Daily Archives: October 2, 2008

The VP Debate

This was a good one. It probably will change the polling some as Sarah Palin made Joe Biden look very old, entrenched in DC, and an elitist.

When Joe Biden walked on stage, he looked like he had just arrived from the set of the movie “Goodfellas” with his pin-striped suit and what hair he had greased back.

Palin was dressed in black business suit and looked very professional.

Biden seemed angry several times as Palin pushed his buttons. I even caught myself wishing I could reach out and slap the goofy smile off Biden’s face.

If anyone takes anything from this debate, it would be that Joe Biden has the Washington, D.C. view on things, and Sarah Palin gives us a view from Main Street USA.

I am more in line with Main Street. The Washington, D.C. view has not been working too well.

Governor Palin did just fine. There were no major mistakes and she brought a down-home style that was refreshing. Over the next few days, we’ll find out how many mistakes Biden made with all his “numbers.” They will be double digits.

Biden several times talked way too long and ran out of time. He stuttered and stammered many times, just like Obama did in his debate. With Biden’s egotistical view acting like “I am from DC and I’m here to help you” he came across as an elitist.

One time, that was particularly funny, was when Biden even “lowered” himself to say, “I admit I was the first one” about a policy or bill they were debating that he was for.

Gwen Ifill opened the debate by introducing Palin as, “Governor Sarah Palin” and when Biden stepped out, she introduced him as “Joe Biden.” They must be friends. Other than that, Ifill did OK but she should have not been the moderator since she has several thousands of dollars in book royalties riding on an Obama/Biden victory.

One area they did not cover was the second amendment, which Obama and Biden have a track record of wanting to infringe on that right.

All in all it was good debate. Since Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric had cast doubt in voter’s minds with their gotcha questions to Palin, I think we’ll see the polls start turning for McCain/Palin.

Integrity

The Montana GOP has challenged the eligibility of about 6000 voters in seven counties across the state. These people may have changed addresses and all they need to do is verify their correct address. It’s very simple.

I would expect nothing less from the MT GOP since Governor Brian Schweitzer talked about turning some dials during the 2006 general election to help his friend, Jon Tester, win a U.S. Senate seat.

It’s completely legal to challenge these voters to provide correct addresses. If anyone does not like it, then they need only express their displeasure to Schweitzer who brought doubt into the voter’s minds when he bragged about tampering with the election during his speech this summer in Philadelphia.

I don’t want a repeat of 2006. I’d like to see the voters and the candidates actually get a fair election in 2008.

Your Money

It took a few days, but the Billings Gazette figured out why U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) was working so hard on the bailout: Campaign donations.

Close to $210,000 in campaign donations have flowed into Baucus’ campaign coffers over the last few years. These donations were from the companies involved in the financial crisis.

It’s the same for other key people working on the frontlines of the bailout. People like Chris Dodd and Barney Frank have received their share of the pie.

These donations have made them work just a little harder to bailout their friends.

Both U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) received donations, but these donations were negligible compared to what Max Baucus received.

Tester voted no on the bailout plan last night. Rehberg voted no on the House version Monday. These were correct votes.