The Larry Kane Report

You heard it here first, or I should say, you heard it suggested here first. Here’s something that can make for an even more exciting fall campaign.

Barack Obama and John McCain should seriously consider Michael Bloomberg as their choice for Vice Presidential nominee. This is not an option for Hillary Clinton because two New Yorkers on the same ticket might not sit well in certain areas of the country.

Just think what a master stroke this would be. Bloomberg is considered the ultimate independent, a man with progressive views who thinks outside the narrow range of Washington politics. He is very popular and has been a Democrat, Republican and Independent. The man has batted the political cycle, and has run the most complex government (outside of the U.S. government) for over 6 years.

Bloomberg would complement an Obama ticket with an eastern political independent, a man with economic prowess and an individual who could offer magnificent leadership and advice.

For McCain, Bloomberg would offer a powerful Eastern base and a professional who could turn heads and get votes. If McCain wins, he would have a professional at the ready. Although 72 is more youthful today than it was 20 years ago, it is vital for McCain to have the best choice for VP.

This is the year of the “different” campaign. This may be the year for bold choices, designed not just to win, but to govern.

Bloomberg may make a difference on someone’s ticket.

Comments(18)

Congress will shortly return from a holiday break and none too soon. The very hot Presidential election has buried some of the challenges that have been glossed over by this Congress, Yes, there is an economic package, but there is hardly a stir over issues that simply cannot wait for the next President.

Some important examples: There is still no conclusion of the investigation of the dramatic overcharges by contractors in Iraq. How about it Democratic – controlled  Congress- are you afraid to go after the corporate criminals?

Where is the oversight on the horrible treatment that many wounded veterans, physically and emotionally, are receiving at veteran’s hospitals. This is a national disgrace, isn’t it?

Instead of spending all that time on sports steroids, how about unearthing the truth about the greed on Wall Street that caused the mortgage scandal that has sent our economy into a dive? Some of the biggest brokerage houses were involved.

What happened to the investigation of oil prices and the exorbitant profits by some of the bigger companies during this time of oil inflation?

And whatever happened to the probe of our relations with Saudi Arabia? One of Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee’s more controversial positions is a call to break ties that with that regime. It’s a little far out, but it is certainly worth a debate.

The bottom line to all of this is the clear fact that this Congress remains asleep at the wheel, unable to tackle the issues it was elected to attack.

Certainly, George W. Bush’s Presidency has been uninspiring on the major issues facing this nation. But the 535 members of the House and Senate have not exactly been profiles in courage,

Three U.S. Senators are running for President. Let’s hope the winner has the guts to light a fire under a timid and tame Congress.

Comments(12)

It takes a lot for a Democratic Senator to endorse a Republican candidate for President like Joe Lieberman did when he backed John McCain. But then again, it takes a lot for Democratic Senators to oppose Joe Lieberman in his primary election, like many of the stalwarts in the Democratic party did in 2006. By now, you know that Lieberman lost the primary and won the general election as an Independent, which he certainly is.

Lieberman stands for what is right about America. He has conviction, is not a flip flopper, and he has courage. You may disagree with him on his position on the war in Iraq, but he stays his course, which includes an independent, non-party path that has made his one of the most admired Americans.

I don’t think McCain would tap him for VP, but if he did, Joltin Joe would be the first person to run for that position for both parties.

Other political notes: Republicans in Pa. are worried about losing the Attorney General’s office and the open race for State Treasurer. Although John McCain will run well in Pa., the prospect of a invigorated Democratic electorate in the suburbs, is giving Pa. Republicans nightmares.

In New Jersey, there is renewed speculation that Frank Lautenberg will change his mind and not seek another term. If that happens, and this is just speculation, the Democratic party will rally around Congressman Rob Andrews.

Waiting on Joe Biden. He may have lost his Presidential bid, but Joe Biden’s endorsement means a lot, especially in neighboring Pennsylvania and the now-important primary on April 22nd. Our guess is that he will make a choice shortly after the Ohio and Texas primaries on March 4th.

Local Names That Might Be On Everyone’s Short List For VEEP:

Joe Biden, Ed Rendell, Jon Corzine.

For the GOP – Tom Ridge.

Comments(15)

The world wide web can be the home of bad or misguided information , also known as PURE SPECULATION. So, here we go again.

Through the creative minds of some bloggers, and some actual political experts, comes the newest web buzz on campaign 08 and it is all about Al Gore.

This is the scenario: Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are deadlocked at the Democratic National Convention. The first ballot produces no winner. Al Gore is proposed on the second ballot, emerges as a unity candidate and asks one of the two combatants to join him on the ticket.

Well placed sources in our region say, “Don’t hold your breath.” It will never happen.

The logic on the Gore scenario is very clear. Gore is not passionate about the Presidency. The Obama-Clinton battle will be resolved before the convention. There is no way that millions of Democrats and Independents who have taken part in the process will accept a convention “deal” that takes it out of the hands of the people. It is as simple as that.

But the “buzz” does prompt an observer to take a harder look at the dilemma facing the Democratic party because of this very close contest.

If any candidate, Obama or Clinton, tries to circumvent party rules or sneak in with legal or questionable maneuvering, you can be sure that the next President will be John McCain. And that could happen anyway.

THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE “VOTER.” 

If the excitement of this very democratic process is tainted, there will be a heavy political price to pay.

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It is early, but let’s call it like we see it. Mayor Michael Nutter has shaken up City Hall with a few initiatives that have already paid off.

The new top cop published the 150 most wanted, and nabbed 20 suspects in the first week. The murder rate is down significantly. Pre-hiring residency requirements for cops have been thrown out. The new budget is balanced and offers a bond issue for municipal worker’s benefits. The Mayor wants new taxes on parking, a great boost to mass transit, and mainly a tax on the upscale. The new Mayor has lured people from all over the nation to be part of his New Day/New Way regime.

In one area, this Mayor has mastered a great challenge. It took John Street seven years to realize he was challenged in the art of communication. Maybe he didn’t want to. After all, most times Mayor Street acted like a man running a government from an outpost, answering to no one. That was a recipe for failure.

Nutter walks through his schedule with grace, listening to the people around him, communicating with the council, and so far, restoring a sense of pride to City Hall.

The early days of new leadership are always filled with great hopes. Sometimes the hopes fade. But Nutter seems to revel in the art of command leadership that is goal-oriented. In a short time, he has some results. Six weeks into office, that is remarkable in itself.

He does face a tricky April, politically, as the primary approaches. The Mayor will be supporting Hillary Clinton at a time when Barack Obama, the first black candidate with a real chance to gain the Presidency, is campaigning in Pennsylvania. He’ll handle that with class but there will be tremendous pressure to break ranks and support Obama.

Don’t hold your breath. Nutter is loyal.

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