Actually

It's not that the RNC spent $150,000 to give Palin and family a makeover that is frustrating. If any past photos are an indication, it was money well spent. And one does need to give off a certain powerful image when thrust upon the national scene. What IS frustrating is that Governor Palin and Cindy McCain drop thousands at high-end retailers, while trying to convince people that they are outsiders, average Joe type of people, or populists.

Again, it has been amazing to me that these women can spend this type of money and the McCains can own several homes while trying to argue that Obama's Harvard education makes him an elitist. He was a community organizer, right? Who's more "for the people," than the person who worked with the people. McCain had this edge as a veteran. But again, he chose to go negative. I don't find either candidate particularly elitist, but as always, people from seven glass houses shouldn't throw stones or call other people elitist.

When You Throw Stones From Glass Houses...

Friday evening, a BIPARTISAN investigation and panel revealed Governor Palin did abuse her power to exert improper influence over the firing of a state employee who would not fire a trooper the Palins did not like. The trooper was a former in-law, who was reportedly abusive to one Palin's family members. Sure, anyone would go similar lengths to avenge a family member. But, do you really want an executive in national power who would use her authority for peronal vendettas? That is the temptation of power that many must overcome. It is like the quote from the film"Spider-Man:" "With great power comes great responsibility." Gov. Palin did not do anything illegal, but she DID violate Alaska's ethics code. But hearing the governor herself, you would think that she has done nothing wrong. What is more frustrating about all this is the fact that Gov. Palin spent all last week (along with Hannity, Coulter, Hasselbeck, and FOX News in general) trashing Obama's judgments and associations with William Ayers. Meanwhile, the economic crisis deepened each day. So while there was a financial crisis, Palin and co. spent the week throwing stones and bringing Ayers and Rev. Wright back to light. And there justifications were that we need to know "who Barack really is." Well, who are you Sarah Palin? It turns out that you are the one who has some explaining to do.

In addition, Gov. Palin was arousing crowds to make racially charged outbursts during her speeches last week. This in turned led to McCain having to calm down his base and stop them from buying into the ignorance that Palin insighted. It seemed as if all of this was happening around McCain. There is definately a disconnect in his camp. The irony is, Palin was brought in to do what she is doing. She is bringing those strong conservatives, Joe Six Packs, and racists rednecks (the ones not for Obama) to the ticket. She was brought in to bring those people over who wouldn't vote for no black man named Obama. They have no regard for issues. They are happy believing that Barack is an Arab terrorist or the antichrist. And let's face it, that allows people to sleep at night knowing that they are not racist, they just are not going to vote for an Arab terrorist for president.

Look if you are not voting for Obama because he is black, just admit it. There are people who are voting for him because he is black, and there are people who are not going to vote for him because he is black. And then there are people in both parties who are simply voting there party, also not giving the issues and platforms a second look.

And this, people, is why the Electoral College picks the president. Every vote DOES count, but the reason why I am not for a pure one person, one vote system is because our country is full of idiots. I am sorry, there is just no other way to put it. They are easily persuaded and manipulated. They allow for the corruption to persist because they do not actually take accountability or control of the government that is supposed to be their democracy. The people should control, not corporations, lobbyists, and those with the biggest bank account.

Oh well...OBAMA 08! And in conclusion, Sarah Palin is awful. LOL!

Aristorant: Debate recap, and Why I'm Pissed!

I want to begin this post with some highlights taken from Jocelyn Noveck's article for the AP. These quotes sum up the general media consensus following last night's debate:

She even said as much in her closing statement: "I like being able to answer these tough questions without the filter ... of the mainstream media kinda telling viewers what they just heard," she said. "I'd rather just be able to speak to the American people." And so she did.

So did the debate change any minds? It didn't seem likely. For one undecided voter, each candidate scored points. "I think Palin talked more like a person, and Biden talked more like a politician," said Michelle Lamar, a writer and mother in Kansas City. "Palin connects with the people — she reminds me of Reagan."

"I'm thankful Sarah Palin held her own," said Jean Pirovic, a real estate agent and longtime Republican from Hyattsville, Md. "I was impressed by Joe Biden's performance and behavior and his public service, but he did nothing to help me understand how he will change things. I will remain Republican and support the ticket."

I was in disbelief with all these comments. Honestly, I know that people will say I am biased, but from an intelligent and objective view of the debate (as objective as I can be), I don't know how anyone can conclude that Governor Palin won that debate. She was so clearly out of place and out of touch with the issues you would expect for a person in an executive position to have knowledge of or an opinion about. She tactfully dodged questions, and sometimes not so gracefully, as she would just flat out say she was going to talk about something else. When she didn't know how to respond (enough to notice), she would dance around the question, throw out some of her catch phrases, and wink. Come on people, both my friends to the right and left, how can you argue she is prepared?

Her appeal to "regular" people is also such double standard that I find so blatantly racist and/or culturally biased. If Anita Brown (made up name) was running for VP and through out black "folksy" language, had a underage daughter pregnant with some knuckle head's baby, failed to answer questions during a debate, exhibited no knowledge of issues regarding executive offices, and was debating against someone as skilled and knowledgeable as Joe Biden, the right (and left) would crucify her and we would not even be talking about how charming a person she may or may not be.

Sen. Joe Biden exhibited knowledge of issues and was able to answer questions thoroughly. He laid out a plan for the American people. He rebutted John McCain's platform and policies. He highlighted some of McCain's contradictions. He was capable, he gave educated answers. He was heartfelt when needed, and bold when necessary, and he did not undermine or point out Palin's inferior debating skills. And maybe that is unfair. She may have been a worthy opponent had she been able to back up her gusto and style with something more substantive than a blink of the eye.

And today, in all the media, they seem to report that Palin succeeded because she connected with average Americans. Just who are these average Americans? Are they white blue collar Americans? Joe six pack? Hockey Moms? There seems to be groups missing from representation. Palin appeals to one group. And I dare say, intellectual conservative surely cannot take to kindly to her utter ignorance.

I think Palin was an attempt to undermine Obama. The right always argued that Senator Obama is inexperienced, not ready, and that he is only appealing because he is a great speaker. But, then, they choose someone who is also young, vivacious, and attractive but who lacks in credible ground to begin to seek office. Her degree (which took her several different schools to complete might I add) was in journalism. She has had no training in government, international affairs, or economics. Barack has had some level of experience and training in those areas.

Obama is more than a good speaker. He can do the job. If he couldn't and if people thought he could not be president, he would not have made it this far. Why? Well, it is like my mother always said, to be a black man in America you have to be smarter, better, and nearly beyond reproach. She was making the point that minorities are not afforded the same latitude or liberty to make the same mistakes as whites. Look at the drawing board. Between Palin and McCain, there is enough dirt and skeletons in the closet to cover the Middle East. And Obama, the best efforts have been to link him to Ayers, Rev. Right, and Tony Rezco. And before that, they tried to paint him as a scary figure, a radical, a liberal, a Muslim. I have never before seen such a clear example of dirty politics before.

And even with Hillary Clinton. She was smart, capable, intelligent, experienced, ready, and a woman. But she was pounced upon because she was not essentially Joe Six Pack and the Hockey Moms' visions of what a woman in power should do. Enter Sarah Palin. She is Hillary Clinton's foil and antithesis. She is what the right would proffer as qualified. Hard working African American people and intelligent women in general are left scratching their heads with this sociopolitical conundrum. The right is okay with a female politician as long as she is attractive, folksy, and a mom. The woman doesn't have to have substantive knowledge of anything as long as she can remember her catchphrases. But they do not accept Obama's "inexperience" because...what? He is a people person right? He has worked with your average American, right? He is a father, and apparently today, being a parent is a qualification for executive leadership because Palin's experience as a mother is a plus (whatever). So what is the real reason (FOR SOME), that Obama is unacceptable? He is black, let's all say it people. When it boils down to it, the folksy folk, the Joe Six Packs, and the hockey moms do not include Barack Obama's demographic. And there we have the broader battle at play with this election.

This election is an epic battle about CHANGE. This is a battle between the old politics of yesterday and the new politics of today. This is a struggle with maintaining the status quo against reform and creating a better union of states with a government more inclusive and representative of all its citizens. John McCain is not a reformer. He is an old politician who is set in his beliefs and ideological world view. And now, with this economic crisis, he has even less of a clear platform as fiscal conservatives will not take to kindly to the bailout or anything that smells socialistic. And it is McCain, at the end of the day who is at the top of the ticket, not Palin.

I get it, though. Sarah Palin is normal. She is not a politician. And her acceptance and appeal is indicative of general fatigue with the same old politics as usual. But maybe some republicans shoud rethink their party identification. Traditional conservative values are predicated upon economic principles of capitalism, small government, traditionally conservative values, and no regulations on the free market. These principles supplemented our economic downward spiral. Though democrats can share the blame, in the present time, republicans are not in the position as a party or policymaking body, to fix this mess. There traditional solutions are not going to get us out of this mess.

John McCain is not change. And don't let your frustrations with politicians lead you to think that just anyone can be president. Sarah Palin seems like a nice person, but she is not situated to be a heart beat away from the presidency. How can you really be an instrument of change, if you don't understand why the old does not work. Presidents and vice presidents cannot just be like anyone else. Everybody is not special, and not just anyone can be president. There are issues and concerns that a president must be prepared to face, and we cannot disregard the need for some knowledge and understanding of the politics. Even a remote understanding of the law would be nice too. Come on conservatives, especially my right wing law colleagues. As a republican, you know what Supreme Court cases you dislike, right? Why is that crazy, that a VP should be able to name one? And you know, or at least know where to find, what the answer regarding VP power. She cosigned Cheney's theory expansion and clearly exhibited she still fully did not understand what she is supposed to do as vice president. Biden laid out plans, Palin laid out nothing. She talked in general invoking all-American themes, but she could provide no answers or solutions.

Don't be misled, please.

Sarah Palin v. Joe Biden: It's On!

The VP debate is tonight, and the big question is, who's gonna get served?

Gov. Sarah Palin: A Bible in the Purse and Gun in the Back Pocket

Governor Sarah Palin was successfully able to rejuvinate the Republican party with enthusiasm and excitement. Up until her selection, McCain had by many accounts, ran a slow campaign that failed to present a message that could successfully materialize with the American publican, and more importantly, his own base. Enter Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin can be described as "anti-Hillary." She is the conservative, right-wing translation of Hillary Clinton. She is pro-gun, pro-life, pro-Iraq war, and holds tight to traditional conservative principles in economics and government oversight. She is charming, attractive, and captivating. In oratory, she out-shines Sen. McCain. Whether you agree with her or not, Gov. Palin can hold an audience.

Thus far, the media has focused on meaningless distractions like Palin's daughter's pregnancy, her "sex appeal," and her witty snipes at the Democrats. I don't think that Palin's daughter is a large issue. These things happen, and it is up for the family to deal with family issues. However, I do want to point out two obseravtions. (1) Governor Palin was against providing funds for sex education programs in Alaska's school system and she is against abortions in all cases accept when the mother's life is in danger. There is apparent contradiction here. You want to eliminate a woman's right to choice as well as create barriers to programs that could potenially curb the need for abortions. I don't know how much I understand the rhetoric. In my opinion, the pro-life platform is political pandering. It is a manipulation of the people's good will and common sense. John McCain has expressly said that he woul appoint strict constructionist judges who would in turn overturn Roe v. Wade (I saw and heard it myself). Listen, at the end of the day, Roe v. Wade will not be overturned. Why? Because we all know who is having abortions in this country. Minorities tend to have the babies, regardless of the circumstance and whether or not they are in a position to properly care for a child. In addition, there is a question of affording the abortion. I went to private school and I know how it works. We knew what was going on when someone would all of a sudden disappear to go have a pregancy "taken cared of." Even if he appoint strict constructionists Justices, the Legislature would fix any attempts to absolutely abolish abortion. But strict constructionsit justices do create other problems. I will save that rant for another post.

(2) My second observation speaks to us as a nation. I wonder what would the media and public have to say if Michelle Obama had an underage daughter who was pregnant with a baby whose father was some thug, street-tuff with an absurb Myspace page which he used to display his ignorance. There is an undeniable double standard. If this was the case there would be a discussion of the Obamas' parenting skills and whether or not that spoke to their qualifications to be the First Family.

Gov. Palin has provided a much needed jolt to the Republican party, but there are so many unanswered questions. And perhaps that was the point. Perhaps when we talk about Palin or lipsticks on pigs, we are distracted from discussing the things that really matter. The truth is, there are two people running for President. This fight is Obama v. McCain. In the end, it may be more of a negative when your running mate begins to garner more attention than you. In the longterm, what seemed like a savvy move might prove more destructive to McCain's campaign.

But I guess we'll see how it all plays out.