Partisan Discourse

Five Random Thoughts

Published by Al Adomite on May 15th, 2008

I don’t find the new Edwardsville Intelligencer website particularly easy to navigate (the old website format was better), but this story on next year’s mayoral contest caught my eye:

Obviously, Niebur and Tippit have different opinions on many of the issues facing the city. Tippit said he is running to be a voice for the taxpayers and will represent the common man. His ideas include: reducing and capping property taxes, opposing TIF Districts and having an open door policy during city council meetings.

Mayor Gary Niebur is perhaps the most charismatic mayor in Madison County. It’s just hard to not like him, which will make muddying his image very challenging. For more information on Alderman Wes Tippit, check out his campaign website. Like any local race, the candidate who makes it to the most doors will win.

Have we really hit the $4/gallon mark in the metro-east?

I would never have imagined an opportunity to admit I like watching the British Prime Minister’s question time that often airs on late-night C-Span, which makes this McCain proposal all the more interesting:

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Thursday that, if elected, he would like to take a page from the British government and appear in question-and-answer sessions with lawmakers.

However, none can top Tony Blair in the ability to handle questions on-the-fly from lawmakers, nor could our American congressmen live up to the “most honorable gentleman” compliments thrown out during those sessions. I could only guess that this idea would only devolve into partisan name-calling at best, which says something about where democracy stands right now in America.

The Rezko coverage has gone silent as the jury now gets the case to decide. Will the jury be out long?

Obama would show very poor judgment if he were to buy into the media hype and pick John Edwards as his running mate. Edwards’ pandering style is socially divisive and runs counter to the “uniting” image of Obama’s campaign. Edwards is to Republicans what GW is to Democrats.  For eight reasons why Obama should not pick Hilary, read Eric Zorn’s column on the (change of) subject.

Filed under County Issues, National Issues, State Issues

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