United States Football League for three seasons and went straight to the NFL. Imagine if Herschel didn’t start his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys when they were in decline in 1986. Imagine if Herschel was drafted in the 1983 NFL Draft by not only someone who wanted him, but could use him. And build their offense around him or at least make him their go to RB and they were a good team.

What I’m getting at is that unfortunately Herschel Walker’s career a lot of it is about imagination. Of what would’ve been or what could’ve happen because here is arguably the most talented running back of all-time. And a case could make that he’s the best running back of all-time. But Herschel will never be in the Hall of Fame. The USFL was not a good move on his part at least as it turns out.

And when Herschel finally get’s to the NFL he’s playing for the Dallas Cowboys who were 7-9 in Herschel’s rookie season in 1986. And playing behind Tony Dorsett who was one of the best running backs in the NFL at that point. And by the time Herschel becomes the main RB in Dallas in 1988, the Cowboys are 3-13 the worst team in the NFL. And they weren’t very good in 1987 either and Herschel being the only solid weapon on offense that the Cowboys had with QB Danny White in his last season in the NFL. And opposing defenses knew this and Herschel take a whipping while he was in Dallas.

In 1989 Cowboys new head coach/general manager Jimmy Johnson trades his only Pro Bowler and great player on the Cowboys team to Minnesota. And plays for a Vikings team that was also in decline as well and struggling just to make the NFC Playoffs. And ends up getting traded to Philadelphia and playing for an Eagles team that wasn’t bad, but it was Randall Cunningham’s team. And Herschel was there to give the Eagles a threat in the running game.

But this Eagles offense wasn’t the offense for Herschel either. So Herschel Walker the greatest running back of all-time coming out of college in 1983 ends up being a journeyman player in pro football. Because he was never able to find that right team for him that was a good team, but also a team that would utilize all of Herschel’s talents and get the best out of him.

Herschel Walker the greatest college running back of all-time and the
physical and mental abilities to be a great NFL running back. And be in the Hall of Fame and challenge Jim Brown as the greatest running back of all-time. This is the career that Herschel would’ve had, but that never happened because in the NFL he was never with a team that was headed in the right direction. Either an established winner or moving up to becoming one. And as a result became a journeyman player in the NFL.

Posted in FBS Films, The New Democrat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment