WFTV Takes on Biden; Obama Camp Cries Foul

Editor's note: Although this site is primarily geared towards California news, we from time to time step outside the state and see what is going on around the nation and the rest of the world.

Is the heat finally being turned up on the Obama campaign?

A Florida TV station threw some tough questions (www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7EUeJa45kc) at Democratic VP nominee Joe Biden the other day as the race for the White House winds down. It appears the questions were too tough for the longtime senator, as the Obama campaign has said no more interviews with WFTV.

Anchor Barbara West quoted Karl Marx and asked Biden how Obama's remark in Ohio to "Joe the Plumber," about spreading the wealth wasn't being Marxist.

"Are you joking?," Biden asked.

West replied, "No."

West questioned also Biden about his comments that if Obama wins the election Nov. 4, he would be tested early on as president and wanted to know if Biden was implying America was no longer the world's leading power.

"I don't know who's writing your questions," Biden responded.

The Obama camp then said no to a WFTV interview with Biden's wife Jill, according to an Orlando Sentinel blog.

"This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election," wrote Laura McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign, according to the Sentinel.

Maybe all the media after all isn't in the tank for Obama....

Olbermann Only Presents One Side of Story Again

Editor's note: Although this site is primarily geared towards California news, we from time to time step outside the state and see what is going on around the nation and the rest of the world.

As if often the case, fair and balanced are two words not associated with MSNBC.

In another rant and rave at the end of his show Wednesday evening (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27310526/), MSNBC's Keith Olbermann went off on Sarah Palin's comments regarding the role of the vice president.

Olbermann went to great pains to mention that Palin reportedly had a number of gaffes in defining the VP role. One small problem....

Olbermann failed, however, to mention how Sen. Joe Biden, who has been in the Senate for more than 30 years and is the Democratic VP nominee, messed up his remarks (www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/03/biden-gets-veep-role-wrong/) a few weeks back at the debate he had with Palin when asked about the vice presidency.

Meantime, don't hold your breath on Olbermann to report on Biden's gaffes.

Palin Did Her Job, Now Up to McCain

As many of you who read this site know, the menu on here is often California news. From time to time, we look at national and world events.

Some of us live in divided households when it comes to politics. Having said that, we naturally will then have split decisions on last night's vice presidential debate.

While I thought Sarah Palin held her ground and did not harm the ticket, I can say the same for Joe Biden. I felt both did what they had to do.

Palin had to re-establish herself and go back to her appearance at the RNC last month. She did that and then some last night.

What made many of us cheer even louder was Palin's opening comment that the moderator and Biden may not hear the questions that were being asked answered the way they would like to hear them. She set the tone for the evening and talked about energy, taxes, Iraq, healthcare, etc. in a way that the average American would understand and appreciate.

As for the claims from the left that Palin does not comprehend the issues, etc. this is not a college class on history or political science. This is about who will best govern for middle class America. It is about time those on the right show a little spunk to the likes of Gwen Ifill, Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams, Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann, etc. Just because you do not hold three degrees from Harvard, Yale and Oxford does not mean you cannot be in the conversation.

As for Biden, although he can be long winded at times, I felt he created no major gaffes, although he did make several inaccurate remarks regarding John McCain's views, as did Sarah Palin when it came to Barack Obama.

The attention now turns to next Tuesday evening's second presidential debate in Nashville. I for one hope McCain takes the gloves off and goes after Obama. He let him off the hook at the first debate.

For someone who says that he will not win any Mr. Congeniality awards, it is time for McCain to fight for the presidency. Otherwise, get ready for President Obama in a little over three months.

Palin Gets Another Opportunity to Shine

As many of you who read this site know, the menu on here is often California news. From time to time, we look at national and world events.

This Thursday evening will be a defining moment in the race for The White House. Will Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin give a performance like her speech at the Republican Convention last month or will she give a performance like her recent interview with CBS' Katie Couric?

We've been amazed at the scrutiny Palin has been under. Now while we would like to see her do more interviews, etc. even the smallest of gaffes are pointed out. Maybe Couric brings out the gaffes and confusion in politicians?

It was not that long ago when Democratic VP nominee Joe Biden informed Couric that FDR went on television to reassure the nation during the stock market crash in 1929. Two problems with that scenario. Herbert Hoover was president at the time, and, oh, television was not around yet. Funny how that item has gotten so little play on places like MSNBC, NBC, and liberal leaning publications and talk shows.

Palin just needs to come off Thursday night as compitent and assure the public that she could step in for John McCain if needed in a McCain-Palin administration.

If she does well, we've got ourselves a race. If not, be prepared for Obama and Biden to roll into the White House next Janaury. If that's the case, we could be looking at another Jimmy Carter. And we all know how that turned out for the country....