Palin's no Hillary

Farewell...

2008-10-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

I'm shifting my focus to action for Barack and Joe (not to mention getting back to my real work!).

To keep up with what's happening, visit my favorite pro-Obama site: http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com
this group has kept me sane.

or www.huffingtonpost.com/politics

Hasta la vista!
GObama and Joe

Antidote to the Negativity

2008-10-11T15:36:00.001-07:00

GObama
and check out this great slide show from HuffPost

McShame's Shame Called Out

2008-10-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

Read entire letter here.

"John McCain and Sarah Palin, you are playing with fire, and you know
it. You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice,
to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are
doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country
with a history of assassinations.

Change the atmosphere of your campaign. Talk about the issues at hand.
Make your case. But stop stirring up the lunatic fringe of haters, or
risk suffering the judgment of history and the loathing of the
American people – forever."

Frank Schaeffer, son of the late evangelist Francis Schaeffer and former McShame
supporter.

Unfit to Lead

2008-10-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

from Time mag
"But the Branchflower report still makes for good reading, if only because it convincingly answers a question nobody had even thought to ask: Is the Palin administration shockingly amateurish? Yes, it is. Disturbingly so."

from WashingtonMonthly
"The McCain/Palin ticket is the first in American history in which both candidates were found to have violated ethics standards before a national election."

from HuffPost
"An Associated Press review of the Republican Vice President candidate's record as mayor and governor reveals her use of elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state."

and don't miss this from a former Palin staffer - interviewed on Hardball

St. Louis Dispatch Endorses Barack

2008-10-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

"Over the past nine months, Mr. Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, has emerged as the only truly transformative candidate in the race. In the crucible that is a presidential campaign, his intellect, his temperament and equanimity under pressure consistently have been impressive. He has surrounded himself with smart, capable advisers who have helped him refine thorough, nuanced policy positions.

In a word, Mr. Obama has been presidential."

Full text here.

Funny postmortem on the Bush presidency

Bush Tours America To Survey Damage Caused By His Disastrous Presidency

Guilty of Abuse of Power

2008-10-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/politics/ny-uspalin1011,0,2713582.story

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she unlawfully abused her authority in firing the state's public safety commissioner. The investigative report concludes that a family grudge wasn't the sole reason for firing Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan but says it likely was a contributing factor.

The Republican vice presidential nominee has been accused of firing a commissioner to settle a family dispute. Palin supporters have called the investigation politically motivated.

Monegan says he was dismissed as retribution for resisting pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor's sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

The New Morning After Pill - Palinex

2008-10-10T16:12:00.001-07:00

The Extraordinary Michelle Obama

Heartwarming Antidote to Sleaze

2008-10-10T14:06:00.001-07:00

More Repubs Fleeing McShame

2008-10-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

William F. Buckley's son writes, "Obama has in him—I think, despite his sometimes airy-fairy “We are the people we have been waiting for” silly rhetoric—the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader. He is, it seems clear enough, what the historical moment seems to be calling for.

So, I wish him all the best. We are all in this together. Necessity is the mother of bipartisanship. And so, for the first time in my life, I’ll be pulling the Democratic lever in November. As the saying goes, God save the United States of America."

Entire article here.

It should be noted that Buckley posted his endorsement on the Daily Beast, not the National Review because he doesn't have the stomach for a tide of hatred and vitriol such as that seen against Kathleen Parker for calling out SlickS as a disaster for the republican party.

Former Republican governor William Milliken of Michigan says that McShame isn't the man he previously endorsed and calls him out for his negative smear tactics.

"He is not the McCain I endorsed," said Milliken, reached at his Traverse City home Thursday. "He keeps saying, 'Who is Barack Obama?' I would ask the question, 'Who is John McCain?' because his campaign has become rather disappointing to me.

"I'm disappointed in the tenor and the personal attacks on the part of the McCain campaign, when he ought to be talking about the issues."

Article here.

I'm envisioning rats from a sinking ship.

UPDATE

Veteran Republican Congressman Ray LaHood criticized his party's vice presidential nominee Friday, saying that Sarah Palin's vitriolic campaign rallies ""don't befit the office she's running for." Story here.

Believe...

2008-10-10T05:21:00.001-07:00

I heard this quote from Barack on NPR yesterday and loved it!
"I ask you to believe, to believe in yourselves, believe in each other. If we believe we cannot fail" -- Barack Obama

Barack in Ohio
to paraphrase... I can take 4 more weeks of John McCain's attacks, but America can't take 4 more weeks of his Same-as-Bush economic policies.

Hypocrisy Thy Name is Sarah
The McShame's newest attack-tic is to claim that Obama is ambitious...yes, he has ooooo so scary - ambition!! Aside from the racist undertone, this is a ludicrous charge from someone who paid a PR consultant $31,000 of Alaska's money to bring her to national attention. Can't imagine that it's true? Read here.

I LOVE Joe!

2008-10-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

"You can't be a maverick if you've only been a sidekick" (or something like that).

Donna Brazile is Brilliant and Lovely

2008-10-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

Please take a few minutes and listen to Donna Brazile here. How powerful

The View from Putin

2008-10-09T04:58:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Mara, for sending this along. Since Palin's never been to the western-most town in her state she has never seen Russia, let alone had any interactions that give her foreign policy experience.

UPDATE to blog:
Jon Stewart has given mainstream voice to something I felt the night of SlickS's speech at the RNC.
"Have you noticed how [Palin's] rallies have begun to take on the characteristics of the last days of the Weimar Republic?..."

Petreas Agrees with Obama

2008-10-08T15:16:00.001-07:00

In spite of assertions by McShame that HE and HE alone "gets it" when it comes to Iraq and Afghanistan because he can site General Petreas. In truth Petreas' opinions are closer to Obama's. I earlier reported that he believes neither that "victory" can be gained in Iraq nor that the "surge" tactics will work in Afghanistan. Here's a great article from the WashingtonIndependent.

Anyone can make a gaffe, but this one takes the cake! We're McShame's "fellow prisoners".

Over time I've read LOTs about why vets are not in love with McShame, although in the first debate he claimed to love the veterans. His voting record is shameful. Here, he's called out on it. Good for them!

Have fun with these:

Man of the People

2008-10-08T13:47:00.001-07:00

In the 1960s I marched for civil rights. When I attended a rally last month in New Hampshire my heart was warmed by the diversity in the crowd. This photo taken in red Indiana shows Barack's appeal across race, gender, age and more. What an inspiration!

Good for the NYTimes

2008-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

"It is a sorry fact of American political life that campaigns get ugly, often in their final weeks. But Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember.

They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent’s record — into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia. Senator Barack Obama has taken some cheap shots at Mr. McCain, but there is no comparison..."

Read On!

Oh yeah...and back to the debate. I've read on the progressive blogs that folks think Tom Brokaw is in McShame's pocket. I don't know whether or not that's true, but I wonder why this debate - which was supposed to be about domestic issues - ended up half focused on foreign policy issues. That took the spotlight off of a lot of domestic issues that will play to Obama's strengths. Who chose the questions and why did the audience get to ask 8 and Brokaw asked 9?

So Glad Joe's Back! and My 2 Cents

2008-10-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

I wish I could figure out how to embed this video. It's worth watching Joe talk about the debate and the tenor of the McShame campaign. What a class act!! Take a look.

Here are 2 perspectives on last night's debate. The first has been talked about a bit (especially on MSNBC last night), the second I haven't heard put in this perspective.

1. McShame's disdain for the people was evident in his leaving immediately after the debate while Barack and Michele stayed for at least 20 minutes talking, posing for photos, signing autographs. And who's the elitist?

2. McShame's disdain for the people was evident in his belief that he could talk to undecided voters in the same way he can pander to his base. If he had paid any attention to the opinions of undecided voters after the first debate he wouldn't have continued to attack on character, belittle Barack and be disrespectful.

Obama Wins....Again

2008-10-07T21:33:00.000-07:00

In demeanor, respectful and concrete answers and staying after with the crowd. Obama class act.

McShame - cranky, silly, disrespectful and dismissive, shadow boxing.

CNN and CBS polls give the debate to Obama. MSNBC and even Fixed news focus group did as well. Olbermann, Maddow and Matthews amazing in the post-debate analysis. Will try to find clips.

Not much more from me until later on Wed.

Sleep peacefully. Joe's back tomorrow as well.

GObama! Welcome back Joe.

A Little Lovin'

2008-10-07T15:46:00.001-07:00

I needed an antidote to the vile tone of the McPalin nazi-like campaign, so I found some. ENJOY

An Undecided's Guide to Voting: What is Leadership?

2008-10-07T02:01:00.000-07:00

A post from Susan Colantuono

As an expert on leadership, I base my work on my definition of leadership, which is this:
"Leadership is using the greatness in you to achieve and sustain extraordinary outcomes by engaging the greatness in others."

I thought it worth offering in light of the recent and ongoing tenor of the two campaigns - and as a way of helping undecided voters assess the leadership qualities of the candidates.

Let's dissect the 3 elements of the definition.

On Extraordinary Outcomes
If you think that the savings and loan debacle, the current economic meltdown, the loss of medicare and medicaid benefits, unequal pay for equal work, an overall decline in the earning power of the middle class, increasing unemployment and more freedom for businessmen to get rich off the backs of the middle class are the types of extraordinary outcome you seek, vote McPalin.

If you think that a strong middle class, investment in infrastructure, green technology and education; access to healthcare, equal pay for equal work, regulation on the excesses and malfeasance of business and an energizing of everyday citizens are the types of extraordinary outcome you seek, vote Obama/Biden.

On Engaging the Greatness in Others
If you think that campaign rallying cries of "kill him" and "terrorist" is evidence of engaging the greatness in others, vote McPalin.

If you think that campaign rallying cries of "yes we can" is evidence engaging the greatness in others, vote Obama/Biden.

On Personal Greatness
If you think cynicism, superiority, simple-mindedness, being a pawn of your handlers, reliance on smears and reckless casting about are admirable attributes, vote McPalin.

If you think having a vision, believing in the power of unity, intelligence, surrounding oneself with brilliant advisers, authenticity and keeping on issue are admirable attributes, vote Obama/Biden.

Respectfully shared,
Susan Colantuono

Shining Light on Healthcare & Economy

2008-10-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Say it ain't so, John! The WSJ reports:
John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs.

From HuffPost
Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and former Florida Sen. Bob Graham determinedly laid into McCain for proposing a policy that would result in massive Medicare cuts and higher taxes for some insured....Casey went so far as to challenge McCain to "survive without his government provided health insurance," in order to better understand the struggles of those uncovered by their employers.

What's all the fuss about Keating and McShame about? Find out here.

And...on the same subject, check out McShame/Surrogate lies (cast as "appears different") here at the WashPost.

Good News...and What's the Truth?

2008-10-06T14:43:00.001-07:00

Great poll numbers from FiveThirtyEight.

Amid the mudslinging and lie-throwing today, I found this little bit of information that indicates that the overall economic picture is worse than we're being told. Take a look at ShadowStats.

15% real unemployment, 13% inflation rate, negative quarterly growth since 2004. We've been in a recession since Bush's second term began. We've known it but no one would admit it.

And, sadly, my dad has been sending around an email blaming 2 years of dems in congress for the current problems. I pity the FOX set and the kool-aid they be drinkin' and the McShameful candidate they be supportin'

On a lighter note, from ThePoliticalCarnival a quote of the day:

"Banks now rob people."
--Randi Rhodes just now on Progressive Radio KTLK

GObama! Stay on topic...it's the economy!

Final Word?

2008-10-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

I thought a prior post had my final word on SlickS's coached stump speech
(non-debate) performance, but then my friend Eunice sent me this!
Thanks, Eunice.

GObama!!

Laughter and Tears

2008-10-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Over at ThePoliticalCarnival, Gottalaff's father-in-law served up another bunch of jokes this week. My favorite about the debate:
Aides were concerned (Palin) might make a mistake as she did on the KATIE COURIC interview when she was asked a question about the Supreme Court. PALIN told them not to worry, she said, "I may not be an expert, but I do know DIANA ROSS was the one in the middle."

You can read them all here.

Barack and Joe are up in the polls seemingly everywhere!! Even the notoriously conservative Rasumssen poll:
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows Barack Obama attracting 52% of the vote while John McCain earns 44%. This is the highest level of support ever recorded for Obama and is his largest lead of the year. It also continues a remarkable twenty-five days in a row where the Democrat’s support has never declined by even a single point.

And, sadly, Jill Biden's mother passed away over the weekend. Condolences to Jill, Joe and all those who loved her.

The Choice Wars

2008-10-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

The LATimes reports on pending legislation and votes that would term fertilized eggs/embryos as persons. Scary! Would impact certain forms of contraception making women murderers.

And here's a form of terrorism that McShame supported - twice! His anti-woman sentiments unveiled.

Thank You Madeleine!

2008-10-06T03:17:00.000-07:00

At a NEHRA conference several years ago I stood up and asked Madeleine Albright the first question - it was about the backsliding of women during the Bush administration. Within her response was the statement, "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." Knowing the context I was furious at SlickSarah's misuse and mis-statement of the quote to imply that because she's a woman other women should support her. Happily, Madeleine responded herself. Here's what she said to HuffPost:

"Though I am flattered that Governor Palin has chosen to cite me as a source of wisdom, what I said had nothing to do with politics. This is yet another example of McCain and Palin distorting the truth, and all the more reason to remember that this campaign is not about gender, it is about which candidate has an agenda that will improve the lives of all Americans, including women. The truth is, if you care about the status of women in our society and in our troubled economy, the best choice by far is Obama-Biden."

And in the spirit of keeping the discussion on substance not smears, enjoy this spoof. BillyMires

My Sentiments Exactly!

2008-10-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

From Michelle Goldberg of Britain's TheGuardian

"At least three times (Thursday) night, Sarah Palin, the adorable, preposterous vice-presidential candidate, winked at the audience. Had a male candidate with a similar reputation for attractive vapidity made such a brazen attempt to flirt his way into the good graces of the voting public, it would have universally noted, discussed and mocked. Palin, however, has single-handedly so lowered the standards both for female candidates and American political discourse that, with her newfound ability to speak in more-or-less full sentences, she is now deemed to have performed acceptably last night...

And so she preceded, with an almost surreal disregard for the subjects she was supposed to be discussing, to unleash fusillades of scripted attack lines, platitudes, lies, gibberish and grating references to her own pseudo-folksy authenticity.

It was an appalling display. The only reason it was not widely described as such is that too many American pundits don't even try to judge the truth, wisdom or reasonableness of the political rhetoric they are paid to pronounce upon. Instead, they imagine themselves as interpreters of a mythical mass of "average Americans" who they both venerate and despise.In pronouncing upon a debate, they don't try and determine whether a candidate's responses correspond to existing reality, or whether he or she is capable of talking about subjects such as the deregulation of the financial markets or the devolution of the war in Afghanistan. The criteria are far more vaporous. In this case, it was whether Palin could avoid utterly humiliating herself for 90 minutes, and whether urbane commentators would believe that she had connected to a public that they see as ignorant and sentimental. For the Alaska governor, mission accomplished."

Beautiful!

2008-10-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

Springsteen in front of 50,000!

And Barack in Ashville, NC
Check it out here. I can't figure out how to embed the video.

Funnies for a Sunday Morning and Obama on Healthcare

2008-10-05T03:02:00.001-07:00

Tina Fey does it again!!! Here you go.

Brian Williams - I didn't know he was funny - with David Letterman

Bill Maher had me laughing out loud. Find the clip here at HuffPost.

Parts 1 & 2 of Obama on healthcare
What's Wrong With Healthcare

Why McShame Won't Fix It

Oh MY...I HAVE to show you this clip. Parts brought tears to my eyes. Hooray for the United Steel Workers!!!!!!! and Hooray for AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka

Alaska's Obama Rally

2008-10-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Gotta love the feisty folks from Alaska! Another great turnout...
More photos here.
I love the hard-hatted man with a "Joe Six-Pack 4 Obama" placard.
Obama/Biden 1000-2000 people
McCain/Palin 200-300
Read about it here.

Don't EVER Cross David Letterman & More Laughs

2008-10-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

Have fun with the above. Thanks, Dave!

So, after days of dissing McShame for standing him up on false pretense, David Letterman takes well-deserved shots at Palin.

Here's what Alaskan focus group participants thought of the debate! Source.

Maryellen sent this along. I think I've seen it before so it's going viral (I hope).
POST TURTLES
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who's hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Palin and her bid.

The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, Palin is a Post Turtle'".

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was.

The old rancher said, "When you're driving down a country road you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle".

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. "You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, and she doesn't know what to do while she's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dummy put her up there to begin with".

ON A Serious Note
In the last month before the presidential elections the Art of Democracy coaltion of political shows will be visible in more than fifty venues around the country. Check out the events of Art of Democracy nationwide exhibitions. Art Hazlewood is exhibiting his powerful political prints - We're All Outside the Green Zone.

Even Florida? Could it be a Landslide?

2008-10-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

The NewYorkTimes is reporting that Obama/Biden have pulled ahead in the polls by 3 - 8 points! This is amazing. The most disturbing quote in the article was this one:

"Anecdotally, though, Mr. Obama seems to have made some headway. At Christina’s, a family restaurant in downtown New Port Richey, the red leather stools at the counter held both Republicans tried-and-true, and Republicans, like Chris Hart, 48, who had begun to sour on Mr. McCain.

“Every time you turn around, he flips,” Mr. Hart said. A front-desk clerk at a local Y.M.C.A, he said he was also motivated by his need for health insurance, which had recently forced him to buy antibiotics at pet stores because it was cheaper than the pharmacy."

The Bush/McShame policies are a disgrace!

FiveThirtyEight polls: nation looking bluer and bluer. As to why, read this article about the difference between the ground campaigns of the Dems and repugs. It's illuminating. Here's the concluding point:

"You could take every McCain volunteer we’ve seen doing actual work in the entire trip, over six states, and it would add up to the same as Obama’s single Thornton, CO office. Or his single Durango, CO office. These ground campaigns bear no relationship to each other."

Nighty Nite

2008-10-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

My take on the debate...I'm stealing it from SatiricalPolitical. As Lou Grant said, "she's got spunk. I HATE spunk."

Palin was a scripted actress playing the VP role.
Her folksy, disdainful attitude happily turned off the independents who watched.
She had nothing but platitudes and campaign slogans to say.

Joe was awesome - knowledge, experience, real global impact; great at explaining why he and Barack are better for America and the middle class. Clearly differentiated their positions. Was bipartisan and respectful.

Good night... in all senses of the phrase.

Early AM News and Notes

2008-10-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

Facing another day behind closed doors and suffering from withdrawal from the news, I leave you with a few juicy tidbits for the morning.

The Obama campaign's latest innovation (his 2-minute ad about the economy preceded this) - it owns DISH Network channel 73. Reported by Politico
"The channel plays his two-minute ad laying out his economic plan on a loop, over and over. The only explanation: The media buyers think they can reach enough people per dollar to make it worth the odd buy."

ABC reports that 60% think SlickS is not ready.
"Skepticism about Sarah Palin has soared since she entered the national political stage, with six in 10 Americans now doubting her qualifications for office and fewer than half convinced of her grasp of complex issues...just 35 percent say Palin has the experience it takes to serve effectively as president, down a dozen points since early September; 60 percent think not, up 15. And just 46 percent think Palin "understands complex issues," while 49 percent think she doesn't -- a poor assessment on this most basic qualification."

BOY, what's with the 46% that think she does or might "understand complex issues"? What Kool-Aid are they drinkin'?

continuing from ABC: "Biden's ratings starkly contrast Palin's: Seventy-five percent say he understands complex issues, 70 percent say he has suitable experience to take over as president if necessary and just 13 percent say his selection makes them less apt to support Barack Obama."

If you're one of the 60% who is terrified by the prospect of SlickS being "one heartbeat away", this from Americablog won't quell your concerns. Writing about McShame's disorientation when trying to leave the stage yesterday a physician says
"Let me put it like this. If I had seen a 70-75 year old man do that in front of me in the emergency room - that gentleman would be immediately admitted for what is known as a TIA. This is a mini-stroke that often comes before a big huge one.,,I showed this video to 3 colleagues today - AND a neurologist - all of us agreed - this is concerning and should be immediately evaluated. It is, however, impossible to make medical diagnosis via a video - unless you are Bill Frist or Tom Coburn. I would caution you to be careful about making any insinuations about his medical condition based on just that alone. However, I am concerned enough about what I saw of Senator McCain today that he should be seeing a doctor immediately...Just talked to two more buddies - again - they totally agree - one of whom is ardent McCain supporter."

And this from ThinkProgress
"The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology reviewed the cancer taken off McCain’s head in 2000 and found it to be “highly suggestive of a metastasis of malignant melanoma and may represent a satellite metastasis.” Even with the most optimistic scenario, if McCain has a metastatic malignant melanoma, he has only a 38% chance of surviving past 2010."

Grumpy Gramm-pa McShame

2008-10-01T11:36:00.001-07:00

Enuf said

Watch the spin from FIXed news - and doesn't that woman pull down her husband's hand?

Rats from a Sinking Ship

2008-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Not much time today, so here are a few links:

Congressman Mark Kirk from Illinois is a bundler for the McCain campaign. He's the first elected official to publicly voice concerns about SlickSarah.

It's so common that it's not news any more, but McCain gets "testy" with the media...and mis-states (oops, lies?) yet again. HuffPost

In case you missed the fact that Maureen Dowd was banned from the McCain plane, here's an excerpt of her thoughts on the matter. Couldn't have said it better myself. Slick=Cheney in a skirt; McShame=Cheney in a shirt.
"It was disappointing because I didn't think John McCain would ever be as dismissive of the First Amendment as Dick Cheney."

Bill's smokin' (no, he didn't inhale this time)...
And though (Clinton) repeated his mantra that Democrats don't have to "say one bad word" about their Republican opponents to win the election, Clinton actually snuck in a dig against Sarah Palin.

"So (Barack's) got a better philosophy. He's got better answers. He's got a better understanding, and better advisers on these complex economic matters. He's got a better vice presidential partner," More here.

Polls are lookin' good for Barack and Joe.

Gotta run...check out HuffPost and ThePoliticalCarnival for other goodies including:

McCain claims to look to Slick for foreign policy advice - now, THAT's reassuring,
New RapeKit ad
Being gay is a choice (SlickS)
And more...

In Summary

2008-09-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

I hate it when I'm away from my computer all day and this is a week of exactly that. So, in summary, let me just say that today's best news comes from the FiveThirtyEight polling site.

Latest Polls and Trouble for Rethugs

2008-09-30T02:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Jim for Monday's reporting from Gallup.

Obama 50 McCain 42

And lifted shamelessly from ThePoliticalCarnival (as I race out the door)
The latest Democracy Corps survey of the competitive battleground House districts "reveals an intensely angry electorate, even more sour on Republicans who have not distanced themselves enough from Bush and are now at risk even at the edge of the current map of competitive congressional seats."

"Democratic candidates are now ahead by 4 points in the 40 most vulnerable Republican seats, even in the bottom tier. A near majority of 48% in these Republican seats say they 'can't vote to re-elect' their Republican incumbent, while Democrats are ahead in the open seats."

AND this...
"The CIA's former top administrator pleaded guilty today to steering agency contracts to a defense contractor and concealing their relationship, making Kyle "Dusty" Foggo the highest-ranking member of a federal intelligence or law enforcement agency to be convicted of a crime..."

On a Clear Day...

2008-09-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Sarah sees Alaska!

How Did I Miss This?

2008-09-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

My last post about Friday's debate.

GObama!

Smokin' Joe

2008-09-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

In front of an estimated 35,000 in Detroit Joe Biden takes on John McCain on everything from foreign policy to the economy. Doin' what a VP candidate is supposed to do. Smokin'!

Who's Demonstrating Leadership?

2008-09-29T14:55:00.001-07:00

McShame whose campaign spokesperson is blaming or Obama who, today, personally called for calm and resolve in working through the financial crisis. I agree with TPM.

Here's the statement from the Obama campaign:
This is a moment of national crisis, and today’s inaction in Congress as well as the angry and hyper-partisan statement released by the McCain campaign are exactly why the American people are disgusted with Washington. Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to join together and act in a way that prevents an economic catastrophe. Every American should be outraged that an era of greed and irresponsibility on Wall Street and Washington has led us to this point, but now that we are here, the stability of our entire economy depends on us taking immediate action to ease this crisis.
Night and Day!!

McChange

2008-09-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

My friend Jim created this slideshow. Sorry it doesn't fit, you can view the whole thing here:

Poor Pitiful Palin

2008-09-29T09:15:00.001-07:00

Love, Love, Love this photo!

There's apparently some McShame campaign concern about the media being "too hard" on Palin and suggestions that they should go easier on her...be more deferential. Well, I think they're being too soft. But Gottalaff's father-in-law (who used to write for Alan King, Milton Berle and Jonathan Winters, just to name a few. And all those Dean Martin Roasts, too: Don Rickles, Red Buttons, Phyllis Diller, Sammy Davis, Jr., etc) has once again spoofed her among his other jokes. From ThePoliticalCarnival

"Vice Presidential nominee, SARAH PALIN's address to the United Nations was canceled, which was a shame. She was really ready to speak. She says she knows all about the UN because she can see the building from her hotel room."

DNC ad on Gambling w/McCain

2008-09-29T03:18:00.000-07:00

Obama/Biden 08

Obama Endorsed

2008-09-28T17:07:00.001-07:00

Thousands hear Barack and Joe in Detroit. Crowds lookin' pretty impressive. View news clip here.

Breaking a long string of republican endorsements, The Record is endorsing Obama this year.

About Obama, they write

"Obama can inspire, and our nation desperately needs an inspirational leader. And he does not carry the deep scars of Vietnam, as do many of McCain's generation. He offers hope. A new way of doing business. And a belief that our system of government can be made to work. He's the clear choice."

About McShame and Slick they write:

"mccain's selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views."

This Photo of Barack Deserves its own Post

2008-09-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

"After keeping his supporters waiting for nearly an hour, Mr. Obama went forward with his speech as a crowd estimated by campus officials at 26,000 grew soggy."

photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times

Additional coverage on HuffPost

SlickS & MiteyMc Spark Creativity

2008-09-28T03:30:00.000-07:00

Check out the signs from what looks like thousand or more people who attended the anti-Palin rally in Alaska. My fave "so McCain says, sure I'd like to try para-sailin'"

AND listen to the soundtracks that accompany the anti-rally youtube videos here - the top is a GREAT original. Good for Shannyn Moore - painting Alaska blue one stroke at a time!

Check out Tina Fey playing Slick, yet again.

Watching the debate, I found McShame's smirky little comment about being a "betting man" a little gratuitous...and couldn't figure out where it came from. Well apparently he is quite a gambler - as his gambling-related lobbyists and other activities demonstrate. From the NY Times

USAToday/Gallup give Obama the win.

YOU GO GIRLS...Michelle and Jill

Happy Obama/Biden photo

More laughs. I have to ask myself is the other side this creative? Great YouTube Debate Highlights in Song & Dance

Lyrics as best as I can capture them.
McCain: Fundamental differences that Senator Obama and I have.

Lehrer: Sen. Obama: two minutes.

Obama (Michael Gregory): Freedom and justice - and liberty. I'm gonna lower the working class taxes - and make tastier food. John McCain's supports the Hurricanes. But I voted against him. John McCain voted to ruin your life, eight years. Gotta give it to him, the man's got experience.

CHORUS: You know. This time we won't take more of the same. It's time for a change. Yeah.
You're a wolf in sheep's clothing. Dick Cheney in a skirt. Pretendin' you don't know. You're running from your shadow. I'm gonna use a better military strategy, and take care of our soldiers. I'm gonna go to Afghanistan myself and brush the dirt of these shoulders.

John McCain thought the war was a great idea. He said it would be easy. Now we're all spread thin, and don't have what we need to build up in Afghanistan.

We've got Wall Street scrambling, Greenspan gasping and you say we're doing just fine. But you can't just sprinkle sugar on a piece of sh*t and convince people that it tastes good. Oh, yeah.

McShame: Um we republicans came to power to change government and government changed us.

Reprise of chorus

Lehrer: Respond directly to him, ah Sen. Obama about that.

GObama 2

2008-09-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

GObama

2008-09-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

Much Ado about Sarah

2008-09-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

Via ThePoliticalCarnival...a link to American Conservative article about repub fears about Palin's debate performance.

"I've been swamped with other stuff, but just for the record: I thought Palin was dreadful. She obviously didn't have the reaction to the Charlie Gibson interview that I had hoped. She had better be better prepared for next week or she risks damaging her political brand forevermore."

--Rick Lowry, National Review Online

WOW...and from FOX (FIXED?) News

2008-09-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

And, from CNN via HuffPo:
Who Did the Best Job In the Debate?

Obama 51%
McCain 38%

Who Would Better Handle Economy?
Obama 58%
McCain 37%

Who Would Better Handle Iraq?
Obama 52%
McCain 47%

GObama!

GOP Strategist: Palin's No Hillary

2008-09-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Summary from HuffPost:

"A growing number of Republicans are expressing concern about Sarah Palin's uneven -- and sometimes downright awkward -- performances in her limited media appearances.

Conservative columnists Kathleen Parker, a former Palin supporter, says the vice presidential nominee should step aside. Kathryn Jean Lopez, writing on the conservative National Review, says "that's not a crazy suggestion" and that "something's gotta change."

Tony Fabrizio, a GOP strategist, says Palin's recent CBS appearance isn't disqualifying but is certainly alarming. "You can't continue to have interviews like that and not take on water."

"I have not been blown away by the interviews from her, but at the same time I haven't come away from them thinking she doesn't know s--t," said Chris Lacivita, a GOP strategist. "But she ain't Dick Cheney, nor Joe Biden and definitely not Hillary Clinton."

About the debate...I want to say Obama won, and he did a great job. On the other hand I wanted to yell at him every time he acknowledged agreement with McCain. It was respectful, but a poor tactic. At the same time, McCain's blatant and insulting disdain for Barack was the perfect metaphor for the self-righteous right. He is no maverick. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Don't be fooled people - Obama/Biden 08

Jon Stewart is Priceless!

2008-09-26T09:23:00.001-07:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/26/jon-stewart-bush-bailout_n_129588.html

SlickS Should Bow Out...and should McShame

2008-09-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

It isn't my idea. It's the call from conservative columnist Kathleen Parker. Here's a bit:
"Palin's recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who Is Clearly Out Of Her League."

McCain's campaign claims Debate Win at 11:00AM Friday morning. Oops! Doesn't the debate start at 9:00EST tonight?
11:00 AM - McCain's Already Won The Debate? That's what his website says.

McCain to the rescue??? Not even fellow repugs agree:

9:30 AM - Huckabee Says McCain Making A Mistake: McCain's primary challenger says his former rival made a "huge mistake" by even considering skipping the debate.

Huckabee said he still backs McCain's candidacy, but said the Arizona senator should not have put his campaign on hold to deal with the financial crisis on Wall Street. He said a president must be prepared to "deal with the unexpected."

Tonight Obama will smoke McShame

I Can't Stand It...

2008-09-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday new reports of Obama moving ahead in the polls, SlickSarah once again looks like an idiot in an interview, the repug campaign wants to postpone the VP debate, too and on the HuffPost article about McShame's "suspension of his campaign" there were over 10,000 comments before they reset the number back to 4,000. And truly, the idiotic decision - oops, I mean campaign stunt - warrants the outrage that was reflected. But rather than repeat some of those comments (many priceless), here's David Letterman on the issue:

SlickSara's Roots, McSham Needs Rest?

2008-09-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Check out this HuffPost article about the church from whence SS recently sprung. It's downright frightening.

UPDATE

"Here is a transcript of that prayer for Sarah by Rev. Muthie
http://irregulartimes.com/index.php/archives/2008/09/23/transcript-of-thomas-muthees-sermon-endorsing-sarah-palin/
They are praying that in addition to church the believers are to "infiltrate" areas of economic control, politics, education, media and government. Infiltrated by people "that are born again, spirit-filled, tongue-talking, devil-casting". That's what he prayed while laying hands on Sarah."

And...I can't even bring myself to write about Gramm-Pa McShame's ploy to suspend his campaign and return to Washington to work on the economy (as if he knows anything about it!). Obama certainly looks more presidential on this one. So...the repug's candidate can't multi-task?? Pathetic.

UPDATE
Ole Miss (site of the Friday debate) says it will be "financially devastating" to cancel the debate...so McSham wants to fix the economy and bankrupt Ole Mis??

UPDATE
I can't even comment. This is priceless. McSham debated during the debate to deregulate the financial industry! Another great piece of work by HuffPost.

More Slime...Fake McShame Letters..and GOOD News

2008-09-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

McCain campaign hires ghostwriters to create fake letters to the editor - focus on touting Palin as the VP choice. Reported by Salon.com.

ABC/WashPost poll shows Obama strongly ahead of repubs and having regained ground with white women lost after Hillary. Restores my faith in my sisters. YAY!! I ask, like some of the commentators, who are the 17% that think the country is moving in the right direction and what are they smoking?

Obama/Biden 08

More Slime..."Egregious"

2008-09-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

From FactCheck.org:
"A McCain-Palin ad says that Obama was "born of the corrupt Chicago political machine" and implies that the candidate himself is corrupt by association with four local political figures. But the ad's implication and many of its supporting details are false. In fact, this is a particularly egregious example of ricochet sliming:"

To be fair, FactCheck has countered some of the Obama/Biden claims, but I haven't see the word "egregious" anywhere.

Obama/Biden 08

McCain Camp "Sexist"?

2008-09-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

Campbell Brown of CNN calls the McCain camp's cloistering of Palin "sexist". Frankly, I think their actions are not driven by sexism, but by abject terror about what she might say and how she will humiliate herself and McShame...BUT Brown's "sexist" construct sure makes it tough for the repubs to attack the media for being "mean" to poor Palin, so it is a stroke of genius (even her statement that SlickSarah is "competent" though wrong is perfect in this context). Here's what she said (lifted, with gratitude, from the wonderful folks at ThePoliticalCarnival).

"Tonight I call on the McCain campaign to stop treating Sarah Palin like she is a delicate flower that will wilt at any moment," said Brown. "This woman is from Alaska from crying out loud. She is strong. She is tough. She is competent. And you claim she is ready to be one heart beat away form the presidency. If that is the case, then end this chauvinistic treatment of her now. Allow her to show her stuff. Allow her to face down those pesky reporters... Let her have a real news conference with real questions. By treating Sarah Palin different from the other candidates in this race, you are not showing her the respect she deserves. Free Sarah Palin. Free her from the chauvinistic chain you are binding her with. Sexism in this campaign must come to an end. Sarah Palin has just as much a right to be a real candidate in this race as the men do. So let her act like one."

And the lies (or ignorance??) just keep piling on. From HuffPost this morning...
"Two reports tonight, one from the New York Times, and the other from Newsweek, contradict John McCain's statement this week that his campaign manager Rick Davis had no involvement with mortgage giant Freddie Mac for the last several years."

Obama/Biden 08

Got to Laugh...

2008-09-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

"We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself."

-- The 2008 Republican Party Platform, adopted earlier this month.

Making History Again

2008-09-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Palin is making history again. This time in a very, very, very bad way. The networks and news agencies are refusing to be manipulated into her UN photo op without also being able to have an editorial presence. I think it's the Washington Post that has been logging the number of days that McShame and Slick Sarah have gone without talking to reporters on the campaign trail. It's shameful. Well, I guess that's what you have to do if you're doddering and your running mate is a trophy candidate. Story from Huff Post.

Also, her unfavorables are throwing the polls toward Obama in Colorado and other places. PHEW, restores my faith in Americans.

On a lighter note. I love Gottalaff who posts regularly at ThePoliticalCarnival blog. Her father in law is a comedy writer. You'll LOVE these jokes. Here's one I particularly liked:
Stock prices are down, major companies are being bailed out, and SARAH PALIN is just the lady we need to take care of things in this Bear market. She'll shoot it and skin it. And in true vice presidential fashion, she'll probably shoot it in the face.

I'm so furious about the Bush shock and awe treatment of the malfeasance in the financial industry I could spit. The root cause is the fact that the middle class is earning less and less relative to the cost of living and they're balking at helping us while placing a trillion dollar loan on our shoulders. And, oh by the way, the British press reports that Lehman moved $84 billion into an account for executive bonuses that apparently will be given out. Criminal!!

And, yes, I know that Joe has been off message...

GObama!

Oops, Palin...

2008-09-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Here's Ann Telnaes' latest commentoon about Palin. It's, as always, great. How refreshing to have a woman political cartoonist.

Here's what happens when you select an unqualified VP candidate (from Politico):
"John McCain’s campaign is scrapping, rescheduling or offering surrogates for nearly every one of the fundraisers Sarah Palin was to hold this month, instead having her campaign jointly with McCain, prepare for her sole debate next month and get some foreign policy exposure...Palin was to have headlined nine fundraisers across five states by now...She’s attended just one to date"

Obama/Biden '08

Campaign Faux Pas and Bad News for Repubs

2008-09-23T04:19:00.001-07:00

Palin only knows about Russia "metaphorically" speaking. PoliticalCarnival

If it's Monday this must be Grand Rapids or is it Cedar Rapids? Palin doesn't even know where she is - in spite of being able to see Russia from her home state. Britain's Guardian

George Will (yes, the conservative George Will) goes off McCain. If you read his Wash Post article, you'll read words like furious, flustered rookie, shallow and worse. Here's a taste:

"It is arguable that, because of his inexperience, Obama is not ready for the presidency. It is arguable that McCain, because of his boiling moralism and bottomless reservoir of certitudes, is not suited to the presidency. Unreadiness can be corrected, although perhaps at great cost, by experience. Can a dismaying temperament be fixed?"

McCain's Mangled Message (title lifted shamelessly from HuffPost): ABC Article

GObama!

Restoring My Faith...

2008-09-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

...in my fellow Americans. Over the weekend I read about a focus group of Florida voters the majority of which have been swayed to vote for Obama because of McCain's choice of Palin.

Now, today, similar good judgment shown in New Mexico:
"Sarah Palin is not playing well with New Mexico voters. 46% say her selection made them less likely to vote for John McCain, compared to 38% who say it made them more likely to do so. Among independents her disapproval rating is 47%, and Obama has a 51-35 advantage with that group."

A new Public Policy Polling survey in New Mexico shows Sen. Barack Obama with a double-digit lead over Sen. John McCain, 53% to 42%."

Last night I was one of many making 490,000 calls for MoveOn to get members to the Obama campaign office in Lafayette, Indiana. They blew past their goal of 200,000 calls. It was a blast. Check out MoveOn or the Obama sight's Neighbor-to-Neighbor action resource.

GObama!

For McCain? You'd Think...

2008-09-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

From Bloomberg.com
Praise for Obama and this surprising information:

"Tellingly, three former SEC chairmen, a Democrat, Arthur Levitt, and two Republicans, David Ruder and Bill Donaldson, have endorsed Obama. Levitt is a board member of Bloomberg LP, the parent company of Bloomberg News.

Donaldson, who was tapped by Bush to head the SEC, says Obama called him last year about the financial-regulatory problems. He has never heard from McCain.

``Obama has been talking about the need for better financial regulation well before this crisis hit and has done some real thinking about it,'' says Donaldson, a lifelong Republican. ``McCain comes across as someone who suddenly realized changes have to be made.'"

Bailout Doesn't Smell Right

2008-09-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Main Street sounds off on Wall Street bailout. Wash Post

New Obama/Biden ad GOBama!

Adolescents at Play

2008-09-22T02:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday it hit me why the repubs and this bailout are so offensive. They remind me of adolescent boys - "you can't tell me what to do!...oh, Dad, I wrecked the car now you have to pay to get it fixed."

On the "you can't tell me what to do front, this post via the NYTimes
Senator John McCain’s campaign manager was paid more than $30,000 a month for five years as president of an advocacy group set up by the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to defend them against stricter regulations, current and former officials say....The value that he brought to the relationship was the closeness to Senator McCain and the possibility that Senator McCain was going to run for president again,” said Robert McCarson, a former spokesman for Fannie Mae..."

And, we have only to look at China to see what "less regulation" gets us - 13,000 sick babies because of melamine in their formula, lead paint on children's toys and tainted prescriptions. Less regulation, my @$$.

Well at least the Dems are developing some backbone about it. Nancy Pelosi:
“We will not simply hand over a $700 billion blank check to Wall Street and hope for a better outcome. Democrats will act responsibly to insulate Main Street from Wall Street."

I love Warren Buffet (who, not long ago, chided the repubs because he pays lower taxes than his secretary)! Read his 2003 warning about this collapse.

George Will (really? George Will, the conservative??) said yesterday that McCain looked "unpresidential" last week. On the other hand, Obama was comfortable, conversant and presidential. The result: "Tellingly, three former SEC chairmen, a Democrat, Arthur Levitt, and two Republicans, David Ruder and Bill Donaldson, have endorsed Obama."

By the way, shouldn't we be going after the Wall St high rollers' assets to defray the cost of the bailout?

And, did anyone else notice the difference between McCain's comments and Obama's on 60 Minutes last night? McCain's actions as president would be to take the political office out of the White House (commendable, but pretty irrelevant at the moment). Obama laid out clear actions on the national and international stage. Take your pick of Google links about the interviews.

Gobama!!

Congressional Majority

2008-09-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

I've shamelessly lifted this from a comment by joshuahmcdonald on HuffPost

In addition to the shared urgency of purpose in electing Barack Obama as President we must elect a 60-40 Democratic Senate majority.

As our financial institutions crumble around us, the Bush Administration, managed by the most extreme adherents of Market Fundamentalism since Hoover, has proposed a bailout amounting to nearly $1 Trillion in institutionalized Socialism. Having destroyed the foundation of our economy this Administration is now intent on billing the American taxpayer.

The irony is that over the last 2 Senate sessions the minority Republicans have set records in the number of partisan filibusters blocking much needed legislation...including financial regulation which may have mitigated our current economic crisis. Over 130 filibusters in 2 years!

A 60-40 majority in the Senate allows the Democrats to legally quash obstructionist filibusters and get our representatives back to work solving the extremely serious problems currently facing our nation.

I urge you to add your voice and your financial contributions to the following Senate campaigns where strong Democrats are facing vulnerable Republicans:
- Alaska: Mark Begich (http://www.begich.com)
- Colorado: Mark Udall (http://www.markudall.com)
- Idaho: Larry LaRocco (http://www.laroccoforsenate.com)
- Louisiana: Mary Landrieu (http://www.marylandrieu.com)
- Minnesota: Al Franken (http://www.alfranken.com)
- Mississippi: Ronnie Musgrove (http://musgroveforsenate.net)
- Nebraska: Scott Kleeb (http://www.scottkleeb.com)
- New Hampshire: Jeanne Shaheen (http://www.jeanneshaheen.org)
- New Mexico: Tom Udall (http://www.tomudall.com)
- North Carolina: Kay Hagan (http://www.kayhagan.com)
- Oregon: Jeff Merkley (http://www.jeffmerkley.com)

OUCH! McCain's Own Words Bit Him Again

2008-09-21T03:42:00.000-07:00

Flip Flop - And Payoff

2008-09-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

I loved when at the DNC "candidate" McCain was compared with "Senator" McCain (I can't remember whose speech it was - need more blueberries). Anyway, the CarpetbaggerReport lists 76 issues on which McCain has flipped his positions. They are categorized into areas including:

National Security
Foreign Policy
Domestic Policy
and more.

I sure hope the Obama/Biden campaign will find this website for the inevitable and stale flip-flop attack that is bound to come from the repubs. Seventy six!! Scary.

Now, take a look at this analysis of the proposed bailout of the economy. Here's an excerpt:

No one who foresaw the crisis, such as Krugman or Stiglitz, is involved in making the plan to fix it.

The man overseeing the bailout is the ex-CEO of Goldman Sachs, a Wall Street Company. He helped cause the crisis.
Paulson helped obtain the SEC exemption which allowed brokerages to increase leverage to 60:1 from 12:1.

Folks we really have to get active! Work for Obama/Biden this week.
www.barackobama.com

Current Polls - Great News

2008-09-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Couldn't help but lift this photo from The Political Carnival (who had lifted it from another site).

Hope you'll check my earlier post today (great stuff there), but the latest polls warrants its own post. Check out Obama vs McCain on this poll site!

Lookin' good for Barack and Joe.

Thank You Keith!

2008-09-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stand keeping my attention focused on lies Palin's, McCain's, the campaign's (see several posts back), but I am so glad that Keith Olbermann is keeping track of Palin's and is turning the karma around.

In the spirit of turning a sow's ear into a silk purse (hope you like the pig metaphor)...

By now you probably know that Palin made rape victims pay for their own forensic exams. Instead of complaining about her, make a donation to Planned Parenthood IN HER NAME! Great idea...I'm off to the Planned Parenthood site armed with the address for the Palin's home. You can read about the idea here (be sure to go to the bottom of the page).

How can they get away with this from the New York Times?
At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates.

Go Joe! Go Barack!

Back to Deadly Serious

2008-09-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

Great New Ad on Equal Pay

OUCH!

Here’s what McCain has to say about the wonders of market-based health reform:

Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation. (emphasis added

All Laughs, All the Time (Well at Least Today)

2008-09-19T02:11:00.000-07:00

Jon Stewart is hysterical!! I couldn't figure out how to embed the link so click here.

CNN Cafferty File

One great parody of Palin (I had tears running down my face!). To see more, read brief commentary and interview with comedienne Sara Benincasa, go here.

Work for Obama this weekend!

What I'm Seeing Tonight

2008-09-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

"Lies, lies, everywhere are lies" FactCheck.org slams McCain for another ad that lies about Obama's tax proposals.
"In what has become an ongoing theme, the McCain-Palin campaign has released yet another ad that makes false claims about Barack Obama's tax plan."

Very cool polling site shows Obama has regained the lead: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Questions about McCain's fitness. It began last week with a group of docs requesting full release of his medical records and continues in light of his daily flips on issues. What else could he do when the fundamentals (pun intended) of the Republican platform (trickle-down economics and free markets) have brought us to this financial crisis.

Check out the REAL McCain. These 5 videos are something!

The absolute BEST overall assessment of the pro-Palin propaganda makes for a VERY funny take on all the praise the repubs are heaping on Palin. Watch out Joe!

More direct talk from Barack...

...and Joe

"I’ve done a lot of press, I’ve done, I don’t know, I was told I did 68, 70 press conferences, and the person says, "What do you think about Sarah Palin?" I said, “When she does three, I’ll let you know." I don’t know! I don’t have any idea! I don’t know! I don’t know!" Biden said as the crowd rose to their feet.

"You know, I mean, look, and it’s not, look guys, it’s not just Sarah Palin," he continued. "When’s the last time John, when’s the last time John’s had a press conference? I’m serious.”

Biden then turned to Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, who introduced him.

"Ted, you and I know, when an elected official stops having press conferences, it ain’t because he’s found a way to communicate," Biden said. "It’s because he doesn’t want to communicate. Look folks, I mean, I, I, it’s just, if I sound angry it’s because I am angry. I mean, it’s like I don’t get it, I don’t get it!”

Hagel: Palin Has NO Foreign Policy Credentials

2008-09-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS

"Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska on Wednesday became the nation's most prominent Republican officeholder to publicly question whether Sarah Palin has the experience to serve as president.

"She doesn't have any foreign policy credentials," Hagel said in an interview. "You get a passport for the first time in your life last year? I mean, I don't know what you can say. You can't say anything."

... Palin has cited the proximity of Alaska to Russia as evidence of her international experience.

Hagel scoffed at that notion.

"I think they ought to be just honest about it and stop the nonsense about, 'I look out my window and I see Russia and so therefore I know something about Russia,'" he said. "That kind of thing is insulting to the American people."

Read the whole story.

Obama/Biden '08

The Non-Answer Answers

2008-09-18T06:41:00.001-07:00

I've been writing to the media about what I consider misguided attempts at "fair and balanced" coverage. For example, after the Obama campaign released an ad pointing to McCain's career-long votes against equal pay, the media repeated the campaign's allegation that women in McC's senate office make more than those in Obama's. To me, an accurate media portrayal would be: when asked about the ad, the McC campaign had no facts to rebut it.

Here's another example of a non-answer, answer from the McC/SP "town hall" yesterday (which, unlike former meetings only permitted pre-ticketed supporters to attend). As you read, please note these things.

Palin never responded to the questions about "specific skills".
Palin never answered the implied question about foreign policy experience.
McCain had to get her back to her scripted talking points about energy = foreign policy and a son heading to Iraq = foreign policy experience. (Boy am I glad he didn't repeat the "we can see Alaska" line.
AND, drum roll, please - don't we women rail agains the sexism of men having to remake our points for us. Oh, John, you just don't get women!

But one woman challenged Palin on her qualifications.

“Gov. Palin, there has been quite a bit of discussion about your perceived lack of foreign policy experience, and I want to give you your chance,” the questioner said. “If you could please respond to that criticism and give us specific skills that you think you have to bring to the White House to rebut that or mitigate that concern.”

Palin replied at first by saying that opponents look for things to criticize her about because she is a “Washington outsider.” As for her credentials, she did not offer anything specific but asserted she will be prepared for the job by the time she assumes it — suggesting, perhaps, that the four months between now and then will add to her knowledge.

“As for foreign policy, you know I think that I am prepared and I know that on Jan. 20, if we are so blessed as to be sworn into office as your president and vice president, certainly we’ll be ready. I’ll be ready. I have that confidence. I have that readiness.”

McCain jumped in after that to tout her experience with energy issues, saying that dependence on foreign oil is one of the greatest threats to U.S. national security. He also suggested she was prepared because her son is headed off to serve in Iraq." SOURCE: the conservative WSJ

I don't watch TV, so I don't know how the MSM is covering the dissembling, but the blogsphere is ripping into the repubs as are some noted conservatives.

Obama/Biden '08

Corporate Socialism and Obama's Wit

2008-09-18T04:02:00.000-07:00

When the repubs bail out the financial industry (which is probably necessary), borrow from China to:

line the pockets of Halliburton and rebuild Iraq,
funnel money into the military/industrial complex or
subsidize the oil industry it's a good use of taxpayer money.

BUT when the Obama campaign talks about investing in infrastructure, alternative energy innovation, education, and providing healthcare to most of the citizens - the repubs claim that the taxpayer will face higher taxes to pay for this (a distortion of Obama's plan). I don't know about you, but I'd rather invest my tax dollars in this country and in sectors that will create jobs and wean us from oil rather than invest them in bailouts (also called corporate socialism).

ON a HAPPIER NOTE
Barack has a great sense of humor.

WATCH!

READ!

Women for Obama/Biden has been very active this week. Congressional endorsements, NOW endorsement, Joe and Hillary webcast. Makes me happy.

Get involved! Take action.

To Other Hillary Supporters...

2008-09-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

I invite you to watch her in a discussion on women's issues with Joe Biden. See it here. (30 min)

I'm so glad Bush never privatized social security. So are Barack and Joe...New ad.

Duh..."fully informed..." Did you know about Troopergate? Did you know about her request for earmarks? What else did you not know about Palin, John?

Pretty good debunking of McCain campaign by CNN

Man Oh Man! Tell it Like it Is, Carly

2008-09-17T02:27:00.000-07:00

I have admired Carly Fiorina for years and tout her book in my leadership training all the time. So, I was delighted when, yesterday Carly Fiorina - in a rare display of truth from the McCain campaign - said that Palin couldn't run a large corporation. WATCH here.

Now granted, the US government isn't a large corporation, but (if I recall correctly) its budget is about 3 (or is it 30?) times what HP's was when Carly left.

...as so happens with McCain and his surrogates, she later re-explained herself later and said that neither could McCain, Obama or Biden. I don't know...Obama has a vision, he knows how to engage the greatness in others and he's incredibly smart.

But, the commentaries I like best are from the alleged driver of the Straight Talk express. If you want to laugh before you continue today's work for Obama/Biden, take a peek.

UPDATE ON CARLY: Truth-telling gets her punished "Carly will now disappear," this source said. "Senator McCain was furious." Her previously booked interviews have been cancelled. Read the story here with link to CNN story.

You Go Joe! and Validation from Conservatives

2008-09-16T02:11:00.000-07:00

Watch a worthy VP candidate discuss real issues!

Read criticism of the McCain/Palin ticket from noted conservatives.

Obama/Biden '08

McCain's Horrible Record on Women's Issues

2008-09-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

“For the past 25 years, John McCain has consistently voted against women's health. From opposing funding for family planning programs to voting against requiring insurance coverage of birth control, McCain has taken extreme positions. He has voted against women's health and has not supported legislation that would help reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion. This has earned him a zero rating - the lowest rating we give in the U.S. Senate.”
(Source: Planned Parenthood)

McCain’s appalling legislative record - view it here. And here. And here.
In summary McCain's votes:
Equal Pay – AGAINST
FMLA – AGAINST before he was for
Choice – AGAINST (but he was for in 2000)
Insurance payments for birth control - AGAINST

Palin is painted as pro-women and an experienced executive. Let's consider what executive action she took to deal with “sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence and murder that make her state one of the most dangerous places in the country for women and children.” What did she do about it? NOTHING Read ABC news.

The republican platform seeks to deny women the right to choice even in the case of rape and incest.

Be informed. Be for Obama/Biden

Channeling Hillary

2008-09-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

Hillary in Florida last week. Watch

psst...Do something... AND have a laugh

2008-09-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

" straight talk express has derailed." View more

"Big oil fuels the 'straight talk express'". View here.

FOR LAUGHS
Senator Whitehouse challenging the relative importance of drilling now. Watch

Saturday Night Live skit

Let Me Get This Straight...
email chain letter:
I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight...
If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic,
different."
Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.

If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well
grounded.

If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the
first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter
registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as
a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator
representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of
the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years
in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people
while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs,
Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you
don't have any real leadership experience.

If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city
council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people,
20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then
you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking
executive.

If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the
proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no
other option in sex education in your state's school system while your
unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.

If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a
prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city
community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values
don't represent America 's.

If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI
conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until
age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of
Alaska from the USA , your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now

Lipstick vs Pig and What Can We Do

2008-09-14T05:15:00.001-07:00

Here's what I saw 9/13 at the Obama Rally in Manchester, NH VIEW

TODAY'S Repub Lie Watch:
The idea that McCain is for women because of his VP choice is a lie. NEW
Lies about stance on combat systems? NEW
Lies about VP candidate not requesting earmarks NEW
The BEST compilation of news about repub VP candidate NEW
Lies about repub candidates' crowd sizes?
Lies about repub VP candidate having traveled to Iraq!

Great article from April Mellody on the difference between lipstick on a pig and a pig. Here's an excerpt:

Lipstick: Choosing a female running mate to help tap into the "18 million cracks" left by women who voted for Hillary.

Pig: Voting against a measure aimed at helping women achieve pay equity. Voting repeatedly against funding to fight and prevent domestic violence. Voting against extending insurance coverage to pregnant women and infants. Voting against $214 million for breast cancer research.

And here's my response to April's headline Women, Where Are You?:

Masterful stroke - to turn the idiocy of the pig/lipstick coverage back to the issues. Sad that the mainstream media hasn't.

You asked where the women are. Here are a few places:
http://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com/
http://defeatmccainandpalin.blogspot.com/
http://www.womenagainstpalin.com
and in every conversation I've had for the past 2 weeks, I've encountered the very outrage you wonder about.

Where the women aren't:
1. We aren't in positions of power in the media behind the scenes deciding how to cover this campaign. The worldview is male; they are out of touch with our issues; they pander to the conflict stirred up by the raving-Rovians.

2. Many of us aren't in cyberspace. In this economy and in this country many of us are too busy working multiple jobs or long hours to feed our families, we're struggling to find the time to care for children and aging parents, we're helping children through schools that are failing them, we're scrimping to save money for college educations, we're sitting in emergency rooms because we have no healthcare. The last 8 years have done much to silence us.

NY Times article on repub VP candidate's scary actions as an "executive".

So, if we can't be all over cyberspace and if the mainstream media are ignoring us, what can we do: Be informed about the issues. Talk to every woman you know about this campaign. If she's a diehard republican, listen with compassion and highlight the negative impact of a repub win for women. If she's an independent or not sure, make your best case for Obama. If she's planning to vote for Obama, ask her to speak about the campaign, volunteer for the campaign and contribute whatever she can.

Sticking to the Message

2008-09-13T14:33:00.001-07:00

Lies about repub candidates' crowd sizes?
Lies about repub VP candidate having traveled to Iraq!

MY DAY WITH OBAMA
Up at 4:00AM, on the road by 4:30 and standing in line in Manchester, NH by 7:15.

Why? An Obama rally attended by 7-8,000. (In NH!!)

Barack was amazing, inspirational, on point, positive, visionary, specific on the issues, clear on the differences in position between him and the repubs, crystal clear on how the repubs ARE advocating a continuation of the failed Bush policies on the economy and foreign policy. He highlighted the raving-Rovian tactics of lies and distortions, called out the lobbyists who are advising the repub candidates and more.

Go Barack!

The Facts, Ma'am; Just the Facts

2008-09-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Aside from the obvious fact that if you stand at the very end of a remote part of Alaska you can, on a clear day, see Russia, the one and only other "fact" that I can remember from the first Gibson interview of the repub VP candidate was this:

Palin: Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, that I worked on as chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, overseeing the oil and gas development in our state to produce more for the United States.

Which is no fact at all. According to FactCheck.org,
"Palin claims Alaska "produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy." That's not true.

Alaska did produce 14 percent of all the oil from U.S. wells last year, but that's a far cry from all the "energy" produced in the U.S.

Alaska's share of domestic energy production was 3.5 percent, according to the official figures kept by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

And if by "supply" Palin meant all the energy consumed in the U.S., and not just produced here, then Alaska's production accounted for only 2.4 percent."

Obama is looking better every day!

You Go Girls!!

2008-09-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

Tougher questions for McCain on The View than for Palin on ABC News! Choice and the Supreme Court, separation of church and state, what actually Palin might reform...Great job!

What was the same was the % of actual answers to the questions posed. Hmmm I'd say <10%.

Way to go women!

Women, hope you're for Obama/Biden.

Victory in Sight?

2008-09-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

Do you trust Slick Sarah and McSame who say that "victory is in sight" in Iraq?

OR

do you trust General Petreas who says in a BBC interview that he did not know that he would ever use the word "victory": "This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... it's not war with a simple slogan."

It should be of note that two of Bush' recent moves are exactly what Obama has been saying needs to be done. Get troops out of Iraq and focus on Afghanistan.

Obama/Biden!

In Her Own Words...

2008-09-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

Transcript of excerpts of Charlie Gibson's interview. At least the questions weren't total puffballs...though the answers are pretty lame (and scarily megalomaniacal - although there's no indication she would understand what that means). Read here.

Here's one excerpt. I highlight it because it's about identical to what McCain said about her experience in national security. Guess they're singing from the same hymnbook.

Palin on national security:

GIBSON: But this is not just reforming a government. This is also running a government on the huge international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaskan National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?

PALIN: But it is about reform of government and it's about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, that I worked on as chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, overseeing the oil and gas development in our state to produce more for the United States.

GIBSON: I know. I'm just saying that national security is a whole lot more than energy.

From the CBS site - McCain on Palin's experience in national security:

AmericaBlog posted a clip of an interview McCain did, via satellite, with Rob Caldwell at WCSH in Portland, Maine. Caldwell noted, for example, that McCain insisted that national security and counter-terrorism is the number one issue facing the United States. McCain denied ever having said that. Caldwell moved on, asking about Sarah Palin's experience in national security. McCain responded by attacking Barack Obama.

"Well, you say you're sure she has the experience, but again, I'm just asking for an example," Caldwell said. "What experience does she have in the field of national security?" McCain responded:

"Energy. She knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America. She's a governor of a state where 20% of America's energy supply comes from there. And we all know that energy is a critical and vital national security issue. We've got to stop sending $700 billion of American money to countries that don't like us very much. She's very well versed on that issue."And, uh, she also happens to represent, be governor of a state that's right next to Russia. She understands Russia."

More on that interview here.

I'm still Obama/Biden. Hope you are, too.

No Lipstick, Try Silk Purse

2008-09-11T03:20:00.000-07:00

Since the "lipstick on a pig" metaphor is now out of fashion, I'll say put it this way. "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In other words, you can't make an anti-earmark (see the connection) VP candidate out of an earmark-seeking governor." Read more here.

Rovian lies and distortions are flying. YOUTUBE had to take down a McCain ad ostensibly showing Katie Couric attacking the media for its treatment of Palin because it was actually an old clip of her talking about media bias and Hillary.

FACTCHECK.ORG called out the campaign for misrepresenting their work.

AND here's a commentary on the media with the same perspective that I have. They are doing this country a disservice by keeping us focused away from real issues.

Vote for Obama/Biden. I am.

Woman Cartoonist on Palin

2008-09-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

There are not very many women political cartoonists, but one I love is Ann Telnaes.

See what she thinks of Palin here.
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/context/commentoon

Finally...Thank You Hillary!

2008-09-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

Clinton said the nation should be proud that the Republicans have a woman on the ticket, but argued that returning Republicans to the White House "is like asking the iceberg to save the Titanic."

Watch here.

Deepak Chopra on Palin and More Qs for Charlie

2008-09-09T04:25:00.000-07:00

Deepak Chopra weighs in on Palin's threat to America. Read here.

Other questions I'd like Charlie Gibson to ask:

Bill Clinton was first elected after 12 years of trickle-down economics. He was elected because the theory of trickle-down economics didn't work then. It hasn't worked during the 8 years of the Bush administration - we only have to look around to see that. McCain/Palin claims to want to bring change to Washington, but one area you haven't spoken about changing is trickle-down economic theory. Tax-cutting with extreme benefits to the very top have resulted in increasing inequity and the shrinking of the middle class and white collar jobs. Why do you think that more of the same will improve the economy?
Republicans have always believed in a free market without government-imposed checks. This has resulted in the mortgage crisis and oil speculation that's driven prices up beyond market forces. Both have been devastating to the American people. How do you justify your faith in the absolutely free market in the face of such concrete failures?
Though the Republicans denigrate Democrats for "tax and spend", the Republicans have their very own version: "borrow and spend". The war in Iraq has been paid for through this Republican strategy. It is saddling future generations with billions of dollars of debt. Why should the American youth feel more positive about this burden than the possible burden of paying for their parents' social security income?

Obama/Biden have answers. Hope you are listening and plan to vote.

Charlie Gibson's Interview of Sarah Palin

2008-09-08T10:53:00.001-07:00

I submitted these questions to ABC and I hope Charlie will ask them of Sarah Palin:

1. At the end of his term, President Bush has made it possible for pharmacists to refuse to dispense birth control pills if they disapprove of them. He tried to get certain forms of contraception banned. What forms of contraception do you approve of and how will your personal views influence the policies you will push for?

2. In the last presidential election the Republicans painted John Kerry as a "flip-flopper" over changes in his views. Given that you were for the bridge to nowhere before you were against it and John McCain has been for many issues before he is now against them, why should you and he not be painted with the same "flip-flop" brush?

3. Exactly what kind of training are you getting to prepare you to be a Vice Presidential candidate?

4. How do you as a woman feel about John McCain's repeated references to you as his "partner" and "soul mate" instead of "running mate".

Hoping the interview won't be a celebrity fluff-fest!

In the meantime, Biden has been speaking about the issues. I'm for Obama/Biden. Hope you are, too.

Making the Case

2008-09-07T03:35:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine thinks Palin is great. I silenced him when I explained that though Obama and McCain were chosen by the people, Palin's choice is a direct reflection of McCain's judgment. It's like a CEO of a FORTUNE 1 company choosing a first line supervisor with 18 months experience to hold the number 2 slot of Chief Operating Officer. In other words, it would be like the CEO of WalMart choosing a store manager from Alaska to be COO.

No CEO would make such a choice, no board would approve such a choice. Woe to those who think it was wise.

I share this to help you make the case for Obama/Biden.

The Silence was Deafening

2008-09-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

Working Mom ≠ Feminist, Governor ≠ Qualified VP

2008-09-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

Gloria Steinem on Palin and the anti-feminist right wing of the Republican party.

"Here's the good news: Women have become so politically powerful that even the anti-feminist right wing -- the folks with a headlock on the Republican Party -- are trying to appease the gender gap with a first-ever female vice president...Read more.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,1290251.story

************************

Excellent documentation on Palin's actions and positions (http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/) on the pressing issues of our time. For example on the...:

ECONOMY (reminds me of the Bush legacy - cut taxes, increase debt)
Palin Left Wasilla $20 Million In Debt. As mayor of Wasilla, Palin cut taxes while simultaneously expanding the town’s operating budget by almost $2 million. She ended her term in 2002 with Wasilla $20 million in debt. [Anchorage Daily News 10/23/06; the Politico, 8/29]

http://thinkprogress.org/palin-digest/

More reasons to support Obama/Biden.