All-purpose response to any statement coming out of the McCain campaign
The only professional journalistic response to anything the McCain campaign says until they stop lying about the Bridge to Nowhere, stop lying about Obama's tax plan, stop lying about and Obama's record on the sex education in schools, and the list goes on, is
"Did McCain just make that up?"
Labels: politics
posted by Edward_ at
2:53 PM
15 Comments:
McPalin
And a loud, non-evangelical amen to your McCain comments.
Yep. Andrew Sullivan is blogging relentlessly about this. Is anyone else, do you know?
Doesn't matter Obama already lost the campaign. He had to run an absolutley perfect one to win, but blundered terribly at the church debate and DNC. It ass kissed the Democrats themselvse, instead of showcasing their agenda for the entire country, outside of party affiliation. The middle is where the election will be won. A third of the electorate is not Democratic or Repbulican. At least half of that is crazy fringe groups, Libertarins, Green, Peace and Freedom, other one issue groups.
that leaves about 10-15% in a few states that will decide this. Ohio, Pennsylvania, rust belt states that are short sighted and go with Republicans in Presidential elections over one issue items, such as abortion, When they are the ones hit the worst by a bad econmy. Which is the issue, that and health care, and most of all the deficit neither candidate will address.
Whoever is President must let the Bush tax cuts die in 2010, and go back to Clinton era tax brackets, not overtaxing the rich, to give tax cuts to the middle class. But in a tijme of war, to cut taxes is inexcusable, never been done before in the history of mankind. And we are paying for it by being bought by China through bonds to pay taht deficit, while we are dealing from a position of weakness with the future isues of globl warming and the end of cheap energy and commodities.
No tax cuts for anyone, once this recession is over, which will take at least until 2010. We are far from done, been preaching this for years. It was obvious in coming, there are always recessions, but we made this one terrible by bad policy, and now NO liberal issues can be funded, not til the economy is sound again. At which point a Republican will be elected to fuck it up again. S and Ls under daddy Bush, subprime disaster to mainline banks this time. We never learn.
but Obama showed weakness, feeling for others, explaining positions, when he should have been decisive, showed leadership, had balls,say no to those who oppose, and then explained the situation after decisions were made. Thats his job as chief executive, the Congress makes the laws.
And wil be bad for black america, his election would help get rid of the excuse and ball and chain that has held it back, that the white man wont give them a chandce. Now, for around 20% of the white population this is damn true, and much of the middle will do whats in their best interest, the law of 20-60-20. Only 20% will do the right thing whether it is in their personal benefit or not, same with liberals, blacks, latinos, gays, cops, teachers, whatever. But one msut try to get ahead, take what is there, and build upon it. It can and often can be done, but will not rise to the same level of an equal white male, thats jsut hhow it is for now, but we only get one shot at life, we must go for it, and never quit. there is enough, and the more that make it, the more others can too. Atlanta is the capital of black America, adn many good jobs, but muchof the rest is very, very bad. Little opportunity, but people must move to where the jobs are, Right now, there are none.
But especially black men have used it as an excuse not to try, american blacks, Foreign blacks come here to make it like all others, but our youth wants all or nothing, and far too often gets just that, nothing,. Americans overall the last two generations lazy as hell, spoiled soft. Those days are over. Immigrants run our economy, people who will work hard for whatever hours to make it. Natives have turned soft and decadent. Times are changing. Strength of mind, body, and soul are needed to get through this, Survival must be our keystone. We msut build again, and art must step up. It has failed, miserably. Time to grow up America.
Art academia delenda est
If McCain wins it will probably be tight, and the follow-up will be a huge web photo chain of sort with people saying "We're sorry...We tried...".
The question is: America, will you suffer an 8 year of McCain or finally...Evacuate!!
Cedric C
well, I think (hope) it will be a bit tight, If you know what I mean.
I have a feeling he's "already" come through.
In the comments to Ed's post Impressive (about Obama's win in the Iowa caucuses) I said...
Prediction: It’s all over, Obama will be the next president.
The real question is who gets to be vice-president?
1/04/2008 11:18:00 AM
We know who gets to be vice-president, Joe Biden, and I stand on my prediction that Obama will be the next president. This doesn't mean the Democratic party should become complacent, the Republicans have a proven ability to fight an underhanded battle.
Over 38 million people watched Barack Obama's acceptance speech. Sarah Palin is receiving a post convention burst of news coverage, she's the new kid on the block but she is not running for President, McCain is. By the election date, this infatuation will have died down and if the Democrats can turn out the vote, Obama will win by a landslide.
Gloria Steinem wrote a great op ed piece for the LA Times. Did you see it?
Here's the link:
http://www.latimes.com:80/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,2288253.story
There needs to be an tv ad made with McCain saying his own pig comment about Hillary-- with sarcastic narrator.
A still frame will suddenly appear zooming outwards, (freezing on unflattering image of McCain with his eyes closed), against black background... "Et tu, John McCain?"
So there's the first way to combat the tide.
Republicans didn't flinch once when they used Dukakis in the tank, Willie Horton, Swift Boats, etc.. The list goes on and on and on.
At the end of my rant I'm including a list of blogs for us to start commenting on.
I feel it does us absolutely no good whatsoever to keep talking amongst ourselves, (the vast majority here are not going to be voting for McCain) because we're preaching to the choir, converting the converted.
Each of us can do our part.
I for one need to become brave enough to contact the people I grew up with and start a dialogue, even if it means being shunned-- (CENTRAL FLORIDIANS, FFA members, dixie flag bumper sticker owners, mudboggers, ranch owners, Alaskan summer vacationers).
All of us have people on our Facebook who kept up the Barbie and Ken routines after high school and bought into the package deal.
It's interesting how so many of us here in the art community aren't native New Yorkers originally-- lots from small towns, the south, the midwest, upstate New York, the rustbelt-- and we came here specifically to get away from the small town mentality/Christian values/Americana/WonderBread chokehold.
But our absence in leaving these communities behind makes us eternally vulnerable, because we do not go back.
They will continue to outnumber us, even as millions of us cluster in safety here in the city, or a blue state comfort.
Visits home are necessary, as are remaining calm through our discourse with these people.
No swearing, no preconceived judging of them, but making them understand what it's about outside their communities.
I lived my entire life until college knowing only ONE Jewish family-- and they were Southern Baptist. (Think that one over for a second).
My town had ONE gay couple who opened a restaurant downtown. They were considered a "curiosity" by most of the townfolk. Still, their numbers were only two in a town of 7,000. (I know I'm probably wrong in that estimation, and there's probably more in that number, but where I came from, everyone knew everyone's business. It's a pitiful reality of that world to this day.)
Exposure to differences is the only way to change things. These millions of Americans literally do not know anything outside of what they know as everyday. Call it the Applebee's effect. Try to buy some Tibetan momo anywhere from Tampa to Orlando-- I dare you.
Below is a list of blogs I'm going to start with (I am in no way, shape or form kidding-- these will be the deciding voters in this election, those who are sitting on the pole, independents, fringe elements-- libertarian, etc.)
http://auntybelles.blogspot.com/
(has her shotgun ready to fire, writes like Faulkner, and will probably make her vote "against Obama" but not FOR anyone. Just let her be is her mentality.)
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/
(interesting guy here-- in his "about" section he says he's originally from South Africa, got involved in anti-Apartheid movement; lived in cities for years, was more liberal; but has now refound his inner redneck-- will be voting for McCain, but he looks convertible.)
http://donklephant.com/
(covers both parties and blog is apparently dedicated to taking the middle ground)
http://amyproctor.squarespace.com/
(Admitted Palin didn't do that great in tonight's interview; overall she sounds like a Palin lipstick mafia member-- but remember, those types turn on each other quite easily. Find a way to enter her backyard.)
http://blackindependentvoter.blogspot.com/
(another huge factor in the final vote tally will be the religious and social conservative African American contingent; with the percentages as they are, every single vote counts-- and their numbers will be huge)
http://www.myrepublicanblog.blogspot.com/
(This self-proclaimed "DRAGON LADY'S" rheumatism is acting up, so she's not really into continuing to blog. But one of her last posts was interesting about "Christians" should do xxx by voting Republican. The best offense always with "Christians" is to keep up with biblical references to support your argument back. For instance, you need to be ready to quote back with researched references.
Jesus on war--Matthew, Chapter 26, Verse 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
I've always found when someone comes back with an Old Testament quote, you can silence them by saying "Jesus was the word made flesh." They will almost always stop the argument, because it's difficult for them to argue from that point.
I know I've gone on forever, but we've lost multiple, multiple elections because we continue to play safe and do the "They're not playing nice thing."
They're not going to play nice.
So it's time to enter their realm, but with a professional manner.
I myself am starting with the Born Again Redneck blog. Seriously.
Oly
PS-- I also think the biggest factor in this election is the Catholic vote. I encountered a nun in Tarrytown, Sister Mary Claire, the day after Palin was chosen. She was ecstatic about the abortion issue finally being brought to the forefront. I should have called her out directly on her own obvious lack of valuing life except for those who poop their pants, but I remained silent. Instead, I started an anti-baby comedy blog out of frustration. It's hard, but I guess we need to let go of the fear of what others might think-- that was a prime opportunity for me to address a voter who just might be a decider in this election.
Thanks for the food for thought, Ed.
Olympia,
Great train of thought there... Guess I will go to the blogs you mentioned also, but I think the bigger punch needs to come from the Obama campaign.
If Obama does not come out swinging now, THIS ELECTION WILL BE LOST. Especially after the absolute lies propagated by the ‘kindergarten sex ed’ ad produced by the McRove camp - one does not keep quiet. If however, Obama continues to walk around with a sense of morality first, it will only be sign of weakness, not greatness.
Tim Wise's latest opinion piece:
This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise
9/13/08
For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll “kick their fuckin' ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.
White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.”
White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.
White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you. White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful.
White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist.
White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.”
White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.
White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America.
White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.
White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a “light” burden.
And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.
White privilege is, in short, the problem.
Tim Wise is the author of White Like Me (Soft Skull, 2005, revised 2008), and of Speaking Treason Fluently, publishing this month, also by Soft Skull. For review copies or interview requests, please reply to publicity@softskull.com
The Democrats support big government while at the same time using the politics of fear to make the public wary of big government. It has long amazed me how they can be one and both at the same time and people continue to fall for it. If you have not noticed big government tends to restrict and censor artists, exhibits, and cut financial resources to the arts. Think of the NEA Four. That case happened with a Democrat president in office and a Democrat controlled congress. The Democrats could have stopped it but instead they just put pressure on the NEA to stop given money to individual artist. And that is because big government tends to restrict and censor artists. Republicans have been behind the creation and expansion of most of the major museums of art in this country. Look it up for yourself.
The Democrats support big government
Then I suppose that makes Bush the biggest Democrat of our lifetime, doesn't it? Do some reading on how large the government has grown under Bush and get back to us. Here are some places to start:
Despite Bush's Credo, Government Grows
Bush the Budget Buster
Bush/McCain Legacy by the Numbers
Much of that growth and expense happened because of the war and the positions and resources needed during war. The war on terror or whatever poetic name you wish to give it could have been prevented had Clinton focused on border security and actions against terrorist cells early on. Even he has regrets about that. Historically Democrats have increased big governments role in the US.
Much of that growth and expense happened because of the war and the positions and resources needed during war.
I like vodka in my Kool-Aid...but whatever you've added to yours must be better. Do tell.
Much of that growth and expense was unnecessary. The invasion of Iraq was part of Bush' agenda long before 9/11, yet he pushed through his tax cuts anyway. It was irresponsible, anti-conservative, and ultimately IMO anti-American
To blame 9/11 on Clinton, when Bush had 9 months to correct any border security or other security failings, but didn't, is to suggest you're not interested in an honest discussion to my mind.
Historically Democrats have increased big governments role in the US.
That's the GOP's talking point, but since Reagan, it's simply not been true comparatively. Read "Republicans Become the Party of Big Government."
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