The Brand New Respectful Presidential Campaign Thread

NoH8

RM-- I never said I don't read all the posts, I just said that scrolling through images jump out like a sore thumb.

I heard about McCain's suggestions, I said the same thing last time the prices went out of control. While  I'd welcome spending less money on gas, I wonder how such a plan is affordable, and if it's so affordable, why are we paying these taxes to begin with.

Anonymous

Has anyone here decided if they are voting for Hillary?

saluki

If I'm going to listen to someone who's biased, it's much more enjoyable to do so with someone I agree with. If you could point out a show on fox or certain commentators who are fair and not anti-democrats or Obama I'd watch.

Amy- You would absolutely love Alan Colmes on Hannity and Colmes on Fox.

You may cringe with Hannity--but Alan Colmes does not miss any chance to go "hundred years" and call Rev Wright a heroe --and Dick Morris is a frequent guest. Certainly no friend of Hillary----In fact last night he was

accusing her of being a Marxist.---Actually, Morris is a frequent guest everywhere.

saluki

Rockermom--Whether I would vote for Hillary or McCain will depend very much on their Vice Presidential choice.  I doubt we will know McCain's VP choice before the Democrats have a ticket.

A McCain/Bobby Jindal ticket would be a no-brainer for me since he is so capable in healthcare and capable in so many areas---but I'm afraid the Republicans may want to save him as a future Presidential candidate.

Bren-2007

Layne,

I was so excited when I saw your name ... only to get here and find an empty spot!!

I was hoping you'd pop in.

Will write soon,

love ya,

Bren

Anonymous

This is why I lean to Hillary because, Repulican as I am, I still want a great economy for everyone.  I am only seeing what her husband did for us and hoping that she would bring the same. 

Why isn't she talking about this? Or promoting this?  Is she trying to distance herself from his terms? 

saluki

In view of the way McCain was treated by the NYT I found this interesting to say the least

From Drudge Report:

McCain Backs Newspaper Shield Law

John McCain told newspaper executives Monday that he supports a "shield law" to protect reporters who refuse to reveal their anonymous sources, putting him at odds with the Bush administration, which has threatened a veto of the bipartisan legislation.

Paulette531

Rocktobermom...I think Hillary not talking about Bill's term in office is twofold, if she does that then she reiterates what some are laready saying, Bill will be in office with her and secondly, she is supposedly running for president on her own accomplishments and terms, not Bills.

I am no fan of the Clinton machine but I do really like her health plan. She is just too freaking liberal for my taste.  

Anonymous

Amy:

When I hear some  awful comments-- and I don't just mean about Barack, but about human beings I change the channel, no matter what station-- even if it's said about one of yours  like Rush or Bill O'.  People don't need to be called freaks, degenerate or less than human by news commentators or talk show hosts. Even though I don't support the "pregnant man", for example, I don't think demeaning him on the air is appropriate.

I don't know what you mean about "one of yours."  I don't even listen to Rush.  And I don't always agree with O'Reilly.  I didn't hear the "freak" statement, but it is "freakish."  Perhaps I should use the word "selfish" instead.  Selfish because what the heck are these people thinking!?  And, by the way, the "man" is not a man.  He has not changed his sexual organs, nor has he gotten rid of his internal female organs.  And he did that for a purpose....to have kids.  I think that's a bit sick!  Either be a man or a woman!  And even doctors wouldn't take him as a patient!

I know that there are serious and less serious journalists on all of the stations, but somewhere along the line this line has been blurred on the cable news stations that it's almost not there any more.

O'Reilly is not a journalist.

If I'm going to listen to someone who's biased, it's much more enjoyable to do so with someone I agree with. If you could point out a show on fox or certain commentators who are fair and not anti-democrats or Obama I'd watch.

My point exactly, Amy.  So, why would you continue criticizing me for watching a station that I feel is fair and balanced.  And a station that I trust.  On many of the cable news stations and network news station you won't hear everything out there because they are biased towards the dems.  Why would I want to watch them?

O'Reilly has said he likes Obama.  That he's smart.  That he has charisma.  But he may also point out a few flaws here and there.  Now, Hannity's different.  He tells you what he thinks.  And, BTW, he let a minister who was ranting about Obama know he did not like what he was saying about Obama.  You woulda been proud!

Shirley 

BethNY

I swore up and down that I wouldn't post here.  I might kick myself for it later.

But I am all for relief at the gas pump.  Gas here is $3.73, and why no one is doing anything about it is beyond me.

I don't think McCain is a bush clone.  My fear would be more conservative supreme court justices, and the fear to try to overturn roe v. wade.  I mean, realistically, do you think that could happen?

If Hilary or Obama were to win, how soon could their health plan reforms actually begin to happen? 

There are pros and cons to each candidate, but overall for me, I like Hilary's universal health care plan.

I do agree with whoever said that Hilary was talking like she was all for guns, when she has clearly voted on stronger gun control laws etc.  I think all candidates but mostly the dems really change depending on who their audience is, and it's frustrating in part.

Here's my other concern.  It's a hypothetical situation, but just hear me out.  So lets say either Hil or Obama wins, and somehow they manage to withdraw troops from Iraq, and then a year later, the US gets another terrorist attack on our soil.  Because we all know, it's a matter of time before something happens here.  What happens then?  Will we blame them for withdrawing troops? Do we go back to war?

OR, what if McCain wins, and he continues the surge, and this insanely expensive war, and we get attacked on our soil, will we have the resources to recover?  Will people say, if we weren't spending millions occupying Iraq and Afganistan, we could've been better prepared at home?

My concern is that no matter who wins, the men and women who have served our country, and gone above and beyond the call of duty by doing MULTIPLE tours in Iraq, won't be cared for once they get home. 

This thread has it's good times and some not so good times, but I've been reading along and I'm learning a lot about everyone here.  Being young and possibly naive about the way the world works, sometimes I feel scared about the future.  I'm scared about social security running out before I even get there.  I'm scared that I finally got out of debt, and every month I am slowly watching my mutual funds get lower and lower, and I'm supposed to just hang in there. I'm scared that terrorists are going to attack our food since they can't fly planes into buildings, and the US isn't going to be prepared for it. 

I'm angry that it's 2008 and my gay friends can't get married.  It blows my mind that we think it's okay to deny people basic human rights. 

 I think there's so many problems in our country that I don't even understand where we begin to fix things.

Am I alone in all this?  When I hear people say they would rather not vote, then to vote for one of these candidates that scares me too.

Anyway, enough of my ramble. I may not post much but I am reading along.

saluki

Beth or anyone else--If you want to get a better idea of McCain's views

unprejudiced (more or less if that can be with Chris Matthews-LOL);  He is on now with Chris Matthews on hardball at Villanova University on MSNBC.  It will repeat at 11:00 P.M. tonight.

CherrylH

Layne,

i don't know you, but I'm begging, please do not delete  your post. It asked a lot of good questions. I never understood advocating for tax cuts, then bemoaning service cuts.

Cherryl, the left leaning Democrat

Rosemary44

Beth,

It could take some time for a health care package to go through all the requirements, both houses have to vote on it, committee meetings, hearings and changes, etc.  My best guess probably a little more than a year, if it passes, before they start to issue cards. They have to do feasibility studies, cost studies.  Maybe 2 years at the pace they move.

Roe v Wade always seems to be in trouble, but we still have it.  Everytime they say they're adding conservative judges to the court, everyone worries, starts talking about it again and yet there it is. 

ijl

With all the nationalized care where would we get doctors ? I used to be pretty flippant about check-ups and such before BC. Now I am trying to get a good physician but every time I get recommendations for one, they are not taking new patients.

I posted sometime ago about Mass. where they have mandatory coverage, there is almost 1 year wait for a regular checkup at doctors office. Yet it is so hard for students to get into medical schools. We know kids that graduated with great grades and were lucky to get into 3rd rate medical school. I heard of one who was going to Caribbean medical school after graduating with good but not stellar grades from UCLA.

I strongly believe that the government needs to quickly try to create more spaces in medical schools. They should especially encourage young people to go into internal medicine field.

ijl

With all the nationalized care where would we get doctors ? I used to be pretty flippant about check-ups and such before BC. Now I am trying to get a good physician but every time I get recommendations for one, they are not taking new patients.

I posted sometime ago about Mass. where they have mandatory covergae, there is almoast 1 year wait for a regular checkup at doctors office. Yet it is so hard for students to get into medical schools. We know kids whoc graduated with great grades and were liucky to get into 3rd rate medical school. I heard of one who was going to Carribean medical school after graduatibg with good but not stellar grades from UCLA.

I strongly beleive that the government needs to quickly try to create more spaces in medical schools. They shoulld especially encourage young people to go into internal medicine field.

Anonymous

I really don't think Roe vs Wade will ever be overturned. JMO.

Shirley



My font is very samll. Can't wait to see how it posts.

sccruiser

The tax cut McCain is suggesting for gasoline, is a federal tax, and it is 12 cents!! Big whoop.

shokk

I would just like to know from all three candidates their definition of when they believe life begins.........Shokk

sccruiser

And I'm so glad Paulette you are here to remind me of what I do. Nice to have you here policing! LOL

Anonymous

Shokk, I'm not a candidate, but I'll tell you what I think. And then I'll get slammed! LOL I think life begins at the time of conception.



I saw an abortion on a video. It made me cry. The baby was resting peacefully and when they started probing his/her little heartbeat raised and he was thrashing...



The doctor that did the abortion watched the video and never did another one.

Shirley

sccruiser

Inna,

I did not tell you you couldn't ask the question. Re-read the post more carefully please.



And for Shirley and you, who seem to be unable to let go of the question (but seem to think that we should be able to let go of the issue of race) here is my response:



In Illinois senate, worked on Ethics Legislation that was passed by the senate. He also worked on the law that was passed requiring the videotaping of witnesses in sex crime prosecution in order to protect the witnesses (especially children). According to the journalist, he "worked day to day to grind out the work, and kept a low profile as he was new."



In DC, he again worked on Ethics Legislation. He co-sponsored a bill with a Republican senator that would reduce the stockpiles of nuclear weapons. He is known to be a Senator who can "work across the aisles." In other words, he is a team player and believes in working alongside Republicans.



Barack also graduated Summa Cumme Laude from Harvard Law School. He was the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review.



His early life was very interesting. And he did not grow up in a "privileged" life as some imagine. He knows who he is--his identity is solid as a black man--and he has lived in other areas of the world and seen the poverty that his fellow schoolmates lived in. He experienced discrimination in many of the places he lived simply by the color of his skin.

Paulette531

Thank you Grace, my pleasure as akways!

Paulette531

12 cents is 12 cents, if it goes up 12 cents I suppose you will bit** about that as well. Liberals are never satisfied, your day to day lives must be miserable with all the inequalities you have to think about.

Paulette531

Shirley, I agree with you on Roe v Wade. I don't know why people keep that as a focal point. I personally disagree with abortion but I do support a woman's right to choose.

Rosemary44

Obama didn't do too well when he tried working with McCain in the Senate.  There's a post about it somewhere.  His ability to cross the aisle might have its limitations.

I found it:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/30/AR2008033002401_pf.html

Anonymous

It's a scare tactic used by the dems to scare people. They must have learned that tactic from the repubs!



Something's wrong with this board. It's slow as molasses..no spell check...no smileys..I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT SPELL CHECK!

Shirley

Paulette531

Yes...I suppose they did learn it from the Repubs, God knows they couldn't learn it on their own!

sccruiser

Thank you Layne for posting the unemployment stats and debt created by Presidents--those pesky Republicans. I just new it. They always foul what they touch!



I just knew shokk's stats couldn't be right. Living out here in the west, our unemployment rate continues to creep up, even when they say "____many new jobs created in our state," generally means, non-union minimum wage w/no benefits--at the latest Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, etc. Even the Safeway stores out here treat their employees like crap, and took away most of their health benefits. The cost of housing has risen out of sight, even rents are too much for a family to afford. These big chain stores hire minimum wage workers and purchase all their products (well, almost all--try finding something made in the USA in them) from overseas and then try to tell us that unemployment has dropped. Ridiculous!! The Republicans had 8 years to bring manufacturing back to this country. But no, Bush had to have his Folly of War, and all of us pay the price--out of our pocket--no matter where we go--gas, groceries, rent, mortgage, taxes, health care costs, etc. And then Bush strong arms through tax cuts that only benefit the wealthy. When will people wake up?



The computer industry in the Bay Area went bye bye thanks to the Republicans. Let's see, who was in office when the dot.com bust happened? Oh yeah, BUSH!!

Those jobs have gone overseas or just plain disappeared. Those companies have gone overseas, or moved to a less expensive area of the country to operate on a smaller scale with most of the workforce overseas or here on international work visas. And the out of work? Those who were making much more than minimum wage with engineering degrees? They can find minimum wage jobs at the big box stores, or the fast food restaurants. And how many jobs do they need to keep a roof over their families heads? About 3. Let's see--8 hrs a day x 3 jobs= 24 hrs. Guess they don't need to sleep or eat or relax. And I'm not talking about those with big mortgages. Many of those have already lost their homes and had to downsize. I'm talking about both parents working with children, and still unable to pay for health care. And where to they go when their child is sick? To the emergency rooms, because they cannot afford to see docs on a regular basis, and we all know a sick child always gets worse on the weekend or at night.



Eight years Bush had to keep our economy booming; to keep us from a deficit; to keep us from a war; and he chose to do none of the above. So, what else can one assume from this but, as Amy said, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, must be a duck. We have Bush--republican and McCain--republican--looks like a couple of ducks to me!! And I apologize to all the ducks of the world.

sccruiser

Amy,

Now how did you know I wouldn't miss that conversation on race on MSNBC? LOL



I thought it was an amazing program. I'm saddened that some here missed it, and I hope it is repeated soon. Certainly showed how everyone (I mean all skin colors) can come together and provide opportunities to those less fortunate from ourselves. It certainly is a way to use our privilege in a positive manner. And not have to keep asking "so what would you have me do?"



Perhaps it will catch on eventually.



I'm going up to UCSC on April 25th for the reception honoring Bettina Aptheker, who just completed 17 DVDs of her beginning feminist studies class: Introduction to Feminisms

She is an amazing woman. Her father, Herbert Aptheker was an incredible intellectual who did the first definitive collection of African American history in the United States. His work is often sited and used to this day in research on African Americans and slavery. Bettina is considered the only white woman who knows almost (and I stress almost) as much about African American History in this country as African American Academics with post graduate degrees. I have listened to her lecture often, and she is an amazing professor and educator. I'm really looking forward to it. Wish I could afford the 17 DVDs!!

shokk

Well actually at one time President Clinton did have 3.97 for one year but that even wasn't the lowest....that honor would go to Eisenhower in 1953 when unemployment was 2.92%.........but we also have to take into consideration that when you take the wonderful "I did not have sex with that woman" 90's the average mean for the 8 years was 5% and when Bush came in and 9 months later we had the worse act of terrorism in the history of our country on the mainland .....shut down our country and then went to war........the seven years of President Bush's unemployment is at the very same rate based on 7 years is a even 5%.........the very same rate as Clinton's........of course this does not include 08 since we won't have that figure until January 09.........Bush may end of being a bit more..........just so you know........Shokk