Obama Ad Attacks McCain Health Care Plan: "Largest Middle Class Tax Hike Ever"
The Obama campaign is opening up a major new offensive against McCain on health care that includes a forceful speech today denouncing McCain's plan as "radical," as well as a blitz of ads like this new one:
The ad hammers McCain's proposed tax of health benefits as a "trillion dollar tax" and the "largest middle class tax hike ever," an effort to turn McCain's frequent claim that Obama would hike middle class taxes on its head.
With the push on health care, which has been gearing up for some time now, the Obama team is homing in on a specific pocketbook issue in order to paint McCain as the risky, uncertain, and even frightening choice at a time when public fears are fixed squarely on the economy. Many Dems think that Obama's strongest suit amid all the generalized anxiety is to close out the race with as much specificity as possible as to how precisely he will improve people's lives, and why McCain would make them worse off.
Good!!
October 4, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Nice ad.
October 4, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Meanwhile, McCain is taking a nap in Arizona.
Hells yeah. Keep the foot on the pedal, Barack. I'm hoping he has his best debate ever on Tuesday, and that McCain implodes with impotent rage as Obama takes him to the woodshed with regards to the failure of conservative ideology on our economy.
I just gave more money last night and convinced my lady to do the same for the first time this morning. If anybody has any more money to give to the campaign, do it now - time is running out and your money is no good to Obama if you give it in November.
October 4, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is it legal for an Australian citizen to donate to the Obama campaign?
I suppose I could always lie, it's not like they check, right?
October 4, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure. Go to www.barackobama.com/donate and check - I'm sure if it's a problem they'll let you know.
October 4, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Non-citizens cannot donate to or even solicit funds and canvas for a political candidate.
October 4, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
No - you have to be a citizen I believe.
October 4, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aww shucks. I will have to continue forwarding money to my American friend and hoping he passes it on.
Problem is he's a militant Obama supporter too and he's close to maxing out.
October 4, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if a foreign citizen can give to the DNC? Have you considered that?
October 4, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Worth a shot!
October 4, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have to check a box saying I am a citizen or resident. Which I'm not.
But I could forward money to my friend to donate to the DNC rather than to the campaign directly.
October 4, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be a felony.
Sucks, I know, but best play by the rules. It is not good for Obama to have to explain "foreign--possibly omg terrist--contributions."
October 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
if Palin is "Bible Spice"
then is McCain "Old Spice"?
October 4, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
O that was a very good one!
October 4, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
They do check. Because you must provide your name, address, etc.
October 4, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
And your employer -
They will check because it's illegal.
October 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe I could donate to Barack's campaign for Australian Prime Minister. Virtually everyone I know here in AUS supports Obama.
I, and everyone I know here, desperately need a break from our politicians.
Our opposition leader is a squillionare who changes positions to try and get elected, and our prime minister is a buzzword spouting beaurocrat.
At least he's very slightly left-leaning. Better than the other guy.
October 4, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the whole world supports Barack Obama - honest to god.
:)
October 4, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw a great T-Shirt where it had the whole word like an electoral map. Every country in the world except the US was blue, and the US was yellow.
It had a key:
Blue - Strongly for Obama
Yellow - Too Close to Call.
October 4, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Have to update the key
Yellow - Leaning Obama.
October 4, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Goes to show we are no longer the leaders of the world!
October 4, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys are doing better though.. Kevin Rudd is worlds better than Howard- be patient, you're already on the right track
October 4, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
True, but Howard was further right in his policies than Bush, but he just had sensible people around him and a decent treasurer that stopped the country going to shit in the process, so everyone kept voting for him.
Rudd is leagues better but he refers things to committees and does structural synergy task forces for working families to come up with a raft of measures to solve problems.
In other words, he doesn't do much.
October 4, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
It could create more problems for Obama than be of help. The best way you can help is call your friends in the states.
October 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously? He's back in Arizona? What a sad, sad candidate he is.
October 4, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pathetic. Old. Creep.
October 4, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pathetic. Old. Angry. Creep.
October 4, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I endorse your amendment!
October 4, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect he's at the same debate camp that Palin was just at, and he is practicing how to pepper every answer with the words "risky," "radical," and "liberal."
The first debate showed that McCain is not good at being anyone but Senator McCain in a debate setting. By that I mean that he gets genuinely caught up in these senatorial issues that matter to him, like earmarks, and he forgets that his campaign is all about smears and lies, not issues. I am sure his handlers are trying hard to reprogram him to work more like Bush and not get so caught up in his own ideas. It will be interesting to see how this works because in the first debate, he was at his worst (I thought) when he tried to remember his "training." I guess I'm just skeptical that for 90 minutes you can be someone that you're not. Especially at 72. McCain loves Washington and its politics, and I don't know if he can answer questions about issues by reverting to smears and cliches (that is, I'm not sure he can do it outside of a rally setting in which the audience will lavish thunderous applause on him for doing so).
October 4, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great! I do believe the time has arrived for class warfare. Americans rightly feel they are being fleeced by corporate America and the super fat cats and this plays right into that growing wrath.
October 4, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not just that, but the popular opinion is something along the lines of "I know the bailout is necessary, but I really don't want to have to part with my money to bail out fat cats". They aren't all outraged, but they're uncomfortable, I think this ad will play into that discomfort more than that outrage. It will make people uncertain about McCain's true agenda, which is what we want, because his true agenda is very different from what he seems to promote.
October 4, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
This piece of tripe will never work! The American people will see RIGHT through it. Heck, the ad is
F A C T
based. Only folks living a reality-based world would fall for this stuff.
Good thing American live in the Bizzaro World were Bush43 can bring soldiers back for Iraq and give them training to supress the race riots Bush43 is planning for right after the election and think it good because talking heads tell them it is so.
Yep, these attack ads on our next glorious leaders' most righteous social-engineering plan will fail.
October 4, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Boy that letter exchange sure makes it clear what an asshole John fucking McLame is.
And how he despises Barack Obama.
What a statesman! Jebus!
October 4, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
And how right on target Josh has been over the years!
October 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right the hell on, Thera.
Josh has been awesome. I don't think I always understood what Josh was doing and I think I do a bit better now and he's just been awesome.
October 4, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The McCain tax". Boy I hope that phrase gains currency :-)
October 4, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
For McSame, one of the fundamentals of his economy is undeniably strong: Labor is cheap.
October 4, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's the fundamental of fundamentals for the GOP - cheap labor.
October 4, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Whether it is here or in Asia or Africa.
October 4, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except for lettuce pickers in Yuma.
October 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I, also, find it strange that the biggest tax hike on the American people to date is the rework of Secial Security under Reagan and a crap-load of folk worship his dead ass.
If only Obama can figure out that FDR was correct and change his middle-of-the-road ways . . .
October 4, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Look - a shitload of idiots liked Reagan but most Democrats understand that Reagan ruined our economy.
At least I think so -
He was the worst president of the 20th century - Reagan is why we're here - with a helping of some Democrats - because George Bush was not anticipated. No one expected Herbert Hoover to come back from the grave.
Some of this shit would have continued to work for us but for George Bush. We had a surplus that could have helped us over this enormous mess. But not any more - we're in debt forever.
October 4, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awwww c'mon. Reagan turned me into a liberal at the age of 21. I'll always appreciate how his lying right to my damned face changed my life. I'll never forget how my head began to spin when I realized that everything I'd believed politically was a fucking lie. Luckily I was young enough to do something about it.
October 4, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Medicare Part D is also a huge, huge rip-off. One more in their "language games" of lies. Giving to the insurance companies and robbing the elderly and the disabled.
October 4, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's just an enormous mess. My husband the extremely smart (if I do say so and I do) corporate lawyer could not figure it out for his mother - he had to call in every bit of help he could to figure it out.
Let me tell you - that's just one more reason I have thanked every god and goddess there might be that my parents died before Bush happened. My mother would have totally freaked these 2 weeks because they lived on the interest my dad made possible.
Hell my dad did not finish school past 8th grade - that's what you used to be able to do in this country - come from nowhere and make enough money to pass some of it on.
October 4, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have elderly parents. 91 and 86. Their GE stock is worth 1/3 less than a few years back. Their house is going down in value. And a mutual fund as well. As my mother's mind declines.... And my dad becomes more frail... Very, very worrisome. Part D was a "freak-out" for my mother.
October 4, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so sorry - I know exactly how they feel and what you're going through.
I'm really serious - I'm so glad that's over for me. I can't believe I can say that - I extraordinarily close to my parents - but I am so relieved.
October 4, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I know. It gives me longevity. But it's really tough to see that after they've saved and been so careful.. if that money runs out... not good. Yeah, I know what you mean. Sometimes living a long time, a really long time, is not necessarily good.
October 4, 2008 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
YES, YES, YES! I've been waiting for an all-out assault on this- I guess they were saving it for the stretch run. As people come to understand McCain's completely insane proposal and what it would do to them, I believe this issue alone would have been enough to sink him even if he were ahead at this point. But I'm totally on board with kicking home when he's down. ;)
And I love the use of the word "radical". It's about goddamn time we took that word back from the Rethugs. By sane standards the Dems are a very mild coalition raging from (barely) center-left to center-right, whereas the Rethugs have truly become a radical right-wing party. That fact needs to be hammered into the American consciousness, and there's no time like the present to start.
October 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
OT, here's an unkind cut from Jim Hoagland of all people, concluding with his albatross declaration. He calls McCain the "ancient mariner". Not brilliant, but not bad!
October 4, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Obama needs to use a minute long ad attack on this issue, to really spell it out - while the above ad is a good start to get people aware that something is going on, it's too jumbled to really explain anything.
Of course Obama launching this ad campaign now is to insure it is a major topic at the next and final two debates. I questioned why Obama wasn't running on health care, but now realize that given the attention span of folks, if this was talked about earlier in the campaign it would be a largely dead issue by now.
Does McCain really want to argue against providing health care, or even worse that his plan will lead to folks losing their health care at the debates? And given the Wall Street crisis, he can't even argue the cost because that opens the door to Obama bringing up Wall Street and even the cost of the Iraq War.
Also I don't know how Evangelicals feel about the issue, but one would believe they'd be supporters of universal health care right?
October 4, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hard for me to believe Talibangelicals give a monkey's toss about health care. Health of the unborn, maybe...
October 4, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
health of the unborn... how sadly true that is...
October 4, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/in_twominute_ad_obama_directly.php#comment-3110730
in other words, i'm with ya.
October 4, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
"So solly," like Charlie Chan used to say! Link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/03/AR2008100303307.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
October 4, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the meme that McCain has basically lost this election grows.
October 4, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think David Brooks conceded last night on NPR. He said something to the effect that the last two weeks have seen a shift towards Obama, but went on to say "But I expected that to occur even without the terrible economic news".
October 4, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
BoBo? Bobo said that?
Holy shit.
The world is busy turning itself right side out again - what a carnival ride!
October 4, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. On the News Hour too. Yup, he did!
October 4, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is taking everything that McCain is going to throw at him and throw it back into his face.
McCain calls Obama a "tax and spend liberal" well Obama is going to call McCain a "tax and spend radical".
McCain is going to try and talk about Obama's "associations" well Obama is going to talk about McCain's "associations".
Obama is from Chicago. He knows how to play dirty without looking like he is.
October 4, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
A borrow-and-spend radical.
October 4, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
A borrow and give away to my rich friends radical.
October 4, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
A party while the economy melts down Radical.
October 4, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yet another demonstration that Obama's timing is pure genius!
The campaign held back on attacking McCain's "no tax hikes" lie until the home stretch -- when it's too late for McSnake to pull another gradual flip-flop. IMO this issue is the biggest gun in Obama's arsenal.
It's time to drown the Repugnican party in a bathtub.
October 4, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pure genius.
I could not agree more.
October 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. This is their biggest gun (putting aside the economic meltdown because of deregulation). They held it back for the home stretch when the undecideds are getting engaged and others are becoming cemented in who they will vote for.
October 4, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
Goddamn these are smart people - I've been awestruck the whole campaign at their timing, the pitch which has been perfect - it been a thing of beauty to watch -like a ballet.
October 4, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not only that. But now that people are mad as heck at these lying, thieving corporate types, they will not want to feed the insurance companies that are in bed with banks and financiers. And we will likely end up with health care reform which makes sense. Everybody in the same health care - like Medicare. Unless you want to pay more. Ok. Fine. But don't grease the palms of the folks who want to make a buck! Pay for health care. With low overhead. As in Medicare.
October 4, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What I take from this ad is that the Obama campaign, having let McCain get the 'credit' for going almost all negative, is ready now, in these closing days, to hit back hard. The ad is hardly a nuanced discussion of McCain's (bad) plan, but it is not unfair. It's also a bare-knuckled punch in the face. So to me the ad accomplishes several things, as others have pointed out. It also shows that Obama can throw a punch. And I think that is a great subliminal message at this stage in the campaign.
October 4, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Help understand this. Each month, my firm pays $1,543 ($18,516 annually) in healthcare for my family (we're in California and healthcare coverage is expensive). Under McCain's policy, am I going to have $13,516 of more taxable income? At a 28% tax rate, that's $3,784 of tax increase. Yikes.
October 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup. And what if they want to tax that for social security and medicare taxes too?
October 4, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup, and what if they also hit your employer for a matching increase in FICA taxes? That'll be the straw that breaks the camel's back for many employers.
October 4, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's the point of it - they do not want to provide any kind of health care for us - including employer health care.
That's the whole point.
October 4, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
From what I understand of this - and I could be wrong, but I don't think so - it is your *employer* who will be taxed for the health care - not you.
Hence the Obama assertion that 20M people will almost instantly lose their health care - since most employers in the US are *small businesses*, and not even close to able to pick up that tab.
October 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahh It's nice without the trolls. Anyone agree?
October 4, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. But don't get too comfortable.
We should by rights be totally up to our eyebrows in concern trolls up to the election - cause we're winning.
If the past is any indication, we'll be slammed with concern.
October 4, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let me give it a shot..
I dunno guys, Lifelong democrat here, but I'm really not confident about Obama's chances. There was a SurveyUSA Poll recently that had McC up by ONE POINT in MN! So I think I'm just going to hold back my vote until Obama does some serious catching up to do, otherwise he's definitely lost this election and I'll be voting for Nader.
Eh, I'm really not good at concern trolling. It's harder than I thought...
October 4, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty good - just notedly half-hearted.
LOL!
October 4, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
And doesn't the "tax credit" go to the insurance companies? John McCain bailing out insurance companies by taxing your health benefits.
October 4, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
This sucks.
October 4, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. His method has been to be very selective. He doesn't comment on everything. But I'm guessing he makes use of his Ph.D. in History and his genius or something to hone in on just the things that are likely to yield pay dirt down the road. (emptywheel and her crew have a similar track record for following details to the dirty "remains")
October 4, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was a reply to Tena up above.
October 4, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not only that, Thera, they've been brilliant at tying everything together into one coherent message for people.
They've done a fabulous of making complex issues understandable and making sure people understand it's all tied together.
October 4, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
GOP thinks they are going to lose big
October 4, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet!
October 4, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
In places like Georgia, Obama might not be able to pull out a win (but at this rate who knows), but he adds even more juice to those Dems downticket, bringing out voters who otherwise might not have voted.
This could end up being a landslide up and down the ticket.
October 4, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooo - that one made me all tingly!!!!
October 4, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
With star bursts?
October 4, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
My post made you tingle? Isnt this what are friends for?
October 4, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Online friends with "benefits".
LOL!
October 4, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Plus think about this "tax credit."
How does one get a tax credit? Why you have to fill out your taxes first! So... for people who might be able to benefit, you have to pay for the insurance up front and then wait for tax time and apply for your credit.
Now think about this. How many people, on a regular basis, pay less than $5000 in taxes? Bingo! Those folks won't qualify for more of a tax credit than they actually pay!
So... for the poor, the working class, the unemployed... forget it! NO. TAX. CREDIT.
It's nonsense! It's something the rich can make use of. Because they have the money up front and they pay high taxes.
Just another give-away to those who need it least!
October 4, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain Camp's response -
October 4, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
What? He's the most liberal member of the US Senate? Well, that changes everything. Idiots.
October 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
His mantra now is going to be: East Coast Liberal. Of course, Barack isn't from the east coast - but McLame-Painful never saw a fact they couldn't ignore, twist or try to crush.
October 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chicago is not on the east coast and Alaska is not in the heartland(it's across the street from Russia).
October 4, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
And it's a RED STATE...so does that make it practically Russian?
October 4, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Erm, so it's not a bald-faced lie because there is no tax hike (because there is), it's a bald-faced lie because Obama is a dangerous radical liberal.
WTF?
October 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
And as Obama points out in his speech today, hyounger, healthier employees will out-out of the company plan and instead search for cheaper insurance elsewhere. This will leave only the older, less healthy worker on the employee payroll and companies will then decide to stop offering employee health benefits forcing these older folks, probably with pre-existing health conditions into the free market where their costs will skyrocket IF they can even find coverage.
October 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena,
The worse President of the 20th century was and remains Herbert Hoover. Reagan was a close second.
Good thing the first President of the 21st century has worked so hard to exceed their pitiful pretense at fascist plutocracy.
Bush43 is the KING!
October 4, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who can argue, Richard?
I still call out Reagan - I really hate him, but I was alive for Reagan and I wasn't for Herbert.
October 4, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Herbert totally fucked up the country.
Raegan paved the way for the country to be slowly and near-irrevocably fucked up for many, many years to come.
October 4, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
*Reagan. Sorry.
October 4, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Hoover was a train wreck, but Reagan was, and still is, a slow-motion train wreck. Far more painful and exasperating, IMO.
October 4, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
The stupid fucking media perpetuate this myth of Reagan the great communicator.
That week long orgy that was disguised as a funeral was just fucking disgusting.
Excuse my language, but Reagan really makes me angry.
October 4, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
It just shows how desparate we are for a real leader that the media and many in this country will make someone like Reagan into a great leader.
October 4, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Language excused, and heartily encouraged on this topic. I have still not stopped smiling at the fact that for the last 10 years of his life Reagan shit in his own pants every day.
God help me, but I hope like hell he was afraid and confused, and thought - every single day - thought that this was the first time such a thing had happened to him.
Just a small taste of what his victims experienced.
October 4, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's got long damn arms - they have reached out from the grave to totally ruin our airline industry, among other things.
October 4, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah for chrisakes, the last 30 years have been one long and vicious erosion of labor rights for every industry in the country.
October 4, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Josh asked the other day rhetorically why Bush ruined the country.
I actually have an answer for that - I emailed Josh and he ignored me so y'all can to - but I honestly believe the entire underlying raison d'etre for the Republican Party ever since 1932 has been to undo everything FDR did.
That was Commander CooCoo Banana's main job and he did it.
October 4, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Makes sense. I won't ignore you :P
October 4, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even more so, to undo the very concept that Government can have a meaningful role in the country -- for example, putting Brownie in charge of FEMA, and then they could point to it and say, "See, government doesn't work." It is the same argument that they're using against Obama and his health care, "...like a trip to DMV."
October 4, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the entire basis of the Repug philosophy right there - basically it's like this:
Leave us alone up in DC and let us just do whatever; don't ask us shit - we're in charge. And government has one purpose - war. You want something? Ask your mama.
That's it. National defense is the only legitimate purpose of government the Repugs acknowledge. It's a lie - corporate welfare is the other main purpose.
October 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which brings me to the Oath of Office. The Oath specifically is to the Constitution. To preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.
But these repugs keep repeating and repeating that the president's "most solemn duty" (add drum roll!) is "to protect the nation." Or something like that.
Well...no. The most solemn duty of any government official is to the Constitution.
October 4, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I got so fucking furious every time I heard Cmmdr Coo Coo say his main job was to protect the American people.
No it isn't - that's nowhere in the constitution or the oath - he swore to uphold the constitution and protect it.
And he totally abjured that oath and should have been impeached for it. But - but - we would not be winning in a landslide if they had impeached him.
I'm sorry - it would have caused more spreading bitterness - we've been there over and over now - Nixon then Clinton tit for tat. I really wanted the whole administration impeached, but goddamn, what a campaign issue - Cheney and his extraordinary claim of power - they managed to scare us to death. IT will be a long time before this country is ready for the Repugs to be in charge again.
October 4, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
We have mostly socialised healthcare here and a pharmaceutical benefits scheme for cheaper generic brand pharmaceuticals as well in Australia. The Howard government looked towards privatising and deregulating this when they were in power, due to pressure from the Bush Administration when they were negotiating our Free Trade Agreement.
The public raised such a massive outcry that the PBS remained untouched. Our healthcare is good and it's government run.
Now we're just stuck with your horrible patent and copyright laws as a result of the FTA.
October 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I well remember the bbc description of the US at the time of Katrina: "a country where the government no longer takes care of its citizens."
October 4, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a sickness, because it's not about conserving anything. It's about denying those with whom you disagree their rights, and if we cannot do it by the law, we'll dump the instutuions of govt.
32 days, wishing it were 32 minutes.
October 4, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Josh probably gets a thousand or so emails a day, Tena. I doubt he's 'ignoring' you.
As to your rational for the GOP's existence, I couldn't agree more.
One does not need to even read all that much history to realize that our country has - in fact - been in a class war for 75 years, and that it is the goddamned GOP who have been waging it.
Bush the W said it best - and I believe this was a Freudian slip on his part:
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." โWashington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
October 4, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got it.
I know Josh gets tons of mail- I wasn't upset with Josh, I realize they get slammed with thousands - I haven't been on the First Draft masthead for over a year and I still get em.
October 4, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's one main reason for the Iraq War - look Drown it in the Bathtub told us that's what they were doing - take every penny we had in the Treasury, start a war and waste the money on purpose in order to make it impossible to divert the money to us.
That's the whole fucking idea right there - kill our Treasury with war until the money is gone - no more social programs - period.
October 4, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
And because we are at War against Terror, any class uprisings that arise will be able to suppressed in the national interest.
October 4, 2008 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
And now it is all unraveling, as Barack Obama leds to the Dems to what is shaping up to be a blow out.
October 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
Which is why I cried nonstop for 4 days after the '04 election. I was fucking terrified.
October 4, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thereby creating fertile ground (e.g. the Upper Midwest) for fundy vultures to circle the Disenchanted so that false hope might replace no hope. I've watched it happen to too many people I thought I knew.
The disassembly of out govt was quite intentional, I agree.
October 4, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looking back and comparing Bush 41 to Bush 43 the Father had more control in his white house than the son. 43 just allowed 41's boys to have their way.
October 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which is why the neocons are drooling over the idea of possiblity Palin presidency.
October 4, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooooh and to make W a "Dear Leader." And to have reason to spy on all of us. To keep themselves in power for ever and ever, amen.
October 4, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even better news guys:
Rasmussen poll: Obama 51% McCain 45%
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
This is what caught my eye in the write-up:
"For each of the past nine days, Obama has been at 50% or 51% and McCain has been at 44% or 45% (see trends). The stability of these results suggests that the McCain campaign faces a very steep challenge in the remaining few weeks of Election 2008. "
October 4, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just got polled by the McLame campaign. Never happened before - it was electronic and I messed it up - I kept saying "Hell no" and "Hell yes" Those electronic phone calls don't pick that up.
LOL!
October 4, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you ever get a non-automated poll for mccain, play along with them.
Pretend to be a redneck voting McCain, and then give really curve-ball answers.
"Do you approve of same-sex marriage?"
"No, but I do approve of same-tentacle marriage."
For example.
October 4, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I kept thinking - cause they asked if Palin had made any impact on my decision. I thought - man I wish this was live cause I'd tell them I was an independent and Palin is a disaster.
October 4, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
What questions were asked?
Polling in New Mexico? Let's hope the results are similar to what Michigan's internal polls were. Oh, and Juan Williams told me this morning that McCain might be reconsidering the Michigan decision. Do it, John. That will really cement the theme started by your "suspend my campaign" and "delay the debate until the bill is passed" maneuvers: utter confusion in your campaign.
October 4, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Proly cuz Sarah wants ta go there.
Well, let her! And let those unemployed and those union people grill her to death!
October 4, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget Todd. He wants to go, too.
October 4, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was simple - are you going to vote; will you vote for McLame, then will you vote for Obama then whether or not Sarah Palin and Joe Biden effected the decision.
Then whether you consider yourself a Democrat or Repug.
I had more fun last spring - my husband was a Repug when I met him - no more, but that's another story. The Repug Party was freaked way last spring - they started calling the house for Mr. Tena and I always got the calls. I laughed in their faces.
The last call he got - check this out - it was Newt fucking Gingrich's office! I have never laughed in someone's face so hard. The woman was upset - she kept saying: Ok, ok -
LOLOLOLOL!!!!
October 4, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
O no shit.
Scurry back and reopen those offices and confuse the shit out of everyone again, McLame.
Scrambled brains!
October 4, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Today's Gallup: 50-42, Obama.
October 4, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if I can "take" any more good news! This is very hard to digest after years and years of the alternative.
October 4, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, then, don't read this: McCain was at 38% in yesterday's single day R2000 results.
October 4, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sigh. 39%, not 38.
October 4, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, dear.... I may need to seek the attention of doctor now!
October 4, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent. The increase lately is coming from people leaving McCain for the undecided ranks. How many days til they join Obama?
October 4, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is this amazing? After all we've been through, starting with the Repugs taking back Congress with Newt - I mean it's been just hell.
And it is hard to wrap your brain around all this stunning good news.
October 4, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Be back later. I volunteer at a hospital on Sat pms.
October 4, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Latest news for the gamblin' man from Intrade.com:
Obama: 68.0
McTurd: 32.3
Yet another "Bush meltdown" begins.
THIS
October 4, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS
October 4, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT
October 4, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
NEWS
October 4, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
October 4, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
ALL OF AMERICA!!!!!! (Sorry idiotic)
October 4, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
October 4, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
boy I sure missed the boat :)
October 4, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
We can't afford anymore tax and spend Republicans.
October 4, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink