Mike Pilewski writes about life, politics and culture in the United States
Cara Carleton Sneed Fiorina has lived the American dream. She started as a secretary, rose through the ranks, and became the head of one of the world’s largest technology companies. As CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Fiorina engineered that company’s $19 billion merger with Compaq in 2002. A turbulent relationship with the board of directors, however, led to her dismissal only three … >>
Of all the candidates’ stories, Ben Carson’s may be the most inspiring. He overcame the poverty of a Detroit slum to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Baltimore. In 1987, Carson led a 70-member surgical team in separating Siamese twins who were joined at the back of the head. A speech at a … >>
Remember the “tea party” — the faction of Republicans devoted to fighting the establishment? Rafael Edward Cruz is what’s left of it. Whenever controversy is brewing, the one-term senator from Texas is never far from the TV cameras. In fighting for his principles, Cruz often tests the limits of his own party, as when he turned his protest over health-care … >>
If the billionaire class treats American politicians like marionettes, why not just elect a billionaire directly? That’s the unconventional message behind Donald Trump’s campaign for president. The real-estate developer from New York City, who is worth an estimated $4 billion, openly talks about how the politicians to whom he’d donated money were “there for me” when he wanted a favor. … >>
In presidential elections, Republicans face an uphill battle. Changing demographics mean that, over time, fewer Americans are identifying with the party. To win the White House, the Republicans need a candidate who appears centrist enough to pull in independents and conservative Democrats. At conservative events in non-election years, party insiders study and groom potential candidates. Their choice this time is … >>
Wherever Bernie Sanders goes, thousands of people want to hear him speak. Why? Because they are tired of pretense. How can it be that the US has grown richer as a country, but almost all of this new wealth has gone to the super-rich? Sanders blames a “rigged economy” and a system of legalized bribery in which political contributions result … >>
Hillary Clinton is married to America’s most popular living president, who from 1993 to 2001 oversaw an era of peace and prosperity. As first lady, Clinton proposed a sweeping reform of the US health-care system and spoke prominently to world leaders about improving the rights and status of women and children. Bill Clinton was famous for “triangulation” — determining the … >>
The next US presidential election isn’t until November 2016, but the campaigning is well under way. Because neither the sitting president nor the vice-president nor the previous opponent is a candidate, new ideas and new faces have a shot at success. The last time this happened was in 2008, and it enabled a little-known senator named Barack Obama to rise … >>