2008 Woodie Awards
SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE
A LOOK AT THE LATEST VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
ERIC KAPLAN,OBSERVER OPINIONS EDITOR
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Observations
If you had the amusement of watching the VP debate last Thursday as I did, you probably noticed not just the plans and preaching the candidates had for their party, but two different styles of reaching out to the public.
Biden, known for being an attack dog with an acerbic wit, held back his tongue (somewhat) to deliver the facts. Rather than simply attacking the McCain-Palin ticket (though he did do his fair share of this), Biden reached out to the middle class by clearly outlining Obama's policies.
There were no winks at the camera or subtle innuendos, just straight talk and hard facts about the democrats plan for the future. Biden gave a lot of pertinent information on votes made in the Senate by both party candidates. There was also a jab or two at McCain's maverick status (who, according to Biden, was not at all; he was not maverick on war, tax cuts for the wealthy, or government regulation of big business).
Tax-wise, as has been confirmed by third party think tanks, Barack's tax plans will actually save the middle class money. If you're making less than a quarter of a million dollars a year, your taxes won't be raised by a single penny.
Unlike McCain's tax plan which Biden sharply called "the ultimate bridge to nowhere", the tax relief starts with the middle class, rather than for corporations, which would then "trickle down" to the middle class. Taxes would be raised for those making over $250,000, giving the middle class a break, and allowing them a chance to catch up with the rising costs of gas and food.
If you can't afford, or aren't satisfied with your healthcare plan, then Obama wants to create a government controlled healthcare plan. It won't remove any of the existing private plans, just create a separate competitive option sponsored by the government, and required by law for children under 18. The plan would offer affordable basic coverage to people who opt for it, and would not exclude people based on pre-existing conditions.
Biden, known for being an attack dog with an acerbic wit, held back his tongue (somewhat) to deliver the facts. Rather than simply attacking the McCain-Palin ticket (though he did do his fair share of this), Biden reached out to the middle class by clearly outlining Obama's policies.
There were no winks at the camera or subtle innuendos, just straight talk and hard facts about the democrats plan for the future. Biden gave a lot of pertinent information on votes made in the Senate by both party candidates. There was also a jab or two at McCain's maverick status (who, according to Biden, was not at all; he was not maverick on war, tax cuts for the wealthy, or government regulation of big business).
Tax-wise, as has been confirmed by third party think tanks, Barack's tax plans will actually save the middle class money. If you're making less than a quarter of a million dollars a year, your taxes won't be raised by a single penny.
Unlike McCain's tax plan which Biden sharply called "the ultimate bridge to nowhere", the tax relief starts with the middle class, rather than for corporations, which would then "trickle down" to the middle class. Taxes would be raised for those making over $250,000, giving the middle class a break, and allowing them a chance to catch up with the rising costs of gas and food.
If you can't afford, or aren't satisfied with your healthcare plan, then Obama wants to create a government controlled healthcare plan. It won't remove any of the existing private plans, just create a separate competitive option sponsored by the government, and required by law for children under 18. The plan would offer affordable basic coverage to people who opt for it, and would not exclude people based on pre-existing conditions.
Be the first to comment on this story