Thinking Right

By MV

August 25, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Does the VP matter? Just check out Darth Cheney and his stealth plans to erode our constitution and put corporations in charge of our country. His fingerprints are all over every crime committed by this out-of-control administration. So YES, VP choice matters.

By Redneck Convert

August 25, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Well, the VP matters to me. Old man McCain could keel over any time, and I don’t want no half-librul taking over for him. I want somebody that will name judges that will make women have their babys and stop this abortion. I don’t care what happens to the babys after they been had but I sure want to have laws that lock up women and Drs. that do abortions. The only way we get the judges is to have a President and a VP that will put godly Conservatives on the court and overturn descisions that don’t allow laws against abortion.

I guess I’ll take Romney as a VP if I have to. He’s a Mormon that’s part of a cult and he probly has 3 or 4 wifes, but he’s better than somebody like this librul Jew from Conn. and this guy from PA that favors abortion. I would rather have somebody that’s been Saved by the Blood of the Lamb, but I reckon nobody like that is around.

Have a good day everybody.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

August 25, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. John Nance Garner’s “Great Expectorations” revisited today. Jim asks two similar questions today, but they are distinct. (1) Does the VP matter? and (2) Does the VP selection induce you to vote for a candidate you hadn’t already favored?

My answers are, respectively, “yes” and “maybe, in theory, but not this year.” The VP matters – an extraordinarily bad choice could alienate me. If, for example, John McCain named Ralph Nader as his vice president choice, I would write in “Jim Wooten.” I require a threshold competence in the position, but my required standard is low – an “on the job” trainee will normally be acceptable to me, if the trainee has the right ideology. (Those who are wrongly-oriented need not apply for my vote.)

Unlike most of my conservative friends, I am willing to acknowledge that I thought Biden the best-qualified and philosophically best-oriented of the democrat primary candidates this year, although that statement is comparable to limbo under a pole at six-feet. Obama is so unaccomplished, and seemingly so wrongly-oriented in his political philosophy that I could not vote for him. Earlier I held a positive view of him for his personal ethics, but I always perceived hard-left ideology; I have seen nothing to disabuse me of either belief.

Back to the Jim’s closing question, if the democrats had nominated an intelligent conservative – ok, we’ll be serious, someone other than a flaming leftist, e.g., Joe Lieberman, and the republicans had nominated a RINO, e.g., Chuck Hegel, VP choice would have tipped the calculus for me. Not this year.

By Just Nasty and Mean

August 25, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

G’mornin Jim, et al,

Again (and again and again), OBla-Bla-ma has shown his true colors and chosen the path of political expediency. Instead of sticking with his redundant worn-out theme “Change”, he has chosen a long-time Washington insider attack dog.

Who of the Democraps could refute that Biden represents all that Obla-Bla-ma has criticized throughout his campaign? His criticism of Hillary being a part of the old way of doing things applies to Biden ten-fold!

Obla-bla-ma chose Biden from a position of weakness. Biden shores up Obla-bla-ma’s mud-puddle thin foreign policy experience, and maybe some inter-workings of Washington—considering he’s only had 143 days of DC experience prior to announcing for president.

I cannot think of a SINGLE THING Biden has brought to the table of the congress other than a biting, slashing,partisan blabbermouth long known for his long-winded questions and answers.

This guy, with his hair replacement plugs is a classic Northeastern elitist egomaniac of the 1st order, right along with Ted Kennedy and John Kerry.

Have no doubt: This guy foams-at-the-mouth and will “step in it” and cause a negative controversy for Obla-Bla-ba before the campaign is over.

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

MV … My sentiments exactly!

Romney..He was governor of Mass. for 4 years and he left with a dismal 43% favorable rating!

One should go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney in order to realize the man is a creep.

And, anyone who would strap their family pet to the roof of their car for a 12 hour trip or for that matter, any reason. Does not possess the common sense to come in out of the rain.

Yes! A VP does matter!

By Road Scholar

August 25, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Yes, it matters. The President sets the direction and the VP gets the Senate to implement the plan. It may be news to some but the President doesn’t do everything…look at Bush. He stood by as Rome burned.

How did Obama pay a high price? Biden is excellent in foreign affairs and getting things done.

Who will McClone name? He can’t stand Romney…and all those past sound clips between them. Guliani speaks with one noun, a verb and 911 in every sentence (quoting the resourceful Mr Biden). Biden will eat Pawlenty’s lunch in the debate. Bring them on!

Now we only have to engage the American voters with the truth about their positions instead of this he said- she said stuff. Also, for those who supported Hillary who are thinking of voting for McClone, just why would you do that? Doesn’t the woman’s right to choose, the war, the economy, the supreme court, etc matter more than your hurt feelings?

By Peadawg

August 25, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Road Scholar: Why call him McClone? If all you dems are comparing him to Bush….what about ObaCarter or something like that?

By Edie

August 25, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Well, when you as old and infirmed looking as McCain, you may seek a vibrant looking VP, to fill your hole. What has love got to with it, anyway?

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

By Just Nasty and Mean

August 25, 2008 8:54 AM

Well, Nasty if you can’t think of a thing Joe Biden has brought to the table..let me enlighten you!

Biden’s legislation to promote college aid and loan programs allows families to deduct on their annual income tax returns up to $10,000 per year in higher education expenses. His “Kids 2000” legislation established a public/private partnership to provide computer centers, teachers, Internet access, and technical training to young people, particularly to low-income and at-risk youth.

Biden wrote the laws that created the nation’s “Drug Czar,” who oversees and coordinates national drug control policy.

Biden has been involved in crafting many federal crime laws over the last decade, including the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, also known as the Biden Crime Law.

His efforts to combat hostilities in the Balkans in the 1990s brought national attention and influenced presidential policy: traveling repeatedly to the region, he made one meeting famous by calling Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic a “war criminal.” He consistently argued for lifting the arms embargo, training Bosnian Muslims, investigating war criminals etc.

I could go on here, but I realize your attention span is probably somewhat short.

By Southern Democrat

August 25, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

To “Just Nasty and Mean,” @ 8:54 a.m.,

Your fourth and fifth full paragraphs demonstrate a breathtaking ignorance of Senator Biden’s biography and live down to your pseudonym.

By gigi

August 25, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

there wasn’t a woman (besides hillary) anywhere in this country that would have made a decent vp? not even compared to what we’ve had the past 8 years? not a single, solitary one? and what century is this again? oops, sorry; i forgot we’ve only had the vote for the past 82 years. my bad.

By Devastator

August 25, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

I’d like to thank you for the warm welcome I’ve received as the newest member of this campaign.

What you and Barack have accomplished over the past 19 months is incredible, and it’s an honor to be part of it. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting involved.

I recorded a short video message about how I hope to help in the weeks ahead.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be doing a lot of the things you’ve done to grow this movement — reaching out day after day in neighborhoods all across the country, connecting with people who are hungry for the change we need.

This is no ordinary time, and this is no ordinary election. I plan to do everything I can to help Barack take back the White House.

I don’t need to tell you that John McCain will just bring us another four years of the same. You can’t change America when you supported George Bush’s policies 95% of the time.

Barack has the vision and the courage to bring real change to Washington. But even he can’t do this alone.

Join me by getting involved in your community — and reach out to your friends and family to get them involved as well.

Please watch this video and pass it on:

http://my.barackobama.com/bidenvideo

Thank you,

Joe Biden

By KnowItAll

August 25, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Ohbama has hamstrung himself by picking Biden.

Every criticism he has for McCain and the old ways apply directly to the VP he picked! How can he POSSIBLY stay with his “change” theme? How do you explain his dichotomy?

More Political Expediency—plain and simple.

By buster brown

August 25, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008

Harry,

May I add that he also wrote the “VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT!”

Seems to me Biden has brought a lot to the table.

By Devastator

August 25, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Biden hasn’t voted for Bushit 95% of the time. His policies are in stark contrast.

By Road Scholar

August 25, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Who will McClone snub?

Peadawg: Glad to see a bulldawg who can read. Now for understanding what you read! Obama is proposing some similar policies as Carter, esp in regards to energy, but he hasn’t adopted the entire Carter doctrine on major items that McClone has in regards to Bush.

Energy costs will continue to increase in the long term. Drilling now (which I’m not totally opposed ) will not have benefit for years to come. McClone continues to insinuate that we just hook a pipeline to the ocean floor and we have gas. The gasoline refinery expansion which is now underway will take 2 years to come online. The drill floating rigs are booked for 7 years. And then it takes years to construct a well.

Look at what Germany and other progressive countries have done with their energy programs- 20% of their energy will be from renewable non- combustable sources. They set this 20 year goal in 2000 and are over halfway there. Why does the Repubs not allow an extension on the renewable energy tax breaks that expire in December 08?

And do you really think that the oil they find would only be sold to the American people? That the oil companies would not sell it abroad for larger profits? Think about it. Those who believe that must have been born with a silver pipeline in their mouth!!!

Believe it or not, the most major issue that we will face in the future is not food availability (we can grow more), water (desalination), energy (renewable), but clean air. Look at China , and they are just emerging! And wasn’t Cater’s campaign color Green?

By Truthifier

August 25, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

While I had decided to vote for Obama, his selection of Biden for VP makes me a more enthusiastic voter, and more likely to get out and volunteer. So, personally speaking, the VP selection is important but it’s more about the level of enthusiasm for the ticket not about whether one would vote for the Presidential candidate.

By Just Nasty and Mean

August 25, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

dirty harry and devastator

This is a blog to have individuals express their individual opinions about the topics Jim presents.

Jim has the final say, but I suspect this blog is NOT intended a free cut/paste billboard for daily talking points from the DNC or speeches from political candidates.

If you want that tripe, go to bookman’s blog and look under Mrs. Godzilla.

Here, we try to use our own brains and thoughts.

By Pierce Randall

August 25, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Well, they don’t deliver states. I doubt they matter in an election unless they’ve got bad secrets.

Cheney might have shored up Bush’s foreign policy creditials during the 2000 election, but I don’t think Biden will matter that much in that regard to Obama. Bush had a much more troubling “doesn’t look like he knows what he’s talking about” problem than Obama does on foreign policy (or anything, really).

Of course, elections aren’t the only reason a VP would be important. There’s always the incapacitation of the President. It happened to Reagan twice, would have been important if Clinton were actually booted from office, and by that strech mattered when Nixon left office.

The #2 spot has also evolved as a generalist cabinet position. Bush listens to Cheney on North Korea policy, nuclear proliferation, and on energy. Clinton listened to Gore on foreign policy and technology issues. A good president, I think, picks a smart VP who acts as a bonus advisor. (Ok, some bad presidents pick smart VP’s as advisors, like Bush, but it’s still a good idea in princple.)

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

By Just Nasty and Mean

Did you just say BRAINS?

By Devastator

August 25, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Just stupid and dumb,

My post is directly related to jim’s topic idiot. Its about the VP and perhaps I thought that you might be interested in what the VP candidate has to say for themselves so that you wont get lost in your own fantasy land.

By bearcasey

August 25, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

I admire John McCain. Unfortunately, he will need Jesus of Nazareth as VP to win. I don’t believe that he’s available.

By Devastator

August 25, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Praise for Biden

At an appearance in Fresno, California, for the United Farm Workers, Clinton declined to comment on her plans for the Wednesday event. She praised Obama’s newly-minted running mate Joe Biden, another sign of party loyalty.

“I know him very well, and I know he has been on the front lines of the fight for social and economic justice his entire time in public service,” Clinton said.

By Devastator

August 25, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

WASHINGTON - Michelle is the Obama who fits in a small room. She does the coffeeklatch to Barack’s coliseum.

For months now, she’s lifted her husband up by downsizing him gently, while grappling with her own critics. Sure, he’s the orator who electrifies the faithful by the tens of thousands. But he snores, and smells not so good in the morning.

Sure, he’s got what it takes to be president, she offers. But he’s “just a man.”

A tall woman with an outsized personality of her own, Michelle Obama has toured the community centers, church basements and ballrooms of the land, pulling in a crowd of 50 here, 2,500 there, and mixing it up with cozy TV chats and glossy magazine features.

Monday night in Denver, the stage is hers at the Democratic National Convention for a prime-time speech introducing the potential first lady to her largest TV audience.

If part of her function has been to reveal the husband and dad side of the man addressing the masses, she also needs to show she’s just a woman, just an American, just a patriot.

She’ll be joined by her daughters, Malia and Sasha, her mother Marian Robinson, and her brother Craig Robinson, who will introduce her.

In the primaries, she was dubbed “the Closer” for her ability to persuade the undecided voters walking in to come on board before walking out. Now she’s the opener, the first-night star called upon to testify about her husband’s vision and values, and perhaps settle some doubts about herself.

The critics have come out early, to a point where Barack Obama told people to “lay off my wife.” The Obama campaign created a Web site solely to counter innuendo about both of them, and first lady Laura Bush came unexpectedly to her defense.

A summer AP-Yahoo News poll found the public hasn’t taken to her yet. Respondents were more apt to dislike her than Republican candidate John McCain’s wife, Cindy. But mainly, Americans don’t know either woman well.

Michelle Obama’s playful fist bump with hubby when he sealed the Democratic nomination was taken in some quarters as a nefarious gesture.

Republicans in Tennessee and Washington state circulated video making hay with her statement that the campaign made her proud of America for the first time in her adult life. She said she meant pride in the political process.

Barack Obama called such attacks “low rent.” But that video won’t be going away.

“People aren’t used to strong women,” Michelle Obama remarked on ABC’s “The View.” That proposition is arguable, given the country’s history with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, her activist years as first lady and her hard-charging, last-voter-standing primary campaign.

But, like Clinton, Obama can incite strong feelings for and against.

Her lack of pretense comes with a certain resistance to political packaging and she’s expressed the surprise of the newly famous that a comment here or a gesture there can create such a fuss.

The even-keeled Laura Bush told her through the media that “everything you say is looked at and in many cases misconstrued.” The first lady also said Michelle Obama must have meant she was “more proud” of her country than before, not proud for the first time.

“That’s what I like about Laura Bush,” Michelle Obama said in response. “There’s a reason why people like her. It’s because she doesn’t, sort of, you know, fuel the fire.”

She wrote a thank you note to “Dear madam first lady” and made clear she’d learned a thing or two from Laura Bush. “I’m taking some cues.”

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a family of modest means.

Fraser Robinson was a Democratic precinct captain who worked swing shifts at the water plant. His wife Marian raised the kids in a one-bedroom apartment on the top floor of her aunt’s house, where Michelle and Craig slept in the living room, converted into two tiny bedrooms and a study area.

She fought her way into Princeton, and later to Harvard Law School, and began dating Obama while working at a Chicago corporate law firm. They’ve been married for 15 years.

She left corporate law for community service positions and later became an administrator of the University of Chicago hospitals. Daughters Malia and Sasha are 10 and 7. The couple reported making $4.2 million last year, their days of financial struggles well behind them.

Even so, she’s proved an adept solo campaigner with blue-collar audiences and with women, able to make a connection with voters whose lives are an economic struggle. She laughs easily, hugs a lot, hangs tight after the speech and watches her sarcastic streak.

“I wake up every morning, wondering how on the Earth I’m going to pull off that next minor miracle to get through the day,” she told a Chicago crowd.

She talks about work, workouts, parent-teacher conferences, hair appointments, the burdens of campaign travel, the plugged toilet that her husband left her to deal with one day.

“With the exception of the campaign trail and life in the public eye, I have to say that my life now is really not that much different from many of yours,” she said.

Those are, of course, huge exceptions. But for the opener, the closer and everything in between, expect to see much more of Michelle the American everywoman. The one who, it turns out, has a daughter born on the Fourth of July.

By Will

August 25, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Wooten:

Senator McCain and the republican radio\tv show entertainers are really working over Senator Obama with past negative comments from democrats about Senator Obama.

I think this may mean one of three things for your favorite candidate to be the republican VP nominee, Mitt Romney.

Senator Biden appears to be a good enough fellow but really his selection has done nothing to move me toward Senator Obama. Right now, I am pretty sure I will vote for Senator McCain unless he selects Governor Romney to be his running mate. I know it is ugly to say because I have never met Governor Romney but I think he is the type politician who will say anything to anyone if he thinks it will benefit him. I think this because of his many changes in what he believes in and because he would consider running with Senator McCain after all the hurtful things he said about this patriot when he was running for president.

I can certainly see that most people posting here know a lot more about this than me and it appears that most people posting will disagree with me but I still think I have a choice between “good and gooder” for President this time.

By Devastator

August 25, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

The Democratic convention starts today, and my new running mate Joe Biden and I recorded a message about what we all need to do next.

When we started this campaign, very few people thought we would make it this far.

But we put our faith in the power of ordinary supporters like you coming together and building a movement for change from the bottom up. And that’s exactly why we’re here.

With only 10 weeks to go, now is the time to give again to support this campaign.

You joined this campaign because you’re ready for real change in this country.

Over the next four days, the Democratic convention will define what change means and highlight our differences with John McCain to every voter who’s tuning in.

We’ll show the change we will be bringing the country on the economy, health care, energy, foreign policy, and the issues that affect all Americans.

But make no mistake about what we’re up against. John McCain has embraced the same old politics of fear, division, and Karl Rove-style attacks — which makes sense coming from someone who’s voted with George Bush literally 95% of the time.

From the very beginning, this campaign has been in your hands. Now more than ever, we’re counting on you to see it through.

Watch the video Joe and I recorded and make a donation of $25 or more now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/messageofchange

Thank you,

Barack

By KnowItAll

August 25, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Well this link says it all.

Biden Hair Plugs EXPOSED!!

[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12760.html]

By Pick One!

August 25, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait till McCain picks Colin Powell as his VP - then this election will REALLY take off!

Can’t wait to see the race cards being played after that.

By Beavis

August 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Hey Nasty, uhhhh.. Like, those aren’t your brains, Dude. heh heh… heh heh….

By @@

August 25, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Does the VP matter?

Well Jim, normally I would say “No!” but from a strategical standpoint, this year it does indeed.

For months, the OBlahMa campaign has been saying that the issue most on America’s mind is the economy. What does OBlahMa do? He picks a candidate for his foreign policy experience. OBlahMa, The O’Bumbler has done it again.

McCain possesses the foreign policy experience. Now it’s time for him to pick a VP well-versed in the economic arena. Mitt Romney would be an excellent choice. Personable, attractive, humble and reserved in his delivery.

Game….

VP debates between Romney and Biden would offer some concern. Romney isn’t a cut-throat kinda guy — Joe is. Then again, the American voter is tired of the negativity. That’ll be all Biden can offer. He’s OBlahMa’s attack dog. Romney will come off as the nice guy who wants to offer solutions to what’s on America’s mind…….the economy.

Set….

One more thing! I voted for Bush in 2000 because, on the ticket with him, was a quiet, reserved brilliance found in the mind of Cheney.

OBlahMa has found himself a Biden who is eager to proclaim that he is brilliant in his own mind. “A dick” if you will.

Match!!!!!!!!!!

Dang, this is gonna be fun.

By tom ga hunter

August 25, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

Since I don’t like anyone running it’s hard to see how another person I don’t like will change anything.

By Ray

August 25, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Biden sort of reminds me of Howard Dean.

By Rufus

August 25, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

Now how long before we see the dimwitocrats start calling their own people religious fanatics? Yeah, like never. Hypocritical stoolpigeons.

DENVER - At the first official event Sunday of the Democratic National Convention, a choir belted out a gospel song and was followed by a rabbi reciting a Torah reading about forgiveness and the future.

Helen Prejean, the Catholic nun who wrote “Dead Man Walking,” assailed the death penalty and the use of torture.

Young Muslim women in headscarves sat near older African-American women in their finest Sunday hats.

Four years ago, such a scene would have been unthinkable at a Democratic National Convention. In 2004, there was one interfaith lunch at the Democratic gala in Boston.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

August 25, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Dear Will @ 10:38, “he is the type politician who will say anything to anyone if he thinks it will benefit him” - is there any other type?

Dear @@ @ 11:38, “VP debates between Romney and Biden would offer some concern. Romney isn’t a cut-throat kinda guy — Joe is.” I respectfully disagree in part – I think Romney can hold his own in a knife fight. As Joe was the primary character assassin in the Bork hearings, Mitt better be ready. Amusing, the Clintons decried the politics of personal destruction, and Obama, The Chosen One, brings to his ticket the one personal perhaps most responsible for the politics of personal destruction. So much for post-partisanship – mere words, or calculated doublespeak?

By buster brown

August 25, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

Ragnar…Romney might be able to hold his own in a knife fight! But, understand Biden will be carrying a 9mm Sig Sauer!

No competition…no contest…end of conversation!

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

August 25, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

One peculiar observation, the Saturday night “WSJ Report” television show went over several possible McCain VP choices, and they did not mention Mitt Romney. They mentioned Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Tim Pawlenty. Wonder if they know something? I don’t think they have an inside source at the McCain campaign, but they are pretty good analysts.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

August 25, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Dear Buster @ 12:01, “Biden will be carrying a 9mm Sig Sauer! No competition…no contest…end of conversation!” Hey, this is Biden we are talking about – there is no such thing as “end of conversation.”

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Mr Ragnar, You bring Judge Robert Bork to the forefront in your arguement against Joe Biden.

Wasn’t Robert Bork the waterboy for Nixon in carrying out Richard Nixon’s order to fire Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox after Elliot Richardson refused.

Much like Alberto Gonzales Robert Bork was nothing more than a yes man!

I applaud Joe Biden for doing what was right in dismissing this right wing fanatic!

By buster brown

August 25, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Ragnar Danneskjöld

Ragnar, the Wall Street Journal is addling your brain my friend!

Carly Fiorina…What has she ever done except be fired by Hewlett Packard? Meg Whitman? Who is she? Kay Bailey Hutchinson? Nothing more than a Back bench Texas Senator!

Next you’ll be predicting Dana Perino!

By Steve

August 25, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

It won’t matter since he will be disqualified for not being a US citizen. He was born in Kenya and his Hawaii birth certificate has been verified a forgery.

Can’t wait until this comes out!

By hotlanta

August 25, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Wooten you are gonna busta gut if Obama wins. How can McCain brag on experience when he has NEVER been President himself. If he has so much experience why is this country in a mess. I almost fell out when he said that he was sorry his first marriage ended. Did he go into details why. If he pulls the POW card one mo time I am gonna SCREAM!!!!!!

By hotlanta

August 25, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Wooten you are gonna busta gut if Obama wins. How can McCain brag on experience when he has NEVER been President himself. If he has so much experience why is this country in a mess. I almost fell out when he said that he was sorry his first marriage ended. Did he go into details why. If he pulls the POW card one mo time I am gonna SCREAM!!!!!!

By buster brown

August 25, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

At least Joe Biden can carry on an intelligent conversation..unlike the moron in chief who I assume you voted for in the last two elections!

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

By Steve 12:18 PM

Steve is this something you heard on Limbaugh or Boortz radio

If this is breaking news how about a source..I know, you don’t have one.

Made up nonsense!

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

August 25, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Dear Moonbeam Harry @ 12:08, Bork is/was the greatest constitutional mind of his generation, with apologies perhaps to Scalia, and maybe under some circumstances to Larry Tribe. You reveal nothing with your post other than your own ignorance.

Dear Buster @ 12:14, I will charitably assume you simply misread my post. My only forecast has been Romney. I was questioning whether the WSJ knows something we are all missing, in their notable omission of Romney from the “short” list. @ 12:22, let’s not get too enthusiastic with our adjectives there. We’ll agree that Biden can sustain a conversation, for hours, in an empty room.

By Newt

August 25, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

The average life expectancy for someone like McCain born in 1936 was 58.0 years for a white male, and today’s average for a baby born today is 77.8 years. The likelyhood of his age catching up with him in office is enormous.

Given the real possibility that he will either die or be incapacitated due to an age-related illness, the Vice-President he picks makes all the difference as he could easily be our next President.

As the Constitution allows someone to serve no more than 10 years as President, the GOP could have this VP as President for more than 2 full terms if they pick a real winner and not another Cheney.

Statistically, I am not expecting a 73 year old man at the time of innaguration to make it a complete term, especailly not one who claims to have been tortured mercellously in excess of 2 years.

As far as the GOP goes, I’m voting based on the VP pick.

By Copyleft

August 25, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Rufus, do you have a problem with Democratic Party embracing SANE people of faith, and distinguishing them from the evangelical nuts that regularly flock to the GOP (no matter how badly they’re ignored and abused for it)?

By ron

August 25, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

The choice for VP has never affected my vote.I have always voted for the Presidential candidate.America has been fortunate in it’s VP’S.When they were needed they rose to the occasion.

This year a VP. candidate is runniong who is more qualified than the Presidential candidate.How did we get to this juncture?

By Hillbilly Deluxe

August 25, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

A VP choice doesn’t really matter to me unless they have some really awful indiscretion in their past. If you look at Obama’s advisors they are just the same ol’ Democratic retreads. If you look at McCain’s advisors they are just the same ol’ Republican retreads. I don’t see much changing after the election. Maybe we should go back to the way it was at the beginning. Whoever comes in second in the Presidential vote becomes the VP.

Saw a thing on TV this weekend about how the checkoff on your 1040 pays for the political conventions. (One of the 24 hr news channels. Forget which one.)Given the current primary systems, conventions are basically irrelevant now. Looks like another waste of tax dollars to me.

By @@

August 25, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Ragnar ?:

I do so prefer meeting you in the light of day. (ISH)

I respectfully disagree in part

What part? If Mitt could deliver like Cheney did in his VP debates, he would cut deep with his intellectual edge.

I really didn’t get to see as much of Romney as I would have liked in the primaries.

The way I view it, Joe was picked for three reasons, aside from OBlahMa’s lack of confidence in his poll showings. In the order of need:

I’m trying to imagine a strategy that the dems would launch against Romney. Polls have shown that the majority of Americans expect flip flops. Romney’s done some of that as have the other candidates.

I can’t think of any unless it’s his wealth; something that most people don’t frown upon, but liberals will promote it as an unforgivable sin.

So let’s go onto his faith, shall we? The Mormon faith of today promotes family, education, traditional values, strong work ethics, civic duties/responsibilities. Nothing wrong with those.

As they did in the primaries, liberals could attack Mormons on their past segregation issues. Pull the race card in other words. That’s being frowned upon these days.

What else? Romney’s healthcare plan in Massachusetts? They’d be shooting themselves in the foot with that one.

I’m strategizing here. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

That reminds me, I’ve gotta check in over at Stratfor to see how global strategies are unfolding. Luv my Stratfor.

By Curious Observer

August 25, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Bet the ranch that McCain is burning up the wires, trying to talk Condi Rice into being his running mate. The alternative is Romney, whom McCain detests.

By Steve

August 25, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Dirty Harry, i don’t listen to Boortz or Limbaugh. I do however read ALL the news.

“A prominent Philadelphia attorney and Hillary Clinton supporter filed suit yesterday afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic National Committee and the Federal Election Commission. The action seeks an injunction preventing the senator from continuing his candidacy and a court order enjoining the DNC from nominating him next week, all on grounds that Sen. Obama is constitutionally ineligible to run for and hold the office of President of the United States.

Phillip Berg, the filing attorney, is a former gubernatorial and senatorial candidate, former chair of the Democratic Party in Montgomery (PA) County, former member of the Democratic State Committee, and former Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania. According to Berg, he filed the suit—just days before the DNC is to hold its nominating convention in Denver—for the health of the Democratic Party. “I filed this action at this time,” Berg stated, “to avoid the obvious problems that will occur when the Republican Party raises these issues after Obama is nominated.”.

Berg cited a number of unanswered questions regarding the Illinois senator’s background, and in today’s lawsuit maintained that Sen. Obama is not a natural born U.S. citizen or that, if he ever was, he lost his citizenship when he was adopted in Indonesia. Berg also cites what he calls “dual loyalties” due to his citizenship and ties with Kenya and Indonesia.

Even if Sen. Obama can prove his U.S. citizenship, Berg stated, citing the senator’s use of a birth certificate from the state of Hawaii verified as a forgery by three independent document forensic experts, the issue of “multi-citizenship with responsibilities owed to and allegiance to other countries” remains on the table.

In the lawsuit, Berg states that Sen. Obama was born in Kenya, and not in Hawaii as the senator maintains. Before giving birth, according to the lawsuit, Obama’s mother traveled to Kenya with his father but was prevented from flying back to Hawaii because of the late stage of her pregnancy, “apparently a normal restriction to avoid births during a flight.” As Sen. Obama’s own paternal grandmother, half-brother and half-sister have also claimed, Berg maintains that Stanley Ann Dunham—Obama’s mother—gave birth to little Barack in Kenya and subsequently flew to Hawaii to register the birth.”

By Maniac is accurate

August 25, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Carly Fiorina is brilliant and … sorry … can’t … he … help … myself … HOT!

By buster brown

August 25, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

Ragnar, You don’t have to be charitable!

Is this not what you wrote?

“One peculiar observation, the Saturday night “WSJ Report” television show went over several possible McCain VP choices, and they did not mention Mitt Romney. They mentioned Carly Fiorina, Meg Whitman, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Tim Pawlenty. Wonder if they know something? I don’t think they have an inside source at the McCain campaign, but they are pretty good analysts.”

I didn’t misread anything!

I simply stated why in the world would you bring these LOSERS up? Because the WSJ says so?

None of these people have any..None..Nothing..Nada..Zilch to bring to the table as a VP candidate. In fact I could guarantee you 95% of the American public have never heard of them!

Dana Perino..Maybe!

By GMAN

August 25, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Get your daddy and grand daddy to pull a few strings to get you in school, finish near the bottom of your graduating class, crash a few government issued planes, get shot down because your too incompetent to follow instructions, give vital information to the enemy, come home and cheat on your cancer strikened wife and divorce her while she’s ill, marry a rich young Jezebel, run for the Senate, and lose your mind and your backbone. Now that’s the kind of man I’d vote for! NOT!

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

Before I proceed I would like to announce that @@ would like to meet you in a daylight setting…I guess that two bit motel in the eleventh hour did not sit well with @@. Man or woman RAGNAR?

As for your Robert Bork comment..

Who says “he was one of the greatest constitutional minds of his generation, with apologies perhaps to Scalia?” YOU?

Well, fortunately, in some cases we have a judiciary committee. In the Bork case we were served well, in the Gonzales, Mukasey hearings we weren’t! Yes men who do the their masters bidding…

Kind of like you and @@!

Now off to see the light of day..

By hotlanta

August 25, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Wooten why hasn’t those die hard Clinton supporters written a check to pay off her campaign debt. Putting Hiliary in office just because she is a woman especially a white women is just as bad as voting as Barack because he is black. But they don’t consider themselves as racist and sexist in their analogy. Thet are gonna go to blows at the convention this week. Barak doesn’t need the Biliary effect.

By hotlanta

August 25, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Wooten why hasn’t those die hard Clinton supporters written a check to pay off her campaign debt. Putting Hiliary in office just because she is a woman especially a white women is just as bad as voting as Barack because he is black. But they don’t consider themselves as racist and sexist in their analogy. Thet are gonna go to blows at the convention this week. Barak doesn’t need the Biliary effect.

By @@

August 25, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

You “dirty dog”, that were a good’n! but…….

I am not surprised you missed the point.

You’ve been around long enough Dirty……a favorite pastime of @@’s is NOT intellectual seedlings such as yourself, but the seeds of wisdom implanted………

Where?

Thanks for the laugh, but you appear to be in the dark.

By John F

August 25, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I was watching the tube the other day and all of a sudden McCain appears in a commercial..the background is dark, the music is something you would slit your wrist to, and John McCain looks like the old dinosaur he is. I’m thinking, Gee…Obama is already starting with a negative advertisement.

And then it occurs to me that the ad isn’t from Obama, but it’s an actual ad ad FOR McCain.

By ncgreybr

August 25, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

Guess I have a couple of questions…even IF Obama was born in Kenya, his mother IS and AMerican citizen, diesn’t that automatically make him an American citizen? If NOT, well…McCain was born in Panama to Amercian parents. I guess he’s not a citizen either.

The back to Wooten…Guess ya gotta love him in spite of himself! If Obama picks someone qualified, it’s because Obama not confident. If Obama picks someone not qualified, it’s because Obama’s too confident. As they said in “Littlest W******* in Texas”: “I feel like a dog in heat. If I run, I get bit in the a* and if I stand still, I get fu@@ed”.

By ncgreybr

August 25, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Guess I have a couple of questions…even IF Obama was born in Kenya, his mother IS and AMerican citizen, diesn’t that automatically make him an American citizen? If NOT, well…McCain was born in Panama to Amercian parents. I guess he’s not a citizen either.

The back to Wooten…Guess ya gotta love him in spite of himself! If Obama picks someone qualified, it’s because Obama not confident. If Obama picks someone not qualified, it’s because Obama’s too confident. As they said in “Best Little W******* in Texas”: “I feel like a dog in heat. If I run, I get bit in the a* and if I stand still, I get fu@@ed”.

By Please...

August 25, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

I’m leaning toward McCain, but I hope he doesn’t pick Romney. Romney just about put me to sleep during the short time he was in the primary race. I don’t think I can stand 2 additional months of “we’re going for the gold” metaphors. Someone call Sen McCain and ask him to PLEASE pick someone that will keep us awake…

By hotlanta

August 25, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Word to Hiliary. Being married to the President doesn’t give you EXPERIENCE. She is only in NY because she got the sympathy votes. She ran a bad campaign where the workers didn’t even have INSURANCE but yet she said that she can get everyone of us insurance. I also read that someone said that Obama should get angry. He knows that is the kiss of death as being an ANGRY black man. I can see some ole white woman on television know saying “she felt threatened by Obama” and it will all be over with.

By hotlanta

August 25, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Word to Hiliary. Being married to the President doesn’t give you EXPERIENCE. She is only in NY because she got the sympathy votes. She ran a bad campaign where the workers didn’t even have INSURANCE but yet she said that she can get everyone of us insurance. I also read that someone said that Obama should get angry. He knows that is the kiss of death as being an ANGRY black man. I can see some ole white woman on television know saying “she felt threatened by Obama” and it will all be over with.

By Steve

August 25, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

McCain was born in Panama on an American Naval Base.

The Supreme Court has held that the children of military and Foreign Service personnel stationed abroad are considered natural-born.

The Constitution lays out three eligibility requirements for presidential candidates. A candidate must be at least 35 years old, a resident of the United States for at least 14 years, and must be a “natural-born citizen.”

Citing the Constitution, Obama does not qualify and will be disqualified in the courts.

By tom ga hunter

August 25, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Cheney

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Sorry @@ couldn’t help myself!

The set-up was perfect.

By Jim is an ostrich

August 25, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Steve, being born to an American citizen makes you a natural born citizen. It doesn’t mean on American soil.

By @@

August 25, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

ncgreybr:

Can’t address OBlahMa’s citizenship, but when a child is born on a US base with one or more American parents the parent(s) must file all applicable paperwork with the US embassy to get the child’s American citizenship recognized. Only American citizens can file that document with the US embassy.

You can bet McCain’s Dad, an Admiral in the U.S. Navy, had the intelligence to see to the details of John’s citizenship.

Not sure about OBlahMa’s mom…….she was a liberal after all.

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Steve..

You read ALL the news?

Then please tell me from which NEWS source did you capture the little ditty you printed at 12:48 and who is this prominent Philadelphia attorney?

@@.. @1:30 PM… In the dark? About what…Robert Bork?

I don’t think so.

By ncgreybr

August 25, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

By @@; “Not sure about OBlahMa’s mom…….she was a liberal after all.”

Hate to break it to you but liberals are intelligent Americans too…isn’t that what you complain about when you talk about the elitists?

By Steve

August 25, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Both parents must be an American citizen if the birth is abroad. The law applying to one parent didn’t go into effect until 1986.

Besides that, he was adopted in Indonesia effectively losing any citizenship he might have fraudulently had.

Get your facts straight.

By buster brown

August 25, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

I hate to tell you this STEVE but you are boring!

I think most people here know what it takes to be a citizen.

Now what is your point…EXACTLY!

By Copyleft

August 25, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Don’t bother responding to the “not a citizen” lies, folks; show as much class as President Obama when confronted with bigoted stupidity like this.

Of course Obama’s a citizen; his birth in Hawaii is a matter of public record, and accusations that his birth certificate was “forged” are so much unsubstantiated nonsense, just like the “closet Muslim” hysteria was.

Take heart, America; the Republicans are resorting to such desperate tactics because they know they’re doomed.

It’s great to be a REAL American, and not a pathetic cowardly loser Republican!

By @@

August 25, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Dirty:

In the dark? About what

Follow the “daylight”, then you will see.

ncgreybr:

isn’t that what you complain about when you talk about the elitists?

Absolutely NOT!!!!!!!!

Has nothing to do with intelligence, as I have often posted.

Now that the rain has stopped, I’m off to the market fellas……..put your brains to better use.

I’ll be lookin’ at turnips and thinking of you.

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

DUSTY aka @@ @ 2:30 PM

Are we playing Alice in Wonderland or are we off to see the Wizard?

As usual you twirl like a top. Maybe you are the riddler..think Batman!

By the way how was that two bit motel, and plastic cup of wine ole JBM law aka Ragnar offered up?

By Steve

August 25, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Dirty Harry, if you read my post you wouldn’t have to ask who the attorney was.

Buster Boy, boring is when you don’t want to hear the truth.

My point on this topic is the VP choice won’t matter when he gets disqualified.

By Dusty

August 25, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Does the VP matter?

In Obama’s case, NO..No matter whom the VP is, you would STILL have Obama as president. There is no human that can offset that catastrophe.

Now if you are willing to ignore a fatherless background with a communist mother, growth years in a Muslim school, alcohol and drug abuse, public experience as a “community organizer”, anti-American friends and a wife unhappy with America,a few more years experience in Congress than teenage “page boys”, then Obama is your man. An intelligent man for sure (so was the Unabomber and others) and a fairly good speaker with a teleprompter.

And… yes, the charisma!! Yeah, let’s all vote for Obama becasue HE HAS CHARISMA!!! And Mickey Mouse for VP as he too has CHARM!! Woohoo, Washington will turn into Disney World. We can all coast along as a world leader on Obama’s charisma. I can see it now..the United States of Charisma.

By BPJ

August 25, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Here are several reasons why the VP matters: John Tyler, Andrew Johnson, Chester Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, and Gerald Ford - men who became President on the death or resignation of the incumbent. We could add to that the VPs who later were elected President: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Van Buren, Richard Nixon, and George H. W. Bush (and almost Al Gore). Not to mention running mates of losing candidates who went on to win the Presidency later, such as FDR. So yes, it matters.

I was already for Obama, but I like the Biden choice - presidents are too often surrounded by yes-men, and Biden is definitely his own man and will tell Obama what he thinks in no uncertain terms.

As for the argument that choosing a longtime Senator like Biden somehow undercuts Obama’s argument for “change”: Obama has never argued that having experience is a bad thing; learning the wrong lessons from that experience is the problem for McCain. The change we need is not to throw out everyone in DC with experience; it is to throw out the ones who would have us continue the wrong policies.

It was fascinating to read the comment earlier about Cheney’s “quiet brilliance”. Well, if you want more of Cheney’s (very) quiet brilliance, vote McCain, because on foreign policy there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between these two neo-conservatives.

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

By Steve

August 25, 2008 2:41

Oh yeah…right STEVE that illustrious Philip Berg..SORRY!

By the way STEVE I have some ocean front property in Snellville..I can cut you in for a fraction of what everyone else is paying.

What do you say…Sport?

By Dusty trails

August 25, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Yay, Dusty is back. let the idiotic ranting begin. Drug and alcohol abuse, communist mother, growth years in a Muslim school… sounds like someone took the bait hook, line and sinker. So sad, yet so predictable.

By Blog Police

August 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

Does the VP matter? Two words: Dan Quayle.

George Sr. still got elected.

McCain 08: Sometimes cold potatoe soup is what you need.

By Steve

August 25, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Yes, this Phillip Berg:

“Former gubernatorial and senatorial candidate, former chair of the Democratic Party in Montgomery (PA) County, former member of the Democratic State Committee, and former Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania”

I’ll let the courts decide Harry, but will you?

By Dusty

August 25, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Dusty trails@2:56

Dear child, you “trail” behind in a lot of things. So eat my dust.

Democrats took the “hook, line and sinker” straight from the bottom and presented us with the flip flopping misfit known as Obama.

Makes a nice speech, Uh huh.. Gives a good handshake…un huh…nice smile..uh huh..so does the greeter at WalMart but I don’t want him for president.

Thank a lot, lil’ lib…

By dirty harry

August 25, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

STEVIE…How about the ocean front property ?? it’s going fast!

By GayGrayGeek

August 25, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Dusty - AFEES, dear, AFEES. AFEES, or STFU.

By Blog Police

August 25, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Is W correct about our troops dying in vain if we agree to a surrender timetable and let the terrorists win? I wonder why he capitulated? Does this make W a surrender monkey?

BTW: What WAS the mission of US troops in Iraq? Nobody ever answered me. I guess there wasn’t enough time, eh? Oh well. La dee da. Off to Afghanistan and we’ll surrender there too. If W is to be believed. Strange world!

Is W’s last act as President to offer AMNESTY to all Al Queda sleeper cells in the USA?

Epitaph of the Bush Administration: Surrender Monkeys See, Surrender Monkeys Do.

ISAIDSURRENDERMONKEYS!!!

By mm

August 25, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Steve,

Aren’t you the idiot from 2 weeks ago that claimed that Obama took campaign contributions from foreigners when in actuality it turned out to be McCain?

And he had to return the money.

Drink that koolaid.

Dusty,

You should really find a better way to spend your time. Repeating the lies from Rush and friends really shows how uneducated and gullible you are.

Oh, wait. That defines all wingnuts.

Land of no freedom and home of the ignorant.

By Blog Police

August 25, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

What WAS the mission of US troops in Iraq, now that Bush has agreed to a surrender monkey timetable, where the terrorists won, and Bush even said that our troops will have died in vain with this thing, I mean, he said that over and over for five years, and even Wooten wrote about 50 articles declaring the exact same thing, so Wooten, did our troops die in vain, and is bush a surrender monkey, and did the terrorists win?

Your words, not mine, sir.

By Steve

August 25, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

MM: No, not the same Steve.

Harry: Snellville, that’s where your from? Enough said. That’s your answer to these facts? Childish don’t you think?

By Dusty trails

August 25, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Good comeback, Dusty. That’s telling us. The Republican intellect at work, folks. Rehash old, disproved lies, then attack the folks who point out your pathetic mistatements. Well done, Dustforbrains.

By Blog Police

August 25, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

A vote for McC