During his acceptance speech, John McCain had some very strong criticism of his opponent. I'm not talking about Barack Obama; I'm talking about George Bush. After rushing headlong into the embrace of Bush and the Rovian wing of the GOP, McCain has now decided that he desperately needs to distance himself and try to reclaim the maverick mantle. Not an easy thing to do when you have sided with Bush 90 percent of the time.
But McCain gave it his best shot. After dispensing with the obligatory opening nod to the president for "leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history," he offered a stinging indictment of the last seven-plus years of Bush and largely Republican rule.
He promised to "make this government start working for you again" and to "stop leaving our country's problems for some unluckier generation to fix."
He vowed to "restore the pride and principles of our party. We were elected to change Washington, we let Washington change us. We lost the trust of the American people...when we valued our power over our principles."
He pledged that his administration would "set a new standard for transparency and accountability" and "finally starting getting things done for the people who are counting on us."
According to McCain, "We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children."
Other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Listening to McCain, you'd think it was the Democrats who occupied the White House the last seven-plus years and it was time to throw the bastards out.
Given that 82 percent of voters believe we are heading in the wrong direction, it's a logical position to take. But for the American people to buy into the notion that McCain, who has raced to Bush's side on tax cuts, on offshore drilling -- even on torture -- is this campaign's agent of change, it's going to require an incredible suspension of disbelief. Or a serious case of amnesia.
And this is clearly McCain's campaign strategy: inducing amnesia about the past and confusion about the future, attempting to hoodwink the American people about what he has become. Which is where Sarah Palin comes in. As a major distraction. In the effort to divert attention from the matter at hand -- McCain's embrace of all things Bush -- Palin is the perfect storm.
Americans love the outsider plucked from obscurity. And Palin provides bucketfuls of the new and exciting. As long as voters and the media are caught up in the latest installment of As Sarah Turns or the Alaska version of All My Children, they aren't paying attention to the lack of solutions McCain is offering to the serious crises that face us.
Forget worrying about the economy or health care or the housing crisis -- think about how many people live in Wasilla, whether Bristol and Levi will live happily ever after, and if Sarah and her "First Dude" really want Alaska to secede from the union.
This is why the McCain campaign wants Palin front and center -- did you notice how much time McCain spent during the speech praising Palin and how quickly the celebratory post-speech music shifted from "Raisin' McCain" to "Barracuda"?
And it's why Democrats need to ignore Palin, and keep the focus on reminding voters about the stark contrast between an Obama and a McCain administration. It's tempting to prime the Palin attack pump. But Obama and the Democrats do so at their own peril.
John McCain wants to distance himself from Bush, cloud the huge policy differences between him and Obama, and hope his compelling life story carries the day. Obama's job is to make sure he doesn't get away with it. Forgetting Sarah Palin is a good place to start.
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
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Of course, the trolls across these boards always bring the attention back to Palin, or use their racist, snide or otherwise circular reasoning to keep people off focus and entangled in senseless argument and that is what the media is doing too.
The bottom line is that there is no reason why the Democrats shouldn't win this election. We have the numbers - we just need the action - vote! Talk to others in person, and urge them to vote - some people may be apathetic or discourage
http://wcc
And by the way, notice how you addressed a real issue, and the troll immediatel
Let's just forge ahead with the issues and ignore the trolls.
Palin will serve the same purpose for McCain that Agnew served for Nixon. The Demcrats spent so much time mocking and attacking Agnew that they forgot it was Nixon who was running for president. Yes, everyone must ignore the circus sideshow that is Sarah Palin and hammer away at McCain and what he did to win the nomination (suck up to the forces of darkness). The Bush-Chene
Today the "Seattle Times" printed a McClatchy Newspapers item on page A4 tiltled "Candidate
Now Huffington Post? A must read for me. Keep up the good work!
• The $500 shoes McCain sports as he campaigns in his wife's private jet
• His response to the question of how many homes he owns--"I'm going to have to let my staff get back to you on that one"
• Cindy McCain proudly showing off at last week's convention a $313,000 outfit whose value exceeded the average voter's current mortgage
• The rich symbolism of how out-of-tou
• "PRICELESS
stars in their eyes. Didn't they say the same about GWB?
Experience doesn't matter to these people. Warm fuzzies
about USA! USA! USA! -- that's all that matters to them.
America will not elect a strong Democratic leader until our
people move beyond their narrow parochiali
If I could waive a magic wand, every young American would
spend a semester abroad as a condition of graduation from
high school.
This would cost us, perhaps, one percent of the cost of the
mindless Iraq invasion and occupation
This would also make 100-year occupation
much less desirable in the opened eyes of the next generation
who will, after all, be the ones paying dearly for our profligacy
.
I did not cheer for GWB because I was a Democrat. I voted for Al Gore although I thought he was too arrogant and self-cente
Then, 9/11 happened. I was against the war but my "little" education taught me not to empower your enemies by destroying the credibilit
So, Semper Veritas, since you advocate the truth, then, I challenge you to learn the truth about your Obama. Obama is in this for himself. Read the book "The Case Against Obama." Meanwhile, I stand by my position: Obama is not the man. He is a myth created by the DNC, Hollywood, and the media.
Since I am done seeking the truth, this is going to be my cry: Semper Fidelis! Country First, before Party!
Oh, and Pelsoi's approval rating? It's low because she took impeachmen
McCain Finished?
.
But I'll humor you. Yes, I voted for Carter in 1980. As bad as Carter was, I knew Reagan would be worse...an
Believing the foul nonsense spewed by Reagan and the Republican
Palin isn't the perfect storm! Palin is actually very unimportan
Ignore her, keep the focus on McCain and tying him tightly to the history of G Bush and the Republican party. As she works to get the spotlight back she'll show her true colors.