Politics

When McCain called Obama “that one”, many people were turned off by the Republican candidate’s lack of respect. Some watchers even surmised that McCain was being racist, implying that a Black man becoming president was ridiculous. Remember the first debate when the Republican candidate never looked at Obama in the eye, even when shaking hands initially? I felt sure that ‘John’ not only disliked his opponent, he actually despised him.

And then came the 180 in a campaign stop; McCain defended Obama as an honorable man, being booed in the process by his supporters. Why the sudden change? Is this just a political ploy to gain votes from independents? Or is he really reverting to the real McCain, a decent and respectful man? I hope it’s the second option, as I would hate to see his legacy blackened by bigotry and racism.

Now that Obama’s final success seems inevitable, one can only wonder at the momentous change his presidency will signify to history. I was dead wrong, by the way, when I wrote not long ago that his campaign was fading quickly. The Palin effect has now dissipated to the point that even seasoned McCain’s staunch supporters in the media are accepting the fact. Imagine that! A Black American President! I could have bet 10 years ago that a woman president would come first, as it almost did with Hillary.

McCain’s campaign is so desperate that they are flinging invented accusations of Obama consorting with known terrorists. Where is John McCain’s promise of a civil campaign? The Republican candidate had one last shot at the Presidency to add to the distinguised family palmares of naval officers serving their country honorably. McCain shouldn’t risk muddying his last name with cheap shots against a man who had the audacity of hope.

Why is it that McCain never looked at Obama in the eyes during the debate, not even when they shook hands. He never called him Barak, while Obama called him John. It is clear from the body language of both candidates that McCain doesn’t like Obama at all, while the black candidate looked every inch presidential.

McCain accused his age by pouting and smirking, just like his friend Bush did with his opponent in 2004. He fumbled the name of Iran’s President 3 times, looking awkward and confused. Obama had the facts straight in his prodigious memory, never seeming condescent as he did during the primaries. In short, Obama projected a presidential leadership that got McCain all riled up when he said repeatedly “Senator Obama does not understand”.

The score: 1-0 for the Democrat.

As the recent turmoil on Wall Street has shown, our departing leader, President Bush, has shown once more that he reacts well to extreme situations, but he has a grave problem doing it before it gets to that point. Just like 9/11 was announced by FBI agents with sufficient time to prevent it, the housing crisis, one of the fundamental bastions of the economy, has been brewing for at least 2 years.

But our dear leader had other things to do than pay attention to the warnings of experts, who predicted a financial meltdown of important institutions like Freddie Mac. George W. Bush never seems to be quite aware of what it’s going on on Main Street, when all he has to do is open any of the unbiased newspapers, instead of relying on his manservants who “digest” the news to reflect his preferences.  A President is a leader, whether some political pundits think this term is reminiscent of the “Fuhrer”. He was elected to protect the American People from the criminal activities of CEO’s who enjoy luxurious mansions while their companies go to hell. But again, too little, too late!

It should have been Colin Powell; he was the perfect choice to become the first American black President. He recently commented that he is still undecided between Obama and McCain. Do you sincerely believe that McCain would stand a chance against him? Of course not, he has the substance and he has the experience. Why he wasn’t chosen as VP reflects the lack of judgment by the Obama camp. Imagine the extraordinary reaction and delight by most Americans who wanted Powell to be their candidate. But no, they went for what they believed was the perfect balance: A Black and a White together in the White House. I hate to say it, Obama, but that decision could very well cost you the election.

I really don’t understand campaign advisers who urge Obama to concentrate on unimportant details, while the main issues remain surrounded with foggy notions.

Forget Gov. Palin. The more attention you waste on her, the more visible she becomes. Talk about your solutions to the nation’s problems; education, war adventures, the immense national debt, the weak dollar, the dependence of foreign fuel, our sullied reputation abroad, the emergence of Russia as a world superpower, the emergence of China as a world superpower, etc.

Talk to us, Obama, about what we want to hear and not about Palin’s favorite lipstick color.

Gov. Palin’s last name may contain the future for McCain: Pain on the Plain. She has proved to be an extreme right bigot by invoking God in our mission in Iraq. All of a sudden, we are back in the Crusades, waiving the Christian cross in the face of terrified Muslims. Pope Urban II must be jumping for joy in his grave.

This woman, who chose to have a Down syndrome baby rather than aborting, would be a very dangerous President. One more insult from Teheran and zap, we send in the Marines one more bloody time. And you can be sure that McCain will not last 8 years. Look at what happened to Reagan who was in the early stages of Alzheimer in his last years. The government was in the hands of his wife, who consulted an astrologist to reach important decisions.

Do you really want her as President, or Cindy McCain for that matter?

Why is it I have no intention and/or desire to listen to Cyndi McCain, Fred Thompson (dourface and amateur politician), Laura Bush and, especially, George W. Bush? They have absolutely nothing fresh to say; same old cliches, same old 9/11 hyperboles. Give me a break, I’d rather watch reruns of “The Rifleman”, at least it won’t put me to sleep.

Sen. McCain surprised everybody with his choice of running mate. No woman has ever been Vice-President and Gov. Palin is totally unknown outside Alaska. Since I am cynical observer, I’ll state my conviction that she wouldn’t have been chosen if Hillary hadn’t existed. McCain obviously picked her for her gender, and not for her political achievements.

I feel sure now that Obama will win easily and his campaign managers must be jubilant. It is a desperate move by the Republican candidate who also faces the possibility of having his celebration in St Paul marred by a hurricane. Nothing seems to work for him; his wife is seen as aloof and certainly not in touch with the working class. He needs their vote to win the election and that is not going to happen. Many Republicans will stay home rather than vote for a complete unknown (the governor of Alaska) who certainly doesn’t look like a possible President, unlike Joe Biden. My sympathy toward McCain who is a good man and a shining example of patriotism, but it “ain’t” going to happen.

Call me cynical, call me blasé, but in politics, nothing is as it seems. Sen. Hillary Clinton made a splashing appearance at the pageant and garnered quite a few applauses from her followers. It looked like she was the nominee, not Obama.

Her speech called for unity and a vote for Obama, but was there a hidden message? She did not say “pull my name from the ballots”. Why not? I believe she was saying the following: “Barack promised me a juicy plum if elected, such as the State Department, where I’ll be free to enjoy the pomp of the diplomatic world and meet (again) with the heads of the world’s most powerful nations. I’ll be able to carry out my grandiose plans of changing the world according to Clinton. If he reneges, there is nothing in my speech today that I won’t be able to turn around against him.”

 What do you think?