There's no success like failure

"Republicans, in particular, seem increasingly desperate for the satisfaction of an electoral outcome that does not, let's face it, seem particularly likely," says Megan McArdle. I suppose I see El Norte, northern Mexico and southern Texas, as an unofficial part of the American nation and Republicans aren't going to win without some accommodation in attitude there. Romney lost having eliminated Perry and appealing to angry Republicans on that issue, one of several issues where anger didn't serve them well with the general electorate. Also Romney may have been a better Bush; but, once Bush had allowed the leverage debacle, those able to control the money are whipping boys and will be perversely, because it is a Democrat song, until 'the good times are back again' with wealth generating economic activity but the sons of Coolidge are going to have not to let leverage go to their heads or again their heads will be handed to them.

David Brooks reflected on being addicted to polls recently. Part of an addict's problem is that he/she doesn't get the effect that he used to. We're not getting the same kick; so we try harder. The problem is not totally with ourselves however; the poll signals aren't as good. People can't be reached as reliably; so 'we' can't poll as well. We don't know when we know.

Debate

Bob Stewart and I used to debate together. That was the best part about it. Knowing what a 15 year old Pakistani informs about debate was not intuitive to us. She gives crisp instructions for what to do. Kind of like ancient warfare we would run against the opponent with citations. Her opinion on the 1st presidential debate is also at the link.

The immigration issue hurts Romney

Obama favored more among Hispanics after last weeks announcement, looks like he might be up, generally by 8-10% in 12 swing states.

The Century of the Icons

Obama was elected because people saw his struggle as, Keynesian and Democratic, preserving the icons of America, of GM. He himself is an icon of our goodness, our support of the Other in the black struggle. Even in California a cause wins supporting the icon of marriage. The Catholic Church is being attacked. Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meum, 'To God who is the joy of my youth,' an icon of our youth, shall it be taken away? No, an America which responded to the attack on the icon of New York to begin the century will struggle with Rick Santorum to preserve it.