McCain's Running Mate

[ZeroG]

Mus. said...

I'm just wondering how the terrorists would react if the country they're fighting was being lead by a man with muslims in his family.

I was wondering which candidate you are referring too. I'm a little confused on Obama's religious preference. Maybe someone can fill me in.

It seems the insurgents didn't really care about people being muslim or not. And terrorists really care more about making a statement then whom they hurt while making it. So, I'm not so sure the religious preference of the leader of the free world has that much of an impact. They just hate the fact that we are free.

[HorseFilms]

The terrorists hate that we are allies with Israel. Freedom has little or nothing to do with it. They want to restore a Palestinian state and Israel occupies the land where it once stood.

[ZeroG]

Yes, Horse, I see what you mean, however, I guess you have to ask the terrorist to get the true story. Doh! They are dead so you can't. Oops!   

Back to McCain's running mate. When you think about it, the V.P. is only there to help the campaign and I do think she is. After he get's elected (I am feeling better about this actually happening now) Palin's roll will be to just be somewhere where McCain isn't.

[wendygirl]

I have no wish to start a debate on this topic but I do feel the need to comment on what Horsefilm said regarding Israel.

Yes, the terrorists do hate us because of our alliance with Israel.  But there can be no restoration of a Palestinian state that has never existed.  Most "Palestinians" are actually from Saudi Arabia.  The area of Palestine has always been a Jewish nation since the Roman government named it that after the Jewish uprising in the 1st or 2nd century (I not certain of the exact time).  The only people to have a continual presence in the area are Jews and this has been true for at least 4,000 years (something Muslim extremists will never admit).

As far as Palin, I think she is a wise choice for VP and I pray the best candidate wins.

[Nick Lane]

I was wondering which candidate you are referring too. I'm a little confused on Obama's religious preference. Maybe someone can fill me in.

It seems the insurgents didn't really care about people being muslim or not. And terrorists really care more about making a statement then whom they hurt while making it. So, I'm not so sure the religious preference of the leader of the free world has that much of an impact. They just hate the fact that we are free.

Mus. was reffering to Obama. His dad was Kenyan and, I believe, of Muslim descent. There was a big outcry from the far right claiming that Obama is a closet Muslim who wants to get in control and then allow the terrorists in. I do not subscibe to this belief system, the church he went to was a Christian one but the pastor was insane and anti-American. I don't think it would affect the terrorist's opinions either way, however, unless Obama really was trying to help them.

I agree with you, ZeroG, it would appear as if the odds are split now. This could go either way.

[Ginafish]

Did you know there are other parties with candidates for president?

[Tinpeeba]

Much of the UK media has a negative opinion of McCain's running mate. Here are some links to examples:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/n...-history-115875-20723110/
http://www.independent.co...e-real-scandal-920803.htm
http://www.independent.co...s-sarah-palin-920833.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk...selections2008.sarahpalin
http://www.telegraph.co.u...ying-Democrats-claim.html

[thartley]

Thanks.  We have a lot of that here, too.  We're used to it.

Palin has made it pretty clear she is not concerned with winning the hearts of the left and liberally biased media, thank God.  She was selected to be the running mate for one of the major presidential candidates in Nov.   She seems to know who she is, she is comfortable in a governing role, and seems up to the challenge.  She has had real governing experience in a state that is steeped in energy issues which is going to be important in the coming presidential term.  She beat out an incumbent for the governorship of Alaska, knows how to balance a budget and cut back wasteful spending in order to do it (and did).

Seeing McCain/Palin heading to the Whitehouse is the best birthday I could ever have.  My thanks ahead of time! 

[ZeroG]

From the mirror article...

Despite becoming a surprise grandmother herself, Palin agreed to reduce funding for Covenant House Alaska by more than 20 per cent, from $5million to $3.9m.

I'm not sure what the writer's mean by saying this. I suppose they are pointing out a contradiction. However, I think it provides reinforcement of her commitment to reduce the role government plays in her state by showing she opposes support for a government program which directly helps women in a situation similar to her own daughter.

She sounds like one tough cookie. I haven't read the other articles but the mirror basically showed why she is considered a republican and not a democrat.

[HorseFilms]

The Daily Show ran a great video on McCain last night:

http://www.thedailyshow.c...-mccain-reformed-maverick

[Nick Lane]

Did you know there are other parties with candidates for president?

Yes, GinaFish, but third parties don't win in America. At least not right now.

ZeroG, I agree with you! She is very tough. I like the fact that she is being portrayed as a real person and not a politician.

[HorseFilms]

Yes, GinaFish, but third parties don't win in America. At least not right now.

It would be very nice if they could. I'm an independent and it would be nice for a third party candidate to have a legitimate shot at getting elected. As it is, I'm stuck in the "lesser of two evils" category.

[Ginafish]

I think it's a sorry state when a major world power only has two parties to choose from and being an independent, at least I pay attention to third parties. And they'll never have a chance of winning if people don't pay attention and vote for them.

[Nick Lane]

I always pay attention to the third party candidates. The problem is two fold:

1) They don't publicize themselves enough. Partly due to lack of funds, I am sure. Most Americans just see the two well-known parties candidates because they dominate the news during election years. People know what they stand for and who they are.

2) Very few people will vote for third party candidates because they see it as a wasted vote. They know that the person will not win the general election, so why not put their vote to better use by actually casting it for someone who has a chance? The flaw in this theory is that unless people get out of the groove, third parties will NEVER have a chance in America.

I am not saying it is entirely out of the question forever. But for this year and most likely the next decade or more, the chances are slim. That being said, if both major parties do terrible things it may be just enough to force Americans to look at alternatives. If the candidates can get the money, however, and spots on national news networks and if they have good things to say, solid records and a general appeal, we may see a third party rise from the shadows in the coming elections.

[thartley]

And sadly, I think some people cast votes for Independents in a show of protest for either of the major political parties.  But everyone has that right to vote their conscience in America. 

Back to the running mate issue of this thread, though....I had a moment of "oh crap..." when I heared the VP announcement from McCain on the news.  And I am admitting that THAT was the single most sexist opinion or judgment call I've had to date.  I immediately thought "What in the heck is he DOING?" and it was based solely on the fact that Palin is a woman.  With no choice, mainly because McCain never called me to ask my opinion, I waited for the convention to "meet" her.  I stand sooooo corrected, scripted speech or not.  As I've said before, I am looking forward to the VP debates with Biden.

[Nick Lane]

When I first heard of the announcement, my thought was "Oh, yes!" Because I figured picking a woman was the only thing he COULD have done. Not just for the fact that it may attract disgruntled feminists and Conservatives but also because it is a newsmaker. This is something big and it has turned out to be even larger than I expected. She is all over the place and this is just the publicity the McCain campaign needs right now.

I, too, am really looking forward to the VP debates. I saw a clip today of her in a three way debate when she was running for office in Alaska. The two other men candidates were yelling at each other while she was silent and finally she says "Guys...guys..." and they quieted down and she continued, "...we owe Alaskans a better discourse than this." I smiled and said "This is my candidate."

[KitKat]

I, too, am really looking forward to the VP debates. I saw a clip today of her in a three way debate when she was running for office in Alaska. The two other men candidates were yelling at each other while she was silent and finally she says "Guys...guys..." and they quieted down and she continued, "...we owe Alaskans a better discourse than this." I smiled and said "This is my candidate."

I like the way you think Nick.    I, too, smiled, and felt the same thing, when I saw that same clip.    I'm looking forward to seeing the VP debates with Biden. 

[In2Kermit]

I like her, because she seems down to earth. Plus, I admire her for working so hard with her new son, who has Down's, and still working in Government. I was reading yesterday, while in line at Wal-Mart, that she takes her son to work with her and nurses him while she's in conference. THAT'S my kind of woman! Plus, I think she'll do a really good job.

[heavyj]

I wanted to reply to Horsefilms comments to nick I know this is an older post but i couldn't stop thinking how degrading you spoke to nick.  You suggested he would grow out of being conservative, that's pretty forward of you, that suggests that conservatives are childish? You also said he didn't have enough life experience, I have to say that age does not necessarily dictate "life experience". I am not trying to attack you horse but I also don't understand what you mean by your life being better in the clinton years, i guess i am a "fanatic" as well but i will welcome reaganomics over "spreading the wealth" or socialism any day.

[Nick Lane]

Thank you for jumping to my defense, heavyj. Horse is my friend and I don't want to fuel an argument, but you make extremely valid points.

I am not as far-right as I USED to be. Lately I have become much more subjective. Especially on religious issues, I can see both sides. I still side Conservative most of the time but I definitely would not vote for someone or something purely because it is endorsed by Republicans. In fact, tomorrow I plan on making some phone calls and getting to the truth on these propositions before the election next week.

[heavyj]

nick i think that is awesome that you choose for yourself, too many people let their peers or family  or ignorance decide for them, i like a friendly debate i know it can get out of hand quickly with politics though, so all we can do is vote. take care

[ZeroG]

I consider myself conservative. This is based on my philosophy that the harder you work, the greater the reward. If this wasn't the case no one would be motivated to do anything and society would basically suck. This appears at first glance to be coincident with the republican view. However, over the years I have found there is more to being a Republican than this basic notion of hard work rewarded appropriately.

1) Moral issues like abortion. Laws that keep people from making decisions seems like government is deciding for you, which is directly opposite of a party which says less government is best. This just seems like the party is on the wrong side.

2) Money spent on national defense under republican administrations is out of control. The president kind of force the hand of congress, after they have already spent all the money.

3) Deficits increase under republican administrations. I guess the counter to this is that the democratic lead congress is who ran up the deficit. 

So, after looking at the way things have been in the past, a conservative should vote for a democratic president and republican congress inorder for the government as a whole to function as a conservative citizen would want.

[Nick Lane]

ZeroG, your comments on abortion are spot on. I can see situations where it is necessary. That being said, abortions as birth control or in the late term should be unheard of.

Heavyj, I too like a good debate.

I will be a registered Republican, but that doesn't mean I will always vote that way (although it most likely will where people are concerned, but on the issues I do differ slightly sometimes).

[Hunter]

Wow, you guys have had a lot to say in this thread. I gotta say, nice job keeping it civil. Of course I would expect no less from the people of Isara.

On my ticket, I'm a technocrat. That being said I believe that America will be lead by it's technologies in the future and, therefore, am voting for the person with the best technology record and policies.
I also believe that there is not a person on the face of this earth that have the necessary experience to run a country, until after they have run a country. Therefore the question of ability, to me, is moot.
I do agree with ZeroG, in that laws designed to remove a persons freedom of choice should not be laws at all. I feel that if there is anytime when you can see an act as being morally correct it should not be made illegal. I realize that opens up a whole debate but then again shouldn't laws be about the rules and not about the exceptions? I mean if you have to make multiple exceptions to a law, why should it be a law to begin with?

Bare with me, this one might start some fires. I feel that if the people feel so strongly that America isn't and shouldn't be a Christian state, then why do they also feel so strongly about implementing Christian laws? And why do the people who feel strongly about the idea that America should be a Christian state have such a hard time getting along with their Christian neighbors of other denominations, or their neighbors who are not Christians at all?

A little bit about me, for clarification, I am a Christian, but I have a lot of trouble stomaching a lot of the Christian rhetoric out there. I am voting Democrat, and most of my family is Republican, so no, we don't talk about politics. And for the record, a president should never be voted for or against on the basis of hearsay, fear, or ignorance. I feel that while it is every Americans privilege and duty to vote, it is also our duty to truly know our candidates by their own words and actions.

Good talking to you all again.

[PK]

Nicely said, Hunter.