September 12, 2008
Unaccompanied Thought
From what I have seen thus far of Charlie Gibson's interview with Palin, his questions have been almost exclusively policy related questions. Not "pig on lipstick" questions. Where was this Charlie Gibson during the ABC hosted Democratic primary debate last April?
Dangerous
James Fallows points out that we all have our areas of interest. Some like sports, some like fine dining, some like music, some like international affairs. Our ability to speak on these issues intelligently and with fluency is directly related to our interest in them. If you are not sufficiently interested in them then you wont have familiarized yourself with broader points of an ongoing debate surrounding that issue. This interview seems to make clear this is the case with Palin and international affairs.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with not having an interest in international affairs, it does seem disqualifying for someone who is supposed to be ready to be commander in chief should they ever be required to do so for reasons tragic or otherwise.
But here is the money quote from James
A further point. The truly toxic combination of traits GW Bush brought to decision making was:
1) Ignorance
2) Lack of curiosity
3) "Decisiveness"
That is, he was not broadly informed to begin with (point 1). He did not seek out new information (#2); but he nonetheless prided himself (#3) on making broad, bold decisions quickly, and then sticking to them to show resoluteness.
This looks an awful lot like Palin's response above. To accept such a combination of qualities is not only undesirable, its dangerous.
QRM
Much in the way that many of Orwell's journal entries seem to be centered around the weather, I find that most of mine seem to be centered around food. Having thus established this...
Drill, Baby, Drill!!!
From Ezra...
This, it should be noted, is the primary solution emphasized by the woman John McCain says"knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America." At least he left a "probably" in there as a hedge.
Incidentally, that comment is actually a little chilling. Imagine Sarah Palin was actually an extremely learned governor on energy issues, rather than just an extremely effective shill for Alaskan energy interests. She still wouldn't be the country's leading energy expert. She's been governor of Alaska for 18 months. She did not study energy before that. She is not a hydrocarbon engineer, or an energy economist. She is not a geologist or a surveyor. She studied journalism in college, and did not proceed to cover energy as a beat. Obviously, it's a good and authentic thing that John McCain is utterly unaware of the existence of expert opinion on this issue, and I wouldn't dare criticize his inspiring
faith in the common-sense wisdom of the finest governor Alaska has had within the last year, but it's still worth pointing out.
Cooling a Hyper-Sensitivity
Yesterday morning, it goes without saying, I was pretty depressed - a knee-jerk reaction, really, to a currently unfavorable trend for the Obama campaign. I feel I have regained a certain degree of composure and feel once again confident in Obama's (and in my opinion the American people's) future prospects. Here is where a little perspective is useful. When I think about the state of the primary race leading up to its last couple of months it was equally hand-wringing. But one thing Obama never did was listen to all the unsolicited advice calling for drastic actions. These actions betray desperation. Obama's actions on the contrary have always thus far been measured and appropriate to the task at hand - a quality that seems remarkably demonstrative of how he would approach crises as president and which reflects a temperament that has been conspicuously absent in the oval office over the last eight years. He avoids the knee-jerk reactions that seem all too inherently natural and necessary to the rest of us. The following quote from the New York Times' Adam Nagourney is relevant here...
This may sound typical of the rhetoric one would expect from a campaign that seems to have lost a bit of steam as of late. I would believe so as well had I not already been through this during the primaries when Obama was faced with a far more formidable candidate in Clinton.
At this point, instead of screaming, yelling, ranting and raving about what Obama should do, what opportunities he is missing, what line of attack he should be taking, I think we could all do ourselves a favor and realize that thus far Obama has proven not only to be a talented speaker, and someone whose stances on the issues jive better with the broader trends of the American populace, but also a talented and redoubtable politician.
... Mr. Obama’s aides said they were confident with the course of the campaign. They said that, other than making some shifts around the edges, particularly in response to Mr. McCain’s effort to seize the change issue from Mr. Obama, they were not planning any major deviation from a strategy that called for a steady escalation of attacks on Mr. McCain as the race heads toward the debates.
[...]
“We’re sensitive to the fluid dynamics of the campaign, but we have a game plan and a strategy,” said Mr. Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe. “We’re familiar with this. And I’m sure between now and Nov. 4 there will be another period of hand-wringing and bed-wetting. It comes with the territory.”
This may sound typical of the rhetoric one would expect from a campaign that seems to have lost a bit of steam as of late. I would believe so as well had I not already been through this during the primaries when Obama was faced with a far more formidable candidate in Clinton.
At this point, instead of screaming, yelling, ranting and raving about what Obama should do, what opportunities he is missing, what line of attack he should be taking, I think we could all do ourselves a favor and realize that thus far Obama has proven not only to be a talented speaker, and someone whose stances on the issues jive better with the broader trends of the American populace, but also a talented and redoubtable politician.
Winning Arguments
I received this email over a year ago but I was just going over some old emails and I think this one deserves reissuing.
I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. You too can win arguments. Simply follow these rules:
Suppose you are at a party and some hotshot intellectual is expounding on the economy of Peru, a subject you know nothing about. If you're drinking some health-fanatic drink like grapefruit juice, you'll hang back, afraid to display your ignorance, while the hotshot enthralls your date. But if you drink several large martinis, you'll discover you have STRONG VIEWS about the Peruvian economy. You'll be a WEALTH of information. You'll argue forcefully, offering searing insights and possibly upsetting furniture. People will be impressed. Some may leave the room.
Suppose, in the Peruvian economy argument, you are trying to prove that Peruvians are underpaid, a position you base solely on the fact that YOU are underpaid, and you'll be damned if you're going to let a bunch of Peruvians be better off. DON'T say: "I think Peruvians are underpaid." Say instead: "The average Peruvian's salary in 1981 dollars adjusted for the revised tax base is $1, 452.81 per annum, which is $836.07 before the mean gross poverty level."
If an opponent asks you where you got your information, make THAT up too. Say: "This information comes from Dr. Hovel T. Moon's study for the Buford Commission published on May 9, 1982. Didn't you read it?" Say this in the same tone of voice you would use to say, "You left your soiled underwear in my bathroom."
Memorize this list:
Let me put it this way
In terms of
Vis-a-vis
Per se
As it were
Qua
So to speak
You should also memorize some Latin abbreviations such as "Q.E.D.", "e.g.", and "i.e." These are all short for "I speak Latin, and you don't."
Here's how to use these words and phrases. Suppose you want to say, "Peruvians would like to order appetizers more often, but they don't have enough money."
You never win arguments talking like that. But you WILL win if you say, "Let me put it this way. In terms of appetizers vis-a-vis Peruvians qua Peruvians, they would like to order them more often, so to speak, but they do not have enough money per se, as it were. Q.E.D."
Only a fool would challenge that statement.
You need an arsenal of all-purpose irrelevant phrases to fire back at your opponents when they make valid points. The best are:
You're begging the question.
You're being defensive.
Don't compare apples to oranges.
What are your parameters?
This last one is especially valuable. Nobody (other than engineers and policy wonks) has the vaguest idea what "parameters" means.
Here's how to use your comebacks:
You say: As Abraham Lincoln said in 1873...
Your opponent says: Lincoln died in 1865.
You say: You're begging the question.
You say: Liberians, like most Asians...
Your opponent says: Liberia is in Africa.
You say: You're being defensive.
So that's it. You now know how to out-argue anybody.
HOW TO ARGUE AND WIN EVERYTIME
I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. You too can win arguments. Simply follow these rules:
Drink liquor
Suppose you are at a party and some hotshot intellectual is expounding on the economy of Peru, a subject you know nothing about. If you're drinking some health-fanatic drink like grapefruit juice, you'll hang back, afraid to display your ignorance, while the hotshot enthralls your date. But if you drink several large martinis, you'll discover you have STRONG VIEWS about the Peruvian economy. You'll be a WEALTH of information. You'll argue forcefully, offering searing insights and possibly upsetting furniture. People will be impressed. Some may leave the room.
Make things up
Suppose, in the Peruvian economy argument, you are trying to prove that Peruvians are underpaid, a position you base solely on the fact that YOU are underpaid, and you'll be damned if you're going to let a bunch of Peruvians be better off. DON'T say: "I think Peruvians are underpaid." Say instead: "The average Peruvian's salary in 1981 dollars adjusted for the revised tax base is $1, 452.81 per annum, which is $836.07 before the mean gross poverty level."
NOTE: Always make up exact figures
Use meaningless but weighty-sounding words and phrases.
Memorize this list:
Let me put it this way
In terms of
Vis-a-vis
Per se
As it were
Qua
So to speak
You should also memorize some Latin abbreviations such as "Q.E.D.", "e.g.", and "i.e." These are all short for "I speak Latin, and you don't."
Here's how to use these words and phrases. Suppose you want to say, "Peruvians would like to order appetizers more often, but they don't have enough money."
You never win arguments talking like that. But you WILL win if you say, "Let me put it this way. In terms of appetizers vis-a-vis Peruvians qua Peruvians, they would like to order them more often, so to speak, but they do not have enough money per se, as it were. Q.E.D."
Only a fool would challenge that statement.
Use snappy and irrelevant comebacks
You need an arsenal of all-purpose irrelevant phrases to fire back at your opponents when they make valid points. The best are:
You're begging the question.
You're being defensive.
Don't compare apples to oranges.
What are your parameters?
This last one is especially valuable. Nobody (other than engineers and policy wonks) has the vaguest idea what "parameters" means.
Here's how to use your comebacks:
You say: As Abraham Lincoln said in 1873...
Your opponent says: Lincoln died in 1865.
You say: You're begging the question.
You say: Liberians, like most Asians...
Your opponent says: Liberia is in Africa.
You say: You're being defensive.
So that's it. You now know how to out-argue anybody.
September 11, 2008
Let Us Remember
A Good Place To Start
Civics is grossly underrepresented in today's classrooms. I have not read through the textbooks but Project Citizen seems to get at the right idea.
Entire classes of students or members of youth or adult organizations work cooperatively to identify a public policy problem in their community. They then research the problem, evaluate alternative solutions, develop their own solution in the form of a public policy, and create a political action plan to enlist local or state authorities to adopt their proposed policy. Participants develop a portfolio of their work and present their project in a public hearing showcase before a panel of civic-minded community members.
Quote of the Day
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.
- Thomas Jefferson
Some Good Advice
Not just for Obama but for all of us who are pulling our hair out.
From Andrew Sullivan...
If you had told me two months ago that this would be the state of the race at this point I would have told you you were crazy. I have gone through a wide range of emotions over the last week and a half since Palin was tapped as McCain's runningmate - first shock, then cautious optimism, then tepid concern, now depression. I think the recent polls say a lot about the degree of maturity with which the electorate is approaching this election. If this election had ANYTHING to do with the issues that affect American's Obama would be blowing McCain out of the water. Unfortunately the arguments for Palin (not McCain mind you) are that she is tough, she knows what I am going through, and I can relate to her. These are admirable qualities. I have learned a concept while preparing for the LSAT that seems to me very appropriately applied here - the average voter is apparently mistaking a necessary condition for a sufficient condition. That is, while it may be necessary for our leaders to be tough and able to relate to what we are going through it is not sufficient. It does not qualify you for the position. I still have yet to hear from anyone who is not a surrogate one policy area that they agree with her on. I don't blame them - she doesn't spend much time talking about policy so how could they know. But a candidate's stance on the issues goes a long way in bridging the gap between necessary and sufficient conditions. Perhaps not the entire gap but they too are indispensable, they too are necessary. Yet they are being almost entirely ignored.
While I don't lend too much credence to polls normally, they can be indicators of broad general trends. So while a poll showing Obama up by 2 or 3 nationally doesnt really tell you whether or not he is up it does tell you that the race is relatively close. So as Obama has gone from an average of 6 or 8 point lead to being down by about 2 or 3 points it has become obvious that the trend is not in his favor regardless of his actual position. This together with what I said above is the primary source of my current depression. It is not that Obama is not doing well, its why he is not doing well and what that says about the current intellectual maturity of the electorate and the lack of seriousness with which they are approaching this election.
From Andrew Sullivan...
Just a word about the usual excrescence from Karl Rove this morning. Obama knows this lipstick thing is a cynical, knowingly dishonest attempt to push the news cycle one more day into triviality before Palin has to actually face real scrutiny, and we have our first chance to see whether she is who she says she is. It's a desperate tactic to run out the clock or to find a way to navigate the now-tsunami of evidence that Sarah Palin is unfit for the vice-presidency on account of her total lack of knowledge or expertise in foreign affairs, the thinnness and extremism and recklessness of her public record as mayor and governor, and the obvious and most important fact that she clearly cannot be trusted to tell the truth.
Obama mustn't let these schoolyard tactics unbalance him. He hasn't in the slightest, so far, mind you, a feat of astonishing mental and psychological calm. My advice for what it's worth: Hang in. The facts are on your side and the issues are overwhelmingly in your favor. They're trying to force you to blink. Don't. Hysteria will end at some point.
Patience and steel.
Patience and steel
If you had told me two months ago that this would be the state of the race at this point I would have told you you were crazy. I have gone through a wide range of emotions over the last week and a half since Palin was tapped as McCain's runningmate - first shock, then cautious optimism, then tepid concern, now depression. I think the recent polls say a lot about the degree of maturity with which the electorate is approaching this election. If this election had ANYTHING to do with the issues that affect American's Obama would be blowing McCain out of the water. Unfortunately the arguments for Palin (not McCain mind you) are that she is tough, she knows what I am going through, and I can relate to her. These are admirable qualities. I have learned a concept while preparing for the LSAT that seems to me very appropriately applied here - the average voter is apparently mistaking a necessary condition for a sufficient condition. That is, while it may be necessary for our leaders to be tough and able to relate to what we are going through it is not sufficient. It does not qualify you for the position. I still have yet to hear from anyone who is not a surrogate one policy area that they agree with her on. I don't blame them - she doesn't spend much time talking about policy so how could they know. But a candidate's stance on the issues goes a long way in bridging the gap between necessary and sufficient conditions. Perhaps not the entire gap but they too are indispensable, they too are necessary. Yet they are being almost entirely ignored.
While I don't lend too much credence to polls normally, they can be indicators of broad general trends. So while a poll showing Obama up by 2 or 3 nationally doesnt really tell you whether or not he is up it does tell you that the race is relatively close. So as Obama has gone from an average of 6 or 8 point lead to being down by about 2 or 3 points it has become obvious that the trend is not in his favor regardless of his actual position. This together with what I said above is the primary source of my current depression. It is not that Obama is not doing well, its why he is not doing well and what that says about the current intellectual maturity of the electorate and the lack of seriousness with which they are approaching this election.
September 10, 2008
September 9, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Micah - my brother, my best friend, and a really tall dude. Allah ka fete diya!
September 7, 2008
Who Needs Books Anyway?
Lessons learned from this video:
1) Mega sports centers good (especially ones that perpetually operate on subsidies and therefore continue to be a drain on the financial viability of a small town)
2) Libraries bad (especially ones with books containing words in them that we don't like)
And we are supposed to be believe she is a fiscal conservative??? Just imagine this type of decision making carried out on a national level.
I am not against a sports center if it is an economically intelligent idea to pursue. Especially in a small town with few other opportunities for generating revenue (so we can afford that library). But I'd love to see the business plan which suggested that this was going to be a profitable endeavor. While I value sports in society if I had to choose between a publicly funded play area and a publicly funded library and it was my job to promote the well-being of my community, I would error on the side of education.
September 6, 2008
Culture Wars!
Does anyone actually want to be engaged in this kind of culture war? Is this the kind of division that serves anyone's best interest? What part of community organizing does not put country first? How does Palin's rhetoric here put country first? I understand that for a long time small town America has felt looked down on by the "liberal elite." But its not the liberal elite that have shit on your country for the last eight years. And now that we are given a chance to reflect upon the destructiveness of our being so divided over the last couple of decades why are we not bleeding a desire to really put our country first by putting that which divides us aside? In this election who even attempts to offer us a chance at this? McCain? Palin???
QRM
I have fallen into a bit of a crush with Carla Bruni - yes, that Carla Bruni, the first lady (or is it the third lady?) of France. Her new album, "No Promises" is as folksy and sexy as I have heard. To get an idea go to emusic and have a listen.
PS - Anyone else find the album title ironic coming from a politician's wife?
Mutual Bounce = Wash
At this point it looks like the Democratic and Republican conventions provided moderate bounces for their respective candidates effectively making them a wash. What they did do was bring the electorate into the race. As hard as it might be to imagine, I think the majority of the American people have not been paying close attention to the campaigns thus far but the Palin tabloids and resulting drama have sparked people's interest and, in my opinion, reduced politics down to its lowest common denominator. Depressing. But at least people are paying attention now as was demonstrated by Obama, Palin, and McCain each grabbing record breaking ratings for their convention speeches (Palin for a VP and Obama and McCain for Ps).
So the question now is, Now that they have the audiences attention what are the candidates going to do with it? Honestly, I don't know. Most of what I have heard and read seems to cohere around the idea that Obama should ignore Palin and go after McCain. And although McCain looks better off than before the conventions in terms of having injected some life back into his campaign, I don't think there is much consensus about where he goes from here. Most people believe that he has effectively rallied the base. But in a year when only 28% of the electorate identifies themselves as Republicans, I am not sure that's really what he wanted to do.
Personally, I think Obama went too far on focusing on the issues. He needs to find a good balance. Before he was "all talk" and got a reputation as a Hollywood star with many admitting to Obama fatigue. Since then - and for the most part during the convention - he tried to get back to the meat and potatoes issues that really effect people's lives. Both are appealing to me. But, although I wish the American people at large based their decisions to a greater degree on the issues, it is pretty obvious that this most do not. If McCain can make this race about character and personal biography, he stands a chance. If Obama can make this about the issues and reclaiming America's position as a valued leader in the world then McCain is toast. We'll see...
September 5, 2008
QRM
These two make a great combination!
I have found that I have a growing affinity for an almost masochistic level spiciness. Its not good until your sweating, your eyes are watering, and your nose is running.
I have found that I have a growing affinity for an almost masochistic level spiciness. Its not good until your sweating, your eyes are watering, and your nose is running.
QRM
I am apparently alone among my friends who think that McCain's speech was politically effective.
September 4, 2008
Great Finish
Here are my initial thought in all their unrefinedness...
The very ending of John McCain's speech sounded almost as if Obama had delivered it. Well not quite. He is not the orator Obama is but at the end I actually had a bit of goosebumpage. It was obviously from a very conservative perspective in that there was plenty of emphasis on being strong and standing up for and fighting for what's right as opposed to Obama's we can all do this together if we work together. Definitely a difference in tone between those two messages but I think they both work for their respective presenters. I didn't hear too much specifics on policies but at least he focused some of his attention back on the American people. And I still think that the majority of his speech sounded more like the acceptance speech for a Medal of Honor than a expounding of what he would do as President for the average American. Overall, though I think this will be politically effective.
Palin's Speech
Best response I have read so far...
Over the past week, Palin had begun looking like a character from Twin Peaks. Tonight, she looked like an up-and-coming Republican politician. It was an auspicious debut, the sort of address that would be judged a success if she were a newcomer keynoting the convention. She landed clean punches, temporarily silenced some of her critics, and retold John McCain's story with a keen sense for the drama of his experience. But I expected more. As delivered, the speech was effective as theater but curiously hollow as an enduring campaign argument: It contained the seeds of a medal ceremony for McCain, and marked Palin as a politician to watch, but it said nothing about the presidency she hopes to be part of.From Ezra Klein
An early example came in the halfhearted attempt to redefine Sarah Palin. No one doubts that things have happened in Alaska over the past 18 months, and Palin has been involved in some of them. But I wasn't quite expecting them to cede the 42 years before she assumed the governorship.
The crucial juncture came early in the speech. They had the opening to weave a narrative around her preparation for the vice presidency, and decided instead to throw it away on a jab against Barack Obama. "I was mayor of my hometown," she said. "And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."
Good line. But no responsibilities followed. Instead we heard about Obama's characterization of economically depressed Americans as "bitter." Another straight shot, but a missed opportunity. Palin could have taken the moment to define her mayoralty as an education in the concerns of small town Americans, or an experience leading to the realization that government works best when it is closest. Instead, she essentially agreed with her critics: Her experience amounts to 18 months as governor of one of the smallest states. Tonight, she put the best spin on that experience, but she didn't challenge its basic shape or limitations. She chose the applause line, not the deeper argument. In that sense, the speech was slave to the same priorities that governed her selection as vice president: It was aimed at wining the news cycle, not the campaign.
Again and again, strong narratives were sacrificed for good lines. Later, Palin set forth a powerful contrast when she said, "Among politicians, there is the idealism of high-flown speechmaking, in which crowds are stirringly summoned to support great things. And then there is the idealism of those leaders, like John McCain, who actually do great things. They're the ones who are good for more than talk." Again, a clean shot landed on Obama, but I listened for the "great things" John McCain would do to no avail. I went back to the transcript. "It's a long way from the fear and pain and squalor of a six-by-four cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office," Palin said a few paragraphs later.
Nowhere did we hear of the great things John McCain would do, Instead, we heard, over and over, of the agonies John McCain endured. The presidency was presented tonight as if it were the Medal of Honor, or a purple heart. As if it is only a quirk of our political process that stops us from simply finding the longest serving prisoner of war and gifting him the keys to the office. On a rhetorical level, it was effective, if only because McCain's story is so powerful. But it is not, fundamentally, a sustainable approach to this campaign. If McCain is more appealing for what he did than what he will do, he will lose the election. It is, after all, only during the convention that you get to tell your story. Throughout the rest of the campaign, you have to argue with your opponent. And tonight, Palin added very little to that argument.
September 3, 2008
QRM
Today, my brother, Micah, moves into the apartment that will be our apartment for the next year. If I recall correctly ours is the top, middle apt! I wish I could be in Seattle to help move in but with less than two weeks left in San Diego I know I will be there soon enough.
The Effects of Torture
From Ezra...
And a commenter takes Thompson's idea to its logical conclusion.
I do not intend to denigrate McCain's experience as a POW. I cannot begin to imagine what such a tragic and painful experience would do to me. But one can see what a profound impact it has had on his life and worldview. Whether that has an impact on your decision to vote for him up to you although I, too, am a bit skeptical of the POW=POTUS argument.
But I think the more important thing to take from the commenter's caustic remark is not that anyone who is being held at Gitmo is going to be a future world leader, but rather... What kind of worldview are we creating in the prisoners we torture and does that really serve our country's best interests?
After a long retelling of McCain's experience as a prisoner, Thompson intoned, "civilizations since the dawn of time have looked for this sort of character in their leaders." Which sort of raises the question: Should we just find the longest serving POW in the country and elect him president?
And a commenter takes Thompson's idea to its logical conclusion.
So torture builds character that leads to leadership.
I can only imagine the sign above Gitmo:
"Welcome future world leaders"
I do not intend to denigrate McCain's experience as a POW. I cannot begin to imagine what such a tragic and painful experience would do to me. But one can see what a profound impact it has had on his life and worldview. Whether that has an impact on your decision to vote for him up to you although I, too, am a bit skeptical of the POW=POTUS argument.
But I think the more important thing to take from the commenter's caustic remark is not that anyone who is being held at Gitmo is going to be a future world leader, but rather... What kind of worldview are we creating in the prisoners we torture and does that really serve our country's best interests?
September 2, 2008
QRM
Today was the first day back to school for many today. Not for me, though. I have to admit that I am very much looking forward to starting school again. I am sure I will look back and ask why I was once school starts.
September 1, 2008
Low-Key Biden?
Ezra makes an interesting observation...
Even from early on in the Democratic Primary I really liked Joe Biden. My one concern about him being a VP selection for Obama was his seeming inability to keep his mouth shut. I even speculated just after Biden was tapped that that might have been the reason he was picked. But perhaps I was mistaken. Thus far (it's still early) it does seem to be the case that Biden is the better VP pick of the two. Of course the bar doesn't seem to have been set very high.
And this brings up a second issue. There has been some comparing and contrasting between Obama's and Palin's records and whether or not their experience is sufficient to be President of the United States. Obviously, I think experience is desirable. I think most others would agree. But what sold me on Obama's readiness to be president was his book the Audacity of Hope. Point by point he laid out a comprehensive vision for the future of America on every issue from domestic policy to foreign affairs that seemed both practical and ambitious while demonstrating a great deal of maturity and sober-mindedness. But what has continued to confirm my faith in his ability has been the his management of the last 19 months. When you compare Obama's campaign to his two main rivals - Clinton and McCain - his has been one of composure and a general sense of knowing what they want to accomplish and brilliant execution. "Low-Key" Biden is just one manifestation of this tremendous demonstration of leadership.
In this election, Joe Biden is proving the low-key, stable, drama-free vice presidential candidate who basically does his job and stays out of the news. Joe Biden.
Even from early on in the Democratic Primary I really liked Joe Biden. My one concern about him being a VP selection for Obama was his seeming inability to keep his mouth shut. I even speculated just after Biden was tapped that that might have been the reason he was picked. But perhaps I was mistaken. Thus far (it's still early) it does seem to be the case that Biden is the better VP pick of the two. Of course the bar doesn't seem to have been set very high.
And this brings up a second issue. There has been some comparing and contrasting between Obama's and Palin's records and whether or not their experience is sufficient to be President of the United States. Obviously, I think experience is desirable. I think most others would agree. But what sold me on Obama's readiness to be president was his book the Audacity of Hope. Point by point he laid out a comprehensive vision for the future of America on every issue from domestic policy to foreign affairs that seemed both practical and ambitious while demonstrating a great deal of maturity and sober-mindedness. But what has continued to confirm my faith in his ability has been the his management of the last 19 months. When you compare Obama's campaign to his two main rivals - Clinton and McCain - his has been one of composure and a general sense of knowing what they want to accomplish and brilliant execution. "Low-Key" Biden is just one manifestation of this tremendous demonstration of leadership.
QRM
Two things perhaps not so mundane...
1) Although the damage from Hurricane Gustav will undoubtably be tragic, it seems undeniable that we learned a lot from Hurricane Katrina. Damage is one thing, lives are another.
2) Happy Labor Day!
1) Although the damage from Hurricane Gustav will undoubtably be tragic, it seems undeniable that we learned a lot from Hurricane Katrina. Damage is one thing, lives are another.
2) Happy Labor Day!
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