(Jake Turcotte)
McCain to Biden: Too early to celebrate
By Jimmy Orr | 10.09.08
In response to a Joe Biden email telling supporters that the “McCain campaign is on the ropes,” the McCain camp responded that it is too early to celebrate.
“Being an underdog is a role that John McCain relishes and with 26 days left I don’t think Joe Biden should pop the champagne just yet,” said McCain spokesman Ben Porritt. “We are confident that as people make their decisions they will choose John McCain, a maverick with a real record over Barack Obama —an unknown commodity with radical associations and poor judgment.”
Biden email
Biden’s email encouraged supporters to donate $5 or more “to show John McCain and Governor Palin that when they attack us with lies and smears, it literally makes our campaign stronger.”
If they get $5 every time the McCain camp launches an attack ad, they’ll likely set a fund-raising record. It’s not going to get any nicer. Forget ponies and gumdrops — think Damien and Freddie (Krueger - not Mac).
New ad
The McCain response echoes a new ad the campaign launched today — easily the strongest spot yet pairing Weather Underground founder Bill Ayers with Barack Obama.
The charge is nothing new, surfacing before the general election and most recently with vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin mentioning Ayers at every campaign stop. Palin also discussed the Ayers-Obama relationship last night with FOX News host Greta Van Susteren.
“…This association is pretty significant,” Palin said. “And it’s kind of telling regarding someone’s judgment that they would be working with, associated with, a domestic terrorist, who had, you know, campaigned to bomb the United States Capitol and our Pentagon. And this is an unrepentant domestic terrorist. That’s the scary part about it.”
Tough competition
Although Palin’s stump speech always includes a reference to Ayers, it hasn’t gotten a lot of traction. News of the imploding economy has taken center stage for weeks.
The suspense leading up to what’s being called “the worst debate ever,” was whether McCain would play the Ayers-card on Obama during Tuesday’s insomnia-curing showdown.
Start fighting!
He never did. This rankles some McCain supporters who think the “be calm” coaching they say he’s receiving is wrongheaded in light of the trajectory of the polls.
“The only way John McCain can stop the bleeding is to get mad like I did last week with Barney Frank, who refused to take any responsibility for the meltdown of the government mortgage agencies even though Frank’s job is to oversee them,” Fox News host Bill O’Reilly wrote in Tuesday’s “talking points” memo.
“As a citizen, I’m furious that I and other honest Americans are being punished by the incompetency of Mr. Frank and a number of other politicians, including Republicans, who are supposed to be looking out for us,” O’Reilly wrote.
Furious ad
What McCain did not say on Tuesday night the campaign ad says with O’Reilly-type venom.
“Barack Obama and domestic terrorist Bill Ayers. Friends. They’ve worked together for years,” the ad begins. “But Obama tries to hide it. Why?”
“Obama launched his political career in Ayers’ living room,” it continues. “Ayers and Obama ran a radical ‘education’ foundation, together. They wrote the foundation’s by-laws, together. Obama was the foundation’s first chairman. Reports say they distributed more than $100 million to ideological allies with no discernible improvement in education.”
“When their relationship became an issue, Obama just responded, “This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood.” That’s it?,” the astonished-sounding announcer asks.
The ad goes on to say the relationship between Obama and Ayers is not the issue. Actually, the ad is a bit stronger calling the relationship a “friendship” and putting the word “terrorist” right before Ayers’ name.
Me too
Regardless, Palin said the same thing last night. It’s all about judgment she said.
“I think the significance here, Greta, is truthfulness and judgment and maybe how that is reflected in other issues and other policy calls,” Palin said. “That’s why the association there and discussing it I don’t think is off-limits.”
Michelle Obama
No escaping the issue yesterday. Over on CNN, Michelle Obama was asked about the relationship on Larry King’s show.
“The thing that I just encourage people is to judge Barack and judge all of these candidates based on what they do, their actions, their character, what they do in their lives, rather than what somebody did when they were 8 or 6 years old,” Obama said.
<< Biden: “McCain campaign is on the ropes” | MainComments
2. Ron | 10.09.08
At some point the Obama camp has to start letting people know about John McCain’s associations and Sarah Palin’s. By the way Joe Biden was not celebrating… he was merely pointing out the fact that when you are on the ropes,you get desperate…. looking at John McCain, He is desperate. I would flood the airwaves with the pledge John McCain made to keep this election honest.
4. Todd | 10.09.08
We’re getting a look at the anarchist group AIP that Todd Palin is a member of. The troopergate scandal with the secret personal email accounts conducting state business, the tax evasion, the adulterous affair with Brad Hanson. Let’s air all the dirty laundry.
6. John | 10.09.08
I am just so tired of McCain/Palin’s smear campaign. Trying to twist the truth in that way turns voters away from them.
I myself are an independent voter, and was leaning towards McCain. But bringing in the eye winking province politician turned me off. I now will vote for Obama, a man of integrity, honesty and class
Regards
John
7. donna | 10.09.08
if Sarah Palin wants to talk about poor judgement then we should mention John McCain, wasn’t he criticized for having excercised “poor judgement” with regard to the Keating Five
8. M. Tobias | 10.09.08
No one is celebrating.
The country is going down the tubes and we need some fresh ideas in government.
Yes, the whole world is going down with us.
If our international standing had suffered over the last eight years, this is certainly going to not help.
I hate these GOP rally’s where Ammerica cannot be criticized.
What would the Founding Fathers say about that?
9. robt | 10.09.08
So I suppose it would be fine to hang with Hitler - as long as he lived in your neighborhood.
Who cares about how he -
1) Defined his life by his actions and those of the people he associated with
2) Expressed his feelings toward the institutions of the country
3) Is unrepentant to this day
The sad thing is; you can apply each o these actions to both Obama and Ayers.
10. davee | 10.09.08
It’s bad to have a past association with someone like Bill Ayers, not knowing his history at the time, but it’s ok to get campaign support from the likes of G. Gordon Liddy?
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t trow stones.
Give us a break!
12. lljij | 10.09.08
Obama is the worst thing that can happen to this country. If he wins, all of the hard working americans better get ready to support the slackers of this nation….
13. Maria | 10.09.08
McCain/Palin are hypocrites! A supporter of McCain is Mrs. Annenburg…remember the Annenburg Challenge and BOARD members Ayers and Obama? So, does that mean McCain’s friend, Mrs. Annenburg, pals around with terrorists therefore Mr. McCain is guilty by association? By the way…who is the “real” John McCain? I think he disappeared when the Rove group, who are Republican terrorists, took over his campaign.
15. ProudLiberal | 10.09.08
Republicans and their hokey ideology have failed this country and have left it in shambles. Everyone who voted for them or supported them owns a share of this failure. 10 Trillion national debt, global financial meltdown and possible depression, a 250 Billion budget surplus squandered into a 500 billion defecit, an immoral and unnecessary way that has killed 4200 Americans, 100,000 Iraqis, and has wounded countless others, no action on global warming, scandal after scandal. McSame is just more of the same lies, deception, and false thinking. Palin is dangerously incompetent. The McCain ticket is going down and so are the failed Republicans. The people of the USA are going to take back our country from these idiot fear and hate mongers. Go away Republicans. Good riddance to you. A new day is coming to the USA under the leadership of Barack Obama.
OBAMA-BIDEN 2008
17. Bo | 10.09.08
Our nation is melting down and Ayers is the focus of the McCain-Palin ticket? All their talk about having the right experience for the job goes straight down the drain when they act like spoiled children. I want a president who makes good decisions. The McCain-Palin ticket is demonstrating their lack of effective decision-making skills with their campagn decisions.
I have a hard time thinking that the answers to our problems will be found by people who respond to challenges as if they were high school popularity contests.
18. Alexandra | 10.09.08
We can not afford electing a man, who is a socialist at hart and who is associated with so many people, who hate whites, jews, etc. I also want to know why Obama changed his name from Berry to Barack Hussein Obama. At least Muhhamed Ali was truthful about why he did it.
“When a character of a man is in question, look at his friends” - Japanese proverb.
I give my vote to McCain/Palin.
19. Alexandra | 10.09.08
McCain — and Palin — need to remember that they are living in glass houses. Palin’s husband’s 7-year membership with the Alaska Independence Party — a group advocating armed violence to achieve secession from the US — is a fact. And, last I read about it, secession is TREASON! I’m not sure you can run for VP of the US, and be party to treason.
20. thegwoe | 10.09.08
Boxing Metaphors eh?
On the ropes is accurate. After a week of “low blows” from McCain, Obama is pounding the C*ap out of him. left, right, left right
There is no defense from Mccain.
This is brutal.
McCain is Cut badly by an Economic Right Cross, (his cut woman Palin is unqualified to fix him.)
He’s bleeding badly.
McCain’s head is swollen and appears empty.
He’s on the ropes.
Please God, Stop the fight before mcCain is knocked completely senseless.
21. lucy2008 | 10.09.08
Mr. McCain’s judgement is getting worse and worse. This focus on talking dirt and lies about Mr. Obama while the economy is in a tumble and most American’s IRAs and 401Ks and living funds are tanking is irresponsible. This says more about Mr. McCain’s lack of integrity and his poor leadership and poor inspiration skills. He is a man of the last century whose own self-created myths are deteriating in front of us. All that is left is comedic material.
Mr. McCain and his Republican party, the Bush party, have made a deal. The Republican right want to stay in power and McCain has given his soul to be a figure head. There is nothing new with Mr. McCain. I am a practical moderate and I have never thought of McCain as a Maverick. He always was and is a loose cannon and someone who created his own myth for self-egrandizement and opportunism. In our family, he just isn’t taken credibly as a person who would be president. Sure, he’s reasonable as a senator that works alone and runs on single issues. He is neither a leader, a uniter, or someone to inspire a troubled nation.
Mr. McCain’s policies are on his website. I read his platform and that provided by Mr. Obama (on his own website). Why would I vote for 4 more yrs of McCain and Bush’s Republican policies that have put the poor and middle class in this economic tank while filling the pockets of the rich and corporate Amercia? Why would I vote for someone who voted 90% of the time with Bush our worse president? Why would I vote for someone who divides our country on culture wars and hypocritical and bad merged policy with the evangelical Christian right? Why would I vote for someone who is a neoconservative of decades past when our world screams for the Dept of State and Defense to be used in preventing war more than preemptive 1% doctrine wars?
22. SRC | 10.09.08
Bill Ayers is not just a Chicago educator anymore. He is the newly elected Vice President of Curriculum Research (April 2008) for the 25,000 member American Education Research Association.
As a parent with children in public schools I am very concerned with Bill Ayers heading up Curriculum Research for AERA. School research with academic types has lost touch with real parents and real kids and real communities. Parents aren’t stupid, kids aren’t stupid and communities aren’t stupid.
Voting in Bill Ayers just proves how out of touch the elite teaching research establishment really is…and the university establishment is out of touch as well.
The teaching research establishment is on a very dangerous journey and I for one don’t want my children to walk on that journey with the public schools anymore.
I’ve asked my school district’s principals and union reps to take a stand.
http://www.examiner.com/a-1373160~Unrepentant_60s_bomber_now_teaches_our_teachers.html
23. Brad | 10.09.08
If Palin and McCain are really concerned about Bill Ayers why are they not concerned that he is teaching our students.
24. herdygerdy | 10.09.08
If the McCain campaign wants to play that game then McCain is guilty as all get out since he was a good friend of Keating and Palin is not a true American since she and her husband were “palling” around with seccionists from the Alaskan Independence Party. If anything Palin is the anti American. By the way, if Obama is considered a terrorist because he sat on a board with Ayers then anybody with a sex offender in their neighborhood is also a sex offender. If you sit on the PTA with a child molester then you to are also a child molester. Makes a whole lot of sense doesn’t it?
25. KC Ligon | 10.09.08
The only people the Ayers non-story plays to are the ignorant. No one who reads about this ‘issue’ in any depth (and that’s anyone with a computer) can fail to see it for what it is, a desperate ploy. I think it is losing McCain votes, more than he could hope to gain. Stirring up the base with it is pointless.
26. Mark | 10.09.08
The Republicans lose a point in the polls every time they attack Obama personally. During the debates, each time McCain attacked Obama, the ratings dropped. It seem’s they’re content with trying to scare people into voting for them, and they seem unwilling to offer anything new. I can’t see myself voting for them this time; Obama might just get my vote.
28. konalimu | 10.09.08
When you are fighting a brand, you must redefine the brand. “Change” means what? Is change the “Robin Hood tax policies” of traditional Democrats that shifts earned wealth from productive people and small businesses that create jobs to those who have not had the same success?
Is change adding billions of new entitlement programs as promised by Obama in a time of record deficits? That is certain to make the recession deeper and last longer.
29. Jennifer | 10.09.08
The McCain campaign is laughable at this point. McCain claims that the campaign would never have gotten so ugly had Barack Obama consented to multiple joint appearances at town halls across the nation. While I agree with McCain that town halls would have been a great gift to voters, the idea that Obama has forced his hand by refusing to participate is ludicrous. It’s like a little kid in the sandbox saying, “He wouldn’t play with me so I threw sand in his face.”
I truly don’t see the threat that comes from Obama having associations with Ayers. He must have reformed considering that he is a prominent member of the Chicago community and is not locked up in prison or an institution. The charge that Obama is “palling around with terrorists” is just dumb. Many radical things happened in the 1960s and 1970s and many, like Ayers’ turbulent past, are not relevant today. That is why young people will come out in such force for Obama - they are not concerned with the petty disputes of the past, but rather with the application of history to the future. For all that Ayers is an unrepentant radical, I don’t see his limited friendship with Obama as being a threat to America’s security. Joe Biden admits to being close friends with Obama’s rival, John McCain, but that doesn’t mean he’s in danger of turning Republican. Give me a break.
30. GHM | 10.09.08
Good job McCain, keep doing what your doing
–Its helping Obama
why have four more years of the same
Jump on the good team
vote for Obama.
31. konalimu | 10.09.08
When you are fighting a brand, you must redefine the brand. “Change” means what? Is change the “Robin Hood tax policies” of traditional Democrats that shifts earned wealth from productive people and small businesses that create jobs to those who have not had the same success?
Is change adding billions of new entitlement programs as promised by Obama in a time of record deficits? That is certain to make the recession deeper and last longer.
32. DL13 | 10.09.08
One thing the Dems have done is underplayed their role in the current financial crisis. The meltdown of the last 2 years has happened after they gained control of Congress and blocked all attempts to repair. There are a lot of scary things in Obama’s past that he hasn’t come clean on. Why would he be selected by Bill Ayers to distribute $100 mil to his indoctrinate the children and Acorn housing and voter fraud programs? Why did it take him 20 years to disavow Rev Jeremiah Wright’s racist hate-America speeches? Was he asleep in his pew during those hate-filled sermons? What about his relationship with the convicted crook, Mr Rezko? Now they are saying we don’t like him because of race. How idiotic! As a person wearing white skin, I would vote for Collin Powell and Condaleza Rice on a Republican ticket any day over anyone the Democrats could put up.
33. Carl | 10.09.08
All that matters is who gets out the vote on election day. The election is not over as the media leads us to believe. The Dems cry about smear tactics when their party is masters at it. This is the “Big Leagues” they should be able take it as well as dish it out.
34. Christian Soldier in Iraq | 10.09.08
Edeldoug,
If you are basing your choice for president on those ridiculous over-generalizations, then you are obviously not being affected by the issues that are important to the middle class ie. the economy and our loved ones going to war. That “America is a powerful force for GOOD in the world and the people can accomplish great things if they are UNCHAINED” idea you are brainwashed with is incredibly naive.
35. Jeff | 10.09.08
The McCain/Palin campaign is all about distraction at this point! They don’t want to talk about the issues because they know the American public wants answers to tough questions like: How are we going to fix our weakened economy? Why did the current Republican administration lie to the American public to justify an unwanted war in Iraq which has taken our focus and resources away from Afganistan and defeating the Taliban and killing Bin Laden? Why did the current Republican administration allow the deregulation and lack of oversite on Wall Street and Banks to occur?
And don’t kid yourselve McCain is no maverick, he voted in lock step with the Bush Adminstration 90% of the time over the last 8 years. Look where that has gotten us… out of control deficits, an unneeded war and a possible economic meltdown and more. McCain looked and acted desperate in the debate and his attack ads show that he is just that desperate. Short on answers and viable solutions to our nations problems and just character attacks on Barack Obama. The American public will make a clear choice in Choosing Barack Obama as our next president come November 4th…Count on it.
36. JohnT | 10.09.08
Poor Judgement? Everyone can look at the way Mccain/Palin run their campaign and they can easily make decision. Mccain/Palin should to run attack campaign while we have economic crisis. That’s POOR judgement!
37. tammy | 10.09.08
well said donna! yes, what about mccain’s judgement and the keating five? not so good then was it…
38. jblak | 10.09.08
Let’s face it! McCain’s political platform is not consistent with the mindset of the American People. He has been at a disadvantage from the start of his campaign due to the poor decisions of the Bush administration over the last 8 years. His choice of VP was erratic due to his age and the American People are concerned that Sarah Palin may end up as President; a position which she is CLEARLY not qualified for! John McCain is a good man! However, he has made some erratic decisions during his run for president. Moreover, I believe his message is more 20th century that 21st. The independent voters are his only chance at this point which he continues to alienate himself from with the smear campaign he initiated. If John McCain does not win it not be because he is not a man of integrity. He will lose because of erratic decisions during his campaign and a 20th century mindset.
39. brian | 10.09.08
This is in response to edeldoug’s “Worldview” comments:
McCain’s view:
Same as Bush. Kill em all, we’ll sort em out. I, for one, dont want my chidren fighting McCain’s future wars he seemingly wants to wage with Syria, Iran, N. Korea, Russia, etc..
Obama’s World View:
Win the respect of other countries again by realizing the fact that America cant win friends by killing them. Try diplomacy, work with the UN, NATO, all other options before going in there and telling them what we want them to do. If all else fails, gather our allies (which we can only regain thru Obama’s ideology) and help the world as one - not as aggressors.
The best way to protect our U.S. freedom is thru peace, not thru the barrel of a gun.
40. Maharet | 10.09.08
To Alexandra (the first)
“I also want to know why Obama changed his name from Berry to Barack Hussein Obama. At least Muhhamed Ali was truthful about why he did it.”
“Barack Obama Jr was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Obama, Sr., a black Kenyan of Nyang’oma Kogelo, Siaya District, Kenya, and Ann Dunham, a White American from Wichita, Kansas.”
Barack Obama didn’t change his name. He is a junior. His father’s name is Barack Obama and his name is Barack Obama. Barry is a nickname for Barack like Alex is sometimes a nickname for Alexandra. Check out the facts before you throw out things like name changes and socialists. If you wanna comment, KNOW what you are talking about first, PLEASE!
41. Rachel | 10.09.08
I fear that the Bush-Chaney-Rove-McCain gang is going to PROVOKE A NATIONAL SECURITY CRISIS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS because now it is their only hope to change the game. They think it will give McCain more chance because it will distract people from the economic disaster at home and because McCain is more hawkish and (they think) he will look more “presidential.” After all, they already did it once by provoking Georgia to attack South Ossetia and Russian peacekeepers there. And they “will not blink” to do it again on a larger scale, for example, to secretly give Israel the green light to start bombing Iran. I am pretty sure they are now already planning something like that.
42. Ben | 10.09.08
Jon Stewart had it right last night.
The public has vetted Obama for two years, through the longest primary battle in history against America’s most powerful political family, and yet suddenly we’re supposed to believe that Sarah Palin knows who the “real Barack Obama” is? I used to have some respect for McCain before he chose Palin. His campaign is dying, he’s losing in every state he needs to win, and it’s obvious he has no solutions. We know who the real Barack Obama is; he’s a patriotic man and the best choice for President. This election is over.
43. Peter | 10.09.08
When characterizing obama as someone who dislikes this country, and implying that he doesn’t believe that the US can be an agent of good is to ignore the very reason he is running for president.
People, Can’t you all just vote based on legislative records? It speaks for itself. McCain had voted with Bush 90% of the time. Stop pretending that he’s somehow exempt from reality. Bush + McCain. Kissy kissy.
44. OBAMA 2008 | 10.09.08
@edeldoug
“America is a powerful force for GOOD in the world and the people can accomplish great things if they are UNCHAINED.”
Oh, OK, so we are the “good” guys for invading a country that had nothing to do with 9/11, and meanwhile Bin Laden is all safe and secure in the Afghanistan/Pakistan hills? How many new terrorists do you think we have created by killing innocent Iraqi civilians who themselves hated living under Saddam? You need a reality check, “my friend”.
Did all those investment houses and banks accomplish “great things” as they were “unchained” by the Bush Administration and Christopher Cox? Oh, gee, let’s let all the rich people regulate themselves and see what happens. Let’s have the fox run the henhouse and see what happens. Please. Edeldoug, your comments are an embarrassment and the product of ignorance, so you should have no problem voting for Gov. Palin.
45. clem | 10.09.08
If anyone want to know the truth, listen to both sides and do your own research.
edeldoug, I challenge you to listen to both sides and do your own research.
Just one example. McCain stated Obama voted against funding the troops. Obama refuted that both McCain and Obama voted against 2 different troop funding bills. McCain voted against the troop funding bill with troop withdraw timetable. Obama voted against another troop funding bill without the troop withdraw timetable. The only reason McCain kept on using the spin is to fool those people who does not know the truth behind it. And McCain kept this up at every possible chance. Palin repeats it. Cindy McCain repeats it. I cannot imagine how politics can get so low. I am sure Obama Camp has their fact- twisting. But nothing come close to what McCain is doing. Go vote for the professional lair. I am sure you will get what you deserve.
47. Obama bin Lying | 10.09.08
Obama will do anything to get elected. He’s tied to Ayers and Rezco, both convicted felons.
it’s a critical time with the economy and foreign affairs, we would be foolish to elect a ROOKIE with questionable friends. Why did he take all that Fannie and Freddie money? he is the most far left liberal in the country and he has NO RECORD to speak of. except voting present.
elect the man who wants to serve his country, not the man who just wants to be president. Vote McCain!!!
48. John | 10.09.08
If they what to persecute by association, let’s talk about McCain’s association with Charles Keating!! The Bill Ayers that Obama knew was a University Professor and author of countless books on the subject of education, and an active voice of community development in Chicago. The war protesting Bill Ayers, was when Obama was 8. He was never convicted of the crimes, and has turned his life to doing a lot of good! Meanwhile Keating sits in jail, where McCain should also be!
50. Marc | 10.09.08
I agree with Steve!
McCain’s team tells tons of lies that the American people can see what’s going on we are not dumb. I find it an insult to be honest and lost tons of respect for McCain and gained more respect for Obama the way he has handled the whole campaign.
And Palin doesn’t have any of her own thoughts she is a puppet for McCain and her fame has woren off with people. Biden is a much better VP choice.
51. Anny | 10.09.08
dear edeldoug: You are soooooo far from base. “Manipulate behavior” is an art form for the republican party. Twist of words, cynical connections of acquaintances and right out LIES about what the republicans care for. Lets NOT forget why we are in this mess and what party has been the sleeping watch dog these last 8 years. What a JOKE!
52. Jason | 10.09.08
McCain served on a board with Robert Byrd, a former *** member, a group that terrorized americans. So, by their logic, doesn’t this mean McCain pals around with terrorists and racists too?
53. Deb | 10.09.08
Someone said it pretty well the other day … “rearranging the chairs on the Titanic has no meaning in a changing world…” McCain is sitting tight on the Titanic and is looking pretty nervous in light of what this administration has done, how they have done business and how they have run campaigns in recent years.
55. McLame Sucks | 10.09.08
In no way was Biden celebrating, my god could the McLame campaign EVER just for ONCE say something mildly truthful? This has to be the worst campaign I have ever seen ran in my lifetime.
Here’s to Obama winning in a damn landslide.
56. The Jackal King | 10.09.08
Who cares what McCain is saying or doing, we should start comparing Palin vs Obama because we all know McCain is so old he won’t live through the first term. Come on, you know it. Palin isn’t ready to lead, and the Presidency doesn’t lend itself to on the job training.
58. Ny Guy | 10.09.08
Sarah Palin is talking about bad Judgment???
Bad Judgment is selecting an idiot like Sarah Palin as a running mate. Bad Judgment is employing stunt tactics instead of sticking to a strategy in a campaign. Bad Judgment is calling the fundamentals of the economy strong when the country is going down the drain.
Bad Judgment is running for the presidency when you are way beyond the age of retirement. John McCain could barely stand up during the debates. How can he be expected to run a country in the mid of an economic crises?
I am an independent and I do not get any hope when listening to John McCain speaches. Obama’s words on the other hand are reassuring. His calm demeanor and cool makes him presidential when John McCain is going nuts.
59. robert burns | 10.09.08
Keep the focus on the economy folks.
The neo-fascists are trying to divert your attention to anything else but the economy.
Don’t let them.
If they lie this way about Obama, think of all of the lies they’ll be telling us.
McLame is just a Rove-puppet.
60. Dave | 10.09.08
Palin asks, “Who is Obama?”
There have been 20 months of news reporting on Obama, its all over the papers. Didn’t Palin read all of them?
Perhaps she needs to read a children’s book entitled “Who is Obama?” to understand, as the 7th grade level of newspapers is apparently too sophisticated for her comprehension.
61. kickball | 10.09.08
Interesting how things that really show what a creep McCain aren’t making it out to the public.
http://nappaw.tribe.net/thread/b8b49380-3558-49b0-bb9c-695186880595
This along with the multitude of poor moral choices from leaving his wife who stood by him despite her own pain and disfigurement to lack of concern for the American people in favor of his corporate buddies. If we are going to make a choice by the company they keep let’s not forget that Cindy McCains own father in-law was involved in illegal activities and cohorting with mobsters. If your going to sling mud you should make sure that it’s not going to end up in a mudslide while you standing in the way.
62. Ryan | 10.09.08
Mccain is a shoot first ask questions later knid of guy. You take his position on any subject and he jumps head first and then figures if he did the right thing. He doesn’t have an answer other than a pledge to get the best brains in a commitee to look in to things. You can spin it anyway you like but he is a Bush clone, Palin twice so. If then come in to power watch for the coming of the apocalypse.
63. Thinktwice | 10.09.08
The immediate economic crisis that we are all facing highlights the pathetic absurdity of these desperate attempts by John McCain to gain traction in a losing campaign. Mr. McCain sold his soul down the river along with his integrity and has now become, in these closing days of the race, a sad caricature of an angry fearful old man.
But if people are genuinely concerned about your candidate associating with terrorists- take a google/YouTube at Sarah Palin and the Alaskan Separatist Party. Even though she denies it, there is ample proof, including video of her as a keynote speaker at a their convention and several different clips of meetings where separatist leaders discuss helping get Palin elected as governor under the Republican ticket as a ruse so they can infiltrate the government, that she shared the ideology of this radical organization. This is an extreme right wing secessionist group who advocates violence as a means to establishing a separate nation independent of America and sovereign to it’s own interests. I think it is relevant to consider that at the very least Mr. McCain has displayed a remarkable lack of sound judgement in selecting a VP with such clear ties to radical fringe groups.
As for the attempt to smear Obama- his association with Ayers is old news. Much examined, over and over again. There is nothing there. It is, as stated, an association of overlapping interests in a common enterprise- in this case a very well respected non profit foundation set up to help support children’s education. This is in stark contrast to Mrs. Palin who was clearly an active member of the Alaskan Separatist Party. She was subsequently endorsed and supported by them- they colluded to help get her elected to higher office (take a look- this is documented as well). And then, as if to underscore the dubious nature of this association- Mrs. Palin and the Alaskan Separatist Party deny that she was ever affiliated with them. This despite overwhelming proof, through documents, and hours of video footage taken at various meetings and fund raising events clearly showing that Palin was deeply involved in their activities.
64. cemoor | 10.09.08
Alexandra (21) - his given name has always been Barack. Barry was the nickname used when he was young. Rather like someone named Robert might go by “Bob”.
Just reading these comments is sad. How easily manipulated people are by their fears, and how quick to rush to judgment. But then, that’s the strategy of nasty campaigns.
Keep a cool head, America. Remember to check the facts, don’t rush to hang a man (or woman) based on what their opponents say; the opponents have an agenda.
65. Luc999 | 10.09.08
edeldoug, I’m not sure if your conclusion about World Views is from listening to media commentary or if that is actually how you interpret Obama’s actual words. I’ve never heard Obama say America is evil. Criticizing people who have abused power and base their judgement and decisions on what will fuel more money for their corporate friends is not Obama’s picture of America. In fact, if you listen closely, Obama thinks those kinds of people make up a small percentage of America, and the other 95% of us are hard working, responsible, and generous people that are being punished for the sins of those few at the top.
McCain actually wants to award these few people with more money with more corporate tax cuts. Do you know why they need more tax cuts? Because Americans are so tapped out that they don’t have money to spend in their stores or invest in their companies anymore. So instead of waiting for those fickle consumers to spend their money at their company because they are demanding these companies put out a better product or do right by their employees, lets just get the government to mandate that we hand money to them with more tax cuts. Then those consumers won’t have a choice. They’ll have to hand their money over. Wow! There are those Republicans letting the Free Market go to work for you. So McCain is aligning himself with the priviledged FEW of America and not the people that make up Most of America.
66. Eddie Zalez | 10.09.08
McCain and Palin are stupid to continue the same old tired personal insinuations and attacks about Obama’s alleged links to terrorists. Most Americans see it for what it is, the Republican Party is loosing with McCain’s and Palin’s lack of specifics for the real issues that affect our nation. If Palin’s repetitive comments keep on going much longer we all are going to wish for “that one” to win right now and spare us all the non-sense of wasting time on election day. Palin and Cindy McCain sound like parrots on Prozac.
67. Bo | 10.09.08
John McCain palling around with Phil Gramm has wreaked more devastation on America than any bomb exploded by the Weathermen in the 60s.
When does the McCain-Palin ticket start talking about how Phill Gramm’s de-regulation bill allowed investment firms, banks, insurance companies, and mortgage companies to become inextricably intertwined in the first place? (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act, Pub.L. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338)
All their talk about honesty, transparency, reform, and serving the American people are bald-faced lies. John McCain helped create this economic mess and his Phil Gramm is John McCain’s economic mentor.
Who wrote the legislation that allowed our current economic crisis to occur: Phil Gramm.
Who vocally supported the de-regulation when it was being debated in the Senate: John McCain.
Who was saying just a few weeks ago that the de-regulation that caused our crisis has been good for America? John McCain
Who said he wants to use the same exact de-regulation model to “reform” the health care industry? John McCain.
Which supposedly reform-minded, transparency-loving, truth-telling, Republican candidates with strong moral values are speaking candidly and honestly about their own role in our current mess: .
You betcha.
68. Bill | 10.09.08
Whether it’s Rezko, Ayers, Kilpatrick, or even Wright… Obama stinks!
Where’s Obama’s record of service to our nation? It doesn’t exist!
Where’s proof of good thinks for public servcie that Obama has done in his 47 years? There is none!
Obama is the one who is “the same old politician”.
So long as America is having bad times, Obama is the saint. This is what fuels him. Don’t think **** want it to be anyway different.
Don’t let this crook of a politician reset America back 50 years!
Nuclear energy is the way to go. Just the same way America got the computer from the military, they will get the abundant nuclear energy as well. John McCain is the one that will make this happen!
John McCain is about ACTION. Obama is about PROMISES.
69. Doug | 10.09.08
I’d like to see a face to face between someone like Steve and others of his ilk who define Sarah Palin as an idiot. I Think we would then have a better idea of what an idiot is. One definition would be someone so devoid of substance that their only offense is namecalling.
70. joe hardcastle | 10.09.08
It may not matter so much who is president, what matters more is who will he appoint to the Supreme Court? Who will be in his Cabinet? Who will lose the wars? Who will bankrupt our government along with all of us? What will we eat if we have no money?
71. Deepak Mulchandani | 10.09.08
All the personal attacks on Obama by McCain show how desperate he is. At first I had my doubts about Obama, however after watching the debates and listening to all the CRAPP McCain is throwing at his opponent, leads me to belive he(McCain) still thinks people are oblivious of the facts ( He mentioned during the debate a lot of us have not heard about Fredee mac and fannie may” and his negative and personal attacks will change peoples mind. On the contrary his negativity and the same old political song of six pence is drawing people away from not just the McCain but republicans in general.
If you are reading this Mr. McCain do yourself a favor and be more constructive about yourself instead of being destructive about a worthy opponent. You Cannot be Good by portraying He is bad.
72. Dan | 10.09.08
Nobody is celebrating. McCain camp is just trying to make up “new things” so that they can spend time talking about those. If poeple are guilt by association that should apply to everybody. What about Alaska Independence party and Todd Palin? Why media do not talk about that? Amazing.
73. Mel | 10.09.08
What are Obama’s greatest accomplishments in Illinois?
Who will stand up and say that he and Obama have worked on something, accomplished anything that has made the country better?
Could it be our Chicago gas prices, among the highest in the nation?
Could it be the skyrocketing murder rate in Chicago, making Chicago the murder capital of America?
Could it be the unemployment rate in Illinois of 7.3%, or a full 1.2% higher than the national average
Could it be the ever increasing tax burden in Illinois with skyrocketing property taxes, sales taxes, an income tax and even a tax on bottled water?
Could it be the failing education system in Chicago where Obama lives which boasts a 55% graduation rate?
Could it be his support of Todd Stroger for Cook County President as an “Agent of Change”? Sound familiar?
Maybe it is the 10.25% Cook County Sales Tax passed by Stroger, the highest in the nation?
Maybe it his $1 billion in earmarks paid for by the US taxpayer?
Could it be his real estate dealings for his personal home with convicted felon Tony Rezko? (How many of you have had a convicted felon help you out with a real estate purchase?)
Maybe it his wonderful pastor associations, St. Sabina Catholic Priest Father Phleger and Jeremiah Wright making the racial divide bigger?
His funding to Acorn of $800k that has resulted in voter fraud in only ten states?
His previous work as a community organizer tied to Acorn?
His work chairing an education board founded by William Ayres, just a guy from the neighborhood, that didn’t want to fund mathmatics or english but rather ideologies? What kind of ideologies would those be? And how would those ideologies manifest themselves?
Illinois is run by the democratic machine (Daley, Blago, Durbin, Obama, Stroger, Madigan, etc…)
Have you seen Illinois lately? We are selling our toll roads and airports to fund these wonderful democratic policies. George Bush, Dick Cheney, John McCain and Sarah Palin don’t live here so don’t blame them.
74. John | 10.09.08
McCain and Palin are thrashing in their coffins, but the stake is poised over their hearts and the mallet is on its way down. Their only hope is a catastrophic mistake by the Obama campaign, or a nuclear attack by Iran. The Obama folks have shown themselves to be professionals. They are not going to underestimate McCain or give him room to bounce back. They know a vampire isn’t dead until the stake’s in the heart and they’re buried under the crossroad.
The issue is quickly becoming not whether or not Obama will win (See George Will’s most recent column), but how big the victory margin will be.
75. Homer | 10.09.08
This from a cbs news story by Steve Benen:
“Advocating secession is, practically by definition, un-American. How does the right go after Obama’s patriotism while supporting a ticket with a candidate who joined a secessionist party?
We are, after all, talking about a party founded by a man who said, “I’m an Alaskan, not an American. I’ve got no use for America or her damned institutions.” The same man, AIP founder Joe Vogler, also said, “[T]he fires of **** are glaciers compared to my hate for the American government.”. . .”
How is this any better than Jeremiah Wright? Why would Sarah Palin voluntarily join this man’s political party?
76. will | 10.09.08
McCain stated several times in the debate that he holds a steady tiller. (as referring to steering a sail boat.) But no need holding the tiller any longer because his smear tactics are leaving his boat Dead In the Water! (Another nautical term)
77. Bruno | 10.09.08
Barrak’s questionable associations go deeper than Ayers and Wright!
He’s got his support from the Chicago Democratic machine…arguably the
slimeist bunch in U.S. history!Of the top 10 cities with the highest Crime rates,all are Mayored by democrats.In the past 2 years the economy has turned to crap..Congress has been controlled by them for those 2 years!Wake up America…Obama,Biden,Kennedy,Kerry,Pelosi ,Reid…et al will turn America broke and socialist!
78. Jessica | 10.09.08
All civilizations fall. History has shown us that. Aztec, Rome, Persia, Russia were all great civilizatins/empires that fell for various reasons. America will fall, too, and I think that’s what Europe and other foreign entities are waiting for. We’re eating ourselves alive here and setting the stage for our own collapse. When did people start voting for a political party (i.e. group of people who can’t agree except on one or two things)and not for the man they thought would do a good job in office? McCain, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Gore…do we even stop to think about the man or woman and not the party he represents who may not have the PEOPLE’S best interests in mind? Personally, I think our government is going to fall. It’s already failed us. People who truly need help do not receive it while people who sit on their backsides all day and are capable of working do not. Criminals get away with murder and worse while innocent people do not receive the justice they deserve. Most average senior citizens can’t get health care services and our poor can’t get jobs because we give those to illegal aliens, or people who come here with work visas and take American jobs away from American people and then go back and use their knowledge in their home country to the benefit of their government and people. When are we going to learn our lesson? Frankly, I have no idea who I am going to be voting for because both men scare me. I do not believe either one have America’s best interest in their hearts. I think they are both out for the name of President and will let their Party run the country.
79. Bill | 10.09.08
Obama is more of the same corruption, with added taxes, earmarks, and depression for America.
Don’t elect someone who feeds on the downfall of America, it’s dangerous.
80. zoe | 10.09.08
Libya Col Muammar Gaddafi referred to Obama as “our Kenyan brother”, Col Gaddafi also said Mr Obama might suffer from an inferiority complex because of his African origins.
Gadhafi said Obama would have an “inferiority complex” because he is black and if elected he might “behave worse than whites.”
“We fear that Obama will feel that, because he is black with an inferiority complex, this will make him behave worse than the whites,” Gadhafi told a rally at a former U.S. military base on the outskirts of the Libyan capital Tripoli.
“This will be a tragedy,” Gadhafi said. “We tell him to be proud of himself as a black and feel that all Africa is behind him because if he sticks to this inferiority complex he will have a worse foreign policy than the whites had in the past.”
He was speaking before thousands of cheering supporters at a ceremony to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the departure of U.S. troops from Libya.
81. Chris | 10.09.08
Bo you spoke my mind
Quite frankly I’m embarrassed that Obama and McCain are the best two canidates that the country can come up with. Regardless of their parties or stands on matters; how can we expect them to lead a country if they can’t even demonstrate maturity and wisdom in the elections.
I’m tired of watching a high school drama. Does anyone want to hit the “next” button and get a new set of candidates?
82. Chris | 10.09.08
Bo you spoke my mind
Quite frankly I’m embarrassed that Obama and McCain are the best two canidates that the country can come up with. Regardless of their parties or stands on matters; how can we expect them to lead a country if they can’t even demonstrate maturity and wisdom in the elections.
I’m tired of watching a high school drama. Does anyone want to hit the “next” button and get a new set of candidates?
83. another mama for obama | 10.09.08
It is very hard to take the McCain/Palin ticket seriously. They have a “I’m going to take my toys and go home! and then kick sand in your face if you don’t play with me!”attitude. Palin gives me the creeps. No vice president winks, nods, and gives shout outs. She lacks EVERYTHING that is important to most women. I’m for THAT ONE all the way
84. Chris | 10.09.08
In regards to Obama’s Association with Ayers…
When I graduated college my first job was for the most immoral (or perhaps amoral), dishonest, unloyal SOB i’ve ever met. I worked for him three years and learned virtually everything I know about business and how to run a company from him. I did not ever take on his views nor did I ever agree with him….but I still learned a lot. I am not him, nor does my association with him damage who I am.
If having known, worked with or being associated with someone for a length of time determines who you are and what kind of thoughts/judgements we possess…what do we make of all of McCain’s time hanging out with the Vietnamese? whether it was against his will or not, I am sure in his association, there thoughts and idea’s must have bled into his mind…
85. Dara | 10.09.08
Aren’t we better than this?
How is it that neither candidate can stand as a light? For either to stand above the other it seems we/they must drag the other down into the mire.
I’m ashamed _NOT OF_ but FOR my country. We are a great people. Let’s act like it. Let’s brag on our choice, not condemn the choice of our fellow countryman. Face it; one will lose and the winner will be the president of all of us (with NO respect given to Julia Roberts).
I’m leaning a little toward McCain but whoever wins I hope and pray is the right one for this country. I wish glorious success on whoever is elected BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT whether it floats or sinks. Let’s stop the finger pointing.
We all want change; but change for the sake of change is not necessarily good. Tell me candidates, WHAT and HOW you will bring change. Don’t tell me how bad the other candidate is. Tell me - TRUTHFULLY - how you will restore this nation and you will get my vote.
Honesty. Integrity. Rolling up your sleeves and DOING the correct thing. Is it really that hard?
86. Bo | 10.09.08
I haven’t defined Sarah Palin as an idiot but I’d debate her in a heartbeat. Especially if the debate rules require her to stay on topic or the moderator is allowed to repeat questions she ignores.
Bring ‘er on. You betcha, (wink)
87. scootmandubious | 10.09.08
John McCain has engaged in the most scurrilous campaign I have witnessed in my life. Any future campaigns that engage in such tactics will be forever known as ‘McCain-style’ campaigns. That is now his legacy.
For the ultimate, ‘McCain as Maverick’ moment, I have a video posted, set to the TV theme of the former western series, “Maverick.”
It is pretty funny, and calls it like it is.
http://scootmandubious.blogspot.com/2008/09/maverick-mccain.html
88. Ny Guy | 10.09.08
Doug
I like your definition of an idiot.
“One definition would be someone so devoid of substance that their only offense is namecalling.”
Thank you for affirming my description of Sarah Palin. I think that definition fits her just right. Since she was selected, she has been calling Obama all kinds of names. As for substance, the word devoid is an understatement.
89. Mike | 10.09.08
If we are so concerned with the association of our candidates with subversive people or groups, why is no one talking about Sarah Palin’s involvement with the Alaskan Independence Party? I’m not comfortable with the potential Vice President “pallin’ around” with secessionists. What kind of Americans don’t want to be Americans anymore?
90. dl13 | 10.09.08
All these sexist remarks about Palin and discriminatory remarks about John McCain’s age, coming from democrats? The party of equality and change? My, my, my……?
91. Microtek | 10.09.08
Are you ready for another terrorist attack?
If yes, Vote Obama.
If No, Vote John McCain.
Is it simple?
Yes, It is very simple.
92. jdobson | 10.09.08
Fixed:
McCain is the worst thing that can happen to this country. If he wins, all of the hard working americans better get ready to support the Corporate Elite of this nation for another 4 years….
93. Jack | 10.09.08
The country is really in crisis and we here to fight at each other. What a shame! All of the problems due to our greed date back in 1999 when congress pass the bill on affordable housing (NOT BUSH - You know Who). Do not pointing finger or blame!!!! Bless to whom will lead our country out of Economic Crisis.
94. bwrssr | 10.09.08
This election has me very worried. So many things to consider.But, I feel if you view MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News, you might get some middle ground to work with. About six months ago, I started thinking ‘where did the money come from for Obama’.
Looking into Obama’s life:
Around 1979 Obama started college at Occidental in California. He is very open about his two years at Occidental, he tried all kinds of drugs and was
wasting his time but, even though he had a brilliant mind, did not apply himself to his studies. ‘Barry’ (that was the name he used all his life) during this time had two roommates, Muhammad Hasan Chandoo and Wahid Hamid, both from Pakistan.
During the summer of 1981, after his second year in college, he made a ’round the world’ trip. Stopping to see his mother in Indonesia, next Hyderabad in India, three weeks in Karachi, Pakistan where he stayed with his roommate’s family, then off to Africa to visit his father’s family. My question - *Where did he get the money for this trip?*
95. Peter | 10.09.08
Wow- lots of passion. It is my humble opinion that anyone that chooses to pass legislation that creates a greater disparity between rich and poor, ie bills that massively deregulate the economy in a Milton Friedman style (I hope that all of you “experts” know who that is. If not please look it up before attempting to sound like you know anything)–is not a patriot. Tax breaks for the richest 3% of the country simply has not worked to help the greater masses in the last 25 years. Who is an advocate of this? Not Obama. Let’s talk, not name call.
PS- Milton Friedman, who W and McCain both hail as their hero is responsible for experimenting on quite a few economies around the world, including Chile, Argentina, Bolivia—all brutal dictators imposing “free market” economics on their people while jailing and killing hundreds of thousands that don’t agree. Sound familiar?
96. Microtek | 10.09.08
Are you ready for another terrorist attack?
If yes, Vote Obama.
If No, Vote John McCain.
Is it simple?
Yes, It is very simple.
97. Wilbur Evans | 10.09.08
McCain loves beauty queens.
First wife.
Second wife.
VP select.
Creepy!
Who would McCain be without war?
This includes the promise of future wars.
98. goff | 10.09.08
I had opened my ears to Obama, hoping that he was the “change” we can believe in, but as election day draws near it has become apparent that he is too much of a gamble to be Commander in Chief. The bottom line is that if you love this country and our way of life, then McCain is the man.
The economy should not even be an issue in the election because the candidates will have no control over it. The economy struggles because of us, the consumer, the average citizen, living beyond our means and always wanting more when we can’t afford it. Deal with it.
Barack Obama appears to agree with everyone because he is a Trojan horse. He looks like a gift with his smooth talk and limitless promises, but if he gets in office he is surely going to attack us from within.
99. Americano805 | 10.09.08
geez. its amazing how obama supporters have a way of equalizing obama association blunders with mccain/palin associations. its also amazing how obama can’t seem to explain anything clearly. he goes off speaking in his “intelectual” manner, which i must admit is pretty good, which then causes all the sheep brain supporters to forget about his faults. explain this obama supporters: why is it that when the obama campaign is questioned about this Ayers character, they respond that obama was only 8 years old. i thought the questioning was about his associations with ayers when obama was already an adult. the fact the michelle obama answered with the same “8 years old” response makes it pretty darn obvious that something is fishy and the smell isn’t going away. amazing, simply amazing. its also sad to see how one-sided mainstream entertainment television is. if obama wins the election, he owes a HUGE HUGE thanks.
100. Ben | 10.09.08
At this point of the race, the outlook for McCain is not very bright. If he cannot come up with something better than what he has been doing in this campaign, it will not be good for the party. But guess what, you just never know.
101. Kadius | 10.09.08
This is how we play folks, everyone one of us who manipulate, lie, steal, cheat on our taxes, wives, husbands, leave our families, start wars, and so on.
Our politicians are a good refelction of the American people as a whole, and the whole will vote for the candidate that best reflects there views. Sadly enough both reflect a lot of the stuff mentioned above. Bothe have a corrupted past and possibly even corrupt now.
Is one worse than the other, measure sin and you will never see your own, they are so close you couldn’t slide a piece of paper between them…and neither can coorect the path we are on. We must be the ones to tread in unknown, uncomfortable and even dangerious waters until we find a way to make this land better.
Greed is what got us here, are YOU willing to give it up?
102. Dave in NY | 10.09.08
It’s over, and it’s been over for months.
This economic disaster just widened the margin of victory for Obama.
Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on SNL, in the Katie Couric interview, was dead on.
John Mc Cain is a good man, just the wrong man for the job.
Obama/Biden 2008!
103. Scott | 10.09.08
Obama WILL screw things up a whole lot more than McCain ever could. The Democratic party is responsible for this economy/housing breakdown not Bush and the Republicans. Get the facts before you blame Bush!
People that call George Bush a terrorist SHOULD BE SHOT! He is protecting us! Obama doesn’t have any clue what he’s getting himself into. Iran is a threat that WILL WALK ALL OVER HIM! Obana wants the United States of America to look like a bunch of cowards. I know that we are far from that.
Do not waste your vote on “Mr. Charisma”.
104. Davidson | 10.09.08
All this thread has done is make me despise obama supporters even more for their stupidity and naivete.
105. lljij | 10.09.08
Which of the stages of grief describes the Republicans current mindset? I think 2?
1. Denial:
* Example - “I feel fine.”; “This can’t be happening.”‘Not to me!”
2. Anger:
* Example - “Why me? It’s not fair!” “NO! NO! How can you accept this!”
3. Bargaining:
* Example - “Just let me live to see my children graduate.”; “I’ll do anything, can’t you stretch it out? A few more years.”
4. Depression:
* Example - “I’m so sad, why bother with anything?”; “I’m going to die . . . What’s the point?”
5. Acceptance:
* Example - “It’s going to be OK.”; “I can’t fight it, I may as well prepare for it.”
106. GusVice | 10.09.08
What a shame John McCain chooses to go down the road of disgrace once again instead of going down honorably. I served in the Vietnam War and when I went to WAR there were only two options: Kill or Be Kill.
SURRENDER was NOT an option!
Now he is turning towards smear tactics instead of honoring the highest office in the WORLD with intelligent and meaningful discussions. How can John McCain expect veterans to respect and vote for him if he is disgracing the Presidency of The United States with slander, discourtesy, and disgraceful behavior?
As a veteran I expect better from my representatives, so in these last few weeks McCain should stick to addressing the issues. After this is over no matter what the outcome he’ll be able to hold his head up and be proud of how he conducted himself. Maybe then he will regain the respect of his fellow veterans.
107. Jon Iscream | 10.09.08
CSM it is immoral for anyone in the media to lead the American people to believe that Barack Obama stands any chance at all of becoming President of the US. When the gangs in Benton Harbor, MI burn their neighborhoods (again) the American people will hold you responsible.
108. mksyed | 10.09.08
Mccain/Polin are Looser. Looser will do all kind smear or scare tactics to mislead voters. Can they change voters mind away from ” Economy” what is as worse as “depression of 1930″.Answer is very simple. Mccain “Gamble” with Sarah palin is a serious Joke in US politics. Is Palin fit for VP of USA. Think again. Ofcourse voters are not buying 23 days before Nov.4 Election. We all know what is going to happen. We are waiting to the result in Nov.4. Senator Barak/Biden will WIN Election even if election held today,it is for sure. Just Wait until it happens finally. good luck??
109. lljij | 10.09.08
i think the rich will get richer under mccain, so he’s got my vote. scr3w the middle class!
110. Mark | 10.09.08
I believe the point that is really being overlooked is quite simple. If Ayers is not something to hide nor be ashamed of, why does Obama continue to lie about his relationship with him? Why has he lied about his relationship with many of friends that helped him get where he is at? If he lies about things that should not be of consequence, then he will certainly lie about those things of great consequence. So, it is indeed a question of character, and do we want to elect a liar for president?
111. Albert Hall | 10.09.08
Anyone can be dinged for their associations. How about that McCain is/was in the same organization as a well-known racist, Jesse Helms, and previous domestic terrorist organization (***) member, R. Byrd (I bet they even were in the Senate chambers at the same time and may have spoken to each other many times); that well-known felon and co-board member of Neo-Nazi sympathizing organization, John Singlaub; etc. Oh, and Sarah Palin hangs with a known secessionist, her husband Todd. Also, don’t forget that a scion of the right, Walter Annenberg, selected Obama before Ayers. McCain and Palin, find some dignity.
112. Seattle Dude | 10.09.08
Obama has been quite nice to the McCain-Palin camp until the smear began. He kept his promise that he would not throw the first punch. He also kept his promise to throw the last punch.
The US needs a president who is firm and has good judgement. In my mind Obama wins hands down. I like to see a good spirited show from the Democrats and Obama is doing just that.
113. Timus, Powder Springs, GA | 10.09.08
John McCain talking about “poor judgment” is like Freddie Kruger complaining about scare tactics. Just a few week ago he was running around talking about less regulation and how good it is for wall street.
114. Frank | 10.09.08
McCain doesnt have to worry about who he associated with because all of them are dead already.
115. smc | 10.09.08
Personally, I think we’ve all gone nutz! You’d think that out of roughly 600 million people, we could find some better candidates. They are both very weak. We’ll get what we deserve (either way). But until we ALL start realizing that we are where we are because of the failure of BOTH parties, we’re doomed to continue. Regardless of who wins, the work doesn’t stop there for Americans. We need to press hard for more transparency. We need to press hard for more accountability. They work for us… not the other way around. And whomever wins… they need to realize that they are president of ALL Americans… not just their half. They need to consider the desires of ALL of us. This is going to be the craziest election I’ve ever seen. I could literally see scenarios where it goes either way… as a ’squeaker’ or a ‘landslide’. What a ride! PEACE.
116. James ROCKFORD | 10.09.08
edeldoug
It does come down to (2) world views.
(1) FEAR of a changing world, belief in the status quo.
(2) Hope and optimism, pragmatism to bring strength to America in a changing world.
117. Joe in NC | 10.09.08
In my family we are more concerned by the economy and the war and healthcare. And it is very obvious to us that, “that one” is better suited to fix the mess.
118. Raul Pedraza | 10.09.08
Mc Same just wants his supporters to actually believe he has a shot which is just one more lie coming out of his campaign. He hired the same guys who said he had a black love child when he was running against Bush so why exactly should we ever trust anything they ever say. They admit that they don’t want the economy to be the issue because they will lose and guess what they will lose. OBAMANOS! Obama better on the economy, health care, energy independence, and the Iraq war for starers. Mc Grumpy better at what exactly. I am a decorated veteran and the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans give him a D grade for supporting our troops. He even tried to derail the GI Bill and did not show up to vote for it. YES WE WILL BRING THE NATION THE CHANGE IT NEEDS NOW!
119. singh | 10.09.08
I think, Obama is not truthful to American people about his past and his association. I strongly, believe there is something wrong in the bottom.
If you cannot tell truth to American people about Ayers, then he can lie about anything.
US certainly does not need President like him.
121. Kadius | 10.09.08
This is how we play folks, everyone one of us who manipulate, lie, steal, cheat on our taxes, wives, husbands, leave our families, start wars, and so on.
Our politicians are a good refelction of the American people as a whole, and the whole will vote for the candidate that best reflects there views. Sadly enough both reflect a lot of the stuff mentioned above. Both have a corrupted past and possibly even corrupt now.
Is one worse than the other, measure sin and you will never see your own, they are so close you couldn’t slide a piece of paper between them…and neither can coorect the path we are on. We must be the ones to tread in unknown, uncomfortable and even dangerious waters until we find a way to make this land better.
Greed is what got us here, are YOU willing to give it up?
Vote for Ethical people and not the ethics of todat, those that we had when you went to bed the door could be unlocked and you were safe.
And before anyone says “oh yeah go back to segregation or slavery” forget it! Our founding fathers made mistakes I do not agree with. I do state we are all born with differant coats for whatever reason, it is whats insdie that makes us good, put racism in the casket and bury it!
122. paul | 10.09.08
The association being referred to between Ayers and Obama is a lot more tenuous that McCain’s campaign suggests. The education foundation they were each a member of was a broadly supported foundation that was started by a Republican. It wasn’t some radical advocacy group, as has been suggested. Obama association with Ayers was short lived and certainly was not such taht Ayers acted in the role of an advisor, as has been suggested. They served on a committee together. Ayers liked him and introduced him to some people that helped him in his campaign. Nothing sketchy about that.
An earlier writer stated that we should not be overly concerned about such things, as the real issue is about belief systems. The writer went on to say some silly things about which candidate loves America. Obviously this isn’t the issue.
The fundamental issue that is at stake has to do with economic philosophy. McCain has long been a proponent of laissez faire economics. We are currently seeing what happens when government does not take an active hand in regulating business. In addition, we are seeing the consequences of fighting a war AND lowering taxes. The idea that you can spend without consequence and let selfish motives govern our policy have been thoroughly tested. The result? These policies have created a world-wide economic crisis. The economics of deregulation and reducing taxes on the wealthy simply doesn’t work. It has nearly bankrupted our nation.
We need leadership that believes in government. We need leadership that believes in the principles of fairness, and in the need for its people to be protected from those who would take from the weak to give to the strong. We need a leader who governs.
We do not need more leaders in government who show contempt for government.
We have tried that. It didn’t work.
123. Costanza | 10.09.08
Michelle Obama showed a lot of class on Larry King’s show, and she’s right on the money when she says that America will need strong leaders like John McCain in the Senate once Barak Obama is elected president.
I sincerely hope that John McCain doesn’t retire from politics after he loses the campaign for the presidency, because he’s one of the few Senators who actually works to get results for America and not Lobbyists, and I honsetly think America needs him more in the Legislative branch than the Executive.
124. Daniel | 10.09.08
Bush has been far more successful at undermining the United States than Ayers. To Bush, Palin, and McCain, you can go your entire life without ever breaking a law (or getting caught, at least)and still have horrible character, judgment, and competence. You stand on a platform of christianity and patriotism, but are the most unforgiving, intolerant people on earth. Ayers committed a reprehensible act, but then reformed his life in a committment towards improving education. Our criminal justice system is based on the limits of the 8th Amendment and the tenants of incapacitation, deterrence, retribution, and rehabilitation. Your belief that reformed ex-convicts have absolutely no worth to society, regardless of the altruistic nature of their new chosen path after they have paid their debts, contributes to a cycle of recidivism.
I am not defending Ayers, or his past actions. I am only stating that I am getting sick and tired of the intolerence, bile, and hatred of of the likes of Bush, Palin and McCain. I am a christian myself, and an attorney. I have worked to help ex-con, ex-heroin adicts get out of rehab and into a productive life. Too often they have no paths left open to them because of the fear, loathing and intolerance of folks such as the ones we have in office, and are attempting to vote into office. I have never, and will continue never to live in fear of other people’s past lives.
125. DB | 10.09.08
Here’s what I will never understand.
There’s a constant flow of worthless commentary on blogs about liberals and liberal democrats and the libs…
But conservative Americans need to step back and see that “liberals” essentially run and inhabit the social, economic, and entertainment capitals of the United States (located on the east and west coasts.)
So, the parts of the country that are actually most at risk for any sort of terrorist attack are inhabited by mostly people who are not insanely worried about terrorism, at least not in the same way most war-loving (and bible-loving? that makes no sense) conservative republicans are. I am so sick of people using 9-11!! You don’t live in New York! You’re not at risk. People in Manhattan were actually hit with a terrorist attack and 95% of them want Barack Obama to be their next president. So why do you think you know what they need better than they do? You’re out in nowhere ranting about country first and being strong and spreading good….through war??? And this is supposedly coming from Christian people? Take a look at what you’re pushing for here.
And what’s even more ironic is that the ideals, attitudes, and support of actions that come along with those ideals and attitudes is what puts us more at risk for being attacked and hated by other countries.
IT MAKES NO SENSE! Step back and realize that the same parts of the country you’re so concerned about getting hit with terrorist attacks are mostly in support of Obama.
Not only that, but stop going on about the damn liberal media. You’re the same people who devour all of the TV, music, and movies that come out of New York and LA and are thought up by, produced, directed, and edited by what you’re calling liberals. INCLUDING ADVERTISING!
126. Linda Lutz | 10.09.08
I just want to say that all the people that are saying that the McCain campaign is lying should read all the material put out by the Obama supporters. There is very little of that content that is factual. I think every one should read both sides, then research what they say before spouting off on the internet or any where else. When you have done that, then comment. Everything that I have read here today comes straight from the George Soros playbook. Why is that? He has been trying to get this country Socialist for a very long time. It sounds like a lot of you are going along with that.
127. Jeff B | 10.09.08
What will happen to all of your opinions when the FBI Rezko investigation is released? And do you really think the Obama purchase of property adjacent to the Rezko purchase of property ON THE SAME EXACT DAY is a fluke? And did you not know, or did you forget, how half of that REZKO property was then at a later time GIVEN to Obama as a ‘Favor’? Do you honestly, deep in your gut, think that this is okay, and that there is nothing to look at closer here? Does it not make you just the slight bit uncomfortable, or do you look the other way because you only want your position to be correct? Or do you look for fault in others, as to not have to look at your own candidate? Look at them both, with open eyes. Examine the FULL life of both. Do battle for the truth to be told on all fronts- not just your leftist side.
And by the way, we are all hypocrites. For you to say one is a hypocrite, and portray the other as not is ludicrous. Obama continues to dodge questions about his ties to Rezko, Ayers, and many more. Do you even know how he got his education at Harvard? Did you really believe it was his mother working two jobs, and his grandmother scraping by, as he stated in the last debate? His education was handed to him, given to him by someone with even more terrorist ties than Ayers. Is Obama a smart man as most of you claim, or ignorant and just plain dumb, as he suggests in regards to his relationship with Ayers. Do you really believe he had no knowledge of this man and his past? Do you really believe that he worked with him, and started his career in his living room, yet did not know who or what he was and still is, by Ayers own admission. You are right, and we agree. Obama is very smart, and his education is working well for him. He is much to smart to have been dumb on the Ayers issue, which means he only knew too well what was involved with this man. After all, doesn’t Ayers feelings toward America mirror Rev. J. Wrights? Isn’t that the same message, just wrapped slightly different?
Would you, or anyone for that manner, sit once a week and listen to things that you did NOT agree with over and over and over again. We all like to hear things we agree with. We would all choose to not go to a place that totally disagreed with us. Do you honestly, think that his Reverend only spoke the way he did about America in ONE or TWO videos? Can we really believe that his Reverends opinions for TWENTY YEARS have just suddenly changed, and that this is not the man Obama knew?
.
Obama has a lot of convincing to do for this undecided voter. One has far more to hide than the other. There is too much, that doesn’t add up. There are too many unanswered questions.
This is not a vote in support of a candidate. This has become a vote against the other. And so far my decision is for McCain. McCain is more in the middle. He has been to the right, he has been to the middle, and at times he has crossed over on the left. He has in the past infuriated his own party, and even me on some of his issues, but isn’t that part of what makes him better? Obama has never left his perch on the FAR LEFT. He has never been in the middle on one issue, and that just doesn’t sound like a recipe for success.
What about the Democrats? Do you really believe that all these Democratic people, including the Clintons, think Obama is the guy for America. They care more about their own party than they do about us. Lieberman is one of the few that states things as he truly believes. For that matter, Joe Biden used to be close to the same- he spoke his mind. At this point I think I would vote for a Biden Lieberman ticket.
128. Kevin | 10.09.08
What else makes George Bush and John McCain so much alike?
George wanted to someday be like his dad and had an ego to eventually try an out-do his dad. Poor George never learned from his father’s mistakes!
John McCain’s chance to be a General like his dad was unfortunately cut short when he was disabled as a POW. John, too, has deep ambitions to one-day out-do his dad, who could only standby and watch as his son was brutally tortured as a POW.
Hopefully, America is beginning to see the true self-centered side of John McCain taking over. This is why he will attempt every smear tactic he can. We gave George Bush the chance to be like and be better than his dad and the shoes were a little too big for him to fill! It’s not about the candidates anymore!
129. UC Ukaoma | 10.09.08
By electing Senator Barack Obama President of the United States, the American people will once again demonstrate to the world we are still the Beacon of Hope for all mankind. We may not be perfect, but we know how to cast fear and ignorance aside and harness the talent from our people regardless of race, color, religion or creed. We will show the world how to get rid of intolerance, ethnic divisions, and suppression and let everyone be all he or she can be while they live. This is a challenging time for most Americans and we need a leader to guide us out this major mess we are in. Imagine if the country listened to the distractors who wanted to rob us of the leader potentials of presidents Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton. Just Imagine!
130. icarus | 10.09.08
Palin admonishes Biden repeatedly in the VP debate, every time he legitimately mentions Bush, who’s still in office: “Stop living in the past”
Then screams from the rooftops about an association Obama had in the much more distant past with Ayers. Quoting her source as a NYT article that clearly says the association was tenuous.
131. Nicholas Fogg | 10.09.08
Food for thought:
AP Wire 10/9/08
“Increasingly, military commanders and political leaders are asking: Is it time to talk to the Taliban? With U.S. and NATO forces suffering their deadliest year so far in Afghanistan, a rising chorus of voices, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the incoming head of U.S. Central Command, have endorsed efforts to reach out to members of the Taliban considered willing to seek an accommodation with President Hamid Karzai’s government.
“That is one of the key long-term solutions in Afghanistan, just as it has been in Iraq,” Gates told reporters Monday. “Part of the solution is reconciliation with people who are willing to work with the Afghan government going forward.”
Gen. David Petraeus, who will become responsible for U.S. military operations in Afghanistan as head of U.S. Central Command on Oct. 31, agreed.
“I do think you have to talk to enemies,” Petraeus said Wednesday at an appearance at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, when asked about potential dialogue with the Taliban.
“You’ve got to set things up. You’ve got to know who you’re talking to. You’ve got to have your objectives straight,” he said.
“But I mean, what we did do in Iraq ultimately was sit down with some of those that were shooting at us. What we tried to do was identify those who might be reconcilable.”
Conservatives have great respect for General Petraeus (”I do think you have to talk to enemies”). It is clear that one of Senator McCain’s “alleged” strong arguments against Senator Obama(his diplomacy first beliefs)is now, made less effective by these statements. I would like to see how reasonable McCain supporters view this development.
NF
132. Wayne | 10.09.08
McCain and Palin have far too many questionable associations to be attacking Obama. Palin’s involvement with the Alaska Independence Party should be enough to have her yanked from the ticket. She wants to be Vice President of the Country she and Todd hate so much? Why hasn’t she been accused of and charged with treason? McCain is not the big war hereo he claims to be. He used his media friends to create his “hero” myth. He violated the Code of Conduct while a POW. He couldn’t get into the Naval Academy on his on his onw merits. He had to have his 4 star admiral father get him in. I read some idiots comment about his 140 I.Q. If he had an I.Q. of 140 why did he finish 894 out of 899 classmates. He was a terrible pilot. He crashed 3 planes. The first crash should have grounded him but “daddy” came to the rescue again. It seems throughout McCrashes military career he depended on others to save him from his reckless decisons and behavior,just like today. If you want to know who the “real” McCain is read the article in Rolling Stone Magazine entitled “Make Believe Maverick”. It should open the eyes of anyone who currently supports him. His morality is something we should all be afraid of. He was committing adultry before his divorce was final. He took out his license to marry “money” I mean Cindy, before he was officially divorced. He really puts Country First!! Country my a–. His overpowering desire to be President trumphs everything else.He will say or do anything to be elected. Beware this lying hypocrite.
133. Republican | 10.09.08
I originally supported McCain in this campaign, but will now be voting for Obama. This latest smear tactic is disgusting and completely irrelevant, but it’s not the only thing that’s turned me off of McCain. His entire campaign has been about image and not substance, and his constant mis-steps and angry tactics have me convinced he’s going senile. What happens after 2 years if it gets worse??? Oh yeah, we’ll have Sarah Palin to fall back on. Very comforting.
134. Topsed | 10.09.08
John McCain backed out of the immigration bill he helped sponsor at the slightest hint of opposition from his party. Why should any sane American trust him to live up to his words?
Did he not lambast Fallwell and other evangelicals, calling them extremists, only to embrace them when he needed them?
He announced he was suspending his campaign to help broker a bail out agreement in Congress. He got the media spotlight but went to Washington and did nothing.
The momment the lights are turned out, John McCain will drop his mortgage bailout stunt like a wet rag. He is only a maverick when he has nothing to lose. HE CANNOT BE TRUSTED!!
135. politicaleye | 10.09.08
I used to admire McCain. Now he has sold his soul to the right wing faction of his group. He is not only dishonorable and a Hypocrite but Old and erractic.
How else can you raise doubt about your opponent’s judgement, when the senate ethics committee had found you “lacking in Judgement” in the Keating case, you picked a little known beauty queen of the Tundra to be your VP (who ironically is now asking “who is Obama”) and you flip-flopped on so many issues. You should have put “Country First” and picked Mitt Romney. Even Joe Lieberman would have been better than that bimbo.
136. Mike | 10.09.08
Hi All,
This is politics. No candidate should be scared of digging up past records as everybody make mistakes. There is nothing wrong to know the presidential candidates association because it does tell the past behavior and views. Public must know truthfully whether they had wrong association. President of United States is a very powerful position and if Public thinks that nobody should dig up the past and look at future then it seems any body who is convicted or jailed or had any terrorist link can come out clean saying it is mudslinging and will do everything good. This is democracy and let everybody question each other and this is Fair politics. I do not think there is anything wrong.
The public is ultimately going to suffer if they make wrong choice or have been misled during these campaign. Public has full right to know the truth. I know it is not possible but here is a suggestion that there is nothing wrong that these candidates should take oath saying that they have clean pasts and have no wrong associations.
This campaign is not the worst but this is the nature of Politics.
People are taking fresh look of Politics. It is funny that Obama finds it strange if somebody questions his record where as John McCain is struggling to get out of Bush’s wrong decision and he is more visible to public then Obama was. Both the candidates are not perfect and both have some good and bad things in their viewpoints/agenda.
I am an independent.
137. Olddog | 10.09.08
For me it all comes down to integrity. I’m trying hard to live my life with it, and I respect it when I see it displayed by others. It means allot to me.
So when I look at the way McCain is running his campaign, (Carl Rove’s tactics for sure) I’m disgusted by it. I’m a republican and always have been but I find that I can’t vote for McCain because of his poor judgment in the way he runs his campaign and his shoddy, half baked choice in a running mate. I can’t fathom what he was thinking when he bungled that decision. She’s a flawed choice, damaged goods, not ready for anything. Her governorship speaks volumes about people and their lack of common sense.
Obama has integrity,……….
138. Edeldoug is an idiot | 10.09.08
Obama’s world view? Evil needing to be restrained?
Idiot - his world view is not that America is evil, you spin-doctorin’ right winged facist. His view is that Government is corrupt, and IT needs to be restrained. But you’d know that if you understood his politics, and his take on issues, instead of attempting to fling dirt with the rest of right wing.
139. Ed Weirdness | 10.09.08
Personally, I’m not going to allow the MSM or those clogging these comment forums to force Obama down my throat. Seriously, and I realize this may be regionally different, I’m not seeing a whole lot of support for Senator Obama or his policies. Likewise, I’m still seeing a lot of angst over McCain as the Republican candidate. Saying Obama is the best candidate, regardless of how fervently you may wish that to be the case, doesn’t make it so! Neither candidate has been forthcoming with details of how they’ll accomplish their goals, although McCain’s assurance that he will direct the Secretary of the Treasury to do what many asserted was the best solution, buy up problematic mortgages, and help homeowners stay in their homes, is far more pragmatic than all of Obama’s assurances thus far. This campaign cycle has become far to one sided for the majority to feel that they have any meaningful control of our own governance. The result will be a far more divided country than anyone has predicted. Indeed, I wouldn’t take “revolution” completely off the table, unless things change dramatically. Demonstrable proof that our founding fathers were prescient in their adoption of our second amendment!
140. Serene Love | 10.09.08
Sarah Palin has or still has association with Alaska Separatist Party. Sarah Palin’s Spouse, Todd Palin, is or was a member of the Alaska Separatist Party. That is considered treason to United States. Not only Sarah Palin in the same neighborhood, she is in the same bedroom majority of her adult life.
Don’t forget Troopergate!
McCain and the Keating-5
McCain is sat on the board on Council of World Freedom which know to be associated with other groups and gathering place, a forum, a point of contact for extremists, racists and anti-Semites.’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/why-mccains-time-with-cou_n_132470.html
Palin associate with churches known to be Anti-Semetic. They blame anyone of Jewish Origin is responsible in Jesus Christ!
141. Elisabeth W. | 10.09.08
The McCain/Palin ticket needs to remember that there is a biblical injunction against “Being a Bearer Of Tales” …. as a ‘Christian Hockey Mom’ and former George Bush supporter (I regret it) I take offense at what has happened to the Republican Party I grew up with.
Promoting rumours and the work one does for an organization with others who may have sinned is to belittle someone falsely …. I have served with former felons on several community church groups and would resent anyone saying that that work lessens my character.
The words from John McCain are not what the bible teaches us to do …. Shame on him and Governor Palin for this … I wont vote for Barack Obama but I also refuse to vote for these dishonorable Republicans.
Mike Huckabee was a better choice!
142. Leonid | 10.09.08
Taxation is necessary. Without it our bridges will fail and (most of) our kids will go through schooling system without being prepared for college or life. Sure, business is more effective than government, but … when unrestrained, they grow to the point that self-preservation is the only thing that matters. Let businesses compete, rise and fall, but do not forget what this is all about: People. Some guy who is in the business of selling Hummers might complain that life is tough because the democrats are raising taxes again. Well, I have to ask: who will clear out a highway when there is an accident? Who will clean up an oil spill? Not the guy who sells hummers. Underpaid school teachers are more likely to give their money to the charity. No sir, we cannot forget about NEGATIVE EXTERNALITIES that businesses produce, and have no incentive to do otherwise. We cannot just continue to take a dump in our own back yard, lower taxes, and think that everything else will take care of itself. I am not in love with Obama, but at least he does not BULL…. all the time. McCain is insulting my intelligence by continually appealing to emotions, using logical fallacies and not having any substantial plan. Any president will face a tough economy, but at least Obama is looking for a way out, and does not simply try to please the uneducated with nonsensical ideas that sound good, especially when you put an image of American flag in the background.
143. Rick | 10.09.08
McShame whatever credibility you had before this election has been eroded. To the viewer, you’ve now turned into a desperate, grmupy old man who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Your campaign has now turned dirtier than the Bushs’ with their “swift boats” and Willie Horton. We are paying a huge price for putting both Bushs’ in the peoples’ house. I pray that the American people have the good sense to make a better choice! If nothing else, your choice for VP speaks volumes about credibility.
144. Chuck | 10.09.08
I would like Michelle Obama to be First Lady. Did anyone see that classy wonderful reasoned thoughful interview with Larry King last night. My God, anyone who saw that interview and doesnt think this country would be better off than we were with Laura or possibly Cindy can not & will not be persuaded.Who cares, I hope they get crab grass on their front lawn & holes in their shoes. I for one, felt warm and fuzzy and hopeful that this country will as always, right itself and elect Obama and his Fantastic wife to take us back into the sunlight and a place where we appeal to “the better angels of our nature”.I cant wait, its going to be grand.
145. Tom | 10.09.08
konalimu - “earned” wealth? Like all these thieving CEO’s who are having their companies rescued by our tax dollars and haven’t given back one cent of their millions?
zoe - who is Gaddafi? I’ll assume you meant Quaddafi.
It’s frightening how many unintelligent people just get in line with a party like a bunch of lemmings. Those I am referring to can Google lemmings. McCain can’t because he doesn’t know how to use a computer. Scary stuff….
146. john | 10.09.08
I think Obama has an early onset of memory loss-didn’t know Wright was saying those things (for all those years), Ayers is a guy from the neighborhood… Kind of reminds me of “I did’t inhale” and I did not have sexual relations with that woman, miss Lowinsky.” Open up the facts to scrutiny. One’s memory can sometimes play tricks.
147. Serene Love | 10.09.08
Sarah Palin has or still has association with Alaska Separatist Party. Sarah Palin’s Spouse, Todd Palin, is or was a member of the Alaska Separatist Party. That is considered treason to United States. Not only Sarah Palin in the same neighborhood, she is in the same bedroom majority of her adult life.
Don’t forget Troopergate!
McCain and the Keating-5
McCain is sat on the board on Council of World Freedom which know to be associated with other groups and gathering place, a forum, a point of contact for extremists, racists and anti-Semites.’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/06/why-mccains-time-with-cou_n_132470.html
Palin associate with churches known to be Anti-Semetic. They blame anyone of Jewish Origin is responsible in Jesus Christ!
148. Cynthia Gee | 10.09.08
Talbot also reports that AIP chairwoman Lynette Clark calls Sarah Palin “her kind of gal” — Lynette says, “She’s Alaskan to the bone … she sounds just like Joe Vogler.”
149. marta | 10.09.08
When the personal attacks don’t work, the voting problems start. Purging voter lists accidentally…how many elections will these Rove Repugnants steal.
BTW, McCain voted against the Violence Toward Women act. I consider Palin an act of disdain against women.
150. gary | 10.09.08
GET TO KNOW JOHN MCCAIN: graduated 894th out of a class of 899 at Annapolis, got accepted because his grandfather was an admiral, his father also an honor grad .
Sarah Palin; based on McCain’s age 72 and prior cancer; actuarially a greater than 1 in 4 chance of becoming president in 4 years if elected.
Among several academic accomplishments Barack Obama was president of Harvard Law review.
IS WRONG TO ASK FOR AN INTELLIGENT PRESIDENT!!
151. Serene Love | 10.09.08
You must realize world view and personal view about many Right-Wing Republicans. They only see the world in black and white. The more Ultra Right Wing Conservative, the more limited the point of view.
You are either with or like us, or not. If your not, your evil. A simple-minded view of the world. They can’t see the world come in made shade grey, not just black and white.
You either a Ultra Right Wing Christian Conservative or your evil. You either think like and act like us, or your evil. There is no such thing is in between.
152. TJMAN | 10.09.08
McCain looked like he was going to have a seizure at the start of the debate. His face was grimacing. He was blinking rapidly. He his shoulders were twitching. He had a couple of uncontrollable body jerks. His physical appearance suggests ill health. I don’t care what his physicians say. His campaign is in trouble because of the economic crisis. Neither he nor Palin can change that. He would do well to cancel the next debate so that he does not appear on the same stage with Obama. He looks even more feeble in the presence of Obama. He has early dementia. His behaviors are typical of the person with early dementia. I know because my mother in law with dementia lived with us for 4 years. I see the same behaviors in McCain that we saw in her during the early years around 4-5 years ago. She has been in an Alzheimers unit for a couple of years now.
153. John | 10.09.08
having read all the comments above, and about 100 more on another site, I AM SCARED.
I am scared to think that there really could be enough airheads out there to vote for McCain and his province “no-brain” politico side kick
Lord have mercy with all of us
154. Andy2 | 10.09.08
Lots of people don’t trust the government or the media, and are willing to believe in all kinds of “secret stuff” that no one is talking about. So I am not surprised to find some people taking the Ayers stuff seriously, I just hope it is a minority about the size of those who believe in Area 51 or the 9/11 conspiracy theories.
In this case Annenberg supports McCain, Annenberg appointed Ayers, therfore McCain is a terrorist. I think that’s as good example of secret stuff as any.
The trouble is that McCain is trying to win an election. What people are concerned about is the economy. The McCain campaign’s plan apparently is to try not to talk about what everyone wants to talk about. How do you win that way?
If you know you’re not going to win, at least go out with dignity, and support for the folks that will have to fix the problems. Through these tired old Atwater/Rove tactics - though they have worked in the past - McCain is causing division at a time he should be working for unity.
Vote Obama and end this type of craziness. We need to work together.
155. CynthiaGee | 10.09.08
Olddog(#145), I agree with everything you’ve said here, and for the same reasons.
156. Thinktwice | 10.09.08
Dear “Microtek’ and others who are so easily frightened -
Take a deep breath. Relax, and please make sure you are sitting down. Now.. breathe deep again… and now consider the overwhelming evidence that you have been swindled, lied to and manipulated by your own elected officials. Shocking I know. Let it in, don’t be afraid to consider - you have been manipulated by using your own fears to keep you in line. Look at what you posted and now think about the idea that you are being totally played:
98. Microtek | 10.09.08
Are you ready for another terrorist attack?
If yes, Vote Obama.
If No, Vote John McCain.
Is it simple?
Yes, It is very simple.”
Don’t be frightened. You are not hopelessly stupid or irrational. Your natural intelligence has been reduced to a simple flight or fight impluse- your voting choice is now taking place in the autonomic center of your brain- your own fears are now directly linked to party affiliation through a relentless branding campaign. Pretty scary I know. BUT. You CAN think for yourself again. You can be free of this. You just need to find your courage to question your leaders. YOU can do it. Now, breathe deep again, and consider that these same elected officials have chosen a new puppet to scare you into voting for them so they can continue to swindle you and compell you to fight their dirty little wars. Think. You can do it.
And if if you can only think in terms of warfare- then consider this; any decision made out of fear is by nature a defensive action. The very definition of fear- reaction to a perception of a stronger force. You already lost and you haven’t even fired the first shot. Go figure.
157. Charles | 10.09.08
I cannot believe that so many intelligent Americans and the majority of the news media are so eager to elect, without question, a “Trojan Horse” Obama into the White House. They have no idea what they will actually get until it’s too late.
158. Lou | 10.09.08
I can’t believe there are people out there who still think
Barack Obama changed his name from Barry!!!!! This is a good example
of the stupidity that is being caught up in the smears of the McCain
campaign and Sarah Palin’s hateful ranting. The Barrack Hussein
Obama, was handed down to him through his father who left him and
his mother when Obama was 2 years old and the only contact made
between the two of them was one time when Obama was 10 years old.
His nickname from a very early age and until today, is Barry. If
you think he has changed his birth name, think about this………if
he had planned to enter politics in America, wouldn’t it have been more
useful to him to have changed his name to something like Barry Oats?
No, he isn’t trying to hide anything. If you have a computer you should
know how to Google things and LEARN enough to get the facts straight.
And, while you are doing that, try looking up Jordan’s King Hussein.
That right, HUSSEIN. You will find that he was one of America’s strongest
allies in the Middle East and a man know for his peace making efforts
and strong moral character and good will.
159. Sher | 10.09.08
It’s a darn shame that people who quote things like, “Why did he change his name to Berry, huh?”… have to right to vote!!!!
160. Cheryl | 10.09.08
45.Rachel 10.09.08 said:
I fear that the Bush-Chaney-Rove-McCain gang is going to PROVOKE A NATIONAL SECURITY CRISIS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS because now it is their only hope to change the game. They think it will give McCain more chance because it will distract people from the economic disaster at home and because McCain is more hawkish and (they think) he will look more “presidential.” After all, they already did it once by provoking Georgia to attack South Ossetia and Russian peacekeepers there. And they “will not blink” to do it again on a larger scale…
This is called ‘wagging the dog’ on a huge scale, and I believe you are correct about their interference/provocation in the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict. I sincerely hope you are NOT correct in thinking they are so craven that will try it again (in Iran), but since the only thing I’ve seen coming from the McCain camp is ruthless, reckless ambition, I would not put something like this out of limits for them, if not Israel v. Iran, then in some other equally volatile theater. Bear in mind that in McCain’s world, “VICTORY” is all that counts.
161. AB | 10.09.08
I have a choice in this election. Vote for:
1) War monger with an erratic streak and evidence of sheer contempt for people and ideas other than his own. Back bencher and a brat all his life with no evidence of ever having used his brain.
Courage shown in being a POW..YES but its good to read how he got into flying missions over Vietnam in the first place, how bad a pilot he really is (crashed 4 planes) and the real story behind his whole Vietnam saga. Read the Rollingstones article with interviews of his fellow prisoners
2) Intelligent, compassionate person with a sense of level headedness and modern world view who does not look at life and the world in black and white.
Not much experience but given what I have seen experience has done over the last 8 years, I am sorry but I will take intelligence and balance any day over experience that is poisoned with narrow perspective and hatred
If Sarah Palin became President, there is going to be a 3am call and she is promptly going to open her Bible and see what it says in page 33 on handling a crisis and then she will dial GOD and ask him/her for guidance. I am happy to have her brush her teeth and hunt moose based on the Bible or God’s word but please do that in Wasilla so you dont screw up my life. I have suffered enough already under the ignorant cowboy who claims he heard from GOD.
I have no sympathy anymore for people that have seen their lives and the country go down the drain over the last 8 years and are now on the verge of being on the streets but still fail to see what got us here and still live beyond their means, feel entitled to live life large without any sacrifices, see everything in black and white, have no world view whatsoever and will easily be swayed by lies, deception and narrow trivial considerations.
If you dont have the ability to think for yourself and reflect on the consequences of your choices and will knowingly make the same choices all over again, given a second chance, what can I say? You deserve McCain/Palin. Sit on the streets and hunt and eat moose with Sarah and have beer with W and talk war with McCain..oh wait..they are not going to be there with you when bad times hit..but you wouldn’t know that..you would trust your life and those of your loved ones to them in a heartbeat..I forgot.
162. Hadrian | 10.09.08
mav·er·ick (mav’?r-ik, mav’rik) Pronunciation Key
n.
1) An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
2) One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter or loner.
163. Thomas | 10.09.08
Who is John McCain?
Read this article from Rolling Stone and you’ll get a pretty good idea.
Make-Believe Maverick -
A closer look at the life and career of John McCain reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1
164. jefflz | 10.09.08
It is too early to for the Obama campaign to realx the vigil. While the economy is failing, McCain is making a call for all bigots and hate-mongers to join his parade of slime. He is desperate and it is a personal call to jihad for his campaign. And they are coming out of the woodwork, every right wing nut in the country is answering the call and coming up with the smear and fear garbage that McCain is begging them for. McCain is not a hero or a leader. He displays the same cowardice that he displayed when he ratted on his Keating Five comrades to escape prosecution. At a Florida rally where Palin called Obama a terrorist some one even yelled Kill Him! - shades of the Nazi hate rallies. McCain is bringing great shame on the electoral process and his erratic behavior makes it clear he is not qualified to be president any more than his junkyard dog running mate.
165. Liz | 10.09.08
Open your eyes people and start thinking for yourself instead of just regurgitating this left-wing, liberal gargage the mainstream media is spoonfeeding you! This economic mess has it’s roots in the misguided policies of the Democratic party. The terrorism problem didn’t begin with GW Bush. The Clinton administration was asleep at the wheel and did little to nothing to prevent 911. No, the Republicans are not perfect but at least they are not socialists. But, enough finger pointing, we need solutions and I believe the McCain/Palin ticket has the right idea. What is it?
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE! This one issue begins to take care of our economic problems by creating jobs and preventing us from sending billions to foreign nations that hate us and that in turn boosts national security by drying up their source of revenue. McCain and Palin have been talking about it. For the good of our nation, please listen.
166. Ben | 10.09.08
To Microtek
You offered a simple solution. That comes from a simple mind. You betcha.
168. Dave | 10.09.08
What are the Republicans looking for vis-a-vis Obama’s connections to Ayers? Their dogged persistance in raising those connections to the forefront suggest they know something the public doesn’t: that Obama isn’t lying about the relationship. How, I wonder, do the Republicans know that? And if their knowledge is as certain as they imply it to be, why don’t they step forward and state the damning evidence? My guess is that there’s nothing to know and that suspicion and innuendo is itself the goal.
169. Tom | 10.09.08
olddog -
McCain didn’t choose Palin. His “advisors” told him who he was choosing in a transparent move to woo Hillary supporters. Cheap tactics and a little scary that the man who longs to be our president was steered into his choice for a running mate. What a MAVERICK! Sad……
170. angie | 10.09.08
I agree it is too early to celebrate
I heard last night on MSNBC that the education committee that Ayers and Obama served on was actaully organized and funded by a conservative Republican that is a McCain supporter. Is that so? Sounds like that could take some wind out of the sails of this witch hunt.
John Kerry said in his speech at the Democratic Convention that there is a difference in John McCain the senator and John McCain the candidate. Nothing could be truer. The distasteful win at all cost strategy will come back to haunt him when the election is over and he finds himself back in the Senate.
171. Brent Vespa | 10.09.08
McCain and Obama are basically two sides of the same coin. They are niether a Republican or a Democrat; I like to call them Republicrats. Fine. But whom should you vote for…obviously if you have made your mind up, that question is irrelevant. But if you’re an un-decided voter of either party, or an independant,, I would lead strongly towards McCain.
He has experience working both sides of the aisle, and at least HAS a record. Barack Obama (and referring to his middle name is NOTHING less that vile racism) is a good decent highly intelligent American, but it is true, by definition, that he has virtually no track-record and significant experience to be president. He’s just a great unknown at this juncture in his political career and it would take a tremendous leap of faith to elect him now, especially with us in the midst of the most disastrous financial predicament since the great depression. He may very well be president one day, and perhaps should be. But not now.
If I’m on a plane and it’s in trouble, I want an experienced pilot, not a brilliant and charismatic pilot just two years out of flight school at the controls.
By the way, whoever gets elected will have a honeymoon shorter than Brittany Spears first marraige that lasted about 6 hours. People will, and should get strong decisive action immediately. So again to whoever gets in, you better be damn ready, because pretty speeches and POW stories just won’t cut it.
To whichever Republicrat gets elected…be careful what you wish for.
172. Brendan | 10.09.08
Are you people kidding me? I’m pretty certain that my children aren’t going to be associating themselves with Bin Laden in 40 years. Time doesn’t excuse making terrorist house calls.
173. frank burns | 10.09.08
McCain is such a distorter. “On the ropes” is precisely where the McCain campaign is. It doesn’t mean the fight is over, or that anyone is celebrating. McCain himself does not have enough time to come up with this BS. He has paid, professional BSers that do it. They don’t deserve their salaries though — no one is buying it except about 20% of the country who are so gullible there is no need to convince them anymore anyway. On this subject of professional BSers, it has been said that if BS were money, Sarah Palin could bail out Wall Street all by herself!
174. Vinny | 10.09.08
When McCain was elected in the primaries, I was glad. He had always had my respect. The way he took the high road (but lost) in 2000 actually said something about his being a maverick, a principled man of honor.
I liked my choices when Obama was elected. I could have voted for either of them. Now is what I wanted to see:
a) who would they chose as their running mate and
b) what their policies and agendas were.
I was happy with the choice of Biden. A good, solid, respectable veteran - an insider, necessary for Obama who is still essentially an outsider.
Choice of Palin came as a surprise, but her first speech left no doubt what McCain was trying to do. Woo Hillary supporters. That in itself is not such a bad thing. Her conservative background appeals to the other weakness of McCain - conservative support. A really brilliant tactical choice. But not knowing enough about her, I reserved my judgment. Can she be a VP with 5 children including a special needs baby? Well, she is Governor, why not VP? I did not think that was a problem.
Then came the lies about the bridge to nowhere. Trooper gate. Banned books. The gaffes, the folksiness and a lot of empty words fronting ignorance and worse, a disrespect for voter’s intelligence. Suddenly I was aghast - this woman is going to be our Vice President or potentially our President? I thought W. was bad, but this would be catastrophic! What was McCain thinking?
Then, knowledge that McCain staffed his campaign with the same folks or their ilk that knocked him out in 2000, swift boated Kerry. Thes same people who tore at the fabric of some semblance of unity, now continuing in the same vein, trying to finish off what they started in earnest in 2000.
Next the attack, bringing up the association of a converted terrorist with Obama. Is that the worst McCain could think of?
The condoning of shouts from supporters likening Obama to terrorists or ‘kill him’! What is this place? Zimbabwe? The display of anger at the debates. Referring to his opponent as ‘That one’. Where did the gentleman McCain vanish?
Senator McCain, by taking the low road, you may think you can win, but my choice has become very clear. Even if you did win, you have lost my respect and with it my hope for this country.
Somewhere in these comments I saw someone say that Obama thinks that America is evil and McCain thinks that America is good. Sir/Madam: What is America?
Is it its president? Then don’t tell me what Bush did is good.
Is it its people? Then don’t tell me what greedy wall streeters did was good.
Can’t we do no evil at all? Anybody who thinks like that is saying, it’s my way or the evil way. You are with us or against us.
Where does that leave mavericks?
175. Concerned | 10.09.08
edeldoug,
In addition to examining the candidate’s world views (which I think you’ve done poorly) why don’t you also examine the world’s view of America? Talk to any one outside the US and you’ll likely find that the rest of the world at one time respected us, looked up to us. Now they criticize our world politics- our unilateralism.
Don’t you want to turn that around? Do you really think McCain can do that? He can’t. Obama can, and he will.
176. Gomer | 10.09.08
167. Charles | 10.09.08
“I cannot believe that so many intelligent Americans and the majority of the news media are so eager to elect, without question, a “Trojan Horse” Obama into the White House. They have no idea what they will actually get until it’s too late.”
Taint no Trojan Horse Chuck … He is going after your women too … and he don’t use Trojans!
177. solsenz | 10.09.08
The McCain camp loves to use religion against you. Have the GOP followed through on any of their promises to the religious based supporters? Have they shown humanity, kindness, or sympathy to anyone? Or have they used to to make citizens scared of the “unknown?” Matter a fact, Palin has been involved in witchcraft cremonies. How does that fit with everyone?
178. Cheryl | 10.09.08
Response To 173. Thomas | 10.09.08 Many thanks for posting this link!!!
(Who is John McCain?
Read this article from Rolling Stone and you’ll get a pretty good idea.
Make-Believe Maverick -
A closer look at the life and career of John McCain reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty)
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1
TO ALL OTHER READERS:
This a very long article and an absolute MUST-READ - every word of it! If you are planning to vote for McCain, please at least inform yourself as to what kind of person your chosen candidate is, as evidenced by his history.
And if you are choosing to vote for Obama, let this article be an additional incentive to you to be sure you cast that vote. PLEASE also pass on the link to this article to EVERY registered voter you know. If there were only one source to consult to understand the essence of McCain’s character, this would be the one.
179. Frank | 10.09.08
Behind in the polls, McCain/Palin find no distortion, no lie too outrageous to level at their opponents.
These two have resorted to blatant hatemongering. This from the “healing, bipartisan, bridge builder.” Not presidential material in my book. I do know of at least one infamous Southern organization that would like to recruit them as officers.
180. bulldogjudi | 10.09.08
Birds of a feather flock together — I want to know the associates of ALL candidates! Why is Obama getting a “get out of jail free card” when all all the other candidates aren’t? I want to know the good, bad, and ugly of ALL candidates!!! This is self imposed censorship of the media! I am certain the founding fathers such as Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin would have never imagined a day when the media would censor itself for the sake of politics. What is the media so afraid of? It’s the media’s JOB to make certain that all factors are illuminated so that the American public can discern who is the most worthy of our vote — not the media’s vote. It’s called popular sovereignty, not MEDIA SOVEREIGNTY! As for Michelle Obama — you better be certain I want to know all about what each candidate has done even during their life — how they’ve recovered from error or made misjudgments — it’s called character! Character is developed through time, not just adulthood!
181. sharon | 10.09.08
Barack Obama’s explained his relationship to Ayers before. He didn’t know who this man was when he met him: that’s more than possible. People don’t come with tattoos on their backs saying “blew up buildings”. He served on a committee with him. What’s he supposed to do: RESIGN? That’s ridiculous! How many upstanding citizens of Chicago sat there as well? Ayers threw a fundraiser for him when he ran for state senate. Ok…. lots of people do that without knowing the person very well. Perhaps his house accommodated more people than many of his other neighbors and associates (after all, there were probably a number of other people involved, not just Ayers). The point is that Obama didn’t know this man very well; didn’t pal around with him; didn’t seek his advice; and was 8 years old when this man was blowing up buildings!!!! Get a grip!
However, one could also point the finger at John McCain’s many associations over the years: his time on the board of an anti-Semetic group; his involvement with the Iran-Contras; his involvement with the Keating Five, for which he was censured (getting off largely due to his record as a war hero); his referral to all Asians as ‘goops’; and so on. Heaven knows there isn’t yet, as far as I know, a definitive list of his suspecious connections. McCain might wish he hadn’t opened this can of worms: where Obama is guilty of a passing acquaintance with a member of the Weather Underground, McCain has all kinds skeletons and nefarious connections in his closet.
Those who live in glass house shouldn’t throw stones. Especially when they can’t thrown them far enough not to be hit by a bounce back.
182. average guy | 10.09.08
this is weak. let’s compare shady pasts of the two candidates:
1. Obama lives in the same neighborhood as a university professor who is now 63 years old. In the 90s, they worked for the same charity organizations to benefit Chicago public schools. In the 60s, this professor was in a group that bombed some govt. buildings as protest against the Vietnam War. Obama was 8 years old.
2. McCain and several other senators attempted to pursuade a financial regulatory commission in San Francisco to back off the CEO of the Lincoln S&L because he was McCain’s personal friend. All of the candidates received a total of over a $1M in political contributions. The Lincoln S&L was the first to go under in what became the first huge banking scandal, which ultimately cost the American taxpayers $500 billion.
Are you freakin’ joking? You want this guy as your president?
183. Angel | 10.09.08
They only reason Biden is Obama’s running mate is because McCain turned him down as his running mate. So, now Biden has latched onto Obama. Guess he figures if something happens to Obama then **** be president. Before all this Biden was shooting-down Obama’s policies, now he’s touting them. He doesn’t even know the duties of the office of Vice-President, although he worked under six of them in the Senate. Somebody has to be available to pull Obama’s puppet strings if he should, God help us, actually become president. It would be God’s judgment upon this nation! God doesn’t mess with those who turn their backs on Him. This nation probably deserves Obama, of nothing more than to bring them to their knees in repentance as they call out to God to deliver them from Obama.
184. average american mom | 10.09.08
Why does everyone comment on the candidates “smear campaign” but feel it is just fine to go on line and smear either or both candidates? Why do you feel you are better than them when you are doing the same thing or worse? Politicians are known for being negative toward each other but I have not seen the like of how nasty Americans have become on these blogs. Is this where America is headed? Instead of fixing the economy, maybe we need to focus on fixing our value system. In times of crisis, Americans are supposed to be known for pulling together and standing together. The conversations on this blog are pretty sad.
185. business owner | 10.09.08
as a small business owner, and a rational human being, i cannot see how any
one in their right mind could support obama. he’s a lying, anti-american,
self-serving, way in over his head snake oil salesman…. it really upsets
me that the american public is blaming mccain for the economic crisis we’re
in when it’s really the fault of our liberal congress.
187. tdub | 10.09.08
As the National Debt clock runs out of digits and our nation’s economy daily sheds millions, sometimes trillions of dollars from our stocks, pensions and 401k accounts, John McCain has chosen to put that subject on the backburner, instead prioritizing on the “issue” of Barack Obama’s “association” with William Ayres while his surrogate, Sarah Palin, whips partisan crowds into a disturbing lynch mob frenzy. It now seems a long-distant memory when the McCain campaign stated in March of this year that, “Throughout his life John McCain has held himself to the highest standards and he will continue to run a respectful campaign based on the issues.” In their cynical desperation to win the election by any means, the McCain/Palin campaign has flung its moral compass deeper into the cesspool of dirty politics.
188. Surviving the next decade | 10.09.08
Thank you edeldoug for your unenlightened and delirious rant. You have proven that blithering idiots can write totally unsubstantiated nonsense and post it for the world to see.
I trust that most Americans already see a clear distinction between an individual who once was an admirable citizen whom I sincerely thought had the best interest of this country in mind (I supported him in 2000) and Senator Obama. This is no time for the same old tactics that were used back in 2000. Our country is at the brink of a depression or at the very least, a very serious decade ahead. If you do not understand that edeldoug, do as all a favor and stay home on November 4.
189. Craig | 10.09.08
So Biden thinks McCain and Palin are on the ropes?
Maybe the Republican are pulling a rope-a-dope.
But more like it with their smear tactics they are just dopes.
190. steve | 10.09.08
This race needs to be over. McCain doesn’t have a clue or a chance all he is doing is damaging this country more with his slanderous allegations and his inability to address the issues. Vote him out in Arizona too! He has no business representing anyone. Palin needs to be either voted out or impeached also.
191. basementfrog | 10.09.08
MILITARY RECORD
When two U.S. Army enlisted men were captured by the Viet Cong in 1963, they were plunged into an ordeal that would prove to be a relentless trial of body and spirit by torture. Once they were finally freed, however, their trials began all over again, when their statements critical of the U. S. Vietnam policy landed them in a military court facing a capital offense for violating the military Code of Conduct by “aiding the enemy.”
But, if your name is John McCain and your father and grandfather were famous admirals, violating the Code of Conduct by “aiding the enemy” translates into fodder for a political career, book deals, and adulation bordering on sainthood.
Even though news reports of McCain for collaborating with the enemy continued from the time he was captured in 1967 through 1970, the Navy never considered prosecution as an option.
Instead, Pentagon pencil pushers chose a political spin that lifted McCain, the former POW turned U.S. Senator, up to a glorified pedestal where he sprouted a halo and wings and became America’s “POW-hero” and today a presidential candidate.
No such luck for the two lowly “grunts.”
http://www.usvetdsp.com/smith_mc.htm
VETS ON McSHAME
192. steve | 10.09.08
I was on the Obama train before Iowa. And honestly though I have tried to convince friends and co-workers to vote for him, I have had little success. Though when asked they have very little understanding of his positions on issues, they know they don’t like him. Yesterday one my co-workers came to me and said that he had finally been talked into voting for Obama. I asked who had been able to persuade him where I had failed. “McCain” was his answer. People lives are being destroyed and he wants to focus on a relationship with Bill Ayers, Citizen of the Year in 1997 in Chicago. If you can’t win over people’s minds now, then you don’t have any juice.
193. basementfrog | 10.09.08
McCain willing to destroy the life of a respected educator and perhaps end up getting the poor man killed so McCain be president. Talk about stepping on your fellow man to give your self a boost.
I wouldn’t want to be in the same building with McCain if it caught on fire. But what would you expect from a man with the morals of a snake?
McCain likes to illustrate his moral fiber by referring to his five years as a prisoner-of-war in Vietnam and to demonstrate his commitment to family values. The truth is somewhat different.
The first Mrs McCain casts is the mother to McCain’s three eldest children. Carol, who was a famous beauty and a successful swimwear model when they married in 1965, was the woman McCain dreamed of in the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison and the woman who faithfully stayed at home looking after the children and waiting anxiously for news.
But when McCain returned to America in 1973, he discovered his wife had been disfigured in a terrible car crash three years earlier. Her pelvis and one arm were shattered and she suffered massive internal injuries, doctors werer forced to cut away huge sections of shattered bone, taking with it her tall, willowy figure. She was confined to a wheelchair and was forced to use a catheter.
When John McCain came home from Vietnam, she had gained a lot of weight and bore little resemblance to her old self. ‘My marriage ended because John McCain didn’t want to be 40, he wanted to be 25. You know that happens…it just does.’
Some of McCain’s acquaintances portray the politician as a self-centered womanizer who effectively abandoned his crippled wife to ‘play the field’. They accuse him of finally settling on Cindy, a former rodeo beauty queen, for financial reasons. McCain was then earning little more than $40,000 a year as a naval officer, while his new father-in-law, Jim Hensley, was a multi-millionaire who had impeccable political connections.
194. Dave | 10.09.08
McCain and Palin are going to whip O-bomb-A and Buy-down like rented mules come November…
196. LOGOS | 10.09.08
Well, John McCain just doesn’t get it. At this stage of the game the vast majority of Americans don’t give a hoot about Ayers, the Talibans or even Al Queda. We are faced with a national debt totally out of whack, an economy moving in a DEPRESSION faster than the Titanic sunk, one trillion wasted on a war we should have never waged and the chief dummy still sitting in the White House. Meanwhile McCain is telling us that the economy’s fundamentals are OK and we should focus on whether a dozen of years ago Obama had a cup of coffee with Ayers. We in deep manure and McCain voted 90% of the time along with the insane policies that got us into this mess. Folks we are in knee high if you want to get in up to your neck go ahead put McCain in the White House with Barbie Smith&Wesson in the wings waiting for her turn to get the manure pump into high gear. If you’d stay in her way “you could go ahead and make her day”!
197. Bob | 10.09.08
To those of us who realized in 2000 that Bush was unsuitable to be president of the US, this is just the logical end results. To those of you who are surprised and angry that Republicans can’t seem to get a break…, you should rethink (or at least think about) your philosophies on life, to try and discover what the rest of us knew all along.
198. ash | 10.09.08
The descriptions commenter edeldoug of Obama’s and McCain’s world views are provocative.
Having read Obama’s books, viewed his record, listened to his speeches, read and watched many critiques of him and his positions, it is my opinion that Senator Obama’s world view incorporates America at its best as the land of opportunity, a beacon of liberty for all the world to see, and the living example of fairness, justice and integrity with a whole lot of compassion and courage and hard work thrown in. My opinion is that its McCain’s world view, too.
The government of the people, by the people, and for the people is my national view. Edeldoug, aren’t you one of the people, too?
About the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, energy, health care, the economy, social security, fighting terrorism? I support the policies of the Democratic party and Barack Obama.
199. L.B.E.G. | 10.09.08
I heard recently that the 2004 presidential election’s final tally gave Bush the win by only 260 votes. If that’s within even 5,000 votes of accuracy, each and every vote is going to count. This election is too soon to call. Troopergate’s verdict is still coming, and either side may dig very, very low to give life to a Frankenstein-ian “ugly” to try to blast the other campaign to smithereens. Sad, but possible and even likely.
Whichever candidate you support, please vote. Your voice is always important, but especially so for this election.
200. Zeek | 10.09.08
Please look up the Alaskan Independent Party on Wikipedia.
Todd Palin was a member until 2002 of a party that wants to succeed from this Great Nation!
This is clearly TREASON against his country so how can Sarah talk about irresponsible associations when her own husband is a traitor to his own country?
Obama was a child when Ayers did his criminal acts but Todd was plotting against the U.S. only a few short years ago!
The Palins are not like us but dangerous right wing secessionists!!
201. Zeek | 10.09.08
Correction:The secessionist Party that Todd Palin was a member of correct name is the Alaskan Independence Party please look it up and see how mainstream the Palins really are!
202. Zeek | 10.09.08
Correction:The secessionist Party that Todd Palin was a member of correct name is the Alaskan Independence Party please look it up and see how mainstream the Palins really are! Why is the Press ignoring this important story?
203. Marie | 10.09.08
McCain showed one more time at the debate how out of touch he is with Main Street. The $5,000.00, really $3500 after taxes, will cover a family of four on a cobra for about three months…then what????? At least Obama is offering insurance that will be affordable. I know about insurances. I, like Obama’s mother, have had cancer and another disease and I know first hand what it is like to be very, very sick, but having to be on the phone with my insurance company hoping and praying they will approve the care recommended by my physician. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
Get with it McCain, or get out of the race. I hope you don’t win anyway. You and Palin look stupid trying to drag Obama through the mud. WE DON’T
LIKE SMEARS, we are too worried about our economy. Opps, that’s right, you wouldn’t know what it is like to be unemployed and no money and no food. When was the last time you went hungary? Your wife and you are rich…how would you know?
204. McCant | 10.09.08
Why isn’t the media (and the Obama campaign) bringing up McCain’s ties to the traitor g. gordon liddy??
205. Patrick | 10.10.08
I guess 30 years from now, we should just forgive Bin Laden and forget what he was a part of, as long as he donates a lot of money to a good cause. Does anyone not care that the group Ayers belonged to tried to kill innocent citizens? Give me a break. Even if the guy renounced his involvement, and escaped conviction, i have misgivings about Barak’s judgment for having anything to do with a “former” terrorist.
206. Obama = Hope | 10.12.08
I take offense at the McCain-Palin tactic of trying to smear Obama by using guilt by association. It’s an insult to the intelligence of the American people, made more egregious by people actually buying it! Obama could take the exact same tact, but chooses to take the high road. Sarah Palin is a proven abuser of power. Is that who we want to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?
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1. edeldoug | 10.09.08
Yes, there are issues of character, behavior, associations, etc… and the political junkies and wonks will all spout and debate them. But the public generally considers all that to be just the noise of the talking heads.
I believe the choice in the 2008 election will come down to making a clear distinction between the world views:
Obama World View: America is a greedy evil which must be restrained. Government is the answer to the problems of the downtrodden. Taxation’s purpose is to redistribute wealth and to manipulate behavior.
McCain World View: America is a powerful force for GOOD in the world and the people can accomplish great things if they are UNCHAINED. Americans are the most charitable people on the face of the earth and don’t need Government to decide where to distribute their charity for them. Taxation is a necessary evil to generate revenues for the appropriate business of Government, which is constitutionally limited.
If this distinction is clearly drawn, and the producers still outnumber the dependent (not a foregone conclusion anymore), the choice for McCain is clear.