By Rob

November 7, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Uh, yeah, that’s because if there’s somebody actually named David Letterman posting this trip it’s not David Letterman of the Late Show fame. If you want to insinuate it is, the attorneys at Worldwide Pants would like to speak with you. If it’s a different David Letterman - you might want to make that clear.

By Rob

November 7, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Uh, yeah, that’s because if there’s somebody actually named David Letterman posting this trip it’s not David Letterman of the Late Show fame. If you want to insinuate it is, the attorneys at Worldwide Pants would like to speak with you. If it’s a different David Letterman - you might want to make that clear.

By Patty

November 7, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

David Letterman wrote this; it’s the David we don’t often see…. ‘As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.’ ‘The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President.. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘What are we so unhappy about?’ A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week? B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state. F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either. H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings. K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ‘other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable’ discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.’ ‘With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, ‘Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?’ -David Letterman

By TRS

November 6, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Rob - agree with you RE McCain campaign. To be honest I never did understand his healthcare because he did not communicate it well. The whole “maverick” and reformer thing just didn’t sell. From my perspective the issues with Ayers and Wright had nothing at all to do as to whether he was a terrorist or was a black liberation advocate as were Wright’s views. Matter of fact a Democratic Congressman Nadler probably hit that on the head in responding to a question from a voter when he said that his decision to hang around Wright’s church probably had to do with the constituiency base of 8000 members in the community in which he served. I would have preferred a bit more principled response (ie, Oprah who left that church); but, I can also understand it. I hear what Obama has to say, but I don’t know who he is - the record is thin and the slate is blank, so I look to other things which may tell me more about the man. Currently Ayers is a teacher who teaches teachers. He believes our economic system is evil and has said so. As you would want to know about any association a Republican might have with say a KKK member like David Duke, I wanted to know more about that association, how close it was, etc. Nothing of serious consequence surfaced so I’m willing to accept him at his word for now. The guy from the PLO seemed to have a closer relationship with Obama - they broke bread as families together; yet, Obama has indicated he will be a strong supporter of Israel. I’ll take his word on that as well; but, as Ronald Reagan said “trust, but verify”.

By Rob

November 6, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Sorry y’all, forgot to add in the last post for those who care. NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Area - includes the United States, Canada, and Mexico (or North America, in other words).

By Rob

November 6, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

TRS - agreed on Governor Palin. She’s not the reason they lost. All I said was that I have seen some poll data that indicates she didn’t help. She presented issues that were a a negative among some voters. Just like among voters who voted for Obama cited experience as a concern. It was a single negartive factor - not “THE” reason. I think the Republicans lost because they didn’t run on issues people care about that they have better positions on. And maybe I’m missing something - but I think we’re agreeing on media in some regards (?)!? Great example with the McCain / Iseman non-affair. That story hit in Febraury and was dead by March. In fact, I can honsetly tell you I had completely forgotten about it until you brought it up. McCain’s PR team effectively killed it by identifying ex-McCain staffers with axes to grind as being the “sources”. Subsequently, did you hear either Joe Biden or Barack Obama EVER bring that issue up one single solitary time in the campaign? However, the David Ayres “non-story” survives with current articles only because at every single campaign stop both McCain and Plain chose to bring the topic up. Now I don’t have to be a left wing zealot to understand David Ayres illegal activities transpired when Senator Obama was an eight year old school boy living on the other side of the planet. Any editorial board worth their salt looks at both of the facts surrounding both of these stories (McCain’s non-affair and Obama’s non-terrorism) and says there’s no story here.

By TRS

November 6, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Forgot something - Palin was not the reason this election went the way of Obama - it was a Democratic year and then the economic disaster hit. I heard someone say it wasn’t Palin as McCain’s running mate that was the problem - it was the Obama’s campaign effectively making President Bush his running mate.

By TRS

November 6, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Straight reporting - the NYT ran a story about McCain and insinuated an affair - totally unfounded. They sent someone to North Viet Nam and talked to a former guard of McCain who of course denied any mistreatment during his POW days thus insinuating that things weren’t that rough after all. That was reported as hard news. How long did it take the MSM to pick up on the Ayers story? The Wright story? The same editors that decided to go with the McCain story didn’t see these stories important? They were known early on - think that would have made a difference in the primaries? Every survey reflects that of those who report hard news, 85% see themselves as Democrats, including Editors. Perception is reality. How can anyone be impartial without someone to counter balance their perspective. Editorial pages are a known quantity - I’m OK with that; but, here is the perception - you have an editorial board, with 85% of it leaning to a certain political philosophy, overseeing reporters who have the same leanings and deciding what stories are important. It is only human nature to for them to see negative stories about those they disagree with as important and those they agree with as not. The perception fo imbalance is what has driven people to talk radio and Fox. Perhaps the reason liberal talk radio has not been successful is that those who believe that way don’t have to go to alternative sources - its readily available to them through the MSM. Jim - you have been absolutely obsessed with Palin. I heard the same report on Fox. There certainly is alot of backbiting going on in the McCain campaign. In truth, she was a mixed bag. The Republican base was apathetic about McCain; yet, Palin energized them. Without the base, the election would not have been as close. So, who are the countries involved in NAFTA? Can’t say as I know that off hand and I’ll bet you’d find many others who don’t as well, including prominent politicians. As Lawrence Eagleberger said, she wasn’t ready, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t be. He noted that many VPs were unprepared, but they soon became so. Here’s my problem with your portrait of Gov Palin - it is disrespectful. You ask us to rally around Obama and I intend to support him where I feel it appropriate; but, your still out there calling her Caribu Barbie, a disaster, etc. I believe a woman who has risen from common roots such as she has deserves just as much respect as a man of mixed race from a broken home who arose to be President elect.

By Rob

November 6, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Jim - I think you make a good observation. I saw an exit poll where among voters who made up their mind in like the last 48 or 72 hours, the prospect of President Palin (in the awful event that President McCain was otherwise incapacitated) was a negative. She also had a negative effect from a policy standpoint among self-described “moderates” who made up their minds late. I think the McCain strategists were counting on a lot of “late breakers”, and that evidently did not help.

By Rob

November 6, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Lookit, my point on media is that there is a content component to the coverage as well as editorial. TRS - you’re right, the New York Times editorial approach is liberal. Heck - you could throw in the Washington Post to that lot if you want. Equally, Fox is right of center and trying to deny those facts are exercises in futility. But look at the straight reporting component. I mean, even this morning we’re learning why some of the reporting was what is was - the infighting between McCain’s PR team and Gov. Plain directly led to Mark Salter’s staff leaking the $150K shopping trip story. Those will be stories tagged as “negative”, when all that happened was the facts were reported and the source was the McCain camp. Since there is no counter story for Obama (it ain’t like his staff tattled on Joe Biden for some equivalent problem), the balance has to tilt off of equilibrium. That’s not Obama’s fault - that’s not the media’s fault. The story is what it is. That’s like First Lady Hillary Clinton complaining about a “vast right wing conspiracy”. That complain missed the point that at the time President Clinton and his staff were giving reporters lots of negative stories to run - they didn’t go invent that stuff.

By Jim

November 6, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

TRS, I think you make a good point about the media, but you can’t deny that Sarah Palin was a huge problem for McCain. It didn’t take help from the media for most people to see that Palin was unqualified. Now, even Fox news is reporting that she didn’t know which countries were in NAFTA, or that Africa is a continent and not a country. I think McCain was between a rock and a hard place when it came to picking a VP who would rally the base, but Palin was a disaster.

By Jim

November 6, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

All you Sarah Palin fans need to go to youtube watch?v=MWZHTJsR4Bc She didn’t know Africa is a continent.

By TRS

November 5, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

One other quick statistic from Pew to support my point - when people were asked if the media favored a candidate a large % of Republicans said Obama. OK - throw that out; but, 62% of Democrats and independents said the same thing. Not in the tank? Come on Rob

By TRS

November 5, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

Rob - you may note I said it wasn’t the reason for the outcome of the election; but, numbers don’t lie. If Fox can do a 40/40 split, why couldn’t remainder of the media at least be a bit closer than 59/29? Surely if you don’t think the NYT wasn’t in the tank then you are living in a parallel universe. The point is this #1 - all this consternation about Fox is just plain unsubstantiated and #2 - all forms of the legacy media is shrinking, losing money - the NYT bond rating was reduced to junk because of its loss in circulation and advertising $$. They need to examine themselves very closely. An independent and impartial media is very important to this country; but, that means they have to earn trust. They used to have it; but, for millions of Americans they have lost it or are losing it. Part of the problem the media is having is that like you they don’t see anything wrong!!

By John McCain

November 5, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

I urge all Americans to join me in mot just congratulating him, but in offering our next president our good will and earnst effort to find ways to come together to find the necessary compromises to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

By mwm

November 5, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

There are many reasons. Obama had the ability to speak to a larger segment of the population. Regardless of race, income, social stature , religion or personal belief. McCain spoke to specific segments of the population. And sometimes, he used symbols that did not represent middle america. Joe the sixpack/plumber for example. It was kind of like McCain was using the tactics of a very strict fundamentalst church. By telling people they had to change for the party. And, did not meet people on their own terms. Obama was able to reach people where they were in life. That is the difference.

By Rob

November 5, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

TexasBuckeye - a fool and his money are soon parted. In some cases, it’s a miracle the two ever got together in the first place. Markets are down because jobs report ( economy lost 157,000 jobs) and retail sales were soft. That’s stuff that happened in the last quarter under Dubya. BTW - “cashing in those investments now” !?!?!? I thought you just said the market was down? Buy high and sell low? Like I said - it’s a wonder you and your investments got together in the first place.

By izzitrainingidiotzz?

November 5, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Cindy - honey, just mash the “post” button once then wait. Sometimes it takes your nastygram internet machine thingy just a sec. Us farmers reap what we sow. I don’t know what you sew. Maybe hemp. Try smoking some and chill.

By Cindy

November 5, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Very upset That my fellow Ohioans voted for Obama. You will reap what you sew.

By Cindy

November 5, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Very upset That my fellow Ohioans voted for Obama. You will reap what you sew.

By Cindy

November 5, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Very upset That my fellow Ohioans voted for Obama. Your will reap what you sew.

By P Miller

November 5, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

For all you out there that cant stand the fact America is headed in a new direction should be ashamed. America made the right choice by electing Pres. Obama. Just remember that African Americans can lead Too!

By Alice

November 5, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

America finally proved to the world that she really is what she’s been saying she is for the last 200 years. As a supporter of nearly two years, I am still in shock and disbelief. God bless President-elect Barack Obama!

By TexasBuckeye

November 5, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

The reason Barack won is that he is a smooth talker, has good looks, and tells everyone what they want to hear, just like he was taught at Havard Law School. Now we will really see how little he knows and what a snow-job he pulled over those that voted for him. One of his advisors (Raines) is the primary reason for the financial trouble we are having in the housing market. His party blocked Bush’s attempts to regulate home loan mortgages. We are going to get higher taxes, possibly have our gun laws repealed, have more social services for those that do not want to work, and have free insurance for illegals. Just what we need to get this country moving in the wrong direction. Better cash in those investments now before the capital gains taxes increase over the next three years. The stock market decline over the past few months is one measure of how our economy will do once he takes office as it reflects what is on the horizon. It is already down nearly 300 points today. Typically, it goes up after an election.

By ac

November 5, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

m.l.k, jr. said we should judge a person by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. saddly, obama won because of his skin color and NOT because of the content of his character. if he had been white, all the stuff about ayers and the racist preacher would have COST him the election, but because obama is part black, it would be racist to hold those things against him.

By Michael

November 5, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

He won, because people don’t know how to read. People like to only listen to stories - and yes that is what Obama told everyone - and not research things for themselves. This just proves the old saying that Americans don’t read.

By The Reason Obama Won

November 5, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

I am the reason Barack Obama won. ME. Barack Obama will lead us all to the new revolution. If Sarah Palin would have become VP, this country would have went to shambles and we would have been the laughing stock of the world. Obama will bring us exactly what we need… AWESOMENESS. Barack Obama is the coolest person in the world. Also, Sarah Palin and her husband are terrorists. They give secrets to the russians. Barack is the next Jesus Christ

By Whatever

November 5, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Before all the votes were even counted 100 percent they said Obama won so they proved that the votes DON’T count.

By Kimberly

November 5, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Obama took Ohio, and the country, because he is the first presidential candidate to come along in decades with intelligence, grace, humility and integrity. Finally we will have a president who people will actually believe in and respect. Finally the country got it right and stopped voting for rich oil men. Finally, there’s someone REAL in office.

By Kimberly

November 5, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Obama took Ohio, and the country, because he is the first presidential candidate to come along in decades with intelligence, grace, humility and integrity. Finally we will have a president who people will actually believe in and respect. Finally the country got it right and stopped voting for rich oil men. Finally, there’s someone REAL in office.

By Jaime

November 5, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

I believe Canada is only a short drive form here if you don’t like the results of last nights election. It is people who spout out their ignorance that will create WWIII. Obama is your President whether you like it or not. If not - leave. He will not be sitting in a room somewhere with some crayons making guesses about what to do with this country. He will have advisors- some of the best people in the country. And Pat- what about the people bussed in? They have a right to vote- just like you or me. Anyone can register. If they have proper I.D. they can vote- whether they live in a mansion or a shleter or get to the polls on their own, by taxi or bus. They have a right to vote. If you think they shouldn’t you need to find a place more suitable to your views because this is America and in America anything is possible.

By Phil Man

November 5, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

He won Ohio b/c more people voted for him than for the other guy.

By Rob

November 5, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

TRS - okay, it’s the media’s fault. Is it possible that the McCain campaign did some silly things to get a negative story run? For example, a story reporting the audience poll on the outcome of a debate. The live audience sat through a debate and thought that on the whole, Senator Obama won most of the points, and further Senator McCain did not make a good presentation. By simply reporting - not editorializing - but by reporting the facts (audience said Obama won) and a verbatim (audience member thought a comment like “that one” was abrupt and condescending), you get a positive story for Obama and a negative (same story) for McCain. That doesn’t mean they’re in the tank for Obama - it means they reported what happened. It’s not Obama’s job to make sure the McCain campaign doesn’t step in it.

By JAN

November 5, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Why did Obama win? Because people are tired and wanted change. Because folks prayed for the best candidate to win. It’s sad to say that some of the comments on this blog are showing just how racist people are and will continue to be racist. I will continue to pray for President-elect Obama and this country!

By J.T.

November 5, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

I think Ohio got it right this time. Four more years of Republican “leadership” was a scary thought. The healing of America’s relationships with the rest of the world has begun.

By Mary

November 5, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

The short answer is Obama supposedly got the most votes. Now let’s hope only legal citizens voted, and only once, and that the votes were counted correctly - big assumptions these days. If McCain had won, I have no doubt racism would have been on your list of options as to why. What is striking are the numbers in today’s USA Today on the voting division along racial lines: 4% of blacks, 31% of hispanics, and 55% of whites voted for McCain; 95% of blacks, 66% of hispanics, and 43% of whites voted for Obama. One interpretation could be blacks are the most racially biased of all voting groups. Carrying this a step farther, that is one explanation of how Obama won in Ohio. He successfully mobilized black voters in Ohio’s urban areas. The rest of Ohio on a county by county basis was almost solid red. It would be interesting to see the voter turnout percentages among eligible white, black, and hispanic voters. Did blacks turnout in higher percentages than whites? As a disclaimer, I did not vote for either major party candidate, am white, but did vote. I actually agree with and admire Obama on many issues, but do not look upon him as superhuman and able to deliver all he has promised to get votes. I wish him and our country well. However, I thought the media was very biased beyond standards of journalistic professionalism in how they approached the campaigns. A highly respected black journalist Bernard Shaw who cohosted and retired from CNN’s Inside Politics a number of years ago said so, as well.

By Rob

November 5, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Blou - now you’re starting to get at it! You already know something that this years Republican strategists whiffed on. Let’s take an issue - Lobbying. Good one. Now, which candidate has the best record on lobbying and campaign finance reform? McCain. Alright - here’s a winner. So the next time the Senator gets on stage, let’s have him talk about that. Instead, what did these guys do? Drill, baby, drill. Joe the Plumber. Eliminate capital gains. On each of those things, Obama has a compelling counter. Mind you, I didn’t say right - I said compelling. Clear, articulate,complete. The closest the McCain camp got to lobbyist where whining about federal financing (which face it, wasn’t a noble moral stand - McCain just didn’t have any money from anywhere else) to which Obama replied I declined so I could protect myself from 527 “swiftboating”. Which turned out to be a good thing, given the last 72 hours of Republican PAC ads. Too bad you weren’t working for McCain - I mean that seriously. You made a better point than they did!

By TRS

November 5, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Jo - suggest you go to the Pew Research Center, a non partisan group, and their “Excellence in Journalism” project. There are many numbers out there, but here are just a couple - overall media coverage - negative Obama stories, 29% - Negative McCain stories 59%. Lets look at the two networks which have obvious leanings - MSNBC negative Obama 14%, negative McCain 73%. Fox negative Obama - 40%, Negative McCain 40%. Does Fox lean center right? Sure does. Was the rest of the media in the tank for Obama? The numbers say so. I’m not saying that it caused the outcome of the election; but, this myth people try to perpetrate that Fox is all Republican all the time is only a myth. The problem is your just not used to hearing negative things about Democrats from the MSM and when you do, you think its bias. Fox is killing the other cable networks in ratings and are competitive with the networks. Two groups need to take a strong look at themselves now - the Republicans and the legacy media. Both need to rebuild trust because neither earned it this election cycle.

By Blou

November 5, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

I don’t think any Republican could have won this election short of Elvis. The nation’s people are ready to repair the damages done to the people by the country’s politics. Until the presence/practices of Lobbysts are outlawed and forbidden, we, the people, will find it difficult to close ranks, so to speak, and get our representatives to do our bidding. Down with Lobbyists

By Jo H.

November 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

You’re accusing the media of being pro-Obama? How about Fox News? All Republican ALL the time!

By Lynn

November 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Michelle, saying that a valid Ohio driver’s license is required to vote in Ohio is incorrect. My mother has never had a driver’s license and voted absentee by providing the last four digits of her Social Security number. You could also show a utility bill or bank statement which is in your name. I voted early and was also offered those options for identification. I had my driver’s license out, but the man who checked me in never looked at it. I hope they checked to make sure my signature matched the one on file, but I doubt it.

By Rob

November 5, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Skip - I can keep saying it as long as it takes to snap my Republican friends out of it. THIS WAS NOT THE MEDIAS FAULT. My friend, “rhetoric” decides EVERY campaign. Rhetoric (and soaring rhetoric at that) won an election for Ronald Reagan in 1980. In 1980 the Republicans offered hope, fresh ideas, and conversion from narrow special interests to broader concern about America at large. In 2008, the Republicans did the exact opposite. I appreciate your 1942 observation. I believe our President that year was FDR. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. FDR dreamed huge and accopmlished great fundamental change. All the while, mind you, he was accused of packing a Supreme Court, criticized for wanting a “too big government”. He had to play a hand (WWII) dealt to him, he didn’t choose it. He instituted taxes that weren’t even heard of (Social Security) - heck, they didn’t exist. Instead of funding tax cuts, he built infrastructure. I’m sorry to hear that you wouldn’t offer your country voluntarily your service in 2008. Because the circumstances and the players sound similar enough.

By Rene

November 5, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Why did Obama Win Ohio? Because this is America - land of the stupid and home of the screwed. The beginning of World War III just started last night and all you stupid people were all for it. No wonder our economy is so messed up. You can’t fix stupid so why bother trying.

By Rene

November 5, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Why did Obama Win Ohio? Because this is America - land of the stupid and home of the screwed. The beginning of World War III just started last night and all you stupid people were all for it. No wonder our economy is so messed up.

By MIchelle

November 5, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Pat - people in Ohio are only allowed to vote with a valid driver’s license. That is the reality. And the reality is that more Ohioans voted for Barack Obama than John McCain. Now it’s time for everyone to work together to fix what’s wrong with this country, just like John McCain and Barack Obama said. Division is what’s kept us mired in the mess we’re in now. How about something different for a change?

By Skip Engel

November 5, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Had most in the media reported all and not selected news the outcome of the election might have been different. Now we all have to endure 4 years vigil to save our position in the world and freedom here. It seems campaign retoric won the election. I for one would have been very hesitant to have joined the Marine Corps in 1942 had he been our President.

By Mike

November 5, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

As to null’s comments, you don’t make a very compelling case. What Obama is saying is that the scope of the problems we face is so large that it will take a monumental coming together from everyone, including significant shared sacrifice, in order to turn around this disaster we are facing on so many fronts. Once again, in a second consecutive election, the American people have roundly repudiated the Republican policies which have mired us at the lowest point we have been in the last 75 years. Make no mistake, what we are living through today in this country is the result of the implementation, during the last eight years, of Reagan’s “trickle down economic” theory. It was enthusiastically put into practice by the Bush administration and we are now reaping the whirlwind. Those “simple minded folks” you so derisively reference have lived through the universal pain of the last eight years. The pains of lost jobs, unjustifiable wars and a steady erosion of America’s stature in the world. And they have resoundingly said, “ENOUGH”!! So if you don’t want to get on board with helping to fix this mess, I suggest you just go on ahead today and tune into Rush and Hannity on the radio this afternoon and O’Reilly on the TV tonight. They’ll continue to fill your head with the misinformation, divisiveness, hate and fear of “THE OTHER” that a minority of the country still find a need to cling to. As for the rest of us, we’ll get about the business of trying to fix the mess that is before us. You can either help or get the hell out of the way. Because there is no other option but to repair out country and get it moving forward once again. So what do you say, null? Is it “Country First” for you?

By TRS

November 5, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

1 Reason - economic sunami that occurred. The election was close to that point. #2 - Obama presented himself well #3 Obama ran a great campaign, McCain did not #4 President Bush #5 - every so often America transitions. The Reagan revolution brought about one such change - only history will tell us whether this is one of those type moments.

By Pat

November 5, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Why isn’t ACORN an option? Are we just going to forget the busloads of people shipped in to change the results on Ohio? Since Clark Co has so accurately predicted the outcome of elections over the years, I think this deserves consideration.

By Rob

November 5, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

null - Call that statement what you want. It doesn’t sound like an excuse to me - it sounds like a restatement of the stark realities President-elect Obama highlighted on the campaign. You can accuse the electorate of being “simple-minded” all you want. These are the same people who voted for George Bush only four years ago. Were they simple minded then? Or did they somehow get dumber? Maybe there’s another idea for you to consider that explains the current reality equally well. The Republicans just did not do a good job running their candidate. Because Senator McCain stated three days before the financial meltdown “the fundamentals of our economy are strong”, and the was proven by events to be wrong - does not mean the voting public are simpletons. Because there is a legitamte question about succession in a McCain administration does not mean people are bleeting sheep idiots. It means there IS a legitimate question that the McCain campaign could not answer in a satisfactory way. Interest rates through the roof? Why would you say that? What set of data are you looking at that caused those words to fall out of your mouth? This is the problem that the Republicans have had this cycle - state a fear (no matter how far fetched) and then not stake it to reality. Not offer an alternative idea. Not make a compelling case. Here’s your chance - or you can just keep griping about the media.

By willyd

November 5, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Because the Springfield News-Sun told us to.

By null

November 5, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Obama acknowledged that repairing the economy and dealing with problems at home and overseas will not happen quickly. “We may not get there in one year or even in one term,” he said. “But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.” He is already making excuses for failing and not living up to his promises before he even takes office. Simple minded folks let the media cast their votes for them… Mark my words when interest rates are through the roof and so are your taxes you will be begging for a republican to save you.. Did we all forget the time of Jimmy Carter???? I guess so…..I can hear Obama now, “Well I did not want to raise your taxes, but no change comes without a price and this the change you need…..”