The American Spectator

Bob| 11.15.08 @ 7:15PM

Wrong again, RSM. Obama actually uses complete sentences and has a structure to his speech. He does display a verbal interjection when he is collecting his thoughts. Most of the time he actually answers the question put forth. On the other hand, Palin does not organize thoughts, does not know how to pronounce "ing", and mixes up verbs and nouns. Trying to equate the two is ludicrous.

Furthermore, Obama has written a couple of books himself, has written several position papers, has given speeches (written by him) as early as 1991, and, according to reporters, actually writes much of his speeches himself.

The best you can say about Palin is that she speaks well when someone else writes for her. She has written no books, we know she doesn't write her own speeches, we've seen no position papers, etc. There is no evidence of any signs of intelligent activity in her cranium.

The speech she gave at the governor's conference, which I assume she did herself because is was done so poorly, was almost as good as a 5th grader.

The ability to speak and write does not indicate intelligence, but it is related. The ability to organize thoughts, however, is highly related to intelligence, and she fails on that account. Until Sarah shows us some sign of intelligence, we can only assume she is average or less.

Besides, we know Obama graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law which is not an easy task. How well did Sarah do in school? Did she do as well as McCain who graduated 5th from the bottom of his class or Bush who got C's and D's?

Perhaps if Sarah had actually done a series of challenging press conferences, we'd get a better idea. But she didn't do any.

The fact is that we don't know anything about Palin's intelligence except for the Gibson and Couric interviews -- and she completely failed those.

Mary| 11.15.08 @ 8:23PM

RSM, I don't know whether I'm in her corner as a leader or not. Much too early for that. But, I'm in her corner as a woman, and admirer of her accomplishments.

Her little Trig tells a large story, that goes way, way back.

I was born just a few miles from where Ovid lived. He was no prude. He was banished by Augustus and I'm not sure we know the reason(s) why, but it's thought that his poem Ars Amatoria contributed to the cause. I think that during Augustus' reign adultery was made illegal, and the poem didn't help that cause either.

In any event, here's Ovid's thoughts on abortion:

She who first began the practice of tearing out her tender progeny deserved to die in her own warfare. Can it be that, to be free of the flaws
of stretchmarks, you have to scatter the tragic sands of carnage? Why will you subject your womb to the weapons of abortion and give dread poisons to the unborn? The tigress lurking in Armenia does no such thing, nor does the
lioness dare destroy her young. Yet tender girls do so- though not with impunity; often she who kills what is in her womb dies herself. - Roman
Wives, Roman Widows: The Appearance of New Women and the Pauline Communities - Bruce W. Winter

Seeing the strong protect the weak never loses its poignancy and appeal. Especially when one doesn't talk about it much.

The Miller video you posted on your own site is right on the mark.

Misogynist: A man who hates women as much as women hate one another. - H. L. Mencken

McCain promised to freeze spending. Shortly after that, Palin announced she'd like to offer up 26M for Special Needs kids, through already existing special ed administration. As honorable as the cause is, it struck me as poor judgment during such a time of economic upheaval.

Not to mention that it's pointless to say you're going to freeze spending except for.

Her political instincts are very good. But do I ever long for a truly straight shooter.

Greta's definitely in her corner, and time heals a lot of wounds.

I wish her the best.

P.S. Can you imagine what the talk was in Florida between the other Governors who are looking at '12 as a potential run?

S. Hays over at the Weekly Standard discusses the Governors. It gives some good insight into the positions of some of the Governors.

Totally unrelated or maybe not, here's a take on GW from an Aussie:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24642500-25377,00.html

He made his share of mistakes, and he certainly made me rethink some things, but some of his enemies are swine who aren't fit to lick his boots.

linda| 11.15.08 @ 8:43PM

The old Dickster comes off much like the metrosexual Christopher Buckley. Wasn't the Dick schooled at Yale, too?
Really there is something seriously wrong with the NE and their very own Ivy League schools of the elite and the eliter.
Gawd! Spare the rest of the country and confine yourselves on commenting on your own. When you sniff at the rest of the country you're a dead bore but we would all like to see you tear the other Mushrooms apart. Bread for the Circus and all that....

james23| 11.15.08 @ 9:28PM

I had no idea Dick Cavett was still alive. I thought this relic of the bad old days of the 70s had died of aids in the 80s. How fitting that he pop up for an encore performance just as the nation is about to time warp back to 1977.

linda| 11.15.08 @ 9:39PM

Dear James,
Every princess and her pug are turning out out to diss Palin. It's quite the seasonal "thing to do". And yes, even the half-dead have shown up for the party. Fun times for the Beltway.

Smarlinghue| 11.15.08 @ 11:00PM

"Most of the time he actually answers the question put forth."

Except when the questions are above his pay grade.

I understand that some people might enjoy thinking that Gov. Palin is unintelligent--it keeps them in their intellectual comfort zone--so if you are one of those types, Bob, you won't want to read this:

http://tinyurl.com/6dbxzt

It would force you to reexamine your chosen assumptions, and that would be uncomfortable for anyone. So, if you wish to remain comfortable, you should not read the link.

P. Jeremy| 11.15.08 @ 11:07PM

Hey Bob,

"A verbal interjection" - HA HA HA HA - yeah, like seven and a half minutes of uh's and mmm's and ers . . . during one of his memorable Press Conferences.

You Barry Hussein Kool-Aid drinkers are a hoot, and you'll only get funnier - then nastier - as the Gaffe-Team's Administration stumbles along.

Harvard Law School . . . that's where Barry ran the Law Review but didn't write anything, right?

And speaking of writing, who was it that wrote his two books? I think we're pretty sure who cobbled together Dreams From My Father . . . in fact, I think Rashid Khalidi's book was written at that same big old dining room table.

smarlinghue| 11.15.08 @ 11:10PM

Seeking the opinion of a man that no one's thought much about in a quarter century, and that few people thought much about even during his heyday, seems to be all about reinforcing one's prejudices.

Those who wish to remain comfortable with their prejudices should not read this from (Democrat and Obama voter) Camille Paglia:

"How dare Palin not embrace abortion as the ultimate civilized ideal of modern culture? How tacky that she speaks in a vivacious regional accent indistinguishable from that of Western Canada! How risible that she graduated from the State University of Idaho and not one of those plush, pampered commodes of received opinion whose graduates, in their rush to believe the worst about her, have demonstrated that, when it comes to sifting evidence, they don't know their asses from their elbows.

"Liberal Democrats are going to wake up from their sadomasochistic, anti-Palin orgy with a very big hangover. The evil genie released during this sorry episode will not so easily go back into its bottle. A shocking level of irrational emotionalism and at times infantile rage was exposed at the heart of current Democratic ideology -- contradicting Democratic core principles of compassion, tolerance and independent thought. One would have to look back to the Eisenhower 1950s for parallels to this grotesque lock-step parade of bourgeois provincialism, shallow groupthink and blind prejudice.

"I like Sarah Palin, and I've heartily enjoyed her arrival on the national stage. As a career classroom teacher, I can see how smart she is -- and quite frankly, I think the people who don't see it are the stupid ones, wrapped in the fuzzy mummy-gauze of their own worn-out partisan dogma. So she doesn't speak the King's English -- big whoop! There is a powerful clarity of consciousness in her eyes. She uses language with the jumps, breaks and rippling momentum of a be-bop saxophonist. I stand on what I said (as a staunch pro-choice advocate) in my last two columns -- that Palin as a pro-life wife, mother and ambitious professional represents the next big shift in feminism. Pro-life women will save feminism by expanding it, particularly into the more traditional Third World.

"As for the Democrats who sneered and howled that Palin was unprepared to be a vice-presidential nominee -- what navel-gazing hypocrisy! What protests were raised in the party or mainstream media when John Edwards, with vastly less political experience than Palin, got John Kerry's nod for veep four years ago? "

Sorry if any of this disturbs your comfort levels.

ruth| 11.15.08 @ 11:23PM

See, Bob, I'm not the only one who thinks you are nasty. Also, I thought that twerp, Cavett, was dead: He looked like a corpse twenty years ago.

ruth| 11.15.08 @ 11:41PM

Bob, is someone going to give you knee pads for your messiah, Obama, for Christmas?
Of course you probably already have several pairs and you probably don't believe in Christmas.

Mary, Your post blew me away!

Doc Washburn| 11.15.08 @ 11:51PM

Hey Bob, what about when Barry lied about Auschwitz, saying "I have a uncle". Shouldn't it be "an" uncle, Bob? Quick Bob, who was President when the stock market crashed? Biden thinks it was FDR! When did Americans start watching TV ? Biden thinks as early as 1929! How many letters in the word "jobs"? Biden says three! And of course - Bob - no one who has actually looked into it believes that Barry actually wrote his own books:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80241
But then, I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, am I "Bob"?

Bob| 11.16.08 @ 8:20AM

Hey, guys, if you don't see a difference between a "pay grade" answer and THINKING that the VP runs the Senate or "I know foreign policy because I live near Russia", then I would question your intellect. One is symbolic of nuance and the other symbolic of reasoning. I've met a lot of smart people who are much better at writing than speaking extemporaneously. Unless you are absolutely dumb, looking at um's and ah's in opposition to reason and structure makes little sense.

In regard to a ghost writer for Obama's books, NOTHING has been proven and no one else, outside of right wing talk show hosts and their lemmings, believe this to be true. The fact that academically oriented writers might have a similar writing styles is certainly understandable.

Regarding Smarlinghue's article reference, you'll notice that the person who wrote it was a campaign operative writing just before the election. Please tell me you are smart enough to recognize advertising versus objective disclosure. Anyone who writes analysis knows that objective verification is necessary for a strong proof. You are just proving you can't think for yourself.

Regarding Biden's intellect, I don't think he's shown more than slightly above average ability much like McCain. Neither is the best and the brightest. But they are all certainly heads above Palin -- or at least what she's shown.

What I would like all of you to consider is why the campaign, who was closest to Palin, would not let her have press conferences or give any extemporaneous comments. Rick Davis said that they thought they would get a favorable interview from Couric because she was a woman! How sexist -- and wrong. The campaign knew Sarah was not intelligent enough to be sent out on her own. In fact, in later interviews, she was always accompanied by McCain. Doesn't that bother any of you?

P Jeremy| 11.16.08 @ 10:03AM

A famous radio personality once remarked that what was ailing Ms. Maureen of the NYT could probably be taken care of in a 24-hour session, if a volunteer could be found. A very big "if."

I suspect Dennis Miller is exactly right when he suggests, along those same lines, that so many media and other Lefties don't like Palin for the same reason: unlike them, she's attractive and probably has a very satisfying sex-life with that Alaskan First Dude who drives the snow-machine (which Miller referred to as a "kind of mechanized form of foreplay").

Of course, he was speaking of media and other Leftie WOMEN, but the more anti-Palin stuff you read on the blogs coming from men, the insight probably applies to them has well!

Obama Boys: get a grip - if you get my drift!

Agent Orange Peel| 11.16.08 @ 11:24AM

Bob, as an Obama spokesman would you please clarify for us Obama's official "graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law" position on how many states are in the United States . Is it Obama's position that the total is 57 or 58?:

"I've now been in 57 states I think one left to go" --
Barack Obama

Bob, about your "Obama actually uses complete sentences and has a structure to his speech":

"The notion that we would sustain that kind of effort and neglect not only making us more secure here at home, more competitive here at home, allow our economy to sink." -- Barack
Obama at the Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin, Feb 21, 2008,

Your Majesty| 11.16.08 @ 11:30AM

Wild Wordsmith of Wasilla, meet the Ninny of New York City.

Translating Cavett's perfect English: political party alignment with the 26%-approved president is bad. Membership in the 9%-approved Congress is good.

Presumably Cavett voted for the vice-presidential candidate who speaks in such perfect sentences as, "I will screw you badly."

Bob| 11.16.08 @ 2:54PM

There is a difference between misspeak and not understanding -- and if you don't understand the difference, you would never understand the concept of intelligence. One you do when you are tired and the other you do because you are missing some IQ points.

Here's a minimal list of "misunderstandings" of Palin. They are not misstatements. By the way, there are dozens more and she only went through one debate versus 22 for Obama and NO press conferences. Again, if the campaign thought she was competent, wouldn't they have put her out there? They would know much better than either of us.

1. "As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border." --Sarah Palin, explaining why Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience, interview with CBS's Katie Couric, Sept. 24, 2008.

2. "We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. ... We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation." --Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in Greensoboro, N.C., Oct. 16, 2008

3. "Ohh, good, thank you, yes." --Sarah Palin, after a notorious Canadian prank caller complimented her on the documentary about her life, Hustler's "Nailin Paylin," Nov. 1, 2008

4. "Well, let's see. There's ― of course in the great history of America there have been rulings that there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American, and there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So, you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but ―" --Sarah Palin, unable to name a Supreme Court decision she disagreed with other than Roe vs. Wade, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008

5. "All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years." --Sarah Palin, unable to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008

6. "They are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan." --Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in San Francisco, Oct. 5, 2008

7. "[T]hey're in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom." --Sarah Palin, getting the vice president's constitutional role wrong after being asked by a third grader what the vice president does, interview with NBC affiliate KUSA in Colorado, Oct. 21, 2008

8. "I told the Congress, 'Thanks, but no thanks,' on that Bridge to Nowhere." –Sarah Palin, who was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it

9. "If [the media] convince enough voters that that is negative campaigning, for me to call Barack Obama out on his associations then I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media." --Sarah Palin, getting First Amendment rights backwards while suggesting that criticism of her is unconstitutional, radio interview with WMAL-AM, Oct. 31, 2008

10. "I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.'" --Sarah Palin, as quoted by former City Council Member Nick Carney, after he raised objections about the $50,000 she spent renovating the mayor's office without approval of the city council

I could put another 20 or so of these up. Can you imagine how many more of these there would be if there were more debates, press conferences, challenging non-Fox interviews, etc?

Also consider that at the Republican governor's conference, she had the only speech that lacked substance and recommended solutions. Jindal and Pawlenty had plenty of analysis and recommendations. She was also not given any role in the party by her peers. They are obviously ashamed of her -- and they are the Republican leaders!!!!

Bob| 11.16.08 @ 2:58PM

By the way, in eight years, Jindal will be the one to watch. He is smart, educated, understands the issues, and is not afraid to do what is needed. And Ruth, he is a social conservative and I like him because he ran as a moderate. The only negative is that he currently doesn't have the natural ability to inspire people.

ruth| 11.16.08 @ 4:00PM

Bob, either you care way too much, and need to get a life or you are being paid very well. Tedious.

Agent Orange Peel| 11.16.08 @ 5:05PM

Ruth 3:00 PM:

I endorse this message

dad29| 11.16.08 @ 6:49PM

Dick Cavett....

Wasn't he an TV-intellectualoid about 30 years ago?

Agent Orange Peel| 11.16.08 @ 7:24PM

dad29, you would have been better served to address your question to Bob for he knows everything.

ruth| 11.16.08 @ 11:25PM

Agent: Thank you.

ruth| 11.16.08 @ 11:31PM

Yes, he is our very own Omniscient Bob. How fortunate we are at AmSpecBlog to have him here, right?

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 7:30AM

Ruth/Agent Orange -- it's interesting when logic, data and analysis are used to challenge the myths of social conservatives. Myths don't win elections! You should run Palin in 2012 and get a huge loss to seal the deal. In any event, if Obama governs to the center from the left, just as Schwartzeneggar governs to the center from the right, he will win a landslide in 1012. Obama is a smart guy, reads lots of books (unlike Palin who only wants to ban books), and makes informed decisions. He is calculating, pragmatic, and ruthless. Those of you who think that left wing ideology will take over are low information voters.

Doug N| 11.17.08 @ 8:03AM

Bob, I thought for one moment that the president you were describing as "a smart guy, [who] reads lots of books,...and makes informed decisions" was James Earl Carter. Remember, he was "calculating, pragmatic, and ruthless," too. Obama will be overwhelmed by the liberals in Congress, just as Jimmy was, and leftist ideology will be the norm, at least for his first two years. If Obama is lucky enough to get a GOP Congress in 2010, as Bill Clinton did in 1994, he may then be able to govern from the center and win reelection , but Obama plus a Dem Congress is a recipe for unchecked leftism for at least the next two years.

Doc Washburn| 11.17.08 @ 8:55AM

All right "Bob", I was trying to show some restraint. But you asked for it. 12 people were killed in tornadoes in Kansas in May '07. Your "tired" Barry said it was 10,000! Where were Couric and Gibson on that one? I bet Palin knows how many states are in the USA - even when she's tired. I wonder if you could come up with statements Reagan made similar to those you put up from her. How did we fare under his leadership? And are you implying that either McCain or his handlers were actually competent to run a campaign? Give me a break. Look, "Bob" isn't the elephant in the living room here Sarah's baby? Does it bother you that she let him live instead of aborting him? Most liberals I read are terrified of Palin because she is actually pro-life. Is that what is really troubling you?

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 10:03AM

Doc -- again there is a difference between "misstatement" and "misunderstanding". I wonder how much more junk we would have heard from Palin if the people around her had not known something we did not know and hid her.

With regard to Carter, I did not vote for him because he showed tendencies towards micromanagement and did not know how to interact with Washington. This is how Obama differs since no one can accuse him of either. He's a big picture guy like Reagan -- only smarter.

With regard to Sarah being pro-life, I think that's great. Just don't force me to be pro-life through legislation. Choice is part of the freedoms we have in this country and they should not be encroached upon. Government should be minimal. And don't force non-scientific pseudo-theories on my children like "intelligent design" or the fact that gays should be able to marry. It is not the beliefs of social conservatives that are the issue, it is their attempt to legislate me into owning their beliefs. And please don't be so dumb as to put forth the argument that those who are for choice limit your freedoms. You can practice what you believe. I would be as much against a left leaning group forcing abortion or even condoms as a legislative solution. However, people should be offered the choices either way.

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 10:21AM

Hey Bob. re: Obama at Harvard - how much did afirmative action have to do with his rise?

And Obama is such a "principled intellectual" that he picked Joe Biden - a plagiarist (caught twice) as his VP. And what is plagiarism? THEFT. Theft of intellectual property. Biden had to steal his "intellectualism" apparently. Which of course means he has no confidence in his own ideas. Or maybe has no ideas.

And there is a reason that Johnny Carson was was /is an icon - and ruled in the talk show genre, while Dick Cavett was, at best, a very poor runnerup. Because Johnny Carson was an Everyman - hailing from flyover country. He had everyone from plate jugglers to opera singers on his show. He had the common touch (as Sarah Palin does.) Cavett's show was pretty much a bore-fest, a platform for Cavett "the intellectual" to ponificate. AND NOBODY WATCHED. :)

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 10:26AM

>>>He's a big picture guy like Reagan -- only smarter.

Bob, please. Reagan was far smarter than Obama. Reagan didn't just ride a wave into DC, he redefined an entire political movement. He also didn't belong to a radical church, sit on a board with a bomber, or any other such nonsense.

And as far as I know he didn't use his first press conference to take a swipe at the 88-year-old wife of a former President. He far too smart for that....:)

Doc Washburn| 11.17.08 @ 10:30AM

Bob, I appreciate your candor. I think that abortion is usually what this all boils down to. No, Roe vs. Wade does not limit my freedom, just the freedom of the most defenseless among us, the babies. Just so there is no confusion about the Orwellian use of the term "choice", let us be clear. This is what you approve of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVbkgO-GUhY
"Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death." Proverbs 8:35-36

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 10:51AM

Wendy, please show me any objective proof that Reagan was smarter than Obama. I voted for Reagan, but I don't believe for a minute that he was smarter.

There is a lot of revisionist history when it comes to Reagan. Read this article by Tom Campbell, a Republican, who knew and followed Reagan.

http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/06/08_campbell.shtml

This is one of the reasons I think social conservatives are ruining the Republican party -- because they are not intellectual enough to do simple research...

Crusader| 11.17.08 @ 10:54AM

Bob, exactly how is obama gonna run for re-election in 1012????? For a guy who claims to be so smart, you don't even know when the next presidential election is? Or is this another example or "misstatement" versus "misinterpretation?" You libs sure can come up with plenty or rationalization and $10 words for "dumb."

And Bob you further show how stupid you are by holding on to the claim that Sarah banned books. That's even been debunked by all the lib MSM. Nothing there Bob but keep looking.

Dave C| 11.17.08 @ 10:54AM

If Obama is as smart as Bob thinks he is..

Then Biden is serving only as balance for the ticket.

Crusader| 11.17.08 @ 11:07AM

Bob, please show objective proof that obama is smarter than Reagan. You apply standards to everyone else but yourself.

When did social conservastives become the ones who believe government should legislate everything? I believe that is called modern day liberalism Bob. Example, the people of CA spoke on gay marriage Bob, not some religious court. The PEOPLE Bob, but gay lefties like yourself want to "judge-shop" to overturn the will of the PEOPLE!

Non-scientific pseudo theories? You mean like evolution or man-made global warming?

People ARE offered choices Bob. Here's a choice. You're a 16 year old girl. Do you have unprotected sex with some guy you met at a party or not? Libs like you want the gubmint to "help" people after they's aready made bad (what's that word again? Oh yeah!) CHOICES.

This is typical leftie drivel...people make bad choices and expect the gubmint to bail them out, folks against it are: bigots, racists, fundamentalists, homophobes, religious nuts, etc etc etc.

Bob since you are such a champion of choices how come I can not take the money I would pay in taxes to support government schools and use it to send my kids to private schools? How come I don't have that CHOICE? Why Bob? That doesn't seem fair now does it Bob?

Bob?

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 11:12AM

Crusader -- I see you don't understand the difference between "misstatement" and "misinterpretation". That's OK, it just further proves my point regarding lemmings.

Regarding the banning books episode, read this:

"Mary Ellen Emmons was Wasilla's librarian at the time. She told a local newspaper, the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, in December 1996 that Palin repeatedly had asked her about removing books from the library, but said Palin never mentioned specific titles, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Palin has cast her questions about the library's policy, including at a 1996 City Council meeting, as theoretical. Her critics, including a city resident who attended the meeting, say the questioning was more direct.

"There was no way that I thought it was rhetorical," said Anne Kilkenny, who said she attended the meeting where Palin raised the issue but says she did not remember Palin's exact words.

In January 1997, Palin requested that the city's department heads, including Emmons, reapply for their positions. Though the censorship issue was not raised, some members of the community rallied behind Emmons and the librarian kept her job until she resigned three years later. "

IMO, this is not an important issue, but the facts are the facts.

Dave C -- Yes, I think that Biden is serving only as balance for the ticket. I'm not sure he's any smarter than Palin, but he does have knowledge -- something that Palin lacks.

Dave C| 11.17.08 @ 11:19AM

Bob.. you missed the point..

Biden is a moron..

three letter word, J-O-B-S..

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 11:20AM

Crusader -- again you show your lack of education. Do some research on the definition of theory. (Hint: it requires the ability of affirmative proof).

Secondly, the 16 year old should have a choice in consultation with her parents and her doctor. You should not be involved with her life.

In relation to school choice, I am all for it. If vouchers improve the educational levels for our children, then we should have vouches. That is the pragmatic solution.

Your problem, like Limbaugh and Hannity, is that you try to put people in categories that are either with you or against you. This shows a lack of intellectual heft and an understanding of nuance.

Am I glad a primarily social conservative did not get into the White House? You betcha!!!!

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 11:21AM

Dave C -- like I said, I don't think Biden is any smarter than Palin. He just has more knowledge.

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 12:12PM

>>>Wendy, please show me any objective proof that Reagan was smarter than Obama.

Bob, please show me any objective proof that Obama is smarter than Reagan.

And what is revisionist about Tom Campbell's article?

Bob, I don't mind debating liberals. As long as they admit who and what they are. Come out of the closet Bob, so we can have a real debate.

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 12:22PM

>>>Dave C -- like I said, I don't think Biden is any smarter than Palin. He just has more knowledge.

And what knowledge he doesn't have - he just steals!!

I don't know about you Bob, but I don't trust the word of someone like that. Because how do you know if they are lying or not?

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 12:28PM

Here's are links from Snopes and Urban Legends that debunk the Palin book banning baloney, or should I say SPAM.

Heh.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/palin/bannedbooks.asp

ttp://urbanlegends.about.com/od/sarahpalin/a/banned_books.htm

Doc Washburn| 11.17.08 @ 12:31PM

>>>WendyG - Bob, I don't mind debating liberals. As long as they admit who and what they are. Come out of the closet Bob, so we can have a real debate.

Wendy, I tried that. Liberals really can not actually justify the shedding of blood of helpless babies. So they use euphemisms like "choice" and try to change the subject. I think it's pretty obvious what we are dealing with here. btw, Roe v. Wade has been very helpful to guys who commit statutory rape and want to get rid of the evidence:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=64812

Bob| 11.17.08 @ 12:49PM

I guess you shouldn't trust anyone that lies. Therefore, read this:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/the-twelve-odd.html

Doc, would a liberal be a fiscal conservative? Would a liberal be for vouchers? Would a liberal want a stronger military? Would a liberal be against the bailout of GM?

Your definition of liberal/conservative is simplistic just like your arguments. And the pro-choice position is more libertarian than liberal. There are true conservatives like Tom Ridge who are pro-choice.

Wendy, regarding Reagan, it is social conservatives that have reinvented Reagan in their own image. I can see you didn't read the article. If you did, then it's even worse -- you didn't understand it.

Agent Orange Peel| 11.17.08 @ 1:13PM

Bob is the smartest person on earth, so except everything he says as truth and fact.

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 1:14PM

Back up Bob, to this post you made about Palin banning books.

Please acknowledge that Palin banning books story was bunk.

I read the article. It's you who did get the meaning of it.

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 1:16PM

>>>Bob is the smartest person on earth, so except everything he says as truth and fact.

Yeah. He and Andrew Sullivan. ;)

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 1:23PM

>>>>Here's a minimal list of "misunderstandings" of Palin.

Hmmm. Bob - re: Obama's brain power:

Obama's gaffes start to pile up
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/316024,CST-NWS-sweet28.article

Consider the items that have been accumulating since Obama announced on Feb. 10:

• Marking the anniversary of the March 1965 "Bloody Sunday" in Selma, Ala., Obama, speaking at a church, said his parents got together "because of what happened in Selma." Obama was born in 1961.

• Obama told Larry King on CNN -- asked about that anti-Hillary Rodham Clinton YouTube ad, a doctored version of a spot created for Apple computers -- "We don't have the technical capacity to create something like that."

Obama did not know what he was talking about.
Any professional media consultant can manipulate images on video. Turns out the creator -- unmasked last week as a political operative who worked for a firm overseeing the technical side of Obama's Web site -- made it at home on a Mac.

• Obama, asked if homosexuality was immoral, in the wake of comments by Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Peter Pace, sidestepped the question. After pressure from gay groups, Obama issued a statement stating he did not agree with Pace "that homosexuality is immoral."

Cynicism is like terrorism?
• One of Obama's stump lines is that the biggest obstacle he fights is not any of his rivals, it is cynicism. He used a variation of it during a reception he hosted at a conference here sponsored by AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Displaying a tin ear, Obama said that one of the enemies is not "just terrorists" or "just Hezbollah" or "just Hamas" -- "it's also cynicism."

• The Tribune dug this up: Obama, in his memoir, Dreams of My Father, writes of a story in Life magazine that influenced him -- about a black man trying to bleach his skin white. No such article could be found in Life or Ebony.

Insider or outsider?
• Another Obama stump line -- he said it again Tuesday morning to the Communications Workers of America here -- is that "I've been long enough in Washington to know that Washington needs to change." He is running against Washington yet his campaign is populated with political professionals who are Washington insiders.

• Obama's embrace of some rhetoric used by rival John Edwards is getting attention. Edwards, in a 2003 speech made for his first presidential run said, "I've spent enough time in Washington to know how much we need to change Washington."

Bill Burton, an Obama spokesman, said in reaction to the Obama stumbles: "If there are people looking for a candidate running to be the darling of the Washington insider crowd, this campaign is not for them. We are encouraged by the growing, unflinching support of Americans who believe we can transform our country by changing our politics."

ruth| 11.17.08 @ 1:46PM

Bob stated on another thread that Reagan's monumental success was due to his style and good personality. I replied that it took more than an affable disposition to defeat the USSR, that it was Reagan's strong CONSERVATIVE convictions that won the day. Bob never replied to my comment. Why is that, Bob?

P Jeremy| 11.17.08 @ 2:22PM

Oh well .... I see Bob is sending us to The Goateed Fairy for wisdom.

And that tells you EVERYTHING you need to know!

Peace. Out. As they say ....

Agent Orange Peel| 11.17.08 @ 2:53PM

The Essence of Bob:

"Wendy, regarding Reagan, it is social conservatives that have reinvented Reagan in their own image. I can see you didn't read the article. If you did, then it's even worse -- you didn't understand it."

"Agent Orange -- You and others... analyze in your own image rather than look for the correct analysis... You guys really need to learn how to do analysis"

"Wrong again, RSM."

"Doc --... please don't be so dumb as to put forth the argument that"

"Crusader -- again you show your lack of education"

"Wendy...I think social conservatives are ruining the Republican party -- because they are not intellectual enough to do simple research"

"Orange, please tell me you can think for yourself."

"Crusader -- I see you don't understand...That's OK, it just further proves my point regarding lemmings."

"Hey, guys,...Please tell me you are smart enough to...You are just proving you can't think for yourself."

"and if you don't understand the difference, you would never understand the concept of intelligence."

The Essence of a Mind Greater than Bob's:

"And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools"

"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom."

WendyG| 11.17.08 @ 2:58PM

>>>Oh well .... I see Bob is sending us to The Goateed Fairy for wisdom.

Well, PJ, just so you know, people with goatees are generally smarter than the rest of. Especially if they combine their goatee with a pipe. Very very impressive.

Doc Washburn| 11.17.08 @ 5:31PM

Bob, I guess you're right. Although most liberals tend to be in favor of murdering babies by ripping them apart in the womb (or delivering them backward and jamming scissors into the base of their skulls and suctioning out their brains), there are certainly folks who would think of themselves as liberals that have the simple human decency to be horrified at the very thought of infanticide. There are also certainly folks who would describe themselves as conservatives (or libertarians) who are quite enthusiastic about shedding the blood of "the least among us". So, you're right. I was off base. I really should have been more accurate and I appreciate your correction. Perhaps someone could suggest more appropriate descriptions of the opposing sides of the great moral (and legal) issue of our age. btw, you like to speculate on whether other posters have read links that you have suggested. On the other hand, you obviously don't want to deal with the evidence in the Hard Truth video that I linked to. All it is is a realistic portrayal of "choice". You don't have a problem with viewing it and cheering on those who exercise their "freedom of choice"; do you, Bob? Is this a great country or what?

Barbara's Bush| 11.18.08 @ 5:43PM

"Well, PJ, just so you know, people with goatees are generally smarter than the rest of. Especially if they combine their goatee with a pipe. Very very impressive. "

The purpose of a pipe is to give a wise man time to think before speaking or a fool something to stick in his or her mouth.

As for the abortion issue, lets just look at it from an economic standpoint and forget about God for the moment as most pro choicers have already. What happens when 40 million of your citizens are murdered before they are born, never to be productive citizens working and paying taxes or paying into the social security system? A vacuum is created and when a vacuum is created it must be filled and it is being filled by millions of illegal aliens crossing our unprotected borders. They pick our lettuce and build our roads but they are not paying into the system, they are taking away from the system and creating a burden on an already overburdened system. That is exactly what happens when you wipe out your future work force. Now again on the abortion issue, once again forget about God as most have already so no stretch there and let's look to science. A man with his own DNA pokes the ole staff of life into the womb of a woman with her own DNA and releases millions of tiny little swimmers that try and make their way to an unfertelized egg in the womb or velvet lined love tunnel for you more base individuals and voila! The egg is fertilized! Now check the DNA of the fertilized egg, fetus, blob of tissue, whatever you want to call it and see that when using scientific methods this little insignificant blog of tissue can now be proven to be an individual having its own DNA code and identity. At this point it is no longer a woman's choice as her sole purpose is to act as an incubator to bring this precious life to full term..period....it is her choice to have a tooth pulled or a tummy tuck as that is her body but after the egg is fertilized that inside of her is an individual growing inside of her body and deserving of protection to guard against any harm to those that are "the least among us".

Greetings Doc and a big ole giant "S" word....Salutations I believe it is. Do you know anyone wishing to leave millions to a worthy cause? I'm your person for that just forward the details. God Bless!

Barbara's Bush| 11.18.08 @ 8:51PM

Bob....GPUAR...Fokker...out!