Candidates are Heading to Washington

Last week things weren’t exactly going swimmingly on Wall Street, and the financial crisis allowed the presidential candidates to grab the attention of voters. Yesterday Sen. McCain announced he would be suspending his campaign to head back to Washington to help with the problem at hand. McCain also called for Friday’s Presidential Debate to be postponed until a deal to address the issue was reached, Sen. Obama disagreed.

“This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess,” said Sen. Obama. “In my mind, it’s more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people and describe where we want to take the country and where we want to take the economy.” Well that makes sense, let’s wait forty days to elect a candidate and then wait another fifty plus until he’s sworn in, yes then we can discuss our financial woes. The senator went on to say how he would help out if he thought he could be useful- opportunity to add major economic solution to list of Real Reasons You Should Elect Me President, missed.

In an address to the country last night, President Bush stated how he had invited Senators McCain and Obama to the White House to help speed the discussions toward a bipartisan bill. As far as I know both of the candidates are heading to Washington.

Iraq: Awaiting the McCain-Palin Reponse

The future of America’s place in Iraq has yet to be decided. And it’s the very question of that uncertainty that still has voters wondering the political parties plan on doing about it. On Thursday Barack Obama sat down with Bill O’Reilly of Fox News. On the topic of the Surge in Iraq, O’Reilly asked the senator, “Why can't you say, "I was right in the beginning, and I was wrong about the surge"? “Because there's an underlying problem where what have we done. We have reduced the violence. But the Iraqis still haven't taken responsibility, and we still don't have the kind of political reconciliation,” said Sen. Obama.

Now this morning on ABC News’ This Week, Sen. Obama had this to say in the recently taped interview. “…John McCain insists on continuing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

…Well Prime Minister Maliki has said that, “we are ready to take control and responsibility for what’s happening in Iraq”. And John McCain seems resistant even at a time when George Bush is prepared to say that we need to have some sort of timeframe or timetable.”

Despite the confusion in both of Sen. Obama’s statements as to whether or not the Iraqi government is ready to take control, President Bush has stated he is considering a timetable of the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq.

In November of 2005, President Bush said that Iraqi troops were increasingly taking the lead in battle but that "this will take time and patience." However, the president refused again to set a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal, saying conditions in Iraq will dictate when American forces can come home. He said setting a deadline to pull out is "not a plan for victory."

Considering the mere thought of a pull out by 2011 would go against the very opposing position the president had to such action over the past few years. The president’s hesitance on such an issue was partly due to not wanting al-Qaida or the Taliban to wait the American forces out- which makes sense.

On Sept. 1, The New York Times said, “Mr. McCain told veterans on Aug. 11 that he would end the war, but intended to “win it first” and assured them that “victory in Iraq is finally in sight.” He needs to explain what he means by victory. A free and democratic Iraq, as Mr. Bush originally promised? That would take generations. …Iraq’s leaders have at least agreed on one thing: they want the Americans gone, sooner rather than later.

This morning on Meet the Press, Democratic nominee for Vice-President Joe Biden said, “We're about to get a deal from the president of the United States and Maliki, the head of the Iraqi government, that's going to land on my desk as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee saying we're going to set a timeline to draw down our forces. The only guy in America out of step is John McCain. John McCain's saying no timeline. They've signed on to Barack Obama's proposal (not the exact plan he would add).” Tom Brokaw than asked, “Five years from now, do you think Iraq will have relative stability and democratic principles in a central government? Sen. Biden replied saying, “If there is an Obama-Biden administration, yeah. …And by the way, that Biden proposal, 75 senators voted for it, including the majority of the Republican Party.” “But the Iraqi government didn't like the idea,” said Brokaw. Replied Biden, “Well, the Iraqi government--Maliki didn't, but the rest of the government liked it.” “But he is the head of the government. It's their country,” replied Brokaw.

And so the Obama-Biden campaign, along with Americans, are awaiting the McCain-Palin response.

John McCain, Country First

The media will say it was boring, they’ll say public speaking is not McCain’s strength, they’ll say he couldn’t top Gov. Palin’s speech, but that’s their opinion. They'll also point out what McCain didn't say but to be fair Obama didn't elaborate either. While both Sen. Obama and McCain could've said more on how they will go about bringing change, but used their acceptance speeches to bring a positive reassurance to Amercian voters.

On Sarah Palin:
“She has executive experience and a real record of accomplishment. She’s tackled tough problems like energy independence and corruption. She’s balanced a budget, cut taxes, and taken on the special interests. She’s reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats and Independents to serve in her administration. She’s the mother of five children. She’s helped run a small business, worked with her hands and knows what it’s like to worry about mortgage payments and health care and the cost of gasoline and groceries. She knows where she comes from and she knows who she works for. She stands up for what’s right, and she doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down. I’m very proud to have introduced our next Vice President to the country. But I can’t wait until I introduce her to Washington. And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming.”

On the GOP in Washington:
“We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us. We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption. We lost their trust when rather than reform government, both parties made it bigger. We lost their trust when instead of freeing ourselves from a dangerous dependence on foreign oil, both parties and Senator Obama passed another corporate welfare bill for oil companies. We lost their trust, when we valued our power over our principles. We’re going to change that. We’re going to recover the people’s trust by standing up again for the values Americans admire. The party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics.”

Comparing himself to Obama:

• I will keep taxes low and cut them where I can. My opponent will raise them.


• I will open new markets to our goods and services. My opponent will close them.


• I will cut government spending. He will increase it.


• My tax cuts will create jobs. His tax increases will eliminate them.


• My health care plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good health care insurance. His plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor.


• My opponent promises to bring back old jobs by wishing away the global economy. We’re going to help workers who’ve lost a job that won’t come back, find a new one that won’t go away.”

Energy:
“We are going to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us very much. We will attack the problem on every front. We will produce more energy at home. We will drill new wells offshore, and we’ll drill them now. We will build more nuclear power plants. We will develop clean coal technology. We will increase the use of wind, tide, solar and natural gas. We will encourage the development and use of flex fuel, hybrid and electric automobiles. Senator Obama thinks we can achieve energy independence without more drilling and without more nuclear power. But Americans know better than that.”

Closing Statements:
“I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.

I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.

If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.

I’m going to fight for my cause every day as your President. I’m going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God, as I thank Him: that I’m an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on earth, and with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach. Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what’s right for our country.

Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children’s future.

Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.

Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God Bless you.”


Yes, certainly a poor performance for John McCain to Republicans and Americans. You may be tired of John McCain the POW, but John McCain is looking to move beyond and prove that after all his years, he is the man for the job. In his own words it is said that when Sen. McCain ran for president in 2000, he put himself first. But as of last night it looks like John McCain is looking to fight for Americans again proving his campaign slogan true, John McCain, Country First.

A Piece of Palin

Since last Friday America has been introduced to just about everything involving Gov. Sarah Palin. John McCain’s announcement that he had chosen the Alaskan governor to be his running mate sent a huge wave of energy into the Republican Party. It also launched a search a huge media search into her closet to uncover and skeletons. But with all the praise and controversy surrounding Gov. Palin, she made sure on Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention to set things straight on who she is.

On family:
“Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys. Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a special love. To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.”

On her experience and Barack Obama’s:
“I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too.Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco. As for my running mate, you can be certain that wherever he goes, and whoever is listening, John McCain is the same man.”

Message to the media:
“I'm not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people. No one expects us to agree on everything.”

Now you’ve heard and seen the media talk about how she has energized the GOP, you’ve heard them question her experience, whether or not her baby was hers, they question whether she’s a fit mother, and they even launch an investigation into her political background. And it’s not an investigation to uncover her experience; it’s to find the dirt. They’re looking for a story that puts Sarah Palin in the negative spotlight. And why are they doing this? I have no idea, they probably think they’re doing Americans a favor, they think they’re doing something right by exposing any possible skeletons. In the past two nights I’ve watch Nightly News, they’ve shown two stories on people’s views of Gov. Palin, one on an Alaskan woman who didn’t agree with Gov. Palin and people who did, and another following the same format. Does anyone recall an investigation into whether or not Barack Obama is fit for office, or a segment on voters (anyone not supporting McCain) who don’t agree with him?

This morning on Today, Joe Biden reacted to Palin’s speech as nothing but attacks on Obama. Wake up Joe, the women’s trying to get her running mate elected! Why on earth would she lift Obama any higher in praise then he already has? Plus, what do you call last week when Democrats said, “We can’t have four more years of failed Republican policies,” or, “McCain voted with Bush ninety percent of the time”?
And speaking of Joe Biden, we’ve all seen the reaction Palin is getting- she’s not a part of Washington, so how is Joe Biden change for America? Rush Limbaugh put the idea out that Obama might rethink his VP choice. One Obama changing his position Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said this, “hope for his sake, Joe Biden got that VP thing in writing.” Hmmm, who knows, Barack Obama might want a piece of Sarah Palin. But he may have to get in line, because all of America wants a piece of Palin (and I mean that in a good way).