Thread: US Presidential Campaign 2008

^ What a bladdy crock! But what do you expect from a Guardian writer.

But what of the rest of the world? This is the reaction I fear most. For Obama has stirred an excitement around the globe unmatched by any American politician in living memory. Polling in Germany, France, Britain and Russia shows that Obama would win by whopping majorities, with the pattern repeated in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. If November 4 were a global ballot, Obama would win it handsomely.

If Americans choose McCain, they will be turning their back on the rest of the world, choosing to show us four more years of the Bush-Cheney finger. And I predict a deeply unpleasant shift.

If Americans reject Obama, they will be sending the clearest possible message to the rest of us - and, make no mistake, we shall hear it.

FO. Another Euro lefty wagging its finger at the US -- listen to me or else. McCain already knows lots of world leaders; the Euro welfare residents just want an America that will commiserate with them -- high taxes, poor justice systems, a pork-belly, indecisive EU. I'm sure the terrorists want BO to get into office too, coz he'll want to negotiate with the killers first, while they've killing off a bunch of people. Oh, but isn't Obama a warmonger, too? He wants to send the troops to Afghanistan and Pakistan (???), where the "real" terrorists live.

America is not socialist and hopefully never will be.

^That video is rather disingenuous. Wolf hunting isn't a sport.
Wolves will decimate a caribou herd by killing hundreds eating only the caribou tongue and leaving the rest.

^ Ya, but the coyotes finish them off. I'm quite partial to wolves, myself. Cross-breeds make great pets.

^^true, foxes and ravens make short work of the carcasses.

But waxing poetic about wolves is ridiculous. They are a vicious, opportunistic and very clever predators.(the video was correct in this that wolves are like us humans)

^ Yep, heard that, too -- the social system. Don't care, I love 'em.
Also, can't imagine funding the cost of one plane to go after one fekin wolf. Bladdy libby tree-huggers at it again.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Oh, but isn't Obama a warmonger, too? He wants to send the troops to Afghanistan and Pakistan (???), where the terrorists live.

Well spotted, though oddly phrased. There really is only a small difference between the 2 candidates, which is perceived as enormous by many.

America is not socialist and hopefully never will be.

What's this got to do with Obama? And don't kid yourself, socialism, or rather social democracy, has been a major influence in actual policy decisions for decades - rightly so.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

^ What a bladdy crock! But what do you expect from a Guardian writer.

But what of the rest of the world? This is the reaction I fear most. For Obama has stirred an excitement around the globe unmatched by any American politician in living memory. Polling in Germany, France, Britain and Russia shows that Obama would win by whopping majorities, with the pattern repeated in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. If November 4 were a global ballot, Obama would win it handsomely.

If Americans choose McCain, they will be turning their back on the rest of the world, choosing to show us four more years of the Bush-Cheney finger. And I predict a deeply unpleasant shift.

If Americans reject Obama, they will be sending the clearest possible message to the rest of us - and, make no mistake, we shall hear it.

FO. Another Euro lefty wagging its finger at the US -- listen to me or else. McCain already knows lots of world leaders; the Euro welfare residents just want an America that will commiserate with them -- high taxes, poor justice systems, a pork-belly, indecisive EU. I'm sure the terrorists want BO to get into office too, coz he'll want to negotiate with the killers first, while they've killing off a bunch of people. Oh, but isn't Obama a warmonger, too? He wants to send the troops to Afghanistan and Pakistan (???), where the "real" terrorists live.

America is not socialist and hopefully never will be.

It sounds as though he's making a threat. Those go over well.

Just a rather accurate observation.

A threat? It seems paranoia is part and parcel of being of a certain persuasion. As Spiff said, it is an observation.

Are you suggesting that Americans should consider the opinion of Swedes and Somalis when casting their vote?

How would you react to the suggestion that Britons heavily consider Americans opinions when voting?

It's a garbage story of a garbage observation.

And if global affairs has any play in this domestic election, it certainly won't have Obama winning.

^ True on all counts. Just coz my father was a prick doesn't mean I am. Jet the Tyrant...Jet the Benevolent (if you promise to work hard for a living). Same with party leaders -- some good, some bad.

Originally Posted by Texpat

Are you suggesting that Americans should consider the opinion of Swedes and Somalis when casting their vote?

How would you react to the suggestion that Britons heavily consider Americans opinions when voting?

It's a garbage story of a garbage observation.

And if global affairs has any play in this domestic election, it certainly won't have Obama winning.

Nations are not isolated from each other, but depend on mutual relationships. A good chunk of any country's population do consider foreign opinions, it is a (small) part of what informs voting behaviour.

As for the Britons, in contrast to some Americans, they do not constantly go on about being world leaders while dismissing everybody else's opinion and going red in the face when someone suggests they listen.

All Politics is local
Tip O'Neil

I would not consider a foreigner's opinion as a basis for my US presidential election vote. I'm not red-faced and I don't much care about who you think is a world leader or not. If that upsets you, it's your problem not mine. Get over it.

Internationally, the Bush admin is certainly a drag on McCains (or any Republicans) candidacy- but they are not voters. An, on average, more educated, internationalised percentage of US voters do care about foreign opinion and policy- but I'm afraid they are already mainly Democrat anyway in these elections. It is mainly domestic factors that will affect the outcome.

Domestically, the Troopergate stuff building up around Palin is not sounding good at all from here. Her ambition and zeal are attractive, her ethics are not. I think her star will fade quite sharply.

Originally Posted by Bugs

I think the world will kiss and make up with anyone – as long as it isn’t Bush.

Spot on.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Just coz my father was a prick doesn't mean I am.

Yes, well . . .

No man is an island, Texpat, and that goes for countries as well.

Originally Posted by Texpat

I'm not red-faced and I don't much care about who you think is a world leader or not.

Of course not, just a little...hm...excited. LOL

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Just coz my father was a prick doesn't mean I am.

jet has issues because her daddy didn't spend enough time with her.

who would've guessed?

The whole "pit bull with lipstick" slogan which seems to resonate so well with Republicans is puzzling. The slogan implies she is a "kick ass" take no prisoners pit bull kind of person who is going to descend on Washington and clean the place up. This all sounds well and good but let's take a hard look at the implication.

So McCain now has a pit bull as his sidekick. The Congress is, and will likely be more controlled by the Dems after the election. McCain has stated the Congress needs to come together and put aside partisanship for the betterment of the country and I agree. I also have always believed McCain had a good chance do this until his selection of Palin.

His selection of Palin to rally the Republican party, while effective is very short sighted. He has selected a running mate who's views and core beliefs are diametrically opposed to the core beliefs of the clear majority in the Congress.

If Palin was a consensus seeking type person she would have a near impossible task in reaching across the aisle given these differences. A pit bull kick ass personality behavior she has apparently used in Alaska will be opposed by a Congress full of a whole pack of far more experienced pit bulls. Partisan divides which now plague the government will severely deepen not lessen.

It will be a stubborn angry Congress against the Administration resulting in gridlock which is sure to damage the country.

If the McCain/Palin ticket wins, pit bull tactics will never work given the realities of situation. It's going to take vision and good policies coupled with a big dose of charismatic diplomacy to get the parties working together.

Neither McCain or a pit bull with lipstick have a prayer of bringing Congress together and ending the partisanship. No change, just four more years of the same, only worse.

Originally Posted by Norton

If Palin was a consensus seeking type person she would have a near impossible task in reaching across the aisle given these differences. A pit bull kick ass personality behavior she has apparently used in Alaska will be opposed by a Congress full of a whole pack of far more experienced pit bulls. Partisan divides which now plague the government will severely deepen not lessen.

What you're really trying to say here Norts is if Palin was one of them appeasement types who prefers reading terrorists their rights as opposed to locking 'em up, the country & world would be a better place?

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

What you're really trying to say here Norts is if Palin was one of them appeasement types who prefers reading terrorists their rights as opposed to locking 'em up, the country & world would be a better place?

Appeasement has nothing to do with it. Why is it folks think negotiation and reaching a consensus is somehow a sell out (appeasement). It ain't it's called making progress toward a mutually agreeable solution. It's what politics and business is all about.

So what are you saying the Dems are the equivalent of "terrorist" so no need to seek consensus. Just use pit bull tactics and beat them into submission. It don't work that way as any successful President fully understood.

I think McCain/Palin presidency has the needed tools to get things done in Congress.