The Chicago Tribune, a newspaper that has not endorsed a Democrat for president since it was founded in 1847, formally endorsed Barack Obama for preseident.
From their editorial:
Many Americans say they're uneasy about Obama. He's pretty new to them.
We can provide some assurance. We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president.
We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready.
It may have seemed audacious for Obama to start his campaign in Springfield, invoking Lincoln. We think, given the opportunity to hold this nation's most powerful office, he will prove it wasn't so audacious after all. We are proud to add Barack Obama's name to Lincoln's in the list of people the Tribune has endorsed for president of the United States.
According to Editor & Publisher, Obama now has a 3 to 1 lead over McCain in newspaper endorsements -- 51 newspapers with a total 6,299,363 daily circulation. At least seven of those papers endorsed President Bush in 2004.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Conservative GOP Talk Radio Host Endorses Obama
On his talk show on WPHT today, conservative Philadelphian Michael Smerconish endorsed Sen. Barack Obama.
"I've decided. My conclusion comes after reading the candidates' memoirs and campaign platforms, attending both party conventions, interviewing both men multiple times, and watching all primary and general election debates.
"John McCain may be an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I'm voting for a Democrat for president.
I may have been an appointee in the George H.W. Bush administration, and master of ceremonies for George W. Bush in 2004, but last Saturday I stood amidst the crowd at an Obama event in North Philadelphia," says the Republican.
"I've decided. My conclusion comes after reading the candidates' memoirs and campaign platforms, attending both party conventions, interviewing both men multiple times, and watching all primary and general election debates.
"John McCain may be an honorable man who has served his country well. But he will not get my vote. For the first time since registering as a Republican 28 years ago, I'm voting for a Democrat for president.
I may have been an appointee in the George H.W. Bush administration, and master of ceremonies for George W. Bush in 2004, but last Saturday I stood amidst the crowd at an Obama event in North Philadelphia," says the Republican.
Latest Poll Results (10-18-08)
RCP Average Obama 49.7 McCain 42.9 Obama +6.8
Rasmussen Reports Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Obama 48 McCain 44 Obama +4
Hotline/FD Obama 50 McCain 40 Obama +10
Gallup (Traditional) Obama 49 McCain 47 Obama +2
Gallup (Expanded) Obama 51 McCain 45 Obama +6
GWU/Battleground Obama 49 McCain 45 Obama +4
IBD/TIPP Obama 46 McCain 41 Obama +5
LA Times/Bloomberg Obama 50 McCain 41 Obama +9
CBS News/NY Times Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
USA Today/Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
USA Today/Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
Rasmussen Reports Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Obama 48 McCain 44 Obama +4
Hotline/FD Obama 50 McCain 40 Obama +10
Gallup (Traditional) Obama 49 McCain 47 Obama +2
Gallup (Expanded) Obama 51 McCain 45 Obama +6
GWU/Battleground Obama 49 McCain 45 Obama +4
IBD/TIPP Obama 46 McCain 41 Obama +5
LA Times/Bloomberg Obama 50 McCain 41 Obama +9
CBS News/NY Times Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
USA Today/Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
USA Today/Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
Friday, October 17, 2008
Washington Post Endorses Obama...and Slams McCain
"It is without ambivalence that we endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president.
The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race."
You can read the full endorsement here:
The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race."
You can read the full endorsement here:
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Let The Craziness Begin:
Email From The Polling Stations
A reader of Andrew Sullivan's blog writes:
I live in Charlotte NC, where today is the first day of early voting. I drove by two polling places before 8 this morning and they were both completely mobbed. My husband has driven to two others in his attempt to vote today, and the scene has been so ridiculous that he has given up and will try again next week. At two of the spots where he tried to vote, he witnessed and was approached by two exceedingly aggressive McCain/Palin volunteers who were pulling people out of line, handing out brochures, and telling them "You really need to think carefully about your vote. If you plan to vote Obama, we would ask that you read this material and reconsider your vote."
At one location, after approaching my husband aggressively, these volunteers were forcefully asked to leave by an employee and were told the police would be called if they did not cease and desist.
None of this is indicative of anything, obviously. I just thought it was interesting. I have voted in three presidential races since I have lived in Charlotte, and I have never been approached by anyone campaiging so close to a polling location. Desperation, perhaps?
A reader of Andrew Sullivan's blog writes:
I live in Charlotte NC, where today is the first day of early voting. I drove by two polling places before 8 this morning and they were both completely mobbed. My husband has driven to two others in his attempt to vote today, and the scene has been so ridiculous that he has given up and will try again next week. At two of the spots where he tried to vote, he witnessed and was approached by two exceedingly aggressive McCain/Palin volunteers who were pulling people out of line, handing out brochures, and telling them "You really need to think carefully about your vote. If you plan to vote Obama, we would ask that you read this material and reconsider your vote."
At one location, after approaching my husband aggressively, these volunteers were forcefully asked to leave by an employee and were told the police would be called if they did not cease and desist.
None of this is indicative of anything, obviously. I just thought it was interesting. I have voted in three presidential races since I have lived in Charlotte, and I have never been approached by anyone campaiging so close to a polling location. Desperation, perhaps?
Palin As President
You no longer have to speculate on what it would be like to have Sarah Palin in the White House. Turn up your sound, and click on objects on this terrifying website.
Latest Poll Numbers (10-14-08)
Rasmussen Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
Reuters/C-Span/Zogby Obama 49 McCain 44 Obama +5
Hotline/FD Obama 49 McCain 41 Obama +8
Gallup (Traditional) Obama 49 McCain 46 Obama +3
Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 44 Obama +8
GW/Battleground Obama 50 McCain 44 Obama +6
IBD/TIPP Obama LV 45 McCain 42 Obama +3
LA Times/Bloomberg Obama 50 McCain 41 Obama +9
CBS News/NY Times Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
USA Today/Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
USA Today/Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
Pew Research Obama 49 McCain 42 Obama +7
Ipsos/McClatchy Obama 48 McCain 39 Obama +9
Reuters/C-Span/Zogby Obama 49 McCain 44 Obama +5
Hotline/FD Obama 49 McCain 41 Obama +8
Gallup (Traditional) Obama 49 McCain 46 Obama +3
Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 44 Obama +8
GW/Battleground Obama 50 McCain 44 Obama +6
IBD/TIPP Obama LV 45 McCain 42 Obama +3
LA Times/Bloomberg Obama 50 McCain 41 Obama +9
CBS News/NY Times Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
USA Today/Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
USA Today/Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
Pew Research Obama 49 McCain 42 Obama +7
Ipsos/McClatchy Obama 48 McCain 39 Obama +9
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Keep Your Eyes On McCain
Angry, petulant, smirky, pissy, blinky, eye-rolling...just weird.
Is this who you want for president?
Is this who you want for president?
New York Times: McCain Seemed "Angry And Desperate"
Wednesday night’s debate was another chance for Mr. McCain to prove that he is ready to lead this country out of its deep economic crisis. But Mr. McCain stuck to his script, and the nasty tone of his campaign, including a rather bizarre claim that Barack Obama had told a plumber in Ohio that Mr. Obama wanted to take away his wealth.
In one astonishing exchange, Mr. McCain acted as though he was the truly aggrieved party. And he insisted that he had repudiated all of the attacks on Mr. Obama by surrogates and misguided supporters. Mr. McCain didn’t mention that his vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, is one the loudest attackers — and he certainly didn’t repudiate her absurd, repeated charge that Mr. Obama has been “palling around with terrorists.”
Quite the opposite. In the debate, Mr. McCain again raised Mr. Obama’s old and meaningless association with William Ayers, a violent, 1960s radical who served with Mr. Obama on the board of a charitable foundation. The overall effect was to make Mr. McCain seem angry and desperate, which didn’t surprise us much given how badly his campaign has been doing.
Mr. McCain’s biggest problem is that he is desperately short of good ideas for fixing the country’s desperate problems. His big speech on the economy this week was replete with seriously bad ideas, starting with a call to cut the already very low capital gains tax in half. That won’t rescue the economy. What it would do is dig the government further into debt while making the current tax structure that rewards the rich even more unfair.
Mr. Obama has some good ideas — for the short term, to respond to the financial crisis; and for the longer term, to put the economy back on the right track. He supports a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and more money for states and localities, both of which would quickly bring relief beyond Wall Street.
Mr. Obama wants to raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation. Mr. McCain wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent — a big break for the top 1 percent of society. Mr. Obama would cut taxes for low- and moderate-income families and raise them for richer Americans.
In one astonishing exchange, Mr. McCain acted as though he was the truly aggrieved party. And he insisted that he had repudiated all of the attacks on Mr. Obama by surrogates and misguided supporters. Mr. McCain didn’t mention that his vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, is one the loudest attackers — and he certainly didn’t repudiate her absurd, repeated charge that Mr. Obama has been “palling around with terrorists.”
Quite the opposite. In the debate, Mr. McCain again raised Mr. Obama’s old and meaningless association with William Ayers, a violent, 1960s radical who served with Mr. Obama on the board of a charitable foundation. The overall effect was to make Mr. McCain seem angry and desperate, which didn’t surprise us much given how badly his campaign has been doing.
Mr. McCain’s biggest problem is that he is desperately short of good ideas for fixing the country’s desperate problems. His big speech on the economy this week was replete with seriously bad ideas, starting with a call to cut the already very low capital gains tax in half. That won’t rescue the economy. What it would do is dig the government further into debt while making the current tax structure that rewards the rich even more unfair.
Mr. Obama has some good ideas — for the short term, to respond to the financial crisis; and for the longer term, to put the economy back on the right track. He supports a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures and more money for states and localities, both of which would quickly bring relief beyond Wall Street.
Mr. Obama wants to raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation. Mr. McCain wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent — a big break for the top 1 percent of society. Mr. Obama would cut taxes for low- and moderate-income families and raise them for richer Americans.
Political Writers Have Their Say
Robert Shrum: Put McCain Out of His Misery
McCain had to be presidential but wasn't, maybe because he knows that's now catch-up ball for him, not a game changer.
Ari Melber: Obama T.K.O.s McCain in Last Debate:
Obama won defeating his opponent without ever knocking him out. John McCain hit hard, sometimes wildly, accusing Obama of links to terrorism, voter fraud, and racially divisive politics. It was the first time McCain played the Ayers card in a debate, only after Obama taunted McCain for failing to level the charge to Obama's "face."
Marty Kaplan: The Faces of John McCain:
Ninety minutes of John McCain making faces was more than enough for a lifetime. It's hard to imagine anyone willingly inviting that antic lemon-sucking grinfest into their homes for the next four years
James Love: Not Boring, Substantive, and Obama Dominates
McCain seamed smirking and aggressive when he was not speaking. He blinked a lot. But as these things have gone, he did not disgrace himself. He was energetic and tough, even though he often came across as a jerk.
Ta-Nihisi Coates: You just heard why John McCain will lose
He pivoted from an attack on ACORN and Ayers to his campaign getting the economy back on track. Worst segue ever.
Ezra Klein: McCain was Angry and Petulant
McCain looks angrier and more petulant than any participant in any major debate I've watched. Watching him try to stay seated is like watching a furious kid try and obey a timeout. He can hardly hold himself still.
McCain had to be presidential but wasn't, maybe because he knows that's now catch-up ball for him, not a game changer.
Ari Melber: Obama T.K.O.s McCain in Last Debate:
Obama won defeating his opponent without ever knocking him out. John McCain hit hard, sometimes wildly, accusing Obama of links to terrorism, voter fraud, and racially divisive politics. It was the first time McCain played the Ayers card in a debate, only after Obama taunted McCain for failing to level the charge to Obama's "face."
Marty Kaplan: The Faces of John McCain:
Ninety minutes of John McCain making faces was more than enough for a lifetime. It's hard to imagine anyone willingly inviting that antic lemon-sucking grinfest into their homes for the next four years
James Love: Not Boring, Substantive, and Obama Dominates
McCain seamed smirking and aggressive when he was not speaking. He blinked a lot. But as these things have gone, he did not disgrace himself. He was energetic and tough, even though he often came across as a jerk.
Ta-Nihisi Coates: You just heard why John McCain will lose
He pivoted from an attack on ACORN and Ayers to his campaign getting the economy back on track. Worst segue ever.
Ezra Klein: McCain was Angry and Petulant
McCain looks angrier and more petulant than any participant in any major debate I've watched. Watching him try to stay seated is like watching a furious kid try and obey a timeout. He can hardly hold himself still.
Who Won The Last Debate? Obama Dominates By Largest Margins Yet
If the instant post-debate polling provides any indication, John McCain didn't just fail to get the game-changer he needed, he was trounced in this third and final debate,
The results over at CBS show Obama to have scored the biggest victory to date: "Fifty-three percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed identified Democratic nominee Barack Obama as the winner of tonight's debate. Only twenty-two percent said Republican rival John McCain won. Twenty-four percent saw the debate as a draw."
CBS writes it was, "a clean sweep" for Obama.
Over at CNN, a separate poll of several hundred debate watchers again favored the Democrat by large margins: 58 percent for Obama to McCain's 31 percent. Perhaps more importantly, McCain's favorable rating dropped 51 to 49 while his unfavorable rating increased from 45 percent to 49 percent.
Meanwhile, virtually the entire focus group on Fox News, which was staged tonight in Miami, said that Barack Obama won the debate. Luntz termed it a "clear majority," not one person raised their hand when asked if they thought McCain won.
The results over at CBS show Obama to have scored the biggest victory to date: "Fifty-three percent of the uncommitted voters surveyed identified Democratic nominee Barack Obama as the winner of tonight's debate. Only twenty-two percent said Republican rival John McCain won. Twenty-four percent saw the debate as a draw."
CBS writes it was, "a clean sweep" for Obama.
Over at CNN, a separate poll of several hundred debate watchers again favored the Democrat by large margins: 58 percent for Obama to McCain's 31 percent. Perhaps more importantly, McCain's favorable rating dropped 51 to 49 while his unfavorable rating increased from 45 percent to 49 percent.
Meanwhile, virtually the entire focus group on Fox News, which was staged tonight in Miami, said that Barack Obama won the debate. Luntz termed it a "clear majority," not one person raised their hand when asked if they thought McCain won.
PALIN'S DELUSIONS WORSEN....
From the Republican ran Washington Monthly
I can understand Sarah Palin feeling humiliated by her Troopergate scandal. An independent investigation concluded that she violated state ethics, abused the powers of her office, and lied about it. This isn't exactly easy to spin away this kind of violation of the public trust.
It was odd, then, to hear Palin tell reporters on Saturday that she's "very very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing, any hint of any kind of unethical activity there." This was, of course, the exact opposite of reality. The Anchorage Daily News called Palin's response "an embarrassment to Alaskans and the nation." The editorial added, "Her response is either astoundingly ignorant or downright Orwellian.... Palin's response is the kind of political 'big lie' that George Orwell warned against. War is peace. Black is white. Up is down."
Naturally, then, Palin repeated the lie yesterday.
"The report that came out also was very clear in that there was no unethical or unlawful behavior on my part," Palin told a local CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, adding, "No abuse of power there at all."
This is just madness. The report was unambiguous -- Palin "abused her power." She "violated" the "Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act." Even Sarah Palin can read this and understand the plain meaning of basic words.
This makes Palin's breathtaking lies all the more remarkable. She said the report was "very clear" that she hadn't done anything "unethical" and there was "no abuse of power" at all. I don't think I've ever seen a politician lie so brazenly.
So.. is Sarah Palin shockingly dishonest or is she functionally illiterate?
I can understand Sarah Palin feeling humiliated by her Troopergate scandal. An independent investigation concluded that she violated state ethics, abused the powers of her office, and lied about it. This isn't exactly easy to spin away this kind of violation of the public trust.
It was odd, then, to hear Palin tell reporters on Saturday that she's "very very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing, any hint of any kind of unethical activity there." This was, of course, the exact opposite of reality. The Anchorage Daily News called Palin's response "an embarrassment to Alaskans and the nation." The editorial added, "Her response is either astoundingly ignorant or downright Orwellian.... Palin's response is the kind of political 'big lie' that George Orwell warned against. War is peace. Black is white. Up is down."
Naturally, then, Palin repeated the lie yesterday.
"The report that came out also was very clear in that there was no unethical or unlawful behavior on my part," Palin told a local CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, adding, "No abuse of power there at all."
This is just madness. The report was unambiguous -- Palin "abused her power." She "violated" the "Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act." Even Sarah Palin can read this and understand the plain meaning of basic words.
This makes Palin's breathtaking lies all the more remarkable. She said the report was "very clear" that she hadn't done anything "unethical" and there was "no abuse of power" at all. I don't think I've ever seen a politician lie so brazenly.
So.. is Sarah Palin shockingly dishonest or is she functionally illiterate?
Bush Calls For Panic
WASHINGTON—In a nationally televised address to the American people Wednesday night, President Bush called upon every man, woman, and child to spiral uncontrollably downward into complete and utter panic.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Bush assured citizens that in these times of great uncertainty, the best and only course of action is to come under the throes of a sudden, overwhelming fear marked by hysterical or irrational behavior.
"My fellow Americans, the time for running aimlessly through streets while shrieking and waving our arms above our heads is now," Bush said. "I understand that many of you are worried about your economic future and our situation overseas, and you have every right to be. Yet there is only one thing we as a nation can do in times like these: give up all hope and devolve into a lawless, post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-type society."
The president then picked up the telephone from his desk and swallowed it whole.
During the address, Bush laid out a historic five-point plan for panic that he hopes will help the American people fall apart as quickly as possible. The plan, which many are calling Bush's most well-thought out proposal to date, calls for citizens to abandon their daily routines and engage in a weeklong period of bloodcurdling screaming, dry heaving, and gnawing on one's fingers while rocking back and forth in alternating bouts of maniacal laughter and gentle sobbing.
The final part of the plan calls for the immediate release of all convicted felons and death-row inmates from the nation's prisons.
Bush told Americans that if at any point they catch themselves feeling even slightly at ease, they should remind themselves that, in the end, everything is completely fucked.
>>From our friends at The Onion
Speaking from the Oval Office, Bush assured citizens that in these times of great uncertainty, the best and only course of action is to come under the throes of a sudden, overwhelming fear marked by hysterical or irrational behavior.
"My fellow Americans, the time for running aimlessly through streets while shrieking and waving our arms above our heads is now," Bush said. "I understand that many of you are worried about your economic future and our situation overseas, and you have every right to be. Yet there is only one thing we as a nation can do in times like these: give up all hope and devolve into a lawless, post-apocalyptic, Mad Max-type society."
The president then picked up the telephone from his desk and swallowed it whole.
During the address, Bush laid out a historic five-point plan for panic that he hopes will help the American people fall apart as quickly as possible. The plan, which many are calling Bush's most well-thought out proposal to date, calls for citizens to abandon their daily routines and engage in a weeklong period of bloodcurdling screaming, dry heaving, and gnawing on one's fingers while rocking back and forth in alternating bouts of maniacal laughter and gentle sobbing.
The final part of the plan calls for the immediate release of all convicted felons and death-row inmates from the nation's prisons.
Bush told Americans that if at any point they catch themselves feeling even slightly at ease, they should remind themselves that, in the end, everything is completely fucked.
>>From our friends at The Onion
Very Effective Ad Regarding Prop 8 in California
This is what it feels like to be treated as a second-class human being:
REMEMBER TO VOTE NO ON 8
REMEMBER TO VOTE NO ON 8
Why The "Terrorist" Attacks Fail
Because they have to encounter the reality of Obama, shown in moments like these:
The far right Republicans do not seem to live in the real world. Obama's a nice guy: a calm,
nice, regular guy. He's good at what he does. Americans see that. And the more they see him,
the clearer it is. And the more counter-productive the bile directed against him.
The far right Republicans do not seem to live in the real world. Obama's a nice guy: a calm,
nice, regular guy. He's good at what he does. Americans see that. And the more they see him,
the clearer it is. And the more counter-productive the bile directed against him.
Voting for Obama Anyway
Andrew Sullivan writes:
I just got an astounding e-mail from a Republican consultant I know well. He's a guy who's always thought Obama had a "glass jaw," and was always among those agitating for hitting Obama harder.
Recently, he conducted a focus group in an upper-Midwestern state, showing them the kind of ad he thought would work: A no-holds-barred attack, cut for an independent group, which hasn't aired.
I'm just going to reprint his amazed e-mail about the focus group:
Reagan Dems and Independents. Call them blue-collar plus. Slightly more Target than Walmart.
Yes, the spot worked. Yes, they believed the charges against Obama. Yes, they actually think he's too liberal, consorts with bad people and WON'T BE A GOOD PRESIDENT...but they STILL don't give a f***. They said right out, "He won't do anything better than McCain" but they're STILL voting for Obama.
The two most unreal moments of my professional life of watching focus groups:
54 year-old white male, voted Kerry '04, Bush '00, Dole '96, hunter, NASCAR fan...hard for Obama said: "I'm gonna hate him the minute I vote for him. He's gonna be a bad president. But I won't ever vote for another god-damn Republican. I want the government to take over all of Wall Street and bankers and the car companies and Wal-Mart run this county like we used to when Reagan was President."
The next was a woman, late 50s, Democrat but strongly pro-life. Loved Bill and Hillary Clinton, loved Bush in 2000. "Well, I don't know much about this terrorist group Barack used to be in with that Weather guy but I'm sick of paying for health insurance at work and that's why I'm supporting Barack."
I felt like I was taking crazy pills. I sat on the other side of the glass and realized...this is the Apocalypse. The Seventh Seal is broken and its time for eight years of pure, delicious crazy....
I just got an astounding e-mail from a Republican consultant I know well. He's a guy who's always thought Obama had a "glass jaw," and was always among those agitating for hitting Obama harder.
Recently, he conducted a focus group in an upper-Midwestern state, showing them the kind of ad he thought would work: A no-holds-barred attack, cut for an independent group, which hasn't aired.
I'm just going to reprint his amazed e-mail about the focus group:
Reagan Dems and Independents. Call them blue-collar plus. Slightly more Target than Walmart.
Yes, the spot worked. Yes, they believed the charges against Obama. Yes, they actually think he's too liberal, consorts with bad people and WON'T BE A GOOD PRESIDENT...but they STILL don't give a f***. They said right out, "He won't do anything better than McCain" but they're STILL voting for Obama.
The two most unreal moments of my professional life of watching focus groups:
54 year-old white male, voted Kerry '04, Bush '00, Dole '96, hunter, NASCAR fan...hard for Obama said: "I'm gonna hate him the minute I vote for him. He's gonna be a bad president. But I won't ever vote for another god-damn Republican. I want the government to take over all of Wall Street and bankers and the car companies and Wal-Mart run this county like we used to when Reagan was President."
The next was a woman, late 50s, Democrat but strongly pro-life. Loved Bill and Hillary Clinton, loved Bush in 2000. "Well, I don't know much about this terrorist group Barack used to be in with that Weather guy but I'm sick of paying for health insurance at work and that's why I'm supporting Barack."
I felt like I was taking crazy pills. I sat on the other side of the glass and realized...this is the Apocalypse. The Seventh Seal is broken and its time for eight years of pure, delicious crazy....
Palin Has Checkered History on Ethics Issues
Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose reformer image took a hit in a report concluding she abused her powers to settle a family score, has skirted state ethics rules before for personal benefit and used her office to help friends and supporters, according to an Associated Press review of records.
Palin's first try at statewide office, after six years as mayor of Wasilla, was an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002. To raise money, she improperly used her City Hall office and equipment, city records show. A year later she would make headlines by blasting a fellow Republican for, among other things, improperly using his government position to boost his campaign.
Then, in 2006, Palin won the governor's race with a vow to reform state ethics. But in less than two years, she has repeatedly taken actions that violated her own stated standards for ethical behavior — if not state law.
Some examples:
*She pummeled opponents for giving oil companies and other businesses too much control of state government. Yet she appointed the founder of an engineering firm that received $6.8 million in state business as head of the transportation department.
*She has accepted dozens of gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars since taking office, including two free trips last year that she failed to report on disclosure forms, despite criticizing state legislators for the gifts they take.
*She is under another investigation, accused of misusing her office to campaign against a voter referendum calling for tighter mining regulations. Her husband, Todd, has accepted free trips from a mining company to look at their proposed new site.
Last week, an investigation by the Alaska legislature found that Palin, running mate to Republican presidential candidate John McCain, abused her powers when she and her husband improperly pressured the state public safety commissioner to fire her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper.
"It's all about the power, and it frightens me," said state Rep. Beth Kerttula, a Juneau Democrat who like many in the minority party have supported Palin on some issues, including energy policy. "She doesn't seem to know where the boundaries are."
"She's very good at reading the public's discontent and pandering to it," said Larry Persily, who worked in the governor's Washington, D.C., office until resigning earlier this year.
Palin faced questions during her 2006 gubernatorial race about her use of the Wasilla mayor's office four years earlier to run for lieutenant governor. Palin used city staff and office equipment — including a fax machine, computers for e-mail and a City Hall phone number — to run her campaign, according to city records.
Palin brushed the issue aside when she ran for governor, arguing it was nothing more than an opponent's smear campaign.
She has cast herself as Alaska's ethics watchdog. In her most dramatic move, she revealed in 2003 that the state's Republican Party leader was campaigning from his state job. She then challenged incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski two years ago on a platform of government reform.
After her victory, though, Palin reverted to political tradition, rewarding even marginally qualified friends and campaign backers with high-level positions.
A friend from her Wasilla High School class was named to manage the state's agriculture office even though her only experience has been in real estate. A family friend and campaign worker became head of the state agency that distributes dividend checks to Alaskans from oil revenue. Her real estate agent's husband received an appointment to the state real estate board.
Palin's biggest political splash was from attacking the big oil companies that she said ran the state. She challenged their political power, and promised voters that her administration would avoid cozy relationships with business.
But one of her first cabinet appointments didn't live up to that pledge.
Leo von Scheben, a co-founder of Anchorage-based USKH Inc. engineering firm, took over the state's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and his firm's state business increased, records show. USKH received $6.8 million in state transportation contracts last year, up 13 percent from $6 million the year before.
Von Scheben stopped taking a salary and all benefits from the company when he stepped into the state job. But he didn't sever all financial ties. Von Scheben receives annual stock payments that he arranged before he left the company in 2007 that will continue for 10 years, according to his financial disclosure forms.
Von Scheben said he has recused himself on projects pursued by the firm and that others in the agency select companies to receive state business. He said he believes his appointment may have cost his former company state business, although he doesn't regret taking the job.
Palin claims passage of broad ethics reforms as an accomplishment following state corruption scandals. But Palin didn't report as gifts two free trips she received in 2007 as legislators were debating the new ethics law.
The unreported paid trips:
*The $2,988 cost of Palin's April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., for a four-day conference was paid by the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute of North Carolina, a nonprofit education policy group. P
*A May 2007 overnight visit with her three daughters and her parents attending a family reception at Mt. Chilkoot Lodge in Skagway, Alaska, was paid for by friend and former deputy campaign treasurer Kathy Hosford, one of the lodge's owners.
The Palins used two suites valued at $150 each, said Sharon Leighow, a spokeswoman in the governor's office.
The same day Palin visited Skagway, executives of the Anchorage-based VECO Inc. pleaded guilty to offering bribes to five legislators. Palin, mingling with old family friends and town residents, spoke briefly with local reporters during her visit, calling the corruption developments "atrocious" and promising change.
"There are problems in state government," Palin told The Skagway News, "and on our watch it is our responsibility to show people that we are going to clean things up."
Persily, who said he left Palin's administration because he didn't enjoy working in Washington, said Palin is skillful in "attacking the 'good ol' boys.' The good ol' boys that Palin is talking about are those that can't help her politically."
State Rep. Mike Doogan said Palin, even as she breaks the rules herself, acts as if she invented ethics in Alaska.
"It's insulting to those of us who have always done the right thing," he said.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose reformer image took a hit in a report concluding she abused her powers to settle a family score, has skirted state ethics rules before for personal benefit and used her office to help friends and supporters, according to an Associated Press review of records.
Palin's first try at statewide office, after six years as mayor of Wasilla, was an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2002. To raise money, she improperly used her City Hall office and equipment, city records show. A year later she would make headlines by blasting a fellow Republican for, among other things, improperly using his government position to boost his campaign.
Then, in 2006, Palin won the governor's race with a vow to reform state ethics. But in less than two years, she has repeatedly taken actions that violated her own stated standards for ethical behavior — if not state law.
Some examples:
*She pummeled opponents for giving oil companies and other businesses too much control of state government. Yet she appointed the founder of an engineering firm that received $6.8 million in state business as head of the transportation department.
*She has accepted dozens of gifts worth tens of thousands of dollars since taking office, including two free trips last year that she failed to report on disclosure forms, despite criticizing state legislators for the gifts they take.
*She is under another investigation, accused of misusing her office to campaign against a voter referendum calling for tighter mining regulations. Her husband, Todd, has accepted free trips from a mining company to look at their proposed new site.
Last week, an investigation by the Alaska legislature found that Palin, running mate to Republican presidential candidate John McCain, abused her powers when she and her husband improperly pressured the state public safety commissioner to fire her sister's ex-husband, a state trooper.
"It's all about the power, and it frightens me," said state Rep. Beth Kerttula, a Juneau Democrat who like many in the minority party have supported Palin on some issues, including energy policy. "She doesn't seem to know where the boundaries are."
"She's very good at reading the public's discontent and pandering to it," said Larry Persily, who worked in the governor's Washington, D.C., office until resigning earlier this year.
Palin faced questions during her 2006 gubernatorial race about her use of the Wasilla mayor's office four years earlier to run for lieutenant governor. Palin used city staff and office equipment — including a fax machine, computers for e-mail and a City Hall phone number — to run her campaign, according to city records.
Palin brushed the issue aside when she ran for governor, arguing it was nothing more than an opponent's smear campaign.
She has cast herself as Alaska's ethics watchdog. In her most dramatic move, she revealed in 2003 that the state's Republican Party leader was campaigning from his state job. She then challenged incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski two years ago on a platform of government reform.
After her victory, though, Palin reverted to political tradition, rewarding even marginally qualified friends and campaign backers with high-level positions.
A friend from her Wasilla High School class was named to manage the state's agriculture office even though her only experience has been in real estate. A family friend and campaign worker became head of the state agency that distributes dividend checks to Alaskans from oil revenue. Her real estate agent's husband received an appointment to the state real estate board.
Palin's biggest political splash was from attacking the big oil companies that she said ran the state. She challenged their political power, and promised voters that her administration would avoid cozy relationships with business.
But one of her first cabinet appointments didn't live up to that pledge.
Leo von Scheben, a co-founder of Anchorage-based USKH Inc. engineering firm, took over the state's Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and his firm's state business increased, records show. USKH received $6.8 million in state transportation contracts last year, up 13 percent from $6 million the year before.
Von Scheben stopped taking a salary and all benefits from the company when he stepped into the state job. But he didn't sever all financial ties. Von Scheben receives annual stock payments that he arranged before he left the company in 2007 that will continue for 10 years, according to his financial disclosure forms.
Von Scheben said he has recused himself on projects pursued by the firm and that others in the agency select companies to receive state business. He said he believes his appointment may have cost his former company state business, although he doesn't regret taking the job.
Palin claims passage of broad ethics reforms as an accomplishment following state corruption scandals. But Palin didn't report as gifts two free trips she received in 2007 as legislators were debating the new ethics law.
The unreported paid trips:
*The $2,988 cost of Palin's April 2007 flight and hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz., for a four-day conference was paid by the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute of North Carolina, a nonprofit education policy group. P
*A May 2007 overnight visit with her three daughters and her parents attending a family reception at Mt. Chilkoot Lodge in Skagway, Alaska, was paid for by friend and former deputy campaign treasurer Kathy Hosford, one of the lodge's owners.
The Palins used two suites valued at $150 each, said Sharon Leighow, a spokeswoman in the governor's office.
The same day Palin visited Skagway, executives of the Anchorage-based VECO Inc. pleaded guilty to offering bribes to five legislators. Palin, mingling with old family friends and town residents, spoke briefly with local reporters during her visit, calling the corruption developments "atrocious" and promising change.
"There are problems in state government," Palin told The Skagway News, "and on our watch it is our responsibility to show people that we are going to clean things up."
Persily, who said he left Palin's administration because he didn't enjoy working in Washington, said Palin is skillful in "attacking the 'good ol' boys.' The good ol' boys that Palin is talking about are those that can't help her politically."
State Rep. Mike Doogan said Palin, even as she breaks the rules herself, acts as if she invented ethics in Alaska.
"It's insulting to those of us who have always done the right thing," he said.
Colin Powell To Endorse Obama
It now seems beyond doubt that Colin Powell
will endorse Barack Obama and thereby hammer
the final nail in the coffin of the Republican
campaign to hold onto the White House.
It will give Obama the one thing he still needs
more of--credibility as Commander-In-Chief. And
Sarah Palin's speechwriters will be hard pressed
to come up with a condescending quip about it.
will endorse Barack Obama and thereby hammer
the final nail in the coffin of the Republican
campaign to hold onto the White House.
It will give Obama the one thing he still needs
more of--credibility as Commander-In-Chief. And
Sarah Palin's speechwriters will be hard pressed
to come up with a condescending quip about it.
Latest Poll Results (10-15-08)
RCP Average Obama 50.1 McCain 42.1 Obama +8
Rasmussen Tracking Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Reuters/C-Span/Zogby Obama 48 McCain 44 Obama +4
LA Times/Bloomberg Obama 50 McCain 41 Obama +9
CBS News/NY Times Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 48 McCain 42 Obama +6
Gallup Tracking (Traditional) Obama 51 McCain 45 Obama +6
Gallup Tracking (Expanded) Obama 53 McCain 43 Obama +10
GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 53 McCain 40 Obama +13
IBD/TIPP Tracking Obama 45 McCain 42 Obama +3
USA Today/Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
USA Today/Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
ABC News/Wash Post Obama 53 McCain 43 Obama +10
FOX News Obama 46 McCain 39 Obama +7
Newsweek Obama 52 McCain 41 Obama +11
Rasmussen Tracking Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Reuters/C-Span/Zogby Obama 48 McCain 44 Obama +4
LA Times/Bloomberg Obama 50 McCain 41 Obama +9
CBS News/NY Times Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 48 McCain 42 Obama +6
Gallup Tracking (Traditional) Obama 51 McCain 45 Obama +6
Gallup Tracking (Expanded) Obama 53 McCain 43 Obama +10
GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 53 McCain 40 Obama +13
IBD/TIPP Tracking Obama 45 McCain 42 Obama +3
USA Today/Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 46 Obama +4
USA Today/Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
ABC News/Wash Post Obama 53 McCain 43 Obama +10
FOX News Obama 46 McCain 39 Obama +7
Newsweek Obama 52 McCain 41 Obama +11
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Obama Widens Lead Due To Economy, Voter Backlash Over Negative Ads
With the economy dominating the news, several new polls show Barack Obama widening his lead over John McCain, with voters trusting the Democratic candidate to fix the "serious economic crisis" and firmly rejecting the recent spate of negative personal attacks targeted at Obama.
Most dramatically, Obama has widened his lead to double digits, at 14 points, in a NYT/CBS News poll that shows - for the first time - white voters evenly divided between the candidates.
Two major factors hurting McCain that emerged in the poll: Sarah Palin and the recent spate of negative ads targeting Obama.
Six in 10 of those surveyed said that Mr. McCain had spent more time attacking Mr. Obama than explaining what he would do as president.
And Palin, who has been leading many of the campaign's personal attacks at fiery rallies in the last two weeks, has seen her favorability rating slipping down to 32 percent and her unfavorability rating climbed 11 points to 41 percent.
Mr. Obama's favorability rating, by contrast, is now at 50 percent - the highest recorded for him thus far by The Times and CBS News.
Most dramatically, Obama has widened his lead to double digits, at 14 points, in a NYT/CBS News poll that shows - for the first time - white voters evenly divided between the candidates.
Two major factors hurting McCain that emerged in the poll: Sarah Palin and the recent spate of negative ads targeting Obama.
Six in 10 of those surveyed said that Mr. McCain had spent more time attacking Mr. Obama than explaining what he would do as president.
And Palin, who has been leading many of the campaign's personal attacks at fiery rallies in the last two weeks, has seen her favorability rating slipping down to 32 percent and her unfavorability rating climbed 11 points to 41 percent.
Mr. Obama's favorability rating, by contrast, is now at 50 percent - the highest recorded for him thus far by The Times and CBS News.
More of the Nations Newspapers Discuss McCain
San Bernardino, CA Sun:
McCain's recklessness, which in our opinion is evidenced by his selection of the unworldly Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice president, makes us uneasy. We view the selection of Palin as putting cynical politics ahead of the national interest.
Stockton, CA Record:
If elected, at 72, McCain would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He has battled cancer four times and is now withholding most of his medical records and this means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president.
Which brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment. His selection of Palin as a running mate is appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views.
Express-Times of Easton, PA:
McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for a running mate seems as shockingly amateurish and ill-advised today as it was in August. Nothing that has happened on the campaign trail has changed this.
McCain's recklessness, which in our opinion is evidenced by his selection of the unworldly Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice president, makes us uneasy. We view the selection of Palin as putting cynical politics ahead of the national interest.
Stockton, CA Record:
If elected, at 72, McCain would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He has battled cancer four times and is now withholding most of his medical records and this means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president.
Which brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment. His selection of Palin as a running mate is appalling. The first-term governor is clearly not experienced enough to serve as vice president or president if required. Her lack of knowledge is being covered up by keeping her away from questioning reporters and doing interviews only with those considered friendly to her views.
Express-Times of Easton, PA:
McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for a running mate seems as shockingly amateurish and ill-advised today as it was in August. Nothing that has happened on the campaign trail has changed this.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Barack Obama Received Endorsements From 15 Newspapers on Sunday
Backing Obama:
In Ohio, The Blade in Toledo and the Dayton Daily News; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Tennessean of Nashville, the Wisconsin State Journal, the Asheville North Carolina Citizen-Times, and in California the Fresno Bee, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, The Herald of Monterey, and The Sun of San Bernardino (which incidentally endorsed Bush over Kerry).
Endorsing Obama team in battleground states were the Muskegon Michigan Chronicle, the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania Express-Times and Springfield Ohio News.
As of yet, two newspapers have endorsed McCain.
In Ohio, The Blade in Toledo and the Dayton Daily News; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Tennessean of Nashville, the Wisconsin State Journal, the Asheville North Carolina Citizen-Times, and in California the Fresno Bee, Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times, The Herald of Monterey, and The Sun of San Bernardino (which incidentally endorsed Bush over Kerry).
Endorsing Obama team in battleground states were the Muskegon Michigan Chronicle, the Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania Express-Times and Springfield Ohio News.
As of yet, two newspapers have endorsed McCain.
Pro-Life, Pro-Obama
"For the record, I consider myself "pro-life" when it comes to abortion. But after eight years of Bush, I think it's time to redefine what it means to be pro-life. Among other things, it should at the very least mean the following: To be pro-life is to be against unnecessary wars, and to be pro-life is to be against torture," - Beliefnet.com
This Can't Be Good For McCain:
Steve Hildebrand writes:
Gov. Charlie Crist, who helped deliver Florida for McCain during the primary, said he will spend the final weeks before Election Day minding the state's weak economy rather than campaigning for the Arizona senator.
Gov. Charlie Crist, who helped deliver Florida for McCain during the primary, said he will spend the final weeks before Election Day minding the state's weak economy rather than campaigning for the Arizona senator.
Latest Poll Numbers (10-13-08)
RCP Average Obama 49.8 McCain 43.0 Obama +6.8
Rasmussen Tracking Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Reuters/CSpan/Zogby Obama 48 McCain 44 Obama +4
Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 48 McCain 42 Obama +6
ABC News/Wash Post Obama 53 McCain 43 Obama +10
Gallup Tracking Obama 50.5 McCain 45.5 Obama +5
GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 51 McCain 43 Obama +8
FOX News Obama 46 McCain 39 Obama +7
Newsweek Obama 52 McCain 41 Obama +11
Time Obama 50 McCain 44 Obama +6
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 49 McCain 43 Obama +6
Rasmussen Tracking Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Reuters/CSpan/Zogby Obama 48 McCain 44 Obama +4
Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 48 McCain 42 Obama +6
ABC News/Wash Post Obama 53 McCain 43 Obama +10
Gallup Tracking Obama 50.5 McCain 45.5 Obama +5
GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 51 McCain 43 Obama +8
FOX News Obama 46 McCain 39 Obama +7
Newsweek Obama 52 McCain 41 Obama +11
Time Obama 50 McCain 44 Obama +6
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 49 McCain 43 Obama +6
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Latet Polls (10-12-08)
RCP Average Obama 49.7 McCain 42.4 Obama +7.3
Gallup Tracking Obama 50 McCain 43 Obama +7
Rasmussen Tracking Obama 51 McCain 45 Obama +6
Reuters/CSpan/Zogby Obama 49 McCain 43 Obama +6
Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 49 McCain 41 Obama +8
Newsweek Obama 52 McCain 41 Obama +11
FOX News Obama 46 McCain 39 Obama +7
GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 51 McCain 43 Obama +8
Time Obama 50 McCain 44 Obama +6
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 49 McCain 43 Obama +6
Gallup Tracking Obama 50 McCain 43 Obama +7
Rasmussen Tracking Obama 51 McCain 45 Obama +6
Reuters/CSpan/Zogby Obama 49 McCain 43 Obama +6
Hotline/FD Tracking Obama 49 McCain 41 Obama +8
Newsweek Obama 52 McCain 41 Obama +11
FOX News Obama 46 McCain 39 Obama +7
GW/Battleground Tracking Obama 51 McCain 43 Obama +8
Time Obama 50 McCain 44 Obama +6
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 49 McCain 43 Obama +6
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