I know it’s been a couple weeks since the election. There was a lot of stuff to digest, both good and bad that I’ve been digesting.
Obviously the best news was Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States. What a night it was watching things unfold. Watching and counting and seeing what states were coming in quickly and which were close. Calculating how soon things could be over.
I also spent the evening texting with a longtime friend about results as they were coming in. He was busy in California working to defeat Proposition 8. (More on that in another post.) So he was out on the street working for equality and I was texting him results as they were coming in. The best part was getting to call and tell him Obama had won. We’ve been very political and very much Democrats since we were in elementary school. It was a great moment for us, and even though we couldn’t witness that particular history together it was nice that in some way we could share.
Along with Obama’s victory came some great victories here in the usually red state of Colorado. The biggest was the defeat of Marilyn Musgrave. It was so heartbreaking last time to come so close and not get rid of her. It was so great to get rid of her this time. Most of you know the nastiness that seeped it’s way into the Presidential campaign. But, man this one got rather nasty at times too. It was pretty obvious that Musgrave was going down as those ads got nastier. We also now have to Democratic Senators from Colorado. Although I’ve heard rumors that Salazaar may be under consideration for a position in the new administration.
As far as laws that did and didn’t pass. Colorado defeated the completely ridiculous “person-hood amendment”. For those who don’t know that was an attempt to put into our state constitution that life begins when sperm meets egg. This amendment was so broad that even anti-abortion groups were against it. It put too much at risk. It would have handcuffed doctors and caused all kinds of court problems. So happy to see that South Dakota again defeated an attempt to outlaw abortion in that state.
Of course the downside was the passing of same-sex marriage bans in Florida, Arizona, and California. As well as the banning of adoption by unmarried couples in Arkansas. It was a shame the Arizona passed a ban after defeating it the last time around. And the passing of Prop. 8 in California was the most upsetting. It was upsetting because it actually took away rights that had been given. It actually took away equality.
Overall November 4, 2008 was a great night. A night I’m glad I got to witness at 30 not 70. A night that hopefully will lead to great change now and in the years to come. Yet as with all elections there was heartbreak too.
I don’t claim to know a lot about the economy and how everything works. What I do know is that contrary to what some people want you to believe this mess did not happen over night and it did not happen because the Democrats have had a small margin of control of the house and senate for 21 months. These loans that are causing all the major problems are from years ago when the Bush administration did everything it could to get banks to hand out money like it was candy.
And the banks are at fault because they didn’t pay attention. And now because some people got greedy a lot of American’s are paying the price or will be soon if something isn’t done. If something isn’t done people are going to start scrambling to take money out of the banks and cash in their 401(K)s before they lose them completely and then there will be nothing that can be done.
The truth is that no one can be absolutely certain that the rescue plan or bail or whatever you want to call it will work. However, doing nothing certainly won’t fix anything. And acting like spoiled brats only makes everyone more resentful.
A deal was made yesterday and it seemed like everyone was goin to get to look like heroes and then the Republican’s got their feelings hurt and screwed the people and the country they claim to always be putting first. So what Nancy Pelosi said somethings they didn’t lie a lot of what she said was true. You really don’t help yourself by throwing a tantrum and continuing to make the problem worse. And don’t come one here and tell me that wasn’ what happened because more than one Republican said that was the case and one of them even held up a copy of Pelosi’s speech and said it was why the bailout was voted down yesterday.
I know a lot of people are worried about the amount of money involved and the rushed nature of things. I also know there was discussion of having the money dispensed in stages. So my question is, why can’t the do a deal for a smaller amount now that will keep everything from going under and keep the country going and stabilize our markets and the world markets and then if needed do more after the new President, congress, and senate are sworn in in January? Then their first order of business can be that and they can work on something with a more safegaurds and all that.
In the end it’s about actually putting up when it comes to doing what’s right for the country and the American people. And what isn’t right is not at least trying to save the banks and peoples jobs and futures. And it’s important to note that doing nothing and becoming more economically vulnerable puts us at risk in other areas.
So Gov. Palin’s 17 year old daughter is pregnant and we’re just suppose to ignore it because children are off limits. Well, I’m not going to just ignore it and neither should anyone else. However, it’s not about attacking the daughter it’s about attacking her mother and her politics on this subject. There’s no way the Governor and her conservative counter parts should get a pass on this. Of course that’s what they want and they’ll do whatever they can to get you to forget it and that it is an issue.
I don’t care that this girl had sex nor do I care that she’s pregnant. What I care about is her mother and the Republicans teachings and rules regarding sex education. These people get on their high horse acting all superior with their abstinence only teaching. And they handcuff schools by denying them funding if they want to teach preventative sex education.
They sit around denouncing sex before marriage. They tell you that teaching kids that they should abstain but, that if they chose to have sex they should use protection only encourages them to have sex. They want you to believe if you just tell them not to have sex they won’t. And now the daughter of their new poster girl is another teenage pregnancy statistic and they still want abstinence only.
They have a huge glaring example of the fact that abstinence only teaching doesn’t work. Yet, they just want to continue acting like kids don’t have sex and put them at risk. They want to put them at risk of getting pregnant and they want to put them at risk of getting a sexually transmitted decease. That is the issue that needs to be brought to the forefront here and discussed. And nominee Palin should have to answer for how she can continue to back that teaching and force it on the American people when it clearly doesn’t work and the proof is right next to her.
So John McCain has named the Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential selection. Supposedly she is all about ethics and overhauling government but, apparently those ethics apply to everyone but her. She’s under state investigation for firing the public safety commissioner because he wouldn’t fire her former brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper. That doesn’t sound very ethical to me. And sure she’s only under investigation but, investigations do happen for a reason. And that is also the vindictive image that hurts women.
If the undecided women of this country by into this there is no hope for us. There was no substance to her speech. It was a lot of talk about nothing. She makes appearances with Senator Ted Stevens a man who also supports her and is currently under indictment and will go on trial next month for ethics violations. Seems to me if you were really about ethics reform you wouldn’t want anything to do with someone in trouble for ethics violations.
It’s sad that the Republicans have no history for women to stand on and they have to try and steal ours. That should be a sign to women that just because there’s a woman on the ticket they aren’t going to be any friendlier to you. A woman on the ticket doesn’t mean there will be any real change in government. She’s a woman who clearly works against women’s interests. People can get all pissy with me but, if you’re anti-women’s right to choose you’re against women’s interests.
A lot of people seem to think the Vice President isn’t very important. Sorry but, a person who is next in line for the White House should the President be out of commission at all is important. What people need to understand is that even if the President has a small surgical procedure the office is signed over to the Vice President. Should something happen the Vice President would be charged with decision making. Do you think someone who’s highest level of office is Governor for 18 months can make those decisions? If McCain were unable to assume the duties of the Presidency for a prolonged period of time do you think she could really assume those duties? Do you think she would be able to deal with other governments? They wanted to make readiness an issue early on well ya know what I take that clear to the VP. And no way is she ready.
I’m all for a woman VP and if they wanted to pick a woman that’s great. But, it does seem to me that there are Republican women more equipped for the job.
I just hope women will pay attention to the actual views of the Republican ticket. That they will not be working for your best interest. Especially your health and I don’t just mean on the choice issue.
Tonight was the big night. The night Barack Obama made his case for change. And what a case he made. He laid it all out there answering all the questions about what change he will bring.
He went straight after McCain and what they see differently. I particularly liked the part about McCain being willing to follow Bin Laden to hell but, not to the cave he lives in. I don’t think you can make a stronger statement about what mission our military should have been accomplishing all this time.
My favorite part of the speech was when he went after McCain and the Republicans on the subject of patriotism. For too long they have been aloud to get away with that crap that if you don’t agree with them you aren’t patriotic. That is intolerable. Standing up for what you believe is patriotic. What people don’t realize is that there is more to the 1st Amendment than just free speech and freedom of religion. There is also apart in there about petitioning the government. That is there so you can descent so you can say hey I don’t agree with that. So don’t you dare tell people that they are unpatriotic. It is absolutely patriotic to use your Constitutional freedoms. He was completely correct in saying patriotism has no party.
Obama laid out all the things he wants to change. He maid it very clear that he in fact has a plan. He has a plan to change things for the better here at home. And to help us get our credibility with the world at large back.
If the undecided voters were really listening and paying attention they can no longer say they don’t know what Barack Obama is about. They can not say they don’t know what kind of change he will bring. They can’t say he doesn’t know the issues facing our country. They can’t say they don’t know where he stands on those issues. And they certainly can’t say he doesn’t know where he stands on those issues. And they should know exactly why he’s better than the other guy.
He said everything he needed to say and made the biggest statement possible for why he should be President. Hopefully the undecided voters were at least listening. I hope they at least gave Obama a chance to sway them tonight. And I hope that when all is said and done they will vote for change.
History became official yesterday when Barack Obama was formally nominated as the 2008 Democratic Nominee for President. Throughout my life there have been all kinds of little things that have happened that may or may not make it into the history books. However, yesterday was one of those moments when you can say for certain, “That’s one for the history books.”
When it came to speeches last night I was intrigued by several. Including some that a lot of people might have missed. I really enjoyed Senator John Kerry’s speech when he compared Senator McCain to candidate McCain. I really wish that one had been in prime time. Hopefully a lot of it will make the rounds to the undecided voters. It was very interesting hearing about how candidate McCain is against bills that Senator McCain wrote. Always interesting to hear considering how much the Republicans try to make it out that changing your mind on something is bad. (The rest of the world of course knows that it’s okay to admit you were wrong.)
Former President Clinton gave a pretty good speech. I think he could have attacked McCain a little more directly but, I liked how he attacked the Republicans overall. That lays the ground work for helping win some of the Congressional and Senate races this fall. It was very smart of him to again point out how good things were when the Democrats ran things and how the Republicans through it all away. That the Democrats had this country on a great path and it was all wasted.
I especially liked when he called McCain and his party buddies extremists. That part about how for decades they had all these plans that were going to do so much good for the country but, they could never implement them. And that now we all know just how much “good” those plans really do. All those plans do is keep the rich, rich and make them richer while hurting the people who work to make the rich all their money. That is exactly why we have got to take back this country.
As for Senator Biden I was very impressed with his speech. I was also impressed with him overall. I still have some worries about whether he hurts or helps with certain groups of voters but, those worries are smaller now. I think anyone who writes bills to stop violence against women is going to help with women voters. Clearly this is a man that cares about women. He is also a man who cares very much about family and that is always a plus.
He too did some comparing of Senator and candidate McCain so that helps. While he probably still could have gone a little harder at McCain and how similar he is to Bush I feel he did a good enough job of getting the point across. I’m always for a little hardball in politics. I don’t enjoy out right smear campaigns where things that don’t matter are brought up or things are twisted almost to the point of being lies. However, I think we can play hardball by really hitting at how McCain doesn’t really seem to know where he stands on anything. He’s clearly changing his views on things just to get elected and that is an area we can attack and that is exactly what Biden did last night.
One more big speech to go and I’m pretty sure most of the world will be watching that one.
I guess Obama was just interested in chipping the mold for himself as opposed to completely smashing it for the future. He had such a chance to really change politics in this country and he blew it. He sure talked a good game but, I guess he doesn’t believe as much in what he’s saying as he wanted us all to believe.
I really didn’t think he would pick Clinton as his Vice President. However, I really hoped him and his people would be smart enough to pick a woman. I wasn’t counting on that happening though. I really am not that happy with his VP pick and it’s not because I feel Biden can’t do the job.
Sure he helps Obama with his supposed foreign policy weaknesses. But, he hurts him and the party in other areas. First he hurts us down the line. Should we win in November and then again 4 years from now we’ll be back at square one 8 years down the road. I do think if we end up with a younger president the party and voters will be looking for a younger person down the road. I just think he should have found someone a little younger.
He also hurts in gaining the Hillary supporters. I for one will still be voting for Obama. I put my being a woman above most things when it comes to voting and I’m not going to vote for someone that would take away my rights. I’m ashamed of women who would consider voting for McCain because they are angry Hillary didn’t win the nomination. I think those women would be easier to win over with a female VP or even just a younger one who may better understand younger women and their needs. Someone whose wife would probably help them understand that. If he can’t win them over he will have no one to blame but, himself.
While Biden is Roman Catholic and that may appeal to the Hispanic voter I still think he won’t reach them the way Hillary did. That’s going to make winning them over harder. So if he slips with them and doesn’t get them to the polls for the Democratic ticket he’ll have no one to blame but himself.
And lastly this hurts us in the south. I worry this ticket may now be seen as too northern a ticket. If he can’t win the south he’ll have no one to blame but himself.
Hopefully Bill and Hillary will be able to get out and really rally the people the way they always have. They’ll get the women to realize that Obama is the best bet for their family and their health. And I really hope they’ll get the south to swing back our way. Some of those southern states were really close during the primaries so we really need to get those who voted for Hillary to stay on board with us and vote for Obama.
So after a long hard primary season we finally have a presumptive democratic candidate. It wasn’t the cadidate I was hoping for but, I will be throwing my support behind Obama because I do believe he will be better than what we have now. I don’t know that he can bring the change that he has built his campaign upon at least not to Washington itself. I have heard that campaign talk during several campaigns and the truth is the President can not change Washington. Not that much. Can he bring change to the nation. Yes as long as he has people willing to work with him But, as for Washington overall and how things are done at times, no. That is up to the American people. Who generally like to bitch about how things are done but, then won’t elect new people to office because they are too afraid. That is a different post for another time possibly.
As for the primary season and what happens next. I never did get on the Hillary should just back out band wagon. Mainly because I never felt she should. It was close, there were super delegates and through out the contest there had been surprises and there could have been more. I don’t believe what happened with Florida and Michigan was right or fair but, at least they got some of their delegates. I also don’t believe that had things been reversed that people would have been calling for Obama to quit.
While it took longer for us to get a nominee I think it was a good thing. Yes, there were probably some negatives. However, there were definitely a lot of good things that came from it. One of those things was new voters. This is why I feel it was very good and smart of Hillary to stay in the race. For the overall good of the party those new voters needed to be counted. A lot of people got excited about voting, some for the first time and some it just renewed their desire to vote. It’s the new voters that were important. The longer the primary went on the more people registered. That is more people who can already be contacted to vote and help spread the message of the party and less time having to be spent focusing on that for the general election.
Also I think having a say in the candidate was really imporatant to those people. For the first time in a long time, I’d say at least in my lifetime, people had differences to voice with their vote in the primary. While they had similar stances on things they also had great differences that appealed to the voters. They also both had different types of core voters. Really getting those cores going now I believe will help come Novemember. Getting those people out and to the polls now will help them want to do it in the future. Voting that first time is very exciting but, it can also be very intimidating. A lot of people got out and did that with the primary so now they won’t be as intimidated during the general election.
Plus with the Florida and Michigan situation I think Hillary fighting for those delegates and pushing on when others said she should quit shows her desire to have every vote count. That will help down the road. She wanted everyone to have a chance to vote in the primary and she saw that pledge through to the very end. No on could ever convince me that, that is a bad thing.
Now the challenge is just to keep people motivated. The entire party has to work to make sure that those who were pulling so hard for Hillary will still vote and still vote for the democratic ticket. Obama is going to have to accept that some of the things Hillary was out there saying really mean something. It struck at the fabric of the country. He needs her ideas and influence. People still love the Clinton’s and if they believe we can get back some of the prosperity and other things we had under Bill then they will vote for Obama.
