The Palin Vetting Continues

The radical right wing blogs are predictably complaining and slinging mud at people who pass on stories about McCain's choice for vice president, but that shouldn't change a thing.

Latest: The Washington Post reports she led a 527 founded by indicted-for-corruption Senator Ted Stevens. So much for her being a reformer and maverick.

The current First Lady made some menacing remarks probably aimed at the press, indicating that she wants this VP candidate to be treated specially because she's a woman (that's how I interpret it) but the answer has to be no. If the press has any integrity, after such a challenge, they should go deeper and press harder. We, the electorate, have a right to know everything about this person who would be a 72-to-76 year old heartbeat away from the presidency. Even healthy people who are 76 have medical problems, and McCain hasn't been all that healthy.

I have so much to say about this.

I have had mud slung at me, but the people who sling it have no idea who I am.

I have voted Republican for president, I don't particularly like the Democrats, however if I had been old enough to vote for Kennedy I'm sure I would have (I was five years old when he ran), same with McGovern (I was draft age, even though I wasn't old enough to vote, ironically). I voted for Ford over Carter, and I'll stop there. I'm not proud of my choices in the 80s and 90s, but they have included Republicans. So when partisans smear me as being a liberal Democrat, they show how stupid they are, and how unskilled they are at getting votes. There's absolutely nothing to be gained, although this time around I'm committed to Obama, I'm going to vote for him, and work for him, and give him money. But the Republicans should be thinking of the future, there will be an election in 2012 and 2016, they might want to come back. They should be thinking of building bridges, not burning them.

I don't see how anyone with a conscience, who puts "Country First" can vote for McCain in 2008. But then I don't understand many of my fellow Americans. I don't understand how anyone could have been distracted by issues such as gay marriage or the morality of stem cell research in 2004, but those were deciding issues. The war, global warming, trade, education, health care and economics -- the really important stuff, imho -- those didn't decide the election. For that reason I feel my country deserves what it gets, the world economy is routing around us. We will find out what a privileged position we occupied and will miss it when it's gone, when the world no longer supports our using 25 percent of its energy with less than 5 percent of the population.

We'll miss it when it's gone, but I'll probably be all right, because I have skills that work in the world economy. Many of my fellow Americans do not. I'm willing to sacrifice for them, but are they willing to vote their own interest? The 2008 election is, imho, a referendum on the will and intelligence of the American voter. I sincerely hope we have a strong will and use our god-given intelligence. McCain is giving us every reasonable clue that his presidency will be dumb and bullying and very very Republican. If that's what we choose, it will, sadly, be time to give up on this country, because the world just doesn't care about us that much anymore.

We have to earn the world's respect, we never get to relax, we have to work hard to be competitive, and more importantly, we have to work smart. If the tables were turned and the Dems were nominating candidates who govern from the gut and don't use their brains, I would be voting Republican this year. If the Republicans want to win, great, put up some candidates who are prepared to lead, who can sit across from other world leaders and command their respect, not just fear. It was never a good idea to push fear over respect, but right now I don't think they're all that scared of us.

Comments

[Ulysse]

I am not an American and I must say that the author of this article is dead right saying the rest of the world almost do not give a damn anymore about americans because of what this country has becomed. This election is not only the last great hope for americans inside USA but it is also the last great hope the rest of the world have in the USA. Like an alcoholic who does bad all the time, forgiveness can only go so far until we turn the page on the person and it will be the same for the USA if Republicans get elected again this time : The world will turn the page on America and look elsewhere because America will no longer be the dream place to be...

[Df7702]

perfectly stated

[standard]

The Democratic Party is now the only major party that stands against needless U.S.military adventures overseas and ruinous borrowing abroad while running up trillion-dollar budget deficits. It is the one remaining hope for preserving the separation of church and state, for restoring habeas corpus, and for the pursuit of serious international diplomacy. Why remain a Republican?

Folks moderate on economic matters and progressive on social issues abound in the Democratic Party. There have been no Dixiecrats in our ranks for decades. Would egalitarian, thoughtful Abraham Lincoln or environmentalist, trust-busting Teddy Roosevelt be Republicans today, given how greatly that party has changed?

It's time the Eisenhower/Rockefeller Republicans joined the rest of the grown-ups who think for themselves. There are matters at stake far more critical than near-term marginal income tax rates. Our national survival, for one.

[XME]

After McCain's pick of Palin, I have a feeling that those other world leaders are LAUGHING at us!

[fluffhead123]

I wouldn't count on the American electorate too much. We have shown a stubborn need to vote for Stone-Age era leaders. Many Americans were convinced that draft dodgers Dick and Bush were more qualified to lead the War on Terrorism than a Vietnam vet, for God's sake. We have shown that consumerism has permeated every single aspect of our lives, including our political side. Pre-packaged fluff wins our hearts and minds, not substance and issues. Need I remind anyone how well the Britney Spears and Paris Hilton ad worked?

[bajanyvie]

Excellent Post!!!

This is the exact conversation I was having with my father today. I feel as if America has squandered (is squandering) its place in global economics and politics. This election, more than any other, is being consumed voraciously across the world. And the masses beyond our shores tend to be reasoned and well read. There are looking to see if American can truly live up to the ideals that we preach, or if we are all talk.

Also, the economic policies and corporate pratices of this country are eroding the middle class. And all countries need a strong middle class in order to sustain growth. Unless the poor and middle class start voting with their economic interests and start a major change in direction in this country we will become nothing more than a declining product while India and China start to dominate the world economy. Infact, I already told my daughter she needs to learn Chinese..

[blaqntelligence]

Fantastic post Mr. Winer.

[mediawatcher1975]

I feel the same way. The American public has to be smarter then their recent voting record. I hope that we have not become so jaded that we cannot believe in hope and change anymore. If McCain is elected, then I will know that the America that I know and love is mortally wounded. I really hope that we have the courage to demand change and heal our woulded nation.

[plebeianswillrevolt]

My feelings exactly my friend, except I voted independent in 2000 much to my shame and dismay. I did not know Al Gore all that well and i was completely disheartened by Bill.

[chronicler]

I don't think romney or Pawlenty would take the namonation after this. It's pretty obvious the ticket is going down in flames. I'll bet Lieberman would take it. But it is essentially all over for mcCain.

[sonshine]

Excellent!