FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR USA ELECTION 2008

About the computer thing: Those in leadership positions don't have to do anything and everything. They are responsible to accomplish missions and bring order and direction in times of crisis. Would you expect the leading general of Central Command (CENTCOM) to be on patrol in Bagbad hunting for shite militia bad guys?

Leaders don't just do things they get things done.

JM

Does anyone really miss seeing her?

And if they aren't familiar with how those things get done they can't understand the importance of the process.

In other words, if he is not familiar with technological advances over the past 20 years, how can he understand the importance of technological advances, computers in classrooms, making sure we are leaders in this area?

Someone may be able to tell him that the X million dollars in the education budget is for computer technology in our schools, but if he doesn't comprehend its importance it is more likely to get cut than say the budget item for books, an item he does identify with.

Re squinney and H2O

I'm sure Palin's husband is doing the same with his children, but I really thought the American people would like to hear more specifics about her approval of their political choices, especially since many of them now approve of her husband. I am also curioous as to whether the Obama's were able to lower the costs of piano lessons to a level more acceptable to them.

So far the answer to my question is that she hasn't been seen not much at all.
Surely the Kids don't go to school on the weekends and perhaps the Obama's could spring for a baby sitter, at least on the 9/11 memorial thing. Hell, they could have probably brought the kids along...its only a one day thing.

But maybe H2O guy put his finger on it. Maybe the campaign is hiding her, for reasons known only to them.

JM

Nonsense. Do you honestly think Bill Clinton spent a lot of time verifying facts on the computer that his staff presented to him? Does George W Bush? Computers were pretty clunky primitive things even in the George GW Bush era and quite limited in use in the Reagan administration and the internet didn't even exist then. (Al Gore hadn't invented it yet).

If anything, the people of John McCain's era were better informed because they actually read books and had to do research from actual sources. It is understandable that they are still more comfortable getting information that way now. (I still use the calculator now and then to be sure that my computer actually did the math right.) That does not mean that they don't see computers and high tech as both necessary and essential. McCain certainly has given no indication that he does not see them that way.

There is a ton of stuff done on computers these days that I have virtually no interest in learning to do myself. That doesn't mean I don't like to look at the data or see the results. I am pitiful in doing precision googling that others do effortlessly. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate other's ability to do it efficiently. I frequently call my kids to ask them to do a problem on the computer that I don't know how to do. They do it without even thinking about it. That's a whole lot easier than learning to do something I rarely need done myself.

And yet if I was in a position that needed high tech computer work done, I am quite clear on the importance of that and would look for people with proven skills. As I am sure John McCain does and will do.

They can't afford any additional negative press, so it is best that Michelle stays far, far away from the press.

squinney wrote:

I think you have made a logical leap here. If one is not familiar with the dual processor concept and technology from Intel and AMD and how its bus must be configured so that it is upwardly compatible with the whole of the 8086 family of intel processors this ignorance does not automatically condemn one to non appreciation of its uses. In fact it is those who build both the hardware and software that uses the technology to make the technical facts transparanet to the user, just like being ignorant of the intelligence services 'methods and technology would not decrease the value of their product in the President's eye's.

JM

If a person doesn't know how to drive an automobile, does that mean they fail to understand the transportation system, or have less appreciation for rapid and accessible transport from point to point?

When did computer literacy become a critical function of the President of the United States? Are we going to now compare the computer skills of individuals in determining who should represent us in government? You might not believe this, but computer illiteracy in the United States is still greater than the number who are college graduates.

Are you suggesting that a person with crippling handicaps incurred while serving the nation shouldn't be allowed to serve? How do you feel about not hiring amputees as clerical staff for your business?

Forget automobiles. How about airline pilots? McCain actually knows how to fly an airplane. I don't believe Obama has acquired that skill. Shall we therefore assume McCain understands the importance of the airline industry or is interested in it more than Obama?

Well, you all missed the big picture. It isn't about computers specifically. In the transport example, yes, I would expect that someone that does not drive would have a better understanding of mass transit and lean towards its increased use over individual cars. They may even have a better understanding of a cab driver union dispute than those of us that never take a cab anywhere. That understanding influences decisions.

Seems like common sense to me.

Common sense dictates a McCain / Palin victory.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows John McCain with 49% of the vote while Barack Obama attracts support from 46%. That is unchanged from yesterday and a complete reversal over the past week. . . .

. . . .Balance of Power Calculator shows McCain leading in states with 200 Electoral College votes while Obama has the edge in states with 193 votes.. When “leaners” are included, shows Obama leading 259-247 A total of 270 Electoral Votes are needed to win the White House.

(Foxfyres comment: The margins in several ‘leaner’ states have been narrowing I believe"it certainly has in New Mexico. Can't get into the Rasmusen state summary though without being a premium member.)

. . . .Rasmussen Markets data now shows gave McCain to be a slight favorite for victory in November. These figures are updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants and currently give McCain a 51.0% chance of victory. Expectations for Obama are at 48.8%. Prior to this past week, expectations for a Democratic victory had generally been in the 60% range.
McCain is now viewed favorably by 56% of the nation’’s voters while Obama earns positive reviews from 55% (see trends). Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 56%, Joe Biden by 53%.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/

The RCP average today has McCain on top by 2.3

Actually, Obama only needs 269 to win, not 270. A tie will be decided in the HoR in his favor.

Sounds like a little difference, but in reality, it could make a huge difference in terms of different paths Obama has to victory.

Cycloptichorn

Obama has but one path to defeat and he is strolling down that path.

You, however, seem to assume that John McCain does not avail himself of high tech computer information/data/compilations. His website is as high tech as anybody else's, complete with email capability. His offices in Arizona and Washington certainly use all the high tech stuff. Do you honestly think he doesn't return e-mails sent to him from important people? The fact that he most likely dictates his response to an assistant who does the actual typing and sending doesn't suggest he is unaware of or disinterested in the technology.

Has he ever said he has no interest? Or do you just want to believe that?

270 electoral college votes are needed to win in 2008.

It has occurred to me, however, that if the spectacle of magnifying glasses examining punch cards for any possible dimple was unimaginable before 2000, can you imagine the spectacle of an election thrown to the House of Representatives? Recounts demanded in every closely contested state? Investigations into election processes in every state? A gazillion suits filed? Court decisions being challenged and appealed?

We wouldn't know who the President was supposed to be until the next millenium.

You betray your ignorance of the process once again. A 269-269 tie would go to the House of Representatives and the Dem majority would install Obama as president.

I know that little details like 'the rules' are problematic for you, but that's how things work under our system.

Cycloptichorn

If the House of Representatives decides it, that would not be a 'win'. That would be an appointment. Big difference.

And if you think Bush has had it tough by hateful attacks on him by those who erroneously claim the Supreme Court put him in office instead of the electorate, you just wait to see how difficult it would be for Obama if the House of Representatives is the body that puts him in office.

He needs 270 votes to win.

You can call it whatever makes you happy, Fox. A win is a win. A tie decided in the HoR is not a technicality, it is the rules. This is not a new or contested system; it is a long-standing and well-respected one.

There is no meaningful difference. Obama would be sworn in, and with a Dem majority in both houses there is very little the Republicans could do to make his life difficult. I think he would bend them to his will very quickly. I do understand though, that it would give you Conservatives to bitch about, which would be helpful to your psyche.

Cycloptichorn