Regardless of who you are supporting, this election has been interesting, to say the least. People are engaged in the process, following the coverage and learning about the background and policies proposed by these two very different men. It’s been exciting to see the surge in new voter registrations over these past months and young people energized and involved in the political process. On this blog and in our forums, we’ve had interesting discussions and lively debates. Seeing the long lines at the polls during early voting and today makes me happy and proud of our system. In my state, … Continue reading →

Polls have consistently shown that voters are not interested in negative attacks and would prefer to hear the candidates discuss the issues. The recent economic difficulties in the country have made the backlash against negative campaigning and attacks on the opponent less palatable than in the past. This is particularly true with independent voters. While the base of either party may respond favorably to attacks on the opponent, independent voters do not. Since most pundits are saying this race will be decided by independents, the candidates need to tread carefully with the negative attacks. But is there a line? At … Continue reading →

Tonight is the second debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. This and the Tina Fey send up of Sarah Palin in last week’s debate has got me thinking about the people chosen by the candidates. What do their choices reflect about their judgement? Much has been made about the VP choices, particularly McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin. Many in the media, and even McCain supporters have questioned the decision, with some even calling for her to step down. The biggest issue I’ve heard raised is her lack of knowledge and experience needed for the office she seeks. Some would … Continue reading →

Yesterday I shared some thoughts on Gramm’s statements that we are a nation of whiners. Both candidates were quick to back away from his statements and quick to paint themselves as empathetic towards our economic plight. Frankly, the candidate who addresses the American people with plan to help people spend within their means (in addition to some short and long term plans), gets my vote. Unfortunately, that doesn’t describe McCain or Obama. McCain was quick to distance himself from Gramm’s comments saying that he “strongly disagrees” with Gramm’s remarks. He apparently has a plan. Plan at the Pump Some distinctive … Continue reading →

I was recently discussing politics with a friend who said, “I’m not even going to bother to vote. It’s like the lesser of two evils.” Feeling that Obama was inexperienced on the Iraq war and McCain represented more of the same type of politics we’ve had over the last eight years she feels like there’s not really a good option. Add to that the voting debacles over the last few years, and by her reasoning, what’s the point? Do We Little People Really Make a Difference? Call me idealistic, but I think that we little people do make a difference. … Continue reading →

The Democratic National Convention is next month and the Republican National Convention is shortly thereafter at the beginning of September. While Obama has announced that he’s going to accept his nomination from the stadium–presumably to a full stadium. McCain on the other hand has a different problem. Ron Paul, who has officially ended his campaign recently, is holding his own convention, the same night as the Republican convention. Not only that, but he’s holding it right around the corner from the Republican National Convention. Let’s not forget Bob Barr either, who by many is seen as this election’s Ralph Nader … Continue reading →

If you are of the um. . .older generation, you likely remember Kennedy’s inaugural speech that ended with what would come to be a famous quote: “. . .Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” If you’re my age (that is to say born well after 1961) you probably need to revisit this speech. Our Sense of Entitlement For some reason, our culture is embedded with a sense of entitlement. We feel as if we are owed. . .simply for existing. Now, I’m not speaking on an individual basis per … Continue reading →

I could appropriately entitle this blog: Don’t Believe Everything You Read. . .Please. This blog was prompted by an e-mail I received recently blaming Congress for the woes of society. It spewed a few figures about how life has changed since we elected a Democratic congress in 2006, and went on to point out how it is Congress that makes the laws and therefore, this lays the culpability of our less-than-thriving nation on a Democratic Congress rather than on the Republican President. The message was clear: it’s okay to vote for McCain, he can still deliver the change we’re all … Continue reading →

In any presidential election, there are always more than two candidates. We don’t always hear about those candidates but they’re there. Ron Paul Ron Paul is having his own convention in St. Paul Minnesota. The timing of this is not to be missed though as he’s having the convention on September 2, the Tuesday of the Republican Convention. That same Republican convention by the way to which Ron Paul was not invited, and that same Republican party that has not embraced Ron Paul but rather John McCain. Support Without Supporting What’s really interesting about Ron Paul at this point is … Continue reading →

Yes, I admit it. I love the irreverent comedic stylings of both of these men. Apparently, the rest of America does too. There are few icons hotter than these two counter balanced political commentators. To deny their influence, is to live in a cave–they are everywhere. Why We Love Jon Stewart Ask yourself this question: What would it be like to interview key political figures where you don’t have to stick to the rules? Take for instance Jon Stewart’s interview with Terry McAuliffe–the campaign manager for the Clinton campaign. At that point in the game she clearly did not have … Continue reading →