Comments on: US election live

By: William Bowe

William Bowe — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:24:05 +0000

New thread.

By: Adam in Canberra

Adam in Canberra — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:23:46 +0000

Now it all makes sense
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/89154

By: Socrates

Socrates — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:18:49 +0000

I wonder how Red Nation would respond to my comment that they need to stop pandering to the republican party base?

By: ltep

ltep — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:04:23 +0000

Conservative blog Red Nation claims Democrat ‘mischief’ in Oregon:

http://www.redstate.com/diaries/redstate/2008/nov/05/democrat-mischief-in-oregon/

By: Dario

Dario — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:55:00 +0000

Hahaha the dirt’s coming out now all right… a Fox News reporter has told how Palin didn’t even know Africa was a continent… she thought it was a country lol, and didn’t even know basic Federal government structures and workings. I can’t see her being ‘ready’ in 8 years, let alone 4.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/palin-didnt-know-africa-i_n_141653.html

By: David Walsh

David Walsh — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:50:56 +0000

The Oregonian projects Merkley as the winner. Andrew Johnson was president when Alaska was purchased.

By: juliem

juliem — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:38:16 +0000

1500, No, you are quite right Socrates. Very good points there, especially “not asking hard questions of their own constituents”. Btw, the Jared Diamond book is excellent, I read it last year and loved it. That ought to be required reading in secondary schools and then students would be properly educated on those matters before they join the work force in adulthood …..

By: Adam in Canberra

Adam in Canberra — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:34:00 +0000

Well put, Socrates. They need to stop pandering to farmers, too. It’s to McCain’s credit that he was willing to lose Iowa rather than pander to the ethanol lobby.

By: Socrates

Socrates — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:27:54 +0000

Politics aside, there is a real question of leadership the republicans have to face here. When I look at the republicans area of influence, (centre south states), their relative poverty, and inability to face change, I am reminded of Jared Diamond’s book “Collapse”. Their core voters need to be challenged, not pandered to.

It may not be PC to say it, but that traditional mid-west belt is Americas weakness now, not its strength. I find it glaringly hypocritical that repubs have no problem asking hard questions of hispanics and blacks (you must become law-abiding citizens) when they can’t ask hard questions of their own core constituents (you must become better educated and move to jobs with a future rather than rely on tax breaks and industry handouts). Americas centre is in decay, and that is the republican bit.

By: Adam in Canberra

Adam in Canberra — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:10:37 +0000

We may also recall that the Lincoln administration bought Alaska from the Russians (it was known as “Seward’s icebox”). Perhaps Obama can give it back to them.