Arizona Senator John McCain (official)

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

High taxes is why Ireland has a higher GDP per capita than Germany

I think you forgot your sarcasm font...

[Steve19]

Originally Posted by OSUsushichic

OK, those of you who are voting for McCain have spent most of your time bashing Obama. But what are McCain's positives? Why should we vote for him (without using an anti-Obama stance)?

Well, he has a lot of experience in the Senate and has his pulse on the problems facing America.

He understands the economy. He will lower taxes and deregulate markets. When you do that, you put wealth into the hands of the people who are most qualified to invest it and grow wealth. As they get richer, wealth trickles down to the masses and "the high tide lifts all boats." This leads to job creation and all of the attendant advantages of economic advancement: better schools, better healthcare, better roads and infrastructure. These beliefs are tried and proven and go back to the invisible hand of Adam Smith.

These are the arguments typically made by McCain supporters.

If these views were true, then why has a president who shares these views almost exactly lead America into such a terrible situation? Why has the national debt has exploded, the concentration of wealth among the top 2% grown, and the average American ended up worse off under every preceding Republican administrations since Eisenhower?

The failure of communism was illustrated by stark and illustrative case studies: East vs West Germany, North vs South Korea. Now, deduct the losses from the current economic crisis from economic statistics illustrating growth in recent years. Are we the actors in a very different case study of a very different kind?

Independents have been waiting for McCain to begin to assert his positives and to emphasize what he plans to do. One can only surmise that the overwhelming emphasis of fear-mongering is intended to divert attention from the lack of delivery promised by the experience advantage of McCain.

He understood the war in Iraq right from the start. He knew we'd be welcome with open arms and that the Iraqi oil money would pay for the war. He knew it would all be over in six months.

He has exceptional experience in financial meltdowns, beginning with the savings and loan crisis. He alone knew that the economy was fundamentally sound and, when America and the world misunderstood, he went to Washington and faced this crisis down.

I really liked the John McCain of five years ago. I don't know where he went but now I see a candidate clutching at straws, engaging in underhanded campaign tactics that John McCain abhorred, unable to articulate a coherent and stable strategy to address America's terrible economic or international problems, and who showed me everything I needed to know about his experience and judgment in his choice of running mate.

I have remained open minded but John McCain gives independent voters very little to work with. I don't want to hear about Obama, I can judge him for myself.

In a world that will require the Chinese, Indians, and other emerging nations to become the engines of growth and where American economic and military might has become a much more constrained currency, I want to hear what McCain plans to to do to transform America's economy, lessen energy dependence on oil, build transnational cooperation, fight terrorism, and elevate quality of life.

[OH10]

Originally Posted by billmac91

Becuase he doesn't want to raise ANY TAXES......especially for businesses.

Cutting taxes for businesses and those making over $250,000 will create jobs.

I'm confused. How has this worked to create jobs over the last 8 years? I agree, on the surface, the premise seems to make sense. And I bought into that theory in 2000. But now I'm scratching my head about that one.

[OH10]

Originally Posted by OSUsushichic

Calling Obama a socialist is all they have left. Nothing else has stuck.

New Yorker: Barack Obama is a socialist? - The New Yorker

There was a time when John McCain campaigned with ideas to fix problems. But I can't exactly remember when that was, because it seems so long ago. Is it that his only hope is to just throw anything he can at Obama and see what sticks?

Although I have heard he's pretty good at playing the "Obama once was in the same room as [insert possible terrorist here], so therefore... uh, he must be a terrorist?" "Obama once walked on the same street as [insert person who made Anti-American statement], so therefore... uh, he's Anti-American?"

Great campaign McCain. Aces in my book.

[Steve19]

Originally Posted by OH10

There was a time when John McCain campaigned with ideas to fix problems. But I can't exactly remember when that was, because it seems so long ago. Is it that his only hope is to just throw anything he can at Obama and see what sticks?

Although I have heard he's pretty good at playing the "Obama once was in the same room as [insert possible terrorist here], so therefore... uh, he must be a terrorist?" "Obama once walked on the same street as [insert person who made Anti-American statement], so therefore... uh, he's Anti-American?"

Great campaign McCain. Aces in my book.

When he does it, he plays again to Obama's hand. Obama just told an audience in Raleigh, "By the end of the week, John McCain will be telling people that I am a communist because I shared my toys with someone in kindergarten. Because I shared a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a classmate.

It's all incredibly unfortunate.

[AKAKBUCK]

Originally Posted by OSUsushichic

OK, those of you who are voting for McCain have spent most of your time bashing Obama. But what are McCain's positives? Why should we vote for him (without using an anti-Obama stance)?

McCain is a free Trader.

That's all, you say?

That's more than enough.

(With apologies to ORD, I would like to mention that I'd hate to see Obama go all Herbert Hoover in the midst of of world economic crisis. )

[DaytonBuck]

Originally Posted by OSUsushichic

Calling Obama a socialist is all they have left. Nothing else has stuck.

New Yorker: Barack Obama is a socialist? - The New Yorker

Obama's view of government is that your wealth is its wealth. You keep it at its license. You have no legitimate property right in your assets, as there is no line or principle that limits his view of what the government can or should rightfully take from some. At the same time, he believes it's also the role of government to even outcomes across people by redistribution. Not just to deal with the true losers. Not just a 'safety net.' Not at all. He thinks it's appropriate to stick the entire burden of government on the few productive people in society. That attitude has very pernicious implications not only on our economy and prospects, but on the very notion of equality in the eyes of the law. Government in Obamaland has become a gang that takes from limited and insular groups and benefits other groups. Again, he has no guiding principle limiting this approach to the use of force, and his rhetoric shows not one iota of concern for or even awareness of the moral or political implications of confiscation.

He is in favor of massive regulatory increases.

He is utopian, thinking he can solve all problems, from 'turning back the oceans' to curing all the sick. His focus on solutions like all utopian socialists has no patience for limitations or caution caused by practical or moral concerns. His typical response when asked is something along the lines of 'come on now' then he goes back to talking about all the problems he's going to solve.

He is also an idiot. He wants to take cash from Americans and hand it out to the rest of the world, even while he wants to deny economic opportunity to the rest of the world through his anti-free-trade policies.

He is anti-free-trade.

He distrusts markets. He doesn't understand them, either.

He trusts government. He doesn't understand it, either.

He spent 20 years listening to a radical black marxist preacher and not only didn't find anything the guy said disturbing, he hasn't even admitted to hearing any of it. He is lying.

He writes in his own memoir about having been tutored/mentored by Frank Marshall Davis (a Communist) as a youngster.

He spent his pre-political career working with socialist-run 'community organizing' groups like ACORN.

There really isn't any reason whatsoever to think he's not a socialist.

[CookyPuss]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

Obama's view of government is that your wealth is its wealth. You keep it at its license. You have no legitimate property right in your assets, as there is no line or principle that limits his view of what the government can or should rightfully take from some. At the same time, he believes it's also the role of government to even outcomes across people by redistribution. Not just to deal with the true losers. Not just a 'safety net.' Not at all. He thinks it's appropriate to stick the entire burden of government on the few productive people in society. That attitude has very pernicious implications not only on our economy and prospects, but on the very notion of equality in the eyes of the law. Government in Obamaland has become a gang that takes from limited and insular groups and benefits other groups. Again, he has no guiding principle limiting this approach to the use of force, and his rhetoric shows not one iota of concern for or even awareness of the moral or political implications of confiscation.

He is in favor of massive regulatory increases.

He is utopian, thinking he can solve all problems, from 'turning back the oceans' to curing all the sick. His focus on solutions like all utopian socialists has no patience for limitations or caution caused by practical or moral concerns. His typical response when asked is something along the lines of 'come on now' then he goes back to talking about all the problems he's going to solve.

He is also an idiot. He wants to take cash from Americans and hand it out to the rest of the world, even while he wants to deny economic opportunity to the rest of the world through his anti-free-trade policies.

He is anti-free-trade.

He distrusts markets. He doesn't understand them, either.

He trusts government. He doesn't understand it, either.

He spent 20 years listening to a radical black marxist preacher and not only didn't find anything the guy said disturbing, he hasn't even admitted to hearing any of it. He is lying.

He writes in his own memoir about having been tutored/mentored by Frank Marshall Davis (a Communist) as a youngster.

He spent his pre-political career working with socialist-run 'community organizing' groups like ACORN.

There really isn't any reason whatsoever to think he's not a socialist.

You should get a job writing those infamous smear emails.

I once lived with a guy from Michigan. He was a Michigan fan. I even called him my "friend." Does that make me a Michigan fan?

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

Obama's view of government...

I mean, this is absurd even by your standards... have you started drinking already?

[Lockup]

Originally Posted by Steve19

I really liked the John McCain of five years ago. I don't know where he went but now I see a candidate clutching at straws, engaging in underhanded campaign tactics that John McCain abhorred, unable to articulate a coherent and stable strategy to address America's terrible economic or international problems, and who showed me everything I needed to know about his experience and judgment in his choice of running mate.

I have remained open minded but John McCain gives independent voters very little to work with. I don't want to hear about Obama, I can judge him for myself.

In a world that will require the Chinese, Indians, and other emerging nations to become the engines of growth and where American economic and military might has become a much more constrained currency, I want to hear what McCain plans to to do to transform America's economy, lessen energy dependence on oil, build transnational cooperation, fight terrorism, and elevate quality of life.

Could not have said it better myself. While I am not a card carrying republican I typically vote their way. I was excited to finally vote for a president I actually wanted, when he won the nomination.

I have been greatly disappointed with his campaign. While I understand his tax plan and understand how trickle down works. In these economics times though the last thing I want to hear about it is tax breaks for the rich. Screw them they have gotten enough already time to give the middle class something.

His healthcare plan is completely stupid (not that I think Obama's is special either).

While I liked Palin at first because I thought she was spunky and edgy they were right to not let her talk to much because she either comes off as an idiot or actually is one. Either way it appears she was picked more as a stunt to try and get Clinton people on board.

Most of all though he was suppose to run a clean campaign. Instead we have had the BS of who Obama associated with and what kind of checkered past they had 30 years ago. While there may be some truth and concern for these things they were way over down and his campaign has looked more like a desperate attempt to go against Obama's character rather than challanging him on the issues.

Now I have to decide whether I can vote for Obama. While I don't have a huge problem with him I do have issues with the top Democratic leadership in congress and I am wondering if they are going to be the puppet masters or is Obama going to stand up to them.

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

Obama's view of government is...(buncha crazy talk)

I really hope that you were trying to be over the top satirical with that. If you weren't, then you are purposefully misrepresenting Obama's platform, or just [censored]ing nuts. Try this: Tomorrow, call in to Rush, Hannity, or Savage, and read that verbatim. See how long it takes for them to cut you off. Even those who get paid to slander anything liberal wouldn't be associated with that diatribe. (Okay, Savage would)

[fourteenandoh]

Originally Posted by Lockup

Now I have to decide whether I can vote for Obama. While I don't have a huge problem with him I do have issues with the top Democratic leadership in congress and I am wondering if they are going to be the puppet masters or is Obama going to stand up to them.

that's a great observation, and a prudent question to ask. to answer it, i say has he ever stood up to them before?

[Flocka]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

that's a great observation, and a prudent question to ask. to answer it, i say has he ever stood up to them before?

Yeah, he was too liberal.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

He is also an idiot.

Haw!!! Thatss too mur vottes fer him cince u brougted Obamar to our atenstoin

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

that's a great observation, and a prudent question to ask. to answer it, i say has he ever stood up to them before?

Other than kicking their chosen annointed nominee off the stage...