Colin Powell backs Barack Obama!

[TX Tiburon]

That's quite a statement. As far as I am aware, Texas is populated by all types of individuals. Some must want government to be pro-active and expect it to solve their problems when it is possible for it to do so. And we can't have a system that governs individuals in two separate manners. That is, we can't expect to opt out or opt in, as the case might be.

Usually, I think when people make claims like you have made, they tend to mean that they don't want government interfering when they feel that they are the loser in specific transactions, such as paying tax. But many of these people are happy for government to stick its nose in when it does something they approve of, such as offering protection or a stable environment in which to go about their daily affairs.

We can't have it both ways. We can certainly have government with a less hands-on approach, but we will always need some form of it. So really, and ideally, you should want to trust your government. If you don't, you've clearly got a rubbish political system, or you're paranoid or confused about something?

The joys of political philosophy.

Yes, fair enough. I am speaking more to the spirit of Texas and its natives. Many of us have a very independent mindset - just get out of the way and let me do it.

Agree, Neb. I think that people abhor government interference... until it is beneficial to them. What's in it for me syndrome. That’s really the problem isn’t it? The psyche should be what’s best for the nation in entirety.

Yes, we should want to trust our government. I think most people believe in the ideals but not so much in the practitioners. I very much trust in the ideals but the implementation has gone awry. For me, the federal government was intended to provide those services that would not be covered by individuals, private industry, local governments, and state governments (in that order). Simple as that. That ideal is certainly not a socialist model but, it my humble opinion, we unfortunately keep running in that direction.

 

[TX Tiburon]

There's a reason why Biden was a better choice than Palin.

People will vote for who they want as POTUS, not for who they want as a vice. However, they want some comfort in the knowledge that, if the candidate of choice meets with an unfortunate accident, the vice will be a 'safe pair of hands' - nothing exciting, or earth shattering, just steady and reliable.... boring, if you like. That's what Biden is, and Palin is not.

That is why Biden was a better choice than Palin. Nobody would be overly worried or concerned if he had to step in... they certainly wouldn't be inspired, but they wouldn't be worried.

For all the hope and change and brand new dawn's etc etc.. what people really like is a good, strong, reliable, safety net. The Dem ticket ticks the boxes.

A good point Gordon. People do vote with the knowledge of Palin could well be president. Perhaps that gives some people pause. For me, it doesn't. I worry much more about a clean sweep of having one party in charge of both legislative houses AND the executive office. Republican or Democrat. I like having the balance because I feel both parties are out of touch with the people. Now if there were truly a traditionalist, constructionist party, I might think otherwise.

As for Biden being a strong, reliable backup.... I'm not so sure. Just because my grand dad has been driving the truck for 70 years doesn't mean he is currently qualified to drive nor does it prove that he was ever that great of a driver (his truck shows the scars). I go back to part of my original quote, "Joe can't even go a week without saying something that, if he were Republican, would receive hours of critical scrutiny on the national news shows." He's full of bluster but can't keep his foot off of his tonsils.

 

[gordonjblair]

In the interests of objectivity I don't think Biden is any good either. After all, any man that thinks it is a good idea to copy Neil Kinnock lock, stock clearly has a few screws loose.

He's not in a Madness video with Tracey Ullman is he? FAN Tastic, I'd vote for that.... next thing you know, he'll be appearing on Saturday Night Live

 

[TX Tiburon]

It's interesting how one of the few to have spoken any sense during the credit crunch has been Ron Paul. I must admit to getting quite excited with all the great press he was getting on the web in the lead up to the primaries. Of course the mainstream press then proceeded to ignore him for the entire election :huh:

To me, Ron Paul seemed throughout the primaries to have the most rock solid grip economically. It was unfortunate that he couldn't have gone further. We could use his fiscal responsibility right now. He was hindered by his appearance though. Didn’t you always have a feeling that he might hold a Mars passport or sprout little antennae? If only he could have looked the part like Romney he could have gone all the way.

Yep, in my conspiracy theory world, the mainstream press annointed McCain in the primaries as their fall-back position.

I may still cast that Bob Barr vote if I get a sense that Texas is locked up for McCain. I haven’t seen any polls for the state but neither candidate is wasting any large amounts of tv money here so neither must think that the state is in play. I need to do some research.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

He's not in a Madness video with Tracey Ullman is he? FAN Tastic, I'd vote for that.... next thing you know, he'll be appearing on Saturday Night Live

Biden and Palin seem ripe for the spitting image treatment. Alas here is the offending speech that Biden copied verbatim from the mad Welshman.

YouTube - JOE BIDEN: COPYCAT

 

[Bruce Wayne]

To me, Ron Paul seemed throughout the primaries to have the most rock solid grip economically. It was unfortunate that he couldn't have gone further. We could use his fiscal responsibility right now. He was hindered by his appearance though. Didn’t you always have a feeling that he might hold a Mars passport or sprout little antennae? If only he could have looked the part like Romney he could have gone all the way.

Yep, in my conspiracy theory world, the mainstream press annointed McCain in the primaries as their fall-back position.

I may still cast that Bob Barr vote if I get a sense that Texas is locked up for McCain. I haven’t seen any polls for the state but neither candidate is wasting any large amounts of tv money here so neither must think that the state is in play. I need to do some research.

I think he suffered because he was different from the status quo. People generally aren't too keen on that which is different.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

In the interests of objectivity I don't think Biden is any good either. After all, any man that thinks it is a good idea to copy Neil Kinnock lock, stock clearly has a few screws loose.

Spot on Bruce Biden is a heart beat away from the job and most people that I know fear him worse than Sara Palin with no experience. Do a little research on Biden and it will all come clear.

 

[TX Bill]

I've only just picked this profound and challenging thread today so have not read every single contribution.

Question I wanted to ask of anyone who has followed American politics in recent years is: If (as I understand Justin Webbs article), Palin is perceived by some voters as a liability because she's not experienced and is unworldly, how did American voters come to back Dubya - twice. I know they've fallen out of love with him now but they were sure convinced only four years ago. If Palin's a risk now - how different was Bush back then. Didn't know the names of world leaders etc - similar to Sarah Palin's level of knowledge.

I seem to remember on the night of Bush's first victory, Cher (that well known politics expert) asking "Has everyone gone ****ing crazy?"

What - if anything - has changed?

Nothing's changed.

Clearly the voters in the USA were idiots for electing a neophyte such as Bush and now we'll be cheered for electing a neophyte like Obama.

Is irony or hypocrisy the word I'm looking for?

And Gordon, in your earlier post, you mention the "potential" issues of an inexperienced Palin should she succeed McCain into the Presidency.

I have yet to have one Obama supporter address the issue of his vast inexperience (and I don't think vast is too stong a term) as he's running for the top job, not the Vice President. If you want to discuss "potential" issues, let's start with those who are running for President of the United States, not those who've been picked as a running mate. Makes sense don't you think?

In other words, can an Obama supporter give me some concrete reasons as to why our country should overlook his lack of qualifications and vote him in? I mean other than "he's not George Bush."

Methinks that double standards are at play.

Obama: Inexperience unimportant.
Palin: Inexperience extremely important.

 

[Sqweeck]

Obama: Inexperience unimportant.
Palin: Inexperience extremely important.

I don't think it's a particularly relevant issue for either of them.

Although the president nominally has the final say on all things he (potentially she) is surely surrounded by so many advisors/experts/consultants that any decision is ultimately an informed one, based on the experiences of many people other than the head of state.
You need only to watch Dubya making virtually any speech, he's plainly reading (often with comically poor comprehension and subseqent innapropriate emphasis) what's been written for him by someone who has some grasp of the matter at hand.

One request, can we just please have a leader of the free world who can actually say "nuclear" please....it's nearly as embarrassing as listening to Kevin Ratcliffe trying to say "Jagielka."

 

[TX Bill]

I don't think it's a particularly relevant issue for either of them.

Although the president nominally has the final say on all things he (potentially she) is surely surrounded by so many advisors/experts/consultants that any decision is ultimately an informed one, based on the experiences of many people other than the head of state.
You need only to watch Dubya making virtually any speech, he's plainly reading (often with comically poor comprehension and subseqent innapropriate emphasis) what's been written for him by someone who has some grasp of the matter at hand.

One request, can we just please have a leader of the free world who can actually say "nuclear" please....it's nearly as embarrassing as listening to Kevin Ratcliffe trying to say "Jagielka."

Interesting as I think that it's a completely relevant issue for the job at hand. If it isn't relevant, I'd love to know what is in regards to the position? I mean company looking at a potential hire would want to make sure that they had the necessary experience to do the job right?

I mean based on that, we could have anyone run for the office of POTUS and....oh wait, we already have.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Experience isn't an issue for me with either of them. What scares me about Palin is that she's thick as pig sh*t With McCain by his own admission not being the sharpest tool in the box on economic issues our current situation demands one of them has a clue what to do with the economy.

Obama may lack experience (amongst other things) but at least graduated from Harvard so could be said to have a decent brain in there somewhere. Being of a general libertarian persuasion I would ordinarily vote Republican on the basis that they are traditionally free market and small government, but Bush has scrapped that and the party now seems run by social conservatives obsessed with sex. I had hoped that McCain would see the party return to its roots and leave the religious wing nuts on the fringe where they belong (ist Ammendment anyone?) but he's messed up big time.

 

[TX Bill]

Experience isn't an issue for me with either of them. What scares me about Palin is that she's thick as pig sh*t With McCain by his own admission not being the sharpest tool in the box on economic issues our current situation demands one of them has a clue what to do with the economy.

Obama may lack experience (amongst other things) but at least graduated from Harvard so could be said to have a decent brain in there somewhere. Being of a general libertarian persuasion I would ordinarily vote Republican on the basis that they are traditionally free market and small government, but Bush has scrapped that and the party now seems run by social conservatives obsessed with sex. I had hoped that McCain would see the party return to its roots and leave the religious wing nuts on the fringe where they belong (ist Ammendment anyone?) but he's messed up big time.

That obviously can't do him any good.

After all, idiot son Bush graduated from Yale.

 

[TX Bill]

Here's an editorial from Investor's Business Daily (a non partisan publication to my knowledge but if anyone knows different, please speak up) describing what effect on the Presidency a "lack of experience" can have:

IBDeditorials.com: Editorials, Political Cartoons, and Polls from Investor's Business Daily

This particular Presidency was chalked full of so many examples that they couldn't do it in one editorial. They did it in ten.

 

[Nebbiolo]

And Gordon, in your earlier post, you mention the "potential" issues of an inexperienced Palin should she succeed McCain into the Presidency.

I have yet to have one Obama supporter address the issue of his vast inexperience

I don't think lack of experience is necessarily a negative. It might even be turned into something positive, depending on the character of the person in office. But I see a difference in the potential of Obama and Palin. Palin strikes as quite inarticulate to the point of being borderline stupid. Obama, on the other hand, although not your favourite man, is actually someone that you would trust to have the ability to get things right. Of course, whether he chooses to get things right might be debatable. But the potential is there, nonetheless.

 

[Nebbiolo]

That obviously can't do him any good.

After all, idiot son Bush graduated from Yale.

Ok, I'm with you on this, Bill. Bush isn't thick by any stretch of the imagination. Whether he got into Yale due to the connections his family had, might be a matter worth wondering about, though.