Barack Obama answered all John McCain's complaints about his overseas trip today with one simple sentence.
He said he was surprised by Mr. McCain's reaction because it was Mr. McCain who suggested he should go.
That's not to mention all the countdown clocks maintained by Fox News and similar "august" institutions, noting how many days it had been since Senator Obama last traveled to Iraq.
These guys are such hypocrites, they don't even acknowledge when you take their advice.
Meanwhile, Senator Obama was treated to a hero's welcome, and you know one reason why?
Because he was an adult who actually listened to their concerns and showed a modicum of intelligence. It's been eight long years under President Bush, and American citizens aren't the only ones chafing for a change.
Meanwhile, John McCain has sold out to the Republican establishment, and despite his infrequent attempts to renew his maverick status, he is totally trapped by them.
This man is not the same as the one from 2000 for many other reasons. He's become significantly older, forgets key facts and becomes nasty and ornery when things don't go his way. After eight long years with Bush, must we suffer through the childish snits of another Republican?
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Obama Overseas
It makes me proud to be an American:
--To see the noblest aspects of our nature, not the caricatured picture of our greed.
--To see anything is possible in America, for anyone of any race.
--To see the world looking to our leadership again.
--To think we will be cheered in Europe instead of causing riots in the street.
--To have hope again for the future of our world.
--To be inspired again.
--To believe a rising tide will lift all boats, not just the rich.
--To know government may accomplish positive change instead of partisan rancor.
--To be rid of the hypocrisy of politicans using religion for personal advantage.
--To celebrate our diversity rather than having it used as a wedge to divide us.
--To see a future President who has a pretty good jump shot.
To see Obama overseas.
--To see the noblest aspects of our nature, not the caricatured picture of our greed.
--To see anything is possible in America, for anyone of any race.
--To see the world looking to our leadership again.
--To think we will be cheered in Europe instead of causing riots in the street.
--To have hope again for the future of our world.
--To be inspired again.
--To believe a rising tide will lift all boats, not just the rich.
--To know government may accomplish positive change instead of partisan rancor.
--To be rid of the hypocrisy of politicans using religion for personal advantage.
--To celebrate our diversity rather than having it used as a wedge to divide us.
--To see a future President who has a pretty good jump shot.
To see Obama overseas.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Obama, The Republicans and Catch 22
Here's just a few "Catch 22" situations and hypocrisy I've observed from the recent campaign.
1. Obama is criticized for his position on Iraq and then when he moderates his stance, he's accused of being a flip-flopper.
2. When there was a lot of violence in Iraq, we had to keep the troops in to maintain stability, then when the violence declines, we have to stay in or all our gains will be lost.
3. We needed large tax cuts as a peace dividend when the economy was going well, then we needed large tax cuts as a stimulus when the economy was going poorly.
4. Bush tried to open ANWAR for drilling before energy prices went up, and we needed to drill after prices went up.
5. Bush was planning to invade Iraq before 9/11, then the tragedy was used as an excuse for war after 9/11.
6. We needed to cut Social Security always at all times. The current exemption of higher earnings from Social Security taxes would fix the situation, but somehow that isn't proposed as a solution.
7. Somehow regulation of the market regarding oil speculators isn't mentioned as an alternative to lower gas prices, even though everyone seems to agree that it's the speculation, and not supply and demand, that is driving the increase.
8. McCain says the economy is not his strong suit, then spends all his time campaigning about it.
9. Bush is a good President for McCain's private fundraisers, but then is shunned in all public situations.
10. McCain is a maverick and an orthodox Republican at the same time.
This is just a short list of contradictions, lies and deception. I'm sure the reader can think of many more.
1. Obama is criticized for his position on Iraq and then when he moderates his stance, he's accused of being a flip-flopper.
2. When there was a lot of violence in Iraq, we had to keep the troops in to maintain stability, then when the violence declines, we have to stay in or all our gains will be lost.
3. We needed large tax cuts as a peace dividend when the economy was going well, then we needed large tax cuts as a stimulus when the economy was going poorly.
4. Bush tried to open ANWAR for drilling before energy prices went up, and we needed to drill after prices went up.
5. Bush was planning to invade Iraq before 9/11, then the tragedy was used as an excuse for war after 9/11.
6. We needed to cut Social Security always at all times. The current exemption of higher earnings from Social Security taxes would fix the situation, but somehow that isn't proposed as a solution.
7. Somehow regulation of the market regarding oil speculators isn't mentioned as an alternative to lower gas prices, even though everyone seems to agree that it's the speculation, and not supply and demand, that is driving the increase.
8. McCain says the economy is not his strong suit, then spends all his time campaigning about it.
9. Bush is a good President for McCain's private fundraisers, but then is shunned in all public situations.
10. McCain is a maverick and an orthodox Republican at the same time.
This is just a short list of contradictions, lies and deception. I'm sure the reader can think of many more.
Monday, July 7, 2008
10 Suggestions for Obama and McCain: Try PR 101
Here's a note to both candidates regarding some fundamental tenets of public relations (see my company website at www.cioediting.com -- Cut-It-Out Communications -- for my professional qualifications).
1. First, get all your ducks in a row. Both Obama and McCain need to control their own surrogates a little more. Wesley Clarke shouldn't be making controversial remarks on Face the Nation, and Charlie Black shouldn't be fantasizing about political implications of the next terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
2. Choose no more than three talking points and stick to them. Both campaigns need to emphasize just a few themes to the exclusion of all others. I know there seem to be so many great topics out there, but the impact gets minimized when it's Iraq one day, the economy the next, and health insurance third. Bill Clinton had a way to focus when he told his campaign, "It's the economy, stupid."
3. Decide who's your target audience. It's nice for McCain to be concerned about the environment to go after independents, but his support for the Bush tax cuts tends to drive them away.
4. Pay attention to details. Things like the ugly green backdrop for McCain's speech after Obama won the nomination... And, if Obama's going to triangulate by talking about "refining" his Iraq policy, he'd better be prepared for the reaction, and not have to call another press conference to explain it.
5. Be consistent. McCain can't complain about Obama's failure to consider the realities on the ground in Iraq and then criticize him for flip flopping when he announces his trip to do so.
6. This one's primarily for McCain: Learn how to read a teleprompter already. It may be cute to brag you've never used a computer, but this tends turn off voters younger than 70. If you can't handle fundamental electronic equipment, maybe you should find a less demanding occupation.
7. Another for McCain: When your opponent has the eloquence and persuasive charm of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., all rolled into one, it might be helpful to learn how to give a speech. Like when to smile, when to pause, when to pause and smile, etc. You can't hold town hall meetings for the entire campaign.
8. Stick to your strong points. I know Obama's a capable guy, but why does he want to fight the campaign on national security, his opponent's best asset? Is this a matter of egotism? And why does McCain brag about his age during every speech?
9. Provide a long-term vision. We're all sick of the daily back and forth on who said what when.
10. Don't triangulate. This favorite tactic of Bill Clinton doesn't work when there's 24/7 cable news coverage, and every word you say is being recorded for posterity.
Just a few minor tips for the pros and their campaign staffs...
1. First, get all your ducks in a row. Both Obama and McCain need to control their own surrogates a little more. Wesley Clarke shouldn't be making controversial remarks on Face the Nation, and Charlie Black shouldn't be fantasizing about political implications of the next terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
2. Choose no more than three talking points and stick to them. Both campaigns need to emphasize just a few themes to the exclusion of all others. I know there seem to be so many great topics out there, but the impact gets minimized when it's Iraq one day, the economy the next, and health insurance third. Bill Clinton had a way to focus when he told his campaign, "It's the economy, stupid."
3. Decide who's your target audience. It's nice for McCain to be concerned about the environment to go after independents, but his support for the Bush tax cuts tends to drive them away.
4. Pay attention to details. Things like the ugly green backdrop for McCain's speech after Obama won the nomination... And, if Obama's going to triangulate by talking about "refining" his Iraq policy, he'd better be prepared for the reaction, and not have to call another press conference to explain it.
5. Be consistent. McCain can't complain about Obama's failure to consider the realities on the ground in Iraq and then criticize him for flip flopping when he announces his trip to do so.
6. This one's primarily for McCain: Learn how to read a teleprompter already. It may be cute to brag you've never used a computer, but this tends turn off voters younger than 70. If you can't handle fundamental electronic equipment, maybe you should find a less demanding occupation.
7. Another for McCain: When your opponent has the eloquence and persuasive charm of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., all rolled into one, it might be helpful to learn how to give a speech. Like when to smile, when to pause, when to pause and smile, etc. You can't hold town hall meetings for the entire campaign.
8. Stick to your strong points. I know Obama's a capable guy, but why does he want to fight the campaign on national security, his opponent's best asset? Is this a matter of egotism? And why does McCain brag about his age during every speech?
9. Provide a long-term vision. We're all sick of the daily back and forth on who said what when.
10. Don't triangulate. This favorite tactic of Bill Clinton doesn't work when there's 24/7 cable news coverage, and every word you say is being recorded for posterity.
Just a few minor tips for the pros and their campaign staffs...
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