It looks obvious

It took me some time to point my finger on it but yesterday I finally realized what I liked so much in New Hampshire - the people here are extremely nice. We were targeting yesterday independent undecided voters, trying to make them attend the televised town hall meeting with Ron Paul. These people are the hottest “commodity” in the NH primaries and we were not the only campaign knocking on their door during the weekend, and yet they were nice - they listened, they answer politely and many times they were also indicating if they will actually attend (or watch on TV) the meeting. But it is not only when canvasing (the clean termed used to describe door to door political solicitation) the drivers here are simply kind and considerate - a phenomena that someone that learn driving in Israel and is now driving in NY find completely unfamiliar.

The town hall meeting was a great successes, by the way, the studio was full of people and the answers given by Ron Paul were wonderful. Sometime I’m getting frustrated with his answers, like the “health care” issue during the ABC debate the other day, but this was not the case here. It was also nice to see that Barry Goldwater Jr. is actively campaigning with Ron Paul. I can develop the point of tell me “Tell me who is campaigning for you and I tell you who you are” but I will leave it with reminding that Chuck Norris is actively campaigning for the huckster.

Yesterday was also the Fox News debate, the one that excluded Ron Paul, and the grassroots were gathering to protest. The original idea was to hold the rally near St. Anselm college, but the parking problems left only the very dedicated to rally near the college. Since the site was also good for sledding Tseela was most happy that we decided to not give up. But if they were not allowed to make noise near the college, were the debate was held, the Paulites decided to hold the rally near the restaurant that hosted the focus group for the debate. Holding a rally in central location, full of bars and restaurants, is a pretty good idea - the combination of combining rallying and a good beer in the nearby Irish pub was really nice. Spending more time with the youth that flooded NH volunteering for Ron Paul I have to say that they are really good kids. They are informed, well read, well behaved and very dedicated - I really enjoy seeing them in action.

Among other thing we went to the rally yesterday. We found out in the morning in the volunteers HQ that while the candidates will hold a televised debate their supporter will rally, so we decided to participate.

I still remember he bruises from the encounters during political rallies in Israel in early 80’s, when a heated election and political differences meant also the use of some violence. It was usually end up with some shoving and pushing and sometimes, mostly when we were near the Kahane guys. Therefore I was somewhat surprised not to see police standing between the different rallies, making sure that everything remain in order.

It was a very interesting event - supporters of many of the candidates (although we didn’t see any supporter of Mitt Romney) or issue groups - like Health Care, Global Warming, and my favorite - an A Cappella group that sang songs advocating the impeachment of Cheney. The supporter, sometimes mixed together or overwhelmed by other groups, were holding signs and competing with chanting support slogans. Some of the exchanges were simply hilarious : “Tax Hike Mike” chanted the Ron Paul Supporters to silenced the Huckabee supporters, But they were ready with the following “Fair Tax Mike” and the response was immediate “No Tax Paul”.

In the background my wife listen to a conversation between a Ron Paul supporter and a McCain supporter - The Ron Paul supporter tried to explain that monetary policy is the main issue and that, obviously, Ron Paul is the ideal candidate to deal with the economic crisis. Frustrated with the other supporter ignorance he urged him “You have to read Hayek and Mises”. He lost him at “you have to read” observed my wife.

It was a nice celebration of political involvement - the many people that came in a cold night to rally and demonstrate support for political candidate or political cause. Observing the landscape, after driving around yesterday handing campaign materials, is that the political participation here is high. Near many house one can find signs of the different candidate - a declaration of support and commitment. The landscape is covered with those singes and its seems normal for the people here.

I’m breaking the sudden silence of the blog, to tell you that we are going to be in New Hampshire from January 4th.
We, finally, made up our mind and volunteered as a family to go help the efforts in the NH primaries. I didn’t volunteered to any political activity since I was 16 years old, 24 years ago, and I’m rather excited. It is great to be part of those who are making history. What makes me particularly happy is the fact that we are going to do this as a family.

Rye, NH - here we come!

I am far from being fond of Mike Huckabee. His ideology and political agenda are completely the opposite of mine and He represent all the gone wrong with the GOP. While I believe in individual rights and liberty, Governor Huckabee promote the worse of all worlds - Big Government Conservatism - a brand of social conservative who believe in harnessing the power of government to impose their social ideals on other people. I hoped, however, that his foreign policy is more realistic, mostly because of his short statements criticizing the Bush administration for its arrogance.

Reading Huckabee’ foreign policy agenda I know that these hopes were false.

If it wasn’t tragic it might had been funny to read such a simplistic, ignorant and self contradicting document from a front tier candidate for the office of President of one of the strongest countries in the wold. The fact that it isn’t the first time in american recent history that its elected President was completely ignorant about the world, isn’t comforting at all - the damages created by such ignorant Presidents - Wilson, Truman, Kennedy, Carter and Obviously George W. Bush (and this is by any count a partial list) should be an alarming warning from even considering adding yet another one. The huckabee doctrine will attempt to lead the US into an attempt to illusion of building self sufficient energy market, ignoring the russian interests in the middle east (and the fact that it has more to loose because of american idiotic policies) and bombing current allies, ignoring the blowback of such policies.

I can only wonder which will cause more devastating damages - Huckabee’ foreign policies or his domestic agenda?

Bye Bye Rudy?

I said before that his electability is a legend that would be blown as the Clinton start giving him personal treatment, but apparently his rivals at the GOP didn’t want to leave her the pleasure.

I don’t know how significant this endorsement is, in today neoconservative GOP. However it should silence those who calling to remove Ron Paul from future GOP’s debates.

Mike Huckabee represent the worst that the GOP can offer - a big intrusive government that intend to impose its moral standards on everyone. In a disguise of free market advocate, Republicans - the Huckabee type - intend to continue the big spending orgy, the corporations handouts and the constant look for additional "revenue" sources. The man is a nightmare for anyone that  cherish freedom.