Police say a McCain campaign volunteer confessed to making up a story that a "dark-skinned black man"
mugged her and cut the letter B in her face after seeing her McCain bumper sticker; now she's facing charges.
At a news conference this afternoon, officials said they believe that Ashley Todd's injuries were
self-inflicted. Todd, 20, of Texas, is now facing charges for filing a false report to police.
Todd initially told police that she was robbed at an ATM in Bloomfield and that the suspect began
beating her after seeing her GOP sticker on her car.
Police investigating the alleged attack, however, began to notice some inconsistencies in her story
and administered a polygraph test.
Investigators asked Todd to return to the police station today for more questioning and to help them
release a composite sketch of the suspect.
When she did, police say she admitted that she made the whole thing up and that it snowballed out
of control. Todd told investigators today that she "just wanted to tell the truth" – adding that she was neither
robbed, nor attacked.
According to police, Todd said she thought of Barack Obama when she saw the "B" in her rearview mirror.
Officials say they do not believe any other people were involved; and Todd's friends believed the story about
the attack – encouraging her to call police.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
New York Times Endorses Obama
The United States is battered and drifting after eight years of President Bush’s failed leadership.
He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically
stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s
floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs,
savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.
As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a
grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right
choice to be the 44th president of the United States.
Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early
promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the
will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this
nation’s problems.
In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American
politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and
worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final
act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the accomplishments of 26 years in Congress.
Mr. Obama has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He’s been
called un-American and accused of hiding a secret Islamic faith. The Republicans have linked him to domestic
terrorists and questioned his wife’s love of her country. Ms. Palin has also questioned millions of Americans’
patriotism, calling Republican-leaning states “pro-America.”
This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership.
Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities.
Click here to read the full endorsement
He is saddling his successor with two wars, a scarred global image and a government systematically
stripped of its ability to protect and help its citizens — whether they are fleeing a hurricane’s
floodwaters, searching for affordable health care or struggling to hold on to their homes, jobs,
savings and pensions in the midst of a financial crisis that was foretold and preventable.
As tough as the times are, the selection of a new president is easy. After nearly two years of a
grueling and ugly campaign, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois has proved that he is the right
choice to be the 44th president of the United States.
Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early
promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the
will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this
nation’s problems.
In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American
politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and
worldview are mired in the past. His choice of a running mate so evidently unfit for the office was a final
act of opportunism and bad judgment that eclipsed the accomplishments of 26 years in Congress.
Mr. Obama has withstood some of the toughest campaign attacks ever mounted against a candidate. He’s been
called un-American and accused of hiding a secret Islamic faith. The Republicans have linked him to domestic
terrorists and questioned his wife’s love of her country. Ms. Palin has also questioned millions of Americans’
patriotism, calling Republican-leaning states “pro-America.”
This country needs sensible leadership, compassionate leadership, honest leadership and strong leadership.
Barack Obama has shown that he has all of those qualities.
Click here to read the full endorsement
Chris Matthews Plays Hardball
Eesshh....remind me to be really prepared if I ever go on this show.....
"She needed clothes," said McCain
What has some GOP operatives shaking their heads is the missed opportunities that that $150,000 represents. Had the GOP forgone the clothing purchases, they could have put more mail in mailboxes, more boots on the ground, and more advertisements on air.
Indeed, a look at some statistics shows that the Republicans put more money into Palin's attire than they and the McCain campaign have spent on a weeks-worth of advertising in half a dozen, potentially, swing states.
From October 13th through October 19th, the McCain campaign spent a total of $125,000 on advertisements in New Hampshire, roughly $90,000 in West Virginia, and $86,000 in Maine. In each of those states, the Republicans are fighting Obama for a small but significant number of electoral votes.
In North Dakota and Georgia, the RNC and the McCain campaign did not spend a penny on advertising during that same week.
In Indiana, the RNC spent $450,000 last week on ads while the McCain campaign did not spend anything. An additional $150,000 could have meant 33% more airtime over the course of a week.
Then there is Michigan. The GOP pulled out of the state a few weeks ago and so hasn't spent any cash on advertisements there. The $150,000 they put down on Palin's clothes would not have purchased much airtime in that large market, but it may have saved McCain from the public criticism that he was subjected to for abandoning the state.
Indeed, a look at some statistics shows that the Republicans put more money into Palin's attire than they and the McCain campaign have spent on a weeks-worth of advertising in half a dozen, potentially, swing states.
From October 13th through October 19th, the McCain campaign spent a total of $125,000 on advertisements in New Hampshire, roughly $90,000 in West Virginia, and $86,000 in Maine. In each of those states, the Republicans are fighting Obama for a small but significant number of electoral votes.
In North Dakota and Georgia, the RNC and the McCain campaign did not spend a penny on advertising during that same week.
In Indiana, the RNC spent $450,000 last week on ads while the McCain campaign did not spend anything. An additional $150,000 could have meant 33% more airtime over the course of a week.
Then there is Michigan. The GOP pulled out of the state a few weeks ago and so hasn't spent any cash on advertisements there. The $150,000 they put down on Palin's clothes would not have purchased much airtime in that large market, but it may have saved McCain from the public criticism that he was subjected to for abandoning the state.
Terminally Unqualified?
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in an interview with Campbell Brown:
BROWN: Do you think [Palin is] qualified to be president?
SCHWARZENEGGER: I think that she will get to be qualified.
BROWN: She will get there? What do you mean? She's not ready yet?
SCHWARZENEGGER: By the time that she is sworn in I think she will be ready.
BROWN: Do you think [Palin is] qualified to be president?
SCHWARZENEGGER: I think that she will get to be qualified.
BROWN: She will get there? What do you mean? She's not ready yet?
SCHWARZENEGGER: By the time that she is sworn in I think she will be ready.
Latest Poll Results (10-23-08)
RCP Average Obama 50.0 McCain 42.6 Obama +7.4
Rasmussen Reports Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Obama 52 McCain 40 Obama +12
FOX News Obama 49 McCain 40 Obama +9
Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 44 Obama +8
Hotline/FD Obama 47 McCain 42 Obama +5
GWU/Battleground Obama 49 McCain 45 Obama +4
ABC News/Wash Post Obama 54 McCain 43 Obama +11
IBD/TIPP Obama 46 McCain 42 Obama +4
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 52 McCain 42 Obama +10
Associated Press/GfK Obama 44 McCain 43 Obama +1
Ipsos/McClatchy Obama 50 McCain 42 Obama +8
CNN/Opinion Research Obama 51 McCain 46 Obama +5
Pew Research Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
Rasmussen Reports Obama 52 McCain 45 Obama +7
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Obama 52 McCain 40 Obama +12
FOX News Obama 49 McCain 40 Obama +9
Gallup (Traditional) Obama 50 McCain 45 Obama +5
Gallup (Expanded) Obama 52 McCain 44 Obama +8
Hotline/FD Obama 47 McCain 42 Obama +5
GWU/Battleground Obama 49 McCain 45 Obama +4
ABC News/Wash Post Obama 54 McCain 43 Obama +11
IBD/TIPP Obama 46 McCain 42 Obama +4
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl Obama 52 McCain 42 Obama +10
Associated Press/GfK Obama 44 McCain 43 Obama +1
Ipsos/McClatchy Obama 50 McCain 42 Obama +8
CNN/Opinion Research Obama 51 McCain 46 Obama +5
Pew Research Obama 53 McCain 39 Obama +14
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Conservatives For Change
After all of the nastiness, double-talk, mud, robo-grossness, and outright lies...please watch this. This is SO heartening...
NM Republican Chairwoman Writes Letter Stating Obama is a Muslim Socialist
ALBUQUERQUE -
The chairwoman of a New Mexico Republican women's group on Tuesday defended a letter to the editor
in which she wrote, ''Muslims are our enemies.''
Marcia Stirman, a 56-year-old interior decorator, also called Barack Obama ''a Muslim socialist.'' A national
Islamic group expressed outrage over Stirman's letter and called on state and national Republican Party officials
to repudiate the publication of ''anti-Muslim comments.''
''Because these hate-filled remarks were made by a prominent Republican, it is incumbent on state and national
GOP officials to repudiate her divisive and intolerant views,'' said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. Officials with the Republican Party of New Mexico had no immediate comment.
The letter ran Tuesday in the Alamogordo Daily News. It was titled ''Why I'm a Republican'' and listed 16 reasons for
her party affiliation. The list ends with Stirman saying Obama is ''a Muslim socialist.'' She also wrote, ''I believe war
is a fact of life and we should always win.''
Stirman told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that she was surprised by reaction to her letter.
Asked for a response to Awad's concerns, she said of Muslims: ''I don't trust them at all. They've sworn across the
world that they are our enemies. Why we're trying to elect one is beside me.''
Obama grew up in a Christian family and although he has professed his Christianity repeatedly and explained how his
Christian faith shapes his politics, he has battled Internet-fueled rumors throughout the campaign that he is Muslim.
The chairwoman of a New Mexico Republican women's group on Tuesday defended a letter to the editor
in which she wrote, ''Muslims are our enemies.''
Marcia Stirman, a 56-year-old interior decorator, also called Barack Obama ''a Muslim socialist.'' A national
Islamic group expressed outrage over Stirman's letter and called on state and national Republican Party officials
to repudiate the publication of ''anti-Muslim comments.''
''Because these hate-filled remarks were made by a prominent Republican, it is incumbent on state and national
GOP officials to repudiate her divisive and intolerant views,'' said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. Officials with the Republican Party of New Mexico had no immediate comment.
The letter ran Tuesday in the Alamogordo Daily News. It was titled ''Why I'm a Republican'' and listed 16 reasons for
her party affiliation. The list ends with Stirman saying Obama is ''a Muslim socialist.'' She also wrote, ''I believe war
is a fact of life and we should always win.''
Stirman told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that she was surprised by reaction to her letter.
Asked for a response to Awad's concerns, she said of Muslims: ''I don't trust them at all. They've sworn across the
world that they are our enemies. Why we're trying to elect one is beside me.''
Obama grew up in a Christian family and although he has professed his Christianity repeatedly and explained how his
Christian faith shapes his politics, he has battled Internet-fueled rumors throughout the campaign that he is Muslim.
Republicans Paid $13,000+ for Palin's Make-up Artist
Huffington Post has learned that Palin's high-paid traveling make-up artist is Amy Strozzi, who was nominated for an Emmy Award for her work on "American Idol."
Strozzi was paid $13,200 by the McCain-Palin campaign last month alone, according to the campaign's latest financial disclosure report filed this week.
Strozzi was paid $13,200 by the McCain-Palin campaign last month alone, according to the campaign's latest financial disclosure report filed this week.
Al-Qaeda Supporters Endorse McCain
WASHINGTON —
Al-Qaida supporters suggested in a Web site message this week they would welcome a pre-election terror attack on the U.S. as a way to usher in a McCain presidency.
The message, posted Monday on the password-protected al-Hesbah Web site, said if al-Qaida wants to exhaust the United States militarily and economically, "impetuous" Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain is the better choice because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This requires presence of an impetuous American leader such as McCain, who pledged to continue the war till the last American soldier," the message said. "Then, al-Qaida will have to support McCain in the coming elections so that he continues the failing march of his predecessor, Bush."
"If al-Qaida carries out a big operation against American interests," the message said, "this act will be in support of McCain because it will push the Americans deliberately to vote for McCain so that he takes revenge for them against al-Qaida. Al-Qaida then will succeed in exhausting America till its last year in it."
Al-Qaida supporters suggested in a Web site message this week they would welcome a pre-election terror attack on the U.S. as a way to usher in a McCain presidency.
The message, posted Monday on the password-protected al-Hesbah Web site, said if al-Qaida wants to exhaust the United States militarily and economically, "impetuous" Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain is the better choice because he is more likely to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This requires presence of an impetuous American leader such as McCain, who pledged to continue the war till the last American soldier," the message said. "Then, al-Qaida will have to support McCain in the coming elections so that he continues the failing march of his predecessor, Bush."
"If al-Qaida carries out a big operation against American interests," the message said, "this act will be in support of McCain because it will push the Americans deliberately to vote for McCain so that he takes revenge for them against al-Qaida. Al-Qaida then will succeed in exhausting America till its last year in it."
Protester Attempts To Arrest Karl Rove
Good ol' San Francisco....
Yesterday a woman attempted to arrest Karl Rove for treason as he spoke at the Mortgage Bankers Association convention in San Francisco. Rove managed to elude her handcuffs before she was wrestled away.
But stick around for the 1:20 mark of the clip where Rove actually complains about negative campaigning from the Democrats. Wait, wait, wait..... The man behind every dirty political trick in the last ten years, complaining about dirty politics. I'm laughing so hard I think I need Depends....
Yesterday a woman attempted to arrest Karl Rove for treason as he spoke at the Mortgage Bankers Association convention in San Francisco. Rove managed to elude her handcuffs before she was wrestled away.
But stick around for the 1:20 mark of the clip where Rove actually complains about negative campaigning from the Democrats. Wait, wait, wait..... The man behind every dirty political trick in the last ten years, complaining about dirty politics. I'm laughing so hard I think I need Depends....
Are You Smarter Than a Third Grader?
Governor Palin needs to re-read - or perhaps read for the first time - our Constitution.
While the Vice President presides over the Senate, he or she is not "in charge of" it.
Article I says, 'The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.' The Senate is part of a co-equal branch of the federal government."
Love the 1983 Thriller jacket though.
....Uh, What?.....
This "More patriotic than thou?" crap has gotten McCain REALLY confused.
"You know, I think you may have noticed that Senator Obama's supporters have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania lately. And you know, I couldn't agree with him more."
You can almost see Cindy's botoxed brow attempt to furrow during that marble mouthed stumbling....
"You know, I think you may have noticed that Senator Obama's supporters have been saying some pretty nasty things about Western Pennsylvania lately. And you know, I couldn't agree with him more."
You can almost see Cindy's botoxed brow attempt to furrow during that marble mouthed stumbling....
Breaking News
McCain's latest campaign incident, courtesy of the Onion:
Without a doubt the funniest thing I've seen all election season
Without a doubt the funniest thing I've seen all election season
Vote McCain Or Burn In Hell!
Bishop Robert J. Hermann:
Judgment Day is on its way. For many, this coming election may very well be judgment day, for this election will measure us.
If I value the good of the economy and my current life more than I do the right to life, then I am in trouble. The right of our children to be protected from destruction is greater than my right to a thriving economy. My desire to end the war in Iraq cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion.
Judgment Day is on its way. When my time comes, I will be measured by my Savior for the decisions I have made. I will either be acknowledged by Jesus or denied by Him in the presence of our heavenly Father. The question I need to ask myself is this: What kind of witness will I give to Him when I go into the voting booth this election day?
Judgment Day is on its way. For many, this coming election may very well be judgment day, for this election will measure us.
If I value the good of the economy and my current life more than I do the right to life, then I am in trouble. The right of our children to be protected from destruction is greater than my right to a thriving economy. My desire to end the war in Iraq cannot justify my voting to remove all current restrictions on abortion.
Judgment Day is on its way. When my time comes, I will be measured by my Savior for the decisions I have made. I will either be acknowledged by Jesus or denied by Him in the presence of our heavenly Father. The question I need to ask myself is this: What kind of witness will I give to Him when I go into the voting booth this election day?
10 Points
The most conservative pollsters among the pollsters, Zogby today
published the following findings:
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: Obama 51.6%, McCain 42.0%
published the following findings:
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: Obama 51.6%, McCain 42.0%
Palin Fashion Spree Has Republicans Disgusted
Since her selection as John McCain's running mate, the Republican National Committee spent more than $150,000 on clothing and make-up for Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband, and even her infant son, it was reported on Tuesday evening.
That entertaining scoop sent almost immediate reverberations through the presidential race. A statement from McCain headquarters released hours after the article bemoaned the whole affair.
But even the most timid of Democrats are unlikely to heed this call for civility.
Mainly, Democrats (in this scenario) are not prone to forgiveness. After all, it was during this same campaign cycle that Republicans belittled the $400 haircut that former Sen. John Edwards had paid for with his own campaign money (the funds were later reimbursed). And yet, the comparison to that once-dominant news story is hardly close: if Edwards had gotten one of his legendary haircuts every singe week, it would still take him 7.2 years to spend what Palin has spent. Palin has received the equivalent of $2,500 in clothes per day from places such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
"It shows that Palin ain't like the rest of us," said Tom Matzzie, a Democratic strategist. "The plumber's wife doesn't get to shop at Nieman's or Saks."
Indeed, the story could not come at a more inopportune time for the McCain campaign. During a week in which the Republican ticket is trying to highlight its connection to the working class -- Joe the Plumber -- it was revealed that Palin's fashion budget for several weeks is more than four times the median salary of an American plumber ($37,514). To put it another way: Palin received more valuable clothes in one month than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years.
"Republicans donors and at least one Republican staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter disgust at the expenditures. The heat for this story is coming mainly from Republicans who cannot understand how their party would do something this stupid ... particularly during the collapse of the financial system and the beginning of a recession."
That entertaining scoop sent almost immediate reverberations through the presidential race. A statement from McCain headquarters released hours after the article bemoaned the whole affair.
But even the most timid of Democrats are unlikely to heed this call for civility.
Mainly, Democrats (in this scenario) are not prone to forgiveness. After all, it was during this same campaign cycle that Republicans belittled the $400 haircut that former Sen. John Edwards had paid for with his own campaign money (the funds were later reimbursed). And yet, the comparison to that once-dominant news story is hardly close: if Edwards had gotten one of his legendary haircuts every singe week, it would still take him 7.2 years to spend what Palin has spent. Palin has received the equivalent of $2,500 in clothes per day from places such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
"It shows that Palin ain't like the rest of us," said Tom Matzzie, a Democratic strategist. "The plumber's wife doesn't get to shop at Nieman's or Saks."
Indeed, the story could not come at a more inopportune time for the McCain campaign. During a week in which the Republican ticket is trying to highlight its connection to the working class -- Joe the Plumber -- it was revealed that Palin's fashion budget for several weeks is more than four times the median salary of an American plumber ($37,514). To put it another way: Palin received more valuable clothes in one month than the average American household spends on clothes in 80 years.
"Republicans donors and at least one Republican staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter disgust at the expenditures. The heat for this story is coming mainly from Republicans who cannot understand how their party would do something this stupid ... particularly during the collapse of the financial system and the beginning of a recession."
F-I-N-A-L-L-Y.....Muslim McCain Fans Confront Intolerance At Rally
By Davin Hutchins
At a John McCain rally in Woodbridge, Virginia, three people handed out "Obama for Change" bumper stickers with the Communist sickle and hammer and the Islamic crescent, saying Obama was a socialist with ties to radical Islam.
Several moderate McCain supporters, Muslim and Christian alike, struck back - relentlessly bombarding the group distributing the flyers until they left the premises.
At a John McCain rally in Woodbridge, Virginia, three people handed out "Obama for Change" bumper stickers with the Communist sickle and hammer and the Islamic crescent, saying Obama was a socialist with ties to radical Islam.
Several moderate McCain supporters, Muslim and Christian alike, struck back - relentlessly bombarding the group distributing the flyers until they left the premises.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
McCain Campaign Drags Flag On Ground After Rally
After a campaign rally in St Charles, Missouri yesterday, John McCain's people let a very large American flag be dragged on the ground purposely and at length. In the hearts and minds of many Americans the act of dragging our flag is considered desecration tantamount to setting it aflame. AMERICAblog points out that "John McCain and the Republicans tried to use a phony 'flag desecration' story to damage the Democrats following our convention. So, my friends in the media, John McCain has made this story relevant.
Had Obama done this, you can be sure there'd be hell to pay. Once again, the Republicans talk a good talk about patriotism and about our flag, but when it comes to their actions, they're always somewhat wanting."
Had Obama done this, you can be sure there'd be hell to pay. Once again, the Republicans talk a good talk about patriotism and about our flag, but when it comes to their actions, they're always somewhat wanting."
Move over, Cindy McCain. There's a new fashionista in town:
The Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.
According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.
The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.
Five thousand dollars for hair and make-up? As Americans face a depression?
According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.
The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.
Five thousand dollars for hair and make-up? As Americans face a depression?
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