McCain’s Missed Opportunity
I am no political analyst and this blog isn’t about politics, but since a presidential election only comes around once every 4 years and last night was the last presidential debate I decided to write something short, sweet, and to the point.
I thought both candidates did a fine job in the debate last night. Obama was as good as ever at deflecting attacks and McCain came out with fists swinging while not appearing overly aggressive – for the most part. That said, I think that both of them got stuck on Obama’s associations with people too long and it caused McCain to skip over what appeared to be to be a critical point.
The issue was negative campaigning. No question both ran negative campaigns to some extent, but the extent is all debatable which is why I skip over that point. What I don’t want to skip over is a point that McCain made about Obama that was then never brought up again.
The following was stated by McCain and is from a transcript that CNN has on their site:
And, Sen. Obama, when he said — and he signed a piece of paper that said he would take public financing for his campaign if I did — that was back when he was a long-shot candidate — you didn’t keep your word.
And when you looked into the camera in a debate with Sen. Clinton and said, “I will sit down and negotiate with John McCain about public financing before I make a decision,” you didn’t tell the American people the truth because you didn’t.
If true, does that strike anybody else as a point worth returning to. You can talk to anybody about nearly any politician and hear about broken promises. Here was a great example of somebody doing exactly that. I really wanted to hear more about this. Is this true? Did Obama make these promises? If the answer is yes to both of those questions – as it seems to be – I would think that would be a bigger issue to the American Public than any of the associations with people that the McCain camp is trying to put front and center.
What do you think? Was this a missed opportunity? Does it not matter?
Best of luck to all candidates for President and make sure you vote (early if you want or can)!
This has been a Thought From The Cake Scraps.
This is a tough one sir. On one hand, Obama lied to McCain. On the other, he didn’t spend tax payers money for his campaign. If you look at it that way, most people are so accustomed to politicians lying their asses of, so they’ve come to expect it and if “Joe Sixpack” realized he said he was going to take their money but didn’t, then I’d imagine they’d be alright with it.
I don’t know where I stand on the issue of public financing though. On one hand, it only takes money from people who voluntarily withhold it from their taxes (Joe Sixpack wouldn’t know that though, they’re too busy drinking). I understand why we have it, it allows Mr. Smith to have a chance against someone who is throwing tons and tons of money to buy an elected seat. But, as it stands you can’t force all candidates to use public financing or have a “spending cap” like the NFL. Even if you did, other organizations and PACs can spend money on their own ads.
I guess my stance is that this country’s electoral process is so messed up and is in need of a complete overhaul, but that’s never going to happen.
I don’t see that point as making any sort of impact on the election. I’m having a very hard time seeing McCain pull this one out given everything that’s happened. Taking a look at electoral-vote.com and fivethirtyeight.com and with the way the polls are going, Obama has ~370 electoral votes. I just can’t wait until it’s over, it’s been a long 20 month “election.”
This is off-topic, but I’m pretty impressed with your blog. You actually sound like you know what you’re talking about! Can’t say I like the theme too much though.
Keep up the nice posts.
@Chris Glad you like the blog. As for the theme, I can’t say that I dislike it but if your artistic eye has something in mind, let me know.
@ghamilton I always thought the public financing thing was a bit odd. I mean it says that checking the box doesn’t increase your taxes but the money has to come from somewhere so you actually are paying for it. And it made more sense when there were more parties trying to win but now it just seems like free money and no 3rd party candidates get it (do they?). Life is rough.
[…] like in my previous post I will close with this thought: Best of luck to all candidates for President and make sure you […]