Pa. insiders react to debate

By Dan Hirschhorn, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

The presidential candidates had barely left the stage of their first debate Friday night when their respective campaigns and surrogates tried to claim victory.

Below are statements from local insiders on the debate.

Gov. Ed Rendell (D):

"First, Barack Obama showed that he is guided by the right principles when it comes to the financial bailout. And he showed the same steady and precise attitude toward foreign policy in tonight’s debate that he showed this week in the negotiations over the financial bailout plan. Our national security and place in the world depends in large part on our economic security here at home, and based on what we just saw, it’s clearer than ever that Barack Obama is the candidate to lead us back to the prosperity and respect that eight years of Bush-McCain policies destroyed."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D):

"What we heard tonight from Senator McCain was more of the same failed foreign policies of President Bush. As President, Barack Obama will focus on the central front in the war on terror: Afghanistan and Pakistan, not Iraq."

Former Gov. Tom Ridge (R):

"John McCain has always risen above politics to get things done. He displayed this not only tonight, but also in his response this week to the economic crisis that continues to affect every American family. Now, more than ever, our country needs a proven leader and patriot who will accept and confront the challenges we face at home and abroad. Tonight, the American people saw the very clear reasons why that leader is John McCain."

State GOP Chair Robert Gleason:

"Clearly, Barack Obama does not understand what it will take to keep our country safe on an increasing volatile world climate. John McCain, an American war hero, has a solid grasp of foreign policy matters and understands the naivety surrounding Barack Obama’s assertion that, if elected our next United States President, he would meet with our nation’s enemies, like the radical Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. John McCain understands that protecting our country is paramount and is not willing to subscribe to the risky strategies that Obama would employ."

DAN HIRSCHHORN is a PolitickerPA.com Reporter and can be reached via email at danh@politickerpa.com.

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Comments

Next time Obama says "I paid

posted by Joe R

Next time Obama says "I paid for everyone of them." when he refers to his programs I'm gonna puke.

It's not their money, its ours.

Will they never learn?

09/28/08 7:06 pm

... And who cares what like

posted by Joe R

... And who cares what like minded PA pols think?

09/28/08 7:08 pm

Get Real

posted by Jim D

Anyone that thinks Obama is going to bring back the economy of the 90's better think again. The surplus has a lot to do with the personal computer becoming commonplace. If you think about it, most homes and businesses made the transition to pc's during that time. NASDAQ (which deals primarily with technology) was around 5,000, and probably won't ever reach that point again. Do yourself a favor and stop giving credit to politicians for something they didn't do (on both sides).

The only thing Clinton did was ruin the internet (it's been around since '67, Gore didn't invent it - they only opened it up to all the virus and trojan nonsense you have to deal with today). Washington didn't understand what was going on, but rushed to spend that money didn't it? Clinton's policies also contributed to the dot com fiasco at the end of the 90's. The sector should've enjoyed more prosperity if the government hadn't stuck it's fingers in. Remeber that next time a politician brags. It's pure BS.

Clinton's too arrogant to admit that, and Obama will only hurt the economy further if he uses the same ill-formed policies. Any of you doubt that, then by all means PROVE ME WRONG. No rhetoric, no he or she said this or that - PROVE IT.

09/29/08 8:45 am