(Jake Turcotte)
Conservatives question McCain’s attack strategy
By Jimmy Orr | 10.06.08
With a month to go and the poll numbers down, the McCain campaign is playing the guilt by association card, and that’s leaving some conservatives uneasy.
On Saturday, the recently unsequestered and newly empowered Sarah Palin went on the offensive, toting the “gloves are off” line and then rolled out the sound bite the McCain campaign knew would get a lot of ink pixels:
“Our opponent … is someone who sees America it seems as being so imperfect that he’s palling around with terrorists who would target their own country,” she said to a boisterous crowd in California.
Mucho media
As a result, Obama’s health care speech in North Carolina was squashed. All eyes and ears were on the moose-hunting governor of Alaska.
Palin was talking about Barack Obama’s past relationship with Bill Ayers, the co-founder of the violent 1960s era group the Weather Underground.
“Low-blow,” cried the Obama campaign emailing a list of news organizations that have concluded that the relationship between Obama and Ayers is tenuous.
Palin is Bill Laimbeer
Palin is now serving in her role as the enforcer or the attacker. Basically, she’s Bill Laimbeer — the four-time NBA all star who was notorious for his physical play. He’d rough you up with the goal of disrupting the game to get back on offense. Then again, sometimes he’d just rough you up for the heck of it.
Think of it as the last few minutes of a basketball game. Fans don’t like it, but when a team is down the fouling begins. Purposeful fouls. The tactic is used to get the opposing team to the free throw line to stop the clock. If Shaquille O’Neal is on the free throw line, not only did you stop the clock - the odds are he’ll miss the buckets. Your team gets the ball back with a chance to score.
It’s an ugly way to wind down a game. But for the losing team, it’s about the only shot they have. The question for the McCain campaign is — how late in the fourth quarter is it?
Obama knows
The Obama campaign knows the score. Heck, in a conference call to reporters on Friday, a McCain official announced they were going to focus on “discussing Mr. Obama’s aggressively liberal record.”
The challenge for Obama is not to allow the conversation to change.
“They’d rather try to tear our campaign down than lift this country up,” Obama told a crowd in North Carolina. “That’s what you do when you’re out of touch, out of ideas, and running out of time. So I want all of you to be clear, I’m going to keep on talking about the issues that matter.”
It’s just campaigning
Like it or not, a campaign is sport. And people get very irritated when the media treat it that way. “This is not a game,” they say. “This is the future of our country.”
Regardless, this is how we elect our leaders. We let them campaign to earn the vote. And that means, use all legal means to make your case — whether it be stump speeches, verbal attacks, negative ads, splinter groups, YouTube videos, email campaigns, whatever.
Character assassination
None of this is new to California Senator Diane Feinstein. She was on Face the Nation Sunday and predicted the month of October will be a rough one.
“This is going to be a month, I think, of character assassination,” Feinstein said. “And so the Republican position is to try to assassinate Barack Obama’s character and try to place him in a position where the trust that he has built dissipates, the credibility that he has dissipates.”
Shoe on other foot
Who would disagree that if John McCain was up by 10 points, the same tactics wouldn’t be used by Team Obama? Remember it was only a month ago when McCain was leading in the polls and the Obama campaign announced it would be playing hardball — and for awhile was running more negative ads than McCain.
But times are different now, say some conservatives. They look back at 1992 when the economy took center stage and see some deja vu.
Stop the madness
Conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks, also appearing on Face the Nation Sunday, doesn’t believe a negative campaign can be successful.
“They don’t understand how the same political tactics that they’ve used before, going after liberal, liberal, liberal, that’s not going to work now because something has overshadowed it,” Brooks explained. “And that overshadowing, that economic anxiety is just going to dominate the next five weeks. There’s no way around that. And if they’re not touching that, then they’re not touching the core issue. And John McCain has not done it. And he hasn’t done it over the weekend, where they’ve been attacking Obama for being too liberal or not loving America enough.”
The L word
GOP strategist Mike Murphy, appearing on Meet the Press Sunday, shares Brooks’ point of view - to a point. He agrees that it is all about the economy and that the character game isn’t going to work. But he, unlike Brooks, thinks mentioning the L word and the potential for the L party to dominate the executive and legislative branches of government might equalize the poll numbers.
“Bring up the issue of the concept of a runaway liberal one-party train here in Washington,” Murphy told host Tom Brokaw. “You know, just no checks and balances at all. McCain, a partisan, can-do pragmatist vs. the idea that everything in this town being run by the Democrats with no restraint, no balance, no control, and that’ll affect the economy in a bad way. I think that’s a better prosecution for the McCain campaign than these character attacks…”
<< Media annoyed with Palin talk | MainComments
2. Arnaud | 10.06.08
The question for the McCain campaign is — how late in the fourth quarter is it?
Here I was thinking this was not a game but an election…
3. B Stack | 10.06.08
I think John McCain is so desperate to win he will try any dirty tactic he and his ????? associate can and has earned my total disrespect in the process. Is he interested in the country or his status? Guess he isn’t the patriot he once claimed to be. He should stick to the issues of what he will do and not demean his opponent.
4. Prague | 10.06.08
Why is LIBERAL a bad word in your country? Hier in Europe we see it as a compliment.
5. KMP | 10.06.08
Shame they’re using the woman to do the dirty work, everyone is walking on eggshells trying not to appear sexist, which leaves her free to run her mouth with no consequences.
Ms Palin has issues back in Alaska, and the 7 who were declining to testify, have now decided to honor their subpoena, Hmmm, wonder what they’re going to have to say about the pitbull in lipstick and heels?
As for McCain
Two words
Keating and Paxson
6. Fred Arbogast | 10.06.08
And yet during the Clinton years when the “liberal” Democrats controlled both branches more often thean not we had a booming economy and a surplus in the budget - contrast that with the mess the Bush years have left (when again the “fiscally conservative” Republicans controlled both branches more often than not. Just who are these out of control spenders?
7. roger lehnert | 10.06.08
for john mccain and sarah pailin to use what the republicans have done before as a strategy is a huge mistake. the american people saw the swift boat tactics before and found them to be repugnant. both candidates need to take the high road and speak to the issues, explain their positions and factually lay out before the voters their positions. the voting public has wised up.
sarah pailin is nothing more than a wind up mouthpiece and has not had an original thought that i can think of. hopefully the senator from arizona will reject the advice of bush’s ex-advisors. roger
8. cta | 10.06.08
Keating 5
Troopergate
Book banning
Teaching creationism as a science
Use of private emails as a cover
Per diems for staying in your own house
Lobbyists as campaign advisors
Does McCain really want to open this up?
9. Chris Lieberman | 10.06.08
Gov. Palin’s comment that Sen. Obama is “palling around with terrorists” is the verbal equivalent of the July 21st cover of The New Yorker magazine. Michelle with an Afro and an AK 47 with Barack wearing a turban-type thing. Scary how low political slander can go. The country should demand a public apology from Gov. Palin.
11. Pax | 10.06.08
The desperate, power-at-any-cost, dishonorable McCain is showing his true colors. Country First…is nothing but a slogan– I live in Ohio, and sadly, it seems the McCain Campaign has been negative all along– this is no different. McCain: afraid to face the economy, afraid to face the American People- Not Ready to Lead. Conservatives really need to become more liberal in the use of their minds. God Bless America!
12. Timus, Powder Springs, GA | 10.06.08
Neither will work. McCain has too many indefensible positions to defend. He is a staunch supporter of the war in Iraq which has taken away from the real battle against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. His stomp speeches until the last two weeks exclaimed the benefits of less regulation and now that it appears Wall Street’s lack of oversight is going to cost the taxpayer’s big time he’s changing his speech. On top of that he’s has shown a disregard/indifference for the middle class and a preference to the wealthy and big business. How do you defend that? He can’t.
13. Tom Hartman | 10.06.08
When we get to the low blows, remember that McCain collaborated with the North Vietnamese as a POW. If that isn’t treason, nothing is!
14. Anne | 10.06.08
I realize that the Republican party has effectively used these same tatics in the last two campaigns, but if the party wants us to believe that McCain’s term will be different than the current President’s then he needs to demonstrate his change during the campaign.
15. Manthri Srinath | 10.06.08
It’s Willie Horton time in America. Only this time, Willie went to Harvard Law. Roll over in your shallow grave , Lee Atwater.
16. Mike | 10.06.08
The candidates running for president are U.S. senators. It’s obvious that BOTH candidates truly have the well-being of the country and its citizens at heart. To suggest that either candidate has a shred of terrorism in their blood is the ultimate display of anti-patriotism.
17. ThePhotogsBlog | 10.06.08
Another reckless gamble by John McCain. Barack Obama had no more say about who else sat on the board of the Woods Fund than he had in choosing his middle name. Play with matches and get your fingers burned John. You have a lot more skeletons in your closet than Barack. Hey! You have a reckless flyboy in the White House already! Look where’s it’s gotten America? Does anyone really want another?
18. Fritz Holznagel | 10.06.08
Thanks for the article. But: “Who would disagree that if John McCain was up by 10 points, the same tactics wouldn’t be used by Team Obama?”
This is an easy one: *I* would disagree, and most honest observers would disagree. Team Obama would certainly be attacking, but their attacks would be significantly closer to issues and a lot less about meaningless (and mostly phony) issues like Ayers.
How can one tell? Look at the GOP and Democratic tactics used in this election, in 2004, and in 2000 — they are not equivalent. Point out a Kerry attack in 2004 that matched the dishonesty and cynicism of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth attacks. Just as one example.
To pretend that the Democrats and the GOP are equivalent in tactics in this election and in recent elections is not being honest or objective about things.
And with all due respect, to throw up your hands and say “Hey, gosh, that’s politics” is abandoning your job as a commentator and reporter for a great paper like the CSM.
19. Cardinal | 10.06.08
In a country with a right-wing party and an ultra-right-wing party, it is just pathetic for people to be trying to use word as liberal, radical, communist, and others to try to discredit the Democratic.
It’s time to bring up the “F” word and expose the fascist ultra-right-wing ideals of the people running the GOP.
I truly can’t understand how this is not being discussed in a country with such a strong history of opposing these ideals.
20. lordastral | 10.06.08
Sarah is Wonderful!
We love Sarah, and if she says Obama hangs around with terrorists then of course it must be true, after all she is a true christian and would NEVER bear false witness against someone since that is one of the ten commandments.
She is so pious and righteous she would never do something that violates the dictates of God and Jesus Christ.
You liberal media is always trying to destroy Sarah Palin, accusing her of lying and sinning against God. Why are you saying she is a hypocrite, do you think we would believe she might not be what she claims to be???
Palin/mccain in 2008
21. Ken | 10.06.08
Conservatives aren’t bothered by the truth coming out. Anyone who gets their news wholly from the liberal media haven’t a clue as to the Anti-American buddies of Obama. Lets see a Terrorist, a Communist , a Racist and who knows what else is out there because quite frankly, we don’t know who this man is. What we do know is ,that he has bad people as friends and most of them either hate America or would love to see it’s demise. We know McCain loves America and so does Palin from what I see. That Obama took more money from Freddie Mac and Fannie May except only one person should be sending up flags. There is too much secrecy about Obama and the media won’t call him on it . They need to get the facts about him and show us who he rally is.
22. Common Tator | 10.06.08
man with a volatile temper like McCain’s shouldn’t do character assassination.
Picture a series of retrospective ads featuring “high-lights” from McCain’s failures at anger management - could run a fresh, high-profile one every day until election. Maybe they will.
23. Morgan Cowan | 10.06.08
Palin is pathetic and only uses the pit bull tactics because that is all she knows. She is a product of her environment, disguised by her glasses and her Designer suits. She so poorly represents women everywhere and I am offended by her presence on the national scene. She seems to have stepped into our lives from another time and another culture. She is rude and tells stories out of school…..with the exception of her own story which I suspect is a figment of her own imagination. And all words do not end with A….like gottcha!!!
24. Wi;;iam Dixon | 10.06.08
Voters should not view the recent Palin smear attacks on Obama as evidence of anything “new” or “refreshing” about Palin, as the McCain campaign hopes, because we have seen them before.
Sixty years ago a former U.S.Senator from my state engaged in similar untrue character attack as we are now beginning to see daily from Palin and McCain.
Fortunately, Senator Joe McCarthy was eventually unmasked as a reckless and often untruthful windbag. Regretably. however, he caused a lot of damage to our democracy and Constitution before his tactics were discredited and he was censured by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.
It is now time for courageous leaders from both major parties to stand tall and say to McCain and Palin those famous words of U.S.Army attorney Joseph Welch:”Have you no sense of dignity at long last Have you left no sense of decency?”
William Dixon, Monona, Wisconsin
25. Robt. Braam | 10.06.08
When Palin made her vile and disgusting accusation that Biden was is someway surrendering the United States she prostituted her good name, the integrity of the McCain campaign, the patriotism of the Republican party and the future of the United States. She disgraced herself and all that might associate with her. She is stabbing us in the back, the smile notwithstanding.
26. bob | 10.06.08
Its obvious Republicans are desperate and starving like wolves .
The hungrier the wolf get the more desperate and violent he gets.
This campaign took a turn for a real fight to the death.
Fine but McCain has remember something whats goes around
comes around.
McCain age problem was cleverly temporarily dismissed with
Karl Rove choosing Palin(in my opinion Karl Rove made that choice)
but with that kind of heat in the campaign you can be sure
things are going to heat up even more.
McCain gone Palin is left alone to lead and that s a scary thought
in anyone imagination don t you think…..
27. SiliconAddict | 10.06.08
The difference is that we’ve had almost 8 years of a Repub controlled Washington and the result? Its going to take a generation or more to clean up Shrub’s mess. To start this I think the US NEEDS at least 1 term where the Dems own Washington to bring it back into balance. That idiot really messed up this country.
29. William | 10.06.08
this obama guy is a joke. please see that. im not saying the GOP has all the answers, but give me a break with this state-sponosored health plan and the redistribution of wealth plan. tax cuts to the wealthy? you are joking right? People that make 250k a year WORK HARD. (and yes, i make less than 30k, so my opinion counts, according to you socialists who want to ‘fight for MY rights.) gimme a break.
30. Helene M | 10.06.08
I do not know why the press is giving so much coverage to what sarah Palin Says. If it were anyone else, they would have ignored her. she is not worthy to be VP or President for that matter. She doesn’t have a clean record—this troopergate affairs needs to be further elucidated. She is a disgrace to women across this nation. Frankly, there are so many intelligent women all across the U.S. thatMr. Mc Cain could have picked instead he decided that the Vice Presidency was a joke and selected Mrs. Palin. We already have the results of someone with no foresight and no intelligence can cause the falldown of a country. Look at what is happening now in the U.S. becuse of Mr. Bush’s failed policies. He wants to be a leader but doesn’t know the difference between a continent and a country. Please let us be honest, this Ms. Palin has no foresight and is as dumb as they come. I truly believe that nowadays jouralists are more interested in sensationalism instead of real journalism and that is a pity. I have one word Republican = Recession.
31. Boz | 10.06.08
“Why is LIBERAL a bad word in your country?”
Because we have a bunch of evangelical butthurt Christians here in the US that think the word liberal means Antichrist.
32. Stan Stuart | 10.06.08
Woe is us,
Again, the republicans take the electorate as STUPID. It has worked before, but hopefully this time the Democratic response will be to stay on message,which is the economy and let “Move ON” and other groups expose the criminality of McCaine and Palin.
Palin, the attack dog, is very vunerable, as his her alter ego husband, todd.
McCain,and the Keating Five should not be forgotten
Stan Stuart
33. RJH | 10.06.08
I am 100% behind McCain/Palin and will vote for them. I think the Obama economic policies of higher taxes in this environment are a danget to the middle class and our way of life.
Having said that, I think Obama is going to win big and will be a 1 term President
34. karlmalone | 10.06.08
Each campaign is targeting different kinds of voters, tailoring its message accordingly.
Republican aides talk of setting up voter registration tables outside mega-churches. “We do it at NASCAR races, [ World Wrestling Entertainment] events,” said Rich Beeson, political director for the Republican National Committee.
I think that says it all.
35. rucka | 10.06.08
and then there is that little issue of her HUSBAND joining the group that advocated the secession of Alaska… Love America but wanting to leave it???
36. Dan | 10.06.08
Written from China, observing this from afar. I cannot fathom the shallowness of the American electorate. I see an immense groundswell of support for a woman few have heard of, up to four weeks ago, due to a single speech she read from a telepromptor written by operatives. As an independent, I have followed this campaign closely, through the primaries and now the general election. I have seen the Obama campaign being comprised of issues and solutions and the McCain position being entirely of elbowing Obama in some sort of strange panic attack, knowing that he was about lose. There is no legitimate comparison between the two men. I lend all support to Obama and, from here, realize fully the Chinese citizenry have come to the same conclusion.
37. joseph marcucilli | 10.06.08
I would like anyone who believes Palin is “authentic” to look at her Alaska debates.Not one you betcha ,she puts g’s at the end of her words.Once again out cracker-jack news organizations didn’t pick up on this discrepancy.This woman a the biggest phony to come along in decades.What that also says about the American people is also why we are where we are.
38. joan | 10.06.08
shame on mccain! country first do anything to win campain! those who live in glass houses should not throw stones! sarah needs to answer to her abuse of power probe!
39. ned-wisconsin | 10.06.08
Well, I guess McCain IS using the low road to reach the high office. That’s another nail in his election coffin! Welcome Obama/Biden 2008.
40. CD | 10.06.08
People are either stupid or hypocrits. Both sides use the same tactics, both sides are guilty of association with scum, and both sides will continue the same old political games that have always been going on. When you break the two candidates down based on actual fact and not spin however, they are pretty much both the same. When I researched their voting records, I found that I liked both candidates as much as I hated them both. Ignore the hype and spin people and look at the candidates actual records, then vote for whichever you can stomach the best.
41. Jim | 10.06.08
I wish negative ads didn’t work, but if they didn’t, then neither campaign would use them. The meanness of the politicians is a reflection of the meanness of America right now. Pelosi’s inappropriate partisan comments that torpedoed the first bailout, ugly comments from pundits about Sarah Palin, insinuations that Obama hangs out with terrorists. All are gross, yet Americans eat them all up, then spew out their own venom. A civil debate seems impossible. To like one candidate means to think the other is satan incarnate. I support McCain - not because I think Obama is evil or even because McCain was a POW. I agree with his approach to government and I don’t agree with Obama’s. Both are men with integrity, both are obviously highly intelligent and accomplished. Is that not possible anymore in our “great” nation???
42. Josh | 10.06.08
Here, I thought, the Monitor was fairly objective, but the headline of this article tells a different story. this isn’t an article about conservatives against this strategy, it’s an article about non-conservatives upset about it. Bringing up Ayers, a man w/ whom Obama has STRONG ties, is totally appropriate.
43. Long Beach Dem | 10.06.08
John McCain is a one trick pony: Slam your opponent with smears and insult his character but never, ever, really discuss the issues or the solutions to them. Now, finally people all across this country,(including Republicans) are starting to understand that McCain & Palin have nothing to offer America in the way of real substantive change.
44. lordastral | 10.06.08
You know, it occurs to me that the whole tenuous Obama - Ayers link has been in the media for the last 6 or 7 months, and was fully investigated by the media during that time. That Sarah Palin is suddenly using this is hardly surprising, since I guess she must have just found out about it.
During the Katie Courik interview, she couldn’t name a single newspaper or magazine that she allegedly read, so perhaps she really is 6 months behind the rest of the country in knowing what is going on. Wait until she finds out Obama won the Democratic nomination!! Boy howdy, gosh darnit, I betcha won’t she be surprised.
45. jimmy”the weasel” | 10.06.08
Most Republicans are subhuman brutes who have limited intelligence and respond to violence and death. lies and cheating are a specialty.
46. Jean | 10.06.08
If you don’t know what the Natural means is, please go back to Journalist school! I am sick and tire of the people like you manipulate readers’ minds!
47. Rolf Ernst | 10.06.08
Pretty soon in the line for the soup kitchen, liberal will be a term of endearment and conservative the root of all evil. It just a matter of how dire the circumstances get. It’s too late for McCain to get the ball back. One more downturn of 700 points of the Dow and people will be moving in droves towards the hope candidate.
48. Stephen | 10.06.08
These are not low blows. These are issues that have been swept under the rug. This implicates Obama as not having the core American ideals that he should have….that every American should have. Thank God McCain Palin is running the campaign the right way. Lets expose everyone for what they really are, so the public will know who they are voting for. If Obama is elected, then on everyone’s (who votes for him) heads be it.
49. Alice | 10.06.08
Why won’t Sen. McCain and his running mate talk about their economic plans? Because they don’t have an economic plan. I’m all for eliminating wasteful spending, but cutting earmarks will not reduce our national debt or ease the pain of purchasing a $700 billion bailout package! I just don’t get McCain — doesn’t he realize that Americans are not going to vote for him if he continues to run and hide from the issues that matter most? Come on buddy, snap to it!
50. Dianne | 10.06.08
I’ve been wondering how long it would take for SOMEONE to finally bring up Obamas sketchy associations. I think this goes directly to his character and the very reason why he should NOT be president. William Ayers is a terrorist (not a former terrorist…can one be a ‘former murderer?’) and the Reverend Wright is anything but reverend. Rezko? Please. These are the people with whom Obama CHOSE to surround himself…..his friends and advisors. This absolutely needs to come out in the open. I say, “Fire away!”
51. John | 10.06.08
I am an independent, and after wishing eight years ago that McCain would have been my available choice on the Republican side of the ticket, I find myself seeing that I won’t be voting for him this time ’round. I was holding out hope that he would rise to the occasion when he selected Palin that would be the beginning of a new look for the Republicans. Doesn’t seem like it; I’ll be voting Obama this go ’round.
52. DWI in Austin | 10.06.08
And it’s time for … the Keating 5!! The difference between the attacks? The Keating 5 are incredibly relevant right now.
Also, Mike Murphy, I share your sentiment that the 3 branches should not be dominated by one party. However, I did not hear you trumpeting that concern the past 7 years (before Democrats took the congress), when the Republicans had control over all three branches. Whether the ultra-conservative voters would see it that way, the Supreme Court is 4-1-4, with a fairly conservative Kennedy as a swing vote. Face it republicans, you had a good 6 years or so of unfettered control, and we have our current state of affairs.
53. jess | 10.06.08
McCain/Palin are desperate. They are also filing a complaint regarding Obama’s fundraising. Ridiculous. McCain should know better than to start a fight about character and scandals. Obama campaign can fire some bullets on them! Keep your eyes and ears open for a documentary about the keating scandal releasing today. I wonder why everyone keeps their head in the sand regarding Palin’s troopergate issue.
McCain’s low blows and fighting dirty will not pay off in the long run. Palin’s fake persona and barely there intelligence does not impress me.
Independent for Obama/Biden 2008
54. keith | 10.06.08
McCain and Palin are playing very dirty. It is a sign of desperation.
what has happened to “country first…” slogan that McCain is running on?
it seems like McCain first…. country second to me now.
55. Barak Sam | 10.06.08
What “conservatives” questioning McCain are you talking about? You only mention liberals. Why do you not question Barrak Hussein’s attack ads on McCain? This reads like an Obama campaign ad. Sad.
56. GraceoverWater | 10.06.08
I guess what all the republicans forgot the Keating Affair. That Savings and Loans crisis that tarnished MCCain’s reputation and all of sudden he decided to become a “maverick”.
57. c. Kent | 10.06.08
Hmm, remember Keating? McCain avoided jail time, but the crooks he was palling around with didn’t. The GOP might do well to avoid getting too deep into mud slinging.
58. Tim | 10.06.08
“Why is LIBERAL a bad word in your country? Hier in Europe we see it as a compliment.”
It is a good word here in America as well. The trick with politics is you can make any word seem to be a bad word. Many things are considered bad in politics recently that do not make sense:
Education
Elite
Intellegence
Diplomacy
59. bojb08 | 10.06.08
I can’t tell if lordastal’s comment is serious or sarcastic…if it is the former, I am scraed for this county…
If you want to talk about unpatriotism how about the fact that Plain has spoke for and her huspand is a member of an organization that wants Alaske to succeed from the nation–That is a loot more real than Obama knowing some guy that used to be a radical, but now is on the faculty of a major university…
60. Douglas Mc Mullen | 10.06.08
Ken you are among the den of liars with the same old lie attack lines. Mc Same so loved America that he gave it up after only five days in captivity and picked the infantile Sarah to run with him you know the one who thought Alaska should leave the union. Mc Same cheated on his injured wife with his new drug addicted wife and was a member of the Keating Five. You want to throw mud you should not live in a thin glass house. Bunch of lying dogs is what the Republicans are left with.
61. L. Croft | 10.06.08
Poor Obama….wah, wah, wah. Before all of your bleeding hearts rupture, please take a moment to study the outcome of the majority of Mr. Obama’s programs in the south side of Chicago. Absolute failures! Talk about not being ready to lead this great country - Mr. Community Organizer can’t even succeed in a small portion of one of our cities. He’s an arrogant fool and will fail as president too if elected. We don’t need a weak leader such as Obama in this time of crisis.
63. RKBA09 | 10.06.08
It is sad for me, someone who has generally voted Republican or Libertarian over the years, that McCain has slipped into irrelevance. The Palin pick was a desperate gamble, and it has failed miserably. As a supporter of the NRA, a gun owner and a believer in the classic interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, it is not easy to vote for a Democrat like Obama. I do not fear Obama will “take my guns” as some do, but the fact is that Democrats are tougher on gun control and that is a huge issue for many people. But I cannot in good sense vote for McCain. He has bumbled and stumbled his way through this process, he has treated the voters like stupid children who won’t check facts or see his lies. I am so sad a once great American has sunk to this level. He has double talked and flip flopped his way into the GOP nomination, and now he is forcing this campaign into the dirt. If you look in the dictionary what the word “Liberal” in the dictionary it is not a bad thing at all, in fact it is a good thing. Whereas “Conservative” is not really such a good thing by definition. And worse yet look up maverick sometimes and you will see why voting for two of them is not a good idea. A maverick is someone who will do what they want, no matter what others say. This is a dangerous idea to be putting in the ultimate position.
64. Cassie | 10.06.08
I agree with you Ken. There IS far too much we dont know about Obama. Personally, I dont like either candidates as I was a hardcore Ron Paul / libertarian / strict conservative - which John McCain is none of the above.
But at LEAST with McCain, you know what to expect, you know where he’s been and where he is coming from. With Obama, we have NO freakin clue! He just popped up out of NOWHERE (much like Palin). The way I feel about everything is that McCain should win simply because he’s got more experience and if we dont stop terrorism across seas, it will come here instead and with Obama we will get the bombs here at home.
65. philip | 10.06.08
Biggest phony and most unqualified character yet to run for the VP office. Wonder if there is any integrity or crediability left on the Repulican side. Perhaps we can fill Sarah’s refrigerator with Joe Six-Packs (Budweiser if you will) and keep her in the Alaskan wilderness until the snow and glaciers melt.
66. Tim | 10.06.08
From every blog in the land, the Obama internet strategy includes countless people who respond harshly to every article printed where Obama’s past or his record are questioned. It is their version of the ‘Big Lie’…with it the truth can not come out.
Riddle me this…what is he hiding…provides nothing about his college papers (even as an editor of Harvard Law Review), not about his days as legal counsel of Acorn suing banks to force lending to unqualified, but definitely black customers, not as a hard left dilitante whose first campaign was sponsored by the American terrorist who he now claims as only knowing….the Obama people are effective and useful idiots, yet somehow disconnected to the reality of what it takes to hold onto Western freedoms that Obamas sponsors are so eager to reduce.
No one should misunderstand how the hard left has used the ‘Big Lie’ to take power , and then turned it on the people.
See the words of Hitler, Lenin, Mao, Castro, Che
Good Luck America
67. Humphrey | 10.06.08
Palin is what a christian should not be.
Hey…doing something right has nothing to do with being a christian.
The attacks are cheap,desperate and pathetic.
Focus on the issues. America is in trouble and if we allow Palin to distract us we might not have an economy to get back too.
Wisen up and stop being cheap and shallow.
68. Kathy | 10.06.08
What I don’t understand is no one seems to think that McCain/Palin bashing is in bad taste. But, say one word about Obama (and the old “race” card is pulled out) He’s only Black when he needs to be and yes I find it disturbing who his friends are…known terrorists, a hate-mongering preacher and of course, out of Obama’s own book…drug user and dealer…hum-m-m-m I remember when Clinton got pulled through the wringer for “not inhaling” marijuana!! I think terrorists, hate and drugs are far worse. The American public is being blind sided or stupid to think Obama wants good for this Country. He’s lined his pockets as well on these fraudlent banking processes and he’s going to put these same people in office to help him!! Oh, and he always votes “present” so he doesn’t have to make a decision on anything of importance including this bail out! WAKE UP AMERICA because it’s being taken away from you!
69. Alex | 10.06.08
Ken,
Your conspiracy rants would be more credible if you actually knew how to spell Fannie Mae.
70. Rick | 10.06.08
Mcain/Palin I think your “Swift Boat” strategy is a bridge to nowhere near the Whitehouse.
71. B Garcia | 10.06.08
Lets face it, if the mainstream media did its job, there would’ve been investigations into these relationships… and Palin wouldn’t need to be bringing this direct to the people. How many Liberals do you know are familiar with NoBama’s personal relationships which speak so badly about his judgement?
72. danno | 10.06.08
The headline got the best of my curiousity, only to find out the “conservatives” Orr is referring to are David Brooks and Mike Murphy.
And why should we be surprised “news organizations that have concluded that the relationship between Obama and Ayers is tenuous”? The MSM have been in the tank for Obama for almost 2 years now. Obama was handpicked by Ayers to chair the Annenberg Challenge, Ayer’s hosted a meet Obama party at his home, but we’re supposed to believe their relationship is “tenuous”.
Obama has a strange penchant for hanging out with radical anti-Americans and socialist like Wright and Ayers, but we’re supposed to believe Obama doesn’t share opinions of either. Obama has the most liberal voting record in the Senate, but nobody in the media would say he is on the idealogical fringe of the Democratic Party. Can you imagine what the press would do if a Republican with the most Conservative voting record ran for POTUS?
74. Four More Years | 10.06.08
After eight years, the two oil barons we elected under the guise of “conservatives” managed to quintuple the price of oil, convert the “Liberal” budget surplus into the largest budget deficit in the history of the U.S., replace our entire capitalist financial system under government control, and betrayed American financial strength into the hands of the terrorist-supporting governments they claim to protect us from. Now we are about to elect another two oil puppets, under the campaign slogan, “Drill, baby, drill,” because our male egos are so easily seduced by a sexy, winking, glib, and deceptive tease of a vice-presidential candidate. If we allow this to happen, we will have earned the unimaginable consequences.
75. Joe | 10.06.08
“Palin is Bill Laimbeer”
No! Palin is finally raising a concern that should legitimately worry every American. The despicably biased media would rather pick on Palin’s poor daughter than expose Obama’s skeletons.
REMDINDER!!!
Obama is running for president!!! President of the greatest country in the world! Shouldn’t I be entitled to know who I am voting for?!?!?!?! Or perhaps is it more important to know that Palin lobbied for the dismissal of a child tasering cop?
How stupid and blind can people get?
76. Carole Whirenack | 10.06.08
NOBAMA–the guy is a slick CON-MAN and DANGEROUS!!!!!! Wake up America!!
Loved the Foxnews cable TV show that told all about Obama and his friends!!!!
Scary stuff!!!!!
77. Bill R | 10.06.08
I’m a Mac supporter but find these silly attacks embarrasing…. get back on ther high road !!!!
78. thaleia | 10.06.08
I think Sara Palin is a loose cannon and that many repubicans in high places, also, see her as such. They are going push her aside after this election because she has no loyalty to anyone other then Sara Palin. Remember “she took on the Republicans in Alaska”. Just like a pit bull, she will turn on anyone-even her handlers and best friend John McCain. I think she is praying that McCain bites the dust and she gets to be president. McCain will loose this election and it will because he choose a pit pull for a running mate instead of a respect member of the USA. Why is nobody discussing all of the Palin associations?
79. Michael | 10.06.08
I hate the fact that the conservatives and republicans have made liberal into a dirty word these days, no one should be anything other than a liberal, because a liberal is someone who has an open mind and tolerant of other views. Unlike conservatives who are close minded and want nothing to ever change.
80. terri | 10.06.08
Palin is a mouthpiece for the Rovian-style Republic machine that McCain has wholeheartedly embraced.She loves the role and thinks it will make her president very soon. It is obvious McCain will not last 4 years in the White House. Frankly, I’m surprised he has survived campaigning. McCain is in bed with the gambling industry, the alcohol industry, and some of the biggest lobbiests in our country. What they love about the country is making a buck off the backs of real working Americans. Palin is an insider wannabe and has extreme fundamentalist views, to boot. These people are dangerous. It is not Obama you should fear, but McCain/Palin.
81. D Sperry | 10.06.08
Gov Palin is not exaggerating. The Obama people know this is coming and now want to sweep it away- as they will the 20 year relationship with Rev Wright. While Obama now claims to repudiate all the beliefs of these types- it won’t wash. He is either ignorant or lying. I do not think Mr. Obama is stupid!
We will see if the real America- those pesky red state- clinging to their guns and religion- will accept the “race is over- Barack wins” that we hear now. What a great few weeks we should have in store!
82. mitchell moss | 10.06.08
The fact that Obamas past associates are being brought to the front is no surprize to me, its high time more attention was paid to his seeming devotion to radicals and low lifes in general, this is very important to me, we will survive the bad economy, we have in the past but can we survive a president with a hidden agenda and a list of friends that would make anyone call the police? NO.
Obamas pledge to Africa is also freightening, he has promised amounts of money in the form of aid that will stagger your mind, he chose to be associated with these dangerous people, his choice, not mine, and after 20 years of being close to them do you think he is going to suddenly break all ties, NO.
Obama poses the greatest threat to our nation that we have ever experienced and we must not be fooled by him, so John McCain and Sarah Palin have a duty to expose the truth that the liberal press will not.
83. joshgeek | 10.06.08
McCain/Palin are only doing this to cling to their base. The only people’s minds that would change over this are already voting republican.
84. nic | 10.06.08
Talk about the issues…YES!
But, isn’t the possibility of relationships with untoward individuals of such importance, that we Americans have a right, nay, responsibility to hear this out and make our own judgements? While some may label this “mud slinging”, my sense is that this information needs vetting in the open, with responses that are direct, and not just subterfuge.
Remember that TRUTH shall make us free.
85. Owen | 10.06.08
Jason,
The material about Obama is not the truth. He barely knows the guy and has disavowed the guy’s views. He has disavowed his former pastor and left that church. Palin, on the other hand, is engineering a cover up of her deeds in Alaska. Her husband is a convicted drunk driver. Her daughter couldn’t quite figure out abstinence. And McCain did a deal with Keating’s S&L, and got a slap from the Senate ethics committee. Who has character now?
87. The Mask CTF | 10.06.08
THE HYPOCRISY! The Dems wrote the book on negative ads and dirty tricks! McCain has simply woken up and realized that it’s time to tell the truth about Obama. Since the mainstream media has failed to do its job in vetting Obama, it’s up to the Republicans to do one thing: skewer Obama with the facts. Not innuendo, not lies (as the Dem’s are oh-so-wont to do), just the facts. There is SO much about this man that has yet to be told, paricularly about his ties to the Chicago political machine, that will be seen in the coming weeks. If the media had spent 1/10th of the time examining Obama as they did Palin, Hillary would have been the nominee!!!
88. Phil | 10.06.08
To Ken: “Conservatives aren’t bothered by the truth coming out?” What a laugh that is! Are these the same Conservatives who scoffed at the litany of TRUTHS that came out about the conduct of the Iraq war? Are these the same Conservatives who allowed Cheney and his Haliburton buddies to pilfer BILLIONS from taxpayers…and not serve the basic needs of our fighting men and women? Are these the same Conservatives who raped the economy even though they were in power for Twelve straight years in Congress and 8 years in the White House? Are these the same Conservatives who spread awful, vicious lies just to get elected? Ummmmm, yeah. One and the same. McCain is history. People will not fall for this nonsense this time. Go back to church and pray for four years from now.
89. Memphis Driver | 10.06.08
to Prague (#4): “Liberal” is only a “bad word” to those who are too afraid to go outside of their comfortable sheltered existence and see the rest of the world either literally, by traveling or figuratively, by expanding their reading habits (if they have any). Conservatives are the most selfish of all, because , in essence all they care about is themselves and their need to control everyone else so that their world remains just how they feel comfortable rather than how their actions inpact any one else. I live in the great USA. And in the South, no less. I am proud to be a LIBERAL.
90. Brenda Byford | 10.06.08
I’m wondering how so many so called Americans can put down McCain when he is an American and knows what we stand for. The attack by Palin was on the straight. If more people would look up history on Obama they would be afraid to say his name. I too would like to know why the media won’t call Obama out. If this guy gets to the white house we can hang up what little freedom we have left.
93. JunkKicker2008 | 10.06.08
To post #48. who said “Pretty soon in the line for the soup kitchen,…and people will be moving in droves towards the hope candidate.”
Yes much like they did in the 1930’s Germany and Italy!
94. Mary | 10.06.08
Oh for goodness’ sake, Obama was about 5 or 6 years old when Ayers was such a radical! If they keep this up, McCain and Palin look worse and worse……
95. JackA | 10.06.08
Look at this article in NYTimes. Palin’s husband, who she is still married to, is a seperatist. Should she not step down for sake of our country…How can we let such a person anywhere close to Whitehouse??
In the mid-1990s, the Alaskan Independence Party was experiencing a boom of sorts. A governor had been elected on its ticket in 1990, when the party was not even a decade old. And membership was swelling.
NYTimes article…
Among the new recruits was Todd Palin, whose wife, Sarah, would later become governor of Alaska. The Palins attended the party’s convention in their hometown, Wasilla, in 1994, according to party officials, where the party called for a revote on statehood and a draft constitution for an independent Republic of Alaska. Mr. Palin joined the party.
Ms. Palin remained a Republican and never joined the Alaskan Independence Party, but returned to its convention in 2006 to speak as candidate for governor. After she had been elected, she recorded a video greeting that was played at the party convention this year. “Good luck on a successful and inspiring convention,” she said. “Keep up the good work, and God bless you.”
Now that she is the Republican nominee for vice president — for a campaign whose motto is “Country first” — the couple’s interaction with the Alaskan Independence Party has gotten attention because of its reputation as a secessionist group.
Alaskan Independence Party officials released a statement Monday saying that Ms. Palin had been a member for two years, from 1994 to 1996, information included in reports in The New York Times and other news outlets. In Internet videos of recent party meetings, other party officials can be seen boasting of Ms. Palin’s past membership.
On Tuesday, though, the party’s chairwoman, Lynette Clark, said the earlier statement was false. Ms. Clark said that she had based it on information another party member had given her, but that a review of the records showed only that Ms. Palin had attended the 1994 conference.
Ms. Clark added that while the review confirmed Todd Palin as a member, it did not indicate that Ms. Palin had been one.
96. Tom | 10.06.08
I think Mike Murphy makes a good point about unrestrained control and ruining the economy, except he has the wrong party. Unrestrained control of both legislative and executive branches is exactly what the republicans have had for most of the last eight years and they have definitely ruined the economy.
97. Maureen | 10.06.08
Anyone who has not made up their mind by this stage in the election process probably is influenced, unconsciously, by race.This issue is the elephant in the room and the Republicans know how to play on this fear and prejudice. If Sarah Palin doesn’t scare you and John McCain doesn’t put you off simply by his choice of this insult-to-intelligent-women, then you should do some soul searching to see if you may be harboring fears about Obama because of his race.
98. FriendlyFred | 10.06.08
The Sarah Palin comment about Obama being pals with terrorists should be over shadowed by John McCain’s direct involvement with the Keating Five. I wrote about this today in my blog, and it should be the topic of the day.
http://www.congratstothewinners.com/2008/10/john-mccain-keating-five.html
99. Wow | 10.06.08
20. lordastral | 10.06.08
Sarah is Wonderful!
We love Sarah, and if she says Obama hangs around with terrorists then of course it must be true, after all she is a true christian and would NEVER bear false witness against someone since that is one of the ten commandments.
She is so pious and righteous she would never do something that violates the dictates of God and Jesus Christ.
You liberal media is always trying to destroy Sarah Palin, accusing her of lying and sinning against God. Why are you saying she is a hypocrite, do you think we would believe she might not be what she claims to be???
Palin/mccain in 2008
===================================================================
I hope this was satire…
100. Zeb | 10.06.08
This quote is HILARIOUS!
” vs. the idea that everything in this town being run by the Democrats with no restraint, no balance, no control”
It’s funny because the most vivid demonstration of this concept is the first 6 years of the Bush “administration”. If the public is uneasy about one party being in control, it’s because the Republicans “screwed the pooch” during that time period. But that doesn’t make voters more comfortable with Republicans!
101. Robert | 10.06.08
>>>Why is it whenever the republicans state the inconvenient truth about Obama and the democrats it’s a smear campaign, and when McCain is compared to Bush it’s just the truth in so many people’s eyes?<<
Try voting records, Jason. Sen. McCain has voted with Bush more than 90% of the time. He’s flip-flopped issues of principle such as tax cuts for the top one percent and the use of torture. McCain is a flip-flopping opportunist who puts victory at the ballot box ahead of country.
102. sbv | 10.06.08
i guess this election has become a game; let’s see: i’ll match your jeremiah wright and raise you one witch doctor plus nuclear annihilation pat roberts’ i’ll match you one rezko and raise you one phil gramm plus rick davis and throw in one keating just for fun! if you have ever been unemployed and the only way you and your family survived was on unemployment checks; or if your aging parents survive on social security and medicare; or if you sleep better at night knowing your savings account is insured by the fdic; or your life or the life of your child has been saved in a car accident; or your safety on the job is checked out by osha; if any of things apply to you, you can thank a liberal! so let’s see: on one hand we have jobs, jobs, jobs, energy independence in 10 years, affordable health insurance for all oh and yeah, tax cut versus tax cuts for the wealthy and more tax cuts for patriotic corporations who ship american jobs overseas, tax on your health insurance, more shame in torture and oh yeah, bomb, bomb, bomb - geez, this game of an election is a tough decision!
103. Gus | 10.06.08
Gov. Palin or is it Miss Palin because she has misspoken, misquoted, misinterpreted in every interview I have seen. I don’t know why anyone would believe anything she says.
104. LadyLiberty | 10.06.08
Something does not seem right with the McCain/Palin ticket. It does not seem wise or level headed for the Republican ticket to pick an unknown, inexperienced, and ill-mannered running mate at a time when we are in such dire straits here in America. I remember countless footage of President GW Bush speaking and acting extremely undignified for a president. I have wondered many times how we could have picked a man so unbefitting of the dignified title President of the United States. Something is not right.
God bless the internet and all the diligent American’s working hard day-in-day-out to review the qualifications and reasoning behind the respective selections. Our resources are awash with Red Flags for this ticket. At this time when we are facing daily robbing of the poor and giving to the rich on Wall Street and at the gas pump, the Big Red Flag that goes off for me after reviewing the candidates tax returns is whose is truly behind the Republican ticket? Who is pushing their opaque agenda? It looks to me that it may be the Oil Companies. Do the Oil Companies see McCain and Palin as their ticket into the White House? After all we saw our current President and administration sell us down the river for oil and greed. What would stop them from hatching a plan to put together a road show and shuck and jive their way into the White House and control of our country? It is clear McCain has the big pocket books in mind at the expense of all American’s. In the Palin tax returns I am surprised that for a woman that says she has worked so hard and worked two jobs most of here life, why then did she make so little income in 2006? What about Todd Palin and his work with BP Alaska? Has Governor Palin received funds from BP Alaska also? This may be a wake up call for us to pay more attention to what is going on in Alaska on our behalf regarding our oil reserves. We have seen a tremendous amount of scandal come out of that state in the last year; scandal that is long standing and has been overlooked for quite some time. As we dig deeper we find that it seems to be common practice for leadership in Alaska to disregard their oaths and forge full speed ahead in total disregard of Best Practices and social ethics. We see this in Governor Palin’s lax use of internet mail accounts for official business, receiving purdium payments and not paying taxes on them (my sister was in a situation where she received fund during time away from work recuperating. She paid taxes on all the money she received) and possibly unlawfully causing someone to loose their job to satisfy her own personal vendettas.
What is going on here? What ever happened to having a DIGNIFIED President? In this election process I have been amazed at the beautiful self management skills of the Democratic ticket. They do a really good job of staying focused on the topics that we are struggling with. I repeatedly see the Republican’s avoid all seriousness in this election in favor of vague promises and childish mud slinging. Is that all they have in this election? They seem desperate to get to the White House.
I much prefer an inspired dream for the future rather than a desperate ploy to gain maniacal control. It’s ugly and it’s beneath all that we are.
So are the oil companies behind the Republican ticket?
105. JA Lee | 10.06.08
A couple of minor corrections to one of the comments above. The comment in question reads “And yet during the Clinton years when the “liberal” Democrats controlled both branches more often than not we had a booming economy and a surplus in the budget . . . . ”
1. Both houses of Congress were controlled by Democrats in 93-94, which was the first half of President Clinton’s first term. The Democrats lost their majority in the 1994 election. The Clinton Era economic boom began in 1995.
2. There was never a surplus in the budget, even during the Clinton years. The money that was supposed to be going into the so-called “Social Security Trust Fund” was simply counted as general revenue, the same as income tax - meaning that it counted against the deficit. Interestingly enough, it was also counted as being physically present in the Trust Fund. In other words, the government counted it twice . . . once as it went into the US Treasury general fund, and again as it was placed in the so-called “Trust Fund.”
Having said all that, it is certainly true that our economy was booming in the second Clinton term and continued booming until just before the 2000 election. It has never recovered under the current President. One of the reasons is undoubtedly the massive deficit spending in which he’s engaged, in addition to the cost of his bloody, unprovoked and illegal war - which is off budget; as a result we don’t really know exactly how far in debt we actually are. If I had been a Republican 2000, I most certainly would not be now due to the high-handed, intrusive, fear-mongering, and incompetent behavior of the current Administration.
106. kuriakose pulikeel | 10.06.08
I am concerned for Senator Mc Cain, one of the most respected sons of America with a record of being a gentleman so far. When the elections are over and he will continue as a US senator I do not want to hear people say that he played ugly tricks in his bid to become president. Dear Senator! Please say publicly if you truly believe that Senator OBAMA is a terrorist? Or one who at any time was a terrorist? Or is he one supported any terrorist activities in the past? Or is he an Anti American? We want to hear from you. If you say yes then please explain also why you waited until now to say that? Was it not the most important matter you should have found out and told the American people way back? If you never knew before and only became aware of it when Sarah Palin started reading New York Times did you do your job right? Can we trust that, as president, you will be able to know the dangers facing America in time? Or will you presidency will be a repetition of the present administration of president Bush, God fearing person with only Good intentions for the country, who got misguided by vested interests about WMD, economy etc and is thrown along with our country to this deep hole.
107. mungomunro | 10.06.08
I’m sick and tired of Republicans always blaming America for everything wrong in the world.
We need someone in the Whitehouse who will put the interests of the American people ahead of wall street crooks and international companies.
108. joper | 10.06.08
I say to those people crying foul about the attack on BARRACK HUSSIEN OBAMA is hypocritical to its extent! When Democrats send pack of wolves to dig dirt on Sarah Palin and the “host” of media comparing her to Quayle, while a ‘VIEW” host called her the dumbest of the dumb…where is the question of FOUL PLAY? No skeleton in the closet was found, the attack on her continues and now she cannot even response to tell the TRUTH! Why can’t BARRACK HUSSIEN OBAMA tell the truth once and for all. Admit the document presented that he even supported Ayers financially NOT a decade ago but even while he was serving as Senator in Chicago…Obama will lie and will use his twisted golden toungue to evade the truth. He lied during the debate with Hilary when asked by George Stenapolous, he continue to lie on his acquaintance the racist that is not so reverend Wright. He should admit and apologize and may be then, he will have my respect!
109. Paul | 10.06.08
What scares independants and conservatives most about Obama is that he might spend the country to death. What they do not realize is that you cannot save money by cutting taxes. You can only save money by cutting spending. You borrow instead of tax and guess what? The bills just hit taxpayers in a more roundabout way.
The Republicans have already shown that they cannot control spending, which is not suprising since all they talk about cutting are social programs that are chump change compared to the big ticket items. And John McCain still has the gall to claim he can save massive amounts by cutting wasteful government spending, as if this was something George Bush forgot to do, and that if we just keep up with the tax cuts a little while longer they are going to generate all the growth and revenue we could wish for, which we have already seen they have not.
Clinton made more responsible budgets than George Bush. Obama will budget better than McCain, because McCain is still living in George Bush’s dream world.
110. JDP | 10.06.08
Its going to be hard to dig out of the hole McCain and Palin have dug for themselves. As the economy issue was coming to the fore-front they failed miserably to articulate how they would address it if they get in the ofice. McCain is weak on economy and didnt surround himself with smart people who undestand economy, consequently they failed to craft a credible story line on this issue. Although Palin has been good to rally die-hard conservatives, she failed miserably in getting the independents excited. It is impossible to see a game changing event that doesnt have economy as a component. This character assasination thing really isnt going to cut it.
111. Purl Gurl | 10.06.08
I am always amused by these mindless Obamabot minions who show up in droves at blogs all across the web. Some of those folks are paid staffers, some are volunteers, many are Obamabot zombies.
Discussing Obama’s friendship with terrorist Ayers is fair game. Discussing Palin’s “Troopergate” affair is fair game. Discussing Obama’s decades long close association with “God damn America” Wright is fair game. Discussing Todd Palin’s past participation in this Alaska “secession” organization is fair game.
Those topics and many other topics are fair game while those discussing relate facts and truths. These issues point to a person’s character and judgement. Those issues are only fair game when discussed with maturity and common sense. Most, not all, but most of what I read being written by Obama staffers at blogs, most of this is simply not true. I also read “stretching of the truth” by McCain supporters, but much less in number and much less in wild claims.
Part of this disparity in numbers between Obama and McCain blog commentaries is Obama can afford to pay people to work blogs in massive numbers. McCain cannot afford to have the same done.
A point which is critically important is all these “bad” people associated with Palin or McCain, none of those people blew up buildings nor perpetrated violent terrorist acts upon our country. Yes, there is Troopergate and there is Keating, there are other incidents of not good favor, but none of those incidents involve widespread terrorist attacks on our country, much like the 9-11 horror. Ayers and his old friends are terrorists, this is beyond debate.
Very few, most likely no readers here would associate with Ayers. This would be like associating with Islamic terrorists. This is distasteful, this is inappropriate, this is selling out your dignity at a cheap price. Obama using Ayers to launch his political career, Obama maintaining friendship with Ayers, Obama simply being in the company of Ayers, is a slap across the face of our country and is for Obama to sell his dignity to further his political career. This does call into question Obama’s character and his judgement.
Obama associating with Ayers is like one of us playing golf with O.J. Simpson.
These issues are fair political game but must be addressed with fairness and truth. We cannot afford to play deceitful games; our country’s future is at stake.
Okpulot Taha
Choctaw Nation
112. MizuInOz | 10.06.08
You now, durn it… I wasn’t gunna say anything until I read #20 lordastral’s comments…
I hope you are being sarcastic… there is a list of “saintly” preachers who are doing serious penitence for the acts against God and their marital vows… One of the commandments that God gave Adam and Eve was to care for His creations. Do you think slaughtering wolves from an airplane is OK in God’s eyes? And vowing to destroy any polar bears that get in her way to “Drill, Baby, Drill”, is that OK? And lying about her condoning the Bridge To Nowhere and then when it was expedient retract her support, is that OK?
As for John Benedict Arnold McCain - is it acceptable in your eyes to tell the enemy the names of all of the men in your squadron, the location and call signs to your aircraft carrier, the number of planes in his squadron and much much more - all for some cigarettes and better quarters. He was NEVER tortured! PERIOD!
However, he has lied a lot. Just consider his activities as part of the Keating 5. If you are not aware of that little 20 billion dollar fiasco - it was about deregulation of the nation’s Savings and Loan industry. All gone now. Hmmm
History does repeat itself. Maybe McCain will crash and burn again. Saigon all over again.
Take a look at these little tidbits:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/election08/100921/
http://www.keatingeconomics.com/
Do you really want these two people stealing any more of YOUR money. George Bush has already turned the USofA into a 3rd world dictatorship…
Do you want it to continue?
113. Tangent | 10.06.08
And the loons start infesting the comments board. Truly a shame, because there was some intelligent discourse on here prior to it.
Obama isn’t lily-white concerning attack advertisements. And this is perhaps ironic because for a while now the Republicans have been trying to turn this Democratic candidate into a wimp and a weakling who can’t take the heat.
The truth is, neither candidate is perfect. Both have a number of flaws. However, Obama has the benefit of being relatively new to the scene, and thus hasn’t been scorched by political mishaps. In 12 years… eight years even… Obama might be far less “pure” politically (though he has long had his eyes on the White House, so he might have avoided a truly significant scandal so to remain viable as a candidate) than he is now.
Perhaps what we should do is look at what McCain’s record was after 12 years in the Senate, and see how clean his nose was at this juncture. Then truly could we get a measure of each man as a politician.
114. Vic | 10.06.08
Shame on Sarah! It makes women look bad. The same old thing- tearing down each other instead of really getting down to the important things this country faces. We need to focus on the econmy, education, foreign policies, and solar & wind energy. Do her and McCain have any real plans?-I haven’t heard anything but negative politics. I think Americans are tired of this already. The Republican party is using her and really making her look bad, real bad. She’s like a puppet on a string. You could tell on the debate she was coached what to say and didn’t deviate - she didn’t answer many of the direct questions. It doesn’t do any justice for the women in this country. I don’t think Sarah is qualified for VP. ( let alone president, scarey)She knows how to open her mouth with that winey voice and winkey eyes that makes me sick. It’s like the republicans put her in this positions as a sex sysmbol. I’m sick of the attacks and would like to see plans to help this country.
115. Wallace | 10.06.08
Why can’t the same laws that require truth in product advertising be used to enforce truth in political advertising? You know … tell a lie, go to jail.
116. kc | 10.06.08
Absurd - Palin’s married to a radical Alaska secessionist and McCain’s pal’d around w/convicted conmen for decades - most recently w/the cad who broke Anne Hathaway’s heart. There hasn’t been a financial crisis in the last three decades without McClueless right at its center - from Keating forward, he’s proved he’s learned nothing and lead noone.
117. Tom Goodman | 10.06.08
What is the McCain campaign waiting for? Why haven’t they used Obama’s long, prolific history with Fannie Mae (and Raines) to their advantage and expose what an economic terrorist he is? It’s time to take the real gloves off! What’s more, don’t believe any of the recent polls that are forced upon us by our various media in all their first ammendment power and glory. The truly informed (and in touch) American public knows how thinly spread Obama’s support really is. It may cover a large area, but it doesn’t go very deep. Except for places like Hollywood, where THE MOST out of touch segment of our population resides. I have faith that the Constitution will be preserved come November.
118. h in Virginia | 10.06.08
If you think McCain is ‘country first’ that shipped sailed a long time ago. If so, he would not have nominated a person who is 10 years away from being ready to run for national office. He is McCain first and is being reckless with our safety and the stability of our country. In order to be safe from terrorists, we need to be economically stable.
I am not sure the Republicans want to go down this path of smear tactics…although they seem to have a lot more people who just believe what they read without questioning it. There is dirt on both sides. No one is perfect.
Is it just me or do the Republicans seem to be a lot more hate filled this go round…they have done a nice job of uniting our country–yeah, right! We have NEVER been so divided. It is tome for someone who can unite us and make us strong again–OBAMA/BIDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
119. JAB | 10.06.08
We’re in the midst of economic crisis, and what are McCain-Palin talking about? Lies about Barack Obama. 150,000 people lost jobs last month and three quarters of a million in nine months, and what do McCain-Palin talk about? Lies about Barack Obama. People have lost jobs, homes, pensions, health care, retirement funds and are paying the highest inflation in 27 years, and what are McCain-Palin talking about? Lies about Barack Obama. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think McCain-Palin are trying to change the subject because they don’t really care about all our hurting people.
120. Cru | 10.06.08
“We know McCain loves America and so does Palin from what I see. That Obama took more money from Freddie Mac and Fannie May except only one person should be sending up flags. There is too much secrecy about Obama and the media won’t call him on it .”
Same could be said about your Candidate, Ken. And just because you’ve been mentally pummeled by catch phrases bolstering McCain’s love for America doesn’t mean you should just take them out of hand, you wouldn’t do the same for Obama. Clearly you’re not biased *rolls eyes*
121. stewart | 10.06.08
I am a liberal. I have always voted democratic and I always will. The republican party has done nothing for me or my people. They condesend to suggest that their everyman for himself ethic is whats best for me. Their values are anti-christian and anti-democratic. They squander my money and send my children to fight their wars. However, John McCain had the potential to be something differant. I once had the notion of breaking with the past and voting for McCain. But now, I see integrity is just another empty promise wrapped in a tattered flag and carrying an abridged bible. Shame on you John McCain I expected better.
122. chris | 10.06.08
I’m a gay transvestite republican… And this is no way that I’d vote for that cheap tramp Palin. She doesn’t even know how to put on make up. Disgrace!!!
Oh Snap
123. Bill | 10.06.08
Of course no Christian would ever bear false witness, even though millions of you did when you spread the lie that Al Gore claims to have invented the internet.
Of course no Christian would bear false witness, even though Sarah Palin is now lying, while you bury your mind in the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” myopia.
You said it all here:
“We love Sarah”
Love is blind. Open your eyes, do your research. Look at both sides before you spread more of your ignorance. Ignorance is not pretty, nor is it pious, nor is it righteous.
124. JunkKicker2008 | 10.06.08
48. Rolf Ernst said “Pretty soon in the line for the soup kitchen… and people will be moving in droves towards the hope candidate.”
Yes Just like in the 1930’s in Germany and Italy
125. Calliope | 10.06.08
To commenters saying this headline is misleading — did you finish reading the article? GOP strategist Mike Murphy agreed that McCain’s negative campaign tactics won’t work. This qualifies as a conservative (albeit only one specific one) questioning McCain’s attack strategy.
127. sal | 10.06.08
To all of the narrowminded and hatefilled conservatives who are chewing on this slander everyday:
is all of this MORE important to talk about all day than how the economy will recover?
is all of this MORE critical to your family than the issue of health coverage?
are Obama’s neighbors MORE important than ending the war in Iraq?
Mccain is desparate for you to take your eye off the ball and forget the pressing issues.
While all of this Hollywood-type gossip and slander and rumor might be mildly entertaining,
I AM MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN MCCAIN AND OBAMA TALKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT MY CHILDREN AND THIER FUTURE AND THEIR SAFETY. WHAT ABOUT YOU? ISN’T YOUR FAMILY MORE IMPORTANT THAT THIS DRIVEL?????
128. Sam | 10.06.08
It’s the economy, stupid!! McCain is desperate to change the discussion because he and the GOP philosophy of rampant deregulation are the primary cause of the Wall Street meltdown and pending world economic crisis. His true colors were seen early on with is shameful participation with Keating in the S&L crisis.
McCain can try to change the subject but the non-stop string of bad and worse economic news coming in the next few weeks will ensure an Obama victory and a Democratic majority in Congress.
Palin, BTW, is a really just a distraction but she will actually help as more citizens realize she is less than qualified to be VP, let alone President. And with McCain at 72 and counting, she is a very scary prospect.
Sam
129. Kevin F | 10.06.08
Thursday Saran Palin denounced Biden’s insistent referral to the past, stating unequivocally that she and McCain are moving forward.
Then she sternly promotes the past relationship between Obama and Ayers. Again, the hypocrisy.
The party of Jesus and forgiveness looks at Ayers as a terrorist. Yes he did do (or maybe didn’t do, he was never convicted) some bad stuff. Since, he has been a leader, professor, author and editor. His post-rehabilitation career is distinguished and respectable.
However, he is viewed as a scumbag by the people that lauded Enron, bogus claims leading to war, and the Saudi leadership.
Oh the irony. It makes an independent like me lean left, despite their shortcomings.
130. Cru | 10.06.08
I’m tired of the insinuations that Obama actually IS a terrorist. When this is all said and done, these comments will be picked over and this will go down as one of the higher ranking racist campaigns. This whole storm started with questions whether he was black enough, then his middle name, then the ‘terrorist fist-jab’. People please. Stop accusing us of drinking kool-aid and go back to wearing your tinfoil hats. If Obama had a different complexion these accusations would never be so insisted upon.
Furthermore, McCain has had it easy this entire campaign, the media doesn’t bother digging any dirt up on him. All the while everyone’s whining that the media is in the tank for Obama all the meanwhile playing an entire month of Jeremiah Wright. This is nonsense. I want to see Obama win so that America knows that at least the majority of us won’t stand for such inequity.
131. Stan | 10.06.08
This kind of campain McCain is running is pure filth. Its not changing my mind on voting for obama. I know its bs. There is a ton of dirt out there on McCain. Listen is McCain throws mud Obama will throw it back and it just might stick!
Keating 5? Cyndi McCains mob connection? Song Bird McCain?
I think he needs to back down and except where he stands. Him and Palin relied on catch phrazes and 1 liners. They didnt address the issues as well as obama and biden.
Sorry Obama has a stonger and more heart felt vision for the US.
132. Ed | 10.06.08
Well, that does it for me! The McCain / Palin ticket has just turned really pathetic. Don’t they believe that Americans are more intelligent and can see right through their desperation? It’s an insult to voters who want clarification on the economy and other issues that affect us.
133. Rev. Ken Griffiths | 10.06.08
Whether Mr. McCain becomes President or Mr. Obama the economy of the entire world as we know it is in serious trouble. Are you facing unemployment? Did you recently lose your home? Do You need your particular situation Changed? Go to my new Book ”Oh God,Change This Scene!’ at outskirtspress.com or amazon & it will show you clearly how to change your situation. Check it out! What have you got to lose anyway?
134. Doug | 10.06.08
We don’t have two very good choices to vote for this year but it’s a simple process. Do you support a liberal view of higher taxes and big goverment policies with Obama? Then he’s the man.
If you believe in a moderate view of higher taxes and big government policies with McCain then he’s your choice. Either way we are getting more of the same. We have no leaders and I pray that changes or we’re in trouble.
135. Hoq | 10.06.08
I am uncomfortable with his wishy-washy attacks, frankly. They have not attacked him enough for his past. Instead of aggressively pointing out how liberal he has been, how connected to ACORN and Fannie Mae, or how radical his views are, it’s pretty much been a fight against the media. They should essentially be using the book “Obama Nation” as a guide.
136. Mike | 10.06.08
Looks like the “Streight Talk Express” should be renamed “The Hate Talk Express!”
137. Glenn | 10.06.08
Read this article for the truth about McCain:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain
138. rob | 10.06.08
Palin is mocking America. Being Christian does not make you a silent majority. 90% of the people I went to church with were Liberal. Obama taught Constitutional law, Palin ran a state with the population of Anaheim CA, McCain palled around with Keating…Yes Keating prisoner number 2274938 . It’s too bad that people would rather chew on a tired old milked-out piece of beef than to try a salad of which they are not familiar with. Nixon almost won in the early 60’s and if he had, you would most likely be on par with a third world nation. There would be no civil rights or attempts at equality and abortions would be performed in high school bathrooms. Conservatives are bothered by the truth, because the truth is our nation is in a very bad place because of them and I hail the day Middle America wakes up to realize they are being ripped-off and used by Conservative warlords and money grabbers.
139. connie smith | 10.06.08
My feelings are that what was once a great nation is so divided that we will fall from within. Every great empire has done the same.It matters not whether you be Christian,Jew or other persuasion,if you know anything about World History. I do happen to be a Christian Conservative not too thrilled with all the division by both parties. If people were honest, they would see the blatant hatred for anyone having to do with the Republicans. It’s ignorant to think that all Democrats or all Republicans are evil, but if Americans who would step back, keep quiet,and listen instead of flipping out, would realize voting for McCain is not voting for “four more years of Bush” Funny how Sen. Obama’s association with Ayers,Palistinians,Rev.Wright(with did say something I did agree with because I listen) doesn’t matter a bit,it’s totally biased by his supporters. I Love America, and if anyone voting doesn’t,why don’t you go to another country that has already established a Socialist,Marxist and Communist country. I pray at least those of you who are unsure,will begin to bfore it is too late, to realize a vote for Sen. Obama will bring America into the pits for sure. Has nothing to do with race,I’d have voted for Alan Keyes or Jesse Watts in a second. But his associations,both here and abroad ought to terrify America into voting for McCain until you have more time to fully understand and realize who follows Obama and why!! Please?
140. Vasant | 10.06.08
McCain is no maverick and have no morals. This guy was messing around while still married. Check out what his friends of many years say about this guy’s character. Totally bankrupt.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1024927/The-wife-John-McCain-callously-left-behind.html
141. didit | 10.06.08
say it aint so joe!!! <<<< didnt take off did it sara, because you said nothing but jibberish after it so it made no sense.
142. katiewithroses | 10.06.08
I really, really wish you Obama freaks would stop this fake outrage.
No one is buying it. You’re wasting your breath. You’re talking to each other.
Don’t tell me Obama’s past associations are above discussion. That’s nonsense. And since the MSM is obviously doing its’ best to gloss over them,
it’s fine that McCain brings it up.
Don’t tell me that if Palin had ANY associations with FELONS and self admitted TERRORISTS or individuals like that odious Rev. Wright, you wouldn’t be all over it. Course you would.
And so would the authors of this article.
143. Blue Star mother, former McCain supporter - not this time | 10.06.08
I hope respected press outlets will give the same depth of coverage to Palin’s close association with and stated admiration for the pastor who lead the stoning of a woman in Africa, after branding her a witch. THIS is the man Palin credits with her rise to power in Alaska. Also please investigate her husband’s membership in a radical party that advocates breaking away from the American because the USA is such a horrible place. These ties are not “tenuous” and the voters need to be fully informed. Guess McCain’s advisors aren’t familiar with what they say about people who live in glass houses…..
144. Mary in GA by way of CA | 10.06.08
I can’t believe it. Palin is in Clearwater, as we speak, still spouting this anti-American hate about Obama “palling” around with terrorists. (Of course, she spent the first 10 minutes congratulating HERSELF on the TB Ray’s season).
I guess everyone heard the news this weekend, clarifying Obama’s affiliation with Ayers - except the McCain campaign and theirt mindless “fans”. Yes - I say “fans” - because these people supporting her don’t appear to know or care anything about politics and the economy.
Last week at the debate, my (repub) husband and I were both screaming at the TV. “Answer the question!” See, unlike in basketball, there don’t seem to be any rules in running a campaign, there are LAWS but no rules.
I’d like to see that mean English lady from “Weakest Link” moderate debates from now on. And if they don’t answer the question - let’s say…about all the bankruptcies plaguing the American voting PUBLIC - they get ELIMINATED.
Hey - but on a positive note - you have to love how Palin has not only rallied the commie liberals - but she’s helping some of us clean up our diction. I have pretty much stopped dropping my “n’s” and all other manners of “Western” folksy speak.
145. Steve Poling | 10.06.08
One has to wonder about the McCain campaign’s judgment after pulling out of Michigan last week. Though pointing out Mr. Obama’s communist and America-hating friendships (Ayers, Wright, his wife) are mere guilt by association, it puts a spotlight on stories the drive-by media has ignored.
What’s more important is that the McCain is NOT talking about that which people are more concerned about, the $700 billion gorilla in the living room. This mess is going to be blamed on SOMEONE and the campaign that expects any kind of objectivity in reporting will be the one to receive it.
Mr. Obama’s rhetoric, that Mr. McCain is changing the subject is particularly ironic since Democrat fingerprints going back to Jimmy Carter are all over this mess. Follow the money: who’s given how much Freddie/Fanny money to which campaign? THIS is how this Conservative is questioning the McCain campaign’s attack strategy.
146. Alex | 10.06.08
In the Katie Couric interview, she couldn’t name a newspaper or magazine that she reads, but this morning in a speech n Florida attacking Obama she says, “When I read my copy of the New York Times.” It is frightening that people believe this women and that she is qualified to be Vice-President of the USA.
147. Christian Soldier | 10.06.08
I fear for republican souls. Bearing false witness may win few more votes, but it is fundamentally anti-Christian and will condemn the souls of those who engage in it and those who accept it as a way “to win at any cost”.
At a time when Christians need to be working even harder to help the increasing number of poor for republicans to accept such tactics is to trash the Son of God.
148. Greg B | 10.06.08
Although I am a liberal independent I have a lot of respect for John McCain. I am going to lose that respect if I think he is agreeing to “Swift Boat” Obama.
149. tmdcedar | 10.06.08
Why is it ‘unfair’ for McCain to point out Obama’s associations, and ok for Obama and Democrats to play the guilt by association game against McCain/Bush? Double standard?
150. Teri | 10.06.08
WOW… Did not expect to see such uninformed hateful posts.
The United States in in danger. This is anti Christian, anti american people!
We are going to end up not being a world power if he gets elected.
He said his beliefs are based on the teaching or Dr King..what?!
The belief that a man needs to be judged by his character…Obama’s character is frightening. Someone is controlling the media and someone behind the scenes is getting paid well.The level of funding from outside the country going to his campaign is mindboggling and disturbing. What is scary is that all this info is not being reported. How can someone run for office and not have their background investigated?
Palin gets raked over the coals daily. There are armies in Alaska looking for dirt. But you have Barack Obama who has been friend with Ayers, learned from Ayers, was instrumental in Acorn, has people who ran Fannie Mae into the gorund on his payroll, affiliated with Louis Farrakhan. Rev Wright and Rezco are just the tio of the iceberg. He has strong ties to Khalid Mansour who was with the the PLO, his top fundraisers AKA ” Code Pink” had a lunch for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad! How many people get school paid for by Saudi ties?
Keating 5… that is nothing compared to Obama
There is a hidden agenda here and I am scared.
God bless us all.
151. Derek | 10.06.08
I would like to know what ‘conservatives’ the reporter of this article spoke to. Conservatives are all about the truth and don’t mind it being exposed.
Each of them are throwing mud around, so why are you trying to lay total blame on McCain? Hmmm… would it be because you are an Obama fan?!? Mostly likely so! That’s some real non-bias reporting there buddy!
One of the readers commented on the Republicans being in control for the last 8 years in Washington and would take a generation to fix it. How ignorant are you??? A Republican may be holding the Presidential office, but who ‘really’ runs the country? Its the Senate and Congress. So which party has really had control of the country? It’s been the Democrats!
152. RJINCHI | 10.06.08
McCain’s campaign is downright PATHETIC! But what else do you expect from a Republican running for office? He spends his time attacking Obama, however we hear nothing from McCain on his plans to move this nation forward. Sad, that a man who supposedly spent his entire policial career being the “Maverick” has turned into just another puppet for the GOP.
153. Lester | 10.06.08
It looks like bad government decisions (from both sides of the aisle) and poor regulatory enforcement combined with the unchecked greed and stupidity of Wall Street have accomplished what no terrorist could- the destruction of the US economy.
The “politics as usual” approach of both of these campaigns at a critical time like this shows how out of touch they are with reality. This does not bode well for the future but may be a wake up call for people to take back control of their government.
155. Ed Wind | 10.06.08
Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five
And McCain says he suspended his campaign and went back to Washington to fix the bailout problem? Give me a break. There is no room for McCain to be calling ANYONE names, if you read the link above. This is history folks. American history. The U.S. Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s was the failure of 747 savings and loan associations (S&Ls) in the United States. The ultimate cost of the crisis is estimated to have totaled around $160.1 billion, about $124.6 billion of which was directly paid for by the U.S. taxpayer. Sound familiar?
156. dejah | 10.06.08
Interesting that they (the conservatives) fear a “runaway liberal” government in D.C. They fear a train wreck just like the one they’ve created in D.C. after 12 years of GOP obfuscation, tactics, and one-party rule…
Hypocrisy, thy name is conservatism and GOP. Time to let the adults come in and clean up the mess you’ve made.
Judging by the comments of your regular readers here, I suspect that more Americans are seeing this hypocrisy than your little pundits are. They need to get out of Potemkin-Village-by-The-Potomac more often and connect with the people who are paying the bills for this Republican-led mess that Obama will inherit.
157. robert chapman | 10.06.08
I remember Bill Lambeer and the comparison of his career to Sarah Palin is unwarranted. Bill was physical, but he was never a cheap shot artist.
Sarah is not an enforcer, she is merely a cheap shot artist.
158. Pam | 10.06.08
“Like it or not, a campaign is sport. And, the people get very irritated when the media treat it that way.” This little quip is a poor excuse for THE MEDIA’S UNRESPONSIBLE SO-CALLED REPORTING that directly affects the well-being of millions of people. The MEDIA (by and large) HAS BECOME NOTHING MORE THAN A WISE-CRACKING, SELF-SERVING ENTITY that has compromised this country numerous times, enjoys placing blame and riling the masses under the name of news so its profit margins rise — ’cause sports make money and athletes that get hurt are fond memories. WAKE UP — WE’VE GOT REAL PROBLEMS — THE JUNK BELONGS IN THE TRASH and ISN’T USEFUL.
159. Theodore Roosevelt Watters | 10.06.08
lets get down to facts
I asked my doctor whom is an African American and a really nice fellow if he was voting for Obama
his response was no i am afraid of his health care reform
that tells me that he is for the middle class which is most of the citizens in this country
what i still do not understand is how a factory worker who makes 12 dollars per hour and just got their bonuses talen away for the year can still vote for the same old status quo
I have 2 daughters and i am with Obama all the way I want my chidren to have the same and equal chances at the American dream
If you people want 4 more years of the same stuff we got now Im ashamed for you
I honestly believe that every person that votes should have to take a test first to determine if they have the intelligence and are not just blind racists
I’m sorry to say this but their is still a lot of this going on in our country
Remember this folks
Our forefathers wrote that all men are created equal
regardless of race, religion and or creed. Obama/Biden 2008
160. Larry Clifton | 10.06.08
The McCain campaign and RNC have hit a nerve and the patient is about to leap right out of the campaign chair. Obama, or Jeremiah Wright’s alter boy, does not want America to know him. Just understand that he shoots, hoops, likes rap and is a “cool” speech-maker. That is enough for first-time voters, but is it enough for you?
Obama sat in the Trinity Church of HAte for twenty years as Jeremiah Wright mentored him. Jeremiah Wright hates America and white people. Obama had no idea what his mentor was publically saying as evidenced in dozens of Trinity USA renunciation tapes featuring Jeremiah Wright. Sound familiar?
Today, Obama would have you believe that he had no idea who William Ayers is when Ayers kicked off Obama’s political career in his living room. No idea - right….
Obama voted to raise taxes on working Americans 94 times, but now he would have you believe he is going to give you a big ole tax break - right?
BTW, Jimmy Orr is a really bad Democratic Party hack…..
161. Bill | 10.06.08
I am amazed that anyone in this country would call the truth an attack or end game play. Character matters! For Americans to elect a man who chooses friends who hate America and some who are domestic terrorists is appauling and frightening. Ayers is an unapologetic domestic terrorist that got off on a technicality. He said in 2001 while working with Obama at the Woods Fund– after 9/11– that was not only not sorry, but didn’t do enough bombings. He is no better than McVeigh he just got lucky. Would you “useful idiots” of the left here elect someone who palled with McVeigh? Obama worked intimately with Ayers on the Annenberg Challenge a financial disaster, on the Woods Fund and had his first ever fundraiser for the Illinois Senate given by Ayers in Ayers home! Obama wasn’t 8 on any of these occasions. His poor choice in friends has to make one wonder if any of his choices are sound. Maybe that is nothing to you liberals but to most Americans it is plain scary! McCain was cleared by Democrats themselves in the Keating issue and I fail to remember when Keating bombed the pentagon, capitol, or police stations! I can not believe those of you who make excuses for Obama even live in the same country that I do–you frighten me almost as much as Obama does.
162. Kent | 10.06.08
I for one still do not feel I know who Obama is. I was a supporter until I read his books. I don’t think this is character assassination, but things we need to know. I have absolutely no confidence in what either candidate says on the stump since they are being handled. In fact if you all recall Obama is not allowed to make a speech without his teleprompter, so are we really hearing the true Obama? What is everybody worried about? Obama doesn’t want anyone to talk about his record, because it appears to be too liberal and his associations are questionable (IE Wright, and Ayer to name a few). Just reading his books make you wonder about his true beliefs and feelings. Why are we so concerned about hearing the truth? Finally, his involvement in ACORN is a real concern. Biden stated that Obama tried to enact regulations to reform Freddie and Fannie, but did he or was he another “Johnnie come lately” that jumped in after the problem was apparent? He was the recipient of over $700,000 in campaign contributions? If we are so concerned about hearing the truth, then we are no better than sheep following a great orator.
163. Dan | 10.06.08
Why is it that the American media thinks that being “unbiased” means you have to come to a conclusion that all sides are equal? “Unbiased” should mean that you approach issues with an open mind.
It is ridiculous to pretend that the Democratic party has an attack-machine that comes close to that of their opposition. What has the Democratic party done in federal politics that comes close to the swiftboat attacks on John Kerry’s war record or the “he’s a terrorist” attack on Barack Obama we just saw? Pathetic.
164. Louis Moreno | 10.06.08
We have lived this last 6 + years with the total control of the Conservative Party, and if we had a democratic control house and white house I don’t think they can do worse, This administration have destroy the economy, used the development of fear as form of government ( check the dictionary and find a definition for that type of behavior) and know the only thing they can come up with is to offer the country is this!!!! Game and insults.
Mr McCain, I might not agree with your politics, though I use to respect your sence of Honor !
165. Susan | 10.06.08
Why are so many Americans afraid of an intelligent, compassionate, self deprecating man who has visions of greatness for this country? Obama has a track record of being able to sit down and pull together disparate views and opinions. He has experience in building a team. When did our vision of ourselves as a great country of innovation and tolerance shift to one of behavior focusing on military force and increasing intolerance? I for one, am tired of it.
Our infrastructure is crumbling, our economy is in shambles, our level of ethics is at an all time low… I think it is time for a change and I don’t mean the “mavericks.” Let Barack keep sharing his vision.
166. Mengesha | 10.06.08
Mr. McCain insulted American public specially republican by picking Sarah Paling for his VP, she is awful to be the most powerful country in the world VP. He should pick Carly Fiorina the former HP CEO to be his VP, she have a lot to offer for this country especially at this time.
167. skywaiter | 10.06.08
Wow, as a foreigner, I and many others can not believe how the two parties going at each other. Especially when it comes to slinging. America wake up, this is not a hockey game or a cookie contest. You are deciding who is going to lead America into a better future. When I came first to America in 1987, everything seemed so wonderful here. Now,I have to say, I am happy when I can return to my country and not have to see the so many things that are wrong with this country.
Make sure you are electing the president and vice president who can tackle to problems of the economy, the war, health care, foreign realtions(the world is not impressed with how America is doing).Social Security, energy issues and so many more. Please America, help yourself and the world by selecting people who understand what is going on and have a grasp of politics.
168. JPK | 10.06.08
:”I support McCain - not because I think Obama is evil or even because McCain was a POW. I agree with his approach to government and I don’t agree with Obama’s. Both are men with integrity”
It is incredible the name calling that so many people have to use against the republican party. Read back thru this thread and count yourself, its overwhelming.. I agree with the Gentleman above. Neither is a terrorist or do they love their country more than the other. Its opinion people, everyone has one, Its just about who can say something about the other party without calling them names. Does anyone remember that we are all american and brother and sisters in this country. Fine, Disagree, but man lets all find some decency here and talk to each other with respect.
169. gringovejo | 10.06.08
Well, by golly, I’ll tell all of you fervent, radical fans of McCain/Palin, this is one old time Republican that has had enough of all the phony attempts
at changing the dialogue that should be going on during the election process.
I supported McCain in 2000 and was upset with the way he was treated by the Bush Camp, in South Carolina, to the point, that I voted for Gore, marking only the third time that I had voted for a Democrat; the other two being FDR in 1940 and 1944. When McCain announced, I was elated. However, since the Conventions, I have been reading, watching and listening to the most disgusting garbage coming out of the mouths of the McCain Camp and its supporters that I have heard since Hitler’s ‘Brownshirters’ used similar tactics to put that moron into power in the 1930s. Enough already! You people
have lost this voter. Next month, I will be voting for Obama/Biden, along with a lot of my family and friends, including many of my fellow veterans.
170. Jacob | 10.06.08
It’s not so much that I dislike McCain as a person or even his policies, but when Republicans go around talking about liberalism as they alone were the only rightful rulers of America, I know I’m never going to vote for them.
171. Ken Miami | 10.06.08
Sarah Palin: All wink…no think!
It’s time we elected some smart people to office rather than “I wanna be yer beer buddy” phoney populists.
Please join our Facebook group: No More Stupid 08. Neither Palin or McCain are members.
172. Slappy | 10.06.08
Fred Arbogast (#6):
“And yet during the Clinton years when the “liberal” Democrats controlled both branches more often thean not we had a booming economy and a surplus in the budget - contrast that with the mess the Bush years have left (when again the “fiscally conservative” Republicans controlled both branches more often than not. Just who are these out of control spenders?”
“Great” point, Fred. Except that the “liberal” Democrats only controlled both branches for the first two years of Clinton’s 8 years in office, while the Republicans controlled the House and Senate for the last 6 years of Clinton’s time in office, which is when “we had a booming economy and a surplus in the budget.” But don’t let facts get in the way of a “good” argument, right? Do everyone a favor and change your username to Joe Biden since he proved in the VP debate to be the master of making up “facts” like you did in your post.
174. PleaseChange | 10.06.08
LLLLL.Tax and spend liberals. Yikes. When is it going to stop? It’s been a battle-cry for republican strategists and pundits long enough. The leadership of the Democratic party moved to the center a long time ago. Bill Clinton ended welfare as we knew it and since then the states have done away with a lot of entitlement program (and yes, even in my blue state of Mass). Now, even people who really need help are forced through obstacles of bureaucracy that are both humiliating and exhausting. And, that’s just one example. It’s not about the poor or the working poor anymore — it’s about the middle class. I do agree with the idea, at least in theory, that focusing on the middle class help everyone, but I don’t understand how that connects to the idea of tax and spend liberals. Obama’s economic plan does not include a tax hike for a family making over $250K or singles making over $125 (or somewhere around that). He want to increase the ranks of people with health insurance that is worth it. McCain want to extend the corporate taxes on the wealthy and his health care tax credit is useless (I’ll spare you the details, but feel free to look that one up yourself). Not only will it hurt working people, but, I’m sorry, $5K won’t do diddlysquat for unemployed people who have illnesses that brand them with pre-existing conditions. $5K is NOT going to address that problem and it’s not going put a dent in addressing the problem at large.
I’m betting there are few politicians in the White House or on Cap Hill that who are completely clean when it comes to questionable associations. I could care less about the Keating 5, but since McCain feels the desperate need to go on the attack, because there is NO other strategy right now and how sad is that?), then by all means, go for it. Keep it up. Because it won’t be…oh, what did McCain say the other day, the “country-second crowd will be in for a big surprise” (yep, he did), he will be returning to Arizona, Palin will return to Alaska and the rest? What the phrase…Kay sara sara, whatever will be.
175. Wilson | 10.06.08
The only thing conservatives question about McCain’s attack strategy is, why didn’t he start it sooner?
Obama’s association with former Weather Underground domestic terrorist Ayers, and his sweetheart house deal courtesy of convicted felon and swindler Tony Resko need to be addressed. So far Obama’s managed to avoid the issue and the old media haven’t done their jobs in bringing these things to the public’s attention. Meanwhile they are sending reporters up to the Alaska to check if it really is possible to see Russia from there.
But no bias. No, there’s no bias there.
176. wolf | 10.06.08
Considering Palin herself is in the midst of two scandals of corruption ( illegal use of private emails for government business and illegal firing of a state employee for personal reasons ), she’s hardly the one to talk.
Despite what Republicans would have us believe, Obama isn’t Ayers. He isn’t Wright. He isn’t any of these questionable characters. He’s himself and should be judge that way.
This Administration has only given this country anguish, fear, and pain and now, watching all of these sick tactics by the GOP makes me wonder, if I’ll ever be able to vote for any Republican again.
— an Independent
177. ProudLiberal | 10.06.08
McSame and the Republicans have nothing left but smear…although this time the electorate will take notice that their minds are being manipulated by Republican lies and this will BACKFIRE. The Republicans have all but ruined this country. Because of Republicans and their ideological stupidity and rigidity, the entire world is facing a global economic meltdown, the national debt is 10 trillion, the budget is in a 500 billion deficit. Global warming and peak oil continue to threaten the lives of Billions on this planet. Meanwhile, the USA funneled taxpayer resources into a useless and immoral war in Iraq and continues to pour 10 Billion a month in taxpayer dollars into the toilet that is the Iraq war. The Republicans should be grateful they are not brought up on crimes against humanity…never mind merely losing an election. The Republicans are on their way out finally and a new day if coming to the USA. Good bye and good riddance to all Republicans.
179. Targa | 10.06.08
So, let elect a guy with no experience that spent 20 years in a racist church. That’s change!
180. Billy T | 10.06.08
I agree GOP strategist Mike Murphy, as mentioned at the end of the article. McCain’s only hope is to remind voters that with the Democrats in charge of both houses and the White House, there will be no check and balances….until 2 to 4 years from now when we’re all sick of how the Democrats have screwed up.
181. Marsha Hephner | 10.06.08
Barak was 8 years old when the alleged bombings took place. That guy was never convicted of anything.
McCain was well on in years when he was involved with the Keating 5 and some of them were convicted. McCain got out with the skin of his teeth.
Former associates are old news. Let’s not dredge up what usually just gets people dirty and serves no purpose.
182. MK | 10.06.08
Gotta love it. Sweet memories of GHW Bush in ‘92 going ballistic and talking about anything BUT the economy. Thanks, John and Sarah for making SNL watchable again!
183. edeldoug | 10.06.08
Guilt by association, or “You are known by the company you keep”. No one is claiming Obama was “guilty” of terrorism, however his JUDGEMENT is questionable when he associates with a known, unrepentant domestic terrorist, an unapologetic black liberation theology spouting racist pastor, a convicted scammer who got him sweetheart mortgage loans and raised funds for him, a former head of Fannie Mae who he gave the job of finding him a VP… and on and on!
Interestingly, Ayers and Obama worked together at Annenberg… the records unavailable… and Annenberg runs factcheck.org which defends Obama and is the “source” for arguments on Obama’s “fight the smears” website.
Obama should be happy the McCain Campaign hasn’t started highlighting the Berg Suit (Obama’s motion to dismiss was denied last Thursday) about whether the “messiah” is even constitutionally eligible to serve as POTUS, having held Kenyan citizenship (which “fight the smears” finally acknowledges thanks to the Berg Suit) and given there is evidence he also once held Indonesian citizenship!
184. Dan O29 | 10.06.08
If those of you that think that politics of association is not an effective campaign tool are fooling yourselves. It is a long honored American political tradition that has been used since the very first contested political contest in our country.
Campaigns are like making chocolate cake in a toilet bowl. The whole process stinks but the in the end it makes a beautiful desert.
For those that post that they are offended by it… Welcome to America.
185. Mark | 10.06.08
No wonder you don’t have your job anymore Orr. Sorry bud, the Obama campaign has been running nothing but a negative campaign from day one. Sounds like Bush’s old strategy. Turn the other cheek and watch your poll numbers tank, right to the bottom.
Facts are facts, and this is one fact that Obama needs to explain satisfactorily, which he has not, and probably won’t.
This is the youtube video Obama does not want the American people to see. It shows the connection between William Ayers (terrorist) and Obama.
186. titan | 10.06.08
“Why is it ‘unfair’ for McCain to point out Obama’s associations, and ok for Obama and Democrats to play the guilt by association game against McCain/Bush? Double standard?”
Hmmmm… Association with terrorists vs. association with Bush. I think there’s a BIG difference here buddy.
If there is any doubt about Barack Hussein Obama’s character and his association with radical groups, why in the world would anyone vote for him? Have any of you asked the question, “Change to what?” You better think long and hard about your votes. This man is a slick talking serpent that knows how to sway people.
187. Joed | 10.06.08
Funny how Sarah derisively mentions the Times (to crowd boos) then immediately uses it as her source (to cheers!). Conservatives these days are getting mixed up with all their imagined persecutors. They cry victim so often they don’t know when to stop!
188. John | 10.06.08
McCain has fallen at the first fence. He won’t get up from this nonsense. Palin has done for him. Is she a secret Democrat? Does he secretly think he isn’t up to the job hence this suicide strategy? Well if his strategy was to commit suicide it certainly seems to be working. Obama may be a lot of things but anti-patriotic he isn’t. Criticising a navel gazing part of America isn’t anti-patriotic it is facing up to the reality the rest of the world sees and America is now well and truly “of this world”, the sheen has come off and we all see the rich scrabbling to protect themselves in every country around the world at our expense, ….. even the blind can see that now. The American dream is still there but only for the lucky few and they’ve pulled the ladder up after them. McCain has already shown that being beaten and chained to a wall gives you no divine right to rule or even to make sensible judgements about running mates.
190. “GetOffMyLawns!” | 10.06.08
See how the NYT article Palin referenced actually dispells the Obama/Ayers connection:
http://alinktonowhere.com/2008/10/05/hey-sarah-who-are-you-palin-around-with/
Granted McCain has nothing left, nothing new to offer, but is this really where he wants go:
191. Alex P | 10.06.08
If the USA is going to dig itself out of this mess both parties have to realize that Washington politics as usual cant go on. We need significant cuts in spending and an increase in taxes to get the fed deficit under control.
You cant do this and fight a war in a country across the other side of the globe.
You cant do this by leaving military spending intact as McCain wants to do. It’s as simple as that.
You cant do this if all the jobs go abroad, you cant tax the poor they have no money and you cant tax the middle class because they are on the edge of bankruptcy you can only tax the wealthy because they have all the money anyway.
You cant get this all together when the cost of living has doubled in 8 years.
McCain’s plan for health care will leave a lot of people who presently have insurance with none because it cost 3 times more than hes going to offer for them to cover self insurance.
Lets hear from McCain/Pain how they are going to put the country right and not anymore personal attacks that they cant substantiate.
192. oto | 10.06.08
Gordon Liddy Watergate, Keating Five Savings and Loan, Fallwell/Hage agents of intolerance, Alaska Independence Party, Troopergate, Bridge to Nowhere, Gas pipeline, Sold the plane on Ebay, Baby Trigg.
THERE IS PLENTY HERE, LETS PLAY BALL
193. Rebecca | 10.06.08
Why does nobody talk about Obama’s phony affectations in his speech? I have mistrusted him since the first time I ever heard his speech because HE is the one who puts on his speech with his suit. He tries to talk like a black man by saying in the debates that he knows Americans are “goin” through hard times. How phony is that?
194. PleaseChange | 10.06.08
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Man, that is beyond hilarious. The dangers of unchecked one party rule after 8 debacle filled years… How did he say that without bursting into gales of hysterical laughter?
195. ewoh | 10.06.08
I flipped to Fox last night after hearing about Palin’s comments and watched Sean Hannity lead the charge. This is a coordinated attack against Obama by the conservatives and they’re obviously going to pull all out all the stops. I’m afraid this is only going to be the beginning. Personally I’m disgusted by this and I hope Americans can see right through it. We’ve been fooled for 8 years by these people with their fear mongering, lying, cheating and smearing. Honestly, even if they were able (and they won’t)offer a shred a proof about this I’d still rather take a chance on Obama than throw my vote to these subhumans. Makes you wonder exactly WHY they are SO desperate to keep power. What will be uncovered if they get thrown out? Remember that the goal has always been a “permanent Republican majority” to quote Karl Rove. What if they believed they achieved that and now the tide is turning…God only knows what’s going to be found out when the power changes hands.
196. crockett | 10.06.08
This statement is so true:
Who would disagree that if John McCain was up by 10 points, the same tactics wouldn’t be used by Team Obama? Remember it was only a month ago when McCain was leading in the polls and the Obama campaign announced it would be playing hardball — and for awhile was running more negative ads than McCain.
Obama is not squeeky clean…in fact the truth be told (AND THAT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR FROM OBAMA)he has not been forth coming about a number of things including his involvement with his friend Ayers. Now this might not sound like “so important” but it is. Obama’s opinions about America have not changed, just a little more twisted! His very involvement with ANTI AMERICAN statements have been spoken in his home, in church and to friends and on foreign soil. His own wife spoke them when she said she “has never been proud of America.” Not even the America that gave her the “FREEDOM” to make such a statement? Freedom paid for by the men and women who served and gave thier lives for HER FREEDOM in the Viet Nam war and even now in the very war we fight! Obama HAS NOT been forth coming in honesty about his distain for America. He has NOT been forth coming about a great many issues. The news organizations conclude alot of things to build up a man they want to put in the Whitehouse. Don’t base your opinion on News Organizations as the Obama campaign wants you to do. Open your eyes and ears, do the research, you will find the truth about this man you so boldly stand for.
197. Fred | 10.06.08
YOU’VE GOTTA’ BE KIDDIN’ SARAH
EVERYONE by now knows that when Ayers did his bad things Obama was an 8 year old kid in Hawaii (or was it Chicago?).
Next thing aw shucks, gee whiz Palin will be alleging is that Obama was also slipping atomic secrets to Ethel and Julius Rosenberg.
And what’s she coming with into this arena? Her concept of foreign relations is borrowing a cup of sugar from her next door neighbor Vlad Putin ’cause that little Russian feller lives just down the block from her house.
America doesn’t need four more years of a loser team like McCain-Palin!
198. Tiffany | 10.06.08
McCain plays dirty politics and his pick of Palin as a running mate shows his desperation to win. He has held this loud-mouthed obnoxious woman in front of him as some sort of bait to appeal to those who don’t know better. He was so afraid of losing this race if he chose a more experienced male running mate. Sadly, this act shows what he really thinks of the American people. That we are superficial and basically dumb. That we will vote for him just because we like the pretty woman next to him. He is irresponsible and dishonest.
Obama is our ONLY choice for president.
199. sk1966 | 10.06.08
The McCain camp has every right to make the public aware of “facts” regarding Obama. The media has glazed over all the negative “facts” about Obama as if nothing that he has done in his life is important. His associations with very extreme, radical, racist, terroristic people speaks volumes regarding who Obama is.
Wright is nut job …. a radical racist who defamed and damned America and the white race in front of thousands of followers. Obama attended Wright’s church for 20 years and even chose to raise his children in this church.
Ayers is a known and admitted terrorist who took part in bombing government structures which resulted in the deaths of a policeman and several of Ayers friends.
Rezko is convicted felon, slum-lord, money laundering scum bag. He had all the Chicago politicians in his back pocket and Obama was no exception. Obama was so close to this man that Rezko aided Obama in the purchase of Obama’s home.
Pfleger is a racists, sexist pig who publicly espoused racist comments about Hillary Clinton during the campaign.
Raines is a former Freddie/Fannie executive who was charged and found guilty of accounting fraud so that he could receive millions of dollars in bonuses … this is who Obama chose to advise him regarding housing.
Let’s face it … as the old adage says “Birds of a feather flock together”. Obama is a corrupt politician from the “Chicago Machine” and he wants the American people to believe he is a choir boy. He is scum and doesn’t belong in the White House. When you look at his previous choice of associates you would have wonder just who he will put in his cabinet should he become President.
200. Bill R | 10.06.08
I read a column in the Pressconnects.com yesterday on McBush. The foul language he uses on his wife when he thought nobody was listening to ought to wake us all up. No wonder he sees no wrong in trotting out Pallin to do his dirty work. It is in Dave Rossi’s column. Just plain filthy language to use on anyone but your wife?
201. Nob City | 10.06.08
So, who exactly is standing up for or with Obama?
Where are all the people who know him, or knew him on his way up?
Who can vouch for his charater?
202. Deborah | 10.06.08
There probably isn’t a candidate present or past that can claim pure, squeeking clean relationships. But if we are attaching character and holding McCains POW experience up for a demonstration of good character, how do you explain his womanizing and his reprehensible treatment of his first wife and he now stands in front of the country, touting his new rich trophy wife, who’s family could get him into the high places he wanted to be, and, she was a result of an affair. Does he leave his dispicable character at home and then comes out into the public sanitized and heroic? Does Palin’s fundamentalist Christian beliefs obsolve McCain of his betrayal? He is what he is; too macho, too eratic, too full of himself and his lust for power, just like GW Bush.
203. PleaseChange | 10.06.08
Wilson: I’ve seen the same post in almost the same words on multiple blogs. Do you work for the campaign directly? Because, no matter how many times you post it, it is still filled with innuendo and false statements. Paling around with terrorist? Where is the proof? Yet, how about the Keating 5, because if you insist on slinging mud, your face will get dirty.
204. Slappy | 10.06.08
Susan (#169): “Why are so many Americans afraid of an intelligent, compassionate, self deprecating man who has visions of greatness for this country? Obama has a track record of being able to sit down and pull together disparate views and opinions. He has experience in building a team. When did our vision of ourselves as a great country of innovation and tolerance shift to one of behavior focusing on military force and increasing intolerance? I for one, am tired of it.”
What I am tired of is people inventing this “track record” for Obama, the most inexperienced person to ever be a major party nominee for President. The track record most of us see is a thin one in which his success is confined to winning elections, at least when he doesn’t find a way to eliminate his most dangerous political opponents (see his rise to the U.S. Senate). As for our country’s “behavior focusing on military force and increasing intolerance,” Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright couldn’t have said it any better.
BTW, are you aware the Obama has said he’d launch military attacks in Pakistan, wants to put troops in Darfur, and wants to increase troop levels in Afghanistan? Apparently, The Messiah thinks military force should be a focus, as well. But don’t let facts get in the way of your idolatry for The One, which is prompting you to ignore what he’s actually saying.
205. JDW | 10.06.08
I suppose the fact that Obama was one of the top receivers of Fannie and Freddie money is off limits too.
206. robert chapman | 10.06.08
It is a shame that the McCain-Palin think their salvation lies in destroying Barack Obama a month out from the election.
They clearly missed their chance to define Obama in August and trying to pull negative campaigning in October makes them seem small minded and weak.
Many other commentators have decried the failure of programs Obama supported and have stated their scepticism about the Senator’s plans.
These are honorable and cogent comments and they deserve to be addressed.
The decline of Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Cleveland and any other US city one cares to mention is not a theory- it is a fact.
This decline is the result of the misallocation of government resources from infra-structure repair, law enforcement, education, housing and economic development. This decline in the resources available to municipalities stems from the cost of war, corruption and incompetence at the federal level. President Bush and the GOP congressional caucus are the ones responsible for this.
Many readers complained about the re-distribution of wealth inherent in Obama’s health and tax plans. After eight years of redistributive policies pushing resources away from the middle and working classes, this criticism is just preposterous. The Obama-Biden tax and health plans are an attempt establish fairness and some level of justice in the way America’s resources are distributed.
People who work for a living should not be poor. They should not find their purchasing power eroded by usorious interest rates on consumer credit. People should not have their retirement plans destroyed by Wall Street speculators. People should not have their mortgages sold and re-sold and be foreclosed on because the new mortgage holder wants to squeeze them by driving up the interest rate on their mortgage.
The Republicans, GW Bush and McCain-Palin tell us that lower taxes create jobs. Unfortunately, all those jobs are in Mexico or China. It is time to stand to the free market fundamentalism that John McCain espouses. In July McCain’s economic advisor was on the talk circuit saying low taxes, deregulation and fair trade are the road to prosperity. Now McCain-Palin are telling us they are marvericks and will change Washington.
John McCain has been a Senator for 25 years. He has had so much influence on that body that they added $110 billion in pork to the “must pass” Wall Street Bailout. John McCain voted for it anyway. Pelosi got the Bailout through the House without adding pork, proving that it can be done. McCain simply lacks the leadership skills to influence his 99 senate colleagues. Being a maverick is great, but it clearly gets in the way of being a leader.
207. NANCY CLASE | 10.06.08
IT’S IS ALRIGHT FOR QBAMA’S CAMPAIGN TO POKE FUN OF PLANIN ALL THIS TIME ,REMEMBER HE OBANA IS A TERRORIST. SO WISE UP FOLLOW THE MONEY WITH AYERS AND WRIGHT THEY HAVE BEEN HIS TOP ADVISERS .WE ARE ALL TRIED OF THIS AD’S ON TV.
208. Robert | 10.06.08
I have been an independent from Pennsylvania for 30 years and I hope the McCain campaign gets the message that there are some of us who don’t respond in the positive to the kind of campaign we are starting to see from their side. I was a great McCain believer in 2000 because he was a real maverick back then but all we see now is what we have been seeing from the Republicans for eight years. I might add that ,in my wife’s opinion, the choice of Sarah Palin is an insult to women. She said that with all the qualified Republican women, choosing one that doesn’t have a thought of her own seems a mistake.
While I am just a simple working man and I don’t have the facts that some here can readily quote, I know that Senator Obama has been on an even keel throughout the primaries and Senator McCain has not. You can come up with things in any man’s past that he might be sorry for. God knows it applies to me but I know what I have seen from both candidates. Senator Obama is intelligent and cool under fire. Senator McCain is a shadow of his earlier self. He has been unsteady and mean for no apparent reason. His actions in the first debate were nothing but rude. With all the problems in the world today, I want a person who leads with a steady hand and a cool head.
I hope others in ‘PA’ and the nation will agree.
This time we are going with Obama!
209. shill | 10.06.08
First off, there has been a lot of talk from the mccain camp that mccain knows how to win a war. Ok, exactly what war did he help win? He was a POW, so not on the front lines, sad thing to be, but your not fighting if youre a POW,secondly america did not win the vietnam war, so how did he help win a war that america didnt win? Lastly, it would be a sad day for america and the rest of the world if this dimwitted hockey mum ever became president. America has already lost a lot of respect from countries around the world, and it would have even less respect if hockey mum and her joe 6 pack husband, and pregnant unmarried daughter etc etc etc get elected. She sounds more like an episode of jerry springer than a VP and potential President. Lets hope the american ppl make the right decision in november
210. Kathy | 10.06.08
As my Mother used to tell me…”You are judged by the Friends you keep” and that is some of the best advice I think I got from her.
I wish we could “clean” house in Washington and our State Government’s. These politicians are only in it for themselves and we are the ones paying for their mistakes, their life styles and everybody hanging on to their coat tails.
I’ve never seen or heard of so much corruption..and it would be nice if the news media would report all of the news and not just their “biased” views.
211. Dayana Martinez | 10.06.08
A writer above wrongly claims the Clinton Economic Boom was when liberal Democrats controlled both branches of government. He doesn’t know his facts. There was a recession for the first few years of Clinton. Wisely, Clinton also reappointed Republican Alan Greenspan as head of the Federal Reserve. Then the Republicans led by Newt Gingrich took control of Congress. After that America sustained the longest period of economic growth in history, lasting until 2006. Then two years ago the Democrats regained both houses of congress and the economy has gone into the toilet. If you look at history, this happens every time the liberals have been in control. Socialism never works.
212. John L | 10.06.08
For more on McCain, read the latest issue of Rolling Stone - if even half this stuff is true about him, I fear for the US greatly (and on top of this, Palin…).
213. Skip Mendler | 10.06.08
Y’know, if I were one of Obama’s folks, here’s how I’d ask him to respond re
the playing of the Ayers card:
“Yes, I know Bill Ayers. Yes, he was a Weatherman. Yes, he has contributed to my campaigns. But the McCain-Palin campaign wants you to misinterpret these facts, just as they have misinterpreted them.
Yes, Bill Ayers was a violent radical - a domestic terrorist if you will. As a young man, he thought the American political system was so hopeless that the only way to change things would be through violence.
But as he matured, he saw that this was incorrect. He saw that change was possible, that it could be brought about in nonviolent ways, that there was indeed some hope for American politics.
I’d like to think that in some small way I may have helped him develop that hope, and that’s why he contributed to my state senate campaign.
Bill Ayers was a terrorist. Now he counts himself proud to be an American, and he lives as a decent, law-abiding citizen making valuable contributions to his community.
The lesson of Bill Ayers is this: even terrorists can be transformed. Given the opportunity to politically participate in meaningful ways, given the hope that their actions can make a positive difference in people’s lives, given the right tools and a level playing field, even a terrorist can lay down his weapons and join the rest of us.”
214. R. Montgomery | 10.06.08
lordastral
Let’s just hope that the rest of the country is not as uneducated, and naive as yourself. Lets not question what anyone says, especially those that may lead the country!!! “Christian” people have NEVER done anything wrong?????????????? Where have you been?? God is also disgusted by YOU! Everyone who reads this blog looks at your comment with understanding as to why this country is the the present shape it is. You remain one of the dumbest comments I have ever had the displeasure of reading. Please everyone should question their leaders!! I am simply sick after reading your blog, and cannot even bother to further comment…WOW is all I can say. For the sake of my three young kids future my husband and I have switched from Republican to Democrat for this election!!
215. clare | 10.06.08
The Rove tactics will surely backfire. I am disgusted by the Republican’s strategy. I can’t vote for a candidate who engages in mudslinging and lying just to get elected. And when the lies are called out by factcheckers, the candidates continue to lie and get defensive! Unbelievable.
Sarah Palin has her own fish to fry. Troubled children, babies that need her attention. Allegations of abuse of power. It was irresponsible of her to accept this nomination at this particular time in her life. The more I know about her the less I like.
This is coming from a lifelong Republican who got absolutely disillusioned during the Bush presidency. 8 years of an idiot president is enough. The last thing we need is 4 more years of the Bush braintrust. Look at the mess we’re in. This expensive, pointless war. The economy’s tanked. My 401K’s worth a lot less and shrinking every day.
Give the Dems a chance. The Republicans have screwed up enough.
216. lordastral | 10.06.08
Just to clear it up for everyone, my #20 post was sarcasm.
in response to Obama’s “relationship” to Fannie Mae (and Raines) let us make sure we understand that the McCain attack add claiming that Raines was Obama’s advisor was absolutely false, and they knew that before they ran the add.
Or didn’t you get the secret meaning behind that commercial? Let’s see, the evil Raines(black) support Obama (black), camera shows them both with a menacing announcers voice implying that Obama(black) was in cahoots with Raines (black), then followed by the image of a scared old, woman (white) about to be victimized by these uppity, sinister Negroes.
Go watch that commercial again if you doubt what I am saying…
217. Jim | 10.06.08
Country First my AS*….
First he nominates Palin as a VP candidate and now this mud slinging of a fellow Senator. He has sunken to a new low. Palin doesn’t even know she is being played.
218. Randster | 10.06.08
To Prague:
To address your statement, “Why is LIBERAL a bad word in your country? Here in Europe we see it as a compliment.” I can only offer the following.
I don’t know why “liberal” is thought to be bad in the US either. Think of the following LIBERAL documents: Magna Charta, The Declaration of Independence of the United States, The Constitution of the United States of America. Liberal era: The Renaissance. Conservative era: The Dark Ages. Conservative government types: Theocracy, Fascist, Monarchy, Communist. Liberal government types: Democracy
I agree with others that the US ultra, ultra, ultra, right is trying to turn us into a Fascist country. In Europe, you know how that turned out.
219. Calo from San Antonio | 10.06.08
As Christianity points out, in love there is no fear and, yet, fear is what the McCain/Palin strategy is trying to create.
In love there is no fear means that where there is fear there is no love. It truthfully means that instigating fear is the opposite of love (because it creates aversion and hate).
Practically speaking, fear represents a lack of love, for oneself, for others and, ultimately, for the country.
I would like to see a truly Christian candidate run a truly Christian campaign - let us wonder what that would be like. And let us wonder how this Christian magazine should adequately address the issue, rather than calling it a “game.”
God is love, and love is not a game.
Calo from San Antonio
220. titan | 10.06.08
“Why is it ‘unfair’ for McCain to point out Obama’s associations, and ok for Obama and Democrats to play the guilt by association game against McCain/Bush? Double standard?”
Hmmmm… Association with terrorists vs. association with Bush. I think there’s a BIG difference here buddy.
If there is any doubt about Barack Hussein Obama’s character and his association with radical groups, why in the world would anyone vote for him? Have any of you asked the question, “Change to what?” You better think long and hard about your votes. This man is a slick talking serpent that knows how to sway people.
222. Von | 10.06.08
McCain cares more about being elected than about the real issues. He should have been learning about the economy, especially in the last couple years, rather than wasting his time on guilt-by-association smear tactics. It’s transparent. People aren’t cut off from information these days. The Keating five is enough to make McCain look bad on the subject of economics and politics in general since he was directly involved and not just, “Hey, he knows that guy!” If you’re not familiar with the Keating five, look it up. McCain himself said it’s something he greatly regrets - he was directly tied to it. Obama was 8 years old when Ayers was involved in criminal activity. I have yet to read anything, paranoid journalists included, that ties Obama to Ayers in any political way or with any kind of agenda. Ya think Obama and Ayers are secretly scheming to bring the country down and pull us into Communism? Hmmm… Crayzeeee….
223. TJ | 10.06.08
This story about Ayers is old news. The “relationship” Obama had with him is that he served on a committee in Chicago for Educational Reform, with a grant from Anneberg Foundation; 2 people, one a Rabbi, sponsored a fundraiser coffee in their homes when he ran for office; and they all live in the neighborhood. Obama was 8 yrs old when Ayers was a Weatherman; the man is, for some reason not incarcerated and he is a professor at U of Illinois. Obama is not responsible for his past and is not responsible for who gave the man his freedom.
There are many ways individuals can “terrorize” and sabotage our country. Some do it with bombs. Some do it by hijacking a major political party and using religious ideology to attract the multitudes and place incompetent people in high office who will do the bidding of those with an agenda to set about the decimation of this country. One way is more obvious than the other and the later may take up to 20 years before the country realizes what is happening.
Even if Obama/Biden were big spending Liberals, there is nothing in the coffers to spend. The facts are that the conservative Republicans who put an MBA president and a CEO vice president in office, have used up the budget surplus that the last liberal put in there, borrowed us into debt, and spent like drunken cowboys while encouraging our free market to run wild with greed and the self engrandisement of the wealthy.
This “tax and spend liberal” dog won’t hunt. Neither will their tactic of character assasination; neither will the “experience” thing. On each of these tactics, both McCain and Palin have their own records and every day we learn more and more about them. There is no defense for this ticket, consequently, they will not get the ball into the hoop.
It is just an annoyance that this offensive woman, who cannot offer one intelligent opinion of her own and campaigns like an uncontrollable child without discipline, is in a position to sling this sleaze about her opponent. The fact that it comes from her mouth makes this more offensive to me because she offers nothing else but the ability to stir up the base with sophomoric stirrings. She has bluffed her way through life thus far, either playing a character role “on stage” or in a state of grandiose delusion, securing elected office to serve and then hiring others to do her job for her. So, she probably thinks it is just fine that she occupy the office of VP or Prez while someone else ( who??) actually does the job.
In more ways than one, this is just like what we have had for the past 8 years: one is incompetent; the other a war monger, and neither know how to govern a people in a democracy. That’s the point.
224. Crockett | 10.06.08
This statement is so true:
Who would disagree that if John McCain were up by 10 points, Team Obama would not use the same tactics? Remember it was only a month ago when McCain was leading in the polls and the Obama campaign announced it would be playing hardball — and for awhile was running more negative ads than McCain.
Obama is not squeaky clean…in fact the truth be told (AND THAT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR FROM OBAMA)he has not been forth coming about a number of things including his involvement with his friend Ayers. Now this might not sound like “so important” but it is. Obama’s opinions about America have not changed, just a little more twisted! His very involvement with ANTI AMERICAN statements have been voiced in his home, in church and to friends. His own wife spoke them when she said she “has never been proud of America.” Not even the America that gave her the “FREEDOM” to make such a statement. Freedom paid for by the men and women who served and gave their lives for HER FREEDOM in the Viet Nam war and even now in the very war we fight! Obama HAS NOT been forth coming in honesty about his distain for America. He has NOT been forth coming about a great many issues. The news organizations conclude allot of things to build up a man they want to put in the Whitehouse. Do not base your opinion on News Organizations as the Obama campaign wants you to do. Open your eyes and ears, do the research, you will find the truth about this man you so boldly stand for.
The level of funding from outside the country going to the Obama campaign is mindboggling and disturbing. What is so dangerous is that all this info is not being reported. He is a puppet on a string for those secret contributers. How can someone run for office and not have their background investigated? Is he even an American? That question has been asked but never answered. WHY? OBAM IS NOT who he claims to be!
Barack Obama who has been friend with Ayers, learned from Ayers, was instrumental in Acorn, has people who ran Fannie Mae into the gorund on his payroll, affiliated with Louis Farrakhan, Rev Wright and Rezco. These are just the tip of the iceberg. He has strong ties to Khalid Mansour who was with the the PLO, his top fundraisers AKA ” Code Pink” had a lunch for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad! How many people get school paid for by Saudi ties? WAKE UP AMERICANS, he has you so delusional you are so ready to believe a lie and KILL AMERICA!
225. Jill | 10.06.08
Palin - devil in lipstick?
Whether I will vote for that ticket or not, a devil would NEVER choose the life of a handicapped baby over abortion……….come ON!!
226. Roy Bruce | 10.06.08
Well there goes “Mr. Straight Talk” again. He says he’s not like George Bush, but increasingly he’s running a Karl Rove style campaign. More of the calculated politics of personal destruction. If Senator McCain has nothing useful or substantive to say about how he’s going to get the country out of the multiple messes his pals in the current administration have created, he should suspend his campaign for good. And please spare us the continuing insult of Sara Palin. She’s an embarrassment to his campaign and to the country at large. I wish the election was today so we could send these two shameless, dishonorable individuals off for the extended time-outs they have earned through their very bad behavior and lack of substance.
227. Brandon | 10.06.08
I continue to read these blogs, posts, and comments and am consistently shocked at the complete lack of understanding of what is going on in this election. Someone above, maybe 100 or so posts, wrote about the common people of our country and their “wising up”. I can’t help but laugh at the notion that the American public has “wised up”. If we had, this election would be focused on issues, policies, and plans. Instead, this election and these campaigns have been focused on one thing and one thing only popularity. Slogans, images, eloquent speeches, and attacking ads have been used by both candidates, instead of running on issues. Why is this you may be wondering? This is because the Obama campaign has done a great job of making his inexperience irrelevant and his ludicrous plans unknown to the vast majority of the American public. It would be fantastic if people were voting based on fact and policy plans. The “inconvenient truth” is that people are voting based on emotion and a vision. Sit most Americans down and explain the tangible effects of Obama’s economic policies or his foreign policy plans and watch their reaction. Most would be appalled. His plans could be equivocated to socialism. Yet, the American public is unaware… rather, eager to vote on November 4th for the celebrity that has become Barack Obama. My unwillingness to vote for him stems from his stance on issues, not his popularity, race, or associations. What’s unfortunate is that I am the minority. What’s more unfortunate is that most of his supporters couldn’t state one of his policies that they agree with or how he plans to effect this change he speaks of…
228. Big_Al32 | 10.06.08
Ken, you spelled really “rally”. You can tell your for McCain and Palin. They can’t spell either.
229. soitgoes455 | 10.06.08
The Webster Dictionary defines liberal as broadminded, while conservative is defined as disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions. I find it curious anyone would disparage the word liberal as an insult, or that one would desire to maintain the current conditions.
230. marc | 10.06.08
This is just sad. The one positive thing John McCain could bring to the debate in Washington was his personal dignity. He started degrading that last month with a series of disgusting attack ads and the cynical selection of Sarah Palin. Now he’s finishing the job with this unsubstantiated muckraking. The damage he’s done to his personal honor will last far past election day.
I do wish that Obama wasn’t responding by summoning the Keating 5 controversy. I understand why his campaign needs to do this to deflect the implicit media onslaught (headlines will read “Campaigns get personal” and “Obama and McCain trade blows” instead of “Obama defends against terrorist allegations”), but he was right when he said that the campaigns should focus on the issues.
231. Kevin | 10.06.08
Mudslinging is the last refuge of the truly hapless, helpless and hopeless. It is a tactic favored by scoundrels and weasels. Sadly, it also invites retaliation in kind and any such retaliation will invariably be unkind. To wit: McCain’s entry into political life as a member of The Keating Five; his marital infidelity and spousal abandonment in favor of a younger, uncrippled, decidedly richer heiress; Cindy’s father’s business association with a Mafia-linked business partner; Cindy’s drug addiction and drug conviction resulting in the court-ordered dismantling of a medical charity mis-used as a front for phoney, illegal prescriptions; McCain’s health issues and four bouts with melanoma (was it stage 2A or B?); increasingly bizzare and erratic behavior by a septuagenarian candidate (incipient Alzheimers or merely senior moments?); medical coverup?; tax issues w/ Palin failure to report per diem income; Palin charging per diem for staying in her own home; Palin Trooper-gate issue; Palin “witchcraft” prayer protection service at Wasilla Assembly of God; Palin children’s behavior in general (lots of allegations and rumors, none of which should be anybody’s d**n business); Palin’s book banning/burning activities as mayor; Palin’s intellectual fitness to serve and be a sick, 72 year old heartbeat removed from the presidency; etc., etc., etcetera.
It’s ugly folks anyway you look at it! It’s always wrong and NEVER appropriate. It’s tawdry, unseemly, unwarranted and unwonted in the political process. It besmirches the target and the mudslinger himself/herself. And… it cuts both ways. Both parties CAN do it. Up and until now only one has been so desperate as to stoop to it. Let us not open this can of worms lest we soon find them crawling all over us!
232. DavidGD620 | 10.06.08
This article has an amazing number of comments, most thoughtful and of acceptable quality. This speaks well for the Christian Science Monitor. I have lived for almost eight years under the Bush presidency and, before 2006, twelve years of Republicans controlling all or most of the legislative branch. I am nearing the end of my life at the age of 75 and I am tiring of being disappointed over and over again by the absolute refusal of many voters to see the hand writing on the wall and change their vote or behavior.
In a very real sense all of us are responsible for the current sad state of our country. In protest I began over a year ago to allow my hair and beard to grow uncontrollably, I wear a UA (Under Armor) red bad around my head to hold my hair out of my eyes with an ‘Obama 08′ button pinned to it. I may be eccentric, which is my privilege in a liberal democracy. I would like to believe my country would continue to be a liberal democracy, if not for me, for my grandchildren. The Constitution was a very liberal document for the times when it was created. Even today it is liberal document, sometimes too liberal for many people. People, get real, get ahold of yourselves and THINK. Keep the USA the great country it is!!!!
233. dave | 10.06.08
Republicans have reason to be worried about using this tried and true strategy of the Republican party. At some point the American people wise up and are immune to swift boat tactics. This happened when the term McCarthyism came to define right wing attacks. The Republicans need to take a break from swift boating so the American people don’t see through its obvious dishonesty. If they go to the well too many times not only does it not work the people are then immunized against it. the are gambling using it again this election The better strategy is to put it on hold this election and use it next time.
234. Randster | 10.06.08
To Prague:
To address your statement, “Why is LIBERAL a bad word in your country? Here in Europe we see it as a compliment.” I can only offer the following.
I don’t know why “liberal” is thought to be bad in the US either. Think of the following LIBERAL documents: Magna Charta, The Declaration of Independence of the United States, The Constitution of the United States of America. Liberal era: The Renaissance. Conservative era: The Dark Ages. Conservative government types: Theocracy, Fascist, Monarchy, Communist. Liberal government types: Democracy
I agree with others that the US ultra, ultra, ultra, right is trying to turn us into a Fascist country. In Europe, you know how that turned out.
235. Cathy G. | 10.06.08
Why, if a political campaign is going to be compared to sports, is there not a crew of referees working this game? Is it possible that before “we, the people” are subjected to another blood bath in 2012 that we could have an ethics panel in place headed by an ombudsman to keep everybody honest and honorable? I’m sick of the lies, the slander, the personal attacks and the waste of money it has taken to produce this garbage.
ENOUGH!
236. Anonymous | 10.06.08
It’s time to break free from the one-party Republicrat system - vote third party this year, it doesn’t matter who you vote for - Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney, Chuck Baldwin, Ralph Nader - just vote third party and send a message to the establishment.
237. bob wright | 10.06.08
Like Fritz Holznagel, I disagree that Obama would be playing the same game if he were down and desperate. Obama has shown throughout his endless campaign that he remains in charge and sticks to a plan. McCain, it’s safe to say, is taking orders, and when he comes up with an idea of his own it’s impulsive and poorly judged. His campaign has been negative pretty much all along, and this is just a simple reflection of the fact that a strong part of his demographic responds almost entirely to hate and paranoia. Even during the bright days when a portion of the public decided that they ‘loved’ Sarah Palin as a stranger seen across a crowded room, the McCain campaign generated the ridiculous pretense about “the bad men called dear Sarah a pig!” and McCain sat there looking confused and angry when challenged, stubbornly refusing to apologize or admit error, much like the man he claims to be different from. This new low that has everyone excited - Palin starting off with a dubious idea and then turning into a plain lie by casually placing it in the present tense, making Bill Ayers a one-man gang (”terrorist*s*”) and turning it into a buddy movie, is repulsive indeed, but is new only in that it’s being emitted from a point higher up the slime chain. The sliming of Obama has been vigorous and continual, and to the extent McCain even understands what forces he is the tool of he has “approved the message”. In all the talk about ‘change’, people tend to overlook the fact that only relatively small changes in policy and the Washington political culture are possible. Obama isn’t going to usher in an era of honesty and cheerful intelligent goodwill. But just having someone at the top who isn’t mean, vicious, and deluded would be enough change to be starting out with.
238. Char V | 10.06.08
I am an independent and was torn between McCain (erratic under pressure) and Obama (naive on foreign policy and too socially and economically liberal for me) UNTIL McCain chose Palin. His choice of Palin showed me that he was unwise, short-sighted and more interested in his own political success than the well-being of the country (in the event he dies in office and a grossly inexperienced VP takes over). Now, once again, he’s demonstrating lack of wisdom and shortsightedness in trying to tie Obama to his distant past, however obscure the association, BECAUSE the Obama campaign will nail him on his more clear association with Keating. What a fool.
239. Grace | 10.06.08
As a Christian with independent political views, I am continued to be adamant that you do not put your faith in a political party. I appreciate the article that was written. I have been reading and tracking these issues for a long time and see how divided our country is and it concerns me. The newest McCain campaign strategy further confirms my support for Senator Obama. Even with confirmation that the latest Palin attack on Obama is not accurate, they continue. Using a fear tactic approach and assaulting someone’s character when it is based on inaccurate and misguided information is foolish and assumes the American people are not discerning enough to see this. They have continued to distort his positions and voting records, as well as other things, and people buy into it. Obama has been through this many times, even during the primaries. This also shows that McCain will do anything to win, even if it means going against what he says he is about. McCain and Palin have their own baggage and the irony of all this makes me continues to question their judgment. McCain appears to be reaching for anything to steer the votes and to me that lacks focus and concerns me about him. If he wanted to appeal to the conservative base, he could have picked someone like Elizabeth Dole, Mike Huckabee, etc. Palin is a novelty and cannot manage the role she has been asked to serve. There is so much going on in this Country and the world. We are in an economic recession, middle and lower class families are barely getting by, the world economy is now unstable, and our country is in massive debt. Let’s focus on how we are going to get through this. McCain is trying to steer the focus of this election and Obama has to make sure he does not let himself get caught up in this. I am concerned about this dominating the political coverage. I hope the media sees that they also have an opportunity to keep our country focused and can sift through the nonsense.
240. Roy Patterson | 10.06.08
McCain/Palin will suffer the most embarrassing defeat in recent history this November. People are finished with the poor management of our country, our economy and foreign policy. Newt Gingrich, Tom Delay, Carl Rove, Dick Cheney, George Bush, I could go on. How much more do the so called conservative, god loving, pro gun, anti abortion, anti civil liberties, racists think common decent people will take. Unfortunately racism may play a bigger part in this election than anyone knows. Because my country is deeply racist. Sarah Palin displays the same thing that I have always seen in George Bush, a lack of humanity. The one thing we need now more than ever.
241. David | 10.06.08
The Keating 5 scandal is definitely the most relevant. But if you want to talk about character, McCain’s patriotic, selfless character is a complete sham and you don’t have to look any farther than his own actions to see it.
For those of you who have been living in a cave, McCain left his first wife when he came home from Vietnam to find her overweight and 5 inches shorter than when he left due to a terrible car accident. However, McCain being the selfless, honorable man that he is, he didn’t simply leave her, he cheated on her multiples times (by his own admission) and then began having an affair at the age of 42 with Cindy McCain, then 24. Why did McCain decide to marry this one? Maybe because she was worth a few hundred million? With McCain it is always McCain first. The man is a selfish, short-tempered ego maniac and you don’t have to look any further than what John McCain does, not what John McCain sais, to see that.
242. Kent James | 10.06.08
For all those republicans (I would say conservatives, but the republican party today is certainly not conservative) who talk about how fiscally irresponsible a liberal politician like Obama will be, where have you been hiding for the last 30 years? Facts show that while the Republicans like to cut taxes (who doesn’t want to pay less in taxes?), they have a problem with the hard work of cutting spending, so instead, they just put it on the tab, running up huge deficits. While Clinton was irresponsible in his personal life, he dramatically improved the fiscal position of the government at the same time the economy was humming. It is not a simple raise taxes, destroy jobs equation as you seem to think. It all depends on how the taxes are raised, and what the money is spent on. In case you haven’t noticed, bubbles will eventually pop, and the government cannot cut taxes while raising spending forever.
And as for the MSM conspiracy to keep Obama’s “terrorist ties” a secret, what sort of paranoid fantasy land do you live in? If secrecy is the goal, why do we all know about them? Don’t smear with innuendo (”oh, if you only knew how much of a secret terrorist Obama is you’d never vote for him..”), tell us what you’ve got. So far it is pretty lame. Lives in the same neighborhood (with tens of thousands of others), served on the boards of 2 non-profits (where I’m sure they discussed their plans to destroy America), and let him contribute ($200!) to one of his early campaigns…and this intimate connection is with a person who was associated with a radical group more than 25 years ago! Although the republicans rely on the politics of fear, I hope most Americans won’t scare so easily. Someone should ask Sarah Palin if she really believes that Obama is a terrorist seeking to destroy America.
243. Daryl | 10.06.08
Its about time I say. Its not just negative campaigning to point out some very disturbing relationships. We,re not just talking about empty accusations or finger pointing. Ayers is a friend, mentor, and contributor to Obama. Obama’s anti-american past is quite clear. Ayers is just one name of many. You people should honestly look into this before you just write it off. I have.
244. Judy | 10.06.08
And is Palin perfect? She pretends to be, but she “pals around” with a man who wants to secede from the U.S. How patriotic is that?
Palin can’t even answer questions that are put to her. She either goes on the attack, rambles on and on, or changes to the subject to one of her memorized talking points. She’s an embarrassment to this country.
246. Sean | 10.06.08
I’ll make this short and sweet. If it’s either like Mccain or you’re biased, I’m proud to be biased. 
247. ProudLiberal | 10.06.08
And I can see Rusha from my house!! wink…wink. Republican stupidity never ceases to amaze me. McSame demonstrated his lack of judgment when he picked Palin as his running mate and through his association with the Keating Five. On countless other occasions McSame has demonstrated that he is incompetent. The Repubs point to his status as a “war hero.” Lol. The truth is that he was reckless when he was in the Navy…a show boat who destroyed 3 airplanes. He was disciplined for all of these infractions. He sold out the USA under interrogation in Hanoi. Some hero. The Republicans are all nervous and jerky over their poll numbers…which continue to plummet. LOL. They are losing in the Congressional races as well. LOL. It’s wonderful to see the self destruction of the Republican party. Good bye GOP
248. sal | 10.06.08
THIS is why mccain and palin are running around screaming lies and slander. And the great thing seems to be that their lies are HELPING OBAMA.
from realclearpolitics.com this hour:
RCP Average 09/26 - 10/05 — 49.4 43.1 Obama +6.3
Rasmussen Tracking 10/03 - 10/05 3000 LV 52 44 Obama +8
Hotline/FD Tracking 10/03 - 10/05 909 LV 47 41 Obama +6
Gallup Tracking 10/02 - 10/04 2728 RV 50 43 Obama +7
GW/Battleground Tracking 09/30 - 10/05 800 LV 50 43 Obama +7
249. JDW | 10.06.08
Wait. So the guy, Obama, who worked with Ayers, called him “friend”, and was introduced to Chicago Politics via an Ayers fund-raiser is squeaky clean. But the guy. McCain, who points this out is a dirt-bag? Must be nice in bizarro world.
250. Jersey Bob | 10.06.08
Mike Murphy has to be kidding. He wants to scare people with talk of a “runaway” liberal government in Washington? For most of the last 8 years, Washington has had a runaway right-wing extremist government: the GOP has controlled the White House, Senate, House and the courts (which won’t change anytime soon). And look what they’ve done!
Republicans running amok started a war based on lies, strengthened terrorists while alienating allies, swindled homeowners and investors, poisoned our air and water, trashed the Constitution, spied on law-abiding citizens, gave huge rewards to CEOs who ship jobs overseas, turned a budget surplus into a deficit while ballooning the national debt, exposed a CIA agent working on counterterrorism and made things worse while a major city drowned. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Recovery starts when the liberals DO control Washington. I can’t wait!
251. KDB | 10.06.08
So we should believe news organizations that have concluded that the relationship between Obama and Ayers is tenuous? The same news organizations that have show their undying devotion to Obama? While the relationship isn’t what the far right want to make it out to be, the fact that Obama has even been to the man’s house, has spoken with him and worked along side him on the Wood’s foundation seems a bit more than “tenuous”. Whenever the subject comes up with the Obama campaign, the subject gets changed. And why does the Obama website quote news sources and not any explanation from Obama himself? It is also disturbing that the Obama site seems to make excuses for Ayers why trying to legitimize and paint him as some kind of moderate education reformer.
252. Josh | 10.06.08
Well does he have an excuse for aligning with a terrorist? I don’t know about you but I would not even associate myself with someone who bombed anything (including Abortion Clinics) let alone the New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, the United States Capitol building in 1971 (where Senator Obama currently works), and The Pentagon in 1972. An unrepentant terrorist in 1970 is an unrepentant terrorist in 2008.
Do you know anyone else who organized attacks on important buildings in New York City and Washington D.C.? I wonder if 40 years from now Senator Obama would sit on the board of an organization run by him?
253. redtornado | 10.06.08
I am so sick of the negative campaigns and general nastiness. Palin looks downright gleeful the more nasty she is. I think people are sick, sick, sick of the attacks. McCain is like the boy who cried wolf, over 75% of his attacks have proven to be false. He comes off like an angry, old man-who wants that as their world leader?
254. George V. | 10.06.08
Barack Obama served on a board along side a one-time domestic terrorist who has since rehabilitated himself and is working productively within the system.
John McCain has worked to normalize relations with a country against whom we fought a bloody and prolonged war that they, ‘the bad guys’, ultimately won.
If McCain can put the traumatic Vietnam War behind him, then we should all be able to put William Ayers’ violent past behind us as well.
255. Jerry | 10.06.08
John’s buddy G. Gordon Liddy advocated the assassination of journalists and planned the firebombing of the Brookings Institute that he knew would kill innocents. I assume the liberal media will be all over that story…right? [crickets]
256. zahid | 10.06.08
Mr. McCain I charge that you are no hero. You are a coward, hiding behind a woman’s skirts, akin to Saddam who hid behind the lives of innocent women and children.
You are no warrior, Sir, you are a petty coward. No warrior would cut and run, *throw in the white flag of surrender” like you did in Michigan, while accusing the opponent of surrendering to terrorists. You, Sir, can not even fight in your own back yard, let alone in far off land.
You, Sir, are a coward of the highest order, and dishonest. You can not look into the eyes of your own countryman and yet you can look into the eyes of Mr. Putin and read the letters KGB. When Mr. Obama addressed you directly, all you did was wiggle your eyebrows. Where was your courage at that point? The courage to look directly into the opponent’s eyes? Heroes are not scared of looking into the adversary’s eyes even at the point of death!
There is an old English saying “Breeding will show”, and it has begun to show.
257. Eddie Zalez | 10.06.08
It’s the economy stupids. McCain and Palin still don’t get it. They should spare the postures and the negative attacks, too late in the game for that. The priorities facing us now are jobs, controlling the deficit, ending the two costly Republican wars. Oil is going down because more people are out of work. Let’s get back to basics. Vote for the guy with one house and one car: Obama.
258. Mary in GA by way of CA | 10.06.08
173. gringovejo,
Thank you for your perspective! Wow! You voted for FDR? Too cool!
You, sir, are a great American! An independent, logical thinker with more concern for our country than any self-proclaimed patriot who so ungraciously and unbecomingly waves the American flag like a matador waving his cape to all who disagree with him.
ON a similar note - I wonder what this conversation would look like if it were Mitt Romney as the GOP candidate. I tell you, I would have trouble making the choice. Just goes to show you, the GOP - not just McCain, are having trouble making sound decisions this election year.
260. Honest Abe | 10.06.08
Negative ads work. Studies show this and that’s why they are abundant during campaigns. Obama is using as many as McCain is. Because they work!
There is nothing positive to say about onama, but I will avoid the negatives as twice now my post has not posted.
On just a positive note:
I’m voting for McCain because he is All-American and a Hero. He suffered for and served this country in a most harrowing way. He has a long reputation for straight talk even tho some may not like what he says. He has a long record of bi-partisan work in the Senate. His authority with the military, their respect for him, ensures that he is the only candidate running who can effectively and honorably maneuver our military out of Iraq and manage Afghanistan to Victory. We need to send McCain to DC to kick some a**.
Palin has a record of economic reform–cutting frivolous spending and balancing the budget in Alaska. No small feat during such chaotic economic times. Other states are having a difficult time right now, but her citizens are getting a $3000 refund check. She is also a true representative of Mid-America and our values. Her interactions with her family are honest and sincere; those kids have deep respect and admiration for their ma, and it shows. They are so proud of her; her whole family is. And, her family is not ’silver-spoon in mouth’ people. They are just like me, and my family. And, I would put my sister in the VP seat in a heartbeat cause she would shake it up… as will Palin. Palin, by the way, is the only non-millionaire running which brings balance to the ticket.
McCain and Palin are the Reform TEam… and God knows, Washington must be reformed and cleaned up. Americans cannot afford another President with questionable donation practices, questionable accounting practices, and a cadre of criminal element associations.
261. sal | 10.06.08
It is amazing how many perfect people live among us. So quick to judge people by their neighbors or by acquaintances from years ago? How fortunate that you are perfect in every way AND you are appointing yourself as judge and jury. I hope you don’t mind in the future when you or your family is found guilty using the same standards.
So what would settle this? Nothing. If the Good Lord above vouched for Obama, you would not accept it. These are meaningless cyclical arguments.
You hate the media BUT you want the media to investigate.
If they investigate and tell you the allegations are baseless, you scream bias.
You scream bias because they will not lie so that you can hear the falsehoods you desire.
You scream about Obama and possible vague associations, but will not see mccain and palin’s PROVEN dishonorable associations (and ethics investigations.)
If Obama was the subject of an investigation for ethics violations you would be apoplectic. But you don’t seem to mind the one palin is under.
This has no beginning and no end.
The real issues, however, involve how either man would run this country if elected in november. Is that too boring to talk about?
262. Ed Sommers | 10.06.08
For those of you who don’t know enough about Obama — you’re a small minority of the people posting here today — the reason you don’t know enough about Obama is that you don’t WANT to know. You don’t want to read, you don’t want to listen, you don’t want to see, you don’t want to believe the truth.
Here’s what you have closeted yourself away from knowing: Obama is intelligent. Obama is open-minded, fair, well intentioned. Obama knows how to listen; Obama know how to communicate. Obama knows how to govern effectively. Obama is not an opinionated zealot; Obama is not an ideologue; Obama believes in science. Obama is a leader; he remains calm when many around him become frantic. Obama is young, experienced, healthy. Obama MUST be elected our next President. Think…see what is obvious.
263. David Lee Evans | 10.06.08
Let’s face facts. A national presidential elections is now not just about the ideology of the two
parties, Republican and Democrats. Quite frankly it is now about “new paradigms” theses new paradigms consist of some of the following, but not exclusively limited to the following.
Human rights, for example the dismissal of accountability for the hundred of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians killed since the liberation/occupation of Iraq. It is also about the degeneration of civil rights, some aspect of the Patriot Act are just plan unconstitutional. Civil rights have been undermined with institution of paperless voting machines, to circumvent a manual verifiable method to protect your right of “one man one vote” etc. you get the point.
It is about the right to project imperial power into foreign country and the creation of an Imperial Presidency. The justification and the arguments for the invasion of Iraq, namely W.M.D.s is absurd, and the spin that this administration tried to put on when no W.M.D.s were found.
Liberating the Iraqis from a horrible dictator, while true, is disingenuous since the U.S. supported that dictator a two decades early. To be totally truthful our intelligence capabilities are way better then what this administration wan ts us to believe, this fact is easy proved with some simple logic and some references to declassified military papers , D.A.R.P.A. reports, presidential addresses and statements, etc.
NOW finally to my point.
All of these “new paradigms” are neo-conservative ideals and the neo-conservative es are no friend of John McCain, so between McCain and Obama they really don’t have a horse in this race, however they do like to persuade the masses to acceptance their philosophy . This is a game to them. One that they all ways play to win, at all cost.
And if McCain does not win then it is some what a rejection of George W. Bush administration and therefor a rejection of neo-conservative ideals.
Hence the bringing in of Steve Schmidt to run the McCain campaign, so is it any wonder that when the poll numbers indicate that when the McCain campaign is behind that things get a little nasty?
264. Michael | 10.06.08
Poor McCain, hes sinking and he knows it. Sad to see someone I once liked turn into a pathetic and twisted shadow of himself. He has shown he will do and say anything in his last desperate grab for the Presidency.
Get over Ayers people, Obama was 8 years old when he was in the Weathermen.
The real associates you need to worry about are McCains friends like Fiorina and Gramm, they will probably be in his Cabinet if he got elected, I can guarantee Ayers wont.
265. TJ | 10.06.08
With sincerity and not as a challenge, I ask those more knowledgeable than myself this question.
With all of the institutions of our government, including the economy, so decimated by this current administration, will the solution to trying to put all the pieces, all the systems back to working order, require some elements of “socialism” for awhile? I do not know enough to answer that. It just seems to me that “it” is too broken, in dire need of repair on all fronts, and that many strategies will need to be undertaken in order to get us back on track. I have read and have heard that this “bail out” plan, offered as the last ditch choice by the Republican MBA President and his Godman Sachs Treasury Secretary, is “socialism”. Who would have thought that Republicans would have to implement a socialist solution? Please help me to understand.
I do know that some of the “Liberal” programs Obama wants to implement will have to wait, may take 8 years, because there is no money anywhere. I also read that Reagan wanted to do away with Medicare at one point. Is Medicare considered “socialism” by Republicans?
Seems like some of the post peaceful, happiest nations are those that have programs in place to support a quality of life, such as Sweden, Denmark, most of the Netherlands….their governments are not in conflict with their people. Granted, they are not considered “world powers”, but, I may be idealistic in thinking that, perhaps, that is a standard all nations might strive to achieve. There must be a way one can be militarily strong for defense yet just as strong in advocating peaceful co-existence with your own people as well as other peoples in the world. No one “wins” a war anymore. It just becomes a long drawn out field of slaughter with a “draw” at the end, concessions made, etc. I think it imperative at this time we do a complete inventory of our values and our ideals. Is this the Change that Obama has been talking about?
266. KingGator | 10.06.08
The party is over for the guy with no clue on the economy and the moron in the pig shade of lipstick! Go back to Alasta - there’s a village missing an idiot. I look forward to seeing McCain on the tables in Vegas soon.
267. Peter Fisher | 10.06.08
Before even being in the same mile radius as another person, you must find out whether or not they have been convicted of a criminal offence, whether they have commited any immoral acts, whether they harbour any views that you disagree with and find repugnant. Guilt by association. I bet everyone is guilty of something dreadful by association if you search hard enough.
To the people who believe that sort of nonsense: Get real!
268. E.Hill | 10.06.08
Wow, America wake up!!!!!!!!
We are in recession. We are looking the reality of a Depression in the eye.
Foreclosure (People losing homes), unemployment (750,000 jobs this year), national debt (10 TRILLION), terrible foreign relations, environment issues (global warming), energy crisis and cost, wars, fraud (from wall street), education (historically horrible levels), this all deals with people and what we face in this country everyday.
It is amazing to me that in the most important Presidential election in history that we allow candidates to change the issues to smear tactics and NOT discuss the issues and in detail where people can understand it.
I am tired of hearing talk about the liberal media (whom have made Palin a rock star) and sexism. Palin is not a victim she is running for Vice President of the United States of America.
With that being said I can care less about trooper gate, Keating, Mavericks, Ayers, Rev Wright, drug addict wives, teenage pregnant daughters, etc. Tell me how you plan to change the horrible position America is in now, how you plan to get out out of it, and truthful descriptions of your plans and how it will work for America, and explain how the other candidate plan differ. Wake up America this is not about which ticket can distract you the best with senseless discussion, but WHICH TICKET WILL HELP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WHOM DON”T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND JUST HOW BAD AND FRAGILE OUR SITUATION IS RIGHT NOW.
269. Jim Lowther | 10.06.08
to RJH:
I agree that Obama will be a one-term President — sort of.
I’ve felt since the day he announced that he won’t be re-elected in 2012 (just based on his inexperience going in). But I also felt that, like Grover Cleveland, the country will reconsider. It may take longer than the 4 years Cleveland was out, but Obama will eventually be experienced, reconsidered, re-nominated & re-elected.
270. timmo | 10.06.08
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Yet, it is clear from the parroting of comments (also available by link to the Obama website) that many do not read, nor do they analyze. It is appear that there are as many yellow dog Democrats now as ever though many claim they are independent. These candidates are all imperfect, but I am holding my nose to vote for McCain who is slightly the better of two thin candidates imo. Obama seems younger than his years based on his (compared to the average 45 year old) shallow life experiences.
271. Ken | 10.06.08
Let’s make it simple: McCain and Obama aside, if you focus on the VP candidates you get an easy choice. You can either have an experienced, intelligent tough guy who supports our constitutional rights, or you can have a psychotic religious nutball with no REAL experience who is happy believing that the end of the world is near (also believes in witches, exorcisms)and can’t wait for the rapture. She also opposes things like science, women’s reproductive rights, and freedom of speech (books).
I’m voting for someone who might believe the end of the world could be prevented, not expedited.
Obama/Biden: the choice for those who don’t want World War III
272. Jeff | 10.06.08
The reason I don’t know enough about Obama is because him and his campaign WON’T let me know more about him! I’d love to know what he wrote for his thesis or some of the pieces he wrote for the Harvard Law Review, but those have gone conveniently down the memory hole along with pretty much anything about him before 1996.
And for the people posting that McCain supposedly was a collaborator, this lie has been disproven thousands of times by people that were actually there. You’re lower than low, real human garbage to suggest such a thing about a decorated POW. Attack McCain all you want for his politics, but no one can deny he kept to his code of honor and refused early release because the conditions of it were renouncing US involvement in Vietnam. Really, human garbage.
273. Jeff | 10.06.08
“Obama is young, experienced” well, we know the experienced part is a lie. Once again, I’d be more likely to believe proof of Obama’s intelligence, etc. rather than just a testimonial from a supporter. I’m not even convinced he was qualified to edit the Harvard Law Review without seeing his writings. What’s he hiding them for?
274. Dave | 10.06.08
The reason Liberal is thought of as bad is a repetitive brain washing campaign the Republican party has been running for 20 years. The principle they stole from the Nazi propaganda machine is to repeat a lie sufficient times and it becomes the truth. That is why people believe Rev Wright is a hater, despite the fact that he is a great preacher who does the preacher’s job: attacking the things we do wrong rather than pointing the finger at others. By the right wing definition the prophets from the new testament are anti-semites.
Another way they are doing it few will agree with me on. Al-queda came into being when they were financed by our country to fight Russian invasion of Afghanistan. When they continued to fight foreign incursion (colonialism) by fighting US incursions they became terrorists.
275. Interested Observer | 10.06.08
JoePublic Post #284 - one of the most sensible things said on this website. Fair play to you.
America - wake up and demand the democracy you see fit to send your boys and girls to die for.
276. David | 10.06.08
The U.S. is 232 years old. In all that time, we have racked up an impressive and disturbing debt. 3/4 of that debt is from Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43. I’d rather have a “Tax and Spend” liberal, because the so-called “conservatives” have ruined this country’s financial ability to provide for our security. Liberals may be Tax and Spend. But conservatives are Borrow and Spend. And Spend and Spend and Spend. And Spend! Liberals spend money to try to help EVERYONE. Republicans spend money to help their special friends.
277. Tim O | 10.06.08
Notice how it’s Palin attacking Obama on “character” issues, not McCain. If the GOP wants to dig into personal affairs and other issues of “character,” they are making a huge mistake. I will put Obama up against McCain any day. Remember–Keating Five, womanizer, ditched first wife to marry into money, nearly last in his class at Annapolis, plane crasher…need more? The GOP will be sorry they took this tack. They should be more concerned with McCain’s “character” than his opponent’s.
278. Domingo Tavella | 10.06.08
The McCain strategy is excellent and it will work as intended.
McCain needs to instill doubts in that slim fraction of the uneducated white population who are settling for Obama out of desperation.
Undecided white voters are extremely receptive to anything that will route their desperate search for answers away from a black man.
Nothing is as powerful as primal fear, and no fear is as primal as that which is passed down through generations and acquired in childhood. Projecting Obama as a black terrorist touches precisely the sweet spot of irrational terror. If McCain manages to keep those fears bubbling into the consciousness of whites his path to victory is certain.
279. Margo | 10.06.08
It’s a surprise that Obama hasn’t brought up Palin’s record.
Her spending in Wasilla raised the per capita debt from $200-$250 to $3500-$3900 in her six years as mayor.
Her husband has defied a subpoena in Alaska.
He was a member of the Alaska Independence Party (which wants to secede from the U.S.).
Palin herself welcomed the AIP to Fairbanks. See video http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZwvPNXYrIyI
Palin’s bad record can be demonstrated by her own actions.
Insisting that Obama is soft on terrorism is simply not believable.
280. leapblog | 10.06.08
Once again Palin’s lies have forced me to open up my wallet and make another contribution to the Obama campaign. Keep it up Palin - there are millions of people out there just like me…..
Tired of these lies?
Tired of this woman?
Tired of the neocon culture of fear?
Tired of trickle down economics?
Tired of not being heard?
Make a donation to the BARACK/BIDEN campaign. Money talks. Make these republicans walk.
281. Daryl | 10.06.08
I noticed none of you Libs can offer any real evidence that the alligations aginst Obama are false. Instead you just complain about “negative campaigning” and “attack ads”. Don’t be so naive. Obama is the worst canidate you Dems have ever put up. I’m always amazed at how duped you people are.
I Absolutely love this country. It isn’t racist, though there are racists in it. It’s not the “Great Satan” of this world. How dark and dreary some of your lives must be.
Granted your man might win. That hardly makes him the right man. If he does win, I really hope I’m wrong about him.
282. Scared in Ohio | 10.06.08
Didn’t Chavez learn from Castro?
Birds of a feather flock together. I don’t care what someone did when they were eight years old. But there is a reason to be concerned when someone looks to people filled with such extreme hatred towards america as mentors and teachers.
It is pathetic that this is the best that both parties can do.
The people that should be mad are the ones who wanted to support Hillary and are now left with a inexperienced marxist candidate. Oh sure, Hillary could have been VP..like that would have worked! I would have liked to be a fly on the wall in the White House with that bunch.
The Obama camp is rewriting his history as we speak.
I will not be voting for Obama because I believe his policies will plunge us into a depression due to overtaxation. I also think that we will no longer be viewed as the great country we should be.
284. Marilyn Bryan | 10.06.08
It is nothing short of amazing what people consider to be “truth”.
It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, even
so is truth, which is whatever the ill-informed wish it to be.
“Joe Six-Pack” may not be embarrassed at the speech patterns of Sarah
Palin, but one president who is “like us” is quite enough.
285. Daryl | 10.06.08
Leapblog. I’ve researched Obama quite extensively. I’m sure I’m right. I only leave room for human error.
Cathy G. Don’t be so quick to lable someone a racist. I will not support Obama because of what he stands for in ideology. Most of you out there don’t even know what he stands for. It is just as racist to vote Obama just because he is black.
Some of the biggest tyrants this world has ever seen were educated quite well. A good education doesn’t make you a good leader. Anyone can talk up a storm, but its what you DO that sets you apart for what you are.
286. Janie Barrera | 10.06.08
It’s about time that someone ANYONE has the “Guts” to bring up Obama’s “radical” relationships to the American People!!! Why have we waited so long? Obama’s character and judgement have EVERYTHING to do with this Presidential race and election. I can’t believe that we would actually consider putting someone in the White House who has ties to these types of “Radicals” including Reverand Wright!
WAKE UP PEOPLE! This man IS NOT who he claims to be and I pray that someone makes him address the facts and this issue in particular in front of a huge American audience soon!
287. johnny | 10.06.08
sarah palin and her husband are Alaskan sepparist terrorists……..they should be tried for treason and imprisoned for life!
288. Bill | 10.06.08
It’s ironic that someone who ran against and lost to Bush due in part to these same tactics (rumor, misrepresentations of fact and vague character assassination through questionable interpretation of “fact”) being employed against him can now stoop to the level of using them himself. I find myself disappointed and saddened that Sen. McCain will be ultimately be remembered not for a public service career that spans a distinguished military career and decades of valuable service in Congress but rather one that ends with a Presidential run characterized by choosing the least qualified running mate in history … and the shocking personal transition from ’straight talk’ on the issues to mudslinging through innuendo and misrepresentations.
289. timmo | 10.06.08
Lets continue the what if game with 294 above. What if McCain were named editor of Harvard Law Review but had not done well in class, but because they wanted a “veteran” to be the first HLR editor. Lets say that year it was a vote of the editors that decided. And what if the magna *** laude was given McCain since he was the highest ranking of the veterans and the school felt it impt to bestow this accolade even though the standard was different for nonveterans. And what if, as EJ Dionne reported years ago, Biden was at the bottom of his class at Syracuse law and was up for dismissal due to plagiarizing five pages in a short paper. What if? Would that change your mind.
290. Ralph Spyer | 10.06.08
Hero worship is strongest where there is least regard for human freedom.
291. Eldora | 10.06.08
If Guilt by association is the game:
Why not accuse McCain of sympathizing with organized crime based on his long relationship with his father-in-law, the late Jim Hensley, a twice convicted felon who got his start in the beer business through shady dealings with organized crime figures.
Why not accuse McCain of plotting illegal partisan dirty tricks based on his ties to Gordon Liddy who was convicted in Water Gate scandal and who admitted plotting to murder Howard Hunt among others. Liddy calls McCain his friend. McCain appeared recently on his radio show and said he admired his (Liddy’s) principles. Liddy spent over four years in prison, but today has a radio show spewing poison to the lunatic fringe of the far right.
Why not accuse Sarah McCain of wanting to sucede from the united states based on ties to the Alaskan Independence Party whose goal it is to succeed from the United States? Her husband was a member for two years, she attended their convention and less than a year ago lauded the group in TV address to their convention….certainly a closer relationship than Obama’s to Ayers.
So what if Obama had dinner with Ayers onced a week which he did not.. That doesn’t make Obama a terrorist or sympathetic to terrorist any more than John McCain’s association with his father-in-law makes him sympathetic to organized crime.
Ayers is today a respected educator and a professor at the Universirity of Chicago whose activism is trying to improve public education.
Jim Hensley who got his start in the beer business through some shady dealing and did spend time in prison on a felony charge became a respected philanthropist.
Gordon Liddy has not changed his tune and is still a dangerouls nut case spewing poison.
The Alaskan Independence Party is still going strong.
292. The Celt | 10.06.08
I have been “undecided” all summer as I try to discern how to vote–McCain or Oboma. With the recent “low blow, ad hominem, character assassination, let’s forget the substantive issues of the hour” attacks by Palin, I am very close to throwing my lot with Oboma. There are a lot of us in the United States that are simply feed up with the third grade mentality and utterly simple-minded logic of the likes of Palin. HOW LONG, OH HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT FOR THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM TO MATURE!!! THE LIVES OF REAL PEOPLE ARE AT STAKE AND ARE BEING SACRIFICED ON THE ALTAR SIMPLE-MINDED POLITICIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
293. tom peer | 10.06.08
See LA time article today: McCain negligently crashed three planes as a pilot and probably lied about it in the investigations. But Dad and Grandad were Admirals so pretty boy kept flying. Finished near DFL in his college class. And people want this guy to lead our country?
294. Gotalife | 10.06.08
It was mentioned in the article that the Obama campaign had intentions of “taking the gloves off”. That somehow, making public the nasty truths about John McCain, his professional and political connections (Keating, lobbyists all over), personal failures (cheating on, leaving first wife), and policies completely devoid of substance, consistency and distance from Bush’s- somehow this is comparable to the juvenile commentary coming out of Sarah Palin.
It’s one thing to say that we’ll all keep to the issues and your private life and past are yours to keep. But when all you have to attack with is lies, distortions and false innuendos, like the Republicans, McCain and Palin, and your own closet is SO dirty, like the Republican ticket, then you’re really standing on shaky ground.
Look at who these people are, the Republicans, and you remember that McCain actively sought and acknowledged the endorsements of the Pastors John Hagee and Rod Parsley (look ‘em up). And that Sarah Palin is —– MARRIED TO —– a SEPARATIST, who’s leadership publicly and emphatically declares a hatred for America.
I think they’re probably both fine people, John and Sarah- good people to live next door to– hmmm, maybe not John McCain- I couldn’t afford the neighborhood— but my concerns are not about their character as human beings. It takes an extraordinary human being to be the most powerful person in the world. Not the person that you could share a beer with, like Great Grandpappy John McCain, or shoot a wolf from a helicopter with, Everymom, Sarah Palin.
Barack Obama isn’t perfect by anyone’s standards. We all have different standards, after all. But he is on top of his game now, and his game really is your game and my game as well. He IS on YOUR side- there’s nothing scary hidden under it all- just another politician but with a fresh approach and the smarts, and EXPERIENCE to get the job done. The Republican, John McCain, is offering nothing but more of the past and of being backed up by Sarah Palin, who really should not have her hands on the nuke codes. And they’re really, really Not On Your Side. John McCain: Not Your Friend.
295. Gotalife | 10.06.08
It was mentioned in the article that the Obama campaign had intentions of “taking the gloves off”. That somehow, making public the nasty truths about John McCain, his professional and political connections (Keating, lobbyists all over), personal failures (cheating on, leaving first wife), and policies completely devoid of substance, consistency and distance from Bush’s- somehow this is comparable to the juvenile commentary coming out of Sarah Palin.
It’s one thing to say that we’ll all keep to the issues and your private life and past are yours to keep. But when all you have to attack with is lies, distortions and false innuendos, like the Republicans, McCain and Palin, and your own closet is SO dirty, like the Republican ticket, then you’re really standing on shaky ground.
Look at who these people are, the Republicans, and you remember that McCain actively sought and acknowledged the endorsements of the Pastors John Hagee and Rod Parsley (look ‘em up). And that Sarah Palin is —– MARRIED TO —– a SEPARATIST, who’s leadership publicly and emphatically declares a hatred for America.
I think they’re probably both fine people, John and Sarah- good people to live next door to– hmmm, maybe not John McCain- I couldn’t afford the neighborhood— but my concerns are not about their character as human beings. It takes an extraordinary human being to be the most powerful person in the world. Not the person that you could share a beer with, like Great Grandpappy John McCain, or shoot a wolf from a helicopter with, Everymom, Sarah Palin.
Barack Obama isn’t perfect by anyone’s standards. We all have different standards, after all. But he is on top of his game now, and his game really is your game and my game as well. He IS on YOUR side- there’s nothing scary hidden under it all- just another politician but with a fresh approach and the smarts, and EXPERIENCE to get the job done. The Republican, John McCain, is offering nothing but more of the past and of being backed up by Sarah Palin, who really should not have her hands on the nuke codes. And they’re really, really Not On Your Side. John McCain: Not Your Friend.
296. Sad Republican | 10.06.08
I’ve been a Republican for almost 30 years and I’m embarrassed by my Party. McCain himself was hit by this type of slimy campaigning in the 200 elections. At that time it was done by Karl Rove’s mentor, Lee Attwater, in the service of George Bush. Mr. Attwater’s passing put Mr. Rove in charge of the slime and he spread plenty of it around for President Bush. Mr. Rove has now conveniently removed himself from the sinking ship and most of his crew signed on with McCain. Gov. Palin’s recent remarks have proved to be the proverbial last straw for me. I supported McCain in 200 but I’m voting for Obama now.
297. new york stockbroke | 10.06.08
The odds in Vegas are 3 to 2 for Obama. Unless McCain can trash Obama with some real dirt we have to start thinking about how Obama will get us out of 8 years of the past excesses and deregs on wall street. The answer is obvious. End the war, end many programs, regulate everything, spend five years in a real recession. This era will actually be very positive for our next generation as it will return us to conservative thinking with the regs. In other words, the right way to think and act. It is almost biblical in thinking. Furthermore, the excess was the negative aspects of capitalism.
298. Arnell | 10.06.08
I was a student activist in the 60’s. I well remember groups like “Students for a Democratic Society” and the “Weather Underground”. I, also, am a Vietnam era veteran who was drafted into the army after receiving my MBA degree from Washington University in St. Louis. I served honorably and received commendations and medals for my service, even though I strongly disagreed with the war. I remember that, during that time, there were many places of public accomodations in my country that I could not enter; there were water fountains from which I could not drink; there were public restrooms from which I was barred; all, even when I had my uniform on.
I am a college professor now, and nobody who meets me would suspect that I might have set fire to an ROTC building or have thrown a molotov cocktail somewhere (neither of which I did, by the way) back when they were six or seven years old. And for those of you who want to make an issue of Senator Obama’s association with an ex radical of the 60’s who is now a professor at a distinguished american university, I say “get real”. I remember learning in those days, that there were quite a number of United States congressmen and senators, democrats and republicans, who had been associated with or supporters of the Ku Klux Klan, the most enduring and destructive terriost organization in the long history of the United States. Some of those people became some of the most highly respected statesmen and leaders in our country. And, I can’t remember anybody suggesting that they were unfit to serve because of their past associations, not even when some decided to run for president.
A couple of final thoughts! One of the most respected and most highly revered men of our time was called a terriost. His name? Nelson Mandella. And, when our government was supporting the contras and other groups trying to overthhrow their governments in Central and South America, I’m certain I heard many times, “One person’s terriost is another person’s freedom fighter. And don’t we all love freedom!
299. hoang | 10.06.08
I will vote for Obama with 4 resons:
1/ Republican party have already 8 years; now it is time
for Dem to take over the new “shift”;
2/ Dems have insights, enthusiasm, philosophy of change
3/ Obama is modest, honest, smart and able to mobilize the people
4/ Mr Mc Cain is old and not aware of the difficult situation of the country
hoang
300. Mengesha | 10.07.08
We do not want to hear dirty talk, what American want to hear is how our employment issues can be solve, Mr. McCain and Palin they will not get vote by talking dirty, America White or Black Etc are paying the price not the dirty talker, Mr. McCain your game is know in the 4th quarter, if you have a unused timeout you need to use them now and plan a good strategy by not playing dirty, we the voter are watching you, and remember we are the referees.
So far your dirty game not helping you, you need to pay attention to the real issues.
301. Frank | 10.07.08
I am an independent and find the tactics of the McCain and Palin to be less than presidential. McCain looks erratic to me. Palin only knows how to give sound bites and cannot think on her own. I just saw a piece on her in a Florida rally and it looked like a pep rally. The only message was negative about Obama. I heard one silly person the other day say that Obama is the antichrist. Have we deteriorated to this? People are worried about the economy. People are worried about health care. McCain is going to free the insurance companies to do whatever they want and more people will suffer in a health system run by corporations. Under McCain, Medicare will be cut. Wake up America. This negative campaign has secured my vote for Obama. Change with dignity, not more Rovian propaganda and primitive religion. Stop the smears and get to the real issues. McCain looks unstable to me.
302. Hymi | 10.07.08
The 72 year old senator brought Palin, with no experience for the VP, basically to attract young voters especially women. But, she started the dirty game and the result? We have seen it. It is a shame for him and her to go that way and even lie to the public.
303. Barbara Smith Stoff | 10.07.08
Sarah Palin’s convention speech , for me, brought back schoolyard memories . I’ve been here before. I am a teacher, and I’ve got lunchtime patrol. Here’s the scene: This one kid has grabbed the attention and is holding forth—making fun of another student, and the crowd looks up to him with smiles and clapping approval. I am watching a bully deftly drawing out the would-be-bully in his listeners…bullies in training. With twenty-four seven television, we have all seen more than we need of the ultimate results of that kind of rhetoric, that kind of dynamic—uzzis in the streets and in our classrooms.
She said, “You know what the difference is between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.”
That brought back memories too. I counseled a young mother whose small child had been killed by a neighbor’s pit bull, on the sidewalk in front of her home, as she was unloading groceries from her car. Up until that experience, I had never even heard of pit bulls, but you can be sure that I have not had a very high opinion of them since.
With only a modicum of research one finds that there are lies behind Palin’s reputation as a pork-buster. It’s pretty well known by now that she only reluctantly gave up her support for that “bridge to nowhere.” We would do well to investigate the bidding history in Alaskan oil leases, especially the current ones involving the Federal Government, the Chukchi Sea, Shell and Conoco Phillips. What are the hidden influences upon McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin? Often we don’t find out about these kinds of lies until it’s too late. Sometimes we come across, after the fact, the reportings of a Robert Parry (Secrecy and Privilege: The Rise of the Bush Dynasty from Watergate to Iraq), but by then we may have a president who shoots from the hip, guided only by gut feelings. I don’t trust the guts of a pit bull.
Or we might listen to George Lakoff , author of The Political Mind: Why You Can’t Understand 20th Century Politics With an 18th Century Brain. He says, “ What is at stake in this election are our ideals and our view of the future, as well as current realities. The Palin choice brings both front and center. Democrats, being Democrats, will mostly talk about the realities nonstop without paying attention to the dimensions of values and symbolism. Democrats, in addition, need to call an extremist an extremist: to shine a light on the shared anti-democratic ideology of McCain and Palin, the same ideology shared by Bush and Cheney. They share values antithetical to our democracy. That needs to be said loud and clear, if not by the Obama campaign itself, then by the rest of us who share democratic American values.”
We don’t have much time before this election. I continue to watch her when she is up there before a crowd, and I continue to notice the broadcast discussions of Governor Palin’s “attack-dog” performance. I believe that if we vote in support of her, we are putting our democracy at peril.
304. Tom | 10.09.08
I’m terribly disappointed in John McCain. I really thought he was a better man, but his campaign simply does not reflect it. The real John McCain would never have tolerated the possibility of a smug, phony anti-intellectual lightweight like Sarah Palin in the oval office. I’m simply dumbfounded that he prioritized his own short-term political future ahead of my interests as an american citizen. And not to attack the other side with the same vile, racially-tinged swift-boat sleaze he decried in 2000, I really wonder if he’s still running his own campaign. It’s hard to admit, but Obama has run a better campaign and done so nobly and with integrity. At this point, McCain needs to fire his advisers and ask Sarah Palin to recuse herself, apologize to the american people for his dishonorable behavior, and promise to reinstate the straight talk express regardless of how it affects his chances in the election.
305. Le Anh Tan | 10.11.08
If Mr. McCain has any decency left, he and his campaign should stop the character assassination of Mr. Obama. They are demonizing Mr. Obama. At republican rallies, they whip up the mindless hatred toward Mr. Obama.
If anything happens to Mr. Obama, Mr. McCain has blood on his hand. Only a few months ago in Tennessee, a crazed gun man tried to massacre church going people just because he was angry at this so called “liberal” church.
Mr. McCain, that crazed man did murder innocent people because of his mindless hatred. Mr. McCain, do you have any decency left?
306. Anne | 10.27.08
It is obvious that the McCain-Palin negative attacks are not working. Judging by the large number of prominent Republicans crossing the political aisle to endorse Obama-Biden, they are backfiring in a big way.
The Republican team is throwing the rocks of guilt by association from glass houses, so they need to be very careful. Speaking before and encouraging the secessionist Alaska Independence Party during 2008 is a whole lot more relevant than an association with a ’60’s radical who committed his deeds when Obama was 8. If the association with that radical is important, then even the Republicans in Chicago who rubbed shoulders with him should also be suspect. But these are the tactics of a party that is both morally and intellectually bankrupt.
If by chance McCain-Palin win the White House, their problems would just be beginning. They would be faced with a hostile Congress that will have become much more strongly Democratic, which would seriously complicate their ability to govern effectively. With his nasty and inept campaign, John McCain has forfeited his ability to reach across the partisan aisle because the ill will he has incurred will long outlast the election itself.
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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. EVAN W | 10.06.08
McCain’s strategy of smash and burn is the wrong strategy. Independents like myself do not respond well to personal attacks.