MSU Democrats

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John McCain had two goals on Friday. 1.) Divert attention that he turned 72 2.) Steal the spotlight from Obama after his historic nomination speech. He did this by surprised the world and selecting unknown Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running-mate.

Sarah Palin

Governor Palin is attractive and has been successful in almost everything she does including rasing a beautiful family. I do not question that she is a decent women; however, McCain’s Vice President is only a single aging heart beat away from the Presidency of the United States. Search Palin is not prepared to fulfill the obligations of that office.

Paul Begala from CNN writes,

For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts with cancer to have chosen someone so completely unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible. Suddenly, McCain’s age and health become central issues in the campaign, as does his judgment…

This is direct hypocrisy by John McCain. He said several times over the course of this campaign that the criteria for a Vice President candidate should be individual who is prepared to step-up and lead the nation if the occasion arises. He didn’t choose her by that criteria, but rather a feeble attempt to garner the support of Hillary Clinton’s voters. A direct insult to Senator Clinton who has a lifetime of experience compared to Palin who was mayor of a town smaller then the size of Murray just two years ago. John McCain is pandering folks and trying desperately to exploit a division within our party that no long exist.

While she praised Hillary Clinton in her speech this Friday Clinton’s supporters should not be fooled. Consider this posted on Huffington Post.

Once onstage, together with Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, Palin talked about what women expect from women leaders; how she took charge in Alaska during a political scandal that threatened to unseat the state’s entire Republican power structure, and her feelings about Sen. Hillary Clinton. (She said she felt kind of bad she couldn’t support a woman, but she didn’t like Clinton’s “whining.”…)

Van Jones on Huffington Post even demonstrated some of the opinions of his friends that supported Hillary Clinton.

”One female friend said: ‘Sarah Palin is to the movement for women’s equality what Clarence Thomas is to civil rights. She’s an extremist and an enemy to the cause that has been fought on her behalf…. Someone should stand up and say: ‘I know Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton is a friend of mine. And Sarah Palin is no Hillary Rodham Clinton’…

McCain, Hillary Clinton is not a lego and you can’t get her supporters by just adding a female to your ticket.

On the experience issue it is obvious that McCain grows even more desperate in his second hypocrisy. He has ran his campaign claiming Obama doesn’t have the experience, is youthful, and isn’t ready to lead. Then he chooses and individual who can’t hold candle to Obama’s experience, is younger, and without doubt is incapable to lead this great nation. It is even disheartening that McCain who claims to put his country first would select an individual who he has only met once and known a very a short time in hopes it will benefit him politically.

Robert J. Elisberg from the Huffington Post describes it as, “The worst Vice-Presidential Nominee In U.S. History” and “It’s that this is gross political misconduct.”

CNN reports on the first time the two met:

John McCain first met Sarah Palin only six months ago and had just one conversation with the Alaska governor before offering her the vice presidential slot on the Republican ticket, the Arizona senator’s campaign said Friday.

The move appears to be a marked departure for McCain — a man known for his tendency to surround himself with a close circle of advisers and politicians he has long felt comfortable with…

John McCain’s judgment is clearly in question. Did he seriously think that this was a game changer? It demonstrates his utter desperation as he clings to any strategy that could gain him victory. Mark Nicholas at Political Base and formerly Bluegrassreport.com has this take on the issue.

twice now in McCain’s life, when facing a major life decision, he’s chosen the beauty queen he barely knew, over substance. Recall that he married Cindy before his divorce from his first wife was even final. This is typical McCain behavior. Fans will call him a maverick. But most call that reckless and impulsive…

McCain risk is that she doesn’t pass the commander and chief test. Here is a Newsweek quote reflecting what could be a problem for Senator McCain if Palin becomes a drag on the ticket. Especially problematic since McCain is behind…

Governors often run for president, but only after many months of prep work on what they might confront in the White House. The last governor chosen for vice president was Spiro Agnew in 1968, and he was the governor of Maryland, which is right over the line from Washington, D.C., not thousands of miles away. Veep candidates with extensive Washington experience like Geraldine Ferraro and Dan Quayle were nonetheless grilled on policy and proved a drag on the ticket when they looked unpresidential…

It is not enough that she cannot lead if something were to happen to McCain, but she is also under investigation by her own state for corruption when she dismissed the commissioner of police after he felt like he was pressured to fire Palin’s ex-brother-in-law who was in a bitter child custody battle with her sister.

Here is Sarah Palin recieving the endorsement of now indited Senator Ted Stevens.

Sarah Palin’s effect on the ticket can be summed up by this quote from Electoral-Vote.com,

Most neutral observers are scratching their heads. McCain’s strongest argument against Obama is that he doesn’t have the experience to be President. How can his first major personnel choice be someone with demonstrably less experience than Obama (6 years as mayor of a village with 5400 people and 21 months as governor vs. 8 years in the Illinois state senate and 3 1/2 years in the U.S. Senate)? Doesn’t that undermine his whole campaign? With so many solid choices available like governors Romney, Pawlenty, Sanford, and Ridge, why a total unknown who is being investigated by her own (Republican-controlled) legislature for possible ethical violations. What is McCain thinking?…

She isn’t even completely sure of what her duties would be as Vice President.

Politico:

In an interview just a month ago, she dissed the job, saying it didn’t seem “productive.”
In fact, she said she didn’t know what the vice president does.

Larry Kudlow of CNBC’s “Kudlow & Co.” asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain’s ticket mate.

Palin replied: “As for that VP talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day?…”

Being a mayor of a town with 8,000 people doesn’t prepare you for a nuclear crises with Iran or for a Healthcare disaster that plagues millions and millions of Americans.
Palin is also extremely right wing. She opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest, she believes creationism should be taught in our science classes, and denies humanities role in global warming.

Newsmax:

What is your take on global warming and how is it affecting our country?
“A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I’m not one though who would attribute it to being man-made…“

Oh and in conclusion Palin has three homes! McCain’s seven plus Palin’s three equals ten! Ten times as many as Barack Obama.

Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech. I was honored to watch it with members of the College Democrats and the Community! Thanks to everyone who made the convention watch party a success.

Heather Ryan
My family was directly affected by domestic violence when my mom’s significant other punched her in the face and broke her cheekbone in three places when I was a teenager. That was just one of the times he beat her. That was just one of the times our family was torn apart by violence. He swore he was sorry, he swore he would never do it again, until of course, he did.  
Domestic violence is a very serious issue that has effected me directly. Ed Whitfield’s recent attacks on my character [...]

Today is the day! Barack Obama will give his acceptance speech tonight! I hope everyone can join us as we come together to celebrate this historic moment and begin our fight to elect Barack Obama, Bruce Lunsford, Heather Ryan, and Carroll Hubbard this fall!

I wanted to remind you all of our Convention Watch Party tonight! Members of the local and campus community, who are eager to elect Democrats this fall, are all invited to share this moment with each other! Oh and there will be FOOD! We have Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Cheese Cake, Cookies, Chips, and more… So come on down and eat and watch Barack Obama on our big screen!

The Party is located at the Calloway County Democratic Headquarters on 800 Chestnut Road just down the street from the Curris Center and next door to Mr. Gattis Pizza. We will be serving up the food at 7:00pm. If you need a ride or directions you send me a message on Facebook!

Joe Biden Accepts the Nomination of Vice President.

Bill Clinton gave a great speech. It seems the Republican’s actually shifted focus. All I heard tonight from the most desperate pack of Republican cronies were negative remarks about Joe Biden’s speech. Maybe this Clinton v. Obama fairytale will finally come to an end.

John Kerry gave a pretty good speech also.

Last night Hillary Clinton spoke in support of Barack Obama. As a voter who passionately supported Hillary Clinton in this years Primary Election I felt a surge of pride tonight. The women I stood with, campaigned for, and whom I gave my fullest support looked past defeat and embraced the fight for issues that have always been important to her. I am proud of my support for her and now with a united party we can go on an win this election!

Thank you Hillary for inspiring us and being a light in the darkness and giving us hope in the face of division.

Remarks by Hillary Clinton:

Letter sent to supporters:

Standing on that stage tonight in front of 20,000 Democrats unified behind Senator Obama, I saw a bright future for America. I saw millions of people across the country working as one to elect the next Democratic President. I saw a new President and a new Congress giving a voice to the voiceless. I saw America, the land of endless potential, regaining its role as a leader in the world.

I couldn’t be prouder of our party, of our nominee, and of all the work you and I have done together over the course of this campaign on behalf of the American people.

I knew that as I stood in front of that podium, I wasn’t alone. I had you, and everyone who has supported me, standing right up there with me. And that means the world to me.

Thank you again for everything you’ve done. Now let’s get to work helping elect Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and all of our great Democratic candidates!

Sincerely,
Hillary

Truth is a person who can unite the Democratic Party in Kentucky are insured of Victory; however, that that task is difficult. The youthful and liberal Democrats and the Dixicrats are far from the same party. While both seem to disfavor Republicans they have a hard time getting excited about one particular candidate. Lunsford’s plan only calls for him to receive 75% of the Democratic vote. If he can achieve 75% of the Democratic vote, 10% of the Republican vote, and 50% of the Independent vote he can win. The only category where he performing below his goal is Democrats! He is currently receiving 60% of the vote. Here is the article:

Speaking to Kentucky’s Democratic delegation on Tuesday, U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) predicted that a certain combination of voters would help him oust four-term incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) in November’s general election.

“We know that if we get 10 percent of the Republican vote, if we get 50 percent of the independents and we get 75 percent of the Democrats in the state, Mitch McConnell cannot win,” said Lunsford.

There is only one problem in that equation, Lunsford said, according to recent poll data – the Democratic vote.

“We have not seen one poll where we didn’t exceed 10 percent of the Republicans, that we didn’t get 50 percent of independents,” said Lunsford. “It’s time for Democrats to bring back home that crossover Democrat.”

In the last SurveyUSA poll of the race, Lunsford gained just 63 percent of Democrats – short of the benchmark he is aiming for.

A sizeable proportion of registered Democrats, particularly in the western part of the state, have traditionally sided with McConnell and other Republicans in past elections.

“They have fooled them for a long time,” said Lunsford of Republican connections with Kentucky Democrats. “Its important that everyone in this room give them the truth and the truth of where their future lies if they don’t change now from Mitch McConnell to the Democratic agenda, which is today America’s agenda.”

Lunsford blasted McConnell in front of the prominent Kentucky Democrats gathered in Denver, arguing the incumbent – who serves as the Republican leader in the U.S. Senate – did not live up to that label.

“He is a leader – in title. You know, you can stand in a garage, but it doesn’t make you a car,” said Lunsford. “Just because you have the title doesn’t make you a leader…”

She did an amazing job last night.

Also remarks from the Kennedy’s

Survey USA Released a poll today showing the President’s Approval rating in Kentucky. This is demonstrating a clear objective for this semester. We must empathize how a term for McCain is a third term for President Bush.

Approve: 37%
Disapprove: 61%