McCain and the Magic Blackberry

The latest buzz, McCain invented the Blackberry. Now obviously this is a stretch, we all know he didn't. We all know his campaign adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin just meant that McCain, by being on the Commerce committee, had lead to the innovations of cell phones in every hand. My question, did he even manage that feat? No. What he did was vote against the legislation that gave the FCC the authority to auction various used, unused and poorly-used wireless frequency spectrums. Here's the line that gives that specific authority (emphasis added):

The Commission shall, during fiscal years 1994 through 1998, use the competitive bidding process authorized under the amendment made by subsection (b) to grant all radio spectrum licenses for which two or more mutually exclusive applications have been filed, including the 200 megahertz of spectrum made available to the Commission under this subtitle, and including the licenses issued for a personal communications service established pursuant to the proceeding entitled `Amendment to the Commission's Rules to Establish New Personal Communications Services'

The vote for this was 50-50. Obviously it had more in it than just this small piece in it. The 'Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993' was a total budget package that included many things, including various tax increases and reductions. The reason that Republicans voted against it, was because it cut spending and raised taxes. Of course no good politician raises taxes right? Well, this legislation, which Al Gore broke the tie in, is credited by several non-partisan groups for the budget surpluses of the 1990's. It created as much as $141 billion in surplus to offset the projected $360 billion deficit through 1998. It has been argued, that these budget surpluses helped boost the economy in the 1990's.

Not only did John McCain not create the framework for the current cell phone industry, he voted against the bill that created the surpluses that Republicans always dream about, or at least talk about, but never achieve.


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Twisting the truth.

Every politician does it. We all do it to a certain extent. Telling a date we're more athletic than is the reality. Telling a job interviewer we had a few more responsibilities than we did. It is just something we all have learned to do to get ahead. When public figures do it however, there are plenty of people who are willing to throw in their two cents(with the price of gas I'm now charging a nickle for my thoughts.) I'm learning to laugh at the weekly spins, and becoming more disheartened at the increase in flat out lies.

It has become common practice to use what your opponent says against them by carefully selecting what you quote, then telling everyone how they're wrong or "out of touch." While obnoxious and slightly misleading, it is the bigger stuff that hurts the average voter and will send many to apathy this year. There are still people questioning Obama's religion. Even people who know about all the news with his former pastor still think he might not be a Christian.

It would seem to me that lately, the GOP has been trying to over spin more than normal. I would guess they are trying to fight off accusations of bringing a 3rd Bush to the White House along with all the other scars from the current president. It feels like they're willing to say anything to get people to vote for their party over the ones they are competing with. Topics like Iraq, where suddenly, when Obama said he would listen to his commanders on the ground and adjust his plan accordingly, people are saying he's on McCain's side and he is waffling on his own policies. When did listening to strategy from the people who know more about a topic turn into giving up? I guess McCain was giving up on reducing the deficit when he suggested millions in business tax breaks?

The answer of course is no. Obama is not going to stay in Iraq, he still plans to withdraw, but he is saying, and has said since the primaries, that he would accept suggestions for how to accomplish this from his commanders. McCain is not giving up on the budget deficit, he plans on dealing with it, his priority is assisting businesses with their taxes first. Hopefully that will trickle down and help the economy (I compare it to pouring water on a 3 foot stack of paper towels, some of the water might leave a wet spot on the bottom, but the top towels will be soaked.)

Personally I enjoy watching the creative way people are spinning news now. Obama says he won't take public financing? Everyone is up in arms over the "disadvantage" McCain will have on the advertising front. The GOP just started a $3 million ad campaign in 4 states using an "independent expenditure committee." In simple terms is a group of people who collect money on behalf of a party, not a candidate, and they can spend it however they want. It is almost like a dreaded 527 group, except it is run by a party instead of a group of like-minded people who have no certain political affiliations, just common policy goals. Considering that the GOP has well over $50 million in the bank, they should have no problem keeping up with Obama's juggernaut of donors. I'm sure they plan to complain the whole way though.
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