Barack Obama's Progress vs. John McCain's "What if he had been elected..."

It seems like just yesterday the Obama/McCain heavyweight matchup was taking place, both candidates taking shots at one another, whether one was looking or not. But the questions seem to find their ways to the surface, even now: "Is Barack living up to the hype?" or "Should McCain have been elected to fix this economy quicker?" Sean and Sam REALLY don't agree on this issue. Sean, raised red, is blue and Sam who's always been red, hasn't let that color fade.

Sean:

Words cannot describe the emotional feeling Barack Obama brings over me while conducting Q&A sessions with both the media and general public. Maybe it's because I'm a news reporter for a major metro paper, sure. But in my mind, it's because Obama legitimately cares about the state of this economy. The reason I know this? When asked a question, Obama looks directly at the person posing the inquiry, tilts his head to the side, reflects in deep thought and contemplates all possible sides to an answer. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see a president take the time to think before speaking, making sure to cover all sides of a topic -- much different than someone else I've known for the past eight years. A journalist's dream? ... or an American's? Easy: both. Plus, simply saying, "We'll get him my friends," doesn't put anyone at ease. Walk it, don't talk it. What, were you waiting to get elected before you told us how to catch Osama Bin Laden? You don't need the title of "President" to do that.

There's no doubt in my mind that Obama was a better choice for our American president (over McCain) because there's a lot to be said for a young, energetic persona in a leader, both physically and mentally. This country would have been doomed to hand the country -- in the state it was in -- over to such an elderly man who's ideas for policies were as ancient as the fillings in his teeth. America is different from our momma and poppa's nation. We're expanding. Not only are we more accepting of race, gender and ideals than ever, but we're shifting to a more versatile world. Obama is a much better pilot in that cockpit than McCain. Sometimes image and body language tells a much more in-depth story than people think.

Obama's stimulus plan is dishing out money to people who need it more than ever and being in Oklahoma City and writing stories on the city council, I see it first hand. Also, Obama admitting his mistakes as a teen smoker in front of the nation takes guts. Signing the tobacco legislation will help reduce the amount of smoking and smoking-caused deaths, especially at a young age. Smokers can complain all they want -- this is a good thing for our nation's youth, regardless if you "know what I'm doing to my body and it's my choice." He's thinking about the future of the world; this is by all means acceptable. Not only do I agree with Obama's plans for this country, but being in good enough shape to transition the White House and Washington from a golf community to a basketball one truly catches my attention. Not only am I a hoops guy, but I'm a fan of a president who is healthy enough to run a game of 3-on-3 without having to call EMS. America -- we're headed in the right direction. Our leader is confident and I am too, because of his assurance. We'll climb out of this hell Bush's Administration threw us into. Give it time. We're golden.

Remember, people, Obama was handed a White House with loads of unfathomable problems, filld with ones we'll never know about because we don't get backstage passes in the mail. McCain probably would have given those away in a raffle or something, but he lost. Too many Americans are jumping down the President's back far too soon. It takes more than seven months to fix a country that Bush single handedly attempted to destroy, whether his small brain knew it or not.

Sam:

It's true folks. I, the Bohemian college student, casted my vote for McCain-Palin this November; and in all honestly I am happier by the day with the position I took. McCain was the experienced candidate. He has served as an Arizona senator for 25 years, and to this day he has an 65% approval rating among Democrats and Republicans alike. Our president is like a doctor -- he fixes booboos and makes sure we're on the healthy track. Would you want the doctor with 25 years of experience or 6 years? I think I know which you would have chosen.

McCain and Obama were both straight forward about what they wanted. Let's take taxes. McCain wanted a cut and Obama wanted a raise. Did the Obama voters realize we're currently experiencing a recession? Tell me why in this day and age you want almost 50% of your paycheck going to the government. The last time taxes were raised during a recession was in 1929 by Herbert Hoover. You know what happened that same year? The stock market crashed and the recession became the GREAT depression. When Tim Russert brought up Hoovers mistakes and the similarities with our current situation, Obama brushed off the stats. I don't know about you, but I believe, like McCain, in learning from our mistakes and I'd rather not come of age in a great depression.

Nationalized health care is another issue I strongly disagree on, but first, let’s take a jog down memory lane. Do you remember the last time you visited the Secretary of State? Do you remember how long you waited and how most of the employees didn't really care how long you waited? How about if they were closing and you weren't waited on? Tough luck, huh? Well that's a government run business for you, and that is what our health care will become if/when nationalized. Now don't get me wrong, I don't blame the employees. It's the way they are treated that reflects the quality they produce. But, I can sure as hell tell you that I don't want my health care plummeting to that quality. Instead of nationalizing health care, McCain focused on the fundamentals -- proposing to make health insurance innovative, portable, and affordable; ensuring care for high-risk patients and lowering health care costs. That is something I could stand behind.

Conversely, I hope we can reach a solution to the health care problem so people can get the medical attention they deserve. I just don’t think Obama’s plan is the answer. Still, I understand why people voted for an Obama-Biden ticket. He's a smooth talker and wanted change. It just seems to me people got too caught up in the Obama fad rather than focusing on the issues.

P.S. Inviting Iran over for dogs on our 4th of July. Really?!