As I watched the debate this evening I marveled at the enormous restraint Barack Obama exhibited. After watching him for twenty months it amazes me how well he wears on the nerves. His comments are reasoned, intelligent, inspiring and he doesn't speak down to us.His temples have turned gray, his little girls have matured a bit and his wife has warmed up to all of us - in spite of the rude reception she was initially given. I watched as this unflappable man refused to engage in dirty fighting or personality assassination, even as John McCain stridently taunted him every chance he got for 90 minutes. McCain was an utter and complete boor.
From their basements, rifle ranges, survivalist camps and other assorted dens, I could imagine McCain's neoconservative base screeching with joy and fulfillment. They've been waiting for some good ole ass kickin', and McCain had promised them a show tonight. He tried. Here are some of the voices I imagine we couldn't hear perhaps, but you can bet they were circulating in the pubs in Wasilla and a few in the lower 48.
Oh, that was a good one, telling him to explain about his old pal, Ayers the Terrorist!
He got him good, saying that he wasn't Bush. He he he... should have run against him four years ago.
Man, that was prime, a real gotcha jab.
Good thing he brought up them Acorn nuts, just like the ACLU and that Sierra Club, trying to sabotage the whole election by getting minorities, felons and poor people to vote.
Obama couldn't say a word to him about that, because he was their lawyer. And that Lewis guy.
The one who compared McCain to George Wallace?
Yeah, that was pretty good. Did they think that would hurt him?
Yup, them sure was the good old days.
White men have been getting screwed ever since Johnson got the national guard out, but McCain'll bring back old times. He'll kick some butt all right.
Did you see that Terrorist didn't dare say Sarah Palin isn't qualified? He just sat there saying "let the Voters decide". No balls, man.
Well, we're gonna go, drag our women with us and take over this election. It's gonna be a landslide for McCain.
Americans can't trust an Arab Muslim Terrorist Foreigner Lying Black Man with his Militant, Angry, Junk in the Trunk, Black Wife.
Yeah, it's called the White House for a reason, man. (Snicker, snicker, hehehe.)
Yes, I could imagine this lost tribe's glee tonight. After all, they have to be twisted to force their women to birth children sired by a relative or rapist. They seem to love capital punishment, too. They never want to pay taxes but they want all the services they need like police, firemen and free public schools.
Oh, let these McCainiacs enjoy their night. We know they lost but what do we care if they think they won? Although the Dems worry about racists lying to the pollsters out of shame, I think there may be more conservatives who will not be able to bring themselves to vote for McCain since he's picked Palin. He was sour medicine to begin with, but she put the ticket way under the bar. However, I would imagine the neoconservatives, in their deluded state, believe McCain can still win.
He can't. He showed again tonight that he is not what America wants and he is not what the world needs. There is already enough division within our society and we don't need somebody who tries to appeal to the lowest common denominator. We just don't.
Yes, my darlings. I solemnly believe the majority of Americans are going to vote for Obama and Biden. I thank the gods there are so many people like me. Normal, average, every day, middleclass people who have to work to keep our heads above water. Some used to have an easier, better life, but we've all been getting squeezed.
It is upsetting that we are no longer respected abroad. However, it is just as serious an issue when we are not respected at home, evidenced when our politicians lie to our faces and get away with it. We have learned to hate immigrants and whole other countries because we compete against each other and scramble for jobs. Just say the word "China" in a room and the fear and hatred seeps out.
We have no personal pride because we have been beaten down to feel worthless and then judged and exploited because we have no power. This is no way to live, not when we are citizens of the greatest country in the world.
Obama gets this. If you listened to him tonight you would hear that he wants us each to take ownership of our American way of life. He knows that a good life is not measured by how much we can hoard from each other, but how much we can share. The happiest people I know are the most generous and the hardest working. Is it any wonder they are also the most loved?
Tonight? Obama was like a really good Papa Bear in his presentation and comments. He was patient, tolerant, didn't get nasty with the errant child who kept grinding his teeth and gritting his jaws. I felt safe and comforted somehow when he was talking. He didn't let McCain get away with too much, but he wasn't a bully either. Although he defended himself well and maintained his composure he got out more important information and it was all completely undiluted.
The American voter heard Obama and they responded like the bright people we are. We loved him and we appreciated that he chose to tell us the straight-forward truth. Again, like he has from the beginning.
In spite of the cow dung that Rick Davis, Steve Schmidt and McCain's other political strategists keep encouraging McCain to sling, he totally missed his target. The crap landed around him and did nothing more productive than attract flies. I'm sorry if I seem intolerant, but was McCain's body language worse than before or was it just annoying and offensive to me?
His lips were curling but his eyes looked like he was on uppers. Anyway, he was jumpy and stiff when he moved around in his chair. When he turned his neck to roll his eyes, smirk, shake his head or try to 'put Obama in his place' by speaking in a condescending tone... I had to wonder what that was about. Is Obama too uppity for McCain or just his wolf pack?
McCain seemed to be such a little punk I felt like slapping him, and yet Senator Obama was calm, composed, dignified and... yes, I'll say it... presidential!
And then there is the class issue. Recently when Obama supporters at a rally booed when Obama mentioned McCain, he quickly said, "Now, now, we don't need any of that." The crowd stopped and he went on with his speech. That was true class, folks.
Obama doesn't play to the rabble, he speaks from the heart, and that is why John McCain cannot effectively compete. I am sure McCain loves this country, but he is a man who constantly looks backward for his solutions. We need Senator Obama's vision not John McCain's slanted history lesson.
Over my lifetime, years shorter than McCain's, life has greatly changed. Technology is as ingrained in each of us as our social security number. We seek balance between our earthiness and our tech side. We hope to hell the old second car will last, as we wouldn't qualify for a new loan even if somebody was willing to make one.
Those of us with children worry about how we are going to raise them or ever send them to college or help them buy a house. Those of us with grandchildren feel sick seeing our children struggle to raise them with day care expenses and grave educational concerns. Our elderly parents need help and they also turn to us. All the while we hope our measly savings will last long enough to cover our basic needs once we are too old or sick to work. We worry we will also become a burden on our children. We wanted more for them.
These are the kinds of concerns that Senator Obama takes seriously and understands. He may be a rich man from the sales of his books, but he has a long memory. He knows what it was like not to have enough as a kid and he knows how frail old people are. He understands the struggles of single mothers or any kind of parenthood and the increasing pressures on working parents.
He gets us, he really does.
John McCain made it clear he understands Joe the Plumber, but that's not because he's a regular Joe. Nope, turns out he's a Republican and likes McCain's No-tax plan because it seems he makes more than 95% of us (who get a break on Obama's plan). I guess he's also going to be on the Today Show tomorrow morning as one of McCain's supporters. Good for McCain. He should keep him.
We would love a landslide, but the worse thing we can do is get too cocky and not bother to vote because we think Obama will win easily. It ain't over until it's over, so I'll keep volunteering, writing, calling people and generally being a pain in the ass. Republican attempts to void the vote of the people will certainly be employed and I do not put dirty tricks or legal maneuvers below them. Then again, Barack Obama is a constitutional scholar and a lawyer, so I would imagine he's got our backs on that one too.
If I ever get the chance I would like to ask him one question. Senator Obama, do you really think we are worth it? I ask because if you believe in us, maybe I can too.
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Comments: 39
On Ancient cave~:
Some might look at this and say, Obama is a wimp, he's afraid to lose his temper. I find it refreshing actually. I don't think the comparison benefits McCain at all.
Chris W., I really have grown to intensely dislike McCain, and I am surprised I am having such a strong reaction to him. Then again, his ungentlemanly behavior is awful. I know it appeals to his 'base', but maybe he should have found a little more elevated base somewhere.
A lot of the men think Obama shouldn't restrain himself so much, but if it is the women who decide this election... then he is doing exactly the right thing to please us.:) Then again, he pleased you too, right Chris? I would say it was a winning strategy.
I think other than Obama showing that he has a high degree of intelligence the whole debate was a waste of people time and the only benefit at all was to the networks making big bucks for showing it.
I have never had any doubt that Obama will win the election but the public should realise that Obama just like the rest of Washington is not being truthful with the public and until our manufacturing and research and development jobs are brought back to America we will not recover and when we hit depression soon now it will not be fixed by easy words and personal attacks. Without good paying jobs we do not have an economy, they can talk credit all they want but its just another scam.
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He (again) behaved like a little boy who didn't get his way, even when he wanted us to feel badly about the Lewis situation. I could hear him thinking, in a whiny internal voice, "You hurt my feelings!"
My husband watched it with me and at the end, said, "He is so calm and cool... exactly what we need." He is also most impressed with Michelle, saying she has more class than any first lady he remembers.
So it's not just us women...
When he is sitting down, he rolls eyes, grimaces, and laughs.
He mocked women's (air quote) health. Obama should put that on an ad.
I was glad I watched the debate.
I've quoted the words above from your article because they carry the same kind of energy Sarah Palin's been putting out. You can do better, and we all expect it of you!
Peace -
c
Oh. The best man has already won. Almost. Probably Will Win.
I was so surprised by McCain's personality, he was really letting all his bad characteristics hang out all over the place.
b> very impressed by Obama. Man of honor, class, restraint.
The man for the job.
Even if I were not a dyed in the wool Dem, I would vote for Obama based solely on the debates.
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
I've really tried to avoid the political articles, but yours pulled me in. Thoughtful and well-written.
Maybe it's unfair of me, but I've never liked McCain since I read about how he rejected his first wife after he came home from the prison camp because she didn't look the same after her car accident. He went after youth and money, and left her and the kids by the wayside. I have a hard time respecting any man who would do that, let alone vote him into presidency.
I have seen some Democrats who were and are mean-spirited, but I've seen a lot more of it on the other side.
I don't call anyone names, as a rule (not here, anyway!) though I did so last night when I heard McCain use the term "Pro-abortion" and a few other times...
I'm really proud of my country for raising the bar again.
Well, this decision has just about ruined my life. I'm remembering why the young, idealistic person I was in my twenties, decided to step away from politics and live more peacefully. The antagonism increases exponentially according to the number of months the big money Corporations on both side bombard us with lies and counter lies and we watch the suffering of the candidates created by their handlers nee political campaign managers as they force words into their candidates' mouths. All in all it's pretty much stomach-churning and nausiating.
I admire Barack Obama because he's stood aside and slightly above most of this. It's said that he said at the beginning "no drama, Obama." In most cases he's kept that promise. If he can do that during this campaign, I believe he can do that during the next four years which promise to be some of the worst in history. I think he will succeed in getting some changes through the Washington DC boys and girls and into law. How well he does this will dictate whether he will have to go through this all again in 4 years. I hope he's up for it because he, and those he pulls around him as advisors and cabinet members are pretty much our only hope. One can't look to the perpetrators for healing.
As for the economy, those who "manage wealth" at all levels have created a house, indeed a country made of cards and now the wind is blowing from all sides. The scary part is that the whole world has followed after us. I'm glad to see the EU and the member nations striking out as leaders. I just hope they are right and not wrong again.
I have to laugh when McCain whines about wealth re-distribution when his own party has been doing that FOR 5% of the world's population for the past 20 years. They just don't like to even think about giving it back.
One sublime and reoccurring thought: 96 DAYS!
You may not like me calling some of the most fervent McCain/Palin republicans ignorant, but when I saw that video tape of McCain attendees walking into a rally - that has been on the regular news and gone viral on the Internet - it wasn't one or two people being racist and ignorant, it was every other person in the line. They were not a few 'fringe' attendees, the whole crowd was on the fringe in my opinion. I hope you would not attempt to condone voters calling a dedicated public servant a terrorist, demeaning Arab Americans and Muslims, calling for the death of a political candidate, etc.
On taxes and big government. As Richard said above, you should not have voted Republican the last two elections if that is your belief. The government has exploded its size in eight years, none of which was for social programs that you site not wanting. I get it, you only want to give (pay taxes) when you directly get something back from the government. This is our major political difference, Linda. I want my taxes to go to the vulnerable in our society who need it.
I used to be like you. Arrogant that I could take care of my own needs and didn't need the government to help me -- until I got cancer. Oh, my husband took care of me along with my daughter, but I could not work. I didn't qualify for any government help, nor did I have sick leave or disability benefits. My health insurance covered 80% of my treatment, but the remainder we paid ourselves. The loss of work time was almost a year, and my husband couldn't be an effective worker as he was carting me to treatment five days a week.
It was very bad luck, as I was relatively young and had a deadly medical problem. Why did I live? My oncologist told me in just a few words. "Oh, you have the gold standard in insurance. You'll make it." Maybe you can pay for yourself, Linda, and I'm happy for you. What a privileged you and I have. The difference between us is that I don't think I am special, or at least not any more deserving than someone else with great needs. Go to a children's cancer ward and if you come out of there telling me that those children - regardless of their parents' economic state - don't deserve the government's help? I'll vote republican.
Obama scares the crap out of me. He IS the product of the *elite*, groomed by nefarious Chicago politics to force a socialist agenda on a majority of Americans that do not want it.
McCain scares the crap out of me. I respect his military career and thank him for his service to our country, but I believe he is so firmly rooted in the past that he cannot be counted on to guide this country's future.
Both parties, Democrats and Republicans are so fraught with hidden agendas, *old boy* networking and, indeed, criminal behavior, that I could not force myself to vote for a candidate placed in an election by either.
We need to get out of the mindset of the *two party system* and look at candidates fielded by lesser known parties. As long as you walk in lockstep with Democrats or Republicans, you are giving encouragement to the behaviors, fraud and criminal acts BOTH parties have committed in the past, and sadly, will continue to commit in the future.
Personally, I like the new Washington state top-two primary. The top two voter getters int he primary go on to the general election - regardless of party.
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Really, Linda...well, I'm considered a very kind hearted and generous person - a white woman in the deep south and very well-respected and I am voting for Obama and many are following my lead - so rethink your opinions and realize that racism is total ignorance. Salud.
I just got through watching John McCain on the David Letterman Show - Letterman pretty much skewered John on several very good points. I don't think John will go on his show any time soon again. Joe Biden was on Jay Leno, who teased him a bit with a fake commercial, but it was a nice interview and Joe seemed relaxed, authentic and like a really good man.
I am finally feeling like this election may actually happen in my lifetime.:)
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another well composed,thought filled piece,Elizabeth.
I did not know Letterman had McCain on..and not surprised he skewered John after McCain stiffed Letterman a few weeks back on his bogus announcement of fleeing back to Washington to save the economy by being on Capitol Hill for the 750 bil dol give away..
oh that was funny then and Letterman had footage of John 'fleeing' to Katy Couric to go an interview,to lunch,to dinner etc..
more posturing,vogue-ing and lying..nuff said..
Gwenn's comment inspires this suggestion: Let's lobby to have every states' electoral laws provide for the casting of one positive vote and one negative vote. Each voter should designate both the most desired candidate as well as the "anybody but ___ " candidate.
The effect of this kind of ballot would be to eliminate the extremists and allow a good centrist candidate to emerge. Of course, the problem is that the winner would likely be the outright choice of only a tiny percentage of the whole voting population. But at least that person would be someone who didn't alienate 50% of all Americans from the get-go.
I'm reminded to be careful what I ask for.