Acropolis Endorsement: 2008 U.S. Senate (Mississippi)

Illness has postponed this endorsement far too long, but for those who didn’t vote this morning, here you are…

Special Election – Ronnie Musgrove

The campaign between Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and Republican Roger Wicker has been nothing short of ugly. The focus on attack ads was a great injustice to the voters of Mississippi, who were subjected to party propaganda instead of discussion of issues. The debate at Mississippi College may have been the worst in American political history (probably not, but you get the point).

If ever there was a time for a strong independent candidate, this election was it. Unfortunately, we have to choose between two men who have passed on character in favor of slinging mud.

If ever an actual election embodied the stereotypical, cartoonish state of American politics, this election was it. We have two men, separated by nothing but the letter next to their name. They stand for virtually the same thing on virtually every issue, which makes their attacks even more ridiculous. They once roomed together. They even look exactly the same:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acropolis Endorsement: 2008 Presidential Election

The Acropolis begins its 2008 General Election endorsements with the President of the United States. Mississippi races will follow soon.

President – Barack Obama

The Acropolis endorses Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. The following were the central issues I examined when making my decision.

Palin avoids the press, but Obama’s running mate isn’t talking either

Today, the press finally had enough of Sarah Palin’s refusal to address them. While holding meetings with numerous foreign dignitaries, Palin’s staff refused to let editorial press into the meetings, though one “pool” camera was given permission. The campaign was hoping for the nice pictures of the meet-and-greet, without having to face any questioning. Unfortunately for Palin, virtually every news agency refuses to provide a camera without an editorial presence also being allowed in the door. After a brief standoff, the Palin team backed down and allowed a member of CNN’s editorial press into the meeting… for 30 seconds. The entire story from that lengthy stay is chronicled here.

McCain/Palin and the media

I will attempt to be brief, because I want you to read this. In an election that continues to focus on personality and gossip rather than issues, the Republican Party has poisoned the well and in doing so, has harmed every voter in this country.

Senator John McCain’s subtle jabs at the media have been gaining steam over the summer. At the Republican National Convention last week, they were no longer subtle, rather, an entire party lashing out against what they believe is a biased news media.

This was compounded upon the introduction of Governor Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate. Palin has the country in a tizzy, but she is not being made available to the press, we are told because of their favoring of Barack Obama. All the media would do is trick her and make her look bad, because they are “in the tank” for Obama, they tell us.

They criticize the media for traveling to Alaska to try to find out more about one of America’s biggest newsmakers, saying that they are trying to dig up dirt on a poor innocent woman. What exactly should journalists do? They are denied access to a woman running for vice president of our nation; they have to be able to find some information about her to inform the public other than controlled speeches and campaign events.

Thursday is the seventh anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, something the Republicans have oft been accused of using to scare people into voting for them, suggesting that only the GOP can keep America safe. Over the past few months, the Republicans have found their new campaign of fear… fear of the media.

Paris for President!

Many friends of mine are turned off by the 2008 presidential election. They don’t like McCain or Obama. They want another choice (and Ralph Nader doesn’t count). Short of a return of the Ron Paul Revolution, I proudly present an independent candidate we can all believe in..

The sad thing is, if our elected representatives thought more like Paris Hilton (who whoever wrote that for her), we would be in a better place. It’s the whole AARP “Divided We Fail” campaign with a much younger spokesperson.

Then again, as comedian Lewis Black says (paraphrasing), Democrats are the party of no ideas and Republicans are the party of bad ideas. When they work together, the Republican says, “I have a sh-tty idea!” and the Democrat says, “Hold on! I can make it sh-ttier!”

I will withhold my official endorsement until I see who Hilton selects as a running mate. I would love to see a Paris-Hulk Hogan ticket. Or maybe a combination of fake presidential runs: the Paris-Ken Griffey Jr. ticket, brought to you by Nike.