British Police Recognize the Importance of Politicians, The British Guardian Sees the Republican Debate for What it Was, Mr. Pawlenty Leaves Before Mr. Gingrich . . .

And Comments on the News Because the News Asked for Them

 

England’s rioting is coming under control, and now the damage control has moved over to politics.  The government had been blaming the London police, and now the police have struck back at Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron and his government.

Sir Hugh Orde, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, described the role of the politicians as "an irrelevance" . . .

Asked about claims by Cameron that policing had been too timid, Godwin (acting Commissioner)  said: "I think, after any event like this, people will always make comments who weren't there."



British Police - They Were There
British Government - TheyWere on Holiday



See the Prime Minister and most government officials were on vacations they were loathe to interrupt when the rioting started. (Interrupting their holiday would have been a victory for the rioters.  They did eventually come back, handing the rioters a major win).

So the advice to the government is “keep quiet, you are only attracting attention you really don’t want.  Mr. Cameron, you eventually want to be known as Sir David, not as Sir “An Irrelevance”.

It is always good to get an outsider’s view on American politics, as the foreign press does not have the pressure that the American press does to be kind to Republicans. An English Paper,  The Guardian found the Republican debate Thursday to be

a lacklustre showing by other candidates in the biggest debate so far.

the “other” referring to other than Texas Gov. Rick Perry. And

no clear winner emerged from what was a largely dull two hours.

Well isn’t that the way we Americans like Republican politics?

In case anyone was thinking Texas Gov. Rick Perry might not be able to compete for the Republican nomination, this story in the New York Times explores his fund raising capability.




Mr. Perry's September Goal
Votes Come Later

 

“He is the most successful fund-raiser in the history of Texas politics,” said Craig McDonald, director of Texans for Public Justice, a watchdog organization that tracks campaign spending. “He may be the best in the country. He will have no trouble raising the money he needs for his presidential campaign.”

Until the next debate, fund raising will be the way that progress towards the Republican nomination will be measured. 

With his rather dismal 3^rd place finish in the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll, Tim Pawlenty moved to the front in the race to quit the race for the Republican nomination to run against Mr. Obama. After the results of the Ames Straw Poll Mr. Pawlenty said this.

“We made progress in moving from the back of the pack into a competitive position for the caucuses, but we have a lot more work to do,” Mr. Pawlenty said. “This is a long process to restore America — we are just beginning and I’m looking forward to a great campaign.”

Bye to You too Mr. Pawlenty

Words like this almost always preface withdrawal, and on Sunday  Mr. Pawlenty quit the race.  The appliable quote here is from former Texas Senator Phil Gramm who made a brief run for the Presidency.

 When he dropped out Mr. Gramm notably said

When the voter speaks, I listen, especially when the voter is saying someone else’s name.

Mr. Pawlenty had been  the favorite to be the first to quit, along with Newt Gingrich, but the Straw Poll was not a good test of Mr. Gingrich’s commitment, since he committed not to commit to the Straw Poll.  His lack of commitment was duly noted.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whose name was not on the ballot got more votes than Mitt Romney, whose name was on the ballot.  Nice going Mitt, you ran hard in Iowa this past week (but to be fair Mr. Romney did not make an effort in the Straw Poll) and you came in behind someone who was not running in that race.



New Hampshire - Where Mr. Romney Can't Win
But Can Lose



Mr. Romney will concentrate on winning the New Hampshire primary, and since he is expected to win the New Hampshire primary winning the New Hampshire primary will not be a win.  However a loss in New Hampshire will be a loss.

Let's see if The Guardian can understand that logic of American politics.