Campaigns "exploiting" our fears

[SwedishMeatball]

I don't need a politician to make me think about issues of national security. I find it hard to believe, especially after what our country experienced on 9/11, that it wouldn't be a consideration on every American mind.

I don't understand people accusing Hillary of exploiting people's fears with her recent ad asking who would you want to answer the phone at 3am. I know that it is her way to point out the experience issue, but isn't it a fair question??

Also, I imagine that Obama's supporters actually do believe that they'd want him to be the one answering the phone. I think to them it's not all about experience, but about who they trust.

I just don't think it's reasonable to pull out the "scare tactic" card anytime we want to discuss this critical issue. Obama needs to just approach it in how he would handle the situation and give people confidence, rather than try to squealch the topic.

It's an important issue of our time and isn't going away, so it does really need to be addressed. I'm just not buying into the argument that anyone who brings it up is attempting to exploit our fears. I think it's just as ridiculous as accusing people of exploiting economic fears by discussing a recession.

Any candidate who would try to deny, or even downplay, the possibility of another terrorist attack would worry me far more than those willing to discuss it. I want to know it is something wearing on their mind. I would have zero confidence in someone who couldn't show me that they are prepared to acknowledge the threat terrorists pose to our nation. For me it is not about fear, but a reality of the world we live in.

 

[The Mayor]

Unless a Republican is in office then that phone call to the White House should make us all nervous

 

[JARNJ3]

Mark my words - in the September\October\November time frame - there will be at least ONE terror alert, that FOX NEWS will report over and over again.

Advantage: McCain

Does anyone remember Osama's video message the Friday before the 2004 election?

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

I agree...I don't get all the hoopla about her commercial. I think its a valid point.

I've stood at ground zero. I do not need anyone running for office to remind me the dangers we face as a nation.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I don't need a politician to make me think about issues of national security. I find it hard to believe, especially after what our country experienced on 9/11, that it wouldn't be a consideration on every American mind.

I don't understand people accusing Hillary of exploiting people's fears with her recent ad asking who would you want to answer the phone at 3am. I know that it is her way to point out the experience issue, but isn't it a fair question??

Also, I imagine that Obama's supporters actually do believe that they'd want him to be the one answering the phone. I think to them it's not all about experience, but about who they trust.

I just don't think it's reasonable to pull out the "scare tactic" card anytime we want to discuss this critical issue. Obama needs to just approach it in how he would handle the situation and give people confidence, rather than try to squealch the topic.

It's an important issue of our time and isn't going away, so it does really need to be addressed. I'm just not buying into the argument that anyone who brings it up is attempting to exploit our fears. I think it's just as ridiculous as accusing people of exploiting economic fears by discussing a recession.

Any candidate who would try to deny, or even downplay, the possibility of another terrorist attack would worry me far more than those willing to discuss it. I want to know it is something wearing on their mind. I would have zero confidence in someone who couldn't show me that they are prepared to acknowledge the threat terrorists pose to our nation. For me it is not about fear, but a reality of the world we live in.

ITA! Well said

I want any President to be a leader and deal with the potentially deadliest issue the world has to deal with -- terrorism.

I want to hear about that instead of sound-bite hope hype. I already have "hope" because I know how great this country is and the opportunities it offers to anyone who is willing to work hard.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Mark my words - in the September\October\November time frame - there will be at least ONE terror alert, that FOX NEWS will report over and over again.

Advantage: McCain

Does anyone remember Osama's video message the Friday before the 2004 election?

Only FOX reports terror alerts?? Do you think the alerts are fake?

Do you think Osama's video is planted to help Republicans in the election?

 

[JARNJ3]

Only FOX reports terror alerts?? Do you think the alerts are fake?

Do you think Osama's video is planted to help Republicans in the election?

Yes - I think some terror alerts are fake. This I know because during the 2004 election - they issued one for NYC and Mayor Bloomberg said it was years old....

I think they timed that video release - yes - right before the election. The incumbent candidacy always has an advantage on those types of things.....

I would not be surprised at all - if the Bush Administration threw a helping hand to McCain with a terror alert.

And yes, I think FOX NEWS exploits them the most......

 

[The Mayor]

Yes - I think some terror alerts are fake. This I know because during the 2004 election - they issued one for NYC and Mayor Bloomberg said it was years old....

I think they timed that video release - yes - right before the election. The incumbent candidacy always has an advantage on those types of things.....

I would not be surprised at all - if the Bush Administration threw a helping hand to McCain with a terror alert.

And yes, I think FOX NEWS exploits them the most......

Please...please keep this serious ...what did Bill Clinton release to get elected the second time...pictures of him and Monica not having sex

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Yes - I think some terror alerts are fake. This I know because during the 2004 election - they issued one for NYC and Mayor Bloomberg said it was years old....

I think they timed that video release - yes - right before the election. The incumbent candidacy always has an advantage on those types of things.....

I would not be surprised at all - if the Bush Administration threw a helping hand to McCain with a terror alert.

And yes, I think FOX NEWS exploits them the most......

Why would it be assumed that a terror alert helps the Republicans?? After all, this particular ad that I referred to came from Hillary Clinton. It is naive in my opinion to think that this is not an issue on every mind. I would assume that if you support a Democrat, then you have confidence that they can handle it. Why the "fear" of discussing it??

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Yes - I think some terror alerts are fake. This I know because during the 2004 election - they issued one for NYC and Mayor Bloomberg said it was years old....

I think they timed that video release - yes - right before the election. The incumbent candidacy always has an advantage on those types of things.....

I would not be surprised at all - if the Bush Administration threw a helping hand to McCain with a terror alert.

And yes, I think FOX NEWS exploits them the most......

More conspiracy theories I see.

And if (perhaps) you think that only Republicans watch Fox News, what difference does it make?

 

[JARNJ3]

Why would it be assumed that a terror alert helps the Republicans?? After all, this particular ad that I referred to came from Hillary Clinton. It is naive in my opinion to think that this is not an issue on every mind. I would assume that if you support a Democrat, then you have confidence that they can handle it. Why the "fear" of discussing it??

I don't think I'm getting your question - I don't see a "fear" of discussing it....

I thought Hillary's recent ad was spot on.

On a separate topic - I find it odd - that there were a whole lot of terror alerts up until the election of 2004 - and there have been none since.

I believe that "manufactured" terror alerts will help the Republicans in November - because it worked before.

Just my humble opinion........ I could be totally wrong!

 

[JARNJ3]

More conspiracy theories I see.

And if (perhaps) you think that only Republicans watch Fox News, what difference does it make?

Perhaps it is a conspiracy theory - but its a theory I happen to believe could be true.

And no - I don't think only Republicans watch Fox News - I think its mostly republicans.......

But having seen their repetitive coverage of the terror alerts - I must confess to watching it from time to time, so I know its not only republicans!

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I don't think I'm getting your question - I don't see a "fear" of discussing it....

I thought Hillary's recent ad was spot on.

On a separate topic - I find it odd - that there were a whole lot of terror alerts up until the election of 2004 - and there have been none since.

I believe that "manufactured" terror alerts will help the Republicans in November - because it worked before.

Just my humble opinion........ I could be totally wrong!

I'm getting the distinct impression from the media that if this topic is brought up, then it is an attempt to scare voters. That makes many hesitate to touch the topic, and I think that is a sort of scare tactic used by those not wanting it discussed.

I know the Dems want to believe that McCain will be a third Bush term, but more than 28% support him so I don't believe that is true at all.

 

[JARNJ3]

I'm getting the distinct impression from the media that if this topic is brought up, then it is an attempt to scare voters. That makes many hesitate to touch the topic, and I think that is a sort of scare tactic used by those not wanting it discussed.

I know the Dems want to believe that McCain will be a third Bush term, but more than 28% support him so I don't believe that is true at all.

Well ...... I think you're getting that impression - because that is what Camp Obama is putting out to the press. And right now - he's got the press - or appears to have the press - in his back pocket.

Again - that's just my opinion.

And on the topic of McCain - I used to not mind him so much (can't love him wholeheartedly, its against the Democratic rules ) - until he aggressively campaigned for Bush - even after disagreeing with his handling of the war. I felt he put his party first - before the country.

I personally don't think McCain will be Bush III - but he will not end this seemingly endless war.......

 

[MassJester]

I know the Dems want to believe that McCain will be a third Bush term, but more than 28% support him so I don't believe that is true at all.

I've listened to Senator McCain of late, and although I used to know where he disagreed with the way Bush did things, I no longer do.

Perhaps someone here knows what will be different in a McCain administration, besides some names and faces.

 

[The Mayor]

Well ...... I think you're getting that impression - because that is what Camp Obama is putting out to the press. And right now - he's got the press - or appears to have the press - in his back pocket.

Again - that's just my opinion.

And on the topic of McCain - I used to not mind him so much (can't love him wholeheartedly, its against the Democratic rules ) - until he aggressively campaigned for Bush - even after disagreeing with his handling of the war. I felt he put his party first - before the country.
I personally don't think McCain will be Bush III - but he will not end this seemingly endless war.......

That is most politicians MO...but Mccain has voted against more Bush proposals...what Dem's have voted against party lines...I'll tell you now that Obama and Hillary aren't among them...and for the record...if I was a Democrat I would be voting for Hillary..all I can think when I hear Obama speak is the old adage from a commercial years ago...."Where's the beef"

 

[Fitswimmer]

I've listened to Senator McCain of late, and although I used to know where he disagreed with the way Bush did things, I no longer do.

Perhaps someone here knows what will be different in a McCain administration, besides some names and faces.

The new version of John McCain scares me. I liked him a lot in 2000 and was very upset that he was not the Republican nominee.

In particular, his reversal of position on torture was really upsetting to me. Here is a man who WAS tortured. He knows that the information gleaned from torture is unreliable at best.

Frankly, this new McCain seems to be a little too fond of war for me. Joking about bombing another country is one thing in casual conversation in your living room with friends who get your sense of humor-joking about it as a politician running for President-not so much.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I've listened to Senator McCain of late, and although I used to know where he disagreed with the way Bush did things, I no longer do.

Perhaps someone here knows what will be different in a McCain administration, besides some names and faces.

For starters, he intends to close Gitmo on day one. There is a reason he has a reputation as a maverick and the far right fear him. He is not afraid to work alongside the likes of Kennedy, which apparently is considered by some as traitorous. People like Kennedy would know that they could actually talk to him and be listened to, and vice versa. He has a reputation among his peers from both sides of the aisle and is respected by them. I believe he will try harder than any other Republican to go back to our roots of cutting spending. He may pander here and there, as do all politicians, but I believe he would be an independent thinker as President.

 

[The Mayor]

For starters, he intends to close Gitmo on day one. There is a reason he has a reputation as a maverick and the far right fear him. He is not afraid to work alongside the likes of Kennedy, which apparently is considered by some as traitorous. People like Kennedy would know that they could actually talk to him and be listened to, and vice versa. He has a reputation among his peers from both sides of the aisle and is respected by them. I believe he will try harder than any other Republican to go back to our roots of cutting spending. He may pander here and there, as do all politicians, but I believe he would be an independent thinker as President.

BINGO...we have BINGO here...even though I loathe the Kennedy's your point is well spoken

 

[MassJester]

For starters, he intends to close Gitmo on day one. There is a reason he has a reputation as a maverick and the far right fear him. He is not afraid to work alongside the likes of Kennedy, which apparently is considered by some as traitorous. People like Kennedy would know that they could actually talk to him and be listened to, and vice versa. He has a reputation among his peers from both sides of the aisle and is respected by them. I believe he will try harder than any other Republican to go back to our roots of cutting spending. He may pander here and there, as do all politicians, but I believe he would be an independent thinker as President.

But from a policy point of view, is the closing of Gitmo the principal policy or program difference between McCain and Bush?