She just won't go away...

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It seems as though Governor Palin's fame hasn't faded with the defeat of John McCain. Sarah Palin seems to be the face of the Republican Party right now. With a Senate seat up for grabs in Georgia, Senator Saxby Chambliss called in Sarah Palin to rally the voters. Chambliss is in a run-off for the seat, and as Sarah Palin so kindly reminded voters, the Republicans need more people in the Senate. The Republican Party is making a last attempt to cause gridlock in Washington. Hopefully, Obama will be successful in making Washington non-partisan and united. Sarah Palin is still tearing apart the country with her super conservative outlook. In my opinion, she lost McCain the election, so why won't she just go home?

Trying to keep promises...

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Obama is continuing to make rapid advancements to the White House, and he is consistently trying to keep to his promises. Obama's staff has released their transition donor list in an effort to make his promise of a transparent administration hold true. The donor list is supposed to exclude companies, organizations, registered lobbyists, unions, PACs, and there is also a $5,000 maximum on donations from any individual. By submitting this list it gives people a chance to see what Obama's team is up to, and to see if Obama's promises are holding true. So far I am impressed with Obama's efforts, and I look forward to what our country's future holds.

Dr. Gates will stay...

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As an Aggie I of course retain some bias towards Dr. Gates, but regardless of that fact, Dr. Gates has been effective as Secretary of Defense, and I am pleased to see Obama agrees. The appointment of Dr. Gates was one of the few things President Bush did that I agreed with. Given the situation in Iraq, I believe it is important for Obama to retain someone who is already in the loop. Dr. Gates knows what is going on, and I think he will be a key player in making it a smooth transition come January.

Secretary of State goes to...

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It is official, our country's new Secretary of State has been named as Hillary Clinton, Obama's initial rival herself. I was pleased with his selection. Political bloggers and analysts everywhere are spending today trying to dissect Obama's decision. I'd mostly have to agree with Mr. Nichols at Progressive Democrats of America. While many people would like to believe that Obama's selection is pushing him farther away from bringing forth this promised change, I choose to believe that Clinton's policies are more closely aligned with Obama's than the primaries led us to believe. During elections politicians do what the polls tell them is working. They also try to distance themselves from each other without distancing themselves from the voters. For me, the bottom line is Clinton is a strong political figure. I feel she can accomplish what her job mandates while preserving Obama's goals. I just find it ironic that many anti-Clinton voters during the primary were worried about how as a woman she would appear to foreign nations. I guess now we will be able to see that she is most likely a fully capable politician.

Everyone has an opinion...

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It is almost impossible to live life without having individual thoughts on the world around you. Politics tends to be a controversial subject, and so opinions are bountiful. These opinions are what ultimately runs our country, and so the next time you feel the need to voice your opinion I suggest you do it proactively. Many people like to complain about issues our nation is facing. A popular issue in recent years focuses on energy. Recently, the Western Governors' Association sent a letter to Obama issuing their ideas and desires for energy consumption and regulation in the United States. I think this illustrates an effective government. Our politicians are speaking on behalf of you. So when you have an idea or opinion, voice it to those who can make a difference. Write letters to those who want to listen and do something about the issues our nation is facing. Use the government, it is there for you.

The ball is rolling...

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Many people have stopped following politics after the announcement of Obama's victory, but it is a pleasant surprise to see that Obama doesn't see this as a lull period. Here we are less than a month after the election and Obama is already making choices for staff members. People are still voicing their concerns or praise about the election results, but nobody seems to actually be paying attention to what is going. When asking around about Obama's staff choices most people gave me blank stares. Even after listing names like Timothy Geithner, I got very little recognition. These names are important to our country's future and very few people are paying attention. For those who have been paying attention, there have been mixed responses to Obama's picks. Many people feel he is already letting down his followers, arguing that his picks aren't fresh enough. They argue that with this cabinet, we won't see Obama's promised change. However, I like some other Americans are arguing that his picks are strong political figures. They won't be mere figureheads. They will bring opinions to the table and won't be afraid to be heard. They will be effective in their appointed positions and will be the strength necessary to bring forth the change America needs

People's creative imaginations...

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As the election results continue to sink in, many McCain supporters and Obama opposers have been making comments about Obama that frankly are ungrounded. He is constantly being labeled as a socialist based on some of his policies. Many of my fellow co-eds were posting on Facebook that they were moving to Canada to escape the supposed socialism that is to ensue. There are many flaws with statements like these in themselves, but what troubles me the most is the ignorance surrounding these comments. I know personally that a lot of these people are simply regurgitating things they hear others say. Very few of the people opposing Obama actually know anything about Obama and his platform. People should not say things unless they actually do a little research to back up their opinions. However, even more disturbing than reading these posted comments is stumbling upon articles that are actually voicing the same concerns. It is no surprise that people are reading such articles and trying to make these opinions facts, but it is certainly aggravating!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

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I am proud to say that we have successfully elected a new President of the United States. There have been some heated discussions throughout my campus surrounding the election results. In an election this exciting, no matter who had won, someone was bound to get upset over the results. However, I hope people will begin to accept our new president and stand beside him. A united America will bring Mr. Obama and our country more success. McCain called for that in his very gracious and classy speech on election night, and I hope that we as Americans can put aside any hostilities and achieve what I know to be possible, CHANGE.

On the brink of something new...

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Tomorrow is election day! I am extremely excited to see how everything ends. This has been one of the most entertaining elections in years. Obama supporters everywhere are looking to the polls excitedly. With Obama in the lead, many people are beginning to predict a victory for him. I would like to see everything unfold as such, however, my faith in the polls system varies. Polls unfortunately cannot accurately tell you how many of the people polled will actually go out there and vote the way they said they would. I must say though that this extraordinary election leaves me hopeful, because I believe voter turnout this year will be higher than ever. Obama has ignited a political fever amongst young voters, a demographic that has been lacking in the past. This election is all the buzz on my campus, and I believe it is like that all over America. This election has people talking. People can't wait to have their voices heard. People care for once. People feel they can make a difference. Despite the outcome, I feel this election is a win for America.

A new hope...

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After yesterday's post I was slightly disheartened. It worried me that such an important election could be swayed by one single issue. I discussed it with some of my Catholic friends on campus, and they just waved it off saying these are the types of people that give Catholics a bad name and these people have a minority opinion. However, I don't think they understood the impact of these people. They are just as ignorant to believe that there is only a minority out there blind to the many facets of this election. With early voting already taking place, so many people are choosing candidates based on a single issue, a single characteristic of the candidate, or even simply the candidate's choice for VP. Many immediate issues are tearing down America as we speak, but people are choosing to focus on issues that I am going to call irrelevant to society as a whole. America has no immediate need for the pro-life agenda. America doesn't need someone in power simply because they are white, black, male, or female. America doesn't need someone because they are young or old. America needs help in so many other ways. America needs someone who isn't afraid to change our country. America needs someone who we feel is competent and qualified. America needs someone who is just as frustrated with our current administration as the American people. America needs someone to look out for the majority not the elite. A friend of mine has introduced me to a group of people who have renewed my hope in America. These people are Christians who are supporting Obama. In looking at this website, I am relieved to see that there are still people out there looking at every aspect of the election. They are able to hold true to their faiths, but not be blinded by what they are told to believe. These are the type of people that are given information and process it to make an intelligent decision. They are sharing their views with the world without alienating anyone. They are being American in every sense of the word. Thank you.

One issue...

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I have quite a few friends who are Catholic. Recently while browsing through Facebook.com I came across a note one of them had posted. It was all about "voting Catholic". As I read the letter, which was sent to my friend by the Office of the Bishop - Diocese of Dallas, I became slightly frustrated because the entire thing only concerned one issue: pro-life v. pro-choice. While I understand Catholics' views on the pro-life/pro-choice debate, I take issue with the fact that influential religious figures are telling people that only one issue should define an entire election. It is not practical to base your entire faith in a candidate because they may be pro-life. One of the hardest parts of this letter to stomach were the comments left by other Catholics. They argued that voting pro-life is an important step to establishing a Christian society. We aren't nor are we supposed to be a Christian society. The reason I personally am pro-choice is simple. I don't agree with the practice of abortion. However, I do agree with the ruling of Roe v. Wade, that it should be each individual woman's choice. I also strongly support stem cell research. For some women abortions are not a moral evil, and they should not have that belief imposed on them by the government. For many Americans, stem cell research is necessary to further medical advancements in some areas. I fully believe in the separation of Church and State, and I feel that pro-life arguments are toeing if not crossing the line. There are several important issues facing our country in this election, and it is not fair to completely disregard the issue of the economy or Iraq and solely focus on an individual's stance on abortion. This election is too important to America's future.

Your real allies...

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With less than a month until one of the most interesting elections this country has seen comes to a close, people are showing their true colors. As The Jed Report indicates, several Republicans are beginning to turn their backs on John McCain. So, I wanted to know if anyone really cares what these Republicans think. I went to the masses on campus and let them read what some of them had to say. Most Republicans shrugged it off, and most Democrats chuckled. At this point in the campaigns, it is becoming more and more obvious that most of America has settled on a candidate. As these pieces of information show up on the web, most supporters just fire them as ammunition at the opposition. Nothing is really getting accomplished at this point other than alienation. I hope in the end America can unite behind a candidate.

Absolutely stunned...

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As many of you may know Texas, my home state, has a Republican majority. My university has pleasantly surprised me with its political diversity. I have seen a rather broad representation for both candidates throughout campus and the city. My roommate and I were eager to join the crowds in publicly representing our preferred candidate purchasing t-shirts and a yard sign. However, I was absolutely stunned when my roommate's pro-Obama yard sign was stolen from our yard. We share similar political views, and so we were both elated when our beautiful sign was erected amongst our Halloween decorations, but it took less than twenty-four hours to go missing. We were left utterly shocked. It leaves me wondering how many times this happens in the world. Did the culprit dislike Obama or was it merely a childish act? Are people really willing to go as far as to steal someone else's property over an election? I didn't think it would be such a big deal to show our Obama pride, but somebody has certainly proved me wrong. I hope our replacement sign doesn't get stolen.

I almost forgot...

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As many Americans are gearing up for tomorrow's VP debate, some people are beginning to realize how forgettable Joe Biden really is. Some people are Biden fans, but most people aren't paying him too much attention. Comments and interest has been swirling around Senator McCain's choice of Sarah Palin, but Joe Biden has barely made a splash in the headlines. However, in case you missed some things, despite Palin's inexperience, she has a chance of actually doing decent in tomorrow's debate, because Biden is no genius. Biden has been seen making his own public missteps in this election like his recent statement about former President Franklin D. Roosevelt making a television appearance in wake of the 1929 Stock Market Crash to calm Americans. Most Americans can recall Sarah Palin's blunders during her interview with Katie Couric, but how many people could tell you that little tidbit of Biden's. Some people want to call foul on the media. They say the media is being overly-critical of Sarah Palin. However, the simple truth is Obama didn't need a vice presidential candidate to boost his campaign. It really didn't matter who he chose. McCain needed something big to draw attention to his campaign. He needed to make a statement with Sarah Palin, so he better be prepared to let her speak for him tomorrow. The Democrats will be ok if Joe Biden puts his foot in his mouth again, but I don't know if America can take anymore of Sarah Palin's antics.

I'm a woman...

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After reading something by Kathleen Parker, it is becoming increasingly apparent that many women, ranging from unwed, college students to career moms to stay-at-home moms, feel the need to vote for Palin simply because she is a woman. Some women think that because Palin is a woman and a mother that she will have their best interests at heart. Some women feel it would be anti-feminist to vote against her. Some women feel the need to support other women at all costs. I don't like Palin. The more I see of Palin, the less faith I have in the Republican party. Her interviews scare me, just take a look at the one with Katie Couric. By the way, I am a woman too. I from the beginning was weary of Governor Palin. I didn't want to rule her out right from the start, but I felt the need to get to know her as best as possible. I found out that she is not someone I can support. I urge all women out there to do some research she may not be everything you initially thought. Don't feel like you have to be her biggest fan because you are a woman. Trust me.

And the winner is...

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With the first debate done and over with, people have begun dissecting Friday evening's dialogue in an attempt to declare a winner. People have looked at the candidate's answers, body language, eye contact, recent poll results, news correspondents, and even fellow bloggers in an attempt to make sense of how the debate affected the election. I tried to avoid the hubbub listed above in an attempt to form as unbiased an opinion as possible. That being said, the debate resulted in a tie. Each candidate stuck to their platforms while dodging the actual questions and skillfully avoiding saying anything that could be considered political suicide. They did what politicians do best, they talked. Republicans and Democrats alike declare this a solid victory. McCain showed his superiority in foreign experience, and Obama showed that he won't be another Bush. Obama while he may not have as much foreign experience managed to hold his own, and McCain fought back saying he doesn't always support Bush. We already knew these things. We have been told these things before, rather frequently actually. To be honest, I didn't expect more or less from either candidate, and as I spoke with other college students I realized my opinion was greatly shared. I expected the results I got, after all this is only politics. My plead to all: Don't be disenchanted, there is a chance one of the candidates can make a difference once elected, but don't expect to see McCain the Maverick or Obama's "Change we can believe in" at the debates, that just isn't how things are done in American politics.

Debates are on the way...

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One of my favorite parts of the whole campaign is the series of debates. While it may just be politicians gabbing, for some reason I enjoy it. I love speeches, and for me debates are just that much more entertaining. So, when I stumbled upon an article about the debate forum, I read it with a certain level of giddiness awaiting some details. Two things jumped out at me right from the beginning. First is the continuation of Sarah Palin as a phenomenon. People are highly interested in the Vice Presidential debates. This was such a breath of fresh air. With a woman VP candidate and an African American Presidential candidate, the American people are actually being prompted to pay attention to politics. The excitement I see around me is a rare and refreshing sight. However, on a slightly more peculiar note, I took particular notice of the format of the VP debate. It will have shorter Q&A segments. Apparently the McCain campaign requested this because, "they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage" (Patrick Healy, New York Times). Will somebody please tell McCain's advisers "No Duh!". However, Governor Palin's previous speeches have been so energized and crowd-pleasing, I'm not sure why they are so worried. Maybe because, surprise, this won't be scripted, and I'm not sure how many more times Palin can simply call herself the hockey mom from Alaska who said "Thanks, but no thanks" to that bridge to nowhere.

The final leg...

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With the Presidential Election fast approaching, there have been several mud-slinging campaigns from both sides.  As a voter with no extreme party allegiances, I follow both parties addictively.  In my opinion there can never be too much information out there, and courtesy of the internet information availability is at its prime.  The one characteristic that is becoming most important to me in both a presidential and vice-presidential candidate is truthfulness.  With that being said, some Republicans may call Sarah Palin their savior, but she tanked the Republican platform's credibility for me.  As more information comes to light, not only do I find myself questioning Governor Palin's credibility as well as ability, I quickly find myself becoming skeptical of John McCain himself.  I feel John McCain placed Palin in a position of power to gain some targeted voters, and congrats it seems to be working.  However, I don't think I can vote for a candidate who is willing to subject America to Sarah Palin just so he can win.  It isn't a risk I'd be willing to take.

The question isn't why...

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With Hurricane Ike having made landfall, I feel I can now tear myself away from the Weather Channel long enough to do a little blogging. Unfortunately, courtesy of Ike and the whereabouts of my family, I have been focusing on the storm a little more than political current events. So, as a result I am taking this moment to address a political problem rather than a political current event. With the presidential election fast approaching, a common question on everyone's lips is "Who are you voting for?". A handfull of my close friends shocked me when they answered, "nobody, I'm not registered and I never plan on doing so". In my shock, I proceeded to ask several other people, everyone from classmates to people sitting next to me on the bus, "Are you registered to vote, and do you plan on voting?". To my dismay, I got several similar responses. The beauty of the United States is that is your liberty, not voting, and so I resisted the urge to scream at them how it is their civic duty. However, I could not resist the urge to ask them why they felt this way. Every single person I talked to about this all came back with the same retort. They wanted me to give them one reason WHY they should vote. The only thing I have been able to come up with is, "WHY NOT?". If you really look at it, there are no extreme consequences to voting. It is one of those things in life that will not come back to bite you in the butt. You won't be reprimanded for your choice. The only possibility is the person you voted for doesn't get elected, but by not voting that is still a likely concern. So, give yourself a chance at winning. Put your voice out there, and instead of asking "Why?", start asking yourself "Why not?".

Things that happen when you get to the big show...

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Well, Sarah Palin has arrived, and it looks like the media is going to keep her around. American citizens are intrigued by this unknown from Alaska, and the media is rushing to get as much info as possible. So it isn't at all surprising that an e-mail sent by Wasilla, Alaska resident, Anne Kilkenny, to her friends has escaped onto the world-wide web. The letter is intriguing and has definitely started the conversations. However, what I have begun to realize is that criticism rarely changes people's minds. Palin's critics love the letter and cite everything as fact, while her supporters look at is as vindictive slander. The only people who this will truly affect are people like me who just can't quite put our finger on how we feel about Ms. Palin. So, I urge anyone wandering upon Anne Kilkenny's letter who is still left undecided to look at the facts, verify them to the best of your ability, and please make your OWN opinion. Good luck! America needs someone, but who that will be is up to us.

Introducing Sarah Palin...

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John McCain shocked a lot of Americans, Democratic and Republican, when he announced his running mate, 44 year old, self-proclaimed hockey mom Sarah Palin.  The question is, how does this affect the election?  People are pretty much saying everything under the sun.  The thing about politics is often times the facts don't matter.  Sometimes the only thing standing between success and failure is the popular opinion, so how do people feel?  One favorable comment is Palin represents the radical changes McCain is looking for.  She also has the capability of drawing in two groups of people McCain still wants to target, family-oriented women and conservatives.  However, like in any election, there are always critics.  The most used criticism is focusing on her her pregnant seventeen year old daughter.  There is also the ever present question of political experience.  She is in her first term as governor, and before that she served on city council.  Without any political experience on the national level, people are wondering if she has what it takes.  The problem for voters is sorting through all of these opinions in an effort to form their own.

When doing some investigating, I have found people's opinions regarding Sarah Palin are always within the two extremes.  I have yet to meet anyone who can't make up their mind.  Either people think she was a perfect selection or McCain's worst idea yet.  I have found party lines don't matter.  Democrats and Republicans both feel very strongly.  Even amounts of Democrats and Republicans fall into the Sarah Palin: love it and Sarah Palin: hate it categories.   However, despite all the opinions out there, one thing is certain, Sarah Palin is the most exciting thing in the 2008 Presidential Election  since Obama became the Democratic nominee.

Welcome to the whole world...

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I am currently a junior, English major at Texas A&M University. One thing I love to do is read the newspaper. I love current events, and even more I love editorials because they offer an original viewpoint on random subjects. Throughout my years on a college campus, I have noticed that college really is the best time of your life, but not for the reasons most people tell you about. The best part about college is being able to experience one of the most diverse cross-sections of the world. I have been taking a plethora of sociology classes, and when we discuss various issues it becomes oddly apparent that in one class of twenty there are a ton of different backgrounds and views. So from this point on I vow to take advantage of my opportunity. I am going to be sitting down and discussing major current events and hot topics bi-weekly with random people on campus. People in the library, at the bus stop, in various dining halls and restaurants, will become my colleagues, bringing the rest of the world the diverse opinions that we as college students get to take advantage of.