Ford

Ford told congress that they need acess to 9 billion dollars in loans. But, that they could survive without it and in three years become profitable again, unless the recession is worse then they think it is. In a document submitted to the senate banking committee, Ford said that they are better off then there two domestic counterparts(GM and Chrysler), but that Ford's own success is tied to that of the other automakers.“Because our industry is an interdependent one, with broad overlap in supplier and dealer networks, the collapse of one or both of our domestic competitors would threaten Ford as well,” the company said in its plan. “It is in our own self-interest, as well as the nation’s, to seek support for the industry at a time of great peril to this important manufacturing sector of our economy.” All three of the automakers plan to meet in front of congree later this week trying to get 25 billion dollars in loans. In thier earlier attempt they were unable to convince congress to lend them money. With the money they needed congress would save the companies from going bankrupt. By doing this many domestic jobs would be saved, because all three of these companies are big parts of our economies.

India-Pakistan

Indian officials summoned Pakistan’s ambassador on Monday and told him that Pakistanis must be punished for the terrorist attacks here last week.India’s Foreign Ministry suggested that the planners of the terrorist attacks were still in Pakistan, and that they expected “strong action would be taken” by Pakistan against those responsible for the violence, according to a statement by the ministry. Those who carried out the attacks are either dead or in custody. The Indian government is facing criticism for the attack, in which 173 people were killed.In India, anger towards Pakistan is almost to the levels seen in 2001 when a suicide attack on the Indian parliament almost caused an all out war.This harsh atmosphere leaves The United States in a unique situation. The US is a prominent ally to the Indians, but we also do not want to have Pakistan create more pressure on the US in the Middle East. If we make enemies of Pakistan, then they would openly finance and protect different military factions that already reside in the country.

Iraq

For the first time in a long time, Iraq is starting to show a sembelance of stability.Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki publicly defended the three-year security agreement with the United States in a televised address on Tuesday, telling Iraqis that representatives from all sects had been involved in the negotiating process and that the agreement was the best option for Iraq. While the pact may become inconsequential with President-Elect Barack Obamas vow to leave Iraq, it still shows the world that Iraq can become a democratic country. This pact may seem like it was no big thing becuase every Iraqi wants the US to leave the country, it shows that the different ethnic groups can agree on issues of importance.

Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel was chosen as Obama chief of staffs. Obama wasted no time in the assembly of his administration staff. Hopefully this is a mark of how he will fulfill his many promises. Anyway, Emanuel was the 4th ranked democrat in the house and is giving up his seat for the chance to be apart of Obamas administration. “I announce this appointment first because the chief of staff is central to the ability of a president and administration to accomplish an agenda,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel.” I hope that emanuel will help with reaching across the aisle as Obama promised would happen . He is a very liberal person so I have my doubts that he can be bipartisan as Obama says he will be.

New President

If by some minute chance you haven't heard, Barack Obama is our new President-Elect. He won around 11 pm on November 4, before some of the polls even closed. The electoral college won the presidency for him. Obama won by 364 to 162, a very large margin of victory. This electoral college victory came as no suprise to me, because he was heavily favored in the polls. The surprise to me was the popular vote. In my biased opinion i thought he would win by 10 to 12%. He did win 52.6% to 46.1%, a 6.5% margin. 52.6% is still a number that democrats have failed to come to in a long time. His victory was complete, making him the new POTUS.

Colin Powell

Who would have guessed that Colin Powell would have endorsed Barack Obama publicly. One of the most conservative republicans around going with the democrats. People say that race has had an effect on his decision, but i think that is not the reason for his endorsement. If he was merely voting for Obama becuase of his race there would have been no need for a public endorsement. He must obvisously feel better with Obama running the country then McCain, even though they happen to be close friends. This endorsement may help Obama win some electoral votes from some of the more conservative states. They might be thinking that a conservative republican like him endorsing a liberal democrat must mean that he ios the better candidate. this could be helpful in soldifiying some of the states leaning democrat. TO conclude, McCain just had his good friend vote for the other guy, Sucks to be him, especially wiht these poll numbers.

The Polls

Let me start by retracting my previous statement about palin and soccer moms. What i failed to realize when i wrote that is that her plan was to get down to our level so to speak. She wanted to portray herself as one of us.
Anyway, lets talk about the polls. The Gallup Poll has Obama leading by 7% today. But, even though seemingly every poll and all the media say that Obama has won it already, you cant know till its over. While watching the news this morning they talked about this very subject. While talking about this they brought up the 1982 governor election in California. A black man was a candidate in the election, and was ahead almost 10% in the polls. For the last month before the elections it was clear that he would be the next governor, his name was Arnold Bradley(correct me if i am wrong). When the elections were over, he had lost the race. Even though the polls had said he was up by 10% he still lost. They then named this the Bradley effect. It means that people will agree with one candidate because it is popular, and becuase they dont want to appear to be racist in this case. So even though the polls have Obama way ahead of Mccain, you wont be sure till the election is over.

VP Debate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXJ4Dk33cCQ

Well, this video sums it up. Both candidates failing to really say anything most of the time. But, remember if we ever need an opinion on the economy go to a soccer game and ask a soccer mom. Palin also failed to answer a question directly and even said she wouldn't answer the question the way the moderator wanted them to be answered, but talk to the American people. Biden also liked to repeat his answers several times before handing the question over to Palin. Another bad part of the debate was how off topic the candidates got. Sarah Palin remembered to give a 'shout out' to a class of third graders, cant forget them when in a debate. In conclusion the debate was a failure, i would say Biden won, but only because he wasa the lesser of the two evils so to speak. Neither of them really swayed anyone, if anything they both discredited themsleves through this debate.

Debate

The long awaited presidential debate took place on Friday. The first 40 minutes of the debate Obama did his best to tie Bush and McCain together.“We also have to recognize that this is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policies promoted by George Bush, supported by Senator McCain — the theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most and somehow prosperity will trickle down,” Mr. Obama said. “It hasn’t worked, and I think that the fundamentals of the economy have to be measured by whether or not the middle class is getting a fair shake.” This quote from the new york times has Obama saying that the Republican idea of cutting taxes to the rich so they give money to the lower classes is just fundamentally flawed. The second half of the debate focused on foreign policy and national security. McCain did his best to expose Obama as the inexperienced candidate, and his 30 years of experience with these matters.“I don’t think I need any on-the-job training,” Mr. McCain said in the closing moments of the debate. “I’m ready to go at it right now.” Overall They both did a good job of selling themselves in the topics they were adept at so, in my opinion they both did a good job of impressing the voters of thier parties. But, i dont think either of them really won over a large amount of voters who were either undecided or with the opposite party.

Bush Administrations Plan

The Bush administration is seeking to buy $700 billion worth of mortgages. They believe that this will help the economy, but i believe that it will be the opposite. This plan not only raises the national debt to around 11.3 trillion dollars, but there is no guarantee that it will even work. Nancy Pelosi, speaker for the house, said “Democrats will work with the administration to ensure that our response to events in the financial markets is swift, but we must insulate Main Street from Wall Street and keep people in their homes.” If the administrations plan does go through then that should be our utmost concern, to help the troubled homeowners. This plan is risky but hopefully it will work, because the administration certainly seems to have the democrats backing according to Nancy Peolsi.

3 interesting stories

9/11 Memorial
Well, first let me start off by remembering all those who died on this day 7 years ago. In remembrance of this day McCain and Obama both left politics on hold for today. Both party representatives made speeches at the temporary memorial in New York City. "The mood was somber, the air was heavy, and the candidates stood side-by-side without saying a word to each other" lisa lerer. That says it all about the candidates on this day. They were able to drop politics to remember this day. “Let us remember that the terrorists responsible for 9/11 are still at large, and must be brought to justice, Let us resolve to defeat terrorist networks, defend the American homeland, stand up for the enduring American values that we cherish, and seek a new birth of freedom at home and around the world." Obama said these words today and on today more than any other they had the greatest meaning. I praise both of the candidates for their words to a nation that still fells the effects of this tradegy. for the full story read http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13392.html

Palin Interview
In my opinion the Sarah Palin interview was Good given her inexperience in foreign poilicy. ONe thing that really stood out among her foreign policy mistakes was her lack of knowledge about foreign. She said that we should invite Georgia into NATO. WHy would we do that and risk war with Russia. Then she goes on to say that we should always leave the fighting to be the last option. I don t know about you but to me that makes no sense, make a descision that almost guarantees war but talk about fighting last? But that aside i saw no other reaons to say that she doesnt know her stuff. BEcause quite frankly she does know about many other things. ALso she has shown herself to be a quick learner, so in time foreign policy wont be a problem.

McCain In THe lead
IN the recent Gallup poll McCain is in the lead By 4%, a very good turn around from weeks before. Although you could say its becuase of the recent RNC and the sensational Palin. Nonetheless it is still 4%, but how long will it last? I believe that once the commodity of a women vice president wears off some of that margin will dwindle. I cant say exactly how it will change, but it wont stay the same for long. The Republican campaign is on an upward trend and that rise will soon decline. BUt for the time being lets hope the republicans enjoy that 4%.

First Post

First Post.
Well, on Thursday Presidential Candidate John McCain Made his speech at the RNC. In my opinion it was a good speech. He talked about all the things he needed to and tried to change the way the public viewed him. He more or less turned himself into a 'insurgent' in the republican party, as many reporters have put it. In his speech he mentioned change, and he was that change. He would be the change in the republican party. Another positive note in his speech was his frequent mention of his wealth of experience and obamas lack of it. Another high note was him stating that he is just a servent of America. I believe that approach is very effective, that he isnt controlling the country so to speak, but working for the country . Overall, I ahve to say that his rhetoric is nowhere to the caliber of Obama's but it was an effective speech.