This is the precise quote from Johnny Mac's statement on Monday.  His campaign is explaining the comment by saying that he was saying that the American people are strong workers.

QUESTION 1

Does anybody believe this?

QUESTION 2

Does anyone think McCain believed this, or was it just a statement made to try to convince the people that we are not in a crisis necessitating change?

QUESTION 3

Does judgment of this nature (combined with his own statement that he is not strongest on the economy) give you concern about McCain's readiness to direct the nation's economic policies in the coming 4 years?

Presidents don't direct the economy, congress does.

When will you guys ever get it?

This guy will do and say any fucking thing to get elected.

If he thinks he has to say the economy is sound to get elected he will do that.  If he thinks he has to say the economy sucks he will say that.

What he says doesn't mean shit.

... as that is the fundamentals of our economy.  So I totally understand Obama's opposition to this statement.  The opposite of capitalism has had a few drawbacks, but its still alive and kicking.  Good to know, as my second favorite color is red.

-- Modified on 9/16/2008 3:34:08 PM

My favorite color is Red.

All politicians would do the same.

Yes, but some would expect free rape kits.

I love your hair.

I think this means McCain was correct.  The fundamentals of the economy are good.  We love thickredbeaut's red hair.  Are we all good now?

... then the democrats took over congress and everything went to shit.

I'm tired of this shit.  The fucking guy misspoke.  Big fucking deal.  It's really not.  The big deal is that he and his supporters don't have the integrity to say he misspoke.  The other interpretations are obscenely false.

... haven't you heard.  They are giving out free rape kits.  They care!

No, Politicians will say anything to get elected and  we love thick red hair. The economy is a separate issue.

I need one provided to me as I am a victim of liars.

Thought I was going to be able to facilitate my first bi-partisan union...bringing both sides of the aisle together for the love of red (and pink).

See I have a sense of humor all you nay-sayers, lol

XO
Melanie

Notwithstanding many responses above, not a single one of you has had the integrity to answer a single one of the three questions posed.

I have been forced to conclude that those on this board who are voting for McCain are doing so because they are conservative and they don't give a damn about any of the issues.  They are simply going to vote for the conservative guy, issues be damned.  I am also forced to conclude that nobody has the courage to admit it.  Instead the integrity and intellectually deficient think it's funny to talk about rape kits like that's some sort of joke.

The Red Baron was my favorite Mattel Hot Wheel car.

You have got to be kidding.  Obama comes from the Chicago machine, talk about lack of integrity...it is not even in dictionaries in Chicago.

Careful, he's going to threaten to quit the board if you guys don't start saying what he wants to hear.

The poli-geographical argument is pretty weak.  Is Chicago the epicenter of corrupt politics in America??  One could visit every single city in the US and see some excellent examples of that at work.  

You'll need to come up with something else...

keep up the good work. I don't know who I will vote for yet.

Do I actually think McCain believes the economy is strong? I have no fucking clue. He didn't call me. Do I think Obama believes the economy sucks (sic). I have no fucking clue. He didn't call me. Both are attacking each other, and neither have communicated a comprehensive economic plan. Oops, yes Obama has spelled out tax increases and trade protectionism as 2 pillars to his somewhat vague plan. When Obama speaks, if I close my eyes it's like listening to Gore and Kerry - same stuff. Now you can say McCain is spouting the same conservative rhetoric. Well, as a free market capitalist, where I believe in risk, reward and failure, that message tends to resonate with me. Though watching the actions of the govt the past few months, we seem to be taking a few pages from the European socialist playbook.

Look, credit contractions come and go, but only credit contractions caused by government policy mistakes lead to widespread recession. This is why the current financial market problems are unlikely to spread, as long as there are no major increases in tax rates, no sudden lurches into trade protectionism, and no prolonged period of tight monetary policy, where the federal funds rate is persistently above the trend in nominal GDP growth.

Do I believe the economy is strong....NO. Do I believe it's weak....NO.

At the end of the day, people are going to vote in their best interest. So get over it.

Question 1:

Does anybody believe this?

There's a few meanings to your question. Does anybody believe the fundamentals of the economy are strong?

Does anybody believe he meant the American people are strong?

Does anybody believe he called the American people "fundamentals?" (I think I'm offended).

To 1A- No. 1B- Yes. To 1C- No way he meant the American people when he said "fundamentals.

Question 2:

Does anyone think McCain believed this, or was it just a statement made to try to convince the people that we are not in a crisis necessitating change?

On the first part, it's irrelevant, he could believe anything. The point is, it's important that he show he's optimistic in the campaign. Pessimism about our economy is a must for Republicans, most of whom believe that pessimism itself can ruin the economy. As far as McCain is concerned, he's doing his best to support the economy with optimistic helium-- and get himself elected.

3) Does judgment of this nature (combined with his own statement that he is not strongest on the economy) give you concern about McCain's readiness to direct the nation's economic policies in the coming 4 years?

He's no worse than most Republican politicians who think that more de-regulation and economic anarchy is the change we all need. A prospect that's horrifying considering the results and the intent.

I was fixin to get into this but read your post SC. But to address the anal ? that started all this. YES, the basic economy is still strong.....only credit and financials are screwed up. Why are they screwed up? GREED by some suits who made up risky loan instruments they don't even understand and then they got burned and jumped ship using their golden parachutes. BOTH parties are at fault. This vote will be extremely partisan so no matter what anyone says in here....your vote is your vote...right or wrong.

Why would I quit?  I'm having so much fun.

I suppose I am a little cranky because I don't understand why people chose to post their random unrelated rants under my thread.

It's not that I'm not getting the answers that I want, it's that the conservative folks on the board don't appear to have the courage to answer straight forward questions if they don't like their own answers.  Apparently they're embarrassed by their thoughts.

There are so many responses on this thread and only one of them has anything to do with the questions asked.  As everyone has the right to make their posts on their own without responding to this thread, I can only come to the conclusion that they are posting here because they are thinking about the questions posed.  If so, their lack of responsiveness appears gutless.  They ought to just come out and say:

"I don't want you to know how I feel because I can't logically defend my position.  I'm not bright enough to care so I'm gonna do what I wanna."

Bizarro, I do not put you in this category and I'm curious what your answers are.

-- Modified on 9/16/2008 8:44:06 PM

This is your second thread asking questions where you either did nothing but chastise the responders or offered absolutely ZERO reaction to several reasoned responses.

I think maybe you post simply to see yourself in print or to watch the explosions.

What fucking responders?  Who?  Please, point out to me who responded to the questions.  Did you?  Who the fuck are you talking about?

I the link you posted, I asked a question and got some good responses.  I read them and learned from them.  Many of them assumed I had some agenda.  They were incorrect.  I simply wanted to know their answers.  They gave them, I appreciated them and had nothing to add.  Why do you interpret that as me running away?

It's easier for some people to engage when it's two way. When you put a question out there, yet offer up no opinion yourself, why wouldn't some consider the possibility that you are baiting them? If you appreciated the responses you might have said so.

You asked why people shouldn't consider that I am baiting them.  I believe the answer is because I have never done so.  In fact, I hereby pledge never to do so.  If I ask a question on this or any other board, it's to obtain the answer.  I have been very opinionated on this board so there is no reason for me to bait people.  If I have something to say, I will say it.

To be clear, I APPRECIATE THE RESPONSES ON THE GLOBAL WARMING THREAD.

When I really want answers to questions, I typically don't include my thoughts because I want people to answer the questions, not argue about my thoughts on them.

You said, " only credit contractions caused by government policy mistakes lead to widespread recession."

What about 1928-1932 when there was very, very little government interference in the market?

The downturns in the business cycle were much steeper and much deeper prior to the New Deal. Argue ideology all you want but the fact remains that government regulation of markets as well as automatic stabilizers such as the progressive income tax and unemployment insurance have helped strengthen expansionary phases and diminish contractions.

In the absence of external shocks such as war or natural disaster, downturns in the cycle are caused by greed at the top. The more that is allowed to run rampant (like 1980 to now), the greater the chance for a widespread recession.

Economics not hair, cause I like redheads.