"We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. We believe" -- here the audience interrupted Palin with applause and cheers -- "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America,being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation. This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food and are fighting our wars for us. Those who are protecting us in uniform. Those who are protecting the virtues of freedom."
- Governor Sarah Palin, 2 days ago
Do we need leadership in this country that distinguishes between "real" Americans and "fake" Americans? Between parts of the country that are "anti-American?" I cannot begin to describe how offensive I find these comments. How do you define what pro-American is? These talking heads seem to identify "Republican" with "American," and frankly there are two sides of the political debate here in the United States.
Although, after listening to what the other side has to offer over the past few months, I'm starting to feel like there's two sides to this debate in the same way that there were two sides of the McCarthy hearings.
Longer post coming in the next two days. I just thought that it would be nice to share my disgust. This election is no longer an argument between two competing viewpoints on what direction to take this nation. The very fiber of our nation's morality is at stake. I want moral issues to start becoming part of this race again - moral issues like how people get away with saying things like this, here in what is supposed to be a beacon of freedom and democracy? Because I seem to be on a Sorkin binge lately, I must note that comments like Palin's really sound a lot like the crazy conservative talk show hosts featured in the penultimate episode of Studio 60. Does "treason jingle" ring any bells?
But first, a debate recap: Yes, I swear it's unaltered. But we're not done with our post-debate roundup.
--> One small detail that I missed from Wednesday's electrifying policy showdown was John McCain's discussion of small business taxes. Thankfully, Michael Kinsley caught it for us:
“Fifty percent of small business income taxes are paid by small business.”
— Senator John McCain, during the third presidential debate, October 15
Kinsley goes on to argue against the basic premise of helping small businesses so much, but I'll leave that one to the economists. This is a political blog, and we are not in the business of real world problems here.
--> Also, the "Joe the Plumber" phenomenon simply won't die. He was on the cover of the New York Times today. And it turns out that his characterization at the debate wasn't all that accurate. Well, for starters, his name isn't Joe. And he's not a plumber. So right off the bat, the nickname isn't all that fitting. Plus, he owes over $1000 in back taxes. He's registered under the wrong last name. And, to top it all off, he's related to Charles Keating.
This was still a fairly interesting example of how both candidates shamelessly flaunt themselves as friends of blue-collar folk. It's odd that, if you judged solely based on presidential campaigns, you'd think that every American drank a six-pack every night, owned a rifle, sat at the dining room table with their spouse and talked about their financial troubles, struggled to put their kids through college, and had some sort of medical condition that wouldn't be covered by their health insurance. Those are the people that every bit of this campaign (on both sides) has been directed towards. And while those categories may be large, and certainly needing help from the government, they're not the only people in the country. I'd love to hear more from either side about what they're going to do for blue-collar Americans, white-collar Americans, collarless Americans, rich, poor, healthy, sick. Our campaign has become an empathy contest, instead of a discussion of concrete policies and what their impacts will be.
--> Meanwhile, on the business of connecting with Americans, Sarah Palin will join her alter-ego on SNL this Saturday. It's truly going to be a must-see cameo, followed by a must-change-the-channel poorly-written episode. Why do people actually watch that show anymore?
--> United States Congressman John Murtha (D-PA), however, truly seems to understand his constituents. Representing an older, more traditional district in Western Pennsylvania, one would assume that he would be...evasive of the issue that some of his constituents remain hesitant to vote for a black candidate, or at least apologetic. Instead, Murtha gives the media some good old fashioned straight talk:
"There's no question Western Pennsylvania is a racist area."
The first step is admitting you have a problem...
Kudos for Murtha for pointing out the moral failings of the voters that keep electing him, and good luck on Election Day!
--> Of course, fear certainly trumps empathy (and even race) in today's political culture, and no one plays with fear better than the Republican National Committee. They sent this mailing into North Carolina and Nevada in an effort to get McCain into the White House before anyone notices that their pants are on fire.
--> However, in today's edition of EDC, Senator Barack Obama is the obvious winner of Empathy Champion (otherwise known as President-Elect). A few weeks ago, I was rather startled to find an email in my college mail account from Barack Obama entitled, "It's Time for the Talk." Well, despite my confidence in the existence of a stork and my confusion as to why an elected official would take such an interest in one's personal life, I decided to click the email and discover what Barack had to say. Luckily, the message was about politics, not sex. The campaign is urging college students (already well-informed and decisively pro-Obama) to sit down with their ignorant, uneducated family members and explain to them the facts of life, or at least political life. More specifically, you should talk to any older relatives who aren't already on the Democratic bandwagon, hit them with a sledgehammer, then take their identification and pose as them at their polling place in a crucial swing state on Election Day. At least, that's what I think the message was; I got bored after I lost hope that Senator Obama would explain to me where babies come from.
--> Meanwhile, the Obama campaign, apparently convinced of their lead in national and battleground state polls, has decided to start expanding into non-traditional battlegrounds like West Virginia, Georgia, North Dakota, and Kentucky. Of course, the Kentucky and Georgia buys are more likely directed towards propping up Democratic Senate candidates Bruce Lunsford and Jim Martin than actually winning the states' electoral votes. However, the move represents a large degree of confidence that we are headed for an Election Night landslide.
Reportedly, in the final 10 days before the election, after confirming the likelihood of winning all 50 states, Barack Obama will utilize his massive campaign war chest and begin running ads in Canada, Spain, and Pakistan, mostly as a way of mocking his opponent. The campaign also considered dropping leaflets about the candidate on Cuba, but decided that the move might accidentally spark a panic of an impending invasion (no reason to give that away just yet).
--> And speaking of mocking, EDC would like to leave you in a lighter note today, urging you to watch the videos of Senators Obama and McCain, face to face for the last time before the election, speaking at the historic Al Smith Dinner in New York City last night. West Wing fans will recognize the dinner as the title/subject of a season 7 episode, and wonder whether Obama and McCain had a showdown in the kitchen before heading on stage. Non-Sorkinites will have to be content with enjoying the surprisingly hilarious comedy stylings of the next President of the United States and the next still-just-a-senator-from Arizona of the United States.
--> Also, you might appreciate this news about Will Ferrell apparently being inspired by Josh Brolin. $5 says that the show starts, "My fellow Americans. can I please have your attention. I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen."
I am pumped for this. This is McCain's last chance to change this race. Unfortunately, the format of this debate doesn't lend itself to a game-changer. He could try to be nasty and call Obama out on the Ayers stuff, but being angry and aggressive to a person sitting at a table right next to you tends to not play well with independents. Regardless, I'd expect McCain to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Obama tonight. If we see the kitchen sink - Ayers and Wright - we'll know how desperate Senator McCain truly is. It'll be a sign of how negative he'll be willing to go in these final weeks.
9:01: Oh, Bob Schieffer. So clearly the best of the moderators. Throwing down the gauntlet early, as he promises that if the candidates don't ask each other follow up questions, "I will."
9:03: And once more, unsurprisingly, we start on Wall Street. McCain has said that people are angry 4 times in the last minute, possibly as a subtle defense of his vocally racist rally attendees.
After Obama's well-detailed remarks, McCain overtly refuses to ask Obama a question, and goes instead into an anecdote about Obama meeting "Joe the Plumber." Obama counters that Joe's misconceptions about his tax plan probably come from a McCain campaign ad. Bam. So far, both candidates are coming across as extremely well-prepared and much more intelligent than past debates.
McCain continues to insist that Senator Obama is going to take "Joe the Plumber's" money. He also doesn't understand why Obama wants to raise anyone's taxes right now. One wonders if McCain understands the relationship between tax revenues and government spending...we could be in for quite a deficit under President McCain.
Much like the last debate, McCain suggests that businesses will outsource jobs to Ireland with its 11% business tax rate. Move over, India and China. Fear the Irish!
9:14 Bob Schieffer takes both candidates to task on deficit spending, demanding that the answer to the reality of their proposals. Obama takes the debate towards the ideological difference between his and McCain's opinions on "investing in the American people."
McCain takes a page out of Sarah Palin's book and blatantly refuses to answer the question, going back to the last question. And you thought we had nothing to learn from her...
He also replays some more of his greatest hits, referring to that DoD deal on a jet that he stopped (and mentioned in every debate).
9:21 McCain gives an incredibly snappy answer directly to Obama, declaring, "I am not President Bush; if you wanted to run against him, you should have done it 4 years ago."
He also asserts (again) that he is aiming for a "new direction." Then Obama talks about his maverick tendencies in breaking with the Democratic Party. Is it just me or did the campaign roles just reverse?
Nope, back to reality - Obama takes a jab at Fox News. And then calls McCain out on being a "vigorous supporter" of President Bush on core policies.
McCain has "the scars to prove" that he stood against his own party. He then smiles eerily at Senator Obama, and asks, "You wanna know how I got these scars?"
9:26 Schieffer is the best moderator ever. Once again he demands that the candidates answer for their negative campaigning, right here, face to face.
McCain gives the excuse that Obama refused his town hall request. To paraphrase Jon Stewart, Obama didn't want to play Monopoly, and so McCain punched him in the crotch. McCain asks why Obama didn't repudiate Congressman Lewis' remarks, and why he gave up on public financing.
This is it. Showdown time.
Obama cites McCain's 100% negative ads. And then pivots BEAUTIFULLY, towards the need to not worry about "candidates' hurt feelings" and that candidates "should be made of" the legitimate issues and policy debates. He sneaks in a hit on McCain's desire to "change the subject," and portrays himself as the guy that cares about the issues that matter to people. Well done, Senator.
McCain counters with Obama's "unprecedented" amounts of money in negative attack ads, and pretends that his campaign has been about real issues.
OBAMA CALLS THEM OUT! He defends Lewis, and wonders why Palin didn't ask those at her rallies to stop. It was an "inappropriate comparison," to be sure. But once again, Obama pivots towards the "serious differences" in their policies.
McCain is "proud of the people who come to our rallies." And seems to accuse Obama of discounting the patriotism of veterans at McCain's rallies, though I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.
Obama once again calls for vigorous debates, but warns against calling each other "bad people." McCain brings up Ayers, and says we need to know the facts. Also brings up ACORN, and I wonder how a REPUBLICAN gets off accusing a DEMOCRAT of the greatest voter fraud in history????
Obama wonders why Bill Ayers, Professor of Education, has become the centerpiece of McCain's campaign. Explains very carefully how he and Ayers ended up on the same committee, and declares decisively that Ayers has nothing to do with him or his political career.
Moving on to ACORN. Says it was the fault of volunteers who forged names, having nothing to do with his campaign.
Now we look at the larger issues of who he surrounds himself with. One thinks of his respect for the Lincoln biography, "Team of Rivals," as he talks about the bright legislators and advisors who have shaped his thinking.
McCain continues to harp on the "started his campaign in his living room" nonsense. He sounds more and more non-grammatical as this debate goes along.
9:40 Bob Schieffer deserves a medal. Asking about the choices of running mates, and how those decisions demonstrate certain characteristics. Great, great question.
Biden versus Palin? I wonder who wins this debate... Biden fights on the side of working families, shares our core values, is a great legislator with a long list of accomplishments.
I can't wait to hear how McCain thinks that we've "gotten to know Sarah Palin." She saw corruption and she resigned? Why didn't she do something about it instead. McCain insists that she's a reformer, a "breath of fresh air." Riiiiiight... "Oh, and by the way..." Great segue into special needs children, McCain. Didn't see that one coming.
Obama dodges the question of whether or not Palin is ready to be Commander-in-Chief. He does, however, point out that McCain's spending freeze wouldn't allow for increased funding of research into Autism.
McCain insists that "spending more" isn't the answer; instead, we need transparency, accountability, and reform. Because all of those things will help fight autism, right? ...Right?
9:47 Schieffer! I hope he runs for President. A great question on the empty promises of "ending our dependence on foreign oil."
McCain ignores the climate-change side of the issue, and focuses entirely on the national security side.
Obama focuses us on the future of our economy. Borrowing money from China to buy oil from Saudi Arabia isn't a workable economic model. Growing the auto industry and growing solar, wind, and geothermal energies is the way to go.
McCain asserts that we must drill now. Doesn't really explain why, other than that we can. He also attempts to accuse Obama of not understanding the Latin American labor situation, and Obama promptly calls him out on it, showing off his Columbia education by discussing the details of Colombia.
9:56 And once more, McCain decides that his best strategy to win this debate is to repeat all the talking points that lost him and Palin the last 3. Now he's riffing (briefly) on sitting down with Chavez without pre-conditions.
Now we move on to healthcare. Obama claims the ability to lower costs and expand coverage. Thankfully, he's not lying, because it's entirely feasible.
Obama announces, "0," as "Joe" comes up again. Not a bit of taxes on healthcare benefits. McCain has been staring at Obama, mouth agape in surprise, for upwards of 20 seconds. Obama even offers him a 50% rebate if Joe offers his employees healthcare. Now he digs back into his bag of old tricks, and hits McCain again on his $5000 tax credit versus taxing healthcare benefits.
Best moment of the debate:
This has been the best debate so far, by far. Both these guys bought their game, but while Obama's game has become increasingly presidential throughout this race, McCain sounds dottering and bitter. He also won't let this idea of Obama "spreading the wealth" go quietly into the night. Nor will he retire his really awkward "gold-plated Cadillac insurance policies" phrasing, which obviously won him so much support in the last debates. He's also completely lying about the realities of healthcare coverage.
McCain still tries to frame this debate as government getting in the way of you doing it yourself. Classic ideology clash, but it's not gonna help McCain as long as Obama explains his stance carefully. Obama quotes the Chamber of Commerce as he undermines McCain's logic.
10:07 Schieffer brings up the under-appreciated issue of the Supreme Court (gotta love this guy). McCain refuses a litmus test, even on the Roe v. Wade issue. He also ABSOLUTELY 100% DISTORTS THE FACTS ON HIS GANG OF 14 ACCOMPLISHMENTS! Hold on, before I get to that, McCain just claimed that Obama voted not to confirm Justice Breyer, when Obama was 33 and still in Illinois. I think he meant Alito, or maybe this is just another one of Grampa Simpson's history lessons. McCain clearly pieced his history together "mostly from sugar packets." Now, as for the bi-partisan compromise, Republicans were trying to outlandishly end the ability of the Senate minority party to filibuster, and Democrats wanted to stop them. 14 members of the Senate avoided this showdown, but the Republicans were completely in the wrong on that issue, and McCain has no right to claim that the Democrats were trying to merely "block a majority vote."
Also, if anyone noticed, McCain just called Obama "Senator Government."
Obama, roughly agreeing with McCain, demands that his Supreme Court appointments be intelligent and thoughtful people, because there can be moral people on both sides of the abortion debate.
As the debate shifts to abortion, McCain calls out Obama for voting "present," and for standing in favor of partial-birth abortion. McCain's eyes go wide as Obama disagrees and tries to tell the truth. Obama voted against "life-saving treatment for infants" because there was already a law on the books, and it was because the bill contained no provisions in cases to save the mother's life that Obama voted against banning partial-birth.
McCain continues to use Obama's "eloquence" as an attack against him. I hate that sounding smart seems to connote lying in his eyes.
10:16 Schieffer, asking the last of his great line of questioning, wonders how our massive spending has failed to improve our quality of education.
Obama gives a history lesson, a classic Democratic talking point, looking to the need to invest in education in order to grow the economy in order to keep our nation strong and safe. And stressing the "safe" side of that, Obama calls for "an army of new teachers."
Ah, but just in case he sounded like he was erring on the side of government, Obama throws in a reference to parental responsibility.
But just in case anyone missed Obama's education platform, McCain is going to repeat it for him, stressing the need for charter schools and merit pay for teachers (exactly what Obama said 40 minutes ago). McCain, of course, accuses Obama of wanting to "throw money at the problem."
So, let me get this straight. McCain just said that he wants to increase education quality by doing away with qualifications and certifications for teachers? "Hey you! Want to teach? Here's a ruler, have fun."
Obama reprises his role as friend of the little guy and friend of local needs, focusing on the importance of local control of local school districts. He also reminds everyone that McCain completely agrees with him on two main points (probably because of the ear-piece that Obama's wearing that connects directly to my microphone...don't you see that hump on his back?).
And just in case Obama hadn't won the vote of every last college student yet, he hits McCain on believing that affordable college is a "special interest."
For the second time in this debate, McCain seems to suggest that Palin's child has Autism. Unfortunately, it's Downs Syndrome, but hey, it's not like the difference makes any difference to Senator McCain.
10:28 Now, we get our final statements (following a creepy, over-extended McCain laugh). McCain sounds tired and drained in this final statement, almost beaten. He doesn't have the feeling behind these words that he's had in the past, just like he's going through the motions.
Still, this was easily his best debate so far. It's a shame he lost it anyway.
Obama focuses the "risk" on embracing the same failed policies of the last 8 years, not any suspicion of his character and background. Also emphasizes "coming together," and echoes McCain by expressing the honor of serving.
I lied, Bob Schieffer's mom is the coolest. McCain is quite the jokester, faking to go around the table the wrong way (I thought he was falling at first).
Tom Brokaw declares "Joe the Plumber" is the winner. Great free advertising (assuming that's the name of his business, that is).
Terrific debate; McCain failed to change people's minds about Obama (although he started very strong), but both candidates looked much stronger than they had in their past two encounters.
--> Yesterday, the Dow continued its magical mystery tour by confounding all experts. After the biggest slump in the history of the stock market, the Dow climbed 936 points on Monday - its largest increase in history. This comes after the international community has announced increased cooperation in heading off this crisis. The stock market rally comes as great news to American investors, terrific news for American workers and their bosses, and fantastic news for John McCain. In the same way that the GOP has made its living off of fear-mongering about terrorism, the Democratic brand has thrived this election year thanks to fears of global depression. The less people are thinking about how to pay their bills instead of how Osama bin Laden is going to get them, the better McCain will do in the polls.
--> To be fair to Senator McCain, he apparently "loves being the underdog." The problem, of course, is that if you're still the underdog on November 5th, that means that the other guy already won. At a certain point, you can't remain the underdog and still win. Let's hope that Obama has some fear of the underdog, otherwise he will not survive (enter catchy trumpet part).
--> His 2nd place status certainly hasn't lowered McCain's spirits (at least not publicly). Foregoing the pre-debate tradition of lowering expectations, McCain forcefully declared, "I'll whip Obama's you-know-what!" I must say, it might just be a Freudian thing, but seeing the words "whip" and "Obama" come out of McCain's mouth so close together made me do a double-take upon my first glance at the article. Anyone who read my last entry might not be too surprised at my (sub)conscious association of McCain's campaign and racism.
--> On the bright side, McCain revealed today that he actually doesn't care about the Ayers issue. Funny, neither do any other Americans - maybe McCain can relate to the middle class after all. Of course, the Senator insisted on stating his position in classic Gone With the Wind form: “Very frankly, Dana, I don’t give a damn about an old unrepentant terrorist." I'm pretty sure that's how that movie ended, but I did fall asleep in the middle of the film - the South losing the Civil War isn't really an M. Night Shyamalan-level twist.
--> For anyone who's spent the last few weeks living in a cave (lookin at you, Osama), McCain's campaign is sort of floundering. That reality was no more apparent than in today's announcement that the campaign plans to offer extra incentive to Florida volunteers (because apparently merely getting McCain elected isn't good enough - talk about an enthusiasm gap). The Florida GOP is offering a chance to meet McCain or Palin to their best phone bankers and canvassers, and gas gift cards to any particularly eager supporters (or desperate people who are willing to sacrifice political ethics for filling up their SUV).
It looks like you can count Republican Governor Charlie Crist out of the competition. He doesn't even plan on doing much at all for McCain between now and Election Day - quite a sign of confidence.
--> It's also increasingly obvious that the GOP is concerned about their chances of holding any seats in the United States Congress. The RNC is considering tapping a $5 million line of credit in order to help save some of its incumbents who haven't quite drowned yet. Although they insist that money won't be pulled from the presidential efforts, Republican leaders have to think very hard about who is beyond help, and who might actually survive thanks to a timely influx of cash.
--> As it turns out, there might be one Democrat that a Republican candidate can beat this year. One would have thought that when Florida voters replaced disgraced Congressman Mark Foley (R-FL), they might have brought a bit of moral integrity to the state's 16th Congressional District. And while I suppose an extramarital affair is farther up the morality scale than pedophilia, I'm not sure how much comfort Florida voters will find in that fact.
Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL) reportedly agreed to pay $121,000 to a former mistress, as well as offering her a $50,000 per year job, in order to prevent her from suing him. This allegation certainly puts his political career in jeopardy. We'll see how this one plays out, but in this anti-Republican national climate, even an affair might not be enough to defeat a Democratic incumbent.
--> Meanwhile, Senator Barack Obama continues to utilize his campaign as a way of reaching out to young voters. And even Senator Obama knows that the best way to connect with college students is through video games (I'm sure he would receive confirmation were he to visit his alma mater now). With this in mind, the Obama Campaign has purchased advertising space within the Xbox 360 racing game Burnout Paradise. So as gamers race their cars through cities, they may very well pass billboards like this one:
I'd imagine that the Obama campaign's next move will be to start inserting Obama as a promising QB to be drafted in Madden NFL 2009.
--> Friday's big news was the release of Alaska's Branchflower Report. A bipartisan state legislative committee found that Governor Palin "abused her power" by firing Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. The report determines that Palin used her power as governor to pursue a personal vendetta against a state trooper. I can't imagine that anyone would still feel that she's capable of serving in the office of Vice-President. Then again, this news probably won't have any effect on the election polls, or even Palin's personal favorability ratings. After her continued public demonstrations of incompetence, anyone who still supported her would probably not be swayed by...facts.
The McCain campaign certainly did its part to get to the bottom of this investigation. McCain and Company came to a rational, unbiased determination that the bipartisan commission appointed by the Republican-dominated Alaska State Legislature was completely partisan and was serving as an organ of the Obama Campaign. For those keeping score, that makes the New York Times, the Alaska State Legislature, and the Truth all biased towards Obama.
Thus, McCain's unbiased investigation (released hours before the real report) determined conclusively that Sarah Palin did nothing wrong, and that everyone should simply stop asking questions. Thank you for uncovering the real truth, John McCain. Your commitment to honesty is unparalleled.
--> Meanwhile, Sarah Palin returned to her native land on Saturday night - a hockey rink. Expecting a warm reaction for "America's #1 Hockey Mom," campaign officials were apparently surprised that an arena filled with Philadelphians was not kind and respectful to the Republican VP candidate. Palin entered the ice, posed for pictures, and dropped the ceremonial first puck, only to be met with sustained booing for all 90 seconds that she spent on the rink.
The campaign really should not have been surprised by the response. And not just because Philadelphia sports fans are famous for booing everyone - they've turned against their own MVP shortstop, and even hurled snowsballs at Santa (at least according to legend). It's because the state of Pennsylvania has become increasingly futile territory for GOP presidential efforts...
--> The electoral math continues to look really bad for the McCain Campaign. Palin even scheduled a bus tour through West Virginia, a state that looked unwinnable for Obama just one month ago. This is the final 3 weeks of the campaign - a Republican spending time in a state like West Virginia is not a good omen.
--> Speaking of bad omens for the GOP, the Ghost of Conservatives Past has decided to haunt John McCain. Christopher Buckley, son of the great Conservative lion William Buckley, has decided to endorse Senator Barack Obama after deciding that the authentic John McCain has gone the way of the dinosaur. When the heir to your entire ideology turns against you, it might be time to take a look in the mirror and wonder where you went wrong (hint, it was when Steve Schmidt convinced you to substitute an unqualified person that reeks of gender pandering for your running mate).
--> Another reason to look in the mirror: when you show up at your political rallies, and realize that everyone is there cheering for you because they think the other guy is an Islamic terrorist. I hope that by now everyone has seen this video:
Well, the bigotted, divisive tone of the McCain-Palin rallies has only gotten worse since then:
The racism of McCain's supporters has actually become a campaign issue in itself. It actually got to the point on Friday where Senator McCain himself (admirably) attempted to halt the anger and baseless hatred. At a town hall meeting in Minnesota, a supporter told McCain that he was "scared" of an Obama presidency. McCain stressed that he believes that he would do a better job than Obama, but that Americans have nothing to worry about with Obama, who is a "decent person." Apparently, "decent" wasn't good enough for the crowd, who continued shouting "liar" and "terrorist" about Obama. In fact, one woman claimed that she couldn't trust Obama because he's an Arab. Upon hearing that, McCain retook the microphone and clarified, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab]."
I give McCain credit for sticking up for his rival on the campaign trail (although it still troubles me that America remains a place where Arab is an insult). I would never accuse McCain himself of this sort of ignorance and racism, although I apparently don't speak for everyone...
Lewis accused McCain and Palin of "sowing the seeds of hatred and division," and immediately generated harsh criticism from the Republicans' campaign. McCain's statement referred to Lewis' words as "shocking and beyond the pale."
Of course, it's not the presidential campaign itself generating this negativity (at least not just them). Just today, the Virginia State Republican Party Chairman Jeff Frederick gave thirty volunteers some talking points on how to convince undecideds they encountered during their door-to-door canvassing. He pointed out that United States Senator Barack Obama and terrorist Osama bin Laden "both have friends that bombed the Pentagon." My reaction to this is similar to past expressions of anger by Carlos Quentin and Kevin Brown, but instead of taking out my anger on inatimate objects, I'll just give you this:
--> To be fair, it's not just Republicans that are tying Barack Obama to Arab terrorists. Hundreds of Rensselaer County, NY residents received absentee ballots this week, only to discover that the Democratic ticket featured a mass-murderer instead of a U.S. Senator. Yes, that fateful "typo" caused hundreds of (thankfully) non-swing state voters to receive the option of McCain-Palin or Osama-Biden. Officials on both sides claim it was an honest mistake. However, I guarantee you that if I typed Obama 1000 times I wouldn't accidentally hit the instead of the b. That mistake is BS. There are several keys in between the correct B and the incorrect S, and I'd like to now demonstrate the infinitely more-likely mistakes that could have occurred if this was an honest typo: Obama, Ogama, Ovama, Ofama, Ocama, Odama, Oxama, Orama, Oeama, Owama, Otama, Ozama, Oaama, Oqama.
I hate the world. I'll leave you with the comforting thought (at least for Sarah Palin) that even if the GOP loses this year, Governor Palin can still go off and rule this college dorm.
9:00 And here we go. Brokaw's first question will probably sound like, "Senator Obama, which generation do you think was the greatest generation?"
This is a great first answer by Obama. Not filled with lots of specifics, but he's surprisingly good at this down-to-earth talking-to-the-people thing.
McCain sneaks in a burn on Obama's refusal to attend town hall debates with him over the summer. 1 minute in, and he's already a jerk. McCain is getting awfully close to Alan, the questioner. I'd be intimidated.
9:07 McCain declares, unnecessarily bitterly, that Tom Brokaw will not be his Treasury Secretary. Does he know what Ebay actually is?
Obama repeats the "fundamentals" comment again. I think it's falling flatter every time he uses it - it's time to move on. You gotta give him credit, though: he's on message. "95% of you get a tax cut."
9:14 McCain accuses the African-American questioner of not having any knowledge of the economy before this crisis. Maybe that's not what he meant it as, but McCain certainly seems feisty tonight.
Oh snap. "Now I've got to correct a little bit of Senator McCain's history (not surprisingly)." Buuuurrrrn. As Obama attacks McCain's deregulation stance, McCain gets up and starts aimlessly wandering the hall. Now he's sitting again, and what looks like doodling.
Phrases where Obama sneaks in "21st century" are a subtle reference towards him being a man of this century, and McCain being more knowledgable about the 1920s. Then again, I suppose McCain could use that to his advantage. "I know how to avert the Great Depression because I was there!"
9:18 McCain, apparently angry about Obama's "I too have a bracelet" comment from last time, announces, "I too wrote a letter."
The next question...was that English, or just Sarah Palin's mom? Obama claims "a net spending cut." Fact checkers, sharpen your axes.
McCain knows that the system in Washington is broken. He knows this because he has been there doing the breaking for 26 years. The peanut gallery in my apartment affirms that McCain walks like "a mechanical teddy bear."
Whoa, both of these guys are left handed.
9:26 Tom Brokaw is not taking any shit from either of these guys. And he gives a hilarious one-liner about their time deficit.
McCain is stuck on Obama's "overhead projector," clearly harkening back to his boyhood school days. I don't think those existed when McCain was in middle school, but the point remains. Good answer from McCain about "getting to work right away."
9:31 Obama talks about leadership, which of course is my big issue in this election. This country needs a leader, and that's what he gives us. McCain continues to wander around the background. Also a solid answer. Good work.
Obama hits on burden sharing, continuing his theme from his last answer. It's tough to win an election by telling people to do things they don't want to do, but this idea of everyone pitching in to make America better will probably resonate quite well.
9:35 McCain accuses Obama of "wanting to raise taxes." Apparently, McCain sees all liberals as wild animals who have this unstoppable craving/hunger for higher taxes. Then he acts like a HUUUUUUGE condescending ass and says, "I've got from news for you Senator Obama." Where does McCain come off accusing Obama of being out of touch??
Obama can't let the McCain tax-lies go, and ignores the question for about a minute. Good for him, because I hate when candidates try to hide behind the rules in order to lie.
9:41 McCain laughs at his own joke far longer than anyone else in the room. Then, after answering the question (like Obama did), McCain does exactly what he made fun of Obama for doing - going back to the earlier question.
Brokaw seems very uncomfortable with Section C. It's probably because they're behind him, so he hasn't gotten the chance to stare deep into their soul, as he has with every other member of the audience.
According to McCain, we need to alert the American people to the "danger that climate change opposes." McCain then repeats his favorite line of the night, "We can do it, we can build it." And now, I just realized who John McCain is channeling in this debate:
9:46 Tom Brokaw is being a complete asshole to both candidates, making fun of their inability to stay under time. Then he asks if we should develop a nuclear bomb to fight climate change...
McCain is sooooo condescending in this debate. I hope it doesn't play well with undecideds. He points at Obama and refers to him as "this one"? This isn't the Bozo the Clown Show!
9:51 McCain is absolutely lurking now, with a weird smile on his face. Is he just trying to buy extra screen time in a really creepy way?
McCain wants to reduce "medical errors...as they call them." He is so frickin stupid. I can't stand this man anymore. McCain makes a joke about his need for hair transplants. It was really awkward. No one in the audience even smirked. Government mandates scare Senator McCain. Kind of like dark rooms, rectal exams, and loud noises.
Obama now clarifies his position on healthcare, cutting through McCain's web of lies.
9:59 America - better than Jesus? Senator McCain think so.
McCain has a "record that he's willing to stand on." Personally, I'd like to stand next to my record, and not stomp on it. Then again, I don't have McCain's record. If I were him, I'd want to get it out of sight, too.
10:04 Brokaw asks a legitimately interesting question about policy on stopping genocide when it has nothing to do with national security. Obama thinks we are diminished by ignoring cruelty and ethnic cleansing, and although we "can't be everywhere all the time," we can "mobilize the international community."
McCain suggests a "cool hand at the tiller." Then he screams, "You'll get my tiller when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"
The welfare of our troops is McCain's first priority...right after that other thing. For those of you keeping score, that makes it his "second" priority. 10:10 Obama says no to coddling dictators. I would make fun of this "bold stance," if it wasn't actually contrary to current policy...
McCain quotes Petraeus so much, I think he might just give in and make him his new running mate.
Obama sarcastically compliments McCain for a little too long, and McCain thanks him for the kind remarks.
10:18 Unfortunately, Obama isn't wrong about the surge. It didn't, and still hasn't, worked.
We're now on to Russia, and advocating for including Eastern European countries in NATO.
Obama criticizes our "mischief" overseas. Odd term to say the least.
10:25 McCain gives a hearty handshake to a fellow veteran. Then goes hard on Iran, defending Israel from those extremists who want to "wipe them off the map." He also strongly advocates joining with our allies, in his proposed "League of Democracies" (not sure how formalized that would be).
And once more, he declares, pointedly, "I am anti-Holocaust." He and Palin keep repeating that line, and it's starting to unnerve me that there might be some question about that issue.
Obama talks about alternative energy as one way to decrease revenues in Iran (and thus hurt them). It's a pretty sideways (but effective) way to make his argument about alternative energy being a national security issue.
10:30 The final question is, as Brokaw notes, really weird. Obama is able to answer it using the word "scrimpin'," so I'm pretty sure he's just the outright winner of the debate.
McCain, like all of us, doesn't know the future. Neither does Obama, but I still think McCain's phrasing is funnier. His dad was away "doing our country's business." He manages to use the strangest phrasing this side of Sarah Palin.
Both candidates give really awkward waves, and the debate concludes.
As I predicted on Thursday, the gloves are coming off in the worst way. But first, let's take a look at what people think is the current state of the race.
--> Karl Rove now admits that, if the election were held today, Barack Obama would be the next President of the United States, based on current state polls. Thanks a bunch, turd blossom - no wonder everyone thinks you're so smart: you're able to recognize incredibly clear electoral trends mere weeks after the rest of the media does.
--> Meanwhile, that other reputedly brilliant campaign strategist, Sarah Palin, strongly disagrees with McCain's decision to abandon Michigan. In fact, I'm just positive that John McCain will heed her (clearly) well-reasoned advice, and make a U-turn and head straight for Michigan. Because he picked her for her expertise, you know, on electoral issues...and stuff...can we all please just admit now, for better or for worse, that she's in this race because of her breasts? I can't believe that any politician would be stupid enough to say something like this to the press. She won't change anyone's mind, and she's just giving legs to a story that only reflects negatively on McCain and his team.
--> Speaking of Palin, her fantastic debate with Joe Biden on Thursday night managed to pull in exceptionally high ratings. Check out Aden Nak for a fantastic look at how Sarah Palin prepared for her nationally televised confrontation.
--> The big story today is the big story for the next thirty days: things are going to get very ugly. This ugly: Or this ugly:
Point is, we're talking about hockey-level brutality. It's acceptable in Canada (maybe), but not here. Apparently, the McCain campaign has shifted to virtually 100% spending on negative ads. Which is good, because I never want to hear the words "original maverick," "prisoner of war," or "McCain" again. And trust me, none of us will, unless they're coming out of an Obama ad and being said by the most sarcastic man in the universe. Instead, we'll be hearing about Rezko, Ayers, and Reverend Wright - all of whom are issues that affect Americans (apparently).
--> Speaking of dirty issues, the New York Times did a little digging into Obama's relationship with 60s radical (and now respected educational reform advocate) Bill Ayers. They discovered that Obama plays down his ties to Ayers, but that the two men really don't have any close bonds other than living in the same neighborhood.
Of course, the moral of the story isn't what matters, it's the existence of the story about Ayers, which means the Republicans could milk it. Of course, it was published by the New York Times, which is an illegitimate, untrustworthy news source, so of course they can't possibly...I'm sorry, I've just received a memo from the RNC entitled, "The New York Times Sheds Additional Light On The Relationship Between Obama And Terrorist Bill Ayers." Nevermind. It would appear that the Times is only evil when it talks about McCain or Palin.
Palin, speaking yesterday, delivered some really hard hits against Obama, declaring, "These are the same guys who think patriotism is paying higher taxes. This is not a man who sees America as you and I do — as the greatest force for good in the world. This is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country."
I hate you.
I need to call a time out for a moment. Are there still any undecideds out there? And do any of them actually read this? Well, if you are still undecided, I want you to stop and ignore the issues for a second. On a personal level, on the issue of character, John McCain does not deserve to be President of the United States. He's someone who faced these sorts of attacks 8 years ago, complained about them then, and now uses dirty tactics like essentially accusing his opponent of sympathizing with terrorists. He's someone who allows vicious lies to be spread about his opponent, from accusations of supporting kindergarten sex ed to mis-categorizing his entire tax plan as a "tax hike." He even had the audacity and disrespect for the American people to choose a wholly unqualified woman for the office of the Vice-Presidency, merely as a political stunt to lock up his base. Sarah Palin herself even appears to have no respect for law and fairness, as she's deciding to (illegally) ignore all subpeonas on herself and her staff in a legitimate ethics investigation by the Alaska state legislature. John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin is an insult to women, and an insult to all intelligent Americans who believe that, if nothing else, the President of the United States should be ready to do the job. If John McCain has that little respect for all of us, then why should we make him our President?
Okay, that didn't convince you? Fine, go look at the issues. Now you must be either convinced or brain dead.
--> On the bright side, here's (once more) Tina Fey in the role of her life:
A college sophomore, I've been following politics religiously for the last 4 years. I do not mean these posts to come across as anything other than somewhat informative, but mostly entertaining. I'm like Jon Stewart but without the nice suits. Or the production value.
