…and why I can’t vote for Barack Obama.

“Joe the plumber” has been made famous by asking Barack Obama a pointed question about how part of his economic plan would, or wouldn’t, help his business, a question that inspired lively discussion between the candidates at the debate tonight.  Way to go, Joe, maybe now that people know who you are, your financial future will be a little brighter.

I’ve been listening to the “who do you think won the debate” discussion for about 45 minutes now, and of course the responses depend upon who the person has been supporting all along.

Personally, I felt Barack was smooth as always, and I really appreciated McCain’s quick and good responses, most of which I agreed with.

For me, among other much smaller things, who I vote for keeps coming back to one haunting thought…the anti-American philosophies that Barack Obama listened to for many, many years under the ministry of Jeremiah Wright.  Now don’t click away yet…think about it.

It frustrates me that Barack can get away with cutting ties with Wright ONLY AFTER it becomes an issue in the press….yes this is old news, but haunting me even to this day. I am not nearly as concerned about the economy as I am about a man who may have some confused ideas in his brain after listening to his preacher teach for 20 years….don’t be fooled by smooth talk, it’s not enough to base your decision on who to vote in as President.

Last night I watched Frontline, and they did a profile on both candidates….in it they played footage of a much younger Jeremiah Wright, from the time Obama first started attending the church, and he was as off in his teaching then as he is now…and Obama just gets away with saying that he has cut off ties with him…doesn’t that bother you?  I am not saying that if he keeps filling his mind with what is good for as many years as he has filled it with Wright’s garbage that he might not be a good candidate one day, it’s just too soon now.

So there you have it, it’s not the economy, but his record and his ties to frightening people in his past that he artfully brushes over whenever they are brought up that make Barack Obama the WRONG man to be President of our great Nation, at least for now.

In case you need a refresher, here is what Obama listened to for years, and a couple other interesting clips you may have never seen before, watch them all, please!

The debate is over, I thought McCain did better this round, but don’t know whether he’s made much of a dent in the polls yet. I’m still stuck on the VP debate, and though I don’t watch Saturday Night Live, had heard about the routine they did on the Vice Presidential Debate, tracked it down online, and couldn’t resist posting it…except for a couple spots that crossed the line (at least my line) I thought this was hysterical…and so is Joe Biden’s reaction in the video that follows it, enjoy!

SNL Vice Presidential Debate:

Joe Biden Reaction:

I really enjoyed watching the Vice Presidential debate so much more than the Presidential Debate, both Candidates did a good job.  I was concerned for Palin, but she did an excellent job.  As people, both candidates for Vice President are personable, nice people.

For me, I don’t know that there was a winner or loser, I’m going to think about that a bit more.  Clearly from the type of posts you see on this blog, I’m a McCain supporter, and I hope he takes some pointers from his running mate…I appreciated how gracious she was to Biden, that she looked at him when she spoke.  When McCain debated, even when asked to engage in conversation with Obama, I don’t recall seeing a lot of that.  Hoping for better in the next two debates.

Finally, what a beautiful ending, the families cordially greeting one another on the stage, I don’t know whether things like that make one a better candidate, but I sure did like it.

Now it’s time to watch…and watch out…as the press does it’s “spin” thing.

Here’s the debate:

The first Presidential Debate in Mississippi happened as planned, in spite of all the plot twists over the past 24-48 hours.

Obama, true to form, was well versed, so some of that time he spent practicing his lines in Florida over the past few days before going to Washington payed off, and there’s no denying he is very eloquent.  We all want a President that cares about us, and he knows everyone is worried about money, and he played to that very well just as he always does.

When I listened to McCain, I felt like a Mom who was watching her son up on stage (even though I’m much younger) and rooting for him because he is my favorite, but cringing at times because I wanted him to be able to PERFORM as nicely as Obama did.

That’s just never going to happen, McCain is a straight shooter, but he’s not a great performer…and I don’t care about that EXCEPT for the fact that appearances are so important to people who don’t want to look past the facade.  I thought McCain repeated himself a lot, and thought both candidates, instead of bringing something fresh and new, often reverted back to the speeches that they give during their Campaign stops, lines I’ve heard repeatedly as I’ve followed closely during the past many…too many…weeks.

So round #1, as far as performance, goes to Obama, but I know deep inside that I want experience, and someone who has has had the courage to stand up against even his own party when he doesn’t agree…so at present, my November vote still goes to McCain.

Now we look forward to the VP Debate next week on October 2nd…where did September go anyway? Have a great weekend!

Here’s the debate:

Earlier today, I listened to Joe Biden give what he stated was an important foreign policies speech while I put away our groceries.  It was quite a good speech and set my republican-leaning mind thinking about a few things.  He did the expected bit of bashing of the Bush administration, but he also shared quite a few things that the he and Obama would like to accomplish if they are elected.  I think I take back what I wrote two posts ago.

I was in a bit of a discussion with my sister,  as we try to sort out specific issues, and frankly can say that after I hear a speaker, it’s hard to remember each issue and address it.  I suggested that it’s times like this when commentators are helpful, even if I don’t like all of them.  At least by listening to them, whether liberal or conservative, I come away with a clearer idea of what the issues are, whether the speaker was correct in what they shared or stretching a point, so I do rely a lot on what those in the media say, on both sides of the aisle to help me sort through the confusion.

As for Obama, he’s spending some concentrated time preparing for the debate on Friday, can’t wait to see that, and while Biden is giving speeches on foreign policy, McCain and Palin are meeting with World Leaders at the UN, something they have been doing this week.

With fairly good candidates in both parties, it’s no wonder that the polls are almost a 50-50 split, not including approx. 18% of voters who remain undecided.

If you’re looking for a place for lively debate and discussion about the political issues and the election, I’ve been made aware of a political blog where you can “argue with everyone”. This is an open-forum, un-moderated blog with few rules or guidelines, so in a sense you are diving in at your own risk, and might see just about anything. The intention, I am sure, is to embrace that fact that we as a Nation have Freedom of Speech. It is your choice what you chose to do with that freedom.

I’m about to go see what’s happening at the blog right now.

I have a few dates for you, and will add more as I find them….mark your calendars, or key into whatever device you use for reminders:

September 26th - U. of Mississippi

October 7th - Belmont U.

October 15 - Hofstra U.

I’ll add more as the new ones come in.