Faith, Politics and Other Stuff

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Ps 34:4

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

At the VFW Convention: Presidential Candidates

Kansas City, through the VFW convention, has played host to four (4) presidential candidates. Monday, Senators John McCain and Hilary Clinton spoke; Tuesday, Senator Barack Obama and former Senator Fred Thompson. All four speeches are available in video format on the KCTV5 web site.

Wednesday, the President will be speaking tot he group.

As a conservative Republican, obviously, I was more interested in the Republican's speeches than the Democrats.

Senator Hilary Clinton spoke twice as long as any of the other candidates but I must say I think it was one of her better speeches. It was the first time I have heard her speak without yelling or sounding like she was yelling. She, made promises about what she would do if elected but didn't make much in the way of monetary promises. She spoke a great deal about legislation that she supports pertaining to veterans. As bad as I hate to admit, she probably made the best "presidential" speech.

Senator John McCain made a passionate and compassionate speech concentrating primarily on two things. He spoke of his and his family's military careers; and, his support of the Iraqi war. He, too, is supportive and insistent that we must win the war. I have been a supporter of Sen. McCain for many years but got "turned off" over his support of the immigration bill. I think he made a mistake on this issue and it has cost him dearly in this campaign. He might gain some support back if he admitted that he made a mistake but I don't believe that he thinks it was a mistake. I really think Sen. McCain could be one of our greatest presidents we have had, and, obviously, one that can work across party lines (which we need).

Senator Obama was really a disappointment to me. He spent a great deal of his time making the typical political promises that so many candidates often make. He made all the promises to his audience that they wanted to hear... more money for veterans, more money for the veterans' hospital, etc. Unfortunately, he has to have the support of Congress to produce on most of his promises. He only needed a few babies to kiss and be photographed with. He was the "classic" presidential candidate.

Former Senator Fred Thompson, whom I currently support, was eloquent and could probably become the next "Great Communicator" only surpassed by President Ronald Reagan. He was supportive and defensive of the Iraqi war insisting that we must win the war in order to protect our own homeland. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't have more "meat" to his talk.

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