Funny HaHa

Obama won Maverick County, Texas, 78% (8,554) to 21% (2,316).

I've been waiting for a story like this one to come out today.

Boo! Supporting Obama? No treats for you

Mich. woman shares sweets with only those who back McCain, Palin

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27488353/
GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. - A woman refused Halloween candy to children whose parents support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Shirley Nagel passed out candy Friday on the scary U.S. holiday, but only to those who shared her support for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his vice presidential pick Sarah Palin.

Television station WJBK reported that a sign posted outside Nagel's house in suburban Detroit served this notice to children seeking treats: "No handouts for Obama supporters, liars, tricksters or kids of supporters."

Nagel told WJBK that "Obama's scary." When asked about children who were turned away empty-handed and crying, she said: "Oh well. Everybody has a choice."

A little info from the Washington Post about taxes

Palin, Alone Aboard the Bus

http://men.style.com/gq/blogs/gqeditors/2008/10/palin-alone-abo.html

This blog entry definitely projects sympathy for Gov. Palin, and I feel it.

Barack Obama is a socialist? McCain, Palin on record supporting similar proposals as Democratic rival

From The New Yorker
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27397938/

Note the hypocrisy:

For her part, Sarah Palin, who has lately taken to calling Obama “Barack the Wealth Spreader,” seems to be something of a suspect character herself. She is, at the very least, a fellow-traveller of what might be called socialism with an Alaskan face. The state that she governs has no income or sales tax. Instead, it imposes huge levies on the oil companies that lease its oil fields. The proceeds finance the government’s activities and enable it to issue a four-figure annual check to every man, woman, and child in the state. One of the reasons Palin has been a popular governor is that she added an extra twelve hundred dollars to this year’s check, bringing the per-person total to $3,269. A few weeks before she was nominated for Vice-President, she told a visiting journalist—Philip Gourevitch, of this magazine—that “we’re set up, unlike other states in the union, where it’s collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs.” Perhaps there is some meaningful distinction between spreading the wealth and sharing it (“collectively,” no less), but finding it would require the analytic skills of Karl the Marxist.

The Making (and Remaking) of McCain

Published in The New York Times Sunday Magazine.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/magazine/26mccain-t.html

I miss Will Ferrell's GWB.

Tonight's Debate

I've caught the last 30 minutes of the Presidential Debate on CSPAN, plus during commercials during the Project Runway finale (Congrats, Leanne!).

All I can say is that McCain comes across as angry and tense.

Better

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081010/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_angry_crowds;_ylt=A9G_Rnem7.9IYfEAmwGpg9IF

Much better. I just hope Gov. Palin gets the memo as well.

McCain booed after trying to calm anti-Obama crowd

By PHILIP ELLIOTT and BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writers 48 minutes ago

LAKEVILLE, Minn. - The anger is getting raw at Republican rallies and John McCain is acting to tamp it down. McCain was booed by his own supporters Friday when, in an abrupt switch from raising questions about Barack Obama's character, he described the Democrat as a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

A sense of grievance spilling into rage has gripped some GOP events this week as McCain supporters see his presidential campaign lag against Obama. Some in the audience are making it personal, against the Democrat. Shouts of "traitor," "terrorist," "treason," "liar," and even "off with his head" have rung from the crowd at McCain and Sarah Palin rallies, and gone unchallenged by them.

McCain changed his tone Friday when supporters at a town hall pressed him to be rougher on Obama. A voter said, "The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight." Another said Obama would lead the U.S. into socialism. Another said he did not want his unborn child raised in a country led by Obama.

"If you want a fight, we will fight," McCain said. "But we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." When people booed, he cut them off.

"I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," he said. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."

Presidential candidates are accustomed to raucous rallies this close to Election Day and welcome the enthusiasm. But they are also traditionally monitors of sorts from the stage. Part of their job is to leaven proceedings if tempers run ragged and to rein in an out-of-bounds comment from the crowd.

Not so much this week, at GOP rallies in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida and other states.

When a visibly angry McCain supporter in Waukesha, Wis., on Thursday told the candidate "I'm really mad" because of "socialists taking over the country," McCain stoked the sentiment. "I think I got the message," he said. "The gentleman is right." He went on to talk about Democrats in control of Congress.

On Friday, McCain rejected the bait.

"I don't trust Obama," a woman said. "I have read about him. He's an Arab."

McCain shook his head in disagreement, and said:

"No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with (him) on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about."

He had drawn boos with his comment: "I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

The anti-Obama taunts and jeers are noticeably louder when McCain appears with Palin, a big draw for GOP social conservatives. She accused Obama this week of "palling around with terrorists" because of his past, loose association with a 1960s radical. If less directly, McCain, too, has sought to exploit Obama's Chicago neighborhood ties to William Ayers, while trying simultaneously to steer voters' attention to his plans for the financial crisis.

The Alaska governor did not campaign with McCain on Friday, and his rally in La Crosse, Wis., earlier Friday was much more subdued than those when the two campaigned together. Still, one woman shouted "traitor" when McCain told voters Obama would raise their taxes.

Volunteers worked up chants from the crowd of "U.S.A." and "John McCain, John McCain," in an apparent attempt to drown out boos and other displays of negative energy.

The Secret Service confirmed Friday that it had investigated an episode reported in The Washington Post in which someone in Palin's crowd in Clearwater, Fla., shouted "kill him," on Monday, meaning Obama. There was "no indication that there was anything directed at Obama," Secret Service spokesman Eric Zahren told AP. "We looked into it because we always operate in an atmosphere of an abundance of caution."

Palin, at a fundraiser in Ohio on Friday, told supporters "it's not negative and it's not mean-spirited" to scrutinize Obama's iffy associations.

But Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania an author of 15 books on politics, says the vitriol has been encouraged by inflammatory words from the stage.

"Red-meat rhetoric elicits emotional responses in those already disposed by ads using words such as 'dangerous' 'dishonorable' and 'risky' to believe that the country would be endangered by election of the opposing candidate," she said.

Shameful

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/10/1529529.aspx

Completely shameful that Sen. McCain's campaign is DEFENDING these people.

Earlier today, Obama remarked on recent outbursts of "Traitor!" "Terrorist!" and "Kill him!" at McCain campaign events. "It's easy to rile up a crowd," Obama said. "Nothing's easier than riling up a crowd by stoking anger and division. But that's not what we need right now in the United States."

In response, McCain senior adviser Nicolle Wallace released this statement, NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports. "Barack Obama's assault on our supporters is insulting and unsurprising. These are the same people obama called 'bitter' and attacked for 'clinging to guns' and faith. He fails to understand that people are angry at corrupt practices in Washington and Wall Street and he fails to understand that America's working families are not 'clinging' to anything other than the sincere hope that Washington will be reformed from top to bottom."

"Attacking our supporters is a new low for the campaign that's run more millions of dollars of negative ads than any other in history."

*** UPDATE *** McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers adds in another statement: “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."

Nasty! Nasty boy!

The New York Times is calling out the McCain/Palin campaign as "one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/opinion/08wed1.htm

Debate Deux

Here are my overall impressions from the debate.

1. I really don't think anyone won based on the answers. It was all a rehash of the previous debate and no new information was revealed.
   
2. That said, I think Sen. Obama's demeanor was superior. Sen. McCain came across as flustered and snarky, especially with his "that one" comment. He said "my friends" waaaaay too much.
3. Both candidates paid little attention to the time. Brokaw was getting irritated by that.
   
   Now, on the issues:
   
4. Economy - I think Sen. McCain presented more actual ideas on how to fix the economy while Sen. Obama offered an economic strategy.
5. Legislative agenda - Sen. Obama gave definite answers for his legislative priorities, while Sen. McCain waxed on about doing all three at the same time. That hearkened back to Sen. Obama's comments on Sen. McCain's campaign suspension.

   "It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once." - Sen. Obama, CNN, 9/24

6. Spending - A wash. Both pointed out ways in which they would cut spending: Sen. Obama would weed out inefficient or useless programs from the budget and pull back our forces in Iraq, and Sen. McCain would freeze spending except on defense, veterans care, and necessary programs.
7. Social Security/Medicare - Neither candidate clearly answered the question if they would fix this issue within two years of their election. Sen. Obama would aim to fix it in his first term but gave no points on how. Sen. McCain would appoint a 9/11-style commission to produce a solution on which Congress would vote.
8. Environment - No real answer. Both candidates brought the question around to energy.
9. Health care - Sen. Obama says health care is a right, whereas Sen. McCain says health care is a responsibility. I will say that I believe that Sen. Obama's plan is better for all Americans. My husband is fine with either one.
   
10. Foreign policy overall - I believe Sen. Obama came across stronger on this issue. He gave clearer answers than Sen. McCain, whose answers were wrapped more in ideology. I'll break each issue down. (I will go ahead and say that my impression of the foreign policy debate was that Sen. McCain was very frustrated at this point and gave some, in my view, silly answers.)
    
11. Pakistan - Sen. Obama would send troops over into Pakistan is al-Qaeda/bin Ladin were there and Pakistan wouldn't or couldn't do anything about it. Sen. McCain blustered that Sen. Obama was irresponsible. Sen. Obama said, "Nu-uh," to which Sen. McCain replied, "Uh-huh!"
    
12. Afghanistan - Both candidates gave clear answers to this question, which was a first. Sen. Obama would work with Karzai's government and urge them to gain the popular support of the people to counter the Taliban, so the NATO forces would have better success in routing out the Taliban. Sen. McCain would double the size of the Afghan army, streamline the NATO forces, and implement a surge similar to Iraq. (It seems to be his sovereign specific: can't beat 'em? Send a surge! It could or could not work. I really don't know.)
13. Russia - Sen. McCain had a Bush-moment: he had looked into Putin's eyes and saw three letters, K-G-B. That is scary to me. Sen. Obama would provide support to former Soviet satellite states (i.e. Poland and Ukraine, among others) and stressed anticipation of Russia's actions. Brokaw tried to get the candidates to equate Reagan's Evil Empire quote to Russia, but neither candidate bit.
14. Israel - The best question of the night was (paraphrased), "If Iran attacks Israel, will you support Israel or wait for UN approval?" Sen. McCain directly answered the question. He would not wait for UN approval since he believes Russia and China would hold up Security Council deliberations. Sen. Obama didn't answer the question, preferring to stress his view of diplomacy in preventing such actions. I really wished he would have answered it.
15. The best question was followed by the worst: "What don't you know, and how will you learn it?" Both candidates alluded to the future and injected their life story into the answer.

If I were to give the candidates grades, I would give Sen. Obama a B and Sen. McCain a C based upon their answers, my views, and how they responded to the questions.

Tonight's Debate Observations...

Overall nothing groundbreaking. We've heard it all before. I've tried to be fair in my notes, but I am an Obama supporter. Take that as you may.

Who would you name as your treasury secretary?
1. Obama - did not name a possible treasury secretary in his cabinet.
2. McCain - named Meg Whitman, floated Warren Buffett (yeah, right! namedropping!), wants to buy up bad mortgage loans and renegotiate (How would you pay for that? - my husband has informed me that it is part of the bailout)
3. It cracks me up how McCain continuously refers to his campaign "suspension." Heehee!

How will the bailout help people?
1. Another mention of buying mortgages by McCain.
2. McCain - Fannie/Freddie problems were a result of Obama's "cronies."
3. McCain - keeps talking about how American workers are the best in the world and are the fundamental of our economy. I'm out of work. That doesn't help me any.

How can we trust you with our money?
1. Obama - (tying McCain to Bush) Bush took us from a surplus to doubling our national debt, will spend money on health care, energy, and higher education countered with spending cuts.
2. McCain - "consistent reformer" and Washington is broken. Obama is the most liberal big spender in Congress.
3. Here goes McCain calling out earmarks again (1% of our budget). Is there really anything bad about funding $3 million for a projector at a planetarium in Chicago?

Legislative priorities - energy, health care, and one more - which order do you place them?
1. McCain - all three at once, reform
2. Obama - #1 energy (JFK reference with going to the moon), #2 health care, #3 education
3. Obama pointed out the "$4 billion tax break to oil companies," but at least he framed it properly within all tax cuts.

What sacrifices would you ask Americans to make to improve our situation?
1. McCain - eliminate earmarks, spending freeze exempting defense, veterans care, and other priority programs
2. Obama - everyone coming together (9/11 reference) but disproved of Bush's call to "go shop," energy conservation - clean-coal, more drilling (brings up the 68 million acre bit), buy American hybrid cars, doubling Peace Corps, encourage young Americans to volunteer

How would you break habit of debt and easy credit?
1. Obama - Washington needs to set an example, McCain will give CEOs more tax cuts, all should share the burden, use a "scalpel" to cut budget rather than McCain's "hatchet"
2. McCain - last president to raise taxes during economic hardship was Hoover (didn't Reagan raise taxes? I'm not sure what the situation was, though.), says that Obama's tax increases will affect 50% of small businesses, double child tax-exemption
3. Obama wanted to reply to McCain's tax policy claims, but the moderator (Brokaw) will not allow it.

Will you give Congress a date to reform Social Security and Medicare?
1. Obama - can't guarantee in two years, but will aim for first term
2. Obama - tax plan clarification - tax cut to 95% of Americans (actually 81% of all Americans, 95% of families, I believe), most small businesses make less than $250,000, so the tax cut will help them, if we reform the last 8 years of policy we can help reform SS/Medicare
3. McCain - "I'll answer the question." A commission to fix SS/Medicare, then let Congress vote on it, spouting the incorrect "94 times Obama voted to increase your taxes."
4. McCain didn't really answer the question.

How will you get Congress to act quickly on environmental issues?
1. McCain - nuclear power, alternative energies
2. McCain got a bit flustered there.
3. Obama - this an not just a challenge but an opportunity, national security issue, invest in solar, thermal, geothermal, nuclear as a component not main, for 30 years Washington did nothing, incorrect "McCain voted 23 times against alternative fuels," gov't will work with private sector to develop new energy
4. Neither has answered the question.
5. Brokaw is starting to be a smart ass.

Should we fund a "Manhattan Project" for energy or small programs?
1. McCain - gov't turns over to private sector, touting the Bush/Cheney energy proposal that Obama voted for (funded alternative energies), drill, baby, drill
2. Obama - either wasn't allowed a reply or I just missed it

Should healthcare be treated as a commodity?
1. Obama - isn't really answering the question, reminding that his plan will let you keep your current plan or can buy into government plan
2. McCain - also isn't really answering the question, will allow you to buy insurance across state lines

Is healthcare a privilege, right, or responsibility?
1. McCain - responsibility
2. Obama - right for every American, McCain is a deregulator in everything

How will our economic situation affect our ability to be a peacekeeper in the world?
1. McCain - not answering question, judge when it is worthwhile to send our military in, we're a nation of good
2. Obama - also not answering question, McCain wrong on Iraq, Iraq has strained our budget, cites Iraqi surplus (isn't $79 billion), we are a force of good, we're unable to help in places like Darfur because of lack of worldwide respect

"Obama" and "McCain" Doctrines pertaining to peacekeeping not involving national security (i.e. Darfur, Congo)
1. Obama - moral obligations, wobbly argument concerning Holocaust and Rwanda (we could have done something but didn't), we need worldwide respect to do this efficiently
2. McCain - Iraq again...defeat...victory...sheesh, peacekeeper versus peacemaker

How should the US deal with Pakistan and terrorists just inside their border?
1. Obama - should have paid attention to Afghanistan rather than Iraq, expand non-military aid, will take out al-Qaeda if Pakistan won't
2. McCain - (I didn't listen to most of it) Obama is irresponsible, Teddy Roosevelt is now his hero?
3. rebuttal Obama - nu huh, McCain is irresponsible
4. rebuttal McCain - (didn't listen again)

British commander says we are failing in Afghanistan. How will you change this strategy?
1. Obama - work with Karzai government and get them to gain popular support
2. McCain - double size of Afghan army, streamline NATO, surge in Afghanistan

How can we apply pressure to Russia on humanitarian issues?
1. McCain - looked into Putin's soul and saw KGB (if that isn't a Bushism then I don't know what is!)
2. Obama - provide support to former Soviet satellites, anticipate problems

Reagan said Soviet Union is the Evil Empire. Do you think Russia under Putin is?
1. Obama - sorta
2. McCain - won't say yes, so he gets a sorta as well

If Iran attacks Israel, will you support Israel or wait for UN approval?
1. McCain - would not wait, Russia and China would hold us up, League of Democracies (the stupidest idea every in my opinion)
2. Obama - isn't answering the question, diplomacy and other actions first before military

What don't you know, and how will you learn it?
1. Obama - life story time
2. McCain - we don't know the future (?), life story time (wow, no mention of "I was a POW"?)

DAMN!

Rolling Stone has an extremely hard-hitting article on Sen. McCain in their October 16 issue. You can read it here.

I am flabbergasted.