Coffee and McCain
NASHVILLE: A couple of important coffee points before moving on to Nashville, where I am now: John Kecsmar and others might be interested to see that McDonalds is about to start serving espresso. I think this could be a response to my encouragement.
And Greta, I am wounded by the English cuisine line: London is now (really) a culinary centre of the world, though you need to be as rich as Mitt Romney (before the campaign) to enjoy it. As for smelling Obama's brew - well I do, of course, and his advisor on Europe, Phil Gordon of , is a good friend of mine. But the man sounded pompous to me as I drove through Ohio in the middle of the night: he just did.
Emmanuel, I promise I have no hidden agenda: in fact my repetition on British airwaves of the old (but effective) slur that Hillary tends to remind men of their first wives got me into no end of trouble. As for Justin's point about the dream ticket: as a journalist it'd be mine as well. But I agree she might consider it; he will not: why would he?
And so to John McCain, whose event in Nashville was small, cheerful and military in tone. The candidate begins his speech now with the economy (even straight talkers with no pollsters can read the front pages) but he gets into his stride when talking about terrorism and military honour. At the end, I asked him whether a McCain foreign policy would differ much from Bush. "Yes" is the answer - and the difference will be America coming in from the cold on climate change. In the UK and Europe, that would be a huge deal.
For a partisan look in more detail at the same event I was at, go to a local blogger who attended . I must say, the McCain effort is still looking wonderfully low key and amateur (I mean that in a good way) - the message is muscular but homespun. Afterwards I talked to former Fred Thompson backers who want McCain now: is the Republican party (apart from the cable news barmy crowd) finally doing what it is good at: gathering round a frontrunner?
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You need to resign from the 大象传媒 and become an advisor to Obama -he desperately needs a viewpoint from outside his hope and change bubble otherwise it may be that he never gets to deliver said hope and change to his adoring fans. Just down a few espressos and do it!
When you next see Obama, can you please ask him what it will look like after the "change". Seems nobody knows for certain.
If the espresso is the same as their 鈥渉ealthy salads鈥 then I rest my case Justin. I have just finished some very nice Papua New Guinea coffee, freshly ground beans, very tasty, full bodied without blowing my head off鈥.however, I鈥檓 not really a coffee drinker, more a tea person. But I can recognise quality when I taste it.
So, is McCain quality or just dark brown bitter water? Your point about the party slowly gravitating around him is worth noting. Perhaps doing this earlier in the race than the democrat鈥檚 may help the 鈥渟wingers鈥 decide鈥nd I鈥檓 not referring to which car keys to take home!
You've got a tough crowd in here Justin, but bravo for standing your ground on the "Obama can sound pompous" line. I agree: On radio he often does come across as condescending in a tedious, "let-me-talk-slow-ly-and-pond-er-ously-so-you-sim-ple-folks-can-take-in-what-I'm-say-ing", sort of way. That said, when you actually see him, and watch his body language, he is 100% genuine. Thank heavens America loves TV :)
On the other hand, Hillary's radio manner is quicker, less repetitious, and more "grown-up".
So who would I invite over to dinner? It would have to be Hillary, because I'd simply love to hear the juicy details of how government really works and I know Hillary wouldn't disappoint! Obama, on the other hand would probably lecture me on how government should work. I know all that already. Every idealist does!
That said, who would I vote for? Obama most likely - because Washington is simply bursting at the seams with pragmatic folks like Hillary and I think we need some principled idealists to keep them all in check.
That's what it comes down to for me. It's not about who I like the most: It's about what America needs.
P.S. re. earlier note: Still having frightful problems posting my cogitations here: Many 505 errors and other ghastly stuff. Trust the 大象传媒 boffins will sort it out soon. Yes? :)
McCain , McDonalds and Starbucks and not Al Gore can save the plant. They know that the Coffee Paradox is far more important than the French Paradox. Coffee can help Americans and the rest of the world by decreasing mortality due to depression/suicide, alcoholism/cirrhosis, cancer, diabetes/ cardiovascular diseases and childhood obesity. Most Americans like their percolated, espresso, decaf and son on...But 99 % of people think that coffee is only caffeine while just a few have recently learned that coffee has also antioxidants. But coffee has many other compounds which can help preventing a great number of diseases of the brain and the heart.
As a Fred Thompson supporter (I'm not a 'former supporter' because I still think Fred was the best man for the job) I too have had to settle for John McCain as my second choice for President. But even as my fall-back candidate, McCain's not a bad choice.
John McCain's Service in the Navy, Heroism in the Vietnam war and proven track record of thoughtful and principled voting in the senate demonstrate a that he's committed to do what's right for our troops in their mission, and he'll do well in the top job.
I'm actually quite suprised how far McCain has come in this race. If my memory serves me correctly, you predicted he'd win the presidency when a lot of political pundits were still writing McCain's campaign off. In fact, when you made that predicition, I remember thinking "you must be having a giraffe." So some merit is due here. At the very least, he looks like he's going to net the Republican nomination. And the latest RealClearPolitics poll has him in a statistical dead heat in hyppthetical match-ups with Clinton and Obama.
I think in Britain both McCain and Obama would be viewed very positively if either of them became presidents. Why? Because people in Britain love the underdog - particularly when he wins.
Political correctness gone amok?
Dear Justin
Can you explain what seems a unique phenomenon in this year鈥檚 presidential primaries: the overt apprehension of journalists to challenge Senator Obama or his campaign? Even you when you present any qualifying comment about Obama, it is couched in the most timid, apologetic terms. Can you imagine any journalist apologising for any criticism levelled at Senator Clinton or any other presidential candidate?
From this side of the pond (London), it seems the candidates are not contending on a level playing field. Whenever anyone criticises the Obama campaign, immediately someone pulls the race card and, if it happens to be someone from the Clinton campaign, one hears either the race card or the accusation that the Clintons will say anything to get elected. It seems far more a reflection of those making the accusations than vice versa.
At a time when American neo-conservatives have done such far-reaching damage on the global stage, not to conduct a presidential campaign in which every candidate undergoes the same thorough scrutiny seems recklessly irresponsible.
This story made me laugh:
Ann Coulter has decided that if John McCain wins the Republican nomination, she's going to back Hillary Clinton for the presidency because she's "more conservative" than McCain.
I think the right are taking their hatred of McCain a bit too far. Though I don't think he will ultimately win, he's the best shot the Republicans have at retaining The White House.
thank you for 'the whole thing' I will visit there often; I post in the bbc religion christian message board, so I will share it,
I cannot understand why RW Americans have it in for McCain. I mean, that dreadful woman, Ann Coulter, is either a Republican, or she is not. She has to be a team player, or she is nothing.
Reuben states :-
"John McCain's Service in the Navy, Heroism in the Vietnam war and proven track record of thoughtful and principled voting in the senate demonstrate a that he's committed to do what's right...."
Hello!!! Isn't that John Kerry ?
It seems to me as a Brit-(taxation without representation)- that either leading Democrat is infinitely preferable to what the US currently has in place in Pennsylvania Avenue. I'm unsure about McCain : he seems too much of a neocon on Iraq.
As usual 大象传媒 reports from within a comfortable American Liberal cocoon. In 2004, you were convinced the election was very close.... I thought you might learn from your mistakes.
Barack sounds pompous? Seems a bit hypocritical. But fair enough. He is, after all, a graduate of the Harvard law school and well accustomed to long-winded discourse.
Maybe it's the stark contrast to the incumbent that affects the perception of how he sounds.
Obama represents a thoughtful, analytical perspective on complex issues and a desire to influence and inspire rather than resort to autocracy by virtue of the power of the executive.
Idealistically, it should not be a popularity contest. Realistically, it is. Hillary "sounds" abrasive. But when she speaks, I try to listen to what she says, rather than how she sounds.
Are the Republicans gathering around a front-runner? Not if the Huckabee supporters we met in San Diego are anything to go by!
If they vote for him, I think it will be through very very gritted teeth.
Trying to be "fair & balanced" after "first wives" flak?
This is mean, "his wife still looks as if she has been put together by a team of plastic surgeons hired to construct the perfect first lady for a man of a certain age".
Escher Walfisch(?) apologised to Golda Meir when he said something on air abt her looks. I hope you apologise to Mrs McCain.
Otherwise another example of 大象传媒's falling standards. If you needed to balance Clinton comment, then barb shld be at McCain personally, not his wife.
Adrian
Singapore
Reuben (6) is correct Confused (11).
John McCain served as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War and was a POW from 1967-73 in Hoa Loa Prison ("Hanoi Hilton"), where he apparently refused an offer of early/earlier release unless all the men captured before him were also released. Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Democrat John Kerry of Massachusetts are the other Vietnam veterans currently serving in the US Senate.
It is also true that as a senator, McCain has in the past voted according to what he believed was right, thus drawing the ire of some even within his own party (not a man to "tow the party line" simply to keep friends in high places).
As a European outside observer, though, I also don't get why RW Americans seem to have it in for McCain in such an automatic and/or venomous way.
It's a rainy Tuesday morning in Tennessee & I still have no idea whom I will vote for. So far as I can see, nobody seems honest, trustworthy - in short, there are no real people running for president. Much like the idea of espresso at McD's, they all seem plastic versions of real people. Maybe I'm getting older & more observant of this machine, but the entire presidential election process seems like a farce. My vote is only really counted & reported by the news media, unless I am a part of the Electoral College - whatever that is. Most people here do not even know it exists. I used to give my sisters a lot of flack for not voting but now I'm not sure I have made a difference to anyone but me on that front. The illusion of having participated in the election process is just that for most of us. I'm still waiting to see if "king" George actually steps down next January.
Every time I hear Obama speak about "hope" and such, I am reminded of Bette Midler's song "Wind Beneath My Wings". It's awful. Please, please no more platitudes.
I have posted the lyrics to Wind Beneath My Wings below...the similarities are startling:
Wind Beneath My Wings
It must have been cold there in my shadow,to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strain.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,for you are the wind beneath my wings, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.
Of course, that goes without saying, you mean everything about the McCain campaign in a "good way". Maybe it's that "military tone" of the campaign that makes it so "cheerful". The "big differnce" in foreign policy will be more attention to climate change. A good place to start but a bad place to end. Climate change is urgently vital but if that's the extent of the difference with Dubya, heaven help the long suffering victims of America's imperialist foreign policy around the Globe, in places like Palestine, Iraq, Columbia, Central America, etc.,etc.,etc. See if they notice any difference in that cheerful, military stride. Honestly, what do we need reports from another partisan blogger for when we already have the 大象传媒?
It is great to read comments that are actually coherent and balanced. Correct grammar is used, spelling rules are (mostly) followed, and the tone is even-keeled. It is a dreary affair to read the vitriolic posts that fill most comment sections following articles/videos from other news sources. Kudos to 大象传媒 readers!
Your comments about listening to Clinton and Obama on the radio struck a chord. I lived in Brussels in the mid-90s and had no television. I listened to Radio 4, and couldn't understand the enthusiasm for Tony Blair: to me, John Prescott always sounded vastly more credible. When I returned home, I was astonished to discover that, on tv, the opposite was the case. 13 years on, I think I can recommend that television and radio may show up different flaws in politicians.