The first break of the ball game had the "not ready ... yet" ad. After listening to the half-hour Obama ad, my response to McCain is "So what? You're not right for this job at all."

Apparently you aren't watching the TALKING HEADS on WJ this morning...GOD, I'm sick of any old guy/gal off the street (actually that would be better) sitting up there trying to tease out something that sounds like sense for half an hour...few are well informed or well read, apparently. I so agree with the BIG/small point of view but not the OBVIOUS conclusion. For those of us who have already vetted and selected Obama as our choice on continues to wonder at THE STUPID!!!

That's really how the two campaign messages break down. Obama wants to make America better for everyone. McCain wants 50.1% of Americans to fear and hate the rest of us.

With the way the polls are going now, every time Palin or McCain make an attack, they're essentially saying: "Be careful, people, or this democracy is going to wind up in the hands of the majority!"

The Obama campaign continues to impress with their ability to stay on message and execute. The ad was, I think, just what undecideds would be looking for. They may not all be swayed, but they at least have a full understanding of Obama's ability to relate to the problems facing the middle class and his specific policy prescriptions.

Oh, and Obama could always work as a professional narrator if this whole president thing doesn't work out.

Life is often about contrasts. Contrasts and those decisions made by observation of what consequences await that decision. I guess I am a Liberal Elitist but I can't for the life of me see how anyone could not choose what is being offered by Obama over the hate and fear mongering being offered by McCain and his bottom feeding VP.

If she is the great white hope of the Conservative party that group is destined to languish in the cellar for quite some time. I think people are tired of being afraid. They want more than paranoia to look forward too every morning. They want hope.

It will be close but my guess is that the hope contingent will trump the hate one this time around. If not, there is little that can be done to slow the sinking of this Republic in corkscrew fashion to it's final resting place.

The contrasts between Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin are vast.

Two are adults.

Two are dolts.

This morning's Reuters headline sums it all up:
"McCain hits Obama on experience, economy"
Not "McCain outlines economics plan," not "McCain proposes bold domestic initiatives," nothing of the kind. No reason why anyone should vote for McCain, just more made-up shit about why no one should vote for Obama. McCain is, indeed, the anti-candidate.

can anyone provide a URL to stats? e.g. how many people watched, reactions among undecideds, etc.?

The whole Khalidi nonsense is amazingly disengenous, and Politico and CNN and the rest taking dictation from the Repuglican campaign are missing the real story: All indications are that McCain's connections to Khalidi are much closer than Obama's. McCain and the Rpublican party has given Khalidi over $500,000!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/mccain-funded-work-of-pal_n_138606.html

&

http://harpers.org/archive/2008/10/hbc-90003779

If Obama's relationship to Khalidi is somehow disqualifying or dangerous, then McCain's is even more so, and reporters should ask him about it when he chooses to bring up Khalidi's name.

"It will be close . . . "

Actually no. It won't be close. Obama will win by a wide margin, both in the popular vote and (even more so) in the electoral college, which is the only vote that matters. And his coattails will sweep in commanding Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

This election was over four weeks ago.

Although I am an Obama supporter, I hadn't planned on watching the ad, but I found it compelling and have to agree with an earlier comment. How can any thinking persons not see the obvious choice? Guess many choose not to think.

I went to bed last night with the knowledge that Chardon, Ohio is a very Republican town, and I've heard just about every disparaging remark possible about Obama from my neighbors over the past year. But when I woke up this morning, the number of McCain/Palin signs on my street was down---from three, to just one---and I am writing these words with the knowledge that the two households who "lost" their McCain signs are the homes of Republicans who watched that half-hour episode last night.

Not Blue-Dog Democrats; not Libertarians; not conservative Independents, mind you---but rock-solid, long-term Republicans.

Their consensus: Barack Obama is not only the better choice for the office of President, but he's also the better choice for meeting---what used to be, at least---the core principles of the GOP before the party was kidnapped by the whacked-out fringe elements.

I honestly never thought that I'd see and hear a long-term Republican say that Barack Obama makes for a better Republican than John McCain---and my day has started by experiencing it twice.

Damn---and it's not even 9 in the morning here yet....

The contrast could not be starker, or more revealing. Obama focused on real Americans to tell the story of America and explain why he wants to lead it. To explain his campaign, McCain had to invent a fake and a fraud -- Joe the Plumber.

i've been watching this campaign closely for the last 18 months, as we all have. even tho i'm a obama supporter, i thought i had become pretty well conditioned to his rhetoric and delivery. but i've got to tell you, i got choked up on multiple occasions during this infomercial. here is a candidate willing to subject himself to the ridicule and accusations of hubris for producing an infomercial to talk about his belief in the fundamental goodness of the american story, the american people. the message of his vision of government enablement of the american story played a secondary role, at best.

it really is remarkable to listen to a candidate days away from the presidency who understands what america wants to be, the story it wants to tell. in previous elections, both democratic and republican candidates have been stuck in their own narratives, campaigning on the america they wanted.

the unselfishness of obama's message and his respect for the american story gets me all verklempt.

Thanks, swb. You weren't the only one tearing up. I've always thought Obama was way too middle-of-the-road, but there is something really genuine about him as a human being. It would be great to have an emotionally healthy person in the white house.

You know Republicans are just gnashing their teeth because they don't have the money to do this.

I think it was great that for 30 uninterrupted min. that Obama and others could make the case for Obama. No yelling was necessary and because it was 30 min. he could use the language he want and not be reduced to sound bites. The tone was calm and he/they were talking to grown-up and not pandering to the base like Republicans have the last week+.

Yesterday showed us two things: Obama is the President; McCain is small-minded, mean-spirited, petty little man.

Definition of viral

October 29, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Views: 202

October 29, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Views: 73,975

October 30, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Views: 565,143

American Stories, American Solutions

I loved it. But when it when live, I turned to my husband in jest and said "He's going to ask us all to phone bank..." And he did! ; )

@ET: "You know Republicans are just gnashing their teeth because they don't have the money to do this."

And if Obama had not lied in his teeth about taking public financing, what would this race look like?

If the Republicans had outspent the Democrats by the levels that we see going the other way, this would not even be a 20 point race.

Not gnashing teeth, just asking the question.

That alone tells me that Obama is not the run-away favorite that most portray him to be. If Gore or Kerry had four times the funds that Bush had in the last eight weeks, "Bush Legacy" would refer to "no new taxes," and "Iraq I."

Yesterday showed us two things: Obama is the President; McCain is small-minded, mean-spirited, petty little man.

It's been that way since Barack went to the Middle East in the summertime.

his campaign is quite clearly about making life better for the American people

No wonder the Republicans can't deal with it.

And if Obama had not lied in his teeth about taking public financing

But he didn't. Obama proposed taking public financing as part of a deal, with conditions. McCain -- who did his own little public/private financing two-step during the primaries, let's not forget -- didn't take the deal, so Obama walked away.

And anyway, your analysis is flawed. Obama's campaign is financed by millions of small donations from millions of Americans (most of who, even now, are not maxed out on the amount they can legally contribute). If McCain could raise money that way, he'd be welcome to refuse government financing and take real public financing the way Obama has. The money picture actually proves that Obama is much, much more popular than McCain.

If the Republicans had outspent the Democrats by the levels that we see going the other way, this would not even be a 20 point race.

And if pigs had wings... The problem, again, is that the Repukes aren't popular enough to be in a position to outspend the Democrats the way you suggest.

Hawke@9.24a - Obama HAD to have his infomercial (what a dumb word) to introduce himself to the few remaining voters who haven't been following the election closely.

He was an "unknown", while McCain has been around for years.

Money well spent.

McCain: A campaign run on the public dole

You know Republicans are just gnashing their teeth because they don't have the money to do this.

McCain didn't have the capitalistic chops to opt out of public financing. He doesn't know how to run a business, offer a product, and grow a user base.

Instead he relied on socialism, the American people, to fund his campaign. And just like socialism as an idea, so too, McCain's campaign can't hang with a finely run business.

Before the ad I was thinking that the thirty minutes were going to be about Obama. After watching I felt that the ad was about me, my family, friends and everyone else doing the best they can to make it through lean times. Very, very well done.

I wasn't interested in watching the infomercial; I've already decided to cast my vote for Obama. My wife, who also supports Obama, did, and it made her weep. Some emotion may have been from individual storylines, but overall her emotion reflected her hope in a person who may soon be elected, and once elected, will honorably lead this country, and work to do the right thing at all times. I imagine she was not the only one similarly touched. ABC delaying their broadcast might actually work in their favor, as some who passed on this last night will want to see what sparked these reactions.

Counting down for the Re-puke-lican attack machine to go after any named American in Obama's ad.

>>Which is willing to engage those with whom he disagrees?

Are you kidding me? You actually think Obama wants to engage his detractors? The people who are accused of "desperate" and "racist" behavior any time they have any criticism of him? Please. Obama is an ultra-partisan liberal. And his 30 minute infomercial was cookie-cutter emotional manipulation campaign swag. Not to mention a lavish display of money in the form of ad buys. Obama called himself his "brother's keeper" -- really?? Is that why his actual brother still likes in squalor in Kenya? Please.

I've been saying such things as "I'm looking forward to when the grown-ups are back in charge" and "it will be wonderful finally to have a president that we can respect and admire", but I think Michael Sternberg really put his finger on it when he said, "it would be great to have an emotionally healthy person in the White House". The other side couldn't be more opposite to that.

The 30-minute ad was wonderful: pitch-perfect, calm and rational and hopeful, forward-looking. It made Obama look like he was running for his second term as president. By showcasing numerous real people with real problems, it should have really connected to swing voters and the equivalent of Nixon's old "silent majority", and not incidentally I think it made Joe the Plumber look like a farce. The timing was perfect: long enough to get some discussion and to go viral, but not long enough (I hope) for the Republicans to do much about it or for the glow to fade away before the election.

I'm hopeful that Obama just won himself a swing of an additional 5-10 percentage points among the viewing audience, but at the very least he must have dramatically reinforced the weakest 10-20% of his supporters, at least of those who saw the ad. However, I haven't yet heard how many people watched it.

Counting down for the Re-puke-lican attack machine to go after any named American in Obama's ad.

Let 'em try. I bet they were vetted better than Palin (or Joe the Plumber).

It has come down to hate and fear versus a genuine vision for the future.

Hopefully it won't be a repeat of the last election where hate and fear won Karl Rove's magic 50.1 percent.

You actually think Obama wants to engage his detractors?

He went out of his way to engage "Joe" the "Plumber" in Ohio, even though "Joe" was clearly a braindead Republican partisan who wouldn't vote for Obama even knowing that Obama would give him a tax cut.
Speaking of engagement, has Sarah Palin held a press conference yet? Pretty cowardly for a pitbull. I guess trying to create more guilt by association takes up most of her time.

I thought the ad was perfect way to sum up a campaign that has by and large taken the high road. And it wasn't too cerebal, which is good at this point.

But I really fear that this Khalidi nonsense will work for McCain over the weekend. It pushes a lot of buttons with certain Jewish voters who still doubt Obama's support for Israel. This could easily throw Florida, maybe even PA.

If that tape is released and shows an Arab guy reading a poem about Israelis being terrorists and Obama is present there listening, then the Dems will face a big hurdle going into election day.

I know this is a little ugly, but that's always been the GOP's approach. I've been wrong before about Obama's strategy, I 'm shocked that taking the high road seems to be working. I just hope this Khalidi stuff doesn't resonate.

"Are you kidding me? You actually think Obama wants to engage his detractors? The people who are accused of "desperate" and "racist" behavior any time they have any criticism of him? Please. Obama is an ultra-partisan liberal. And his 30 minute infomercial was cookie-cutter emotional manipulation campaign swag. Not to mention a lavish display of money in the form of ad buys. Obama called himself his "brother's keeper" -- really?? Is that why his actual brother still likes in squalor in Kenya? Please."

I appreciate that the world has once again been turned upside down by Republicans. So much so that a man like McCain born, reared, on the government tit accuses the other side of being socialist.

John McCain, taking federal lands and handing them over to cronies accuses the other side of big government out to exploit the little guy.

John McCain might be the most dishonorable candidate for president in the history of our country. I think Nixon had more integrity. McCain and Scheuneman's great failure was not creating an international crisis or peace talks they could manipulate behind the scenes like Bush I did for Reagan and Kissinger did for Nixon. In the end it's probably because McCain is a reflection of the company he keeps. Not very bright, little foresight, zero knowledge, all a quest for power for power's sake.

The amount of cognitive dissonance from the right wing dead enders who cling to their party as if it is a sports team is laughable at this point. The party of big ideas has none, zero, nada. Think about that for a few minutes. America faces it's greatest challenge thanks to a Republican administration and Republican controlled Congress and yet there are still dead enders holding onto the party for dear life.

I can't think of one Democrat/Progressive/Liberal that wouldn't run as fast as they could away from the party if the situation was reversed.

I did not know about the Obama show but I feel confident that he will be a fine president. McCain has so shot himself in all extremities.

I just hope this Khalidi stuff doesn't resonate.

Probably not, especially when every story about the guy includes the fact that McCain gave him half a million dollars. And I'm sure Obama has plenty of funds left for a large ad buy reminding people of that fact. As Palin would say, "do you really want to go there?"

I still am amazed with how much faith people have in Obama's words. I still can not help but focus on the fact that his only accomplishment has been his own advancement. I don't see where he has ever made any effort to help anyone other than himself - he's been very efficient about where to put his time.

I have no faith in a him because of his past actions. He is too self absorbed.

I don't want to be TRANSFORMED, I want to be DEFENDED. I don't want a hand-out taken from others, I want a good job for myself and my children. McCain's plan will attract capital investment and jobs to the USA.

For a list of over 500 economists from institutions all over this country ( including all of the top Universities such as Harvard, University of Chicago, UofC-Berkley, Princeton, NYU etc) who support McCain's plan, see [www.economistsformccain.com]
This isn't an anonymous survey, these individuals have identified themselves by NAME. Says a lot and I respect and thank them for it. McCain may be imperfect but he is by far the better choice for our nation during these troubled times. The website also contains a list of over 300 economists that reject Obama's plan.

Obama is going to be a hard man for the red staters to hate. I imagine they're up to it, though.

But there's always the hope that this fine man might open their eyes to what's really gone wrong in America. What a breakthrough that would be! Just imagine if they come to their senses, that we liberals are not the root of all evil, that we are not the ones who have caused them so much misery as poor working Americans.

You know Republicans are just gnashing their teeth because they don't have the money to do this.

Why would they want to? They have nothing to sell. I have seen a lot of ads from McCain and the Republicans, but none of them are selling McCain around here. Given the way the Obama campaign is working, the anti-Obama stuff from McCain seems ever more out of touch.

I don't see where he has ever made any effort to help anyone other than himself -

Then you are willfully blind, just like "Joe" the "Plumber".

Before the ad I was thinking that the thirty minutes were going to be about Obama. After watching I felt that the ad was about me, my family, friends and everyone else doing the best they can to make it through lean times. Very, very well done

Anyone who followed the primaries closely has known from the start that it has never been about him. Running against Goldwater in '64, LBJ made a point of saying he wanted "to be president of all of America...not just the rich, not just the well-fed, but of all of America." LBJ was an egomaniac, and ultimately a failure, but he did care about the poor and the downtrodden, and so does Obama. For him, it's always been about America.

The audience did not hear Obama utter the words "McCain," "Bush," or "Republican." There were no cheap shots, no pointed jabs, and really, no partisan remarks at all.

I liked this. I liked how in his speech he simply restated what he wanted to do, and added "Not ________" using the misleading characterization McCain has used (redistribution, whatever), and restating again.

By this he answers the attacks, without counterattacking, in a mature way and refocusing it on the policy issue.

The one advantage of trolls like Kyle S is that it gives us a chance to remind people of facts that have gotten lost in the pile of garbage that McCain has thrown into the campaign.

"An ultra-partisan liberal"??? Okay, Obama has not only worked on nuclear proliferation with Richard Lugar (admittedly, perhaps the finest current example of the best the Republican party can produce) but he also worked on government transparency with Tom Coburn -- the type of Republican I couldn't stand to be in the same room with.

But more than that, the first story that convinced me that Obama was really who he seemed to be was the story of his work in the Illinois State Legislature on getting all police interrogations videotaped.

He had two choices. Get a simple majority of the legislature wit him, and then use the issue against those who voted against it -- which would have been the 'politically smart' thing to do. But it would have made the legislation vulnerable to future Republican surges in the state.

Or he could have kept working with and arguing with, and convincing the very conservative 'downstate Republicans' of the desirability of the idea until he convinced them to go along with the idea, and made the legislation so solid that it couldn't have been changed -- but which would have surrendered any political advantage he could have won for the idea, given up a weapon against the opponents of the idea.

The legislation passed unanimously, and it was hearing that story that first made me an Obama supporter, when I was waffling between several candidates in the primaries.

for the record, rashid khalidi is an american, not palestinian; years ago, i saw his son wearing Bulls shorts, White Sox shirt and a Cubs hat...he looked very threatening in that combination. i also saw, on several occasions, Bill Ayers and his wife watch their children play little league. yes, i live in Terrorland, aka Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, and live in constant fear of rogue academics.
i really can't wait for all this to be over. five days.

I see the trolls are out in force. Enjoy President Obama, bitches.

Hey LS, I noticed two stand out names on that list you give of economists who support McCain: Phil Gramm (the architect of disaster) and Wendy Lee Gramm (former board member of Enron). enuf said. You can have them, I don't want them.

Oh, by the way, check this out:
http://econ4obama.blogspot.com/2008/10/nber-for-obama.html

I think this 30 min program ("infomercial" doesn't do it justice) was yet another smart move by a smart campaign. Watchable, compelling, thematic, targeted, reassuring. It's been a looong campaign and the closing argument theme is just the way to end it.
I'm glad at least a few other people got verklempt. I am not the type that...well...ever gets choked up (early 30s, male, ISTJ, Scandinavian heritage), but the vow near the end to always be open, respectful and deeply listen to the people, I found it heartfelt and sincere. It reminded me of how my father spoke to me when I was a young boy. He was sometimes cerebral and aloof, but was always genuine and had my best interests at heart. If I felt that way during the program, I bet he reached a ton of ENFP's. Obamanos!

I don't want to be TRANSFORMED, I want to be DEFENDED

On January 20, 2009, you'll be able to crawl out from under your bed and toss your pacifier into the trash. Grown-up, mentally-healthy people will be in charge again. Won't that be wonderful?

I don't want a hand-out taken from others, I want a good job for myself and my children

Obama's offering to help your children earn college degrees, but he expects them to work for it.

McCain's plan will attract capital investment and jobs to the USA

Laugh-out-loud stupid.

My impressions (and I'm an Obama supporter, BTW):

1. Can we please get some sort of regulation barring the use of music in political advertisements? Appeal to reason, not emotions, and if that bothers consultants, that's their tough luck.

2. I sadly expect Obama State of the Union messages to continue in the "personality" mode of the past 15 years, with "special guests" in the rafters. Sorry, but I'm sick of the bull, no matter which party it comes from.

For a list of over 500 economists from institutions all over this country ( including all of the top Universities such as Harvard, University of Chicago, UofC-Berkley, Princeton, NYU etc) who support McCain's plan, see [link]

This isn't an anonymous survey, these individuals have identified themselves by NAME. Says a lot and I respect and thank them for it. McCain may be imperfect but he is by far the better choice for our nation during these troubled times. The website also contains a list of over 300 economists that reject Obama's plan.
Posted by: LS

Actually, reality says something completely different. Namely, that many of those economists do NOT support McCain's entire plan, while others have asked to be removed from the list (which McCain's team has yet to do). There's also a few who aren't even supporting McCain for President.

So please, just stop. After all, McCain himself has said:

The issue of economics is not something I've understood as well as I should. I've got Greenspan's book.

for the record, rashid khalidi is an american, not palestinian; years ago, i saw his son wearing Bulls shorts, White Sox shirt and a Cubs hat...

Some in Chicago will tell you that wearing Sox and Cubs stuff is un-American. You're one or the other, a South Sider or North Sider, not both.

ET wrote: "You know Republicans are just gnashing their teeth because they don't have the money to do this."

What would Palin and McCain do if they did have the money? Run a 30 minute attack ad about Bill Ayers, ACORN, socialism and spreading the wealth around?

If they had anything whatever positive to offer the voters, they would be doing it in their regular TV ads, and the fact is, they've got nothing to offer but lies, hate and fear.

go watch the american experience biography of lyndon johnson. be reminded of how transformative a democratic president can be. and notice how the viet nam escalation can be directly tied to republican wingnuts screeching about communism and creating a climate where in order to win the 1964 election johnson had to demonstrate "toughness," taking this nation down a horrific path and ultimately obscuring the truly remarkable legislative successes of the johnson presidency -- civil rights and the war on poverty.

watch it and hope. we need to get back on the road to johnson's vision of "the great society."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/36_l_johnson/

I am an undecided and have a serious question that I want someone to seriously, and thoughtfully, answer: how come when McCain talks about the world as a dangerous place and Obama as inexperienced it is "fear mongering" but when Obama's own VP says we should "mark his words" that there will be something surely coming this way to test Obama's mettle, it's not? To me, I'm more fearful of Biden's words coming true because of his commitment that they will.

Vincent: 1. Can we please get some sort of regulation barring the use of music in political advertisements? Appeal to reason, not emotions, and if that bothers consultants, that's their tough luck.

1. You actually want to regulate the use of music in political ads through legislation? Have you really thought this through, or is this an...emotional reaction?
2. Do you not realize the removing the music from political ads doesn't begin to guarantee that the other elements in them--the choice and presentation of visuals, the writing, the voiceovers, the tone of the candidates themselves--have emotional aspects? Again, I don't think you've thought this through.

JLR asks: "how come when McCain talks about the world as a dangerous place and Obama as inexperienced it is "fear mongering" but when Obama's own VP says we should "mark his words" that there will be something surely coming this way to test Obama's mettle, it's not?"

my two cents:

it's the "inexperienced" part...that somehow obama couldn't react to an attack/crisis but that john could.....

biden, while suggesting that "the world IS a dangerous place" that will "test" Obama, ISN'T saying that Obama WON'T be unable to react....

while an "attack" would be something to "fear," it's the REACTION that matters....there's no guarentee that Mac's reaction would be right and O's wrong.... i actually fear the former over the latter...

does that help??

spellchecka

steve writes: "Which candidate is big and which is small?"

i'll riff on a slightly different topic: "Which campaign is big and which is small?"

i get the daily emails from mccain-palin, the rnc and the occasional letter from the republican senate campaign committee and with one exception every letter is always ripping on obama rather than praising mccain...

they really "got nothing."

I watched it with my oldest daughter, and just hugged her and cried at the end. He had me at the wheat. God we to win.

OK JLR, I will take you at your word. Thoughtfully and seriously -- over the last few months, who has been steady and reasonable and who has been erratic and reactive? When even we Obama supporters were screaming that he needed to hit McCain hard Obama ran his own race. He kept his proverbial "powder" dry. He ran a strong race that incorporated all views from his top advisers. And JLR, his top advisors are both Republican and Democrats. He has gotten endorsed by the right kind of Republican -- the serious ones. Powell, Hagel, Chafee, these are Republicans, while we may not agree on the issues, are as thoughtful and contemplative in their ideas as we are in ours. Those Republican's, even by the left, are highly respected and listened too. These are the grown ups.
So JLR, you decide based on what you have seen in the last few months. Whose finger would you rather have on the trigger? The guy that wants to talk, to work things out or the guy that thinks Bomb bomb bomb Iran is a good response?

And JLR, if you REALLY ARE undecided at this point perhaps you should consider really not voting.

And JLR, if you REALLY ARE undecided at this point perhaps you should really consider not voting.

I really have to laugh at all the comments regarding anyone who does not vote for Obama is stupid. What is really funny is all of those young educated voters are most likely from upper middle class whose parents are paying for their education, lifestyle and those "Abercrombie" clothes. Live in the real world for awhile, where you have 2 kids in daycare, and both of the parents have to work. Was it hard, yes, but we did not expect handouts. Maybe you all should read about Karl Marx and see really how much of that future money that you will be making will be handed out to those who feel it is their right to sit on their behinds and get taken care of. This is America where you have the right to do what you want. If you want to sit on your behind and complain, that is your right, but do not expect me who works 40+ hours to pay for you. You all really need to have a lesson in living....

Maybe you all should read about Karl Marx and see really how much of that future money that you will be making will be handed out to those who feel it is their right to sit on their behinds and get taken care of.

I take it you've never read much yourself, or you'd have a clue that American capitalism-based centrism and Marxism have little in common, and that you don't get to numbers like Obama's by relying only on young upper middle class voters. McCain is getting shellacked by voters from every demographic. That's America doing what it wants. You lose.

I really have to laugh at all the comments regarding anyone who does not vote for Obama is stupid.

I'd like to as well -- perhaps you could quote just one "comment[] regarding anyone who does not vote for Obama is stupid" from this thread, please. Thanks in advance.

I love the smell of troll flop sweat in the morning. It smells like victory.

JRL asked:"...how come when McCain talks about the world as a dangerous place and Obama as inexperienced it is "fear mongering" but when Obama's own VP says we should "mark his words" that there will be something surely coming this way to test Obama's mettle, it's not? To me, I'm more fearful of Biden's words coming true because of his commitment that they will."

Here's my view:

McCain is right, the world IS a dangerous place. And, yes, the next president will be tested.

What makes McCain's statements "fear-mongering" is that McCain, also, will be tested--every president since Harry Truman has been tested by our enemies and sometimes our friends--and he is just as "inexperienced" in making the decisions that a president has to make as Barack Obama.

Nothing that anyone can do truly prepare a person for the awesome responsibility that comes with being the President of the US, with having the the economic and military power of the US and the fate of more than 300 million people at home and perhaps billions around the world in your hands. Not being a naval aviator or POW or even a general or admiral. Or, a senator.

McCain and Biden, thanks to their years in the Senate, may know a lot about Foreign Relations, but all of that knowledge doesn't mean that they have the temperment to make a good decision in a crisis and, then, properly manage the execution of that decision under pressure. It's good to have that knowledge, but knowledge isn't everything that a President needs to have and, if a President has assembled a good team of advisors around him, he can get the knowledge that he requires to make a decision in a crisis.

The ability to assemble a good team of advisors, a willingness to listen to their views, even if there are differing viewpoints, the intelligence to quickly assimilate and process that information, the vision to be able to see all of the options and potential pitfalls of those options, and, then, the ability to calmly and rationally make a firm decision when things are not necessarily clear, the pressure is on, and it is obvious that there will be protests or opposition regardless, are all far more important qualities to look for in a President.

When John McCain points out Obama's inexperience and tells people that he won't be tested because America's enemies know how he will respond, he is either "fear-mongering", "blowing smoke", or talking like a fool. Now, I don't believe that John McCain is a fool. And, I don't think that he is consciously "blowing smoke" because I think he actually believes what he is saying when he says that our enemies won't test him. Which leaves me to believe that he is "fear-mongering".

The problem is that, if he is elected, John McCain WILL be tested by our enemies. But, because he doesn't think that he will be, he's going to be less well prepared to deal with a crisis that tests him than we will need him to be.

How can I say that? Well, just look at how well he has handled the largest responsibility that he has ever had to manage in his life: his campaign. I think that it is fair to say that even Republicans--of all stripes--would agree that McCain has not done a very good job of managing his presidential campaign thus far. And, that should tell you a lot about whether he has the temperment, foresight and capacity to handle a crisis as President which will make having the strength and intestinal fortitude to stand up to physical torture seem easy.

Obama, on the other hand, demonstrated almost immediately with his pick of Joe Biden for his VP candidate that he is a man who knows his limitations when it comes foreign affairs and is willing to surround himself with others who provide the knowledge and experience that he lacks in that area. The fact that he has consulted with Gen.Colin Powell and was able to work with Dick Lugar and Chuck Hagel, indicates that he is even willing to "reach across the aisle" and listen to different viewpoints on foreign affairs.

And, then, you have to look at how he has run his presidential campaign: the planning and organization that raised all that money, registered all those voters, and put such an impressive "ground-game" into place. Whether you like how it was done or not, it is hard not to be impressed by the way that Obama out-fought Hillary Clinton for the Dem. nomination and put himself into a position where he is the front-runner to win this election. That says a lot about Obama's ability to organize and manage and deal with things, doesn't it?

When Joe Biden says that America's enemies will test Obama, if he is elected, and you can count on that, it shows that Obama and Biden know that something is going to be coming and that they are planning on it. If it doesn't, so much the better. But, if it does, they are going to be ready to address it as possible. McCain insisting that he won't be tested not only seems like hubris, but doesn't sound quite so good.

During their first debate, John McCain chided Barack Obama about the difference between "tactics" and "strategy". If you were listening closely, Obama quietly replied that he knew the difference between the two. If you look at how the two have run their campaigns, it is quite apparent that Obama has shown a good grasp of "strategy" as well as "tactics", while McCain has largely mistaken "tactics" for a "strategy".

Whoever is elected President of the US will be tested by America's enemies early on his administration. It seems to me that it is better for us, as Americans, to have a President who understands this, is preparing for it to happen, and who has shown the ability to apply both tactics and strategy on the way to winning the White House.

I really have to laugh at all the comments regarding anyone who does not vote for Obama is stupid.

I really have to laugh at someone like you who fails to understand that it's not voting against Obama that's stupid -- it's the reasons people are giving for not voting for Obama that are stupid.

For example ...

Maybe you all should read about Karl Marx and see really how much of that future money that you will be making will be handed out to those who feel it is their right to sit on their behinds and get taken care of.

It is apparent that you:

1.) Have never read Marx;
2.) Have never read Obama's policy proposals;
3.) Both 1 & 2.

It's apparent because nowhere does Obama suggest the government come in and take over the means of production. Nowhere does he suggest nationalizing our food production or industry.

What he's suggestions is a 3% tax increase for folks making more than $250K. In other words, setting the tax rate to what it was in the 90s.

Sorry, but anyone who thinks that is Marxist is a blithering idiot. If you don't like the label, then pick up a book and learn something before spouting off.

This is America where you have the right to do what you want. If you want to sit on your behind and complain, that is your right, but do not expect me who works 40+ hours to pay for you.

And please tell us who, exactly, is suggesting anything different? Seriously -- show me a single person who can back up your claim. Just. One.

You all really need to have a lesson in living....

Yes, because the 99% of us on this site who are older than 30, have families, and full-time jobs have no clue what "living" is all about. Yep.

/snark

Listen, if you want to vote against your own economic interests, that's your choice.

But for those of us who do, in fact, live in the real world, we're tired of seeing our real wages decrease ... we're tried of seeing families go bankrupt because of medical bills ... we're tired of seeing our young men and women die in an unnecessary war that is costing us billions a month ... we're tired of economic policies that have redistributed wealth upwards ... we're tired of people thinking just a little more deregulation will make everything better ... we're tired of the politics of fear ... we're tired of the bigotry and xenophobia ...

and we're tired as all holy fuck of asshats like you who use unfounded fear, willful ignorance, and flat-out lies in order to continue down a path that has led to unmitigated failure.

I have never felt so strongly about a candidate as I do Barack Obama. I voted for him the first day the polls opened. I spent months reading, watching, listening to him and John McCain. Barack has given me hope and makes me feel I'm making the best decision for my kids.

My son attended one of Obama’s rallies when he came to his college; I got to listen to all of it on speaker phone. You should have heard the crowd's support. It gave me chills!

I pray next Wednesday this country will wake with a new hope for 2009... President Obama.

Read Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. Don't give Obama/Pelosi/Reid the chance to ruin our country.

Read Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. Don't give Obama/Pelosi/Reid the chance to ruin our country.

Posted by: Nan

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA **cough** HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA **wheeze** HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ... HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ... HA HA HA HA ... HA.

Ahem.

You mean the book that takes a predominately righward political philosophy and then disregards every ounce of scholarship on the topic, substitutes actual facts with Jonah's delusional and uninformed beliefs, and just generally clashes with reality in an attempt to paint the left as fascist?

That book?

The one written by a guy who supports a president who authorized torture in violation of the Geneva conventions, tossed the 4th Amendment out the window to spy on American citizens without a warrant, lied the country into a war against a country that wasn't a threat, and then labeled as traitorous anyone who dared to disagree?

Really?

You should up your meds -- the current dosage ain't working.

Neil
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"What he's suggestions is a 3% tax increase for folks making more than $250K."

That was last week, man.

The under $250,000 households spared drops to $200,000 in the infomercial. An editing error? Recalibration?

That 95% of taxpayers was just some guy he knew in the neighborhood.

>>>'The under $250,000 households spared drops to $200,000 in the infomercial. An editing error? Recalibration?"

the former is for households..the latter for individuals...

tao9-- It would help if you could see past your hatred of Obama far enough to be able to read: mine was the answer to JRL on "fear-mongering" and the next president being tested.

However, to add to dj spellchecka's answer: You have to listen closely, tao9--those under $200,000 get a tax cut, those under $250,000 (ie, with incomes between $200,000 and $250,000) do not see their taxes increase. There is a difference between who gets a tax cut and who does not get a tax increase, but not a discrepancy with previous statements. Make sense now?