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Home > Thinking Right > Archives > 2008 > October > 22 > Entry

Public campaign financing is dead

It’s fitting in a sense that John McCain may be the most prominent victim of campaign finance idealism — or, depending on one’s point of view, campaign finance folly.

His McCain-Feingold legislation, more properly called the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, sought to curtail political speech and to corral the participation of monied interests in the two months prior to the general election.

Now the poor guy’s drowning in a sea of money raised and spent on campaign advertising by his opponent, Barack Obama. Obama’s political commercials are more pervasive than infomercials once were on late-night TV. He’s set new records, having raised well over half a billion dollars and has so much money that he’s able to buy half an hour of national television just before election day to give him a chance to address any concern that seems to be taking hold with voters — like, for example, his relationship with Bill Ayers or whether he is, indeed, trying to buy the election.

Obama, you will recall, first pledged to accept public financing if John McCain did, which would have limited his campaign to about $84 million. McCain, the idealist of “straight-talk express” fame, foolishly did.

Obama has raised $605 million, with $150 million coming in September alone. McCain entered October with about $47 million remaining.

It is true, as we all know, that had the roles been reversed McCain would have been eaten alive by partisan cartoonists, commentators and political reporters goaded by Democrats. That’s because wealth is part of the stereotype affixed to Republicans.

The New York Daily News reported Tuesday on research done by Campaign Media Analysis Group showing that in one week Obama aired 50,000 30-second spots on national, local and cable television. In the battleground state of Florida, Obama aired 1,120 in Miami last week, McCain none.

Without doubt, we are seeing the end of public financing in presidential campaigns. When this election rolls around, the money raised and spent by the Obama campaign will have rolled it into the morgue with Prohibition.

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Comments

By GayGrayGeek

October 22, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Awwww, the Republican’ts have been beaten at their own game.

Awwwwww. Poow wittle Jim and the JimBots. All of ‘em whistling past the graveyard. Awwwwwww.

By Peter

October 22, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

JIm…

Gee maybe American’s WANT Obama…..and have put their money where there desires are Period !

McCain was in trouble the minute he picked Palin……..the entire country knows she is not capable !

By Robby

October 22, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

Yep, McCain’s getting burned by the fire he started in 2002. It was a stupid bill that should never have been passed and one in which the courts should have struck down as unconstitutional.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. There is a peculiar karma at work in McCain-Feingold. Surely there was no leftist alliance sponsored by the republican nominee that so-alienated him from conservatives. While President Bush also earned some scorn for signing a facially unconstitutional bill, and while the leftists on the Supreme Court deserve our disgust for their failure to perform their duty, McCain is the enabler here. Public financing is one of those hallmarks of the leftist overlords, and surely cannot be associated with those who prefer freedom. Chauncey’s hypocrisy is actually in character for him, and for all leftists.

Dr. Williams outlines the future of American health care, if democrats are successful. The front page of the WSJ today has a related item, “Argentina’s leftist government has seemingly found a novel way to find the money to stay afloat: cracking open the piggybank of the nation’s private pension system. The government proposed to nationalize the private pensions, which would provide it with much of the cash it needs to meet debt payments…”

Thus our morning salute to the thieves of the world, national socialists wherever found,

Those who magnified the goodness of FNMA and FHLMC and accepted its gratuities, and who rejected all restrictions on taxpayer liabilities otherwise,

Those who would spread the wealth, over the objections of the bitter people who earned it, bitter people who thereafter cling to their guns and to their religions, as that is all they are left,

Those tireless ACORNs and union organizers, who, unwilling to risk honest elections, work endlessly to stack the deck,

Those overlords who brought us 75 years of financial institution regulation, the consequences of which are only now becoming apparent, and who would now bring us the brave new world of “universal healthcare” or, as the rest of the world calls it, socialized medicine.

By Bo Chambliss LOBBYIST

October 22, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Georgia has the 2nd highest JOB LOSS, so what does our senior Senator Saxby Chambliss(Socialist/RINO,Ga.)do?

Saxby has worked hard to get things done for his friends on Wall Street. Yes to rewarding companies that send American jobs to China, India, and other countries. In 2004, Chambliss voted against closing up $39 billion in tax breaks for companies that outsource their jobs. [Vote 90, 5/11/04] In 2005, Chambliss voted against against repealing tax incentives for domestic companies that move their manufacturing plants out of the U.S. [Vote 63, 3/17/05] He even gave those same companies a tax cut. In 2003, Chambliss voted to cut taxes on U.S. companies’ overseas income from 35% to 5.25%. [Vote 165, 5/15/03] Won’t hold U.S. companies accountable if they deal with terrorists. Chambliss even voted against an amendment that makes U.S. businesses liable for dealing with foreign businesses that have links to terrorism. [Vote 203, 7/26/05]

By Churchill's Mom

October 22, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Jimbo where’s the Palin? You are going to be fired. Why do I have to do your job every morning?

JEANNE CUMMINGS | 10/22/08 6:50 AM EDT Updated: 10/22/08 6:50 AM EDT Text Size:

Sarah Palin, in a red leather jacket, waves as she steps on stage before a crowd at a baseball field in Grand Junction, Colo., on Monday. Photo: AP 1 of 5

The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission’s long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use.

Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin’s announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs.

Spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to answer specific questions about the expenditures, including whether it was necessary to spend that much and whether it amounted to one early investment in Palin or if shopping for the vice presidential nominee was ongoing.

“The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent,” she said.

But hours after the story was posted on Politico’s website and legal issues were raised, the campaign issued a new statement.

“With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses,” said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. “It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign.”

Slideshow

Palin Fashion

The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles.

In 2000, Democrat Al Gore took heat for changing his clothing hues. And in 2006, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost about $3,000.

Then, there was Democrat John Edwards’ $400 hair cuts in 2007 and Republican McCain’s $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes this year.

A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending.

But all the spending by other candidates pales in comparison to the GOP outlay for the Alaska governor whose expensive, designer outfits have been the topic of fashion pages and magazines.

What hasn’t been apparent is where the clothes came from – her closet back in Wasilla or from the campaign coffers in Washington.

The answer can be found inside the RNC’s September monthly financial disclosure report under “itemized coordinated expenditures.”

It’s a report that typically records expenses for direct mail, telephone calls and advertising. Those expenses do show up, but the report also has a new category of spending: “campaign accessories.”

September payments were also made to Barney’s New York ($789.72) and Bloomingdale’s New York ($5,102.71).

Macy’s in Minneapolis, another store fortunate enough to be situated in the Twin Cities that hosted last summer’s Republican National Convention, received three separate payments totaling $9,447.71.

The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 was spent to accommodate the littlest Palin to join the campaign trail.

An additional $4,902.45 was spent in early September at Atelier, a high-class shopping destination for men.

By ron

October 22, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Good morning,Yes,Jim,public campaign financing is dead in the water.No need to elaborate.I am very glad I don’t watch television.It must have been awful.No wonder the electorate turns brain dead by November.

By old91A10

October 22, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

@ GayGrayGeek October 22, 2008 8:28 AM

It is ridiculous to say “beaten at their own game,” when we have all been beaten by the duplicity zerObama and the entire Democratic Party.

Campaign finance reform has allegedly been a Democratic plank. The McCain-Feingold legislation is just one example of reaching across the aisle for better government where we blew it. Thanks zerObama. But. what the hell — one more broken promise shouldn’t matter.

Coupled with the obamaACORN voter fraud, this has become a the biggest election nightmare ever.

What a pile of crap my former party has become. The whole bunch are misogynistic, racist, elitist, fear mongering, thugs — even to their own.

I might as well take the opportunity to throw out some big wet kisses for some heads up advice.

Biden for the ‘impending crisis test’ to be met by some undefined Obama reaction that might be confusing to us.

Barney Frank for the clear explanations how the Dems and F-Mae-Mack were not really doing a reach around, and that zerO will probably have to forestall some of those tax and economic thingies.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Hey Jim, there is something odd in the blog posting today - seemingly Churchill’s mom and I suffer the same malady.

By Peter

October 22, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

WOW Jim………………it must be fun to be Sarah Palin, a lady who loves to abuse her position…….today we read she is constantly charging the State of Alaska for her children.s travel.

Gosh Jim, what if American’s in corporate America put on their expense reports, that when they took a business trip, their employer would have to pay an extra thousand dollars so the kids could travel with them on out of town trips ?

I am sure the Big Boys at the top would be so excited to pay those bills, and cut into the Millions they personally make each year !

Funny though, REPUBLICAN lawmakers apparently do not think like that……

In the case of Sarah Palin, well she just SPENDS what ever she desires, and then gives the bill to the TAXPAYER !

One has to love “Her Conservative Spending “….which of course she passes on to the TAXPAYERS !

By ron

October 22, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

When you come down From Alaska to the lower 48,sometimes your wardrobe can be a little dated.Up there I doubt that they care about Gucci shoes or other fashionistas.They just get on with business.

Now when Mrs. Palin came to the lower 48,it was deemed by the fashion elete ,whoever they may be,they her clothes weren’t fit to be shown in public,and right there they started transforming her into something she wasn’t.Bad mistake.I believe that had they let her be herself from day one,a different perception of Mrs. Palin would be in everyone’s mind.

It was $150’000 dollars spent for the wrong purpose.

By michelle m

October 22, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

When (or make that IF) Obama’s contributions are ever subjected to scrutiny, we’ll see how many of them are from foreign countries and terrorist organizations. Bet it will be huge. It ought to shock people how he went back on his word, but his Kool-Aid drinkers don’t care, since they clearly aren’t people to whom keeping one’s word means anything at all.

By Redneck Convert

October 22, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Well, it was OK when the Republicans had a big lead in financing in 2000 and 2004. But now that this Obama is rolling in money, it’s disgusting and something needs to be done to stop it. These old grannies donating pennies and dimes and dollars and Those People giving fives and tens and twenties are just buying this election.

I can’t figure out why they just don’t act like the pledges in colledge and bend over and say “Please, sir, can I have some more?” Us godly Republicans must not be running the campaign right. Used to be we could scare the voters into voting for us by holding up pictures of bin Laden and claiming the librul Democrats would get us all bombed and dead. Now they are turning up at the polls like we just turned over a rock and voting for this Obama. I guess they took a look at their bank account balance and decided it was time to do something to help theirselfs before they had to stand in a bread line.

Ain’t nobody noticed this Obama is one of Those People? What is wrong with the voters these days? They don’t get scared any more and they are mad at us and it looks like we are going to take a big butt-whomping in a couple weeks. Why can’t they give Trickle Down time to work?

Have a good day everybody. Leastwise I won’t have to pay the big tax bill that jbmlaw and AJC Commie and others will get a year or so from now.

By michelle m

October 22, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

When (or make that IF) Obama’s contributions are ever subjected to scrutiny, we’ll see how many of them are from foreign countries and terrorist organizations. Bet it will be huge. It ought to shock people how he went back on his word, but his Kool-Aid drinkers don’t care, since they clearly aren’t people to whom keeping one’s word means anything at all.

By Peter

October 22, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Come on now folks $150,000 for Sarah Palin’s NEW WARDROBE…..

Please let’s get real, that is “Conservative Spending”……. as the REPUBLICAN’S would call it..!

I am sure that will be somehow paid for by the Taxpayers.

Gee Jim, what was her, and her husband’s wardrobe like before she got the world wind shopping fun!

Gosh I bet her kids got some clothes as well….

Obviously she doesn’t have enough money of her own to purchase her own cloths !

Poor thing, maybe she should go to Good Will !

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Awww come on. We are worried about Sarah Palin’s CLOTHES??

My goodness, what is the cost of those suits that Obama wears onstage as he smiles and waves? And those shiny size 14 shoes? And those designer neck ties? And those perfectly fitted shirts? We know the “suit is empty” but WHAT DID IT COST??

Now this is of vital interest to our national defense and I demand an answer PRONTO from fashionable Democratic floozies. NO CHEATING NOW!! We know Obama does NOT shop at Good Will.

By cfisher

October 22, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

I’ve been an advocate for public financing, but its the McCain campaign that as changed my mind. He has used public financing to run the most divisive campaign in modern memory. Even making the reckless charge that ACORN is committing widespread voter fraud without any evidence. In other words, he is using public funds to promote a campaign of voter suppression. I’m glad that voters have responded to these attacks by throwing money OBama’s way so that he can effectively drown out McCain’s message. Even if McCain were successful with public financing, I see no evidence that his Presidency would any more responsive to the public interest than if he were privately financed. K-Street is well represented in his campaign and would play a big part in his administration. He has simply used public money to finance his special interest agenda. I’ve come to the conclusion that you simply can’t trust politicians with public funds.

By old91A10

October 22, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

@ ron October 22, 2008 9:15 AM

I’m willing to bet that her (probably necessary) wardrobe expenses do not come close to those of the Obamas and Bidens.

But, let’s deflect the discussion by bringing up small potatoes instead of the multi-millions of dollars the democRAT party has blown trying to convince us that Obama is the one.

Not only was the money blown, but a bipartisan reform was thrown out along with any democRAT credibility.

By Peter

October 22, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Hey ……….By michelle m …….you have been drinking “Kool-Aid” for the past 8 years obviously……..and are still on it apparently.

Poor Republican’s…..with Corporate America HURTING because of the Bush Administration’s 8 year run…they have no money to give to “Johnny Boy “.

Read where the money is coming from Folks….not corporate types, but American’s who are donating to end the “Jim Jones” type of Government Bush had been running!

There is your “Kool AID” By michelle m brought to YOU by the REPUBLICAN Party !

“Millions of donors giving relatively small amounts — as opposed to large interest groups giving unlimited amounts — is, arguably, further democratization of the process. The Obama campaign reports it had 632,000 new donors in September, and the average gift was less than $100.”

American’s for Obama !……… Yes someone to help Middle America !

By Curious Observer

October 22, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

We know the “suit is empty” but WHAT DID IT COST??

Hey, Dusty, you are talking about our next president. Wasn’t it you who chastised people on this blog for criticizing GWB, pointing out that as our president GWB should be treated with respect? Why the double standard?

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Jim Wooten, time to jump up and down and scream. OBAMA CANNOT BE TRUSTED. Look at Campaign Finance promises. Both McCain and Obama AGREED to keep within certain limits. MCCAIN KEPT HIS PROMISE. OBAMA BROKE HIS PROMISE WITHOUT HESITATION.

You wrote it, Jim, but it needs to be printed first in red, then white and then blue. (Don’t ask me how to do “white”.) But this calls for LOUD calls of protest and getting really really angry.

If Obama can’t keep a promise, are we supposed to believe anything else he promises? TAXES? NO, he will change his mind. BUDGET?? NO, he will change his mind. HEALTHCARE?? No, he will change his mind. EDUCATION? No, he will change his mind.

So hurry, Jim. Give ‘em a blast. Sarah Palin can do it. You know how to fight too. Go after the promise-breaker with a vengence. It is not nice to try and fool the American public. Here’s to INTEGRITY and ETHICS.. Obama is NOT a man of his “word”.

By Peter

October 22, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Poor Dusty and the Republican’s are imploding ………

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann says she regrets using the term “anti-American” while discussing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s views, a remark that could threaten her re-election bid.

Bachmann told the St. Cloud Times on Tuesday that she “made a big mistake” by going on MSNBC’s “Hardball,” a show she said she’d never seen before her appearance last week. Her statement to host Chris Matthews that Obama “may have anti-American views” drew condemnation and helped her opponent, Democrat Elwyn Tinklenberg, raise more than $1 million in just a few days.

Seems like ALL the LIES they have been telling are biting them in the back side !

By Peter

October 22, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Dusty is a Flip Flopper…………Just like McCain….!

Yesterday she cried about me Hating McCain….which of course I don’t…….but TODAY we get from her……..

“But this calls for LOUD calls of protest and getting really really angry.”

Anger is really a part of HATE Dusty……!!!!!

And really Dusty………. anger is what happens when someone is scarred !

So Dusty…. the next time you become Angry……look in the mirror and ask yourself…..” What am I scared of ?”

By Nabi

October 22, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

This is the power of internet marketing and sheer volume. 3 million people contributing $50 each would allow Obama to raise $150M in a single month. McCain doesn’t know how to use a computer, let alone take advantage of internet marketing. He and his policies will become extinct like the dinosaur he is.

Obama has certainly changed the game in fund raising.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Hey, On the Rag-nar Danneskjöld The Fake Viking: Obama has opened a double digit lead over your Boy McCancerFace, in direct contradiction of your mindless post yesterday claiming CancerFace was ahead in Ohio and Florida….ANOTHER BIG LIE BY THE PARTY OF THE BIG LIE…..DESTROY THE REPUKES ON 11/4/8….LET THERE BE NO SURVIVORS, VOTE EVERY STINKING ONE OUT OF OFFICE, FOREVER…AND A DAY

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

More bad news for lying Repuke scum like Ragnar Danneskjöld: Stocks are diving again today, down over 300 points and falling, ffaalliinngg, FFAALLIINNGGG….DOWN WERE THEY BELONG AFTER THE NEOCONS HAVE LOOTED AMERICA CLEAN OVER THE LAST EIGHT LONG YEARS OF OUTLAW BEHAVIOR….FIRE THEM ALL, AND PUT THEM IN PRISON, ALONG WITH EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILIES….MAKE IT SO…

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Curious Observer@9:43

If you don’t mind, I will wait for ELECTIONS to see just whom is the next President. Perhaps you should do that too.

Same for you FROST..don’t count your chickens before they hatch. You shouldn’t be mentioning MLK. He said people should not be judged by the color of their skin. You said a Negroe is going to be in the White House. How about saying “The most capable person is going to be in the White House”. Could you take a chance on that??

By Jason

October 22, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

“That’s because wealth is part of the stereotype affixed to Republicans.”

Not anymore. Rich people—not middle-class tools who pretend they’re rich—disproportionately support Democratic candidates these days. The penniless, batsh*t crazy Christian Right has hijacked the Republican Party, alienating once-loyal yuppies and their deep pockets.

By Hunter Biden LOBBYIST

October 22, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

What is wrong with you STUPID GEORGIA PEOPLE? Your Man Saxby, Chambliss say you too stupid to understand why he voted for the $700,000,000,000.00 Bail Out Wall Street Act with only $153,000,000,000.00 of pork. The answere is simple Saxby got every penny that the LOBBYIST had to offer, he left nothing on the table. I personally watched him working the phones, shaking those fat cat bankers down for all he could. In the end, all you stupid voters got was just another $50,000.00 per family of debt but you can be assured that Saxby got all he could.

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Peter,

I am leaving for a meeting but there is a difference betweem overbearing “hate” and objective facts. FACT: Obama DID break his agreement with McCain. Do you think it is OK to promise something and then “break” it?

Controlled anger is the rejection to injustice and lies. Facts should be studied. You are a doormat for Obama. That is called ‘subjection’.

I will no longer reply to your posts as there is no need. Direct your propaganda to someone else.

By Frost

October 22, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The most capable person is going to be in the White House we knw that already,dont we. I just thoght i shld mention negroe coz of the historical significance.U digg??

So now, the prayer u have is that Hopefully,the polls are lying Now that is clutcthing some straws!!!! Bill Ayers and the other gutter robocalls tactics have failed????? Every day,there is a different Repugnant, ditching Mccain. Thats sad!!

By Frost

October 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081022/aponelho/minnesotacongresswoman

ANOTHER ONE BITING THE DUST IN MINNESOTA

Thats a clean sweep for President,Senate and Congress!!

By Peter

October 22, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Hey Dusty…………in response to this……….By Dusty

October 22, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Peter,

I am leaving for a meeting but there is a difference betweem overbearing “hate” and objective facts. FACT: Obama DID break his agreement with McCain. Do you think it is OK to promise something and then “break” it?

Well I think Americans should NOT pay for the spending of Presidential candidates…..McCain is flat out RICH to start with…..too bad he married his money, and wasn’t smart enough to earn it !

SO I applaud Obama for changing his mind on that topic……it also seems to have been a wonderful decision……

So far he has out maneuvered McCain……so I like that …… a smart guy winning, and showing he has what it takes to be a leader with SMARTS……. Remember Dusty your McCain graduated almost LAST in his Military class !

Next question Dusty……..

Will American’s be paying for Sarah Palin’s $150,000 shopping spree…………….. the same way they do for her children to fly around the country on Taxpayers money ?

By Ga Values

October 22, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

Well the market is tanking this morning, things don’t look good for McCain & hopefully Saxby Chambliss will be joining the unemployeed rolls. I honestly thought McCain had a good chance when he started but he had to take too many risk to have a chance & most did not pay off. I just hope OBAMA will be better than Jimmy Carter & W…Saxby is proof that we should not send a poor man to the Senate, he like Maynard Jackson has to steal so much so quickly, they could not serve the voters….

ATLANTA —- Declines in manufacturing and construction last month earned Georgia a dubious distinction: Second in the nation for jobs lost in September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday.

The state saw an over-the-month employment level decrease of 22,300, a rate exceeded only by historically underperforming Michigan, which saw 28,300 jobs dry out over September.

The sobering losses didn’t surprise Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, who called them further evidence of a deepening retrenchment in the state’s building industry.

But he said, “The fact that we’re No. 2 only to Michigan, that is a surprise.”

Mr. Thurmond said Georgia’s increased popularity among families looking to relocate might be to blame for September job losses.

“We had further to fall only because we have grown so fast,” he said.

The numbers marked a slight improvement from August, when Georgia lost 26,200 jobs. By comparison, state employment increased by 5,500 over September 2007, among the nation’s biggest spikes.

Georgia’s poor performance was an exception in the region.

The bureau recorded the lowest September unemployment rates in the Northeast and South: 5.7 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively.

Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent in September, the highest rate in 16 years.

Experts call the housing crisis an obvious culprit. Less demand for new single-family homes means fewer construction jobs and trickles down to industries such as carpeting, once big business in north Georgia.

“We’re now starting to see the distribution and logistics channels going down,” explained Phyllis Finley, a vice president with Atlanta-based employment agency Randstad. “Because consumer demand has gone down for products … you don’t have as much to move.”

But even companies that aren’t drying up completely could be shrinking, pushing unemployment up, said Steven Rondone, an Atlanta bureau economist.

“We’ve noticed throughout the South many of the plants, if they see a slowdown, they’ll consolidate one plant into another,” he said. “If there’s some overlap of employees, they let those employees go.”

Mr. Rondone warned against using one month’s job loss to reflect the state’s economic health. He said the numbers can vary greatly from month to month. Though Louisiana, for example, saw a drop of 17,500 employed in September, it was tops in the nation for job increases a month earlier, filling 9,400 positions.

Such variations can come from a single plant closing or opening, Mr. Rondone said.

“This is a large state,” he said. “You have to look at the broader picture.”

Jobs were down this September in nearly all 11 Georgia metropolitan areas that state labor officials monitored. Athens added 500 workers; jobs were flat in Gainesville.

The state Labor Department recently put its staff on 10-hour work days to serve a glut of unemployed Georgians.

Georgia workers average roughly 11 weeks between jobs, below the national average.

“If there’s a silver lining anywhere,” Mr. Thurmond said, “Its that we have a very effective and efficient unemployment system.”

By Peter

October 22, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Anger is a “Fear Based Response”……. watch McCain for lesson in FEAR !

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Dusty continues to post her political right wing views from her place of employment, thus stealing paid working time, computer time, and the good name of her employer….I would really like to know who she works for, so I can complain loud and clear to the owners about her blogging the day away. Dusty is too much of a coward to ever post the name of her employer, you know, the one she steals from each and everyday. Would it not be ironic if she were a Federal or State employee, thus making us her employer, you know, the people she is stealing from?

By abigail adams

October 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

This is true to form for Barack: Claim you are an agent of change and make promises. Then break them. Who suffers? The American people. I hope Barack loses. Having a liar in the Oval Office never works for us.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Clean Sweep, Clean Sweep come 11/4/8…Make it so….

By AnonyMoose

October 22, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

But I thought that conservatives viewed any limitation on campaign contributions as an infringement on free speech? Or are Republicans the only candidates who should benefit from this form of free speech?

By Reality Check

October 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Abigail Adams @11:01

Hello dear,

Please check your facts… Obama nevere promised to take public financing. All of the candidates were asked to make that pledge, but he and his people decided no to. It turned out to be a smart move, because I, and millions of others can’t afford to pay for a $5000.00 a plate dinner to see a candidate, but I can surly send in $100.00 to support one :)

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

October 22, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Having a liar in the Oval Office never works for us.

So true Abby! We’ev had eight years of a lying, deceitful, thieving, war criminal and now it’s time to put a Democrat into power and reclaim our human and Constitutional rights.

By hillbilly ragger

October 22, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

So many in here are writing about a “pledge” that Obama is alleged to have broken.

Anyone have their hands on the original source of that pledge?

Funny how nobody’s quoted from it, sourced it…

That’s ok, I’ll wait. Surely Jim’s already seen it! I mean, he wouldn’t just go off spouting stuff based on second- or third-hand sources, right?

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

FIRE ALL THE REPUBLICANS ON 11/4/8….EVERYBODY VOTE, TELL THE WORLD WHAT WE THINK OF THE NEOCONS….clean sweep, clean sweep….

By GayGrayGeek

October 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly - who needs a direct source, when Faux News and Rushannity say It Is So? Heavens forfend that any Republican’t actually THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

Our gracious blog host being Prime Example Number 1 of how to Spout Number 2.

By getalife

October 22, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Protester Tries to Handcuff Rove

Funniest clip this cycle.

Hilarious.

By Disgusted

October 22, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Get the facts right. Obama promised to agree to public financing only if McCain accepted restrictions on 527 financing and other sources of campaign funds, as Obama said he would do. McCain refused. Obama would have been crazy to accept public financing if McCain had unlimited access to funds from deep-pocket interest groups. It was McCain, not Obama, who scuttled the public financing agreement.

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Seems as though some may be missing the message. Obama signed a document, signed it in most courts that is legally binding. Yet when it became more of an advantage to HIM he bailed on his written word. I am someone who has decided to vote for McCain and a large part of my decision is based on decisions to go against his word on Obama’s behalf. Can a person who plans to vote for Obama defend his position on lying in this matter. Or even the matter when he said he would not run for pres. in 08. To me it seems as though he says things with no intention of following them. Then at the first sign there may be a better option for HIM he cancels his word and changes his view or action.

By Reality Check

October 22, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Tcoach@12:03

There was never any signed document!! Don’t believe that lie.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

tcoach, you are most likely a BIG LIE…even in your alleged idenity…I suspect you are female, and have previously posted under the names JMBLAW and Ragnar the fake viking…..It pleases me greatly to see you struggling so in such a losing cause….I hope I can make your life a little more miserable over the coming four years….I will certainly try…..

By ron

October 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Ga. Values——thwe unemployment system will be sorely tested in the coming months I feel.OPEC is going to cut production and drive up the price of oil and that will be a killer.The banks are going to sit on their taxpayer cash injection until the economy turns around.Anyone that thought they were part of the solution is going to get a surprise.Most of their money will go to buying other banks.Meanwhile,good viable companies are having trouble with cash flow due to a no borrowing snit held by the banks.It’s a slow spiral downward,sure to boost unemployment ranks.

By Captain Freedom

October 22, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

THE Captain apologizes for His necessary absence at this Critical Time in Our Nation’s March Into Socialism, but He was required to attend to pressing business at His Mariannas Island clothing manufacturies. THE Captain is pleased to report the profitability is at an all-time high, and worker satisfaction (as measured by the number of beatings and disappeared workers) is better than ever. God Bless Capitalism and the subjugation of dark-skinned labor!!

THE Captain wishes to assert His button-popping pride at the fact that St John of Hanoi elected to take public financing for his campaign. This courageous and mavericky decision means that normal Joe the Sixpack Plumber guys like THE Captain now have a stake in Sarah Plain’s very stylish wardrobe. Is this a Great Country or what!?!?!

Indeed, THE Captain likes to think that He has personally contributed to the purchase of the entire set of Caribou Barbie undergarments that Our Sarah sports under all those $5000 suits. A frisson of pleasure accompanies THE Captain’s one-handed typing as He contemplates the delicate silkies riding between Sarah’s milky-smooth thigh skin and the Diamonback guthook-style hunting knife she keeps strapped beneath her Chanel ensemble.

THE Captain looks forward to continuing to dress Our Gosh Darn You Betcha Regular Gal Hockey Mom in the manner to which she is becoming accustomed as she ascends first to the Vice Presidency and Lord of the Senate, and then (once the anti-freeze she slips into Johnny Maverick’s cream’o’wheat does the job) as she become Queen of the USA.

Best part…all the whiny latte sipping stinky America-hating liberals will be paying for it too, or would be if any of them had jobs or paid taxes and were anything other than a drain on Our Nation and Real Americans who Fear God and hate non-Real Americans. Dusty can explain by example.

Defining those who disagree with THE Captain and Dusty as not-real Americans…it is the RIGHT THING to do.

By Frost

October 22, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

signed it in most courts that is legally binding

SIMPLE..why wont Mccain challenge him in court then,STUPID tcoach??

By citizen

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

Come on…give me a break! Last year a report was released that stated the group that donates more to charitable causes was the conservatives. Now, they want us to suddenly believe that the more liberal identified group has had a change of habit and are now contributing to a rich politician to the tune of $150 million in September. I’ll never believe these contributions come form everyday working stiffs.

By GayGrayGeek

October 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

tcoach - When and where was this “document” signed by Obama?

Details - when. Where. Who witnessed it.

“Faux News said so”, nor “Rushannity said so”, are details. Give us DETAILS, or STFU.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

ha ha ha, so the Repuke RNC spent 150K buying clothes for Sarah the Hag….Who does she think she is, Evita Peron? sounds about right fer the stinking repukes…Evita Palin…ha ha ha, el presidenta….NOT WHILE I CAN VOTE….JUST SAY NO TO EVITA PALIN….CLEAN SWEEP, CLEAN SWEEP, SWEEP THE NEOCON SCUM OUT OF OFFICE, FOREVER…

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Hanoi John, sounds about as bad as Evita Palin….Traitor John and Evita Clothes Horse…

By Peter

October 22, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Wow we are seeing all the CRY BABIES that are REPUBLICAN’s TODAY…..Starting with Big Jim Whooten……….wah wah wah…..!!!!

Doesn’t it make you wonder how much Jim, Dusty or folks like abigail adams and Ragnar Danneskjöld, have donated to the McCain cause ?

I guess the WRONGS should just pull out their check books and start funding POOR McCain……. ??????

But they either won’t or can’t………

Why won’t they ?

I guess because they don’t want to waste their money on a looser ! Well that is something anyone could understand !

Why they can’t ?

Well let’s face it Bush has ruined the economy, and they don’t have money to give !

Poor Poor REPUBLICAN’S……..so they are currently just LEFT to CRYING……..I guess that is the “Conservative WAY” !

Isn’t there something religious about all of this ? There has to be, with Republican’s there is ZERO separation of Church and state !

Funny all you Crying Republican’s want to talk about finance reform, as if Obama did something TERRIBLE…….

Gee he didn’t spend your hard earned dollars on himself, or buying $150,000 in clothes to run around the country, or spend your dollars taking his kids for fun trips like Sarah Palin does……..!!!!

What a shame ! Obama is not wasting your money !

WAH WAH WAH……. !!!!

Gosh cry again..Obama is not using YOUR MONEY !

Gee maybe McCain will have to sell one of his 11 houses…..kind of sucks in the market that Bush has created !

Americans are paying 10 Billion a Month for a ” Made UP WAR ” ……………..a WAR made up by the REPUBLICAN’S !

Gee now……. that is something to talk about JIM !

What is the current US deficit these days WRONGS ?

So much for being conservative Jim……. But have some Cheese with that WHINE !

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

rep crooks again really. You can verify that I have never once posted under any screen name than my own. Why are you so sexist against women? Maybe if you did not try to ACT like a psycho and make false threats women would have interest in you. I am sorry that you could not get any in high school and I dare say in college, as you most likely did not attend. However now is the time to grow up and take responsibilty for your own SHORTcommings. You are in desperate need of a role model.
Reality Check, you may be correct about the signed document, i saw differing reports and took a gamble on its validity trying to incorporate my concerns into the topic. For that I was wrong. Still there have been numerous issues when Obama has said he would do one thing to only months later change or disregard his previous statements. I am fully aware of the fact most politicians, if not all, do that it is part of the game. It is bothersome though when the candidate who ran his entire platform on change. Change in the way government was run, change in the way finance goes and promissed on numerous occasions to rise above the attack adds, or criticisms of families. However he has gone back on each of these, with the attacks on families being kinda sorta. Kinda sorta in the sense that he has yet to make a statement of condemnation for the attacks on Cindy McCain and her drug abuse.

That being said if he cannot hold true to his own campaing promises, why should I believe he is going to hold any promise he makes about his presidency?

By GayGrayGeek

October 22, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

tcoach - Details, not Republican’t Talking Points direct from Faux News.

Details, or STFU.

By Gator Joe

October 22, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Typical of most Rebuplicans, Mr. Wooten cherry-picks the facts when it comes to discussing politics. Senator Obama agreed to public financing if, I repeat if, certain conditions were met by McCain and the Republicans. Those conditions were not met by them, therefore no deal. Phil Graham was partially correct about the US being a nation of whiners. He just forgot to specify that the Republicans are the whiners.

By findog

October 22, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Dear Jim,

I remember Senator Feingold nearly lost his seat to abide by not only the letter, but also the spirit, of BCRA-2002. The law is not killing Senator McCain; all the little people sending small amounts to his opponent are killing him. If MoveOn and their right-wing counterparts of the swift boat variety were of any significance then you could blame his namesake unintended consequence, but alas no it is the little people, darn them!

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this

Dear Frost @ 9:47 and Crook @ 10:04, a brilliant quote for my salute to democrats, written more than 100 years ago by William Graham Sumner: “They are always under the dominion of the superstition of government, and forgetting that a government produces nothing at all, they leave out of sight the first fact to be remembered in all social discussion — that the state cannot get a cent for any man without taking it from some other man, and this latter must be a man who has produced and saved it. This latter is the Forgotten Man.”

I really like that line, the “superstition of government” – reflects the naïve and mistaken perspective that government is useful for something other than killing people or depriving people of freedom or stealing wealth. Call it by whatever pet name you prefer – Big Brother, Leviathan, He Who Must Be Obeyed – the nature is changeless and unending, the appetite is insatiable, and the demand for fealty is eternal.

Jeremiad of an honest man, Joe Biden; you really need to read this aloud, to get the full effect. “We’re gonna find ourselves in real trouble when we get elected. This is gonna be really hard. This is gonna be really, really, really hard. We’re gonna have the largest systemic deficit in modern - not modern - in the history of the world. Literally. Literally”

And here’s the point I want to make. Mark my words. Mark my words. It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of This Guy. And He’s gonna have to make some really tough - I don’t know what the decision’s gonna be, but I promise you it will occur. As a student of history and having served with seven presidents, I guarantee you it’s gonna happen. I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate. And He’s gonna need help. And the kind of help He’s gonna need is, He’s gonna need you, not financially to help Him, we’re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with Him. Because it’s not gonna be apparent initially, it’s not gonna be apparent that we’re right. Because all these decisions, all these decisions, once they’re made if they work, then they weren’t viewed as a crisis. If they don’t work, it’s viewed as you didn’t make the right decision, a little bit like how we hesitated so long dealing with Bosnia and dealing with Kosovo, and consequently 200,000 people lost their lives that maybe didn’t have to lose lives.

By Evelyn

October 22, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I challege your premise here, Jim. I have not found the source of your statement: “Obama, you will recall, first pledged to accept public financing if John McCain did”

If your source is Obama’s written questionaire response, you are reading more into his statement. Obama’s answer falls way short of a promise or pledge to take public funds.

Small contributions from the public/individual citizens, is the purest form of public campaign financing. Be happy, Jim. This is democracy at its best, no matter the outcome of the election.

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Gay so I am not allowed to ask any questions either. It was a question. If you do not want to or cannot answer the question that does not mean I should stfu. I thought you all were supposed to be th eunderstanding party. Guess that was just a political lie you chose to employ then huh.
Also I rarely have time to watch television and when I do it is never ANY of the 24 hour news channels. I am educated and only go to the television for entertainment. When I want to inform myself I read. But go with hostilty towards someone that showed you none. This from the same party that goes on and on about peace. If you truely believe that then act that way. Anyone can say they stand for something but few actually do and live what they stand for.

By findog

October 22, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Dusty @9:33

The fashion police already did their number on Senator Obama. Remember he has five suits and four pairs of shoes…

By GayGrayGeek

October 22, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

tcoach - Your own words: Obama signed a document, signed it in most courts that is legally binding.

That ain’t a question, wingnut. That’s a declarative statement. Back it up, or STFU.

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

I love how you always get more tame and less violent when I call you for what you are crook, that being a coward. You sound like a 4 or 5 year old continuing to call me a girl. Why would you think that I am bothered by you insistance that I am female. Even if I was would that deminish my thoughts or words somehow? Make some more threats were the world can see that liberals talk about compasion and allowing everyone to speak their voice but it is false. None here even have the courage to say anything to you about your threats of violence and abuse.
Compasion is not just for those you think you are better than or agree with you. Compassion is allowing each person to have their own beliefs and thoughts. You are worse than any right wing christian, or any type of religious fanatic.

By findog

October 22, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Dusty @9:51

The REAL Dusty would know this: Choose the Highlight as black and the Font Color as white

By hillbilly ragger

October 22, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Evelyn, I’ve got a link to the actual questionnaire here.

It was published back in nov. 2007; McCain hadn’t emerged as the likely nominee, so it’s false on its face for Jim to claim “Obama … first pledged to accept public financing if John McCain did.”

And as you point out, while it was a promise to “aggressively” pursue an agreement with the GOP nominee it wasn’t a pledge to do so no matter the circumstance.

Stuff changes. Deal with it.

By Keep it real!

October 22, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Here the problem Senator Obama has taken the fund raising to a whole new level!

So the Republicans party who has always had a big advantage in fund raising no longer has an advantage in fund raising!

Now its time to change!

By the way does did Governor Palin hire someone to teach her kids while they are on tour with her?

Or does Governor Palin value education sense one of her daughter is pregnant and no longer attending school?

It is me or should the kids be at home in a stable environment studying and learning?

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

GayGrey, Reality Check, you may be correct about the signed document, i saw differing reports and took a gamble on its validity trying to incorporate my concerns into the topic. For that I was wrong.

That was my very next post @12:41. That is 38 minutes after my original post, and a mere 4 minutes before your attack of me.

I should not and will not be held accountable for your lack of reading.

Sorry for the confusion. Do you think it is a good thing to go around and tell people to stfu, especially if you are not going to take the time to read what they have said. Have a good day.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

tcoach, I am not a liberal, far from it. I am a betrayed Republican, and I GD well demand vengence…against the neocon scum and all their ilk. Threatening violence is pointless on the internet, as it is all anonymous. Never the less, I can transmit my rage at the GD neocon scum who tricked me into voting for the GD chimp in 2000…and I would gladly burn alive all neocons if I had that power, including those of you who enable them….Unfortunaley for me, but fortunatly for you and your ilk, I currently lack that power….who knows what the future will bring…Komandant of a repuke re education camp would greatly enhance my power…..make it so…smells like victory to me….

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

PS tcoach…who are you stealing time from to post on this blog all day long? A public school, if one is to believe your lie about hs basketball….No teacher I have ever known has had the time to post crap all day long on the internet, and if the principal or the school board knew about your activities while at work, you would be fired. Hey readers, google tcoach and basketball, see which school it works for, then send copies of all tcoach’s posts, along with the date and time of the post. The school server will have a record of who was posting at that time and date, as well as their login id, and their user id. Make it so….

By findog

October 22, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Ragnar @12:51 While I do enjoy your well-sourced quotations I believe we are beyond the limits of Mr. Sumner’s imagination of government. Think of what the early space program gave us: Velcro, tang, and electro-cardiograms. Then of course our freedom comes from a strong central government, which ain’t cheap.

As far as the gentleman from Delaware, he was stating mere facts: every new administration faces new challenges. Eisenhower had transportation, Kennedy had Cuba, Johnson had social justice, Nixon had Agnew, Ford had OPEC, Carter had inflation, Reagan had SALT, Bush had Iraq, Clinton had Clinton, and Bush had terrorism.

By Copyleft

October 22, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

old91: What a pile of crap my former party has become. The whole bunch are misogynistic, racist, elitist, fear mongering, thugs — even to their own.

I didn’t know you used to be a Republican!

By GayGrayGeek

October 22, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

tcoach - I missed your admission that, like all good Repulbican’ts, you didn’t research things for yourself and simply parroted what you’d been told to parrot. After 5 lines of your screed towards Crooks, I just scrolled down.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

The Neocon LOOTED DOW is down 385 points and Falling….McCancerFace is toast, Saxby is Toast, ALL REPUKES ARE GONNA LOSE ON 11/4/8…MAKE IT SO….

By Grim Reaper

October 22, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Ah yes, the blog hate and threats continue. Good. Goooood. We’ve got that pos right where we want it… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So are they saying that the only thing that motivated the Obamanation to change it’s socialist tax programs on was to counter what McCain has been saying about it?

From Iraq to taxes the Obamanation has been modifying their proposals to counter those of the McCain campaign. This is what passes as leadership from the Obamanation? Pathetic.

ABC News’ Teddy Davis, Hope Ditto, Arnab Datta, and Ferdous Alfaruque Report:

Facing criticism from John McCain that his tax plan constitutes “welfare,” Barack Obama recently added a work requirement to one of his proposals.

“They started saying this was welfare,” said Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee. “So, just so they would absolutely not be able to say that, we decided that for the last two percent we’ll simply add a work requirement.”

Speaking of socialism, as if this isn’t yet ANOTHER race baiting attempt to shut up voices of dissent, now even the phrase itself “socialism” is deemed racist. Since WHITE EUROPE is so socialist and we know it, I’d just love to hear the Obamanite excuse explain the racial aspect of socialist Europe, Canada, South America, etc.

I can’t wait to live under nazi-like rule where even simple words like “socialism” are deemed racist. Oh what fun you are going to have with a full house of far left wing liberal socialist democrats!

Lewis Diuguid, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist:

The “socialist” label that Sen. John McCain and his GOP presidential running mate Sarah Palin are trying to attach to Sen. Barack Obama actually has long and very ugly historical roots. J. Edgar Hoover, director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972, used the term liberally to describe African Americans who spent their lives fighting for equality.

Isn’t it interesting how that phrase hasn’t been brought up as “racist” since at least Reagan’s 1980 landslide victory? Convenient, isn’t it?

What’s the next word that will be deemed as a code word for racist, LIBERAL??? America, you are in deep. Good luck with your mindless socialist liberal idiots voting.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

I can see our leftists are still celebrating Obama’s one-point lead in the popular vote over McCain. I guess Obama is grateful that California is pushing his numbers so high.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

The Cuban Missle Crisis was all based on a Republican LIE….Eisenhower had authorized the installation of American nuclear tipped missles in Turkey, on Russia’s doorstep, prior to the end of his term. The Russian nuclear tipped missles planned for Cuba were a direct Russian response to that American act of aggression. The secret deal that ended the Cuban missle crisis allowed America to save face, at the expense of the old men in Moscow, but secretly required us to remove those missles from Turkey within the year, which we did. Now the neocon scum are putting new missle systems on Russia’s door step, just as the Republicans are running from Washington with their tails between their two hind legs. It will be up to another Democratic president to negotiate a way our of the pending neocon incited nuclear war….

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

At what point in time did I ever say I worked for a public school. Never told you. By the way my vice principle knows. We talk about it. Do you know what class I am teaching? Nope. Also you have threatened me and I am a verified registered independant. Voted for Kerry. So you want to ammend that part about you want to punish repukes. Because I am not one, I am just someone who disagrees with you. Check my post times again too. Not to mention I only teach 3 classes out of six I am supposed to be in my office after that.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Dear Crooks @ 1:40, I disagree, I think it was that great impression Jack made when he met Nikita without preconditions in Vienna.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

tcoach - I sure hope you don’t teach english, as vice princiPAL ends with PAL, not PLE….as for threatening you, a threat has to be credible and physcially possible of execution…so your allegation of threat is false, just like you and your many idenities….So are you now claiming to teach at a private hs? I myself don’t believe you, I think you are sitting in an office somewhere, stealing your employers time, computing power, and internet connection…just like a real repuke, even an independent repuke….

By RUKiddin

October 22, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

McCain called him out about his campaign finance promise in Round 3, or do you not remember?

And what was Obama’s response?

By findog

October 22, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Tcoach @1:40

What state are you in, geographic not mental? Georgia does not require its voters to register as D/R/I; we are all independent, except up here in Hall County where the local Republican Party checks primary voting records to see if you are republican enough.

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

No do not take my words out of context, GayGray, I did research howevr it is awfully hard to tell what is fact and what is opinion. Like I said i was taking a gamble. See I have no problem admitting when i am wrong, or misguided. Instead of you being happy at honesty you attack it, why how much rage must you have if youare so searching for a fight you fail to see that someone admits their wrong, even appologizes for it. No you go and twist my words like a good liberal should.
I know I was wrong and am sorry for taking time to personally attack someone as I did, that is a waste of time and counterproductive. I am also sorry for having to tell Crooks that is not acceptable behavior. Because we all know as long as they support Obama none of you are going to tell them they are wrong and instaed allow them to spout divisive jargun, that you all were so offended by when it happened at McCain and Palin rallies. We all see your true colors though when you have a chance to act upon your so called beliefs, but instaed stand silent. Shows alot about your charecter.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Ya don’t have to explain to me tcoach, I am not going to google you….I will leave that to the other readers, as I have suggested above…..You have created an electronic trail that can be used to fire your ugly butt….The vice principal may be one of your croonies, but the school board, or the school board of directors will have other interests when presented with a record of your abuse of school resources - a fear that record will be made public and the school lose its tax exempt status, and donars….Make it so people, you track tcoach down and report him….of course if tcoach is lying about being a hs basketball coach, then he/she/it has nothing to fear…..

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Crooks I personally do not care what you think of me or how many user names you think I have. You have proven your point in agreeing that all of your ugly comments were your mere attempt at making folks think you have some toughness. No office for me sir, except the one in the gym.
It is folks like you that truely have no place or use in this earth. You are full of hate and rage. Why you blame the GOP for this and that as if they have so inversely affected your life. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react. Apparently if you were not consumed with your message of I tough look what I can write. Then possibly you would have reacted in a manor that may have made you happier. As is you are a mere waste of the precious resource of oxygen to all of us that actual would like the world to be a better place. This should be my last response to you as you truely are a waste of the energy required to type.
The one thing you have done is maybe change my position on abortion, had your mother had the forsight to see the joke you would become she could have saved us all from ever knowing you existed.

By john f

October 22, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I’ll bet mccain wishes he could turn back time!!!

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Dear tcoach,

Don’t feel too bad about believing there was a written agreement between McCain and Obama on public campaign financing. Listening to what Obama said in a speech, sounds that way.

The NYTimes was so sure of an agreement that their headline in February 2007 readMcCain and Obama in Deal on Public Financing.

Fact Check reminds us with headline Obama Reneges on Public Finance. That was after Obama broke his promise. The comment was added that “The turnaround was even more blatant* (than other turnarounds.)

As you see, Obama has no scruples about breaking promises. His ambition outranks his promises.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Stealing scarce school resources from a school in the State with the second worst performance on National educational tests is a crime that really should be punished, don’t ya think tcoach? How do you justify your actions? Did you know that your croonie, the vice princiPAL, is just as guilty as you, and is also subject to firing? Come on Readers, if you want to improve education in Georgia, and hold lying, thieving teachers accountable, please google tcoach, and report him to the principal, the board of education, or whatever supervisory board the school is responsible to.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

aw, tcoach, my ugly comments were an expression of my RAGE at the lies and crimes of the neocons…they have murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent arabs, all as part of their greater plan to exterminate them….and looted America in the process…Fools like you fail to see thru the plots of the neocons, and that is why they think of you as stupid sheep, and in private, speak of you as stupid sheep….

By tcoach

October 22, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

That is the information that I was able to come across aswell. There were also pices about how he did not sign anything. In the event of fairness since I do not have any hard proof, like the signed agreement, I should state it is not pure proven fact.

Just becuse all of the members of the left, some do, does not have a value of finding factual information, does not mean I need to drop my morals and join ship. That would make me just like Obama, and that is something I do not aspire to be. I find it very telling though that eventhough there was a clear admission of not having concrete evidence I was still attacked. I sure am glad democrates are the understanding compassionate thinking type they claim to be. Because if it got any worse they would scare former KGB memebers. Some, not all, are void of shame and dignity.

By Churchill's Mom

October 22, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Palin says election result rests in God’s hands Published: 10/22/08, 2:05 PM EDT By ERIC GORSKI DENVER (AP) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin describes herself as a “hard-core pro-lifer” and expresses confidence that in spite of disheartening polls, “putting this in God’s hands, that the right thing for America will be done at the end of the day on Nov. 4.”

In an interview with evangelical leader James Dobson that aired Wednesday, Palin said she thought Republican presidential candidate John McCain would implement the GOP platform if elected - “I do, from the bottom of my heart” - but McCain doesn’t support the platform on three issues important to evangelicals: abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research.

The platform calls for a constitutional ban on gay marriage, an issue McCain says should be left to individual states. Similarly, the platform seeks a constitutional ban on all abortions; again, McCain supports allowing states to decide the question. McCain supports research using embryonic stem cells, which the platform opposes.

Palin called it a “strong platform” and told Dobson, “They are there, they are solid, we stand on them and, again, I believe that it is the right agenda for the country at this time.”

By Algonquin J. Calhoun

October 22, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

krusty the Klown, it’s humorous to hear duplicitous, dishonest, Republinazi snakes like you talk about the imagined peccadillo of Obama’s. you haven’t said a word about the bankruptcy the George W. Hitler regime has brought to this nation. I haven’t heard you decry the murder and torture George W. Hitler has had our nation engaging in. You haven’t uttered one word about the evidence he created to justify the attack upon Iraq. You’ve never said anything about his usurpation of power or about the spindling and mutilating he and his Republinazi gang have put the Constitution through. Not a word from you speaking out against the domestic spying he’s engaged in. You have not said a damn thing about all the laws he’s broken! Yet, you want to take Obama to task for a lack of scruples for allegedly breaking a promise on campaign financing. Typical Republinazi hypocrisy!

By Ga Values

October 22, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Guess this is how I feel..

Some 24 percent of likely voters were deemed still persuadable, meaning they were either undecided or said they might switch candidates. Those up-for-grabs voters came about equally from the three categories: undecideds, McCain supporters and Obama backers.

Said John Ormesher, 67, of Dandridge, Tenn.: “I’ve got respect for them but that’s the extent of it. I don’t have a whole lot of affinity toward either one of them. They’re both part of the same political mess.”

By DCDawg

October 22, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

According to the New York Times, Obama did make a pledge to use public financing for his campaign, which he subsequently broke. FWIW, the linked article also explains his campaign’s reasons for the change of heart: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/us/politics/20obama.html?ref=politics

By fearless fosdik

October 22, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 1:39 PM

RAGNAR..Perhaps you haven’t heard but the popular vote does not win elections!

Ask Al Gore!

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Well, Evita Palin’s GOP purchased fancy clothes have convinced me NOT to ever vote for her and her ilk….

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Psssst, tcoach: STFU. eom

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Dear findog @ 1:27, funny second paragraph. I would have cited Pres. Reagan’s challenge as his state department, rather than SALT. I will respectfully disagree in part with your first paragraph, “Then of course our freedom comes from a strong central government, which ain’t cheap.” I think our freedom comes from nature and from nature’s God; it is protected only by our noble military, as minor portion of that entity which we would agree “ain’t cheap.”

By Redneck Convert

October 22, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Well, this story about Palin’s clothes just makes me bitter. If y’all had supported me back when I offered to run for president I could be walking around in 1000 dollar suits right now. I know you wouldn’t want me to campaign in these coveralls with the big Budweiser label on the shirt pocket.

But no, you wouldn’t send me nothing, except the guy that sent that nickel slug, and now you are going to pay for it. You’ll get this Obama for about 8 years and I bet next time I offer to run you will be sending me the big money. That is, if Obama ain’t taken every penny you got with his tax increases on you. You wouldn’t support a guy that’s Republican thru and thru—redneck, fundamintalist, beleives in Trickle Down, hates Those People and gays, and wants the Death Penalty everywhere. Now you’re in for it.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Dear fosdik @ 2:36, well-argued. Let’s follow the logic chain, shall we. You did not contradict my assertion that Obama has a big lead in California. If we take that as a given, where does McCain make up the difference? And how can he do so without taking a majority of the other electoral votes?

By ghost rider

October 22, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

McCain and his drug addled wife are back in Pennsylvania trying to drum up votes.

It’s about the only chance he has!

But, if they are generating excitement, it is hard to see it at his events.

500 or so showed up for his most recent rally.

The event provided a sharp contrast to a pair of Obama’s weekend rallies in Missouri, attended by 75,000 and 100,000 people.

Turnout the lights the party’s over!

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Republicans R Crooks,

You are the worst lying insulting intimidating inconsequential brainless anti-military and ANTI-American (see 2:18) busybody blogger ever allowed to post here. Why you have that privilege I do not know. Are you William Ayers?

If we give you a lollypop, will you go away? PLEASE? (I’m trying to be nice here.)

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

MacDonna is suing Palin fer stealing her Evita role…..On Election night, will Evita Palin sing “Don’t cry for me Amerika?” I know I will not shed a tear for the hag…..clothes hag at that….

By fearless fosdik

October 22, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

October 22, 2008 2:52 PM

RAGNAR…I don’t believe he does.

Colorado, and Virginia are shifting towards Obama, maybe even North Carolina.

McCain’s only hope is Pennsylvania where he is now spending the majority of his time…and of course the Bradley doctrine.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Git to work dusty, and stop stealing from your employer….ya probable stole the lollipop from some pre schooler…..and licked it too…keep your ill gotten lollipop….I am grilling salmon fer dinner….yum yum…and you don’t git any…hag….

By ghost rider

October 22, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

I should have added the republican party’s over!

Presidency

Senate

Congress

Huge landslide in the making!

By Dusty

October 22, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Dear RedNeck Convert,2:51

Too bad you didn’t break the public finance law, disclaim your bigoted minister and his church after 20 years, forget all crooked friends, get your madame to announce she didn’t like America, concoct a sneak tax approach. attend a muslim school and promise “to spread the wealth”. If you were smart enough and fooled the public big time, you mighta WON!!

I hope the Misses hits you over the head with a frying pan. It wouldn’t do any good though. Just crack the frying pan.

By Republicans R Crooks

October 22, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Clean Sweep is the new motto for 11/4/8…make it so….

By DiverDown

October 22, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Along with goverment spending reform. This is another opportunity for change. Campain reform. Put all on a level playing field and see what happens… Give the candidates 6 or 9 months to campain with a max cap of oh lets say 50 million each to get their point of view across… This would in my opion do the following

  • elminate rhetoric and make them focus on what is important.
  • eliminate the need for a stong party to polevault a meager candiate into the election. Thus allowing for the avergage Joe to possibly get elected without the backing of a party.
  • Remember George Washington warned us about party systems. Especially a two party system.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

    Oh Dusty, of course you know there will be a beating for your mean and nasty comments…Madame indeed…let the beating commence, vengeance is mine….

    By Frost

    October 22, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

    BETTER LATE THAN NEVER FOXX

    FOX News Poll: Obama Leads McCain, 49% to 40%

    By Sean Cavity

    October 22, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

    Ya’ll don’t understand. ACORN isn’t trying to rig the race… the people working for ACORN are just scamming ACORN, they could give a crap about voter fraud. The motive isn’t about the election or anything that noble or high-minded… the motive is to put food on their table, clothes on their back and gas in their car. It’s a simple matter of gaming the system to get an extra buck. You know, like Ken Lay. Republicans are running around scared that a dead person is going to try to vote on 11/4. Meanwhile, the ACORN employee has cashed their check and isn’t in the least bit concerned about who shows up at the polls. They rule of thumb should always be “follow the money”. And in this case, the money doesn’t go to some great and grand conspiracy theory… it goes to the lower-income “Dre” who is just trying to make ends meet. But keep chasing that red herring… just like some chased those hanging chads (when the real issue was that Bore, I mean Gore, didn’t win his own state). The mechanic who tells you that your BMW needs a $1,000 timing belt isn’t trying to sabotage the German automakers… he’s just trying to scam you to make an extra buck. The tobacco tax isn’t to offset the expense of long-term health issues, it’s a way to pocket some extra money for government programs. And the ACORN employee who forged signatures on registration cards isn’t trying to steal a presidential election. Again, the motive is as primitive and basic as it can be, especially is the mucked-up economy. But keep embellishing the story and see if it lands you any further than the one about all of the computers in the world blowing up for Y2K.

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

    Republicans R Crooks

    Get back to your cell. If taxpayers are going to pay for your keep in jail you better grin and bear it quietly.

    The only thing resembling a grill about you are the metal bars in your face. Do you share a cell with Vick? Maybe he can give you a few points on how to “stay on the ball”. and out of left field.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

    Fear focuses the mind: for each day a solution to this financial mess eludes us, cut off one finger each from the hands of the people in power….make it so…When all fingers are gone, git new people….

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

    Republicans R Crooks and Frost…

    ACORN announces it’s registration of 200,000 illegal voters made it to the voting machines. SUCCESS FOR libs!!!AYERS SENDS CONGRATULATIONS!!

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

    Republican R Crooks.

    Don’t worry about the financial mess. Democrats are going to SPREAD THE WEALTH. R you afraid you won’t get your share mailed to you at the homeless center?

    By Commander Guy

    October 22, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

    Congenital liar Ragnar feels mighty peppy today with the new AP poll. But why has he fallen out of love with Zogby. For weeks, the shyster has touted Zogby as the bestest ever pollster (despite having gotten 2004 completely and stupendously wrong) as long as they showed Johhny Hanoi was running close. Now, Zogby says Hanoi John is down 9. So, hooray for AP.

    What a rube.

    By catlady

    October 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

    Repubs R @3:29: please, let’s start cutting off body parts with something OTHER than the fingers! We’d see the good ole boys fixing things a lot better, a lot quicker (or we’d have a great group of sopranos).

    By dirty harry

    October 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

    DUSTY @ 3:32 PM

    Dusty I’m beginning to believe you are a bigger air head then Sarah Palin (If that’s possible!)

    “ACORN announces it’s registration of 200,000 illegal voters made it to the voting machines.”

    Please tell us more, and your source!

    Was this by any chance in Ohio?

    If so you have taken the whole thing out of context.

    By The Forgotten Messiah.

    October 22, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

    There is a peculiar conjunction of exorbitant numbers aligned in the econosphere: Obama’s 700 mill. The bailout’s 700 bill. and of course the 700 dollars the average american doesn’t have in his checking account.

    I’m not sure how Obama got all that money. If it came from individuals, millions of individuals, then it’s a mandate.

    And if McCain’s campaign cant keep up, then that means smart money wont bet on him. The campaign is over.

    I ran a short historical campaign spending analysis and I found that if a candidate outspent his opponent by 30%, no matter how local or national the election for no matter how small or large the office was, then that candidate won.

    Obama has outspent McCain by exactly 30%.

    Obama 08: a mandate.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

    Actually Dusty, I am awaiting an over night letter with a check for over 200 thousand dollars…a small part of my wealth, but more money than the likes of you have ever seen….

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

    A wonderful idea catlady, but most repukes lost their manhood decades ago….

    By dirty harry

    October 22, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

    Is Sarah Palin the “WELFARE QUEEN” from Wasilla?

    The truth is that the Palin’s are worth over $1 million dollars, but, ol Sarah still feels entitled to dip her hand in the old cookie jar.

    She’s a FREELOADER not a REFORMER.

    And guess who’s paying the tab for her personal expenses?

    Would you say the tax payers, and political donors…You BETCHA!

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

    ha ha ha, McCancerFace just lost 563 points on the election meter….ha ha ha….repukes can’t manage the economy, all they have managed to do in EIGHT years is loot america…Your pension plans are history, people, Repukes like Stev Swartzmen have stolen it all….

    By getalife

    October 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

    The enemy wants the old man:

    “Al-Qaeda will have to support McCain in the coming election,” said a commentary posted Monday on the extremist Web site al-Hesbah, which is closely linked to the terrorist group. It said the Arizona Republican would continue the “failing march of his predecessor,” President Bush…

    …It further suggested that a terrorist strike might swing the election to McCain and guarantee an expansion of U.S. military commitments in the Islamic world.

    “It will push the Americans deliberately to vote for McCain so that he takes revenge for them against al-Qaeda,” said the posting, attributed to Muhammad Haafid, a longtime contributor to the password-protected site. “Al-Qaeda then will succeed in exhausting America.”

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

    Clean Sweep, Clean Sweep…08

    By Glenn

    October 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

    CROOK (@4:00 PM) McShame is indeed a bum and a fraud. But no more than YOU. Throwing terms like “Cancer Face” around will hopefully come back to strike you or yours. You are a stench in the nostrils of the word, “decency.” Perhaps you shouldn’t be permitted to vote at all. You’re using typical Repug tactics.

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

    Repubs R Crooks

    By golly, Reppie, you counterfeiters have all the fun being rich. Why not make it thousands and pay off the jailer? I hope that is good stuff you print to “spread the wealth”.

    Please send Catlady a few dollars. She seems very interested in your varied aspects, naughty feline.

    This is getting tiresome. Be good and get paroled.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

    Any Terrorist strike prior to the election would most likely be staged by the neocons in an attempt to keep their boy McCancerFace and his handler, Joe Lieberswine in the ovalish office….Just as 9/11 occurred on bush’s watch, yet bush and his croonies claimed “no, it was really clinton’s watch” a strike by the neocons pretending to be arabs would most likely be blamed on Obama….they would claim he showed weakness, when in truth he showed that reason trumps violence…Just Say NO to Neocon Scum, and they are all SCUM….

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

    Glenn, anytime and anyplace, your call…

    By catlady

    October 22, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

    I believe that had they let her be herself from day one,a different perception of Mrs. Palin would be in everyone’s mind.

    Ron , yeah, then they’d think she was a ditzy woman who dressed BADLY. Which might have been your point, anyway. You just cannot make up in a few months of coaching what someone (reasonably intelligent and well-read) who had been paying attention in her adult life would have learned.

    By Truthifier

    October 22, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

    Oh, how those silly Republicans do make me laugh!

    John Edwards was trashed for his $400 haircut, but now Sarah Palin has spent $150,000 of Republican Party funds on clothing and makeup.

    Is Tina Fey writing the script for the McCain/Palin campaign now?! This stuff is genius!

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

    Cancer has been kind to me, it has rid me of many enemies…and I and mine seem to be immune….so go whine to your pal Teddy the Murderer….He-ll awaits that coward…

    By Glenn

    October 22, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

    CROOK: Sadly, you lack the scrotal mass for such matters. You are one of the Little People, remember? Be gone. You but waste space here with your ignorant hatred. You’re a good little Repug.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

    Eagerly I might add….

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

    Former Repuke, Glenn, Former…and my balls are still quite massive, even in my late 50’s… I still pay full court basketball weekly with men half my age…and I win….and the wife is what all women aspire to be, multi orgasmic….need I say more?

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

    Dirty Harry,

    WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

    Of course my 3:32 is correct. I promised, agreed, just as I said, he’s not the one I used to know, I was only 9 years old, just cutting taxes, free healthcare, free mortgages, free education, spread the wealth, OK JOE!,only 20 years I knew him, let’s shake on it, “Present”, Rezko who,oh ACORN err rrr err. Of course it is correct.

    (Actually, Hairy, I was just making “truthful” propaganda like Repub R Crooks who is flooding the blog.)

    I am just as truthful as Obama. So there!!

    By @@

    October 22, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

    I have no idea what McCain was thinking when he reached across the aisle on McCain/Feingold. It took three years in dealing with leftists on this blog before I realized they want nothing to do with compromise. Now they wanna make nice…….want all of us to come together in the event OBlahMa wins.

    Fat chance! I look forward to using what I’ve learned from them. Beginning on inauguration day, I will be as relentlessly uncivilized as they have been over the last eight years.

    With them, it’s “free speech for we, but none for thee.”

    Where are all the free speech absolutists when you need them? Over the past month, left-wing partisans and Democratic lawyers have waged a brass-knuckled intimidation campaign against GOP donors, TV and radio stations, and even an investigative journalist because they have all dared to question the radical cult of Barack Obama. A chill wind blows, but where the valiant protectors of political dissent are, nobody knows.

    That chill wind is blowing up McCain’s…………well, you know Jim.

    Serves him right for trusting liberals. The only thing they seek to do is serve party interests — nothing more……nothing less.

    By PeeperFruffle

    October 22, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

    Who cares Jay Bookman if public financing is dead??? You CONservatives are always talking about “keeping the government out of it”. Keep your hands off our tax dollars as it relates to this.

    Let the people dictate the viability of your campaign. If they believe in you, they will donate and support you.

    Why should the gov. have to give a political candidate a leg up anyway? Be enterprising, make your own way, make your own money, finance your own endeavors! That’s SUPPOSED to be the “american way”.

    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

    Hey @@, that was a hot lesbo scene on House last night, I replayed it twice for the wife in hopes of turning her on for a little action, but to no avail…I wonder if the actress who plays “13” is really on the lesbo side?

    By fearless fosdik

    October 22, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

    Well, it seems Joe the Plumber should have stuck to plumbing…

    It’s now being reported that JOE had his drivers license suspended while living in Arizona for owing more than $700.00 in fines which like his taxes have never been paid.

    The reason he received a license in Ohio was reported to be clericla errors!

    Say it ain’t so JOE!

    By @@

    October 22, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

    RRC:

    I have no idea why you’ve come to me with your sexual frustrations. If your lesbian wife wasn’t turned on, maybe it’s because she would prefer a man? OR if you are one, maybe you’re lacking somewhere………

    down there.

    Regardless, it’s not my problem.

    It’s yours. Good luck to ‘ya.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

    Joe, like all stinking Repukes, is a lying, thieving crooked tax dodger…

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

    Just lookin fer a little common ground there @@….seems we both like women….ah just perfer em a little younger and hotter than the old wrinkled hags you bed….Now go crawl under your Hillarity the Clown rock…cause she ain’t never gonna be President or vice president….aw have requested a good dose of the Big C fer that hag….and you too…

    By John

    October 22, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

    “Those who would spread the wealth, over the objections of the bitter people who earned it, bitter people who thereafter cling to their guns and to their religions, as that is all they are left,”

    Stop this madness. The US has been “spreading the wealth” ever since they wrote the tax code. If you have ever made any money, you know that. We share that wealth to pay for social security, medicare, defense, etc. The scam that McCain/Palin is running is class warfare. They want to continue to widen the gap between the haves and have nots. Guess which side you GOP sheep fall on.

    By Disgusted

    October 22, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

    If Joe the Plumber hadn’t already donated that $100 to McCain’s campaign before he asked Obama the question about taxes, maybe he could have put a dent in his tax bill or his fine amount.

    I am, of course, greatly envious of Sarah Palin’s $150,000 spending spree at Neiman-Marcus. The suckers who donated to the RNC ought to sit back and admire her clothes. After all, they paid for them.

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

    fearless fosdik,

    Please report to your trainer.

    Joe the Plumber is not running for any office.

    If you don’t stop victimizing a private citizen I am going to TELL that YOU have hairplugs, cheat while playing Bridge, and once kicked the dog. Your reputation will be shot from here to OHIO.

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

    Repubs R Crooks,

    Obama just revoked your “paid volunteer” status. Beat it!!

    By Keep it real!

    October 22, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

    To Dusty:

    The plumber question was answered! Now when you pose a question that will effect you now you have to prove that it really effects you!

    Unfortunately Joe is really full of BS and decided to ask a question that will not ever apply to him!

    Can a Republican please tell me why Governor Palin is against Senator McClain on how to handle same sex marriage, abortion and other topics?

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

    Oh, Dusty, I ain’t no volunteer, and I support Obama only because he is not John McCancerFace….ah hate neocons, and one day I hope to put them all in a death camp…fer slow torture….U included, hag…

    By @@

    October 22, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

    Just lookin fer a little common ground there @@….seems we both like women

    Actually RRC, I have a very low tolerance for women even though I am one. Their enthusiasm for the mundane and trivial bores me.

    I much prefer the intellectual challenges that men offer.

    Now I’m gonna tell you to “beat it” as well, but not in the same way she intended.

    I’m suspecting that you’ll have difficulty finding “it” but do try. We could all use a break from your personal perversions.

    By dirty harry

    October 22, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 4:31 PM

    Dusty…Well, thanks for asking. As an old retired airline employee, and one who has unlimited travel passes I’ve just recently returned from Spain, Portugal and Italy.

    But, you didn’t answer my question! Where did you get your source of information?

    By Dusty

    October 22, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

    Dear Keep it real..

    The way Joe the Plumber was answered by Obama is the most important verification we have found about Obama’s policies. He is definitely going to “spread the wealth” or the old adage “take from the rich and give to the poor”. That is known as socialism.

    Joe the Plumber only asked a question which was his right. His private life is NOT open for public examination. Why are YOU insulting him?

    By jm

    October 22, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

    “Spreading the wealth” ? That’s funny. In case any of you have been paying attention the last thirty years that “wealth” has been borrowed from overseas - half of it over the last eight years. Aside from a few cartoons, it is amazing how little attention has been paid to the fact the the national debt clock ran out of digits. The doom and gloom scenarios being painted about what might happen if the next president increases taxes (or allows the Bush tax cuts to expire) will be nothing compared to what happens if foreign countries stop buying up our debt.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 22, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

    Oh @@, you are a widely known lesbian freak on this board….don’t try to deny your heritage, hag….

    By Peter

    October 22, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

    Gee wrongs…………

    Where was the stock market when George Bush took office………

    The Republicans know how to run a country …..SURE……

    INTO the Ground !!!!!!!

    Here is more info on how Republicans behave …..because they LOVE DEMOCRACY…… or do they ?

    MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) — Allen Raymond is living proof that political dirty tricksters do exist.

    “I had a responsibility to my family,” says Allen Raymond about his decision cooperate with investigators.

    The former Republican political operative went to federal prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of phone harassment. He jammed the phone lines of New Hampshire’s Democratic Party on Election Day six years ago.

    “The concept was to disrupt lines of communication. That’s a fancy way of saying, ‘make it so the phones didn’t work,’ ” Raymond said recently. “No calls going out. No calls going in.”

    We’re not going to give away exactly how Raymond did it. According to federal prosecutors, two top Republican Party officials tapped Raymond’s Virginia-based telemarketing firm for the operation. Raymond then contracted out the job to a private phone bank in Idaho.

    Yes……………….. REPUBLICANS are NOT real keen on DEMOCRACY for sure……… if they WERE they would desire fair elections !

    LIARS, Cheats, and Power Brokers…….what do they have in common ? All about how to describe a REPUBLICAN !

    REAL AMERICANS don’t Cheat in elections……..!!!!!

    By Commander Guy

    October 22, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

    What’s the difference between an honest Republican and a unicorn?

    A: One is a mythical creature. The other is a unicorn.

    By Republicans R Crooks

    October 23, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

    Time to end Right Wing Hate Radio Talk…Support the Imposition of the Fairness Doctrine….and Stop Republican Big Lie Politics

    By Churchill's Mom

    October 23, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

    McCain Tries to Push Past Palin Backlash Campaign Says She Rallies Key Voters

    By Michael Abramowitz and Juliet Eilperin Washington Post Staff Writers Thursday, October 23, 2008; Page A02

    GREEN, Ohio, Oct. 22 — Sen. John McCain campaigned across Ohio with Sarah Palin at his side Wednesday, drawing energized crowds of GOP partisans while his campaign dismissed the latest controversy over his running mate as coming from elitists and not representing the opinions of average Americans.

    McCain Tries to Push Past Palin Backlash McCain Slams Obama’s Economic Policy In Ads, GOP Stresses Obama’s Ties to Chicago Developer Wooing Va. Before Heading to Hawaii Obama Rallies for Patriotism in Leesburg, Va. In Real America, Shining a Light on Faux Pas

    It’s Not Yet Curtains for A Moth-Eaten Metaphor Campaign Curriculum After a $150,000 Makeover, Sarah Palin Has an Image Problem The Budget Breakdown Sarah Palin’s Wardrobe Disconnect The Price Tag For Politics Appearing before a cheering throng of supporters at a high school football field near Akron, McCain and Palin reprised their criticism of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama as a big spender intent on raising taxes and redistributing wealth. But McCain reserved some of his sharpest rhetoric for a round of media interviews, telling radio talk show host Don Imus that he was “entertained by the elitist attitude” toward Palin and attributing criticism of his running mate to the fact that she was not part of the “Georgetown cocktail party” circuit.

    “I think she’s most qualified of any that has run recently for vice president, tell you the truth,” McCain said, citing her experience as a small-town mayor and Alaska governor. He added: “Bill Clinton was pretty well derided when he came out of a small state to run for president of the United States,” and he pronounced himself “amazed” at the criticism.

    McCain’s language underscored the frustration inside his campaign over the wave of negative publicity that has surrounded Palin in recent weeks. When she was first introduced to the country as his running mate in late August, Palin provided a jolt of energy to the campaign, helping McCain consolidate restive conservatives and pull even with Obama in the weeks after the GOP convention. Obama has since opened a lead in most surveys, including a lead of 11 points in the most recent Washington Post-ABC News tracking poll, released Wednesday.

    But there is little sign that Palin has expanded her appeal beyond the GOP base, and she has been dogged by a steady of stream of politically damaging news, including the continuing investigation into her role in the firing of a state trooper in Alaska, her struggles in a series of network interviews and comments about “real America” that she later apologized for. The latest controversy involves a report that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 on makeup consultations and clothes at high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks in New York and St. Louis.

    McCain aides dismissed the story, first reported by Politico, as of little significance in a period of financial and foreign crises. But some senior Republicans in Washington expressed concern that the disclosure could undercut her image as a “hockey mom” who can relate to ordinary citizens. “Voters are more worried about the economy,” said McCain adviser Mark Salter, dismissing the suggestion that Palin had become a drag on the ticket. “She generates big crowds,” he said. “She generates excitement everywhere she goes.”

    Palin has hardly been the only contributing factor in McCain’s lagging fortunes. From the start of the general-election campaign, he has run against the headwinds of an ailing economy, an unpopular president of the same party, a GOP brand that is in disarray. Obama, meanwhile, has avoided major missteps and built significant financial and organizational advantages.

    Where the selection of Palin was once seen as an asset, a majority of voters now say McCain’s vice presidential pick reflects poorly on the decisions he would make as president, according to the Post-ABC News poll. Overall, 52 percent of likely voters said they are less confident in McCain’s judgment because his of surprise selection of Palin; 38 percent are more confident because of it. That represents a marked reversal from the initially positive reaction to the pick.

    Several GOP sources expressed anger about the damage the clothing story was likely to do to the ticket, coming just as the campaign is making its closing argument by employing “Joe the Plumber” in an appeal to average Americans. “That’s what grates me. We’re the party that talks about looking out for the little guy,” said one top Virginia Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about the GOP ticket. “Then something like that pops. It smacks of being hypocritical.”

    Saul Anuzis, the chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, said Palin remains a popular figure, particularly with conservatives in his state. “She has still been a net plus for us,” he said.

    But he conceded that the national party spending $150,000 on clothes for her was a “dumb political decision” that was not likely to play well among many of his hardscrabble voters. “You’re talking to a guy who wears Lands’ End shirts,” Anuzis said. “I don’t even know how you would spend $150,000 on clothes. You can get a pretty darn good men’s suit for $300 to $500.”

    Mike DuHaime, McCain’s national political director, called Palin’s addition the ticket “a shot of adrenaline to our entire base, and not just our conservative base,” adding: “She can appeal to conservative Democrats, to working women, and she can certainly rally Republican voters.”

    By C. Garrison

    October 23, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

    Trust cannot be bought. When a person gives his word, for me, that is his bond. When someone breaks that bond, as Obama did with the campaign financing issue, he may have outfoxed McCain and others who consider this a clever move—but for me, Obama set the bar for how well he can be trusted with everything else. If you lie as a strategy to get what you want, how many more lies will you tell to get other things you feel entitled to?

    By Commander Guy

    October 23, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

    C. Garrison is an example of a standard issue peddler of bull5hit, a dishonest man standing behind a bogus parody of honesty.

    If you lie as a strategy to get what you want, how many more lies will you tell to get other things you feel entitled to?

    If this behavior really bothered Garrison, he would be outraged at McLiar and his little dog Sarah, not to mention the lesser Bush in Chief.

    STFU Garrison. You’re out of your depth. You’re like a child who wanders in in the middle of a conversation.

    By Republicans R Crooks

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

    I would like to second that, STFU Garrison….

    By **

    October 23, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

    “Beginning on inauguration day, I will be as relentlessly uncivilized as they have been over the last eight years.” - @@ at 4:32

    And that, my friends, is exactly what is wrong with the political process in this country. Relentless pettiness.

    By Truthifier

    October 23, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

    Dusty, you said “The way Joe the Plumber was answered by Obama is the most important verification we have found about Obama’s policies. He is definitely going to “spread the wealth” or the old adage “take from the rich and give to the poor”. That is known as socialism”

    Are you aware that in the 2000 presidential campaign, Senator McCain said (and there is video of this so please don’t try to deny it) that it was fair for people who earn more to pay more in taxes? Is that socialism? If so, is Senator McCain now a liar, or is he a a reformed socialist?

    By lkdfj

    October 23, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

    OBAMA’S LATEST ENDORSEMENT: IRAN’S LARIJANI STATES HIS GOVERNMENT IS HOPING FOR AN OBAMA WIN IN NOVEMBER.

    By AnonyMoose

    October 23, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

    And Al Quaeda has said they are hoping for a McCain win. What’s your point lkdfj??

    By Condorcet

    October 23, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

    Obama has simply decided to ignore the broken public financing system in place. I believe his average donation is 80$ or thereabouts. His campaign is based on microtransactions from millions of supporters. It targets the Youth demographic who he energizes so thoroughly.

    By steve-o

    October 23, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

    Blah, blah, blah. You Republicans are dead in the water. This nation is turning its back on you. If you don’t believe me just wait 12 days.

    By Billy

    October 23, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

    If Jim were being completely honest he’d tell us how the RNC has money to help out the nominee, whereas the Democratic nominee is pretty much limited to what he can raise on his own. He’d also tell us how McCain only decided to accept public financing once he realized he would not be able to raise much more than what he received publicly. You know, since his loony base didn’t really care for him that much on account of his having a relatively moderate record in the past.

    By Fulton

    October 23, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

    Hilarious! If you think Barack Obama is ahead because of advertising dollars, then sadly, you all are really more delusional than previously thought…

    It seems that finally, we have turned off American IDLE and the country is now paying attention!!!

    It truly is a time for change, in ALL of us!

    By yankee

    October 23, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

    Mc Same isn’t smart enough to negotiate with Obama. I guess he forgot to have “preconditions”

    By hotlanta

    October 23, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

    Mr. McShame didn’t spend $8500.00 so that he can look like the Michelin man all snow white and pasty, he would have some money.

    By hotlanta

    October 23, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

    Mr. McShame didn’t spend $8500.00 so that he can look like the Michelin man all snow white and pasty, he would have some money.

    By Joe Public

    October 23, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

    McCain is drowning in MY small donations to Obama which I give every month. They have added up to about $800 so far. I now have the same power as the TV networks who have thought of themselves as king makers,..reporting selectively for twenty months to keep the fight going and their ratings high. I get my news from hundreds of metropolitan newspapers who’s journalists are not slaves of the 24 hour news cycle.

    I pay Obama to say what I need our nation to hear..that its time we took back America from large corporations of all types who have transferred their debts to the middle-class, benefitting from tax loopholes while shipping our jobs overseas.

    Meanwhile our cost of living continues to go up faster than inflation due to Emergency-room mentality healthcare, rising gas and heating bills and a public education system among that worst in the industrialized world.

    By Joe Public

    October 23, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

    McCain is drowning in MY small donations to Obama which I give every month. They have added up to about $800 so far. I now have the same power as the TV networks who have thought of themselves as king makers,..reporting selectively for twenty months to keep the fight going and their ratings high. I get my news from hundreds of metropolitan newspapers who’s journalists are not slaves of the 24 hour news cycle.

    I pay Obama to say what I need our nation to hear..that its time we took back America from large corporations of all types who have transferred their debts to the middle-class, benefitting from tax loopholes while shipping our jobs overseas.

    Meanwhile our cost of living continues to go up faster than inflation due to Emergency-room mentality healthcare, rising gas and heating bills and a public education system among that worst in the industrialized world.

    By Keep it real!

    October 23, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

    Hotlanta are you really hot?

    Your comments are truly emotionally charge with a good sense of humor touch!

    Even though Mr. McPasty lives in Arizona he cannot hand-out in the sun for too long!

    It could prompt health issue for McGreedy!

    Hotalanta keep it coming!

    By arkansas1

    October 23, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

    Where is the all knowing Commu today?

    Maybe he is working on a different stategy! The Obama campaigning model outsmarted the old republican model.

    Now the success is in the victory!

    Can someone please check on these electronic voting machines to make sure hey are not switching votes!

    The set-up the Democrats gained seats in the senat and the house in 2006. Now we know the majority of Americans want to see an intelligent president ( Obama) but Diebold will rig the elections.

    We must have a print receipt of our choices!

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