Ready to Gaffe

Second Term

This is just an example of an unbiased media reminding the folks that McCain
might croak or something.

Um, did Matt Damon become a contributor the Associated Press?

McCain Calls For Delay of Debate

Interesting move by McCain. Obama is rejecting his call. I like the idea in
purely non-political terms. To give the campaigning a few days of rest so
the Senators can do some work in Washington sounds appropriate. No
negative ads, no bickering. In political strategy terms, which is less important,
it could be seen as either a good or bad move by McCain, according to your
perspective. Sen. Obama is calling his bluff and not agreeing to cancel the
debate. Thus, if Sen. McCain decides to attend the debate after all, it might
appear that he's folding to Sen. Obama. However, it might also look partisan
of Obama to put out negative campaign ads these next couple of days while
McCain does not. We will see what happens.

What's Love Gotta Do With It?

The Dems just don't get it, do they:

Later Tuesday evening, at a fundraiser across town, Biden
continued to focus on religion, accusing Republican nominee
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., of hating, but embracing, the
religious right.

"The only place John has changed is with regard to the
religious right, which he hates but he's embraced," Biden said
to supporters at a Democratic Victory Fund event hosted by
the American Association of Justice. "That's the only change
with John. The only change."

The political and religious right doesn't support Republican candidates because
they feel embraced or loved by them. It's because they share the same stances
on issues. It's a matter of shared values not emotion. The religious right would
rather support an unbeliever who's pro-life and for traditional marriage than a
fervent believer who is pro-choice. They make a mistake thinking that evangelicals
solely liked George Bush because he referred to himself as a "born again" Christian
or Ronald Reagan because he often used religious language in his speeches. It is
obviously more than that.

Sen. Obama has actively seeked the evangelical vote this year. He will probably
do well among young evangelicals but I doubt he will make any big inroads. The
problem isn't that Democrats haven't reached out to religious people enough,
as some seem to think. The problem is that Democrats are wrong on the issues
they most care about. Sen. Biden may very well be right that John McCain hates
the religious right. However, when it comes to the social issues the religious right
has found an ally in John McCain. Sometimes when you need to get things done
you partner up with people who don't like you very much. It's nothing personal.

McCain Selects Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin for VP

I'm really shocked with pick. I really didn't see this one coming. She
wasn't doing the Sunday morning talk show circuit as a surrogate for
Sen. John McCain. The media pundits rarely brought her name up
as possible candidate.

I will wait until more info comes out about her to say if I think she's
a good pick. I'm open minded. Although, I do fear that this might somewhat
undermine McCain's biggest argument: experience.

Congratulations

Sweet and classy

New Obama Ad: Out of Touch

Or should be called "Did we mention McCain is really old?" Notice the
not so subtle "he can't remember anymore" and I'm sure video of him
driving in a golf cart isn't by accident.

Rich

New Obama ad:



Can someone tell me of a president that wasn't rich? You have to have
money to run for office these days.

Camp McCain responds:

“Does a guy who made more than $4 million last year, just got
back from vacation on a private beach in Hawaii and bought his
own million-dollar mansion with the help of a convicted felon
really want to get into a debate about houses? Does a guy who
worries about the price of arugula and thinks regular people
“cling” to guns and religion in the face of economic hardship
really want to have a debate about who’s in touch with regular
Americans?

Acceptable Lieberman

I agree with Patrick Ruffini on McCain picking Lieberman for Vice President
would be an acceptable pick. There is something to be said about a ticket that
crosses party lines. That being said if the goal of a Lieberman pick is to bring
over Democrats and Independents to McCain's side, than the Senator from
Connecticut is probably the wrong selection. The main reason people flooded
to the Democratic Party in the 2006 elections and the Democratic Primaries
was because of the war in Iraq. The only issue Lieberman really agrees with
Republicans on is the war in Iraq. So I doubt it will have the intended effect.

In other Lieberman related news: He will be speaking at the GOP convention.

Obama is So Not Being Divisive

Yep, no divisive language here:

RENO, Nev. (AP) - So much for hugging in church. A day
after Barack Obama and John McCain exchanged an embrace
during a faith forum at a California megachurch, Obama called
the U.S. economy a disaster thanks to "John McCain's president,
George W. Bush," and chided his Republican rival's campaign
team for trying to make him look unpatriotic and weak.

Also no divisive language here:

"My opponent John McCain," he said as the crowd began to
boo, "John McCain, you know, he has been talking about how
he puts country first, but I have to say it is not an example
of putting country first when you say that George Bush’s economic
policies have shown great progress. He said that just a few
months ago -- that, you know, we made great economic progress
under George Bush. Then he started running ads saying 'oh,
Obama just going to raise your taxes and he will lead to an
economic disaster.'"

"Mr. McCain let me explain to you, the economic disaster is
happening right now," Obama continued, "maybe you haven't
noticed!

"He has got his major economic advisor calling you whiners," Obama
said, referring to former Sen. Phil Gramm. "He said, 'oh, the American
people are whining' – one of McCain's top advisors said, 'a nation of
whiners.' 'They have a mental depression. They are just imagining
things are bad."

He forgot to mention that adviser is no longer advising the McCain campaign.

Faith Forum

I watched the Faith Forum tonight and I got major headache after viewing so
that's why I'm posting this late. (No, my headache wasn't due to listening two
politicians, I don't know what brought it on but I took some Tylenol). I liked the
fact that they asked both John McCain and Barack Obama the exact same
questions but in separate interviews. Sen. McCain clearly seemed more comfortable
in this interview format and that may be due to the fact they were in front of an
evangelical crowd, which tends to be more friendly with the GOP on issues like
abortion. However, I noticed they gave Obama a standing ovation so it wasn't a
hostile crowd by any means.

The question where I can see the most drastic difference between the two
candidates was on the question of evil. CNN hasn't put up the transcripts
yet so I'm going to paraphrase the responses. Pastor Rick Warren asked if evil
should be negotiated, contained, or defeated. Obama's reply was something to
the affect of facing evil with humility. McCain just straight out and said his usual
line of "following Osama to the gates of hell." Obama thinks in nuances, McCain
much of straight shooter with moral clarity. I think there is something to be said
for both ways of thinking. The presidency isn't an easy job and some tough
decisions are often made. It's good to have someone in the Oval Office that
thoroughly weighs the moral decisions he has to make and considers all the
possible repercussions. However, there is also something to be said about
someone with moral clarity. The ability to unequivocally call out evil for it is a
good quality in a leader. I think ultimately that is the fundamental difference
between the two candidates.

A John McCain/Joe Lieberman Ticket?

There's been a lot of speculation on the internet about the possibility
of John McCain picking Joe Lieberman as his running mate. Then I
just finished seeing this Google Ad paid for by the John McCain campaign:



Interesting how it says "join our team." It might be an attempt to
appeal to disaffected Democrats after such a hard fought primary.
I just thought I would post it and let speculation run wild!

Update: I found the ad again and it leads to this page. So that
explains it. The ad is intended to reach Democrats and Independents.

McCain: 'Today We Are All Georgians'

I'm mainly posting this because I enjoy it when a news Web sites add
embedded video capabilities (if you haven't noticed). I don't know how
long CNN.com video has had this feature but I just noticed today.
I'm a dork!

Exxon John

Um, I thought the Dems didn't like Sen. John Cornyn's "Big John" ad.
Then why are they copying it:

Audacity of Hopelessness

A new book title for Sen. Obama next endeavor in literature!:

DENVER - Republican presidential candidate John McCain,
ridiculing Barack Obama for "the audacity of hopelessness"
in his policies on Iraq, said Friday that the entire Middle East
could have plunged into war had U.S. troops been withdrawn
as his rival advocated.

Speaking to an audience of Hispanic military veterans, McCain
stepped up his criticism of Obama while the Illinois senator
continued his headline-grabbing tour of the Middle East and
Europe. The Arizona Republican contended that Obama's
policies — he opposed sending more troops to Iraq in the
"surge" that McCain supported — would have led to defeat
there and in Afghanistan.

Planned Parenthood Ad

Planned Parenthood receives government funding so why
are they running ads taking swipes at a presidential candidate?

They Said What !?! 07-08-2008

I haven't done one of these since March so it's time. Sen. McCain has a weird sense
of humor:

PITTSBURGH — Cindy McCain’s jab to her husband’s back came a
second too late Tuesday to keep him from making a wisecrack about
the health impact of Iran’s main import from the United States:
cigarettes.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain was asked about an
Associated Press report that $158 million in cigarettes have been
shipped to Iran during George W. Bush’s presidency despite restrictions
on U.S. exports to that country.

“Maybe that’s a way of killing them,” McCain told reporters, smiling as
he waited for a cheesesteak sandwich at the Primanti Brothers
restaurant. His wife, sitting next to him at the counter, poked his back
without looking up.

“I meant that as a joke,” McCain quickly explained. “As a person who
hasn’t had a cigarette in 28 years,” he began to say, when his wife
corrected him: 29 years.

Video:

John McCain Ad: "Love"

Don't Wake McCain Up, He's California Dreaming

The AP has an article about the McCain camp dreaming that they have a chance in
California:

For evidence of an opening, McCain supporters point to Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger, a Republican with moderate social views, celebrity
credentials and a business-friendly outlook who is in his second term.
They see McCain as sharing some of his traits — a willingness to work
across party lines, a green streak on the environment and centrist
appeal. But Schwarzenegger supports abortion rights, as does the other
statewide Republican officeholder, Insurance Commissioner Steve
Poizner.

The article gives extensive and good reasons why it might be wasteful to campaign
in the Golden State. California has become a Democratic stronghold and it will
be hard for him win. I say he should at least give it a shot and he's not spending
too much resources there. Virginia and Georgia usually go to Republicans but Sen.
Obama is trying to be competitive there.

Folks, one thing I learned from all those hours watching Saturday morning kids shows
is that it's fun to California Dream:



Ok, since I just finished posting a video that's beachy and fun I'll ask you guys:
Hey, have you been noticing a trend in President Bush's apparel lately?:

Ideological Purity

Dennis Prager has an interesting article defending Sen. McCain to
conservatives who don't want to vote for him. There was a moment
where I was thinking about voting for a third party because I just had
reservations about both major candidates. Although, it wasn't because
McCain wasn't conservative enough for my liking. I'm actually more
moderate. However, after much contemplation I decided to support
McCain. I know it's either going to be President Obama or President
McCain next year. There's no way around it. So I might as well choose
between those two.

There's something odd and perhaps dangerous happening in our politics
these days. There is this want for ideological purity brought about by the
internet. Progressives want the Democratic candidate to walk lockstep
with them. That is one of the reasons why Sen. Hillary Clinton is not the
nominee. It's also because we're all sexists! She supported going into Iraq
and progressives couldn't have that. That is also why Sen. Joe Lieberman
is now an Independent.

Conservatives are the same way. Mitt Romney is not the nominee because
he used to be pro-choicer. Rudy Giuliani is pro-choice and that was a deal
breaker for Republican primary voters among other things. Some conservatives
are still not happy with Sen. McCain because of his stances on immigration
reform and global warming.

I think it's quite puerile to expect perfect political and ideological alignment
with the candidate one votes for. No one's perfect. I fear where our political
parties are headed if the loudest voices that demand ideological purity keep
having their say.