State of the Union speech

I see Republicans making two arguments about the president today: Obama is waging class warfare and look what he's done to our debt.

My reaction to the first: I doubt relying on a class warfare argument gets them anywhere in the general election. It doesn't get anywhere with me. Republicans no doubt will rally behind it, but who else?

On the debt: it's hard to blame a president trying to pull us out of a deep recession for adding to the debt. Although I think some people won't appreciate this so it should be effective for them to an extent. Obama should be able to take them head-on on this issue, though.

Better arguments the Republicans should focus on instead: the president's regulations are strangling jobs. Many people believe this. Also, look at what this president has accomplished with jobs - not much. He hasn't even tried.

My issue with Romney

I can't shake the feeling that it is not a good time for the country to nominate the voice of the corporation. This is who Romney represents. I'd rather see a small-business representative be chosen or a fiscal reformist or a natural leader with character or someone who would overhaul the tax code. I don't want Wall Street interests running the White House. We already have money trying to buy our presidential elections.

Romney will go soft on Santorum for awhile

The reasons Romney will go soft on Santorum through South Carolina:

- Romney can afford to. Unless Santorum gets a windfall of cash extremely quickly he really poses no threat. An immediate windfall is unlikely.

- Romney likes Rick Santorum. They are both good-natured family guys.

- Santorum could make a good VP candidate. In fact, that could be a winning ticket.

Santorum will play equally nice while thinking about that VP spot as well.

The US needs an election rout

Divided government is no longer a good operating environment in Washington - at least when it comes to Congress.

We need an election rout and one of our parties to dominate. It's the only way to get the country moving in a healthy direction.

The current situation in which nothing seen as a victory for the other party can pass leads us stuck in a debt straight jacket. It's no good.

But the question remains which party will dominate. And that assumes the status quo doesn't prevail. But I'm starting to expect a rout might be in order. There is too much unhappiness with our elected representatives. We are collectively still trying to determine where exactly to aim our ire.

If Newt Gingrich is the candidate, I'd expect the Republicans to be sent packing. And my earlier prediction for a GOP disintegration still seems possible.

If Mitt Romney is the candidate, I think we'd see a close election and neither party dominating.

But Ron Paul could muddy the GOP picture - leading most likely to a Democratic dominance.

Why do some people run for office?

I still can not understand why somebody with a history of affairs and allegations of harassment would run for president. It must be sheer ego, but stupidity as well. I hope the price of his fame is worth it.

If the race comes down to Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, how would that turn out? It's completely unpredictable. But I'll give it a shot.

My prediction:

Newt implodes. Surely it is coming.

Romney barely scrapes by with the Republican nomination.

Ron Paul runs as an independent.

Obama gets re-elected.

That's just how I see it right now.

Brilliant in Greece

Greek Prime Minister Papandreou has been brilliant. This is the serious game being played out in Greece:

The government "bows" to European demands and forces austerity on its people.

The government forces a haircut on its Greek debt owed to banks, easing the country's debt burden.

The government then withdraws from the euro, with a newly austere government that the people were forced to accept and a greatly reduced debt burden. The withdrawing from the euro? The plan all along. Everything else was just the best way to get there.

And now a newly introduced, devalued drachma will finalize the chess game.

Brilliant. Truly.

And now the government can hope it clings to power long enough to enjoy the spoils.

Romney vs. Cain

The choice for the Republican base is shaping up this way:

Do you want a tinkerer whom you don't really trust but who will watch out for corporate interests?

Or do you want a bold, unproven likeable optimist who presents grand plans without really fully vetting them?