Election Central Sunday Roundup
New Obama Ad: McCain's White House Will Be Run By "Super-Lobbyist"
The Obama campaign has rolled out another ad attacking John McCain's links to Washington lobbyists, set to air on national cable and in targeted states starting tomorrow. This one specifically goes after McCain for tapping corporate "super-lobbyist" Bill Timmons to head up his transition team should he be elected:
DNC Raised $17.3 million In August
A national Democratic source has confirmed to Election Central that the Democratic National Committee raised $17.3 million in August, with $17.5 million cash on hand. Together with the Obama campaign's $77 million cash on hand, this brings the total Democratic war-chest to $94.5 million as of August 31.
Obama Off The Trail, Biden In North Carolina
Barack Obama does not have any scheduled public events for today. Joe Biden is campaigning in Charlotte, North Carolina, with an event scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
McCain Attending NASCAR Race In New Hampshire
John McCain is spending the day in New Hampshire, where he's attending a NASCAR race in Loudon.
NYT And WaPo Deconstruct Palin
The New York Times and The Washington Post are both out today with profiles of Sarah Palin, and they are must-reads. The total picture that emerges of Palin is very clear: She is a megalomaniacal, vindictive right-winger who serially uses her offices for her own personal benefit, to harass political opponents, and to pursue personal vendettas against people she dislikes.
Palin Still Lying About Bridge To Nowhere
At her rally yesterday in Carson City, Nevada, Sarah Palin again trotted out the lie that she opposed the Bridge To Nowhere, despite having been forced to admit during her interview with Charlie Gibson that she had supported it. Palin again used the standard line, "I told Congress thanks but no thanks to that Bridge to Nowhere -- that if our state wanted to build that bridge, we would build it ourselves.
McCain Campaign Keeps Lying About Crowd Sizes
Despite a Bloomberg report accusing the McCain campaign of lying about crowd sizes, they're apparently still at it. Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki boasted at yesterday's Carson City event with Sarah Palin that 10,000 people were in the crowd -- in an arena that only holds 3,500 people.
Hilarious.
Or, it should be.
September 14, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those in the reality-based community don't know whether to laugh or cry.
September 14, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm about ready to drop a huge load of LSD and leave the reality-based community for good. It's just unbelivable they get away with this shit on a daily basis and the msm let's it go by.
September 14, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's amazing, isn't it?
Up is down, black is white, and the earth is flat, although, according to press accounts, some Democrats disagree.
September 14, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with Hillary Clinton!
(or more precisely Amy Poehler playing her on SNL)
It is never sexist to question female politicians credentials. Please ask this one [pointing to Palin] about dinosaurs. So I invite the media to grow a pair. And if you can't, I will lend you mine.
September 14, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, thats the same kind of GOP math that brought us this great vibrant economy we've got now!
September 14, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
You said it.
September 14, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
There needs to be a "fact-check" of every appearance these toadies do.
Pack of lies! House of cards!
September 14, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I think that would make a great commercial. Cards... each with a a lie. Being built into something that has the words on top saying: Pack of Lies - House of Cards!
September 14, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
One Stop Shop for Vetting Lady mcLiar:
http://dailysource.org/palin#toc
Amazing list of all topics and issues with videos and links related to each.
Bookmark it! Use it!
Discredit the Trophy VP and you discredit mcLiar's judgment too.
September 14, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
lying about crowd size is like lying about how much money you have...it shows your not confident about yourself. And Why the hell is McCain at NASCAR.
Racially Biased Alert: Whitlock and DeMoss
September 14, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because it has a built-in crowd that he can surround himself with. A big problem for McCain is that on his own he can't bring in the numbers unless Palin is there.
September 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because McCain is courting the "Bubba" vote.
Unfortunately, McCain's camp seems to have figured out that single-issue voters are the way to go, and they are courting them on style, not substance. They've got them on guns, gays and God, and... they are succeeding.
Obama is making the same mistake Kerry made, he is speaking a higher-level language that doesn't translate into "Bubba"-speak. Religious right-wingers believe that the poor economy is a sign from God that we are all sinners and we have to stop sinning, hence the need to outlaw abortion, etc etc. If we just stop sinning, God will bring prosperity to the righteous. McCain's wealth is an asset in their eyes, it signifies that McCain is favored by God.
Courting these voters on reason is not going to work. Remember: these voters believe that they are engaged in a daily war with liberals, McCain called himself a soldier for Christ on "The View," and they believe Obama is the devil. They don't watch the news, they don't pay attention to fact checkers, they want to know who will protect their right to bear arms, who will outlaw abortion, who will ban gay marriage, and who will save us from terrorists.
This demographic is bigger than ever. We're talking about a huge population of people who have been uneducated by our failing education system, a huge population of people who take their pastor's word as the word of God, and their pastor may be some nut who is on the radio every week comparing Obama to Hitler.
So the question becomes, should Obama disregard this demographic? Stoop to their level? Or try to woo them elsehow? Because lying is obviously not their primary concern. Style, not substance. Style... not substance.
September 14, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama will not persuade this crowd to come on board.
Logical thought and a balanced perspective will not influence them.
I've had my issues with Obama's positions but he certainly isn't a performing seal who will be doing tricks for the lunkhead bunch.
Kiss this bit of the population off for the campaign; Obama's or any other progressive Democrat's campaign. The backward heap won't be interested.
September 14, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The trolls in the thread prove my point. Reason isn't in their skill set.
September 14, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some crowds are more equal than others, my friends!
~
September 14, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great, great ad. Succinct and attacking with a huge specific.
Not attacking McCain's character and judgment frontally, just giving the fact and letting the viewer figure out the implications for the man's weakness and flawed judgment.
A+
September 14, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Undermine the Reformer image. McCain has painted himself into a corner with this reform crusade. No way he can sustain it between now and November.
September 14, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is interesting that they going back to the Nowhere Bridge lie. Pretty much everyone in the MSM media now talks about her being for it and only against it once the feds pulled their support. They must believe this is their only real strength to create her image as Reformer. If so, her positive numbers will slowly slide down and down.
September 14, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, McLame is at NASCAR, preaching to the choir.
LMAO!!!!
He seems rather worried about that choir. He's been in Colorado Springs - fundiewacko central - he goes to NASCAR -
And he still has to lie about crowd size.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!
September 14, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Worried?
I'd say so. He's advertising in Arizona
September 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
O stop = you're killing me - ROFLMA!!!
September 14, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't that rich?
McCain is spending money advertising in his home state.
Those internals must look pretty grim.
September 14, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, that's why they picked rambo. They were desperate. I guess we'll see how it plays out after that first debate. I hope obama is preparing already. It will be incredibly important.
September 14, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The total picture that emerges of Palin is very clear: She is a megalomaniacal, vindictive right-winger who serially uses her offices for her own personal benefit, to harass political opponents, and to pursue personal vendettas against people she dislikes."
If anyone ever wanted to raise people's doubts about how objective the Palin-Stalin coverage is they just need to let them read this paragraph.
September 14, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's non-objective how, exactly?
Exactly.
September 14, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You will see in about 50 days.
The fact that all of the media is helping Obama by trying to lower Palin's positives is going to backfire.
This is a typical partisan hit piece and it only reinforces what people already decided to think about her.
September 14, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
IOW:
"Search me, I'm just throwing bullshit out there -"
September 14, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, stop trying to muddy the waters.
Eric wrote those words, not the Post or the Times. Eric, last I checked, isn't considered "mainstream media".
September 14, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are both media. Commercial media, paid for by advertising, with stable audience.
But it doesn't matter, because you refuse to admit that this is a lost cause.
Despite the hysterical blowback, most voters already think that Palin is more experienced than Obama. And these hit pieces, both in mainstream media and the wanna-be mainstream media, are simply making it worse.
September 14, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Despite the hysterical blowback, most voters already think that Palin is more experienced than Obama."
Maybe in histrionic troll world, but that statement is completely divorced from reality.
"And these hit pieces, both in mainstream media and the wanna-be mainstream media, are simply making it worse."
Which actually means that the truth coming about about the Moose hunting book banner is scaring the proverbial shit out of republicans - I like it.
September 14, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
"the truth coming out about"
September 14, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have no evidence of this whatsoever.
You are just making sh%t up, Lalo, which tells me you're scared.
September 14, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Fully 47 percent say Obama lacks the proper experience โ an even worse reading than the 36 percent who had the same criticism about McCain running mate Sarah Palin, serving her second year as Alaska governor after being a small-town mayor."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080912/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_ap_poll
September 14, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too funny. You are scared, aren't you?
September 14, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
With McCain leading 20 electoral votes, what do you think?
Oh, I forgot, you only like the polls that bring you good news.
September 14, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, he's scared - hence the trolling.
September 14, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
1) McCain/Palin has peaked.
2) Palin hasn't opened her mouth in a non-scripted way yet. And even when it has been scripted she has struggled.
2) If anyone can see one thing from this election, Americans are fickle. Palin's narrative sounds nice, Americans like that, but she hasn't been on her own yet. Americans will see through the BS when she starts talking and appears eerily reminiscent of a middle school secretary.
McCain and Palin have nothing to run on but surge, earmarks, reform and drilling. All of those have one thing in common. They put bandaids on broken arms. Americans will see that.
September 14, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes they peaked and according to today's Ras poll they are now more likeable than Obama.
And in Minnesota, McCain moved from minus 13 to deadeven.
Yeah, he keeps peaking.
September 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
The flawed logic of the troll, as much as they promote gloom and doom and clumsily state that the other side is finished - is that their mere existence nullifies an already fledgling argument. Nothing, besides a fundamentally better candidate with better plans for America, should put confidence in Obama supporters than your garden variety concern troll.
September 14, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny how the troll jizzer quotes Rasmussen on one hand, then ignores it on the other, all the while accusing everyone else of cherry-picking polls.
Does this ass clown get paid to post on this board?
September 14, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Despite the hysterical blowback, most voters already think that Palin is more experienced than Obama.
Yes, we know that McLame and lizards such as yourself want people to remain ignorant about Palin's ignorance and inexperience. Too bad, for you, that the truth is coming out.
Your notion of "bias" is stupid as well--people "think" she's more experienced than Obama, which she isn't, at all. The media prints facts that don't fit with your myth of the executive super-mom, and it's "bias".
Oh, and the biggest rally ever in Alaska--Women AGAINST Palin--they know the truth as well, you just have to hope and pray that the rest of the country doesn't catch on. But oops, it's already happening! LOL
September 14, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's funny how "up is down" then the blinders are in the ON position, don't you think?
Keep them on, so you keep seeing the Obama landslide.
September 14, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
..being lectured by the knuckle-dragging likes of you on someone being delusional is an absolute laugh riot.
September 14, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well shit. Pack up the vans, game over. Lay low says so. Apparently it's over according to him.
September 14, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the first time I hosted a neighborhood registration drive for Obama/Biden at my place yesterday. It was pouring rain. I didn't think anyone but a few would show up. But 16 did.
They walked around for almost three hours in the pouring rain. They got 20 people registered to vote, and would've gotten more but most people they saw were registered, and were enthusiastic about voting for Obama.
The would've been out longer, but the local sirens when off. It was a tornado warning. A tornado was spotted, and it was headed in our direction.
A couple people ignored it, kept on registering. Frantic attempts were made to call their cells. They did get back eventually. They didn't seem too concerned about the sirens.
We set out our 20 registration forms to dry. I got towels to the soaked, offered the shelter of our basement since that's the place to go for a tornado. They didn't go hide. They just stood around and chatted. Everyone, though having spent a Saturday afternoon getting soaked to the bone, was in an upbeat mood.
So, Lalo35adm, I want to give you a personal, heartfelt FUCK YOU! I am stopping this typing ... and just flipped you off with both fingers, while grinning. You come off as a pathetic clown, with your proclamations of DOOM! The Obama/Biden campaign would surely lose if real Democrats and fellow lefties, liberals, independents and reasonable Republicans were all chickenshit doomsayers like yourself.
September 14, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bat, way to go, thanks!
September 14, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The fact that all of the media is helping Obama by trying to lower Palin's positives is going to backfire."
All the inbred concern trolling, from republican strategists and trolls alike, about how the Obama campaign should be careful about attacking Palin - suggests to me that they know that Palin is an intellectual lightweight and they don't want that fact highlighted.
September 14, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
When republicans start whinning about the press, its a good sign for Obama.
September 14, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everything is a good sign for Obama, even falling behind in the polls faster than Kerry did.
September 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you get paid by the word, or number of posts?
September 14, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The total picture that emerges of Palin is very clear: She is a megalomaniacal, vindictive right-winger who serially uses her offices for her own personal benefit, to harass political opponents, and to pursue personal vendettas against people she dislikes."
If anyone ever wanted to raise people's doubts about how Palin/McCain adminstration would be like Stalin's, they just need to let them read this paragraph.
September 14, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love that quote!
September 14, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious!
Those words that you point to as evidence about media bias were written by a blogger for a lefty blog.
Nice try.
September 14, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe, but it doesn't remove the obvious media bias. And I doubt very much that any of these articles changes a single vote.
September 14, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Maybe"?
That's your response? I point out that you are factually wrong and you say "maybe"?
You are most definitely a Republican troll.
September 14, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Defending a liar makes you, well, a liar. That you would defend a liar so that you may be perceived as "right" by people you do not know adds deep sadness to the lying.
September 14, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ladies and gentlemen, troll jizz.
September 14, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, this will really cripple Obama. But those anti-Obama posts on redstate.com, NRO.com, townhall.com, drudge don't harm McCain at all.
According to Mr. Troll, left-leaning blogs hurt Obama when they attack McCain while right-wing blogs help McCain when they attack Obama. Makes perfect sense to me. The right is rewarded for savaging the opponent but the left is penalized for doing so.
You are beyond tiring.
September 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you cannot read a paragraph that provides a SUMMARY of mainstream press articles, that's not tiring, it's just plain stupid.
September 14, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
RNC/McCain raised $67 million in August.
DNC/Obama raised $83 million in August.
Just found out why the first debate is about foreign policy rather than domestic issues/economy. According the NBC, it is because the first debate is in Mississippi and there was concern from the Obama camp that the first debate being in the South would be high-jacked by talking about race so they changed to subject to foreign policy.
The third debate which his October 15th will address domestic issues and the economy.
September 14, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
And thus most fresh in the voters minds as they head to the polls.
September 14, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go Check This Out
"Alaska Women Reject Palin" Rally: UPDATED w/ VIDEO!
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/14/103042/902
September 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
My favorite sign from that rally?
McCain/Palin: Unstable, unable.
September 14, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had that same reaction when I saw that sign. Brilliant!
September 14, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent bumper sticker material. I love it.
September 14, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
And NO WHERE was this in the main stream media, so who cares? I do, you do, but no one else hears or sees it. All I read about was the adoring crowds for "our Sarah".......
September 14, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is the DNC fundraising so lame?
September 14, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess y'all don't realize this -
At any given time, evie, Congress is about as popular with both Democrats and Republicans as a nest of rattlesnakes.
September 14, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
My little 10 month old son is sitting on my lap and just watched daddy give O another donation.
66 mil last month, lets go for 80.
The walls will come tumbling down we just need to help a little.
Repubs love the big lie and it has worked for them, but not this time.
Big O is going to take care of business.
September 14, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think after the RNC, and all these lies and distorted ads by McCain, $80 million is not outside the realm of possibility.
September 14, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
And there are still a lot of the Hillraisers out there that are probably now a little more open to Obama with the appearance of Palin on the ticket.
September 14, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain Attending NASCAR Race In New Hampshire
John McCain is spending the day in New Hampshire, where he's attending a NASCAR race in Loudon.
Just like that infamous motorcycle event, McStain shows up at a crowded venue, then tries to convince everyone they're there to see him.
A liar and a loser.
PEACE
September 14, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
The NASCAR shit is so popular in N.H. The local evening news sports report always talks about it, as if it was a real athletic event. I am constantly bewildered.
BTW, at Ben Smith's blog, several wingnuts were very angry with Obama attacking McSame about his lack of computer skills. Since the reason he is not able to use a computer is because-you take one guess- it is because he was a POW! It seems it is very painful for him to use the keyboard. ROLF!
September 14, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Those wingnuts are ignorant.
McCain's campaign said in response to the ad: "John McCain uses a laptop.
John Cole at Balloon-Juice completely blew up that claim about McCain not being able to use a computer because, wait for it, he was a POW.
That claim, btw, was started by Jonah Goldberg. 'Nuff said.
September 14, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The claim was apparently repeated this morning on Fox News by Karl Rove, i.e. "POW, POW, POW!!!!!!!!!!!"
September 14, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed.
Here is a "response ad" by Scrappleface.
http://www.scrappleface.com/?p=3108
Simply pathetic.
September 14, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. I didn't know about that. I've been busy. I have to keep a close watch on New Hampshire, since I can see it right from the back window of my house.
September 14, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
:)
September 14, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm just wondering how he managed to write his books with this condition.
September 14, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that was just an excuse then. I think Obama wants to get the Foreign Policy debate out of the way so the rest of the election can be about economic/social issues. If the last debate was about Foreign Policy/National Security it could control the discussion the final two weeks before the vote.
McCain's camp liked the switch because the highest rating is always with the first debate, and that McCain's brand is his national security strength. However any National Security discussion only highlights Sarah Palin's zero real understanding (other than the crammed for talking points).
It will be interesting to see if Obama can get the narrative quickly back on the economy after the first debate.
September 14, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not any more.
No way in hell McLame keeps his national security creds after picking Sarah "In what regard, Charlie?" Palin as his running mate.
McLame has already lost that issue.
September 14, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't they have a major ad yet, pointing out that Joe Biden wrote the VAWA, and John McCain voted AGAINST it? If not, WHY? This ad is fine, but the one I'm suggesting would be so much more effective, and speaks directly to any women who might actually be considering McCain just because of Palin--
September 14, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
another one that compiles quotes from all the recent articles and editorials about McCain's sleaziness and loss of honor, as well as his falsehoods.
LIES, SLEAZE, NO HONOR--keep it simple, and hammer it home. This goes straight to McLame's perceived strength--WHY DON'T THEY ALREADY HAVE AN AD LIKE THIS? Geez, even the whorish media is with us on this.
September 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
A decent ad, finally. Still not the zinger that's needed. There's so much more powerful material than the lobbyist angle - that doesn't really resonate on the gut level the way Obama needs to. Along the Rovian lines of attacking a candidate's purported strength, it seems like they should be going after the myth of McCain as a principled, straight-talking maverick. If Jon Stewart and his staff can come up with material that, on an almost daily basis, juxtaposes clips of McCain contradicting himself on all the important issues - in a humorous and therefore memorable manner - I don't see why the professionals running Obama's campaign can't do it.
The Obama campaign has to get past the notion that people reason their way to voting for the right candidate. Politics is theater. Obama is still trying to do Shakespeare while McCain is doing Rodney Dangerfield. Guess who most Americans relate to.
September 14, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
those $ numbers for Obama are great, BTW--I just hope they start using it effectively. The time is now, I'm tired of hearing this shit about how they're going to do this or that. There isn't any more time, it's now or never. We're talking a month and a half.
September 14, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love the video bit on the lobbyist connection, but am concerned w/ how Obama/Biden will handle the fact that Biden's son was, 'til very recently, a lobbyist.
September 14, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ummmm. Because it's Biden's son, not Biden, not Obama. Biden's son is 40 years old and he is not running the Obama campaign.
If the Repugs want to talk about what family members are doing, then they can talk about McCain's son involvement with a failed bank, Palin's son drug problems, her daughter's pregnancy, her husband's subponeas.
September 14, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
A decent ad, finally. Still not the zinger that's needed. There's so much more powerful material than the lobbyist angle - that doesn't really resonate on the gut level the way Obama needs to.
I agree. To paraphrase Jon Stewart--stop dancing around the edges and SHIT ON THEM!
I think the Washington Monthly counted at least 70 issues where McLame changed his position--Obama needs to hammer this one too, but focus on a few of the big issues--changed his stance on the Bush tax cuts, Roe v. Wade, immigration, etc. WE CAN'T TRUST THIS SLEAZY DISHONORABLE LIAR!
September 14, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Darlin', can I just say something? Voters don't like being yelled at.
You don't have to scream at them something like: We can't trust this sleazy liar.
The Obama camp has been saying this in so many words for quite awhile.
No one is missing the point - ok? You don't have to get all up in everyone's grills and give them the gangsta glare to get their attention.
And by the way - I expect no end of the whining from the left after Obama is sworn in and no one has yet locked all the Repugs in the Congress building and - well, gotten rid of them.
That's not going to happen. Optimally, I would love to see the GOP redesign itself and be a legitimate opposition party - that is healthy for democracy and it's good for us, too. We'll go bad, get corrupt and lazy if there is no one to check us.
September 14, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo, on all fronts.
The situation we have now is that all honor came out of the current illegal enterprise posing as a presidency long about the lies into war, followed by torture, treaty abbrogation, and limitless warrentless data mining, all which persist through this moment.
Absent honor, there are no "sides." Most arguments have sides, but this does not.
And for a Navy man to lie the way he does makes whatever office he attains moraly bankrupt before he is even sworn in.
Conversely, Obama has made it clear the presidency he intends to have, and he doesn't get there by "shitting" on anyone.
It's about goddamned governance, not who can piss furthest.
September 14, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
With all due respect, HusseinTenaX, I think your post makes my point. Obama HAS been making the point but has been doing it in a way that's not effective with the voters he needs to reach. How else do you explain the recent polls? He doesn't need to yell at these voters but he needs to find a way to connect with them.
September 14, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not saying they should be yelling at the voters--I'm yelling at the Obama campaign, because their advertising has been mostly lame.
The Obama camp has been saying this in so many words for quite awhile.
yeah, that's the problem, they always say them "in so many words" instead of just saying it loud and clear.
September 14, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even SNL called out the media on their piss-poor performance. It was a brilliant sketch, and Tina Fey completely nailed it!
"If the media won't grow a pair, I'll lend them mine."
The Pants On Fire meme seems to be catching hold. Will it have legs?
I give it 50-50.
September 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
What does it say about John McCain when Karl Rove questions McCain's ads. Thats like Satan telling someone that they are a bit to evil:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0908/Rove_McCain_ads_gone_too_far.html#comments
September 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
O god, that is too fucking funny.
I was saying yesterday that if I were McLame, I would so not trust Rove. Rove is perfectly capable of giving advice to McLame he knows is fucked-up and in the process, psyching us out.
Rove and McLame are not friends. I know in a campaign that doesn't matter, but this is Rove and I still think he does everything he does for his own amusement. And of course, his bank acct.
I don't think he really has any party loyalty.
September 14, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never thought about it before, but it does seem this is true. Rove would probably do better personally with an Obama administration. With his party out of power, he'd be able to ply all his sleaze and make a small fortune off the Republicans who want back in and believe he could have the answers. But since McCain and he hate each other, he wouldn't have insider status with a McCain administration, so he wouldn't be able to peddle the sleaze as easily.
And of course, with Rove, I assume it's all about what's best for Rove.
September 14, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Our side is getting desperate We have to regain control of the narrative. But they way we are going about it makes us look like we're grasping at straws.
Look at this silly line from the Washington Post article cited above to get a sense of what I mean.
I don't recall the McCain campaign as claiming that the being Mayor of Wasillia made her ready to be president. And we look petty and grasping at straws to make much of an issue of her time as mayor. That would be like them pinning their hopes on derailing Obama on a minute examination of his time as a community organizer or even, to a lesser extant, a state legislator.
That our case for us and against them would even appear to hang on such stuff suggests that we must be in full panic mode.
We've completely lost control of the narrative of the campaign.
September 14, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your concern is dully noted.
I bet I could write your next 10 comments for you - heard it, read it, it's ancient as far as comments board tactics go -
September 14, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup yup, let's just keep the faith instead!
September 14, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stick your stupid head in the sand. In a campaign in which 82% of the Americans say we are on the wrong track and in which we have the advantage on issue after issue, we are not better than tied and possibly losing.
We're losing to an old fart who chose the single most unqualified VP candidate in recent memory -- even less ready than Dan Quayle.
And we're flailing about for a response, completely off our game.
And fools like you can only counsel that we stick our heads in the sand and not notice where things are going wrong.
September 14, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
What "narrative?" Lipstick? Lie upon lie upon lie?
This election is not going to be won on a national narrative. It will be won on the ground.
If you are really "freaking out," find a way to channel that energy on the ground to get votes for Obama.
But really, the national media circus is a complete distraction. Stare into it at your peril.
September 14, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
...it will be run on the ground."
Well that depends on who is counting the votes. With all of the complete travesties of 2000 and 2004, do we know who is watching the watchers this election? What about the FEC and the oversight of the voting machines?
My favorite cartoon on the subject:
http://xkcd.com/463/
September 15, 2008 2:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is that so?
For 0.32 minutes of Googling, MSNBC summary of Brian Williams' interview on 8/31:
Thinkingman, go fuck yourself.
September 14, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Attach his strengths. He's not honorable. He's not a reformer. With added benefit of being true.
September 14, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
You all sound so upbeat. I, on the other hand, am totally discouraged. The turn in the polling on 538 has McCain way up in electoral votes. Frankly, I am just tuning out everything. Everyone around me (yes, dumb ass red neck county) is voting for McCain, and all the guys think Palin is hot. I am just sick of hearing about it. BTW, all you guys, no way are you hot after having five kids. That is a fact, unless you have an outstanding plastic surgeon, and even then, I doubt it.
September 14, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
As long as the race stays close i will put my faith in BO ground game. The registered Democrats out number registered Repubs 3:1. BO ground game will bring home the bacon.
September 14, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was a month ago. Republicans are only 1 point behind according to last weeks USA Today.
September 14, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hope you are right. I just don't share your optimism, and sadly, I think our country consists of a bunch of stupid idiots who have no clue why they are voting except one guy is white, and the other one is not.
September 14, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just a thought: If the racism was such a factor, more of the 8% undecideds would be in the McCain camp by now. How easy it is to say I'm for McCain because he's got the experience, etc etc. Nothing racist about it, sounds legit. I think some of the undecideds agree with Obama and hestitate in part because of race, but as the race continues and more of them see Obama during the debates, these leaners will eventually go over to his side.
September 14, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
White as can be Iowa - Obama +12. If McCain/Palin was having some national surge, then it would have shown up here in Iowa. NJ +9. The national polls show a statistical tie. It's really close. But at RCP no-toss up states, Obama still pulls out the victory. And that is with him losing Florida and Ohio.
MI, MN, PA, and WI are the key. These are tied or with Obama with a slight lead. McCain doesn't seem to have any more fuel in his campaign. The convention and Palin got what they could get, and as Palin becomes more of a known factor, her numbers will start to come down (just as they do with every politician)
September 14, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just adore you. You always have a way of cheering me up. I hope you are rewarded for your positive attitude. I need to move to Berkeley, maybe I would feel better :)
September 14, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Born & raised in Michigan, I can tell you that Palin was not selling before the lies started mounting up. One thing mid-westerners can smell from t'other side of the solar system is bullshit.
September 14, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The people I've run across here in Indiana (who aren't religious rightwing nuts) are freaked about her, especially because of the lying. And some who were shaky on Obama are feel, as one guy put it, "now I know what I need to do." And all the women are p.o.'d at McCain for making the assumption that they would vote for her simply because she is a woman.
September 14, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wish I could believe that...
Born and raised mostly in Mo.. Why is McCain ahead there?
That "salt of the earth, golden bullshit detector" meme doesn't fly (unfortunately). I wish it were so....
September 14, 2008 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amelie - I know you have to have seen the post where it says that in August, Obama raised $66 million.
And 500,000 of those donors were new donors.
September 14, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
In scrolling through this thread it struck me how often folks feed lalo. The guy (hey, sounds like one) is clearly a Republican operative. Why give him so much power?
September 14, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Totally agree.
September 14, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe the answer is embedded within your screen name.
September 14, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republican operative? Wow! So I guess it takes a Republican operative to check 538 and RCP and say something about it.
Would be nice to meet a Democrat counterpart then in this crowd of the faithful.
September 14, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least have the decency you proclaim and admit you are Republican. Doesn't mean you cannot post, but don't be such a no bullocks asshole about it.
September 14, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wrote a special reply Lalo35adm up above. I really hope you see it.
September 14, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo, the problem is that your comments are not constructive. Your comments deflate enthusiasm rather than give concrete feedback.
Why not go to Obama HQ and volunteer. I'm sure they'll notice your smarts and appoint you to the campaign strategy leadership council (or some shit) so you can tell them how to run a winning campaign.
September 14, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo is not a republican operative. Lalo is a clinton operative. Lalo has been backing the clintons since last year.
September 14, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michael: Well, he has obviously not gotten on board, and with his comments, one can only assume he sure as hell is not voting for Obama. Who does that leave? Paul, Barr, Nader or McCain? Either way, he is trying to irritate instead of having something of substance to say. Also, there were many Clinton supporters that were closet Republicans. BTW, hi :)
September 14, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi as well. Lalo is just keeping up the 2012 mantra for the clintons. That's all.
September 14, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Repugs know one thing the Dems just don't get: Most Americans are dumb as dirt....and all they have to do is add moose shit to have the perfect soil to grow what ever they want.
September 14, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aye and indeed. The Country will get exactly what it deserves with a McCain victory.
It will not get, however, what it needs: governance. Dems will succumb to vile punishment for the lies and racism, and the gridlock will continue.
September 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, they are dumb as dirt, and McCain will have worse approval ratings than Bush as he will have a Democratic House and Senate, and get absolutely nothing done. But hey, we can looks at an old man who gives a worse speech than Bush, which I thought was impossible, and listen to a bimbo VP.
Last night, when I read she called her husband the first American "dude" it finally hit me. We are in hell. I was so embarrassed for us on an international level. Talk to anyone in B.C., they are appalled by McCain and Palin. We really look like morons.
September 14, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sadly, there are a ton of misinformed voters out there that will want to vote for the flag waving veteran and hockey mom. However, these same people do not like lies. And with McCain/Palin boldly, frequently, telling massive whoppers that are easy to point out, this will be advantage: Obama.
The bridge to nowhere will be an anvil hung around the GOP's necks.
September 14, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jay, they (voters) don't hear any of the lies. They hear what they want. Common comments here: Poor Sarah Palin, they are picking on her, her poor daughter, Sarah is much more experienced than Obama, etc. And yes, I actually heard the N word and how no one like that would get their vote. That is rural America.
September 14, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
To clarify, I'm not talking about people that would use the N word. They're not voting for Obama under any scenario.
But your average suburban types?... they are starting to hear about the constant lies and it won't play well.
September 14, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fingers crossed :)
September 14, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes - and if all Obama does is say that they're lies he will get lost in a blizzard of faux outrage from the Rethugs. But if they show the lies - old clips versus new ones - it speaks for itself. The opportunities for letting McCain hang himself with his own words are so rich it's unfathomable that Obama hasn't tapped into them yet. He needs to do it - and soon.
Palin is a sideshow. If Obama can put the Big Enchilada on the defensive she will melt into the woodwork.
September 14, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm from Minnesota and there is no way we'll go for McCain - still the RNC bounce, I suspect.
BTW, thanks for choosing such a easily identifiable avatar - I can easily just skip right by it as I scan through the posts - I think it is the tall hat...
September 14, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Susie: I am from Minnesota, and I agree with you. That is another place I thought about moving back too. :)
September 14, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hit reply to lalo - but my comment didn't go there!
September 14, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lindsey Lohan really has sobered up, I actually love her quote:
"Is our country so divided that the Republicans best hope is a narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe?"
September 14, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah Palin: "Every time you hear me lie, and angel gets its wings."
PEACE
September 14, 2008 2:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Count the angel wings!
One Stop Shop for Vetting Lady mcLiar:
http://dailysource.org/palin#toc
Amazing list of all topics and issues with videos and links related to each.
Bookmark it! Use it!
Discredit the Trophy VP and you discredit mcLiar's judgment too.
September 14, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do they use that photo of McCain and Bush? They should use the one where McCain is hugging him like there's no tomorrow.
September 14, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is a tissue paper 'barracuda.' But enough of that. The important thing is that my local Obama headquarters has been flooded with requests for signs, stickers and buttons, we've had a huge upsurge in donations and people wanting to volunteer. It's been a goooooood week!
September 14, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Obama campaign have been given a couple of gifts this weekend.
1. Greenspan talking about how the economy is the worst he has ever seen. If the Obama campaign doesn't use this then they deserve to lose.
2. McCain's economic adviser talked about raising taxes. The Obama campaign has done a CRAPPY job in doing ads about their tax plan policy. The best ad so far on Obama's tax plan is the one by the 527 SEIU in which Obama said that his tax plan gives middle class families 3 times more relief than under McCain's.
The latest lobbyist ad is pretty good but the Obama ad team needs to hit McCain hard on the ECONOMY, TAXES, and JOBS. That's what people care about. They really don't care about lobbyists.
September 14, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It seems to me that one of the points being missed in Palin's "thanks, but no thanks" regarding the bridge to nowhere, is what comes immediately after. She always continues by saying that if Alaskans wanted a bridge that they'd build it themselves. This absolutely flies in the face of truth. Not only was she for the bridge, then, against the bridge; in fact, the bridge is not being built largely because the money Alaskans received in that earmark was never sufficient to build the entire bridge. It's not being built because Alaskans will not build the bridge themselves. So, she's lying on all counts. There is no part of her statement, beginning to the actual end of the statement, that is true.
September 14, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
These ads are not good. They are ineffective and don't have any "direct response" cache. If Obama was doing a public service announcement - they would be "okay." If Obama is desperately trying to win an election these ads seem like a waste of money and inordinately out of touch with the basics of marketing. They need to fire their ad agency immediately - does anyone know who they are using?
September 14, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Obama is desperately trying to win an election these ads seem like a waste of money and inordinately out of touch with the basics of marketing. They need to fire their ad agency immediately
that's sort of what I was trying to say above, but then voters don't like to be yelled at. Of course, that wasn't what I was advocating, what I want from Obama is much more effective ads. Do I think I know better than their ad agency? You bet I do. And so could many others here and elsewhere.
you know what these things remind me of? Shorter, A-V versions of white papers. Not effective.
September 14, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I instinctively believe that. But then I realize that if yelling didn't move used cars off the lot, they would have stopped running those commercials decades ago.
September 14, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Desperately trying to win an election"?
That would be the worst possible thing he could communcate. Desperation is for losers. His calm confidence will be one of his greatest strengths.
And remember: unlike McCain, Obama is NOT in this just to win, but to govern and govern effectively. Desperate-to-win is not the sign of a good leader. We've had quite enough of that.
September 14, 2008 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah who????
September 14, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Lower Palin's positives." The only groups she has positives with are the nutcase fringe and white males. And one can see from McCain that white males are all a bunch of perverts. FYI:
"The non-partisan Tax Policy Center says McCain's proposed corporate tax cuts would total about $231 billion over four years. It says McCain's proposals for individual tax rates "would primarily benefit those with very high incomes." It says many fewer households "at the bottom of the income distribution would get tax cuts, and those tax cuts would be small as a share of after-tax income."
September 14, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome news for the Dem party in particular. They have SOOO much work to do to get the word out about the ridiculous GOP congressional mess of bogus "drill, baby, drill" baloney and more fillibusters than any other congress in history.
The dems need to take this money to get the word out in ads. How can they let the GOP get away with this when the GOP KILLED the Dems over fillibusters 4 years ago!!???
September 14, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok Lehman filed for Chapter 11 this morning. This is just the beginning. If you think the state of the American economy is limited to the housing market, you have another thing coming. In the words of Roubini, "we have a subprime financial system, not a subprime mortgage market."
September 15, 2008 4:26 AM | Reply | Permalink