In the Wednesday Presidential Debates, McCain made many references to the knowledge his vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin had regarding autism. He said things such as, "And I just said to you earlier, town hall meeting after town hall meeting, parents come with kids, children -- precious children who have autism. Sarah Palin knows about that better than most."

That kind of talk has received some angry discourse from women with children who have Autism because Sarah Palin's son Trig Palin has Downs Syndrome, not Autism (Huffington Post). I say this having heard several woman speak about it on a bus today. They believe that it not only reflects badly on McCain's character, but his judgement as well. 

Obama has been left out of most of this kind of criticism. But is that good or bad? In a New York Times Obama was referred to as being above the emotional reaction that McCain gives, but will this make him a good president? In a presidential debate, the democratic presidential candidate always appears to step back and judge from an outside perspective when discussing his own policies. But, will he be an observer or a doer if he becomes president? 

Whatever the case, CNN polls indicate he is leading in the polls, and McCain has some work to do. 

Newspaper endorsements roll in for Obama

Several nationally prestigious newspapers have recently announced their endorsement for Democratic candidate Barack Obama, including the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune. It is the first time the Tribune, since its founding in 1847, has ever endorsed a Democratic candidate. In its endorsement, the Chicago Tribune writes:

It may have seemed audacious for Obama to start his campaign in Springfield, invoking Lincoln. We think, given the opportunity to hold this nation's most powerful office, he will prove it wasn't so audacious after all. We are proud to add Barack Obama's name to Lincoln's in the list of people the Tribune has endorsed for president of the United States.

According to Editor and Publisher, Obama holds a 3-1 lead to McCain in newspaper endorsements, a much more significant lead than Kerry held over Bush in 2004. Will these endorsements have an effect on public opinion, or are they simply reflective of the recent polls?

Why are we afraid to discuss race?

Its less an issue of fear and more so, one of denial. Have we truly made progress? Should a leading black presidential candidate be a monumental event in the 21st century? Or are we playing catch-up in a "two steps forward, one step back" society? 

This entire election had been celebrated as ground breaking for the the "quantity, quality, and diversity" (USA Today) of its candidates, from early on in the process. Its not really very earth shattering if the US, the supposed leader of the free world, is only now approaching the first potential victory of an African American candidate.  Instead, it reveals how slow and manipulated our social and political progress is in America, contrary to what we would like to think. Certainly, Obama's victory would be continuing the momentum in the right direction, but we must not let it be an illusion that racial issues are non-existent. More importantly, we should take from this election, the point that our progress is too slow and that the issues are not openly discussed enough. And when these issues are discussed openly, as in the case of John Lewis, the openness is heavily criticized. So most often the issue of race, "is found only in sentiments that are whispered, internalized or masked by discussions of culture or religion," (New York Times). 

With the economic, foreign, and domestic nightmares facing our country, the most frightening issue in this election, is the fact that some people are still asking themselves, "If we are ready for a black president?"

Open Thread: Presidential Debate 10/15/08

Chatter, chatter, chatter.

Economy Spells Trouble for Education

While lawmakers try to decipher the economy mess, an article by Justin Pope from the Washington Post realizes that students and families wait anxiously for solutions. This year’s high school graduating class of 2009 will send “the greatest number of graduates on to college in American history” with the greatest worries about the economy and their own financial situation. Parents want the best for their kids, but find themselves at a loss to cover the rising costs of tuition and living expenses.

There are many factors contributing to parents’ financial worries. Some have recently lost their investments in the stock market when it crashed to all time lows, depleting their retirement as well as college savings funds. Others may have problems applying for financial aid because although they are might have been eligible in previous years, this year schools who do not have access to large endowments are struggling to support the mass of incoming freshman with financial need. Robert Shireman of the California-based Institute for College Access and Success says “a lot of other colleges will find it hard to provide the same level of aid as in the past.”In addition, because of sinking housing prices, “many families can no longer count on the equity in their homes to help them pay for tuition.” Educational loans are also becoming hard to find as more and more banks close and even the loan interest rates rise. Personally I was lucky to obtain a low interest loan for my undergraduate education for one year from Wachovia, but with the economy, and sale of Wachovia, I along with many others will be trying hard to find another way to pay for education.

Obama Enters Debate With Lead

With the final Presidential Debate quickly approaching, Democratic candidate Barack Obama currently holds a 14 point lead, according to a recent poll conducted by CBS and the New York Times. While last week's debate didn't contain the mudslinging spectators thought it might, it is believed that disapproval of the McCain campaign's recent attacks on Obama might be a cause. Tomorrow night's debate, however, is expected to show both of the candidates trying to appear like strong leaders. Not only is this the last scheduled debate between the two men, but in a time of economic crisis, Americans are looking for someone who comes across as being the one to help pull the country out of this growing problem. Despite the fact that most sources agree that Senator Obama has won the last two debates, this does not mean he has the election in the bag. In the 2004 election, most agreed that Democratic candidate John Kerry beat incumbent George W. Bush in every debate, yet he still lost the presidential election. And with fist-fighting seniors on McCain's side, his support still appears to be strong.

McCain Reigns In Hateful Talk At Minnesota Rally

At a rally in Lakeville, Minnesota on Friday, McCain displayed a heartfelt attempt to reduce the negativity that has taken hold of his campaign, something that many people, including Republicans, have criticized him for. During the rally, amid a progressively ugly tone and increasingly hateful critiques on Obama, one woman told the crowd "I don't trust Obama. I have read about him. He's an Arab." While this assertion is simply untrue, it is saddening that even in 2008, people are still unable to look past ethnic identity. However, McCain's response provided some hope. He quickly cut her off, saying "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man, (a) citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues," and that Obama "is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared (of) as president of the United States." Despite boos from the crowd, McCain remained assertive of his respect for Obama as an opponent and as a fellow United States citizen. Though I may disagree with McCain on the issues and on his actions as a candidate, including the release of some adds that may have sparked this kind of negativity, I condone him for standing up to such talk, especially during his own rally.

Does America Really Want Change?

In my Political Science discussion section, we recently discussed how in light of the escalating economic crisis and dissatisfaction with the current administration, Americans are beginning to feel the need for something better that will save them from their financial problems and bring back the American spirit that seems to be lacking these days. With Election Day approaching, Americans have to decide what they really want. The Obama campaign has been identified with “change” and a fresh start. In the recent presidential debates, Senator John McCain referred to his reputation as a “maverick” in the Senate. This brings the question: what is more important to Americans, experience or change.
So what is at stake here? A recent Associate Press article differentiated between Obama’s and McCain’s economic policies, stating that Obama’s plan consists of a “90-day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks and a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs.” Furthermore, Obama has suggested allowing people to have more flexibility in accessing their retirement savings accounts “letting people withdraw up to 15 percent of their retirement funds.”
According to an article from Politico by David Paul Kuhn, it is necessary for McCain to take a stronger stance on the economy and show the public that he is more reliable for the job.
The final debates this Wednesday will be crucial for both candidates. A recent poll shows that Obama is in the lead. Will McCain manage to sway the public opinion? We will have to wait and see what the results of the final battle.

Conservatives Who Fear Regulation: A Brief Look at History

Given the current economic circumstances, it is interesting to take a moment to look back at the lessons of history from the last great economic crisis that America faced. This video pertains to FDR's 1934 National Securities Exchange Act:

Can of Whoop A$$?

Senator John McCain has vowed to "whip" Senator Barack Obama's "you know what" in the upcoming final presidential debate on Wednesday. Promising more of his trademark straight talk, McCain will have to ruffle feathers if he is going to make a big statement in a traditionally civil and cautious exchange between the nominees. Whether or not that is possible remains to be seen, but what is evident is the veteran senator's lowered support in light of the recent financial crisis. 

According to the latest Gallup poll, Senator Obama leads Senator McCain 50% to 43%. Though both men have voted in favor of President Bush's $700 billion bailout proposal, they differ drastically in their plans for the future. McCain is basically for lower taxes and more consumer freedom, whereas Obama supports more regulation. The situation does seem bleak for the Republicans as the days wind down to the election, and it should be interesting to see if McCain and Palin can rally support like they did at the RNC. 

Alls fair in love and... Politics?

These days it seems the age old saying "all's fair in love and war" is morphing into something more like "all's fair in love and politics". The bashings that have taken place in this year's campaign and debates have been brutal. While watching the debates you begin to feel like all your seeing is two men bickering back and forth and not really giving viewers any information. But what's more appalling is the flip flop of opinions and beliefs on the candidates' parts for the sole reason of gaining votes and in McCain's case, sympathy votes.
McCain once said, "I never want to be a professional P.O.W.. When somebody introduces me like, ‘Here is our great war hero,’ I don’t like it,” Mr. McCain complained in a 1998 interview with Esquire magazine. “Jesus,” he said, “it can make your skin crawl."
However, once he began campaigning and found out that he could get some sympathy votes, forget morals and personal beliefs, who cares, right? Now we can't go one debate without hearing how he was a prisoner of war. It's understandable that the nominee wants votes, but do we really need another president in office who does not stand by his values?