(Jake Turcotte)
McCain, Obama and how many homes?
By Jimmy Orr | 08.21.08
We’ve all forgotten things before. Like where the car keys are. And what time the appointment is. How many houses we own….
The problem is when you are running for president and you are trying to appeal to the middle class, the “forgetting how many houses you own” thing could be an issue.
That is the issue John McCain finds himself in after not being able to tell a Politico reporter how many homes he owns. “I think - I’ll have my staff get to you,” he said.
The answer is four. But, this on top of the five million dollar remark at last Saturday’s event with pastor Rick Warren, is giving McCain some headaches today.
Barack Obama seized on both McCain gaffes today speaking at a town hall meeting in Richmond, Virginia.
“I guess if you think that being rich means you’ve got to make $5 million, and if you don’t know how many houses you have, then it’s not surprising that you might think the economy was fundamentally strong,” he said. “If you’re like me, and you’ve got one house, or you are like the millions of people who are struggling right now to keep up with their mortgage so they don’t lose their home, you might have different perspective.”
Bring it on
As reported in the Washington Post, McCain spokesman Brian Rogers had a, well, un-Dana-Perino-esque response in stating that the focus should be on Obama’s house.
“It’s a frickin’ mansion,” he said. “He [Obama] doesn’t tell people that. You have a mansion you bought in a shady deal with a convicted felon.”
No word on whether Rogers followed the statement with the obligatory, “It’s go time!” or “You want a piece of me?” or “Don’t mess with the best cuz’ the best don’t mess.”
Rogers was talking about Tony Rezko who was recently convicted of wire and mail fraud, money laundering and aiding and abetting bribery who is a former friend of Obama’s.
<< McCain, Obama set to spar in presidential debates | MainComments
2. horace manoor | 08.21.08
stop fretting, no need to whine — frightened white folks love mccain — the more he messes up, the more they like him
4. luvwknd | 08.21.08
McShame is a schmuck just like GWB, it’s no wonder that McShame voted 95% of the time WITH GWB, they are both oil tycoons wanting to make the rich richer and they don’t give a you know what about the middle class or the poor!
Vote McShame and you’ll see the same government we’ve unfortunately had for the last 8 years!
Vote Obama and you will see the America you and the rest of the world want’s to see come back! You know,,,the America GWB destroyed!
5. Mr. MFIC | 08.21.08
FYI the Obama income was 4.6 million last year. His house is worth 1.6 million.
6. steve | 08.21.08
Uh, it’s 7 houses, and not 4. At least. And according to McCain, Obama’s not rich — he made only $4 million last year instead of the $5 it takes to be rich, and the undisclosed $tens of millions that McCain made.
7. Jonathan | 08.21.08
And Obama made that money on his own, by becoming successful in politics and writing good books that sold well. Before 2004, he had never earned a tenth of that and was renting a home.
McCain made his $100 million by having an affair with a 25-year-old multimillionaire when he was 42 and married, then divorcing his wife to marry the girl.
8. Lee | 08.21.08
The McCain spokesperson is flat-out lying about Obama and Rezko. Obama bought a sliver of land *next to* the house from Rezko, not the house. And while Rezko’s definitely a sleazeball, there was nothing illegal or unethical about that particular deal. Also, I live in Obama’s neighborhood…the house is nice, but mansion is a real stretch.
9. Diggy | 08.21.08
Did McCain really leave his wife for a 25 year old millionair when he was 42?
He wouldn’t do something like that!
10. dan | 08.21.08
Isn’t Cyndi McCain the rich girl he married while the divorce from WcCain’s crippled wife wasn’t even finalized yet?
How’s that for “family values”?
12. Libba | 08.21.08
So how many homes does Al Gore have? And John Kerry’s marry-the-rich-heiress act catapulted him into the mega-rich from off the couch he was sleeping on. The problem with “Gotcha’s,” which both parties forget, is that someone can always Getcha Back on the same ol’ issue.
13. Chuck Cardiff | 08.21.08
People who live in glass houses acquired in sweetheart deals from felons should not throw stones.
14. Frank US | 08.21.08
Do John McCain or conservative republicans respect the moral foundations of this country? The U.S. Constitution was designed to protect the people of America from misguided government.
U.S. Constitution: Amendment I - Freedom of Religion
Right now, for the first time ever, your tax dollars are funding religious groups you may not agree with. To add insult to injury, conservative judges have ruled that taxpayers do not have a right to challenge this expenditure.
Amendment IV - Search and seizure
Under the guise of court action against abortion, Conservative republicans had John Ashcroft subpoena all the medical records of literally thousands of women just like you and members of your family. Conservative republicans are invading your privacy every day. Unfortunately for all of us, they don’t appear to care about our U.S. constitution, or by extension, the people of our great country.
Amendment X - Powers of the States and People
John McCain and conservative republicans have tried consistently to overturn States Laws. They used your tax dollars to destroy the will of the people of Oregon, and the famous “Death with Dignity” law; they lost, but undoubtedly will try again. Conservative republicans and John McCain do not respect States Rights.
Amendment VIII - Cruel and Unusual punishment
Would you rather die, or support a government which supported and sanctioned torture? The founding fathers would rather have died, and in fact they were proud to fight and die for our government: A government which specifically outlaws cruel and unusual punishment for very important reasons.
John McCain and the conservative republicans have destroyed the moral foundations of our country. I urge you to keep this in mind in the coming election as we rebuild our nation together by voting Democrat.
15. Bitty | 08.21.08
Thats right. He wouldn’t do it when he was 42. But he did it when he was 44. Check out wikipedia more detailed information.
16. Robert | 08.21.08
McCain is just a plain old hypocrite. Family values? Honest? Principled?
Call into question anything legitimate questions and you get he was a genuine American hero. Give me a break. He had the unfortunate luck of being shot down in a plane. He decided not to go back to the US early. Talk about peer presure with 200 other POWs on whom you are dependent. Imagine your whole family is military …. probably not a tough decision to stay. Honor - perhaps but nothing in his past indicated this.
I can say he is diligent and will do anything to get ahead.
17. McCain is a panderer | 08.21.08
“So how many homes does Al Gore have? And John Kerry’s marry-the-rich-heiress act catapulted him into the mega-rich from off the couch he was sleeping on. The problem with “Gotcha’s,” which both parties forget, is that someone can always Getcha Back on the same ol’ issue.”
If John Kerry or Al Gore were running for president this year, then you might have a point. As it is, you don’t. Senator Obama spent most of his career life earning next to nothing so that he could help people, despite having a Harvard law degree that could have had him bringing in big bucks. McCain has spent most of his career life trying to make sure that the rich (which included himself) could hold onto as much of their money as possible while standing on the backs of the working class.
18. David | 08.21.08
The thing to remember is this: NEITHER candidate is on our (the average American’s) level. They want you to think they are, but they aren’t. Not even close. It’s not about that, anyway. It’s about which UNDERSTANDS the level we’re on.
McCain is so far out there, it’s a joke.
19. McCain is a panderer | 08.21.08
“People who live in glass houses acquired in sweetheart deals from felons should not throw stones.”
As has already been pointed out, Rezko had *nothing* to do with Senator Obama’s purchase of his home. After the house was bought, Obama bought a strip of land from Rezko that was adjacent to his property. You’d think that just once the Radical Right would come up with an attack that isn’t a complete, outright lie. Apparently not though.
20. ORLANDO | 08.21.08
ALL YOU DEMO’S NEED TO GET A LIFE THAT SO CALLED LEADER HAS NO LEADERSHIP QUALITIES HIS FRIENDS ARE AT VERY BEST SHADY –MR. OR REV WRIGHT BLACK IDEAOLOGIST . MR REZKO FRAUDULENT AND PROBABLY HELPED O-BAMA GET WHERE HE IS TODAY . HE’D HAVE ONE HELLUVA CABINET WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT. I JUST HOPE I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET ALL THE MONEY O-BAMA THINKS HE’S PASSINGOUT . BUT BEING THAT I WORK HARD FOR WHAT I EARNED I’LL BE LIKE THE REST OF MIDDLE CLASS AND PAY MY TAXES TO HELP THE HELPLESS AND POOR ON WELFARE . THAT’S WHAT THE DEMO’S DO BEST IS GIVE TO THE POOR AND HAVE US STUPID HARD WORKING AND TAX PAYING CITIZENS FOOT THE BILL
21. James | 08.21.08
I love how the shady and illegal dealings of Obama’s buddy Rezko (just to name one) can be so easily dismissed. I think all non conservatives should go spend a year in one of China’s re-education by labor camps so they can remember that America and the American constitution combine to make the greatest nation the world has ever known.
P.S. Try to get some of your knowledge in places other than MTV you donkeys.
22. Charles | 08.21.08
Republican policies have been hurting everybody but a select few. Their makers keep them in place playing on fear, sentimentality, ignorance, and old prejudices so that we who suffer under their policies end up fighting each other while they continue to get away with it.
Don’t fall for them labeling Obama as an elitist. It’s just their way of encouraging you to think it’s preferable to be ignorant so that they can continue to rip you off. I have fallen for some their bad ideas in the past, but I know better now. Obama will reduce the tax burden for those of us who do the real work in this country. McCain will continue to borrow the whole country into bankruptcy.
When people are feel insecure they often seek reassurance in things that are comfortably familiar, so that they become afraid of change when they need change the most. It’s kind of like going for a drink when drinking is ruining your life.
The republican elevator is broken and only goes down. We have to get off at the next floor and take the steps. This is serious.
23. swampy | 08.21.08
How many houses? well, first of all, McCain doesn’t own those houses. They belong to Cindy McCain and her father’s foundation. You are eager to jump at any straw and I imagine the facts will not be allowed to get in the way. You can try to defend Obama and the Tony Rezko by saying that story has already been visited, but that’s no defense. Rezko paid $350,000 of his mortgage at the git go. At the same time, Rezko bought the adjoining property. It was a part of the deal.
I’m no fan of either one of these clowns, but it would be nice if some of the kool-ade drinkers could come up for air some times and check the facts before shooting off at the keyboard.
A vote for McCain will be a disaster. a vote for Obama will be a disaster. Obama will be another Jimmy Carter and wreck this economy, destroy our infrastructure and usher in a another round of terrorist attacks. Just like his Democrat predecessors, we will see more wars. B.J. Clinton was the latest Dem to go to war with end runs (more than once) around the Constitution. Why don’t you check the history of the wars we started this last century, and who started them.
McCain will do as he has been doing in the past, make deals with the Democrats and drive us farther down the road to Socialism. So, it boils down to: Do you want Socialism or Socialism lite? I guess that’s what puzzles me about some of the posts. You talk pretty nasty about McCain while he’s been working with Democrats to undermine our nation more than he has with Republicans. Where the heck were you before the election season began?
If GWB is the cause of all of our woes, why is the Congress’s favorable ratings in the single digits and the President’s is in the mid to upper double digits? If things go sour, it’s the president’s fault. If things go well, it’s the Congress’s doings.
Honestly folks, I am having a hard time thinking of any politician in the national or local level that’s doing what they are supposed to be doing, but to sit there and try to blame it on “Republicans” is a bit of a far stretch.
It only shows your inability to think rationally. We’ve got good Republicans and bad ones. We have good Democrats and we have bad ones.
If Obama was so successful and prosperous, why did the taxpayers foot the bill for his and his wife’s college educations. Not repaid. Okay, now you can stick your heads back in the mud.
24. DoTheMath | 08.21.08
The problem with McCain’s house fumble is that it fits so well with his politics. His entire economic theory and approach - better tax cuts for the wealthy, privatizing everything, opposing regulation of industries, opposing benefits even for veterans - are guaranteed to increase the wealth of people like himself and further disadvantage the vast majority of Americans.
25. Len | 08.21.08
Relax folks. Lots of rock-throwing glass-house-residing people in THIS crowd!
No one has to be a hypocrite to feel strongly about something and fail to live up to his own code - it’s called human nature for a reason.
McCain is not the devil, nor Obama. McCain showed tremendous bravery and forebearance as a POW (hey Robert - have you seriously considered whether you would choose to stay due to ‘peer pressure?’ Come on!) Obama showed fortitude and willingness to break with the crowd in his refusal to support the Iraq invasion.
Vote on their positions and who you’d really like to represent us abroad, and at home; who seems to consider facts and make decisions that result in support for your household, your job, or your values.
It’s an election. Geez. Enjoy democracy in all it’s messy glory. It’s the best thing in the world to be part of! And what a great series of campaigns we’ve all been part of!
26. Everbody | 08.21.08
Don’t forget to count the $58,000 that McCain gets for being a 100% disabled veteran. That could pay for private jet fuel so he could visit all 7 houses instead of helping a 32% disabled, blind Iraq war Vet.
27. Debra | 08.21.08
I have watched this evolve. CNN had a good program on both candidates last night.
Watching McCain over the years covered, it was clear that the central unifying theme is a need for attention. Attention by being a bully. Attention for being at the bottom of his class, attention for being a hero, attention for droping his first wife to marry someone much youngerm, attention for running for congress, attention for helping Charles Keating with whom he was a personal friend, attention for being a Maverick, attention for running for president in 2002, attention for the straight talk express, attention on the surge, attention on immigration reform,
attention for pretending ignorance on who is middle class and how many houses he has.
I pity those around him who are trying help him get elected.
28. jojo | 08.21.08
Mecane steels people heart by telling his captivitu in vetnam and when he talks about it he thinks makes his listeners to belive he is the only vetran from that wrongly started war and finished shmefully.
He uses it like a currency to buy peoples heart, ear and now their vote AMERICA WAKE UP BEFORE CRYING FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
MACANE STOP USING YOUR EXPERIANCE IN VETNAM AS ACURRENCY TO BY PEOPLS HEART BECAUSE YOU ARE FROM RICH FAMILY AND GOT A CHANCE TO BE ON NATIONAL STAGE DONT MAKE MONY AND STATUS WITH THAT EXPERIANCE. THERE ARE MANY VETRACE WHO DIDN’T HAVE A CHANCE LIKE YOU AND CANNOT CASH IN TELLING THEIR STORY. WE ARE TIRED OF LISTING YOUR BLABLA BLA …..VETNAM……BLABLA…. TALK REALITY NOW.
29. Mark, San Diego, CA | 08.21.08
I heard that McCain once cheated on his crippled wife with a 25 y/o heiress. Can anyone confirm?
30. swampy | 08.21.08
Excuse me John. You have only part of the facts. You have conveniently left the Democrats and their “Progressives” out of the game. The Democrats have had pretty good field day with our Constitution in the past and are trying their best as we speak. Citing articles of the Constitution proves only that you took the trouble glance at the headers.
At least the Republicans don’t have a known Socialist Caucus in their party. about eight or nine years ago, there were 58 members of the Democrat Socialist Caucus. As the American people started to pay more attention to the communists, they changed the label to “Progressive”. So, when you hear a Democrat say they are a part of the Progressive Caucus or movement, you can be assured they refer to Communists in the Democrat party. It’s a fact and you can chew on that for a while.
32. Larry | 08.21.08
Who cares…i dont want someone who didnt have enough brains to marry wealth or earn it running the country. I dont care how many homes he has if he can pay for them and he bought them and financed them intelligently unlike many of those fools who bought and didnt read what they signed.
Gee a poor community organizer some how stumbles across wealth…surprise. In chicago, how did he earn it as a politician or community organizer…did he generate enough by working at his law office…give me a break
33. Aleks | 08.21.08
5. Mr. MFIC | 08.21.08
FYI the Obama income was 4.6 million last year. His house is worth 1.6 million.
**********
Making him, by McCain’s understanding of economic reality in America, comfortably middle class.
We’ve been through Rezko already. Does this mean Keating Five finally gets an airing, or is that under the long list of things you can’t point out about McCain?
34. Aleks | 08.21.08
12. Libba | 08.21.08
So how many homes does Al Gore have? And John Kerry’s marry-the-rich-heiress act catapulted him into the mega-rich from off the couch he was sleeping on. The problem with “Gotcha’s,” which both parties forget, is that someone can always Getcha Back on the same ol’ issue.
**************
The difference of course being that Democrats down run their campaigns primarily about Republicans being “elitists.” The fact that McCain can’t even remember how many homes he has also highlights other concerns that no one seems to be saying out loud.
36. Dave | 08.21.08
Obama does deserve credit for earning his own millions. Nobody mentioned his exotic trip to Hawaii, to visit his grandma and his birthplace. I’ve been to Hawaii. It’s not that exotic, but there’s a great restaurant in Kona called “Edward’s Near the Sea”. Also, not very exotic, but the beer is cold and the fish fried to golded perfection.
38. Jean | 08.21.08
Could be McCain wife bought the houses with her money and McCain could careless about them.He obviously doesn’t go to any of them very often.
39. John | 08.21.08
Oh, good idea for McCain to attack on Rezko. Anybody remember the Keating 5 corruption scandal, with John McStain right in the middle of the sleaze?
Hmm. I’ll bet somebody does.
40. sjtom | 08.21.08
Hillary is out thanks to her staff. McCain hasn’t learned a thing about keeping his staff in check, but what do you expect when he can’t control his own mouth?
41. Outsider | 08.21.08
It’s funny how you people still think you have a choice. The one elected as the new president will be, as the last elections showed, the one that’s “better” for the biggies there.
OF COURSE, i wish this elections goes as it should. With the new president being the one that you voted. Really, really, really wish that.
42. CHUCK | 08.21.08
ALSO FORGOT RATTED OUT HIS FELLOW PWS AND
AFTER YOU GO PAST YOUR NAME , RANK AND SERIAL… WELL, YOU’RE A TRAITOR… BUT HE FORGOT THAT ALSO.
HE ALSO FORGOT THE POW / MIAS… SAID THE FAMILIES WERE A BUNCH OF KOOKS…
AND HE FORGOT THAT HE WAS A FRIEND OF AMERICA’S TOP MAFIA DON JOE BONNANO, … (THE ARIZONA STATESMAN DID A PIECE ON THAT STRANGE FRIENDSHIP IN 1993.)
HE FORGOT THAT HE TOOK BRIBES FROM KEATING IN THE S&L MESS…
FINALLY HE FORGOT THAT HE DUMPED HIS FAITHFUL WIFE (WHO CRIED FIR HIM WHILE HE WAS A RAT IN HANOI) SHE GOT TERMINAL CANCER.
WHAT A FRAUD.
43. sam theman | 08.21.08
Its amazing how the libs were okay with a former prez having an affair during his term in office but when mccain gets re-married THAT truly is the moral downfall of the nation.
Libs (not democrats), listen to me. If someone does something wrong, its wrong. That means, (this is key) that democrats can have faults just as repubs can. I say dont just keep the other political party honest, keep your own party honest as well. LEARN THIS and LIVE THIS
44. C.Nelson | 08.21.08
It’s hard to believe that this attack line against McCain is being put forth by the same person who ridiculed “bitter small town Americans” who take refuge in religion and gun ownership. Obama himself lives in a mansion which, by the way, was acquired with financial help from a convicted felon. In any case, most presidential candidates are wealthy. Most wealthy people invest their money in various ways, including in real estate. Honestly acquired wealth is not a bad thing. In fact, if a person is not smart enough to become wealthy in our system, then he/she probably is not smart enough to be President.
45. R McCormack | 08.21.08
Lets ask Ted Kennedy and Al Gore how many homes they own and lets not forget the {green} gas guzzling corporate jets. You libs are puppets vomiting the stereotypical Lib talking points. Go Johnny M!
46. Anne | 08.21.08
“So how many homes does Al Gore have? And John Kerry’s marry-the-rich-heiress act catapulted him into the mega-rich from off the couch he was sleeping on. The problem with “Gotcha’s,” which both parties forget, is that someone can always Getcha Back on the same ol’ issue.”
Libba - FYI, Al and John are not running for president this time around, and neither had a hand in tearing down American as GWB has done, and McCain will continue.
47. Sue Post | 08.21.08
You can track down some good dirt on Cindy McCain’s father’s past on Wikipedia…not McCain’s personal history, but entertaining nonetheless. One of the differences between Republicans and Democrats is that the former seem to be able to make unsubstantiated and wild accusations without being taken to task, while the latter are too principled to mention that McCain’s wife’s father received his beer franchise from an Arizona kingpin, and had multiple indictments for alleged mob activity.
48. CHUCK | 08.21.08
YEP, MCSHAME MADE 32 PROPAGANDA FILMS FOR THE COMMIES… HE FORGOT THAT TOO.
THE MAN IS THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.
HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED LONGER IN HANOI.
IMAGINE IF THE COMMIES SAY YOU CAN GO HOME EARLY (YOU WERE A GOOD COLLABORATOR).
THEY NEVER LET ANYONE GO HOME EARLY EXCEPT COLLABORATORS.
WAKE UP AMERICA.
49. jake | 08.21.08
Since when did we lose our common sense? The guy incompetently crashed his plane and got himself arrested by the enemy. How is he a hero? Still, you can choose to disagree but now, how is he going to run our affairs when he can’t keep his mental and physical balances? Sooooo.. many pain killers and anti-cancer drugs benumbs a mind and makes even Einstein a zombie, not to speak of a dormant politician. In November, you can choose this complete write-off or the brilliant Obama to run a 15-hour a day Oval Office schedule.
My other point is the economy. Whether you are rich or poor you have lost 60 plus percent of your net wealth in the Wall St. or your purchasing power in the main street because of the GOP policies of inadequate regulation of a sophisticated economy like ours. What’s happened was a complete destruction of American wealth. Then what did you gain from the tax cuts of the last 8 years? I say a negative number.
Mccain and GOP will condition you next to an 80-year mortgage and 75 for retirement age with a “dignified euthanasia” as a right thing to do soon after. You will elevate yourself and your off-springs when you vote for direct government interventions in health-care, education, research & development to make sure American workforce will survive the global competition by staying ahead. Make no mistake this means voting for Democrats and Obama.
50. Gerald Shields, Seattle, WA | 08.21.08
The Cost of Barack Obama’s House:
$104,500
The Cost of 6 of 7 John McCain’s Mansions:
1. 4,660,000
2. 2,100,000
3. 1,942,365
4. 2,705,040
5. 1,000,000
6. 847,800
51. R McCormack | 08.21.08
You miserable under achievers hate success. Go back with Al Bundy and sell shoes and flip burgers for those of us who worked hard and have made a comfortable life for ourselves. Hold the onion on my burger. GO JOHNNY M!
52. David | 08.21.08
I’m part of the frightened white folks. However, I’m frightened of Jon McCain. It does, sadly, seem true that the more he messes up, the more people seem to like him.
53. michael granger | 08.21.08
After 40 some yrs. as a voter I finally said ENOUGH!!! I am tired of holding my nose when I cast my vote, and here we are again.
Obama is a relatively unknown quantity and, obviously, inexperienced. He is for sure though a typical Chicago/Illinois anti-gun radical, his record there speaks volumes. The 2nd Amendment will have no relevance in an Obama administration and law biding gun owners should duck for cover. To this US Army combat veteran, who has read and understands the Constitution and other writings by the framers, that earns an automatic NO. As does the spectre of who he might appoint to the Supreme Court.
McCain is little or no better. The McCain/Feingold Act is an affront to the 1st Amendment. Amnesty for untold millions of foreigners who have broken our immigration laws and bleed us dry via social services is a catastrophe waiting to happen. BUT, I do not believe he will evisorate the 2nd Amendment or appoint Justices who will make judgements citing foreign law or custom.
So again I hold my nose and become a one issue voter. Would that the voting public voted for real change and gotten behind Ron Paul and the real possibility of turning the corrupt, old boy system around.
God Bless America, she needs it.
54. Veritas Sam | 08.21.08
Oh, just “frickin’” get over it. Whatever you take it to mean it’s a nonsense word.
All you Obama fans know in your hearts that Barack is a dirty Chicago pol with dirty politician friends.
And his “new” politics? Ha, ha, ha… omigod, give me a break. Desparation is setting in over there at BO’s headquarters.
See ya in November.
55. Frank Lynch | 08.21.08
Obama’s house cost $2.6 million Rezko paid $600,000, Obama paid $1,600,000 and the seller discounted the rest.
The piese of land Rezko claims to own was divided to permit Obama to expand the mansion and Obama treats all the land as his property including taking acre of fertilizing, edging and mowing the lawn.
After assigning part of the land for zoning purposes to permit Obama to expand the manison, Rezko’s purported land cannot be built upon under the zoning and is worthless. Why would a big time convicted felon spend $600,000 for land that cannot be used, except as a favor to the really big time Paris Hilton of crooked politicians, The Chosen One Obama?
Paris Obama has the benefit of the $600,000 of land, and was able to acquire a mansion with a 1,000 bottle wine celler and Honduran Mahogany built in cabinetry because of a cleverly disguised bribe.
Where is the FBI on this and why is Obama not in jail?
Because Mayor Daley controls the Chicago office of the FBI.
And Rezko could not be defended by Mayor Daley because Rezko is entangled not only with the Chicago mafia, but with the Syrian mafia. Even Mayor Daley canot protect his henchmen who are entangled with the Middle East mafia, and that may eventually be Obama’s undoing.
56. Jean | 08.21.08
McCain & wife have prenupial agreements so he didn’t marry her for money…he doesn’t get her’s. All of you who make remarks about McCain leaving his 1st wife…most of you have most likely done worse. His 1st wife hold’s NO animosity toward him so why would you? Oh! Obamabots will whine about everything.
Rezko, Ayers, Wright, Farrakhan ,Obama slimeball buddies.
57. Mike | 08.21.08
How pathetic and sad it is to read these moronic diatribes. The simple fact, if you choose to learn the truth, is that you will pay more taxes, pay more taxes again when you die, pay more taxes when your investments turn a profit, you will loose the right given to you by the founding fathers to self protection. Remember guns don’t kill people…governments do! (Iraq, Darfur, Georgia etc.) Once you have enslaved the general population with taxes that “help the poor and children”, taken away their right to self protection it’s easy to take away their freedom. So go ahead and think what you will about what you think I am. When the government takes control of your life and that of your kids, you’ll remember proudly, but you probably won’t tell anyone, you voted tor the messiah of change…Barak Hussein Obama. GOD Help you!
58. Eddie Zalez | 08.21.08
Of course MCSleasy does not know how many how house his wife bought for him to try to become Fist Lady. From being a lower class Navy graduate, to his sleasy business affairs with the Keaton’s 5 this man cannot speak three sentences witout reading a cue card. All his books were written for him by his long-time speach writer. The truth of the matter is that McCain’s past is a “code silence” because the media respect his service to our nation. We aalready know he lied and cheated with the “cone of silence” trick arranged by his friend Rick Warren. But on the election campaign trail all is fair. Let’s read and inform ourselves about this man who is not prepared to become our next president. We not need another Bush type in the White House in this dificult times. We need a change form the past economic failures and intimidations by fear against who questions his past.
59. ral | 08.21.08
Thank you, Jonathan!! “McCain made his $100 million by having an affair with a 25-year-old multimillionaire when he was 42 and married, then divorcing his wife to marry the girl.”
This needs to be said over and over and over again.
McCain and his greedy, war profiteering, lobbyist “advisors”, like Phil, “all the little people should quit whining” Gramm, need to be outed for what they are: Ultra-rich elitists, hungry for more money, more power and more war, and willing to say anything to get their way.”
60. Leslie Maitland | 08.21.08
McCain’s frickin’ spokesman wants to misrepresent facts about Obama and Rezko on this issue? Well, Rogers had REALLY better hope that the media doesn’t wwake up and start reminding people about McCain’s onvolvement in the KEATING 5 SCANDAL. This little deal - which cost us taxpayers billions of dollars - is a shameful thing for a possible president to have on his resume, and I find it amazing that the MSM purposefully avoids it.
And it appears that EXXON John totally loves those private jet trips - which is why Cindy bought him one, I guess. Per Wikipedia’s entry on the scandal:
“The core allegation of the Keating Five affair is that Keating had made contributions of about $1.3 million to various U.S. Senators, and he called on those Senators to help him resist regulators. The regulators backed off, to later disastrous consequences.”
“McCain and Keating had become personal friends following their initial contacts in 1981. Between 1982 and 1987, McCain had received $112,000 in lawful political contributions from Keating and his associates. In addition, McCain’s wife Cindy McCain and her father Jim Hensley had invested $359,100 in a Keating shopping center in April 1986, a year before McCain met with the regulators.
McCain, his family, and their baby-sitter had made nine trips at Keating’s expense, sometimes aboard Keating’s jet. Three of the trips were made during vacations to Keating’s opulent Bahamas retreat at Cat Cay. McCain did not pay Keating (in the amount of $13,433) for some of the trips until years after they were taken, when he learned that Keating was in trouble over Lincoln.”
61. Qbear | 08.21.08
Obama begin EVERY speech until election day asking,
“Raise your hand if you know how many houses you own?”
FIST BUMPS all around
is it Nov 4th…YET?
62. ral | 08.21.08
Libba, “So how many homes does Al Gore have? And John Kerry’s marry-the-rich-heiress act catapulted him into the mega-rich from off the couch he was sleeping on. The problem with “Gotcha’s,” which both parties forget, is that someone can always Getcha Back on the same ol’ issue.”
What does that have to do with Obama?
Absolutely nothing.
63. jimmy joe | 08.21.08
On the local Flagstaff NPR station on the news they said about a year ago on the morning news program with a female radio person doing the news… that all the locals know that Cindy McCain use to believe in Witchcraft then implied like alot of other New Age hippies in the Sedona area….
The radio station in Flagstaff arizona is knau located at Northern Arizona University…
It was not said in a bitter hateful political way but in a way that was like Yea just like alot of the rest of us….
Isn’t it curious that it never went any farther than that???
64. Westexacan | 08.21.08
It is a shame that it comes down to these got cha things.
This United States is in serious trouble and no one addresses
the problems. 10 trillion $ national debt, depression and
inflation at the same time???? Homeless, uninsured, hunger.
On and on. Kick the politicians out again and again.
65. Meemi | 08.21.08
What is wrong with study hard, work hard and earn lots of money? Hard working people are entitled to their money. Why should they have to share their hard earned money with lazy people, who are too lazy to study, dropped out of high school, have too many bastards and on welfare. I don’t understand why you forks are angry with rich people. If you envy of the riches than start working harder and save please- don’t use it on drugs and alcohol.
66. R McCormack | 08.21.08
To Frank US, You need to go back and take another Constitutional law course. Start out by checking Commerce Clause cases. You selectively use the provisions of the Bill Of Rights to prove your weak points. Many states allow citizens to own firearms and you miserable libs have relentlessy tried to overturn these state laws in Congress. GO GO GO JOHNNY M YESSSSSSS>
67. jon | 08.21.08
Here’s the big surprise, the McCain Campaign’s response to this forgotten house thing, and I paraphrase, *he lived in the same house in Viet Nam, for 5 1/2 years.* True.
Their response to whether he was in the *cone of silence*… *how can you accuse John McCain, a former POW…*
And the big joke, is that the Media continually reports that McCain is reluctant to speak about his POW thing.
Every question… every thing… he was a POW.
I’m a Vet, and at this point I’ve lost so much respect for McCain, for how he uses this, and then when he had a chance to help Vets, with the New GI Bill, he was against it.
As for Obama’s income, for those who like to bring it up, Obama’s income is all new, from his books. He & Michelle actually, finally, paid off their college loans, 2 or 3 years ago. He’s actually worked his whole life, unlike GOP Royalty (Bush, McCain, etc).
-Tired of being played by the GOP… a former Republican-
68. THE curiousblack | 08.21.08
JOHNGEORGE MCSAME IS THE DUMMED DOWN VERSION OF GEORGEJOHN BUSH ONLY WITHOUT THE BRAINS. IT’S SENILITY AND PTSD! LOOK AT HIS HISTORY, HE NEVER LISTENS, AND ONCE HE GETS WHERE HE WANTS TO BE, HE GETS RID OF WHO GOT HIM THERE.
69. Flt Engineer | 08.21.08
Lets all step back a moment and focus. Obama had a distant acquaintence with a low life scumbag named Resko. McCain on the other hand had a father-in-law, Cindy Hensley’s father, who had ties to the mob and organized crime through his beer distributorship. Which of these two associations would concern me more? I do believe the latter. McCain’s intent all along, after dumping his disabled wife, was to sniff out money and power and he did and continues to do well through his marriage. He even shows his appreciation for his wife’s support and love by publically calling her a c_ _t in front of reporters. Real honorable “man” this John McCain fellow. His ass belongs at best in a urine infested dog house, definately not in the peoples “White House”.
70. ral | 08.21.08
“People who live in glass houses acquired in sweetheart deals from felons should not throw stones.” Chuck Cardiff
Which is precisely why John “Keating 5, mortgage deregulation crisis”, McCain should watch what he says. He has a slimy trail that extends back to Hanoi and before.
He is in no position to criticize or cry foul.
He is the pampered spoiled son of a powerful man who has gotten nowhere on his own and has been involved in one ethically questionable affair after another.
On top of that, he has been caught telling one lie after another, and they are on tape.
Obama may not be hanging all the verifiable crap from McCain’s past out like so much dirty laundry, but there are too many people who are no longer willing to sit back and get Roved again, and this is all going to hit the fan between now and Nov.
And thank God for that.
71. Joe Erwin | 08.21.08
Obama’s recent income is from two books he wrote himself. Both are bestsellers in paperback, and the first has been a bestseller every week for more than two years. That, by contrast with John McCain’s four books, none of them actually written by him, and none of which are current bestsellers–if they ever were.
I am not interested in attacking John McCain. Being in a prison camp has to screw up your head. And getting your head that screwed up certainly can cause problems and lapses of judgement. His wife was badly injured in an accident while he was away, and was, in some sense, not exactly the same person he left when he headed for ‘Nam. And, of course, he was also not the same person. That the relationship deteriorated is not surprising. And, let us search our souls. Who among us would not have fallen for Cindy the beautiful and wealthy young beer heiress. Let he who would not have cast the first stone.
But I do not see how the son and grandson of admirals, who went to the Naval Academy and graduated near the bottom of his class, has any business suggesting that Obama is elitist. McCain is wealthy from an inherited beer fortune, and doesn’t even know how many houses he has. Try as some may, they cannot twist this into something favorable to McCain.
72. TimL | 08.21.08
In response to 5. Mr. MFIC | 08.21.08
FYI the Obama income was 4.6 million last year. His house is worth 1.6 million.
———
Obama was an unknown prior to running for office. After his exposure as a candidate he began selling many copies of his book. This is the only reason why he has made nearly 5 million in the last 365 days. If you look at his income over the last 10 years as an average it is well under 1 million a year even counting the anomaly due to his book income.
As a previous poster noted: Please stop with the Rovian politics. It makes you look dumb and uninformed.
73. germanguy | 08.21.08
If Brian Rogers wants to ‘bring it on’, let him. Meanwhile we can all focus on McCain’s dealings with Donald R. Diamond, a wealthy Arizona real estate developer, who was racing to snap up a stretch of virgin California coast freed by the closing of an Army base a decade ago when he turned to an old friend, Senator John McCain.
What happened you ask? Well, when Mr. Diamond wanted to buy land at the base, Fort Ord, Mr. McCain assigned an aide who set up a meeting at the Pentagon and later stepped in again to help speed up the sale. On top of that, when he appealed to a nearby city for the right to develop other property at the former base, Mr. Diamond submitted Mr. McCain’s endorsement as “a close personal friend.” Google McCain Diamond for the complete story.
While you’re googling, check out McCain’s record on various bills in support of the beer industry he supported or pushed.
74. Citizen | 08.21.08
Do your homework “Diggy.” He was married while he was a POW. His wife never divorced him while he was a POW either. But, after he was released, he went out on her and had an affair with a young woman. THEN, he divorced his current wife for that rich younger woman. BTW - He also has the dubious honor of being one of the Keating-5 (five corrupt senators caught taking bribes in money deals in Arizona) A.K.A. AzScam! (In case anybody doesn’t remember, AzScam is to Arizona what Watergate is to the United States.)
75. GeraldD | 08.21.08
What do you think about politicians who make Boneheaded mistakes? Are they qualified to be president? That’s the very words Obama used to describe his real estate deal with Tony Rezko while Rezko was under Federal investigation. Talk about judgment, or rather the lack thereof.
And to raise the issue of Real Estate in this campaign? Another boneheaded mistake on Obama’s part considering his ties with Rezko.
Obama lives in a proverbial glass house purchased with the assistance of Tony Rezko. Not a SLIVER of land as previously mentioned, but rather a deal with Rezko that basically let him purchase the property at approximately $300,000 less than the asking price.
But Obama obviously doesn’t have enough judgment to refrain from throwing stones. He simply set himself up for additional criticism regarding the Rezko deal.
Oh yeah, and Obama fought to kill a bill that would have outlawed infanticide or baby killing.
He was an Illinois State Senator at the time and his positions and voting records are clear on this. Yet when asked about his voting record, he accused the people asking the question of “LYING” about his record. A few days later the Obama campaign very quietly issued a statement basically saying that Obama was “MISTAKEN” about the facts surrounding the case.
So lets get this straight, Obama was not telling the truth when he accused those people of lying about his record on the INFANTICIDE (Child Killing) bill. Again Obama seemed to have forgotten about his glass house.
He seems to want to deceive the American People regarding his voting record and his position which would have basically allowed an infant to be killed by withholding medical treatment from it. What a cruel position Obama was supporting. What would you call someone who supported such a bill, but then tried to deceive the American people regarding that support?
I think he was too spineless to stand up and face the consequences of his well documented positions and voting record. Good judgment not only involves knowing which positions to take on controversial issues. Good judgment also involves carefully choosing which battles to fight. Does Obama’s actions in any of this reflect good judgment? I think not.
76. germanguy | 08.21.08
You can bet when it came out that McCain was part of the Keating 5, his wife and father-in-law bought him out of that one. Poor little Johnny….
77. theo | 08.21.08
i’ve always noticed republicans resort to name calling and fear-mongering. never use any facts or figures to talk about the big issues. always focus on the trees and miss the forest.
what has mccain done in the 26 years in the senate - married up. hate w and now love him. get shot down and making sure people don’t forget.
obama started from scratch. he and michelle just paid off their college loans 3 years ago after their last book sold out. and they actually know what america’s middle class backbone’s all about. no silver spoons. no family connections.
1 trillion in the hole, 4,000 dead american soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of dead iraqis, and for what. grow up, we’ve big-ass problems to solve. enough already with this he said-she said baloney.
78. kevin | 08.21.08
Look at the prenup, he doesnt own many things from his wife the houses are all in his wifes name , get ove it
79. Andre | 08.21.08
McBush actually has 7 houses…not four.
It is four properties, with some of the properties having more then one house.
Andre
80. germanguy | 08.21.08
How does signing Anti-American declarations (statements), so that your captors will not torture you any more make someone a hero? Granted, everyone and I mean everyone who has ever been a POW will tell you, when it gets bad enough, you will do anything to get them to stop.
Using this POW status symbol for political purposes, in my opinion bring disgrace upon all the veterans who have ever had to suffer through this. I know - VietNam 1967-1969. Semper Fi
82. guss | 08.21.08
“FYI the Obama income was 4.6 million last year.”
Which, even before taxes, would not cover the McCains credit card bill at $500,000 per MONTH.
Oh, btw, what was Obama’s income the year prior to having two best selling books? I’ll bet his anuall income was drawfed by McCains monthly Amex bill (not counting the Visa, or Mastercard bills).
“His house is worth 1.6 million” Yes, that is what you get when you sell 2 best selling books. It’s called the “American Dream”.
83. SeeMeinWhouse | 08.21.08
I luv this, why doesn’t someone check out the dirt, Rove and company threw at McCAin when he was losing to Bush? Did we forget, GOPers choose Bush over McCain and now McCannot is the left over shoes that Rove took away. So great to have him. This reminds of Nixon yrs, when he lost and came back. I see Rice is setting a time table to withdraw from Iraq..oh Lordie, I see a surge coming…
85. Jerry | 08.21.08
What no one is saying is the McShame will not live out his term if elected….My sister is a nurse and said the prognosis is not good….Too bad his doctors were political instead of honest:)!
86. gaboy | 08.21.08
How much of my tax dollars is going to bail out the losers that wont pay there morgage. Obamba people what a bunch of losers. I guess yall are still saying all we are saying is give peace a chance.
87. NoBama2008 | 08.21.08
Just like the left to penalize those that are responsible. If McCain can handle seven houses and hold a senate office more power to him. Seven houses takes time and effort and since they are not in foreclosure he has managed to spend responsibly. He pays 7X the Property TAXES! Just like a liberal to whine about someones hardearned sucess but if he obtained the seven houses by defrauding welfare he’d be a hero!
88. rod | 08.21.08
Jake, Hate to tell you this buddy, but the Democrats are the ones pushing the so-called “death with dignity” Euthanasia…hmmm….shouldn’t you know that already?
89. Knowitall | 08.21.08
As some of you might know, John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States.
When I was a Plebe (4th classman, or freshman) at the Naval Academy in 1957-58, I was assigned to the 17th Company for my four years there. In those days we had about 3,600 midshipmen spread among 24 companies, thus about 150 midshipmen to a company. As fortune would have it, John, a First Classman (senior) and his roommate lived directly across the hall from me and my two roommates. Believe me when I say that back then I would never in a million or more years have dreamed that the crazy guy across the hall would someday be a Senator and candidate for President!
John was a wild man. He was funny, with a quick wit and he was intelligent. But he was intent on breaking every USNA regulation in our 4-inch thick USNA Regulations book. And I believe he must have come as close to his goal as any midshipman who ever attended the Academy. John had me “coming around” to his room frequently during my plebe year. And on one occasion he took me with him to escape “over the wall” in the dead of night. He had a taxicab waiting for us that took us to a bar some 7 miles away. John had a few beers, but forbid me to drink (watching out for me I guess) and made me drink cokes. I could tell many other midshipman stories about John that year and he unbelievably managed to graduate though he spent the majority of his first class year on restriction for the stuff he did get caught doing. In fact, he barely managed to graduate, standing 5th from the bottom of his 800 man graduating class. I and many others have speculated that the main reason he did graduate was because his father was an Admiral, and also his grandfather, both U.S. Naval Academy graduates.
People often ask if I was a Prisoner of War with John McCain. My answer is always “No - John McCain was a POW with me.” The reason is I was there for 8 years and John got there 2 ½ years later, so he was a POW for 5 ½ years. And we have our own seniority system, based on time as a POW.
John’s treatment as a POW:
1) Was he tortured for 5 years? No. He was subjected to torture and maltreatment during his first 2 years, from September of 1967 to September of 1969. After September of 1969, the Vietnamese stopped the torture and gave us increased food and rudimentary health care. Several hundred of us were captured much earlier. I got there April 20, 1965 so my bad treatment period lasted 4 1/2 years. President Ho Chi Minh died on September 9, 1969, and the new regime that replaced him and his policies was more pragmatic. They realized we were worth a lot as bargaining chips if we were alive. And they were right because eventually Americans gave up on the war and agreed to trade our POW’s for their country. A damn good trade in my opinion! But my point here is that John allows the media to make him out to be THE hero POW, which he knows is absolutely not true, to further his political goals.
2) John was badly injured when he was shot down. Both arms were broken and he had other wounds from his ejection. Unfortunately, this was often the case - new POW’s arriving with broken bones and serious combat injuries. Many died from their wounds. Medical care was non-existent to rudimentary. Relief from pain was almost never given and often the wounds were used as an available way to torture the POW. Because John’s father was the Naval Commander in the Pacific theater, he was exploited with TV interviews while wounded. These film clips have now been widely seen. But it must be known that many POW’s suffered similarly, not just John. And many were similarly exploited for political propaganda.
3) John was offered, and refused, “early release.” Many of us were given this offer. It meant speaking out against your country and lying about your treatment to the press. You had to “admit” that the U.S. was criminal and that our treatment was “lenient and humane.” So I, like numerous others, refused the offer. This was obviously something none of us could accept. Besides, we were bound by our service regulations, Geneva Conventions, and loyalties to refuse early release until all the POW’s were released, with the sick and wounded going first.
4) John was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart for heroism and wounds in combat. This heroism has been played up in the press and in his various political campaigns. But it should be known that there were approximately 600 military POW’s in Vietnam. Among all of us, decorations awarded have recently been totaled to the following: Medals of Honor - 8, Service Crosses - 42, Silver Stars - 590, Bronze Stars - 958 and Purple Hearts - 1,249. John certainly performed courageously and well. But it must be remembered that he was one hero among many - not uniquely, so as his campaigns would have people believe.
John McCain served his time as a POW with great courage, loyalty, and tenacity. More that 600 of us did the same. After our repatriation, a census showed that 95% of us had been tortured at least once. The Vietnamese were quite democratic about it. There were many heroes in North Vietnam. I saw heroism every day there. And we motivated each other to endure and succeed far beyond what any of us thought we had in ourselves. Succeeding as a POW is a group sport, not an individual one. We all supported and encouraged each other to survive and succeed. John knows that. He was not an individual POW hero. He was a POW who surmounted the odds with the help of many comrades, as all of us did.
I furthermore believe that having been a POW is no special qualification for being President of the United States. The two jobs are not the same, and POW experience is not, in my opinion, something I would look for in a presidential candidate.
Most of us who survived that experience are now in our late 60’s and 70’s. Sadly, we have died and are dying off at a greater rate than our non-POW contemporaries. We experienced injuries and malnutrition that are coming home to roost. So I believe John’s age (73) and survival expectation are not good for being elected to serve as our President for 4 or more years.
I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to that red button.
It is also disappointing to see him take on and support Bush’s war in Iraq, even stating we might be there for another 100 years. For me John represents the entrenched and bankrupt policies of Washington-as-usual. The past 7 years have proven to be disastrous for our country. And I believe John’s views on war, foreign policy, economics, environment, health care, education, national infrastructure, and other important areas are much the same as those of the Bush administration.
I am disappointed to see John represent himself politically in ways that are not accurate. He is not a moderate Republican. On some issues, he is a maverick. But his voting record is far to the right. I fear for his nominations to our Supreme Court, and the consequent continuing loss of individual freedoms, especially regarding moral and religious issues. John is not a religious person, but he has taken every opportunity to ally himself with some really obnoxious and crazy fundamentalist ministers lately. I was also disappointed to see him cozy up to Bush because I know he hates that man. He disingenuously and famously put his arm around the guy, even after Bush had intensely disrespected him with lies and slander. So on these and many other instances, I don’t see that John is the “straight talk express” he markets himself to be.
Senator John Sidney McCain, III is a remarkable man who has made enormous personal achievements. And he is a man that I am proud to call a fellow POW who “Returned With Honor.” That’s our POW motto. But since many of you keep asking what I think of him, I’ve decided to write it out. In short, I think John Sidney McCain, III is a good man, but not someone I will vote for in the upcoming election to be our President of the United States.
About Phillip Butler:
Doctor Phillip Butler is a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965, he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Heart medals.
After his repatriation in 1973, he earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at San Diego and became a Navy Organizational Effectiveness consultant. He completed his Navy career in 1981 as a professor of management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is now a peace and justice activist with Veterans for Peace.
90. Leslie Maitland | 08.21.08
That’s right, jon - every thing about EXXON John is how he survived being a POW. And I am still surprised that the entire Republican nation seems to think that being a POW trumps someone’s “Supreme Commander” position such as Wesly Clark held. I am certain the man went through hell, but being captured does not automatically make one qualified to be President - especially when you are 72 frickin’ years old, have a horrendous well-documented temper, call your private-jet-supplying wife a C**T in front of reporters, lie about your votes for veterans benefits, lie about your mother suing your 1st wife, lie aout your support of the war, and fumble questions constantly about foreign issues. (Sunnis? Shiites? Shanana???)
I realize that the Republicans have thoroughly incorporated karl Rove’s page about Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. Rudy Giluliani has the corner on “Septemebr 11″ and EXXON John has the copyright on “POW POW POW.”
91. andy | 08.21.08
Give McCain a break. Small things like the number of homes you own can slip your mind when you are older than the state you live in. I am not making fun of old people here. I am making fun of people who cannot see that this man is truly losing mental capacity.
92. acarponzo | 08.21.08
I could be wrong, but I don’t think this wil stay very long in the news. Obama has his own house problems. Yes, the memory part does make you wonder. However, the daily Gallup is now 1% in favor of Obama. Very differnt story at http://www.bop-o-rama.com. Where are the democrats in cyberspace? Obama’s total at this on-line open poll is almost double McCain’s. Obama may just have to buy a new house instead of winning a new house.
93. james | 08.21.08
@Horace
Don’t be worried most people voting for McCain and Obama don’t really know anything about pretty much anything, I would have to say more so the Obama’s people but McCain’s also.
On another note I really dislike this speech cause he is inferring very socialist government controlled economic principals. That scares me!
95. Jon | 08.21.08
I personally don’t like either candidates. Wish there we’re more candidates still running so we will have a much better choice.
96. pax | 08.21.08
What a way to connect with the “common man”– having so many house you have to have your “staff get back to you on that one.”
Obama had a book deal, $4 million of his income came from that– definitely not “rich” by McCain’s reckoning you aren’t rich unless you make $5 mill or more.
Also, Bush and McCain by their own definitions of “torture” would not consider what allegedly happened to McCain to be “torture” in Bush/McCain Speak it is known as “enhanced interrogation techniques”– it’s only torture when someone does it to us– McCain used to be against torture BEFORE he was for it– what ashame McCain what a sad sad shame..
97. ToKnow | 08.21.08
Swampy - so many lies in your post, I won’t even begin to rebut.
Typical of a “No Child Left Behind” policy, clearly you were.
98. ToKnow | 08.21.08
My friends, while I wholeheartedly respect the hardships of McCain’s POW years, he stayed behind because daddy had just become an Admiral, and leaving would have shamed both he and the administration. That McCain stayed behind because of bravery or respect to other POWs is just poppycock.
99. Bryce | 08.21.08
The sad fact of all of this is that elitist ideology and thinking is not based upon the amount of money one has. You can have a multibillionaire that is humble and helps everyone around him. He may be good at business and even better and helping his neighbor. The problem with Obama is that he thinks those that do not have a Harvard Degree and live in San Francisco, New York or Chicago are less intelligent and less important in the process. That is why he thinks they cling to their god and guns. He speaks down to those who do not believe as he does or those that think this is the greatest country that has ever been and ever will be. Because if someone thinks that way they are not globalist they are nationalist and we all know that is the most evil thing in the world at least that is the thinking of the UN. His wife says statements about being proud of her country “for the first time”, because she is not proud to be an American or at least had not been until her husband ran for president, Obama is no different. He does not love this country above all other, he loves all the countries the same, he is a “citizen of the world”. Remember America is “not a place on a map or a set of lines on the ground, it is a idea”, what the hell is that suppose to mean? I am not a huge supporter of John McCain but at least he thinks this is the best country in the world and wants to remain that way.
100. ToKnow | 08.21.08
McCain’s home in Arizona:
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/features/archive/mccain_slideshow_072005?slide=7
Obama’s house in Chicago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mss2400/462315720/
Now, which is the mansion?
101. Bryce | 08.21.08
Those of you who keep bringing up the torture thing really must have their heads in the mud. McCain was the one that was bashed by his own party for speaking out against Bush for his torture policies. He still has problems with much of the Republican base for that, go read your freaking history before posting and looking like ideological Lemmings.
102. ToKnow | 08.21.08
Frank Lynch, your facts are way off. Do some research and come back, before you make an even bigger fool of yourself. Truly, this is sad to see.
103. lars | 08.21.08
Swampy post 23 I somewhat agree with you. However. McCain does not represent my middle class values or my struggling financial, medical situation. I also believe McCain represents and is financially supported by big business, big business that could give a rip a bout my well-being. Obama is my man and gets my vote. Lars
104. jesse | 08.21.08
Age is the major cause of problems in McCain gaffes. When you think about McCain’s memory functions, think of your Grand Dad or Grand Ma’s mental functionality. Once very sharp but currently in a mental recession phase. Majority of the baby boomers will join that rank a decade from now. With 35 as a minimum age for a President, I believe 70 must be made the maximum.
No doubt, carrying your eggs in an old basket is risky. This was proved in the 80s when Regan could not remember the Iran-Contra affair that was operated by junior staff in his office.
105. ToKnow | 08.21.08
For you people who are touting the fact that John McCain and his wife Cindy have a prenuptial agreement - remember back in 2004 when the Republicans were stating that the Kerry-Heinz prenuptial meant that Teresa didn’t trust John? I didn’t think so. Just like the Rezko/Keating argument, Republicans don’t need to go there, because the results will not be pretty.
Now here’s the kicker - do you know WHY there is a John-Cindy prenup? It was a defensive move when Senate ethics committee started looking into a real estate venture between Cindy, her father and Charles Keating. McCain even used the agreement to help prove that he didn’t benefit from the deal.
Again, best be quiet, or all sorts of skeletons will start tumbling from that closet.
106. ToKnow | 08.21.08
#78 Kevin - not true. Some are jointly owned, some of the properties he owns, some she owns. And by the way, at an estimated net worth of $40.5M, it would be a stretch to say he “doesn’t own many things”. We have to listen to crap from the presidential candidates, but we don’t from you.
107. ToKnow | 08.21.08
#87 NoBama2008
Do some research into the San Diego property whose back taxes (4 years delinquent) were just paid in June. Then come back and try a new line of defense.
108. David | 08.21.08
Mike,
You forgot to mention one of the biggest government killers: George Bush’s United States of America
109. Med | 08.21.08
Remember Keating, McCain is one of the “Keating Five”…Enough is enough, it is time to go ballistic on McShame-McBush.
110. Qbear | 08.21.08
old McCain had a house
and a house house here
and a house house there
here a house
there a house
everywhere a house house
111. Ron | 08.21.08
The Conservative morons are in a frenzy…. I love it. They try to hang on to this Wrinkly old guy who can’t even remember what he had for breakfast. I can see why he said ” I’ll let my staff get back to you”. He’s not allowed to talk anymore. He reads everything and he does it badly. Do you remember when he said something really stupid and his campaign came out with ” Senator McCain does not speak for this campaign “
112. Ron | 08.21.08
John McCain also experienced the ” American Dream ” he married Cindy Barbie McCain
113. swampy | 08.21.08
Wiley, Good point. However when Obama indicated there were 57 states, he was also correct… well sorta. There’s 57 Arab states.
114. swampy | 08.21.08
Okay Lars. I can certainly see your point. This is a case of “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I can understand how you would back Obama and I certainly wouldn’t poo poo that decision. Another way I see it is, “Which poison do you prefer?” I am in fair health so far and at some point, I may have make decisions that I currently do not favor. When it comes to personal survival, things get very real and personal.
115. swampy | 08.21.08
Toknow: You don’t have to rebut, But you could start by listing the lies and then give a reference to disprove them. Is it that you don’t believe that there was a “Socialist Democrat Caucus” in the Democrat party, which changed the name to “Progressive”. Usually when one sees a lie and decides to mention it, he gives a reference.
BTW, I don’t know what the heck you mean by “No Child Left Behind”. I certainly don’t support it. It’s a typical socialist Democrat program. Government creating another program that it has no authority to do. What program do you support? Carl Marx’s Communist Manifesto?
116. BOB OSHIRO | 08.22.08
Shame on you all for picking on John. Don’t you know that when you get older you tend to forget things!
118. stephanie | 08.22.08
I don’t think he forgot how many houses that he owned, he was probably trying to decide if they meant houses he owned that were used by himself personally, as opposed to rental property or houses used by children or grandchildren. Or he could have been trying to determine whose business it is.
120. Kb | 08.22.08
This is where we hit McCain now…
Invocation of the candidate’s POW past is weird bordering on irrational: http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/in_his_house_there_are_many_ma.html
Go Joe! We need you now!!! Noun verb POW.Noun verb POW.Noun verb POW.
–
Kevin B
I’m saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 - 2017
121. Rob | 08.22.08
It is true that McCain was 41 or 42 and met Cindy who was 24 at a party in Hawaii. They started dating and having a relationship. He asked her to marry him. She said yes. Then he got a divorce from his wife Carol, and married Cindy a month later. Don’t you love the “family values”?
122. Rob | 08.22.08
That settles it. I definitely like the McCain house in Arizona over the Obama house in Illinois. Thanks so much for posting the links. I’m going with McCain.
123. Thomas | 09.04.08
As long as he bought them fair and square, I don’t care how many homes he owns in his American dream, or cars, or tvs, or shoes, or how many charities given to, community hours spent helping the public, or what not. If you can chime in what’s considered ‘bad’ might as well forget what’s good, on either candidates. Take it back to what it’s really about, both parties hating each other and after one side wins, half a**ing that its one country united when its pretty much spelled out that either side calls all the members of the other side discardable. Woohoo, we perpetuate this every 4 yrs, no wonder we had civil war 1, how long before 2.
124. Nick | 12.05.08
Anybody who thinks how many homes a president has thinks they will be a better or worse president SHOULD NOT EVER VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT!!!! How bout learn the policies?? Where are we going to get all this money for all these great OBAMA programs when we’re already in a recession with no efffin money??? solve that problem democrats
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. ToKnow | 08.21.08
Brian Rogers sounds like quite the winner. I wonder how long McCain will keep him around after his adolescent outburst? (probably forever, sadly)
The Tony Rezko story has been addressed, the McCain camp should stay out of Rovian politics and clean up its act, we’re all sick and tired of it.