This is the Presidential Campaign Thread.

Barack Obama Vs. John McCain.

Edited November 6, 200817 yr by Toups

And what if the unthinkable happens and McCain passes which I would hope and pray he wouldn't (I wouldn't wish that on anyone) and Palin is our President?

Right now I think McCain is just the figure head of the ticket. Palin's slip up yesterday in calling it the Palin-McCain is probably closer to the truth. Whatever forces pushed her into getting the selection are going to push her into taking an extremely active role which will make Cheney's role in Bush's adminstration look small. I think McCain basically sold his soul to the devil to win an election and the price he'll end up paying will make him a lame duck to her.

Sarah Palin, she is a disgrace to women

Very strong words...What makes you feel that way?

And what if the unthinkable happens and McCain passes which I would hope and pray he wouldn't (I wouldn't wish that on anyone) and Palin is our President? Let's see, based on past behaviors, any woman who is sexually assaulted will have to pay for their rape kit. Which is one of the most horrific and unthinkable things to happen to either a man or woman and now we have to pay for it? What about people with no insurance. They won't come forward and its not a far stretch to believe that the amount of rapes will increase.

Abuse of power. Better pray that you never anger her or her family because you will get fired. Even if you don't do anything. Sex education? No we better leave that to the parents. What a great role model she is since her 17 year old daughter is pregnant. I know that almost every kid does this but if you put yourself into a leadership position and want to break the glass ceiling you better have a spotless reputation. It's unfair but true, you will get scrutinized. Ask Bill Clinton (Gennifer Flowers, Monica Lewinsky) and John Edwards.

Mayor of a small town that has had two homicides in 13 years. So what happens if North Korea or Al Queda or Syria attack us. Her finger is on nuclear weapons. Take a moment to ponder that. The candidate that stated that her forign policy knowledge stems from the fact that she can see Russia from her house would have the code to the bombs. Going from balancing a budget in a relatively small populated state to governing the superpower of the world. This is the scariest thing of all.

John McCain has alligned himself with people who suggested Sarah Palin to him. These same people will be his advisors. BTW, I would really check out some of them because their hands are a little dirty. Barack Obama has surronded himself with people who are doing a great job in advising him. Plus Joe Biden is a strong vice Presidential candiadate.

Barack Obama's top financial advisors were former CEO's of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...not great company if you ask me.

How do you feel that Barack Obama is more qualified and ready than Sarah Palin?

How many budgets, homicides, or "finger on the red button" situations has Obama been responsible for?

Barack Obama is equally as scary to Republicans as Palin is to Dems. It can be argued that he has even less experience than Palin.

That is why Republicans nominated an experienced candidate to the top of the ticket in John McCain.

What has Barack Obama demonstrated to allow you to assume he will make better decisions than Palin in relation to:..... "So what happens if North Korea or Al Queda or Syria attack us. Her finger is on nuclear weapons. Take a moment to ponder that. The candidate that stated that her forign policy knowledge stems from the fact that she can see Russia from her house would have the code to the bombs. Going from balancing a budget in a relatively small populated state to governing the superpower of the world. This is the scariest thing of all."

Edited September 19, 200817 yr by Casey008

How do you feel that Barack Obama is more qualified and ready than Sarah Palin? You left out that she has also been Governor of the largest state in our country.

Alaska is only the largest state by mass, most of it is uninhabited and population wise there are cities larger than it, so that's not a legitimate argument. And Obama is more qualified, simply for the fact he has held federal office and has a grasp of national issues and foreign affairs, plus he's far more educated than Palin is.

Alaska is only the largest state by mass, most of it is uninhabited and population wise there are cities larger than it, so that's not a legitimate argument.

I guess your right...the square mileage of a state has no impact what so ever in the way a state is governed.

You know the governor is responsible for every single square mile as well as each citizen...

And Obama is more qualified, simply for the fact he has held federal office and has a grasp of national issues and foreign affairs, plus he's far more educated than Palin is.

If this is why you support Obama....How does Obama stack up to John McCain on these same issues?

Right now I think McCain is just the figure head of the ticket. Palin's slip up yesterday in calling it the Palin-McCain is probably closer to the truth. Whatever forces pushed her into getting the selection are going to push her into taking an extremely active role which will make Cheney's role in Bush's adminstration look small. I think McCain basically sold his soul to the devil to win an election and the price he'll end up paying will make him a lame duck to her.

Yes, thanks for that. All Republican voters nominated a figure head during the primaries....we all knew Sarah Palin would be picked as his running mate...

Alaska is only the largest state by mass, most of it is uninhabited and population wise there are cities larger than it, so that's not a legitimate argument. And Obama is more qualified, simply for the fact he has held federal office and has a grasp of national issues and foreign affairs, plus he's far more educated than Palin is.

This made me think of something I read last night. It's kind of long so I apologize up front but some of the humor may make it worthwhile:

In Praise of Sarah Palin

Robert J. Ellsberg

I've been wrongly under the assumption that Joe Biden would run circles around Sarah Palin in their upcoming debate. It seemed logical -- when Georgia was attacked by Russia, its president Michael Saakashvili called Biden in to help.

However, if people who know far more about Sarah Palin than I do say she is the most amazingly-qualified person in the Republican Party to be Vice President of the United States, a brilliant mind, who am I to say otherwise?

The Republicans have convinced me. If they say that Sarah Palin is that tremendous a choice on every level, then I am willing to call their bluff and raise the bar high for her. Therefore, let me say it out loud: Sarah Palin will sweep the floor with Joe Biden. She is easily the favorite in her debate. Joe Biden is the woeful underdog. The bar is so low for Joe Biden, he can't limbo under it. He doesn't stand a chance. Yes, Sarah Palin is that remarkable. That's what the Republicans tell me. And I am willing to take them at their word.

"She is strong. She is capable. She is articulate. She will not take any prisoners."

-- Governor M. Jodi Rell (R-CT)

That's an near-impossible combination to beat. But what makes it so impressive is that when the U.S. has to go to war against Russia and Iran, like Sarah Palin anticipates, not taking any prisoners will come in really handy. Now, include our current wars with Iraq and Afghanistan. If we took prisoners in all four, there wouldn't be room in any American prisons, let alone Gitmo. So, score a big one for Sarah Palin.

"(Sarah Palin is) already one of the most successful governors in America -- and the most popular. And she already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket."

-- Rudy Giuliani, former mayor (R-NYC)

Most popular governor. Bam! Take that Mitt Romney. Take that Arnold Schwarzenegger, and you're the "Last Action Hero" and won Mr. Universe. And bam, she's clearly more popular than both Charlie Crist and Tim Pawlenty put together, because John McCain didn't pick them to be vice president. Take that!

And by the way, Sarah Palin has more executive experience than even John McCain! You'd think that was almost impossible. That's how great Sarah Palin is.

"She's functioned as a governor, she's the commander-in-chief of a national guard, she's a former mayor, she's the former chair of an energy commission in Alaska.

-- Tim Pawlenty, governor (R-MN)

It's like sensory overload. Talk about showing the breadth of Sarah Palin's qualities. Her legendary military tactics kept foreign enemies so terrified of attacking Alaska that she never had to use her national guard powers even once. She learned everything necessary for the energy commission in only 11 months and quit. She was so great as mayor of Wasilla that her vote total increased for her second term by an amazing 50-percent, from 616 votes to 909. And for well-over one year, she functioned as governor of a state more populous than even Fort Worth, Texas. You almost want to say, "And on the seventh day she rested."

"What she's done in Alaska is what we would hope to do in Washington."

-- Lindsay Graham, U.S. senator (R-SC)

We can only hope. While George Bush created a $482 billion deficit, Sarah Palin was able to keep her budget deficit in Wasilla down to a mere $20 million. All Washington has to do is follow her plan and cut the population of America to 5,500 people.

(Sarah Palin) "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

-- Mike Huckabee, former governor (R-AR)

While Joe Biden got 75,000 votes running for president, Sarah Palin had 1,525 in her two campaigns as mayor which shows that votes obviously count for more in Alaska because Mike Huckabee is a former minister and wouldn't lie. How remarkable does someone have to be to receive votes that count 50 times more than normal?!

"She's got foreign policy experience because you can see Russia from part of Alaska."

-- John McCain, U.S. senator (R-AZ), Republican nominee for president

Trust me, Sarah Palin's expertise is even better than this, if that's possible. Because you can see the Pacific Ocean from Alaska, she's also an expert on seals. You can see Canada from Alaska, so she's an expert on beer. You can see the moon from all of Alaska, which means she can run NASA. And she can see into the bedroom of her neighbors the Bendersons, so she's an expert on their sex life.

Sarah Palin has so much foreign policy experience from spotting Russia, that's why she never even felt a need to ever get a passport before a year ago.

"She could not be a better vice-presidential pick."

-- Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, that works to elect women opposing abortion rights

This is big. Even John McCain couldn't get Marjorie Dennenfelser's support, since he's only a man. Moreover, Sen. McCain also couldn't get it because he doesn't oppose abortion rights in all cases, as does Sarah Palin, so that's doubly better.

"It is an outstanding choice."

-- Olympia Snowe, U.S. senator (R-ME)

No reason given, no reason necessary. 'Nuff said.

"She is a courageous, successful reformer, who is not afraid to take on the establishment. She has run a municipality and she has run a state."

-- Fred Thompson, former U.S.senator (R-TN)

When the police chief and head librarian of Wasilla didn't support her enough, Sarah Palin reformed the town and fired them. When the Chief of Public Safety wouldn't fire her ex-brother-in-law, Sarah Palin reformed Alaska and fired him, too. Because of past charges of sexual harassment, her own replacement resigned in two weeks, which is why we need courageous and successful reformers like Sarah Palin.

By the way, Rudy Giuliani has been mayor of a municipality, but not run a state. That's why John McCain didn't pick him. Jeb Bush has only run a state, but not been a mayor -which shows why he wasn't picked. (Also, there's all that "Bush" baggage.)

"She knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America."

-- John McCain, U.S. senator (R-AZ), Republican nominee for president

Bam! Take that T. Boone Pickens. Take that George Bush, even. Take that Dick Cheney. And Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. And take that Gary Luqette, president of Chevron. And the presidents of every oil company. It's a perceptive eye like this, picking the top expert no one else could see, that has made John McCain his own man. With his own facts.

"She's a real person and she has handled real problems."

-- Pete Dominici, United States senator (R-NM)

With Joe Biden burdened by being a fake person, and gallivanting around to help with foreign governments, Sarah Palin has dealt with real problems, like her family, crabgrass, praying to God for an oil pipeline, and failing to sell merchandise on eBay. When she has to handle Russia or North Korea.. Or Mahmoud Ahmandinejad, the president of Iran, they won't know what hit them, because she's dealt with pot holes. Real problems.

"Obviously, she is very, very well-qualified."

-- Rose Ann Scotti, former Republican mayor of Colts Neck, NJ

Clearly, who better to know whether the former major of a hamlet has the qualifications to be President of the United States than the former mayor of another hamlet?!

"She is smart and she is a unique combination of toughness and grace."

- Linda Lingle, governor (R-Hawaii)

Think how far Mussolini could have gone if only he'd known how to use a hanky. When she made the tough decisions to fire the police chief, librarian and Chief of Public Safety, her letters of dismissal were written on fine-weave stationery.

Sarah Palin is tough enough to avoid the pressure to be interviewed by "Face the Nation," "Meet the Press, " Wall Street Journal and more, like all other candidates always, and yet gracefully return to her home in Alaska. If she can be that tough avoiding basic questions about herself, think how incredible she'll be facing down Vladimir Putin and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in wars. But with grace.

"I'm so proud that she has displayed the kind of judgment and she has the experience and judgment as an executive... "

-- John McCain, U.S. senator (R-AZ), Republican nominee for president

Judgment galore. Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party are first to none in admiring that judgment, saying that Sarah Palin once attended their very own convention, which has been pushing for Alaskans to secede from the United States.

If Alaska left the union, Sarah Palin could become leader of an entire nation. Talk about qualifications. And this overlaps with John McCain's own vision. His TV ads have run the motto -- "Country First." The AIP's motto is -- "Alaska First -- Alaska Always." That's almost exactly the same. And Alaska is part of the "country"! Unless it secedes.

"Her record has been so strong for so long."

-- Grover Norquist, Republican lobbyist and former registered agent of Angola

For someone who has said he wants to get government "down to the size where we can drown it in a bathtub," this is no small praise. He doesn't endorse just anybody. Just people he believes can help drown government.

"She has a lot of substance."

-- Carly Fiorina, Republican McCain advisor and former campaign spokesperson

That's exactly what they saw in her in Wasilla, and it's why 616 citizens stood up and proudly voted for her.

"It was awesome. She just put it out there that she does have experience, and she was funny at the same time."

-- Hanna Malaihollo, 18-year-old alternate delegate (R-CA)

Sarah Palin can convince young people that she has experience simply because she says so, offsetting their natural aversion to John McCain. What can't she do?!! And she's funny. Jon Stewart is only funny. That's why he's not nominated for vice president.

"She's a partner and a soul mate. I mean, it's remarkable. It's a remarkable person."

-- John McCain, U.S. senator (R-AZ), Republican nominee for president

It's not every presidential candidate so smitten that he's willing to express his undying love in public. The only other one was Jimmy Carter, who admitted lusting in his heart. You don't see Barack Obama calling Joe Biden his soul mate.

Not to worry, Family Values folk, this is political and spiritual love. Cindy McCain has nothing to be concerned about! (Unless she gets in a disfiguring accident. Or loses her money.)

"I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn't a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn't a governor for a short period of time."

- Sarah Palin, governor (R-AK), Republican nominee for president

Considering that most fruit flies live less than two months, Sarah Palin has the preparation to be President of the United States of 22 lifetimes.

Go America! Go Sarah Palin! Go fruit flies!

And look out, Joe Biden. You are in so much trouble. The Republican Party says so: the most qualified person in the G.O.P. is coming to get you. And her name is Sarah Palin. Game over. She's got it all. From the Republican elite to the grassroots, they know Sarah Palin, and know she's got it all. Accept your fate, Joe. She's tough, a pit bull, she's going to crush you. But the good news is, she'll do it with grace.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/...skewers-mccain/

Wall Street Journal editorial board skewers McCain

Why is Barack Obama qualified?

He can see Missouri from his house.

Edited September 19, 200817 yr by Roman

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/...skewers-mccain/

Wall Street Journal editorial board skewers McCain

Without even reading that I can safely say that since McCain has vowed to clean up Wall Street, there is no doubt in my mind that he will clean up the Wall Street Journal as well.....

Why is Barack Obama qualified?

He can see Missouri from his house.

TGIF people

Very strong words...What makes you feel that way?

Barack Obama's top financial advisors were former CEO's of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac...not great company if you ask me.

You didn't get the memo? That's not true. There was s statement released.

Why is Barack Obama qualified?

He can see Missouri from his house.

I'm glad you take a quote from Tina Fey as a legitimate comment from Sarah Palin. ..I hope the majority of Americans educate themselves past SNL before voting..

You didn't get the memo? That's not true. There was s statement released.

Did not see that. I guess it's another outright lie from the McCain camp.

Did not see that. I guess it's another outright lie from the McCain camp.

That's exactly what it is!

Economy takes center stage in bruising ads

Posted: 10:39 AM ET

From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

New campaign ads are out on the economy.

(CNN) — As the nation’s financial crisis continues to top headlines and dominate campaign trail discussion, John McCain and Barack Obama released a flurry of television ads within a few hours that play off a rising sense of economic anxiety.

The McCain campaign released an ad linking Obama to former Fannie Mae head Franklin Raines. "Who advises him?" the female announcer says. "The Post says it's Franklin Raines, for 'advice on mortgage and housing policy.'"

The Washington Post quote cited in the McCain campaign's release says that Raines has "taken calls from Barack Obama's presidential campaign seeking his advice on mortgage and housing policy matters."

The Obama campaign sent out a statement from Franklin Raines denying the claims in the McCain ad. "I am not an advisor to Barack Obama, nor have I provided his campaign with advice on housing or economic matters." Obama spokesman Bill Burton called the charge “another flat-out lie.”

The Obama campaign responded with a spot taking aim at McCain’s economic advisors. "Carly Fiorina, the fired CEO who got a $42 million golden parachute," the announcer says. "Phil Gramm, the ex-Senator who pushed through deregulation, and called Americans hurt by this economy 'whiners’… Then there's George Bush, whose disastrous policies McCain wants to continue."

Read the rest of this entry »

Without even reading that I can safely say that since McCain has vowed to clean up Wall Street, there is no doubt in my mind that he will clean up the Wall Street Journal as well.....

TGIF people

Well, I saw two different press conferences. If you get a chance, watch Obama and McCain's PCs from this morning.

That's exactly what it is!

From the Washington Post...released 30 minutes ago..

"it is not made up completely out of whole cloth. McCain spokesman Brian Rogers points to three items in the Washington Post in July and August. It turns out that the three items (including an editorial) all rely on the same single conversation, between Raines and a Washington Post reporter, Anita Huslin, who wrote a Style section profile of the discredited Fannie Mae boss that appeared on July 16. The profile reported that Raines, who retired from Fannie Mae four years ago, had "taken calls from Barack Obama's presidential campaign seeking his advice on mortgage and housing policy matters."

The Obama camp can issue all the denials that they like...it doesn't change the fact that Raines himself told a Washington Post reporter that he had taken calls (plural) providing advise.

Edited September 19, 200817 yr by Casey008

And now, the ENTIRE article:

"Obama has no background in economics. Who advises him? The Post says it's Franklin Raines, for "advice on mortgage and housing policy." Shocking. Under Raines, Fannie Mae committed "extensive financial fraud." Raines made millions. Fannie Mae collapsed. Taxpayers? Stuck with the bill."

--McCain video release, September 18, 2008.

An already nasty presidential election campaign is getting nastier. The meltdown on Wall Street has touched off frantic attempts by both the McCain and Obama camps to secure political advantage and indulge in guilt by association. Over the last 24 hours, both campaigns have issued video press releases (let's not call them ads until they actually air somewhere) attempting to show that the other side's "advisers" are somehow responsible for the crisis. The latest McCain attack is particularly dubious.

The Facts

The McCain video attempts to link Obama to Franklin Raines, the former CEO of the bankrupt mortgage giant, Fannie Mae, who also happens to be African-American. It then shows a photograph of an elderly white woman taxpayer who has supposedly been "stuck with the bill" as a result of the "extensive financial fraud" at Fannie Mae.

The Obama campaign last night issued a statement by Raines insisting, "I am not an advisor to Barack Obama, nor have I provided his campaign with advice on housing or economic matters." Obama spokesman Bill Burton went a little further, telling me in an e-mail that the campaign had "neither sought nor received" advice from Raines "on any matter."

So what evidence does the McCain campaign have for the supposed Obama-Raines connection? It is pretty flimsy, but it is not made up completely out of whole cloth. McCain spokesman Brian Rogers points to three items in the Washington Post in July and August. It turns out that the three items (including an editorial) all rely on the same single conversation, between Raines and a Washington Post reporter, Anita Huslin, who wrote a Style section profile of the discredited Fannie Mae boss that appeared on July 16. The profile reported that Raines, who retired from Fannie Mae four years ago, had "taken calls from Barack Obama's presidential campaign seeking his advice on mortgage and housing policy matters."

Since this has now become a campaign issue, I asked Huslin to provide the exact circumstances of the quote. She explained that she was chatting with Raines during the photo shoot, and asked "if he was engaged at all with the Democrats' quest for the White House. He said that he had gotten a couple of calls from the Obama campaign. I asked him about what, and he said 'oh, general housing, economy issues.' ('Not mortgage/foreclosure meltdown or Fannie-specific,' I asked, and he said 'no.')"

By Raines's own account, he took a couple of calls from someone on the Obama campaign, and they had some general discussions about economic issues. I have asked both Raines and the Obama people for more details on these calls, and will let you know if I receive a reply.

The Pinocchio Test

The McCain campaign is clearly exaggerating wildly in attempting to depict Franklin Raines as a close adviser to Obama on "housing and mortgage policy." If we are to believe Raines, he did have a couple of telephone conversations with someone in the Obama campaign. But that hardly makes him an adviser to the candidate himself--and certainly not in the way depicted in the McCain video release.