Daily Irony

I have not really felt like blogging lately. I started this blog as an outlet for my political views. At times, I am in places and circumstances that I have to "bite my tongue" when people assume I have their same views and then speak very negatively of my actual views. I hold back out of respect for the places I am at and the people I am with.

As the Presidential Election of 2008 neared the finish line I ran out of steam. I was hopefully that Barack Obama would win. I thought he could win. And then I began to have doubt and fear enter my mind. Then the words of Yoda entered my mind, "Fear leads to hate, hate lead to the dark side." The dark side instantly makes me think of Karl Rove. Great...all of the people who thought Bush was a good idea twice were going to make it happen a third time.

And then, watching the NBC Election Coverage at 9:00 PM the graphic showed Barack Obama as the next President of the United States.

I could not believe it. My hopes and dreams were shared by others. I felt like crying. Although, I did not because I am all man.

These videos below seem fitting given the occasion. They are a little long, but worth your time. Grab a Coke, some left over halloween candy and enjoy.

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you believe in yours." Barack Obama 2008

Sarah Palin was asked by Charlie Gibson the following question, "Do you believe in the Bush Doctrine?" Now, this is a difficult question for most americans, however most americans are not running for vice-president. Sarah responded with, "In what respect, Charlie?"

Charlie Gibson followed with, "The Bush -- w-w-well, what do you interpret it to be?" Sarah Palin answered with several minutes of "mavericky" comments that did not really say anything.

Well thanks to David Letterman I found the true definition of the Bush Doctrine.

In tonight's third and final Presidential debate, John McCain continued to distance himself from President Bush. According to CNN.com:

In one of the more forceful moments of the debate, McCain turned to Obama and said, "I am not President Bush."

"If you want to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago. I'm going to give a new direction to this economy and this country," the Arizona senator said.

I agree. We need a new direction to the economy and the country. John McCain also continued to call himself a Maverick and a Reformer.

When I think of John McCain calling himself the reform candidate, it reminded me of the classic movie O'Brother Where Art Thou. If you remember the movie, the Governor of Mississippi, Menelaus "Pappy" O'Daniel was running for reelection. His opponent in the "up and comin" was Homer Stokes.

One day Pappy O'Daniel was talking with his son and advisers about Homer Stokes. His son comments that everyone is looking for answers and maybe "we should get us some of the reform." Pappy replies that he is the incumbent. How can he be the reform candidate.

John McCain is not necessarily the incumbent. But he voted with Bush 90% of the time. The Republicans are the incumbent party in the White House. Most people are associating the economy with Bush. The more the economy tanks, the more McCain drops in the polls.

In a CNN poll of polls released Wednesday evening, Obama is favored to win by 50 percent; McCain by 43 percent and 8 percent of voters are undecided.

For some reason John Stewart and The Daily Show staff always say what I am thinking. Check out this funny bit talking about the second debate.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, than these are worth two.

I am supporting Barack Obama for President. I was recently asked how I could support Obama when he supports abortion. It is true that I am against abortion. Now this may seem like a contradiction, how can support one but not the other.

A recent First Presidency Issued letter, read to all members of the LDS church stated the following:

"...in this election year, we urge you to register to vote, to study the issues and candidates carefully and prayerfully, and then to vote for and actively support those you believe will most nearly carry out your ideas of good government."

This is great and inspiring message. Not all candidates can perfectly match my expectations for a perfect president. However, I believe Barack Obama most closely matches my ideas of good governement. I support civil rights. I want a comprehensive energy policy. I support a fiscal policy that will end a defecit. I want immigration reform. I support helping those who cannot help themselves. I want to protect our world. I support diplomacy. I believe in hope.

"I am asking you to believe. Not just in my ability bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours." Barack Obama

I just finished watching the Vice Presidential debates. A couple of things stood out:

1. Joe Biden held back. He has a reputation for running a little bit hot. He was in an awkward position. If he attacked Palin he would have looked like Sean Hannity, attacking Hillary Clinton

2. Tina Fey does such a great impression of Sarah Palin, she deserved to win a Emmy for Best Actress in a comedy. I did not realize people from Alaska have a Wisconsin accent. "Oh yeah."

3. Sarah Palin said "darn" more than a BYU Co-ED trying to take a Zoology final.

If you missed Saturday Night Live with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, check it out.

During the Republican Presidential Primary of 2000, a Maverick Republican Senator from Arizona was running a successful bid for the nomination. That is until Sith Lord, Karl Rove began a serious of negative ads and "push polling" that were so brutal, they destroyed John McCain.

John had the sympathy and respect of the country. He went on Saturday Night Live in 2002 and was able to laugh at himself. I liked his performance. He was funny. I decided that if he ever ran for President again, I would vote for him.

However, I believe that John McCain has never forgotten his South Carolina experience. He learned that he had to do more to be elected President. He could not play the Maverick if wanted to win the South. He could not cross party lines and win the party base. The process of transformation began on May 13, 2006 in Lynchburg, VA.

According to Dan Balz's article in the Washington Post from May 14, 2006, "Six years after labeling the Rev. Jerry Falwell one of the political "agents of intolerance," Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) delivered the commencement address Saturday at Falwell's Liberty University, and vigorously defended his support for the war in Iraq while saying that opponents have a moral duty to challenge the wisdom of a conflict that has exacted a huge toll on the nation.

McCain's presence on the campus here was as remarkable as what he had to tell the graduating class of 2006, given his clashes with religious conservatives during his 2000 campaign for president. His appearance continued a rapprochement that has been underway for months with a critical constituency in the Republican Party as McCain prepares for another possible campaign in 2008."

Since 2006, McCain has closely aligned himself with President Bush voting with him 90% of the time. McCain has even campaigned against issues that he himself has championed.

When it comes to energy policies, McCain is not sure which way he wants to go. Watch this interesting Daily Show from last week.

I have always enjoyed watching "Late Show" with David Letterman. I loved to stay up and watch the Top Ten List even when Dave was on NBC. I always appreciated dropping fruit and frozen turkeys from the rooftops of New York City onto Broadway. Dave does not dress up in velcro suits and fling himself against a wall anymore or wear a fire suit covered in marshmellows and have his staff toast him. Over the years his crazy antics have been replaced by consistency. As stated in a recent Rolling Stone article, Jason Gay in an cover interview had the following comment, "I recently when back and watched the show you did after September 11th. That show was highly praised, but it was really unnerving, very raw and took you right back to the very difficult time."

Dave has over the years has changed from wacky late night guy to the voice of america. The "Late Show" host had some very strong and direct comments for John McCain last night. McCain had announced that he suspended his campain to focus on the Economic crisis and cancelled his appearane on Dave's show at the last possible moment. However, instead of rushing to DC, McCain stayed in New York for the night. Listen to Dave's 10 minute sharp, witty and direct commentary.