The other day Joe Biden said the following:
“it will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. … We’re going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.”
Of course the McCain camp is being all smarmy and smart-ass over this. In comments to CNN, Sarah Palin said, “We need to thank Joe for the warning.” The undertone there is, of course, “Elect Obama and we’ll be attacked!”
Well, here’s the thing. New presidents are always tested by the rest of the world. It happens. It’s part of politics. I don’t see why Biden thought he needed to mention it, but it’s true anyhow. If Obama is elected, he’ll be tested; if McCain is elected, the same applies.
I guess it’s just up to the voters to choose: do you want the sane, calm, well-thought-out, level-headed response you’d likely get from Obama, or do you want John “Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb Iran” McCain to be the decider?
October 22, 2008 at 11:20 am
Every President is tested in their administration. It’s the nature of the world we live in. Good does not always triumph over evil. In that context yes Senator Biden is correct. However not all truths need to be spoken. The problem is it reminds independent or undecided voters that maybe Obama isn’t ready to be tested. I know Biden stated Obama is ready but he’s been all over the map in his foreign policy. Right now the election is about that old cliché, “It’s about the economy stupid!” Given that basic fact I’m quite certain Biden regrets he ever said this. He was trying to smooth over a rough patch that was best left undisturbed right now. Will it make a difference? Maybe not but McCain would be foolish to overlook this perceived weakness.
October 22, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Eh, I don’t perceive it as a weakness. I agree it didn’t need to be said and Biden ought to be focusing on the economy, since that’s what will get them into the White House, but I don’t really see it as anything worth making an issue out of. Then again, the McCain camp has to be pretty desperate at this point, given how far behind in the polls they are. I’m sure they’re willing to try just about anything at this point.
October 23, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Bush was tested on 9/11. How did he do?
October 23, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Why is it that 16 countries that are important to the future of the world cannot understand why we would choose McCain – a man I admired in the past? Polls have gone out in all these areas to assess the general opinion. (A reprint in the latest Reader’s Digest.) In up to 90% in some cases of those questioned, the consensus was that Obama would do more to enhance the possibility of greater world security and a better strategy for global warming than Mr. McCain. Not one of those countries chose McCain.
Why would so many Republicans, including Colon Powell, switch parties if they thought all the dirt that the McCain campaign has thrown out should be of any concern?
I have read every bit of material I can find from both parties and have not seen one indication that I am making the wrong choice.
I do believe that those who are for McCain are concerned that their world of “having it all” will be affected, and while I believe in the freedom that comes from struggling to make it on one’s own may be a bit more difficult, there is no way we can survive as a country unless we have someone in the White House who will listen to all sides.
Just analyze the debates. Mr. McCain became hot under the collar when he thought he was right. Mr. Obama never deviated from his cool willingness to listen.
October 23, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Bush failed his first test as he has failed everywhere else.
October 25, 2008 at 6:23 am
9/11 wasn’t much of a failure for Bush, actually. Aside from the seven minutes of nothing, he handled it well. The problem with him is everything that came after it; the PATRIOT Act, the War in Iraq, torture, Gitmo, etc. He’s proven himself to be consistently in over his head.