All this economic talk from the McCain camp these days is both heartening and sad at the same time. Perhaps I should approach these two reactions separately...
It is sad for many reasons. It is sad that they seize so quickly on the notion of "redistributing wealth" so quickly, and fail to realize that their policies, and the Corporate interests they serve, have been redistributing America's wealth into the hands of the wealthy few for decades. It is sad that they are telling throngs of poor, working class people that Obama wants to raise "your" taxes, when they know full well it's not those people's taxes they're talking about. It's sad that they trumpet the right's methods of "creating new wealth" when they've done nothing but increase the gap between the people they are asking to vote for them, and the few that they've created wealth for.
It's reassuring though, that people aren't buying it. It's great to see poeple refuse to be swayed by the innapropriate use of the word "socialist". It's really fantastic to see that people are no longer cowed by the brandishing of the word "Liberal".
It's wonderful to see people actually thoughtfully considering their personal economic enterests in an American election.
Finally though, to McCain's credit it is really nice to see him fear/hate-mongering on substantive issues rather than seeking out the lowest common denominator in which he can drive "the wedge".
I guess that's what the Sarah Palins of the world are for.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Redemption
Read these word about John McCain at one of the angry rallies we are hearing about since the polls shifted.
"One woman, in the course of a question to McCain said, “I’ve heard that Sen. Obama is an Arab terrorist.”
McCain, who had shared his wireless microphone with her, yanked it out of her hand.
"No, ma'am," the Arizona senator assured. "He's a decent family man and citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab terrorist].""
Perhaps McCain is not willing to sell his soull to win this election. Although I have been dissapointed by the course he has taken, I have held on to the belief that he was a better man than the dissapointing campaign he has run. Some proof positive here. Not just better than that, but too good for the "Republican Base".
These small minded people are showing their colors, not realising it couldn't come at a better time for the Democrats. I look forward to the lowest common denominator losing it's grip on American politics.
"One woman, in the course of a question to McCain said, “I’ve heard that Sen. Obama is an Arab terrorist.”
McCain, who had shared his wireless microphone with her, yanked it out of her hand.
"No, ma'am," the Arizona senator assured. "He's a decent family man and citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab terrorist].""
Perhaps McCain is not willing to sell his soull to win this election. Although I have been dissapointed by the course he has taken, I have held on to the belief that he was a better man than the dissapointing campaign he has run. Some proof positive here. Not just better than that, but too good for the "Republican Base".
These small minded people are showing their colors, not realising it couldn't come at a better time for the Democrats. I look forward to the lowest common denominator losing it's grip on American politics.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Is the media drunk?
I rushed out after the debate was finished last night, and only took the opportunity to have a look at media reaction just now. I am seeing all kinds of complaints about how "boring" the debate was, and claims that neither candidate achieved what they needed to or made a major blunder. One politico. com article trumpeted it as "the worst debate ever".
My impression was quite different. I thought overall, the debate was livelier, and the candidates spoke much more directly to the voters and their concerns than in the first debate. Also, I thought Obama came out the clear winner.
I felt Obama scored yet again, and more resoundingly than before with his "Cool Hand Luke" approach. He answered McCain's criticisms assertively, he spoke calmy and reassuringly to a nervous public in the face of cries of an impending financial calamity. He inspired confidence and I believe, effectively conviced the American people that he is on their side and will be a champion of their interests. He looked and felt Presidential.
McCain, on the other hand, I felt did not carry himself at all well. He stood and paced nervously behind Obama seeming barely able to wait his turn to speak. His demeanor did little do dispell the Obama camp's asessment that he is "erratic" under pressure. He was dismissive and patronising not only with Senator Obama, but with the Audience as well. His continual insistence that "I know how to (insert "get Americans working again", "resolve these kinds of conflicts", "deal with these kinds of foreign leaders", etc, etc here)" was little more convincing than a used car salesman's "trust me". His endlessly repetitive reference to the audience as "my friends" seemed more antagonistic than congenial.
Worst of all, I thought, even worse than the "that one" comment that is getting attention on the web today, was his comment about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to the young black voter who asked him about the bailout or "rescue" package. Mc Cain was carefull generealise all night with statements like "many of you" "many of us" and "many Americans", but when he told this young man that Freddie and Fannie were banks "YOU had probably never heard of" it made me wince and twist in my seat. A truly awkward moment that reeked of codescention, and I'm sure did not go unnoticed by most that watched last night.
So much about this debate, and the McCain campaign overall, has dissapointed me a great deal. I have long felt McCain was the best of the Republican party and it is sad to see him falter in this way.
I don't think my assessment that Obama came out a decisive winner is skewed by partisanship or bias. I remember that although Kerry was on the right side of every isssue in th 04 debates, and made stronger arguments for his positions, I found myself trying to explain to my father after one such debate why I felt he had lost himself the election right then and there. Kerry failed to connect with voters, to give them something to believe in. Last night it was McCain who I felt failed at that (perhaps because he reportedly feels he's been forced to run a kind of campain contrary to what he himself believes in), and Obama who succeeded.
My impression was quite different. I thought overall, the debate was livelier, and the candidates spoke much more directly to the voters and their concerns than in the first debate. Also, I thought Obama came out the clear winner.
I felt Obama scored yet again, and more resoundingly than before with his "Cool Hand Luke" approach. He answered McCain's criticisms assertively, he spoke calmy and reassuringly to a nervous public in the face of cries of an impending financial calamity. He inspired confidence and I believe, effectively conviced the American people that he is on their side and will be a champion of their interests. He looked and felt Presidential.
McCain, on the other hand, I felt did not carry himself at all well. He stood and paced nervously behind Obama seeming barely able to wait his turn to speak. His demeanor did little do dispell the Obama camp's asessment that he is "erratic" under pressure. He was dismissive and patronising not only with Senator Obama, but with the Audience as well. His continual insistence that "I know how to (insert "get Americans working again", "resolve these kinds of conflicts", "deal with these kinds of foreign leaders", etc, etc here)" was little more convincing than a used car salesman's "trust me". His endlessly repetitive reference to the audience as "my friends" seemed more antagonistic than congenial.
Worst of all, I thought, even worse than the "that one" comment that is getting attention on the web today, was his comment about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to the young black voter who asked him about the bailout or "rescue" package. Mc Cain was carefull generealise all night with statements like "many of you" "many of us" and "many Americans", but when he told this young man that Freddie and Fannie were banks "YOU had probably never heard of" it made me wince and twist in my seat. A truly awkward moment that reeked of codescention, and I'm sure did not go unnoticed by most that watched last night.
So much about this debate, and the McCain campaign overall, has dissapointed me a great deal. I have long felt McCain was the best of the Republican party and it is sad to see him falter in this way.
I don't think my assessment that Obama came out a decisive winner is skewed by partisanship or bias. I remember that although Kerry was on the right side of every isssue in th 04 debates, and made stronger arguments for his positions, I found myself trying to explain to my father after one such debate why I felt he had lost himself the election right then and there. Kerry failed to connect with voters, to give them something to believe in. Last night it was McCain who I felt failed at that (perhaps because he reportedly feels he's been forced to run a kind of campain contrary to what he himself believes in), and Obama who succeeded.
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