Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who has made the economy a focal point in his campaign, is slipping in the polls as the popularity of opponent John McCain surged after his selection of the Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running-mate.Now Obama and his supporters are hoping that their support for a second economic stimulus -- worth about $50 billion -- will grab the attention of voters fascinated by Palin, the moose-hunting hockey mom conservative firebrand. That's going to be a challenge.
Voters now are focused on Palin. They are gobbling up every detail about her life -- The Bridge to Nowhere (which she actually supported for a while), her baby with Down's Syndrome, her pregnant teenage daughter, whether she wanted to ban books from the local library. The list is endless. The McCain campaign is fueling interest in "Sarah Barracuda" by keeping her away from the media. This week, Palin is supposed to sit down with Charlie Gibson of ABC News. More interviews will follow though apparently not with Oprah Winfrey.
Democrats, including this one, are betting that once Palin is no longer the flavor of the week voters will move onto more pressing issues such as the economy (and, of course, "American Idol"). The economy is in terrible shape. The federal budget deficit is soaring and unemployment is at record levels. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers endorsed the second stimulus plan today in testimony before Congress.
I am still not convinced.
For one thing, how do we know it will be any more useful than the first one? Many people I know used the government's largess to pay down bills. Mine went to pay estimated taxes. Will the $50 billion really "stimulate" the economy or give it a tickle? If you do a second stimulus, will you need a third or a fourth?
A stimulus is a short-term solution at best. But considering how awful things are, it may be the only way to provide relief to millions of suffering Americans.
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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 23)
9-11-2008 @ 4:17PM
kitty said...
#59 AND #64
I agree 100%
Lets not forget what brillent leader signed the trade agreement that sent so many jobs to INDIA....CLINTON,,,,too busy getting a blow-j#b to do his job.
I haved had to work hard all my life even 2 jobs at a time to make ends meet...and I have never run to the goverment for a hand out. Ohbama has done nothing as a senator and he will do nothing if elected president. We should have the right to fire all elected officals who do not do their jobs we should start with this do-nothing congress.
9-11-2008 @ 4:17PM
Patricia said...
We haven't received our first stimulus check yet !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9-11-2008 @ 4:19PM
john said...
If it was up to McCain we won't get a check because he thinks the economy Is ok.
9-11-2008 @ 4:19PM
John said...
Isn't it funny, O'Bubba isn't even President and he's handing out stymulas checks already.
9-11-2008 @ 4:20PM
Mike said...
YOU HEAR THAT HILLARY SUPPORTERS PLANNING TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN???
9-11-2008 @ 4:19PM
Vince said...
The Stimulus package that is being introduced is yet another REBATE. It's your own money, just sooner than later. If you were going to get a decent tax return this year, count that out, especially if a second rebate is given. I now can expect 600 dollars less for my tax return, and if it goes through for a second time, well, that just means less in my pocket later. Sure, it's meant to boost the economy. Has anyone ever gotten a loan to payoff another loan? Doesn't sound smart does it? Well, this is what the plan does, and welcome to Obama's careless way of thinking.
9-11-2008 @ 4:35PM
thomas b. said...
when obama becomes president, he will raise taxes on the middle class to pay down the deficit. this is not going to hurt us poorer class people . do not let all this dam political jargen sway your vote from obama. McCain is another bush that will keep taxing the poor people and his vp will teach us how to hunt moose.obama is a decent person that is not poisoned by white house bs. his the one that could fix everything that is broken, including the health care for america.
9-11-2008 @ 4:30PM
Anne said...
I didn't make enough money the first time around and know I won't be getting one this time either... Some of us whom have been self employed for the past 9 years and struggling, not eligible for un employment, But pay our taxes, and Mortgage payments on time with excellent credit.. I think we should be giving a second chance as well. we didn't ask for all the crooked Mortgage lenders to upset the Real Estate market and cause us not to quailfy .
9-11-2008 @ 4:26PM
PAT said...
some of us can't even afford a roast to cut up for a few meals. There is not enought money for regular days let alone hoiladays
9-11-2008 @ 4:34PM
BOB said...
MY CHECK WENT FOR A MEDICAL BILL{ THE WHOLE CHECK }. I'M A VIETNAM VET AND STILL HAVE MEDICAL PROBLEMS 36 YEARS LATER . YES I NEED ANOTHER STIMULUS CHECK PLEASE.
9-12-2008 @ 4:46PM
myst_20 said...
The whole election is a popularity conest, it sickens me. Obama is the first multiracial candiate, while McCain is the oldest with a beer heiress for a wife, and when he isn't seen with her he has pretty woman on his arm(Palin) like Heffner... I understan Palin is a busy mother with her family "issues"... Stop drooling over gossip! november is around the corner people. News media needs to start digging for improtant issues from both parties that affect all of us Americans, rich or poor, old and young. And if media doesn't we need to ourselves. After all we will be stuck with our presidential choice for 4yrs, choose wisely
9-11-2008 @ 4:28PM
Bill Marconi said...
Reminds me of when I was a kid. The bars were closed on election day so politicians couldn't buy votes with a drink. Now they just go on TV and do it.
9-11-2008 @ 4:30PM
Andre said...
First, I am a Democrat. Second, the idea of the first economic stimulus seemed a little foolish to me - a second stimulus still seems foolish. While it may help some people and companies meet their projections, it doesn't solve the problem(s) at hand. While I do support Obama in part because I do believe he has a greater understanding of the economy than McCain (who has admitted he doesn't know much about the functionings of the economy), I think this idea is a political move, and a poor one at best.
9-11-2008 @ 4:35PM
thomas b. said...
IF YOU WANT THINGS RIGHT THEN VOTE FOR OBAMA. HE WILL ONLY RAISE THE TAXES ON PEOPLE WHO MAKE 250,000 A YEAR OR MORE . THIS WILL HELP PAY DOWN THE DEFICIT. WE THE LOWER CLASS WILL FINALLY HAVE RELIEF. ALSO OBAMA HAS PROMISED TO FIX ARE HEALTH CARE. MAYBE IN THE FUTURE WE CAN HAVE A SYSTM LIKE THE UK OR CANADA .THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY MEDICAL BILLS. EVERY THING IS INCLUDED IN THERE TAXES.
9-11-2008 @ 4:36PM
Peggie said...
What other situations is Obama going to try and take advantage of? If he is slightly behind in the polls, it's because people are sick of his phoney act and "OVER THE TOP EGO" Cathedral performances, wasting millions of dollars on the DNC where he should have been more modest, - LIKE MCCAIN WAS!! I don't think McCains VP is why McCain is ahead at all. People are realizing what an empty suit OBAMA is and that he is all flash, movie stars, and Rock Star, not substance. McCain is low key, not like Bush at all, and is just an easy going man who speaks his mind. He has gone against Republicans and Democrats alike. He needed someone beside him to be younger, and not steal his show on his own way to the White House. That was Palin, and a great pick! I thought he was nuts at first - crazy like only an old fox can be!! OBAMA should have picked Hillary, but DISSED women yet again. Then he goes and calls one a PIG.. no hope for him.. he is marred by his own hatreds and insecurities. And this is why his polls are going DOWN!
9-11-2008 @ 4:38PM
sandy said...
STOP SPENDING MY KIDS FURTURE! THIS IS CRAZY WE HAD A 3.3 GROWTH LAST MONTH WAIT UNTIL THIS STUPID ELECTION WITH THE NOBAMA SOCIALIST TO GO AWAY AND YOU WILL BE SO SURPRISED HOW FAST THINGS TURN AROUND! NO TO STUPIDMUS CHECKS
9-11-2008 @ 4:47PM
Georgia said...
If you're a thinking person, you know there is no free lunch! All this means is that we'll pay more taxes in order to subsidize those who pay little to no taxes. That's socialism. We are supposed to have a democracy. I, for one, have worked very hard all my life to have a decent living and I'm tired of the likes of Obama giving my earnings away. I'm sure he has shelters so he isn't paying for this.
9-11-2008 @ 4:38PM
.,m.m said...
isn't it funny how the bush admin is following everything it said it wouldn't do and everything obama said he will do ... am i the only 1 that see's this going on ???
9-20-2008 @ 9:48PM
Janice said...
Wait...... remember when the stimulus package was first announced? That is when gas prices went sky high. Now that most all of those checks have been send out and spent, gas prices go down.
If another stimulus package is offered, we will see gas prices go up again. The oil companies really got all of it.
9-11-2008 @ 4:41PM
Bev said...
If you are worried about Christmas and your children.....notify the United States Marine's program "Toys for Tots"! It is a wonderful effort done by our brave Marines! Any handouts from Obama, is a bribe, that will eventually come out of all of us tax payers.