Thursday, September 4, 2008

Know your candidates, not their rhetoric

During her speech at the Republican National Convention, Governor Sarah Palin became a member of at least one Washington insider group, the rhetoricians. Gov. Palin's speech was nothing new or exciting as she repeated the party line rhetoric most people expected. Her speech touched on topics ranging from her executive experience which Sen. Obama lacks to the introduction of her family as she positioned herself to conventioneers as a trusted member of the "much desired to seem, but not really be" working class.

Ofcourse, political rhetoric is here to stay on both sides of the aisle. However, I only hope that as we try to listen to both sides over the next two months that we remember not to take either candidate at face value. For example, see this article released by the AP about Gov. Palin's questionable rhetoric last night.

With social security, the US's capacity for good foreign relations, health care, energy, and so many huge issues this election, we can't afford to vote on rhetoric alone. Below are some great places to learn more about the candidates without all the pomp and circumstance.

OnTheIssues.org
The Pew Forum
VoteSmart.org