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Biden pick wins praise of Utahns — mostly

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Great choice | 7:25 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
This is a great choice. And who the blazes cares what the GOP hacks think. I've seen Republicans attack leaders of the Church who have suggested that political balance would be in the Church's interest (especially Jim Hansen). These hacks put the GOP interests above the interests of the country and the Church.
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Bad Choice | 9:21 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
His pick didn't satisfy this Utahn. I didn't receive a phone call from the D-News asking me my opinion. How could the News make this claim?
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Yikes | 9:22 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Obama just sealed his doom with his selection of Biden. What a lousy selection... the antithesis of his "change" mantra. Biden will bring continue to shoot off his mouth in inappropriate ways that will bring negativity to the Obama campaign- wait and see. I'm sure Obama opponents are rejoicing at this selection.
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Bad Choice and Yikes | 9:53 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Like either of you would ever have voted anything but (R) anyway. You're like the Hillary "I'll vote for ANY woman regardless of her politics" Clinton supporters, or those who'd vote for Romney just because of his religion.

(Going for my second censored post of the day)
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former dem | 10:37 a.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I would vote for Biden instead of Obama or McCain for President. I like Biden, still will never vote for Obama. It never really mattered who his VP is to me, Obama has too many questions about his expererience, judgement and character.
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Robert | 12:32 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Biden is a weak choice. He is not an honest man. When he ran for president in 1987, one of his former professors at Syracuse University law school told the Wall Street Journal that Biden had plagiarized an article from the Fordham Law Review while a student in one of his class papers. His resume also once stated that he had a Master's Degree in English Literature, but it doesn't now because a journalist found out and reported that he, in fact, doesn't. Lots of other examples are out there.
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"former dem" | 12:38 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
And you are basing your opinion of Obama on WHAT?
Hoax emails?

How many of you here voted for a governor, with NO international or federal experience? (Most of you!)

Yet, Obama, who DOES have more experience than a governor, is being shunned in Utah. Perhaps "they" aren't ready yet?
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GK from England | 12:46 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Talking of plagiarism, Biden was also guilty of copying a speech given by one of the U.K. political leaders some years ago. Does Biden have no creativity? As for Obama, he'll only cause further division amongst the people of the USA by distinguishing more rights for certain groups and in turn handing EVEN MORE rights and power to other groups...causing inequality. Do you catch my drift?
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for the record | 12:59 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I met Biden last year and asked him about his plan for Iraq. He spent the next 45 minutes giving me a thoughful, smart, articulate answer, which greatly impressed me. He's not a smooth talking politicial. He and Obama are sincere and humble and that's what we need. He is the only elected official who has a plan for Iraq that has a reasonable chance of success. I also like that, even though he's been in the Senate for many years, he's never lived in Washington, D.C. I think he'll make the best Vice President of our generation.
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former dem | 1:29 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I base my opinion on the fact that Obama has little experience. I also base it on the fact that he associates himself with some questionable people. I also base it on the fact that he talks about ideas that sound socialist. I don't base any of my opinion on hoax emails.
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former dem | 1:33 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I would also like to add, that Obama's wife does not help him at all. She needs to stop with the anti-American comments.
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rdub | 1:58 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Thank you Barry for your pick. Republicans couldn't have been given a better gift. If McCain doesn't blow it by picking a pro-abortion vp, he'll soundly defeat the Democrat's messiah.
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Woody | 4:23 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Hey "for the record", was the answer to the war a 'thoughtful, smart, articulate answer' because it was the answer that you wanted to hear? Why is everyone asking politicians who get limited exposure to the war what should be done about things there, this goes for both sides (D)'s and (R)'s. Any good leader should know to use the professionals under them, especially with the situation in Iraq as it is- it's too late to hand the commanders a wishlist and tell them to 'make it happen' we've been there for too long for that, and we're being forced more and more on to the 'reactive' planning, and getting less 'proactive' planning.
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Rutland vs. Medfield | 4:26 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Yo, �Former Dem� � You�re not doing any research, are you. You imply that you do not derive your opinion of Obama from the hoax emails, yet you go down the list of right-wing talking points handed out to entertainment media hosts such as Limbaugh, Hannity, and most of the folks at Fox News.

The irony in the issues you cite as to why you don�t like Obama is that same can be said about McCain and they would still apply.

Don�t be lazy. Do the research yourself and stop relying on the �must-stop-dems-at-all-costs� talking head on rightwing radio.
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To Great Choice | 4:49 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
I completely agree that it doesn't matter what Republicans think about Obama's choice for VP. Each party should do what they think it takes to win.

However, I have never heard it stated by any church leader that there should be a balance of power between the Republicans and Democrats. As someone living outside of Utah, I can safely tell you that there simply is no room in the Democratic party (outside of Utah, mind you) for anyone who is morally opposed to abortion or same-sex marriage.

I suppose there are some who can perform the ethical contortions necessary to be a good member of the Church and support abortion and gay marriage but it takes a whole lot of rationalization.
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Perfect | 6:04 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
A perfect choice for the Obama-nation, the two most liberal, pinhead senators we have.
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Huh?? | 6:54 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
Vote for a Governor to further international or federal aims? Psst.......... ah, Governors are elected to govern a State, not deal in international politics or foreign affairs.

Methinks some basic civics lessons were forgotten somewhere in here.......
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JMT | 7:32 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
For the Record, are you certain it was 45 minutes? I worry that you are embelishing to highlight that you have confidence in Biden. Fact is, rarely does a ranking Senator have 45 minutes for their spouse, let alone a non-constituent from Utah.

In any case, I appreciate that you respect his opinion. I find his opinion more thoughtful on the subject that Obama's. And actually, almost polar opposites from Obama's on Iraq.

Obama opposed Iraq. Biden supported it.

Obama opposed the surge. Biden supported it and praised McCain in his leadership in leading the Senate in support of it.

The surge is working, something Shinseki stated before the War in Iraq began.

Biden has some serious issues with academic integrity, which as they say on the golf course: If they'll cheat on strokes they'll cheat on anything.

Not to dismiss Biden, my biggest concern is that Obama has almost completely abandoned his campaign pledge of change. Biden is a decent man with some bagage but is certainly NO agent of change.
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Justice for all | 8:06 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
He is no Dick Cheney!!
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PURE Liberal HOGWASH | 9:09 p.m. Aug. 24, 2008
The foreign policy divide between John McCain and Senator Barack Obama is immense. John McCain has a lifetime of foreign policy experience, while Barack Obama has consistently demonstrated a complete lack of foreign policy judgement.


Despite the stunning security improvements that the Troop Surge has brought to Iraq, Barack Obama still refuses to admit that the Surge was a success. Meanwhile, Obama's new running mate, Senator Joe Biden, has repeatedly praised John McCain's early call for sending more troops to Iraq.

Senator Barack Obama has said that he would meet unconditionally with leaders like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other leaders of state sponsors of terror. The fact that Barack Obama would even consider meeting with Ahmadinejad demonstrates how naive and unknowledgeable Obama is about foreign policy. Both John McCain and Senator Joe Biden have criticized Obama on this matter.

Senator Obama has demonstrated a complete disinterest in foreign policy matters. Barack Obama's running mate, Senator Joe Biden, criticized Obama for being absent from the Iraq War debate. In addition, Senator Obama did not hold a single hearing on Afghanistan while at the helm of the subcommittee on European Affairs on Senate Foreign Relations Committee which overseas NATO.
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No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.