2008 U.S. Presidential Election Mega thread

[Infra-Man]

McCain on tv now saying he wants to stop the campaign and not do the debate until after they have worked on the bail out package...

Saw it on the New York Times just now. The sponsored ad is appropriate:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-McCain.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[KevinTBrown]

McCain on tv now saying he wants to stop the campaign and not do the debate until after they have worked on the bail out package...

Yep: http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080924/ap_on_el_pr/mccain



If he wants to stop the campaign, fine. Concede, give the Presidency to Obama. :biggrin:

[K-DoG7p7]

McCain on tv now saying he wants to stop the campaign and not do the debate until after they have worked on the bail out package...

Aka.. "I'm loosing and need time to get my shit together"

[Royal]

McCain on tv now saying he wants to stop the campaign and not do the debate until after they have worked on the bail out package...

http://www.fivedigits.net/pix/phun/itsatrap.jpg

[Infra-Man]

It kinda sucks if they cancel the debate. I was going to order a pizza, drink some beer, and enjoy junk food for my final night before a week-long raw foods diet for a feature I'm writing.

[the4thpip]

here is an idea: let's turn over the campaign to the Veep candidates for a week until the bailout is wrapped up.

[Typo Lad]

Yep: http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080924/ap_on_el_pr/mccain



If he wants to stop the campaign, fine. Concede, give the Presidency to Obama. :biggrin:
Note how he says it was his idea and the Obama campaign says it was thiers.

Nice. Rome is burning and the Neros are arguing over who's bow it was.

[KevinTBrown]

here is an idea: let's turn over the campaign to the Veep candidates for a week until the bailout is wrapped up.

Biden says, "What a great idea! I'm all for it! Let's do it!"

Palin says, "------" Um, well, no idea since she was just whisked away from the media....

[Corrina]

If McCain has so much experience, why does he have to suspend his campaign to work on our economic crisis?

:)

I like my plan. We renegotiate all the high risk mortgages to something that the people in them can pay--either a longer time period or a reasonable interest rate. The banks get cash flow again, though not as nearly as much as they were counting on from all the high interest and fees. But, still, capital--what they lose out is all the speculation deals. They thought they could sell high risk mortgages, collect a ton of fees, and then foreclose and sell at a profit. Um, didn't work out that way. Tough.

People get to keep their homes, too. And we wouldn't have to spend $700 billion to bail out the banks or give the Treasury Secretary a blank check.

[K-DoG7p7]

here is an idea: let's turn over the campaign to the Veep candidates for a week until the bailout is wrapped up.

Think about it.. its just a little over a week before Biden gets to pwn Palin and make her a youtube Superstar

[the4thpip]

Biden says, "What a great idea! I'm all for it! Let's do it!"

Palin says, "------" Um, well, no idea since she was just whisked away from the media....

Free Sarah Palin!

[the4thpip]

Think about it.. its just a little over a week before Biden gets to pwn Palin and make her a youtube Superstar

Not if they suspend the debate due to global warming.

[KevinTBrown]

Not if they suspend the debate due to global warming.

Palin will be represented by a Muppet during the debate as she's kept behind the curtain...


Pay no attention to that woman behind the curtain!


....so no worries there about the debate not taking place.

[Briareos]

Turns out that there is no evidence of the town of Wassila ever charging for a rape kit:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODA1YWM5ZjM2ZTU5ODliZTY2NTczMGUwZWYwNTVlMTQ=

Whole thing was made up out of thin air...

[Royal]

Turns out that there is no evidence of the town of Wassila ever charging for a rape kit:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODA1YWM5ZjM2ZTU5ODliZTY2NTczMGUwZWYwNTVlMTQ=

Whole thing was made up out of thin air...

And there aren't any meth labs either, right?

[kingdom2000]

As if another reason were needed not to vote for McCain, the McCain/Palin ticket won't release her health records until after the election:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/24/AR2008092400797_2.html

I could care less about Palin's medical records. Its the pattern of secrets where secrets are not even needed that concerns me. The pattern is to Bushy for my comfort level.

As for the rape kit thing, check out an article (http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2000/05/23/news.txt) from 2000, which quotes Wasilla sheriff. This was long before Palin was a twinkle in McCain's eye. There was nothing made up about the story. The only question really is did Palin know about it and approve of the policy. There is no record either way. Considering she was a mayor of a town of 5000 at the time, if she didn't know about it, then that is a sign of her incompetence. Of course a city admistrator had to be hire to help her run the city (of only 5k) so there you go.


Finally McSame has officially suspended his campaign. Clearly he is doing this to score points with the sheep so they go "aw he is putting America First!". I just see it as a sign of his unfitness for the presidency. Everytime there is a crisis is he going to suspend his presidency or something else? If he can't multi-task, then considering the complexity of the office he is seeking, that frankly scares the crap out of me.

[Buzz Dixon]

Turns out that there is no evidence of the town of Wassila ever charging for a rape kit:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODA1YWM5ZjM2ZTU5ODliZTY2NTczMGUwZWYwNTVlMTQ=

Whole thing was made up out of thin air...One would have thought that would have been the sort of thing the GOP could have disproved with great glee on the first day the story broke...

IIRC, the accusation was that she wanted to charge for them...

To save money, y'know...

To pay for the $20 million sports center...

That she wanted to build on land the city didn't hold a clear title to...

[the4thpip]

Love Wanda Sykes:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/24/wanda-sykes-tears-into-go_n_128902.html

[LtMarvel]

Turns out that there is no evidence of the town of Wassila ever charging for a rape kit:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODA1YWM5ZjM2ZTU5ODliZTY2NTczMGUwZWYwNTVlMTQ=

Whole thing was made up out of thin air...
Once again, I question your reading skills.

http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2000/05/23/news.txt
Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon does not agree with the new legislation, saying the law will require the city and communities to come up with more funds to cover the costs of the forensic exams.

In the past weve charged the cost of exams to the victims insurance company when possible. I just dont want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer, Fannon said.


So the police chief told the reporter that the city tries to charge victim.

The National Review article doesn't debunk this. But it does try to say " it is entirely possible that no victim was ever charged." Yet TNR does not try to explain the differnce in their theory vs what the police chief said. Instead, TNR tries to belittle a state congressional aide who stated that women were charged, saying that an aide doesn't have enough weight.

So how about the police chief??

But, I'm sure it makes Bri feel better. He even overstated "whole thing made up"

(That's why Alaska passed the law, right...because the problem didn't exist!)

I strongly suspect that Bri never read the article, put did copy the link from whatever message board he found it on.

It's not the first time we caught Bri doing this...

[the4thpip]

http://www.pollingreport.com/images/MvO.GIF

[Buzz Dixon]

So McCain has gone from a position of not really knowing all that much about the economy to one of stopping the campaign so he can go to Washington and set it all right.

Riiiiiiiiight...

[EdContradictory]

It's a desperate move meant to make Obama look either subservient or a jerk.

Hopefully, it won't work.

[EdContradictory]

Obama: "It's going to be part of the President's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

BURN.

[K-DoG7p7]

Obama: "It's going to be part of the President's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

BURN.

did he say that or do you hope he will?

[Crowley]

Obama: "It's going to be part of the President's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

BURN.

nicely done...

is November here yet? I'm ready to be done with these idiots.

[Infra-Man]

Obama: "It's going to be part of the President's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

BURN.

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/Obamowned.jpg

[Buzz Dixon]

did he say that or do you hope he will?
"That's what the man said, he said that, that's what he said!"
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7504467&version=8&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.3.1
3rd paragraph down

[Paul McEnery]

"That's what the man said, he said that, that's what he said!"
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7504467&version=8&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.3.1
3rd paragraph down

Oh holy crap.

You know, I really want to maintain my cynical objectivity with Obama, but he makes it hecka difficult.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

I´m just gonna say this:

Some folks in the McCain camp must be PRAYING for an international crisis that´ll eclypse the present economic situation.

[Paul McEnery]

I´m just gonna say this:

Some folks in the McCain camp must be PRAYING for an international crisis that´ll eclypse the present economic situation.

Some folks in the McCain camp already engineered one of those in Georgia, didn't they.

Not enough gun, though.

[kingdom2000]

It occured to me that McCain has a third reason (beyond the pander and avoid the debate) for this "suspension". Its so he can re-schedule the debate to the last week of October. Keep in mind the debate on Friday was going to be about foreign policy which everyone considers McCains strength.

The debate strategy is simple. Hammer the crap out of Obama for not supporting the surge (and ignore the previous five years). Considering the short term memory of the electorate, moving that debate to a time close to election day will only help McCain. Basically go out on a strength rather then a weakness (domestic policy).

[Sabrinaset]

Is Bill Clinton suffering from dementia? (http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Bill_Clinton_Will_respect_Jewish_holidays_then_hus tle_up__cracker_vote_in_Florida.html?showall)

In an interview with CNN's Larry King airing tonight, Bill Clinton offered a slightly unusual reason for postponing his campaigning for Obama: The Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, which he's not known to observe.

"When [the Clinton Global Initiative] is over, and after the Jewish holidays, which follow close on it, I intend to go to Florida, to Ohio, to northeast Pennsylvania, and to Nevada at a minimum," he said. "I may do events in Arkansas depending on what the Democratic Party does down there. And I've agreed to do some fundraising for them in California and New York."

"Are you kind of feeling Jewish that you're waiting until after the Jewish holidays?" King asked, according to a CNN transcript.

"No. But I think it would be -- if we're trying to win in Florida, it may be that," Clinton began, before discussing his real Florida target: "You know, they think that because of who I am and where my politic[al] base has traditionally been, they may want me to go sort of hustle up what Lawton Chiles used to call the 'cracker vote' there."

"But Senator Obama also has a big stake in doing well in the Jewish community in Florida, where Hillary did very well and where I did very well. And I just think respecting the holidays is a good thing to do," he said.

Okay, I know I've said it before, but I'm SURE of it now.

Slick Willie is working for the McCain campaign.

[Charles RB]

Obama: "It's going to be part of the President's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

BURN.

That's more of a burn than Molten Man fighting Johnny Storm in a room full of oil fumes.

[BnL]

It's a desperate move meant to make Obama look either subservient or a jerk.

Hopefully, it won't work.

Personally, I was wondering if McCain is having a health crisis, maybe a recurrence of his melanoma. Which it goes without saying, I wouldn't wish on anyone, but it's a distinct possibility that that's what's going on.

[BnL]

It occured to me that McCain has a third reason (beyond the pander and avoid the debate) for this "suspension". Its so he can re-schedule the debate to the last week of October. Keep in mind the debate on Friday was going to be about foreign policy which everyone considers McCains strength.

The debate strategy is simple. Hammer the crap out of Obama for not supporting the surge (and ignore the previous five years). Considering the short term memory of the electorate, moving that debate to a time close to election day will only help McCain. Basically go out on a strength rather then a weakness (domestic policy).

That thought occurred to me as well.

[Typo Lad]

Is Bill Clinton suffering from dementia? (http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Bill_Clinton_Will_respect_Jewish_holidays_then_hus tle_up__cracker_vote_in_Florida.html?showall)



Okay, I know I've said it before, but I'm SURE of it now.

Slick Willie is working for the McCain campaign.
That's some of the most offensive pandering I ever did see.

[Royal]

Damn you Democratic administration for being so economicly prosperous.

[Infra-Man]

http://img1.fark.net/images/topics/obvious.gif

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/mccain-camp-let.html

McCain Camp: Let's Push Back Biden-Palin Match-Up, Too
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Rigel Anderson Report:

The McCain campaign told ABC News on Wednesday that John McCain wants to postpone Friday's presidential debate until Thursday, Oct. 2.

The Arizona senator would like the vice presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden, which is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday, Oct. 2 in St. Louis, Missouri, to be scheduled for a later unspecified date.

The details about what McCain is seeking, which were provided by a McCain aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity, came a few hours after the Republican presidential candidate announced that he was suspending campaigning so he could return to Washington, D.C., to try to forge a consensus on a financial bailout package.

McCain's public call for a debate delay was rebuffed by Barack Obama who joined fellow Democrats in arguing that a president needs to be able to multi-task.

"I believe that we should continue to have the debate," Obama said in Clearwater Florida. "It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess."

[kingdom2000]

Oh noes, if Palin particpates in the debates she will not be able to solve the financial crisis!!!

Yeah McCain is up to something and it isn't good. Keep in the mind the only "debate" he wanted was his idiotic town hall meeting bullshit. The goal is probably to reduce the number of debates down to one, making sure the last is the foriegn policy one.

[Infra-Man]

How many times can someone get pwned in two weeks?

McCain got Late Showned by David Letterman for canceling tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

Apparently McCain called Letterman personally and told him he was canceling his appearance and was en route to Washington DC. Well... apparently not quite.

[Michael P]

How many times can someone get pwned in two weeks?

McCain got Late Showned by David Letterman for canceling tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

Apparently McCain called Letterman personally and told him he was canceling his appearance and was en route to Washington DC. Well... apparently not quite.

How did anyone get this footage when the show doesn't air for thirty minutes?

[KevinTBrown]

http://img1.fark.net/images/topics/obvious.gif

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/mccain-camp-let.html

Oh noes, if Palin particpates in the debates she will not be able to solve the financial crisis!!!

Yeah McCain is up to something and it isn't good. Keep in the mind the only "debate" he wanted was his idiotic town hall meeting bullshit. The goal is probably to reduce the number of debates down to one, making sure the last is the foriegn policy one.

Uh, no.....

You delay or cancel the VP debate, it'll backfire on McCain and Palin because Biden wouldn't let it go. McCain's already sinking quickly.... That would be an epic fail.

[TomStillwell]

On the dire need to suspend his campaign to attend to the economy...

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said McCain's move was "just weird."

"We haven't heard hide nor hair of Sen. McCain in these negotiations," said Schumer, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. "He has not been involved except for an occasional, unhelpful statement, sort of thrown from far away, and the last thing we need in these delicate negotiations is an injection of presidential politics."

[Kid Kamikaze10]

On the dire need to suspend his campaign to attend to the economy...

Man...

The more I hear about this situation, the more I think this "I need to save America" crap is his attempt to turn tail, something I thought I'd never see from someone like McCain.


What the heck happened to this guy over the years?

[Nick Soapdish]

On the dire need to suspend his campaign to attend to the economy...

But that was before he suspended his campaign. Now, he's ready to work on the banking crisis. Or go on interviews.

Anyway, Schumer didn't need to be snide about it to make a point. I think it actually detracted because it reminded me of the D after his name.

[Royal]

Letterman is just shanking McCain.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Letterman is just shanking McCain.

And it's a long shanking sequence... Get em', Letterman!

[Infra-Man]

Palin Failin' 2: The Couric Boogaloo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ

Couric: Would you support a moratorium on foreclosures to help average Americans keep their homes?

Palin: That's something that John McCain and I have both been discussing - whether that ... is part of the solution or not. You know, it's going to be a multi-faceted solution that has to be found here.

Couric: So you haven't decided whether you'll support it or not?

Palin: I have not.

Couric: What are the pros and cons of it do you think?

Palin: Oh, well, some decisions that have been made poorly should not be rewarded, of course.

Couric: By consumers, you're saying?

Palin: Consumers - and those who were predator lenders also. That's, you know, that has to be considered also. But again, it's got to be a comprehensive, long-term solution found ... for this problem that America is facing today. As I say, we are getting into crisis mode here.

Couric: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie - that, that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Couric: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.

Palin: He's also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about - the need to reform government.

Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.

[KevinTBrown]

I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.

What the fuck...???? :eek:

She going to, what, hunting for them in the woods in Alaska???

Sheesh......

[Crowley]

http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/video_player/index/php/965633.phtml

[Michael P]

It's got to be a sad moment when you flame out so badly, you make Katie Couric look like an actual journalist.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

It's got to be a sad moment when you flame out so badly, you make Katie Couric look like an actual journalist.

I don't think I've ever seen an election look so ridiculous...

But then again, I'm younger than most (18).


Ok, so that's the View, Letterman, the "Liberal Media" (aka any channel besides Fox News), Paris Hilton, and Katie Couric...


Holy crap...

[Infra-Man]

It's got to be a sad moment when you flame out so badly, you make Katie Couric look like an actual journalist.

Hell, Palin would make Rachel Ray look like Helen Thomas if she went on her show.

Fuck, I should start a show and interview Palin. I'd look like H. L. fucking Mencken.

[kingdom2000]

What do you expect? So far Palin's claim to fame for taking on the "bad guys" was a press conference to quit a job she didn't even like. That's it. Not a darn thing else. Of course she would accept "he's a maverick!" as a valid response.

[king mob]

Palin Failin' 2: The Couric Boogaloo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ

If you had only posted the transcript & not the footage then I would have thought you were taking the piss.

[PatrickG]

I don't think I've ever seen an election look so ridiculous...

But then again, I'm younger than most (18).


Ok, so that's the View, Letterman, the "Liberal Media" (aka any channel besides Fox News), Paris Hilton, and Katie Couric...


Holy crap...

Actually, Fox News has pretty much skewered the McCain campaign a good half a dozen times in the last month.

[FalconX2000]

here is an idea: let's turn over the campaign to the Veep candidates for a week until the bailout is wrapped up.

Not only that, let's convert the coming first presidential debate into a second VP debate! We'll have one on foreign policy and one on domestic issues. Or we can spread out the original questions so that the candidates have more time to discuss the topic at length beyond their memorised scripted answers.

Love Wanda Sykes:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/24/wanda-sykes-tears-into-go_n_128902.html

She's awesome.:biggrin:

http://www.pollingreport.com/images/MvO.GIF

I should point out that this was exactly what it was like in June. Back then everybody seemed to be wringing their hands. Now they're all celebrating. Is it because there's now less time for the lead to shrink? Or are expectations just lowered?

[the4thpip]

Were we really seeing individual polls with six to nine point leads for Obama in June?

I know the electoral college actually looked better for Obama a few months ago, I'll give you that. Still, we're all relieved that the Palin bounce did not take.

[FalconX2000]

It occured to me that McCain has a third reason (beyond the pander and avoid the debate) for this "suspension". Its so he can re-schedule the debate to the last week of October. Keep in mind the debate on Friday was going to be about foreign policy which everyone considers McCains strength.

The debate strategy is simple. Hammer the crap out of Obama for not supporting the surge (and ignore the previous five years). Considering the short term memory of the electorate, moving that debate to a time close to election day will only help McCain. Basically go out on a strength rather then a weakness (domestic policy).

Unlikely. I read about the negotiations for the debate formats. McCain's camp specifically wanted to start off on his perceived strength.



Thank you to the posters of Letterman and the Sarah Palin interview. They were great.

[the4thpip]

Actually, Fox News has pretty much skewered the McCain campaign a good half a dozen times in the last month.

As Salon wrote yesterday:

And a panel led by Fox News' Brit Hume was similarly skeptical; watching Charles Krauthammer praise Obama's response was a little surreal.

[the4thpip]

The talking points were accidentally sent out to members of the Colorado press early Wednesday afternoon by McCain spokesperson Tom Kise.

http://www.politickerco.com/files/politickerco/images/9.22.08_Suspending_The_CampaignTPs%5B1%5D.img_assi st_custom.jpg

http://www.politickerco.com/jeremypelzer/2387/mccain-suspends-campaign-according-accidentally-sent-e-mail

[Royal]

Rick Davis is holing up the rest of the campain (http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/09/john_mccain_campaign_manager_r.html)

[the4thpip]

Rick Davis is holing up the rest of the campain (http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/09/john_mccain_campaign_manager_r.html)

Well, they keep comparing the banking crisis to 9-11. Hiding in an undisclosed location is part of the deal.

[Royal]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2886059254_f020eca618_o.gif

[Crowley]

Palin Failin' 2: The Couric Boogaloo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ

my necks hurts from the whiplash...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pg8bT6A0do


"Well, it's not the greedy Wall Street people that I worry about"

wow...

[Infra-Man]

Seriously, I've asked this before: Does anyone else have a man crush or regular crush on NBC political director Chuck Todd?

That guy rules.

[the4thpip]

Movement in the battlegrounds at RCP today:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/election_2008/electoral_count.html

Nothing but bad news for McCain.

[FalconX2000]

Seriously, I've asked this before: Does anyone else have a man crush or regular crush on NBC political director Chuck Todd?

That guy rules.

He's inoffensive, well mannered and friendly, yet obviously intelligent. There was a period where he let his standards slip, but he's back and he's good. If Rachel Maddow hadn't come along he'd be MSNBC's best new member during this election.

[EdContradictory]

It occured to me that McCain has a third reason (beyond the pander and avoid the debate) for this "suspension". Its so he can re-schedule the debate to the last week of October. Keep in mind the debate on Friday was going to be about foreign policy which everyone considers McCains strength.
Another possibility is that McCain wants to squeeze out the VP debate.

[EdContradictory]

Palin Failin' 2: The Couric Boogaloo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ

Someone defend her as qualified after that. Please. I'm dying to see it.

[Charles RB]

McCain got Late Showned by David Letterman for canceling tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

Apparently McCain called Letterman personally and told him he was canceling his appearance and was en route to Washington DC. Well... apparently not quite.

Ohhhhhhhh dear! :biggrin:

[EdContradictory]

The clip of Letterman saying McCain said he was heading right to Washington juxtaposed with him getting make up applied for an interview with Couric needs to be spread everywhere.

[Infra-Man]

Someone defend her as qualified after that. Please. I'm dying to see it.

There's also this train wreck response about energy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvUsdmqGYV8

[EdContradictory]

Palin's gone from laughable to scary.

[the4thpip]

Why can't she be both:

http://www.236.com/blog/w/steve_young/palin_suspends_vice_presidenti_9122.php

[the4thpip]

Bob Barr's campaign has taken advantage of John McCain's suspension of his campaign and asked that Barr get McCain's spot at the presidential debate scheduled for Friday.

[KevinTBrown]

Movement in the battlegrounds at RCP today:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/election_2008/electoral_count.html

Nothing but bad news for McCain.

WOW! :eek:

When I looked last night around 10:30 or so, Obama had 202 and McCain was the same. That's a big jump in just a few hours......

[KevinTBrown]

Another possibility is that McCain wants to squeeze out the VP debate.

I think that's a given. And seeing how Biden has been reacting of late, he'll call out Palin and demand a debate, questioning why she's so afraid.

There's no way that the Obama campaign is going to give in and cancel any of the debates, regardless of the current economic situation. The only way they get cancelled is some sort of personal tragedy occurs.

[KevinTBrown]

How many times can someone get pwned in two weeks?

McCain got Late Showned by David Letterman for canceling tonight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

Apparently McCain called Letterman personally and told him he was canceling his appearance and was en route to Washington DC. Well... apparently not quite.

It was even more classic to see Olbermann's comments on Countdown. He didn't hold back as much as he did while on Letterman.

[the4thpip]

Dark Knight / Dumb Prez mash up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1X6RQLZtoA

[KevinTBrown]

Palin is FINALLY revealing her financials.......







.....the day AFTER the VP debate.

http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080925/ap_on_el_pr/palin_finances

[FalconX2000]

Bob Barr's campaign has taken advantage of John McCain's suspension of his campaign and asked that Barr get McCain's spot at the presidential debate scheduled for Friday.

Since Bob Barr seems to be a much more traditional conservative who would take away votes from the Republican base, I would be delighted if he got a debate spot. He doesn't even need to take it away from John McCain. Simply having him as a viable candidate would peel away lots of votes from McCain and cost him much more than he would Obama.

[KevinTBrown]

Since Bob Barr seems to be a much more traditional conservative who would take away votes from the Republican base, I would be delighted if he got a debate spot. He doesn't even need to take it away from John McCain. Simply having him as a viable candidate would peel away lots of votes from McCain and cost him much more than he would Obama.

National polling averages have Barr with 1% and Nader with 2%.

[Paul McEnery]

National polling averages have Barr with 1% and Nader with 2%.

Yes, but what is he polling in the so-called solid McCain states?

[Crowley]

Palin is FINALLY revealing her financials.......







.....the day AFTER the VP debate.

http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080925/ap_on_el_pr/palin_finances

Biden will mop the fucking floor with her... I can't wait.
She's going to have so many Dan Quayle moments that it's unbelievable.

[KevinTBrown]

Biden will mop the fucking floor with her... I can't wait.
She's going to have so many Dan Quayle moments that it's unbelievable.

Stope beinge meane toe Dane Quaylee!!!







:biggrin:

[Infra-Man]

Here's the current projection via FiveThirtyEight (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/)

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/0924x_mainchart.png

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/0924_bigmap.png

Be interesting to see what the poll updates are like after the Couric interview, the campaign suspension decision, the Rick Davis/Freddie Mac revelations, the allegations of possible witness tampering by the McCain campaign in the Troopergate investigation, and tomorrow night's debate/open chair.

[Infra-Man]

Sarah Palin speaks to the press, answers four of five total questions.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/25/palin-takes-questions-from-press-corps-for-first-time/

PALIN: Every American student needs to come through this area so that, especially this younger generation of Americans is, to be in a position of never forgetting what happened here and never repeating, never allowing a repeat of what happened here. I wish every American would come through here. I wish every world leader would come through here, and understand what it is that took place here and more importantly how America came together and united to commit to never allowing this to happen again. And just to hear and from and see these good New Yorkers who are rebuilding not just this are but helping to rebuild America has been very, very inspiring and encouraging. These are the good Americans who are committed to peace and security and its been an absolute honor getting to meet these folks today.

CNN: On the topic of never letting this happen again, do you agree with the way the Bush administration has handled the war on terrorism, is there anything you would do differently?

PALIN: I agree with the Bush administration that we take the fight to them. We never again let them come onto our soil and try to destroy not only our democracy, but communities like the community of New York. Never again. So yes, I do agree with taking the fight to the terrorists and stopping them over there.

POLITICO: Do you think our presence in Iraq and afghan and our continued presence there is inflaming islamic extremists?

PALIN: I think our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will lead to further security of our nation, again, because the mission is to take the fight over there. do not let them come over here and attempt again what they accomplished here, and that was some destruction. terrible destruction on that day. but since September 11, Americans uniting and rebuilding and committing to never letting that happen again.

POLITICO: Do you support the reelection bids of embattled Alaska Republicans, Rep. Don Young and Sen. Ted Stevens?

PALIN:: Ted Stevens trial started a couple days ago. We’ll see where that goes.

POLITICO: Are you gong to vote for them?

[no answer.]

JERSEY JOURNAL: What do you think of bailout package before congress?

PALIN: I don't support that until the provisions that Sen. McCain has offered are implemented in Paulson's proposals.

[Typo Lad]

"I don't support it until we have a say!"

Oh C'mon!!!

[4thHorseman]

Sarah Palin speaks to the press, answers four of five total questions.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/25/palin-takes-questions-from-press-corps-for-first-time/

From my count, she answered two, didn't answer one, and answered around the question on the two others

[Buzz Dixon]

McCain blinks, gets Farked.

http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=3896273

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Man ya gotta pity Sarah Palin ...she gets on the campaign and watches as John McCain tosses the towl in. Can we go ahead and call him President Barack Obama ?

[Buzz Dixon]

I tell you who the real winner in all this is gonna be: Katie Couric. She's gonna come away looking like a re-incarnation of Dan Rather.

[king mob]

For the first time that I can remember, all the Presidential debates are being screened in full & live in the UK. More4 will be broadcasting them live from the first debate and will apparently be desperately attempting to be the first foreign channel to grab an interview with Sarah Palin, who is the only one of the candidates not to have spoken to either the BBC or ITN, even though both organisations have asked for an interview.

[kingdom2000]

From my count, she answered two, didn't answer one, and answered around the question on the two others

that means she learning how to do politics at the national stage! Maybe a few dozen more trial runs and the McCain camp will let her out to play by herself.

[king mob]

Watching that Palin clip again it reminded me of this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b66SlBA948o)from Father Ted. (http://www.fathertedonline.ukf.net/)

[Arrogantcur]

The more I hear about this situation, the more I think this "I need to save America" crap is his attempt to turn tail, something I thought I'd never see from someone like McCain.

Remember when I said he was a pussy for doing this?

Allow me to repeat myself.

John McCain is a pussy.

Thank you.

What the heck happened to this guy over the years?

I really think that when they were spreading rumours about him in South Carolina back in 2000, the Bush team got something right without knowing it. I think he really isn't right, mentally, as a result of the torture, and he's just been very good at hiding it all these years.

Anyway, Schumer didn't need to be snide about it to make a point.

Snideness begets snideness. Like McCain enjoys saying, politics is a tough game, not for the thin-skinned. Well John, now it's getting tough for you, and I gotta ask, how do ya like THEM apples?

http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/ITS/ITS185/ITF085004.jpg

Palin Failin' 2: The Couric Boogaloo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ

Wow, near the beginning she actually seemed like she was gonna be sick at one point.

And OH! You wanna talk about snide, Nick Soapdish? How's this for snide?

PALIN: The interesting thing in the last couple of days that I have seen is that Americans are waiting to see what John McCain will do on this proposal. They're not waiting to see what Barack Obama's gonna do [licks her index finger, holds it up next to her head], you know, is he gonna do this [waves finger back and forth] and just see what way the political wind's blowing?

Nobody in McCain's camp at this point deserve any mercy, from snide comments or anything else. :mad:

I should point out that this was exactly what it was like in June. Back then everybody seemed to be wringing their hands. Now they're all celebrating. Is it because there's now less time for the lead to shrink? Or are expectations just lowered?

Me, I'm not gonna stop holding my breath until McCain has no chance, none at all, of winning the presidency.

Biden will mop the fucking floor with her... I can't wait.
She's going to have so many Dan Quayle moments that it's unbelievable.

Can that still happen under the rules the Dems have (for some baffling reason) agreed to?

[Kid Kamikaze10]

I know Dan Quayle was a bit of a fool when it came to the campaign and such, but is there a moment that he famously screwed up on?

Is it the Jack Kennedy thing from the 88 debate, misspelling potato... What is it?

[Charles RB]

POLITICO: Do you think our presence in Iraq and afghan and our continued presence there is inflaming islamic extremists?

PALIN: I think our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will lead to further security of our nation, again, because the mission is to take the fight over there. do not let them come over here and attempt again what they accomplished here, and that was some destruction. terrible destruction on that day. but since September 11, Americans uniting and rebuilding and committing to never letting that happen again.

I note she's not saying "no"...

[KevinTBrown]

McCain still not committing to debate (http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/candidates_financial_meltdown).

Uh, yeah, right. Obama will be there ready and waiting. Seriously, just how disastrous would it be IF McCain did not show...?

[the4thpip]

McCain still not committing to debate (http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/candidates_financial_meltdown).

Uh, yeah, right. Obama will be there ready and waiting. Seriously, just how disastrous would it be IF McCain did not show...?

and with Bob Barr willing to take his place... I think the network really should tell McCain: Listen, you either show up, or Bob's your uncle.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

McCain still not committing to debate (http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/candidates_financial_meltdown).

Uh, yeah, right. Obama will be there ready and waiting. Seriously, just how disastrous would it be IF McCain did not show...?

McCain is being mocked for tossing the towl in on his campaign 5-6 weeks before the election. Him no showing a debate strengthens Obama more and more. Why would people vote for a quitter ? Or someone who has no clue about the economy ?

Barack could cruise the next 5 weeks and just say "I would never quit on the American people..." ala John McCain.

[Arrogantcur]

From http://peterdavid.malibulist.com/archives/006461.html#467233

You can comment there. Here's what PAD has to say about this...

NO WAY SHOULD OBAMA AGREE TO DELAY THE DEBATE

McCain's challenge to Obama to drop the campaign, cancel the debate and head back to Washington to deal with the current economic crisis should be seen for exactly what it is: A desperation ploy to try and seize command, not of the economy, but of the polls. Polls which, for the first time in ages, are tilting toward Obama. Perhaps prolonged exposure to the dubious merits of Sarah Palin are beginning to sink in, and as people become disenchanted with her, they turn their ire to the guy who picked her. Or perhaps, as Bill Clinton said so matter-of-factly, it's the economy, stupid.

The point is, there's plenty of other senators, not to mention a President, to deal with the economy. Only two people can be in the debate Friday night, and the bottom line is that one of them wants out. Can't really blame him. Not a ton to win, lots to lose.

Obama would be insane to accommodate McCain. I mean, let's look at the record. Months ago, McCain challenged Obama to go to Iraq. Obama took him up on it and went to Iraq. What did McCain do? Turn Obama's popular reception there into a liability. Obama should say, "Sorry, Senator. Last time I took your advice, you bitched about it for weeks, dismissed me as a celebrity, and compared me to Paris Hilton. Considering just last week you were saying the fundamentals of the economy were strong; now you're saying they're so weak that they won't last a few more days without us in Washington? Sorry, no. See you at the debate. And if you don't want to show up, fine. Have your campaign manager show up and tell us all the things you would have said."

Although Obama DID say something rather odd the other day. He said, "The American people cannot give this president a blank check for $700 billion." Well, now wait. If it's a blank check, there's no amount. That's what a blank check IS. So either he should say that the American people can't give Bush a check for $700 billion, or the American people can't give Bush a blank check. Anything else doesn't make sense.

Wonder if McCain will pick up on that and use it against him in the debate to indicate that Obama is no better at expressing himself than Bush. Presuming he shows up, of course.

PAD

[Buzz Dixon]

I know Dan Quayle was a bit of a fool when it came to the campaign and such, but is there a moment that he famously screwed up on?

Is it the Jack Kennedy thing from the 88 debate, misspelling potato... What is it?I think the "you're no Jack Kennedy" line and Quayle's petulant look in response did it for him as a credible politician on the national scene.

Other people (Reagan, FDR) had bungled beginnings, but never one so public and indelible.

Though Palin has set a new benchmark...:eek:

[Crowley]

this was a Quayle classic:
Kid on Chalkboard:
Potato.

Quayle: Hey don't forget that E!

Kid on Chalkboard, reluctantly:
Potatoe.

[the4thpip]

“We’re trying to rescue the economy, not the McCain campaign,” Barney Frank

:biggrin:

[Stressfactor]

Actually, I think McCain's calls to abandon the debat and return to Washington are more an attempt to try to spin it like HE'S the one who is serious about fixing this mess while Obama cares only for getting elected.

It's a shallow attempt to say "look at me, I'm WORKING for the American people!"

The problem is that in today's world of internet connectivity, wi-fi, air travel, and video conferencing it isn't as necessary for everyone to be in the same place to make decisions anymore -- and McCain forgets that.

[Buzz Dixon]

The problem is that in today's world of internet connectivity, wi-fi, air travel, and video conferencing it isn't as necessary for everyone to be in the same place to make decisions anymore -- and McCain forgets that.You can't forget what you never knew.

[DavidAllred]

McCain and Obama looking at the problem? Much ado about nothing.

These guys are all in bed with each other anyway. This crisis has been around for quite a while, and no one did anything about it. Not the House, not the Senate, and certainly zip from the executive branch of our government. Oh wait, one guy did:

The United States Senate
May 25, 2006
Section 16

Mr. President, this week Fannie Mae's regulator reported that the company's quarterly reports of profit growth over the past few years were "illusions deliberately and systematically created" by the company's senior management, which resulted in a $10.6 billion accounting scandal.

The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's report goes on to say that Fannie Mae employees deliberately and intentionally manipulated financial reports to hit earnings targets in order to trigger bonuses for senior executives. In the case of Franklin Raines, Fannie Mae's former chief executive officer, OFHEO's report shows that over half of Mr. Raines' compensation for the 6 years through 2003 was directly tied to meeting earnings targets. The report of financial misconduct at Fannie Mae echoes the deeply troubling $5 billion profit restatement at Freddie Mac.

The OFHEO report also states that Fannie Mae used its political power to lobby Congress in an effort to interfere with the regulator's examination of the company's accounting problems. This report comes some weeks after Freddie Mac paid a record $3.8 million fine in a settlement with the Federal Election Commission and restated lobbying disclosure reports from 2004 to 2005. These are entities that have demonstrated over and over again that they are deeply in need of reform.

For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac--known as Government-sponsored entities or GSEs--and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. OFHEO's report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO's report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay.

Wonder who that mystery guy was? Hint: The same guy that co-authored a reform bill with Chuck Hagel. The same bill that was reintroduced and killed on the Senate floor, after being approved by Congress with no less than five specific amendments.

[Paul McEnery]

And then again:

http://obama.senate.gov/news/060215-obama_durbin_pr/

[Buzz Dixon]

SINFEST strikes again!
http://sinfest.net/comikaze/comics/2008-09-25.gif

[Tobias March]

posted from popbitch:

>> Bike wars <<
McCain offers Sarah Palin a ride on his chopper

All you have to do is stand for President and
American companies start showering you with
freebies. John McCain was just given a customised
motorbike, by Orange County Choppers. It's
designed to be a tribute to PoWs - the barbed
wire highlights are especially tasteful.

When McCain was presented with the bike he said
"Sarah and I are going to get on that chopper
and ride it straight to Washington!".

Sadly John McCain doesn't have a bike license and
his years as a PoW means he can't lift his arms
high enough to reach the handlebars. Plus the
lack of rear suspension would aggravate his
enlarged prostate. Oh and the bike isn't road
legal either. Nice work, Orange County Choppers.

Bike:
http://www.sturgistravels.com/2004/occ.po4.jpg

[Infra-Man]

A great magazine cover or the greatest magazine cover?

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/obamacover.jpg

[DavidAllred]

And then again:

http://obama.senate.gov/news/060215-obama_durbin_pr/

Was that the bill that would open up a string of lawsuits, particularly on realtors, who could be accused of over-pricing homes?

From the bill (if it's the same one, and a link would be nice):

(1) CRIMINAL PENALTIES- Any mortgage professional who violates subsection (a) shall be fined not more than $5,000,000, or imprisoned not more than 35 years, or both.

(2) CIVIL PENALTIES- Any mortgage professional who violates subsection (a) shall be liable for an amount equal to the sum of all finance charges and fees paid or payable by the natural person, financial institution, or purchaser who was defrauded unless the mortgage professional demonstrates that such violation is not material.

(e) Definition- As used in this section, the term `mortgage professional' includes real estate appraisers, real estate accountants, real estate attorneys, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, mortgage underwriters, mortgage processors, mortgage settlement companies, mortgage title companies, mortgage loan originators, and any other provider of professional services engaged in the mortgage process.'

My mom's a realtor, I'd hate to see her spend her life's savings trying defend the price of a home in a court of law, specifically with the absence of any 'hard' definitions of what "over-selling" really is. But this might not be the bill you were referring to...

As to the former, the link was relatively easy to find:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-190&version=is&nid=

Note the creation of regulatory oversight, the elimination of the so-called 'golden parachutes,' and much of the same language on the requirement to report fradulent loans.

[KevinTBrown]

Ok, so now what excuse will McCain use to not go to the debate? A deal is very close to being done. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown)

[C-Cool]

A great magazine cover or the greatest magazine cover?

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/obamacover.jpg

Greatest magazine cover.

Ever.

:biggrin:

[Buzz Dixon]

Greatest magazine cover ever.

[Infra-Man]

Ok, so now what excuse will McCain use to not go to the debate? A deal is very close to being done. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown)

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/mcckh1.jpg

[Kid Kamikaze10]

A great magazine cover or the greatest magazine cover?

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/obamacover.jpg

Dang close to the greatest.

[Royal]

A great magazine cover or the greatest magazine cover?

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/obamacover.jpg

And my monitor got it's first taste of a Whopper.

Thanks.

[Nick Soapdish]

Snideness begets snideness. Like McCain enjoys saying, politics is a tough game, not for the thin-skinned. Well John, now it's getting tough for you, and I gotta ask, how do ya like THEM apples?

http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/ITS/ITS185/ITF085004.jpg



Wow, near the beginning she actually seemed like she was gonna be sick at one point.

And OH! You wanna talk about snide, Nick Soapdish? How's this for snide?



Nobody in McCain's camp at this point deserve any mercy, from snide comments or anything else. :mad:


Deserve?

I just want the Obama campaign to take the high road. And taking a shot when making a point like that reminds the listener (or reader) that you're still playing politics and not just trying to solve the problem.

Schumer saying that having the two candidates present would be a distraction = good.
He can point out that both are likely going to be trying to score political points by being the hero and their respective parties would do the same in support. Meaning no end to the problem.

Schumer volunteering that McCain hadn't been around and has only made unhelpful remarks = bad

Just my opinion, of course.

You can't forget what you never knew.

But he invented the Blackberry!

[Charles RB]

I just want the Obama campaign to take the high road.

Being on the high road can leave a campaign on the defensive - and right now, McCain needs to be the one on the defensive or he'll have a chance to look on-the-ball again. I say Obama should do more stuff like "the President needs to be able to focus on more than one thing".

[Sabrinaset]

Obama staff denies GOP votes for early voting sites deal. (http://www.post-trib.com/news/lake/1184162,lcvote.article)

By John Byrne. :biggrin:

[section 8]

Being on the high road can leave a campaign on the defensive - and right now, McCain needs to be the one on the defensive or he'll have a chance to look on-the-ball again. I say Obama should do more stuff like "the President needs to be able to focus on more than one thing".
That would be a great play!

I agree, Obama can only be nice for so long.

[Briareos]

Must see video on the housing crisis and how the democrats completely were wrong about it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgctSIL8Lhs

[Nick Soapdish]

Being on the high road can leave a campaign on the defensive - and right now, McCain needs to be the one on the defensive or he'll have a chance to look on-the-ball again. I say Obama should do more stuff like "the President needs to be able to focus on more than one thing".

I absolutely agree with Obama making that remark. In fact, it was in my initial reply as the good response. But then I switched to make the contrast using just Schumer's remarks.

[Nick Soapdish]

Must see video on the housing crisis and how the democrats completely were wrong about it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgctSIL8Lhs

If only the Republicans had been in a position to do something about it.

[Suzanne]

Actually, I think McCain's calls to abandon the debat and return to Washington are more an attempt to try to spin it like HE'S the one who is serious about fixing this mess while Obama cares only for getting elected.

It's a shallow attempt to say "look at me, I'm WORKING for the American people!"

The problem is that in today's world of internet connectivity, wi-fi, air travel, and video conferencing it isn't as necessary for everyone to be in the same place to make decisions anymore -- and McCain forgets that.This is purely a political move, nothing more. How the hell is postponing the campaign and the debates seriously going to accomplish anything? It makes him look like a chickenshit...which, actually, is OK with me :evilsmile:

[KevinTBrown]

Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to do a search to get some real numbers of those who probably aren't getting polled. As Pip has mentioned previously, the polls include "likely voters" (those who have voted in the past 2 elections) and have a landline. So basically, the majority of those under the age of 26. Odds are a good majority of those under the age of 30, because of not having a landline.

Oh, and these are 2006 numbers, so the numbers won't be 100% and I'll also include those who were under 18 in '06, but they'll be very close. So what were the numbers I found? Here we go:

15 to 19 years, estimated population was 21,697,322 (margin of error is +/-31,241)
20 to 24 years, estimated population was 20,955,536 (margin of error is +/-31,780)
25 to 34 years, estimated population was 39,905,599 (margin of error is +/-37,861)


The '06 totals in population for those 3 age groups, age groups that probably are not getting pollled, is 82,558,457!

Now then, the ages today would be between 17 to 36, so I would think a decent guess is that 60% of that total is between 18 and 30. 60% is 49,535,074.

49.5 million people more than likely NOT being polled. But of that 49.5 million people, how many are registered to vote? And which way are they going to vote? It's been proven that Obama has a very young base.... and 18 to 30 is that base.

We'll see on November 4th. But don't believe the polling numbers.... if anything, they're far better for Obama than they're showing.





Link to the site I pulled the numbers from: Go here! (http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on)

[Crowley]

Must see video on the housing crisis and how the democrats completely were wrong about it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgctSIL8Lhs

John McCain was a member of The Senate Committee on Commerce for over the last 20 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUJ_Qn0AHTU

[KevinTBrown]

For all you political junkies, here's a great site: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

[KevinTBrown]

Here you all go, something to make the debate tomorrow night even more exciting to watch: Presidential Debate BINGO! (http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/debatebingo/azc_bingo.html)

:biggrin:

[section 8]

I absolutely agree with Obama making that remark. In fact, it was in my initial reply as the good response. But then I switched to make the contrast using just Schumer's remarks.

So he DID say this?
Way to go Barry!!!

[TomStillwell]

Oh ouch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzc0re_3hQw

[the4thpip]

So he DID say this?
Way to go Barry!!!

Yup, same evening that McCain gave his drama queen speech and pissed off Letterman and flew to Washington to mess up the deal that was already on the table.

[Buzz Dixon]

I remembered this quote today and all of a sudden McCain's choice of Palin made perfect sense:

"Apres moi, le deluge."

[Buzz Dixon]

http://sinfest.net/comikaze/comics/2008-09-26.gif

[Arrogantcur]

I just want the Obama campaign to take the high road.

He stayed on the high road for a long time while the McCain campaign was resorting to endless negative ads and speeches. The result? The outcome of the election was rendered more uncertain, whereas before it looked like Obama would easily win.

Unless McCain will be kind enough to self-destruct somehow, Obama NEEDS to fight back.

Schumer is fond of mentioning that in a campaign, if the other side goes negative against you, you have to hit them back just as hard within 24 hours, and I happen to agree with that. Obama was hit first, he waited a long time before counterattacking, he gave McCain every opportunity to live up to his promise of running a decent campaign.

McCain just wouldn't back off, so now it's time for the gloves to come off and stay off. The alternative is to wind up like John Kerry, who pretty much just allowed the Bush team to beat up his public image all year long without doing anything about it.

[the4thpip]

New Saturday Night Live sketch or actual interview with Sarah Palin?
U-decide!

COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was -- kind of made to -- carry -- I don't know, you know? Reporters --

COURIC: Mocked?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

COURIC: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our -- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia --

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We -- we do -- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where -- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to -- to our state.

[the4thpip]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/umedia/20080926/cp.6afaf82d0f472549a84f09953953eca9

[the4thpip]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/uc/20080925/lbs080925.gif

[Charles RB]

New Saturday Night Live sketch or actual interview with Sarah Palin?
U-decide!

Oh good lord.

Even Father Jack would be embarrassed.

[the4thpip]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/umedia/20080926/cp.0a0041a4a76d4c9b35ae2f1790403ade

[the4thpip]

(The) Obama camp is working overtime -- and, obviously, with good reason -- to press a case that McCain never truly suspended his campaign at all. In a memo sent to reporters Thursday night, Obama spokesman Bill Burton said, "[M]ake no mistake: John McCain did not 'suspend' his campaign. He just turned a national crisis into an occasion to promote his campaign. It's become just another political stunt, aimed more at shoring up the Senator's political fortunes than the nation's economy."

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/09/25/davis/index.html

[LtMarvel]

I know Dan Quayle was a bit of a fool when it came to the campaign and such, but is there a moment that he famously screwed up on?

Is it the Jack Kennedy thing from the 88 debate, misspelling potato... What is it?
They used to run Quayle quotes in national magazines...it was unbelievable what Quayle would say on the record. No wonder Bush 1 liked him; he reminded him of his son...

[the4thpip]

They used to run Quayle quotes in national magazines...it was unbelievable what Quayle would say on the record. No wonder Bush 1 liked him; he reminded him of his son...

He called the Holocaust a dark chapter in the history of the US.

And he famously misquoted the UNCF's slogan as "a mind is a terrible thing to lose" while speaking to them.

[LtMarvel]

A great magazine cover or the greatest magazine cover?

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/obamacover.jpg
Greatest. Can't wait for the mail today.

[the4thpip]

So, how is McCain's gamble paying off?

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows Barack Obama attracting 50% of the vote while John McCain earns 45%. This is Obama’s biggest lead since his convention bounce peaked with a six-point advantage. In fact, on only two days since clinching the Democratic nomination in early June has Obama enjoyed a lead bigger than he has today(...)

New data shows McCain’s lead is down to a single percentage point in Ohio and Florida.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

[Charles RB]

What do you think McCain's doing for an encore?

[KevinTBrown]

What do you think McCain's doing for an encore?

Kicking Palin off the ticket and naming a new VP candidate......

[AaronJ]

I honestly feel sorry for Sarah Palin.

OK, I disagree with her on mostly everything, but she's probably a nice lady. But man, she's just totally out of her league here. And she's making a complete fool of herself on an international stage. She's freakin' incoherent. None of the stuff she says, other than her few sound bytes, make even the slightest bit of sense.

"Sarah Palin" has become the punch-line to pretty much every joke out there. And that can't be fun for anyone. She may be like W, and not pay attention to anything, and honestly think she's doing a great job. And really, I hope that's the case. Because as loathsome as many of her beliefs are, no one deserves that.

And it's only going to get worse.

[Charles RB]

Well, better she goes through that now instead of getting into office and then having it for four years while she helps piss on things.

[AaronJ]

Well, better she goes through that now instead of getting into office and then having it for four years while she helps piss on things.

Oh, trust me: I know.

But it's really just become painful to watch. And she doesn't seem like a vile human being (unlike her running mate). So, I just end up feeling sorry for her.

[Charles RB]

And she doesn't seem like a vile human being

Does to me, what with the instances of tyrannical and bullying behaviour, and trying to cover up evidence of same.

[AaronJ]

Does to me, what with the instances of tyrannical and bullying behaviour, and trying to cover up evidence of same.

Maybe I'm just influenced by the fact that I think she's hot. :)



But it was hilarious watching Olbermann and Maddow last night. I mean, what a 24 hours for the McCain/Palin campaign. Jeez.

And I watched Letterman for the first time in probably a decade. Holy crap. Do NOT lie to Dave. Not a good thing. No, not at all.

[the4thpip]

Maybe I'm just influenced by the fact that I think she's hot. :)




Sadly, I think that is the main thing holding up what approval ratings she has for many Americans.

[TCJohnson]

Palin Failin' 2: The Couric Boogaloo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ

Sarah Palin is dumber than a sack of nails...not because she doesn't know this stuff. A lot of people don't know this stuff, including me and many on this board. But she really thinks we can fake her way through this stuff and nobody would know.

[Infra-Man]

I honestly feel sorry for Sarah Palin.

OK, I disagree with her on mostly everything, but she's probably a nice lady. But man, she's just totally out of her league here. And she's making a complete fool of herself on an international stage. She's freakin' incoherent. None of the stuff she says, other than her few sound bytes, make even the slightest bit of sense.

I'm kinda feeling sorry for her too, but not much. She got herself into this mess and should have declined the offer.

There are a lot of people who think she's a dope after she's bombed interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric (like being knocked out in a pillow fight). The people who don't think she's a dolt are extremely partisan and have their blinders on and earplugs in, don't know their elbows from their asses, or are irrational fanboys and fangirls.

She clearly just doesn't have the chops to play on the national stage. So even though she may have more executive experience than the other candidates, it's clear that the quality of one's experience counts much more than the type of one's experience.


EDIT:
Sarah Palin is dumber than a sack of nails...not because she doesn't know this stuff. A lot of people don't know this stuff, including me and many on this board. But she really thinks we can fake her way through this stuff and nobody would know.

For real. I want my leaders to be able to talk about policy in an informed way. I expect them to be exceptional people rather than normal people.

The last thing I want in a president or vice president is someone who comes across as the kid who didn't study for the midterm.

[AaronJ]

Sadly, I think that is the main thing holding up what approval ratings she has for many Americans.

Possibly. She does have that "I'm your best friend's very nice mom" thing going for her.

I'm kinda feeling sorry for her too, but not much. She got herself into this mess and should have declined the offer.

True enough.

OTOH, though, I'm sure she was exhilarated, and probably thought she could really do it. What gets me, though, is it's been what, a month-ish since she was chosen? Has no one in the McCain campaign prepped her at all? No one told her not to use that stupid Russia line? No one told her the questions she would be asked? I just don't get it. It's like they just picked her, then shut her up, realized they were getting hammered for doing that, and sent her out there, hanging her out to dry.

She clearly just doesn't have the chops to play on the national stage. So even though she may have more executive experience than the other candidates, it's clear that the quality of one's experience counts much more than the type of one's experience.

Yep.

And like I said, it's only going to get worse. Now that she's been allowed to open her mouth (boy, wasn't that nice?) she's in big trouble. There's a lot that she's going to be called on.

But still, being the punch-line can't be fun. Although, I guess it distracts from how idiotic McCain is most of the time.


ETA: She sounded SO nervous in that Couric interview. You could hear that nervous flutter in her voice. Just painful.

[Charles RB]

Has no one in the McCain campaign prepped her at all? No one told her not to use that stupid Russia line? No one told her the questions she would be asked?

They started that line about Russia, so...

[AaronJ]

They started that line about Russia, so...

*headdesk*

[the4thpip]

*headdesk*

If you had x-ray vision, you'd be seeing China through your desk!

[Infra-Man]

True enough.

OTOH, though, I'm sure she was exhilarated, and probably thought she could really do it. What gets me, though, is it's been what, a month-ish since she was chosen? Has no one in the McCain campaign prepped her at all? No one told her not to use that stupid Russia line? No one told her the questions she would be asked? I just don't get it. It's like they just picked her, then shut her up, realized they were getting hammered for doing that, and sent her out there, hanging her out to dry.

That weirds me out too. You've been prepping her and training her with your best handlers since she was picked and this is what she's like? The regular reader of any high-falutin' politics/arts/culture magazine could at least provide an okay and relative informed response to many of the questions she's fielded.

And like I said, it's only going to get worse. Now that she's been allowed to open her mouth (boy, wasn't that nice?) she's in big trouble. There's a lot that she's going to be called on.

But still, being the punch-line can't be fun. Although, I guess it distracts from how idiotic McCain is most of the time.


ETA: She sounded SO nervous in that Couric interview. You could hear that nervous flutter in her voice. Just painful.

Yeah. I guess in the VP debate there won't be much one-on-one tussling between Palin and Biden--probably the best for both of them, actually. Palin doesn't have to get called out on her ignorance, Biden doesn't have to be aggressive (and hopefully won't run his mouth and say something Bideny) and can let Palin damage herself when she talks.

Personally, I think McCain's pick of Palin just emphasizes his idiocy. If John McCain 2000 had a time machine, he'd Hulk out beat the living crap out of John McCain 2008.

*headdesk*

This is more appropriate:
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5698/facepalinci9.jpg

[AaronJ]

If you had x-ray vision, you'd be seeing China through your desk!

LOL


But honestly, why did they do that?! Why didn't Palin answer the foreign policy question with something like "Yes, it's true I don't have the sort of foreign policy resume as someone like John McCain, but I'm very good at learning. More importantly, I'm excellent at dealing with people on an individual level. I feel confident and excited about this, and see it as an opportunity" ?

[the4thpip]

LOL


But honestly, why did they do that?! Why didn't Palin answer the foreign policy question with something like "Yes, it's true I don't have the sort of foreign policy resume as someone like John McCain, but I'm very good at learning. More importantly, I'm excellent at dealing with people on an individual level. I feel confident and excited about this, and see it as an opportunity" ?

That's pretty much what Laura Bush said about Palin's foreign policy experience, and it worked much better than the official talking points.

[LtMarvel]

So, how is McCain's gamble paying off?



http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
www.electoral-vote.com :

Obama 286, McCain 252

Without the statistical ties,

Obama 259, McCain 163 (270 needed to win)

Obama picks up CO, IA, and NM that Bush won last time. (Obama potentail pick ups that are statistically tied: WA, NC, MO, FL, OH, and IN; McCain potential pick ups that are statistically tied: MN, NH)

[the4thpip]

I am not 100% convinced that McCain will carry Arizona.

[AaronJ]

I saved that Facepalin poster. That is freakin' hilarious.

[LtMarvel]

I am not 100% convinced that McCain will carry Arizona.
9/14 poll: McCain 56, Obama 39 in AZ.

It may be possible that McCain will only carry one neighbor state (Utah) depending on how NV plays out.

Obama may will win all of IL's neighbors except KY.

[TCJohnson]

I'm just amazed that Obama is ahead in Virginia right now.

[Buzz Dixon]

But honestly, why did they do that?! Why didn't Palin answer the foreign policy question with something like "Yes, it's true I don't have the sort of foreign policy resume as someone like John McCain, but I'm very good at learning. More importantly, I'm excellent at dealing with people on an individual level. I feel confident and excited about this, and see it as an opportunity" ?Ooh! Ooh! I know! I know!






Because she's an idiot.

[Buzz Dixon]

For those of you who can't afford a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 or a a bag o' boo, here's something to kill your brain cells:

http://www.cbs.com/thunder/player/thunder.php?pid=TaI1gdyHuii_YH_LiRsF6qR0wv7wQXIa

[Buzz Dixon]

The Joker weighs in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1X6RQLZtoA

[Charles RB]

Because she's an idiot.

So if she had said that, she'd be lying anyway?

[Charles RB]

The Joker weighs in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1X6RQLZtoA

Ha!

(Ha. Ha. Ha. Haaaaaa...)

[AaronJ]

Because she's an idiot.


See, I don't know that that's true. Sure, I think she is pretty much a dingbat. But she probably can speak at least semi-intelligently on various issues she actually knows about, like hunting moose. :)

She's just out of her league. It would be like a physics professor interviewing me on quantum mechanics. I know just enough to make myself look totally foolish.

BUT, give me a month with "handlers" who actually know about quantum mechanics, and I could at least answer mostly softball questions.

That's what I don't get.

[KevinTBrown]

See, I don't know that that's true. Sure, I think she is pretty much a dingbat. But she probably can speak at least semi-intelligently on various issues she actually knows about, like hunting moose. :)

She's just out of her league. It would be like a physics professor interviewing me on quantum mechanics. I know just enough to make myself look totally foolish.

BUT, give me a month with "handlers" who actually know about quantum mechanics, and I could at least answer mostly softball questions.

That's what I don't get.

She can't even handle "softball questions" like the ones she got from Katie Couric.... All that happened is she stumbled over her words and tripped over her tongue.

[KevinTBrown]

By the way, because I don't want this to get lost in "the shuffle", I'm quoting what I posted last night:

Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to do a search to get some real numbers of those who probably aren't getting polled. As Pip has mentioned previously, the polls include "likely voters" (those who have voted in the past 2 elections) and have a landline. So basically, the majority of those under the age of 26. Odds are a good majority of those under the age of 30, because of not having a landline.

Oh, and these are 2006 numbers, so the numbers won't be 100% and I'll also include those who were under 18 in '06, but they'll be very close. So what were the numbers I found? Here we go:

15 to 19 years, estimated population was 21,697,322 (margin of error is +/-31,241)
20 to 24 years, estimated population was 20,955,536 (margin of error is +/-31,780)
25 to 34 years, estimated population was 39,905,599 (margin of error is +/-37,861)


The '06 totals in population for those 3 age groups, age groups that probably are not getting pollled, is 82,558,457!

Now then, the ages today would be between 17 to 36, so I would think a decent guess is that 60% of that total is between 18 and 30. 60% is 49,535,074.

49.5 million people more than likely NOT being polled. But of that 49.5 million people, how many are registered to vote? And which way are they going to vote? It's been proven that Obama has a very young base.... and 18 to 30 is that base.

We'll see on November 4th. But don't believe the polling numbers.... if anything, they're far better for Obama than they're showing.





Link to the site I pulled the numbers from: Go here! (http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_DP5&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on)

[KevinTBrown]

Flip-flopper flips again: He'll be there. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080926/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_debate)

:biggrin:

[Buzz Dixon]

Ah, then the American economy must be fundamentally sound once again.

[AaronJ]

Ah, then the American economy must be fundamentally sound once again.

Oh, snap!


Honestly, I can't believe anyone thought that his announcement was a good idea. That "I have to save the country, so I can't go to the debate" thing was just a disaster waiting to happen.

There's. No. Way. It. Could. End. Well.

I really don't understand the McCain campaign at all. It's one total blunder after another. I mean, regular watchers of West Wing could run a better campaign.

[Infra-Man]

Flip-flopper flips again: He'll be there. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080926/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_debate)

:biggrin:

First he was
http://www.mcdonaldsindia.com/ourfood/nonveg/of_nonv_mcchicken.jpg

now he's
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/20070103mcflurry.jpg


EDIT:
This is great... the first election I've ever followed with great daily interest rather than general interest and it's like I'm watching a slapstick comedy.

[the4thpip]

Flip-flopper flips again: He'll be there. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080926/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_debate)

:biggrin:


And he's prepared, my friends:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/9/26/105843/780

[Infra-Man]

And he's prepared, my friends:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/9/26/105843/780

*ahem*
http://www.princeton.edu/~pkrugman/dewey-defeats-truman.jpg

[AaronJ]

And he's prepared, my friends:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/9/26/105843/780

I LOVE the comments. I hurt myself laughing.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I'm just amazed that Obama is ahead in Virginia right now.

It shocks me ...but the key demographics according to days ago in USA Today has seen a shift in Northern Virginia. Those counties to the North have had people moving in who vote Democrat. They have had an impact as Tim Kaine was elected in by a slim margin 2 years ago.

Here with Obama... the Northern part of the state could likely hand him the entire state as the Southern part cares more about Palin being a mother and McCain being into religion . One quoted she couldn't vote for Obama due to his attending church where his preacher was soo bad.

[Michael P]

John apparently never saw the West Wing election episode.

Go outside, turn around three times, and spit, Senator.

[Typo Lad]

Now, a smart way to spin it would have been to say you were bowing to the will of the people.

Instead, you get a petulant statement.

I just don't get it. Are his handlers utter idiots?

[Michael P]

I just don't get it. Are his handlers utter idiots?

That's the theory I've been running with for a while.

[Typo Lad]

That's the theory I've been running with for a while.
Okay, now that I think about it:

"Mental recession"

"This election isn't about issues."

"Are you going to belittle every decession she's made?"

You're right.

[AaronJ]

Now, a smart way to spin it would have been to say you were bowing to the will of the people.

Instead, you get a petulant statement.

I just don't get it. Are his handlers utter idiots?

Do we even know whether he listens to his handlers in the first place? Or can remember what they said?

[the4thpip]

Do we even know whether he listens to his handlers in the first place? Or can remember what they said?

They showed a guy from the 2000 campaign on CNN last night who said it probably went like this:

John enters a room and says: My friends, we're going to suspend the campaign to focus on the economy crisis.
His advisers will discuss it and then may advise against it. McCain will listen, nod, and do it anyway.

[Typo Lad]

Do we even know whether he listens to his handlers in the first place? Or can remember what they said?
Considering at one point, they were saying various proxy's didn't speak for the campaign (the entire point of a proxy) and may have even said it about him (I may be misremembering), I would not be surprised.

[AaronJ]

They showed a guy from the 2000 campaign on CNN last night who said it probably went like this:

John enters a room and says: My friends, we're going to suspend the campaign to focus on the economy crisis.
His advisers will discuss it and then may advise against it. McCain will listen, nod, and do it anyway.

Considering at one point, they were saying various proxy's didn't speak for the campaign (the entire point of a proxy) and may have even said it about him (I may be misremembering), I would not be surprised.

Sounds about right. Both of these.

Then again, this is the same campaign that hired Carly Fiorina -- CARLY FIORINA -- of all people. For freakin' god's sakes! Honestly, forget the candidate, forget the party, forget the platform, forget Palin, forget everything: If the ONLY fact I knew about the campaign were that they had hired Carly, I would automatically vote for the "other guy" sight unseen.

[Typo Lad]

Then again, this is the same campaign that hired Carly Fiorina -- CARLY FIORINA -- of all people. For freakin' god's sakes! Honestly, forget the candidate, forget the party, forget the platform, forget Palin, forget everything: If the ONLY fact I knew about the campaign were that they had hired Carly, I would automatically vote for the "other guy" sight unseen.

I think the logic went like this:

"Sure, she tanked HP/COMPAQ - but it's not like we'll be doing any mergers."

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Now, a smart way to spin it would have been to say you were bowing to the will of the people.

Instead, you get a petulant statement.

I just don't get it. Are his handlers utter idiots?

Yes.... I believe they are idiots . I mean explain the Sarah Palin decision. He meets her 1 day and BOOM instant VP pick. Nevermind she had less experince than Obama who they rode hard over. Then she makes the softball Katie Couric questions look like she was grilled by Keith Olberman .

They could have picked someone who had experince. They could have found some female republican who had experince and knew the issues. Instead they picked a MILF Republican who they felt would win the Hillary voters. They never did any research into her or found out if she actually was smart enough to handle the job.

[AaronJ]

I think the logic went like this:

"Sure, she tanked HP/COMPAQ - but it's not like we'll be doing any mergers."

I want to laugh at that, but just can't bring myself to do it.

OK, I laughed a little. But I really ha^^ ... dislike that woman. And the fact that she thinks she is the best executive of all time and did nothing wrong ... ugh. And she got $21 million for her (their) troubles.

It's nauseating.

[Infra-Man]

btw... here's the Stewart/Colbert Entertainment Weekly cover embiggened for your pleasure...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/25/colbert_4.jpg

[K-DoG7p7]

Assult Rifles Are Not Belt Feed!!!
Rage!!

[Infra-Man]

Assult Rifles Are Not Belt Feed!!!
Rage!!

Tell that to the New Yorker cover they're recreating
http://gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_arts_john/071408obamanewyorker.jpg

[the4thpip]

First change in a month in RCP's "no toss ups" map:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=10

[K-DoG7p7]

Tell that to the New Yorker cover they're recreating

Ok

http://gothamist.com/attachments/nyc_arts_john/071408obamanewyorker.jpg

Assult Rifles Are Not Belt Feed!!!
Rage!!

[Infra-Man]

Ok

Assult Rifles Are Not Belt Feed!!!
Rage!!

Well played.

Sarah Palin/Miss South Carolina Mash-Up
Here's something scary (in a funny way) and funny (in a scary way):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLhVGDy-ZXc

[the4thpip]

After complaining loudly to fill-in guest Keith Olbermann on Wednesday night's show, Letterman was still slamming McCain on Thursday. "See these chairs right here?" Letterman asked his audience, pointing to some empty seats. "That's because we like to have folks come out and visit. And one of the people who was going to come and visit with us last night was Senator John McCain -- what a tremendous hero ... and a tremendous role-model -- and he was supposed to be on the show."

"So at the last minute he calls up," Letterman continued, "and he says, 'Ah, I can't make it. ... The economy is about to crater.' ... He says, 'I have to race back to Washington, DC.' ... Right away, I say, 'Whatever you need to do' -- because am I going to be the reason people are standing in breadlines?"

Letterman explained that he was initially understanding when he found out that McCain had not yet left New York but was in an interview with Katie Couric, because "that's news and this is nonsense," but he was far more upset when "we find out today, he didn't really leave until this morning."

As the audience groaned and booed in sympathy, Letterman continued, "You can see, 24 hours ago, I felt like a patriot. I felt like I was helping out. ... And now, I'm just feeling like an ugly date. ... I feel used. I feel cheap. I feel sullied."

"It's like you're getting a call from Batman," Letterman concluded. "'Love to talk, got to go, Dave. Gotham is about to go belly-up.' ... Well no, it's like he stopped off, had a facial."

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Letterman_slams_McCain_for_second_night_0926.html

[the4thpip]

Just got this email:

Please take two seconds to cast your vote!
PBS has an online poll posted asking if Sarah Palin is qualified. Apparently
the Republicans knew about this in advance and are flooding the voting with YES
votes.
I know -- it's only a poll. But it will be reported on PBS, picked up by
mainstream media and can influence undecided voters in swing states.
Please do two things -- takes 20 seconds.
1) Click on link and vote yourself.
Here's the
link:http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

<http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

>

2) Then send this to every single Obama-Biden voter you know, and urge them to
vote and pass it on.
The last thing we need is PBS having to say our viewers think Sarah Palin is
qualified.

[the4thpip]

Conservative columnist tells Palin: "Bow out"


In a column published Friday, Kathleen Parker writes:

As we've seen and heard more from John McCain's running mate, it is increasingly clear that Palin is a problem. Quick study or not, she doesn't know enough about economics and foreign policy to make Americans comfortable with a President Palin should conditions warrant her promotion ...

Palin's recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who Is Clearly Out Of Her League.

No one hates saying that more than I do. Like so many women, I've been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I've also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is exhausted.

Palin filibusters. She repeats words, filling space with deadwood. Cut the verbiage and there's not much content there ... If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself.

If Palin were a man, we'd all be guffawing, just as we do every time Joe Biden tickles the back of his throat with his toes. But because she's a woman -- and the first ever on a Republican presidential ticket -- we are reluctant to say what is painfully true ...

McCain can't repudiate his choice for running mate. He not only risks the wrath of the GOP's unforgiving base, but he invites others to second-guess his executive decision-making ability ...

Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first.

Do it for your country.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDZiMDhjYTU1NmI5Y2MwZjg2MWNiMWMyYTUxZDkwNTE=

[Corrina]

I used to have some admiration for McCain.

Then he decided to pick a VP based on less information than most employers require to hire you for an entry-level job.

This week, it's been "Oh, can't campaign, economy is in trouble. But must ditch Letterman for the serious Katy Couric. Oh, wait, economy is better now, apparently, so I'll go to the debate."

Huh?

Chuck Dixon went on a rant once about McCain's quick temper and scattershot decision-making. I absolutely see what he means now. This is a guy who I'm supposed to trust? And he makes decisions that ping-pong all over the damn place?

I already have an incompetent President. I don't need an ADD president.

ETA: I saw this story on CNN. Now, I hate Kathleen Parker. But it can't be good if a conservative stalwart is not happy with Sarah Palin:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

[Samurai]

Just got this email:
Thanks for posting, I voted.

So, where's the poll to ask if the even less qualified, less experienced Barack Obama is ready to be President?

[the4thpip]

Thanks for posting, I voted.

So, where's the poll to ask if the even less qualified, less experienced Barack Obama is ready to be President?

They had lots of those - they were called the primaries. And there is another big one coming up in early November.

[Infra-Man]

So, where's the poll to ask if the even less qualified, less experienced Barack Obama is ready to be President?

It's quality of experience, not quantity or kind of experience, that counts. She has more executive experience than either candidate, but it's clear she doesn't have an informed or intelligent opinion about national and foreign policy.

Besides, even when Obama gaffes and bumbles, it's not as bad as this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1PXHqrSp58

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvUsdmqGYV8

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpb7z_PjbAs

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRHkYN3hXkw

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTJXtwJn050

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8__aXxXPVc

or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npUMUASwaec

etc.

And she's only been on the national stage for how long?

[Jake V]

Thanks for posting, I voted.

So, where's the poll to ask if the even less qualified, less experienced Barack Obama is ready to be President?

It took place a few months ago. You might have heard about it, it was called the "primaries"

I believe the "yes" votes had the majority.

[Arrogantcur]

I honestly feel sorry for Sarah Palin.

OK, I disagree with her on mostly everything, but she's probably a nice lady. But man, she's just totally out of her league here. And she's making a complete fool of herself on an international stage. She's freakin' incoherent. None of the stuff she says, other than her few sound bytes, make even the slightest bit of sense.

"Sarah Palin" has become the punch-line to pretty much every joke out there. And that can't be fun for anyone. She may be like W, and not pay attention to anything, and honestly think she's doing a great job. And really, I hope that's the case. Because as loathsome as many of her beliefs are, no one deserves that.

And it's only going to get worse.

I'd feel sorry for her as well, diana_fan, if it weren't for the following...

A) her convention speech, as well as her own continuing insistence on ridiculing Barack Obama. As long as she is making fun of people, I believe she deserves to be the victim of mockery herself. Karma, far as I'm concerned.

B) Somebody posted a link to this article (http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/23/palin/index1.html), I think it was the4thpip. It shows she really is far from being a "nice lady."

And I watched Letterman for the first time in probably a decade. Holy crap. Do NOT lie to Dave. Not a good thing. No, not at all.

Yeah, honorable guys like McCain (http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1836937,00.html) really shouldn't lie because it makes them into...oh, what's the phrase I'm looking for?....ah yes, "hypocrites of epic proportions."

To John McCain, honor means telling the truth, doing the right thing rather than the easy thing and putting America's needs ahead of your needs.

That's what the article says, but that's inaccurate. John McCain tells you that's what honor is to him, but it's just talk. Either that or he has a definition of "honor" that he knows doesn't apply to him, and just guiltlessly accepts the fact that he's a lying sack of shit.

You know what else? I am really sick of even the people he's pissed off, like Dave, talking about him being tortured and about him refusing to be release when there were people ahead of him and his service to the country and so forth.

Just once....JUST ONCE....I want to see somebody whom he has wronged say to him "Listen man, I don't CARE about what happened to you in Vietnam any more. I wouldn't wish what you went through on anybody, but you know what? Being tortured does not entitle you to act like a prick your whole life without anybody calling you on it! Let me tell you, 'my friend', you're being a prick. Either stop it or just retire, because we've all had it with you."

Sadly, I think that is the main thing holding up what approval ratings she has for many Americans.

Sadly, I think you're right. More sadly, I think that's one of the primary reasons she was picked. Not because she's a "maverick", not because of her political views, not even because she's got the same type of plumbing as Hillary Clinton. They're trying to be the next version of Bush/Cheney, and Bush/Cheney has always been about marketing. (For example, Andrew Card saying of the timing of the Iraq invasion ''From a marketing point of view, you don't introduce new products in August.'') And what have advertisers been successfully using to sell products pretty much since the dawn of television? Images of hot women.

Come to think of it, after typing the words "images of hot women" it seems clear to me that Palin was picked more because of how she would look on TV and in photos than anything she might say. The fact that she was prevented from answering a question the other day by a member of McCain's staff and immediately after by McCain himself appears to support my guess here.

The people who don't think she's a dolt are extremely partisan and have their blinders on and earplugs in, don't know their elbows from their asses, or are irrational fanboys and fangirls.

Far as I'm concerned, by gushing over Palin and while ignoring the type of person she is, Novaya's forfeited all rights to criticize people who gush over Claremont's work while ignoring the quality. People in glass houses...

If you had x-ray vision, you'd be seeing China through your desk!

And that would count as foreign policy experience!

Personally, I think McCain's pick of Palin just emphasizes his idiocy. If John McCain 2000 had a time machine, he'd Hulk out beat the living crap out of John McCain 2008.

I'd pay to see THAT! :biggrin:

I really don't understand the McCain campaign at all. It's one total blunder after another. I mean, regular watchers of West Wing could run a better campaign.

He has not blundered enough! Not until over 75% of the map is a lovely shade of blue will he have blundered anywhere near enough! Blunder on, McCain! Don't stop blundering until you've blundered your way to becoming the Walter Mondale of the GOP. You can do it, have faith!

Thanks for posting, I voted.

So, where's the poll to ask if the even less qualified, less experienced Barack Obama is ready to be President?

Oh dear lord...

Even IF Barack Obama had less experience than Sarah Palin (yeah fine, he's never been a Governor or a Mayor. Neither was Hillary Clinton, and I don't see people calling her "inexperienced"), during his four years in D.C. he has not made a total ass of himself. Palin has made a total ass of herself after only a month or so. :rolleyes:

[BnL]

http://thegreatschlep.com/site/index.html

[Buzz Dixon]

There's no Palin decline. There was nothing to decline from. There is no there there but ambition, fundamentalism and a bizarre personal life. And the pressure of her countless lies - especially about her personal life - must be beginning to tell. My own view is that she is such a massive joke she will kill the ticket; but if McCain asked her to withdraw, it would so destroy his own record of judgment, he would also lose. So we have two scenarios: either they struggle on, keep the Schmidt fireworks to distract from reality, and hope that racism and Christianism will somehow get them to the finishing line - or we start all over with Romney. But it's getting too late to switch GOP candidates.

I don't thnk the Palin problem is fixable. She is who she is: an unqualified fundamentalist liar with no nowledge of or experience in national domestic or foreign policy. And McCain had absolutely no idea who she was when he picked her.
This is the weirdest U.S. election year since 1968.

[Royal]

First debate?

Obama by armbar

[Charles RB]

the even less qualified, less experienced Barack Obama

He has had years in state senate and then the federal senate, and he has been chairman of a senate foreign affairs body; he has managed to work with Republicans to get laws past; he successfully won a primary campaign against a more famous opponent, who was expected by all to win. And he does not have the same record of incompetence and corruption Palin has.

How is he less qualified and experienced?

[Corrina]

Oh, pshaw, Royal.

Don't you know McCain already claimed victory?

[Royal]

Oh, pshaw, Royal.

Don't you know McCain already claimed victory?

Those who proclaim victory reclaim defeat

- Eddie Bravo

Obama's political jits is powerful right now.

[Sabrinaset]

First debate?

Obama by armbar

So you're saying Obama is the Black Panther, and McCain is the Silver Surfer? :eek:

[Royal]

So you're saying Obama is the Black Panther, and McCain is the Silver Surfer? :eek:

Don't you mean Spider-Man/Firelord?

[Sabrinaset]

Don't you mean Spider-Man/Firelord?

Nah, that only works if you have Obama continually punching McCain. You specifically said an armbar!

[Infra-Man]

I'd pay to see THAT! :biggrin:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo172/hvigilla/green-hulk-vs-red-hulk-pinup-19-l.jpg

/quick and dirty

[Royal]

Nah, that only works if you have Obama continually punching McCain. You specifically said an armbar!

Ahhh. I'm sorry. My geek, it's not so good.

[king mob]

I'm watching this debate live for the first time & it's amazing viewing, even if McCain is being incredibly cuntish & Obama sounds far too New Labour. One question though; why the buggery bollocks is Obama not ripping McCain apart & making him look like the lunatic he is? Why is Obama being nice?

[Royal]

I'm watching this debate live for the first time & it's amazing viewing, even if McCain is being incredibly cuntish & Obama sounds far too New Labour. One question though; why the buggery bollocks is Obama not ripping McCain apart & making him look like the lunatic he is? Why is Obama being nice?

Neo-Con tend to frame passion and passionate thoughts as politically freverant and insane.

People these days around here want are elected offcials to act like Cybermen.

[king mob]

Neo-Con tend to frame passion and passionate thoughts as politically freverant and insane.

People these days around here want are elected offcials to act like Cybermen.

Gods sake, if this is serious political debate in the US then I'm going to stop slagging off Question Time.

McCain is an idiot, anyone watching this who has a working brain should see thing but Obama needs to rip him apart & make him look thick as shite. McCain is lying his arse off but Obama isn't fucking him up.

For fucks sake America, you can't let McCain win!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Gods sake, if this is serious political debate in the US then I'm going to stop slagging off Question Time.

McCain is an idiot, anyone watching this who has a working brain should see thing but Obama needs to rip him apart & make him look thick as shite. McCain is lying his arse off but Obama isn't fucking him up.

For fucks sake America, you can't let McCain win!

Obama is working McCain..the more outlandish and lies McCain does like the "I'll control spending and have always voted that way" , Obama serves him back with "Well you sure voted and went with your President for 8 years !"

If you notice Obama is laying down plans ..solutions ...possible ways to handle Pakistan , Afganistan and Iraq. While McCain thinks trying to attack Obama's views will work. Instead he offers little to no solutions. If people are smart they'll see that this is a guy with little answers.

[Royal]

Gods sake, if this is serious political debate in the US then I'm going to stop slagging off Question Time.


It is one of the best things you have over us politically.

Please cherish it.

[Charles RB]

If people are smart

That's a big "if".

[SUPERECWFAN1]

That's a big "if".

I know....its a big if.

[Royal]

He Rocked Him! He Rocked Him!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

He Rocked Him! He Rocked Him!

You could see McCain flinch...like "Damn you ...you young punk.."

"You wanna muddle thru the War on Terror ?"

:tongue:

[Royal]

If we cannot sit with Iran and talk, we cannot sit with Japan and talk either. In fact, according if we go with McCain's examples, Japan is a part of the axis of evil!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

If we cannot sit with Iran and talk, we cannot sit with Japan and talk either. In fact, according if we go with McCain's examples, Japan is a part of the axis of evil!

Obama served him his ass ...and McCain had no answer beyond "Henry Kissinger is my friend of 35 years..he never said that..."

You can tell when McCain is struggling with finding solutions . Instead he goes into these stories halfway ....its weird. Between him doing stories and attacking Obama...what plans has he laid down ?

[KevinTBrown]

One thing that bothered me the most about the debate is that Obama said, "you're right", in answering McCain a few too many times.......

Expect the commercial soon.

[section 8]

One thing that bothered me the most about the debate is that Obama said, "you're right", in answering McCain a few too many times.......

Expect the commercial soon.

I think he was just using a degree of tact.

[Infra-Man]

I think he was just using a degree of tact.

That's pretty much what I thought. Which is also why Obama looked at John McCain and addressed him directly throughout much of the debate.

McCain did not once look in Obama's direction.

EDIT:
I thought Obama won slightly tonight and had some great jabs in ("I've got a bracelet too," the mention of the bomb-bomb-bomb Iran moment, bringing up the Spain gaffe, pulling out the Kissinger card). McCain didn't lose his cool and held his own, but he did seem agitated at times.

In the end, I don't think this changed anyone's minds, even the undecideds. Looking forward to the other debates.

[KevinTBrown]

I think he was just using a degree of tact.

I agree...... BUT the McCain campaign will snip snip snip and create something totally different. :rolleyes:

[section 8]

That's pretty much what I thought. Which is also why Obama looked at John McCain and addressed him directly throughout much of the debate.

McCain did not once look in Obama's direction.

EDIT:
I thought Obama won slightly tonight and had some great jabs in ("I've got a bracelet too," the mention of the bomb-bomb-bomb Iran moment, bringing up the Spain gaffe, pulling out the Kissinger card). McCain didn't lose his cool and held his own, but he did seem agitated at times.

In the end, I don't think this changed anyone's minds, even the undecideds. Looking forward to the other debates.

Exactly! For Obama to address only the Moderator, that would be typical of a candidate, and Obama is not a typical politician.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

I agree...... BUT the McCain campaign will snip snip snip and create something totally different. :rolleyes:

*cue Samurai or Brianeos comment, with a lackluster or spinned source in the end of it*

[section 8]

I agree...... BUT the McCain campaign will snip snip snip and create something totally different. :rolleyes:

As is usually the case, If Obama had said "You're Wrong" instead the McCain camp would have used it to make him look combative and deliberately contrary

At least this way Obama maintains dignity.

[KevinTBrown]

I agree...... BUT the McCain campaign will snip snip snip and create something totally different. :rolleyes:

*sigh*

I hate being right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec3aC8ZJZTc

Less than an hour after the debate ended......

[Kid Kamikaze10]

*sigh*

I hate being right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec3aC8ZJZTc

Less than an hour after the debate ended......

Good spinning, McCain... Try as you must...

Now watch as your VP gets annihilated...

[KevinTBrown]

Fact-checking the debate (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080927/ap_on_el_pr/presidential_debate_factcheck)

[SUPERECWFAN1]

*sigh*

I hate being right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec3aC8ZJZTc

Less than an hour after the debate ended......

It works both ways...if Obama is smart he pastes and clips of McCain looking flustered and not talking to his own advisers as an ad. It would nail McCain's so called forgien policy experince ..

[Infra-Man]

Good spinning, McCain... Try as you must...

Now watch as your VP gets annihilated...

A vice president that isn't talking to the press tonight, btw.

[section 8]

*sigh*

I hate being right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec3aC8ZJZTc

Less than an hour after the debate ended......


Kevin, you are breaking the first rule of politics, ( well, second, the first is "don't get caught") But don't let them get to you, as i said, it was inevitable.

[Buzz Dixon]

Kevin, you are breaking the first rule of politics, ( well, second, the first is "don't get caught") But don't let them get to you, as i said, it was inevitable.Involves a live male or a dead female, right?

[KevinTBrown]

Involves a live male or a dead female, right?

Or a cigar and blue dress...

[Buzz Dixon]

Overheard a bet between a (white male) comic book store manager and a(n African-American female) customer re the N-bomb.

Customer holds that it will be dropped sometime between now and the election. Question is, by who?

McCain?

Palin?

Palin family member?

Bill Clinton?