Sunday, September 14, 2008

Blog #3 Mudslinging

http://www.gop.com/news/NewsRead.aspx?GUID=11b7c4b7-c708-4a63-9d09-789183ef4364

The Presidential campaign is in full swing, and both sides are taking jabs at each other. An Obama advertisement criticized McCain’s lack of computer skills. In the commercial, an announcer notes McCain “still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail.” Ouch!! John McCain cannot send an e-mail because he is physically unable to do so. He was tortured by the Viet-Cong while a prisoner of war. Not to be outdone, click on the above link to read about Obama’s running mate Joe Biden’s “designer cuff links” and “Questions about his hairline”. Does being able to send an email or having a full set of hair really matter in this election? This is mudslinging. A term used in politics to describe the negative ads put forth against the opponents. Mudslinging is nothing new in politics. Thomas Jefferson hired a writer named James Callender to attack President Adams. He wrote that John Adams is "a repulsive pedant," and a "gross hypocrite.” In 1876 the opponents of Rutherford B. Hayes spread a rumor that he shot his own mother in a fit of rage. A complete lie! In this present election with so much mudslinging taking place, it’s quite easy to lose sight of what really matters: who is the best person to run our country? To best answer that question, we must carefully scrutinize where the candidates stand on the issues. Some of these issues include national security, healthcare, taxes, immigration, education, the war in Iraq, energy, etc… Again, these are only a few of the big issues, and I’ve left out many important ones you probably feel are vital.


I want you to think about what you believe are the two most important issues and why they are so relevant. After you have considered this, I want you to post a response. Be sure to explain what issue you feel is the most important and the second most important issue; moreover, explain WHY for both choices.