The past 20 years have been tough, at least for me. I felt so often I had to vote against a candidate for president instead of for one. Finally that is over.
I was not a John McCain supporter until this week. I felt that he was a little too liberal and I questioned his constant reaching across the aisle to the left.
I believe he has grown over the past few months, as we all have to when approaching a new job.
Tonight's speech really brought out the human side of him (he can be hard-headed and a little gruff), and convinced me he is the right man at the right time.
His wisdom was most impressively demonstrated when he chose Gov. Palin for his VP. Without cowering to the radical right, he chose someone who could energize the real conservative, free market, small government voters in both parties.
I'm sure the special interests in both parties might be a little concerned, and I know the Trial Lawyers and Teachers Unions (who are the top fundraisers for the Dems) will fight tooth and nail against him. That should only convince everyone he is on the right track.
After 20 years it feels good to be excited about an election and finally feel like there is a real choice.
If you haven't already listened to both speeches by the candidates, please do. It will enliven you and give you real hope for the first time in a long time.
The Hammer
Copyright Crickard Publishing 2008. All rights Reserved
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Comments: 136
It gets curiouser and curiouser.
It is absolutely and incredibly amazing how smart you have become. :)
When I first came back to Gather after a two year hiatus, I was a staunch Independent because, like you, I did not enthusiastically support any dog in this hunt. After encountering the bashing, slamming, and down right innanity of the attacks coming from Obama supporters, I now support McCain / Palin. I had to figure that any person that could be that willing to give their " blind adoration" to a man, to any politician - there had to be something wrong. Further, Obama supporters cannot seem to explain their support for him on the basis of issues I am interested in. I think I am in better place w/ McCain / Palin. I don't like "thought terrorists" of any ilk.
I just don't agree with you at all - his decision making has always been rash, which while an appealing characteristic for a Senator, is absolutely and fundamentally dangerous for a President. His recent decisions have confirmed he doesn't think things through (or even deeply) and is willing to put aside his principles for political expediency. His willingness to embrace the very people and tactics that were used so viciously against him in the past by his own party emphasizes this expediency. The constant refrain from Republican convention speakers in which they speak, and even emphasize, absolutely verifiable lies tells me that they are willing to forego any semblance of integrity in the process. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that someone who didn't like McCain could suddenly start liking him. It just doesn't make any sense.
And Soozan, come on, you know better. There bashers on both sides. But I think if you did a survey of comments and articles you'll find that the most vicious ones are not from the Obama camp.
I absolutely agree, Bert........
When he was describing what happen to him after he bailed out over Hanoi, you could see the truth and reality of it in his face. He tried to joke about it and make light of it, but you could see the pain behind his eyes and hear the incredible heaviness of those memories in his voice.
I thought it was a great speech............
Not everyone that survived the ordeal of being a POW - in Vietnam, in Beirut, in Teheran - gets an automatic pass into the White House. His ordeal is piece number 20 out of a puzzle of 2000 pieces. It cannot be held up as a complete picture without the other 1999 pieces.
The future is a very different place than the past, and in my opinion the emphasize on McCain's past epitomizes the lack of vision for the future.
You said it Bert.
Yes, Sen. Mccain appears to be a little rash, but maybe we need that. Yes, he still is a little liberal, but I can live with that.
The last 3 presidents stood there and looked us in the eyes and lied through their teeth about one thing or another. And it is my feeling that Sen. Obama is just one more of them, especially when he picked Sen. Biden for his VP.
If you listened closely, John made very few promises; the ones he did he can very easily keep. His greatest asset is that he seems to be the genuine article. He doesn't profess to know everything, and he isn't trying to be everything to everybody.
Of course he changed somewhat as the campaign went along; you have to do that to get elected. However, he hasn't made the massive changes the other guy has.
And finally, to Clark and the others on here in his camp, I repeat: Bush and Cheney aren't running for office, get over it; if the Obama/Biden ticket is so great, say something positive about it, you never do, so you must be very shamed of it; and thankfully none of your type are going to be in that office.
Democracy isn't failing, the majority of the politicians in both parties are. Whichever ticket wins, we'll survive, because that is who we are. The Heart and Soul of America are what's at stake here. Democracy will survive, or a lot more of us will die trying to keep it.
For the most part our childrens' future, and that of many generations to come, has been sold out from under them with 80 years of selfish, idiotic policy from the Left, starting with the Grand-daddy of them all, FDR. It seems that the popular thing to say is: "do it for our children", and we never do. My hope is for change real change, and just maybe it will come with Mccain/Palin, maybe they are our last hope. God knows we do need hope.
There's an interesting article in Time magazine, told from the point of view of the press corps that has followed him over the years, that suggests he is being told what to say by party insiders. A deal was reached somewhere along the line for him to saddle up to the religious right. It is very sad. See McCain's Prickly Time Interview.
You and your friends in the Left-wing Liberal media are all but insuring the McCain/Palin ticket a win. The hatred, vitriol, and in so many cases absolute filth that comes out of your mouths is finally going to bite you back.
It is one thing to debate and discuss, but what you do is none of that. The majority of the people in this country are good and decent. They don't like that kind of behavior and I believe it will show at the polls.
Everyone has to make concessions or they will be left at the side of the road, running for office or life in general.
Look at your guy. Who's pulling his strings? Without a script he can't even speak coherently. Watch him. He is a party hack (from Chicago politics for crying out loud) who changes with the wind. He promised new and took the biggest empty suit of them all for his VP.
I actually thought at one point he may be the genuine thing, but thankfully that delusion was dispatched. I even told someone a few months ago, I might vote for him, when it looked like Mike Huckabee had a chance of being the Republican candidate. Needless to say, I woke up.
Thank you, Hammer, I couldn't have said that better!
Funny thing about McCain's POW experiences, he is NOT trying to push that as a reason for being elected. He is explaining that his experience then was a defining moment for him. A time when he changed from a selfish young man to when he realized America was more important. It was a gestalt moment for him and he wants to make that clear how it affected his life.
It, too, saw that in his eyes and the pain in his eyes was honest and clear. I think we need a bit of a rebel in the White House who won't go along with things because they are popular, but because they are the right things to do. I don't see that in Obama. I see him as clearly an appeaser.
She should be given every opportunity to air her views.....in every hamlet, town and city! The more people know where she stands the better it will be....for the DEMOCRATS!
SARAH PALIN...SHE PUTS CLASS INTO CLASS WARFARE!
on a side note..we've heard McCain is ready for 08....is he ready for 09? just wondering?
Cathi as for HATE....nice speeches right?...on yiur side.....no vitriol there.....no hate? right? just a plans for the future....hmm what was that plan? change.....from Bush to McCain....but the policies are the SAME....oh well. CONGRATS ON THE TICKET!
I love that the x mayor of the MOST cosmopolitan city digs at Obama...that Mitten Romney scion of the East Coast elite rails against....the East Coast Elite!
that flip flopper McCain....I voted against Bush's tax cuts before I voted for them....against torture before I was for it......for the surge that's worked..[?????]except Iraq is still a mess and no political solution reached.....the reason for the surge! IS NOW A CHANGE AGENT!!!! RUNNING AGAINST THE 'ESTABLISHMENT'.....YOUR PARTY ! HA
Can I sell you a bridge to nowhere?
Whatchu talkin' about Willis? The surge did its job. The surge worked. Iraq is not still a mess. Keep up Louis, turn the page.
No political solution reached? Iraq is much farther along now. Don't you read? Don't you follow the news?
You must have been watching a rehash of the Obama speeches, otherwise you STILL have not turned the page and kept up.
And thank you sincerely for the "CONGRATS ON THE TICKET"! I, too, think it is exciting! Good you've seen the light!
Again, say something positive about your guy. We're waiting.
There was no vitriol or filth in any of the speeches. No hatred. In general the Left are the only ones that spew forth hate.
Disagreement is fine. Shouting to make yourself feel more important, well...
Don't fall for their baiting. That's how they work, trying to bring you down to their level.
How is she a religous freak? Oh... because you said so. I guess if someone goes to church they are a freak. You've got all the answers Clark -- just a fountain of (mis)information.
The surge the president of the United States launched last January has failed. By tacitly conceding that there has been no political progress in Iraq since then, Mr. Bush admits as much, but asks for more time. He raises some important fears (and some wildly exaggerated ones) of the consequences of withdrawal. What he has said nothing about are the positive reasons to keep on trying. That is what the upcoming debate must address: more time to achieve what?
sorry hon try again!
The purpose of the surge was an enlarged security force so that, as the president said, over time, “daily life will improve, Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders, and the government will have the breathing space it needs to make progress.” That progress was to include a raft of fundamental political changes. Al Qaeda was a relatively minor factor. (“As we make these changes, we will continue to pursue al Qaeda.… Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq.”) Until midsummer, the administration insisted that the escalated military effort was not to reduce violence per se, but to reduce it because political reconciliation would follow.
Just say something positive about your guy.
That's because he's too old and confused to do so. He hasn't even been able to figure out yet the difference between our friends and enemies in the world, and still thinks that the Soviet Union is intact. Nice choice, once again. You're a really smart feller, indeed.
Perhaps, you should think about loosening up the ol' pony tail once in a while, and letting some blood flow back into the noodle, eh?
"And finally, to Clark and the others on here in his camp, I repeat: Bush and Cheney aren't running for office, get over it;"
You're right. The names are indeed different. It's just that the politics is precisely the McSame.
He's not bush, and his politics aren't exactly the as McBooshie's.
(“As we make these changes, we will continue to pursue al Qaeda.… Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq.”)
This statement means to you that Al Qaeda was a minor factor?
You’re not aware of Operation Arrowhead Ripper?
The US and the Iraqi government are clearly in a much stronger position than they were a year ago. Are you following a different war than the rest of us?
The Iraqi troops are taking on more and more responsibilities. The Iraqi police are behind in this progress, but have made progress nonetheless.
More and more jobs are being transferred to the Iraqi government. Al-Maliki is facing the fact that they will have to accept Sunni elements into the government. None of the successes we are now seeing in Iraq would have been possible without the surge, which was, indeed, to reduce violence. The Iraqi military has taken over control of the Anbar Province now. What part of this is failure?
You continually reinforce my points.
You can't write without digs, pejoratives, etc
And you have yet to say one thing positive about your guy. Are you that ashamed of him? Seems like even I have more respect for him than you do.
The way you act on here, I wonder if you have any respect for anyone, including yourself.
This from a man who disrobes in phone booths and runs around in tights.
McCain Palin....and the continuation of the failed policies of the last 8 years.....that should be quite enough.
Again. say something positive about your guys.
BTW Bush isn't running for office. Hatred is a very blinding emotion.
It's been said, over and over and over again, by far more able persons than myself, and yet you have made the wrong choice regardless. Why on earth would my reiterating what has already been made crystal clear to most people possibly make any difference at all to someone such as yourself, who has never had any intention whatsoever of voting for change?
"The way you act on here, I wonder if you have any respect for anyone, including yourself. "
Sorry...not a whole lot of respect for delusional wacky job wingnuts who continue spouting the same tired old, disproven, ridiculous rightwing bullshit, including yourself, of course.
I want to see more now, and am somewhat impressed with them both; and the possibilities here. Well, we have some debates and interviews etc. yet to go; so we'll see...
Oh, I might add, Cindy McCain has been involved in more than I realized. I learned something last night.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Point proven. Now we no who is the .... (insert one of your pejoratives)!
You have no idea what the Obama/Biden ticket is about, or you wouldn't have referred us to others that have no idea.
He was against the war before it cost us $551,512,594 and counting or roughly $4,681.00 per household (http://www.nationalpriorities.org/costofwar_home)
Or 4,154 of our finest.
I would note the number of innocent Iraqi civilians who have been killed or died as a result of our invasion and ongoing occupation but no one counts their dead bodies.
"You have no idea what the Obama/Biden ticket is about, or you wouldn't have referred us to others that have no idea. "
Ah, a classic rightwing strawman argument! Yes, of course, because someone doesn't want to waste their time preaching the truth to someone who will simply slam his ears shut anyway, that OBVIOUSLY means that the person has no idea what they're supporting.
Well, once again, as usual, the wingnut is incorrect. Have you people ever been right about anything?
Were you not aware of Saddam Hussein and his massacres/genocide? His sons' ideas of how to play with civilians, especially women? Are you unaware of the terrorist tactic of human bombs walking into weddings, markets, school grounds? Are you counting all of the Iraqis who were killed due to sectarian violence, that Al Qaeda encourage, which would have happened whether we were there or not?
He was against it before or after he was for it?? I assume you think it was not a just war?
How many innocents died at Saddam's hands??
Just a thought from one of Clark's wingnuts. aaaayeee!
Obama will not tell you what changes he is planning. All this time he has not nailed down his changes.
Yes, bert, by all means, villify and marginalize those with whom you cannot possibly hope to face head to head. Impressive stuff.
You've never read an NIE, have you?
Almost all of them true, unfortunately. And, it's going to get much worse as more information becomes known. She is a rabid rightwing extremist, beyond compare.
"Obama will not tell you what changes he is planning."
Not only did he lay this out in his brilliant acceptance speech last week, but his entire agenda is laid out in detail on his website.
Contrast that with McCain, who only offers that he was a POW. Oooh...great future for America there.
The bottom line is that none of you even care, at least not that I can see through your ranting and raving, name calling, and all.
Don't bother no one is listening.
I will go along with whomever the people elect, will you?
Bert, truly, reading the comments and article here, I have to say I agree. You are not open to facts, just your previously arrived at destination of delusion. McCain HAS sold his soul to Bushco, he IS four more years of the same policy. Nevermind all that though........He said some bs words in front of a big patriotic jumbotron, and you caved.
Yes, bert, by all means, villify and marginalize those with whom you cannot possibly hope to face head to head. Impressive stuff."
No one is vilifying you, that is not our way, pathetic isn't villainous. It is sad.
"
"I have read so many hateful articles about Sarah Palin from the opposition."
Almost all of them true, unfortunately. And, it's going to get much worse as more information becomes known. She is a rabid rightwing extremist, beyond compare."
How would you know any of this other than speculation? Reading the Left Wing Media's outright lies? Good source Clark.
I still ask, can you name one positive thing that Sen. Obama would do, or could do?
How about his tax proposals that would give relief to a shrinking middle class, as opposed to McCain's plan, over 1.4 trillion more expensive to give even more to the richest among us.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/index.htm?cnn=yes
Bush isn't running. Haven't you heard? It is sad really, for the first time in 20 years we have 2 real people running and all you can do is spew forth hate.
Unbelievable. You all are going to get them elected.
The only delusion here is that Sen. Obama is his own man (notice I always give him the respect of calling him Sen.). To quote Bill Clinton (sorry): "He is just one of those Chicago political thugs". Not my words, Pres. Clinton's.
Who is going to pay for the spending programs? The rich? They already pay more than their share.
I'm certainly not rich, but I need customers who have money. When the government takes it all, I as well as most Americans lose. It is our money, not the governments.
Again, Ron, huh? Ok darlin', refute my claim. What do you have to say? And don't quote other articles, I want it in your sweet little ol' words.
Sweetheart! One comment and you are done? That's the best you can do to defend The One? Come on, stamp out ignorance! Stand by your man and keep talking! Unless, of course, you don't have anything else. ;-O
Here in Maryland doctors are leaving in droves because of regulations, lack of decent payments from government and insurance companies, and high insurance costs?
Anything the government touches turns to crap. The federal government has absolutely no business in health care, housing, none of that. They are to protect us and nothing else.
If they got out of all the extraneous crap that takes our taxes to produce non-productive jobs for hangers on, we've all have plenty of money to buy insurance. The Federal and state governments take 60% to 80% of everything people make.
Obviously, you need to read one, not just know what it means, which I highly doubt you did till you googled it. I CAN tell you, but it would serve your education better if you bothered to read them.
"Obviously, you need to read one, not just know what it means, which I highly doubt you did till you googled it. I CAN tell you, but it would serve your education better if you bothered to read them."
Why dear Mo Fo, direct me to the particular NIE you are all buttery over. Because I still can't follow what your post has to do with my comment on Al Qaeda. Are you able to do just that one little ol' thing for me? Otherwise you just seem to be enjoying that nice warm mud, or you've got nothing.
Talked about brainwashing. You have to take a little effort on your own.
I get my long term stuff from Canada, thanks to John McCain. You're not going to change drug companies, they foot the bill for both sides.
Medicare a model for efficiency? tell that to my parents and a friend who recently had a heart attack. Tell it to all of those doctors who have defrauded the system over the past several years. How much of that money pays for non-essential government personnel? There is no one accountable there, no one. Just like the rest of the government, they simply take a lot and give a little.
Besides, why do you want someone in DC to dictate and run your lives? that is the main thing I don't understand. Just let us and our money alone. FCOL.
The Liberal that grew government the most is none other than..... (fanfare) George Bush (40%). And, he should be ashamed!
Read my articles. I have stated that over and over again. He is not a fiscal conservative, never was, never will be. He and the other Neocons (extreme right wing) and Neolibs (extreme left wing) are bed buddies bought and paid for by the same people. Get it.
You really think anything actually happened on his say so. We had a do-nothing congress bought and paid for by special interests, both sides of the aisle. No question about it.
You're not saying anything I haven't said for the past months I've been on here.
I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, end of story. I have been disappointed for 20 years. Why do you think I am finally excited?
These were his convention messages:
“But I stand before you tonight because all across American something is stirring. What the nay-sayers don’t understand is that this election has never been about me. It’s been about you.
For eighteen long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said enough to the politics of the past. You understand that in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same old politics with the same old players and expect a different result. You have show what history teaches us – that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn’t come from Washington. Changes comes to Washington. Change happens because the American people demand it – because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time.
America, this is one of those moments.” Barack Obama
"We measure progress by how many people can find a job that pays the mortgage; whether you can put a little extra money away at the end of each month so you can someday watch your child receive her college diploma. We measure progress in the 23 million new jobs that were created when Bill Clinton was President - when the average American family saw its income go up $7,500 instead of down $2,000 like it has under George Bush.
We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500, but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a new business, or whether the waitress who lives on tips can take a day off to look after a sick kid without losing her job - an economy that honors the dignity of work." Senator Barack Obama
"Change means a tax code that doesn't reward the lobbyists who wrote it, but the American workers and small businesses who deserve it.
Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America.
I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.
I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class.
And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.
Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them. In that time, he's said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels. And today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that Senator McCain took office.
Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close.
As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced.
America, now is not the time for small plans.
Now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy. Michelle and I are only here tonight because we were given a chance at an education. And I will not settle for an America where some kids don't have that chance. I'll invest in early childhood education. I'll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries and give them more support. And in exchange, I'll ask for higher standards and more accountability. And we will keep our promise to every young American - if you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education.
Now is the time to finally keep the promise of affordable, accessible health care for every single American. If you have health care, my plan will lower your premiums. If you don't, you'll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves. And as someone who watched my mother argue with insurance companies while she lay in bed dying of cancer, I will make certain those companies stop discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most.
Now is the time to help families with paid sick days and better family leave, because nobody in America should have to choose between keeping their jobs and caring for a sick child or ailing parent.
Now is the time to change our bankruptcy laws, so that your pensions are protected ahead of CEO bonuses; and the time to protect Social Security for future generations.
And now is the time to keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day's work, because I want my daughters to have exactly the same opportunities as your sons.
Now, many of these plans will cost money, which is why I've laid out how I'll pay for every dime - by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens that don't help America grow. But I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less - because we cannot meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century bureaucracy.
And Democrats, we must also admit that fulfilling America's promise will require more than just money. It will require a renewed sense of responsibility from each of us to recover what John F. Kennedy called our "intellectual and moral strength." Yes, government must lead on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and businesses more efficient. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who fall into lives of crime and despair. But we must also admit that programs alone can't replace parents; that government can't turn off the television and make a child do her homework; that fathers must take more responsibility for providing the love and guidance their children need.
Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility - that's the essence of America's promise." Barack Obama
He won't try to impose his religion on my government. He is intelligent, honest, diplomatic. He cares about everyone, not just a few. He respects his supporters enough not to insult them with lies, rhetoric, or a VP with special interests.
I wish I could believe him, I really do.
No one is trying push their beliefs on anyone. If they would I would be one of the first to fight like hell against it, as I was with AG Ashcroft, a thoroughly despicable man.
But likewise, I don't want the government which is sort of a religion to many people to dictate my life either. I want them to stay out of my life and my livelihood. The dirty little secret is that the government has no money unless it steals it from us, and both sides of the aisle are guilty of that.
Time will tell as with all politicians as to whether he is honest or not. That is one judgment I will not make. He seems like a decent guy as I have said before.
I just totally and whole-heartedly disagree with his fiscal policies and desire for more government intervention. Less government, not more. 20 years of increased government size is enough already. get out the shears and start cutting.
Here's a quickie:
McCain = Change like Bush = competency
for a good time http://perezhilton.com/2008-09-04-stewart-on-palin