Comment from Leftcoast
Time: October 8, 2008, 12:07 am

No one has been more cautiously optimistic/critical of Obama than I have, at least on this site. I thought he hit it out of the park tonight. Absolutely perfect pitch–vastly better than the first debate. Missing from the commentary was a real read of McCain’s demeanor. I think McCain spent the entire night choking back the anger and not disguising it very well. He couldn’t sit still. He looked at Obama only when it seemed as if someone backstage reminded him. His contempt was palpable, as was Obama’s utter grace and competence.

For the life of me, I cannot understand how anyone is uncommitted at this point given the polarities of these two candidates. Or for that matter, how anyone with half a brain can look at these two guys, take stock of where we are in the world and decide the Fester and his dog Spot are the better choice. Oh, that’s right. We’re talking about the American public–I almost forgot…

Comment from Clout Flowers
Time: October 8, 2008, 3:43 am

If people in this country are still uncommitted or as you say , willing to choose, Fester and his K9 Spot, then we have to be the most imbecilic free nation on this planet.

I can’t comprehend why anyone on gawd’s “green earth” (but disappearing as we speak) wants a morally repugnant old fart like McShrivel, as their president.

Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: October 8, 2008, 5:45 am

Frankly, I was bored. It was like watching a no-hitter in baseball for the first six innings, expecting something special, then watching each team get a hit in the seventh, ending with a 2 to 1 score. I would wager a rising dollar that many tuned out half way through the debate.

That said, Obama is fitting the role, looking the part. Regarding the undecided, I understand that. Politics is not love at first sight or kiss on the second date, it is a long courting process before the vows are taken. Besides, most uncommitted are Independents and they have no partisan reason to decide early on.

Comment from Shark
Time: October 8, 2008, 6:40 am

McCain looked a bit stiff and on-edge, but articulated his points. I think he made a huge mistake in choosing Palin as his running mate. McCain can at least state his case while Palin can only read off cue cards and spew the same rhetoric over and over.

McCain did try to put words into Obama’s mouth by saying that Obama wants to wage a war with Pakistan. Obama said no such thing. Obama said, as President, he wants to speak with BOTH our allies AND enemies, citing Bush’s refusal to speak with our enemies as a reason for anti-American sentiment around the world. McCain and Palin keep saying it is wrong to speak with our enemies without pre-conditions. What pre-conditions are they taking about? That our enemies will agree to everything we say? That our enemies will listen and not say anything back? Some of ths drivel comes from Palin, who claims she is keeping an eye on Putin and the Russians because they fly over Alaskan airspace. Obama and Biden have the look of a winner. Hopefully, they will win, but they will need every day of eight years to undo the damage created by Bush and his henchmen.

Comment from Leftcoast
Time: October 8, 2008, 8:33 am

That you were bored and many might have tuned out is a good thing, Josh. Politics has become too much of a bloodsport. A little wonkish turn on complex issues is a welcome change in my book. It will be lively enough when the itchen sink keeps getting thrown on the campaign trail.

As for Palin, she wasn’t just selected to be McCain’s running mate. Win or lose she is going to be a force to be reckoned with in ‘12. By then she’ll have had 4 more years as gov and 4 more years of fluffing and folding. Think Reagan in 1976. Remember, these guys play chess, not checkers…

Comment from Max
Time: October 8, 2008, 12:05 pm

Leftcoast,
I agree very much with you that even in defeat, Palin will be dangerous. If the Republicans fall this election, all of us will be dancing in the streets. And it will likely be the end of John McCain. But Sarah Palin comes from the Christian Fundamentalist part of America. All of America is going to hurt in the coming hard times, but the Christian Fundamentalists are are very much the bottom rung of society. They will hurt more. And they are going to get more excited about Jesus as the troubles proceed.

Look for a lot of problems from these people, and Sarah Palin is their figurehead

They fully intend revolution and to impose a theocratic Christian Fascism on America.

Comment from jeff
Time: October 8, 2008, 4:55 pm

A LETTER TO BARACK OBAMA

Dear Mr. Obama;

As we sit here in October of 2008, it is increasingly apparent that come January 20, 2009, you will likely be the 44th President of the United States. I, for one, couldn’t be happier. After what America has been through for the last eight years, change is no longer an option- I believe it’s necessary for our very survival. But because this is a moment when fundamentals of our Republic are once again in flux, and because this turn of events was likely caused by many things government has and has not done over the last few decades, I feel it necessary to make myself heard in a direct appeal to you- in hope that the true Main Street of America will really have a voice this time. Yes, I’m a registered Democrat, and while I’m a progressive on many fronts, on more and more issues I find myself closer to the center than ever before. Yes, I’m sickened by the partisan tactics of the Republican machine in the last several years, but will feel completely betrayed if the Democratic majority in both houses of Congress and the Executive branch result in anything resembling that in the least. A house divided falls, and lest this all become a house of cards, it’s time to deal straight, without the sleight of hand. So, if I may be so bold, I’d like to make a few requests of our new Commander-in-Chief.

Please be honest, upfront and forthright with the American people. Just because we’ve had a recent tendency towards binging on over consumption (and maybe got a little lazy in the process), doesn’t mean that we aren’t, at heart, a hardy bunch. We can take it. But please take off the kid gloves and tell it like it is. Anyone with even the least analytical of minds can see that we’re in for some big changes, not all of which will be pleasant. The American public has come together before to face tremendous challenges (the American Revolution, the Great Depression, WWII to name a few) and come out on the winning side. But this is when exceptional leadership becomes a necessity. Mr. Obama, I believe it’s because the American public sees in you the traits of great leadership that will win you this election. But here is where you trade rhetoric for accomplishment. The time for a call to sacrifice and the moment to inspire the American people to a new era of creativity and productivity are here. For Gods sake we went to the Moon in 10 years, we helped save Europe from the evils of Fascism, we even once beat the largest empire on Earth- we can certainly survive the failures of mortgage-backed securities and greedy hedge fund managers! But truth is to do it will require fundamental changes in the system, for they are no doubt systemic failures. America needs to start making stuff again! Whether it be becoming the undisputed leader in green technology, or the leader in invention, we can no longer just be reliant on the financial sector to spearhead our economy. Supportive of and compliant with, certainly, but completely reliant upon- no way! And of course we need to regulate, but let’s also not throw out the baby with the bath water! Maybe it’d be wise not to forget the good that free markets can bring, but free markets where good sense and responsibility outweigh risk and greed. Shouldn’t that be the true and only goal of regulation? Let’s have a fair and streamlined system, not a bloated bureaucracy! You may be the one leader, Mr. Obama, with the good judgement and even temperament required to deliver on that goal. This goes beyond politics, this goes to the heart of where the future of America lies. The crossroad we face is complicated. It will likely take forging a new path. With catastrophic debt and trade imbalances, we can hardly afford financing another New Deal, yet there may never have been a time in our history when it’s so badly needed. The average American may soon be facing a serious crisis of unemployment, health care, education, the list goes on- but the government has never been in a more compromised position to deal with these crises. This is where leveling with the American public becomes of critical importance. It’s a time for tough love and visionary thinking like never before. The true measure of leadership will be in the degree the American public involves itself in real and effective solutions. Isn’t that what the American spirit has always been about?

Not only does this country face a crossroad in domestic affairs, but the way in which we perceive of, deal with, and are seen in the rest of the world soon need to change as well. I don’t think anyone fundamentally doubts this. Americas problems and its standing in the world are widely known and talked about. But solutions seem noticeably AWOL. Maybe it starts with a media and government that is committed to being open and honest with its people- and educating when necessary. How did we get into Iraq, arguably the biggest foreign policy mistake in US history? It started with the fact that 60% of the American public thought Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11! Such misinformation in a democracy should never again be tolerated. And guess what- the challenges overseas are only getting bigger. Partly because of Iraq, we have a more powerful Iran to deal with, as well as a resurgent Russia, a rapidly progressing China and India, and an unstable Pakistan and Afghanistan. Yet we all live on the same planet, breathe the same over industrialized air. Your skills as a diplomat, Mr. Obama- here is where I’m drawn to those. And I suspect a great deal of the nation, and likely the world, are as well. Isn’t it time a leader makes it clear to the whole world that there is much more reason to start acting together towards solutions rather than give in to outdated, unnecessary nationalistic tendencies, no matter where they originate? After the Bush years (doctrine) it’s easy to see how the world wouldn’t trust that we have any motive other than the advancement of the American empire. But after the recent financial events of Wall Street, as well as our massive debt and stretched out military- how can we even afford an empire anymore! For the sake of our grandchildren, the age of corporate power abuse (energy sector and otherwise), war profiteering, and cronyism MUST come to an end. Showing the world that we’ve changed course could finally give us the credibility to demand that the world help Israel and the Palestinians come to a solution. It would allow nations to bond together to stop a nuclear arms race in the middle east (effectively lessening Irans leverage), force China and India into reducing carbon emissions, and slow growing tensions with Russia. Maybe we could even return the status of our military to a position of strength and respectability. Not to be the worlds police force, or a bullying superpower, but the big stick that allows us to speak softly, yet emphatically. What better way could there be to effectively wage a war on terror than to cut much of the problem at its root. Some would say that’s naïve and idealistic, I call it smart and overdue- and certainly worth trying. And, perhaps more crucial, one of few options left. Those same people called you a celebrity Mr. Obama (did they really mean charismatic?) So if they want to call it celebrity, rockstar power, whatever- fine, but no question you “have it” Mr. Obama. And if that’s what it takes to get this ball rolling- let’s throw the first pitch!!! You got our votes, now it’s time to earn our trust, and regain our confidence and belief. Yes our HOPE. But please take us beyond hope- take us the extra mile. Take us to where the American dream wakes up- and starts a brand new day. And this time, with liberty and justice for ALL.

Okay, thanx for letting me exercise one of my inalienable rights as an American to vent and make my case. I’m only one of 300 million, but I still believe that the greatness of this nation is the fact that when it’s working, one voice still really matters.

Jeff
October 6, 2008

Comment from Anonymous
Time: October 9, 2008, 3:56 am

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