Campaign 2008

[snuffbox 0]

Im glad that the biggest news of the day was that Obama will buy his daughters a puppy when he's elected.

 

Was that only on one show?

[SuperJerk 0]

I remember him once saying his daughters wanted him to be president because presidents usually have dogs.

 

Hey, they're little kids. Don't be hatin'.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Im glad that the biggest news of the day was that Obama will buy his daughters a puppy when he's elected.

 

Was that only on one show?

 

I dont know what show it was on but theres 2 websites..

 

Vote for what dog he shold pick

 

I voted for the poodle, since hes an elitist and all..

 

The biggest decision Obama faces after he's elected

 

If Sen. Barack Obama becomes president, he'll instantly be faced with decisions that will affect millions of Americans. Obama will also soon be making a decision that could affect millions of American dogs. It has been reported that once the election is over, the Obamas will be looking for a new four-legged family member (much to his daughters' delight)

 

Im glad he'll be spending his first 100 days making some real important decisions.

[At Home 0]

Why are you bringing this up? This doesn't really prove shit besides it was a slow news day.

[EricMM 0]

Why are you even excepting quality from Marvin?

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

No, I'm not going to vote for McCain.

 

If Obama wants votes, he should act like it. A "change" label doesn't quite work when you vote for the same goodam thing that gets people in the opposing party labeled as fascists and the like. I'm not going to give him a free pass just because of the letter D next to his name. I haven't yet decided but as of now, it's a pretty big deal (maybe because I don't think all Democrats are flowery wonderful goodness and all Republicans are evil totalitarians). A bad policy is a bad policy no matter what party or what individual supports it.

Sure, but is that really make or break for you? I think the FISA thing is terrible too, and the Democratic congress has embarrassed itself by allowing it all to pass largely unmolested after the initial rebuke in March. I'm still voting for Obama, because even though he's drifting towards the center or the inexcusable on some issues, I still agree with the majority of his platform and his party. There's no perfect candidate in the race, and I really doubt there's even something like a 75% perfect candidate for most people.

 

I don't think any of the third-party candidates had to make an actual accountable decision to support or reject the FISA bill, so I wouldn't give that a whole lot of value in my determination of who was the most right candidate for me.

 

[Guest The Elements of Style]

I don't get the dog thing. Are you really submitting that he will forgo his job to select a pet dog?

[The Niggardly King 0]

Did Glenn Beck joke about this or something?

[snuffbox 0]

Same to assume.

 

Actual big news from yesterday was the troop surge in Afghanistan, the drop in oil prices, and the continued fallout of Bush Jr's embarassing press conference.

[snuffbox 0]

http://www.independent.org/blog/?p=136

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Did Glenn Beck joke about this or something?

 

No. I saw the links posted somewhere else.

 

He did mention today that Homeless people in Denver are being given bus passes and tickets to theatres, the zoo and museums for free between the 25th and 28th of August.

 

Its really nice that the people of Denver are trying to help their fellow homeless citizens at a time of such economic trouble.

 

 

[EricMM 0]

I'm sorry, was that sarcasm?

 

It really is nice...

[SuperJerk 0]

http://www.independent.org/blog/?p=136

Most people probably agree with one of the 2 major parties more than they disagree with them. For example, I may like McKinney's position on some environmental issues, but I despise her views on 9/11.

 

There are three reasons a third party has never successfully emerged in the U.S. (the Republicans came to power only after the Whigs' demise...there were only two actual parties in 1860):

1. Not enough people can agree on what what the third party should represent. A successful party must have broad appeal, and the most popular ideas are already represented by the two major parties.
2. The winner-take-all system means you have to win an election to have a say, as opposed to parliamentary systems where representation is awarded based on how much of the vote you carry. If the Libertarians got 3% of the U.S. House because they won 3% of the vote nationwide, you'd see more catering to them and they'd grow in power. For example, Gov. Rick Perry only got less than 40% of the vote in Texas in 2006 because there were 3 major candidates. Thus, over 60% of the voters got shut out by the results. In an multi-party system, you end up with minority rule.
3. Any time an idea becomes popular enough to win, one of the other two parties co-opts it, thus making the point of the party moot. Many of the Bull-Moose Party's ideas were implemented by Woodrow Wilson. Various anti-war and environmental parties and organizations saw their stances absorbed by the Democrats in 1972.

[snuffbox 0]

Not the point.

[SuperJerk 0]

The first part on my post was related, but the second part was a seperate topic I decided to use this as an opportunity to revisit. That's why a put the huge gap between the two parts.

 

Anyhow, here's an interesting short essay I wanted to share that has nothing to do with third parties, either.

 

Commentary: Why Americans can't get over race

Story Highlights

-Writers ask: Is Barack Obama's mission hopeless or history-making?

-Discussions of race or racism still stir uncomfortable reactions, they say

-Neither whites nor blacks are over racism, they say, and candidates still face it

-They say that too often, debates inflame passions or reinforce old falsehoods

 

By William S. Cohen and Janet Langhart Cohen

Special to CNN

 

Editor's Note: William Cohen is a former Republican senator and defense secretary in the Clinton administration. His wife, Janet Langhart Cohen, is a former TV journalist, model and author. They are the co-authors of "Love In Black and White," a memoir about race, religion and their experiences as an interracial couple.

 

(CNN) -- In 1835, Alexis DeTocqueville, in his seminal work, "Democracy in America," prophesied that the abolition of slavery would not eliminate racial prejudice, which he declared was "immovable."

 

Sen. Barack Obama, in running for the presidency of the United States, is challenging DeTocqueville's bleak assessment of the human heart. It remains unclear whether the Illinois senator is on a hopeless mission, or whether the American people will decide to make history by breaking with it.

 

Any discussion of race or racism inevitably stirs uncomfortable reactions. America is, indeed, a nation of immigrants. Most of our ancestors came here in search of a better life. Africans, however, arrived here in chains to make a better life for others. Yet to date, we have been unable to discuss the horrors of the enslavement, lynchings, segregation and degradation of African-Americans without prompting resentment or indifference.

 

"That's all in the past," is a common retort. "We had nothing to do with it. It's history. Get over it." The problem, however, as the results in a number of the primary states reveal, is that racial prejudice is not history, and neither whites nor blacks are over it. Cohens share their experience as interracial couple »

 

While Obama has moved the subject of prejudice out from the shadows, more than his exotic name, origin and religious affiliation are at issue. When Colin Powell, one of America's most accomplished military leaders and diplomats, contemplated running for the presidency in 2000, his family feared for his safety. Also, during that same year, when Sen. John McCain ran for our highest office, he was the victim of a vile, racist smear in South Carolina.

 

There are deep grievances held by black Americans over their past and present treatment by the white majority and equally profound resentments held by many whites over what they see as preferential treatment for the black community. Unfortunately, a discussion of the racial divide in our country is too often reduced to sound bites or shouting matches. Moreover, the preachings and exhortations of several prominent religious leaders, rather than nurturing and appealing to our spiritual needs, have instead served to inflame passions and reinforce old falsehoods and antagonisms.

 

We are convinced that what is needed in America is a serious, open, civil dialogue on racial, ethnic and religious prejudice. To this end, in July, we are convening a conference in Washington on race and reconciliation with political, spiritual and business leaders. Our goal: to further a national conversation about the need for truth, tolerance and reconciliation.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/coh...tics/index.html

 

[SuperJerk 0]

Guiliani seems to think Americans will vote for John McCain based on the number of time's he's visited Afghanistan.

 

On the field before the Yankees took on the Oakland A’s, Giuliani told reporters, “the fact that Barack Obama is now making his first tour, in essence, of the world is an indication that John McCain is the man with the experience. John doesn't have to go for the first or second time to these places. He has been going there for 20-30 years. He knows the world. He understands the world.”

 

Obama has previously visited Iraq and other countries overseas, but this was his first visit to Afghanistan.

 

Giuliani said, “Without any disrespect to the other side, he's just so far more experienced that I think America will elect him. I think the American people are going to take a look and say we have got to be very serious about this…we need a man that has experience and John McCain has that experience."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/...s-inexperience/

 

So I guess McCain gets to cash in his frequent flier miles to become most powerful man in the world? I want to fly on that airline.

 

Also...

Criticizing Obama’s strategy on Iraq, the former mayor said, “I think if you look at Senator McCain's record on Iraq - you don't fail to elect him president. He was right about Iraq when almost everybody else was wrong. It has turned out that if we had caved in the way Barack Obama and the democrats wanted we would now have a defeat. America would have a defeat rather than a possible victory.”

 

No word on what alternate universe the press conference was being held in.

 

 

Another sign I'm right and their wrong...I'm not the one who made THIS:

 

(Yes, this is real.)

[At Home 0]

"You're holding people back while we're picking up the slack!"

 

 

[SuperJerk 0]

Conservative exploitation of middle-class resentment towards minorities and the poor is based on perpetuating ignorance, so I can almost guarantee whoever wrote that song has no idea what percentage of the federal budget goes to the anti-poverty programs he hates so much.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

[Gary Floyd 0]

Stay classy GOP

[SuperJerk 0]

In response to that billboard, here's the video the Republicans don't want you to see...

 

 

 

[Timmy8271 0]

 

Ya that billboard is stupid. And the Republican part denounced that billboard according to the local news.

[At Home 0]

[SuperJerk 0]

I have to say I'm impressed with McCain new 4 step campaign strategy:

-flat out lie about your record

-flat out lie about you opponent's record

-repeat lie at least a dozen times

-hope no one in the press bothers to dispute the lies

 

Case in point:

McCain insists he was right, Obama wrong on Iraq By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer

57 minutes ago

 

 

 

Republican John McCain worked on Monday to wrestle the spotlight from rival Barack Obama's tour of Iraq by insisting he was right and the Democrat was wrong about the war and releasing a new critical ad blaming higher gas prices on his opponent.

 

As Obama toured the war zones trailed by U.S. network TV anchors, McCain ridiculed him from afar during a visit with the first President George Bush at his summer home on the Atlantic. At the same time, the Republican contender released an eyebrow-raising new ad flatly blaming the Illinois senator for higher gasoline prices.

 

The Republican and Democratic presidential contenders have differed sharply over Iraq. Obama has said he would withdraw U.S. troops from combat there over 16 months while reinforcing the U.S. effort against al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan. McCain has resisted any timetable for withdrawal, insisting that victory in Iraq is a necessary precursor to success in Afghanistan.

 

Any withdrawal of troops from Iraq "must be based on conditions on the ground," McCain told reporters as he stood beside the 84-year-old former president.

 

The Arizona senator disparaged Obama as "someone who has no military experience whatsoever."

 

"When you win wars, troops come home," McCain said. "He's been completely wrong on the issue. ... I have been steadfast in my position."

 

On Afghanistan, McCain said, "I've always said it's long and tough and hard."

 

As to Iraq, "We've succeeded. We're not succeeding, we've succeeded," McCain said later at a fundraiser.

 

McCain told reporters he didn't care if Obama's trip was stealing attention and "doesn't in the slightest undercut" his own message.

 

Stewart Iverson, chairman of Iowa's Republican Party, said he's hopes voters will conclude from Obama's overseas visit that "one trip doesn't make you an expert in foreign policy."

 

He said the McCain campaign will have to keep pointing out the differences between the candidates' stances on foreign policy. "It's not something that you do in one speech. It's not just today and tomorrow. It's next week, it's next month," he said.

 

Iverson predicted the foreign trip may provide "a bump for a little bit for Obama." But as for a lasting impact on McCain, he said, "I don't think necessarily it's going to hurt him."

 

The elder Bush declined to advise McCain on the two wars, noting that he no longer follows every headline each day.

 

"No advice," Bush said. "My respect for him knows no bounds."

 

Bush would not criticize either McCain for advocating oil drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf nor his son for rescinding his own 1992 presidential order banning such offshore drilling. Increasing domestic production was important, Bush said.

 

In a TV ad on national cable and in 11 states, McCain pushed his support for offshore drilling as the remedy for rising gas prices.

 

And even though McCain opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and during his 2000 presidential run opposed lifting the offshore drilling moratorium, his ad clearly tries to blame rising prices on support for the moratorium by Obama, a first-term Illinois senator.

 

As the price readout on a lonely gas pump rolls over to $5, the announcer asks, "Who can you thank for rising prices at the pump?" Rising from the background is the sound of a crowd chanting: "Obama, Obama, Obama." A smiling Obama appears on the screen with a pump rising over his right shoulder.

 

Finally the announcer says: "One man knows we must now drill more in America and rescue our family budgets. Don't hope for more energy, vote for it. McCain."

 

This ad is the latest tit-for-tat commercial over energy in the presidential campaign. Earlier this month, an Obama ad accused McCain of being "part of the problem" of high gas prices.

 

The main premise of McCain's ad — that opposition to drilling is responsible for high gas prices — is disputed even by McCain allies. In arguing for an end to the offshore moratorium and for drilling in the Alaska preserve, President Bush said that these steps "will take years to have their full impact" on energy costs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080721/ap_on_el_pr/mccain

[snuffbox 0]

Supposedly this week for McCain's VP pick.

 

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27630

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Romney ftw!

[snuffbox 0]

He shares a dumbshit religion with a guy that tells me how to think!

[At Home 0]

Nuclear winter ftw!

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Romney all but ensures a Republican loss. Sounds good to me.

[Guest The Elements of Style]

He shares a dumbshit religion with a guy that tells me how to think!

Stephen Covey?