Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Gotta Agree With TBogg on this one

via TBogg comes this bit of brilliance from Hugh Hewitt's interview with Gov Palin.
It’s time that normal Joe six-pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency
Sorry but I want the President and VP each to be

  1. One of the smartest people in the room. This immediately disqualifies both Palin and McCain, Obama and Biden both pass this test. Biden has issues with not having much of an editor between his brain and his mouth sometimes and thus saying silly things but that doesn't mean he is stupid. Obama is clearly a very bright man.
  2. Not someone that I want to have a Guinness with but someone that it would be interesting to talk to. McCain actually passes this test for me. I am sure he has some interesting stories because he has lived a long and eventful life but quite frankly Palin would only be interesting in a "holy shit does she really believe that" kind of way. Obama has had a fascinating life and I would love to talk to Biden about how he balances work and family because it is something that I struggle with myself.
  3. Someone that knows the difference between right and wrong,  actually cares about the difference and in general acts in a principled manner similarly to what I would hope I would do in a similar situation. I think McCain knows the difference between right and wrong, but he doesnt give a shit if it will get him elected (see just about any of his changes in stance since about 2002). I think that Palin shows no evidence of knowing the difference (see troopergate, charging victims for rape kits, pondering the banning of books in the public library, firing the police chief). Biden and Obama both clearly know the difference and while they dont always do the right thing (see FISA and Bankruptcy bill fiascos respectively) it seems to me that generally don't go out of their way to fuck people over just because it would be good for them or their buddies or because they want to get back at someone.
There are surely other things that are actually more important  but if we have to pick character traits or something else other than a candidate's stance on particular issues these are the top 3 things that I am interested in.

Anyone that has anything to add can feel free to chime in.

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