“The VOTE” – 9/29/08

the-vote.jpg

Map and count is current as of 9/29/08. Presentation by Jamie, Brittany, Courtney, and Susan.

  • Obama / Biden – 228
  • McCain / Palin – 163
  • Toss Up – 147

Each week between September 15 and November 4 (the election) Senior Current Issues will provide you an update on the progress of the 2008 Presidential Election. Each week at this site you will find a photo (USA Electoral Map in room #112) of the updated polling comparisons between Barack Obama and John McCain. Each week a different group of seniors will offer you a three to five minute podcast of where this election currently stands and the trends they see on the horizon. Student groups will provide a news article that they think will help you to better understand the dynamics of this election. All students are encouraged to listen to the podcast and read the article.

SCI students will offer a “what do you think” question that goes with the news article. All Senior Current Issues students must do the ensuing 20 point blog. All other students may choose to answer the question as an extra credit blog assignment (5 pts max.) Postings for the question must be made by 7:00 PM Friday of the week in question.

All electoral votes come from estimates located on Real Clear Politics.com Remember polls are only estimates of how people may vote. Until Nov 4 nobody really knows the outcome of this election.

Podcast (2:58) click podcast. Go to Real Clear Politics while you listen. Podcast coincides with photo of map in room 112, located at the top of this post.

News Article – New York Times – “Candidates Clash on Economy and Iraq”

Question – Read the article. What are your feelings about McCain continuously calling Obama an inexperienced liberal and Obama pointing out the connections between McCain and President Bush in the debate? Explain.

Check the category “08 ELECTION – The News” for more news about the candidates and the Election.

EVALUATION: JAMIE / BRITTANY / COURTNEY / SUSAN

Podcast: C+ (78%)    A lot of this feedback is from 2nd and 3rd Hour Economics classes.  Plusses – opinion was interjected into the podcast more this time.  It wasn’t just the states up and down.  That was probably the biggest plus.  Also, it covered the all of the changes.  The negatives primarily revolve around the quality of the podcast.  At times it was way too quiet and fast to understand.  And the length was a problem.  All n all, much better than the intial version.

News Article / Question: A (93%)  Good question.  Good article. 

Presentation: B- (80%)   It was better than the first time around.  I still think we need to get to the point where it feels better planned out, where there is more interaction with the audience and with the map.  I’d like to see a presentation that looks practice.  But again this was a big improvement from the first time. 

Overall Grade: B (83%) / OK.  A lot better when you reshuffled the deck and did again.  With some extra planning on the presentation and editing on the podcast I think we could’ve gained a few more points.  But all-n-all, much improved.

Comments Off on “The VOTE” – 9/29/08

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0 Responses to “The VOTE” – 9/29/08

  1. Jessica Wambaugh-5th hour

    I think this is all really McCain had on Obama. In the first 40 minutes all McCain was talking about is how much of an inexperienced liberal Obama is and doesn’t really anwser much of the questions asked. They say in the article that “he’s almost like a professor talking down the a new student.” Obama makes a big point when he says “We also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain — the theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most and somehow prosperity will trickle down,” Mr. Obama said. “It hasn’t worked, and I think that the fundamentals of the economy have to be measured by whether or not the middle class is getting a fair shake.” Why should we vote for McCain when he supported the policies promoted by George Bush, when they have failed and now we are stuck in the worst finacial situation since the Great Depression???

    Obama is right when he tells McCain that he was the one saying how quick and easy the war was going to be and also how there where weapons of mass destruction. He was wrong. There were none of that there and now we are just in a big mess that we can’t seem to get ourselfs out of.

    I think McCain should quit focusing on how inexperienced Obama is and start focusing more on real life issues such as the war and our finical debt. If the rest of the country thinks that Obama is inexperienced then thats fine, McCain doesn’t need to revolve his debate around this issue!!!

    (0/20 F – Spelling) Jess this is way tooooo good to get a zero. But three strikes you’re out. Check the spelling.

  2. Daniel C. - 5th hour

    I thought the debate was great. They talked for 90 minutes about the stuff that matters most right now. They both talked about an equal amount of time, which is good for both of them. What I did’nt like is that they both talked each other down. Mr. McCain calling Mr. Obama inexperienced and Mr. Obama connecting Mr. McCain to president Bush. Why can’t the candidates just talk about the good their going to do for our country. To me, when I hear them talking bad about the other person, they lose points if I’m scoreing them.

    My feelings about McCain calling Obama inexperenced are wrong in my opinion. Obama has served on the Sennate for 4 years and has gone through a lot in them four years. McCain called Obama “a risky choice durring a difficult time”. McCain felt like he had to explain foreign policy to Obama because he has had 30 years of history on national security. What a bunch of bull. McCain quoted “I don’t think I need any on-the-job training, I’m ready to go at it right now.” I think he’s ready. Ready to lead us in the direction president Bush has for the last eight years.

    My feeling about Obama pointing out connections between McCain and President Bush are that he should be doing that. If we vote McCain into office, we will have atleast 4 more years of the same thing because McCain voted with Bush over 90% of the time. Obama said” You like to pretend like the war started in 2007 – you talk about the surge. The war started in 2003. At the time, when the war started, you said it was going to be quick and easy. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong. You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong” That above quote proves that he is just like Bush.

    I thought this was very interesting. McCain said a New Hampshire woman gave McCain a bracelet of her 22 year old son who was killed in iraq. She asked him to keep alive the mission so his death was not in vain. Obama Immeditally said “I have a bracelet too.” He told the story of a Wisconson woman who gave him a bracelet to wear of her son who was killed in the war. She asked obama to end the war so other mothers do not share her anguish. This proves that McCain wants to continue the war and Obama wants to end the war.

    (0/20 F – spelling) Too bad you did a very thorough job. Just spell check it! Follow the blogging guidelines

  3. Hope S.

    Extra Credit

    I think it is stupid for McCain to call Obama an inexperienced liberal!! He has no idea what he is talking about and he is just made that Obama will win this election and McCain is just a sorry old man. And i think Obama had every right to compare McCain to Bush because they have alot of the same ideas and plans and if he is not going to change our economy then we should point that out so we can have change not the same thing!!!

    2 PTS EXTRA – I appreciate the comment, but lets put some insight into the question…this is more of a rant on John McCain. But keep posting.

  4. Michael Daniels

    I think that even though mccain had pointed out the inexperince of Obama, Obama still has a lead because he is aware of the issues of our nation and he surely has an answer. Now McCain on the other hand has yet to give us any way of solving any of these problems, But better yet he likes to complain that Obama is inexperienced.

    -5 spelling (9 / 20 F) You need to dig in a bit. And make sure the spelling is checked.

  5. David kissel from 6 hour

    I think both were ok. Plus both had the same time to talk down another. I think both should stop being mean to each other and really talk about how both can really help the world out. Because Bush is not helping the world out so far. So I’m saying that both were ok. GO OBAMA and NOT MCCAIN…….

    12 of 20 / D – This is an OK start. But you have to dig in a bit. Read the article. Tell me something about the article. If you want a good grade then that will have to happen.

  6. Samantha Ferrier 1st

    On the issue of McCain calling Obama an inexperienced liberal is just nonsense. Does he need to be reminded who is vice president is? I mean come on, McCain you have about three months left to live, then Sarah will have to take over and if that isn’t a scary thing I don’t know what is. Barack Obama may not have been a Senator for 22 years but in the three years he has been one he has created the Earned Income Tax Credit and as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee he has fought for veterans to get the pay they were not only promised but that they deserve. I think McCain isn’t afraid of his inexperience, I believe he is afraid of Obama’s strategy and the fact that Barack knows what middle class Americans are going through.

    As for Obama continuously connecting John McCain to President Bush, I don’t think it hurt him but I also don’t think it helped him as much as he thought it would. I’m not a big fan of one political candidate bad mouthing and attacking the other candidate. To me many people still associate John McCain to President Bush not only because they are both Republicans but also because the two have voted very similar to each other. The Huffington Post stated that McCain has voted 100% of the time with Bush in 2008 and 95% of the time with Bush in 2007. People may perceive Obama connecting McCain and Bush as a strategy to avoid questions and point the blame at the whole Republican Party. However, this could help persuade the American people that McCain is just like President Bush and he has no idea how to turn the country around. It all depends on who is listening to the debate and how naïve they are.

    Neither one of these situations appealed to me, I became sick of hearing it, but political propaganda gets people elected so it will continue to happen.

    22 of 20 / A+ Really good look at the article and at the debate. Your insight on bad mouthing is well taken…it does get old. But for a lot of people it is effective. You are unique! Good thoughts on McCain’s fear of Obama strategy. Quite possible. And nice quote from Huffington post. All the way around really well done.

  7. Samantha Ferrier 1st REPOST

    REPOST….
    On the issue of McCain calling Obama an inexperienced liberal it is just nonsense. Does he need to be reminded who is vice president is? I mean come on, McCain you have about three months left to live, then Sarah will have to take over and if that isn’t a scary thing I don’t know what is. Barack Obama may not have been a Senator for 22 years but in the three years he has been one he has created the Earned Income Tax Credit and as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee he has fought for veterans to get the pay they were not only promised but that they deserve. I think McCain isn’t afraid of his inexperience, I believe he is afraid of Obama’s plans and the fact that Barack knows what middle class Americans are going through.

    As for Obama continuously connecting John McCain to President Bush, I don’t think it hurt him but I also don’t think it helped him as much as he thought it would. I’m not a big fan of one political candidate bad mouthing and attacking the other candidate. To me many people still associate John McCain to President Bush not only because they are both Republicans but also because the two have voted very similar to each other. The Huffington Post stated that McCain has voted 100% of the time with Bush in 2008 and 95% of the time with Bush in 2007. People may perceive Obama connecting McCain and Bush as a strategy to avoid questions and point the blame at the whole Republican Party. However, this could help persuade the American people that McCain is just like President Bush and he has no idea how to turn the country around. It all depends on who is listening to the debate and how naïve they are.

    Neither one of these situations appealed to me, I became sick of hearing it, but political propaganda get’s people elected so it will continue to happen.

    I got the first one. Not sure what you changed…I check with your assistants Lexi pro and Brittany V.

  8. Samantha Ferrier 1st REPOST

    REPOST….
    On the issue of McCain calling Obama an inexperienced liberal it is just nonsense. Does he need to be reminded who is vice president is? I mean come on, McCain you have about three months left to live, then Sarah will have to take over and if that isn’t a scary thing I don’t know what is. Barack Obama may not have been a Senator for 22 years but in the three years he has been one he has created the Earned Income Tax Credit and as a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee he has fought for veterans to get the pay they were not only promised but that they deserve. I think McCain isn’t afraid of his inexperience, I believe he is afraid of Obama’s plans and the fact that Barack knows what middle class Americans are going through.

    As for Obama continuously connecting John McCain to President Bush, I don’t think it hurt him but I also don’t think it helped him as much as he thought it would. I’m not a big fan of one political candidate bad mouthing and attacking the other candidate. To me many people still associate John McCain to President Bush not only because they are both Republicans but also because the two have voted very similar to each other. The Huffington Post stated that McCain has voted 100% of the time with Bush in 2008 and 95% of the time with Bush in 2007. People may perceive Obama connecting McCain and Bush as a strategy to avoid questions and point the blame at the whole Republican Party. However, this could help persuade the American people that McCain is just like President Bush and he has no idea how to turn the country around. It all depends on who is listening to the debate and how naïve they are.

    Neither one of these situations appealed to me, I became sick of hearing it, but political propaganda get’s people elected so it will continue to happen.

    I got the first one. Not sure what you changed…I check with your assistants Lexi pro and Brittany V.

  9. PAS

    My first visit to your blog!! Well done. Congratulations on your mastery of technology but more importantly, congratulations on your involvement. Don’t miss the thursday night debate. I question the word debate, it might be more accurately described as a presentation.

    Did you know Gwen Ifill broke her ankle on tuesday?
    Evidently she plans to serve as the moderator despite her fall.

    THANKS FOR POSTING!!!!!!

  10. RACHEL STEWART 3rd hr

    *extra credit*

    I have not watched the entire debate from last Friday, however, I have read several articles about how it went, which included direct quotes from both senators and I would like to express my annoyance towards Obama for constantly using Senator McCain’s first name whenever he spoke to or about McCain. It may not sound like a big deal, but it is for me. It seemed unprofessional and got very annoying.

    Also, Obama is quoted saying “John, it’s been your president who you said you agreed with 90 percent of the time…”. Why does he say it’s “your” president?! Last time I checked, George W. Bush is still every citizen in the United State’s President, so unless Obama isn’t a legal citizen of the United States, I hope he does not continue to use that phrase as a reference to Bush.

    You sound a bit annoyed. That’s not like you…you’re never annoyed.

    Now, to answer the questions:

    I don’t think it should be any surprise to anyone that throughout the debate Obama was trying to connect McCain to Bush any way he could, or that McCain would constantly call Obama inexperienced. I think both senators had fair arguments.

    I do not think, however, that continually making these remarks to each other is good strategy because it gets old! You can only say “McCain is just another Bush” or “Obama is inexperienced” so many times before these remarks start to lose their effect on people.

    I am disappointed that neither candidate really dug into the debate to throw off their opponent by bringing something new to the table for viewers to discuss and support or argue over.

    One thing I was kind of amused about was both senator’s “bracelet stories”. I think that both stories were very meaningful, I just found it hilarious that both senators had a bracelet story and it got neither senator more “brownie” points than the other for touching watching American’s hearts.

    In conclusion, I’m glad McCain stood his ground to Obama, but I hope the next debate really heats things up, as well as the debate tonight with Palin taking on Biden.

    5 pts EXTRA – McCain stood his ground to Obama? He did…but what does this mean? Nice conservational tone to your post. Good insights on everything from bracelet stories to the overdone Bush and inexperience references.

  11. Tyler Darnell

    In my opinion McCain calling Obama an inexperienced liberal is very unjustified. First of all when did it start to be a bad thing to be liberal? There are many liberal people all over the country and by using the work like this McCain is singling out a large group of people. Most people agree that McCain has a lot of experience, and it is smart of him to use that against Obama. It is also smart of Obama to point out how much McCain has supported Bush because it was George W. Bush that got us into this problem in the first place. I however did not like how McCain and Obama constantly talked down on each other in the debate. If I was running for president I would try to keep my cool and show America that I could stay professional under pressure.

    -5 pts spelling (11 of 20 / F) Not bad. It would’ve been a B – I’d like to see you dig in a bit deeper. But your point about the talking down is well taken. I do think it would be really tuff to keep your cool. We’ll see tonight in debate #2.

  12. Julia T.

    Obama presented very well, and brought up a lot of good points and pretty much ‘showed’ McCain up. Since McCain obviously didn’t like this, he kept saying Obama had no idea what he was talking about and that he was ‘inexperienced’. He was saying this mostly because McCain has nothing else on him, and Obama’s young. Even though, one of our greatest president’s JFK was also very young during his presidency.
    Obama relating Bush and McCain was not only true, but put McCain on the spot because of it, and he didn’t really seem to know how to react. Since McCain is basically following in Bush’s footsteps and agreeing with most of what Bush says, that puts him in a bad position when he’s running for president because we all want and need change.

    In my opinion, Obama won. No doubt in my mind.

    18 of 20 / A – Not bad. Your connection of Bush and McCain coupled with the change issue is interesting. Also Obama’s youth. Also good addition of John Kennedy into the blog. Don’t you think at ALL, that the inexperience label works?

  13. Jamie M 1st Hour

    REPOST

    I feel like the point of a 90 minute debate is to inform the American public of the way that each candidate feels about the issues. This time should also be used to display the competence of the candidates either equal or in ones favor. I don’t think that name calling or pointing fingers was an appropriate use of this time although they each had valid points.

    Obama pointing out the links between McCain and Bush was a valid connection. It reminded the public that the Bush administration is at least partly to blame for the finical crisis, and because McCain and Bush are both Republicans they share a lot of the same views. These views mean that the way that McCain would run the country would be very similar to the way that Bush does today. The American public is extremely afraid of this possibility, and the Bush-McCain connection does not help.

    McCain calling Obama an inexperienced liberal was a normalcy in this campaign to me. McCain tries to use this so often against Obama that I think now people are just starting to ignore this. Many still worry about this issue but I think during the debate is was a exhausted comment that McCain thought would have more of an effect.

    I think that although these comments may contain significant issues in today’s election they were pointless and time wasting. I would rather that they talk only about their plans to fix this world instead of wasting time pointing fingers, and calling names during future debates.

    (-5 spelling ) 16 of 20 – B / Nice job. I do think that the continual name calling wears thin on the debate. Somehow it seemed to work better with Biden??? Did you think? Maybe it was the presentation. McCain has worn out the liberal label – do you think that is the same with the inexperience.

  14. Maurice McKinnies From 6th Hour

    I think the reason that Obama is winning Against McCain in the Electoral College by 97. Is because McCain is not saying everything that he wants to say and that is because he might be saying something wrong and knows that there is no time to make a mistake in the election. If he says something to get on the peoples side he know he has to do it and does not know if he can keep his word. I believe that Obama is liked more because they see him taking action now by helping the middle class as of right now. Also if people get over the fact that he is black I think everyone would vote for him they know that Obama can keep his word. And he is awake just like the Buddha that came down for the mountain and I think the debate went good because you got to hear or read things you don’t know about them.

    12 of 20 / D Maurice you did not read the article at ALL. Or if you did you didn’t mention it in this post. Spelling is good. Argument is good. But you need to follow the assignment. But you did it and that is GOOD!

  15. Vanessa Decker-Smith 2

    Extra Credit. I need as much as i can get. Thanks 🙂

    First of all i don’t think that McCain should of said anything about Obama like that i think that when they are talking in something like that they should just be talking about what they think and not putting the others down. That makes me really mad.
    I still don’t think that McCain has anything on Obama i think that he can say anything that he wants to try to make himself look good and sound good but i don’t think that he had much on Obama.
    Obama knows what he is talking about for the most part for example when he says, “how McCain thought that the war was going to be quick and easy” and it wasn’t. I don’t think that McCain knows about much he is just rambling on about a lot of different stuff.
    Also i think that McCain just really needs to focus on himself and not worry about Obama because i think that when he is talking about him and he is wrong it is just making him look even more bad.

    3 PTS EXTRA CREDIT – you need to dig into the article. What about Obama and his citing of Bush? McCain and his inexperienced liberal. I think it’s good you posted. Try to stick to the the question.

  16. Courtney Johnston

    My feelings on McCain called Obama an inexperienced liberal is showing that McCain is scared that there might be someone who may know more than he does and he is going to do anything in his power to make sure everybody know what he doesn’t know. Obama may be inexperienced but McCain has been in the office longer and the longer you do something the more you will pick up and will learn. Besides Obama may have been inexperience time wise but he has had to deal with alot for the time being.
    Obama pointing out the connections between McCain and President Bush are because he wants to show people that if McCain gets into office it is more than likely to be the same has Bush, we will probably still have the war. Obama said that if he is in office that we should be out of the Iraq War and hopefully in Afghanistan in 16 months. That seems like a long time but it is better than being in the war for 7 years. Will still have some hope will Obama in the war aspect. Obama also pointed out that if we choose McCain that are economy is going to stay the same. We will still have all the money troubles that we have today. But if we choose Obama then he has said that we as citizens and middle class families that he is going to give us more for our money and try to change the way the economy and United States if going. I believe that we should all vote for Obama because I feel that he is going to change the world in a very good way and he is going to bring the middle class family back. If you want McCain to win then vote for the war but personally I am done with this war and gas prices.

    17 of 20 – B+ / I am glad that you are personally done with the war and gas prices. Your connections between McCain the war and economy is an interesting link. Actually not too bad.

  17. Torre Esparza 2nd REDUE

    EXTRA CREDIT

    The debate was a good one in my opinion I think that it was pretty much equal between candidates, however, both of them tried to put down the other one. McCain tried to corner Obama by saying he was inexperienced and Obama came back with the issue of McCain being like Bush. I also admire how both of our candidates didn’t fold under pressure and made it impossible for the other one to get in their head during the debate.

    I feel that John McCain kept on using the tactic of telling Barack Obama that he was inexperienced because he was blank of ideas and had to have something for a response. I believe if McCain really thought Obama was inexperienced then he should have proved it in the debate which he didn’t. He never was able to corner Obama into him saying a wrong statement about the issues which an inexperienced candidate would do. VERY VERY GOOD POINT

    However I think that Obama was smart in comparing McCain to Bush because after looking what Bush has done, it is a good way to make McCain’s issues look ineffective. Obama was doing the same thing as McCain in the matter of trying to corner his opponent which he also failed to do, which, made the debate successful and close.

    I think that McCain tried to make people lean toward his side by bringing up the fact that he was wearing the bracelet still today from the woman in New Hampshire. Which she had approached him and presented him with a bracelet from her 22 year old son who was killed. She had then said “Keep this mission alive so his death was not in vain.”

    Meanwhile, I loved how Obama quickly responded with the fact of he himself has a bracelet as well but from a woman in Wisconsin. She had said “Please end the war so other mothers don’t share her same anguish.” I think that both sides have a well deserved statement; however, it’s just within the eye of the beholder of how you want to view it.

    All in all I think that both candidates did what they were supposed to do in a debate which is try to do whatever they can to make themselves look more deserving for the job. I also think that both candidates did such a good job in responding to the issues and the responses from the other candidates.

    5 PTS EXTRA – Nice job. Really well done. I think you’re right on each candidate attempting to get into the others head. And I think you are correct when you said they didn’t. Nice observations.

  18. Benjamin N

    i enjoyed the part of debate i got to watch last night, i have to be in bed around 10 but i got to stay up to 10:30. I hope i get the extra credit that they talked about but i guess you didn’t say anything about it so have no obligation to give it.

    As for the Obama McCain debate, I didn’t get to finish that either, i had to find it on you tube and my little sis also needed the internet so i couldn’t finish watching it. The part that i did see was good though they each exchanged points well enough. it is in the best interest of public to bring up the problems and faults of the candidates. I believe that, though ill expressed, these points are important to the election and the choice of the people. I don’t believe that these should be taken too seriously however as Obama has shown impressive strategy and tactics and expresses the views of his party better than anyone else in that party and has 4 years of senate experience to draw from in his 4 years as president. McCain has his voting record (which i can’t seem to find) to show his support of the bush administration, but perhaps the more recent differences between he and bush will be long lasting and have a beneficial effect. Truly the issues are at debate, however. and as such they should be foremost in the minds of Americans who are going to vote.
    If i were able to vote i wouldn’t, we need the change Obama may bring, But i don’t agree with the changes he will bring. McCain will most likely be a second Bush and, though i support the war in Iraq, i do not think Bush’s policies have helped the economy and McCain is not economically strong. I cannot choose between two evils.

    EXTRA CREDIT – 4 PTS / Nice posting. Interesting ideas. Kick your little sister off the internet.

  19. crystal davis

    I feel that both candidates have a point. Obama has never been a president before so he has no experience for presidency so in away McCain is right, but what McCain doesn’t seem to realize is that Obama does know how to lead. Right now he is the senator of Illinois. So when you think about it he does have some experience. I also think that he doesn’t think about some one on his own side. Sarah Palen has had even less experience then Obama she has only been a mayor and now a governor. That is not a major leading job like being a senator. Especially since it’s for Alaska nobody even lives there except the fishers.

    Then when you look at Obama and him pointing out connections between McCain and Bush, he has a point too. McCain wants to stay in Iraq like Bush and keep sending more of our people over there to gain control. Like Palen said in the VP debate last night “we have got to win in Iraq”, but what is there to win? Many of the things McCain believes in are what Bush set up. He has also said in the past a lot that the fundamentals for the economy are strong. Bush believes the same thing for he has said it too. Really though the fundamentals for the economy are not strong. If you look at it and it was strong than MI of all places wouldn’t be so bad. Though when you really think about it McCain has to agree with a lot of things Bush says because he is a Republican. Kind of like monkey say monkey do.

    About the debate one of the things McCain said in the debate several times was that Obama doesn’t understand. Well I don’t believe that. McCain just doesn’t want Obama to believe that he understands. Also McCain made himself look bad buy not having eye contact with Obama at all. I just wanted to point that out.

    21 of 20 – A+ / Very good job bringing Palin into the Mix. Very good insight to McCain having to agree with Bush because they are both Republican. This is well done. Nice job Crystal!

  20. Geoff Eely

    I think that McCain is scared of Obama and realizes that he is on the downside of the election. The way that he keeps putting down Obama shows that he knows he is on the short end of the Bush Administrations mistakes. I think that it is a smart move to link McCain to Bush in order to put fear back into the people. The people are scared of what is to come because of the Bush administration’s actions, and Obama is reminding them that McCain is very similar to Bush. In the end it is a very good political move by Obama to link McCain to Bush.

    14 of 20 / I think it’s probably the greatest shortcoming McCain has. How does he escape Bush’s record. But you don’t really dig in much at all Mr. Eely. Just a plain ole C-.

  21. Alexandra ickes

    My feelings on McCain calling Obama inexperienced is this, both candidates have strong and weak point in the election. Both candidates like the article said used different things to pock and prod at each other. McCain saying Obama is inexperienced is a ridiculous thing for him to continue to use against him. I say this because look who his Vice president is, Sarah Palin has a very limited amount of experience so pointing out the experience of Obama is pretty much contradicting his V.p pick. Obama also mad repetitive stabs at McCain but the thing with what Obama was say is that it is a valid point. McCain did agree and support President Bush through out his administration in which got us no where. And not to use that against him would be a bad idea because it reminds the people how Obama wants change and McCain will not bring it.

    (-10 pts) 6 of 20 F / OK this is an improvement over the last run. You spellchecked it. Now you have to go back and read it again…to make sure that the correct word was in for the spell check. Hey come on you did this last year. Just take your time and put some time in. The posting is pretty good. I think your insight to the Palin situation is well taken. But at -10 points a shot it will be hard to get by. Take your time and check!

  22. Britt Weiss

    The debate was actually very interesting. Mccain did better than I thought he was going to do. Although, I had some bones to pick with Senator Mccain. I did not appreciate him calling Obama an inexpierenced liberal. Obama has some great plans to get us out of many of these important issues we are facing today.
    Obama did compare Mccain to president Bush throughout the debate. Many of Bush’s policies such as Public spending for example, Mccain has supported him completely. “The theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most and somehow prosperity will trickle down,” said by Obama to Mccain. He said that it has not worked and that the economy can not be measured by the middle classe‘s fair shake.I really agree with Obama when he said Mccain was wrong when he said the war would be quick and easy because we know where the weapons of mass destruction are and Obama said it is not quick nor easy and its not,look at how much we have put out there, we are in huge debt!
    Throughout the debate Mccain acted very cold to Obama and would talk down to him. He said he had to explain foreign policy to Senator Obama, and actually he is the one who cannot even get Pakistan’s new presidents name right. When Mccain would speek to Obama he would not look at him and when Obama may say something that he did not agree with he would be brisk and say, ” well Obama does not understand.”
    I also dont like that Mccain said that he does not need any training because evadently he does need training because he does not even know what he stands for.
    With all matter, these two candidates are in fact very different such as, taxes, Iraq, and Iran. In conclusion I think that Obama is more of a role model and a positive candidate to be future president. I have been following along with their views and how their positions have changed during the race and Obama has been true the whole time. People wonder why Mccain is compared to Bush so much but it is because he agrees with him 90 percent of the time. Why do we want to stay in this mess and especially when he supports Bush!!! GO OBAMA!!!!!

    (-10 pts spelling) 9 of 20 / F – Brit good insights. A lot of opinion and quotes from the post. You need to spell check so that you get the grade that the ideas provide. But rules is rules. Spell check. Spell check. Spell check.

  23. Susan Baker

    I think that it is a debate and there is going to be fingers pointed. Both McCain and Obama have the right to point out the other person’s flaws. Obama wants to win this election and get peoples votes so he is going to point out that McCain is like Bush. I also think that McCain is like Bush because they are both Republican’s; they both want the same things. I think he is like Bush because he doesn’t want to get out of the war and that is making the stock market go down even more. We are also in a worse financial situation since the great depression.

    Also when McCain is talking about how Obama is an inexperienced liberal, well I don’t think that he should say that. Whenever you hear Obama on the television you can see that he knows exactly what he is talking about. He is also open-minded about things and he listens to what the other person has to say instead of just interrupting them and saying what he thinks. I think that this is really the only thing that McCain had on Obama because in the article it said that for the first forty minutes that’s all McCain talked about is Obama being an inexperienced liberal. McCain never really answered any question either. McCain needs to start focusing more on real-life issues and not worry about Obama.

    18 of 20 A / You know Susan your posts are never very long, but you tend to get to the point. This is to the point. They both do have the righ to point out flaws and it is a debate. So you’re going to see these things. Your connection of the war and bush and mccain is well put as is McCain’s need to start focusing on the issues…however, I do not think that is where this campaign is headed. Nice job.

  24. Briana 6th hour

    Obama made some good points about McCain. Even though I like Bush and McCain, Bush didn’t do the best job handling this coutry but I’ll still support the fact that he did what he could. And now for McCain I pray that he pulls through in a stronger force with this nation. Now McCain’s attack towards Obama also had some good points. Obama is just a young chap entering this race. It’s never an easy thing. Especially when he has so many accusations towards him brings the view of his power down a notch. I personally wouldn’t vote for Obama if my life depended on it because of my beliefs but I personally feel that McCain was more mature about this situation which makes it more obvious that he will be like this in other ones to come, where Obama will be somewhat childish. Either way both men made very good points and I guess we’ll have to see how it all adds up on November 4th.

    (-5 spelling) 11 of 20 / F – A young chap. I don’t think I’ve ever heard that description of Barack Obama before. Well said. Come on now dig into the questions. What about the accusations? By both guys. Come on dig in Briana. And spell check.

  25. Joseph Kieft

    Through out the whole article John McCain states Senator Obama as inexperienced, and also follows a lot of Senator Obama answers (come backs) with I think Obama still doesn’t understand or he still doesn’t get this… Obama is very intellectual, and even if he hasn’t lived for 72 years I believe he would do an outstanding job as our country’s next president. He might not have the most experience with foreign policies, but his vice president does. Good point on the Biden thing. Together Obama and Biden form a very well team. Unlike John McCain and Sarah Palin; which I think for McCain being what he thinks more experienced than Obama did a fantastic job of picking his Vice president candidate (SARCASIUM!!!!). That doesn’t make McCain look very intelligent. Also when McCain stated that he believed the United States economy was strong about 10 days ago and not even 2 days later was changing his perspective, and was saying we were in a great crisis. Also John wants to give tax cuts to the rich! With out the middle class the economy will fail, and by doing the trickle down idea won’t solve anything. President Bush has tried that for the last 8 years with his deregulation and tax breaks for the wealthy. Look where it has placed America today. Obama wants to give tax breaks to the middle class, and is for the bail out policy but only if it doesn’t just bail out the rich and the government makes sure that the tax payer’s money is given back to them. I love the fact that these too men are so different and it makes me realize why I am democratic. I didn’t want bush in office in the first place he is an ignorant, money hungry, war obsessed little man. I look at Senator McCain the same way since he has supported President Bush on things like the war ( they thought the same things as when the war was going to be over, and that it wouldn’t take long at all since they new where the WMD’s were. When they both were way wrong.), about the deregulation they seem to me like the same person. It is surprising that anyone is thinking about voting for McCain when Bush is so unsupported by the American people. Why would anyone want to vote for another Republican with same views? Obama did a fantastic job of connecting the two together. I think it made more Americans realize what they were doing before they were going to vote for another Bush. It was brilliant. If McCain win this election America is screwed! BIG time! So I feel that America needs a Democratic to fix the Republicans mess ups, and America needs Obama.

    (-5 spelling) 14 of 20 – C / Joe…you have all sorts of opinions here. Good insight on the addition of Biden into the mix. And you’ve got Bush and McCain connected. Your insights are good. Do you really think that a Democrat can fix this mess?

  26. taylorcourtney

    I totally agree with Jessica Wambaugh. I’m sick of hearing how inexperienced Obama is. I think McCain made himself look stupid because he said that Obama is an inexperienced liberal but reading this article it doesn’t sound like he is inexperienced at all actually he really held his own. McCain did not know what he was talking about it really just made me laugh, kind of like “ha your dumb”. Then McCain talks about how inexperienced Obama is then goes and picks Palin for Vice President, wow he contradicts himself picking someone as inexperienced as Palin but then saying how inexperienced Obama is, it’s just weird. Even if Obama doesn’t know anything about foreign policies, which it sounds to me like he does, his Vice President Biden does.

    good insight into the Palin situation…it does steal some of McCain’s thunder.

    When reading this article Obama had a great point he said “You like to pretend like the war started in 2007- you talk about the surge. The war started in 2003.” At the time, when the war started, you said it was going to be quick and easy. You said we knew where the weapons of mass destruction were. You were wrong. You said that we were going to be greeted as liberators. You were wrong.” When I read that I was like wow that sounds just like what Bush had said. People do need Obama to remind us how alike McCain and Bush are. Because we do not need another Bush in office, and there are so many examples of McCain supporting Bush and with Bush being disliked so much I don’t see why anyone would vote for him. “We also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain” this is just one more example of how McCain is like Bush. I really think that Obama is totally right why would we want another Bush?

    I basically think that McCain calling Obama inexperienced just makes him look dumb and Obama making Connections between Bush and McCain is totally true!!

    20 of 20 – A/ Good connection of Bush and McCain and Obama’s words. “wow that sounds just like what Bush had said” Good. All n all very well done.

  27. Kyle Pascavis

    I strongly believe that McCain does not have the right to call Obama an inexperienced liberal. Just because Obama is about 25 years younger than McCain doesn’t mean that Obama does not have the knowledge or intelligence on the political issues our country faces today. I thought Obama actually answered his questions very strongly and clearly during the presidential debate. If I would have to vote I think Obama won that debate. Obama certainly held his ground during the issues especially the foreign policy issues that McCain was favored in. In the article it said McCain called Pakistan’s president “Qadari” when his name is acually Asif Ali Zardari. I’m sorry but if you are going to talk about other countries issues you should know the name of the countries president your talking about. That just shows me that McCain did not look to far into the issue between Pakistan and Iran. Obama really knew what he was doing in this debate. To me it did not look like he was inexperienced at all.

    good insight into Obama’s inexperience

    I think it was the right thing to do when Obama brought up the connections between McCain and Bush because it reminded people how bad Bush messed up our economy and people don’t want that kind of person in office again. It only worked to Obama’s advantage in my eyes. It’s all true what Obama said about it as well. Many of the answers on the political issues such as the economy that McCain has had are the same that president Bush promoted. In most people’s eyes that is a scary thing because people don’t want another Bush in office. Bottom line is that Obama is very smart for bringing up the connections John McCain has with Bush because many people may have forgot what Bush did to our country and this subject reminded them of what he did and I think it will hurt McCain badly in the election in November.

    Overall though the debate seemed like it was pretty good and competitive. The candidates expressed their idea’s very clearly and they made sense. I believe that it was a very close debate but I think Obama came out on top in my eyes.

    18 of 20 – A/ Good job all the way around. Nice to see you used spell check. Well done.

  28. Kaylee G

    Both of the candidates set out sharply different views of how they would manage the country and confront America’s adversaries abroad on the Friday night debate. For 90 minutes the candidates discussed our nation’s worst financial crisis since the great depression and the bailout plan which at that time was $700 billion dollars and now is $850 billion.

    For the first 40 minutes Obama linked McCain to the Bush administration which I would also be doing. Our country is been hurting for the past 8 years and we need a different politician in office, and this person needs to have different views unlike McCain who voted with Bush 90% of the time. Our country does not need to have another republican in office. Also, McCain agrees with the war which is putting our country’s defense and economy in shambles. Going back to the article, Obama said, “You like to pretend like the war started in 2007—you talk about the surge. The war started in 2003.” Obama also stated that McCain said that the war was going to be “quick and easy.” But I agree with Obama targeting him on this completely because with McCain being a supporter of this war how much longer will this go on? Will McCain end this war if he is elected into office? It really doesn’t mean anything to me that he wears that bracelet, I mean yeah it’s cool but, if he doesn’t want to pull the troops out then he’d have his whole body and many more people’s bodies filled with those bracelets for every person who died. It doesn’t really bother me about Obama tying both McCain and Bush together because I think that they are exactly alike; two rich cowboys who could give a rip about the middle class and the poor.

    quite thorough look at Obama’s criticism – it’s obvious that you support Obama. make sure not to get to emotional in evaluaition of the questions.

    As far as McCain criticizing Obama for the first 20 minutes for supporting earmarks, special projects sought by members for their destruct, I think that’s dumb. McCain used a variation of the phrase that Mr. Obama just “doesn’t understand” then why didn’t he try to explain anything to him? Going back to the article McCain accused Mr. Obama of having “the most liberal voting record in the United States senate” so what does that matter anyways. I feel like McCain is trying to do anything and everything to make Obama look very bad that way he won’t win but I think that McCain should try to get another strategy because that one is not working. Obama replied to that comment about him being liberal with “John mentioned being wildly liberal. Mostly, that’s just me opposing George Bush’s wrongheaded policies since I’ve been in congress.” I think this comment tops things off. Obama is right in every way. He wants to change America for the better and he’s just conservative about some issues than others, and I think there is nothing wrong with that.

    The article also said that the only differences between these two men include taxes, Iraq and Iran. I agree completely with this. But, I also think that Obama is passionate about changing America for the better and I don’t know what to say about McCain because I don’t like him.

    19 of 20 – A / REally I couldn’t tell you don’t like McCain. Don’t you have any questions at all about Obama’s inexperience? This was your opinion – try to be open minded in looking at the situation…then go ahead and hammer him if you must. However, you were quite thorough in looking at the article. Nice job.

  29. Jenny Larson

    My feelings about Obama’s inexperienced liberal views are i am very dissappointed in him, mad at him, just angry at him because he was my favorite one and he acted like he knew alot but now i am not sure if i like him anymore because i want someone who knows alot and going to do this country right.
    My feelings about McCains connection and support of the president are i don’t really care because i don’t like Bush or McCain because the #1 thing is the war that they don’t want to stop and i want it to stop because many,many people are dying a day. President Bush keeps sending troops over there and because of that he’s stupid.

    (-5 spelling) 12 of 20 – D / Nice job Jenny. Try taking a quote out of the article. I think it provides a little more insight to the article. Spell check!

  30. Chad Barnaby 1st

    I believe that senator McCain continuously calling senator Obama inexperienced is not smart on McCain’s part. People have already heard Hilary Clinton call him inexperienced and obviously the people either already know, or just out and out don’t care about how much experience he has. I do not see the need to tell people all the time that he lacks experience. Senator McCain has made his point the first ten times he says it, it’s just getting sort of boring/annoying to hear over and over again. It is like that Jared guy on the Subway commercial that claims he lost all that weight eating subs. We know we can “eat fresh” but some obviously cannot afford Subway. John McCain just needs to stop bringing up experience. He is old and I am sure not to many people have as much experience as him. But some have much better health. It does not benefit him, so he needs to stop saying it.

    Good insight on the repetition both of McCain and of the inexperienced label after Hillary.

    On the other hand we have Barack Obama who repetitively brings up how alike John McCain and President Bush are. And yes, I do think that is a benefit for him if he keeps bringing it up. What people are remembering is how much they hate President Bush and for senator Obama to just keep reminding the people of that, they will realize that they DO NOT want another George W. Bush. Barack Obama is backing up his statements with facts. John McCain and President Bush do have some of the same views and we economically are very unstable and I just don’t see how John McCain can improve that with the same views that got us into this mess. If Obama can keep on firing, he will be the next president of the United States of America.

    19 of 20 / A – Good look into the Obama comments. It’d be nice to see a quote from the article. All n all pretty good.

  31. Ryan L. King

    I think it is dumb for them to be arguing over dumb stuff when they need to be focusing on the real thing and that’s figuring out what our nation is going to do about our economy and stop acting as if they are immature cause I’m pretty sure no one wants a immature president. Also McCain has no reason to call Obama an inexperienced liberal and Obama has no reason to compare McCain to Bush. I mean they’re seriously acting like little kids fighting back and forth. But this is disapointing.

    (-5 pts spelling) 7 of 20 F / Ryan there is no indication that you read the article at all. Dig into the article – All you’ve done is tossed out a few accusations. You can do better. Much better Spell check.

  32. Arron Oakes 6th Hr

    The artical was one of the better ones that I have read about the debate. Mr. Obama sounds like he would be a better president moslty because all what he is trying to do with the war and the countrys finicial problems meet closly with my own. Mcain sounds just like President Bush dose and I dont see that he has done alot for this country. GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    this is my first time on a blog, even a teachers at that. And Mr. Wood, i would like to say that i like doing assinments like this better than in the class. : )

    0 of 20 / F That is great! But the problem is that you have to follow spelling rules. Four misses is a zero.

  33. Bomba Kerstin 2nd

    repost

    I think they shouldn’t talk about each other. They should look what they are going to do and how and not what was the mistake of the other person. The people don’t want to know which mistakes the candidates made in the past, they want to know what they are going to do in the future. good point in Germany. But this is the USA we like drama.

    Obama has maybe not so much experience like McCain, but Obama will not die in the next 10 years. Obama has enough experience to be a candidate, because if not why did the people vote for Obama to be a candidate? Obama has enough people that help him to control America and he has with Biden a vice President that has enough experience to lead America. Yes, McCain is connected with President Bush, but that doesn’t mean that he will lead America in the same way like President Bush. Yes, President Bush made some bad decisions but does this mean that McCain will make the same mistakes? I think that’s different if you have a boss or you are the boss. I don’t think that McCain will make similar mistakes because then he has to stand in the front and everybody will see his mistakes.

    You will never see a person that is without mistakes. Every person makes mistakes or has problems. You shouldn’t look after their mistakes; you should see their benefits and what they did to help somebody or to do something.

    19 of 20 – A / Good point with both issues – too much experience can be a hindrance. And Obama does link Bush and McCain on EVERYTHING! Smart politics…to a certain point and then it becomes redundant I think. Nice insights. The mayor of Munich would be very proud…dumplings for everyone. How bout some quotes? The Mayor of Munich will be very disappointed that you did not label this Extra Credit. No dumplings for you!

  34. Kelly L. 2nd hour

    The debate last Friday was a typical one. Both candidates tried to push forward their solutions on how to solve the economic crisis, Iraq, Russia and a slew of other issues. We had no clear victor this round, but we get a much clearer view of who our candidates really are.

    The things that were most pressing on both sides was that Obama is possibly inexperienced, and McCain is a little too much like Bush. Knowing their enemies greatest weakens, the two exploited them for nearly the entire debate. Obama made several comments that tried to convey the link between Bush and McCain, while McCain slyly made Obama’s inexperience evident. While I’m not entirely for mudslinging, it does have it’s uses. For one, the viewers can see both the positives and negatives of each candidate, in real time. This is much more effective than looking at a policies board. Yet, each candidate needs to be able to balance the good and the bad. Yes, call out bad plans your opponent has, but don’t let that be at the expense of talking about how yours are better.

    I think that both sides may have gone a little overboard with the negativity, but I don’t think that it will change much. Most people are going to say one side talked to much, while the other was innocent of negativity, because they are biased. Those people have likely already decided their vote, I doubt many undecided voters will pick their vote based solely on how annoyingly negative one or the other was.

    (-5 spelling) 13 of 20 – D / Interesting comments. I do think that the tactics are effective if not overdone. And I do agree that most have decided and that annoyances won’t change people’s minds. If one goes too far that might. Well said. How bout a quote or two from the article.

  35. Corey Swanson 1st Hour

    There are a few points one must understand before we can answer this question.

    Firstly, Obama is “inexperienced” in the traditional sense; however, I would like to point out that he beat one of the fiercest opponents in the political arena during the primary season: Hillary Clinton. Obviously, he is not only an intelligent man, but one also capable of handling himself in a high stakes political arena. I don’t feel that McCain’s attacks are accurate and they misrepresent Obama as some kind of reckless child playing with the big dogs when, actually, he has demonstrated nothing but good judgment and sound reasoning during his campaign.

    Secondly, McCain has repeatedly accused Obama of having a mistaken view on Iraq, one that will be like “waving the white flag” to the enemy. But, once again, McCain is the one mistaken because the plan that Obama wishes to pursue is the one that Bush and the top generals of this war, including General Petreaus, have negotiated and are implementing in Iraq.

    Knowing these things, the debate was great for both parties because it was certainly a tie (though I’d argue a net win for Obama). Many expected that Obama was going to falter on foreign relations, which he didn’t, and many thought McCain was going to fall to pieces when it came to alternative energies, which he also did not. Both candidates addressed all of the issues facing American voters today, but, unfortunately, neither held a clear advantage.

    In the end, I feel that these last two weeks have been some of the most successful of Obama’s entire career. McCain’s pick of Gov. Sarah Palin has lost it’s shine and the economic crisis has further weakened his standings in the polls. This election is going to be decided by the economic crisis’s facing our nation and the keyword of this season is “Change”. Tell me, when you look at Obama’s campaign and McCain’s, which one appears to be the true agent of change? The one with those words pasted right on the home page; or the one who uses figureheads, outdated political ideals, and attack ads that are as much fluff as they are revolting?

    This election must be one of change… this election must be won by Obama and Biden…

    We cannot afford more of the same…

    We cannot afford to lose…

    Thank you,

    Corey Swanson

    18 of 20 – A- / Your posts certainly are passionate – and effective at silencing the carcoffannus cries of the wilderness. But you gotta answer the entire question. Not just the part that deals with Obama. How do you feel about Obama’s linking McCain to bush. Is that fair? Is that effective? I think it is both, and expected. Just as I think McCains calls of the inexperience of Obama are fair – however, I’m not so sure they are effective. Keep working hard!

  36. Brittany Winters

    To be honest I have pretty harsh feelings about both of these topics. To start with I completely disagree with McCain and him calling Obama and inexperienced liberal. This is such a ridiculous comment that McCain uses to put down Obama to make himself feel better. I think that Obama clearly doesn’t agree with the way that Bush has been leading this country and just makes it known in the votes. Sure he may be a extreme liberal but its for all the right reasons. He didn’t want Bush’s stupidity to run this country into the ground like it has been for the past 8 years , so he voted against him. As for the inexperienced part…yes he may not have as many years in the senate as does McCain but look at it this way McCain is 71 years old. How can you top that?? Sure Obama definitely hasn’t been in the senate as long as many of the other politicians, but look at how successful he has been since he’s been in it. I Think that he definitely has a very popular vote.

    As for Obama connecting McCain to Bush. I think its only fair. For the past 8 years McCain has supported Bush in a whole lot. He has a lot of the same beliefs as Bush and it sounds good because along with Bush being republican he’s also a republican, so they will have a lot of the same beliefs. Obama is stating that they are a lot a like. YES they are. Look at their views on the war, they both obviously want it to continue, they both believe in the same things! I don’t see how any one can get even remotely angry about Obama connecting them to one another…there the same way! I do support Obama 100% and maybe that’s why I really can’t take McCain’s side. I just see him as another Bush and running this country into the ground even more.

    17 of 20 B+ / I guess I don’t see why it is wrong for McCain to call Obama inexperienced. He is…and you mention compared to McCain he is. Do you think it is effective? I’m sure McCain expected Obama to link him as a cheerleader to bush. And it has worked…don’t you think?

  37. ..charity..

    I have to warn you Mr. Wood. What you are about to read is kick butt. So read it with a fire in your belly and you will feel it in your soul. At least I know I did :0)

    —————————————————

    The debate started out with an opening statement from each candidate. It was when John McCain stated that, “Because as we’re here tonight in this debate, we are seeing for the first time in a long time, Republicans and Democrats together, sitting down, trying to work out a solution to this fiscal crisis that we’re in.” Now….I find this very contradicting. I was bewildered that McCain would say such a thing. If the two parties are meeting together, and rolling their sleeves up and getting their hands dirty, then why are both candidates having such a hard time acknowledging each other? You can see it in John’s body language throughout the duration of the debate; not ever meeting Barack Obama’s gaze, smirks, and rude interruptions. During the debate, statements where made by John McCain. Some of these comments included, “I’m afraid Senator Obama doesn’t understand, or Senator Obama still doesn’t understand”, and he also stated, “A little bit of naïveté there,” in response to the relationship between America and Russia as stated in the article. So in essence, I don’t find this completely fair to Obama.

    A statement was made at the beginning of the debate by Mr. Obama, “Now, we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain. As far as how I feel about this, I think it isn’t criticizing John. The quote is simply stating that McCain has followed his party. Which is fine. I do believe that Senator Obama did an excellent job at being respectful, executed his answers with clearness, and actually acknowledged McCain in the debate. John responded as if he was intimidated by Obama. I feel like it isn’t a huge deal that McCain is calling Obama an inexperienced liberal and Barack hinting towards John following Bush’s footsteps because that doesn’t matter….it is almost adolescent. I really, truly believe the issue is that when the candidates can’t openly admit that they have a problem with each other, and then for a nominee for president to make a blatant statement about how they are coming together, working for the common good when everyone can see right through it. Politics weren’t made to be this way. My ending statement is, “if only, if only”. Meaning that if only there was peace between the two parties, if only government wasn’t all about money, if only we could get along with brothering countries. But when will we seize the day to rise up and change things. Isn’t that what we want and need now?

  38. ..charity..

    REPOST:

    I have to warn you Mr. Wood. What you are about to read is kick butt. So read it with a fire in your belly and you will feel it in your soul. At least I know I did :0)

    —————————————————

    The debate started out with an opening statement from each candidate. It was when John McCain stated that, “Because as we’re here tonight in this debate, we are seeing for the first time in a long time, Republicans and Democrats together, sitting down, trying to work out a solution to this fiscal crisis that we’re in.” Now….I find this very contradicting. I was bewildered that McCain would say such a thing. If the two parties are meeting together, and rolling their sleeves up and getting their hands dirty, then why are both candidates having such a hard time acknowledging each other? Good point – they both talk about bipartisanship and then procede to bash one another. You can see it in John’s body language throughout the duration of the debate; not ever meeting Barack Obama’s gaze, making smirks, and rude interruptions. During the debate, statements where made by John McCain. Some of these comments included, “I’m afraid Senator Obama doesn’t understand, or Senator Obama still doesn’t understand”, and he also stated, “A little bit of naïveté there,” in response to the relationship between America and Russia as stated in the article. So in essence, I don’t find this completely fair to Obama.

    good comments from the debate. Nice para

    A statement was made at the beginning of the debate by Mr. Obama, “Now, we also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain. As far as how I feel about this, I think it isn’t criticizing John. The quote is simply stating that McCain has followed his party. Which is fine. I do believe that Senator Obama did an excellent job at being respectful, executed his answers with clearness, and actually acknowledged McCain in the debate. John responded as if he was intimidated by Obama. I feel like it isn’t a huge deal that McCain is calling Obama an inexperienced liberal and Barack hinting towards John following Bush’s footsteps because that doesn’t matter….it is almost adolescent. I really, truly believe the issue is that when the candidates can’t openly admit that they have a problem with each other, and then for a nominee for president to make a blatant statement about how they are coming together, working for the common good when everyone can see right through it. Politics weren’t made to be this way. My ending statement is, “if only, if only”. Meaning that if only there was peace between the two parties, if only government wasn’t all about money, if only we could get along with brothering countries. But when will we seize the day to rise up and change things. Isn’t that what we want and need now?

    20 / 20 A – This is VERY GOOD. You are right. The problem is that there is no peace between the two parties. And that must happen to get anything done. It is almost adolescent the remarks…but they work. And they both will continue to use them. Your insights are quite good here.

  39. Eddie DeHoog

    I feel that its true that Obama is young and you can consider him inexperienced. But what he says is from the hart and very true. Obama is liberal but whats wrong with that, he is all about change and i feel that with Obama there is an end to this war. Also with Obama he is for helping the middle class with health care. He also is for only increasing taxes for th wealthy.
    I feel when Obama states that McCain is just like Bush, he is definitely right.McCain has agreed with 90 percent of what Bush says. It seems like with McCain its another four years of Bush and god i do not want another term of him. Also McCain is not ready for are troops to come home and thats very important.

    (-5 pts spelling) 10 of 20 – F / Eddie you need to dig in. This could’ve been done without the article. And if you’re going to miss a spelling word or two, you really need to cover that with extra effort.

  40. Nick Dempsey

    I think it’s just the same old politics. They just focused on the faults of the other candidate then explained how the decisions that they made were wrong. After that they would go on to point out the decisions they have made stating that it was the right one. As for the comments of McCain I think they were an attempt to scare the public. No one wants someone to lead them in a crisis if they have little experience, and he just wanted that to be on the minds of the public. But I think that it might have been a mistake to do so because it may have been interpreted as disrespect in the eyes of the public. Had Obama not attacked McCain the debate may have ended more in his favor. But they use the attacks to remind the public of the faults of each candidate. It really doesn’t matter to me because I feel in the end we’ll stell have the same problems as always.

    (-5 spelling) 11 of 20 – F / OK..generally pretty good insight. I think it’s natural what they are doing. It’d be nice to see you dig in a bit to the article however. Spelling check.

  41. Brittney Vander Laan

    During the Debate, Senator McCain refers to Barack Obama as an inexperienced liberal; I feel that he is referring to him as this because he has nothing else to say in the debate. Barack Obama is a threat to John McCain whether or not he wants to admit it and he feels that if he refers to Obama as this, the voters will start to think about if there really ready for a president who has no experience in the white house. By doing this and persuading people’s opinions he feels that he is bettering his chance as far as going to the white house and being America’s next president. I believe that John McCain needs to stop focusing on the littler things such as how inexperienced or experienced either of the candidates are and start focusing on the changes that will be made to help our economy out.

    Also during the debate, Barack Obama talked about how much John McCain and President Bush are, I feel as if they are a lot alike and they do share the same view points. It seems that every issue that comes up in the debates McCain goes right along and agrees with how President Bush is running things now. If McCain continues to do this, then I don’t believe he will be elected into the White House, Id like to think that not as many people would like to vote for McCain because they do want a change in our economy and if he keeps going along with what President Bush is doing there will be no change.

  42. Brittney Vander Laan

    During the Debate, Senator McCain refers to Barack Obama as an inexperienced liberal; I feel that he is referring to him as this because he has nothing else to say in the debate. Barack Obama is a threat to John McCain whether or not he wants to admit it and he feels that if he refers to him as this, the voters will start to think about if there really ready for a president who has no experience in the white house. By doing this and persuading people’s opinions he feels that he is bettering his chance as far as going to the white house and being America’s next president. I believe that John McCain needs to stop focusing on the littler things such as how inexperienced or experienced either of the candidates are and start focusing on the changes that will be made to help our economy out.

    But he wants to win. Does this accusation help him win do you think? Is experience significant.

    Also during the debate, Barack Obama talked about how much John McCain and President Bush’s views are alike, I feel as if they are a lot alike and they do share the same view points. It seems that every issue that comes up in the debates McCain goes right along and agrees with how President Bush is running things now. If McCain continues to do this, then I don’t believe he will be elected into the White House, Id like to think that not as many people would like to vote for McCain because they do want a change in our economy and if he keeps going along with what President Bush is doing there will be no change.

    Messed up a little on the first one so i fixed it!

    17 of 20 – B / Do you think the Bush comparison is effective? Not bad deary. Say hi to Lexi pro for me.

  43. Sophelia Alviar

    The following article states that Obama is inexperienced, yet does not state that he is an “inexperienced liberal”. What are my feelings about McCain continuously calling Obama an inexperienced liberal? I am not sure that I can give a definite feeling. Yes, hands down McCain has more years of experience under his belt, but who’s to say that his experience has been beneficial. Obama too has had some experience dealing with governmental issues; maybe not as much as McCain but possibly just as effective. He sponsored a law increasing tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare. So in a way it is ridiculous for McCain to state that Obama is inexperienced; because in reality what does it really mean to have experience.

    That’s a pretty good point.
    On another note, Obama comparing McCain to Bush in my opinion is reasonable. The reason I feel this way is that many of McCain’s views and decisions are similar to Bush’s; you can not just say it’s a republican thing. Since President Bush took office, McCain has supported Bush’s positions 89 percent of the time. McCain’s support of Bush’s policies reached as high as 95 percent in 2007. In my opinion McCain is being used as Bush’s third term.

    20 of 20 – A / Good supports from the article – good stats too. Well done! Thorough! Spelling is correct…YEA!

  44. Samantha Smith

    I feel that the candidates are scared they know that they each are strong candidates and have some great point to bring to the table. Obama and McCain think that finger pointing is going to be the easiest way out, a quick fix but eventually America will catch on and think that they are both stupid. Some points when they brought up the ignorant comments it was to cover up on the issues they truly did not know and did not want to disappoint their “voters”. I think that it is everyday politics name calling, it’s like high school drama and face it Americans love drama! They know that hitting each others weakness get at each other and make them angry they want to see each other get made and show America their “true colors” it’s all part of the political game that is played every presidential race. It’s the easiest way out is that not why every one loves name calling, if they do not know the issue then why not call each other inexperienced liberal and make a connection between Bush and McCain .

    Now lets face it yeah it is bad to be an “inexperienced liberal” but making a connection between Bush and McCain was a clever move, it scares the crap out of people to think that there could be another Bush in office. Look at what he got us into 850 billion dollar bail-out is not the best thing in America’s eyes. I think Obama’s powerful presence scares McCain so badly he could not even look at him during the debate what he is going to do when he is facing the leader of Iran or Russia come on he is not your “enemy” Obama wants to make American better just like McCain. They have their different view but it is politics so let’s not forget that. The article shows they both have great thoughts to the foreign police, national security, the financial crisis on Wall Street, and the war in Iraq. The both pulled the political card and used it to their advantage I mean why not use all tactics.

    20 of 20 – A / Good answers! It is just politics and it is America and Americans do love drama. I think you’ve covered it pretty well.

  45. Angelina Mosher

    Personally I do not get offended by McCain or Obama if they point out things that is “wrong” or not good enough about the other candidate, as long as they do so in a an educated manner.

    However, I do feel that it is very hypocritical for Senator McCain to continuously call Obama an inexperienced liberal. That statement has no sound evidence. Senator Obama has four years experience in the U.S. senate and not to mention the experience as a community organizer, and state legislator. All of his experience extremely outweighs that of governor Palin.

    WHY? Obama is an inexperienced liberal. All things are relative…compared to Biden and McCain he is an inexperienced liberal.
    Both candidates are ultimately trying to use different tactics in demeaning the competence of the other candidate. By doing so they are making themselves look like the clear cut winner for the presidency.

    13 of 20 – D / Life is priorities. I’m glad you got your essays done for the College of James Madison…I promise not to forward them this lamo post.

  46. Mr Wood

    THIS POST ASSIGNMENT IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED AT 7:00 PM October 3, 2008.

  47. Cody Bassett

    McCain reminds me of an old grandma or grandpa who thinks they are always right and that anyone who thinks differently than them is either naive or just doesn’t understand. I can relate to Obama being critisized for being inexperienced or naive as most of my peers and I deal with this on a daily basis from our elders. Yea, he’s only been in the Senate for 4 years but I think he sees the big picture and looks to serve the hard working middle class of our country and not keep feeding the greedy upper class. I think Obama is right to relate McCain back to President Bush. It’s exactly like he stated, it’s McCain’s president. He approved 90 percent of the policies that Bush requested. That’s a good trend to be aware of when looking to the next four years and if we want our lives to continue on this downward slope. I likes most of Obama’s points and look forward to seeing how this campaign turns out.

  48. Katelynn Bowyer 6th

    My feelings towards McCain’s comments about Obama aren’t very good. I feel that he is only putting Obama down because he knows that what Obama speaks for is how things should be in our world and not the way they are right now in life. Obama has a very good point on saying that John McCain is as another view of Bush, he has the same out look as Bush and as many people such as my family and me believe that if McCain is our president that it would be just like having Bush as our president for another four years.
    I believe that Obama even though he is young and doesn’t have that much experience but he knows enough about our country to know there is stuff that needs to changed and how bad some people are suffering do to the war and other problems that Bush has created and that McCain is supporting.

  49. Nancy Holcomb 6th

    John McCain is a POW. He knows what are troops are going thru. He knows that we the people need someone in the office to take care of us. He has more experience then Oboma! He has been there done that! As far as what is going on with the stock market, who really is to blame?? I feel that we all have our own voices, and the freedom of choice. If i was old enough to vote, I would not have to tell who i choose. Because that is my right as An American! What I would like to know ,is How can we really tell if they are telling the truth? How do we know if they can do as promised? Or Not do what they promised not to do? As far as Sarah Palin goes. She is a woman, and can milti-task. She is a parent, and a wife. She knows and understands the want’s and needs , of the american woman. {and families] I think she will do awesome things 4 our country. She maybe alittle behind on things, but… She WILL catch up!

  50. .charity.

    MR. WOOD

    PLEASE PUT THE GRADES IN OR I WILL HAVE A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK!!!!!!

    -thanks.

    have your heart attack…i’m doing all that other stuff right now.

  51. ..charity..

    Mr. Wood

    You just made me the happiest girl in muskegon!