Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Philadelphia debate: Time to challenge Clinton and Obama on their half baked economic policies and forget sideshows

Tonight Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton debate at the National Constitution Center. The debate is being telecast nationally by ABC and will start at 8 p.m.

Since the last debate in Ohio on Feb. 26 both candidates have been buffeted by controversy.
There has been a major controversy over comments made by Obama’s pastor Rev Jeremiah Wright.
Tonight Obama will likely have to explain, what he meant when he told donors in San Francisco last week that Pennsylvanians are “bitter” over their economic circumstances and “cling” to religion and guns."
Support for Obama in Pennsylvania was on an upward curve prior to his San Francisco statement. On the basis of several polls Obama appears to be trailing Clinton by at least 6%.

It is likely that Clinton will attempt to goad him, in the hope that he may make another foot in mouth comment tonight. She will attempt to portray him as inexperienced, rash and elitist. Success for Clinton tonight could stampede more blue-collar voters into the Clinton camp and result in a devastating defeat for Obama in Pennsylvania. If such a scenario were to unfold Clinton could sway more super delegates. Nevertheless Obama will probably prevail in the North Carolina Primary. In the unlikely event of a knock out blow by either candidate, the scene is set for a possible bloody convention.

Clinton herself will come under pressure on her Bosnia lies. Indeed she has a history of exaggeration and lies. Obama will probably target Clinton on this issue. He will attempt to portray Clinton as a political insider incapable of introducing meaningful change.

Is it too much to hope for some forensic questioning of both Clinton and Obama on their economic policies?
Both have attempted to bribe voters with their own money. Both are committed to an enlarged role for the state. Increased bureaucracy and quangos- as advocated by both candidates- will lead to an explosion in public expenditure and massive rises in taxation. There are no free lunches.

This is a watershed election. Clinton and Obama are Socialists. McCain is conservative and favours restraint in public expenditure and low taxes.

An appalling vista could unfold: A Democratic President and a Democratic Congress.- both pledged to huge public expenditure splurges. No doubt Clinton or Obama would introduce change. The change would involve higher taxation.

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