Similarities Between President Grover Cleveland and Sarah Palin

In 1884 Democrat Grover Cleveland defeated Republican James G. Blaine. Cleveland was what was then called a "Bourbon" Democrat, a laissez-faire liberal who favored low taxes, the gold standard, de-regulation and low tariffs. He represented honesty in government, like Sarah Palin. The elite New York and Boston Republicans, known as Mugwumps, backed Democrat Cleveland over Blaine. They were called Mugwumps because they were early "professionals" of the same kind that flowered in the twentieth century--professors, lawyers and physicians as well as businessmen. Some were independently wealthy. "Mugwump" means "Chief" in a Native American dialect, I believe Algonquin.

Here are some similarities between Grover Cleveland and Sarah Palin:

o Cleveland was governor of New York for two years before becoming president. Palin will have been governor of Alaska for two years before she swears in as vice-president.

o Cleveland was Mayor of Buffalo for less than a year before being governor. Palin was Mayor of Wasilla for four years before becoming governor.

o In 1873 Cleveland had an affair with 35-year old Maria Halpin and she bore Cleveland's son, Oscar Folsom Cleveland, out of wedlock. Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter, Bristol Palin, is currently pregnant out of wedlock

o Grover Cleveland's opponent, James G. Blaine, was accused of lying about his relationship with the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad and the Northern Pacific Railroad. Barack Obama has been accused of lying about his background, in his book, about his birth certificate and about his relationship to George Soros.

o Grover Cleveland favored lower taxes and less regulation. Sarah Palin favors lower taxes and less regulation.

o Grover Cleveland attracted bolters from the Republican Party (the Mugwumps) who believed that Blaine was corrupt. Palin is attracting bolters from the Democratic Party who believe that Palin best represents women and that her opponents are corrupt.

President Grover Cleveland was the last true laissez-faire liberal to be elected to the presidency. During his presidency, the average real wage increased by 10-20%. Big business and the left complained incessantly about "depression" but millions of immigrants flocked here to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that laissez-faire offered the poor.

New York Times Lauds CUNY Honors College

The New York Times has written an excellent article about the CUNY Honors College (h/t Sharad Karkhanis). The CUNY Honors College sports an average SAT score of 1399, 267 points higher than the average for CUNY's four-year colleges. CUNY has had an upswing in the past ten years, ever since I arrived in 1998. Just kidding. Good work by Chancellor Matt Goldstein. Oddly, the CUNY faculty union, the Professional Staff Congress, has repeatedly assaulted Chancellor Goldstein. They object to rising standards, higher SAT scores and a better reputation.

New York Post Endorses John McCain

The New York Post has enthusiastically endorsed John McCain (h/t Dan Egers, Vince Tabone and Queens County for McCain). Thus, at least two of New York's leading newspapers, the New York Post and the New York Sun, are supporting him (I haven't seen a Sun endorsement yet but I'll eat my all-weather tires if they don't). The Post writes:

"THE Post today enthusiastically urges the election of Sen. John S. McCain as the 44th president of the United States.

"McCain's lifelong record of service to America, his battle-tested courage, unshakeable devotion to principle and clear grasp of the dangers and opportunities now facing the nation stand in dramatic contrast to the tissue-paper-thin résumé of his Democratic opponent..."

In an article today linked to the editorial, the Post notes that "Big Mac" has gotten a "big bounce":

"WASHINGTON - John McCain landed the post convention boost he and his pistol-packin' running mate were shooting for - an 11 point turnaround that gives him his biggest lead over Barack Obama since early May.

"The Republican candidate has the support of 48 percent of likely voters compared with 45 percent for Obama, according to a Gallup Daily Tracking Survey released yesterday.

"While McCain's lead is still within the poll's margin of error, the figures represent a significant jump for McCain, who lagged eight points behind Obama in the same tracking poll before the GOP convention."

We have yet to learn why most of the 20th century media is so passionately in support of Senator Obama. It is encouraging to learn that there is now some diversity in the print media. The Post has made the obviously right choice.

Palin, McCain, Obama Yield Surge in Republican Identification

Ed Morrissey of Hot Air notes a USA Today article that reports a new survey (h/t Larwyn).

"In the new survey, more voters call themselves Republicans. Now 48% say they’re Democrats or lean to the Democratic Party; 47% say they’re Republicans or lean to the GOP.

"Not since February 2005, right after Bush’s second inauguration, have Republicans been within a single point of Democrats in party identification.
What’s more, voters by 48%-45% support the Democratic candidate in their congressional district, the party’s narrowest advantage this year."

I can't wait until the left gets its wish and Obama starts talking about the issues. Republican identification will soar to 80%. Only the rich and the idle will remain as Democrats.