The Official TPM Tally: The McCains Own Eight To Eleven Houses
Here it is: The official TPM tally of precisely how many homes the McCains own. Everyone -- apparently including McCain himself -- has been working feverishly since yesterday to nail down this elusive number, with varying results.
And the grand total of houses the McCains own is...
...anywhere from eight to eleven homes, depending on how you count it.
The McCain campaign claims the Arizona Senator has four residences: Condos in Arlington, VA., and Coronado, CA., the main McCain residence in Phoenix, AZ., and a ranch in Sedona, AZ. A McCain adviser says the rest of the McCain properties are "some investment properties and things like that."
Not so much.
Here's our official list:
Arlington, VA: The McCains have a three-bedroom condo in Arlington, Virginia, for when McCain is in the DC area. It is valued at nearly $850,000. Total: One.
Arizona: Here's an example of how hard it is to keep track of how many houses McCain owns: The Arizona Republic reported in 2006 that the McCains bought two adjacent condominiums for $4.66 million, so they could combine them into a single mega-condo of over 6,000 square feet, for use as their main residence in Arizona. That's either one or two more. Total: Two to three.
Arizona: Cindy's corporation later bought another condo in the same building as the mega-condo, only on a different floor. Total: Three to four.
Coronado, CA: Then there are the two vacation condos they own in Coronado, California, which total $4.7 million. They initially just bought the first one, but Cindy decided to buy a second when her children began using the first one much more frequently. "So I bought another one," Cindy told Vogue. Total: Five to six.
Sedona, AZ: The McCains own a lot of three houses in their "Hidden Valley Ranch" area of Sedona, totaling over $1,081,000 in value, according to county records. This is the rustic location where McCain often entertains reporters and other guests. You can count this as anywhere from one to three houses -- one of them is a main residence, and the others are for guests and servants. Total: Six to nine.
La Jolla, CA: There's also their property in La Jolla, California, valued at over $1 million, where Cindy's aunt reportedly lives. (Fun fact: This is the same property for which the McCains were delinquent on their property taxes.) Total: Seven to 10.
Phoenix, AZ: Cindy's family trust also owns a $700,000 loft in Phoenix, which was purchased for use by their daughter Meghan after she graduated from college. As GQ put it, "the interior looks like a spaceship furnished by West Elm." Total: Eight to 11.
As it happens, there's still more. Cindy also owns other properties through her family corporations. But many of these are rental properties for homes and businesses. We've decided to take the conservative road, and not count rental properties towards the total, as they aren't really homes -- they're investments or sources of income.
So, depending on how you count it, the grand total of homes owned by the McCains is...
Eight to 11. At a combined value of $12,991,000.
But he was a POW, so just drop it.
August 22, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
And, if you don't we'll make up some really nasty crap about Obama.
August 22, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anthrax, run!
August 22, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey now, don't force us to start negative campaigning against Obama! Because, you know, we weren't planning on it...
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
August 22, 2008 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Look over there, it's Reverend Wright!
August 22, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
No im pretty sure he was sent to a deserted island
Clinton Creates “Whip Team” 4 Convention
August 22, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I came across an awesome new group on facebook: "Americans Who *Don't* Need Staff To Count All Their Houses"
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27940696679
Join up!
August 22, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Mansion Accomplished"!
August 22, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
At least McCain isn't a scary black man who probably wants to blow up the White House with Ayers.
August 22, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, McCain is just a scaryhanoicrazed white man who can't wait to blow up any country that is a Russian ally so that the Russians nuke us.
August 22, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely count them all.
Just try telling the American people that the guest house shouldn't count separately. That'll fly like a turd bucket.
August 22, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget the "servants'" quarters!
August 22, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
And the butler named Jeeves
August 22, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you TPM! You do good work, Eric.
August 22, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does this mean Media Matters is going to call Obama's ad false for saying McCain owns seven houses and demand they increase the number? The Manna just keeps on falling...
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 22, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great write up! Thanks for the link.
August 22, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks!
August 22, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so loving this.
I just wish that the MSM would have picked up more on the Grampy Golddiger McCain's original responses to this.
He played the POW card (laughable) then they said "well they are all Cindy's houses, so it doesn't count" (great, so he is a kept man, I doubt most Americans know that, but they should) then they moved on to the REZKO, REZKO, REZKO, defense, never thinking that that openned him up to the much more damaging Keating 5 (or is it 6, I can't recall, I'll have my people get back to you on that) defense.
Ah, I just wished this had happened earlier in the week. Now Obama needs to move back his VP pick so as not to eclipse this story.
August 22, 2008 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a side note doesn't being a "kept man" make it much easier to be a "maverick?"
He never had to worry about losing his senate seat because the Senate salary was pocket change.
August 22, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Forget "maverick." Go with GIGOLO!
August 22, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a little Cheap Trick song on this theme...
August 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man, I love me some Cheap Trick.
I remember when that record came out - nobody could get a handle on what the hell they were. Punk? Hard rock? New Wave?
Nah. Great band, period.
August 22, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, nobody will believe Yoda's granddpa is a giggilo, a golddigger yes, a giggilo no.
August 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's put it in quiz form, just for kicks.
Oprah is to Steadman as Cindy McCain is to:
a) John Negroponte
b) Emelda Marcos
c) Tek Jansen
d) John McCain
e) Scrambles (the Death Dealer)
August 22, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's not forget, too, that this was exactly the narrative the right hammered home about Kerry and the Heinz fortune.
August 22, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know having something to pounce on makes everyone feel better, especially after the last few days, so yeah.
But I still think this is weak and short-term and that Obama can do better than that.
I think that because of playing up someone's gaffe has never been a long-term strategy between the convention and November.
Secondly, the reason they rolled it out now, just a few days before Denver, suggests this is not a long-term thing.
Yes, a million times better than nothing, but not a game-changer yet.
August 22, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's more than just pouncing on someone's gaffe. It's using McCain's own words (or lack thereof) to help fill in the McCain Brand.
It's not just that he doesn't know how many houses he owns, it's coupled with his numerous quotes on the solid state of the economy, which drives home the idea that he's out of touch.
It's like how Hillary's bosnia gaffe was big in and of itself, but, moreso, it went to her credibility problem.
August 22, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, it is brand identification.
If Obama can change the equation from "maverick" to "out of touch golddigger" this election is over.
August 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree hyperRevue, this is more than just a gaffe - ladies and gentlemen, this is the beginning of a narrative.
August 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would agree with you if your argument suggests that essentially Obama is trying to replay the Bill Clinton/Bob Dole campaign.
This housing thing could probably go there.
Personally, I think it could happen if he picked Clinton for VP and used both Clintons to expand and improve his message:
- himself on change and post-partisanship etc
- Hillary on nat'l security
- Bill on economy
Then, it would be like an allied front on several levels at once. Then, okay, you do the Clinton/Dole thing and this house incident indeed becomes part of the narrative.
Or, maybe I'm just fantasizing, lol
August 22, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but Bill should stay the f out of it. It would be about Hillary and Hillary only. Bill's become a liability. He's doing great things with his foundation, let him continue to do great things there.
But this is besides the point. We all know it won't be Hillary.
August 22, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
What he said.
The value of HouseGate is that it swipes McGoo's "elitist" line of attack right off the table. Three months of very expensive framing by Camp McGoo has just been flushed down the toilet.
August 22, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
McSame needs Cindy's help dealing with anything solid state. He's much more of a vacuum tube man.
August 22, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I voted for it before I voted against it" ring any bells?
August 22, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also, Dukakis + tank. September 1988.
August 22, 2008 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm inclined to think the reason they rolled this out when they did is just that the opportunity presented itself. Hey, if you're in the high slot and get a lane to the net, shoot the puck!
August 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, note that Arizona is a community property state. This usually means that both spouses own an undivided share of everything acquired during their marriage. There are exceptions, of course.
August 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wouldn't you love to get a look at their pre-nup?
August 22, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now that's an extremely interesting angle. It should be part of any financial documents of his which should have been produced, since it specifies his property rights in the fortune.
August 22, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pre-nups are for pre-martial property only. They don't apply to assets aquired during a marriage.
August 22, 2008 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
*marital not martial - although...one might wonder oabout the other.
August 22, 2008 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Without getting too far down in the weeds on this, if she purchased the homes with her separate property and maintained them with her own funds, then they would remain her individual property. John McCain doesn't make enough money from his book sales or Senate salary to contribute to the maintenance on most of the homes. He's, in a word, a kept man....
August 22, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually that's two words. ;)
I'm guessing that Cindy's estate had the good sense to get a prenup on John that precludes him from cashing in on the increased value of her estate's investments (provided that he did not contribute to any of it).
In a way, I do have to respect McCain for finding his sugar mama. Something I've not been able to achieve.
August 22, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
No.
Pre-nups can apply to assets acquired during marriage (they just don't have to).
August 22, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain camp's response of "they're Cindy's homes, quit attacking her!" is just so damn laughable. If any of those homes were purchased since they've been married, they're his homes too!
August 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Was she a POW?
August 22, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
One could possibly argue that living with John....
August 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
She mentioned he was balding and he called her a cunt.
That kind of temper makes one wonder if she gets smacked around from time to time.
August 22, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not if they were purchased by her corporation...and if assets from the trust haven't been comingled with marital assets...could've been a prenup...don't mean to spoil your fun with facts and stuff...
August 22, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Arizona is a community property state. So what Cindy owns, McCain owns as well.
August 22, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
No fun spoiled here at all. If you read further up thread I acknowledge that it's possible for there to have been a prenup in place.
I don't think the public is going to care about the particulars -- why bother them with all that pointy-headed stuff, right? All they're hearing is that McCain is so obscenely wealthy that he doesn't even know how many homes he owns. That in itself is going to define McCain during this campaign.
August 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Every minute spent talking about whether the houses are owned by Cindy's corporation and/or whether they are covered in the McCain pre-nup to explain why John doesn't know how many houses he owns is money in the bank for Obama.
More, please.
August 22, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
PRECISELY!!!
Let this snowball into an avalanche that encompasses his being a kept man, her being a druggie and them needing all those houses just so they can be together to fly to them.
August 22, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
One House, One Spouse, Obama, 08
repeat...
August 22, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice
August 22, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's a good one. It could stick.
August 22, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perfect!
August 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
But not one name, or religion, or citizenship.
Nice.
August 22, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey lady! Wait! STOP! Do NOT eat that booger on the end of yer finger!!! Snotty whiners have such bitter boogers!
August 22, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Extra names, religions and citizenships fantasized into existence by deranged tin-foil hat wearing fringe group memebers don't really count out here in the nonhallucinatory world.
August 22, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mmmmm to hell with diversity, eh?
August 23, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The community property angle doesn't play out like you might think. The houses were almost certainly paid for out of Cindy's personal inherited fortune. If that is the source of the funds, than the houses are NOT community property.
August 22, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Many of the properties were puchased by entities owned by Cindy's estate, so you are 100% correct.
McCain is a freeloading golddigger.
August 22, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It must be nice to have a sugar mama.
August 22, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
He is the deffinition of the Republican version of a "self made man."
August 22, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is a self-made man. He had to do all of the work of shedding his first, handicapped wife, in order to sign on as Cindy's man. Has anyone researched how much his "allowance" is from Cindy? I'm just wondering, in case I want to shed my wife for a similar deal.
August 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would love to force McCain to explain the intricacies of community property law to the millions upon millions who have never inherited a beer distributorship. I don't think the argument that "they are all Cindy's houses" is going to wash. Do the McCains have a real marriage or is John one of rich Cindy's trinkets?
August 22, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're right; it would be a great discussion to have.
August 22, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know there was an American President who married into great wealth--George Washington. Nobody ever accused George of not knowing how many houses they had at Mount Vernon. In fact he was famous for knowing everything about everything on Martha's plantation right up to the day he died. Nobody ever accused George of being Martha's kept man.
August 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
George married Martha before women had property rights!! I guess he did know every friggin detail! Once married martha was considered George's property too and she had no authority any longer over her own wealth once she became MRS.
August 22, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mt. Vernon was Washington's property, not Martha's.
August 22, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
YEAH BUT GEORGE WASHINNGTON WAS NEVER A POW!
August 22, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are we talking about guest homes and servants' quarters? Or would that be as silly as a normal person counting one of their dog houses as a house they own?
August 22, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fabulous!
August 22, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hot DAMN!!
That link was awesome.
Just what we need another out of touch billionaire in the WH.
Let them eat cake!
I hope someone turns that scene of NewOrleans drowing from Katrina while Bush and McCain eat cake!!
That is a POWERFUL out of touch scene.
A visual worth a thousand words.
August 22, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Next we need to look at others that are even richer than McCain and find a well known that lives more modestly. The line "McCain has more houses than Bill Gates" would be hilarious.
August 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pointy-headed, arugula eating, professor types, get off the POW's lawn!
August 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which one of those four/seven/ten lawns should we keep off?
August 22, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, in all fairness, most of these homes are in AZ, so it would be more like: "Pointy-headed, arugula eating, professor types, get off the POW's xeriscape landscaping!"
August 22, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess this makes McCain's response to the question more defensible:
"How should I know how many homes I have?!? Nobody knows!"
Someone should ask McCain if we can at least settle on more than 4 and less than 20?
August 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
With Mittens as VP, the Republicans can offer the thirteen-home presidential ticket.
August 22, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Ken Doll probably owns more properties than McCindy.
August 22, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Romney just bought yet another home in California.
August 22, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Eric and Lila,
Be nice now, remember, McRichie-Rich is a POW...LOL
August 22, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo I live in a area filled with low info voters and in just 24 hours I have heard mentioned and talked about more than any other issue. It is resonnating big time. It may seem petty but so what it works. Bush II worked things like to win elections. This is a position Repugs are not familiar with at all. They ahve handled it badly, the Rezko bullet is gone buried under nuance, Ayers video got whacked by Fox freaking news!
So lets sit back and look at the bigger picture. McNero has spent vital capital to deflect this and used things that were obviously being held for later in campaign. He has lost the ground on the elite debate. He has lost the MSM's focus on Georgia that worked in his favor and most of all he has opened himself up to deeper scrutiny and suspicion just look at the LA Times this morning.
Simple easy to understand and repeat slogans that frame a candidate win elections time after time and McNero just handed that to Obama. Petty or not it has legs and will continue to do so. BTW I live in Mississippi hardly a bastion of liberal ideals. The local news and locals are all talking about this and not one of them has used the word petty.
August 22, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
And let's just hope the Flying Spaghetti Monster loves us all enough to serve up the Mittster as his running mate. Then the campaign gets to do it all over again!
August 22, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
YES!! Jessran you are dead on target.
McCain is being killed by his own FABULOSITY!!!
hahahaha nothing could be sweeter, he started the Brittney/Paris wars only to lose them with a Robin Leach voiceover that sounds just like Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
I am loving this big time!!
It ain't policy it is politics!!
I am phonebanking making calls to Seniors on Thurs and I tell you what. The most common refrain I hear from these folks 70-92 years old is that they are confounded most say "one is too young and the other is too old"
I created my own message..after telling them how I too had to grapple with the decision and how Obama is better on SS...I then add...even though it was a tough decision...I finally said it was better to go with a sunrise than a sunset.
That gets them to listen and most really value that.
So let's go with the FABULOSITY of the McCains
and know that Obama represents the promise of a new day!!
His logo also lends it self to the slogan
Sunrise over Sunset. Obama 08
August 22, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
ALso Obama doesnt need to bang this today the MSM is all over it....
August 22, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
The local news media in my home state are all over the McCain gaffe. McCain is the gift that keeps giving.
August 22, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is where we hit McCain now...
Invocation of the candidate's POW past is weird bordering on irrational: http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/in_his_house_there_are_many_ma.html
Go Joe! We need you now!!! Noun verb POW.Noun verb POW.Noun verb POW.
--
Kevin B
I'm saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 - 2017
August 22, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm saying it now: Barry Soetoro, McDonald's manager, Chicago Loop, 2009-?
August 22, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Guess it sucks to support a losing candidate - um...twice, eh, Fogu?
Sorry, you're hurting.
August 22, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, Eric, this is good stuff. Keep it up.
August 22, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unintended consquences alert II;
The McCain's bought property with their own money..the American dream
The Obama's bought property through favors and shady deals...this is the type of behavior we're trying to get out of politics.
McCain's, the American Dream
The Obama's, criminals.
August 22, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ha, Cindy is a heiress. She didn't even make her own money. She inherited it. McCain married into it. That's the Republican dream.
August 22, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Never said she made it.
This will revive the inheritance tax issue which people are largely against.
August 22, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do you think you are entitled to an inheritance from your parents? You don't believe in inheritance?
August 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fail.
August 22, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tired.
August 22, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aristocracy: Inherit or marry wealth.
Meritocracy: Work for and earn wealth.
Which candidates fits which definition? Which is the American Dream?
August 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Obama's didn't earn it, they were given it as a favor.
You don't believe in ineritance from your parents. You think is should be illegal.
Fail.
August 22, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Beg pardon, shit-for-brains? Obama's money comes from writing two bestselling books. The biggest accomplishment in YOUR sorry life, no doubt, will be if you ever succeed in moving out of your mom's basement.
August 22, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama admitted the loans were a huge mistake.
A huge mistake in judgment.
Obama is all about judgment.
He is ready and willing to be just as corrupt as any politician. You're being duped by his false sincerity. Sucker.
August 22, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
What loans did he admit were a mistake?
All Obama admitted was a mistake was becoming a partner - of sorts - in buying the home and the adjoining lot along with Rezko's wife, which gave the APPEARANCE that there was something underhanded, even though there was NOT.
Obama didn't get any loans from Rezko for the house, much to your dismay - go look up other attacks on Obama which charge him with being a smart shopper and getting a better-than-average rate on his mortgage.
Of course, if he had been as smart as McCain, he'd have found a wealthy heiress, then dumped Michelle, and bought the house and the lot, cash upfront.
I know, I know - don't feed the trolls...
August 22, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
The loan on his home. Paraphrasing, I believe he said it was one of the worst decisions he ever made.
August 22, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ummm....
Cindy McCain's father achieved the American Dream - becoming wealthy through his hard work.
Cindy McCain achieved everybody's dream - inherit wealth.
John McCain achieved everyman's dream - marry into wealth.
August 22, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. What's your point?
The Obama's achieve their "success" through corrupt favors.
Acceptinging legitimate wealth is preferable to endorsing opportunistic corruption.
August 22, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama got his money for writing his own books. But then, facts never get in the way of that finger, do they?
Fogu2: All Finger, No Substance
(not my creation, another smart commenter on TPM)
August 22, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
randomsubu,
posting with fogu2 makes sense only if you could find a time warp and transport yourself back in time to when you were 10, then you would be on equal footing with him.
August 22, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
How is it that the Keating 5 (or is it 7, or 9 . . . let me check with my staff on the number) doesn't seems to have been wiped from the history books?
August 22, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
The H.O.T.T. new avatar and tenuous grip on perception are like a potent cocktail of sexy PUMA Power.
We must get this party started.
August 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
You have to find some new material. That horse is dead. If you are comparing who earned what, you lose.
August 22, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
No. I'm comparing legally acquired wealth vs. wealth acquired through corruption. McCain the former, Obama the latter.
August 22, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your "Hillary as annoyed Jedi ghost" avatar sucks, too.
August 22, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're so hot when you're drunk.
August 22, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
"No. I'm comparing legally acquired wealth vs. wealth acquired through corruption. McCain the former, Obama the latter."
Your Three Card Spread:
The Fool, The Magician, Death
In the past you've had difficulty clearing the cloud of delusion and it has left you forlorn and bitter.
Currently, the magic of denial has continued to foster a festering wound, causing you to strike out against others with unfounded arguments and a general lack of truthiness.
On your current path, you can only expect defeat, heartbreak and an eventual nervous breakdown.
August 22, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
Oops, sorry, shouldn't laugh at other's misfortune.
Fogu, you're doomed.
August 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Did you actually bother reading that reply beyond the first few words?
Sad.
August 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've got to hand it to you, Fogu2. A Lesser Troll would've surveyed today's political landscape, with it's slightly Toxic airs swirling around the elder McCain, and thought that today might not be the best day for a Walk On.
But not you. You've got a Bindle of Stupid burning a hole in your pocket like John Sydney's allowance and you're damn well gonna spend it. Glad to see you continue to Live the Dream.
August 22, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, if only occasionally you were right.
Stick to your stupid review shtick. It's cute.
August 22, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Adding a toke of the Self Parody pipe? Priceless.
August 22, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry for getting out of the topic but the "Celebrity" ads are back and this one is the dullest yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHoUUEkQjTk&eurl
Maybe they're compensating the fact that they forgot to call Obama a celebrity in the Resko response ad. Talking about forgetting...
August 22, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
As long as we're off topic, here's a fascinating New Yorker article about the Democratic party's shift westward:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/09/01/080901fa_fact_lizza
August 22, 2008 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great article. Thanks for the link.
August 22, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
These ads are not working for their 'celebrity' meme. What is working is the 'highter taxes'
That is what the party base is saying. Obama will raise our taxes, they are not as focused on this celebrity deal.
Obama has to counter the same ol same ol liberal tax and spend line.
That is what is working for the base.
August 22, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Take a look at how this is playing out in Raleigh.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com
August 22, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think we should be thinking about how Obama can keep driving the narrative after the Republican convention in two weeks.
I am sure the McRovians have plans on maintaining a narrative out of their convention but if they can be sidetracked by this housing gaffe then they can be sidetracked again. I vote for YouTube videos of McCain's top ten trigger-happy grouchy old man moments.
Senator McCain, my friend, how many SUV's does it take to get your morning latte?
August 22, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope this hurts Mccy, but it doesn't seem very important. If I had a lot of money I would buy lots of real estate, what else are you going to do, eat it? No, wait, I would GIVE it away to the poor . . . aw, who'm I kidding.
August 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's important because it connects with McCain's inability to take the real problems of real people seriously. Also, it sheds some light on his fight to keep the Bush tax cuts for the richest permanent. And, connection needs to be made between the massive wealth of the McCain's and the Republican's fight to deregulate banking, mortgages, etc., and to weaken government oversight of financial dealings.
August 22, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right on target, Bat Guano.
August 22, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
It also touches on his honesty and "forthrightness" (is that a word or something I snagged from the Bush dictionary?) If he had said something like "We live in 3 homes and have a couple rental/vacation properties." it would have been something to use against him, but NOTHING like the debacle he's created for himself.
August 22, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually much of that deregulation came at the hands of Democrats during the Clinton administration. The sub-prime fiasco is a legacy of the Democrats as much as the Republicans.
I'll certainly agree the the wealth disparity in America is a problem. It's a complex problem that cannot simplistically be attributed to Republican policy.
August 22, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Completely false. Point of fact, the financial deregulation of markets was authored by none other than McCain's financial advisor Phil Gramm!!
He along with Greenspan are at the root of the massive default in mortgages and lack of securitization of the loans which allowed for this debacle.
The GOP owns this!
August 22, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a difference in investing in property and owning property for your personal use.
Now if they could prove they lease or "time share" the homes when they are not there, then it's an investment.
Since the homes appear to be for personal use when they decide to travel to that location this is an example of how the wealthy live as opposed to the average American Joe.
They bought an extra sea side condo because the old one was too crowded when the kids were there?
August 22, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Parsing what kind of homes they are, "investments", "personal use", "servant quarters", "guest houses", etc. is not going to help McCain's case. I hope he pushes these distinctions.
A home is a home. Most people are happy to have just one.
August 22, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. But most people wish they had a vacation home and aspire to it.
One of the homes is for an aunt. One for a daughter. Has Obama with all his royalty (now there's an appropriate term) wealth helped his brother get out of that shack in Africa? Selfish, opportunistic, corrupt loans. Yeah, Obama is a model of selfless, modesty.
August 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe the McCain's can set up a charity fund to buy second homes for needy people.
August 22, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is not directly on subject, but has it occurred to anybody just what is a "family corporation" and why woulf the McCains form one?
This might be a little spot to hit him with the next time he talks about tax [probably the only reason to form a 'family corporation'] reductions for the wealthy. I think the average Joe is going to get a few yucks about all these houses, but if the conversation then turns to how the houses are bought and why a 'family corporation' the response will be "WHAT???!!!"
August 22, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I came across a great group of facebook: "Americans Who *Don't* Need Staff To Count All Their Houses"
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27940696679
Join up!
August 22, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
So the answer to the question is, "It depends what the meaning of "owns" is"?
http://bacontherobotmonkey.blogspot.com/
August 22, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
PEOPLE: CHECK OUT THIS NEW ATTACK AD FROM THE DNC
Ad is tilted 'How many'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/21/193943/988/378/572203
August 22, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
A western whitehouse in Cornado CA so flyboy can board his USS Lincoln and pretend his mission accomplished after starting WW III.
August 22, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, guess I'll have to start paying attention to this then . . .
August 22, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
There's also an issue of obliviousness on the whole carbon footprint thing. Not that anyone in public life (including Al Gore) is exemplary on this issue, but still, maintaining 8 homes is flagrantly wasteful and shows zero concern about the environment. I don't care how much money you have, you DON'T need 8 homes!
August 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Huffingtonpost's Sam Stein reports:
UPDATE: A Democratic source emails this tidbit, undermining the idea that Obama (a celeb) doesn't have to worry about family budgets but "we" (presumably including McCain) does. "McCain spends MORE a year on house STAFF ($273,000), than the average person's home is worth ($218,000)."
This is according to personal financial disclosure forms.
August 22, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
You obviously have no concept of how the Hollywood and San Francisco elite live. They are almost unanimously on board for Obama with their very nice contributions and lavish fundraisers. To them, the McCain lifestyle is average at best.
August 22, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh Fogu, don't you keep up with your own party's news?
Rush Limbaugh just signed a $400 million contract.
Jeez...
August 22, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. I'm not Republican
2. Limbaugh is not Hollywood or San Francisco.
jeez.
August 22, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, TrollPsychic is right, you're in complete denial.
You're toting Republican talking points; if it walks like a sorry GOP'er...
August 22, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re the condo in La Jolla.
Folks forget that earlier this year the San Diego County tax assessor had to put McCain on notice for not paying his property taxes in a timely way. If memory serves it was for several years but that should be easy to fact check. Regardless, it would be a interesting development to exploit what with his being a man of the people and so on.
Apparently with all the help McCain reports needing to have as represented by the $240,000 dollars in employee costs he doesn't have anybody who keeps track of tax payments. Either that or they have so many houses that it's too much for the average accountant to manage.
August 22, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
They must really be hurting financially. We should totally start a 'Help McCain Pay His Taxes Fund'. Poor guy.
August 22, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
What makes you think he pays any taxes?
August 22, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that the house they bought for an aunt?
When's Obami gonna buy something for his impoverished brother?
Yes, that would dovetail nice with Obama's lack of charitable contributions.
Ah well, I, me, me, mine.
August 22, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
No they didn't buy if for the aunt, she just lives in. Cindy's daddy bought it and she inherited it, guess that is why she doesn't remember to pay taxes on it.
August 22, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's San Diego's fault for not taking American Express.
August 22, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much of the quarter-mil-plus $$$ is for an accountant, to keep track of how many homes he owns?
"I have people to keep track of stuff like this, they'll get back to you."
For most Americans in the Bush economy, losing a home is a nightmare. For McCain? He can lose track of a home all the time, no biggie.
August 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain doesn't own any houses and apparently neither does his wife. The trust and corporations own them, which means of course, no capital gains tax when they're sold and no estate taxes when they die.
The point that should be made is that McCain doesn't own a stake in America, he doesn't have to pay a mortgage, he doesn't pay property taxes, he's not even responsible for his gas and electric bills - as far as I can tell he doesn't even own a car. His royalties from his books goes to charity, which no doubt offsets his earned income taxes. McCain - footloose and taxfree - at age 71.
Great American patriot, huh? Doesn't even pay taxes.
August 22, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The "Sedona Estate" is in Cornville, Arizona, about 10 miles southwest of Sedona.
I guess the McCains want to feel fancier by saying they live in Sedona than CORNVILLE.
Why do you feel the need to indulge them in their self-glorifying fantasies?
August 22, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
According to the tax return filed in 07 for 06 tax year, between John and Cindy McCain they paid a total of $10,403.00 in property taxes. McCain had no mortgage deduction but he did deduct part of one home or another as a self employed home office deduction and claimed expenses of 21,000.00 on that.
August 22, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, dumbass. One more time. He was not talking about the mortgage as a mistake. Rezko had nothing to do with his mortgage. Nothing, zero, zip, nada. He has just a plain ordinary mortagage with no Rezko connections at all, with the kind of interest rate that well paid professionals with good credit were getting.
What he said was a mistake was purchasing a strip of land on the lot next door from Rezko at 100% of its appraised value because it created an appearance of impropriety even though no actual impropriety occurred.
There's been a lot of speculation by tin hat wearing morons such as yourself that Rezko's decision to buy the lot next door made it possible for Obama to buy the house, but the owners said otherwise.
There's much less there there to this nontroversy, than, say, McCain's, ahem, relationship with Vicky Iseman, or McCain's relationship with his buddy Charlie Keating (and his intervention on their behalf with Federal regulators), or, for that matter your Queen Hillary's amazing career as an amateur commodities tycoon on the cattle futures market.
Guess that's why you goons always have to embellish the Rezko story with a bunch of made up shit.
August 22, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, good to see the "reply to" box is mysteriously unchecking itself at random intervals again. I was afraid we'd lost that that fun and exciting feature.
August 22, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink