Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

pastor123 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:20:05 GMT

LOL, I love the the article posted. I am so frustrated with the GOP. McCains campaign is falling apart and its only obvious he doesnt have what it takes to operate in the capacity of the president. I do believe the author is right., McCain may be slipping a bit in his old age. Have you seen the video of him falling asleep on the conan Obrien show? The media isnt even really covering it. This should be a big deal. I will leave the link for anyone who wants to see the video. http://www.mccanes.com

I cant believe that Romney is even being considered for McCains VP choice.? Is McCains memory really slipping. I just watched 4 videos of Romney attack videos aimed at McCain from the Primary season. They even had a video of Romney telling a reporter that he thought McCain was dishonest? Here is the link http://www.hotpres.com I dont even think Ill vote this year.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

mjno — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:52:36 GMT

HIGH ROAD AND OBAMA??? Bush should prosecute Obama for violating the Logan Act.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

mrimes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:24:11 GMT

MJNO is an idiot. First of all, in over 200 years of its existence, the Logan Act has NEVER been used. Second of all, Obama is not negotiating with anyone. Having conversations and stating his views are not negotiations!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

PacificGatePost — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:41:21 GMT

ARE REPUBLICANS REALLY DETERMINED TO WIN THIS ELECTION?

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/07/john-mccains-peculiar-path-along.html

… perhaps not.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

hellbreaksloose — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:24:37 GMT

McCain , for all his service to country , which he exploits constantly is a buffoon, another old guard type leader waiting to become a disaster

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

maramara — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:57:53 GMT

GOP, we are not interested in lies. You can go and eat *** GOP with you politics of division, lies and backwardness.

President, All for One Vote

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

maramara — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:01:19 GMT

McBush has demonstrated how he can go viral with his temper when stressed. We need someone who can better control himself. A simple visit by Obama overseas has shown how Mccain lacks self control. He is not fit to lead a hopusehold not ot talk of leading a diversed society like the USA

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Dolores Fleming — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:25:05 GMT

There is no way Obama will get the white vote.He hasn't been up in Washington only a coulle of years.He goes around trying to get the people thinking he is Mr nice guy.Well that does not run this country of ours.Obama wouldn't even know where to beging getting our economy strightened out.hell he is still wet behind the ears.Obama has said that he will surround himself with advisors.well Bush is surrounded with advisors as with all presidents only one of bushes advisors is running this country.Obama has to rely on the teleprompter to tell him what to say.Once the teleprompter came up empty and all Obame could sat was ah,ah,ah,ah.Remember he has been up in washington two years since getting elected as a senator and guess what he is the 99th senator and has no clout.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

mlbuie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:30:51 GMT

McCain is surrounded by advisors? He's surrounded by pathetic liars.

Obama is the only one looking Presidential, here. Your only honest comment was "There is no way Obama will get the white vote". Just amend it to say, "There is no way Obama will get the *ignorant* white vote." I know a plenty of decent, intelligent whites who, whether they will vote for Obama or McCain, live in the 21st century while you continue in the old ways of hate, bigotry and ignorance.

Your ilk will be swept away as you grow old and die.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

amber09 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:32:43 GMT

I have no doubt how Obama will run the balance of the race. In his battle with Clinton, he stayed on the high road and will continue to do so. MCCain said he would also, however as we've seen, that was a lie! It's MCCain that will do any thing to win. His attacks in the last week have been so cruel and shamefull, that I've lost totally respect for him. Being a POW-does excuse his behavior!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Dolores Fleming — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:35:25 GMT

The difference with McCain and Obama is McCain has been up in washington a long time .getting elected every 4 years.Obam has been up in wahington a coule years and he thinks he can run this country.What with iraq and now Afganistan i want some one who knows the ins and outs of washington not some one that is wet behind the years Hilary has said that if the Phone in the white house rang in the middle of the nite what would Obama do.obama saud he would answer the phone being sarcastic.He would crap his pants is what he woulsd do if the call was we were sttacted.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

dcwblackhorse — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:01:31 GMT

To Dolores Fleming...Wow, you are so wrong! I have to agree for the most part with mlbuie. He won't get the "ignorant" white vote. (By the way...you spell the word coule and coulle..."couple". As a white, middle class, middle income woman, I am voting Obama without question. While I respect all Sen. McCain gave for his country during war time, we don't need a war mentality to lead us. We need someone looking for peace in the least hostile way. And as far as running this country...I'm sorry I prefer someone who graduated at the top of his class and was his law review president NOT a C student who graduated at the bottom of his class. NEITHER has actually been president and it seems clear our country needs some new ideas on how to reemerge as a world power that is actually respected around the globe. Your comments sound to me like you wouldn't vote for Obama regardless of his qualities. Just admit that, rather than trying to trash someone who you don't really seem to know anything about other than what the negative ads are telling you!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

mariadcruze — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:07:52 GMT

OBAMA WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF USA. 08,12

aLL I CAN TELL YOU IS MCAIN WILL DO A WORSE JOB THAN OBAMA THE ONLY EXPRIENCE HE HAS IS HOW TO START WARS AND KILL PEOPLE. MCAIN DOESNT KNOW ABOUT THE ECONOMY EITHER. HE IS IN THE SAME POSITION AS OBAMA. iF YOU VOTE REPUBLICAN YOU WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE FAILED POLICY'S OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

iF YOU WANT REAL CHANGE VOTE FOR BRACK OBAMA 08,12

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

lonestarkaty — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:12:32 GMT

Delores Fleming -I am a white woman over 50 and I do not share your opinion. A man of McCain's ambition should have been able to make it to the top of the ladder a long time ago. The fact that at 71 he is attempting to leave his mark show that he does not have the drive or savy to hold this elected office. He should have left the Senate 10 years ago and run for Governor, if he wanted to aspire to the Presidency. Sen. Obama has over come a single family home, his bi-racial roots, and acquire an excellent college education and he has given back to a community and paid back a student loan in a little over 15 years. Looking for someone who knows the in and out of Washington will get you a politician who wants to feather his own nest. I have lived around Washington for over 20 years and experienced politician has sold his Soul if he has been here that long. Only a few manage to stay above the fray. It is obvious that you are someone who believes in the fear mongering that they are selling.

I would like to introduce you to the 21st century and technology and global economies. We will have to compete with Japan, India & China and eventually Russia and numerous other developing countries. We can not be isolationist every again.

I don't care if you voter for John McCain, I am glad that you will vote. I have to beileve that most people will chose a person who studies history with a plan for the future and who can articulate the English language without making up words and has a vision of a diverse and productive USA.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

pastor123 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:54:53 GMT

Has anyone else seen this video of McCain falling asleep on the Conan Obrien show, ?? I cant believe the news isnt showing this more often. McCain probably doesnt have the energy to be president. He might just be too Old. Here is the link http://www.mccanes.com

About a romney McCain ticket. BOOOO. If McCain is even considering it, it suggests that McCains memory is slipping. It was just a few years ago Romney was attacking McCain with attack ads during the primary. Not to mention a video I watched this morning of Romney calling McCain dishonest. They have that video at http://www.hotpres.com

Personally I like Clark for Obama and Huckabee for McCain, You can vote on who you like and sign petitions for your favorite at http://www.VeepPeek.com

I dont know if there is anything McCain can do to win this thing., Maybe he could drop out and let his party run someone who would actually have a chance ie Huckabee.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

pastor123 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:56:14 GMT

McCain is in big trouble, Obama seems to be unstoppable. McCain was the wrong man to run.

Personally I like Clark for Obama and Huckabee for McCain, You can vote on who you like and sign petitions for your favorite at http://www.VeepPeek.com

I dont know if there is anything McCain can do to win this thing., Maybe he could drop out and let his party run someone who would actually have a chance ie Huckabee.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

ara9557 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:57:06 GMT

I find the article pretty funny! Politicians taking the high road. Here are the ruless politician live by (Dem & Repub):

- If it's worth fighting for, it's worth fighting dirty for.

- Don't lie, cheat or steal...unnecessarily.

- An honest answer can get you into a lot of trouble.

- The facts, although interesting, are irrelevant.

- Chicken little only has to be right once.

- "NO" is only an interim response.

- You can't kill a bad idea.

- If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you ever tried.

- The truth is a variable.

- You can agree with any concept or notional future option, in principle, but fight implementation every step of the way.

- A promise is not a guarantee.

And you know what, Senator Obama has pretty much followed the rules. New Politician and Politician of Change... Yea, right! I don't trust the dude! Just my opinion.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

LuLuBelle — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:59:46 GMT

Obama would have to FIND the high road before he could ever take it!

He has done nothing but put out lies about Hillary Clinton and John McCain, but when somebody says anything about HIM he cries racist.

Why does the biased news media continue to say that he is ABOVE the hard core politics when he has proven himself to be the master of slime!

He and his cronies spread lies about everybody!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

LuLuBelle — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:04:14 GMT

Posted By: pastor123 (July 23, 2008 at 6:20 PM)

==========================================================================

You are a typical Obama supporter - take somehting and try to change the truth.

John McCain pretended to fall asleep because they were asking him about people saying he was too old to run for president.

It was a joke, dipwad. That is why nobody but you is pouncing on it! Go watch the whole show before you make such a fool of yourself.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

PReed1962 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:08:25 GMT

Delores Fleming,

I do not agree that we need old capital hill veterans in the white house. McCain has been a senator from my state for a long time (and he is not from here). Why would I vote for him? (ever) This state has had a very large elderly population, but that is changing. I am now 46 and most of the old folks who elected him 26 years ago are gone. I am the new old folk! By the way, we vote for our senator every 6 years, dont you? Will you vote for him only because you think Obama is so awfully awfull? Vote for whomever you choose, but if yu want someone who can pull strings on capital hill, write in Mrs. Clinton because she is really good at that.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

akhajawall — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:09:46 GMT

Dear American Citizens and the Press

As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

"We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:

1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].

2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".

3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.

4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".

5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.

6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

Stay informed, stay involved, and stay engaged. Do not allow some partisan media, pundits, pollsters, and perpetual political opinion makers effect your vote in the wrong direction.

Don't be effected and duped by "Psychological Terrorism" that is directed at common American people without their full consent and awareness.

Long live U.S.A and its diverse but democratic people.

Col. A.M. Khajawall [Ret] MD., ABFM., ABDA.

Chief Consultant: World Wide Porfessional Consultants[WWPC]

Colonel, USAR/MC Combat Stress Control[Ret], Disabled American Veteran and Freedom team.

Consultant Psychiatrist: CA State, Medical Board of California, and Los Angeles Mental Health Department

Address: 7642 Eaglehelm Court Las Vegas NV 89123

PS: He has always taken high road.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

bluebloodedLV — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:32:03 GMT

LuLuBelle,

There is no such thing as a "typical Obama supporter". But there is such thing as a typical republican. Keep up the Ostrich impression.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

News and Notes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:36:38 GMT

When did Obama start taking the high road? He is a crafty, manipulative, and exceptional orator and politician. President Clinton was right when he said Obama pretends to be above the fray, then he has his surrogates slime Hillary. Our two choices for president are the worst I can ever remember. The DNC and party elites let the best candidate get away

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

paulte — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:39:29 GMT

It looks like it will be Obama if you watch the polls and take them at face value. The latest WSJ/something poll confirms this, Obama vs McCain 47-41. That's a six point difference which Obama seems to maintain over McCain pretty consistently. However, it is a lot less than that infamous Newsweek poll which had Obama beating McCain by 15 points or the LA Times poll which had him beating McCain by 12 points.

Now if you look at the six point difference and factor in the margin of error of 3 percentage points that pulls the difference down to 3 points. But they say + or - 3 percentage points is the margin of error. So I'm assuming -3 to say a 3 point difference but it could be +3 to make it a 9 point difference. But the difference could go to either favor McCain or Obama. If it favors McCain and goes against Obama, then 47-41 could become 44--44, a dead heat.

So hope springs eternal! According to this latest poll, the race could be a dead heat. Another factor in polling is that people will lie about race. This might account for 3 points away from Obama and towards McCain. Using the optimistic scenario above (margin of error favors McCain), we add on three points to McCain and subtract from Obama and we now have McCain vs Obama by 47-41, the exact opposite of what the poll is saying. Notice as well that either way 47+41 = 88 which means 12% is undecided. This is another consistent factor in the polling, the undecided vote is usually around 10-12% points.

Clearly, the undecided voters will determine this election. One thing is for certain those who are enthusiastic about Obama or McCain are already accounted for in the 88% who declare a preference. It is possible that McCain as the anti- or un- Obama vote could sweep the undecided vote. Let's hope so!

Hope springs eternal! Just as Hillary missed her coronation thanks to Obama. Obama may miss his coronation or "walk to the White House" thanks to McCain! We don't need someone without a military clue in his head to be the Commander-inChief! Go McCain, go!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

PReed1962 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:46:30 GMT

Dear LuLuBelle

"He has done nothing but put out lies about Hillary Clinton and John McCain, but when somebody says anything about HIM he cries racist."

I would say that when somebody spreads lies about Obama he cries "Lier".

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nacy Werd — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:48:12 GMT

Democrats have to save Hillary for the next 4 years . It is better do not put her in VP ticket of Obama.

Obama is a BIG FLIP-FLOP , a LIAR as well as his Spiritual Faith ( as he changed from Muslim to Christian then Catholic and when he would change to Judaism, Buddaium , then Al-Quaida, then Muslim again---??) He changes the content of his plat-form, STEALING many part of Hillary's good plat-form, copy and change some of Mc Cain 's ones, inexperience in every field....

Why the media still give him so-much coverage. We are tired of hearing his AGENDA which are uncertain, FLIP-FLOP, crazy... to follow. !!!!!!!!!! OH OH crazy BA-HA_ MA MA...

It so much risky to TRUST and BELIEVE in your Talent, Mr. OH- FLIP_FLOP-Ba ba ma....

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

vmac — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:01:36 GMT

McCain basically dared Obama to go visit Iraq and the middle east. Now that Obama is there, he is crying foul because he's jealous of the media coverage of a trip that HE basically called for.

Bush2 had no experience- got out of serving in the military--Regan was an Actor-(with alzeimers) and McCain is showing signs of dementia already. He doesn't even know the borders of Afghanistan or the difference between sunnis and shites.

Obama is half -white- So maybe some of you really, really racist can think about that and vote for someone who can change the past 7yrs. If not, we'll all just have to suffer with 4 more years of what the last 7 have been!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

FLC2 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:07:05 GMT

If I may ...

If McCain's only, or strongest, attack is military experience, he's in trouble. I was listening to a speech he was giving, about Obama's actions make us "lose" the war. Which war is he referring to? Healthcare? Social Security? Our sinking economy? Those are the wars they need to be focusing on. The "War on terror" can't be beat by military force. Timothy McVee (sp?) has shown us that some of the combatants are in our own back yard. If the enemy can be our own kind, how in the world can a F-16 be the answer? We need to focus on HERE, not THERE. Whatever's happening there needs a resolution, not a "victory". The peace needs to be established and maintained, and as long as it's trying to be achieved by guns and explosives, we'll never "win". It'll never end. Our troops need to come home. Cooler heads need to be invoked and challenged, and all this money we're dumping in a pointless "war" needs to be channeled where it's needed: Here.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

dachozen1 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:09:16 GMT

I finally get it. People dislike Barack because he tries to be sooo positive that people think it's fake. For instance, this article looks at Barack's attempt to take high road amidst all of these negative attacks. People want blood!! They want Barack to stoop to their level to satisfy their own shortcomings so they can feel Barack is one of them. However, when Barack does defend himself then he is called a hypocrite. It is sad because it seemd Barack cannot win. His race is bringing out the ugly in some people White and Black. They try to label him a flip flopper as if McCain has never changed his views. They say he played the race card and then Jesse Jackson attacks him. People with no reason accept personal, have a hard time trying to find a legitimate reason to dislike him. This is why you hear all of these weird untrue statements on the blog. Hillary attacked this man for months and he was nothing but classy. Still, PUMAs decry him for no reason. Barack has been a mirror for all of us and so far i dont like what i see. We can argue his positions, policies but when you say he's not patriotic ..or he is hateful..or he is playing the card..or he this or that without any proof..it sounds like there is an agenda and it's personal.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Bluegrass Woman — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:13:33 GMT

McCain couldn't know too much about combat...he lost his plane, got captured and then lost the war.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Alma — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:32:49 GMT

The fact of the matter is that the republican machine would love to have a young, strong, intelligent, well spoken, moral and patriotic leader as a presidential candidate like Obama.

The other fact is that blacks in order to be able to reach to the top, they have to be 10 times better than any other white in the same position. But when they succeed they are the best.

That is why I will vote for Barack Obama and that is why republicans would love to have him on their side.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Alma — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:37:39 GMT

Volubrjotr,

I bet you live in one of those wonderful democratic neighborhoods. I am always surprise when I find pro-nazis online. America is wrong place for you to live.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

sebr01stl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:42:12 GMT

"Seems" IS the operative word here, because for Romano, no amount of the current news will prove to him that Obama was right along in so many things or reverse his staunch opposition to him, no amount of coverage of national events will dislodge his unwaning support for McCain. Obama's campaign has BEEN positive -a nd not only since last summer. obama consistently says what HE will do, what he thinks, whereas McCain references Obama every time he's asks about his OWN policies or any time he comments on current news. He even changes history in light of the facts, e.g. Sunni Anbar awakening after the surge when it was the other way around. just look honestly at Obama's media ads, talking about work he's done, measures he's supported, bills he's sponsored or co-sponsored and his biographical ads. Then look at McCain's ads. he started off talking about his POW experinec in his ads, which the Obama camp did NOT attack at all. Then he went to the snide backdoor references to Obama with the "don't hope for change, vote for it" messages. Now, he's not subtle at all. He's out blaming Obama for $4 fuel. Even if Obama supported off-shore drilling the fuel, run up by supply and demand and market specualtion, would STILL be $4/gallon; and drilling won't offxset that anytime soon, if significantly ever. Any moron knows this. McCain must really be counting on the ignorant, uneducated, low info vote. He's only pissing off anyone trying to look honestly at both candidates and turning them away, while disappointing his base who's honest. So much for refrom from the candidte who pledged no negative campaigning. So much for "straight talk." Forget 527's, I'll be looking for the muslim terrorist and Rev, Wright ads from HIS camp soon enough, if he thinks it'll slow down Obama's roll. I don't call that only appearing or seeming desperate. It IS desperate. John Kerry was Swiftboated. If Romano is suggesting that Kerry ad Gore lost because they ran above the fray campoaigns, then he's suggesting that politics HAS to be muddy and fraught with lies, and that the GOP are this type of strategy's ring-leaders. "Bush Rove... know a thing or two about combat" - yeah, poltical manuevering and fear/hate/smear tactic combat.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

sebr01stl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:48:12 GMT

Alma, someone - I forget - said as much, that he was waiting for the repub Obama to come along, and then he was a Democrat. McCain had better be careful. He lost before trying to play nicely in the sandbox against the same Rove, who, for Bush, lied that he may have a secret black love child; and, McCain lost. Now he wants this same type of counsel to defeat Obama, after pledging staright talk and no negative campaigning. That's a bigger promise broken than Obama otping out of the public election fund, going against what type of candidate you are, what type of political communication you'll employ, how honest you are. And snakes like Rove are well known for turning on you.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

LoulaBJ — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:48:25 GMT

No wonder, McCain wnat war all over the world, and he is persistant, was it not ebough that he faught a loosing war and now he is in support of another losing one. Look at the economy, war never helps economy, peace does that. To those who want WAR vote for McCain, but to those who want prosperity vot for Barak, SURE

LoulaBJ

agirl2luv@hotmail.com

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

News and Notes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:57:04 GMT

Volubrjotr your analysis of the 2000 election is irrelevant. We don't elect presidents by number of states won. Rural areas don't get a certain number of votes per square foot. In the 1700s only landowning men could vote. The constituion has been amended several times to include women, and all citizens over the age of 18. One person, one vote. Are we electing a king? a dictator? People have died to defend one person one vote. Your logic is preposterous

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

News and Notes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:59:42 GMT

This is going to be the ugliest, meanest, dirtiest, lowest, negative, pile-on election in history, and it will come from both sides. By the time we get to the voting booth in November, either choice will seem absolutely dismal. It's going to get sickening, frustrating, and exhausting. We don't have terriffic candidates to begin with, so it will come down to who you detest the least, or neither

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:03:04 GMT

McCain is not qualified to be the president of United States. His time spent in Vietnam prison was, is, and will be the only qualification which he claimed he had. And his dependence on both Bush and Wove's strategic dirty tricks. The American people already know their work in the White House and confirmed their intent to send them away from Washington, and furtheremore out of reach. In sum, there is no place for them in the White House.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

News and Notes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:06:04 GMT

nmaitre, I am not a McCain fan, but he is uniquely qualified to be president. His military experience and 26 years in congress are qualifications. He has defied his party to do the right thing many, many times. Up until the last few years. he had generaly excercized excellent judgement and bipartisanship. Obama supporters have plenty of ammunition to argue McCain on policy, but to say McCain is not qualified only brings out Obama's deficits in that arena

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Redeye — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:14:43 GMT

Why don't we ask veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan which candidate does a better job of supporting them?

http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Joe_Rocks — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:18:35 GMT

Hey LuLuBelle,

I also watched the Conan O'Brien show that John McCain appeared on.

You must be an absolute moron. Conan asked McCain to comment on the subject of people saying he's too old to serve as President, at which point McCain pretended to "nod off". McCain appeared to have nodded off to sleep as a joke.

GET IT? Or are you so stupid or too old? Maybe you didn't have your hearing aid turned up so you could hear the audience laughter as they "got" McCains joke.

Keep sippin your Obama kool-aid, sooner or later you too will nod off.

McCain 08!!!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:22:13 GMT

American People got what they deserved when they voted for Bush to take the high way to the White House instead of Al Gore, the visionary, one of the most educated of all. however, we let republican blind us. We vow our voice and say not anymore. We learned our lesson. We are not going to vote for McCain and Wove over Obama who knows how to work goals and objectives. Wove, Bush's strategist whom McCain is now relying on got to flee. Yes, they got to go.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Pianissimo — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:28:11 GMT

I'm just sorry Mrs. Colin Powell wanted her husband out of the fray. Can't say I blame her after the way he was torpedoed by the Bush administration and hung out to dry as their fall guy, but IMHO he was the one person who REALLY could have united the country.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

sebr01stl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:28:11 GMT

Nancy Werd, that's funny that you call Obama the flip flopper in your nonsensical post. What are you referring to? Campaign finance? You mean the one position that's supposed to be signature for McCain that he reversed himself on twice during the GOP primaries? FISA/wiretapping that Obama recently voted for what he called a compromise bill on? The same issue that McCain reversed himself on since 2000? You know what a compromise is? It means that you don't get everything that you want so that the other side doesn't get everything that they want, and both sides get something. Obama has not changed opposing telcom immunity - that's the part that he didn't get that he wants. He put a preference in priority in cracking down on the unilateral power of the POTUS to violate our Consitutional rights with more checks and balances in the future, and that, he feels he got with the newer, amended bill (which he didn't get either in the earlier version, which is why he voted against that one). Being opposed to the Iraq War in principle? That hasn't changed. Getting the troops out ASAP, but with their safety in mind, by considering conditions on the ground and talking with commanders on the ground? He's been stating that since Jan., along with the need for more trops in Afghanistan, the true heart of terror right now, and the need to talk diplomatically with Iran, all playing themselves out right now. Where's the flip flop there? Guns, capital punishment, Roe v. Wade, faith-based initiatives, gay marriage vs. civil unions, illegal immigration, free trade? Obama has always supported the 2nd Amendment, while also supporting the states' rights to place restrictions. He's always believed that states have the right to inflict capital punishment for the most heinous of crimes, even those not involving the death of the victim. He even wrote about it in Audacity. But, he's opposed to it being abused on minorities, like we all should be; and, it light of DNA evidence, we need to be sure beyond a reasonable doubt. Obama hasn't changed positions on Roe v. Wade, allows for restrictions from states but oposes repealing Roe fedrally; and, it's interesting to note, that out of the last 28 years, only 8 of them were with a Dem POTUS (Clinton), and with all the GOP SCOTUS appointments, from GOP POTUSes, no one has overturned what they threaten/promise to do every election cycle to get neocon votes. His positions haven't changed with regard to civil unions or illegal immigration either, which, btw, he and McCain share similar positions on both, as they do on alternative sources of fuel, except for the drilling and obama's concerns with waste, as regards nuclear. He opposes off-shore oil drilling for the same gimmicky reasons that he opposes gas tax holiday (which, that one, he actually learned first hand from trial and error in the Ill. Senate). And as for faith-based initiatives, Obama got his start in politics, working as a community organizer, working hand in hand with churches to help combat local poverty, which he wrote about in Audacity; and, it is only that aspect of tax-payer funding that he advocates, not government funded evangelism or proselytizing. And with free trade, obama's positions show that NAFTA is hairy. it was enacted by a dem pres in a good economy. But now so much outsourcing has actually hurt the people it was intended to help. It will have to be reformed. Some of it Obama supports, some it he opposes, because it's not cut and dry. Yet, McCain has changed positons on FISA/wiretapping, torture/Guantanamo Bay, off-shore oil drilling, the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, among other things, and he's had differing positions on abortion rights. I'd have to go look up my links, but McCain is the perennial flip flopper. McCain 2000 wouldn't vote for Mccain 2008. And Obama didn't "steal" anything from Hillary (let alone McCain - whcih McCain?). He's his own person (which is why he took unpopular stands where HRC and McCain agreed, such as the gas tax holiday and authorizing the use of forcein Iraq); and, both being Dems, you'd expect a lot of Obama's and HRC's platforms to be similar.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:40:05 GMT

Redeye, If McCain is qualified, tell me why he relies on Rove, former Bush's stategist to steel the election again with his dirty tricks. They had done it before when they stole the 2000-presidential election from Al Gore. We all believe that McCain and Bush's White House are still the same. We, now, know that it is time for change; I mean change big time.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

sebr01stl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:43:00 GMT

Joe_Rocks, you are making a mistake. Go back and re-read Lulubelle's post. She agrees with you. Now that makes you look stupid to call her looking stupid or too old. I, for one, an Obama supporter got Mccain's self-deprecating humor, and it's about the only thing tthat I like about the anti-feminist old codger. His policies about equal pay for women, women's and children's healthcare, including birth control, crass, off-color jokes (about nuking people and women enjoying rape), and treatment of his wives make it that I would never vote for McCain were there no Obama to vote for.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

dragonfly777 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:48:29 GMT

Dear God! What have we become? A nation of cultists who are so disparate that we let this guy Obama walk all over our symbols, our cultures and wants us to treat him as God?? How tryly far we have sunk as a people and a nation..The majority no longer have minds of their own and are willing to be led thru the nose by Obama and his Hollywood campaign. MOVE OVER JIM JONES!!! HERE COMES OBAMA!!!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:49:02 GMT

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

valadezaj — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:59:56 GMT

Interesting Obama being in Germany. Last I heard Germans can't vote in American elections. I guess the people who actually can vote aren't that important to him.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

SJ71 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:10:19 GMT

Nmaitre: 8 years later and you're still crying about the 2000 election. Here's a dirty, little secret for you. Once those Florida ballots were made public for examination by the press, the AP along with USA Today conducted an extensive analysis to determine who actually had more votes. And they concluded that Bush legitimately won the election. As for the Supreme Court's decision, they stopped an out of control, left wing Floriday judiciary from "legislating" from the bench. They had no business changing the election laws in the middle of an election... It's been 8 years. Get over it!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

sebr01stl — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:12:11 GMT

dragonfly, this is an election. Why is it when you prefer a candidate, he's the most qualified and best choice (IYO), but if someone else prefers a different candidate, whose judgment they prefer, he has to have a god complex just beuase you disagree with him and his supporters? Does mccain have a god complex? Why not, based on you logic? He feels that he is the best choice, though making mistakes on in his area of strength (Anbar/Sunni awakening timeline, Iraq/Pakistan border, Sunni/Shiite, etc.) and has admitted ignorance in things economical, the major driving issue in this election. Why does he not have a god complex, as the POW where no one can say his experience does NOT in and of itself qualify him as POTUS without being accused of maligning his military service? Bush also took rigid, god-like stances that no one could oppose in military decisions, where he wouldn't even listen to dissenting advisors. That's one of the reasons we Obamabots call McCain a Bush third term. Obama's supporters can THINK, just like McCain supporters, and just happen to respectfully disagree wih you. That doesn't make our candidate a terrorist or a cultist, it doesn't make him underhanded or manipulative. If he didn't look presidential, he'd be further called naive. When he does, he's accused of trying to be a holier-than-thou rock star, and of trying to make policy while not POTUS. McCain supporters can't have it both ways. He encouraged him to go to the Middle east, now he seems ruffled that he did. He doesn't want to be worshipped as G-d, only respected as a legitimate candidate for POTUS. I can only think of one reason why a candidate would be damned if he did, damned if he didn't, no matter what he says or does, coming out of the gate; and, it's far more sinister than your Jim Jones, and it involves recognizing that this country is one of MANY cultures (not all white) ,and that our symbols carry different significances for different people.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

compuyid — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:14:18 GMT

Barack need to fight fire with fire, but to do it with facts and not manipulation. So much of what the McCain side lobs at Barack is factually incorrect, or manipulative of the facts. The Obama campaign should hit back ASAP, but with the facts and NOT joining in on the fact-changing that the Rovian McCain campaign is engaging in.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

tlhwraith — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:15:26 GMT

dragongly777 said:

"Dear God! What have we become? A nation of cultists who are so disparate that we let this guy Obama walk all over our symbols, our cultures and wants us to treat him as God?? How tryly far we have sunk as a people and a nation..The majority no longer have minds of their own and are willing to be led thru the nose by Obama and his Hollywood campaign. MOVE OVER JIM JONES!!! HERE COMES OBAMA!!! "

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Really? This is the best you got? Do I need to point out that Obama right now is speaking OUT OF COUNTRY and has attracted over 100K people? If your entire assertion is that we are a nation of cultist, how do you explain the PHENOMENAL response he is getting from people who are not even US citizens?

Could it be the remote possibility that the guy is actually perceived by many as a very good candidate? That I guess would just bust your entire little bubble where the only possible reason he can be doing well is because of some cultism. If anything, I'd say the GOP stranglehold on the WH in the last 30 years is probably more indicative of cult behavior than Obama. IMO Reagan and the Bushs are a direct result of the GOP manipulating this country and using our symbols and patriotism as a bludgen to scare us away from anything not GOP.

Obama is not "walking all over our symbols", if anything he is the epitomy of the things we aspire to be in this country. We are supposed to be a nation of diversity where anyone from any background has an opportunity to excel and achieve success if they are willing to work for it. Obama is a man from pretty modest beginnings, of mixed ancestry, who was not a "political legacy" like our current POTUS, yet here he sits on the cusp of becoming the first "non-old-white-guy" to be elected POTUS.

In the end it really comes down to Obama v McCain and increasingly people are asking why McCain should be POTUS not just why Obama should not be. I think that's fair and both men should have to prove why they SHOULD be POTUS. If the playing field is put on those terms, I am confident Obama can win this, and he should.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:16:09 GMT

American people waited on Obama's trip abroad to be convinced that his experience on foreign policy is far worldwide and therefore global. The whole world said, "we now know that Obama's qualifications to be Commander in Chief exceedingly exceed McCain's."

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

just jerry — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:18:01 GMT

what a phony pretense that Obama takes the high road. He has no real differences witth Hillary on positions so he and his campaign relied on the old politics smear campaign against the Clinton's from the 1990's. "The Clinton's will do or say anything to win, they can't be trusted, they never make an honest mistake, they are cold and calculating." He didn't run a high road campaign against Hillary, he used an old politics, bad politics, method to undermine his opponent, why do you think her supporters are so upset with him?

His "high road" really low road campaign against McCain has already begun with every possible mistake McCain makes being made because of his old age. Obama has the chance to meet McCain and really discuss issues differences with the people of this nation in town hall meetings, but he won't. Instead his campaign will be standard old politics while he pretends to be above this kind of thing from his lofty perch looking down on all those weakminded folks he talked about in San Franciso, you know the ones so backwards that they are dependent upon their religion and guns. That is just another example of Obama's "High Road" politics.

He will win the election, but wouldn't it be better if we took an actual look at him before we buy inot everything he does. Remeber how much Bush was lved by these same folks in 2000?

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:19:08 GMT

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

tlhwraith — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:24:21 GMT

valadezaj said:

"Interesting Obama being in Germany. Last I heard Germans can't vote in American elections. I guess the people who actually can vote aren't that important to him. "

Did you make the same assertion while McCain was in South American (very convienentently when a bunch of US hostages were rescued btw)? Did you say the same thing while McCain was running around for photo ops in Iraq?

I hate to point it out, but McCain and the GOP are the ones who darn near forced Obama to make this trip, and in a way, they are clearly regretting that tactic. However, in one sense they are right, it is important to know the candidates perception of foreign affairs as well as gauge how they function on the world stage. In that respect, I think Obama has pretty much shown that he's more than up to the task of representing the US interests abroad and if anything US voters should use that additional information to help guide their decision.

So no, while foreigners don't vote for US Presidents, considering the quagmire we are in with our current foreign policy it is a VERY good thing Obama is able to show that the international community is apparently receptive to him and he is getting positive feedback that his proposals for foreign policy (like Iraq) are actually well received by other world leaders.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

SJ71 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:29:59 GMT

sebr01stl & tlhwraith: Great responses to drangongly777! Let's have a civil debate about the issues, and quit lambasting each candidate with ignorant, child-like attacks... I'm a libertarian, and therefore reluctantly supporting John McCain. From the both of you, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on why you believe Barack Obama will be good for this country. As for me, it's simple. I believe in low taxes, free markets with limited government interference, a strong military, a closed border with a WIDE gate, local control over education, and freeing ourselves from OPEC oil by drilling for our own.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

marc christophe — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:38:02 GMT

Obama need not worry about the road to the White House because his sepoys, including this Newsweek writer, will pave it for him with their biased coverage. While Newsweek appears convinced that Obama is free of original sin, the truth is that Obama is free of original ideas. he is another pathetic little national socialist who was bought and paid for by George Soros and schooled by Wright, Ayres and other dinosaurs of the national socialist left. Newsweek does not seem to appreciate the danger posed by this little "man on a white horse". While Obama gives neo-Hitlerean orations (suitably, in Berlin: "heute Deutschland morgen die welt") his brownshirts were storming Fox news (Krystal nacht zwei?) while his operatives are busy recruiting illegal mexican voters to formhis support mob of ignorant hangers-on. This is a very dangerous little megalonmaniac whose candidacy is fawned over because he is perceived as liberal and politically chic. Some German media misjudged Hitler in the same way. Newsweek better be careful: someday it might disagree with Barack. I hope no one is jailed or killed when it happens. (Of course, Obama will deny responsibility.)

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:42:15 GMT

Tlhwraith, The audacity of change will bring forth hope we have been waiting for. Obama will successfully go to the valley to fight the Giant and victoriously take the high road through the valley onto the White House. I know that you believe it aswell.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

PacificGatePost — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:56:51 GMT

HILLARY MAY BE ANTICIPATING A DIFFERENT OUTCOME AT THE CONVENTION

The Democratic convention is not over and done with.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/07/is-clintons-presidential-campaign.html

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:01:01 GMT

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

paulte — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:01:13 GMT

Volubrjotr makes a valid point! Most of the deadbeats in the country vote Democratic. And come November they will all be voting for Obama! Not just the deadbeats but all the liberal elites with their low moral standards will also be voting for Obama. Productive people with decent standards will not be voting for Obama. That's basically what Hillary said anyway. "Hard working people, white people will not vote for Obama." - HRC.

Our Founding Fathers were not keen on the concept of majority rule. They set up mechanisms like the Senate and the electoral college to limit it. Communists believe in majority rule as a concept rather than as a mechanism.

There is nothing sacrosanct about majority rule; it is a mechanism. The majority can be a class tyrant as one person can be a despot. Look at Zimbabwe to see the horror of majority rule. When the whites ruled that country (then Rhodesia) it was happy, productive and peaceful. It was a granary which exported food. The end of white rule came about through negotiations overseen by white ruled South Africa which betrayed Ian Smith not through the gun of the ineffective guerilla war as Mugabe would like people to believe. Mugabe came to power because the Dutch & English people in South Africa were still fighting the Boer war!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:18:01 GMT

LuluBell, Don't make the mistake of losing hope, the very substance that one can ever has. This hope has been lost for the last 8 years. It is believed that it can be won again if this country claims the audacity of hope to make Obama its top priority to rebuild it once and for all and bring back American values and relatianships this country had with foreign countries in the past.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

esprit — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:28:06 GMT

I am so tired of the whinig regarding Hilary and the poor tactics that Obama used. I have yet to see them. The Clinton's and their campaing team were overconfident from the beginning and they were beaten. END......

Then the comments about Obama not going oversees... he goes and the same criers now cry because he is there and he is liked.

And paulte, I hate to tell you since in your comment you obviously have not heard, America is not just hard working white people.

And dragongly777, what exactly are our symbols and cultures that Obama is walking over...

Their are all types of hard working people in America. And obviulsy those hard working white people did not all support HIllary either, or she would be the Democratic nominee.

The end of the white rule has come and gone , get the Hell over it , and I am not referring to Obama. I am referring to all the hard working people in this country that have a right to speak their wishes and live their lives.

It will be interesting to see from your perspective just how mande deadbeats and liberal elites (minus McCain and his plastic surgery model of a wife) who will be voting for Obama.

McCain's recent advertisement shouts OBAMA OBAMA as who is to blame for the current gas prices, and to thank Bush for the recent decline. This is the words for the highly qualified, pow vet. Give me a break.

Know one mentions how this honest man collects veteran disability (meaning you can not work) and then has another govt check as senator and now wants to be President.

McCain has the experience to get over in this system and to use the people of this country.

Obama would not be my first choice, but if the competition is McCain, it is no choice.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

rdoudna — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:49:02 GMT

I can't help but wonder what type of person could vote for McCain. His laughable statements this week sadly demonstrate his willingness to say anything to further his presidential bid. Let's review:

1. Gas Prices -- this is Obama fault. Yes the naive junior senator of 4 years is responsible for our high gas prices, while John McCain, senior senator of 26 years, had nothing to do with it. Now what person in his right mind would buy this statement? Answer, only a fool or someone not being truthful to himself.

2. Obama is willing to lose a war in order to become president -- McCain is essentially accusing Obama of treason or at the very least he stating that Obama is unpatriotic. So we are now back to the Bush administration were every one who disagrees with current foreign policy is labeled as unpatriotic. Again, what fool would follow such a leader who questions your loyalty because your not buying the quagmire he is trying to sell you in the Middle East? According to McCain 57% of US citizens are unpatriotic - all of us who are for a time table.

3. The surge worked, I was right, hence, I'm the expert McCain -- we can all debate whether or not the surge worked as planned but there is no debating the fact that McCain helped sell this regretful war in the first place. He talked about how easy it would be and that we would be seen as liberators, essentially repeating the Bush administration's comments. Oh, how wrong they were. What fool would be willing to give McCain credit for the surge and yet ignore the biggest blunder of them all -- getting us into it in the first place. At the very least if McCain is so willing to pat his own back for the surge he should also be willing to slap himself for his naive vote to begin with.

4. McCain to President Bush, "Thank you for bringing down the price of oil" --- this statement is just outright spin. While I question McCain's strength on economic issues, even he is not that naive. No, what McCain is doing here is just trying to convince the less informed, less educated that the mere fact that Bush lifted the ban on off shore drilling as the presidential level this miraculously lower the price of oil by $10+ over the last week. In other words, it had nothing to do with lower demand for oil in the US and China over this same period, not to mention a possible forth coming speculation crack down. Again, McCain is betting on your stupidity.

5. The Surge preceded the Anbar Awakening -- McCain is now rewriting history. This is not a mistake on his part, this is a McCain attempt at stretching the truth. Apparently he believes most Americans are forgetful (like him) and that we have not been paying attention. In other words, he's looking for voters who are easily misled. Truth is of course prior to the Anbar Awakening, Anbar province was the most deadly province in Iraq for American troops and was a safe heaven for Al Qaida. The Sunnis of Anbar turned on Al Qaida months before the surge. McCain of course knows this but he wants to take credit for all things positive in Iraq, hence the need to rewrite history.

The list of above items was brought to you by presidential hopeful John McCain – except for the surge assertion, all of these comments were made this week by John McCain. I can't wait to see what next week has in store for us. As an independent voter, I cannot possibly vote for someone who blatantly lies about and or spins the truth recklessly. Again I ask, what type of person votes for a guy like this? Please I would love to here from those of you who are voting for McCain. I would like to know how you can so easily vote for a guy who essentially is playing off your stupidity or others. Note, I’m not saying your stupid. I actually believe that some people can make some logical arguments for McCain, however, they are rather selfish arguments IMHO.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:50:03 GMT

Paulte, we American are loving people who have compassion and concern for everyone, no matter what their background. We just love everyone with the Love of God Who Loves you and I so much that He gives us Jesus Christ to die for you and I, and the whole world including republican and democrat parties. Obama's concern for this country and every citizen therein is what makes him take action to take the high road to the White House and be our Commander in Chief.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:14:46 GMT

Volubrjotr, In this country, we have more than enough but can not keep our eyes closed on the poor nor can we turn our heart away from them either. Doing such things is evil to cause us to be severely judged by God Almighty. Please help others for the public goods.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

SJ71 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:17:05 GMT

rdoundna: I will be, albeit reluctantly while holding my nose, voting for McCain this November. For me, being a Libertarian, the choice is as they say "the lesser of two evils". I agree that his campaign is "spinning" the facts in order to gain ground against Obama. But I can't in good conscience vote for Obama, and here are 3 main reasons why:

1. He is going to raise my taxes in 3 ways. One, he's going to raise my top marginal rate to the pre-Bush levels. Two, he's going to raise the Social Security wage base. And three, he plans to remove certian deductions I get now as a small business owner. I pay enough as it is, since those of us in the top 25% of income earners pay over 90% of the federal taxes in this country. I'm tired of being labeld "the rich". I worked my way through college, then began working for a CPA firm with $118 dollars in my checking account. After working 60 hour weeks for 5 years and getting my MBA at the same time, I started my own firm with 5 people. We now have 75 employees in the firm, and are continuing to grow. I'd like to know how many liberals out there who love Obama and agree with "taxing the rich" have created 75 jobs! It's people like me who create most of the new jobs in this country, and if you plan to confiscate more of my hard earned money, then I will probably have to cut back on staff in order to make up that difference. That's the way it works! Don't give me this bit that I make too much. I AM THE ONE who risked my capital and my credit to start a new business, so YES, I SHOULD REAP THE REWARDS!

2. He plans to socialize the health care system. We have many examples across the world of how socialized medicine is an absolute failure, but don't bet on the mainstream media to report the failings of these bad systems. Yes, our system isn't perfect and we need to address the poor, uninsured in this country. But socialization is NOT the answer. Why would anyone want the government to run 20% of our economy? When is the last time you went to your state DMV and had a quick, pleasant experience?

3. He, along with his fellow liberal Democrats, refuse to allow offshore drilling or open up ANWR. You mentioned gas prices in your post. Well I have news for you. The Democrats, beholden to the environmental lobby in this country, have prevented new exploration as well as the building of additional refineries. Your buddy Al Gore stated back in in the 90's that he beleived gas prices NEEDED TO GO ABOVE $4 PER GALLON in order to force us to stop consuming so much. Other liberal Democrats echoed the same thoughts, including Obama, who said he only regrets that prices didn't increase slower. So yes, he and his party are to blame for the mess we are in. This country of ours should have commited itself to energy independence long ago, but we were all too fat, dumb, and happy back in the 90's enjoying $1 per gallon gas.

So hopefully this gives you a better idea of why I, and many like me, plan to hold our noses and pull the lever for McCain. Based on his policies, he is simply better than Obama. Not by much, though!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

Nmaitre — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:44:07 GMT

Nancy Werd, Bush and McCain are in the same team. It is time to have some faith to take the high road to the White House and make some real cleanup. Bush recently got caught up drunk in the camera. This overdrinking thing we see going on needs to stop. Let's claim God Jesus our faith.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

News and Notes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:03:21 GMT

sj71, vote for whomever you want, and personally I am not an Obama supporter, but I'd like to make a couple of points.

1) you had the opportunity to save money and build a company and get rich becuase of our capitalistic society. Paying the same % in tax that you paid 8 years ago is not unreasonable. The top earners in the country pay a lower % now than ever before. Most people, probably some amongst your work force, are really hurting right now.

2) nobody is going to socialize health care. Having more people enrolled in health care would create more competition in the market, thus driving down costs.

3) The reason we are in an oil crisis began 35 years ago, and it has been ignored for political reasons ever since. Indirectly placing the blame on Clinton is not true. The Bushes are the ones who have profited enormously from the oil business

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

News and Notes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:03:56 GMT

when did Bush fall off th wagon? I thought he hadn't had an alcoholic beverage since 1986

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

commonsense76 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:06:50 GMT

rdoundna - i am also a Libertarian but will nonetheless contradictorily be voting for Obama. As an accountant i'm sure you appreciate the dire straits the deficit spending and destruction of the dollar have created. I applaud your entrepreneurship and job creation, but there are larger issues at stake than our tax rates.

Unless we stop borrowing money you'll see a total economic collapse. The Republicans of today are in love with deficit spending. If a Democrat balances the budget, i'll put up with the other drawbacks.

We should never have gone into Iraq just due to fiscal reasons, let alone the falsehoods that justified it. A Democrat likely will not go to war with Iran, while McCain will. Those reasons trump the fear of higher taxes. Plus, few acknowlege this but the growth of government spending has been higher under Reagan and the two Bushes than it was under Clinton. So from a Libertarian perspective, if you want smaller govt vote Democrat. The Neo-Cons are truly insane.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

MPinFlorida — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:43:58 GMT

Obama has already proven he will be taking the high road so to speak. He has been tested many times so far. I think what we are seeing is someone who is running for the highest political office in the nation who is inspired by ideals. It is his sincerity that makes some afraid and distrustful of him. Just think of all the crazy stereotypes that have been applied to him, all of them false. He is not only intelligent, but he has a fascination with and an acute understanding of history, and I also believe his heart is in this 100%.

For all the reasons noted above, I believe your question has already been answered. And that doesn't mean that he cannot execute the duties of President; in fact, it makes him more qualified to do so.

I have been with this man from the beginning, and I will continue to support him. Oh, and by the way, I am white, Republican, and over 50.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

rdoudna — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:05:42 GMT

SJ71, I understand your first point and I accept this as logical reason to vote for McCain. If Obama wins, you lose, so to speak, financially. In addition you believe in trickle down economics and as such your employees and or potential employees will lose out as well. This is a good strong argument.

As for health insurance, you must agree that something other than what we are doing now must be done about the soaring cost of health care. Far too many people in this great country of ours do not have health insurance coverage. In the end, we all end up paying for this in higher deductibles and premiums. Personally, perhaps because I'm an independent, I think there is some middle ground here. McCain's plan as I understand it is to provide families up to $5K for health insurance. My premiums are near $12K per year. I pay out of pocket $3K per year. His plan will cost me an additional $3K per year without factoring in additional deductibles. In other words, my health insurance cost will more than double. Of course if we do nothing but talk about it for several more years, it will double again as well.

With regard to drilling, I don't buy the more drilling argument at all. Oil is a world commodity. Drilling for additional oil may lower the price at first but demand will go up and so will prices -- whatever additional oil we get from drilling will be marginal at best. The problem of course is that we are dealing with a finite resource. China and India will only use more oil in the coming years -- perhaps more than the US. I remember the 70's when people talked as though we would never run out. Not anymore. Besides, IMHO, we are the most technologically advanced country in the world and it's time that we start acting like it when it comes to alternative energies. As for your statement about Obama being partially to blame because he agrees with Al Gore, the fact still remains, he had very little to do with it, that is, he is not the poster child for our current energy problems. I have been for alternative energies for a long time and I'm not for drilling in every spot possible to find the remaining reserves of oil so we can all ignore the obvious problem in front of us for a little longer. Ford and GM ignored it, look what happen to them.

I do respect your right to vote for anyone you wish and I understand your primary reason. I just hope that like you, people vote in their best interest not because they were duped into believing out right lies and innuendos. Good luck.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

SJ71 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:39:29 GMT

rodoudna: Thanks for your very thoughful, and civil response. That is very rare these days. I also respect your right to vote, and I wish you good luck as well.

commonsense76: I think your response was meant for me, not rodoudna. I completely agree that our government spending has balooned beyond control. But I think both parties to are to blame for this. They each spend our tax dollars like there is no tomorrow, but on different agendas.

News and Notes: I appreciate your civil response as well... First of all, I own a highly-specialized consulting firm where my average employee earns around $120,000 annually. So no, they are not hurting in this down economy, but I understand the point you were attempting to make. Additionally, I take issue with your argument that it's "reasonable" for me to pay taxes at the rates from 8 years ago. When is enough enough, already? Last year I paid 45.7% of my total income to the government, federal, state, and local. Yet the cry from the left is always "you're not paying your fair share." Well, if paying nearly half of my earnings to the government isn't fair, then I don't know what is. At some point it needs to stop, otherwise entrepreneurs like myself are going to stop investing capital and taking risks. It just won't be worth it anymore. Do you see my point, even if just a little?

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

dspeightus — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:46:49 GMT

We all should be blaming the Republicans for the state of this ecomony. Bush promise to line his friends pockets up before he leave the White House. We are the fools to sit back and watch how the oil prices are taking the money out of our pockets. We need to stop sleeping and wake up before it is too late. Next week Senator Obama will be back in America to shut McBush mouth up.

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

SJ71 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:50:35 GMT

dspeightus: Last time I checked, the Democrats were in control of Congress. When they took power 2 years ago, the economy was humming along just fine. We were experiencing high job growth and the economy was expanding. So it would seem that you are being a bit one-sided in laying blame for the current mess. But then again, I'm sure you blame Republicans for hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornados. And hey, let's blame them for AIDS in Africa while we're at it. You know what, dspeightus, I read that teen pregnancies are on the rise. Probably all the Repulicans fault for that too, eh?

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

4carol — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:43:16 GMT

LET'S GET ON WITH IT!!!!!

I AM SO TIRED OF ATTACKS BY MCCAIN, THAT I WANT TO PUKE!!!!

THAT'S ALL THEY KNOW; WHAT ABOUT THE ISSUES; WHAT ABOUT TELLING US YOUR PLAN??? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FUND WHAT YOU WANT????

I'VE HEARD NOTHING FROM HIM TO SHOW ME THAT I SHOULD GIVE HIM MY VOTE!!!!!!!!!!

HE'S DISGUSTING AS A POSSIBLE PRESIDENT!! I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW THAT I WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA; AT LEAST HE HAS SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHAT HE WILL DO AND HOW HE WILL DO IT AND HOW IT WILL GET PAID FOR!!! THE GOP HAS SUNK TO THE LOWEST EVER LEVEL IN MY LIFETIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

re: Can Obama Take the 'High Road' to the White House?

dspeightus — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:27:01 GMT

SJ71: Let me tell you that the Republicans was in control of Congress for over 12 years. Once they got a Republican president Bush, he took all the money that President Clinton left and gave it away to all of his rich buddies. We need a Democratic president to take charge. McBush keep worry about what Obama is doing - he talk about his vision for America. It was not the surge, it was the money they gave to the Shiites to stop the violence.