AN OPEN INVITATION

I am an independent leaning democrat...that does not mean that I could vote Republican this year

I am inviting someone on the right to a discussion of the issues involved in this election.
I do not want to talk about Palins family or Obama’s or for that matter anyone’s family.
I do not want to talk about associations, past sins, or get into name calling, sarcasm, etc.
I will be honest. And I am looking for someone to do the same.
If we can connect I will give you my email if we can agree to talk about...Health Care, Iraq, Education, and Immigration etc. I want to try and understand and find at least a nominal thought that we can agree on.

I promise no name calling no threats nothing but respect in the discourse although I am sure I will be tempted to do so I will resist.

I think on all of these blogs there is a lot of stupid threats, comments, observations and non rational interaction. I have certainly done some of it. I want more from the discussion. I want to try and get your side of the story…and I would like to share my perceptions.

Still I will issue the first challenge....so here it is.

When I hear that Palin say our Military is doing Gods work and therefore is God's army ...I am suspect that someone who holds this view could ...and I think they should...separate church and state. I think calling us God's army is arrogant and quite honestly, dangerous.
I am a Christian...but this kind of rhetoric does not reflect what I believe to be Christian values.

E.J.-

Your insecurity is showing...for the first time it's beginning to dawn on you that Obama might lose. At least you're sentient enough to realize that.

The best part of your rant was the whining about Gov Palin's mockery of "The One"...what you found somehow blasphemous, many of us found humorous...go figure.

Styrofoam Greek columns indeed...Obama is the Wizard Of Oz of the 21st century.

Stephen Bleeds Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> AN OPEN INVITATION
>
> I am an independent leaning democrat...that does
> not mean that I could vote Republican this year
>
> I am inviting someone on the right to a discussion
> of the issues involved in this election.
> I do not want to talk about Palins family or
> Obama’s or for that matter anyone’s family.
> I do not want to talk about associations, past
> sins, or get into name calling, sarcasm, etc.
> I will be honest. And I am looking for someone to
> do the same.
> If we can connect I will give you my email if we
> can agree to talk about...Health Care, Iraq,
> Education, and Immigration etc. I want to try and
> understand and find at least a nominal thought
> that we can agree on.
>
> I promise no name calling no threats nothing but
> respect in the discourse although I am sure I will
> be tempted to do so I will resist.
>
> I think on all of these blogs there is a lot of
> stupid threats, comments, observations and non
> rational interaction. I have certainly done some
> of it. I want more from the discussion. I want to
> try and get your side of the story…and I would
> like to share my perceptions.
>
> Still I will issue the first challenge....so here
> it is.
>
> When I hear that Palin say our Military is doing
> Gods work and therefore is God's army ...I am
> suspect that someone who holds this view could
> ...and I think they should...separate church and
> state. I think calling us God's army is arrogant
> and quite honestly, dangerous.
> I am a Christian...but this kind of rhetoric does
> not reflect what I believe to be Christian values.


How refreshing! Please let us all know if you have any takers......I'm thinking you won't.

I know this sounds a little off the subject, but what qualifys someone to be a 'reporter?'
More and more I am beginning to believe, that for the countries sake, the first amendment needs to be augmented to not allow the press to behave in the manner it's currently behaving in.

The best thing about Sen. McCain's choice of Gov. Palin to be on his ticket is that it let's Sen. Clinton off the hook if Sen. Obama loses this election (the odds of him losing the election only increased after the Palin pick). If Sen. Obama loses, voters will not hold Sen. Clinton responsible for his losing votes; they will hold Gov. Palin responsible for taking votes from him. They will hold Sen. Obama responsible for not choosing Sen. Clinton as his running mate, which might have blunted Palin's impact or perhaps prevented her selection all together. The Clinton voters that the Obama campaign has to worry about are not these imaginary ultra-liberal women that are angry over her Clinton's loss that the media has invented (the most liberal women were actually supporting Sen. Obama in the primary). Her voters that he has to worry about are the working class Reagan democrats, both men and women, that switch parties when voting for president if the democratic candidate is too liberal or doesn't share their values. 40% of Clinton voters who do not want to vote for Obama are men. 20% of all the women who voted for Clinton voted for Bush in the 2004 election. Sen. McCain's choice of Gov. Palin only makes it more likely many of these voters will cross over and vote for McCain, just as they did with Reagan.

The moonbats on the left are frailing about trying to get back the momentum they lost this week. nobama has been reduced to saying he is more qualified then Gov. Palin, the number 2 on the GOP ticket. Comrade joe has disappeared into oblivion and will probably be kicked to the curb by nobama before the VP debates and replaced by the hildabeast. Going to be an interesting 60 days to the election. nobama bin biden is in danger of becoming a footnote in the history of the 2008 election.

No matter how thin you slice it, its still baloney.

Thanks for making the case the the inside-the-beltway ticket from the Democrat-controlled Congress (~9% approval rating) featuring an upside-down ticket with a Chicago machine politician at the top is not change for the good!

Keep it up! I'm enjoying the show desperate thrashing of the MSM elites. The only thing that would be better would be to see an investigative report of E. J. Dionne's family by the same standard applied to Sarah Palin, since according to the MSM that is fair treatment of a public figure.

Raconteur Wrote:

> The best part of your rant was the whining about
> Gov Palin's mockery of "The One"...what you found
> somehow blasphemous, many of us found
> humorous...go figure.

As a Clinton supporter in the primaries, I couldn't help but laugh as Gov. Palin tore into Sen. Obama. Scranton. San Francisco. The memoirs. Styrofoam Greek columns. What a performance! I don't agree with most of her positions (although I do think she as much, if not more, experience than Sen. Obama) but you can't deny she makes a great vice presidential attacker.

It always amazes me how the conservatives smell a little blood and dive in for the kill!

This article hit the nail on the head! THANKS MR. DIONNE! Conservatives and the right find it nearly impossible to look at facts or be consistent in their thinking processes. Let me just ask a few questions?

1. Did Bush campaign in the same dirty manner that McCain is campaigning against Obama? And why would he every forgive GW for the terrible things he did to him and his family?

2. Has McCain sold himself out and abandoned his principles by changing his position on illegal immigrants, tax plan, drilling in Alaska amongst many other issues?

3. Did McCain choose Palin for political reasons? (Now be honest..)

4. Is McCain an elderly guy who admits to NOT understanding economics very well and isn't familiar with how a computer works?

5. How can we trust a man who has changed his positions so many times and forgiven Bush for everything and supports him 95% of the time?

6. Were most of the few thousand Republicans in the convention hall white and wealthy? (research that one).

7. Haven't we had enough of the Republicans after 8 years of SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL, an unwise and senseless war, no health care plans, economic slow down and job loss, loss of credibility within the global community, nothing done with energy problems.....need I go on?

The FACTS ON ISSUES (not who they know or are associated with, their religious preferences, whether they believe in abortion or not (personal), whether they are green, gray, purple, fat, slim, white, black, woman, man, gay, straight has NOTHING to do with the huge issues that confront this country at this time.

I am just hopeful people who do not have sense enough to understand these ISSUES and vote accordingly will do so this time. Yes, I am concerned that the same idiots who voted in Bush a second time will vote McCain in. What a scarey thought for this country.....another 4 year of Bush. Can we afford it?

barack obama.....uniting the country with high taxes & gay marriage...can't wait

Ah, another EJ whine-a-thon. His article echos the current liberal sentiment: We loved John McCain (when he was not a threat to be President). He was a bridge-builder, operated outside his party ranks, reached out to democrats (who are always right!). He was a maverick (when he went against his party!). All that. But NOW! NOW that he has a chance to win in November, well...NOW he's just another neocon. NOW..............he's Bush.

McCain can't 'reach across the isle'. He will not reach out to the left when he's president. He realizes now that you cannot reach out to the left, lest you feel inclined to draw back a stump.

Why do conservatives understand liberals so much better than vice versa? Dionne hasn't a clue about how conservatives think, nor does he even try to analyze them other than through his very liberal and biased prism.
His column is not worth reading except for conservatives to be reminded what we're up against: hypocrisy, distortion, cultural ignorance, valueless screed. No, Mr. Dionne, I HAVE NEVER NEEDED A NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATE!
Liberals say that Palin is not ready to be President (who is -- Obama?), so that disqualifies McCain.
Conservatives say, well,with Palin we can vote for McCain, because the future is back in our hands, and McCain's mischief is far more tolerable than Obama's.
Besides, he will appoint good judges.
And if the liberals block them, well, they are replacements for liberals (hopefully). He court can work with 7 or 8 justices.

I love how Dionne tried to cast Palin as "condescending" because she made a dismissive comment about Obama's community organizaing stint. Let's not forget that the Obama campaign's immediate reaction to the announcement she was the VP nominee was to deride her as the "former mayor of a town of 9,000," and that days after this comment, Obama derisively said she "only supervised 35 employees" as a mayor (never mind that she's now a governor). So, I think Obama was asking for it.

Moreover, since speaker after speaker at the DNC reminded us that Obama was a community organizer, and that this somehow qualifies him for the presidency, the comment was fair game. His campaign's treatment of Palin has been ridiculously condescending. Immediately after Palin's speech, David Axelrod dismissed her remarks as "things the campaign told her" - even though Biden no doubt said what the Obama campaign told him to say in his remarks. They seem to be implying she's either not intelligent enough or not knowledgeable enough to reach these conclusions themselves. Oh well, I suppose it makes sense; she didn't go to Harvard Law after all.

Great! An actual "issues based" conservative responded? Well....that in itself gives me hope! No, really, I know there are many Republicans/conservative who are thoughtful and recognize the critical importance of sorting out and prioritizing the issues this election. Then, they will select their candidate based on fact....not emotion, associations, personalities, personal feelings (I hope!)

Of course IT is not getting done YET (reaching across the isles), we still have GW and his cronies minding the ship. It will take some time for a different administration to change the way things have been done for the past 8 years.

Do you want 4 more years of the same? McCain talks a good line, but is he believable? People say they don't trust Obama and I'm perplexed about this. Why would they trust a guy who tries to say he's for "change" when he has voted with GW 90-95% of the time? Has he SUDDENLY SEEN THE LIGHT or is he using the same sort of slash and burn politics that GW used to successfully propel himself into the White House....both times?

Time will tell, but I pray Americans are paying enough attention to the ISSUES this time and won't fall for the same tactics used in past elections. Yeah, I know, Obama has his flaws and is far from perfect, but he is a new kind of politician (not completely, I realize....but new in his philosophies and ideas about how the process of change gets accomplished).

Thanks for the reply, Stephen, your posting was fun to read and very refreshing!

Stephen Bleeds Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey Peg...I did get one positive response and I am
> excited about the possibilities. What disturbs me
> most is every body says we need to reach across
> the isle but it is not getting done. Right now, no
> matter who gets elected, no matter how much they
> promise...the odds are , the same rifts will
> continue. And, as long as sarcasm, distortions and
> immutable positions hold steady. We really are
> hopeless unless we can find some points of
> agreement. I would like to find out if I can be
> part of the solution rather than prepetuating the
> problem.
>
>
>
> Peg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Stephen Bleeds Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > AN OPEN INVITATION
> > >
> > > I am an independent leaning democrat...that
> > does
> > > not mean that I could vote Republican this
> year
> >
> > >
> > > I am inviting someone on the right to a
> > discussion
> > > of the issues involved in this election.
> > > I do not want to talk about Palins family or
> > > Obama’s or for that matter anyone’s family.
> > > I do not want to talk about associations,
> past
> > > sins, or get into name calling, sarcasm, etc.
>
> > > I will be honest. And I am looking for
> someone
> > to
> > > do the same.
> > > If we can connect I will give you my email if
> > we
> > > can agree to talk about...Health Care, Iraq,
> > > Education, and Immigration etc. I want to try
> > and
> > > understand and find at least a nominal
> thought
> > > that we can agree on.
> > >
> > > I promise no name calling no threats nothing
> > but
> > > respect in the discourse although I am sure I
> > will
> > > be tempted to do so I will resist.
> > >
> > > I think on all of these blogs there is a lot
> of
> > > stupid threats, comments, observations and
> non
> > > rational interaction. I have certainly done
> > some
> > > of it. I want more from the discussion. I
> want
> > to
> > > try and get your side of the story…and I
> would
> > > like to share my perceptions.
> > >
> > > Still I will issue the first challenge....so
> > here
> > > it is.
> > >
> > > When I hear that Palin say our Military is
> > doing
> > > Gods work and therefore is God's army ...I am
> > > suspect that someone who holds this view
> could
> > > ...and I think they should...separate church
> > and
> > > state. I think calling us God's army is
> > arrogant
> > > and quite honestly, dangerous.
> > > I am a Christian...but this kind of rhetoric
> > does
> > > not reflect what I believe to be Christian
> > values.
> >
> >
> > How refreshing! Please let us all know if you
> > have any takers......I'm thinking you won't.

Sophiefromchicago Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When a candidate for the Democratic party uses the
> lowest forms of SEXISM to belittle a female
> candidate from his own party I have to put down my
> foot. He almost lost me when he called Hillary
> annie oakley but he really lost me when he ignored
> her for the VP position. Up until Sarah Palin
> entered the scene I was resigned to stay at home
> on voting day but now I will cast my vote for a
> woman after all.

All you dimwits who supported Hillary were just doing it because she wears a bra. The fact is that Obama brings a special amount of knowledge and experience because he is an African MAN. Hillary simply couldn't match up to the wisdom that his background brings. I hope that he appoints her to a decent job so that she can continue to train. Maybe in 2016 she will be ready and he can be her main advsior to help her get elected. I think that for the good of the party she and her supporters should come under the Obama wing of the party.

jpipk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do conservatives understand liberals so much
> better than vice versa? Dionne hasn't a clue about
> how conservatives think, nor does he even try to
> analyze them other than through his very liberal
> and biased prism.
> His column is not worth reading except for
> conservatives to be reminded what we're up
> against: hypocrisy, distortion, cultural
> ignorance, valueless screed. No, Mr. Dionne, I
> HAVE NEVER NEEDED A NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATE!
> Liberals say that Palin is not ready to be
> President (who is -- Obama?), so that disqualifies
> McCain.
> Conservatives say, well,with Palin we can vote for
> McCain, because the future is back in our hands,
> and McCain's mischief is far more tolerable than
> Obama's.
> Besides, he will appoint good judges.
> And if the liberals block them, well, they are
> replacements for liberals (hopefully). He court
> can work with 7 or 8 justices.


I'm amused that you can't resist showing your true colors, can you? I think Mr. Dionne understands you very well. The problem is, you don't understand yourself.

Why would you want the future "back in your hands"? The future has been in your hands for nearly 8 years and the majority of Americans are not better off than they were 8 years ago. This country is in pathetic shape, haven't you noticed? Why is McCain's "mischief" more tolerable than Obama's? What are you afraid of? Probably many things, but mostly if Obama gets elected, he will not chose conservative, right winged Supreme Court Justices..... and that would take "control" out of your hands. I'm afraid of the opposite, my friend. This country was not made just for you.

The fact you would say you never needed a "neighborhood advocate" indicates your stance of taking government out of everything, only caring about your own particular needs and voting accordingly. It's this egocentric, greedy, hypocritical, way of viewing life..... that has gotten this country in the mess it's in.

E.J. must be worried now....Let's have the cultural battle for the soul of our country.....I can't wait until Dionne and the rest of his panty waist girly men friends get sent packing.....Give me guns, religion and babies any day...That's what this country is made of, not the liberal tripe we have been led to believe....Just remember E.J., Sarah Palin has you in her sights, and she won't miss...P.S....I wonder how long it would take her to skin you, you puke...

Okay, as a case in point, Malkins piece today was also opinion, not fact. I realize the conservative litmus test for "fact" is whether or not it corresponds to their opinion, but fact means something that can be independently verified, that reflects the world as it exists, and that describes things that actually occurred.

It is a fact, for example, that there were no WMDs in Iraq.

It is a fact that Republicans have had control of Washington for most of the past 8 years.

It is a fact that Sarah Palin supported the bridge to nowhere, and that she allowed Alaska to keep the money after the project was cancelled.

It is a conservative opinion (or talking point) that Obama's community organizing was worthless or part of "machine politics." Ms. Malkin gave no facts to back that assertion up, just opinions.

Just because you agree with her does not make what she said fact.

Well BigLouise,

How glad I am to hear you say Sarah Palin is a famale McCain. Let's run with that.

It follows from that assertion that McCain is far right wing, that he wants to teach creationism rather than evolution in the schools, that he believes in banning books he doesn't like, that he believes Iraq is a war sanctioned by God, that he doesn't believe in global warming, that he doesn't support funding for disabled children, that he opposes teaching sex education, and that he is for earmarks even though he claims to be against them.

Great, why don't you ask the Republican Party to run ads to that effect. I would really love to see them.

Jon Do Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Peg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It always amazes me how the conservatives smell
> a
> > little blood and dive in for the kill!
> >
> > This article hit the nail on the head! THANKS
> MR.
> > DIONNE! Conservatives and the right find it
> > nearly impossible to look at facts or be
> > consistent in their thinking processes. Let me
> > just ask a few questions?
> >
> 1. Did Bush campaign in the same dirty manner that
> McCain is campaigning against Obama? And why would
> he every forgive GW for the terrible things he did
> to him and his family?
>
> You’ll have to document that whatever you mean
> about vague campaigning generalizations. Though I
> remember that Bush was going to change and unify
> Washington too, before Obama came along saying the
> same thing under a slightly different slogan.
> You’ll have to document what you mean about
> forgiving terrible things. I wonder if Obama’s
> grandmother, pastor, and church have forgiven him
> for Obama tossing them under the bus? Does it even
> matter?
>
Ofcourse it matters! I'm not documenting anything, it's up to you, my friend, to prove my assertions inaccurate. By-the-way, Obama's personal associations have nothing to do with how the candidates TREAT eachother during the campaign. Typical conservative, to change to topic.

> 2. Has McCain sold himself out and abandoned his
> principles by changing his position on illegal
> immigrants, tax plan, drilling in Alaska amongst
> many other issues?
>
> Has Obama sold himself out and abandoned his
> principles by changing his position on the Iraq
> war, the surge, and by throwing his own
> grandmother and religious convictions and church
> under the bus, including the pastor whom he said
> he would stand by?
>
There you go again, bringing up Obama's personal associations to make some sort of point that has nothing to do with my question regarding changing positions on issues pertaining to the election.


> 3. Did McCain choose Palin for political reasons?
> (Now be honest..)
>
> Did Obama choose Biden for political reasons? (Now
> be honest...)
>
You got me there, I would have to agree, somewhat. The difference is that Biden IS qualified and Palin isn't. Actually Palin should be the nominee.....not McCain.

> 4. Is McCain an elderly guy who admits to NOT
> understanding economics very well and isn't
> familiar with how a computer works?
>
> Biden is an elderly guy who missed 7 months in the
> Senate because of brain aneurisms. McCain can
> certainly learn economics, and has added a person
> with many years of executive experience to his
> ticket - entirely missing from Biden/Obama, the
> upside-down ticket. Certainly this country worked
> quite well for 200+ years without presidents who
> knew how to operate a computer well.

Now, as I would expect, you are getting personal in your reference to Biden's aneurism and trying to make the case that because Biden missed 7 months in the Senate (a small "drop in the bucket" compared to his 30+ YEARS in the Senate), he WHAT? ISN'T QUALIFIED TO BE VP? CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE COMPUTER? WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU SAYING? Makes no sense. Prove this country "worked quite well for 200+ years without presidents who knew how to operate a computer well." I never said anything about how the country "worked" or "didn't work" before the computer age. Your response doesn't make any sense.
>
> 5. How can we trust a man who has changed his
> positions so many times and forgiven Bush for
> everything and supports him 95% of the time?
>
> Obama and Biden both fit “changed his positions so
> many times” - do you trust them, or are you a
> hypocrite? Document that McCain has “forgiven Bush
> for everything”, or retract it as a lie.
> Document that McCain supports Bush 95% of the
> time.
>
Sorry, Dear, you lose, if you would research a little you would be able to probably find where McCain, himself said, in his own words, that he has sided with Bush more than anyother Republicans. And if you tally up the votes.....it's about 95% of the time.


> 6. Were most of the few thousand Republicans in
> the convention hall white and wealthy? (research
> that one).
> Funny, but Democrats have had the most $$$ in
> donations for the last several elections -
> research THAT one!

What do "donations" have to do with the number and color of the people in the convention hall? It's merely an observation, one which I guess you missed.
>
> 7. Haven't we had enough of the Republicans after
> 8 years of SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL, an unwise and
> senseless war, no health care plans, economic slow
> down and job loss, loss of credibility within the
> global community, nothing done with energy
> problems.....need I go on?
>
> No, you’ve made the case against Biden/Obama quite
> well.
> These are two Senators in the Democrat-controlled
> Congress that have had two years to do something,
> and have not only done nothing, but broke the
> major promise that they were elected to do in 2006
> - get out of Iraq!

You forget one small detail. The Democrats did not have enough votes (67) to over ride the Republicans. The Republicans filibustered and/or successfull tabled nearly everything the Democrats wanted to do. So that's your one response....what about credibility, energy, job loss, health care, housing problems, economy problems. Can you defend all of these?

You lose, sorry.

Big Louise Wrote:
--


-----------------------------------------------------
> Oh, don't worry EJ, we can all see through this.
> YOUR guy is Obama. YOUR fellow dems are
> frightened by Palin, and I don't blame them. This
> race has changed, and the libs are on defense.
> Sounds like a good thing to me. McCain is indeed
> his own man, and choosing a female version of
> himself outrages those who thought they had owned
> the female vote. Well, newsflash: it's a new
> world.



No, my friend, it will be the same "old world" if you support McCain. More of the same. Palin is merely a puppet for the Republican/Conservative.

Is this a big news flash that EJ and many others support Obama. What about O'Reilly, Fox News, etc. who obviously support McCain. So What?

Dionne's bias is such a handicap to him.

Why would anybody care to read his tired old tripe? Move over guy, let somebody else fresh have a chance. The 60's are over, and he has no clue about conservative activism. It simply cannot exist in his mind.

Worse, Dionne's selective — or poor — grasp of history blinds him to the rise of a new American nationalism. And it has nothing to do with those "styrofoam columns."

How much does this person get paid? I want a refund.

Big Louise Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dee Dee Lynn Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Well BigLouise,
> >
> > How glad I am to hear you say Sarah Palin is a
> > famale McCain. Let's run with that.
> >
> > It follows from that assertion that McCain is
> far
> > right wing, that he wants to teach creationism
> > rather than evolution in the schools, that he
> > believes in banning books he doesn't like, that
> he
> > believes Iraq is a war sanctioned by God, that
> he
> > doesn't believe in global warming, that he
> doesn't
> > support funding for disabled children, that he
> > opposes teaching sex education, and that he is
> for
> > earmarks even though he claims to be against
> > them.
> >
> > Great, why don't you ask the Republican Party
> to
> > run ads to that effect. I would really love to
> > see them.
>
>
> Like I said: A NEW WORLD. No book burnings, no
> creationism for our little ones (boy am I tired of
> nazi references to good honest middle American
> values)...no, none of that at all. Just reality,
> not dreams and words. Yes, a NEW WORLD!! I love
> it!!


Hey! I'm confused.....Big Louise, are you saying Palin doesn't support book burning and creationism? Where have you been?

Mike Crum Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> E.J. must be worried now....Let's have the
> cultural battle for the soul of our country.....I
> can't wait until Dionne and the rest of his panty
> waist girly men friends get sent packing.....Give
> me guns, religion and babies any day...That's what
> this country is made of, not the liberal tripe we
> have been led to believe....Just remember E.J.,
> Sarah Palin has you in her sights, and she won't
> miss...P.S....I wonder how long it would take her
> to skin you, you puke...


How pathetic you are, Mr. Crum.

You know, McCain's speech wasn't spectacular.

The energy center didn't "ejaculate" afterwards as claimed to have happened after Obama's.

But it was true, and honest.

When McCain told me he would fight for me, I believed him.

When McCain told me why he was fighting for me, I cried.

I will back McCain because I believe in him. He is a great man and has my full support. It helps that I also agree with his policy.

Obama supporters are pissed because their desired annointed one got his mask ripped off big-time. Finally, someone like Palin has done the job the press refused to do for the past 1.5 yrs: question Obama's record and judgment. BHO wants it both ways now. He touted being a community organizer as part of his resume, and now says it's just his character background information. Please. Just as he flip-flops on campaign finance reform, the surge, wire-tapping faith based initiatives and the list goes on, he's now flipping on how he portrayed himself. Not to mention that he also says he was a professor--well, what did he publish? Nothing. Just like he's gotten nothing substantive written and passed legislatively, either in ILlinois or DC. Palin blew the whistle on Obama just like she did the GOP special interests.

Peg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Big Louise Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Dee Dee Lynn Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Well BigLouise,
> > >
> > > How glad I am to hear you say Sarah Palin is
> a
> > > famale McCain. Let's run with that.
> > >
> > > It follows from that assertion that McCain is
> > far
> > > right wing, that he wants to teach
> creationism
> > > rather than evolution in the schools, that he
> > > believes in banning books he doesn't like,
> that
> > he
> > > believes Iraq is a war sanctioned by God, that
>
> > he
> > > doesn't believe in global warming, that he
> > doesn't
> > > support funding for disabled children, that
> he
> > > opposes teaching sex education, and that he
> is
> > for
> > > earmarks even though he claims to be against
> > > them.
> > >
> > > Great, why don't you ask the Republican Party
> > to
> > > run ads to that effect. I would really love
> to
> > > see them.
> >
> >
> > Like I said: A NEW WORLD. No book burnings,
> no
> > creationism for our little ones (boy am I tired
> of
> > nazi references to good honest middle American
> > values)...no, none of that at all. Just
> reality,
> > not dreams and words. Yes, a NEW WORLD!! I
> love
> > it!!
>
>
> Hey! I'm confused.....Big Louise, are you saying
> Palin doesn't support book burning and
> creationism? Where have you been?


Ha!!! You've got to be kidding!!! I just love it!!! Wow, you are scared of her!!!!

Peg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Big Louise Wrote:
> --
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> ---
> > Oh, don't worry EJ, we can all see through this.
>
> > YOUR guy is Obama. YOUR fellow dems are
> > frightened by Palin, and I don't blame them.
> This
> > race has changed, and the libs are on defense.
> > Sounds like a good thing to me. McCain is
> indeed
> > his own man, and choosing a female version of
> > himself outrages those who thought they had
> owned
> > the female vote. Well, newsflash: it's a new
> > world.
>
>
>
> No, my friend, it will be the same "old world" if
> you support McCain. More of the same. Palin is
> merely a puppet for the Republican/Conservative.
>
> Is this a big news flash that EJ and many others
> support Obama. What about O'Reilly, Fox News,
> etc. who obviously support McCain. So What?


New world...less spending, no more pork, lower taxes to stimulate investment for good, the VETO pen...a NEW WORLD, with strong women from other political perspectives other than leftist. Do your homework, Peg.

Thanks for your article, Mr. Dionne. You have accurately described McCain's transformation, from a strong candidate, clearly worthy of the presidency in 2000, to a confused, conflicted, pandering old man in 2008, with little left to say but "drill, drill, drill" and "bomb, bomb, bomb" . The impact of the Rove/Bush//Cheney years on our country has been devastating; I hold McCain partly responsible, not only because he meekly surrendered, after being disgustingly smeared and lied about by Rove/Bush during the 2000 South Carolina primary, but also because of his brown-nosing endorsement for Bush at the 2004 RNC. Had he fought back in 2000 and exposed Rove/Bush for what they were, he might have won the presidency and our last eight years would have been less bleak. Now, though, he has nothing to offer us but "more of the same".

Excellant post!
Likewise if you think that women who are rape or incest victims should have to bear any resulting children, McCain & Palin are your ticket.
If you think that creationism deserves equal weight with evolution in our school curricula, they are your guys.


TBone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Democrats, Independents and Republicans, liberals,
> moderates and conservatives with a mind of their
> own who have paid attention to the campaigns and
> the conventions to this point, others who are
> exhausted by the cynicism of today's politics have
> a clear choice. The choice couldn't be more clear
> now that the conventions have concluded.
>
> The direction of the country will be determined on
> election day. The ridiculous cutting and pasting
> that goes on on sites like this does nothing to
> further the necessary causes.
>
> If you believe Iraq is the 'good fight,' vote
> McCain, but please join the military, similarly
> you should understand each party's plan to combat
> terrorism and weigh the knowledge of issues and
> competence of the candidates based on facts.
>
> If you vote based on taxes, please review each
> party's tax plans so that you know where you fall
> on the economic scale and the tax hike or cut you
> will receive (campaign talking points are just
> that - talking).
>
> These two men and their respective running mates
> are quite different, the direction they will lead
> the country in the years to come couldn't be more
> different. Get the facts and make your decision
> based on what is best for you and your family,
> future generations. and the world.

Peg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jon Do Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Peg Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > It always amazes me how the conservatives
> smell
> > a
> > > little blood and dive in for the kill!
> > >
> > > This article hit the nail on the head! THANKS
> > MR.
> > > DIONNE! Conservatives and the right find it
> > > nearly impossible to look at facts or be
> > > consistent in their thinking processes. Let
> me
> > > just ask a few questions?
> > >
> > 1. Did Bush campaign in the same dirty manner
> that
> > McCain is campaigning against Obama? And why
> would
> > he every forgive GW for the terrible things he
> did
> > to him and his family?
> >
> > You’ll have to document that whatever you mean
> > about vague campaigning generalizations. Though
> I
> > remember that Bush was going to change and
> unify
> > Washington too, before Obama came along saying
> the
> > same thing under a slightly different slogan.
> > You’ll have to document what you mean about
> > forgiving terrible things. I wonder if Obama’s
> > grandmother, pastor, and church have forgiven
> him
> > for Obama tossing them under the bus? Does it
> even
> > matter?
> >
> Ofcourse it matters! I'm not documenting
> anything, it's up to you, my friend, to prove my
> assertions inaccurate. By-the-way, Obama's
> personal associations have nothing to do with how
> the candidates TREAT eachother during the
> campaign. Typical conservative, to change to
> topic.
Funny that Palin's daughter's pregnancy is, according to the press, a campaign issue, but you assert that Obama's own choices in personal associations documented by his books, campaign, and speeches is not. Is the truth inconvenient?
Not documenting your lies because you cannot, does not constitute any problem on my part, sorry.
1-0

>
> > 2. Has McCain sold himself out and abandoned
> his
> > principles by changing his position on illegal
> > immigrants, tax plan, drilling in Alaska
> amongst
> > many other issues?
> >
> > Has Obama sold himself out and abandoned his
> > principles by changing his position on the Iraq
> > war, the surge, and by throwing his own
> > grandmother and religious convictions and
> church
> > under the bus, including the pastor whom he
> said
> > he would stand by?
> >
> There you go again, bringing up Obama's personal
> associations to make some sort of point that has
> nothing to do with my question regarding changing
> positions on issues pertaining to the election.
You brought up the topic of selling out, which Obama is quite good at. But it's not limited to his family and friends and sacked advisors. He sells out the voters too.
Obama has sold out his anti-war crowd voters since the primary so he could move more to the center, banking that the anti-war crowd has nowhere else to turn. He moderated on NAFTA once the Dem primaries in the rust belt were over and the votes were in the bag. He blocked counting the vote in Michigan and Florida until the primary numbers were a lock (similar to the Chicago machine removal of Obama's opponents early in his career).
2-0

>
>
> > 3. Did McCain choose Palin for political
> reasons?
> > (Now be honest..)
> >
> > Did Obama choose Biden for political reasons?
> (Now
> > be honest...)
> >
> You got me there, I would have to agree, somewhat.
> The difference is that Biden IS qualified and
> Palin isn't. Actually Palin should be the
> nominee.....not McCain.
IIRC, Palin has 13 years of executive experience and has been running a state for 20 months.
That's plenty for a VP.
3-0

>
> > 4. Is McCain an elderly guy who admits to NOT
> > understanding economics very well and isn't
> > familiar with how a computer works?
> >
> > Biden is an elderly guy who missed 7 months in
> the
> > Senate because of brain aneurisms. McCain can
> > certainly learn economics, and has added a
> person
> > with many years of executive experience to his
> > ticket - entirely missing from Biden/Obama, the
> > upside-down ticket. Certainly this country
> worked
> > quite well for 200+ years without presidents
> who
> > knew how to operate a computer well.
>
> Now, as I would expect, you are getting personal
> in your reference to Biden's aneurism and trying
> to make the case that because Biden missed 7
> months in the Senate (a small "drop in the bucket"
> compared to his 30+ YEARS in the Senate), he WHAT?
> ISN'T QUALIFIED TO BE VP? CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE
> COMPUTER? WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU SAYING? Makes no
> sense. Prove this country "worked quite well for
> 200+ years without presidents who knew how to
> operate a computer well." I never said anything
> about how the country "worked" or "didn't work"
> before the computer age. Your response doesn't
> make any sense.
A wall of incoherent text is not a position or an answer! LOL, calm down already.
*News Flash* Reagan was older than McCain when elected for his second term, but it was not age that threatened the life of Reagan, or JFK before him - it was an assassin's bullet. Is Obama or McCain the more likely target of an assassination plot? Obama is - and has already been targeted by loonies.
Who will run the country if Obama is assassinated and Biden dies of a brain aneurism (both arguably higher risks than the form of skin cancer McCain had)?
Hey, if the left want to hypothesize about McCain dying in office, then suck it up when your standards are applied to your ticket!
4-0

> >
> > 5. How can we trust a man who has changed his
> > positions so many times and forgiven Bush for
> > everything and supports him 95% of the time?
> >
> > Obama and Biden both fit “changed his positions
> so
> > many times” - do you trust them, or are you a
> > hypocrite? Document that McCain has “forgiven
> Bush
> > for everything”, or retract it as a lie.
> > Document that McCain supports Bush 95% of the
> > time.
> >
> Sorry, Dear, you lose, if you would research a
> little you would be able to probably find where
> McCain, himself said, in his own words, that he
> has sided with Bush more than anyother
> Republicans. And if you tally up the
> votes.....it's about 95% of the time.
Your own bluster does not pass the muster of 'documentation'. Kind of funny, but is sounds like the stupid Biden/Obama line that McCain votes with Bush 90% of the time -- only embellished by 5%.
Of course, Presidents don't vote in the Senate, which makes that mantra about as intelligent-sounding as the 57 states Obama is going to campaign in...
5-0

>
>
> > 6. Were most of the few thousand Republicans in
> > the convention hall white and wealthy?
> (research
> > that one).
> > Funny, but Democrats have had the most $$$ in
> > donations for the last several elections -
> > research THAT one!
>
> What do "donations" have to do with the number and
> color of the people in the convention hall? It's
> merely an observation, one which I guess you
> missed.
Color only matters to racists.
6-0

> >
> > 7. Haven't we had enough of the Republicans
> after
> > 8 years of SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL, an unwise
> and
> > senseless war, no health care plans, economic
> slow
> > down and job loss, loss of credibility within
> the
> > global community, nothing done with energy
> > problems.....need I go on?
> >
> > No, you’ve made the case against Biden/Obama
> quite
> > well.
> > These are two Senators in the
> Democrat-controlled
> > Congress that have had two years to do
> something,
> > and have not only done nothing, but broke the
> > major promise that they were elected to do in
> 2006
> > - get out of Iraq!
>
> You forget one small detail. The Democrats did
> not have enough votes (67) to over ride the
> Republicans. The Republicans filibustered and/or
> successfull tabled nearly everything the Democrats
> wanted to do. So that's your one response....what
> about credibility, energy, job loss, health care,
> housing problems, economy problems. Can you
> defend all of these?
LOL.
Obama is the guy who talks about unifying Washington and diplomacy, and he hasn't the diplomatic skills to win over a couple of Republicans to get something done?
Putin and Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong Il will have Obama for lunch.
7-0

>
> You lose, sorry.
Try again, this time with facts, figures, and coherent logic.

You're welcome to leave this country. No one is forcing you to stay.
Oh, wait! There is no other country in the world with the combination of wealth and freedom and opportunity and health care that I enjoy here in the USA.
The government is not your nanny.
+++
"I hate ingratitude more in a man Than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, Or any taint of vie whose strong corruption Inhabits our frail blood."
William Shakespeare

Mike from San Diego Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for your article, Mr. Dionne. You have
> accurately described McCain's transformation, from
> a strong candidate, clearly worthy of the
> presidency in 2000, to a confused, conflicted,
> pandering old man in 2008, with little left to say
> but "drill, drill, drill" and "bomb, bomb, bomb" .
> The impact of the Rove/Bush//Cheney years on
> our country has been devastating; I hold McCain
> partly responsible, not only because he meekly
> surrendered, after being disgustingly smeared and
> lied about by Rove/Bush during the 2000 South
> Carolina primary, but also because of his
> brown-nosing endorsement for Bush at the 2004 RNC.
> Had he fought back in 2000 and exposed
> Rove/Bush for what they were, he might have won
> the presidency and our last eight years would have
> been less bleak. Now, though, he has nothing to
> offer us but "more of the same".

"Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America; he's worried that someone won't read them their rights."

That's the quote that finally pushed me over to Obama.
I was leaning McCain... then he picked Gov Palin.
I really questioned the Palin pick, as all Republicans should've, but haven't.
They've shielded her from the American people... from answering questions.
And you support that?
Then, she started playing the *tough, snotty, b**ch* routine, which really put me off. No need for that childish garbage.
But, that quote... that's not the America I love.
That scares me a helluva lot more, than the Terrorists do.
That's submitting to the Terrorists. It's letting fear turn us into them.
Nope... not me.
I watched 2 WTC, a building I once worked in, collapse from across the East River.
I had a friend die, and many others who were nearby.
I like the Constitution, and refuse to let the manipulators scare me into voting for them... and shredding the Constitution.
I'm just so sorry, for all those in my GOP, who seem to have forgotten what we used to stand for.
And just follow, and belittle everyone... and basically, have stopped thinking.
Very simply, if they are keeping Gov Palin from being interviewed, does that suggest confidence in her? They don't have confidence, but you do?
I want to know that she understands about the issues, now, not after being coached by her mentors.
Electing a Pres/VP is not electing a Campaign Spokesperson.
You're being used, People. Give up the attacks already, and open your eyes/minds.

All spoken like a true Republican. We'll miss you Jane!

jane p Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict
> catastrophic harm on America; he's worried that
> someone won't read them their rights."
>
> That's the quote that finally pushed me over to
> Obama.
> I was leaning McCain... then he picked Gov Palin.
> I really questioned the Palin pick, as all
> Republicans should've, but haven't.
> They've shielded her from the American people...
> from answering questions.
> And you support that?
> Then, she started playing the *tough, snotty,
> b**ch* routine, which really put me off. No need
> for that childish garbage.
> But, that quote... that's not the America I love.
> That scares me a helluva lot more, than the
> Terrorists do.
> That's submitting to the Terrorists. It's letting
> fear turn us into them.
> Nope... not me.
> I watched 2 WTC, a building I once worked in,
> collapse from across the East River.
> I had a friend die, and many others who were
> nearby.
> I like the Constitution, and refuse to let the
> manipulators scare me into voting for them... and
> shredding the Constitution.
> I'm just so sorry, for all those in my GOP, who
> seem to have forgotten what we used to stand for.
> And just follow, and belittle everyone... and
> basically, have stopped thinking.
> Very simply, if they are keeping Gov Palin from
> being interviewed, does that suggest confidence in
> her? They don't have confidence, but you do?
> I want to know that she understands about the
> issues, now, not after being coached by her
> mentors.
> Electing a Pres/VP is not electing a Campaign
> Spokesperson.
> You're being used, People. Give up the attacks
> already, and open your eyes/minds.

"Imagine if Democrats ever reacted that way to someone who worked as an entrepreneur or a church leader."

My dear Dionne, have you been in a barrel? Democrats are constantly attacking evangelicals or anyone who mentions God in context of civic service! This they do in hammering home their twisted interpretation of "separation of church and state". As well, we have Mr. Obama who wants to redistribute the wealth of the nation away from entrepreneurs to the 'have-nots' that he pretends to speak for while demeaning their bitter clinging to God and guns as he chomps on his arugula.

Ya just don't get it, do you, Bob?
People actually have separate brains... go figure.
I worked as a child for Goldwater, and have voted GOP since, except for once.
Goldwater would have nothing to do, with the present-day GOP, because everything we stood for,
is only a memory.
I have a brain, I have eyes, and ears... and these last bunch of years, the GOP have gone over the edge.
I mean, look at your response, if I don't see things your way, I'm not of the GOP.
The GOP isn't a cult, despite your closed-minded view that it is.


Polobob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All spoken like a true Republican. We'll miss you
> Jane!
>
> jane p Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > "Al-Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict
> > catastrophic harm on America; he's worried that
> > someone won't read them their rights."
> >
> > That's the quote that finally pushed me over to
> > Obama.
> > I was leaning McCain... then he picked Gov
> Palin.
> > I really questioned the Palin pick, as all
> > Republicans should've, but haven't.
> > They've shielded her from the American
> people...
> > from answering questions.
> > And you support that?
> > Then, she started playing the *tough, snotty,
> > b**ch* routine, which really put me off. No
> need
> > for that childish garbage.
> > But, that quote... that's not the America I
> love.
> > That scares me a helluva lot more, than the
> > Terrorists do.
> > That's submitting to the Terrorists. It's
> letting
> > fear turn us into them.
> > Nope... not me.
> > I watched 2 WTC, a building I once worked in,
> > collapse from across the East River.
> > I had a friend die, and many others who were
> > nearby.
> > I like the Constitution, and refuse to let the
> > manipulators scare me into voting for them...
> and
> > shredding the Constitution.
> > I'm just so sorry, for all those in my GOP, who
> > seem to have forgotten what we used to stand
> for.
> > And just follow, and belittle everyone... and
> > basically, have stopped thinking.
> > Very simply, if they are keeping Gov Palin from
> > being interviewed, does that suggest confidence
> in
> > her? They don't have confidence, but you do?
> > I want to know that she understands about the
> > issues, now, not after being coached by her
> > mentors.
> > Electing a Pres/VP is not electing a Campaign
> > Spokesperson.
> > You're being used, People. Give up the attacks
> > already, and open your eyes/minds.

This is it for me on this dead horse, so take the last word if you want it.

Peg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Jon Do Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Peg Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Jon Do Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Peg Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > > > It always amazes me how the conservatives
> > > smell
> > > > a
> > > > > little blood and dive in for the kill!
> > > > >
> > > > > This article hit the nail on the head!
> > THANKS
> > > > MR.
> > > > > DIONNE! Conservatives and the right find
> > it
> > > > > nearly impossible to look at facts or be
> > > > > consistent in their thinking processes.
> > Let
> > > me
> > > > > just ask a few questions?
> > > > >
> > > > 1. Did Bush campaign in the same dirty
> manner
> > > that
> > > > McCain is campaigning against Obama? And
> why
> > > would
> > > > he every forgive GW for the terrible things
> > he
> > > did
> > > > to him and his family?
> > > >
> > > > You’ll have to document that whatever you
> > mean
> > > > about vague campaigning generalizations.
> > Though
> > > I
> > > > remember that Bush was going to change and
> > > unify
> > > > Washington too, before Obama came along
> > saying
> > > the
> > > > same thing under a slightly different
> slogan.
> > > > You’ll have to document what you mean about
> > > > forgiving terrible things. I wonder if
> > Obama’s
> > > > grandmother, pastor, and church have
> forgiven
> > > him
> > > > for Obama tossing them under the bus? Does
> it
> > > even
> > > > matter?
> > > >
> > > Ofcourse it matters! I'm not documenting
> > > anything, it's up to you, my friend, to prove
> > my
> > > assertions inaccurate. By-the-way, Obama's
> > > personal associations have nothing to do with
> > how
> > > the candidates TREAT eachother during the
> > > campaign. Typical conservative, to change to
> > > topic.
> > Funny that Palin's daughter's pregnancy is,
> > according to the press, a campaign issue, but
> you
> > assert that Obama's own choices in personal
> > associations documented by his books, campaign,
> > and speeches is not. Is the truth inconvenient?
> > Not documenting your lies because you cannot,
> does
> > not constitute any problem on my part, sorry.
>
> AHHHHHHHH, so NOWwe are using what the PRESS says
> IS a campaign issue as actually BEING one. I
> don't think so. Again, off you do to the wild
> beyond, not sticking to the issue.....that of how
> they each treat eachother during the election
> campaign. What does what the press says, what his
> personal associations are have to do with their
> treatment of eachother? Thanks for calling my
> documentation "lies".........and where does it say
> your documentation is all "truth"?

You made a statement, I challenged the truth of it, and you are unable to back it up.
Let the reader decide.


> > 1-0
> >
> > >
> > > > 2. Has McCain sold himself out and
> abandoned
> > > his
> > > > principles by changing his position on
> > illegal
> > > > immigrants, tax plan, drilling in Alaska
> > > amongst
> > > > many other issues?
> > > >
> > > > Has Obama sold himself out and abandoned
> his
> > > > principles by changing his position on the
> > Iraq
> > > > war, the surge, and by throwing his own
> > > > grandmother and religious convictions and
> > > church
> > > > under the bus, including the pastor whom he
> > > said
> > > > he would stand by?
> > > >
> > > There you go again, bringing up Obama's
> > personal
> > > associations to make some sort of point that
> > has
> > > nothing to do with my question regarding
> > changing
> > > positions on issues pertaining to the
> election.
> > You brought up the topic of selling out, which
> > Obama is quite good at. But it's not limited to
> > his family and friends and sacked advisors. He
> > sells out the voters too.
> > Obama has sold out his anti-war crowd voters
> since
> > the primary so he could move more to the
> center,
> > banking that the anti-war crowd has nowhere
> else
> > to turn. He moderated on NAFTA once the Dem
> > primaries in the rust belt were over and the
> votes
> > were in the bag. He blocked counting the vote
> in
> > Michigan and Florida until the primary numbers
> > were a lock (similar to the Chicago machine
> > removal of Obama's opponents early in his
> > career).
>
> Let's see.....I think you are describing what
> politicians do.....they modify their positions and
> do things (like move toward the center) to win
> elections, right? Republicans have done this for
> years. But it's a "no-no" when a Democrat plays
> the same game. I still maintain McCain has
> changed his stance on positions radically more
> often than has Obama. His voting record supports
> this. He supported measures on immigration, was
> against Bush tax reforms, etc.

Your position: Obama’s waffles are ok because Republicans do it more often.
Whatever.

> > 2-0
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > > 3. Did McCain choose Palin for political
> > > reasons?
> > > > (Now be honest..)
> > > >
> > > > Did Obama choose Biden for political
> reasons?
> > > (Now
> > > > be honest...)
> > > >
> > > You got me there, I would have to agree,
> > somewhat.
> > > The difference is that Biden IS qualified
> and
> > > Palin isn't. Actually Palin should be the
> > > nominee.....not McCain.
>
> > IIRC, Palin has 13 years of executive
> experience
> > and has been running a state for 20 months.
> > That's plenty for a VP.
>
> I said I had to agree with you....what more do you
> want?

Good enough.

> > 3-0
> >
> > >
> > > > 4. Is McCain an elderly guy who admits to
> NOT
> > > > understanding economics very well and isn't
> > > > familiar with how a computer works?
> > > >
> > > > Biden is an elderly guy who missed 7 months
> > in
> > > the
> > > > Senate because of brain aneurisms. McCain
> can
> > > > certainly learn economics, and has added a
> > > person
> > > > with many years of executive experience to
> > his
> > > > ticket - entirely missing from Biden/Obama,
> > the
> > > > upside-down ticket. Certainly this country
> > > worked
> > > > quite well for 200+ years without
> presidents
> > > who
> > > > knew how to operate a computer well.
> > >
> > > Now, as I would expect, you are getting
> > personal
> > > in your reference to Biden's aneurism and
> > trying
> > > to make the case that because Biden missed 7
> > > months in the Senate (a small "drop in the
> > bucket"
> > > compared to his 30+ YEARS in the Senate), he
> > WHAT?
> > > ISN'T QUALIFIED TO BE VP? CAN'T UNDERSTAND
> THE
> > > COMPUTER? WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU SAYING?
> Makes
> > no
> > > sense. Prove this country "worked quite well
> > for
> > > 200+ years without presidents who knew how to
> > > operate a computer well." I never said
> > anything
> > > about how the country "worked" or "didn't
> work"
> > > before the computer age. Your response
> > doesn't
> > > make any sense.
> > A wall of incoherent text is not a position or
> an
> > answer! LOL, calm down already.
> > *News Flash* Reagan was older than McCain when
> > elected for his second term, but it was not age
> > that threatened the life of Reagan, or JFK
> before
> > him - it was an assassin's bullet. Is Obama or
> > McCain the more likely target of an
> assassination
> > plot? Obama is - and has already been targeted
> by
> > loonies.
> > Who will run the country if Obama is
> assassinated
> > and Biden dies of a brain aneurism (both
> arguably
> > higher risks than the form of skin cancer
> McCain
> > had)?
> > Hey, if the left want to hypothesize about
> McCain
> > dying in office, then suck it up when your
> > standards are applied to your ticket!
>
> Reread your reply, it's the incohent one. You
> never explained initially what you meant by your
> comments related to Biden's aneurism. So get off
> your high horse and admit you dropped the ball and
> stop trying to accuse me of what you did.

Go back and read your initial point, since apparently you forgot that you’re the one that brought up age: “...elderly...”.
News flash, since you may just be repeating something you heard someone else say without understanding it: That is ‘code’ in this election for pretending that McCain was obligated by risk of death to pick another presidential candidate. I simply showed that the risk is low for McCain, and actually probably higher for both Obama and Biden.

> > 4-0
> >
> > > >
> > > > 5. How can we trust a man who has changed
> his
> > > > positions so many times and forgiven Bush
> for
> > > > everything and supports him 95% of the time?
>
> > > >
> > > > Obama and Biden both fit “changed his
> > positions
> > > so
> > > > many times” - do you trust them, or are you
> a
> > > > hypocrite? Document that McCain has
> “forgiven
> > > Bush
> > > > for everything”, or retract it as a lie.
> > > > Document that McCain supports Bush 95% of
> the
> > > > time.
> > > >
> > > Sorry, Dear, you lose, if you would research
> a
> > > little you would be able to probably find
> where
> > > McCain, himself said, in his own words, that
> he
> >
> > > has sided with Bush more than anyother
> > > Republicans. And if you tally up the
> > > votes.....it's about 95% of the time.
> > Your own bluster does not pass the muster of
> > 'documentation'. Kind of funny, but is sounds
> like
> > the stupid Biden/Obama line that McCain votes
> with
> > Bush 90% of the time -- only embellished by 5%.
>
> > Of course, Presidents don't vote in the Senate,
> > which makes that mantra about as
> > intelligent-sounding as the 57 states Obama is
> > going to campaign in...
>
> What? You make absolutely NO SENSE! It's not my
> "own bluster" it's factual, do you know what facts
> are? McCain said it himself what don't you
> understand?

Then you should have backed it up with facts. Sorry, but I don’t take Internet posts as fact without some sort of documentation, and since the 95% number was your assertion, it’s on you to prove it.

> > 5-0
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > > 6. Were most of the few thousand
> Republicans
> > in
> > > > the convention hall white and wealthy?
> > > (research
> > > > that one).
> > > > Funny, but Democrats have had the most $$$
> in
> > > > donations for the last several elections -
> > > > research THAT one!
> > >
> > > What do "donations" have to do with the
> number
> > and
> > > color of the people in the convention hall?
> > It's
> > > merely an observation, one which I guess you
> > > missed.
> > Color only matters to racists.
>
> I'm a white woman, so I guess you missed the mark
> there, my friend. Leave it to one (a racist) to
> quickly bring out the word when one is only making
> an observation.

You are judged by your own words.

> > 6-0
> >
> > > >
> > > > 7. Haven't we had enough of the Republicans
> > > after
> > > > 8 years of SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL, an
> unwise
> > > and
> > > > senseless war, no health care plans,
> economic
> > > slow
> > > > down and job loss, loss of credibility
> within
> > > the
> > > > global community, nothing done with energy
> > > > problems.....need I go on?
> > > >
> > > > No, you’ve made the case against
> Biden/Obama
> > > quite
> > > > well.
> > > > These are two Senators in the
> > > Democrat-controlled
> > > > Congress that have had two years to do
> > > something,
> > > > and have not only done nothing, but broke
> the
> > > > major promise that they were elected to do
> in
> > > 2006
> > > > - get out of Iraq!
> > >
> > > You forget one small detail. The Democrats
> did
> > > not have enough votes (67) to over ride the
> > > Republicans. The Republicans filibustered
> > and/or
> > > successfull tabled nearly everything the
> > Democrats
> > > wanted to do. So that's your one
> > response....what
> > > about credibility, energy, job loss, health
> > care,
> > > housing problems, economy problems. Can you
> > > defend all of these?
> > LOL.
> > Obama is the guy who talks about unifying
> > Washington and diplomacy, and he hasn't the
> > diplomatic skills to win over a couple of
> > Republicans to get something done?
> > Putin and Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong Il will have
> > Obama for lunch.
> > 7-0
>
> Did you read my answer? Obviously not. And your
> response, again, makes no sense. Try again?

Nah, it’s not worth the bother. I'll let stand what I've already written.

> >
> > >
> > > You lose, sorry.
> > Try again, this time with facts, figures, and
> > coherent logic.
> Ditto!

Later, thanks for the conversation.

"Perhaps the new McCain will somehow claw his way to the White House."

Oh my, E.J! Is your smug confidence in an Obama win waining? To paraphrase Harry Reid: Is the war lost???

I've been a cynic all my life, with nearly ever word I've ever uttered dripping with sarcasm. I was planning to adopt a distanced, ironic pose about this election, but not any more. After hearing all this divisive ridicule, I have decided that I am not going to view this election with wide-eyed optimism. Give me a heaping helping of hope.

I love lamp

Anyone concerned about the economy, should vote Obama: The United States economy and stock market both have done statistically significantly better (google it) than when the elephants have been in power. I guess everyone forgets Bill Clinton's 8 years when he had a budget SURPLUS! SURPLUS!

Obama's economic advisors are smarter and more accomplished than any other team that ran for the highest office. His advisors are the one that gave him the policy of eliminating taxes for older folks living on social security: the tax take in was not very high, yet it required the retired folks to have to pay for tax services/headache of filing for a small amount. So Obama's guys calculated to give retired Americans a break and say: "you've done your work for yourself and this country, you're done paying taxes."

Hmmm, sounds like common sense.

(95% of familes will get a tax cut under Obama, only the top 5% will see their taxes rise to Reagan levels, that's not that much. If you are in the 5% elite that are in the upper upper class, such as Cindy McCain, Mitt Romney, etc. you will pay slightly higher taxes and I could see where they would want to uphold the current status quo skewed toward tax cuts to the rich. So, if you are in the "elite" vote McCain to protect your wealth if you want, but if you are not in this uber wealthy "elite" Obama/Biden is the ticket that will lower your taxes).

You can google this too or find Barack's tax plan on his website.

Despite what McCain's camp says, this is a HUGE eleciton about HUGELY important issues. Please treat it with the responsibility that a citizen of a democracy has.

E.J., thank God that I still have worshipers like you in the MSM.

Hold on to your buttons folks, it's gonna be a rough ride. I just heard some new poll stats.

McCain is pulling ahead.

The Republicans controlled both the House and Senate until 2006 (with a slight break in 2001). So yeah, with a Republican President, the House and Senate they controlled the Government. All of it.

So, it is very reasonable to judge the party on their performance from 2000 to 2008, or at least 2006. And it was miserable.

Katrina
Economic Recession
War in Iraq costing $10b a month
Not going after the "evil doers" in Afghanistan
Fomenting a skirmish with Russia while bungling diplomatic ties with Russia

Utter failure. If people want four more years from this group, go ahead. For all the "maverick talk" McCain listens to the same people Bush did. They believe in the same flawed military philosophy that originated from academics and was not supported by actual military generals. They failed, they got to go.

machomom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hold on to your buttons folks, it's gonna be a
> rough ride. I just heard some new poll stats.
>
> McCain is pulling ahead.


LIES LIES LIES LIES AND MORE LIES!!!!!!!! I don't buy any of the crap republicans have been dishing out. They had there chance they blew it. I'm a registered republican and ashamed of what republicans became. Someday I'll change my voter card to independant. Most of you have all become hateful,ignorant,shameless,arrogant,foolish, A typical republican response to this sort of post normally would be Oh your no republican you liberal,or you spelled that certain word wrong. face the music folks. "The musics over turn out the lights" I want to add why is it that republicans hate to spend money on this countries infrastructure but they want to blow billions on other foreign countries in the name of democracy. If you really love america you would want to keep the money home here where it can be recirculated through the economy.

Rockyspoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Economics 101 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Anyone concerned about the economy, should vote
> > Obama: The United States economy and stock
> market
> > both have done statistically significantly
> better
> > (google it) than when the elephants have been
> in
> > power. I guess everyone forgets Bill Clinton's
> 8
> > years when he had a budget SURPLUS! SURPLUS!
> >
> And anybody that wants to look at the facts will
> realize that it was a Republican congress that
> caused the change--they hauled Clinton kicking and
> screaming into that realization. He eventually
> quit fighting them and you see the results. But
> it wasn't Bill's idea--he was just along for the
> ride.
>
> After that false assertion, there is no need to go
> after any more of your others. Except to say
> this--the smartest people in the world doesn't
> make failed policy any better, and that's what
> Obama has--failed policy.


Well NOW...........!!!! If the economic boom and surplus we saw with Clinton was actually as result of a Republican Congress and THEIR management.....WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?

We had a Republican dominated Congress for 6 years, and a Republican President and administration for nearly 8, we should be flying high with lots of economic highs and surpluses. Your assertions, my friend, make no sense at all.

machomom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hold on to your buttons folks, it's gonna be a
> rough ride. I just heard some new poll stats.
>
> McCain is pulling ahead.


GOOD GRIEF, GET A GRIP ON, WILL YA? The "polls" especially the national ones are not dependable. They take one part of the country and poll, then another part of the country, then another....so the results are an inaccurate picture of the true situation.

Look at the overall state polls....(each individual state), that's where the accuracy is. And Obama rules....and will continue to rule.

Polobob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry Abraham, the Fed can't be responsible for
> everything, and H.W Bush didn't have an economic
> clue. He was entirely focused on "the deficit"
> and by raising taxes through the roof he sent the
> country into a recession and got run right out of
> office.
>
> Now It's the Democrat that wants to raise taxes,
> but he has no designs on spending cuts and has no
> interest in "the deficit".
>
> What's worse, oil demand is much higher than it
> was in Carter's time and our own domestic
> production is much lower.
>
> If we don't produce more oil, we will see $8.00
> gas in two years.
>
> Can you spell recession?
>
>
>
>
> Abraham Lincoln Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Richard Nixon, an elephant, created long gas
> lines
> > too as he created ridiculous price controls
> that
> > eventually caused inflation to sky rocket until
> > one man came in to shock the system back to
> normal
> > and restore fiscal responsibility (a Republican
> > ideal that the first Bush understood and
> > practiced, that Reagan got, but that the new
> > Republican party seems not to care about)...
> >
> > This man was Paul Volker.
> >
> > He supports Barack Obama vigorously.
> >
> > McCain has economic hacks who pushed trickle
> down
> > economics which has zero support amongst
> > economists and people with any sense.
> >
> > If you love your country, and like making more
> > money not less, and like keeping more of it,
> vote
> > for Obama not McCain. Unless, you are part of
> the
> > 5% elite richest, then go with McCain, he's
> your
> > guy.


Hear Hear!! We don't need to produce more gas, and drill, baby, drill. We need to finally create an energy plan to create more fuel efficient cars, more diverse forms of energy and be serious about it. If we have $8.00 gas, we WILL get serious about it. Have to bite the bullet and move forward, not continue our dependence on gas and those gas gusslin' autos that all the cowboys love to drive.

Big Louise Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PEG Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > machomom Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Hold on to your buttons folks, it's gonna be
> a
> > > rough ride. I just heard some new poll stats.
>
> > >
> > > McCain is pulling ahead.
> >
> >
> > GOOD GRIEF, GET A GRIP ON, WILL YA? The
> "polls"
> > especially the national ones are not dependable.
>
> > They take one part of the country and poll,
> then
> > another part of the country, then another....so
> > the results are an inaccurate picture of the
> true
> > situation.
> >
> > Look at the overall state polls....(each
> > individual state), that's where the accuracy is.
>
> > And Obama rules....and will continue to rule.
>
>
> I'm believe it's going to be McCain/Palin despite
> the best efforts of the libs. And that gives me
> great relief. So we shall see, won't we?


If it is, you will be responsible for 4 more years of the same. Oil companies get richer, education lags behind further and further, our reputation in the global community shrinks, we will probably be in another war, more economic problems, more mortgages going belly up, abortion may become legal and then starts the illegal abortion cycle again, taxes go up for the middle class to support the upper class, more homeless, more menta illness, less veteran benefits.......shall I go on? If you truly want all this, then ofcourse, vote McCain/Palin. But I guarantee, you'll be very, very sorry. You probably voted for Bush last time too, haven't you learned your lesson?

Peg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Big Louise Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > PEG Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > machomom Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Hold on to your buttons folks, it's gonna
> be
> > a
> > > > rough ride. I just heard some new poll
> stats.
> >
> > > >
> > > > McCain is pulling ahead.
> > >
> > >
> > > GOOD GRIEF, GET A GRIP ON, WILL YA? The
> > "polls"
> > > especially the national ones are not
> dependable.
> >
> > > They take one part of the country and poll,
> > then
> > > another part of the country, then
> another....so
> > > the results are an inaccurate picture of the
> > true
> > > situation.
> > >
> > > Look at the overall state polls....(each
> > > individual state), that's where the accuracy
> is.
> >
> > > And Obama rules....and will continue to rule.
> >
> >
> > I'm believe it's going to be McCain/Palin
> despite
> > the best efforts of the libs. And that gives
> me
> > great relief. So we shall see, won't we?
>
>
> If it is, you will be responsible for 4 more years
> of the same. Oil companies get richer, education
> lags behind further and further, our reputation in
> the global community shrinks, we will probably be
> in another war, more economic problems, more
> mortgages going belly up, abortion may become
> legal and then starts the illegal abortion cycle
> again, taxes go up for the middle class to support
> the upper class, more homeless, more menta
> illness, less veteran benefits.......shall I go
> on? If you truly want all this, then ofcourse,
> vote McCain/Palin. But I guarantee, you'll be
> very, very sorry. You probably voted for Bush
> last time too, haven't you learned your lesson?

In this imperfect Republic, there are no perfect candidates or ideologies, only human beings and beliefs...the beliefs I hold are shared by McCain/Palin and not Obama. It is my right to feel this way. I would be extremely worried if Obama's policies were set in motion, as he has not shown the strength of judgement that McCain's narrative has given him. So, yes, we shall see.

Get a grip Eeeej, You really have no clue do you?

Knocking on heavens door. New republican theme song

No matter how you dress it, it still amounts to 4 more years of failed policies.

uknucklehead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Knocking on heavens door. New republican theme
> song

U need a new name...how about uknuckledragger...perfect for a Neanderthal.

Non-sense. Being a "maverick" is a part of his "being". He was a maverick in the Navy. He was a maverick in the House of Reprensentatives. He's been a maverick in the Senate. And he'll be a maverick in the White House. To pretend that he's changed is ridiculous. Now, consider this. Obama has never... ever... not even once... stood up to his party or special interests. And there's no reason to believe that he ever will. Honestly, Mr. Dionne, your bias is laughable... and transparent.

I demand a recount!

Thanks for the article. Unlike David Brooks, you crystalized the Republican platform & playbook. I had such great respect for Senator McCain and was frankly thinking of voting for him. Unfortunately, the maverick is gone.

No way, No how, No McCain!

Poor old E.J. He used to do relatively even-handed poliitical analysis. Now he's just another hack in the bag for Obama. 'Tis a shame.

John McCain is no Maverick Comeon your trying way to hard to package the old fart as if your selling laundry soap. The guy looks like a walking corpse. He's knocking on heavens door. He should retire and take up putt putt golf

With the selection of PALIN - McCAIN has PROVEN to be the MAVERICK - in essence, NO ONE PREDICTED PALIN!!

And any reference to "McSAME" , "McBUSH" et al are certainly now LESS than INTELLIGENT !!

Furthernore, by ALL accounts, with the Polls showing a tightening race – CBS poll shows McCAIN / PALIN gaining 8 points in 1 week to TIE NObama…

NObama is in DEEP TROUBLE and NObama and his FANATIC “Faithful” are LASHING OUT of FEAR and DESPERATION, esp. wrt PALIN (are they also ‘bitter’?) !!!

RUDY was RIGHT - NObama has NO EXPERIENCE to be US President - "NADA" !!

PALIN (as VP) has more EXECUTIVE Governance Experience than NObama !!

Not only that.... this is REALLY TROUBLING below: !!!

NObama, Biden, Pelosi and Reid - READY to LEAD "US" to the #1 and #3 most RADICAL LIBERAL positions in the US Senate.. (worse than Carter, Dukakas, et al)

DRAMATICALLY raising Taxes on BUSINESSES to pay for NObama's #1 LIBERAL MASSIVE FEDERAL PROGRAMS and ENTITLEMENTS will SEVERELY HURT the ECONOMY - esp with LOSS OF JOBS and BUSINESSES/JOBs moving OVERSEAS to avoid excessive US TAXES !!!

Moreover - While McCAIN and PALIN:
"COUNTRY FIRST"...

NObama: HORRIFIC JUDGMENT !! – Nobama: direct influence for the last 10-20 years from Ayers, Klonski, Alinsky CAC, Wright, Rezko, Pfleger, The Chicago Political machine, etc etc - that is STILL being vetted...

In fact, direct from Chicago... latest NObama/Ayers relationship "cover up" from NRO:

[article.nationalreview.com]

NO WAY, NO HOW, NO THANKS – [We can NOT AFFORD] NOBAMA !!!

Hillary Democrat for McCAIN / PALIN in '08

There are MILLIONS of "US" !!!

I think the rumors of John McCain's demise are greatly exaggerated. Perhaps we should call this an Epitaph for an Opinion Editor. He reminds me of the three witches in Macbeth -- "Fair is foul and foul is fair." I have seldom seen anyone who is so consistently wrong yet able to hold onto his position.