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Ways of Understanding the World
McCain: "I don't think Senator Obama understands...."
"I have a record. I have a record."
"I will wear his bracelet with honor."
"We don't want defeat."
Obama: "Are we making good judgments?"
McCain: I've been around.
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McCain was repeatedly condescending toward Obama, and Barack let him get away with it.
Bitch slap for McCain. I'm afraid Obama didn't win this round.
Sorry to say.
-- ARG
September 26, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't recall how many times McCain referred to "Veterans" but it was quite a few. He sounded like his 72 years when he talked almost nostalgically about veterans, I expected him to break into a story from his past naval experiences at any time. Undoubtedly he made points with his Party and older veterans. He also got in strong plugs for Israel when speaking of Iran, browny points for him from AIPAC.
His attack on big government sounded like Ronald Reagan - government is not the solution, government is the problem. Funny with the "Bailout" looming, it looks like government for many Republicans will be the solution. They'll have to quickly rewrite the Republican Bible to justify their vote, but I strongly suspect that government will remain the enemy.
September 27, 2008 2:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Todd:
When you get a chance could you combine these "live blogging" blogs.
They're taking up a lot of real estate.
Thanks.
September 27, 2008 2:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Or maybe delete those which have failed to generate interest.
September 27, 2008 2:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Both Bush and McCain constantly use or rather misuse the term "Understand" -- and I suggest it is intentional.
Bush is always saying, as a way of drawing all possible choices down to what he advocates, "You have to Understand..." essentially leaving everyone with no choice but his.
McCain's use of "Understand" is quite similar, though he uses it to suggest lack of understanding is an indicator of being dumb, stupid, or niaeve.
In both cases it is a way of dismissing reasoned differences about policy, sometimes fact, and instead making the whole matter more a consideration of the supposed competence of the audience to which the remark is directed, and not the core of any issue differences. It is a rhetorical tactic of self-empowerment, and disempowerment of one's interlocutor.
It is time someone boldly called both Bush and McCain out on this tactic for exactly what it is, and my guess is that somewhere in that jumble of debate coaches, they have the same teacher.
How to call them out? --- with Bush, "No, I don't have to Understand anything. If you want to convince me, then make your argument clearly."
With McCain -- "Of course I understand your position, I just happen to have a quite different one based on ...such and such evidence. It's up to the audience to figure out which one of us has the best thought out position."
September 27, 2008 6:52 AM | Reply | Permalink