Palin gets Desperate.

[2strokebloke]

Desperation or stupidity?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081006/ap_on_el_pr/palin

Palin never ceases to amaze me with how ridiculous politicians can be.
Can't say anything real about real issues, but when it comes to things that have no practical effect on the American people, Palin can dribble like the best of them.

Good thing McCain's got more than half a brain and some taste.

[YogsVR4]

Its the same for all the politicians.

Nothing surprising here.

[MagicRat]

Well, lots of people have criticized Palin for her personal views and associations too, so she is attacking her opponents in a similar matter.
The concept of maintaining the moral high ground in the campaign seems to be lost on many politicians.

Heaven help the candidates that they might actually state positions on the important issues at hand and maintain a decent platform based on issues........

One thing I like about Canadian politics is a person's religious views or contacts have never been issues, for decades now. Candidates attack and criticize each other on many policy issues but almost never get personal, because it would backfire very badly, every time.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Well, lots of people have criticized Palin for her personal views and associations too, so she is attacking her opponents in a similar matter.
The concept of maintaining the moral high ground in the campaign seems to be lost on many politicians.

Heaven help the candidates that they might actually state positions on the important issues at hand and maintain a decent platform based on issues........

One thing I like about Canadian politics is a person's religious views or contacts have never been issues, for decades now. Candidates attack and criticize each other on many policy issues but almost never get personal, because it would backfire very badly, every time.

Have there even been open atheists in high office? THAT would be a great thing to see.

[Toksin]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Well, lots of people have criticized Palin for her personal views and associations too, so she is attacking her opponents in a similar matter.
The concept of maintaining the moral high ground in the campaign seems to be lost on many politicians.

Heaven help the candidates that they might actually state positions on the important issues at hand and maintain a decent platform based on issues........

One thing I like about Canadian politics is a person's religious views or contacts have never been issues, for decades now. Candidates attack and criticize each other on many policy issues but almost never get personal, because it would backfire very badly, every time.

I saw a comment on another forum last election that pretty much answers this. It basically said: in civilised nations politicians campaign saying "I can do this, I can do that, our plans are this etc" while in America it's "the other guy is evil and eats babies, vote for me".

And I totally agree.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Toksin

I saw a comment on another forum last election that pretty much answers this. It basically said: in civilised nations politicians campaign saying "I can do this, I can do that, our plans are this etc" while in America it's "the other guy is evil and eats babies, vote for me".

And I totally agree.

Okay, but why is the US different?

Personally, I believe it has something to do with the huge length of time the candidates have to campaign. Most parliamentary systems have election campaigns that last just a few weeks.
The US campaigns last so long, that the candidates imo run out of useful, constructive things to say, so they can only attack each other as a means to advance their efforts.
If Obaba and McCain had only 6 weeks to campaign, instead of 6 months, they would more likely stick to their platforms instead of mud slinging.

[2strokebloke]

Well the thing is, when you have nothing better to offer the people than your opponent does - you can't sell yourself, so you have to resort to cutting your opponent down.
Besides the average American has an attention span of possibly 5 seconds, it's easier to say things like "this guy's preacher is a jerk" than explain your plan for reviving the economy.
Because if you actually take your time to explain things (like for instance Ross Perot, Ron Paul, or Ralph Nader) people lose interest, and the media can't sum up your argument with a 3 second soundbite.

[drunken monkey]

Not sure if this deserves its own thread or not but it's a question that has just come to me.
There is a lot of talk (outside of the US) about how most people are either republican or democrat and that really, their vote is not going to change no matter if the opposing candidate is the better choice.
How true is this?

Were you going to vote for Republicans/Democrats no matter who took the stand?

[2strokebloke]

I think that's very true. But not for me. A lot of people see themselves as being republican or being democratic - and so they blindly jump off a cliff along with everybody else when their party does.
There are people who pick and choose though. I've noticed that in some states there's a bigger difference between one-party drones and pickers and choosers. In Colorado there's usually a good mix from both parties elected, but in some other states you will see that consistently most officials come from either one party or the other.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

Not sure if this deserves its own thread or not but it's a question that has just come to me.
There is a lot of talk (outside of the US) about how most people are either republican or democrat and that really, their vote is not going to change no matter if the opposing candidate is the better choice.
How true is this?

Were you going to vote for Republicans/Democrats no matter who took the stand?

It's true. This country is full of morons that just vote based on party. It's a way to pick someone that doesn't require any research, thought or effort. These are the same people that only tune in to radio and TV shows that support their party, filling their heads full of biased, twisted garbage so that they can feel good about themselves for thowing their vote away on some loser.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by blazee

party

Party? did you say Party???. Where and when?

Actually I have to agree 100% with Blazee, as much as it hurts, when he say's

Originally Posted by blazee

It's true. This country is full of morons that just vote based on party. It's a way to pick someone that doesn't require any research, thought or effort. These are the same people that only tune in to radio and TV shows that support their party, filling their heads full of biased, twisted garbage so that they can feel good about themselves for thowing their vote away on some loser.

Repeat it as much as possible.