Do we have blinders on?

Question

I am neither a dem nor a repub...but I take great fascination in the American electoral process. I have been watching the DNC with great interest, and will do the same next week with the RNC.

But something that has struck me is the unflagging attempts - from both sides - to find fault in the other side...to ridiculous extremes. Repubs have been criticizing Obama for his 'celebrity' status....yet didn't the Repubs have their own REAL celebrity in Reagan? And hasn't he been touted as their greatest of the last century? And what about Arnold in Cali?

Will each side find ANYTHING to pick at the other? Is this country not interested in finding the best? Or are they merely interested in own side - and the best it can offer? And how is it acceptable to the American people that their leaders fight like children in a schoolyard, and yet, are given respect to take them into battle?

Answer 1

Zimbabwe's "Free and Fair" Election

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/...

Pakistan Election

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/...

India Election

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2...

Philippines Election Violence

http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfil...

Kenya Election Violence

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/12/31...

Free and Fair Elections in Myanmar?

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapc...

Free and Fair Elections in Egypt?

http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2005/082...

Free and Fair Elections Worldwide?

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.ht...

No, it's not a perfect system, but you know it is a great country when candidates can talk negatively about each other, or opposition parties attack the administration in office and not face threats, political imprisonment, or worse -- death.

Answer 2

The problem with Obama is that celebrity is ALL he has. At least Reagan had actually accomplished something by the time he ran for President.

Answer 3

When it comes down to it, there will only be a comparison of policy and the differences in the resume of the candidates. The Conventions are all about celebrations of their nominated contender. The real fun will happen during the debates!

Answer 4

It is impossible to compare Obama to Reagan...

Reagan worked for GE for decades prior to running for President... Obama on the other hand has never worked a real job.

While Reagan was a teenager he saved over 70 lives as a lifegaurd... While Obama was a teenager he was a pot smoking, racist, antiAmerica, punk.

Reagan served as Governor of the largest state in the union prior to running for President...  Obama has never ran anything- a community organizer hardly qualifies one to be president.

Reagan had a platform and true solutions (give Iran an altamatin to release our embassy workers, lower taxes, etc.) Obama on the other hand has one liners and one words- "Change"

Reagan was a man of principles...  Obama is merely an empty suit.

Answer 5

I'm looking forward to the day when both sides stop attacking each other with half-truths and talk only about the issues.

That's a part of politics I can do without....and it doesn't make me change my vote anyway.