I've had it with Sarah Palin's media blitz! Where was the woman who no one could get for an interview for a month after she was announced as John McCain's running mate? Only to go back in hiding after the Katie Couric interview debacle? Well, that woman has been unleashed!
She is giving interviews to anyone who would sit down and listen or watch her cook, or hike the snow-piled mountains. GIVE ME A BREAK! It must be a slow news week. My TV has been subjected to all things Palin - a great reason to get out of the house last night to see something different, watch a basketball game.
Then she's speaking in my neck of the woods with other Republican Governors. And where are some members of the media? In Miami to get another expose to Palin as if we haven't heard enough already. Even an Aunt told me last night she's thinking of sending Larry King an e-mail to stop the "all things Palin on CNN."
Also, one of my favorite guys on TV, Jon Stewart took issue with this - check out the video:
The video is over seven minutes long - that's dog years in the fast-paced media world. So please Palin, I have defended you that it was wrong for the McCain camp to throw you under the bus. But always defending yourself in the eyes of the Media reminds me of a law adage - "He who defends himself has a fool for a client." So cut it out!
I'm still reeling from last week's election. But I haven't reflected on my love/hate relationship with a particular subject (politics) in a while. So here goes my musings of some things that took place since last week:
Worldwide Celebration For the President-Elect:
For anyone who says election doesn't matter, the proof is in the embedded video. OMG! It's been a while (well since Barack Obama gave that speech in Berlin) to see such goodwill towards America around the world. Think about it, our current president (counting down the days) is greeted with burning flags among other profanities when he visits most countries but with Obama's win, people were literally dancing in the streets.
A House Divided: Oh the Republican party specifically John McCain's camp. Ok, I'm not surprised there was trouble in the camp before the election. I've made a number of observations on this blog about McCain lurching from one position to the next but I didn't expect the mudslinging from the camp against one another especially to one target - Sarah Palin.
Here's where I've got to come to the Hockey Mom's defense. Anybody with a brain could see Palin wasn't ready to be Vice President or President (in case something happens). I have shown my concern a couple of months ago when the Governor of Alaska wasn't vetted. Seriously, one interview that lasted an hour plus another 15 minutes conversation for the second highest position in the land? I've had more interviews than that for one position as a civilian.
But you know what? I don't blame her. If she didn't know Africa was a continent, not a country was unfortunate but it's not her fault (yeah, I typed that with a straight face). If she couldn't name the countries in North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico) as countries in NAFTA doesn't make her stupid. But it shows bad judgment on the person who chose to pick her as a running mate - John McCain.
And do you notice the person not saying a word while this woman is being thrown under the docked straight talk express bus? Ding, ding, ding, the Maverick! Nobody should make Palin a scapegoat for the campaign's demise; it was a very poor-ran campaign regardless if it was in the way of history.
The McCain's camp wanted to make a history of its own; have the first female VP. But that would have been fine if you picked a person very qualified for the position. Perhaps it would have even been fine if the country wasn't in such a mess - Two wars, Economic downturn since the depression, Climate crisis, etc.
Remember twenty years ago, George HW Bush picked Dan Quayle who couldn't spell P-O-T-A-T-O. It didn't affect him from being elected. Then you have a President who's butchered the English Language so much which makes this writer cringe when she's subjected to listen to a so called "speech." But America said not this time! And John McCain should look in the mirror to see who's fault that was.
Obama draws first blood by picking "Rahmbo": I LOVED this pick. Rahm Emanuel is the right guy as Obama's chief of staff. The guy who's known in Washington as "Rahmbo" a take off the movie character "Rambo" for his volatile temper at times - he's not afraid to use all sorts of bleeps in talking to Washington insiders or his infamous dead fish incident sent to a pollster whose work he disliked. Did I say I love this guy?
Rahmbo is full of complexities (as most of us). After all, this was a guy who got college scholarship from being a classically-trained ballet dancer. But he also joined the Isreali Military to defend the nation. Hmm, a guy who can dance and fight at the same time - my kind of guy :-)
Anyway, some folks on the right feel like this move from Obama doesn't fit the "no drama Obama" motto but I (and Obama) say, you need someone who gets the work done. Other folks both on the right and left have praised this pick. And say what you want about Rahmbo, you can't say he's not brilliant. He, along with Howard Dean was responsible for getting the House back to the Democrats in 2006 and keeping it that way now.
And give it up for Obama for being so secure in who he is that he doesn't care about the candidate's baggage as long as he or she has the brilliance to do the job. Besides, just like I begged on this blog for Joe Biden before he was picked for VP, I'm so glad for the Emanuel pick. You can talk "change" all you want, but you need some insiders who know the game to bring about the change we all need.
It’s eight days before the election and in biblical terms, eight signifies the number of new beginnings. Well, I hope our nation will really have such new beginning by voting for the right man for the job (in my opinion, Barack Obama) but in the meantime, it seems like dog years to get to November 4th.
I’m getting restless with this election and maybe because it also falls around my birthday and I would like to spend my time on what to do in the next phase of my life than listen to another “I approve this message” and other clichéd election terms. So I reflect on the longest election season I’ve ever been a part of, I would like to say things about it I will not miss:
CNN’s John King’s psychedelic election map: I thought I was the only person paying attention to John King’s fascination with his electronic toy called the map but I busted laughing last Thursday when I saw SNL spoofing what I’ve been thinking for months – Enough with the hypnotizing red, blue, pink, grey colored map!
Shouting Pundits: In all my years (though light years) of observing politics, I have never seen such passion or feistiness from pundits that resulted in shouting matches. OMG! I felt like telling some of these pundits “we are not deaf but your shouting matches made us wish we were.” Honorable mentions with the eardrums splitting are most folks at Fox News i.e. Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity.
Buzz-Killing Words: Oh there are so many but let me oblige you with those words: battleground states (Florida, Nevada, etc), Bradley effect, hockey moms, soccer moms, Wal-Mart moms, working-class, and middle-class.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck of The View: Now I think it is necessary to have a “conservative” voice on the view but my God, Hasselbeck has ignited some unnecessary sparks in her defense for the Republican party and her dislike for the Democratic party. It is okay to criticize your party every now and then but not so with Hasselbeck; she will find the good for a Republican but not so much for a Democrat.
Keith Olbermann and his “special comments:” I’m an equal opportunity girl and just like I had a problem with the conservative Hasselbeck; I have a problem with the liberal Olbermann. Now I like Olberman and I get he’s trying to channel the late great Edward Murrow by his “good night, good luck” sign off but come on, you’ve got to be balanced. Olbermann has made it mission to go against Fox News, or as he calls the network “Fox Noise,” or “Fix News.” And his viewers know his on-going feud with “Billo” (Bill O’Reilly) but this viewer would like a day when I don’t have to hear Fix News or Billo, or another “special comment.” The news will be just fine – well, I can only hope.
Race in the race: Yeah you read that right. It’s the issue of race in the race to the white house. I feel in almost two years of watching this election I’ve had to listen to questions like “is he black enough?” “Will race affect this race?” and the like. Just last weekend I said to myself if I find another “race roundtable” discussions, I’m gonna scream.
What I found funny is that most of these questions were coming from white pundits. Seriously, how could four white people gather around an oak table on some of these political shows (i.e. Meet The Press) and they are talking about race? Where is a person of color? I understand you can’t get the go-to black pundit (Donna Brazille) all the time but there are others. I wish Tim Russett was still alive. If those race discussions were going to be brought up, there will be PBS Gwen Ifill or NPR Michelle Norris to balance the table. I’m just saying.
Pandering from the candidates: Have there been another election season that had this much pandering? Examples: Hillary Clinton taking shots of whiskey showing is “one of the boys,” Obama going bowling (note to Barack: stick with basketball), or McCain with his incessant “Joe the plumber” to show he relates to the middle-class (in what world?)
Preachers in politics: Now I get preachers are citizens too and they have freedom of speech. But there is something called separation of church and state. This election season has brought about preachers who almost derailed a candidate’s presidential campaign. In Obama’s corner: Rev. Wright, Father Pfleger, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. In McCain’s corner: Arnold Conrad, John Hagee and Rod Parsley.
So the aforementioned are just some things I will not miss as this election season comes to a close. But it was a fun ride and I must say by channeling one of an old times variety show signoff: I’m so glad we had this time together.
I would like to say I like elitism. If I get in trouble, I would want an elite lawyer like the late Johnnie Cochran (RIP) or the fictional, Alan Shore (of Boston Legal fame). If it is a brain surgery that's needed, get the elite surgeon of them all, get Dr. Ben Carson. The same goes for the Navy Seals; you don't hear them being called "mediocre" seals but the "elite" seals. What about our Marines? They are "A Few Good Men" or "The Few, The Proud, The Marines." That sounds quite elite.
So imagine my surprise this election season when Sen. Barack Obama referred to as elite because he drinks lattes or tries to eat healthy. Seriously, a guy raised by a single mother who at one time depended on food stamps go on to Harvard and became the school's law review first Black President. When he was criticized about a car he drove being a gas-guzzler, he changed it to a more efficient-mileage one. And did I mention he has but one house.
Now compare him to Sen. John McCain, who is called "NOT elite." He came from a family with a good pedigree, married a heiress, who wore a $300K thousand outfit to the RNC convention (but told folks not to criticize her wealth) has seven (or more) houses and 13 cars but the black guy is the one who's "elite?" Is there something I'm missing here?
What brought this post up you might ask? Sarah Palin! Palin and the $150K she and her family were endowed for wardrobe choices in the past seven weeks. Who's elite now? Can I just say, Michelle Obama wore $148 black and white dress on the View that became a fashion sensation, a GAP dress on the campaign trails that got a shoutout from Vogue and for her speech at the DNC convention, the dress was about $700 NOT $300K (Three hundred thousand Dollars) as Cindy McCain.
It's nice to look good but as a fashionista myself, I can tell you it is OUTRAGEOUS to spend $150K for fashion in this economic downturn especially when you call yourself just your "average hockey mom." You gotta be kidding me! Part of the $150K was used for hair and makeup consultations. Seriously, what's the big deal with putting your hair in a "beehive" or letting it down that cost almost $5K?
This is wrong, this is wrong, this is wrong! Just like I had a problem with Sen. John Edwards with his two haircuts costing $400 each while he preached he was just a son of a steelworker, who loved eating at Wendys, and wanted to see poverty abolished, this action from the RNC camp doesn't live up to the narrative.
Thank goodness the debates are FINALLY over! My mind was already made up who gets my vote and nothing during the debates (both Presidential or Vice-Presidential) was going to change my mind. The debates only confirmed the reason of why I made my choice.
Be that as it may, I’d like to give full disclosure here that I was on the road when tonight’s debate started. So I missed the first 14 minutes via television and I’m grateful for NPR for carrying the debate live so I could listen while driving.
Here’s my take on the debate: I thought John McCain came out swinging (which was no surprise) and he landed a few hard knocks but he got tired like a boxer who wastes his punches in the early rounds, his strength waned in the last 45 minutes of the debate and Obama was still left standing since he maintained his composure.
Now enough with the boxing terminologies and into the meat: I want to know who the heck is Joe DePlummer (I hope that’s his last name but that’s what it sounded like)? Or was it Joe, the plumber? OMG! Whoever Joe is, his ears must be ringing! I almost got to the point of saying to my TV: “Enough about Joe, What About Mo? (My stake in this debate)”
And what about the line of the night from John McCain – “I am not President Bush!” Well he isn’t technically but if a guy like him says (it’s on tape) I’m in support of President Bush and I’ve voted with him over 90 percent of the time” means you’re kind of similar. Also, for John McCain to say, “education is a civil rights issue” during the debate made my brain go hmmm, that phrase sounds familiar; I wonder who made that statement? Oh, oh, oh, I know; that’s straight up from W’s mouth!
Then there was the William Ayers issue. Enough already! I heard about this guy during the Primaries now I have to be subjected to it for over 10 minutes of the debate. What does an action a guy did 40 years ago, long before my parents even met have anything to do with the state of the economy, energy or health care? But McCain wanted to milk the Ayers issue as much as he could. I could dissect this Ayers issue between both candidates but I’m already drained.
Another significant moment was the issue of abortion. Now let me say something about this issue. I’ve been following Presidential elections since my mid-teens (Bill Clinton’s first run) and this issue came up and I’ve almost doubled my years and this issue remains a bone of contention among candidates. As I grew older, I’ve made my decision that I don’t agree with act of abortion.
However, I’m one of those people who can’t be easily swayed just because a candidate is against abortion but is unethical on other issues that are vital. What am I saying? You cannot be against abortion but vote against funding for children’s healthcare (SCHIP anyone)? So until our government could be balanced in all areas (you don’t torture, you don’t let a certain group of people live in poverty and hunger to force mothers to do atrocious things to their children) then Roe V. Wade should stay!
Then there was that issue about the qualifications of each of the Vice-Presidential candidates to be President. Obama seemed very comfortable (as he should) about describing Joe Biden but McCain had to resort to clichés like “reformer,” “shake things up” to describe Sarah Palin. To this viewer (and I’m sure many viewers), the Palin qualifications to be President (a scary thought) just didn’t sell.
I could go on about various issues but let’s talk about the tone and body languages. As usual, Obama was just too cool for school. Even when McCain attacked him, he had this disarming smile (it seems he took a page from Biden) while McCain on the other hand, seemed agitated. There was the sighing, eye rolling, I had to ask myself does McCain know much about history? Check out Nixon V. Kennedy or Gore V. Bush; the former lost the debates and election (though Gore’s was stolen). Hel-lo McCain, over 60 percent of what you’re saying, is not coming out of your mouth.
So what’s my verdict? On the debate, I would say a draw but on the tone, I give it to Obama.
Another Reverend who's getting on my last nerves is Arnold (Arnie) Conrad. You haven't heard of him; well check out this video:
What is it about this election season and all the Pastor Problems? Let me count them: Rev. Wright, Father Pfleger, John Hagee, Rod Parsley, etc. Now we have Conrad joining the list with his "unique" opening prayer at a John McCain's campaign event last Saturday for His God not to allow other gods' prayers to come to pass for Barack Obama to win.
First of all, that is some ignorant mess because Hindu is not a god but a religion. Second, he's assuming that millions around the world cannot be Christians but most are talking to Allah or Buddha. Third, he's part of the so-called Christians who think because a person has a unique name (present company included), he cannot be a Christian; hence saying Obama cannot be someone who could do God's will.
Conrad is wrong on a number of levels as a Christian and a Minister of the Gospel. And it is not a great commentary that he's being the latter for over three decades. It is NOT his place to pray for one leader inspite of another; your Bible tells you to pray for ALL leaders of the land that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life.
Also, God is not in the game of fleecing. If God wanted John McCain to be President, then He could just make McCain President and forget about voting and Conrad won't need to bargain with God. Speaking of voting, according to Conrad's prayer, any Christian voting for Obama must not be doing God's will since according to him, McCain has the vision to lead the country.
One more thing: Conrad should remember that as a Minister of the Gospel, it is not his place to curse what God has blessed. If both candidates profess to be Christians, it is NOT Conrad's place as a Minister to question (or deny) the salvation of one and hold the other as right. That is left to His God to judge.
This subject has been on my mind for the past week especially watching some folks John McCain's camp using Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein as if it was a four-letter word as seen here by Lee County's Sheriff:
I have a unique name and as previously mentioned, I've been thinking about writing about the stereotypes even before the name-calling in the political scene. Two Saturdays ago, I went to get my car serviced and while waiting in the lobby a couple of the car maintenance attendants (one white, another black) struck up a conversation with me - I seem to have that effect on people :-)
Anyway, the topics range from politics and race relations, which in today's world seem not to be mutually exclusive. The white guy told me (by first saying "no disrespect") if he hasn't seen me but just my first name on the computer, he would have assumed I was "Middle-Eastern." I smiled and told him I'm not surprised by his assumption since I've been "randomly" selected at the airports for extra security precautions when I travel out of the country in a post 9-11 world.
But I'm not Middle-Eastern (not that there's anything wrong with that). And the black guy (of Caribbean descent) doesn't get away scotfree either by making a generalization about the women from where my parents are from - I called him out of course. I'm the anti-thesis of whatever his presumptions are.
This is one of the things I love about living in South Florida - it is not straight up black or white and yes I have friends of various ethnicities to a point that my mother asked me years ago with a voice of concern "don't you have any African friends?" That gave me a pause at first while I thought about the question. My answer: "I didn't know that's a criteria for picking friends." All she said was "ha M-" As a way of saying my unusual way of seeing the world since my birth in the U.S with respect to (but inspite of) my parent's culture. The good thing was that subject was NEVER broached again. So I must have made an impression. But I digress.
One of the great things of living in South Florida is that it is a microcasm of America or how America will look in 2050. You got the New York/New Jersey folks all around, the Jewish Folks, the Haitians (Little Haiti), Latinos to a great extent (most in the Little Havana area), Caribbeans (if I'm not Middle-Eastern by my name, a lot think I'm Caribbean by my face) and a whole hodge-podge of Africans, Asians and Europeans and can't forget about the Snow-birds (people in cold climates who migrate here during those frigid temparatures).
As MSNBC's Chuck Todd and Chris Matthews said recently about Florida: You got the New York/New Jersey folks and most people up north in South Florida, the Mid-West folks in Central Florida and the South in Northern Florida as a way of saying of how they can't predict what will happen this election season in Florida. Gotta love it!
But most times, the downside of living here (South Florida) is when you have an ambiguous feature like mine you get to be asked "where are you from?" on almost a weekly basis to see if you identify with a respective person's culture (I don't 99 and half percent of the time). Forget that, they just start speaking to you in Creole, French, Patua (the Jamaicans) or Spanish from the gitgo. All I do is give a blank look (though I do understand some French but its very rusty).
I may even have a hat on (a penchant of mine during the weekends) and someone would stop me in a store to figure out what box to put me in. Then there's that name - my name. As previously mentioned of that Saturday afternoon at the car maintenance place to late Friday (past weekend) night at a networking event. So after the program was over Friday night, it was time for mingling.
One woman old enough to be my mom has been staring at me for a while talking to a couple individuals. When I turned to her and said hello with a business card in hand. This woman (black) first words were: "what kind of name is that?" Did I mention this was supposed to be a place for professionals? Do people understand etiquette? When I told her the origin, she said "well you look Jamaican!" as she kept staring at my face as if I was a piece of specimen. I counted to 10 in my head while maintaning a smile suggesting sorry to disappoint her.
I wish people would not make such a fuss about people's names especially those who look like me - black folks. The same people who would name their kids Alize, Corvossier, Lexus and other names synonymous with alcohol, cars (and other materialistic things) have a problem with my name. GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK!!!
But my (or really, other people's) problem with my name pales in comparison with what Barack Obama is going through in the nationational spotlight. Take for example this video (I saw when I got into my house Friday night) of a woman scared that Obama is an Arab (He is NOT by the way):
Boy was I having a great time with folks and their presumptions! This was after a week of name-calling from McCain's camp to see this calling Obama an Arab. Why do folks from his camp call the name "Hussein" as if it is so SCARY!!! Now I give McCain credit for stopping the foolishness but this was after a week of incessant intolerance from his camp and an outcry from even the conservative base of his campaign threading a dangerous ground.
That was a given name to Barack by his father who shared the same name. And should I remind folks that Hussein is quite popular around the world as names for decent human beings regardless if many knew of one late dictator(Saddam Hussein) who shared the same name. Having a unique name doesn't make you risky or less American; why don't you judge a person by the content of his character first and not some preconceived notions of a name? Seriously!!!
So just like I came to the defense of the Big "O" by last month's post, for her support for Barack Obama and not allowing any politician running for President in the past two years on her show, I'm saying the same for James T. Harris - leave him alone.
Who is James T. Harris you ask? Well, he's no where popular as Oprah but over the past week, he's got some unwarranted publicity because he's a brother who's in support for McCain as seen here:
Now I will admit when I first saw the video last week with a black man (Harris) telling a white guy (John McCain) to "stick it to him (Barack Obama)," it gave me a pause. But afterwards, I brushed it off as "to each his own."
So it was a shock to me last night watching CNN with Don Lemon that Harris has been getting hate mail and death threats for supporting his candidate of choice in spite of race. Oh come on! What is really going on with this election? My question is can't folks support their candidate without antagonizing others for their choice?
Granted, I feel Harris is relishing this moment in the spotlight as a conservative radio host most people haven't heard of BUT he doesn't deserve to be called an "Uncle Tom," "traitor to his race," etc. He like many others should support his candidate based on whatever views he uphold.
Another question to those folks attacking him is haven't blacks voted for white candidates for presidents for a long time; why should it stop with a few of them who want to continue the tradition? Isn't it about the issues after all? Are whites voting for Obama betraying their race for not supporting McCain? Why should it be any different for Harris?
I know, I know, some folks feel it's a once in a lifetime opportunity since Obama marks the first African-American party nominee for President and Harris should join the bandwagon. But what if Harris' issues and views constrain him not to vote for a man based on just the color of his skin?
Debate number two is now in the books. Can I just say I can’t wait for this election season to be over so I could have a normal schedule, better yet, return to a normal sleeping pattern.
Yesterday, I did something different from how I’ve watched debates over the years; went to a debate watch party hosted by national syndicated radio host Michael Baisden at the Gulfstream. The party was incredible, a chance to network with some folks in South Florida and for me, it was something different to do than staying in the comforts of my living room.
Now on to the debate in a town hall setting moderated by NBC’s Tom Brokaw: The questions in this setting were generated by many over the Internet and some undecided voters (more on them later).
The first question came from Allan who asked a question about the economy (surprised?) Sen. Barack Obama was the first candidate to start off with the answers and I was impressed he kept it precise and was up to date with the day’s news about AIG executives frolicking at a posh spa after the government gave them $85 billion bailout. PLEASE punish those executives!!! That’s my tax dollars!
Next up, Sen. John McCain for a follow-up: He started with energy but then he went on this merry-go-round that left writing in my notes: “How? How do you know how to fix the economy Mr. Fundamentals of our economy are strong?” I couldn’t get my answer so I looked forward to the next question.
The question was whom would the candidates appoint as Treasury Secretary in their administration. McCain made a lame attempt at a joke by telling Brokaw “not you!” That fell flat on me and the audience. I was wondering what Brokaw might have felt what did he ever do to McCain (because there were more exchanges to come). McCain mentioned Meg Whitman, the first woman CEO of E-Bay (hmm Carly Fiorina, former CEO of HP must have been banned from his campaign). As he went on about Whitman growing from 12 people to thousands, I thought to myself what a wrong example since E-bay just announced it was cutting over a thousand jobs in the U.S last week (does McCain keep track of business news?)
Now on to Obama about potential Treasury Secretary: He talked about “the Oracle of Omaha” (aka Warren Buffet). Excellent choice! As a former business student and current professional, I will read anything the Oracle proposes. Also, Buffet is an Obama supporter and he’s been talking about raising taxes on the filthy rich for years. So score goes to Obama (again) for having the Oracle on his side.
Oliver Clark, a young black guy in the audience asked the next question of how the bailout package will actually help Americans. McCain corrected Oliver that it wasn’t a “bailout” but a “rescue” package. That correction gave me a pause and I wondered if McCain knew he sounded condescending and I don’t care what term he called it; the package was both a bailout (for the foolishness of Wall Street) and a rescue (to Main Street). He must have sensed what he did because he rambled his way through the question.
But Obama answered the questions by giving examples of the vicious cycle that will happen if the bailout was not passed. Score number three for Obama.
For time sake, I won’t go line by line of all questions but more poignant moments from the debate and the watch party. I think McCain is off his rocker (pun intended) about the issue on the economy because why would he say this statement: “It depends on what we do . . .” But nothing on what we EXACTLY do, then he tried to twist his “fundamentals” gaffe to being the American people. Can I just tell McCain about some new rules: New Rules Sen. McCain! Since you’ve put your foot in your mouth about fundamentals, why don’t you decide NOT to use the word fundamentals in any sentence because we will think about your gaffe about the economy?
A light moment at the party: Michael Baisden asked why does McCain keep checking his notes for the debate. Baisden called the notes “cheat notes.”
Another light moment: When McCain attacked Obama on the question about climate change and green jobs but couldn’t remember what Obama said on the issue that drew his ire. In McCain’s words: “ . . . or something like that” which drew laughs from the audience.
Then McCain referred to Obama as “that one!” Hey about some etiquette PLEASE! That’s a man you’re talking to McCain. Seriously!!!
All in all, I would say I have a whole new respect for Barack after this debate. He kept his cool even when McCain referred to him as “that one” but he knew how to throw the measured punches as on attendee said to me, he show a bit of the “Chicago street smarts” of politics in this debate. So unlike the last debate when I gave my verdict as a draw, last night’s town hall debate was definitely a WIN for the new kid on the block – Sen. Barack Obama.
The Media and many of us are gearing up for the second debate between the Presidential candidates. And there are some things I expect from each candidate. Let's start with John McCain:
I expect he might FINALLY look Barack Obama in the eye. But I expect for McCain to throw everything and the kitchen sink at him. Why? Well, seeing his position in the national polls have switched to over seven points in the past two weeks after his "fundamentals of the economy are strong" stupid comment on the day this country experiences the highest (777) points drop on Wall Street.
Not only is McCain slipping in the national polls but in key battleground states, which will affect the Electoral College come election night. Case in Point: Michigan. Most experts say when America suffers a cold financially, Michigan suffers pneumonia. So the polls have dramatically shifted in Michigan for Obama, which makes McCain battle for other key states an uphill battle.
I expect McCain to keep making Obama seem very risky. Did you count how many times in the last debate he said Obama just "didn't understand." So more naivete comments and maybe a siding with terrorists comment (in Obama's quest for diplomacy) while keep referring to the viewers as "my friends."
Other honorable mentions from McCain:
Maverick
Reformer
Change Washington
POW
Earmarks
Taxes
What about Barack Obama at the debate? I expect more precise comments and less professorial stance on the economy. Seriously Barack, the folks at their kitchen table don't need to know the ins and outs of how Wall Street works (leave that to CNBC folks) but how much you care and want to get them out of their mess.
Also, I expect Obama to keep referring to McCain as "McSame" in relations to Bush policies. If you haven't heard McCain's 90 percent voting record with Bush enough, brace yourself for more.
Then I expect just like McCain questions Obama's inexperience for Obama to question John McCain's judgment over and over again to test McCain's temparament (don't you think it will be great TV when McCain's legendary temparament comes unhinged?)
Other honorable mentions from Obama:
Ch-Ch-Changes (Get ready for the word "change" to make you turn blue)
Hope
Middle Class
Economy
Kitchen Table
Joe Biden from Scranton (to pander to the working class)
A few names of ordinary citizens we don't know dealing with hard times.
Well I’m watching the debates and I couldn’t help but flip open my computer to start live blogging on my thoughts on the exchange between both candidates.
I wish John McCain would stop lying especially when it comes to funding for troops especially when he voted against more funding for the GI bill some months ago in the Senate. And I’m mad at Barack Obama for not calling him out on that since he voted for the GI bill sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, an Iraq war veteran.
I need Obama’s reflex to be sharper because I know John McCain will do anything to win and OMG, he’s patronizing comment about Obama not knowing the difference between following tactics and strategy is a criticism most pundits have used against the “Maverick.” This is a guy who changes with the wind so his name will stay in the news
Now, they are pulling the sentimental cards of who got bracelets from whom – from veteran families. What is it about labels Republicans seem to foster on Democrats not caring for national security? I remember on 9-11, nobody cared which party you belonged to; everybody had the same angry sentiment to get the folks who committed the terror acts on our country.
The diplomacy rant is coming from McCain – to talk or not to talk to our perceived enemies? That is the question! And why do they keep talking about the Napoleon complex Iran President guy Mahmoud Ahmindenajab (think I spelled his last name right)? Gosh, Mahmoud is really getting some pleasure from the free PR.
About Russia . . . McCain sure knows how to be condescending against his opponent calling him naive. And Obama chooses to let it slide, one of the reasons I could never run to be a public official.
John McCain is bugging me. I know I said I needed to cut back on blogging because of my studies and exams but like I said, I will write when I need a break. I really don't need the break right now but as I told a family relative "I'm itching to blog about this."
What the heck is going on in John McCain's brain? This guy is running his campaign by the seat of his pants - no strategic plans, just see how the wind blows. He needed to excite his base, so what does he do? Throw the "Hail Mary" pass in the form of Sarah Palin to supposedly rally up the conservative base and perhaps win the election. Way to go John! That's really putting "country first" instead of your campaign.
Then all the hoopla that followed on the lack of vetting with Palin and gaffes from her such as Alaska being close to Russia, thus solidifying her foreign policy experience. Yeah, to that I say, I'm close to Cuba and the Caribbeans, that doesn't mean I can give you Fidel Castro's plans for his country or that of Prime Ministers of Caribbean countries.
So this little thing called the economy popped up 11 days ago and it seemed McCain lost his footing from the "Fundamentals of the economy being strong" to yesterday's economy being in crisis. REALLY!!! Only for the bombshell to suspend his campaign and delay the Friday's debate. Are you freaking kidding me!
Is it only me who finds McCain's actions mind-boggling and suspicious. It just so happens yesterday morning, there was a significant shift in Barack Obama's direction and all of a sudden McCain wants to show his "leadership" character by going to Washington. Hel-lo, he hasn't cast a vote in the Senate since April. And what is he going to do there anyway? He isn't part of the Finance Committee and the stupid vote he casted over 20 years ago during the Savings & Loans debacle doesn't give him any, how should I say this, FINANCE CRED.
Besides, how is the economic fiasco going to take away from a 90-minute debate? No one is telling him to be on an entertainment program, it is a debate for goodness sake. And has it even dawned on him that such actions in changing his positions eight times in the past 10 days on the economy, according to Richard Wolffe of Newsweek don't show him in a good light on leadership and calm in the face of crisis?
We have 40 days before the election - a historic election. And McCain doesn't know how to multi-task by preparing and showing up for a debate while engaging the American people about his plans for their country's future? Are these actions showing he follows his campaign's motto of putting "country first?"
Lost any money lately? Well, I have and like millions of Americans I'm watching the ticker of the stock market with some apprehension but unlike John McCain, I will not say "the fundamentals of our economy is sound/strong."
Can you believe the Senator from Arizona have said the above phrase multiple times this year and worse, on the day his country experienced one of the worst days in its economic history. I wonder what world McCain lives in and how disillutioned he really must be.
But it's sad to say I'm not surprised those words came out of McBush - yep, it's hard to tell McCain and Bush apart these days, especially when the President talks about "adjustment" on the same day. McBush is the same guy who hired Phil Gramm (the mental recession guy) as his chief economic advisor but let him go after he called us "a nation of whiners" a couple of months ago.
Anyway, McBush decided to straighten his "fundamentals" theory out but he kept digging himself into a hole. I guess he and I have a different way of interpreting the English language or that of the economy. But if I were a betting lady (I'm not), I would say I have a better idea what's going on in the economy than he does especially when he's made no bones of not knowing much about the economy.
Senator McCain: There's no way you can call the fundamentals of our economy as sound when everything that shore up the said economy is crumbling - the housing market (Capote), job market (puh-leaze, unemployment is over six percent and climbing), the financial institutions (heard anything about AIG, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, etc.) So what fundamentals are you talking about?
Sen. John McCain must have thought he was just going for a light fare chatfest with the ladies of "The View." But he got another thing coming from Barbara - I've never seen her that hot, Whoopie (whoa!), and Joy (that's a hilarious woman). Anyway, I get out of the way for you to judge for yourself:
You know one of the things that drive me nuts? People who see hidden racism and/or sexism in everything. But for today's post, let's focus on the sexism part. And to all those pundits and surrogates, I want to ask the question: Aren't I a woman too?
Well, the sexism debate came back in the national spotlight after seven months because of the Republican VP Nominee pick, Sarah Palin. So folks especially in the McCain camp have been crying foul for sexism because the Media, Blogosphere (that drew my ire) have been asking too many questions or calling Palin to task about how many children she has.
Time-out! On this blog, I made no mention about how many children she has and if that will affect the tasks entrusted upon her if she was elected. The way I see it, you don't ask men that particular brand of question and I even defended her case to one of my family members during a discussion on that subject.
What I have a problem with is her record of policies and the recklessness of John McCain's decision. And I would find it sexist to think I should just accept a woman for the second highest office in the land just because she's a woman as if God didn't give me a brain to ask critical questions.
Also, for Palin in her sarcasm-laden speech on Wednesday night to go after the Media and Commentators about coming after her. I say "Girl Please!" to her. Wasn't she the one on July 31st still asking what the VP does exactly? Check it out here:
Hmm Sarah, let me brief you right quick about duties of the VP: He/she inquires to the health of the President (you may have to do that a lot with McCain if you get elected), you break ties in the Senate or you take an example from Dick Cheney and be the "real" President while another serves as the figurehead (Bush) for the position. As your interviewer said in the clip: "It's a pretty big job." But I digress.
I wonder is it because the pressure is on her to defend her record and a pending lawsuit for abusing her position as Governor (allegedly) why the folks in the Media and the Blogoshere are the new enemy. This sounds like "whining," a term Palin used on Hillary Clinton during the Primaries.
Is there sexism? Yes! Folks should not question her judgment as a mother and how she chooses to balance both work and life. In the words of Gloria Steinem: "I'm yet to see a man asked how he balances work and children."
But what is being overshadowed in this hoopla is the American people she is accepting a nomination to represent. They are entitled to answers on her policies and they get most of those answers from the Media your camp has been trying to dodge. So Sarah, I say to you if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
"Who?" "Who is she?" Those were a few of the questions that went through my head when I heard of John McCain's "Hail Mary" shot of a pick in Sarah Palin. To say I was confounded was an understatement.
I remember telling a family relative over a week ago that Joe Biden's pick as VP for Barack Obama would necessitate a check-mate move from the Republican party. But I was still shocked because this pick left me with a slew of questions:
Is this pick to get Hillary Clinton's supporters, especially women? By Palin acknowledging the said Clinton and the "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling" made me think she was straight up pandering. Isn't this the same Palin who said Clinton was "whining" during the Primaries? Hmmm. And how stupid does John McCain think women are to think one woman replaces another? Does he know that Palin is the anthesis of Clinton when it comes to this unique word we throw around during election season: ISSUES.
Let's talk about those issues for a moment. She's an absolute pro-lifer, even in the case of incest or rape. She wants to teach creationism in schools, she supports home schooling, and wants to take sex-education out of schools in support for abstinence only. Huh! How did that work out with her 17-year old five months pregnant daughter? So that is a private matter but let's talk about her freaking policies.
Alaska leads the nation in sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers and even though teenage pregnancies is down in her state (save for her daughter), something is to be said of how kids are getting STDs while avoiding pregnancies. I have an image in my head of what they are doing but I like to keep a mantra of decency on my blog.
What foreign policy experience does she have? According to reports, Palin just got a passport a couple of years ago for her first trip out of the country. OMG! If that is the case, then I have a better foreign policy experience than she does since I'm on my fourth passport which all have been used to a decent capacity.
Then you have folks saying she has the experience of Barack Obama. Are you kidding me? This lady was a mayor of a city in Alaska with a $12 million annual budget with 50 employees. Obama's campaign spends three times that in a month and runs a campaign with 2,500 employees. Hint to the Republican pundits, Clinton used that same argument and who was left standing with a better and more efficient campaign?
Also, for McCain to pick Palin with zero national scene experience, at 44 years old make his age of 72 more pronounced to people's perception. A VP is supposed to be a "heartbeat" away from being President. McCain at 72 with four bouts of cancer during his lifetime makes this pick a reckless choice to say the least.
But I have to give it to McCain: It was also a smart pick because everyone is talking about his selection than if he picked the same ole boring white dudes. And word on the street is, after seeing Obama's speech on Thursday night, he had to do something that signified change. If not, how do you explain a pick of someone he just met once in February and the second time overnight before the VP announcement? So it was a gutsy move; time will tell if it was a brilliant one.
A quick musing on what's been on my mind lately. I want to know one thing: How long can a Presidential candidate use his POW status on every issue related to the American people? I'm talking about Sen. John McCain of course. I wholeheartedly respect his sacrifice for our country but I'm getting tired of all things POW as an answer for any counter-attack on an issue.
The latest was an interview he had with CBS Katie Couric about the "how many houses he owns" where he needed to check with his staff gaffe. Obviously, he heard Joe Biden's Saturday afternoon comment about Americans at their respective kitchen table but McCain would be at a loss for what kitchen table out of the seven he needs to sit at.
McCain's answer: POW! To be exact, he talked about a time for years he didn't have a kitchen table to sit at. Imagine me feeling like throwing something on my TV screen but the economy is too bad to be worrying about buying another TV. I felt like "Oh for the love of God and all things decent, can we hear something else; it's been 40 years now."
A week ago at the Saddleback Church, he must have brought the POW situation on three different questions - picture me rolling my eyes. At what point does a defining moment in one's life becomes a crutch instead of a catalyst of change? He reminded me of another Republican Presidential candidate (Rudy Giuliani) who used 9-11 as an anwswer to everything.
Reporter: Mayor Giuliani, how're you going to handle our crumbling economy?
RG: Well, with the terrorists attacking our commercial center on 9-11, we have to first secure our defense fund . . .
Reporter: But what about education?
RG: On 9-11, America became a different world. We need to educate folks on the evil doers of the world.
Reporter: But Mayor, that wasn't what I meant . . .
RG: 9-11 defined everything for the American people. We need a leader who could face a crisis (BLAH BLAH BLAH).
See what I mean? The above scenario is a synopsis of Giuliani's failed Presidential attempt. Joe Biden said it best: "How can Giuliani run for President. Giuliani only knows a noun, a verb and 9-11." And Biden knows what he's talking about after facing a tragedy of his own of losing a young wife, his infant daughter and two sons in critical conditions at the hospital from a car crash only for his near-death experience years later with a brain aneurism. You don't hear him broadcasting that tragedy every time. You've got to read some articles or his book to find out he went through such ordeal. He's known more as a "happy warrior."
I'm seeing the same technique of Giuliani from John McCain. When it was insinuated that he might have peeped the Saddleback questions at his motorcade (instead of him being in the green room at the right time). His campaign's answered: How dare you suggest such thing from somebody who has sacrificed his life . . . yada yada yada.
Obama saying to John McCain not to question his patriotism for his country. John McCain's Answer: Not your patriotism but your judgment and in my days in Vietnam . . . (POW). Now I ask the senator: OK. Senator McCain, how can we fix our broken healthcare? McCain: In my days as a POW for five years, I had no healthcare. I had to walk around that Prison ground to get some exercise with my broken are . . .
AAW: But Sen. I would like to know why the funding for education has been drastically cut for support an already baloon sized defense fund?
McCain: My POW status shows we need to defeat the evildoers of the world. I would follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell if I have to . . .
See where this is going? Of course some of these scenarios are satirical but one can see the truth no less. Tragedies strike many Americans and they make them stronger and a POW is one that is unfathomable. But when does a public servant choose to see the plight of the people he is supposed to serve with a different lens than those of his POW days especially when it was almost four decades ago. Can we get a statue of limitations on POW excuses PLEASE?
This was one unique week with "Fay" visiting us in Florida then staying past due her time. But apart from that, there were some unique things in our world that I've been itching to voice my opinion on. So here's the rundown:
John Mayer's Street Rant: What a Jerk!!! Those were the words that ran across my mind when I saw this masterpiece from John Mayer on TV. This guy is over 30 years old and he still doesn't know how to react with class when he breaks up with someone. Yes he said that Jennifer Aniston is the smartest person he's even met. Thanks for the back-handed compliment while you're telling the whole world you broke up with her and your pseudo-analysis why you ended a relationship.
Hey John! How about you just zip it or better yet, use your creative license and put the experience in a song. You always sing about how you're waiting for the world to change; well, we're waiting for you to grow up.
What's wrong with "Show-Bolt-ing?" People should REALLY lighten up! In case you haven't heard the latest Olympics controversy, let me give a quick review. It's about the Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt who broke the world record (twice). But his first world record setting in the 100 meters was met with some outrage because Bolt had the nerve to celebrate or trash talk after he won.
Time-out people! Especially to my fellow Americans. If it was an American who won the Olympic Gold, would you have had the outrage. The funny thing to this writer was when a former Olympian, now an NBC Olympic commentator Ato Bolden had the nerve to say Bolt should respect the game. Oh Bolden! How short-term your memory is! I remember watching you in my college apartment while you were running with Michael Johnson and strutting your stuff like a peacock.
Besides, look at all the hoopla surrounding Michael Phelps and I was one of them. My TV was set late Saturday night watching his iconic eight-gold medal win - did you see Phelps celebrations even before the eight. Let Bolt celebrate how he wants to. You will too if you put your body through such intense pressure for four years and get the highest honor.
John McCain Doesn't Know How Many Houses He Owns: I don't know if this guy is just so out-of-touch or just balling like that. But I do know, it is one stupid statement to make when many Americans are struggling.
Miami Named Worst City To Be A Sports Fan: All of South Floridians are laughing this morning because we made a "Forbes" List! Can you tell us what is real news? Even I have blogged about my beloved region how we can boo our athletes in a minute when they start losing. See how great you love your Sports teams when they were Legends (Miami Dolphins in the 70s and 80s) or recent champions (Miami Heat in 2006) to becoming a laughing stock in the sports world. Anyhoo, we're just glad we made No. 1 on your list. Thank you Forbes!!!
Obama Keeping Mum on Veepstakes: Let the cat out of the bag already Barack! I'm getting tired of the stake out at three different persons houses by the Media or if it is a lady (I will be shocked if you choose Hillary).
In Remembrance:
The pictures on your left are those we lost this week in the African-American community and got contributions to our American society. Rep. Stephanie Hubbs Jones, NFL Legend and executive Gene Upshaw, and Dave Matthews Band saxophonist LeRoi Moore. My condolences to their respective families.
Readers of this blog may have peeped something about me: When I start referring to a political figure by a nickname instead of his/her real name (a la Bubba, Billary (Bill and Hillary Clinton),Dubya, Slick Willie), take note. So I start this post to my beloved Obambi.
Yes, I've got to go there because Barack Obama is testing my patience. I've resisted using this nickname for the past month because it represents being soft but when I read that McCain has gained a five-point lead over Obambi, it's time to say can we talk.
A couple of days ago I made my case on why Obambi needed to choose Biden - he needed an attack dog. The cool-headed guy who rises above all kinds mud-slinging is not going to work with this Republican attack machine. And yesterday while watching Obambi on the campaign trail with the Veterans defending his patriotism, I felt like screaming with his demeanor; it seemed he was still defering to McCain hoping the former POW will campaign with some class.
Look, an intelligent person can see most of McCain's ads against you are lies but the thing about lies as the movie "Pretty Woman" told us: When they tell you the lies long enough, you start believing them. So there is a power to repetition regardless if it is the truth or not.
So McCain (I'm thinking of the nickname to crown him on this blog - maybe "McBush") can say over and over again that you will take your ambition to be President over what is good for the country which is totally wrong but guess what? Even though the logical mind knows he's wrong because McBush would not be running for President if he doesn't have the same ambition(he said so in his book). But because he says so with such confidence and repeats it about three times in one day and the news media replays that piece over and over, the viewer (and potential voter) believes him.
And because most Americans are too lazy to read; why is it 12 percent of them still believe you're a muslim? They just consume all that's being fed to them with no critical thinking. But your campaign during the past month has been so timid (even while you were on vacation) to go on the offense (and not just play a weak defense) on attack ads.
How in the world can McBush gain a five-point lead over you when we have an unpopular President, an unpopular war and a bad economic downtown? Something is wrong with how your message is coming across. You have less than eighty days before the election and this is not the time to coast. It's time to get ruthless.
That is why many (both Republicans and Democrats) referred to Slick Willie as the smartest politician of his generation because he knew how to be ruthless when he needed to for the sake of winning. I know theorectically you've got the fire in your belly to run for President but practically, I'm waiting to see the effects of that fire with its take no prisoners approach.
I'm no politian, just a keen observer of the political scene. But I know in my regular life, there is a time to keep quiet and let my integrity speak for itself and there is a time someone will hear me roar when my character is placed under questioning.
You just finished a forum about your faith over the past weekend. Take a cue from the leader of your faith, Jesus Christ. There was a time for Him to be meek as a dove and there is a time to take out the whip on money changers in the temple. We've seen you act like the former and it is commendable. It's time to do more of the latter; take out the whip or risk this writer continuously refer to you as Obambi.
Feeling some effects of “Fay” and like many in South Florida, praying she will go away. But I wanted to post what has been on my mind since I watched the Civil Forum with the Presidential Candidates, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama and moderated by the “purpose-driven” Pastor Rick Warren.
Before Saturday night I wondered why such forum was needed especially since we’ve seen enough fiasco on the political scene with Preachers a la Rev. Hagee, Parsley, Wright and Father Pfleger. But I like Warren (I’m one of the 25 million who bought his book) so I thought it couldn’t be that bad.
It wasn’t, it was an intimate look about the values that drive the Candidates. According to Warren, with a toss of the coin, the first person to start the forum was Obama. I thought Obama gave thoughtful answers to the questions about his faith, his moral failure, marriage (different or same), and abortion (a big wedge issue) among others.
I thought his disposition was that of humility in comparison to his haughty opponent, McCain. Let me talk about McCain for a minute. I really have an inkling (as some others) that McCain got some tips about the questions even though Warren assured the audience he was in a “cone of silence.” Whatever! As of last night, former South Florida anchor and now CNN’s Rick Sanchez asked Warren if McCain was really kept in a soundproof room. Warren said he has to trust McCain and his supporters acted in integrity. Hmmm.
Anyway. The cringe-worthy moment for me (and I believe a lot of his supporters) was when McCain defined rich as someone making $5 million a year. Democrats: Cue the attack ads on that gaffe! He just gave you manna from Heaven. Seriously, who can blame him? He’s been married to a beer heiress worth over $100 million for over two decades. And this is the person with his cohorts who have the nerve to call Obama an elitist.
Speaking of McCain’s marriage (second one) to the heiress, he said his biggest moral failure was the failure of his first marriage. But quickly (in nano seconds) he switched his answer to America’s greatest failure; I was like “wait, wait, wait, let’s explore that!” Tell us how you really failed in your first marriage like cheating with your now wife when your first wife was suffering from being partially disabled from a car accident.
But I wouldn’t get my wish because McCain just wanted to tell me his Vietnam stories for the umpteenth time and how he would “follow Osama Bin Laden to the gates of hell” if he has to. The surprising thing to me with the last statement (which he has said a few times) was the audience, who were mostly “Christians” clapped after he made that comment. I was thinking why would you want to follow anyone to the gates of hell. If anything, you should want to avoid the damning place and allow the evildoer to follow the lonely path himself. It just goes to show that most people don’t listen.
A black female with a very unique background still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up - numbers or words. Equally successful at both but the latter really keep me up at night. This blog will be how I see the world around me especially in the area of politics, pop culture and a little bit of sports (basketball fanatic). Until my next post, welcome aboard.
I've had it with Sarah Palin's media blitz! Where was the woman who no one could get for an interview for a month after she was announced as John McCain's running mate? Only to go back in hiding after the Katie Couric interview debacle? Well, that woman has been unleashed!
