Style often trumps substance in debates

Palin looked like she was running for PTA president....not a Vice President of the USA. Her words are very empty, memorized, and only parroted the Party line. Some think she did better than her Couric interview....of course she did. She had a lot of time to prepare and memorize her role.

It's hard to believe people are actually considering senator Barrack Hussein Obama for president of the United States. I can't believe all the things the media hides about him. It's unbelievable that his wife has never been proud of our country. That Barrack has the nerve to go to Europe and talk down about his country. He has no American pride. The democrats seem to be running on this "America sucks" campaign. It's amazing. And quite personally offensive. How could Barrack sit in that church for 20 years with an anti American preacher? How can he have a close personal friend who is a terrorist and blatantly admits he would bomb us again if given the chance? The fact that he was the second man to gain the most money from Fannie and Freddie Mac, not to mention Lehman bros. How are people overlooking these issues? I'm sorry for going on and on, I've just never witnessed so much stupidity in my life. Can someone tell me why we Americans are suddenly being blind and leaving our better judgment behind? And don't tell me because you just want to get rid of bush. Guess what… he wont is president anymore after Jan 20, 2009. And don't think for one minute that I buy that garbage the Democrats are trying to sell us about McCain and Bush being the same. Study politics for more than a day and you'll know that McCain is a liberal conservative. Not a hard core republican. McCain is known for going against his own party when he's see's corruption. Not only that but Bush never did represent republican values. He represented BUSH values. The republicans hate bush even more than you do. The republicans crave a new president to give them back they're good name. I too can't stand bush. In fact I loathed him so much that I voted for Kerry in 04. The difference between Kerry and Obama is that Kerry actually had morals; he wouldn't talk down about the country he fought for himself. Don't forget about all the good republicans. Remember Abraham Lincoln? Regan? Just to name a few. Just because you hate bush is no reason to blindly vote for a man who know one truly knows. Haven't we learned anything from the past elections? I guess we truly are doomed to repeat our past. Look at the records of John McCain and Obama. That will speak volumes. But if you're satisfied with voting for someone because the media seems to love him and he knows how to use a teleprompter, feel free. It's your vote, it's your right. I'm sure that is how Hitler came to power. Germany had just lost a war, they're economy was suffering. Suddenly a man named Adolf Hitler showed up on the scene. He knew how to speak very well. And on top of that he gave the country a scapegoat to blame for all they're problems. (The Jews). Obama is doing the same thing. He arrives on the scene when we the county perceives that we are loosing a war (thanks to the democrats, pure genius). Also our economy is in the tank. Obama knows how to use a teleprompter and suddenly the country swoons. And like Hitler, The media is in love with Obama, which means he will never be truly tested the way a president should be. He will get an easy pass on all the hard issues. They will not question his shady associations and foul politics. To top it all off, he too has a scapegoat to blame for everything. The republicans. Only if you truly do your research, you soon realize the democrats are no where near innocent. But I can see that the country seems to be eager to eat all this up. It scares me. Good luck guys, we will need it.

Um...jwilbourn...

This article is about Palin and Biden. Please try to keep your diatribes relevant.

I know it's hard to hear the truth, so dont worry, I'm done. You can have the floor back, besides, you've probably got plenty of lies to promote.

So you think Obama is like Hitler. You are a collective nut! You really think he will start annexing other countries and try to take over the world? Are you kidding me? Don't spout that crap if you don't want to be called on it! Go back to your fall-out shelter and wait for the big one!!! Give me a break! You guys must be pissing down your leg right now in anticipation of how "lip-stick Pitbull" Palin is going to get creamed tonight. I'm taking shots of Bourbon every time she says 911 or Regan.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08

I'm sure not even you, Russ-KTLM can defend Obama and give me one good reason to vote for him besides this bogus "change" slogan fed to you by the democrats. When you get an original thought of your own, i'll be here waiting. when i say that Obama's rise is like Hitlers rise, that's exactly what I mean. I did not say he would be annexing other countries and taking over the world. Even you with should be able to draw the parallels' to this. If not, your simply not willing to have an educated debate. and in that case, i dont want to debate with you anyway. I'm just waiting for one liberal to tell me why it's a good idea to vote for Obama. I want facts, records, dont go spouting off the liberal media talking points. get real. this is not american idol, it's the presidency!!!! we have to be serious here. At least Jon McCain actually had the balls to defend our country with his life. Much more respectable when you hear all the anti american retoric that comes out of Obama and his wifes mouth. If you cant see that, I dont know what to tell you. If american sucks so bad, all i have to say is.... leave. im sure the democratic europeans would love to have you. you can see how good liberalism is working out for them. also i'd like you to name just 1 democratic run state that is doing well today. just one. look at michigan and what the democrats did there. absolutey dispicable.

Yea, I knew you didn't want to have a serious debate when you started spouting all that Hitler crap. It just ruines your credibility. As for qualifications, how about top of his class at Havard. Twelve years of teaching Constitutional Law. And if you want to talk about dispicable, how about what your beloved Bush did to your constitutional rights? If you think your girl Palin is just going to smile and glide through this debate like it is a beauty contest then I have a bridge to nowhere I would like to sell you. It seems like you'll buy anything.

Good luck with that Hitler thing.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

I figured it would take you a while to dig something up. So let me get this straight, while Barrack was "teaching" for 12 years, John McCain was actually doing something. he was not only in the war but was in the senate for a vast number of years. Combating crooked politicians just like Barrack. It doesnt bug you at all that Barrack is preaching that he's the great "Clean up guy" when he clearly benefitted from this housing crisis. Just the fact that we are actually talking about style being rated above substance proves where this country is going. i feel like i'm watching the movie "idiocrasy" over and over. A liberal like you probably wont even question anything about Barracks intergrity. even if you found out he was a terrorist himself, you'd still vote for him. Your Psycho. Keep drinking the Kool-Aide. I know it taste's good. It's so easy to be a democrat. you dont have to stand up for anything. you just have to believe in everything.

You mean like the Keating 5. He didn't combat that, he was part of it. And how you Republican tirds scoff at the honest work of teachers. And then you throw more mud and hope it sticks. How did Barack benifit from the melt down of the mortagage market? I see you have abandon your Hitler analogy. You Republicans can't have it both ways; if he hasen't been in the Senate long enough to have any experiance, how is it that he has been there long enough to become corrupt enough to bring down the entire housing market of the entire country? Who's drinking the Kool-Aid now? What an Idiot!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Yea you know the other side is running out of good argument material when Godwin's Law makes an appearance.

Have you been living in a cave?? o no nevermind, the reason you dont know the facts is becuase the liberal media refuses to tell you. listen you can keep drinking all the liberal Kool-Aide you want. and no i do not abandon my theory on Hitler. i think it's very scary whenever any person rises to quick fame and is not even cross examined first. Especially when the media seems to treat him like a god and avoid his character issues like the plague. Listen go do some research. learn the truth about fannie mae and freddie mac. you will see that Barrack "walk on water" huessein Obama was the 2nd person to profit the most from these orginazations. ooh and dont let me leave out Leehman bros. and what's worse. the guy who helped run freddie and fannie into the ground with corrupt policies and book cooking is now Barracks financial advisor. you and i both know the truth. Stop dancing around it. The smart people can see through this. Your letting your stupid show.

jwilbourn is on the right track. He must be. Russ-KTLM failed to provide one single piece of Obama legislation that "changed" anything for the better. Obama was a student and a teacher of law. No offense, but how many people here really like lawyers? Did he learn to vote "Present" in law school? Not really much of an accomplishment.

Also, jwilbourn's opening post pretty much summed it up. I'm waiting for Russ-KTLM to stop hiding behind his "Hitler excuse" for not responding, and actually come up with something Obama has done to (beneficially) "change" America. I "hope" he tries.

If you want a list of Obama's accomplishments you don't have to go any further than his website. Do you really need me to list them for you? And if you really going to tar someone for having advisers who have taken money from Freddy and Fanny, you don't have to go any further than the McSame advisers.. the "liberal" media likes to call it 15k a month. Let me do the math for you, that's 165k a year from each, 330k. Now who's corrupt? I see you two turds have still abandoned your Hitler analogy. That is why I posted, not to take-up for any one politician. You keep calling me a liberal. I don't think I've declared myself anything at this point. You want to talk disparaging of Obama's accomplishments and yet you refuse to answer about the Keating 5.

And If the media is so biased for Obama, what do you think they would do if Obama had a sixteen-year-old pregnant daughter. How about those financial advisers; McSame's was calling this economic down-turn a figment of our whining imagination a few weeks ago. What was his name? Is he still with the campaign? I want that guy on my side!!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

I didn't think you would have an answer for that. What a couple of smucks. Come back anytime you want to make rediculous analogies and want to get your kestere kicked! Don't be so stupid!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Russ-KTLM-

No doubt the Obama website is "non-partisan". You still have not named one single solitary piece of Obama legislation that has "changed" America for the better. Not a single one.

But before I get started, read this: McCain was cleared, yes cleared, r.e. the Keating Five, and was subsequently (obviously) re-elected. All this happened about 17-19 years ago. Moot point. Next, we will discuss current events.

Obama has the 2 biggest crooks, who made millions off the Fannie and Freddy corruption/ scandal, running key economic positions in his campaign. He associates with terrorists. He has the most Liberal record/agenda in the modern era. He has virtually no experience. Zip. Zero. Nada.

I am not "The Turd" (nice name calling, btw...) that conceived the "Hitler Analogy" (which, if you really look at it, the similarities are striking...) . I did not call you a "Liberal".

I answered the Keating question- now you owe me one single solitary Obama written/ sponsored anything that he did in government that brought positive "change".

I don't owe you anything. If you want to interject yourself into these ridiculous Hitler analogies, take your lumps. Keep throwing mud. Maybe some Limbot will believe you. I hope Palin makes these same kind of analogies. If you two turds think anyone is going to take her seriously because shes pretty, have at it. You seem to want to exonerate McSame because it was a long time ago. Exonerated, I think not. I thought you two wanted to get rid of the old-school corrupt politicians? What happened to that? If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Obviously.... I think i'm in love. wow. It's so good to know there are a couple people left with brains. first of all, for those who arent aware. I'm a woman. who used to be a democrat until i realized that they are a party purly based on lies. I grew up in a poor family and therefore thought i was a democrat by defualt. Afterall they are "for the people" right? wow was i wrong. as i grew older i realized that all democratic policies to is keep the poor in the ghetto and keep the minorities that they preach to down. see there's a big difference between giving someone a fish, and teaching someone how to fish. Dont buy into the liberal crap, i did. and i did it for way too long. I used to preach the exact same stuff that "Russ-KTLM" is preaching. i know his arguments all to well. problem is, there is no real substance to them. Kind of like watching Barrack at the debate the other day. I saw John McCain mop the floor with him. He basically gave Barrack a schooling that he's been needing for years. The liberal phycho media was quick however to rush to Barracks side and declare him a false victory. The smart people know what's going on here. the problem is convicing the Kool-Aide drinkers before it's too late. Dont they realize that raising taxes on 85 percent of small business will creat more outsourcing? dont they think of the next step. To me a liberal is a very idealistic person who says' a lot of things that sound good. but that's about it. when you dig deaper into the issues, you realize they're arguments dont work in reality. the ideas they have will only work in story books. Oh how i wish life were that simple. How i wish we could just sit down with terrorist and "talk" it out. sorry guys, not gonna work. but i guess you will finally realize that when someone get's nuked and we have to go back to the middle east once again and take care of business. Good luck "Obvious" and America... were gonna need it.

and by the way.. to address the "Hitler" issue. I do not normally make that comparisson as i think it looses it's creedence every time you do. however this situation is so simular that i couldnt resist. The parallels are glaringly obvious in this case. i think people really should ask themselves the tough questions they have been avoiding about Obama. I know it's tempting to jump on the Obama bandwagon. I get it. But you must learn from history. Question authority. Dont just let him slide through to presidency without being tested. trust me, this will be a decision you regret for years to come. be prudent. you should be angry that he is not being scrutinized properly.

I'm only hearing crickets mr. Russ-KTLM. I didnt scare you off did I?

jwilbourn and obviously, I understand your angst.  Just a few short weeks ago the infusion of Palin into McCains failing campaign gave doltz like you two a ray of hope.  You two knuckleheads saw the polls giving McCain a little boost and you guys got excited and way too prematurely optimistic.   Then, the walls started caving in when Palin started talking.  It became painfully obvious to everyone including you two nutcases that your glimmer of hope was a pure airhead in fine clothing.

So now that the realization has settled in, you revert back to the old tried and true politics of dirt and mud and simply trash.  However, this election cycle is different from the previous mudslingers of the past.  Namely, the American people are pretty much fed up with your kind of BS.  We all are suffering under failed Republican economic policies.  We all see the end result of your candidate's mantra of DEREGULATION.  We are no more afraid of the world, nor do we have the penchant for more unjustified wars.  And most importantly, we are sick and tired of people like you two whose hate filled diatribes are a cancerous, odorous, malignant disease that needs to be surgically removed from the American pysche.   And you two nitwits are a damned good place to start...

wow LLM Truth, you sound like a typical phsyco liberal. Good to know your all the same. Thanks for illistrating my point exactly. Actually i think you are truely the previous writer in disguise. you talk just like him. you changed your screen name didnt you? to make it look like you werent the only idiot? awe... poor guy. get a life.

Levi, for the most part I agree with you it is about the last 8 years of failed policies and unjust wars, that's true.  However, there is one aspect to Palin that is vital to this election; and that is the fact that McCain is 72 years old with 4 bouts of melanoma cancer under his belt.  There is a very distinct possibility that this unqualified, unlearned, illogical woman could become our next President.  That fact right there should be enough to scare every single American to a Democratic ballot.  Palin's foreign affairs experience is that "she can see Russia from Alaska"?  We all should be very scared of this woman.

Those of you who have invented or even alluded to failures or inaction of Barrack Obama haven't read or listened to the Congressional Record or his energy, intelligence and work in the many areas that make and will make a difference on Main Street, USA. If you want to dream up gossip and write about it here you are just making yourselves look ignorant and immature. You'd be better off if you were honest with yourself and with those who are reading your garbage.

OklahomaMom,

I don't think there is any doubt Bush will stick out for his two terms as President. I also believe some Americans have become so superficial that they cannot or will not see what is going on around them. You may want to add that some are such party puppets that they can not separate politics from reality. You said," Too bad liberals don't see the value of having any morals or standards instead of "image". I really hadn't noticed that, I always thought that God would probably be the judge of character not a political party. I guess we learn something every day.

Are you running for office ;)

OklahomaMom...
You've got to be kidding! Palin has been all show and no substance! Democrats have no morals??!! Oh, yeah, you're right...this administration has just wreaked of morals for the last eight years!
They dress McPalin up in a pretty red "power suit" and stick her out there at the podium. But when she's comes down and has to talk with any sort of knowledge she stumbles all over the place.
And let me see...McSame wasn't for more off-shore drilling, now he's for it, he was against the "bridge to nowhere"...oh wait then he takes on the VP candidate from Alaska that supported it, oh right SHE changed her mind...oh yeah!...she even kept the money for it even though the bridge was never built.
Check again on the party with no morals. The problem conservatives are pretty self-righteous and then are the first to break their own rules. Hypocrisy at it's finest.

OklahomaMom...

What color is the sky in your world????

Just how many Republican "leaders" need to be caught with their pants around their ankles before you let go of Clinton's?

history will bear out who was great leader

Please share with the class exactly what Bush has done that qualifies him, in any way, shape or form as a great leader?

Neighborhood,

Don't forget that the money she kept from that bridge to nowhere was used to build a ROAD leading UP TO that "bridge". Palin's Road to an edge of a cliff.

I'll be counting the use of her "filler words" as she talks tonight (Here "in Alaska", "my belief is...")

And I read an article that said she was being coached on McCains views for office...I'm sorry, but I want to know HER views, her opinions - not the memorized McCain stuff she's gonna regurgitate. McCain's gonna die. I want to know HER platform IF she becomes president.

She uses the same speech and talking points she started with at the convention - nothing new. Its like a broadway performace. "Gee John, do ya think they're getting tired of me saying the same thing?"
"No, Sarah. Besides, the speech writers are writing you new material for the debate. After the debate, you will have new lines to spew until the election. Then, if we win, you don't have to do anything. It will be all about ME. So you just take care of Trig & keep that other Palin girl from geting pregnant & embarrasing me"

MaryAnn....good post

...don't worry just because a lot of Americans have turned into a "sound byte" generation

I believe there will be enough "people of substances" viewing to catch all of her buzz word

"jibber jabber" for the rest of McMummy's house of cards to tumble.....she does after all

have the BEAUTY QUEEN style answers for everything....Mrs America Pageant should have

been her goal....not trying to SCREW the NATION MORE than even McMummy.

...for the curious google CAITLIN UPTON'S and remember her when the debate starts

then go and LYAO....Sarah Palin the mature version of Caitlin Upton.

OklahomaMom. I'm very proud to call you a fellow american. Your my kind of person. You seem very respectable. Dont let all this bogus liberalism get to you. in the end, people like you and me, who resepect our county and actually have a brain will come out on top. People are quick to blame something/someone for their problems. it's a known fact about humanity. This time they are just blaming bush for everything. Dont be troubled. your very right about history, it will indeed show a different story. but of course people wont see the entire picture until they've handed this country over to the overspending, anti ameircan liberals who will likely make things much much worse. that's the funny thing. i too belive Barrack will be change. I just dont agree that it will be good change. Anyone who can get behind a shady character like his, is either mis informed or has low moral character. At least you dont have to count yourself as one of them. Thanks for being a good american. I hope my kids will see more examples of people like you as they grow up.

jwillbourn, You voted for Bush, right? EVERYBODY, LISTEN UP! jwillbourn, KNOWS EVERYTHING! HE VOTED FOR BUSH/CHENEY AND WANTS MORE, OF THE PAST 8 WONDERFUL YEARS!

THAT MAKES HIM THE SMARTEST PERSON ON EARTH AND THE REST OF YOU WHO

WANT MORE FINANACIAL SECURITY

AND NEW LEADERSHIP

AND RESPECT IN THE WORLD

AND WANT THE WAR WE CAN'T AFFORD TO END....ARE ALL MORONS!

So let me make sure I understand you OKLAHOMAMOM, you think Sarah Palin is qualified and filled with SUBSTANCE, and that John McCain picked her because she is better for the country than any other Republican choice candidate he could have made, and he made that decision to pick her not for his own reasons (being mortified by how well the DNC went), but because she IS qualified, smart, and full of SUBSTANCE, and well prepared to be Commander and Chief becuase Putin has raised his little head from across the channels, giving her all that foreign policy experience, right?

Or do you guys just like slamming Obama because its easier to deal with.

No actaully Victor, i voted Kerry in the last election because i never thought bush supported true republicans. that tired "bush is the same as mccain" argument is getting old. People know it's not true. Bush cleary isnt running in this election. Once again. drinking to much liberal media kool-aide. I dont know why you simply assumed i voted for bush. I only vote for true republicans. if i cant get one of those, i'll take the next best thing. Let me tell you right now that Obama will bring change to this country, he's right. only it will be a very very bad change. Good luck. cant wait till you see the effect his tax raises will have on small business. with any luck, you will be one of the ones that loose your job to outsourcing. Get your facts straight Obama worshiper!

I stand corrected.  You seem to be an educated man.  You do agree that if Obama is unable to pull a fix-all rabbit out of his hat, it would be due to no fault of his own.  The counties nightmare is not his fault and condeming the man before he's had an opportunity to provide some resolve (no matter the size) is unfair.

OklahomaMom said in conclusion:

"...Too bad liberals don't see the value of having any morals or standards instead of "image".

Here's another quote for you Mom; "Therefore thou are inexcusable, old man, whosoever thou are that judges: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemns thyself, for thou that judges does the same thing." (Romans 2:1).

Case in point: John McCain committed adultery against his former wife.  He abandoned her not because of HER infidelity.  He has lied on numerous occasions.  He accepted bribes from Charles Keating to derail regulaiton.  He has changed positions on every subject that he has stood for or against.  His campaign has been one of scurrilous and vicious attacks based on distortions and out right lies.  Are those the kind of morals you ascribe to?

Apparently Mom, your pretense of moral rightness only applies to those whom you are in political agreement with.  That in itself is a failure of morals on your part, where truth does not matter to you.  Be careful about throwing stones, especially when you live in a glass house.  You claimed to use your brains, but by your ranting post it is obvious that your brain has lost some of its luster... 

JohnWinNC, you said it perfectly. So i don't need to comment. Thanks

John Win NC

...is she going to have a teleprompter? surely the audience will notice if she looks down

to much at her cheat sheet

Tammylou.......
How could you be so supportive of McCain? He re-presented Obama's facts - that's not debating...that's just dumb.
Plus he sounds very nasaly, looks stiff, has a monotone voice, blinks 8000 times/second, and made a few mispronounciations. Perhaps he should debate before his bedtime next time maybe he'd be a little fresher. He also should put a little more Poly-grip behind those dentures so they don't slip during his next debate.

Unfortunately, quite a few of McCain's "facts" were wrong, and misrepresented.

I'm afraid that isn't fact. Mc Cain gave Obama a history and knowledge of foreign affairs. Obama had no idea about 1/2 the things Mc Cain said.

I can see you are a basher, and really have no desire to change your mind. I can see facts don't count.

TammyLou - you're calling the kettle black. I am not a basher, but thank you for the compliment. If anyone needs bashing - it's Palin.

TammyLou has her head up her ass!

Good analysis. Be nice though.

One of the big arguments in the McCain/Obama was concerning Henry Kissinger and whether he had called for talks with Iran and other problem countries. McCain said adamantly that he hadn't and he'd known Kissinger for 35 years. Well, the fact is that Kissinger has called for diplomacy (talks) with these countries. So much for "facts"!

poor Russ Collins. I wish you'd do your research a little better. your right Kissinger did say he'd like to have talks with these other countries on a low level diplomatic playing field. he did not say that he would sit accross he table for Achmedinijad and have tea and talk about the weather. that my friend is Obama's plan. as for Tammy Lou. Thanks for representing sanity. you saw the same debate i did. i dont know where the rest of these people were that night. good luck. we will need it in the years to come. Especially if Barrack is elected. People are so quick to drink up his propoganda and lies wihtout even testing his validity. very very scary thought.

But why did all the Democrats dislike him so? I think he doesn't have a good grasp of himself, (you know, self control wise), I would be afraid he would say something the wrong way to the wrong country and ruin relations.

Now, you need to be honest, if Sarah Palin were a Democrat, her voice would sound more sweet :)

neighborhood - That's how I see her too, snide.  Palin can only bat her eyes and grin so many times until that schtick gets old.

The article quote, referring to Palin as an "ingenue", was a surprise - good grief, the woman is over 40 years old, about to become a grandmother.  Her "cute" routine needs to be exchanged for a more credible demeanor.

You're thinking of Tina Fey :) How many times have you seen Sarah Palin speak? Probably less times than Tina Fey on SNL. (Which was really funny by the way)

Hardly. I could have been maybe a little for McCain...until he brought her on. Now there's no way I would vote for her.
Don't get me wrong...it's not her voice that would make vote against her. Maybe it's the bridge to nowhere...drilling in ANWAR (which McCain also is against)...aerial assaults on wolves, etc...the list goes on and on.
I'm anxious to see how they both handle themselves. Barack Obama will be a great president, and Joe Biden is a great compliment to him.

Again, Tammy, stop speaking for "all Democrats". I'm a Democrat, I have great respect for his service and intelligence, and personally feel he is the strongest of the four candidates.

TammyLou, at least one can decipher what Biden says, because he has something to say. Please - make that arguement for Palin. The woman has no grasp of what's coming out of her mouth because her thoughts are garbled from the brain (I use the term loosely) down.

Sorry for the use of the word "all". I didn't mean to imply everyone, no offense intended.

It just really would have made more sense to bring on Hilary since a large majority of the party wanted her to be President over Obama. Biden had such a small amount of the votes to be president, what if something happens to Obama? Just seemed logical to me.

TammyLou - What if something happens to McCain? Will Palin be up in Alaska waiting for Putin to raise his head in our air space?

TammyLou - Also, If a large majority of the Democratic party had wanted Hillary, and I was a Hillary campaigner, she would have won the nomination. If your reasoning is anything akin to what you call "facts".......

TammyLou - How do you know who and what other people are thinking of? Your arguements and comments are totally substance free.

It isn't snide, it's simply a carryover from her days on the the pageant circuit...think about how she answers questions..."if you could be vice-president, what magazines would you read to assist you in your position?" "All of them." (followed by fluttering eyelashes and cutesy finger gestures). It's all she knows, but don't underestimate it, it's taken her to within reach of the White House.

Obviously -   Wish you'd have given equal time to McCain's blemishes.  Oh well.  His biggest problem, other than letting himself get talked into picking Palin as a running mate, is that he belongs to the Republican party.  People can pick out the attributes of their favorite candidate all day long, but when we are getting slapped in the face by a train wreck economy that occurred during Shrub's watch, well, McCain gets "guilty by association".   The sad thing is, whoever wins the election will be a loser, because he is going to be roasted by the American public when the tax bill starts coming due for all these nightmare deficits.  We have a short memory, and even less patience. 

Don't get me wrong- I do have concerns about McCain, which include his age, immigration policy, and bi-partisanship (which many conservatives consider a weakness). I'm sure we would have gotten into the McCain issues had my stylist been more familiar with the commonly-know facts of the campaign, and had my appointment lasted longer than 18 minutes!

It is also worth noting that McCain was all over this economic "train wreck" years ago, and was stymied by Democratic indifference. The truth of the matter is that the same people that initiated this "train wreck" are currently Obama staffers, and have been assigned the task of "fixing" it. It wasn't W, folks.

Obviously, since you want to bring up Fannie and Freddie, did you also talk about how McCains campaign manager was still getting paid from them up until last month? Did you also talk about Palin being saved from witches from a pastor at her church? Did you also talk about the lies that McCain stands behind in reference to Obama wanting to teach sex education to kindergartners? Did you talk about how McCain voted against raising the minimum wage 19 times? Did you talk about how McCain feels about equal pay for women? If you are going to bring up things about Obama, you need to also speak about McCain. In reference to the individuals responsible for the train wreck, did you forget about Grahmn who was McCains economic advisor and the majority of his staff lobby? I hope you remember these things when you talk to others in reference to why they should vote for McCain. I think that if you told your hairdresser these things, she would not vote for McCain foreal.

You may think "w" could not have done anything about this in 8 years, and if so, why do we even bother with stuff like a Fed, SEC, or paying a Treasury secretary?  8 years, and being broke is what we have to show for it, but they were just helpless, so we should now elect McCain?  No, I don't think so, not for me.  Hope the Democratic party can do better, and honestly, I think just about anyone could do better. 

In the conversation that followed, I discovered that this Obama voter did not know about Ayers, Fannie and Freddy, the Weather Underground, Rev. Wright, 143 days of US Senate experience, Socialism, the bail out, increased taxation, "present" votes, and the other unsavory factoids surrounding decisions made by Obama. This voter has essentially chosen her candidate based on exactly what this article is describing.

Except for the Fannie and Freddy, all are irrelevent, made up issues by the far right which no one cares about except the far right.

DD50- Obama got rich, rich I say, during the Bush administration. What went wrong? :D

Florida_kes: Sources please in regards to the "made up issues". Also, I shudder to think that you consider the other issues irrelevant. Shame.

I agree with the lack of knowledge part. But, how do we educate people, where are civics classes in schools, why do you sabotage your own well layed arguments by being so partisan?
Also, just one point of dispute. Did you know the richest, best educated, best infant survival rates, most per population contributions to third world nations, are the Socialist countries of Northern Europe?

Kim1: In the movie "Men In Black", our heroes used tabloids to find out "what was really going on". This movie was a work of fiction. In saying that, I suggest that you use sources for your comments that are fact-based and easily researched, versus sources written by whimsical individuals with vivid imaginations.

Palin saved from witches? Source please. Obama did back that ridiculous bill. Go look it up. Raising the minimum wage is a horrible idea. What do you think will happen to the prices of everything else? What would happen to small businesses? Inflation? Wouldn't a better idea be to show low income earners ways to increase their earning potential? Show me a verifiable source outlining McCain's policy concerning women's pay. The fact still remains that McCain was calling out the mismanagement at Fanny and Freddy years ago, and that Obama hired the biggest crooks of the bunch to run key positions in his campaign. Don't forget- everything that I have said is easily verifiable, and notably even more amazing than anything you would ever read in a tabloid. I look forward to researching your sources. Thanks.

Peter- It is obvious that you are an intelligent individual that has a fact-based approach to formulating your opinions. It was not my intent to sound partisan. TBH, I'm not the biggest McCain fan in the world, but the Obama alternative is completely unacceptable to me.

Being an American, I am admittedly biased towards a limited-government, Capitalist culture that allows people to succeed. A Socialist based culture may work for other nations, and that's fine.

Let me preface this next point by explaining that I am not a wealthy individual. I have never had "too much money", and when times were tough I got through them. Even at my lowest point, the thoughts of "The government should pay my bills for me" or "Rich people need to give more to less fortunate people" never crossed my mind. It was up to me to bail myself out. With that said, it is completely insane that people who have worked hard and succeeded financially be forced to simply give part of it away to other citizens for nothing in return. Fundamentally, that's similar to an employer paying someone a full week's salary, when the employee only worked a few hours.

Heavy-handed government intervention (Socialism) is what's wrong with the American culture of Capitalism in this day and age. Nothing against the European nations.

I could not have named them very well either, but I sure would have known what the issues were. The Court decision to not take up The Florida SC deciding to set aside the VP Gore protest of voting irregularities, prayer in schools, disabled mental health being better covered by health insurance, public money used to transfer US assets to foreign countries, Mexican transportation allowed in interior US.

You know, people are watching Obama with the same blind eye as they are for Sarah Palin, it just depends on what side of the fence you sit. One is running for President, one is running for VP.

Obama has no experience to be Commander in Chief, (that is a fact) but is an exceptional orator so people like the warm fuzzy feeling he portrays (and darn if he doesn't have a great smile)

Palin is also lacking experience with foreign affairs, but she too can relate to the average Americans (you know, the ones with real life challenges such as a special needs child, teenagers and those who are not schooled lawyers and other honorable professions ;)

It's just what are we voting on here. One WILL be Commander and the other COULD be commander. Many people live past 76 years old what makes you think McCain is going to die!

Tammy - My guess is that McCain would drop dead upon being presented with the 2009 tax bill. 

Obviously, none of those persons mentioned has experience at Commander in Chief.  Obama rose above his humble beginnings, as regards the "average American", but Palin, well, not so much.  Guess we'll find out soon enough how it goes.

Ha ha...2009 tax bill, that was good. I shouldn't laugh, but I got a clear picture of this in my head! :)

Quick Fact- Palin is the lone candidate on either ticket that has executive branch experience, and has run a military (Akaska National Guard).

In addition, if you want to cover "humble beginnings", I would point out that Palin is an ex-PTA mom, turned ex-mayor of a 9,000 citizen town, turned Governor of the State of Alaska, turned Vice Presidential candidate.

Okay you asked the question....

why are people worried McCain might die?

Could it be his family history where the men (and last time I checked McCain is a man)
died in their late 60's early 70's.

Has had multiple bouts with a deadly form of cancer, Melanoma.

Physically looks stiff and arthritic and mentally seems befuddled at times.

And who knows what else might be hidden in his medical records.

Tammy - Yeah, poor guy, really.  But then, whoever is prez has a dreadful task ahead - and we all get to pay and pay and pay.  And then, the other shoe drops, and the "third rail of politics", Social Security, will go broke too.  Sigh.

DD50 - why do you say Obama has humble beginnings...his grandmother who raised him was a VP at a Bank ... & he went to private school...doesn't sound so humble to me...

Obviously:

MY mom was PTA Presient - twice!
She worked for a short time as a bookkeeper and ran a household with 5 kids, staying under budget. I suppose you can say she has International Relations Skill due to overseas relatives/friends...

Hey wait...I'vo gotta call Mom! She needs to run for President in 2010!

oops! 2012

Mary Ann-295349- You should be proud of your mom!

"International relations" are important for anyone in the Federal Government. If you could be so kind as to point out what Governor of a US State has Foreign Relations experience, and why they should have it, I would look forward to reading it. I hope that you understand that Obama has no measurable foreign policy experience if you take away the rock concert in Europe, and the (bordering on treasonous) chat he had with Iraqi leaders asking for them to stall troop withdrawl plans until post-election. Shady.

If your mom can get the public support, it would be neat to see her run against Palin & Hillary in 2012 :D

the problem with your analogy Steffon is that Obama has both, style and substance! We all know that McSame is a lying scumbag!

McCain? Substance???? If you find some, feel free to share some with the rest of the class.

That is true, agreed. 

so true Bob.

vote for facism, I think not!