Tina, I believe you may have a different opinion from mine however that does not make me incorrect. If you would like me to elaborate on how Governor Palin put Joe and Gwen in their place I would be happy to provide you a few examples. Joe trying to use the tired old line about a McCain adminstration is more of the Bush adminstration and she let him have it with her now quotable: “Say it ain’t so, Joe” line and did not let him get away with his campaign talking points. With regards to Gwen, she advised over the weekend that she is writing a book on obama and along with statements she has made previously about Governor Palin reflect alignment with the obama/biden ticket. If she had any integrity she would have pulled herself from the debate. Her questions were skewed however noted that Palin took control of the process and questions when she walked into the room. Your tone with your message reflects a predisposition of supporting obama and therefore understand why your comments do not include biden’s arrogance, false statements. I will leave it to the pundits to illustrate where each candidate did well and the gaffs. BTW, I did not watch the debate in a bar - it was a function that included businessmen and businesswomen in Southern California. That may be why there were no comments regarding either party looking “hot” or women cringing. As you can imagine, obama/biden continued spewing of negative comments regarding corporate America does not go well with people who are working in corporate America. I believe any small business owner who listened to the debate tonight and was on the fence went over to the McCain/Palin side tonight based on biden’s comments. BTW, pundits and focus groups have the win of the debate going to Governor Palin. A good website to read various blogs and websites is www.robinsonandlong.com.

Starry - thank you for your comments - have been watching the news programs since the debate and consensus has the debate going to Palin. It was interesting to find out that the campaigns have fact checkers on staff during the debates and along with the MSM and cable news shows we should hear about all the gaffs over the next few days. I do not believe that Palin made up any statements about taxes or the surge - I have heard the same from outside of the McCain campaign but you can be assured that MSM who is trying to get obama elected will do their darnest to point out any flaws in her statements. It is a wild ride, isn’t it?

Elaine - thank you for your note - I loved your post and believe you captured the issue correctly. I do not know if we will ever change but if one person stops and thinks twice before making a snotty remark about another woman’s looks then we have made a difference.

Condeleeza Rice Sarah Palin Carly Fiorina Dara Torres Sandra Day O’Connor

Sarah knocked it out of the park tonight - she put Joe and Gwen (shameful she has not pulled herself out of the event based on her upcoming book) in their place and spoke true. I watched the debate with a bunch of strangers in a restaurant and people were cheering and applauding Sarah. Nothing for “say it ain’t so Joe”. He is a bore. I do not like his arrogance and thought he was smug. The fact checkers are going to have a ball with this one.

Belinda, you rock! Thank you for your kind words - I just get peeved every now and then and this is one of my biggest turn offs about women. The comments I have read on this site about women who do not share the liberal point of view made by other women only shows we have only our selves to blame for the glass ceiling. You do not see the men making snide remarks about the families, clothing, hair, shoes, ties about each other. However I have seen the snide remarks being made by men towards Palin and as a woman I am offended just as much as I was when everyone talked about Hilliary’s pantsuits although I do not agree with HIlliary’s politics. I think I got on my soapbox today - :) It feels lonely up here trying to maintain a standard by myself - glad to hear you are on board and I have just moved over so that there is more room on the soapbox.

I can put 20 of my friends that are the same age as Cindy in a room and all look beautiful and have not been surgically enhanced. We came up in the age of wearing hats to keep the sun off our faces, get facials and drink lots of water. I doubt she has had work done based on watching her during the convention and meeting her recently. Why is this being discussed? Is this another catty attempt to tear down a woman? STOP IT! It is not men who put forth having a youthful image is more attractive but women. STOP IT! Right now. If you are one of those women who can only feel attractive by putting down other women - take another look in the mirror and be thankful you have not been disfigured by disease, accident or birth defect. We need to embrace those features that come with a lifetime of laughing. If you still need to feel better - go and do something about it. Take charge! Did you not learn anything from Dara Torres? The next time you start to make a disparaging remark about another woman’s looks - STOP.

Marjorie - Michelle is not on the trail because the campaign felt she was a detriment. She was sent home after there was a rumble about her making racist statements. I think we will see more of her now that Palin is on the ticket to counter the no-Hilliary decision. Remember some had said that Michelle greatly disliked Hilliary and therefore she would never be the VP on an Obama ticket. Michelle did not poll well and so they sent her packing.

Hi Kelly - it was embarrassing to watch - while the audience gave Senator and Mrs. McCain a standing ovation, the hosts were very unprofessional. I do give the McCains points for going onto the show however it really did reflect that this show is ready for retirement. Barbara was so rude she did not allow for the Senator to answer her question and Joy was frankly - a pig although the Senator did put her in her place. Sherri and Elizabeth were professional but I was unsure how they were going to treat Cindy. It did not matter - Cindy came out and was fantastic. Finally someone put Barbara in her place and I cheered after that one. In many ways, this was good for Cindy for she demonstrated her strong capabilities and intelligence. I would have slugged Barbara myself. I guess politics is not going to be the next step on my career path. The different news shows have been showing the segments of The View interviews with the Obamas and then comparing them to the McCains. Did Barbara really tell Obama he was cute? OMG! Put that woman in a straight jacket - she is addicted to attention. Is Hollywood representative of a new form of Attention Deficit Disorder (doing or saying inappropriate things to get attention)? So unprofessional.

Kip - she did answer the question correctly so this is a mute point. However if you are so focused on foreign policy how can you support Obama? He has zero experience. I will repeat that just in case you miss my point - he has ZERO experience. All hat and no cattle (I really love that one) and therefore do not understand why you are not supporting John McCain. What are your top 3 issues (in order) for the next administration. Mine are as follows: 1. National Security 2. Energy (including alternatives) 3. Lower taxes (I support everyone paying taxes and a flat tax that is no higher than 10% for state and federal combined)

Deni G - there is no information that confirms your statement that McCain wants to tax our Health Care benefits. Please note the following from the McCain website: QUOTE Straight Talk on Health System Reform A “Call to Action” John McCain believes we can and must provide access to health care for every American. He has proposed a comprehensive vision for achieving that. For too long, our nation’s leaders have talked about reforming health care. Now is the time to act. Americans Are Worried About Health Care Costs. The problems with health care are well known: it is too expensive and 47 million people living in the United States lack health insurance. John McCain’s Vision for Health Care Reform John McCain Believes The Key To Health Care Reform Is To Restore Control To The Patients Themselves. We want a system of health care in which everyone can afford and acquire the treatment and preventative care they need. Health care should be available to all and not limited by where you work or how much you make. Families should be in charge of their health care dollars and have more control over care. Making Health Insurance Innovative, Portable and Affordable John McCain Will Reform Health Care Making It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance. An important part of his plan is to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people’s needs, lower prices, and portability. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines. John McCain Will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts. John McCain Proposes Making Insurance More Portable. Americans need insurance that follows them from job to job. They want insurance that is still there if they retire early and does not change if they take a few years off to raise the kids. John McCain Will Encourage And Expand The Benefits Of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) For Families. When families are informed about medical choices, they are more capable of making their own decisions and often decide against unnecessary options. Health Savings Accounts take an important step in the direction of putting families in charge of what they pay for. A Specific Plan of Action: Ensuring Care for Higher Risk Patients John McCain’s Plan Cares For The Traditionally Uninsurable. John McCain understands that those without prior group coverage and those with pre-existing conditions have the most difficulty on the individual market, and we need to make sure they get the high-quality coverage they need. John McCain Will Work With States To Establish A Guaranteed Access Plan. As President, John McCain will work with governors to develop a best practice model that states can follow - a Guaranteed Access Plan or GAP - that would reflect the best experience of the states to ensure these patients have access to health coverage. One approach would establish a nonprofit corporation that would contract with insurers to cover patients who have been denied insurance and could join with other state plans to enlarge pools and lower overhead costs. There would be reasonable limits on premiums, and assistance would be available for Americans below a certain income level. John McCain Will Promote Proper Incentives. John McCain will work with Congress, the governors, and industry to make sure this approach is funded adequately and has the right incentives to reduce costs such as disease management, individual case management, and health and wellness programs. A Specific Plan of Action: Lowering Health Care Costs John McCain Proposes A Number Of Initiatives That Can Lower Health Care Costs. If we act today, we can lower health care costs for families through common-sense initiatives. Within a decade, health spending will comprise twenty percent of our economy. This is taking an increasing toll on America’s families and small businesses. Even Senators Clinton and Obama recognize the pressure skyrocketing health costs place on small business when they exempt small businesses from their employer mandate plans. CHEAPER DRUGS: Lowering Drug Prices. John McCain will look to bring greater competition to our drug markets through safe re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs. CHRONIC DISEASE: Providing Quality, Cheaper Care For Chronic Disease. Chronic conditions account for three-quarters of the nation’s annual health care bill. By emphasizing prevention, early intervention, healthy habits, new treatment models, new public health infrastructure and the use of information technology, we can reduce health care costs. We should dedicate more federal research to caring and curing chronic disease. COORDINATED CARE: Promoting Coordinated Care. Coordinated care - with providers collaborating to produce the best health care - offers better outcomes at lower cost. We should pay a single bill for high-quality disease care which will make every single provider accountable and responsive to the patients’ needs. GREATER ACCESS AND CONVENIENCE: Expanding Access To Health Care. Families place a high value on quickly getting simple care. Government should promote greater access through walk-in clinics in retail outlets. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Greater Use Of Information Technology To Reduce Costs. We should promote the rapid deployment of 21st century information systems and technology that allows doctors to practice across state lines. MEDICAID AND MEDICARE: Reforming The Payment System To Cut Costs. We must reform the payment systems in Medicaid and Medicare to compensate providers for diagnosis, prevention and care coordination. Medicaid and Medicare should not pay for preventable medical errors or mismanagement. SMOKING: Promoting The Availability Of Smoking Cessation Programs. Most smokers would love to quit but find it hard to do so. Working with business and insurance companies to promote availability, we can improve lives and reduce chronic disease through smoking cessation programs. STATE FLEXIBILITY: Encouraging States To Lower Costs. States should have the flexibility to experiment with alternative forms of access, coordinated payments per episode covered under Medicaid, use of private insurance in Medicaid, alternative insurance policies and different licensing schemes for providers. TORT REFORM: Passing Medical Liability Reform. We must pass medical liability reform that eliminates lawsuits directed at doctors who follow clinical guidelines and adhere to safety protocols. Every patient should have access to legal remedies in cases of bad medical practice but that should not be an invitation to endless, frivolous lawsuits. TRANSPARENCY: Bringing Transparency To Health Care Costs. We must make public more information on treatment options and doctor records, and require transparency regarding medical outcomes, quality of care, costs and prices. We must also facilitate the development of national standards for measuring and recording treatments and outcomes. Confronting the Long-Term Challenge John McCain Will Develop A Strategy For Meeting The Challenge Of A Population Needing Greater Long-Term Care. There have been a variety of state-based experiments such as Cash and Counseling or The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) that are pioneering approaches for delivering care to people in a home setting. Seniors are given a monthly stipend which they can use to hire workers and purchase care-related services and goods. They can get help managing their care by designating representatives, such as relatives or friends, to help make decisions. It also offers counseling and bookkeeping services to assist consumers in handling their programmatic responsibilities. Setting the Record Straight: Covering Those With Pre-Existing Conditions MYTH: Some Claim That Under John McCain’s Plan, Those With Pre-Existing Conditions Would Be Denied Insurance. FACT: John McCain Supported The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act In 1996 That Took The Important Step Of Providing Some Protection Against Exclusion Of Pre-Existing Conditions. FACT: Nothing In John McCain’s Plan Changes The Fact That If You Are Employed And Insured You Will Build Protection Against The Cost Of Any Pre-Existing Condition. FACT: As President, John McCain Would Work With Governors To Find The Solutions Necessary To Ensure Those With Pre-Existing Conditions Are Able To Easily Access Care. Combating Autism in America John McCain is very concerned about the rising incidence of autism among America’s children and has continually supported research into its causes and treatment. Click here to learn more. UNQUOTE

Elizabeth, I have lived in a country that has “universal health care” and my experience is that everyone bought additional coverage so that they do not have to wait for treatment for a serious illness or if surgery is needed. I can also tell you about how the Canadian government would not allow a couple to adopt a orphan from another country because her medical costs to correct her deformity were estimated to be over $500k so an non-profit organization did the surgery in the USA. Yep - the USA to the rescue again. So, until we do something about illegal aliens taxing our system and tort reform, I do not see how nationalizing health care will do anything but lower the standard of my family’s level of care. I do not consider your linked sources to be credible - pnhp is an organization called physicans for a nationalized health program and well all know about PBS.

There is no such thing as universal health care. No country has yet to do it right and it is not the solution to high cost of medical care.

Throw the book at the hackers. There is not excuse for illegally accessing a person’s mail. They should see jail time and so should anyone who published the stolen information.

Let’s change the race of the Senator from Illinois for a moment and ponder… - Ferraro was correct in her statement and your own party crushed her and based on an interview she gave afterwards - Obama’s people tried to get her fired from her job. It is okay for Obama to play the race card when convenient however not to talk about why he is really on the ticket instead of Hilliary? Have you thought that maybe Republicans want a candidate that is not from Washington, a reformer, has executive experience, is well rounded? Oh, and she is a woman? Hell yes we like her. I do not agree with all of her politics however I respect her demonstrated capabilities and her willingness to be candid about her point of view. McCain is going to be a great President and Palin will be a great VP - I am voting for experience and substance. I have no interest in symbolism based on gender or race but do appreciate the fact that selecting Palin was a wise decision made by a wise man. I look forward to seeing more women who are intelligent and successful moving into the spotlight and taking a leadership role. It was Palin who shattered the glass ceiling - the moment she walked onto the stage at the Republican convention. And that is because she is someone that we can relate to - a person who has worked her way up the ladder and has remain grounded. We have been waiting for someone like Palin to come along and represent those of us who too have climbed the ladder by hard work and yet manage to have a well-rounded life. I do find it distasteful to continue to talk about McCain as if he is on his deathbed. That man has demonstrated he is a survivor and I suspect we will be having this conversation again when he runs for re-election in 2012.