Yesterday John McCain selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican VP candidate. Like most people south of the Canadian border I don't know much about her. She is young, attractive and seems to have appeal to a large part of the Republican base, the conservatives. She has "walked the walk" in her own life that proves that she is the real deal. But is she "ready" to be president? That is the question that Obama has been pounded with for the last two years and seems to have convinced about half the country that he is. Let's examine history and see who was "ready" when the unexpected happened.
In 1865 Lincoln was assasinated and Andrew Johnson ascended to the Presidency. Times were touch at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction so I can't imagine anyone was ready for that. Johnson was impeached and missed conviction by one vote.
When McKinley was assasinated a young Teddy Roosevelt, 42, became president. I think history has regarded him as one of our best presidents, putting him on the mountain in South Dakota.
Harry Truman was not well regarded when he became President but proved to do a good job and was re-elected.
Then you have those presidents that were elected that did such a fine job. In recent times Carter, Bush 41, Bush 43, and Slick Willie. Where are the Teddys and Harrys when you need them?
Which way will Obama go? If McCain is elected and Palin ascended to the office, would she be ready? Nobody knows how a person will deal with circumstances and decisions required in the complex world. All we have to go on is the CHARACTER of the individual. What I have seen of Obama character is not his stong suit. His life has been one political calculation after another, networking himself to prominence through the likes of Tony Resco, Jeramiah Wright, and Bill Ayers. Then when they are an embarrassment to him he promptly kicks them to the curb. I don't see this in Palin and, because I like her values, I will reserve judgment. I have some homework to do this weekend.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Suspense is Killing Me!!!
So Hillary released her delegates and indicated that she voted for Obama. Why didn't she encourage them to do the same?
What is widely predicted that, after a few states, someone will make a motion to nominate the Messiah by acclamation. Then what happens? The NAGs walk out because Hillary didn't get the complete roll call vote? Inquiring minds want to know!
Really, what the hell do they want?!! Hil & Bill hijacked the convention for all intents and purposes, she gave a half-assed endorsement speech, and then Bill will make an ass of himself tonight. Then what? Are they seriously going to vote for McCain or are they going to beat the dead horse that is Ralph Nader? Get over yourselves, quit your pouting and get behind your nominee.
We Republicans are much in the same place. McCain is going to be very hard to vote for based on his history. If elected he will probably bend us over just like Bush has. The operative word is "probably". Mr. Partial Birth Abortion Obama will definately do it. So I sulked awhile, pissed and moaned my ass off, then decided the pragmatic thing to do is hold my nose and vote for McCain.
By the way, here is a new drinking game for the "debates". Everytime Obama says "change" and everytime McCain says "P.O.W." or "Vietnam" we take a long drag on some hooch. Guaranteed to be the quickest drunk you will ever get.
What is widely predicted that, after a few states, someone will make a motion to nominate the Messiah by acclamation. Then what happens? The NAGs walk out because Hillary didn't get the complete roll call vote? Inquiring minds want to know!
Really, what the hell do they want?!! Hil & Bill hijacked the convention for all intents and purposes, she gave a half-assed endorsement speech, and then Bill will make an ass of himself tonight. Then what? Are they seriously going to vote for McCain or are they going to beat the dead horse that is Ralph Nader? Get over yourselves, quit your pouting and get behind your nominee.
We Republicans are much in the same place. McCain is going to be very hard to vote for based on his history. If elected he will probably bend us over just like Bush has. The operative word is "probably". Mr. Partial Birth Abortion Obama will definately do it. So I sulked awhile, pissed and moaned my ass off, then decided the pragmatic thing to do is hold my nose and vote for McCain.
By the way, here is a new drinking game for the "debates". Everytime Obama says "change" and everytime McCain says "P.O.W." or "Vietnam" we take a long drag on some hooch. Guaranteed to be the quickest drunk you will ever get.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Hillary Supports Obama?
I just listened to Hillary's endorsement speech and was less than impressed. The gist I got from it was that she endorsed him not for his leadership abilities or his experience but because he is a democrat. At least 75% of the speech was about her and I can't imagine a more hollow speech for him. The question is what is the roll call vote about tomorrow if she is totally behind him?
The truth of the matter is that Hillary knows that it is unlikely that he will be elected President and she is positioning herself for 2012. She doesn't want disaffected Obama supporters turning the tables on her then, blaming her for his defeat. So she goes through the motions. She also knows that John McCain is unlikely to run for more than one term so that is her best shot at the brass ring.
Whatever her game she is still the second-most narcissist person in the country, next to Bill.
The truth of the matter is that Hillary knows that it is unlikely that he will be elected President and she is positioning herself for 2012. She doesn't want disaffected Obama supporters turning the tables on her then, blaming her for his defeat. So she goes through the motions. She also knows that John McCain is unlikely to run for more than one term so that is her best shot at the brass ring.
Whatever her game she is still the second-most narcissist person in the country, next to Bill.
Prime Time Coverage
Well it's finally underway! The love fest that is the Democrat National Convention began last night. Mercifully the networks limited their coverage to one hour last night. I have no doubt that we will get wall-to-wall overexposure as the week wears on. Fortunately most of it is happening after my bedtime so I am not seeing much of it.
Predictably it was an homage to the liberal institution of the Kennedy family and their 21st century wannabes the Obama's. Ted Kennedy, brain tumor and all, wouldn't miss this curtain call if they had to roll him in on a gurney! I caught an excerpt of his speech this morning and he looks bad. Then again he has looked bad for years.
The media is trying to put some drama in the DNC with all the talk about the roll call vote. That is just wishful thinking. They know that there is no hope for any fireworks next week with the Republicans. McCain and the Beach Boys are going to have a hard time keeping awake.
One other observation. Wasn't it odd that McCain had his Biden ads on TV so quickly after the announcement of his choice for VP? Maybe he has a mole in the Obama campaign. hmmmm....
Predictably it was an homage to the liberal institution of the Kennedy family and their 21st century wannabes the Obama's. Ted Kennedy, brain tumor and all, wouldn't miss this curtain call if they had to roll him in on a gurney! I caught an excerpt of his speech this morning and he looks bad. Then again he has looked bad for years.
The media is trying to put some drama in the DNC with all the talk about the roll call vote. That is just wishful thinking. They know that there is no hope for any fireworks next week with the Republicans. McCain and the Beach Boys are going to have a hard time keeping awake.
One other observation. Wasn't it odd that McCain had his Biden ads on TV so quickly after the announcement of his choice for VP? Maybe he has a mole in the Obama campaign. hmmmm....
Monday, August 25, 2008
Party Time!
Let me get this right: The Dems main goal at their convention is to unify the party. Just how this is going to come about is anyone's guess. Monday night the Messiah's wife will spin the tale of his great accomplishments (that should take about a minute) and the wonderful judgment he has displayed. Then tomorrow and Wednesday night it's the Hil-Bill show, followed by a roll call vote.
Then we all come together at Invesco Field on Thursday night, sing cum-bye-ya, and go out to spread the hard-earned tax dollars to every underserving soul in this country and beyond. I'm feeling all tingly inside!!
The most important thing is that the Dems know how to throw a party and You Tube should be very entertaining for weeks to come. I wonder if Slick Willie is bringing the donkey!
Then we all come together at Invesco Field on Thursday night, sing cum-bye-ya, and go out to spread the hard-earned tax dollars to every underserving soul in this country and beyond. I'm feeling all tingly inside!!
The most important thing is that the Dems know how to throw a party and You Tube should be very entertaining for weeks to come. I wonder if Slick Willie is bringing the donkey!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Who Loves Jesus More?
On the eve of the Democrat National Convention I think it is a good time to look at the silliness of the campaign topics. Last weekend the two candidates met with Rick Warren, founder and Pastor at Saddleback Church in California. They had conversations about their faith and issues relevant to his congregation and many other Christians. It illustrated several things to me:
1. Barack Obama is a lawyer and answers questions like a lawyer.
2. The format favored John McCain so we will not see it again in this campaign.
3. Very few people changed their minds about who they support.
The more important point made by the event is that the candidates' focus groups have told them you need to pander real hard to the Christian vote. They saw the success Bush 43 had and are trying to duplicate it. However, we are not stupid! The best I can tell Bush found God and tries to live his life in a Christian manner. Like the job he has done or not, I believe he lives his faith.
Obama on the other hand seems to be blowing which ever way the wind does. How can you be such a staunch supporter of abortion rights and call yourself a Christian? It's the walk that is important, not the talk.
McCain is also suspect in that he is unapolagetic for his transgressions of the past, running around on his wife dieing of cancer with his current very wealthy wife. Does this sound like another John we have heard of recently?
The bottom line is that true Christians are going to probably vote for McCain while holding their noses. Strictly on the abortion issue. The casual Christians will likely vote for Obama because they have rationalized that argument in a similar manner as he. Could be a close race!
1. Barack Obama is a lawyer and answers questions like a lawyer.
2. The format favored John McCain so we will not see it again in this campaign.
3. Very few people changed their minds about who they support.
The more important point made by the event is that the candidates' focus groups have told them you need to pander real hard to the Christian vote. They saw the success Bush 43 had and are trying to duplicate it. However, we are not stupid! The best I can tell Bush found God and tries to live his life in a Christian manner. Like the job he has done or not, I believe he lives his faith.
Obama on the other hand seems to be blowing which ever way the wind does. How can you be such a staunch supporter of abortion rights and call yourself a Christian? It's the walk that is important, not the talk.
McCain is also suspect in that he is unapolagetic for his transgressions of the past, running around on his wife dieing of cancer with his current very wealthy wife. Does this sound like another John we have heard of recently?
The bottom line is that true Christians are going to probably vote for McCain while holding their noses. Strictly on the abortion issue. The casual Christians will likely vote for Obama because they have rationalized that argument in a similar manner as he. Could be a close race!
The Best Laid Plans
I just posted a comment on another blog and it linked me to this blog I set up over a year ago. I had such great plans, was getting pumped about a couple of political candidates, etc. However, I promptly got immersed in the mundane things such as making a living and forgot all about it. Let's try it again.
When reviewing my last post (over a year ago) I have decided to reveal a little more of my life in order to paint a more complete picture. This might give more insight into my paradoxical political perspective.
Much of the information has not changed except that I will be 57 next month. I am married to the same woman for the past 34 years and we have 3 grown children. I am a product of the capitalist system that has made this country so great and would not have been able to achieve what I have anywhere else. I believe in our country, the principles on which it was founded, and do NOT like the direction I see it going. So the obvious thing to do in a free society is to try to change its direction. I hope we are not too late!!!
So going forward I plan to write on a frequent basis about my views on the current political situation in the country. I'm sure there are millions of people blogging about the same thing. The difference is that I am not some pencil necked academic sitting on some college campus, trying to impress the world with how smart I am. I have lived in the trenches, so to speak, and continue to do so. I have been successful due to my own efforts and defend everyone's right to the same opportunity. I believe the government is way too involved in social engineering and is speeding toward a greater level. This has to stop for the sake of the future generations.
When reviewing my last post (over a year ago) I have decided to reveal a little more of my life in order to paint a more complete picture. This might give more insight into my paradoxical political perspective.
Much of the information has not changed except that I will be 57 next month. I am married to the same woman for the past 34 years and we have 3 grown children. I am a product of the capitalist system that has made this country so great and would not have been able to achieve what I have anywhere else. I believe in our country, the principles on which it was founded, and do NOT like the direction I see it going. So the obvious thing to do in a free society is to try to change its direction. I hope we are not too late!!!
So going forward I plan to write on a frequent basis about my views on the current political situation in the country. I'm sure there are millions of people blogging about the same thing. The difference is that I am not some pencil necked academic sitting on some college campus, trying to impress the world with how smart I am. I have lived in the trenches, so to speak, and continue to do so. I have been successful due to my own efforts and defend everyone's right to the same opportunity. I believe the government is way too involved in social engineering and is speeding toward a greater level. This has to stop for the sake of the future generations.
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