I (already) voted ... MoBlog

Early voting in California began Oct. 6, and I was just one of the thousands of people to take part in it. As California is a no excuses state, all I had to do was request an absentee ballot, to be filled out at the registrar.

Unfortunately Los Angeles only has one place to vote early, and that's in Norwalk. Though the lines weren't too bad, expect them to get worse as election day nears.

Barack Osama?

After the many mishaps and revotes during the 2000 election, one can only wonder what will happen this time around. Will the infamous swing state Florida extend the election past Nov. 4?

According to MTV News, there are many presidential voting time bombs a ticking.

Photo credit: Albany Times Union Newspaper



1. 'BARACK OSAMA' printed on 300 absentee ballots

Problem: This Freudian slip has been blurted out one too many times, but this error in upstate New York was actually printed on ballots sent to voters in Rensselar County stating that Barack Obama's last name was 'Osama.' As if many aren't already second guessing Obama's alleged connections to terrorism...

Potential Nightmare: New ballots will be issued as they were to the affected voters in New York. However, the original ballot went through three proofreaders and still had the mistake.

2. Computer Errors

Problem: The systematic flaws in the electronic voting machines from the 2004 presidential election interferred with results. A study by Common Cause says the machines may still be faulty in many states.

Potential Nightmare: The voting machines are in 24 states, but eight don't have a requirement to stock emergency paper ballots if the machine fails. In 10 states, there is no guarantee that every vote will be counted.

3. Voters ineligible to vote, failed to check box

Problem: More than 6,400 Colorado voters didn't check a box on their registration forms when they registered without a state ID or driver's license, which renders them ineligible to vote. Republican Secretary of State Mike Coffman is enforcing that the box be checked to be a complete form. However, many voters are saying that they received information stating the box didn't need to be checked.

Potential Nightmare: Registration forms need to be resubmitted before Nov. 4 with the box checked this time. Also, the confusion between checked or not checked may erase votes altogether.



Read the full article at MTV News.

The Not-So-Serious Side

With just two weeks left in an epic presidential race, the candidates are less than a length apart heading down the political home stretch. And that's what makes last week's Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner event that much more interesting. You'd expect the candidates to be tightening their ties around their necks and digging up some dirty business about their opponent around this time of year, but instead, they were loosening them.

Well, proverbially at least. Both candidates were impeccably dressed with matching white bow ties, but the mood of the event was something we haven't seen very often during this campaign cycle. . . lightheartedness with a dash of good old-fashioned fun. The candidates poked fun at each other -- and with a surprising amount of wit and genuine, laugh-out-loud quality humor.

Here's a few selected excerpts from the event. First up, McCain:


Excellent comedic timing and delivery. Throughout the campaign some have said McCain has looked cold and menacing but he was dead on and in the pocket that night.

Enter, Obama:


Breaking news: soy chai latte and shitzu puppy sales are going through the roof amongst college-aged Democrats. They've been heard shouting, "If Obama's got 'em, they're good enough for us!"

In closing, why can't the whole political process be one big Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner event? We've seen from the popularity of recent SNL skits that the American people crave something a little less than serious from their politicians. Well on this night, the candidates listened.

New Citizen's Cast Their Vote

Wow! It's amazing what a little election fever will do encourage ALL people to go out and register to vote. The results of this election are sure to affect everyone alike. So it's no wonder that so many new citizens want to have their voices heard. The chart above detailing how many new American's have registered to vote in California in the past year and several months is quite impressive.

But it's not only in California, Hundred of thousands of new citizens around the nation are registered and excited to vote in the upcoming election. To help get citizens to the polls, community groups are organizing phone banks and multilingual informational pamphlets to guide them through the process. New citizens need help with the basic logistics like how to fill out the forms and how to locate the polling places.

Spanish language media is also helping to promote voting in their community. According to the LA Times, 1 million voting cards were inserted in newspapers over one weekend in California last month. And Univision is airing radio and television ads featuring the stories of people who recently became citizens.

But it is not just the Latino community that is reaching out. According to the LA Times, Asian American groups have published pamphlets in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Registered voters are also getting a phone call in their native language to encourage them to vote.

Although California's voter registration deadline was Monday, new citizens going through the naturalization process this week have until next Monday to turn in their voter registration forms, according the LA County Registrar's office.

Encouraging diversity in the election could be enough for one candidate to win it. Minority voters are making up a growing share of the population. And Obama is doing better overall with Hispanic and Asian American voters than McCain. "In many ways demographic differences are the raw material for party politics," said John Green, director of the University of Akron's Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.

The Nitty-Gritty

With just about two weeks to go in this all-important election, the candidates are getting down and dirty. They're campaigning hard in key battleground states, shifting strategies, reallocating resources, speaking at packed rallies. They're trying to sway voters to their cause with strong statements about their policies (and in some cases, about the other candidates, too).

They're also having a little bit of fun.

Depsite the hard-fought nature of this election season, with Barack Obama and John McCain fighting tooth and nail to win the presidency, the candidates took some time out to poke fun at one another. Both candidates spoke at the 63rd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner. Traditionally, in a Presidential election year, the candidates are invited to speak at the event, and this time around, both Obama and McCain stepped away from the stump and into the comedic spotlight. Both men delivered hysterical speeches, taking shots at themselves and one another.

Below are portions of each man's speech.
John McCain:

Barack Obama:


Both men were able to take time away from serious, hard-line jabs at one another to poke fun at the other candidate. Obama said it best, when he told the audience that it was a testament to democracy that both men could be at each other's throats and still find time to do something like this.

And both candidates are also trying to use the World Series to win votes. Yes, baseball.

Obama, a noted Chicago White Sox Fan, had said he was rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies because his campaign manager is a Phillies fan. But he told a rally in Florida that he was impressed with the Tampa Bay Rays' run to the World Series.

McCain, however, took that as an opportunity to lash into his opponent. He told a crowd in Pennsylvania yesterday, “I heard that Senator Obama was showing some love to the Rays down in Tampa Bay yesterday. Now, I'm not dumb enough to get mixed up in a World Series between swing states, but I think I may have detected a little pattern with Senator Obama. It's pretty simple really. When he's campaigning in Philadelphia, he roots for the Phillies, and when he's campaigning in Tampa Bay, he shows love to the Rays. It's kind of like the way he campaigns on tax cuts, but then votes for tax increases after he's elected. Or the way he says he backs the middle class and then goes and attacks Joe the Plumber after he's asked a tough question. What’s that all about?"

Not quite a light-hearted quip about baseball by the senior senator for Arizona. But with the final stretch here, it's a bit surprising to see both candidates spending time on baseball instead of the issues.

Election 2008 Proposition Resources

While voters -- especially new voters -- are primarily concerned with choosing between the two candidates in the upcoming election, it is also very important to be educated about the California ballot propositions come November. California's ballot includes twelve statewide propositions, 1A through 12. Ballot measures 4 and 8 have been generating a lot of press and attention, as Prop. 4 would change the California constitution to prohibit abortions for minors without parental consent, and Prop. 8 would change the California constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. These issues are so important that there are even pro-and-con widgets devoted to them!





It is important to educate yourselves about all of the propositions on November's ballot. Here are some resources I've found that clearly outline all the issues:

California General Election Official Voter Information Guide -- This is the web version of the two official voter guides mailed to all registered voters in the state. The website provides an unbiased summary of each of the propositions in addition to a legislative analyst's estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact of each ballot measure. As in the printed voter guide, the site also includes arguments for and against each proposition and the actual text of the proposed laws.

California Voter Foundation Online Guide -- The California Voter Foundation's guide to the propositions features bullet-pointed summaries of each of the ballot measures as well. The site also includes links to the official 'Yes' and 'No' websites for each proposition in addition to a list of the government officials who officially endorse and oppose each measure. Even more interesting, each proposition's page features a chart that outlines the campaign finances related to the measure -- namely, which people and organizations donated in support of the proposition.

Institute of Government Studies -- In the "Hot Topics 2008" portion of the website, the Institute of Government Studies at Berkeley provides detailed information about each of the propositions on the California November ballot. Their guides include descriptions of ballot measures, background materials, pro-and-con websites, newspaper articles and editorials, opinion polls, political endorsements, and financial-contribution websites.

California conservative

Senior Les Stark is a registered republican in California.
"I'm more conservative than anything. A true conservative believes in limited government and giving people the right to do the things they wish to do as long as it's not hurting or imposing on other people. I wouldn't call myself a republican, I'm a conservative.

Do you side with McCain on every issue?

Les Stark: I don't agree with McCain on a lot of things, but I think that he's the least socialist of the group. My major thing is I think that people who work for their money deserve to keep it. I don't believe in the redistribution of wealth. Everyone has the right to have equal opportunity to achieve and everyone should have an equal opportunity to work hard and make money. I don't believe in equal outcome, life's just not fair.

So is the economy the issue you feel most strongly about?

LS: Well, yeah I guess, the redistribution of wealth is my biggest issue as far as the economy goes. I believe in a very restricted government. I don’t want them coming in and regulating banks or regulating social security, or regulating really anything as far as my decisions as an American go. I also feel strongly about less taxation. The economy is cyclical, there's always going to be ups and downs, but when you interfere with things you open up opportunity for corruption. It also creates incorrect distribution of money which causes bigger issues, I think it’s just better to keep your hands off it all together.

Which issues do you disagree with Obama on?

LS: Obama believe in expanded government and universal health care, basically the government getting too involved in everyday life. Our government needs to be hands off on those issue.

What issues do you disagree with McCain on?

LS: I disagree with McCain on issues like abortion and gay marriage. I don’t think that it’s the government’s right to decide those issues for you one way or the other. It’s the same way with drugs, it’s not government’s right to tell you what you can and can’t within the confines of your own home as long as you're not hurting anyone else. On a personal level I’m against abortion, I think it’s horrible and it shouldn't even be an option, but at the same time it’s not my right to say one way or another. At least not until they decide what is life and agree on the exact moment life begins. Until that argument is decided I don't think I have a say. In regards to gay marriage, I want to uphold the word marriage. I’m voting yes on prop 8 because I believe that marriage is between a male and a woman. Do I think that gays don't have the same rights as far as taxes and putting away money for retirement, absolutely not. I just don't want to call it marriage. Am I for gay marriage, yes, am I for calling marriage, no.

SNL and the 2008 Campaign

NBC's Saturday Night Live has been receiving high ratings from their hilarious parodies about the 2008 Presidential Campaign. The mixture of pop culture and politics meet in satire in which both Republican and Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates participate in. Sens. Obama and McCain along with Sen. Hillary Clinton and Gov. Palin, have all made appearances on Saturday Night Live. SNL has long been making fun of politicians and presidential races, however this year, it seems to be attracting more viewers, and maybe because the actual candidates that are being made fun of are making guest appearances on the show, as Palin did this past weekend.


Pictures provided by: nytimes.com; politicalhumor.com; whudat.com; chicagotribune.com; huffingtonpostcom; time.com; underdog.hypepad.com; media.turntolo.com



Even Giuliani and Mike Huckabee made appearances on SNL's Weekend Update where Giuliani blamed SNL for his demise as a presidential candidate for appearing in a skit dressed as a woman in an earlier show, and Huckabee was being made fun of for overstaying his welcome (Seth Myers hinting he prolonged his presidential race longer than he should have). However, the politician I have yet to see make an appearance on SNL is Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, Joe Biden. Perhaps he'll be next?

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday he'd be casting his vote for Barack Obama come election day. 

The endorsement from the secretary of state who served under George W. Bush for five years, crosses party lines and has been highly anticipated.

The Republican general, who is more moderate than many in his party, said he would wait until after the presidential debates and go into the final weeks of the campaign to make his endorsement. 

"Both of [the candidates] are distinguished Americans, who are patriotic and dedicated to the welfare of this country." Powell said on Meet the Press. "Either one of them would be a good president." 

Powell has spent time with both candidates, but has been particularly engaging in conversations with Obama on foreign policy and domestic issues in recent months.

Leading up to his endorsement of the Democratic senator, Powell cited concern for his own party. 

"I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years," he said. " It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it." 

Beyond the dismay he feels about the Republican Party, Powell said he believes Obama is ready for the job and displays a fervor requisite of the next president who will need "to fix the reputation that we've left with the rest of the world." 

"I watched Mr. Obama, during this seven week period," Powell said. "He displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge, and an approach to looking at problems like [the economic crisis] and picking a vice president that is ready to be president on day one.

Powell praised Obama for exhibiting "intellectual vigor," and giving "us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people." 

"He is crossing lines: ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines," Powell said of the candidate, while denouncing the Republican Party's "narrow" campaign tactics. 

The endorsement from Powell is a a major success for the Democratic Party as the general is the most prominent Republican to throw his support behind Obama. 

McCain said the Powell's endorsement "doesn't come as a surprise," and also noting he has the support of four other former Republican secretaries of state: Kissinger, Baker, Eagleburger and Haig. 

"I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage," Powell said in closing. "And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama." 

'Guitar Hero' becomes prime ad spot for Obama

If you are a busy college student, too consumed in video games like "Guitar Hero" and "Madden 09" to watch presidential advertisements on television, Sen. Obama has found a way to get to you, the young male and often hard to reach voter. 

Mr. Obama is the first presidential candidate to buy ad space in a video game, which comes as no surprise as he is just days away from breaking the spending record set by President Bush in 2004.

The ads, which remind players early voting has started and includes a plug for VoteForChange.com, appears in not one, not two, but 18 different video games.

According to Obama campaign officials, the ad will appear in only the 10 states in which early voting is allowed: Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Montana, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Nevada, New Mexico, Florida, and Colorado.

The ads began earlier this month and will run through Nov. 3, according to Holly Rockwell, a spokeswoman for Electronic Arts, Inc.

"It reaches an audience that is typically hard to reach - young males, roughly 18 to 34," said Rockwood. "That's very appealing to our advertisers."

The ads are able to be embedded in the game because the Xbox 360 console connects to the Internet for live updates of any sort, which now extends to Obama ads.

Read the full WNBC story.

In terms of overall advertising mediums, both Obama and McCain are aiming to get their messages across and do a little mudslinging along the way. However, Obama is completely eclipsing McCain when it comes to the amount of money he has to spend on ads, and therefore, the amount of ads he airs.

The reason Obama is able to spend so much on advertising is because he opted out of the federal campaign finance system, which gives candidates $84 million in public money and restricts spending any more than that from their party convention until Election Day. McCain opted in.

And since Obama raised $100 million in September alone, he is able to saturate the markets with his message and face, day and night.

The University of Wisconsin did an analysis of presidential advertisements during the period of Sept. 28 to Oct. 4. The analysis revealed that almost 100 percent of McCain's commercials included an attack on Obama, while only 34 percent of Obama's featured attacks on McCain.

The Wisconsin Advertising Project also found that since June ads have been a mix of negative and positive, either attacking each other, focusing on their own campaign, or blending both tactics. The graph below illustrates the numbers. 

Obama seems to have the advertising advantage since he has enough money to play his own good cop and bad cop. 

Read the full NY Times story.

'The Average Joe' Becomes Talking Point during Third Debate

A Roundup

In true presidential debating fashion, and following suit of their past two presidential debates, Sens. Obama and McCain jumped at the chance to stick it to each other on Wednesday, this time referencing "the average Joe" - not the fictitious, symbolic one, but an actual one, Joe Wurzelbacher.

All news outlets released their version of the Joe story. In short, Joe, a plumber, met Obama on Sunday, Oct. 12 while the senator was campaigning in Joe's neighborhood on Shrewsbury Street in Holland, Ohio. Joe told Obama he was planning on buying the plumbing business he works for, Newell Plumbing & Heating, for around $250,000, which would mean that under Obama's reforms, Joe's taxes would be increased. 

The commotion began when Joe asked Obama, "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" and when Obama answered he would raise taxes taxes for those earning more than $250,000 but "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

This unforeseen meeting became an enormous talking point on the issue of tax policies for both candidates during this past Wednesday's debate. 

LA Times

In this article titled "Joe the Plumber can relate to the Britney Thing," Joe Wurzelbacher is the dominant photo resembling Britney Spears with the bald head, a la her wayward days. Joe's house even resembled a paparazzi stakeout outside of a celebrity's after the debate. Camera crews wanted to get his opinion on going from plumber to hot talking point in a presidential debate.

After being interviewed on debate night by Katie Couric, he talked to Diane Sawyer and other national media figures on Thursday.

This newfound fame is disappointing for Joe though. "I'm kind of like Britney Spears having a headache," Wurzelbacher told journalists at his house. "Everybody wants to know about it." He also "wished that they had talked more about issues that are important to Americans."

During the debate McCain looked straight into the camera, as if looking at Joe, and said "Joe, I want to tell you, I'll not only help you buy that business that you worked your whole life for. . . . I'll keep your taxes low and I'll provide available and affordable healthcare for you and your employees."

Since Joe is not the owner of the small business with the supposed potential earnings of over $250,000 just yet, he acknowledged that his taxes would be cut under Obama's policies, but he is a conservative. 

NY Times

In this article titled "Plumber From Ohio Is Thrust Into Spotlight," Joe is referred to as Everyman, "a kind of proxy for all of the country’s working people."

Joe's outrage over Obama's "spread the wealth" comment is elaborated. “He said he wants to distribute wealth. And I mean, I’m not trying to make statements here, but, I mean, that’s kind of a socialist viewpoint. You know, I work for that. You know, it’s my discretion who I want to give my money to; it’s not for the government decide that I make a little too much and so I need to share it with other people. That’s not the American Dream.”

However, Joe's worries are not rooted in fact. According the the Small Business Administration, there are less than 6 million small businesses that earn enough to be affected by Obama's tax increase and so less than 700,000 taxpayers would actually have to pay higher taxes. So, Obama's comment that 98 percent of small businesses make less than $250,000, and thus, his tax policy does not affect a majority of America may be true.

CNN

Joe Wurzelbacher gives his reaction to becoming a major talking point in a presidential debate.

In the article titled, "'Joe the Plumber' happy to help candidates make the point," the reality that most plumbers make anywhere near a quarter of a million dollars is made clear.

Joe Biden said on NBC's "Today Show" that he does not know any worried plumbers in his neighborhood that make $250,000 a year.

According to a 2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the mean annual wage for plumbers in the U.S. was $47,350.

The article also notes that McCain has another "Joe" he is touting to appeal to the average American - his running mate "Joe six-pack American." That is Sarah Palin's nickname when it comes to the McCain campaign.

Voter information for dummies

If it's your first time, you should be informed, comfortable and confident. After all, mistakes happen - you could say or do the wrong thing and ruin your chances.

A number of organizations have dedicated themselves to young voters: informing them and ensuring they can and will vote come November 3rd. Here're some tips from a few more experienced voters: 

18 in '08

18 in 08's is a nonpartisan documentary film and movement that targets voters 17-24 who will be casting their first presidential ballots this election. The film features politicians, celebrities, media commentators and student leaders discussing the election and pertinent issues in an attempt to inspire young people to vote. 

Campus Compact

Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 900 college and university presidents that are committed to the civic purposes of higher education. It promotes community service and students' citizenship skills and values. Campus Compact has a special program dedicated to encouraging young people to vote and spread the word.

Do Something

Like Campus Compact, Do Something is geared toward getting young people involved in their communities. Do sometime claims to "inspire, support and celebrate young people changing our world." There is a special section of the site allotted to the election and voting information.

Google Maps 2008 Voter Registration Info

Google has a special application through which users can find local registration and voting information using a map. 

The League of Young Voters

The League of Young Voters inspires young people to get involved in the democratic process by voting and creating change on the local, state and national levels. The League of Young Voters especially focuses on non-college youth and young people from low-income communities and communities of color. The League focuses no on the election, per se, but on issues that affect young people, whether they concern the election, or not. 

Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and encouraging young people to become active in their communities and "change their world." The organization was founded by members of recording industry in response to attack on freedom of speech/ expression in the mid to late-'80s. Rock the Vote has become a leading political involvement organization among young people. 

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER TO VOTE

The student vote is expected to be larger than ever for this upcoming election, but for those youth votes, many of who are going to college out of state, the problem lies not in wanting to vote, but actually being allowed to vote.

Many resources are out there for students to vote on an absentee ballot, meaning that it does not matter where in the world the student is situated – where there is a will, there is a way and you can vote.

Below are online resources meant to help you, the out-of-state student, rock the vote for this historic election in November. Don’t let the copious amounts of information scattered around the Internet deter you from voting absentee.

Online Resources to Vote Absentee and to Register:

Go Vote Absentee

Introduction Video to the Founders of GoVoteAbsentee.org


If you are ALREADY REGISTERED to vote:

1. Type in your hometown zipcode
2. Click on the district you live in (call mom if you’re not sure; if this bubble doesn’t pop up then don’t worry!)
3. If you are already registered to vote click ‘Yes’ and your district’s appropriate absentee ballot will pop up
4. Print absentee ballot
5. Follow instructions to fill out the request form once form is printed
6. IMPORTANT: write your school address for where you want ballot sent
7. Click continue on the computer screen and a mailing address will appear. This is where you send the absentee ballot request form.

If you are NOT REGISTERED to vote:

• GoVoteAbsentee.org
• StudentVote.org 
  

Keating Five Scandal - True or False?

Analysis of Media Coverage:

CNN posted an article about McCain’s connection to the Keating scandal on Oct. 6 illustrates the kind of journalism all reporters and news organizations should strive for. Check and double check the facts to help voters make informed choices about the candidates. With all the mudslinging and smearing in the political ad campaigns, the line between fact and exaggerated fact or the partial truth can be blurry.

When Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign released a 13-minute video titled “Keating Economics: John McCain and the Making of a Financial Crisis,” America was exposed to the twenty-year-old scandal once again.



McCain, along with five other senators, had been investigated for his meeting with regulators on behalf of Charles Keating, the owner of an Arizona savings and loan. Keating was convicted of fraud while he controlled Lincoln Savings & Loan. Keating gave $112,000 in contributions to McCain’s campaign, which McCain later turned over to the U.S. Treasury. McCain was later cleared by the Senate Ethics Committee.

In response, McCain said he has been open about his relationship to Keating.

The McCain campaign has attacked Obama for his ties to Bill Ayers, who is part of the radical Weather Underground, a group that bombed Pentagon and the Capitol in the 1970s. They had worked together on volunteer charity projects. CNN reported that its review “found nothing to suggest anything inappropriate in the volunteer projects.”



CNN seemed to have understood that many viewers might be tired of hearing all this negativity. This kind of back-and-forth dirt from both campaigns can be bypassed through straightforward investigative reporting. On the website, CNN posts several links throughout the article: “Fact Check,” videos on Obama’s response, and photos of the Keating documentary.

On the Fact Check page, CNN reporters reiterated the supposed accusation, and then proceeded to give the facts straight, without an opinion. At the end of the analysis, CNN writes a “verdict,” which concludes whether the accusation from the political ad was true or false. This kind of fact check is needed in an era of anything-goes on the Internet. A trusted news source like CNN upholds its credibility when it takes neither candidate’s side and instead lays the facts bare for the public.

Too many times, fact errors slip past the lines of editors and copy editors into publication or on air. Journalists should adhere to the strict rule of accuracy and make confusing statements transparent to the public.

In this case, CNN investigated the root of the ad and found that the Obama campaign’s statement of McCain as a key player in the “Keating Five” scandal was indeed true.



The story:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/06/campaign.wrap/index.html?eref=ib_topstories

True or False:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/category/charles-keating/

Commentary:

Obama and McCain on Foreign Policy

Although issues with the economy are increasingly important, especially today, both McCain and Obama acknowledged that America cannot have a weak economy while also maintaining a strong military. As Obama and McCain began their discussion in foreign policy, they both called America a force of good in the world, although McCain went a little further saying “America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world.” However, I don’t think other countries would agree with that statement, and even some Americans wouldn’t either.

America needs to repair and rebuild its image to other countries before it could yet again be seen as a peacekeeper or a peacemaker because that status has been long gone and damaged. America is a unilateral country, and other foreign nations are aware of this. The American government does not have the reputation of working multilaterally with other countries, but rather works by itself to fix and democratize those nations as they see fit. Obama also announced that he did not understand how America invaded Iraq, when they had nothing to do with 9-11 and while their job in Afghanistan was still not finished, which was finding Osama bin Laden and taking down Al Qaeda.

Now, if America has the proper resources and determination, it is possible that bin Laden could be captured, but Al Qaeda is another thing. Al Qaeda is a very large network of terrorists with a myriad of actors and destroying it would be a lengthy commitment. Obama, can increase troops in Afghanistan if he became president, but at what point would he bring them back? After capturing bin Laden, or after destroying Al Qaeda? As Obama and McCain argued back and forth about what wrong and right decisions have been made, McCain brought up the fact that Obama has said he would meet with foreign leaders, specifically Ahmadinejad, without preconditions, which he was widely criticized for. However, he did make an excellent point that it didn’t seem to work when you don’t negotiate with your enemies.

“I believe that we should have direct talks not only with our friends but also with our enemies,” Sen. Obama said referring to Iran’s hostility towards Israel. This is a significant and key difference between Obama’s and McCain’s beliefs in foreign policy and also brings in the whole unilateral v. multilateral concept. McCain would take the unilateral approach in negotiating, or rather lack of negotiating, with hostile and enemy countries, while Obama would take the multilateral approach and speak with those nations without preconditions. Working multilaterally with other countries seems to be the appropriate, but less popular, way to deal with foreign policy issues.

Perhaps it is with these negotiations with hostile countries that America can help prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons as McCain fears. McCain quoted that he would “talk softly but carry a big stick,” but his approach seems more to be not to talk at all and ready to crack that big stick over his enemies as soon as he gets the chance. He does say that America needs to gain the support of the people in the Middle East, which is actually a positive approach, but his refusal to speak with Iranian and Pakistani governments does not help the situation either. Perhaps speaking with those other countries without preconditions is exactly the approach America needs to take in order to repair its image and build a better and stronger foreign policy.

Walk the Talk: reading into the candidates gestures and body language

The presidential candidates endeavored to prove themselves as the next leader of the American people this evening at the presidential debate in Nashville, TN. While debates typically focus on words, examining the candidates' gestures and body language can say more than their mouths.

When addressing the audience, Obama walked casually around the room, stopped in front of audience members as if addressing them, but did not look directly at any individual. Instead he sported his characteristic gaze into the future - the one that has inspired millions of Americans that he is indeed the "change we can believe in" - and then scanned the room, attempting to address all, but failing to truly connect and instill confidence.

McCain on the other hand, appeared as though campaign aides have informed him that strolling about the room will make him appear more comfortable and approachable. Unfortunately, McCain lacks Obama's finesse and gives the impression of staggering around awkwardly. (Yes, I know he was wounded in Nam, this is not a crack at that.) He does, however, address individual audience members. Rather than relate to the audience in a candid way, McCain seems to leer at them, intimidating them into agreeing with his beliefs.

Gestures employed by both McCain and Obama included the hand on the hand on the heart - "I completely understand all of your problems" and the "open-handed wave of inclusion" - "we're all in this together." A characteristic Obama gestures is the mini-point. The mini-point resembles the figures one's hand makes when holding a writing utensil and is used for emphasis rather than blame. It's really quite distracting.

Power cues were used by both candidates, as well. McCain's fist pound and Obama's mini-point were emphatic and overused.

Even though Obama is known for his laser eyes, McCain appeared to have appropriated them and used them to relate to (scare) audience members.

Mudslinging beat out health care, the economy and the War On Terror for center stage this evening. By the end of the debate, neither candidate felt the need to feign cordiality: eyes were rolled, hands were thrown up in disagreement and glares were exchanged. The tension was so high that voices bordered on raised. For a presidential debate, this was Paris versus Nicole c. 2006 status.

McCain was the greater perpetrator when it came to offensive gesturing. He pointed accusingly at Obama when discussing a 2005 Senate vote on an energy bill and charged, "you know who voted for it, that one." He then put an open palm upon his chest and declares, "you know who didn't, this one." It's not polite to point, John.

McCain directly addressed Obama when denouncing his past political action, thus exhibiting verbal aggression. Conversely, Obama rarely looked at McCain when returning the slander. Looking at body language one might ask: Is McCain more confident in statements and therefore better suited to presidency, or is Obama just unwilling to stoop to McCain's level?

Live blogging tonight's debate; economy dominates

Live blogging tonight’s presidential debate, this year’s second. The economy dominated the night.

6:06: The first question, predictably, is about the recession. “The middle class needs a rescue package,” Obama tells Alan, the first questioner. Obama continues the populist tone, repeating his desire to ease things for middle class Americans.
Tackling the same question, McCain tries to distance himself from the Bush policies. He says of his own plan for tackling the recession, “It’s my proposal, it’s not senator Obama’s proposal, it’s not President Bush’s proposal.”

6:14: McCain takes a shot at Obama and his “cronies” in Congress who’ve helped Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae put their economic capital in a precarious situation. He quickly adds, “or friends,” after “cronies.” But he doesn’t back off, finishing by saying, “There were some of us who stood up against it. There were others who took a hike.”
After a few shots of his own at McCain, Obama returns to the question. “You don’t want to hear politicians pointing fingers. You want to hear how this will help you,” he tells the questioner.
As a follow up, Brokaw asks whether the economy will get worse before it got better. Both candidates duck the question.

6:24: McCain stays on the attack, going after Obama’s support for pork barrel projects – including, according to McCain, $3 million for a new overhead projector system. McCain certainly seems to be taking more swings in the early stages of the debate, though Obama scores points for specifics.
McCain ducks Brokaw’s follow up question about whether he’d put more importance on energy reform, health care reform or social security issues, saying he thinks we can tackle all three at once.
Obama does prioritize: energy reform is number 1, he says, throwing out a JFK shoutout along the way.

6:37: McCain is really going at Obama, and seems to have the upper hand in the debate. After a rather circular answer from Obama about tax policy, McCain counters that “Nailing down Obama’s tax proposals is like nailing Jello to the wall.” McCain is clearly trying to win the spin cycle by going on the offensive, and so far it seems to be working; Obama isn’t responding in kind.
Obama’s had enough, saying that “The straight talk express lost a wheel there,” a reference to McCain’s loose campaign bus’s slogan.

6:50: Still punching: McCain veers off the question about energy to take yet another shot at Obama. Talking about an energy bill in Congress right now, McCain says, “It was loaded with goodies! You know who voted for it? That one. You know who voted against it? Me.” McCain is clearly trying to make the issue of earmarks even more of an issue, coming back to the topic repeatedly throughout the debate.

7:05: Brokaw asks a very pointed question about the Obama and McCain “doctrines” on whether the use of American military force is required in a humanitarian emergency when our national interests are not at stake. Obama stops short of pledging U.S. support in such circumstances, even though in the previous question he lamented the military’s inability to intervene in Rwanda because it is occupied in Iraq and Afghanistan.
McCain declines to answer the question, talking about Obama’s desire to bring home the troops prematurely.

7:09: Obama threw in a JFK reference earlier; this time its McCain who calls Raegan his “hero.”

7:13: Another question, another McCain jab, criticizing Obama for telling Pakistan he wants to attack inside their borders.
At this point, there can be no mistake: John McCain is trying to use this debate to turn around the entire election and reverse a trend of polling that has severely worsened for the McCain camp in the last three weeks.

LIVE BLOG: McCAIN & OBAMA ON THE ECONOMY

Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain debated again tonight - this time much acerbic rhetoric and fact checking was abundant.

An issue that got both parties going involved the economy.

QUESTION:

Tom Brokaw: Is the US economy going to get worse before it gets better?

Obama said that he is confident about America's economy, but we're going to have to have leadership from Washington. He said our current regulatory system is "archaic" and "20th century" and this cannot be accepted for a people of the 21st century. He vows to help ordinary families stay in homes. He also hopes to change the culture in Washington so lobbyists are not vying for their own interests.

McCain said he thinks it depends on what we, the government and American people, do. If we act effectively and stabilize the housing market by buying up mortgages then our situation will start to look up. He said that getting rid of cronyism in Washington is a must. Also, he said that he signed a letter pledging to help the government cut spending - he pointed out that Obama's name was not on that letter. McCain thinks the American workers are fundamental aspect of economy - the best exporters, the best importers, the best workers in world. He wants to give them a chance to be the best again. They are the innocent bystanders.


To access ABC News coverage, click here.

QUESTION:
Theresa Finch (Audience member): How can we trust either of you with our money when both parties got us into this global economic crisis?

Obama said that he understands America's frustration and cynicism because while they have carried out their responsibilities like not going out to dinner as much, that's not what happens in Washington. He said it is important to remember a little about history and President George W. Bush's surplusses that racked up ½ trillion debt nationally. He said he is going to spend some money on the key issues that we have to work on like healthcare and energy since we can't keep borrowing from China. he said we can't keep mortgaging our kids' education. He proposed cutting more than his spending so it will be a net-spending cut.


McCain acknowledged Theresa's comment as well. He said the system in Washington is broken. He regarded himself as a consistent reformer and as having a clear record of bipartisanship. He said Obama has never taken on leaders of his party. He urged everyone to look at our records as well as our rhetoric- that's part of America's mistrust. He said that he has fought against excessive spending while Obama is going to increase spending to $860 billion and spent millions on a planetarium in Chicago. McCain said his kind of reforms will keep people in their jobs and get middle income folks working again. His main priorities are energy independence, nuclear power and drilling offshore to decrease dependence on foreign oil. He said that it is fundamental economics – if we don't have a shortage then foreigners cannot name high prices because we are not in a shortage and willing to pay high prices.

To access ABC News coverage, click here.

QUESTION:
A 78-year-old who group up in the Depression: Since WWII we've never had to sacrifice anything to help our country but the blood of our heroic men. What sacrifices as president would you ask people to make to restore the American Dream and to get out of the economic morass that we're in?


McCain said we have to examine every agency and bureaucracy of government. He also proposed a spending freeze in most departments, except for defense. While some programs may not grow as much as we'd like them to, McCain said that the tradeoff is worthwhile and the public will have total transparency of the government's spending.


Obama said that after 9/11 President Bush did some smart things on outset but all he really said to American people was 'Go out and shock.' He thinks the American people are hungry for the kind of leadership that will do things outside of government.


To access ABC News coverage, click here.

Presidential Debate Live Blog: International Relations

Foreign Relations....yet another time for the candidates to use the same phrases they've used for months.

7:02 McCain: How economic stress will affect our nation's ability to be a peacemaker. Obama was wrong about the surge. "We don't have time for on-the-job training." Never heard that one before.

7:03 Obama: How economic stress will affect our nation's ability to be a peacemaker. McCain says there's a lot of things I don't understand. That's true. I don't understand how we invaded Iraq in the first place. . . That's at least the second time Obama's said that this debate.

7:07 McCain: How would you use military force? Requires someone with a cool hand and knowledge. President Reagan, my hero. Reagan's who we have to thank for all this deregulation.

7:09 Obama: Should we pursue Al Quaeda in Pakistan? We should end the war in Iraq so we can focus on Afghanistan. We have to change our policies in Pakistan. We can't coddle a dictator.

7:12 McCain: Teddy Roosevelt was my hero. Wait...wasn't Reagan your hero? How many heros are you allowed to have? "Use force and carry a big stick...but talk softly." Not exactly the quote, but I'll take it.

Live Blog Debate

(photo courtesy of NYTimes.com)

One of the biggest issues in tonight's debate is the economy, and most of the audience's questions at the beginning of the debate are focused on the financial crisis and government bailout plan. However, rather than providing concrete solutions and discussing the questions at hand, the two candidates are criticizing one another’s policies -- "mudslinging." In answering an audience member's question about the Bailout package, Obama said:

"You aren’t interested in listening to politicians point fingers, you are interested in how this is going to affect you.”

True -- but pointing fingers is exactly what the candidates continued to do. In some of the initial blows, McCain talked about a $3 billion dollar projector for an Illinois planetarium that Obama voted for. He continuously mentions that Obama wants to increase spending and notes that Fanny May and Freddy Mack, which he said were the catalysts of the financial crisis, donated heavily to Obama's campaign. In a particularly vivid attack, McCain said that "nailing Senator Obama's various tax proposals is like nailing Jell-O to the wall."

Obama didn't hold back, criticizing McCain for bragging about being a "deregulator" when deregulation caused the financial crisis in the first place. He also notes that McCain supported the failed economic policies of the past 8 years. After McCain criticized his tax program, Obama shot back -- "The 'Straight Talk Express' lost a wheel on that one," noting that he wants to provide a tax cut for 95% of Americans.

I find it frustrating that the debate is once again centered on pointing out each of the candidate’s failings. Especially in light of the financial crisis and the economy, Americans need hope that the United States will recover from its current situation. Mudslinging does not supply that hope. Americans need solutions, and the candidates are failing to provide those solutions. While both of the candidates talked about helping middle class Americans – alluding to a better economic future – they spent more time criticizing each other’s voting records than providing concrete suggestions and policy ideas.

Time (Not) on Our Side

In the presidential debate, of course the issues are always in the spotlight and, consequently, are what all the pundits talk about the day after. But tonight, as you may have noticed, there was just as much talk about time limits as there was about the issues. You may have even noticed the timer lights showing up in some of the camera shots.

poll by twiigs.com

Each candidate has two minutes to respond to each question posed to them, and then the other candidate has one minute to respond to the issues raised. But, unfortunately, the candidates just can't seem to keep to their predetermined limits. "I'm just trying to keep up with him," Obama joked about going over the time limit with respect to McCain.

"I'm just going to stop right now, and you didn't even have to wave at me, Tom," McCain ended one of his answers, referencing an earlier joke that the moderator, Tom Brokaw should just wave at him rather than relying on the lights to tell him when he was done.

Poor Brokaw just has to keep reminding the candidate all night long to keep within the time limits. Granted, that's part of his job as moderator, but does he have to remind them after every question? Just play by the rules, boys.

I call bullshit

None of the moderators seem to be able to enforce their own rules. R.I.P Tim Russert. Brokaw proved himself to be an impotent moderator, caving to the whims of the presidential candidates.

After Obama demanded a follow up to answer McCain's attacks, Brokaw pointed out that the time was up, but he relented. "Ok let's have a follow up...I'm just hired help."

Senator McCain is an expert at town hall meetings. He challenged Obama to 10 town hall debates over the summer, but Obama declined.

So far McCain's rhetoric has been superb. He attacks Obama when the Illinois Senator has no opportunity to respond to the charges, he engages the audience, and he improvises. Despite this, polls after the debate show that audiences reacted more favorably to Obama's straightforward approach. So much for straight talk for the Grand Old Party's oldest candidate.

Here is a graph depicting audience reactions:


Tomorrow's debate will be moderated by Bob Schieffer, host of "Face the Nation" on CBS. Schieffer told CNN that in the final debate he will demand that the candidates narrow their answers, and focus on the specifics.

"By now, we've all heard their talking points," he said. "We've heard the general outlines of what they are talking about. The time has come to be a little more specific. It will not embarrass me, if they go off in a different direction, to say, 'excuse me, could you focus on the question that I just asked?"

We'll see how that goes for him.

Live Blog

photo courtesy of news.com.au

Analysis of the Candidates' Positions on the Economic Downturn
In the aftermath of the economic crisis, both candidates Tuesday night were asked to respond to how they would approach a solution. The “maverick” McCain answered by emphasizing that the key to stabilizing the economy is “home values” and urging the Treasury Secretary to buy the mortgages of all homes in foreclosure.

Obama opened the debate with a string of resolutions, citing the fall of Wall Street as the “worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.” Obama called for strong oversight, treating taxpayers like investors, ensuring that CEOs are not receiving bonuses from the package, and tax cuts for the middle class.

McCain responded by emphasizing his push for less government spending and said that Americans would have to sacrifice some programs. In order for spending to be cut, there needs to be a “spending freeze,” McCain said.

But Obama struck the spending freeze idea down, saying it would be like taking a “hatchet” to the cuts. Instead, leaders need a scalpel to help those who need help, get help.

Sen. McCain said Americans need to consider both candidates' records and proposals for the economy. Here are some resources:

Voting Records
McCain
Obama

Economic Proposals & News Commentaries
McCain
Commentary: NY Times

Obama
Commentary: LA Times

Comparison: International Herald Tribune

Media Critique: Tom Brokaw as a national journalist facilitating the discussion.

Several times Brokaw interrupted the flow of the debate to remind each candidate of the time constraints. Keeping this in mind, was Tom Brokaw an effective debate facilitator? Did he ask appropriate questions and conduct the debate well?

Was Tom Brokaw an effective debate facilitator?

• Yes, Did his best
• No, Could have been better

Created on Oct 7, 2008

View Results

poll by twiigs.com

"What was that?!" Quotes & Paraphrases
"Pinning down Obama's policies is like nailing jello down to the wall."
- McCain

"I've got some news, Sen. Obama, and news is baaad."
- McCain

"And McCain, the straight-talk express lost a wheel."
- Obama

"I have to correct McCain's history, not surprisingly."
- Obama

"I'm just hired help here."
- Brokaw

Presidential Debate Live Blog: The Home Front

6:26 McCain on his priorities. "We can work on all of them at the same time." In other words, everything is tied for first?

6:26 Obama on his priorities. Energy #1. Sounds like he actually has a hierarchy. Health care #2. Education #3. Education wasn't one of the options.....It was entitlements. Does that mean entitlements is #4?

6:32 Obama: 9/11. Obama wants to double the peace corps. . . .Interesting because the Peace Corps recently had to cut jobs.

6:35 Obama: Earmarks are about 18 billion of our budget. . . meanwhile McCain is pacing.

6:36 McCain: Trying to pinpoint Obama's tax proposals is like trying to nail down jello to a wall. Interesting visual. McCain looks at Obama...."I got some news. The news is bad." Over-the-shoulder shot of McCain's back and Obama's face. Obama has a "Yeah, duh" look.

6:40 Obama on Social Security and Medicare: We've got a lot of work to do so I don't know if we could get to it in the first two years, but certainly in my first term. "The straight talk express just lost a wheel." Tax policies that benefit the middle class, not the upper class. Ultimately, Obama gave no deadline.

6:42 McCain on Social Security and Medicare: "I'll answer the question." Except....No deadline given either.

6:47 Obama brings up McCain's voting record. McCain voted against renewable fuels 23 times. I like it when they cite facts. We can't drill our way out of the problem. We have to come up with alternatives.

6:50 McCain... keeps calling everyone "My friends." Sneering kind of look. Refers to Obama as "That one."

6:51 Obama... do you believe healthcare should be treated as a commodity? If you don't have health insurance you can buy federal insurance like Senator Obama and I enjoy.

6:54 McCain... let's put healthcare records online. Here's the difference between me and Obama. Want to give every American a $5,000 refundable tax credit. 95% of Americans will get increased funding. Shopping state by state. I may need hair transplants....crickets? Healthcare is a responsibility.

6:57 Obama... I think healthcare should be a right. #1 if you got a healthcare program you like, you can keep it. Small businesses will get a 50% tax credit. McCain voted against children's healthcare...Does that mean he hates kids? Obama did not say how big his fines would be.

Presidential Debate Live Blog

McCain mentioned an interesting comparison between each candidates records and rhetoric. The concept was mentioned several other times throughout the debate. So what exactly did he mean?

Records: how each candidate has voted on each of the various issues facing America; can also include what either candidate has done in response to each issue (ex: sponsoring legislation, raising awareness, etc)

Rhetoric: what each of the candidates have said on each of the various issues facing America, especially those five-second soundbites that show up on the evening news

Now, in an ideal world, each person of voting age would not only be registered to vote but would be avid in researching not just what the media has said each candidate has said but would also find out how each candidate has voted on the issues.

poll by twiigs.com

As young voters, we all have a lot on our plate. We go to school, we play sports, we have jobs, we have social lives. We don't have time to sit at home, pouring through senate records to determine who has voted for what and whether the candidate is really walking their talk.

poll by twiigs.com

It's hard to tell who's walking the talk and who's flip-flopping.

poll by twiigs.com

Obviously, in the interest of shameless self-promotion, we'd like you to turn to The Virgin Vote for your updates and analysis on the 2008 presidential race, but we also know that you can't get all your news from one place.

Good luck on filtering through the rhetoric and happy voting, Virgin Voters!