BMORENEWS.com

The Glover Report: Palin vs. Biden

(BALTIMORE – October 3, 2008) – By all indications, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin did an outstanding job hanging in there with Senator Joe Biden during the one and only vice presidential debate. To everyone’s surprise, she fielded questions from seasoned pro Gwen Ifill like Mark Belanger, the former Baltimore Orioles shortstop – never missing a beat.

From energy reserves to the plight of the middle class to the current economic crisis in which America finds itself, she performed like a veteran, putting to rest a litany of questions by those who wondered if she could stomach the breadth and depth of Washington politics – let alone go up against a person with decades on international experience. Palin wailed home answers like Olympic champion Michael Phelps finishing a lap, touching everything from Cuba to Iran to North Korea.

Witty, targeted, and on-point, Palin masterfully impressed viewers and demonstrated that she can handle just about any topic that’s thrown her way. In short, she did John McCain’s presidential bid good, letting the world see that she can, in fact, be VP and maybe even President/Commander-in-Chief.

At the same time, if she mentions “hockey moms” one more time, I think I’ll scream. You see, they don’t play hockey in my neighborhood. And, as far as a middle class is concerned, I’m still waiting for someone to mention that other dirty term: lower class.

What? Don’t members of the lower class get any points here?

Truth be told, while Congress is working hard, I’m sure, to get the fat cats out of “crackhead”-type trouble, I’m still trying to see who cares about the real everyday American who has to choose between prescriptions and dinner.

Even more, I think more Americans fit this lower-class status than one is led to believe.

The problem I have with Palin’s thinking, I must admit, is that she – and apparently McCain – figure they’ve got the best solution to keep America safe. Frankly, after 8 years of George Bush’s push to make Al Qaeda a household name, I’m sick and tired of talk about insurgents. The fact is, war in Iraq is literally killing this nation and the Republicans can’t admit that it was a bad decision. All they hammer home is that they want to make America safe by taking the war to their turf.

On the domestic front, Palin’s got all of the right answers. However, it is her view of the world that troubles me.

Is Obama wrong for being willing to sit down with others and discuss the challenges the people of this world face? Whether they are a dictator or atheist, shouldn’t other world leaders’ views on the economy and war and society be at least heard?

Yes, this country is learning respect for women and could help change traditional societies’ view such that women get their due. I’m all for it. I’ve got a daughter whom I hope and pray can attain any and everything she desires. At the same time, do I want her to grow up and pimp slap everybody who has ever thought a wicked thing about women - let alone women in power?  

What I heard from Palin last night, to me, symbolizes more of the same foreign policy that has gotten America where it is today: Unwilling to play with others. And in case you missed it, the little nations of the world seem to be teaming up on the United States in unprecedented form. From China to Pakistan to nations in the Middle East, it is plain to see that people overseas don’t like the way America does business.    

So, yeah! Palin did the damn thing. At the same time, she exposed herself for what she really is: More of the same.

The Republicans at-large are going to have to do much more to convince me that Barack Obama isn’t the man for the times. Let’s not forget, Obama beat Bill and Hillary Clinton. Further, given the chicanery of Hillary, he couldn’t trust her on the ticket. Let’s be honest.

And as for women in politics, I’m not at all convinced that Palin brings the best to the table. In my world, I’ve always thought that a woman at the top meant more understanding and respect for life. The way I see it, Palin is a war hawk and would be more willing than George Walker Bush to push the button at the blink of an eye.

God bless Obama and Biden for at least understanding the need to sit at the table of brotherly - and sisterly love. After all, the world is watching. And I personally don’t think anybody likes doing business with a bully. For the past 8 years, our number of enemies has grown. Iran and North Korea must hate our guts, all because of our foreign policy.

The funny thing in all of this to me is right-winged radio: Have you heard what these guys and gals say? It’s as if I’m living in the twilight zone. Much of what they want to do is continue to blow up people who do not agree with American democracy and defend people’s right to say whatever they want: People like Don Imus.

With rights come responsibilities, and quite honestly, I’m not convinced in the least bit that McCain and Palin get that.

The time for change is here. And the question remains: Who will America choose to lead us for the next four years? The same team of folks who stole the election 8 years ago, sat while the Twin Towers went down, never found Bin Laden, constructed an illegal war against Iraq in search of some mass destruction weapons, hung Saddam Hussein and killed his sons, pissed off every dictator from the Westside to the Eastside, turned a deaf ear to the Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina - including thousands of people in New Orleans, sent out a bull feces $300 stimulus check while raping people at the gas pumps on a regular to the tune of billions, and finally ended with the worst economy since the Great Depression of 1929?

I don’t think so. I’m still with Barack and Joe. 

Tags: Politics