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Vice Presidential Question of the Week
By John | September 1, 2008
I suppose that it’s appropriate on Labor Day weekend to discuss 2 people who just got new jobs: Joe Biden & Sarah Palin. What do you think of these politicians? Did Barack & John make good choices? What do these 2 bring to the table for Christian voters?
For more information on the VP candidates:
Joe Biden:
from the Obama official site
from wikipedia
Check out this video as he explains his view on the war
Sarah Palin:
from the McCain official site
from wikipedia
How does she balance politics & a newborn?
Remember: Be critical, but be civil!
Topics: Uncategorized |
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I’m not sure if I like either of them yet! give me a few days to figure it out!! I will say that i hope that everyone will take their focus off of Palin’s 17yr old pregnant daughter. As a mother I don’t know if I could thrust my daughter into the sea of vultures we call “the media.”
September 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Biden is pick that was very safe for Nobama…opps I mean Obama. Biden brings nothing to the table for Obama which surprised me about this pick. McCain went out on a limb and it seems to be paying off. Palin is very impressive in many ways. Her stance and strong will have many people doing double takes. She has the Democrats on their heels and by all means after last night they should be scared. She protects the right to life unlike anyone on the Democratic side. As a Christen I can not think of a more important issue then that.
Ummm…I wonder who I am going to vote for?
September 5th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I have a very difficult time having any respect for a woman who is pro-life but basically abandoned her children to pursue a career that has so many negatives for her family.It’s not like she “needed” the job to provide for her family.Having a special needs child is a 24×7 responsibility for the parents,not the siblings,nanny or one parent alone.Then add to that the knowledge of your teenage daughter being pregnant and you still make that decision.I have serious reservations about someone with that lack of good judgement being in a position of running our country which is a very real possibility given McCain’s age and health.I am also pro-life but believe that involves more than just saying the words,your actions need to match your statement.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Really Palin abandoned her children? Where did she go? She was on the PTA board when she then realized that her City needed a new mayor to get things right. I call that a hard working Mother who is doing PUBLIC SERVICE. The last time I checked that was neither against the law or uncommon for a woman to be WORKING in the United States! It was never about NEED with Palin it was about trying to help “the people” maybe that is why she has an 80% approval rating in Alaska as the Governor. She only sleeps about 3 to 4 hours a night and most of that time is spent making lunches for her kids and getting kids to sleep and waking up with them when they wake up.
Let me ask you this, have you ever made a mistake? My guess is you have, and why would she have her daughter compound that mistake by having an abortion? Killing a fetus is the answer on the left so is that the right answer? We all hope and pray that our mistakes will be forgiven, but why would you compound those mistakes?
It is black and white, Pro-Life or Pro-Choice and how much does it mean to you?
September 9th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
BJ says it comes down to Pro-Life or Pro Choice, I say you are wrong. I believe that the Republican Party is a pulling a huge con job on the single issue voters. They pound it into the dirt the whole campaign and then do NOTHING once in power. We hear it every election year, then ‘poof’ nothing - nada. Bush had eight years! Six of those were with a republican controled congress - still nothing!! One could (and will) argue that they are stocking the supreme court in anticipation of one day doing something about it, but that is far from the truth and nothing more than chance that Bush put a few friends in…. still NO ACTION. So here we are again beating the pro-life drum to no avail.
Also, can they really claim to be pro-life then send thousands to kill and be killed? Does pro-life stop at birth? As a Christian I find that extremely hypocritical.
I myself am pro-life, but I refuse to be duped again. I will cast my vote for Obama with confidence. With control of congress, Obama will truely bring the changes this ‘One Country Under God’ needs. Gobama!!
September 10th, 2008 at 12:07 am
I am not saying as a Christen your choice for President has to come down to pro-live or pro-choice. What I am saying is as a Christen it is an important issue to me and to most Christens. You see if the law is ever to be overturned on Roe V. Wade it is going to take conservative Judges to do this and that takes time. It can’t even be done in 8 years. Judges just do not step down or die fast enough for that to happen. I also do not understand how you feel “duped”? Most conservatives are pro-life and most liberal are pro-choice. Just because they did not overturn Roe V. Wade in the last 8 years you feel “duped”, and are now going to vote for someone who does not share an important value to you. That seems odd!
As far as Bush putting friends in the high court…this is a typical liberal talking point and is pretty typical no matte who the President is. He put judges in place that he knew would follow and manage the law. His last choice even had to get through the Democratic run Senate. If it were that bad of a choice or a “friend” of Bush it never would have happened.
Changing the subject from Pro-Life to Pro-Choice to war is pretty farfetched. No one likes war! We are in Afghanistan because WE as AMERICANS were attacked by Al Qaeda. Remember September 11th, 2001? As for Iraq…it is a mess and the reasons we went there are now no longer the reasons we are there. I think everyone wants to get out, but we cannot just pull out ASAP like Obama wants to. The pull out has to be managed and that is now happeing.
Change is coming no matter who gets elected to the next term. This is a very exciting time for Americans.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:11 am
The ‘Duped’ feeling goes far beyond the pro-lfe issue, The Bush administration failed on every level. Further more, regarding the war in Afganistan, I agree with you and so does Obama. Obama NEVER said we need to pull out of Afganistan… that is republican drivel. The war on terror is vital to the safety of Americans.
The “other” war that you conveniently overlooked is IRAQ. This is an occupation, not a war. The Bush admin lied to America in order to go in, and the lies continue to this day. While I do not want a pull out at this point, due to the fact that we need to stabilize the country before abandoning it, it is a war that never should have happened. Oil is the sole reason for this occupation and the failed lie/plan backfired, leaving America even further in the red.
People want to believe that McCain will be able to “change” things… How? I would love to hear your thoughts. Anyone who thinks that he would have any power is way off base, it would be a continuation of the same Republican agenda that is in place now, and he would battle Congress the entire time. There goes four more years.
America needs IMMEDIATE action to right the ship, we cannot wait four more years to fix the problems created in the past eight. GObama!
September 10th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Thank you all for keeping this charged discussion civil.
**that’s your reminder to keep it that way
September 10th, 2008 at 7:18 am
I should add that I really like John McCain, and I really wanted to believe he could bring the changes needed. He would try, but in the end the partison bickering would grind everything to a halt.
September 10th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Re:
Mike - “The Bush administration failed on every level”
BJ “Killing a fetus is the answer on the left so is that the right answer? ”
It’s easy to make broad generalizations about either party and their effectiveness in the executive office. It is much more difficult to predict what a presidential candidate will actually accomplish in when in office. Roughly 99% of all pre-presidential promises never get carried out for one reason or another (that’s my broad generalization). Candidates are great panderers.
So, does it really matter who wins?
Next week we’ll talk more about how being a citizen of a democratic-republic interacts with being a citizen of God’s kingdom too…
September 10th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Good points John. As for your closing question, I think it does matter who wins. In 2000 when Bush won, I thought it was a good thing, as he had the White House and the Repubs controled congress. I thought we would see all kinds of promises fulfilled - waited and waited for results…. nothing
Now that the Dems control Congress, a Republican White House would find it difficult (at best) to forward there “changes”, thus four more years of virtually no progess. While I may admire John McCain tremendously, that does not change my belief that he would not be able to fulfill his promisses, even with the best of intentions.
AS you mentioned, the vast majority of campaign promisses are never acted on. I say it is time to let the Dems put their money where their mouth is. GObama!
September 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I agree, Bush and the Republican run congress forgot what being a conservative is all about. With that being said we had to fight 2 wars. No matter what you think of them we fought them and they cost money, a lot of money. You may have issues with the Bush Administration, but when he took over the unemployment rate was at 9%. We are now at an all time high of 6% during his time in office. Mike I understand your frustration and I like your passion. John I am always GOOD and it is very important who you vote for we can talk about that some day over coffee.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
The unemployment rate during Clinton’s second term was 4.38%
http://www.heritage.org/research/economy/wm675.cfm
September 11th, 2008 at 2:36 am
BJ,Either I wrote it wrong or you read it differently than I meant it so let me state this very clearly,I am in NO TERMS suggesting abortion in any way shape or form,what I am saying is that her daughter is going to need her now more than ever and now she is taking on even more “outside” of her family.Shouldn’t her family be given higher priority than public service?Many families are broken because a Mom or Dad are doing wonderful things for everyone else and neglecting their own in the process.So my point is Pro-Life means more than just no to abortion.That life that God has allowed you to create deserves nothing less than your undivided attention and when you make “choices” that put that in jeopardy I strongly call into question your ability to make the best decisions for our country.Where is public service on God’s priority list, especially compared to family? I know it’s a very hard decision she had to make especially as gifted as she is but I believe she made that decision when she decided to have five children.Being a mayor or governor more than fulfills a public service and she has done an outstanding job but on only 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night now how can she realistically be expected to care for her family and country?Isn’t it safe to assume that her responsibilities will be even more than she has now?And why don’t we care about”her” more than what she can do for us?I’m truly even more disappointed in McCain for putting her in that position in the first place.With his age should have come experience and wisdom.He needed a woman for V.P. I’ll agree but you can’t tell me that there wasn’t any other qualified candidates.Just goes to remind us that true wisdom comes from God, not age.This election will be my first time to vote for a Democratic candidate.I never thought I’d live to see the day I would do that.I’m extremely Pro-Life and have always voted with candidates who held strongly to that belief.Which-ever candidate wins,and I do use that word lightly,will have more prayers lifted up for them , by me ,then all the other people I have ever voted for the last 30+ years I’ve had the privilege to vote.I truly pray that all Christians will be even more vigilant in lifting up these leaders, at this time,they are truly going to need it!!!!!
September 11th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Mike I would assume that you think Clinton did not get anything done while he was in office right? Your idea of having both a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress just to get things done, or we will waste another 4 years is just false. I think that you would agree that Clinton did many good things while in office and got things done. Remember he did this with a Republican Congress.
Becky I beg you to digg (John do you digg the DD?) more into Palin. I think you will start to understand how she does both a job and helps take care of her family. If Palin were a man would you be saying such stuff and being so critical. I highly doubt it!! If you digg a little you will find she has a very tight nit family that help from her and I would assume that is fine. I really don’t think it is Palin’s family you should be worried about. Ripping on McCain for his age and picking on Palin really is uncalled for. It is typical talking points that have no real issue behind them. Don’t get me wrong both sides have them and are a waste of time for the most part. So please do not buy into that. I believe the Bible does teach us to be passionate and devoted about our job duties. I stand to be correct if I am wrong. So why should this be any different for Palin.
Mike thanks for fact check on my numbers. I heard them on the radio the other day and they were wrong. So I stand corrected! Thanks.
September 11th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Mike,
You say Bush hasn’t done anything about the life issue in 8 years.. what about partial birth abortion? Congress passed laws banning the procedure in ‘95 and ‘97, but Clinton vetoed them. It was Bush who signed the ban into law in 2003. Do you think Obama would have signed it? Doubtful, since as an Illinois senator he didn’t even think that infant survivors of abortion deserved protection. Even if Bush had done nothing about the life issue while in office, what’s the logic of voting for someone who believes the _complete_ opposite? Bush didn’t do too much to protect the unborn, so let’s vote for someone who will _really_ keep the abortion mills running. That’s exactly what Obama wants to do. He’s told Planned Parenthood that the first bill he signs is not to bring the troops home, no, it’s the Freedom of Choice Act, which will prevent the courts, states, or anyone else from infringing on the “right” to abortion, at _any_ stage of pregnancy, for all time. You don’t like Americans dying in Iraq? Over 3000 abortions occur daily in the U.S. alone. That’s like an Iraq War _every_day_. And it’ll stay that way, if Obama has anything to say about it.
Becky,
I’m assuming it’s not just McCain’s and Palin’s judgment about Palin’s nomination that is causing you to vote for a candidate who favors unfettered access to (taxpayer-funded) abortion?
September 12th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Darin,
Good points. I think it is safe to say both sides of any debate will exagerate their point. As for this bill you mention, there is no such thing as “for all time”, that is a complete falsehood/scare statement.
The supreme court at this time has seven out of nine sitting justices that were appointed by republicans, so your talking point is mute. The court has the conservative majority, so the next president really has nothing to do with it.
Becky,
I agree with you, family comes before country. I think America will soon loose it’s fascination with Palin and the race can return to the candidates and issues.
September 12th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
The fascination with Palin has not stop in Alaska after 2 years. I would not plan on that happening anytime soon. She is good and that is why the other side is doing everything thing they can to knock her down.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Yes, she has fans in Alaska, but I think Doyle would be just as popular if he was able to hand out oil profits to every citizen of WI.
In my opinion, everyone is treading lightly around the topic of Mrs Palin right now and that the real attacks are not too far off. It is too bad BOTH campaigns are resorting to this style of politics.
I think her HUGE popularity is premature and doesn’t give much credit to John McCain, it is to the point that she is more popular than he is, which I find alarming. It is John McCain who campaigned for, and rightfuly won the nomination. Sarah Palin has barely joined the ticket and has all of the scrutiny that the two candidates weathered to look forward too (yes it will get worse). I think she has great potential and I wish her the best, but she has shown me nothing that would earn my vote. John McCain would be 100 times more likely to sway my vote.
I will continue to focus on McCain & Obama and the platforms bring to the table… not easy trying to dig through the half-truths and bickering both campaigns are engaged in, but worth the effort.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
BJ - I wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed our exchange of opinions, it is not often that it can go on this long and stay civil and interesting
Thanks! Mike
September 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Mike,
Good points from you as well. The NARAL website states,
“By enacting FOCA [Freedom of Choice Act], we will establish a federal law guaranteeing reproductive freedom for future generations of American women. This guarantee will protect women’s rights even if President Bush and an anti-choice Congress are successful in reversing Roe v. Wade or enacting even more restrictions on our right to choose.”
Notice it’s the backers of this bill, not its critics, who are speaking about its long-term effects. Regardless, the consequences of this law being on the books for even one day would be disastrous. You are right that most justices of the current Supreme Court were appointed by Republicans, but the “conservative majority” you speak of is tenuous at best. Note that it took Roberts _and_ Alito, both G.W.B. appointments, to uphold the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act in a 5-4 decision. And Kennedy won’t overturn Roe, so your majority vanishes. With a few of the justices long past retirement age, the next president may have _plenty_ to do with it. Between McCain and Obama, which one is more likely to nominate a Roberts/Alito (not to mention a Scalia/Thomas), and which one is more likely to nominate a Ginsburg?
Peace,
Darin
September 15th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
All, great conversaion. We can always agree to disagree.
John the stats of your responses just went up because of this blog!
September 15th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Well said Darin, I stand firm on the nothing is permanent regarding FOCA, regardless of what propaganda is flying by either side. I like your Supreme Court analysis, very well put. It does go to show that the justices, while appointed by the President, do not always side with the President. I think we can all agree that the man who wins this election has tremendous challenges ahead.
September 16th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Thanks for all the great dialogue on this thread- to all parties.
I think what people are seeing is going to make this election so hard (not unlike those in the past) is trying to figure out what the candidates will actually do, not just what they say they’re going to do (as noted by John already).
Both candidates are preaching change, and thus they’re both preaching positions not entirely consistent with their past. E.g. Obama as a supporter of tax cuts? McCain’s changed immigration policy.
So the questions are- What does their track record look like? What is their character like? Do I believe their character indicates they’ll be consistent with their past votes? Do I believe their character indicates they’re actually making changes in what they believe or simply pandering for now? If they don’t make the changes, do I like or dislike their past positions?
In addition to this, we have to realize that the bills they want to pass as well as the justices they want to elect need to make their way through Congress (or at least the Senate in relation to justices). That makes the big changes they’re preaching that much more difficult. Add to that the unpredictability of our world and sometimes even the best intentions can be turned aside. Remember how Bush was preaching social security reform, but then 9/11 et. al has meant that we’ve heard very little of that in a long time. On the other side, I don’t remember hearing Clinton preach balanced budget and welfare reform, but those are two big pieces that came about while he was president. The civic realm is certainly interesting.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:08 am
[...] Dan commented on Vice Presidential Question of the Week [...]
October 15th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
How do I contact any of the bloggers posted here?
Re: John
September 10th, 2008 at 7:35 am
thanx
bruce h.
October 15th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
You can send mail to fe@faithemergence.com