OT: 2008 Elections/Politics thread, Part 2

[RobVarak]

Oh and Clinton shut your mouth woman! I tell you she's got the worst public speaking skills for someone in her position. She sounds so monotone and robotic.

I would have ageed with that 100% 7-8 months ago, but I think her delivery tonight was a tour de force. I thought the content was a bit paint-by-numbers, I expected her to attack McCain with a little more rhetorical vigor and pump up Obama with more than the "he stands for all these things that I did" structure. Nevertheless, her stagecraft, presence and delivery were infinitely improved over the Iowa-NH performances. She really seemed to grow into her own voice as the months of stump speeches accumulated, and I think tonight was the product of that. She was eminently watchable and engaging.

[Naples39]

I dislike them both.

Obama has no record of accomplishment (and indeed, a record of failure in his public housing and education reform efforts in Chicago) and is an ivory-tower socialist operating in stealth mode for electability's sake. Regardless of his views, he doesn't have the resume to be senator, much less president.

McCain has no clue on the economy (gas tax holiday) and parrots the Republican line (tax cuts, drill), not because he believes in it or understands it, but because that's what his advisers tell him to say. He's on the left on issues like immigration and environmentalism. Plus, he's somewhat likely to quit after a single term, meaning that he doesn't have to worry about pissing off his supporters during his first term. He's an interventionist, like all presidents since WW2. His one redeeming quality is that he's a budget hawk.

I have nearly identical feelings. Not looking forward to voting for either candidate.

[matthewk]

Reading these last two pages has given me a headache. Both candidates have flip-flopped on numerous positions since the campaign began. For every "McCain is Bush-lite" bulletpoint, there is one for Obama switching stances. Maybe we can make a chart comparing McCain to Bush and then one for Obama to Carter.

From my point of view, McCain has done a better job explaining why his switched than Obama has. McCain's altered stances on drilling and tax breaks made sene to me. Obama's decision to call out McCain on public campaign finance and then back out of it was weak. He knew he'd draw tons more $$$ by going it on his own, but made some lame attempt to blame it on the system.

At this point a don't think either one of them even knows for sure what they will actually do on a lot of these topics once elected. What gets accomplished will greatly depend upon what deals they can strike with congress.

[matthewk]

I would love to see Romney as McCain's VP. He would be a strong force as far as economic concerns go. Sadly, I don't think he'll make it because of his religion.

[RobVarak]

Oh my God, who thought this was a good idea, the same moron who approved that non-Presidential Presidential seal? They do realize that one of his campaign's problems is that it is perceived as messianic movement and presumptuous, right?

Maybe they coud get one of the Spinal Tap pods for him?

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's big speech on Thursday night will be delivered from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple.

The stage, similar to structures used for rock concerts, has been set up at the 50-yard-line, the midpoint of Invesco Field, the stadium where the Denver Broncos' National Football League team plays.

Some 80,000 supporters will see Obama appear from between plywood columns painted off-white, reminiscent of Washington's Capitol building or even the White House, to accept the party's nomination for president.

He will stride out to a raised platform to a podium that can be raised from beneath the floor.

[SPTO]

Hmm well it'll visually appealing but yeah....It'll open things up for a round of criticism. Here's something I notice about Obama's campaign. I'm going to use an extreme and i'm NOT comparing the two in substance just in visuals.

With that out of the way I notice that Obama's campaign takes a lot propagandist cues whether it be how they create ads based on his speeches or symbolism (the Obama Presidential seal and now this) that mirror the tactics used by fascists of the 1930s. It just seems they the campaign loves these overblown quasi Messianic images to be associated with Obama. It's as if they want to make it a self fulfilling prophesy that he'll be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I'm actually surprised the convention isn't set up a bit more like the old Nuremberg Rallies with pomp and circumstance, Obama logos and very structured ritualistic events.

I know what the campaign is trying to do but there's a very fine line between elevating one's message and profile and crossing over into the territory of worship. I'm not going to say the Obama camp has fully thrown themselves into the latter but it's awfully awfully close. Those who already worship the ground Obama walks on are definitely digging this and as they proclaim how great Obama is ti's going to lead those on the fence to shake their heads and be worried about what exactly is going on with the Democrats.

[matthewk]

Maybe the greek "monument" they are constructing for him will come out to be 3 feet tall.

[pk500]

Maybe the greek "monument" they are constructing for him will come out to be 3 feet tall.

Were the plans for it sketched out on a napkin at a Denny's, with David St. Hubbins' girlfriend Janine as creative director?

And better yet, has the legendary Ian Faith (pictured right) taken over from David Axelrod as Obama's campaign director?



Time for me to go get a good piece of wood in my hands, just like Ian Faith.

Take care,
PK

[Teal]

Oh my God, who thought this was a good idea, the same moron who approved that non-Presidential Presidential seal? They do realize that one of his campaign's problems is that it is perceived as messianic movement and presumptuous, right?

Maybe they coud get one of the Spinal Tap pods for him?

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's big speech on Thursday night will be delivered from an elaborate columned stage resembling a miniature Greek temple.

The stage, similar to structures used for rock concerts, has been set up at the 50-yard-line, the midpoint of Invesco Field, the stadium where the Denver Broncos' National Football League team plays.

Some 80,000 supporters will see Obama appear from between plywood columns painted off-white, reminiscent of Washington's Capitol building or even the White House, to accept the party's nomination for president.

He will stride out to a raised platform to a podium that can be raised from beneath the floor.

Here it is-good grief, is this going to be fodder:

[Brando70]

He really should come out and play "Big Bottom."

It would be more Messianic if the stage looked like a barn complete with a manger. This is more The Oracle at Denver. Maybe it will alert him to future attacks by McCain.

[RobVarak]

LOL @ the pic. I really can't believe that he's doing this. This guy really needs to hire Sterling Cooper. :O)

[wco81]

I was listening to an NPR interview with a guy who follows religion and politics.

He was pointing out how the McCain ad which had the clip of Charlton Heston as Moses splitting the Red Sea was playing on themes from the Left Behind books, specifically how the evangelicals who read those books were looking for signs of the antichrist.

Antischrist, secret muslim and now, heathen!

[Brando70]

I'm pretty sure the anti-Christ was Kelly Flock from 989 Sports, but then EA bought the exclusive rights to the Tribulation.

[SPTO]

Good grief

Obama must have a super huge ego. What's wrong with a simple yet stil elaborate podium?

I like Obama a lot but crap like this makes it harder and harder for me.

[Jackdog]

I'm pretty sure the anti-Christ was Kelly Flock from 989 Sports, but then EA bought the exclusive rights to the Tribulation.

[Jackdog]

Good grief

Obama must have a super huge ego. What's wrong with a simple yet stil elaborate podium?

I like Obama a lot but crap like this makes it harder and harder for me.

I don't get this at all. His camp has been pounding McCain as an elitist snob and they put him in football stadium with a Temple as a backdrop for his speech. Yep,that will resonate with the common folk.

[greggsand]

Good grief

Obama must have a super huge ego. What's wrong with a simple yet stil elaborate podium?

I like Obama a lot but crap like this makes it harder and harder for me.

I don't get this at all. His camp has been pounding McCain as an elitist snob and they put him in football stadium with a Temple as a backdrop for his speech. Yep,that will resonate with the common folk.

I bet $10 it'll be an awesome spectacle (good or bad)...

[pk500]

Good grief

Obama must have a super huge ego. What's wrong with a simple yet stil elaborate podium?

I like Obama a lot but crap like this makes it harder and harder for me.

I don't get this at all. His camp has been pounding McCain as an elitist snob and they put him in football stadium with a Temple as a backdrop for his speech. Yep,that will resonate with the common folk.

I bet $10 it'll be an awesome spectacle (good or bad)...

Yep, just like the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing. A sight to behold, an overdose for the senses, with a healthy dose of spin and sleight of hand.

Take care,
PK

[Inuyasha]

Bad idea, but I think I know what they're doing. Dind't JFK did his Nomination speech at the LA Colesium with it's Pillar background etc..?. I bet they'll try to tie each together.

[Teal]

I was listening to an NPR interview with a guy who follows religion and politics.

He was pointing out how the McCain ad which had the clip of Charlton Heston as Moses splitting the Red Sea was playing on themes from the Left Behind books, specifically how the evangelicals who read those books were looking for signs of the antichrist.

Antischrist, secret muslim and now, heathen!

That's bullshit. Moses parting the red sea has nothing to do with all that Left Behind garbage. That idiot is making a tremendous leap of logic to illustrate a 'point' that's nothing but an opinion.

It was just poking fun at the image he's garnered. Nothing more.

Sheesh...that's so idiotic...

[Teal]

Here's a link to a video of the 'temple'. The guy narrating is irritating as hell, so if you want to jump ahead to the stage, it's about 3/4 of the way through...

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=162023

[SPTO]

What's the weather supposed to be like in Denver on Thurstday night? It'd be humorous if a downpour started as soon as Obama steps to the stage.

[Brando70]

It could be worse. There could be a banner behind him reading "Mission Accomplished."

Also, that backdrop was chosen because Obama is going to be the first candidate to have sex with his mother, kill his father, and gouge his eyes out, all during his acceptance speech.

[FatPitcher]

I was listening to an NPR interview with a guy who follows religion and politics.

He was pointing out how the McCain ad which had the clip of Charlton Heston as Moses splitting the Red Sea was playing on themes from the Left Behind books, specifically how the evangelicals who read those books were looking for signs of the antichrist.

Antischrist, secret muslim and now, heathen!

That's pretty far-fetched, which means you probably agreed with the guy 100%

[SPTO]

It could be worse. There could be a banner behind him reading "Mission Accomplished."

Also, that backdrop was chosen because Obama is going to be the first candidate to have sex with his mother, kill his father, and gouge his eyes out, all during his acceptance speech.

Ooh an Oedipus Rex reference! I love it