A VC - Latest Comments in Quote Of The Day

Re: Quote Of The Day

Guest — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:56:35 -0000

The latest flip-flop by Romney is the assault weapon ban: in December he said he would extend it, today he says he won't (something that even GWB would not promise). The man is a complete joke, he has absolutely no principles, no beliefs, he lies (about being a hunter, about the MLK rallies), he is sadistic ("double Guantanamo", pro-torture, prosecution of hapless "illegal" nannies and dishwashers), he is cavalier about Constitutional protection of freedoms and rights (pro wiretapping, etc.)...

I myself am Obama supporter... A recent article in Forbes discloses donations by VCs to various campaigns. It is truly amazing how these allegiances split up for me. People who I respect a lot (Khosla, the guys from Kleiner-Perkins, Steve Jurvetson from DFJ) are pro-Obama, people who I consider scumbags are pro-Romney (Jennifer Fonstad from DFJ, David Chen from OVP) .

However, you, Mr Wilson take the absolute first prize in my "Respectful VC" list by coming out and publicly stating your distaste for Romney. It must be very courageous, with him being a VC, there is a definite risk for you to look non-collegial, yet your civic conscience seems to be stronger. Bravo!

Your bravery is even more commendable, considering that you invest in companies that would definitely benefit by being "good friends" with E-Bay and its CEO, Meg Whitman. As a former Bain girl, Mrs Whitman is a huge supporter of Romney's candidacy and a Chairman of Women for Romney.

Don't you think that Skype's ridiculous valuation by E-Bay has something to do with it being pitched to Whitman by no other but another Mitt/Bain girl, Jennifer Fonstad? I know that Whitman is retiring, however, I bet she still will be influential. I also bet that none of your startups will be getting a Skype-size offer from E-bay. That's OK, though, I am sure you will continue to do well, and at least you have your conscience clear.
Well done!

Re: Quote Of The Day

CGlace — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:16:32 -0000

From what you are saying you def. should not be supporting McCain. He's a political opportunist. Ross Perot has been screaming this for years. If any candidate left is for larger government and less civil liberties it is McCain or Huckabee. In fact, Ron Paul is the only candidate remaining has actually proposed a plan that would reverse government spending and loosen regulation. Plus McCain is a complete idiot when it comes to the economy. He'll never understand macroeconomic principles.

Re: Quote Of The Day

CGlace — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:11:07 -0000

Just wondering, what ideas don't make sense. If you're curious you shoulould check out www.mises.org . Pretty much all of his ideas come from the Austrian economists which is what the Ludwig von Mises institute represents.

Re: Quote Of The Day

Don Jones — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:14:02 -0000

I'm amazed that anyone takes what a presidential candidate says in an election year as anything more than an "election year promise" (or position).

C'mon - look at the candidates records, not what they say. Or in the case of Obama, just hope, since he doesn't have a record, other than serving half a term as senator and voting "present" 100 times so he wouldn't have to run against his record...

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:17:02 -0000

I don't know what to nake of him. Some of his ideas don't make any sense to me

Fred

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:10:02 -0000

I'd quote from the wsj but I'd have to get a subscription ;)

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:10:02 -0000

It wasn't an attack

It was just my opinion

Given that I'm for either hillary or obama, what do I gain by attacking romney and praising McCain at this point

Fred

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:10:01 -0000

He was a buyout guy

Fred

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:15:02 -0000

Agreed

Re: Quote Of The Day

Mike — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:15:05 -0000

I agree Obama has a better chance in the general election but I disagree about Republicans an smaller government. Both Bushes and Reagan increased the size of the government and sent the budget deficits soaring. Clinton is the one that shrunk the government and balanced the budget.

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:12:02 -0000

Feels like that.

Might be a compelling pairing

Re: Quote Of The Day

Mike — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:56:03 -0000

My in-laws are very nice and seemingly reasonable and not wealthy by any measure but not poor either. The fact that they are hard-core Republicans and the rest of the family are not has caused politics to be banned from the dinner table at gatherings, especially after the 2004 election.

In their case I think they would say that the corruption and dominance of the Democrats in Massachusetts, since forever, took them on the path towards the GOP. However, I think FOX has recently molded their views. How else could they be so impressed with Romney, who spent the latter half of his reign as the Gov of MA touring the country, clearly running already for President. He only returned to the state he governed when it was clear the "Big Dig" was being mismanaged on a disasterous and dangerous level.

They also called Romney a "straight shooter" who's the most honest of the field. They clearly didn't read all the articles I had about how dishonest Romney is. How his father marched with MLK and so on. They watch FOX so I imagine that "news" network is pushing for Romney and selling him as honest.

Re: Quote Of The Day

Todd Savage — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:09:22 -0000

Dan, I don't know you, but you are my long lost brother. I am socially liberal, but fiscally conservative. I want smaller government, not larger. This is one of my biggest reasons I tend to vote Republican.

Can I add one more thing to this debate? How can the democratic party nominate Hillary Clinton as their Presidential candidate when they must know that if Obama were nominated, he would easily win the general election. Hillary very well may not. Why is no one talking about this?

Re: Quote Of The Day

DanRunion — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:59:47 -0000

My post was obviously oversimplified. Let me elaborate just a bit:

Why I like McCain:
1. I like what he says most times. Even if I don't, I understand the steps he took to get to his position. And like Fred said, I think he believes what he says.
2. I don't believe he's saying whatever he thinks he needs to to get elected.
3. He doesn't "tow the party line" in the traditional sense. He's more of an independent than a Republican. Being someone that doesn't affiliate w/ a political party, this appeals to me.
4. Regardless of your feelings for the war, we're in it, and we're going to be in it for a while. I think the Men and Women that are actually on the ground over there *deserve* a leader that "understands".
5. I pay too much in taxes. So *if* I had to pick a party, I'd likely go Republican.
6. I may be left-wing in what I see as acceptable behavior for individuals (in terms of abortion, religious beliefs, marriage, etc) but I'm more right-wing when it comes to the laws governing these things. I believe in more liberties as opposed to less; fewer laws as opposed to more, smaller government, not larger. I believe in being having the freedom to do what we want...and dealing w/ the consequences My gut feel about McCain is that he's the same way.

Re: Quote Of The Day

Todd Savage — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:22:32 -0000

Being a Floridian, I headed to the polls and casted my vote yesterday. I was "undecided" up until Saturday. Watching the Clinton's inject race into the South Carolina debate disgusted me. I don't want them anywhere near the white house. Seeing that Hillary will likely win the nomination, I pulled the trigger for John McCain. I think he is the only one that can beat Hillary in the general election, and the Clinton's have me so upset that they are really motivating me to work against them. I suspect I am not the only one who feels this way.

Re: Quote Of The Day

Hockeydino — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:52:05 -0000

Romney - Clinton - Obama are politicians, what do you expect? They change their mind by design. We all have changed our mind on certain issues...it's just more magnified for them.

McCain should be applauded for believing in something even if it isnt popular? It's what he stands for that should be scoffed at. He'll sell your a$$ down the river...that's what he is all about.

Anyone care about the issues anymore?

I'd love to see a list of what makes Obama and McCain a good candidate based on their stance of all the issues, not their convictions, their charisma. I've yet to see one. Both want a bigger government, and both will tax you to death. That does not work. Look at the track record..McCain has flipped flopped way more than any of them. His HERO status seems to always mask that for some reason.

Re: Quote Of The Day

seankelly — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:51:39 -0000

What's the bet McCain ask Rudy to join his ticket. Bet they're in discussions right now.

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:45:04 -0000

You are right!

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:45:03 -0000

Its a problem for both parties. The concern is always that the primary battles weaken the candidate

I think the best candidates (obama and mccai) are strengthened by it

Fred

Re: Quote Of The Day

fredwilson — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:44:04 -0000

Well then the republican party is screwed because Romney is a joke

Re: Quote Of The Day

Aventi — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:23:23 -0000

There you go offending used car salesman everywhere :)

Re: Quote Of The Day

JDScott — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:09:19 -0000

Non-politician? He made the ultimate flip-flop. Life long Democrat becomes a Republican to run in the shadow of post 9-11Guiliani then becomes on Independent in advance of a potential presidential run.

Re: Quote Of The Day

alexander — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:47:15 -0000

McCain is more politically savvy than what it might appear. When the war least popular (i.e. before the surge), McCain still supported the war because he understood the importance of the perception of "consistency", regardless of the issue at hand. Furthermore, he understood that people vote on feeling "secure", which is why the democratic candidates' rhetoric sounds extremely neo-conish. For example, Obama has been voting in favor of the Iraq war; he is talking about invading northern Pakistan; and the list goes on. This is why Kerry lost the election, he was considered a flip-flopper with his, "I voted for it before I voted against it" This is precisely what McCain wanted to avoid and it has worked in his favor.

Re: Quote Of The Day

Greg — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:33:45 -0000

You're forgetting the "even if it's not popular" qualifier. Hitler was playing to the masses and, unfortunately, what he was peddling was plenty popular.

Re: Quote Of The Day

Greg — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:31:17 -0000

Meanwhile, over on the Fox and other Web sites, blogs, they're bashing "Juan" McCain and saying Romney's the true conservative. I think they're in denial about his days as moderate and at time downright liberal governor of Mass. Yet these are the same folks who spent all of '04 calling Kerry a flip-flopper. It's pretty pathetic.