HOLD UP THERE...THERESA....
HI Theresa,
..On your Misc. posting I believe you're way off base. When Hillary repeats that sniper story on three different occasions and even mentions "I remember it vividly", and it turns out to be completely false, we have big problem. This goes to character. Do you really believe she would make a good president?..
....As far as Obama goes it's the same thing. The Reverand Wright controversey has nothing to do with Wright and everything to do with Obamas character for staying there. Do you really belive that " just a couple of sentences taken out of context" nonsense? Sorry, but the "rich white people" and " the USofKKK of America" is pretty specific as to ones true beliefs. Also, when a guy who tried to murder people in the Pentagon and tried to bomb Police stations said he didn't do enough in a 2001 speech, it's time to disassociate yourself from this guy. He didn't. The left makes him a proffessor. I think there's a need for you to read some right wing books starting with "The Venona Secrets", or just go the the CIA website and search "Venona". It should be called," THE HISTORY OF THE LEFT"
The Times They Are A'Changing
Eh, I'm not sure I follow your point on this one. You state that Obama and Clinton wear their Catholicism on their sleeves. Clinton is a Methodist and Obama is like the Church of Christ or something like that, I've forgotten, but both are Protestant denominations. What is true is that they both woo the Catholic vote and would definitely like to have all the Catholic votes they can.
Here's some more journalistic food for thought this morning after the Pennsylvania debate, this is what I heard as "news" from NPR which I used to feel was the Christian Science Monitor of the airwaves: Clinton has too many negatives to be elected, Democrats believe only Obama can win, the Democratic candidates sniping will only help John McCain. These are all myths in gigantic proportions. I liken this news propoganda to the mantra that James Baker started chanting two days after the 2000 Florida presidential polls closed, "The votes have been counted and re-counted." when in truth the ballots had not been fully counted in many counties and precincts even once! Gotta go but keep up the good reporting!
Misc.
Nice job, Theresa. I, too, worry that the media focuses on minutiae while global warming gets worse and worse.
Misc.
Absolutely, absolutely. All of your comments reflect my thoughts at this point in the campaign, yes I do support one Demcratic candidate but I would accept either as a wonderful and dynamic president. The issues, yes the issues are what should be discussed. Backbiting and demeaning comments should quickly abate.
I wish you well. Perhaps you are exemplary of the journalists that Dan Rather in a recent BBC interview summoned for a better world: those newspeople that have courage to ask strong questions and continued courage to ask strong follow-up questions. Perhaps then the world would begin to right itself and truth would again be exalted.
McCain Gaining Democrats?
I, of course, disagree with the assumption of your match-up outcomes. Obama vs. McCain, you say would yield an Obama presidency? Don't be so sure. As I said much earlier in politics blog, candidate Obama plays right into the Republican political scheme.
As far as Democrats crossing over to vote for McCain, why? His policies would leave the U.S. in extremely difficut straits financially and cause even more difficulty on the world stage, as incredible as that sounds. The best candidate for the economy, our environment, for education and for international relations is Hillary Clinton.
The Issue of Race
I am commenting here to put this article near the top of the blog replies. It was true when it was written and still true now. Living in a productive, cooperative and relatively calm community that is greatly racially diverse, I appreciate your comments and agree with your analysis.
What does any of it mean?
You're right, Alisha, politics is just a confabulation that seems to eventually halt when it just plain runs out of steam. Or does it? With the wide assortment of cable news networks and broadband channels it is even more a challenge to sort out facts than at any time in the past. I liked the many cross-links to related stories in both of your articles, very helpful and they are an added assist to understanding the ramifications of a diverse campaign season.
A Vote for Hill is a Vote for Bill
What did you expect Bill to do, stay home and bake cookies?
Stiff Hilly Clinty
Yes, Hillary is not as stiff in person as she early on appeared and sometimes still does on the campaign trail. And John McCain's head is not nearly as red-faced this campaign season as it has been in the past although anger management must be awfully tough for this former POW and GOP senior, and I do mean Senior Senator from Arizona who has traditionally swam against the current politically. Good news briefs, Thanks.
Well, well, well ...
Adam, I'll admit that I am procratinating here--I have a graduate poetry writing class that I need to get going on but your analysis of pre-Super Tuesday vote counts still amazingly holds up. Yes, you are correct, this year's primaries are going to go down to the wire of the conventions and even though the Republican candidate is all but given the annoitment of the nomination, the Democrats have far to go before they sleep and they have promises...
The Race
Elisabeth, fine reportage and good to rouse the "youth" vote. I prefer to say young adults as that is what you all are--nice play on Ronald Reagan's famous line also for the title 'Where's the rest of us'. Yes, we will see what all of the upcoming primaries, Indiana, Pennsylvania and all the rest hold in store for the candidates. Good luck!
Who knows?
I'm catching up with the Spartan blogs. Rebecca, your article is concise, positive and on target. Not a journalist (only a former HS yearbook advisor) but I like most I appreciate good reporting when I see it. Continue in your fine coverage.
P.S.
Why have I not read these Spartan blogs before? I see this was posted just after Super Tuesday and I went on at length just a moment ago in response to a posting that you, Theresa, had at a later date.
P.S. -- echoes my feelings completely. Your summation and point of view is positively right on.
Oh, Irony
Theresa, I wish I could reply to all the sincere and intriguing insights that you students have. Please read my reply to Emily for my take on things. Yes, there is fragmentation in the Democratic party but once in a time far distant there were six or seven candidates by the Democrats up until the time of the convention (1960 comes to mind). Candidates then were stalwart men (unfortunately only males) of the Great Depression and World War II eras: Johnson of Texas, Humphrey of Minnesota, Kennedy of Massachusetts, Symington of Missour, Adlai Stevenson of Illinois (briefly persuaded to enter for a third try by none other than Eleanor Roosevelt herself), and of course Harold Stassen, the forerunner to Ralph Nader.
No one panicked or wanted to hasten the nomination for whatever reason, that was politics at its best. Of course, drive-thru restaurants were not even heard of at that time, people drove in to a drive-in stall, sat in their cars, ate, drank soft drinks and talked. Now, whiz, whirr, everything's a blur, let's get it over with or on with it, all seem to suggest that we (collectively and individually) need to make decisions fast, maybe even lightning quick. I would say when the speed of things seem too fast to make careful choices and the decision making process is rushed then that is the time to slow things down and discuss not only the issues and the candidates but the pace of the process and what goals the consensus really want to achieve. Party unity? Fine. A Democratic victory in November? Even better. Hopefully, with thought and time both unity and victory will both be realized.
McCain Gaining Democrats?
Emily, you are a lot younger than I and apparently campaign platforms are not to your liking but I strongly suggest you read some. The course of the recent Republican party is pretty well set in stone and Sen. McCain will not vary from it much. In fact his 'Straight Talk Express' is just a disguise for deriving a sense of trustworthiness through using a slogan with no bearing on what governing path the candidate will really pursue.
Remember this is the political season and lots of mud will be slung and lies will be issued mostly by a party desparate to remain in control. The ultimate result of continued GOP control may very well be the greatest economic and political disaster the United States and its citizens have ever known. On the other hand, maybe John McCain reminds you of your grandfather!
