I am watching the coverage as Obama introduces Biden to the diehards out in the 90+ degree heat in Springfield, IL.
Biden has already demonstrated he is more than willing to throw down the gauntlet, in terms of any friendship he has ever had with John McCain. He just threw a nasty dig in there a few minutes ago about sitting at his kitchen table "like all the rest of you" trying to decide how to pay the bills when McCain is faced with the decision of which of his 7 kitchen tables he should sit at?
First, how many of us really believe that Joe Biden has worried about paying a personal bill in the last 20 years? I saw his house on TV last night when all the reporters were camped out in front of it; it looked quite nice. More power to him!
Well, from this team, we can expect the crassest class warfare rhetoric we've ever seen for the next 2 months. Like we expected anything different than that, but oh well....
(Did he just call Obama "Barack Omera?" Where did that come from?)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Obama/Biden?
CNN is the only cable network running a LIVE show; they are reporting that all indicators point to Joe Biden as Obama's pick. I got an ALERT! via e-mail a couple of minutes ago from our talk radio station in Indy, WXNT, stating that it is a simple process of elimination, now that Kaine, Bayh and Chet Edwards have been informed they are not Obama's choice.
Also, a Secret Service detail has been dispatched to Biden's house, probably the most telling sign.
So how does Obama/Biden '08 look on a bumper sticker? Does it roll of the tongue easily? Very superficial questions, but probably "Yes."
Much more crucially, does Biden have the chops to be VP? Yes, as much as any Democrat does. Lots of foreign policy experience, though not the kind I care for. I know he and Jesse Helms were good friends; Helms was Foreign Relations Committee chairman and Biden served as the ranking Democrat during Helms' tenure in the mid to late '90's and early 00's. Prior to that, my guess is that their roles were reversed.
The plagiarism of the Neil Kinnock speech when Biden ran for President in 1988 is going to come back to bite him, as well it should! And of course, I can't help but recall his comment a little over a year ago that Obama is "clean". :)
Just random thoughts about it all.
Also, a Secret Service detail has been dispatched to Biden's house, probably the most telling sign.
So how does Obama/Biden '08 look on a bumper sticker? Does it roll of the tongue easily? Very superficial questions, but probably "Yes."
Much more crucially, does Biden have the chops to be VP? Yes, as much as any Democrat does. Lots of foreign policy experience, though not the kind I care for. I know he and Jesse Helms were good friends; Helms was Foreign Relations Committee chairman and Biden served as the ranking Democrat during Helms' tenure in the mid to late '90's and early 00's. Prior to that, my guess is that their roles were reversed.
The plagiarism of the Neil Kinnock speech when Biden ran for President in 1988 is going to come back to bite him, as well it should! And of course, I can't help but recall his comment a little over a year ago that Obama is "clean". :)
Just random thoughts about it all.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
John McCain's turn at the Saddleback Forum, Part III
McCain's answer to the Supreme Court Justice question, whom he would NOT have nominated: "With all due respect, Justice Ginsburg, Justice Breyer, Justice Souter and Justice Stevens....This government is not based on legislating from the bench....Justices Alito and Roberts are two of my most recent favorites. I'm proud of President Bush for nominating them!"
McCain says he would not limit faith-based agencies from receiving federal funds who did not tow the politically correct line on all issues. (Again, not the exact wording, but the message was sent.)
McCain says he would not limit faith-based agencies from receiving federal funds who did not tow the politically correct line on all issues. (Again, not the exact wording, but the message was sent.)
John McCain's turn at the Saddleback Forum, Part II
Warren: "What does being a follower of Christ mean to you?"
McCain: "It means I'm saved and forgiven."
He then proceeded to tell the story of the prison guard drawing the cross in the sand when he came to loosen the ropes with which McCain was being hung from the roof of his hut by his biceps. (I'm not repeating it in its entirety here, assuming we've all heard it before. If you haven't, e-mail me. :)) Very moving, once again.
Warren: "When does a baby gain human rights?"
McCain: "At the moment of conception. My Presidency will be a pro-life Presidency with me signing pro-life legislation originating from the Congress."
McCain: "It means I'm saved and forgiven."
He then proceeded to tell the story of the prison guard drawing the cross in the sand when he came to loosen the ropes with which McCain was being hung from the roof of his hut by his biceps. (I'm not repeating it in its entirety here, assuming we've all heard it before. If you haven't, e-mail me. :)) Very moving, once again.
Warren: "When does a baby gain human rights?"
McCain: "At the moment of conception. My Presidency will be a pro-life Presidency with me signing pro-life legislation originating from the Congress."
John McCain's turn at the Saddleback Forum
We know the questions in advance now, but McCain doesn't because he was in a soundproof (and presumably, media proof) room.
The first question was who the 3 wisest people are that either candidate would rely on in their administration.
Obama: His wife, his grandma and Ted Kennedy.
McCain: General Petraeus, Congressman John Lewis and Meg Whitman, Ebay CEO.
THAT, my friends, is a study in contrasts.
Now, McCain is getting the moral failure question. And wow, what a brutally honest answer: "My failure in my first marriage." He appeared to come close to tearing up while answering it, then quickly went on to America's greatest moral failure, which in his eyes was: "Instead of telling Americans to go shopping after 9/11, not asking for more volunteerism, assistance to those who need it, etc." In short, sacrifice; a theme Obama also touched on, but in answer to another question.
I have to break from the commentary to note that McCain is surprisingly good in a setting like this. Obama maintained a very light touch, with a good bit of humor. McCain is using humor, but there is also a really low-key seriousness in his answers and a sort of soft intensity that is very becoming. The crowd likes him.
McCain just gave his present support for offshore drilling (Drill Here! Drill Now! ala Newt Gingrich) as an example of changing his mind from a policy that he held 10 years ago. He says he supports all types of energy, wind, solar, NUCLEAR!!!
McCain: "We now have a pro-American President of France, which shows if you live long enough, anything can happen!" (to raucous laughter from the crowd)
I have to get back to my papers!
The first question was who the 3 wisest people are that either candidate would rely on in their administration.
Obama: His wife, his grandma and Ted Kennedy.
McCain: General Petraeus, Congressman John Lewis and Meg Whitman, Ebay CEO.
THAT, my friends, is a study in contrasts.
Now, McCain is getting the moral failure question. And wow, what a brutally honest answer: "My failure in my first marriage." He appeared to come close to tearing up while answering it, then quickly went on to America's greatest moral failure, which in his eyes was: "Instead of telling Americans to go shopping after 9/11, not asking for more volunteerism, assistance to those who need it, etc." In short, sacrifice; a theme Obama also touched on, but in answer to another question.
I have to break from the commentary to note that McCain is surprisingly good in a setting like this. Obama maintained a very light touch, with a good bit of humor. McCain is using humor, but there is also a really low-key seriousness in his answers and a sort of soft intensity that is very becoming. The crowd likes him.
McCain just gave his present support for offshore drilling (Drill Here! Drill Now! ala Newt Gingrich) as an example of changing his mind from a policy that he held 10 years ago. He says he supports all types of energy, wind, solar, NUCLEAR!!!
McCain: "We now have a pro-American President of France, which shows if you live long enough, anything can happen!" (to raucous laughter from the crowd)
I have to get back to my papers!
Saddleback Forum on Fox News, Part III
Warren: "Why do you want to be President? Give an answer in a minute, even though you could spend an hour on this!"
Obama: "The American dream is slipping away. We are at a critical juncture...I have the ability to build bridges across partisan, racial and regional lines to get people to work together on commonsense solutions."
Warren: "What do you say to people who oppose me asking you these questions?"
Obama: "These are the kinds of forums we need....we need to have these conversations. People need to have good information, rather than just consuming negative ads. I want people to know me well, and I'm sure John McCain feels the same way."
Warren: "What would you tell the American public if you knew there weren't media repercussions?" (the final question)
Obama: "That the energy problem won't be solved easily....that we can't pretend that everything is free and that there is no sacrifice involved."
I actually agree with Obama on the last answer, though I don't think we would mean the same thing by it.
All in all, far from a lightweight exchange. Now, I am eager to see McCain take the queries.
Obama: "The American dream is slipping away. We are at a critical juncture...I have the ability to build bridges across partisan, racial and regional lines to get people to work together on commonsense solutions."
Warren: "What do you say to people who oppose me asking you these questions?"
Obama: "These are the kinds of forums we need....we need to have these conversations. People need to have good information, rather than just consuming negative ads. I want people to know me well, and I'm sure John McCain feels the same way."
Warren: "What would you tell the American public if you knew there weren't media repercussions?" (the final question)
Obama: "That the energy problem won't be solved easily....that we can't pretend that everything is free and that there is no sacrifice involved."
I actually agree with Obama on the last answer, though I don't think we would mean the same thing by it.
All in all, far from a lightweight exchange. Now, I am eager to see McCain take the queries.
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