When John McCain condemned the Tennessee GOP for playing the "Barack Hussein Obama" card it made sense. And lots of it.
His objection to this ad is more interesting:
First, if that is "offensive" then virtually all paid advertisements mentioning Jeremiah Wright are going to be off the table in McCain's view. Object to airing it? Fine; take the high road. "Offensive"? Please.
It serves as a reminder that McCain has often been more inclined to be publicly respectful to Democrats with whom he is competing than with his fellow Republicans in similar circumstances. Just another reason one isn't likely to see droves of grassroots volunteers turning out to work for his candidacy (though they can easily be drawn out on a state-by-state basis for races like Dino Rossi's).
Candidly, the North Carolina GOP should have waited until October - when the overall tone and mood of the campaign season is more feisty - to unleash this ad.
Posted by Eric Earling at April 23, 2008 09:46 PM | Email ThisCase in point: Congress is about to use tax monies to help out gamblers, crooks and imbeciles by buying depreciating assets:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awmqUj9eszaI&refer=home
"A U.S. House panel approved a measure to help states buy and refurbish foreclosed homes as lawmakers move to stabilize the U.S. real-estate market in the wake of the subprime-mortgage crisis.
The House Financial Services Committee approved creation of a $15 billion loan-and-grant program during a hearing today in Washington, sending it to the full House for its consideration. The program would focus on owner-vacated homes and split the funds evenly between grants and loans. "
2. There are real differences in how the two parties view a host of issues. If some think that a revamped Southern Strategy 2008 might work, they might be surprised. The race might end up being closer than many here think because far from being attracted, many might be repelled. People not only vote FOR candidates, sometimes they vote AGAINST candidates. In the Louisiana governor's race between Edwards and Duke, people weren't so much voting FOR Edwards, but AGAINST Duke. Posters here assume that Rev. Wright means voters will vote FOR Mc Cain or AGAINST Senator Obama. It depends on who is thought to be the greater evil.
3.The theory is this, Senator Mc Cain will be able to attract more votes by presenting a program for addressing the economic and other issues confronting the country. A 24/7 campaign against Rev. Wright will probably backfire because that is the type of campaign that should have been used just before an election. I know the current 24/7 camapign is to use William Ayres. Well, maybe you folks have a bone to pick with the University of Chivago, who hired him as a professor.
Right now, the democratic nominee is far from being known.
Posted by: WVH on April 23, 2008 10:05 PMBut if McCain has a weakness that the self-destructive Democrats can exploit, this is it. His inability to close the deal. He probably won't need to get down in the mud and roll like this though, because Hillary and Obama are taking care of the dirty politics for him.
But it's probably neither here nor there in the long run, because come November, there won't be an American alive over the age of fifteen who isn't abundantly clear about Obama's affiliation with Reverend Wright and William Ayers. And Obama is an arrogant fool. It's one thing to harbor inner anti-American feelings and a devotion to Marxism, and it's another thing for a presidential candidate to have made such a poor set of choices in his associations as to make those facts plainly obvious to all.
If Obama either did not understand why he must, or did not want to hide such awful people in his life, then he is definitely not fit to lead this country.
Posted by: Jeff B. on April 23, 2008 10:56 PMDon't get me wrong for one minute, I think Obama's ties to Wright and membership in his church are clear exhibits of a character problem, and an illustration that he's trying to play all sides of every aisle.. In other words, for being the "candidate of change" he reeks of typical "say what I need to to get elected" pandering politician to me. (Yeah, throwing Grandma under the bus was a nice touch)
..but to take that and try to use it as a brush to paint not just the candidate who associates with the likes of Wright and Ayers, but even any who dare to endorse the candidate is foolish. Just like a lot of conservatives who were so against McCain will (hopefully) "hold their noses" and vote for him, it's quite conceivable that people endorsing Obama don't necessarily have to agree with every word that his pastor said, or every aspect of his platform.
The point being, if the most substantive thing those NC GOP folks can come up with is a "guilt by association twice removed," that IS offensive, because it indicates that either the Republican candidates in that race have nothing better to offer, or the people running the ad are too lazy to treat voters with a bit of respect for their intelligence, instead going for the cheap hit with the shocking sound bite.
It's offensive because it represents the incredible levels of lowest-common-demoninator partisan stupidity that elections devolve into, and the fact that McCain doesn't pre-condition respectfulness based on what letter follows a person's title only helps to solidify him as the choice of independents who judge first by merit, with party affiliation as a secondary "lens" by which we can infer a bit more about whether the candidate really means what they say. We know that McCain isn't a toe-the-line Republican, and we don't care. We care that he represents a moderate-conservative position, while the Democrats still don't "get it" and again present a choice of "very liberal vs ultra-liberal."
Trying to run the NC GOP candidates against Rev. Wright makes as much sense as trying to run Gregoire vs Bush.
The longer Senator Clinton stays in, the more it looks like a brokered convention.
Also, Senator Obama has been endorsed by former Senators David Boren and Sam Nunn. Bill Ruckelhaus, a republican, has also endorsed him. Does Ruckelhaus get thrown out of the republican party and called a liberal, socialist, communist, or traitor? In your analysis, are all of these people traitors to this country or bigots because they endorsed Senator Obama? Neither Boren nor Nunn are known to be far lefties.
Posted by: WVH on April 23, 2008 11:12 PMSome endorse Obama because they strongly, understandably dislike Hillary.
Some want to go on record that they're really not racist. When in fact they are.
Why are democrats so fixated on race?
Posted by: TruthSquad on April 24, 2008 05:43 AMSome endorse Obama because they strongly, understandably dislike Hillary.
Some want to go on record that they're really not racist. When in fact they are.
Why are democrats so fixated on race?
Posted by: TruthSquad on April 24, 2008 05:43 AMSome endorse Obama because they strongly, understandably dislike Hillary.
Some want to go on record that they're really not racist. When in fact they are.
Why are democrats so fixated on race?
Posted by: TruthSquad on April 24, 2008 05:44 AMWhat is with you lately?
You are so hung up on race. I can see why people are getting fed up with your rants.
Gezz give the race bait talk a rest!
Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on April 24, 2008 06:28 AMIf this ad offended John McCain, then the Republicans will win in spite of him and not because of him in November.
He'd better start taking some testosterone shots or something for the remainder of the campaign, as this nice guy routine is getting old...and quick.
Thankfully, I've heard the NC RNC is not going to pull the ads despite McCains wish they do so.
gezzz
ummm yeah, and the Democratic nomination process is going flawless...
You mean Olbermann commented on something other than his man-crush on O'Reilly? Sorry, but I'll need actual video proof to believe that.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 24, 2008 08:58 AMProblem number 1: you listen to Olberman. Second: the ad was not the North Carolina Republican Party's attempt at running it's own presidential campaign. If you had actually watched the ad--not just listened to the spin from lefty MSM outlets--you would have realized it was centered aroud the NC Governor's race.
I wouldn't be surprised if the higher powers in the Democrat Party start moving to get Obama off the ticket. At this point he is starting to cause problems on down-ticket races. I think the D's are more interested in keeping control of Congress and state Governors' mansions and legislatures than they are of winning the White House--especially with a not-so-conservative candidate like McCain as the alternative.
Posted by: Devil Dawg on April 24, 2008 09:39 AMIt's like this. Some here can play the Rev. Wright tape 24/7 and be shocked, I tell you shocked that Rev. Wright uttered those words. Some here can think Little Black Sambo is great literature and no one is shocked. Some can call Blacks, pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers and no one is shocked. The next comment is I just don't understand why the republican party can't attract more than small town and rural voters, we just don't understand. Really? You folks are having a hard time winning in Mercer Island. Mercer Island? Darcy Burner, not the strongest candidate in the world has a good chance of knocking over Reichert. Maybe you and Rick D. can figure it out. What is it out your train of thought that is not enlarging the republican base. Any clues?
Posted by: WVH on April 24, 2008 10:16 AMHow does an ad invovling Rev. Wright and Obama have anything to do about the governor's race? It is plain and simple that some Republicans prefer Hillary as the weaker and more polarizing candidate and will do what they can to defeat someone who they fear in the fall. If they didn't fear Obama so much, why are they trying to help Hillary so much?
You are wrong about coattails issue. The one thing Obama has shown throughout the primaries is bringing new voters into the process, just the same way he brought new voters into the process in his Project Vote efforts in Chicago. Those new voters made a difference there, and can make a difference on the national front. This is not different than Rove's strategy in 2000 and 2004 to bring in new voters to win those race in swing states. When one has a polarized electorate, the only way to swing is to bring in new voters. The Republican party is missing the boat with the college age generation. Just as the Republicans did gain the college age generation in the 80's, they are losing this generation now. This is Hillary's problem and why she can't win in the fall. She doesn't get this generation and Hillary is depending on the old coalitions. You can't get a country to change by fighting the same losing battle each election. You need to change the demographics. Obama has focused his efforts throughout the primaries not just on winning the primaries, but building a new base that will make change possible. He didn't run to fight the same old battle.
Posted by: tc on April 24, 2008 10:18 AM1. In this country, it is not as much a fixation on race as it is part of the fabric of this society. This is what Secretary of State Rice said:
Rice hits U.S. 'birth defect'
By Nicholas Kralev
March 28, 2008
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a wide-ranging interview with reporters and editors yesterday at The Washington Times, says boycotting the Summer Olympics in China would be ineffective.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday that the United States still has trouble dealing with race because of a national "birth defect" that denied black Americans the opportunities given to whites at the country's very founding.
"Black Americans were a founding population," she said. "Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together -- Europeans by choice and Africans in chains. That's not a very pretty reality of our founding."
As a result, Miss Rice told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, "descendants of slaves did not get much of a head start, and I think you continue to see some of the effects of that."
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080328/FOREIGN/746301768/1003
I expect Army Medic and Rick D to ask for her to resign from the republican party and resign as Secretary of State.
This site is partisan. Who knew. People here cannot admit that both parties have had a sorry history on the issue of race. For the dems Senator Byrd, you have Strom Thurmond. For what you claim is the dem fixation on race, you have the Southern Strategy. It is still acceptable among many in your party to publically state that Blacks are pimps, prositutes, and drug dealers. That is a bigoted statement. What Rev. Wright and Rev. Hagee said were bigoted statements as well. Many republicans just have difficulty in admitting there was ever a bigot in their midst.
2. Devil Dawg
If Senator Clinton stays in to the convention. Neither she nor Senator Obama may be the head of the ticket. The superdelegates will decide what is best for them.
Posted by: WVH on April 24, 2008 10:29 AMWhat are Obama's acolytes afraid of? They didn't even bring up Rezko or his "friendly" associations with a Domestic Terrorist William Ayers in this ad.
Me thinks thou doth prostesteth too much.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 24, 2008 10:44 AMI think folks just want a fair process and to be able to discuss the issues, like the economy. There are a lot companies leaving this area and folks are losing jobs, that might be of interest.
Funny you should mention Rezko, did you catch this:
Ex-Bush Aide's Name Surfaces in Rezko Trial
ABC News - Apr 23, 2008
By JUSTIN ROOD and MELISSA MURPHY A possible witness in the federal trial against Antoin "Tony" Rezko would testify that former White House aide Karl Rove ...
White House Influence Is Cited in Corruption Trial New York Times
Feds: Blagojevich administration tried to have US attorney ousted Chicago Daily Herald
Rezko Trial Witness Says Rove in on Talks to Remove US Attorney in ... FOXNews
all 198 news articles ยป
Siegelman: Rove 'hijacked' the Dept. of Justice to win elections
Raw Story, MA - 22 hours ago
If you just appointed the right US Attorneys, you could accomplish the same thing and more. And the second thing
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=us+attorneys+++++karl+rove&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=4&ct=title
Looks like Rezko may sink more than one pol unless you think every thing Rove ever did was legal. Could that be why Ruckelhaus has endorsed Obama in Indiana. Remember he came out of Watergate.
With that logic, it's not important that the school investigates whether the teacher they're going to hire is a pedophile, only that he's able to teach the cirriculum outlined by the school. Ignorant in it's simplicity wouldn't you agree Dr.? A bad habit exhibited by linear thinkers like yourself.
As for the Rezko/Rove straw man you threw out....Karl Rove will need to address this issue with North Carolinians the next time either he or President Bush are on the ballot in that state.
Since that isn't going to happen in our lifetimes, the point is moot.
Anymore circular logic questions Wilda?
Posted by: Rick D. on April 24, 2008 11:22 AMNo, it is not ignorant simplicity. Those two great sages Paul Begalia and James Carville had this phrase which was copied over and over, "It's the economy, Stupid." Remember that?
Now, this straw man lexicon, all you shruggies like to use. Didn't you first bring up the Rezko connection? Guess what, Rezko and cronies in order to save their butts, are going to throw quite a few folks under the bus. Wonder if Rove is one of them? No, he won't have to address the issue next time he is on the ballot, Rickie. Rove HAS TO GET Senator Mc Cain elected and a justice department that won't pursue investigations. If in any dem gets elected, your boy, Rove is doing the frog walk. So, Rove will be working more than overtime on this election. Still, Fitgerald has his job until the next prez, wonder what he could do between now and January? Be careful of bringing up Rezko, slimes like him ususally grease both sides of the street.
Posted by: WVH on April 24, 2008 11:38 AMObama can't wipe his feet of all the crap he's stepped in since entering Chicago politics no matter how hard he or his surrogates like yourself attempt to do so. Remnants of Rezko, Wright and Ayers are going to stick to Obama's sole all the way up till Novembers elections so get used to it. Smell that? Me too.
This is the vetting process for Senator Obama
and the American electorate is deserving of knowing who their candidate is. Since Mr. Obama refused to get out in front of these landmines earlier, it's only fitting he walk the minefield for the next 7 months.
Now that he has decided to run away from Senator Clinton in the debates, I think we see the kind of 'Leader' he would make in the highest office in the land..... i.e. No leadership. If you're afraid of Senator Clinton and Fox News Network, how can we trust you to take on N.Korea and Iran when they make threats?
His aides pulling him out from under the desk in the oval office in order to make a decision doesn't seem to be very presidential now does it, Ginny?
Bowling anyone??
Posted by: Rick D. on April 24, 2008 12:01 PMMcCain and the RNC have absolutely ZERO control over the NCGOP. Get that? NONE.
His "condemnation" of this and the following ad campaigns like this gives him cover while doing nothing to impact the message. That is his strategy from the get-go.
He will, no doubt, "condemn" many ads run on his behalf, and many ads WILL be run on his behalf, given the target rich environment the democrats have provided as they set about to spend hundreds of millions of dollars so they can lose this race. But the IMPACT of those ads will not be lessened in any way.
This way, literally, he can both have his cake and eat it by giving himself deniability, and keeping himself out of reach of the democrats who will attempt... and fail... to blame him for the independent expenditure ads that will be swamping the airways, newspapers and mail boxes of America.
His "condemnations" will keep him above the fray... but will make little to no difference to the recipient of the "condemned" message.
Posted by: hinton on April 24, 2008 12:03 PMRally Gains Momentum- AP
A drop in weekly unemployment claims, a stronger dollar and stronger-than-expected results from Ford Motor Co. helped lift stocks.
Wall Street advances after drop in jobless claims - AP
Crude oil closed $2.22 lower
Stronger Dollar Boosts Stocks- AP
All three of the major indices remain more than 1.0% higher.
Jobless, Durables Data Ease Economic Jitters- Reuters Ford Swings to $100M Profit in 1Q, Beats Wall Street- AP
Microsoft Preview: Street Expecting Strong Quarter- Tech Ticker
Arby's owner buying Wendy's for $2.34 billion stock deal - AP
ConocoPhillips 1Q profit up 17 pct. on higher oil prices - AP
Safeway 1Q profits up 11 percent, beating expectations - AP
Ensco International 1Q profit jumps 17 percent, beats Street - AP
Unlike 1Q, Apple shares rise after 2Q report - AP
LSI jumps as 1Q profit beats Wall Street expectations - AP
EW Scripps 1Q earnings up on higher ratings, ad sales - AP
Yesterday our portfolio was over 3K, today another $1900...so far... we've advanced far above the recent drop.
"It's the economy, Stupid."
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on April 24, 2008 12:34 PMThis is the link to give the NC Party a ten spot to keet the add on the air.
Posted by: JDH on April 24, 2008 12:37 PMI must have scored some points which you couldn't answer because you highlight my name when you are losing the argument.
As for stepping in all the crap, well, Rove better use every dirty trick in the book to get Senator Mc Cain elected because do you think he would look good in prison pjs? Rove is up to his ear lobes in crap for subverting the justice department and directing investigations of opponents from the White House. Let's see so, far there is Sieligman in Alabama and a judge in Mississippi. Investigating opponents, what type of local thugs are good at that? You working for Rove, Rickie?
Glad I scored some points. All you can do is threaten, and attempt to intimidate.
The election, no matter who is the dem nominee will be closer than you thugs can ever imagine, simply because the choice will be not on the issues, but on who people want in office. Too bad you jerks aren't capable of running on issues, you might actually have some success.
You are thugs who attempt to intimidate and that alone wins the opposition votes.
Glad I'm scoring points.
Posted by: WVH on April 24, 2008 10:07 PMHow is the pirate business and saving folks from the IRS going? Economists could battle until the cows come home. The economy will matter if voters feel that there is a recession and they are not confident of their future. The question is which party do they trust to handle the economy.
"
Recession Watch 2008 Full coverage
Greenspan: Recession chances '50% or better'
Former Fed chairman, speaking at Houston conference, also promotes nuclear power and electric cars.
Fortune's Andy Serwer talks with former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan about the credit crunch and what it means for the housing market.
Play video
Alan Greenspan said Thursday there is at least a 50% chance that the United States will enter a recession.
HOUSTON (CNNMoney.com) -- Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said Thursday there's at least a 50% chance the United States will slip into recession, and that the storm clouds over the economy won't clear until home prices bottom out.
Greenspan, speaking at the Cambridge Energy Research Associates' annual energy conference in Houston, said that what may derail the economy are tightening credit markets and a potential slowdown in consumer spending sparked by defaults in the real estate market.
"We're clearly on the edge, it's 50% or better" chances the economy will slip into recession, he said.
If it weren't for the fact that business were so well-supplied with capital - thanks to the low interest rates over the last several years - he said the economy would already be in recession.
Greenspan said things won't look brighter until real estate prices stop falling and banks figure out how much money they lost - only then will they be willing to step up lending again.
He didn't say when that might be, but added "I think we've got a long way to go. This type of problem will fester."
http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/15/news/economy/greenspan/
So, if you know where the economy is headed and how it will look in October, you are better than Alan Greenspan and the Fed should hire you.
Menawhile, it is the economy, STUPID.
Posted by: WVH on April 24, 2008 10:21 PMApr 25, 12:05 AM (ET)
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
(AP) The finances of many states have deteriorated so badly that they appear to be in a recession, regardless of whether that's true for the nation as a whole, a survey of all 50 state fiscal directors concludes.
The situation looks even worse for the fiscal year that begins July 1 in most states.
"Whether or not the national economy is in recession - a subject of ongoing debate - is almost beside the point for some states," said the report to be released Friday by the National Conference of State Legislatures....
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080425/D908LIN80.html
Now as for the Copying and pasting may I suggest you learn HTML so you can save the font and just
link to the site rather than post half of the article before you give the link?
Yeah. That'd be great.
Why the obsession with Rove anyway? He only goes onto the news channels and tells both Hillary and McCain how to beat the empty suit you're supporting. In fact, your candidate is looking pretty sad these days with him getting embarrassed by Clinton in the debates and then again in the Pennsylvania voting, followed by scurrying away from debating Mrs. Clinton in the upcoming states of OR,IN,KY,WV, etc. How come your candidate is afraid of Hillary or is it because he disrespects the people in the states I just mentioned?
Famous quotes:
"May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country!" ~Daniel Webster
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis
"The cement of this union is the heart-blood of every American." ~Thomas Jefferson
"Can I just eat my Waffle?"~ Barack Obama
Okay, so that last one didn't quite measure up like the others....but Americans will let him know that in November should he be the Dem Candidate.
Cheers.
Posted by: Rick D. on April 25, 2008 05:48 AM