Originally Posted By chickendumpling Okay, before everyone starts yelling and hurling snarkiness hither and yon (which I really hope does not happen here), I would like to say that this is an honest question and NOT a "hit piece" on McCain. I'm honestly trying to square what I'm hearing from McCain's campaign about what McCain/Palin would do and what I know McCain's record has been and it ain't working out so good. Here's what I'm talking about: In her acceptance speech Palin said, in a very moving way, that if we vote them in, then parents of special needs kids would have a "friend and an *advocate*" in the White House. What does McCain/Palin mean by that? Why do I "lump" them together there? Well, the way I see it McCain must have signed off on that whole friend-advocate of special needs children because I can't believe Palin would just be out there at the convention saying things like that willy-nilly without McCain being in the loop on and in complete agreement with that. And that's why that promise to be a friend and advocate doesn't really square with me; McCain doesn't exactly have a great record when it comes to supporting kids. I didn't really realize McCain didn't have a good record of supporting kids until I started looking into this issue after hearing what Palin said and being happy about it. One of the things I found was this scorecard from the Children's Defense Fund. Reading the scorecard made me pause because it shows McCain with a score of only 10% out of 100% in favor of children. Here's the link: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/54u9f2" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/54u9f2</a> I don't know much about the Children's Defense Fund but it seems pretty non-partisan and I can't remember hearing bad stuff about them. And the way they calculated the scorecard seems pretty fair too ("present" votes counted as "against" to them). Here's the link on how they complied the scorecard: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/27b2d4" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/27b2d4</a> Now I know a lot of posters here have said that Palin doesn't really matter because she's "just" a VP so then what did she mean when she made that promise? Was she just talking and didn't mean what she said and it's an empty promise? Or is she going to fight McCain for children's rights now, Maverick on Maverick? Or did McCain see the "error of his ways" and is going to change now; and if so, why should I believe him? Can anyone help me reconcile this? It's an honest question. I really don't like what I'm seeing here and if I'm wrong, I'd like to know.
Originally Posted By dshyates "that if we vote them in, then parents of special needs kids would have a "friend and an *advocate*" in the White House." Palin slashed funding for special needs children by 60% during her 18 month reign. <a href="http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2008/09/sarah-palin-sla.html" target="_blank">http://momocrats.typepad.com/m...sla.html</a> A friend indeed. But maybe now that SHE has a special needs child her tune has changed.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I somehow think a candidate who supports universal health care would be more of a "friend" to special-needs children.
Originally Posted By DAR <<Palin slashed funding for special needs children by 60% during her 18 month reign.>> Incorrectumundo <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html" target="_blank">http://www.factcheck.org/elect...lin.html</a>
Originally Posted By dshyates "Incorrectumundo" Dang, I was had by those unscroupulous liers. DAR, thanks for the correct info.
Originally Posted By Mr X Interesting that the only link that provides "facts" (DAR obviously didn't read it) isn't the one that has the word "fact" in its title. They do enjoy using the word "sliming" though...they must be right.
Originally Posted By dshyates DAR is correct. On the link I provided to MOMocrats, right under the title there is a link to an update that refutes their original story. Unfortunately I didn't click the link before I posted. It gives a good breakdown of what actually happened. While, Factcheck didn't go into as much detail, thier assesment that this rumor of her slashing the funds appears correct. I'll post a direct link: <a href="http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2008/09/update-sarah-pa.html" target="_blank">http://momocrats.typepad.com/m...-pa.html</a>
Originally Posted By Mr X DAR is correct? I wouldn't say that. Even on the link there are still significant questions such as: "two-thirds of what her supporters are calling "special needs funding" actually went to a boot camp for high school dropouts. Nothing against high school dropouts, but she was a better friend and advocate to them than she was to people with disabilities." Of course, one way to refute these rumors would be if Palin would be so kind as to address the people in a press conference, so that we can actually hear her answer questions about these issues. Til then, the American people are literally flying blind on a person who very well could be commander in chief in as little as a few months from now.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Thanks for the good responses guys. Having someone actually ask McCain/Palin about this whole thing sure would help but I doubt that's gonna happen. Now, all due respect, but the responses so far, while appreciated, don't address my questions really. I already knew the stuff about Palin was off the mark - still don't address my concerns....
