Can We Please Flush Joe The Plumber?

In what way is a Doctor & Plumber alike? They both bury their mistakes.

How many plumbers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Three... A boss to tell a plumber, a plumber to tell a helper, a helper to get his electrician friend to do it on the side.

O.k., enough is enough. The man IS a registered Republican (there were stories out that he was not registered to vote, his name was misspelled in the rolls). Even FOX News ran the story that Mr. Wurzelbacher not only does not hold a plumbing license, but has never applied for one, or an apprentice license, for that matter. The also report that he owes the State of Ohio approximately $1200 in back taxes. He voted Republican in the primary.

Even with all of that, McCain won't give up. He mentioned it last night on Letterman, and at a rally in Miami. Sarah Palin, also, is, along with going nutty (sorry, it's the joke-of-the day post, apparently) about ACORN still, is championing her new "Joe".

EVEN SARAH PALIN IS "OVER" IT....

The Alaska governor said the election in 18 days “is the choice between a candidate who will raise your taxes and that threatens our future, and a leader who’s going to Washington to work for Joe the Plumber, as you heard a lot about last night. And I, I begged our speechwriters, ‘Don’t make me say Joe the Plumber, please, in any speeches.’

“And I was asked, ‘Just one time, just at this fundraiser.’”

Palin Stays Sheltered From Most News To Keep From Being "Depressed"

"So North Carolina, I appreciate you all so much, who are here who already get it. You know, maybe I'm preaching to the choir a little bit here, but being here encourages me because I know that I'm not alone and I'll send this message back to John McCain also. At those times on the campaign trail when sometimes it's easy to get a little bit discouraged, when, you know, when you happen to turn on the news when your campaign staffers will let you turn on the news," she said.."

But $15 Million Might Cheer Her Up.
That's the price they're charging the AP/news ofrganizations or copies of the governors emails. But they won't be available until AFTER Nov 4.

Post-Debate Commentary, Part 2

From A Republican Daily Dish Reader:
"Two things struck me as crucially important:...." (click here for full post)

And Another One:
They are killing me. I am a registered Republican. I live in Virginia. But I am clearly not a "Virginia Republican". This ticket and loathesome campaign is a disaster - I haven't left the Republican Party so much as it has left me, at least here in the Commonwealth......" (click here)


And the Washington Post endorses.................................

McCain's Roast of Obama at the Alfred E. Smith Dinner tonight in New York's Waldorf Astoria.



Obama's Roast of McCain.


Click here for McCain's closing statements.
Click here for Obama's closing statements.

You're Right, Racism Charges Against The GOP Are Completely Unfounded. Really.

Will they never learn? Oh.... The Hypocrisy.
Another one from the GOP in Virginia
And Virginia Robocalls, from the GOP AND the McCain/Palin campaign......
Hello. I'm calling for John McCain and the RNC because you need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist Bill Ayers, whose organization bombed the U.S. capitol, the Pentagon, a judge's home and killed Americans. And Democrats will enact an extreme leftist agenda if they take control of Washington. Barack Obama and his Democratic allies lack the judgment to lead our country. This call was paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee at 202-863-8500.

The "New" Voter Intimidation 8:56pm

A (Daily Dish) reader writes:

I live in Charlotte NC, where today is the first day of early voting. I drove by two polling places before 8 this morning and they were both completely mobbed. My husband has driven to two others in his attempt to vote today, and the scene has been so ridiculous that he has given up and will try again next week. At two of the spots where he tried to vote, he witnessed and was approached by two exceedingly aggressive McCain/Palin volunteers who were pulling people out of line, handing out brochures, and telling them "You really need to think carefully about your vote. If you plan to vote Obama, we would ask that you read this material and reconsider your vote."

At one location, after approaching my husband aggressively, these volunteers were forcefully asked to leave by an employee and were told the police would be called if they did not cease and desist. None of this is indicative of anything, obviously. I just thought it was interesting. I have voted in three presidential races since I have lived in Charlotte, and I have never been approached by anyone campaiging so close to a polling location. Desperation, perhaps?

And another one with a slightly better experience, but still words of caution.

Voting Fraud or Registration Fraud? 8:43pm

From Slate:
Evidence of voter-registration wrongdoing is no more a sign of widespread, Obama-sanctioned vote fraud than evidence of minorities being misled and intimidated on Election Day is a sign of official, McCain-sanctioned vote suppression. What's the real point of turning voter-registration shenanigans into "one of the greatest frauds in voter history"? The object here is not criminal indictments. It's to undermine voter confidence in the elections system as a whole. John McCain wants to build a better bogeyman, and he needs your help to do it.

John McCain's Anger Problem. 2:07pm

(McCain) Playing Not To Lose

"This is an important point. There is a basic rule in any competition, and elections are no different. If you assume that all you really need do is show up and wait for the other side to fail, you will lose and probably quite embarrassingly at that. McCain never made the case for himself, because he assumed that he would be the default winner once the public decided Obama was unprepared. Whether......" (click title for rest)

In addition, RedState.com has Brad Smith saying it's over.

The Daily Dish Pundit Debate #3 Roundup

One stop shopping for a summary of the reactions.

Why WRIGHT is WRONG

This Is A Gem!

Paul Krugman, who just won the NOBEL PRIZE FOR ECONOMICS, 2008, in his article in the New York Times, September 19, 2008, says about John McCain's Better Health Care at Lower Cost for Every American (Sep/Oct issue of Contingencies):

Here’s what McCain has to say about the wonders of market-based health reform:

Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation.

So McCain, who now poses as the scourge of Wall Street, was praising financial deregulation like 10 seconds ago — and promising that if we marketize health care, it will perform as well as the financial industry!

MORE ACORN

12:40am
I have to reiterate things sometimes, and now, it's about the ACORN deal, AGAIN.
I know TPM is very liberal, but still; it's bottom line information, that is not, not not gettign mentioned. CNN, who is usually very good; has been the worst culprit here; being extremely misleading. ACORN is an organization that gets their money from grants, etc. So they have a vested interest in meeting their "quotas". They are operating, often, in inner city neighborhoods, and relying on "volunteers" or people they pay based on performance. So is there a massive left wing conspiracy to rig an election through ACORN? Um, I'm going to say not likely, because if you register Kentucky Fried Chicken at 123 Sesame Street, Anytown, USA, then I'm doubtful KFC's showin' up to vote. It has been stated repeatedly that this is massive voter REGISTRATION fraud, NOT VOTER fraud. Those are very different. Historically, there has been no evidence of ACORN related mass voter fraud, in any election. These are, usually, very low income people out signing people up to get paid. It's unfortunate that it gets turned it to this massive Obama conspiracy.
From the link:

"That's not because ACORN hasn't submitted hundreds or even thousands of fraudulent registration forms in several crucial swing states. They have -- though it's worth noting again that in many states, they're required by law to submit any forms their canvassers collect.

But to reiterate the main point: according to experts, fraudulent registration forms almost never lead to lead to fraudulent voting. If ACORN submits a form with the name Mickey Mouse, Mickey is unlikely to show up to vote on election day.

In other words, there's a crucial distinction between voter registration fraud and voter fraud -- and there's essentially no evidence whatsoever of the latter."

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008

9:01pm
Today's Polls. The NYT/CBS News Poll isn't the only one in double digits.




7:55pm
SPIDERS FOR OBAMA!

5:24pm
I've Been Saying This For Over A Week.
It is absolutely crazy that the "Chicago Man of the Year" who was awarded money by ANNENBERG; a Nixon ambassador and major Republican contributor, who also worked with a bipartisan foundation, and is a distinguished Professor at a University. Why isn't the dean that hired him under attack? What about every other Professor in his department? What about the students that take his classes? The parents that pay for those classes? I could go on. I don't need to, Andrew Sullivan takes it over.....

"Republicans Who Fund Bill Ayers

I think Obama's relatively weak but nonetheless real interactions with William Ayers are a legitimate campaign issue. But Obama's best response, after telling the facts of the relationship, is to point out who else supported him. Republican machers Walter and Leonora Annenberg gave the former terrorist $50 million. They also gave money to Rick Santorum, Strom Thurmond and Mitt Romney. Annenberg was Nixon's ambassador to Britain. If Obama is "palling around with terrorists," the Republican Annenbergs are funding them.

Yesterday, the McCain campain put out a press release boasting that Leonore Annenberg had just endorsed him for president. Why is McCain happy to accept the endorsement of a funder of terrorism?"

BARACK OBAMA'S ECONOMIC SPEECH 10.13.08

Please see comment for full speech text.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008.... CONT.

"Oh.... SNAP", as I just heard this referred to.
Michelle Malkin, self described Conservative Journalist, who just yesterday posted a story about the "false narrative" created by Obama supporters, making fun of the supposed "mobs", saying, Oooh, it's "scaaaary", and Oh "Please.". WELL, today, here's what she has to say, in her post entitled: "SIGH: McCain and his friends at....... ACORN." She says:

"If you want to know why see-sawing John McCain has had to be goaded, prodded, begged, and dragged into spotlighting Barack Obama’s radical ACORN roots, here’s your answer:

Turns out John McCain had no problem calling ACORN members his friends during his ill-fated illegal alien shamnesty crusade.

Ugh."

NOW, in yesterday's post, where she is particularly furious with conservatives and Republicans speaking out against McCain's perceived endorsement of the hate fueled campaign rallies, she does show quite a few TERRIBLE things that have been posted; said, etc. about McCain, Palin, and even Bush. I "rebuke", "reject", and all of the other proper words that should be used to distance oneself from many of these things. I do NOT think that a horribly inappropriate bumper sticker or photo "collage" is the same as incendiary riot inciting comments of "terrorist", "kill him", etc. Particularly when those statements are not IMMEDIATELY disowned. SEE MY COMMENT FOR MORE...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2008

8:16pm
THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
Ta-Nehisi Coates Shares What Brought Him To Tears Today.
"Seriously guys sometimes we forget. Here's a note from a reader:

My father (85 year old African-American and, in fact, a "public
intellectual" who helped coin the phrase "African-American" 40 years
ago, a phrase we now take for granted on our census forms) and his wife
(77 old European-American, the term they both hope will replace "white"
someday, and life-long civil rights activist and academic) voted this
morning in Atlanta, GA. My stepmother emailed me this morning to tell
me about their experience, early voting, getting "fragile elderly"
treatment from the poll-workers, wishing she could kick up her
septuagenarian heels after casting her vote.

I sat in my office, reading her email, and wept. Then, I went down the
hall to my colleague's office, sat down, and wept. After seven decades
of constant struggle, my father walked into that booth and knew that his
life's work was now done. My stepmother can think of every person who
secretly and not-so-secretly thought of her as some kind of race
traitor, smile and think "I told you so!"

Obama will win, I'm sure he will. But today, my parents did. I am so
deeply, deeply grateful."
2:04pm
BILL MAHER'S NEW DEBATE RULES.
12:36pm
McCain YouTube Video; McCain declines to disown Obama-Osama comparison.
12:30pm
Florida Republicans start distancing themselves from McCain campaign.
"Even Gov. Charlie Crist, who helped deliver Florida for McCain during the primary, said he will be spending more time minding the state's weak economy than campaigning for the Arizona senator in the final weeks before Election Day."
10:56am
AN "OBAMA MONKEY" YESTERDAY AT A PALIN RALLY?
Yes folks, it is true, and here is the YouTube video to prove it. As Ta-Nehisi Coates says; it is not the one lone nutcase that is the problem; the world is full of wackos. It is the CROWD that allows it to happen.
"I wasn't going to post about this guy with the Obama monkey-doll. Then I watched the video again, and noticed something. There is nothing troubling about one lone racist nut in a crowd. What's troubling is the crowd. Dig how they just look on and smile uncomfortably. No one confronts him. This is the banality of evil, no? It isn't the guy doing the deed. Its the enablers who give comfort and haven to spew his hatred. On one level, I'm thankful for them. Anyone, who wants to now say that an Obama election proves that racism is dead will have to contend with this last week. And it isn't the nuts that this person must contend with---it's the crowds, the crowds who silently, and sometimes not so silently, just stand by and let it happen. They are all, to a man, cowards."


10:43
EPIC FAIL.
Andrew Sullivan calls out the overall result of the o-bomb-a-palooz-a with this link to an ABC News.com article. In his previous post, he refers to Bill Kristol's hypocritical article from yesterday calling for McCain to go positive. This after calling for McCain to go negative, just a few days ago. A gem from the press released snippet of McCain's new speech:
“The national media has written us off.,” McCain says in excerpts released by the campaign. “Sen. Obama is measuring the drapes and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we’ve got them just where we want them.”
10:35am
Is McCain going to pull off his new "Feisty" speech?
Mike Allen @ Politico.com thinks "it's more like hitting the panic button".
9:57am
Hearing A Lot About Reagan, Lately?
Larison on "The Power of Myths".

TIME FOR SOME FACT-CHECKING.
Because at this point, a small percentage will be making the decision; (those that are committed are committed, but there are still plenty of those that are susceptible to manipulation, by both sides.
I feel these are all very important things to know the truth behind; because they will come up, and it's important to set the records straight.
1. William (Bill) Ayers. I have posted a lot about this relationship, and this man (who was named Chicago's CITIZEN OF THE YEAR in 1997, for his work on education. It also mentions ACORN. Click the links of the items and you'll be taken to the official fact-checking entries! Politifact called this a "Pants-on-fire" lie.
2. BORN ALIVE: Gianna Jessen says she'd be dead if Obama had his way. This discusses all of the abortion uproar.
3. TROOPERGATE: Andrew Sullivan is my favorite source; and he has all the links to support his positions. Another link here. The Fact Checker at Washington Post? Here.
4. Obama's Insurance Plan has Mandates for Small Businesses?
5. McCain voted Against a war funding bill because of a timeline clause. This was first marked as "half true", then after being shown the full proof; Politifact changed their finding to True.
6. Obama voted for 94 tax increases? As this says, "not even close". Factcheck.org says this as well.
7. McCain's health plan leaves you to pay health insurance tax? Barely true, and misleading.
8. Obama's Fannie Mae Connections. Also, don't forget, when the totals are tallied; Obama received more from friends & family of Fannie/Freddie employees, but McCain received MUCH more from directors & lobbyists, bringing his grand total HIGHER than Obama's.
9. Obama is going to raise your taxes. Or Obama is raising taxes on families making $42,000 a year. This has been going on since the summer; he is still wrong.
10. Obama supported sex education for kindergartners. Wrong on so many levels, Politifact agrees, another "Pants-on-Fire" lie.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008

11:56pm
I Talked About This Guy Before.
Andy Martin, the brains behind the "Barack Obama is a Muslim". What a gem. I posted about this myself here, in the section about Hannity's Expose. Linked article above; NY Times,
9:14pm
Beep, Beep: Road Runner lets McCain blow up
Barack Obama's strategy of calm is provoking his rival into fatal errors
Andrew Sullivan's article in The Sunday Times. Here's a part, but worth reading the whole story.
"Obama rarely directly attacks. He subtly baits. His most brilliant rope-a-dope of the entire campaign was against Bill Clinton in the spring. In a newspaper interview, Obama cited Ronald Reagan as the last transformational president. He didn’t mention Clinton. The former president was offended by being implicitly dissed, took the bait and unleashed a series of unwise public scoffs at the young Democrat, culminating in a dismissal of Obama as another Jesse Jackson. Suddenly, black Democrats abandoned Clinton’s wife, and the Clintons’ base collapsed. Obama merely stepped out of the way as the Clintons self-destructed. He didn’t just end their campaign; he helped to bury their reputation."
5:29pm
MILITARY WIVES FOR OBAMA
My brother in law David Turner, (Dayton, OH) sent me a link to this VIDEO, and WEBSITE. It was sent to him by a woman whose husband works at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Please pass this website along to anyone concerned with Obama and the military; or to anyone, actually. There are pamphlets, a Fact Check section; it is an informative site.

SARAH PALIN NEEDS TO EXPLAIN.
The New York Times is publishing a story this Sunday, 10/12/08, (by Frank Rich, the cartoon to the right by Barry Blitt), about Race & the campaigns.
WHY WOULD PALIN USE A QUOTE FROM A RACIST, ANTI-SEMITE?
The speech was written by Matthew Scully, Sr. speech writer for George W. Bush. The quote, about small-town America, was attributed to a "writer". The quote was from a "writer", Westbrook Pegler. I do not think that Ms. Palin knew whom she was quoting, but what would the motivation be to use a quote from someone so divisive? Pegler called for the murder of Robert Kennedy; here RFK, Jr. reacts to the VP acceptance speech containing the small town quote from Pegler. This unfortunately makes me think that there has been a more sinister and caluclated plan by the McCain campaign operatives to subversively propogate this message of fear and racism. How sad.
10:44pm
Click HERE for video of Sarah, Willow & Piper dropping the puck at a Philly Flyers hockey game tonight. Judge for yourself; most are saying they were booed; and Fox reported thatPalin announced at an earlier rally that she was putting Piper in a Flyers jersey because "How dare they boo Piper!"

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009

9;53pm
McCain Rejects Rev. Conrad's Davenport Statements
See statement by McCain's Midwest Regional Communications Dir.
8:05pm
NEW YORKER's Call To McCain.
7:55pm
McCain Regains Rally Focus On Issues; Not Personal Attacks.
""As people are trying to stay in their homes, keep their jobs and afford health care, is what they want for us, to yell at each other?" he asked. "No. They want us to sit down together, Republican and Democrat, to work through this terrible time of crisis."'
7:52pm
GOD WANTS MCCAIN TO BE PRESIDENT.
According to Rev. Arnold Conrad at a McCain rally in Davenport, IA.
""I would also pray, Lord, that your reputation is involved in all that happens between now and November, because there are millions of people around this world praying to their god — whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah — that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons," Conrad said.
"And Lord, I pray that you would guard your own reputation, because they're going to think that their god is bigger than you, if that happens. So I pray that you will step forward and honor your own name with all that happens between now and Election Day," he said."

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008

8:40pm
GUILTY
Sarah Palin is found guilty on counts two and four; abusing her power and failure to comply with the request for emails. (10 Republicans, 4 Democrats comprised the committee).
9:50pm
MCCAIN'S CAMPAIGN: STILL PLAYING THE GAME
Unbelievable. Absolutely un..be..lie..va..ble. Two different McCain campaign staffers bring up the "cling to religion and guns" b.s. McCain spokesman Brian Rogers says:
“Barack Obama’s attacks on Americans who support John McCain reveal far more about him than they do about John McCain. It is clear that Barack Obama just doesn’t understand regular people and the issues they care about. He dismisses hardworking middle class Americans as clinging to guns and religion, while at the same time attacking average Americans at McCain rallies who are angry at Washington, Wall Street and the status quo."
8:02pm
McCain Corrects Crowd, Is Booed; Corrects Again.
John McCain, faced with a woman who said she's scared of Obama, that he's an "Arab", takes away her mike and sets things straight. Not without looking like he was scared to death; I told my husband that he gained back a few of the countless points of character he's lost; he seems to realize how far things have gone and that he has a duty to reign his base back in.




7:04pm
"TIL DEATH DO US PART"
A "love letter" to McCain, but you'll never guess who it's from.
12:45am
McCain's Ties To Group Implicated in Iran-Contra Affair
McCain served on the Board for the U.S. Council for World Freedom as a freshman congressman.
12:52am
Cindy McCain's attack on Obama/claim of PTSD being for "18-year-olds"

Buzz word of the day.
Probably Buzz word of the week.
Acorn's website is here. BARACK OBAMA HAS NEVER WORKED FOR ACORN OR WITH ACORN. He worked for "Project Vote" out of law school, which was NOT affiliated with Acorn.

Obama DID represent ACORN in a lawsuit against the State of Illinois, ALONGSIDE the U.S. Department of Justice. So the U.S. Department of Justice,, using the argument that Obama "defended ACORN", would be just as guilty by association. Attorney's are paid to represent their clients. And those elected to various Boards are often required to serve with those they do not necesarily agree with. Think of a school board, or a City Council.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008

11:58pm
George Will: "McCain and his female Sancho Panza"

11:22pm
Another Conservative: Kathleen Parker calls for Sarah Palin to be muzzled.

10:30pm
Something For Conservatives To Think About: Daniel Larison explains why a McCain win will NOT further the Conservative cause.
" If McCain were somehow to prevail on 4 November, the calamity that would befall the Congressional GOP in 2010 would great and would help to erase all political gains of the previous sixteen years. Those conservatives who do not want to be consigned to the wilderness for the next decade or two need to think about the long-term consequences of a McCain victory, which would be disastrous for conservatives both in policy and political terms in the next several electoral cycles. If his insane mortgage-bailout-in-every-pot plan doesn’t persuade people of that, perhaps the prospect of being the minority party for the next twenty years will. "

8:07pm
Slate.com; Republican Mob Scene; they're energizing the base, alright.

7:23pm
This video deals with what some see as McCain's anger management issues. The next two; lowest common denominators.


7:o1pm
As a friend says, "For the Love of God". I have a few of these videos. (thanks to Daily Dish)
As I say, "OH MY GOD".

The one above; drunk (but "Patriotic") rednecks.

These people below are just f**ing scary. Sorry.


6:19pm
TIME: The Obama Surge: Will It Last?
I got a LOT of work done today. I have NOT kept up on this, however!! Thanks to Don Abbott for finding this. According to Joe Klein, it WILL.

1:35pm
Meant to do this all day.
Google Goggles, as in, "beer goggles". If you're so trashed that the email you are typing to your ex, your boss, your secret crush, the policeman that just pulled you over..... then this feature is designed to stop you from successfully sending that message you'll regret tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2008

DEBATE #2 RECAP/Notable items for 10/8/08

8:55pm
#8. See new video below; Obama spokesman Gibbs and Hannity go at it; Hannity doesn't fair too well (in my opinion).

7:26pm
#7. I NEED TO POINT THIS OUT AGAIN. I don't understand why nothing has been done about Hannity and his having Andy Martin do the "expert" "documentary" on Obama. The fact that the Anti Defamation League (ADL.org) has NOTHING on their site about this man who as an attorney in New York filed so many frivolous lawsuits he was banned from filing more without prior permission, and: (is this not slander?)

In a New York bankruptcy case, he referred to a judge as a "crooked, slimy Jew." During the bankruptcy dispute, he filed a civil-rights lawsuit claiming Jewish bankruptcy judges and lawyers were conspiring to steal his property. He asked a court to bar "any Jew from having anything to do with plaintiff's property."

In another motion in the case, he wrote: "I am able to understand how the Holocaust took place, and with every passing day feel less and less sorry that it did, when Jew survivors are operating as a wolf pack to steal my property."

3:35pm
#6 Campaign Rally: McCain
"Across this country, this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners and the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent."

11:02am
#5. DES MOINES DEBATE-WATCHERS FEATURED IN A NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE! This was brought my attention by Kelli Griffis; who was quoted here. Iowans rule, no doubt about it.

10:50am
#4. "New Financial Definitions"
I'm posting something I received from Mike in my office. It's a (humorous) "dictionary" of financial term- I've posted it as a "comment", click comments below.

10:45am
#3. ROLLING STONE: MAKE BELIEVE MAVERICK (Wow- this packs a pretty hefty punch)

10:38am
#2. Andy McCarthy, The National Review, "You Guys Are Nuts" (He is an ultra-conservative)
"With due respect, I think tonight was a disaster for our side. I'm dumbfounded that no one else seems to think so. Obama did everything he needed to do, McCain did nothing he needed to do. What am I missing?"

9:33am
#1. Daniel Larison, (Eunomia Blog on amconmag.com)
"If someone is not very proficient at lying and smearing his opponents and gives the impression that even he knows what he’s saying is nonsense, that somehow proves that he is honest and decent at heart. The correct view is exactly the opposite–if McCain knows the truth, doesn’t really believe what he’s saying and tells lies unconvincingly, that is evidence of the far deeper corruption of the man. Instead of being badly misguided or misinformed, he willfully says things that he knows have no merit or that he knows are unworthy of anyone in his position. In short, being a bad smear artist does not make someone ethical or honorable; it makes him unethical and incompetent. " Click here for full post.

"THAT ONE"

Take what you want from the statement "that one", but TPM was all over the handshake that wasn't tonight, after the debate. And when you hear CNN's voice over; it does seem pretty clear McCain can't bring himself to deal with Obama personally. I call it a Dennis The Menace complex; grumpy old man, I don't think it was racial at all.
UPDATE: Andrew Sullivan posted a picture of them shaking hands at the very end while still in front of Brokaw (remember they were in front of his teleprompter? And Andrew rechecked his DVR and confirms this; so I'm also removing the TPM video. You can link to it above, because it still shows some disdain, in my opinion, but it makes more sense why there was not a handshake.

DURING DEBATE #2

9:42pm
ROUND UP TIME
READ MY LIPS: HOOVER WAS NOT THE LAST PRESIDENT TO RAISE TAXES IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES: (FROM cbsnews.com)
"McCain: Wrong on Hoover
McCain: "My friends the last president to raise taxes during tough economic times was Herbert Hoover..."
Not true. The National Bureau of Economic Research says the recession in the 1990's began during the administration of the first President Bush and lasted from July 1990 to March 1991. U.S. Treasury says President Bush raised taxes in October, 1990."

LOOK WHAT ANDREW SULLIVAN JUST POSTED. I'M SPEECHLESS.
"10.33 pm. This was, I think, a mauling: a devastating and possibly electorally fatal debate for McCain. Even on Russia, he sounded a little out of it. I've watched a lot of debates and participated in many. I love debate and was trained as a boy in the British system to be a debater. I debated dozens of times at Oxofrd. All I can say is that, simply on terms of substance, clarity, empathy, style and authority, this has not just been an Obama victory. It has been a wipe-out.It has been about as big a wipe-out as I can remember in a presidential debate. It reminds me of the 1992 Clinton-Perot-Bush debate. I don't really see how the McCain campaign survives this."
9:29pm
What don't you know? Obama: Great humor about Michelle. Women didn't react as well, though. Food stamps: unbelievable with women, steadily rising with men. At the very top, flat lining at the top, actually with women. WOW WOW WOW
McCain: "what I don't know is what the unexpected will be". Isn't that the definition of "unexpected"? Audience isn't buying his poor me story. But the women like his great country schtick. Another with the "steady hand at the tiller". Wha?

9:25pm
RE: Israel: Good personal moment with McCain with the military audience member. But EVERY TIME he criticizes Obama the CNN approval #'s go DOWN. Again w/"my friend". And copying the Holocaust! Again, my friend!
Obama: A quick dip, now he's up; almost to the top. he talks directly to the person asking the question. Not wandering. This is good. Goes down when he starts to get technical.
THE MEN ESPECIALLY RESPOND WELL TO THE MEETING W/O PRECONDITIONS. The McCain slam on this is not working, especially with women.

9:16pm
Obama going steadily up on his Afghanistan response. Let's watch McCain: a ski slope downslide when McCain takes over the Afghanistan question. And goes down more, especially with MEN, when he starts on the "Obama was wrong on Iraq" (my friends). And he just said "workin'". He's been around Palin too long.

9:13pm
Obama played the "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran". Good strong response. McCain just asked permission, which 538 chided Obama for.

9:05pm
What a mistake; McCain. He's said "my friends" in 15 seconds. He doesn't answer the question he talks about Iraq again. Cool hand? Uh, that would be Obama. Talking about humiliation is not a good doctrine. Talking about Marines dying at the hands of poor government; blood? This is doing ok with the response meter but it was going down hill for a while. he copies Obama's Holocaust and Rwanda.

9:03pm
Obama Doctrine: GOOD move bringing up the Holocaust and Rwanda. He's making the point that he is NOT against military action. Even the most ardent peace-seekers can't argue with that one. The world cruelty, good. Can't be everywhere, good. Darfur. He's hitting it out of the park. he's at the top of the response meter; the women love Obama.

8:54pm
No one laughed at McCain's gold plated Cadillac hair plug joke.

8:27pm
Women's score just went way up as Obama was talking. As Andrew Sullivan said, Obama looks old. It's not his fault; but he's sort of meandering around the stage and seems a little disjointed.

8:13pm
John McCain: Says Barack Obama was 2nd highest recipient of money from Fannie/Freddie. That was from friends & family of employees. When you factor in money from Fannie/Freddie DIRECTORS and LOBBYISTS, McCain received over $190K, Obama: about $139K.

Ok, between my daily posts and the debate posts that I'll start in about an hour; a video on YouTube from TPM------ "How Low Can You Go", starting with both John and Cindy McCain's promises not to go "negative". Did they keep the promise? Not so much.

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

7:04pm
THE DANGER OF OBAMA
I resisted putting this in to words; my heart sinks at the thought of something happening. But it's being said; and I fear that the wrong person will also hear it as a call to action. If any harm comes to Senator Obama, I hope John McCain and Sarah Palin realize their responsibility in it.


5:07pm
NOT FLATTERING TO OBAMA, BUT SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
Daniel Larison comments about Rev. Wright and Ayers; and how Barack Obama seems to be more style than substance.

12:42pm
REACTIONS TO THE CURRENT CLIMATE and
CHILLING PHOTO LINK
Common sentiments expressed by a Daily Dish reader. Plus a link to the photos of the kids mentioned below. Andrew Sullivan rightly calls this "Crossing the Line".


12:36pm
HATE SPEECH
We need to be afraid, very afraid. For what this country is doing to itself, and for our candidates and their families. Yesterday, when McCain said "who is the REAL Barack Obama", someone shouted, "TERRORIST!", at a Palin rally yesterday, the media was booed and had things thrown at them. When Palin brought up the "pallin' around with terrorists" line; a member (members) of the crowd shouted "KILL HIM!!!".
Now today; they're shouting "TREASON!". Andrew Sullivan posted pictures that sent chills up his spine of 2 boys with Obama t-shirts that had red x's spray painted over Obama's photo.

10:39am
HANNITY'S EXPOSE
Going to try to do something different today--- we'll see how it goes.

I did not see this, but Hannity had an "expose" on Obama Sunday night, in Prime Time. It featured Andy Martin, who prefaced misleading and often fabricated statements about Obama with "in my opinion", and sometimes, "in my expert opinion".
In the New York Times article yesterday, it said:
"Mr. Martin came under strong attack from liberals on Monday. Many noted that the Republican Party of Florida decided against backing his bid for the State Senate in 1996 after receiving documents from his Congressional race 10 years earlier in Connecticut listing the purpose of one of his political committees as “to exterminate Jew power in America and to impeach the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals in New York City.”
It also states that Martin had a failed attempt to be the Republican challenger to Obama in his 2004 Senate Race. So it appears he has been unable to successfully run a campaign in Illinois, Connecticut AND Florida.

The Palin's And The Alaska Independence Party

Click the title link for the video of Sarah Palin addressing the AIP convention; 3 months ago; and telling them to "keep up the good work".

Some interesting points from Alaska Independence Party website:

The platform of the AIP is, as one would expect, centered on Alaskan issues. Although it is widely thought to be a secessionist movement, the Party makes great effort to emphasize that its primary goal is merely a vote on secession, something that Party advocates say Alaskans were denied during the founding of the state. A plebiscite was, in fact, held in Alaska at the state's inception in 1958, but AIP members argue that voting was corrupt and that residents were not given the proper choice between statehood, commonwealth status, or complete separation -- something they say has been granted to other U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico.

Ideologically, the AIP is considered to be a hybrid of conservative Republicanism, populism and libertarianism. Among the issues advocated by the party: the direct popular election of the state attorney general and all judges, the right to keep and bear arms, the privatization of government services, the right to home schooling by parents, and a constitutional amendment to ban property taxes. The AIP, following Vogler's infamous confrontations with officials from the National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, remains steadfastly opposed to environmental regulations and actively promotes the private ownership and widespread development of Alaskan land.

Todd was a member of the AIP party for almost seven years, according to the Director of the Alaska Division of Elections.

Best Theory Of The Day

Ok, I was going to take a posting break and finish what I'm doing so I can leave at a decent time, but, this couldn't wait.
Daniel Larison's post from an hour ago dealing with Sarah Palin's (perceived?) newly affected folksiness had this great statement (click the title for the full post)

"Assuming an increase in aggregate folksiness, there are two realistic explanations: Palin has reverted to old habits of speech as crutches to cope with the additional pressure of being in the national spotlight (we can call this the SNL Theory of Increasing Adorability), or she has simply emphasized existing habits of speech that she has always had. "

My money's on SNL.

MY SOUL-MATE!!!

Or, I'm not the only one in the world completely obsessed with this election.
LT

Quote Of The Day

From FiveThirtyEight.com, re: Nebraska (i.e., there are 538 electoral votes).

..."the Eastern portion of the state, is also theoretically winnable for Obama. He'll get crushed, meanwhile, in Western Nebraska. If John McCain has a nervous breakdown and replaces himself on the ticket with Jack Abramoff, Obama might win 537 electoral votes -- with Western Nebraska being the holdout."

Tax Profs Agree: Gov. Palin's Tax Returns Are Wrong

McCain's Health Care Plan: Medicare and Medicaid Spending To Be Reduced To Help Pay For Tax Credit

Karl Rove's Electoral College Map

If McCain wins ALL of the 102 "toss up" states on Rove's map, Barack Obama still wins. (Rove shows Obama at 274 now, McCain 163, and "toss up"s 102.

Update: 10/6/08 1:30pm CST:

McCain's Epitaph?

From the NY Daily News ...

McCain's course correction reflects a growing case of nerves within his high command as the electoral map has shifted significantly in Obama's favor in the past two weeks.

"It's a dangerous road, but we have no choice," a top McCain strategist told the Daily News. "If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we're going to lose."

--Josh Marshall

Mortgage Crisis And Barack Obama's Responsibility

Thank you Andrew Sullivan. Barack Obama wrote a letter to Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson about the looming mortgage crisis in March, that is, March 1007; over a year and a half ago. From the letter.....

"We cannot sit on the sidelines while increasing numbers of American families face the risk of losing their homes.

And while neither the government nor the private sector acting alone is capable of quickly balancing the important interests in widespread access to credit and responsible lending, both must act and act quickly...

[A] consortium of industry-related service providers and public interest advocates may be able to bring quick and efficient relief to millions of at-risk homeowners and neighborhoods, even before Congress has had an opportunity to act. There is an opportunity here to bring different interests together in the best interests of American homeowners and the American economy. Please don't let this opportunity pass us by."

Click on my "comment", below, to read the full letter.

What About Keating? Wonder No Longer.

TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE

There is parody. There are jokes. Then there are things that play right in to RACIST, FEAR-MONGERING, HATEFUL hands.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS.

I'm sorry, Rev. Wright, in his years and years and years and years of sermons, says "God Damn America" because he feels it is still racist and prejudiced and unfair? But sermon after sermon in American's Fundamentalist churches preach damnation to all that to do not believe exactly as they do (so to each other, because each fringe denomination is the only "right" one). Just last week we learn about Baptist Ministers violating the laws that keep churches non-profit entities, ordering their congregations to vote for McCain/Palin. There are masses of delusional people that believe that Barack Obama is Satan, that Sarah Palin is a modern day messiah. This is not exaggeration, I have posted on this.

My post Palintology talked about Democrats missing the boat on issues that are fundamental to the Republican mindset, but that most "liberals" often don't understand. ingroup/loyalty, authority/respect, and purity/sanctity. That the Democratic desire for multi-lingual, diversity, anti-authority individualism erodes our ability to be the United States. To feel a part of a tight group, "Americans". How is this garbage supporting ingroup/loyalty? authority/respect? And especially, purity/sanctity??

Get Energy Smart! Now! has a good retort to many of the "claims". I do NOT accept that this is pure comedy. If something like this was done against a Hispanic Republican; it would be just as aggregious.

If You Don't Support Me You're Going To Hell

AP Slams Palin For "Racially-Tinged" Remarks

AP Slams Palin Hard for “Racially Tinged” Remarks

“…her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subtext that John McCain himself may come to regret.”

“Palin’s words avoid repulsing voters with overt racism. But is there another subtext for creating the false image of a black presidential nominee ‘palling around’ with terrorists while assuring a predominantly white audience that he doesn’t see their America?”

“Whether intended or not by the McCain campaign, portraying Obama as ‘not like us’ is another potential appeal to racism. It suggests that the Hawaiian-born Christian is, at heart, un-American.”

“When the 2008 campaign is over McCain might regret appeals such as Palin’s perhaps more so if he wins.”

SOME SWING STATE/BATTLEGROUND MATH!

I should be outside.
Ok, the 11 "swing states/toss-ups/battlegrounds", per www.270towin.com,(great interactive map, by the way). Are: Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia.

I am going to consider North Carolina, Missouri, and Indiana MCCAIN. I am going to consider Minnesota to be Obama.

That leaves Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia. (Before I get arguments; if Obama gets NC, great, icing; and I'm sorry, I can't imagine McCain with Minnesota. SurveyUSA is the ONLY poll that has EVER, EVER, EVER shown McCain as a contender. RCP avg. including the Survey USA McCain +1, shows the last McCain positive poll back in early MARCH. And Intrade has the state 80/22 Obama. Also, re: Missouri/Indiana; while they're remotely possibly, they're both polling +McCain; and Intrade trade doesn't even show trading on those states. So again, icing; but not likely, at this point).

So: the remaining SIX, CO, FL, NV, NH, OH & VA.

1. Colorado; went from +4.4 RCP yesterday to just +3.0 today; and Intrade dropped a fraction as well. 69/31.
2. Florida; Holding steady at +3, but no new polls released yet intrade, 53.5/45
3. Nevada; RCP no new data, still +1.8, but Intrade bumped up 2% overnight, 62/37.
4. New Hampshire; OBAMA, +5.6, no new polls but Intrade is at 74/29.9
5. Ohio; RCP went from +2 to +3 overnight; and intrade held steady, 58/45.
6. VIrginia, +2.4 still, no new polling data, intrade stayed the same, 55/46.

So, giving NC, MO & IN to McCain, MN to Obama;
If Obama ONLY wins Ohio; and McCain gets CO, FL, NV, NH, and VA; it's 280/258 Obama.

If Obama only gets NH & NV, A TIE.

If Obama gets NH, NV and CO; the top three per Intrade, then it's Obama 278/260.

I think it's highly unlikely Obama will lose NH and NV. That leaves Colorado, where he has a slight decline in the polls and on Intrade. But Ohio is very much in play, and I think with Ohio, there was a lot of "down to earth" issue; that Obama was not connecting with, and coming across as elitist. I think the Ohio Democrats and Independents held out for a long, long time, but if they've made the switch; I don't necessarily see them turning back. Now the flow of nasty attack ads that will be barraging the airwaves in these states will be mind boggling; but Obama has a tremendous amount more money. But there are only 4 more weeks; and every little bit counts. It's going to take Obama SEVERAL ads to deal with a single McCain/527 ad; particularly ones that target race, terrorism, and taxes.

Defending The Little Starbursts

Yet on a completely different level.

DANGEROUS "SWIFT BOAT" ATTACK

Though it was brought up in the primaries; and by one organization in August, now the man behind the actual John Kerry "Swift Boat" 527 campaign, Harold Simmons, that some say lost the 2004 election for Kerry, is the sole donor funding a campaign to link Barack Obama with William (Bill) Ayers.

Ayers helped form Weatherman, and in 1981 was likely in part responsible for the Brincks Robbery that killed two policemen and a Brincks security guard.

From the title link, the following quote (from New York Times):

"If Barack Obama says he’s willing to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions,” Mr. Hayden said, “I can imagine he’d be willing to talk to Bill Ayers about schools. But I think that’s about as far as their relationship goes.”

It does appear Obama has downplayed involvement with Ayers, who now a major educational advocate in Chicago. Ayers was one of three co-authors that won almost $50 million for Chicago from the Annenberg Foundation in 1995. Later, Obama served on the the Woods Fund of Chicago, an anti-poverty and philanthropic organization, which Ayers was also a member of.

While it is legitimate to investigate connections and their chances of influence; I think the above quote makes the best point. As a leader, meeting with those whose past or present actions you disdain does not equal endorsement. I do not think it is in dispute the tremendous benefits Ayers has had on educational reform, funding, and philanthropy in Chicago. While it does not erase the actions, or legitimize his past, the fact that Ayers has been willing to stay in the public eye to advance positive goals, even in the face of rejection, shows that there can still be inherent good in people.

Just as the Rev. Wright attacks caused many supporters to withdraw their support of Barack Obama, so too can this latest connection; and so close to the election as to cause real harm. So, as always, information and research is extremely important, to make up your own mind on this issue and also help others learn as well.

Dick Cheney Speaks About The Bush Administration's High Priority Of Wildlife Conservation

Is there a different Bush adminstration somewhere?

Popping In On The Two Campaigns

Black/White, Night/Day, however you want to describe it, these local ground campaigns are worlds apart.