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Hope! Legislators might actually "represent" their constituents!

Posted by Cindy of TX on Friday, February 06, 2009 1:38:12 PM
As I watched President Obama's speech (rant? whine?) last night, I must tell you that I was stunned.  It seemed to me more of a tantrum.  I was put off, right from the start, with a little quip about how nice Air Force One is - which seemed a little out of place as a preface to a speech based upon America's current economic "catastrophe.  Of course, the president must have the security and luxury of Air Force One...but to boast of it?  Bad form.
And, was it just me, but did Obama seem out of control - perhaps even losing his famous cool?  He's on television so often, I rarely turn around to watch him, as I do other things on the computer...but the tone and content of this speech had me spinning around in my chair to see what the matter was.  Soon enough, the obligatory "let's blame Bush" attack was unleashed, as he sarcastically emphasized to his Democratic House audience (as they were enjoying a "retreat" at a plush Virginia spa and resort, paid for by us) that he inherited a large deficit and it was tied up with a ribbon or some juvenile metaphor referring to a gift or a package.  This is not what I expected from the eloquent and well-spoken president.  This was exactly who I thought he was:  vindictive, petty, and mean-spirited.  I believe he showed himself for his true self in this speech, and those of us who opposed him already recognized him.  I wonder if anyone was surprised to see this side of him?
To my point:  it occurred to me as I listened that he must be confused about representative government.  He lectures the legislators as though convincing them - just them - is all there is to it.  He must not understand that the reason there is reluctance among some of the moderate Dems and all of the Republicans is that their CONSTITUENTS are writing and calling by the thousands, telling them to oppose this version of the economic stimulus bill.  Duh.  These men and women are beholden to those who elected them, more so than they are to House and Senate leadership, or to the President.  That's the beauty of checks and balance.  Now, that's HOPE I can believe in.
Some type of bill will pass, but I'm heartened that President Obama has had a struggle of it.
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Nostalgia - Nov 1, 2000 & 2004 poll map

Posted by Cindy of TX on Sunday, November 02, 2008 4:19:34 PM
This is too much fun!  This link will take you to an interactive map of battleground states poll results:
 
 It does my heart good to look at the poll predictions from 2004 in particular, and remember the confidance of the Kerry campaign - right up until the concession speech!
Have courage and fight!  Two days to go!
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Say it Ain't So, Susan! Not the Race Card from You, Too?

Posted by Cindy of TX on Saturday, November 01, 2008 12:53:13 PM
   Susan Estrich's column, "The Final Days", released today, is a huge disappointment, even and especially from her.  Normally, I prefer Susan Estrich as a Democrat pundit, over, say, Bob Beckel, if push comes to shove.  I hate to recommend that you read this column, but in the interest of understanding where the Democrats are going "just in case" they lose this election, I'm doing just that.  Can she really believe that an Obama loss on Tuesday can ONLY be explained by one thing: race?  Yes.  Indeed.  Here's the crux of the column:
 

There is only one reason the polls could be this wrong. There is only one reason a contest that is not even close, that is somewhere between clobbered and landslide, could wind up with the other guy on top. Every pollster in America is not incompetent. Every pollster in America is not failing in precisely the same way when it comes to pulling a sample, screening for voters and assigning weights to the various groups.

The only way all these polls could be that far off is if people are lying in numbers never before seen in American politics.

Why would they do that?

You tell me it has nothing to do with race. I'll laugh. What else could it possibly be?

Talk about a blind spot!  Susan, come on!  You tell me it has nothing to do with media bias and control of information.  I'll laugh. 
 
You are just another victim of Obama's Emperor's New Clothes - oops, No Clothes - media strategy, and you fell for it.  I don't blame you for being outraged.  You should be.  I don't blame you for feeling duped.  You have been.  You've been duped by your party, more than once.  I have to hand it to you, though - you're loyal.  Hey, maybe it's time to take a good hard look at what is going on around you.  Obama is not a black candidate, in the true sense of what most Americans would consider a black candidate.  He is a bi-racial candidate; he is part Kenyan and part Caucasian.  This election is NOT a referendum on race relations in America.  It is, as so many Democrat pundits have repeated time and time again, a referendum on the economy, on national security, and judgment.  That's all.  Anything else, Ms. Estrich, is a shameless attempt to ignite racial hatred and throw it after the class warfare your party has already done its best to invent and use to play upon the base fears of the most vulnerable among us.
 
One question:  Ms. Estrich, which party has made the most mention of race in the presidential election campaign?  Thank you for playing.
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Purge vs. Surge

Posted by Cindy of TX on Friday, October 31, 2008 6:05:36 PM
It's down to this.  More reporters are purged from THE ONE's presence:  this time, reporters from the NY Post, Washington Times, and my metropolitan paper, The Dallas Morning News have been ousted from Obama's plane.  They have been covering the campaign at great expense, but now, with five days to go, off the plane they go.  Why?  Is it a coincidence that all three of these papers' editorial boards endorsed John McCain?  Doubtful.  OF COURSE, Obama will not be honest about the reason, and what is being said is there is so much interest in being part of this historic moment (loss), that they need more room for documentary film makers and the like.  Right.  As I've said before, this is a thing that makes me go, "Hmmmmm."  I could write a follow-up letter to the MSM, and see how the break-up is going and if they have sought therapy yet.  It would be funny, if it wasn't so downright frightening.  I'm starting to think of countries like China and Venezuela.  Perhaps it is fitting to receive this news on Halloween.  So, Obama is winning the "purge" argument.
 
On the other side, McCain is surging.  He's always been on the side of the surge, and it's always a winner for him.  Volunteers are reporting a clear momentum shift in swing states, and renewed enthusiasm for the McCain/Palin ticket.  As Obama purges dissent and recovers from his disappointing info-mercial, McCain and Palin are drawing huge, excited crowds, and rolling out their get-out-the-vote effort.  Meghan McCain is in Vegas with Johnny & Linda Ramone (check out her blog for some great pics!) and going to MTV events.  The McCain campaign is showing their champion pedigree, and peaking at the right time; Obama's campaign is showing its confusion ($250K, $200K, $150K, $125K and who knows where it will stop?) and starting to play defense, showing up in states they had already marked off as being in their column.
 
Five days are left before the ultimate poll on November 4.  The struggle is now Purge vs. Surge.  One is a position of weakness; the other is a position of strength.  This situation bodes very well for McCain/Palin next Tuesday.  The more Obama continues to act out of his fear of losing, the stronger the case for McCain.  The Obama campaign is smoke and mirrors, and the polls have been nothing but a reflection of this mirage.  McCain and Palin are running a campaign of truth, authenticity, and belief in their cause, and the American voters will respond to that.  Take your belief in our American system to the voting booth, whether it is early or on November 4.  Vote for reform with a McCain vote; the kind of change Obama is offering will give us a country we no longer recognize. 
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Dear MSM - Priceless?

Posted by Cindy of TX on Sunday, October 26, 2008 8:52:01 PM
Dear Main Stream Media,
Obama's campaign has now sent you several "Dear John" letters.  I am wondering how you are taking it.  I mean, it must be heart-breaking to discover that the man you have loved for the past two years (has it been that long?) is suddenly sending these cooling off signals to all of you.  First, you hear the warning shot of a local Florida station being cut off from future access to the Obama campaign, a punishment handed down because a reporter on that station asked Joe Biden questions that the campaign considered ridiculous.  Then, you received the following price list (extortion demands?) to have high quality access to the inaugeral party or defeat wake in Chicago:
 
* Main Riser Position - $935 (Includes 4 Main Riser Credentials, 5'x8' Slot on Covered Main Riser and one 20 amp circuit)
* Main Riser Position with Telecommunications - $1870 (Includes Main Riser Position services, PLUS two unlimited long distance/local phone lines and one wired high speed internet connection)
* Cut Riser Position - $880 (Includes 4 Cut Riser Credentials, 5'x8' Slot on Covered Cut Riser, one 20 amp circuit)
* Cut Riser Position with Telecommunications - $1815 (Includes Cut Riser Position services, PLUS two unlimited long distance/local phone lines and one wired high speed internet connection)
* Press File Seat - $935 (includes 1 Press File Credential, seat in heated Press File Tent, Power, Cable Television, High Speed Wired Internet Service, Catering)
* Satellite Truck Position - $900 (includes 35'x20' parking position and 100 amp electrical service)
* Radio Position - $715 (includes table space and chair behind the riser, power and an ISDN BRI line for radio -- comes with two credentials)
 
Wow.  And after all you did for him!  At least he sent his price list in a letter, and didn't send it via text message...I just hate guys who break up with you in a text, don't you?  Listen, I know it's going to be hard getting over this fast-talker, especially since you threw your other suitor under the bus, but you can make new friends.  All you have to do is apologize to the public you have disappointed and failed to serve, show them you are sincere by admitting your mistakes, and make a plan to do much, much better in the future.  Then, after a decent amount of time has been given for us to regain our trust in you (and you realize it takes a lot longer to rebuild trust than it does to break it), you may be given a second chance to be great journalists again.
 
Until then, I guess it would seem mean-spirited to say "what goes around, comes around".  It is unfortunate you had to learn the hard way, but I do hope your eyes are open now, and we can count on you to get back in the game and provide us with quality reporting in the future.
 
Sincerely,
An American Citizen
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Barney Frank's Frank Warning: Are YOU Rich?

Posted by Cindy of TX on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 8:49:23 AM
   Let's start with the Senator Barney Frank's own words:
 
I think at this point, there needs to be a focus on an immediate increase in spending and I think this is a time when deficit fear has to take a second seat. I do think this is a time for a kind of very important dose of Keynesianism. I believe later on there should be tax increases. Speaking personally, I think there are a lot of very rich people out there whom we can tax at a point down the road and recover some of this money.
 
First, it strikes me as odd that the same Barney Franks, who was so helpful in getting us into the financial mess we now find ourselves, has now declared there "needs to be a FOCUS on an IMMEDIATE INCREASE in spending".  Isn't the government busier than Joe the Plumber with two plungers flushing more paper than we ever thought we'd see in all of our lifetimes through the money pipelines right now???  How much more immediate can it get?  What kind of increase does Mr. Franks have in mind?   How can we possibly increase the spending of the federal governement? 
Second, Barney Franks says we need to blow the concerns about deficit spending out the window, "...this is a time when deficit fear has to take a second seat".  Wow.  Even conservatives have been hammering President Bush on out-of-control spending, while acknowledging that in a time of war, deficit spending is a given.  Apparently, Franks believes that deficit spending for the national defense is undefensable, but let's throw that concern out the window when it comes to whatever misguided entitlement programs he and his comarades-in-arms have in store for the little people.  Now we have a warning of both increased spending and deficit spending to come.
 
Finally, he announces the icing on the cake:  there will be tax increases!  To be fair to Barney Franks, he does qualify these increases.  They won't apply to everyone - of course not!  The exact plan would be:  "I think there are a lot of very rich people out there we can tax at a point down the road..."  What a relief.  It's only the very rich.  I wonder who they are?  I am fairly sure I am not in the "very rich" category, but here's what nags at me:  what if I worked my up to there?  Or, what if the definition of "very rich" is not what I assume it is?  See, that's the thing with perception, especially with wealth and tax codes.  Is it personal wealth?  Is it gross or net?  Does it include small businesses?   Mr. Franks doesn't say; he throws out a statement like this and relies on people's belief that "they" are not "rich", thus, using the oldest tactic in the Democrat playbook:  class warfare.
 
Are YOU rich?  Maybe.  One thing you can count on:  you won't be with an Obama presidency, combined with a Democrat-controlled House and Senate.  Franks clearly stated his intentions; it would be foolish to think it was a missatement.  In the last week, we have heard two astounding announcements:  Biden warned us of the several international security tests that would befall us if Obama is elected, and Franks warned us that the economic disaster will continue under an Obama presidency.  We should carefully heed these warnings.
 
 
 
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Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.....

Posted by Cindy of TX on Monday, October 20, 2008 8:28:30 PM
Apparently, now that Colin Powell has set the criteria for presidential worthiness to include "intellectual curiosity", many of us out here in real-life America are now qualified to mount a campaign.  We are surely wondering about a few things, not the least of which is how in the Sam Hill the Obama campaign racked up $150 million in donations for September.  Wasn't this smack-dab in the middle of  "the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression"?  (My apologies if this isn't an exact quote, but I've heard it often enough in various forms to at least make the assumption you've heard something similar).  Let's think about this carefully.  These poor Joe's and Jane's are purportedly without jobs, and if they are fortunate enough to have jobs, the jobs are low-wage (non-union), without benefits, and are probably (OMG!) even at Walmart!  I believe I heard a report today that Obama crowds were chanting, "Jobs, baby, jobs!"  They worry about not having health care, not being able to pay for their winter fuel bill, and not having access to the same "tax cuts" that the very rich have.  Someone even mentioned that America is a downright mean country these days. 
 
Now, we are treated to the news that the Obama campaign has broken all fund-raising records, and pulled in $150 million last month.  How?  There are 1,744,186 people giving an average of $86 dollars to a political campaign?  Really?  I don't doubt the bottom line - but I do not think this total was achieved by relying on the folks.  Hmmmmm.
 
More curiosities:  Does it seem odd that in a world where all the major, mainstream media outlets are obviously biased for Obama, that Obama would take the effort and time to whine and grouse that Fox presents negative stories about him?  Isn't that funny?  He is so accustomed to getting only positive media, when balanced reports (some positive/some negative) are made, he perceives them as "negative".  Why would he care?  That makes me go, "Hmmmmm".
 
Another:  Why would Biden predict a international/national crisis within months of an Obama inaugeration?  Is this supposed to encourage the "undecideds" to feel more confidant about an Obama vote?  Is he sabotaging the election?  Is he pumping up his own importance?  I'm baffled.  Hmmmmm.
 
Why does the MSM use their investigative power to find out the details of Joe the Plumber - and find out he owed a pittance in back taxes ($1200) - but skim over the story about Charlie Rangel paying a little over $10,0000 to the state of NY for back taxes on his properties?  I think this looks a little lop-sided, don't you?  One person is a guy from the neighborhood (really!), and one person is a U.S. Representative from NY, who happens to also be Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, tasked with writing the tax laws of our country.  I have to shake my head on this one, too.  Hmmmmm.
 
I could go on, but you're getting the idea - after all, we are intellectually curious.  You've probably noticed more examples of these puzzling incidents which defy logic and reason, but continue to occur on a regular basis.  The only answer we can offer to those who would ask of us that we accept fantasy for reality, that we accept fiction for truth, or that we accept injustice for justice is to continue to stand up for what is right, what is true and what is rational.  This election really, after all, boils down to just that.  We have two weeks to withstand this assault to our good sense, and we must.  Money is a powerful tool, it's true.  The press and media is another powerful tool - again, true.  Yet, the most powerful force of all alway has, and continues to be, the voting power of the American people.  We still have that.  Let's make sure we use it. 
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Happy Warriors, Unite and Fight!

Posted by Cindy of TX on Monday, October 13, 2008 9:00:16 PM
   I confess, I don't know with certainty where the term "happy warrior" originated, but I heard it today on Medved's radio program, and I identified with it.  I also heard it used to describe McCain himself.  As I went through the rest of the afternoon, pondering the rapidly approaching election, it occurred to me that we need a battle cry of some sort and I like this one:  "Happy Warriors - Unite and Fight!"
   We are inundated with dumpy and depressing news:  the economy (except for today), the polls (Obama's still ahead!), ACORN (more voter fraud, and very few options to combat it), the third debate (another liberal commentator)....and on and on it goes.  Tonight, I am writing to encourage you!  The economy is always going to go through it's ups and downs, the polls are STILL inaccurate, and McCain is starting to sound a lot more feisty the last few days.  We will not be able to influence much of any of these situations...but we CAN take our case and our ticket's advantages to our friends and neighbors!  We can make some phone calls on the McCain website Voter2Voter Online Phonebank, and call some of those folks in the all-important battleground states.  They aren't going to hear the truth on the MSM - and you might be the friendly voice they've been waiting for.  Reports are that the responses received have been more favorable than expected (see, what did I tell you about those silly polls?).  Get a sign and put it up in your yard, or wear a McCain/Palin cap.  Most of all - MOST OF ALL - do not let the MSM (remember we do not trust them!) determine your attitude about this election!  It is not over - far from it.  I just returned from a trip to D.C. and met people from all over the country (a wedding)...I was quite surprised to find LOTS of McCain/Palin supporters from Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.  One man, and I know this is only anecdotal, told me that his whole family were McCain supporters and they were called quite a bit by pollsters (they live in Pennsylvania).  They are so tired of being polled that they just tell them they are Obama supporters; he said lots of people do that because they want the Obama campaign to think they are in a better position than they actually are.
   I may be completely wrong, and you can call me Pollyanna - but let's not lie down and accept predictions made by people who have an obvious agenda to promote an Obama presidency.  Let's fight with McCain and Palin!  Let's fight for our country!  The stakes are too high in this election; we must not lose our resolve.  Courage!  Happy Warriors - Unite and Fight!
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Green Ham, No Eggs - A Suessical Parody

Posted by Cindy of TX on Sunday, October 05, 2008 9:09:18 AM
   I couldn't get this classic Dr. Suess story out of my head back in late spring, when Obama kept dodging the offer of townhall debates offered by John McCain.  With respect to the wonderful Dr. Suess, I enjoyed tweaking his classic story, just a bit.  Since this week's debate is in the townhall style, I wanted to share this with you. 
 
 

GREEN EGGS AND HAM ~ OBAMA-STYLE

I am John
I am John
John I am

That John-I-am!
That John-I-am!
I do not like
that John-I-am!

Do you like
townhall debates?

I do not like them,
John McCain.
I do not like
townhall debates.

Would you like them
here or there?

I would not like them
here or there.
I would not like them
anywhere.
I do not like
townhall debates.
I do not like them John McCain.

Would you like them
in the summer?
Would you like them
in large numbers?

I do not like them
in the summer.
I do not like them
in large numbers.
I do not like them
here or there.
I do not like them
anywhere.
I do not like townhall debates.
I do not like them, John McCain.

Would you do one in a bus?
Would that be worth all of the fuss?

Not in a bus.
Not worth the fuss.
Not in the summer.
Not in large numbers.
I would not do them here or there.
I would not do them anywhere.
I would not do townhall debates.
I do not like them, John-I-am.

Would you? Could you?
          On a base?            
Do them! Do them!
Make your case.

I would not,
could not,
on a base.

You may like them.
You will see.
You may like them
by the sea!

I would not, could not by the sea.
Not on a base! You let me be.

I do not like them in a bus.
I do like all of the fuss.
I do not like them in the summer.
I do not like them in large numbers.
I do not like them here or there.
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like townhall debates.
I do not like them, John McCain.

A train! A train!
A train! A train!
Could you, would you,
on a train?

Not on a train! Not by the sea!
Not on a base! John! Let me be!

I would not, could not, in a bus.
It could not, would not, be worth the fuss.
I will not do them in the summer.
I will not do them in large numbers.
I will not do them here or there.
I will not do them anywhere.
I do not do townhall debates.
I do not like them, John McCain.
************************


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Banish the Poll Doldrums!

Posted by Cindy of TX on Thursday, October 02, 2008 1:33:28 PM
   Are you allowing the constant poll results - this one, that one, this state, that state - to give you the blues?  Banish those doldrums, forthwith!  As do most of you, I listen to talk radio, and watch many different news outlets (even the ones that I dislike), and if I've heard it once, I've it heard it a dozen times:  "What can McCain DO to turn this around?!"  Oh, the desperation...and to prove the need for a new strategy, more poll results are trotted out.
   I say, challenge the premise.  What if (IF!) the polls are, simply, wrong?  How often are we privy to the actual poll samples, or the actual poll questions?  Better yet, here's something I've always been curious about:  who, reading this right now, has ever been contacted by one of the major pollsters?  I have not.
   If you challenge the premise, and entertain or even accept that the poll results are incorrect, then you can see more clearly what is happening in the campaigns.  Believe what you see and hear and trust your gut.  Are we actually to believe that this is an election where age and accent are up against record and relationships?  Really?  Do not fall into the MSM trap and do not let the Obama campaign convince you that what you know is true is somehow false.  This is an election between two candidates, McCain and Palin, who have actual, real-life records that you can actually research, of reform and incorruptability - and two candidates, Obama and Biden, who have actual, real-life records that you can actually research, of extreme liberal policies and shady relationships. 
   If you have the blues, and the polls are giving you the doldrums - is it feeling familiar?  Does it feel like 2004?  How did that turn out?  Let's believe in our fellow Americans, and remind each other to focus on the real issues in this election.  When you hear the Obama campaign surrogates spinning about McCain's age, Palin's accent, and things like that, take a mental note:  they are desperate; not us.
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Palin's Big Debate: Truth or Dare?

Posted by Cindy of TX on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 7:58:58 PM
   In her GOP convention nomination acceptance speech, Governor Palin raised all our hopes with these lines: 

"I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country."   

   The media had already pelted some heavy ammunition at her at the time of this speech, but she likely had no idea how much more was still to come...or how true was her assessment about being a Washington "outsider".  
 
   I call "Truth or Dare" on Governor Palin and the McCain campaign as the Vice-Presidential debate approaches on Thursday.  I think most of us Palin supporters out here on "Main Street" or in the "Heartland" or in "Flyover America"...whatever term you choose to use to describe us...are crossing our fingers and wishing on stars that she meant what she said that night at the GOP convention.  Please, Governor Palin, please take "truth" on this:  show us that the opinion of the reporters and commentators is not the good opinion you seek.  Prove to us that you understand that we do not really care if you know all the ins and out of the U.N.,  we KNOW  it is not our friend and is not looking out for us.  Demonstrate in this debate that you have the essentials we know are important to leading this country:  common sense, conservative principles, steadfastness, management experience, good judgement, and proper comportment.  Show some faith in us.  We understand that the executive branch of government comes with a good deal of expert help - and we expect President McCain and his staff will choose wisely in this regard. 
 
   If you choose the "dare" side of this challenge, I fear the outcome.  Daring the media to call you the winner of this debate is a foolish risk.  Playing their game will suck you into a losing gambit, and set you up for a fall.  Better, in this supporter's eyes, for you to take the "truth" side of this challenge for the debate.   Seek OUR good opinion.  We want to see that you understand who WE are.  If you have faith in us, you will win our faith in you.
 
Truth?  Or, dare?
 
All the best to you in this debate.  Go get 'em!
 
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Obama's America - Past Tense Inspiration?

Posted by Cindy of TX on Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:18:34 PM
   In his zeal to provide change and hope, Obama has placed himself in a position, seemingly intentionally, of being part of an America where there is no hope, and certainly no pride.  I suppose that position is meant to show all of us how badly we need him.  Ironically, it does nothing but clearly demonstrate how desparately we cannot possibly accept him.  I submit as evidence Obama's closing remarks from Debate 1, Oxford, Mississippi, which start with the anecdote about his Kenyan father writing letters seeking to come to the U.S. where "our ideals and values inspired the world."  He follows this comment, where America's inspiration to the world is relegated to the past tense, with this statement:
   "I don't think any of us can say that our standing in the world now, the way children around the world look at the United States, is the same."   
   This is a stunning statement.  First of all, it is simply and patently untrue.  I realize the senator has been very busy with his campaign, but surely he was able to watch at least a snippet of the Olympics - at least the part where the American athletes received one of the largest and loudest ovations of all during the opening ceremonies.  I am also aware that there has not been much time to participate in the important debates on the Senate floor in the past two years (and it has seemed that long!), but it couldn't have escaped his notice that we are having a bit of a problem with immigration issues here in the U.S. and if Kenya is having the same problem, I'm not aware of it.
   It boils down to this: America's inspiration lives today!  We all know it.  Obama's statement in the closing moments of Debate 1 does not reflect a lack of inspiration in America; it reflects a lack of inspiration in the man who made the statement.
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McCain - Steady and Ready; Obama - Flaky and Shaky

Posted by Cindy of TX on Friday, September 26, 2008 11:52:47 PM

   I have a confession: I started getting a little bored about half-way through the first debate.  Even still, there were some interesting points made.  My favorite of the night was McCain's reference to the infamous Obama campaign pseudo-presidential seal, thus proving for all time and once-and-for-all that McCain does, indeed, have access to and interest in the blogosphere and the internet.  Ta-da!!!!

   Seriously, looking at the debate with the criteria outlined in my previous post, McCain did very well.  He did not apologize for going to DC to participate in solving one of the most serious economic problems in our lifetimes (imagine having to apologize for going to work!)  He was confidant.  He fielded the expected questions regarding the economy, although I would have liked him to communicate more effectively that the differences between his plan and Obama's plan are the classic differences between a conservative view and a liberal view. (Do you think you or the government is better able to spend your money?) McCain consistently showed respect for his opponent by referring to him as "Senator Obama", while he was called simply "John" by Obama.  I think that made Obama look even younger and more juvenile - and for a young man to use that level of familiarity with an elder was not favorable.  McCain went on the offense many times, especially in regard to Iran, while Obama was left interrupting or trying to, glancing around, raising his finger to get attention, and generally appearing frustrated.  McCain came off as a feisty statesman, while Obama came off like that smarty-pants honor student in the front row who you eventually just get tired of hearing from. 
 
 Lehrer's questions were straight-forward, so there was no need for McCain to challenge the questions themselves, only Obama's skirting of those questions, and his parsing of words, which McCain specifically pointed out at least once.  He was also effective at fending off Obama's continued and transparent attempt to connect McCain with Bush, which is really becoming tedious at this point.  I do wish the memo would be passed around that Bush is not running, and McCain has not been Bush's BFF during the last 8 years.  
 
   Bottom line:  McCain demonstrated his vast experience in foreign policy and his ability and readiness to lead and guide the US through some hard times.  Best of all, he did not buy in to the Democrat's line that the United States has lost standing in the world.  He knows we are still the country the others wish to be, and Americans are going to vote for a man who respects America, not one who apologizes for it.  I say McCain came out steady and ready, and won this round.
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McCain's Task - Debate 1: Ready, Steady, Go!

Posted by Cindy of TX on Friday, September 26, 2008 5:30:00 PM
   After all the drama that preceded this debate (will he? won't he?), it is of utmost importance that McCain take the stage with confidence - please, no apologies - and controls the content of the debate.  Sure, allow a couple of off-topic questions regarding the economy because everyone expects it and deserves it.  Stay steady and refrain from taking the first punch.  Obama will soon enough lose his patience and won't be able to keep himself from making an attack statement.  Then, he will be perceived as negative and petty (not that big of a stretch) and McCain will have the upper hand in the statesman category.  Score on our side!
  McCain needs to clearly delineate the difference between his world view in regard to foreign policy and Obama's world view; he can highlight his wealth of experience in this area, and take Obama to school.  People need to see that when there is action that needs to be taken - McCain's the one who can be counted upon to do just that.
   Make sure that each question is examined for a false premise before answering it.  That's how moderators force unfortunate answers from candidates.  If McCain does not accept the premise of a question, challenge it right off the bat.  Don't try to answer it or spin an answer to a question that is worded in such a way as to force a certain perspective from the answer!
   Be yourself, McCain - be ready, be steady, and go!  Roger that?  You betcha.
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