David Corn

The whole McCain campaign is bi-polar - Bush is great and his policies are the best AND Bush is a shirker and let "eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges" - I wonder if the McCain camp is just going for the confused votes/voters?

Obama is about as bright as Pansy, no wonder Pansy has his knee pads on for this guy.

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Patriotic Barack Obama lapel pins unveiled honoring all 57 states

Yesterday The Ticket broke the stunning news of America's acquisition of seven, maybe eight, new states, according to future president Barack Obama.

He was speaking at the start of a two-day swoop through Oregon, which is already a state.

In Beaverton, which is not a state yet, the Democrat let it slip that during this marathon 16-month party presidential nomination struggle against a bunch of dropouts and this female political zombie from New York who won't surrender short of a silver stake, he had already visited 57 states with one more to go.

That's not counting the existing states of Alaska and Hawaii, he said, which his staff decided aren't important enough to visit. Unless maybe you're Mike Gravel or Dennis Kucinich, who weren't very important either, come to think of it.

Has this aging freshman senator -- he'll be almost 60 in 13 years -- lost his bearings? Are the eight new states caucus or primary? And will Howard Dean bar them from the convention too?

Obama's gaffe caused a noticeable stir online during the day and even the respected Marc Ambinder at The Atlantic anticipated that the political media would kindly write the Democrat's mis-statement off to fatigue. But he wrote if, say, the Republican nominee-to-be had uttered the same silly fatigue flub, it would surely be added to eager suspicions of senility.

Besides trying to noodle out what the new states are, some clever campaign folks over at the phenomenal Suitably Flip blog got to thinking right away.

And they've now unveiled a new patriotic lapel pin that anyone can wear with pride even, say, a Harvard-educated senator from Illinois who's been trying to make a point about opposing a war before it even started.

Here is the new pin replete with all 57 stars:

You'll probably want to order several for friends and family. And any Chablis-sipping senators you might know.

--Andrew Malcolm

A Turbulent Pastor

John Hagee has his share of out-there opinions, but lucky for the candidate, he's in a moment of silence.

John McCain likes to think of himself as a straight shooter—a man of honor who doesn't duck tough questions. But at least one question does get him bobbing and weaving: why doesn't he renounce the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee, the San Antonio televangelist who has offended Roman Catholics and other groups?

On the trail, McCain tries to stay away from talking about Hagee. In New Orleans last month, he grew irritated when asked about the pastor's views on Hurricane Katrina. "It's nonsense, it's nonsense, it's nonsense," McCain said when a reporter drew attention to Hagee's 2006 statement to National Public Radio that New Orleans had suffered "the judgment of God" because of its "level of sin." McCain refused to disavow Hagee's support. "Would I consider repudiating his endorsement?" McCain said to reporters on the back of his bus. "I certainly condemn those parts of his remarks. [But] I continue to appreciate his support for the state of Israel and for many of the good things that he and his church have done."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/135385

******

Too easy to just duck the hard questions. As long as the M$M lets it slide he will never actually say or do anything of substance.

We'll se if Barack can bring out the best in McShame, eh?

Questions For McCain

http://www.newsweek.com/id/136308/page/1

****

A few sincere questions - I wonder if we will ever get any real answers?

Are these the 57 States Obama meant when he said he had already visited 57 states ...?

The Organization of Islamic Conference Member States Currently, the OIC has 57 member and 3 observer states Source: Organization of the Islamic Conference The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is an international organization grouping fifty seven states which have decided to pool their resources together, combine their efforts, and speak with one voice to safeguard the interests and secure the progress and well-being of their peoples and of all Muslims in the world.

Where's the Obama magic CornNuts?

Still can't close the deal after millions spent~
~~~

Polls show Clinton lead in West Virginia, Kentucky

New polls Monday predicted landslide wins for Hillary Clinton in two looming primaries, despite pressure for her to cede to Barack Obama's mathematical stranglehold on the Democratic White House race.

The former first lady, who is vowing to battle on even as Obama turns his sights on Republican presumptive nominee John McCain, led her foe by 36 points in the latest poll out of West Virginia, which votes Tuesday.

In Kentucky, which holds its primary on May 20, Clinton was up 58 to 31 percent, in another poll suggesting Obama faces an uncomfortable two weeks.

Huge wins for Clinton in both states will do little to loosen Obama's mathematical advantage in the epic Democratic nominating contest.

Lopsided loses in the two states could underscore the Illinois senator's struggle to win over white, working-class voters, which could be a problem in November's election.

Arizona senator McCain, who was Monday giving a major speech on global warming, and Obama are increasingly fighting the early shots in the general election campaign.

The Obama campaign has launched a 50-state voter registration drive and both sides are trying to woo independent voters and are plotting battle plans to be rolled out as soon as the Democratic race is over.

Highlighting his growing focus on November, Obama meanwhile laid plans to campaign on Tuesday in crucial general election swing state Missouri, after stops in West Virginia and Kentucky.

Clinton meanwhile poured her energy into eve of the primary campaigning in West Virginia.

A Suffolk University poll ahead of the primary had Clinton leading Obama by 60 percent to 24 percent.

David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center said the poll was a poor omen for Obama in the general election.

"Barack Obama may have to write off West Virginia come November," he said.

At least someone in the Obama family has cojones!

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Novak: Michelle Obama Opposes Hillary VP

The Democratic "dream ticket" of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will never happen -- thanks to Michelle Obama.

Political columnist Robert Novak reported Sunday that Obama's close supporters are convinced he won't offer the vice presidential slot to Clinton because Michelle Obama "has been sniping at Clinton since last summer."

Novak also says Michelle Obama's "public utterances do not reveal the extent of her hostility."

John McCain’s Vietnam-Based View of War

[...]

During the debate in late 1990 over whether Congress should authorize the first President Bush to use military force against Iraq to repel the invasion of Kuwait, Henry Kissinger testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and had the following exchange with McCain:

MCCAIN: You know, one of the things I regret more than anything else when we ever hear there’s a chance of conflict or a possibility of a conflict, is we always re-visit the Vietnam War as some sort of role model when, in fact, the model of the Vietnam War is exactly what not to do in the conduct of war, including actions on the part of Congress. But to say that there was, quote, “fifty-two thousand casualties in the surgical strikes of North Vietnam” is just darn foolishness. The fact is, as you know, Dr. Kissinger, that in 1972, for the first time, there was significant bombing which was not constrained by either congressional or presidential mandate which virtually brought that nation to its knees with a minimum of casualties despite the hue and cry over one bomb that hit one hospital which seemed to be the biggest attack in the history of warfare, which still angers me. The Vietnamese and North Vietnamese themselves have stated that there was minimum casualties — in the 19 — in the Christmas ‘72 bombing raids. And the fact is, to purvey the idea that somehow — that airpower failed in Vietnam because airpower was not capable certainly is an insult to the experience and the intelligence of those of us who served there. . . . .

The — and Mr. Kissinger, isn’t it true that the reason why the North Vietnamese came back to the bargaining table at Christmas in 1972 was because they were virtually brought to their knees by the bombing of North Vietnam?

MR. KISSINGER: They certainly agreed after the bombing to things that they had not agreed before, and were very eager to settle. I believe they were brought back to the bargaining table — yes.

SEN. MCCAIN: Do you believe that 52,000 casualties over a seven-eight period or eight — let’s see, ‘65 — eight-year period is some kind of exorbitant number of casualties?

MR. KISSINGER: I have no — I have no independent knowledge of that figure one way or the other although it sounds credible to me.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/05/12/8906/

McCain’s Lobbyists In Trouble For Foreign Lobbying

Over the last two days, John McCain campaign has lost two advisors who resigned because of their lobbying firm’s work for the military regime in Myanmar. Unfortunately, these men are only two of 112 lobbyists who are advising, working for or raising money for John McCain’s presidential campaign. And they are not the only ones who have lobbied for foreign governments with headed by questionable foreign governments, including dictators. Here is some key information on McCain lobbyists.

http://mccainsource.com/mccain_fact_check?id=0007

*****

I think he should keep the lobbyists - it will make a great point in one of the debates. People love lobbyists so . . .

Obama Hits McCain For Failing To Support Webb's GI Bill

Barack Obama is giving a speech right now on veterans' issues in West Virginia in which he hits John McCain for failing to back Jim Webb's 21st Century version of the GI bill -- a measure that would cover the full cost for veterans to attend a state university.

In the speech, Obama makes a passing reference to Hillary, conceding he'll likely lose West Virginia to her, then pivots to a general election argument, saying that he "couldn't disagree more" with McCain's refusal to support Webb's measure.

Obama proposes to remake the Veterans Administration for the 21st Century and evokes his grandfather's World War II Service. Perhaps most interesting is his description of the maltreatment of returning Vietnam War veterans as "one of the saddest episodes in our history" -- an olive-branch to the right that's in keeping with his larger claim that he's a conciliator and bridge-builder.

http://tinyurl.com/5x27rv

*****

Complete text of his speech at the link.

Actually, I'm not that impressed with any of them.

McCain Hitting Obama On Hamas? Come On Now…

It's become a once-a-week thing. Each week, usually on Friday, the McCain campaign tries to take a swipe at Obama, basically calling him a terrorist:

In the clearest indication yet of how he intends to confront SenatorBarack Obama on foreign policy issues in the general election, SenatorJohn McCain on Friday again portrayed the Democratic contender as being the favorite of Hamas, the militant Palestinian group, and implied that he would also be friendly with Iran, a Hamas ally.

I gotta say, if this is the core of McCain's foreign policy attack against Obama, I'm unimpressed. Saying things like “I think it is very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president of the United States,” really don't seem like potent attacks, seeing as most Americans have no idea who Hamas is, or what weight their "endorsement" should carry in American politics.

And, besides, McCain's team isn't entirely clean of terrorist ties. Someone should ask McCain how he thinks Americans feel about his top aide, Tom Loeffler, lobbying for Saudi Arabia while at the same time working on McCain's presidential campaign. Hamas may be a terrorist group, but Saudi Arabia is arguable where it all started.

http://tinyurl.com/5douma

*****

I'm sure the GOPhers are trying their very best.

lol

But I'm more unimpressed with some (one) more than others...

McCain and Bush Staffs Talk “Everyday”

Fri, May 02, 2008 - 3:02 PM

A senior adviser to John McCain says the Republican presidential candidate’s campaign is now talking with senior White House staff everyday.

President Bush and McCain, former GOP rivals, “have an excellent relationship,” Charlie Black said at a lunch hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

Black said McCain is “not a protégé” of President Bush and would not be an extension of Bush’s presidency as Democrats have claimed. He cited McCain’s differences with Bush on federal spending and the initial war strategy, but was clear that Bush’s White House team is helping the presumptive Republican nominee at every turn of the campaign.

Black said the White House got a “head’s up” earlier this week before McCain called out Bush for his poor handling of hurricane Katrina in 2005.

*****

Who would think the WH and the presumptive nominee would talk - daily? Why wouldn't they coordinate? Unless the implication is McCain has to warn the WH when he is going to say stuff like "shirk" - that would be kind of funny.

Bush is obviously a shirker; and Gramps is suicidal. The reviews are in from the right:

Ace Of Spades:
Boy, I am glad I live in NY and don't have to feel bad about not voting for the guy, even against Obama.

Allahpundit:
Why on earth is he campaigning on this issue in the first place? His ad budget’s going to be tighter than Obama’s, needless to say, and this isn’t something voters care enough about vis-a-vis the economy and Iraq to warrant the expense. If anything, it’s going to lose him votes by alienating the base.

Kudlow:
OMG!!

It looks like McBush is purposely trying to throw the race Obama's way.

sorry. forgot the linky source for the above quotes:

http://tinyurl.com/482nw3

NOw what for the DMW? They lost Denny Hastert's old seat to a superliberal freak. And now they've lost a seat in Louisiana that has been reliably republican since the 70s. The DMW tried to scare voters in that race by tying the Dem to Pelosi, Obama, and the scary black preacher. Didn't work. NObody's buying that line of BS.
http://tinyurl.com/4x8h8b

WIll there be any DMW left in congress after this election?

The Christian Science MOnitor says that it's time for the Reds to run for the hills (no not run for the HIllz). Dead. MAn. Walking.
http://tinyurl.com/5c896x

As capt noted a couple of days ago, the writing is on the wall:

Tom Davis, who chaired the NRCC for four years, said he doubts the effectiveness of the anti-Obama strategy because of the contrast between the consistently unpopular Bush and the likely Democratic nominee.

"When Bush tries to articulate a vision," Davis said, pausing to choose his words carefully, "he will butcher the Gettysburg Address. Obama, he will make an A&P grocery list sing."

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), in a private meeting with Republicans on Tuesday, admitted the limitations of the anti-Obama strategy and tried to sell his troops on an Obama-like message of "change" as their only hope for success.

"We can't win SOLELY by tying our opponents to Barack Obama and his liberal views. We also have to prove Republicans are agents of change," Boehner told his colleagues, according to talking points prepared by his staff and provided to The Post.

Boehner expects to unveil portions of a new policy agenda this week, part of a year-long effort to "rebrand" his party's image.

Hensarling, in just his third term, is part of a group of mostly younger conservatives who are pushing for a more aggressive agenda that rejects incumbency perks such as multimillion-dollar earmarks. He endorsed the call for even deeper introspection followed by a sharp new message if Greg Davis loses Tuesday.

"I don't want to tap dance 'The Good Ship Lollipop,' " he said. "But I don't want to crawl into a fetal position."

Washpost source:
http://tinyurl.com/55c7pz

Guess who's coming to the rescue? Rush!!
After trying to get Republicans to vote in the Dem primary he has a new plan:
"One of my next objectives is to try and convince Republicans to cross over and vote for McCain down the road," he quipped.

Good luck with that one. LOL.
http://tinyurl.com/6m3gpx

Someone is up early.

Daily Old Man trivia:

BOTH of Baracks' parents (if they were still alive) would be younger than McCain.

McCain is older than Cheney.

Last night on the radio Lionel asked "name one radio show host that supports Hillary" - neither could think of a single name. . .

I thought Rush but . . . .

Because I'm such a nice guy....
Diff, there's lots of linkys here that will help you educate yourself. happy reading:
http://tinyurl.com/3m4f7l

and more here:
http://tinyurl.com/uy6cf

I got the linky to that trivia. McBush is older than a lot of stuff including mt. Rushmore:
http://www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com/

You are good, I was too lazy to link it up but that it the site where I got the info.

McCain is older than Alaska and Hawaii . . .

More bad news for Gramps. American doesn't like him:
http://tinyurl.com/4pnnch

And this is the reason:
http://tinyurl.com/47kuvc

Ominous:
[A]mong the 78% of voters who said they believe the economy has slid into a recession, 52% would vote for Obama, compared with 32% for McCain.

I had all these links lined up last night but fell asleep before I could post (plus my internet was blinky which takes all the fun out of it).

What's the strategy for the DMW this fall? Lie their azzes off. WIll it work again? We'll see:
http://tinyurl.com/5qo557

They've got the family values thing if they want to try it again:
An almost perfect example of why so many have come to find the GOP anathema:

Vito Fossella built a career as a staunch "family values" pol, polishing his image in his predominantly Catholic district with a string of anti-gay votes.

He even shuns his gay sister, Victoria Fossella, refusing to go to family events if she and her partner attend, a source close to the family said.

His double life is now exposed with the news he has a 3-year-old love child with a divorced Air Force colonel, and critics are calling him a hypocrite.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/5tdvl5

Trying to beat the clock....

The secret service better get their shit together if they're going to protect a black president:
Emails show racial jokes by SS:
http://tinyurl.com/5tpxxd

More bad news on all fronts for the DMW. Soon they will be extinct:
http://tinyurl.com/5kqzs7

One last one, don't want to let Gramps feel left out. There are two groups that looooove them some Gramps, Lobbyists and moneygrubbers:
http://tinyurl.com/57ce3v

Time to make the donuts.

McCain loses two lobbyists for Myanmar. They will be replaced with two lobbyists for Flomax.

It seems to be Carly Feorina's consulting for McCain that is trying to paint McCain different than Bush. On ABC she slipped and said 'HP is nothing like Compaq'.