Sarah Palin, Republican Vice Presidential Candidate

[Beckwin]

@Beckwin, say something thought provoking..."he's scurred to debate Obama, LOOK!" Jesus fucking christ.

Eat a dick. He's obviously using the bailout for political posturing after taking a dive in the polls. The McCain camp is no doubt in a bit of a panic now that the palin luster has worn off in the public eye, so he needs a new stunt to try and pick things back up. Just like with the Palin pick and subsequent castle-ing, he's choosing to avoid talking about the issues in favor of goddam posturing and stunts and even worse, just like with the town hall and iraq tour bullshit, demanding Obama follow suit so he gets to look like the leader/one in charge.

[Aerin]

DuHaime added, “Quite frankly, I think you could ask Sen. Obama if he’s going to do what he thinks is right. I mean, he has never -- I believe -- never once made a decision that is an unpopular decision or went against the orthodoxy of his party, and was one that was one that was a tough decision to make. . . . Sen. McCain has done that throughout his entire career, his entire life -- not just in politics, but his life.”

Because a President always acting against public opinion, and going with what his gut (or w/e) told him to do has worked out oh so well for us the past 7 years right?

[Elvis]

Of course it's a publicity stunt. It's not like he's going to just show up and play jazz. Oh and Obama and McCain joining forces momentarily to 'save the economy'? Nigga plz.

[Tyche]

This debate is arguably the least important debate they have. It's focused on foreign policy and national security. For this format, it's not doubt he has all his eggs in a basket. If this was the 4th debate, I may buy into it, but not this one. You're theory is crackpot.

Edit: I didn;t say it wasn't transparent, it very well may be. But saying he's just scared to debate on these particular topics of focus is patently absurd.

[Iced]

Yeah, it might be a political move, so what. What he is actually showing to people is that he is concerned with the state of economics and realizes the importance this measure has on the American public.

Saying McCain is canceling a debate, a debate on Foreign Policy that he fought hard to be the first debate scheduled, because he is scared is down right ridiculous.

And how is Obama showing true to his democratic campaign as Correction puts it "like self-sacrifice and diplomacy" when is won't bother sacrificing a couple of days of his campaign and do his job and work with the senate and congress on this most pressing matter that is in the minds of the American people?

Saying he can do all 3 will to some express some kind of elitism. There is no way he can actually go around campaigning, prepare for the debate and work with fellow Senators and Congressmen to make sure that what is being done on the bail out is in the best interest of the people. He needs to man up, quit worrying about the campaign and do what is right and that is to actually do his job of being a Senator. Don't you think this will look bad in the eyes of those that this will effect, which is that 95% of people he seems to care so much about?

[Demosthenes11]

This is a good stunt by McCain, Obama not calling him on it isn't Obama being a "pussy" it's him being smart. Do not underestimate the republican political machine when it gets a juicy talking point to smear a candidate with.

Edit: "The debate is on"? Interesting. We'll see how this goes.

this

The debates are often the one and only chance for most voters to really see the candidates speak about the issues. Delaying/cancelling them will arguably help a republican campaign that appeals to emotions and 'gut instincts' like trust and personal safety rather than a democratic campaign that appeals to things they have to think about, like self-sacrifice and diplomacy.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/...ge-lakoff.html

Issues mean almost nothing in a presidential campaign, no matter how sad that is. That book is by a brilliant progressive btw, so it's not some biased source.

[aurik]

Political theater. Looking forward to the debate...if they cancel it, they're doing the nation a disservice. After all, the future of the nation is at stake. This is no time to play politics.

[Correction]

And how is Obama showing true to his democratic campaign as Correction puts it "like self-sacrifice and diplomacy" when is won't bother sacrificing a couple of days of his campaign and do his job and work with the senate and congress on this most pressing matter that is in the minds of the American people?

The debates are the most important events in the presidential election before election day. It's more than 'just a few days' out of his campaign. Any way you slice it nixing the debates hurts Obama more than McCain at this juncture and he'd be an idiot to simply capitulate and say 'okay fuck the debates.'

[aurik]

Saying McCain is canceling a debate, a debate on Foreign Policy that he fought hard to be the first debate scheduled, because he is scared is down right ridiculous.

Actually, it was scheduled to be the subject of the 3rd debate until the Obama campaign asked for it to be moved to the 1st.

In return, the McCain campaign won a reformat of the VP debate to protect Palin from the Biden.

[Dimmauk]

You know Diva McCain is gunna show. Does he seriously think giving Obama even more Primetime air time is a good thing? Who is advising the old man?

[Kuya]

No we don't vote for the president, and i agree with what's been said; Republicans have always been keen to use distractions. Demagogues are their finest.

[Demosthenes11]

you guys seriously don't know how cognitive political science works do you? lol

[quannum]

Yeah, and McCain's campaign has made its talking points based on "OH FUCK THE MEDIA, YO" so they don't have anything to lose there (it's sick how many people buy it, too.)

the financial bailout is in the tank for obama

[Maxxthepenguin]

you guys seriously don't know how cognitive political science works do you? lol

lol I somewhat know how it works; I think it's a really bad thing though and people who abuse it fully are kind of douchebags.

[Dimmauk]

No we don't vote for the president, and i agree with what's been said; Republicans have always been keen to use distractions. Demagogues are their finest.

It almost reminds me of when Ric Flair would beg for mercy in the corner, then BAM, punch to the stomach or eye gouge.

[Elvis]

Yeah, it might be a political move, so what.

What he is actually showing to people is that he is concerned with the state of economics and realizes the importance this measure has on the American public.

No. He's not going to save the economy in a day. Not in a week. Not in a month. This is entirely superficial.

Saying McCain is canceling a debate, a debate on Foreign Policy that he fought hard to be the first debate scheduled, because he is scared is down right ridiculous.

It's not ridiculous at all. However, I don't think he's scared or using this photo-op to gain more time for his debate prep.

And how is Obama showing true to his democratic campaign as Correction puts it "like self-sacrifice and diplomacy" when is won't bother sacrificing a couple of days of his campaign and do his job and work with the senate and congress on this most pressing matter that is in the minds of the American people?

I don't know what exactly Obama is thinking but I think he's using his common sense. Tell me, what either of them will do of any substance for 1-2 days? Let's go longer. What if McCain and Obama had a week? This is fucking stupid. It's all for show.

And don't talk about "pressing [matters]" for the American people. Lipstick on a pig. Enough said.

This is ANOTHER DISTRACTION in a LONG LINE of DISTRACTIONS. It's just like that McCain ad that implies Obama wants to teach "sex to preschoolers." It's disengenous and entirely fake.

Saying he can do all 3 will to some express some kind of elitism.

I agree to an extent. We haven't heard Obama address this directly though. In any case, thinking they can 'solve' the crisis while doing whatever else they're doing is as vapid as McCain suspending the debate to 'save the economy.'

There is no way he can actually go around campaigning, prepare for the debate and work with fellow Senators and Congressmen to make sure that what is being done on the bail out is in the best interest of the people. He needs to man up, quit worrying about the campaign and do what is right and that is to actually do his job of being a Senator. Don't you think this will look bad in the eyes of those that this will effect, which is that 95% of people he seems to care so much about?

Oh gee. Please, feel free to pick and choose the bullshit that's gone on throughout this campaign. This is what American politics are about. The same people who sell us the candidates, also sell us toothpaste and cars.

Let's focus on the stances of these candidates on issues of importance (like the economy) and not on bullshit photo-ops.

[Demosthenes11]

lol I somewhat know how it works; I think it's a really bad thing though and people who abuse it fully are kind of douchebags.

republicans been doing it for 30+ years now and leading progressives are now pushing for them to start the same. Liberals have been inadvertently helping republicans win the elections for a long time. Progressive leadership just feels like they are above it and want to stick to "logos" tactics with the election, when republicans know "pathos" wins the election. Republican candidates are much more practiced with the words they use and the way they say it because of this. It's why McCain is attempting to adopt Reagan's speaking. It's why Obama got dominated at the smaller "debate" a few months ago now.
Reagan's campaign adviser wondered why Reagan was winning in the polls when he was behind in every single issue.

Democrats will have a hell of a time winning if they don't decide to change the way they do things and soon - for cognitive change occurs over a long period of time.

[Beckwin]

Obama: "We both got big planes with our slogans painted on em. They can get us from Washington to Mississippi pretty easily."

[Elvis]

The issue awareness studies during the 2000 and 2004 election are very telling. They tell us that Republican voters did not know the issues well and did not even know the stance of their candidate on these issues. I.e, Bush's position on the Kyoto Protocols.

So yea, McCain is doing what Republicans do best: sell the product.

Cue Bill Hicks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDW_H...eature=related

But yea. I mean Obama is no different with that 'Hope' and 'Change' stuff. I just about hurled when Oprah said he was "the one." The one what? Neo? 9000 PENISES

[Maxxthepenguin]

republicans been doing it for 30+ years now and leading progressives are now pushing for them to start the same. Liberals have been inadvertently helping republicans win the elections for a long time. Progressive leadership just feels like they are above it and want to stick to "logos" tactics with the election, when republicans know "pathos" wins the election. Republican candidates are much more practiced with the words they use and the way they say it because of this. It's why McCain is attempting to adopt Reagan's speaking. It's why Obama got dominated at the smaller "debate" a few months ago now.
Reagan's campaign adviser wondered why Reagan was winning in the polls when he was behind in every single issue.

Democrats will have a hell of a time winning if they don't decide to change the way they do things and soon - for cognitive change occurs over a long period of time.

And you think those influences are the best way to choose a leader? You're glad that that's the reason people are chosen?