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2008

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Hillary the Great!

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 27, 2008

Hillary Clinton did what she had to do. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to be on that stage but under different circumstances. She united a party that media tried to imply was divided. There were some that speculated that the party would split and there would be a Democratic Party with Barack Obama as their nominee and a Third Party with Clinton as their nominee.

That of course did not happen. Clinton’s message was clear. As Ezra Kelin notes, “Her candidacy was about something, not someone. She is a Democrat, not a Hillaryite.” Those that supported Clinton believed in an effort to expand health care, shift our economic policy so it benefits the middle class and rectify the damage that Bush has done to our foreign image and policy.

McCain Dancing to Gasolina

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 25, 2008

McCain spoke at Phoenix High School addressing young Hispanic voters and gained the endorsement of Daddy Yankee. Daddy Yankee, Ramon Ayala, is a Puerto Rican Reggaeton star that gained world wide fame by the single “Gasolina” released in 2007.

Ayala endorsed McCain in a brief statement stating, “I believe in his ideals and his proposals to lead this nation" and that McCain was the best "fighter for the immigration issue.” The McCain camp shed light on their strategy claiming, “they plan to target Hispanic voters during this election, and Yankee has the potential to help.”

Joe Biden on Hispanic Issues

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 24, 2008

Now that is official and Barack Obama has asked Joe Biden to join on him on the Democratic ticket, what is Biden’s position when it comes to the Hispanic issues? Biden has been in office since 1970 and has been the Senator for Delaware since 1972. Other than being a Roman Catholic, what else does Biden share in common with the Hispanic vote?

When it comes to the controversial topic of Abortion, Biden believes that the government’s role is to remain neutral. He does not believe that the U.S. should repeal Roe v. Wade. Negating women the option of undergoing the procedure is a position. He does not believe in using public funds for abortions. He accepts the Catholic Church view that life begins at conception. The majority of Hispanics with roots in the Catholic Church do not find abortions permissible. His position of allowing them to be performed but publicly against the surgery may not hurt his political view with this constituency.

80% of Taxpayers Benefit from Obama Tax Plan

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 22, 2008

Somehow about 50 years ago, a smart political adviser from the GOP came up with the idea of associating Democrats and tax increases as a if it were a combo meal at your local restaurant. This myth still haunts Democrats and John McCain is trying to deceive people into thinking that Barack Obama will increase taxes.

After having two different conversations, with different people on different days about taxes and Obama, I decided I needed to refresh my knowledge on the subject. This is when I came to the startling discovery that 80% of taxpayers benefit from an Obama tax plan. The other 20% should be voting for McCain if taxes were the sole issue to those voters. It seems that the rich benefit from a McCain presidency and everyone else benefits from an Obama administration.

Drinking at 18

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 20, 2008

I still remember the feelings I had when I was a minor consuming alcohol. It was this uneasy feeling of wanting to participate in social activity with my peers but regretting having to break the law in order to do it. When I went to college, I had to wait 3 years before I could legally but more importantly . . . feel comfortable with alcohol in my possession.

23 years after there was a national push to mandate a Federal Law that recognized 21 as the legal drinking age, there is a similar push for the opposite. As a 23 year old that began drinking at 18, I still believe that the drinking age should be changed to 18.

McCain: Ambition First, Country Last

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 20, 2008

The way that John McCain has changed in the last eight years is shocking. A person I once respected and admired for standing up to corruption or questionable attack tactics has done a 180 and is the total opposite of what I once endorsed. He is a despicable, ignorant, hypocrite that will say anything and do anything to become the President of the United States. He is willing to go so far as to hurt our country in order to gain for personal reasons.

McCain states, "Behind all of these claims and positions by Senator Obama lies the ambition to be president. What's less apparent is the judgment to be commander-in-chief. And in matters of national security, good judgment will be at a premium in the term of the next president."

Running for Your Life

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 19, 2008

Today I retired my first running shoes. After 300 miles and one official race, I had to part with my Nike Air Max 180+ that I received as a Christmas present back in 2006. I had to go buy some replacements right away since I am training for the Nike+ Human Race 10k in Austin, Texas.

Experiencing the Odyssey Years

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 15, 2008

I thought it was just I who was experiencing this. At least, that is how it felt or seemed through my lens. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006, a bit early from scheduled 2007 graduation date. It has now been about 2 years since I graduated from college and my parents seem concerned about my future and so do I.

Why Texas will Lean Left

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 15, 2008

Ever since I can remember, Texas has been a red state. I do not personally recollect but rumors fly around that Texas used to be a blue state. Democrats actually dominated politics in the past. The rumor goes on to claim that Texas had a woman governor that was a Democrat as recent as 15 years ago. Of course, I am kidding around but in all honesty, it has felt like Republicans and Texas are synonymous.

The Nation had a great article, “How Democrats Could Turn Texas Into the Blue Star State” by Bob Moser, which entertains politics in Texas and its future. Moser claims that Texas will become the new California for Democrats as soon as a decade from now. I concur with his argument and with an insight into the youth’s perspective, I see the transition.

My VP Predictions

By DAVID ORTEZ on August 14, 2008

The VP choice that John McCain and Barack Obama end up inviting on their ticket will play a big role this year. It will either be a hit or miss for either candidate in aiding their prospective chances in winning the November election. The VP is usually an asset that quells any uncertainties or shortcomings that the Presidential candidate may have. Obama would need to have someone that can compete against McCain's claim of expertise on "National Security" or "Foreign Policy." McCain would need to choose someone that can help him distance himself from Bush and his administration's failed policy.

I predict McCain will end up picking Mitt Romney to join him on the ballot. Romney was the former Governor of Massachusetts. He appeals to voters with his private sector experience and has the charisma, that McCain lacks. He also appeals to social conservatives on immigration issues and independents on his health care initiatives.

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