What Experience Should Tell Us

Raise your hands if you remember the Keating Five scandal of the late 1980's.

Charles Keating ran the Lincoln Savings and Loan. The Reagan administration, those God-fearing, brush-clearing, "Morning-in-America" humanists, wanted less regulation of "thrift" banks so that they could invest in riskier real estate deals. The results of those unregulated banking practices were disastrous. The eventual taxpayer bailout, during GHW Bush's term, was upwards of $3 billion (in late 80's dollars.)

Keating said that the Feds at the Home Loan Bank Board were out to get him for political reasons. He had spent $300,000 on political influence with four Democratic Senators and one Republican, John McCain. The New York Times recently ran a story on McCain wherein he is depicted as being deeply ashamed of the accusations that surrounded his relationship with Keating. Perhaps, some of McCain's eventual foray into campaign finance reform, along with Russ Feingold, were the result of the Keating scandal.

The question for two candidates running for President is, "What have you learned?"

From McCain, I would like proof that he has not drank the Bush Kool-Aid. That's the concoction that, once consumed, compels government leaders to go to any lengths to loosen regulations on financial institutions and then back up the potential calamity with a government bailout. This drug is powerful. In laboratory tests, one dose has also actually caused the subject to start a war with a country using false evidence. (Additionally, after all reports indicate that the war is unsuccessful per its intended goal, the subject has stated that he would remain in the war zone for "a hundred years." )

I would love to hear a reporter ask McCain what he learned from Keating Five. And what he thinks is the lesson from the current sub-prime and credit collapses that are causing havoc in markets around the globe and pushing the dollar to dangerous lows nearly everywhere. Does America need more integrity and regulation, or would John McBush go for a bailout that we would all pay for?

I would also like to hear Hillary Clinton apologize for her vote on Iraq. I was sad to read Joseph Wilson, who I admire, shilling for Mrs. Clinton on this site. That line that her vote was one of political expediency can only hold water if the Senator from New York can now revise that decision and say the one thing she owes her constituents, who, I assume, are Democrats.

Hilary Clinton would make a good President. Even in spite of her Iraq vote. But she must look into the camera and say, "I am sorry. My vote was a mistake. And if I had it to do over again, I would have voted against the war."

Mrs. Clinton has been quoted as saying, "If the most important thing to any of you is choosing someone who did not cast that vote or has said his vote was a mistake, then there are others to chose from."

Precisely.

I want Mrs. Clinton to apologize. Until she does, I encourage Democrats to focus their attention, and their money, on illuminating what is good about Barack Obama.

Comments

[jimglenc]

If anything this Administration should have clearly demonstrated is that "experience" is not a substitute for judgement. The vice president and secretary of defense were two of the most experienced pols in the history of the Country. Can any living, thinking person assume they had good judgement? I think not. Barack Obama has demonstrated good judgement throughout his career. As has been said a number of times, if the only experience relevant is time spent in Washington; the Dems should have selected Joe Biden and saved the time and expense of the primaries a cacauses.

[sparklenshine]

I think that not only has McCain drank the Kool-Aid, but he also spiked it because his view of the world and our place in it is twisted.

McCain is straddling two worlds - the delusional neocon world that uses religious supremacy to dictate reasons for war and the world that encompasses the rest of us. He is too scared of alienating the Bush Administration supporters so he yammers about 100 year wars.

Hillary will not apologize because she would have to apologize for not doing her job correctly. She felt she had enough information to cast a vote on going to war with Iraq even though she did not read the intelligence report.

The American people love apologies but empty apologies, like empty promises, do us little good.

[PacificGatePost]

Mr. Baldwin,

The rebuild of America is doable and will take place from the ground up regardless which Dem. candidate is in the White House. McCain isn't likely to get there given the current lack of support or enthusiasm leaving his sails luffing.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/02/rebounding-us-economy.html

It all begins with Iraq. Get out. Then move onto change of attitudes and a little behavior modification.

[CoolRock]

It's strange how estimates of the Cost of the Iraq War have gone from 600 Billion 6 Months ago, to 1.5 Trillion one month ago, and now this...3 Trillion Dollars! At this rate, the cost of the Iraq War will be 50 Trillion Dollars in 5 Days! Let's keep the exaggerations to a minimum. I get the idea you want us to leave Iraq. What is you answer to the evolving Civil War? Do you want to sit back in your state of retreat and dismiss the ugliness of 27 Million People in peril? Are you a democrat or a demagogue? What is wrong with the Democratic Party? Have you no conscience? I was never in favor of the Iraq War. Nor should it drain us of unnecessary capital. I want the US to assist the Iraqis in modernizing their Oil resources. We then could benefit from the Billions we have "invested" in this region. A Pullout will take a minimum of 2 Years. By that time, we will be looking for any source of Oil, let alone the only source we would be leaving behind, if we retreated!

[Barbarossa03]

Unfortunately we do owe it to the Iraqi people to leave their country in some semblance of order before we pull out, after all we made it a mess in the first place. I say we because if you voted for Bush you have direct responsibility for what is happening in Iraq.
I think it is great and a step in the right direction that Senator Levin and Senator Warner of the Armed Services Committee have signed a letter to requesting a full accounting of how Iraq is spending its oil revenue. Of course John McCain did not sign this letter.

[GJMandinka]

It doesn't seem to me that it's only John McCain that hasn't learned a damned thing from the 80's S&L fiasco. As a nation, we still seem to think that non-regulated, laissez-faire commerce is the best medicine for a robust economy. Even as the housing crisis implodes and drags banks, credit availability, and bond markets with it, we aren't questioning the pretty clearly absurd basic premise of non-regulated, laissez-faire commerce.
I just wish they'd deregulate My life. Without all these restrictive laws, I could just steal what I wanted from my neighbor. Call it an "aggressive, competitive, personal business practice."
I'm not seeing the difference.

[ibsteve2u]

"...she owes her constituents, who, I assume, are Democrats.."

Tsk, tsk...you know what they say about "assume" - methinks replacing "constituents" with "electorate" would have been more apt.

Her true "constituents" don't have any problem with anything she has done - or would do as President.

[rh654]

But Hillary said John McCain is more experience that Obama to be President.

I guess if Hillary is not the nominee - the Hillary backers should be following her advice and vote for the person with more experience which would be - by Clinton's own words - Senator John McCain...

[Didi47]

rh654:

Hello - John McCain IS MORE EXPERIENCED THAN OBAMA! If that isn't as clear as the nose on your face... then you need a new set of eyes my dear.

The media and Obama camp hype... that there is something wrong.. or going against the Democratic party - to say so - is a pile of their typical bullshit, they continue to shovel down voters and viewers throats. That's how desperate Obama and his media buddies are. They are even stooping to trying to turn the logical into the illogical in their insane anti Hillary propaganda campaign.

I repeat: John McCain IS more experienced than Obama. And to take offense with that is sheer lunacy.

[DemosthenesSpoke]

It's not what was said, it's who said it, and you know damned well that if things were reversed, Hillary would be shouting about Obama's disloyalty.

Sorry, but praising a Republican on a critical issue over a Democrat--even one that you despise for not waiting his turn--isn't just bad optics, or bad politics. It's just wrong. Full stop.

[shedances]

Didi47 ~ I don't think Hillary's judgement in comparing both McCain and herself to a very popular Barack Obama wasthe smartest campaign move ... but your's is a very good way to explain that Hillary was essentially correct in her point. She just didn't make it in the best way possible, I think.

K

[shedances]

Yes. I agree, Alec. Sen. Hillary Clinton's past pro-war vote was a crucial mistake ... one which will not be soon forgotten by voters (if ever). Before anyone can find comfort with Hillary stepping into the role of future Democratic nominee ~ or even future president ~ I, too, think she has to take control of this error in judgment, on Iraq ...

... and with humility, apologize.

K

[Plowboy]

She not only voted for the war on Iraq, but an extension into Iran. And that second one gives her away. It was no mistake. It was wrong, but no mistake. Intentional wrongs are not any more excusable than unintensional ones, are they?

She is not as bright as claimed. Nor is she as easily fooled as she sometimes pretends. But if she were that would not give her any credit.

She simply isn't qualified to be presiuudent.

[valleygent]

Nice job sitting on the fence here Alec, no insult intended, it is a well written piece. I would have maybe been satisfied with an apology for her vote on Iraq if Hillary hadn't waded into the vile campaign tactics she and her husband have undertaken in the last 2 months. She has poisoned the race, she has shamed the party and she is working hard on defeating the Democrats in November with this scorched earth campaign of hers. Absolutely vile. I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton under any circumstance, I simply do not believe in her, nor do I believe a word she speaks. Thanks SNL.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Over an entire lifetime, I have always valued people who can laugh at themselves. People who can say without hesitation, "My mistake".

I used to tell subordinates that supervisors don't need a long, convoluted excuse. Just "I'm sorry. I screwed up. I'll do my best to not make that mistake again".

I'll vote for a President who can admit a mistake and demands the same from subordinates.

[Didi47]

Opius....

Well my dear Obama's list of CURRENT mistakes is getting very very long. And given he hasn't allowed the public to scrutinize his PAST mistakes, I must assume by your statement your vote is obviously going with Hillary.

Excellent choice!

[kappa08]

Didi47,
Enough with the cheerleading in every response. We get it, you need Hillary.

[Rachel36]

Alec,

I too am disappointed in Joe Wilson’s posts on HuffPo; particularly one in which he extols the “great” work the Clintons have done in Africa, Kosovo and throughout the world. OK, he’d know best yet, when one President Clinton’s aids was quoted as saying “…85,000 Rwandans weren’t worth the life of one American soldier” you wonder who the hell Wilson is referring to. Despite Samantha Power’s gaff I highly recommend her book “A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide” is the definitive look at genocide during the Clinton years. I guess the old African adage “...it take a village” is only applicable when Sen. Clinton is selling books.

Lately, I find the Clintons loss of emotional and rhetorical equilibrium worrying. Hillary is all over the map, praising Obama one day, slamming him the next. Now, she’s singing the praises of hawk McGain’s years of experience even after his admitted lack of foreign policy experience. “Hillary, which party do you belong to girl?” I am not happy with Obama’s high road posture either; he needs to man-up and take Clinton and his detractors to task. After all, I want a President who is going to hit back unless he’s got some rope-a-dope move up his sleeve.

I am sooooooooooo over this experience defense. Our President aside, his cabal of elitists, past and present, has over 50 years of White House experience among them. Rumsfeld and Cheney have had their mitts in sh*t stew since the 70’s. So, where’s it got us?

If “bitch is the new black” then Hillary is at her funereal best.

[Didi47]

Rachel36:

I hope readers of your post will cut and paste it all over the net, to help voters learn what the REAL Obama is all about and what the supposed 'educated Obama supporters' are saying.

insight is always a good thing, don't you think?

[cognitorex]

Rush Limbaugh's cocktail prescription for John McCain.
Rush Limpbaugh has been known to order up a pill or two for that feel good life of the ultra conservative.

The word is that he has recently prescribed to John McCain a cocktail of Bourbon and Viagra to be taken when John has one of his periodic fits of integrity.

"The booze'll numb your pangs of conscience towards your fellow citizens," says Rush, " and the Viagra will stiffen your conservative resolve while also reminding you of the party you have now clasped to your bosom. "

[nightwind928]

Although a candidates past voting performance is significant in determining their record on issues, one should not let the past cloud the real importance of the needs of this country today. The post 9-11 frenzy was a quagmire of misinformation and outright lies by the Bush administration and their cronies. Trying to make sense of it was like trying to see through mud.The issues of today are whats relevant. I want to hear the candidates talk about specific, detailed answers to the problems of NOW and how they plan to deal with current and future problems, not snipe at each other about the past. I am an Obama supporter but I don't see the relevance of Hillary "apologizing" for a vote made years ago under extreme circumstances or what difference it would make if she did.

[AcitizenNJ]

nightwind, good point but it does hold great significance for this country and at this present time. mrs clinton along with the vast majority voted for this war. the conflict in iraq has turned out to be our biggest disgrace only proven by hindsight. whats seems to have been lost in the translation is, did we go to war on falsely complied information. i don't need mrs. clinton to apologize for her vote but would like some justification to clear the view on our hindsight. i for one have a hard time with the opinion that it was an all republican plan and the democrats just went along for the ride. i agree there is no relevance in this issue, we know what we know or think we know about the vote on iraq. i also support mr. obama but not for this issue but because of hope, and with politicians you can only hope that some small percentage of change that they promise will come true. with mrs. clinton i see same ole, same ole. she's well educated, very experienced politically, would love to see a women as president but like her male counterparts before her, same ole, same ole.

[Owlygirl]

The ability to apologize for one's mistake and take full responsibility is the point. Why can't the lot of you get that? Hillary's apology will mean very little for most people. She has all but given it in a bunch of carefully worded speeches. What does matter is that this person who wants to be President is able to own up to a serious error in judgment made for purely political reasons. She was afraid to go against what was considered the patriotic choice at the time: War. In fairness, one has to wonder how Obama would've voted had he been seated, but this is about Hillary's inability to come clean. I used to get frustrated with people demanding an apology from her too. Now I get it. When it comes to character this is no small thing.

[Didi47]

Owlygirl:

And Obama is afraid to undergo scrutiny. What does that tell you?

[AndriaSmith]

Alec, HIlary has said she's wrong on more than one occasion about the rush to go to war.. What's the matter with you? Barack has zero experience. What are you so bitter about? You know very well Hillary has more experience than anyone. You sound like a Republican, not a Democrat. I don't know where you're going with this bargaining nonsense. It reminds me of when you said you would leave the country if Bush got elected. Now really, you didn't leave the country did you? No. So, perhaps next time you talk about politics, you follow through with these outrageous statements. Do you want a former drug user leading us out of war? I really don't think it is his time. Maybe people should write your name on the ticket since you seem to have so many answers. I would like an apology from you. I don 't know why, but it sounds good doesn't it? You've gotta busy TV show, stop worrying so much about this. Hillary will be just fine, and if she's busy, Bill will pick up the phone.

[Shantee]

If that's the case then why is obama leading in popular votes and delegates. I was once a hillary supporter, until she turned into a 'monster'.

A former drug user? Most young people in America experiment with drugs and alchohol; it's unfortunate, but that is the way it is....if this is the criteria, no one who is qualified or gifted will ever run for public office. I would rather have someone in the white house who experimented with drugs as a youngster than a boorish grown up, named Bill Clinton who gets blow-jobs in the oval office.

If you're so worried about integrity, you should take a look at the kind of people hillary has surrounded herself with. Namely, Ed Rendell aka Johnny Sachs.

[Didi47]

Shantee:

Obama is ahead right now, because the anti Hillary media went on a Ken Starr witch hunt against her. What say we have Obama undergo the same type scrutiny and see how he fares. That should give us enough information to see if he's ready for the post.

Rest assured the media will put him through it. But if they as planned, are allowed to wait until after the nomination election.. trust me, he won't last a day.

[AndriaSmith]

Your vulagr explanation and taking what I said out of context is exactly why I would never vote for a common person.

[AndriaSmith]

If Obama is leading it is because that many people are foolish enough to not understand how experience means everything at this juncture. Why people want to give someone status as leader, when they have never lead anything, is beyond comprehension to me.

[annieR]

Doesn't anyone remember John McCain and then-governor Fife Symington's foray into closed meetings with insurance interests in violation of open public meeting laws? Both the public and press were barred.