And along with the second debate, Obama was the better performer in this one.
I liked how he sailed through McCain’s attack and question about Ayers calmly and rather eloquently like it was no big deal. On the other hand, I loved how McCain looked into the camera and started talking directly to “Joe.”
It was kinda funny, but I liked his emphasis on the importance of smaller government. His performance in this debate was better than the previous one which is ironic, since the format of the previous debate is supposed to be McCain’s favorite - town halls. During the first debate, he was the winner though.
Overall after watching the two candidates hit each other back and forth, I’m coming out in favor of Obama but with my nose squeezed tightly.
Thing is, when the race began, I was backing McCain. I wanted to see him win. Moreover, I wanted to see Hillary and Rudy lose, lose, lose.
Thank goodness them two did.
Obama was a no-name so I didn’t even pay attention to him. But then his phenomenal rise began, and the rest is history.
I like McCain, and I don’t have the kind of hatred many on the left have towards him, but ultimately, I believe his choice for VP was terrible. It served him well but only in the short-term. Moreover, I’m tired of seeing the lack of pressure being exerted by Elephants on Sudan to implement the CPA and settle the Darfur conflict.
Darfur is an issue which is more important to liberals since conservatives are more concerned with Iran and the War on Terror, (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). Not only that, but Biden has switched his interventionist position on Darfur too to something more acceptable. On top of that Obama is staunchly in favor of Net Neutrality. McCain isn’t strongly so, which isn’t so nice.
Am I comfortable with my choice?
No, but one needs to be made, regardless of the big question marks.
And the big question marks that remain aren’t over Iraq or Afghanistan.
They’re over Iran, Pakistan…
… and the current US economic crisis!
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re most probably the only blogger I read who has ever been in favor of McCain.
Ok, I mostly read blogs from Europe and the MENA region, which are traditionally in favor of the democrats, especially since political bloggers are mostly left-wing intellectuals here. But still… you’re strange
“Darfur is an issue which is more important to liberals”
Really? Most people I meet who even know where Darfur is tend to be less liberal.
In my experience liberals tend to point to something bad America has done instead of trying to help.
“Nicaragua” is a typical argument used against recognising the Sudanese government as evil.
Hi Simon, naaa, not strange at all once you know the reasons behind my choice. You can read all about it here:
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/how-one-sudanese-would-vote-in-the-2008-us-elections/
Andrew, believe me, I’ve been following Darfur’s news in relation to the United States closely for the past two years.
I know well what I’m talking about.
The Save Darfur Coalition is significantly left-leaning.
Darfur matters more to liberals, and lately they’ve acquired a less aggressive and reasonable stance towards Sudan focused on getting all UN troops on the ground and securing a peace deal.
But of course none of this matters if the US economic crisis intensifies, and we all get screwed right?
“I know well what I’m talking about.”
I believe that, but I have never met a left-leaning opponent of ANY Arab dictatorship, including Sudan.
And if there are left-leaning opponents of the genocide in Darfur, why are those same people not also opposed to attempted genocides of Jews and Kurds (and support action to avoid those)?
OTOH I know a few (non-Jewish) socialists in Germany who support Zionist workers rather than Arab landlords. I suppose they would also oppose the genocide in Darfur and the Sudanese government.
“but I have never met a left-leaning opponent of ANY Arab dictatorship”
You may have a point, but Darfur will still be an exception.
I think it has to do with Save Darfur’s well-played marketing efforts and simple narrative.
“You may have a point, but Darfur will still be an exception.”
In one sense that is good, in another it is not. I wish it weren’t an exception. But it’s good that it is.
“I think it has to do with Save Darfur’s well-played marketing efforts and simple narrative.”
More power to them!
However, to be consistent, I guess, one also has to support Israel’s efforts to accommodate Darfurian refugees, rescue them from Egyptian police, and protect from other nationalist Arab dictatorships out to kill those they don’t regard as good enough to be alive.
And while I certainly don’t do enough (in fact I have done nothing), I hope I will find a way to help. Lately I had been busy with the Iraq thing (where I am staunchly on the side of the Kurdish minority who also fought against Arabs trying to murder them). But maybe I should learn from those left-wingers and do something for Darfur.
If I gave money to Save Darfur, how would they use it to help? Or should I give to the refugees in Tel Aviv? How?
“I think it has to do with Save Darfur’s well-played marketing efforts and simple narrative.”
I also think it has to do with Darfur’s victims being non-Jewish and black.
I am absolutely sure that if they were a Jewish minority group being slaughtered and driven out of the country by the Arab government, the left would NOT cry for them.
Apart from the afore-mentioned socialists (who are not “left-leaning” but full-blown socialists), I have never met anyone on the left who had any compassion whatsoever for Jews that fled Arab countries or Kurds in Syria and Iraq.
That’s why it surprises me to learn that they have compassion for Darfurians.
I do appreciate that Save Darfur are calling on president Bush not to wiggle out of making sure that some international court WILL hold Bashir accountable.
And one on topic:
“Moreover, I’m tired of seeing the lack of pressure being exerted by Elephants on Sudan to implement the CPA and settle the Darfur conflict.”
I agree with you about the Elephant refusal to do much.
But I don’t see how Obama would do anything.
B.H. Obama is an excellent brand. But in the end of it, everything and anything they say or do during the election heat is bullshit. The only thing that really matters is whether the president is an idiot, who his advisors are and whether he has principles.
McCain proved (repeatedly) that he has principles - Libertarian, mildly socially conservative, patriotic. But then again, he also proved he doesn’t (his wife, the “bailout” scam, Palin). We can at least know that he cares about the United States of America.
Obama, now… what are his stances, exactly? Who are the people that surround him? What principle did he ever stand up for (other than Obama Must Be President)?
Abu Sa’ar,
You are making good points. I still don’t know where Obama actually stands and many people supporting him seem to hope that he won’t do what he said he would (or ignore or never did know what he has said he would do).
Choosing Sarah Palin as running mate was a bit weird…
I still don’t get it…why the HELL did McCain pick that woman? What was he thinking? Getting the conservative women’s vote that he already had?
I STILL don’t know who Obama is or what he really stands for. McCain has a track record…and has been somewhat moderate…
So if we get Obama and he lives…we are screwed…and if we get McCain and he dies…we are double screwed.
Andrew…
If you want to get involved in the Darfur thing in kind of a unique way…check out:
http://www.damanga.org
Get a note out to Mohamed Yahyah….I like the guy a lot…we have kind of become buddies and he is not mainstream…just a guy trying to save some lives…tell him Chawaja markuti gerutendi sent you
“If you want to get involved in the Darfur thing in kind of a unique way…check out:”
Checking.
I don’t want to get involved. I was hoping I could buy my way out of having to care.
But it looks like there is no easy way out.
What does “Damanga” (Dalet Mem Alef Nun Ghayin Tav) mean?
Anyway, looks like a good place to start.
I’ll call Beth Yisrael in North Carolina to confirm that Mohamed Yahya spoke there (couldn’t find an email address for them) and I just registered a credit card with Paypal.
I needed a good charity anyway.
“Chawaja markuti gerutendi”
Once everything went through I’ll also contact them and mention the strange name.
Thanks!
AB
Damanga is the Ma’ahsaliet language…it is a large pot, I believe…a common pot that people eat out of..Mashaliet is one of several tribes from the Darfur area…the Fur…there are many…these guys here would know much more than me.
Mohamed is a good dude…he has slept at my house a few times and has spoken at places like UCLA, Fullerton College, Berkeley…dude is for real. I have heard him speak at least 6-7x in person.
Chawahja Markutu gerutendi is the nickname he gave me…Crazy White Man…I call him “mishgeneh schvartzeh”…needless to say…he has an A+ sense of humor…pretty good for a guy who had most of his family murdered…
Mohamed Yahya…yup…send him an email…you will enjoy the contact
Oh…and nobody will recognize that nickname unless they speak Maasaliet…and I probably butcher it…
Howie,
I called Beth Yisrael in NC and they confirmed. I am now waiting for Paypal to come through with their 1.50 charge so they will accept my credit card.
Thanks for the tip!
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