Family Man Librarian » Barack Obama

The Land of Stinkin’

Steve — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:54:52 +0000

I’ve already stated my choice for president in this U.S. election: John McCain. I still doubt that he’ll win, and there are things about him that I question, but I hope he will win. His chances rose immeasurably, in my view, when he surprised a lot of people by choosing Alaska’s governor, Sarah Palin, as his running mate. Honestly, before this I found it hard to be excited about the campaign. Now, I am very excited. Of course, this decision is not without significant risks and downsides. But I can’t help admire the fact that McCain keeps surprising people and keeps on going when many pundits have written him off several times. Whether you are a diehard Democrat or a rabid Republican, one thing you can agree on this year: the election just got a whole lot more interesting.

I’ve enjoyed reading various reactions to this news over the past 24 hours. Here is one of my favorite quotes, taken from a comment made on an editorial by the Chicago Tribune:

“I find it amazing that Palin’s resume is called thin and yet the same term isn’t used to explain Barack Obama’s. Palin is a genuine, straight talking governor who isn’t a mystery to her constituents on where she stands on policy, without Clintonian double-talk that Obama has taken to new levels. Unlike Obama, she can back up her credentials as a reformer. When confronting the corrupt good old boy network in Alaska she lays claim as a dragonslayer.

Barack Obama? He danced with the dragons of the Chicago-Cook-Illinois Combine all along the way. Ever hear of Tony Rezko, Mayor Daley, the Strogers, and so forth? Where was the battle that Barack fought in the name of reform and clean government? All you see is indictments, convictions, campaign contributions, and a lot of sweet talk that dismisses the rampant corruption that pervades in the Land of Stinkin’.”

McCain

Steve — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:01:17 +0000

I have long admired John McCain. I am thrilled that he has come back so strongly from the brink and that he is very likely to be the Republican nominee. I like Mike Huckabee as well but all along I have been rooting for McCain. The disdain, scorn, and tantrums of some in the Republican party about this outcome — including, apparently, Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family — just leaves me bewildered. Am I missing something earthshakingly bad about McCain that these naysayers know? I really doubt it.

I am sure that John McCain is no saint. I have an inherent distrust of all politicians. But more than anyone else in my lifetime, I have come to appreciate McCain’s stubborn passion for taking a stand on various issues regardless of whether it is popular or not. To me he is the very antithesis of say, Hillary or Bill Clinton, who will say and do whatever it takes to get what they want. I think it would be wonderful to have a woman become president of this country. But not if that woman is Hillary Clinton.

The prospect of an African American becoming president is similarly wonderful, and Barack Obama has a lot going for him. But I cannot support his stand on many critical issues (including the war in Iraq — much as that has been mismanaged and started upon extremely shaky grounds) and I will not cast my vote for him. I think McCain will be my choice.

A conversation overheard

Steve — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:44:49 +0000

True story. On the shuttle bus to the train station, the woman behind me turned to the only other passenger and said: “So I got an email today with a photo of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and some others, standing with their hands on their hearts and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Except Obama refused to put his hand on his heart and refused to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. You know, his middle name is Hussein. I think he’s secretly a Muslim. We sure wouldn’t want a Muslim running this country!”

I wish this all was just in my imagination, but no, it really happened. I am no fan of Obama in terms of many of his political views, but I can’t believe anyone in their right mind would say (or think) such things.