No, she’s not smoother than Joe Biden. She was not the better debater (she lost badly on points). She doesn’t have the depth of knowledge, the experience, the ease with “Washington speak” that Biden demonstrated – especially in foreign policy.
But Sarah Palin has something Joe Biden and every other politician in America would give their right eye to possess – the innate ability to look a camera straight in the lens and make a connection with the hearts of ordinary Americans.
Palin proved the one thing she had to prove; she belongs on The Big Stage. She might not be the brightest star in the firmament intellectually. But when she spoke, there was authority and confidence behind the words that belied every nasty thing written and spoken about her over the last few weeks. In fact, her performance made the McCain campaign handlers look like idiots. What the hell have they been doing hiding this woman for all this time? Are they nuts? I’m not the only one who underestimated this woman. The McCain people have as well. And at least I have an excuse – I’m ignorant. They’re supposed to know her, know her strengths and weaknesses.
There was a point with about 20 minutes to go in the debate where something happened that I never thought remotely possible; she took over the stage and dominated it with her personality. I believe they were talking about education and as the words poured out in that Midwestern twang, her eyes twinkled and that 100,000 watt smile lit up the hall, she turned on the charm and sincerity, and the stage suddenly shrank while Biden appeared a mere appendage to the broadcast.
She was totally at ease, referring some of her remarks to the moderator Gwen Ifill (who I thought bent over backwards to be fair – no doubt a consequence of her becoming a target after it was revealed she was writing a book partially about the Obama campaign) and nodding and looking at Biden on occasion. She did it effortlessly and without art or artifice. Biden sensed what was happening but couldn’t do anything. She was in charge, period. It was at that point, that I thought she might not be ready to be president from day one but that someday, she will be on a similar stage as a nominee for president of the Republican party.
The left is screaming tonight, trying to make believe that nothing has changed, that Palin is still a dunce, still out of her league. I would suggest they rerun the last hour and half and watch with a little more of an objective mind. She stood toe to toe with Biden (sometimes – other times she avoided direct combat) and bloodied him but good a couple of times. A boxing analogy would be the heavyweight champion boxing a middleweight. The lighter fighter might be getting pounded here and there but when getting in close, scores repeatedly with good body punches.
And, of course, the crowd is always with the underdog. Despite Biden’s competent performance, Palin will probably be narrowly declared the winner in tomorrow’s polls. Even her bitterest foes must acknowledge her ability to connect with ordinary people. That is a gift that any liberal only dreams of being able to do. For the left, it is not about connecting to average Americans. It is about average Americans acknowledging the liberal’s superior intellect and judgement and letting them run our lives. Unfortunately, in such times as these, that appears to be what the people are about to do.
I must confess that before the debate I was prepared for Mrs. Stumblebum – a female Gerald Ford tripping over her words and embarrassing herself on foreign policy questions. What I got was a composed, collected candidate who may have been deficient in the depth of her answers but nevertheless demonstrated a basic knowledge and familiarity with the issues. The nuances of instability in Pakistan might escape her (something an American president can do little about at this point anyway). But she had absolutely no trouble identifying why Ahmadinejad is an enemy of anyone who loves civilization and why it is of paramount importance that he not get his hands on nuclear weapons.
So I was wrong about her as far as how badly she would do. Not the first time I’ve been wrong on this blog and it won’t be the last. The question of the hour is does this change the race in any way? Will it kick start the McCain campaign and start a much needed comeback?
My sense is that it has stopped the bleeding but that the way back for McCain will not be through anything that Sarah Palin can do. She may have stopped the exodus of independents and women from the McCain camp but as far as winning any of them back I am just not convinced that a Vice Presidential candidate – no matter how well she performs in a debate or how she connects with ordinary voters – is up to that challenge.
For McCain to get back in the race, he must do it himself. Many Republicans are urging McCain to throw the kitchen sink at Obama – Ayers, Wright, Rezko, the Chicago Machine – the whole shebang of radicals, shady characters, and questionable associations. Obama can easily brush that kind of attack aside as an act of desperation by McCain. What he can’t brush aside is his record, or rather his lack thereof. McCain needs to go hard after Obama on the question of experience. It’s his best shot and he can bloody him at the remaining debates if he consistently hits that note. McCain must show that electing Obama is a risk. And in these uncertain times, that’s one thing the United States cannot afford.
2:31 am
Oh Lord:
What I got was a composed, collected candidate who may have been deficient in the depth of her answers but nevertheless demonstrated a basic knowledge and familiarity with the issues.
All taught in the last few weeks. Her answers were scripted, and frankly, shallow. She showed no real mastery of anything of a global nature, just the hurried teachings of her handlers. And her insistence on mentioning Ahmedinejad was silly. As Biden pointed out, Ahmedinejad has NO power, he’s a patently loony figurehead. The real power in Iran is the Ayahtollah.
Are you really serious, that she could assume the Commander-In-Chief™ mantle if something tragic happened to McCain, if he was elected? I’m sorry, the USA needs better leaders than that.
2:34 am
Does the boldness with which Palin touts her complete lack of substantive knowledge strike anyone as eerily similar to Bush? She survived tonight as I suspected by a blizzard of soundbites and folksy populism.
Two other things…
First, oil is a commodity. Where it comes out of the ground has little to nothing to do with who ends up buying it. It’s sold the the highest bidder. Thus, more oil pumped from anywhere in the US would not lessen our so called dependence on foreign oil. Unless, of course, said foreign oil was more expensive. Thus, drill here, drill now is nothing more than a catchy slogan for ignorant people to rally behind. It does seem to be working out well for Palin though, so Yay for America.
Also, it would be awesome if she could learn how to say the word nuclear. This is actually a fairly big deal to me.
3:11 am
Please, America, tell me it isn’t true? Is that all it takes to be fit for the vice presidency? Ignore the questions you are asked? Deploy the carbon-copy speeches you were trained to say, over and over again? Give answers to questions you weren’t asked?
The only way Sarah Palin did succeed in the debate was by being able to utter complete sencences most of the time. By sticking to the script she was drilled like a fly to a glue trap. As if someone had her winded up and sent to the debate like a toy soldier.
I’m not so sure I want that to be true for a possible POTUS…
3:32 am
Good points all. But if you were honest with yourself you would see Obama falls even shorter of the standards you hold Palin to.
3:46 am
Democrats shouldn’t waste much time complaining. This was the best we were likely to get. She was never going to fall over in a dead faint. She was necessarily going to exceed expectations. She was always going to connect with the base.
The take-away in electoral terms was that 42 percent number in the CNN poll that now thought her capable of being Veep. She had that going in, she had it coming out. If she had stopped halfway through the debate to impale herself with a salad fork she’d have still had that 42%.
The game was not changed. But it never is by Veeps or Veep debates. Palin will probably cost McCain 1%. A really great Veep might have gained him 1%.
The McCain problem is McCain, and specifically his lack of a rationale for his presidency other than, “I’m not Obama.” I’ve been pointing to that here for a long time while Rick hammered Obama.
We all get that Republicans don’t like Obama, and that they do like Palin. The missing element is McCain, the invisible man of the right wing blogs. He’s the one losing this election and getting very little help from his friends in the blogosphere who spend all their time attacking Obama and praising Palin.
McCain’s pulling out of Michigan. What’s next? Wisconsin? Colorado? Minnesota?
4:02 am
Correction: the CNN poll went from 42 to 46 for Palin. Her “not qualified” number dropped by 1% to 53. Both insta-polls have Biden as clear winner, and as winner of the “cares about you,” question.
5:06 am
How come after she speaks i feel dumber than when she started. I have a sneaking suspicion she has no idea what the term Achilles heel means. It was incredible to watch her bulldoze through questions, casting them aside when they didn’t match up with the talking point index card she had in front of her. She could’ve at least managed to remember the generals name in Afghanistan…....unless Scott McClellan has a new position that we don’t know about yet. I believe she meant General McKiernan, not McClellan but ….....keep to the talking points, Sarah….
Obama still hasn’t admitted that the surge worked….....? and he didn’t do the town hall meetings either…...that’s why McCain has to act this way….. wink wink you betcha doggoneit ....if the nukular weapons don’t kill us, the Sarah speak will definitely do the trick
7:19 am
[...] Moran, like Ruffini, says that Palin proved herself last night: Palin proved the one thing she had to prove; she belongs on The Big Stage. She might not be the [...]
7:54 am
Exceptional post, Rick! And not just because I agree with every word, but you do what I can’t do- put into words my feelings about her performance. Yes, she connected! Yes, she’s got a lot to learn! But yes, she belongs on the big stage!
I also agree with you that Ifill was extremely fair, and you know I hate to give any credit to libs. Ace thinks that she intentionally omitted questions about reform and energy in order to steer clear of Palin’s strengths (and that may be true), but it was fair nonetheless.
As you correctly pointed out, Biden did well, but did you count the lies? Bald-faced, look-straight-into-the-camera, no-attempt-to-hide lying (Rove counted 16, Morris less than that, I wasn’t keeping track but screamed LIAR several times at the TV).
8:47 am
She might not be the brightest star in the firmament intellectually
Or, perhaps she just hasn’t mastered the nuances of political presentation. She has her own ideas and ideology, which she has to merge with McCain’s in order not to step on his toes, while at the same time facing an ultra-hostile media that lobs softballs to Democrats while acting like Bill O’Rielly interviewing Barney Frank when they get to her.
And “the brightest stars in the intellectual firmament” tend to be Ivy Tower intellectuals who will labor diligently to destroy the country, take our money, and make us as a country submissive to the despots and dictators of the world. But will do it with elegance, grace, aplomb, and the occasional sesquipedalian.
Give me Sarah Palin any day of the week.
BTW, Ifill was fair, but not a particularly good debate moderator. She complained about questioning not being answered without getting answer, and let both Palin and Biden bulldoze their way through answers without ever really getting to the meat of it.
As far as Biden lying goes, that really depends on what your definition of “truth” is. When things are relative, liberal “truthiness” will do just fine. As can be see by the amount of praise on the left for Biden’s performance.
9:21 am
Chuck needs to look at film archives of President Eisenhower saying “nucular” before dismissing Palin (and a hell of a lot of other people) who mispronounce it. When I look at Obama’s list of friends (Ayres, Rev. Goddamn America) I think I prefer Marge Gunderson or Sarah palin.
9:25 am
And Dan? Carter pronounced it the same way, as I recall. And he was a nucular engineer. He might even still be one.
It’s only a big deal to Chuck because Palin is a Republican…and a woman.
9:26 am
Hi Rick, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the debate! I was cheering for her and glad to see she decided to use her response time to directly confront Biden on his answers because I am tired of him and Obama getting away with changing their mind on issues everytime the wind blows. I think that “shook things up” well and allowed her to connect with viewers, but the media no doubt will find a lot to criticize about that.
I also think some in America don’t like her “you betcha!” way of talking…but hey, to me it just reminds me that it’s kind of strange that we readily accept it when our friends and family speak in one way, but yet we expect our politicians to sound like drones. To me she sounds like just another midwestern woman. But maybe we’re so used to smooth talkers that now that’s all we want. It reminds me that maybe Washington could do without another law school graduate and would do well with a woman up there who has plain common sense. Maybe we need less talkers and more decision makers.
I think she showed that although she is not a masterful Washington politician, she is a master of everything she has been called to be in charge of yet in her life, and it’s only a matter of time before she is a true leader in Washington. Yeah Sarah
9:31 am
PS, Looking at the polls, I still think we are going to lose this election, but hey, at least we’re having fun while doing so. lol
9:32 am
Oh, and webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuclear) considers nucular to be a somewhat acceptable pronunciation as well.
Of course, nitpicking at word pronunciations is what Hope and Change is all about. So have at it. It is certainly refreshing.
9:35 am
Well, the right-wing spinners are all orgasmic this morning, which was entirely predictable (assuming that Caribou Barbie didn’t spontaneously combust, which she did not.)
Nonetheless, Biden looked and sounded ready to lead the nation, while Palin came off as some sort of burbling cross between Gomer Pyle and an airhead beauty pageant runner-up, spike heels and all.
Nothing’s changed. Obama is going to clean McCain’s clock in 33 days. Thank goodness.
A
9:53 am
Turn the girl loose! Let her start asking some of the many uncomfortable questions to Bambi and Plugs. She WILL connect with the majority of Americans.
9:57 am
Well, I am going to have to agree, or perhaps disagree, with everyone here.
Palin’s lack of knowledge about issues that anyone on the ticket for the highest office on planet Earth should scare anyone that listens to her. President Bush has alreaqdy shown how dangerous it is, on the world stage, to be a “down to Earth” all-american, but ignorant about a great many things.
Biden, as has already been put out on many blogs, looked lik a used-car salesman, with the sly smile of his, the “come take a look at this, you’ll love it!” face, trying to sell someting he knows to be faulty. Just couldn’t buy it.
I could not, would not want to, see either one of these people inthe highest office. I am really not sure who to vote for. I am not really interested in the two at the top of ticket, I am really, really, really not interested in the two in the VP slot.
At this point, I am really considering Barr/Root. We really do need a viable third party in this country. Tying to lump every issue into two camps is really a bad system.
10:20 am
It’s funny, the word nuclear is one of the most influential words a president can say. I guess that actually being able to correctly pronounce it just seems sort of important to me. Lame excuses and examples of other people doing it don’t really change that.
10:28 am
All The Post VP Debate Buzz…
Greasy Joe never saw it coming.
My thoughts? Who cares?! Gov. Palin’s freakin hot! She could have stood up there and read the back of a shampoo bottle and I’d vote for her. Now I know what Chris Matthews meant about that shiver up …
10:42 am
GOVERNOR PALIN is ‘real’, and Americans could feel it and connect with it. Palin is running for V.P … but, let’s take a look at the qualifications, judgement, and experience of Obama, who is running for President. Obama had 25 years to fulfill the potential he displayed as a rising start at Harvard Law School … and, how did he live up to that potential? He chose to align himself with anti-American racist, Jeremiah Wright for TWENTY YEARS … along with Ferrahkan, Rezko, Ayers, and others. As a community organizer, he registered thousands of voters in Chicago … then, when he ran for the state legislature, he took away their votes, by disqualifying his opponent (a black woman) on a technicality. As a U.S. Senator, he voted present 160 times … he never called a meeting on the Afghanistan committee he chaired (although he NOW says we must shift all our military from Iraq to Afghanistan). He claimed Foreign Policy experience from a 9 day whirlwind photo op to 6 countries. And, he spent almost half of his tenure neglecting his responsibilities as a U.S. Senator, so he could run for President. Senator McCain served America honorably for 22 years in the military. He proved his love for America, as well as his honor, integrity and character, by refusing early release as a P.O.W., even while being tortured. He served America as a ‘contributing’ U.S. Senator, working across the aisle, for 20 years. Governor Palin will learn the details of the current national and international issues … but, what Obama never learned is Character. He can’t be trusted … ask Jeremiah Wright, a friend of 20 years, who Obama betrayed for personl ambition. The American people can recognize ‘real’ character and integrity in McCain and Palin, and that’s why she won the debate by 87% on the FOX text messaging poll.
10:49 am
“...and that’s why she won the debate by 87% on the FOX text messaging poll.”
Actually, I think it’s more likely because 87% of FOX viewers are of the knuckledragging persuasion.
A
Are you seriously suggesting that MSNBC viewers aren’t as shamelessly and stupidly partisan as you are for Obama?
Get real. Your analysis of last night’s debate is shallow, stupid, non-objective, without any redeeming value whatsoever. You are easily one of the biggest hacks that visits this site – mindlessly mouthing Democratic talking points. It is obvious you have no independent understanding of politics. You are governed by a robotic allegiance to one point of view.
My cat Snowball knows more about politics than you do. So why don’t you do everyone a favor and go to some site where your comments will be appreciated? Say, the DNC website.
ed.
11:50 am
I think Palin did win the debate, but I don’t think it helps McCain. What does do is position her for a run at the Presidency in 2012.
The camera clearly loves her and she has boatloads of charisma, but last night, I don’t think she convinced anybody that was going to vote for Obama to change their minds.
Anyway, as long as the economy is front page news, it doesn’t look good for McCain. He can accuse Obama of being a kooky, left-wing pinko, etc. etc. etc. but as long as job losses mount and credit markets for commercial paper remain frozen, Obama doesn’t need to DO anything; he can just sit back, not say anything stupid and he wins the election.
12:35 pm
She definitely teed things up nicely for McCain next week. If he does well and pins Obama’s ears back on his plans for taxing and spending it may yet push it in McCain’s favor.
According to the news it was the much watched debate since 1992. She picked a helluva time to step up so well.
12:55 pm
Perhaps Robert (comment #18) should consider voting for Snowball. She has a better chance of winning than Bob Barr.
12:58 pm
As if we needed another example of the double standard for Bider versus Palin, I would like to point out that nobody is skewering Biden for breaking down into tears last night. Can you imagine if Palin had choked-up? There would be no other discussion about her debate performance OTHER than that she had cried.
I’m not criticising Biden for choking up, although it did seem a bit staged to me (I may have choked up too if my son were at risk). I am only pointing out the double standard.
1:11 pm
Palin did better than I had feared but it was a draw at best. Some of you just project wishful thinking. Being an avid chess player I learned long ago that you never underestimate your opponent and I believe on that account some of you do underestimate Obama and Biden. For all it’s worth their campaign is run better and more disciplined than McCain’s so far. Even though I believe 4 weeks is still an eternity in politics it is an uphill battle. I wish the candidate would discuss substance but I know it is not going to happen. BTW, I for one like Gwen Ifill’s ‘Washington Week’. It is insightful and at least people talk and not scream. It surely isn’t what Rush and others say it is. It is like in a football game every side sees the refs as taking sides.
1:27 pm
Rick Moran wrote:My cat Snowball knows more about politics than you do.
STILL doing the ad hominem attack on commenters….
1:50 pm
“...STILL doing the ad hominem attack on commenters…”
Yup. And not only that, censoring my follow-up post.
But it’s no surprise. You see, that’s the problem with conservatives. Their sense of humor is in inverse proportion to how far behind they fall in the polls. Sad, but predictable. Despair isn’t fun at all.
A
2:08 pm
Right on funny man.
‘Washingon Week’ is one of my favorite podcasts. I listen to it weekly on the way to work.
It’s fairly non-partisan with no screaming matches, pitting a left winger against a right winger.
Sometimes you just want political news as dry and straight down the middle as possible.
2:37 pm
@Howard
Howard said: (About Obama) “He can’t be trusted … ask Jeremiah Wright, a friend of 20 years, who Obama betrayed for personal ambition.”
Howard also said: (About McCain) “He proved his love for America, as well as his honor, integrity and character, by refusing early release as a P.O.W., even while being tortured.”
I agree that that act proved he was very courageous by turning down early release. But him having integrity/honor…NOW? Puh-lease! How dare you say Obama can’t be trusted because he betrayed Jeremiah Wright and then praise McCain’s honor, integrity and character. He (McCain) CHEATED on his wife…he then DIVORCED her and married Cindy for personal ambition/profit roughly 5 weeks after his divorce. Some integrity. Some honor. (And people, please don’t quote his auto-biography where he claims it was months…go do some research.) He abandoned a crippled woman. Period.
I believe in strict guidelines for a married coupled. I do not believe a cheater deserves a second chance…to me “once a cheater always a cheater”. I guess he has what he always wanted…a non-cripple rich woman. Hooray for him. Too bad the price he paid was his integrity and honor that you go on about. This isn’t just against Republicans…I hold Democrats to the same standard. Bill Clinton was a cheater. John Edwards was a cheater. Second chances? Screw that. You only get one chance in life…you better make it a good one.
@Rick Moran
Aiala said: “Actually, I think it’s more likely because 87% of FOX viewers are of the knuckledragging persuasion.”
Rick Moran said: “Are you seriously suggesting that MSNBC viewers aren’t as shamelessly and stupidly partisan as you are for Obama?”
Aiala never mentioned MSNBC or Obama or the opinions of Obama supports on MSNBC. I hope Aiala would agree that MSNBC would show polls in favor of Obama (and favors Obama) but that isn’t the point. The point is like I said..Aiala never mentioned MSNBC or Obama. Stop putting words in other people’s mouths. Please. Pretty Please. Unless you deleted/removed some comments of Aiala’s where s/he (sorry, don’t know Aiala’s gender) mentions MSNBC being non-biased. I understand you don’t like Aiala’s calling Fox viewers names…but we all know Fox is biased for McCain and MSNBC is bias for Obama. Leave the name calling out of it please. HOWEVER, I understand this is your blog and you can do what you wish on it.
You also call Aiala “stupidly partisan for Obama”...wouldn’t Democrats think you are “stupidly partisan for McCain”? That’s pure “Pot and the Kettle” in my opinion.
You called Aiala’s comments “shallow” but I believe your rant/edit in his comment was shallow as well. Saying your cat knows more about politics? Shallow. Calling his/her analysis stupid? Shallow.
I guess it all comes down to editorial power.
2:37 pm
Oh, Joe Six Pack is just lovin’ that folksy act, ya betcha!
lol.
2:49 pm
I think all y’all are misunderstanding what was intended when the offices of the president and vice president were even created by the framers of the Constitution – they WANTED a citizen government. What they did NOT want was a bunch of grifters making snuffling at the public trough a lifetime project. In other words, professional politicians were absolutely not expected nor were they intended. So Sarah Palin IS what our founding fathers envisioned and I can certainly envision that old reprobate Benjamin Franklin being alternately titillated by her beauty while delightedly astounded by her brains and common sense (an all too rare commodity in a politician).
All of you seem to be dismissive of the amount of “catch up” Sarah Palin has had to play since she was nominated. There’s no excuse for Biden’s gaffes – he’s been at this game for over 30 years. But Sarah Palin is supposed to be perfect first shot out of the box? Give me a freaking break.
3:12 pm
Good afternoon, Mr. Larius. (Wonderful handle, BTW!)
Lest there be any doubt, I am a “she”.
And yes, I would readily concede that MSNBC is hyper-partisan for the Obama/Biden ticket. (Duh!) So is CNN, although to a slightly lesser extent. But it seems to me that anyone with an IQ larger than their shoe size will admit that FOX is biased to the right. So, what’s the big deal? There are NO “unbiased” networks left—except maybe CSPAN, but I can’t say for sure because I don’t watch it—and any protestations to the contrary are just plain silly.
Finally, I am no fan of Obama. I wanted Hillary, and when she didn’t get it I was seriously drawn to McCain before he surrounded himself with recycled Bushbots and attack drones. But it was his truly insane pick of Palin—catering to the absolute worst that America has to offer—that killed off any possibility of my supporting him.
As for Mr. Moran, it is indeed his playground and his ball and of course he should run things as he sees fit, including censoring me when I get under his skin. As for unfavorably contrasting my political acumen with that of Snowball the cat, why, I don’t doubt it for a minute. As it happens, my own kitty, Xena, is immeasurably wiser than Mr. Moran, although she evinces little interest in politics.
A
4:03 pm
Gayle Miller Said:
“In other words, professional politicians were absolutely not expected nor were they intended.”
Then why didn’t they set term limits for the Legislative branch the way they did for the Executive?
4:21 pm
I see nothing wrong with expertise. If I go to a surgeon I don’t want Joe Six-Pack, same with the president.
5:25 pm
[...] he may have to make sure that the Missus isn’t setting his CDs on fire out on the front lawn after this bit of fanfare. (Heavy on the “fan.”) …she took over the stage and dominated it with her [...]
6:30 pm
Chuck Tucson said: “Then why didn’t they set term limits for the Legislative branch the way they did for the Executive?”
There was no restriction on the President’s number of terms until the 22nd amendment.
7:03 pm
“For the left, it is not about connecting to average Americans. It is about average Americans acknowledging the liberal’s superior intellect and judgement and letting them run our lives.”
I was wondering about this statement. I consider myself relatively liberal, and I do understand that there are some liberals who consider themselves somehow cognitively superior to conservatives.
However, in many cases that’s not true. I often point friends to your blog, Rick, to make the point that not all republicans are born again Christians that hate homosexuals. I think both sides are truly capable of making AND understanding reasonable arguments. Isn’t the capacity to do just that what fuels true political debate?
I guess I find myself often sticking up for republicans, because you guys often have good arguments that i just happen to disagree with. But in the same way that friends of mine might wrongly assume that ALL republicans are attempting to thrust their subjective, conservative values onto them,(remember ‘Not my Values’?) aren’t you assuming here that somehow ALL liberals consider themselves intellectually superior and are attempting to control the ‘average american’?
I certainly don’t, and further I don’t feel like I’m in an intense minority here, when it comes to liberal thought.
7:32 pm
I’m a conservative who doesn’t have a problem with having an ‘elite’. There is an anti-intellectual sentiment that used to be more on the left (pre-60s) but has since shifted to the right. Politically that was a smart move but I never took that serious. I just don’t believe the ‘average Joe’ can just march into Washington and govern effectively. That is just BS.
8:18 pm
Captain Hate,
Right on, I think the two term limit was sort of an unwritten rule until the 22nd.
8:58 pm
Chuck Tucson,
Apparently George Washington chose to limit himself to two terms and, up until FDR, everybody followed suit. Whether there was an unwritten rule or what, I’m sure there’s been some studies on the situation with the abundance of phds in the world today. No matter what anybody thinks of Roosevelt, being in the middle of an active and acknowledged world war provides a pretty compelling reason at least to me for a third term. Although obviously others felt differently since the amendment was shortly after that.
Truth be known, when you look at how the office ages people, two terms should be enough.
11:04 pm
Rick,
Why can’t Obama be hit on the issue of: When has he ever succeeded at reform or change?
1. What reform or change did Obama succeed at while in Chicago?
A. The Annenberg Challenge – millions of dollars, no effect. Leaders: Obama and William Ayers
B. Housing reform – Complete failure, poor people even worse off, while his rich friends skated away with millions, including Tony Rezko
2. What reform or change did Obama succeed at in the US Senate
Nothing. He led nothing. He joined onto efforts led by others, as a cosigner, but did not lead.
In other words, he’s got absolutely no record of success at anything significant that I’m aware of.
If I’m wrong about anything that I’ve missed that he has accomplished, I’d love to know. The fact that no one is hitting Obama about never succeeding at anything, means I must be missing something?
3:46 am
Like most partisan idiots on both sides you are all blinded by your incisive love of talking points, you all have missed the boat on Palin. This woman is an ambitious opportunist who is playing the populist role. I would even venture to say she is a shark in sheep’s clothing. Whether you blind a$$ Lefties want to admit it or not she took out the corrupt Repubs of her own party because she saw it as an opportunity climb to the top over their dead bodies. (Not that they did not deserve it.) She is very keen on how to use her strengths to survive when she is in over her head. Her performance against Biden proved that. Uncle Joe all but beat her on facts, minus his 14 or so lies, and there are a large number of people who still think it is debatable whether he won or not. What happened to the elder statesman who would mop the floor up with the two year Governor? Keep on underestimating her, it is hilarious. And you Repubs are simpletons if you believe she is really good ole’ Sarah Six Pack. She will use whatever is the cause du jour to vault heself as high as she will go. She is your Republican version of Hillary Clinton. Either way she is not going away, this VP garbage is a training ground for her to enter politics on a national level. My prediction, obviously after a McCain loss and a bumbling Obama Presidency, good ole’ Sarah Six Pack will make a Senate run in Alsaka. She will probably use something similar to the Hillary formula. Palin will follow in the footsteps of Coburn, DeMint, Hensarling, etc. and the rest of the anti-earmark/government reform groupies. Why not, that is what is becoming truly populist. After that who knows. Either way it will be very interesting to watch her devour the Dems and watch her use the Repubs to climb. All I have to say is “Go Sarah!” You are making this entertaining for me!
4:00 am
“She doesn’t have the depth of knowledge, the experience, ...– especially in foreign policy.
But Sarah Palin has something … the innate ability to look a camera straight in the lens and make a connection with the hearts of ordinary Americans.”
Quick find me a ballot box! That’s who I want involved in making serious decisions that affect the entire world. Maybe she’ll be like Regan and will use Astrology to help her in times of crisis! uups, that would be the work of the devil that she has been thankfully protected against.
10:42 am
Captain Hate,
I’ve seen those before/after photos of presidents. The aging is shocking.
8:28 am
It’s about time the heavy-hitters of this party are finally speaking the truth.
I’m independent, which allows me the opportunity to actually see both candidates for what they are. Unfortunately, given the fact that we only utilize ‘two parties’ – America needs to choose the lesser of two evils.
Being independent has allowed me to judge this race in no other way than RATIONALLY. Issues matter here and I cannot understand the Republican viewpoints at all. All I have seen so far is that no matter what… it’s ‘party’ first; certainly not Country.
In my opinion – there are two types of Republicans. One set are the ones that have lots of money… so much that it has clouded their minds to the point that that is all they care about and they will vote for their party just so their money doesn’t get touched. The other types of Republicans are those that are just simply brainwashed and gullible. To me… they were raised in a family that taught Republican views and they were taught to stand by their party no matter what. They believe everything and anything Republican leaders say and do – without question. They are trained to think in this way and they will NOT allow their minds to process any other viewpoints.
Now – as far as I’m concerned… the Republican Party can support their parties candidates just for the simple fact that they are “republicans” and I don’t really care. It’s not right – but there is nothing anyone can do to get these people to reason. Just look at the Reagan’s… they do not like McCain at all and it killed them to ‘endorse’ him… but it just shows us how serious views on issues, morals, creditability, qualifications and simple right or wrong standpoints don’t matter. McCain is Republican and so are the Reagan’s… so regardless if he is right or wrong… he’s got the Reagan vote.
My beef is with my people… the independents of this Country.
Based on all we see and hear – media – newspapers – radio and internet – fact-checkers – actual ‘journalists’ – bloggers, etc. – I cannot see how this race is this close.
McCain isn’t a ‘Maverick’ and people should be ‘fact-checking’ his claim. But the problem is that when the stories come out about either candidate – right away – the story can’t be true because it’s deemed biased. Biased because it was written by a newspaper that is now considered to be left or right. Biased because it’s evident that if a person that questions a candidates claims because that person has FACTS to prove the claim is wrong – those persons get labeled as being biased. It’s crazy.
That is why ‘I’ – read everything! I don’t care if it’s from the right, the left, center, up, down – I just want the facts.
For all those non-republicans… you should read this article about the “Maverick” and then read as much as you can on both candidates and then MAKE A CHOICE. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
I don’t know how people view “rolling stone” – is it a “left magazine or a right magazine”... WHO CARES - there is an IMPORTANT article that needs to be read.
Before I read this – I was not happy at all with McCain. I am NOT mentally-challenged and can see right through his entire campaign. You even have “karl rove” saying on “fox” that McCains lies are going a little too far. You now have “George Will” speaking his true mind.
Isn’t it really strange that Fox seems to be the only cable news channel that never really tells their viewers things that CNN and MSNBC tell us? This IS EXACTLY THE REASON WHY I WATCH ALL THREE NETWORKS.
And again… I’m not mentally-challenged and I have the ability to see, hear and reason. In McCain… I see a man who is willing to do ANYTHING to just ‘win’ the race.
I see a man that wants to create more wars – a man that has no knowledge about the economy – a man that is literally lying to us on SO MANY COUNTS - a man that admits that he tends to act BEFORE thinking things through. OH MY GOD! That alone sends chills throughout my body. Then after reading that article… he’s not a very nice man and I’d be frightened to have his finger near any button at all.
Anyway… folks… just look at the ISSUES Americans are facing and allow yourselves to put aside ‘party’ and ‘race’ and use common sense and ration. McCain isn’t a Maverick, a reformer or the right candidate… and GOD help us all if he wins.
9:05 am
Well, if you really think the American people think winking and twinkling is a proper subsitute for intelligence and believe that people in power should have nothing more than a vauge grasp of the issues in hand, Palin really is the woman for you.
I think America deserves better