McCain Mocks Obama's Accurate Claim About Tire Pressure
It looks like John McCain won't be backing down from his campaign's attack on Barack Obama over tire pressure and energy conservation. At an appearance in Ohio just now, McCain mocked Obama for suggesting that people do such a thing as easily save money and energy by maintaining their cars.
"He's claiming putting air in your tires is the equivalent of new offshore drilling," McCain said. "That's not an energy plan, my friends -- that's a public service announcement."
The problem is that keeping your tires well-inflated is at least the equivalent of new offshore drilling in terms of how much money you'll spend on gas. In fact, as Time reported the other day, it could potentially be better than new drilling -- if everyone did it we'd consume three percent less gasoline, while drilling would only meet one percent of our overall oil needs.
"In other words," Time said, "Obama is right."
Hmm. Could we be catching another glimpse of that GOP "pride in being ignorant" that Obama noted the other day?
Let us not forget Governor Mitt Romney’s words about Senator
John McCain while being interviewed by Hannity and Colmes on Fox during the GOP’s
presidential primary back in February of 2008:
ROMNEY: Well, I think it's going to change a lot of people's opinion about the Straight-Talk Express, which is what he's been selling for some years that he's a straight-talker, and he tells it like it is. I think people recognize that he'll say anything to get the presidency. It's been something that he's been campaigning for well, probably a decade or more, and it's within his grasp almost. And then all of a sudden this guy Mitt Romney stands up and I'm in his way. And he's going to say whatever he has to, and not just doing something that was inaccurate, but doing it at the last possible minute in a state where there's a big military component, was frankly --
He also made fun of congress for taking 5 wks vacation this summer --- with his 26 years in congress, he has accumulated over 2 and a half years of vacation (just for summer ones) paid for by tax payers.
August 7, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think people recognize that he'll say anything..."
I hope this is used in an ad at some point. Preferably, immediately after the Republican convention.
August 7, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which would be made all the better if Romney gets VP.
August 7, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Preferably juxtaposed with McCain arguing with McCain on this very energy 'tire guaze' issue like Obama said in Elkhart.
August 7, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG. I can't believe that Flat Tire McSame is keeping this issue alive. Figgered he'd be ducking and running for cover by now.
Exactly. The Two Faces of McSame debates continue. Hope Leno et al. have a field day with this!
August 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
He just proved Obama exactly right. McCain seems to be having a debate with himself.
America deserves better than this cat.
August 7, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for reminding me of the Romney statement. To say McCain is confused is an understatement, One day he mocks tire pressure as a gas saver, the next he admits it is correct that tire pressure saves gasoline and now he is trying to malign Obama again regarding tire pressure. McCain seems to be so confused that he cannot even remember the things he said a few days ago. Imagine him in conference with say, Iran, Nah, that is truly too scary to contemplate,
August 8, 2008 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
This the day after he conceded that he agreed with Obama that it actually worked?
McCain can't keep anything straight.
August 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
it's not that he can't keep anything straight.
it's that he doesn't think he has to keep anything straight.
even if the media calls him out on it, they'll bury it in a single graph on page 8 below the fold next to the thumbnail ad for replacement windows.
August 7, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is the most incredibly media-pampered candidate in this country since the press conspired to conceal FDR's wheelchair. The fact that the old man is addled and just plain mean for some inexplicable reason seems to charm the bejabbers out of the reporters who are assigned to cover him. I just wish Obama had the guts to attack this wobbly old near-corpse with the energy that McCain's team has mustered against him.
August 7, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's all about telling EVERYONE just what they want to hear.
Whether it's Sturgis, CNN, or bundlers with shady Iraq Oil Contracts.
August 7, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
You'd think we'd had enough of this type of leader.
August 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, that isn't leadership, yo.
On the other hand, Obama telling people via a "public service announcement" that they need to keep their tires properly inflated is simple, effective leadership. This just shows off McCain's arrogance.
August 7, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or the fraternity boys who overdose on alcohol -- trying to prove how dumb they are? Or the talking heads on television who seem to revel in showing that they can't speak a word of a foreign language. Same thing: they fall all over themselves proving that they are dumb!
There is a culture of stupidity in the country, and that is what the Republicans play to!
August 7, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also pride in being a liar.
August 7, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep digging the hole, digging the hole..
August 7, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain doesn't dig holes, he drills them.
August 7, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Drill here!
Drill now!
August 7, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
i think the mccain camp is confident that the he can talk out of both sides of his mouth, knowing that he can talk to his high-information base and his low-information base at the same time even though he might say nearly contradictory things.
otherwise, they are just running like a chicken with its head cut off
August 7, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The GOP expect their high information base to realize that their candidate is just pandering to the low information voters and not to hold what he says to that crowd against him - that it's something that needs to be done to get elected.
August 7, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is an excellent example of McCain trying to out dumbass the locals,,,,,, hey, worked for Bushie in that part of the state.
August 7, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please. mcCain IS a dumbass.
Why isn't anyone questioning why cindy McCain is ALWAYS at his side? What is up with that?
Has anyone else noticed that McCain is never anywhere speaking without her right there or someother elbow lurker to whisper in his ear.
McCain has some issues that are not being made public as these people crutches are very apparent.
August 7, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't be surprised if he has a special "hearing aid" installed for the debates.
August 7, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reagan needed "Mommy" to help him along when he was befuddled.
Considering how difficult it was for McCain to spit out his crowd pleasing "Tired of paying $4.00 a...gallon" for the bikers in the Dakotas, he needs some assistance. (For a moment in his splutter, I almost thought he was going to blurt out $4.00 for soap...)
This marble mouthed stuff is why it was necessary to drop the "rawther win a campaign than a war" line about Obama. He could hardly slap it out.
August 7, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
what? didn't he say the other day that Obama was right and the AAA was right and that people SHOULD inflate their tires?
i guess thats what happens when you're 72...you can't remember your talking points from one day to the next.
August 7, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
His campaign issued a written statement to that effect. Not sure whether his campaign speaks for him or he speaks for himself today. The mixed message may be something new at the moment.
August 7, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not only did the campaign say it, McCain said it himself
Stay on message, Gramps!
August 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Notice he didn't ANSWER the Iraq question - if he would vote AGAIN yes. He just claims that Saddam would be worse today....
August 7, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep that tone right there, McLame - keep sounding like a grumpy old man.
McLame is punching himself in the face.
August 7, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Regarding "He's claiming putting air in your tires is the equivalent of new offshore drilling":
You point out that inflating could, in fact, have more of an impact than drilling. And that's an important point. But I think you're missing an even more important one, which is this:
Obama wasn't claiming that at all.
He brought up "put air in your tires" in direct response to a question a person had about what they personally could do to help solve the energy crisis.
"You can drill offshore" is not a reasonable answer to that question, in any sense of the word "reasonable". "Fill your tires" is.
For McCain to say that this means that Obama thinks filling your tires could have more of an impact than offshore drilling is a blatant lie, regardless of whether or not filling your tires could have more of an impact than offshore drilling.
August 7, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ever notice how often they do that? Hillary did it too - they take the answer to a question out of context.
August 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes McCain was against the statement "keep your tires inflated to save gas" before he was for it before he was against it. Stay tuned for the string of his disassembling about this and other issues. Me thinks he is so addled he forgets what he said yesterday. Then there is Obama's "Get Out of Iraq" card he negotiated with Malaki that was dissed by McCain and even Bush ie 2010 is not what I heard Malaki say". Please note that Obama has forced the Bush mafia to comply with and today the White House stated looks like 2011. Amazing skill of Obama. Even Bush jumps to his orders.
August 8, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent point. It seems to have gotten lost amid all the ridiculousness. McCain is just flat out making things up.
August 7, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
And to think the GOP claims to be all about personal responsibility.
August 7, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the power of repetition that the Dems don't seem to grasp. It doesn't matter if it is true or not just say "Obama is a celebrity" or "Obama's energy plan is a tire gauge" and it becomes true in the minds of voters. Most voters will not seek out Obama's energy proposal, but when "Straight Talk Express" McCain tells them something it must be true.
"Head on! Apply directly to the forehead"
"Head on! Apply directly to the forehead"
"Head on! Apply directly to the forehead"
"Head on! Apply directly to the forehead"
"Head on! Apply directly to the forehead"
McCain also has a new Maverick web ad out where it has quotes from Biden, Obama, Clinton, Feingold, Kerry and others praising McCain. So he's combating the McCain=Bush meme Obama and Co are trying to make stick while establishing another one of his own.
August 7, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Dems still don't know how to win elections.
People keep talking about Obama dropping in the polls, what about the generic congressional ballot where the Dems as a whole have lost like 3-4 points over the past couple weeks? The media will catch onto that soon enough.
August 7, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is looking more and more like Grandpa Simpson, everyday!
August 7, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here is the problem with this whole stupid thing. It is typical republican nonsense. Talk about tire pressure guages for weeks on end and avoid talking about other issues. They can befuddle the masses with this nonsense, which they are doing.
I say we need oil slick adds coming from the dnc or dccc, not necessarily from obama directly. Add in being aggressive in the ad and on right-wing media shows that off shore drilling will do nothing concerning the price of gas and oil and will only be helpful to big oil and boost their profits at the expense of americans. Comeon, go on the attack!
August 7, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't a positive way to be excessively redundant to just point at Obama and say "Change! Change! Change!" McCain has at times tried to say Obama isn't effective change, but they haven't found a good way to say that, so they *cling* to the tire-gauge thing. So, basically, we want people to step into the booth, note Bush is not on the ballot, think to themselves "I want something different!", and then vote for Obama--because he is the true representative of change in their minds. We all know this election will not be about McCain. So let's make it positive about Obama.
August 7, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't necessarily disagree with that. However, the dems need to be defining mcbush as worse than the king and they aren't doing it. He is constantly getting a free pass in the right-wing media. They need to define him, his agenda and the republican agenda for what it is. Soundbites and all. The republicans are defining obama as an inexperienced empty suit and the dems need to hit back and hit back hard. The summer is where you define your opponent and that's one of the reasons why kerry lost in 04. We don't need a repeat. Obama should stay above the fray and let the dems do it for him. "Define" mcbush.
August 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup.
Willie Horton.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Dukakis in a tank.
Swift Boat.
Kerry sounding French.
Flip flop.
I'm sure there are many others to add.
They're most comfortable with the sophomoric lowest common denominator (they like being where they live), and they've never gone unelected by underestimating the stupidity of the American people. Hmm...was P.T. Barnum a Republican?
August 7, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
(meant to reply to Michael A's earlier post about befuddling the masses with nonsense.)
August 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It really is frustating. Dems are smart, why can't they come up with the same garbage against republicans? I really don't get it.
August 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not about coming up with the garbage- I'm positive that is done.
It's that Democrats feel that they are above it and refuse to do it. Sort of like going to a knife fight with a spork.
August 7, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because Democrats take elections seriously, they don't regard them as garbage. Democrats think elections should be about issues, not bamboozlement.
But in recent decades, Republicans have shown themselves in being more interested in generating sufficient noise to drown out substantive debate. Just as they do on talk shows. I suppose Democrats could choose to add to the noise, but is that really good for the country?
August 7, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, if it gets dems in power it sure is good for the country. If they don't get in power, but sound good, that and $5.00 gets you a cup of coffee. I want dems to win and I really don't care how they go about doing it. The republicans sure won't play fair, because the issues are totally stacked against them, so why should dems? It makes no sense.
August 7, 2008 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the immortal words of Dark Helmet,
"Now you see that evil will always triumph over good, because good is dumb."
August 7, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, the Rove playbook says to take your opponent's strength and turn it into a weakness. One of McCain's perceived strengths is his military background, but we don't want to go there.
The other that comes to mind is his Straight-Talk Express. As much as that is derided in this and other blogs, there hasn't been much (that I've seen) in the MSM tying McC's flip-flops, errors, and lies to the image of that bus of forthrightiness.
We should tie an albatross onto that bus and mention it every time we can, backing it up with examples as often as possible.
I suggest Forked-Tongue Express.
Straight-Jacket Express also has it's charms, but it would be less likely to get rolling, IMO.
August 7, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, the Rove playbook says to take your opponent's strength and turn it into a weakness. One of McCain's perceived strengths is his military background, but we don't want to go there.
I disagree that we don't want to delve into McCain's military background as a way of attacking his strength. There are plenty of issues to talk about, e.g. the right's claim that his turning down early release from the N Vietnamese is evidence of his character. Surely he underwent severe hardship because of his imprisonment but, if you read Article III of the Code of Conduct, you find that he simply did what he was legally required to do just like every other POW. Other examples have to do with his lack of support of soldiers and veterans, e.g. his opposition of the Webb/Hagel GI Bill as "too generous". His subsequent attempt to take credit for same after passing up two opportunities to vote on it in favor of fund raising. The list goes on and on...
August 8, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like Obama said, we are witnessing John McCain debate John McCain. This man is old and confused that he can't even remember what he said from day to day. Geez.
August 7, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/07/leaked-mccain-memo-paint_n_117484.html
This is a clue into the McFudlle campaign's thinking of what will work against Obama..the real irony is that McFuddle will not be coherent enough and clear in his messages to carry it out!
August 7, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Queue the quotes where McCain says he doesn't know anything about the economy.
This plan is actually already being rolled out as McCain said yesterday something about needing an "economic surge".
Of course this is the only vid that needs to be seen - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5KZzgaB2k
August 7, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Omigod, he's going to send troops into our office buildings! Look out!
August 7, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT, but noteworthy:
Hillary Clinton is featured in a McCain attack ad: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080807/ts_alt_afp/usvotemccainclintonmedia_080807135813;_ylt=AsuWRkNsLHa4zkgGJJYkb6epg9IF
August 7, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
The gift that keeps on giving...
And this won't be forgotten, were McCain to be elected.
August 7, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I actually don't think it will be forgotten even if obama gets elected. Anybody have any thoughts for a primary challenger against the clintons in 2012? Let's start the ball rolling now. You can't be too early in raising campaign contributions and getting your ground game in order. "Anybody but the clintons for senate in 2012" is the new rallying cry.
August 7, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
RFK Jr.
August 7, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
He would be good, but I recall that he was a supporter of the clintons. I don't know if he would take the plunge in light of that support.
August 7, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think he was supporting her presidential bid because he wanted the open seat.
August 7, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
The dysphonia that he has will probably prevent him from running for public office ever again.
August 7, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that his normal voice? He was born speaking in that manner?
August 7, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
No. He developed this just recently.
August 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mark Warner anyone?
HRC's backlash will be fierce if Obama doesn't win of the non-PUMA's (though the real PUMA # is likely very, very small)
August 7, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
word.
August 7, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was directing "word" at CTVoter and of course, reply has it out of order.
August 7, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, it lines up under Michael's, so it worked even if it looks out of place.
August 7, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain just brought up his STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS AGAIN....
I was reminded of a Saturday Night Live sketch that Senator John McCain did back in 2002 last night on The Verdict with Dan Abrams. McCain tried to start a singing career.
He wasn’t bad to be hones; but the one song he partially sang gave me the idea of great campaign ad.
The song was "Memories, light the corners of my mind, Misty water-colored memories, of the way we were." song by Barbara Streisand.
Can’t you just picture an ad using the theme of McCain debating McCain (as Obama stated yesterday) showing the following:
McCain first saying he’s supported President Bush almost 90% of the time then a video showing McCain saying he’s nothing like Bush.
McCain saying on MTP that he voted against the tax cuts, then a video showing where he supports the tax cuts.
McCain saying he’s against Oil drilling, then another showing he’s for drilling
McCain saying he’s against new energy ideas, then another showing he’s for them
Etc….
Then showing the Straight Talk Express bus driving away and in the background McCain is singing…."Memories, light the corners of my mind, Misty water-colored memories, of the way we were."
August 7, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's help the Republicans put there money where their mouth is and deflate their tires tonight.
August 7, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
That "my friends" is an idea we could have some mischief with....
August 7, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do it tonight when we could do it on a Monday in early November? Heh heh heh.
Jokes, Mr. Mukasey. Just jokes...
August 7, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tom Toles's take:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/cartoonsandvideos/toles_main.html?name=Toles&date=08072008&type=c?hpid=opinionsbox1
August 7, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that what McCain is trying to do is accumulate enough McPoints to win one of his own McPrizes.
I thought that when Obama said that he looked forward to McCain debating McCain, he was just taking a (relative) cheap shot. How were we to know how prophetic Obama would be?
August 7, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
mccain debating mccain
August 7, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
mccain is seeking to contrast his plans to confront the energy crisis to obama's by not truly portraying obama's plan.
do we expect sen. obama to follow suit by making such an agregious claim?
if sen. obama did, would be able to have the same effect without driving down his positives amongst independents and moderate republicans?
if sen. obama did falsely portray mccain's energy (as boldly as sen. mccain to his) would he get the same free pass in network media coverage as sen. mccain?
mccain is able to make this statement, because once he agreed with sen. obama on the tire gauge thing, it tampered down the criticism that mccain didn't understand the problems of the crisis and the set of solutions offered by obama. this put the issue of tire gauges/obama on the frontburner as a legitimate way to reduce fuel consumption, which allows mccain to speak to crowds and criticize the tire gauge issue as if it were the centerpiece of the energy plan.
it is a simple deflection and pivot from a retraction/flip flop into another attack. i think it shows boldness on the part of the mccain campaign, because they believe they can (and they probably will) get away with it.
August 7, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is just becoming stupid. McCain himself has said that off shore oil drilling will not add significantly to the price of oil at the pump. Now he is acting like this is the be all and end all of energy policy. Why is nobody challenging him to the role of OPEC in the world. OPEC was formed to controll the supply of oil in the world market. If the U.S. produces more oil, OPEC will just take product out of the market,nobody is factoring that in. Any oil trader will tell you this, we are spending all this capital on 3% of the world supply. Another thing, why would Exxon drill in the U.S. with all the red tape involved and the revenue sharing with the states, when they can drill in Africa and pay only 10% to Angola or Equatorial guinea, and no environmental laws to deal with. That is why they are not using the leases they have in the U.S. It is cheaper in Africa
August 7, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Preferably juxtaposed with McCain arguing with McCain on this very energy 'tire guaze' issue like Obama said in Elkhart.
August 7, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Senator Obama a couple of days ago said that we ought to all inflate our tires, and I don't disagree with that. The American Automobile Association strongly recommends it, but I also don't think that that's a way to become energy independent."
"My opponent doesn't want to drill, he doesn't want nuclear power, he wants you to inflate your tires."
“Instead of calling on his party’s leadership to return to Congress and carve out an ‘all of the above’ approach to America’s energy crisis, Barack Obama would rather tell commuters to inflate their car tires,”
August 7, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another non sequitur.
August 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
mccain criticizes obama's energy policy as inaction and obama criticizes mccain's policy as the wrong action
which do you think is easier to decipher for the average voter?
August 7, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even Paris supports an 'all the above' approach. If that dimwit thinks 'all the above' is better than 'non the above', I'm pretty sure average voter would reach the same conclusion.
August 7, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much are you getting paid?
August 7, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, ten more posts and BK will have enough Straight Talk Dollars for McCain to call him a trollop.
August 7, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
DUH....you still getting your talking points from McFuddle???
August 7, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's not be blind: McCain is making the point that this -- keeping your tires inflated -- is all Obama's got.
Which of course is bullcrap. Proper vehicle maintenance (and the fact that it would save as much as what offshore drilling expansion would gain) is just part of Obama's energy plan.
McCain wants people to think that it's all Obama has. How do we combat this?
August 7, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
that is a good question.
i think that the ads that the obama campaign are putting out now lay out his energy policy very succinctly: "take on big oil, $1000 credit for families, invest in alternative fuel sources". he and his surrogates need to hammer this home all the time, everyday.
unfortunately, it seems that sen. mccain hits obama at one his strength: nuance. sen. obama gave a very good answer at what everyday people can do the help reduce consumption and the mccain camp decided to take that great answer and make it the only answer that he has on the energy crisis. and because the network media plays any attack no matter how ridiculous without any challenges of its merits, mccain made a smart move.
August 7, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would be really, Really, REALLY nice if the Obama campaign had some effective campaign surrogates who can push Obama's messages in the corporate media. My mimeograph machine is maxed at this point.
August 7, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sigh. I couldn't agree more with you. We need the equivalent of "a noun, a verb and 9/11" out there every week.
August 7, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about this?:
McCain = Bush: Like a Rock, only dumber and older.
August 7, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with that 1000 percent. Dems need to simplify their message. The dem message always takes too much explaining. They have to come up with some stuff that complies with the KISS principle for the 80% of the population that doesn't pay attention to anything that isn't more than 4 words long.
August 7, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN: Agreement between US & Iraq.
All troops home by 2010.
In the words of Clay Davis: "Sheeeeeit".
August 7, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know is unrelated, but if this it's not a gamechanger, I don't what is.
August 7, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry for the cursing.
August 7, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Link?
August 7, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here it is:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080807/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_us_bases
Oh, my God, President Obama is already influencing and controlling the agenda. Oh, my God, This is awesome news!!!! Yeah! Wow! Awsome!
I wish it was yesterday, but at least it isn't 100 years. Now that we set up an Iranian puppet state on the border with Saudi Arabia, let's get the f*ck out. Great job republicans on your excellent foreign policy and national security creds. Pathetic.
August 7, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fuuuuuuuuuuuudge!
August 7, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nothing on CNN's page yet...
August 7, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Confirmed by MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26074685/
August 7, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well McCain can claim "Victory because of my Surge!!" just the same couldn't he? I don't see how this is necessarily a boon for Obama. I mean Obama's biggest plus on Iraq was that he was going to bring troops home whereas McCain was for a never-ending war. Now with that off the table at best Iraq becomes a non-issue.
McCain will claim judgment on the surge and Obama will claim the judgment that they shouldn't have been there in the first place.
August 7, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not quite.
McCain once said 100 years, then he was for a timetable, then said conditions on the ground, then he said until victory is achieved (without explaining what victory is) and so on...
The McCain vs. McCain angle starts to stick:
Stay tuned...
August 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
And finally: He's still for a war that most americans are against and think that it wasn't worth to start in the first place.
+4000 dead soldiers, who knows how many iraqis,
billions wasted, oil prices three times higher...
August 7, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
and the fact that was started on lies!
August 7, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have a remarkable ability to take any event and turn it into an advantage for McCain and a problem for Obama.
August 7, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's more of a devils advocate mentality. Besides I wouldn't want this place to become an echo chamber.
August 7, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
So cast McCain as someone who wants to start a war with Iran. Show the videos of him singing about perpetual war (bomb, bomb, bomb iran).
August 7, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama congratulates the Bush Administration for coming around to his position on troop withdrawal...lets McCain twist in the wind.
I don't understand why Obama's campaign hasn't been hammering McCain on "the surge succeeded"...if the surge succeeded, that must mean we already won...if so, it's time to bring the troops home...perfect argument, I think...
August 8, 2008 12:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
The article said most troops instead of all troops.
My bad. Still, this is news.
August 7, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
All combat troops out by 2010 (only 6 months later than Obama suggests), all others out within about 3 years after...there's supposed to be enough flexibility in the language for each (or both) sides to modify the timetable (there it is: timetable!) if conditions on the ground dictate...
August 8, 2008 12:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has already predict "John McCain Vs John McCain." Dang!! Obama is right again
August 7, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain Vs. McCain battle has begun.
August 7, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys are too much!
August 7, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has already predicted "John McCain Vs John McCain." Dang!! Obama is right again
August 7, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus God, how dumb is John McCain?
August 7, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama needs to keep hammering away with that line....."Looking forward to the debate between John McCain and John McCain". Obama's gentle mocking tone is perfect. McCain just looks confused and out of touch by comparison, like his pal George W.
August 7, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The tire pressure being the equivalent of offshore drilling raised an interesting technology point. Today we have sensors which detect low tire pressure. I think this was in response to the SUV rollovers a few years ago. But I would think it would be a small step to run a small compressor off the engine which would keep your tires inflated. I wonder what the cost/benefit analysis would be on such a device with $4/gallon gas?
August 7, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not an engineer, but I think the step would be quite large since tires are moving parts. How would you get an air hose to remain attached without wrapping it around the axles?
August 7, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
You would get it the same way the sensors detect the tire pressure. It would have to go through the axle in some manner. It may be too expensive to implement or might not be reliable enough for the consumer market. But this idea demonstrates the kind of innovation that occurs when the cost of gas reaches a certain level.
August 7, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm pretty sure the auto manufacturers would raise hell that it would raise cost too high and be impractical...like seat belts...like air bags...like anti-lock brakes...etc...etc...etc...ad nauseum...
August 8, 2008 12:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is not stupid, he is just cynical.
August 7, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, both. I'd throw 'corrupt' in the mix too.
August 7, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Re the post by Dorn 76 about McCain debating McCain. Seems like McCain really wants to debate himself on the tire pressure issue. As one who is just two years older than McCain and has an occasional "senior moment," I think we all need to look at McCain for signs of dementia. Or maybe I'm not having "senior moments."
August 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I knew Commander Coocoo Bananas would do this - agree to end the war. It was so predictable - it's the biggest issue the GOP faces.
August 7, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Doesn't it kind of take the wind out of McCain's sails? He has no other issue on which to run.
August 7, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn you Schmedley, you were too quick for me. ;)
August 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heh.
August 7, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
O I think so too and yeah, it doesn't do shit for McLame.
I think they think it will take the wind out of Obama's campaign - ha ha ha! The GOP has given us more issues to talk about than I think the Democrats have ever had.
And besides that - Commander Coocoo Bananas is all talk. How many times have we heard him say he was going to do something, and then it all disappeared? Laura was going to start a program on gang violence. O really?
There was going to be a War Czar. Uh huh.
[rolls eyes]
August 7, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chimpy's hearing must have gotten better in the past couple of days.
August 7, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice of Bush to finally accept the Obama/Maliki timetable, huh?
August 7, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mocking McMunster has a dependency on being crude.
August 7, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT, is this the definition of "irony" or what?
First they mock Barack for being like Paris. Then they take Paris' (Barack's) idea.
Just sad.
August 7, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sad, and really stupid.
Obama, and every other Democrat should say "We're talking about real solutions, and the Republicans want to talk about Paris Hilton".
August 7, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
forgot the quintessential Commander Coocoo Bananas:
"Mars, bitches!"
August 7, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone needs to add some psi presure to McCains brain. IF this man gets elected, it will only show how dumbed down america got. Why support public education when we (republicans)know the smarter the American people get the less of a chance a republican will get voted into office.
August 7, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can I ask why Obama doesn't just embrace the stupid tire guage? His campaign could distribute them at all its purple-state events with a snappy flier that says "Energy savings at home, along with investment in renewable energy (etc.) can create new jobs and make American energy independent. That's Obama's plan."
Don't oppose the tire guage message; co-opt. Make the tire guage part of a talking point that hits the four main parts of the Obama energy plan, including energy conservation.
August 7, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
don't use less oil. if demand goes down, prices will fall and so will oil company profits.
increase the supply... drill more.
suck it, McCain - you are so in the pocket of big oil
Obama offers a solution that can make a real difference today... if demand for oil drops 3% that's 3% that is going to our economy and not being shipped overseas. Let's see what that does for America and for oil prices.
Drilling and more Nuclear power plants will not affect gas prices in the near term, or most likely at all in the next 8 years. If we invest in green energy technology and renewables now, we won't need oil and nuclear by then and the longterm environmental and health cost tradeoffs are not worth it.
August 7, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
No shit. Get McVain to buy everyone who owns a car or wants to own a car a gauge. Deplete his funds. Drive him to new horizons of distraction.
August 7, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Snide invective is all they know.
Meanwhile, gas prices are dropping without more drilling, which kinda deflates the McCain/Bush argument.
August 7, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
So you want to take the policy advocated by the "dimwit"?
August 7, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, that one was to the idiot with the fat guy avatar who said: "Even Paris supports an 'all the above' approach. If that dimwit thinks 'all the above' is better than 'non the above', I'm pretty sure average voter would reach the same conclusion," which anyone can see is an endorsement of a dimwit's plan.
August 7, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go John Mc Go! You got Barry Hussein on the run. Maybe Barry Hussein can sponsor a bill in the Senate where everyone gets a free tire gauge in addition to another $600 (rebate/welfare) check so that the trailer and public housing trash that get the funds can go out and buy tobacco and booze to enable them to measure their tire pressure on their reposed cars with their cigarettes and beer in hand.
August 7, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really, O'Reilly?
August 7, 2008 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
This reminds me of a common tendency in software development circles of building needlessly complex software products in response to an issue. I blogged about this on my site.
August 7, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's outsized ego has been deflated, by Obama's threat so he needs to inflate his ego by mocking Obama. That is why the tire-inflation idea reminds him that his own tires a somewhat flat.
The problem with this is that the more he does it the less he resembles a president and the more he resembles a sub-teen girl going, "Nyah-nyah-nyah!"
August 7, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, you guys! Quit encouraging Obama to take my dividends and send them to the masses!
I bought that EXXON stock with my own cash and don't appreciate a government official stealing my profits and spreading them around to buy votes.
Is he running for King?
I don't believe the US President is authorized to "take" profits from citizens and their companies just because he believea he is smarter and knows how to spend it better.
That's what Kings and Dictators do, not US Presidents!
August 7, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, "Great corporations exist only because they were created and safeguarded by our institutions." It is not unreasonable to expect those profits made posible by our institutions be taxed to support those institutions.
August 7, 2008 4:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
That, and great OIL corporation exist only because they are allowed to drill on OUR public lands.
August 7, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even you must realize that being a member of, say, a "club" as in your username, requires one to pay one's dues. So good club members pay their dues that go for the upkeep of the club.
Same with a country. So your self-interested demands to keep all the profits is really the petulant whining of a selfish brat, aye?
August 7, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry...I gues Karl Marx is alive and well.
Silly me, I thought because I bought the stock, assumed the risk of it decreasing in value, paid Capital Gains tax when it sold and Income Tax on the dividends, that I would be able to keep the profit.
Angry, you should check out countries that confiscate private property and profits and see how they are doing.
Hint: Cubans still drive 55 Chevys and everyone is dirt poor.
August 7, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
But your precious profit is attained at some point by means of a public infrastructure paid for by prior generations. Why should you take all the profit when that infrastructure needs maintenance or replacement.
Hint: Check out the bridges around the country.
Why do you begrudge paying a portion of the profit to maintain the means by which you made the profit?
August 7, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't I mention that I pay capital gains tax as well as income tax on money from my investment from EXXON that has already been taxed?
EXXON has already paid three dollars on every one dollar of profit. So when EXXON makes 11 billion in the last quarter, it has already paid 33 billion in the same quarter to the Federal Govt.
Isn't that a sufficient "portion" of the profits.
If you guys successfully steal profits, you will end inovation and progress. You will kill the goose and there will be no golden eggs, or oil or food or drugs etc.
August 8, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reminds me of a quote I read somewhere attributed to a wealthy Texas retailer: "Why shouldn't I give 50% of my money to the American people? I got 100% of it from them."
August 8, 2008 1:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like the messiah will be throwing back Primos at the right time:
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/920/obama-fatigue
August 7, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama should grab the tire pressure gauge stunt and run with it. He should make it a hugely promoted symbol of his energy policy and should hand them out to everybody. All the while loudly explaining that NASCAR is fully onboard. All his supporters could wear mineature gauges on their lapels as lapel pins. Get some excitement going and shove it back in McLame's face. But, alas, Obama's team just doesn't seem to get it. Sigh, why can't dems fight?
August 7, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody should check the tire pressure on the Straight-Talk Express. Is that thing still being driven around?
August 7, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Two MUST-READ articles spelling out the reasons why Obama can't drop McCain in the polls:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-romm/obamas-self-defeating-rhe_b_117463.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/drew-westen/why-voters-say-they-dont_b_117238.html
Same reasons Kerry (war hero) and Gore (Nobel Laureate) BOTH LOST TO A CHIMPANZEE.
Obama's campaign needs to WAKE UP and stop playing Little League ball!!!
Josh: can you make sure these articles get forwarded to the campaign? PLEASE!!?!?
August 7, 2008 9:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where are the articles spelling out the reasons McCain can't catch Obama in the polls?
August 8, 2008 9:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
The only shame in ignorance is taking pride in it.
When one is born stupid it's for a long time.
August 7, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I’m trying to turn the tables on the McCain folks and their stupid tire gauge stunt. I’m having gauges made and selling them on eBay in hopes of raising $2300 for Obama (the max contribution). If you are down, can you please forward this on to other like minded folks. Thanks!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110277515563
August 8, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is not taking pride in being ignorant. He knows that he is lying about this.
The problem is that while everyone here takes it for granted that off-shore drilling is not going to make an impact on gas prices, that is not what the American people think. And if that is what the majority of people think, than Obama talking about tire gauges understandably sounds kind of foolish.
Obviously that is in big part the fault of the media. But it is also the fault of the Obama surrogates, and the recent focus on the "racist" Paris Hilton add. You had John Kerry on Meet the Press, and that's what he was talking about! And Olberman talking about the Miss Buffalo Chip contest and phallic symbols!
August 8, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why do the American people think that off-shore drilling is going to make an impact on gas prices, despite a few democrats assuring them it wont? Because of, as you put it, liars like McCain trumpeting this on 24/7 cable news. As you say, they are being kept in ignorance by traditional media trumpeting the message via liars. As a given, not much Obama can do about that, except counter their message, which he does effectively.
And Obama surrogates can only address the lies as they come out. The Paris Hilton ad chronologially demanded its attention before Tire Guage Farce. Buffalo Chip came next and fit in with Olberman's spiel of the day.
You sound like you want a monolithic, strongly authoritarian uniformity and discipline by a Smear Response team. I like Obama's approach of speaking sensibly to what I feel is the majority of Americans who don't want to be ignorant.
Ever see Idiocracy?
August 8, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink