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DEL.ICIO.USThe McCain we need to see tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s the final Presidential debate of the season tonight and John McCain needs to take the gloves off.
It’s high risk. He’s down as much as 14 percentage points nationally in the latest CBS/New York Times poll (53-39) and as little as 3 and 4 points in two others.
The townhall-meeting debate was a snoozer and gave undecided voters no real reason to vote for either candidate. Independents are split roughly down the middle. That advantages Barack Obama, since registered Democrats outnumber Republicans.
The problem for McCain tonight is that he has to develop a strategy and stick to it. Importantly, he has to make the case that he’s better prepared to deal with economic issues, something beyond cracking down on earmarks, and that he is the outsider who can change the culture in Washington. It would be a good night, too, to announce that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will join his administration as Treasury Secretary.
It’s a good time to remind voters of — or more precisely, introduce them to — Herbert Hoover, a Republican who occupied the White House during the 1929 stock market crash, which ushered in the Depression. “The last president to raise taxes and restrict trade in a bad economy as Sen. Obama proposes was Herbert Hoover,” McCain said earlier this week. “That didn’t turn out too well. They say those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. Well, my friends, I know my history lessons, and I sure won’t make the mistakes Sen. Obama will.”
That’s the stuff. This debate needs some pizzazz. McCain, during the weeks of the financial crisis, has often sounded like the warm-up act for the Democratic agenda, including lines such as this: “We cannot spend the next four years as we have spent much of the last eight: waiting for our luck to change” He should leave that material on the campaign bus.
McCain’s reputation is as a fighter. That’s the John McCain who needs to show up tonight.
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Comments
By Republicans R Crooks
October 15, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
I would like to see McCancerFace have a stroke on stage, in real time….
By Churchill's Mom
October 15, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Jim what’s this McCain stuff? How about some coverage of our girl & the first Dude.
Can Palin Broaden Base for 2012? It’s not that I assume that Barack Obama is going to be the next president of the United States (in fact, I anticipate a furious charge from a devil-may-care John McCain in the next 21 days).
But when conservative columnist William Kristol is urging the Republican presidential nominee to divest himself of an operationally incompetent and strategically incoherent campaign apparatus, then perhaps we can at least take a peek, a look-see, at a future in which a Democrat runs the country. Which Republicans might be challenging President Obama in 2012?
In terms of 2008 aspirants we can say that McCain and Fred Thompson will be too old. Rudy Giuliani too strategically incoherent. That leaves the following (with apologies to Tancredo, Brownback, Hunter, Paul and Keyes):
Sarah Palin: If the governor of Alaska wants to run for the White House then she is going to have to spend every day of the next four years systematically rehabilitating her public image. In return for the honor of being selected by that other Maverick, Palin has been rewarded with the widespread perception that she is a dim-wit, dishonest, an abuser of power, and a religious zealot.
Similar charges were leveled at Dan Quayle in 1988, another politician who went from total obscurity to the Most Detested Person in Liberal America in a matter of seconds (I seem to recall a headline in The Village Voice: “Bush flips America the Bird!”). But at least he actually got to be vice-President.
What Palin does bring to the table and what may make her attractive to GOP kingmakers is her ability to “energize the base.” By “base” we mean White Conservative Evangelicals. And if reports from the field are accurate, then the base isn’t only energized by her, but short-circuiting. Her crowds are huge and their shout-outs are becoming increasingly inflammatory. (Incidentally, an Evangelical pastor yesterday correlated Obama’s followers with worshippers of non-Christian gods).
It will be interesting to see what type of campaign Palin would run when unencumbered by McCain’s handlers (who did not, I think, do her any favors in the last six weeks). If she strikes populist Christian themes and plays on her small-town appeal then that should be of concern to… . .
Mike Huckabee: I have gone to great pains to point out that the base did not—I repeat, did not—necessarily get overheated for the former governor of Arkansas. In his 2012 incarnation Huck must secure Evangelical support earlier and more often. Palin will be winking at them as well and the mind races at the thought of these two cudgeling one another for a share of the same demographic in Iowa (Chuck Norris, meet the First Dude. First Dude. Chuck).
But if there is one thing we are learning in this election season it is that White Evangelicals are less of an electoral force than they were four years ago. The leadership is in flux. Issues beyond abortion and gays interest them. A younger generation is rising.
A weakened—more precisely, a fractured—Evangelical base signals the possible re-emergence of that other GOP base composed of Free Marketeers, daredevil de-regulators, the pro-Big Business faction, and the anti-tax brigades, among others. It may also a signal an opportunity for ….
Mitt Romney: If McCain loses, it seems safe to say that it was the stupid economy that did him in. Had Romney been selected as his running mate in 2008 he could have addressed this issue with more authority than both Mavericks combined.
But let us not forget that Romney himself pandered to the conservative Christian base (which he fought Huckabee for in some sort of mutual annihilation pact). He proclaimed himself an “evangelical Mormon.” He flip-flopped on abortion. He thumped Bible. He lambasted secularists. In short, Mitt Romney ran as a Culture Warrior—a role he was not suited to play.
If Palin, Romney and Huckabee do run in 2012 they will have to learn one crucial lesson from 2008: culture warfare is not enough. Put differently, they will need to play to the bases. To win a presidential election it takes more than faith.
By Ga Values
October 15, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
I think McCain should announce a Cabinet, especially if he’s going to fire Paulson. I hope it isn’t all over but things don’t look good.
I will be taking pledges for WABE this afternoon, please give us a call, WABE is a true treasure in Atlanta.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. I am not favorably impressed by performance art generally. I believe these political debates are not underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts and are thus unlikely to feature young naked women rolling in chocolate, so I’ll watch the baseball game instead, if I turn on the television at all.
That said, I am broadly in agreement with Jim’s core argument – McCain does not win this election by being “leftist-lite.” So far, that is what he is. If we did not suffer an economics-challenged candidate, the obvious winning strategy would be to note the effect of democrat policies in the genesis of the collapse of FNMA and FHLMC, and thus the direct effect of democrat policies on taxpayers. I voted for the running mate, Magna Sarah, and against Chauncey the Marxist – I hope Captain Queeg does not take my vote as endorsement of his politics or world view generally.
Good news internationally this morning – the conservatives strengthened their control in Canada in yesterday’s elections. Canada, France, Germany and Italy have all turned conservative during the Bush administration, and most forecasts say UK will at the next election. Libya renounced terrorism, and Iraq is now a comparatively peaceful democracy. India is freer, although still excessively bureaucratic. China is freer, if not yet free enough. Not a bad legacy when the rest of the world’s countries want to be more like yours. Only Russia seems to think more government control is a good idea. Well, Russia and the US democrats.
Not entirely unrelated, I noticed that the world oil price is responding as I said (in this space) it would a few months ago. The US removes all government restrictions against drilling off-shore, and the world price plunges to half where it was when the restrictions were in place. If, as we all expect, the democrats restore the government prohibitions, the price will restore its previous record levels – that always happens when governments act to inhibit free markets. Some moonbat will demand that I explain, for the fifth time, why the market acts that way. I will, again, if they ask nicely.
Dr. Williams offers an interesting argument in favor of increasing the number in the US House of Representatives, by approximately ten fold. There may be some merit to the idea of 7,000 members of the House. Be tougher to pass legislation creating new layers of government, or restricting freedom of commerce. Need to abolish Congressional pensions first, though.
Taranto funny from yesterday, mocking the cultists, labeled “And if They Hit ‘Ignore,’ They’d Be Accused of Racism. Thanks to several readers, we think we’ve figured out how officials in Rensselaer County, N.Y., rendered Barack Obama’s last name as “Osama.” It’s the same thing that tripped up Dan Rather: Microsoft Word. Some versions of this software—including the one we use, Word 2002—do not recognize “Obama” when doing a spell-check, and suggest “Osama” as a correction. This almost certainly means the person responsible was a Democrat. After all, who else would see “Obama” and reflexively respond by clicking “Change”?”
By Copyleft
October 15, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
“Take the gloves off”? Seriously? That’s your suggestions?
What do you consider the endless parade of low blows, cheap shots, and mudslinging his campaign HAS been resorting to these past few months?
All McLame has to offer is complaints and insults. He has nothing else to work with! And it’s not even working for him. With every dirty trick, his own stock falls even further.
And you’re seriously suggesting he needs to stoop even LOWER??? Truly, the inferior fascist mind at work is a wonder to behold.
Well, who am I to object? Watching McCain dig his own grave is enjoyable enough, but seeing the fascist fanatics urge him to switch to a steam shovel is even better.
By Mrs. Godzilla
October 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Good luck with that…….
By TN Gelding
October 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
What about announcing the “lovely Sarah” has returned to the lost frontier to care for her brood and gouge the oil companies, and will be replaced by Mitt? I think that might have a little more impact. McCain and Palin have been able to admit the last 7 years, 8 months and 26 days have been a disaster. Why can’t you?
In any event, it might be too late.
By Maniac is accurate
October 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
“I would like to see McCancerFace have a stroke on stage, in real time….”
That right there gives me the motivation to not return here until after Jan. 20. Thanks for making it easy. A Democrat at his/her classy, disgusting best. See you all next year.
By Peter
October 15, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Poor Jim talking about the GREAT Depression…… well with Bush and the Republican’s in charge we have a Recession so far……..
The Great Depression will be on November 5th……..then Jim and all the Lemmings can double up on their Meds.
By the Way……..
Do you folks think Sarah Palin wears Pumps when she is in a Helicopter shooting defenseless Wolves and Bears ?
By Peter
October 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Well Folks…..it seems the Bush administration HAS been IN BED with the OIL Industry….
Gosh who would have guessed it…????????
HONOLULU, Hawaii (CNN) — Bobby Maxwell kept a close eye on the oil industry for more than 20 years as a government auditor. But he said the federal agency he worked for is now a “cult of corruption” — a claim backed up by a recent government report.
Bobby Maxwell, a long-time auditor of the oil industry, says his former agency is corrupt “top to bottom.”
When asked why a government worker would tell an auditor not to investigate, he said: “I believe it started from the top down,” he said.
Shell Oil told CNN it “pays the same rate any shipper does” and that it has “never engaged in fraudulent transactions or entered into sham contracts as Mr. Maxwell alleges.”
Maxwell, a registered independent, said the shift in attitude at the agency began about seven or eight years ago, about the time the Bush administration came into power. He said he was discouraged from aggressively auditing oil companies.
“Laws and regulations were not applied, also not enforced,” he said.
The inspector general’s 27-page summary says that nearly a third of the roughly 60 people in Maxwell’s former office received gifts and gratuities from oil industry executives.
Two received improper, if not illegal, gifts at least 135 times, the report says. It goes on to describe a wild atmosphere in which some staff members admitted using cocaine and marijuana.
In addition, two female workers at the Minerals Management Service were known as the “MMS chicks” and both told investigators they had sex with oil industry officials they were supposed to be auditing.
Gee Jim……….. Republican’s Helping themselves AS USUAL !
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Dear Maniac @ 9:36, if we surrender, the terrorists win.
By Shrugging Atlas
October 15, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
I love how Jim suggests to leave the truth on the bus. What else would you have him leave on there as well? The fact that he released an ad hours before the last debate claiming victory? The fact that he said the war would be quick and that we would be greated as liberators? The fact that he jokes about bombing Iran? The fact that he has voted 95% of the time with Bush? The fact that his contiuned support for deregulation has help cause the problems we face today? Would you have him leave the issues on the bus as well and continue his backfiring attempt at character assassination? What a joke. Another day and another new low for Jim and the gang. Now let the tired old Ragnar and the lost Dusty come to Jim’s defense.
By deegee
October 15, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
“It’s a good time to remind voters of — or more precisely, introduce them to — Herbert Hoover, a Republican who occupied the White House during the 1929 stock market crash, which ushered in the Depression.”
Sure, then watch the enthusiasm meter peg sharply downward like the DJIA trend line over the last 2 weeks.
“and that he is the outsider who can change the culture in Washington. “
Are you kidding me?
“It would be a good night, too, to announce that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will join his administration as Treasury Secretary.”
Why would you want to remind the base that they screwed up by voting for McChange, and that McChange screwed up by selecting Palin as a running mate?
“They say those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.”
We can all agree on that. Remember the Keating 5 and the Resolution Trust Company?
By Southern Democrat
October 15, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
I must respectfully disagree with my good friend Jbmlaw’s factual assertions @ 9:27. First, ‘tis a bit disingenous to compare “conservative” governments in France, Germany, Italy, and Canada to conservatives in the U.S. The “conservative” governments there are only slightly less liberal than the Democratic party here. The current GOP is viewed by most Western democracies as an ultra-conservative, almost reactionary movement. The assertions also hide the ball regarding the complete rejection of U.S. foreign policy by many of its staunchest allies, notably Australia.
Further, on the most basic 5th grade social studies level, Iraq is actually a theocratic republic and nowhere near a democracy as, according to its constitution, all laws must comport with Islam (Article 2 of the Constitution).
Finally, regarding Mr. Wooten’s article, the fact remains that U.S. voters were turned off by Senator McCain’s negative shift and comparable lack of solid policy ideas to Senator Obama have swayed a lot of independent voters. I fear that Senator Maverick received the worst advice at the critical time; at a point where ordinary Americans craved sensible, tangible plans and ideas, they were offered epithets and William Ayres conspiracy theories.
By pj
October 15, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Sen. McCain needs to stick to the issues that are increasingly upsetting our country. Be it the economy, national security, govt spending, terrorism, etc…
What he needs to stay away from are the unfounded personal attacks. He only makes himself sound as desperate as he appears. Especially the comments that make his supports scream for his opponent’s head. I truly believe that although the Secret Service is above politics that they need to step in now and put a stop to this egging on. If any other citizen riled up the crazes of the world against anyone they were protecting like, McCain is doing againt Obama, they would put some kind of halt to this activity.
By Davo
October 15, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Pizzazz? That the best you got JW?
Here’s my advice…smile graciously when Obama hands your a* to you.
By getalife
October 15, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
A fighter?
HahahaLOL.
Too funny.
w’s BFF.
By Redneck Convert
October 15, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Well, old man McCain may be down 14 points but the reason is because the good White people won’t tell the pollsters the truth. They will say they’ll vote for Obama or McCain but when push comes to shove they’ll get in that voting booth and hear their Daddy’s voice saying Boy, don’t you never vote for no nigra or I’ll come back and haunt you from the grave. And they’ll punch the button for McCain and the godly Republicans will have another 8 yrs. in the White House. And they’ll go back out to their car and set awhile and bow their head and say I was true to you, Daddy, and I done what you taught me to do. This is GA, not some yankee state where they talk about this equal rights junk.
Anyhow, there ain’t been enough time for Trickle Down to work. It takes more than 8 years for the people at the top to get sick of running into mountains of money from the tax cuts and start spending some of it so the little people can start making some. People got no patients these days.
Leastwise I know old man McCain got 3 votes from my trailer. I went up to Rome and early voted up there and then I come back to Forsyth County and early voted there. And I filled out the missus absentee ballot for her on account of she can’t read and I mailed it in. We got to keep Fambly Values in this country or we will be all lost and go into a depression and have abortions on every corner and kill a whole bunch of stems to find a cure for some godless diseases.
So get out there and vote Republican for all you are worth. Even if you are a moran you can still vote Republican. Just look at Sister Dusty. She don’t let a little feeble mindedness get in the way of doing her Patriotic Duty.
And have a good day everybody.
By Jason
October 15, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
I’m surprised no one has mentioned McCain’s ties to Saddam Hussein. He named William Timmons head of his presidential transition team. Following the first Gulf War, Timmons was a lobbyist for Hussein. His co-workers were convicted of federal charges that they acted as unregistered agents of Hussein’s regime. Just who is John McCain, and what’s he doing hiring terrorists?
By getalife
October 15, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Obama set him up by calling him a coward for not saying anything about Ayers in the last debate.
Obama will counter with Liddy, Keating, and Timmons, the lobbyist for Saddam.
Should fun to watch this knockout.
By DebbieDoRight
October 15, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
How is McCain an outsider? He’s been in Washington 20+ years!! He HELPED to make this bureaucratic nightmare!!
By Steve
October 15, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
October Surprise Coming.
Berg vs Obama = McCain
By findog
October 15, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Jim,
Now I am totally confused. I understood RNC doctrine to be that is was precisely President Hoover’s actions, and not FDR’s meddling, that restored our nation after we paid the price due for the roaring 20’s.
What would be a total hallelujah moment would be for McCain to get up and say, “the taxation levels of the Clinton era lead to the first balanced budget since my time in Hanoi and the US finally paying off some of the deficit. My friends I do not like taxes anymore than the rest of you but that drunk fly boy and K-street have run up our American Express card with China to the max and we must increase taxes and reduce spending to get out of this crisis. I am the only stop gap between tax and spend and tax and pay off the nations mortgage of our children’s futures.”
Now that would get every deficit hawk, Reagan Democrat, and kitchen table budgeteer to rethink McCain’s essential grasp of the depth of our national financial crisis.
By Ga Values
October 15, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Ragnar Danneskjöld 9:27 AM
“Not entirely unrelated, I noticed that the world oil price is responding as I said (in this space) it would a few months ago. The US removes all government restrictions against drilling off-shore, and the world price plunges to half where it was when the restrictions were in place. If, as we all expect, the democrats restore the government prohibitions, the price will restore its previous record levels – that always happens when governments act to inhibit free markets. Some moonbat will demand that I explain, for the fifth time, why the market acts that way. I will, again, if they ask nicely.”
Started drinking a little early today or have you not stopped from last night. But, It’s a good idea, think I’ll have lunch at the Pink Pony.. Call in your pledges to WABE this afternoon
By deegee
October 15, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Gee, wonder why there is no mention of the elimination of the ban on US offshore drilling as a contributing factor in the drop in the price of a barrel of crude????
“The price of oil slumped below 72 dollars on Wednesday, its lowest level for more than 13 months, as recession fears raised concerns about a prolonged drop in energy demand, analysts said.
The global financial crisis will give a vicious twist to an economic slowdown and is hitting world demand for oil, although the effect on emerging economies is unclear, OPEC said on Wednesday.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries slashed its estimate of growth in demand this year and shaved its estimate for 2009, largely because of an “excessive” easing of demand in the United States, the single biggest energy market.
Prices also fell Wednesday on news that a Nigerian court has ordered Anglo-Dutch energy giant Royal Dutch Shell to hand over land to locals, a key demand of armed rebels camped in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.”
By angrybob
October 15, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
WOW!!!! YOU PEOPLE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS. Meaning CHURCHILL’S MOM. It’s a BLOG not a BOOK, geez leave other people some room freak!!! And as for John Mccain he’s screwed and America is full of SUCKERS!!! GO AHEAD AND ELECT A TERRORIST THAT WON’T EVEN SALUTE YOUR FLAG AND SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT. GOOD JOB AMERICA!!!!!
By staying home '08
October 15, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
OK, I’ll bite - who’s “Berg”??
By Reaity Check
October 15, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Ga. Values @10:57
The price of oil on the international market has receeded because the worldwide economic slowdown. As economies around the world continue to slow, the lack money available to speculators forces this correction. The notion that words without actions made the price go down is more of what some call “VOODOO ECONOMICS”.
By GaLiberal
October 15, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Moron Jim said: They say those who don’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
I couldn’t agree more there MJ. The lessons of the past eight years of Rethuglicon tyrannical rule will be remembered come November. I will not repeat the same mistake I made voting for Ronnie twice. I will be voting for the D’s or the L’s, but not - no way no how - for the R’s. I will not let the history of the last eight years repeat for the next four years. I’ll remember in November. Will you?
When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And John McBush is living (almost) proof.
By hoads
October 15, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
McCain needs to hit hard on Obama’s character and how his choice of friends and alliances reflects a man who has been up to his neck in radicalism his entire life and nail Obama on the lies he has told in his efforts to cover up his radical connections. He needs to inform the public that Obama wants to transform our nation’s economy in line with socialist Europe with high taxes and cradle to grave nanny state and intends to do so by growing government even bigger, increasing the federal deficit even more while gutting our nation’s defense.
He needs to chide Obama for his past representation of ACORN, for using ACORN and paying them $800,000 when he is aware of their many lawsuits and indictments for vote fraud in prior elections. And he needs to harp on Obama’s statement that concerns about ACORN’s acitivities “is a distraction” from the issues when what could be more important than one man-one vote and maintaining the confidence of the American people in fair elections.
And McCain needs to disparage the MSM for not doing their job while hordes of journalists and 300 lawyers pounce on Alaska to try to dig dirt on Palin, while not pursuing Obama with the same tenacity and vigilance.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Dear Peter @ 9:53, an “independent” bureaucrat tells CNN that things changed eight years ago, and he thinks from the top down. Perhaps you will join me in calling for closing the agency, as it serves no useful purpose.
Dear Southern @ 10:19, I respectfully believe you have mischaracterized my arguments.
(1) “First, ‘tis a bit disingenous to compare “conservative” governments in France, Germany, Italy, and Canada to conservatives in the U.S. The “conservative” governments there are only slightly less liberal than the Democratic party here. The current GOP is viewed by most Western democracies as an ultra-conservative, almost reactionary movement.”
I fear you deceive by contradicting the core assertion of that portion of my argument, “the rest of the world’s countries want to be more like (the US).” You seemingly grant my core evidence, that France, Germany, Italy, and Canada have embraced more conservative governments; the other view, that they are now less like US than they were before the Bush administration is inherently false. I grant only that you may be partially correct in your thurst if you are arguing that the Bush administration has moved the US more toward the European model, but I think that is not what you say. You are saying that Europe is not reapproaching the US model even though it has adopted more conservative governments? I think that is a non sequitur.
(2) “The assertions also hide the ball regarding the complete rejection of U.S. foreign policy by many of its staunchest allies, notably Australia.”
While I acknowledge Australia’s drift back toward a welfare state, much as proposed by Obama, I think your assertion of “many” grossly overstates the case. Four years ago you had a pretty good argument, but nothing succeeds like success; the extinguishment of al Qaeda in Iraq, and Indonesia, and Philippines, and cornering the Taliban into two small provinces, seemingly created many new staunch allies, mostly in east Europe. That most embrace the Reagan model of lowering taxes, to improve international competitiveness for business, is no coincidence. It would be overstatement for me to credit that to the Bush administration, except to the extent that the Bush tax cuts were persuasive to some of the three or four doubters (notably including Pelosi and Reid) left on the planet.
(3) “Further, on the most basic 5th grade social studies level, Iraq is actually a theocratic republic and nowhere near a democracy as, according to its constitution, all laws must comport with Islam (Article 2 of the Constitution).”
As best I recall from the fifth grade, “democracy” today defines nothing but how a government is elected, as I acknowledge that no country in the world approaches the original Greek model of direct popular determination of all issues. You argue that the government of Iraq is not elected by popular vote? I think you confuse Iraq and Iran. Iraq is a representative democracy, much like the US in that sense; the mullahs do not select the representatives. Alternatively, if you are arguing that, as per the classical definition of democracy, “democracy” does not exist anywhere in the world, I am inclined to agree. I admit using the colloquial interpretation of the term, as for example, “the US is a democracy.”
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Dear findog @ 10:53, “I understood RNC doctrine to be that is was precisely President Hoover’s actions, and not FDR’s meddling, that restored our nation after we paid the price due for the roaring 20’s.” I think you err on the former, although not on the latter.
The causation for the Great Depression has several components:
(1) the republican congress enacted laws eliminating free trade – Smoot-Hawley. The collapse of international trade was the single greatest initial cause of the depression.
(2) two years into the depression, the congress raised taxes, substantially, on both corporations and on the highest-income individuals. Removing capital from the economy does not strengthen the economy.
(3) only thereafter did FDR destabilize the recovering economy with massive new government regulation of the mode of business – SEC, Glass Steagall the most conspicous, although not the most egregious among those.
Side thought on government intrusion, if you mention it to a young person today, they cannot believe the US government once prohibited private ownership of gold.
Dear GA Values @ 10:57, I am uncertain, but if your bizarre language requests me to explain the correct forecast and argument I made a couple of months ago, I would be delighted to do so for you. As to WABE, so long as any portion of a contribution goes to NPR news services, I respectfully withhold contribution; nevertheless, because you are a good guy, I wish you well in your endeavor.
Dear Reality @ 11:15, you err. The price of oil started falling the moment the democrats withdrew opposition to allowing new offshore drilling, and went into freefall the moment the restrictions lapsed. And although I respectfully note that the US is not yet in recession, I acknowledge Europe is in terrible shape (those extra layers of government always make them vulnerable to any economic slowing. Fortunately we don’t have any candidates so dumb they would ramp up the government take.)
By TN Gelding
October 15, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Ga Values
October 15, 2008 10:57 AM
You think the global recession might have anything to do with it?
By Dusty
October 15, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
A few interesting comments this morning by bloggers.
Ragnar@9:27..Good lines.Only Russia seems to think more oovernment control is a good idea. Well, Russia and the US Democrats.
(PS..Could you use Captain Courageous instead of Captain Queeg?)
Maniac is Accurate @ 9:36
Don’t let the trash here cover you over. That is what liberals want; run off all the sensible people.
Southern Democrat @10:19
The work of Ayers and Obama together is hardly a theory as you called it. The facts are there about their work with the Annenberg foundation, ACORN, courtroom defense. Ayers WAS a homeland terrorist with the Weathermen in his early days of blowing up the NYC Police Department, the Capitol and the Pentagon. His association with Obama came later. It is NOT a theory but an actuality.
RedNeck Convert@10:36
RedNeck lost most of his humor when he converted to liberalism. Now his undercover work is strictly RACISM to add more division to American politics, hoping to secure all black voters for Democrats.
**Deegee @10:59
Deegee reports that Nigerian Courts have orderd Anglo-Dutch energy giant Royal Dutch Shell to hand over lands to locals, a key demand of armed rebels camped in Nigeria’s oil producing region.
There was also a news report from Zimbabwee last night. After Mugabee was elected, he took over the lands of white farmers who produced great crops(the breadbasket of Africa). Then Mugabe gave these farms to ‘deserving fighters’who knew nothing about farming.
Now there are no crops and no food for the country. The economy is “shot”. The stores are empty and Mugabe enforces his rule by the military.
Films last night showed people in Zimbabwe fighting over garbage and grabbing bits of food behind any place that might have scraps.
I wonder if ACORN was there to help install a radical government which ‘helped deserving fighters’?
By abc
October 15, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
What McCain needed to do was send Palin home and bring on Lieberman or Ridge. It’s probably too late for that now. He’d have had my vote sewn up if he’d have picked one of them. There’s no way I would vote for a ticket with Palin on it.
Suggesting that Palin will be in the race in 2012 is ridiculous. She’s political poison, just look what she’s done to McCain’s campaign. Not without some help from McCain himself, but still.
By Southern Democrat
October 15, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Jbmlaw @ 11:27,
I disagree with your interpetation. What I was attempting to say, briefly, was that, even assuming your presumption that the countries listed have moved to more “conservative” governing parties is true, that is not reflective in any way of any endorsement of U.S. conservative/GOP ideals. It is akin to saying in 1992 that the Democratic nomination of Bill Clinton means that Republican policies will dominate the legislative agenda. I simply wish to point out the differences in degree and, also, Europe’s continued acknowledgment of American power coupled with its rejection of the Bush Administration’s failed foreign policy.
(2) I would like to change my prescription to your rose-colored glasses. “Success” rings of “Mission Accomplished.” Through great loss of blood and treasure, we have achieved some gains in Iraq. Those gains have also required an ethnically segregated society and compromises with murderers and thieves. The battlefront has also merely shifted to Afghanistan and our “ally” Pakistan. The ability for terrorists to strike America has not, in any way, been decreased by American intervention in Iraq.
(3) Upon second read, I hope that my tone was not pedantic or condescending, I meant it as I believe you interpreted it; the fundamentals of the Iraqi government are not democratic. I understand that you use it in a colloquial sense, I offer the theocratic mandates of the Iraqi constitution as a counter to your statement. The striking contrast between the Preamble and Article 2 of the Iraqi constitution with the Preamble and First Amendment to the U.S. constitution gives me pause and makes me question the long-term viability of a government set up along the lines of what is currently in Iraq.
By ron
October 15, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Good afternoon,It has occurred to me that the McCain we need to see may not exist.He’s never been my ideal candidate,just a lot better than you know who.
Jesse Jackson had some predictions about Obama’s America.Looks as if the star of the Muslims may be in the ascent while the Star of David sets.Wonder if Jesse actually know something?
Ragnar——Two bones to pick with you.Why do you want to cover naked women?In anything?Naked is just fine with me.
Also,Ragnar,People aren’t using oil like they used to and it’e piling up in some strange places.Offshore drilling cannot possibly have had this much affect on supply.
In yesterday’s London times,natural gas was tradng at 0p per therm.There is so much gas in Britain there is nowhere to put any more so it’s worthless at the moment.
Your forecast,Ragnar was correct,but your reasoning is fuzzy.
By getalife
October 15, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Preemptive dem talking points:
This is John McCain’s last chance to turn this race around and somehow convince the American people that his erratic response to this economic crisis doesn’t disqualify him from being President.
Just this weekend the weekend, John McCain vowed to “whip Obama’s you-know-what” at the debate, and he’s indicated that he’ll be bringing up Bill Ayers to try to distract voters.
So we know that Senator McCain will come ready to attack Barack Obama and bring his dishonorable campaign tactics to the debate stage.
Obama continues to lead on the economic crisis with a rescue plan for Main Street.
Over the course of the campaign, Barack Obama has laid out a set of policies that will grow our middle class and strengthen our economy.
But he knows we face an immediate economic emergency that requires urgent action - on top of the plans he’s already laid out - to help workers and families and communities struggling right now.
That’s why Barack Obama is introducing a comprehensive four-part Rescue Plan for the Middle Class - to immediately to stabilize our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners.
This is a plan that can and should be implemented immediately.
Obama has shown steady leadership during this crisis and offered concrete solutions to move the country forward - and his Rescue Plan for the Middle Class builds on the plans to strengthen the economy and rebuild the middle class that he’s laid out over the course of this campaign.
Already in this campaign, he’s unveiled plans to give 95 percent of workers and their families a tax cut, eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000, bring down the cost of health care for families and businesses; and create millions of new jobs by investing in the renewable energy sources.
John McCain has been erratic and unsteady since this crisis began - staggering from position to position and trying to change the subject away from the economy by launching false character attacks.
By michelle
October 15, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
HAHA, wooten’s SCARED!!
By s zilske
October 15, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
I want to hear McCain lay the blame for finicial crisis where it belongs. Squarely at the feet of Clinton, Carter and the Democrats. We are probably going to hand the power right back to the people who destroyed our economy. American voters are stupid. This mess of Democratic policy took 25 yrs to show up.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Dear Southern @ 12:05, we may have to agree to disagree. I think the split between old Europe and new Europe is striking enough to prove both of us correct (or incorrect, depending on whom one hears.) I still think even old Europe is moving right.
I am greatly comforted by the destruction of al Qaeda, everywhere in the world – seemingly the Bush doctrine of chasing the evildoers wherever they go has diminished the reach of the Islamists. Other than Chechnya, has there been a large Islamist attack anywhere since 9/11? Nevertheless, I am proud to give full credit for the achievement to our noble and nonpartisan military.
And finally I did not perceive a condescending tone, and would not resent a clever jab in any event.
By GMAN
October 15, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Get your popcorn ready ladies and gentlemen! The debate tonight will be the final nail in the coffin for John “Mr. Magoo” McCain! His campaign is in disarray, his base is a mob with torches from an old Frankenstein flick, and his running mate couldn’t spell cat if you spotted her the “A” and the “T”. Watch tonight, once again, how a real man debates the issues of our day!
Bush/McCain - Gambling with your children’s futures… and losing!
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Dear Ron @ 12:09, dittoes on the female form. To your more substantial argument, what do you think caused the run up in oil prices? Was the world economy so strong that prices simply drifted up in the spring, only to come crashing down simpatico with FNMA and FHLMC? I think not. The US economy was pulling the world along just fine until around a year ago, when the effects of (1) increase in minimum wage (higher unemployment, higher inflation) and (2) burning food for transportation (higher inflation) began to drag the US, and thus the world, economy down. No, the higher prices developed at a time the economy was already slowing. I think the immediate causation was speculative activity. Speculators saw a long-term limitation in the supply of oil. However, speculators are not irrational people. The moment their guaranteed gains became doubtful – in part due to potential expansion of supply by the third largest producer in the world - they had to bail out of the position. (I freely admit that the coincident event, discovery of a massive oil field off Brazil, enhanced the effect I foresaw in my argument.)
By TN Gelding
October 15, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
getalife
October 15, 2008 12:11 PM
Thanks to drudgereport.
By Dell
October 15, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
McCain doesn’t have a shot at all. If he is so good now, what was wrong with him 4 years ago or even 8 years ago? Palin has no business in politics at all. That just shows me that the people of Alaska spend all of their time in the dark instead of just the 6 months of no sun. If I hear one more “Golly Gee or Joe 6-pack reference I am going to vomit.If you wanted John McCain in office you should have voted him in back at the height of his popularity in 1988. After he saved all those hostages from the terrorist in Nakatomi Plaza in “Die Hard”!! Ha Ha Ha. What person in good faith could vote for another person to steer a sinking ship further under water???
By bob
October 15, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
The McCain I want to see is one that admits he made a ridiculous choice for VP and announces a new running mate. Palin is absolutely the worst nightmare for a VP/potential president.
By Jason
October 15, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Anyone heard about John McCain’s support of Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks via his presidential transition team leader, a Hussein crony? McCain hates America…my friends.
By Keep it real!
October 15, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Boy Rags really knows how to back track! A couple of days he stated the economy would no longer be an issue because the stock went up 900 points.
Now what do we have stock down 500 points in 2 days. Rags did not receive any economic lessons in school.
It is amazing someone is still talking about a flag pin when the economy is teetering on the brink of a depression!
Options,puts,leveraging and derivatives from investment banks and commercial banks have as Rev Wright states have come home to roost!
Leveraging money you do not have to increase shareholders wealth and increase your own golden parachute is a no,no.
Greed is out of control! That is why business owners continue to want to pay someone $5.50 an hour.
Maybe Rags can tell everyone about all the jobs that pay well above $60,000 so Americans can pay for their essentials.
EXPORT JOBS TO ASIA EXPORT JOBS TO INDIA EXPORT JOBS TO CHINA
What is left for the average American worker?
Oh, I know low paying service jobs! Thanks REPUBLICANS THAT WILL KEEP THE ECONOMY GOING!
By ron
October 15, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Ragnar—-Speculators built a bubble with the oil prices and the market wouldn’t let it continue.Unfortunately for speculators you have to have a place to put oil once it comes out of the ground.I, and millions like me,cut our gas comsumptio to the bone so that at one time back there in the not so distant past there were 2 billion gallons of unwanted gasoline in storage.That’s when prices started to fall.Today they continue to fall because there’s little sense in creating a false demand for something that everyone is at the moment shunning.We are in a recession,that seems to be official now.The demand for oil isn’t going to increase anytime soon.Should other economies recover quicker than we do oil prices will rise and kill us.
By Analchord
October 15, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Oil Price spike was speculation and the Iraq War.
Now that w announced a timetable for surrender, the price is falling back to where it should be, about two bucks per quint-quad milliliter, not so much tiger in the tank as a pitbull with a dipstick.
McCain created a mob-think monster with mud slinging. Wooten notes that McCain has a fine needle to thread if he wants to distance himself from Bush without sounding left.
No, tonite, I’ll tell you what to do, Liar Loan McCain. First, dont mention your liarloans. second, be a total gentlemen, act contrite, apologize to the nation sincerely that you let things get out of control in your negative attack ads and in the tone of Palin’s rabble rousing. Then, with that new slate, talk about the issues.
Education. Healthcare. Say these words: “Americans are entitled to healthcare coverage. It’s a fundemental human right called wellness. Education is another right. No civilized society should have the ignorami ballasting the illuminati.”
Well, maybe not those exact words. Then, instead of free government cheese, offer free government stovetop stuffing. Hell, I’ll vote 4U if you say that.
‘muff said. ‘nuff dread. fluff bed, puff bread, buff head, huff lead, cuff thread.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Dear Dusty @ noon, thanks for noticing – I thought it was clever. “Could you use Captain Courageous instead of Captain Queeg?” There is an old joke about lawyers and lab mice, but there are some things even lawyers won’t do?
By findog
October 15, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Ragnar @11:44
Ah yes, the young people of America we are trying to save our country for…
Historical perspective aside neither candidate is willing to ask for a sacrifice of any sort. Earmarks are but five percent of the annual deficit, and the two wars we must win are off the books. Someone is going to have to: increase taxes to the Clinton era; clean out the 90,000 page IRS Code of every sort of special incentive and tax break; and let businesses too big to fail go the way of the dinosaurs; this piddly stuff of balancing the budget by the end of my first term will not do when the deficit is now in double-digit trillions.
However thanks for the corrective to the cause-effect in Hoover’s time…
By Analchord
October 15, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Dusty’s insight is surpassed only by her knowledge.
By s. zilske
October 15, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Oil is not our economic problem. It is our energy problem.
The Dems wanted to give everybody a house whether they could afford one or not. They have been at this for 29 years the little saints! They messed and messed with banks and loans. 1970’s Community Reinvestment Act, 1994 Fannie Mae’s $1 trillion plegde to “Opening Doors” campaign. 1999 Clinton’s vow to veto legislation that scaled back CRA minority lending requirements. Educate yourselves people. Anyone who votes Democratic is handing the economy back to the enemy!!!
By getalife
October 15, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Another Racist Palin crowd in Ohio! (video by Al Jazeera)
By findog
October 15, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Ron @12:09
Just one mental picture, rednecks wife…
Here is a thought for anyone to ponder. Last week the local daily [not AJC] had only four (4) jobs in the help wanted section and sixteen (16) pages in a special foreclosure pull out. In Metro-Atlanta there are an estimated 80,000 new homes that have been started but not completed and another 120,000 lots platted but building permits have not been requested. Add the two together and unless there is an infrastructure improvement surge all the local grading contractors will either be chasing hurricane cleanup contracts or going under…
By findog
October 15, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
As far as oil prices
I believe that speculators [investors] with too few places to place their bets went to crude and now they have panicked just like common stock traders and released their deliveries and that is the primary cause of the roller coaster effect, with minimal “altruistic” effect by consumers burning less fuel.
By bob
October 15, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Challenge Obama to not use Bush’s name throughout the whole debate and make him look like the lost clown that he is when he needs to actually come up with something original. It’s easy to pick on the guy in charge but Bush isn’t up for re-election.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Dear real @ 12:53, amazing, 200 words without a single verifiable thought therein.
Dear ron @ 12:54, I agree with this analysis – the looming recession is irrelevant to either the spike in oil prices or to the fall. Your factual observations are precisely correct; all I offer is the explanation for causation.
Dear findog @ 12:59, I agree with all of your argument here.
By Frost
October 15, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I smell a **DEAD CARCASS Jim,
By get
October 15, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
bob@1:17 neither are Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter but that has not stopped the republicans from running against them.
By Adam
October 15, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Ragnar @9:27 - You raise an interesting idea regarding dramatically increasing the size of the US House. I was just yesterday reading a column by Don Farmer in a neighborhood paper where he discusses the advantages of Representatives residing in their home districts while voting and electronically. Working from their districts full time and avoiding the beltway culture would result in less lobbying and being more in touch with their constituents.
It may be the only way to begin to put some restraint on this rampant Federalism.
By Jason
October 15, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
“Other than Chechnya, has there been a large Islamist attack anywhere since 9/11?”
Ahhh…yes. Madrid, London, Bali, Islamabad…
By Southern Democrat
October 15, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Dusty @ 12:00,
I do not like accusing others of being guilty by association. My opinion of John McCain was never lessened one bit by his role in the Keating Five, particularly after he appeared genuinely contrite once the truth came out.
Your attempts to discredit Senator Obama are similar red herrings. ACORN, though clearly partisan, has enjoyed support from a wide variety of Republicans, particularly Govs. Mitt Romney and Rick Perry and… Senator John McCain.
The Ayres connection is attenuated at best and, as I stated before, has gotten the McCain campaign off message and alienated independent voters — not good “strategery” in a close campaign.
I have cast my absentee ballot. Per usual, a mixture of Dems & Repubs at local and state level, but, contrary to my vote in the 2000 Georgia Primary, I did not vote for John McCain.
I am curious though (respectfully) how someone like you, Dusty, is managing to try to convince independent voters who overwhelmingly disfavor (88% at last check) the Bush administration that Senator McCain represents a stark departure from those policies, while still maintaining your unflagging loyalty to our most lame duck president?
By Dusty
October 15, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Frost @1:24
May I suggest YOU use a deodorant?
By deegee
October 15, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Here’s an interesting tidbit for those that think that Russia is the only country that believes in more government control.
“WASHINGTON: The chief executives of the nine largest banks in the United States trooped into a gilded conference room at the Treasury Department at 3 p.m. Monday. To their astonishment, they were each handed a one-page document that said they agreed to sell shares to the government, then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr. said they must sign it before they left.
The chairman of JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, was receptive, saying he thought the deal looked pretty good once he ran the numbers through his head. The chairman of Wells Fargo, Richard Kovacevich, protested strongly that, unlike his New York rivals, his bank was not in trouble because of investments in exotic mortgages, and did not need a bailout, according to people briefed on the meeting.
But by 6:30, all nine chief executives had signed — setting in motion the largest government intervention in the American banking system since the Depression and retreating from the rescue plan Paulson had fought so hard to get through Congress only two weeks earlier.”
By s zilske
October 15, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
OIL is a commodity. It is not the cause of our current financial crisis!! If we reduce our dependence it could boost our economy and create new jobs.
The mess we are in is deacades of Democrats policy. Interference in banks. The blood of our economy Americans investment in their homes,land,and assets.
By Melanie
October 15, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
“I would like to see McCancerFace have a stroke on stage, in real time….” Spoken like a true, hate-filled dimocrap…probably draft dodging, sick nigra w/black hand stuck out for “gimme dis, gimme dat” McCain is going to WIN…AJC is run by a bunch of liberals who fail to accurately report facts…am departing from this site forever…too disgusting to view such obscene comments.
By Voice of Reason
October 15, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Spoken like a true, hate-filled dimocrap…probably draft dodging, sick nigra w/black hand stuck out for “gimme dis, gimme dat” McCain is going to WIN…
Pot - Meet Kettle!
By Botox Joe
October 15, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
I think McCain should bring up the fact that Barack is going to raise taxes for every small business that clears more than $250K, which is a lot of America. Also mention that Barack wants women to be required to register for Selective Service, and to serve in combat. Ask about the $2 million that Botox Joe (the plagarist) has funnelled to his family from campaign funds.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 15, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Tomorrow’s headline: REQUIEM FOR A FLYWEIGHT! John McLame will thrash about tonight and come up with some interesting lines and proposals that will be remembered only for their hilarity. Starting tomorrow, his campaign will lie in repose in the Capital rotunda for three days. It will then be caissoned out to Arlington Cemetery, given an official 21 raspberry salute and committed to un-consecrated soil. IT’S OVER! The day of the Republinazi has come to an end and the sun is setting on these facists. Good riddance!
By A Federalist
October 15, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
What I’d like to see tonight is McCain exposing the current financial meltdown due in substantive reason to liberal Democrat social re-engineering. Then I’d like to see him go after the Obamanation goons. First, it was the ACORN fraud. Then, it was Obamanation goons making up lies about a woman who rejected an Obamanation goon caller trying to persuade her to vote for the Obamanation. The Obamanation goon said the woman threatened Obama’s life and called the Secret Service. Oh you missed that one because the liberal DNC loving lame stream media complex didn’t report it, eh? This isn’t the first case reported either.
A Lufkin woman received a surprise visit from the Secret Service last week because of a “death threat” comment she reportedly made about Sen. Barack Obama to a campaign volunteer asking for her support of the presidential candidate.
Two federal agents arrived at Jessica Hughes’ home Thursday to ask her if she said, “I will never support Obama and he will wind up dead on a hospital floor.”
Hughes said her words were deliberately twisted by a volunteer who was apparently unhappy Hughes was rude during a phone conversation the two had. The Lufkin mother, a Republican, said she received a call on her cell phone Wednesday from a woman with the Obama Volunteers of Texarkana.
“She asked if I was an Obama supporter, to which I replied, ‘No, I don’t support him. Your guy is a socialist who voted four times in the state Senate to let little babies die in hospital closets; I think you should find something better to do with your time.’ (And then) I hung up.”
My suggestion to anyone not voting for The Obamanation is to record all of your inbound phone calls you do not recognize or doesn’t show up on caller ID. I’ve even heard stories about these Obamanation goons making up lies on threats like this in public places when questioned. Your best bet there is to not say a word and keep walking. Put nothing past these fascist left wing liberal goons.
The latest fraud from the Obamanation goons? Charging credit card numbers to the campaign with credit cards owned by Republicans. Then when these people tried to get their money back by calling the campaign, the Obamanation goons tried to talk them out of it. Oh, you missed that one too, eh? I’m always glad to help. I mean put nothing past these fascist left wing liberal goons:
A North Kansas City couple has been left scratching their heads after they became the victims of a political scam.
Steve and Rachel Larman say a strange credit card charge appeared on their statement this month — a $2300 donation to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. The Larman’s say they don’t want this to be about their political affiliation, but they say they’re not about to give the Obama campaign any help from their pocketbook.
They said they notified Chase, their credit card bank, to report the fraud.
“(They) said that they had seen-they were familiar with this,” said Steve Larman. “It was fraud, they believe through telemarketing but they were going to be doing some more investigations.”
The Larman’s don’t want their politics to enter into what is essentially just a fraudulent charge. But they say that the charge involves the Obama campaign adds insult to injury for the registered Republicans.
“They (Chase) kept on asking me ‘are you sure you wouldnt have gone to a site in support of Obama’,” said Rachel Larman. “And I repeatedly said ‘Im voting for McCain - I would not be going to an Obama site’.”
Chase dropped the charge from the Larman’s card. The couple is thankful thay they caught the charge on the card, but worried that others may not see that type of fraud on their own credit cards before it’s too late.
By 2BFREE
October 15, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
This question may have been raised before, but does Obama know any figure other than 95%. I mean if you going to make up numbers, it is more believable if the percentages are a little different. McCain voted with Bush 95% of the time. 95% of Americans will see tax cuts. 95% of Americans will benefit from his health care reform (interesting article in Consumer Report showing this to be less than 1 out of every 3 families). 95% of small business owners will benefit from tax cuts. And on and on. It is always 95%. Why are his faithful so blind that they want actually do a little research on his proposals and his past voting record.In the 2 years as a State Senator and 2 years as a U.S. Senator Obama has only looked after Obama. Even if that meant having shaddy associations with questionable people. No I don’t think Obama is a terrorist. I don’t think he ia a theif and will steal from Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac as his financial staff has done (the real cause of most of the economy’s problems). Or do I think he is an out right racist as many of his followers are. But he is clueless in foreign affairs (does he still believe Iran and Russia are not threats and we should stop protecting Israel and let them work out their own issues so Pakistan will become our friends?). He hasn’t a clue as to the economy (neither does McCain, but proposing to waive early withdrawal penalties from 401k’s will have people losing millions when all economic advisors recommend riding it out at this point. Besides think about what would happen to stocks if millions decide to close out their 401k in one day). I doubted his leadership role before, but like the Pied Piper, something simple can lead the masses and I don’t know what it is but Obama has the special pipe.
Here’s an idea. Obama let someone that knows what they are doing run the country and he use his charm to organize monthly telethons. The man can raise money like nobody else (people just throw money at him) and after 4 years of telethons we could probably pay off the National Debt.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Dear Adam @ 1:32, I fully endorse your perspective. However, I suspect – as I infer you do – that the 435 Napoleons are unlikely to loosen their grip on lobbyists.
By BS Aplenty
October 15, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Yes, Jim, let us hope that Sen. McCain finds his “inner conservative” on stage tonight.
This election is far from over and with a good finish in the homestretch, the (more) conservative candidate could win.
By Democrat no more
October 15, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Maniac is accurate - that kind of talk from Republicans R Crooks is exactly what most of us have come to expect from Democrats…rude, obnoxious, hateful and condescending. I’m embarrassed to say I was ever a Democrat based on the behavior of the vast majority these days.
By Andrea
October 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
OH PLEASE! Republihater’s need to snap out of it and stop deluding yourselves into thinking that McCain is going to win this election. ITS OVER!!!!
Even if McCain does win tonight’s debate, he would still have a better chance of winning mega millions on Friday than he has of winning this election.
If you want to blame someone, blame McCain.
By GMAN
October 15, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Algonquin J. Calhoun, I agree totally with your prediction!
Bush/McCain - Gambling with your children’s futures… and losing!
By getalife
October 15, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
“McCain knows, in his gut, that he put somebody unqualified on the ballot. When this race
is over that is something he will have to live with… He put the country at risk, he knows that.”
— -Matthew Dodd, chief strategist for W’s reelection campaign
Country first. LOL.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
October 15, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Dear deegee @ 1:45, I wish you had published the rest of the relevant info. The “investment” is for non-voting preferred stock, bearing a 5% coupon. Even the one true capitalist in the room could not turn down such a cheap rate. I add only that the Paulson plan drew a heckuva a lot more democrat votes than republican, both raw numbers and percentage. And the $100 billion of senate earmarks were aimed almost exclusively at democrats. Not that there is anything unDemocratic about that.
By Democrat no more
October 15, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Maniac is accurate - that kind of talk from Republicans R Crooks is exactly what most of us have come to expect from Democrats…rude, obnoxious, hateful and condescending. I’m embarrassed to say I was ever a Democrat based on the behavior of the vast majority these days.
By Andrea
October 15, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
GMAN said “and his running mate couldn’t spell cat if you spotted her the “A” and the “T”.
HAHALOL! Thank you for that laugh!
By ruthie
October 15, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
*By Republicans R Crooks
October 15, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
I would like to see McCancerFace have a stroke on stage, in real time*
Be carefull what you wish for…..Those who invite pain on others are doomed to have it thrust upon themselves.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 15, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Democrat no more was never a Democrat. He’s a Republinazi stooge. Mr. BS, this election is over! Mcbum is done for. Sarah Pallid can go back to Alaska and skank up the tundra and you can continue to dish the BS.
By GeezG
October 15, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Democraps need to realize there are a whole bunch of people that publically might proclaim their support of Obama, but when it comes time to privately make that selection…might not.
It ain’t over yet and to borrow the line…they’ll be time enough for counting when the dealings done.
By hirsutedawg
October 15, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
“By s zilske
October 15, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
I want to hear McCain lay the blame for finicial crisis where it belongs. Squarely at the feet of Clinton, Carter and the Democrats. We are probably going to hand the power right back to the people who destroyed our economy. American voters are stupid. This mess of Democratic policy took 25 yrs to show up.”
I’ve got four words for you. Google it because it’s good reading. Commodity Futures Modernization Act
“The most costly of all follies is to believe passionately in the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind”. -H.L. Mencken
By Democrat no more
October 15, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Algonquin - You just proved my point! You don’t have a clue. I am a registered Democrat, but vote for the person I believe is the best person…a concept you probably can’t conceive because of partisanship. BTW, I’m a she!
By ProudToBeRight
October 15, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
I would like to see McCain look Obama in the eye and ask about ACORN. I would also like to see him explain how he is not going to raise taxes on 95% of the people, when only 40% +- pay taxes in the first place. I would like him to ask about Obama’s statement about “spreading the wealth around”. I would like him to ask about his plan to raise the capital gains tax on business. I would like him to ask for Obama to explain how is that “most small businesses make under $250,000”, and where he gets those numbers from. I would ask him why he has voted with the democrats 98% of the time, where McCain votes with the Republicans on 78%. I would ask him why he tried to negotiate with Iraq and have them delay the troop withdrawals until AFTER Bush leaves office.
There are a ton of questions I would ask, but he only has 1.5 hours.
On a side note, my brother works for a major newspaper on the west coast, and he said their polls are wrong. The sample numbers are incorrect because they call twice as many democrats as Republicans. He also said that the independents are not coming over to Obama, they are leaning heavily towards McCain, and they have also found a lot of the former Clinton supporters are behind Palin. And, my brother is a democrat, and his wife works for Barbara Boxer. He said the democrats are REALLY NERVOUS about this election.
By Dusty
October 15, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Southern Democrat@1:39
I assume associates that you have worked with for many years are called casual aquaintances. That is what you are suggesting for Ayers and Obama. Evidently you have not read the facts about their friendship.
The radical Ayers drew Obama into the mostly Ayers founding of ACORN and its Annenberg funding. Obama has even defended ACORN in court cases. Hardly a passing association.
As to ACORN, everyone likes the idea of helping the poor, the ignorant and the helpless. That is the premise of their written goals. That is what notables supported.
Unfortunately, ACORN has strayed into illegal activities enough to end up in court. Their voter irregularities have risen at every election. Their reputation is far from sterling and more like radicalism.
It is not Ayers alone that disquiets me about Obama. It is his muslim grammar schooling in a muslim country, his use of drugs and alcohol as a young man, his bigoted minister Wright for 20 years, his criminal friend Rezko closely involved in the purchase of Obama’s million dollar home, not to mention Obama’s wife, a radical by her own words. I would not vote for anyone for any government office with the record of Obama.
My study of Obama was not made for Independant voters but for myself. I would hope those who are not sure about voting would vote for McCain with his long record of honorable service for this country. I have already voted for him.
If you can overlook the fact that George W. Bush has kept us free from terrorist attacks and set two enslaved countries on the course to freedom, then you probably can overlook the great shadows in Obama’s past. I would NOT take such a risky step for the United States of America.
By @@
October 15, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
You’ve got that right, Jim!
Sucking OBlahMa into the Hoover would prove he’s got dust for brains in his bag.
McCain should also use Sarah’s “There ‘ya go again Joe Wurzelbacher” “wanting to hold on to your plumber’s putty to hold back the economic waters, while Senator OBlahMa and his Fannie and Freddie would rather mold it into a socialist engineering state.”
“Who the heck do you think you are Joe? the American dreamer.” A mighty Oak can offer shade for ACORNS, but it can’t force ‘em to take root and grow don’tcha know?
Take the wind out of OBlahMa’s sails with this one too.
Republican National Committee: Obama’s Insufficient Funds) and Sarah by his side.
On The Campaign Trail Obama Routinely Rails Against Oil Companies, But Now Is Shifting His Stance On His Windfall Profits Tax Because Of Economic Concerns
The Obama Campaign Said He Will Likely Scrap His Windfall Profits Tax. “Mr. Obama had initially proposed to offset the rebates’ expense with a new windfall-profits tax on oil companies, but the campaign indicated Monday that he would scrap that plan assuming that oil prices do not rise above about $80 a barrel.
FLASHBACK: Obama: “I Think It Is Appropriate For Us To Impose A Windfall Profits Tax On Our Oil Companies.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At A Campaign Event, Charlotte, NC, 5/2/08)
FLASHBACK: Obama: “I don’t take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won’t let them block change anymore. They’ll pay a penalty on windfall profits.”
McCain oughta line OBlahMa up in his crosshairs — flush him out with a verbal attack.
Do it for Joe, our average millionaire?
By deegee
October 15, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
I guess we are going to have to wait til November 5th to see if a whole lot of republicans that never voted for a democrat in their life would say publicly that they would vote for McChange and privately vote for Obama simply because they just can’t take 4 more years like the last 8.
By TN Gelding
October 15, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Botox Joe
October 15, 2008 2:04 PM
Most “small” businesses wil get a tax cut?
By Tman
October 15, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
McCain/Palin know how to divide this country. Can we say Civil War 2008 Another Racist Palin crowd in Ohio! (video by Al Jazeera)
By Tman
October 15, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
McCain/Palin know how to divide this country. Can we say Civil War 2008 Another Racist Palin crowd in Ohio! (video by Al Jazeera)
By Tman
October 15, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
McCain/Palin know how to divide this country. Can we say Civil War 2008 Another Racist Palin crowd in Ohio! (video by Al Jazeera)
By Democrat no more
October 15, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
The liberal media machine is clearly backing Obama to win and how best to help push their agenda than to create the perception that it’s all over for McCain.
It’s the same as the recession talk, if you talk enough about it and broadcast your message 24x7 you can attempt to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The frightening thing is that some folks are so tightly aligned with party prejudices that they no longer think for themselves and therefore, do not question their party leadership.
By deegee
October 15, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Not so fast, jbmlaw,
“The Treasury will receive preferred shares that pay a 5 percent dividend, rising to 9 percent after five years. It will get warrants to purchase common shares, equivalent to 15 percent of its initial investment. But the Treasury said it would not exercise its right to vote those common shares. ” The treasury has said a lot of different things over the last few weeks.
What is curious about the deal is that Wells Fargo and Bank of America were strong armed into signing on even though they didn’t want it.
By Dusty
October 15, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
T Man @2:46
The division in this country started when Democrats lost to George W. Bush almost eight years ago. Quite legally I might add.
Democrats brought every challenge they could scrape up and then got the courts to decide. The courts said the outcome was LEGAL AND CORRECT. So Dems started the “I HATE BUSH” refrain.
Democrats have tried to smear every person in the Bush administration. Now they carry their hate war to McCain and Palin. What arrogance! What ignorance What lies! What a disgrace to Americans!
(Maybe I will repeat this THREE times to be sure you notice….Nawww….)
By 2BFREE
October 15, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Whoever posted the link to “small businesses getting a tax cut” fail to see the facts for the myth. Most small businesses will see increases in their business taxes. Many small business owners may benefit from a cut. If a business made profits of $500,000 and the owner’s salary is $150,000 (the owner doesn’t get to take the whole $500,000) then the owner may get a break (actually their tax will be close to unchanged). But the business will be required to pay an higher tax, thus reducing the growth of the company which probably would have included a new employee or 2 or at least a nice raise for the current employees. That is why the so call “tax break” proposed by Obama will actually cost jobs and net salaries. Meaning while the business may be writing the larger tax check, it is the public that will pay the price. I realize that many voters are too young to remember the Carter years. But before you vote you need to revist the past or we all will suffer through it again.
By @@
October 15, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
It’s the same as the recession talk, if you talk enough about it and broadcast your message 24x7 you can attempt to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
How very true D no more. We’re not in a recession according to OBlahMa, Biden and the media. It’s a DEPRESSION.
Now there’s a word that appeals to the dem party followers. For them depression is a state of being not a state of “mind”.
By GeezG
October 15, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Tman did you see the video of the McCain/Palin supporters walking down the streets of NY…did you notice the vulgar gestures or hear the obscenities being shouted at them as they passed. Did you happen to hear about the vile Palin tee shirt…
NASTY on both sides! Until citizens like you and I decide we’re not going to tolerate or condone that kind of behavior, it will continue and it will get worse.
Just think what this is teaching our young people.
By The Sleeping Giant
October 15, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Obama supporters love him because he’s going to send them a check (aka “Rescue Plan for the Middle Class”). He’ll tax the greedy small business owners and “big corporations” (employers) thereby taking from the rich and giving to the….greedy.
But in doing so you’ve killed the goose that lays the golden eggs. The good news is you have a $1,000 check. The bad news is you no longer have a job or didn’t get a raise.
Congratulations once again you economic geniuses.
By s zilske
October 15, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Financial Services Modernization Act - Gramm-Leach-Billey Act S-900 11/12/1999
Banks wanted to compete for other services. Provide more services for customers. Investment divisions. Bill Clinton vowed to veto if they didn’t beef up lending practice of CRA. In hind sight I wish Rebups had let it die on floor. Maybe CRA wouldn’t have moved ahead along with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Don’t cry for me Im one of the idiots thats been living BELOW my means and investing payroll for 25+ years in 401K who is about to get royally screwed!
By michelle
October 15, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
i absolutely REVEL in seeing republicans and so-called “conservatives” with their panties in wads. you guys are priceless!
By Justaskin
October 15, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
McSame-as-Bush will need some serious help tonight to overcome the complete failure of every conservative principle you morons have proposed for the last forty years!
He should have asked The Criminal Oliver North to come to the debate instead of the GOPer fundraiser at the Plaza. Will he be using a gun or paper shredder? How much money can a CONVICTED FELON be expected to pull in?
By Mike D
October 15, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I’ve already voted, but I would spend money on pay for view if McCain would whip out his dong and p** all over Obama.
By findog
October 15, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Dusty @2:46
To blame division in the country solely on one election outcome ignores all the, “Don’t blame me I voted for Bush,” bumper stickers that sprung up around here in 1993. Do you have your, “Don’t blame me I voted for McCain sticker yet?
By D no more
October 15, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Justaskin - the same questions could be asked of the Democrats….we’ve got some realy winners/criminals in that patch too. Like I said before I’m embarrassed to admit I voted for some of them….Carter, Clinton.
You don’t have to look far in both of those administrations to find disasterous decisions and in Clinton’s case criminal behavior that should have been dealt with, but he was too busy pardoning criminals.
By GMAN
October 15, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
The Conservative media machine is clearly backing McCain to win and how best to help push their agenda than to create the perception that McCain can still win.
It’s the same as the terrorist talk, if you talk enough about it and broadcast your message 24x7 you can attempt to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The frightening thing is that some folks are so tightly aligned with party prejudices that they no longer think for themselves and therefore, do not question their party leadership.
Bush/McCain - Gambling with your children’s futures… and losing!
By Justaskin
October 15, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Bush the First still holds the record for presidential pardons! At least until Babybush has to pardon his whole administration to keep them from testifying in War Crimes trails in 2010.
By Savannah
October 15, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
I love how anytime someone on this board asks rather obvious, common sense questions of democrats like “How do you give tax breaks to 95% of Americans when roughly 40% don’t even pay them?”, there is absolutely no reply. Instead, you get your choice of some real come-backs:
Well your candidate is a real- A)McCancerface B)War-mongerer C)Racist
ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!!! Don’t you care about your money? Don’t you want to know that there is always a possibility that if you work hard for something, you can be rewarded and it won’t be taken away and given to someone that doesn’t work at all?!?
Is there any single liberal out there that can get past name calling and have any interest in something a little more advanced like taxes? I’m still waiting….
By get out much?
October 15, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
s zilske@3:10 - in 1999, the republicans were in charge of Congress. President Clinton does not even see that legislation until it has been blessed by republican leadership.
By D no more
October 15, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
GMAN- Plagarism is the sincerest form of flattery. You did take some pretty hefty poetic license in your second comment though
I disagree with your last statement, both parties are gambling with our children’s future IMO.
By Bonnie
October 15, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
To Copyright: Yes, take the gloves off. Who could stoop any lower than “Dumbama” than to associate with Ayers or ACORN, or maybe they should change their name to “ATHORN’ as a thorn in one’s side. Dumbama will bring this country to its knees such as any socialist dictator did to other countries - we will no longer be “land of the free”. I hope this debate tonight shows the democrats just how money hungry they are. Anyone who says if you make over $250K a year, you have to share it - baloney - if I worked for it honestly, then it’s my money - not the governments. Let some of these low life lazy people on welfare get out and make their own money but leave it to the democrats and their “giveaway” programs.
By @@
October 15, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
ANSWER THE QUESTION!!!!! Don’t you care about your money? Don’t you want to know that there is always a possibility that if you work hard for something, you can be rewarded and it won’t be taken away and given to someone that doesn’t work at all?!?
Well Savannah, I’ve been here for some time, and I’ve come to the conclusion that those who blog here all day everyday who are pushing for OBlahMa are among the 40% that don’t pay taxes. Their HOPES and DREAMS for a bigger subsidy check are invested in OBlahMa.
By luangtom
October 15, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
When is the media going to report on the “real” B. Hussein Obama? When are they going to tell of his true ascent to office by the manipulation of Soros and others? When is his agenda for world government going to be addressed? When is his agenda for US support and payment for UN programs going to be made more public? When is the whole of his voting-record on firearms and disarming of citizens going to be made public? Why is B. Hussein Obama the media darling? Farakhan calls him a “messiah”. Why is this not told by the media to the voters before the election? Are conservative and moderate reporters scared???????
By Frost
October 15, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/10/15/cnnpresidentpoll.html?cxntlid=homepagetabnewstab
Race is tightening in GA,according to ajc.Mind ur own backyard JIM
By Republicans R Crooks
October 15, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Take the gloves off? His mommy just mangage to git the stupid snow mittens on the old fart…now ya wanna take em off?
By Southern Democrat
October 15, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Dusty @ 2:32,
You realize, of course, that your reasons for not voting for Senator Obama are non-substantive and not in keeping with your professed voting patterns?
First, as you noted, prominent “notables” defended and admired Acorn, as did Senator Obama.
Also, your favorite president is a recovering alcoholic and cocaine abuser.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 15, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Democrat not ever, I do have a clue. You are a Republinazi interloper who can not identify herself correctly. No Democrat could alibi for, justify or countenance the torture the United States has engaged in. The lies, the manufacturing of evidence to justify an attack upon, and the occupation of, Iraq, the stomping of the Constitution, the spying upon Americans and the bankrupting of this nation are all emblematic of Republican values. If you support what’s gone on you are a Republinazi. Congratulations on your fine choice of gender. Coincidentally, my Mommer shared your predilection for femininity. Mommer aside, you are not a Democrat and if you are registered as one you should change it. I always vote for the best qualified person for any particular office and that’s always a Democrat! Call me.
By @@
October 15, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Frosty:
There’s something wrong with your servitude. The link takes you nowhere.
By Republicans R Crooks
October 15, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
HA HA HA: I have managed to drive away EVEN the maniacs…..looky here “By Maniac is accurate
October 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
“I would like to see McCancerFace have a stroke on stage, in real time….”
That right there gives me the motivation to not return here until after Jan. 20. Thanks for making it easy. A Democrat at his/her classy, disgusting best. See you all next year.”
WHO IS THE BEST TROLL ON THIS BOARD?????
By Justaskin
October 15, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Savannah, first you need to prove 40% of the 95% do not pay taxes! I know throwing out made-up figures always works for Neel and Lushscumbaugh but we have a higher standard here. So prove it, quote your source! The Dredge is not acceptable!
By getalife
October 15, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
McCain Calls Hillary Clinton For Economic Advice.
LOL.
By ProudToBeRight
October 15, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Hey GMAN, who is the “Conservative Media Machine”? You mean Fox News, the most watched cable news channel on TV? That ONE!
Lets see, I am going to take a crack at the “Liberal Media Machine”;
CNN
MSNBC
ABC
CBS
NBC
PBS
And just about every single print media out there, plus scores of web sites that distort the truth and preach hatred toward Republicans.
Here is my prediction. If Obama wins, McCain will congratulate him and go back to Arizona, then Palin will do the same and go back to Alaska, to return in 4 years and run for President.
If McCain wins, the democrats will once again say that voters were disenfranchised, votes were thrown out, police were at the polling locations, and the dems will start the lawsuits all over again, just like in 2000. The dems are out there right now preparing for this. But, who is ACORN again? Who is registering voters illegally? And what party is it? The democrats. They can’t legally win an election, so they will turn to the courts to force a win.
There WILL BE problems whomever wins, and I believe it will turn violent. Why? Because the democrats are pushing this by suggesting that McCain has used the race card, but yet they have no proof that McCain has done anything that would be considered racial. Name 1 thing McCain has said that is racial. If this election has taught me one thing, it is that the democrats are the racists, and if anyone is opposed to Obama, you must be a racist.
I do not think Obama is going to win, legally. I said in an earlier post that the polls are not correct, and I have a family member that knows this. I am not worried, but the dems have proven in the past that they will steal it if they can.
By MV7
October 15, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Pound the holy one on “spreading of the wealth” and point blank ask him if he understands his own BS by pointing out that businesses dont pay capial gains taxes as he keeps saying. Then again, the majority of Democrats are too stupid to understand what spreading of the wealth means and God forbid they would even know anything about taxes. They run to H&R Block every year to file their 1049EZ.
By Vicki
October 15, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Comments like the one from Republicans R Crooks really show the writer to be ignorant and evil. WHY would anyone wish for another person to have a stroke and wHY would anyone make fun of someone who has had cancer? That person must be truly miserable to think in that manner.
By Republicans R Crooks
October 15, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Idiot MV7: Taxes should not be so complicated that average americans need a professional to do their taxes…We need a one page tax code, end all the fancy loop hole, and make accountants git real jobs….
By deegee
October 15, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Savannah, 40% of the 95% may receive a larger tax credit than what they are getting now. I am more concerned about the 55% of which I am a part that will likely see a tax break. It’s about time. I am very concerned about where my tax money goes. I don’t think it’s fair that people with children get a break for each child they produce. Families with children consume a lot of government services. Why shouldn’t they pay more not less in taxes?
By getalife
October 15, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
“Mr. Buckley said he had “been effectively fatwahed by the conservative movement” after endorsing Barack Obama in a blog posting on TheDailyBeast.com; since then, he said he has been blanketed with hate mail at the blog and at the National Review, where he has written a column.
Mr. Buckley said he did not understand the sense of betrayal that some of his conservative colleagues felt, but said that the fury and ugly comments his endorsement generated is “part of the calcification of modern discourse. It’s so angry.” Quoting Ronald Reagan, he added, “I haven’t left the Republican Party. It left me.”
The party of hate.
By Thinking
October 15, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
The only thing McCain brings to the table is a very sexy running mate. Notice how they still don’t let her open her mouth much. Every time she does, it takes them days to recover from the fall out. They should give her a new script.
By GMAN
October 15, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
ProudToBeRight, I’m talking about Fox News, New York Post, conservation talk radio stations, etc. By the way, who says FAKE News is the most watched cable news channel on TV? And what exactly does that prove?
By Jerome
October 15, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Jim, apparently you hold the same opinion as most of White America. It does not matter what a person stands for, or how well suited he/she is for the job. As long as he/she is a White Male Anglosaxon! (Sorry Palin, surely you did not think they were serious) Clearly you cannot begin to believe that Senator McCain is better qualified to lead this great nation. What a stretch you made in comparing Senator Obama to President Hoover. Go ahead and allow race to be your determining factor. Remember the last election that ignored character, education, and leadership ability? Don’t think too hard, or look too far back! Eight years ago is far enough. Eight is enough!
By Shawny
October 15, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Finally! A comprehensive article detailing the falacy of blaming the banking fiasco on deregulation..
This is a nice read. Over regulation, not deregulation, is the problem.
By Say What?
October 15, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Yawn.
Even the mud that the Republicans want to sling at Obama in order to win an election they don’t deserve is dull, unremarkable, and utterly irrelevant. You should change your symbol to a Dinosaur.
You lost America years ago. Come back when you’ve evolved.
By D no more
October 15, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Algonquin - you made my point. your mother must be so proud.
By Tom
October 15, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Lots of comments from both sides, but isn’t this election about intelligence and dealing with the future, both ours and the worlds. There has only been one candidate who’s calm, reserve, vision, and intelligence has stood out above the rest. I am 62 and white, I have early voted, and I don’t want America to be the “maverick” nation alienating the rest of the world anymore, so I sure as hell didn’t vote for one.
By MV7
October 15, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Thats no excuse for the holy one to run around spreading false rumors about capital gains.
RRC, who do you think is going to pay the price when your employeer’s taxes go up to “spread the wealth”? (given that you have a job other than with the ever growing government) If you work for a company that makes over 250K, its going to be you, me and the guy sitting next to us. I cant disagree with you about simplifying the way taxes are done but your man really needs to understand who his tax hikes are going to affect. Call me an idiot if you like, im just warning you.
By Southern Democrat
October 15, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
I must say that “Democrat no more” is clearly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A bit pathetic in my opinion.
By Peter
October 15, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Hey………….By Ragnar Danneskjöld ………..I kind of agree with you if I was the Bush family……..!
Watch dogs……….Not on their watch !
We are talking the Family business Now !
By Republicans R Crooks
October 15, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
For months now, Riley and other leaders in Alabama have been battling to
avert what appears almost certain - that Jefferson County will file for
Chapter 9 protection, in what would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in
our nation’s history. The county has fallen hopelessly behind on payments
to service the $3.2 billion it borrowed - on reckless terms - over the past
decade to build a new sewer system … Every decade or so, something
big and scary does happen in the normally staid world of public finance:
There was a near miss in the ’70s when New York City almost went broke;
in the ’80s the Washington Public Power Supply System defaulted on $2.25
billion in loans when it stopped construction of two nuclear power plants;
and California’s Orange County went into Chapter 9 in the ’90s, after the
county treasurer made bad bets on interest rates and lost $1.6 billion. But
the saga of Jefferson County stands apart. Unlike previous municipal
meltdowns, it is a financial disaster that was to a large degree invented,
packaged, and sold by Wall Street. And there are striking parallels to the
wider credit crisis that has enveloped the financial world - with overeager
borrowers, willing enablers, and dangerously complex financial instruments.
By 2BFREE
October 15, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Taxes should not be so complicated that average americans need a professional to do their taxes…We need a one page tax code, end all the fancy loop hole, and make accountants git real jobs….
Careful there. That sounds like the Republicans “Fair Tax Act” which the Democrats truely oppose.
By Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 15, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
D not ever, she’s very proud! Justifiably so. The only point you have is on that punkin head. Admit your Republinazi past and turn toward the light weedhopper. Call me.
By ProudToBeRight
October 15, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
GMAN, so you completely agree with me. The liberal media machine far out-numbers the “Conservative Media Machine” And, Arbitron ratings says it is the most watched network, and what it proves is that people want balanced news, not liberal news that bash Republicans. The liberal media machines have Obama up anywhere from 8-15 points, and I believe it is wrong. They poll the liberals who want Obama to win, so of course he will be leading in those polls. I am just gonna say that I have a very reliable resource that told me that the race is much closer then the polls, and the democrats are very nervous. This is just like 2004 when all the polls had Kerry leading big right up to the election, then when folks went to the polls, they stuck a finger in the eye of the lame stream media and voted against what the liberals thought they would. And it will happen again in 3 weeks, count on it.
As far as talk radio, the liberals have tried it, and the ratings are terrible. The only one left is Air America, and they can’t pay their bills because they are not getting enough advertising. The liberals have just as much chance of taking a crack at talk radio, but they have failed everytime. No one wants to listen to you folks, so you resort to the web, and depend on the lame stream media and Hollywood to do your talking. In the arena of ideas, you fail miserably. So you attack, just like in this blog.
And for “justaskin”, here is your answer to who pay the taxes;
“Figures from the Tax Policy Center show that only 37.2 percent of total tax units — single people or married couples — pay either zero or negative taxes, or do not file at all, leaving 62.8 percent who do pay taxes.”
So, once again, a liberal is WRONG. Gotta love it!!!
By misterearl
October 15, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Today I spoke to a group of “seniors” and one woman summed up McCain’s Palin pick quite nicely. “Oh, that McCain—he just wants to surround himself with pretty girls.” Out of the mouths of bubbes.
— Beth, NY
By Skeptic Tank
October 15, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Bring a white flag to the debate, John.
By Keep it real!
October 15, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Yes, I want to see the Maverick tonight!
The maverick that cannot get any bills passed thru Congress. The maverick that alienates his party so they did not support him during his years in Congress.
The Maverick that picks a governor who really just do not know a whole lot of what is going on with anything outside of Alaska!
By OhTheDrama
October 15, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I feel sorry for some of McCain’s supporters. They are between a rock and a hard place, offering 100% support to someone they have about 10% confidence in.
My question is, if you feel he’s such and idiot, why vote for him? If he is elected I think you’ll be sorely disappointed in his policies because they don’t match up with Conservatism very well.
This reminds me of the Gore/Kerry election when it was obvious we were in a wrong-headed war, but Conservatives spent alot of energy keeping the Democrat out of office instead of supporting the good of the USA.
I’ve heard some conservatives say that if Obama is elected they will refuse to support him. Can you believe it? Exactly how that sort of thinking can be spun as patriotism is beyond me.
After 911, Democrats put away partisanship in an effort to protect our country. They gave up the two party system for a while and embraced our commonality as Americans. I don’t see that same sense of duty amongst Conservatives. It seems their duty is the letter R even at the expense of the USA.
I stated earlier that I feel sorry for McCain’s conservative supporters, but I feel ever sorrier for McCain himself. It’s as if he’s at a shotgun wedding marrying someone he know will be a nag to him for the rest of his life. The truth is McCain isn’t campaigning the way Conservative want him to because that’s not what he finds acceptable. And to make matters worse for him, his VP is something of a hate inciter, too. She’s all about Joe Sixpack and ignorantly suspicious of anyone else. It’s as if McCain is a stranger in his on land and should he become elected, he’ll be a lame duck from the start.
By OhTheDrama
October 15, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
I feel sorry for some of McCain’s supporters. They are between a rock and a hard place, offering 100% support to someone they have about 10% confidence in.
My question is, if you feel he’s such and idiot, why vote for him? If he is elected I think you’ll be sorely disappointed in his policies because they don’t match up with Conservatism very well.
This reminds me of the Gore/Kerry election when it was obvious we were in a wrong-headed war, but Conservatives spent alot of energy keeping the Democrat out of office instead of supporting the good of the USA.
I’ve heard some conservatives say that if Obama is elected they will refuse to support him. Can you believe it? Exactly how that sort of thinking can be spun as patriotism is beyond me.
After 911, Democrats put away partisanship in an effort to protect our country. They gave up the two party system for a while and embraced our commonality as Americans. I don’t see that same sense of duty amongst Conservatives. It seems their duty is the letter R even at the expense of the USA.
I stated earlier that I feel sorry for McCain’s conservative supporters, but I feel ever sorrier for McCain himself. It’s as if he’s at a shotgun wedding marrying someone he know will be a nag to him for the rest of his life. The truth is McCain isn’t campaigning the way Conservative want him to because that’s not what he finds acceptable. And to make matters worse for him, his VP is something of a hate inciter, too. She’s all about Joe Sixpack and ignorantly suspicious of anyone else. It’s as if McCain is a stranger in his on land and should he become elected, he’ll be a lame duck from the start.
By Common Sense
October 15, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Dear Ragnar @ 9:53 “If we surrender, the terrorists win”.
What a stupid statement.
Just out of curiosity, to which terrorists are you referring? I don’t see any terrorists. What I do see is what I’ve always seen - a bunch of fear mongers that disguise their own selfish economic motives (i.e. oil profits) as some sort of “war on terror.”
{BTW, I really hope that once the Democrats get into office that they’ll stop using this idiotic statement; you can’t have a war with a feeling. It would more correctly be described as a “war against terrorists.”}
There are terrorists all over the world and with the exception of one isolated incident (9/11) we have had no terrorist attacks in this country. So, I’m just wondering - which terrorists are going to win if we “give in” to them?
If Americans really want to keep terrorists out of this country, they need to stop believing that everyone in the world needs to do things the way that America does. Quit trying to force our lifestyle and beliefs on everyone else. Live and let live - that’s the way to keep terrorists away. Then there is nothing for them to fight against.
It all comes back to that old saw, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If everyone followed that philosophy, there would be no terrorists and no war.
By Dusty
October 15, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Southern Democrat @3:58
As always, you skip or change a few important words.
Notables spoke for the fine ideals of ACORN. They did not help set it up or defend its illegal irregularities. Obama did both in conjunction with Ayers.
Second, President Bush is a RECOVERED (past tense)alcoholic not recoverering as you tried to say. I never heard about any cocaine for Bush. That was Obama (in his book). I am not pleased about drug use in anybody’s history.
Bush has already shown through eight difficult years that he can meet with any crisis without stuttering err rr rhring or backing off. Also, he is not running for reelection.
(Unless you have NEVER stumbled yourself, please don’t tell me Bush stumbled on the stairs at the Olympics therefore …… )
By Curious Observer
October 15, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna throw away all my books and start learning exclusively from this blog. So Herbert Hoover’s actions saved the economy, eh? And we are to hold Bush as irrelevant to this election because he’s not running for reelection.
The trogs on this blog remind me of a teenager who takes the family car out for a spin and returns holding only a bent steering wheel as a remnant of the vehicle. Naturally, he wants another chance to drive, once the family finds a vehicle replacement. Well, thanks, but no thanks. I’ll take my chance on practically anybody but another Republican. Try again—say, in the 22nd Century.
By GOPs got to go
October 15, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Southern Dem,
Don’t you know by now that Dusty is Bush’s b!tch? He could do ANYTHING and she would swear how wonderful he is . It is not worth your time dude. She has no capacity for open thought. GOP=GOOD to her. I would be willing to bet my shrinking 401k that she attacked McCain when he ran against her St Georgie. Even her McCain has rebuked little old ladies for the silly rants she puts forth daily about Obama. She is Palin in a much bigger sized moomoo.
I’m with the poster here that wants to have respect from the rest of the world again. I am tired of being embarrassed by the leaders of this country.
An entire book could be written about Bush’s idiotic “isms”. I do not need to remind anyone, even the swiffer knows this. It just makes her brain ache too much to thing about it.
By AmVet
October 15, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
It would be a good night, too, to announce that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will join his administration as Treasury Secretary.
I thought the yellow journalist wanted McCain to win!
Do the mulatto a favor you schmucks, and just keep on trotting out these lame brain, Bush apologist neo-cons and connecting them to the RINO.
You nuts are killing him.
By catlady
October 15, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Here is what I would like to see (but won’t) tonight. Both candidates saying ONLY things that are actually TRUE. Sorta like that movie a couple of years ago. Both men being unable to lie, make up stuff, or avoid the question.
As second choice, I would like any lie to be rewarded with a stiff electric shock. We’ll see who is fit for office.
Let’s face it, the folks watching have made up their minds; they want theater. Let’s surprise them with the truth.
One further codicil: the moderator has to ask real, tough questions. No holds barred. First question, to McCain: Why in God’s name did you pick Sarah Palin? Her a**, her legs, or what? For Obama: Why did you continue to go to that church all those years? Were you superglued to the seat?
By s zilske
October 15, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
By get out much @3:39
1999 Rep did hold house. If president vetos bill it is sent back to congress and needs to pass 2/3 majority EACH HOUSE before becoming law.
By TN Gelding
October 15, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Savannah
October 15, 2008 3:38 PM
That’s 95% of workers.
Cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families with a tax cut of $500 for workers or $1,000 for working couples.
That said, I don’t support it. We all need to pay a little more, and we should all pay something even if it’s just a dollar a week.
Cross that bridge to the 21st century with us that Bush turned into another bridge to nowhere.
By SaveOurRepublic
October 15, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Globalist shill & Neocon/RINO “Juan McAmnasty” will continue to spew his phoney “conservative” rhetoric and side-step his commitment for amnesty, open borders & the NAU/SPP. While “Bacrock Obuma” will spout his faux “populace” fluff and fail to mention his Marxist agenda for mass taxation, infanticide, trampling of the 1st (so-called “Hate” Crimes legislation) & 2nd Amendment & so on.
Both of these Internationalist stooges have sold out for/to their Globalist Elite ma$ters & are two sides of the same coin!!!
By Ricardo
October 15, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
McCain can’t take the gloves off because there are no fists, brass knuckles, or any other kind of weapon under them.
Obama’s opponents have been trying to dig up something to pin on him for TWO years and all they have are some paper-thin associations. He obviously is the smartest of the two, with good ideas and has run, by far, the best campaign of anyone else over the last two years.
Obama hasn’t come this far to make any mistakes now, he won’t self destruct. McCain is too intellectually challenged to come up with any game changer, especially this late in the race. Palin can go back to Alaska now, if they will have her. We’ve seen (and heard) enough of her.
By D no more
October 15, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Algonquin…I guess it’s hard for you and Southern Dem to understand that you can make a decision not to support a particular party and vote for the person you believe is the best for the job at that time. As I’ve said before I voted from Carter and Clinton (but not the second term). I voted for Bush, but not the second term…I know it’s hard for you to understand, but that’s okay. To be perfectly honest I think both parties have put forth lame candidates and it’s sad for America really.
By Showtime
October 15, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Think these are mostly Republicans? I sure don’t:
About 200K Ohio voters have records discrepancies
CINCINNATI (AP) - Close to one in every three newly registered Ohio voters will end up on court-ordered lists being sent to county election boards because they have some discrepancy in their records, an elections spokesman said Wednesday.
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner estimated that an initial review found that about 200,000 newly registered voters reported information that did not match motor-vehicle or Social Security records, Brunner spokesman Kevin Kidder said. Some discrepancies could be as simple as a misspelling, while others could be more significant.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati sided with the Ohio Republican Party on Tuesday and ordered Brunner to set up a system that provides those names to county elections boards. The GOP contends the information will help prevent fraud.
“Things already are in motion to comply,” Kidder said. “We’re working to establish these processes on how we can make this work. The computer work actually began last week.”
About 666,000 Ohioans have registered to vote since January.
Batten down the hatches and hide your money overseas. Do not work any harder to earn more because it will be stolen from you by Barackocrats and Pelosicrats. Do not open your own businesses. You will not be able to make money. Live as the utopian left wing socialists want us all to live: poor, dependent, stupid, and subservient to The Master Government.
We never heard ONE negative investigative story about The Messiah in the mainstream media, did we? That is a first, and any moonbat liberal that wants to deny that is a flat out LIAR.
By Showtime
October 15, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Hey Barack: how are you going to “bring jobs back to America” when you have already stated you will tax the hell out of business owners? Otherwise, what other 5% of the population are you talking about on raising taxes on? Think they are just rich people who made money off the backs of the poor in the stock market?
Good for McCain bringing up Joe The Plumber on taxes who Barack said to “we will spread the wealth”. Sock it to him!
By Showtime
October 15, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
It’s real disappointing when McCain won’t attack Obama’s constant 95% drivel when talking about cutting taxes, especially when the fact is that nearly half of that 95% pay no incometaxes at all. But, American leftists are stupid. The Democrats know it.
We are going to have at least 4 years of “you are a racist!” chant every time someone speaks out against an Obamacrat policy. America will get what it deserves.
By Jim Jr.
October 15, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
* 8 more years – John (George Jr.) McCain* Umm or should that be 1 year John and 7 years Todd Pallin?
By Joe the Plumber Drinking Game
October 15, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
I’m wasted.
By Copyleft
October 16, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Showtime: No, we won’t be saying “You’re a racist” every time you attack President Obama… we’ll just explain that you’re anti-American.
We learned from the best on that tactic!
By Independent in FL
October 16, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
It was sickening to watch Obama constantly laughing-off serious questions that McCain raised. Does Obama really understand how serious this job is, and just how dangerous this world has become? He just doesn’t seem to get it.
By Independent in FL
October 16, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
It was sickening to watch Obama constantly laughing-off serious questions that McCain raised. Does Obama really understand how serious this job is, and just how dangerous this world has become? He just doesn’t seem to get it.
By Independent in FL
October 16, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
It was sickening to watch Obama constantly laughing-off serious questions that McCain raised. Does Obama really understand how serious this job is, and just how dangerous this world has become? He just doesn’t seem to get it.
By Independent in FL
October 16, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
It was sickening to watch Obama constantly laughing-off serious questions that McCain raised. Does Obama really understand how serious this job is, and just how dangerous this world has become? He just doesn’t seem to get it.