Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Checking out the messages in the Presidential Debate on October 15, 2008
Please post a blog critique for each of the candidates in this week's blog. Listen to more than body language in this last and final debate before the election. Check out the verbal messages shared by both the candidates. Which messages are factual and which are just spin? Take one message from each candidates message in this debate and research it. Then, post your research findings in comparison to how it was stated by the candidate. Is it okay, if a candidate isn't totally honest in debates? Which is more important to you when choosing a candidate? Competence or Character?
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As we all know, politicians create spin and sometimes lie to get their message across. It is extremely important for a voter to choose a person who is extremely trustworthy, and a person who they will feel safe with in difficult economic and unsecure times.
I don't believe it is effective for a candidate to lie during a speech. This creates issues for the voter and as we all know, in general, one lie leads to another.
Character should not even be an issue when stepping into the voting booth. If you want to vote for a character fill in "Mickey Mouse" at the bottom. Competence is the key. You want to feel safe, secure, and know that you're voting for someone who understands risk management and is knowledgable about the state of affairs.
It's difficult to fact check on your candidate of choice as you share similar beliefs. In addition, when you research fact checking website, they obvious lean towards a certain candidate.
I will post two fact checks on each candidate, and these were found on www.factcheck.org.
McCain
"McCain attacked Obama for voting for "corporate welfare" for oil companies. In fact, the bill Obama voted for raised taxes on oil companies by $300 million over 11 years while providing $5.8 billion in subsidies for renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative fuels."
Source - http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_mccain.html
OBAMA
"Obama said he could “pay for every dime” of his spending and tax cut proposals “by closing corporate loopholes and tax havens.” That’s wrong – his proposed tax increases on upper-income individuals are key components of paying for his program, as well. And his plan, like McCain’s, would leave the U.S. facing big budget deficits, according to independent experts.
He twisted McCain’s words about Afghanistan, saying, “When John McCain said we could just 'muddle through' in Afghanistan, I argued for more resources.” Actually, McCain said in 2003 we “may” muddle through, and he recently also called for more troops there.
He said McCain would fail to lower taxes for 100 million Americans while his own plan would cut taxes for 95 percent of “working” families. But an independent analysis puts the number who would see no benefit from McCain’s plan at 66 million and finds that Obama’s plan would benefit 81 percent of all households when retirees and those without children are figured in.
Obama asked why McCain would "define middle-class as someone making under five million dollars a year"? Actually, McCain meant that comment as a joke, getting a laugh and following up by saying, "But seriously ..."
Obama noted that McCain’s health care plan would "tax people’s benefits" but didn’t say that it also would provide up to a $5,000 tax credit for families.
He said McCain, far from being a maverick who’s "broken with his party," has voted to support Bush policies 90 percent of the time. True enough, but by the same measure Obama has voted with fellow Democrats in the Senate 97 percent of the time.
Obama said "average family income" went down $2,000 under Bush, which isn't correct. An aide said he was really talking only about "working" families and not retired couples. And – math teachers, please note – he meant median (or midpoint) and not really the mean or average. Median family income actually has inched up slightly under Bush."
Source - http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_obama.html
Senator Senator John McCain and Barak Obama were both asked if they would appoint a Supreme Court Justice that disagreed with their view on Roe v. Wade. John McCain responded that he felt that Roe v. Wade was a bad decision and that the decision should be left up to individual states, not the national government. He also states that Supreme Court Justices should be appointed based on their qualifications, not based on any "litmus tests" meaning based on their stance on issues. According to JohnMcCain.com, John McCain's official website,"John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench. Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade, returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat." This reaffirms John McCain's stance that he believes it should be up to individual states to produce legislation in regards to abortion, not a national law. Even so, "he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench." I'm not quite sure what he means by that, but I think he is saying that he won't nominate a judge who wants to legislate on a national level. In all, McCain seemed to keep true to his ideas during the debate. On a personal level, I do not agree with overturning Roe v. Wade, but I appreciate that McCain is honest about his controversial ideas and does not flip-flop.
Barak Obama responded by saying that he agrees that judges should be appointed based on qualifications, not based on personal opinions of certain issues. He went on to say that he agreed with Roe v. Wade and that women, with the help and consultation of their families, doctors, and religious advisers, are in the best position to make the decision regarding abortion, and that he doesn't feel that the decision should be subject to state referendum. He ultimately states that he would look for a well qualified judge who would realize what "real folks are going through". According to a speech made by Barak Obama on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade found on BarakObama.com, his official website, Obama reaffirmed his belief that Roe v. Wade should be upheld and that this election was crucial because a judge could be appointed that might overturn the decision. He does not comment on who, or what basis he would use, to nominate this judge.
I feel that both candidates pretty much made their beliefs known and did not sway in their opinions regarding this issue. Even so, Obama implied that he would be open to hiring a judge based on qualifications, where as McCain was honest enough to admit that he didn't feel any judge that would keep Roe v. Wade was qualified enough to be elected onto the Supreme Court. Again, I disagree with McCain's stance on this issue, but I respect his honesty. Obama did not openly admit that he would not appoint a judge that was pro-life, even though we all know that he wouldn't.
During the third and final Presidential debate, I noticed the following. First, Obama speaks quite well compared to McCain, he knows exactly what he wants to say and communicates it well. However, much of what Obama says seems to point blame towards McCain, either for his stances, or at one point because Palin did not stick up for Obama at a rally when the audience began claiming he was a terrorist. McCain's actions during Obama's speeches almost make him look juvenile. He spoke well also, but when Obama would speak, McCain would be either laughing or rolling his eyes. Their actions during the debate spoke more than their words, which seemed very biased and untrue from both sides.
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