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Obama, McCain: Pop Quiz, Hot Shots
Jul 2nd 2008 1:00PM
Filed Under:eBarack Obama, John McCain, Featured Stories, 2008 President, Terror
remember what I was doing that day, but I can guess. I had just accepted a job offer, and was waiting to commence my employment by attending orientation on September 10 and 11, in Newark, NJ. In the interim, I probably watched a lot of "Jerry Springer." President Bush, as we all know, was vacationing in Crawford, Texas, and getting ready to deliver an address on restricting embryonic stem cell research. He was also probably recovering from the writer's cramp he got from preparing a signing statement on August 3, renewing ILSA. Some highlights:
... we are strengthening our efforts with other countries, whose cooperation is essential to pursuing the most effective approaches to solving the problems of proliferation and terrorism...And, with terrorism fresh in his mind, there was that now-famous President's Daily Brief, "Bin Ladin Determined to Strike in US." Bush's response was to tell the briefer, "All right. You've covered your ass, now."
With respect to Iran, we continue to have serious concerns over its support for terrorism, opposition to the Middle East peace process, and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.
I think we can all agree that President Bush's reaction to the PDB was, at the least, inadequate. However, with the see-sawing arguments about our security during this election, experience vs. judgment, I would like to know what John McCain and Barack Obama would have done if either of them had received this memo.
It sounds like a softball, but I think an answer to that question would tell us a lot about the candidates.
It has become an accepted truism that, even had this warning been heeded, there is little chance the attacks of September 11, 2001, could have been stopped. Part of that acceptance is due to the fact that to believe otherwise would be sickening beyond measure.
I posed the question to both campaigns. I'll let you know if I get an answer, but in the meantime, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. What steps would you want your next president to take in that situation?
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 1)Diana5:09PMJul 2nd 2008
That's a tough question. Sure, hindsight is always 20/20, but I would hazard to guess that either candidate would have been more likely to have appointed a more competent National Security Advisor and Secretary of Defense (and other Cabinet officials)upon taking office. For, what if Condy Rice really had listened to Richard Clarke's explicit warnings, along with that infamous PDB, or really had a fundamental knowledge and awareness of Al Qaeda instead of just dismissing him out of hand? Would Richard Clarke, a vestige of the Clinton Administration, have started the wheels turning in the machinery that is our government's national security apparatus...the CIA, FBI, INS, then on to the Pentagon/DOD, etc. I also hazard to guess that neither Obama nor McCain would have just sat through the recital of a children's book once they had learned of the attacks on our country. Just picture Barack deciding to just sit down, light up a smoke and puff away at it while contemplating his appropriate actions, 'cause that's how long that 7 minute timespan was. Not likely. I cannot see how either candidate would have acted any differently in the immediate aftermath, but I know that Obama would have asked more of our citizens (community service, sacrifice)and the world community-at-large by taking advantage of the collective sense of loss and sympathy in furthering diplomatic relations instead of just bashing them over the head with the list of the three axes of evil and formulating a disastrous invasion of one of those axis nations. John McCain most likely would have done a better job than George Bush (most anyone would have), but in answering this question, I truly believe that Obama and his more competent advisors would have done better (Hillary would have done even better, though ;-). Was this the thought process and response you intended, Tommy?
BTW--while you were attending your job orientation in close proximity to one battle front, I was very near the other....going about my nursing patient care duties on Ward 71, a bone marrow transplant unit at Walter Reed Army Medical Center while taking glimpses at my patients' TV sets of news reports about some random twin-engine plane mistakenly flying into one of the Twin Towers (which I had been atop of only several months before). Sneaking in my daily tasks (and trying to assuage patients' anxieties) in between joining the masses huddling around a small TV set in the nurses lounge, making phone calls to family to notify them of my well-being, and alternating with the surrealism of gazing out the southward-facing 7th floor conference room window at the massive charcoal black smoke plumes emanating from the Pentagon Building that fateful day (and the jet planes patrolling by encircling the panorama that is The Mall). We prepared as if we were a potential target, as well, and I've never been so impressed with the cohesiveness, competence or professionalism of any hospital staff in my 12 years as a RN. I am also of the mind that it mostly likely could not have been prevented.....or as you suggested, what I like to tell myself.
Wish Belkin5:36PMJul 2nd 2008
"What steps would you want your next president to take in that situation?"
There are a few steps he could take before it came to that point.
Bring the troops home to protect the homeland. Secure the boarders.
Ron Paul for President !! (write it in)
ANTI-OBAMA6:42PMJul 2nd 2008
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
This just pizzes me off! Black National Anthem? This is really getting out of hand…..
Singer Opts for ‘Black National Anthem’ Over ‘Star-Spangled Banner’
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,375164,00.html
REPLACE-DEMS-IN-CONGRESS10:08PMJul 2nd 2008
OBAMA'S FAITH IS TO OTHER COUNTRIES --- NOT AMERICA.
HE WILL SAY ANYTHING TO GET WHAT HE WANTS --- EVEN PROFESS TO BE A 'BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN'.
HIS SO-CALLED CHURCH PASTORS SPEWED ANTI-AMERICAN HATRED, INCLUDING "GOD DAMN AMERICA" FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
Barack Hussein Obama only acknowledges his "white" heritage when he's in trouble --- otherwise, he claims to be a "black" man. He plans to help the people of Africa. We need a President who will help the people of the United States of America.
Re: The CORONATION of "Barry" Obama...
When this young, bi-racial "Changeling" first began this race, I was amused at how swiftly he steam-rolled the Clinton machine. My amusement came to a screeching halt however...when I woke up one day
and realized that "hey...this guy could end up as our
president...!!!"
Time out. The more this guy (and his mean-spirited wife) opened their mouths, the more I read from their writings, followed by the Rev. Wright debacle, followed by the Father Pfleger spectacle, followed by
one political gaffe after another...well...my original amusement has now turned to outright panic and so has it ...for just about everybody I know.
I don't quite know who is behind the sudden rise of this otherwise, obscure, inexperienced Senator from Chicago and the press has also bought into it with them, but this bothers me more than anything.
Who? What? And...the biggest one of all ................... WHY???
I must say that I am willing to overlook Jeremiah Wright, Pfleger, and the Muslim accusations.
What scares me to death are his political gaffes that show he will be a 'president in training'.
There is something seriously wrong with the Democratic Party to have selected this novice for the most important job in the country.
VOTE McCAIN IN 2008.
AMERICAN10:38PMJul 2nd 2008
Singer Opts for ‘Black National Anthem’ Over ‘Star-Spangled Banner’. ANOTHER ANTI-AMERICAN --- PROBABLY FROM OBAMA'S CAMP.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,375164,00.html
WAS OBAMA BEHIND THIS? DID SWIMMER KENNEDY, HANOI KERRY, PIG PELOSI, COWARD DEAN, RAT REID HELP? THIS STUPID BITCH SHOULD BE ARRESTED FOR TREASON. SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BOOED OFF THE STAGE. WHY DIDN'T THE MAYOR STOP HER?
This just PI$$ES me off! Black National Anthem? This is really getting out of hand. THERE IS NO BLACK AMERICA. IF THEY WANT A BLACK ANTHEM --- THEY NEED TO MOVE TO A BLACK COUNTRY. LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO IMUS — SHE SHOULD BE SENT TO AFRICA — FOREVER. HOW DARE ANYONE DEGRADE OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
DOES THIS MEAN WE'LL HAVE A RED ANTHEM, A BROWN ANTHEM, A YELLOW ANTHEM, A JEWISH ANTHEM, AN ASIAN ANTHEM?
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN IN 2008.
AMERICAN11:26PMJul 2nd 2008
Can you believe this? ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE ….
“OBAMA FOR OSAMA”
Just in case you missed it.
This is definitely worth the 13 minutes it takes to watch this.
A Video Portrait Of Barack Hussein Obama
Click here: http://www.eyeblast.tv/Public/Video.aspx?rsrcID=2036
This guy becomes more dangerous every day!!!
RIChris11:26PMJul 2nd 2008
I don't know what McCain would say. Obama would just say "Let me talk to him". And all would be well.
BLACK-ANTHEM?11:54PMJul 2nd 2008
Rene Marie is hiding behind the excuse of "artistic expression". Why couldn't she be proud to sing the National Anthem of the United States? Remember what happened to Imus? He insulted “one” ball team. This woman insulted “millions” of Americans.
"The Black NATIONAL Anthem"? THERE IS NO BLACK NATION! IS THIS WOMAN CRAZY?
I did not know there was a Black National Anthem. Where is this black nation? Do we need a passport to go there?
Are Hispanics allowed in the Black Nation? Exactly here is it?
This singer opened up a can of worms. It's the black anthem ... period. She should have sung the traditional national anthem and announced she wanted to sing "Lift Every Voice" afterwards.
If she has a problem with the National Anthem, then she could decline the invitation. This was not just poor taste --- this was a real shame. She was more than unprofessional. I might have believed she was drunk. The message she sent was certainly selfish and divisive. Now she has to "deal with it", as she says. An apology would be the considerate thing to do. Being considerate of others does not seem to be one of Rene Marie's qualities. She chose her own race as more important than all others on this occasion. This kind of shame will stay with her.
Many Black-Americans would be offended if a country singer got up and sang "Dixie" and declared it an alternative national anthem.
I see this rendition as nothing different. As hard a song as it is to sing, the “Star Spangled Banner” is our “National Anthem”. Think about it this Fourth of July.
God Bless America.
Ashley English4:18PMJul 3rd 2008
All I have to say people are wrong in this world if they put Obama in the Whitehouse. They want the war to end but really, are we Americans the ones over there fighting, no it is our soldiers who are fighting so we can be free and not have people bombing our streets. My boyfriend is in the Marines and they all agree that the war does not need to end right now, if it does then they will just come over here. Bush if the only President whose had the guts to do anything about it, and everyone was ok when we first went to war because they bombed us. But you expect us to be able to jump in and jump out it ain't that easy. So in the words of my boyfriend SSgt. Webb from the USMC PUT DOWN YOUR SIGN AND PICK UP A GUN AND GO OVER THERE AND HELP. No one in his shop is voting for Obama, they want someone ahead of them with Military experience. John McCain was in a POW camp for 6 years and stayed there and let all of his men go and he was the last to go, so that tells what kind of a President he would be. He's here to fight with us and isn't going to let us fall. Obama's wife made the remark that she wasn't proud of the United States until her husband ran for the election. Not to mention do we need a President who goes to clubs in Los Angeles, NO WE NEED AN EXPERIENCED PERSON WHO ISN'T GOING TO FLIP FLOP ON HIS DECISIONS. John McCain is the only one who hasn't been all over the board with what he's supporting. SO come on people, do we want to live our lives in fear of being bombed NO we don't. So quit dowing the fact that we're at war, our guys are heros and you wouldn't be free if it wasn't for them.
Just SAY NO to OBAMA1:15PMJul 4th 2008
The Video That Barack Obama DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE pt. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RLx05jgauU&NR=1
Just SAY NO to OBAMA1:16PMJul 4th 2008
The Video That Barack Obama DOESN'T WANT YOU TO SEE pt. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RLx05jgauU&NR=1
Make your voice heard1:18PMJul 4th 2008
WE WANT HILLARY IN THE WHITE HOUSE3:51PMJun 27th 2008
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-Hillary-In-The-White-House
Target:5,000,000Sponsored by: www.HillaryGrassrootsCampaign.comWhether
you believe Hillary will go Independent or not, let's let Hillary know that we WANT her to run for President as an Independent
Hillary Clinton is our candidate and she can win without the Democratic Party. Can the Democratic Party win without her? Help make a statement to the DNC
Petition Hillary to run as an Independent for President. Let's show Hillary that we support her all the way!
5 Million Signatures by August 15th
WE WANT HILLARY7:21PMJul 4th 2008
WE WANT HILLARY IN THE WHITE HOUSE3:51PMJun 27th 2008
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/We-Want-Hillary-In-The-White-House
Target:5,000,000Sponsored by: www.HillaryGrassrootsCampaign.comWhether
you believe Hillary will go Independent or not, let's let Hillary know that we WANT her to run for President as an Independent
Hillary Clinton is our candidate and she can win without the Democratic Party. Can the Democratic Party win without her? Help make a statement to the DNC
Petition Hillary to run as an Independent for President. Let's show Hillary that we support her all the way!
5 Million Signatures by August 15th
, Let your Voice be heard!7:44PMJul 6th 2008
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pledge-to-vote-against-obama-in-the-general-election
Pledge to vote against Obama in the General Election
We the undersigned will vote for any opponent of Barack Hussien Obama or not vote at all. We believe he is the wrong leader for our country. We do not believe that the future of our nation should be decided by a popularity contest. Remember, each signature is a vote the Democratic Party could have had in November
more information for sources can be found on savagepolitics.com
Just SAY NO to OBAMA7:47PMJul 6th 2008
Step up, Let your Voice be heard!7:03PMJul 2nd 2008
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pledge-to-vote-against-obama-in-the-general-election
Pledge to vote against Obama in the General Election
We the undersigned will vote for any opponent of Barack Hussien Obama or not vote at all. We believe he is the wrong leader for our country. We do not believe that the future of our nation should be decided by a popularity contest. Remember, each signature is a vote the Democratic Party could have had in November
more information for sources can be found on savagepolitics.com
ESOUCHET4:43PMJul 13th 2008
It seems like most Americans prefer to get on their knees and beg some other country to drill more oil.
How about making it simple and we drill our oil for
our own use. We are not beggers.
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jpgoodrow4:39PMJul 2nd 2008
POP QUIZ THIS... OBAMA HUSSEIN - JUST MORE OF THE SAME and we would all know that if the media would vet him instead of blindly endorsing him.
Obama is a "uniter" all right. He has spent 20-years uniting America-haters, white-haters and corrupt donors around him
And Obama is the "change" candidate all right... He has single-handedly changed millions of Dems from party loyalty to voting for McCain or abstaining.
20-MILLION DEMS -4- MCCAIN '08
America Needs A President, Not a Phony Poser