Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The final debate

Well, this was an interesting one. I almost didn't watch it because I am sick of hearing the same things over and over without ever hearing anything of substance. I felt it was the most "real" of the 4 debates, and I have to say, I think Obama came out on top on this one. McCain seemed to be grasping at straws with the whole Ayers and Acorn links. I'm not sure why, but McCain seemed very...petty tonight. Obama seemed very even keeled and unruffled. He's a pretty smooth talker and I think much of the country is looking for that after Bush.

Obama's health care plan scares me. In theory it seems nice and fluffy. In practice it seems like much could go awry. I do think that many Americans would prefer it because it means less work and responsibility for individuals. I'd rather manage my own money, thank you.

I also have to say that when Palin joined McCain I was intrigued. She seemed like she could bring something new. But I have to say that I am less than impressed at this point. It's unfortunate. With the stock market crashing I think that McCain would have been better situated if he were matched with Romney. But he's not. It's unfortunate.

At this point I can't imagine anyone but Obama winning. It's [possibly] unfortunate. I'm mostly afraid that he is going to renig on his recent moderate leanings and be one of the furthest left Presidents we've had.

Okay. And since we're talking about politics, I have to say that I think this W. movie is so in poor taste. He is our President. Even if you don't agree with his politics, give him a little respect.

13 comments:

randa_joy said...

I only heard a little smidge of it as I was driving to Target this evening but the question I heard was something like "what are you going to cut back on?" and for that part it seamed like McCain offered some concrete answers where Obama didn't.
I'm with you on Palin. Her folksy-ness that my father loves, drives me frickin' crazy and she seems like some inexperienced governor from Alaska or something.

Kristi said...

I am so over this election. I wish it were over already. Obama is such a smooth talker, and is so much calmer in the debate forum than McCain, and it impresses everyone (myself included). The health care plan he proposes, however. I think that Obama has it in the bag. I agree - the fiscal, businessy side that Romney would've brought would've been better in light of the economic crash. However, Palin attracts a lot of rural votes and many women as well.

I also think that, now that we have the technology to count the popular vote, we should. I feel that my vote doesn't count at all, living in a state that votes one way ever and only gets 5 electoral votes anyways. We're letting the inner cities of large states (which are traditionally more liberal than rural areas) have the biggest say. I realize there are more people there, but CA gets 55 votes. 55!

Lindsay said...

I didn't watch the debate because I knew it would just make me even more disillusioned with this whole election. I'm really no longer a fan of either candidate. And, I agree with you...I was intrigued when Palin was picked as VP, but I think it was the wrong choice. Romney would have been a good idea, given his experience in finance and economics.

I'm pretty sure Obama will win (for many of the same reasons that Kennedy won when running against Nixon), and I'm not too thrilled about that prospect. On the topic of universal health care...yeah, it freaks me out. Health care run by the government isn't the way to fix the problems with the health care system now. It will only slow down research and democratic progress if it's hindered by slow-moving government and millions of silly regulations.

I feel like this election has been dragging on for the last 2-3 years. Oh wait...it has. I wonder if this is the reason why voters in our age category are always the least likely to vote....we start out all gung-ho, but when it comes right down to it, we're just as annoyed and worn out (or maybe more so) as everyone else.

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

While I can't bring myself to vote for him, I have to admit that I think the country needs (?) a Democrat in the White House right now so we don't implode. I think the right can handle having a Democrat as a President, even if we don't agree with his policies completely. I don't think the left would be able to handle another Republican, however. There's so much seething hatred and loathing resulting from the reaction to the Bush administration. It's good to have party checks every so often so no group feels continually walked all over and unrepresented.

Erin said...

It's true that our president is a Republican but the congress is by a large majority Democrat. The president has little to no power without the congress. Therefore, our government IS basically Democratic at this point. It really ticks me off when the Dems go on and on about the Republican president and how he's ruined everything. Don't look now but they are in charge!

The way that Obama sits there calm, cool and collected while categorically lying through his teeth scares the bejeebers out of me! He knows that the public is by in large ignorant to the economy and government so he is just saying what they want to hear. And if you realize, his points have changed from debate to debate...according to media response.

And polls, oh polls! I think they are a media ploy. I have never been asked my opinion, nor has anyone I know. They are full of false information.

Finally, I can't agree more with the W movie. Hollywood has definitely crossed the line!

Erin said...

Oh, and someone needs to explain to me why it's so bad for Palin to be the governor of Alaska. Clinton was only the governor of Arkansas before he was elected. And Alaska's a heck of a lot bigger than Arkansas!

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Thanks, Erin for your input. While I understand the congress and President "balance" each other out, I do think that there will be a MAJOR backlash if McCain wins. I seriously know people who say "this has been the worst 8 years of my life!" because Bush has been pres. A lot of people feel very pessimistic and negative about America right now, and while I'm not sure a Dem. Pres. will totally appease them and help them gain a better outlook, I think it will help soothe some people.

I can't speak for anyone but me, but I have absolutely NO problem with the fact that Palin's only political experience is as a governor. There is a big difference, however, in the governmental experience of B. Clinton and Palin.

Clinton had over 10 years experience as governor. He was also a Yale Law Grad and a practicing lawyer. He just had a whole lot more experience overall.

When she joined the race I knew she didn't have as much experience, but that didn't bother me that much (though it does more now). Her appeal to me was her youth, gender, folksy-ness (I actually like that about her Randa) and her desire to be a clean politician. I thought she could bring something new and fresh.

I honestly think the results from the investigation are a contrived media plot, so that doesn't bother me. I can also make some allowances for some of her painfully [stupid?] remarks in the interview with Katie Couric about her foreign policy experience because she was so new to it all.

What really has gotten to me is the slander and mud flinging she's done while speaking against Obama. I understand "that's how it is" in this line of work, but she was supposed to be different. I do think she's a smart lady. I think she could probably have done very well if she had another 5-10 years of political experience under her belt.

McCain's appointment of Palin is just a ploy to get the far right and women's votes. I don't believe he respects her one little bit. I really don't. I cannot see him counseling with her about anything. I can't see him entertaining any of her ideas or suggestions. That bothers me a lot, but that's just me.

Rubalcavas said...

I am agreeing with you in whole health care plan Obama is presenting...it could possibly be really bad...and I also agree with you about this new movie coming out...I think it's so disprespectful.

Erin said...

Celia, I hope you didn't think I was implying that you didn't know anything about government. I know you do!

My problem is that the people who need soothing are the ones who don't understand how it works. I'm almost wishing Obama wins just so they can see that it won't make that much of a difference.

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

Erin, I didn't think you were criticizing me. I do, however, think that there are a lot of educated people who still feel "in the depths of despair" with Bush as Pres., though. I also think it's good for the President elected to be of different parties fairly frequently, regardless of Congress' majority. It just helps the public feel better I think.

Unfortunately we're so close to the bottom that I think the economy is going to improve regardless of who is going to take office. Maybe not immediately, but it will during the first term. Then the person in (Obama most likely) will be praised as fixing the budget. It happened with Clinton (the economy was already starting to improve before he took office and decline just before he left office), and he's forever praised as the Pres. who turned things around. Obama will be the next to be regarded as such.

Juls said...

Hum that is interesting that peole in TX don't really love Bush anymore.

Celia Marie (W.) B. said...

I am not just thinking TX when I write this. Actually, Texans never crossed my mind.

Curtis, Crystal, Vance, Kael, and Merek Birdno said...

Curtis said exactly the same thing about the debate. This is so ridiculous!! I am tired of the liars and the cheats running our government but when we have a good man that trys to run he gets no support at all from the party. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT!! I really believe the Mitt would have made a great president and if not that McCain should have chosen his as VP. But what do I know I only live in this country.