Workin' that Maverick Magic
Tiffani Martin
October 31, 2008
Even before Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination, his campaign informed the public that as senator, John McCain voted in favor of President George Bush's policies and initiatives, 90% of the time. The Obama campaign hung its hat on that fact and has not left home since.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, John McCain insists that he is a maverick- a man of principled self-dependence, who occasionally votes against his party's proposed bills and resolutions.
As such, McCain's campaign, likewise, made its claim to the public that Barack Obama has practically never voted against his party's legislation, thus has practically never "reached across the isle" to his Republican colleagues to aid in moving the legislative process along, ultimately presenting another reason the McCain campaign cites for why Barack Obama is not ready to lead.
Senator McCain, along with his campaign, has made certain to remind us that John McCain has "reached across the isle," which according to McCain, solidifies why he is the "maverick" that he claims to be.
Such personal conviction, when presented with integrity, equals much to respect if not honor. Such would be the case now, regarding the living legacy of Senator John McCain. That is, had recent shape shifting within the campaign, in the name of maverickness, not begun to repeatedly play over again- like a WMA file set to loop.
If only mirrors routinely appeared before stone casters at the most appropriate of times, if only. And if so, what reflections would they cast?
How does the irony go unnoticed? Isn't it obvious that McCain's claim that Obama is not ready to lead, due to seldom reaching "across the isle," is equal to McCain voting for President Bush's policies- 90% of the time? Based on John McCain's logic, his own readiness to be president should come under question.
When Joe Biden quoted Casey, was he only referring to John McCain being President George W. Bush's sidekick? Considering the many interesting events swirling around the McCain campaign throughout the past several weeks, Biden's reference could have as well described Senator McCain's silhouette appearing within the shadow of Governor Sarah Palin.
McCain's maverick flag flew at full staff when he chose Governor Sarah Palin for the possible position of Republican Vice President. Since then we have witnessed more maverick moments than one could shake a stick at. In fact, it begs the question: how much is just too much maverick magic?
Speaking of enchantment, Sarah Palin recently spoke of the usefulness of having a magic wand. She claimed that if she had one, the McCain campaign would be talking to Americans about its plans for the nation instead of inundating voters with negative robocalls and tv ads. However, in an act of perplexing whiplash, it was Palin's pre-recorded voice, (on behalf of the McCain campaign), that chimed in over telephone receivers in some key battleground states- merely one day after wishing to magically poof those meddlesome McCain robocalls into oblivion.
John McCain promoted Governor Sarah Palin as being a reformer and fellow maverick who cut pork and uncovered government corruption in Alaska. Yet Sarah Palin spent a reported $50,000 to renovate her Alaskan office after she was newly elected Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska in 1996.
When confronted during her mayoral tenure about the lavish office decorating by Nick Carney, a former Wasilla City Council Member, Palin's response was, "I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't."
Palin's retort came after Carney informed her, or worse, reminded Palin of why a 50k face lift for her office was not entirely Kosher. Salon.com quoted Carney, "I told her it was against the law to make such a large expenditure without the council taking a vote."
Sarah Palin further illustrated the self-appointed discretion that somehow renders her free to operate as she chooses during the vice presidential debate.
While defending John McCain's positions on taxes against Joe Biden, Sarah Palin declared, "I may not answer the questions the way that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also."
Later during the debate, moderator Gwen Ifill asked Palin to clarify what she meant when she said in an interview from July of this year, that someone would have to explain to her exactly what the daily duties of the vice president are. Palin wrote a pair of blank, authoritative checks to herself within the response. Can you spot them?
Palin's response:
No, no. Of course, we know what a vice president does. And that's not only to preside over the Senate and will take that position very seriously also. I'm thankful the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president if that vice president so chose to exert it in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies and making sure too that our president understands what our strengths are. John McCain and I have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda. That is energy independence in America and reform of government over all, and then working with families of children with special needs. That's near and dear to my heart also. In those arenas, John McCain has already tapped me and said, "'that's where I want you, I want you to lead.'" I said, I can't wait to get and there go to work with you."
When further asked if Sarah Palin believed, "...as Vice President Cheney does, that the Executive Branch does not hold complete sway over the office of the vice presidency, that it is also a member of the Legislative Branch," Palin agreed.
She added, "Well, our founding fathers were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. And we will do what is best for the American people in tapping into that position and ushering in an agenda that is supportive and cooperative with the president's agenda in that position. Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there, and we'll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans that are needed for this nation. And it is my executive experience that is partly to be attributed to my pick as V.P. with McCain, not only as a governor, but earlier on as a mayor, as an oil and gas regulator, as a business owner. It is those years of experience on an executive level that will be put to good use in the White House also."
So according to Sarah Palin, within the Constitution, lies the granting of authority to the vice president, ranging from "a bit more," to, "much flexibility?" In addition to that, as vice president, Sarah Palin will be appointed the power to, "reform government over all," by John McCain? Such a vague statement implies completely unknown possibilities.
Meanwhile, according to Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution:
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
Sarah Palin was found to have abused her power in the now infamous Troopergate case. Although according to law, as Governor, Sarah Palin reserved the right to terminate Walt Monegan's position, (State Public Safety Commissioner), at will. However, according to The Supreme Court of Alaska, it was determined that Palin abused her power by pressuring Walt Monegan to fire her former brother-in-law from his position with the Alaska State Troopers.
In an act of complete denial, Palin insisted to reporters that she had done nothing wrong. Stating, "If you read the report, you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member. You got to read the report."
Well, those reporters did read the report. They read about the right Sarah Palin, as Governor, possessed that allowed her to terminate employment at will. However, they also read the other part of the ruling that stated Palin was responsible for abusing her authority.
An argument could be made that Palin was only adhering to the script the McCain campaign wrote when it declared that Palin was cleared from any wrongdoing before the Supreme Court rendered its ruling.
Reports of infighting within the McCain campaign have surfaced in recent days. Sources at CNN and Politico have been told by McCain advisors, things such as:
She's lost confidence in most of the people on the plane." The McCain source further explained that she was "going rogue" during some campaign stops.
She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone. She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else."
She is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."
Most notably, was a remark from a McCain advisor to Mike Allen of Politico that Sarah Palin was a "wack job."
Nice. Talk about loyalty and camaraderie. With friends like those, who needs enemies...right?
Enter stage left: Sam Wurzelbacher, also known as Joe the Plumber- John McCain's "everyday-man" symbol for his economic vision for America. John McCain feels that three is certainly fine company for the campaign. This must be the reason why he has invited America's plumber to campaign with him, in essence elevating "Joe's" status to Honorary First Plumber.
Wurzelbacher did not pass the opportunity to walk the maverick strut, solidifying the appropriateness of his involvement with the McCain campaign. During a McCain rally on October 28, Wurzelbacher agreed with a supporter who told him that a vote for Obama would be a vote for "the death to Israel."
In response, the McCain campaign issued this statement:
While he's clearly his own man, so far Joe has offered some penetrating and clear analysis that cuts to the core of many of the concerns that people have with Barack Obama's statements and policies."
Penetrating and clear analysis," even though when speaking with Fox News' Shepard Smith, Wurzelbacher could not formulate a solid argument to substantiate why an Obama presidency would equal "death to Israel?"
Wurzelbacher further exemplified being his "own man" when he failed to appear at a McCain rally in the ironically named Ohio town of Defiance, on October 30. John McCain called out to "Joe," his new mascot, only to be greeted with absence- quite the awkward moment. However, "Joe" is "his own man." Perhaps even to McCain, Wurzelbacher possesses the makeup of a maverick. In such case, "Joe" has credence to do as he pleases.
It is my analysis that the workings of the McCain campaign are much like the function of a freight train. Instead of transporting cargo, each individual car delivers its own piece of feel-good "straight talk." The trouble is, just as how freight is separated by individual cars on a train, the various pieces of content that the Straight Talk Express wants us to accept, fails to correlate. Frankly, the McCain campaign has broken down into a disheveled mess, lying on an un-swept circus floor.
With John McCain, Sarah Palin, and now, the honorary First Plumber operating separate of each other, and advisors from the McCain campaign actually going on the attack against Sarah Palin before the election has even taken place- what evidence will support the prospect of an amiable president/vice president relationship should McCain and Palin be elected to office?
Why would it be a good idea for two self-professed mavericks to serve as president and vice president, having been elected to office, possibly clinching festered resentment of each other, and baggage, on top of toting opposing political philosophies?
If John McCain and Sarah Palin desire to serve as our president and vice president, they should set out to lead by example. In other words, if our leaders push the limits of law to benefit themselves, completely deny wrongdoing (regardless of a court's findings), and shape shift on campaign policy and message, in an effort to fulfill a current political agenda- how could they reasonably expect the citizens of this country to abide by the laws and rules that most any other elected officials would at least pretend to honor?
John McCain and Sarah Palin have granted themselves the privilege to freely chameleon under the guise of being mavericks. Are we being offered "do as I say, not as I do," leadership? If the people elect John McCain and Sarah Palin, will we be offering the pair a blank check to govern as they please?
Do we not foresee the possible disastrous effects of being led by an administration headed by "mavericks," who, based on past behavior, could very likely choose to govern according to personal discretion, opposed to policy and law? Has the current financial crises not taught us what the resulting cocktail can be when power and assumed privilege are blended together?
Sources
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27085394/ - Biden quoting Bob Casey
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12861.html - Casey convention speech
http://www.barackobama.com/speeches/index.php - Obama on McCain and GW Bush policy agreement
http://www.johnmccain.com/Undecided/WhyMcCain.html - McCain reaches across isle
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/10/palin_criticize.html - Palin criticizes McCain robocalls
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/new_mccain_robocall_stars_sara.php - Palin records robocall
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/17/palin_mayor/ - Palin office spree
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/debates/transcripts/vice-presidential-debate.html - VP debate
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/article01/ - Constitution
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/11/palin.investigation/ - Troopergate
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/09/mccain-camp-clears-palin_n_133456.html - McCain campaign clears Palin of wrongdoing in Troopergate
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5igWA77jTUWXP5cqP7Xy1MDq8I1ZQ - McCain advisors smear Palin
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/15073.html - McCain advisors smear Palin
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/foxs-shepard-smith-forced_n_138674.html - Shepard Smith Joe Plumber interview
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032257.html - McCain campaign on Joe Plumber comment
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, John McCain insists that he is a maverick- a man of principled self-dependence, who occasionally votes against his party's proposed bills and resolutions.
As such, McCain's campaign, likewise, made its claim to the public that Barack Obama has practically never voted against his party's legislation, thus has practically never "reached across the isle" to his Republican colleagues to aid in moving the legislative process along, ultimately presenting another reason the McCain campaign cites for why Barack Obama is not ready to lead.
Senator McCain, along with his campaign, has made certain to remind us that John McCain has "reached across the isle," which according to McCain, solidifies why he is the "maverick" that he claims to be.
Such personal conviction, when presented with integrity, equals much to respect if not honor. Such would be the case now, regarding the living legacy of Senator John McCain. That is, had recent shape shifting within the campaign, in the name of maverickness, not begun to repeatedly play over again- like a WMA file set to loop.
If only mirrors routinely appeared before stone casters at the most appropriate of times, if only. And if so, what reflections would they cast?
How does the irony go unnoticed? Isn't it obvious that McCain's claim that Obama is not ready to lead, due to seldom reaching "across the isle," is equal to McCain voting for President Bush's policies- 90% of the time? Based on John McCain's logic, his own readiness to be president should come under question.
When Joe Biden quoted Casey, was he only referring to John McCain being President George W. Bush's sidekick? Considering the many interesting events swirling around the McCain campaign throughout the past several weeks, Biden's reference could have as well described Senator McCain's silhouette appearing within the shadow of Governor Sarah Palin.
McCain's maverick flag flew at full staff when he chose Governor Sarah Palin for the possible position of Republican Vice President. Since then we have witnessed more maverick moments than one could shake a stick at. In fact, it begs the question: how much is just too much maverick magic?
Speaking of enchantment, Sarah Palin recently spoke of the usefulness of having a magic wand. She claimed that if she had one, the McCain campaign would be talking to Americans about its plans for the nation instead of inundating voters with negative robocalls and tv ads. However, in an act of perplexing whiplash, it was Palin's pre-recorded voice, (on behalf of the McCain campaign), that chimed in over telephone receivers in some key battleground states- merely one day after wishing to magically poof those meddlesome McCain robocalls into oblivion.
John McCain promoted Governor Sarah Palin as being a reformer and fellow maverick who cut pork and uncovered government corruption in Alaska. Yet Sarah Palin spent a reported $50,000 to renovate her Alaskan office after she was newly elected Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska in 1996.
When confronted during her mayoral tenure about the lavish office decorating by Nick Carney, a former Wasilla City Council Member, Palin's response was, "I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't."
Palin's retort came after Carney informed her, or worse, reminded Palin of why a 50k face lift for her office was not entirely Kosher. Salon.com quoted Carney, "I told her it was against the law to make such a large expenditure without the council taking a vote."
Sarah Palin further illustrated the self-appointed discretion that somehow renders her free to operate as she chooses during the vice presidential debate.
While defending John McCain's positions on taxes against Joe Biden, Sarah Palin declared, "I may not answer the questions the way that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record also."
Later during the debate, moderator Gwen Ifill asked Palin to clarify what she meant when she said in an interview from July of this year, that someone would have to explain to her exactly what the daily duties of the vice president are. Palin wrote a pair of blank, authoritative checks to herself within the response. Can you spot them?
Palin's response:
No, no. Of course, we know what a vice president does. And that's not only to preside over the Senate and will take that position very seriously also. I'm thankful the Constitution would allow a bit more authority given to the vice president if that vice president so chose to exert it in working with the Senate and making sure that we are supportive of the president's policies and making sure too that our president understands what our strengths are. John McCain and I have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda. That is energy independence in America and reform of government over all, and then working with families of children with special needs. That's near and dear to my heart also. In those arenas, John McCain has already tapped me and said, "'that's where I want you, I want you to lead.'" I said, I can't wait to get and there go to work with you."
When further asked if Sarah Palin believed, "...as Vice President Cheney does, that the Executive Branch does not hold complete sway over the office of the vice presidency, that it is also a member of the Legislative Branch," Palin agreed.
She added, "Well, our founding fathers were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. And we will do what is best for the American people in tapping into that position and ushering in an agenda that is supportive and cooperative with the president's agenda in that position. Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there, and we'll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans that are needed for this nation. And it is my executive experience that is partly to be attributed to my pick as V.P. with McCain, not only as a governor, but earlier on as a mayor, as an oil and gas regulator, as a business owner. It is those years of experience on an executive level that will be put to good use in the White House also."
So according to Sarah Palin, within the Constitution, lies the granting of authority to the vice president, ranging from "a bit more," to, "much flexibility?" In addition to that, as vice president, Sarah Palin will be appointed the power to, "reform government over all," by John McCain? Such a vague statement implies completely unknown possibilities.
Meanwhile, according to Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution:
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
Sarah Palin was found to have abused her power in the now infamous Troopergate case. Although according to law, as Governor, Sarah Palin reserved the right to terminate Walt Monegan's position, (State Public Safety Commissioner), at will. However, according to The Supreme Court of Alaska, it was determined that Palin abused her power by pressuring Walt Monegan to fire her former brother-in-law from his position with the Alaska State Troopers.
In an act of complete denial, Palin insisted to reporters that she had done nothing wrong. Stating, "If you read the report, you will see that there was nothing unlawful or unethical about replacing a cabinet member. You got to read the report."
Well, those reporters did read the report. They read about the right Sarah Palin, as Governor, possessed that allowed her to terminate employment at will. However, they also read the other part of the ruling that stated Palin was responsible for abusing her authority.
An argument could be made that Palin was only adhering to the script the McCain campaign wrote when it declared that Palin was cleared from any wrongdoing before the Supreme Court rendered its ruling.
Reports of infighting within the McCain campaign have surfaced in recent days. Sources at CNN and Politico have been told by McCain advisors, things such as:
She's lost confidence in most of the people on the plane." The McCain source further explained that she was "going rogue" during some campaign stops.
She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone. She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else."
She is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."
Most notably, was a remark from a McCain advisor to Mike Allen of Politico that Sarah Palin was a "wack job."
Nice. Talk about loyalty and camaraderie. With friends like those, who needs enemies...right?
Enter stage left: Sam Wurzelbacher, also known as Joe the Plumber- John McCain's "everyday-man" symbol for his economic vision for America. John McCain feels that three is certainly fine company for the campaign. This must be the reason why he has invited America's plumber to campaign with him, in essence elevating "Joe's" status to Honorary First Plumber.
Wurzelbacher did not pass the opportunity to walk the maverick strut, solidifying the appropriateness of his involvement with the McCain campaign. During a McCain rally on October 28, Wurzelbacher agreed with a supporter who told him that a vote for Obama would be a vote for "the death to Israel."
In response, the McCain campaign issued this statement:
While he's clearly his own man, so far Joe has offered some penetrating and clear analysis that cuts to the core of many of the concerns that people have with Barack Obama's statements and policies."
Penetrating and clear analysis," even though when speaking with Fox News' Shepard Smith, Wurzelbacher could not formulate a solid argument to substantiate why an Obama presidency would equal "death to Israel?"
Wurzelbacher further exemplified being his "own man" when he failed to appear at a McCain rally in the ironically named Ohio town of Defiance, on October 30. John McCain called out to "Joe," his new mascot, only to be greeted with absence- quite the awkward moment. However, "Joe" is "his own man." Perhaps even to McCain, Wurzelbacher possesses the makeup of a maverick. In such case, "Joe" has credence to do as he pleases.
It is my analysis that the workings of the McCain campaign are much like the function of a freight train. Instead of transporting cargo, each individual car delivers its own piece of feel-good "straight talk." The trouble is, just as how freight is separated by individual cars on a train, the various pieces of content that the Straight Talk Express wants us to accept, fails to correlate. Frankly, the McCain campaign has broken down into a disheveled mess, lying on an un-swept circus floor.
With John McCain, Sarah Palin, and now, the honorary First Plumber operating separate of each other, and advisors from the McCain campaign actually going on the attack against Sarah Palin before the election has even taken place- what evidence will support the prospect of an amiable president/vice president relationship should McCain and Palin be elected to office?
Why would it be a good idea for two self-professed mavericks to serve as president and vice president, having been elected to office, possibly clinching festered resentment of each other, and baggage, on top of toting opposing political philosophies?
If John McCain and Sarah Palin desire to serve as our president and vice president, they should set out to lead by example. In other words, if our leaders push the limits of law to benefit themselves, completely deny wrongdoing (regardless of a court's findings), and shape shift on campaign policy and message, in an effort to fulfill a current political agenda- how could they reasonably expect the citizens of this country to abide by the laws and rules that most any other elected officials would at least pretend to honor?
John McCain and Sarah Palin have granted themselves the privilege to freely chameleon under the guise of being mavericks. Are we being offered "do as I say, not as I do," leadership? If the people elect John McCain and Sarah Palin, will we be offering the pair a blank check to govern as they please?
Do we not foresee the possible disastrous effects of being led by an administration headed by "mavericks," who, based on past behavior, could very likely choose to govern according to personal discretion, opposed to policy and law? Has the current financial crises not taught us what the resulting cocktail can be when power and assumed privilege are blended together?
Sources
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27085394/ - Biden quoting Bob Casey
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12861.html - Casey convention speech
http://www.barackobama.com/speeches/index.php - Obama on McCain and GW Bush policy agreement
http://www.johnmccain.com/Undecided/WhyMcCain.html - McCain reaches across isle
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/10/palin_criticize.html - Palin criticizes McCain robocalls
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/new_mccain_robocall_stars_sara.php - Palin records robocall
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/17/palin_mayor/ - Palin office spree
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/debates/transcripts/vice-presidential-debate.html - VP debate
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/article01/ - Constitution
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/11/palin.investigation/ - Troopergate
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/09/mccain-camp-clears-palin_n_133456.html - McCain campaign clears Palin of wrongdoing in Troopergate
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5igWA77jTUWXP5cqP7Xy1MDq8I1ZQ - McCain advisors smear Palin
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/15073.html - McCain advisors smear Palin
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/foxs-shepard-smith-forced_n_138674.html - Shepard Smith Joe Plumber interview
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032257.html - McCain campaign on Joe Plumber comment
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