Obama endorsement by George Will?

"his relative lack of experience in national and foreign policy-is remediable by time"

Well, I guess this can be said for Palin too , so what is the fuss?

I wonder if he is influnced by The Former Great Chicago Tribune Editoril Board-

This criticism of McCain's COMMENT about Cox is ridiculous (Suzy Orman agreed and she knows more than George W. about economic issues).

LOOK WHAT COMMENTS MCCAIN MADE in 2005 PRIOR TO THE SITUATION WE'RE IN TODAY>
Sen. John McCain [R-AZ]: Mr. President, this week Fannie Mae’s regulator reported that the company’s quarterly reports of profit growth over the past few years were “illusions deliberately and systematically created” by the company’s senior management, which resulted in a $10.6 billion accounting scandal.

The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight’s report goes on to say that Fannie Mae employees deliberately and intentionally manipulated financial reports to hit earnings targets in order to trigger bonuses for senior executives. In the case of Franklin Raines, Fannie Mae’s former chief executive officer, OFHEO’s report shows that over half of Mr. Raines’ compensation for the 6 years through 2003 was directly tied to meeting earnings targets. The report of financial misconduct at Fannie Mae echoes the deeply troubling $5 billion profit restatement at Freddie Mac.

The OFHEO report also states that Fannie Mae used its political power to lobby Congress in an effort to interfere with the regulator’s examination of the company’s accounting problems. This report comes some weeks after Freddie Mac paid a record $3.8 million fine in a settlement with the Federal Election Commission and restated lobbying disclosure reports from 2004 to 2005. These are entities that have demonstrated over and over again that they are deeply in need of reform.

For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac—known as Government-sponsored entities or GSEs—and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. OFHEO’s report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO’s report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay.

I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.

I urge my colleagues to support swift action on this GSE reform legislation.
*********************************
What was Obama busy doing PRIOR TO ALL THIS MESS>

He was working with Acorn to pressure banks to give out loans that people couldn't possible afford.

Fannie Mae Foundation was handing out cash to a nice little outfit called ACORN among others. That's right, ACORN. The same organization that the Obama’s presidential campaign paid more than $800,000, the same organization that has been convicted on multiple counts of voter fraud, the same ACORN that endorses Obama's campaign while “pledging to spend $35 million this year registering voters— most real but many fictional.”

This Frank James article resembles a pretzel, in the way James twists Will's actual words.

Frank James is an embarrassment to any reputable newspaper.

Conservatives are jumping ship after the disturbing 3am moments McCain had in regards to the financial crisis.

George Will has a great mind! I rarely agree with him but I love reading his columns or listening to his worldview. If only more conservatives could be so rational and intelligent.

Let's face it. This economic crisis, along with our devastatingly expensive Iraq War, have cost us the ability to stand up to thugs like Putin, Ahmadinejad, and Chavez, and people like Will get that. National security and the economy are not separate issues.

http://enough2008.blogspot.com/2008/09/nervous-about-venezuela-russia-and-iran.html

Several Republicans who are Chris Cox's friends are coming to his defense. There is no question that the SEC under Cox has beeen lax in its scrutiny.

DOUBTFUL. Recall George Will recently called Obama the least qualified presidential nominee in 75 years. Read it here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/02/AR2008090202441.html

OK, so I guess what you're saying and to some extent George Will is saying is that persons in high places shouldn't be held accountable for their performance or lack thereof when things go bad. While McCain's behavior may or may not be presidential is arguable but the fact that he holds Cox accountable at least in part for the current financial debacle is spot on. I agree fire the bum and get someone else in there that knows what he's doing and will do the right thing not the politically correct thing.

Well Frieda the problem is She's not running for President.... and that's not her only massive deficiency.

But we won't waste our time trying to explain all that. It should be obvious and if it isn't... you're just oblivious.

Maybe this will put the end to people claiming Obama is "the most liberal member of the Senate" which is a baldfaced lie. He is more of a liberal-leaning centrist, who has worked with Tom Coburn (one of the most conservative senators) on a bill. Obama is more than capable of crossing the aisle, and he has done so on many occaisions. McCain, on the other hand, has become so volatile that he is can no longer be seriously considered to be a known quantity. Someone as unpredictable and hot headed as John McCain is not suitable for the presidency, and I believe placing him or someone as unknown and ignorant on so many issues as Sarah Palin in the White House would place America in peril. After the damage inflicted on our economy, our military and our international standing over the past eight years, I believe our country is now too vulnerable to survive four years of a McCain or Palin administration.

If even an uberconservative like George Will cannot support John McCain, and instead believes our country would be better off with Barack Obama, I think Republican voters and conservatives should take heed. This is about America, not about party or ideology. We must first save our country, then we can quibble over left vs. right and such. And of the two choices we have in November, I believe only Obama/Biden offer a likelihood of having anything left to save.

George Will is notable for the care and precision of his thought. That he should hold this view is somewhat alazing given his generally conservative stance. Will understands government and politics,a nd if he is this unhappy with McCain, Republican conservatives should think again how well they will be served. Cox has been a distinguished servant of the people

I would not call George Will's comments about John McCain an endorsement of Barack Obama. It seems if you read all of Will's comments that he believes neither Obama or McCain are up for the job of President of the United States. This is clearly shown by both candidates statements about the meltdown on Wall Street. McCain does not comprehend whats going on and Obama seems to be in "la la land." The choices for President this year seem to be very disappointing.

While I don't think anyone in this country votes on the basis of George Will, it is telling that such a conservative would state such things publicly.

It bodes well for the Democrats. This terrible economic crisis will really, really hurt the Republicans. It's basically Hoover and Roosevelt all over again. We have gone beyond Obama, frankly. -- Which, due to Obama's own personal deficits when compared to the experienced McCain or Clinton, will only help the Democrats in the election. We are now at a stage of Party vs. Party. The prospect of another Great Depression looming on the horizon, and great popular anger over what has occurred, (arguably as a result of Republican-pushed banking/investment deregulation), will help Democrats regain the White House this election.

There are many former reublican crossing over to Obama, I will be adding my name to that list also.

There are many former reublicans crossing over to Obama, I will be adding my name to that list also.

Actually, McCain's pick of a new governor with hardly any experience for veep when far better candidates were available is reason enough to reject him.

And that's before you consider that she's an ignorant right-wing religious fanatic who supports creationism, charges rape victims for their exams, and perhaps fired a state employee illegally.

George Will; The Little Lord Fauntleroy of conservative commentary.

Any serious reader of George Will would know that he fundamentally disagrees with Obama on many/most policy issues. Obama's lack of experience is only the starting point of Mr. Wills disagreements with Obama. To somehow say, the only reason Mr. Will would not support Obama is lack of experience, somehow implying he is with him on the issues, is a gross misrepresentation of the facts and was probably written by an Obama supporter.

Lets wait and see who Mr. Will formally endorses. My bet is, after reading years of his columns, that he and Obama have almost NOTHING in common. If I were an Obama supporter, I wouldn't be holding my breath for an endorsment from G. Will.

"What was Obama busy doing PRIOR TO ALL THIS MESS>

He was working with Acorn to pressure banks to give out loans that people couldn't possible afford.

Fannie Mae Foundation was handing out cash to a nice little outfit called ACORN among others. That's right, ACORN. The same organization that the Obama’s presidential campaign paid more than $800,000, the same organization that has been convicted on multiple counts of voter fraud, the same ACORN that endorses Obama's campaign while “pledging to spend $35 million this year registering voters— most real but many fictional.”

Couple that with while only in the Senate for three years, Obama is the second highest recipient of donations on the entire list of Senators and Congressman. Fox meet the henhouse.

George Will, you used to be "cool". Umm... nope. Maybe if you snuggle in a little closer to Obama, some of his "coolness" will rub off on you.

What we need are people who actually care about the country and its people not just the almighty buck. Is George Will a friend of Chris Cox?

Hey Frank, where's your brother Jessie? The way James turned George Will's comments into an almost endorsement for the messiah, Barry of Obama, would make highwaymen Frank and Jessie proud! But, is this type of opinion reporting anything different than what most of the MSM have been doing since Obama decided it was good for his career to run for POTUS?

Hey Frank - have you written anything about the money messiah Barry of Obama has received from the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives? Which one of those executives had to pay back several million dollars of his compensation package because of irregularities? Was this same person ever a member, or shadow member of messiah Barry of Obama's economic advisory team? Can you look into some of these issues and let us know how far the junior Senator from Illinois is involved with these seemingly corrupt executives? Can you look into how much money the executives of the big brokerage houses, that went bust, donated to messiah Barry of Obama and his other Democrat friends in the Senate and House? Now, that would be some interesting newsworthy articles!!

I admire George Will's thoughtful analysis, and I agree with him most times when he's not ranting against the liberals. His tacit approval of Obama proves that most thinking, educated people in this country are coming to the conclusion that Obama would be the right choice.

The first post says even Sarah Palin can gain experience, but she's being nominated for Vice-President. Even I can gain experience given enough time.

I don't think Republicans are jumping ship as much as Hillary voters are REFUSING to get ON Obama's.

Todays poll showing Hillary voters STILL REFUSING to support Obama:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080923/D93CC8A80.html

"his relative lack of experience in national and foreign policy-is remediable by time"

Well, I guess this can be said for Palin too , so what is the fuss?

Posted by: frieda

Raw material isn't the same - not by a long chalk.

Are these two Laurel and Hardy?

ABCNews video of Obama on GMA scolding Biden for speaking without his approval.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/obama-on-bidens.html

FNC video of Biden telling Katie Couric that Barack was wrong to run ad against McCain (says ad was terrible) that said McCain can't use a computer. (McCain can't type because of his war injuries)

http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/09/22/biden-calls-obama-attack-ad-terrible/

Using shifted context can make Billy Graham sound like an atheist.

Mr. Will speaks of reality and, if excerpted, sounds to be NOT CRITICAL of Obama.
This is not the same as an endorsement.

McCain's most important decisions - like voting on BUSH's war - and leaving his wife were both complete failures (marrying rich doesn't not make him right - just republican). And he spoke just like a parrot about the economy. Bush said we are fine and he said "we are fine"! More of the same!

Sara Palin has the "Nixon" win at all cost syndrome, she can't be trusted. Like Nixon, she'd cut down a tree, mount the stump,and give a speech about conservation. I would feel like Truman being praised by a Republican, "i must be wrong if the Republicans agree with me!"

I was surprise to see Will get so turbulent when he talked about it Sunday but he is right. It is not good when a presidential candidate is bringing forth a scapegoat for today�s troubles. I would like to see McCain do well but sometime cringe after he says something stupid. Maybe the campaign trial is no his best medium but he does have many years of experience to draw from. With the economy the way it is, Russia trying to flex its muscles again, and the war on terrorism going on it make you wonder if there is time to �get experience� on the job. It might be too late. Maybe he can start using a teleprompter everywhere, it works for someone else.

Actually, it appears that Will is endorsing neither, and suggesting that he wishes a TRUE conservative option was out there.

I wonder how Barr or Paul or Nader feel about the bailouts. I don't know, but I sure do WISH I knew. But the MSM doesn't give them a voice in this two-party communist (yeah, I said it, there are two of the same, it is like picking Fidel or Raul Castro to run things) system.

Lewis Black (a comedian) said it best: (paraphrased) Any time both sides agree (doubletake) HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLETS!

IF Coke and Pepsi prevented RC Cola from selling in a state, capitalists would cry "foul". If Burger King and McDonalds burned down Wendy's franchises, Americans would shout "criminal". But in this land that is supposed to have freedom of choice, we have two parties that prevent a third from gaining power, that agree 95% of the time, and spend millions of dollars getting the media to make the people think that 5% difference is important.

Take a step back, consider what YOU beleive, and find a party that matches that. If you match the Dems or Reps, congratulations.

But if you want guns, don't care about abortions, want the government to be on a budget like a regular home, want to OVERHAUL (not bandaid) broken systems like our medical and retirement bureaucracies, care about the environment, want to reduce the impact of lobbyists and bribes, and also want to prevent another 9-11, then neither party fits your needs.

Look around. Maybe Nader or Barr or Ron Paul fit the bill for you.

Why should George Will ripping one candidate AUTOMATICALLY mean he is in the pocket of the other? He is a true conservative, something NEITHER of these candidates can claim with a straight face.

There is always RC Cola, not just Coke or Pepsi.

There is always Wendys, not just McDonald or Burger King.

So why not let these smaller parties get the voice of the fringes and the moderates, rather than forcing those fringe voters and middle independant voters to choose "The lesser of two evils"?

The difference between America and Iraq? America has two people on the ballot, while Iraq had one. Somehow that makes us better, but having a valid third choice will make us worse?

Some posters in this thread are claiming that George Will is not endorsing Obama. Of course, he cannot explicit endorse Obama. The point of this article is whether he's giving up on McCain, and that clearly seems to the case. So by default, there is only candidate left.

Will also points out something interesting with the following comments: "The political left always aims to expand the permeation of economic life by politics. Today, the efficient means to that end is government control of capital. So, is not McCain's party now conducting the most leftist administration in American history? " The answer to Will's question is an undeniable yes. And what we need now is a break from extreme left as well as extreme right.

Suppose John McCain gets elected and is successful in getting Georgia & the Ukraine into NATO. McCain basically pokes Russia in the eye with a sharp stick, all the while thinking like it's 1970..."We're the United States, we're always right. Putin will never cross us. They wouldn't dare."

Russia takes about an hour to react to the news - then sends 250,000 troops with Tanks & Air Cover into Georgia. The US, as a NATO ally, of course must respond.

Do you really want to start a potentially catastrophic & costly WAR with Russia over a small, quasi-independent former Soviet republic, that's located on Russia's back door?

That's the kind of shoot first - ask questions later - volatile mentality that a McCain/Palin victory will drop on the American public; a people already tired of the long Iraq war, the bailouts of Big Corporations, the lack of medical insurance, the decaying bridges & roads, and the $4.30 gas.

Obama may not have tons of experience, but neither did John Kennedy, and his cool head & willingness to search for a better or best solution kept us out of a Nuclear war, over nuclear armed missles placed in Cuba, with the Soviet Union.

We'd all be dead if a 72 year old John McCain had been President in 1962.

Well, I saw Will on a panel with George Steph. on Sunday....there was a big group of liberals all talking McCain down and he was right along with them. I turned it off it was like an Obama LOVE FEST. I didn't know Will was a conservative until I read this site ha.

The MEDIA IS SO FULL OF OBAMA I almost have nothing left (newswise) to watch anymore. Meagan Kelly on Fox has turned ....saying BS that the bill99 wasn't sex ed, Shep turned.... making a bias unfair comment about Palin banning books. OReilly was into Obama until recently. I don't know if it's something in the water or what. How can people who have even more access to info than we do on OBama ever support him.

If it weren't for Limbaugh and Hannity I would be learning to knit ha.

Teresa (I think),
I do know the feeling, but do not lose faith. Keep "hope" alive.

Unlike many of the media democrat partisans, George Will is ALWAYS going to have a thoughtful, honest opinion. He may disagree or be considerably disappointed in McCain over a whole host of things, but he also recognizes a neophyte when he sees one. As a Cubs fan, George Will probably has been disappointed more times than need to be counted, but Ever Faithful to the Cubs he remains. This is NOT an endorsement of the community organizing guy as is being suggested here.

O'Reilly is NOT suckered in either. Unlike the msm, these guys look at issues, and approach things with some sense of balance and objectivity. They do have sharp disagreements with Republicans at various times - George Bush, John McCain, any of them. The good news though, is that the Obama kool-aid has no effect on them, 100% immune. Fear Not. The Republic still has a sliver of a chance.

McCain is impetuous, quick to lash out, and doesn't listen to anyone.

Obama could use more expreience (couldn't we all?) but he recognizes that and listens to others.

Obama picked Biden as someone who would give him the unvarnished truth at all times. McCain picked palin as someone who share his traits of being impetuous and lashing out (note the people Palin fired in Alaska).

George Will is correct. McCain may be a fine Senator, but he's simply not Presidential material.The more we see of him, the more we know that.

Django: "The Republic still has a sliver of a chance".

What do you mean "sliver?" This is the Golden Age of the Republic. Look where we are after 8 short years. With 4 more years, we can drill, drill, drill. Deregulate, deregulate, deregulate. Wipe out Iran. Nuke Pakistan. Nationalize the auto industry. Turn the federal pens into Guantanamo's. Chase the Russians out of Georgia. The possibilities are endless. Don't be such a pessimist.

Hey TEXAS, THANKS ! You and Mallory above cheered me right up. Did you see his Matt Lauer interview, WOW, now that was an interview!

Posted by: mallory 12:43 PM

I appreciate it so much I want to share ha ha>

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008195867_apbillclintonpalin.html

Yes, Will and Obama have nothing in common -- except a first-class brain. That means a lot.

No true conservative would ever jump ship to vote for Obama. There are a bunch of Obamamaniacs who are poseurs and trying to create dissension in the ranks. A true conservative is going to be concerned about interpretations of law by the Sup. Ct. While we are not guaranteed strict constructionist, original-intentist Justices by a Republican, (George HW Bush) we know won't get anyone like that with Obama. His choices would wear the "A" for activist with pride. Who out there wants to cut off your nose to spite your face? I hope no one is that dumb.

Just because he is a Conservative doesn't make him right. There are some pretty dim witted Conservatives out there and Will seems to fall into that category. I just think he doesn't like McCain and is going along with what he has heard from others (who may have an axe to grind), that he may have a temper so naturally that makes him unworthy. That couldn't be farther from the truth. McCain listens to other peoples opinions, he has done it all along. George Will just is unhappy with the decisions he made in the end.

Obama on the other hand has picked a running mate who may have experience, but has been wrong every time when it came to foreign affairs. Biden is the same ole', Washington establishment Obama says he wants to change and lately it seems the Biden pick may have been a mistake. Not good for Obama. One of his biggest decisions and he picks a man who may say what he thinks but doesn't have much intelligent thought. Whatever comes out of his mouth has been off the wall comments and offensive at times.

George Will has a big chip and may be enjoying being the next left wing medias darling that gets his articles read in the MSM. He has successfully become the next Conservative useful idiot for the Democrat talking points. What did McCain actually do? I don't mind if McCain has a bit of a temper, that doesn't exclude him from being President. McCain has teed off Conservatives because he reaches across the isle and has listened to other people opinions. We may not like the fact that he does that, but that is who McCain is and he is his own man. He is real and isn't the same ole' Washington pundit, neither is Sarah Palin. That is a good thing. Obama is the same ole' tow the party line. There is so much wrong with the new Democrat leadership in Congress, less transparency, less bi-partisanship, all things they ran on to get elected and Obama is defending them all. Charlie Rangel should have been removed as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and Obama could have taken a stand, took the lead on that, but no. That would have gotten him in trouble with the Black Caucus. That is not a leader, that is weak, stay in line subordinate. He is not his own man, he is a prop for others who will tell him what he should do. He said he had something like 300 people he talks with about foreign policy. Are you kidding? So, he'll take a consensus before he makes a critical decision? He doesn't have a mind of his own, now that is scary. All he has to do is continue to fool the public, pull the wool over Americans eyes, act the part to win the White House.

He is the least qualified, has more radical connections than any other Presidential candidate, yes that is making history..

I'm just tickled pink to hear the FBI is looking into the banking bs hard. I heard Pelosi is VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS PROBE NOT TAKING PLACE AFTER THEY APPROVE THEIR SLEEZY 700b cover-up money.

I hear that 100% dems support this outrageous bailout and it sounds like NONE on the other side do....but maybe with dems numbers it will go thru, right?? You just know the dems wanted some from the otherside on this because once the FACTS of their dirty loan scheme comes out and the American people hear how they adjusted CRA rules so they could scam the poor out of their money to shore up the Clinton's housing bubble that burst and Obama scamming with Acorn on the Southside tsk tsk tsk, this is a sure win if news will get out prior to election.

Anyone with any insight knows that this not an endorsement of Obama but rather a shot across the bow for McCain from the conservatives who support /are friendly to Cox. If Obama gets a smidgent of a boost so be it but the person that needed to be put in check recieved the message and I'm sure is sweating bullets right about now. McCain don't believe your own hype!

George Will is a sourpuss. That's why the left gives him so much face time.

McCain is capitulating and any intelligent Republican knows it is time to jump ship.