Presidential Debate changes few minds
Posted By RichC on September 27, 2008
No real winner, no real loser … that’s the conclusion in my unscientific reading of the newspapers and websites garnered this morning. I thought both candidates handled themselves well considering the heavy focus on Capital Hill over the economic crisis. Both candidate are in support of government coming to the aid of our nations’ banks. As for the foreign policy part, Iraq, the War on Terror, Russian aggression, our national security and nuclear advancements in Iran and North Korea — neither candidate is all that different on the need for American involvement, although they are somewhat different on their approach. Obviously each will try to suggest that they have the “right read” and the “best approach,” but I’ve concluded that at least both agree the world’s problems do impact U.S. security. Each candidate concludes that our nation must address world problems and the next President will need to be involved in foreign policies more than their citizens would like.
As for domestic issues, there is a larger difference: Senator Obama see a need for a bigger government and has shared his plan to expand it and the programs designed to help Americans. Senator McCain, in keeping with Republican philosophy, prefers less government and believes we need to cut our spending, reduce the tax burden on all. He pointed out a sharp different between himself and others currently serving not just in talk, but in their actions such as “congressional earmarking” or tagging on pet projects on bills heading for approval. He has had long record of not seeking earmarks and has made it a promise that he intends to veto these kinds of bills when President. Obama sells his ‘bigger government ideas’ by raising additional taxes on the wealthy and reducing taxes for the rest; McCain points out that these kinds of selective tax increases eventually end up costing all Americans by triggering slower business growth, less investment in U.S. companies and a loss of tax revenues due to a weaker economy. He used the 35% corporate tax rate as an example to stress the difficulty American companies face when competing with companies overseas taxed at lower rates.
Although I support Senator John McCain’s approach to government and taxes, and have a deep respect for his service to country and experience in foreign affairs, I was impressed with Senator Barack Obama and his understanding of international politics. He is bright and smart, and although I disagree with his willingness to talk without conditions with some radical leaders and view that we should leave Iraq on a pre-determined timetable, I do believe he would in the end make the right decisions to secure our nation — I may be naive?
Since I recorded the debate on CSPAN2 while watching it in High-Def (very cool) on another channel, I’ll include the full 1-1/2 hour debate encoded from my Tivo box below ..
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