Comments on: When you can’t answer a question simply blame the person asking

By: Russ

Russ — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:50:51 +0000

Its true that she did not reject spending, but its also true that she rejected wasteful spending which is what the entire controversy is about. You may say she changed her mind because of public opinion, others may say she changed it because she collected more facts.

The whole idea of citizens of a state sending money to the federal government only to have it doled out in bits and pieces back to states often with requirements is something I personally disdain, so long as federal taxes remain at their current level, there is no alternative. (To make the point more clear, federal taxes should only cover federal programs)

By: J5

J5 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:31:46 +0000

Russ, that is a pretty skewed view of the amendment process. The amendment itself was overwhelmingly rejected though one can not draw an inference that the people who rejected it were in favour of the rider, only that they thought it was an inappropriate amendment. That could mean they disagreed with how it was amended and not on the principle. It is hard to speculate on the reasoning since unlike the supreme court votes do not require written explanations.

Gov. Palin supported the bridge to nowhere but then decided that public support was not behind it. The problem was not that she didn’t build the bridge or changed her mind but that she used it as an example of her killing pork barrel spending. But she still got the pork and used it. Hey I wouldn’t reject money to help my state either but don’t turn around and try to say you did something you didn’t.

By: Russ

Russ — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:06:13 +0000

Bad spellcheck, sorry, thats constitutionalist, not conventionalist.

By: Russ

Russ — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:04:31 +0000

I’m sorry, I just thought that the questions were incredibly stupid and thus had no real right answer. Like the one asking if he supports the return of slavery since he is a conventionalist.

You might note that Biden and Obama actually voted *for* the bridge to nowhere (instead of diverting the money to Katrina):

http://www.cdobs.com/archive/our-columns/obama-and-biden-voted-for-bridge-to-nowhere,1628/

I’m confused too as to why people say that she did not kill the bridge to nowhere. Congress removed the requirement that the money be spent on the bridge, but still sent the money. That isn’t “killing”. Palin could have wasted the money on the bridge, but instead killed the project and instead spent the money on other, more important infrastructure.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:30:11 +0000

J5, I’ll have to get back to you after the next one I see, right now all I have in my head is vague impressions

By: J5

J5 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:25:12 +0000

Dan can you cite an ad? So far non of the ads that Obama has put out by Obama have been cited for errors on FactCheck.org. There have been a couple of independent organizations which have put out misleading information but none of them have been even remotely linked to Obama or his campaign. If you are just talking about the tone of the ad's well that isn't really as important as if the content is correct. Quick analogy since I just got a dog - most people would be horrified to watch big dogs play with each other. They are pretty rough and to someone who doesn't understand it might be a traumatizing experience but that is just how big dogs play. There is a fine line between rough housing and fighting however. In politics, in my opinion, it goes over the line when the attacks have no bearing on policy (aka what that person would do in office), becomes ad hominin or outright lies. UPDATE: I just checked - FactCheck did find one ad which came from the Obama Campaign which does distort McCain's Education voting history. That still doesn't come close to the McCain campaign claiming Obama voted for Sex Ed classes for kindergarten kids. Still, Obama doesn't get a pass for his ad.

By: J5

J5 — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:08:58 +0000

So far Obama has spoken his mind. There is a difference between carefully choosing your words, changing your mind (which all of us do), and saying what you want people to hear while coveting a different stance.

Sorry though, I’m a realest and third parties still have yet to prove themselves by coming up with a unified agenda that can unite the majority of voters. I will say this one of the few elections I don’t feel like I am voting for the lesser of two evils.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:05:08 +0000

While I will probably be still be voting for Obama, I’ve also lost respect for him. I live in a swing state where we see a lot of political ads; Obama’s are barely any less insulting to my intelligence than McCain’s. I find myself disappointed with both candidates.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:10:34 +0000

from what you write, it sounds likely that you will vote for Obama. hopefully you realize that the democratic party uses the exact same techniques, and Obama in particular (just like McCain) simply panders to whoever he is talking to, and often DOES much different than he SAYS. if you are not already aware of the third-party options, please take a look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_party_(United_States)_presidential_candidates,_2008

myself, i am supporting Bob Barr, the most likely of the above mentioned candidates. cheers, and happy voting, for whoever you decide to.