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It's Hemmer Time

Obama camp cries foul.

By Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer
Monday, Aug 18 2008, 10:59 AM

For anyone who may have missed it, over this past weekend Barack Obama and John McCain sat down to answer questions from the Reverend Rick Warren (author of the best-seller "The Purpose Driven Life").  This forum took place at the Saddleback Church in California and was set up so that each presidential candidate sat one-on-one with Warren for the period of an hour and answered questions that the Reverend had prepared. 

The general consensus after this forum ended was that McCain fared much better than his rival, Obama.  An example:  one of the key questions that came up was "at what point does a baby achieve human rights"?  McCain answered with no hesitation:  "at conception".  Obama NEVER answered. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mem_xEcZHVY&feature=related  With a lot of "ums", Obama proceeded to say the question was "above his pay grade", then he went off on different tangents on abortion and what the Democratic party line is on this practice.   As a president, and even as a senator, Obama should never have said the answer was "above his pay grade".  If he cannot handle truthfully answering the question, and couldn't face the consequences of what his answer may bring, he should not be running for president.

Obama's less than stellar performance brought out the claim from the Obama camp that McCain cheated.  (Yes, you read that correctly.)  McCain, it appears, was in his motorcade at the time the program with Warren began.  He arrived late at the Saddleback Church and was promptly escorted to an empty room to await his turn to appear.  NBC's Andrea Mitchell was the first to spread the rumor generated by Obama, saying  that McCain was able to hear the questions Warren asked Obama while McCain was driving in.   McCain's camp issued a firm denial that McCain heard any questions ahead of time.

So, now it seems that Obama is a poor loser.  "The One" didn't come in number one, and doesn't like being number two.  That isn't supposed to happen!  Wonder how Obama and Co. will handle the upcoming debates with McCain if Obama doesn't do well.  Yet another "vast right-wing conspiracy" soon to be reported on, no doubt! 

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Comments

jmark   

I watched it and thought both candidates handled themselves fairly well. 'Man in the sky' would approve.
August 18, 2008 11:59 AM

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer   

jmark:  Both candidates for the most part did pretty well.  However, Obama did have a few stumbles - like the one I mentioned in my post.  Abortion is a big issue and Obama couldn't handle the question posed to him.  McCain appears to have won round 1, so to speak.  The Obama camp doesn't like that - it's not supposed to happen that way. 

And who can explain a lack of any "Obama bounce" this far into the election year?  Wasn't Obama supposed to be way ahead of McCain in the polls by now?  Hasn't happened.  Wonder why.  Although we do have the "greatest speech ever given" coming up by Obama at the Democratic National Convention.  Katie Couric will probably have to be revived with smelling salts....The entire mainstream media will be crying tears of joy... can't wait to read the unbiased reviews in the newspapers...  Obama may even get a bounce after that....

August 18, 2008 12:31 PM

jmark   

Big issue for the sattlebackers perhaps, but for the rest of the country "it's the economy, stupid". Obama proved he's quite capable of holding his own. Minus the teleprompter, imagine that.
August 18, 2008 1:47 PM

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer   

jmark:  I think abortion is a big issue for most Americans.  When it comes out that while Obama was an Illinois Senator, he did his best to support the murder of infants born alive during an abortion, I think that will shock a lot of people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZCXcTwZPY

  And that is exactly why he ignored the question regarding "when does a baby have human rights" posed to him during the Saddleback forum.  He couldn't answer it because he knows the facts are there to show that he supports infanticide.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xkT_W5l9-k&feature=related

August 18, 2008 3:54 PM

referee33   

Not having watched I must rely on your comments to be accurate and I'm sure they are. The abortion question is probably one of the hottest hot button issues ever. It is extremely difficult to look at both sides of the issue without emotions taking control of our thought process. McCain replied to the question of "personhood" (which means what?) by saying "at conception". If "personhood" is some kind of legal status where is McCains bill in Congress giving IRS tax deduction status to people that provide a doctors statement confirming pregnancy? Obama replies by dancing around the question saying "it's above my pay grade". Maybe it is but we deserve a definitive answer. I'm sure what I'm about to say will raise blood pressures all over the blogosphere but it is my opinion and I'm entitled to express it. The government currently gives the collection of cells that makes up a fetus the same legal rights as the collection of cells that makes up a tumor. The fetus does not become a legal entity until it takes a breath. If the fetus provides no legal benefits to the parents how can there be any kind of penalties if the fetus is removed? Twenty plus years ago my wife and I were faced with having to make the choice between abortion (D&C) or carrying to term. It is an extremely hard decision to make. We are thankfull that the decision did not have to include which back alley doc to go to if we chose to terminate. While I personally do not agree with abortion as an alternative to conventional birth control, I do not feel it should be removed as a viable medical procedure that can be choosen by informed adults. The decision to abort is one that can only be made by the people involved and their personal Deity. Government should not be involved attempting to legislate morality, which is what this issue is, one of morality. The last big effort to legislate morality, Prohibition, ended up a major failure that really only benefitted criminals.
August 18, 2008 11:49 PM

Give me a break!   

I think abortion is a bigger distraction than an issue with most Americans. If a Republican President, with a Repulican Senate, with a Republican House, with a Repulican appointed Supreme Court can not stop abortion who can? The Repulicans use abortion as a political tool. I would like to see the people against abotion step up to the plate for once. Adopt a child, become a foster parent, put your money where your mouth is instead of wasting it on politicians who say one thing and do nothing!
August 19, 2008 9:39 AM

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer   

Give me a break!:  Where have I heard the word "distraction" used before?  Oh yeah!  That's what Obama calls any facts or past history that pop up that make the Chosen One look bad...

I disagree with your assessment that abortion is a distraction.  I think it is a huge issue with most Americans.  I agree with you that I don't think the Bush Administration took on abortion as a priority.  Maybe events like  9/11,  the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the issues like the energy crisis, illegal aliens, the economy, etc. got in the way...

August 19, 2008 10:34 AM

Give me a break!   

More conservative excuses for not getting the job done!
August 19, 2008 11:50 AM

Jim Hayett   

Give me a break....my wife and I are about to get our first foster child. Did you put your money where your mouth is?
August 20, 2008 9:26 AM

MClout   

Amy, Obama did answer the question. He clearly stated "I am pro-choice." He then proceeds to outline his views on "the moral and ethical difficulties of abortion," his views, and the reasoning behind his views. You really should get your facts straight before you make blatant falsehoods. Your youtube clip which you use to support your article was clearly an edited 50 second cut-out of Obama's answer with his serious and thoughtful responses cut out. Here is the full answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRZX_ndZN-g&feature=related I'd much rather elect a mature candidate who understands the complexity of issues and can dissect it examining all perspectives rather than giving a simple 5 word answer. As for political candidates avoiding questions, McCain has his share, as do all politicians. I'll specifically cite the case of McCain calling his wife by a derogatory and highly profane term during a press conference in 1992. When asked about the truth of this incident at one of his town-hall style campaign stops on May 1, 2008 Senator McCain quickly changed the subject and was applauded for blatantly avoiding any sort of answer. I can provide a link to the town-hall meeting, but will only post it upon request due to profanity.
August 21, 2008 10:09 AM

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer   

MClout:  Obama did not answer the question posed to him.  The question was:  "at what point does a baby acquire human rights"?  So what if Obama said he was "pro-choice"?  He did not answer the question - for fear that people may find out his support of infanticide while an Illinois Senator.  

August 21, 2008 4:47 PM

Jim Hayett   

MClout...did you watch the same program? Maybe you went out for popcorn. Obama did NOT answer the question. Sorry to break the news.
August 21, 2008 8:28 PM

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About Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer

Amy Geiger-Hemmer has lived in Merton since 1992 with her husband and three children, who all attend Merton Intermediate and Primary Schools. She enjoys family activites, volleyball, reading, and bike riding. During the school year, she works as a substitute teacher/instructional assistant, and also volunteers with the Merton PTO. She is proud to be a conservative Republican.