Barack Obama

I here make a very bold prediction: Barack Obama will win the presidency. I would predict about a 6% win in the popular vote and an electoral vote number somewhere along the lines of 350 or so. Not quite a Reaganesque blowout, but a pretty convincing win. Some thoughts on this:

1. The GOP has brought this ruin on itself. Incompetent and corrupt leadership at every level of the federal government. I've also been disappointed with the message at a lot of the GOP rallies attacking Democrats as "elitists" and almost mocking intelligence. Conservatives have some great principles and some great ideas. Why sell at that down the river in order to get the votes of "Joe the Plumber" types. Why mock people as "elitists" simply because they are well-educated and have ideas? It's not a good strategy.
2. Obama is going to get to work with huge majorities in the House and Senate. This worries me quite a bit because the Congress will push a very left wing agenda and Obama will happily oblige this. What's interesting is that most Americans prefer a divided government and yet they are going to hand the Democrats total control of government at the national level.
3. I expect the Democrats to overreach and we'll see a GOP comeback in the 2010 and 2012 elections. It might not be enough to retake the House and Senate, but things will tighten up again. Unless things get really bad economically or there is another terrorist attack, I expect Obama to be president for the next 8 years. My early pick for a GOP nominee in 2012 or 2016 is Bobby Jindal. Please no Mike Huckabee or Sarah Palin.
4. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed in Obama, not because of anything he will do as president, but because expectations for him are so high. There is almost a cult-like or religious feel to his campaign and the true believers are supporting him no matter what anyone says. For a lot of people, Obama is basically a blank slate. We really do not know very much about the man, but when he talks about hope and change we project all the hope and change we want on to him. People are going to be disappointed when their lives remain pretty much the same as he assumes the presidency.
5. For the record, I will be voting for McCain this year. I don't think Obama is a horrible choice either, but I have reservations in regard to his economic policy and some of his social views. Therefore, I'm going to go down with McCain.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Once again my dedication to the Iowa Hawkeyes has led to disappointment. Iowa lost a tough one to Illinois today 27-24. This puts Iowa's season record at 5-4. Iowa's four losses have come by a total of 12 points. I keep wondering what might have been this year if this team could win the close ones.

Happy Birthday Isaac!

I thought I would resume by regular posting on this blog by wishing my son a happy first birthday. I thought that would be of interest to my myriad of readers.