Sarah Palin on Fox News

[apb]

He waited MONTHS to send more troops when they were needed resulting in many troop casulties. While our men and women was being shot up he was SLOOOOOOOOOWLY making up his mind, meanwhile they are under manned with their butts hanging out in the breeze. He hasn't done one thing more than Bush was akready doing to fight this war against terror except be slower at reaction time resulting in higher death totals.

Obama has done a bunch more than Bush over there. Bush and co were staying the course in Afganistan all the while the Taliban and Al Queda were making in roads. You want to jump all over Obama for sloooooowly making up his mind, but give Bush a pass for dropping the ball for 6+ years? Really???? Second day in office Obama authorized an attack across the border in Pakistan on Al Queda targets, something Bush never did. Also increased the pressured (Bush also did this, to his credit) on the Pakistianis to increase their attacks on Al Queda positions (which they've done, but not under Bush). Bush was not willing to commit more troups in Afganistan. Obama listened to his generals and authorized an increase of 30k troops. I agree, I would liked to have seen him move faster on that. At the same time, I wanted to see him do the right thing for the long-term not just a short-term fix.

....He slowed the recession, OMG, Your freaking joking right?? This country is in the crapper, and we are no so far in the hole our Grandchildrens Children won't be able to pay for it. Yea he's fixing things right on up, lol....

No, I am not joking. We started the downward spiral during the Bush admin. He did nothing and just watched the country sink deeper. Look around and I think you'll find most ecomonics folks saying that we dodged a bullet with that one. You'll also see that things are sloooowly starting to turn around. For example, you guys are busier now than you were in spring right? I agree, we are still in the crapper and have a ways to go. However, it could have been a lot worse. Like I said, the high dept rate is rather disconcerting.

With regard to Iran, remind me again what the last guy did, besides put them on the list as an axis of evil? I'm sure Iminadinnerjacket (I liked your name for him too!) laughs as much now as he did under Bush. Course the guy is a nut job, so I don't expect much from him. Right now he is seeing increasing problems at home. If things heat up with Iran and nukes, I would think Isreal will go it hard. Now is not the time as some of his fellow country men might take him out.

Still waiting on the proof of him not being born in the US. Tick tock and all....

My comments on Palin were general to the whole forum. As others have said here, I just don't think she is presidental material right now. May be she could be in a few years, but not now. Got some learning to do. I agree with you, she does seem likeable and down to earth. I also don't think she is stupid. Again, I don't dislike her as a person.

Andrew

[DJD]

Obama has done a bunch more than Bush over there. Bush and co were staying the course in Afganistan all the while the Taliban and Al Queda were making in roads. You want to jump all over Obama for sloooooowly making up his mind, but give Bush a pass for dropping the ball for 6+ years? Really???? Second day in office Obama authorized an attack across the border in Pakistan on Al Queda targets, something Bush never did. Also increased the pressured (Bush also did this, to his credit) on the Pakistianis to increase their attacks on Al Queda positions (which they've done, but not under Bush). Bush was not willing to commit more troups in Afganistan. Obama listened to his generals and authorized an increase of 30k troops. I agree, I would liked to have seen him move faster on that. At the same time, I wanted to see him do the right thing for the long-term not just a short-term fix.



No, I am not joking. We started the downward spiral during the Bush admin. He did nothing and just watched the country sink deeper. Look around and I think you'll find most ecomonics folks saying that we dodged a bullet with that one. You'll also see that things are sloooowly starting to turn around. For example, you guys are busier now than you were in spring right? I agree, we are still in the crapper and have a ways to go. However, it could have been a lot worse. Like I said, the high dept rate is rather disconcerting.

With regard to Iran, remind me again what the last guy did, besides put them on the list as an axis of evil? I'm sure Iminadinnerjacket (I liked your name for him too!) laughs as much now as he did under Bush. Course the guy is a nut job, so I don't expect much from him. Right now he is seeing increasing problems at home. If things heat up with Iran and nukes, I would think Isreal will go it hard. Now is not the time as some of his fellow country men might take him out.

Still waiting on the proof of him not being born in the US. Tick tock and all....

My comments on Palin were general to the whole forum. As others have said here, I just don't think she is presidental material right now. May be she could be in a few years, but not now. Got some learning to do. I agree with you, she does seem likeable and down to earth. I also don't think she is stupid. Again, I don't dislike her as a person.

Andrew

I'm not sure the means of getting the economy turned around in the right direction is justified by the means? How much money was wasted by Congress under Bush and Obama in the forms of bailouts? The people who can't handle the money were given more and the people who could not either pay their own or manage what they take got more responsibility.

BTW anyone else paying more in Federal taxes?? I am and I'm not rich. It started this year... Was there a promise that middle class was going to get a tax cut or at least not pay more? Anyone else get an increase?

[psprowler]

What does make a good presidential candidate? A very good question - perhaps we should compose a list. I think a general understanding of what happens when passing legislation is important. The entire process from passing the bill all the way down to it's effect on common folk like you and me. Does the majority benefit? The health care reform for example. Sure you can pass a blanket bill blah blah blah but how does it really benefit people in different situations, etc. Me for example, a healthy 33 year old with a family of 4 healthy individuals. The dog is important too but sorry Ashton, humans only for now. What about folks like BassinBug who are going thru several procedures right now. How does it affect her? And so on and so on.

I think they should be morally and ethically sound. It's the most powerful position in the world so one would expect to be held to a higher standard.

They should have a working understanding of the other world powers and our relations with them.

They should be good with money. Not living beyond your means should apply to government spending as well.

They should be able to solve problems by thinking outside the box or within it if it's that simple. Then when a decision is made, stand firmly behind it.

Be able to admit mistakes. Don't try to cover up things just a simple "hey, we screwed up on this one". We do it in our everyday lives. Admit it, learn and move on.

This could be a long list...........

[RoadToad]

BTW anyone else paying more in Federal taxes?? I am and I'm not rich. It started this year...

Yeah, my Federal was higher on my last check. So was my KY State and Jefferson Co. local.

Was there a promise that middle class was going to get a tax cut or at least not pay more? Anyone else get an increase?

Yes, there was a promise of a tax cut, and I got one in mid-March, 2009. Didn't you? It was one of the first campaign promises that Barry fulfilled. And even with this increase, I'm still paying less in taxes than I was last February.

[RoadToad]

This could be a long list...........

Yes, but it really is one worth compiling. Thanks for the thought-provoking post!

[Chubminnow]

When he took office the economy was in a mess and spiriling down. He has kept the financial crisis from becoming worse (gross domestic product in the second half of 2009 is likely to exceed 3%, it was origianlly expected to be 1%). The bailouts also concern me. Yes, something needed to be done to pull us out of the recession. Time will tell whether or not the decissions made were right or not.

APB, I respect you on this board...figured I'd get that out of the way first. With this being said I think you're wrong in thinking Obama has kept anything from getting worse as far as the financial crises, the economy or anything else is concerned. Did something "really" need to be done to pull us out of the recession? How do we know this for sure? If bail outs were NOT approved and if Cash for Clunkers (cough, choke, blah!) never saw the light of day, then how do we know we wouldn't be exactly where we're at right now without all of this government/tax payer money? Of course no one will ever know the answer.

Who did the Cash for Clunkers deal help the most? Japan and China since there wasn't any stipulations put into place about Clunker money MUST be used for purchase of GM and Chrysler vehicles only, (I would say Ford too but they didn't need the bailout money). I don't know for sure but I think more "foriegn" cars were bought than GM or Chrysler either one. I bet Japan and China LOVE Obama!

Who did the bank bailout money help the most? The banks of course...now look at where they're at just a few months afterwards. Not only did they MAKE money off the governments money, but they made Boo-Koo dollars off the government money, enough to not only pay the bailout money back, but also enough to give out HUGE bonuses! If I'm not mistaking I think this ticked Obama off a little bit and he's now trying to charge the banking industry interest fee's on the bailout money they borrowed.

Whether you or anyone else on this board agrees or not, I still think Palin can't do any worse than Obama is presently doing. This is my opinion on the subject. Good lord man, I hope and pray we get someone better than Palin and Obama both! But if we don't, and if Palin ends up running, then she gets my vote.

[apb]

Mark,

In reference to your comment of how negatively the rest of the world views Obama, I did a quick google search. Couple of interesting polls. Highlights below. Overall, World opinion of the US has increased since Bush left office and Obama took over. My search was certainly not exhaustive, so I'm sure there are others out there. I'm interested to see what you can find to support your contention that the world sees him as a "tree hugging, Coobaya singing Pansy". Support for the US is down a little in Russia and also in Israel (as you suggested).

Andrew

http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=263

2000-2008 Bush years:

Opposition to key elements of American foreign policy is widespread in Western Europe, and positive views of the U.S. have declined steeply among many of America's longtime European allies.

Positive views of the United States declined in 26 of the 33 countries where the question was posed in both 2002 and 2007.

Also note the large decline of support for Bin Ladin in Muslim nations.
President George W. Bush's popularity in the United States has sunk to the level of Richard Nixon's just before he resigned from office. The president's standing abroad is still worse.

In 2008, the Pew Global Attitudes Project asked citizens of 24 countries whether they could count on Bush to do the right thing regarding foreign affairs. Majorities in only three (India, Nigeria, and Tanzania) said they had a lot or some confidence.

On the other side of the ledger, majorities in 19 of the 24 countries had little or no confidence in the American president.

For many people from all over the world, America is still the land of opportunity. Majorities or pluralities in 34 of the 46 foreign countries that took part in the 2007 survey said people who have emigrated to America have found better lives.

Most countries surveyed in 2008 give America high marks for its respect for the personal freedoms of its people.

Most important for America's newly elected president, the 2008 survey found signs in many countries that people are optimistic about the future course of America's approach to the larger world. Obama himself drew the most favorable response of the major contenders for the U.S. presidency at the time of the survey (Obama and Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain), with confidence in his leadership especially strong among U.S. allies in Western Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. And majorities or pluralities in most countries thought that a new president would change the country's foreign policy for the better.

http://pewglobal.org/docs/?DocID=24

The image of the United States has improved markedly in most parts of the world reflecting global confidence in Barack Obama. In many countries, opinions of the U.S. are now about as positive as they were at the beginning of the decade before George W. Bush took office.
Improvements in the U.S. image have been most pronounced in Western Europe, where favorable ratings for both the nation and the American people have soared. But opinions of America have also become more positive in key countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, as well.
for the most part, opinions of the U.S. among Muslims in the Middle East remain largely unfavorable, despite some positive movement in the numbers in Jordan and Egypt. Animosity toward the U.S., however, continues to run deep and unabated in Turkey, the Palestinian territories and Pakistan.

Israel stands out in the poll as the only public among the 25 surveyed where the current U.S. rating is lower than in past surveys. (Their chart also shows a decrease in Russia from 2008 to 2009).

Belief that Obama will "do the right thing in world affairs" is now nearly universal in Western countries, where lack of confidence in President Bush had been almost as prevalent for much of his time in office. (Israel down 1%)

Sending more troops to Afghanistan is the only Obama policy tested that does not engender broad global support. In fact, majorities in most countries oppose the added deployments.

[apb]

So what makes a good Presidential Candidate?

Good question Don, and had to think on that some on how to answer. Sort of like art, I know what I like. Probably easier to answer by stating how I viewed former presidents. So, to the question does the person seem presidential:

Carter: No
Reagan: Yes (though not as much second term once he started losing it)
Bush I: border line
Clinton: Yes, though second term problems put him borderline
Bush II: No

I like psprowler's comment "Intelligence is a tad overrated. Give me work ethic, problem solving skills, a high moral savings account balance, and the ability to relate/converse with people any day.

I don't want a retard in office, but just because they might understand quantum physics doesn't mean jack." His list is good too, I can agree with the comments he made there.

Andrew

[DJD]

Not so sure I like the tax increase. I say continue to cut spending don't rethink something and come back to me for more....

So when you end up with more tax increases to pay of off our debt you still gonna give him and this Congress a pass because he gave you a break for the sake of doing it and then takes it back?

It's games thats all...

[apb]

Chubminnow (Don too along the same lines), some good points, let me think on them some.

Andrew

[apb]

In response to Don and Chubminnow's comments: I certainly see where you are coming from, and frankly, I am in agreement with a lot of it. Deficits under Bush were troublesome. In comparison, deficits under Obama are downright scary. We should be paying our own debts and not expecting future generations to do so.

While we can never know for sure what would have happened if we did nothing and let things collapse, we do know that the last time we did nothing lead to the Great Depression. Given that, something had to be done. We can only hope that there are things done to insure that those folks who put us in this mess are not allowed to repeat the same mistakes. In terms of bailouts, IF things go right, banks, GM, and Chrysler will be paying us back. Hopefully that will take care of some of the deficit. Short-term, looks like some of the bail out money is being paid back. I'm not holding my breath that we see it all returned. Likewise, if every penny is returned, there is no guarentee that our congress critters will use it to pay down the deficit.

As far as cash for clunkers (not sure why we needed that one), define "foreign car". When I bought a new Tacoma (not associated with clunkers program, made in CA) the salesman told me that they had sold a bunch of cars during that period. Most Toyotas bought in the US are also made here. For example, the Toyota plant here in Georgetown that makes Camrys. That does help American jobs. I also remember hearing on npr that GM was hiring back layed off workers to make up for the demand in new cars as a direct result of the clunkers program. So yes, it did help some US jobs and put money back in the pockets of Americans.

Yeah, the bank/issurance/financial folks that caused a number of the problems getting bonuses for basically messing up pisses me off. My yearly bonus, if I get one, is tied in to how well the company does and what I have done during the year. If I screw up bad, I have no bonus and risk losing my job. How someone can lose millions and still get a 6 or 7 figure bonus is beyond me.

As far as the next election, I'll see who is running at that time and who I think is most likely to do the best for the country. If that is Palin, sure, I'll vote for her. If it is someone else, they'll get the vote.

Doing the family thing this weekend, catch you next week! Have a good weekend.

Andrew

[Chubminnow]

APB - Regardless of where a Toyota is made, regardless of how many americans work for Toyota, it's still a foriegn vehicle in "my opinion", always has been, always will be. I guess I'm old school in this regard.

This is where I'm going to get off the bus, politics and religeon, to many if's, and's, but's what if's and opinions, too deep of a subject for me in the long run not to mention how time consuming it tends to get...everyone who's posted provided some pretty good insight...and I feel I'm leaving this thread as a more knowledgable person because of it.