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Late Night: Matt Damon on President Palin

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 11:07:44 PM EST
Tags: Sarah Palin (all tags)
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Matt Damon on Sarah Palin. He gets it exactly right. Hope you will send it on. Here's the link.

This is an open thread.

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    Late Night: Matt Damon on President Palin | 90 comments (90 topical)

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    Oh Boy!! (5.00 / 0) (#1)
    by befuddledvoter on Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 11:16:04 PM EST
    He nailed this!!  

    He did indeed... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by G Davis on Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 11:36:40 PM EST
    Of course he'll be properly maligned and dismissed since he's...you know...a celebrity.


    Parent
    Only Sarah Palin (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by Faust on Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 11:41:10 PM EST
    gets no fault celebrity status. All other celebrities are effete liberal lightweights. Sarah Palin gives one speech (remember when giving one speech in wouldn't get you accross the "commander in chief" threshold?) and BAM it's ready on day one! Heck she's got more executive experience than Obama and Biden and McCain combined.

    For serious.

    Parent

    I agree (none / 0) (#4)
    by G Davis on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:24:25 AM EST
    But today I heard a few in the media doing a little grousing about this BS campaign and her being cloistered and talk about celebrity aimed at her.

    I've been calling media orgs trying to find email addresses and phone numbers answered by real people to suggest, ever so politely, they consider their programming since it appears to be reaching new levels of shallowness.  Not much luck making contact, but the whole situation has pissed this old lady off and I will get my revenge! ;)

    Parent

    This won't pull in the undecided Democratic vote (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by zaladonis on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 03:34:47 AM EST
    Those who are already voting for Obama may enjoy this Matt Damon piece but to undecideds it's insulting and mocks the point.

    The point is Obama is inexperienced as well.  Palin has less than two years as Governor but Obama has less than two years as a functioning US Senator.  Before that he was a part-time state Senator who did not distinquish himself with extraordinary achievement.  I'm not putting him down but it's the truth.

    So Matt Damon denigrating Palin this way, saying he's scared to have her near the nuclear code because she's like a Disney movie hockey mom, while ignoring the fact that Obama's inexperience is just as scary to a lot of Democrats, insults the concern that undecided Democrats believe is legitimate and serious.

    Obama is the PRESIDENTIAL candidate; Palin is the VICE Presidential candidate.  I think Democrats running Obama against Palin rather than McCain, saying McCain is probably going to die, is a big mistake.

    Matt is navel gazing with the choir (5.00 / 1) (#86)
    by fafnir on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 02:01:47 PM EST
    Matt Damon's concerns about Gov. Palin's lack of foreign affairs experience, as well as the myths he stated about her beliefs, are irrational.

    Besides, he's probably learned more about Gov. Palin over the last three weeks than he's learned about Sen. Obama over the last two years. But, I digress.

    For the sake of argument, lets suppose Sen. McCain wasn't able to fulfill his first term and Vice President Palin succeeds to the Presidency.

    Alas, Matt may seek reassurance in the Twenty-fifth Amendment to assuage his fears, where President Palin would simply nominate someone like, say a Joe Biden, with experience in foreign affairs.

    Under this scenario, doesn't the foreign affairs experience comparison between the top of the ticket and the bottom of the ticket appear somewhat familiar?

    Indeed, except, unlike Sen. Obama, Gov Palin's executive experience in running government, and doing it well, would likely imbue confidence rather concern about her qualifications to become Chief Executive in the minds of undecided voters.

    Since Democrats haven't differentiated themselves significantly from Republicans on issues that matter, the voters who will likely decide this election will identify with the ticket they trust to get the job (whatever it is) done.

    Unfortunately, the GOP ticket has the narrative advantage.

    Parent

    It is my opinion (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by mexboy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 03:42:05 AM EST
    That there is not much difference as far as experience goes between Obama and Palin.

    I know this is not a popular sentiment here, but Obama has not convinced me he would be a good leader.

    He has flip-flopped on issues that are important to me, and makes silly errors when he's not scripted.

    Will he make off the cuff remarks that will be viewed as insensitive by other world leaders? will those remarks be viewed as disrespectful? I am as concerned about this as Matt Damon is about Palin. Frankly I think the Democratic party is in bad shape right now.

    I wanted a Democratic president in the white house, but it is my opinion, he is not the right man for the job at this point in time, and it saddens me.

    I think Obama supporters (5.00 / 2) (#21)
    by zaladonis on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 04:07:09 AM EST
    who're trying to get more votes for him are going about it wrong.  This Matt Damon video is a good example.  It doesn't convince me, it insults me.

    I'm a longtime Democrat who always votes for the Democratic Pres candidate, and yet this year I'm not sure I can do it.  It has nothing to do with Hillary or gender or race; it has to do with character and experience and trust.

    Obama and his supporters are not helping to move me toward the Democratic lever.  And by the look of polls and what I'm hearing around me, it seems I'm not alone.

    Parent

    Exactly (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by mexboy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 04:24:56 AM EST
    I've said it a couple of times on this blog. I do not like her policies and yet I will defend her because I feel people are unfairly bullying her, and yes, that buttresses my already firm decision NOT to vote for the candidate who promised he would unify the country.

    I find it disheartening that the same people who cried foul when it was a fellow Democrat being attacked are now piling on on another woman, just because she belongs to a different party, and I will not stand by and watch it happen. Integrity matters.

    Now if you want to discuss her politics and where she stands on the issues we'd probably agree.

    I feel that all my posts need to state that this is my opinion, since frankly I feel intimidated to post here anymore.

    So to make it perfectly clear, the above post is my opinion.

    Parent

    Thanks MexBoy. (5.00 / 1) (#60)
    by Matt in Chicago on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:14:32 AM EST
    I agree with your sentiment, in my opinion her policies are wrong on many levels... but ignoring them to go for easy and hypocritical cheap shots is more likely to turn people off than it is to convince them.

    I mean who really believes that Matt Damen, spouting wild internet rumors, is someone we should be listening to?  While at the same time ignoring all of the women out there who are excited because they think Palin is "one of them"?

    No matter if Palin is right or wrong in our opinion, speaking only to the choir is not going to win this election.  And that is just my opinion.

    Parent

    Gov. Rod Blagovich D-IL hearts Palin (5.00 / 1) (#91)
    by Jellabean on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 04:40:04 PM EST
    Blagojevich, who supports favorite son U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for president, today criticized Democrats for belittling the experience of Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and took a jab at the work of legislators who run for executive positions...

    Blagojevich, who said he spent two summers after high school working on the Alaska pipeline, readily defended the executive experience that governors have in contrast to legislators when it comes to being presidential material.

    "I would hope the Democrats wouldn't say that about a governor," Blagojevich, a former state legislator and congressman, told [radio host Spike] O'Dell of criticism that the first-term Palin lacks experience.

    "The reality is, governors every day have to make decisions for better or for worse. That's part of the job. It's an executive position. And it's a position that is like what you're going to do when you're president. Legislators, they do different things. They debate and they pass their bills back and forth," he said.

    "But governors make decisions, and I think it's a tactical mistake for the Democrats to question Gov. Palin's experience when she's been a governor of a state," he said. "I don't think the size of the state is relevant. It's the kinds of decisions you have to make as governor.


    Parent

    Ok (2.00 / 0) (#33)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:37:54 AM EST
    And what are the issues that Sarah Palin advocates that you are in agreement with?  

    Just because the McCain campaign is playing concern troll with anything they can get their hands on, does not mean that Obama is making insensitive remarks.

    Parent

    The difference is the issues and (none / 0) (#71)
    by Aqua Blue on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:45:42 AM EST
    the core beliefs.

    The difference is between tolerance and intolerance.

    The difference is individual rights protected or dictated.

    Parent

    Um (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 04:56:10 AM EST
    Women's rights would be things like the right to choose or equal pay, you know things Obama supports and the GOP ticket views as an anethma; though actually given their opposition to equal pay I wonder how much less Palin would get as VP compared to Cheney?

    Not that I disagree - (5.00 / 2) (#28)
    by snstara on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:19:32 AM EST
    but don't women's rights also include the right to run for the highest, and next highest, office in the nation?

    The republican record on issues that affect women is overall awful.  However, the democrats sure lost the high road during the primaries - perhaps before, when certain democrats began deriding women as 'single issue voters.'

    Attacking Palin in this way is a bad strategy.  Matt Damon - Jason Bourne - is afraid of Sarah Palin? That's a punchline waiting to happen. When will people realize that having actors attack politicians does. not. work.?

    Parent

    Something people are missing completely. (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by mexboy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:45:10 PM EST
    This is about Obama.

    Obama willfully alienated half the Democratic voters. He in no uncertain terms told us he didn't need us, and they could replace us with younger voters. He NEVER reached out to us to heal the rift he and his campaign created.

    So, what does that do? It creates a void among women and people who feel his actions reveal his character and that we cannot support putting ego/self interest above the interest of the country.

    Then here comes McCain and brilliantly shows that part of the population; hey a woman is equal to any man, and this particular woman is at least as qualified to be VP as the Democratic presidential candidate is to be POTUS. So he puts her on the ticket!

    You can argue about her qualifications as you can argue about Obama's qualifications,  but the fact remains. Palin is on the ticket, and that action alone has raised the collective consciousness of the country about women.

    It was brilliant move by McCain at many levels: It reminds voters the Democratic party lacks a back bone. They talk about equality yet here comes a Republican and acts on equality.

    It also reminds voters why Obama didn't chose the one person who would have guaranteed him an easy victory in this election; Hilary Clinton.  Obama created this problem, and he promised he would unite us.

    This post is my opinion.

    Parent

    Did not miss it (none / 0) (#96)
    by snstara on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 05:41:26 PM EST
    and absolutely agree with it.

    In fact, I said this in a comment in an earlier thread.  ;)

    Parent

    Impeaching an Advocate 101 (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:19:58 AM EST
    Damon: "I think there's a really good chance that Sarah Palin could be president,

    and I think that's a really scary thing,

    cause I don't know anything about her."

    That's where I stopped listening.

    Ok (2.00 / 0) (#31)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:34:47 AM EST
    Well it would appear that you do know quite a bit about her.

    So could you tell us what her views on Palestine/Israel are?  How bout her views on taxes?  How bout her views on immigration rights?  

    Maybe you don't a lot about her.  Personally I know next to nothing.

    Parent

    Damon (5.00 / 2) (#39)
    by Mr Natural on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:59:16 AM EST
    opens his diatribe by admitting he knows nothing about her.

    Then, like any other self absorbed product of television, proceeds to share to what many now believe the equal of knowledge, his opinions.

    Parent

    Ahh (2.00 / 1) (#40)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 07:07:45 AM EST
    So you were just making a generic attack on Hollywood celebrities rather than addressing his point.

    He's not in an exclusive club when he admits he knows nothing about her.  

    Seems that is the case with most people.  

    Feel free to enlighten with her views on, well, just about everything.

    Parent

    But if he knows nothing about her (5.00 / 1) (#61)
    by Matt in Chicago on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:19:03 AM EST
    wouldn't it have been a more prudent course to do some research, before you sound off for everyone to hear?

    Or is gathering facts not in fashion anymore because it might influence how you "feel" on an issue?

    This seems like a case of passionate but factual-ignorance... which is still ignorance.

    Someone should remind Mr. Damen of that Mark Twain quote we all know!

    Now on to important stuff... when is that next Bourne movie coming out?? :)

    Parent

    And what is there to be learned (none / 0) (#63)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:22:38 AM EST
    by doing research?  I've done research and I can't find a thing about her on numerous critical issues.

    Parent
    So you're mad that a State Governor (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by Matt in Chicago on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:32:44 AM EST
    hasn't put out policy papers related to international politics?  Did Clinton before he ran?  Did Obama while he was in the Illinois Senate?

    Research her on the positions that matter to a State Governor... and then you're just going to have to wait with the rest of us to hear what her opinions are on these other issues.  I'll give you a hint :) I bet they are going to be pretty close to McCain's!

    My previous point was that Mr. Damen, rather than repeating a silly rumor... could have taken a few seconds to use the Google machine and figure out if those accusations had a shred of validity...

    (My apologies if I was unclear before)

    Parent

    It's been 2 weeks since Sarah Palin (none / 0) (#70)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:44:38 AM EST
    was announced as VP.  Bill Clinton was vetted for months during the primaries and was never afraid of speaking to the press.  

    She has done absolutely nothing to fill in the gaps.

    Parent

    You're grasping at straws on this one (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Matt in Chicago on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:31:37 PM EST
    simply because you don't like her.

    People are salivating for the first time she misspeaks and says she's for an undivided Jerusalem or has been touring the 57 States so they can "prove" their long felt (two weeks) opinion that she isn't qualified.

    I think people should be more afraid that she might just start speaking and NOT make a gaffe.

    Parent

    I neither like nor dislike her (none / 0) (#80)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:45:10 PM EST
    I oppose her politically.  

    Life is hard in the big leagues.  Gaffes are part of it.  I fail to see why Sarah Palin should be exempted from speaking to the press.  

    Parent

    How many months before Obama spoke to the media? (none / 0) (#73)
    by mexboy on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:19:35 PM EST
    As I remember he would make speeches and, oh yeah, one time he answered like seven questions already.

    Parent
    He started speaking to the national media (none / 0) (#79)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:43:46 PM EST
    4 years ago.

    Your factually challenged snark is duly noted.

    Parent

    Now that is a well written point. (none / 0) (#66)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:31:29 AM EST
    Kudos.

    Parent
    flyerhawk (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by cib on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:12:09 AM EST
    Could you kindly tell me, Sir, when the expressed views of your favorite Democratic Presidential candidate have dictated what he will do when in office? I seem to recall not only flip flop statements, but flip flop votes.

    As far as the two Presidential candidates are concerned I'm not sure which one is the bigger liar.

    What do the expressed views of the Vice Presidential candidate have to do with anything? Are you saying Palin is more trustworthy than McCain and OBama and henche you can trust she will act on them? Well, she'd still have to be President, wouldn't she?

    Parent

    This is ridiculous (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:15:15 AM EST
    No politician is completely consistent and they sometimes change their views and votes.

    But if you think that because he flipped on FISA that means that he can't be trusted on ANYTHING, then I really don't know why you bother following politics.

    If you think politicians no longer should be expected to state their views on important matters then, again, I fail to see why you bother following politics.

    Lastly, the discussion at hand is Sarah Palin, not Barack Obama or even John McCain.  If the McCain campaign wishes to use her as a shield then they should be prepared to see her get discredited.

    And until she starts stating her views rather than regurgitating the same biopic stump speech over and over, she is a hollow candidate that stands for nothing.

    Parent

    Why follow politics (none / 0) (#56)
    by cib on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:26:34 AM EST
    To see which side is going to be the one screwing me over, of course. And to see first hand, how other people can disregard the evidence of the recent political history of both parties and attach their hopes and dreams to one or the other.

    Once again, what does Palin's supposed stance on the issues matter when
    A. She is not going to be the President unless her running mate kicks the bucket
    B. We don't know what either Presidential candidate intends to do when in office, and there is NO mechanism for enforcing anything they promised. I've voted (done my civic duty if you will)for five Presidents now, holding my nose in four of the five elections. I've never yet had one that didn't promise me many things that were never delivered. Why do you think Obama will be different? Still belive in the tooth fairy?

    Jeralyn, at least, thinks that the appointment of Sarah Palin indicates that McCain must do the  bidding of evangelicals in his party. In short, she brings a voting block. But she's not the powerbroker: why should you care what she thinks about this or that, even assuming she gave you her true beliefs? Unless Jeralyn is right, what she believes will have next to no impact on a McCain Presidency : recent Republican Presidents have promised the christian right much and delivered little: I don't think McCain will be any different.

    Parent

    I care (none / 0) (#62)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:21:28 AM EST
    because the Vice President is one heart attack away from being President of the United States.  

    I care because I don't want someone with crazed political views occupying a seat of power.  And this notion that the Vice President is irrelevant is silly.  Teddy Roosevelt, Andrew Johnson, John Tyler, Lyndon Johnson, and Harry Truman all became Presidents from that seat.  Some of them were terribly(Andrew Johnson and John Tyler both governed in a way that completely conflicted with their own party's beliefs) and some were quite good.

    And that doesn't even address the fact that who a nominee picks is a reflection of the nominee.  In the case of McCain he picked someone that he met once and barely knows but who would further the culture war.

    They matter.  

    Parent

    Well (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by cib on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:21:28 PM EST
    I consider some Biden's view's pretty crazed.
    And there's always been lots of hateful or bigoted Senators, Whips, majority leaders, etc. Some smart enough to hide it, some not. Whatever makes you think you won't have someone with crazed views in the White House anyway? Obama didn't leave that crazy church until recently now, did he? I'd venture to say that both Obama and McCain, if you looked deep down, have some views that are way out of the mainstream.

    To a certain extent I think in your mind you have a Christian boogeywoman when you think of Palin. I've read lots about her on here and other blogs and I don't find her particualarily frightening. Most of her views are moderated by circumstance and she seems capable or working with both parties at least in Alaska, something a Vice President Buchanan probably wouldn't have been  able to do for instance. Thus some right wingers, some anti-abortionists and some hardline protestant churchgoers won't be able to stand her.
    The Southern Baptists will, and some Catholics, but last I heard a SB wasn't a member of a dangerous cult with far out of the mainstream views on most issues.

    Parent

    oh goody are we allowed to have this conversation (5.00 / 4) (#34)
    by Bornagaindem on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:39:56 AM EST
    Oh yes lets please have this conversation. Who is ready to be president Palin or Obama? I laugh because when you ask the obamacrats what has Obama done that qualifies him they huffily point out that the voters have been vetting him for 18 months and they have chosen him. Sorry Charlie that is not a qualification. I know the only thing he has ever done and accomplished is to run for office. And once he wins one he just starts running for the next one but I don't think we have a King of the world yet so we have to have him actually do something this time. And besides the people "vetted" Dubya, he was even elected twice and he clearly isn't qualified to be president.

    So lets look Obama was born. Check. That was supposed to be an accomplishment because he is the only one who was ever born of mixed race. He was a community organizer except the asbestos he was trying to get rid of is still there and it was an issue someone else started working against and he just jumped in. Oops. He ran for state legislature (after getting rid of everyone else on the ballot with technicalities-very sly). That is a part time job since at the same time he was with a law firm and was a lecturer at U Chicago (oh and he immediately ran for the house but lost). He voted present a lot and hit the wrong button at least 5 times he says. Emil Jones decided to make himself a US senator so he put Obama's name on all the legislation he could in the last year. Obama served on the board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge that gave out $120 million in grants and accomplished nothing. He apparently didn't know that the public private partnerships he still touts as being the solution for public housing didn't work even though he had at least 11 of them in his district that were run by his long time buddy Rezko. But Rezko did get rich off of them. Oh and can someone please point to something he made better or some group he motivated in a yes we can way in his district that he served for 8 years because that is the max he is going to get as president and I want to know what to expect. Oh you say there isn't any. Hmmm. And then he served 143 days as a US Senator -barely got his feet wet and sponsored no earth shattering break through legislation that would dazzle us with his great insight or produced even a single solution. As my mother-in-law pointed out you can't even apply to become a manager at McDonald's after 143 days of experience.

    Sarah Palin on the other hand if you believe the internet got what is touted to be 27 million dollars for her small town in Alaska from Washington and built a multi purpose sports center in her 8 years as mayor. PS she paid for it with a .5¢ rise in the sales tax. She then was instrumental in bringing down a corrupt politician from her own party in her state when she served on the board that oversees oil and gas production in her state. that plum job was supposed to shut her up. She had to resign to do it. As governor she negotiated a new contract with those nasty oil companies that hugely benefitted Alaskans in a transparent manner while Mukowski the former governor said it couldn't be done. And she got the oil companies to foot much of the bill for building the new gas pipeline, a better deal than the former "bosses" were even thinking about. And that is what I can remember off the top of my head. All in less than 2 years as Matt so helpfully pointed out.

    So yes lets please finally have this conversation 56 days out from the election. What has Obama actually accomplished?

    hmmmm... (5.00 / 0) (#55)
    by 18anapple2 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:24:55 AM EST
    hit the wrong button you say...so then he  is not good around buttons ..Matt Damon should be scared very V.E.R.Y scared..
    Sorry couldn't resist..what an idiotic argument!
    Yes we don't know her at the moment..the argument is that America only starts to pay attention after the conventions ergo Obama is "new" to most of America. That gives everybody about the same amount of time time to get to know both of them. Let the games begin...

    Parent
    Paid for it? (none / 0) (#54)
    by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:23:24 AM EST
    Here's a little hint, when you pay for something it doesn't leave you 20 million plus in debt.

    Parent
    RE: check out your facts (none / 0) (#97)
    by Bornagaindem on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 06:52:11 PM EST
    You borrow money to build something ie did you take out a mortgage to buy you house?

    http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/background/story/517370.html

    And should you truly want o know which myths are true and which are false check out this site -well documented

    http://explorations.chasrmartin.com/2008/09/06/palin-rumors/


    Parent

    Doesn't this...? (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by JAB on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:52:48 AM EST
    Just play into the "Obama is a celebrity" theme?

    Trust me - I think Matt Damon is ok - I might go see his movies.  But I am not going to be basing my voting decision on what he says.

    Hollywood (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by standingup on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 07:35:52 AM EST
    helping elect the Republicans again.  I don't know how many elections Democrats have to lose to learn but it is looking like it may take another one.

     

    Jeralyn, in an earlier thread (5.00 / 4) (#44)
    by tootired on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:00:41 AM EST
    you said that your primary goal is going to be to get out the vote of people who are already planning to vote for Obama. I have been doing GOTV for candidates, both local and national, since 1972. I have a few suggestions for you and anyone who reads TalkLeft. This is advice is free so it might not be worth much to you. ;^) People who are already sold on your candidate need information about when and how to vote - not information about the candidate. Sending something like this Damon interview out is a potential turn-off so I wouldn't do it. If you are not going to get a list of people to contact from the campaign, then I would open my personal address book and compose a short email. Something that tells the recipient that you are excited about the Obama/Biden ticket. You hope they are, too and that they are planning to vote for them. Give it a cheerlead at the end and remind them when to vote. You might ask them to share their own excitement with a few of their friends. No more than five sentences. A day or two before the election, send them a quick reminder that election day is fast approaching. Early on election day, send out an email saying that you have just returned from the polls and that voting for Obama/Biden had (excited you, made you proud, etc), and you hope that they feel that same way after they have voted, too. If you're sending the email to a state that has early voting or mail-in voting, adjust as necessary. One thing is for sure, don't waste their time on pushing the candidate. The sale has already been made, and the risk of turning someone off or pointing out something that they don't already know that might change a mind is real. Just ring up the cash register. The same pattern works for phone banking, but it takes a lot more time.

    Stated opinions ooooohhhh!!! (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by DancingOpossum on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:34:51 AM EST
    He has stated public opinions on such minor issues as the Middle East, Russia, China, immigration, taxation, and the economy.

    So have I. (Well, China not so much, but I've held forth at great length on the other stuff.) Can I be president too?

    You gotta admit, (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:04:36 AM EST
    Damon's got some real comedic chops: "I need to know if she thinks dinosaurs were around 4000 years ago, because, you know, she's got the nuclear codes." You can't make this stuff up...

    The "bad disney movie" analogy... (none / 0) (#57)
    by kdog on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:38:32 AM EST
    was classic as well.  Well played Matt.

    Parent
    "Really bad Disney movie." (none / 0) (#65)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:27:31 AM EST
    He just cut his employment opportunities down by about 20%...not that he needs to ever be employed again, probably.

    Parent
    I know (none / 0) (#64)
    by Matt in Chicago on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:25:19 AM EST
    even when I think he is being kind of a fool... I just like the guy.  The dinosaur line was pretty funny :)

    Parent
    Sorry, Matt Damon. Not convinced. (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by echinopsia on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:59:36 AM EST
    Exactly why aren't you freaked out about an equally inexperienced man we know very little about handling the nuclear codes and "facing down" Putin?

    Oh yeah. `Cuz he's a guy, and guys just naturally know how to do these things. It's all in that Y chromosome.

    Dude, if you really wanted someone mature and experienced in the White House, you should have supported Hillary.

    Should have supported Hillary (none / 0) (#76)
    by cib on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:26:03 PM EST
    He probably did.

    But now that she lost he's in shill mode for the Democratic party. As everyone in HollyWood knows, Republicans are evil. I bet Matt Damon never voted for a Republican in his life. I also think Jason Bourne would be ashamed (if the character was real in some way) to think he was being played by a  man too lazy to do a few hours of internet research. There's now lots of info on Palin, and more emerges all the time. I've enjoyed the movies, too bad Bourne, the real man,  is too lazy to gather some political intelligence.

    Parent

    Nah, he probably didn't. n/t (none / 0) (#93)
    by echinopsia on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 07:21:53 PM EST


    Parent
    Matt Damon is NOT right. (4.00 / 3) (#5)
    by hillaryisbest on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:41:14 AM EST
    Get out of the liberal bubble folks.  I know - I used to be there too.

    As Sarah would say "newsflash" insulting hockey moms, value voters, women etc etc is not going to win one single vote of the people Obama needs most.  Sure it makes all the people who are already on his side to see Matt trash Obama but centrist and right of center women voters will be crucial to both camps victory.

    So go ahead and blog about this all you want but if you are an Obama supporter - posts like this that state Obama is right and pass it on regarding Damon's interview is really poor strategy on your teams part.

    I'm not on a team (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:46:01 AM EST
    and I'm not trying to reach Independents, conservatives or even women voters, other than committed Democrats.

    I'm turning my attention, as I said here, to getting out the Democratic vote.

    My goal is to reach as many Democrats as possible to get the message out that McCain/Palin is a disaster for our values and our democracy and they must not stay home in November.

    Voter turnout among Democrats in the swing states could decide the election. It's really whether there are more of them or more of us. They are now energized, due to Palin.

    If you are pro-choice, pro-stem cell research, want universal health care and to preserve your social security benefits, want your child to be able to afford college, don't want your child to be at risk of having to go to some foreign land and die in an ill-advised war, if you care about new jobs and the housing crisis, about the high cost of gas and groceries, about the preservation of your constitutional rights, about reducing our over-reliance on incarceration for non-violent crimes, and have any sense of environmentalism, you can't stay home. And you should be spreading the message.



    Parent
    As I see it (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by phatpay on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 03:15:35 AM EST
    not just Dems, but everyone.
    Republicans talk values politics, but they don't live it. It's just politically expedient for them.
    If you are lower middle class (and 90% of the US makes less than 60k annually) you are voting against yourself if you vote Republican.

    Everyone has a higher standard of living under Democratic economic stewardship.

    We literally cannot afford another Republican president. We are 10 trillion in debt as it is.
    They are completely irresponsible with power.

    How they ever get half of this nation to march dutifully in line is a mystery to me.

    Parent

    Disappointing (5.00 / 0) (#42)
    by cib on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:04:00 AM EST
    All that stuff you listed:

    And your candidate and party haven't shown they can guarantee a single damn thing, esp. the Universal Health Care.

    I can sort of understand your stance as it concerns Sarah Palin, though as an independent, I think you  labor under misconceptions as to how much of a threat to your religious and reproductive rights she really is. She's not an uber-conservative ( I can easily show you religious people who think she's a sell out)except to someone like you, who is on the left side of things.

    But pretending those ineffective,dishonest schmoes in the Democratic party have shown any propensity to actually legislatively satisfy their base: I must say, Jeralyn, I'm disappointed in you.

    The only reason to vote Democrat or Republican these days is fear of the other. Neither party stands for much of anything.

    Parent

    Go with that strategy if you want but I don't (none / 0) (#10)
    by hillaryisbest on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:58:32 AM EST
    think turning out the Democratic base is going to be the problem.

    And I'm not sure why you would take offense or take personally about being on a team and such.  It was obvious my comment was directed at Obama supporters that are interested in winning the election.  Whether that characterization fits you or not doesn't matter to me.

    Parent

    I didn't take it personally (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 01:02:52 AM EST
    I was talking about another commenter who posted a very rude comment that I deleted. Sorry, I should have made that clearer. Your comment was fine.

    Parent
    Say what?! (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Socraticsilence on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 04:53:22 AM EST
    Yeah normal people are Sportscasters then politicians, that's way more normal than working with the poor like Obama, I mean when I think think average joe I think a Sportscaster. Seriously, some of this "common man" stuff is pure propoganda. Seriously, this "superiority of small towns" crap is just as condescending as the supposed elitism of Obama supporters.

    Parent
    Agree...passing this video along to the (5.00 / 2) (#50)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:48:31 AM EST
    circular file....sorry, but when did it become fashionable to take into consideration what Damon has to say on politics?  

    Parent
    Matt Damon has great courage.... (none / 0) (#69)
    by Aqua Blue on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:43:50 AM EST
    and I like him all the more now.

    He is bright and principled and obviously loves his country.

    Oh, that many other celebs would come forward.

    Parent

    Yeah THAT will help Obama. (none / 0) (#75)
    by Matt in Chicago on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:25:40 PM EST


    Parent
    Tell me you're not.. (none / 0) (#78)
    by desertswine on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:32:26 PM EST
    Izzy Mandelbaum.

    IZZY: (hostile) Oh, so now you think you're better than me?

    IZZY JR.: (indicating Izzy) You think you're better than him?!


    Parent

    Taking the longview (3.50 / 2) (#36)
    by jb64 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:50:43 AM EST
    I believe that there are plenty of Independents and "undecided" Democrats that have/will come to the same conclusion that Matt Damon has.

    Sarah Palin is the biggest pander in the history of Presidential politics.It's the ultimate twofer, values voters, and women. John McCain could not care less about women's issues, or values voters for that matter. He only cares about winning, and he has gladly sold his soul to do it. And Palin? She will gladly play along with this cynicism because, after all, she's just another politician.

    WTF? (2.00 / 0) (#32)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:36:09 AM EST
    So anyone woman should be supported in politics regardless of her politics?

    I assume you are an ardent Cynthia McKinney supporter as well?

    the fastest way to get banned (none / 0) (#8)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:48:12 AM EST
    on this site is to include insults and name-calling in your comments. They are not tolerated.

    A friend of mine put it thus: (none / 0) (#12)
    by blogtopus on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 01:10:39 AM EST
    "It's like having someone you went to high school with suddenly become President. Out of the blue. You hear they're a teacher or something, and then bang, they're President. Scary."

    I think Palin may have gotten a lot of Evangelicals to get off the fence, but it did a couple of good things, too. It may have convinced Obama that the religious right vote is not reachable, and it got a lot of fence-sitters to join up with him. They think about Palin with the nuke-u-lar codes and it makes them freak.

    Granted, I was freaked when W. got the codes, too.

    I get freaked out (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by makana44 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 03:39:38 AM EST
    when I wake up sweating from a nightmare in which Barack Obama is reading My Pet Goat to a classroom of preschoolers.

    I don't think he was reading codes though.

    Seriously, show me how Obama is more qualified to be keeper of the codes than Palin - because he's male? He's as shallow as she is, but certainly a better writer (so far, at least).

    There are only two people in this race with the real stature and experience to begin even dreaming of being President of the United States and Leader of the Free World, and that's Biden and McCain.

    Get real, the other two are as qualified as is Matt Damon and both would be doing exactly the same thing - acting.

    Parent

    It's the McCain, ... (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by robrecht on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:55:39 AM EST
    Does McCain really have the stature to be president?  1 month after 9/11 he was promoting on national entertainment TV the idea that Iraq might be the 2nd phase of our military response to 9/1.  Based on an indication that Iraq was responsible for the antrax attacks on Democratic congressmen and journalists, 'though he admitted he didn't have conclusive proof.  This was before the administration started making this case with 4 unnamed sources.

    Do we really want another president so cavalier about false intelligence justifying stupid wars???

    Does someone who publically sings about "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb-Iran" really have the stature to be president???

    Parent

    Well for starters (none / 0) (#30)
    by flyerhawk on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:31:01 AM EST
    He has stated public opinions on such minor issues as the Middle East, Russia, China, immigration, taxation, and the economy.

    What the heck does Palin believe with regards to these issues?  

    Parent

    Ha ha ha (none / 0) (#14)
    by syrupcore on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 02:00:29 AM EST
    Dinosaurs line ftw!

    The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard (none / 0) (#17)
    by withoutparty on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 03:29:39 AM EST
    That's what Palin reminds me of, in a way.  It was a great BBC show (1 season only) that starred Jane Horrocks (Bubble from AbFab).

    The thing I've noticed with Palin lovers that I've encountered, is that they don't seem to flock to her because they agree with her policies, per se, or her religious beliefs...They flock to her because she seems to have spunk and is not East Coast based (ie. Washington outsider).  Logic seems to fly out the window, I suppose, on policy issues.  Not that the people I know are an adequate straw poll, by any means.  But I think it speaks to the fact that a lot of people in America see the Presidential election as some sort of glorified American Idol as opposed to something that can actually affect the outcomes of people's lives around the world.  

    Actuarial Tables (none / 0) (#35)
    by robrecht on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 06:45:47 AM EST
    Does anyone have more information about that 1 in 3 chance that McCain would die in office?

    Politico (5.00 / 0) (#53)
    by pooks1976 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:20:15 AM EST
    Politico did a story on this about a week ago.  I can't find the story but here is a link on how they calculated their math.  McCain's likelihood of dying in his first term is somewhere between 13% to 14%, not 1 in 3, though still not good.

    Link

    Parent

    Thanks, pooks (none / 0) (#98)
    by robrecht on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 06:20:27 AM EST


    Parent
    Professional actuary (none / 0) (#99)
    by robrecht on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 06:24:56 AM EST
    Your link suggests that one would need to consult a professional actuary to factor in medical history.  Wonder if anyone has done that with McCain's 4? cases of melanoma, etc?

    Always better to use facts than speculation or Hollywood superstars.  But perhaps even Hollywood superstars can occasionaly cite facts???

    Parent

    Well his mom is 96 or something like that... (none / 0) (#49)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:44:12 AM EST
    ...and pretty dam sprightly.

    Parent
    Why is it ok to mock/paint Palin as a (none / 0) (#46)
    by ding7777 on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:19:46 AM EST
    "creationists", but absolutely out-of-bounds to mocks/paint Obama as a "muslim"?

    simple answers to not that smart questions (none / 0) (#51)
    by wreck on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:01:18 AM EST
    Um...because Palin IS a creationist and a dominionist. Barack Obama isn't a Muslim. Period.

    Parent
    Except the answer isn't that simple. (5.00 / 0) (#58)
    by tootired on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 10:40:23 AM EST
    Sarah Palin believes in evolution. Her father is a science teacher, and she has spent a lot of time looking for fossils with him. She knows that dinosaurs were long gone 4000 years ago. Like a great many people, she has a difficult time believing that evolution got its start all on its own, a belief shared by many religious scientists.  She does believe that her Christian values should guide her as a politician, but so does Obama. He wants to expand faith-based initiatives, says that he can't answer when fetuses should be given constitutional rights because "his pay grade isn't high enough", and he brought religious participation into the Democratic Convention at a higher level than it has been in my lifetime. The problem with buying into the two second sound bites is that when the truth surfaces, we are left with egg on  our faces, and McCain/Palin scores points. I'm an atheist, and Palin's religion creeping into public policy scares the sh!t out of me, but Obama's does, too. Pot meet kettle. We aren't going to score any points on this one. Better to back off from the fight.

    Parent
    Perhaps our all time winner (none / 0) (#48)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 09:40:42 AM EST
    of "Most Ironic Moniker."

    This Blog is Now Officially a Joke (none / 0) (#59)
    by dabinsea on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:12:28 AM EST
    Matt Damon?  Are you for real?

    Hollywood endorsements (none / 0) (#68)
    by onlyme on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 11:39:03 AM EST
    do not help Obama win over the blue-collar types. The Hollywood liberals are perceived as spoiled hypocritical elitists. Nor does the focus on Palin help. The focus needs to shift to issues.

    Why do some think that being in movies makes one's opinion some how more valid, that being in movies makes one perceptive politically? I've never understood that.  

    well. (none / 0) (#83)
    by connecticut yankee on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:52:34 PM EST
    I am worried about her judgement. She did discuss banning books with the town librarian. On two occasions she brought it up and the librarian said she wouldnt stand for it and Palin fired her the same week.  Now Palin said it was because she felt the librarian wouldnt support her mayorship, etc.  But it worries me.

    At the time of the incident Palin's church was up in arms over some "gay" book. Something like, "Pastor, I'm gay" or something.  That could be why she was interested in the subject.

    Odd buncha comments. (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 02:13:02 PM EST
    Some might label you a "concern troll" - but not me.
    It's almost like you're brand new to TL. Oh, your first comment was only 9 days ago...

    ABC NEWS: Alaska Librarian Can't Recall Palin Asking to Ban Books
    September 10, 2008

    The librarian at the center of a 1996 controversy with then-Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin says she can't recall any effort by Palin to ban specific books from the town library.

    But of course you knew that already...

    Parent
    Also (none / 0) (#84)
    by connecticut yankee on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:53:41 PM EST
    The town librarian doesnt want to discuss it much, says it was a bad time for her and she wants to move on.  SHe has said she can't recall any conversation about specific titles.  A reporter in the town says the librarians told her 3 books were at issue.

    Parent
    oops (none / 0) (#85)
    by connecticut yankee on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 12:54:54 PM EST
    Librarian told him three books were at issue.

    --correction.

    Parent

    10 comments yankee (none / 0) (#88)
    by waldenpond on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 03:03:27 PM EST
    Reminder.. new commenters (less than 30 days) are limited to 10 comments per day.  Yesterday you had 20, today you are at 13.  Thanks.

    Parent
    I kind of doubt you are a democrat (none / 0) (#90)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 04:13:37 PM EST
    Just reviewing some of your other posts. You would be a very unusual Democrat.

    What neat gift are you going to get with your McCain points?

    Parent

    She's repeatedly said she's a Hillary supporter (none / 0) (#92)
    by Jellabean on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 05:46:01 PM EST
    And has been pretty vehement about it. What is with the "you're not one of us" mentality around here. If you disagree with someone or you don't agree with every strident and unfair attack then you are somehow not pure enough.

    Who made you the arbiter of who is enough of a Democrat Molly Bloom? I don't see your post as helpful or on topic.

    This is why I use FoxyProxy to hide my whereabouts because I don't want to be hunted down by rabid partisans at my home or work.

    On topic:
    Palin did not ban books in Wasilla as mayor

    Now since I'm debunking a lie about Palin, I guess I'm not enough of a Democrat for you either.


    Parent

    well (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by connecticut yankee on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:34:56 PM EST
    Ah but that's not the full story either.

    The issue with Palin isnt that she banned books but that she approached the librarian asking how she would react to that.  The librarian made it clear that she wouldnt allow that.  The librarian now lives elsewhere and wants to put the matter behind her. She has said that she "can't recall" if Palin gave her a list of specific titles.

    A reporter said that at the time the librarian mentioned 3 titles were at issue, one of which was a book re-evaluating christian views towards homosexuality called "Pastor, I'm gay", written by a local pastor.  There are reports that Palin's church was at that time up in arms over the book. Which could be the tie-in.  Palin's church is one those places where they believe you can "pray away" homosexuality.

    So the librarian was then fired.  There are several versions of this portion. One article suggests the issue was raised twice and the librarian was fired the same week as the second instance.  Another article suggests the librarian was fired months later.  Palin says the efforts were political because she sensed the librarian wouldnt support her mayorship.

    There was a protest, a recall was mentioned and eventually the librarian was reinstated after some negotiation.

    That Palin actually banned books is not true.  The issue is that she caused a local furor by firing the librarian after floating the idea and being told it wouldnt be acceptable.  Now Palin may have fired the librarian for other reasons, I can't say.

    Its an interesting story but I need more information. I'd like to hear Palin say something.

    Parent

    go read all of his/her posts and get back to me (none / 0) (#95)
    by Molly Bloom on Thu Sep 11, 2008 at 08:42:50 PM EST
    Its not a question of whether s/he is or is not allowed to disagree. But words have meaning. To proclaim oneself to be a member of the Democratic party has meaning.

    I don't know many democrats who think this about Bush

    Or thinks Bill Clinton is poison even in red states

    Most HRC supporters would want her in charge of health care. Yet Devon does not.

    21 posts total. Beginning on September 11, 2008.

    And as for you, very undemocratic of you  to deny me the right to an opinion.

    Shall we begin examining all 29 of your posts?

    Parent

    Late Night: Matt Damon on President Palin | 90 comments (90 topical)

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