The 2008 Race

You will be shocked and upset when you listen to this segment from The Howard Stern Show. Its scary that people will vote for a man for whom they obviously know nothing about. Wanna bet these people were registered to vote by ACORN? The more I listen to this, the more I am convinced that this election is all about race and nothing else.

Joe Biden

In the wee hours of August 23rd, the news was leaked that Barack Obama selected Delawate Senator Joe Biden to be his running mate. Eager to introduce Biden to the American public, the McCain campaign just released a new web ad.

That was fast...

Trading Blows

Yesterday, both campaigns traded blows after a John McCain interview where he was unsure about how many homes he owned. The Obama campaign sprang into action and touted that McCain is "out of touch" with the American public because of his lavish lifestyle. You can watch the Obama ad here. A few short hours later, the McCain campaign responded with the ad below.


I personally think that it is a load of bologna. Both men are successful and enjoy privilaged lifestyles. For example, according to Obama's tax returns he earned over 4 million dollars last year alone! On the other hand, most of McCain's wealth comes from his wife Cindy and her family trust. In addition, McCain's homes are all listed under Cindy McCain's name and not her husband.

After a month of being pummeled by the McCain campaign, the Obama camp seized the opportunity to attack Sen. McCain. As Obama's poll numbers continue to plummet, it was a welcomed distraction to the campaign trail.

Thoughts On the Civil Forum

On Saturday, I attended the Saddleback Civil Forum. It was an energizing evening and a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch both presidential candidates on the same stage. Rick Warren was the moderator and posed questions related to leadership, faith, worldview, and character. Each candidate was interviewed separately by Warren and the order was decided by a coin toss. Here is how I interpreted the responses from each candidate:

Obama

• Overall, Obama's performance was solid. He appeared comfortable talking about his faith in Jesus and his shortcomings in his early adult years. Compared to previous Democratic nominees Obama is attempting to break the mold. However, that might worry many secular-progressive democrats.
• Perhaps Obama's biggest mistake was his definition of human conception. He stated, "Its above my pay-grade." I felt that was a very weak response and will hurt him with the evangelical vote. This apparently a grey area for him...and he waffled on this question.
• Obama affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman. 
• Obama's loose references to scripture citing "thinking of the least of these..." to give him the basis for his massive social agenda (socialized medicine, wealth redistribution).  However, I believe that is a distortion of scripture to apply concepts intended to the individual to the state.
• Biggest surprise: throwing Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas under the bus. Clarence Thomas is the only african-american justice in the Supreme Court. 
• Biggest mistake: his definition of human life. 

McCain

• I felt that John McCain outperformed Senator Obama and provided a unmistakably clear contrast between the two.
• McCain's style was direct and unequivocal. 
• On abortion: human rights begin "at the moment of conception."
• On gay marriage: it is a sacred bond between a man and woman. 
• He took full advantage to discuss the conflict in Georgia, the need for offshore drilling, activist judges, national security, and the need to keep taxes low. 
• Often, McCain mentioned his time as a POW during the Vietnam War and how that experience shaped his faith and his character
• Biggest surprise: citing that the failure of his first marriage as his worst moral mistake
• Biggest mistake: his definition of "rich"

After watching the debate twice, I believe that McCain ruled the night. Speaking in front of a crowd that was more receptive to his ideas allowed him to settle in and showcase his personality. For someone who has not had the coziest relationship with the evangelical community, McCain took a giant step forward to strengthen the Republican base. Obama, on the other hand appeared uneasy on questions such as the Supreme Court and abortion. He was at times indirect and lacked definitiveness in his responses. 

With the 2008 campaign a statistical tie, both candidates will be engaged in a dogfight for every vote. Warren's vision to achieve civility may have been fulfilled for at least one night in the summer of '08. But I wonder if this forum will be remembered as the last moment where both candidates and the nation were one. 

Saddleback Civil Forum Moments

Tonight, I had the opportunity to attend the Saddleback Civil Forum in Lake Forest, CA. I went with James and we had a great time. Special thanks to Ange for setting that up! I will post my reactions to McCain and Obama tomorrow but I wanted to jot down a few of the fun moments from this historical evening.

• The beach volleyball court at the "refinery" 
• The background vocalist who reminded James of Jason Bateman
• The legion of Secret Service personnel patrolling the Saddleback Campus. I saw them emerge from my friend Amy's area known as "the edge" after performing a security sweep. The agent gave the "thumbs up" signal and all was well.
• The gigantic drum kit cage in tent 3. 
• Complete audio outage during the Star Spangled Banner. 
• The whistling then singing of the national anthem by the group in tent three.
• James' and my feeble attempt to start the "U-S-A" chant after the anthem.
• Me educating the lady in front of us about the story of John McCain
• The armada of buses that took FOREVER to arrive after the event. 

All in all, it was a great afternoon and I was glad to be a part of this small sliver of the 2008 campaign. I will have more tomorrow...

The Surge

Barack Obama has been caught so many times reversing his positions on NAFTA, campaign finance, Iraq, offshore drilling, and "The Surge." Doing anything that can be construed as politically expedient, Obama has not shown to me that he can make difficult choices. His voting record as an Illinois State Senator is a mockery. Voting "present" over 130 times on controversial issues, Obama would rather vote "maybe" instead of "yes" or "no." Recently, the Obama train has stalled and I believe that the American public is wising up to the antics and double talk of Obama.

One issue that compels me to write this entry is "The Surge." US troop casualties are at their lowest levels since the start of the war. If Obama had his way, the United States would have withdrawn in defeat. Now, I do believe that the war must come to an end soon. But, there is a window of opportunity created by the Surge where political stability can take root and the Iraq military can sustain itself. Iraq is improving and Al-Quada has retreated back to Afghanistan. As the video illustrates, Iraq would be a different and more dangerous place if it were not for the Surge.

John McCain did the unpopular thing and supported the Surge. It takes more than just excellent oratory skills to be president. A president must have the fortitude to make decisions on all matters, not just popular ones.

Saddleback Civil Forum

On Saturday, Saddleback Church will be ground zero in the 2008 Presidential Campaign. Pastor Rick Warren will moderate a question and answer session with Barack Obama and John McCain. The event will be televised nationwide and will be a pivotal moment for both campaigns and Saddleback Church.

I am very curious and excited to watch this event. Warren has often invited politicians to his church but this will be the first time that the entire nation will witness a pastor interview both Presidential candidates. In 2006, I attended Saddleback's World Summit on AIDS where Kansas Senator (R) Sam Brownback and Illinois Senator Barack O'bama spoke before a packed house. Alining himself with both sides, Warren is in an interesting and powerful position. I think everyone is anxious to evaluate the quality and merit of the questions that will be posed to McCain and Obama. Will the questions have substance or will they be softball topics that both candidates can spin to their own advantage?

Everyone will have something at stake. For the candidates, it will be a golden opportunity to appeal to the evangelical voters and traditional-value Americans. For Warren, it will be his chance to advocate his vision and social gospel known as the "PEACE Plan" to the nation at large.

With that said, my DVR is set. I am encouraging all my friends to watch with an open mind but to think critically about both candidates and their vision for the nation.

Media Bias? The Love Train Continues...

As the media is swooning over Barack Obama's Mid-East tour a new ad hit the internet to poke fun at the apparent bias and infatuation over the Democratic nominee. In a new poll conducted by the Rasmussen Group, nearly 50% of the American public believe that the media favors Obama and only 24 percent say that they trust the media to provide unbiased reporting. 
This video is a great and funny response to the "Obama-bots" at NBC, namly Chris Matthews. Just watch the orgasmic Chris Matthews and his colleagues treat Obama more like the Pope instead of a presidential nominee.

Campaign Tracks

More news from today's campaign trail:

Elton John says "To Hell With Them" on Ben Smith's blog.

Roger Simon discusses McCain's prospects of stealing California from the Democrats.

Man In the Arena

Too few understand the real threat of radical Islam. These fanatics will never back down until the entire world is under Islamic law. It is foolishness to believe that we can appease them through policies, aide, or money. Even though, I may disagree with some of John McCain's ideas on immigration, and the environment. I know that he is the only candidate who will not hesitate to defend this nation. Let us not forget the real issues that confront this nation. As most of the nation is distracted with universal health care and the environment, it will take a real leader to tackle the problem of national security. That is why I will support John McCain in 2008.