Obama's convention message, did it work?

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Friday, September 05, 2008

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By MICHAEL HALEY

Click here to learn your tax cut under the proposed Obama plan

Napablogger

June 29th, 2009

Road budgets explained

June 15th, 2009

Making history in Iran

June 5th, 2009

There's more to land use than grape growing

Lake Luciana vote was a mistake

May 26th, 2009

What is the Ag Preserve and how do you preserve it ?

The whole world weighed in Thursday night on Barack Obama’s speech — along with the Democratic convention — so here’s mine, let me know yours.

Two days ago I was all set to write that Hillary and Bill Clinton were destroying the Democratic chances with their unending victimhood and self absorption. Obama threw Hillary under the bus? Uh, no, she lost the primary election. You know, Hillary, votes?

Then they managed to turn it around the third day with a brilliant move by Hillary to forgo the roll call vote and accede the nomination to Obama, and Bill’s brilliant speech which was really the best of the week. But do nut worry, the victims will be back, they just know how to punt when they have to.

Thursday night we saw the most important speech and in the end the one that will matter in this election, Obama’s. One has to be impressed, first of all, that he is able to get 85,000 people to show up in person for a speech. According to the media, neither Bill or Hillary or John McCain could pull that off.

The reactions were an interesting mix of two basic opinions. Juan Williams, Democrat, started off saying that it was a good speech but, it was a basically a boilerplate Democrat speech. Bill Kristol, Republican, said Obama met all expectations and then some. Interesting.

My wife was in the Kristol camp, and she is more conservative than I and a McCain supporter, and I was more in the Williams camp. The more I have thought about it and looked at some of my notes, the more I was impressed with certain things.

First of all, as we have all come to expect from Democratic speeches they often devolve into a laundry list of promises to various groups. College for all students, tax credits, off foreign oil in 10 years, health insurance for the uninsured, lower health premiums for the rest, whiskey for your men, beer for your horses.

O.K. We have heard that before.

What was interesting was his tax plan. He is going to reduce taxes for 95 percent of working families, he says. That’s a tax cut, he is only going to raise taxes on households making above $250,000. And he said he was going to go line by line through the budget to make cuts to pay for it. On top of that, he says “you do nut raise taxes in a recession.” Wow, he sounded like a Republican. Or at least Republicans before Bush.

He mentioned not hiring illegal workers, said do not tell me Democrats can’t defend this country, and was even nice to McCain.

And he sounded like he meant it all. He really came across as sincere, and in the end I have to conclude that he did what he needed to do. He came off like a Commander in Chief, supremely confident and tough. He put out enough specifics in his plans to give a sense of what he would do, and he maintained the high road in his political campaign against McCain.

I do not agree with a lot of his economic plan, but I like his foreign policy stance better than McCain’s. McCain now has a tall order ahead of him next week.

What was your reaction?

Note: Starting next week I am going to start a Daily Napablogger where I will be posting shorter thoughts and ideas on a daily basis, as well as more links to articles related to our discussions here. You know, like a real blog. I am going to continue with the weekly articles, but I am hoping we can react to the daily news with some discussion that is timely for the day. Hope to see you over there.

Michael Haley’s Napablogger column — and the Daily Napablogger — appear online at napavalleyregister.com. Haley is president of the Napa Valley Taxpayers Alliance. He can be reached at napaeagle@hughes.net, or post a comment here.

49 comment(s)

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Aug 29, 2008 12:40 PM:

" No, he did not convince me that I should vote for him. We don't need another Clinton/Carter presidency. "

ADark1 wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:01 PM:

" PPF? After the mess of the past 8 years even a carter presidency would be preferable! "

luv1mom wrote on Aug 29, 2008 3:45 PM:

" We certainly don't need a continuation of the current republican administration by electing John Dubya Bush McCain either. "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Aug 29, 2008 4:30 PM:

" ADark1 - you certainly can't be serious. Under Jimmy we lost the respect of most of the world, had rampant inflation, our intelligence community dismembered etc. Fortunately Clinton didn't do much of anything, he just lucked into the dot com boom. I hate to think of what he could have done if he had paid attention to business. We just cannot afford to let Obama do us that way.

Look at it this way - in four years we can elect Sarah. Cavalry to the rescue! Mooseburgers for everyone! "

a teacher wrote on Aug 29, 2008 4:39 PM:

" Not his best work, Bill Clinton gave a better speech, but good enough. I liked his lines about the "ownership" society. That pretty much sums up the difference between liberals and conservatives for me. "

Hear Ye wrote on Aug 29, 2008 4:52 PM:

" I thought it was wonderful. It was more specific than many of his other speeches. Over 38 million people watched, that's more than the opening ceremonies of the olympics. That is probably the most important aspect of his speech, the reach it had. If he wins the white house this speech will be looked back on for many many years. "

kevin wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:28 PM:

" Adark1, you would prefer double diget inflation, double diget interest rates, higher unemployment and being dispised by Europe as when Carter was President?? I doubt it.

I laughed out loud at B.O. challenging McCain to debate! After all it is B.O. that has refused McCain's original challenge.

I didn't think the speech was up to his usual standards. I think the venue may have slowed his delivery a little too much. The promised "tax cuts" will remind people (thinking ones anyway) that Bill Clinton ALSO promised tax cuts (which he never delivered).

What I did notice was Sarah Palin's speech today where she deliberately played off B.O.'s speech. B.O. promised the moon, but Sarah concentrated on listing her accomplishments.

The contrast couldn't be more glaring! "

freeport56 wrote on Aug 29, 2008 6:49 PM:

" I think she will be a force to be reckoned with. As we all know "Things are Tougher in Alaska". She is an average person who just happens to play hockey, fish, hunt, and oh yeah, run thje largest state in the Union.

If we are going down the experience road boys and girls...showing up is 80% of the battle. Whern do you think the good Senator from Illinois will show up for work? To gain some more experience?

That arguement is dead in the water. Let us just wait for the first round of Joe v Sarah. It should be a humdinger. "

napablogger wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:01 AM:

" Just came in from a night out, more tommorrow.

But I had to say: game set match, the election is over.

Sarah Palin-- a huge mistake. What in the world is McCain thinking? He needs to go on Dr. Phil, fast. But it won't matter, this was a huge error in judgement and we all need to get ready for an Obama presidency.

Colossal error. "

Bill wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:11 AM:

" Colossal gamble perhaps but the fat lady she no sing yet.

The next few months will decide our future in a world that has drastically changed since the idea of the nation state solidified and parochial minds have yet to fathom that it is a multifaceted planet not a narrow swath of ideology. We are offered a stark choice between stubbornness, unresponsiveness and adherence to the platitudes of the past or a possibility of a dynamic, flexible and inclusive future.

If you keep this up NB I will have to find another needle or at least a new pincushion or voodoo doll to practice upon. "

John Richards wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Obama made so many promises during his acceptance speech, it will be a miracle if he can deliver on even a small fraction of those promises, let alone find a way to pay for them. I guess it's what politicians do, promise the moon, then blame others when nothing gets accomplished. "

freeport56 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:17 PM:

" NB\Mike-

As I stated earlier, Just wait for the Sarah-Joe Biden debates. She is twice the man of BHO & JB. At least she is not a plagerist.

She is however; the feminist ideal. "

Sandra wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:52 PM:

" NB...wow, am I dissapointed in your quick judgement. Also your lack of explanation as to why you feel this way. I think you may of been having a little too much "fun" on your night out.

Obama has 140 days experience of the legislature meeting, and actually doing his job he was elected to do. He has voted right down the party line and is evaluated as the most liberal senator in D.C. He has shown no inclination to work bipartisanly with the other side.
He says wonderful things. His actions speak differently. He has also surrounded himself with some very questionable people. I prefer to judge someone not on what they say they will do, but ob what they have done. If your premise is that Palin is a mistake because of inexperience, and hence Obama will win...well I think you are WAY off base.

Palin on the other hand says some wonderful things and then follows throught with what she said she will do.
I am not in agreement with her on abortion rights, or gay marriage. But on the other hand these are not areas that effect the President's or Vice president's job.
What I do like about her is her willingness to take on the established good ol boys and do what she sees as the right thing. The woman has some guts, and is willing to take on her own party.
I think McCains choice could hisrotically be seen as brilliant. Time will certainly tell.
Obama mouths change...
A McCain/Palin ticket could actually bring change about. "

kevin wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:32 PM:

" Hey, let's give NB a chance to explain his rush to judgement... "

kevin wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:39 PM:

" So what's with link to the "Obaba tax plan"? Is he paying the NVR for the propaganda or is that a "freebie"?

Does the tax "savings" calculation include letting President Bush's tax cuts expire? Does it include raising the payroll tax? Does it include raising capital gains taxes? Increased carbon taxes? "

napablogger wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:28 AM:

" I guess we are all seeing and hearing lots of comment on Palin. It certainly took the Demcoratic convention off the media spotlight, so it was successful on the face of it.

I guess we will find out more about her as days go on here, but on the face of it she is too junior to be President. I mean way too junior.

Obama has been preparing for it at least, and his four years in the Senate are about a lot more than roll call votes. He sponsored all kinds of legislation in the Illinois legislature, and even more than that he has been intellectually preparing to be President a long time.

For example, he spent a lot of time at the University of Chicago working with economists there and has a well developed understanding of how the economy works. You may not agree with his conclusions, but at least he has some.

Palin has zero foreign policy experience. She has zero preparation over time for this. McCain is at an age where he is vulnerable to illness and death.

She has a great story and no doubt she will become a national figure, but she is not there yet. Not even close. "

napablogger wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Kevin--I just threw that tax calculator in for fun. I was the one that put that in, not the NVR.

I think it shows that most people will get a tax cut under Obama, assuming his plan passes and doesn't change before then, big assumptions.

That is strictly income taxes, he is going to leave the payroll tax alone except over $250,000 in income and they will have to start paying it on income over that figure. There is a doughnut hole from 100K to 250K.

The Bush tax cuts would not only expire, he would raise taxes on the upper income earners. "

napablogger wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:38 AM:

" It may be a rush to judgement on my part, but that is just the way she hits me. Way underqualified.

My wife is so ga ga over her I can't even say this at home. :) The Dr says one more frying pan over the head and I will have permanent brain damage. Thank God she doesn't read this blog.

What about Fred Thompson? Far better pick. But not a woman, McCain is courting the Hillary vote, not picking the best available person.

Mayby Palin has the personal gravitas to handle McCain suddenly dying in the middle of a war crisis. Let's hope it is not one month after they get sworn in. "

Sandra wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:23 AM:

" NB..I think it has been realistically pointed out that being an on the job governor of a state for 2 years is way more intensive job experience than a 2 year senator would get. There is much more actual on the job training for a presidentail office than a fledgling senator gets in the realm of practical hands on experience.
Check this woman out before you come to conclusions. I am doing so and am pretty pleasantly surprised. Again, I do not agree with her on some things. But in other areas...wow, she is pretty darn impressive.
One of the things about politicians that I do not like is the business as usual, good ol boys, underhandedness, etc. that is par for the course in the political world. This woman does not seem to play that game. She cuts through the crap and gets the job done. I think we could have a "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" in the form of a moose hunting beauty contestant...and I am thinking its about time. "

kevin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:52 PM:

" Fred Thompson looks terrible in a dress. Bad choice...

60 days to an election is an eternity in politics. Anything can happen between now and then. (I am even MORE sure of an "October surprise" by the Libs now). I don't know anything about Palin at this point either, but (unlike you) I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Also, I must admit, the Dems vicious and immediate dislike of her does make me instinctively like her!

Her other endearing feature is that she IS NOT A LAWYER. "

musikluvr wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:43 PM:

" It worked until the next day when the Republicans showed him what reality is. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:18 PM:

" NB - you are still cutting into my territory -- AGAIN!

;o)

You have a reputation gained within the 'Usual Suspects' community... are you sure you want to give ALL THAT up?

And then to have increased frying pan cerebrum collisions, too? You are one brave dude!

I'll tell you what I am looking for. I am looking for some diversions of the money flows in the federal budget.

I would be OK with a carbon tax that kicks in over time and helps the USA to finance consumers replacing their gas guzzlers (if they wish to take the tax credits offered). The base price of a barrel of oil will only go down if demand drops and helping people replace their gas guzzlers would keep auto showrooms and plants busy while Americans could watch our foreign oil consumption drop and cheer America's progress!

We could make it a national goal with a trendline charts showing fuel-efficient car sales going up and millions bbls/day of oil per day NOT being required any more.

As somebody who has wrote software for banks and other large corporations, there is a mighty river of money flowing through our banking system everyday.

All we need to do is start watering what we want to have happen (subsidize) and dry up what we don't (tax). We don't have to grant monopolies and I actually like the X-prize idea that McCain tossed out and dropped about a month ago.

We can make the taxes revenue-neutral or turn them into patient money for infrastructure improvements.

CHANGE we must, the rest of the world is going to quite taking our kited checks otherwise.

~Ruff "

kevin wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:03 PM:

" Yeah, Ruff, that government subsidizing of the ethanol industry worked out REAL WELL... "

a teacher wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:32 PM:

" NB: I had pretty much the same reaction. Fortunately, my significant other is more gentle. "

sickothis wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:19 PM:

" A month ago Sarah Palin did not know that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate, Chairman of the Board of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and a member of the board of the Smithsonian Institution. All rather weighty in their own right.

Wiki - Under the American system the President is both head of state and head of government, and the ceremonial duties of the former position are often delegated to the Vice President. They may meet with other heads of state or attend state funerals in other countries, at times when the administration wishes to demonstrate concern or support but cannot send the President himself.

Hello Mr. Prime Minister. Would you like a mooseburger? "

John Richards wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:44 PM:

" One thing is certain, Sarah Palin is a quick study. What she may not know today she will probably know tomorrow. Her fresh, non-Washington insight will be an asset to McCain. "

Hear Ye wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:16 AM:

" Of course the convention worked. It reached all the people that matter. People that wouldn't vote for Obama no matter what don't matter. It was a huge success in terms of the people they were trying to speak to. No Nay-sayers can change the reality of the situation. "

Sandra wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:36 AM:

" " A month ago Sarah Palin did not know that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate, Chairman of the Board of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and a member of the board of the Smithsonian Institution. All rather weighty in their own right. "
Please is there a source to this statement beyond you, or is it just a sense of elitism coming through? It seems your post is one of desperation and derision, with nothing of any substance to back it up. "

napablogger wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:52 AM:

" Ruff, don't worry I haven't gone over to the dark side yet. My criticism of McCain is not to be taken as a ringing endorsement of Obama, although picking Palin is pushing me in that direction. I think it was pandering and poor judgement on McCain's part.

I am starting to feel more than ever we need a change in direction, and I am ready to accept some things I don't like in a candidate because frankly the things I dont like in the other candidate, McCain, are even worse.

Having said that I would be comfortable with three of them, Palin I would not. If a war started with Russia a month after the inauguration and McCain dropped dead---could Palin really handle it?

It is not about her personal characteristics, it is her lack of experience in national affairs. I read an interview of her in 2006 about the surge, and she said she supported it but it should include an exit plan for when we would leave.

That shows that she is out of touch with what is going on. A major point of the surge was to not to give an exit plan, to stay "100 years" if necessary.

I continue to think she is soon going to crash and burn and be a huge liability. This also shows McCain's lack of judgement. What happeneed to this guy, he is better than his campaign has been. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:15 PM:

" Sandra - You simply have to get out more!

Out on the intertubes, there is a video of Sarah Palin (before getting the pick from McBoosh) saying to ignore all of this VicePresident stuff... That she [Sarah Palin] was still trying to get an explanation from the McCain staff as to what the Vice President actually does.

Yet... this Sarah Palin is now magically more qualified than... say Elizabeth Dole, Kay Baley Hutchison, Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins.

Because she eats moose, because she is rabidly anti-abortion like John Dubya McBoosh, because... well... because she's rabidly against abortion.

And did I mention that America is pro-choice? Especially in cases of rape, incest and health of the mother.

Do you really want to peddle this kind of tripe, Sandra?

After all the 'advice' to Democrats about picking somebody 'inexperienced'?

Really??? Go figure, eh?

~McRuff -- the political comedy dog, biting the posteriors of Republican-enablers... for years and years now. "

Ruff Limblog wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:39 PM:

" kevin - Politicians of both stripes subsidize ethanol production from corn because they pander for votes in Iowa.

John McCain was once honest enough to say so, back before he became John Dubya McBooosh.

The technique of tax what you don't want and subsidize what you do want - works pretty well when corporate political lobbyist millions are not corrupting the process.

~Ruff "

kevin wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:33 PM:

" And when is the LAST time THAT happened??? "

Sandra wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:05 AM:

" Ruff, did not see the tape...I am one of those full time working women, like Sarah, with a family. So yep, there are a few things I miss. Getting out more has nothing to do with it. But thanks for the derisive advice.
I am sure Palin knows in general what the V.P. does, as most of us do. I guess it never occured to you that she might have been asking for the details of the daily grind? Probably not...you were to interested in continuing spouting venom, I am sure. "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:41 PM:

" NB - you can't be serious - are you really a shill for that quack Dr. Phil? He's just another elitist rock star type. Empty suit, hot air, wrapping a morsel of a good idea in a bunch of self-hype. He doesn't even follow his own advice.

Time for you to come out of the closet and admit you're a lefty. "

a teacher wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Watch it NB. If you show a little independent thought they'll throw you out of the conservative club. "

freeport56 wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:31 PM:

" Obama gave a speech at the Convention? Did not hear much about it. "

Native74 wrote on Sep 3, 2008 4:13 PM:

" NB - I like your wife already... ;)

I hope you are wrong about McCain's choice. From a younger female perspective Palin is a breath of fresh air. I don't agree with all her thoughts, but it's a definite start to a new regime. However, I used to like Hillary before her speech on the village...Plato described one so similar and hello! It failed miserably! "

jwk wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:28 AM:

" Same Old Tired Out Rhetoric with No substance and a bunch of empty promises!! Since Hearyeehaw and Sandra changed the subject, what a great time to chime in on How WE have the good solid, Pro American, effective Go Getters and doers on our side. They Actually care more ABOUT AMERICA than getting their side elected. Give me Fred Thompson, Mit Romney, Joe Lieberman, Rudy Guiliani and The Newest Ronald Reagan in a dress. Then of Course an AMerican War Hero with a real TRACK & Voting record on issues, Values, Morals and Competence. Compare that to the "Done Nothing Radical, Islamic lovin, Leftist Socialist,Flip Floppin, Girly Man" Osamabama. Then there's the Arrogant Old Crooked Politician Joe Biden.Get real, there's really no comparison. There's absoultely No Positive Change there and I tend to Believe what Hillary and Joe said about Osamabama early on. He has nothing going on but a speech and is NOT ready to lead!! "

Hear Ye wrote on Sep 4, 2008 2:23 PM:

" JWK-

After reading your thoughtful and articulate message I have seen the errors of my way. Maybe it's time for me to move to your compassionate, tolerant, and cultural melting-pot of a political party. Thanks for the help! "

plasticpinkflamingo wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:22 PM:

" We welcome all back into the fold . . . "

cab e-girl wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:32 PM:

" NB: I can't imagine Ms. Palin not knowing what to do in your scenario. She is focused, smart on her feet (teleprompter problem last night) and not afraid to stand up to corruption. I do believe that Obama would choose to do nothing in that scenario. Look at his comments after Russia sent troops into Georgia. He didn't know what to say for three days. "

trueblue2007 wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:31 AM:

" Sarah Palin will NOT tell me what to do with my body. I'm sick and tired of neo-cons trying to roll back women's right to choose. Take care of your own darn house. You really need help there GIRLFRIEND!! "

cab e-girl wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:15 AM:

" Hey True: Frankly there are a lot more important things going on in the world than whether or not you can have an abortion. You are still allowed to have an abortion up until your third trimester, your child can still be su**ed into a sink after when it can live outside your body. I think your covered. "

XMAN wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:31 AM:

" It was refreshing to see the Democratic Party pull themselves back together at the DNC. Good job. Barry O. is a likeable candidate with much to offer. I thought his speech was outstanding and I will be looking forward to his future explanations as to how he will accomplish all that he promises. "

jane grace wrote on Sep 5, 2008 1:13 PM:

" The convention was a huge success showing strong unity and inspiration in the democratic party.
Obama has a quiet reserve with much intellect and Senator Biden compliments him as VP with an active 30+ years in the senate.

This convention clearly focused on the issues which our country needs without attacking the Republican party in every speech. The Democrats in their convention showed more reserve, intellect, and passion for the country that needs much focus on domestic issues and better foreign policies.

It is the Democratic party that will unify our country and bring more peace in the world. "

Sandra wrote on Sep 5, 2008 2:10 PM:

" True; Well good for you...Don't let the evil neocon Palin stop you from anything...like Bush stopped you this time around....oh wait. he did not stop you from anything did he? Glad your main focus is pro choice rights....there is just not much else going on in the world is there? "

luv1mom wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:40 PM:

" cab e-girl: Are you related to Palin?? "

John Richards wrote on Sep 6, 2008 9:04 PM:

" Palin has already proved her worth to the ticket. According to the latest CBS poll, the Republican ticket gained 8% over the Democratic ticket during the conventions. "

jwk wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:16 AM:

" This Osamabama Guy is commical not to mention a Dunderhead. He slipped it out that he is a MUSLIM and had to have George Steppinalloverus correct him twice and tell him he meant to say he's a Christian. Are you folks with your head in the sand watching and listening to your Candidate?? This is the most empty suit you've ever run, even according to alot in his own party. The terrorist are still pulling for him though!!Even with the Demo Media trying their darndest to make it look like he's a viable candidate.. Wake up Anti-Americans... "

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