Every time I try to log onto JohnMcCain.com my internet browser shuts down. Now, like many of you I am sure, I already love my computer as if it were a member of the family, but I am quite impressed by this level of intelligence. I need to see John McCain's policies though. Does anybody know what they are? I am now engaged in what I hope becomes an ongoing dialogue (with me winning of course) about who my friend should vote for. We hadn't spoken in awhile as she has moved to a state that is more of a swing state than any of the states I've ever lived in. She comes from strong Republican roots, and leans that way, but is also open-minded, educated and thoughtful about decision making. She is always willing to listen to the other side and can even change her mind, although her values are very important to her. In that sense, I think she and Obama would get along well. She claims to have been following the election but still feels she doesn't know who he is or what he stands for. She is still undecided (although there is a possibility she is just messing with me). Her main issues seem to be "big government isn't always the answer" and "I'm not sure what Obama stands for" and she is doubtful about the experience issue (for both Obama and Palin). Anyway, I sent her off to read Obama's issues on the website (and am hoping she'll read Audacity of Hope too) so I thought I should brush up on McCain's website, but my computer won't let me. Turning to Palin's interview, it seems to go something like this: Q: Are you for taxes and earmarks and government spending? A: No. Q: Did you [raise taxes, ask for earmarks, support goverment spending]? A: That was important. It is my right and duty to get that for the people. That is my job as mayor/governor. Q: So you are for [earmarks, etc]? A: No, that's bad. We are not for that. Q: Do you have the experience to be president. A: It's not about experience. Q: And by the way, why should we vote for McCain. A: Well, for one thing, McCain has a lot of experience. I'm getting dizzy listening to her. And last but not least.... EVERYBODY should go out and see this film: troublethewaterfilm.com And if you don't have it playing in your community please call the local artsy theater, if you have one, and request they show it. And let me know if you see any Republicans in the audience. When I met the filmmakers the other night they told us that when they showed this film at the RNC they had a very small audience and not one single audience member was Republican.

Every time I try to log onto JohnMcCain.com my internet browser shuts down. Now, like many of you I am sure, I already love my computer as if it were a member of the family, but I am quite impressed by this level of intelligence. I need to see John McCain's policies though. Does anybody know what they are? I am now engaged in what I hope becomes an ongoing dialogue (with me winning of course) about who my friend should vote for. We hadn't spoken in awhile as she has moved to a state that is more of a swing state than any of the states I've ever lived in. She comes from strong Republican roots, and leans that way, but is also open-minded, educated and thoughtful about decision making. She is always willing to listen to the other side and can even change her mind, although her values are very important to her. In that sense, I think she and Obama would get along well. She claims to have been following the election but still feels she doesn't know who he is or what he stands for. She is still undecided (although there is a possibility she is just messing with me). Her main issues seem to be "big government isn't always the answer" and "I'm not sure what Obama stands for" and she is doubtful about the experience issue (for both Obama and Palin). Anyway, I sent her off to read Obama's issues on the website (and am hoping she'll read Audacity of Hope too) so I thought I should brush up on McCain's website, but my computer won't let me. Turning to Palin's interview, it seems to go something like this: Q: Are you for taxes and earmarks and government spending? A: No. Q: Did you [raise taxes, ask for earmarks, support goverment spending]? A: That was important. It is my right and duty to get that for the people. That is my job as mayor/governor. Q: So you are for [earmarks, etc]? A: No, that's bad. We are not for that. Q: Do you have the experience to be president. A: It's not about experience. Q: And by the way, why should we vote for McCain. A: Well, for one thing, McCain has a lot of experience. I'm getting dizzy listening to her. And last but not least.... EVERYBODY should go out and see this film: troublethewaterfilm.com And if you don't have it playing in your community please call the local artsy theater, if you have one, and request they show it. And let me know if you see any Republicans in the audience. When I met the filmmakers the other night they told us that when they showed this film at the RNC they had a very small audience and not one single audience member was Republican.

I have been suffering from a strange affliction these past few months. More and more frequently, while reaching around in my bag, I experience a sharp pain on my finger.  Ouch! I have been stuck by an Obama button!   I have various buttons floating around my apartment and in various bags.  I carefully guarded the big one I had with Obama's picture on it, but it finally slipped from my grasps last week somewhere between my friend's house and mine.  Now my favorite is the "Yes We Can" button that was imported all the way from Arizona, which I acquired at our TPM-aholics fundraiser.  I only wear it for special occasions. (And no, "Sarah Palin is annoying me" doesn't qualify as a special occasion. Just like it's not a valid category for a drinking game, as learned last wednesday).

Last week I decided I should always have at least a small Obama button on as I go about my business.  What I found was, at least in Manhattan, walking around like that brings a lot of attention.  At first I enjoyed it.  I noticed people staring at me and smiling.  I thought, I must look extra nice today. Oh, it's not me, it's Obama!   A 10 year old girl on the subway last week told me she hoped Obama wins instead of Hillary. If she doesn't know what a Republican is yet, I don't want to be the one to explain it to her.  I just told her she is right, and to remind her parents to vote.

But last week, my button started to get me into trouble.  I need to get some work done, but I couldn't get down the street without getting into a conversation.  People wanted to know how they could get involved in the campaign. People wanted to talk about Sarah Palin.  The DNC volunteers chased me down the street asking for money, "You know you love him!!!" They actually yelled at me.  I finally had to take off the button, so I could reach my destination and get down to business.

I am a bit torn about the button thing now.  I know big Obama supporters/organizers who never wear them.  Is it like Obama with the flag pin?  And why am I such a novelty walking down the street in a blue state with one on?  Do people find them dangerous because they stab you when you forget they are in your purse?  Are they hard to find?  Do they make a difference to the election?

Do you have an Obama button? Do you wear it? Where do you wear it?  What about bumper stickers? 

I just tried to post this and it doesn't seem to be here.  I hope this isn't a duplicate.....

McCain staffer #1:  Damn that Obama, he makes a great speech! How are we going to beat that guy with football stadiums full of supporters?
McCain staffer #2: I don't like those speeches. He says a lot of stuff I don't agree with.  Like, you know, about government helping people. People can help themselves. For example, I've always been able to help myself.  If I can do it, anybody can. My parents had 1, 2 million tops... Middle Class.
#1: Yeah, I know what you mean.  We have such good values on our side. First of all, that thing about taking care of yourself.  Also, we are the ones who believe that the more babies the better off the planet will be. Remember thet Olympics?  They are proof that a higher population increases likelihood of gold metals. Do we have anybody who makes good speeches?  Somebody that looks good and is relaxed on camera.
#2:  We don't really have anybody like that. Just a bunch of old white dudes.  We have a lot of policies that conservatives like, but we don't have anyone that speaks about them as nicely. 
#1: Let's get one of those.
#2: Okay, I know this girl...
#1: Great, sign her up. 
#2: But I heard Obama actually writes his own speeches.
#1: No problem, we'll just write it for her, it will have the same effect.   Everybody will say what a great speech she made and start filling up stadiums to watch her. 
#2: What if they start complaining she is a celebrity with no substance?
#1: These are democrats, they aren't hypocritical like we are. They won't know how to fight back while maintaining their integrity. Yep, that's right. They are trying to win this campaign and maintain their integrity. Funny, isn't it? .
#2: Yeah, but she's not really ready to be President. VP sure, but not President.
#1: Oh, sure, but we just won't mention that. If we don't mention it is a possibility people won't think about it.  
 

I just tried to post this and it doesn't seem to be here.  I hope this isn't a duplicate.....

McCain staffer #1:  Damn that Obama, he makes a great speech! How are we going to beat that guy with football stadiums full of supporters?
McCain staffer #2: I don't like those speeches. He says a lot of stuff I don't agree with.  Like, you know, about government helping people. People can help themselves. For example, I've always been able to help myself.  If I can do it, anybody can. My parents had 1, 2 million tops... Middle Class.
#1: Yeah, I know what you mean.  We have such good values on our side. First of all, that thing about taking care of yourself.  Also, we are the ones who believe that the more babies the better off the planet will be. Remember thet Olympics?  They are proof that a higher population increases likelihood of gold metals. Do we have anybody who makes good speeches?  Somebody that looks good and is relaxed on camera.
#2:  We don't really have anybody like that. Just a bunch of old white dudes.  We have a lot of policies that conservatives like, but we don't have anyone that speaks about them as nicely. 
#1: Let's get one of those.
#2: Okay, I know this girl...
#1: Great, sign her up. 
#2: But I heard Obama actually writes his own speeches.
#1: No problem, we'll just write it for her, it will have the same effect.   Everybody will say what a great speech she made and start filling up stadiums to watch her. 
#2: What if they start complaining she is a celebrity with no substance?
#1: These are democrats, they aren't hypocritical like we are. They won't know how to fight back while maintaining their integrity. Yep, that's right. They are trying to win this campaign and maintain their integrity. Funny, isn't it? .
#2: Yeah, but she's not really ready to be President. VP sure, but not President.
#1: Oh, sure, but we just won't mention that. If we don't mention it is a possibility people won't think about it.  
 

First of all, it pains me to be so focused on Palin right now along with everyone else that has totally been distracted from an amazing convention week and brilliant speech last night!

I have had little time on the computer since the Palin VP announcement, but when I do I find myself googling little facts about her and Alaska (population 600,000, 4th smallest state!).  I suddenly realized I had no idea what, if any education she has.  She must be a lawyer at least, I thought, or studied politics? 

Bachelors Degree in Journalism from University of Idaho.  Vs. Obama's Columbia Political Science and Harvard Law? How can that not be relevant in this "qualified" debate.  I know, I know, Bush had Cs in college and that actually helped him win I think. 

I just watched about 20 seconds of CNN, and caught something that raised my curiousity. I could probably do more research on this, but thought I would see if you all have information and/or opinions that might be helpful. 

They reported that Obama has stated (showed a clip of a debate) that he does not plan insuring the illegal immigrants in this country. He stated his reason as "we have limited resources."  Then they said that he has stated many times his intention to insure the 47 million uninsured people in this country, and that 40% of those are illegal.  Then CNN quickly moved onto something else.  How would Obama respond to this accusation of "flip-flopping" by CNN?  Is he trying to stay ambiguous for some strategic reason, did he make a mistake, or is CNN just trying to make him seem ambigous?

I am probably more inclined to insure, help, educated, etc, illegal immigrants than most. However, I think Obama's statement that we have limited resources makes a lot of sense. I hope that eventually we can find a way to get everyone healthcare that includes preventative care, instead of waiting for emergencies, whether they are here legally or not. 

(this is my first blog post... so be kind... or not... whatever you feel like)