McCain's Choice?

[sweeps]

I seem to remember another Democrat by the name of Bill Clinton promising a middle class tax cut when he was running for office. Only to get elected and raise EVERYONES taxes.

Who controlled Congress at that time?

[cptacek]

What the hell is McCain thinking? Is he thinking Hillary voters would like him with his new partner Palin?

I think it was a brilliant choice. McCain wasn't going after Hillary supporters...he was going after his base. Palin is a Conservative with a capital C. She is almost the definition of conservative. She has Republicans cheering again. She is getting people to compare her experience as govenor with the Democrats' #1 experience as "Senator" (I put that in quotes, because really, how many times has he even voted?) and people are finding him wanting.

How do you even compare their experience and think he has more? Really, how? Please tell me, cause I don't get it.

She just had a baby 4 months ago. I wonder when that will come up? How can she run for the nomination 24/7 and have a 4 month old child? The child also has down's syndrome.

I find this offensive, and lots of other voters do too. She will do this just like she has done every other thing in her life. Successfully, with grace, competence and lots of help from her family.

[genchan]

Let's be honest here. She is a Social Conservative with a capital C but far from a Fiscal Conservative - just look at all the earmarks she has requested and her Bridge to Nowhere (which she lies about her former and unqualified support for)

[LivingAlmostLarge]

A lot of women take time off more than 4 months for maternity leave. And a lot of fathers do too. They are on the road campaigning and what leaving their children to be raised by a nanny? From what I can tell, with a pregnant 17 year old they aren't doing a bang up job of parenting, both of them. Obviously other things have been more important to both of them that their "family values" which is preached by the republican party didn't stick at home.

I mean she talks about God's Plan, but won't answer honestly if she believes the Iraq war is a mission from God. Hmm....She avoids the question.

And she does lie about her earmarks. She hired a lobbyist when she was mayor.

[cptacek]

Let's be honest here. She is a Social Conservative with a capital C but far from a Fiscal Conservative - just look at all the earmarks she has requested and her Bridge to Nowhere (which she lies about her former and unqualified support for)

I need some help here. I wrote a post a few months ago asking if, as a fiscal conservative, I should accept money from the federal government for programs that I don't think should exist and don't agree with, but qualify for:

http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/general-discussion/39691-should-you-take-money.html

The advice I got from you-all was to vote to effect changes I wanted but accept the money if I qualified for it. And no one seemed to think that was hypocritical. So, when she supported it, it was as a governor that was on the receiving end of the money. How is that different from my situation that I asked you guys about (except that it is a much larger sum)?

[genchan]

I need some help here. I wrote a post a few months ago asking if, as a fiscal conservative, I should accept money from the federal government for programs that I don't think should exist and don't agree with, but qualify for:

http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/general-discussion/39691-should-you-take-money.html

The advice I got from you-all was to vote to effect changes I wanted but accept the money if I qualified for it. And no one seemed to think that was hypocritical. So, when she supported it, it was as a governor that was on the receiving end of the money. How is that different from my situation that I asked you guys about (except that it is a much larger sum)?

The difference, in my opinion, is that you qualified for it, but you never actually sought it out. If the money wasn't available, you wouldn't have gone seeking it so that you could have it.

Palin actually hired lobbyists to get all the earmarks when she was mayor. She didn't say, oh, that money has already been provided so I will use it - she made hired people to get it for her.

That would be the same as you going to the government and asking for a special handout just for you that didn't exist yet - that is the key difference I see.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

It's like hiring a lawyer to go get you a settlement from a car accident that you may or may not really deserve. Hire lobbyist to get money.

[geojen]

Who controlled Congress at that time?

GREAT POINT! Thank you, finally. Hello? Repubs have been running the joint for 8 years and you think they suddenly have some solutions?

[geojen]

As far as experience goes here is a comparison:
* Obama: 3 years as a community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees

* Palin: 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people

Her experience does matter, because if McCain gets elected, she stands a good change of becoming President. So, it is relevant.

[bjl584]

Who controlled Congress at that time?

I believe the economy was in the tank when Clinton raised taxes until the GOP cut capital gains taxes in the mid 90's.

[bjl584]

As far as experience goes here is a comparison:
* Obama: 3 years as a community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees

* Palin: 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people.

The only problem with that comparison is that the election in November is Obama vs. McCain. Not Obama vs. Palin. Palin might become president, but then again a lot of things might happen. If she does become president it will most likely be after McCain serves at least one term. That will give Governor Paim 4 addition years of experience under her belt. Besides, back in the early 90's everyone was busy arguing about Clinton's lack of experience and he ended up being one of the most popular and well accomplished presidents in modern history.

[geojen]

The only problem with that comparison is that the election in November is Obama vs. McCain. Not Obama vs. Palin. Palin might become president, but then again a lot of things might happen. If she does become president it will most likely be after McCain serves at least one term. That will give Governor Paim 4 addition years of experience under her belt. Besides, back in the early 90's everyone was busy arguing about Clinton's lack of experience and he ended up being one of the most popular and well accomplished presidents in modern history.

I brought up this comparison because it seems that everyone else is comparing them, including Palin. She specifically attacked Obama during her speech at the RNC and talked up her experience. I think that opens it up for debate.

[kork13]

The only problem with that comparison is that the election in November is Obama vs. McCain. Not Obama vs. Palin. Palin might become president, but then again a lot of things might happen. If she does become president it will most likely be after McCain serves at least one term. That will give Governor Paim 4 addition years of experience under her belt. Besides, back in the early 90's everyone was busy arguing about Clinton's lack of experience and he ended up being one of the most popular and well accomplished presidents in modern history.

sanity.... finally.... THANK YOU! I'm not highly opinionated in the election, but seriously, McCain isn't on his deathbed. I think it's ridiculous that the perception is that Palin is "One heartbeat away from the presidency". Yea, great, so is Biden. It only takes one for a heart attack or stroke, and suddenly Biden's jet becomes Air Force One. McCain is healthy, has good family longevity (his mother is still living), and good doctors if something unexpected happens.

I will credit the Obama campaign with a very successful plant of this idea, however. Expertly crafted, and highly effective. It's led McCain's VP to be under nearly as much scrutiny as McCain himself, whereas Biden has had little of the same. Bravo, chaps.

[geojen]

sanity.... finally.... THANK YOU! I'm not highly opinionated in the election, but seriously, McCain isn't on his deathbed. I think it's ridiculous that the perception is that Palin is "One heartbeat away from the presidency". Yea, great, so is Biden. It only takes one for a heart attack or stroke, and suddenly Biden's jet becomes Air Force One. McCain is healthy, has good family longevity (his mother is still living), and good doctors if something unexpected happens.

I will credit the Obama campaign with a very successful plant of this idea, however. Expertly crafted, and highly effective. It's led McCain's VP to be under nearly as much scrutiny as McCain himself, whereas Biden has had little of the same. Bravo, chaps.

The Obama campaign didn't need to bring this up. All you need to do is look at the man. Palin has been scrutinized because she is a virtual unknown, whereas Biden is not. Much like how Obama has been scrutinized because when he announced his candidacy people were like "Obama who?"

[kork13]

The Obama campaign didn't need to bring this up. All you need to do is look at the man. Palin has been scrutinized because she is a virtual unknown, whereas Biden is not. Much like how Obama has been scrutinized because when he announced his candidacy people were like "Obama who?"

I'm sorry, I wasn't specific enough... I meant "scrutinized as a presidential candidate". McCain's ability to run the country has been questioned the entire time. Obama's has also been constantly questioned. Since her announcement, Palin has been scrutinized in nearly the same way. Notably, however, Biden has not had any of that attention. I personally think that's a good job on the dem's part--it's one less thing that they have to argue against.