TW: Breaking new ground for VP candidates (and possible Prez) "Dave" Palin in 2005 was protected from demons and other witchcraft by the Rev. Muthee, I feel better knowing this hopefully you do as well.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvCzZ0SoitdKvCm5L-qbcB6KSGUQD93DIUQ80
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Time Mike Murphy: Debate Prep Is a Pain
TW: Mike Murphy is a Republican consultant, one I like and respect. This is a nice, pithy piece on the mundane and somewhat cynical prep process.
Murphy:
"Though it sounds secretive and glamorous, debate prep is magnificently unpleasant for everybody involved...Good debate prep is designed to build up, not tear down, the candidate's confidence...A lot of debate prep is given over to mastering another basic rule: never make the rookie's mistake of actually trying to answer the question you are asked...Consultants have spent the equivalent of entire geologic ages trying to come up with the one item every candidate deeply pines for: the devastating one-liner. To be really devastating, the line must appear to be true, clever and, especially, spontaneous...Finally, the savvy viewer should remember that any moment that looks too perfect to be true probably isn't. I once worked on a campaign in which we made a big show of opening our secret debate-prep session to reporters. The highlight was the part when the candidate dramatically rejected the lame, scripted debate answers we staffers had offered up, vowing instead to just tell it like it was...We were very proud of our candidate; that was precisely the bit we had carefully rehearsed."
Murphy:
"Though it sounds secretive and glamorous, debate prep is magnificently unpleasant for everybody involved...Good debate prep is designed to build up, not tear down, the candidate's confidence...A lot of debate prep is given over to mastering another basic rule: never make the rookie's mistake of actually trying to answer the question you are asked...Consultants have spent the equivalent of entire geologic ages trying to come up with the one item every candidate deeply pines for: the devastating one-liner. To be really devastating, the line must appear to be true, clever and, especially, spontaneous...Finally, the savvy viewer should remember that any moment that looks too perfect to be true probably isn't. I once worked on a campaign in which we made a big show of opening our secret debate-prep session to reporters. The highlight was the part when the candidate dramatically rejected the lame, scripted debate answers we staffers had offered up, vowing instead to just tell it like it was...We were very proud of our candidate; that was precisely the bit we had carefully rehearsed."
Any Excuse To Hide In the Cocoon...ANY!
From Politico:
"John McCain's campaign has floated the possibility that Sarah Palin may also suspend her campaign...As the governor of Alaska, Palin cannot participate in the high-level federal government deliberations on the economy that McCain gave as his reason for suspending his campaign...McCain’s announcement puts Palin in a tricky spot. If Palin continues campaigning, even at a less-than-full schedule, she will be in the mostly unaccustomed position of doing so without McCain by her side and would likely face more criticism if she continued evading the press on the campaign trail. But if she suspends her campaign, Democrats are sure to pounce on the move as more evidence that the suspension is political. Even before McCain’s announcement, Palin’s campaign schedule was far from rigorous. Since Palin was selected as McCain’s running mate in late August, she’s appeared at 21 rallies, most of which were at McCain’s side, has yet to hold a press conference, has conducted less than a handful of national media interviews..."
"John McCain's campaign has floated the possibility that Sarah Palin may also suspend her campaign...As the governor of Alaska, Palin cannot participate in the high-level federal government deliberations on the economy that McCain gave as his reason for suspending his campaign...McCain’s announcement puts Palin in a tricky spot. If Palin continues campaigning, even at a less-than-full schedule, she will be in the mostly unaccustomed position of doing so without McCain by her side and would likely face more criticism if she continued evading the press on the campaign trail. But if she suspends her campaign, Democrats are sure to pounce on the move as more evidence that the suspension is political. Even before McCain’s announcement, Palin’s campaign schedule was far from rigorous. Since Palin was selected as McCain’s running mate in late August, she’s appeared at 21 rallies, most of which were at McCain’s side, has yet to hold a press conference, has conducted less than a handful of national media interviews..."
Gratuitous Plug For Rachel Maddow
TW: You may have run across Maddow on MSNBC (8pm CST). She is good. Far better than say Keith Olbermann who while highly intelligent and articulate has devolved into a purely partisan, bombastic, strident voice with minimal calibration. Maddow takes Olbermann's ante to be a progressive voice and raises the bar massively. She is and will be a huge asset for progressives.
From American Prospect:
"Maddow is not a Tim Russert or a Chris Matthews--an ostensibly nonpartisan interviewer who badgers politicians and policy-makers about contradictions in their records. Nor is she a Rush Limbaugh or a Glenn Beck--an attack dog who deals in calculated anger, bluster, and outrage. She's no mild-mannered liberal like Alan Colmes or a veteran observer like Wolf Blitzer or David Gregory. Maddow has broken the broadcasting mold. She has succeeded as an avowed liberal on television precisely because she is not a liberal version of conservatives like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. Unlike so many progressive media figures who sought to replicate the on-air habits of the aggressive shock jocks of the right, she stumbled upon a workable style for the left. She is liberal without apology or embarrassment, bases her authority on a deep comprehension of policy rather than the culture warrior's claim to authenticity, and does it all with a light, even slightly mocking, touch. She proves that liberals can attract viewers on television when they actually act like, well, liberals." http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=channel_changer_08
From American Prospect:
"Maddow is not a Tim Russert or a Chris Matthews--an ostensibly nonpartisan interviewer who badgers politicians and policy-makers about contradictions in their records. Nor is she a Rush Limbaugh or a Glenn Beck--an attack dog who deals in calculated anger, bluster, and outrage. She's no mild-mannered liberal like Alan Colmes or a veteran observer like Wolf Blitzer or David Gregory. Maddow has broken the broadcasting mold. She has succeeded as an avowed liberal on television precisely because she is not a liberal version of conservatives like Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. Unlike so many progressive media figures who sought to replicate the on-air habits of the aggressive shock jocks of the right, she stumbled upon a workable style for the left. She is liberal without apology or embarrassment, bases her authority on a deep comprehension of policy rather than the culture warrior's claim to authenticity, and does it all with a light, even slightly mocking, touch. She proves that liberals can attract viewers on television when they actually act like, well, liberals." http://prospect.org/cs/articles?article=channel_changer_08
Craig Crawford's Virginia Voter Reacts
TW:...to the McCain gambit...different accents but same conclusions
Craig's own commentary:
"The John McCain campaign sometimes reminds me of a well-worn maxim for lawyers: If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and argue like hell."
Craig's own commentary:
"The John McCain campaign sometimes reminds me of a well-worn maxim for lawyers: If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and argue like hell."
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Am Running Out Of Ways To Express My Outrage With This Person
TW: We are at war and amidst the most challenging economic conditions of our lifetimes and this person has been thrust forward as a major party candidate for VP. Her answers reek of a job applicant reciting bullet points for a job opening in middle management of a small to medium size company. She exhibits no depth of knowledge or understanding of the issues beyond a very limited set of talking points. The notion of her participating in the negotiations to resolve the economic crisis or deploy our troops into harms way is ludicrous. Again I challenge any viewer to defend this choice on its merits.
Portrait In Stupidity Exhibit B: Alcee Hastings Brainless Fool
"CNN's Martina Stewart reports this from Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings, speaking to an audience of Jewish Democrats:
'If Sarah Palin isn’t enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention,'... Hastings, who is African-American, was explaining what he intended to tell his Jewish constituents about the presidential race. 'Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through,' Hastings added as the room erupted in laughter and applause.' "
'If Sarah Palin isn’t enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention,'... Hastings, who is African-American, was explaining what he intended to tell his Jewish constituents about the presidential race. 'Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through,' Hastings added as the room erupted in laughter and applause.' "
This Finance Bill Must Be Passed, But McCain Interjecting Himself Into the Process Only Makes It Harder
TW: I have blogged on the imperative for this "bailout" to be a broad bi-partisan initiative including not only the Bush Admin and Congressional Democrats but also Congressional Republicans. Otherwise the Republicans could have run hard against the bill claiming they could have done better. This is one of those distasteful bills that no one likes but must be passed. There can be no free riders.
McCain by pulling his stunt he is inherently increasing the politicalization of this already highly precarious process. Had he made this move in conjunction with Obama as opposed to as a blindside, I would be less skeptical of his motives but still skeptical of the move. The farther Obama and McCain are from the negotiations the better (they can voice their approval from afar). Keeping out of the way would be putting America first.
From Time:
"This morning you would've been hard pressed to find a Republican member of Congress supporting the bail out despite five days of heavy pressure from the likes of Dick Cheney, Henry Paulson, Jim Nussle and Josh Bolten. The caucus was in a virtual revolt over being forced to vote for a bill that pretty much stands against much of their own platform. Leaders were struggling to figure out how they would convince enough members to vote for the legislation. McCain's sudden suspension of his campaign and return to Washington to work on the bill comes as a welcome relief to many members of the House GOP caucus...McCain's moves give a lot of panicked members who weren't going to bow to pressure from the White House or their own leadership the political cover they sought. But it also marries McCain to an incredibly unpopular...Several sources on the Hill said they expect Bush tonight to call congressional leaders, including McCain and Obama, to the White House tomorrow to sit down and hammer out an agreement. But leaders from the left and the right rejected the idea of McCain and Obama taking over the talks. When asked by reporters if he wanted McCain sitting in blow-by-blow negotiations Rep. Adam Putnam, the No. 3 House Republican, simply smirked, mute for ten seconds as reporters laughed...The situation is history making -- what happens when must-pass emergency legisaltion comes before an unpopular lame duck president? The answer blurs the lines between the executive and legislative branches. At the end of the day the bill will be passed but the cost for the GOP may be akin to the pain the Dems felt passing the 1993 budget for the rank-and-file GOP and McCain alike. And while we're on the subject of that tough vote, it's worth noting that that budget deal set the country on the path to surpluses and balanced books."
McCain by pulling his stunt he is inherently increasing the politicalization of this already highly precarious process. Had he made this move in conjunction with Obama as opposed to as a blindside, I would be less skeptical of his motives but still skeptical of the move. The farther Obama and McCain are from the negotiations the better (they can voice their approval from afar). Keeping out of the way would be putting America first.
From Time:
"This morning you would've been hard pressed to find a Republican member of Congress supporting the bail out despite five days of heavy pressure from the likes of Dick Cheney, Henry Paulson, Jim Nussle and Josh Bolten. The caucus was in a virtual revolt over being forced to vote for a bill that pretty much stands against much of their own platform. Leaders were struggling to figure out how they would convince enough members to vote for the legislation. McCain's sudden suspension of his campaign and return to Washington to work on the bill comes as a welcome relief to many members of the House GOP caucus...McCain's moves give a lot of panicked members who weren't going to bow to pressure from the White House or their own leadership the political cover they sought. But it also marries McCain to an incredibly unpopular...Several sources on the Hill said they expect Bush tonight to call congressional leaders, including McCain and Obama, to the White House tomorrow to sit down and hammer out an agreement. But leaders from the left and the right rejected the idea of McCain and Obama taking over the talks. When asked by reporters if he wanted McCain sitting in blow-by-blow negotiations Rep. Adam Putnam, the No. 3 House Republican, simply smirked, mute for ten seconds as reporters laughed...The situation is history making -- what happens when must-pass emergency legisaltion comes before an unpopular lame duck president? The answer blurs the lines between the executive and legislative branches. At the end of the day the bill will be passed but the cost for the GOP may be akin to the pain the Dems felt passing the 1993 budget for the rank-and-file GOP and McCain alike. And while we're on the subject of that tough vote, it's worth noting that that budget deal set the country on the path to surpluses and balanced books."
TW to Obama: "Do Not Yield, Demand the Debates Proceed!!!"
TW: Cant hold back any longer. This latest happy horse dung about moving the the Prez debate to the VP debate timeslot and pushing the VP debate to some undetermined date is the last straw. Multi-task already, face the people, keep out of the way of the negotiators in DC so they can get a deal done instead of create photo ops for McCain (or Obama for that matter). And anything that delays the exposure of the fraud being foisted upon the American people in the form of Sarah "Dave" Palin is a crime.
Here is today's latest disgrace from Politico:
"This is what happens when campaigns let reporters into photo ops. They get all uppity and ask questions. From the pool report account of what happened after McCain and Palin's meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvilli and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko:
McCain then looked around the room and gestured as if to welcome questions. The AP reporter shouted a question at Gov. Palin ('Governor, what have you learned from your meetings?) but McCain aide Brooke Buchanan intervened and shepherded everybody out of the room. Palin looked surprised, leaned over to McCain and asked him a question, to which your pooler thinks he shook his head as if to say 'No.' " (TW: seriously rent the movie "Dave" and see who was exposed to the public more, Dave or Sarah?)
David Letterman:
Here is today's latest disgrace from Politico:
"This is what happens when campaigns let reporters into photo ops. They get all uppity and ask questions. From the pool report account of what happened after McCain and Palin's meeting with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvilli and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko:
McCain then looked around the room and gestured as if to welcome questions. The AP reporter shouted a question at Gov. Palin ('Governor, what have you learned from your meetings?) but McCain aide Brooke Buchanan intervened and shepherded everybody out of the room. Palin looked surprised, leaned over to McCain and asked him a question, to which your pooler thinks he shook his head as if to say 'No.' " (TW: seriously rent the movie "Dave" and see who was exposed to the public more, Dave or Sarah?)
David Letterman:
New Poll!!!
Obviously McCain's move to postpone the debate and campaigning in order to "work the financial crisis" will be the headline tonight. Vote on whether you view it more or less favorably.
TW: Politico's Arena has feedback from the elites (of both parties) what really matters of course is how this will play with the low information voters who ultimately decide the election (the high information voters should be more or less locked in at this point). The Arena feedback is pretty straight line party stuff, would be more interested in feedback on what you think the voter reacts are. Mike Shearer at Time blogged that he thought this is a high stakes poker match with tremendous risk and opportunity as both sides think they can win this one and will therefore push in alot of chips, McCain is perhaps almost in a position where he goes all in.
TW update1: From Obama
"This is exactly the time that the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess...I think the president's job is to do more than one thing at a time. In my mind it's more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people and discuss where we want to take the country"...Obama also said its time to put partisan politics aside to craft bailout legislation... "This is no longer a Democrat or Republican problem," Obama said. "It requires an American solution."
http://www.politico.com/arena/
From the cool-headed hands at Economist:
"I THINK my colleague in Washington has it right when he says John McCain is 'suspending his campaign in order to help his campaign.' Here's the timeline: This morning Barack Obama called John McCain to discuss issuing a joint statement of principles on the financial bailout. Mr McCain's response was the campaign suspension gimmick—a pretty obvious attempt at one-upmanship in the game of who can look more presidential.
But suggesting a complete change of course and calling the debate to a halt doesn't make Mr McCain look like a president; it makes him look like a drama queen. Presidents have to handle multiple crises at once; they do not get to call timeout when it suits them. George Bush cannot ask al-Qaeda to just cool it for a few months until the economy rights itself. Over the past week Mr McCain has veered wildly, from assuring voters our economy remained fundamentally strong to demanding Christopher Cox's head on a platter. This just seems like one more desperate hurl at the dartboard."
From Politico's Smith:
"The McCain campaign's new urgency about the financial crisis didn't entirely clear his schedule this morning.
My colleague Amie Parnes reports that he made it to his scheduled morning meeting with Lady Lynn de Rothschild, a Clinton backer who recently came out in support of him.
All while Obama was waiting by the phone for a returned call."
TW: Politico's Arena has feedback from the elites (of both parties) what really matters of course is how this will play with the low information voters who ultimately decide the election (the high information voters should be more or less locked in at this point). The Arena feedback is pretty straight line party stuff, would be more interested in feedback on what you think the voter reacts are. Mike Shearer at Time blogged that he thought this is a high stakes poker match with tremendous risk and opportunity as both sides think they can win this one and will therefore push in alot of chips, McCain is perhaps almost in a position where he goes all in.
TW update1: From Obama
"This is exactly the time that the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess...I think the president's job is to do more than one thing at a time. In my mind it's more important than ever that we present ourselves to the American people and discuss where we want to take the country"...Obama also said its time to put partisan politics aside to craft bailout legislation... "This is no longer a Democrat or Republican problem," Obama said. "It requires an American solution."
http://www.politico.com/arena/
From the cool-headed hands at Economist:
"I THINK my colleague in Washington has it right when he says John McCain is 'suspending his campaign in order to help his campaign.' Here's the timeline: This morning Barack Obama called John McCain to discuss issuing a joint statement of principles on the financial bailout. Mr McCain's response was the campaign suspension gimmick—a pretty obvious attempt at one-upmanship in the game of who can look more presidential.
But suggesting a complete change of course and calling the debate to a halt doesn't make Mr McCain look like a president; it makes him look like a drama queen. Presidents have to handle multiple crises at once; they do not get to call timeout when it suits them. George Bush cannot ask al-Qaeda to just cool it for a few months until the economy rights itself. Over the past week Mr McCain has veered wildly, from assuring voters our economy remained fundamentally strong to demanding Christopher Cox's head on a platter. This just seems like one more desperate hurl at the dartboard."
From Politico's Smith:
"The McCain campaign's new urgency about the financial crisis didn't entirely clear his schedule this morning.
My colleague Amie Parnes reports that he made it to his scheduled morning meeting with Lady Lynn de Rothschild, a Clinton backer who recently came out in support of him.
All while Obama was waiting by the phone for a returned call."
40% Of Voters Actually Believe "Dave" Palin Is Qualified To Be POTUS
TW: bloggery is teasing a new NBC/WSJ due for release tonight with the news that 49% of voters regard "Dave" Palin as unqualified to be POTUS. While that is a low result, to think 40% of voters actually think "Dave" (the original "Dave" was not qualified either but Kevin Kline was in a movie after all) is qualified truly concerns me.
From NBC:
"Forty-nine percent say that Palin is unqualified to be president if the need arises, compared with 40 percent who say she's qualified.
By contrast, 64 percent believe Biden is qualified to be president, versus just 21 percent who disagree."
From NBC:
"Forty-nine percent say that Palin is unqualified to be president if the need arises, compared with 40 percent who say she's qualified.
By contrast, 64 percent believe Biden is qualified to be president, versus just 21 percent who disagree."
Profile In Stupidity Exhibit A: Steve Calabresi Prof Of Law At Northwestern
TW: and who said the Democrats had cornered the market in elitist ignorance...
From Mr. Calabresi a man who presumably has received years of education, little of which did much good apparently:
"This Administration deserves to be trusted because it has kept us safe from terrorist attack since 9/11, has fought and won two wars, has presided over eight years of economic growth, has appointed two stellar justices to the Supreme Court, and has even learned how to do Louisiana’s job of protecting that state from hurricanes. The day will come, and not before long, when Americans will wish that George Bush was still president."
http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/steven_g_calabresi.html
From Mr. Calabresi a man who presumably has received years of education, little of which did much good apparently:
"This Administration deserves to be trusted because it has kept us safe from terrorist attack since 9/11, has fought and won two wars, has presided over eight years of economic growth, has appointed two stellar justices to the Supreme Court, and has even learned how to do Louisiana’s job of protecting that state from hurricanes. The day will come, and not before long, when Americans will wish that George Bush was still president."
http://www.politico.com/arena/bio/steven_g_calabresi.html
No Free Riders
TW: mentioned yesterday this bailout would have to be bi-partisan otherwise they (both parties) all know they leave themselves open to "doing the right thing" by voting for a painful bill while the other guys claim they could have done better
From ABC:
"Congressional leaders tell George Stephanopoulos that if Sen. John McCain doesn't support the Bush administration's $700 billion bank bailout plan, the plan won't pass.
Said one lawmaker: 'If McCain doesn't come out for this, it's over.'
'A Democratic leadership source says that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has been told that Democratic votes will not be there if McCain votes no -- that there is no deal if McCain doesn't go along.' '
From ABC:
"Congressional leaders tell George Stephanopoulos that if Sen. John McCain doesn't support the Bush administration's $700 billion bank bailout plan, the plan won't pass.
Said one lawmaker: 'If McCain doesn't come out for this, it's over.'
'A Democratic leadership source says that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has been told that Democratic votes will not be there if McCain votes no -- that there is no deal if McCain doesn't go along.' '
Bubba the Populist On the Financial Mess
TW: In this segment Bubba shows why he is such a empathetic communicator. If Obama could communicate with half as much empathy and clarity he would have a 20 point lead. Understand though the substance of what Clinton said was of dubious validity.
Stewart and Bubba ...Finally a Decent Interview
TW: I was really looking forward to Bubba sitting down with Stewart, Bubba is one smooth SOB, and Stewart draws out Clinton to the point where he articulates a good case for Obama
Speaking Of Polling: I Would Take the New ABC Poll With a Grain Of Salt
TW: ABC/WaPo's new poll has Obama up by 9% v. down by 2% a couple of weeks ago. The fact that it swung 11% in two weeks alone shows how fast things can change, if it can change one way it can change the other. They polled over the weekend when Obama was having both his counterbounce from the Republican convention and his bounce from the Wall Street mess/McCain's fumbling of last week. Since then the daily trackers are fading a bit for Obama. I suspect the MSM will play this poll up as some great new trend as they love such things but I do not think the poll number will hold. Obama has a lead but it is small and volatile maybe 3 or 4 points.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_092308.html?sid=ST2008092303897&s_pos=list
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_092308.html?sid=ST2008092303897&s_pos=list
Silver: Intrade Is Suspicious
TW: Nate Silver at 538 questions the credibility of the Intrade Presidential "betting" contracts. He outlines how it is an outlier relative to other services and likely being manipulated by a small group of traders. This is only relevant in that Intrade is typically the service mentioned in the MSM when they focus on "betting" lines for the race. As I have mentioned before I would just follow Silver's numbers and not waste time with any other polling data.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/09/intrade-betting-is-suspcious.html
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/09/intrade-betting-is-suspcious.html
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Zakaria: The World Isn't So Dark
TW: Zakaria evaluates McCain and Obama by examining how they view the world.
"We live in a very dangerous world, John McCain would respond. In his eyes, Islamic extremism is the transcendent challenge of the age. Jihadist warriors...pose the central threat to the United States. In the rise of China, Russia and India, McCain sees turbulence. Russia and China, being autocracies, represent a special danger...The role for America, in such an environment, is to aggressively use its power—hard power—to fight evil, spread freedom and defeat the enemy.
Obama's sense of the world is more optimistic. The dangers are real but not so all-encompassing. Obama speaks less of Islamic extremism in general and more of Al Qaeda and its affiliated groups specifically. He points out that compared with the cold war—when thousands of Soviet nuclear missiles were pointed at American cities—the threats we face today are reduced. He argues that most people in the Islamic world want development and a better life, not jihad. America's promise remains alive even in these countries.
America's role, for Obama, is to restore its military strength, fight Al Qaeda and its ilk, and deter rogue regimes like Iran. But it is also to stay calm, because in overreacting to dangers, we often cause new problems and crises. To lump together all Islamist groups is to exaggerate and misunderstand the threat. The Iraq War, for Obama, is a prime example of an alarmist overreaction, one that had the United States launch an unprovoked invasion of a country and rack up huge costs. If America can keep its cool and provide the help that countries really seek—in development, modernization and democracy-building—then we will gain in both security and legitimacy.
It's also worth noting that ever since World War II, the United States has tended to make its strategic missteps by exaggerating dangers. During the 1950s, conservatives argued that Dwight Eisenhower was guilty of appeasement because he was willing to contain rather than roll back communism...Rhetoric about transcendent threats and mortal dangers grips the imagination of the American people. But it also twists U.S. foreign policy in ways that can prove to be extremely costly to the country and the world."
http://www.newsweek.com/id/158764
"We live in a very dangerous world, John McCain would respond. In his eyes, Islamic extremism is the transcendent challenge of the age. Jihadist warriors...pose the central threat to the United States. In the rise of China, Russia and India, McCain sees turbulence. Russia and China, being autocracies, represent a special danger...The role for America, in such an environment, is to aggressively use its power—hard power—to fight evil, spread freedom and defeat the enemy.
Obama's sense of the world is more optimistic. The dangers are real but not so all-encompassing. Obama speaks less of Islamic extremism in general and more of Al Qaeda and its affiliated groups specifically. He points out that compared with the cold war—when thousands of Soviet nuclear missiles were pointed at American cities—the threats we face today are reduced. He argues that most people in the Islamic world want development and a better life, not jihad. America's promise remains alive even in these countries.
America's role, for Obama, is to restore its military strength, fight Al Qaeda and its ilk, and deter rogue regimes like Iran. But it is also to stay calm, because in overreacting to dangers, we often cause new problems and crises. To lump together all Islamist groups is to exaggerate and misunderstand the threat. The Iraq War, for Obama, is a prime example of an alarmist overreaction, one that had the United States launch an unprovoked invasion of a country and rack up huge costs. If America can keep its cool and provide the help that countries really seek—in development, modernization and democracy-building—then we will gain in both security and legitimacy.
It's also worth noting that ever since World War II, the United States has tended to make its strategic missteps by exaggerating dangers. During the 1950s, conservatives argued that Dwight Eisenhower was guilty of appeasement because he was willing to contain rather than roll back communism...Rhetoric about transcendent threats and mortal dangers grips the imagination of the American people. But it also twists U.S. foreign policy in ways that can prove to be extremely costly to the country and the world."
http://www.newsweek.com/id/158764
Int'l Herald Tribune: Just In Case Someone Claims Truman and Palin Are Remotely Comparable
TW: I know many of you interact with low information voters. The Republicans have tried to compare the gross inexperience of "Dave" Palin to such luminaries as Teddy Roosevelt and Harry Truman. These comps are insulting to two great American Presidents. Bernstein fillets the comps succinctly.
Bernstein:
"though only 41 when he was nominated to be vice president, Roosevelt was a seasoned politician, a man who had seen war, traveled widely, studied both warfare and history deeply and successfully administered three major organizations - one city, one state and one federal...
Truman had already been a United States senator for a decade...It was his pivotal role on the Truman Committee, and not his experience as a haberdasher, that led to Truman's selection as Roosevelt's running mate. Before anybody thought of him for the vice presidency, he had been on the cover of Time magazine...before that Truman was a captain in a field artillery unit that saw intense combat at Verdun during World War I, an experience that marked him forever...
...Roosevelt's inner circle knew when they pressed Truman to accept the vice-presidential nomination that the president was very sick and would probably die in office. Would they, with the nation then at war, have chosen the equivalent of Sarah Palin"
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/10/america/letter.php?pass=true
Bernstein:
"though only 41 when he was nominated to be vice president, Roosevelt was a seasoned politician, a man who had seen war, traveled widely, studied both warfare and history deeply and successfully administered three major organizations - one city, one state and one federal...
Truman had already been a United States senator for a decade...It was his pivotal role on the Truman Committee, and not his experience as a haberdasher, that led to Truman's selection as Roosevelt's running mate. Before anybody thought of him for the vice presidency, he had been on the cover of Time magazine...before that Truman was a captain in a field artillery unit that saw intense combat at Verdun during World War I, an experience that marked him forever...
...Roosevelt's inner circle knew when they pressed Truman to accept the vice-presidential nomination that the president was very sick and would probably die in office. Would they, with the nation then at war, have chosen the equivalent of Sarah Palin"
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/10/america/letter.php?pass=true
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