Newsweek Politics: Conventions

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Also As someone said it appears that the Republicans will ???hold their noses and vote for McCain??? even though in 2000 and until this Spring some were questioning his sanity and treating him as a traitor to their cause. It was interesting to note that the people at the Convention love Ronald Reagan and George Bush but only tepidly acknowledged Gerald Ford or G.H.W. Bush. Noticeably, nothing was said about Nixon or Eisenhower. Even Teddy Roosevelt did not receive the applause of Reagan or George Bush.

It is not clear that Republicans realize that if Palin is elected VP, given that McCain will be 72 if he becomes President, Palin will most likely be a candidate for President in 2012. It would be very surprising if she would be allowed to be the Republican candidate for President in 2012.

I agree that watching the Republican Convention is like watching Alice in Wonderland. The Republicans tell us that the U.S. is in a difficult and dangerous position and yet they fail to mention that a Republican President and Republican Congress created this mess such as huge unprecedented deficits, a financial crisis caused by lax or no oversight, a teetering economy, two costly and so far unsuccessful wars involving costly, unpopular, and so far unsuccessful occupations, noise about launching another war against Iran and/or Pakistan, etc.

The Republicans tried to blame all of this on the Democratic Congress but failed to acknowledge that the Democrats have only been in control of the House and Senate since 2007.
Yes, the 110th Congress has been a disappointment, but it is not to blame for the mess we are now in and facing Bush's veto threats and filibusters by Republican Senators, there is only so much it can do to clean up the mess and prevent more problems.

The Republicans are to blame for this mess but they will not let themselves be held accountable.

The Republicans also send mixed messages about the role and size of the federal government spotting rhetoric that government is the problem and should be reduced in power and size but demanding that the government must enforce morals approved by Christian evangelicals such as policing the internet, etc.

The Republicans in the Convention ignore Ron Paul's warnings that the unprecedented expansion of the government's powers since September11(the Patriot Act, wiretapping, etc) is unconstitutional and a danger to democracy.

Adding to the bizarre, McCain picks an inexperienced VP who made her name by attacking and defeating the Republican party and its corrupt politicians in Alaska. Only one speaker that I heard pointed out that Palin had run against this corrupt Republican establishment. I have not heard anyone ask her or McCain if they are supporting Republican Senator Ted Stevens in his bid for re-election despite facing trial for corruption.

It has to be acknowledged that Palin gave a very good speech. Given the low expectations of her, she was impressive. She seemed to be the type of politician that we have only dreamed of ??? direct, no nonsense, etc. She appeared to believe what she was saying and she said it well. She embodied ???plain speaking??? and ???straight talk.??? However, she gave few specifics about why she is qualified to become VP, and given McCain's age and problems with cancer, probably the next President. She showed she knows something about Russia, Iran, and the Caucuses, but it remains to be seen to what extent. Perhaps with more experience she would be ready for national office but not now. This is no time for gambling on competence.

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Posted By: EqualRights @ 09/04/2008 9:01:13 PM

Also As someone said it appears that the Republicans will ???hold their noses and vote for McCain??? even though in 2000 and until this Spring some were questioning his sanity and treating him as a traitor to their cause. It was interesting to note that the people at the Convention love Ronald Reagan and George Bush but only tepidly acknowledged Gerald Ford or G.H.W. Bush. Noticeably, nothing was said about Nixon or Eisenhower. Even Teddy Roosevelt did not receive the applause of Reagan or George Bush.

It is not clear that Republicans realize that if Palin is elected VP, given that McCain will be 72 if he becomes President, Palin will most likely be a candidate for President in 2012. It would be very surprising if she would be allowed to be the Republican candidate for President in 2012.
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Posted By: EqualRights @ 09/04/2008 9:00:30 PM

I agree that watching the Republican Convention is like watching Alice in Wonderland. The Republicans tell us that the U.S. is in a difficult and dangerous position and yet they fail to mention that a Republican President and Republican Congress created this mess such as huge unprecedented deficits, a financial crisis caused by lax or no oversight, a teetering economy, two costly and so far unsuccessful wars involving costly, unpopular, and so far unsuccessful occupations, noise about launching another war against Iran and/or Pakistan, etc.

The Republicans tried to blame all of this on the Democratic Congress but failed to acknowledge that the Democrats have only been in control of the House and Senate since 2007.
Yes, the 110th Congress has been a disappointment, but it is not to blame for the mess we are now in and facing Bush's veto threats and filibusters by Republican Senators, there is only so much it can do to clean up the mess and prevent more problems.

The Republicans are to blame for this mess but they will not let themselves be held accountable.

The Republicans also send mixed messages about the role and size of the federal government spotting rhetoric that government is the problem and should be reduced in power and size but demanding that the government must enforce morals approved by Christian evangelicals such as policing the internet, etc.

The Republicans in the Convention ignore Ron Paul's warnings that the unprecedented expansion of the government's powers since September11(the Patriot Act, wiretapping, etc) is unconstitutional and a danger to democracy.

Adding to the bizarre, McCain picks an inexperienced VP who made her name by attacking and defeating the Republican party and its corrupt politicians in Alaska. Only one speaker that I heard pointed out that Palin had run against this corrupt Republican establishment. I have not heard anyone ask her or McCain if they are supporting Republican Senator Ted Stevens in his bid for re-election despite facing trial for corruption.

It has to be acknowledged that Palin gave a very good speech. Given the low expectations of her, she was impressive. She seemed to be the type of politician that we have only dreamed of ??? direct, no nonsense, etc. She appeared to believe what she was saying and she said it well. She embodied ???plain speaking??? and ???straight talk.??? However, she gave few specifics about why she is qualified to become VP, and given McCain's age and problems with cancer, probably the next President. She showed she knows something about Russia, Iran, and the Caucuses, but it remains to be seen to what extent. Perhaps with more experience she would be ready for national office but not now. This is no time for gambling on competence.
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Posted By: manyanmls @ 09/04/2008 5:10:03 PM

I like her and she is a good contrast. She also has more leadership experience than Obama. And if anyone believes that Obama is not doing well because he is a different skin color needs to get back to the 21st century. The problem with America today is too much politically correctness and too liberal. Obama is too much of all of this.