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Home > Opinion > Mike Luckovich > Archives > 2008 > April > 09 > Entry

Answering an SOS

By Mike Luckovich | Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 07:17 AM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Permalink | Comments (93) | Post your comment | Categories: Editorial Cartoon

Comments

By AJC Management

April 9, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Listen to the pinkos when they are out of earshot of the left wing surrender monkeys:

{{{{Obambi: It’s obviously not perfect. There’s still violence, there’s still some >>>>traces<<<< of Al Qaeda, Iran has influence more than we would like. But if we had the current status quo, and yet our troops had been drawn down to 30,000, would we consider that a success? Would that meet our criteria, or would that not be good enough and we’d have to devote even more resources to it?}}}}

{{{{CROCKER: Senator, I can’t imagine the current status quo being sustainable with that kind of precipitous drawdown.}}}}

{{{{OBAMA: No, no, that wasn’t the question. >>>>I’m not suggesting that we yank all our troops out all the way.<<<< I’m trying to get to an endpoint. That’s what all of us have been trying to get to.}}}}

O’Bushie? Hahaha.

Obambi has no intention of pulling the troops out of Iraq, he’s no better than your average neo-con, a freaking war monger.

~~~~~

Here comes the scam part of the hoax:

{{{{Billed as a “climate change mitigation and adaptation fee,” the measure would cost motorists either an additional 3 percent motor fuel tax, or up to a $90 annual flat fee, based on vehicle emissions. The new charges would be on top of taxes already paid at the pump. Either option requires a majority approval by a vote of the people.}}}}

{{{{We concur about the traffic mess, but with little else Mr. Feuer claims in seeking to overtax motorists. The assemblyman’s sleight of hand conflates two issues, the real problem of congested traffic and >>>the contrived emergency of so-called global warming.<<<}}}}

Temperatures are dropping but taxes are rising, hmmmm.

~~~~~

Look’s like it’s safe to hate on China now:

{{{{There is certainly a place for realpolitik, for recognizing that pragmatism dictates certain mutually beneficial arrangements even with our enemies. Nevertheless, it’s more than a bit disheartening to see American business and political leaders so eagerly embracing a brutal Chinese regime.-Queen Pinko, Urinal}}}}

Oh, yeah, for 8 years in the White House, the Klintons laid in bed with China, except for when they had Lewinsky over, and now it’s time to play rugh with them?

By w00t

April 9, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

It’s all Iran’s fault. They planned it all along with the Sunnis.

By N-GA

April 9, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

ML,

You and I know that this administration represents everyone but the average American voter. When is that fact going to resonate across the land?

By jethro bodine

April 9, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

That ole mossyback Bush and his slimy sidekicks has stacked the decks aginst all of us common folks. If ya’ll can’t see that the Republicans don’t care a bit about the common man, then ya deserves whatever fate ya gits.

By Jon

April 9, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

Good work again Luck

Is there anyone more pathetic than this AJC Management guy? Get a life! Or at least a hobby!

By Bosch

April 9, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

N-GA,

Hopefully this November! We can only hope!

By @@

April 9, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

Again with the “naval” gazing ml?

Got lint?

By chicken littleson

April 9, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

the sky is falling!

good one lucko.

keep the chickens phlucking.

cartoon idea:

show obama in a superman suit scooping up all the swimmers and taking them back to his fortress of solitude where they all have a black tie campaign party.

g******* america, we love you!

By Jesus

April 9, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!!!

By Goldie

April 9, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

Yes, the bailout for Wall St. companies’ high-risk investments is just a continuation of the right-wing policy of corporate welfare… and the middle class be damned!

By IN THE (Hussein) NEWS

April 9, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

@@

By Gary

April 9, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Did anyone catch how Greenspanesque Gen. P’s assessment was? The only time he was crystal clear was his complaints about Iran’s role in the war. There’s bound to be some sort of Iranian-US incident in Iraq, maybe a captured squad of ninja turtle types. Or some other act of war that could draw a US military offensive against Iran just in time for the election.

Gen. P’s charts were particularly alarming. “See how the Al Queda area has shrunk after the surge? Notice how the violence-graph has returned to the lows of the pre-mosque bombing?”

Gen P then went on to claim that four out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.

By IN THE (Hussein) NEWS

April 9, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Ambassador Crocker Vastly Overstates Progress On Iraq Benchmarks

By Bosch

April 9, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

The Olympic Torch shows up today in San Francisco. Should be interesting. I wonder if the runners will get through all the protesters.

By Huh?

April 9, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Gen P then went on to claim that four out of five dentists recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum.<<

Obama showed up with no teeth.

?!!?This is the actual transcript, according to the Washington Post, of Obama’s first question: “Should we be successful in Mosul, should you continue, General, with the effective operations that you’ve been engaged in, assuming that in that narrow military effort we are successful, do we anticipate that there ever comes a time where Al Qaida in Iraq could not reconstitute itself?”?!!?

Gumming us to death.

By IN THE (Hussein) NEWS

April 9, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

While Petraeus Testifies, U.S. Iraq Personnel Take Cover

By Gary

April 9, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

What is the mission of US troops in Iraq?

What is the mission of Iraqi troops in Iraq?

What is the mission of Iranian troops in Iraq?

See? None of you have any idea how to form the language to comment about any mission, nor can any of you do 25 words or less on just what Gen P said. You havent the balls.

You’re all wasted. God’s chatty chattel. Real chafed-chaff. Blogging Fodder for my rapier wit.

By Glenn

April 9, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

When your job’s worn you down so far that there’s not enough flint even to spark a thought; when you’re so deep in a funk that you need your doors labeled “Doors”; when your views on the news take a permanent snooze, there’s always one last raft that’ll cover your aft.

Draw a sinking Ship of State.

By gary's napkin

April 9, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

andie and the neocons stole my material back in the 90s and sold it to Larry David which produced numerous episodes and skits on Seinfeld.

For that I cannot forgive.

I could have made billions and gave it to the iraqi people, but nooo.

I could have had The Girls Next Door under each of my limbs, but nooooo.

I am confined to this neoconfascist blog of morons which I shall rule for millennia.

So, in summary, the mission of the troops in iraq and iran is to get my $$ back. Therefore, everyone stay confined to your bomb shelter and eat your mr.e’s until I tell you its ok to come out.

andie, you dropped the bomb on me…baby…wooooooooo you dropped the bomb on me

oh the humanity! someone get my tampax!

By AJC Management

April 9, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Ahhh, yes, the long standing dimokrat goony lie has been obliterated by the dimokrat goonies themselves:

{{{{DEMS WANT IRAQIS TO PAY UP: WITH OIL}}}}

I thought Bushie was already “getting” the oil?

So tell me, how many of you dimwit pinkos laid awake many a night, clutching your pillow in your urine soaked winnie the pooh sleeper set, fretting over “war for oil?”

Bwahahahahahaha, oh my.

{{{{Appetite for Oil Fuels America’s Warmongering- by Cynthia Tucker (Queen Pinko)}}}}

By TW

April 9, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

So, guess those libs, those thinkers, over at MoveOn might have been on to something after all.

Don’t suppose ‘w’ is throwing Patreas under the bus? OMG…what if…what if ‘w’ inserted Gen Patreas between himself and the media to ward off critisism intended for him? OMG!!!!

Nah, that’d be pretty low…not something one would expect from a frat boy who hid underneath his bed with a case of beer when it was his turn to serve…

By Gary

April 9, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Hard to get happy after that one! Anyone read Wooten’s bio? He’s a vietnam vet. Also 20 years in the ga national guard. He deserves honor and respect for his service to our great country. He put his life on the line, and that’s all I need to know about him. We can trust the patriotic ardor of this man.

It also Explains the military references of a lot of the trolls here. I always suspected that Wooten was Duhng, but he may as well be, you see, they must miller-time together and the news spin foamings from duhng are obviously a collaboration. Wooten makes references to his band of rightists who’ll take over someday. Most of us thought that was used in the poetic sense. Wooten is serious about his America. He’s a very connected, influential man.

By Paul

April 9, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

IThN 8:05

The writer doesn’t seem to understand that choosing a course of action (as opposed to playing a passive roll) does not mean others make choices and have an influence. Just another example of a false construct to make an ideological point.

IThN 8:17

Don’tcha just love all these generals who get religion AFTER they’ve gotten their last star and retired?

N-GA

In some areas, not so much in others. Look at the “repeal the tax cuts.” Dems figured out a blanket statement like that does away with the child care credit, marriage penalty, plus other bonuses for people who don’t pay taxes. They modified their stand, but the kneejerk “anything Bush proposes is bad” hurt.

Kinda the same with the ‘toon - helping homeowners who got scammed (I don’t use that word lightly) has, I think, support. Drawing the line at companies and investors also has support. McCain came out against bailing out people who buy homes as speculative investments - and was criticized.

But I do see it as a mystifying disconnection - as noted before - does many good things - aid to Africa, much more substantive than his predecessors - but does little to get the word out. Sometimes I wonder if what passes for secrecy is PR incompetence.

@@

Whadda ya call a hula hoop with a nail in it?

(I gather from your posts you don’t have to Google “hula hoop” to find out what it is).

By Gary

April 9, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Paul you seem very alert today and you’re hitting the long ball well, sir, so maybe you can do 25 words or less on what Gen P testified to yesterday.

By Paul

April 9, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Bosch

Banners up on the Golden Gate. Kinda makes you wonder about security, doesn’t it?

Gary 9:25

How about “a stable government”? I’d say “a functioning government” but then people might think I’m referring to our government, then they’d get all confused and start blogging about how Iraq is a failure because our Congress doesn’t pass any substantive bills.

IThN 9:34

Maybe some failed to realize (or admit) some of these “special groups” are Shia? Which would make McCain’s remarks…

IThN 10:00

So a rich conservative starts a political activist group and conservatives grumble.

Ummm, how many liberals grumbled when Soros started his groups? Or grumbled about the MoveOn or Kos leadership muzzling dissent? Just look at what happened to getalife -

By Bosch

April 9, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Paul,

I wonder what genius picked San Francisco as the only place in North America to have the torch.

Damn hippies - :-) - just kidding, I love hippies, they are loads of fun.

By @@

April 9, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Paul:

(((Whadda ya call a hula hoop with a nail in it?)))

A “Navel Destroyer”.

About the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Do you ever watch “Weekly Journal Review”?

I yike that show! Picks two, maybe three topics and discusses them thoroughly. Sub-primes were discussed Sunday night.

Seems the majority of them are held by speculators looking to make a profit on flips. Why the Democrats are looking to bail out money-makers is beyond me. Without victims the Democrats have nothing, but the question remains…..

When did the Democrats begin a campaign to support “greedy speculators”?

By Paul

April 9, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Gary

25 words? Doubtful. But it struck me as characteristic of a person in his position. Remember his mandate - “we’ve got a mess in Iraq. You’re the counterinsurgency guy - come up with something.”

So he did - the surge - to flood Baghdad and other areas with forces to counter insurgents, reduce the violence and give the gov’t the conditions to make progress.

Violence did go down - ancillary reasons such as locals turning against al Qaeda, Sadr laying low, also helped (which many saw as proof the surge didn’t work). But gov’t didn’t make the kind of progress in the reconciliation area many wanted, so ignored success in violence reduction and concentrated on lack of political progress to label surge a failure.

Enough background. I saw it pretty simply as al Qaeda weakened, Iran has influence and is equipping new groups with a long-term objective of increasing political influence (look at the time between Admadinejad’s remarks that if the US withdrew and left a vacuum, Iran would fill it, and the efforts of local-level tribal leaders to enforce stability). So report on past progress and acknowledgement of new development. Very careful to discuss military situation, defer to Ambassador on more political matters. Resisted the “how bad before we withdraw” questions - politicians set the political objectives, he directs military actions to support those objectives. Gets dicey otherwise. Can he do, militarily, what he’s been charged to do? Obviously. Is meeting such objectives (simple example, “level of violence”) politically palatable? Not his call. Can he advise on likely scenarios if troops are reduced in manner N? Sure. Just the same as saying a year ago “if you increase troops and change strategy, that could result.” Does saying “if you do this, that could result” mean he’s playing politics? No. Just laying out probabilities in context of objectives he was given.

Really, if (and I think this unlikely) if an incoming administration said “we want all troops out in N months” he’d come up with a plan to do so and would report “if we use this timetable, that would happen. If we modify the timetable, something else would happen.”

Military doesn’t make policy. They exist to help the US achieve its national security objectives. As determined by o

By Paul

April 9, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

@@

Badda bing, badda bum.

I’ll give the show a try. Difficulty is in separating out people with one mortgage who got in over their heads. Either through deception or stupidity. I have a friend in the latter category. I wouldn’t pay his mortgage. I would for someone in the former. But separating the two on a national scale is tough.

I know of an area - home to execs in some national corporations - where homes in the high six figures were bought with zero down, low adjustable rate mortgages. Companies cut back, people lost their jobs, walked away from the house. Bail them out? Nope.

Had nothing invested in the house - they were essentially renters. So when people say “but they’ll lose their house” there’s a big difference between people who put ten percent down, bought a home well within their means, have been paying down their mortgage, and someone who bought four or five times their income level, zero down, way low monthly payments, expecting to make a killing on appreciation in time for the refinance.

Later -

By Georgia 74

April 9, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Paul, You’ve just described every Republican I know. I agree let them eat cake.

By mm

April 9, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

From the Mind of AJCM:

{{{Ahhh, yes, the long standing dimokrat goony lie has been obliterated by the dimokrat goonies themselves:}}}

{{{{DEMS WANT IRAQIS TO PAY UP: WITH OIL}}}}

{{{I thought Bushie was already “getting” the oil?}}}

No duh, Bush is “trying” to get the oil. But the Iraqis are p*ssing in his face and telling him it’s raining. We’re paying for everything over there and they are pocketing the oil money.

Bush lied to you (oil money will pay for the war) and you still have your lips glued to his @ss.

By Gary

April 9, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Paul, look at what you wrote. Rummy used to hold news conferences in which he’d ask his own questions, and then give yes no answers. “Will there be alot of hard work ahead in Iraq?” Of Course. “Will we ultimately prevail if we stay the course?” Undoubtedly.

I know it’s hard to resist falling into that pattern of thought with military assessments, but please, understand this: Does a good man know his own limitations? Most assuredly.

Dont worry, I wont give up on you.

By RW-(the original)

April 9, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Bosch & Paul,

The banner on the GGB says ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM, FREE TIBET. Doesn’t that sound just a tad contradictory?

Just passing through!

Happy Hour perhaps.

P.S.

little newsie namejacker,

This was my first comment of the week, but I see your paranoid delusions haven’t subsided any. In spite of what you read in the fever swamps, there is help available for you.

Later!

By N-GA

April 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Paul,

Just a reminder - I’m an independent (since 1970). This administration is an easy target. It started out with so much hope, and a commitment to “reaching across the aisle”. IMO, that only happened when the opposition was willing to agree 100% with the “ins”. Rarely was compromise sought.

My financial position is conservative, and my social position leans liberal. I don’t like abortion, but remain committed to a woman’s right to choose.

And I’m tired of politicians saying stupid crap like: “We had to step in and help Bear Stearns to prevent a meltdown of our financial system.”. What unmitigated hogwash.

Rarely does any politician avoid an opportunity to keep high-profile businesses and their companies from paying the piper for their bad decisions and incessant greed.

And what on Earth (pun intended) is wrong with taking the lead in eliminating pollutants? The short-term financial impact will be absorbed over time.

And what is wrong with stopping all trade with the PRC until they adjust their currency, attack piracy, and eliminate trade barriers? Oops, that would damage American businesses who need the PRC to manufacture their cheap goods. Don’t you think Americans could muster enough patriotism to reduce their reliance on goods from the PRC?

Sorry…I got carried away!

By Paul

April 9, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Gary

Back for a minute. Let me try it this way.

He testified on conditions since the surge, new threats, opportunities; implications, and tried to avoid getting drawn into politics.

19 words.

N-GA

I understand the “getting carried away” part -

I can’t really take issue with much of that. There were so many possibilities. I suppose in addition to term limits, I’d be in charge of staffer, advisor, limits, too. I can dream -

Interesting rebuttal to the “gotta save Bear Stearns” argument (think it’s any coincidence their initials are BS?). Airlines have gone out of business. GM drove many manufacturers out. The effects of cutbacks and moving operations overseas is, probably, similar to the economic impact of a BS meltdown.

I do think “pollution reduction” and “convservation” gets used synonymously, same with “global warming” which confuses the issue. But short answer to “what’s wrong with taking lead in reducing pollutants?” is “nothing.”

Just listened to a couple of talking heads last night - impact of China “calling us” on the debt they hold. Doesn’t seem likely. And I wonder about the relative ability of our economy to absorb hits vs theirs.

Your next to last sentence - I kinda think it’s like voting - in spite of what people profess, economic self interest trumps sacrifice for the national good, every time.

Now I must return to work -

By IN THE (Hussein) NEWS

April 9, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Little Ricky

you’re alot like Larry Craig

Outed, but still can’t admit it

Paul

Always glad to read your opinion.

By IN THE (Hussein) NEWS

April 9, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Let’s Review

Don Siegelman

Georgia Thompson

and now

Mississippi Justice: Bush US Attorney targeted my wife, supporters and friends

By Lunatic Fringe

April 9, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

I sure hope we can last until November. And then we have to wait until January before we can evict the trash in the White House.

By IN THE (Hussein) NEWS

April 9, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

US soldier killed in Baghdad bomb attack

By Gary

April 9, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Paul, better, but you describe a photo op subject list, not what he said.

What did Petreaus say, or better, what conclusions can you draw from his testimony? (reading between the lines, sort to speak)

By Gary

April 9, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

The mark of a good marksman is that he always hits his mark.

By Paul

April 9, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Gary

Not sure what’s going on here, but your 12:54 is the last post - two hours ago.

My understanding is Gen Petraeus said as Qaeda Iraq is weaker than a year ago, new groups supported by Iran have come into play and the level of violence is down. Wants a pause and time for assessment before further withdrawal.

Implications? Our level of future involvement depends upon what we want to see happen (a variation of your “success” question). I think Sen Obama’s modification to what I read as a “controlled chaos” scenario that could be managed with 30k troops is an example. McCain should spell out his vision - even something as simple as “minimal violence, functioning govt.” Seems to me much of the Congressional squabbling was over tactics - how to withdraw, when, how much. Not enough of “If N is our desired outcome, this is the best way to achieve.” I have to fault both sides over this, but particularly the Dem candidates. Withdrawing American forces is not ending the war. It’s ending American involvement in the war. So Obama’s taken a first step - but the follow on will be a problem, as now he has to address issues such as: what kind of instability before using American forces? What kind of action in response to Iranian developments? Still way too much reaction.

We could’ve left VietNam with little impact to our interests, other than prestige (but our concern then was ideology, domino theory). A chaotic Iraq, ground for al Qaeda reconstitution, strong Iranian influence in a country with the third-largest oil reserves, could be very, very difficult for us. And I think Hillary’s and Obama’s progression from the early primary rhetoric of “I’m gonna beat you on a complete withdrawal timetable” illustrates that, too.

By El Buttface

April 9, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Could a total victory and peace in Iraq lead to a collapse of spot oil futures?

I hope so. Go Petreaus! He’s our man, if he cant destroy al ka ka, nobody can! Push sadr back push sadr back push sadr WAYYYYY back!

2,4,6,8 who do we appreciate? PETREAUS!

By Must Have

April 9, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Petreaus is a very impressive speaker, and an amazing commander on the ground in Iraq. Very good choice there, W.

By Utopiayes

April 9, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Mike, could you please increase the resolution in the AJC online artwork? It is really hard to read at times. Or you could enlarge it a bit. Love your work.

C. Henry

By Must Have

April 9, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Utopiayes: I’m the only one that gets Luckovich. You other guys only look at the picture and then go, “Oh, looky the doggy, I like doggies, I wish I had a doggy, then I’d hug it and kiss it and squeeze it, uh huhhh Duhhhh…”

RETARDS!!! Only I get the true meaning of Luckovich’s implied implications, only me and nostradomus who predicted Luckovich in his quatrain that goes, “A cartoonist will emerge in Atlanta with very funny caracatures of president bush.”

Thus I have proved with geometric logic that I alone deserve to blog here, no one else, no one do you hear?

ISAIDNOONE!!!

By The Peoples for a Nuked Amerika' Century~!

April 9, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

-=-

Must Have?

I think anyone with a brain realizes Mike’s cartoon today and the fact of the government bailing out the execs’ and heads of the companies and leaving the employees and working class to drown. (not that this is a new theme in history).

N-GA —

The problem with stopping trade with China is that not only are the corporations guilty, but everyone who buys the products at the local Walmart because it’s cheaper is just as culpable. It’s like Crack — we are hooked on cheap worthless doo-dads….

Now you know how the Indians felt when they initially sold Manhatten for some cheap beads.. but frankly I think the Indians got the better end of the bargain in the long run (lol).

Cheers’

Thomas

By getalife

April 9, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

“In 2005, Sen. Obama voted for the Dick Cheney energy bill, which Cheney wrote in secret with the oil industry. Hillary Clinton opposed Cheney’s energy bill, has a plan to eliminate oil industry tax breaks, and would require oil companies to contribute to a $50 billion strategic energy fund to jumpstart research and investment in clean energy technologies.”

When you pay 4 bucks a gallon at the pump, stop whining, you voted for him.

You get what you vote for.

By AJC Management

April 9, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

{{{{April 9, 2008 | I would like to get your feedback on the subject of those who end up in Hillary’s orbit. Can you conceive of a strong, leader-type male ever working under her? An alpha, if you will. And if the answer is no, then why do you think that is?}}}}

{{{{Answer: The men you always see under her are to a person passive-aggressive, sadistic, mean, little, petty beta-male pieces of work who would not naturally succeed in a common male-type hierarchy. By that I mean an environment that values straightforward achievement rather than the darker political arts.}}}}

al-Gitmo?

By Devaastator

April 9, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

A win’s a win, but what’s enough? And perhaps more importantly, will anything be enough?

Those are some of the tough questions that face Hillary Rodham Clinton, and to a lesser degree Barack Obama, as they jockey for position and the Democratic presidential nomination in the final two weeks before Pennsylvania’s April 22 primary. Pennsylvania was supposed to be “Clinton Country.” Just a couple weeks ago supporters boasted that Clinton was unbeatable. But as a new Quinnipiac University poll shows the contest narrowed to 6 percentage points, it’s looking like Pennsylvania could be Clinton’s last stand.

“She’s getting dangerously close to the edge to losing this,” said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “It is a game of horseshoes, and close for Obama is a victory for him.”

Pennsylvania is the “make it or break it point for the Clinton campaign,” he said.

Clinton, who once led by a 16- to 20-point margin, has watched as Obama cut her advantage to 6 points — 50 percent to 44 percent — in the Quinnipiac poll of 1,340 likely Pennsylvania Democratic voters.

Across just about every demographic — old, young, blacks, whites, women, men, rich, poor and in Democrat-rich regions such as southeastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, Clinton’s numbers are slipping.

At the same time, Obama has played his own expectations game as he constantly reminded voters that he’s the underdog during a recent campaign swing through Pennsylvania.

“We don’t have great expectations of a victory there and we’ve stated that from the start,” Steve Hildebrand, Obama’s deputy campaign manager, told reporters Tuesday.

“We’d love to be even, or even ahead, but the fact of the matter is we still have substantial deficits in the state and we are looking to close it,” he said.

After wins in Ohio, Rhode Island and the popular vote in Texas breathed new life into her campaign, Pennsylvania was expected to provide a big victory for Clinton.

Instead, it’s becoming the latest must-win state for her.

“She’s got to put a stop to the slide and she’s got to convince white women especially that it’s time for a woman and she’s not out of the race,” said Richards.

One bright spot fo

By Devastator

April 9, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

One bright spot for Clinton is that while Obama’s standing has improved as Pennsylvania Democrats have gotten to know him, their views of her have remained fairly consistent.

For Clinton, added Richards, the Pennsylvania race comes down to one of perception. She has to persuade voters, and especially undecided superdelegates and donors, that she remains a viable candidate.

Even then, it may be too late, said Charlie Cook, political analyst and publisher of The Cook Political Report.

Clinton needs to win every remaining state with performances well in excess of 63 percent in order to meaningfully close Obama’s delegate gap.

Even then, it would be a tall order to convince superdelegates to break a “tie” in her favor, he said.

“It is not mathematically possible for Clinton to get anywhere close to the needed number to win the nomination,” he said.

Don’t count out Clinton yet, say supporters, including Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

“I think she’ll close well and get most of the undecideds,” Rendell said, predicting a 4- to 9-point win in Pennsylvania.

The narrowing race is no surprise given Obama’s financial advantage. The Illinois senator’s campaign raised $40 million in March compared to $20 million by Clinton.

By The Peoples for a Nuked Amerika' Century~!

April 9, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Hey —

In the News —

Just in case you missed it!

By Mel

April 9, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

HomoDUH/ajc mgt/et al: Little bitty man, your castration complex is really showing today. Your terror of women. Do not worry, Little One, the girls won’t hurt you. Pull your ballcap down over your shaved head, pull your Shaq-sized tee over your face, close the drapes, finger your imitation AR-15 (The only thing that would allow you to finger it.), gaze at that stringy-haired boy-wife of yours, and just relax. You cain’t keep up this insane pace blogging puke. watch something cerebral - like NASCAR stuff. There now, isn’t that better??

By YAAAAwwwwn.

April 9, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Whatever would we do without Apocalypse/Devastators TVDSO - Thinly-Veiled Daily Shill for Obama.

Well at least there’s no money-beg at the end.

By AmVet

April 9, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK and all we got was this dipst!ck…

An upcoming Oliver Stone biopic about George Bush depicts him as a foul-mouthed reformed drunk who was obsessed with Saddam Hussein and has such a conflicted relationship with his father that he once challenged Bush Sr. to a fistfight.

Some highlights:

Bush Sr. tells his son that he “didn’t exactly serve your time in the National Guard” and urges him not to “drink and party your life away.” He also tells Bush Jr.: “You’ve disappointed me. Deeply disappointed me.”

Bush terrifies a friend by taking him up in a single-engine plane and then nearly crashing it while under the influence of alcohol. After his loss in his 1978 race for Congress from Texas, Bush — drunk again — tells a friend: “No way will I ever be out-Texaned or out Christianed again.” Bush complains that his father asked him to help in his 1988 presidential campaign “only ‘cause Jeb wasn’t available.” Bush tells a televangelist in 1999: “I believe God wants me to run for president.” Discussing with press secretary Ari Fleischer Bush’s justifications for going to war with Saddam, Bush declares: “I don’t like a—holes who try to kill my father.” He later tells Rumsfeld that Saddam tried to bomb his father’s car in Kuwait and “you don’t go after the Bushes and get to talk about it.” Asked how likely it is that Saddam Hussein has nuclear weapons, Cheney tells Bush: “Personally, I think it’s close to a hundred percent.” Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld informs Bush that the American excursion into Iraq will take “six months at the most, as long as we don’t run into heavy camel traffic.” President Bush plots to paint an American recon plane in U.N. colors to see if Saddam will fire on it and thereby “justify retaliation.” Bush tells British Prime Minister Tony Blair that sectarian violence following an American invasion of Iraq is “just not in the cards,” adding that “Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, you know, in the end they’ll stick together, they’re all Muslims anyway.”

By Likkkoduh (MkkkKKKain) Loves Dikkk Cheney

April 9, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

With or without the Cheney!

I love those alpha male types - yum!

Heck, I’m not that particular. I like the whiny guys too.

I’m not gay - I’m whatever it is Larry Craig is. But go ahead, call me a f-ag. I kinda like it. Pull my hair too.

Kick the crap out of me when your done - and I’m yours for life.

Yes I’m sick. Sick sick sick.

Duh!

By Mark A Tarnowski

April 9, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

Mike,

Lately, the text in your cartoons has been very difficult to read. Please work on your penmanship. Thanks in advance of your efforts.

By Glenn

April 9, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

The good news is that Dylan got a Pulitzer.

The bad news is that they didn’t take back Tucker’s and Luckovich’s.

By AJC Management

April 9, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

{{{{Bruno has run a very negative campaign, Raines said, but he did offer the former first lady a note of praise — by way of lashing her husband a bit more.}}}}

{{{{“She’s the person in the family who can take a punch,” he quipped.}}}}

Yeah, but a punch from who?

{{{{PAGLIA: Why Hillary surrounds herself with girly men…}}}}

Like this is a big surprise, I mean all libs men are femiemen, hehehe, little sissies.

Metrosexual freaks.

By AJC Management

April 9, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Check this out, all these pinko boys come up in this blog everyday whining like little b!tches about the “injustice” of it all, so scared of the horrible world just outside of their front door that they run weeping into the tender loving merciful arms of the federal government, and they consider themselves to be “men.”

Git the F outta here.

By Glenn

April 9, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

But Andy they cain’t heppit. They were bred for it, and nobody’s ever weaned them. I oughta know. I used to be in the breeding bidness. (Only just now, all hat and no SKU-chee-ren.)

By Paul

April 9, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

AmVet

Several Bush biographers (not at all sympathetic) have given responses to Stone’s work - say some is based on fact, some isn’t, but is replete with inaccurate characterizations and over the top caricatures. I suppose it may be irritation by biographers who take their work seriously seeing what someone in the megabuck business does with the genre - but hey, it’s Oliver Stone, so what do you expect?

From the other night - some months back I watched a UFO special - Discover, SciFi, one of those channels - had your Bentwaters case highlighted. Had the colonel who was the base commander, a cop flight chief - both on scene. Object was low to the ground, wooded area, left marks. Described the flight pattern. They were definite in what they saw and said how the higher ups said, in effect, “let it go.” They said they saw an object, it was unidentified, and it was flying. But that was as far as they’d go.

There was also a UFO debunker. Told them both they’d seen Venus, or some such. The colonel was having a difficult time controlling his temper. The sergeant, in effect, gave up trying to reason with the guy.

AJC Management

Like Charlton Heston and Ronald Reagan in their early years?

:-)

By RW-(the original)

April 9, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

It’s too bad that President Bush said he would definitely go to the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing. It would have been fun to see Democrats alternately saying he should go or he shouldn’t go whenever they thought it was the opposite of his plan.

Why do Democrats always want to politicize the Olympics anyway?

By drey

April 9, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this

Wooten was in Vietnam. He also served 20 years in the Ga gaurd. He deserves honor for his service.

duhng must know wooten from way back, maybe as far back as nam. Ever notice that duhng posts 1500 words at four seconds past 8am? He writes his feelings ahead of time probably collaborating with Wooten himself. There must be other lifelong Wooten pals who blog here too. Notice all the military references? That’s why duhng acts so rabid about the way the news is presented in the AJC. He’s group thinking with wooten and the way things ought to be at miller time drink-ins. They probably have some sort of round table sisterhood of the traveling pants type thing. I always suspected this, just from the way the comments occurred, and the slowly changing tone coming out of wooten’s pieces, but I never realized it fully till today when I read Wooten’s bio.

Wooten is a very influential man, he doesn’t need yes men to augment his arguments. I wonder how much of duhng wooten writes.

By drey

April 9, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

Probably all of it.

By Paul

April 9, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

Any reconsideration on not voting for McCain?

By RW-(the original)

April 9, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Paul,

I don’t budge off of well thought out and reasoned convictions easily. I will not vote for John McCain. Can you write in the Veep without voting for the President? HAHAHA

By Glenn

April 9, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

RW-(t.o.), what then are we to do?

By AmVet

April 9, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Sure Stone’s work will be unacceptable to some.

It really doesn’t matter if it is 100% accurate, my friend.

Even though tragically, many of these misnamed conservatives have had their heads intentionally up their a*******es for a very long time, at long last most of them have joined the overwhelming percentage of Americans people who know what a mess this guy is, what a loser this administration has been and what a debacle they have created.

That sadly is not fiction.

That some of the “real” conservatives will sit out this presidential election, is to me hysterical and indicative of an ideology that has gone totally off the charts.

But regardless no neo-con will sit in the White House again!

And the crowd goes crazy!!!

In regards to the incident at Bentwaters, I recall reading that the two APs actually walked into the forest and came up upon the UFO. I mean right up to it. They described it in great detail.

Many believed that the AF covered up the entire detail and forced the APs to retract some of their statements.

I wish I had been there to hear about it first hand.

As for the Walmart Games, how in the hell did Red China ever get them in the first place?

Let me guess, they promised to stop killing protesters or something…

By Paul

April 9, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

RW-(the original)

Good to have convictions and still be open to new ideas. The VP will be an interesting choice. I hope he maintains his independent streak.

By @@

April 9, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

I watched Karl Rove and Bill O’Reilly discussing the question - Boycott or Attend the Olympics?

Well thought out analysis of the situation. Rove pointed out that Bush shouldn’t react based on what a campaigning Hillary Clinton proposed. A President must act more responsibly.

Diplomacy is the key. Rove’s suggestion that Bush could use the Asian’s traditional “saving face” before a world that is watching was pretty darn good.

I never paid much attention to Karl Rove. He’s very intelligent and a likeable, funny guy.

By AJC Management

April 9, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

{{{{By drey April 9, 2008 6:31 PM I wonder how much of duhng wooten writes.}}}}

Thanks for the compliment, you horrible little troll.

By the way, how do you know for sure I’m not the one writing Wooten’s work?

Pysche.

By AmVet

April 9, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this

{{{{Curls}}}} says we’re winning in Iraq and @@ says Karl Rove is likable guy!

And Paul, you take exception with Oliver Stone!

I cannot stop laughing!

By @@

April 9, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

RW:

I have great respect for you and your decision! YOU respect Thomas Sowell. Dr. Sowell had some “Random Thoughts” on John McCain.

(((Senator John McCain could never convince me to vote for him. Only Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama can cause me to vote for McCain.)))

(IS&WH)

By Paul

April 9, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

AmVet

I suppose then, regarding Oliver, with so much real info out there, why the need for the fiction?

Your account parallels the tv account. The guys had credibility. I can’t imagine anyone in their position (background) saying “lets say the wackiest thing we can and back each other up.” Then again, the debunker was a retired major.

By RW-(the original)

April 9, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

@@,

Unless something drastically changes it’s my belief that either Hillary or Obama will gain a bit of sanity with respect to Iraq and although we’ll become infinitely more susceptible to another attack on our soil under them, we’re overdue for an attack anyway and with McCain in charge they know they can slip right in the southern border.

Under all three of them we’ll have horribly misguided nanny state government and I would much rather a Democrat takes the heat when that blows up in our faces.

Thanks for the Sowell link. He and I share a birthday albeit 25 years apart.

Glenn,

Who’s this we Kimosabe?

Paul,

With McCain’s age the VP slot will be mighty important, but knowing him he’ll take Russ Feingold.

By Sharon

October 21, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

Now is the time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country! Does anyone else share this view? Obama’s past associates such as Wm. Ayers—Obama said I was 8 years old! Well, what relative would take their 8 year old to hear Wm. Ayers (the unrepentent terrorist)? It is amazing that Obama keeps referring to I was only 8—but NOW LIVES IN THE SAME WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD AS AYERS! Obama says that Ayers didn’t influence him, but the one tie that binds the two of them together is the FLAG—Ayers stomps on the flag—Obama in the early stages of his campaign said: “I will not wear the flag pin on my lapel.” The point should be taken if Ayers—Rev. Wright—Louis Farrahkan (the million man march on DC) have influenced Obama’s thinking—the flag and Obama’s rejection to wear the flag pin—Ayers stomps on the flag—this ties their views together!

Obama’s foreign policy includes removing Col. Patreas for his failure to lead in the war region! Obama’s attitude toward Col. Patreas who won’t recognize the Surge finally worked—because it wouldn’t make sense for him to take the office of the President and remove Col. Patreas immediately or within the first 3 months after taking office. This action would make the Middle East in a crisis mode! Our troops deserve the best and Col. Patreas has made a very positive influence in the region!

I repeat—it is time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country! How do we do this? VOTE WITH FULL KNOWLEGE OF BOTH CANDIDATES!

Gov. Palin has worked in the political arena as Mayor then Gov. Obama just became a Senator in 2005. If something should happen to McCain—Palin would step up with the most educated people to advise her—because she isn’t too high and mighty that she wouldn’t listen to all parties (both Democratic—Republicans). Gov. Palin will fight for our freedom—making a America stronger—help make America gain their respect on the gloabl level—and most of all Palin has always been proud to be an American—Obama’s wife said (now she is proud of America). Nothing like words from the heart to make a difference and to show your true feelings!

By Sharon

October 21, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Now is the time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country! Does anyone else share this view? Obama’s past associates such as Wm. Ayers—Obama said I was 8 years old! Well, what relative would take their 8 year old to hear Wm. Ayers (the unrepentent terrorist)? It is amazing that Obama keeps referring to I was only 8—but NOW LIVES IN THE SAME WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD AS AYERS! Obama says that Ayers didn’t influence him, but the one tie that binds the two of them together is the FLAG—Ayers stomps on the flag—Obama in the early stages of his campaign said: “I will not wear the flag pin on my lapel.” The point should be taken if Ayers—Rev. Wright—Louis Farrahkan (the million man march on DC) have influenced Obama’s thinking—the flag and Obama’s rejection to wear the flag pin—Ayers stomps on the flag—this ties their views together!

Obama’s foreign policy includes removing Col. Patreas for his failure to lead in the war region! Obama’s attitude toward Col. Patreas who won’t recognize the Surge finally worked—because it wouldn’t make sense for him to take the office of the President and remove Col. Patreas immediately or within the first 3 months after taking office. This action would make the Middle East in a crisis mode! Our troops deserve the best and Col. Patreas has made a very positive influence in the region!

I repeat—it is time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country! How do we do this? VOTE WITH FULL KNOWLEGE OF BOTH CANDIDATES!

Gov. Palin has worked in the political arena as Mayor then Gov. Obama just became a Senator in 2005. If something should happen to McCain—Palin would step up with the most educated people to advise her—because she isn’t too high and mighty that she wouldn’t listen to all parties (both Democratic—Republicans). Gov. Palin will fight for our freedom—making a America stronger—help make America gain their respect on the gloabl level—and most of all Palin has always been proud to be an American—Obama’s wife said (now she is proud of America). Nothing like words from the heart to make a difference and to show your true feelings!

By Sharon

October 21, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

Now is the time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country! Does anyone else share this view? Obama’s past associates such as Wm. Ayers—Obama said I was 8 years old! Well, what relative would take their 8 year old to hear Wm. Ayers (the unrepentent terrorist)? It is amazing that Obama keeps referring to I was only 8—but NOW LIVES IN THE SAME WHITE NEIGHBORHOOD AS AYERS! Obama says that Ayers didn’t influence him, but the one tie that binds the two of them together is the FLAG—Ayers stomps on the flag—Obama in the early stages of his campaign said: “I will not wear the flag pin on my lapel.” The point should be taken if Ayers—Rev. Wright—Louis Farrahkan (the million man march on DC) have influenced Obama’s thinking—the flag and Obama’s rejection to wear the flag pin—Ayers stomps on the flag—this ties their views together!

Obama’s foreign policy includes removing Col. Patreas for his failure to lead in the war region! Obama’s attitude toward Col. Patreas who won’t recognize the Surge finally worked—because it wouldn’t make sense for him to take the office of the President and remove Col. Patreas immediately or within the first 3 months after taking office. This action would make the Middle East in a crisis mode! Our troops deserve the best and Col. Patreas has made a very positive influence in the region!

I repeat—it is time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country! How do we do this? VOTE WITH FULL KNOWLEGE OF BOTH CANDIDATES!

Gov. Palin has worked in the political arena as Mayor then Gov. Obama just became a Senator in 2005. If something should happen to McCain—Palin would step up with the most educated people to advise her—because she isn’t too high and mighty that she wouldn’t listen to all parties (both Democratic—Republicans). Gov. Palin will fight for our freedom—making a America stronger—help make America gain their respect on the gloabl level—and most of all Palin has always been proud to be an American—Obama’s wife said (now she is proud of America). Nothing like words from the heart to make a difference and to show your true feelings!

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