In last weeks Presidential Debate, McCain was asked to prioritize what needed to be done by our Country to get our Country moving forward again. McCain responded with a "we don't need to prioritize, let's just keep doing what we are doing" type of response.
Obama's response was "Just like an American family and to get our Country moving again, we need to prioritize." Then he specified the exact order in which we should proceed.
The Republicans and their fat cat friends are still running from our Country's reality". Hopefully, on election day the Republicans will clearly see the new "Reality".
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Running From Reality
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By
David S.Broder
Thursday, October 9, 2008;
Page A21
Something strange is happening in this strangest of all presidential
contests. The longer it goes on, the less we know about what either of
these men would do if he were in the Oval Office next year.
John McCain and Barack Obama
have been asked twice -- once in the Mississippi debate and again on
Tuesday night -- what their priorities would be. McCain flat-out
refused to choose, arguing that the United States can do it all. Obama
mentioned energy, health care and education but did not acknowledge
that he might have to choose among them.
Similarly, they declined to spell out what sacrifices they might
have to ask Americans to make, beyond moderating their energy use or
easing their demands for Washington-financed projects.
It was a stunning rejection of reality. This nation is mired in two
wars it does not know how to end. It is struggling to escape the worst
economic crisis since the Great Depression. The federal government is
staring at record deficits, with no plausible plan for financing the
retirement and health-care needs of a giant generation of retirees. Our
transportation and education systems need help, and we are dependent on
other countries for the energy we use.
In the face of all this, Obama and McCain are stubbornly repeating
promises they made in happier times -- broad tax cuts, new health
benefits, big government-financed projects.
To govern is to choose, and next year, the trade-offs will be much
tougher than usual because of the mess the Bush administration is
leaving behind. At a moment when few Americans can muster much
confidence in the leaders in Congress or the White House, McCain and
Obama have used two of their three debates -- three hours when they had
the attention of millions of voters -- to conceal more than they
revealed about their agendas.
That is why these debates are the opposite of game-changers. The
campaign is being driven by real-world events, not the words of the
candidates. Obama has moved ahead by every measure, in part because
voters consistently rate Democrats ahead of Republicans on the big
domestic and economic issues and in part because his hard-working
supporters are changing the electorate with their registration and
voter-turnout campaigns.
The candidates did do the country -- and themselves -- one favor by
avoiding the personal attacks that their campaign associates had been
making for the previous five days. It was a relief to be spared more
discussion of Bill Ayers and the Keating Five.
But the frustration that is growing stems from their mutual reluctance
to talk candidly about the situation one of them will inherit.
If either of them has a clue what to do to help stabilize this
tottering economy, he is keeping it to himself. McCain threw out the
notion of buying up distressed mortgages, but he did it in such an
offhand manner that no one could tell what he meant -- or what it would
cost.
Even when they have been specific, it is hard to credit their words.
Both have promised broad tax reductions targeted to different
populations. But neither has given any indication how the promises will
stand in the face of the massive new spending needed to rescue
embattled financial institutions.
Absent any reliable information about their programs, voters must
fall back on an examination of their records and characters. The
records are admirable, but sketchy, because neither of them has had to
assemble or direct or motivate a large administration. Their executive
abilities are untested.
By contrast, we have every reason to admire their character --
including their willingness to deal seriously with members of the
opposite party. The good news is that both these men are willing to
listen.
It may be that we will not know what policies we're getting until
one of them takes office. But I was struck by the survey of economists
reported in the current issue of the Economist, the London newsmagazine
that covers America so well. It found much greater confidence in the
economic views and advisers of Obama than McCain. The 142 respondents
included far more Democrats than Republicans. But even among
Republicans, the Obama team was rated superior -- and among the
unaffiliated, the choice was overwhelming.
That is less satisfying a measure than the candidates themselves
could provide if they were more candid. But it may be the best we can
get.
davidbroder@washpost.com
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