Comments on: Obama Leads in Foreign Policy; Bush Follows

By: karlewis

karlewis — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:59:15 +0000

I agree
terrorist fist jab or as we say in Ebonics “dap”

We need a calm calculated leader not a reactionary hot head.

By: karlewis

karlewis — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:53:11 +0000

Obama at the forum was very impressive too. It's a shame no one brought it up.
I have been reading these blogs and they are being manipulated and they have been getting subject line from the other side. I have faith in Obama (that means a lot since I'm agnostic lol) but this is a chess game. You can't win every day but you sometimes have to give u a bishop to kill the Queen or give the Queen for the MATE!

Blog need to refocus and let Obama exercise his plan. People have such a short memory; just the other day they were saying the same thing when Clinton was in the race and the O man just did his thing. The cat is as cool as a cucumber. Let him work people. We are the ones that need to chip in and change the conversation, PERIOD!

Obama/Biden 08... and don't forget it.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:48:52 +0000

It was sorta implied....but I don't believe it:

GIBSON: Did you ever travel outside the country prior to your trip to Kuwait and Germany last year?

PALIN: Canada, Mexico, and then, yes, that trip, that was the trip of a lifetime to visit our troops in Kuwait and stop and visit our injured soldiers in Germany. That was the trip of a lifetime and it changed my life.

By: T.

T. — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:46:29 +0000

Vindication! LOL! No, Seriously. Finally someone agrees with me that Arianna Huffington's(and other Dem. strategists) suggestion is not advisable.

Be you, Senator Obama. Calm. Unflappable. But Forceful.

T.
ps. I wrote a couple of posts about this sayin, "Hell, no!"

By: T.

T. — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:28:58 +0000

Why I'm happy to be a democrat this week. And a response to Andrew Sullivan's reader:

I do not know if we are being "played" by the GOP, per se, in talking about them. What I know is this: in a competition, I firmly believe that we have to keep an eye on our opponent, BUT we cannot lose sight of what makes OUR guy(OBAMA) so great. There are still many swing voters out there who are coming to these blogs, and if all they are seeing is talk about the opponent and not about what our guy is doing to make their lives better, then we lose. So, there has to be a balance.

In fact this past week, I think Obama's strategy has been dead-on, and yet heads were about to explode - he's not getting angry enough. Well, when Obama used the "lipstick on a pig" analogy and then called out McBush's campaign on their sexism sham, that was nothing short of briliance. Did Obama make a mistake or was McBush payed like a fiddle? And this strategy was a two-fer. What do i mean? It also gave Obama the opening to "work the refs"...and it worked! Magical stuff, i tell ya.

The second reason why I'm happy to be a Dem this week: Our guys on the interview circuit. No biggie, you say, we all know they can do interviews and that they are well versed in the issues. Of course we do. But guess what, there are voters out there who are 1)either just tuning in or, 2)got their head twisted a bit by the "big celebrity empty rhetoric" meme. So Obama and Biden has been interviewed multiple times this week, their mastery of the various issue on display, while McBush was on hiatus from the press and Lyin' Palin was being sequestered. Now, that McBush et al have come out to play, they can be exposed for the frauds that they are. And it worked, because, after seeing Lyin' Palin last night, the MSM appears to be absolutely spooked. They seem positively terrified that if they are derelict in performing their duties, they might just help elect McBush and this woman.

Yes, I'm happy to be a Democrat this week.

And yeah, color me stupid, but I' don't think the Obama campaign is too sad that Biden was not getting as much coverage. It gave Biden a chance to get his bearings. Work on his delivery etc. Minimize any early mistakes he might have made etc. And now that Plouffe has given everyone notice that the game is on then everybody is out there on the grind, including Jill Biden. So imagine that Barack, Joe, Michelle, Jill, other Democratic stalwarts are in a different place each and everyday. More real estate being covered while McBush is either baby-sitting Lyin' Palin or using her as a prop to garner enthusiasm for his candidacy.

All we need now is a big rally to get everybody to stop wringing their hands and stay excited. But, Plouffe and Axelrod knows best.

T.

Example of an appearance the blogs missed:
Last weekend, Obama and McBush appeared via satellite before an AARP audience. They answered questions on issues that affect the AARP demographic. Their respective presentations could not have been more different - like night and day.

Obama's responses specifically addressed the needs of that community while articulating his proposed policies. McBush's, however, was an uninspiring recital of his stump speech, and his responses lacked heft. Some independents called on C-Span later that morning to remark on the difference in the two men's proposed policies.

I have yet to see any reference to Obama's successful appearance in front of the AARP on any liberal blog.

By: T.

T. — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:27:45 +0000

The implication, at least to me, was that her trips to Canada and Mexico were for government business.

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:20:06 +0000

rikyrah: Another "ATTACK" piece! HuffPOST is spitting these headlines out like an overstuffed person after gorging!! :>) :>) :>)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-nichanian/...
Obama Campaign Advancing On The Ground

It increasingly looks as though this close election may be determined by investments on the ground, in local precincts across the country, an area of the campaign that Barack Obama's organization and supporters have excelled at.

But this is not the type of edge pollsters pick up on, making any metrics concerning the ground game that much more valuable. Most of the data we have seen up to now has looked at shifts in voter’s party affiliations. That tells us how many more (or less) voters are registered as Democrats or Republicans, but not much about new voters, as much of these partisan shifts are due to already-registered voters changing their affiliation. These new voters are one of the key weapons of the Obama campaign, and one of the reasons he won the Democratic nomination (for instance, his influx of new voters overwhelmed Clinton and Edwards’s caucus organization on January 3rd).

Now, Time provides us this very useful table of voters who have newly registered from January to July 2008, and the numbers are very encouraging for the Obama campaign. More than 3 million voters registered in that period, and while a lot of them are not Democrats, Time’s table shows that these new voters are registering as Democrats at much higher than normal proportion; also, a disproportionate number of new registrants are under 35, Obama’s strongest demographic group.

The most impressive numbers come from Florida (441,225 new voters, 45% of which are Democrats and half of which are under 35), Michigan (where 63% of the 411,207 new voters are under 35), North Carolina (429,059 new voters, 49% of which are Democrats and 55% of which are under 35) and Pennsylvania (where an outstanding 67% of the 286,255 new voters are Democrats and 69% are under 35). Remarkable numbers as well out of Nevada (where 110,124 new voters is a lot considering the state’s size, especially as 53% of them are new voters) and Ohio (65% of the 255,587 new voters are under 35).

In some of these states, a lot of work was done during the primary season. In others, these gains are due to Obama’s general election effort. And Democrats should feel even better that these numbers only cover the period ending in July. The campaign is sure to continue voter registration until the deadlines start coming up in late September/early October. In other words, the final numbers are likely to be much higher than they are now.

Of course, registering new voters is only the first step -- getting them to the polls requires a whole other round of effort. As the New York Times reported today, this is where early voting comes in -- and we will have to keep track of any data from that department once the first states open their ballots at the end of this month.

One obstacle to all of this will come in the form of legal challenges. A month ago, the GOP signaled it was sending teams of lawyers to key battleground states to review voter registration applications and issue challenges. Now, Florida election authorities are saying they will start enforcing a voter ID law that was on hold pending legal review for the past year. This law (read the details here) could lead to a lot of new voters being forced to cast provisional ballots on Election Day; they would have two days to prove their identity. If the election comes down to a small margin in FL, expect a huge legal battle. (In other news from Florida, the Obama campaign seems to be aware of its relative weakness among the Jewish community and is organizing very extensive outreach among the community.)

Meanwhile, McCain supporters are also increasing their ground game. Today marked the NRA’s first move in the presidential race, and they made sure to make a splash by producing a brochure that warns that Obama would be “the most anti-gun president in American history.”

This is the RESULT of COMMUNITY ORGANIZING!!!

Obama-Biden '08!!!!

By: msmartin

msmartin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:15:42 +0000

Yes it was. Something you will never see in the MSM.

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:52:08 +0000

TruthSeeker: True dat!! :>) :>) They pushed as far as the CONTROLLED MEDIA would allow!! Then there's Hasslebeck! YuK!!! Like a chicken – off with her head!! :>) :>)

By: Miranda

Miranda — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:51:58 +0000

Saying she went to Canada and Mexico is the equivalent of a college kid's springbreak….that's not “foreign travel” unless you're sheltered as all get out. In fact, wasn't it just late last year that a passport was even required to go to Canada and Mexico? She just got a passport last year for her trip to Kuwait to visit the troops.

I guarantee you her trip to Mexico was a vacation and the Canadian border from her hometown is a hour's drive at best. Did she actually say her visits to Mexico and Canada were for official government business? They can't fool anybody with that one.

By: T.

T. — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:39:44 +0000

WHEN DID LYIN' PALIN TRAVEL TO MEXICO AND CANADA?

Not the most important but still...I read on Jed's site that Lyin' Palin had only travelled once outside the US when she visited Alaskan troops in Kuwait, plane stopped for refuelling in Ireland, and she visited a military hospital in germany - all in the same trip I assume. It was also for this trip that she obtained a passport for the first time.

Last night, during the first installment of the ABC News interview, she mentioned that she had also been to CANADA and MEXICO. How curious it is that she mentions the "NAFTA countries" that John McCain visited not too long ago. Why did she go to these countries? For family? For work? Can this be verified from public records? Is Alaska a state that has employment issues relating to NAFTA? And remember that the McCain Campaign has been trying hard to needle Obama that he has not been to any countries in our neck of the woods. Just plain curious.

This query may seem trivial, given all the matters of import that were discussed(and not adequately responded to by her), but what if this inconsequential thing turns out to be, um, another fib...

T.

By: TruthSeeker

TruthSeeker — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 03:16:43 +0000

This was thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyable.

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:19:21 +0000

rikyrah: This is another "ATTACK" piece!! However, I don't think that Mr. Obama is attcking "McAncient" on AGE as much as on incompetence and a lack of the curiosity that was referenced about "The Gov." in another thread!

IMHO: He, like her, doesn't see the need to learn a wide and deep spectrum of the issues that affect this country and the world with whom we interact! OTOH, Mr. Obama has, and has to learn it ALL!! Back to your 'double standards'!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/obama-...
Obama Ad Goes After McCain For Being Old, Incompetent

There has been talk in recent days that Barack Obama would get tougher in his campaigning following the September 11th détente between he and McCain. Sure enough, Friday morning the Senator released his most personalized attack ad yet.

Making overt references to McCain's age, the spot, titled "Still," calls the Republican nominee out-of-touch, showing footage of him from 1982 alongside screen shots of disco balls, a (Zach Morris-like) old school cell phone, a record player and a rubix cube. It even calls McCain out for his unfamiliarity with the Internet. And, as a parting jab, the ad uses footage of the Arizona Republican riding with George H.W. Bush in a golf cart.

"1982," reads the campaign. "John McCain goes to Washington. Things have changed in the last 26 years. But McCain hasn't. He admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an email."

In addition to the "Still" spot, the Obama campaign released another ad Friday morning, this one more positive in nature, with the Senator speaking directly into the camera, defining change.

It could very well be that the latter spot, titled "Real Change" will be the one that airs in most places, while the more inflammatory "Still" is designed to grab the media's attention. Already, the McCain campaign is out with a response.

"What is becoming clear to the American people is the fact that Barack Obama has no record of bipartisan legislative accomplishment, no history of bucking his party and no chance of bringing change," wrote Tucker Bounds, spokesman McCain-Palin 2008. "The truth is, Barack Obama voted for $2.8 billion in corporate welfare for big oil companies, broke his pledge to voters on campaign finance and has personally requested nearly a billion dollars in pork barrel spending for his home state - making his message of 'change' nothing more than an empty campaign slogan."

It's ON!!" :>) :>) :>)

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:56:35 +0000

rikyrah: The ladies of "The View" took off their hoop earrings and their heels, sharpened their artificial nails, and applied their "ATTACK" lipstick [No reference to a pig!]!!!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/mccain...
McCain Grilled On "The View"

The ladies of "The View" confronted John McCain today for lying in recent attack ads, pressed him on abortion and questioned his choice of Sarah Palin.

In arguably his toughest interview yet, co-host Joy Behar asked McCain, "There are ads running from your campaign... Now we know that those two ads are untrue, they are lies. And yet, you at the end of it say you approve these messages. Do you really approve these?"

Barbara Walters then threw in her condemnation, telling McCain: "You, yourself, said the same thing about putting lipstick on a pig..."

Watch McCain try and explain the lies:

McCain was also pushed on his stance on abortion, saying he thought Roe v. Wade was a bad decision. Saying he'd nominate justices who strictly interpret the constitution, Whoopi asked if that meant she'd be returned to slavery:

Whoopi also pushed McCain on the separation of church and state, saying that if he believes in it, "did it not give [him] a moment of pause" to choose Sarah Palin as his running mate. He responded in part, "God has a plan for the world and that we should do what we can to lead as good a lives as we can...":

McCain was asked how Palin will "reform" Washington and the government. Barbara Walters continually pushed on just who and what she was going to reform. His answer, which he was forced to elaborate on, was "all of Washington":

McCain also claimed that Palin has never asked for money for pet projects as Alaska governor -- when in fact she has sought nearly $200 million in earmarks this year.

For the 3rd and 4th segments, he was joined by wife Cindy McCain, for whom co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck hosted a luncheon at last week's RNC. After a hard first few segments, talk got easy with Cindy and turned to kids and humanitarian issues.

* The View
* John McCain
* Cindy McCain

Senator John McCain was a guest on a new episode of "The View" Friday, and he was grilled on Sarah Palin, his Obama sex-ed for kids attack ads, his view on Roe v. Wade, the separation of church and st...
Senator John McCain was a guest on a new episode of "The View" Friday, and he was grilled on Sarah Palin, his Obama sex-ed for kids attack ads, his view on Roe v. Wade, the separation of church and st...

O.K. There are so many videos! I don't know how to embed them here! HELP!! :>) :>) I'll try going to You Tube! :>) :>) :>) One of these days! :>) :>) :>)

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:47:01 +0000

rikyrah: This is another "ATTACK" piece!! :>) :>) This is what happens AFTER the "Rope-a-Dope STRATEGY!! :>) :>)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/obama-...
Obama Ad Calls Out McCain For Employing Lobbyists

In an ad that hasn't officially been released to reporters, the Obama campaign goes hard after John McCain for employing big-time lobbyists in high ranking positions.

The spot, entitled "Special Interest," leaked out on Friday despite what Democratic officials say was Obama's design of waiting until the weekend. The ad is indicative of the continued battle between the two candidates over who can best carry the mantle of reform.

"John McCain's chief adviser lobbies for oil companies, even from Russia and China. His campaign manager lobbies for corporations outsourcing American jobs. The campaign chairman he picked last year -- a bank lobbyist. If seven of McCain's top advisers are lobbyists, who do you think will run his White House? John McCain. We just can't afford more of the same."

IT'S ON!!! :>) :>) :>) The corner has been turned!! No more attention is being paid to "The Gov."!!!

Mr. Obama is CLEARLY 'STEPPIN' TO "McAncient!!! :>) :>)

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:37:50 +0000

rikyrah: Here's another "ATTACK" piece!! :>) :>) Whooo! Hoo! :>) :>)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/obama-...
Obama Camp Steps Up Attack On McCain's Honor

For some Democratic observers, it's been one of the most intensely debated questions of the general election campaign. Can you campaign against the honor of a POW?

Increasingly, it looks as though Barack Obama's campaign feels as though they have little choice. In response to last week's ad accusing the Illinois Democrat of supporting explicit sex-ed for kindergarten students, an Obama spokesperson called McCain's campaign "perverse."

Now, after McCain himself defended the ad on "The View" Friday morning, the Obama camp is raising the honor question again.

It's ON!!! :>) :>)

By: GreenLadyHere

GreenLadyHere — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:30:56 +0000

rikyrah: Submitting this article as an "ATTACK" piece!! :>) :>)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/12/obama-...
McCain Admits He's "Divorced" From REALITY:Obama Camp Lets Rip [on McCain]

The Obama campaign is jumping all over a line from John McCain, in which the Arizona Republican suggested that time in Washington had made it easier from him to be out of touch with everyday concerns.

"I think John McCain is right about John McCain," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a fellow Chicagoan known for his brass-knuckled politics. "He has been there so long that is why he has voted 90 percent of the time with George Bush and that why his staff is bogged down by lobbyists that represent special interests."

McCain's alleged gaffe came Thursday night at Columbia University during a service forum featuring both candidates.

"It's easy for me to go to Washington," said the Senator, "and frankly, be somewhat divorced from the day-to-day challenges people have."

Watch:

McCain was actually lauding the accomplishments of governors and mayors like his running mate, Sarah Palin. Indeed, later in the forum, Obama made a similar statement of his own, though hardly the first person admission that Washington had made him "divorced" from reality.

"Well listen," said the Senator, "we had an awful lot of small-town mayors at the Democratic Convention, I assure you. I meet them all the time. And I have -- the mayors have some of the toughest jobs in the country, because that's where the rubber hits the road. We yak in the Senate. They actually have to fill potholes and trim trees and make sure the garbage is taken away."

And while GOP officials jumped at that remark, they didn't have the material (or the zest) that Democrats used in criticizing McCain.

O.K. There is a video! Gotta read the article to get it. :>) :>) Remember: This is the "technologically-challenged" one! :>) :>)

It's ON!!! :>) :>) :>)

By: Anderkoo

Anderkoo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:02:41 +0000

Pakistan has never been an ally in this war — this has been a source of incredible frustration for years now. They are just as afraid of the Taliban and Pashtun as the Afghanis, and don't want a civil war in their own borders. I think we're going now because (a) there's a power vacuum because of Musharaff's outser, and (b) I dunno… I somehow suspect an October surprise in the making, with the US capturing bin Laden sometime in the next few weeks. Call me paranoid.

By: karlewis

karlewis — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:59:15 +0000

I agree
terrorist fist jab or as we say in Ebonics “dap”

We need a calm calculated leader not a reactionary hot head.

By: karlewis

karlewis — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:53:11 +0000