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britmaveric

Why would some one care about what other countries think of their own country? Fk me could give a sh*te really.

Jet Gorgon

Not my view. I follow my head and heart, and if the crowd doesn't like it, tough tittie, I will not change to fit their views. Hitler attracted mass adoration and hysteria, too.
Stay true to yourself, else you are just following mob mentality. I see that happening in the States if BO wins. The black lower classes will have a field day. As for the rest of the world, they ain't got the right to vote and I just see the leaders BO met with as targeting him as an easy mark. America ain't an easy mark.

lysander

And there is the USA's problem, elucidated by a Canadian. You whine about the fact that the 'rest of the world' doesn't have the right to vote in American elections but you're quite happy for the USA to interfere militarily in the political processes of countries as widespread as Nicaragua, Chile, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Grenada, Cuba, Vietnam. Have you ever met "Mrs do unto other as you would be done by"?

Carnwadrick

Well said.........

sabang

I wish I was old enough to have been a thinking person when Kennedy was wowing the masses. Was there the same cynicism in some quarters?

britmaveric

Unfortunately Kennedy was over-rated nonce that did little.

sabang

^ Penis envy?

Norton

When JFK was making his run against Nixon, the cynicism, such as it was in a pre internet world, was his religion, lack of experience in foriegn affairs, and his "liberal" social agenda.

Two important events propelled Kennedy to eventual victory. Selection of Lyndon Johnson, the highly experienced and respected majority Senate Leader as VP. And, the televised debates between he and Nixon which demonstrated Kennedy's charisma and grasp of the issues was, in contrast to Nixon's poor showing, the real turning point in Kennedy's favor.

The similarities between the Kennedy/Nixon and the Obama/McCain campaign are striking. Kennedy had to overcome the undercurrent of doubt related to his Catholicism and Obama his color. The results of the election were extremely close. For those who say "charisma" and likability don't count, I would suggest Kennedy's superiority as a communicator propelled him to the Presidency.

__________________
There is such a thing as a nation being so right that it does not need to convince others by force that it is right.

Woodrow Wilson

Milkman

^ And those who listened to the Kennedy v. Nixon debate on radio though Nixon won and those that watched the debate on TV polled that Kennedy won.

The age of TV in political marketing was born.

Image, charisma, poor makeup on Nixon that made him look pale, and his gray suit with the curtain in the the background.

Kennedy won Illinois because of Chicago mafia help, most likely.

__________________
Military men are dumb, stupid animals, to be used as pawns for foreign policy

Texpat

Kennedy is thought to be a great US president largely on emotional grounds.
You can give speeches all day long but if you fcuk up a few hard decisions, you're still a turd. He was killed while young and that's tragic. It's as if you're not allowed to dislike him. I wasn't born yet when he was killed, but I've never met anyone who didn't have something nice to say about him.

In my opinion: If I wanted a president who can evoke emotion, speak well, and look fit and young, I'd vote for Obama. McCain has the life experiences to make better decisions.

Style over substance?

or

Function over form?

sabang

You've really gotta read my latest addition to the McCain thread Tex. McCain has admitted he is Totally computer illiterate. Substance? Function?

At least Obama would push the right button if he wanted to start a war.

SEA Traveler

__________________
"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff....and it is all small stuff"

SEA Traveler

SEA Traveler

sabang

I think we'll be finding out soon enough. I certainly rate him as a skilled Politician and Diplomat. But that doesn't necessarily make for a good (or bad) President.

To my way of thinking, it is the energy and vision you bring to the job that makes for a fine Presidency, rather than the number of years you have spent in Capitol Hill.

__________________
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

SEA Traveler

thegent

Extraordinary interpretation affecting a cynicism one suspects could only stem from a deep rooted naivety so typical of the average american pundit steeped in the tradition of the yellow press, indifferent education and bar room philosophy.

Hey ho, I suppose we'll just have to wait for another ' messiah ' who's got " what it takes "........

Texpat

Please tell us more about typical Americans! Please?

thegent

Ok. The childish notion that countries can or should be led by an individual who is capable through some sort of quasi deification in the eyes of the masses of doing so above others not deemed to be so blessed.

Americans love this drivel, just like pygmies in the rainforest or nazis in Germany, America's de facto motherland, or other typically unsophisticated societies.

Texpat

So about half of the typical Americans who's deity is forsaken in favor of the lesser one ... how do those typical Americans figure into your equation? Or are you only talking about those that support the winner?

Isn't is a good idea to let the people sniff around the candidates to determine which one they prefer prior to voting?

I suppose it could be far better if typical Americans just voted for a party and let the party choose any old head to be the leader. You're bound to get a better selection that way. That sounds like a much better idea 'cause everyone knows how dum and irresponsible they are -- right? Best not let those pygmies chose their leader ...

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