On CNN There was a "debate between Obama and McCain. It wasn't a true debate because each candidate had one hour with the very same set of questions. Obama was first. At the end of his time, McCain came to the stage, the two met, gave a slight hug and a firm handshake and then Obama left the stage. McCain was in a room so that he could NOT hear how Obama answered the questions.
Pastor Rich Warren hosted the event at his church. Apparently Warren is personal friends with both men.
The purpose of this event was to give each man a chance to share about faith; how he makes decisions and that sort of thing.
I was surprised. This type of event clearly showed each man in his own style, personality etc. I saw who both men are more than any other time I have seen them on TV.
What I learned was that:
1. McCain is a "Bushite." If you really don't like Bush, then you won't like McCain.
2. Obama showed that he is a deep thinker who really answered the questions that were asked. McCain chose to give a political spin on his remarks barely touching on the question numerous times.
3. McCain showed that he is very impulsive and a extreme quick thinker. Both can be good qualities, but both can get a person or nation is a lot of trouble.
4. Obama showed that he is very spiritual, has a real relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't see how anyone with any intelligence could come away from that interview still believing the heresy that Obama is a Muslim.
5. McCain showed that his first allegiance is to America. He made that statement. He does believe in God. His slant though is a little different. NOt saying he is wrong. Obama's statements about faith were more in line with my thinking, very much so.
6. On the subject of evil the two mens answers were different. The choices were no evil, defeat it, contain it or eliminate it.
McCain's answer was to eliminate all evil and then he gave his examples of how to go about it. More war as evil is the problem in Iraq, the nation of Georgia, not the southern state Georgia and a few other examples.
Obama said that the total elimination of evil was up to God, but that we can be soldiers in that fight to eliminate evil where ever we see it. But his examples were poverty, aids epidemic and other examples that weren't about politics or starting wars.
7. On abortion, McCain said human life begins at conception. Obama said that he didn't know where human life (as in having a soul) begins and that was I don't remember his words, but I remember my perception was that was in God's domain. I agree wholeheartedly. (The medieval church thought life was in the seed as in the sperm. That is why they taught masturbation was wrong. It was taking life. I hope that is not next on the ultra right wing religous agenda!!!)
Obama want to reduce abortion by making adoption easier, providing heath care and other help to women so that it makes it economically easier for the woman to keep the baby and raise it and not be in poverty.
McCain only offered making the abortion choice a crime.
8. The question was asked, "What is rich." Give a numerical number.
Obama reply was $250,000 a year. McCain refused to give a number saying we all are rich if we have a job and are happy. McCain is against having the rich pay more because they have more.
9. Comments to several questions revealed that McCain is solidly behind the Republican agenda. The agenda that has swelled our national debt to heights unknown.
10. TAXES.
McCain wants to reduce them some more. That will only swell our national debt to China even more. Someday we will pay dearly for that mistake.
Obama. Obama has a plan to increase social security taxes starting in about 10 years. While this wasn't pointed out in that interview the Republican commentators are calling that a tax increase. If that isn't done then social security will not be able to pay out the benefits. Everyone knows that. That is the time I will really be needing social security as I will be to old to work provided I am even alive.
What Obama did promise is there would be no tax increase for people who make less than $250,000. And some tax reduction for some people under $250,000. Closing some loops that some corporations and people use to get out of paying taxes would be closed as the working man can't take advantage of those.
11. The question of privacy was asked. Both men were in favor of the right to privacy. I don't remember Obama's resonse as it didn't stand out in my mind. McCain said he was for right to privacy but with modern technology we needed to be able to monitor phone calls from out of the nation and gave other examples. I realize we have to take actions to protect our nation. But I am very skittish when politicians start talking about taking away our privacy. Bush's record on this (Patriot Act) should be unconstitutional.
SUMMATION
I know some of the Obama people here will curl just a little as this comment as I am going to compare Obama to Bill Clinton. Obama has that deep thinking and humble genuineness that Bill Clinton has. Obama is not only bright. He is brilliant. If Obama is elected, we can see things done pretty much like they were in the 90's balanced budget, and all the good indicators going up and the bad indicators going down. I don't mean that he will do exactly what Bill did then or Bill would do now. The result will the same. Both men are of a new school of Democrats.
I came away from the interview a solid Obama backer. I had some doubts before last night.
I had hopes that McCain was a different Republican. He is in that he doesn't make up his mind based on what a party tells him to do. That is admirable. I respect him for that. But McCain is solidly Republican through and through in his soul. That will tell us that we can expect more war, huge national debts, middle class dwindling, poverty increasing, but the rick getting richer and richer.
Some lingering thoughts that I might vote for McCain went down the tubes last night. I was a solid Hillary Clinton supporter and was still angry that Obama "took" this away from her. The anger disappeared last night.
If McCain wins in November he will be a war president for eight years if he lives that long. America will be the world's bully. If we don't watch it, the rest of the world will turn on us, cutting off everything the Republicans have allowed to be resourced out of the country. The rich will still be getting rich of the few goods that are allowed in at high prices.
The Great American Moment in history when we saved the world from Hitler will long be forgotten. The Republicans are for the most part wanting to built an American Empire, not just military alliances for security
If Obama is elected, the continuation of the outsourcing of jobs will be reversed. With the enormous debt, Obama can't change too much in eight years, but at least he can get the bad indicators going back in the right direction as good indicators in solving our nations problems.
A POINT TO PONDER NOT MENTIONED IN THE DEBATE
One thing not mentioned is that the percentage of black males incarnated in our prisons and the number of black males who are unemployed or make very little don't have a present day hero. As a school teacher, I firmly believe that Obama has the opportunity to be the role model that this young men need to try to get out of the cycle that has been repeated. Boys really need heroes. Heroes have a major impact on a person's behavior. Obama has a great chance to be just that super hero to millions of black males throughout our nation.
FOR THOSE WHO BYPASSED THE MIDDLE. OBAMA WON THE INTERVIEW "DEBATE" HANDS DOWN.
I made my decision last night to support Obama. All lingering doubts disappeared quickly.
I have great respect for McCain as a person, but I can't vote for him. His vision for America is just too for away from mine to do so.