McCains Speech

[telcoman]

He must think the American people are really stupid?

+ John McCain is a war hero

- On everything else

However he is part of our problem for the past eight years.

He is not part of the solution.

He is now calling for change? Where have we heard that before?

Perhaps it was Obama? YES, it was Obama!

The United States has a huge deficit due to mismanagement of two wars and he states he is going to cut taxes? Mr Obama states he is going to raise taxes on those earning over $250k a year. McCain has not mentioned cutting spending? He used poor judgement in the Keating Five scandal, poor judgement over the past eight years and he wants the American People to trust him? I can't!



If change is to come in Washington it is going to come from a complete change by a new Democratic administration.

John McCain just has too much baggage. Too many accidents and destroyed aircraft, An uncontrollable temper at times. Not what we need as CIC.

Overall speech I give it a D-

It was an admission of failure.

http://www.dailykos.com/

Telcoman


Modified by telcoman at 4:43 AM 9/5/2008

[Rev_D21]

+ What does anything have to do with Vietnam?

[audtatious]

He's letting people know who he is based upon his history. He has military experience, courage and honor. He understands war and what can happen to military personnel during war time, thus any decision to send troops you can be ensured they are needed instead of simply putting people in harms way. I know I learned more about him from this and I feel I know him better afterward.

Compare that to Obama and it's night and day. You really don't know his past and can only make some assumptions. What is his real connection with Ayres? What is his real connection with Rezko? What is his real connection with Khalid al-Mansour? What are his real stances on issues (you have to admit he has changed most of his stances in the last 6 months).

Plus Mac takes better pictures

[Jimefam]

His speech was pretty anticlimatic. After a pretty good day yesterday of personal attacks and fired up rhetoric he comes with that squeaky voice of his lays an egg. I'm not judging substance as neither candidates speech was groundbreaking in that department but man is he boring. As far as the war hero thing, he has been living off that for thirty years you thought that was some how gonna change?

[audtatious]

It is what it is. You have a Jr Senator from IL who has no true experience in global matters nor military knowledge that is going against a long-time AZ Senator who has military experience and is known for liberal directions, fiscal conservatism and reaching across the isle.

I don't hold boring against him as long as he does a good job servicing the US people.

[Imakulate]

McCain's father and grandfather were both Admirals in the navy. This gave John an almost royalty status when, after losing his fourth airplane, he was taken in as a "prisoner of war". He only had 20 combat hours and yet he received 28 military commendations, medals, etc, making him one of the most highly decorated personnel of the Vietnam 'conflict'.

Being a former enlisted man myself I feel that nothing that this man has done was actually above and beyond the call of duty. Besides anyone who would use and abuse the fact that they were a 'war hero' as a political tool, so that they could get the support of all the flag wavers, doesn't know what it means to truly be a hero (hint: it's a selfless thing).

[smockers83]

Anticlimatic? I thought the climax of his speech, the very end, was pretty cool with the crowd going nuts and him still talking.

[audtatious]

Whatever dude. You are right, he has no experience and no knowledge. Go ahead and find any means possible for you to disregard anything he has done as he is just another Bush. Obama is just another Democrat other than the fact he is more liberal than the rest and has even less experience doing anything. He's simply taken the same old tired Democrat talking points and put "Hope and Change" graffiti over it as to shine it up a bit. Nothing changes and life goes on.

[rn79870]

He's letting people know who he is based upon his history. He has military experience, courage and honor. He understands war and what can happen to military personnel during war time, thus any decision to send troops you can be ensured they are needed instead of simply putting people in harms way.

I was with you until then Matt. His total combat experience is 20 hours. Yes, 20 hours. He also returned from Vietnam and his 20 hours of combat with 28 medals. 28 medals in 20 hours. (fairly, it appears that there are 17 unique, with 11 clusters some of which were "for showing up") I know people who have over 1200 combat sorties in helicopters flying dustoff (medevac) with less than half that total. I know a guy with two tours and probably 5000 hours of combat (on the ground), with half the amount of medals, and he was Army. But these guys weren't the son and grandson of Navy Admirals.

Yes, he lost 5 aircraft in his flying career. 2 are definitely not his fault. (the one on the USS Forrestal (sp) and the one over Vietnam). Two are clearly his fault (the training incident, and the trainer he took to the Army-Navy game) and one is questionable. Still, no other pilot would have been allowed to continue in flight status after one chargeable "accident."

McCain has made his military career one of the cornerstones of his campaign. And in all fairness, it is anything but an exemplary career.

Oh and did everyone know he was a POW?

However, when called, he did serve. At that time in our history, not everyone choose to serve honorably.

[Encryptshun]

That deserves to be on a motivational poster.

[audtatious]

20 hours of combat plus military schooling (even at the bottom of the barrel) is still far more than the Democratic Presidential candidate and his VP pick.

Then again, you can dig further down and say of his 20 hours of combat how much of that was flying from and to the combat zone. How much real combat zone experience does he have, 5 minutes? Of that 5 minutes, how much of that was him falling to earth after being shot down?

You know, let's just go ahead and say he has no experience in the military and has no knowledge at all. He's simply a doofus who was in a POW camp for 5+ years because he was too stupid to go home when offered just to avoid "the enemy" from publishing it like they did Fonda on the gun.

Since he and Obama have no military experience they are equals. Obama has had to deal with racism his whole life so that is just like being a POW so that is negated as well. Obama has given a speech in Germany so he has just as much global policy experience too. Obama has actually shaken hands with a Republican so both of them cross party lines. They are absolutely the same except Obama does not give boring speeches.

Obama is the man.

[srellim234]

However, when called, he did serve. At that time in our history, not everyone choose to serve honorably.

I agree, but it is one of life's experiences and NOT a free pass to the Oval Office. It shouldn't be the answer to every criticism, which is what the McCain campaign has been doing with the subject.

Your comment had better not be a knock on George Bush. He's apparently another leader who doesn't get enough credit for his military service. Are you aware that when George was not AWOL there was not a single Viet Cong attack on the city of Houston? He defended us well. (Where's that tongue-in-cheek smiley when I need it?)

[audtatious]

Kerry had far more military experience than Bush for sure. Kerry's problem was what happened when he was in combat and, more importantly, what he did when he came back.

[Eikon]

I think Fred Thompson's speech to the RNC sums up my beliefs very well..

John McCain's bones may have been broken but his spirit never was.

Now, being a POW certainly doesn't qualify anyone to be President.

But it does reveal character.

This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders.

Strength.

Courage.

Humility.

Wisdom.

Duty.

Honor.

It's pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, "Who is this man?" and "Can we trust this man with the Presidency?"

[rn79870]

Which begs the question, "Would we be in the same mess we are now in if Kerry had won?"

[dusred]

*Ahem*

Have any of you big McCain bashers ever been in a POW camp? Do you even have a clue what it is like?

If you want to go on about all his decorations you can go ahead and confront the ones who gave them to him. . . it's not like something you can just decide to get, you have to WORK for them.

Telco,

Obama must think the American people are stupid. . . or why would he hang out with terrorists who are actively killing off Americans, and a pastor who gets up in church (Yeah, a church where you find God) and say such things as "G-D America!"?

Yes, Obama is calling change. . . change like "Lets raise taxes!". That's not the change American's need.

John McCain just has too much baggage.

Are you kidding me!?! Obama is the one with too much baggage. He has a very very shady past. He hangs out with terrorists (maybe that's why he doesn't want to win in Iraq because all of his terrorists friends live there) and I've already mentioned all the other obvious stuff above.

[srellim234]

Kerry had far more military experience than Bush for sure. Kerry's problem was what happened when he was in combat and, more importantly, what he did when he came back.

The same standard should apply to McCain, too. Lost planes through his own fault, admitted he went too far with the plane over Hanoi and lost it, came back and cheated on his marraige vows, remarried with his mistress into money and luxury while claiming the other guy is elitist, the Keating 5 scandal, voted against his own legislation, has missed more votes in Congress than he has made. And demonstrating a hot-headed temper to boot.

But that's all a free pass because, "Did you know John McCain was a POW?"

[audtatious]

Which begs the question, "Would we be in the same mess we are now in if Kerry had won?"

Iraq would be under the rule of Iran and there would have been a middle-east war with Iran/syria against Egypt/Saudi Arabia. We would probably be backrupt from lack of gas thus the US would pretty much be up for sale.

Of course you would not agree to that as any Dem who comes into office would change things for the best and make everyone love us. The Dems who run Congress have proven that they are up to the challenge to get things done.....

[audtatious]

The same standard should apply to McCain, too. Lost planes through his own fault, admitted he went too far with the plane over Hanoi and lost it, came back and cheated on his marraige vows, remarried with his mistress into money and luxury while claiming the other guy is elitist, the Keating 5 scandal, voted against his own legislation, has missed more votes in Congress than he has made. And demonstrating a hot-headed temper to boot.

But that's all a free pass because, "Did you know John McCain was a POW?"

Didn't you read above? I just called McCain a worthless nobody just for you and Bob, what else do you want to hear?

[AZhitman]

Keating "scandal" was ultimately decided by a fair and impartial review to be "nothnig more than poor judgment in associations".

But then I guess no one here has ever been "taken in" by a lie or fooled by a friend.

[rn79870]

Come on Matt. You have no problem pointing out Barack's weaknesses. We don't take that personal.

If there is controversy in Biden or Obama we need to see it. If there is controversy in Palin or McCain we need to see it too.

[srellim234]

aud- Sorry. I should have made it clear I was on your side. I wanted to get the point across by agreeing with you that more recent performance trumps older performance. I winged you with some "friendly fire". My apologies.

[AZhitman]

FWIW, the speech sucked.

Good thing we're not hiring a motivational speaker, good thing we're not hring a pretty face, and good thnig we're not looking to replace Don LaFontaine.

If eloquence is critical, we're sunk. Thankfully, I've never seen it ranked real high in the characteristics of good leaders.

[rn79870]

".

But then I guess no one here has ever been "taken in" by a lie ...

You were referencing the whole country and you know who right...?

Seriously, they are ALL politicians and they all tell the truth so much as it serves their purpose. They ALL change their mind and they ALL wiggle out of previous statements. Our job is to find out which candidate is closest to the truth and furthest from those things we don't want, then we watch them and see how long it takes for them to change.

[Imakulate]

I agree that they are the same. That's were are political system has been for a long time. It's always some guy up there trying to tell you that he knows and cares about all the issues that us 'normal' folks go through. Pandering and lying, sorry I mean 'streching the truth', just so they can continue to feed of the laborers who actually do productive and beneficial work.

It's a class war and the people are losing to the top 1%'ers. Hence the decrease in livable wages and a middle class.

[audtatious]

And that's true. I dislike McCains stances on global warming, healthcare and illegal immigration. Those points are the ones that Democrats don't seem to have a problem with.

From a war "record" perspective, he may not have that much seat time nor have made a lot of correct decisions at that age but he did have the training and he did have the initiative to join the cause and I don't simply dismiss what he learned while a POW and how that has changed his life which was the "big picture" he was painting last night. It's easy to throw him under the bus for what happened when he came home in regards to his wife but from the non-partisan information I've seen it was a 2-way street as his wife did not know him anymore either and he did make sure she was taken care of. If that were not the case then dirt would have flown way earlier than the innuendo that is being pressed forth today.

Obama has not shown me who he really is. I don't trust him.

[rn79870]

Obama must think the American people are stupid. . . or why would he hang out with terrorists who are actively killing off Americans,

Which terrorlst, killing who, where? when? Do you have a cite for any of this?

and a pastor who gets up in church (Yeah, a church where you find God) and say such things as "G-D America!"?

What office is his pastor running for?

Yes, Obama is calling change. . . change like "Lets raise taxes!". That's not the change American's need.

I don't think you've looked at Obama's tax plans. It is just the opposite of what you are expressing. http://voices.washingtonpost.c....html

Are you kidding me!?! Obama is the one with too much baggage. He has a very very shady past.

You haven't proved any facts with your opinion. Do you have a cite for that?

He hangs out with terrorists

Again, do you have a cite for that? Your opinion is welcome, but you can't keep making up facts without being called to produce some citations for that fact.

(maybe that's why he doesn't want to win in Iraq because all of his terrorists friends live there)

Once again, you misunderstand Obama's position. Remember, he's the one who first stated the 16 month plan that McCain is now backing...

and I've already mentioned all the other obvious stuff above.

Again, could you provide some citations for these opinions?

[Encryptshun]

FWIW, the speech sucked.

Good thing we're not hiring a motivational speaker, good thing we're not hring a pretty face, and good thnig we're not looking to replace Don LaFontaine.

If eloquence is critical, we're sunk. Thankfully, I've never seen it ranked real high in the characteristics of good leaders.

Hmm. I guess I'd have to disagree with you there. I think that the President, as the CEO and leader of our nation, should ABSOLUTELY be a speaker who can persuade, empassion, and re-patriotize us. Especially in times of crisis and economic downturn.

And when has eloquence or the ability to motivate people NOT ranked high in the characteristics of a good leader? (Of course I might not understand your exact definition of "good" leader.) Let's see (in no particular order): Lincoln, FDR, Kennedy, Reagan, Chavez, Stalin, Lenin, Hitler, Peron, Ghandi (Indjeera), Mandella. All were considered great leaders by their respective countrymen in their respective times, and all are also known for their great oratory.

[audtatious]

Again, do you have a cite for that? Your opinion is welcome, but you can't keep making up facts without being called to produce some citations for that fact.

I'll actually comment on this one. He is friends with Ayres who is still spewing anti-American rhetoric on his website. Am I saying he agree's with Ayres stances? No. Just another piece in the scrambled puzzle that is Obama.

[96Qowner]

I thought it was an ok speech. The ones leading into it weren't spectacular, in fact almost none of the speeches in either convention were spectacular. Obama gave an excellent speech - that's what he does after all - and Palin gave an excellent speech. I thought Thompson's was good, but of course, like Obama, that's what he does, too. Giuliani's was better than I expected.

McCain? Yeah, well, he's never been much of a teleprompter speaker. I've groaned and rolled my eyes at some of them - REALLY bad. He just can't drop that bored cadence, everything ending on a tired down-note. So I thought this one was better than most. No real substance, but I didn't expect it to have much. McCain has the experience and character to lead the country in these difficult times - his opponent doesn't. I hope some people thought twice about that, that's all. Either experience matters in a President or it doesn't. Currently, about half the country doesn't think it matters. So be it.

I'd give it a C- if it were just anyone, a B+ for a McCain speech - one of HIS better speeches.