Re: [Marxism] The Third Debate

[David Walters <davidw@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think Joaquin gave a very good neutral analysis of the debate. It's 
important to step out of the 'left' political analysist role for a 
second and try to view this through the rather mawkish view of US 
elections. I think Joaquin did this well. The bottom line is did McCain 
win over independents or not. That's the only question, really.

I've been following the energy debate carefully, from my own point of 
view on this. It's clear both candidates are using throw-away lines and 
don't really have a handle on the issue at all. They are letting their 
advisers do all the talking. McCain has more..."experience" on the 
subject than Obama does, having authored several large energy bills. But 
it's clear from his own statements, he really doesn't get the 
science/engineering or economics of it. His bills on energy are written 
by lobbyists, period.

Obama comes from the most highly nuclearized state in the US, Illinois. 
 From day one the utilities in his state have been big spenders. Obama 
has *changed* his position on nuclear energy from understated opposition 
to a grudging acceptance of it. This reflects poll numbers that show the 
largest opinion on nuclear is pro-nuclear. But nuclear doesn't resonate 
among any sector of the population it seems, pro- or anti-, outside of 
activist and lobby groups in both directions. That is: it is not a make 
or break issue for people voting in this election. Thus Obama's move 
away from the somewhat "anti-" to the mild "pro-" position. It costs him 
nothing. It's a wishy-washy position but McCain simply is too inept to 
take advantage of it. Obama has simply let his handlers dictate policy 
around the mildly pro-nuclear sentiment that has been growing over the 
last few years in the US. This actually makes Obama look weak, IMO, 
because he's never lead on energy even against other Democrats in the 
primaries.

David

________________________________________________
YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message.
Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Set your options at: 
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40archives.econ.utah.edu