Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Bring on the general election

Obama passed another milestone yesterday by locking in a majority of pledged delegates with his win in Oregon and despite the drubbing in Kentucky. But can I tell you that I have been genuinely energized by his past couple of speeches. And it's because the focus has turned on McCain, the general election, and the battle of ideas.

And despite McCain's supposed advantage in foreign policy, he appears to have adopted the policies of the Bush administration from Iraq to Iran to Cuba. And if that is McCain's position, that is a debate that Obama will handily win because the American people are tired of a lack of diplomacy and a foreign policy that has isolated our country and made us less safe. Bring it on.

2 comments:

Kevin L. Richardson said...

I think we'll see McCain do much to remove himself from Bush once the Dems finalize their nominee.

Personally I'm ready to get back to the Powell (Weinberger) doctrine.

I also agree with a recent statement from Powell concerning Iraq:

"The [Iraq] civil war will ultimately be resolved by a test of arms. It's not going to be pretty to watch, but I don't know any way to avoid it. It is happening now." He further noted, "It is not a civil war that can be put down or solved by the armed forces of the United States," and suggested that all the U.S. military could do was put "a heavier lid on this pot of boiling sectarian stew".

Agreed that the country is tired of a lack of diplomacy. We've swung 180 degrees from the frustrations in the early 00's over UN resolutions that went unresolved.

This is Obama's election to lose. My vote will go to the candidate who calls me to action, to a vision that lays out a sustainable energy plan, viable healthcare system and a collaborative partnership with the rest of the world, not the candidate who lays out a plan to solve these issues merely by asking for even more of my paycheck.

Brian said...

The Powell doctrine made lots of sense. Too bad Cheney/Rumsfled won the day and abandoned it.

On health care, I think the Dems have the actual ideas. McCain's plan is about the same as Bush's, which is just a tax credit to go buy your own insurance, coupled with a removal of the tax benefits of employer provided coverage. That will result in fewer people covered.

McCain has shown signs of being serious about energy policy and climate change. There will be an energy policy in this country again regardless of who the next president is. We can no longer rely on cheap energy. And our economy is going to suffer regardless of who the next president is because it is predicated on cheap fossil fuels.

I don't think you or I will be paying more taxes under a Democratic administration, but make no mistake that those who have benefitted the most financially from this country (and those that derive their income from capital gains) will be asked to pay their fair share once again. No more Warren Buffett paying a lower average tax rate than his secretary.