I'm late in posting this, but here is John McCain's Acceptance Speech at the Republican Convention. The actual speech begins about 3:46 in to the video (after all the cheering). It was a good speech, though inaccurate in parts, and particularly personal. I believe his campaign wants the narrative to stay focused on personality (POW, maverick, reformer...at least in the past) and avoid really taking on the issues as much as possible. There's not much in the speech about how exactly he will make America better. He's just basically asking us to trust him.
Monday, September 8, 2008
McCain and Palin Campaigning
Okay, there are less than 60 days until the election. You would think that each presidential and vice-presidential candidate would use every opportunity to explain their positions. If a potential voter approached and asked a substantive question, don't you imagine they would get at least some semblance of a substantive answer?
Well, check this out for one voter's experience the other day in Albuquerque, NM when he spoke with each candidate on the Republican ticket. (Yes, he turned out to be an Obama supporter, but even had he not been, I imagine this experience would have made up his mind for him.)
I cannot imagine either Obama or Biden responding (or not responding) in this fashion this late in the game. Now I truly do believe McCain's GOP handlers have convinced him his only way to succeed is to avoid the issues and keep it all focused on personality.
Well, check this out for one voter's experience the other day in Albuquerque, NM when he spoke with each candidate on the Republican ticket. (Yes, he turned out to be an Obama supporter, but even had he not been, I imagine this experience would have made up his mind for him.)
I cannot imagine either Obama or Biden responding (or not responding) in this fashion this late in the game. Now I truly do believe McCain's GOP handlers have convinced him his only way to succeed is to avoid the issues and keep it all focused on personality.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
One Alaskan's View of Palin
Granted, there will be a variety of opinions expressed among Alaskans as to their governor's name being placed on the Republican ticket, but I thought this one was fairly well-informed, being that she hails from Governor Palin's hometown and attended so many of the City Council meetings there:
> From Brad Smith to Anne Kilkenny:
> Dear Anne,
> Since you live in Wasilla where Sarah Palin was mayor please tell me about
> her as a person and public official. Did you know her personally? What
> observations can you share about Sarah Palin as she moved forward in Alaska
> politics?
> Regards, Brad
> --------------------------------------
>
> From Anne to Brad:
>
> I have known Sarah since 1992. Wasilla is a small town. Everyone here
> knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis.
> My son is a friend of her daughter Bristol. I also am on a first name basis
> with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings
> during her administration than about 99% of the residents of the city.
>
> She has matured a lot since her early days on the City Council. Thank God.
>
> She is enormously popular, having enjoyed approval ratings above 70%, and
> as high as 80%, as Governor. In every way she's like the most popular girl
> in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won't vote
> for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because she is a "babe".
>
> She's smart and savvy, but her only real experience is as mayor of a city
> with a population of about 4,500 (at the time), and 1.5 yrs as governor of a
> state with under 700,000 residents.
>
> It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept
> her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for eight
> months.
>
> She is "pro-life" and she walks that talk. She recently gave birth to a
> Down's syndrome baby.
>
> She has terrific parents who have been there for her and lots of help
> raising her kids and managing her family. She has good kids. Like all
> politicians, she is a largely absent parent, and spends more time with her
> kids in public when there are cameras rolling than in private. Her family
> was slow to grasp the reality of political life and used to complain about
> her parenting.
>
> She is photogenic in spades. She is a good smiler. She is a former TV
> reporter and is comfortable behind the camera. She is a former beauty
> queen.
>
> She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.
>
> She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out there"
> and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.
>
> She has taken on the Republican Party power-brokers in Alaska.
>
> Her husband works "2 on, 2 off" on the North Slope for BP and is a champion
> snowmobile racer. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon
> in Bristol Bay for a month in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination
> is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been
> anything like that of native Alaskans.
>
> Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters; her pro-NRA positions are not
> just political posturing.
>
> During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this
> small city was turned over to an administrator who she had been pushed to
> hire by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into some trouble
> over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall attempt.
>
> Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a "fiscal conservative". During her 6 years
> as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During
> those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by
> 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced
> progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed
> even food. The tax cuts that she brags about benefited large corporate
> property owners way more than they benefited residents.
>
> The huge increases in tax revenues during her administration weren't enough
> to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too.
> She inherited a city with ZERO debt, but left it with indebtedness of over
> $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for?
> Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? No. $1m for a park.
> $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed
> through to build on a piece of property that the City didn't even have clear
> title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the
> lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the
> community but a huge money pit, not the profit- generator she claimed it
> would be. $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs
> without any borrowing. Meanwhile, the City still lacks a sewage treatment
> plant and other basic infrastructure.
>
> While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office re-decorated
> more than once.
>
> These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a small city (population at that
> time of about 4,500). Public indebtedness under her mayoral administration
> increased over $4000 per capita.
>
> As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in
> Alaska. Rather than invest it in technology that will make us energy
> independent and increase efficiency, she proposed distribution of this
> surplus to every individual in the state.
>
> SPEND AND BORROW. In this time of record state revenues and budget
> surpluses, she recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects,
> even while she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend
> today's surplus, borrow for needs.
>
> She's not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or
> compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren't generated by her or her
> staff. While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly
> respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing
> from the library some books that Sarah didn't like. City residents rallied
> to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at
> out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination
> letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her
> enemies list to this day.
>
> Sarah complained about the "old boy's club", so what did she bring Wasilla?
> A new set of "old boys", including Wasilla's worst-ever Public Works
> Director, the totally unqualified wife of a powerful person in state
> politics. She fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the
> City and as Governor she hired/elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,
> creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally
> grateful, so fiercely loyal-- loyal to the point of abusing their power to
> further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of
> pressuring the State's top cop (see below).
>
> Sarah fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he "intimidated" her, she told
> the press. Her recent firing of Alaska's top cop has the ring of familiarity
> about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire
> him, but it's pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire
> him was because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband, a State Trooper.
> Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than
> 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that
> she later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to
> replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for
> sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew the
> nomination.
>
> She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help.
> The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing
> her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her
> first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal
> City Administrator; even people who didn't like the guy were stunned by this
> ruthlessness.
>
> Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything
> publicly about her. People fear her.
>
> When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah demanded
> the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of
> the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background
> in Oil & Gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid
> $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was
> told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work.
> A member of the Commission and the State Chair of the Republican Party was
> ethically challenged, by dramatically quitting and accusing him of ethics
> violations (for which he was fined) she solved all her problems in one fell
> swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as
> the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the status quo.
>
> She is solidly Republican. Her battles with the Republican party were not
> over philosophy. They were over ethics and power. She is no political
> maverick in terms of philosophy.
>
> Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They
> don't call her "Saint Sarah"; they call her "Sarah Barracuda" because of her
> unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. When Sarah's mother-in-law
> ran for Mayor, Sarah endorsed the person who was running AGAINST her
> mother-in-law who was a highly respected member of the community and
> experienced manager.
>
> McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President. It scares the heck
> out of me to think that someone as inexperienced as Sarah Palin could become
> President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more
> knowledgeable and experienced than she.
>
> However, there's a lot of people who have under-estimated her and are
> regretting it.
> From Brad Smith to Anne Kilkenny:
> Dear Anne,
> Since you live in Wasilla where Sarah Palin was mayor please tell me about
> her as a person and public official. Did you know her personally? What
> observations can you share about Sarah Palin as she moved forward in Alaska
> politics?
> Regards, Brad
> --------------------------------------
>
> From Anne to Brad:
>
> I have known Sarah since 1992. Wasilla is a small town. Everyone here
> knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name basis.
> My son is a friend of her daughter Bristol. I also am on a first name basis
> with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings
> during her administration than about 99% of the residents of the city.
>
> She has matured a lot since her early days on the City Council. Thank God.
>
> She is enormously popular, having enjoyed approval ratings above 70%, and
> as high as 80%, as Governor. In every way she's like the most popular girl
> in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won't vote
> for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because she is a "babe".
>
> She's smart and savvy, but her only real experience is as mayor of a city
> with a population of about 4,500 (at the time), and 1.5 yrs as governor of a
> state with under 700,000 residents.
>
> It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept
> her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for eight
> months.
>
> She is "pro-life" and she walks that talk. She recently gave birth to a
> Down's syndrome baby.
>
> She has terrific parents who have been there for her and lots of help
> raising her kids and managing her family. She has good kids. Like all
> politicians, she is a largely absent parent, and spends more time with her
> kids in public when there are cameras rolling than in private. Her family
> was slow to grasp the reality of political life and used to complain about
> her parenting.
>
> She is photogenic in spades. She is a good smiler. She is a former TV
> reporter and is comfortable behind the camera. She is a former beauty
> queen.
>
> She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.
>
> She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out there"
> and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.
>
> She has taken on the Republican Party power-brokers in Alaska.
>
> Her husband works "2 on, 2 off" on the North Slope for BP and is a champion
> snowmobile racer. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for salmon
> in Bristol Bay for a month in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination
> is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been
> anything like that of native Alaskans.
>
> Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters; her pro-NRA positions are not
> just political posturing.
>
> During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this
> small city was turned over to an administrator who she had been pushed to
> hire by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into some trouble
> over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall attempt.
>
> Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a "fiscal conservative". During her 6 years
> as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During
> those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by
> 38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996-2002). She reduced
> progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax which taxed
> even food. The tax cuts that she brags about benefited large corporate
> property owners way more than they benefited residents.
>
> The huge increases in tax revenues during her administration weren't enough
> to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed money was needed, too.
> She inherited a city with ZERO debt, but left it with indebtedness of over
> $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters to borrow money for?
> Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? No. $1m for a park.
> $15m-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex which she rushed
> through to build on a piece of property that the City didn't even have clear
> title to, that was still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the
> lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the
> community but a huge money pit, not the profit- generator she claimed it
> would be. $5.5m for road projects that could have been done in 5-7 yrs
> without any borrowing. Meanwhile, the City still lacks a sewage treatment
> plant and other basic infrastructure.
>
> While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office re-decorated
> more than once.
>
> These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a small city (population at that
> time of about 4,500). Public indebtedness under her mayoral administration
> increased over $4000 per capita.
>
> As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in
> Alaska. Rather than invest it in technology that will make us energy
> independent and increase efficiency, she proposed distribution of this
> surplus to every individual in the state.
>
> SPEND AND BORROW. In this time of record state revenues and budget
> surpluses, she recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects,
> even while she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend
> today's surplus, borrow for needs.
>
> She's not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or
> compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren't generated by her or her
> staff. While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly
> respected City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing
> from the library some books that Sarah didn't like. City residents rallied
> to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at
> out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew her termination
> letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the Librarian are on her
> enemies list to this day.
>
> Sarah complained about the "old boy's club", so what did she bring Wasilla?
> A new set of "old boys", including Wasilla's worst-ever Public Works
> Director, the totally unqualified wife of a powerful person in state
> politics. She fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the
> City and as Governor she hired/elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,
> creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally
> grateful, so fiercely loyal-- loyal to the point of abusing their power to
> further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the case of
> pressuring the State's top cop (see below).
>
> Sarah fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he "intimidated" her, she told
> the press. Her recent firing of Alaska's top cop has the ring of familiarity
> about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every legal right to fire
> him, but it's pretty clear that an important factor in her decision to fire
> him was because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband, a State Trooper.
> Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than
> 2 dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that
> she later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to
> replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded for
> sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew the
> nomination.
>
> She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help.
> The City Council person who personally escorted her around town introducing
> her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her
> first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal
> City Administrator; even people who didn't like the guy were stunned by this
> ruthlessness.
>
> Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything
> publicly about her. People fear her.
>
> When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah demanded
> the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of
> the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background
> in Oil & Gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid
> $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was
> told that she hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work.
> A member of the Commission and the State Chair of the Republican Party was
> ethically challenged, by dramatically quitting and accusing him of ethics
> violations (for which he was fined) she solved all her problems in one fell
> swoop: got out of the job she hated and garnered gobs of media attention as
> the patron saint of ethics and as a gutsy fighter against the status quo.
>
> She is solidly Republican. Her battles with the Republican party were not
> over philosophy. They were over ethics and power. She is no political
> maverick in terms of philosophy.
>
> Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They
> don't call her "Saint Sarah"; they call her "Sarah Barracuda" because of her
> unbridled ambition and predatory ruthlessness. When Sarah's mother-in-law
> ran for Mayor, Sarah endorsed the person who was running AGAINST her
> mother-in-law who was a highly respected member of the community and
> experienced manager.
>
> McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President. It scares the heck
> out of me to think that someone as inexperienced as Sarah Palin could become
> President. There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more
> knowledgeable and experienced than she.
>
> However, there's a lot of people who have under-estimated her and are
> regretting it.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
What About McCain's Pick?
I listened to Governor Palin as she accepted her new role and I couldn't help but be impressed, to tell the truth. Actually, other than her rabid anti-abortion views (abortion is unacceptable even in the case of rape or incest), gun positions, and beauty pageant background, she kind of reminded me of myself, only a bit more folksy. She was a basketball player and athlete in high school and majored in Journalism in college and she's not afraid of speaking her mind, even in front of a crowd.
But once the glow faded a bit, and I reconsidered, I have to say that while I'm sure she will do her best and may surpass expectations, there is no way she's prepared to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Even her own Alaska newspapers recognize and acknowledge this fact. So why did McCain pick her, and what does this selection say about him and this race? Politico has an incisive take on the possible reasons, and they say a lot more about John McCain than Sarah Palin. Read here.
For a presidential candidate who claims he puts the country first to go ahead and take such a chance with our country's future (should he be elected) is truly disingenuous.
But once the glow faded a bit, and I reconsidered, I have to say that while I'm sure she will do her best and may surpass expectations, there is no way she's prepared to be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Even her own Alaska newspapers recognize and acknowledge this fact. So why did McCain pick her, and what does this selection say about him and this race? Politico has an incisive take on the possible reasons, and they say a lot more about John McCain than Sarah Palin. Read here.
For a presidential candidate who claims he puts the country first to go ahead and take such a chance with our country's future (should he be elected) is truly disingenuous.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Obama's Acceptance Speech and McCain's VP Pick
Finally, Barack Obama showed the fire in his belly last night as he addressed 75,000 gathered to hear his acceptance speech. He was strong, presidential, forceful, personal, and visionary. I hope to add the video here shortly. What a presidential race this is turning out to be! The Obama/Biden ticket looks solid and prepared for the last legs of this race. Here's what he said last night:
And now, it looks like John McCain has chosen to put a woman on his ticket, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to counterbalance the historicity of a first African American president with the first female American vice president...also to balance out his Washington insiderness with a complete outsider. We don't know much about her yet, beyond her conservative creds, but this report from MSNBC's First Report leads us to wonder just how well she was vetted:
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Earlier this month, Gov. Palin praised parts of Obama's energy plan. The link to the press release was not working as of 12:30 p.m. ET. But Google saves everything.
Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan
Includes Alaska's Natural Gas Reserves Print Now Printer Friendly
No. 08-135
August 4, 2008, Fairbanks, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
"I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs," Governor Palin said. "The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs."
In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, "Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process."
Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator's proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.
"We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home," Governor Palin said. "This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board."
The Governor did question the means to pay for Obama's proposed rebate - a windfall profits tax on oil companies. In Alaska, the state's resource valuation system, ACES, provides strong incentives for companies to re-invest their profits in new production.
"Windfall profits taxes alone prevent additional investment in domestic production. Without new supplies from American reserves, our dependency and addiction to foreign sources of oil will continue," Governor Palin said.
And now, it looks like John McCain has chosen to put a woman on his ticket, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to counterbalance the historicity of a first African American president with the first female American vice president...also to balance out his Washington insiderness with a complete outsider. We don't know much about her yet, beyond her conservative creds, but this report from MSNBC's First Report leads us to wonder just how well she was vetted:
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Earlier this month, Gov. Palin praised parts of Obama's energy plan. The link to the press release was not working as of 12:30 p.m. ET. But Google saves everything.
Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan
Includes Alaska's Natural Gas Reserves Print Now Printer Friendly
No. 08-135
August 4, 2008, Fairbanks, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
"I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs," Governor Palin said. "The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs."
In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, "Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process."
Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator's proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.
"We in Alaska feel that crunch and are taking steps to address it right here at home," Governor Palin said. "This is a tool that must be on the table to buy us time until our long-term energy plans can be put into place. We have already enjoyed the support of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and it is gratifying to see Senator Obama get on board."
The Governor did question the means to pay for Obama's proposed rebate - a windfall profits tax on oil companies. In Alaska, the state's resource valuation system, ACES, provides strong incentives for companies to re-invest their profits in new production.
"Windfall profits taxes alone prevent additional investment in domestic production. Without new supplies from American reserves, our dependency and addiction to foreign sources of oil will continue," Governor Palin said.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Is Any Politician Honest?
How I feel for Elizabeth Edwards at this moment. He comes clean, she forgives him, and then further revelations begin to dribble forth, showing he hadn't entirely been truthful in his so-called confession. As a former Edwards supporter, I feel betrayed and used and am thoroughly disgusted, disappointed, and demoralized about politics right now. I didn't idolize the guy, but I thought his love and devotion to his family was unquestionable. This awful revelation about his affair only leads me to question the family devotion of Obama. (Ever since I learned of McCain's mistreatment of his first wife and his affair with Cindy, I've known better than to trust his word.) But what about Obama? Is it all a show? Is his love and devotion to his family true? Has he ever been unfaithful to his marriage vows?
These questions are important because, above all, I think Americans want honesty in their president. They want to vote for a candidate they can believe in. If you can't be honest with those closest to you, how can you be honest and forthright with the American people? One thing is sure. It will be a long time before I ever contribute financially to a campaign again.
Needless to say, I'm removing all signs of my prior support of Edwards on this site. It's too bad in a way, because I think he had the right take on matters of policy. He just let his self-interest take over.
These questions are important because, above all, I think Americans want honesty in their president. They want to vote for a candidate they can believe in. If you can't be honest with those closest to you, how can you be honest and forthright with the American people? One thing is sure. It will be a long time before I ever contribute financially to a campaign again.
Needless to say, I'm removing all signs of my prior support of Edwards on this site. It's too bad in a way, because I think he had the right take on matters of policy. He just let his self-interest take over.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Real Difference
I haven't posted in months. I guess I needed a breather after Obama became the presumptive Democratic nominee...and, besides, I'm gearing up for the publication of my first novel (see www.tanyaparkermills.com if you're curious). But, seriously, I've grown sick and tired of the tit for tat going on between the McCain and Obama campaigns. This video clip of Obama in a recent town hall meeting in Ohio really says it all:
I'm sure I speak for Americans across the country--Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, etc.--when I say that it's high time for some civil debate and discourse. I'm ashamed that Obama hasn't agreed to at least a few joint town hall meetings with McCain. And I'm ashamed that McCain has resorted to his old "McNasty" self. We want to see both of these candidates acting presidential and that means showing they can not only control themselves, but also their staffs.
There's a funny video making the rounds right now, touting Paris Hilton for President. The funny thing is, she almost puts both McCain and Obama to shame. Now that says something about the current political climate.
I'm sure I speak for Americans across the country--Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, etc.--when I say that it's high time for some civil debate and discourse. I'm ashamed that Obama hasn't agreed to at least a few joint town hall meetings with McCain. And I'm ashamed that McCain has resorted to his old "McNasty" self. We want to see both of these candidates acting presidential and that means showing they can not only control themselves, but also their staffs.
There's a funny video making the rounds right now, touting Paris Hilton for President. The funny thing is, she almost puts both McCain and Obama to shame. Now that says something about the current political climate.
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