USA Politics

Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

LooseCannon said:
Let me rephrase: do I believe she is in any way qualified to be president?  No, I don't.  Do I think she could eventually be?  Sure, if she gets more Governor experience and some Senatorial experience.  However, I wouldn't vote for her.  It's like right now, I agree that McCain is qualified to be president, I just think he'd not be great at it and I disagree with his policies.
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I see where you're coming from, but I still don't agree with you. Sure, a person who would rise up in such a high and important rank as the President of the United States would need to have some political experience, but the truth is, experience alone doesn't make a good politician. George W. Bush served for six years as Governor of Texas, but by now, most people would agree with me that he is an awful politician.
You're attempting to assess a persons qualification to become President by objective measures. Kudos for you to that, but the truth is, that is impossible. What makes a good politician is always a subjective judgment, as is that of their qualification to become such. If somebody's stance is to drill for oil in nature reserves, then, no matter if this person has been in politics for thirty years, they are not qualified as a politician of any sorts in my opinion- however, other people would disagree with me. Likewise, to some people, a politician who supports the abolition of slavery could be disqualified in the eyes of some (I couldn't think of a better example at the moment, but still, it serves as an argument if you look at the initial acceptance of Abe Lincoln).
A person's political stances are, to me, a much more important part of their qualification to take an office than their experience.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

There are indeed no objective criteria for someone being qualified for the job. If I'd try that I'd run away for myself.
I am the one who judges, not a theoretical set of criteria.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

And that's why you get the vote. :)
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I'll be candidate when I have a bit more experience. ;)

Palin attacks Obama in acceptance speech

Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin used her speech to the party's national convention to launch a blistering attack on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

In her first major speech since being chosen as the running mate for Republican nominee John McCain, Governor Palin talked up her small town roots and defended her record as Alaska's Governor.

She also took a several swipes at Senator Obama.

"Listening to him speak it's easy to forget that this is a man who's authored two memoirs, but not a single major law or even a reform, not even in the state Senate," she said.

Governor Palin said Senator Obama would never talk about the great merits of small town people to their faces, but lambast those same people in another forum for their commitment to God and guns.

She ridiculed Senator Obama with imagery of a man trying to save the world rather than serve America, and she returned to Senator McCain's strengths.

"If character is the measure in this election, and hope the same, and change the goal we share, then I ask you to join our cause; join our cause and help America elect a great man as the next president of the United States," she said.

Senator McCain "knows how tough fights are won" she said, noting that just a year ago, experts had written him off as the Republicans' nominee for the presidency.

"With their usual certitude they told us that all was lost, that there was no hope for this candidate who said he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war," Governor Palin said.

Governor Palin also launched a stinging attack on the media over what she said were its claims that being outside the Washington establishment was reason enough to disqualify her from high office, prompting the crowd to offer extended boos for the media.

As she continued, a woman holding up her hand a gesturing with a peace sign was removed from the floor of the convention by security men.

'Ups and downs'

Governor Palin also spoke about her family's ups and downs - a reference to her teenage daughter's pregnancy.

Displaying her credentials in understanding America's international challenges, Governor Palin introduced her son, Track, who stood in the crowd as his mother told delegates that he was due on September 11 to deploy to Iraq.

She went on to introduce her sons and daughters, all of whom were in the audience, and to indirectly answer the critics who have targeted the conservative, pro-life governor over the pregnancy of her unmarried teenage daughter.

"Our family has the same ups and downs as any other, the same challenges and the same joys," she said.

She also introduced her "perfectly beautiful baby boy", Trig, who has Down's syndrome, pledging to be an advocate for families of special needs children in the White House.

"For years you've sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters," she said.

Seeking to further seal her family credentials, she introduced her husband Todd, saying she met him in high school. She won yet more applause by saying "he's still my guy".

Governor Palin joked about her self-professed "hockey mum" reputation, but held out a promise of toughness on key issues from America's dependence on foreign oil to the pursuit of terrorists.

Her aggressively delivered speech ran to 40 minutes, half an hour longer than usual for a vice-presidential nominee.

It culminated in an appearance by Senator McCain, who dismissed critics of his choice of Governor Palin with the rhetorical question to the crowd: "Aren't you glad we chose the right candidate?"

Senator McCain speaks to the convention tomorrow.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Unfortunately, around here... qualifications don't mean much.... I will just cut it down the middle and say, to 50% of the population. To many ignorant fools, a political race is a popularity contest. THIS is what I believe is the real reason Sarah Palin was chosen as the Republican VP candidate; not because she is a woman or so much her political stances but because she was the best qualified "sexy" candidate to contrast Senator McCain's age and combat Senator Obama's sex appeal to the masses.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

I think the McCain camp considered her to have many large upsides, including her views on social issues (anti-abortion, for instance).  She did an amazing job getting the Republican base riled up last night, for instance.  Drove them up the wall with her speech, and she certainly changes the way the race is going to go.  What the Dems need to do is respond hard.  Hillary should be campaigning everywhere Palin campaigns, for instance.  Especially in Ohio, Michigan, Missouri.  What the Dems need to attack her on is being a right-wing pundit, slathering at the mouth to overturn Roe v. Wade, etc.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Yes, she did placate the religious right with that stance.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

A lot of people were worried that McCain would choose a moderate.  He didn't, and I think that was one of the big things he was worried about.  Which is why I never actually expected McCain to pick Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Ok, qualifications alone, she was Mayor of some town in Alaska, now governor. Not to be mean, but... How hard can it be to govern Alaska? All five people, handful of moose and 20 seals?

Also, I found a lot of her speech laughable. Kick out the liberal elite in washington? How can anybody say that after 8 years of a republican presidency?!
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/0 ... 23852.html

Watch the clip here, you Americans.  Jon Stewart (I know SMX, you don't like him, but go out on a limb for me here) shows exactly why you can't trust pundits.
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=6582365106438116465&ei=ljvASK3SIIz4-wHTs_S7Aw&q=daily+show+karl+rove&vt=lf&hl=en

This one still works for you Europeans.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

It's not that I dislike Jon Stewart - I dislike the Daily Show. Stewart is OK, but not nearly as funny as he was years ago before that show. But everyone else on that show has always been painfully unfunny. This includes show alumni, especially Steve Carrell, who has never been funny for even a split second.

I do catch bits of the Daily Show now and then. I really do try to give it a chance. But time and time and time again, it is just horrible.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

It will be interesting to see how Obama responds to Palin.  He apparently had the same thought as LC, as he plans to dispatch prominent Democrat women to campaign in key states against Palin.  This may be necessary, as he proved to be remarkably toothless when trying to attack Hillary and put her away in the primaries.  Palin will be difficult to attack, anyway, because her biggest weakness is also Obama's biggest weakness.  It would be misguided for Democrats to make "experience" a key factor in the debate by attacking Palin's lack thereof.  Obama is not much more experienced than Palin, and clearly loses the experience debate to McCain.  If Democrats get voters to start thinking that experience is critical, that clearly doesn't help Obama.  Though the importance of executive experience can be (and has been) overstated, it is undeniable that Obama has never run any sort of significant organization in his life -- he doesn't even run his own campaign.  Palin does run a state with an annual budget of billions of dollars.  True, Alaska isn't a big deal compared to, say, Texas, but then again, neither is Arkansas, and Bill Clinton seemed to be a capable president after governing that state.  I think Obama's and LC's tactic, however, may reflect a miscalculation as to Palin's most important value to the Republican ticket (apart from being hot, which -- sorry Natalie -- she kind of is).  Many people, including myself, thought that when Palin was first named to the ticket, it was a transparent attempt to woo women who previously supported Hillary.  And, her "hockey mom" persona probably is going to appeal to many women voters.  However, her speech didn't have anything to do with Hillary Clinton -- indeed, it became obvious that she and Hillary couldn't be more different.  Her main advantage is as the "anti-Obama" -- a blue-collar, small-town background, and a social and economic conservative.  As Chris Matthews put it, Palin is a "cultural torpedo aimed straight at Senator and Mrs. Obama."  Her presence underscores McCain's earlier messages that Obama is an ivory tower elitist who is out of touch with middle America, and she made that a key thrust of her speech.  Plus, she has two children who are in the military, which makes it easier for her to attack Obama for being weak on Iraq.  If Palin gets women to support her, that's almost gravy.  Palin's value is in attracting blue collar votes in place like Ohio, which (not coincidentally) were the areas that swung the 2004 election. 

Finally, make no mistake, her speech was VERY well received  in America, other than among committed Obama supporters.  One person I met went so far as to say "it's over, Obama's finished."  I don't think that's the case, and there will be ample opportunity for Palin to screw things up for her and McCain, but I am now beginning to think that she is a brilliant addition to the ticket -- after originally thinking McCain was a moron for naming her as his running mate.  As one pundit, a liberal black woman, put it even before Palin's speech: "Democrats, underestimate Palin at your peril." 
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Geezer Butler has issued the following update:

"Thank you all who came to see the Metal Masters tour. It was a pleasure touring with such great bands and friends — JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD and TESTAMENT, and their respective crews. It was great meeting everyone who came to the meet and greets after the shows.

"Now back to reality. As you may know from my web site and lyrics, I am pro all life, not just unborn fetuses. I don't understand people who say they are pro-life, but then support unnecessary wars and the disgusting slaughter of animals for sport. I respect people's freedom of religion, but I absolutely abhor hypocrites. Which brings me to this horrific video [see below] of cowardly bastards in airplanes, shooting wolves for so-called 'sport,' and the hypocritical politician [referring to Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin] [she's supposed to be pro-life, remember], who allows this cowardly act to take place in her state.

"I know lots of people who hunt, and I enjoy shooting at my local gun range, but I don't know, nor would I want to know, anyone who gets pleasure from this disgraceful behaviour. God/nature has created a beautiful earth, and populated it with beautiful creatures, and I believe that all life is miraculous. Why do politicians [royals included] enjoy killing so much, and treating those miracles with such contempt?"

---------

*OUCH!*
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

cornfedhick said:
Finally, make no mistake, her speech was VERY well received  in America, other than among committed Obama supporters.  One person I met went so far as to say "it's over, Obama's finished."  I don't think that's the case, and there will be ample opportunity for Palin to screw things up for her and McCain, but I am now beginning to think that she is a brilliant addition to the ticket -- after originally thinking McCain was a moron for naming her as his running mate.  As one pundit, a liberal black woman, put it even before Palin's speech: "Democrats, underestimate Palin at your peril." 
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My observation of the political landscape in the US is that Palin's speech was a great, amazing way to rally the base.  It's like he chose Mike Huckabee...with boobs and guns.  The experience issue is fairly moot - I would consider Obama to have more "experience", but it's really not that much more.  The real difference is that his experience is entirely medium and high scale legislative, whereas hers is a scale of fairly low to fairly high executive.  It's almost like comparing apples and oranges.  Regardless, it changes the dialogue.  It's a brilliant pick, and we see that more and more as it goes on.

Where Palin's lack of experience may tell is not in her past but in the future.  Unlike Obama, unlike McCain, unlike Joe Biden, Gov. Palin has never campaigned nationally before.  She's used to small-scale media markets.  What makes Obama very different is his mastery of the small and the large scale markets, but Palin may make a mistake she considers minor that gets carried to the big screen and really throws a wrench in the mix.  I have been reading more about Palin and I have to admit, I admire her record of fighting corruption in Alaska.  I don't agree with her at all on social issues.

When it comes to a family of soldiers, I don't think the dynamic is going to be altered at all, CFH.  The reason I say that is McCain's already got like...3 kids to go or going to Iraq, and Biden's son is about to ship out.  Besides, the whole campaign dialogue is moving away from Iraq.  Withdrawal is no longer "if", it's becoming "when", and I'll be the first to say that John McCain was right about how to attempt to stabilize Iraq, just like Barack Obama was right that the US should never have gone in the first place.  The current dynamic is going to be about money.  It's the economy, stupid.  That's why Palin is such a brilliant choice.  She's a mini-van driving hockey mom who loves her family and does what she can do to get by.  She balances John McCain's seven houses with an average joe family.

Will it work?  I don't know.  I am quite sure that the disaffected Hillary supporters no longer are.  Any who were prepared to vote McCain are upset at the selection of Palin, and are coming back to Obama.  Most were reconciled by the end of the DNC.  She's not going to capture much in the way of "independents" who traditionally dislike the far-right ideals she espouses socially.  She may bring in some of the economic moderates.  I expect we'll see Sarah Palin campaign HEAVILY in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, while John McCain devotes his attention to Florida, Virginia, and Colorado.  There'll be some crossover, but that's what I am predicting.
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

Onhell said:
Ok, qualifications alone, she was Mayor of some town in Alaska, now governor. Not to be mean, but... How hard can it be to govern Alaska? All five people, handful of moose and 20 seals?

Also, I found a lot of her speech laughable. Kick out the liberal elite in washington? How can anybody say that after 8 years of a republican presidency?!
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Oh Onhell, you can always make me laugh and make me come close to peeing my pants!  And your not being mean even if you look like the una-bomber!
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Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

If Palin was a Democrat, the Republicans would be all over her calling her a bad mother and other insults, I'm sure.  How amazing it is when one's beliefs are so fluid contradictions one day are considered strengths the next day.  And what's with Palin trying to seem like she's such a modern woman?  I'm pretty sure most women do not relate to her.  She's riding the coattails of feminism while being hard core anti-abortion.  Yeah, I don't particularly like her - can you tell?  :D
 
Re: USA Elections: Candidates Comparison

According to my limited experience, most politicians are hypocrites. But yeah, she's quite something in the ways of hypocrisy.
 
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