Republicans, Democrats, & Independents -- Are you ready to rumble????

[Guest]

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[KivanSteven]

I know some vehemently opposed political discussion but this election is far too vast, addictive, controversial, and world changing to avoid and ignore just because its politics as usual, and besides it tickles some to no end to discuss the political landscape.  Anyone not interested just sidestep this thread and continue forward in safer more protected areas.  Go all out in this thread, only do not attack, insult, or demean another member of the forum please--keep it respectful but let your opinions fly.

Is Obama fatigue in the air?  Can a Republican really maintain control of the White House after 8 years of President Bush?  Who would even consider the possibility?  It goes to show that most people do stick with their political party of choice, making us all as bad as the self-serving party promoting politicians.  At 8 weeks away until election, anything can happen, but recent events demonstrate just that--anything can and is happening.

Here is some recent news to get the Obamians fired up:

"While Obama leads in NBC’s electoral map, McCain has jumped ahead of the Illinois Democrat nationally, according to the post-convention USA Today/Gallup poll. In it, McCain leads Obama by four points among registered voters (50%-46%), after trailing Obama by seven after the Democratic convention (50%-43%) -- which is an 11-point swing. Among likely voters, moreover, the poll shows McCain leading by a whopping 10 points (54%-44%).

Palin is almost solely responsible for the closing of the enthusiasm gap. And the addition of her has the Obama campaign completely flat-footed. They have taken their eye off the McCain (Bush?) ball, and are trying to figure out how to respond to Palin. The Obama campaign, on some days, seems to be just making it up when it comes to dealing with Palin. The last week of the campaign has been all about Palin, and it appears the rest of this week will be all about her too (now that she'll sit down for her first national media interview post-VP nomination at the end of this week). But what happens when the campaign narrative shifts away from Palin? What happens when McCain's on his own again? Can McCain ride this Palin enthusiasm all the way 'til November?

Where did you go, Joe? Lost in all the Palin celebrity is Joe Biden. Talk about a candidate who has lost his voice -- the guy who was hired primarily to be one of the McCain attack dogs seems to have been muted. Biden is trying to find his voice and because every question he gets is about Palin, he doesn't seem prepared to handle his McCain duties. Yesterday on Meet the Press, he had to spend way too much time talking about Palin, and that for now is time wasted for the Obama campaign."

[s_shewan]

Is Obama fatigue in the air?  Can a Republican really maintain control of the White House after 8 years of President Bush?  Who would even consider the possibility?  [/color]

Speaking as someone on the outside looking in at American Politics......(and you can all tell me to mind my own business if you like, I won't be offended)...............Please, please please do not subject yourself and the rest of the world to 4 more years of Republican leadership.

And for all you Canadians out there who will be voting in our election on Oct 14th.....please don't give Steven Harper a majority govenment... who knows what he will do with free reign!

Susan

[abc]

I'm with you, Susan.

Ann
who lives on the Bay of Fundy in Maine and in the Hill Country of Texas but who is typing this from the Grand Manan, NB, public (and K-12 school) library.

[saabnet]

Political discussions can be so divisive if not taken to with care and mutual respect. Even in just my immediate family, it is so hard to discuss this election without someone feeling shut down or getting their feelings hurt or feeling like they are being talked down to... Whatever your political affiliation or opinion, definitely take care in this area of discussion. Over on my site (yes, I know, we're all sick of my site), this experiment (along with religious discussions) failed miserably as there are staunch conservative Saabers and just as stubborn liberal Saabers. I think this forum is quite a bit more thoughtful than mine (and I think my user are a thoughtful group as far as car owner groups go), so it'll probably go a lot better here.

-Scott

[saabnet]

"While Obama leads in NBC’s electoral map, McCain has jumped ahead of the Illinois Democrat nationally, according to the post-convention USA Today/Gallup poll. In it, McCain leads Obama by four points among registered voters (50%-46%), after trailing Obama by seven after the Democratic convention (50%-43%) -- which is an 11-point swing. Among likely voters, moreover, the poll shows McCain leading by a whopping 10 points (54%-44%).

I'm a registered Independent who is somewhat fiscally conservative but socially progressive. I have six sisters and I won't vote for any candidate that advocates limiting women's rights in any way. Early in this election process, I felt the 'Democratic' participation was at a unique level and pretty much centered exclusively around two candidates with none of the usual thinning out to Nader, Green Party, Libertarian, etc... People were focused and I felt the Democrats had a slam dunk win going. Now that we have the choice of Joe Biden for VP followed immediately by McCain putting a woman on his ticket as VP, I am very and deeply worried about the outcome of the election. There's little I can do, as here in California, we're a foregone conclusion and I think that's a fair assessment. The Obama campaign has really put themselves in a position of needing to accomplish a lot to win this election and if anyone can do it, he can. It'll be interesting, that's for sure...

-Scott

[Sengbe Pieh]

"While Obama leads in NBC’s electoral map, McCain has jumped ahead of the Illinois Democrat nationally, according to the post-convention USA Today/Gallup poll. In it, McCain leads Obama by four points among registered voters (50%-46%), after trailing Obama by seven after the Democratic convention (50%-43%) -- which is an 11-point swing. Among likely voters, moreover, the poll shows McCain leading by a whopping 10 points (54%-44%).

Palin is almost solely responsible for the closing of the enthusiasm gap. And the addition of her has the Obama campaign completely flat-footed. They have taken their eye off the McCain (Bush?) ball, and are trying to figure out how to respond to Palin. The Obama campaign, on some days, seems to be just making it up when it comes to dealing with Palin. The last week of the campaign has been all about Palin, and it appears the rest of this week will be all about her too (now that she'll sit down for her first national media interview post-VP nomination at the end of this week). But what happens when the campaign narrative shifts away from Palin? What happens when McCain's on his own again? Can McCain ride this Palin enthusiasm all the way 'til November?

Where did you go, Joe? Lost in all the Palin celebrity is Joe Biden. Talk about a candidate who has lost his voice -- the guy who was hired primarily to be one of the McCain attack dogs seems to have been muted. Biden is trying to find his voice and because every question he gets is about Palin, he doesn't seem prepared to handle his McCain duties. Yesterday on Meet the Press, he had to spend way too much time talking about Palin, and that for now is time wasted for the Obama campaign."
                                                                                                                                                                           

I would ask if anyone is going to use quotes that they please include the source of the quote. I have no idea where the above quote came from and if it should be taken seriously. Did it come from the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, the Washington Times, Reuters, The Weekly Standard, the New York Times, Faux (Fox) News, the American Enterprise Institute, The Nation, Michelle Malkin, The RNC, Sean Hannity, David Brooks, Ann Coulter, William Kristol, The White House, Rush Limbaugh, The Times of London, Fred Barnes, the Heritage Foundation, William Safire, Le Monde, Dana Perino, Time, Swift Boat Vets, Haaretz,  Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, a blog, made up or who knows what???

It is very helpful to know where the quote is from & who wrote it so one can decide whether it is even worth responding to it.

Also, as far as highlights or bold face type, we need to know if that is part of the original or if it was added by the person posting.

                                                                                                                                               

Thanks Susan for your insightful words. It is a sad comment on America that half the population does not care about doing what is right, only what is selfish & self serving. The ME, ME, ME CROWD! That is why the most popular chant at last weeks' convention in St. Paul was: "DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!"  To a paraphrase a courageous American & a TRUE patriot, not a faux one, "Give ME instant gratification or give Me another 5 cream filled  donuts!"

Kinda gets one all choked up, tears well up in your eyes and makes one proud to be a Republican!!

[Tomcat]

There's little I can do, as here in California, we're a foregone conclusion and I think that's a fair assessment.

Unfortunately, due to the ridiculous U.S. Electoral College process, my vote also will make no difference, as Kansas will undoubtedly go for McCain. It's almost enough to make me move to a state that's NOT a foregone conclusion.

Frankly, I'm ready for a less militaristic president, one who's not quite so eager to send somebody else's children off to kill and be killed.

Tom

[RichardF]

Here's everything you need to know about the conventions in handy, word-bite-sized portions! 

Convention wrap-ups: How did the presidential candidates speeches stack up?

[Peter S]

. . .
Did it come from the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, the Washington Times, Reuters, The Weekly Standard, the New York Times, Faux (Fox) News, the American Enterprise Institute, The Nation, Michelle Malkin, The RNC, Sean Hannity, David Brooks, Ann Coulter, William Kristol, The White House, Rush Limbaugh, The Times of London, Fred Barnes, the Heritage Foundation, William Safire, Le Monde, Dana Perino, Time, Swift Boat Vets, Haaretz,  Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, a blog, made up or . . .

None of the above 

I asked Google, and the first result it gave me was this very thread.  But on further investigation, it was from NBC's First Read team of Chuck Todd et al.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/08/1360524.aspx

P

[AccountAbility]

I never thought I would ever enter into a political conversation on line anywhere.  Most people already have too much of their presuppositions firmly in place and their subsequent opinions a foregone conclusion. 

Nevertheless, here goes. I would venture forth with one small aspect.  In many respects Obama follows in the tradition of a Reagan.  I know, that sounds ridiculous if you are trying to compare viewpoints.  But I keep asking myself, "What is the most important thing we need in a President?"  In many respects we need someone who can articulate to the general population what we are about and where we want to go. Running the government is a different thing. 

Now back to my ridiculous comparison.  Both stayed out of (or above) the nitty-gritty details of "running" a government and instead articulated the vision to the general public.  Which engenders fairly widespread support which moves the political process forward.  Running the government?  Let's face it-- it is done at the department level and the bureaucracy is pretty much in place to carry it out.  So for Obama, the question becomes, "Who will he gather around himself in his cabinet etc to get the job done?"

McCain is an enigma in more ways than traditional democrats might give him credit for.  The maverick image is not just window dressing.  It has just enough credibility to keep many people wondering if he might actually be different.  The VP nomination fueled that thought, so the bump is not just favoring who he chose but also reinforced the possibility that his maverick-ness might actually spell a different course.

I think it will be an interesting 60 days.

Dan