>Surprise! The Presidential Debate Changed My Mind.
>I went to last night’s debate prepared to be bowled over by one candidate. Instead, I fell for the other guy. My full report’s over at BlogHer today. Read it and (many of you will probably) weep. I’ll be back later with pictures, but right now I have a date with a deadline.
>;^) FWIW, I’m not surprised your mind was changed.It is a difficult decision, no matter who is running. Separating the genuine platform from the bull is becoming harder to do with each election cycle. As you so wisely stated, no candidate is perfect. We need to figure out which one will work hardest for the country as a whole, rather than for his/her own party or political career.
>McCain is about as bi-partisan as Rush Limbaugh. He voted with Bush over 90% of the time during the past 8 years, and was part of the SEC scandal of the 80’s–he IS a deregulator, which is why we got here in the first place. 115 of his 119 votes on abortion were anti-choice, and there is a chance that he would have the opportunity to appoint THREE justices to the court–kiss your reproductive rights bye bye. He also won’t publicly state where he stands on birth control.I strongly encourage you to read the facts, because McCain lies about his record..a LOT.I’m not saying Obama is perfect, but he’s a much better choice than the so totally NOT a maverick mccain and his winking believes in creationism wants to ban books pro-life even in cases of rape and incest running mate.
>I respect your evaluation of last night’s debate, but I’m not sure I buy some of your impressions of McCain. His “maverick” posture is not all it seems on the surface. Check out this story–it’s very long, but well worth it–that gives a very interesting overview of McCain’s army and political career http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccainIt gathers up all the stuff that’s already out there in the public record. I, for one, could never trust McCain’s judgment on war, economics, taxes or energy. His education policy is nonexistent, nothing but platitudes about choice, with nothing for higher ed. And until recently, he barely had an economic policy–now he’s throwing goodies up in the air. I hope you’ll give this some more thought.
>It’s very funny that you say it appeals to you that McCain would appoint smart people like Warren Buffett to important government jobs. He appointed Palin as his VP running mate. She may be pretty, she may be funny, she may be ‘real people,’ but it is obvious she’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
>I am not someone who runs away in horror at the thought of McCain. I don’t really agree with him on some topics, and I am pretty prObama at this point, so let me make some points to persuade you to my POV.1. Sarah Palin: this woman is in no way qualified to be president. McCain is in his 70s. As Matt Damon said, looking at actuarial tables, there is a really good chance that he will not survive the four years of his presidency. This is in no way a wish for him to die- just the facts. I am a woman, I am a feminist, I would love to see a female President- but Palin is simply, completely, scarily unqualified. Plus her tone has turned so racist and offensive- as a minority, I cannot in good conscience vote for her.2. McCain has no understanding of the economy. In these super scary economic times- I want my president to have an economic clue. And he doesn’t.3. Our national debt is 10 trillion right now. As much as I hate to say it- there is no way that our taxes are not going to go up. McCain can say all he wants about increasing tax exemptions- but realistically, that is not feasible. Oh, and McCain plans on giving us a healthcare tax credit, but make the employee provided health care plan includible in your gross income- that is a whole lotta extra tax you are going to be paying which would actually wipe out the child exemption he mentioned.4. I also believe that Obama can bring us back to a place of sanity-where I won’t feel like the enemy in my own country, where my civil liberties will be restored. Maybe that is the idealist in me, but that is how I feel.I don’t want to come off as super annoying, though I have probably crossed the line already, so I am going to stop now. I don’t think this will persuade you to think any differently- but I have said my piece. So there.
>Oh Lindsay, you lost me at hello….I honestly don’t know how you watch that doddering old man fumble around the stage, watch his jokes fall flat, outright lie about his opponents record and act like he’s pissed at the world, and say, yes, that’s who I want controlling my country. And don’t even get me started on VP Barbie!!! (wink, wink)
>As a democrat I am still undecided and part of me is quite disappointed in myself. I can’t put my finger on it, but there is something about Obama that bothers me. I guess I am one of those Hilary supporters that is still sitting on the fence. I don’t really care for McCain either and as much as I have enjoyed politics in the past; I have pretty much tuned out this year. Thanks for your post and I will check out those links on the BlogHer site.
>I am with you Lindsay. I was actually considering Obama, but after last night I am going with McCain. I think he is the one to truly work with both sides. For as much as Obama says he will work with both sides, he is as far left as you can go. I don’t see any conservatives working with him. Also, look what the Democratic Congress has done for us!! Nothing! They are a ghastly mess! His associations/friends/mentors also make me very nervous.I wasn’t sure that I liked McCain, but now I think he is the best choice.
>I encourage all of you who disagree to tell me why. Seriously. I’m not 100% sold at this point. I just thought McCain did a better job in the debate.I will say that those of you who make your case respectfully (like Lisa and anonymous at 10:01, for example) make me want to consider what you’re saying than commenters who are all, “UR STOOPID.” Not that anyone has done that, but you know what I mean. I can certainly understand why Obama has so many supporters, I’m just not sure at this point that I will be one of them.
>As for the person who said to look in Rolling Stone for a story… uhm, I don’t think you are going to get any truth out of Rolling Stone. We ordered it from a kid selling magazines as a fundraiser and it is so disgutingly hard to read it goes right into the trash can every month. Same place I would put the National Review if I had accidently subscribed.
>I am strongly in McCain’s camp. But I do agree with Obama on some issues. Neither of the candidates are a perfect choice. McCain does cross the aisle, he does piss off his own party leaders to do what he thinks is right. Obama is great at reading the party lines. McCain has put his own position in the party at risk to do what is right. And THAT is what I want a president to do.
>Dear Lindsay:I was really sad when I saw your response to the debate. I respect your opinion enormously, and so I’m incredibly worried that McCain could make such a positive impression on you.Here’s why I’m for Obama. 1) Iraq war. He is the only senator who ran for president this year who voted against it. That’s the kind of judgment I’d like to see in the White House. 2) Taxes. He wants to tax very very rich people and big corporations more. He wants to tax me less (my family makes $75,000 a year, and I’m the sole breadwinner for my family). 3) Health Care. He won’t tax my health benefits, which are equal to about $15,000 a year, and which I get from my employer. 4) Higher Education. I’m a college professor. I want someone who can help get my students out from under their crushing debt. Obama wants to make college more affordable for more people. McCain never talks about education. 5) Service and sacrifice. Obama wants to call on all Americans to make sacrifices to do better on energy, and on young Americans to work for their country in ways besides military service. 6) Veterans benefits. Obama, more than McCain supports a new “GI” bill for veterans. Though I am usually against war I am always for the soldiers. 7) Temperament. Obama seems cool and collected under pressure. He is someone who consults the smartest people he knows, even when he disagrees with them. He won’t rush us into war. He won’t panic us into a depression. He seems to me to be more the “still hand on the tiller” in times of crisis.Thanks for letting us talk to you about this vital election. I appreciate your honesty, your humor, and your willingness to put so much time and work into making your decision. I wish all Americans were more like you.
>who cares how “well” he did in the debate. Sure, debates are there to help us decide who we want to vote for, because we get a chance to listen to THEM speak. But come on, so he spoke to the ppl at a time he prepared for. That doesn’t mean he’d make a good president. Obama didn’t answer questions he was asked? What about the first debate? He did great on that one. Honestly i think anyone who is a huge supporter of McCain is “stoopid”. Not that you said you are, but i think it’s ridiculous that you’re even considering him now,just cuz he spoke well to the ppl.
>re: anonymous’ response to my Rolling Stone article suggestion … Rolling Stone is not my first choice for reading material usually either, but they have a long history of solid, if highly stylized, political reporting. The article I suggested is very hard on McCain–maybe I should have recommended something a little less scathing?–but I felt that it went straight to the “maverick” issue. I also know that Rolling Stone is very careful about research and fact-checking, so I trust the information.All that said, here’s an alternative: for policy info and a good sense of each candidate’s detailed plans, their websites are good places to look. Each lays out their ideas, and specifics are available. Both sites are user friendly. (johnmccain.com and barackobama.com)When McCain won his party’s nomination, I was relieved. He was my top Republican choice. His stand against torture by the U.S. government especially impressed me. Then, he caved on torture, saying it should not be a tool of the military, but could be used by the CIA and govt. agencies outside the Pentagon. He lost me for good. How could a man who had been tortured so cruelly turn on that issue?
>Wow, did we watch the same debate?
>To the concerns about McCain’s age. He’s fit and healthy. Obama SMOKES …..he dies? we get VP Biden. He’s as old if not older than McCain. If he dies we’d have the Speaker of the House. NANCY P- now that is scary….Mary C
>I enjoyed your article tremendously. It reminds me of the 1960 Kennedy Nixon debate perspective. Everyone who heard Nixon on the radio, or were at the debate thought that he smoked Kennedy. Those who saw it on TV felt Kennedy won, because the visual was so powerful.Be cautious with the Fact Checker websites because they have the potential to misrepresent as well. In individual can make a small error of fact that may or may not change the point they are trying to make. Conversely, they may be flatly wrong, and their point may be completely hinge on that wrong fact.They may be deliberately trying to mislead using factual information, or mislead with false information.At any point the opponent will call their opposition a liar for any of those 4 scenarios.Only deliberate misleading is lying. The rest, you have to decide if you tolerate that kind of error.I would think critically about the fact checking as I would the speakers.Again, I am SOOO jealous that you got to go to the debate.
>Really?Lindsay, Like many others, I read your Blog and column every week for your humor, entertaining stories, wit and insight into everyday life, not for political commentary. Are we to expect your musing to begin appearing in the Post-Politics Blog next? Please, Please, Please stick to your bread and butter; you are a wonderful, charming writer with amazing insight into the mommy-world of Nashville not a blow-hard political commentator on Fox, CNN, or MSNBC. I am extremely disappointed that this sewage that is called a campaign has now crept into my last refuge from the noise. I honestly could care less which way a suburban housewife in TN is leaning (not surprisingly to the right). I can go to Gallup or damn near anywhere today for that information. I come to you for something more…
>I’m really angry at how insulting some of these comments are to Lindsay. If you are commenting here then you probably read her blog regularly and you should know better. Everyone has the right to make up their mind on their own terms. Both campaigns have liabilities and need to be able to persuade lots of different kinds of people that they are right. Please be respectful and persuasive, and not dismissive. We get enough of that from the mainstream politicos.
>Ha ha. Thanks. But I write about what’s on my mind, period, and yesterday and today, this subject was on my mind. Don’t worry, it won’t become a habit (unless, of course, someone is willing to pay me a lot of money to write about it, and even then, it wouldn’t be happening here…).
>And thanks, Kathy, but I was expecting some ridicule. Truly, though, when someone is insulting, I, like anyone else, end up dismissing everything they have to say. I’m more than willing, though, to listen to those who politely disagree. Many of my friends are Obama supporters, not to mention a large portion of my readership. I love a healthy, respectful debate and I love having my perspective widened. So go to it, NICELY, please.
>Lindsay,I ask if we watched the same debate as our take on it is so different… I didn’t see the McCain you describe in your Blogher post.I am not slamming your choice because ultimately, at the end of all of this, the democratic process is about discuss and disagreement and choice and that’s what we have to remember.
>That you and so many people who look like you are “undecided” shows how truly racially divided this nation is. Electing a black man represents an end to white hegemony in this land and many of you cannot stomach it. It may not be PC, but it’s the truth. We shouldn’t try to inform or persuade you; you’ve made your decision and, frankly, your projected indecision is an affront to every qualified minority in this nation who struggles against people like you each day.
>Hi Lindsay, I am a regular reader and was anxiously awaiting your opinion. I’d like to offer my perspective on why I choose Obama1) Obama has to work for a living like us, and is not independently wealthy like McCain. Obama is affected by the economic problems as we are. His retirement savings are down just like ours. So I think Obama has a better perspective.2) McCain has run an increasingly negative campaign that focuses more on discrediting Obama and less on the issues at hand. Some of the Palin rallies are “going there” with racist undertones.3) I do not like McCain’s healthcare proposal AT ALL. $5000 per family/$2500 per individual is not enough for us to buy our own health insurance. I don’t want to shop for insurance and getting group rates through an employer makes so much more sense. I liked Obama’s plan of letting uninsured people buy coverage under the same plan that government employees have. I like incentives for more small businesses to offer health coverage. McCain’s plan would put us on our own.3) According to several sources, including the National Tax Policy center, Obama’s tax plan is more beneficial for middle-class taxpayers. I was a finance major and I no longer buy into “trickle-down” economics. The rich get richer. Let the middle class have more money to spend, I say, and let the rich corporations compete for our money.4) I do not think that Sarah Palin is qualified to be backup President and I do not like her politics and she seems arrogant and back-stabbingly ambitious. I worry about McCain’s health and I get a pain in my chest thinking about Palin taking over.5) I think Obama would sincerely push for alternative energy development while McCain would not and would just drill for more oil.6) I do believe McCain is lying about going against his party. Watch this youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnb2IrsU1Cg7) I was very concerned about the difference in experience between McCain and Obama, but it balances the scales for me that Obama is a constitutional law scholar and that he has been thoughtful about national and world issues for a long time (I am reading his book).Thanks for reading!
>Oh, that’s ridiculous, anonymous. If race determines my vote, then why would I put any effort or angst into making this decision at all?
>I was referring to anonymous at 11:51, not anonymous at 12:06, by the way… 😀
>I don’t think the questions about Obama have to do with race. I would be proud to have an minority that is qualified to fill a position of authority. This polical race is quite different than those in years past and it has many people thinking long and hard about their choices. Throwing the race card out does not help anyone but only brings up past issues that many have dealt with and moved on from. My original pick for President was Clinton, why? I miss Bill and I agree with most of Hilary’s stances. While that might not be the most “educated, political reasoning” it is mine. I have voted Democrat ever since I could vote. But I am having a hard time this year with who I will cast my vote for and a lot of it has to do with stances on the war, the economy, the gas issues, etc. I even took an ABC poll that was supposed to tell me which candidate was my choice. Guess what? I ended up 50/50 at the end of it.
>Say it isn’t sooooo…..Kathy said it best.
>You aren’t alone.And I’m feeling pretty darn good about it.
>I am glad you went into it with the willingness to be swayed at all!!Here is my take on it all, for what it is worth anyway. McCain is boring but he has lots of experience. For the most part I agree with a lot that he says. Whether he can actually pull any of it off remains to be seen. Palin I like. If McCain does die I am sure by the time he does she will be ready. Obama scares the hell out of me. He is a socialist who wants to take our money and use it to raise the world’s poor up. Altruistic as that is he does not practice in his personal life what he preaches. Heard about his half-brother and his grandmother? How about the fact that last year McCain gave like 25% of his money to charity. Obama gave 3%! Then there are his ties to domestic terrorists. Why do people brush that off as if it was nothing?Obama’s tax plan to tax the rich and the corporations? How can people not see how this will affect them. The rich sure thing, that bothers me only a little (I am for a flat tax personally) but tax the corporations and you see unemployment go up as well as costs for their goods and services. You may net more on your paycheck but if you are paying more for everything, or god forbid are laid off because of it, are you really doing better?Biden I like. Biden and Palin should run together. Chao AbOrdo
>While I very much disagreed with much of what McCain said (and thought Obama was far more specific) and think his tax policies are going to be horrible for the middle class, I am extremely jealous you were there (kept looking for you in the crowd!). I’m excited to hear more about the experience.As someone about to send two girls to college, you might want to consider McCain’s (lack of) interest in education. As a grad student, this certainly helped with my decision to choose Obama. But I’m not going to make a big anti-McCain list; you sound like your mind is made up. It just was a very surprising decision to me having read your blog for a couple of years.
>Ooh Anon at 11:36 just set me off.So you are saying that if we don’t vote for the black guy we are racist?Who cares where we are on the issues that is all that matters?I say that if you vote for Obama simply BECA– USE he is black then YOU are the racist.
>Let us not forget that it is Cindy’s money, not John’s, but either way. I wish people who posted as “anonymous” had the balls to put their names on their posts, particularly when they are being insulting. That’s why it’s a DEMOCRATIC PROCESS – so you can vote for whichever candidate floats your boat. I’m an indpendent but am voting for Obama, which is my personal decision. My husband is voting for McCain, although I know he can’t stand Palin…but you can’t complain if you don’t vote.
>Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing them. You want to know what I think? Really? Here goes.McCain says he’s bipartisan but refused to shake Obama’s hand and call him by his name. That speaks volumes. He also keeps using Lieberman’s name as an example of his bipartisan. Lieberman is no longer a Democrat. He ran for re-election as a third party candidate. Moreover, the negative campaigning in the last few days has been inciting frightening partisan behavior from Republican crowds. So much for bipartisanship. I’m not too hopeful there with Palin on the ticket. She hates Democrats and thinks we’re un-American. That’s divisive and will NEVER bring the country together. Liberals have had ENOUGH of being told we have no values or patriotism. No more.We’ve had eight years of Bush giving us tax cut hand-outs every time the economy gets bad and look at where it’s gotten us. The only two ideas the Republicans seem to have are tax cuts and staying in Irag. Since when does “victory” in Iraq rate higher than “victory” over Bin Laden. And do we really want to run our military to the ground when there are so many threats out there? We need a force that is ready to go when we have another crisis.We need more than tax cuts to get this economy healthy again. We need someone who can create new jobs and Obama plans to do so by building up a new energy industry. Very exciting in my mind and a lot more healthy than simply cutting taxes. By the way, if you make 200,000 dollars or under, you’ll get a tax cut under Obama.We also need sound,steady leadership.
>I’m really not bowled over by either candidate, but will be voting McCain. The amount of promises coming from both campaigns need to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. All this talk of healthcare is just that, talk. There’s simply not enough money to deal with it right now. Between the bailout and the wars, we’re stretched too thin. So the question becomes, who can we trust to safely extricate us from our sorry economy and two wars? Obama has no experience. It’s fine to say that he opposed the war in the beginning, but who cares? When the war started he was voting present in the Illinois legislature on such pressing matters as license plate fees. And the economy needs someone with the ability to find the best people to fix it. Obama says many things, but his record is that of someone with socialist leanings. It may play well with the middle class to say “tax the rich and big business” but businesses don’t pay taxes, they collect them. Prices will just go up. Wages will be depressed and umemployment will rise. I consider the next term one of rebuilding. And viewed in that light, the choice is clearly McCain.
>Please read my post from yesterday. If you want abortion to be made legal, PERMENANTLY, then vote for Obama. If not, the choice is clear. I agree with McCain on a lot of his stances, but they all pale, for me, in comparison to babies lives. As a Christian, I can only pray you agree.
>Sorry, the post is onwww.kingdomtwindom.blogspot.com
>Stances like those of sixvalentes really urk me! Dose one really think the WHOLE nation’s future should depend on ONE sole issue? Also, there is a little thing called separation of church and state. No one who is Pro-Choice likes abortion. No one wants it to happen. But does that give the gov’t the ability to control a woman’s reproductive rights? I think it’s disgusting and barbaric and OBVIOUSLY VERY WRONG. If I became prego today, I couldn’t possibly think of aborting it. I’d have it, and I’d raise it to the best of my ability. While I’m told what a great mom I’ll be one day, I know I have NO way to support this child financially and am in a very difficult time in my life that would not provide for a very good upbringing for this child. I have no family to fall back on, so I’d have to seek gov’t assistance for all sorts of financial needs. And then you have the issue of how productive of an adult this child will be. As a “Christian” you should really be more concerned about the women who are turning to abortion as a form of birth control, and trying to fix the problems that lead to abortion – such as lack of education, INCLUDING SAFE SEX EDU., not just abstinence education. I could go on and on, about how abortion shouldn’t be banned, but I’ll spare the rest of Lindsay’s audience.
>Lindsey here are some links backing up my arguments about the divisive nature of McCain and his campaign.The weird tap but refusal to offer handshake moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI0iIOqPGakThe disrespectful “that one” moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed-k1xOCsMsHateful reactions of crowds at Palin rallies:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/mccain-does-nothing-as-cr_n_132366.htmlThis divisive, angry behavior will not unite our country. It does not signal real leadership.
>Yay!!!! Welcome to the dark side baby … Make sure you read my health care post and pass it on to anyone else you know who might be on the fence: http://thebittenword.blogspot.com/2008/10/lets-be-clear-truth-about-health-care.html
>Oh, it can urk you all you want. But this has nothing to do with the church (even though you are unabashedly misunderstanding the separation of church and state issue). This is about a nation who has condoned murder for far too long on the basis that some people have that “right”. If we elect Obama, Americans may have that right FOREVER. Choosing any other issue over that is just disgusting.
>Oh, and are you REALLY serious?! Until now I didn’t quite believe that people believed that argument. Everyone knows how to use a condom!! Teaching abstinence doesn’t undo that. But abstinence IS the only 100% sure method of birth control. That’s just fact.
>Lindsey – as the author of a blog that (I’m assuming) gets hundreds, even thousands of daily hits, you have a moral responsibility to advocate for the right thing. I know you’re smart and I know you know better.You can’t possibly sit there and agree that Sarah Palin, now having a very real chance of becoming the president, doesn’t scare the ever-loving crap out of you. If it doesn’t, then no, you’re not any different than Rush Limbaugh or Elizabeth Hasselbeck and stop pretending you aren’t.Either you are or you aren’t. If last night’s debate was what swayed you towards McCain, then you’re easily swayed by little substance, much pandering and a tired old man recycling rhetoric my friend.
>Renee – If Obama does not scare the hell out of you then you are obviously blind to the socialist horror that he will use to destroy this country. See, I can make asinine statements too. Each person has to choose who they feel best and strongest about. Just because Lindsey disagrees with you (or is on the verge) does not mean she has a moral obligation to advocate your candidate. I mean really!You think he is right. I think he is going to be a frickin nightmare. And he has way less experience than Palin.
>Wow, I am floored. It sickens me that anyone can even consider voting for McCain/Palin. Anyone on the fence first of all should go pick up the latest copy of Rolling Stone and read the article about McCain. It paints a pretty good picture of him as a person, and what made him who is is today. Frankly after reading it I was VERY afraid of the prospect of him as president if enough people don’t man up and vote for the only LOGICAL choice here, OBAMA.Commenters have already explained issues they like about Obama here, so I won’t try to do any better on those. But think about our future, beyond the next 60 days. This president will have a hand in choosing new supreme court judges. If it’s McCain/Palin, BYE BYE women’s rights…bye bye Roe v. Wade…bye bye birth control (yes, the thought of your daughters on it scares you…but haven’t we all done it at SOME point?)…and bye bye gay rights (my best friend is gay and I whole-heartedly believe she deserves to have the same rights I do, to marry the person she loves, and get all the benefits that come along with it).If you need any further persuasion, I suggest two websites to check out:http://www.womenforjohnmccain.com (please trust me on this one)andhttp://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com
>I watched the same debate as you did and I felt much the same way. At first I thought McCain seemed stiff and “old” and so I was leaning toward like Obama, but as both of them talked I really started agreeing with McCain. He just makes more sense to me. I liked his answers better. So I agree with your article. I just wanted you to know you aren’t alone in your assessment of last night. It would have been awesome to see it in person!
>Ok, I keep hearing this Palin has more experience than Obama line but I just don’t get it. I don’t get how you say that so someone will have to give me some details. Her town is about the same size (or smaller) than my high school. As the mayor of a small town, pretty much all you do is show up at parades and judge county fairs. In her LOOONG 2 years as Governer, what has she accomplished besides turning the people against her? Did we all forget that she is STILL under investigation for abuse of power and has told her staff not to cooperate…. speaks greatly of her experience. She claims all this stuff that she did that’s easily proved wrong but everyone speaks so much about her experience? She can’t even answer a simple question with a unique idea. She constantly babbles off the rhetoric that was drilled into her. When asked about plans to regulate wages between men and women, she responds by saying that she was on her high school basketball team… So what. This is not Miss USA. That pretty face and cute glasses may work for a short while but that facade broke when she opened her mouth. I liked McCain at first and even considered voting for him in a time not long ago but in these days, I’m not even sure he knows who he is anymore… much less me. And then to pick Caribou Barbie? It’s insulting. Of all the smart, politically informed women out there, he picks her. Shows alot for his judgement.
>Anyone who decides to vote for a man who has absolutely no managerial experience except for his duties as a community organizer needs to buy a lottery ticket and wish on stars. He has no specifics. Sure it sounds great to say no tax increase, but if he is elected, he will backpeddle and say well it didn’t work out so here’s the increase. And all the talk of his single mother nad making ends meet is a croc of *hit. His wealthy grandparents gave him the best education money could buy. And when he finally graduated, he didn’t take a job to repay them, he got a job that paid almost nothing as a community organizer. He was a US senator for 4 months when he decided he needed to move on up. Please people wake up before it’s too late. He is blowing smoke. And we will all be burned. L
>I don’t have a blogher account, so I’m leaving my comment here.I’d love for you to read my series on why I’m voting FOR Obama. (here’s a link to the most recent one, which has links to all the others) Please. If you still think McCain’s the guy, go for it.
>Why is it that McCain supporters are always calm, polite and thoughtful while Obama supporters are always ridiculous, insulting, melodramatic and under informed?
>To L @ 3:37pmCommunity organizers….Don’t they kind of like organize the community? And isn’t the USA kind of like one BIG community?You think Obama’s grandparents were wealthy? I’m curious where you get your information. I haven’t even heard that smear from the McCain/Palin camp yet. Must be that trustworthy Fox News.
>How about we all stop slamming each other and each other’s candidate, and simply start stating the facts. Don’t misrepresent your pros or the other’s cons. Simply state the facts Jack!
>Anonymous L at 3:37 – McCain has no “executive experience” either! He’s was in the service and then he ran for U.S. House and then moved into Congress. What has he managed?Obama has vision and people listen to what he has to say. He will make a great leader of the U.S. Other countries in the world would choose Obama too.Another thing about McCain that bothers me is that every answer to foreign relations problems seems to involve the military. Obama is more of a diplomat and will only bring out the big guns when needed (Osama bin Laden).I don’t quite understand all this talk about Obama being a “socialist”. For those of you that think that, what are you referring to?
>Hey anonymous at 3:50 – Check out this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-lRifSdkbQ. It shows how calm, polite and thoughtful McCain supporters are; and EXACTLY how Obama supporters are always ridiculous, insulting, melodramatic and under informed! Keep an eye on the “obama country” sign in the background around the 1:25 mark, then the crowd’s reaction to what happens to the sign.
>Here it is:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-lRifSdkbQ
>Wow, you weren’t kidding about all the Obama supporters who read your blog! For what it’s worth, though, I agree with most of your impressions about the debate, and about McCain. I’ve been watching both campaigns since the beginning. Originally I didn’t like McCain as the R pick, and had high hopes for Obama, but over time as I’ve heard him speak an taken a look at his voting record and his plans, he’s lost his appeal for me. I’m not 100% gung ho for McCain, but I think he’s a much more practical choice to lead our country across the rocky ground on the immediate horizon.
>”The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should,” McCain told the Boston Globe late last year. He said that in choosing a vice president he’d look for a person with economic experience to compensate for his own shortcomings. “I’m going to be honest,” he told Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal three years ago. “I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.”Not the words of a man I want to lead my country in a time of economic disaster.
>Good for you, Lindsay. I like to believe I vote for the person, not for the party. Unfortunately, most of my adult life I’ve been voting for the lesser of two evils. Who will screw up the country the least? Regarding Palin – yeah, she may not have been my first choice. But I can’t name ten vice presidents (without Googling!) and how they affected the president’s term. Besides the obvious (Gore, Ford, etc.) historically, vice presidents kinda fade into the background after their four years.I hate election years! Everyone gets SO riled up! This country is almost 300 years old – I take comfort in the knowledge that we’ve made it through some horrible times. Civil war, world wars, 9/11. I look forward to February when we can all stop talking about the election!
>BTW I am anonymous 4:39 because I dont have a blogger identity. Not because I am afraid of stating my opinions. Although some Obama supporters are SCARY!
>Please google the infants born alive protection act and see that Obama voted AGAINST this … treating aborted babies that come out alive… He would rather let them just die?Obama scares me – I cannot imagine what our country is going to be like in 4 years if he is elected. He is too swift, too suave. Am i convinced that McCain will be a great President? No, but at this point he is the lesser of two evils.
>Wow, like others have stated “Did we watch the same debate”? McCain gave very little in terms of concrete answers, and many of his statements concerning Obama were misleading at best. His proposal to tax employer-provided health benefits is truly horrifying. He looked like an angry old man, not the leader of the free world. All that being said, I have been a McCain supporter in the past (I too vote for the person and not the party). However, his capitulating on many issues just to gain favor from his party’s extreme voters has turned me off. The final straw was his pick of Palin as V.P. Seriously, do you believe he thinks she is REALLY qualified to be his V.P., and if not, isn’t he selling out just to win? Doesn’t sound like a maverick to me. A heartbeat away…”you betcha”!
>One more thing… If you are reading Rolling Stone as your information for making your decision that is just irresponsible. Did you know that Obama was chair of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which sponsors http://www.factcheck.org ? Doesn’t sound so non- partisan now? I think there are very few media outlets out there that don’t have a hidden agenda.
>One other thing to consider – look at the Supreme Court. A number of the justices are on the verge of stepping down (or falling off) the bench. If you have a pet concern (choice, environmental protection, privacy, torture, habeas corpus or what have you) then you need to look at the candidates’ judicial philosophy. McCain = Scalia and co.; Obama = Ginsberg/O’Connor/Souter et. al. Which kind of philosophy do you want running the country when Bruiser and Punky are coming of age? Because that’s what’s at stake too.
>LIndsay – you are brave to talk about politics at all! I don’t even like talking with my husband about it. When it comes up in the break room at work, I just excuse myself. People get so heated about it and are so polarized. I’m impressed you were willing to honestly discuss your feelings and open yourself up to criticism. BTW, fellow posters who feel the need to be jerks to Lindsay: STOP IT!
>Oh, Lindsay, the nerve of you to actually assert your right to your own opinion……..I actually agree with you 100%. As an initial Obama supporter, as the campaign goes on I have less and less confidence that he is fit to lead this nation
>Yeah, Lindsay has guts to take on some controversial subjects. Anyone who reads this blog long enough knows that. Personally, I don’t care about the debates. My choice was made when the two parties’ had their candidates pretty well decided on (and because there’s no credible third party choice to consider this time out, if there ever has been).I did note that some Obama supporters weren’t disrespectful in voicing their disagreements; but more than a few of the ‘anonymous’ respondents were full of crap, and apparently happy to be so.Lindsay, again, you got an experience that many of us will never get (to actually be at one of these things live), and your opinions that formed there are yours. You don’t have to explain ’em or justify ’em to anyone. Each person herein has the ability and the time (yeah, even you so-called ‘too busy ones’ can take the time with so critical a decision in this nation’s history) to go learn in detail about the two candidates, and what they stand for through their legislative/life history. Despite all the spin and hype, the facts on both are out there, just waiting to be perused. It takes a genuine concern with the country and our part of it, to make that effort. But if you all care as you claim to, you’ll make it, and not let a debate be your guide.Finally, a comment about Obama, racism and voting: the first time I heard that idiotic allegation — that a vote against Obama was a racist act — it shredded a great deal of credibility for each and every person who thinks thus. It is intellectually vacuous, and downright stupid, and it demeans your candidate of choice by taking such a low, ignorant road. Grow up.As always, Lindsay, a great job of firing up the masses 😉
>http://www.theobamafile.com/ObamaFamily.htmMadelyn Dunham, the grandmother that primarily raised Barack Obama, was one of the first vice presidents of the Bank of Hawaii in 1970. It was her and her husband that supported Obama. And where is she? Hidden away in Hawaii. That makes you wonder doesn’t it. He refers to them as typical white folk. Wake up people. If that’s not enough, let’s revisit what his spiritual mentor’s comments(Rev Jeremiah Wright) from the pupit. And as for other countries wanting him to be President of the US. What the HE*L? Muslims, communists, what do we care what those countries wish for the US. Do they think Obama with his African/Muslim roots will be more sympathetic?
>My boyfriend and I are exercising our right to vote, and voting for Nader.
>We live in a country that tells us vote for who you want. When you say you are siding with the “wrong” side suddenly it’s how dare you. Vote for who you want, as long as it’s for who “they” want. People, let her vote for who she wants to. Geesh. Obama is a liar. They both will do whatever they can to be president.
>I applaud your open mind; thank you. I honestly believe that Obama/Biden is to the far left as a Romney/Huckabee ticket would be to the far right. And I don’t like either extreme position; I’m more in the middle. I think McCain is more of a centrist, and he will work with people on the other side of the aisle (and has actually done so, even when it has really ticked off the Republicans) — and I like that. The thing that bothers me about Obama is that he’s like so many other lawyers — they perform to their audiences, whether or not they have any substance behind what they are saying.
>wow. seriously? mccain actually impressed you last night? are you sure you were watching the right debate?
>As for the debate. Obviously, Obama is a great debater. But it is well known that in debate you don’t have to actually believe what you are saying only to say it convincingly. Like when a defense lawyer gets up there and defends the scum of the earth.
>Anonymous at 6:23Check out your sources. First of all, it never says that his grandparents were rich or that his grandmother was a vice president. And, if you think a vice president of a bank is necessarily rich, that is not true. Believe me, my dad was a vice president of a bank in the 70s and while we were comfortable and middle class, we were not rich. Banks have a lot of vice presidents. The title is virtually meaningless.Second, Snopes debunks the idea that Obama doesn’t have a valid birth certificate: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/citizen.asphttp://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/birthcertificate.aspIf you want to see something scary, look at the number of lies that Snopes has to de-bunk about Obama: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.aspThere are four minor untruths about McCain:http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain/mccain.aspNow this is indicative of racism to me. People are making up such crap about Obama just because his background is different from us. That is scary to me.
>Apparently as typical MEL 842 you did not read the entire article. In the section #18 titled ‘typical white people’ it clearly states the following:”Two years before Anna left Barry with her mother, in December 1970, Madelyn was named one of the first two female vice presidents at Bank of Hawaii.”Go back and read it yourself.
>You have received so much good pro-Obama feedback here that I can’t possibly add anything. The sad reality is, though, it doesn’t really matter who you vote for – there is no way Tennessee is going to go to Obama.
>In case you didn’t have time to read the Rolling Stone article, here it is, condensed by the author: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrIlgCcIoU
>You are brave writing so openly about your decision!I hope you’ll change your mind again, especially if you regret having voted for George W. Bush.W ran a very similar campaign to what we’ve seen since Palin joined the Republican ticket. I call it the “Ordinary folks” approach. “You can trust us,” they say, “because we’re ordinary folks, just like you.” They make decisions based on instinct, not facts and logical reasoning. This approach definitely contributed to some of the messes we are in right now (see Iraq, securitization of subprime mortgages with AAA ratings and unregulated CDOs) and my problem with McCain (besides disagreeing with the Republican platform on almost every issue on the table) is that he would continue to operate that way.Also, both candidates talk about tax cuts now, but with the way the economy is tanking, I hardly believe that families will be getting increased breaks for children under either President.
>Anonymous at 4:01 who wrote:I don’t quite understand all this talk about Obama being a “socialist”. For those of you that think that, what are you referring to?YES! I have been wondering about this too. Is is the healthcare thing? Is it because Ronald Reagan considered Medicare the equivalent of socialism and told us it would ruin America forever? Medicare is a great and wonderful thing. I don’t see how extending that to the entire population, especially CHILDREN! could possibly be considered anything other than humane.
>It’s interesting how most of the right wing comments are anonymous.The partial birth bill – read the facts. He voted against it because there were laws already protecting the fetus. But I guess that doesn’t matter to the writer.C’mon people.
>Here is an interesting read about Obama being a Socialist. http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2008/ss_politics_02_14.aspHappy reading. 🙂
>The great thing about America is that we have freedom of choice. (Ideally) we vote for the person whose potential policies we agree with the most. It seems like you’ve done your research and you lean towards the McCain ticket. That’s your choice. I choose differently (I have serious “issues” with the way McCain has conducted himself; his choice of Palin as VP and many of his domestic and international opinions.)Overall though, I respect your right to choose. As Michelle Obama said on Larry King last night, “We can disagree without being disagreeable!”
>karri- I am not afraid to let you know who I am… just don’t have an account.You are wrong about Obama and the IBAPA. He didn’t want it to pass. He belives life starts at birth, not conception.Here is what the big O had to say: “I would have voted for the Born Alive Infant Protection Act in Illinois had it been worded the same as the federal bill. I think that’s the position the Democrats should take.”There’s just one thing he forgot to mention: Obama had stopped his committee from adding the federal wording.With Obama no longer in the state Senate, the Born Alive legislation passed in 2005.
>Jennifer at 7:48 – I am the one who asked about why people think Obama is a socialist. The comments I hear are “I don’t want the government giving away MY money to those that don’t deserve it” and best I can figure they are talking about welfare, which was actually virtually eliminated during the Clinton administration. See “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act”. Maybe people forgot?But speaking of welfare, and giving MY money to people who don’t deserve it, I for one am tired of corporate welfare, and robbing from the poor to give to the rich corporate executives who don’t deserve it.
>You voted for Bush. I can see why you would vote for McCain. Can you state the reasons why you thought Bush would have been a good president? Did you watch any of his debates? I understand it is all water under the bridge, now, thank God. But if you thought you made an informed decision in voting for Bush, and you now see how THAT turned out, how can you trust your judgement this time? Please, do some more investigating.
>Wow. All I can say is WOW. Please, stick with writing. There is so much out there, you cannot go by debates alone. If you are serious about sounding like you know what you are talking about, look up information on credible sites. It’s all out there. You just need to take some time to look for it.You must be rich, because plain old middle class people like myself and my family are feeling this recession. I care about rising gas prices, they affect me. I care about the war in Iraq. I care about whoever is elected president having strong ties with the oil industry. See below, for example. http://www.campaignmoney.org/mccainoilAnd you want this guy to be president….wow.
>Can you clarify why you didn’t like Kerry? Was it the whole swiftboat drama? Did you investigate that at all? Did you know that the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” group was funded by republicans?http://www.factcheck.org/article231.htmlYou gotta do your homework, hun. That is the problem with the average american…they trust the mainstream media to tell them the truth and are easily swayed. If you want to know the truth, you need to put some effort into researching the truth. It is much easier sitting back with some popcorn and watching televised debates and being “informed” that way. It is much easier to just believe the televised campaign ads from BOTH parties and assume they are telling the truth. Don’t take the easy way out.
>I’m confused. You announced “Surprise, I changed my mind” but your comments prove you’re still waffling on your decision.Oy!
>I do think it would be a good idea for some of you to actually read what I wrote at BlogHer, rather than simply responding to my headline, as tempting as that may be.My mind is not officially made up. I wrote very clearly that the debates simply gave me some topics I want to further investigate before coming to a final decision. It is certainly fair for me to watch the debate and think one man did a better job of addressing MY concerns than the other. But I make it very clear in my post that the debate was a starting point for me.
>You said “It is certainly fair for me to watch the debate and think one man did a better job of addressing MY concerns than the other. But I make it very clear in my post that the debate was a starting point for me.”But you gotta make sure they are telling the TRUTH. Both of them. They can SAY anything. Don’t be so naive that you think they won’t stretch the truth or outright lie. They are politicians. This, is where research comes in. You can’t just wake up one day and go “I think I want to talk politics!!”It’s very complicated, there is a lot of history that comes into play.
>I liked your honesty and the fact that you aren’t so hot for one candidate or the other. Me either. My vote is based on Supreme Court likely nominees, taxes and the fact that I simply can’t get away from the feeling that Obama is NOT his own man. But McCain is not my first choice either. More of a “what’s left” choice. Kind of sucks, right?
>Oh give me a freaking break. Anyone can wake up and say they want to “talk politics”. As a registered voter in a nation of free speech, I’m pretty sure that is your right… Just because she doesn’t want to necessarily vote for your candidate doesn’t mean you get to be all condescending. Obama is a political candidate, not the second coming. People are allowed to NOT support him without being attacked.
>Ok, anyone can wake up and say they want to talk politics. But no one’s going to take you seriously if you don’t know what the heck you are talking about. This goes for either party.
>I admire you for writing this, even though you knew it wouldn’t be popular among your readers. Incidentally, I agree with your conclusions. And thank you, Gertie, for your comment above- you said it better than I could have.
>First of all, I would like to say I enjoy reading your blog.Whoever is elected in November is going to face a daunting challenge. No one person can clean up the mess it took 8 years to create. That’s why I want the calm, thoughtful candidate I believe will surround himself with the best and the brightest, and that is why I will vote for Barack Obama. I believe the decisions Obama makes will be made based on what’s best for this country.I want a president who can make us proud as Americans. How great would it be after 8 years to have an articulate leader, an eloquent speaker, one who is not only willing to talk, but to listen? I believe Obama will be that kind of president. Plus, he has a sense of humor. He has two young daughters and a working wife. He’s smart. And let’s not forget the magic. Nothing wrong with having the ability to connect with people around the world – young, old, and in-between.In some ways an election is like life – a lot of muck comes your way. It’s hard sometimes to slog through it. It’s exhausting. It can be scary. You can feel like you’re drowning in it. You’ve got to work hard to pull yourself up and out of it, then to rise above it. We need a leader who can help us do that. That’s why I’m supporting Obama.Please, anyone who may be reading this – it’s about the issues. It’s about health care, the economy, education, the environment, a woman’s right to choose, equal pay for equal work – it’s about who will be appointed to the Supreme Court, and it’s about never rushing into war again – not without all the facts, not without trying everything we can to prevent war first. This election is too important for all of us to decide in any other way.Obama/Biden ’08
>I don’t know why people have to get all defense about politics. You ok there, Gertie?Sheesh, I know not everyone is voting for Obama. All I said was it’s best for people to be informed of the issues and thier candidates for both parties.I don’t know why you had to get all snippy with me….
>I’m glad that you have concerns that affect you and your family. Too many people sit back & don’t care about politics/policies. But I think we need to stop thinking of “MY concerns” and look at the concerns of the nation as a whole. We need to come together and do what is right for OUR country, not just for me or you or him or her, and sometimes a compromise is needed. iwantperch@aol.com
>Wow. Did you watch the same debate? I doubt you were “undecided” at all. Enjoy.
>Oh, you voted for Bush? Then yes, you will vote for McCain. It would be consistent with your poor past judgement. Some people NEVER learn.
>BTW, Biden is six years younger than McCain.
>And oh — Biden hasn’t had cancer four times, like McCain has.
>I can’t BELIEVE how many anonymous comments/commenters there are.Why can’t you identify yourselves and OWN your opinions and comments.
>I’ll state right up front that I don’t like either candidate. When my husband and I were watching the debate, his comment was “Out of a nation of 300 million people, couldn’t we have come up with better choices?” I will vote–I always do–but I will definitely be holding my nose when I pull the lever.My problem with Obama is that he seems to be all style and I’m not sure of his substance. He’s very personable, and if I had to choose which candidate to go out to dinner with, it would definitely be the Obamas. But charisma is not what I’m voting for. To me right now, Obama is too much of an unknown factor.I have a lot of respect for McCain and his service to this country. And I like the fact that he doesn’t always vote with his party. But I’m worried about his “shoot from the hip” style of decision making. That’s fine as a senator, but not as president.So, even though I’m in one of the demographics where it’s usually clear who you’re going to vote for, I’m still feeling uneasy about making a choice. I have a feeling I’ll decide seconds before pulling that lever.
>kwr221 -I DON’T own my comments on Biden’s health and age versus McCain’s. They’re fact. We all own them.
>For that matter, my knowing that your name is “Kristen” isn’t much of an identification for you.My name’s Fred. We’re even.
>funny when it’s something real and important, there are so many who decide to post anonymously
>It’s interesting to me that John McCain is selling himself as someone who’s willing to work across party lines. He WAS someone who would do this, but abandoned the principles that allowed him to do so when he radically shifted his platform in order to win the nomination. If you compare his platform now with the one he ran on in the primaries before, they aren’t terribly similar. Someone who would abandon decades worth of work and principal for this election doesn’t translate into someone who’ll keep their promises if elected. I was actually a McCain supporter the last time he threw his hat in the ring, but he isn’t the same candidate anymore.
>Um, it’s easier to post anonymously than it is to create a new account. What’s the difference, you wouldn’t know me anyway if I did create an account. My name is Nicole, by the way. Is that better?
>surprised how? mclame did nothing surprising other than get through the debate without going full on postal. he was one bundle of nervous angry energy. that’s what you want in a president who holds the power to nuke a nation? man you need to go back and read the dictionary as to what you think surprise means. if you think surprise means being a water carrier for a failed republican policy of more of the same then I have news for you, you are not only wrong but you are deluded to such a point that are reasonable person trying to talk sense into you will give up due to your willful ignorance. man you’re such a tool trying to hide behind the guise of being “undecided”.
>Okay, hi. Since the “Democratic Underground” has now picked up my post on its forum and is busy trashing my name over there, I have to assume that they are behind most of the recent anonymous comments. So I’m turning off the anonymous for the time being. And DU, if you can’t stop being insulting, I’m just going to turn comments off. I welcome your comments on why you think I should vote for Obama. I am not totally decided yet one way or the other. But calling me a tool? Come on. Do you really think that promotes your case or convinces me that Obama is a better choice? WWOD?
>I think that entirely depends on what kind of tool.I mean some tools are awesome. Like a Leatherman or something. But if they mean needlenose pliers or a plain old phillips head screwdriver… well, that sucks.
>Okay, here I am. I posted five of the last 10 anonymous comments (but no insulting ones). Yes, it’s simply easier to click “Anonymous” than anything else. And I find it funny that people named “xcsulgmp” or whatever complain about anonymous people not identifying themselves!I don’t know what the “Democratic Underground” is, I’m part of no “campaign”. But I know that if you vote for McCain, then you must have enjoyed the last eight years, because you’re going to get four more of them from someone who voted with Bush 90% of the time.Then again, I could be wrong. Because the 72 year old, 4-time cancer patient McCain just might not make it through the term. And then what do you have? Bush with lipstick.
>Gertie, you are too funny. Glad you can lighten things up a little.
>I’m not from the democratic underground. I just cannot believe that you voted for Bush and you still cannot decide who to vote for in this election. I just don’t know how that is possible. It’s cute how you act all embarrassed about having voted for Bush…but you are going public about possibly making the same mistake again…I’m just shaking my head.
>boys and girls. Let’s all remember the respect Lindsay has earned from us in the past. That is why we love her blog. There is no reason she should be treated like she just ran over your dog. So she might make a choice that is not your choice (or mine) but that is just it…HER choice. Talk about how great Obama is. Not how awful McCain/Palin are or how awful Lindsay is for considering a R vote. focus on the positive!
>Um, I voted for Bush. Twice. And I’m not ashamed of that. I took the information I had at the time and made the best decision in MY OPINION. And though–obviously–Bush has had some issues during his presidency (and what president doesn’t?), who knows whether Gore or Kerry would have been any better? You might have an opinion about that, but there’s no way you can prove either would have done a better job.
>Marsha -Yes, I suppose it’s POSSIBLE that Gore or Kerry might have broken the record for lowest presidential approval rating, as Bush has done. It’s possible. But really, it doesn’t seem very likely, does it? I mean, what are the odds? It’s statistically quite unlikely that they would have been as bad.Sorry, but if I were you, I would feel ashamed for my poor judgement.
>My family and I are fervent Obama supporters, and living in McCain’s home state, we might as well burn our ballots.I’m actually really surprised that you’re going for McCain… just by the tone of this blog, you seemed more liberal minded.The thing that sold me on healthcare with Obama is that he recognized healthcare as a right. McCain wants to leave healthcare to the free market–and we all see how that’s been working out. The closer we get to universal healthcare, the better, imo.Who decided “socialism” is a bad word, anyway? 🙂
>I was pro-Obama to start with and the debates thus far have reinforced that stance.Aside from the insulting pick of Palin as VP, McCain (who I used to like very much) is just coming off (to me) as this very angry, rude, repetitive (my friends) man who will continure us on the same disastrous road we’ve been on.Obama, by contrast, seems cool and calm and his values ally with mine much more than McCain’s. The fact that electing Obama would really increase our moral standing in the world is important to me also.Since neither one can know exactly what they will do until they’re in the job, and both are saying what they need to in order to get elected (he who tells the whole trutch automatically loses), their promises don’t mean much to me.
>Sparrman–Well, you’re not me. And I thought you said you weren’t posting insulting comments. And I’m most definitely not ashamed of any of my past votes. This is what I don’t get. Why do we have to be nasty to each other just because we don’t agree?And in an earlier post I stated that I don’t like either candidate and am unsure of my vote. But supporters of Obama who are rude to people (like Lindsey) who are wavering on their votes sure doesn’t help put me in your camp.
>Marsha -I apologize for having offended you; that wasn’t my intention. I can see how you might be offended, and all things considered I wish I had left off the last sentence. (I’m guessing that’s the part that offended you.)In short: I feel ashamed for my poor judgement.Now that I’ve said that, do you care to address the substance of my previous post?
>Lindsay, I’m a long time lurker here. You have a wonderful blog and I enjoy reading.I would like to begin by saying I at one time had a great deal of respect for McCain, but no more.Through the years I have learned about his adultery during his first marriage, which I would assume led to his marrying Cindy one month after his divorce. I have learned of his volatile temper, which I suppose could be blamed in part on his time as a POW. I have watched as he voted in favor of Bush’s failed policies time after time.Concerning his support of illegal immigration I have heard him say there are certain jobs that Americans will not do, which is a lie. Americans will do any work, but they want to be paid a decent wage and have benefits. He offered Americans $50.00 an hour if they would go to California and pick lettuce. He said no one would take him up on it. When I and many others tried to get in touch with him because that money sounded awfully good to us and we were not afraid of hard work, he was no where to be found.The negative and nasty campaign he and Palin are running is sickening to me. They should run their campaign on the issues. The only time Obama goes negative is to answer the lies that McCain’s ads tell about him.But the worst possible thing, to me, that he has done was at the beginning of this year when I heard him say he knows how to get bin Laden.I heard him say this again Tuesday night during the town hall debate, that he knows how to get bin Laden.If McCain knows how to get bin Laden, why has he not shared that information with Bush? bin Laden was responsible for the deaths of those thousands of Americans on 9/11, and McCain knows how to get him and is keeping it a secret? That I find to be deplorable. All this time bin Laden has been at large, and McCain knows how to get him, but doesn’t? Is it because he’s hoping to win the presidency, then he will get bin Laden, and receive all kinds of accolades?If that’s the case, he must truly be a monster.I know I have taken up a lot of your space here, but I felt the need to get this out.I will definitely be voting for Obama.
>Honestly, I went into this election process pretty sure I was going to vote McCain. I didn’t really trust Obama, and was frustrated by his lofty talk of change and hope. But as this race goes on, Obama’s positions grow stronger, and McCain collapses under increasing pressure to appease everybody.That said, I was glad to see you approached the debate with an open mind. However, I felt like we were watching different debates.I was floored that you felt McCain was more specific than Obama. You may be confusing promises for details, because that’s all McCain really offered. I felt that Obama spent a lot of time going into detail about his plans, whereas McCain spent a lot of time making vague attacks and empty promises. I felt he skewed a lot of facts and went out of his way misrepresenting Obama’s plans. I thought he was condescending and disrespectful. Obama’s naivete on foreign policy scares me, but McCain’s opinions on foreign policy scare me to. His game-y approach to this election bothers me… I was not pleased with his choice of Sarah Palin for his V.P. It felt like a blatant grab for votes, and as a woman, I am offended that she is being used as a puppet and a tool. We’ve had “folksy” for the past 8 years… I’m ready for some intellectualism for a change.
>yay!!!!!!!!! I’m proud of you!! Obama is a sheep in wolves clothing. He is a socialist.
>anonymous “fred”, if you went to the trouble of clicking on my id link, surely you can spell it correctly, it’s Kristin, not Kristen.And yes, I suppose we could all be masquerading with false ids, but if you’ve been reading and commenting on Lindsay’s blog all along, why be anonymous now? And if you’ve just flown in here for a quickie because you heard she’s discussing politics, why bother?
>Kristin –Apologies on the misspelling. I’m not anonymous anymore. I’m “Sparrman”. My name is Fred Sparrman. That’s my first and last name. I won’t ask you to reveal your full name, that’s your prerogative to do so or not.My point, if I need to explain it, is that you’re pretty anonymous, even knowing that your name is Kristin. There are a lot of those in the world.So…what’s the diff?
>Just found your blog and I love it! Can’t wait to read more. ~Lizwww.AGiveawayADay.blogspot.com
>Okay, I’m making my last post here. I know that will break some hearts.First, thanks to Suburban Turmoil for hosting this thread.Sorry again to anyone I might have offended.I’m wondering something, and I’d be interested to hear opinions. I am very angry about what has happened to our country over the last eight years. I don’t pretend Democrats are 100% free of blame, but the Republicans have had almost total control during that time. I thought back in 2000 that Bush was, in Paul Begala’s words, “a high-functioning moron”, and my opinion has only deepened with time. Needless to say, I voted for Gore, and then Kerry.So, feeling as I feel about how things have gone, can you understand how I might be angry at people who voted for Bush? After all, “People don’t do things to your country…you LET them do things to your country.” And I confess I’m angry at those who let Bush do this to my country. Is that a valid feeling? I’m responsible for how I act on that feeling, of course. But it’s there.I confess, I am much more against McCain than I am for Obama. I find Obama to be a somewhat frustrating candidate. Hard to warm up to. But you know, I’m not going to be “having that beer” with him or McCain or whoever, which seems to be how many people pick candidates. Obama strikes me as a highly intelligent, serious man. That alone would be an enormous improvement.McCain, I used to have respect for, until he backpedaled on many of his former stances. The worst of these was cozying up to Falwell after having declared him an “agent of intolerance”. You were right the first time, McCain.BTW, there seem to be a lot of ladies here. If you don’t read the entire Rolling Stone article mentioned earlier, please read the part towards the end where three reporters are willing to verify what they heard McCain say to his wife. The worst part wasn’t when he said to her “At least I don’t slather on the makeup…”, it was what he then called her afterwards. Three reporters heard it. Quite the charming fellow, don’t you think?Anyway, if I was a religious man I would fall on my knees and thank whoever the heck might be up there for the fact that we’re currently up in the polls. But that could change. Please, Obama supporters, don’t be complacent.Vote.Okay, that’s it. Peace to all.- Fred “Anonymous” Sparrman
>PS. Read this Salon article… obvs totally left-leaning, written by the guy who does Prairie Home Companion, but illustrates how I feel–http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/10/08/palin/index.html
>The great thing about living in a democracy is that all citizens have a voice. We each have a right to form our very own opionion and take actin on it with our vote. I am personally middle of the road. I WAS undecided, however I am going with McCain. Reason, for each time I have agreed with something McCain said. I have had an Obama supporter on the attack. (I don’t mean in this forum, I mean in the outside world). As if I do not have the right to form my own opionion….I do and I will be using it. And my vote is not so much FOR McCain as it is AGAINST Obama.
>Sparrman – thank you. At least you have a name, if not a profile.My point was not that you *know me based on my name, but that when I leave comments, I do so in the identity (which *is me) that I use and am recognized by (albeit by only a few) in the blog community where I leave my comments. So that what I say is *mine, belonging to me, the same person who comments on a blogger’s daily observations and posts on my own blog. Not being public with my non-political comments and anonymous with my political ones – which is what I think some people were doing earlier in the thread. That, and some were just drive-bys throwing in their 2 cents without bothering to register.
>Oh, and by the way, I’m an Obama supporter.I just don’t trust McCain or Palin to make decisions that are in my or my country’s best interests. I respected McCain the last time he campaigned. Not anymore.And anyone who uses the word Maverick a gazillion times is hiding behind the concept and isn’t really a maverick.
>Sparrman – I agree with what you said 110%. Thank you for writing it so eloquently. There are no words to express the anger I feel toward the current administration. I remember the night of the 2000 election, thinking “wow, this country is really going to go to hell now”. Oh, how little did I know how right I was and how badly he and his administration would screw up this country – and other countries (Iraq, anyone?). My anger towards this administration does trickle down to the people who voted for this moron. How could you NOT have known that he was completely unqualified for this position? To me (and pretty much the rest of the WORLD), it was so clear from the beginning that he had no clue what he was doing and had his own agenda. How could you NOT HAVE SEEN THIS? I give somewhat of a free pass to people who voted for him in 2000. He hadn’t begun to destroy our country yet. But in the 2004 election? Who in their right minds would think this was an intelligent choice? It boggles my mind. And makes me angry. Very angry. I can’t help but think that people who willingly voted for Bush in 2004 are complete and total non-thinking idiots. I’m sorry. But that’s the truth. And I think at this point, most people would agree with me. Let’s pray that we NEVER get another president in the White House like the Bush administration. It’s going to take us long enough to try to repair the damage he and his administration have done in the last 8 years.
>Sorry Rosie. I couldn’t resist. Fast forward to 2012. There are no words to express the anger I feel toward the current administration. I remember the night of the 2008 election, thinking “wow, this country is really going to go to hell now”. Oh, how little did I know how right I was and how badly he and his administration would screw up this country – and other countries (Iraq, Pakistan, Iran anyone?). My anger towards this administration does trickle down to the people who voted for this moron. How could you NOT have known that he was completely unqualified for this position? To me (and pretty much the rest of the WORLD), it was so clear from the beginning that he had no clue what he was doing and had his own agenda. How could you NOT HAVE SEEN THIS? But in the 2008 election? Who in their right minds would think this was an intelligent choice? It boggles my mind. And makes me angry. Very angry. I can’t help but think that people who willingly voted for Obama in 2008 are complete and total non-thinking idiots. I’m sorry. But that’s the truth. And I think at this point, most people would agree with me. Let’s pray that we NEVER get another president in the White House like the Obama administration. It’s going to take us long enough to try to repair the damage he and his administration have done in the last 4 years.
>KqrlovrTrust me, no one can do any worse damage than Bush has already done. I take it you voted for him? Twice, maybe?What do you think Obama could possibly do that would make our country worse than it already is?
>Sparrman–I accept your apology. And it was the comment that I should be ashamed that offended me.You asked me to address your comments about how it was statistically unlikely that we could have had a worse president than Bush. You referred to his all-time low approval ratings. But approval ratings are completely subjective. They are just a composite of other people’s opinions. I really don’t care about others’ opinions when it comes to voting. It’s my vote, so I’ll make up my own mind. Maybe I am the original maverick (unlike McCain). I study a lot before each election and try to educate myself the best I can. And as Lindsey has expressed, I usually end up choosing the lesser of two evils (in my opinion). I didn’t vote for Bush because I liked him; I was just of the opinion that he was the less bad choice. I am frequently disappointed, but never ashamed, because I made what to me was the best decision at that snapshot in time.And I’m always sensitive when someone says “it couldn’t have been worse.” This is not a provable statement. (I’m a mathematician, so proofs are important to me–and most statistics are meaningless.) In the words of the great Bill Cosby: “Never challenge worse!” I’m reminding my more right-wing friends of how a year ago they were saying “Nobody could be worse than Hillary.” Now they’re wishing she was the one running, because they’d rather have her as president than Obama.What I’m hoping is that we will all allow each other to have different viewpoints without attacking each other. I believe it’s possible that intelligent, thoughtful, and good people can have very different viewpoints than mine. I just wish more people would extend me the same courtesy. And Sparrman, your apology made me think you are possibly one of those good people with a different opinion.
>2 words: Sarah PalinPlease reconsider!!???
>Ha ha. I finally watched Sarah Palin’s CBS interview a couple of nights ago and Ohsweetjeebus. I really like how she comes off as a person- as in, I think it would be fun to have lunch with her- but as a VP? EEEEEEK.Then I took a few online candidate quizzes. USA Today’s quiz gave me McCain. NPR’s quiz gave me Obama.I’m right back where I started. *Sigh*
>I’m SO tired of hearing about McCain’s wealth and Obama’s working class background. Good grief people, that’s capitalism. Some are rich, some are poor, some fall in between. That’s America. It’s the dream we’re all chasing after. Take away capitalism, and what have you got? Nazi Germany, China, Russia, Cuba. It’s what Obama wants. He wants everyone to be the same. College has a high cost because (in most cases) it has a high payout. Quality products tend to be expensive, but they’re worth the investment.Lindsay, I’m glad you’re taking the time to look at the facts objectively and choose the candidate who you feel falls more in line with your thinking. I’m sad that you’re being criticized for exercising your right as Americans. Just note how (most of) the Obama supporters are reacting – childish and immature. The left isn’t tolerant of anything but it’s own ideas. And they’ll do whatever it takes to make everyone think like they do.
>Fancythis,I think it’s incredibly unfair to state the “left” are the only ones being childish and rude in their attacks. At least the “left’ has not gone the way of the “right”…referring to Obama as a terrorist, insinuating he should be killed, ignorantly portraying him as a muslim and an arab. Democrats and liberals are starting to get a little angry, and I think that’s ok. I don’t beleive in either party being blatantly disrespectful, but why is it ok for republicans to get fired up, but childish for anyone else?I don’t get it!Jessica in NC
>Interesting. I always wonder why people think that they should get mor tax breaks because they have more children. When I do the math in my head, I usually conclude that the larger your family, the more money that is pent on your family, per capita, by the government (local, state, & federal).As for the rest of your reasoning, each to her own, I say.