Vice President Rice?

[bryanz]

--as I said she hasn't let grass grow under her feet--now take a look at the opposite-
a professional politician who object is only being appointed and could give a shit about doing a job-
-- epitome of sell the sizzle not the steak

Barack Hussein Obama

only (experience) I can find since he's been in congress is being appointed to is head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs.

Lets see how he's handled his only task(experience) on foreign affairs.

--he has made only one brief official visit to London ? and none elsewhere in Western Europe or Latin America.

Not only has he not been there but--

"Yesterday they underlined this message by pointing to reports showing that Mr Obama had failed to convene a single policy meeting of the Senate European subcommittee, of which he is chairman. There was also strikingly robust criticism from an independent Washington think-tank about a ?disconcerting void? over transatlantic relations in Mr Obama?s foreign policy, as well as from a former British Minister for Europe.

"Doubts about Barack Obama's presidential credentials have crystallized during the past two weeks over his stewardship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs, which has convened no policy hearings since he took over as its chairman last January. That startling fact, first uncovered by Steve Clemons, who blogs on the Washington Note, prompted acid comment in Europe about the Illinois senator's failure to visit the continent since assuming the committee post, and even speculation that he had never traveled there except for a short stopover in London.


Mr Obama?s advisers say that he has an ?intuitive grasp? of world affairs because he spent part of his childhood abroad.
:0corn

-a little note Stevie --the reason a caucus has been so productive for Obama is because they emphasize the "Tony Robbins" rah rah factor.

Will come a time (hope its after beating Hillary) he WILL have to answer questions on issues--and it's not looking too pretty

No doubt whatsoever--his campaign will have only one dimension--What he will give you if elected (entitlement programs) and 0 on prior experiece or accomplishments.

--but must admit--that will be factor considering his base.

Your news sources must be limited, if this is all you can come up with.... if you didn't watch so much tony robbins you would know that he went to Israel. It was hard to miss that trip, Sharon just had the stroke... what about trips to Iraq, kuwait, Jordan, I guess the Middle East is not very important. What is this Tony Robbins obsession ???? Maybe if Bush and Rice acquired some people skills they could have done better in their jobs. The skills of diplomacy are definitaley lacking in this White House........................ CONSIDERING HIS BASE WILL BE > 25 STATES THAT HE WON FROM THE WEST, SOUTH, NORTH AND EAST.... The demographics of that base is widening also. His educational backgroud is second to none for the job of President also. We are looking at a guy that has a political science degree from Columbia, magna cum laudi from Harvard Law ... You were OK with a non Tony Robbins no grasp of the World Bush..... What's wrong with the best and brightest from the schools the World calls some of it's best ?? Unlike our current President, this guy has the cognitive tools to surround himself with the right people, with different points of view, and make policy decions based on what's going on in the world today. Take a look at his Resume, not many can compete with it .

 

[StevieD]

stevie...

your the one who brought it up by dismissing rice.

at least mccain has experience...the others don't.

Al you say McCain has experience but I ask you what has his experience accomplished? We are in more trouble now than ever. That is all I am saying. His experience doesn't impress me because I don't think he has anything to be proud of as far as his senate record is concerened. Unless you think he acted honorably in the Keatings affair?

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

"magna cum laudi from Harvard Law"

You sure you don't have him confused with Clinton

--and on his states he's won--you must bear in mind who he beat--and believe I'm still 100% on my 20% theory--correct me if I wrong.

--any thoughts on his --
--head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs-do nothing attitude?--or voting present over 100 times on controversial issues--
and still waiting on your qualifications/experience review :0corn

Will do some checking on his college days--until then will have adhere to "the apple don't fall far from the tree" theory

 

[bryanz]

C Powel has better chance. But again the blacks would see thru the ploy. It's one thing to run for something and have guts to do it. Then be asked to come along for a ride. Rice would make sure Dem's win. With the votes Huck is getting and how he draws votes in South he gets asked first.

Why would Powell want to go for a ride with Mccain ? Given the true facts on this war, he would have never backed it. He should have known, someone with his background could have put a dent in the Bush war machine before it got started. Powells impeccable service record to our Country was scared by his service in this administration.... By all accounts, He knows it. When you work for people that are incompetent/criminal , there is not much cover when heads roll. Powell missed a chance of a life time. He could have made a difference, if he stood on the other side of this debacle in the early statges. He was held in such high regard by most of the American People. NO more... I guess we all know now, why Powell & Schwarzkof advised Bush 41 not to invade Baghdad, when most of the peole crying about this war wanted too. I guess we all know now, 43 was going to build his nation , no matter what .

 

[bryanz]

"magna cum laudi from Harvard Law"

You sure you don't have him confused with Clinton

--and on his states he's won--you must bear in mind who he beat--and believe I'm still 100% on my 20% theory--correct me if I wrong.

--any thoughts on his --
--head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs-do nothing attitude?--or voting present over 100 times on controversial issues--
and still waiting on your qualifications/experience review :0corn

Will do some checking on his college days--until then will have adhere to "the apple don't fall far from the tree" theory

what are you taking about ? apple don't fall far ............

 

[AR182]

Al you say McCain has experience but I ask you what has his experience accomplished? We are in more trouble now than ever. That is all I am saying. His experience doesn't impress me because I don't think he has anything to be proud of as far as his senate record is concerened. Unless you think he acted honorably in the Keatings affair?

stevie..

if you're talking about the iraq war, as far as i remember mccain was for it but wanted more troops on the ground...so i'm pretty sure that will be his defense when people attack him on that...i have no problem with this stance since i have posted many times that i also think the war wasn't fought correctly & that more soldiers should have been sent.

here is wikpedia's write-up of the keating affair....

Keating Five
McCain's upwards political trajectory was jolted when he became enmeshed in the Keating Five scandal of the 1980s. In the context of the Savings and Loan crisis of that decade, Charles Keating Jr.'s Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, a subsidiary of his American Continental Corporation, was insolvent due to some bad loans. In order to regain solvency, Lincoln sold investment in a real estate venture as a FDIC insured savings account. This caught the eye of federal regulators who were looking to shut it down. It is alleged that Keating contacted five senators to whom he made contributions. McCain was one of those senators and he met at least twice in 1987 with Ed Gray, chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, seeking to prevent the government's seizure of Lincoln. Between 1982 and 1987, McCain received approximately $112,000 in political contributions from Keating and his associates.[97] In addition, McCain's wife and her father had invested $359,100 in a Keating shopping center in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators. McCain, his family and baby-sitter made at least nine trips at Keating's expense, sometimes aboard the American Continental jet. After learning Keating was in trouble over Lincoln, McCain paid for the air trips totaling $13,433.[98]

Eventually the real estate venture failed, leaving many broke. Federal regulators ultimately filed a $1.1 billion civil racketeering and fraud suit against Keating, accusing him of siphoning Lincoln's deposits to his family and into political campaigns. The five senators came under investigation for attempting to influence the regulators. In the end, none of the senators were convicted of any crime, although McCain was rebuked by the Senate Ethics Committee for exercising "poor judgment" for intervening with the federal regulators on behalf of Keating.[99] On his Keating Five experience, McCain said: "The appearance of it was wrong. It's a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do."

we will wait to see what comes out of obama's & hillary's closet....

 

[StevieD]

stevie..

if you're talking about the iraq war, as far as i remember mccain was for it but wanted more troops on the ground...so i'm pretty sure that will be his defense when people attack him on that...i have no problem with this stance since i have posted many times that i also think the war wasn't fought correctly & that more soldiers should have been sent.

here is wikpedia's write-up of the keating affair....

Keating Five
McCain's upwards political trajectory was jolted when he became enmeshed in the Keating Five scandal of the 1980s. In the context of the Savings and Loan crisis of that decade, Charles Keating Jr.'s Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, a subsidiary of his American Continental Corporation, was insolvent due to some bad loans. In order to regain solvency, Lincoln sold investment in a real estate venture as a FDIC insured savings account. This caught the eye of federal regulators who were looking to shut it down. It is alleged that Keating contacted five senators to whom he made contributions. McCain was one of those senators and he met at least twice in 1987 with Ed Gray, chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, seeking to prevent the government's seizure of Lincoln. Between 1982 and 1987, McCain received approximately $112,000 in political contributions from Keating and his associates.[97] In addition, McCain's wife and her father had invested $359,100 in a Keating shopping center in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators. McCain, his family and baby-sitter made at least nine trips at Keating's expense, sometimes aboard the American Continental jet. After learning Keating was in trouble over Lincoln, McCain paid for the air trips totaling $13,433.[98]

Eventually the real estate venture failed, leaving many broke. Federal regulators ultimately filed a $1.1 billion civil racketeering and fraud suit against Keating, accusing him of siphoning Lincoln's deposits to his family and into political campaigns. The five senators came under investigation for attempting to influence the regulators. In the end, none of the senators were convicted of any crime, although McCain was rebuked by the Senate Ethics Committee for exercising "poor judgment" for intervening with the federal regulators on behalf of Keating.[99] On his Keating Five experience, McCain said: "The appearance of it was wrong. It's a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do."

we will wait to see what comes out of obama's & hillary's closet....

Al, I agree the Invasion of Iraq was handled poorly at best. I do not blame anyone for voting for it. Although, with his experience he should of been able to see through the lies of Bush and Co. Afterall, that is what experience is supposed to be all about isn't it?

 

[Chadman]

AR, have also heard early and often that McCain would tab Pawlenty as a running mate. I just don't see how he would be a big asset to him in galvanizing the conservative base. Pawlenty has fallen out of favor here with true conservatives for some of the stances he has taken - on challenging the government and administration on obtaining cheaper meds from Canada, and having a creative way of raising revenues through user fees (a creative way to avoid saying raising taxes).

He is also kind of shifty guy, in the economic sense - he took money from successful areas of government for other purposes - monies earmarked specifically for one purpose, and he shifted them to another, to make the overall budget and line look better. That affected my father-in-law directly, in a not so positive way.

He is a personable, friendly, youthful guy. I personally voted for him in the last election, as I thought he did a good job in his first term, will have to see how things shake out in the next one. He would be great if you think you are in good shape heading in, but I don't see him adding much to the ticket - and I think this race will demand a strong VP/name on both sides.

 

[AR182]

Al, I agree the Invasion of Iraq was handled poorly at best. I do not blame anyone for voting for it. Although, with his experience he should of been able to see through the lies of Bush and Co. Afterall, that is what experience is supposed to be all about isn't it?

but how do you know that he didn't...do we know if he went into bush's office & told him that he is making a mistake with the troop count..as far as i know we do not know that....so what was he supposed to do ?

l don't want to come off as a die hard supporter of mccain because i'm not....i just think he is the best of the lot that is standing.....

 

[AR182]

AR, have also heard early and often that McCain would tab Pawlenty as a running mate. I just don't see how he would be a big asset to him in galvanizing the conservative base. Pawlenty has fallen out of favor here with true conservatives for some of the stances he has taken - on challenging the government and administration on obtaining cheaper meds from Canada, and having a creative way of raising revenues through user fees (a creative way to avoid saying raising taxes).

He is also kind of shifty guy, in the economic sense - he took money from successful areas of government for other purposes - monies earmarked specifically for one purpose, and he shifted them to another, to make the overall budget and line look better. That affected my father-in-law directly, in a not so positive way.

He is a personable, friendly, youthful guy. I personally voted for him in the last election, as I thought he did a good job in his first term, will have to see how things shake out in the next one. He would be great if you think you are in good shape heading in, but I don't see him adding much to the ticket - and I think this race will demand a strong VP/name on both sides.

thanks chad...maybe mccain will pick him to try to offset obama's strength in the midwest..

 

[just cover]

I might lean more to the left than the right but have voted for the person I thought would do the best job from either party. This is my view..

McCain- 4 years to late. He should have been the Republican candidate last election, but there was some terrible back-stabbing going on from what I understand. If Karl Rove was his consultant or campaign chief he would of won not W. I probably would have voted for him last election. Rice is the worst thing for McCain. Huckabee is a no brainer to me to shore up the more conservative side of the party.

Hillary- She just gives me the same feeling as any other politican. Smiling and shaking your hand all the while grabbing your wallet and giving you a dirty sanchez. The same status quo as every other crook in Congress.

Obama- I listen to him and he gives me confidence that change is coming. He is a very good speaker and has recently been saying what he would do if elected. He has all kinds of people in his audiences and watch closely- the people are hanging on his every word. The last speech McCain gave you could tell he was reading from some prompter in the back. Listening to him is like watching paint dry.

People are sick of Washington. We have been getting the same retread politicans with the exception of Reagon and Bill Clinton. Both guys whether you liked or disliked energized the people. The smartest thing Obama did to date is hammer away at "we need change". Every other candidate is what most people are sick of. Confidence is what makes this country thrive. If people feel edgy and nervous they tend to buy and spend less as we are seeing with the economy now. The prolonged war, gas prices , unemployment, sub prime mortgage fiasco all this makes everybody uneasy. No matter if you like Obama or not he gives the US the best chance to get out of this funk that Bush put us into.

Last thing- How much experience did Bush have? Everything he has done has gone down the crapper. He ran the Rangers and the state of Texas into the ground. Does anybody really thinks he is smart? Also if I hear one more thing about him whining about earmarks. My God the biggest earmark in history is his deception that got us into the war for his oil pals. Before dogs and garden come in here blasting away I didn't like the war but supported the surge. I think we started this mess but should do everything to finish it. Also my wifes nephew who I think of like a son arrives home today from 15 months in Iraq. :00hour

jc

 

[bryanz]

"magna cum laudi from Harvard Law"

You sure you don't have him confused with Clinton

--and on his states he's won--you must bear in mind who he beat--and believe I'm still 100% on my 20% theory--correct me if I wrong.

--any thoughts on his --
--head of Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on European Affairs-do nothing attitude?--or voting present over 100 times on controversial issues--
and still waiting on your qualifications/experience review :0corn

Will do some checking on his college days--until then will have adhere to "the apple don't fall far from the tree" theory

He beat all comers:shrug: Don't think you are right about that 20% theory..... Why is that so important any way ? What is the signifacance of it ? is the 20% theory : if there are < 20% blacks in a state , Obama can't win ? ON qualifications, the voters decide that. What may qualify one candiate for some voters, may be the very thing that disqualifies them for other voters.

 

[bryanz]

I might lean more to the left than the right but have voted for the person I thought would do the best job from either party. This is my view..

McCain- 4 years to late. He should have been the Republican candidate last election, but there was some terrible back-stabbing going on from what I understand. If Karl Rove was his consultant or campaign chief he would of won not W. I probably would have voted for him last election. Rice is the worst thing for McCain. Huckabee is a no brainer to me to shore up the more conservative side of the party.

Hillary- She just gives me the same feeling as any other politican. Smiling and shaking your hand all the while grabbing your wallet and giving you a dirty sanchez. The same status quo as every other crook in Congress.

Obama- I listen to him and he gives me confidence that change is coming. He is a very good speaker and has recently been saying what he would do if elected. He has all kinds of people in his audiences and watch closely- the people are hanging on his every word. The last speech McCain gave you could tell he was reading from some prompter in the back. Listening to him is like watching paint dry.

People are sick of Washington. We have been getting the same retread politicans with the exception of Reagon and Bill Clinton. Both guys whether you liked or disliked energized the people. The smartest thing Obama did to date is hammer away at "we need change". Every other candidate is what most people are sick of. Confidence is what makes this country thrive. If people feel edgy and nervous they tend to buy and spend less as we are seeing with the economy now. The prolonged war, gas prices , unemployment, sub prime mortgage fiasco all this makes everybody uneasy. No matter if you like Obama or not he gives the US the best chance to get out of this funk that Bush put us into.

Last thing- How much experience did Bush have? Everything he has done has gone down the crapper. He ran the Rangers and the state of Texas into the ground. Does anybody really thinks he is smart? Also if I hear one more thing about him whining about earmarks. My God the biggest earmark in history is his deception that got us into the war for his oil pals. Before dogs and garden come in here blasting away I didn't like the war but supported the surge. I think we started this mess but should do everything to finish it. Also my wifes nephew who I think of like a son arrives home today from 15 months in Iraq. :00hour

jc

nice to hear about your Nephew, God bless him and all those every where looking out for us .

 

[StevieD]

but how do you know that he didn't...do we know if he went into bush's office & told him that he is making a mistake with the troop count..as far as i know we do not know that....so what was he supposed to do ?

l don't want to come off as a die hard supporter of mccain because i'm not....i just think he is the best of the lot that is standing.....

As of right now I am not supporting anybody in this race. You may be right that McCain is the best of what is standing. He certainly is taking heat from the Pro Bush radio crowd and that is a good thing as far as I am concerned.

 

[SixFive]

I don't think Condi is a good choice for Veep. I don't think Obama, Hillary, McCain, or Huckabee are good choices for president either :mj07: :142smilie Good thing it doesn't matter what I think!

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

I might lean more to the left than the right but have voted for the person I thought would do the best job from either party. This is my view..

McCain- 4 years to late. He should have been the Republican candidate last election, but there was some terrible back-stabbing going on from what I understand. If Karl Rove was his consultant or campaign chief he would of won not W. I probably would have voted for him last election. Rice is the worst thing for McCain. Huckabee is a no brainer to me to shore up the more conservative side of the party.

Hillary- She just gives me the same feeling as any other politican. Smiling and shaking your hand all the while grabbing your wallet and giving you a dirty sanchez. The same status quo as every other crook in Congress.

Obama- I listen to him and he gives me confidence that change is coming. He is a very good speaker and has recently been saying what he would do if elected. He has all kinds of people in his audiences and watch closely- the people are hanging on his every word. The last speech McCain gave you could tell he was reading from some prompter in the back. Listening to him is like watching paint dry.

People are sick of Washington. We have been getting the same retread politicans with the exception of Reagon and Bill Clinton. Both guys whether you liked or disliked energized the people. The smartest thing Obama did to date is hammer away at "we need change". Every other candidate is what most people are sick of. Confidence is what makes this country thrive. If people feel edgy and nervous they tend to buy and spend less as we are seeing with the economy now. The prolonged war, gas prices , unemployment, sub prime mortgage fiasco all this makes everybody uneasy. No matter if you like Obama or not he gives the US the best chance to get out of this funk that Bush put us into.

Last thing- How much experience did Bush have? Everything he has done has gone down the crapper. He ran the Rangers and the state of Texas into the ground. Does anybody really thinks he is smart? Also if I hear one more thing about him whining about earmarks. My God the biggest earmark in history is his deception that got us into the war for his oil pals. Before dogs and garden come in here blasting away I didn't like the war but supported the surge. I think we started this mess but should do everything to finish it. Also my wifes nephew who I think of like a son arrives home today from 15 months in Iraq. :00hour

jc

J.C. Always like your posts Bud--and your take on Obama is exactly what his appeal is to most his followers--even Chris Mathews on TV said his speech put chill up his leg--every article in media has same theme--his ace in the hole he is excellent motivational speaker--thats why he does so well on caucus and poorly on debates where he can't control the theme.

 

[bryanz]

what are you taking about ? apple don't fall far ............

Dogs, read about Obamas Father for the first time today... There is some ugly stuff out there about his father.... I think the apple fell far from the tree. We can't choose our parents. I don't think you can compare this son to his father do you ? He admits in his book to pot and cocine use before he was 20... The fact that his dad and stepfather were both muslims will come up... Who will try to use these things against him first. the far right or far left ?

 

[bryanz]

has he done poor in debates ?? I don't think so, the #'s say no .

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Dogs, read about Obamas Father for the first time today... There is some ugly stuff out there about his father.... I think the apple fell far from the tree. We can't choose our parents. I don't think you can compare this son to his father do you ? He admits in his book to pot and cocine use before he was 20... The fact that his dad and stepfather were both muslims will come up... Who will try to use these things against him first. the far right or far left ?

I would agree with you from what I know about him he is far cry from his father. On the drugs--I have no prob with what he did in his early years--in fact give him a plus for admission and correcting problem.

on side note from politics- on the apple thing.

When I was growing up my parents always wanted to know who the parents were of those I was hanging out with or dating. Never thought much of it at the time but could later in life. Uncanny how many aquire both physical and ethical traits of parents.

Would say Obama has done very good job of over coming a very poor hand that he was dealt-no question--but can also see lots of similiarities of another pres we had that looked quite the same in many respects during same period of life--so I tread a little causiously on long term outlooks.

 

[AR182]

Al,

I think being the first black Irish Islamic pres in the history of the US is quite an accomplishment. We are on for the dinner, I just have to drag the wife to Vegas, but I will.

jw...

just in case the schedules don't work out for vegas, let's put a $$ amount on the bet...this way it could be either or....