The issues
So, McCain is selling himself as "change" now, but all the issues seem to be on the Dem side.
This didn't sell when Bush tried it. Neither did charter schools or "private retirement accounts" in place of Social Security.
And what was McCain saying last night about ending unemployment insurance?
Am I wrong or is "change agent" really a stretch?
According to his campaign website, McCain’s health care plan is similar to what the Bush administration has been pushing for years — $5,000 tax credits for families to purchase private health insurance, and incentives for creating health savings accounts to cover out-of-pocket health care costs.
The $5,000 tax credit, even if it were refundable, would not cover the average yearly cost of a family health care premium, which the Kaiser Family Foundation said was $12,000 in 2007.
This didn't sell when Bush tried it. Neither did charter schools or "private retirement accounts" in place of Social Security.
And what was McCain saying last night about ending unemployment insurance?
Am I wrong or is "change agent" really a stretch?
posted by mikevotes at
8:11 AM
10 Comments:
Headline on NYT says McCain emphasized his record of opposition to the GOP. But don't all these convention delegates actually LIKE the GOP... it's policies, priorities and platform!?
There's a dissonance here there's startling. McCain wants to be the GOP standard bearer by distancing himself as far as he can from Bush and the Repbulican congress of the past 7 years. Wow.
I'll ask again; exactly what is it that McCain stands for? He's been all over the place. I have no idea what his core policy/political values are.
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-epm, at 8:27 AM
Yeah.
But that is the play that Palin allows him. He can speak against his party in a limited way, and she'll make up some of that ground.
The ones who would be offended by his speaking against Bush are also her most passionate supporters.
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mikevotes, at 8:36 AM
I think they're putting too much stock in value of a VP candidate in general and Palin in specific. I think over time (9weeks!) her ability to pull in otherwise non-voting voters shrinks to an ever smaller and more fringe group.
In the end, I think Palin is a flash-in-the-pan and will be a net zero for McCain.
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-epm, at 9:29 AM
We're going to continue to get an undermining drip drip on her.
However, I would dispute whether she's a net zero. Even if she doesn't bring in one more vote, the early evidence is that she's bringing in very badly needed volunteers which has some value.
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mikevotes, at 10:36 AM
I didn't think about the indirect affect she might have... energizing volunteers to get out their vote. I'm still unsure of her staying power with regard to energizing the base. She'll probably appear in echo-chamber venues that mainstream voters don't see, but where base/fringe voters are the audience. So in that case she may keep the base primed.
I don't think she has the same affect that all the anti-Gay state initiatives had back in 2004 with the base.
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-epm, at 10:55 AM
I agree, but those who are energized to volunteer aren't likely to be put off by anything short of pedophilia.
But volunteers might be a pretty big deal. You need those phone callers, envelope stuffer, door knockers. Previously, the McCain camp was trying to run a media only campaign that was likely to fall short of polling on election day.
They'll definitely march her out to friendly audiences.
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mikevotes, at 11:05 AM
I know I'm going out on the fringe here, but it's still possible something could blow up on her. I'm getting the impression that AK is a pretty small state politically... very Mayberry, RFD... and I think there her political "executive" skills are bush league. I truly don't believe she's ready for prime time. What she could get away with in the tundra, just ain't gonna play in the broader lower-48.
You've got the Troopergate investigation heating up... she's circling the lawyer-wagons... backing off on the "I welcome an open investigation" stuff faster than you can say "Oh, crap." Now there's a separate ethics charge regarding personnel files, and I still thing Todd's her personal goon. It's possible there could be revelations that make Palin's position on the ticket untenable... no matter how blindly committed the fundies are to her.
Understand I realize I'm going a little into tin foil hat territory... I just smell something's out there.
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-epm, at 1:52 PM
Oh, definitely. As a simple example, the National Enquirer claims to have the story of an affair, but, even more so, it seems apparent that she made lots of enemies in Alaska, who would be more than happy to dump given the opportunity.
So, yeah, the possibility is out there, but I still don't think McCain could dump her unless it's something so bad that the fundies turn on her, so, probably almost nothing political, but maybe something personal.
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mikevotes, at 3:32 PM
epm wrote:
I think they're putting too much stock in value of a VP candidate in general and Palin in specific.
I completely agree.
So many Republicans have simply talked themselves into liking Palin because it is required as a loyal Party member. But that luxury doesn't extend to independents.
I think as McCain makes his more centrist pushes, the evangelicals will become more sceptical.
The health care issue is framed as "offering choices". That's like saying "You don't need a free bus pass, because we're offering you the choice between buying a Bentley and an Alfa Romeo. You like choices, right?". Especially among the elderly, health care is a huge issue, and McCain's plan is absolute rubbish.
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Todd Dugdale , at 7:55 PM
and I still thing Todd's her personal goon.
I deny those accusations. I am a goon, but not Palin's personal goon.
Strictly freelance goonery.
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Todd Dugdale , at 7:58 PM
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