McCain Palin/Obama Biden

Updated: The following are excerpts from Time:
Palin has no national experience and less than two years experience as governor, but she is unabashed about that. "That's a healthy thing," she told TIME. "That means my perspective is fresher."

She supports the teaching of creationism in public schools, alongside evolution.

Earlier this month, a legislative panel launched a $100,000 investigation to determine whether Palin abused her influence by attempting to get her former
brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. The panel is currently questioning whether Palin dismissed the state's safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, because he refused to fire her ex-brother-in-law, Mike Wooten, whose marriage to Palin's sister ended in a bitter divorce — and custody battle — in 2005. Palin has denied the charges, and says she did not coordinate the reported dozens of telephone calls placed by her husband and administration to Wooten's bosses.
I am not going to spend a lot of time writing about politics, at least not today. I am just not in the mood for it. Besides if I sail down that particular waterway I'd like to really get into it and I am not up for it. So now that I have prefaced this post with that I'd like to throw out a few things.

This is the second presidential election in which I am disappointed. I don't find any of the candidates to be inspiring. There are things that I like about them and there are things that I do not. I am not usually a middle of the road kind of guy. Most of the time I can tell you where I stand, but this one is more challenging for me.

Obama- Don't feel comfortable with him. There is not enough substance for me to feel good about. Fine speaker, but what are his plans and how does he intend to execute them. I really am concerned about him and Foreign Policy.

Biden helps, but not enough for me to ignore the other issues.

McCain- I like old Johnny Mac. There are a lot of things about him that I appreciate, but the fact is that he is 72. His age and his health are of concern to me. He is pandering to the far right more than I like. I suspect that he is doing it out of necessity and that it will not last, but I don't know.

I am not enamored with Palin. Her experience is not as vast as some suggest. She was mayor of a town of 7,000 and governor of a state with a tiny population. She has some accomplishments, probably more than Obama. But it is not enough for me to jump up and down about.

It may not be fair, but I wonder about a mother who is willing to sacrifice her family in this manner. It is one thing when finances dictate parents working long hours, but this is not the case. She has a number of young children and a teenage daughter who need her help. I am not judging her daughter, but the girl is pregnant and 17. If ever a girl needed her mother now is the time.

How is she going to have time for her and the baby. I don't like it.

I don't see Palin as being an expert on foreign policy. What does she know. What has she done. And I don't like religion being injected so deep into the election and I see that happening. I can't criticize Obama's relationship with the wacky pastor and not question Palin's.

All told, I am underwhelmed here.

Two links about Sarah Palin.

Ben Stein
Anne Kilkenny

9 comments:

cruisin-mom said...

I agree Jack...this is a very tough election. But McCain really blew it in my eyes with his choice of Sarah Palin. Actually McCain blew it years ago, when he continued to stand up for GWBush after what he did to McCain in 2000...but that's politics for you.

Anonymous said...

I am an Independent Jewish woman voter (who forgot her Blogger login). I was poised and ready to vote for McCain. He appeals to my independent nature and I respect his experience.

He has just cost me his vote by picking this woman.

-Stacey

Anonymous said...

I hate the pandering to the far right business.

Irina Tsukerman said...

Personally, I don't think Palin's family life should have any affect on our assessment of her as a VP candidate. Her personal decisions are her own judgment call, and the same is true for every male politician who chooses career over spending time with family.

I think McCain is pretty tough, and his past experiences actually made him tougher rather than weaker in health. Looking at his mother, I can see him lasting well beyond what anyone can predict.

I don't have much too say about Biden, but Obama is frightening me.

Leora said...

There's no way I'm going to vote for a man who is affiliated with a "God damn America" church and thinks it's OK to talk to someone who wants to destroy Israel and denies the Holocaust.

And thus far, I rather like Sarah Palin, even if I don't agree with her on a lot of things. McCain has the foreign policy experience and isn't about to negotiating with terrorists.

Jack Steiner said...

CM,

Politics has always been dirty.

Stacey,

I am sure.

Fee,

Me too.

Personally, I don't think Palin's family life should have any affect on our assessment of her as a VP candidate. Her personal decisions are her own judgment call, and the same is true for every male politician who chooses career over spending time with family.

Irina,

It would be nice if we could say that, but I can't. I suspect that if I didn't have any children it would be easier.

She has a responsibility to her family first and she is shirking it. If she had more experience it might be easier for me to look the other way, but she has next to none.

I like McCain and yes his mother is around. But his father and grandfather didn't live particularly long lives.

Leora,

Obama's rev. is a shameful excuse for a man, but Palin doesn't come from one that is any better.

If McCain was a bit younger I'd feel a lot better, but he is not.

Palin has no substantive experience in crucial areas. It is very troubling.

Val said...

Jack, I, too, feel that Sarah should be spending time with her family at this time - they so obviously need her. But it sounds pretty sexist (even coming from a woman!)as would we even think to judge a male candidate in the same situation? I think not. So I'm ignoring that part of her life.

She lacks experience and was only chosen to try and entice the 'women folk' to vote for McCain. I think it only served to piss the women folk OFF, but I'm sure the Republican women are just pleased as punch with her!

It'll be an interesting next 7 weeks... and I can't wait for it all to be over and Bush to the hell out of there!

therapydoc said...

See, and that's the thing I LIKE about her. Let her old man run the house. I was thinking about blogging on this, too, but don't want to get political, and until the debates are over won't know who to vote for.

We haven't tested a woman in real power. Like everyone else in power, she'll be making everyone happy, listening to her advisers.

As will anyone else. My question is really about who has the guts to lead, and frankly, it's looking like they're all pretty gutsy. So we'll listen to what's behind the testosterone (meaning their thoughts). Estrogen could be a plus in this job.

Jack Steiner said...

Val,

It sure will be interesting.

Doc,

I don't have a problem with a woman in office, I have a problem with this woman.

I dislike much about her and have serious issues with the values and judgment she has exhibited.

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