Voting Booth, Volume XI

Pop Quiz! How well do you know the presidential candidates?

1) True or False: When Barack Obama won his election to the IL State Congress, he was the only name on the ballot for that seat.

2) How did McCain endorse Bush in 2000?

A) With great excitement
B) Dutifully
C) With reluctance
D) The Press practically had to force him to say "I endorse Gov. Bush"
E) He didn't endorse Bush

3) How many combined years has Obama been an IL State Congressman and US Senator?

A) 8
B) 12
C) 16
D) 20
E) 24

4) During his tenure as a Senator, McCain has openly opposed:

A) George Bush
B) Donald Rumsfeld
C) Dick Cheney
D) None of the above
E) All of the above

5) True or False: Barack Obama has run for a new office following the completion of every term to which he's been elected.

6) During the 2008 Primary Season, which of the following supported John McCain?

A) Rush Limbaugh
B) Sean Hanity
C) Laura Ingram
D) None of the above
E) All of the above

7) When Barack Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004 (when John Kerry was nominated for President) he was a:

A) Law student
B) Community Organizer
C) IL State Congressman
D) US Senator
E) None of the above

8) True or False: In 2001 McCain was seriously considering switching to the democratic party.

9) Financially, Obama has raised:

A) Enough money to out spend McCain three to one
B) Enough money to buy 1/2 hour TV spot on all major networks
C) More money than has ever been raised before for a political campaign
D) No "public" funds (even though he announced that was all he would use originally) allowing him to spend as much as he can raise.
E) All of the above

10) In 2004, McCain was considered for Vice President for:

A) George Bush
B) John Kerry
C) John Edwards
D) Hilary Clinton
E) None of the above

11) True or False: Barack Obama has held public office longer than Sarah Palin.

Answers:

1) True. Obama had basically been handed the seat as the incumbent was running for Governor. When she was badly defeated, the Democrats asked Obama to step down and give her the seat. He refused. There would be an election. Obama had his staff check the signatures on the petitions of all of his opponents. He found enough ineligible signatures that he was able to have all opponents removed from the ballot. He ran unopposed.

2) D) The Press practically had to force him to say "I endorse Gov. Bush." In his "endorsement" speech, McCain looked awkward as though he was there against his will. He didn't use the phrase "I endorse Gov. Bush" until pressed to do so by a reporter.

3) B) 12. He first won his unopposed seat in 1996.

4) E) All of the above. He opposed Bush's original tax cuts. He opposed how Rumsfeld was handling the war. And he opposed Cheney when it was suggested that he fall in line with the party.

5) True. in 2000, Obama ran for IL State Senate after his first term as a State Congressman. He was soundly defeated with the help of Bill Clinton. In 2004 he ran for US Senate and he is now running for President.

6) D) None of the above. Not one Republican pundit wanted to see John McCain as the Republican Nominee.

7) C) IL State Senator. He wasn't even a US Senator when the Democrats last Presidential candidate was nominated.

8) True. McCain was actively courted by the Democratic party as they sought someone who might switch sides, giving them the 1 vote edge in the Senate. McCain eventually declined.

9) E) All of the above. I guess this proves that you sure can buy the Presidency.

10) B) John Kerry. Just as Lieberman was considered for McCain's running mate. It was designed to draw some voters across the aisle.

11) False. Obama won his first election in 1996. Sarah Palin was first elected to public office in 1992.

So there you have it. Obama has yet to hold a position long enough to really know what he's doing in it, let alone what would be required in his next position. And he had a plan in place to elevate himself to the place where he could run for president this year when he arrived in the Senate in 2004. Year 1: keep your head down and your voice quiet. Year 2: Help out other Democrats. Nothing like earning some IOU's by helping people get their bills passed. Year 3: Gain prominence. Start to speak out a little louder. Year 4: Run.

McCain, on the other hand, is not the darling of the right as the Left is trying to paint him. He is the Maverick, so much so that the Democrats tried to get him to switch parties and considered putting him on their ticket. He is not Bush III and is obviously an independent thinker who stands up for what he believes in.

I ask again: Who would you rather see in the White House. The restless ambitious inexperienced politician? Or the principled, experienced, independent statesman?