Irritated By The Dems ... So Why Wait?

How can you say that the Democrats don't even attempt to take Sarah Palin's views and policies seriously? First of all, I have read all over the news disagreement with Sarah Palin's views and would-be policies that she finally disclosed in her ONE interview with Charlie Gibson. Second, she has only done one interview. She is not giving us any details about what her views and policies are, and again, she has only done ONE interview. Thirdly, as a woman, I don't get from Sarah Palin that she will hear me out and not look over me. I understand that if she could, she would want to take away my right to choose to have a child. She already makes me feel isolated and misunderstood. Fourthly, Joe Biden didn't only say that she is prettier than him, he also said that he doesn't KNOW her policies but he is waiting to find out what they are--when she does an interview. How can we take her seriously if she's not presented seriously? I don't think we're trying to and wanting to make assumptions about her. I think we're having to.

Sent by Meredith | 5:09 PM ET | 09-16-2008

I am leaning towards Obama but I am not sure. I have a few questions Mr. Duncan:

1. Senator McCain has run ads aimed at Senator Clinton supporters. What specific policy issues do Senator McCain and Clinton in agreement on where Obama as expressed opposition.

2. Dick Army has stated Obama will never get the white-male high school educated "Bubba vote." Considering the RNC interject race in the TEN-Harold Ford race, does the RNC actively have a plan to drive a wedge in America and exploit the race card?

Sent by Josh D. | 5:11 PM ET | 09-16-2008

When I saw Sarah Palin speak at the Republican Convention, I was terrified. On some level, she struck a chord with me. Maybe it was the baby that brought me four years back to when my son was an underweight infant that needed constant monitoring. Maybe it was her six year old girl that reminds me of my own first grader. Maybe it was the fact that she was a working mother, who actually became very successful in her career. Or perhaps it was the secret hope that if I went to PTA meetings, I too could become the president. Whatever it was, I identified with this woman on a level that has not come close to any other candidate. I was terrified because, even though I knew I would never vote for John McCain/Sarah Plain in a million years, I knew deep down that many other mothers would have the same initial reaction as me.
The day after the speech, I suppressed all of my maternal connections to Sarah Palin and became irrationally angry. I was angry at her for exploiting her Down Syndrome baby. I was angry at her for not staying home with her children (even though I myself am a working mother). I was angry that this PTA, hockey mom had the audacity to think she could be Vice President. In essence, I took the same annoying attitude that Michel describes the Democrats as having. Michel's commentary helped me to realize that choosing a candidate can be about Mommy issues. I can vote for a PTA mom/dad because I am confident that they will truly understand my needs as a mother. And Sarah Palin, I apologize for my sexist, anti-mother reaction to you.
Having said all of that, I will drop my mommy bashing judgmental attitude towards Sarah Palin and embrace my vote as a woman and working mother. Despite many white women's flocking to Sarah Palin and the Republican ticket, this white woman will totally be voting for Barack Obama as his policies are clearly the only ones that truly empower women and children. They are the only policies which will provide the people of this country with global security, health care, a good education, and a role model that is not elitist, but hardworking, caring, strong, and intelligent.
Incidentally, during the primary, I was on the fence about voting between Barack and Hillary. The night before the election, I did some research on Michelle Obama. Reading about her efforts to keep Barack real and her (and her mother's) commitment to their children were the determining factor in my vote for Barack Obama. At the time, I felt embarrassed for deciding on a candidate based on his wife's child rearing practices. Michel's commentary has made me realize how powerful my vote is. I hope the Democrats will stop all this sexist rhetoric and embrace what McCain's campaign has figured out - mother's vote.

Sent by Suzanne Jordan | 9:55 PM ET | 09-16-2008

First, your commentary was spot on. I honestly feel that if the Obamas were republicans, they would be held up as "the Ideal". But, for Chairman Duncan, on the website of :The Covenant With Black America" there is a statement from former RNC chair Ken Mehlman that reads:
"Until both parties compete hard for the [African American] vote, the community is not well served....we have more work to do... Republicans have not always done our best to listen, learn and share our ideas. While I have not decided whether to seek re-election beyond my term as Chairman in January 2007, and the Republican National committee has not organized candidate forums in the past, I am committed to ensure that our 2008 Republican presidential candidates forthrightly address issues of importance to the African American community."

Ken Mehlman
RNC Chairman

With 1.51% black delegates at the convention in Minneapolis, and Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator John McCain, Gov. Mitt Romney and Senator Fred Thompson skipping Tavis' Republican primary debates, does the RNC commitment to Black America still hold true, or does it ring hollow?

Thanks again TMM

Sent by JR in Cincinnati | 10:22 AM ET | 09-17-2008

Interested in political debate? The Connecticut Forum is hosting it's first even of the season at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, September 27. The forum topic is The Presidency and it is featuring Elizabeth Edwards, Joseph Ellis, and Matthew Dowd. Come join us for a night of unscripted, provocative political debate!

Sent by The Connecticut Forum | 12:59 PM ET | 09-17-2008

Both Ron Paul and the Congressman that you interviewed today claimed that Lobby money does not influence them a bit.Mr Paul does not even know where his support comes from! This is not an uncommon theme from our political class. Can you and your fellow talking heads solve this huge electoral problem by informing the lobby groups that they are wasting money. Thank you.

Sent by Jerry Gumbiner | 3:15 PM ET | 09-23-2008