2008 canidates and marriages - the party of family values???

Abookamongstthemany wrote:

I think it pathetic that we're even talking about this. I understand where it's coming from. The Reps are guilty of running on 'family values' and 'morals. So yeah, it makes them hypocrites. But you don't accomplish anything if you engage in the same sleazy tactics and mudslinging that you hate coming form them. All that does is excuse this kind of behavior and makes it even more acceptable. What does being divorced have to do with being a good leader? Is it that hard to talk about the real issues instead of just glossing over them so we can go dig up some more juicy dirt??

I don't care if a candidate has been divorced 10 times and has a dozen girlfriends or boyfriends on the side. It's none of my business. But when said candidate runs around flapping his pie hole about family values, as Newt has, then he makes it everyone's business. I say if they shut up about it, so should everyone else. But if you're going to make family values a cornerstone of your campaign, you'd better have some.

Abookamongstthemany wrote:

I'm just not a fan of negative campaigning. It diverts attention from all the important issues and makes a mockery of our already pathetic election process. I say make them look foolish by not dropping down to their level.

I understand what you're saying, I'm not a fan of it either, but I can see where it would be very hard not to call someone on their rank hypocrisy. I wouldn't necessarily fault a guy who tossed a line into a speech. I do find the Springeresque TV ads very distasteful and don't vote for people who use them.

I don't know, I guess it's a thin line. I'm thinking if I were a candidate getting hammered on "family values" by someone who doesn't value his own family, I'd have a really hard time not saying anything about it. But I definitely understand where you're coming from.

Politics is a nasty business.

Abookamongstthemany wrote:

Agreed. I know I'd have a hard time, as well. I'm just very wary of this 'make you look worse than me' style campaigns we've all come to know so well.

The sad part is I don't foresee this ever changing. I really hope it does but I think people will start to think of elections like American Idol. One big reality show. :(

Abookamongstthemany wrote:

Maybe it would stop if one or both parties decided to make being against negative campaigning part of their platform. But what really bothers me is, both parties are really quite similar when it comes down to it. There is never any real change. And they use this negative campaigning to draw attention away from this fact so they don't have to answer the tough questions or really say anything about how they will actually change this country for the better. They just use buzz phrases to get applause and tell people what they want to hear then get in office and end up doing just more of the same old crap for the next 4 years.

I'll let someone smarter convey my thoughts.


You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
Tou tell me that it’s evolution,
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
But when you talk about destruction,
Don’t you know that you can count me out.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
Alright, alright.
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan.
You ask me for a contribution,
Well, you know
We’re doing what we can.
Ut if you want money for people with minds that hate,
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
Alright, alright.
You say you’ll change a constitution
Well, you know
We all want ot change your head.
You tell me it’s the institution,
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead.
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao,
You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
Alright, alright.

cutback wrote:

I'll let someone smarter convey my thoughts.


You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
Tou tell me that it’s evolution,
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
But when you talk about destruction,
Don’t you know that you can count me out.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
Alright, alright.
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We’d all love to see the plan.
You ask me for a contribution,
Well, you know
We’re doing what we can.
Ut if you want money for people with minds that hate,
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
Alright, alright.
You say you’ll change a constitution
Well, you know
We all want ot change your head.
You tell me it’s the institution,
Well, you know
You better free your mind instead.
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao,
You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow.
Don’t you know it’s going to be alright,
Alright, alright.

Who said that?

VictoryGin wrote:

oh but that guy has charisma and that is apparently now a bad thing. so nevermind anything he actually says about anything.

"Everybody has personal issues," Obama said. "And I think, ultimately, what people want to know is what are you going to do on behalf of the American people -- and that's how it should be."

No, the charisma is just fine. It's the other stuff he says and supports that bothers me. The charisma just isn't enough for me to overlook those things.