AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

For Politicians, The Mood of A Nation Begins To Unfold Today...


By RICARDO KLEMENT
Staff Writer

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - For savvy local political junkies, and for Americans who give a damn about the country, today is one of those glimpses into the living room of the national spirit. Races of Congressional note play out today in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas. These primary contests, it is said, are a precursor of what will come in November.

And in no other race is the mood of the country expected to manifest itself as it will in Pennsylvania, where U.S. Senator Arlen Specter will try to win his first race as a Democrat. He goes up against U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak. Endorsed wholeheartedly by his new party, including President Obama, Specter's bid is nonetheless iffy at best. Sestak, who deferred a request by the party to quit the race, has continued to brand Specter as a long-time Republican who switched parties only when it became convenient. The Republican Party long-ago opted for the candidacy of Pat Toomey, a candidate many said would have defeated Specter had he stayed in his party.

It is the result of today's vote (Super Tuesday) many say will be significant for the Obama Administration. If Specter wins, the White House can count on his full support. A Sestak victory, today and in November when he'd challenge Republican Toomey, would bring the Democrats another independent-thinking, unreliable Joe Lieberman-type.

The voting also is being seen as a measure of just how angry the country is at its politicians, results both parties will use to frame the remainder of their contests...

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

He lost, Mr. Specter that is, but he lost to another Democrat, new comers are doing well in elections this around.
I say we need term limits in the Senate and House of Rep. 12 years and out the door. I wish the local cities would do the same, 3 terms and out the door.
Afterwhile elected officials think they are untouchable, and that my friends is no good.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

ANON: Excellent points. In the Valley, that is a problem. But it shouldn't even come to that. Most RGV politicians fail early-on. Some are not educated, some are self-serving, and most are unqualified to serve a community... - Editor