2008 Elections

The New Presidency Begins

2009-01-21T13:54:54-05:00

With yesterday’s inauguration, the new presidency begins, and the 2008 Presidential Election is now REALLY a thing of the past. Its now time to archive this blog, and get ready for the next election. See you then, and thanks for all your interest and contributions!

For future visitors, we’re working on a new blog called “Cyber Pulpit”, looking at how new technology is changing the face of politics.

Archiving this Blog

2008-12-08T09:35:04-05:00

Since the 2008 Presidential Elections are now over (even though the debate about Obama’s birth certificate continues!), this blog will soon be archived. That doesn’t mean it will not be available, it will definitely still be available. What will happen instead is that all commenting capabilities will be disabled, and the site will be rendered statically rather than dynamically, as it is now. This change won’t happen immediately, but on or around the date of the inauguration.

This change will reduce the load on our web servers, and improve the performance of the website. We hope that you have enjoyed this website, and that it will serve as a valuable reference in the future.

For ongoing coverage and discussions about blogging and politics, check out “Cyber Pulpit”!

Barack Obama = President

2008-11-04T22:57:46-05:00

Congratulations to the Obama - Biden campaign on winning the 2008 Presidential Election!!!

Comment:

How’d you get started on abortion…..anyway, what I wanna know is where the hell this clown was born…..I’ve heard a hundred different things, is he an American or not??? Oh, and I also have heard he had to be “talked out of” being sworn in on the koran, instead of the Bible……hmmmmm

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

This is an old post but the ideas still remain current. Shawn Garris and Brotha, and to all Blacks, Whites, and whoever it is: Right nwo, at this moment, you are only black or white because we can see. If we were blind, you’d be neither. Your guts would all feel the same to a blind surgeon, if there were such a thing. That being said, yes there is history. Hitler, slavery, etc. It was long ago, and most of our directly affected generations have died. We should not forget so we don’t repeat, and so we always can honor the suffering of those affected. It was awful. It is done. We should not be insensitive to those who hold such memories dear either, such as the Blacks who still feel the sorrow. We should ALL feel the sorrow as human beings, though we take no blame. We should be blameless in the subject of sensitivity as well. In, though the aforementioned history affects us directly no longer, we are all the same creature who differ only to those with sight to differentiate dark and light tones, we should all be sorrowful for past atrocities equally, and we should all take the opportunities given to each of us in this day and age to do better with ourselves. Barrack is “half black half white.” Stop with the “yea yea my brotha’s in da house whaddup!!”, and stop with the “he’s a terrorist” stuff. First of all, he’ s done nothing special in his life that is well known, so you have no reason to call him a savior. Likewise, he’s done nothing terroristic to this point that is proven. So give him a fair, level unbiased field to play in and we’ll see. However I must say, with his support of abortion, his legacy of evil may in the future exceed that of Hitler, but again….we’ll see. Yeah I know, some say abortion is wrong, some say right. But no one can say it is not termination of a living organism–no argument there. The organism happens to be human, not cow or pig or tree…again no argument. It has “life” meaning it is living, growing, cells developing, etc no argument. So it depends how you feel about “termination” of a “human” that is “alive”. No argument again unless you curse and deny all of science. NOw the sould searching begins…agnostic or aethiest? Though that description is a paradox in itself I’ll digress to “Ok whatever you say, let me change the question to” Is it right to take the life of a human being, and if so under what circumstances, why are those circumstances allowable, and by what authority, moral kingship, or if you prefer then by what synthesis do you arrive at that decision?

from TruBluAmerican

Comment:

I host this website.

from Albert

Comment:

Who are you Albert?

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

Hi Shawn and “brotha”. First off, thanks for commenting. Its plain to see that you both feel strongly about your opinions, but please try to keep your posts a little more respectful of each other. If you really do believe in what you say, have some pride in your beliefs. Try to offer them as a benefit to others, not as a method to degrade others with opposing views - that is a sure fire way to make sure that your views are not even taken into consideration. I’m not asking that everything we type here should be “politically correct”, not at all. That isn’t real. I’m only saying that in my experience, offending others is the hardest way to make a point. Your mileage may vary.

from Albert

Comment:

Whoaaa “brotha”, the first issue that’s in my head is the “affirmative action” SHIT. You’re tellin me that you agree that a “black” dude should get a job….. just because he is an “african american” rather than someone…..black or White that is more qualified for the job??? Thats B.S. Do you want a “random black dude” responsible for saving your childrens life just because he wandered into the fire station with a job application, or do you want a qualified, trained person (white or black) to save your kids from possible death??? Thats my point!! Furthermore, You know nothing of my education…. every “minority” cries the same boo-hoos, waaa, my people….waaa, my history, waaa, it’s not fair…did you not read one word of my previous post?, Damn, let’s just say I’ve been in 100 physical altercations in my life…..at least 40 have been with a “black dudes” and do you know , although, it has never been “racist” in my eyes….. every one of them cried…..”booo-hooo, he called me a nigger” thats the “african American EXCUSE. Now , as far as defending my stand on “obama”….. it seems that YOU better check your shit, cause every thing I said is true, and is not some “classified” secret. Google is a BAD MoFo…. so if Anybody thinks that i’m just rambling, or I am just racist, check this shit out for yourself. And you talk about fox news doing some “story on it” Check the damn news yourself…. are you DEAF? Have you not already heard of the “votes” obama got from people that have been dead for several years?? It appears to me that you are sooooo caught up in this “black pride” crap, that you have lost touch with reality. I can only hope that when there is an EMERGENCY, my kids are being taken care of by a QUALIFIED person…. not just some cry baby black that thinks just because he/she’s black…. they deserve a shot….. anyone with any sense will agree(black or White).

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

Affirmative action also helps members of your race get into historically black colleges which I know quite a few that attend morehouse and Spellman college in Atlanta and other prestigious black colleges across this country. So you could also benefit from it. Sounds like you would fit in just fine haha. Get you somadat good ole edjamacation. And why tha fuck are you implying that I need protection from a comp screen. I grew up as a delinquent in the 90s in Little Rock, Ar which had one of the highest death rates during that time to people of my color and age when bangin was the shit and I survived. You pose no threat on a screen or in the street. So lets not even entertain those thoughts of yours. Ive matured a little since that period in my life. Killing two birds with one stone im evidence of getting your shit together. You shouldâ€™ve done the same and maybe you couldâ€™ve voted and stopped your worst nightmare a Black man in office. That is why most of these people on this site are so angry, but they swear they are not racist another example of that cowardly racism that I despise.

from “brotha”

Comment:

My bad shawn garris. It doesnâ€™t really concern me where youre from. However it is interesting to know that you cant vote why is that? Is it because you were incarcerated yourself? Yes considering the circumstances and the options that I had he was absolutely the best choice for me. My choice like the most of my peers not all was an educated one. Unlike youre accusations of barrack obama being a terrorist. That is ridiculous. Quite frankly im getting bored hearing it. I think that if he was a terrorist or had any ties with any that the most biased news network on this earth (comparable to aljezera ) fox news would have some kind of story about that. Im challenging you to give me factual references that prove that obama is a terrorist. I also doubt that he won solely on African American votes. So did white voters vote for him because he was black? What about the Hispanic population (bc most of them hate us more than whites). To answer your question about who put him through college. His White grandmother in all her wealth put him through college. Now about your fucked up ancestors. Do you tell jews to get over the holocaust? Do you tell the native Americans to get over there genocide? How about you get over the fact that in the history of the modern world the most terroristic race know to mankind has been the white race period. You can pretty much go to any continent in the world and there is history of the natives oppression by your ancestors. We are right now in a region of the world that has had their own form of government since biblical times and we want them to conform to the western way of government. Is that not terrorism to them? I suggest you become educated on your history. As for affirmative action it was put into place to give minorities a chance to Compete at the same level as the majority. That does not go just for blacks but for all minor races in America. And how long does it take for your race to get it together because if im not mistaken white women are on record for using the most welfare (tax payers dollars) in the history of this country. It is obvious that you are racist, ignorant, and just plain dumb. Because you have no clue of what you speak so passionately about. Get over IT get over your racism its played out. One more thing its not wise to post your full name on the internet on an unsecure site identity theft is a bitch. I want those references and I also want you to tell me why mccain wouldâ€™ve been a better choice. And even if you had the chance I bet you wouldnâ€™t have voted for Obama be cause he is BLACK.

from “brotha”

Comment:

Uh Ohh……I forgot to mention my “fucked up ancestors” …Get the fuck over it….Good Lord man….people being hired just because they’re black, african american college fund, and all that other “oppression” crap. Give me a break. Over 75% of blacks are in some form of “corrections program”, whether it be prison, house arrest, parole, or probation…..the numbers speak for themselves! C’mon, Lincoln freed the slaves hundreds of years ago…..how long does it take to get your shit together?

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

John Garris??? almost…it’s SHAWN GARRIS, and just for the record, this is my REAL NAME,,,,, Out of Columbus, Indiana. I’m not ashamed or Scared to reveal my true identity. Anyway….Fuck Dubya, oops….My bad, I shouldn’t even give him the respect of capitalizing his name….. “dubya” and Furthermore…..fuck McCain, To be honest, the state of Indiana will not let me vote… that being said, are you gonna sit there, behind the “protection” of your computer screen, and tell me you thought Obama was the best choice for President of the United States of America? Give me a break!! You only voted for him cause he is …… hmmmmmm, BLACK, or at least cream colored. Is that all it takes??? I’m not sure of the numbers, but how many “Blacks”. ooops… there I go again “blacks”… do you think died in the World Trade Center on 9/11….damn, This SOB (our President elect) is directly related to the number two Americas most wanted…who do you think put his ass through college. This is not “rumor”, this is not “confidential” this is right there for everyone to see. Open your eyes “brotha”…… it’s kinda funny really………..I guess you’ll see in the long run. Good Luck

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

what happened to my post

from “Brotha”

Comment:

Message to shawn garris: I bet your white ass has voted for George Dubya for past two elections! What has he done for you? I can tell you what he’s done for me he has taken two of my bestfriends to fight a war in Iraq over false allegations of weapons of masdistruction while he profits from his stocks in different weopons manufacturing companies. I am black and had white candidate run for president offering tax cuts for me bc I sure as he’ll don’t make 180k a year and offered a better health plan than 5000 to pay for a policy that on average cost up to 12k I would have voted for him/her. And if u think racism is dead you don’t have to look any further than Jeanna 6 and this damn blog site to come up with a proper assumption of the reality of racism. And for a brotha being the most racist. At least a brotha admits it and doesn’t cower behind black jokes and other cowardly forms of rascims that I hear from caucasions everyday. And who is more rascist than your fucked up anscestors who killed thousands more than the hollocaust and opressed us for decades after that. So shove a black d$&@ in ur mouth and shove your own ignorance up ur a$&. John Garris. Obama 08

from “Brotha”

Comment:

Message to black and proud: I bet your black ass never even voted before this year, huh? That Tuesday that ballots opened you would have thought Reparations were being handed out along with free get out of jail free cards, WTF…. some of you “black folk” think because Obama was elected you got it made in the shade, Am I missing something? Has obama traveled America secretly whispering to the blacks “hey, vote for me and together we’ll conquer whitey”? And you mentioned racist and segregated days….. thats funny, what are you 15 yrs old? Segregation? What the hell ever, I’ve seen lots of blacks towards the front of the bus, and as far as racism goes, I’ve never seen anyone more racist than a “brotha”

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

first of all to anyone who has anything negative to say about Obama being elected, get a life, your probably just another hater, if you think you can run the country better than him why dont you run??? thats what i thought. its about time change came forth. those racist and segregated days are over amd we are all the same. if you want to just run your mouth i suggest you just shut up because Obama is the one who is going to change this world for the better and try to fix all the crap the the past presidents made. its time for something to be done and if you aint the one doing it and your not the one making a change then stop hatin on the man who is. HES PRESIDENT NOW SO GEEEEEETTTTTT OOOOVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRR IIIITTTTT. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

from B1ack & Pr0ud

Comment:

One more to the biased, censoring, Moderator: Will that complete your order today? Or is there anything else I can do to offend a liberal?

from TruBluAmerican

Comment:

As with Shawn Garris: WHERE IS MY POST? I wrote a well though out response. And it opened by thanking you for DEMONSTRATING FREEDOM IN ACTION fo rallowing us to post our opinions. Gee, GUESS IT SHOULD BE NOTED HERE THAT I TAKE THAT COMPLIMENT BACK SINCE YOU CAN’T HANDLE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, HUH? TO ALL OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: POST AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU MIGHT JUST WASTE YOUR TIME HERE!

from TruBluAmerican

Comment:

I like how alot of the comments say “this is a sad day for our country,” and welcome to higher taxes, and we’ve elected a terrorist as president, like our economy is just booming right now! All of you MUST have been in a coma for the past eight years! I can’t imagine anyone doing worse than Bush! Half of you just don’t want a black man in office. And just to clear things up Obama was born in Hawaii. His FATHER was from Kenya and his mother was from Kansas. Obama grew up with MATERNAL grandparents, (which means they were white), and graduated in Hawaii. Learn your facts before you call him a terrorist! It just makes you look ignorant

from Obama 08

Comment:

DO you remember your history? Then think back to Hitler!! He was a great orator and promised that he would and could fix the economy of Germany, he was charmer and the people were hungry for a savior to change their bleak world. So they got voted for Hitler without reading his book. They ignored that he had been in prison. They blindly followed and anyone who challenged him was swiftly removed, either to a death camp or shot on sight. Many who said they were Christians stood by and thought well it does not affect me, so they just stood by and pretended everything was fine. Well Obama is very much like Hitler. The people of the US were searching for a “Savior” ( I am sorry to inform you but Jesus was here already and died he is our Savior) and Obama was waiting to catch you off guard and he did. This is the begining of the end for America. He will put people in places of power and he will make the laws and we will be as a nation caught just like the jews and the germans. Christians stand tall and pray hard for our country. Don’t look the other way! God can still prevail, and our counrty can still be great. If we pray and watch and fight for our right to live our Christian faith. Obama will want to make same sex marriages legal and partial birth abortions then it will be euthanasia for the old and the mental unstable and anyone else that is too sick..or slow in the mind. Obama the next Hitler.

from candy

Comment:

Let me ask a question? Is it my understanding that Obama is half black and half white? If so why is it that everyone is saying that we elected the first african american president? Is he not just as much white as he is black? Why does it have to be about race. I mean if I was elected president as a woman and I am half Irish and half Indian, would I be the first Irish-Indian woman president or would I just be the newly elected Indian president exactly how would it go???

from Jennifer

Comment:

Thank you Thank you Thank you to Swiss American I am glad to see someone has some sense also!!

from Jennifer

Comment:

To the site moderator : FUCK YOU I’ve posted twice and have yet to see my posts show up, whats wrong….. didn’t like what I had to say about the clown that the majority of this ” now fucked up, joke of a country” voted for?

from Shawn Garris

Comment:

Give people a chance you never know what life will bring. We have had years of poor decisions. Maybe he can help America out of the many situations were in. Think back and realize, it can only get better. Be respectful and thankful to be AMERICAN regardless of color or religion. That is what this country was founded on. FREEDOM!

from db

Comment:

LAURA. just saying not all women who become pregnant and actually keep the baby become strippers or drug addicts. i know a handful of friends who gave birth to beautiful babies and stayed in school and are still in school actually.

from NL

Comment:

What just happened? During the campaign, Obama gave the impression that he could simply wave his MAGIC WAND OF CHANGE, and poof, all the problems of the evil Bush era would go away. But during his acceptance speech, we now learn he has no magic wand and CHANGE will take time - years and possibly require A SECOND TERM. Wow, 30 minutes as president elect, and he’s already campaigning for his second term! Well, afterall, that’s the only thing that Obama knows how to do - only how to run for offices.

from Swiss American

Comment:

First of all, thanks to the editors of this blog for allowing my comments to be posted. You have demonstrated freedom in action. In order: Every single blogger here obviously cares, and is intelligent, though some are ill informed. Happy Again says: “TruBluAmerican you are NOT.” Well, you’re welcome for me upholding your right to freely say what you feel by my service to you and the defense of this country, and for humanity worldwide. And you need not do so, that is your choice, and this is mine. So say what you like sir/ma’am, the honor and privilege is all mine. Laura, if you truly are an 11th grader, you have the power of mind to make a difference in this world just by the way you write…if you are in fact just 17. That’s big power, use it wisely. And by the way, my scenario was a partial birth abortion, of a healthy willing woman who was pregnant by choice, and yes is it normally a choice. But to be raped or incest, I still believe that baby could be adopted to a good home, but if the woman chooses otherwise, I have no room to judge that and I would not. But for all others, maybe your mandatory and available alternative to abortion is to keep your pants on, like you said…way to go girl. By the way, you don’t know it yet, but you just might actually be a republican…not a democrat. Do you know the difference? TRUE republicans stand on the more traditional and conservative side, and generally speaking place high value on Biblically aligned morals and capitalism to a greater extent. Democrats stand more on the liberal side, meaning the MOST LIBERAL ones mostly pass Biblically aligned morals as “judgment” upon them, adopt a “do whatever makes you happy” attitude, and believe in capitalism to a lesser extent (have mild socialist beliefs). I have tried to explain this in a factual manner without bias (am I wrong?!) But here’s the bias: (however, it’s based on History) The country was founded on capitalism and traditional Biblical belief. So to all you haters: Guess what? Whoops, I can’t change history. And on the subject of pregnancy..oh whoops again did someone out there have a belt failure? I hear Sears or WalMart have a few belts that do a very good job of keeping those britches on. I have a wealth of other ways not to get pregnant just in case someone was unfortunate and never learned about the birds and the bees…. And Candy and Mike: Touching on the racial issue…I agree in many ways, but who cares! President Elect Obama is half, black half white, and so what. But I did think his acceptance speech focused a little much on the color thing. Black, white, yellow we all bleed red. I would fight and die for them all. And everyone has the same opportunity these days in the U.S. of A. Anybody disagree? Ok I digress back again, just look at our current president elect! How about Condoleezza Rice? Colin Powell? Oprah Winfrey? Snoop Doggy Dog for crying out loud? DUH. DUH. And double DUH??? WAKE UP DUMMIES. It’s all about choices…regardless of the hellish life you might have come from, you don’t have to stay on that road forever. Get OUT of the mud already. same goes for abortion, it’s all about the choices you make. Live with it. And may the very same God of our forefather Bless this U.S.A.!

from TruBluAmerican

Comment:

Well this is an amazing thing that happened on this election day. There is a first time for everything. The first we elected a president from african decent that is great. Another first we are as a country going to see how much or how little people have changed in the last hundred years. Those of you who are ashamed to have a negro president need to look in the mirror and think about your children and ask yourself do you want them to become a biggot like you? And those of you who are saying we finally have a black president ” thats whats up ni#$%.” and those of you claming the decliration of indipendence is a racist docterin your are as dumd as the racist pice of shit you all hate. I hop that Obama does an amazing job as our commander and chief. If he is as good a leader as he is a public speaker we are all in for a great four years. And one last thing those of you who blame others for what happened on election day did you vote? and if you did are you acting like a child who didnt get thier way?

from mike

Comment:

It makes me feel ill that people in this country voted for a man who is bi-racial and disowns his white family when it suits him. And why do “African Americans” feel so connected to him? He never lived a” black life” in Hawaii he fit in with others who were not white! His grandmother was a Vice President of a Bank in the loan department? His childhood home in Kenya is valued at 3 million dollars. He says he is a “Christian” but believes in partial birth abortions,and gay marriage. Both of these things are morally and Biblically wrong. He was raised in part by a Muslim step- father had religious instruction in Koren and has a Muslim middle name.His cousins are Muslim, I wonder about those connections, states that is there is another 9/11 he said ” I will side with my Muslim brothers.” Be careful what you wish for?

from candy

Comment:

Trubluamerican, how dare you patronize democrats due to their thoughts , opinions, and ideas. If a woman were to abort , dare i say i am a roman catholic and i am not completely opposed nor intrigued by the fact of ending the life of a child, it is to be her complete decision.Though I may seem to contradict my self I demand you to comprehend wether voluntarary or not and without arogance. A poor woman could be raped in the streets of New York, Alabama, or even infront of your house; if this person dare I say be you (hypotheticaly)and you would be of the age of 17, around my age- by the way I am in the 11th grade and the idea of sex to me isn’t clearly tangible, as to why I remain sommewhat naive. Sex, is the escence of love and though I fear in it It would cause more destruction to both my self and the life of a child I would bare in my womb, if I were to be raped and pregnant at the age of 17! Seventeen , around the age were you begin to undersatnd the reasons why men brake your hearts, around the first time your eyes lay site of dulcet highschool sweatheart , and finally along your life realize how blinded and oblivious you were in that time. Seventeen, when you are beginning to see your first car , the first time you will drive without your parents-and not even, seventeen , still a minor.The miserable truth is , not all teenagers see sex as an act of celebrating love and true honest amour; and yes many practice unsafe sex unwillingly becoming pregnant and seeing abortion as the other option. But, what is worth of this girl who cant even wipe her own ass, sorry to be so brutally honest and use derogatory language, to have a child when she hasn’t even figured out what the rest of her life will be. Do you see it? because I do, she will be a bartender, or a stripper, or a sex crave drug addict after being evicted from her house!Do you see that same needle you asked the DEMOCRATS TO TAKE AND KILL THE BABY OF 9 MONTHS,she will be using this same needle to inject herself with drugs !Now that you have somewhat understood this or have now become more frustuatd with democrats, think of it as it being your own children? Yes, we democrats see abortion as an option , but not to the extent where you have consistantly used histrionics.Fetuses are used to help replace cells that are dead and provide an oportunity for life.We democrats have voted yes to abortion, because we view it as an alternative for a deprived woman or even a girl, whose inoscece was stripped away form her.

from laura

Comment:

Congratulations to President Obama and Vice President Biden! I am concerned over a comment my daughter overheard in school today regarding our new president. A female student was out of line in school so the teacher corrected her. The girls response to this correction was “I don’t have to listen to you, we have a black president now.” There are so many things wrong with this statement that I wouldn’t know where to begin in listing them but the concern is this, is that the common concensus? What the hell kind of thinking is this that someone no longer has to follow the rules based on the race of the President? As scary as it is to me that people did NOT vote for Obama based on his race alone, it is equally scary that people voted FOR him based on race alone just because they thought it gave them a free pass to do whatever they want without consequence. It also scares me that people ignored the issues and the cadidates standing on these issues and reduced the election to a race war. I don’t believe that President Obama would condone the statement this girl said nor do I believe he would want ANYONE to believe they don’t have to follow the rules just because he is President and happens to be biracial. I also don’t believe that President Obama decided to run for president with the intention of winning just so someone could get away with something they shouldn’t be doing so I don’t think he would appreciate this young lady’s statement either and I wish he could have been there to personally set her straight!

from Joann

Comment:

He won the election and it’s now a fact that Obama is now President elect. Respect the office not the man. But it’s also a fact that I and many of the other 46% of Americans that voted for McCain will give Obama the same respect given to Bush the past eight years by the Dems. This is going to be fun I think doing the nit picking for the next four years. Has anyone here besides Barrack visited all 57 states. Cant wait for the cartoons to start coming in.

from Mike

Comment:

Have to agree with Mike, I just hope that Mrs. Obama is finally proud to be an American. Guess we can see if we can sit in front of a crazy preacher for 20 years and see if we can not listen either. Maybe our new president elect will finally get off teh fence and make some real decisions, not like sitting on teh fence in the Senate.

from Bob

Comment:

CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH Change for better or change for the worse? That doesn’t seem to matter and apparently Americans don’t care. Inexperience - irrelevant! It’s time for something that is not the same(?). Careful what you wish for. Congratulations to Obama for beating George Bush in the election. But oddly enough, I don’t actually recall Bush’s name on the ballot? Irrelevant I guess, because IT’S TIME FOR CHAAAAAAAAAAANGE! America, I am deeply deeply disappointed in you.

from Swiss American

Comment:

Comment to TruBluAmerican You need to see a shrink. You are one sick screwed up person. And True Blue American you are NOT. If you look at the votes: the MAJORITY of American’s voted for Obama (proudly) - so take your hostility and go away. You can say and spew all you bitter folks want - you are NOT taking our joy away!!! Happy days are here again! And please remember when you start spouting off after he has been president for 2 months that he has 8 years of a nightmare to undo - It won’t happen overnight - but it will be better. Thanks Obama

from Happy Again

Comment:

READ IF YOU DARE: What bugs me is Obama claim to be what he is not…”a Christian.” How do I know this? I name just two undisputable facts: He believes in Abortion (even so called partial birth), & special gay & lesbian privelage. Take it to the extreme and lets all be gay and kill our kids. What do you get? Bingo!…dummy. You voted for him. Also he wants to tax wall street for the sake of main street…ok…who do you buy your products from? Do you think they will absorb the cost, or pass it on to you? And do you live in a state with tax on everything like I do? Bingo, dummy. You voted for him. NOW hang on IF YOU DARE,YOU DEMOCRAT, YES YOU! BE PROUD! I want you to take a needle and a knife this weekend. And I want you to find a willing female 9 month pregnant volunteer to have you stand by as they give birth to a child. And as that child comes out, one limb still in the womb, and with mother’s consent (willing volunteer), I want to to look into that little babies squishes up little eyes and mouth, wiggling fingers, ready to take their first breath, but beat them to it by jabbing that needle right in the back of their neck and watch as they twitch fight for a moment of survival, and fall limp in your hands. Then I want you to pull that last limb out of the womb, grab em by the ankle, walk over to the medical waste trash can and throw them away, as they plop with a thud amongst discarded bio hazard plastic bags and waste. Then I want you to go home and have a nice peaceful sleep. Can’t do it? Not your job? but you support it, so does he, and Well, you voted for him, DUMMY. STAND TALL DEMOCRAT, AFTER ALL, THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE, ISN’T THAT WHAT YOU SAID?

from TruBluAmerican

Comment:

People voted for McCain because they don’t want the country to become socialist, not because heâ€™s white. I wasn’t happy with McCain, but he was better than Obama. I want to choose for myself how to “spread my wealth” (not that I actually have any right now, but Iâ€™m working hard to someday be wealthier). If Obama had republican views I would have voted for him regardless of race. Obama is great at public speaking, which is another reason why he won. People were entranced by his speaking abilities, but need to look further into his plan for us. How exactly is he going to bring about all of this â€œchangeâ€ he talks about? His ideas go against what this country was founded on. You can be anything you want to be, be as wealthy as you want, pursue happiness however you please. Only you stand in your way. Now if I become successful Obama will take my hard earned pay and spread it around to whomever he thinks should get it. Personal responsibility is what it comes down to. I want to be responsible for myself and live life my way; Obama wants us to be dependent on the government and dictate how we live our lives. If McCain had been as eloquent as Obama, he might have done better.

from IP

Comment:

Someone on this blog actually said that they were afraid because we are now going to have a President that may actually do more harm than good. We’ve had that for the last 8 years. It is just embarrassing to see some people just hanging on to the lies about Obama that have been spewed by far right nutjobs and FOX news. A reality check. The only demographic that Obama lost was rich white men. And as far as the view of our election from foreign countries, story after story that I read had the same 2 themes: that the fact that America could change course and elect Obama was good for America and the rest of the world, and that they were happy that the days of the “arrogant” George Bush were coming to an end.

from DD

Comment:

Ok, good for him. For a personal triumph, I suppose he did well. But for all those blacks who think that they have made significant progress towards Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream….think again. The Great Dr’s dream was that men (or women) would be judged on the content of their character and not the color of his skin. It should be no surprise that most blacks voted for Obama simply because “he’s one of us”. After all, we know of his character…look at rev, Wright, Flager, resco, the bomber, the anti Israel political activist. What’s Obama hiding in that tape at the LA Times? Come on, a community organizer??? he has no experience to run the country. I’m a member of the PTA…am I as qualified?

from John

Comment:

Here we go…. Not sure who all reads the bible here but if you know Revelation it speaks of the anti christ. It speaks of a global rally behind him, of a world currency….then all hell breaks loose. Is Obama the anti christ? Who knows… Is Obama worse than Mcain would have been? Who knows…. They’re all polititians… Also do you really think he is the best thing since the reserection of Christ? Think about this. He isn’t going to “CHANGE” everything. He is already thinking about re-election. Not much happening until then. All those promises on ice…. Just another polititian. Just one last thought….What’s always the big deal about skin color? “HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE” WHY ????? History will be made when he fixes the mess OUR polititions have created. Can he do that? Who knows….

from rooker65

Comment:

Welcome to a new nation of racial stereotypes, homosexual marriages, and blatant disregards to patriotism. Honestly, Obama stands for the exact opposite of EVERYTHING our country was founded upon. It was founded on christian ethics and hard work, both of which are contradicted by our new ‘president’ if he can indeed be called that. I wouldn’t expect Obama to do much as ‘president’, after all look what he did as a senator. How many times could he not make up his mind on issues? I believe most of the time he would just vote present. At least Bush made decisions and stuck to them. Most Americans were so eager for this so called “change for the better” that they were willing to sell out on their votes just to vote for the black candidate, don’t try to argue that this wasn’t a race motivated election or sexual orientation motivated, Obama was supported by the blacks, the gays, and the brainless which suprisingly comprises 90% of modern America. Thats my 2 cents worth.

from Brandon

Comment:

IP, you are totally correct. Alot of African Americans voted for Obama because he was black. But white about the white people that voted for him? What was their reason? Because he’s half white? Get serious. I’m so tired of this being about race til it’s pitiful. I voted for Barack. Why? It aint had a damn thing to do with his skin color - it was his beliefs. And no, I don’t feel like he’s going to make a difference over night, but if he stands by everything that he has promised and at least make an attempt, he’s done what he could. I don’t give a damn about Republican or Democratic, because if McCain would have presented himself the same as Barack on certain issues, I would have voted for him. So when you speak ignorance, make sure you speak for those that you know for a fact voted because of race.

from Takoya

Comment:

If Obama were white he would have lost, if he were republican blacks would have voted for him just because he’s black. Most Americans do not look into the issues and just believe what the media, politicians, and hollywood tell them. There was an experiment done in Harlem. People were stopped on the street and asked who they were voting for. When they responded Obama they were then asked questions relating to McCain’s stance on issues but said it was Obama’s. For instance they were asked “Do you mind Sara Palin becoming VP if Obama is elected?” Which they responded “No, I’m fine with Sara Palin being VP.” Or “Do you agree with Obama’s stance that we should stay in Iraq until the war is won?” Which they responded “Yeah, I’m totally behind him on that.” The people voting for Obama don’t even know what he will do to this country!

from IP

Comment:

America has made a very costly mistake. Europe is laughing at us today, (I’m getting the texts to say so). Sitting outside a middle school this morning with my kids, two 6th graders past by my car. Their exact words ‘we got them whities now’. The result of this election will not bring our great country together, rather it will divide us. To down play the McCain/Palin team because they belong to the same party as Bush is just ignorance. Palin will become a very important part of American history, she has it in her, and she will fight for it.

from Teresa

Comment:

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I AM SCARED FOR OUR USA, MY GUT FEELINGS ARE THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE IN OFFICE THAT MAY CAUSE OUR HOME MORE HARM THEN GOOD. GOD BLESS AMERICA HELP US IN THE UPCOMING YEARS.

from SAM

Comment:

Forgive me if I am rude, but this sounds very speculative? Personally, Ã’m happy Obama won, but this seems a little too immaturily written. I disagree with people who do not prove what they say and do not seem reliable that way, but I won’t stand in anyone’s way about saying whatever they wish. Just wished you could reveal your sources

from The Reverse Edge Blade

Comment:

Obama/Biden the hope of change in this country. McCain/Palin more of the same. Ask yourselves the question, How much has Bush, Rumsfeldt, and yes McCain profited from the War in Iraq. $$$$$

from 74

Comment:

Shane you’re a nut. Wait, let me correct myself. You’re just a racist who has a vivid imagination. If Fox News doesn’t even pick up those “facts” then they are just lies. Go back to your cave where you belong.

from Sean

Comment:

I am stunned, and so sad. Get ready and DO NOT COMPLAIN …you all voted for Obama.

from SarahPalin

Comment:

this is a very sad day in America

from randy

Comment:

I am kinda worried at the fact Obama wants to change the flag and the nation anthem. Also just wondering why anyone would want a person that continues to participate in flag burnings with his wife… I just dont understand why the majority of the USA want someone running the country that is so anti-america..

from Shane

Comment:

America is back! The future just got a lot brighter!

from Jeff

Comment:

Oh yeah, congrats to America and how stupid its become. They’ve just elected a terrorist

from Kara Laught

Comment:

i love the smug, socialistic flavor that laces the words of the Obama supporters… you have no idea what’s about to happen… better buckle up, friends…

from mr dave

Comment:

Change - Change - Finally change

from cj

Comment:

GOOOOOBAMA/BIDEN!!! Finally maybe this country can get something done instead of wasting 15trillion dollars.

from J-Dub

Comment:

Coming Attractions under Obama: Higher Taxes, companies going out of business or going over seas, 30% unemployment, 20% interest rates

from The Historian

Comment:

Congratulations to all. I’ve been watching the election up here in Canada and I’m pleased to view a part of history. Great voter turn out as well. My deepest congratulations to the U.S. voters. WOW!

from MCE

Voting Results

2008-11-04T16:29:01-05:00

We’re all eager to see the voting results, especially those in the battleground states, like Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and a few others. This should be a very interesting day!

Its fun to see that retailers are picking up on the opportunity to make a marketing statement today - I’ve heard about a bunch of them like Ben and Jerries, but I experienced myself that Starbucks was giving away free tall coffees to those with voting stickers.

Without further ado…

In-Progress Voting Results

State	Candidate	Votes
Vermont	Obama	3
Kentucky	McCain	8
Oklahoma	McCain	7
Illinois	Obama	21
Connecticut	Obama	7
Massachusetts	Obama	12
Maine	Obama	4
New Hampshire	Obama	4
South Carolina	McCain	8
Tennessee	McCain	11
Maryland	Obama	10
New Jersey	Obama	15
Delaware	Obama	3
Pennsylvania	Obama	21
Alabama	McCain	9
Georgia	McCain	15
New York	Obama	31
Michigan	Obama	17
Minnesota	Obama	10
Kansas	McCain	6
Rhode Island	Obama	4
District of Columbia	Obama	3
Wisconsin	Obama	10
Wyoming	McCain	3
North Dakota	McCain	3
Arkansas	McCain	6
Ohio	Obama	20
West Virginia	McCain	5
Lousiana	McCain	9
New Mexico	Obama	5
Mississippi	McCain	6
Texas	McCain	34
Utah	McCain	5
Iowa	Obama	7
South Dakota	McCain	3
Nebraska	McCain	5
Virginia	Very close!
North Carolina	Very close!
Florida	Very close!
Indiana	Very close!

Candidate Totals

Candidate	Votes
Obama	207
McCain	141

Barack Obama Elected

The most recent results have catapulted Barack Obama into the winner’s circle - Barack Obama is the next United States President! Congratulations!

Comment:

Can anyone give me a good explination why we haven’t heard anything from Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson this election? Just so out of their element to be so quiet?

from repinnyc

Ballotpedia

2008-10-24T12:59:57-04:00

Here’s a great wiki where you can look up what measures your individual states will be voting on November 4. It’s good to go into the voting booth prepared with what you’re going to be presented with. The language on the ballots can be very confusing, and when push comes to shove if you don’t understand the wording you may end up voting for something you don’t believe in.

Ballatopia - Find out what your state is voting on.

Comment:

Yes! Finally a President who cares about poor and middle class citizens!!!!! For too long we had a president who only cared about making the rich richer and the poor poorer. It’s sad that people have commented on blacks voting for Obama because he’s black when the truth is they are focusing on the fact that he’s black and they can’t accept living in a country being headed by a black man. It’s sad when people are willing to accept another George Bush (John McCain) instead of wanting better. God Bless America and God Bless you all too!!!!!!!!!! Change is here!

from sandy

Comment:

I think it is A Shame that even if the people of this country vote for a canidate the other can still win by the delagate vote.This is not the voice of the people but the voice of selected view. We are a country in a downward spiral and whites and christians better stand up because the time has come for the muslims, blacks and all those who hide behind the DISGRACEFUL OBAMA to push what is left of this country into the toilet!Every single person who can vote for a person who won’t even salute the AMERICAN flag should be hung in public .It is sickening to know that a person with no respect for what so many veterans have fought for can be given the presidency!. Time will tell and be prepared for the seperatist movements and racist movements to be heard .They now have reason. We now have the most disgraceful president ever . Thanks to those who want change nomatter what the cost . I am ashamed to be a American if this is what we the people elect as our leader.

from Troy

Comment:

Why is McCain campaigning in Tennessee today? Tennessee is not a battleground state

from Bill

Comment:

Although I’m not old enough to vote (only 17!), but I have a lot of family and friends who still aren’t sure who they’re voting for. But in a different ‘election’ they know who they’re voting for! YALDAH magazine is one of 5 finalists in Wells Fargo’s Someday Stories contest to win $100,000. The finalist with the most votes wins. Please VOTE TODAY (voting ends Nov. 10) for Evelyn at www.wellsfargo.com/somedaystories. I sure am interested to see who will win the presidential election though…

from Leah

Comment:

I just want to point out that win or lose, republicans are setting a dangerous groundwork by providing theikr voter base with an “out” that if mccain doesn’t win it is because ACORN and fraud and unfair media coverage. 2:1 Republicans polled attribute a mccain loss to the media rather than Bush’s abysmal approval rating. With folks already yelling “Kill him” at rallies (didn’t see that during Bush/Kerry though it was close) the GOP is setting up a powder keg to cover their behinds in the case of a loss. They should instead do some soul searching and come back stronger with an improved platform. But instead they play the blame game and will come back more far right and out of touch.

from Rich

Comment:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November, The Gunpowder Treason and Plot, I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot.

from Ray

Colin Powell

2008-10-19T10:29:19-04:00

This is news! According to the Washington Post and ABC’s “Meet the Press” - Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/19/colin_powell_endorses_obama.html

Why is this a big deal? Powell is a celebrated GOP member as well as an accomplished U.S. Army general.

Comment:

Sorry, I spelled voting wrong. I got too caught up while I was typing.

from sandy

Comment:

Aimee your comment is another example of ignorance and racism. It it evident that the only race not totally focused on Barack Obama being black is the black race. Yes, some will vote for him because of race, but only a slim margin. People like you are more focused on the color of his skin than we are. He is just simply a better choice than McCain. I am a very intelligent black woman and I’m not votime for Obama because of race, but because of his stance on the issues. It seems to me that people like you who discriminate are just a little to focused on skin color. The only reason you are not voting for Obama is because he’s black. If he were white I’m sure you wouldn’t be making comments like that. You would probably vote for him too.

from sandy

Comment:

Bill, George Bush already has the title of the worst President ever in history. Obama will be a huge improvement.

from sandy

Comment:

Toby, I argee with you 100% better every day

from JG

Comment:

Duh, Barbara and Aimee, you both are pretty narrow thinking. I am white, well read, and voting for Obama. It is attitudes like yours that is fueling this Democratic sweep. Racist folk are not welcome anymore. We are geting better every day.

from Toby

Comment:

Just a thought…how can someone be president but would not be able to obtain an FBI security clearance if he wanted to work in the defense industry? Pretty scary!!!

from Barbara

Comment:

Could Colin Powells endorsement of Barak Obama be racially motivated? Hey, there is really no other reason he would endorse Obama. Black people are votins for Obama at 97%, Powell is just falling in line.

from Aimee

Comment:

The lady with the 3 year old daughter who said the pledge of allegiance has been frightened by the Republican’s subliminal message of “Joe the Plumber” and “Joe the Redneck” that Senator Obama will take the money from the middle class and give it to the poor blacks and the poor white whom, thank goodness, she doesn’t have to see every day because she lives in a segregated white gated community that she wants to keep that way, or what? While she claims to be charitable, she is one of the middle class who continue to want a country that is segregated and where white reign supreme because of their lack of color, and she doesn’t recognize that people of color also reside in the middle class in great numbers these days. The growth of a diversified racial middle class in this country is the only action that will preserve our democrati8c Republic that will continue to be a beacon of hope in the world. The poor and the uneducated will always be with us, of course, but those that qualify for better opportunities to educate themselves should have the opportunity to be educated in democratic free Republics that promise liberty and freedom and justice for all. Apparently, Lauri wants the rich and the powerful to continue to have the freedom to maximize their profits on the backs of the middle class hoping that some of it will “trickle on down” to her, and she is not concerned about liberty and justice and medical treatment for all. The wealth of this country is concentrated in fewer and fewer hands and the middle class is losing ground, The loss of our great middle class is what will destroy this country and what does Senator McCain know about the middle class and how they live? He is a Patriot and a fine man but he has lived his whole life on the government payroll except for the time he woked for his wife’s millionaire or billionaire father who made a fortune in the beer business. Laurie, I am not surprised that you are an Ed Rollins Republican!

from Carol

Comment:

The reason Powell is with Obama is just because he’s black!!

from Jim

Comment:

I really do not get the hate speech comments. Obama and Biden get plenty of adoring comments from the main stream press. The Obama campaign black balled an Orlando new station for having the temerity to ask Joe Biden honest questions. Is this the dialog we can expect from an Obama presidency? Needless to say the left, with a complicit media, has sought to destroy Sarah Pallin. Is calling a politician who advocates “spread the wealth around” a socialist hate speach? Some may call it hate speech but I will vote this election and secure my right to bitch for the next four years. Stick with Yoda when it comes to hate: Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering

from Doug

Comment:

Jessica, you missed (intentionally) the only point of importance: Powell’s endorsement of barak hussein obama is a racist vote. Hussein obama did nothing to deserve Presidency. He was born a muslim (and lies about it)…He was raised by commies like frank marshall davis (and hussein lies about it). His career was cooked by anti-American terrorists like williams ayers (hussein lies about it too). Hussein promises you marxism-leninism-fascism (for real) like “spreading the wealth”, and you are incapable of grasping it, or the fact that his reign means the END OF THE USA as we know it. Shame on you and Powell.

from Ahuvah

Comment:

Barack Obama’s tax plan is for WORKING Americans. Working is the operative word. McCain has called it spreading the wealth and socialism. Socialism is what they both voted for with the bail out. Taxes are a redistribution of wealth anyway. Taxes go to new roads, schools, medicare, social security, and other programs that both parties support. McCain’s healthcare plan would take almost 1 trillion dollars out of medicare and medicaid to give all of us $5,000 towards our health plan of choice. The problem is that it costs on average $12,500 to cover each person if they don’t have any pre-existing conditions. If you like me, someone who has had cancer twice before the age of 29, it would cost me a heck of alot more if I could even get covered, and the he will tax that $5,000. In the end you really only get $3,900 towards your healthcare. The rest is out of pocket. His house bail out plan helps the banks. He wants to re-negotiate bad mortgage loans that the banks gave, have the homeowner pay based on what the house is worth now, use tax money to give the banks the difference, and then we pay for it in the end. That sounds like socialism to me. Pot callin the kettle black? I was 25 when I bought my home during the housing bubble. The interest only loans sounded horrible to me, I knew the pre approved me for way more than I could afford, so I stayed where I felt comfortable. I put 22% down, and took a 30yr fixed at 5.75%. I did it right! Why should I pay off other peoples debts when they made wrong choices, and why should we let the banks off when they had bad practices? I don’t mind if you don’t like Obama, but please watch the comments of people being crazy for voting for him, because alot of us did our research, and don’t take our votes lightly. Alot of us don’t believe the propaganda machines coming on all sides, and take our time choicing who we thing is right. Alot of us do not follow any party lines, and keep our minds open to both sides to find the path we think will help our country. Crazy I am not! Informed I am! I never believe a darn thing that is said in a stump speech until I find out if it is true or not. I have gone to Biden’s, Obama’s, and McCain’s senate websites and researched all their votes. I have gone to both websites and read their proposals on taxes, healthcare, and other proposals they both have, and crunched the numbers. I have watched how they have handled themselves throughout the campaign. You would be crazy if you don’t inform yourself before you vote, and vote on propaganda and personality. If John McCain’s policies are for you than vote for him. If Obama’s is, vote for him. The important thing is that you vote, but don’t insult people you don’t know.

from Jessica

Comment:

Colin Powells endorsements means nothing other than showing the American people what they already knew and that is simply that this election has a whole lot to do with race. Any hard working American that would vote for Obama is quite literally insane. His concept of spreading the wealth is ludicrous. Why in the world he thinks that those of us who have an education, work hard, and set goals for ourselves should help support the less fortunate is crazy. I am not against helping the needy, but for him to take more tax money from people who have succeeded in life and give it to those worthless people who have nothing better to do then stay at home, be lazy, and make more kids for the rest of us to eventually continue to support is crazy. Think about what America would become. Why get an education. Why set goals and work towards them when we can just sit at home and have money given to us. He wants everyone to be on one level and that is not America. I have a 3 year old daughter and out of the blue the other day she started saying the pledge of allegiance and it brought tears to my eyes to think that in 20 years she probably won’t be so proud to be saying those words. This is the land of prosperity and if Obama is elected it will no longer be that land.

from Laurie

Comment:

Having been in the military and in business for over thirty years. The only time I think Obama is not lying is when he is not talking. If he taxes the rich they simply raise prices and pay themselves more, so if he saves you 5% it will cost you a lot more than that in everyday living expenses. All the people voting for Obama are living in the land of denial and I think he will end of going down as one of the worst presidents ever, if he gets elected. He doesn’t get to vote present as president, he might have to actually make a decision. Ayers and Wright will probably be in his cabinet.

from Bill

Comment:

The decision by Colin Powell to endorse Obama is merely due to his own perspective of who he feels the better leader for our country is to be. Now some of you all are criticizing this endorsement based on your own perspectives on Obama and McCain as leaders. Is it not faulty causality that one would try to relate one’s perspective with a truth of who the best candidate for president is? Everyone has there own opinion. So, the question is raised: is it even possible that McCain or Obama can have an impact on America’s future upon their own election to office? If so, then is it possible that one candidate can be determined as the best candidate to represent and lead the nation as a whole into the future and in the face of crises? There may not even be such a thing as majority opinion for which we can base our elections off of and determine a winning candidate. Different policies appeal to the benefits of different people. So ask yourself why you are choosing a certain candidate over the other and if that candidate will be the better suited to aid this nation in the future? How can you know? To delve into this further and find a logical yet personal belief, visit my blog at http://mccainorobamaforpresident.blogspot.com/

from Undecided Voter

Comment:

He not only has no military experience he has little senate experience! He has been force on the American Public by the media and has more media time and dollars than anyone in political history. All coming from supposedly grass roots.

from Michael

Comment:

Michael, thank you for your comment. It is important to note that Barack Obama has no war experience, and John McCain is a war hero.

from Albert

Comment:

I am disappointed in Colin Powell’s decision, and find fault in his assessment that Obama is qualified to be President. Where this earlier in his carrier, would he have chosen inexperience officer over a verteran to lead troops into battle. I think not!

from Michael

Comment:

Will we get to see the real john mccain before this is all over? Powell’s endorsement speaks volumes about his judgment of Obama’s abilities. The experience that John McCain talks about, that’s the real McCain, not this one who doesn’t seem to have a clear strategy or message about running his campaign.

from cypan

Comment:

This is really quite unfortuanate. A former general going against those who he formerly was in command over. Good thing the patriot act was already passed into law. Our military will not permit a traitor to jeapardize our national security if a certian smooth talking liberal liar is elected.

from Greg

Comment:

I think the root of Colin Powells endorsement is lost on some of you. John McCain’s recent attacks that is borderline hate speech, whether or not is from his mouth or from his campaign, is unnacceptable. It doesn’t matter what party line you fall in to, it just wrong. My generation may see it quite different than yours, seeing as I have never witnessed Jim Crowe or segregation. I was raised to believe that everyone is the same on the inside. I don’t see what the people who yell these obscene things at rallies see, nor am I easily persuaded to fall in line with random lines, and lies. I don’t understand how anyone can. The Republican Party is again spewing the “with us or against us” campaign in the guise of pro-American, anti- America propaganda. (Albert, just for you I will note that Ron Paul is not associated with any of this. I don’t want you to think I would put him in this group.) These people have gone so far to call my home of Nortern Virginia full of communists, and not part of the “real Virginia”. How and why is this happening? Maybe because in Northern Virginia, by the way this is home of Federal Government workers, Quantico Military Base, and Fort Belvior, votes overwhelmingly Democratic. The last election I believe was well over 90 percent, while the rest of Virginia votes overwhelmingly Republican. Again, well over 90 percent. The issue is that Northern Virginia now holds more than half of the population of the state, but we are not part of “real Virginia”? Does this mean all of those who do not vote Republican are not ” real Americans”? Going back to Colin Powell, now that my slight rant is done, it’s not because he and Obama are black that he endorsed him. It’s the fact that this propaganda, and you know that is what it is, is dividing us. Not only are we at a critical point with the economy, but now we are at a critical point with our tolerance of all Americans. The greatest thing about our great nation is that is is full of diversity, not only with race or religion, but also opinion. I love reading these blogs and seeing all of you with different opinions than myself, and some of you have made me do some research of my own that I didn’t think of before. That is the great feeling! I will happily say that I am voting for Obama, based on his policies that I lean towards more than McCain’s, but whether or not you vote for Obama, McCain, Paul, Barr, or any other candidate, we cannot allow our nation to crack and divide along any line. We are a nation for the people by the people, and that means ALL people. Hate leads to fear, and I for one am tired of the fear mongering that has been plagueing all of us for so long.

from Jessica

Comment:

Hi Michael, Thanks again for commenting. My favorite grass roots politician is Ron Paul - the majority of his donations were for less than $100! That $150 million that Obama just raised is really impressive. Whether or not its grass roots, its a lot of dough.

from Albert

More on the last Debate

2008-10-17T11:51:15-04:00

Editorial I had the opportunity to watch the whole debate. I was very pleased they decided to allow the candidates to speak for approximately 9 minutes on each topic. It gave body to the conversation. You were able to hear the candidates articulate ideas, and their plans for our country. Unfortunately for John McCain he went on the attack. Which proved detrimental to his case. At points he was entirely incoherent and appeared near senile. At the end he was sticking out his tongue as he waved to the people. It was very strange behavior.I particularly enjoyed the question where the men were asked if they were willing to say to each other’s faces what their campaign ads had been saying about their opponent. McCain went first and watching him squirm was painful.

Listening to Obama speak is like music, he is articulate, strong, and never hasty, which McCain proved himself to be the other night. Obama had plenty of opportunity to knock McCain off his feet.

For me the President is a communicator he or she must be capable of speaking reasonably and peacefully with many different people. Overall I think Obama is more fit for that task.

DJ-Ztrip has created a mix for the Obama campaign if you like music, despite your political views you should enjoy this.

Comment:

I would just like to ask those who say they are Joe The Plumber, have you had a plumber out to your home? You do realize they charge any where from 20 dollars an hour to 60 dollars an hour, depending upon what day it is and what you need to have done. Saying you are Joe the Plumber is saying that you make pretty good money and are living well. I can honestly say that I am not Joe the Plumber, unfortunately, cause I am the sole supporter in my house of 4, single and female. It is the people like me I would like to see our government to start noticing and give us a break, not those who dont really need it. So before you start thinking about saying you are Joe the Plumber, think about this first and see if this is what you want our future president to support before you decide.

from Tammi Nishimoto

Comment:

How can anyone even be thinking about voting for someone who won’t even pledge allegiance to the American flag. I can’t believe anyone would vote for Obama. He will change things in the White House thats for sure. Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse.

from George

Comment:

All Obama talks about is how John McCain is the same as George Bush. That idiot talks more about that than the real issues!! He thinks that drilling off shore won’t lower gas prices, what is he drunk!! I guess he would rather pay more for oil over seas. Sick people in this world are dumping babies in the trash, and Obama supports that!! How did he even get in this race, he has not had any expreince what so ever!! The only reason black people are voting for him is just because he’s black. If you were to ask a black person about why there voting for Obama, they wouldn’t the slightest clue!!

from Jim

Comment:

With all of Obama’s talk of change and Wall street reform, why doesn’t anyone question where his money is coming from? Many of his largest contributors are wall street giants, does anyone believe these firms would back him if they thought he was going to change business as usual? In this day of at least implied racial equality why is everyone seemingly afraid to attack Obama? Where is the religious right? They were all over the liberal stance of Kerry/Edwards but remain silent as Obama makes jokes about being born in a manger?

from mike mayer

Comment:

Obama has a lot of citizens supporting him. I have a friend who is so head over heals for Obama she donates $50.00 to his campaign a month. We’re not talking about a wealthy woman either - she’s a regular Jane struggling to get by, and she believes Obama will bring change. While I’m sure he has big money supporters too, he also has working class people supporting him, which is pretty crazy.

from rae

Comment:

I have several questions for McCain since he has made it a point to dig into Obama’s life at 8 years old! I will keep it clean in my questions: But the first one is: during your military career twice you disobeyed a lawful order to return back to base and you didn’t the first time you lost a million dollar airplane that was shot down in enemy territory and the second time you not only lost the aircarft but you also became a prisoner of war… My question is how do you think that you can be a good commander and chief when you did not obey the orders given to you at that time… No the Military didn’t write you up because your father was an Admiral in the Military forces! I believe that the people of America have a right to know; the information that you had at that time if you would have returned to base would have probably gave us intel that would have proven to make us a more of a success if you would have just obeyed and just maybe you would not have been a prisoner or refugee…. I know that these questions are hard but we do have a right to know why the Military didn’t prosecute you or hold you accountable…. You rightly admits on tv that you disobeyed these orders and the consequences of that!>?

from keith

Comment:

The interesting thing to note in the McCain campaign is, John has not addressed the concerns I believe most people will have after the election, should Obama win. A Obama/Pelosi/Reid administration with a super majority will clearly move the Nation with a socialistic agenda. If I, a registered democrat, am a little concerned about that, I can only imagine what the republicans must be thinking. It is clear that Pelosi & Reid will move right away to attempt to implement the fairness doctrine. Talk radio is the only tool the right has used effectively to be heard, other than Fox News. The fairness doctrine is the tool the left wants to use to combat talk radio. Should that happen, our two party system will cease to exist in its ability to balance out radical agendas. This is truly scary. Freedoms will be greatly diminished under a Obama/Pelosi/Reid administration, and why the right isn’t making that the issue makes me wonder.This is an obvious winning issue.The Reagan democrats are either asleep, or missing in action, then again, so is the McCain campaign.

from James Clarkson

Last Presidential Debate

2008-10-15T22:19:58-04:00

EDITORIAL!

Tonight was the last night of the presidential debates. I only caught the last few questions, but I was surprised at how aggressive John McCain was. Instead of talking about his ideas and their merits, he focused too much on why he thought Obama’s ideas were bad.

Whether or not he was right, it ruined the debate for me, because instead of allowing both candidates talk about their ideas, McCain attacked, Obama defended. Too bad.

I really get the feeling that McCain has simply attached himself to some basic tenants of the recent Republican Party, and isn’t coming up with his own ideas. I don’t know if Obama has the answers, but I really feel like we need to try something new.

Comment:

I wish I could claim the writing you’re about to read. I can’t. This piece was written by a Cuban refuge Named Manuel Alvarez, Jr. Who escaped from communist Cuba on June 30, 1968. You will find his observations very prophetic … And very chilling. Make sure you get this into the hands of every person you know. Make sure you get this into the hands of every State GOP official you can you reach by Email. These remarks could change the election. The Richmond Times-Dispatch Monday, July 7, 2008 Excerpt from ‘Letters to the Editor’ Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach ‘Change’ Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I Celebrate my Independence day. On July 4 I celebrate America’s. This year is Special, Because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence. On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was In the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress. I’ve thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive. When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor, and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said ‘Praise the Lord.’ And when the young leader said, ‘I will be for change and I’ll bring you change,’ everyone yelled, ‘Viva Fidel!’ But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner’s guns went silent, the people’s guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I’m back to the beginning of my story. Luckily, We would never fall–in America–for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America? Would we? Manuel Alvarez Jr. ____________________________________________ Let me pose a question: By the time Sen. Obama’s much-promised, soon-coming (but never discussed) change takes place, and the American people are forced to take to their boats, rafts and inner tubes … Where do we go? Cuba? Haiti? Think about that when you go out to vote on November 4 because this is the most critical election of your life. And, by the way, remember this, too. Not one single person has thought to ask Sen. Obama to be very specific in telling us precisely what changes he plans to make in our United States of America. Jon Christian Ryter

from Concerned American

Comment:

Anyone want to comment on how Oprah will now be taking over power? No wonder Obama’s wife acts odd. Anyone…She has a larger power over her head.

from b

Comment:

I will not accept Oprah as my first ambassador to the world. ARE you kidding me? We know where his money is coming from…but can I please breath before she is my voice to the world? Anyone? Is that the counsel he is going to put forth first in his cabinet?

from b

Comment:

McCain has failed to capitalize on the last debate. On the campaign trail Obama has been going on about the failure of deregulation. McCain touched on his support for GSE (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac) legislation and that was it. I believe this is a central issue to the financial crisis that we are experiencing. Republicans were calling for regulation and reform while Democrats were saying that everything was OK. See Google link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs McCain voted for reform of these Government Sponsor Entities while Obamaâ€™s vote was typical â€“ Present. Another lost opportunity by McCain.

from Doug

Comment:

I thought this was McCain’s best performance by far. I also thought Obama didn’t do as well as he did in the first debate.The one thing I really disagreed with is when McCain said that Gov. Palin is such a great role model for women. I really like how Obama answered the questions in all calm and appeared to be thinking as he spoke. I like how the setting of this new debate made each of the candates have to talk to each other face to face.

from William Quebrado

Comment:

The way its going we will end up with a Dem in the white house and house and senate. Then people will wake up when they find out all the crazy crap polisie and her corrupt leaders are really planning, just think america modeled after her home town. Its too bad people don’t see that the leaders in the house and senate are just as much to blame for this finacial mess.

from joe

Comment:

Doesn’t McCain seem like a “warped frustrated old man”? That is Mr. Potter from It’s a wonderful life. John McCain is Mr. Potter.

from Laura Beard

Comment:

McCain needs to answer on the story below! Why in the world would he select someone so dangerous to run with him! Breaking News: The Terrorist Group AKA Alaska Independent party Calling on Russia to help secede from the Union Extremists Mark Chryson and Steve Stoll former leaders of the Alaska Terrorist group AKA Independence Party and friends of Sarah Palin are calling on Russia to help them gain independence from the United States. Watch video of Sarah palin addressing The Alaska Terrorist Group also known as The Independence party. They are calling for a civil war against the mainland. www.chilitoz.com

from Observer

Comment:

When is someone going to wake up and smell the coffee? The debate tonight, from McCain’s side, seemed to have the objective to discredit Obama and try and get him away from his even demeanor, not to talk about the issues for every minute of this debate. McCain wasted almost 20 minutes of this debate talking about negative ads and attempting to discredit Obama. That 20 minutes could have been talking about the issues and how he is going to get results. How many times did we hear that he is going to fix the problems in our government and he was the best candidate? Almost as much as he talked about how he was going to fix it. Was he trying to get a subliminal message across? Again wasted time. If he was as worried about fixing problems as he was about any negative aspect of Obama, maybe he would have talked about the fixes more, instead of wasting half of his time in the hot seat on Obama. If you look at the facts of the negative ads being run, they have had the same amount of time on air running negative ads. Granted Obama has spent more on ads overall, the amount of minutes of negative ads are equal. By the way McCain, where did all your campaign money go? Overspend just a little? If you want to get a look at the two candidates prior years leading up to this point, get onto a public access TV channel and look for a show comparing them. Locally my station played one twice just last night. It’s two hours long and takes you on a trail from childhood to now. Make your own decisions on their lives, don’t use precious minutes of the debate to try and make yourself look like the better candidate from your personal lives. John McCain also showed me tonight that he is not as willing to work both sides of the aisle as he says. One more roll of his eyes and disrespectful gesture tonight was going to make me sick that he is even a candidate for President. He has no patience and showed that he is very set in his ways. We need a president that is going to look at all options and make the best decision for the people, not the party. Just as it has been in the past in this country we are still looking at the basic conflict between Republican and Democratic views on how to fix our country. We need a change. We need to look at what is destroying this country: 1. The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. 2. PAC’s are getting out of hand. Whoever has the most money or influence does not mean that the average American is being represented. 3. How do we expect Social Security to last even more than a few more years, when our young kids are going out to get jobs on $7+ an hour. Are we expected to keep funds going into SS to pay for the future when our minumum wage has only doubled in the last 30 years, yet inflation has quadrupled the cost of everything we buy. Where is all the money from inflation going? It’s not back into the economy, it’s going in someone’s pockets. When wages are still low, today is what happens to our economy. If you don’t think that this affects our SS fund, look at how many kids are in the workplace and tell me they won’t settle for less than inflation allows, because they think that’s all they are worth when they get into the “adult” workforce. Has anybody seen the average starting pay out of college go up over the last 15 years? Maybe in the big cities, but not in the rest of the country. 4. Big business is putting little business out of business. Everybody wants convenience at a cheap price. Why do you think Walmart is so successful. Now we are paying for it in the long run. If we don’t spread some of the wealth from “Joe the plumber”, it will continue. If Joe is making over $250K, then he’s doing alright. Take a look at the statistics. Only 20 percent of the population makes over, what, $160K? (It might even be less, but you get my point). They are getting the rewards from the common man to use there business, because of their convenience or product, then they should be responsible to get some of that money back to the people. Ask yourself, do you know how much big business donations to non-profit organizations has been down over the last 5 years. Look it up, you’ll be suprised. 5. Government spending is out of hand. Not only does each program need to be looked at with a scalpel, but the people need to do their job to help. Many people take advantage of “government programs”, but yet can’t get off their butt to keep a job. It’s awful nice when the “gov’t program” pays for your food or kid’s medical bills. If you can’t get a job that you want, get something to get you by. The average to find a job is one month for every $10K in your pay. That means that the average person making $40K will need 4 months to find a new, comparable job. What do you do in the meantime? Ohh that’s right, sit on you butt, someone will pay for it. 6. Big business hasn’t helped in keeping our economy stable. Everyone that works for a big company is pushed to their limits more and more every year. Budgets keep going up and there are less and less resources or time to get to those levels. Greed my friends has been our biggest demise. Take a big company that puts more and more expectations on its employees every year, yet the workforce gets smaller and smaller. That equates to more earnings and higher profits for these companies every year. If they are successful, they also make their competition smaller and smaller every year. Why, because, with the help of inflation, new small companies can’t get started. Each year it is more dangerous to go up against the big companies as a small independant trying to start out. While all this is going on, the workforce in the big company is getting smaller (more people out of jobs) and the people that still have their job need to work longer hours to keep up with their ever increasing demand from the company. Do you want to fix the economy quickly, get rid of “exempt” employees and pay them hourly, then see how much money hits the economy. Wall Street has been on a “false” high prior to it’s drop. This has stemmed from these big business pushing their employees harder and harder. Who hit the wall now? Big business is not the only one paying now, so are the people that are getting laid off right now after being pushed by their company for so long. 7. Healthcare has become a very profitable business. I currently left a medical practice that had all the conveniences within one building. They would conveniently need you to come back 4 or 5 times to remedy a simple medical issue. They always needed you to come back tomorrow, then two days from now, then one week from now, and oh by the way, your regular doctor is not in right now, so we’ll need you to check in with them later also. Cha-ching!!! Gotcha for $20 bucks a pop and we’ll bill out your insurance each time too. Oh and by the way, your insurance doesn’t cover the medication you need, since the drug rep gave me lunch today and I need to prescribe their medicine, but this is the meds you really should take if you want to get better. 8. Do I even have to go down the oil business route? Check the profits for oil companies over the last couple of years. Once again greed will get paid back. Sorry for the long list of thoughts, but I am voting for Obama and will hope for something different. He certainly seems to be the only one who wants to make the changes that will help these issues out. As for the greedy people out there, good luck, because whether it’s through new policies or the economy staying the same, your headed for a demise or a new meaning on life.

from Brett W.

Comment:

Does anyone else see just how much trouble this country is really in? It has come to the point to where we are forced to elect the lesser of the two evils. Personally, I think that we as citizens of this country should exercise our rights and go to Washington and clean house, kick the whole mess of them out and just start over. We need to do away with all the lobbyists and special interest groups, with new blood in every position then maybe things would change. I can’t understand what has happened to a country that was born from a belief in God and in opposition to all the taxes from England. Now, we pay more than double the taxes than any other country in the world. Not only do we pay taxes on something when we buy it, but we have to pay taxes on it for as long as we own it. What’s wrong with this picture? Here in N.C., we pay the highest gas tax at the pump in the country. Supposedly, it goes for the roads, then can someone explain to me why N.C. has one of the worst road systems in the country. I really hope that my daughter can get a good paying job in order to help take care of her parents in their golden years. I am 46 and I know that by the time I am able to retire, all the money that I have paid into Social Security will be gone, it will all be history and Social Security will be bankrupt. Not only my children have to support their parents, but they will have to try to have some kind of retirement for themselves and I don’t see it happening. Without a larger wide sweeping change, I don’t see things getting any better no matter who gets elected. All I can Say or do is pray extra hard that God shows mercy on us all, because in reality that is the only hope we have to survive.

from Stuart Lineberger

More thoughts on the VP debate

2008-10-03T12:41:31-04:00

After listening to last night’s debate, I’ve decided I want Biden to be president. He was well spoken, experienced, and answered questions directly and succinctly. I especially appreciated how he broke down McCain’s tax plan, something which I have been struggling to comprehend. If what he said is true, then health care is in a lot of trouble.I didn’t feel Palin articulated herself as well as Biden, nor did I feel her repeatedly referring to herself and McCain as “Mavericks” helped her to support any of her arguments. I was fairly outraged, by many of her comments, and her unwillingness to answer questions directly. I could only presume that meant she did not understand the question or didn’t know the answer, which was why she kept to topics she could answer.

When Biden suggested that as VP he would act as a consultant to the president, I really liked it. He has the experience which Obama lacks, and if it will be put to good use in the oval office then I think it will make for a stronger government.

I didn’t get the impression that McCain would be using Palin in the same capacity, and I don’t feel as though she makes McCain’s ticket stronger. Furthermore the thought of her in the oval office in the event that McCain were to pass on, I find frankly speaking, terrifying.

Comment:

This election has become so comcal that it has gone beyond hysterical. All that I see coming out of this is the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, no matter who gets elected. First of all, how can anyone who claims to be a true American, vote for a man whose middle name is Hussein? How can you vote for a man who despite how much he denies it, is a Muslim? How can you put a man in charge of our troops and National Security, who has never served the first day in the military and wants to tell ours troops that their service thus far is for nothing? This man in no way has the experience to lead this country in no way, shape or form. He has proven time and time again that he is nothing more than the rich man’s puppet. Look at his biggest campaign contributor and supporter, Oprah, this is a person who does not even believe in God and is pushing some phony cult-like religion on her show. Secondly, I have tremendous respect for McCain for his military service and his long time service in the Senate. However, his plans and views on the issues has some serious lacking as far as I’m concerned. I will give credit where credit is due though, at least he has ran his campaign on a reasonable budget, where Obama has spent more money than any other candidate in history. If we as the backbone of this Nation do not stand up now we are doomed. The largest amount of our financial decline has come in the last 2 years since the Democrats gained control of the House and Senate. Health care has been a joke for years and nobody has done anything to change it. The reason, they are getting to much money in their pocket from the insurance companies. Insurance is the biggest rip-off ever. Despite all the debate, if you truly want to fix tthe health care system, then adopt socialized medicine just like all the other major countries of the world have done. It seems to be working well for them. The rest of you can vote anyway that you choose, that is your right, but as for me I will not vote for HUSSEIN Obama and if by stupidity he does get elected, I will seriously consider packing up my family and belongings and move to Canada or Mexico. Probably Mexico, because with so many of them here illegally, then there should be plenty of room down there for me and by family. All I can say to the rest of you, is Good Luck because if you put the Community Organizer in office, you’re gonna need a whole lot of luck or God’s Grace to survive the mext 4 years.

from Stuart Lineberger

Comment:

From sea to shining sea…….. The current political race has all the charm and hype of American Idol! What happened to the focus on America and its steadily declining economy, the widespread moral corruption that has engulf those ideals so cherished by the founding fathers. Are we not now a nation of church goers who have forgotten the reason for the ritual? As we approach the wire in this most recent contest lets bring the focus back to the principles itâ€™s supposed to uphold. The problems in this country are systemic they are not democrat or republican, black or white, male or female. It is the process that needs retooling and irrespective of who wins the election in November. If that issue is not addressed what was once the greatest nation on Earth shall continue to slip into the abyss of mediocrity.

from Wright Seer

Comment:

Carlos: The fact is, experience has little bearing on the success of a presidency. Have a read on Abraham Lincoln’s experience before he was elected. Or look at this way. Who was more experienced than Rumsfeld and Cheney and those guys> And how badly did things get screwed up? I think a president should be elected on the basis of leadership ability and an understanding of where the country needs to go - not where it has been. I have a lot of respect for John McCain as a man. But his campaign has been a disaster. If this is what experience means, count me out.

from henry

Comment:

Here is an interesting concept for a Obama ad that I wrote: http://www.newfunny.com/archive/?sid=209

from Omar Lutfey

Comment:

Unfortunately Biden and Palin are not running for President. It’s Obama and McCain. I think that we have all be swept up in Obamamaina. Sure the Senator is well spoken and carismatic. But do we want a President that is a good orator if we are being attacked? And let’s not forget other World Leaders who were carismatic and had a gift for gab. Everyone has jumped on the Obama bandwagon, but after all he is the “Junior” Senator from IL for God Sakes. Do we want someone who is still green behind the ears as President? Are we all just lemmings that we are letting THE MEDIA tell us who to vote for? I was and still am a Clinton Supporter. My Fellow Americans we have made a grave mistake. And there is no way to go back. We are going to have a inexperienced President with a House controlled by experienced polished Democrats who will weild power over our President. We blame the Republicans for all our woes, but the Democrats have been in power for two years now. What have they done? We say that McCain is Bush three, but is he really? We have only three weeks left before we are to make an imporatant decision. My Fellow Americans think hard of what you are doing. In this time of uncertainess, crisis, and up-hevel can we afford to have the Country controlled by one Party without checks and balances. Remember what happened the last time one party was in charge?

from Carlos

Comment:

Well, I have had time to digest the VP and Presidential debates. I am for Ronald Regan. I think Obama is trying to talk his way into the White House. I hear the same thing, over and over and over..give me a break, I am not that weak-minded that I would vote for a senator with only 147 days in office. When did he have time to vote for all the bills he said he has? He reminds me of the proverbial fish out of water, you know, flip floping all over the deck. My main concern is not the economy, that will take care of itself, as it has done many times. My fear is terrorists. I think they will attack again and I feel that Obama has no clue what is really going on with that issue. Can we have a do-over with the primaries? Paul

from paul costanzo

Comment:

Hi Brian, Thanks for commenting about biodiesel. I’ve never tried it but it sounds interesting. You might enjoy checking out another one of our blogs: http://www.neocarz.com/blog/

from Albert

Comment:

I also think Palin was the straw that broke the camels back. The shock of the pick was intially taken well, but as soon as she starting talking that was it. I build biodiesel processors which turn waste vegetable oil into biodiesel, so I just hope they speak about the economy and fuel more at the debate tonight. As the other poster said, we just need to keep moving in the right direction.

from Biodiesel Information

Comment:

Hi Basil, I agree. I used to have a lot of respect for McCain, but I think that choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate was a terrible decision. I might have voted for him if he chose Mitt Romney, who would have been very helpful in this economic crisis.

from Albert

Comment:

McCain’s choice of Palin as his running mate destroys any trust I had in him as a potential Commander in Cheif. If he’s willing to give someone like Palin the second-highest office in the United States for political gain, just imagine what his cabinet will look like. Even if McCain doesn’t die in office, it’s scary to imagine a McCain Whitehouse that’s full of underqualified members as a result of McCain’s own screwed-up version of Affirmative Action in the White House. Common people, WAKE UP! Everyone should see this 30-Second Election Forecast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEogMnwgAX0

from Basil D

Comment:

Check this out; http://www.youtube.com/user/theyear2048 if the owner of this blog, could put these movies somewhere on his blog it would be very nice of him :)

from The year 2048

Comment:

Obama/Biden seems to be the only possible chance that this country has to regaining what was once a supreme and confident nation. McCain will have this country at war, no matter where, just to take care of his unbelievable “Napoleon” issues. Sarah Palin doesn’t have a clue and I thought she came off in the debates as a woman who can memorize whatever is told to her, add a ridiculous wink that doesn’t appeal to America, and then…………the RUDENESS and IGNORANCE really shined through when she not only refused to answer the questions but felt it necessary to go off on a rant about the MAVERICK, HOCKEY MOM, REFORMER that she is…………….blah, blah, blah………What Maverick???

from Bonnie

Comment:

Can someone please explain if Obama is so darn good for this country why he is repeatedly linked throughout his political career to domestic terrorists, and criminals? I suppose all of us have had one or two casual connections in our lifetimes that could be questioned but come on â€“ get real. Over and over again Obama runs with the wrong crowdâ€¦. William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezko, Michael Pfleger, Kwame Kilpatrick, Larry Walsh. The man even had to leave his church of 20 years after he began his run for president because of â€œa cultural and a stylistic gapâ€ (aka angry racist hate speeches from the pulpit) Interesting that for 20 years he thought the place was a-ok. The fact so many in America are on the Obama wagon is frightening. Has anyone really asked who is driving that wagon and where is it going? People wake upâ€¦stop the Bush is dumb chant for a change and research the facts on the character of the man Obama.

from DJ Alberts.

Comment:

October Surprise! http://neoconmccain.blogspot.com McCain’s chief of staff, Chris Paul: meddled at the FBI! McCain: consorting with Frank Gren, Blackwater’s lobbyist! McCain: doing secret projects for Wolfowitz with investor dollars! McCain: involved in illegal payments! McCain: not what he seems-don’t let the hockey mom fool you

from McCain NEOCON

Comment:

It was very strange, practically arrogant, that Palin kept on referring to herself and McCain as mavericks.

from Albert

Comment:

We don’t even need a new President, the one we have now will ruin this country beyond any possible repair. Hussein said: The way to take down the superior USA is to allow them to destroy themselves. It is working with the $700 billion bailout and the addition of “pork and earmarks.” The Iraq war has cost $10 billion a month. Take the amount per month times the amount of time spent there and guess what??? The total is $700 billion for a mistake that Bush made and McCain wants to continue with his inexperienced, uneducated, war-loving running mate, Sarah Palin.

from Bonnie

Comment:

For all you Republican supporters out there, please wake up. I have watched both Obama/McCain and Biden/Palin debates. I really haven’t heard any plan from the Republican with regards to the War or Economy Their strategy seemed consists of (a) attack Obama’s credibility and records; and (b) sell McCain as a Maverick and Palinn as a soccer mom. In the eyes of the Republican supporters, the campaign has been a success; however, I would challenge you to review Obama’s record vs. McCain’s. It has been said that Obama made inconsistent statement regarding the surge. The fact he did not support the surge but later admitting surge had “succeed beyond his wildest dream” is not inconsistent. Surge was necessary b/c we went to Iraq but the War was not necessary. Obama didn’t support the War and I agreed with him, although we both support the troop. There is a difference but Republican party didn’t want to you see that difference. Come on. Pleas wake up America. Do we really want another 4 years of the Republican Party in the White House with no plans for anything and just a lot of talk? We just had that for the past 8 years and I cannot stand for another 4. IF REPUBLICAN GETS ELECTED, THIS WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR AMERICA. OUR COUNTRY WILL FALL LIKE GREEK, ROME, AND BRITAIN. LET’S NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY

from Albert C

Comment:

Biden is very good at being a politician, though like McCain, he does have some health issues. Personally I think both McCain and Biden are good politicians, but I’m wary of McCain’s decision to choose Palin as his running mate. I really like how excited the voters are getting over Obama, and in the campaign in general, but like many, I question his experience, especially when it comes to foreign policy. In that light, Biden was an excellent choice. These days, foreign policy is only seen as important in regards to the Iraq war, and the economy is obviously a more and more important issue. I probably would have voted for McCain if he chose Romney, but now I’ll probably vote for Nader again as my state will almost definitely vote in Obama. Still haven’t made up my mind.

from Albert

VP Debate

2008-10-02T18:01:06-04:00

Tonight’s the night: Palin versus Biden! Who will win? Does it matter? Stay tuned for details.

Here’s my impression:

Biden - [McCain is the same as Bush]
Palin - [I’m American and understand the average voter, McCain is a maverick]

So far, about 30 minutes into the debate, I think both candidates are doing a good job. Palin seems a bit nervous, but I feel that’s a sign of sincerity. Unfortunately, sincerity doesn’t go too far in politics. Biden is cool, and is not coming off as condescending at all.

Comment:

Joe Biden looks just like Pat Geary (the corrupt senator from “The Godfather” Part II)

from The Dwarf

Comment:

During the debate when Sarah Palin pauses she is showing signs of recognition, this is an indcation she is receiving direction from someone. They are not signs of recollection which are usually indicated by a forehead of brow furrow or a semi-squint. She is presenting with “open-faced” pauses with blinking recognition. I guess there was some form of receiver in the arm of her glasses. This is a professional assessment. This is not a fair debate, there are signs of duplicity that need investigating.

from Karen

Comment:

With all due respect and apology to those mobilized behind the Republican ticket, I believe that your candidate’s campaign is surviving on a diet of trite populism and arrogantly short-sighted naivete. 1) Biden answered every question as presented. He gave an earnest response and a concise reasoning for every single prompt. Palin did not. Palin seemed to recite answers she had been studying very hard for. Palin delivered vague generalities that no human would disagree with. I hope she get’s an A on her test. 2) In Palin’s “support” of woman’s rights and of education, she severely departed from the McCain platform and Republican ideology and seemed to land squarely in the opposition’s camp. She lent an air of public pandering and offered confusing contradictions to the viewpoints augered by her own party. 3) Palin had no retort in general and in specificity to foreign policy concerns. She had no reasonable argument against Biden’s assertion that the United States has exerted a ridiculously absurd proportion of our resources and attention towards Iraq instead of a real threat in Afqhanistan. While both candidates agreed that a strong US influence abroad necessitates deployment of armed services, Biden seemed to have a much better grasp of the global situation and offered rational and responsible tactics, while Palin unfortunately appeared to be leaning much too heavily on dogmatic party-line responses to both the realities and criticisms of the war in Iraq. It is so refreshing to see so many people interested and invested in this election. Both voting bases are energized and attentive. I only hope that the right and deserving ticket wins this fall. Best, Dan

from Dan

Debate Tonight

2008-09-26T16:04:11-04:00

I was relieved to hear McCain was going to be debating tonight. I have been looking forward to these debates since the candidates accepted the nominations, and selected their running mates. For me this will be an important step in helping to determine where my vote will go. I’ve learned through my adolescence that what is said in the debates is not about the empty promises each man makes on stage. It’s about judging their character, feeling out who will better represent the United States of America, to the world and for Americans.

Most of their ideas and plans are empty rhetoric until they get into office, and then all bets are off. I freely admit that what I want to see is a statesman who can maintain poise under pressure, and who will help heal international relations. This is about making friends. Will the next president bring strife or salvation.In my experience it’s not what you say, but how you say it, and a televised debate is a great way to see how they respond when confronted with adversity live in your home.I have my favorites, but I haven’t made up my mind yet. What do others look for when they watch these debates?

I’m trying to find where the debates will be streamed live online (someone must be doing it). As soon as I do I’ll post the link here.

UPDATE: A friend got me the link (Thanks Mel!). Myspace is working with commission of presidential debates. You can watch live streaming of the debates here. If you don’t have a myspace account just select “continue as a guest”.

Comment:

If it’s true that Obama can’t produce a birth certificate for natural birth in this country how is it even remotely possible that he can run in this election? This is an issue that needs to be brought up now before it goes any further. If he wins that would make Biden President…Scandal…McCain should bring that up in his campaign,,This would be a huge changing blow and that would stick to the wall.! I also hear that gov.Palin is commander and chief over our countries defence in Alaska? Are there any truth to any of this mess? If Palin is trusted with something like this I would trust her to be commander and chief of this country and a lot of other people would too. Fact is Obama was ask by another senator of any accomplishment that obama had done..he couldn’t answer..he had nothing. Seems that all the press is praising Obama giving excess air time promotion but giving McCain very little coverage.What I hear the press giving is 75 to 25% ratio to obama. I think McCain should get the same ammount of press time. Press seems to be biased when in fact should be neutral in the professon, no matter of personal feelings.

from Steve Ertzberger

Comment:

If it’s true that Obama can’t produce a birth certificate for natural birth in this country how is it even remotely possible that he can run in this election? This is an issue that needs to be brought up now before it goes any farther. If he wins that would make Biden President…Scandal…McCain should bring that up in his campaign,,This would be a huge changing blow and that would stick to the wall.! I also hear that gov.Palin is commander and chief over our countries defence in Alaska? Are there any truth to any of this mess? If Palin is trusted with something like this I would trust her to be commander and chief of this country and a lot of other people would too. Fact is Obama was ask by another democratic senator of any accomplishment that obama had done..he couldn’t answer..he had nothing. Seems that all the press is praising Obama giving excess air time promotion but giving McCain very little coverage.What I hear the press giving is 75 to 25% ratio to obama. I think McCain should get the same ammount of press time. Press seems to be biased when in fact should be neutral in the professon, no matter of personal feelings.

from Steve Ertzberger

Comment:

Why is it ok for Palin to not have knowledge about critical information and be able to talk about being a hockey mom when our country is facing an endless war, terrorism, economic decline, etc. How can pundits say she did well? Can she deal with Russia, Iran, Syria, Pakistan? She looked like she was shaking in front of Biden. This country is in a crisis. We don’t need another false bill of goods. We need the truth and the truth may be painful.

from Christine

Comment:

I think the upcoming VP debate will go a long way in proving the Palin choice as either a great idea, or the biggest mistake. She will have to do better than she has in recent interviews. www.thesarahpalinstory.com

from Marlene Gundlach

Comment:

The debate was more of an argument about who was more like President Bush.

from Albert

Comment:

This might be the first election where the vice presidential choice makes or breaks the campaigns. I like both McCain and Obama, but I don’t think Sarah Palin was the right choice as VP. I like Dodd, but I think Hillary as the VP nominee might have made for more party unity within the Dems. The debate? Yawn.

from Albert

Interesting Website

2008-09-26T15:45:29-04:00

I found this website today. It lets you estimate your taxes under the proposed plans of Obama and McCain. Pretty neat toy.

Comment:

Ralph, shame on you! McCain spent 5 Â½ years in the Hanoi Hilton. As far as I am concerned I would count that as 11 years in combat. He turned down early release. He may not be a good politician but he is an honorable man. I really doubt any sincere veteran would take a shit on that.

from Doug

Comment:

IT,S INTERESTING TO HEAR MCAIN SAY HE,S BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS COUNTRY SINCE HE WAS 17 YEARS OLD.I AM 74 AND JOINED THE NAVYY WHEN I WAS 17,IT WAS 1951.MCAIN WENT IN THE NAVY AFTER THE KOREAN WAR ENDED.HE DID NOT SEE WAR UNTIL 1967.HIS TOTAL WAR TIME WAS 10 MISSIONS[ABOUT 20 HOURS]. HE THEN WAS SHOT DOWN AND CAPTURED AND SPENT THE REST OF THE WAR AS A POW.NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE BUT IN ANOTHER PLACE FAR FROM THE WAR.I THINK HE SHOULD START PUTTING HIS WAR EXPERIANCE BEHIND HIM AND CONCENTRATE ON THE ISSUES.PUT OBAMA IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND FEEL SELF ASSURED THIS COUNTRY WILL NOT GO TO WAR UNLESS IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY,AND NOT A ONE UPMANSHIP MOVE TO STRUT AROUND POPPING YOUR SHIRT BUTTENS AS BUSH STARTED OUT DOING.

from ralph santinello

Comment:

Here’s another interesting site. Sort of like an online mortgage calculator, but for McCain’s home… http://www.whencanibuymccainshouse.com/

from Joe

Comment:

It is not all about Taxes. What about our economy? Remember Clinton! That was the best economy our country had experienced. Since then, we have experienced perhaps the worse economy in the past 30 years. Wake up! I rather pay more taxes but live in a thriving economy than less taxes on a struggling economy. America is not a manufacturing country. If we continue to struggling economically, we will lose our value in the world. It is not entirely impossible that the dollar may someday not be worth more than the paper it is printed on. Let’s not let this happen. VOTE FOR OBAMA

from Albert C

Bob Barr and Ralph Nader

2008-09-25T08:30:45-04:00

I saw Ralph Nader and Bob Barr on television recently commenting about the economy and the hotly contested $700 billion bailout package which the senate is now reviewing. It is cool to see that these smaller parties, through their tenacity, have inched their way onto the media platform. Many people often discount their efforts saying there is no way that they will win, but as far as I can tell, they aren’t exactly vying for the win. It appears to me that they are merely working to give people another choice. Whether or not that is worth it is another topic altogether, but I’m sure both Barr and Nader are quite please with the exposure they’ve already received this election so far, with more likely to come before its over.

Comment:

I’m definitely going to vote for Ralph Nader who has been warning for years about the looting of America by the corporations. Ralph Nader would understand how “securitization” and the failure of the rating agencies, etc.. to do their jobs, and the failure of the brokers and lenders and the SBA, and the regulators to do their job, has enabled rampant “legalized fraud.” Hopefully, someone will do some prison time for this legalized looting and failure to protect the American people.

from Carol

The Economy

2008-09-17T18:53:53-04:00

The United States economy is having a seriously tough time these days. Many banks are failing, the housing market is in the doldrums, and disastrous storms continue to wreak havoc on our nation.So nowadays, I have to wonder if McCain would have been better off if he chose Mitt Romney as his Vice President. What do you think?

Comment:

Well looks like we have our president huh! So all this doesn’t matter anymore, but I just wanted to say that the comment from cassie was one of the most ignorant comments I have read in quite a long time. “[Palin] maybe lacking experience, but any woman who can have 4 kids can do anything”…. I would rash you right now, because this statement is wrong on so many levels, but I’ll just let it go for now, pray for you while saying “hallelujah”, and end this with a smiley face :)

from Julian B.

Comment:

Jessica, We can tell what is most important to you…. anything concerning money…hum that won’t get you to heaven!!

from cassie

Comment:

Palin represents the women who are educated and is showing America that a woman can do what a man can. I believe he made a great choice in Palin..maybe lacking experience,but any woman who can have four kids can do anything. Obama on the other hand is for abortion and all the things that just does not fit with my christian beliefs. I would vote for someone who is for the right things, and not for someone who says it is o.k. to do all the wrong things. The bible says you should not kill…well you are killing your child. A lot of people may say that religion and politics don’t go,but I say put religion in politics and it works.

from cassie

Comment:

THE PERFECT STORM FOR A DEPRESSION … A far left Media … A far left President … A far left Congress … A far left Senate … eliminates all the checks and balances that our democracy is based upon. A vote for Obama is a vote for voter fraud, a corrupt media, and the road to Socialism. God Help Us !!!

from Howard

Comment:

There have been a lot of discussions concerning Obamaâ€™s tax increase and small businesses. Obama will simply dismiss these charges by stating that more than nine out of ten small businesses will not be impacted. He has his facts right on this one but his conclusion is all wrong. Here are some facts that folks should consider: â€¢ Three out of four small businesses will be impacted. The shallow main stream media fails to point out the duality of both facts. â€¢ 19.5% of employers that have 10 to 19 employees will be hit with the Obama tax â€¢ 50% of employers with 20 to 249 employees will be hit with the Obama tax â€¢ The Obama plan will phase out tax deductions that will effectively raise taxes 1.5% on these same groups â€¢ These same small businesses will be hit with a 4% payroll tax surcharge Most of the employment growth in small businesses takes place in that 5% that Obama targets. What is amazing is the politics that Obama plays with his proposals. Does anyone really believe that a three thousand tax credit per new hire is really going to do any good? Raising taxes in any economic downturn, regardless of who you want to target is a bad idea.

from Doug

Comment:

Jessica, Your assessment of Republicans and the middle class is dead wrong. I can assure you that I am in the middle class and Republican views toward the economy resonate with me. First, it is hard to be a friend of the employee and an enemy of the employer. To appease unions the Democrats want to eliminate the secret ballot for union elections. They are willing to open ordinary middle class workers to intimidation. Second, the Democrats believe they can reengineer the US economy by penalizing certain forms of energy production. Simply put this will cost all Americans with ever increasing energy cost. While I am for protecting the environment we need to balance the needs of farmers, fishermen, truck drivers, manufacturing plant workersâ€¦..the list goes on. Finally, Obama is more concerned with â€œfairnessâ€ and spreading the wealth around instead of economic growth. He is a zero sum gain believer - the only way someone can get ahead is at the expense of others. The real way to spread wealth is to grow the economy so everyone can benefit.

from Doug

Comment:

Are you kidding me. The media is far from fair and balanced concerning this election. Sarah Palin is better qualified than Joe Biden. She is a breath of fresh air and Washington needs a politician that is not embedded in the good old boy network. More important, John McCain is a hundred times wiser and better qualified than Senator Obama. I was not for going to war with Iraq, however, since we are close to victory, we need to make sure Iraq becomes a successful democratic nation that their people want and the nation is starting to become. Senator Obama and Biden want to announce to our enemies when we will be leaving Iraq!!! This is the most ludicrous strategy that I have ever heard. We will be raising the white flag of surrender, as Governor Palin so eloquently explained in the debate between Senator Biden and Governor Palin.! This is a perfect example of why it would be absurd for Senator Obama to become the Commander and Chief of our Armed Forces. John McCain will make sure our troops come home victorious and with honor. The American people are tired of the out of control spending by Congress. When Senator Obama refers to electing Senator McCain is the same as electing four more years of George Bush, Senator Obama needs to realize that he and the Democrats in Congress have dominated the ludicrous spending the past four years. That’s why Congress has a 10 % approval rating!! Senator McCain has never asked for earmarks and will continue to fight this irresponsible method of spending our money. If Senator Obama is elected, you can be sure that he will put a rubber stamp on any spending that the Democrat majority of Congress send his way. A perfect example is recently when we found ourselves in desperate economic circumstances, the democrats add 150 billion dollars of pork spending to the 700 billion emergency bailout bill. This is outrageous and should have the American people stampeding the capital building. Make no mistake about this, if you think that our economy is in bad shape now, if Obama is elected, he and the democrat majority in Congress will take us down a financial road of total collapse!!! What a horrific example our government has set for the cities, states and the citizens of our country concerning balancing a budget. No wonder so many people are in trouble with credit card debt. McCain and Palin will fight to make an amendment to the United States Constitution that will make it mandatory for Congress to balance the budget every year. One reason for the economic disaster we find ourselves in today, is because our government encouraged people to take out mortgages that they could not afford. Whatever happened to working for what you get. When government starts trying to help people, it is usually is for the wrong reasons. Democrats need to realize that the more you give to people, the more you spoil them. In the process, the larger government becomes. History clearly shows that government operation is the worst method of accomplishing something efficiently. The government wants to give and give. Unfortunately the vast majority of these programs and earmarks are only for the sake of getting re-elected. Senator McCain and Governor Palin are not afraid to stand up to this ridiculous out of control spending and the corruption in Washington. If you want real change, then the McCain/Palin ticket will bring the necessary discipline and reform that this country so desperately needs. Vote for leaders with incredible courage, integrity, experience and have the best interest for Americans. Vote for real progress, vote the McCain/Palin ticket.

from bill

Comment:

i think the economy is really really really bad. everything in the world is going down the drain which is why we have to vote for McCain who will not raise taxes unlike OBAMA who wants to raise taxes so we will be in alot of trouble.

from rebecca

Comment:

JUST SAY NO TO AN ObamaNation!!! Think before you Vote!!! JUST SAY NO TO AN ObamaNation!!! From, Steve

from Steve

Comment:

Albert, I give you Ron Paul, but I have to vote for someone who will make it to the White House that can and hopefully will help my home state of Ohio. Everytime I go back it is worse, and my family and friends have little hope that it will get better. The situation there is more than a byline in a political news show. The economic squeeze we are feeling now, they have been living with for 7 years. I am going to vote for Obama, and then stay on him to make sure his promise is reality! Oh and by the way if you were wondering…McCain’s brother is wrong. I am a Northern Virginian now who is supporting Obama and I am not a Communist, nor is anyone I know.

from Jessica

Comment:

Hey Jessica - don’t forget about Ron Paul - he’s a republican and genuinely cares about all Americans.

from Albert

Comment:

Dear Doug and Tim… 1.) There is not a Republican Politician alive who cares about the Middle Class. My father is a Ford worker in Cleveland and I can tell you that even when your precious Reagon was in office there were times when my dad was laid off for so long that we almost lost our house. A local church kept us afloat. When G.H.W. Bush was in office he was laid off on and off for 3 out of 4 years. With Clinton…not at all. Now he is laid off every other week. McCain’s healthcare plan will cause your employers to not be able to afford to offer you health care. McCain has always voted against regulation, that is public knowledge and his voting record is open to the public, so feel free to look it up. 2. McCain does not want to talk about the economy…why I wonder? It might just be because he has no plan. He has no idea what to do. He just wants to live out his life long dream to be president, so he is mudslinging now to scare people to not vote for Obama. Now, does that sound like “Country First” or “McCain First”. I believe another change in his slogan is needed. 3. I would suggest that before McCain and Palin start mudslinging they need to look into their own closets. McCain is linked to the Keating 5, and Palin’s husband is linked to a group who want Alaska to secceed from the union. I belive the founder of the organization said he doesn’t live in the country of America, but in the country of Alaska, and it would be a cold day in Hell before he is buried in American soil and under her flag. Palin herself this year made a speech for this organization. Is that “Country First”? 4. I make over $250,000 a year, and I have used the Obama tax calculator, and I am okay with that. Do you want to know why? Better me, who has the money, than my family in Ohio who does not. I don’t think Obama is the end all be all. I am a Libertarian, but I believe in honesty. McCain in his campaign for presidency has switched religions, claimed being a Maverick (which in my mind is an insult to all of our intelligence, since we saw him support Bush almost constantly via t.v. the past 8 years), picked someone as VP just to get women to vote for him, become erratic, and instead of talking about the economy he chooses to try to insult our intelligence and make us think Obama is a terrorist. Don’t you think he were, with Patriot Act and all, we would know by now. Come on, and wake up! This is your future, my future, and our families future. I used to like McCain, in fact 8 months ago I would have been sure I was going to vote for him. I have done way too much research, and visited Cleveland Ohio too many times to be that irresponsible.

from Jessica

Comment:

Steve and Rebecca, I urge you to please take the Obama tax calculator. I would also urge you to do your research on the McCain Healthcare plan. It is a hidden tax.

from Jessica

Comment:

Obama is wrong on a number of issues when it comes to the economy. First, he declares that he will raise taxes on only 5% of Americans. Yeah rightâ€¦â€¦when he gets into office he will pull a Bill Clinton and raise taxes immediately on the middle class. Do not be fooled, even if the tax cut is limited to the top 5% this will impact small business. Second, he has admitted in interviews that he will provide â€œtax rebatesâ€ to people who do not pay taxes. Before you get a rebate you have to actually pay income tax. The last time I checked that was called income redistribution. Third, Obama is blaming deregulation for the current financial crisis and more specific the repeal of Glass-Steagall. Again Obama is getting a pass from the main stream media. Joe Biden, his VP, voted for that deregulation and Bill Clinton signed it into law. This is a repeal that I agree with Bill Clinton. Without this repeal, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch would go bankrupt because no commercial banks could have acquired them. Simply put, Obama is at best a lightweight on the economy and at worst a disingenuous politician.

from Doug

Comment:

Let me respond to Tim first. TIM, SHAKING YOUR HAND DOESN’T MEAN HE IS THERE FOR YOU. I am sure you have shake many people’s hands. They are not all qualified to be President. Having said that, I don’t disqualify McCain’s support to our military. However, it is clear to me that the Republican has not plan towards how to end the War or how to boost our economy. Lastly, McCain had definitely shown his lack of qualification as a President by choosing Palin as his running mate. If he is that careless while he is running for office, what kind of mistake will he makes when he is elected. This country made a mistake TWICE by electing Bush and he had shown his true colors time and time again. Do we really want to elect someone who is a Maverick again? Did we do that

from Albert C

Comment:

America is Bushed and so are the rest of the world probably, the electorate got what they deserve for electing a Chump for a president, dont make the mistake again or maybe its all too late for us all. Obama I belive is the right man, he has presence and a basic Honesty that pervades him and that out classes his rival. Dont fall for the Red herrings, this election will be your most important to date.

from R. Gardner

Comment:

McCain would have been better off if he picked a vice-presidential candidate who actually had expierence on the world stage. Why is he afraid to let Palin speak on her own? if she’s as qualified as he states why isn’t he allowing her to speak to the press? When have we ever seen a candidate unwilling to be seen on television? At least we have seen Joe Biden and he appears to be a very qualified candidate who I would feel comfortable with as President.

from ed

Comment:

I am so sick of this election! I was in the military and lived in CT. When I was in the military they tried closing my subbase in New London CT. John McCain was there helping keep it open! When I got out of the military I was building subs at Electric Boat/ General Dynamics. They tried cutting sub building down John McCain was there again! I even shook his hand. John McCain has helped the blue collar workers and what has Obama done?? Has anyone actually seen him do anything to really help anyone? People are saying “well Obama is black so I’m voting for him.” What ever happened to voting for the right guy for the job?! “John McCain has been for me and my family and we will be there for him”!

from Tim

Comment:

This has been taken straight from Obama’s site. Obama has said for years that regulations should have been in place to stop exactly waht is happening today. McCain said nothing. Protect Homeownership and Crack Down on Mortgage Fraud Obama and Biden will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. They will also make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options, and they will give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners. * Create a Universal Mortgage Credit: Obama and Biden will create a 10 percent universal mortgage credit to provide homeowners who do not itemize tax relief. This credit will provide an average of $500 to 10 million homeowners, the majority of whom earn less than $50,000 per year. * Ensure More Accountability in the Subprime Mortgage Industry: Obama has been closely monitoring the subprime mortgage situation for years, and introduced comprehensive legislation over a year ago to fight mortgage fraud and protect consumers against abusive lending practices. Obama’s STOP FRAUD Act provides the first federal definition of mortgage fraud, increases funding for federal and state law enforcement programs, creates new criminal penalties for mortgage professionals found guilty of fraud, and requires industry insiders to report suspicious activity. * Mandate Accurate Loan Disclosure: Obama and Biden will create a Homeowner Obligation Made Explicit (HOME) score, which will provide potential borrowers with a simplified, standardized borrower metric (similar to APR) for home mortgages. The HOME score will allow individuals to easily compare various mortgage products and understand the full cost of the loan. * Close Bankruptcy Loophole for Mortgage Companies: Obama and Biden will work to eliminate the provision that prevents bankruptcy courts from modifying an individual’s mortgage payments. They believe that the subprime mortgage industry, which has engaged in dangerous and sometimes unscrupulous business practices, should not be shielded by outdated federal law. Address Predatory Credit Card Practices Obama and Biden will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer knows the risk involved in every credit card. They also will establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices.

from Observer

Is the United States of America a Fortune 500 Company?

2008-09-16T15:25:56-04:00

I just read a headline stating that Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, claimed that Sarah Palin does not have enough experience to run a large company like Hewlett Packard. While I don’t know what it takes to run a company like that, I have to agree. Though I’d also say that most of our recent presidents do not have what it takes to run a fortune 500 company. Maybe Mitt Romney, but he has never been president.

So I have to ask what the relevancy is here? Should the President of the United States of America be able to successfully run and operate a fortune 500 business?

Obama vs. McCain on Taxes

2008-09-12T12:06:45-04:00

I thought it would be interesting to compare the goals and plans of the two candidates for the economy. Personally it’s one of my number one concerns and it’s important to me to know which candidate is going to do the right thing for the majority of the people in this country.I’m taking the info directly from the websites of the two candidates, so it can be examined side by side.

Obama:

Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers the tax relief they need. Obama will create a new “Making Work Pay” tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. The “Making Work Pay” tax credit will completely eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.

McCain:

Keep Tax Rates Low: Entrepreneurs are at the heart of American innovation, growth and prosperity. Entrepreneurs create the ultimate job security - a new, better opportunity if your current job goes away. Entrepreneurs should not be taxed into submission. John McCain will keep the top tax rate at 35 percent, maintain the 15 percent rates on dividends and capital gains, and phase-out the Alternative Minimum Tax. Small businesses are the heart of job growth; raising taxes on them hurts every worker.

Cut The Corporate Tax Rate From 35 To 25 Percent: A lower corporate tax rate is essential to keeping good jobs in the United States. America was once a low-tax business environment, but as our trade partners lowered their rates, America failed to keep pace. We now have the second highest corporate tax rate in the world, making America a less attractive place for companies to do business. American workers deserve the chance to make fine products here and sell them around the globe.

Both men clearly have different objectives. Obama’s seems more focused on the everyday working man, where McCain directs his towards companies and businesses. Which plan will provide America with the proper balance between alleviating the national debt, and protecting everyman from total financial destruction.

Comment:

Facts are a stubborn thing. The bottom 50% of American income earners pay less than 5% of the income tax. If you do not believe me here is one link that will give the details http://www.american.com/archive/2007/november-december-magazine-contents/guess-who-really-pays-the-taxes . The only way that Obama can cut taxes for 95% of Americans is to cut them a check to supplement to subsidize their income. Actually Obama has mentioned this in interviews. By lifting the caps on Social Security, he will fundamentally change it from retirement savings into a vehicle for income redistribution. What is strange is that this will cause revenue from income tax to drop. Remember we do not pay income tax on the money taken for Social Security. As Americans we have to ask ourselves why we have a tax system. If you believe it should not hinder economic growth and generate revenue then vote for McCain. If you believe it is suppose to force fairness then vote for Obama. Just remember it is easier to be generous with another personâ€™s money.

from Doug

Comment:

I am afraid if Obama gets elected. We have heard all these promises before from Democrats about helping the Middle Class, but I still haven’t seen it. I do however take home more money with the Bush tax cuts, which is why they are good for me. My biggest problem with Democrats is that they think they know better for me, than I know for myself. I grew up with values enforcing that we are all responsible for ourselves, and things happen, good and bad, and thats just how it is. I truly believe that if Obama gets elected, this is going to become a Socialist country, and we are going to loose alot of our civil rights, especially if we “speak” against the “chosen one” Should he be selected, as he has been in the past, by disqualifying his opponents, Obama is not going to bring any GOOD CHANGE, to this country. Just remember that when he takes more of your take home pay to pay for all his social programs to help those too lazy to take care of themselves.

from Maureen

Comment:

Sen. Mccain,s tax policies are suspect as much as George Bush,s were. How do you expect people to believe after all the lies of the past eight years. The hundreds of billions of dollars spent on the Iraq war used wisely at home could have not only prevented the present economic meltdown but could have improved the lives of millions of ordinary american people who are so much worse of now more so that the tax dollars of these very same people are being used to bailout the mess. Can someone out there convince me that someone that owns several houses and can”t even remember howmany and whose family is in the big league as far as business is concerned and owns a jet can and is going to reduce coporate tax and have the ordinary american peoples concern on their mind and be any different from George Bush and his business interests vs the quality of life of working americans. Are the powerful advisers of Mccain and Palin once in office going to be the same so-called NEO-CONS that have spun all the lies to the American people about the Iraq war and wasted so much of American dollars and created the present economic mess and the kind of image that this country has in the world.

from reggie

Comment:

Obama simplay wants to spend your tax dollars for you. McCain will let you keep your tax dollars so you can spend it how you want. Free, open economic systems operate best when taxes are lower and the government is small. Just look at Europe for example they are over taxed and have less. We have relatives that just visited in August. They were amazed at how we live over here. The open spaces, clean air, and how much we have in our homes neighborhoods and cities. The more money in our pockets and in our bank accounts gives us the everyday citizen power. Power to choose, power to influence, power to save, power to spend and the power to share. Giving more money via Obama’s tax plan will give the power to the government. The more you give in taxes the less control you have. High Taxes creates bigger government. Bigger Government creates backward economic policies that fail. Less government means more freedoms. Choose McCain choose freedom, Choose Obama choose Socialism or move to Canada and get Socialism up the wazzoo

from JD Smith

Comment:

Thereâ€™s a lot I admire about Sarah Palin: Her meteoric rise in a highly-scrutinized, male-dominated profession. Her ability to be smart and tough but also beautiful and feminine. The challenges life has thrown her way and how she has handled them. My friend Andy, a republican insider on Capitol Hill, says the party has had its eye on her for years. A true rising star. She is “feisty, with grace,â€ as a republican delegate recently put it. Sure, I find it pretty easy to be excited about all of that. And, then thereâ€™s a lot I don’t like about her. Her belief that creationism should be taught in public schools. Her desire to drill for more oil and build nuclear power plants instead of insisting on clean and safe sources of energy. Her belief that government should be able to tell women what they can and cannot do with their bodies. Thereâ€™s a lot of policy to disagree about, but these disagreements are par for the course in a republican versus democratic race. This race isnâ€™t going to come down to any of that. No, this race is going to be about personality and character. And it’s now abundantly clear that Sarah Palin has a lot of both. The question is whether sheâ€™s got the kind of personality and character befitting a person holding the second-highest office in the land. Or whether hers is conduct unbecoming. During her acceptance speech I expected to hear the kind of content conservatives salivate over, just as the DNC speeches dripped with the content democrats crave. So I wasnâ€™t surprised by the topics. Still, I heard some things that made my stomach churn. I heard her ridicule Obamaâ€™s community organizing experience. Of course we democrats know that community organizing is what you do when government is failing to meet the needs of the people. Martin Luther King was a community organizer. So was Jesus Christ. Maybe she does not understand what that work is all about. But did she have to ridicule it? What was with the tone she took? The attitude? I was instantly reminded of the swaggering cowboy we currently have in the Oval Office who makes clear that he thinks anyone who disagrees with him is like an animal in his personal rodeo. After hearing Sarah Palin speak, it is easy to imagine her as the new cowboy in town, with the leather chaps, metal spurs and lasso, kicking ass and taking names. This is who we want representing us in the world? The world is so tired of an America that behaves that way. And so am I. We need a president who respects people â€“ all people â€“ who doesnâ€™t think we are better than everybody else, and better yet who understands that while we are but a tiny fraction of the planetâ€™s population we have a great obligation to help lift up those around the world who are enduring tragedy and hardship. We need a president who will make America America again, both around the world and right here at home. It is hard to imagine that a woman who is called a “barracuda” because of how she treats people would be one of our nation’s highest leaders. It is hard to imagine a woman who had no need for a passport in the first 43 years of her life being able to be an ambassador for America around the world. It is hard to imagine such a woman being a heartbeat away from the presidency. I am a democrat. I believe government should actively safeguard a basic quality of life for all citizens. I believe our leaders must believe in science, in global warming being greatly compounded by human behavior, in a womanâ€™s right to choose. But even more than these things, I want the highest leaders in the land to respect people. The kick ass attitude Sarah Palin showed in her acceptance speech may be what it takes to get things done in Alaska, but in my view it is conduct unbecoming the next Vice President of the United States.

from Graeme

Comment:

Voters need to think about how Obama is going to help the economy grow and keep all of the assistance to the lower class families and cut taxes as well. He talks about lower taxes for everyone but if he plans on offering other ways to help lower and middle class there is no way he will be able to do so with the flow of tax money behind those different ways to assist people. That means no welfare, no medicaid, and food stamps. Those are the things that are going to be affected. But no one seems to be telling those less fortunate and less educated that they will not have that type of assistance when Obama makes tax cuts.

from Anonymous–from Louisiana

This little piggy went to the white house

2008-09-10T20:52:55-04:00

Ha! The latest bickering between the Obama and McCain camps have got me chuckling. Does anyone else find this amusing?

Sarah Palin: Only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.

Barack Obama: You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig.

Gotta love it!

I can’t help but think of the Simpson’s episode where Cletus puts makeup on his pig.

Comment:

I am so depressed….. If Obama is elected on Tuesday I will be besides myself. I love my country too much to watch my country be flushed down the toilet by a populist. Obama views the electorate as useful idiots who follow and do not think. It is so dispiriting to watch helplessly as America elects the first American Idol president. Maybe it is true that America deserves the President we elect. I have the Xanax and Wild Turkey ready so if I wake up Wednesday morning to find America has elected Obama I can kill the pain.

from Mike Mansfield

Comment:

Presidents can only say yea or nea to an entire bill. Congress decides everything. In fact the only thing they can do without congress is move troops in a national security situation and congress can overrule that. So the only way who wins this election matters is if their party picks up the majority in congress. And if they don’t well there is so much corruption we’ll just sink deeper into oblivion anyway. So I say regardless of your preferance vote Democrat so we can all stop working and live off the GOV. The rich and corperate taxes will pay everything. At least until they fail or crash from lack of employees. While we’re at it let’s have a free medical care system to boot run by our wonderful corrupt government didn’t we learn anything from the artical 99 medical system. For those of you that don’t remember that it was the government run medical care for military service vetrans until they abolished it and went corprate.. Go Obama change things… It will abe better. I look forward to sitting at home in my governement paid for house eating governement paid for food and when I get sick I cna go to governement madical care. What a great system. But if no-one works how do we pay for it all. Maybe we can sell of pieces to China? That shoul dmake things last at least until this generation is gone. I like it let’s go to the polls… Come on people nothing comes free.

from Anom

Comment:

I wonder when the Palin’s bubble is going to burst. If it’s enough for women across the country to get so impressed with a former “beauty queen bulldog”, maybe they should think one step further, and think of the consequences of having a person in the white house that does not see a problem with sending their sons and doughters to fight Russia this time (See ABC Palin’s interview). How Brilliant, Sarah! Why won’t you go do what you do best, shoot some Alaskan wild life and have a BBQ.

from Gil

Comment:

Unfortunately it is apparent that it is no longer a campaign of who is the best choice. Rather a combination of a media circus and a tactical game of chess. I have heard nothing about solutions. Where have the issues disappeared. Are we watching American Idol again? Alas the process is badly broken. Its not new leadership, its a repair of the fundamental process of goverment thats needed….. Oh excuse me thats a knock at the door………

from Wright

Comment:

Things are certainly going to change once the debates begin. It will be a time to put the focus back on the immediate issues that are important to most Americans. I imagine that this type of activity is expected, given that there is no real reason to be substantive. It seems to be a pre-debate lull. It will be interesting to see the exchanges in these debates… I hope that they are issue-driven. Then we will be better able to see them for what they should portray….elected officials in charge of fixing our country’s problems. I feel that the Republicans will suffer heavily during these debates, simply because of the current condition of our country, one with a Republican president for the last 8 years. The Democrats must stick to the issues and show Americans that they have an effective game plan for improvement. Also, it is necessary to show a strong defense to the probable Republican attacks. The Republican party’s attacks, in my opinion, are shameful. It is difficult to admire such a sad organization.

from Tom

Comment:

I think you left sided liberals who just want to see republicans out of office is who is going to screw over the the U.S. Obama wants to say its going to be the same but not everyone is the same. Everyone is made differently and has different opinions and beliefs. I think you arrogant liberals would take a look at all the promises how do you think he will be able to accomplish all of it. THINK About it. That is what you should do from a different stand point. I’m not trying to say that you should not have your own opinion but just educate yourself on what they both say and all of the issues at stake. My opinion is that he is making a lot of promises. Thats all.

from Anonymous–from Louisiana

Comment:

Frances: Very well said =)

from Rock the Vote for Obama/Biden

Comment:

I have heard so many say that Barack Obama lacks the experience needed to be the President, but NO ONE has uttered a word about Ms. Palin’s lack of experience. Oh wait, the republicans are looking to put a “hotty” in the White House. This woman was mayor of a town in Alaska and then governor for the state… And in the midst of this is her ensuing legal issues concerning the firing of Mr. Monegan for refusing to fire her ex-brother-in-law (though she states Mr. Monegan was fired due to a disagreement over budget issues). She appeared in an interview with Charles Gibson in which he asked her about the Bush Docterine, and she acted like she had no clue what he was talking about. He went on to explain what it was. When this campaign first started, I thought it was wonderful that there was so much diversity amongst the candidates. Whereas Mr. Obama seemed to take time to consider his options for a running mate, Mr. McCain seemed to pull Ms. Palin’s name from nowhere. I, too, questioned the experience of Mr. Obama, but Ms. Palin’s lack of experience kind of negates the issue. Maybe the republican party felt that experience counts less than looks? There are men (and women, I’m sure) who are voting republican because she is a “hottie.” And where did Mr. Palin’s new title “hot first dude” come from? He would only be “first dude” if she were the Commander in Chief, which, thankfully, she is not running for. If she has shown us one thing, it is that PIT BULL HOCKEY MOMS go after what they want, will use their political power to get it and, if that does not work, will fire those who do not give them what they want, as in the case with Mr. Wooten and Mr. Monegan. Ms. Palin is a very beautiful woman…but that does not make her a qualified leader of our country. She is a strong woman (after all, to be governor and the mother of 5 children has to be tough) and I admire her strength, but I do not feel that she is a good choice for VP. We know nothing about this woman. I had never even heard of her prior to her being chosen as VP running mate. What I have heard about her since she was chosen leads me to believe that she is qualified for the position. The questions surrounding her attack on her sister’s ex-husband have led me to the conclusion that she used her political power to try and seek revenge for a grudge against the man. I am not saying that Mr. Wooten should be nominated “trooper of the year” or anything, but the issues she had with this man during the time of her sister’s divorce and custody battle were over by the time she was governor and she still did everything within her power (and possibly beyond what she should have) to get what she wanted. Maybe the republican slogan should be “McCain/Palin in 2008…YOUR JOB MAY DEPEND UPON IT.”

from frances

Comment:

Anonymous: Bush screwed up the first 4 years, and had another 4 to fix it but only made things worse. Take for example gas prices. Gas prices were at $1.60 at the end of 2000. And now it’s around $4. That’s 250% increase!!!! Data from http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/gas1.html uhh…and what about seeing beyond all this drama and hype they’ve built around Palin???

from Rock the Vote for Obama/Biden

Comment:

I think some people need to really think about what they say just because some women are conniving does not mean they all are just like some mean are cheating bastards does not mean they all are. One way thinking is not a good thing. People need to think before they speak. They need to think about everything but while they do that they need to stop seeing the glamor and the fame of Obama and really think about the issues he is presenting and THE CHANGE, change that is funny he talks a lot about change but he really does not state too much on what he is changing and do you actually think he is going to give you everything he is promising to change. He does not have magic. He can’t just snap his fingers and everything is going to change. One last thing it takes time to change. Like sometimes 8years so before everyone blames bush about the economy they might want to look at Clinton.

from Anonymous–from Louisiana

Comment:

I have to leave one comment about all this…as a person who negotiates for a living, alienating people is ineffective. Working together towards a common goal is productive. Notice that a pit bull is not a popular breed. People don’t want them in their families. People like Labs and Golden Retrievers, nice dogs! Have you ever noticed no matter how bad the news is, if you deliver it with a smile people are engaged and want to help? If you yell and scream about it, people are repelled. SHe will not get anything done in Washington, she doesn’t ahve the faintest clue.

from Mary

Comment:

What is there to love? The ridiculousness of all this? It’s sad that all the media attention and what’s on everyone’s lips these days is about lipstick. From another post I made: …And Iâ€™m tired of the sleazy, high school tactics that the Republicans are playing. Any logical human being can see through their dirty tricks. Give me a break! The statement about lipstick on a pig is just an old sayingâ€¦and let me remind you that McCain used the same line when he attacked Hilary. Journalists and the media should stop reporting like theyâ€™re running tabloids and start drilling the candidates on real issues. Stop throwing distractions that donâ€™t mean a damn thing to whatâ€™s really at stake. ….One last thing to add. Iâ€™ve been in a beauty pageant and know just how conniving women can be. And it takes the more manipulative kind to actually win. Under the smile and make-up is where youâ€™ll find the truthâ€¦and it ainâ€™t pretty!

from Rock the Vote for Obama/Biden

McCain’s GOP Convention Speech

2008-09-04T22:47:22-04:00

McCain’s speech is pretty good so far. The video prior to his speech was too much though, I admire John McCain so much for turning down early release to stay with his fellow soldiers as a POW, but I really don’t think it has much to do with him being president.

That’s why I like his speech so far - he’s talking about now, and his plans for presidency. His sincerity is clear, and his delivery has been on the subject. Ha! He mentioned he fought lobbyist who stole from Native American tribes (ahem, Jack Abramoff, who received a reduced sentenced today). Thankfully, he hasn’t plugged eBay (yet).

I believe that McCain can get things done in Washington - its impressive that he even won the republican nomination. I know a lot of republicans who don’t like him, so tonight he seems to be catering a bit to ensure party support. No judges that legislate from the bench, school vouchers, pro-life, drilling, etc. So much for being a maverick! Maybe these are his views, but I would prefer if he talked more about his plans for cutting pork barrel spending, responsibly finish the military conflict in Iraq, secure Afghanistan, and fixing the national debt. While I’m not opposed to drilling, I don’t think it will really help as much as people think it will. I’m also not opposed to nuclear power, wind, or solar, and think that they are all steps in the right direction. When it comes to oil, its obvious that it can be used as an energy source. Why not use up the rest of the world’s oil before the US reserves?

What are people saying that they don’t like about McCain? That he loves war. While he supported increasing troops in Iraq, I’ve been led to believe that he has opposed conflicts in the past - like in Beirut. He’s old and out of touch. Being “in touch” is inherently a subjective concept - even a popularity contest doesn’t equate with being in touch. Yes, McCain is 72, but his mother is alive and well. I’m 32, and I’ve had the luck of spending a lot of time with my grandparents, and I found that while their age put them out of touch with evolving trends, their experience showed them a very real picture which could be seen only over a span of time.

Wow - McCain’s words about war and peace were very impressive to me. Unfortunately, McCain went on to explain how his experience as a POW ignited his love for his country, but I believe that most people (myself included) already understand that he loves his country, and would be much more interested in what changes he has in plan for Washington.

Comment:

“I believe that most people (myself included) already understand that he loves his country, and would be much more interested in what changes he has in plan for Washington” by very uninformed out of touch of reality person. The american people will turn out in force to vote for Sen. McCain who loves his country and already shown by ACTIONS in his military career and in the senate of the USA. Mr. Obama has shown that he has done nothing significant for the country but everything selfish for his past and current political career. McCain for USA while Obama for himself. Moreover most smart americans realized/understood that the lowest rating out of touch democrat congress with most out of touch leader Nancy Pelosi, long term relationship with some very bad people (ex: Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., and many more), trashed/misplaced american flags (12,000+) saved by the McCain and Palin people, lipstick and pig remark, among many more racist, sexist, non-patriotic actions by the Obama camp definitely NOT presidential material. Furthermore I suggest all the patriotic american to call for the impeachment of the entire democratic party. For those who assume (ass-u-me)in the WORDS of Obama and not in the deeds, patriotic, reach over party line ACTIONS of Sen. McCain, then I also have some nice tropical beach front land south of Anartica that I like to trade for your property. For those blind democrats, some CHANGEs in some soundbytes: For Obama: “Change by shit, is still shit” For Clinton: “With eyes fixed on the future… let’s declare together in one voice right here, right now, that Barrack “Change by shit” Obama is our candidate” For Kenedy: “The work begins anew, the hope of more shit rises again and the dream of more shit lives on”

from David P

Comment:

Think about it: If you are a Democrat, and always vote Democrat, then you will again. Lifelong Republicans will do the same for their candidate. It isn’t a decision for the one-issue people either. Whether it is Supreme Court appointments, abortion, gun-control, or something else, these folks are lifelong members of their party. Mickey Mouse could run, and they’d vote out of allegiance. Personally, I dislike one party monopolies on government; either way. It is simply bad government. For people who live in a one-party state, you understand what I mean. The truth of the matter is, there are good and bad on both sides of the isle. My advice: Don’t think about what is right for you personally, but what is best for all Americans.

from Caleb

Comment:

Ok who’s the snob?? Cindy McCainâ€™s $313,100 convention outfit. Here we are in the worst economical status that our country is in. Then McCain left first wife 9 months after starting an affair with his wealthy heiress girlfriend CINDY MCCAIN. Can you say marriage with “Polital” benefits? He is a known hot head. CNN did a great story on both candidates. If you didn’t get to see it check it out online. Palin is a mom…ok… Obama is a Dad, Biden is a great dad! So what.

from Lorrie

Comment:

Sarah Palin was a political move, and it’s working. It’s diverted the attention of democrats away from McCain and on to her. Well, now that she has our attention, she should explain to all those special needs families (for which she promised to be an advocate and friend) why as the governor of Alaska she cut funding for aid to special needs families from $8 million to $3 million. I guess she wasn’t advocate of aid for special needs until she had a personal stake in it. As for the republican convention, it was 1% substance, 99% fear mongering and images of war (with temporary rants of “Drill Baby Drill!”)

from Dan

Comment:

I guess being a maverick and an agent of change for Republicans means not going along with George W. Bush 10% of the time and supporting him 90% of the time. I say that because Mr. Republican maverick, the self-styled agent of Republican change John McCain has supported Bush 90% of the time in Congress, while only bucking him 10% of the time. What George W. Bush wanted Mr. McCain supported 90% of the time. So we can say that John McCain is 90% George Bush or as Iâ€™d like to call him, Bush Lite, which means that McCain has all the same bad flavor as regular Bush, but with only 90% of the crappy ingredients. If this represents John McCainâ€™sâ€”and the Republicansâ€™ â€“ideas of change, we are in for more of the same if McCain gets elected. If we applied their idea of change to other things, that would mean that for them changing a diaper would keeping 90% percent of the dirty diaper and wiping clean only 10% of the filth. Or it would mean putting 10% new oil in your car’s engine and keeping 90% of the old, dirty, damaging oil. Or deciding to change your smoking habits would mean only smoking eighteen cigarettes a day in the pack and not all twenty. Or washing only 10% of oneâ€™s body when taking a bath. Change indeed. Change is only change if the result is materially different, if it is not, then it is not really change. Take the 2006 midterm elections as an example. We voters did a type of 10% change like the one I’m describing: we barely gave the Democrats a majority, but left enough Republicans in Congress who, by using the filibuster along with President Bush’s veto power, did not make any real change at all and have hobbled the Democratsâ€™ efforts to get our beloved United States back on an even keel. Democrats may have a slight majority, but they don’t control Congress. What we did in 2006 is to institute a Republican Congress Lite and really assure that there would be no change in what Congress could do. And now John McCain is proposing we do the same with the presidency: change it from Republican president to Republican president lite, which will not be materially different at all. Think about it: if you want change: Obama is your candidate. He is change. He surely showed his brilliance in running a major political campaign and in supporting the right things in Congress. His judgment is much sounder than McCainâ€™s and what he will do will be better for all of us and our United States. But if you want the same kind of decay as you have had under Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress, vote for Bush Lite, I mean John McCain.

from David

Comment:

John McCain desperately wanted Joe Lieberman to be his VP running mate. However, he picked Palin for several reasons including the fact that she would be acceptable to the far right. He says he’s a maverick and will stand up to anyone including to his own party. Yet, in his first major decision he caved to the pressure from the ultra right faction of his party. He’s no maverick. He’s no indepentent thinker. He just does what he is told.

from Dave

Comment:

After Sen. McCains’ speech last night, my wife and I went in our kitchen, took out a pasta kettle, carried it out to the back yard, dug a hole, and buried it. In the event Sen. McCain wins the election, in four years we can dig up the kettle and still have a pot to piss in…

from Michael Robins

Comment:

I know one thing - my wife is furious with John McCain over his selection of Gov. Palin because he is pandering to women through this selection.

from Middle of the Road

Comment:

Sarah Palin said John McCain is the same, implying Barack Obama presents different faces to those who hear him. Iâ€™m going to take her at face value. At a fundraising dinner in Arizona a decade ago, John McCain asked, â€œDo you know why Chelsea Clinton is so ugly?â€ adding, â€œBecause Janet Remo is her fatherâ€ This remark packed into itâ€™s 15 words several layers of misogyny: it disparaged the looks of Chelsea then 18 and barely out of high school; it portrayed Reno as a man when she was serving as the first female US Attorney General; and it implied that Hillary Clinton was engaged in a lesbian affair while the Monica Lewinsky scandal was blazing. Any of these elements would seem potentially terminal for a public figure. Yet here he is 10 years later presenting himself as a champion of feminism appointing Sarah Palin as his running mate. The puzzle is explained partly by the US press, which barely reported the story. The Washington Post broke it in June 1998 but declined to relate the joke on the grounds â€œit was too vile to repeat.â€ Clearly the American electorate are viewed as wayward children in need of moral protection! After his misogynist joke. McCain apologised to Bill Clinton but interestingly made no direct apology to the three women involved. Clearly to do so was more difficult than withstanding torture in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. This is the fearless former war hero prepared to take anyone on. Be careful Sarah Palin. Do you really know the man you are running with? Is he really the same or do you think he was capable of making a mistake. When Barack Obama makes a mistake he puts his hand up. Palin was an impressive speaker but the aggressive style and misleading comments took us back to the old style politics we so desperately need to leave behind

from Roger Boon

Comment:

I confess I did not listen to the entire speech, but from what I heard I agree with Jessica about fear mongering. It’s what Republicans seem to do best. Makes me think of the 1st Star Wars flick and the line “Fear will keep the local systems in line…” Being a military leader is only part of the gig of being president and I feel it requires not only patriotism but a firm understanding of world history, economics and sociology. I am impressed that he decided not to go the whole character assasination of Obama route.

from Hector M

Comment:

I’m sorry, but I refuse to be swayed by fear. The Republicans keep going on about who is going to keep us safe..blah,blah,blah. Last time I checked Bush was in office on 9/11/01. Does this make only Republicans qualified to keep us safe? John McCain goes on about how he will change Washington, and not be partied to Lobbyists. He has over 100 Lobbyists on his campaign board. Does this sound like propaganda to you? It sure does not sound like change, sorry that was the Dem word, I mean reform to me.

from Jessica

Palin Convention Speech

2008-09-03T22:54:53-04:00

Sarah Palin is a great speaker, but I’m not totally thrilled with her speech so far - she’s spent a long time telling a story, which while entertaining, doesn’t tell me much her plans for Vice President of the United States. I am sure that her executive experience as a mayor and governor of Alaska has been valuable, but the sheer size difference between the population of Alaska to the United States is a little like comparing paddling a row boat and captaining an oil tanker, no pun intended.

I have a ton of respect for McCain, and thought he might make a good president, but I’m not sure if Palin was the best choice. She seems like a great person, but as a Vice President? Is the renegade, wild card the right strategy to “shake-up” Washington?

The one liner which impressed me was: “there are politicians who use change to advance their careers, and there are politicians who use their careers to create change” [paraphrased]. Nicely put. The eBay twist is very, very strange, to me, and in my humble opinion a very bad idea.

Comment:

Have another point to make…call me crazy, but how is it fair that candidates don’t announce their running mates at the same time? It strikes me as odd, and clearly the Republicans were given more lead time to figure out strategically who to pick as their VP based on who they think can go up against whoever the Democrats picked. You know Palin wouldn’t have been picked if Obama had Hilary running w/him…McCain’s trying to win over the female votes. But I’m sorry…being a women we’re not that naive to pick someone just because of girl power. We’ve got issues to solve and I want to know what Palin stands for. And how about it that she’s not doing any media interviews? What have you got to hide Sarah Palin? And I’m tired of the sleazy, high school tactics that the Republicans are playing. Any logical human being can see through their dirty tricks. Give me a break! The statement about lipstick on a pig is just an old saying…and let me remind you that McCain used the same line when he attacked Hilary. Journalists and the media should stop reporting like they’re running tabloids and start drilling the candidates on real issues. Stop throwing distractions that don’t mean a damn thing to what’s really at stake. I guess McCain is too old to come up with his own campaign message and has to go out and steal Obama’s message on Change. Seriously, how can you talk about instilling change when you can’t even be innovative enough to produce your own campaign message?? One last thing to add. I’ve been in a beauty pageant and know just how conniving women can be. And it takes the more manipulative kind to actually win. Under the smile and make-up is where you’ll find the truth…and it ain’t pretty.

from Rock the Vote for Obama/Biden

Comment:

Cingred - You’re right on the money (no pun intended)! I was also thinking the same thing about the victory comment. If the republicans claim that we have reached this so-called victory in Iraq, then why are we still pumping resources (both money and people) over there, increasing the troops’ rotations, and haven’t rolled out plans to remove the troops? Instead they think we should continue to expend money and lives for a war that has spiraled out of control, and with no clear end in sight. Palin has good presentation skills, I’ll give you that. But again, no substance delivered in her speech. Republicans love to play dirty, throwing mud over the fence. I also hope Biden shreds her to bits on Oct 2nd…but you know what, the media and republicans will probably make comments to put Biden to shame for attacking a woman. Oh please! If you want to play in this field Missy, then step up to the plate and stop whining.

from Rock the Vote for Obama/Biden

Comment:

I don’t understand that poeple don’t think Palin has experience but the alternative is Obama with less experience. Also McCain 96 year old mother is in great shape and people are talking like he is dead already. Then Biden makes Obama ok except Biden is about the same age as McCain. Seems like everyone is talking out of both sides of their mouth. There are many stay at home dads raising families today and Palin’s husband is ready to step in so lay off the fact she is a mother.

from connie stewart

Comment:

What economic plan does Obama have? One of the major tenets of his economic plan is to raise taxes. He wants to repeal the tax cuts that Bush implemented. That will increase taxes on any family making over $31,850. He wants to increase taxes on capital gains. Well the last time I checked a majority of Americans own stock specifically in their retirement accounts. I will not bore you with a tirade. There is one question that I would ask Obama, “What is the primary purpose of a tax system, increase revenue or redistribute wealth?” From what I hear I suspect his answer would be the later. Most of his recommendations will not raise revenues and they will squelch economic growth. It is easy for a politician to be generous with someone else’s money. Hold on to your wallet when they talk about fairness. As for the definition of the rich look at the mess congress has made with the AMT.

from Doug

Comment:

GOP, It is not my intent to punish people for working hard, believe me I know that a successful career takes effort, time and education. I truly admire those that work towards good fortune and success. Congratulations you have been blessed; However please keep in mind that given our present economic standing it is so hard for a working middle class American to put a child through school for that exact education, and we both know that without that degree that child will probably end up a stat for unemployment; possibly due to the local factory closing and going overseas or working for minimum wage at a fast food restaraunt or worse yet collecting welfare because there just is no other option. So to ask for higher taxes on those that work hard and are making a comfortable living to contribute to offering that opportunity to others by supporting better education plans, and maybe keeping those factories open by keeping jobs here in America (for those that could not afford college and have kids), and to help the future of our economy is a reasonable request to me. I certainly hope whoever is elected does something about the state we are in! I truly believe that Obama is more geared towards boosting our econ than McCain. Quite Frankly Palin was McCain’s worst choice yet, she’s so right she is wrong, and I am mortified that she is even in a VP candidate role!

from Cingred

Comment:

It’s so nice to hear from someone that has the **** to standup for what they beleive in…not just…. oh I’m a black man vote for me….unqualified…undecided….uneventful…that’s what the senate means to Barack Obama…. I would love to see a minority president….but not this time around….sorry… my future is in danger & the future of my children…vote for who you beleive in & if it’s Obama…good luck

from Sammy Ferguson

Comment:

I don’t know about anyone else, but as a working mother living paycheck to paycheck, I fail to see what Sarah Palin offers in effort to ease the economic burden that we all experience. Do we really think that McCain/Palin will not raise taxes for the middle/lower class white/blue collar workers. Here’s an idea, let’s not spend the 10 billion in Iraq and spend it here! And what victory are they referring to in Iraq! Is there victory in any war ESPICALLY this one! I didn’t know we went to Iraq to conquer, I thought it was to help…duh..right!!! I think her speech misconstrued Obama’s plan to increase taxes. His plan affects those making a qtr of a million in revenue! The more you make the more you pay, that’s how it should be! I also hope that whoever is elected in office taxes the hell out of companies that elect to ship our jobs overseas! Thanks to the Bush admin businnesses that choose to do so get tax breaks!!! Did she even mention any of these things in her speech…of course not she was too busy bashing Obama and the democrats keen sense of decorating style…really, was the greek pillar comment related to our political dilemma in any way! I can’t wait until Biden rips her apart Oct 2nd!

from Cingred

Comment:

It was rather glaring where she was reading parts of the speech she had no connection with, unfortunately those were the only talking points that had content, the stuff she was comfortable with was just the beauty contest stuff, “We all want World Peace and my husband is a snow machine champion”. More than a few good slogans those speechwriters wrote. One more thing, the end of her speech, she said something to the effect of, “he is the one that is able to lead our country for the next four years! ” - now that I’ve never heard in the convention about a first run candidate. They usually say EIGHT years. Telling. Furthermore, I stumble in the clash awhile ago the Presidential Campaign TV Ads Getting a Little Nasty!, featuring her running mate McCain. A sooner or later you knew it had to start! The media is begging for it and the people want to see some fight in their candidates. So here ya go…and I am sure this is only the beginning.

from Monica Hoffman

Comment:

The one thing she got right is that she is a pitbull with lipstick. Biden better not backdown.

from Jessica

Comment:

Cingred, I cannot believe you are serious. You want to punish people for being successful by working hard and getting compensated for it. Obama is going to tax the hell out of everybody, INCLUDING YOU, just wait.

from GOP

Comment:

The ebay theme is still very inappropriate to me.

from Albert

Comment:

I am a woman and a mom. I watched Sarah Palin’s speech. I don’t care if she is a hockey mom or ran an office while she was taking care of family we all do that. But the bottom line is we had a president for 8 years who did not know what the names of countries were and where they were on the map when he was running for his first term. Look where we are right now. John McCain had several bouts with cancer he is 72 years old if something happens to him she will be the president. I do not want the country do be exactly where it is with George Bush. She will be a president who did not even have a passport until a year ago. She has no experience in foreign policy. Sorry but that not does make her equal to Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton has a law degree she is very smart has been in politics literally all her life. Barack Obama chose Biden I had my concerns about Obama but I respect Biden I always enjoyed his debates and knew he was very knowledgeable so eventough I was disappointed Hillary was not chosen I got over it because of Biden. Now the McCain campaign is not letting her answer the media well this is like a Hollywood movie. Bring a small town mom and make her VP. But I am not willing to gamble my future.

from Sue

Comment:

Every political speech is prepared by professional speech writers.

from Luke

Comment:

I agree that Alaska population is very small compared to many other states. Personally I wasn’t at all excited with her speech. For one thing the speech was written by a professional speech writer. Anybody can read from someone elses speech notes. She may have had some strong words about changes the whitehouse but like so many others before her once they get there they tend to sit back and let things move with the general flow. Again I ask why has MaCain been sitting there for 27 years and only now decided to do something for himself. Obama has been moved through the ranks very fast and that can only mean one thing. He is progressive and focused. Another point Obama is extremely popular overseas. I think America need as many friend as possible overseas in all corners of the globe. Britain, europe, asia. He brings diplomacy to the world scene not confrontation. I am looking at the USA from the outside but if I had the right to vote I know who I would be voting for.

from Graeme

Comment:

The plane sold for $2.1 million on eBay. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/us/25jet.html?_r=1&fta=y&oref=slogin

from Anchovy Man

Bristol Palin

2008-09-01T13:26:27-04:00

CNN is reporting that Bristol Palin, the 17 year old daughter of McCain’s VP choice of Sarah Palin, is 5 months pregnant.

The McCain spokesperson cited in the report also said that she will keep the baby and marry the father.

Does this really matter? There was a few comments that struck me as odd: the McCain spokesperson said that it didn’t matter, that families sometimes face challenges, and that this family was supportive of their daughter’s situation. Also, they asked the media to respect her privacy. Is that fair to ask of the media? Doesn’t the American public deserve to know? If they do deserve to know, and the Palin family does not want to let them, is it appropriate for her to have accepted the invitation to run for Vice President of the United States?

Comment:

It is fine that Sarah Palin is Pro Life, but is it fair that the taxpayershave to pay for the special needs of this child. She was only thinking of herself.

from Mabel

Comment:

Vanity Fair editors estimated that McCain’s fierce saffron shirt dress with the popped collar, diamond earrings, four-strand pearl necklace, white Chanel watch and strappy shoes totaled up to $313,100. And Bush’s white sensible suit, Stuart Weitzman heels and pearl stud earrings would ring up to $4,325.

from Carlis

Comment:

I am from Guyana, South America but I am following the election every step, becuase what ever happen it will affect all the the other countries. It is ok for Sarah palin 17 yr old to be pregnant and the republicans say it ok, Is’nt that a crime in the great USA for an 18yr to sleep with a 17yr old child….In Atlanta when the 18yr slept with the under age girl he was sent to Prison. What kind of double standard are the american people accepting. John Macin and his campagin is covering up this whole issue. I think the american public need to know what the hell is going on with sarah palin.

from Robert from Guyana, South America

Comment:

I do not understand it…when I hear women say that she is going to vote for McCain because of his choice in a running mate, a woman… Sarah Palin!!! If you are indeed in support of women’s rights then you would be completely against Sarah Palin. This is a woman who will put feminism back decades. She vehemently rejects a womans right to choice…believing that the government should have a say in whether a woman should continue a pregnancy or choose to abort it. With so many unwanted children born in this country and the growing stats on child abuse, this is unimaginable to say the least. Sarah Palin is also against gays…she believes that marriage should only be legal between a man & a woman. And get this…she not only denounces gay marriage but she is against “Domestic Partners” rights. Therefore, if she has her way…any and all gay couples will never be able to marry and receive the benefits that heterosexual couples easily enjoy…and they will not ever be able to get the few benefits (such as insurance benefits from an employer via a domestic partner). Yes, she is a woman…obviously. BUT is she for womens rights? APPARENTLY NOT!!! AS LONG AS WOMEN WANT TO GO BACK TO THE 1950’S WHEN JUNE CLEAVER WAS THE PERSONA OF A GOOD WIFE AND MOTHER. THEN CLEARLY ITS A WIN WIN. I am sorry but I feel like these truths are so obvious and relevant…that I can not believe any WOMAN, any GAY PERSON and/or any person WHO BELIEVES THAT AMERICANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE WHO THEY ARE AND BELIEVE WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND (God forbid,try to hide their true self to appease the government, there go… society) WOULD ACTUALLY BACK MCCAIN AND PALIN! Think fellow Americans…please think!

from eileen

Comment:

That’s a good point Blain, thanks for commenting. It does take a lot to be a parent, I can only imagine what the demands of being VP are, and what the demands of having 5 kids would be, and then to think of having to manage them both! I wouldn’t want that. And if worse came to worse, who would suffer? Either the nation or the children. That’s no good.

from Albert

Comment:

I think the important thing here is that Gov. Palin is a mother who first has a new born child with a significant medical disorder that is highly variable in its medical significance, and we have no idea how healthy or not this new born is. Much less the fact that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant and is getting married. This is a mother with 5 children who is very stretched to say the least much less a heart beat away from being the President? I would not vote for the Rebuplican ticket on these facts alone. Its not the Motherhood thats the problem, its the commitmant it takes to be a good parent and, at this point she has an enormous commitmant to a new born child much less a sick one, or one with significant developmental delays even in a best case senario. And I’m a Mother and a Veterinarian too boot with this opinion!

from Blain Kennedy