Dixville Notch Backs Obama
Barack Obama has been declared the winner in the first poll to close in the 2008 US Presidential Election results coming from Dixville Notch in northern New Hampshire. The town’s 21 registered voters are the first to vote with their polling station opening at midnight. They have been the first place to vote on poling day since 1960.
The presidential election results were: Obama 15 votes, McCain 6 votes. There was a resounding cheer as the results of the votes were announced, from those gathered.
Dixville Notch is said to be a traditionally republican town, perhaps another sign that Barack Obama’s message has crossed political boundaries, or perhaps it’s because everyone is feeliing the effects of the Bush years and feel they need to change.
As polling opens across the USA, record turnouts are expected with as much as 85% turnout predicted in some states.
Sarah Palin Hits Obama Where It Hurts
Just a few moments ago, Governor Sarah Palin accepted the Republican Party nomination for Vice President of the United States of America, and delivered a forty minute speech in which she praised her running mate John McCain, and made scathing attacks on the Democrat party nominee Barack Obama.
During her speech to the convention, Sarah Palin highlighted what we believe to be the biggest obstacle Barack Obama will to face during the last days of the 2008 US election campaign, “Small Town” America. They and their citizens stand between Barack Obama and the keys to the White House.
To liberals who live in the big cities and large states of the Union, this fact may give them sleepless nights over the coming weeks. To foreign observers who are watching closely the latest twists and turns in the US Presidential race, thing just got really really interesting.
Over the past 5 days, since Palin was announced as John McCain’s running mate, the media has gone about making big headlines asking who is Sarah Palin, and how can this women, Governor of the smallest US state (population density), can possibly run for the No. 2 Job. Palin turned this around and proudly claimed her status as a small town resident. She successfully ran through her CV and in stark contrast to that of Obama, she made sure everyone watching was aware that as Mayor, and as Governor, she had made and carried out decisions, and enacted laws, something that Obama lacks.
“I guess being Mayor of a small town is sort of like being a community organizer”
Palin quipped, to the partisan crowd who laughed and jeered as she added that the difference between the two is that as Mayor, she actually had the executive powers and the mandate to make a difference in her town. In fact between Palin and ex New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani John McCain managed to deliver a warm up act that served to wet the appetites of the right, by sticking it to Obama, belittling his record and his experience in turn contrasting the wealth of experience, military service and senatorial experience of their candidate.
Governor Palin did much in her speech to make clear the difference between the two parties. Her right wing credentials were very much on show tonight. If there are any un-decided’s left in America, they cannot complain that it’s because both parties are preaching the same message.
McCain and Palin have appropriated Barack Obama “time for Change” message, but the change that each speak about couldn’t be more different. As outside observers, it is hard to understand how McCain and Palin claim maverick status, when their policies and rhetoric sound much like the established Republican norm. Talk of Jesus, guns, taxes, sounds much the same to us.
Whilst we await the nominee for President of the USA, John McCain’s speech tomorrow, we can contrast what we heard tonight with what was said last week. What is clear is that Palin at least, believes in small government, and reducing taxation. She believes terrorists have no rights, and that first and foremost America should seek remove their dependancy on foreign fuel. She believes in family and Jesus. What was missing tonight was any reference to helping those who are in need, there was no mention of improving education, health reform or welfare reform.
Whilst Palin praised former POW McCain, and others who served and continue to serve in America’s armed forces, there was no mention of help for veterans who return from conflict and find themselves destitute and in despair.
What is also clear, Governor Sarah Palin is no push over. Her timing, delivery and rhetoric in what is surely her most important speech to date, as well as her current position of Governor of Alaska show that she’s in the fight. Joe Biden, feel free to can take off the gloves. Sarah Palin just bloodied your man’s nose in front of small town America, and this fight is going to get down and dirty before someone crosses the finish line, you can be sure of that.