<p>BZ, McCain’s voting record is actually highly partisan. I don’t have the number at hand but I believe he was at something like the 1/3-most conservative voting mark in the Senate. He has a nicer demeanor than many: he doesn’t drool, spout fire, comb his horns in public, or walk on his knuckles, which admittedly puts him ahead of many of the GOP candidates. </p>
<p>Mere time in grade in the Senate doesn’t mean anything. Once upon a somewhen, in another life, I [briefly] worked for the Senate. Some folks that were there 30 years still didn’t amount to much, imho. Others were of considerable interest in their first term.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments folks. As I said, I’m looking forward to the debates. It’s a long road to Nov '08 - a lot can change in the meantime. Hopefully McCain won’t be washed up too soon - he will definitely keep it interesting!</p>
<p>I would take the fifth-best Democrat over any of the Republicans. No contest.
And based on an admittedly small sample size of people I know, each of whom is supporting one of the top three, everyone may have their favorite but everyone is also committed to supporting and working for the eventual nominee, whomever she or he might be.</p>
<p>Someone in my family is in exactly the same situation. Her son has just told the family that he is leaving college to enlist as an Army ranger (20 year old thrillseeker personality). She is literally sick with worry.</p>
<p>It’s really painful to see this never-ending war stress families across the country. For what?</p>
<p>We may disagree about a lot of things, but I’m wishing nothing but the best for you and your son going forward.</p>
<p>Post 70 1Sokkermom .you didnt use the words media spin you said the big spin </p>
<p>In any case, I have seen a lot of news coverage of Romneys wealth. However, news coverage, and spin, are two different things. You used the word spin incorrectly and so naturally I misunderstood what you were trying to say. </p>
<p>I would agree with you that there has been a lot of media coverage of Romneys wealth; however I have not seen any spin of it yet. Its hard to spin a guy being too wealthy in an inter-Republican party contest. If there is any spinning of the issue I expect it will be in the fall by the Ds.</p>
<p>Thank you ID for your kind words. (Post #104)</p>
<p>We may disagree, but usually for the sake of a good discussion.;)</p>
<p>I was unable to spend time with S this summer. He stayed in NC, traveled (training), worked, and took summer classes. My H was able to spend a few days with him in NC this week. I couldn’t go. It was my turn to monitor things here, and most importantly transport D to soccer practice / tryouts, since she isn’t driving yet. </p>
<p>S and H have differing views on many issues, including the Iraq war. However, after spending a few days with S, H commented to me on the phone last night that S has morphed in to a wonderfully mature articulate motivated young man, (with a thrillseeker edge). I guess as parents that is all we can hope for.</p>
<p>Most news sources have a poltical slant, or preferred political affiliation. </p>
<p>We will have to disagree on your definition of spin. In the world that I live in, media spin is alive and well. I have confused nothing. My interpretation is very clear and accurate in my opinion. :o</p>
<p>So now you are spinning the definition of the word spin….</p>
<p>Are you saying slanted news coverage and spin are the same thing? </p>
<p>If a news story is factually accurate, as was the example you gave from yesterday’s Post, is that news coverage, or spin? Does writing a news story that puts someone in a good light (or a poor light) to a segment of the public make that news story spin? </p>
<p>Even if the news coverage is presented in a way as to present a person, event or cause in an unfavorable light in order to advance an opposing view, it is not spin. That is slanted news. PR people, political operatives, pundits and others of the like spin, news reports and reporters do not spin, they however can, and at times do slant the news. </p>
<p>After reading what you thought you were saying I can, and do see why you said it. However, at this point in the campaign I know of no one who is spinning Romney’s wealth. There is news coverage of it and some of the news coverage may or may be slanted, but that is not the same as spin. </p>
<p>An easy way for you to remember is, the media slants, politicos spin.</p>
<p>"Does writing a news story that puts someone in a good light (or a poor light) to a segment of the public make that news story spin? "</p>
<pre><code> Absolutely Yes, depending on to whom you speak…
</code></pre>
<p>PS. An easy thing for you to remember is that others may not always share your opinion. Your opinion doesn’t make you the authority. Another opinion doesn’t necessarily make it wrong, no matter how condescending your retort. A spin is a spin is a spin. No matter how you spin it. Please… enough already… ;)</p>
<p>As for Rove/Bush strategy and the permanent R majority please note: the GOP now holds fewer House and Senate seats and governorships than before Bush took office, and Democrats have widened their lead in partisan identification among voters.</p>
<p>You’re kidding, right? Google USAID, “abstinence-only sex education” and you’ll see how much the two things are connected. We’re spending billions upon billions on initiatives that don’t work, for no reason other than for the Republicans in government to cater to the large bloc of Falwell/Robertson/Dobson supporters.</p>
<p>Since the Bush administration started bribing school districts to stop fact-based sex education, the tremendous progress the US was making in lowering teen pregnancy and abortion rates has come almost to a halt.</p>
<p>Why not see what scientists say about it? They say that condoms are an effective barrier to the spread of HIV 97% of the time. Any person voting in the Senate on federal health policy should know this.</p>
<p>And I suspect he does. His disingenious “stumped” answer was just another fib, and a very odious one, given that the only reason for it would have been to pander to right-wing extremists who care nothing for this country.</p>
<p>Halleluia! I’m glad Rove is leaving. It appears that White House Spokesman Tony Snow is leaving too. Poor Bush. One by one, he’s losing his most valuable lieutenants. </p>
<p>Without White House protection, I hope Congress will finally be able to subpoena Rove and grill him over the coals.</p>
<p>It didn’t help with Harriet Miers. She simply took the position that she was above the law and didn’t even have to grace the American people with her presence.</p>
<p>There is serious talk in Congressional Democratic circles about bringing up contempt charges for Miers, Bolten, and crew on the House floor once the August recess is over. I don’t think the Teflon is as strong as you may think it is.</p>
It was my turn to monitor things here, and most importantly transport D to soccer practice / tryouts, since she isn’t driving yet. </p>