Positive Obama thread

Just so you know, Cindy McCain (aka the beer heiress) has been doing work with refugees in war zones for years.  It's not something that she's ever publicized before but obviously now it gets press because her husband is running for the presidency.  She has always done this with her own funds.  So there is nothing opportunistic about it - it what she does and has done for years.  In fact she met and adopted her daughter while on a similar mission years ago.

Amy, I am in infrequent poster on this thread because you have asked me not to post.

I have no agenda with regard to Cindy McCain; I simply recently read an article about her charitable works that really surprised me because I'd never heard much about what she does.  I thought that perhaps others might not be aware of it too, which is why I posted.  I tried to keep it short and inoffensive. 

While Wikipedia is not usually my preferred source for information, it is a neutral source and the bio of Cindy McCain is pretty balanced, for those who are interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_McCain

Another great night for the Dems!  I didn't get to see all of Clinton's speech because I was volunteering at my daughter's school but caught most of it and saw the Bidens' speeches in rerun.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house, as they say.  I was surprised by how many men were tearing up.   

Yeah, I don't get all the outcry about the stage--it's a sports stadium and they've add a backdrop that includes columns.  It could be Greek, it could be White Housey, it could be Lincolnesque, it could even remind people of slave plantations.  I suspect it was meant to suggest stability, strength and yes, power.  Maybe columns wouldn't be my choice of backdrop, but it's hardly worth foaming at the mouth about.  He opened up the process to ordinary people, not just the politicos who are delegates--that's the important point.  If he had done the usual thing, with balloons, I'm sure he'd be crticized for being a phony egalitarian.  It's just another case of damned-if--you-do, damned-if-you-dont.

I wanted to say a few more things about Cindy . . . Most rich people have charities or foundations and get tax breaks from them.  I don't think that necessarily negates from their efforts.  Teresa Kerry also does a lot of charitable work, and I think that she, like Cindy, deserves points for her work.  Michelle and Hillary also have done great things for women and children.  Cindy apparently chose an arena she had a particular interest and training for, so she probably put more into her charitable work than some.  I give her credit for that.  She's obviously had a complicated life, and I wouldn't necessarily condemn her for her addiction or petty crimes she may have committed while ill.  I'd even forgive her for being the Other Woman, the younger prettier rival.  I do have a problem with the conservative tendency to be hypocrites about other people's sins and to punish people who don't share their worldview for the exact same sins they themselves have committed.  Limbaugh, for instance, railing against drug users while he is using drugs.  Larry Craig denouncing gays while he himself is gay.  And sentencing low-income addicts to long prison terms, while making sure none of their people, like Cindy, do time for the same crimes.  It's actually worse than mere hypocrisy because it often involves punishing people in very real ways.

Cindy's comment about her patriotism, as compared to Michelle's, was very snarky, and she gets demerits for that.  I also don't get why she forgave and now apparently embraces the Rove attack machine that demeaned not only her, but her daughter as well.  To me, hurting a child as a political means to an end is unforgiveable, and it's one of the reasons I get my hackles up about Rove and the Swift Boaters and the depths to which they will sink to gain power.  Obama has instructed his donors not to give to 527s.  And Cindy's trip to Georgia does include a publicized visit with the president.  That gives the trip political overtones, even if they're "old friends."  And the timing certainly was convenient, just as the apparent planned leak of McCain's VP selection will be tonight.  But that's just politics as usual, I guess.

OK, off my soapbox for today.  Tonight's gonna be a party!   

  Me happy.  As an event, last night was just about perfect.  I thought Obama's speech was a great mix of inspiration and feistiness.  The stadium setting worked well and fit with the content of his speech.  He was talking about ordinary people *to* ordinary people.  The people who were on the stage with him, the extended Obama-Biden family, represented the variety and blending of America today, as did the folks in the audience.  And how could you not be moved by the historical significance of the night?  I remember my mother, who was fortunate enough to attend the King rally, talking about that speech when I was little.

Despite all the criticism, I thought the background didn't detract from his presentation, as what viewers saw while he was speaking was actually very simple.  A simple geometric design with one flag.  I don't think the columns, which were framing the big screens, were that noticeable.   

My favorite moments from the speech:

His line about wanting the same things for his girls as others want for their boys.

His line about his mother dying of cancer and having to fight with the insurance companies.

His line about "we all want to serve our country."  I liked that one in particular because he didn't just say "I want" -- he acknowledged the frustration of all progressives who are sick of being labeled unpatriotic because we don't like war. 

His line about McCain's 90 percent Bush voting record and not wanting to gamble on the 10 percent.

His reference to the fact that McCain started agitating for war in Iraq 3 months after 9/11 (I don't think a lot of people know that McCain and his foreign policy advisor were an active part of the Iraq deception, not just an after-the-fact supporter of the war.)

His line about McCain wanting to chase bin Laden to the gates of hell, but not to the cave where he lives.  (That I guess is a reference to the fact that McCain criticized Obama for saying he would go into Pakistan if necessary.)

His line about Republicans' ownership philosophy and how they need to "own their failures."  Snap!

I would disagree with him on one point.  I think he was being generous when he said that McCain cares about people but just doesn't get it.  I would say that McCain doesn't get it because he doesn't care.  About domestic issues anyway.  His passion is foreign policy, and more specifically he seems intent on re-starting the Cold War.  As you say Amy, he seems stuck in the past.  And not even the recent past. 

I wish Obama had talked more about the environment, not just energy policy.  I know that was Gore's thing, but a passing reference in Obama's speech would have been good.  I also would have been happy if Obama had gone into more detail about his proposals, but it seems that whenever politicians talk policy specifics in speeches, people's eyes glaze over, so I guess he'll have to save that for the debates.

I didn't have strong feelings about the lead-in film, but I did enjoy seeing photos of Obama's extended family.  Her speech wasn't great, but I thought it was cool that they got Susan Eisenhower to speak.  And although the coverage I saw didn't actually show them up close, it was great that they had all those retired generals (34?) endorsing Obama as commander-in-chief. 

So all in all, a great night for the Dems, and overall, a great convention.  I think they're going to get a lot more enthusiastic volunteers and money as a result, and that's sort of the point of these things anyway.

To answer your previous question, Amy . . . I'm not going to watch the Republican convention.  As they say, conventions are 4-day infomercials, and I know I'm not interested in buying that product, and I don't expect they'll say anything we haven't heard before. You know how they like the repetition . . . saying things over and over to catapult the propaganda (to quote our current president).

Ok, well, as a woman I am really insulted by McSame's choice of VP.  I'm sure Mrs. Palin is a lovely person, but come ON...VP????  SHE seemed more surprised at her selection than anyone.

If she were a man, she NEVER would have been chosen.  She has been governor for 20 months.  That's it!. McSame and his cronies are assuming that  women will buy into this ticket simply because there is "regular middle class WOMAN" on the team and that we want to see a woman on the ticket at all cost.  Very sad.

I also supported Hillary (at first) but changed my allegiance to Obama a few months ago.  For those people who were Hillary supporters, I am curious to know if you will still be on the McSame bandwagon after this announcement.  Many of you, from what I have read, think that Barack does not have the experience necessary.  I guess I'm wondering what the thoughts are now considering the possibility that Ms. Palin may at some point have to take the helm. 

Either the McCain campaign did an amazing job at being secretive or Palin was a choice of desperation.  She won't bring in any battleground states or moderates or indies.  Women who don't agree with her politics certainly won't vote for McCain just because she's a woman.  I guess she's supposed to energize the base, but will that be enough?  I just hope Biden doesn't go easy on her during the debate because he doesn't want to be accused of being mean to a mother of five.   It will be interesting to see how McCain interacts with her. 

Funny story about Malea.  I hadn't heard that.  Just read that 38 million people watched Obama's speech last night, beating even the opening night of the Olympics!  I fear that the Republican convention may be competing with hurricane coverage.  The people down there certainly don't deserve more hurricanes, especially as some of them are still living in their Katrina trailers.

Gathering more info on Palin . . . McCain met her for the first time in February.  For all intents and purposes, they don't know each other.  She doesn't know what his policy on Iraq is (hope she's a quick study).  She's against putting polar bears on the endangered list because it might interfere with drilling.  Her husband was on an oil company payroll.  She's associated with 2 different ethics scandals in Alaska (was she even vetted I wonder).  She believes in teaching creationism in school.  She's a former Pat Buchanan supporter.  So Grace, you're right, she's out there.  She may have an interesting life story, be attractive and tough in an outdoorsy sort of way, but she's not even vaguely like Hillary.  More like Dan Quayle.  A heartbeat away from the WH?  Yikes.         

Grace, I've read that the Republicans have started on their voter purging in battleground states.  You know, looking for those common black names on the felons list, with the intention of challenging black voters at the polls.  Something tells me those voters aren't going to put with that this time, though.  

Enjoy the redwoods and the wine! 

OMG, again!  I just watched the video of the Palin press conference for the first time.  McCain really was checking out her ass while she was speaking.  And twirling his wedding ring.  I mean, he wasn't even subtle about it.  He kept staring at it, over and over again.  Yuck!   Even Clinton wasn't that obvious of a lech.  And as far as I know, Bill never had the hots for Al.  So I guess the Republicans really are making history.   

So I admit I'm confused about Alaskan politics.  She earned a rep as a maverick for bucking the Republican establishment and Ted Stevens, but she may now get into trouble for her too cozy relationship with and contributions to Stevens?  And she insisted on ethics reform, but is now being investigated for an ethics violation?  

laurap: The Agnew comparison is a good one.  I grew up in Maryland, so I'm actually all too familiar with him.    

This is so interesting and exciting!  We have company and therefore, a houseful of voting adults with strong feelings for both parties.   We have had some major discussions today!  We were all flabbergasted by McCain's VP pick, although Palin's name had been tossed about previously in the press.

One theory our group summed up was that McCain's political advisors have told him he has no way in hell of winning this election and that he needs to do the least damage to the party.  Therefore, pick a running mate who will not be seen in the future as a loser so would stand a stronger chance to win in the next election.   I, for one, am finding it difficult to hear the comments that Palin brings more experience to the table than Obama/Biden.

Can't wait for the debates!  I wish Palin the best and hope that she has not been selected to be a "sacrificial lamb" for the Rep party.

If McCain picked Palin in order to fire up the religious right base, he picked wisely.  If McCain picked Palin in order to get Hillary voters, he's totally deluded.  In fact I'm willing to bet this move will backfire on him where Hillary voters are concerned.  Not only won't they vote for him because of her, they might even be motivated to vote for Obama, or donate to his campaign.  McCain picking Palin to get Democratic women would be like him picking Alan Keyes or Clarence Thomas to get black voters.  She doesn't even support equal pay for equal work.  And she called Hillary a "whiner."  It's an insult to Hillary supporters and it shows that the MEN who are running McCain's campaign, and McCain himself, don't "get" women.

And what does the Palin pick say about McCain's judgment?  He accuses Obama of putting his own political ambitions ahead of his country (gag), but this selection has obviously been done for political reasons only.  He can't possibly believe that she is more qualified to run the country than everyone else on his short list.  Obama at least has some national experience, and he certainly has some experience with foreign affairs, given that he was on the Senate foreign relations committee.  McCain picked someone to help him win, not to help the country.  So enough of the "I'm-above-politics" b.s.

Amy, it's funny you should mention flying while pregnant.  I guess you haven't heard the story about how Palin not only flew from Alaska to Texas in July when she was 9 months pregnant, but insisted on flying back to Alaska after she had gone into labor and her water had broken.  Her husband was with her, so it wasn't a matter of wanting to have family around.  She just didn't want to have her baby in Texas for some reason.  (Is it another country?)  She said the doctors OK'd it--no doubt very reluctantly--but does that sound like someone acting responsibly and in her baby's best interest?  Or someone being stubborn?  It will make a great story for the grandkids, but does it suggest the kind of judgment that would make a good VP?  Or president?  Yes, you're right, doctors generally advise women not to fly in the last trimester if possible.  The trip she took wasn't vital to her work (it was a governors conference), but she chose to go anyway.  

I thought the news said her baby was 3 months old, but maybe it's closer to 2.  I forgot to add that after she got to Alaska, she didn't go to the nearest hospital, but insisted on driving to a hospital in a very rural area. 

So it seems the Obama strategy for dealing with Palin so far is to say nothing.  I guess they're assuming she'll implode on her own, like Harriet Meier (sp?).  Huffington Post ran a couple of editorials from the major Alaskan newspapers questioning their own governor's qualifications and McCain's sanity in nominating her.

If anyone's interested in getting the story on "troopergate," I came across this blog summary, wirtten by an Alaskan:  

Sarah Palin's sister Molly married a guy named Mike Wooten who is an Alaska State Trooper.  Mike and Molly had a rocky marriage.  When the marriage broke up, there was a bitter custody fight that is still ongoing.  During the custody investigation, all sorts of things were brought up about Wooten including the fact that he had illegally shot a moose (yes folks this is Alaska), driven drunk, and used a taser (on the test setting, he reminds us) on his 11-year old stepson, who supposedly had asked to see what it felt like.  While Wooten has turned out to be a less than stellar figure, the fact that Palin's father accompanied him on the infamous moose hunt, and that many of the dozens of charges brought up by the Palin family happened long before they were ever reported smacked of desperate custody fight.  Wooten's story is that he was basically stalked by the family.

After all this, Wooten was investigated and disciplined on two counts and allowed to keep his position with the troopers.  Enter Walt Monegan, Palin's appointed new chief of the Department of Public Safety and head of the troopers.  Monegan was beloved by the troopers, did a bang-up job with minimal funding and suddenly got axed.  Palin was out of town and Monegan got "offered another job" (aka fired) with no explanation to Alaskans.  Pressure was put on the governor to give details, because rumors started to swirl around the fact that the highly respected Monegan was fired because he refused to fire the aforementioned Mike Wooten.  Palin vehemently denied ever talking to Monegan or pressuring Monegan in any way to fire Wooten, or that anyone on her staff did.  Over the weeks it has come out that not only was pressure applied, there were literally dozens of conversations in which pressure was applied to fire him.  Monegan has testified to this fact, spurring an ongoing investigation by the Alaska state legislature.  But, before this investigation got underway, Palin sent the Alaska State Attorney General out to do some investigative work of his own so she could find out in advance what the real investigation was going to find.  (No, I'm not making this up).  The AG interviewed several people, unbeknownst to the actual appointed investigator or the Legislature! Palin's investigation of herself uncovered a recorded phone call retained by the Alaska State Troopers from Frank Bailey, a Palin underling, putting pressure on a trooper about the Wooten non-firing.  Todd Palin (governor's husband) even talked to Monegan himself in Palin's office while she was away.  Bailey is now on paid administrative leave.

As if this weren't enough, Monegan's appointed replacement Chuck Kopp, turns out to have been the center of his own little scandal.  He received a letter of reprimand and was reassigned after sexual harrassment allegations by a former coworker who didn't like all the unwanted kissing and hugging in the office.  Was he vetted?  Obviously not.  When he was questioned about all this, his comment was that no one had asked him and he thought they all knew.  Kopp, defiant, still claimed to have done nothing wrong and said to the press that there was no way he was stepping down from his new position.  Twenty four hours later, he stepped down.  Later it was uncovered that he received a $10,000 severance package for his two weeks on the job from Palin.  Monegan got nothing.

After extensive news coverage about all this nasty behind-the-scenes scandal, which is definitely NOT squeaky clean, Palin's approval ratings fell to 67%, still high, but a far cry from the 90% number that's being thrown around so glibly by the Republicans today.  Alaskans are quickly becoming disillusioned once again.

There's more about her on the blog, as well as a picture of the little town she was mayor of:

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

It looks like Bush is going to do everything right this time around in regards to Gustav.  One hopes they learned something from Katrina.  The Repubs certainly can't afford to screw it up again.  Since Bush announced he isn't going into the gulf area proper, McCain probably won't either.  I think people would see through the politics of that real fast.  I heard they might be shortening the convention because of Gustav.  I suspect they have mixed feelings about Gustav's timing.  On the one hand, they won't have to worry about topping Obama and dealing with Bush, on the other hand, they won't have as much time to catapult the propaganda (I just love that Bush quote!).  But I feel terrible for the folks in the gulf, especially those who still haven't recovered from Katrina.  I'm praying the levies hold.

Early polling about Palin bears out what we had been predicting.  Even without knowing that much about her, women aren't falling for it.  8 percent of women are more likely to vote for McCain now, but 15 percent are less likely.  More men, however, are more likely to vote for her.  And a lot more women than men think she's unprepared to be president.  That could be the big surprise (or maybe it was the plan all along, who knows) . . . that Palin will be a magnet for men, not women.  If that's the case, wouldn't that be sadly ironic?  She's out there crowing about the glass ceiling, while men are turning her into a sex object.

I have to admit I'm finding the Palin pick perversely fascinating.  Do you think McCain did it impulsively on his own, defying his advisors, or was he pushed into it by the Rove faction?  Are they hoping there won't be enough time for the media to fully expose her before the election?   Or that her personal story will overshadow everything else?  Do you think Biden will go easy on her in the debate, for fear of looking too harsh?  I hope he keeps the image of her aiming that high-power rifle in his head.