The 2008 US Presidential Election Thread

[RedWingFan]

Last I checked the top 1% are paying well over 30%. How much is a fair share to you? Taking all of it then propping them up with a stick to go out and earn more for you?

This is where I part company with other conservatives. The 1% & 30% argument is misleading because of this...Of course the top earners are going to pay a larger percentage of the total tax burden simply because they earn more money. However, that does not mean that they are being unfairly taxed compared to middle income earners.

I'm not saying they shouldn't pay a higher rate. What I'm saying is "how much is enough" and who is any politician to make that call. It's also misleading when libs point out how much money in tax breaks they get compared to those who don't pay in the first place.

I'm not saying they SHOULD pay a higher rate. Everyone should pay the same rate. Someone earning $1,000,000 should pay the same rate as someone earning $50,000.

Yeah, in a perfect world. We're still trying to convince people that you can't get something back if you haven't put in in the first place.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Kinda similar to those who like to talk about how they're going to bring change to Washington when they vote party line 95+% of the time.

Hey, I didn't support him.

[conversationpc]

her voice has grown terribly annoying. her lack of knowledge on many topics/issues is bothersome. it has become sad to see her so out of her league.

I agree on her voice but she's more than held her own on the knowledge issue. She hasn't overwhelmed Biden certainly, but Biden hasn't scored anywhere close to a knockout, either.

[Ehwmatt]

NOTE: Anyone who feels the need to promote his or herself as a "maverick" is not a real maverick.
Real mavericks don't advertise.

Who even says "maverick"?

My guitar amplifier is called a Maverick. A good one at that

It was also a Mel Gibson movie...

I rode a rollercoaster called Maverick on Sunday.

Never seen the movie or rode the coaster but I love Mel and I love coasters. They gotta be good

[Voyager]

NOTE: Anyone who feels the need to promote his or herself as a "maverick" is not a real maverick.
Real mavericks don't advertise.

Who even says "maverick"?

My guitar amplifier is called a Maverick. A good one at that

I once owned a Ford Maverick. Piece of fucking shit!!

[Saint John]

Biden looks like the fucking butler from the old Batman series.

[Barb]

her voice has grown terribly annoying. her lack of knowledge on many topics/issues is bothersome. it has become sad to see her so out of her league.

I agree on her voice but she's more than held her own on the knowledge issue. She hasn't overwhelmed Biden certainly, but Biden hasn't scored anywhere close to a knockout, either.

Biden is still running against George Bush and Dick Cheney.

[Lula]

NOTE: Anyone who feels the need to promote his or herself as a "maverick" is not a real maverick.
Real mavericks don't advertise.

Kinda similar to those who like to talk about how they're going to bring change to Washington when they vote party line 95+% of the time.

which happens to be real change compared to what we have now and have the past 8 yrs

[Ehwmatt]

her voice has grown terribly annoying. her lack of knowledge on many topics/issues is bothersome. it has become sad to see her so out of her league.

I agree on her voice but she's more than held her own on the knowledge issue. She hasn't overwhelmed Biden certainly, but Biden hasn't scored anywhere close to a knockout, either.

Yeah, I'd call it a draw to be honest. Neither has appeared terribly knowledgeable or impressive, but neither has appeared terrible like Edwards did. They've both looked bad at points tonight, I don't think either has scored a knockout on any given question/topic.

[conversationpc]

her voice has grown terribly annoying. her lack of knowledge on many topics/issues is bothersome. it has become sad to see her so out of her league.

I agree on her voice but she's more than held her own on the knowledge issue. She hasn't overwhelmed Biden certainly, but Biden hasn't scored anywhere close to a knockout, either.

Biden is still running against George Bush and Dick Cheney.

That's the only thing that's really bugged me about Biden in this debate. I don't think the Bush-McCain comparisons are working for the Dems. They'd be better advised hammering McCain on his about face on voting for the pork-laden bailout bill.

[Voyager]

I'm so sick of her saying we're mavericks.

should've been taking a swig every time she used it.

You'd have to have made a trip to the liquor store to replenish by now!

[Saint John]

Obama should be executed for wanting to reinstate the highest tax bracket back up to 39%. That is just plain ridiculous.

[Ehwmatt]

My guitar amplifier is called a Maverick. A good one at that

I once owned a Ford Maverick. Piece of fucking shit!![/quote]

That's too bad... Mesa/Boogie's treated me well. Fucker's loud too.

[conversationpc]

NOTE: Anyone who feels the need to promote his or herself as a "maverick" is not a real maverick.
Real mavericks don't advertise.

Kinda similar to those who like to talk about how they're going to bring change to Washington when they vote party line 95+% of the time.

which happens to be real change compared to what we have now and have the past 8 yrs

Ummm...No. It's the same old thing the Dems have been offering up for the last 30 years.

[Voyager]

her voice has grown terribly annoying. her lack of knowledge on many topics/issues is bothersome. it has become sad to see her so out of her league.

I agree on her voice but she's more than held her own on the knowledge issue. She hasn't overwhelmed Biden certainly, but Biden hasn't scored anywhere close to a knockout, either.

Biden is still running against George Bush and Dick Cheney.

If he can do that successfully, he wins!

[Jana]

I agree with Lula, I've always hated Palin's voice. She did a fine job, but she talked around questions quite a few times. Biden did a great job, very impressive.

[Ehwmatt]

That's the only thing that's really bugged me about Biden in this debate. I don't think the Bush-McCain comparisons are working for the Dems. They'd be better advised hammering McCain on his about face on voting for the pork-laden bailout bill.

I don't think the great moderate undecided really buys this line either... time will tell I guess.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Yeah, I'd call it a draw to be honest. Neither has appeared terribly knowledgeable or impressive, but neither has appeared terrible like Edwards did. They've both looked bad at points tonight, I don't think either has scored a knockout on any given question/topic.

Like McCain v. Obama the other night, I give Joe points for solidarity and elder status.
Might give him a slight edge, not sure.

[Lula]

her voice has grown terribly annoying. her lack of knowledge on many topics/issues is bothersome. it has become sad to see her so out of her league.

I agree on her voice but she's more than held her own on the knowledge issue. She hasn't overwhelmed Biden certainly, but Biden hasn't scored anywhere close to a knockout, either.

Biden is still running against George Bush and Dick Cheney.

naw, not so much. i did appreciate the cheney comment tho. as for knowledge? i disagree. she has done quite well, but has not been on topic as much as joe and she really has skirted a few questions.

how the hell do you build up our infrastructure and cut taxes?

[treetopovskaya]

sorry... but palin can't help she has an accent. kinda lame to even bring it up. that's all you got? sad. }:C)

[conversationpc]

Good debate...Palin did much better than I expected. Biden's a good debator, too.

Of course, some of the bomb throwers will be all about how it SOOOOOOO obvious that Palin was handed her ass, looked over-nervous, etc. Didn't happen.

[Lula]

NOTE: Anyone who feels the need to promote his or herself as a "maverick" is not a real maverick.
Real mavericks don't advertise.

Kinda similar to those who like to talk about how they're going to bring change to Washington when they vote party line 95+% of the time.

which happens to be real change compared to what we have now and have the past 8 yrs

Ummm...No. It's the same old thing the Dems have been offering up for the last 30 years.

we'll see, or i sure hope we'll see!

[conversationpc]

sorry... but palin can't help she has an accent. kinda lame to even bring it up. that's all you got? sad. }:C)

I like Palin and it bugs me. I also cringed when she said nook-yoo-ler like Bush. Ugh! Other than that, she did a great job.

[conversationpc]

NOTE: Anyone who feels the need to promote his or herself as a "maverick" is not a real maverick.
Real mavericks don't advertise.

Kinda similar to those who like to talk about how they're going to bring change to Washington when they vote party line 95+% of the time.

which happens to be real change compared to what we have now and have the past 8 yrs

Ummm...No. It's the same old thing the Dems have been offering up for the last 30 years.

we'll see, or i sure hope we'll see!

I'd rather that you go politically blind.

[Ehwmatt]

Yeah, I'd call it a draw to be honest. Neither has appeared terribly knowledgeable or impressive, but neither has appeared terrible like Edwards did. They've both looked bad at points tonight, I don't think either has scored a knockout on any given question/topic.

Like McCain v. Obama the other night, I give Joe points for solidarity and elder status.
Might give him a slight edge, not sure.

I feel ya.

[Voyager]

I like Palin and it bugs me.

Would you like to have her ass handed to you?

[Rick]

Good debate...Palin did much better than I expected. Biden's a good debator, too.

Of course, some of the bomb throwers will be all about how it SOOOOOOO obvious that Palin was handed her ass, looked over-nervous, etc. Didn't happen.

She was better than I expected too. I don't think she's prepared to be a Vice President, or God forbid something would happen to McCain, President. McCain will be 80 before his term would be up, and I just don't see her as Presidential, or someone the enemy or anyone else could take very seriously, at all.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Of course, some of the bomb throwers will be all about how it SOOOOOOO obvious that Palin was handed her ass, looked over-nervous, etc. Didn't happen.

Early on she did appear very nervous...voice quivering etc.
Unfortunately the debate was boring overall.
I give it to Gwen Ifill.
Good questions, very even handed. No gotcha shit.

[Barb]

Good debate...Palin did much better than I expected. Biden's a good debator, too.

Of course, some of the bomb throwers will be all about how it SOOOOOOO obvious that Palin was handed her ass, looked over-nervous, etc. Didn't happen.

She was clearly nervous in the beginning, but she shook it off and did pretty well. At least she didn't get angry, start pointing and sweating like Biden. He did much better than I expected him to though.

[Ehwmatt]

Hm, nice Ifill. Coldly acknowledge Palin at the end and then warmly say goodbye to Biden with a "You did great" parting.

Shame, she did well until the end