New Obama Ad: McCain Is Bad On Space -- And Bad For Florida
The intense focus on micro-targeting is one of the key stories of Campaign 2008, and Ben Smith posts Obama's latest radio ad in Florida, which hits McCain on space exploration.
Space is a global issue, or perhaps even more, but also a local issue, too.
"Here in central Florida, America's space program is a way of life," Florida Senator Bill Nelson says in the spot. "So compare the two presidential candidates. Barack Obama wants a $2 billion increase for NASA, which would lessen the job losses at the Cape."
Nelson adds that McCain "wants to freeze NASA spending at last year's level. So layoffs would loom larger and NASA would continue to be starved of funds for future exploration."
It's another sign of Obama's leg up in the ad wars: His campaign's huge bankroll has allowed him to outdo McCain handily when it comes to flooding every corner of the key states with all manner of relentlessly targeted advertising.
They're talking about McCain's robo-calls on CNN at this very moment. I can't believe they think the public wants this crap.
Have they learned nothing?
October 16, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be about right, yes, nothing at all.
In their effort to win one extra vote, they'll lose two. Yep, brilliant strategy there, Angry Johnny.
October 16, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look who is the political panel.
October 16, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Candy Crowley has to be one of the biggest wastes of space I've ever seen on TV. I remember watching her once on Bill Maher's show, and it was painful.
She has absolutely nothing to say, and says nothing in the least interesting ways.
October 16, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG, so true. I remember in 2000 she was traveling with the Bush campaign gushing about him, it was disgusting. Ever since then I have to switch channels when she is on.
October 16, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I forever associate her with Bush as well. It may be/seem unfair, but I react to her with visceral suspicion at best.
October 17, 2008 2:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mars, Bitches!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1667605413427828064
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
October 16, 2008 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
An issue I disagree with Obama on.
I think NASA should stop being funded by the government and move it into the private sector.
Let the Richard Branson's of the world fund the discovery of space and own any patents & technology created during it.
It's the moon... it's space... it's gazillions of miles of nothing. Pretty sure that money could be used here for some tangible things.
October 16, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Branson's space tourist business, which for a long time will just be suborbital flight, will take a long time to go anywhere. Handing the reigns over to the private sector isn't quite viable yet. Going to space is a lot more complicated than building an airplane.
That said, space exploration requires us to solve problems that often allow very interesting applications back here at home, expanding our economy. Plus, there's pride in discovering the neighborhood where we live. A recent probe to Mars' entire budget was less than a day's funding for the two wars going on--and it finally had conclusive proof that there's water on Mars.
Someday, the private sector will be going into space, say to mine the metal core of a shattered asteroid. But for now, it's governments.
October 16, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not a fan of the wars either :)
October 16, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, you are right. I don't care much about the pride thing but it is one of those too expensive plus too much public benefit to leave in private hands. Space tourism will only benefit the superwealthy for a long time. I'm not real thrilled with the idea of some super wealthy private corporation taking over the Moon. That all said - I am so glad Obama came up with this ad. I know it really speaks to people in Florida. Obama has some kind great crew doesn't he? I'm impressed nearly every day all over again.
October 16, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT: The politicized corrupt Secret Service gets worse:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/observer2/2008/10/bush-rove-controlled-secret-se.php
Dana Milbanks (WaPo):
So let me get this straight:
* Ignore death threats against Obama, despite video / audio evidence
* Keep press from interviewing spectators at Palin rallies -- do they all get SS protection now??
WTF?? Just the usual politicized Bush-Rove bullshit. Just like DOJ and the rest of the corrupt Bush regime.
October 16, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe the press needs to put some people in the crowd at the beginning.
October 16, 2008 11:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Colorado ad?
October 16, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Quasi-off topic but not too long ago somebody posted a TMPCentral blog that contained a picture of space that showed some 3000 galaxies - Does anybody have a link?
October 16, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder when Obama is going to release his September numbers? I have a feeling it will be tomorrow since the last day to release them will be Monday.
Any ideas how much will Obama have raised.
It's got to be more than $100 million.
October 16, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone on here said the 20th. I don't know where that came from though. So, who knows. But, yeah. I think it'll be upwards of $100 million.
October 16, 2008 6:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
We should have a pool of sorts - I'll guess $130M.
October 16, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think they have to release them by the 20th. If they've raised $100 million, then they'll release that figure on the 20th. If it's significantly less than that, I predict they'll release that info at 11 PM Friday.
October 16, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with Wanda Sykes on this one -- NASA is welfare for smart people. The amount of money squandered on the Shuttle and other programs is unjustifiable in light of other, far more pressing concerns that we have to deal with. The space program has produced very little of scientific value, and is a particularly inefficient way of funding science. W/ Iraq and the bailout and the likelihood of a recession, tough decisions are going to have to be made about where to spend government money. NASA is a prime example of something we have to scale back or scrap. I don't see why we should have some program designed to keep rocket scientists employed. If they can't get private sector jobs, I am sure they can get jobs teaching math and physics at a high school...
October 16, 2008 6:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree and I'll tell you why. More fields have benefited from NASA research - medicine, building technology, IT -
I don't think there is such a thing as "welfare for smart people." There may be help for them -= but as far as I'm concerned, that's a priority.
Either we get serious again about science or we are going to become the biggest fucking backwater 3d world nation you've ever seen.
October 16, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Money would be better spent funding university science, medical research, etc. Blasting rockets into space to perform research is massively inefficient and unnecessary, and -- in the case of manned spaceflight -- also unsafe. I don't doubt that some interesting things have been developed as a result of building spaceships, missles, fighter planes, military satellites, etc., I am saying the expense cannot be cost justified in light of our current fiscal situation. Unless you are suggesting that the most cost efficient way to develop such things (e.g., Tang and Velcro) is to have a space program? Private sector can do these things better, imo.
October 16, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
NASA directly funds shittons of university science. They also take active roles in teaching elementary and secondary school kids science. I've a friend who works at Goddard teaching teachers how to do just that.
October 16, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Either we get serious again about science or we are going to become the biggest fucking backwater 3d world nation you've ever seen."
I agree freaking wholeheartedly. It was education and science (and, I'll admit, scientists who fled Europe in WW2) that made us into a superpower. Taking out science work also takes out interest in science, which has a LOT of fucking repercussions for us.
October 16, 2008 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is very little that has come out of NASA. During the 60's and the moonshot there was a lot public play about velcro and Tang and such, but that was good PR.
NASA was the place where lots of high powered aerodynamics work and missile work got done in the public sector. But planes like the SR-71 and the B-17 and the Stealth technology had nothing to do with NASA.
The Shuttle couldn't come up with enough experiments to do in it... and industry quickly found out you didn't need to grow crystals or proteins in the microgravity environment of space.
In fact, there is a real tension within NASA between the engineering and the science.
Much of what NASA has shown us came out of the unmanned program: knowledge of planets -- including Earth. NOAA is also involved in this as well for Earth, and there is a turf battle there, too.
There is tremendous pressure to "show" life on other planets... hence the famous meteorite ALH84001. The international space station has nothing to do. There is no commercial value on going to the moon -- and no general exploratory value either. Don't expect to see CONSTELLATION take off.
NASA is very much welfare for techies. The government no longer leads via NASA after the 1960s -- most interesting aerospace work goes on in the Air Force and Navy... or private industry (think communication satellites).
The best and the brightest do not go into government jobs -- in fact, they are dead end and NASA is currently more of a contract monitoring organization that sends a lot of stuff to places like Lockheed. Even for the science/planetary stuff.
I highly recommend this weekly column to see a more realistic view of NASA and science in this country.
And if you want to see something more behind the scenes about NASA, look here. Be warned, however, this NASAWatch has a bias for manned space flight which is not really justified.
October 17, 2008 3:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm still royally pissed off at the goddamn citizen's organization that fought and got the supercollider killed - I could kill them.
That would have been a great thing for America and American scientists and a bunch of idiots who fight "wasteful spending" killed that - and it was not wasteful.
I've never heard one scientist who didn't lament the loss of the Supercollider. I'd rather spend the money on scientific research than a whole hell of a lot of other things.
October 16, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
The supercollider was a terrible thing for most scientists -- it was killing budgets for everything not particle physics.
The supercollider was a massive construction project with much of the budget going to things like digging and pouring concrete. It was to go in TX -- coincidentally the same state that the President (GHWB) was from.
A huge number of professional scientists fought to have it killed as well. It was destroying science funding in the country at that time.
October 17, 2008 3:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like I said above. Recent unmanned probe to Mars conclusively discovered water for less than 1 day's funding for Afghanistan and Iraq. I mean, the total mission budget.
It's priorities. Space (ok, unmanned space) is cheap. NASA's budget is pretty freaking small when you look at the total US budget. Kids love space, space requires science, science smartens us, enlightens us, and makes us leaders in innovation. Which translates to a stronger country. I can make the same argument for the US geological survey, NSF, and a lot of other agencies.
October 16, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, thanks for gratuitously informing us that Wanda Sykes endorses your position. Sheesh.
October 16, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I look at space research as basic research, and it has the same stigma attached to it that basic research has: people want research to produce tangible benefits immediately.
But basic research (and space research) lay a foundation that can be built upon, and produce those tangible benefits. We can't get those tangible benefits without the basic research. NASA isn't a program to keep "rocket scientists" employed. It's research.
October 16, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for explaining it so well.
October 16, 2008 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
yeah. better than I've been trying to.
October 16, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've had multiple conversations with people over this. I do basic research. I'm used to the confused looks on people's faces. I'm used to the "Yeah, well, what does this have to do with anything in the REAL WORLD?" One of the biggest disgraces in education today is that peoplelsimply don't appreciate, or care, about research and the role it plays in making our lives better. So people are less interested in math and science, and our population gets stupider and stupider (Yes I write can good).
Obama gets it, I think.
October 16, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
And not forgetting, every once and awhile it is damn exciting. Those first pictures from Mars were incredible. I couldn't believe I lived long enough to see stuff like this. Amazing.
October 16, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yah uh, you betcha CT. I was shocked when I heard that we are now IMPORTING teachers from other countries to teach science and math because we don't have enough in this country. After Shrubbie it will be a pleasure to have a leader that is aware of the importance of science and technology.
October 16, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great explanation for the need for basic scientific research.
When the laser was first invented, it was described as "a solution looking for a problem"....now stop and think about how prominent lasers have become in our everyday lives. People who question the "practicality" of some research projects need to be reminded that no one knows when and where the next great discovery will come.
October 16, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most of NASA is engineering -- not basic research. This holds true for even the Apollo program. There was more basic science learned from building the atomic bomb.
There is a huge tension between scientists and engineers within NASA. NASA's budget for Earth Science was always dwarfed for Shuttle launch costs, and operations. New probes require a few scientists, but mostly engineers (greater than, say, 90% of the personnel).
Despite public perception, NASA is not a science organization. NSF and NIH hold those honors. NASA is more like a civilian form of the DOD labs.
October 17, 2008 3:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'll take advice from Wanda Sykes on what's funny. I don't think she's really up to offering good opinions on basic science. And if you take her lead here, maybe neither are you.
October 16, 2008 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT: The politicized corrupt Secret Service gets worse:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/observer2/2008/10/bush-rove-controlled-secret-se.php
Dana Milbanks (WaPo):
So let me get this straight:
* Ignore death threats against Obama, despite video / audio evidence
* Keep press from interviewing spectators at Palin rallies -- do they all get SS protection now??
WTF?? Just the usual politicized Bush-Rove bullshit. Just like DOJ and the rest of the corrupt Bush regime.
October 16, 2008 6:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Obama has raise $130 million, that will shock the MSM.
October 16, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama jujitsu -
Allow McCain to bring up the spending freeze a couple of times - enough so that McCain can't deny it - then use it to clobber McCain in geographic areas that depend largely on government programs/grants.
October 16, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
A spending freeze would crash what's left of our economy, wouldn't it?
Instinctively, this is how it seems to me - we need money in circulation - we don't need money to tighten up further -
October 16, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, it is the worse proposal one could make. You need an influx of cash, not a freeze. It is so stupid, no brainer, to quote McCain.
October 16, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got it, Tena. Not only is a spending freeze absurd, but this whole repeated theme of "which program will you cancel due to the crisis" is ass-backwards.
Government needs to increase defecit spending during a recession, not retrench. Thankfully Obama listens to advisors like Paul Volker (Mr. Anti-Inflation in normal times), who says flat out “A higher deficit is needed to save the economy.”
We probably won't hear this until after the election, since neo-liberal economics has been so ingrained into conventional wisdom, but I hope we hear it right afterwards.
October 16, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got it, Tena. Not only is a spending freeze absurd, but this whole repeated theme of "which program will you cancel due to the crisis" is ass-backwards.
Government needs to increase defecit spending during a recession, not retrench. Thankfully Obama listens to advisors like Paul Volker (Mr. Anti-Inflation in normal times), who says flat out “A higher deficit is needed to save the economy.”
We probably won't hear this until after the election, since neo-liberal economics has been so ingrained into conventional wisdom, but I hope we hear it right afterwards.
October 16, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
So apparently posts go through even when there are "no available nodes".
I've refrained from criticizing the TPM system since I realize how complex it is to meet such high volume, but this is getting ridiculous. Every "upgrade" makes things worse. I think Josh needs some new contractors.
October 16, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama will be campaigning in Virginia, Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida in the next few days.
I would love to see Obama campaign with Bill Clinton in Florida next week.
October 16, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is hitting Washington(??), California (Political ATM), Colorado and NM I believe next week as well.
October 16, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ya know, there are a few wealthy Democrats in Seattle too...
October 16, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish Obama or Biden would hit ABQ again. I hate to say this, but I haven't seen either of them yet. I've had things going on when they've swung through before (though I DID see Hillary and Bill separately and even drew Bills ire--I was 10 ft away from him the entire speech and I was sketching him (I always sketch the speaker and take notes in talks.) He was like, "WTF are you doing?")
October 16, 2008 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's a tight gubernatorial race there. A rematch decided four years ago by only a couple of hundred votes--the Republican challenger has been running against Washington's sitting governor for the last four years. He's sleezy.
October 16, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
He'll be St. Louis on Saturday, under the arch. I guarantee it will be a huge crowd, and I'll be one of them.
October 17, 2008 12:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here here Tena - Velcro, teflon, and Tang friggin rule.
Seriously though, we wouldn't be having these online discussions with out the space race. Though I think space exploration works better when you set crazy goals. Mars bitches is probably the best idea GW has had in almost 8 years in office. I can't imagine the sort of crap we'd discover trying to circle Mars in a manned space mission.
October 16, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pure speculation re the internet being a product of the "space program" that wouldn't have been developed privately. & Crazy goals are expensive. How do you justify going to Mars when we have shitty schools, an $80 billion a month war, probably $2 trillion in bailouts before we're done, insolvent entitlement programs, etc.??? Money does not grow on trees, my liberal friends. We have to prioritize... Let's fix things on earth and go to Mars in say 200 years or something.
October 16, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What makes America strong is that we do things that will make us strong.
You don't get strong by abandoning things that work. Cutting the spending on war that is giving us no tangible benefit is good. Cutting spending on something that rewards us with innovation, prestige, and even intangibles like aspiration is just plain stupid.
October 16, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
If one thinks that the space program is waste , turn-off your computer. Because the drive for more computing power at NASA fueled the research that made your machine what it is today. Imaging tech, materials research, solar panels, etc. etc. etc.
Dustbuster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel televisions, high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, cool sportswear, sports bras, hair styling appliances, fogless ski goggles, self-adjusting sunglasses, composite golf clubs, hang gliders, art preservation, and quartz crystal timing equipment.
http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#computer
October 17, 2008 3:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right - and you can't strip that whole glamour off the thing just like that - I grew up with the space race - almost every little boy I knew wanted to be an engineer or a scientist or later an astronaut.
Now we're graduating kids from HS who believe The Flintstones is a documentary.
October 16, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is for legal professionals to look into:
The MN statute 325E.27 specifically makes robo calls that are not preceded by a live human operator illegal.
Every state should have this law.
October 16, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is why all the robocalls
They've burned through millions in states where they're behind by double digits. Waves of robocalls are all they can afford at this point and still have some money left for the last 7 days in the red states where they are in trouble
October 16, 2008 7:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, that AND there's no more debates or any other occasions for that matter when McCain can be confronted on his dishonorable behavior.
October 16, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
just because i'm feeling good today.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY
October 16, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit, that vid makes me jealous as hell.
October 16, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Election Central? This is OT, but I'm saying it anyway.
The commenting function continues to suck. Hugely. It appears to take forever to post something. It's an excellent way to stifle discussion.
On the other hand, it has produced some of the funniest comments I've seen. I had to repost them:
Hey, thanks to some really funny commenters, we all get a laugh out of it. But what's the point behind the eons it takes to post a comment, for a page to load, etc? Do you need money? I'll donate to help fix this. Are these growing pains? Or a permanent feature?
October 16, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
oh great. I spelled Reagan wrong.
October 16, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because of the sheer comedy gold in those comments, you are forgiven...
October 16, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anybody know about McCain's 72 hour ground game that he will be using to GOTV this election?
CNN was talking about it. The GOP used this in 2004. Hopefully Obama has something even better than his for his GOTV.
October 16, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's why Palin was so important to the ticket. It's the evangelicals who made up the ground game - and they were likely going to sit this election out.
October 16, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let me guess. It's the awesomest ground game, ever, and those college kids in stocking caps that Obama is counting on aren't going to be able to get out of bed because they'll be so hung over from the beer pong the night before.
Or so Steve Schmidt tells me.
October 16, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's got something way better than that going on. The organization of his GOTV is very impressive. Here in Ohio the campaign moves into their GOTV mode very soon.
He needs your help though. Get out there and volunteer.
October 16, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
This election is about a lot more than just economics. We are at war and everyone should question whether Obama has the integrity and ability to lead this nation at this time. And, would he keep this country safe, or will his affiliations with radicals/terrorist lead to more devastation? In my opinion, I don't believe he has what it takes. Let me explain another connection to a radical/terrorist. In 2006, Obama campaigned for a relative in Kenya, who was running for the Presidency. Obama's cousins name is Raila Odinga. Subsequently, Odinga lost by 230,000 or so votes. He did not accept the loss. So he called for demonstrations by his political supporters who in turn committed ethnic cleansing and genocide. Point blank, this guy tried to subvert the election process and use blackmail until he got what he wanted. Here is a video that gives a good accounting of the events along with photo's as proof of Obama and Odinga campaigning together. And Obama, used U.S. taxpayer money for this and his Senatorial position to help this terrorist. Titled: Barack Obama & Raila Odinga - Link: - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S8QcpdUtxNQ&feature=related
October 16, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did somebody say something?
October 16, 2008 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOLOL!!!!
Seriously. Go back to Redstate. They'll lap this shit up.
Oh wait. You probably plagiarized it from Redstate.
October 16, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
The real conspiracy here: Why hasn't McCain included this in his robo-call lineup yet?
October 16, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well I guess you're screwed, dude.
:)
October 16, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, a "smart" troll would hang out here a while, get to know the regulars and be a little more sophisticated but I guess we'll dispatch what we are given...c'est la vie...
October 16, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
It sucks when you can't say anything positive about your own candidate, don't it.
October 16, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who farted?
October 16, 2008 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
We also can't ignore the sociological context of the space race in terms of the cold war. It was much more relevant and important at the time.
I would agree that a sense of urgency and relevance is necessary. I like the idea of turning the energy crisis into a modern space race. President Obama should set a goal of having affordable, non fossil fuel dependent vehicles for all federal government use by 2020. Then set up a federal agency to spearhead the project alongside private contractors and universities.
October 16, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Best Video of the debate last night!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l63SRpGXBHE
October 16, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
WaPo endorses Obama! And while I would quibble with a couple of points, it's overall a nice commentary: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/16/AR2008101603436.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Click the link to see the rest.
October 16, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nuh uh!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
You betcha! ;)
October 16, 2008 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
A commenter notes that it's "Obama Republicans" putting him over the top - interesting parallel to Reagan Democrats...hmmm.
Another commenter says that Colin Powell is finally coming out and endorsing Obama. No confirmation of that, as yet.
October 16, 2008 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Democrats dominate early voting - NC
http://www.reflector.com/news/democrats-dominate-early-voting-187842.html
October 16, 2008 8:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think Letterman is going to be easy on McLame. In fact I know he won't cause I saw previews on Olbermann.
October 16, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
LETTERMAN SPOILER!!!!!
LETTERMAN SPOILER!!!!!
LETTERMAN SPOILER!!!!!
LETTERMAN SPOILER!!!!!
LETTERMAN SPOILER!!!!!
LETTERMAN SPOILER!!!!!
Over at Kos there is some spoilers - McCain admits he screwed up by blowing off Letterman, and at one point says "This is about as much fun as my last interrogation" (or something to that effect). Also Letterman brings up G. Gordon Liddy and asks McCain why Ayers is an issue in judgment, but Liddy is A-OK, and McCain says "because Liddy paid his debt to society(ie went to Prison)". Now since Ayers was never tried or convicted I don't know how that makes sense, not to mention Liddy did a lot of things he was never imprisoned for. Leave it up to the comedians to ask real questions though - Liddy has been in the newspapers, but the MSM would never "go there" - I think it's because they wanted Obama to bring him up first, and Obama never did.
October 16, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also iworth noting, according to the HuffPo, McCain almost missed Letterman again though this time due to air traffic delay (2 hours before the plane could take off). So McCain had the plane taxi back to the terminal/Hanger and arranged to take a helicopter to NY (from Philly) in order to make the taping.
Along with admitting he "screwed up" I find it sort of silly that McCain seems to be grovelling at Letterman's feet. However I have read that campaign insiders think the Letterman issue was really hurting McCain in Indiana (I assume they must have polling to show this).
October 16, 2008 9:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's linking to the Letterman transcript:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-10-16-mccain-letterman_N.htm
Letterman was jovially brutal on the guy. I am not sure that McCain would have appeared had he known this was coming.
October 17, 2008 3:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
First time poster that couldn't keep silent on this....
Deluxe wrote:
am saying the expense cannot be cost justified in light of our current fiscal situation. Unless you are suggesting that the most cost efficient way to develop such things (e.g., Tang and Velcro) is to have a space program?
Tang? Velcro? This earns a heavy sigh....
One of the things that people seem to stress on this sight is doing research - getting the real facts - before making claims about something. If I claimed that BO cheated on his taxes, I'd get resoundingly - and deservedly - thumped for spouting something without any evidence to back up such absurd claims. Tena would no doubt use a heavy and/or sharp object to do the thumping.
Likewise, claiming that government funded research through NASA results in trivial benefits (Tang and Velcro) is as absurd as claiming that BO cheats on his taxes.
Research, regardless of the topic, is vital in forming opinions and making decisions, though all of us from time to time probably forget that at times.
NASA's Spinoff page is a great place to start:
http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/
I now return you to your normally scheduled political discourse...
October 16, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope you know that's what I was trying to say across several comments - I don't think there is any such thing as welfare for smart people - that a stupid statement.
Research is, as you said, vital.
October 16, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
AP did a fact check on ACORN.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27228549/
Hopefully, this is a sign of the MSM getting this simple fact clear and straight. It's getting outrageous already.
October 16, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good that it's AP - maybe the MSM will get it this time.
Here's what I don't understand - how is voter registration capable of being fraudulent unless someone submits the fraudulent registration to vote?
As most it seem to me an incomplete act - someone wrong fills out a registration form - that means nothing at all - it could be playlike - until and unless someone tries to vote with it -
I don't get how such a thing is election fraud. It's fraud on the people who paid you to register real voters - that I get. I do not get how that becomes fraudulent for purposes of the election.
That's why there is the distinction between this and actual voter fraud. But I don't see how fake registrations = fraud at all vis-a-vis the election if it isn't used.
October 16, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't get it either... ACORN's case has nothing to do with voter fraud (although it may well be a case of salary bums) and it shouldn't be hard to make this distinction. I hope the MSM will get it soon.
October 16, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
In case you haven't seen it, there's a really good "debunking" of the ACORN controversy here:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/hendrikhertzberg/2008/10/voter-fraud-fra.html
October 16, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Folks make sure you check out the Alfred E. Smith memorial dinner routines of both McCain and Obama. McCain was actually likable, and Obama (complete with bow tie) was funny as hell.
""fathered two African American children in wedlock"
"I'm not Jesus - I'm Superman"
"You can see the Russian Tea House from here"
"Having dinner with McCain without preconditions"
October 16, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah...they both did really well.
October 16, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has really good timing.
October 16, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some of McCain's one-liners -
"the only way Joe the Plumber could make enough money to have a tax increase under Obama's plan is to be the plumber for McCain's seven houses."
"Eventhough he's in NY, he knows somebody in the room is pulling for him - and then acknowledges Hillary"
October 16, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you give me a vid link, if anything is up there?
October 16, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's at least part of Obama's (It's called Part One, but I haven't watched the vid yet) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwwjPnnvK40
October 16, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwwjPnnvK40
October 16, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks!
October 16, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
My favorite bits from Obama:
Barack is swahili for "That One"
His major weakness: He's too awesome!
His real second name is Steve. Barack Steve Obama.
McCain was good too. Better than last night though.
October 16, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was my favorite line of the whole thing.
October 16, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone know who created this ad? Probably an ordinary individual, I guess, but I think it is pretty good. And I didn't know that, but look at the end of it! "President Bush's third term"! Wow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utirJ1RHiNs
October 16, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just ran across this on one of the local tv news websites. I hope that McCain and Palin understand that some people may take what they say seriously:
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=122471&catid=40
October 16, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
One picture says it all:
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/443/slide_443_10841_large.jpg
October 16, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think NASA should stop being funded by the government and move it into the private sector.
The reason NASA should be funded by the government is the same one to use for funding stem cell research. We all own what we get when we, the government, invest. The private sector in the US and the civilized nations are investing plenty in stem cell research, and they will own it, and charge us for what they learn and patent, and sell it only to the highest bidder. When Federally funded research hospitals and Universities are no longer shackled by religious or political ideologues, a publish or perish environment flourishes and we all share the bounty.
As with stem cells, so the rest of the world. The Space Shuttle was a boondoggle, built down to a Nixon era budget instead of up to a standard, and as the shuttle is retired, we are suddenly depending upon the ESA and the Kosmodrome to ferry people to low earth orbit. Meanwhile, China has just staged its first space walk, combining the best of the Apollo and Soyuz era technology. India is in the race as well. By the time we get back in the game, a Chinese colony built by Japanese Honda and Asimo robots may greet us on the Moon.
I'm really tired of this libertarian argument against the government doing things. We are the government, and the government can coordinate private industry in such a way that we all profit. None of that money is "blasted into space," but is invested here in our best and brightest. Of course, we can choose to flip burgers for the rest of the planet's best and brightest also.
October 16, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you so much for your comment - it's brilliant.
I did a very poor job of trying to make this argument - I'm so glad you came along.
October 16, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seconded.
October 16, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thirded.
October 16, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fourthed.
October 16, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm on board with this, too. Loved this part the best:
October 16, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Word!
October 17, 2008 12:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
The posters I lurk here to read like what I wrote? I don't know whether that means I should lurk less or lurk more.
This is our republic. Yes, we can keep it.
October 17, 2008 3:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
NASA has an entrenched culture and is antithetical to getting anything done.
It is still riffing primarily on accomplishments done by a very few amount of people 40 years ago.
May I suggest this book? It is very well researched and is one of the few places where the real history (and politics) of NASA is detailed. Among other gems is a 1963 White House meeting between JFK and Jack Webb (NASA Administrator) where Kennedy tells Webb that NASA is most definitely not about space science and after the moon landing, that will be that.
I know - it hurts to give up the old myths...
October 17, 2008 3:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
[NASA]is still riffing primarily on accomplishments done by a very few amount of people 40 years ago.
Right. Computer Graphics, telepresence, robotic surveys of other worlds in the golden age of planetary exploration, are all the accomplishments of morons.
October 17, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't understand why the McCain campaign is spending so much time in Pennysylvania considering the poll numbers there. Do they have to win Pennysylvania to win the election?
October 16, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain and Obama were HILARIOUS!!!
October 16, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was a great event. Reminds you that they're both still human.
October 16, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
So much so that I'll feel more comfortable when McCain goes on the attack with his gutter smears again tomorrow.
October 16, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course while McCain was doing his bit, his gutter smear South Carolina 2000 style robocalls were dialing up folks across America...
October 16, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very true...
October 16, 2008 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very true...
October 16, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
O my god - Jon Stewart just got off one of the funniest lines I ever heard - he's doing a story on the debate and he said "All Barack Obama had to do was stay upright and avoid yelling out: 'Where de white women at?' "
LMAO!
October 16, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent! Someone needs to do a Top 10 List of ways that Obama could blow this election.
October 17, 2008 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Even Jon Stewart's quip was racially, uh, combustible. Be careful what you wish for.
October 17, 2008 2:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
O Carol - can we have a sense of humor? Please?
That was a line right out of Blazing Saddles.
October 17, 2008 9:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I got the joke.
October 17, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, you don't think it's funny.
I'm sorry - take it up with Mel Brooks and Jon Stewart. I rolled on the floor laughing, myself.
October 17, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Both Obama and McCain were a riot. Big thumbs up to both. Biden campaigns in Mesilla New Mexico and Henderson Nevada.
October 17, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
To the extent that this makes McCain more "the guy you'd like to have a beer with," and/or makes him seem less like an angry, out-of-touch grump it hurts.
October 17, 2008 2:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
NASA Spinoffs :
SOLAR ENERGY - NASA-pioneered photovoltaic power system for spacecraft applications was applied to programs to expand terrestrial applications as a viable alternative energy source in areas where no conventional power source exists.
TELEMETRY SYSTEMS - A spinoff company formed to commercialize NASA high-data-rate telemetry technology, manufactures a high-speed processing system for commercial communications applications.
PLANT RESEARCH - NASA research on future moon and Mars bases is investigating using plants for food, oxygen, and water to reduce the need for outside supplies. This research utilizes Hydroponics (liquid nutrient solutions) instead of soil to support plant growth and finds applications for vegetable production on Earth.
FIRE RESISTANT MATERIAL - Materials include chemically-treated fabric for sheets, uniforms for hazardous material handlers, crew's clothing, furniture, interior walls of submersibles and auto racer and refueler suits.
RADIATION INSULATION - Aluminized polymer film is highly effective radiation barrier for both manned and unmanned spacecraft. Variations of this space-devised material are also used as an energy conservation technique for homes and offices. The materials are placed between wall studs and exterior facing before siding or between roof support and roof sheathing. The radiant barrier blocks 95% of radiant energy. Successful retrofit installations include schools and shrink wrap ovens.
Other spinoffs in this area include: Whale identification method, environmental analysis, noise abatement, pollution measuring devices, pollution control devices, smokestack monitor, radioactive leak detector, earthquake prediction system, sewage treatment, energy saving air conditioning, and air purification.
http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#computer
October 17, 2008 3:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
List is highly biased, lots of assertions no proof, written by a "NASA fan"... and most of this "research" -- much of it unused -- could have been done more cheaply, rather than as part of a massive project.
The fact is that much of NASA's famous programs were ripped wholesale out of DOD (Navy and Air Force) to keep NASA costs down. In other words, DOD got there first.
As a simple example, see:
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4203/ch3-5.htm
October 17, 2008 3:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Through out human history war was the great driver of human technology. The space program was the first peaceful endeavor that even came close to throwing off as many useful technologies.
The list is endless.
October 17, 2008 3:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
That is certainly the party line, for sure. However, a huge shift happened -- and the reason is quite clear.
In recent years, the technology simply became too expensive for the government to lead with it. The cost of a fab plant for Intel (say) is too much expenditure for the government. So how is all this technology paid for?
Economy of scale: and thus we have shifted where the state of the art technology which used to be driven by the government (DOD) is now being driven by consumers. And the big call within the government is to leverage off the commercial off the shelf (COTS) technology.
The problem? Well, what happens when the chips in your armored vehicle are manufactured in Japan... or China?
This is a very real issue and has sent the government in a panic. See here for example.
The world has changed over the past 20 years and the old rules do not apply.
October 17, 2008 3:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Drudge is pissing its pants in hysterical elation this morning on a supposed report (where *is* that report, Drudge?) of a big jump in Gallup ratings for McCain.
October 17, 2008 4:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Are they really going to let Sarah Palin do Saturday Night Live on the way into the election? McCain says yest and L.A. Times believes it.
Why the fuck would Lorne Michaels agree to that? Ever hear of Country First, Lorne?
October 17, 2008 4:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ever hear of Nielsen ratings? 70 million people tuned in to watch Palin debate Biden. That's more than 2x American Idol on a good night.
SNL wants a piece of the action -- Lorne Michaels knows what he's doing for himself and the show. He's also hoping that the show might yet have a resurgence in relevance again...
October 17, 2008 4:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
But the problem for SNL is that after the election their ratings will go back into the toilet. that show hasnt been funny in a long time. Even though Mad TV doesnt have the stars that SNL has, i think its more funnier than SNL.
October 17, 2008 8:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Test
October 17, 2008 6:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do check out Juan Cole's review of McCain on Ayers and his TV celeb appearances of last evening at Informed Comment:
http://www.juancole.com
October 17, 2008 7:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rasmussen Missouri Poll: Obama 52 McCain 46
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/missouri/election_2008_missouri_presidential_election
Obama has 2 rallies in Missouri on saturday.
October 17, 2008 7:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which would say that Gallup "expanded poll" with Obama at +6 is probably closer to reality than the its "traditional poll" that has Obama at +2, the one the conservatives are a flutter about.
October 17, 2008 8:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gallup's pollster says its predicated on Republicans getting out to the polls in greater numbers than Democrats which has been the "traditional" case. But hey if it reminds folks not to be complacent then I'm all for it.
Donate. Call. Knock.
October 17, 2008 8:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agree with that. But I also don't want the MSM to start talking about how the negative ads and speeches is somehow resonating with people.
October 17, 2008 8:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I saw Joe Scarborough trumpeting the 2 pt poll this morning void of any context. I immediately changed the channel.
October 17, 2008 8:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
The traditional media has a vested interest in this being a tight race, even if it isn't. That's why it's important for Obama and his supporters to see this thing through to the end.
Donate. Call. Knock.
October 17, 2008 8:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Over 99,000 Early Vote in NC on first day
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/17/75750/288/277/633316
First Day Early Voting in NC 99,255 votes cast on first day.
Breakdown on vote by race:
Black 35.7%
White 61.0%
Asian 0.5%
Native American 0.3%
Other* 2.5%
Breakdown by Party:
2008
Unaffiliated 15.40%
Republican 20.15%
Libertarian 0.04%
Democratic 64.41%
October 17, 2008 8:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
on MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell reported that Colin Powell will be on MTP this Sunday speculating that he will endorse BO for POTUS.
I read an article on HP a few weeks ago that Powell wanted to endorse then but he got a call from the WH asking him to hold off. I guess he probably has taken his phone of the hook this time.
October 17, 2008 8:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know there is not a lot of love for Powell here at TPM, but if he comes out for BO that will be the last nail in the coffin for McCain. Powell is still highly regarded by most Americans.
On the hand, if he pulls a fast one and comes out for McCain... ouch.
October 17, 2008 9:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am one of the ones here who has taken shit for suggesting that even at one earlier time he may have had some decency, before marching up to the U.N. and flushing his integrity down the toilet.
If you are right that most Americans still respect him, then where the fuck is the general? He got a call from his belittlers at the White House asking him to toss his First Amendment rights down the shitter as well, and he complied?
General?
Mr. Secretary?
You out there?!! Ah??!!
October 17, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink