A small reason to support Obama.

[rn79870]

Another reason I’m voting for Obama instead of McCain.

I’ve always said that McCain deserved praise for his severe and sacrifice for our country. At a time in the past, I’ve even supported him. The John McCain of 2000 was a stronger man with a firmer mind. But now, I see his brain turning to mush. You can see the mush it in his eyes when he's asked a question: for a moment, a brief moment, you can see the blankness and the panic sets in and he tries to remember how to assemble a sentence. Then a small smile as he recalls and repeats what his handlers have instructed him to say. It’s so rehearsed and canned and, well phony.

He speaks like a dog after a concussion, standing on a spinning turntable. He just doesn’t have it anymore. The Presidential debates should be a real nightmare for him

On the other hand, Obama is thoughtful, well educated and it has been frequently mentioned how he does take the time to understand an issue from all sides. A President will actually be faced with decision that are beyond our imagination right now, and I want someone in there that I think will, while guided by high personal values and will be honest in his assessment.

Then there is the campaign. This time, Obama has campaigned in a truly new way, with a message that has to large degree, offered more in-depth analysis to problems. He's shied away from negative ads. He's spoken, in my opinion, honestly and forthrightly. If history is any judge, this is an insane new way to campaign.

I wish ALL candidates campaign like this – it’s refreshing. First in his reactions to Senator Clinton's negative attacks, and now in his reaction to Senator McCain's, he's shown a remarkable ability to stay above the fray and focus on his own ideas.

If character were a quality we could measure, Obama would rate off the scale. Unfortunately, as much as McCain deserves our praise for his career of service, he no longer has the character and the charisma necessary to lead this country in 2009.

Think about this the next time you watch the candidates speak.

[AZhitman]

Take away BO's teleprompter and see what happens.

Not saying that to be argumentative, but he's used to canned questions he can prepare for ahead of time. His interview with Couric was full of him redirecting the interview and avoiding direct answers... Baba Wawa would have eaten his lunch.

Actually, JM's performance in the small-venue settings is pretty impressive - I've seen him speak "off the cuff" and he does OK.

[rn79870]

Take away BO's teleprompter and see what happens.

We'll see. We've got 3 live debates coming up soon enough.

[themadscientist]

McCain's terrible record of saying dumb **** tells me he is writing his own stuff for the most part. Obama's slick style is carefully crafted which indicates a liar. What is he so afraid to say that he is so measured, the truth perhaps? That he is nothing but a list of talking points and has absolutely no idea how to make any of them happen? What is you plan? "hope". Could you expand on that? "the audacity of hope".riiigght......

[rn79870]

I disagree TMS. Obama has probably offered more information on his plans than any candidate I can remember in recent time.

I must admit a certain amount of amusement in watching McCain's campaign in action. They keep on trying to find an attack that'll stick, but each thing they try seems to peter out, or (in the case of Obama not visiting the troops) backfire. Their latest gambit is to paint Obama as a 'celebrity' like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. Negativity at it's worst.

Do they really believe this will turn fence-sitters away from Obama? McCain's handlers just seem lost, bereft of ideas, with no sense of the pulse of the electorate. With Obama talking about Obama, and McCain also talking about Obama, the only result is that people are going to be thinking of Obama first.

[themadscientist]

McCain's campaign thus far has been as poorly handled as any I have ever seen. If Obama wins it will not be because his campaign was so successful but rather McCain's was such a cluster****.

[heliochrome85]

hillary's campaign was worse. far worse. it was her election to lose. she lost it.

[rn79870]

McCain's campaign thus far has been as poorly handled as any I have ever seen. If Obama wins it will not be because his campaign was so successful but rather McCain's was such a cluster****.

And to no small degree you are correct.

[AZhitman]

And to no small degree you are correct.

As much as it pains me, I concur as well.

Honestly, he's missing out on TONS of opportunities to say EXACTLY the right things. The sad part is, I think he has it in him to do a great job for us right now - but it's not being conveyed effectively at all.

[ishkabibble]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7NdJ0oDZCc

Deer in the headlights. Between this and the multiple times he "mis-spoke" about foreign affairs, I have to agree. The dementia is setting in.

Another reason why he's confused all of the time? The neocons like PNAC pulling the strings instead of just being himself.

[rn79870]

Wow on that link. If he does that during one of the live debates, he's toast. That's why we need live debates with unscripted questions. We need to see the candidates under pressure and judge their ability to think on their feet.

I expect we'll have some great post debate threads here.

[Marenta]

McCain stumbles up a lot, that is true. He's old, he's been through a whole hell of a lot.

But, Obama uses circular logic a lot of times to justify "Change."

'Why's the sky blue?'"Because blue is pretty."'Why is blue pretty?'"Because the sky is blue."

[ishkabibble]

McCain stumbles up a lot, that is true. He's old, he's been through a whole hell of a lot.

But, Obama uses circular logic a lot of times to justify "Change."

'Why's the sky blue?'"Because blue is pretty."'Why is blue pretty?'"Because the sky is blue."

I'm not disagreeing with your point, but nice non-example.

[AZhitman]

After watching that, I have mixed feelings...

I've often been asked questions in administrative hearings or high-level meetings in which I'm afraid of giving an incomplete answer, or getting pinned down on something I'm not 100% positive on.

I'll say, "Please let me get back to you on that by tomorrow at noon."

Nothing at all wrong with that...

I'm a little confused by the question as well... I'm sure everyone will take my response as being partisan, but don't - I think I'd have given BO the benefit of the doubt on that question as well.

How is that even a POTUS issue?

Maybe I need to look into it further, lol....

[smockers83]

The question was pretty stupid, just as stupid as the issue. Viagra is there to help a dysfunction. Birth control? Birth control, in which the woman was referring to the pill I'm assuming, is covered under some plans, but that isn't the point. Are we to put condoms under health insurance, too? Maybe this is the reason why our health insurance and system is getting out of control--we want ridiculous things and everything covered. We, as users of the system, could be paying more into it other than the $10 co-pay instead of paying for someone else to get something ridiculous that doesn't need medical attention. Its probably just like unions, collective bargaining the health care system in how its paid for probably drives up the prices they charge. No idea, it was just a thought.

This isn't a presidential issue and it should be no issue period. However, I give him the benefit of the doubt in that he wanted to make sure he knew what he was talking about. I would say the same for Obama if he got asked about an issue he didn't really know about.

Some of Obama's conferences that haven't been prepared in some way haven't gone to well either. One that sticks in my mind is one from his international tour where he erred and uhhed a lot.

[rn79870]

But Smocky, didn't the "clear and coherent" manner in which McCain fielded that question build your confidence in him. Didn't that make you feel that the "3 AM" phone call will be handled in an equally "sharp" manner.

If he knew anything, he'd realize that medi-cade has been paying for birth control (abortions) for many years now. as well as oral contraceptives.

[AZhitman]

If he knew anything, he'd realize that medi-cade has been paying for birth control (abortions) for many years now. as well as oral contraceptives.

I didn't know that either, so perhaps I'm stupid.

And it's Medicaid.

Any correlation between that dumbass reporter's question and a legitimate global crisis is absurd.

In other news, which I'll pound away at later, Obamallama's formerly "off limits" family (his words) are plastered all over the cover of People Magazine. Guess he figured one more flip-flop couldn't hurt.

[wingFeather]

If character were a quality we could measure, Obama would rate off the scale.

Are you viewing the same footage that the rest of us are seeing? He's a real character, for sure! He stumbles around, drifts into blue sky thinking, starts mentioning vague/broad notions, and can't keep a consistent viewpoint from one interview to the next. The only thing he seems to know is that he is the annointed one, and that LIGHT WILL SHINE DOWN on voters & they will have to vote Obama (to use his own pothead words...).

[smockers83]

Bob, no not really in terms of the 3 AM phone call. However, the 3 AM phone call is more likely than not to come after briefings the previous day.

Who cares if Medicaid provides that (I didn't know it either)? For people who can't afford anything in the health system, that's actually good for a various number of reasons I won't get into unless someone asks. But to require insurance companies to cover BC, c'mon now, that's a little ridiculous. Its not something that needs medical attention until after you screwed up. I have a feeling the feminists are behind this one and do I disapprove of that movement today.

[rn79870]

Are you viewing the same footage that the rest of us are seeing? He's a real character, for sure! He stumbles around, drifts into blue sky thinking, starts mentioning vague/broad notions, and can't keep a consistent viewpoint from one interview to the next. The only thing he seems to know is that he is the annointed one, and that LIGHT WILL SHINE DOWN on voters & they will have to vote Obama (to use his own pothead words...).

Ys, I've seen the footage, lots of footage - hours of footage. You're the first person I've seen on the 4 different forums that I post on who suggests McCain is the one with the clear and concise thought pattern.

[wingFeather]

Ys, I've seen the footage, lots of footage - hours of footage. You're the first person I've seen on the 4 different forums that I post on who suggests McCain is the one with the clear and concise thought pattern.

Putting words in my mouth. Nice touch

[rn79870]

Any correlation between that dumbass reporter's question and a legitimate global crisis is absurd.

It wasn't the question as much as McCain losing his thought process and stumbling as he tried to form sentences. We've all had bad days, and we've all trouble expressing a thought. But in all fairness, we're not in a race where we are being compared to a person who is eloquent and composed more often than not.

[rn79870]

Putting words in my mouth. Nice touch

I'm trying to help you with the denial you're in.

[rn79870]

Bob, no not really in terms of the 3 AM phone call. However, the 3 AM phone call is more likely than not to come after briefings the previous day.

Who cares if Medicaid provides that (I didn't know it either)? For people who can't afford anything in the health system, that's actually good for a various number of reasons I won't get into unless someone asks. But to require insurance companies to cover BC, c'mon now, that's a little ridiculous. Its not something that needs medical attention until after you screwed up. I have a feeling the feminists are behind this one and do I disapprove of that movement today.

Actually Smocky, any 12, 13, 14 etc.(or younger it that's possible) year old who is pregnant is entitled to medi-cal (in CA) or medicaid. That allows the child, without parental knowledge, to obtain a TAB (therapeutic abortion) at taxpayers expense. I know because my first job out of college was working for that program, interviewing and granting the aid to the pregnant kids. This has been ongoing for at least 20 years now. The fact that McCain didn't know this makes me wonder how much else he doesn't know.

Secondly, many insurance companies find it cheaper to pay for contraceptives than accept the obligations for pregnancies or other related services. So yes, many companies cover contraception.

[smockers83]

Actually Smocky, any 12, 13, 14 etc.(or younger it that's possible) year old who is pregnant is entitled to medi-cal (in CA) or medicaid. That allows the child, without parental knowledge, to obtain a TAB (therapeutic abortion) at taxpayers expense.

That differs state-by-state. Under federal funds, abortions can be done if a girl is pregnant by rape, incest, or life endangerment. Any other reasons are drafted up by the states and use state funds.

[wingFeather]

didn't the "clear and coherent" manner in which McCain fielded that question build your confidence in him.

It did for me. You could see that he actually thought about it, wanted to respond (rather than provide an Obama scripted or vague answer), weighed some things, then told her that he'd give her an answer that day.

So where is the problem here? Do you want a leader who gives off the cuff, quick answers to everything? We have that with GWB and nobody seems to like it.

[rn79870]

That differs state-by-state. Under federal funds, abortions can be done if a girl is pregnant by rape, incest, or life endangerment. Any other reasons are drafted up by the states and use state funds.

Actually, I believe it is (or was) a federal mandate that the program be available nation wide. In Roe v. Wade, the U. S. Supreme Court determined that the Constitution protects a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. In a companion case, Doe v. Bolton, the Court held further that a state may not unduly burden a woman's fundamental right to abortion by prohibiting or substantially limiting access to the means of effectuating her decision.

Women without the means to obtain an abortion are entitled to state assistance for that abortion, or so the courts have ruled. Now, I've been out of this for 20 years and things may have changed, but neither of those cases have been overturned.

[rn79870]

It did for me. You could see that he actually thought about it, wanted to respond (rather than provide an Obama scripted or vague answer), weighed some things, then told her that he'd give her an answer that day.

So where is the problem here? Do you want a leader who gives off the cuff, quick answers to everything? We have that with GWB and nobody seems to like it.

I would think a right to life candidate understood Row v. Wade at the very least as well as the off fall from that decision. He didn't even make that connection.

If this was the first time he faltered it would be one thing. All one has to do is watch him at a press conference and it's clear that absent a canned response he's out of his element. He's possibly bitten off more than he can chew with the presidency.

[wingFeather]

The same can easily be said about Obama. In fact, it appears that Obama understands LESS about a great many things.

I am pleased with McCain's thoughtful, trying pauses. You can tell he is giving genuine thought.

Obama, OTOH, gives a canned or strategically vague answer - and that scares me! Who is programming the Obama-bot? What happens when his OS crashes at 3AM & Bill Gates has to go reboot him? He is just too fake...

[AZhitman]

a person who is eloquent and composed more often than not.

Eloquence is not a trait I give a damn about.

One of my most impressive supervisors couldn't speak off-the-cuff, couldn't present in front of a group of people, and took an hour to formulate a response when asked a tough question.

However, his work was flawless and reliable. Many saw him as a doof, but in the end, they all wound up working under him - he ran an incredibly solid team which did a ton of great work here in AZ.