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Hug It Out: Top 20 Embraces From the Presidential Campaign

CitizenSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:02:43 -0800

The 2008 Presidential campaign is over, and while it wasn't all champagne kisses and caviar dreams, there were some pretty phenomenal embraces from the candidates and their families and friends. Some squeezes showed honest and sweet support, while others seemed to be manufactured for the camera. Here's a look back at the best of the best.

McCain Says Palin Is the Next Gen of Leadership: True?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:30:00 -0800

Last night Senator John McCain visited The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to honor Veteran's Day and talk shop about his postcampaign life. When asked about Sarah Palin McCain said he "couldn't be happier" with his choice and believes Palin will play a "big role in the future of our country."When pressed further McCain said he believes Palin is among a group of young Republican governors and senators who will become the next leadership of the Republican party. Do you think he's spot on, or is he giving his running mate too much credit too soon?

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McCain Says Palin Is the Next Gen of Leadership: True?

I think he's right. Sarah Palin brought great passion and attention to the campaign.

I think he's off base. It's way too soon to gauge her long-term influence on the GOP.

Something else. See my comment below.

Front Page: Iran Claims to Test Missile Within Israel's Reach

CitizenSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Iran announced today that it tested a new surface-to-surface air missile, adding that it is ready to defend itself against an attack. — Reuters
John McCain will go to Georgia tomorrow to push for Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, who is stuck in a tight race there with a Democratic challenger. Three Senate races, in Georgia, Minnesota, and Alaska, have yet to be called. If they go Democrat, the party will significantly widen its majority in Senate. — USA Today

Lobbyists will be restricted from participating in President-elect Barack Obama's transition to the White House. Under self-imposed ethics restrictions, Obama will not allow lobbyists to work in areas in which they have worked for clients in the last year.— New York Times
The US and Russia will begin talks on nuclear proliferation tomorrow, working toward a new treaty to replace the expiring Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The Bush administration also is planning to minimize Russian objections to a US missile defense program in Europe. — Associated Press

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Briefing Book! McCain Gets FEC Audit, Obama Gets a Pass

LibertySugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Campaign Finance: Winner's luck? FEC to audit McCain's campaign but not Obama's. — Donklephant
Lieberman: Lieberman off the hook? Obama camp says "we don't hold any grudges. — Talking Points Memo
Culture: Are the culture wars over? Some evidence that they are not. — Red State
Jobs: Which country has the most employed mothers? Take a guess! — SavvySugar
Military: Why are there any holdouts? New survey shows that 79 percent of nonserving Americans hold a favorable view of the military. — 23/6

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What Should McCain Do Now? Dems Say: Mediate Standoffs

CitizenSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

So what's Senator John McCain to do following his concession to President-elect Obama? Go back to work, of course.

Word is John McCain started addressing his next move and role in the Senate yesterday with his top aides after offering Obama his "goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together."

According Newsweek, Democrats want McCain to "mediate solutions to partisan standoffs on key legislation as he did to help avert a constitutional meltdown over judicial confirmations in 2005." Yesterday, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer said there is a need for "old John McCain, a leader who worked in a bipartisan way."

On the flip side, Republicans are apparently reaching out to keep him in an effort to maintain tight Republican ranks during the next Congress. What do you think McCain should do now, and to what extent do you think he will carry out his promises to Obama?

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Rumors Fly After Election: Which One Shocks You More?

LibertySugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Now that the election has ended, members of the campaigns aren't quite as tight lipped. It's like getting a retroactive backstage pass when happy, or disgruntled, aides start revealing happenings that didn't make the talking points or headlines. The latest issue of Newsweek takes a look at the secret battles waged on the path to the White House, and the private events are a doozy! Of these leaks featured in the expose, which one surprises you the most?Source

Rumors Fly After Election: Which One Shocks You More?

Palin spent more than reported. An aide described it: "Hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus."

A "foreign entity" hacked both camps' computers, likely seeking international policy info.

McCain himself rarely spoke to Palin during the campaign.

The Secret Service gave Obama reports showing increased threats in Sept. and Oct.

Palin started the William Ayers attacks before the campaign had finalized a plan.

Palin greeted top advisers wearing only a towel, during the RNC.

Geographically challenged Palin did not know Africa was a continent, not a country.

After losing, Hillary Clinton had a long and friendly phone chat with McCain.

Briefing Book! Palin Not Going to Participate in Negativity

LibertySugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Palin: The antidiva? Palin apologizes for any votes she cost John McCain. — Townhall
Legacy: President Bush's Legacy? President Obama. — 23/6
Comedy: Tears of joy or faux-sadness? Stephen Colbert tears up after Obama announced President-elect. — Huffington Post
CNN: Did you see CNN's hologram technology? It was freaky and amazing! — geeksugar
GOP: Lessons in defeat? Losses in 2006 and 2008 should prompt some soul-searching. — Donklephant
Congress: Could have been worse? Republican train wreck perhaps not as bad as expected. — Politico

John McCain Concedes, Offers Support to Obama

CitizenSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:35:00 -0800

John McCain conceded less than 30 minutes after polls closed on the West Coast tonight, saying he had already called Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him on his historic win. In a speech made to his supporters in Arizona, McCain expressed his sympathies that Obama's grandmother did not live to see her grandson elected and offered goodwill to the president elect.

Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help and lead us through the many challenges we face. I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next President our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together.

McCain went on to tell supporters it is "natural to feel some disappointment. Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours." Love him or hate him, what did you think of McCain's speech?

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In Pictures: McCain, Obama, and Americans Everywhere Vote

CitizenSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:15:02 -0800

Election-day fever is sweeping the nation, with experts predicting record turnout. From Phoenix to Chicago, Ohio to New Hampshire, voters are experiencing long lines — but as you'll see, they're sticking around to cast their ballots. Take a look as John and Cindy, Barack and Michelle, Joe and Jill, Sarah and Todd, Bill and Hill, and citizens everywhere make their choices.

Who Did You Vote For?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:05:35 -0800

Source

Who Did You Vote For?

Senator Barack Obama

Senator John McCain

I voted for a third party or independent candidate.

I didn't vote.

What Do You Think Will Happen Tomorrow?

LibertySugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:28:25 -0800

Polls indicate that Barack Obama is set to become the next president of the United States. But we all know that a lead in notoriously volatile polls only guarantees the opportunity to experience an embarrassing upset.John McCain's path to the White House is narrow: he must win all the states Bush picked up in 2004, or capture a big enough Kerry state to make up for a loss. But thanks to a recent tightening in the polls, a McCain win appears in reach. After almost two years of campaigning, a less-than-dramatic finish could be anticlimatic. If an extreme outcome is in store, do you think the 2008 election will end in a landslide like the 1936 election, when Franklin D. Roosevelt won 523 votes to Alf Landon's eight? Or will it be similar to the 2000 fiasco, which ended 36 days after election day? Source

What Do You Think Will Happen Tomorrow?

Obama wins in a landslide.

Obama wins in a nailbiter.

McCain wins in a close upset.

McCain wins in a surprise landslide.

Other. I'll tell you on the comments.

Obama and McCain Compete For Unlikely Swing State: Arizona

LibertySugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Barack Obama hasn't been directing many resources to Arizona all along, but the campaign still thinks they have a good chance of winning McCain's home state. The last candidate to lose his state was Al Gore; Tennessee didn't go blue for its native son.

This past weekend the Obama camp asked supporters to donate money to help expand efforts in "new battlegrounds" including Georgia, North Dakota, and Arizona. But with surely enough money to get started before new funds came in, Obama began airing ads in Arizona on Saturday. In addition, Howard Dean is spending his last day before the election campaigning in McCain's home turf.

As of now, polling shows McCain ahead in Arizona by anywhere from five points to as close as one point. During the last few days before the election both candidates have been campaigning hard in states their parties lost in 2004. Do you think there could be some surprises tomorrow?

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Live From New York — It's John McCain!

LibertySugar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:00:00 -0800

With only days to go until election day, John McCain did what he could to get the SNL bump. While Barack Obama paid millions to appear on major networks during primetime last Wednesday, John McCain and Tina Fey, as Sarah Palin of course, opened Saturday Night Live by hosting a QVC sketch. The original maverick pitched pork knives (to cut the pork) and (blank) commemorative plates to help customers remember the 10 joint town-hall debates Barack Obama did not attend.

McCain came back later during Weekend Update, receiving a mixed reaction from the audience. Were the free sketches worth more than the Obama infomercial, or did it all just make a joke of the campaign too close to voting? Check out the shopping channel appearance — there's even a Heidi Montag shout-out, and a surprise guest!

Sarah Palin to Blame If John McCain Loses?

LibertySugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

A new poll shows that 59 percent of surveyed voters believe Sarah Palin is not ready for the job of vice president. The rise in Palin doubt surely is weighing on the Republican ticket, as one-third of voters also said the VP pick would be a major factor in their voting decision. Yesterday, ex secretary of state and strong McCain supporter Lawrence Eagleburger offered a gloomy assessment of Palin's ability to step in for McCain saying: "I devoutly hope that (she) would never be tested." Meanwhile, even harsher criticism is coming allegedly from inside the McCain camp. This week reports broke that "top advisers" inside the campaign had said Palin was "going rogue," and described her as a "diva" and a "whack job." But, of course, the McCain/Palin ticket could still end up in the White House. If the reported name calling by top advisors is true, the next four years could prove to be a little awkward. Then again, winning might help rewrite campaign history. Source

Sarah Palin to Blame If John McCain Loses?

Yes. How can he win if his running mate ignores the campaign strategy?

No. He's the one who chose her, so the buck stops with McCain.

No way. She has helped the ticket by being herself and by energizing the base.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

McCain Funded Palestinian Professor He Now Ties to Obama

LibertySugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

This week the McCain ticket has tried to tenuously connect Barack Obama to Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, a leading scholar of Middle Eastern studies, who served on the University of Chicago faculty with Obama.

Sarah Palin said yesterday: "This is important because his associate, Rashid Khalidi . . . in addition to being a political ally of Barack Obama, he's a former spokesperson for the Palestinian Liberation Organization." But while Barack Obama was acquainted with Khalidi (who denies ever being the PLO spokesman), John McCain led an organization that gave Khalidi money for research.

While John McCain served as chairman of the International Republican Institute during the 1990s, he oversaw grants to Khalidi's Palestinian research center, including one grant for half a million dollars. To see how McCain is trying to push a one-sided version of the story,

The Nurse Who Cared For John McCain in Vietnam Speaks Out

CitizenSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:15:04 -0700

In McCain's stump speech, the words "I have the scars to prove it," are literally about his tussles on Capitol Hill, but are clearly meant to evoke his time as a POW. In the campaign spotlight, the history of those five-and-a-half years is revealing itself. We've seen the cell John McCain was kept in, and heard the endorsement from his former captor, now the nurse who risked her safety to care for McCain right after he crashed in Vietnam 41 years ago, speaks out. Here's what she had to say:

Why she decided to care for McCain:
"I didn't know who he was, but he was obviously not Vietnamese. The pilot was not that big and heavy, he was pale and handsome. My responsibility was to care for my own countrymen only. But [North Vietnamese leader] Ho Chi Minh advised people to show compassion and to save the enemies. So I told myself that I had to fulfill my duty."

The consequences she faced:
"That evening, when I left the clinic, an old man came to me and yelled at me for 'caring for an enemy'. I told him I just did what Ho Chi Minh asked all of us to do."

To see if she thinks McCain should be president,

The Good, Bad, and the Ugly: The Mixed Messages On McCain

CitizenSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:48:52 -0700

It's a wild mosaic of McCain coverage out there, from the very, very good, to the decidedly the other direction — a sort of salad bar of political opinion on the Maverick. Here's a sample of what they're saying — does the "good" point to a late October-surprise that might very well turn into a Nov. 4 surprise?

The Good

Over on money-maven-y Bloomberg, McCain's economic plan is getting serious thumbs up. In a piece called "McCain Economic Plan a Winner, Even If He Loses," writer Amity Shales says, "It is worthwhile to take one last good look at the McCain economic program. You will find a serious agenda. . . we can review his plan and find much that would doubtless contribute to a recovery." She lays out six ways McCain is the right answer for the economy.
Political perennial Dick Morris (who advised Bill Clinton) has a piece this morning called "Undecideds Should Break for McCain." Morris says, "Obama's professed pursuit of "social and political justice" through "redistribution of the wealth," is enough to send a shiver down the spine of those who embrace the free market as the key to economic growth."

To see the bad and the ugly,

The Seven Reasons McCain-Palin Are a Lock to Win

CitizenSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:37:11 -0700

The Seven Reasons McCain-Palin Are a Lock to Win There are seven serious, historic, demographic and otherwise culturally compelling reasons Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin will win the election on Nov. 4, 2008 – a date of defeat that will sear itself into the Democratic Party’s collective consciousness.

Where I'm Clicking Now: Global Electoral College

LibertySugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:15 -0700

The Economist polled the world to find out who would win the US election if the result depended on a global electoral college. The results so far: Obama would win 9,103 votes to McCain's 163. The poll gives every country a minimum of three votes, and then allocates additional votes based on the proportion of the world's 6.5 billion voting population located in each country.

The methodology becomes less than scientific after that, as those visiting the website to vote make up the sample. Once a country has more than 10 votes, the results get added to the map. As of now, Afghanistan and Iran are strong Obama countries, while Iraq's 43 electoral votes seem secure in the McCain column. Macedonia is the only country in Europe leaning McCain right now, in addition to a few countries in Africa.

The fact that the world is painted solid blue hints that the international media must have painted Obama in a positive light. It also provides evidence that a President Obama could help make the American brand internationally popular again.

Source

McCain on Meet the Press Today: "I Believe I'm Going to Win"

CitizenSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:08:49 -0700

An optimistic and fired up John McCain showed up to Meet the Press this morning where he dispelled the notion that he was hurting in the polls. McCain said, “We are doing fine. We have closed in the last week, and we’re going to continue this close in the next week.” Did you catch that? "The next week" he's referring to is the last week of the campaign. It's almost impossible to believe that there's still an ending to this.

Talk turned to his running mate and McCain stood firm on his Palin-position, “I don’t defend her. I praise her. She needs no defense." And as for that much ballyhooed shopping spree, McCain is very pragmatic about it. “She lives a frugal life, she and her family are not wealthy, she and her family were thrust into this."

Though a Newsweek poll released yesterday shows Obama with a 13-point lead nationally, McCain pressed on assuring voters, "We've closed in the last week. We'll continue to be very competitive in many of the battleground states." In all this morning, he sounded tough, rough, and ready, good-naturedly likening himself to Knute Rockne at half time. Is his optimism right on?

To see what he had to say,

Want to Be Fly on McCain Camp Wall? Pick up NYT Mag

LibertySugar — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:00:24 -0700

This weekend's NYT Magazine piece on the making and remaking of John McCain reads like a Greek tragedy. "John McCain’s biography has been the stuff of legend for nearly a decade," the lengthy piece points out. "And yet Schmidt and his fellow strategists have had difficulty explaining how America will be better off for electing (as opposed to simply admiring) a stubborn patriot." Throughout the magazine piece, a litany of narratives are identified.

The Heroic Fighters vs. the Quitters: Steve Schmidt, McCain's top adviser, encouraged McCain to denounce the Democrats for advocating a withdrawal of troops — a kind of surrender in the face of victory. Thus did Schmidt initiate the No Surrender Tour late in the summer of 2007.
Country-First Deal Maker vs. Nonpartisan Pretender: The campaign was in the throes of an identity crisis by June 24, when a number of senior strategists gathered at 9:30 a.m. in a conference room of McCain’s campaign headquarters in Arlington. As one participant said later, the meeting was convened “because we still couldn’t answer the question, ‘Why elect John McCain?'"
Leader vs. Celebrity: Eventually, it was Schmidt who blurted out the epiphany concerning Obama. “Face it, gentlemen,” he said. “He’s being treated like a celebrity.” The others grasped the concept — a celebrity like J-Lo! or Britney! — and exultation overtook the room.
Team of Mavericks vs. Old-Style Washington: Well before McCain made his selection, his chief strategist and his campaign manager both concluded that Sarah Palin would be the most dynamic pick.
John McCain vs. John McCain: The flipside to John McCain’s metanarrative of personal valor has always been palpable self-righteousness. In this campaign, his sense of integrity has been doubly offended.
The Fighter (Again) vs. the Tax-and-Spend Liberal: McCain was once again a warrior — only more upbeat, more respectful of his opponent, more empathetic to suffering Americans and far more disapproving of the president.

If McCain pulls this off, the author may have re-write the story. Check out the whole drama if you need some weekend reading!

Briefing Book! Planned Parenthood Airs Ad on Women's Health

LibertySugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:05:00 -0700

Women: Bad medicine? Planned Parenthood running ads slamming McCain health plan's treatment of women health issues. — Jezebel
Abortion: The truth about Obama's abortion record and positions is harsh and ugly? A message to everyone who was ever a fetus. — Townhall
Money: Do you know how much Americans tip each year? Probably more than Europeans. — SavvySugar
Culture Wars: Which is the best? Embattled representative Michele Bachmann says not all cultures are equal. — Huffington Post
McCain: Not over? In McCain's uphill battle, winning is an option. — NYTimes
Obama: Happy days are here again? Obama secures endorsements from Opie, the Fonz, and Richie Cunnigham. — Pensito Review
Law: Will motorists rejoice? County in England ditches cameras that catch speeders. — newsblog

Update: Todd Confesses to Making Up Story of Attack

CitizenSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:59:13 -0700

A Pittsburgh police commander told a Pittsburgh investigative reporter that Todd confessed to making up the story of the politically motivated attack.

Investigators said the photos from the ATM machine and "the photographs were verified as not being the victim making the transaction." Investigators continued, "Because of the inconsistencies in her statements, Ms. Todd was asked to submit to a polygraph examination which she agreed to do." Todd will face charges, but it's unclear what they are at this time.

Election Parties: Chicago Obamafest, McCain on Hotel Lawn?

LibertySugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:00:16 -0700

The Mayor of Chicago estimates that the Obama election night party could cost the city as much as $2 million. The free and open-to-the-public lakefront party at Grant Park will require the city to beef up security; but the Obama campaign has agreed to reimburse seriously cash-strapped Chicago.

Down in Arizona, rumor has it that McCain might not even show up to his soiree. Supporters will be gathering at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, but McCain plans to deliver remarks to a small group of reporters and guests on the hotel lawn, while the speech is broadcast to the party inside. Aides haven't ruled out a McCain cameo inside.

After Obama's impressive acceptance speech before almost 80,000 in Denver, I'm not surprised by his election night plans for himself and the public. What do you have planned for election night?

Source

McCain Volunteer Says She Was Mugged, Had 'B' Cut in Her Face

CitizenSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:40:06 -0700

McCain Volunteer Says She Was Mugged, Had 'B' Cut in Her Face A John McCain volunteer says she was robbed at knifepoint Wednesday in Pittsburgh by an attacker who cut a 'B' into her face after noticing a McCain bumper sticker on her car. The Republican presidential nominee has since called the volunteer, 20-year-old Texas resident Ashley Todd, and spoken with her and her family. Todd was working at a nearby phone bank before she was apparently attacked near an ATM machine.

Marine Gives McCain His Purple Heart: True Story of Support

CitizenSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:15:02 -0700

This piece in the National Review this morning struck me deep down. Amid the rallies of thousands, and the ads and jabs and attacks of the waning days of the campaign, this story is what I want to remember most. It honestly doesn't require any embellishment — I'll let the Marine Sergeant's words speak for themselves. “I just gave John McCain my Purple Heart. I said, ‘I want to give this to you, sir, as a reminder that we want you to keep your promise to bring us home in victory and honor, so it will mean something."

The Marine Sgt. is Jack Eubanks, a 22-year-old was wounded in badly in Iraq in 2005 and fought 11 months of recuperation before volunteering to go back in 2007. He was wounded again in a similar way and now walks with a cane as he teaches Marine recruits at Quantico.

Eubanks says he saw huge progress in Iraq between his two tours, and he gave McCain his purple heart so that he might have it as a remembrance of the wishes of one Marine close to his heart. He said he's very anxious of Obama's plan for Iraq. “I think Obama’s just going to pull everyone home as soon as he can, despite what’s going on over there. I just don’t want it to turn into another Vietnam or worse where everything we fought for, and all my buddies who died over there, it was just for nothing.”

Source

Polls & Personalities Keep Campaigns Guessing Until the End

LibertySugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:00:34 -0700

Leaks allegedly coming from the Obama campaign, along with a new AP poll, suggest a Democratic win is not as sure as people may think.

The latest AP poll shows the candidates in a dead heat, with Obama at 44 percent and McCain at 43 percent. While this could suggest that McCain's latest Joe-the-Plumber narrative has struck a cord, some point to the methodology as reason for caution. Evangelical Christians make up 44 percent of the poll sample, while they just made up 23 percent of 2004 voters.

Meanwhile yesterday, a rumor broke that Obama's internal poll numbers from Pennsylvania put him only two points ahead. The rumor has not been corroborated, but either way I'm sure the Obama camp is not taking any swing state for granted.

Despite this apparent good news, things don't appear so rosy in the McCain campaign. NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd gave a candid assessment of the mood during his network's interview with the Republican ticket. Todd said:

[T]he chemistry is just not there. You do wonder, is John McCain starting to blame her for things? Blaming himself? Is she blaming him? And maybe they don't feel they can win right now, so they are missing that intensity. That was the thing that struck me more than anything. You almost wonder why they wanted the two of them sitting next to each other.

To see a clip of Brian Williams' interview with Palin and McCain,

Is a GOP Loss the Only Way to Bring Back Small Government?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:00:17 -0700

The editor of Reason magazine, the libertarian leaning mag devoted to "free minds and free markets," has an Op-Ed with a somewhat counterintuitive premise: in order to save the GOP, we must destroy the GOP. After voting for Dole and then Bush, editor Radley Balko’s disappointment grew to treasonous proportions in 2004 after watching the Republican Party create the invasive and historically expansive Homeland Security Department. Following that the prescription drug benefit — the largest entitlement program since the Great Society. The last straw for Balko, however, came as he witnessed one of the largest takeovers of a private sector in this nation’s history: the recent bailout.

Balko makes his case, as he's nervous about the Bush Administration’s ever increasing executive power, which the writer believes goes against the very core of his conservative ideology. Saying “. . . the only consistent principle we’ve seen from the White House over the last eight years is that of elevating the American president to that of an elected dictator.” While admittedly using hyperbole in that statement, his real concern is that of an Obama presidency which then uses those same expansive powers.

To find out his voting strategy,

Does Calling Obama a Socialist Cross the Line?

LibertySugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

In 2001 John McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts, part of which Barack Obama now wants to let expire (while keeping some in place). In 2000, McCain shared a take on the progressive tax system, which deviates from the one he has now. He confronted a question from the daughter of "Joe the Doctor" who asked McCain at a 2000 townhall: "Why is it that someone like my father, who goes to school for 13 years, gets penalized in a huge tax bracket because he's a doctor?" McCain responded:

[You're] questioning the fundamentals of a progressive tax system where people who make more money pay more in taxes than a flat, across-the-board percentage. . . . But I believe that when you really look at the tax code today, the very wealthy, because they can afford tax lawyers and all kinds of loopholes, really don't pay nearly as much as you think they do when you just look at the percentages. And I think middle-income Americans, working Americans, when the account and payroll taxes, sales taxes, mortgage pay — all of the taxes that working Americans pay, I think they — you would think that they also deserve significant relief, in my view.

Well now McCain is taking Obama to task for "socialist" plans such as restoring taxes on those making $250,000 to Clinton-era levels. Some say the latest tactic isn't about tax policy as much as it is about exploiting a cultural divide. To see why,

Jon Stewart Stands Up For Fake Americans

LibertySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Last week in North Carolina Sarah Palin said, "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." In what may have been her "cling-to-guns" moment, Sarah Palin potentially alienated the large portion of America that does not live in small towns.

Some critics say Palin's comments were polarizing at best, and perhaps at worst a veiled attempt to say real America is white, not multi-ethnic like the cities. Jon Stewart found a positive edge – if McCain loses the "American" election, he can still be president of the real America that matters. Despite his attempt at silver lining, Palin's comments obviously upset Jon, who also said on last night's show: "I guess if you're from New York City and you signed up to fight in Iraq and died, it doesn't count."

Jon went on to issue a quiz to help viewers figure out if they're in fact "real Americans." To take the quiz with Jon,

Colin Powell Splits With Son Over White House Race

CitizenSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:37:33 -0700

Colin Powell Splits With Son Over White House Race Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, has put him at odds with his own son, former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Michael Powell. Michael Powell, who served as a policy adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, is a surrogate for John McCain and represents the GOP nominee on the campaign trail. He endorsed McCain early in the Republican primary in January, and said the Arizona senator was the best candidate to “calm the turbulent economic waters and to steer the new economy in a direction that will bring growth, opportunity, and prosperity to all Americans.”

Barack Obama and John McCain Ready Their Lawyers

LibertySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:00:38 -0700

If being announced the winner on election night is Plan A, then John McCain and Barack Obama's respective Plan B could be litigation. Both candidates have assembled teams of lawyers as part of their campaign strategies.

The barrage of barristers will be on hand to handle any legal controversy involving newly registered voters, huge turnout, and voter fraud or intimidation.

A Democratic lawyer in Florida has recruited about 5,000 lawyers to monitor precincts, assist voters turned away at the polls, and take to court any disputes that cannot be resolved. Since voters are out of luck after the polls close, it seems important to make sure no proper voter is disqualified.

Watching HBO's Recount provided more than enough 2000 flashbacks. I hope we don't see more on Nov. 4.

Source

NYT Raises Questions About Candidates' Health

LibertySugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:45:00 -0700

Today's New York Times outlined the known state of all four candidates' health. While it dedicated a section to each, the report clearly raised new questions about John McCain's chances of melanoma recurrence.

Here is a look at how the paper of record summarized the medical records:

McCain: Wounds from untreated injuries and torture while a POW mean McCain may eventually need joint replacements. Inconsistencies about the severity of McCain's melanoma skin cancer, make the probability of recurrence unknown. A reclassification of severity, called for by some experts, would change his statistical odds for survival at 10 years from about 60 percent to 36 percent. He has had no recurrence for eight years; but the 10th anniversary, which would be in 2010, is an important benchmark.
Obama: Obama’s campaign released a one-page letter from his doctor citing Obama’s “excellent health," last May and a series of test results last week. Obama has one medical issue, which is a difficulty in stopping smoking. Obama began smoking 20 years ago, trying several times since to quit. Obama, who decided to quit before running for president, has used Nicorette gum “with success," according to his doctor.

To see what the paper's doctor-turned-reporter summed up about the VP nominees,

Briefing Book! Family Guy Gets Political

LibertySugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0700

Get Flash to see this player.

Family Guy: Just for laughs? Family Guy episode sort of implies that McCain and Palin supporters are Nazis. — Jezebel
Money: Redistribution of wealth, Republican style? Hank Paulson went the bank welfare route, and Joe the Plumber and everyone else should be upset about this method of spreading the wealth around. — Huffington Post
Tolerance: Is this what it's all about? Columnist says the "homosexual agenda" wants moral approval, not just equality, benefits, and fairness. — Townhall
Politics: Fair prediction? Newt Gingrich predicts that Democratic majorities in Congress would mean a President Barack Obama would adopt a temperament similar to Rev. Jeremiah Wright. — Politico
China Gun control issues? While Chinese citizens are prohibited from owning guns, gunfights and gun murders are increasingly reported. — Shanghaiist.

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Definition: Robocalls

LibertySugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:00:58 -0700

When a computer dials you up and greets you with an prerecorded message, you've been robo-called. Robocalls, the unenthusiastic way to describe an automated call on behalf of a candidate, are exempt from the Federal Do Not Call Registry.

Under a 1991 law, the dinner-interrupting robots must tell you who is sponsoring the calls as well their return phone numbers. McCain, a victim of smear calls in 2000, defended a recent surge in campaign robocalls which warn voters that they "need to know that Barack Obama has worked closely with domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers, whose organization bombed the US Capitol, the Pentagon, a judge's home, and killed Americans." On Sunday, he said: "These are legitimate and truthful and they are far different than the phone calls that were made about my family."

Back when Mitt Romney was hitting up voters with automated calls the majority of you said you'd consider not voting for someone who made a robot call you. Since most Americans despise impersonal, often negative, phone calls, it's a surprise candidates use them.

McCain Suggests Obama Tax Policies Are Socialist

CitizenSugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:45:25 -0700

McCain Suggests Obama Tax Policies Are Socialist Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Saturday accused Democratic rival Barack Obama of favoring a socialistic economic approach by supporting tax cuts and tax credits McCain says would merely shuffle wealth rather than creating it. "At least in Europe, the Socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are upfront about their objectives," McCain said in a radio address. "They use real numbers and honest language. And we should demand equal candor from Sen. Obama. Raising taxes on some in order to give checks to others is not a tax cut; it's just another government giveaway."

McCain/Letterman, Biden/Leno, SNL/Crazy Lady? All Here!

CitizenSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:00:22 -0700

Just when we thought it was going to get all grim and serious for the last 18 days of the election, the funnies come marching in! After LOL performances by both candidates at the Al Smith dinner — and despite jokes falling 7-1 against Republicans, which I'm sure were helped in part by Letterman's recent . . . . disgruntlement with McCain — the Mac showed up and told Dave last night the line more men might take advantage of: "I screwed up."

After taking a helicopter to the show to make darn sure he didn't miss it this time, Dave asked, "can you stay?" Laughs, but not all fun and games — he also hit McCain with serious questions about his association with Watergate player G. Gordon Liddy.

It was a tough and funny night — but McCain and Dave weren't the only ones yukking it up. SNL was on last night, and Joe Biden stopped by Leno — to see the clips,

Obama and McCain Roast and Make Up at Al Smith Dinner

LibertySugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:00:33 -0700

Last night's Alfred Smith Dinner put on by Catholic Charities was exactly what we all needed to get through the last 18 days of this grueling election. After months/years of pretending to live in an alternate universe where their talking points define reality, Barack Obama and John McCain not only acknowledged the headlines we've all been reading, but did so with a dose of self-deprecating, and opponent-deprecating, humor. While it was swell to see the candidates having fun, I was most excited that I got to laugh at this campaign, rather than sigh in disbelief, frustration, or suspense.

Some of Obama highlights:

"Can somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns I requested? I do love the Waldorf-Astoria. I hear from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room.”
“Barack is actually Swahili for ‘that one.’ And I got my middle name from someone who obviously didn’t think I’d ever run for president."
“My greatest strength is my humility. My greatest weakness is that I am a little too awesome.”

Some of McCain's highlights:

"It's going to be a long, long night at MSNBC if I manage to pull this thing off. I understand that Keith Olbermann has ordered up his very own Mission Accomplished banner. And they can hang that in whatever padded room has been reserved for him."
Bill Clinton "has been hammering away with me with epithets like, "hero."
Says that Joe Biden falsely claims that Joe The Plumber isn't rich enough to trigger the Obama tax hike; "What they don't know is that Joe The Plumber recently signed a lucrative contract to handle all the work on all seven of their houses."

There are many, many, more good jokes. To see the video,

John McCain's Bid Over Before It Began?

LibertySugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:30:48 -0700

As Hillary Clinton and John McCain taught us in the New Hampshire primaries, regardless of polls, anything can happen on election day. But if John McCain loses, history may paint him as the Republican's sacrificial lamb destined to be defeated by the Democrats.Spectators figure that a perfect storm of wars, bad economic news, GOP mismanagement in Congress, and a pariah of a President (George W. Bush) make it impossible for McCain to keep the White House under Republican control.Perhaps debating the merits of McCain's sometimes imprudent campaign is pointless, if the White House was never in McCain's reach.
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John McCain's Bid Over Before It Began?

Yes! After the last eight years no Republican had a chance.

No! A winning campaign could show how McCain is better than Obama and Bush.

Nope! Regardless of the past and present, Obama is better for the future.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Are Republicans Who Don't Vote For McCain Traitors?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:46 -0700

We (pronoun applied royally if you wish) have been wrestling with the concept of Republicans and known Conservatives turning away from McCain all week. Buckley, one of the more famous cases of the phenomenon, appeared on Hardball talking about his decision to go Obama and then quit the National Review. He told Matthews he was surprised by the ouster of sorts saying, "Be careful who you offer your resignation to, they may just accept it."Then New York magazine posted this list entitled, "Et Tu, GOP? The Conservative Betrayal Spectrum." Using Julius Caesar imagery this top 10 list of Republican "Brutuses," the countdown includes [my] David Brooks, Peggy Noonan (the whole reason I went to grad school) and winds up at #1: Andrew Sullivan. Of his "betrayal," they say: OK, OK, everybody knows Andrew Sullivan basically wants to be reincarnated as a beagle in the sinewy lap of Barack Obama, nestled comfortably under the Resolute Desk for the next eight years. But still, there was a time this dude had carved out his own steady brand of Republicanism — a maverick version, if you will. Remember when those were the people who were supposed to like McCain?

Wow. So is all the "traitor" and "betrayal" talk accurate? Source

Are Republicans Who Don't Vote For McCain Traitors?

Yes. You pick and represent a party, you vote for the candidate. That's how it's done.

It depends on who the person is and how he expressed it. A simple Obama vote? No.

No! That's the whole point of democracy. You get to make your own decisions.

Other. I'll "et tu" in the comments.

Briefing Book! McCain Advisers Split on Rev. Wright Attacks

LibertySugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:30:42 -0700

Race: Should he go there? McCain advisers divided over Wright attack, because it could come off as desperate or racist. —Politico
Economy: Again with the trickle down!?! Critique of John McCain's economic plan. — Huffington Post
Food: Do you care about Michelin stars? Europe's best-known guide announces its 2009 starred restaurants in New York and San Francisco. — YumSugar
Congress: Why should the GOP keep the Democrats under 60 in Senate? There will be no compromises. — Redstate
Conservatives: Columnist tries to one-up her colleague by aiming for Nobel Peace Prize for ending the war among conservatives. – NY Times
China: Got what he was asking for? Drunk Chinese student picks fight with drunk police officers, beaten to death. — Shanghaiist

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Fair? McCain Interview on "Hanoi Hilton" Won't Air Pre-Election

LibertySugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:45:21 -0700

Oliver Stone may not wait for Bush to leave the White House before opening W, but Warner Brothers has decided that it won't release John McCain's interview about his POW experience until after the election. Prior to Nov. 4, airing promotional clips of the McCain interview featured on Hanoi Hilton, a 1987 film set to be released on DVD Nov. 11, has been blocked by the studio. The DVD will include the McCain interview, recorded in May.By withholding a piece of McCain's biography in order to not influence the election, is Warner Brothers actually picking a side?
Source

Fair? McCain Interview on "Hanoi Hilton" Won't Air Pre-Election

Fair! It would look like WB was endorsing McCain, while giving him free publicity.

Not fair! They're influencing the election with this self-censorship.

Who knows? No proof that the interview would help McCain, and not hurt him.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.