Election Central Sunday Roundup
Bush Now Unlikely To Be At GOP Convention
President Bush will probably not be attending the Republican convention anymore, a last-minute schedule change on account of the imminent landfall of Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast. It's still possible that he could give a speech to the convention, though it would be via satellite rather than in person.
Dem Ticket In Ohio And Michigan
The Obamas and Bidens are continuing their Rust Belt bus tour today, visiting the swing states of Ohio and Michigan. First up is a discussion on the economy in Toledo, followed by a late-afternoon rally in Battle Creek.
GOP Ticket In Missouri Today
John McCain and Sarah Palin are campaigning today in O'Fallon, Missouri, a large suburb of St. Louis, for a rally scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET.
McCain Also Visiting Gulf Coast's Hurricane Preparations
John McCain is also set to visit Jackson, Mississippi, today in order to view the Gulf Coast's preparations for Hurricane Gustav. The hurricane is expected to hit the Gulf Coast during the Republican Convention.
Palin Booed After Praising Hillary At Campaign Event
Sarah Palin's name-dropping of Hillary Clinton, an obvious ploy to win disaffected women who supported Hillary in the primaries, didn't go over so well last night at an event in Pennsylvania. When Palin tried the line out, the right-wing crowd very loudly booed -- not the sort of visual likely to make it into a McCain ad.
Ferraro Praises Palin, Won't Say Who She's Voting For
In an interview with NPR yesterday, Geraldine Ferraro praised Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate, and defended Palin against the accusation that she's not qualified to hold high office. When asked who she was voting for, Ferraro played coy: "When I go into the booth I will make my decision."
Biden Pitches Obama To Working-Class Scranton In New Ad
The Obama campaign has released this TV ad for the Northeastern Pennsylvania media market, featuring Joe Biden talking about his working-class upbringing in Scranton. Biden then says how Obama is very much the same, having been raised in humble beginnings by his single mother and grandparents:
Trashing Ferraro is the best help Palin can get right now. Let's go at it folks, don't hold back.
August 31, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I care less about what Gerry Ferraro thinks at this point than I do Lanny Davis. Proving that there are, in fact, numbers less than zero.
August 31, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not about to trash anyone.
I've finally lost my mind, and I'm filled with a profound feeling of gratitude to *everyone* involved in this year's election.
George W. Bush, for being so incredibly awful that he raised the stakes to infinity.
Hillary and Barack, for being so awesome.
The state of New Hampshire, for keeping things close.
The MSM for making up fake storylines when real ones (briefly) petered out.
Obama's speech, for saying what I've been thinking for eight years, only infinitely better, and stronger, with fireworks, in fron of 80,000 people.
The liberal crowd that cheered Patrick Buchanan for gushing over Obama's speech.
Joe Biden for being incurably hammy.
Sarah Palin for eating mooseburgers and firing automatic rifles.
MoDo for doing *exactly* what we all knew she would do with Palin.
Geraldine Ferraro for doing exactly what we knew *she* would do with Palin.
Hurricane Gustav (booo!! hisss!!) for his impeccably evil sense of timing.
The Gallup tracking poll, for wobbling and weaving.
And all the millions of bit players, too many to name --
Thank you! Thank you! from the bottom of my heart.
August 31, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. I enjoyed that.
August 31, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hurricane Gustav? you mean Hurricane MULLIGAN don't you? The RNC will be having a KATRINA do over for their convention this year
Merle
August 31, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot: John McCain, for being batshit crazy.
August 31, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ferraro is best ignored.
August 31, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Her opinion means nothing, in means LESS than nothing.
August 31, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe the Repubs are pushing this "Alaska is the closest to Russia" meme to excuse a lock of foreign policy knowledge. By these standards, Barak Obama is obviously the more qualified candidate since Illinois is closer to Russia than Arizona. Is this how dumbed-down our political discussion has become?
August 31, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
My jaw will have to be brought back up off the floor when this over - I can't believe this trainwreck of a GOP ticket.
August 31, 2008 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, sadly. Thank Fox. My mom had the audacity yesterday to tell me she is every bit as qualified as Obama. She only watches the unfair and unbalance Fox news.
August 31, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe it's time for an intervention? Friends don't let friends watch Fox and Friends.
August 31, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know Amelie, my husband talked his mother into giving up voting this time since she just can't bring herself to pull the lever for anyone with a D by their name.
She was happy to forget the whole thing.
August 31, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hawaii is the closet to Asia, so Obama wins again.
August 31, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're really good.
August 31, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Ms. Hillton doesn't seem to be holding a grudge, either, since her displayed grasp of energy policy clearly exceeds that of Ms. Palin. Pass over. Perhaps The Lecher McCain would prefer to himself a little brunette action?
August 31, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is a rube, please keep invoking Hillary's name at rallys - nothing will awaken fence-sitting Clinton supporters like a does of reality.
August 31, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
"dose"
August 31, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I liked that they showed on ThisWeek the clip of Palin invoking Clinton's name at a Repub rally and you could hear the boos. Now that's something I hope she keeps doing.
August 31, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think anybody gives a rat's patootie who Ms. Archie Bunker is voting for.
How does saying that help Palin?
August 31, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not only does it not help Palin, but it makes Mrs. Bunker look even more foolish--and I didn't think that was possible.
She is firmly in Joe Lieberman territory, and can be dismissed just as easily.
August 31, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Edith provided the conscience of that show, be nice...
August 31, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Decider can't be bothered with politics at the moment. No, he needs to be managing, getting stuff done. Fool him once while a city drowns, shame on them. Fool him twice...
The networks are going to be running Katrina flashback stories throughout the week. It's the natural, three-year bookend to an administration of incompetence.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 31, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ferraro is just confirming the historical judgement that she was a disastrous VP pick in '84. Expect Palin to make some kind of stupid statement like this in a generation's time.
August 31, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
What astounds me with these lightweight VP fiascos is that there are some extremely well qualified women out there. Yet the GOP, perhaps out of its antiquated bias against women, wanted to pick a younger, supposedly 'attractive' woman instead of a heavyweight with gravitas and experience.
We dodged a bullet with the GOP picking such a laughable amateur. They could have picked 1) a moderate (not the rightwing zealot Palin) and 2) someone with experience. A more credible and centrist choice would have been dangerous. Instead, they went with a fanatic who is against contraception, get this, even among married couples. Who opposes abortion even in the case of RAPE and INCEST. Who believes in creationism but is skeptical of global warming being manmade. And who will no doubt love to show off just how much of a gun nut she is.
I'm very pleased with this trainwreck of a choice. The GOP may have sealed the deal for Barack & Biden.
August 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Where did you read about the contraception deal even with married couples????
I have only heard that one other time from someone and it was my first cousin who had 8 kids and was also totally pissed about Catholic Mass going from Latin to English. If this is true and widely circulated, that is quite damning.
August 31, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
A little bit of googling suggests it's not true. A few bloggers had posted that Palin opposed contraception, but none had any references.
August 31, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Today on ABC with Stephanopoulis Cindy McCain was interviewed and echoed the sentiment that Palin has National Security experience because "Alaska is so close to Russia".
Also McCain is abandoning the experience/celebrity attack, and wants to recast himself as the Maverick once again. He figures he has the chance with Biden on Obama's ticket. With Bush likely skipping the Convention, I wonder if he'll start taking some shots at him.
He still can't run from the fact he voted with Bush 95% of the time last year. And he can't run from this youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5KZzgaB2k
August 31, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's pathetic! It's one thing for some deadender supporter says that; quite another when it's the candidate's spouse.
Geeze...does it hurt to be that stupid?
August 31, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
They did it for Bush -- close to Mexico = int'l experience.
It's more plausible with Mexico, though. Because there's not an OCEAN in between, for one thing.
August 31, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
(((Groan)))
I forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.
August 31, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, in all fairness there's about 2 miles of water between Alaska and Russia... it's close enough that people have talked about creating landbridges across it.
Although the meme does sound pretty goofy at first, there IS a lot of international stuff involved with being the Governor of a state bordering Canada, patrolled by Russian fishing boats a few miles off the coast, and without any direct connection back to the rest of the country.
In addition, with all of the military installations up there, the missile defense crap, and signing off on border issues, she probably does have experience dealing with non-American administrations.
Is this the same as FP trips around the world? No. Is it more international experience than (Bill) Clinton had? Yes.
Tread lightly.
August 31, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
No Way! There is nothing the Alaska Gov does vis a vis Russia that is remotely connected to foreign policy. While Alaska might be geographically close to Russian soil you'd have to go a long way before you found an actual Russian.
September 1, 2008 12:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know, I live just a stone's throw from the Mississippi River. I guess that makes me qualified to be a steamboat captain.
Another argument that they're throwing in is that Alaska is the biggest state. Never mind that it's population is less than a large city, It's BIG!
I hope that Bush at least speaks to the convention via video hookup, and that the crowd starts chanting "four more years'.
Lastly, St. Paul looks like an occupied city today, complete with gestapo-like busts of peaceful protest preparations. It's sickening.
August 31, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh, I'm less than 5 miles from Taos Pueblo - can I be an Indian Chief?
August 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
The race is on! Will McCain change themes as many times as Hillary did during the primaries?
Meanwhile, Mr. Long View keeps on keeping on.
Campaigns aren't perfect proxies, but really, which candidate is the strategic thinker, and which one is caught up in day-to-day tactics? And which of those two approaches is better suited to actually governing as president and dealing with other nations?
August 31, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Orange County
... Disney
... ... ABC
... ... ... Stephanopoulis
... ... ... ... Cindy
... ... ... ... ... AK & Russia
August 31, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gee, could Geraldine Ferraro make it any more clear that she's a racist?
August 31, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, she's got that covered pretty well. It's far beyond partisan, too. To "defend" someone who's less qualified than she was because she's so blinded by her seething antipathy just demonstrates weak and pathetic she is.
Pity.
August 31, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bush is doing McLame a favor by not showing up.
And I'm sure he's not interested at this point in sobering up long enough to make an appearance.
August 31, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
My wife's father, living in and very native of Pennsylvania, is a registered Republican. But he likes Joe Biden.
She talked to her parents yesterday, told them that we're going to see Obama and Biden in Battle Creek, Mich., today. They avoid talking politics, but they seemed excited.
I'm off to stand in line in the hot sun for six hours or so. Will likely report back with some sort of gushing rambling account.
August 31, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. I and I am sure all of us look forward to your account.
August 31, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
co-sign!!!!!
I can't wait to hear about it.
August 31, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Down to the last Barackarate chop.
August 31, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am beat. And back. And waiting for the video to upload to YouTube. Will have to get all my ducks in a row before posting a full account.
Interesting things:
George W. Bush got 10,000 people into the same stadium in 2004. He was president, and there's lots o republicans in the Battle Creek area. Barak Obama brought in 16,000. barakarate!
I had one power bar, some cashews and lots of water between noon and by the time we got home, 10:30 p.m. We did a lot of standing, yelling, walking, sweating. Yet somehow I did not feel hungry. I think I was fed by the good vibes.
Best line that I can remember: Obama, on foreign policy, said he was tired of people "talking tough but acting dumb." He also said he had talked to Chertov about Gustav today. Made it clear that no one should play politics with a potential disaster -- but didn't add to that. I see now that maybe he said that because of McCain's plans and statements about the hurricane.
September 1, 2008 2:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
CNN: Bush and Cheney won't go to GOP convention. That's now official.
August 31, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
The sun is shining on Minnesota today!
August 31, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really. I can stop preparing for the rain of frogs that would have happened with Bush, Cheney and Lieberman all in my city at the same time.
August 31, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
That sound you hear is one of tremendous relief. Now they have a shot at convincing people that they had nothing to do with this criminal administration.
August 31, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
He can try and distance himself all he wants he still voted with him 95% of the time these last couple of years and there is still this vid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5KZzgaB2k
Also if he starts taking pot shots at Bush, it might alienate him from the Bush dead-enders, I mean he still does have 30% approval ratings.
August 31, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Incredible video. He seems high on something. Even O'Riley seems embarrassed.
That should be sent to everyone we know.
August 31, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a Minnesotan I was looking forward to getting a chance to see if the Mississippi would turn to blood and the plague of locusts.
I too wonder how much bad-mouthing McCain will do of Bush/Cheney now that they may be a no-show. I also hope that Palin invokes Clinton's name to a rousing chorus of boos and hisses.
August 31, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is terrible news to hear if you're a Republican. Its like when Bill Clinton wasn't there for Al Gore's convention.
August 31, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Today is also the last day for August fundraising. I'm personally broke as a joke, but I threw a little bit to the campaign.
August 31, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Hey, look! It's cousin Bacon!"
"Hiya, Bakes! Wassssssup???"
August 31, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
What? Did MoDo do a column on Palin? I'd love to see it -
August 31, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
MoDo and Rich's columns are both stellar. Must reads.
Rich: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/opinion/31rich.html?hp
MoDo: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/opinion/31dowd.html?em
August 31, 2008 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, let's not trash Ferraro. Let's trash Lalo, who in this instance (and maybe others?) is all hat and all prattle.
August 31, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fair enough. I know you need to trash someone, so go ahead.
August 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll start:
You are a douche bag.
August 31, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign.
August 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're an asshat.
Tired and cliched.
August 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
gbear - Just read it.
I think I have a crush on MoDo - that just rocked. MoDo eviscerated her for being - well, just like MoDo.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 31, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. You gotta give MoDo some credit, in this instance, for making fun of her own predictably catty instincts.
"So imagine my delight, my absolute astonishment, when the hokey chick flick came out on the trail . . ."
August 31, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
This meme is not good for John McCain. I wonder how long they can keep her from the general press pack looking for the evidence to reinforce this image.
August 31, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
MoDo being catty about another woman is hardly surprising let alone newsworthy. The only difference here is that she's being catty about a Repub this time around. At least it gives her a break from trying to emasculate the male Dems.
August 31, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess one could say that he put one right into her wheelhouse. Except MoDo to be Palin all the time all the way.
August 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not entirely. She still managed to question Obama's manhood today:
"And [Palin] was tougher on the basketball court than the ethereal Obama, earning the nickname 'Sarah Barracuda.'"
August 31, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You see, this is what I'm talking about. You can't have it both ways: where MoDo is so wonderful when she goes all catty on Palin and then is a washed-up hag when she tried to feminize Obama. I think MoDo's columns are best left for their proper place, lining the birdcage of journalism.
August 31, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word.
August 31, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
You see, this is what I'm talking about. You can't have it both ways: where MoDo is so wonderful when she goes all catty on Palin and then is a washed-up hag when she tried to feminize Obama. I think MoDo's columns are best left for their proper place, lining the birdcage of journalism.
August 31, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fine - then I've got a list of people that I don't want to hear about being good guys when they do something someone approves of - but I bet I'll get as far with mine as you do with this.
I'm not sayin MoDo is suddenly changed. If your really read what I said, it should have been pretty clear - I enjoyed it because MoDo tore Sarah Palin up for being just as shallow as MoDo is.
Dude - read more carefully next time.
August 31, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was riffing off of your "I think I have a crush on MoDo" statement. My issue with MoDo is the way that she's been able to carve an entire career out (and a fairly high-profile one at that) by being nothing more than the highschool bitch.
September 1, 2008 1:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
August 31, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Heard Brooks this morning said McCain now has his crusade and that John is more comfortable when he is being all maverickery on a crusade. I think this is basically true. Aside from the fact that the experience argument had run its course and Obama's change message was looking to blow McCain out of the water.
August 31, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's time to press the point that "Mavericky" means RECKLESS - as in, McCain's judgment is off and he cannot be trusted to make appropriate decisions in the role of the President. Take a gander at Klein's Swampland post from yesterday. It's still too kind, but it's getting there:
http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/gunslinger.html
August 31, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bush and Cheney not attending the convention, while a gift to McCain, is actually the right decision. I'd rip them apart if they actually were in the Twin Cities instead of making sure we don't end up with another Katrina.
McCain visiting the Gulf Coast with a full entourage and secret service detail while emergency officials in the region are trying to get everybody the hell out of there is improper and unhelpful and reeks of rank opportunism.
And now there is word the McCain may make his acceptance speech from the Gulf Coast.
Please, please, make it stop!
And folks, never overestimate the American voter. All these freaking gimmicks will probably work. It may not guarantee a win for McCain and it may not even deliver a win, but it will certainly ensure that we'll all be up, biting our nails, watching the returns from Ohio and Colorado and Michigan come in at 2AM on November 5.
We have reach a new level of silliness. I didn't think it was possible but here we are.
August 31, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. I think the question is how well McCain can frame his new reform angle. If it is just about cleaning up Washington and nothing about directly helping the working class, ie taking a populist path, I don't think he will get much traction in the long run.
This year people want to be reassured.
August 31, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Of cours he will. That's the reason he picked Palin. She's energy, youth, optimism - all the Obama qualities.
But unlike him, she took on her own party establishment, balanced budgets, fixed taxes and gave the "little people" serious cash rebates.
August 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't she leave the town of Wasilla like $20 million in debt?
August 31, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL, you really think that little detail is going to matter?
Not with the cover-up pregnancy, troopergate and all this "juice" - it's amazing how magnetic this stuff turned out for so many people.
August 31, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like its so difficult to balance a budget in a state flush with oil revenue with a population of 650,000 people, with the bulk of the population primarily in one city, anchorage. She really is still just a mayor of a small american city, but she is ready for prime time. By the way, they have so much oil revenue that they give some directly to the people. Give me a break.
But she does have that foreign policy experience as alaska is right next door to the red menace. I am sure the guard is on alert all the time waiting for an invasion from the Soviet Union and she is in charge of the alerts. Does she also have her finger on the trigger of nukes stationed in Alaska as well. Gee, what experience.
August 31, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
So...
I'd be interested to hear if Palin is advocating oil lease dividend payments for all Americans. If she's going to advocate increased drilling on federal lands, is she going to recommend the creation of a sovereign wealth fund that would collect oil lease revenues and then disburse the proceeds to American taxpayers? If there is going to be more drilling of federal oil, I want the same deal that Alaskans are getting. I want a dividend check...
August 31, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
There isn't that much oil. It would cost more in postage to distribute the dividend checks than we would get in dividends. There are only 650,000 people in alaska, with alot of oil. Therefore, the dividend checks.
August 31, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it is still up in the air whether he will go populist which is what I think he needs to do. It is not enough to talk about taking on the old boys network in DC and being a reformer. He needs to say to the working class in a panic that they can count on him to have DC, once it is cleaned up, to do something for them directly. If he tries to keep to trickle down economics and the ownership society (that was a good part of Obama's speech and what he'll hammer McCain with) then it will be a weak approach.
August 31, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Palin the Alan Keyes of gender? Remember how well shipping Keyes to Illinois to face Obama worked? Remember how overwhelmed black voters were by Keyes' obvious skin color?
Or is she more akin to Harriet Meyers? In that case, the rightwing protested that she was simply unqualified. Perhaps realist conservatives will protest, but I won't hold my breath.
The most obvious comparison is Dan Quayle. I think this may be the most accurate. He appealed to the rightwing, but was a huge flop with the media and average voters.
August 31, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn Rich is good.
Thanks for the links to Rich and MoDo -
August 31, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Never forget:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/images/20050829-5_p082905pm-0125-515h.html
August 31, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd feel better about that if that idiot Ray Nagin wasn't getting so much airtime.
August 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it's an injustice that that idiot is still around.
The same team that brought you Katrina I is in place for its repeat???
This is truly frightening stuff. I fear for people's lives.
August 31, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Believe it or not - there are a lot of people who don't see Nagin that way.
He's half-way a hero to some NOLA residents -
August 31, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is it known what time that was taken at? I believe the levees broke at around 9:30am on the 29th.
August 31, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
The photo on the WH site is labeled:
20050829-5_p082905pm-0125-515h.jpg
Perhaps this means 1:25 pm. The sun looks like between 11 and 1.
August 31, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Schwarzenegger isn't going to the Convention either. Me thinks a lot of folks will bow out citing Gustav. I wonder how many want to be on record putting over McCain/Palin.
August 31, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can tell you pretty much - the Religious Right will show up - that's who McLame just threw in with.
That's why he's so fucked- people are so damn sick of these nut jobs running around trying to jettison science and reason.
August 31, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
The creationist (ur I mean intelligent design)stuff is getting some airtime this morning. Watching Pawlenty dance around it was pretty amusing.
August 31, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do want to believe that there will be a female President in my lifetime.
Can anybody fill in this blank?
Barack Obama is to Jessie Jackson what ___X____ is to Hillary Clinton
August 31, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Barrack Obama is to Krusty the Klown as S---h P---n is to Hillary Clinton.
Please.
August 31, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, it's not an Abelian Grape.
August 31, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary is only 60. Women live to their mid 70s on average. Does anyone in America doubt that she will not be back??
And if she fully supports Obama this time, and she is, he will owe her and so will his supporters.
The last thing Hillary-supporters want to see is another women steal her thunder.
August 31, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absurdipity.
August 31, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Should be interesting to see what kinds of crowds Obama gets in Toledo and Battlecreek. Local press gushed how Bush was able to pull 20,000 to a 2004 rally in the heart of Columbus. Obama and Biden match that on a day that the Buckeyes are playing football. Doesn't mean he'll win Ohio but it is nice sign.
August 31, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here, I'll make it easier for you.
Take Obama and McCain out of the equation (that's the premise behind "ready to lead" in terms of the vice-presidency right). Obama or McCain are no longer able to perform their duties. Amadinajhad(?) is still working towards nuclear power, hell, worse case scenario, Russian decides to invade the rest of the former USSR states and begin an all out war in Eastern Europe. A call is made for some form of US assisstance, who do you think is better equipped to handle that call or putting it another way, for whom would you feel more comfortable answering that call? Joe Biden or Sarah Palin? No rationalizations, no explaining, just gut reaction!
August 31, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Palin! She's been right next to Russia for years. Biden has just visited occasionally.
August 31, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Plus, she commands a crack force of 1,800 armed men (Alaska Nat'l Guard), knows how to fire an automatic rifle, and has spent years camping in the Arctic, eating moose and salmon to survive. If there's going to be a war back and forth across Russia's vast tundra, Sarah Palin is the person I want in charge.
August 31, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, you're on a roll today, Alex.
LOL!
August 31, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let this be a lesson to us all:
Never tell American voters just to "go with their gut"!!!
Their gut tells them that Sarah Palin will kick some Rooskie ass!
August 31, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, you're on a roll today, Alex.
LOL!
August 31, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Red Dawn Part Deux - Anchorage
August 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Red Dawn 2: Juneau Rising
August 31, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of firing automatic assault weapons, I just had to post this again. Too Hot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn7UzxXv8p4
The angry white guys will love a commercial including this. I just don't know if it will make them vote for mcbush. Too funny.
August 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wolverines!
August 31, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Part of me says if it was so easy Kerry would have won handily in 2004.
August 31, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to get up and come over there and slap you silly if you don't stop this.
Why is it that everyone forgets that we won in '06?
This election is already won.
August 31, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree but we can't sleepwalk to victory (I don't think the people on this board believe we could). Presidential elections are unique beasts. I would point to ogliberal's post upthread. Victory is not based on tapping the deep rational nature of American public.
August 31, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure Camus - I can keep myself awake nights thinking up all kinds of shit but the more you complicate your thoughts on this, the further you are getting from where we really are.
People are not happy or comfortable at the moment and noone outside of a handful of fundamentalist nutjobs is going to be excited about a completely unprepared cheerleader Mom in charge of this nation.
August 31, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most of me agrees with you, but I just can't that other part to keep quiet (and until Obama wins I probably won't).
August 31, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's ok - but the way I see this is that this choice might have worked but for one overwhelming factor: George W Bush.
Everyone in the fucking country is beyond ready to see him leave the White House and I don't think they are ready to elect another George W Bush - and that's what this woman is - George W Bush with a vagina.
August 31, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kerry on fire on ABC.
Called JM "Prisoner of Right Wing" on his (Ap)Palin(g) choice. Yes, Go Kerry.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5694357
August 31, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
But Delaware is closer to Iran! Not that it matters, I expect their voters are the ones who can't find the US on a map.
August 31, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, now that Palin is getting booed for trumpeting Hillary--her major talking point, what will her selling herself sound like?
*The bridge to nowhere--she was for it before she was against it and was for it again
*She fought against corruption yet is now embroiled in an investigation herself
*She was forced to admit she lied about her involvement in Monegan's firing
*She showed herself to be crass during that radio interview about her opponent
*She was excited about Obama's polling well in Alaska and she amongst others in the state, view her as a "change" candidate
*She admits she hadn't thought much about the I-Rack war
*When asked if she was ready to be Vice President, she replied, "Yup. Yup..." even though she admits she doesn't know what the VP job entails
*When asked if she was enjoying campaigning, she says it fun to see another part of the country.
Even her opponents admit that she is charming--that she didn't need to talk policy-- so I guess that is what she brings to the ticket which is okay by me since McPow is anything but...
I loved that "People" magazine interview with the McCains (minus their younger daughter) and the Palins. When the interviewer asked McCain how he felt about having so many young children on the campaign trail, he responded "Ha, ha."!
August 31, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks you...I've been wondering, where is Bridget? Why didn't she get to be at the girl power pow-wow in Dayton? Why isn't she on the road, the Palin kids aren't in school, she can hit the road with a tutor, too, right? Why does it seem like Cindy is never home? Who is parenting that girl?
Anybody catch how Cindy hated Barack's speech, and she's proud of the business her dad and mother built and left to her. Only her. Cuz she was an only child, you know. Sorta lonely. Kinda like being a POW, probably.
August 31, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
What? No POW card???
August 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Knowing that McCain wanted Lie-ber-man as his VP makes this quote even more poignant to me. They could've have been sitting around sipping brandy on the campaign bus, but now McCain has to be careful not to pick up a the breast pump instead of the snifter.
Poor Gramps having to deal with crying babies and all that kid energy. I know I shouldn't but I really feel for all of these people...They are so willing to be used.
August 31, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama supporting Mrs Heath, Palin's mom, shared the family picture album with some reporters, some of the pics show up at http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/republican_race/2008/08/31/2008-08-31_funny__rugged_sides_of_sarah_palin.html
Not ready for prime time.
August 31, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, they aren't bad. She was a kid concerning the shirt by the way. Now if there is a sex tape out there, that would be big. Wearing a silly t-shirt is nothing.
August 31, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
She just lost the flat-busted PUMA vote.
August 31, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
She is huge in that pregnancy photo...
August 31, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes she is!!
Which makes you wonder how no one even knew she was pregnant with that last child, because she 'hardly showed'?
How can a woman who looked like that have hardly showed with her FIFTH pregnancy.
Yet we know from news reporters that when she told her staff in March that she was SEVEN months pregnant...no one could tell!!
Just lends more credence to the rumors that circulating about Trig actually being her GRANDSON and that he is Bristol's son, who was holding in on the trail.
Something is fishy in Alaska about his tale.
August 31, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Random:
McCain checks out Palin's ass:
http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=6737
Is Bristol Trig's mother?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnBjwZ93n6Q
Long and boring video. Hate to trade in gossip, but this one's kinda fun, and entirely plausible. I hope the National Enquirer gets on this. Also, did anyone notice David Gregory this morning on MTP saying that it was "cool" that the Gov. broke water in Texas, gave her speech, and then flew home to make sure that baby was a native Alaskan? Sorry, that's not cool, that's dangerous. But that's the maverick way. And Gregory's a dope.
Glad Geraldine Ferraro is making her PUMA foolishness plain to see. Glad she votes in NY.
Gotta go, it's a beautiful day in Maine, and they're numbered!
August 31, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a version of that 'wandering eye' video set to music. Funny as all get-out.
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/john-mccains-wandering-eyes-ne.html
August 31, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious, thanks!
August 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too funny! McCain doing the "wedding ring is pinching my finger" routine? Priceless.
August 31, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the only thing that would've been funnier is if they superimposed McCain staring at Palin in a Cialis commercial: "If your VP pick gives you an erection lasting more than 4 hours, contact your doctor"
August 31, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's official: Geraldine Ferraro is the PUMA chief.
August 31, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin's fiscal reputation may ride on federally funded Bridge to Nowhere
John McCain introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running
mate Friday, her reputation as a tough-minded budget-cutter was
front and center.
"I told Congress, thanks but no thanks on that bridge to
nowhere," Palin told the cheering McCain crowd, referring to
Ketchikan's Gravina Island bridge in Alaska.
But Palin was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.
The Alaska governor campaigned in 2006 on a build-the-bridge platform, telling Ketchikan residents she felt their pain when politicians called them "nowhere." They're still feeling pain today in Ketchikan, over Palin's subsequent decision to use the bridge funds for other projects - and over the timing of her announcement, which they say came in a pre-dawn press release
that seemed aimed at national news deadlines.
http://www.bnd.com/508/story/455133.html
August 31, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is also bullshit unless it was a private plane cause no carrier will let a woman in labor on the fucking plane.
That's bullshit.
August 31, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's another detail that fuels the who's-the-mama story. She wasn't really showing. Don't know the airline, but supposedly the flight crew says she was perfectly pleasant, not at all distressed like a woman in labor(at least that's why I've read).
In most circumstances, any woman on her fifth child is gonna pop that puppy out.
Something's up.
August 31, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't believe it for a second.
August 31, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I believe a word of it either. It stinks to heaven. Let's just hope the google monkeys and others are working their magic as we speak.
August 31, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have seen other reports that her water didn't break, but that she had a leak. This really is not a good idea to be arguing about whether or not her water broke. Talk about turning off woman voters. I really think that we should move on on this topic. Let the national enquirer have at it.
August 31, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Too easy to go down this path. But I will say, I'm a woman voter, and it doesn't turn me off as much as fascinate me because there are a lot of fishy details that add up. Okay, I'll stop now!
August 31, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. I appreciate it. I think that this is not a good idea to be arguing about this.
August 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know last time I checked, this was a comments board on a blog - not the New York Times editorial page.
I think it's safe to say that we can talk about any damn thing we want to - short of violence and a few other completely outre topics, without having to worry about altering the course of history.
Jebus wept!
August 31, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok. I just don't think its a good idea arguing about this issue. It will be all over the right wing bs media that the left blogs are attacking palin's motherhood and attacking mothers in general. It's just my opinion to let it go, I won't raise the issue again. Also, I actually think it sounds unseemly to be arguing about whether or not her water broke in texas and all the other crap that has been circulated about her children. Just my opinion.
August 31, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. But it adds to the cumulative evidence that this family is not exactly the Roosevelts.
August 31, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Normally, I would agree with you Michael. However, this is a woman who does not beleive in a woman's right to privacy and wants to ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest. That means this issue of motherhood needs to be addressed, particularly as she is pro-life and Trig is being held up as her 'walking the walk' of her beliefs!
What becomes abundantly clear is that the GOP is in the closet on matters of family planning but especially when it comes to sex. They have lots of gay politicians but they are anti-same gender marriage. Now they are going to elevate a woman to the VP who believes life is so precious that her grandchild cannot even know who his mother is?
Palin beleives in creationism and no sex education so a teenage preganancy is to be HID in the closet?
O no, this issue needs to be front and center if she is such a poster child for pro-lifers. We need to demand DNA tests!
Palin needs to be outed and shown to be a liar.
She does not beleive that other women should have the right to choose...so why should her 'personal privacy' be left alone.
Expose her for what she is...a teenage pregnant mom who did not want her daughter to suffer the same fate ...when it comes to valuing life!
For a teenager to have a down syndrome child is rare...it leads to the suspicion that the father is older...who knows what following that scientific data may find in terms of whose the daddy.
Maybe there is a reason Palin supports banning abortion in cases of incest. Or perhaps, it will turn out that she really does "walk the walk" only not based solely on Down's syndrome but incest!
August 31, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word up!
Amen~
Right fucking on!
IF y'all forget for one second that that pretty face is covering up one really ambitious and mean bitch, we're fucked. This is Tracy Flick and don't ever forget it.
She would rip another woman up one side and down the other in less than a heartbeat for the same damn thing.
August 31, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin's fiscal reputation may ride on federally funded Bridge to Nowhere
John McCain introduced Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running
mate Friday, her reputation as a tough-minded budget-cutter was
front and center.
"I told Congress, thanks but no thanks on that bridge to
nowhere," Palin told the cheering McCain crowd, referring to
Ketchikan's Gravina Island bridge in Alaska.
But Palin was for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it.
The Alaska governor campaigned in 2006 on a build-the-bridge platform, telling Ketchikan residents she felt their pain when politicians called them "nowhere." They're still feeling pain today in Ketchikan, over Palin's subsequent decision to use the bridge funds for other projects - and over the timing of her announcement, which they say came in a pre-dawn press release
that seemed aimed at national news deadlines.
http://www.bnd.com/508/story/455133.html
August 31, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then there's the ice sports complex Wasilla built on land they didn't own.
August 31, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
But, but, but....
McCain was "invited" to the Gulf Coast by the Republican governor of Mississippi.
Surely that governor wouldn't put politics before his constituents, right?
August 31, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the Republicans can forget about that convention bounce.
August 31, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the Republicans can forget about that convention bounce.
August 31, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!!!!!!
Has there ever been a convention trough?
August 31, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, Eric! I posted about Palin getting booed. People dismissed it as them booing Hillary, not Palin.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/palin-booed-by-crowd-for-menti.php#comments
Anyone have a video?
August 31, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess the Republicans can forget about that convention bounce.
August 31, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is anybody going to be watching the GOP convention this year?
August 31, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
sorry about the repost. i dont know if its just me, but is anyone else having problems posting messages?
August 31, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, almost everybody.
Hint: When you get that dreaded "500 Internal Server Error" message, don't repost immediately. I've noticed that those posts often do make it into the thread. Instead, reload the original page and look for your comment.
Another hint: Before hitting the SEND button, click in the comment box, hit (select all), then (copy to clipboard). This way your comment will be saved for pasting back into a blank comment box, just in case the post didn't work.
August 31, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
hit <ctrl-A> (select all), then <ctrl-C> (copy to clipboard).
August 31, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. And the gut reaction is "She's just not ready".
As for McCain giving his acceptance speech on the Gulf Coast?
What better way to demonstrate concern for Gulf state citizens than to stage a political speech, with all the attendant security and media that entails, in a region that may be damaged by the hurricane. Yep, that won't smack of political opportunism at all. Just like his pick of Palin doesn't.
August 31, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
The acceptance speech in Gulf Coast is pretty much another Hail Sarah Pass. It will be interesting to watch because that the only remote chance of making it work (along with getting help from the MSM) is to go after Bush and Brownie hard in a clean-up-washington, I'm the great reformer, kind of way.
August 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be the perfect opportunity for the Obama camp to say: "McCain is using the damage and devastation of people's lives as a photo-op to boost his campaign". Then show the photo of where McCain was when Katrina hit.
August 31, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm still stunned. Hell it took me until today for me to remember Gwen Ifill is moderating the Veep debates. While many journo will be setting the bar low for Gov Palin, I don't think she'll be one of them.
August 31, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I beg to differ. Ifill doesn't just use Rovian talking points on a regular basis, she uses them to frame the whole discussion and does it with that innocent PBS smile.
If Palin makes it that far, and I am not sure she will without making a complete fool of herself, it may just be a replay of the Bush/Gore debates. The McMedia will say that Biden wins on the issues but loses big because of expectations and "authenticity".
August 31, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ifill was the one who asked Cheney about the incidence of AIDS that he could not answer in his debate with Edwards.
Ifill talks 'mainstream' talking points to earn cred...but she certainly knows how to focus the questions on what the issues are.
"The invisibility of the plight of African-American women and their struggle against the AIDS epidemic was never so glaringly obvious than in the vice presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards. And the invisibility of my group's plight has less to do with African-American women's agency to combat the epidemic than it has to do with how the government, African American men, the Black Church, and race and gender biases inherent in the problem collude with African American women's efforts to get help.
With a present administration that couldn't care less about getting African American women voters – about as little as it cares about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters – the problems and concerns of these voting populations become either marginal or invisible.
But Gwen Ifill, an African-American female journalist with PBS' “Washington Week” and moderator of the vice presidential debate, brought the issue of AIDS in the U.S. front and center when she asked the men to comment on its devastating impact on African-American women.
“I want to talk to you about AIDS, and not about AIDS in China or Africa, but AIDS right here in this country, where black women between the ages of 25 and 44 are 13 times more likely to die of the disease than their counterparts. What should the government's role be in helping to end the growth of this epidemic?” Ifill asked.
The question because it placed a black women's crisis at the center of an important domestic issue in this country. However, both candidates' response to Ifill's query was inexcusable. And as an African-American woman, I say: “Give me a reason why I should vote for either of them?”
Vice President Cheney responded to Ifill's question by saying, “Here in the United States, we've made significant progress. I have not heard those numbers with respect to African-American women. I was not aware that it was – that they're in epidemic there. . .”
Mr. Cheney, where have you been?
But John Edwards' response wasn't any better. Edwards deflected the question by first going back to answering the previous question. Then with the remaining seconds left he flubbed his way through. By avoiding the question, unfortunately, Edwards missed the opportunity to expose the damage the Bush administration has done in its anemic fight against AIDS."
August 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm a little dismayed at the Sunday talking heads. I was expecting them to lay into Palin a little more.
August 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me, too. Are they still feeling the attacks from the Clinton camp? I think they still want it to be a deadheat race is a major factor.
August 31, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
"a little more"? Hell, I would've settled for "at all". I couldn't believe the Palin lovefest that I was seeing today. No one challenged anything about Palin. Instead, the bobbleheads were all gushing over McCain and how "mavericky" a pick he made in her. Can we officially call the MSM broken so we can take it out back and shoot it?
August 31, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone can convince Sarah that the MSM is a moose and our problem is solved.
August 31, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Frank Rich in the NY Times nailed the media, big time.
Shorter: they've been colossally wrong on just about everything during this campaign. The Sunday morning blab fests just epitomize this.
August 31, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only silver lining is that those who watch these shows have already chosen sides. It's frustrating. And I think they were trying to compensate for their praise of Obama's speech, if one wanted (and many here don't, inc. me) give them benefit of the doubt about their agenda.
August 31, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never, never, ever expect honest reporting from the MSM talking heads - ever.
Expect spin favorable to the right.
And that said, unless you want to tune in just to see what sort of programming they're throwing out there, it's best to just turn it off. Get your news from the net.
August 31, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just like to see what it is that being shoveled to the people. Maybe not the best for my mental health, but...well, I guess curosity killed the cat.
August 31, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah and there's something to be said for knowing how things are playing out there in the mainstream - but, I leave it to others who have a stronger constitution than myself.
I scan the headlines of the MSM papers online and read a select few, respond as needed and move on.
August 31, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Something's wrong with Trig's math. The months don't add up. Baby might not be Sarah's.
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/97068/questions_raised%3A_does_sarah_palin_really_have_a_5th_child_%5Bphotos_%2B_video%5D/
August 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone see this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNr_LZpMHqA&feature=related
Basically Kristol says that because Palin is from Alaska, that she'll lead the way for drilling in ANWR and gas prices will "plummet" as a result. How do dumbasses like Kristol continue to receive a paycheck?
August 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Big oil and corporate run media. Got to generate profits for the bosses and treat the american public like mushrooms. Keep them in the dark and feed them sh*t.
I still don't get why nobody, not one single gd journalist brings up the king's Energy Information Administration report, which has been the same year after year, that there isn't enough oil to have an impact on prices and any impact won't occur, if at all, until 2030 and the impact will be, I quote, "insignificant."
August 31, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Darlin, Kristol is paid by the Neo-con wing of the Repug party.
Yes, he is.
August 31, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
A good article about how insane this is.
August 31, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oo - Kinsley is really good there - it's short and well done and just exactly on all the way through and I totally co-sign it.
That piece really makes the point that this choice is mind-blowingly absurd.
August 31, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahhh...sanity from the Press. It feels good!
August 31, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was "invited" to the Gulf Coast by the Republican governor of Mississippi.
Surely that governor wouldn't put politics before his constituents, right?
-- Northstardon
I don't know how to highlight quotes. Sigh. But to Northstardon's point -- The governor of MS is one Haley Barbour. Former head of the RNC.
August 31, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pawlenty on MTP this am, it was clearly a struggle for him to make the case for Palin, his disappointment was palpable.
I'm already sick of these jackasses and the press equating her "experience" with Obama's. Pawlenty intentionally left out his years in the state legislature, claiming that Obama went from law school to professor to the U.S. Senate. Of course Brokaw didn't correct him.
Thanks Tom, Tim Russert would be proud to know that his replacement is another whore. Andrea Mitchell couldn't stop gushing, and knocked Obama's speech as short on details. I think their financial reporter said that Palin had "expertise" on energy issues. It was actually one giant whore-fest. Funny enough, Mike Murphy was the only realistic one.
August 31, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only amusing thing was watching Pawlenty dance around creationist teaching in the classroom. How many of the Repub insiders are silently cursing McCain for making them go on these shows and try to make the case for her.
August 31, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think they saw McCain as their only hope not to get slaughtered downticket. If McCain goes down big, Dems will be in major control from the federal to the state and local level.
August 31, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I hadn't realized Governor Flat Earth was suck an ardent adherent of intelligent design.
August 31, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, that "suck" must have been a Freudian slip either that or God is guiding my keyboard.
August 31, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Andrea was tough on Palin Friday. I think Brokaw is feeling like he needs to offset the MSBNC crew. Gregory can be good but he's mostly a tool. I felt for Pawlenty, he's got the big brown eyes and he looked very hangdoggish. I think McCain must have yanked his chain pretty hard. I mean, he's Palin but with an unfortunate Y chromosome. Well, he's boring, too. On the other hand, Kaine looked completely chipper on Bill Maher (granted he's had more time to get over it, but I think Obama's camp did the letting down with a more grace).
Pawlenty should look on the bright side, he's escaped a crushing defeat in November.
August 31, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pawlenty's also stuck with the Republicans pulling the plug on their convention. But I guess that won't hurt him with Minnesota moose hunters, just with all the small businesses geared up for convention business.
August 31, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read somewhere that DC National Airport was packed last weekend with people heading out to Denver. This weekend, no lines, no problem. This thing is dead in the water. No pun intended.
August 31, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup.
It's departed; it's deceased; it's ovah.
August 31, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's an ex-parrot!
August 31, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a Minnesotan I'm sorry to hear that. I realize that our local economy would have experienced a significant boost from the windfall liquor and hotel "masseuse" revenue the RNC were sure to provide.
August 31, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gregory can be good? He is a far right shill. He should go to fox. He would feel more at home. By the way, he actively participated in the bogus press conferences leading up to the war in iraq, where only select reporters could ask softball questions. Pathetic.
August 31, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think we can assume that Kaine is "disappointed." After all, he's not exactly stuck being governor of Alaska. He is governor of a great state, in succession to Thomas Jefferson without even having to go to Washington. Not the worst thing in the world.
And two of his buddies will soon be the Senators from Virginia. He'll be in a catbird seat, without having to go to so many state funerals.
August 31, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the update. I was tempted to watch the tongue-waggers this morning but just couldn't bring myself to do it. I appreciate you suffering through that shit so l lot of us don't have to :-)
August 31, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW, very cool subliminable™ trick embedded in your screen name :-)
August 31, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
*waving at Tena from Santa Fe*
August 31, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
*waving back at renegade from Taos*
;)
August 31, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
*waving back at renegademom from Taos*
;)
August 31, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was "invited" to the Gulf Coast by the Republican governor of Mississippi.
Seems awfully presumptuous of him, playing president before the election. Oh wait, IOKIYAR.
I'm so fucking sick of the MSM being a propaganda arm of the GOP. They were almost starting to act realistic, buy this Palin bullshit is causing their true colors to show all over again.
August 31, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone notice that Ms Palin has also furiously scrubbed her Wikipedia page and gubernatorial website in less that 24 hours with great time gaps...I was just there to learn more about her on friday evening and nothing i saw is there now? nothing except her birthdate is older than 2007??
August 31, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hopefully somebody copied it before it was wiped out. I would think so.
August 31, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go to her Wiki page and click on the "history" tab. All of the previous revisions are there. But you might have to go back a thousand or so revisions.
August 31, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, thanks for the insight. Over 2500 edits in the last 72 hours. Virtually all by Tpbradbury. I wonder who he or she is.
August 31, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, here is tp's bio:
Hi I'm Tom, I'm interested in collaborating on many different subjects; particularly biography, politics, literature and history articles. Some anon IP history: User:62.253.128.6 with others in 2002 and User:195.107.47.211 by myself for 2 edits. Interwiki checker User:FlaBot in late August 2008.
I've studied philosophy, economics and history and know a bit about politics.
Too funny. "Tom" knows a bit about politics. He completely rewrote palin's bio and he "knows" a bit about politics. Too freaking funny.
August 31, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you're interested to find the geographical location associated with a numeric IP address, try here: http://whatismyipaddress.com/
August 31, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heard one of the Wikipedia big wigs on NPR Friday night and they figured it out once the announcement was made. . .someone (and just one person) spent a lot of time scrubbing her bio doing things like downplaying the "beauty queen" angle and playing up the "mavericky" stuff. I think they squashed it and will investigate who was making those changes.
August 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to the history pointed out by jzap. A ton of changes were made by the same person from the announcement through today. Check it out.
August 31, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
These were changes PRIOR to the announcement on Friday morning.
August 31, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the user handle was a new user named "YoungTrig"
August 31, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Had to vent, but I do believe that some major media figures will put some serious and substantive questions to Palin in the coming weeks, and this whole thing is going to blow up in their face. Not to mention McCain's temper.
And why should anyone benefit from low expectations when auditioning to be next in line for the presidency? The expectations should be high for anyone.
August 31, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody have a good name for palin yet? I can't come up with one, like mcbush.
August 31, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think her old Sarah Barracuda nom de basketball is probably pretty good.
I submit McSoulmate.
August 31, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
For McCain, she's simply Beauty Queen No. 3.
August 31, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Klondike Barbie."
August 31, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's a keeper. LMAO!
August 31, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
An excerpt from Josh Marshall's most recent post:
Yes! Move it to the SuperDome!
C'mon, you Republican pussies! (Oops!!!) Show some neocon backbone! Tough it out, Chuck-Colson-style! It'll only hurt for a little while!
It will solve a lot of this nation's problems for many years to come.
August 31, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Barbara Bush going to speak at the revised Convention? Remember her touring the Superdome and pointing out that "This has worked out very well for them"?
August 31, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll never forget it and she said more than that.
It's a wonder she made it out alive. Stupid old bitch!
August 31, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought of McBoopsie,,,,,, Gramps and Boopsie bumper stickers should sell well to the local college republicans,,,,,,,,,, not as good as Gramps and Mittens, but it should sell.
August 31, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gramps and Kittens.
Sarah Palin & Gall
Sarah Plain and LOL
August 31, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's response to Gustav:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Obama_will_mobilize_volunteers_for_Gustav.html#comments
August 31, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The best rebuttal to Governor Palin's selection was inadvertantly made by Karl Rove. See TheBradBlog 8/29, linked to Crooks and Liars also 8/29 for the video.
Rove interviewed 8/10 on Face the Nation answers the question: What if Obama picks someone like Governor Tim Kaine of Virgina?
Rove's answer:
"... With all respect to Governor Kaine, he's been governor for three years... He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America... It's not a big town. So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, 'You know what? I'm really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States?..."
August 31, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's response to Gustav:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Obama_will_mobilize_volunteers_for_Gustav.html#comments
August 31, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Governor Jimmy Carter had no foreign policy experience before being elected President.
Governor Ronald Reagan had no foreign policy experience before being elected President.
Governor Bill Clinton had no foreign policy experience before being elected President.
Governor George W. Bush had no foreign policy experience before being (kind of) elected President.
So where is it written that a mere VP candidate is supposed to have foreign policy experience? Can't a Governor become a VP?
August 31, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're being obtuse. You think Bill Clinton didn't have opinions about foreign policy sixty days before the election? You think Carter didn't? There is no evidence that Palin has any thoughts whatsoever about these things. A governor can be president, but they have to care about more than their state.
August 31, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure - Bush did.
You really and truly think the country is just going to line up to elect George W Bush with a vagina?
Ha ha!
August 31, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
You really and truly think the country is just going to line up to elect George W Bush with a vagina as the running mate to a 72 years old man?
Ha ha!
August 31, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Says Karl Rove:
8/10 on Face the Nation, he was asked what he thought about Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia as Obama's running mate:
ROVE: "...With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been governor for three years... He was mayor of the 105th largest city in America. And again, with all due respect to Richmond, Virginia,... It's not a big town. So if he were to pick Governor Kaine, it would be an intensely political choice where he said, 'You know what? I'm really not, first and foremost, concerned with, is this person capable of being president of the United States?...'"
I found this on TheBradBlog yesterday, linked to the video on Crooks and Liars.
August 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly - and this "mere VP" bullshit is just that, Dr. Gaius - utter bullshit.
He's 72 - she's a half-breath away from being Commander in Chief of the entire armed forces of the United States.
Don't be disingenuous.
August 31, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
She isn't really a governor. She is at best mayor of a mid-sized us city for a year and a half flush with oil revenue.
By the way, her strong suit is foreign policy. She has been facing down the red menace across the bering strait for a year and a half and is cic of the alaskan national guard protecting our oil fields from the red menace. Comeon. She is a foreign policy and military guru.
August 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
And any fool knows Moose are Muslims.
August 31, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 31, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I can see her already with her assault rifle. Take that you islamo-fascists. Ratatatat, with a gleam in her eyes. Then she whips out the 8 inch bowie knife and carves the carcass up singing God Bless America. What a visual. How patriotic! Wow.
August 31, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, those pageant beauties come with loads of talents especially when they win Ms.Congeniality, the sky is the limit!!
August 31, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, but haven't you just torpedoed the McCain campaign's criticism of Obama with this list?
Huh?
August 31, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
They'd all had more experience nationally and in other roles. Clinton had been educated at Oxford. Carter had been in the military. California has an economy that I think still ranks in the top 10 in the world. He could have picked Huckabee and made the religious right happy. There are many Republican women available who do have the experience. There is no excuse for the choice.
August 31, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Semi-off topic. This hurricane is not looking good for new orleans. I thought that katrina hit new orleans directly, but apparently it did not. Katrina hit far to the east in mississippi and alabama and look at all the damage from Katrina. This hurricane is making a beeline directly for new orleans. It could be really, really, really bad.
August 31, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's response to Gustav:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Obama_will_mobilize_volunteers_for_Gustav.html#comments
August 31, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Halperin reports:
Way to go, McCain-Palin!
August 31, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Grampy McSame and Giddy Yup-Yup.
August 31, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Grampy McSame and Go-Go Boots
August 31, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Governor Jimmy Carter had no foreign policy experience before being elected President.
Governor Ronald Reagan had no foreign policy experience before being elected President.
Governor Bill Clinton had no foreign policy experience before being elected President.
Governor George W. Bush had no foreign policy experience before being (kind of) elected President.
So where is it written that a mere VP candidate is supposed to have foreign policy experience? Can't a Governor become a VP?
August 31, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink