By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial board
Did anybody else think it was jaw-dropping to hear John McCain, in Louisiana of all places, charge that Barack Obama subscribes to old thinking because he expects government to solve problems?
"That attitude created the unresponsive attitude of big government in the first place," McCain said.
It wasn't unrealistic expectations or a lumbering bureaucracy that caused the federal government's extraordinary failure to respond nimbly to the crisis caused by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Gulf States.
It was the Bush administration's cynical attempt to diminish FEMA's capabilities, and the appointment of an unqualified bureaucrat to oversee the agency.
The Katrina debacle wasn't caused because government was expected to do too much, but because it was prepared to do too little.
Apart from that, McCain seems to be laying out his entire campaign blueprint here as a warm-up act to Obama's primary victory speech. In fact, CNN is just now breaking away from McCain to announce that Obama has "gone over the top" with the delegate count.
Back to you later, Sen. McCain.
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What struck me as I watched
What struck me as I watched the two speeches was how the shoe has moved to the other foot. I state here for the record that I am an unapologetic Democrat, but as a hobby I practice empathy for Republicans. I'm about as good at that practice as I am at Yoga.
Isn't it interesting that they now have the earnest, war hero who is stiff and lacking in charisma, and we now have the guy who everyone wants to invite over for dinner? (Wine served, no doubt, instead of beer, of course.) I will look forward to how this unfolds. I dearly hope our side doesn't stoop to the level of the Swift Boaters.
But Barb, your point about inept government is well spoken. Sorry to throw your thread off track.
--Debra Sapp-Yarwood, Midwest Voice, class of '08
Oh Barb, don't be afraid to show your Obama love
John McCain, "party elders and pundits have decided that Obama will be my opponent"
Oh I think we know how McCain is going to campaign against Obama.
Barb, you write a lot against McCain, against Clinton, yet very silent on Obama--why is that? Never mind, I know you won't respond.