It is evident that running a succesful campaign involves a flawless strategy and a lot of logical analysis. Prorobably THE biggest strategical decision any candidate has to make is his runnig mate.
So now Obama-Biden and McCain-Palin are the options, and allready Palin is the weak point for the Republicans? I find that compelling, and a serious judgment flaw. The VP decision is supposed to strenghten your campaign not weaken it..... good we got to see these strategic mistakes on the campaign and not in office.

I found the GOP convention a little awkward and unaccepting of all Americans. It didn't look like this party was a party of all people but it looked very one sided and I didn't feel invited at all. They made it seem like they were the only ones who love our country and if you didn't agree with their views you were somehow not patriotic enough and you didn't believe in your country. They came out swinging but the message was lost because of the conflicting messages they were trying to portray, they seemed lost. I felt like when Joe Lieberman came out and made his comments it fell on deaf ears since he was one who claimed to support Obama once upon a time. He looked like a traitor, and the fact that he and Mccain agree almost on nothing. Mccain has blocked Lieberman by voting against several issues that he feels strongly about. If Mccain is a friend who needs enemies, poor Lieberman just looked like a flunkie to me and I can't see how he can get any democrats support after this betrayal of his own party. Lieberman also boldly lied about Obama experience, and anyone who is interested in knowing the truth about his accomplishments can easily research and find out the truth over Lieberman and the republicans lies about Obama. Did anyone notice how dark it was in the hall, and the empty seats they were trying to hide? I don't feel that the Gustav storm really can be used as an excuse since these people have been having private parties all this week, which only a view are talking about in the media. I find this party very hypocritical and they don't hold their own party to it's own standards but is quick to call others out when they feel they've slipped up. Frankly I confused by this group of people, and anyone praising them. I looked at Bush during his speech and I felt like the American people were being mocked and laughed at, it was like watching some strange exclusive club blocking everyone that didn't look or act like them. Believe me I was trying to be open minded about it but I didn't get the unity message from this group because they didn't preach that, but they preached it's our way or no way, not what. That was the only message I got, and it's truly sad to say but it's the reality. I hope Palin can redeem them but her views are just as radical and one sided as her parties views, so I can't see how anything will be different when she hits the stage.

Thanks

Republicans thanks but no thanks!!! I'm an independent but your convention just cemented my vote for Barack Obama. What kind of a show you people are putting there yesterday? The only thing I can say about that boring Republican convention was that it looked like an exclusive club for the fascists led by a warmonger leader called George W. Bush.

Yaaaawwnnn... I literally fell asleep watching that convention. and yes, the only clear message i got from that convention was: "Hey, we're the real americans. anybody who doesn't think like us is from outerspace. Its like, hey if you want to be patriotic you must be a POW or go to war in Iraq. Never mind the economy. Its none of your business anyway. Nobody was talking about real issues. All they did was reciting a litany of scare tactics. Nothing about the economy and what concrete plans lie ahead. And when George W. Bush made his shallow short speech, bragging about his being an idiot, I just kinda think, these republicans must have believed americans are the dumbest people on earth.

I disagree with sheila's blog. I felt the speakers told their true thoughts. People will always hear what they want to hear, whether pro or con on the subject. Therefor, I believe both Sen McCain and Gov. Palin are good choices. I have researched Mrs. Pailns experience as Mayor and Governor and found the work to be just fine. I know for sure she can make a decision whereas Senator Obama can not, unless it makes him look good. No other Senator has as many present votes as Obama. To me that is a sure sign he is not ready to lead a country when a quick and important decision must be made. Also being of the older generation I have experienced war and the turmoil surrounding it, to think a person such as McCain would rush to was is absolutely silly. Lastly I cannot vote for any person,no matter what their political preference is that would want to alter our constitutional rights, and change the supreme court to be one that would vote the way the president wants, rather than what the bill of rights is about. We need strict constitutional judges in that court.

I must add another thought to my previous statement. Can someone explain to me how the Democrats call for change when they have been the majority party for some time? They have the most Governors, The most State Congresses and control the U.S. congress. Most of the votes that come through are from the Democrats, the bills, ideas and the lack of action. We need true change, what Obama change is still up in the air to me. They already control most everything.

Why is no one talking about how peaceful protesters outside the Republican convention got tear-gassed and pepper sprayed by police even though they were conductiing a peaceful protest in accordance with our constitutional rights. I saw pictures of it and it looked like a war zone, meanwhile, cozy, disconnected Republicans spouted lies (Lieberman for ex. yes he is a sellout republican, anyone who will have him....) and were oblivious that peaceful people were being denied their constitutional rights just outside..... is this the "change" the republicans offer: a police state?? i would like to hear more about this in the media...CNN, please do your job.....

Sarah Palin Slashed Special Needs Education by 62%

For those of you who seem so enamored with Gov. Sarah Palin, it might be worth noting that she oversees the budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools in Alaska.
These funds provide supplementary educational services to students with severe disabling conditions and the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy. The resident school where the child would normally be placed does not have the resources to provide an adequate educational program. Without the supplementary services the child's needs would not be met by the local school district in most cases.
The following programs are included within this component:
Special Education Service Agency (SESA)

The Annual budget for 2007, which preceded Gov. Palin was $8,265,300.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

The Annual budget for 2008, enacted by Gov. Palin is $3,156,000.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/08_OMB/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

The Annual budget for 2009, enacted by Gov. Palin is $3,156,000.

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/09_omb/budget/EED/comp2735.pdf

This is a cut in special needs services to children in Alaska of 5,109,300 , or 62%.

So, as the Alaska State Budget description states, "Without the supplementary services the child's needs would not be met by the local school district in most cases."

Did 62% of all of the special needs children in Alaska stop having needs once Gov. Palin took office?

Before we get so excited about Gov. Palin bring her "Reformer" agenda to Washington, perhaps we should get to know a little more about what exactly that means to our children, and the opportunities that she would "Reform".

If you ask me, a 62% cut in these funds, which we all know are so desperately scarce, and for which we all have to fight tooth and nail for our children, is a disgrace.

Just a thought...

I am not an American and normally very much favor Democrats (I liked John Kerry). Nevertheless, what the mainstream media is doing right now is just appalling: here is one female candidate and they spend days talking first about her progeny and today even implying (CNN) that Senator McCain was looking at her breasts at the public event on Friday. Irrespective of what I might think about policies that they might support, I find this side of American media really abhorrent.
They did it to Hillary Clinton before. Luckily enough she does not have little children any more. If this is where liberal American liberal media really stands when it comes to women (talking for days of 'balancing' family and jobs when it comes to women and suggesting that readers looked for 'hot pics' of the one female candidate in the race), then allow me to express my profound disappointment.

Peaceful protesters? LOL, wow would I hate to live in your neighborhood.

Oh, by the way, Obama / Biden are socialists. Read deep before you think any change out of them will be good change.

“Social Engineering” mm good stuff.

Read the book "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein, authors who are both informal ADVISORS to Obama.

They make suggestions that make 1984 seem childish.

Finally the chickens are coming home to roost. Their way or the highway is the way the republicans are sounding. Lets hope the American people will do what they ought to have done and vote out this party of special interests and bi tax breaks for oil coprporations.

Sean what a joke. Obviously you are not from St. Paul where your PEACEFUL protesters were smashing windows and throwing excrement. Try leaving your little bubble and see reality. If you are just going to sit home and watch TV try watching a news channel that actually gives the news and not one side of the story.

Republicans Strike Back... Not.

Regardless of what the polls say, McCain knows he's in trouble... so instead of going on the issues, he tries a publicity stunt. Technically all you have to be is natural citizen and above a certain age to be VP, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to pick the first person that walks by. He's using this as a distraction to shield himself from the issues he's getting slammed on. In 10 years she might make a good VP, but right now a third of the country has more experience than she does.

One quality used for testing a President is the ability to select a good VP. The VP would normally help in balancing the aspects the President seems to lack.

For Sen. Obama, he gets a matured and well grounded Hon. Biden, who is more than qualified to run for president himself. Hence this strengthens Sen. Obama’s position.

For Sen. McCain, he gets someone simply because she is female. That idea is sexist, and it seems to have back fired. Basically Sen. McCain has spent a lot of time and energy fighting to clear out one issue after another; which may well handover this election to Sen. Obama on a gold platter.

If Sen. McCain simply wanted a female, I wonder if he ever considered Dr Rice? She has worked well under Bush as Sec. State, and is more than ready to be President with nothing to cleanup. Yes, a part of old administration one may say, but so is Sen. McCain and the rest of his team.

It is obvious that Gov.Palin's selection was a mistake otherwise, no person would go for this level of stress, especially when she brings no clear advantage. Obviously, if she is a billionaire, or a big brain, one may understand.

Generally, this has highlighted that the honourable senator McCain could make bad bigger decisions. If he can not choose a decent Vice President who can come in and help him win, without being such a liability to everyone (including herself and dependants) how can people trust his future judgement?

Yes Sen McCain is a hero, but humans simply get old and loose that heroic touch which could be the case here.

The USA needs a permanent king and queen. Then your need for camelot is satisfied!
The country can then elect a president that has governing and busniness experience.
Works for us !

In my opinion,as mr. Obama more or less challenged the McCain camp on economic issues,which is absolutely correct,by the way.I reckon that Mrs. Palin will try to fill the holes of the McCain campaign by talking about Energy -Economy of Alaska and mayby some economic Plan as an stimilus for the Real Estate, to retaillate the attack of mr Obama and thus try to settle her personallity that way,exactly as Mr.Obama already mentioned,and introduce herself to the public that way.A shame however that Mr. Obama had to challenge them first before they eventually will come up with some plans ,because it shows that it are not the issues that they really consider to practice after presidential inaugeration,but more as a statement to defend themselves against the aquisations of the democrats,to cover the lack of political issues other then to gain power.Therebay she will probably forget the issues that count in the rest in the U.S.. Issues ,that made Mr Obama become sutch a star in so less time.Let's see if it just about personallity.The way the convention fills in the patriotic feeling has the taste of National -socialism,that also marked the policy of mr.bush.In this sense i must remind you how this ended in Germany in 1945,and also on the end of the Bush-term,with a lot of enemies and bankrupcy.So no wonder that they have no eeconomic issues,and for mrs. palin : Alaska is not the whole of the U.S..

END OF THE WORLD!!!

Where are we going, the earth has been here for millions of years and survived happily for all of that time. The estimated population of the world in 1907 was approximately 1.7 billion people and the air was crisp and clean, both north and south poles were all ice, and the weather was predictable. Happy days…
THEN, just over 100 years ago the Motor Vehicle was invented and electricity was required for rapidly growing housing and industry, so coal and oil burning power stations cropped up all over the world. Look at China, oh oh, sorry, you can’t see China for all the smog and foul air. (China had to put all cars off the road and close all industry so they could actually see the Olympics.)
I have been watching CNN and the election progress and in all the speeches they keep saying that they want the world to be a better place for their children and grand-children. NEWS FLASH… in 50 to 100 years there will not be a world to be a better place.
Look at the facts:-
Population: – 1907, 1.7 billion. 1959, 3 billion. 1999, 6 billion.
510 million co2 belching motor vehicles on the roads, innumerable power stations, all contributing to the holes in the ozone layer. Forests and wild life are disappearing. Many food crops are being converted to fuel for cars, so there will be no food for anyone. There more Floods, more Hurricanes, and Islands disappearing under water etc. etc.
Would some clever scientific brain check my figures and tell me where I am wrong. Thank you, Don Daniel. esteldon73@yahoo.com

I think since Cambell was not fired for her outrageous remarks about Sara Palin puting her carrer ahead of the needs of her family it is impossible for CNN to act like there not squarely in the Obama camp. Everytime I see this Cambell person she is overtly and unashamedly pro Obama and anti Sara Palin.

I have to agree with Shella, 100%. I had to take a short break from watching tonight because I can hardly believe some of the things I am hearing. I do so also with an open mind but I can't relate to any of it. I am trying, seriously. I hate to say this but it sounds like last night was all about war, a message that I doubt many a young person can even imagine–registering and being called to defend the country by a possible draft. John McCain may have been a POW but at least he did get home. How about those that didn't? How about those corpsmen who spent time in the front lines saving the lives of the wounded while trying to keep from getting hit themselves? There are many heroes that will forever go unrecognized and they are both Democrat and Republican. No disrespect to McCain, as I am thankful for his service but we do need to explore every avenue before getting involved in another war. Is it just me, or does anyone else wonder how someone can be so pro-life yet pro-war too?

McCain & Palin;
A typical business man, he must always have a pretty woman connected to his arm, one who knows her place, her opinion isn't important, she is to look pretty, do what she is told, and always follow one step behind the man. He made the same choice for a wife.

Republicans are naive & hypocrites!

McCain is no war hero! He was in a military that was invading Vietnam, whose people were fighting for freedom from the colonialist! Vietnam was NOT invading the USA! In my honest opinion, he was a fighter pilot shooting & bombing the capital of Vietnam, killing innocent women & children. Collateral damage! Having been shoot down he was a war prisoner, period! Geez! That's no heroic deed.

The only way the Republicans can appear good is by putting everything around them down.

Bill Clinton was without any experience, but he lifted the USA out of the deficit and into the realms of world leadership. In 8 short years the Bush administration has dragged all that down. The Republican Party will not change its spots. It will be more of the same, having seen 'maverick' McCain buckled under by picking a perverse VP.

Palin has experience alright, but not in the right areas. She will be just a heart beat away from the US Presidency, if McCain is elected. His supporters spout "intolerance" instead of engagement. Wipe out those that you don't agree with. The world is made up of over 6 billion people of different races, faiths, politics & governments. So intolerance will alienate the rest of the world. Strike out 'world leadership if the rest of the world is against you.

9/11 was during Bush's watch. So how is the Republican President keeping America safe. Why are you in Iraq when there are no weapons of mass destruction? Its about oil, money & power! To keep America & the world safe the war on the Taleban should be in Afghanistan. But they don't have oil.

Palin is against sex education & advocates abstinence. If she had practiced that at home, then she is an ineffective mother. Her unmarried daughter's pregnancy shows her performance stinks! How is she going to reform the Government when she can't institute basic conservative evangelical principles in her own home! I guess the Republicans have got to hunker down & defend McCain's perverse poorly vetted choice of VP.

Hmmm! I think the Republicans think the American people are naive & hypocrites! Get real Republicans! Just step out of that convention hall & look at real America!

It maked me sick look at that a baby being use like that . I have autistic boy she have know idea yet .

Hello from Australia
We wonder in Australia if people in the US are concerned with the image of the US at the moment? This whole US election process is a great amusement for the other nations watching. The US is meant to be one of the leading countries of the world however the policies and issues you debate on seem to be so backward and from the dark ages. Palin – loves guns, hates gay people, disagrees with people who have sex out of wed-lock (except her daughter), loves war and is loved by Americans?? In most other Western country’s, guns are banned and war is not celebrated, people of all colors, sexual preference etc are treated equally in the eyes of the law yet America seems to still debate on issues from the 1950’s. What ever happened to the great super power country of America that everybody wanted to visit and go to? I hope Obama gets in; he seems to be modern and will bring the US out of the dark ages and all the wars it is fighting. And might change that “red neck” image that most international people think of when you think of the US.
I do wish the best for the people of the US and hope it gets back to a leading country of the world like it once was.
Cheers
David

Thank God it's finally over! Speaking for the Hillary supporters in my family, Palin is an abomination. My 80 year old mother and I supported Hillary, my older sister was behind Obama from the beginning. If anything, this atrocious, backwoods, VP candidate has energized us to use our time and energy to ensure that Barack becomes our next president.

No, conservatives, we aren't biting. We own guns but don't believe in murdering animals, nor do we support further destruction of our natural resources and environment. We don't intend to regress back to frontier times when settlers killed for food. We refuse to see the Supreme Court stacked with more conservative justices who will aspire to take our choices away and control our bodies. Nope, this bird ain't gonna fly. Kudos to Sarah for having and raising her young disabled toddler. That's where she belongs, at home tending to her family. If she moves into the White House, we're headed to Canada with the great grand kids to ensure they won't be drafted to fight more merit-less wars. GO AWAY REPUBLICANS, THE US CAN'T AFFORD YOUR BAD POLICIES ANY MORE!!!!

Dear Bob,
The best for any country is to have the congress (or parliament) and the highest position presidency or prime minister in one hand. Only then can laws be passed in a timely manner and change can take place.

So as long as both main bodies of power are in different camps nothing will move forward.

That is at least my take on your second post.

Congrats to Sarah Palin – what a speech – and boo hoo to your Paul Begala – typical no content comment – the one thing everyone says is she just read someone else's speech – crap she delivered what she believes in. Palin has got smarts way beyond the left wing media and has alot more substance and vision than the slick committee organiser.
America if u want to move forward without debt then u need Sarah Palin.

In my opinion McCain's choice for VP is a stroke of pure genius. Despite the obvious flaws that the Dems will jump all over, she will create a buzz that no other possible candidate could even come close to creating. Yes, there will be the typical self – righteous finger pointing at the young, as yet unmarried, mother to be, but so far I think all the criticism has been purile, mean spirited, and adolescent.

I expect her to win over many women, at least those that do not have an ideological liberal point of view. McCain has chosen an excellent partner that will shore up his weaknesses and give to his campaign a much needed shot of excitement.

As an independent voter and professional working mother of two young girls, I certainly appreciate the determination of Sarah Palin to run for office while mothering her 5 wonderful children. Her speech giving abilities are truly first class, as we all saw last night…..HOWEVER…..as a John Mc Cain supporter in previous years and mother of two girls I unfortunately cannot bring myself to vote for a party that does not respect a woman’s right to personal choice, wants to teach abstinence as opposed to sex education in our schools, and refuses to acknowledge science and the future problems for the entire planet as well as my children’s lives when it comes to global warming. As a professional working mother I will not allow Sarah Palins outdated values to return American women back to the dark ages. I will be voting Democratic this year.