Obama has begun discussing the economic recovery plan that would bring relief to the states with the country’s governors. The New York Times reports that being a former Senator himself, Obama relates to needs of state and local governments.  He promised he would be open to ideas, coming from both Democrats and Republicans. Obama also said he “would not delay” in pushing the economic recovery plan. This discussion only revealed even more hard times this country and president-elect Obama have in front of them.

As the U.S. deals with issues overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and most recently Mumbai, three large automakers here in America are asking for more money in their lucrative loan settlements from the government. General Motors is asking for $18 billion, Ford wants $9 billion and Chrysler wants $7 billion.  CNN shows that the automakers’ turnaround plans included commitments to make more hybrids and no more corporate jets, as well as a promise to return to profitability in the next few years.

Ivan Eland, Director of the Center on Peace & Liberty, discusses other presidents who have entered into office while facing “uphill tasks,” such as Cleveland, Roosevelt and Ford. However historically, he points out, the economy is usually resilient and eventually rights itself. Eland argues that Obama’s toughest challenge may be the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Coming into the White House in January, president-elect Obama will indefinitely face many challenges. While Americans may dispute which challenge is the worst, the real challenge is to save our country. We have to believe that Obama will do what is best for the United States and that he can take on these challenges. America made its’ choice, and all we can do now is sit back and watch.

Even if you are a Republican, you have to admit, the Clinton administration presided over a substantial economic growth. The economy grew for 16 consecutive months and created 22.5 million jobs, the most in history. That all sounds pretty good to me and if Obama is willing to work with the people who helped this happen, why is that a problem?

Critics worry that Obama may just “cut and paste” cabinet members from the Clinton administration, without giving other competent government officials a chance. Another issue in the cabinet selection is the possible secretary of state job which may end up going to Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Supporters for Mrs. Clinton for President may see this as a slap in the face. If she continued to work as a senator, she would be working for the people, but if she would take the job as secretary of state she would be working directly for Obama. As of November 18, Clinton is still unsure about taking the job, even though she has met with Obama to discuss it.

Even more critics are afraid that Obama’s cabinet choices could be an insult to women. CBS News reports that this is so because he is only considering two female choices for his cabinet, while George W. Bush supplied seven women with jobs on his cabinet.

As a woman, who voted for Obama, I have to say that I couldn’t care less about the race, gender or previous (Clinton administration) experience of the people Obama is planning to choose as his cabinet members. As long as they have the right political mindset to help the economy and help lead this country in the right direction, that’s all that matters.

Palin’s first remarks after losing the election were that she “couldn’t even imagine” running for office. But after this week of inviting the media into her house and appearing on several shows, many political spectators say this may be a way of re-creating herself. Palin told CNN that at this point, she wouldn’t declare considering to run.

The NY Times discusses Palin trying to rehabilitate her image. A former Palin advisor says that perhaps she should call the media “jerks” just once, and then leave it alone. Another reporter even says that the media is responsible for “stoking” her run for office in 2012. Either way, the words are out there, and many people are excited to hear her name in the running. A new poll shows that 86 percent of Republicans hold a favorable view of Palin, while the opposite party, as you might guess, shows the opposite. 48 percent of Independents hold Palin in high regards and only 27 percent of Democrats hold Palin in a favorable view.

As much as people talked about the election before it even happened, I never thought they would continue to talk about both parties after it was over. It’s almost as if Palin couldn’t get enough of looking “mis-informed.” Obviously, as a Democrat, I am not one of the 27 percent that holds her in a favorable view. I think it’s time to move on in America. We elected a new President. He will be sworn into office in January 2009. Let’s leave 2012 alone…until we get there.

Obama’s speech was a powerful one that thanked his wife, daughters and grandma, who passed away the day before he won the election. He discussed the economic crisis he will fight in the years ahead and thanked all of his supporters. Barack also congratulated Senator McCain and Governor Palin, and said he “looks forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.”

Barack spoke and made history. However, I still commend John McCain on his concession speech. He spoke well and was very respectful. His crowd of supporters tried to “boo” Barack Obama, but McCain stopped them. It looked as if Sarah Palin was crying, however she didn’t speak so it was hard to tell. They were obviously disappointed, but were still respectful. McCain even told Americans that “…we [Americans] never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history.”

So, the election is over. But the fight for America has just begun. However, Jon Stewart’s correspondents might not feel this way. There was a hilarious show on last night covering the election, in which all of the correspondents were having post-election fears. What were they going to cover next? Luckily, Jon Stewart leads them to what’s next.

The republicans fought a tough fight. Although the democrats won, there is still much that needs to accomplished by both parties to help get America back on track. Here’s hoping we can all work together.

Sarah Palin is scheduled to hold a “Road to Victory Rally”at BGSU tomorrow, Wednesday October 29. I heard today that the tickets are already sold out at the Anderson Arena, which seats 5,500 people. Luckily, BGSU students were informed via e-mail that the University does not support either candidate and would have hosted the Obama/Biden campaign as well, if they had asked. Fhew, I was worried (not).

Not to be out done, former President Bill Clinton will be in Toledo on Thursday to campaign for Obama. Let’s hope he doesn’t run into John McCain, who will be continuing the “rally” in Defiance, Ohio, about an hour and a half south of Toledo.

It’s crunch time, people! All of these candidates and supporters are coming our way, trying to get us to vote for them. Don’t let their visits to wonderful Ohio be a waste of time. Next Tuesday is election day, so get out there and vote! I know, I know, that is way too cliche. But this is an exciting time in all of our lives, and with the polls so close in numbers, who knows? It may actually come down to Ohio…and wouldn’t that be a great story to tell our grand-children?

In honor of election day, I’ll blog more next Wednesday about the results. Are you as excited as I am?

Joe the Plumber is a man originally from Holland, Ohio, just 20 miles down the road from Bowling Green. Barack Obama stopped by his hometownto talk to American people about any issues in the election. He ran into this Joe the Plumber and Joe asked about Obama’s tax plan. Joe asked why Obama plans to tax “someone else’s hard work.” Barack Obama says his plan would raise taxes on Americans who make over $250,000, up from 36% to 39% (which is what it was under Bill Clinton), and this would benefit 95% of Americans. Joe contests that the number may become lower and lower, $150,000 or $100,000.

Joe Wurzelbacher works for Newell Plumbing & Heating Co. but is not licensed and cannot work in Lucas County outside of Toledo. In 2006, Joe made $40,000. He also has $1,183 in unpaid personal property taxes.

In the debate on Wednesday, October 15, Joe the Plumber’s name was brought up 23 times. Yes, 23 times! McCain and Palin have made Joe the Plumber the main point in their campaign! Seriously? It’s unfortunate when the newspaper must report that Palin cried out “Are there any Joe the Plumbers in the house?” when visiting the University of Findlay. The McCain campaign might not be making the best move here, especially since Joe the Plumber (as of right now) would actually benefit from Obama’s tax plan.

At least there is evidence proving we’re not all swayed easily by supposed “Joe the Plumber” types. Obama still leads in Ohio, and apparently we weren’t all swayed by Joe. I think it’s about time for Joe’s 15 minutes of fame to be up…

First, the vice presidential debate, held on Thursday, October 2. Many reporters agreed that neither Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin or Senator of Delaware Joe Biden slipped into stereotypes, which is definitely a good thing. However, many “main-street” people did not see the debate the same way. It seemed as if Sarah Palin was playing her same old “hockey mom, joe 6-pack, maverick” role, while Joe Biden discussed how much he loved John McCain as a person, just not the next president. Both vice presidential candidates did have a few things in common. Both do not approve of gay marriage, although Biden does approve of same sex benefits. Both Biden and Palin have sons in Iraq or sons that are going to Iraq. Both candidates also praised their running mates, Obama and McCain, which is what (I assume) they were told to do.

And now, for the parody. Saturday Night Live’s Tina Fey, Jason Sudeikis, and guest Queen Latifah took on the roles of Sarah Palin, Joe Biden and the moderator, Gwen Ifill. The clip is hilarious, especially with the resembelence of Tina Fey to Sarah Palin. Fey dodged every question and talked about anything else she could think of, as Palin really did in the debate. Sudeikis’ impression is also funny, and Queen Latifah is a riot as Ifill.

A presidential debate also took place recently on Tuesday, October 7 in Nashville, Tennessee. Barack Obama and John McCain both went way over the time allotted to answer questions, but all-in-all it was a good debate. No one really “won” but both looked pretty decent and had answers to the tough questions. What really took everyone’s surprise was what the candidates were doing when not answering the questions. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, on October 8, put an interesting take on the debate, saying that Obama looks like he’s “posing for the cover of a 1960s’ soul album,” while McCain was “wandering the outer regions of the stage.” Stewart does a pretty good job of dissecting the candidates, and also does a pretty spot-on impression of Sarah Palin and John McCain. The entire episode is hilarious, especially with Michelle Obama as a guest, but the debate is covered in the first nine minutes. Jay Leno also wondered what John McCain was doing walking around the stage and joked about it in his opening monologue.

Election season has been pretty amusing so far. If it’s not the parodies or jokes making you laugh, then it’s probably the awful commercials trying to appeal to “Ohioans.” It really makes you wonder how election officials get their information to stereotype us as a state.

Also, in case you’re not paying attention to the media, a CNN map shows that if the election was held today, Obama would win. The race is still a tight one, with several states’ electoral votes up for grabs. Another debate will be held tonight (with many parodies to follow, I’m sure) and it is crucial for McCain to “win” this debate if he wants to have a chance for the presidency.

*Ok, so this may not be about the Republican race for president, but it is some exciting news (for me, at least). On Tuesday, October 14 Barack Obama was in Toledo. And I just happened to be at the Toledo YMCA when he was shooting hoops! Here are several pictures I took.

After the House failed to pass the “bailout bill” on Monday, S&P plummeted and had its’ worse day in 21 years. The $700 billion economic recovery plan was voted against by 133 republicans and 95 democrats, while 140 democrats and 66 republicans favored it. This was clearly not an easy vote for either side, especially with many Americans thinking this is a bad idea, and believing it will mean worse times for “Main Street America.”

Both candidates called to speak with President Bush about what changes they think should be made to get the bill passed. Specific ideas were not released, but both confirmed that this was an issue needing to be addressed. The same bill, with provisions such as the FDIC insurance cap raising from $100,000 to $250,000 and an added “Mental Health Parity,” will be put to the test again on Wednesday. The Senate will vote on the bill tomorrow after sundown, to celebrate the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashana. This means that Obama, McCain and Biden will all vote tomorrow.

Obviously, now would be a great time for bipartisanship. Democrats and Republicans really need to get along with this financial crisis at hand. McCain spoke of bipartisanship, but his campaign accused Obama of putting “politics in front of the country.” Where is the bipartisanship there?

Another popular topic in politics is the first in three debates, which took place last Friday night. CNN reports that Obama leads over McCain in national polls 48-43, but that this lead is exactly the same as it was before the debate. McCain and Obama will butt heads again on October 7, a debate that I’m extremely excited about. To hear the candidates’ views and speeches, yes, but also because we will get to see our very own Bowling Green, Ohio on National TV! I’m excited to see our students’ reactions to all the politics and put-downs the debate has to offer. Here’s to you, Charles Gibson.

Even today, as I watched Jay Leno earlier (click to watch full episode), Wanda Sykes said, “She hardly talks! She’s meeting with world leaders but there’s no reporters! Is she really or is she going to Epcot, drinking around the world?” Palin has meetings coming up and of course, the vice-presidential debate scheduled for October 2. It will be interesting to hear what she has to say, without the McCain campaign watching her every step. Although, I also read from the NY Times that the vice-presidential debate will be more “structured.” No doubt to contain any mistakes that Palin may make, since this “structured” idea was called upon by the McCain camp.

Palin’s interviews on ABC and Fox News looked as if they took place to prove that she was indeed a Republican with the right views. Ruth Marcus, of the Washington Post, seems to think that the Hannity interview actually showed the real Sarah Palin. Marcus said ”…Palin did not come off very well, in my view.” Marcus is not sure that Palin knows what to say when asked certain questions. She is not saying that Palin is the first, or worst, politician not to know how to answer questions, but that it should be interesting to see what Palin says at the debate. I agree with this, and with the debate coming up next week, I’m sure everyone will be on the edge of their seat, just waiting for Sarah Palin’s first words.