Over the years I've been asked to help prep politicians for debates. I've never worked for one, so I'm always the outsider coming in. I usually watch the politician's staff ask softball questions (even when they think they are hard ones) before I pipe up. My questions are designed to be annoying and the followup is made to make it seem that the first answer was pathetic. When it comes to criticism after the practice, I usually say "you need more practice". The politicians' chiefs of staff usually wish they hadn't asked me. However, sometimes when I see the politicians even years later they say "you know, I remember that day you helped me with that debate on X, Y, or Z". They liked it.
I don't give partisan political advice to candidates, however. I have always worked for non-profits that cannot by law endorse or oppose candidates for any public office. Even when I appear as myself--commentator, author, talk-show host--I never tell people who I will vote for.
So, the following question is not partisan. I am genuinely confused by the announcement just made by John McCain announcing that he has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his Vice Presidential pick.
Why would John McCain, whose fundamental argument with Barack Obama is that he is not seasoned enough, qualified enough, knowledgeable enough to govern, pick a person whose only experience really leading is 20 months as Alaska's governor? Senator McCain is 72; he has had two bouts with the most serious skin cancer you can have; actuarially speaking, he may just make it through his first term. Will Gov. Palin be able to take military command immediately if tragedy strikes? Why does John McCain want the press asking that question for the next 67 day?
Jay, I know the Governor is anti-choice, anti same-sex marriage and pro-school vouchers. But so is Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who has been around domestic and foreign policy issues much longer than Governor Palin. What would you have advised?
Sarah Palin: I Am Confused
Friday August 29, 2008
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About Lynn v. Sekulow
Lynn v. Sekulow is an ongoing debate blog--a blogalogue--about how big (or little) a role faith and religion should play in American politics and government, featuring the two leading voices of the church/state battle: American Center for Law & Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Rev. Barry W. Lynn.
Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates’ positions and political party statements, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Jay Sekulow are offering analysis in their individual capacities as lawyers and commentators. They are not speaking on behalf of Americans United for Separation for Church and State or for the American Center for Law & Justice. Those organizations do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this dialogue should be construed as the positions of the respective organizations.
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Rev. Barry W. LynnExecutive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit educational organization that defends religious liberty by opposing government interference in religion
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Jay SekulowChief Counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization focused on protecting religious freedom, American families, and human life.
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What does calling women who support Hillary "gals" have to do with sarcasm? I don't see sarcasm in that term, I see sexism.
Unfortunately many citizens of the U.S. are easily snookered and don't really don't make an effort to find out about many issues that make our country the marvelous place it is until it's sometimes too far gone. Outward appearances and smooth-talking politicians can be dangerous creatures. Issues that are extremely immportant to our country are national security, fuel/energy resources, immigration, economy/jobs, food sources, ecology/global warming, etc. All are closed related, but keeping our country safe from terrorists should be first and foremost in order to even think about the other stuff. Sen. McCain said he "hated war", and so do I, but at this time in our universal civilization, it's very prevalent and won't be going away in the near future. We in the U.S. need to have a strong and well-trained military to protect ourselves from these dangerous countries who despise our freedom. Even Russia is reverting to it's old ways of bullying so can we even trust them? Use your one very important vote to protect our country first--so that we can be prosperous and free, and also have a future for our children, grandchildren, their children, etc.
This is the kind of ignorant statement conservative Christians always make:
We in the U.S. need to have a strong and well-trained military to protect ourselves from these dangerous countries who despise our freedom.
Who despises the little bit of freedom Americans have? Anyone who has traveled abroad can see that the citizens in the rest of he world, for the most part anyway, have a lot more freedom than Americans have. No one despises us because we are free. That is just stupid. As Ron Paul and Mike Gravel pointed out in the early debates, almost everybody hates us because of our meddling in their affairs and the fact that the US has become a very stupid dangerous giant that thinks it has the right to police the world. That's why they hate us and it's why I hate our government and what our country has become too.
Kay is not pro life. She votes pro life but favors pro choice when asked. If th vote was to overturn roe vrs wade than she would vote no. McCains choice was brilliant. Rev Lynn, do some research, ignorance is no excuse......
Pres. Barack did not have a lot of leadership experience going into the campaign as well. Even though he served in the Illinois state senate for seven years, he only served in the US Senate for 127 days. Leadership experience obtained as a governor is very fitting to lead as President of the United States because the governor's role is like a microcosm of the president's in terms of being in charge of staff and a large budget, the ability to influence national policy and foreign politics, and ruling a sovereign entity. In this respect, one's service as governor is very apropos for a vice presidential candidate.
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