" NB, to the people worried about his age, well look at his Mom, 96, sharp as a tack, and going strong.
One thing that struck me about the two camps and the speeches given was that the democratic ones were full of platitudes designed to make us all feel good about ourselves and what the GOVERNMENT COULD DO FOR US. And they were really well delivered and inspiring.
The republican ones seemed to have more actual content on what they intended to actually do if elected, and also what WE COULD DO FOR OUR COUNTRY. And I for one was very impressed by the attitude of service.
There was certainly a contrast between the two camps and I would expect JFK would be turning in his grave if he saw what the Democratic party has become. "

" I would like to address the two points you feel this will come down too (for you at least)

1. will McCain be as trigger happy as Bush? Honestly, anyone who has survived being tortured certianly has a perspective on thinks far beyond Bush or Obama and the sheltered lives they have lead. McCaines a Hero, anyone saying otherwise is being dishonest with themselves. This man honored a code of trust between military personal at the expense of his physical well being. I know for a fact I wouldnt have the cahoanees to do the same, how about you?

2. Obamas economic plan is simple, tax and spend. There is no other way to provide all the services this man is promising. Dwelling on the fact that lower income brackets will get a tax break is narrow minded of his proponents. There are many ways to 'tax' people, all people. So you and I get a break on our income tax, but who do you think the big Oil Companies are going to pass these extra taxes Obama plans for them down to? Thats right you and me, there goes your income tax break! And thats just one example. Tax and spend is not the answer, oversized government (tons of social programs) is not the answer, the most liberal senator in congress is NOT the answer.

I hope that helps you with your decission! "

" Without a doubt the best speech John McCain ever made, the speech of his political life one could say. Did I actually hear him say the word “share?” That won’t get him far with the base. He has always been a tough class act but can he really deliver while holding on to the folly of the last eight years and a party that will not jettison its culture war?

Can he truly distance himself from the much more powerful and angry right or what one economic wag calls “The raging rajas of resentment?” The total misfortune is that he is still policy light but sound bite savvy with great visuals of a bigger flag, if smaller and non-inclusive venue than the Democrats, undulating in the background. The whole convention definitely gave the effect of uniformed solidarity and the religion of patriotism unbound but all that was expected. Did it exceed expectations? Only Palin really did that but then no one knew what to expect. She delivered the speech the campaign wrote for her and very well but where’s the Beef?

Nothing new under the sun, no energy policy out side of “drill baby drill” or sops to nuclear plants, asides to “clean coal” or wind, merely wagging the base with the right to life but not to choice and pounding the same super patriot themes that only leave thinking people to suspect the real motives involved.

Nothing substantive was expected and nothing was presented by either convention, so let the games begin. "

" Bill Clinton ran on a promised "tax cut" that never materialized and NEITHER will B.O.'s.

Contrary to your assertions, NCLB IS working:

Between 2003 and 2005 (latest data available): –Fourth-grade reading proficiency increased by eight percentage points–Fourth-grade mathematics proficiency increased by five percentage points (California Report Card)

What's more important is that parents have the right to know when their child's school is NOT performing and they can move their child to one that IS performing.

Sarah gave a great speech introducing herself, her experience and her background, including details on what needs to be done to solve the problem of inadequate domestic energy production. Obviously you didn't see B.O.'s children at his convention. I am waiting for the media to start hanging out at their grade school, watching to see if they cheat at dodgeball or have other moral failings. According to you and the other liberal media they are fair game now... "

" Sandra, I think the main thing is that neither party gave us much on policy. Obama had a bit more than McCain, and they were things he could actually do compared to McCain.

There is no doubt about McCain's incredible heroism, and I love hearing the stories. But how much of a qualification is that for President? It speaks to his character, but we still need creative new policies.

I am not sure about Obama's tax plan. If it reduces the deficit there is a big positive benefit there.

McCain is better on the torture issue than Bush, but he sure isn't highlighting it because the Republicans seem to have bought the idea that we are only torturing evil terrorists who are everywhere.

Torture is a huge important issue that isn't being talked about enough, I would write about it but you need at least 2000 words to begin to do it justice. "

" jm$.02-

Unless you have been in that hole none of us could ever imagine thge horror Sen. McCain has been through. It is even more true that the last two Presidents tha actually fought for this country were Bush 1 and JFK.


I believe John McCain has a deep love of this country. I believe Se. Obama does not. I'll stand with guy who is standing by America. "

" please this guy is still fighting the vietnam war. The only way a this country can fight a war in another land is with 150% support from the American people. There is no way Iraq will become a victory. Fiscal responsibility from the republican party? Are you on something? The next 60 days will be wild! "

" Kevin, I am the liberal media now? I am being criticized by other Republicans for having sold out to the religious right via email.

The fact is that this was a good speech. Period. That is all I am talking about.

The Republicans are at each others throats. That is a sure sign of a loser. "

" Frpt56 has just reminded me that the voting public has rejected more combat service tested candidates than it has accepted.

AND I honor the service of Bush senior who Frpt56 would over look. "

" I like McCain, I truly believe that he is a patriot and interested in serving our country. His speech was good.

The problem is that we've heard this in 2000. Bush was a uniter, not a divider, would work across the aisle. Would change Washington, yada, yada. It was a complete lie then. I tend to beleive that McCain means it, but I'm a little skeptical. "

" wipemedown-

Unless you only read the NVR, we are winning the War in Iraq. Maybe it should be "moppedup"

Bill- re-read my post "Bush 1 and JFK".

As the son of a bomber pilot I honor all service men and women. "

" Every one of the Republican speeches except McCains were just hit jobs on Obama. McCain did have a pretty good speech but that was a political move. Let all your minions blast and ridicule your opponent up to the very second you take stage, then go out there and talk about unity and bipartisanship. It's a classic move that works well.

I do find some humor in the fact that they just constantly force the "McCain is a POW" down our throats.

"What will McCain do for the economy?"

"Well when he was in the Hanoi Hilton he didn't..."

"What will he do about energy?"

"When he was a POW he only had the energy to..."



If they're not careful they are going to have people get tired of hearing about it instead of what he will do for the country. "

" Missed the 1 and your point?

"Unless you have been in that hole none of us could ever imagine thge horror Sen. McCain has been through. It is even more true that the last two Presidents tha actually fought for this country were Bush 1 and JFK."

None of this qualified either man to be presient. Bush 1 could actually boast more governmental experience as better qualifying him for the office.

Too much is made of heroes, now thats a statment that should really rile some folks. "

" always been an admirer of McCain and thought it speech was the best I have heard him give...that said....

I dont think he is the best man for the job.....and unfortunately, while I honor his time in hanoi, what ex-military person would not, I think we need more than that in our president ... I think his economic would increase the deficits we are facing, his health care plan wouldn't bring very many uninsured back into the fold ... and I don't trust his judgment in the picking of supreme court justices.....and we may have as many as three who may retire in the next four years ...but it was as I said, probably the best speech i have heard him give. "

" I very clearly heard John McCain say that his energy policy would be to drill and produce more oil and build more nuclear power and to develop alternatives including wind, solar and tide.

Increasing supplies thereby lowering energy costs will be the greatest possible stimulus to our economy.

What is Obama's energy program? Don't do this and don't do that.

I very clearly heard McCain say what he would with the war against Islamic terror. I heard the Democrats say absolutely nothing and never mention 9/11.

The mortgage crisis will have to run it's course, just as Bill Clinton's dotcom market collapse did. The president didn't cause it and the president won't fix it.

I support John McCain and Sarah Palin. "

" russ-

"Ditto"


Bill- the point is leadership as learned through adversity. As for your qualifications comment, it is solidly wrong. These are men who in times of dire stress and hardship made strong decisions. Bush 1 is the oonly survivor of his air squadron, the rest were either shot down or beheaded bu the Japanese. JFK did whatever it took to take care of his sick and wounded men.

Courage and determination drove these men. That's a pretty good leadership trait if you ask me. "

" leadership is learned in many ways freeport, adversity being just one of them "

" russ, as I recall Obama's energy plan was for people to air up their tires "

" Rich….don’t forget tune ups….’just these two things filling up your tires and tuning your cars will ‘PRODUCE’ more oil than…huh…then they....huh…huh… the Republicans can drill for’… quote Obama…. What a brain sturgeon….

And libs still wonder how and why, with 50% of the American public considering themselves to be center-right, nobody seems to be falling for their silly little name calling…and just to remove any doubt about being the party of the out of touch, Democrats nominate the most liberal candidate since McGovern as a ‘unifier‘….go figure….Clinton would have been far more formidable.

I’ve been a McCain fan for a long time, and I’ve often opposed legislation he support, particularly hamstringing Republican funding raising while opening up the flood gates for leftist causes…but you can’t question his resolve, his commitment to this countries well being and his often annoying Maverick pedigree….nor his side kicks….besides being a pragmatist what other choice is there? "