The numbers are, as of this date, unofficial. Here are the latest figures:
Popular Vote:
Barack Obama-------64,904,451------52.5%
John McCain---------57,063,155------46.2%
Ralph Nader--------------671,182------00.5%
Bob Barr------------------496,153------00.4%
Cynthia McKinney-------145,442------00.1%
Other candidates--not tabulated yet---00.3%
Electoral College Vote:
Barack Obama-------------364---------69%
John McCain---------------162---------31%
Note: With 100% of precincts reported, Missouri's 11 electoral votes have not yet been assigned. McCain has 1,442,673 votes and Obama has 1,436,814 votes. A recount is pending.
What were the main reasons for Obama's victory?
- Iowa. Had Obama not won a surprise victory in the first primary/caucus state, he would have faced a daunting, uphill battle. Had Edwards not come in a surprise second place, knocking front-runner Hillary Clinton into a stunning third place, it is quite likely that she would have quickly and easily regrouped for the rest of the primaries. Her victory in New Hampshire was not as big of a boost as some thought. New Hampshire residents are very displeased with Iowa usurping media attention every Presidential primary season. So even though polls showed Obama ahead of Clinton in New Hampshire, it was the chance for some New Hampshire voters to thumb their noses at Iowa's choice that resulted in the margin necessary to put Hillary over the top. Hillary, referred to by most media analysts before the primaries as the presumptive Democratic nominee, and ahead of Obama by as much as 25% before Iowa, never fully recovered.
- Message. Obama's was consistent and clear in all major areas - from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the economy to appealing to the best in Americans and providing a real promise of change for the better. McCain's focus varied from 'I was right about the surge' to 'Obama associates with a terrorist' and from 'The fundamentals of our economy are strong' to 'I'm suspending my campaign and rushing to Washington, D.C. to help fix our faltering economy'.
- V.P. choice. Obama chose country over campaign by choosing Joe Biden, a seasoned veteran, well-known to many Americans, and fit to assume the presidency at any time. McCain chose campaign over country by choosing Sarah Palin, a political unknown outside of Alaska, someone whom he hoped would capture disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters at the same time as she tilted the ticket farther to the political right to appease the party's conservatives and 'Christian' fundamentalists.
Instead, his choice offended many female voters, since it assumed that they would march in lockstep with any female candidate, regardless of her views. It also angered those Republicans who recognized that Palin did not have the requisite political knowledge to perform even the somewhat limited duties of a Vice President. There was also disaffection with the fact that McCain bypassed more qualified female Republican Senators and Governors, both past and present, who had been Republican loyalists for many years, who had paid their dues, and who would have provided a more electable ticket. Finally, as Palin's inadequacies became more and more apparent, independent and undecided voters looked again at not only Obama, but Biden, and the comparisons did not bode well for the Republicans.
- Organization. My first-hand knowledge of Obama's Nevada organization will forever remain as one of my most cherished memories. Initially, I 'signed up' as a supporter on Obama's web site. Within a week, I received a phone call from an enthusiastic and persuasive Las Vegas local field organizer, who shall remain nameless to protect her privacy, but who will recognize herself should she read this. The closest office was 12 miles away. I arrived, and expected to see a few young 'believers' who might not exactly be thrilled at seeing a 57 year old white guy. Was I wrong. There were at least 35 people, young, old, racially and ethnically diverse. I was warmly welcomed by all. My field organizer taught me my responsibilities as a volunteer (and soon thereafter as a precinct captain): to whom I would report, meeting dates and conference call schedules, email and text message updates system.
There was joy in the air, even in those early days when it seemed to me as much a quixotic quest as a campaign with a legitimate chance of success. Making phone calls, writing postcards, pounding the pavement loaded down with flyers and brochures and voter lists on which to make those important notes about voter preferences - all the basics of other campaigns I'd been involved in since 1968... but this time it felt different. And it was. The tone and mood set by those overworked field organizers, who always found the energy to listen to our successes and woes and who provided encouragement at every turn, as well as others even higher up on the organization chart, who never failed to stop and say hello to me if they walked by - was, I am certain, not unique to the campaign in Nevada. They gave us their best, and we returned the favor.
- The economy. It would be dishonest to deny the impact that the 'perfect storm' of bad economic news throughout October had on the average American voter's psyche. A tumbling stock market, shrinking retirement plans, rising unemployment, bank and mortgage fears and failures, all combined to nudge an as yet unknown number of voters from undecided to Democrat. Presidents and their political parties always get too much credit when the economy is strong and too much blame when the economy weakens. But that's just the way it is.
Next Friday: Something less serious (world events permitting)
Showing posts with label John McCain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John McCain. Show all posts
Friday, November 7, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Three Reasons To Vote For John McCain In 2008
Beginning Friday, October 3, and continuing through Friday, October 24, I intend to be positive, and provide three reasons to vote for each of the four best known candidates for President. Friday the 3rd: Independent candidate Ralph Nader. Friday the 10th: Libertarian candidate Bob Barr. Friday the 17th: Republican candidate John McCain. Friday the 24th: Democratic candidate Barack Obama.
John McCain, Republican
John McCain was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 from Arizona. In 1986 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he has served to this day. In 2004, he was re-elected to the Senate with 77% of the Arizona vote. He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, who spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The McCain-Palin website states that, "His naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross." click here to read more
Based strictly on data from that site, the following are three reasons to vote for McCain on November 4:
#1. Iraq War surge strategy. Whether you agree with our involvement in the Iraq War or not, you have to admire McCain for recognizing that the Bush-Rumsfeld strategy was not working, and for pushing for an additional troop deployment (surge). McCain took a lot of political heat from Republicans for his action. But the surge has been a success, vindicating McCain's position.
#2. The environment. I quote two bullet items from his website that I feel are most important, and speak for themselves:
(a) Climate Policy Should Be Built On Scientifically-Sound, Mandatory Emission Reduction Targets And Timetables.
(b) Climate Policy Must Facilitate International Efforts To Solve The Problem.
Considering (a), I like the "scientifically-sound" phrase, but would have appreciated a definition of the term. For (b), it is obvious that the USA is not the only polluter on the globe. A world-wide effort is required.
#3. Renewing America's civic purpose. This initiative's concept is described and specifics defined:
"John McCain will create a Service to America initiative to strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history, culture and core ideas, and to inspire Americans to serve causes greater than their own self interest. Civic participation by citizens over a lifetime, working in neighborhoods and communities, and service of all kinds - military and civilian; full-time or part-time; and national or international - can renew America's civic purpose and heal our fractured patriotism."
"Bolster volunteerism with an energetic and comprehensive national service initiative designed to increase opportunities for people willing to serve their communities and their country."
"Convene "Volunteerism Summits" so people can share with others the best ideas and most effective programs currently underway in their own communities." I found this idea particularly attractive. Sharing what works and what doesn't will add efficiency to programs (ALL federal programs, not just this civic initiative), and in so doing, curtail the 'reinventing the wheel' time and money wasting drag upon projects that exists in both the governmental and private sectors.
"Coordinate a network of private sector "venture capital" funds matched with government grants to support job retraining or vocational training efforts in high schools and targeted communities where job loss persists." This targeted approach to areas of specific needs sounds both promising and cost effective.
Next Friday: Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama.
John McCain, Republican
John McCain was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 from Arizona. In 1986 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he has served to this day. In 2004, he was re-elected to the Senate with 77% of the Arizona vote. He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, who spent 5 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The McCain-Palin website states that, "His naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross." click here to read more
Based strictly on data from that site, the following are three reasons to vote for McCain on November 4:
#1. Iraq War surge strategy. Whether you agree with our involvement in the Iraq War or not, you have to admire McCain for recognizing that the Bush-Rumsfeld strategy was not working, and for pushing for an additional troop deployment (surge). McCain took a lot of political heat from Republicans for his action. But the surge has been a success, vindicating McCain's position.
#2. The environment. I quote two bullet items from his website that I feel are most important, and speak for themselves:
(a) Climate Policy Should Be Built On Scientifically-Sound, Mandatory Emission Reduction Targets And Timetables.
(b) Climate Policy Must Facilitate International Efforts To Solve The Problem.
Considering (a), I like the "scientifically-sound" phrase, but would have appreciated a definition of the term. For (b), it is obvious that the USA is not the only polluter on the globe. A world-wide effort is required.
#3. Renewing America's civic purpose. This initiative's concept is described and specifics defined:
"John McCain will create a Service to America initiative to strengthen the teaching and understanding of American history, culture and core ideas, and to inspire Americans to serve causes greater than their own self interest. Civic participation by citizens over a lifetime, working in neighborhoods and communities, and service of all kinds - military and civilian; full-time or part-time; and national or international - can renew America's civic purpose and heal our fractured patriotism."
"Bolster volunteerism with an energetic and comprehensive national service initiative designed to increase opportunities for people willing to serve their communities and their country."
"Convene "Volunteerism Summits" so people can share with others the best ideas and most effective programs currently underway in their own communities." I found this idea particularly attractive. Sharing what works and what doesn't will add efficiency to programs (ALL federal programs, not just this civic initiative), and in so doing, curtail the 'reinventing the wheel' time and money wasting drag upon projects that exists in both the governmental and private sectors.
"Coordinate a network of private sector "venture capital" funds matched with government grants to support job retraining or vocational training efforts in high schools and targeted communities where job loss persists." This targeted approach to areas of specific needs sounds both promising and cost effective.
Next Friday: Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama.
Friday, September 19, 2008
McCain's Health Care Plan May Make You Sick
Are you one of the 158 million Americans who are covered by a health care plan by your employer?
Have you heard that John McCain wants to impose a tax on that benefit, based upon what premium your employer pays for you, while simultaneously providing a refundable annual tax credit of $2500 for an individual, or $5000 for a family, that may, or may not, cover the tax increase? But there's more: the real possibility that your employer may terminate your company's health care plan, under the pretense that the workers will be better off choosing a plan on their own, partially paid for by that tax credit.
On July 6, 2008, USATODAY.com carried an Associated Press article entitled, "McCain's health plan: A threat to employer plans?" It describes McCain's plan and its possible side-effects:
"There's a great unknown about Sen. John McCain's health plan: How many employers would drop insurance coverage for their workers because of his tax policies?
The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting has proposed that everyone buying health insurance get a refundable tax credit, $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. At the same time, he would treat employer contributions toward health insurance like income, meaning workers would have to pay income, but not payroll, taxes on it.
McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, says the plan would "shred" the employer-based system that provides health insurance to about 158 million workers.
Most health analysts won't go that far, but both liberals and conservatives say McCain's approach would strengthen the individual and small-group insurance market. And by strengthening that market, it will pull in workers now covered through their jobs.
The workers most inclined to make that transition will be younger, healthier ones who most likely will be able to buy a policy on the individual market for less than their tax credit, said Paul Fronstin, a senior research associate at the Employee Benefit Research Institute, which studies employee benefits.
To the degree that happens, the employer-based market will become less healthy as sicker, older workers stay with their employer-based coverage while more of the healthier workers move to the individual market.
"What you'll see happening is average cost in the employer-market will go up and average cost in the individual market will go down," Fronstin said. "You'll start to get into a cycle where people at the margin start to leave employer coverage for individual coverage. At some point, employers will start to ask: Why am I doing this if my workers don't value it anymore? If I don't need to do this to be competitive in the labor market, why should I do it?"
Hence, the disincentive for employers to maintain their own health plans. Why put up with the headaches, and expense, of health care when they can let their employees fend for themselves, as individuals, in the health plan market. But these workers will have the buying power of one, instead of the buying power of hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands as exists today in employer-provided plans.
The free-market pundits will tout this as a great leap forward in choice. They will say that the marketplace will work its wonders in a more competitive fashion. Yet that freedom exists today. Any person can apply for health care coverage on their own. The only change, under a President McCain, will be that this person will get a $2500 federal government credit to help pay for that plan. Oh yeah, in this brave new world of individuals seeking their own coverage, you better get educated, really fast, on all the minutiae of every illness you might get, and what level of coverage, deductibles, maximum payouts, et cetera that your new prospective health care plan will provide, negotiate with them over those areas that are especially important to you, and then hope, if they haven't already rejected you outright as a result of pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of heart problems, or if you are a cancer survivor, that the premium is covered by McCain's $2500. John McCain himself falls into the category of cancer survivors, so he may be excluded, but oh yes, as a Senator, he already has a government health care plan - but I thought that government health care plans are socialistic and therefore especially toxic to Republican Party karma... oh well, do as I say, not as I do, right John?
Health care costs are stifling both our country's economy and our family's budgets. We need reforms, and McCain's health care program has some promising ideas: promoting the availability of smoking cessation programs, lowering drug prices by bringing greater competition to drug markets through safe re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs, and making insurance more portable from job to job. But his main proposal, concerning the taxing of individuals for their employer-provided health care plan coverage, is unacceptable.
Have you heard that John McCain wants to impose a tax on that benefit, based upon what premium your employer pays for you, while simultaneously providing a refundable annual tax credit of $2500 for an individual, or $5000 for a family, that may, or may not, cover the tax increase? But there's more: the real possibility that your employer may terminate your company's health care plan, under the pretense that the workers will be better off choosing a plan on their own, partially paid for by that tax credit.
On July 6, 2008, USATODAY.com carried an Associated Press article entitled, "McCain's health plan: A threat to employer plans?" It describes McCain's plan and its possible side-effects:
"There's a great unknown about Sen. John McCain's health plan: How many employers would drop insurance coverage for their workers because of his tax policies?
The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting has proposed that everyone buying health insurance get a refundable tax credit, $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. At the same time, he would treat employer contributions toward health insurance like income, meaning workers would have to pay income, but not payroll, taxes on it.
McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, says the plan would "shred" the employer-based system that provides health insurance to about 158 million workers.
Most health analysts won't go that far, but both liberals and conservatives say McCain's approach would strengthen the individual and small-group insurance market. And by strengthening that market, it will pull in workers now covered through their jobs.
The workers most inclined to make that transition will be younger, healthier ones who most likely will be able to buy a policy on the individual market for less than their tax credit, said Paul Fronstin, a senior research associate at the Employee Benefit Research Institute, which studies employee benefits.
To the degree that happens, the employer-based market will become less healthy as sicker, older workers stay with their employer-based coverage while more of the healthier workers move to the individual market.
"What you'll see happening is average cost in the employer-market will go up and average cost in the individual market will go down," Fronstin said. "You'll start to get into a cycle where people at the margin start to leave employer coverage for individual coverage. At some point, employers will start to ask: Why am I doing this if my workers don't value it anymore? If I don't need to do this to be competitive in the labor market, why should I do it?"
Hence, the disincentive for employers to maintain their own health plans. Why put up with the headaches, and expense, of health care when they can let their employees fend for themselves, as individuals, in the health plan market. But these workers will have the buying power of one, instead of the buying power of hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands as exists today in employer-provided plans.
The free-market pundits will tout this as a great leap forward in choice. They will say that the marketplace will work its wonders in a more competitive fashion. Yet that freedom exists today. Any person can apply for health care coverage on their own. The only change, under a President McCain, will be that this person will get a $2500 federal government credit to help pay for that plan. Oh yeah, in this brave new world of individuals seeking their own coverage, you better get educated, really fast, on all the minutiae of every illness you might get, and what level of coverage, deductibles, maximum payouts, et cetera that your new prospective health care plan will provide, negotiate with them over those areas that are especially important to you, and then hope, if they haven't already rejected you outright as a result of pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of heart problems, or if you are a cancer survivor, that the premium is covered by McCain's $2500. John McCain himself falls into the category of cancer survivors, so he may be excluded, but oh yes, as a Senator, he already has a government health care plan - but I thought that government health care plans are socialistic and therefore especially toxic to Republican Party karma... oh well, do as I say, not as I do, right John?
Health care costs are stifling both our country's economy and our family's budgets. We need reforms, and McCain's health care program has some promising ideas: promoting the availability of smoking cessation programs, lowering drug prices by bringing greater competition to drug markets through safe re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs, and making insurance more portable from job to job. But his main proposal, concerning the taxing of individuals for their employer-provided health care plan coverage, is unacceptable.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Three Problems With Republican VP Candidate Palin
When Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, was first introduced, I liked her. I was intrigued by her background, and thought that she was the first 'normal, everyday citizen' that had been thrust into the national political spotlight since Harry Truman. But Truman had a 22 year political track record of elected positions from district judge to U.S. senator prior to being selected by President Franklin Roosevelt as his vice presidential running mate in 1944.
So Palin was truly a fresh face. Fresher even than Senator Obama. She had fought the political establishment in Alaska. This sounded promising. I began to research her political beliefs, and found that the devil was in the details. The following are three of those devilish details that bother me about Palin's policy positions.
#1 - In June 2008, Palin made a speech to ministry students in Alaska. The venue was the Wasilla Assembly of God church. An Australian newspaper, The Herald Sun, amongst many others, printed the story on September 4 from which the following quote by Palin is taken:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending soldiers out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan." click here to read more
That's just what our country does not need - a Vice President, and potential President, who sets public policy based upon what is "God's plan."
#2 - On August 29, 2008, Michael Paulson, who covers religion for The Boston Globe, and shared the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in the 'Meritorious Public Service by a Newspaper' category, wrote:
And in October of 2006, the Anchorage Daily News reported that Palin said the following about creationism at a debate:
"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information....Healthy debate is so important and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution. It's been a healthy foundation for me. But don't be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides." click here to read more
That's another thing this country does not need - a Vice President, and potential President, who proposes the teaching of creationism in public schools. If creationism is permitted, then why not other non-scientific theories?
#3 - Abortion and a woman's right to choose. Palin opposes all abortions except when the mother's health is endangered. During the 2006 governor's race debate, she opined that even if her own daughter had been raped and became pregnant as a result of that rape, (Palin) would choose life over abortion. click here to hear Palin's comment
The official McCain/Palin web site clearly states the Republican Party's position on abortion:
"John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench."
That's yet another thing this country does not need - a return to dangerous, illegal, back alley abortions in those states that, absent the Roe v. Wade decision, would again outlaw abortion.
So Palin was truly a fresh face. Fresher even than Senator Obama. She had fought the political establishment in Alaska. This sounded promising. I began to research her political beliefs, and found that the devil was in the details. The following are three of those devilish details that bother me about Palin's policy positions.
#1 - In June 2008, Palin made a speech to ministry students in Alaska. The venue was the Wasilla Assembly of God church. An Australian newspaper, The Herald Sun, amongst many others, printed the story on September 4 from which the following quote by Palin is taken:
"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending soldiers out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan." click here to read more
That's just what our country does not need - a Vice President, and potential President, who sets public policy based upon what is "God's plan."
#2 - On August 29, 2008, Michael Paulson, who covers religion for The Boston Globe, and shared the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in the 'Meritorious Public Service by a Newspaper' category, wrote:
And in October of 2006, the Anchorage Daily News reported that Palin said the following about creationism at a debate:
"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information....Healthy debate is so important and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution. It's been a healthy foundation for me. But don't be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides." click here to read more
That's another thing this country does not need - a Vice President, and potential President, who proposes the teaching of creationism in public schools. If creationism is permitted, then why not other non-scientific theories?
#3 - Abortion and a woman's right to choose. Palin opposes all abortions except when the mother's health is endangered. During the 2006 governor's race debate, she opined that even if her own daughter had been raped and became pregnant as a result of that rape, (Palin) would choose life over abortion. click here to hear Palin's comment
The official McCain/Palin web site clearly states the Republican Party's position on abortion:
"John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench."
That's yet another thing this country does not need - a return to dangerous, illegal, back alley abortions in those states that, absent the Roe v. Wade decision, would again outlaw abortion.
Friday, July 25, 2008
McCain's Hypocritical Swipe At Obama
Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware of Senator Barack Obama's overseas trip to Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France, and Great Britain. Traveling with Obama on this trip are Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel and Rhode Island Democratic Senator Jack Reed.
Before he left on the trip, Obama reaffirmed his positions on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. At that time, Senator John McCain made a valid criticism. In essence, he said that Obama should have waited until the trip was over before making position statements on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as his past views may be altered by the facts he would gather on the trip. That made sense to me. Then,
#1: On July 17,McCain stated that he "... believes Democrat Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Europe is tantamount to holding political rallies abroad."
#2: On July 24, the Chicago Tribune reported that McCain said, ""I'd love to give a speech in Germany. But I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for president,"
- How can McCain criticize Obama for not waiting until his trip is over before stating his war positions, when McCain prejudged what Obama's trip would be?
- McCain also conveniently forgot his own trips to Canada, Great Britain and France.
- McCain also conveniently forgot his own trips to Columbia and Mexico.
Senator McCain's hypocritical blast at Obama is beneath him. It will diminish his stature and cost him votes.
Before he left on the trip, Obama reaffirmed his positions on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. At that time, Senator John McCain made a valid criticism. In essence, he said that Obama should have waited until the trip was over before making position statements on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as his past views may be altered by the facts he would gather on the trip. That made sense to me. Then,
#1: On July 17,McCain stated that he "... believes Democrat Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Europe is tantamount to holding political rallies abroad."
#2: On July 24, the Chicago Tribune reported that McCain said, ""I'd love to give a speech in Germany. But I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for president,"
- How can McCain criticize Obama for not waiting until his trip is over before stating his war positions, when McCain prejudged what Obama's trip would be?
- McCain also conveniently forgot his own trips to Canada, Great Britain and France.
- McCain also conveniently forgot his own trips to Columbia and Mexico.
Senator McCain's hypocritical blast at Obama is beneath him. It will diminish his stature and cost him votes.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Memo to McCain: I am NOT your friend!
Have you noticed John McCain's tendency to inject the phrase 'my friends' liberally (pun intended) throughout his speeches? To quote them in text would bore you to tears, so I encourage you to listen to this clip
Why does he do it? Has the king no advisors willing to tell him that he has no clothes? Here are some thoughts that spring to mind every time I hear McCain's "my friends" mantra:
1. insincere
2. trite
3. banal
4. desperate
5. artificial
6. repetitive
7. irritating
8. insipid
9. platitudinous
10. boring
11. disingenuous (I'll do anything to work that word into a conversation)
12. meretricious
13. never had a real friend
Oh yes, and he attaches that pasted-on phony smile at the same time. Does he really believe that we cannot see through this facade? The not-so-subliminal message he sends is that his words cannot be fully trusted. Granted, most politicians tend towards the insincere and self-serving. So why does McCain insist on driving this fact home in every speech?
Good grief, Charlie Brown, I've just experienced an epiphany! Just as the 1984 Democratic Party presidential candidate Walter Mondale repeated in his speeches that he would be an honest politician and admit that he planned to raise our taxes (editors note: Mondale only carried his home state of Minnesota), so McCain's 'straight-talk express' is training (pun again intended) us to closely read between his lines and parse every word to find out what he is actually saying. Sounds like fun, kids!
Maybe Minnesota will again buck the trend and give McCain a victory in that state, annointing him President of Minnesota. Further memo to McCain: it gets mighty chilly up north. Oh, what's that...you haven't visited Minnesota in over two years? And you expect to be President?
Why does he do it? Has the king no advisors willing to tell him that he has no clothes? Here are some thoughts that spring to mind every time I hear McCain's "my friends" mantra:
1. insincere
2. trite
3. banal
4. desperate
5. artificial
6. repetitive
7. irritating
8. insipid
9. platitudinous
10. boring
11. disingenuous (I'll do anything to work that word into a conversation)
12. meretricious
13. never had a real friend
Oh yes, and he attaches that pasted-on phony smile at the same time. Does he really believe that we cannot see through this facade? The not-so-subliminal message he sends is that his words cannot be fully trusted. Granted, most politicians tend towards the insincere and self-serving. So why does McCain insist on driving this fact home in every speech?
Good grief, Charlie Brown, I've just experienced an epiphany! Just as the 1984 Democratic Party presidential candidate Walter Mondale repeated in his speeches that he would be an honest politician and admit that he planned to raise our taxes (editors note: Mondale only carried his home state of Minnesota), so McCain's 'straight-talk express' is training (pun again intended) us to closely read between his lines and parse every word to find out what he is actually saying. Sounds like fun, kids!
Maybe Minnesota will again buck the trend and give McCain a victory in that state, annointing him President of Minnesota. Further memo to McCain: it gets mighty chilly up north. Oh, what's that...you haven't visited Minnesota in over two years? And you expect to be President?
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