"Al Spohn" wrote in message
news:MPG.1bbb3f76e36f4a229896f8@mayonews...
In article , dwhite110
@optonline.net says...
"Al Spohn" wrote in message
news:MPG.1bb8d7cc493fd7a49896f7@mayonews...

I'd be curious as to what the normal rate of absenteeism is in
Washington, particularly for those running for the Presidency. His
behavior in this regard only marks him as a politician in my book, and
doesn't rule him out as a viable candidate for the presidency.


I see you're setting the bar pretty high there for electing our next
president...leader of the free world. With that attitude it is no
wonder we
are getting what we deserve in politicians.

Well, I could always loosen my standards a little if you really insist
on electing Bush :-). If you think that anybody that bubbles to the top
in Washington does so in the absence of dirty tricks, pandering to
corporate interests (democrat and republican,) and otherwise doing
whatever it takes to put themselves in a position to "make a
difference," you're either terribly naive or are enjoying some form of
chemically induced optimism (back away from the table saw :-))

No, I agree with you there. Bottom line is I see two candidates before us.
One who understands the challenges in the world today and is acting on it,
and one who is just saying anything to get elected.


As would I, but I hope you'll hold Bush to the same standard regarding
his vacation time.


You keep saying it is vacation, but to anyone with an objective
viewpoint,
it is not. Why do you keep calling it vacation? It just isn't.

How is it that when Kerry misses a meeting, or lots of meetings, the
only possibility is that he's off screwing around wasting tax payers
money (mind you, I'm not saying he isn't - I'm just saying the issue is
never open to question.) But when Bush is in Crawford or Kennebunkport
27% of the time, he's obviously hard at work?

From an *objective* standpoint, can you tell me why he needs to be in
Crawford or Kennebunkport to do his job if it's not to be in a more
vacation-like atmosphere? Better satellite coverage in Crawford, maybe?
Or perhaps the decision enhancing nutrients inherent in Kennebunkport
lobsters?

My suspicion is that Kerry is screwing off some of the time and getting
more important work done some of the time when he's supposed to be in
meetings. And yes, Bush is probably getting a fair amount of work done
between beers in Crawford and Kennebunkport. I just find it ironic for
Bush supporters to point at Kerry's attendance record when Bush is
setting records for his time away from Washington in places generally
acknowledged to be more relaxation retreats than places associated with
conducting presidential business.

Crawford? Vacation? I guess you've never been to Crawford. I really
don't see a parallel between Kerry missing meetings on national security vs
where Bush gets work done. Voters are looking for someone who can make the
country safer and to make the evaluation you have to look at the resume, not
only at what they say now. Here's a guy who missed most of his meetings on
national security -- not a good thing by any stretch. People make time for
the things they believe are important.

dwhite