(PHOTO: Ron Edmonds of the AP)

“Movie Fan” writes

“I heard recently that, despite all the perks that come with living in the white house, the first family still has to pay for any food that their private guests consume.”

Based on what I’ve found, you are correct.

An excerpt from the book “America’s First Families” reads

“The cost of feeding personal guests or even those at a strictly political event is paid out of pocket by the presidential family, or underwritten by a private donor. This can be exorbitant, even for those with great family wealth like Hoover & Kennedy, both of whom donated their salaries to charity.”

Click on this link to read further.

I hope that answers your question, Movie Fan - & if you have a question about the presidency you want me to research, I hope you’ll ask! It’s what I’m here for!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

James, commenting on this post:

“in a election year it is not uncommon for candidates to miss voting because of the time spent campaigning.” .

Sheryl, on (apparently) Obama:

“I am wondering how we will give a president security clearance when he associates with known terrorists?”

What do you think? Speak up! We want to hear your thoughts, too!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

[IMAGE: "Freedom of Speech" by Norman Rockwell]

Margaret had 2 comments on the 2nd debate:

“They both did well - however, those who watched really learned what each one wanted to do. So it was good for people to understand their differences.
One Republican woman told me she hopes that Obama can do all he wanted to do. She was impressed with Obama. She thought McCain said something new [McCain's mortgage bailout plan], but “what in the world is that about?”

&

“Another thought - we didn’t get to hear enough from the “town meeting” as the moderator did more of the questions.”

I agree with that last point.

Sandra says

“I STILL THINK FRED DALTON THOMPSON IS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES”

If only Fred agreed with you, Sandra.

What do you want to say? Now’s your chance! All views are welcome!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

[IMAGE: "The Argument" by Norman Rockwell]

“Dan, I have a question that I haven’t heard addressed. If the rhetoric concerning Mr. Obama and his so-called terrorist connection is not true, then why hasn’t he denied it? Mr. McCain has rejected and denied Mr. Obama’s allegations vehemently. Has anyone else seen these contradictions besides me? Please address these questions. Thank you very much.” -Chuck

Chuck, scroll up to the “Barack Obama” post to see what Obama had to say about it on the stump yesterday.

It’s also pertinent to see what Obama said when he first faced the question, all the way back in April during the ABC primary debate between Obama & Clinton:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: “…a follow-up on this issue, general theme of patriotism, in your relationships. A gentleman named William Ayers. He was part of the Weather Underground in the 1970s. They bombed the Pentagon, the Capitol, and other buildings. He’s never apologized for that.

And, in fact, on 9/11, he was quoted in the New York Times saying, “I don’t regret setting bombs. I feel we didn’t do enough.” An early organizing meeting for your State Senate campaign was held at his house and your campaign has said you are “friendly.”

Can you explain that relationship for the voters and explain to Democrats why it won’t be a problem?

OBAMA: George, but this is an example of what I’m talking about. This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who’s a professor of English in Chicago who I know and who I have not received some official endorsement from. He’s not somebody who I exchange ideas from on a regular basis.

And the notion that somehow as a consequence of me knowing somebody who engaged in detestable acts 40 years ago, when I was 8 years old, somehow reflects on me and my values doesn’t make much sense, George.

The fact is that I’m also friendly with Tom Coburn, one of the most conservative Republicans in the United States Senate, who, during his campaign, once said that it might be appropriate to apply the death penalty to those who carried out abortions.

Do I need to apologize for Mr. Coburn’s statements? Because I certainly don’t agree with those, either.

So this kind of game in which anybody who I know, regardless of how flimsy the relationship is, that somehow their ideas could be attributed to me, I think the American people are smarter than that. They’re not going to suggest somehow that that is reflective of my views, because it obviously isn’t.”

& new Vote08 commenter Randy weighs in with 3 (!) comments (thank you!):

#1 “why are the american people not being told about obamas ties to iran and about his books condiming his white heitage and his pleadge to be muslim if the political wind turn ugly from Adimosity of Hope .he also qouted as saying he denied his mothers race and glinged to his fathers . I am not a repuplican or a demacrate.I am for the american people . and I believe america needs to reform and do away with life time polititions life time pay for them and limits to terms to no more 2.
It is suposed to be a goverment for the people and by the people. Not of the politions and by the politions .WE blame the president of everything but if congress was voting the way we wanted them too they could over ride the president.”

#2 “do we not relize that no one man can change the way things are going it takes our goverment togather to make changes not just one man. we need to examine all the ponits not just what the media points out to use read obamas books to see the real man .if congress wanted to control gas prices they could but they must be making money from the oil companys too. we need to clean out congress and start over . there has to be something wrong when it cost millions dollars far a 300000 a year job. it was never ment to be that way .

#3 “also Clinton looked good because of Reaganonmics and bush looks bad because naftia which was pasted my congress and clinton . naftia is killing our economics and sending our jobs over seas and to mexicao Most presidents spend their first term reacting to what he inherites from the last one .Clinton and congress also pasted the
fair housing laws that are pleging us now . people bought houses they could not aford because it change from using credit to dept percentages to. Lets change the intrest rate to get them in a house . then when the intrest rate changed by goes the house.”

What’s your take? Let’s hear it! All viewpoints are welcome.

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

“So much of her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subtext. When the “terrorist” had done his thing, Obama was a child at that time.

Do we want to have America this way - the attacks and saying things that are exaggerated or not even true. I hope we’re smarter than this.” - Margaret

“The ladies have a thing for Biden after watching the debates. His smile made them melt and think he is very handsome and delightful.” - Lee

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

“The lady with the red babushka certainly looks severe when she admonishes us, “недалеко от болтовни и сплетни до измены. (It’s not far from idle talk and gossip to treason.)” But somehow “Loose lips sink ships!” says it all and much more forcefully in just four syllables.” - Peter

“Of course they did a good job — all that practice works. I was impressed with the knowledge that Biden has. But I also realized that Palin really doesn’t know much except as a mother and her state. It is not enough for me that Palin has symbolic value but not substance.” - Margaret

“I don’t know how the Wall Street meltdown plays on Main Street, but it’s a Nightmare on Elm Street.” - JC Bowman

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

I’ve an embarassment of riches in terms of comments on this blog. You all have been very thoughtful & thought-provoking.

Here’s a sample:

“If it weren’t so sad it would be great entertainment to watch the McCain everyone used to respect become totally erratic and rudderless. And this from a Navy hero who should know the value of a rudder. And I have no sympathy for Palin. Just as McCain recklessly picked her to pander to the base, she recklessly agreed to do it. She has such a small worldview-not a criticism, just a fact- that she either didn’t realize that she is out of her league or is simply arrogant. She has no apparent capacity for understanding the complexity and diversity of our country, let alone the world. This has got to be the most stunt-driven campaign I have ever witnessed. The presidency is not won through a game of craps. This criticism comes from a fiscal conservative who was a Republican until this summer. This party and this candidate have lost their way and lost my respect. I was open to the idea, but I don’t want McCain anywhere near the White House. I have never been more disappointed in a public official, especially one that I used to believe had integrity and courage.” - AWCG

I was very impressed with John McCain tonight [at the debate]. I thought he held his own with Obama. McCain seemed to get Obama all flustered and Obama actually DID look like a rookie debating McCain!! It’s McCain/Palin for me! The Presidency is no place for trial and error during this critical time. We need experience, we need John McCain!” - Sheila E

“I was not a big supporter of Obama unitl the debate. I thought Mc Cain looked a too old (he refered too many times to people from the past), seemed to be not very bright, angry and down right rude -not the type of person I want in the White House. Whatever reservations I had about Obama certianly pale in commparsion to the reservations I now have with Mc Cain. And his idea of a “league of democracies, a group of people - a group of countries that share common interests, common values, common ideals, they also control a lot of the world’s economic ” -what is that?” - Mark Sharp

“Mccain and his party ie Sen. Gramm caused all of these issues they are bought and paid for by big oil, and wall street. The reason Obama is simple America has woke up to the lies and the fear mongering. Ie.
700 Billion Bailout (republican sponsered)
Ford and GM seek a bail out
Bear Stearns, Lehman,Merril,Fannie, Freddie, Iraq,Iran,Russia, Chavez, how much more are we gonna take, Cheveron is pumping billions in toxic waste in Alaska and equador Palin allowed this and repealed measure 2 which made Cheveron,BP Alask and others Billions of tax payer money Wake up America, a vote for a republican is another nail in the coffin of your family legacy !” - Tim

“Why can we not see Palin. Is she is going to say the wrong thing?It’s like hiding one of you children because we are not proud of them.
Is this the vice-president we want?” - Margaret

“I think Obama has a lot of nerve to question any decision John McCain makes.
Obama was smoking cocaine** and trying to decide what to do next every moment in his youth. We don’t even know who in hell he is. We only have what he tells us. I wouldn’t believe Obama’s dying confession.
The man is narcissistic bordering on lunacy.
His constant uh..ing is annoying. He seems to have a hard time looking for words to say.
McCain is a man of substance. He is a former Navy pilot and a POW. He has served this country as a US senator for over 26 years about reaching across the aisle for the sake of our country.
We know who McCain is.
I dismiss everything Obama says. It is absurd that he thinks he can even stand next to John McCain.
Obama wants me to believe that he is a blessing sent from heaven to save us. It is maddening to hear his constant self exalting talk.
God forbid this novice is our president.”

**A little fact-checking is necessary from this last comment. Click here for more.

Thanks to all for sharing your voice! I hope you can see by the diversity of those opinions up there that yours is welcome in this mix as well! So let ‘er rip!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

(above: George W. Bush, when he was a college cheerleader) 

[what's with the series of quotes in the headline of this post? bear with me.  I'm conducting an internet experiment. ]

Thanks to everyone who gave me their two cents this week! What a week it was! One of the most active yet here on the Vote08 Blog! 

Here’s what you’ve been saying - mostly about Palin:

“We can really vote for a good looking woman! However, what will we do about Sen. Ted Stevens from Alaska?” - Lee

“Having just spent some time in Alaska taking with the “real” people (small business owners, small commercial fishermen and loggers, construction workers and supervisors, and many, many local wage earners,) she is a great pick. They say so. Ted Stevens? Please research what she has said, as govorner, about the senior senator. Alaskans still believe in innocent until proven guilty, not guilty by implication in a news story. Her ethics, ideals, and ambitions match those of hard-working Americans. All this and she is a working mom, too. While you are at it, check out her husband. He is the epitome of Hard-Work University himself! In addition, check out their kids. You can’t help but be impressed, especially after what the Democrat Convention came up with.” - Jim

“Yay, we can all wish President Obama well, now that John has handed the presidency to him on a silver platter. She will NOT appeal to the Hillary voters he thinks she will, she is too rabidly right wing. And how many right wing men want a woman one step away from the White House? I see Bob Barr doing a bit better than expected… Also, look up Wooten-gate.” - Jason

“A woman with a degree in journalism who is conservative? Now THAT’S an oxymoron! Better to have a sharp, well-versed woman one heart-beat away from the White House than an inexperienced elitist!” - Jim

This takes care of the “holier than thou” stance of Ms. Palin and the religious right and reflects negatively on John McCain’s judgement in picking Ms. Palin as his running mate. If the daughter is part of a committed couple, why are they not already married? This will be a shotgun wedding and I feel sorry for the potential husband and the baby to be part of such a hypocritical family.

“As a Hillary supporter, who equally liked and now supports Barack Obama, I was flabbergasted at the pick of Ms. Palin– Hillary, like Barack, ran her campaign not on the basis of gender ( or race), but on qualifications and ideas. The choice of Palin– and her own acknowledgment that she is running as a female first–is cynical and insulting to women. She obviously has a lot on her plate, and as a relatively young woman has plenty of time to get involved in national politics when she is done nursing her baby and helping her daughter through a difficult time. This is not a “sexist” remark– I am a 66 year old feminist female who has been helping to raise her stepson for 21 years. She should put her family first and go back to her job in Alaska where she is apparently doing a good job and leave national politics to the more qualified.” - Susanne

“Many parents can’t make sure their children don’t do what they want them to do. So I think it is important to look at what Palin can do in our country, not about her families.” - Margaret

“We cannot judge people on the challenges with which they are presented, but how they accomplish great thing by meeting those challenges. Look forward to Governor Palin being our next Vice President. She is obviously the best person for the job.” - Jim

“I agree the daughter is not fair game but what about her mother’s decision to place her pregnant seventeen year old in the media glare? Obama was accused to doing anything to get himself elected by Mc
Cain but Palin appears to be putting her personal ambition above her family’s needs in this matter.” - Sue

“Well, what CAN Sarah do for the country if she can’t even instill the “family value” of waiting until marriage or even graduation to have sex? I want my leaders to lead by example. She needs to get her house in order before she tells me how to run mine. She is WAY to religiously extreme to brush this off as “well, this happens in the best of families.” This is hypocrisy like I have never seen. She even wanted to personally ban books in the town library when she was a mayor!! This lady is scary dangerous, everyone should read up on her extremism.” - Jason

“In regards to the charts, I am not a big Biden fan. I am surely not a big Palin fan. But if I had to say who I would want to lead as president between the two (if they had to step in), it would have to be Biden. How could anyone chose otherwise? She has been mayor for a town with a population below 10k!!! Now she is governor of a state with more bears than people (could be true, I don’t know…). Does that make me less likely to vote McCain? Yes! How can it not? Quit fooling yourselves by thinking otherwise.” - Jason

“I think she is a very wise choice to run for Vice President. And as far as instilling family values, you can only go so far. You raise your children the best you can and they (not the parents) are responsible for their decisions, good or bad. SHAME ON THE MEDIA, including News Channel 9 for giving this so much attention. This pregnancy should be a private family matter, it has NOTHING to do with whether or not she is a good VP candidate. I am not an Obama fan but I will say AMEN to his stand on this subject, let this family deal with this privately!!!” - Terri

“Go McCain. Good choice!” - Renigeid

“The children of candidates have historically been off limits, there is no reason that young Bristol should be any different. A press release was made to prevent the media and the mindless masses from screming that there was a cover-up. Palin has not in any way thrown her daughter to the sharks, she’s merely trying to make the best of a Catch-22. And to those that question Palin’s stand on Abstinence Only education in school I would say that you cannot have it both ways. The schools are funded by tax dollars. No tax dollars pay for abortions or adoptions so the only responsible stand (based on that thought) is abstinence. Parents, family, or maybe a family doctor can educate one-on-one better than the teachers (most of which are trained in literature, science, math, and liberal arts, not philosophy, theology, or anatomy and physiology). Leave this young woman alone. And look at Mrs. Palin’s experience as it pertains to the job at hand. Learn what she has done or not done in her various elected positions. Which parent among us would want our employer to judge us based on our home life?? I love my children, But I’m not sure I want my next raise to be based on how well they behave when they out being teenagers, learning to be themselves and testing their God-given freewill.” - Amanda

“I have been a life-long conservative democrat, but I don’t understand what all the fuss is about with Mrs. Palin’s daughter. #1-She didn’t try to hide this from anyone #2–she’s “walking her talk” by not aborting her grandchild, to save family face. Can the same be said for the Kennedys, or the Clintons, or the Roosevelts? Why can’t both sides stick to issues and what can help the country? If this is what politics is really all about, then I’m glad I went with the military and medical services. A good dose of truth might help too!!!!” - Chuck

“Will McCain always do his gambling as president like he did when he decided to pick Palin?” - Margaret

I think this is a great pick and if everyone can heed your advice to open their mind about it, we’ll be in much better shape.

“Also, to the comment: “Palin appears to be putting her personal ambition above her family’s needs..” - Sue…. I think Rudy Giuliani said it best this morning when he pointed out that this question has not been raised with Barack Obama, even though he has two young daughters. I look forward to her speech tonight.” - Nathan

“Sarah Palin is the most unqualified candidate for the V.P. in my lifetime (I am 67 years old) and it is disgusting that John McCain can even try to justify such a selection. It reflects the shallow measure of John McCain’s ability to make sensible decisions. God Help Us if we are saddled with a Republican administration for another 4 years!” - Glenn

“Sarah Palin has the country in an uproar, and for good reason…the liberal left is running in fear of losing this election. John McCain vs Barack Obama would have been a close race, but McCain/Palin vs Obama/Biden will be an embaassment for the liberal left. The only way to hurt McCain is to destroy Sarah Palin, and the only way to destroy her is to destroy her daughter. Anyone who associates themselves with liberalism should be hanging their heads in shame for the way the liberal media is attcking Sarah’s daughter. I am looking forward, as are most people to hearing Governor Palin’s speach tonight. Isn’t it funny that when discussing experience all the liberal media has to say for Governor Palin is that she was the mayor of a small town in Alaska. Obama on the otherr hand has no leadership experience at all, he started campaigning for president the moment he took the oath of office as a Senator. John McCain was not my first choice for the candidate of my party, I voted for Mike Huckabee, but I do not think Senator McCain could have chosen a better running mate.” - William

“If our enemy is ever Polar Bears or Eskimos, she’s the one we need! If I were a betting person, I’d bet this decision will come back and bite Senator McCain squarely in the buttocks. Rest assured if she’s done all she is rumored to have done, she’s made some enemies along the way. When dealing with foreign countries-I don’t think beauty will change their minds. They don’t recognize women in the same light we do-people they should have to deal with and they won’t!” - Brenda

“I’m an Obama voter who has been nervous about this pick. Only this morning can wrap my brain around why. McCain’s team spent the last days setting the bar laughably low. They’re playing victim of the liberal media. Palin appears as an average, normal, clean-scrubbed family type; yet she has a secret vicious-predator side; firing political enemies, hypocritical family history, burning books… She’s the female George W Bush.” - Bill

“In regard to the “Bush” presidency, no one should make any judgements without first walking in his steps. How many presidents have taken office and immediately, the country was attacked by someone whose only objective was to destroy the lives of innocent people? What do you do? I got mad and I’m still mad. We should never forget what happened on 9-11, 2001. I’m sure Mr. Bush won’t . Unfortunately, it seems as though many in congress and in the media have. We cannot afford to bicker among ourselves and forget who’s trying to destroy our country. We need to unite as “one nation, under God” again. Thankyou!!!” - Chuck

“I’m still having a hard time understanding how the bar can be set low when she has as much experience as Obama. Even though it’s not in Washington, it still counts.” - Nathan

“Politics is a dirty, nasty business. Palin sure seems like she has Hillary as a hero. She can fling mud, lies and contempt almost better than both Clintons put together! She’ll go far, but she won’t be VP in 08. Fairer sex indeed.” - Jason

& there were other, non-Palin comments as well…

“I think Cindy McCain should be the one for vice-president. She has been doing so much and enjoyed listening to her. A independent intelligent lady has been worried about what will cause McCain with his 5 years in his war to give him problems.” - Margaret

“I thought the content was outstanding despite the less then superb delivery. There are so many issues for [McCain] to deal with in the speech of his life that I think he could have went on for several hours. I appreciated that he spoke more about his family and the change he hopes to bring and not spend much time bashing the other candidate. Overall grade: A-” - Nathan

“For both of the candidates, I think it is important they keep in mind Matthew 6:33, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” God rewards those who live His will and not their own. Also for Obama and his response of “That’s above my pay grade,” to the question of “When does life begin.” Psalm 139:13 says,” For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” There are plenty of other passages that make it clear life is a precious gift and should not be intentionally terminated before birth.” - Nathan (responding to this post)

“I hope the RNC Convention gets as much play as the DNC when Gustav dies down. It would be sad for the most important election in a long time to be lopsided when it comes to convention coverage. Maybe the Republicans could hold a big convention-like rally when there is no threat of hurricanes to the U-S.” - Nathan

I hope you can tell that all points of view are welcome here. I am so glad all of you are spirited enough to comment! I also hope you stay engaged, & you certainly can do that by reading this blog! Once again, thanks for voicing your views!!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

Thanks to all who weighed in on my question I posed to you: is the media giving Obama coverage that’s a little too favorable?

Here’s what some of you had to say:

“Of course it is unbalanced! It has been since Obama announced his campaign for the presidency. No one in the news media has questioned him why, if he is interested in the Iraq situation, he has not visited in the last 900 days.” - Louis Priddy

“I think Obama gets more coverage and positive feedback from the media no matter what he does.” - Lisa

I’m sure that it wasn’t meant to be biased, but the on-going coverage of Mr. Obama makes many believe that “the news media” is looking for another champion. I truly wish that all news media would just report the news and not try to make or sway it. That tends to not only take away credibility from the news agencies, but it also leads many to just “down-right” distrust them. That’s not at all good; not for the media and certainly not for the country. At least try to show the better side of both candidates and not just point out their mistakes. Thank you for at least asking. - C. Waller

Thanks again, & I hope you all comment a lot more in the future.

A thought. I think some of the concerns people have is not that they themselves are swayed by the media, but that there are countless others who will be. I would recommend to those of you who feel this way to sit back & take a deep breath. You yourselves have figured out how to tell facts from bias - it’s a different world with the internet, & that’s forced us all to be more skeptical, but at the same time, do more homework. You should have faith that the rest of the American electorate is learning this as they go, too. It goes back to the advice that we should vary our media diet & decide for ourselves what is “fact” & what is “bias.”

& most importantly: Do not make your choice for president this November based on who gets favorable or unfavorable media coverage! It’s your patriotic duty to make your decision based on YOUR feelings about a candidate, not the media’s!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

This week Vote08’s seen more comments than it has in a while! & for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I’ve always intended for this blog to be a forum for your thoughts & opinions as much as if not more than my posts. So if you’re visiting for the first time or are a long-time lurker — please! Speak up!

Here’s what you’ve been commenting on this week:

1. “Georgia Peach” says on our thoughts on Georgia being a battleground state,

“I think these guys have it more correct.”

True enough, GP! & we had more on that poll earlier today here. The big “X” factor with this poll & all others this year, however, is new voter turnout. Every poll is a measurement of how registered voters feel. But if either candidate can bring new voters to the polls, that changes the equation & cannot be accurately predicted.

2. “Jim” writes of Obama’s 1st general election campaign ad:

“Reaction to this ad: As Charlie Brown would say, “ARRRRRRRGGGGGG!”

Actually, Jim, it’s . But we understand what you mean. Can we infer by your comment that you’re a Republican?

3. Answer: yes we can! Here’s what Jim had to say about President Bush’s plan to drill offshore:

“Where do most European counties get their energy? Nuclear energy of course.

What is the most efficient propulsion system for the US Navy? The nuclear generators on the USS Regan could probably supply Chattanooga’s energy needs.

Geothermal energy will last as long as humans inhabit this planet.

In the time that it will take to develope economical and safe nuclear and geothermal energy sources we must depend on oil.

Kudos to President Bush for realizing this and taking a giant step for energy independence.”

4. Jim gets the “comment-trifecta” award with this comment about Michelle Obama’s role in her husband’s campaign:

“Does BHO want somone else to defend his woman?”

5. We couldn’t “approve” it because the entire comment wasn’t printable in a family blog, but “Jason 69″ says of Meghan McCain:

“Well she get’s my vote for hottest “first daughter” in history.”

6. “Winghunter” takes us to task for reporting old news on the Thompson announcement last Sunday that he’s not interested in the veep slot:

“First, this “news” is nearly two months old and as always Fred spelled out exactly why VP is a waste of his time and clearly an obvious waste of his correct patriotism, real experience and genuine qualifications…even if certain disloyal residents haven’t performed their responsibility in finding out who he is.

Second, “stories” made up by idiots are only believed by bigger ones.”

Winghunter, I sincerely hope you’re not calling me an idiot, but regardless, thanks for sharing, & better luck next time!

7. Joe Lance, who runs the other essential Tennessee Valley campaign blog you should check on a regular basis, had a different take on Thompson:

“It’s all very humorous, really: the story came out a while back that Fred Thompson had never really intended to run for President; that supporters had floated his name as a possible candidate in order to boost his chances at being the VP pick.

And now he doesn’t want that?”

8. “Stewart” disagrees with my assessment that John McCain & Barack Obama are of certain generations in our post comparing 2008 to 2004:

“great reasoning. McCain is not a Boomer but you want to call him a Boomer, Obama is a Boomer but you don’t want to call them that. and everything comes together. the new American logic!”

My response: “Well.. technically you’re right, Stewart. The baby boom generation was born between 1946 & 1964. But when I characterize the two of them as of or not of the baby boom generation, I’m speaking more in cultural terms. McCain’s early life is defined by his participation in Vietnam in the 1960s. Obama, even though technically a baby boomer, did not come of age until after the turbulent 60s & early 70s were over. It is not a trait that defines who he is. Again, I’m defining things in cultural terms here. But you’re right.”

9. Gary Poole disagrees with the recent Supreme Court decision that allows terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay petition the court to challenge their detention:

“It is one thing for an enemy to kill our soldiers. Although I do not like it in the least, I can respect the man who did it and the his courage. It is quite another thing for an enemy to kill innocent civilians. I have no respect for them or their lack of courage. As far as I am concerned, when they joined a conspiracy to kill non combatant women and children, they lost all legal rights in our judicial system. I will agree that we need to do away with the detainee camps at Guantanamo…execute all the detainees and let Allah have them.”

To which I responded

“Thanks for commenting, Gary! Here’s my question for you, though: in what way do you determine beyond a doubt that a suspect in custody “joined a conspiracy to kill non-combatant women & children?” How do you do this without a court hearing? Who is the person who decides a person’s guilt or innocence (& if guilt, decides if that guilt warrants death?) That’s the problem right now - we have no way of making the leap from terrorist suspect.. to proven terrorist. Some of the suspects held at Guantanamo have been proven to be completely innocent of charges - they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Should these people be executed, too? If you say yes, how can you call that justice?

To which Mr. Poole responded:

”Lieutenant Calley from the Vietnam era comes to mind. I wonder if he had the time to be that analytical as to what the proper response should be while his platoon was taking the majority of fire coming at his platoon from the rear, from the village he was supposed to be defending? Which was the higher obligation…the rights of the villagers or the lives of his men? I am not trying to be cute, all I am saying is that the man wearing the uniform and carrying the rifle looks at it a little differently than a courtroom lawyer or judge acting with months/years of hindsight. For the vast majority of situations, I am in complete agreement with you but I am of a completely different mindset when it comes to someone trying to destroy my country. Like the old English toast”To Great Britain… and to hell with her enemies””

10. & finally, “Margaret” says on Obama’s website to “Fight-the-Smears,”:

“Much if not most intolerance is at base a stupfying ignorance rather than a deeply rooted conviction.”

That post also caused a “Muslim against Sharia” to comment that Obama was being unfair to his faith. You can read more of that exchange here.

Whew! Thanks to all of you who took time to weigh in with your opinion! & I hope this encourages the rest of you that visit that all viewpoints are welcome, even if & especially when they differ from mine!

Have a great weekend!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

Time to hear from you!

LOVES FEEDBACK & COMMENTS! & they’re coming in more frequently. We sincerely appreciate it.

After the jump, a look at what some of you have said about topics brought up in our recent posts. Feel free to comment on these comments!

Geraldine Ferraro matters about as much as Michael Dukakis. Or Dan Quayle. -Melydia
I am a calm rational person and still support Sen. Thompson. If you MSM blowhards keep bringing up his name(whether a childish poke or ignorant bliss) then it sounds like Sen. Thompson made an impact that you just can’t let go of. The “dumb masses” of America are left with their plate and have to swallow what is there. Months worth of primaries instead of one SUPER Tuesday and this is what we are left with?no thank you GOP! -Ray
I run a blog that is aimed at the urban crowd and as a black man I’d like to go on record saying I don’t think Geraldine Ferraro is racist at all. At least not in the way we generally think of a racist. She see Barack being black as an advantage and not a disadvatage. In a way she is right. His race does get him noticed but in all honesty it is not going to help him get elected at all. One of the other writers over at Highbrid Nation says Geraldine Ferraro is evil not racist, lol. He might not be too far off. - Mike Belgrove
I think that she would probably not be in politics personally if she weren’t married to Bill Clinton. Law, yes, politics, no. I think that if she is the nominee, her marriage to a former president will be more of a liability and an asset. I worry that he will be sticking his nose in issues and unable to allow her to lead on her own. Not because she is a woman, but because Bill Clinton is Bill Clinton. This is from someone who voted for him twice-we do not need him back in the White House, especially in a quasi role. I think Hillary is an independent thinker and is capable of doing things on her own, and I have respected her for it. However, I think she is the wrong candidate for the Dems because she has so much baggage from when her husband was in office. -Liz
I truly want Barack Obama to be the Democratic nominee. I think he is the only person who can bring America together. I don’t want to fight with people on the other side. I am FED UP with the bitter partisanship in Washington. I think the Super Delegates know that Obama has brought out people and would bring them to the election. If Hillary doesn’t stop her attacks on Obama, I can see someone challenging her when she somes up for Senate re-election in 2004. -Elizabeth Anderson
In reply to the Clinton’s ad: “It’s 3 AM and the phone is ringing. Is it the president’s husband calling for a ride home?”Someday whoever gets elected president is going to have to act like a grownup. Ask yourself, “Which candidate do I want to act as an adult in the White House?” -Jim
It seems that we have already seen what Clinton can do with the health care plan that she was in charge of when her husband was the president. It really made a mess of everything and nothing got done then. She can’t do all she wants to do because she doesn’t let other people help also. -Margaret
Huckabee as the vice-president would help McCain become the President in November. -Lee
Yessir! Sonny Perdue would make a great counterbalance to Captain John McCain’s (play on words here, RE: Captain Queeg.) When things were uptight, call in Sonny. When The Captain was in the middle of a flashback, get Sonny to throw him to the floor and knock some sense into him.Republicans a minority in the Senate? Sonny could let ‘em have it with his gavel from the high chair. If Hillary got to talking “down-home drawl” with him, Sonny could “out down-home” her in an instant.Problems with the Senate Majority Leader? Let’s go quail huntin’! “Be sure to wear your hunter orange so’s I can see you.”…And there’s nothing better than grits and gravy served to a Yankee-transplant-mainstream-media-feller.All this in a Southern Republican! How sweet it is! (Or would be…) -Jim
Thanks again to all who are making the what it is! & keep those comments coming! This is a platform for your voice just as much as anyone else!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

A Vote08 commenter has had some questions that many of you out there share about Barack Obama.

After the jump, we’ll share his comments & our responses to get to the truth about the candidate’s background & convictions.

“I am very curious as to where Mr. Obama is coming up with all this money. I wonder if some or all of this “extra” money is coming out of the Middle East. I hope someone is keeping track. I would hate to think that someone could buy the “Presidency”. I very seriously doubt that any of the major networks will comment on this matter though. ” -C. Waller

Mr. Waller,
Information about where a candidate is getting money is freely available to the public. There aren’t any donations that are left “under the table.” If you have the time & desire, you can see any & all campaign donations a candidate gets - the records are open.
You can start your search by going to this site, OpenSecrets.org. There, you’ll be able to see where the money is coming from, including a list of who’s donating from your neighborhood. In terms of someone being able to “buy” the presidency.. $2300 is the maximum any individual can give. So even if Mr. Obama has “extra money from the Middle East” (something that hasn’t been proven or shown so far this year), that money would only go so far.

Mr. Lehr, Thank you for responding to my comment. You answered most of my questions. Maybe you can answer a couple of others: What type of name is “Barak Obama”? Why wouldn’t he salute (show respect) for the American flag? What did he take his oath of office on(for his senatorial seat)? Please clear these up for me, because I’m having some real problems with these types of conflicting situations. Thank you very much.

Respectfully, C. Waller

Before we get to the specifics of your questions, Mr. Waller, let me first say that there is an e-mail going around (you may have received it) that raises the same questions about Barack Obama you do. But — & this is important for all information you get from e-mail or the internet — you should always view stuff of this nature with a large dollop of skepticism.

Here’s an example of why; this came to us just yesterday in the NewsChannel9 newsroom. A viewer e-mailed us this photo:

& she wrote, “This is the awesome picture of the tornado that my brother sent to me this morning. Wanted to share.”

Of course, the first reaction is Wow! What a great photo of the tornado that hit Pisgah, Alabama last week! Trouble is, this photo was not taken last week. It was taken in 1991. How did we know? Sometimes an assertion made about a story (or in this case a picture) either sounds too good to be true or fits a little too neatly into a narrative to be accurate.

Another photo of this nature made the rounds right after 9/11, claiming to be taken by an unlucky World Trade Center tourist right before the planes hit:

Again, it’s a fake.

At NewsChannel9, we have numerous examples every day of an assertion being made where we have to ask: does it sound like the real thing? or does it sound too good to be true?

As a consumer of information online, you should also force yourself to be skeptical about everything you see. For years we at NewsChannel9 have relied on this site, Snopes.com, to help us separate fact from fiction. And you should always use it any time someone “forwards” you an e-mail making an outstanding claim. It hasn’t let us down yet.

So with that in mind, let’s answer your first question, Mr. Waller:

What type of name is “Barak Obama”?

Barack means “one who is blessed” in Swahili. Throughout his childhood, he went by the nickname “Barry.” Obama is the name of his father, Barack Obama, Sr., a native of Kenya. His middle name, Hussein, has been often repeated in the right-wing media as a way to emphasize his supposed “Muslim” background. It is an Arabic name meaning “good,” but it is also one of the most common Arabic names used. Usually many people know of one notorious “Hussein,” Saddam. But you should also remember Jordan’s late King Hussein, who was considered one of the most respected, most moderate and most enlightened Middle East leaders long before he signed a peace treaty with Israel in October 1994.

[You can get more biographical details about Barack Obama from his Wikipedia page.]

This whole exercise of attaching ideology to a person’s name is irrelevant to the process of selecting a president. Consider this: you can’t get more American & apple pie than the names George (for 1st president Washington), Lincoln (16th president Abraham) & Rockwell (Americana artist Norman). But put them together & you get George Lincoln Rockwell, who was the founder of the American Nazi Party. George Lincoln Rockwell should not be judged based on his American-sounding name alone, just like Barack Hussein Obama should not be judged based on a name that doesn’t sound “American” to many ears. You should judge the candidate just like you do all others: based on his stances on the issues, notbecause of his name. The Founding Fathers passionately believed that the American system should provide all Americans equal treatment based on the person they are, not on the name their parents gave them.

Next question from Mr. Waller:

Why wouldn’t he salute (show respect) for the American flag?

For the answer, I’m getting information from Snopes.com — again, a site NewsChannel9 regularly consults to debunk myths & urban rumors:

The e-mail says “Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence to our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back & slouches.”

2 major red flags pop up from that sentence:

1. Notice that no verifiable source - no source at all, actually - is cited for any instance where he actually did this.
2. If this actually happened, don’t you think you’d hear about it somewhere besides a forwarded e-mail?

This post from Snopes.com goes into detail about the ‘pledge’ & ‘anthem’ rumors.

As the photo shows, it’s true, he did not put his hand over his heart during an event in Iowa in September, 2007 (it’s important to note the other candidates in the shot were also violating “anthem code” by not facing the American flag behind them).

Inside Edition did a piece on that & had these pictures that refute the claim that Obama refuses to hold his hand over his heart:

& in his defense, the candidate has said “My grandfather taught me when I was 2. During the Pledge, you put your hand over your heart. During the anthem, you sing.” Think back to the last time you were at an event where the Star Spangled Banner was sung. Did everyone –100% — of the people near you stop what they were doing, put their hands over their hearts & sing? I would suspect not. For me, the last time I was in this situation was at the UTC Arena last Thursday for a Mocs game. While the anthem was going on, people were walking around, talking on their cell phones, & ordering food at the concession stand. This is not to excuse Obama, but merely to point out that one’s behavior during the anthem is ultimately up to each individual’s interpretation.

Was it a mistake not to put his hand over his heart in Iowa last September? Probably, yes. Does he do this on a regular basis as a way to “refute” the pledge or the anthem? Absolutely not. Again, ask yourself: if he did refuse to do this on a regular basis, don’t you think you’d hear about it in places other than a forwarded e-mail?

Next question from Mr. Waller:

What did he take his oath of office on(for his senatorial seat)?

The e-mail referred to above again makes a false claim: “ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn in office, he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran.”

The e-mail confuses this member of Congress

..with this one.

Obama was in fact sworn in using his own copy of the Bible.

Keith Ellison (top picture), the first Muslim Congressman from Minnesota, did use a copy of the Koran (a copy owned by Thomas Jefferson, actually). But there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Should he be forced to reject the book that provides him with spiritual comfort, even though it’s a religion that’s not considered mainstream? How would a Christian feel if he were forced to put his right hand on a Holy Book that is not the Bible? The Founding Fathers explicitly outlined freedom of religion in the 1st Amendment to the Bill of Rights; the American system is one that sets no religion above or below the other. This principle is also why former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney should not have been discounted simply because he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Repeating: Obama used his own copy of the Bible to swear in as Senator.

Regarding the rumor that Barack Obama is a “secret Muslim:” His father was a Muslim, but that doesn’t make him one.. just as many children find different faiths from their parents. Obama’s father left his family when he was 2. Here is what Obama has to say about his religious upbringing, which was relegated to his mother, who made sure as a boy he was exposed to the world’s variety of faiths:

“In our household the Bible, the Koran, and the Bhagavad Gita sat on the shelf alongside books of Greek and Norse and Africanmythology. On Easter or Christmas Day my mother might drag me to church, just as she dragged me to the Buddhist temple, the Chinese New Year celebration, the Shinto shrine, and ancient Hawaiian burial sites.”

Since he became an adult, Obama has claimed to be a born-again Christian. There is no evidence out there that we should not take him at his word. You can find more about his background & upbringing at this post, again from Snopes.com.

While Vote08 does not endorse any single presidential candidate, it strongly encourages you, the voter, to make an educated, well-researched choice based on fact rather than rumor. Vote against Barack Obama because you disagree with his stances on the issues, not because of an inaccurate e-mail that makes false claims.

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

Welcome to Super Tuesday on Vote08.

This post looks at how each candidate stands today, February 5th, and see if we’ll be able to reach any conclusions about each party’s nominee when all the votes are counted.. which may not be finished until tomorrow!

Here’s the latest results in our latest NewsChannel9.com web poll as of 3 this afternoon:

Which of these major presidential candidates would you most like to see win the White House in November?

Hillary Clinton - 30%

Mike Huckabee - 31%

John McCain - 18%

Barack Obama - 13%

Mitt Romney - 8%

Total Votes: 621

*(why wasn’t Ron Paul included? Read more for an explanation)

After the jump, Vote08 zooms in on each candidate & see what’s at stake & where they need to succeed! As this race has changed significantly since this time last week, we’ll only look at the most recent polls.

Hillary Clinton

Once assured the nomination not too long ago (though it feels like decades), today could be a major turning point for Hillary Clinton. She has to not only win as many states as possible, she has to win them by as big a margin as possible. The conventional wisdom will declare a “loss” for Clinton if her margins of victory are under 5 percentage points. California (as we’ve said before) is the key race to watch tonight — and since a) the polls don’t close until 11pm eastern & b) they won’t start counting millions of absentee ballots until after today’s votes are counted, you had best get some sleep some time today if you’re going to stay up to the finish. & the poll numbers are extremely fluid in California — this morning Zogby has Clinton down by 13 points.

Clinton says she’s the best nominee because 1) she’s already had White House experience from when her husband was president, 2) she can effectively counter expected Republican attacks in November, & 3) she has a minute grasp of policy issues needed to help Congress pass legislation, including universal health care. The arguments against her are that she brings baggage to the race, that she is reluctant to admit mistakes (like her Iraq war vote that she continues to brand as a “sincere” vote at the time, and that she would be as polarizing a president as President Bush. But you can rest assured that one group cheering her on through thick & thin are Republicans who are anxiously hoping she’s the Democratic nominee.

Clinton’s strengths are with Democratic voters who are female, who are older, who don’t have a college degree, who are low- to middle- income, & who are Hispanic. Her weaknesses are with other minorities, men, college graduates, those with a higher income, & what may be the deciding factor: young & first-time voters.

How will she do here?

Tennessee: It’s her state to lose. The last, most-recent poll of Tennessee Democrats show her with a double-digit lead. Obama is counting on votes from the central and western parts of the state, & other than some television advertising is writing off east Tennessee completely.

Georgia: She’s in trouble. Clinton will likely suffer her worst loss in any state contest in the NewsChannel 9 viewing area. Interestingly, Obama is leading among women in the Peach State. This lines up with one of Vote08’s mottos: never pigeonhole voting habits.

Alabama: The latest polls show Obama gaining ground. A week ago she was the five point favorite; Two polls taken in the last five days have her up by 1 percentage point and down by 2 percentage points. The most fluid race out of the three states listed here.

.

Barack Obama

More than any other candidate in either party, Barack Obama has successfully embraced the “change” mantra that appears to be of ultimate importance to a majority of voters. To win tonight, Obama’s votes have to come close to Clinton’s — not to mention the all-important delegates. The methodology for awarding delegates in the Democratic party works in Obama’s favor. Even if he loses by a wide margin to Clinton, he still could be awarded a greater proportion of delegates in each state he lost. Pollsters have seen an increase in momentum for Obama since his debate performance last week.

Obama says he’s the right person for the job because he represents a break from the politics of the past, has expressed a willingness to practice bipartisanship, and that he has opposed the Iraq war from the beginning & promises to “change the mindset that got us in the war in the first place.” His critics say 1) he’s too inexperienced for the job, 2) his voting record reveals a tendency to lean to the left, and 3) that his plan to reform health care doesn’t mandate universal coverage.

Obama’s strengths are with upper-income Democrats, African-Americans, and college graduates. His weaknesses are with those who identify with the party establishment, those with lower- to middle-incomes, & those without a college degree, & most importantly with young people & first-time voters.

How will he do here?

Tennessee: Obama will lose the Volunteer State tonight. His support has been steady since the campaign here began but it’s insignificant against Hillary’s strong numbers in all three areas of the state.

Georgia: A high number of African-American voters will help Obama to a Peach State victory. Zogby’s latest poll has him consistently leading by about 20 percentage points.

Alabama: Again, the local wild card of the night. In one poll, Obama leads voters aged 18-44, & Clinton is ahead with those who are 45+. Like Georgia, Obama also leads among women. It’s a dead heat for male voters. White & Hispanic voters favor Clinton.

.

John McCain

No matter what happens in the end, & regardless of how you feel about him, John McCain’s 2008 candidacy is one of the most remarkable stories ever in American presidential politics. Last summer, the wheels were flying off the Straight Talk Express & he was losing both staff & money. He’s now poised to accept the Presidential nomination later this year. & that nomination could be secured as early as tonight. He holds a commanding lead in most nationwide polls, a lead that’s increased in the last week. Many Republicans have taken note of this poll & this poll which show that McCain is the only Republican candidate who has a shot at beating the Democrat in November.

That’s one of his strengths. McCain also says he’d make the best president because 1) he has a command of foreign policy issues, & promises to bring good military judgement back to the White House for the war in Iraq & the struggle against terrorism, 2) he has demonstrated an independent streak & a willingness to cross the aisle to compromise with Democrats, & 3) he has a decent shot at gaining Democratic & independent votes in November. His detractors say he is not a true conservative, that he has attached his name to legislation abhorrent to many Republicans, including attempts at immigration reform & campaign finance reform, and that he is too old for the job (at 71, he’d be older than Reagan was when he took office).

How will he do here?

Tennessee: Far more interesting race to call in Tennessee than for the Democrats. Unlike the national trends showing Huckabee a distant third, it’s a 3-man race in Tennessee, with Huckabee running a close second to McCain in the most recent poll. That poll shows McCain’s support grows with each higher age group. Elections traditionally favor candidates who do better with older voters. McCain also leads with women.

Georgia: Another 3-way race, but this time it’s Romney on McCain’s heels. The war in Iraq is the top issue among Georgia voters according to this poll. And that poll has this interesting tidbit: 52% of Republicans say it’s “very important” for the Republican nominee to “be a conservative Republican in the mode of Ronald Reagan.” Overall, McCain leads Romney by 2 percentage points (31-29), with 9 percent undecided. Like Tennessee, the Georgia GOP race results will be fascinating to watch.

Alabama: This poll has McCain-37, Huckabee-35, Romney-19. Yet another interesting race for McCain. This time Huckabee’s in a close second. McCain is leading in the southern part of the Heart of Dixie. He also wins with voters over 50, moderates, and abortion-rights supporters.

.

Mitt Romney

Once lambasted on the right for flip-flopping his positions he took while Governor of Massachusetts versus the ones he’s recently taken on the campaign trail, Mitt Romney represents the last, best hope for many conservatives, many of whom still support President Bush. Talk radio has embraced him; Sean Hannity openly endorsed him on his radio show yesterday, saying he’s the only candidate who can unite the social, fiscal and foreign policy wings of the Republican party. But both time & votes are not on his side. The relatively late exit of Fred Thompson & recent momentum by McCain have forced conservatives to scramble to try to introduce Romney to voters as the clear heir to the Reagan, which is no easy task, especially given opposition to Romney from evangelicals who are critical of the tenets of his Mormon faith.

Romney says his strengths are that he’s the heir to Ronald Reagan, that he can unite the party, and that he is the only candidate in the race with sufficient business experience to help an issue at the top of voters’ minds, the economy. His weaknesses include a perception that he’s a ‘johnny-come-lately’ to the conservative movement, that he morphs as a candidate to fit the needs of voters in each particular state, and that this poll & this poll show him a distant second against the eventual Democratic nominee.

How will he do here? Short answer: not well.

Tennessee: Romney’s a distant third to McCain & Huckabee in the last major poll taken in the state before today. This is despite efforts in Nashville yesterday to marginalize the Huckabee factor. About the only good news for Romney in Tennessee is that he ties McCain with Hispanics. Volunteer voters will not give Romney a win.

Georgia: This recent poll shows Huckabee’s presence hurting Romney in the Peach State. The pollster sums up a painful reality: “Most of Huckabee’s supporters list Romney as their second choice….Interestingly, despite strong concerns about the economy, Romney is basically tied with McCain among voters who rate the economy as their most important issue. For Romney to win, he must shave a few points off of the Huckabee vote total. “

Alabama: This poll has Romney a distant 3rd, with support evenly distributed geographically. Romney’s only bright spot in this poll is that he ties the other two candidates among voters who think immigration is the top issue in the race.

Mike Huckabee

Hamilton County voters will likely give a boost to Huckabee after his Super Tuesday-eve visit, which you can see more of here. Mike Huckabee is not doing well in national polls, but he may collect enough votes today for his delegates to be a major factor at the convention. Huckabee’s rise is only rivalled by John McCain’s story in being one of the more interesting stories of the GOP campaign this year. He was the only candidate to graduate from the “second tier” to the “top tier” before the Iowa caucuses, and that’s normally a rarity in either party. Huckabee benefited from widespread dissatisfaction for the candidates with Republican voters. And in a year where the internet allows voters to sidestep the campaign commercials & stump speeches to do their own research, Huckabee became a plausible alternative rather quickly. He is plain spoken, a speaking style benefits from years on the pulpit. But since his Iowa caucus win, he has failed to grab support outside of his fervent base of evangelical Christians. That’s partly due to attacks from conservatives who say his record as Arkansas governor reveals a liberal undercoating. Huckabee has also succeeded because he has expertly tapped in to the economic worries of what he calls “Wal-Mart Republicans.”

His strengths include that ability to connect with concerns about the economy. He also argues that he has is the candidate who will make the most consistently conservative choices while in office. But critics say he has a liberal record raising taxes and granting pardons as governor, & that he does not appeal to those all-important independent swing voters. He also fares poorly in national polls against Clinton & Obama.

How will he do here? Short answer: far better than the rest of the country.

Tennessee: He trails McCain by 2 points in this poll. He also wins big with young voters (55%), who will be more of a factor this time around than in elections past.

Georgia: He trails McCain by six points in this poll & by 5 points (behind Romney) in this poll. He won’t be as significant a factor compared to Tennessee & Alabama. Don’t discount that 2nd poll’s 9% undecided, but Huckabee’s looking at third place in the Peach State.

Alabama: The Huck is quite alive in the Heart of Dixie. He trails McCain by just 2 percentage polls. He leads with voters in the northern side of the state. He also has strong support from voters under 40. He wins among Alabama conservatives. And he has the highest support among those GOP voters who think the economy is the top issue. Huckabee has an outside shot of winning Alabama; but only 1% of voters are undecided, so we’ll see.

.

Ron Paul

In many ways, gynecologist & Texas congressman Ron Paul is occupying the same space in the campaign once inhabited by Ross Perot & Ralph Nader. Paul has enlisted a very enthusiastic, hardcore group of supporters. Ron Paul’s signs were the first to emerge for the Super Tuesday campaign in the Tennessee Valley months ago. Yet nationally he has failed to gain support beyond the single digits. Paul has rightly raised questions about the United States role in the world. While he doesn’t advocate isolationism, he believes the U.S. should redefine what is possible throughout the world. He also advocates eliminating the I.R.S. & fundamentally changing U.S. monetary policy. These are broad visions, & they have been hard to convey in clear & easy to understand ways with voters.

Paul’s strengths include an ability to take the long view on the United States trajectory as a superpower in the coming decades, a grasp of issues that voters appreciate, and he has brought millions of new voters into the political process who have never worked on a campaign before. Regardless of whom you support, that increase in participation can only help the country. His weaknesses include his delivery & oratory, which have never been his strong suit, and he has not been able to shake the perception among many Republican voters that he lacks the stature for the job.

How will he do here?

Tennessee: He’s polling 6 percent in Tennessee, with the most support coming from voters aged 18-29.

Georgia: Two recent polls show him with 6 or 5 percent. One poll had him with 29 percent of the Hispanic vote in Georgia.

Alabama: Again 6 percent support with a base among young voters.

The numbers clearly show Paul has hit a ceiling, & that’s one of the reasons NewsChannel9.com decided not to include him in the latest web poll. Here’s what I wrote one viewer who complained that he was left off:

We made the decision to ask people to weigh in on the “major” presidential candidates, and we decided in this case to define “major” as a candidate that is now polling in the double digits (as in over 10%). While there’s no doubt Ron Paul has a hardcore group of enthusiastic supporters, his national support in the polls remains in single digits. I hope you voted in the poll anyway.

NewsChannel9 has included Paul in many web polls up until now. The last one had him win with 26%, in fact — despite actual “scientific” polls (unlike NewsChannel9’s) showing him far below that number in Tennessee & Georgia.

Ron Paul supporters are some of the most media-savvy around, especially when it comes to so-called “new” media like the internet. Over the past few months when other stations and networks have done polls similar to ours, Ron Paul has repeatedly “won” those polls by a margin that doesn’t reflect his _actual_ national support. What that tells me is that the Paul contingent on the internet is well-connected & always gets the word out across the country when one of these polls are running. I suspect it’s what happened with our last poll to include Dr. Paul, & frankly it was a factor in our decision not to include him. This (again, unscientific) poll is trying to gauge how sentiment is leaning with voters in the Tennessee Valley, and in my judgement it’s far more accurate without people from across the country who passionately support one particular candidate trying to affect the results in that candidate’s favor.

Vote08 hopes you remember to vote today!!!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

Post your comment now!

Post from: The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

Vote08 loves feedback! After the jump, a look at some of the comments (& responses to them) the Vote08 blog has generated in the past week.

Eric says

“Obviously far more important issues at play here, but I have to strongly agree with [Barack Obama's Thursday debate] point that movie trailers (ads) played during otherwise family friendly programs have gotten too graphic. I strongly oppose any censorship of art and support the notion that it is the parents responsibility to do the filtering of media for their children. But I would love to not worry about movie ads during the 7:30 Simpsons rerun giving my kids nightmares.

Hardly what I will vote based on, I was just glad to hear someone (Barack) mention this.”

Excellent point, & also interesting to note these are Democrats criticizing Hollywood in front of Hollywood. You wouldn’t have seen this one or two elections ago.

Fishman says

I’m torn… I normally vote Republican. And I WANT to vote for a winner. However at this point I don’t believe McCain can beat Clinton. Obama maybe, but not Clinton. What do I do????

Fishman, I think you should remember John McCain’s successful track record with independents & Democrats, both in this current contest & in 2000. National polls matching up Clinton & McCain head-to-head show McCain is the Republican with the best shot (Romney doesn’t come close). If Hillary’s the nominee, she’ll lose votes from independents and Democrats who are disgusted by her; if Obama’s the nominee, McCain wins votes for those who think experience is an issue.

But remember: this election season is about choosing who you believe in, not who you think can win against the other side. Let your conscience be your guide.

Victoria writes

How short our memory must be to have forgotten the embarrasment and disgrace the Clinton’s brought to us during their occupation of the White House.
And regarding Obama, it’s terrifying to think he and his wife are Muslim. The church they claim to be members of have them listed as members only for the last two years…where was the Obama family practicing their faith before that time ?
No one seems to be able to answer this question, but frankly, it’s one that truly needs addressing to either stop or prove the Muslim statements. his country cannot handle more of what it’s already been through. We need a fresh change. It’s time for John Edwards.

Victoria, the rumor that Obama is a secret (or past) Muslim is FALSE. Go to this link & get the real story. (this site is one we at NewsChannel9 trust to help debunk urban myths & e-mail rumors on the web. It hasn’t let us down yet.)

& Susan Crain wrote a great letter to the editor in the Chattanooga Times Free Press on the topic of rumors & gossip:

“If all you read or hear during the next nine months are campaign smears & fear tactics, fight against these, no matter who is the target…. When your inbox fills up with trash & the e-mails of smear & fear, find the facts, & help defeat the lies. Make informed decisions. Just because you read it on the Internet in a “forward,” or in the newspaper does not make it true or real. Before you pass it on as fact (especially if it is sensational) … yes, check it out. Can’t find the answer? Don’t know the source? Then repeating it is little more than gossip. Gossip distorts in the telling. “Thou shalt bear no false witness against thy neighbor.” “Neighbor” is not only the person who lives next door to me.

Susan Crain’s my hero, & she’s 100% correct.

Norma writes

I am disheartened by McCain’s false accusation against Romney Jan. 26th, but I hope voters have the good sense to consider the source. I also hope McCain will give Romney a public apology. Our best candidate on the economy is Mitt Romney. He knows how to create and hold jobs. Without a strong economy, nothing else works! Romney has turned failing businesses into productive, profitable ones. Romney has real world experience with the global economy. He has used his knowledge gained as a Harvard business school and law school graduate to solve problems in private business, the Olympics and as a governor. Many consider Romney to be a economic genius.
Romney will absolutely support and defend our constitution. He supports states rights and individual rights. Romney believes in freedom. He will work for equal justice for every citizen and every state. He cares about those voters and states that other candidates have snubbed.
Romney is a man of integrity who has lived socially conservative values his entire life. He is free from the pay-back politics that always happen when a person has served many years in the senate. He will bring new vision, energy, and efficiency to office.
Romney asks the right questions, listens and learns, analyzes and evaluates carefully, and leads decisively. Romney is a TRUE Republican who is committed to the long-term strength of our nation. The more closely I examine Romney, the more I like him. Romney has my vote!

Well put, Victoria! Victoria wins points for keeping things positive, & when talking with folks about politics, that’s always the preferred route. Talk about why you’re for someone rather than against someone & you will help win folks over to your side.

Scott writes

The Clintons are trying to win ugly because they know they can’t fight fair with Obama - they lose if they do. And if and when the Clinton restoration is complete (make no mistake, this is as much a third term for Bill), they will have done what Bush has done: destory their own party.

Astute comment, Scott. You may well be correct.

Deborah writes

There are so many issues on the table for this election, however I have a nephew going to Iraq at the end of Feb. so it is in the forefront of our minds in my family. Myself and my family have been following the debates very closely so that we can make an informed decision when we cast our votes. I hope that a lot of people here in Tennessee are doing the same. The War in Iraq has to come to an end on our part(our Government and president). We cannot solve the problems of the world because we are not God all we can do is to help facilitate change in Iraq, and it is not a war that will end anytime soon. I believe there is a religious war going besides the politics of oil etc.., I am proud of all the men and women who have served in Iraq. But its time to come home so that we can better serve our own over here in the United States, because we have our own problems of hunger, homelessness, and desperation. We are suppose to be the richest country in the world and yet we seem to forget about our own people over here. The men, women, and children who go without on a daily basis it is truly a shame and I hope that when we are voting here in Tennessee we all look at the whole picture. Thank you!

Deborah, our prayers are with your nephew, & you’re certainly not alone in your concerns. I hope this election season keeps the issues Iraq raises about our long-term security on the front burner.

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