Democratic Convention Watch: Open Thread

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Open Thread

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

What is McCain's latest "senior moment", what does Obama need to do to win in November or whatever else is on your mind.

And please be excellent to one another. We do not accept name calling or any attacks on our commenters. Any objectionable comments will be deleted. Try to be civil.

Thanks!

Previous Open Thread is here

9481 comments:

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Aunt Jean said...: To everyone

It brought tears to my eyes when Hillary gave her speech. It was a great one. AJ; August 27, 2008 1:53 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Aunt Jean,

The teleprompter screens are specially designed so that a viewer watching on TV has a difficult time seeing them when the camera aims through them, but so that the speaker can read the words as they scroll across the screens. Think one way mirrors that you see in crime dramas, but a bit different as the speaker can see through the teleprompter screen.

I read an article earlier tonight (I can't find it right now, though), that stated that the speech was finished just a couple of minutes before it was fed into the teleprompter, which was just about the time Senator Clinton was to step on stage.

If you do a Google search on 'teleprompter', there are several sites with good explanations. The Wikipedia article shows a picture of teleprompters being used at a State of the Union speech.

Mike; August 27, 2008 2:07 AM
tmess2 said...: Damn, I thought our AG primary in Missourri was close, but with 45% of the vote in, the Republican House primary has a margin of 4 votes.; August 27, 2008 2:08 AM
Independent Voter said...: AJ, the teleprompters are clear and are not visible through the camera lens. Just like any good speaker, I'm sure she did some rehearsal, but I was watching when her and Chelsea were up on stage this afternoon checking out the podium and teleprompters and going through their semi-rehearsal session (not rehearsing the speech at that point) just the entrance and exit points of the stage etc.

But yes, she gave a fantastic speech. And yes, I even went over to each of their websites (Obama and Hillary) and donated to each of them. Like I said, if that speech wasn't able to reach the holdouts I don't know what would. Hopefully Bill will provide just as powerful a speech as she gave tonight (if not moreso). I'm hoping that he gives a speech as if it were him running for the presidency (not literally but with that much enthusiasm.); August 27, 2008 2:09 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: With 45.21% of the precincts reporting in Alaska:

Senate:
Begich with 84.65% of the Dem vote
Stevens with 63.15% of the Rep vote

House:
Berkowitz with 55.80% of the Dem vote
Young with 24005, or 45.42% of the Rep vote
Parnell with 24009, or 45.43%

We know three of the four nominees. The question now is "Who will be the Rep House nominee, and when will we know?"

Mike; August 27, 2008 2:12 AM
tmess2 said...: Mike, given how much Republicans have tried to make Democrats spend in election-related legal costs, my hope is that we don't find out the Republican House Candidate in Alaska until the end of September after several recounts and numerous hours of legal proceedings.; August 27, 2008 2:22 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Dave

I agree with you about Bill. Hopefully he will do the right thing and back Obama even if for nothing else but the democrat party. I'm going to be glued tomorrow night I guess time will tell. I do believe that Hillary gave the shove to the ones that were on the fence that needed it. Now for the puma I don't know probable nothing will move them.

But like someone else on here tonight we shouldn't need them to have a clear win.

I'm glad that you liked Hillarys speech it made me even more proud to have backed her.

As far as donating to her that was very sweet of you.

I'm excited to hear Obamas speech. Isn't his on thursday? I want to be sure and watch it. It should be great. AJ; August 27, 2008 2:24 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Leah,

I found a Washington Post article that should be of especial interest to you:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/24/AR2008082401671.html

"The 17 Minutes That Launched a Political Star"

Enjoy.

Mike; August 27, 2008 2:33 AM
tmess2 said...: I am less interested in seeing Obama's speech than in seeing the media coverage of it.

The modern political campaign, unfortunately, is not about issues per se; it's about trust.

The reason for ads and the reason for spin from top aides is two-fold. First, by repeating certain themes over and over, you condition (and I mean it in its full psychobabble connotation) the voter to hearing certain messages. Second, it's like players and coaches playing the ref in basketball. If the Republicans convince the media that Obama has to do certain things with the speech, the coverage after the speech will focus on what he didn't say.

Most people don't watch the conventions or the debates. They get their information from the news coverage over the days after the convention and the debate. If the news stories focus on the parts of the speech in which Obama seems to get what the middle class is facing, voters will see Obama in a favorable light. If they focus entirely on the catch-phrases that are found in any decent speech and follow it up with commentary suggesting that there is no meet, voters will continue to be suspicious of if Obama is up for the job.; August 27, 2008 2:35 AM
Independent Voter said...: AJ, yes, Obama's will be on Thursday night. I've put Hillary's on disk. I will be putting Bill and Barack's on disk as well. I want to keep this part of history.

That was my second donation to Hillary's campaign. It isn't much, but my scholarships went into my account last night so I figured it was the least I could do. ;); August 27, 2008 2:52 AM
Independent Voter said...: tmess - I am excited to see Obama's speech, the media coverage? Not so much. The only reason I say this is because they are going to pick it apart and judging by the way CNN and Fox covered Hillary's tonight, I was just so frickin' pissed off! They had nothing nice to say about the speech. All they did was use the McCain camp's talking points. "She didn't address his experience....etc." blah blah blah! She didn't need to. It was implied throughout her speech.; August 27, 2008 2:56 AM
tmess2 said...: I care even less about what the talking heads say immediately after the speech than the speech itself. What I care about is what the 60 second story on CNN Headline News and the major networks morning shows and evening news are going to include.

That is the only part of the speech that 50% of the voters and 90% of the undecided will see.

The newsmedia always worries me. They could take the Sermon on the Mount, the Gettysburg Address, the Cross of Gold, or I Have a Dream and tear anyone of them to shreds.; August 27, 2008 3:11 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: With 61.2% of the precincts reporting, it looks like Young will lose in a real squeaker:

Parnell, 35825 votes or 45.58%
Young, 35464 votes or 45.12%

Begich has 84.79% of the Dem Senate vote, and Stevens has 63.09% of the Rep vote.

Mike; August 27, 2008 3:34 AM
Karen Anne said...: AJ,

You're right, Hillary did get more votes than Obama. In my previous calculations, I forgot to include the votes from the Planet Xenon, which she won by a landslide.; August 27, 2008 5:17 AM
suzihussein22 said...: m in md-Wouldn't you say the themes also get the base motivated to get them and the new sign-ons out to the voting booths on the Big T?; August 27, 2008 7:20 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Karen Anne

are you being silly or just in lala land. I realize some people can suffer from dementia. Maybe you should see a doctor because I do believe that you might be suffering from the first stages of it.. The last time I checked Hillary got 17,857,400 and Obama got 17,584,510 according to the Green Sheet. I hate to break it to you but Hillarys numbers are bigger. Sorry to burst your bubble. AJ; August 27, 2008 8:37 AM
Doc Pickles said...: Dennis Kucinich! What a firecracker! I just love that guy.; August 27, 2008 8:48 AM
Doc Pickles said...: The Electoral College is the prize, not the popular votes. This popular vote business is bunk and I hope it never rears its ugly head again. The sheer number of new Democrats will help the party so much this autumn but the rules are clear.

My last take on the 18million...

1. Territories don't vote. Puerto Rico citizens are not voting in this election (Clinton + 141,662) Neither are citizens in Virgin Islands (Obama +1,623), American Samoa (Clinton +42), or Guam (Obama +7).

2. Uncommitted in Michigan (238,168 total) were really votes for Obama and Edwards. To be fair let's split those "Uncommitteds" 50/50, leaving Obama with 119,084 of those Uncommitted votes.

That leaves Obama +82,693 in the United States.; August 27, 2008 9:10 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Oh Canada

there is no way that you can prove that Obama and Edwards would have gotten all those votes. Even though it's a moot point to bring up the subject of those votes [which I would have been more than happy not to bring them up but Karen Anne is like a dog with a bone won't let it be].

So in that case Hillary did get more votes. AJ; August 27, 2008 9:18 AM
Aunt Jean said...: To everyone

before you say anything about me dropping it I will when everyone else does but not until then so don't ask please!!! AJ; August 27, 2008 9:19 AM
Aunt Jean said...: mocbiOh Canada

if you give Obama all of the uncommitted Hillary 17,857,400,Obama 17,822,671. She would still have 34,729 more votes. I hate to sound like a broken records. I just wanted to get the figures right. AJ; August 27, 2008 9:40 AM
Doc Pickles said...: AJ Will you be voting for Obama in November? We need all hands on deck! It's time to rally the party against a real opponent now.

Stay positive everybody.; August 27, 2008 10:08 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: I see that the Obama organization in my state is planning a new voter rally (actually "rallies") this weekend. Not that we need to be any MORE blue, but wondering if similar rallies are happening across the US.

OBAMA/BIDEN '08; August 27, 2008 10:54 AM
Beryl said...: AJ,

Hillary had more votes which includes states where the Obama supporters did not vote. They stayed home because they were told that their votes wouldn't count. Both Obama and Hillary agreed to those rules ahead of time. Hillary changed her mind after she started losing.

So what? It is about delegates not popular vote.

Just like the GE. It is about electoral votes. McCain can win all of Appalachia (and probably will) and still only have 13 electoral votes. Obama can win 100% of California and he will still only have 55 electoral votes.

This is why the Obama campaign is intelligently working their strategy based on the electoral vote -- not the popular vote.

The good news is that Chuck Todd presented yesterday before HRC's speech that 1 in 10 HRC supporters were already supporting Obama now. So before the speech only 1.8 million were not supporting Obama. (That is a very small number that we should not waste time on, IMO.) Those people were mostly women between ages 35-50, making less than $50K per year, without college education.

That surprised me because I thought it would be women over 50. I guess the women over 50 were wise enough not to cut their noses off to spite their faces.; August 27, 2008 11:58 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: "The good news is that Chuck Todd presented yesterday before HRC's speech that 1 in 10 HRC supporters were already supporting Obama now. "

do you mean "NOT already supporting Obama now"?; August 27, 2008 12:36 PM
Beryl said...: Correct, Vicki - my mistake and I should have written...

"The good news is that Chuck Todd presented yesterday before HRC's speech that ONLY 1 in 10 HRC supporters are not supporting Obama now. "; August 27, 2008 12:43 PM
Vicki in Seattle said...: that is indeed EXCELLENT news, Beryl. There are some people who will just not be soothed, and I think we are further ahead by moving in and collecting more Obamicans (like my mom).

have you decided what to do in Thursday evening yet? I'm trying to talk my husband into going off to a moveon.org or obama campaign, "do".; August 27, 2008 12:58 PM
Beryl said...: I decided to forgo the trip downtown in lieu of an evening with family and friends. We are having "Champagne & Obama" at my house on Thursday.

I won't cook but I don't think anyone will care after their 2nd glass. I'm picking up goodies today.; August 27, 2008 1:12 PM
Richard said...: Why the heck are we talking about primary election votes again? Primary election vote totals are meaningless because 1) they do not determine the nominee, 2) there is no consistent rule for reporting across states, 3) some primaries are open primaries in which republican spoilers can vote and 4) not all states hold primaries, so there is no meaningful way to compare totals.

Please, everyone, stop talking about it!; August 27, 2008 2:59 PM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Mike in Maryland-

Thank you for the link.

Obama/O'Biden '08; August 27, 2008 3:46 PM
Richard said...: I think I'm going to stay in tomorrow night for the nomination. I'd been considering arranging something with friends, but I kinda just want to sit back and enjoy it.; August 27, 2008 4:08 PM
Mike in Maryland said...: This is TOTALLY off topic, but I need to spout off about this:

From Golf.com:

"Legal questions surround LPGA's new rule requiring players to speak English"

Starting in 2009, the LPGA is requiring that all women who play in the LPGA "be conversant in English".

For years, there have been a lot of foreign citizens in the top players of the LPGA. Seems that the LPGA got a lot of blowback when the Korean ladies combined to win eight times in an 11-tournament stretch, including two major championships.

You have to read the article to see the LPGA (so-called) reasoning for the new rule, since I'm not even going to comment on it. Let's just say I consider it S-T-U-P-I-D reasoning.

I can see this going to court, and the LPGA losing big-time.

There is a discussion of when English-only rules are allowable in the work place: "safety" — air-traffic control being an obvious example — and "efficiency" — such as telephone customer service.

Safety is not an issue on the golf course, and there is no need for anyone to talk for efficiency (good golf score in a timely manner) to win a golf tournament.

And I can see this rule REALLY backfiring - What if a woman can't speak at all (such as removal of larynx because of cancer). Since she can't speak, let alone speak English, the LPGA is guaranteeing that person cannot play. And what if she were the women's version of Tiger Woods?

Stupid moves like this will kill the LPGA.

Article at:
http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1836650,00.html

Oh, and the 'America first', racist, 'anti-ferreners' are out in force, filling the comments section of the article.

Mike; August 27, 2008 4:09 PM
Karen Anne said...: M in M,

I'm sure they don't mean speak in that literal sense.

If they were a US organization, I could see this, but their web site claims they are worldwide, so it makes no sense.; August 27, 2008 5:12 PM
Karen Anne said...: The web says Hillary is 5'5" and Michelle is 5'11." Note who is wearing heels and who isn't. Someone is fibbing...

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1836687_1757754,00.html; August 27, 2008 5:42 PM
Beryl said...: LOL!

I think they are both telling the truth. We all get a little shorter as we get older.d; August 27, 2008 6:18 PM
Thanh Bui said...: Look Ma!
Steamy hot from the oven: http://threeNos.com; August 27, 2008 6:19 PM
Mike in Maryland said...: Karen Anne said...
M in M,

I'm sure they don't mean speak in that literal sense.

Karen Anne,

They mean it! If a person doesn't pass a 'verbal proficiency test', they will be suspended from the tour until they pass the 'verbal proficiency test'.

Read the article to see how it will be implemented.; August 27, 2008 7:08 PM
Joshua said...: Go Hillary!; August 27, 2008 7:20 PM
Beryl said...: Thanks for that link, ngu!
http://threenos.com/; August 27, 2008 7:54 PM
suzihussein22 said...: Here's an example of a misleading story-

http://www.wsmv.com/news/17316078/detail.html

They are supporting Obama now. They weren't slow about their support either.; August 27, 2008 9:13 PM
apissedant said...: Wow... now this is the Bill Clinton I remember. =); August 27, 2008 9:24 PM
jean said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 27, 2008 9:27 PM
Beryl said...: Yep. That is the Bill that I voted for two times!

He did a great job. Now, let's elect Barack Obama.; August 27, 2008 9:27 PM
Beryl said...: Keith O. is underscoring this comment:

"[McCain] still embraces the extreme philosophy which has defined his party for more than 25 years..."

The extremist line should be used in ads going forward. That is exactly what McCain represents. He is dangerous.; August 27, 2008 9:31 PM
apissedant said...: jean,
I remind you I have defended the Clintons at length in recent weeks. That does not take away from the fact that they ran an extremely negative and unClinton like primary campaign. I don't want to argue or take away from the positive message that has most definitely been started in these speeches. I would, however, like to put up the difference between the main campaign slogans between his presidential campaign and his wife's.

HIS: "It's the economy stupid." This is a clear, powerful, truth and policy based statement. This is exactly what he did tonight. He even praised the positive things that McCain has done. EXCELLENT.

HIS WIFE'S: "The other guy is so inspiring. He gives such great speeches" [Audience laughs]
"This is a fairy tale. This is a joke."

These are clearly different tactics. The former is what he did tonight, and I admire and respect that. The latter avoids the issues and has no substance. The former would have won the primary had they chosen to use it. The Clintons don't lose when they campaign like that. They never have.; August 27, 2008 9:53 PM
jean said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 27, 2008 10:04 PM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: John Kerry's speech was A+
too bad only C-SPAN and CNN showed it. What in the heck is wrong with MSNBC and Fox! A lot of people are missing out on some good stuff if they have the wrong channel on!; August 27, 2008 10:10 PM
Beryl said...: Kerry did a good job too. I loved seeing Barack's great-uncle. Michelle seemed to get misty too.; August 27, 2008 10:23 PM
Richard said...: I was very disappointed that Clinton's overrun on his speech bumped Bill Richardson's foreign policy speech. What idiot thought Bill Clinton could confine himself to 15 minutes, anyway?; August 27, 2008 11:12 PM
Beryl said...: "I was very disappointed that Clinton's overrun on his speech bumped Bill Richardson's foreign policy speech."

Wow. That's pretty messed up.; August 28, 2008 12:20 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Everyone we have some very impressive speakers tonight. It doesn't surprise me though after all we are democrats.

I'm glad and very impressed that Bill Clinton backed Obama tonight.That was one great speech.

I went to a different blog and this you will like there was a poster on there that said Bill helped her make up her mind.

That she was going to vote for Obama isn't that great news.

I can't wait until he gets things going [Obama that is] !!! I think the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter everyday. AJ; August 28, 2008 12:30 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: I can not imagine who on the republican side will be able to give a good speech...

No one wants to hear from Bush, Cheney, McCain, or Lieberman - at least I don't.

I can't even think of any republicans that I like.

Hagel and Powell are good guys but they both like Obama so I don't think we will be hearing them say anything against Obama.; August 28, 2008 1:00 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: brighter and brighter indeed, AJ!

we all need to work hard to make the sun shine in November!; August 28, 2008 1:02 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Bill Richardson will be speaking tomorrow at Invesco Field.
There is an article posted on the front page of DCW.; August 28, 2008 1:06 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Thursday's Convention Schedule

http://www.demconwatchblog.com/2008/08/thursday-invesco-schedule.html#jumpto

.; August 28, 2008 1:09 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: well, my husband is not fired up, ready to go! we are going to an acceptance speech party in our area tomorrow, so I won't be here to share tears of joy with y'all.

I should take a bottle of the best that Safeway has to offer, trying to decide whether to bake or just grab something from the store on the way.; August 28, 2008 1:23 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Well everyone

I dug 38 holes with a tractor and argur so my butts dragging I'm headed for bed so everyone have a goodnight. AJ; August 28, 2008 1:24 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: "now" fired up, gaaaah! my typing skills continue to amaze. good thing my job doesn't depend on it.; August 28, 2008 1:26 AM
Beryl said...: "I can not imagine who on the republican side will be able to give a good speech..."

I hope we have lots of Dems being interviewed on the MSM. I might watch that. Otherwise, I'm watching movies On Demand.

Watching the replay on MSNBC. I'm loving Joe Biden more and more.; August 28, 2008 1:33 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: They said today that the Obama camp is sending tons of folks to the Rep.convention to be on the news - just like the Republicans did during the Dem.convention.

Now it looks like McCain is going to leak his VP name tomorrow. I don't think that his news will take anything away from Obama's day tomorrow - even if McCain did it during Obama's speech I don't think the media would break away to cover the story -- they probably would just put it on the bottom of the screen.

And if McCain picks a woman I don't think it will help him - it will just make him look like he is doing it for political reasons.; August 28, 2008 1:52 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Obama Biden photo top of front page on Italian newspaper (1am Texas time)

http://www.corriere.it/

.; August 28, 2008 2:13 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Obama top front page French newspaper...

http://www.lemonde.fr/

.; August 28, 2008 2:15 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: There is a lot of speculation from the Repigs on who their VP nominee will be, and the field seems to be getting bigger:

Romney (aka Mittens)
Pawlenty
Ridge
LIEberman
Christ
Palin
Hutchison

The Huckster appears to be out; apparently some are still rooting for 'noun+verb+911' Giuliani, but not that many now.

The New York Times is reporting that the top three are thought to be Romney, Pawlenty, and LIEberman, in that order.

Mike; August 28, 2008 2:42 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Obama/Biden on the front page of the Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg South Africa:

http://www.mg.co.za

The [London] Times (UK edition) has the headline:
"Bill Clinton: 'Obama is your commander-in-chief' " and a picture of Bill.

Mike; August 28, 2008 3:00 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Oooops - forgot to include the URL for the Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/; August 28, 2008 3:01 AM
Richard said...: MikeinMD said:

...the field seems to be getting bigger:

Christ

Ha! I know it's a typo, but that's the only way I could see John McCain winning this November.

Beryl said:

Wow. That's pretty messed up.

Wow. That's pretty rude.; August 28, 2008 8:55 AM
Doc Pickles said...: A good positive three days so far. Now I understand why Brian Schweitzer is such a dude in many people's minds. More Brian Schweitzer speeches! Somebody get him a soap box and put him out in the parking lot this afternoon or something!

Bill was succinct, inspiring. Loved it when he referenced Obama's "more perfect union" speech.

Tonight's a big night! Looking forward to it.; August 28, 2008 8:56 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: I loved it when Obama came out on stage when Biden was done. :-); August 28, 2008 10:05 AM
Doc Pickles said...: That was a good moment. Obama's been keeping a pretty low profile and hasn't stolen anybody's thunder so it was nice and dramatic.

Obama's had quite a buildup to tonight's speech. It will be a hard to live up to the anticipation.

Meanwhile, LIEberman has been causing no shortage of grief in No-You-Can't land:

Rove tried to kill Lieberman VP pick

Republican strategist Karl Rove called Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) late last week and urged him to contact John McCain to withdraw his name from vice presidential consideration, according to three sources familiar with the conversation.

Lieberman dismissed the request, these sources agreed.

Lieberman “laughed at the suggestion and certainly did not call [McCain] on it,” said one source familiar with the details.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12922.html; August 28, 2008 10:18 AM
Karen Anne said...: I wonder why Rove called Leiberman instead of McCain. Maybe he already called McCain and got told no.

I was watching the roll call on cspan, but the video kept freezing up. Is there a better site that is likely to carry all of Obama's speech tonight?

And does anyone know what makes videos freeze and the sound get out of sync - do I need more memory, or is it the processor or is my cable connection not fast enough? Some sites videos are okay and some are horrendous. Thanks...; August 28, 2008 11:06 AM
Doc Pickles said...: Sounds like
1. they're not able to keep up with all the hits or
2. your internet speed is too slow.

You can go to this speedtest.net website to check your real internet speed. Sometimes a service advertised as "up to 5 megabytes per seconds" can be much slower.

http://www.speedtest.net/; August 28, 2008 11:12 AM
Karen Anne said...: Thanks, OC. I went there and it said:

download 4427 kb/s
upload 1766 kb/s

That means the problem is not the cable connection?

Of course, that's now, I don't know what it was last night, but I can check tonight. I don't know either if Cox throttles people down.; August 28, 2008 11:21 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: a service is only as fast as the slowest link.; August 28, 2008 11:37 AM
Doc Pickles said...: That's fast all right, service might slow down with all the hits during the speech tonight though.

Even in this day and age of "the tubes", location still matters, I tested in my city and clocked about 8000kb/s, and then tested connection to a server in Denver and was about 2000kb/s

Still, it's a faster internet connection than John McCain's method (ie asking Cindy to print the emails and read them out to me.); August 28, 2008 11:42 AM
bvoelker said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 28, 2008 3:11 PM
bvoelker said...: I have been reading posts here since the primary season but have not posted anything yet. But I couldn't resist the most recent news I have seen...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/28/mccain-adviser-everyone-in-us-has-some-health-coverage/#addcomment

So, the best way to provide health care is to send everyone with the flu to the emergency room! Great job guys, that's exactly what we need.

Keep up the good work here, I always enjoy the discussion.

OBAMA 2008; August 28, 2008 3:13 PM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Cindy McCain's Half-Sister: I'm Voting For Obama

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/28/cindy-mccains-half-sister_n_122134.html

McCain for Obama!; August 28, 2008 3:23 PM
Richard said...: Karen_Anne: I would guess that CSPAN was flooded with people watching that video last night. Assuming they've got, say 10 Gbit of bandwidth available (I have no idea how much they actually have), they can stream at 300k to only about 30,000 people (plenty for most days, but perhaps nowhere near enough for a major DNC night). That's assuming none of their bandwidth is needed for other purposes.; August 28, 2008 3:59 PM
Richard said...: Talking Points Memo quotes a McCain health care advisor as expressing a novel approach to solving the problem of uninsured people: stop calling them uninsured. After all, he says, everyone has access to an emergency room!

"So I have a solution. And it will cost not one thin dime," Mr. Goodman said. "The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American -- even illegal aliens -- as uninsured. Instead, the bureau should categorize people according to the likely source of payment should they need care.

"So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved."

TPM.com; August 28, 2008 4:32 PM
magia said...: I’m sorry to have to weigh in, but apparently no one else will (or has, since last night at 9:53 PM). However, since one must be accurate to be fair:

Apissedant said...
HIS WIFE'S: "The other guy is so inspiring. He gives such great speeches" [Audience laughs]
"This is a fairy tale. This is a joke."
~~~~~~~

REALLY? He said that???
The actual quote is this (and the link for ye naysayers):

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/08/bill-clinton-targets-media-coverage-of-obama/

"It is wrong that Sen. Obama got to go through 15 debates trumpeting his superior judgment and how he had been against the war in every year, enumerating the years, and never got asked one time, not once, 'Well, how could you say that when you said in 2004 you didn't know how you would have voted on the resolution? You said in 2004 there was no difference between you and George Bush on the war," Clinton said at a campaign stop in Hanover, New Hampshire.

"And you took that speech you're now running on off your Web site in 2004. And there's no difference in your voting record and Hillary's ever since."

He added, "Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen."
~~~~~~~
Every word Bill Clinton said was true. There was NO RACISM in that remark. Nothing was said that denigrated Obama; the obfuscation of Obama’s record was denigrated, and for good reason. My questions – for AP, and for the rest of you who let it go (and therefore must think it true) - are:

1. Where did you get your quote?
2. Why are you so misinformed EVEN AFTER ALL THESE MONTHS? Meaning, the media, and Jim Clyburn, distorted the truth in this story, but didn’t you ever just LOOK IT UP???

I know many of you prefer to think of me a troll, but you’re as misinformed there as you are in this instance. I do appreciate that some of you can give Hillary her due, and Bill his. It doesn’t make up for the way the Obama campaign demonized them, which is the number one reason he does not get my support. (Possibly it is akin to the way so many have felt that since Hillary didn’t apologize for her authorization vote she cannot be forgiven. Obama hasn’t apologized for that character assassination, and so I cannot forgive him.)

BTW, let me correct Beryl’s read on the poll quoted by Todd:
Here is your link:

http://campaigndiaries.com/2008/08/21/obama-needs-clinton-voters-and-why-the-democratic-convention-will-be-crucial/

Here is the pertinent info:

“The . . . internal number in the NBC poll (is) that Obama only gets 52% of Clinton supporters, with 27% undecideds and 21% for McCain - meaning that a full 11% of the sample is made up of Clinton backers who are now not supporting Obama. These 11% do lean Democratic in the sense that they think Bush is doing a bad job and that the country is headed in the wrong direction, but they also have a far more favorable opinion of McCain.”

Most broadcasts spoke of that 27% / 21% group, and it surprises me that you don’t have that information either. What Todd was talking about was that “percent of sample” – he answers email if you want to ask him.

I am sure that since Bill & Hillary spoke that number has improved, but if Obama wants to win these voters, HE must do that work! And you’d best be realistic NOW rather than confused later.; August 28, 2008 4:37 PM
Beryl said...: (Ignore the troll.)

Obama is up in most of the polls and he hasn't even given his acceptance speech!; August 28, 2008 4:57 PM
Mike in Maryland said...: Rich,

VBG. Yes, it was a typo.

Maybe it's because all the Repigs talk of him as such, and thus sent a subliminal message to spell Crist's name in that manner.

That's about the only excuse I can give, as I even looked the name up to try to spell it right - and still got it wrong!.

Mike

One House
One Spouse
Obama 08; August 28, 2008 6:43 PM
Karen Anne said...: Howard's speaking...I looovvvveee Howard. Just imagine the last four years with Howard vs. Bushco.; August 28, 2008 6:48 PM
Karen Anne said...: Boo-hoo -

http://www.crocuta.net/Dean/Dean_speech_sampler_faulknerremix.mp3; August 28, 2008 6:59 PM
Karen Anne said...: The Page:

Carter: McCain “Milking” POW Past

In tough USA Today interview, the former POTUS says McCain is “milking every possible drop of advantage” from his years in Hanoi... and says Lieberman has abandoned fellow Democrats.; August 28, 2008 7:05 PM
Mike in Maryland said...: Could McLame(brain)'s VP pick be Pawlenty?

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2838359520080828

[Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty] abruptly canceled appointments in Denver on Thursday but it was unclear whether he was McCain's choice.

Mike; August 28, 2008 7:43 PM
Independent Voter said...: Sorry I wasn't here last night - I haven't had a chance to watch yesterday's activities.

Bill and I spent yesterday afternoon and all night last night in the ER. He underwent emergency surgery 3 of his fingers. He nearly cut cut them off with a circular saw yesterday when a piece of wood slipped and took the saw with it. He got very lucky! He will be off work for several weeks (if not months) while they heal, but they said he was going to be ok.

Needless to say, we didn't get home until last this morning, so I didn't get a chance to watch yesterday's activities and we just woke up about an hour ago. Despite the pain meds, he's still in a lot of pain. Although he is a non-smoker, I got some MJ from a neighbor.....he's not feeling any pain at this point :) but he is asleep again.

I'm now watching today's convention activities (but just tuned in) - watching Bill Richardson right now. He's doing a great job. He's on the attack, while promoting Obama. He really is a great speaker too.; August 28, 2008 8:19 PM
Beryl said...: Bill Richardson was terrific. To bad MSNBC gave him a snub. I caught it on CSPAN though.; August 28, 2008 8:28 PM
suzihussein22 said...: iv dave-Ooh, I'm so sorry! Yes, he is very very fortunate. I've almost lost one finger. I can only imagine. : (; August 28, 2008 8:31 PM
Beryl said...: Dave - I'm glad your partner is OK. Thank God.; August 28, 2008 8:34 PM
Independent Voter said...: Thanks beryl and suzi (I also almost lost a finger because instead of breaking the bone, I literally split it - which they had to pin it and then it got infected and I was allergic to the antibiotic they were using.)

WOW! Al Gore is kicking ass!; August 28, 2008 8:46 PM
Karen Anne said...: iv, yikes! yikes!

I am glad this is turning out okay.; August 28, 2008 8:53 PM
suzihussein22 said...: Rip 'em a new one, Gore!; August 28, 2008 8:53 PM
suzihussein22 said...: iv dave-Your finger experience is worse than mine. The worst part for me was having to pop all the joints back in place myself. It hurt even more to wait to go back to the dr. for another x-ray. I had already waited 5 days to see if the pain would start subsiding.; August 28, 2008 9:12 PM
Independent Voter said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 28, 2008 9:12 PM
Joshua said...: Why anyone who has access to cable TV is watching this convention via the networks other than CSPAN is beyond me. It is irksome to me to hear people complain time after time about the garbage on the networks, yet they keep watching. It tells me that the networks are the smart ones and they know that we are the dumb ones.

CSPAN has gavel to gavel coverage with no talking heads telling you what to think. If, however, you need to be told what the meaning of what you see with your own eyes is (along with commercials), then, by all means, keep watching the networks. But do me a favor; keep your whining to yourself.; August 28, 2008 9:17 PM
Independent Voter said...: Mike, for someone who claims to be intelligent, you don't seem to be the brightest bulb in the pack, sharpest tool in the shed, etc.

Many of us who actually watches both, thanks to the technology of DVR, watch the networks to look at what the OTHER side is saying. This makes it much easier to combat their bullshit easier and much faster. Many of us DON'T let them tell us what to think, we let them tell us what THEY are thinking and saying, etc. McCain is feeding MSM their talking points. It is much easier to combat the criticisms if you know what they are ahead of time.

For example, McCain's camp released a press statement AFTER Hillary's speech saying that she didn't address the issue of whether Obama was ready or experienced enough and the MSM picked up on it. This actually did ALL future speakers at the convention the INSIDE scoop and allowed Bill Clinton, Al Gore, etc. to go out there and address that very topic! None of us know what their speeches would have looked like had the McCain campaign kept quiet.; August 28, 2008 9:23 PM
suzihussein22 said...: WOW!!! Check out the stadium! So many Americans ready for a new chapter in our country!

OBAMA BIDEN 08 AMERICA 08; August 28, 2008 9:47 PM
Independent Voter said...: suzi - OUCH. I've had to put my shoulder back into place. But multiple joints - OUCH!

I had a lot of injuries when I was in gymnastics. My shoulder came out of its socket when I fell on a Jager - a release move on the bar. It really sucked. I broke both ankles. Of course the finger incident was also while doing gymnastics (but that one was much more recent - 4 years ago). Yes, I still do some stuff - but absolutely nothing competitive - too old and too tall.; August 28, 2008 9:51 PM
Independent Voter said...: suzi, I know, isn't it amazing?; August 28, 2008 9:51 PM
Independent Voter said...: Just an FYI! They posted a copy Obama's upcoming speech on the front page (of DemConWatch).; August 28, 2008 9:52 PM
Richard said...: I've retreated to CSPAN, and decided to hold off on reading the speech until after it's done. I want my reactions to be unfiltered.; August 28, 2008 10:01 PM
Independent Voter said...: Ok, SHHHHHHHHH, it's starting....LOL; August 28, 2008 10:02 PM
suzihussein22 said...: iv dave-Actually, I read the transcript @ ABC's website.

I've had both shoulders dislocated also at different times. I had to relocate them myself also when I was a teenager. I haven't accidentally broken anything though. Your story is still the worst. :~; August 28, 2008 10:05 PM
Independent Voter said...: FYI! Bill and I live on a major street (one that leads directly to both of the local hospitals). I've kind of been watching out my window at the traffic outside (off and on). Over the past 10 minutes - traffic has literally died. I would say there is one vehicle per 30 seconds or so. Normally it is an extremely busy street! I could be wrong, but it appears as though this is a HUGE event taking place here in San Diego. It appears that a lot of people could be at home (or house parties) waiting for tonights events.; August 28, 2008 10:06 PM
Independent Voter said...: suzi, LOL - I have only read the very beginning. I would much rather listen to him while he's saying it. This way I get the body language and intonation.

Shoulders suck when you have put them back in socket. I wouldn't change a thing, even with the injuries. Just made me stronger. ;); August 28, 2008 10:10 PM
Independent Voter said...: OMG! What a great video! He started to choke up when he was talking about his mom. Instantly brought tears to my eyes.; August 28, 2008 10:11 PM
suzihussein22 said...: Okay, it is seeing his daughters that brought the tears.; August 28, 2008 10:20 PM
Independent Voter said...: HA! Eight is enough! LOL!; August 28, 2008 10:22 PM
Independent Voter said...: WOW! ROFL - "what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right 90% of the time."; August 28, 2008 10:23 PM
suzihussein22 said...: I don't have any boots. ;); August 28, 2008 10:28 PM
Richard said...: I think it's time we had some children playing on the White House lawn. Those girls are so cute, and their parents are clearly in love. That's the family we need at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.; August 28, 2008 10:40 PM
apissedant said...: This is a fantastic speech. I hope independents and moderate Republicans are watching. He has hit most of the major decisive issues in a bipartisan and common sense way that can reach the hearts and minds of any rational human being. Very impressive. Nothing less than I expected.; August 28, 2008 10:53 PM
suzihussein22 said...: rich-I second that.; August 28, 2008 10:54 PM
Independent Voter said...: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT A GREAT SPEECH!

p'd ant - not only did he address every decisive issue, but nearly every divisive issue as well. I loved it! What a great man! If this country doesn't vote for him, then it doesn't deserve him!; August 28, 2008 11:00 PM
Independent Voter said...: Chris Matthews "I've been criticized for saying he inspires me. To hell with my critics."

Go get 'em Chris.; August 28, 2008 11:04 PM
apissedant said...: Dave,
Very good point. ;); August 28, 2008 11:11 PM
Mike in Maryland said...: When I was two, my brother slammed a door on the little finger of my right hand. It almost cut the tip off - a tiny strip of skin was all that held the tip on. Even now, the scar circumscribes all but about 1/4 inch of the finger. The doctor put Merthiolate on the finger, but the tip 'back in place', put a bandage on it, and told my mother to bring me back in a week. During that week, it started healing, otherwise he would have cut off the damaged tissue.

When I was 9, I dislocated my left elbow, and in the process, broke off the end of the humorous where it, and the ulna and the radius form the elbow. The bones were reset the next day, but the only available doctor had his hand and arm in a cast. Several weeks earlier, one of his horses kicked him in the hand, breaking several bones in the fingers and wrist.

When I was 13, I cracked the ulna of my right arem. An X-Ray that night didn't show anything, and the doctor thought I had a deep bone bruise. An X-Ray taken a week later finally showed the crack. I had to have a cast on that arm for 10 weeks until it had healed enough.

I think the cracked bone was the most painful, as I had to go a week before it was able to be treated.

Mike; August 28, 2008 11:45 PM
Independent Voter said...: Mike! OUCH!!!!!!

I know about the cracked foot. Had that too. Mom ran over my foot (by accident of course). Exact same thing with the X-rays (not the doctor with the arm in a cast).; August 28, 2008 11:52 PM
Emit R Detsaw said...: Ok - Shocker of the night...

Pat Buchanan with good things to say about Obama and the speach!

LOL; August 29, 2008 12:01 AM
Kujo said...: Anyone watch MSNBC.

Pat Buchanan is actually inspired by Obama. He is giddy up there.

That is a sign on how powerful the speach was, the convention was.

During the first days of the convention, after the speeches, the news agencies could not wait to get the spin doctors in. Even after Hillerys speech, more spin (not as much).

But after yesterdays speeches and now todays, these reporters are so high, inspired ... that they just want to talk and are ignoring the spin doctors.

Slam Dunk.; August 29, 2008 12:02 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: It was an AWESOME speech!

Obama-Biden `08; August 29, 2008 12:05 AM
Kujo said...: Republican trouble.

With the Hurican closing in they may be forced to delay the convention by a day. I don't think it can go much longer. They will have hotel problems and other schedualing problems, not to mention that many news agency could be covering the damages of the Huricane.

If the delay the convention by just 1 day, then McCain will have to give his acceptance speech on a Friday. Not sure how many people will be home to watch. Thursday night has the best ratings and not many people are excited to here him speak.

In the mean time the democrates now end right before labor day weekend where, after the last 2 days + Hillery's speech, people will be talking about and letting all sink in.; August 29, 2008 12:07 AM
Kujo said...: One More thing. The bounce.

It will be insterested in seeing the affects after the convention. Usually one party will have a 3 - 10 point bounce after their convention followed by a 3 - 10 point bounce by the other party.

But this time may be different. In looking at the polls, many Hillery supporters may have edged McCain closer to Obama. If this convention is successfull, and the true democratic Hillery supports who polled for McCain switch back, plus the usual bounce, we might see a larger then normal bounce to Obama followed by a normal bounce to McCain giving Obama a 5 - 10 point lead.; August 29, 2008 12:10 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: One of my cousins sent an email to other cousins tonight, telling everyone to watch the speech tonight. Since some of my cousins (including one of her sisters) have fallen under the sway of the evil empire, she added at the end of her message that she promised to watch McCain's speech next Thursday night.

I wrote my cousin back that I probably would not watch McCain. I told her he probably would put me to sleep within five minutes, or he would say something that would cause me to throw something at the TV screen.

I'm anxiously awaiting her reply. VBG

Mike; August 29, 2008 12:19 AM
Matt said...: If the GOP has to delay their convention, I'm sure they'll just cut it to 3 days, and still have McCain speak on Thursday.

The story is also posted on the front page.; August 29, 2008 12:19 AM
Joshua said...: Independent voter
You are right: keep your friends close and your enemies closer. As for me, I choose to decrease the stress in my life. I have found myself much happier and more tranquil when I stopped watching the networks. But, I still get my news: direct from the horse’s mouth. I seek out first-hand clips etc, and I usually know what is going on before I catch glimpses on TV (my wife watches some TV and I can’t help but overhear something when I walk into her study).

If you intend to actually do something about the lies on the public airways, then obviously there is a need to know what they are saying. I have no use for what the other is saying because I can imagine the worst thing they can say or do and it is impossible for them to top that. I take my action by actually giving my time and resources to the campaign. I leave the combat to others.

As to what they said about Clinton speech: I never heard any of that till you just posted it. But it seems that the Republicans think that Obama needs to be validated by Hillary before he can be taken as a serious contender for the presidency. I hope they keep thinking that. 90,000 Americans at Denver stadium, and the millions who watched Obama’s acceptance speech around the country, and the hundreds of millions who watched world-wide, are not waiting for Hillary’s permission.; August 29, 2008 12:20 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: How on earth COULD the republicans 'delay' their convention?

People have hotel reservations, airline tickets and have planned their days off.

I can see them not having any events on Monday (because of the hurricane but also because they probably don't have enough good speakers to fill up four days) but they can't reschedule too much of the convention because of all the people involved.; August 29, 2008 12:40 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: They can't delay it much - Congress is scheduled to go back into session at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2008, pursuant to the provisions of H. Con. Res. 398.

If the Repigs don't show up for that session (especially), they can and will be hit hard when they bring up the chant "Congress under the Democrats isn't doing anything about (fill in the blanks) ____, ____, or ____."

The Repigs are in a bind, and I LOVE it!

Mike; August 29, 2008 12:50 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: McCain's VP...

Kay Bailey Hutchinson basically said earlier today that it is NOT her.

Huckabee has NEVER been vetted at all and the McCain camp never even contacted him (according to an article on HuffPost).

Romney just said that he will be in his home state tomorrow - so it's not him.

Pawlenty has canceled his plans and is free to meet up with McCain - he said that it is up to McCain to make his own announcement.

So, my guess is that it is Pawlenty.

No way that Pawlenty will win a debate against our Joe Biden!; August 29, 2008 12:59 AM
Kujo said...: I did see the story on the Front Page, but It did not go into the effects of holding it on Monday vs not holding or delaying it.; August 29, 2008 12:59 AM
Independent Voter said...: Mike As to what they said about Clinton speech: I never heard any of that till you just posted it. But it seems that the Republicans think that Obama needs to be validated by Hillary before he can be taken as a serious contender for the presidency. I hope they keep thinking that. 90,000 Americans at Denver stadium, and the millions who watched Obama’s acceptance speech around the country, and the hundreds of millions who watched world-wide, are not waiting for Hillary’s permission.

The only reason the Republicans sated it was because of those Hillary supporters who continue to hold out (PUMAs), the "just say no deal"ers, and those who are still on the fence (I still can't believe they are still out there). The McCain campaign put out that statement simply to drive the wedge even deeper between Hillary's supporters and getting on board with Obama.

But yes, I for one, DO get out there and try to inform the voters in my area as much as possible, which is why I do watch the shows so that I have the rebuttal ready to go any time someone tries to use invalid criticisms.

Yes we also donate, however we are also doing everything within our power to convince people to vote for him and not just letting the campaign fight back. Like Obama said, this campaign isn't just about him, it is about us. And that is why I'm working to help get this man elected.

Now I do apologize for my ad hominem earlier; however, your statement earlier implied that anyone who is watching network and cable news pundits are simply telling us what to think (which many on this thread do watch) is, well how do I say this, ridiculous. We have a very high level of low information voters and it is those individuals that need to be combated with factual information.; August 29, 2008 1:03 AM
Kujo said...: On McCain's VP choice:

I think McCain is going to to make a bad choice here (not that he has many good choices).

I think Kay Bailey Hutchinson would of been his (not mine) best choice. She has a strong voice, experienced and could pull women votes. But she lives in Texas and that state was sure to go McCain. (can not say for sure he did not go this way, remember Biden said the day before that he was not the man)

Pawlenty, on the other hand lives in Minnisota and is currently an Obama state and he his hoping to grab a couple of electoral-votes (almost said delegates).

The problem with Pawlenty is he is inexperienced and if you are going to attack Obama using the Experience card, then you better be picking someone experienced for your VP. Pawlenty also can not hold up against Biden.

You can see the difference in thought process between Obama and McCain. Short term thinking vs long term. Obama chose the best person for the job. He could also pull votes in many states. McCain chose someone who might get him 10 electoral votes. Who care that the rest of the country does not care for him.; August 29, 2008 1:07 AM
Independent Voter said...: Let them postpone it. That would be funny! The would have to pay for the extra day for the convention site, hotels, etc. That would be great! Continue draining their war chest.; August 29, 2008 1:07 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Who was it today that said "The republicans(?) say/think that ya'll are here to follow a celebrity, but what they don't get is that you are here to elect a president." - was it Richardson or Gore or who? I've lost track! LOL ;)

Anyway I thought that was a great line (even though I didn't quote it correctly).; August 29, 2008 1:24 AM
Independent Voter said...: Question about Pawlenty.

Pawlenty has a fairly high approval rating. My question is how? He was the governor for several years prior to the bridge collapse. How could someone who oversaw one of the worst tragedies caused by the failure of the state (under HIS 'leadership') to actually maintain the infrastructure of its bridges. This bridge, although had reported problems, but those problems were not scheduled to be fixed for several years. WHY? HOW could he have such I approval ratings.; August 29, 2008 1:26 AM
MaryAlice Misuta said...: Good speech by Obama, good convention overall. 538.com is reporting that McCain's VP will NOT be Pawlenty. So the Pawlenty maneuver may be a head fake. Or maybe not.

The Washington Post is also reporting rumors that the Repugs may delay their convention due to the pending hurricane.

Is God getting involved?; August 29, 2008 1:30 AM
Joshua said...: Leah, Obama said something like those words, albeit not exactly.; August 29, 2008 1:32 AM
Independent Voter said...: Ms. Misuta,

I hear ya. Like I said earlier, poetic justice isn't it. One of their own calling for people to pray that Obama's acceptance speech be rained out, and it is they who are possibly going to be screwed by the weather.

I'm a strong Agnostic, but if there is a God, she either has a great sense of humor or believes that she won't be used for political gain.; August 29, 2008 1:35 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Mike-

No Obama said: "I don’t know what kind of lives John McCain thinks that celebrities lead, but this has been mine."

There was someone earlier in the evening that threw at punch at the republicans regarding the celebrity b.s.; August 29, 2008 1:36 AM
Beryl said...: McCain Rally
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll53/owencoffin/IOWARALLY.gif; August 29, 2008 1:41 AM
Joshua said...: I have really been amused by the McCain campaign. They are slinging the same mud at Obama that Hillary did. Do you know why that is funny? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result each time. Hillary slung the mud, which is why she is an also-ran and has no future in politics, although she may have redeemed some grace by reading the Obama-campaign prepared note about nomination by acclamation.

McCain will get exactly as far as Hillary did and will be on the outside watching as Obama takes the oath of office.

Americans always elect a president who has a view for their future. Yes, his attacks will increase Obama’s negatives, but only with voters who were not going to vote for him anyway. McCain will be a pathetic footnote in future history books under: the candidate who tried to stand in the way of history; or a noun a verb and POW.; August 29, 2008 1:43 AM
Joshua said...: On second thought, Leah, you are probably right. Then it was Richardson.; August 29, 2008 1:46 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Beryl - Great photo!

Mike - What is funny is that tonight McCain took the high ground and aired that congratulatory ad that was nice to Obama --- but Obama used tonight to start whacking at McCain!

McCain's timing was way off tonight! But good for us democrats :); August 29, 2008 1:47 AM
Joshua said...: Leah, I saw a link to that ad at Huffpost, but I refused to click on it. I am tired of the media spreading McCain’s ads free of charge. But if you say that it was positive, then I will go click on it. Thanks.; August 29, 2008 1:54 AM
Independent Voter said...: Remember what I was saying last week about peaking at the right time? Well I think it has JUST begun, like he did coming from behind last December.

I love it! (I'm watching it again hehehehehe). And last week, here I was saying that he needed to fight back more. Well, I think what he was doing was just letting JM throw his political (petty as they were) punches, took those punches from JM like a man, and let him continue to suck JM in by making him believe that Obama was weak. Get them close enough to take them down hard. I think one thing that has been proven tonight is that Obama, as skinny as he is, he is one helluva tough man!; August 29, 2008 1:57 AM
Independent Voter said...: beryl, ROFLMAO!!!!!!!; August 29, 2008 1:58 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Ah, a bit of a serendipitous find (that jogged a long-forgotten memory) while doing some Google research on John Sidney McCain III -

John Sidney McCain III once joked about Chelsea Clinton at a Republican fundraiser, saying "Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.", but later apologized (1998).

Just another example of his 'respect' for people who are not named John Sidney McCain III.

Mike; August 29, 2008 2:01 AM
Joshua said...: Independent Voter,
O was really on fire tonight. Best punches he has ever thrown. He pulled punches with Hillary and never took a good swing at her. Tonight, he held nothing back. I too have been frustrated by the responses that I thought lacked a punch. I decided not to criticize him because I trust that his political judgments are superior to mine.; August 29, 2008 2:05 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: Indy-

Yep, he takes lots of punches and it makes the other person look petty and small for being negative.

He is a very smart man and learned Chicago politics! He is tough and I've seen photos of him shirtless and he is not that skinny! LOL ;)
I think he uses that skinny line to play the 'underdog' role.
--

Obama talks soft and carries a BIG stick!

Chris Matthews is gushing about Obama on the MSNBC replay - I think the pundits are going to stop talking about the Clintons now and focus on the Obama McCain fight from now on :)

And even Pat Buchanan was gushing tonight :); August 29, 2008 2:14 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Leah Texas4Obama said...
And even Pat Buchanan was gushing tonight :)

That was priceless! And he was gushing so much, they had to interrupt him so they could go to commercial break!! And Buchanan didn't want to stop!!!

Mike; August 29, 2008 2:22 AM
Leah Texas4Obama said...: I loved the speech... a few that were awesome were:

"To the love of my life, our next First Lady, Michelle Obama, and to Sasha and Malia – I love you so much, and I’m so proud of all of you."

"Tonight, I say to the American people, to Democrats and Republicans and Independents across this great land – enough!

"On November 4th, we must stand up and say: “Eight is enough.”

"The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America."

"So I’ve got news for you, John McCain. We all put our country first.
-----

I better stop there otherwise I'll be copying and pasting the whole speech :); August 29, 2008 2:36 AM
Mike in Maryland said...: Alex Spillius, a commenter for the British paper Telegraph, gives his perspective of the last day of the convention:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2642806/Tide-of-emotion-as-Barack-Obama-makes-history-at-Democratic-convention.html

Headline reads:
"Tide of emotion as Barack Obama makes history at Democratic convention"

Mike; August 29, 2008 2:52 AM
Independent Voter said...: Leah, MY favorite line was "John McCain likes to say that he’ll follow bin Laden to the Gates of Hell – but he won’t even go to the cave where he lives."; August 29, 2008 3:33 AM
Richard said...: CNN cites a source at the Middletown, OH airport saying that they had a very secretive chartered flight arrive from AK with a woman, two men, and two teenagers aboard. That and that Pawlenty won't be in Dayton today...; August 29, 2008 9:09 AM
Karen Anne said...: Pulling punches - I think Obama said at some point that he was not going to go after a fellow Democrat the same way he would after a Republican. Plus I think Biden et al can do most of the slamming necessary to counteract Repub stuff.

I'm not counting any chickens before hatching, but the Convention compared to the fears of major Clinton disruption came out so well, Obama nailed his speech (who though he wouldn't), not a bad week.

Gore, Kuchinich, etc. made me really, really proud to be a Democrat. Compare and contrast with if your primary political goal is to accumulate and preserve your personal wealth.

I though Al could have slowed down his speech a bit, though. People would have gone even more crazy if he'd given them time to react.

Plus, he's lost weight, hasn't he? I was getting worried about his health, weight-wise.; August 29, 2008 9:13 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Leah no pun intended but they will never stop talking about the Clintons. They are great people [yes I know that they have made mistakes but so has Obama nobody perfect]. As far as the mud slinging Obama did his share now it's time to forget all that and think about getting Obama in office!AJ; August 29, 2008 10:48 AM
Aunt Jean said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 29, 2008 10:54 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Leah all the major speakers including the Clintons in that one, did an awesome job of speaking. Of course they could have did without Richardson that was really the only downer in the whole convention. I wish he would get lost. That would be the best thing for Obama and the democrat party!!!! I would have liked to seen Sebelius speak very very much more then Richardson. AJ; August 29, 2008 10:58 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Hey everyone

you propable know this already but NBC is saying McCains VP is Sarah Palin. AJ; August 29, 2008 11:01 AM
Aunt Jean said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 29, 2008 11:07 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Everyone

sounds like all she can think about is what is best for Alaska instead of whats best for the whole United States. AJ; August 29, 2008 11:09 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: so, AJ, what do you think of Sarah Palin? She is the governer of AK, but what do YOU think of her?

I thought for sure it was going to be Romney, comes as a surprise.; August 29, 2008 11:19 AM
Karen Anne said...: As long as the primary season is over, take this as a suggestion not a dig. Can someone please convince Hillary not to wear those pantsuits? They must add six inches to her hips.; August 29, 2008 11:25 AM
Vicki in Seattle said...: KarenAnn - at this point, they are a trademark for her. I don't think she's giving them up. I did love the contrast on Tuesday night between her bright orange and the vivid blue of the stage. That was very well selected. She is maybe one of the very rare people who can wear orange. I look like a martian (kinda greenish) in that color.

(however, there are pantsuits that are more slenderizing).; August 29, 2008 11:31 AM
Independent Voter said...: AJ,

Palin was chosen for two reasons. She is a female (trying to grab former Clinton supporters who still have not embraced Obama - which I think last night clinched the deal for Obama when it comes to Clinton's supporters), she brings home the "Conservative" base (the pro-lifers), and she is corrupt (uses political office to fire people she doesn't like - her former brother-in-law - Very Busheque).

Ya I know, I gave three reasons, but I think it's hilarious that McCain - the corpse - thinks that this woman has the experience to step in if something were to happen to him - and everyone knows he is on the verge of becoming a real true corpse.

This shows truly HORRIBLE judgment on McCorpse's part.; August 29, 2008 11:33 AM
Beryl said...: I'm not surprised that he chose a woman VP. He wants to "make history" and is counting on women to help him do that.; August 29, 2008 11:36 AM
Independent Voter said...: Vicki,

I was hoping that she would wear the white one she had worn earlier on Tuesday, but I too think she pulled off the orange very well. I was somewhat shocked in the beginning (about the color) but I too thought it was/is a great color for her.; August 29, 2008 11:38 AM
Independent Voter said...: By the way - Palin has ZERO foreign policy experience - yet they are touting Obama as being too "inexperienced".

Palin is a joke!; August 29, 2008 11:41 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Karen Anne I happen to agree with you about the pants suits. AJ; August 29, 2008 11:44 AM
Independent Voter said...: Oh my, something I didn't even think about until now, she is a former runner-up of a "beauty pageant" - Cindy better keep a close eye on her. hehehehehehe; August 29, 2008 11:45 AM
Karen Anne said...: Don't know what to think about Palin -

She will attract the "any woman" voters. How many of those are there?

She is nowhere near ready to step in as Pres if necessary, a la Ferraro and Dan Quayle.

She is even worse than McCain on issues.

Five kids, Alaska pipeline, goodbye the planet.

Goodbye the Supreme Court.

Can Biden debate her without looking like he's beating up on a woman? Maybe the strategy is to focus on beating up McCain.; August 29, 2008 11:46 AM
Aunt Jean said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 29, 2008 11:48 AM
Dilbuck said...: McCain picking a woman in hope that it will garner him some former Clinton supporters. Just a list of things that I was thinking when I heard this pick.

1. Concerned with Alaska and therefore with oil (ties to Exxon anyone?)

2. A pretty face that I believe does not have much substance behind it.

3. Will help Obama gain some repub sexist votes.

4. The corruption of the Alaskan Republican Party. Like was mentioned earlier, Palin is under investigation about her ex brother in law and you have Stevens' troubles.

5. Gives Obama another chance to trumpet his judgment. He has been claiming all along that we need a Washington outsider and now McCain confirms it with his pick.

6. The "experience" card can NEVER be used again.

7. Biden is going to crush her in the VP debates.; August 29, 2008 11:49 AM
Aunt Jean said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 29, 2008 11:50 AM
Independent Voter said...: Karen Anne - all he has to do is attack her on her and McCorpse's policies. So what if he beats up on her as far as policies, he simply cannot attack her on a personal level. There is plenty of policy issues and her using her office to fire state employees.

Oh my, they LITERALLY had cheerleaders trying to get the people at McCorpse's rally. People weren't very fired up.; August 29, 2008 11:54 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Vicki

as far as what I think about Palin. Well she really has 0 experience. I do believe that McCain had two chooses a man and woman I think it depended on who Obama picked.

I also think shes a hard nose. All she talks about is what's best for Alaska not what's best for America like Obama and Biden. I think she will make a terrible VP.

She seems to be a little on the heartless side also. She had her ex brother in law fired [probable because she doesn't like him]. AJ; August 29, 2008 11:55 AM
Dilbuck said...: Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!! Obama Biden 08!!; August 29, 2008 11:56 AM
Beryl said...: "Can Biden debate her without looking like he's beating up on a woman? Maybe the strategy is to focus on beating up McCain."

I agree. This is the strategy. She will look sad, shed a few tears and the NH-type women will come out to support her.; August 29, 2008 11:56 AM
Joshua said...: Of all the problems I have with Hillary, her choice in clothes is not one of them. I thought she looked good at the convention. Actually, I think she always looks good. I think the pantsuits are becoming for her. It baffles me why people always find it necessary to comment on a woman’s clothing and appearance and never on a man’s. And almost always, the critical comments come from other women. I don’t get it. If women preach gender neutrality, shouldn’t they also practice it and stop talking about Hillary’s clothes? I haven’t heard anyone say a word about Obama’s or McCain’s or John Edwards appearance. Ok, I take that back. I have heard about the pretty boy, but that is because he himself made that an issue by preening in front of a mirror on camera for 10 long minutes. Not to mention spending $400 on a haircut.; August 29, 2008 11:57 AM
Dilbuck said...: I think this pick absolutely quiets down the republican party now. How can the angry republicans that complained about Obama not having any experience possibly get behind someone with less experience. I am loving this pick. I think had McCain chosen Mittens that this could be a tight race. I think you will see Obama start to pull away. I still think we will see more sexist males move towards the Obama camp now than upset Hillary supporters moving to McCain.; August 29, 2008 11:58 AM
Aunt Jean said...: Dav
yes you are right about the VP debate Biden has to treat her with respect her personal but give her hell about McLames beliefs. AJ; August 29, 2008 11:59 AM
Beryl said...: Hillary looks fine in pantsuits and I think they are slenderizing depending on the cut and color.

She is not very tall so they make her appear longer because your eyes do not stop at her skirt hem.; August 29, 2008 12:00 PM
Aunt Jean said...: Beryl

I also thought Hillary looked charming in her pantsuit but I would like to see her in a dress sometimes. The color was great. Who ever said that they looked terrible or whatever in orange [I look like a tangerine.] LOL AJ; August 29, 2008 12:04 PM
Dilbuck said...: Sweet... Palin is a creationist as well. At least she is like every other republican and denies all scientific evidence for anything.; August 29, 2008 12:09 PM
Dilbuck said...: How about this?

In an interview just a month ago, she dissed the job, saying it didn’t seem “productive.”

In fact, she said she doesn’t know what the vice president does.

Larry Kudlow of CNBC’s “Kudlow & Co.” asked her about the possibility of becoming McCain ticket mate.
Palin replied: “[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I’ll tell you, I still can’t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day? I’m used to being very productive and working real hard in an administration. We want to make sure that that V.P .slot would be a fruitful type of position, especially for Alaskans and for the things that we’re trying to accomplish up here for the rest of the U.S., before I can even start addressing that question.”; August 29, 2008 12:13 PM
Independent Voter said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; August 29, 2008 12:13 PM
Independent Voter said...: Mike, that is NOT true. I commented several months ago that I don't like Obama in his coffee (with cream) colored suit ;); August 29, 2008 12:13 PM
Independent Voter said...: I guess one thing that can be put to rest though. At least we know she is young enough to NOT be taking a nap every 2 hours and she won't need a diaper change.; August 29, 2008 12:16 PM
Aunt Jean said...: Dilbuck

on msn site she didn't mention U.S. all she said was Alaska. Well there are more states than Alaska. AJ; August 29, 2008 12:18 PM
Beryl said...: I'm a woman but I'm interested in the reaction of the "Jeans" on this blog to the Palin selectio.

Do you think many women will vote for her just because of her gender?; August 29, 2008 12:22 PM
Aunt Jean said...: Dave that is mean LOL. My mother is 79 and my Grandmother was 90 before she passed away and she didn't wear them either.
AJ; August 29, 2008 12:22 PM
Dilbuck said...: I agree AJ. I mean I can understand as well since Alaska is all she has had to worry about. Palin just has NO foreign policy experience at all. How is she going to keep up with Biden on things like Georgia? I don't understand it. I guess this will help McCain secure the older one issue voting evangelicals, but I really think he already had those types already in his corner. To me, I think this is a desperation pick after watching the DNC. I just hope the majority of Hillary supporters will see through this pick.; August 29, 2008 12:22 PM
Mug said...: Unbelievable! This is political maneuvering at it's best and worst. The hardcore feminists who supported Hillary and know nothing about politics are going to rally to McCain now in hopes that he'll keel over during his first term and they'll finally have a president with a vagina.; August 29, 2008 12:25 PM
Aunt Jean said...: Beryl

quite a few women were avid Hillary supporters and I'm sure that there will be women that will vote for McCain because he picked a woman.

But most or at least myself didn't back Hillary just because she was a woman I really liked what she said what she wanted to do and her personal. I do believed or maybe I'm being naive but surely women or smarter than to vote for McLame just because he has a female VP pick. AJ; August 29, 2008 12:32 PM
Aunt Jean said...: Mug

that is very crude. I do believe that you could have come up with a more proper word. AJ; August 29, 2008 12:34 PM
Aunt Jean said...: Mug

that would be like me saying McLame doesn't have the balls for it [oops he doesn't ] hehehehehehe. AJ; August 29, 2008 12:38 PM
Independent Voter said...: mug - the ONLY problem is that THIS particular woman is everything the Republican Party stands for - they are 100% anti-feminism.

AJ, I think that is what mug was referring to. There are some feminists that don't care that she stands against everything that they stand for, but because of her gender they will vote for her.; August 29, 2008 12:41 PM
Mug said...: Aunt Jean,

You're absolutely right and I'm properly ashamed. I should have said "die" rather than "keel over." =); August 29, 2008 12:44 PM
Dilbuck said...: I've been cruising some of the right wing blogs and they are already starting to doubt the VP pick. For one, many were not impressed with her speech today. Also, I am seeing in the comments quite a few men that are switching to Obama because Palin is a woman. Not that I necessarily want those guys in my corner... but I can live with having their vote... I guess.; August 29, 2008 12:45 PM

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