A Review of the Remaining Candidates | Eastern North Carolina Now

   We are narrowing down the field on both sides. While there will be many who still compute the math of one versus the other, a serious political observer will begin to focus on the back room negotiations that will eventually determine who will be on the main Presidential ballot in November 2016. I have found over the years, that you should never underestimate the power of the "ESTABLISHMENT" on either side. They play to win regardless of the means. It is true for both sides. They will not give up their power without a fight. This is the point when the mover and shakers get together and decide who will be the nominee. They usually do this by front loading the primaries, selecting a system of super delegates to determine the outcome or heaven forbid creating a brokered convention(?????).

   However, this year the whole apple cart has been turned over by an upstart who apparently does not follow the rules. He is well trained in the art of persuasion that is taught by many self-help guru's. Always speak in superlatives; display an overwhelming sense of confidence; begin with the end in mind, etc.

   Donald Trump has successfully used selected tenets of the power of positive thinking to tap into the anger and frustration of the American people. No one has bothered yet to investigate the history behind this persona. That will change. We are now beginning to see the Republican party mass an effort to discredit this phony. But that effort will be child's play when the Democrats start their assault.

   With the media playing the role of play by play announcer in the blood sport of politics all in the quest for ratings, it would be interesting to see the advertising revenue generated by each cable and network during this highly contentious season. Most of the media has already taken sides and many of the pundits have proven wrong in whatever prediction they have previously stated. But let us not forget that the media is a business first and foremost. They are in the business of making money (this is not a pejorative opinion) and ratings = money. Nothing brings ratings like a good donnybrook. While the other candidates have had to pay for their advertising for the most part, Donald Trump is reaping the rewards for many years of contributions and financial support to candidates, media personalities and mutual attendance at New York cocktail parties. I don't condemn him for playing the game; he is good at that and he is using the alternatives open to him. But, let us not for one second think that he is an altruistic problem solver for our problems. He is nothing more than an opportunist seizing the day. If elected he may surprise me and others but it will be a departure from his past history of playing loose with the rules. We already have a president that has a wide interpretation of what our Constitutional restraints should be.

   What has been lost in this carnival? For one thing we have lost sight of the problems and solutions as the Republicans do what the Democrats used to do. They formed a circular firing squad ( Insert Cliche'). The Democrats have been predictable in their appeal to the poor and the disadvantaged including a unabashed pandering to the black population. It appears that both parties currently subscribes to the idea that nothing can be accomplished without government intervention and help. We have long abandoned the wisdom that was embodied in the old southern admonition "Every Tub rest on it's own bottom". We have taken the concept that we are responsible for our own family and as a matter of common decency we are also responsible to help those struggling along life's pathway. (Luke 10:25-37)  We have abrogated our human responsibility to society by transferring the burden to government. While we may be able transfer the burden I seriously doubt if we can transfer the responsibility, but that will not be determined by a vote but rather a reckoning.

   With all of the above and more in mind, I list the remaining candidates with their oath of office as prescribed by our Constitution. For the overly sensitive gender police, the word he is taken directly from the Constitution and is not a specific reference to men only as later clarified by The Supreme Court which ruled for the first time in Reed v. Reed that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibited differential treatment based on sex. They had bigger fish to fry than arguing over the use of the word "he" or "she". The wording is of the oath is specified in Article II, Section One, Clause 8. The powers and restraints are also listed in that same document but have somehow been obscured by both parties in their quest for votes.

    Hillary Clinton -
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."






    Bernie Sanders -
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."






    Donald Trump -
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."






    Ted Cruz -
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."






    Marco Rubio -
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."






    John Kasich -
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."






    I would ask that you keep this in mind when you get your chance to vote on March 15, Which of these candidates has shown a responsibility to the wording and meaning of the oath that they will be required to take?

Updated March 4, 2016 to reflect Mitt Romney's speech on Trump

Since I wrote this article, Mitt Romney has offered his viewpoint on Donald Trump. Many, perhaps most, will say that it is the Republican establishment's last gasp effort to discredit Donald Trump's candidacy. Even if that is true, it is worth a review to listen to his speech and research on your own the veracity of Mitt's claims. Here is a link to the full speech from Mitt Romney which I offer for your review.


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