Well gosh, we did such a nice job of debating personal responsibility – what next? 🙂
It’s again been a pretty quiet week on the campaign trail. All three candidates made appearances on American Idol last night as part of the Idol Gives Back fund raiser. McCain was funny! Obama was sincere and Hillary seemed the most ‘political’ IMHO. Of course, we all know what happens when you vote for the guy who makes you laugh – Bushed! Meanwhile the bigger picture story with this drawn out Democratic primary is that voter registrations are going through the roof. I see signs that party officials are finally backing down from calling for Hillary to recognize she cannot win because they see this trend and realize how it can pay off in November. Every state has shown significant increases in Dem voter turnout and overall registration. Since Feb 4 (when everyone figured Hillary would seal things up), the trends have been even more eye opening as states that never thought they would matter are getting energized. I love that! I really do hope that continues to be true because as I have mentioned before, apathy irritates me more than anything and I really hope this general election breaks all sorts of records for turnout no matter what the result. Well, not “no matter” completely – obviously I like hearing that it is the Dems who are showing the most voter registration gains 🙂 I gotta be me!
There was also talk this week about who to *really* figure out what this mythical “commander in chief readiness” is all about. Hillary pretty much started this with her Ready On Day One mantra and then by stating that she and McCain (McCain!! which party is she in again?) have the best experience for the job. Really though – what do we have to look at with these three? Isn’t the actual running of a campaign and seeing how the candidates handle themselves on the campaign trail supposed to be the test? Which campaign has been the best run from the very beginning? Which one laid the groundwork a year ago to establish local offices and organizers in every state? Which one impressed me with it’s energy and organization and enthusiasm at the state convention a year ago when we thought there was a snow balls chance of success? Which one has never wavered from it’s people powered, grass roots, bottom up focus? Hint: Not Clinton or McCain! 🙂 Anyhow, I wish I could remember who brought up that point…but I just read too much and completely forgot to take notes on sources as I should. I’ll do better on that next week.
Trees & Flowers & Birds! 
I was going to answer Howard Dean, but that’s soooo 2004. 😉
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The campaign is important to get elected, but I disagree it is the best or even a strong indicator of who is the best choice to be President. One of the best crowd pleasers and mass motivators of the last century was Hiltler. I bet we agree that he was not a great choice to lead his country. Imagine who he would pick to sit for the rest of their life on the US Supreme Court! I am more focused on the ideology and values of the candidate. Obama is the most liberal of the three (with Hillary not far behind). For you that seems to be important. so I can see why you would vote for him. For me his far leftness is a deal breaker, no matter how well he can give a speech. He and I could not disagree much more on the issues. Oh, and he throws entirely too many gutter balls!
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First of all, I was not trying to convince anyone how to vote. I was just making an observation about the whole Ready From Day One thing which I think has been blown terribly out of proportion – mostly by the Democrats! Of course that is not the ONLY reason to vote for someone 🙂 But, it’s one of may ways that you can judge how someone may lead.
And I refuse to bite on your Hitler comparison which I feel was terribly out of bounds. I would still rather have a leader who treats his staff well, organizes things well, keeps people paid and feeling empowered, stays steady under pressure, and *inspires* people.
And as a gutter ball bowler myself, I have no issues with that particular handicap 🙂
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I apologize if I did not make my point well last night and if what I said offened you in any way.
I agree the “Ready From Day One” thing is a lame discussion. I don’t pay any attention to it.
It was not my intent to compare Obama to Hitler if that is how you read it. I used Hitler as an example of why I think that the campaign itself is not a compelling reason to vote for someone. My point was that Hilter lead well, but not in the right direction. All of the candidates have shown that they can lead or they would not be where they are today. The important question is which one is going in the direction you want to go?
I am amazed by how many people there are out there that back one candidate over another and cannot express anything about the candidate’s positions or backgrounds. A large portion of the US population is too quick to follow the leader without knowing where they are being led. (I do not include you in that category.)
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OH yes Calvin – that last paragraph has always been my largest point of annoyance! I *do* think that this time around more people are engaged and paying attention (on both sides). It’s been amazing to me how easily people will talk about the election at work or at the baseball fields etc. Yes, it helps that I put myself out there with my bumper stickers showing that political discussion does not freak me out 🙂 But, at least I have been talking with people who do care and do know the issues.
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