Several global media outlets, including International Herald Tribune, Deutsche Welle and CBC, are running articles about what Obama’s victory means to their country and the world.

Obama knows his international expectations; he spoke with nine world leaders about the global economy and climate change soon after his victory.

For Americans, Obama’s triumph solidifies a new face and identity. For citizens around the world, his victory is a symbol of America’s renewal and rebirth.  People know the country needs a saviour after the Bush era.

Bush’s presidency changed America’s reputation among foreign countries. Before they were peacemakers, now they are despised in more places than ever.

To the public, his presidency will largely be defined by a war under false pretences, an incompetence that defies logic and now, an economic meltdown that is causing individuals and corporations alike to sink in ever deepening waters; waters Obama is expected to shallow.

Jason Rosenstiel, a dual-citizen with Israeli roots, believes Obama’s economic policy is much better than his former opponent’s.  “McCain’s idea to implement a spending freeze was crazy. Obama’s plans are much better, he can actually prevent this thing from getting worse around the globe.”

Rosenstiel also believes Obama’s relationships with world leaders will help define his presidency.  “He became friends with these leaders before even getting elected.  He made sure that if he did win, the pieces for change would be in place and that’s what will make him a great president. His ambition.”

While Obama’s win is historic, some are baffled.  How could a country that just four years ago re-elected a man so detested today, elect a man like Obama?

In all actuality, it makes sense.  The last time America went with the “safer” option, look what happened.

This time around, Americans took a chance, a chance on a candidate that is promising so much at a time when the United States has so little.

Even so, Rosenstiel has high hopes. “I truly hope he’s more than just a good president.  I hope he’s a world changer.”

Scheduled to be published in the Toronto Star next week.

CNN also calls Wyoming and North Dakota for McCain.  Fox News calls New Mexico for Obama.

Obama has so far carried predominantly blue states and McCain has taken the red states. Obama, before today, had large leads in all the states called by CNN and Fox News.

McCain had big a lead in Wymoning, however polls showed Obama leading 45%-43% North Dakota before tonight.  Still, only three electoral college votes from that state.

The numbers, added from projections by various media organizations, stands at 175-119 for Obama.

6:20 p.m.:  The New York Times is reporting that of the early ballots counted so far in Kentucky, 60% are for McCain.  Of the early ballots counted in New Hampshire, 67% are for Obama.

6:30 p.m.:  CNN reports McCain’s early lead in Kentucky stands, Obama up in Indiana with 55% of early vote

6:40 p.m.:  CNN reports Obama’s lead in Indiana slips, he has 51% now of early returns.  In Kentucky, McCain’s lead stretches with 68% of the early ballots in his favor.  Not surprising, Kentucky is a red state and Indiana is a tossup.

6:50 p.m.:  Leads hold in both states.  Many polls close at 7 p.m., including Florida and Virginia, to routinely red states that are, in this election, battlegrounds.  A win in these states would signal a win for Obama.

7:00 p.m.: WHOA.  McCain’s lead in Kentucky dwindles, he has just 51% of the returns in his favor now.  Obama’s now at 50% to McCain’s 48% in Indiana.

7:03:  CNN projects Obama will carry Vermont, and McCain will carry Kentucky.  So it’s 8-3 for McCain.

7:15: McCain leading Virginia, 55%-44% very early.  Obama ahead by one point in Indiana.  Virginia is very important, a republican state that has been leaning democrat during campaigning.  CNN just beamed Jessica Yelin into the Situation Room, Star Wars style.  McCain leading in Florida, by seven points.

7:28:  A few more polls about to close.  McCain still carrying Virginia, now by 12 points in very early reports.  McCain takes control of Indiana by 5 points, however many democratic counties have yet to be counted.  Florida now being held by Obama 48%-34%, weird numbers. McCain carrying Georgia with early reports calling 70% in his favor.  No surprise.

7:38: North Carolina, 51%-49% for Obama.  Very early but if that holds on, very big victory.  Florida numbers fixed, Obama up 57-43, that’s HUGE, but only 2% of precincts reporting so far.  Indiana, same deal as before, 51%-48% with 20% of precincts in.  Popular vote, 51%-48% for Obama.

7:50: First polls in Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania going to close at 8, as well as more polls in Florida and other states.  Right now, leads are pretty much the same a they were at 7:38, however in North caronlina Obama is now up by almost 20%.  Also now, in Virginia, McCain up by 15%.

7:56: South Carolina called for John McCain.  CBS and Fox News calling West Virginia for McCain as well.

8:00:  Projections: Obama: Illinois, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Maine (3 of 4 electoral votes), D.C., Delaware and Massachusetts, NBC adding Pennsylvania and New Hampshire to that list.

McCain: Oklahoma and Tennessee

103-34 for Obama.

8:10: Losing Penn. is a big negative McCain, he really needed to win that state and he thought he’d made significant ground there.  Still 51-48 in Indiana for McCain.

8:20: Obama up in Florida by seven points.  Crazy.  McCain holding small lead in Indiana.  Obama leading in North Carolina by near 20% and in Ohio by 15%.  Ohio is HUGE.  McCain holding lead in Virginia, up by 56%.

8:30: Obama so far winning democrat states, McCain carrying the republican ones.  Obama’s lead in North Carolina, Florida and Ohio stands.  McCain’s in Virginia and Indiana also stands.  Keep an eye on Indiana.

8:50: Obama holding lead in Florida (now three points) and in North Carolina. A commanding lead in Ohio.  McCain holding on to Indiana, and now has leads in Michigan and Missouri, the former by seven points and the latter by 17 points.  McCain holding on to Virginia as well by nine points.  He needs that after losing Penn.

9:15:  Obama winning in North Carolina and Ohio still as well as in Florida by three points.  McCain holds leads in Virginia, Colorado, Indiana and Missouri.

9:30:  OHIO HAS BEEN CALLED FOR OBAMA.  A huge victory.  Colorado has tipped Obama’s way, he has a five point lead there.  His small Florida lead is holding up as well.  McCain’s leads in Indiana, Missouri, and Virginia are holding up.

9:55: Obama leading in Colorado, Florida and North Carolina.  McCain in Indiana (1 point) Missouri and Virginia.

10:00:  Seriously contemplating whether updating this is even necessary.  You know it, I know it.  Obama’s taking this.  You can’t beat Ohio or the Redskins.

10:15: Obama still carrying Colorado, by a higher margin now.  Florida still by three points.  Virginia has moved over to the Obama side, he has a one point lead now.  McCain has Indiana still and Missouri.  Does it matter?

10:17: Popular vote: 50%-49% for Obama.  Over 50 million people have cast votes!

10:35: CNN keeps talking about Obama in the White House, but won’t declare him the winner.  If you don’t want to seem biased, don’t act it. Obama leading in Colorado, Florida and Virginia.  McCain has a 1 point lead in Indiana.  The race is deadlocked in North Carolina.

10:40: CBC declares Barack Obama the victor

11:00:  Congratulations to President Barack Obama!

11:20: ABC calls Florida for Obama.  It’s at 323 now.

11:25: AP calls Colorado and Nevada for Obama.  He’s sitting pretty with 338.

11:35: Waiting for Indiana and North Carolina to be called

12:20: IF you didn’t just watch that speech, watch it.  It was President Barack Obama’s best speech to date.  Tears flowed.  Oprah and Rev. Jesse Jackson cried.  A truly historical moment, and a symbol of how far this country has come.

North Carolina and Missouri still too close to call, Indiana been called for Obama, Montana called for McCain.

Missouri called for McCain, North Carolina still too close

NY Times calls North Carolina for Obama

Final count: 364-174.

Despite the United States recent economic woes, there is no doubt amongst serious observers that the country is still, by far the most powerful nation in the world. The United States military budget – which, I think it is fair to say, gets quite a bit of use – is astronomical. The U.S. accounts almost half of the world’s military spending, with the FY 2009 budget allocating more than $650 billion. To put this in perspective, the next highest spender is the United Kingdom with just over $50 billion. And the U.S. figures do not count the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan which are paid for with supplemental bills and have cost the nation hundreds of billions more over the last five years.

Further, the world economy, for better or worse (worse is the popular answer in 2008), is directly dependent on the U.S economy. Even though China, for example, continues to grow, they are only able to do so by sending 80 percent of their exports to the U.S. Now, as American consumers are becoming thrifty, or broke (or both), Chinese growth is in trouble.

Russia – China’s partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which many see as a blossoming counter to the US and NATO – is now losing out on all the revenues that they were getting from $147 barrels of oil. And this drop in oil occurred, at least in part, due to the massive deflation that has occurred since the US economy really hit the skids in September. Venezuela and Iran, two other oil-rich nations with hostile relations with the U.S, are facing the same problems as oil prices go down.

So why is this relevant to the 2008 election? It is a reminder of how important this election, and American policy in general, is to other parts of the world.

In Israel, for example, the right has expressed fears over an Obama presidency. While Obama has said all of the right things, and spoke in front of AIPAC when he finally won the primary, some in Israel are not sure he will be 1) as aggressive on Iran as a McCain or Bush Administration or 2) as willing to continue America’s unconditional (and totally unique) package in aid, which is at $3 billion, the most in the world. This is why the right started singing the “Obama-is-anti-Israel” tune when McCain fell sharply behind (as did Hillary Clinton when she was gasping for anything at the tail end of the divisive primary, which gives you a sense of how predictably low politicians can go when in trouble).

It is a fairly empty tale. Obama has toed the Party line with Israel, pledging continued and increased aid, and insisting that Iran poses a grave threat, despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said the opposite.

Nonetheless, this election is watched with great interest from the Israeli right. To follow the coverage in Israel, I recommend, Haaretz, which is widely viewed as the “New York Times of Israel.”

Another country that must be watching with watchful eyes in Pakistan, especially given Obama’s expressed a willingness to bomb the country (which President Bush actually did recently).

Interestingly, Iraqis and U.S. soldiers may have less at stake that one might think. While Obama ran in the primary with anti-war rhetoric , his staff has acknowledged to the Wall Street Journal that he will leave around 35 – 45 thousands troops in the country. Given that a similar draw down is likely under a McCain Administration (though the exact timeline could vary), it appears that the War in Iraq will continue in a lesser fashion, no matter who wins. Still, if anyone wants to read an English language Iraqi newspaper, visit Azzaman in English.

Iranians, too, must be watching with great interest. While both McCain and Obama are willing to talk tough on Iran, Obama has a far more moderate (supported by many Republicans from the Bush I days, such as James Baker and Collin Powell) and reasonable stance on engaging in diplomacy. To read Iranian media visit Press TV and the Islamic Republic News Agency (both state-owned, for what its worth).

And of course, every country has a stake in the U.S. economy. As I listed above, the ramifications of the economic crisis are indeed global, and countries have been scrambling with bailout and stimulus packages, request for aid from the (US controlled) International Monetary Fund and the nationalizing of some banks.

Here, world public opinion is clear: Obama is the favorite for most of the world, which has grown deeply skeptical of U.S. economic policies, and gives most of the blame to Republicans.

Some other foreign news outlets:

The Daily Star (Lebanon)

Russia Today (Russia)

The Independent (United Kingdom)

Dar al Hayet (Saudi Arabia )

]]> http://blastmagazine.com/the-news/2008/11/the-world-is-watching/feed/ 0 http://blastmagazine.com/the-blogs/terra/2008/11/election/ http://blastmagazine.com/the-blogs/terra/2008/11/election/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:31:09 +0000 Sachin Seth http://blastmagazine.com/?p=5146 The time has come!  After almost two years of campaigning and gaffe, Americans finally get to choose the next President of the United States.

Two of the most notable campaigns in history come to an end and one of the most historic elections begins.

Will Obama’s seven-point lead in the polls hold up?  Will McCain make an historic comeback?

Make sure to check in with Blast’s election coverage tomorrow night in our new News section.  It’ll be full of analysis and commentary you won’t find anywhere else!  We’ll also be updating as states are called throughout the night.

So go out and vote America!  Do your part!  Make history!

“Joe the plumber” was the star of the beginning of the debate.  Joe the plumber is a reference to Joe Wurzelbacher, a man who now wants to buy a small business that earns a little over $250,000 per year.  The problem is that the purchase would, allegedly, put him into a higher tax bracket under Obama’s tax plan and he doesn’t want that. He’s cited Obama’s tax plan as the “death” of the American Dream.

In reality, $250,000 is a lot of dough.  So sorry Joe, but you having to pay more taxes on your quarter of a million dollar business isn’t a big deal for the average American. People are losing houses and jobs and we are talking about this guy having to pay more taxes?  Really?

Small businesses create valuable jobs and in today’s economy more jobs are more than necessary.  But Obama’s tax increases would only affect those small business owners who make over $200,000 per year in taxable income.  If the business itself earns $250,000 a year, there would be no tax hike.   That means Joe wouldn’t be placed in a higher tax bracket if he decides to buy his small business.

In fact, according to CNN Money’s Fact Check, less than 2% of all American small businesses would see their taxes go up, while 95% of all Americans would see their taxes go down.  That’s a pretty good ratio.

McCain said he wouldn’t penalize men in Wurzelbacher’s position.  Little did he know, neither will Obama.

He also called Obama’s tax plan “class warfare.”  Whoa.

McCain came out of the gate stronger.  He gained some of ground on the economy and Obama didn’t have the chance to defend his views and proposals.  The thing is though, people are already pretty confident with Obama’s ideas for the economy.

McCain AGAIN proposed an across the board spending freeze and said he’d balance the budget in four years. Is he talking about America’s budget?

Obama did pick up as the debate went on. He stayed calm as McCain became more agitated.  There was a lot of negativity from McCain, in his words and tone, and the negativity is what cost him the debate.  He called Obama out on Bill Ayers and Obama defended himself, in the end calling McCain out on his negative tone.  He told McCain that his repeated negativity “says more about your campaign than it says about me.”

This tone negated his strong start and gave Obama the chance to regain some of the ground he lost at the beginning.  It wasn’t Obama strongest debate, but it certainly was one he won.  He didn’t win it on his own accord, he won it because McCain let him.  He opened the door and let Obama walk right through, slowly but surely.

His attacks were in one way effective though. He grilled Obama constantly and this forced Obama to go on the defensive a lot more often, allowing less time for him to answer questions.

They talked about abortion and gave almost polar opposite viewpoints.  McCain satisfied his conservative base and Obama satisfied his liberal base.

McCain again boasted his past as a soldier in his closing remarks.  Obama’s closing remarked on how America’s turnaround will not be “easy” and it will “not be quick.”

In the end though, Obama effectively distanced himself from the negativity that has dominated the campaign as of late and offered some new ideas and new explanations for the economy and education.

Most polls are citing Obama as the victor, notably both CNN and CBS.

The racial hatred that exists among people is still pretty surprising. What’s even worse is these people, the people who display this sort of ignorance and obvious racial disharmony ruin it for the normal McCain/Palin supporters.

If you skim the comments at the bottom of some of the videos depicting GOP supporters at their worst, people tend to generalize, declaring all GOP backers as racists or other horrible things. That’s obviously not true.

Political races are always pretty heated, but never has there been a serious race issue in a presidential election because never before has there been a black candidate running for president. There have been race issues in mayoral races and races for governor I’m sure, but this one is more publicized because it’s a federal election.

McCain’s campaign has yet to denounce its out-spoken supporters and they probably won’t in fear of loosing them. McCain did defend Obama at a rally recently; he refuted a comment made by a man who said he was scared of an Obama presidency. The Arizona senator touted Obama as a “decent man” and a “family man.”

A woman at the same rally later said she didn’t trust Obama because she thinks he is an Arab. McCain told her he is not and promptly took the microphone from her hands.

It’s not terrible that she called him an Arab.  What’s disturbing thing is that she thinks it’s the end of the world if he is.  Arab does not equal terrorist ma’am.

McCain may not like Obama’s policy, but he does respect him and he can’t be proud of these supporters.

The goal of the independent site is to see who global citizens would elect if they were eligible November 4. The site, developed by “three guys from Iceland” has one rule; each computer can only vote once.

So far voters have cast their ballots from 190 countries. From Iraq to Vanatu, from Malawi to the French Polynesia, citizens from 190 countries care about the fate of this election.

Is this global interest a testament to how good the candidates are or how bad the current administration is? That answer is pretty obvious.

The interest does make sense though, America’s foreign policy agenda is perhaps the most important in the world. That makes the country’s leader one of the most powerful and as we’ve recently seen, one of the most capable of doing more harm than good.

Only two countries have voted in majority for McCain and the republicans. The two countries, Macedonia and Burkina Faso, have less than 400 votes combined.

It’s not too surprising that Obama is leading this voting base by a landslide, many of them may not know the domestic issues that plague America so the split isn’t as close as it is in the U.S.

Obama also boasts celebrity status in many countries because he’s an advocate for change and walking symbol of progress and the American dream.

We’ll see if the gap lessens as the election closes in.

Several attendees were outraged that McCain is behind Obama and the democrats in several recent opinion polls.  “When you have an Obama, Pelosi and the rest of the hooligans up there going to run this country…we are mad. So, go get them,” said one supporter.

One supporter went as far as suggesting that McCain is behind Obama because “socialists [are] taking over our country.”

At a few recent campaign rallies, some supporters have acted like angry, caged pitbulls.

One supporter hurled racial epithets at a black cameraman covering a rally.  Physical violence broke out at another. Other supporters have yelled out, upon mention of Obama, “kill him,” “treason,” and “terrorist.”

But wait, there’s more from the GOP fan base.

At an Ohio rally on Wednesday, YouTube member “bloggerinterrupted” asked various McCain/Palin supporters whether or not they think Obama is a terrorist.

“He’s got the bloodlines. Look at his name,” said one woman obviously referring to his middle name: Hussein.

Watch the whole video, it’s pretty surprising.  One man refers to Obama as a “one man terror cell.”

The lipsticked-pitbull had a few nasty things to say as well. She accused Obama of launching his “political career in the living room of a domestic terrorist, ” an obvious reference to Obama’s ties to ’60s radical William Ayers.

And Cindy McCain said Obama has “waged the dirtiest campaign in American history.” ……right.

Obama won this one.  He was articulate in his speech, meticulous in most of his policy and overall very calm.  He knocked the economy debate out of the park and effectively linked McCain to Bush on that issue, as well as on the debt and deficit.

McCain again proposed a spending freeze.  He proposed that the government buy and renegotiate bad loans to stabalize the economy.  I’m sorry, but how will you do that with no money?

McCain spoke well, but on the major issues like the economy and foreign policy, he was pretty weak.  It was surprising that he didn’t give better insight into his policy on foreign affairs, Obama came out on top on that topic which was surprising.

In the end both candidates were still quite unspecific, which was expected.  A lot of it was broad, especially their plans for health care.  You could hear a lot of their stump speeches incorporated into the answers.

What I found odd was McCain reluctance to priortize and order the issues he will tackle if elected.  He basically said he’ll work on everything at the same time. Sure.

Obama said he’d kill Bin Laden and crush Al Qaeda.  That’s a pretty bold promise.  He said he’d act if Pakistan refuses to aid or gets in the way of their hunt.

McCain, at one point, referred to Obama as “that one.”  It’s pretty clear these guys aren’t exactly amiable.  McCain initiated post-debate contact, but when Obama stretched out his hand to shake McCain’s he seemed to ignore it, and Obama settled on shaking Cindy McCain’s hand.

The candidates, for the most part, only attacked each other on policy; I was happy with that.

The bottom line is, right now people don’t care about Ayers or the Keating 5, they care about keeping their heads above stormy economic waters.  Having a large portion of this debate centered around the economy showed how unprepared McCain is to tackle the current crisis.  Neither is prepared, Obama just has a better outlook and implementation plan.

Obama did however dodge some questions, most obviously the last one.  The candidates were asked to specify something they do not know, and how they would go about learning it.  Obama told the audience what he DOES know; that America is in crisis blah, blah, blah.  His answer was an indirect one.

McCain answered the question directly and said what he does not know is “what is going to happen.”  He then told the audience exactly what shape the country is in and again, blah, blah, blah.  His answer was better organized.

It was a good debate, the idea for the format was great, I just rather the candidates got a chance to talk to each other directly.  Everyone wants to see that exchange.  The town hall setting made it seem very personal, but it was a safe setting for each candidate. It didn’t allow for any major slip-ups.

A CNN poll reports that 54% of viewers thought Obama won the debate, as opposed to 30% for McCain.  On CNN.com however, an overwhelming 83% of over 40,000 quick poll voters tagged Obama as the victor.

It’s starting to get pretty dangerous for McCain.  He’s loosing ground in key states like Florida and Ohio and to top it all off, he’s not performing well in the debates.  With only one debate left, republicans hope he steps it up.

Tonight’s debate is a crucial one.  With less than one month before the election, uncommitted voters are desperately trying to decide which of the two major candidates can lead the country out of the Bush era.

Tonight should be about the issues.  Not the terrorist ties or the Keating 5.  I want to hear what the candidates are going to do. I want to know why Obama thinks his idea is better than McCain’s and vice versa.

Less than a month to go and the gloves come off.  Why now?  This has been one of the longest, most publicized campaigns in history and people are getting tired of it. Repeatedly attacking each other isn’t making it easier on anyone.

Issues matter more than negative politics, especially at uncertain times like these and with a month to go, keep your damn gloves on and tell us how you’d turn the country around.

Making the public aware of certain aspects of a candidate’s past is not entirely negative; bringing up the Keating 5 scandal just reminds people of McCain’s involvement.

Implying Obama is a terrorist’s best friend is very misleading.  The guy wasn’t walking around with Ayers decades ago, he knows him now and they interact infrequently.

Saying McCain plans on fully deregulating health care is also a little misleading.

Let’s hope they only attack each other based on policy tonight.

If I hear Obama or McCain say “[he] just doesn’t get it” one more time…

1st Question about the $700 billion bailout.  Good or bad?

Biden: Last eight years have been bad.  No checks without oversight, focus on Main Street, treat taxpayers like investors, make sure CEO’s don’t benefit. Those are Obama’s conditions.

Palin: Talking about fear with Main Street America.  McCain has represented reform.  Talks about McCain’s warning about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a few years ago.  Greater oversight by John McCain. Put county first by suspending campaign.

Biden: I am bipartisan.  Flaunts his foreign policy knowledge. Talks about how McCain said economy fundamentals were strong.  Points out he’s out of touch.

Palin: McCain was talking about the American workforce. Talks about how she has gotten job done in Alaska. Says Obama can’t work across the aisle. Says she thinks Americans are craving something new (her and McCain).

Sub-prime lending meltdown.  Who was at fault?

Palin: The predator lenders, telling Americans they could afford what they couldn’t.  Saying she and McCain will get rid of that corruption.  Says people need to come together and demand from the federal government, strict oversight.  Only spend what we have.  It’s not the American people’s fault.

Biden: Obama warned about the sub-prime mortgage problem two years ago, McCain said he was surprised there was a problem.  McCain thought the old republican response: deregulation, was the answer.  He thought Wall Street could regulate itself.  Middle-class need relief now.

Palin: Obama and Biden voted for largest tax increases in country’s history. Government has to learn to be more efficient.  We do need tax relief, Obama supported increasing taxes for people making around 42,000 a year.

Biden: Obama did not vote to raise taxes, the vote was a budget procedure vote, McCain was the same vote.  McCain, using the same standard, voted to raise taxes over 450 times. Notice Palin did not answer the deregulation question.

Palin: I want to address the taxes.  I decreased tax in Alaska.

Why is raising taxes for people making $250,000 not class warfare?

Biden:  It’s called fairness. No one making less than $250,000 will see a cent of their tax raised.  95% of the people in America will get a tax break.  The economic engine of the country is the middle-class.  John wants to lower taxes for the richer.

Palin; Says his tax break will negatively effect small-businesses.  Saying government should lessen tax burden and let private sector handle it.  Obama’s tax break and spending ideas are the backwards way to fix this country.  McCain is proposing a $5000 tax credit to purchase health care.  Erase artificial lines through states, if there’s a better plan somewhere else, you can purchase it.

Biden:Taking money from Exxon, giving it to families is fairness. In regard to the health care plan, McCain will tax everyone who has a health care plan through their employer, to give the people a $5000 plan, which will go straight to the insurance company.  Then you have to replace a $12000 plan. 20 million people will be dropped; the ultimate bridge to nowhere.

What promises will you not be able to keep because of problems in economy?

Biden: To not go through with the McCain tax cut programs.  Can’t afford to slow on education and new job creation.  Can’t slow up on affordable health care.  We will eliminate wasteful spending.

Palin: Obama voted for the bill that gave the oil companies big tax breaks.  Says she took on big oil companies in Alaska.  Talking a lot about what she did in Alaska, not really addressing what Biden said.  Just the one claim about the tax breaks and oil companies. Moderator has to repeat question.  She said she hasn;t promised much except what’s right for Americans. McCain can keep all promises.

Biden: Obama voted because it was the first time they talked about alternative fuel. Wants to implement a windfall profits tax and give people $1000 back.  Hopes Palin can convince McCain  to support the profits tax.

Would you have supported the proposed economic reform?

Biden: Obama say the glass as half-empty I saw it as half-full.  Obama pointed out though a while back about the sub-prime mortgage crisis.  We should be allowing bankruptcy courts to adjust the principal that you owe.  Helps to stabilize banks.

Palin: Talking about energy again.  We need to consider the need to allow this nation to become energy independent.  Off-shore drilling.  Wants to free us from foreign oil dependence, energy independence is the key to our economic future.

Climate change.  What is true and what is false about the causes of climate change?

Palin; We see the effects more so in Alaska. Doesn’t want to argue about the causes.  Attributes it partly to cyclical temperature changes. Goes back to energy independence.

Biden:I think it is clearly man made.  If you don’t understand what the cause is, you can;t solve it.  The cause is man made, that’s the cause.  We consume so much oil, and McCain has voted against funding clean energy alternatives, the ways we can stop emitting greenhouse gases.  Obama wants to fund these programs.  Export clean coal technology to help clean out planet.  McCain’s only answer: drill drill drill.

Palin: Says people want to drill at home. Obama and Biden have said no to everything in domestic ways to end oil dependence.

Biden: Oil can’t help reverse global warming. Voted 20 times against funding alternative energy programs.

Support same-sex couples benefits?

Biden: Yes. Same-sex couples should have many benefits.  We do support making sure committed same-sex couples are granted the same CONSTITUTIONAL rights.

Palin: Not if it changes the definition of the mand and woman traditional couple.  I am tolerant.  Does not support marriages though.

Do you support gay marriage?

Biden: No. No civil rights distinction though.

Palin: No.

Foreign Policy.  Exit strategy plan.

Palin: Obama opposed funding the troops in the surge. We can’t have an early withdrawal, we have to win.  We can start moving troops to Afghanistan.  We cant afford to lose against Al Qaeda. Would be a travesty to quit.

Biden: I didn’t hear a plan. Everyone wants to come home except McCain.  McCain voted against funding because there was a time line to end the war.  There has to be a time line in funding so we can shift responsibility over to Iraq, who have an $80 billion surplus.  They have to starts paying.  We will end this war.  For McCain, there is no end in sight.

Palin: Your plan is a white flag of surrender. You said Obama wasn’t ready to become president (when he was running). Obama opposed funding to troops.

Biden: John McCain voted against funding, didn’t like the timeline to end the war in the amendment.

Greatest threat: nuclear Iran or unstable Pakistan?

Biden: Both are great. Pakistan has nuclear weapons.  They can hit Israel.  Iran getting a nuclear weapon would make them very unstable. McCain thinks the main threat is still in Iraq.  That’s wrong. A stable government needs to be implemented in Pakistan. That’s where Bin Laden lives, Pakistan.

Palin: Both are bad.  A nuclear Iran is bad, they cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.  Israel is in danger from Iran and Ahmadinejad.  Obama said he will meet with him without preconditions, that’s dangerous.

Secretaries of State advocate communication with leaders of dictating countries.  Do you agree?

Palin: We can’t meet with people who want to destroy what we believe in.  Diplomacy is important, but diplomacy is hard work by serious people.  Sanctions are necessary.

Biden: Obama never said he’d sit down with Ahmadinejad.  Ahmadinejad doesn’t even control the weapons, the theocracy does.  Secretaries of State have been telling us to talk to them.  McCain doesn’t want to talk to them. If we don’t go the extra mile in diplomacy, how will allies help us.  McCain even said he wouldn’t sit down with the government of Spain, a NATO ally.

Two-state solution?

Palin: We need protect Israel.  We will support Israel, building our embassy in Jerusalem.  They have a track record of forging peace agreements.  We have to commit.  McCain and I would commit.

Biden: No one in the Senate has been a better friend to Israel than me.  I wouldn’t have joined the ticket if Obama didn’t share my view.  Bush insisted on the elections on the West Bank, Obama and I said no. Bush’s doctrine has allowed Hezbollah to gain more power.  We will change these policies, with diplomacy that understands that we must back Israel.

Palin: There have been blunders, but people will get sick of Biden and Obama pointing fingers.  Starts talking about partisanship? And change.

Biden: How different is McCain’s policy than Bush’s?  On Iran?  On Israel? On Afghanistan?  On Pakistan?  It may be, but so far it’s the same as Bush’s.  We will make significant change.

Nuclear weapons.  Should there be a trigger if nuclear weapons are put into play?

Palin: We use it as a deterrent.  We need to put sanctions on country’s like North Korea. Starts talking about what Biden said about McCain’s stance on Afghanistan, saying it would be different than W’s.

Biden: Fact is, commanding general said today that the surge principle in Iraq ill not work in Afghanistan.  We spend more in Iraq in 3 weeks than we have in near seven years in Afghanistan.  In regards to weapons, McCain has opposed the nuclear test ban treaty, which allows inspections.  Obama, first thing he did, reached across the aisle and said we need to do something to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists.

Palin: Conditions are different in Iraq and Afghanistan so clearly the same plan won’t work.  The same fundamentals will though.

Biden: Afghanistan will get more attention in our government.

Problems around the world.

Biden: We helped Bosnia, they are stable. I said going to war without a real plan would’ve ben a serious mistake.  McCain said it’d be OK.  We need to help Darfur, we do.  We should set the example.

Palin: Before this election you opposed Obama’s war strategy.  On Darfur, we are in a position to help, I agree with you there. We should do all we can.

Should there be a line drawn on when we should go in?

Biden: Yes.  When a country engages in genocide, there has to be.  I never supported McCain’s stance on the war.  I said we would have a civil fight, we would be tied down for a decade. McCain’s strategy has been absolutely wrong.

Palin: Talks about McCain’s history and how it will help his war strategy as president.

If something did happen, how would a Biden administration be different than an Obama admin? The difference between a Palin admin and a McCain admin?

Biden: God forbid it did happen, but if it did, I’d carry out Obama’s policies. In essence, I agree with ever major initiative he has suggested.

Palin: Heaven forbid this happens for either party.  We are a team of mavericks, we don’t agree on everything.  But I would continue the good work he has been committed to, putting the government back on the side of the people. Bring the Wasilla reality into D.C.

Biden: Ask anyone where I come from, (small town) if I McCain’s policies differ from Bush’s.  Obama will change it.

Palin: She said doggonit? Education has to take more of a center stage.  My kids go to public school, so I am concerned.

Palin, you said you needed someone needed to explain to you what the VP does, Biden you said you would never be VP.

Palin: That was just a joke, in both of our parts.  We need to be supportive of the president’s policies.  We need to help the leaders and help them in their policies.

Biden: Obama asked me to be the point person for the legislative initiatives in congress.  Every major decision made, I’ll be in the room giving him my advice.  I won’t be afraid to tell him if I disagree.  I will play a very constructive role.

Conventional wisdom, Palin lack experience, Biden lacks discipline. What is your Achilles heel really?

Palin: We are an ordinary family, we’ve gone through normal problems.  America represents a perfect ideal, McCain and I agree with that, and we are a good team.

Biden: I’m not going to change. I will place my own and Obama’s record on fundamental accomplishments aginst McCain’s any day.  I know what it’s like as a parent to think whether or not your kid is going to make it.  I was a single parent.  I understand.  These families are looking for help. (Tears up a bit)

Palin: They are looking for change, and that change will come from McCain. McCain has a support base from a diverse background.

Biden: McCain has been no maverick on the things that matter to people’s lives.

Single issue on which you were forced to change your opinion?

Biden: I had been trained to think that a nominee suggested by the president was automatically a good person and a good candidate.  It took me about five years to learn that that was not the case.  It matters what the judicial philosophy is and it matters.

Palin: There have been times as Gov. and Mayor that we passed budgets that should have been vetoed.  I didn’t have enough support to accomplish that.  But on major issues, I have not.

Bipartisanship.  How do you change the tone in Washington as No.2?

Biden: I was taught to not question the motives of those in the Senate, just their judgement.

Palin: You appoint people based on their qualifications, views and policies not their party.

Closing Statement.

Palin: Thanks everyone.  I like to answer the tough questions without filters. I want to assure you that McCain and I will fight for America, economically and in national security.

Biden: Thanks everyone. This is the most important election you’ve voted on in your entire life. There’s a need for fundamental change. Obama and I measure progress based on someone can pay mortgage, send kid to college.  I grew up in a neighbourhood about dignity and respect, I was told if I love my country I could accomplish anything.  Obama will be the best choice.

Biden won this debate.

Palin stuck with Biden through much except foreign policy, which was to be expected. She did well, she looked better.

On foreign policy, she got leveled. Biden was articulate and perfect. Palin didn’t answer questions and dodged everything she could.

Palin kept talking about tax cuts and energy, no matter what the question was. She didn’t answer a lot of questions. She was folksy, she actually used the term doggonit, trying to distance herself from Washington politicians. Through that language she tried to connect with ordinary America and prop herself up as more of a game changer than Biden.

Biden actually answered questions, nailed McCain on much of his past and propped up Obama as the epitome of change. He didn’t talk too long, he showed off his experience in Washington and in foreign policy affairs. He exemplified the fact that he isn’t a brainless partisan Washington politician.

McCain suspended his campaign this afternoon “calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.”

The problem specifically being the $700 billion bail out legislation that Congress has been negotiating with the White House. Senate Majority Leader claimed “It would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. We need leadership, not a campaign photo op.”

Obama commented on the McCain decision by saying “if I can be helpful then I’m prepared to be anywhere, any time … [I] don’t want to infuse Capitol Hill with presidential politics.”

What the Obama campaign fails to realize is that until November 4, his job is not just to be campaigning, he is an elected official which requires making decisions and being a leader. Would it be too much to ask for both of them to be doing their jobs during this time of need for the American People? Both Senators are major players in the US Senate and both could contribute greatly to this debate while showing the American people their leadership skills in action rather than just claiming leadership during a campaign stump speech.

Meanwhile, the University of Mississippi is continuing preparations for Friday night’s debate. The McCain campaigned noted that he would participate in the debates “if an agreement was reached on Friday morning.” While the debate is scheduled to be focusing largely on foreign policy issues, there may be a large portion of economic debate thrown in based on the recent current events.

Personally, I don’t see a problem with it. Not the protesters, nor the fact they were shown.

I think it was good they showed it, would they have done the same thing during Obama’s speech, maybe not, but they should have, had it happened.

If they hadn’t showed it, it would be a mark of censorship, not respect for McCain. That’s something that shouldn’t be apparent in mainstream media, even though it sometimes is, but when it can be avoided, it should.

McCain and the rest of republicans understand that people oppose their opinions, and democrats have always been more outspoken than republicans, especially the young ones. I don’t blame the network for showing both protesters, rather, I applaud them for it.

It showed CNN wasn’t lying when they said they’d show all speeches from both conventions, unfiltered and unedited.

As for the idea that there’s a time and place for protesting, someone said the same thing in a comment on my post about the five Americans arrested in Beijing during this summer’s Olympics. I don’t beleive that either. Protesting is about speaking out for yourself, for what you beleive in, but it’s also partly about trying to get your message out to an audience with decision-making power (in this case, we the voters).

What better place to get your message out, that you don’t support McCain or his stance on the war in Iraq, than on international television with millions of viewers tuned in simultaneously?

Some protests can be inappropriate or in bad taste (see: any protest by Topeka, Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church), but when it comes to an issue that is so widely debated across the country, and across the world, many platforms are OK.

They should have been escorted out, as they were, so as not to disturb McCain. But CNN and other networks giving them the publicity they wanted is OK.

Media censorship is very bad, but trying to censor citizens is worse.

Many analysts believe McCain’s choosing of a woman is directed at disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters, who feel that the glass ceiling was so close to being lifted, only come barreling down once more. One of the reasons for Palin’s inclusion in the GOP ticket was, according to these analysts, made in hopes to sway these women voters.

Palin is just 44 years-old and in her first term as Alaska’s Governor. Palin is currently under investigation for the firing of Alaska’s public safety commissioner, whom she allegedly relieved because he refused to fire Palin’s former brother-in-law, an Alaskan state trooper.

Palin’s inclusion is also a stark contrast to McCain’s accusation that Obama is inexperienced; Palin has only two years of experience as governor.

Palin has made many advances in her short time in Alaska. She started Alaska’s Petroleum Systems Integrity Office, an agency created to oversee the state’s oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure. She also started the Climate Change Subcabinet, in hopes to create a climate change prevention effort

“Barack Obama’s choice of Joe Biden sends a clear message, true Christians need not apply in the Democratic Party,” said Dr. Gary Cass, Chairman and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, in a statement Saturday. “Biden is a liberal on social policy in defiance of Christian moral teaching.”

Dissatisfied with both Obama and McCain as “not true Christians,” the comission was lobbying both to pick “true Christian” running mates.

We’re not exactly sure what a “true Christian” is, but we think it has something to do with conservative evangelicals.

“Now we are watching what McCain will do. Will he pick a pro-choice Republican or perhaps a moderate Mormon or a liberal Jew? I urge McCain to pick someone that conservative evangelicals and Catholics can support,” said Cass.

On the other hand, Kennedy was all for Biden.

“Barack Obama said he wanted a strong independent leader and a strong advocate for average Americans, and he got one in Joe Biden. He has a deep devotion to his family and his country and an impressive record not only in standing up for American security interests around the world, but for middle class values and safe neighborhoods here at home. An Obama-Biden Administration will bring the real change Americans want and the country needs.”

But WE still don’t know who he’s chosen.  Obama’s refused to share his decision with the public.

“I won’t comment on anything else until I introduce our running mate to the world,” he said to CNN on Thursday. “That’s all you’re going to get out of me.”

He’s expected to make an appearance with his running mate on Saturday in his political home state of Illinois.

This past week heavy speculation has swirled around two main contenders, Delaware Senator Joe Biden and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.  A third candidate, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, has also been mentioned as a prime possibility.

What Obama really needs is fence voters, southern voters and all of those Clinton supporters.  Biden would bring a lot of expertise in foreign affairs and relations, something Obama needs very much, and could help to sway some fence voters.

Bayh would help Obama nab some southern and fence voters, but many Democrats don’t like the idea of Bayh being on the ticket.  In fact, as soon as Bayh’s name was mentioned as a possibility, various online petitions were launched largely because of his centrist views and the fact that he backed the Iraq war.  Regardless, Obama seems to have a thing for him.

It has also been reported that John McCain may choose Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman as his running mate, seeing as he is one of the top contenders.  The 66 year-old Senator is slated to speak at the GOP convention, and has been campaigning with McCain quite a bit; the two, as of late, have been inseparable.

His inclusion in rumours has worried many republicans and outraged many democrats.  Republicans worry his pro-choice attitude toward abortion will defect some conservative voters, while democrats are furious that a former member is aiding a republican candidate garner independent voters.

Regardless of either candidate’s choice, the fact remains, the world will soon be a better, smarter place without President George W. Bush.  And that’s something on which everyone can agree.

Stick with our Politics With a Touch of Class blog for details!

From our Washington reporter:

Rumors have it that if Romney doesn’t do well tonight, this could make or break his campaign – the man has millions so I don’t understand but coming out of Iowa and NH with a couple second place wins and a “gold medal” from Wyoming, his support seems to be waning [...]