30 Days in the Hole...Part 4

There are only 27 days left until the 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

This part four of a planned 30 part series. I feel the need to give one reason for each day as to why I believe you should vote for Barack Obama & Joe Biden and against John McCain & Sarah Palin.

Reason #4: It's the stupid economy, stupid...

It doesn't take a political scientist or Ivy League economist to see that the economy is in trouble. Banks are failing. Companies are going into bankruptcy. Housing values are plummeting and any kind of loan is damn near impossible to get.

The candidates have looked remarkably different in the face of an actual test of leadership.

Senator Obama called for more federal oversight in investment banks, mortgage brokers and hedge funds months ago. He also plans to streamline regulatory agencies into a commission that monitors the markets and reports to the White House. He has remained calm and consistant and in control during this crisis.

Senator McCain, on the other hand, has appeared erratic, uncommitted and playing the crisis for pure political gain. The man who has described himself as "always a deregulator" now signs on and calls for more government regulations. At the outset of the market crisis, McCain said "the fundamentals of the economy were strong." Shortly thereafter, he would tell CBS anchor Katie Couric that the situation was the worst since World War II. He criticized a bailout plan on a Monday then admitted he hadn't even read the three page report on Tuesday. And in the biggest political move, akin to a poker player bluffing a weak hand by going all-in, McCain "suspended" his campaign to go back to Washington D.C. to solve the crisis. He even blew off a scheduled appearance with David Letterman under the guise of rushing to DC to fix the economy. In fact, Senator McCain stayed in New York. He went to an interview with Katie Couric instead. He also found time for a campaign lunch to woo a former Clinton supporter and attend a forum in New York City. He made a mockery of a real situation that requires actual leadership in a vain attempt to score political points.

Personally, I want our next President to be someone who remains calm and collected during a crisis and doesn't come off as erratic and reactionary. In my opinion, the choice between the candidates in this regard is clear.

On November 4th, 2008, vote for Barack Obama & Joe Biden and against John McCain & Sarah Palin.