Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?

The threshold of personal wealth in America continues to diminish the more Obama and Biden speak. When will it drop to $100,000?

Maybe after Election Day.



Don't give them the chance, America.

Sexism and Sarah Palin's Legs

Tennessee Guerrilla Women complains that photographers covering the McCain/Palin campaign--particularly those from Reuters--keep taking pictures of Gov. Sarah Palin's legs, which the blogger asserts is sexist and demeaning toward her. She writes:

Reuters sure has a thing for Governor Sarah Palin's legs. Will Reuters photographers soon be bringing us some close-ups of Governor Sarah Palin's breasts?

Who exactly are these photos for? Are they for Sarah Palin's voters? Or are there some serious sexist cretins over at Reuters? How do they say it? Oh, yeah. Reuters is a leg man.

The Sarah Palin Sexism Watch (yes, there's actually a blog devoted to it) has the same complaint. "The photographer was apparently unable to take pictures of Palin's supporters without including her legs in the shot," it noted.

I thought it was funny at first, but now I have to admit both ladies have a point. Searching through the Reuters archives and on the Web, I found several photos that utilize Gov. Palin's legs' to focus on one or more spectators in the audience and a few that seem to have no other purpose than to focus totally on her legs or feet.


Is it demeaning--even disrespectful--for cameras to focus there rather than on her face? Sure. This photo seems especially inappropriate, making it look like the kid's at a strip club:


Are news photographers blatantly sexist? I really don't think so. Maybe they're trying to convey a "woman in power" aspect by focusing on the governor's high-heeled feet and calves. I don't know. Being a male, I personally don't have a problem with it. But would I want photographers to start focusing their lenses on John McCain, Barack Obama, or Joe Biden's legs and feet? Or on worse places?



...Like Obama's big ears and ugly wart? Yuck. :)

Sarah Palin Bounces Back

After two weeks of brutal negative media coverage and a lack of confidence among some conservatives, Gov. Sarah Palin did an outstanding job tonight in the vice-presidential debate with Sen. Joe Biden. Admittedly, I was apprehensive leading up to the debate, worried that she might stumble or stutter her words, show indecisiveness, or simply be in over her head.

But Gov. Palin held her own tonight, displaying the self-confident and determined personality that won over conservative support for her at the Republican National Convention. By comparison, Sen. Joe Biden was rather stoic and unexciting in his style. He kept up a barrage of statistics and percentages that I think confuses and bores people more than it educates them. There were no serious gaffes made by either candidate.

Gov. Palin's performance renewed my confidence in her ability to be a capable running mate and potential vice-president of the United States. It was certainly more memorable and impressionable than Joe Biden's. She talked directly to the American people and yes, she even looked at her opponent when she addressed him. I think the "maverick" line she attributes to Sen. John McCain wears thin over time and Biden eventually used it to his advantage. That would be my only criticism of her overall performance during the debate.

I believe people will be talking tomorrow more about how Sarah Palin did than how Biden did.

Running on Autopilot: Joe Biden's Re-election Campaign

Joe Biden is having a good time campaigning for change in Washington, misstating facts, and committing gaffes. But did you know is running for re-election to the U.S. Senate, too?

So what's he doing all over the rest of the country--and not campaigning in the state he represents? Oh, yes: he's running as the experienced half of the Obama ticket.

Obviously Biden is not worried about losing his Senate seat. All he has to do is make sure his name is on all the ballots in Delaware come November 4. He can be on the Left Coast shaking hands and kissing babies while running for vice-president without losing any sleep over it. It's safe and secure, thanks to the hypnotized electorate.

(Biden does have a challenger, Republican Christine O'Donnell, a former journalist and political commentator.)

Delaware Democrats don't seem to worry much about Republican challengers in their elections. It's sad that a state is so one-sided that its voters--without question--pick the candidate who has a (D) beside his name. (There are counties like that in Tennessee, particularly the one where I live.) Biden has held the seat since 1972--thirty-six years! It's equavilent to a mini monarchy. A very good argument for term limits, I think.

It always amazes me when someone in power takes for granted his political office and that it will be there when--and if--he ever needs it. Wouldn't we all like that kind of job security? If this whole Obama/Biden thing doesn't work out, Biden can go back to his day job in the Senate and not miss a beat. So can Obama, and yes, even John McCain.

(Side note: All four candidates already hold elected office, so one wonders who's minding the store while they're gone? The rallies, speeches, press conferences, and interviews on the campaign trail must zap one's energy; does it leave any time to actually legistlate or govern in their off-time?)

But McCain, Palin, and Obama aren't running for re-election at the same time; Biden is. Has he even bothered to campaign in his home state since he accepted the Democratic vice-presidential nomination? I can't say for sure, but after searching state newspapers, I've not seen anything to suggest he has.

People of Delaware, is this really the kind of person you want representing your interests? Is he really committed to the job, or just taking for granted that you will re-elect him for the sixth time? It would be wonderful if voters there would show Joe Biden whose office it really is. But I won't hold my breath--or leave the country.

John McCain and Sarah Palin Action Figures

Wow, there are a lot of creative entrepreneurs out there! Not only can the diehard John McCain and Sarah Palin supporters buy buttons, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and mousepads with their favorite images and slogans, but now their kids can play with action figures in their images (or close enough).

Herobuilders.com has created action figures for John McCain, Sarah Palin, and Barrack Obama (sorry, Joe Biden fans, there's not one for you). According to their website, the idea came about in 2002 when the owner sculpted a George W. Bush figure and showed it off on his office desk. So many people suggested that he could sell them online that he opened his own business and began producing ones of other political and entertainment personalities. They even make custom figures on demand. In addition to the figures, there are Pez dispensers and plush dolls, too.

The Sarah Palin figure comes in three different styles: executive (seen here), school girl, and super hero. The latter two are more revealing and not for the kids. McCain's action figure (right) is pretty buff for a 72-year-old! The figures are a little pricey starting at $27.95, but they would make great conversation pieces to spark debates with your liberal friends and co-workers.

Here's another custom made doll for the girls posted on eBay. This one is complete with a mirror, podium, pink cell phone and matching laptop, rifle, skirt fatigues, and hockey stick. Bids are already up to $86.00 with three days left!

UPDATE: The Sarah Palin Barbie-like doll on eBay sold for--get this--$158.50!

John McCain Coming to Nashville

It's not official yet, but John McCain reportedly could be heading to Nashville for a "debate watch party and rally" Oct. 7 at Riverfront Park. The town hall style presidential debate between John McCain and Barrack Obama will be held at Nashville's Belmont University that night. The Tennessean reports that an event production company has applied for a permit to use Riverfront Park for Oct. 6 and 7.

Sarah Palin: The Right Choice

I admit I was skeptical and none too excited about supporting John McCain. In fact, my preferences were Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee (whom I voted for in the Tennessee primary). McCain was certainly qualified to be president; he just wasn't conservative enough for my taste. Being a loyal Republican, I wasn't about to vote for Obama, but it would have been a "lesser of two evils" pick on my part.

McCain's bold choice of social conservative Sarah Palin as his running mate, however, energized my support for the ticket. It has added excitement, youth, and even a bit of spunk to his stagnant campaign. The fact that he fooled all the political experts with his pick and trumped the Democrats with the second female vice-presidential candidate (but first Republican) in American history didn't hurt either.

Like everyone else in the country, I had no idea who Sarah Palin was, much less that she was the governor of Alaska. I'm not a hunter myself, but I was impressed when I read on Wikipedia that she hunted moose and ate moose burgers! Her first speech as McCain's pick last week showed that she is confident and not intimidated by the national spotlight. Her speech last night reassured her party that she will not wilt under the glare and that she can give as well as she gets from the liberals. She's a hockey mom and bulldog all rolled into one. (A great line by the way!)

Gov. Palin is as far an outsider from Washington D.C. as you can get. She has experience--albeit limited--as an executive both at the local and state level. She will have to prove herself in the eyes of independent voters and some Republicans over the coming months that she is competent to be vice-president. Yet she already has more executive experience than her opponents, Obama and Joe Biden! She's nobody's push-over and now they know it won't be as easy to tear her down as they thought--but they and the media will certainly do their best.

Save a Moose: Vote McCain/Palin!