When I heard that Sarah Palin was John McCain's pick for VP, I have to admit, I kinda liked it. My friend Sarah in Atlanta has been picking Sarah from Alaska for a while now, and I've been doing a little research on the Alaskan governor. Then Steve called me and he's all "Did you hear this?! I am NOT amused!" I told him, "I don't HATE it; this might be kind of good."
As far as the experience question, give me a break. She's more qualified to be President than Obama is; she has at least held executive office as opposed to his 143 days in the Senate and his "community organizer" experience before that (what IS that, anyway?). I love her take-no-prisoners attitude. I love that she stands on her own principles and doesn't play the game of politics. She's smart.
This has got to be killing the Obama camp; the Republicans got the woman on the ticket, and as Rush Limbaugh pointed out today, she doesn't have to wear pantsuits and her husband isn't a crook. She has at least visited soldiers in Iraq (proving she knows her way around a gun) and visited wounded soldiers in Germany. She returned to office three days after giving birth in April - that's TOUGH!
I'm liking this choice. I will leave you with this quote from Limbaugh's program today which had me laughing until I cried:
| "He actually said in his speech last night -- the audience sort of looked a little stunned. He said, "I am my brother's keeper." He actually said it. His brother lives in a hut! On twelve dollars a year! His brother lives in a hut, a shack, a six-by-nine-foot hut outside Nairobi. He is his brother's keeper? He hasn't even sent his brother a "Hut, Sweet Hut" sign to put up inside the hut. If he sent his brother 20 bcks, he's come close to doubling his annual income. He is his "brother's keeper." About all they have to say is, "I'm troubled by her lack of experience." This is going to come back to bite them, and I'll tell you something else. The Democrats are going to send out their liberal women. They're going to send out the Madeleine Albrights. (I welcome that, by the way.) They're going to send out their Jane Fondas. They're going to send out all of their women. I'll bet you we don't hear much from Hillary, and I'll bet you we don't hear much from Bill -- except he's probably trying to get her number right now." (Quote from RushLimbaugh.com) |
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23 comments:
you actually listen to Rush Limbaugh?
i think its a joke he picked this person - i think its a clearly desperate pick to get in touch with anyone other than a white male republican (and I'm no Obama fan) - everyone in the Republican camp is stunned b/c it completely weakens his best argument against his opponent,which was lack of experience.
i've voted democrat and i've voted republican - ronald reagan was my favorite president of all time but what i've wanted from the president have changed with age
by the time you get to this stage - they are ALL "corrupt" b/c they have all had to play the game of politics to get where they are - i've accepted this and i think its mature to do so
anyway - i tried to listen to political radio - but either side - they get to extreme it ceases to be intelligent to listen to for me
rush limbaugh? really?
;) at least you vote! i love that! i vote and i can't get my apathetic husband to vote at all!
My political leanings are to the right, with swings to the middle. While I was in high school I had the liberal indoctrinations:"OOO Conservatives are bad! They want to take away your rights! Their EVILLLLLLLL, I tell you EVIILLLLLL!"
As life progressed, and I saw more and more (through the military and my job) I saw how things really worked. There is right, and there is wrong, there are people with honor, and those without.
Unfortunately most politicians are not honorable. They will sell out what is good for America for self interest, special interest, and for the the "Good of the Party."
As for me, I have always been registered as an Independeant, because my beliefs are there isn't hardly a plug nickel's worth of difference between the Democrats and Republicans. The difference is what side of the welfare coin they are on. Dems for social welfare, Reps for corporate welfare. and the working class is squeezed in between.
So, I just listen to the tripe from both sides and vote for the person who is least likely to really hurt me. How sad is that?
Right now I mostly vote (reluctantly) for the Republicans who have turned their backs on the values Ronald Reagan used as building blocks to build up America. The Democrats? I have no clue, they attach themselves to whatever silly whim that comes along and try to make it the main crux of what is important for this country, and their arguments for it doesn't make any sense.
I loved Ronald Reagan. I felt safe with him in office. He took care of business and didn't sell out his values.
The day he died, I cried real tears.
As for Sarah Palin. I'm confused here? Did McCain go for who he thought was going to be a good running mate or a gimmick?
And if it's for a gimmick, Shame on him.
Because of the real threats this country is facing (war, terrorism, economic struggle, energy struggles, lunatic social norms shoved down our throats and the list goes on) we can't afford any gimmick.
And I feel the Dems have put up a gimmick.
I adore Rush and, in fact, am a 24/7member! He's brilliant.
And like you, I adore Reagan; I wish we still had Reagan.
I'm sure "corrupt" is a relative term - some are more corrupt than others. You have the Clintons, for example, who are the epitome of corrupt, and then you have someone like our La. Gov. Jindal who may have made a political misstep or two but is far from corrupt. So, I think that's a relative term.
I listen to Air-Head America sometimes and I listen to right-wing radio because I like to be informed on all sides. I do think you have to take what ANYBODY says at face value, consider the source, and make up your own mind. And I disagree about the experience factor being McCain's "best" argument. I think his best argument against his opponent is his opponent's socialist policies, his wife's self-expressed shame of her country, and his past friendships with and support for terrorists (Ayers) and Ameica-haters (Wright). And I actually disagree on the experience issue - I think Palin has more experience than Obama. I would not have hated Romney as a pick, but I love the guts it took to pull Palin in. I'm seeing possibilities here! :)
And for crying out loud, get your husband into a voting booth or I shall rap him upon the head when I see him next!
MOOSE! Who in their right mind would want to kill and eat a moose? I think moose are one of the neatest animals. We're talking about Bullwinkle, Marty Moose (from National Lampoon's Vacation).
When I was a kid I fell in love with moose during a visit to the Grand Teton National Park. I walked down the lake and watched a mama moose and her calf as they were swimming across the lake. Ever since then, I was hook on moose.
oh god...there are just too many things that I want to comment on, but just do not have the time.
I will say, though, that this is all just too crazy. we are trying to save our lives, the lives of our friends and future generations, and yet all we have is an 'old man', 'black man', and 'conservative woman'. And now, the 'conservative woman' makes biden, the other 'old man', look like a much better choice.
when are we going to just worry about who can fix this and not who looks better, fills more minority votes, and can 'stick it' to the other political party?
luculent
True luculent, you raise a good point; I think that's why I can't go for Obama. He scares the crap out of me with his socialism. Too many people focus on his smooth speeches and good looks and focus in on one issue. I don't agree with EVERYthing McCain stands for, by any means, or Palin either for that matter, but I agree with them on MORE than I do with Obama. I guess "fix" is a relative term! Thanks for commenting! I love folks who comment on politics! :)
I support Obama because I share many of his views. Call me scary; that's fine. I, personally, don't understand how Republicans can have the views they do, but I respect that they have the right to choose their own beliefs, just like I do. I am liberal, and I couldn't be prouder of it. I fully support gay rights and same-sex marriage. I fully support gun control. I fully support a woman's right to choose what to do with her body. I am an environmentalist and believe strongly that our generation has an obligation to preserve our environment for future generations. I am against war in most cases, although I supported invading Afghanistan after 9/11 for obvious reasons. I believe in taxing the wealthy.
I don't appreciate generalizations that Democrats attach ourselves to whatever silly whims come our way. I'm sorry but maybe what "Anonymous" believes is a "silly whim" is very important to me. I deserve more credit for the foundations on which my beliefs are built. I am not saying Democrats don't make the same nasty attacks, but I'm tired of everyone attacking each other's beliefs. GOSH, where is the RESPECT?
I like Obama's response to abortion laws and same-sex marriage. He personally doesn't support them because of his religious beliefs, but he also knows to keep his religion separate from his politics, as I think it should be. I respect that, and that has been one of my huge frustrations with Bush is his inability to leave his religion out of his politics.
Do you like Obama's plan for teachers? I think it sounds pretty good: expand teacher mentoring programs and reward teachers with higher pay not tied to standardized test scores, in $18 billion plan to be paid for in part by delaying elements of moon and Mars missions. Change No Child Left Behind law "so that we're not just teaching to a test and crowding out programs like art and music." Tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college expenses for students who perform 100 hours of community service a year.
I agree with every bit of that.
On the Michelle Obama thing, I love her. I think she's a class act, and I'm so sick and tired of hearing the "she's not patriotic" argument. It's one of those little quotes people take OUT OF CONTEXT and just run with. It's ridiculous. And you cannot make that argument without addressing Palin's association with the Alaskan Independence Party.
As for Palin, I agree the media needs to back off the baby scandal. Parents can only do so much to control their kids' actions. But I think the argument that she has more experience that Obama is weak. The McCain campaign has based so much of their messaging on his experience, and then he chooses a running mate that really isn't all that much more experienced when you look at the big picture. I'm not saying Obama and Palin aren't qualified for the jobs and that their experience isn't enough, but I am saying that for McCain to choose someone with so LITTLE experience is pretty hypocritical. Plus, she has been quoted as saying she doesn't know what the vice president does. Seriously?!? Oh, and McCain has been quoted as saying he doesn't know much about the economy (and even stated it was fine at a point when it was clearly in trouble)--gee, sounds like a winning team. Also, I really disagreed with the comment that Obama's team must be reeling because McCain got the woman on the ticket. It's not about being a woman; it's about who is best for this country at this time. I don't care if it's a man, a woman, a black person or a white person, that's not what matters at all. If Obama's camp was all about putting a woman on the ticket, they would have chosen HIllary. I think McCain's choice is making people nervous, and it is hurting him (clearly, since Obama has an 8-point lead in the polls).
As for the Obama/terrorist connection, here's the fact check. Derive from it what you will. http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck/2008/04/17/fact_check_on_clinton_attacks.php.
As for Wright, Obama has stated time and again that Wright's remarks are wrong, and people are giving him flack for still being friends with him. I am friends with some pretty crazy people; it doesn't mean I share their beliefs. People are trying to paint Obama as this crazy hidden terrorist, and it's the most ridiculous thing. If we're going to get into shady connections, let's get into McCain's shady connection with Enron.
As for Obama's universal "socialist" healthcare--I don't know that it will be the answer, but I don't know that it isn't. We are the only industrialized, wealthy nation without it, and we are spending more on healthcare than anyone else. I've read arguments for both sides, and I'm open to his ideas. I wasn't for Hillary's plan of making it mandatory for everyone, but I am definitely open to universal coverage. Our current system just isn't working, and McCain's plan doesn't seem to make it any better, in my opinion.
I'm not saying Obama is a saint and that he hasn't made mistakes or that everything he stands for and does is "correct," but I definitely, whole-heartedly, think he is what this country needs right now because it is not in a good place, and four years with John McCain scares ME to death.
I'm still trying to figure out how we're related with such opposing political beliefs. :)
While I we differ on our candidates I think we are in agreement on the fact that each American has the right to choose their own candidate. I also think we agree on the fact that it is important to know your candidate, to do the research, and to be informed on his opponent as well. The thing that is different about you from most people (of WHATEVER party) is that they don’t research, they don’t form their own opinions and they are led blindly by others. I honestly think that if a person truly votes for whomever they believe to be the worthier candidate and for the candidate with whom they share the most views, then they are doing the right thing. I totally do not get people who don’t vote at all. Apathy astounds me. I also think it is important for people to disagree (in a positive, conducive way) because debate informs us all.
As I said before, I don’t agree with McCain on ALL the issues but I agree with him on most, or at least the ones I find most important. I lean more to liberal on some issues, or more to center maybe, and some I lean more to the right.
While the Constitution guarantees separation of church and state, I believe that faith must inform our decisions. Our founding fathers certainly had Christian beliefs and it was upon these that they took the risks they did in forming this country. I have no problem with President Bush relying on his faith and a moral center when making important decisions if it is to inform the decision. How could that be wrong? On the abortion issue, I’ve always been pro-choice because I’ve always felt that is a personal issue and not one for government, however, I’ve never thought it should be used as a form of birth control. I differ with Obama on the issue of partial birth abortion. I also disagree with his “present” votes on this issue in the Illinois legislature which I see as noncommittal. He says he is “undecided” on when life begins. As Peggy Noonan said, “Any kid who ever bought a pack of condoms knows when life begins.”
I’ve looked at Obama’s plans for education and a lot of it looks as if it will require lots of oversight and management. I’m also at a loss as to how he is going to pay for it. If he raises the minimum wage to $9.50 I don’t know how small businesses will manage. This salary costs get passed on to the consumer. Young, entry level people will have a hard time getting jobs under Obama’s plan; grocery stores, for example, would be much less willing to pay a kid with no experience 9.50 an hour to sack groceries. Fast food prices would rise – minor examples, I know, but it all plays a part in the overall economy. And so now you have all these people out of work. How will President Obama take care of them? MORE government handouts? Obama wants to mange wages from the low end to the CEO end (taking money from big oil and giving to “the people”) and to me, that’s Marxism. THAT’S what is scary to me (not the people that support Obama).
Michelle? I listened to that speech and I didn’t feel it was out of context; and in her words and actions since then I still do not feel she is proud of America. I think she’s angry. But that’s just my impression; it has no relevance on anything because we aren’t voting for her.
I still like Palin and I can’t WAIT for her speech tonight! As far as the AIP, it’s surely a wacko group. I’m not sure that she was a member (her husband was) but she did speak to them. She did support their right to vote. She’s been a member of the Republican Party since 82. Her Vice-Presidency quote gets the same treatment as Michelle’s – out of context. What she said, when she elaborated, what that she is accustomed to being very productive and getting things done.
On the Ayers thing – even though Obama was 8 when Ayers did what he did, he KNOWS what Ayers did and still chose to befriend him. Obama and Ayers had their first fundraiser in 1995 and he has known Ayers for 13 years. We’re not talking about a petty incident here – Ayers tried to blow up the Pentagon. In 2001 Ayers reaffirmed that he was GLAD he tried to bomb the Pentagon and only wished he had done more. Between Ayers and Wright, I still question Obama’s associations. I hang out with crazy people too, but not violent criminals. I don’t think Obama is a terrorist at all, but I don’t think he used good judgment in picking his playmates.
Like you, I don’t support everything my candidate says or does, but I’ve researched both sides and I like the side I’m on. McCain was NOT my first choice on the Republican ticket but I like the conservative ticket. I REMEMBER Jimmy Carter. And I DO NOT want to go back to those days. Horrible. Horrible.
We just have to work on Michael – Nene tells me he doesn’t vote! At least WE vote! :)
“Each American has the right to choose their own candidate”. I wish this was true. I really do wish this was the case. Let me explain.
Throughout history, there has always been that candidate of choice. A candidate that says they will take this country, make it better, make it stronger, make the people richer, and make the world love us. Sounds good, right?
Yet, with the McCaint/Palin ticket, there is one major road block. This ticket - these candidates - are not only trying to promise us what others have promised in the past, but they are threatening our safety (or at least mine). I have found myself many times seeing traits or promises from republican candidates and thinking, ‘wow, I could get behind that’.
However, I as a gay man, a gay American, can not understand how anyone who stands up and says they are for a better America can even pretend that McCaint/Palin is a good ticket. They are both pro-discrimination. They are both unwilling to allow all Americans the same rights. I do not ask for anything other than what my fellow Americans have. I am not asking for special privileges or to be allowed to do something outside of the ‘normal’ realm. I want to be able to love someone, have children (or adopt) with my partner, the love of my life. McCaint is against letting gay Americans adopt children. Palin is for amending the constitution to deny any rights to gay couples. She also vetoed a bill in Alaska that would have at least given benefits to government employees with same sex partners.
Obama said that his religion does not advocate same sex partners in marriage, but he feels Americans deserve equal rights. He isn’t ready to give us marriages, but he is willing to give us rights, as couples. McCaint says that his religion doesn’t accept gay couples, and therefore he doesn’t either. He hasn’t made the steps to separate the church and state issue.
So, lets say there was a presidential candidate that believed that women were not equal. That women should not be paid the same, have benefits, be able to have children, or even be able to vote (there was a time when they couldn’t). Would any woman be willing to not only vote for that candidate, but actually feel that this type of candidate is good for America? All Americans?
I do not support everything with Obama. I do not support everything for McCaint. I do, however, support different aspects of each. But what it boils down to is this. Do I want someone in office who hates me? Or someone who just doesn’t agree with me?
That is the difference between Obama/Biden and McCaint/Palin.
And that is the difference between me being accepted in America, or ran off. Because in the end, I can find a way to survive with higher paying jobs (minimum wage increases), better insurance, less taxes on middle class, and more education opportunities for all Americans. I cant, though, survive with someone who believes I shouldn’t be allowed here in the first place. Cause after all, those Christian morals are the ones that McCaint tries to abide by. At least, the Christian morals that GW Bush has instilled in his (hopefully not) successor.
I do feel that McCaint has a better foundation on foreign policy, though I question his judgment (especially after picking Palin as the VP). I don’t like when people say that McCaint has admitted he ‘knows nothing about the economy’. This great, distinguished, veteran only said that he is stronger in foreign affairs than the economy, which I think is not only true but respectable. No president is an expert at everything, they just need to keep those experts around them to help. I also think that McCaint has a better view on illegal immigration, though I am not as familiar as I could be with his views. I like how McCaint has actually leaned more to the center than to the right, and I love how McCaint has a solid history with those in our executive branch. But none of that means anything if he is unwilling to treat me, and those like me, with the same respect that he treats everyone else.
So in conclusion (sorry if this was long, but I am in an allergy fog this morning and cant seem to articulate as precise as I want), I just want to say that I can respect those who like John McCaint for the positives. But I cant respect the decisions to overlook his desire, and his vp’s desire, to discriminate against a group of people in this country.
Lastly, lets end with some facts of the candidates McCaint and Palin’s positions, as outlined at http://www.ontheissues.org
Pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere. (Feb 2008)
Rights of Man everywhere? Straight men, I guess.
Nominate justices based on experience, and values. (Jun 1999)
Values? Or ability to interpret the constitution as it is already written?
Bailing out Bear Stearns necessary to protect economy. (Apr 2008)
Key is to not to bail out homeowners who speculated. (Apr 2008)
So, the people who loaned the money in bad faith should be helped, but those who took the loan in good faith are on their own!
I'm well-versed in economics; I was at the Reagan Revolution. (Jan 2008)
HA!
Supports CA Prop. 8: one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
Just not enough time to touch upon this one
Don't ask, don't tell is working; don't tamper with it. (Jun 2007)
Keep ‘em hidden, that’s what he thinks!
Hollywood should voluntarily self-censor sex and violence. (Jul 1999)
Lets censor, shall we?
And my favorite, horrible votes from McCaint?
Voted NO on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
Voted NO on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
Yet, see below for a change in thought
Voted NO on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
Yet, lets give some semi/good with these bad
Ban on same-sex marriage is unRepublican; leave it to states. (Nov 2006)
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
Now, for Palin
Opposes stem cell research. (Aug 2008)
Only exception for abortion is if mother's life would end. (Jul 2006)
Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional. (Aug 2008)
Marriage only be between and man and a woman. (Nov 2006)
Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples. (Aug 2006)
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples. (Jul 2006)
Top priorities include preserving definition of "marriage". (Jul 2006)
Encourage small business growth by reducing business taxes. (Nov 2006)
Faith-based materials ok in homeschooling. (Nov 2006)
Supports parental choice for what is best for their children. (Nov 2006)
But not abortion
Parents know best, about school spending & school age. (Jul 2006)
Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive. (Jul 2006)
Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
Now, for some good
Agrees with Obama on more Alaska oil & gas production. (Aug 2008)
$250M for proven alternative energy, including wind & hydro. (Jan 2008)
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)
Doctors should manage health care, not bureaucracies. (Jan 2008)
Miss Congeniality in statewide beauty pageant in 1984. (Aug 2008)
Oh, and Pat, thank you for being kind enough to not only share your thoughts and views, but listening to those who do not agree. This truly IS what makes this country, and our citizens, great!
luculent
I am LOVING this debate! I love Nikki and I love Nikki's friends! Good times!
Luculent, I'm sympathetic to allergy problems; have them myself (I have fall allergies). Hang in there!
I'm also familiar with the issues of gay rights that you raise. I've paid attention to that issue because I lost a friend 16 years ago to AIDS (it's more detailed than that but this isn't the right place for me to tell his story); he and his partner were both dear people to me and I think of them both often. But as we've been saying, and I think both basically agree, there are so many issues wrapped around these candidates that sometimes we have to pick the one most important to us; sometimes one issue is a deal-breaker.
I know a girl who says she can NEVER vote for a candidate that is not pro-choice. All other issues are off the table for her. It's a deal-breaker issue. In the end, those are personal decisions that we all have to make, I guess.
You know, as I was reading your comment about a country who hates you it called to my mind a little the Holocaust (which I've studied for years). I mean by that, I understand exactly what you are saying and it is a real dilemma; a valid point.
I'm curious to know what it is you support about John McCain. You've made it clear what you don't like about Obama, but what are the McCain strategies you support?
And what's up with McCain pulling out of his Larry King interview over the Campbell Brown interview? This is his chance to get up there and defend his choice and explain to us why this is a great candidate for the vice president, and to answer those questions his spokesperson couldn't. I think it's weak of him not to continue with the interview.
Reading your response, you mentioning your friend that you lost to Aids, made me think of those that I know that I have lost, that I may end up losing, or that are constantly battling with the AIDS epidemic. I truly know what you went through and wouldnt wish that upon anyone. Its a hard battle, and one that I am thankful has become just a little easier (thanks to government help and assistance - and outreach of those around us that care). So, my heart is out to you and those that were affected.
Because of this, I decided to look up McCain and see if there was any history on his support of AIDS causes, etc.
Unfortunately, I only found this:
McCain on HIV/AIDS: McCain's stance on HIV/AIDS is ambiguous at best. When asked in the New York Times political blog McCain Stumbles on H.I.V. Prevention about the use of contraceptives or counseling to help prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, McCain said,
"You've stumped me. I'm not informed enough on it. Let me find out. You know, I'm sure I've taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was."
I found that on http://calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5140
Do you know of any stances that McCain has or has had on AIDS? or anywhere I can go for more info? Or what about Palin? I just would like to know more about the history on this issue, as I think every candidate needs to be viewed by there positions. If you know of any where I can look, please let me know.
Back to our dialogue/debate. You mentioned at the end of your comment about the holocaust. I think that this is a true and just comparison of the way that I feel. I get so scared that not only will the ones we entrust in the nations highest power actually not help us in times of need, but that they will shut us out of the country that we are a part of. I love being an American. I love being a part of such a beautiful country as this. But in the holocaust, not only jews were unjustly attacked. Gays were as well. The pink triangle that sometimes gets connected to the 'homosexual agenda' actually came from the holocaust times, as I am sure you are aware of through research. What is there in the republican party, McCain/Palin to be precise, that allows you to not worry of the same happening here in the US? People being persecuted and tortured because they do not believe the way that the administration believes? Other than the fact that you listen to rush limbaugh, I think you have a good head on your shoulders :). Anyone that raised such a fantastic daughter as Nikki has to be a smart woman. So in your opinion, how do we as Americans protect our rights if we are not willing to stand up to the elected (and hopefully not elected) officials that threaten the freedom we so cherish?
I know that people get upset when anyone uses a hitler reference when talking of todays modern politicians. But what is it about McCain and Palin that makes you feel that they could never lead us down the hitler road of 'unless you are like us, you are not accepted'? Does Palin have anything that shows her as being compassionate, even though she is discriminatory?
Just curious what your thoughts were on this...
and I am going to link you in my twitter, if you dont mind. I enjoy a challenging debate and logical information...even if I dont always agree with it :)
luculent
http://web-justice.blogspot.com
luculent twitter
"I'm curious to know what it is you support about John McCain. You've made it clear what you don't like about Obama, but what are the McCain strategies you support?"
As I see it, there are really two democrats running in this race; McCain has just moved more to center/right for political expediency. There is no doubt that he has revised his opinion on a couple of issues a bit. That said, what do I support about McCain?
I like his strong military stance. I like that he does not want an immediate pull-out of Iraq; not to say he wants an indefinite "occupation" but I think an immediate pull-out, or even a given time table is dangerous. I like that he believes in states rights rather than big government. I think individual states should decide on gay rights issues and abortion issues as well as the creation vs. evolution debate in schools - all state decisions; I agree with Shepard Smith in that I'm not convinced that abortion should even be a government issue.
I'm FOR the second amendment.I am FOR strong justices that support the constitution and not revisionists. He supports the death penalty, as do I.
I am all for drilling in ANWAR (as is Palin); McCain isn't quite on board with that yet. :)McCain has a decent record on the environment and doesn't want to force me to use squirrely light bulbs.
He supports the Cuban embargo and disavows Castro, as do I (talk about Civil Rights...). He thinks we need a tax code revision but no Fair Tax; he also thinks that we need responsible heath care BUT should not be government mandated. The answer to every problem is not another social program.
Johnny Mac and I might have problems on immigration. We are a country of immigrants, yes, but do it legally. If you are here illegally and commit a crime, you should be deported (says McCain); I agree with this, but I think if you are here illegally you should be deported anyway. We are a nation of rules and laws and there are legal ways to do things. I have no problem with cultural diversity, I do have a problem with illegality.
Basically, McCain and I are in pretty much the same ballpark. He's no Reagan but he's no Obama either.
"And what's up with McCain pulling out of his Larry King interview over the Campbell Brown interview? This is his chance to get up there and defend his choice and explain to us why this is a great candidate for the vice president, and to answer those questions his spokesperson couldn't. I think it's weak of him not to continue with the interview."
I have to admit, I felt the same way when the democrats wouldn't take part in a debate on FNC.
"I have to admit, I felt the same way when the democrats wouldn't take part in a debate on FNC"
But, and correct me if I am wrong, the democrats didnt agree to the debate or appearances, just to cancel because they didnt like a previous interview, with a campaign person, that couldnt even give proper answers to a journalist interviewing them.
And Pat, I agree with you on immigration. I think I am a rare democrat that understands this country was founded on immigrants, but that there is a legal way to do things. I think any illegal immigrant, whether committing a crime or just using the library, should be either deported, or forced to be legal...the idea of a sanctuary city is just confusing to me. Why cant legal citizens, btw, commit crimes but illegal immigrants can? I just dont get it.
luculent
web-justice.blogspot.com
And Pat, I agree with you on immigration.
Now I KNOW I like you! :)
Luculent - here are a couple of McCain quotes on the AIDS issue; I'm still digging...
"As President, I will work closely with non-profit, government, and private sector stakeholders to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS. By focusing efforts on reducing drug costs through greater market competition, promoting prevention efforts, encouraging testing, targeting communities with high infection rates, strengthening research and reducing disparities through effective public outreach, we as a nation can make great progress in fighting HIV/AIDS." - Statement on the CDC's HIV/AIDS Report, August 3, 2008
"It's critical that we face this crisis head-on, which is why I have consistently supported the most aggressive global AIDS program in the history of this pandemic, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)." - World AIDS Day Statement, December 1, 2007
"But, and correct me if I am wrong, the democrats didnt agree to the debate or appearances, just to cancel because they didnt like a previous interview, with a campaign person, that couldnt even give proper answers to a journalist interviewing them."
I think what you are trying to say (and correct me if I'm wrong) the democrats never agreed to debates on FNC so they never actually backed out of anything as McCain did the Larry King Interview...
Wrong. The dems did indeed agree to and back out of an FNC debate...I'll be glad to provide you with details or you can Google them, but it did happen.
I didn't see the full Campbell Brown interview so I can't comment on the specifics of it or what sort of questions were asked. As for giving "proper answers," I was unaware there were proper answers to any interview, but essentially the McCain campaign did exactly what the democrats (most of them) did.
Either way the democrats turned down one of the biggest audiences they could reach because of it and believe it or not, not all FNC viewers are conservatives or even republicans. As a matter of fact, FNC has a larger percentage of left-leaning viewers than any of the other cable networks (again, if you want details, I'll can provide).
I would never vote for him in a million years but it speaks volumes to me that crazy little Dennis Kucinich will go on FNC at any given time for any given reason. He doesn't care that Bill O'Reilly is going to disagree with him or cut down his ideas, he realizes he's reaching a much larger audience and at the end of the day, he and O'Reilly, he and Hannity, etc. shake hands and move on. There is mutual respect and I admire the hell out of DK for that.
I liken it to the protesters outside the conventions. Anytime they are approached with a live shot, an open mic in the hands of an FNC reporter, and given time to say whatever they want, get their message out to anyone who will listen, all they do is bash the network, scream profanities and shout nonsensical things.
I don't necessarily agree with McCain's decision to turn down the Larry King interview, but I don't think it's fair to accuse him of something the democrats did months ago.
ok i just gotta add to this that although this country was founded by christians - they were also running from religious persecution and wanted freedom of religion - which is hardly what the "religious right" (never hear about that religious left ;) ) seems to represent. religion has no part in politics. zero. but of course - it's all so complicated, how does one talk about running a country of people and not discuss morality -w hich in turn ends up talking about philosphy, which moral philosophy is almost always going to end up regarding religion in some way. AAAHHH **runs away**
whoa whoa whoa - "states should decide on gay rights and abortion rights". why? it freaks me out that laws aren't the same all over the country - drives me nuts!
Yep, I think lots of things should be states rights. Lots of things should be universal, too. Just depends on the issue.
i don't believe in a bunch of mini countries with different laws where i know what's going on in one state and cross a line traveling and now suddenly something else is "real". makes zero sense to me.
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