Welcome to the Purple Nation

Hey all,

Welcome to the Purple Nation, an online debate in blog form between Eric Di Silvestro and Ian Saxine. After a particularly long, thought-provoking discussion that drew a number of listeners, we decided to take our argument to the internet. Until election day, Eric and I will be waging our own political struggle, as he attempts to make a McCainiac out of me, and I try to fill his head with Obama-rama. Although we differ over who we think would make a better president, we do agree on a few important points, above all….

Not enough meaningful, informed debate is going on in this country.

There are genuine reasons to support and oppose both candidates. These reasons have little to do with speculation over whether Sarah Palin’s youngest child was birthed by her teenage daughter, or Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim. There are real issues at stake this year. The candidates are offering two very different plans of action that are worthy of real discussion. The economy, the situation in Iraq, other likely foreign policy trouble spots, energy policy, education, and various social issues are all on the table.

Eric and I will alternate posts on this blog, taking the debate one issue at a time. We’re going to keep these debates to a reasonable length while including enough detail to appeal to that rare, coveted demographic—the undecided voter. Readers are encouraged to suggest future topics. No matter what happens, we promise that this friendly argument will remain classy, rational, and, unlike most writing out there, will try to explain positions without resorting to words like “hope” and “maverick.” Also, unlike so many other commentators out there, we’ll be sticking to substance rather than strategy as much as possible. So if you want to see the latest polls, or which candidate is doing the best with middle-aged Latina Protestant women, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The best place for the latest poll data, by the way, is www.fivethirtyeight.com. They seem to root for Obama, but their site is a composite of hundreds of polls nationwide.

But if you crave an exchange of cold hard facts flying back and forth at the speed of truth, then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the Purple Nation.

First post coming out tomorrow: two views of the economy, and why McCain’s view won’t help you, and, crucial to this blogger, why it won’t help me.

-Ian