What’s your Sign?

I wasn’t the first homeowner on my street to display an Obama – Biden sign. That milestone was me by my neighbor two doors down. Of course I already knew my fellow Obama supporter had good taste as he was the other Pittsburgh Steelers fan in my neighborhood. As our two signs were the only election banners displayed, for about a week now, I have the pleasure of basking in the fantasy that my neighborhood was demarcated as a little progressive haven. I know all of my neighbors to talk to, and many of my neighbors are close friends with whom I socialize frequently. So, I was aware that a few of my neighbors were more conservative than I. In fact, I know one or two even voted for Bush (at least the first time around). So, I had no real illusion that my little fantasy was true, even though it made me smile. However, that fantasy was shattered yesterday when my neighbor across the street posted, not one, but two McCain – Palin signs in their lawn. I should have known they would be the ones to shatter my fantasy solidarity. These are the same neighbors who repeatedly decline our entrées for participation in our community pot-lucks, barbecues, holiday cocktail parties and such. These are the neighbors who are always quick to yell at the kids if they cut across the corner of their lawn. And, worst of all, they are the neighbors who unleash multitude of cats on the neighborhood to antagonize our dogs and to use our lawns and garden sheds as their collective litter boxes. In short, they are stereotypical Republicans. Now, I know all republicans are not like my neighbors. In fact, as a military retiree working in the defense industry, I actually think more of my friends are Republicans than Democrats, and very few would fit this stereotype. But, it seems to me that the Republican Party certainly appeals to more than its fair share of Dennis the Menace – Mr Wilson types. Heck, now that I think about it, I bet when I was growing up, the old guy who kept our wiffle-balls when they accidentally landed on his front porch was a Republican.

I hate that some people can't see or won't admit that Sarah Palin isn't ready to be President

As a registered Democrat with a strongly progressive view, McCain was never likely to get my vote. However, I pride myself on being able to keep a open mind based on the evidence. So, based on the evidence derived from watching Sarah Palin in her two interviews and the recent debate, let's face facts: Sarah Palin is not ready to be president.

She is obviously a quick study given her significant improvement in the period between her TV interviews and the debate. However, I infer from her unwillingness to answer the moderators questions and her repeated return to sloganeering instead of specifics that she just doesn't have sufficient grasp of the national issues (except perhaps for some aspects of the energy policy). The abysmal performance of both the modertor and subsequent press coverage is expressed in this recent OPED piece from the Washington Post. And, given McCain's age, that alone is enough of a reason to not vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.

And I don't want to hear the argument that she is more experienced than Barack Obama. It is true that she is a Governor and she has been a Mayor, so I will cede that she has executive experience. However, George Bush is proof enough that being Governor of a State alone is not sufficient predictor of one's ability to be a successful president.