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DEL.ICIO.USRalph Reed: Come meet my new friend John McCain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you read this space, you knew this was coming. But even now that the odd-couple alliance between Ralph Reed and John McCain is complete, you still can’t believe that it’s true.
On Thursday afternoon, Republicans around Georgia received an invitation from Reed, who will serve as a host of a “special event” for McCain at the downtown Marriot Marquis on Aug. 18.
“John McCain believes in a strong national defense, a smaller, more accountable government, steady economic growth and opportunity, the dignity of life and traditional values,” wrote Reed, whose 2006 campaign for lieutenant governor sank under the weight of evidence detailing his relationship with Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff — much of it uncovered by McCain’s Indian Affairs Committee.
Read the entire invitation on the jump.
From: Linda Ingram
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 3:21 PM
Subject: Special Invitation from Ralph Reed: Senator McCain Coming to Atlanta
A Message from Ralph Reed:
Senator John McCain will be coming to Atlanta on August 18 for a very special event at the Marriot Marquis downtown and I have agreed to serve as a member of the McCain Victory 2008 Team.
Never in my career can I recall a starker contrast between two major-party nominees for President. Barack Obama is advocating higher taxes, more spending, a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq, and an energy plan that opposes drilling on the outer continental shelf. The nonpartisan publication National Journal concluded that he had the most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate.
John McCain believes in a strong national defense, a smaller, more accountable government, steady economic growth and opportunity, the dignity of life and traditional values. He will make it a top priority to balance the budget and get federal spending under control so that our children aren’t burdened with a mountain of debt that will rob them of their future.
John McCain also believes that tax cuts work best when tied to spending restraint. He has a 26-year pro-life voting record and has pledged to appoint conservative judges who will interpret the law, not legislate from the bench.
Attached is a contribution form and a fact sheet that details the event. Please complete the contribution form and return it to me at XXXXX Duluth, GA 30097. If you select to use your credit card, you may fax the form to me at 770-XXX-XXXX.
I hope you will join me and Jo Anne at the August 18 event in support of Senator McCain in Atlanta. The outcome of this presidential election is going to determine the future direction of this country. Please join us as we work together to elect John McCain. Your participation is critical to success.
Thank you for all you have done for our country and our shared conservative values.
Look forward to hearing from you, best, Ralph
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Comments
By Say it Aint So Sen. McCain!
August 8, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
No!!!!! The last thing McCain needs to do is cozy up to that guy! McCain is a straight talker, Reed is crooked as a snake!
By Pander much?
August 8, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHA!
By GodHatesTrash
August 8, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
That silly little POS poof Ralphie.
Who cares, other than the morons that are voting for McCain already??
By Matt Jennings
August 8, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Once again, McCain sells his soul to the fringes of the Republican Party to gain votes. “Maverick” my —-.
By Craig
August 8, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
It sounds to me like Ralphie is trying to leech on to the Straight Talk Express. Excuse me sir, ticket please!
By Mr. Anderson
August 8, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
“McCain is a straight talker, Reed is crooked as a snake!” — moronic.
Just say all of the right words and do all of the right things. Just keep following the the age old formula and everything will be okay. Ralph Reed is not a leader and neither is John McCain. They are both political business trolls.
John McCain is repulsive and Ralph Reed is utterly Repulsive.
By Churchill
August 8, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Reed took the fall for the Injuns. He is a man of the bible. Why would he want to wed the warrior McCain don’t make no sense.
By Yeil nas’gadooshú
August 8, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Me haces feliz! (Spanish)
Ani hoev otkha! (Hebrew)
Il mio cuore è per voi ! (Italian)
Tu es ma joie de vivre (French)
Milość sama w sobie jest szczęściem. (Polish)
Ein Herz für Dich (German)
Vote Barack Obama ‘08
By Bob
August 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Reed working hard and fast to overcome his duping of Texas Christians to oppose gambling in Texas in order to protect Jack Abramoff’s Indian client gambling interests in Louisiana for which Jack paid Reed handsomely.
Reed is a living symbol of everything wrong with the “pay to play” political culture leading to the demise of the this country.
He is banking on his PR skills to hope everyone forgets his past.
By Bobby
August 9, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
McCain has embraced Bush/Cheney on the Iraq war. A war that started out on a lie since there were no weapons of mass destruction. Over 4,200 US Troops dead and over 30,000 US Troops wounded paid for this. Over 500,000 Iraqs civilians are dead. Americans are so far removed from this war it doesn’t even seem to exist in our day to day lives since less then 1 percent of Americans serived in this war and there is no draft. Just Stop-loss – The Republicans think they are so clever that they can spin anything? Now McCain is also trying to paint Obama as the anti-christ in his latest ad. How unchristian of the Republicans to kill and displace so millions Iraq civilians. Even the Fox news who helped create the conditions for us getting into Iraq seem like a Republican killing machine without a heart still beating the drum for this war. Even Bob Brooks is getting a free ride after also beating the drum for this war. Most Americans know this war is wrong and have the courage to stand up to the Republicans this time around. Even our media, military and intelligence community have the courage to make sure Bush/Cheney don’t cause more trouble by starting a war with Iran. So McCain in his 500 dollar shoes will lose this election because he is out of touch with our times and the mood of the American. It might just end up being a close election. But the 3rd time will be a charm. Our nightmare will be over. Obama will be like Reagan. We can all have hope again come November.
By Mr. Anderson
August 9, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Man of the bible, my a*. He did NOT take the fall for anybody for anything. He’s a self serving leech that uses Christian ideology and mythology to gather and manipulate power—not in the service to God, but in service to himself behind the guise of serving God. And it’s people like you that empower him to be the foul human being that he is. If anything, he’s anti-bilble, anti-christ—as in: against the ways of Christ.
By acer
August 10, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
By Craig August 8, 2008 4:45 PM It sounds to me like Ralphie is trying to leech on to the Straight Talk Express. Excuse me sir, ticket please!
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I agree, if McCain does not reject this offer outright then the straight talk is nothing but bs-talk.
By Susan Rennie
August 11, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
And will the MSM take notice? Nope! Another win for McCain…more money and no media scrutiny. Let’s see if David Gregory, Mr Conservative himself will use this item. Is it true David Gregory is being offered a job at FOX?
By Phyllis
August 11, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
“[Reed is] worse than us!” —Jack Abramoff
By OBXartist
August 11, 2008 1:56 AM | Link to this
McCain the straight talker?! Oh, please, give me a break. The guy can’t make consistent statements 30 minutes apart. He even contradicts his own staff’s PR efforts after signing off on position statements. He’s completely whacked out. The Straight Talk Express? More like the Double Talk Express. He has compromised himself with a cynical zeal that is astounding in its consistency. All the while using his POW experience as a shield. The man’s a hypocrite.
By obamaman
August 11, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this
This just shows the true colors of Mc Cain. He will say anything and do anything to get the Presidency. He is trying to say he is a man of values but he left his crippled wife after cheating on her, flip flopped on his “beliefs”, and now is running the nastiest campaign we have seen in a long time. He can not be trusted with his family or his country. Obama is a good family man with a faith that will help him lead. Mc Cain only uses faith when it is convenient.
By Christina
August 11, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
John McCain’s dishonesty is completely inconsistent with what this nation needs to heal the wounds the last 7+ yrs of BushCo. This link will take you to an article at Newsweek that labels McCain’s campaign as full of deceptions. America needs to be able to trust that our leaders will not lie to us. John McCain is lying to us every time he runs his lying ads. This makes him the wrong man for the job of US President. http://www.newsweek.com/id/151621/page/1
By Intellect
August 11, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this
Yuck. Sad to see the transformation from maverick political w*******.
By freddy
August 11, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
I guess McMain missed the recent bill Moyer program about the corrupt dealings involing,Tom Delay,Abramoff,Ralpf Reed and one of his college buddies and thier crocked lobbing scheme. Mr. Reed was bosting about how he used church groups to assit Abramoff lobbing efforts for indian reservation gambling with the assistance of Tom Delay.By peter
August 11, 2008 3:42 AM | Link to this
john mccain is getting absolutely no scrutiny from the media. all i hear about it how obama is arrogant, he is out of touch, he is an elitist, he is anti-american, while john mccain is a straight-talker, a maverick, a patriot, a hero. this is sickening; the media doesn’t want to reveal what a mccain presidency will actually look like: WARS, TAX-CUTS FOR THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS, MORE WARS, PRIVATIZED SOCIAL SECURITY, EVEN MORE WARS, NO HEALTHCARE REFORM, AND DID I MENTION MORE WARS? elect john mccain to reinstate the draft and instigate WWIII!!!!
By RIC
August 11, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this
John McCain has always stuck up for CROOKS——Like Charles Keating. Keating went to prison. John Mmcain’s in-laws got him off the hook with just a fine and no prison time; thanks to the CROOKED State of Arizona politicians who had their ties to the local Phoenix mobsters and the Hensley (Cindy McCain’s family) family ties to the mob.
By Donns
August 11, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
How much do you suppose these guys had to pay for McCain? I imagine the price tag of Bush and Cheny was considerable but I imagine they got a deal on McCain. Something like an extended warranty to ensure that the special interests could still own the top guys.
By Origood
August 11, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
I am so blasted sick of the rich trying to save a buck on their taxes to the point of endorsing the worst possible choices for America’s livelihood…. pay your share!!! you deserve to and since you brought us the Awful Bush 8, you deserve to help the rest of America recover too!!!!
By Dave Linn
August 11, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
What I want to know is How come Ralphy isn’t on the top bunk above Jackie boy?
By Dave Linn
August 11, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
What I want to know is How come Ralphy isn’t on the top bunk above Jackie boy?
By Dave Linn
August 11, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this
What I want to know is How come Ralphy isn’t on the top bunk above Jackie boy?
By artaxxx1
August 11, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
John Mc Conn is a con just like Ron Reed. Birds of a feather flock together.
By artaxxx1
August 11, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
Jon Mc Conn will probably have Reed have a major role in his administration. The one in Arizona cause he isn’t ever gonna be president.
By McAttack
August 11, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
As a Georgian and a dem, I look at the polls often and am amazed to see that GA appear to be supporting this POS and other rethugs that have brought this country to near bankruptcy. Bill C left this country in the hands of GWB with a budget surplus and a strong economy. The national debt was about $5T and now after eight years of the rethugs, we have an economy in the tank and a deficit approaching $10T. In spite of all this the morons here in GA will vote for yet another rethug. Recalling that famous bush quote: “fool me once shame on *%^&@#&&&& ..” well, whatever as bush uttered.
The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. The morons that will rush out to vote for these “thugs” yet again deserve what we all are likely to get: DEPRESSION, RAMPANT FORECLOSURES, JOBLESSNESS and a little wealthy POTUS that could care less about average folks. I am truly embarrassed to admit to outsiders that I live in a state with such simple-minded folks that proudly identify with the republican party.
By SteveRuyle
August 11, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
He will fit in just fine on McCains Doubletalk Express
By Thomas
August 11, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Ralph Reed, another right wing Christian Nazi for the Republican greed machine. Family values Ralph will be talking about, greed, intolerance, bigotry, racism, ignorance, arrogance, repression of women, and the Rath of the loving GOD under which you will burn in hell for eternity unless you do as “it” says!
By Bill
August 11, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
John McCain: Running for either George Bush’s third term or Herbert Hoover’s 21st term.
By Kevin
August 11, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
McCain’s campaign actually cancelled this fundraiser in Atlanta because of the Russian troops invading Georgia this week.
Viva McCain.
By Guy McGee
August 11, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Is this really a surprise ? One should know once McCain got the blessing from the Royals…err I mean the Bushes. Remember that photo of him hugging G Dubya ? Pathetic power lust.
Ron Paul people, the only one to speak the truth, shunned by mainstream media illustrating further the unconstitutionality of our modern “democratic” process. Thank you and good night, I love you alllllllllllll ! Except Bushitters and McCainites !
By David
August 11, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Well, I suppose anyone with a conscience, anyone who wants to publicly oppose McCain’s meeting with this immoral politcal gangster could do something a little more real-world than complaining on the internet. Perhaps we could all call and write the AJC and demand that they put the meeting on the front page above the fold, AND point out to them that America needs a paragraph or two reminding us of Ralph Reed’s history, since we can’t seem to remember anything from one election cycle to the next. All of America needs to know about McCain’s meeting with a known criminal, so let’s all call and write every local television station, too, even the Faux News Channel, if for no other reason than to have them on record as either a) failing to report the story, or b) failing to report it as a shameful meeting with a criminal.
And speaking of immoral leadership, whenever anyone writes about that cold-blooded Newt, the writer needs to describe him as the “twice-divorced, once from a dying wife”, just to remind them who it is running his mouth about right and wrong and what an absolute sham, liar, and hypocrite he is. I’m surprised Newt and McCain aren’t closer, given their shared ability to dump a woman to whom they promised their lives. THAT ALONE is enough to make them BOTH beneath speaking to in polite company; at least it was in my Mama’s South.
By David
August 11, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Oh please! McCain cancelled the event so he could…. what? Pray for the innocent victims? Solve the crisis? Concentrate on a measured response to Russia’s assertion of their right to invade anyone anytime they deem it necessary to their national agenda? Maybe he needs time to work out some rationalization about how Russians killing a bunch of civilians as a means to a political end is different than our killing a bunch of civilians as a means to a political end.
Or maybe, just maybe, someone got the idea that meeting with this known criminal fundraiser and lobbyist was too much for even the die-hard Repubs to stomach. Cancel a fundraiser because someone else’s citizens are dying? How ridiculous, and how insulting that anyone expects me to believe that! Does he ever cancel a fundraiser because Americans are dying? More lies, more hypocrisy from the “Straight Talker.”
By El Perro
August 11, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
No surprises there. Scum of a feather roll together.
BTW, why didn’t Reed go to prison for his involvement with the Abramoff scandal?
By Mishkin
August 11, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
I really don’t think that McCain has to worry about Ralph Reed’s nefarious past. No one on the major networks or in the punditocracy will bring it up except in passing. McCain stories have no legs even stories that should have been interesting to discuss on Sunday morning shows. Like why Katie Couric edited in a completely different answer to one of McCain’s questions.
It was a story that had all of the elements necessary for a political discussion among Stephanopoulos, Will,. Roberts et al. Was there media bias? Did CBS have the right to change McCain’s answer? Did they have permission from McCain’s campaign to change his answer? Did McCain’s campaign ask them to change the answer? Did CBS give the McCain campaign, a do over, because he made a mistake on his signature issue?
If the MSM did not ask questions about something that blatant why would they let a little thing like a history of hoodwinking his religious constituency and circumventing campaign finance rules by Ralph Reed, come up on their radar screen?
By case
August 11, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
I had planned to vote for McCain, but now, I will vote for Obama. McCain just lost thousands of votes from Indians around the country because of reed. Maybe, McCain wants Obama to win. Millions of votes will turn on McCain for associating with a crook like Ralph Reed. We dont need a crooked President in office. I lost TRUST in McCain!
By cnalb
August 11, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Old Ralphie didn’t miss a single Republican talking point in his invitation. McCain needs to be linked to Reed as he is to Bush. The more criminals that come forward to help McCain, the better.
By OhGoodie
August 11, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Ok, I knew John McCain graduated in the bottom five of his class in school, but I thought that was due to laziness. Now I know he’s just stupid. Ralph Reed is such a crook he lost the Republican primary for Lt. Governor here in GA. He scammed the Christian Coalition and the Natvie Americans at the same time. I can’t wait for the John McCain/Ralph Reed/Abramoff/Keating Five adds from the Obama Camp or some 527. John McCain is going down, down, down. And it’s all his own fault. Enjoy your vacation Barack because you apparently don’t even have to lift a finger to beat Johnny Mac.
By Barb Miller
August 11, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
This guy is a Republican crook. His own party called for him to withdraw his name during 2006 elections…He is a co-worker and best friends with Jack Abramoff who is now in prison…McCain is scrapping the bottom of the barrel when he needs guys like this to help him
By FormerRepub
August 11, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Whatever! McCain is a liar not a straight talker. Do you hear him telling the public that his energy plan is impossible? and a fraud? that the industry itself admits they cannot even start tapping any oil at all for at LEAST 5 yrs and nothing significant for 10 yrs, and even then it will be pretty much NOTHING to the entire world market? Does he straight talk when his 45 nuclear reactors have no possibility of being built in 22 yrs? Does he straight talk when he tells you he “encourages alternative energy like wind” but in fact has ZERO dollars tagged to it in his ‘plan’ ? or how about how much straight talk is there when HE and his Campaign manager were directly responsible for the Corporate merger that allowed the DHL shuttin of doors and laying off 8000 workers pending? How much straight talk is there when he talks about morals and values when he cheated on his first wife while still in the hospital with Cindy, then divorced her while rehabilitating from her accident so he could be with a new young rich pretty cheerleader whose daddy was rich and powerful? Thats nice.
Is he a straight talker when he puts out BS commercials about Obama being popular but instead himself has Purposely Served his own Sky-High Ego to Cameo in 44 separate tv Shows and MOvies??? Nice.
By Russ
August 11, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Yes, by all means, keep supporting Republicans and all the great things they’ve been doing these past 8 years. If only we could limit the damage the GOP does to only those who actually vote for them, they’d learn not to vote Republican a LOT sooner. Fewer Republicans means better policies for ALL Americans. It’s that simple. Vote accordingly.
By Janice G Washington
August 11, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
A straight talker? He has yet to learn the King’s English. What are you talking about?
I have news for you homeboy. Your boy John McCain is right in line with the company that he has always kept. He is a spin-off and maintains the legacy of his ultimate mentor - The Decider - who has single-handled destroyed the economy of the United States.
The company that John McCain is keeping makes complete sense. Where have you been? Sleeping under a rock?
You’d better wake up.
By Vanessa from Houston
August 11, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Who knows? Maybe McCain will make amends and even cozy up to John Hagee before election time. Gotta be some money there, eh?
Does anybody really know what John McCain feels or represents any more?
By Janice G Washington
August 11, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Simply put, birds of a feather flock together!
By Betty Kidd
August 11, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
So McCain and Ralph are big buddies, and more, more, more, of the same corupt politics. Well the invitation stated that the election will dictate what direction this country will head, is it more of the same? or are we READY for a CHANGE. Only we can decide. OBAMA.
By maria
August 11, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Good, the more people like this he can be seen with and written about the better. I think the dems should invest in a rolling ad showing McCain with all these thugs and a narrative as the camera rolls.
By expatriot
August 12, 2008 6:07 AM | Link to this
I’m a Democrat and I don’t find this nearly as despicable as Obama cosying up to hedge fund managers and other Wall Street sleaze.
By ChrisBieber
August 12, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
McCain and his militarism and duplicitous spirituality has either fooled princpled and honest Ralphie(again) or……..
the pair of them are polytheists… their God in the box AND politics AND power AND money are quite evidently objects of thier desire and service.
Competing idols…competing with the God of the Scriptures…
They talk the talk AND walk the walk…of silver piece takers…. who knows how many were offered and taken??????????
in the name of patriotism and “strong defense.
How Conservative…………and how Scriptural.
By David
August 13, 2008 3:34 AM | Link to this
McCain had nothing to do with Ralph Reed coming to this event. A local offical invited him for a republican party event. Reed likes to brag so sent out an e-mail to smear McCain. McCain and Reed aren’t friends. This is Reed’s way of getting back at McCain. I swear McCain is the unluckiest person to ever run for president. McCain is being smeared McCarthyism style. McCain didn’t invite Reed to this event. A local official did. I want McCain to win so badly this election is making me ill. Obama has real relationships with people like Rev Wright but americans are falling in love with him and spit at McCain for doing something he didn’t do. I hate this eleciton with every fiber in my body. Americans are spitting on McCain who loves this country, has two sons fighting for it for this Obama.
By RR
August 18, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Why isn’t this guy in jail?
By christian
August 25, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
First off let me say that i really like your blog www.ajc.com a lot now.. back to the post hehe I cant say that i agree with what you typed up… care to explain more?
By Kipp
September 18, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
I hear Ralph Reed is helping erect a gigantic sewing needle and then charging $20,000.00-a-saddle camel rides through its eye.
By Jacque Phyffer
October 19, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Are you going to try the old Abramoff scam again this time? Do we appear to be that gullible?