Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin

[PujolJunkie]

Obama is completely scripted. Just watch when his teleprompter goes out, which it does. But now it's with him all the time.

Another totally scripted encounter with Obama:

http://www.nhelects.com/NHPrimaryVideos ... le=VLTitle

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Here's the problem I'm having with McCain. I'm sensing that a large amount of McCain's (and Palin's) comments are driven by "talking point" type information shoved in front of him just before his appearances. That's why we're seeing muddled, inconsistent and somewhat contradictory responses from him. I know this is true of all campaigns to some extent, but it looks to be more prevalent with McCain/Palin than with Obama/Biden.

Maybe they're just better "actors", but I don't get such a scripted feeling from Obama or Biden.

I think we should be wary about choosing a candidate based on who has the best marketing. All candidates use talking points to some extent as they are answering the same questions over and over again. There's nothing wrong with that. If we think candidates are using talking points to cover for ignorance or for purposes of misrepresentation then that's a problem, but it seems to me, that the far more important issue is the content rather than whether it seems to come in scripted form or not. These news interviews, I think, do a pretty good job of drawing out the candidates beyond the scripts.

So would having some town hall debates. But only one guy wants to do that.

I seriously think you only come to this thread to attack Obama pointlessly. Are you seriously complaining about an offer made by McCain months ago that was rejected by Obama? You sound like a child. "HE SAID HE DIDN'T WANNA DO TOWN HALL DEBATES. HE'S A MEAN MEAN GUY."

Nobody else here has been as volatile as you have. Can you please be civil for one page of this thread?

[TimeForGuinness]

Odd random thought of the day, if JFK Jr. was alive and pursued a career in politics, this would like have been the year of his running for office, correct?

John John, when god created someone to run for office they molded him.

He had the qualities:

1)Political family
2)Intelligence
3)Good looking
4)Charisma

He didn't have any interest in it, though, did he? He was almost 40 when he died and had pursued everything else besides politics- publishing, aviation, a failed attempt at law...

I never got the positive vibes from JFK, Jr. that others did.

I think a failed attempt at aviation too

[jim]

Has anyone heard this absolutely bizarre witchcraft story with Palin's pastor? The story is that he spoke about going to Africa and driving witches out that were causing car accidents or something?

Surely that can't be, but yet another saga in a truly bizarre election season.

[BW23]

Obama is completely scripted. Just watch when his teleprompter goes out, which it does. But now it's with him all the time.

Another totally scripted encounter with Obama:

http://www.nhelects.com/NHPrimaryVideos ... le=VLTitle

---------------

Here's the problem I'm having with McCain. I'm sensing that a large amount of McCain's (and Palin's) comments are driven by "talking point" type information shoved in front of him just before his appearances. That's why we're seeing muddled, inconsistent and somewhat contradictory responses from him. I know this is true of all campaigns to some extent, but it looks to be more prevalent with McCain/Palin than with Obama/Biden.

Maybe they're just better "actors", but I don't get such a scripted feeling from Obama or Biden.

I think we should be wary about choosing a candidate based on who has the best marketing. All candidates use talking points to some extent as they are answering the same questions over and over again. There's nothing wrong with that. If we think candidates are using talking points to cover for ignorance or for purposes of misrepresentation then that's a problem, but it seems to me, that the far more important issue is the content rather than whether it seems to come in scripted form or not. These news interviews, I think, do a pretty good job of drawing out the candidates beyond the scripts.

So would having some town hall debates. But only one guy wants to do that.

I seriously think you only come to this thread to attack Obama pointlessly. Are you seriously complaining about an offer made by McCain months ago that was rejected by Obama? You sound like a child. "HE SAID HE DIDN'T WANNA DO TOWN HALL DEBATES. HE'S A MEAN MEAN GUY."

Nobody else here has been as volatile as you have. Can you please be civil for one page of this thread?

You really only see things one way, don't you? Yeah. I'm volatile. I'm not being civil. I'm here to pointlessly attack Obama.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

I responded to attacks on McCain. But, I'm sure in your eyes, those weren't pointless. Only responses criticizing the savior are pointless.

FWIW, Obama turned him down, and that's relevant to this conversation. I'd say it says something about him only being comfortable when things are more scripted and him being well prepped. Why else would someone that is so much smarter, in his eyes, and that is supposedly this great orator, in some people's eyes, turn down an opportunity to crush McCain and not even stress at all come November?

Now, why don't you bash some of your liberal buddies here that constantly call out McCain, McCain's supporters or Republicans in general.

Of course, I'm kidding. I know you'd NEVER do that. You're the biggest proponent when it comes to that.

[BW23]

Has anyone heard this absolutely bizarre witchcraft story with Palin's pastor? The story is that he spoke about going to Africa and driving witches out that were causing car accidents or something?

Surely that can't be, but yet another saga in a truly bizarre election season.

I thought that I read it was a guest preacher that was at her church once when she was there.

And yeah, completely bizarre. But so are many things, IMO, that go on in that denomination.

[GatewaySnayke]

Sarah Palin is innovative.

Palin said she has been discussing initiatives that have worked for her in Alaska, including putting the state’s checkbook online.

This is a terrific idea! People should DEFINITELY know where their money is going. I can't believe this wasn't done before. Oh wait:

Senate Passes Coburn-Obama Bill to Create Internet Database of Federal Spending

September 8, 2006

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today hailed the Senate’s passage of the “Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act,” a bill that will create a Google-like search engine and database to track approximately $1 trillion in federal grants, contracts, earmarks and loans.

“Every American has the right to know how their government spends their money, and then to hold elected officials accountable for those decisions. I applaud my colleagues for unanimously supporting a bill that will aid the American people in that effort,” Dr. Coburn said. “This bill is a small but significant step toward changing the culture in Washington. Only by fostering a culture of openness, transparency and accountability will Congress come together to address the mounting fiscal challenges that threaten our future prosperity.”

“The group that deserves credit for passing this bill, however, is not Congress, but the army of bloggers and concerned citizens who told Congress that transparency is a just demand for all citizens, not a special privilege for political insiders. Their remarkable effort demonstrates that our system of government does work when the people take the reins of government and demand change,” Dr. Coburn said.

“By helping to lift the veil of secrecy in Washington, this database will help make us better legislators, reporters better journalists, and voters more active citizens,” Obama said. “It’s both unusual and encouraging to see interest groups and bloggers on the left and the right come together to achieve results. This powerful grassroots alliance shows that at the end of the day, Americans want to see Congress work together to get something done and not continue to engage in the partisan gridlock that so often brings Capitol Hill to a grinding halt.”

More than 100 organizations ranging from Americans for Prosperity and Taxpayers for Common Sense to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Greenpeace have endorsed S. 2590.

Dozens of editorials boards across the country including the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times and The Oklahoman have also endorsed S. 2590.

Forty-three Senators co-sponsored S. 2590 including Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Tom Carper (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), John Kerry (D-MA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and others.

[cardsfansince82]

You really only see things one way, don't you? Yeah. I'm volatile. I'm not being civil. I'm here to pointlessly attack Obama.

Pot. Kettle. Black.

I responded to attacks on McCain. But, I'm sure in your eyes, those weren't pointless. Only responses criticizing the savior are pointless.

So long as you aren't trying to claim to be any better, I agree.

[Jocephus]

[/youtube]

[cpebbles]

Why else would someone that is so much smarter, in his eyes, and that is supposedly this great orator, in some people's eyes, turn down an opportunity to crush McCain and not even stress at all come November?

Because he crushed him in fundraising and he gains nothing by giving away that advantage to limit the campaigning to equal opportunity appearances.

[PujolJunkie]

Why else would someone that is so much smarter, in his eyes, and that is supposedly this great orator, in some people's eyes, turn down an opportunity to crush McCain and not even stress at all come November?

Because he crushed him in fundraising and he gains nothing by giving away that advantage to limit the campaigning to equal opportunity appearances.

Unwritten rule of debates: Never accept a debate when you already have an advantage. It's a Democratic year. Big time. His internal polling probably looks extremely strong and did look strong at the time. There's no reason to give a gift if you have an advantage.