Jul
31
McCain the undisciplined
July 31, 2008 | 7 Comments
With the two posts on campaign ads bringing some comments about effectiveness a story in todays Washington Post highlights some of my criticism of McCain’s political strategy. Essentially saying that McCain refuses to stay on message the story highlights McCains undisciplined campaign style, which has endeared him to many but drives political pros crazy. It [...]
Jul
31
The Obama response
July 31, 2008 | 2 Comments
And after yesterdays post lets look at the Obama response. Effective? From Obama’s perspective I like the photo of Bush and McCain together, feeding into the “McSame” theme. Alternative energy proposals? Good visuals for Obama. Taking on big oil? A no brainer. Overall I give it a b+. I give McCain a c-.
Jul
30
Obama compared to Britney?
July 30, 2008 | 7 Comments
The McCain campaign continues to struggle with the Obama factor in this race. They have criticized the media for slanted coverage, and ridiculed his overseas trip, referred to him as “the chosen one”, and now they have taken the drastic step of comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Now that is some plain [...]
Jul
29
Methuen Master Plan Passed
July 29, 2008 | 7 Comments
Culminating a two year process the Methuen City Council voted 8-1 in favor of passing a new Master Plan for Methuen, and adopting a new city wide zoning plan that was the result of our master planning process. The zoning re-write was the first one in Methuen for over twenty years. I would like to [...]
Jul
28
Federal Deficit Soars
July 28, 2008 | 5 Comments
More news from the land of fiscal responsibility. From the Washington Post:
The federal budget deficit will surge to nearly $490 billion next fiscal year, a record dollar amount, driven by continuing war costs and an economic slowdown that is not likely to turn around fast, according to the Office of Management and Budget. After three [...]
Jul
27
State Teaches Cities Fiscal Responsibility
July 27, 2008 | 5 Comments
One of the new items to come out of the state budget is the idea of a commission to study municipal budgeting and monitor local spending. It is covered in todays Eagle Tribune, where we learn that the state is concerned over municipal spending and all of the state aid that is sent to cities [...]
Jul
25
More Pension Follies
July 25, 2008 | 14 Comments
The Globe is reporting today on the ability of some local and state employees to gather extra (and earlier) pension benefits by invoking a 1945 state law that gives the richer benefit to twenty year employees who have had their jobs phased out. From the Globe:
The law, passed in 1945, was intended to protect longtime [...]
Jul
24
Ethanol under attack
July 24, 2008 | 1 Comment
With the prices of food commodities soaring Texas governor Rick Perry has asked the EPA to waive the ethanol requirements for gasoline in his state. From the New York Times:
Mr. Perry says the billions of bushels of corn being used to produce all that mandated ethanol would be better suited as livestock feed than as [...]
Jul
22
It is time for Campaigning!
July 22, 2008 | 2 Comments
I had the video below sent to me via email, and it is pretty clever. Blue Mass group has it posted as well. Enjoy.
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Jul
21
Timetables, Horizons and al-Maliki
July 21, 2008 | 3 Comments
The Bush Administration is seeking clarification from the Iraqi government after German magazine Der Spiegel printed remarks from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki that appeared to support the position of Barack Obama on a sixteen month withdrawal timetable for American troops. Maliki seems to be pushing the Americans for some sort of exit strategy, and [...]