Comparing Jeb to W

For the Bush family, W was the accidental president.  George was uneven and scraggily while Jeb was pure topiary.  Jeb was expected to be president.   The reasons are obvious. W had a drinking problem, and my friends in Austin swear, a fondness for nose candy.  Jeb was the deeper thinker, and now it seems marginally, the better speaker.  Grammar was not his enemy.

But Jeb's failure, and W's electoral success, was no accident.  W, unlike Jeb, is comfortable in his own skin.  He enjoyed the rough and tumble of politics, and although, bonkers on policy, was a political wonk.  He was so skillful that he defeated Ann Richards, a lioness in Democratic politics.  

Debating before the American public is about personality and confidence.  If you are uncomfortable, the public will be uncomfortable with you.  W's self deprecating humor covered most gaffes.  W enjoyed debating and was so secure that he was bemused by attacks.  Jeb hates campaigning.  He wants to be anointed.  He disliked being forced on to a debate stage, and because of that, the public dislikes him.  

We all would rather have a club soda with, the now sober, W than a beer with Jeb.

Bush Got a Brazilian

Bush got trimmed.  Not a good sign when your post debate campaign spin is, "Jeb is a doer not a debater."  Staying on message, the candidate explained, “Look, there are two types of politicians. There the talkers and there the doers. I wish I could talk as well as some of the people on the stage, the big personalities on the stage, but I’m a doer.”  The only good news is they replaced the stupid exclamation point.  The signage is now "Jeb?"

As to the new front runner, Doctor please heal thyself.  Ben proclaimed that he has changed many of his positions now that he has actually studied some of the issues.  If elected, he would be the first president to leave office for a book tour.

Substance aside, Rubio, Cruz,  and to a lesser extent, Christie and Fiorina, had a good night.  But oh, that pesky substance,  Fiorina wears her 4 Pinocchio rating with pride.   Even if Obama personally handed out pink slips, he could not achieve her mind numbing claim that 93% of the jobs lost were by women.

She, and the rest of the field danced the same old soft shoe.  While in the spot light they glibly glided through the downbeat news of income inequality and wage stagnation.  But the incongruous two step solution was lowering taxes on the wealthy and reducing regulatory protection for workers and consumers.

Off Road to Victory

Ben Carson left the campaign trail, and immediately took the lead in Iowa.  This 7th Day Adventist was the first to find the mystical path to victory.  Not to be outdone Jeb!, is going home to the Bush family compound.  By the way, never has an exclamation point been so out of place.

Surely more is to come.  Christie will go on tour with Springsteen, or perhaps visit the world's great bridges.  Rand Paul will run for Senate.

Trump will be the only candidate on TV.  No change there.

For a Secure Time, Call Hillary

The points made by the GOP in the Benghazi hearings are gauzy.  With total lack of clarity, here is my best understanding.

Sidney Blumenthal invaded the compound in Benghazi.  Americans are not ready for the truth, so only selected Blumenthal emails and statements are leaked.  Protecting the country from the truth is the sworn duty of Republicans.

Because of a time loupe, an incomplete discussion of the cause of the tragedy on Sunday talk shows actually caused the invasion and deaths.

Hillary Clinton does not give her phone number to enough people.  In chat rooms, and in the few remaining phone booths, she should scribble,  "For a secure time, call Hillary."

Republicans objected to public hearings because they are as dumb as they look.  The Gowdy haircut would be sweeping the nation, if he did not insist on standing upright.

A circular firing squad is all right if you miss.

God fearing GOP committee members are praying that President Clinton will not hold a grudge.

Days of Wine and Horses

For those with an itch for Danish kitsch, Solvang is down the road a hitch.  For those scabbed over by touristy Solvang, Santa Ynez is an upscale rural community with horse filled rolling hills,  and wineries around every corner.

The place to stay is the Santa Ynez Inn. http://www.santaynezinn.com

Our room

Balcony of our room, with view of the inn.

Rooms are not cheap.  Rack rate is over $500, but specials often bring the rate down to about $250.  The quality of accommodations coupled with generous perks make the room fair value.

Happy hour includes good local wines, cheese and other appetizers often including raw shrimp.  Fellow travelers become friends over a good Pinot.

Show your room key, and tastings are free at over 20 local wineries.  This is a savings of twenty to thirty dollars per couple at each winery.

Buttonwood pictured above is included. We also went to Gainey and Qupe.  The latter was our favorite, of the free tastings.

In the same delightful room used for happy hour, enjoy a yummy free breakfast, and late evening dessert.

Within a 2 block radius are a number of excellent restaurants.  No need to fear an extra glass of wine when you walk from your pick.

This visit we enjoyed Brother's Restaurant at the Red Barn.  Pictured above is my perfect prime rib, and Roslyn's tuna tartare.  Equally as good, but not pictured, was a stilton salad with poached pears, and a dish of brown butter ice cream.  On previous trips we have enjoyed the farm fresh California cuisine at S.Y. Kitchen,  with the same ownership as Toscana in Brentwood.  Another option we enjoyed on a previous trip was Trattoria Grappolo.

Santa Ynez is horse country.  Among the prominent thoroughbred horse farms is Tommy Town.

Tommy Town

Our weanling, Campaigner.

Our two favorite local wineries are on the other side of the 101 freeway in Lompoc.  Neither are part of the Santa Ynez free tasting program, but we taste free as wine club members.

Melville produces solid whites including their Chardonnay and Viognier.  Their reds, particularly Pinots and Syrahs, are world class.

Babcock, in the same Santa Rita appellation, produces lovely wines with exceptional specials for club members.

Traveling back to Los Angeles, I recommend two restaurants, one in Santa Barbara and the other in Ventura.  Good news for those with a bad memory, both have the same name http://www.brophybros.com/.  The original Brophy Brothers at the Santa Barbara Harbor, has a harbor view, slightly better food, but can be quite crowded.  Locals love it.

The Ventura harbor location also has great views, and has the advantage of a happy hour.  Fish and chips, peel and eat shrimp, garlic clams, and oysters Rockefeller, are among the offerings for about seven dollars.  Both are known for excellent seafood, and for those with a designated driver, an honest pour.  In Ventura,  Jameson Irish Whiskey is $3.50 during happy hour.

The Ventura Harbor is a nice place to walk after your meal.

Keeping Biden Hiding

There were no losers at the first Democratic debate.  The lesser known candidates gained stature and name recognition by sharing the stage with Clinton and Sanders.  O'Malley was smooth and sharp.  Perhaps not good enough to steal votes from the top two, but he may score with undecideds.

Other than a weak moment on gun control,  Bernie was Bernie.  He was preaching to his large choir, and you could almost hear the "Amens."    His poll numbers should stay steady.

But, the big winner was Hillary.  Her broad knowledge and deep preparation was expected, but her pitch perfect performance was a revelation.  At key moments she was fierce and passionate, while in general at ease, witty, and enjoying herself.  Democrats who have been jittery over her pounding on emails got a stiff shot of courage.  Money will continue to flow.

The only loser was not in the room.  Biden has to have renewed doubts about running.  If she completes the parlay before the Benghazi Committer, he will not enter the game.

Ryan's Hope

The lords of the GOP are hoping for a white knight to unite the party's fiefdoms.  Fealty goes both ways, but there is always a winner. Paul Ryan is unique.  Party leaders are begging him to accept their support for Speaker.  Others are pleading for votes, beholden to each faction of the party.  Others would fear being unseated, Ryan could threaten to step down.

Ryan would be a strong Speaker.  Still the Speakership may be a trap.  The Speaker's job is to keep the lights on, at a time when many in his party yearn for a prince of darkness.

Boehner's Last Lap

The long departed and discredited Dennis Hastert is all  that stands between Speaker Boehner and strutting across the finish line.  The Hastert Rule requires a majority GOP vote before anything comes to the floor.

If Boehner can sprint by that, his trophy case case could include, immigration reform, corporate tax reform, modern infrastructure, a new debt ceiling, and a realistic budget.   Bipartisan is not a dirt word.  He could stand up to the Freedom Caucus, since he has already tendered his resignation.   He can fiddle as the FC burns each new candidate for Speaker.

Will Boehner end his term with the swagger of Tip (of the hat) O'Neill, or dithering like Dennis Hastert?

McCarthy Will Be a Weaker Speaker

The Speaker of the House is 2nd in line for the presidency, but the most powerful legislator.  The pesky filibuster that hamstrings the Senate Majority Leader does not apply to the Speaker.  That power is already oozing out from self inflicted wounds.

Hoping to curry favor,  GOP house members were jostling to be the first to endorse McCarthy.  A few poorly chosen words have changed everything.  Now McCarthy, facing a challenge, must promise the moon and the sun to be the chosen one.  Each promise constrains his flexibility and power.  Whether he speaks softly, or at all, he will carry a small stick.

Broad 3

We returned to the Broad Museum, this time sporting my new Canon 6D camera.  On a couple of the exterior shots I used the wide setting on my 17-40mm lens.

As you can see from the bottom picture, the Broad is virtually across the street from MOCA, allowing for a full day of cultural exploration.   The Walt Disney Music Hall is across the street  to the North.  It is barely visible on the right side of the picture below.

 You can see the Disney Hall more clearly in this interior picture.

 The interior is well lit and architecturally interesting.

The collection is strong and varied.

Reserve in advance to be admitted to Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room.  http://www.thebroad.org/art/inaugural-installation

The room envelopes you, allowing your imagination to expand exponentially.  In the first picture below you can see me on the right side of the picture.

One disquieting note.  Heading toward the guard station and lockers is a low railing about 8 inches high.  Coming from the guard station (looking for the restroom), with the sun in my eyes I tripped.  Be careful.  The railing is low and with all the visual stimulation you might face the same plight.

Untrustable

Speaker Boehner is not even gone, but the few remaining sane Republicans must already miss him.  Kevin McCarthy, if he has not spoken himself out of the Speakership, will be the least experienced Speaker in 125 years.

He also may be the worst speaker ever.  Grammar, syntax and coherence be damned, Clinton is "untrustable."  Kennedy's "Best and the brightest,' have given way to the petty and partisan.  Gone is the veneer of doing the nation's business.  The Benghazi investigation has gone on longer, and cost more, than the investigation of Pearl Harbor, 9/11, Watergate, or the Kennedy assassination.

Some may wonder why the tragic death of 4 diplomats is more important and complex, than the loss of most of our navy, criminal acts by a president and his advisors, the loss of 3000 American lives on our soil, or the death of a president.  The reason is now clear.  McCarthy and his ilk proudly place partisanship above duty to country.