Saddleback Civil Forum Recap
Posted by: Chris Emami | 08/16/2008 6:57 PM
Without a doubt this forum had its controversy prior to it taken place. Although I really would have liked to have seen the tickets for the event be available to the public, I have to say this forum was a great idea. I thought it was two hours of my time that was well spent. In order to provide full disclosure I musts state that I am a Republican and will probably be voting for John McCain in November.
Barack Obama started off the forum with a very well articulated answer for each question that was given. He was able to convey his views to what I expect was a fairly conservative crowd with the mildest wording possible. It seemed that he was able to get support from the crowd throughout the hour that he was speaking. I obviously disagree with his positions on some issues but admit that he did quite well. In fact after he spoke I was a little bit worried about how John McCain would do. Although I would state that Obama made a major mistake on the abortion question when he stated that it was above his pay scale.
Within 15 minutes of John McCain speaking it was obvious to me that his experience showed. He did an incredible job mixing in personal experiences into his answers and really conveyed his message extremely well. The crowd seemed to really get behind him from the very start of his interview. The polls have started to shift towards him over the past couple of weeks and I am wondering if this forum will tilt them even further towards him. This was a very good event for both candidates but I would have to say that John McCain had an overall stronger performance than Barack Obama.
Mr. Ayer registered as a Republican to be electable in an interim election with no incumbents. He did...
I agree, it wasn't even close.
Additionally, supporters of traditional marriage may be bothered by the inconsistencies in Obama’s statements on the issue. Obama said he supports marriage between 1 man and 1 woman in the forum although he is on record as opposing the California proposition defining marriage as between 1 man and 1 woman.
That seems to be holding 2 positions at 1 time to me.
I think Obama had a good showing today, but his answers seemed to indicate to me that he was in unfamiliar territory. I supported Sen. Clinton, so Im sure my bias influenced my perception, but it seems to me that this forum ended in a draw.
I watched from home and thought McCain knocked it out of the ballpark. I don't know how the candidates appeared at the live forum, but television viewers saw mostly close ups. I thought Obama looked nervous and was clearly equivocating on just about every question. By contrast, McCain appeared relaxed, confident and very decisive. Obama also made several factual errors, th emost obvious was his comment that the number of abortions hasn't gone down in in recent years. He appears to make up facts as he goes along. I think if McCain was able to reassure the more conservative in the Republican party he will have accomplished a lot. He may have also won points with the more conservative democrats. Time will tell, but it's going to be an interesting 80 days.
Steve (presuming that you're the Steve running for Anahiem City Council) ~
If Obama's responses seem like he was in "unfamiliar territory", I suggest you learn from that experience. That assessment matched my evaluation of your answers to Colony's, nee Cynthia's, questions regarding Anahiem.
Political candidates, local or national, must speak to their audience. Time spent preparing for any candidate's forum is time very well spent. Start by surfing the City Council meeting agendas and meeting minutes, going back at least four years. From there move on to Planning Commission meeting agendas & minutes. Surf ALL of the pages of the City's web site, even the ones that might seem boring. Attend some of these meetings.
MN
P.S. NEVER post/write answers to questions without having FACT CHECKED everything you state. You may event want to write two versions: your final draft where every fact is footnoted and the version you post/send, stripping out the footnotes.
Meddlesome Nobody, thanks for your suggestion, I didn't myself question Barrack's facts, that was from Ms. Water's comments, perhaps you'd permit me to suggest you re-read things before commenting on them so as to ascertain the correct source? I have a website up, www.steveperez08.com, feel free to go fact check as much as you'd like, I'd appreciate your input if you have any as well.
Unfortunately your advice is rather misplaced, you see I've been attending council meetings since I was 4. I'm quite the reader and I've read practically every council minutes publishing from 2003 up, so I'm sure you didn't mean it, but advice like that is often interpreted as condescending and unappreciated. Just thought you'd ought to know. Have a great day!
-Steve Perez
Yes, Senator McCain did particularly well. Let's see, considering he has never been so prepared during the primaries, nor in this general election and considering that he usually can't even read well off the teleprompter, and considering he WAS NOT in a cone of silence for the first half hour of Senator Obama's interview, Hmmmm.
Although I believe McCain clearly came across on a whole different level than Obama, I'm not sure how much it matters.
Obama supporters seem to be okay with the fact that he is vague and non-specific on many issues, simply running a campaign based on "change" in general. That is enough for his supporters.
I stay non-partisan when voting for President and I always vote on the issues. If issues are what will win the election, I can't see how Obama has a chance because he rarely states specifically what his stance is. If, however popularity and inspirational speeches win this election, McCain will not have a chance.