The Real Showdown

re: The Real Showdown

olderwiser — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:41:03 GMT

How can anyone argue against the competence of the Obama campaign, and how it reflects the ability to perform as an effective chief executive of the nation. I would compare this to the reliance on invective and outright personal attacks by the also disorganized Mc Cain campaign. Top that off with the admission that all is lost for Mc Cain unless somehow Obama can be defeated by purely personal attacks in the last few days before we vote. We are witnessing an historical scandal.

re: The Real Showdown

olderwiser — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:46:20 GMT

The person chosen by Mc Cain for his vice president is so devoid of knowledge about the executive branch that she is good for little but to make increasingly dangerous comments about Obama to the extent that she invites violence against him. Calling him a terrorist when her party's president is in the midst of a war on terror in which he has vowed to kill them all is way across the line and could be the subject of a criminal investigation.

re: The Real Showdown

olderwiser — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:50:31 GMT

This woman who smiles and winks as a person in the crowd shouts "kill him" when she smears him with a terrorist label is simply not vice presidential calibre. There has to be the wisdom in our electorate to see this or we are in deep trouble.

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:53:54 GMT

Where is the article about Joe Bidens longstanding relationship with the credit card industry lobby? Is that what you call looking out for the middle class?

The link below contains a purported list of the top 25 in Congress who got contributions from the folks at Fannie and Freddie. Obama is listed third, after Dodd and Kerry, even though Obama is just a junior Senator. Obama is followed next by Clinton. Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi are on the list as well.

http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=16&artnum=1&issue=20080918

Then there is the Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd who allegedly got special mortgage deals from Countrywide, who gave preferential rates to 'friends' of company's chairman.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25140560/

For an interesting article purporting to detail the House Financial Services Committee Chairs long history with Fannie Mae, See http://www.businessandmedia.org/printer/2008/20080924145932.aspx

"House Financial Services Committee Chair promoted GSEs while former 'spouse' was Fannie Mae executive."

The link below describes how some in Congress tried to use the original version of the bailout bill to divert money eventually recovered to groups like ACORN, a group Obama has a long association with. See:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122247015469280723.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

And then there is House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who allegedly has directed nearly $100,000 from her political action committee to her husband's real estate and investment firm.

http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/oct/01/pelosis-pac-pays-bills-for-spouses-firm.

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:54:12 GMT

Obama is getting a bump out of this because people are not being reminded of the whole history where the economy is concerned, and who did what when. Call it bias by omission. The media simply says that the economy is Obamas strong issue, but never discusses the facts in detail. Further, who had a majority when is rarely relevant. If the simplistic Party In Power model were true, then the Democrats would not have needed the House Republicans when they tried to pass the bailout bill, as Democrats have the majority in both houses and there is no threat of a veto. In theory, they do not need the Republicans to vote at all. In fact, something like twelve (12) Democrats from Barney Franks own banking committee voted against the bill. Obviously, it is not so simple and the media does the voter a disservice by doing little more than reinforcing the error. A similar argument would be to say that the economy appeared to be doing fine until the Democrats took over control of Congress and the power of the purse in 2006, then it tanked. As an aside, the media also misleads regarding the Clinton economy when they fail to mention that it also ended in a recession, requiring the first round of Bush stimulus checks immediately after he took office.

Do Obama and the Democrats deserve a lift in the polls as a result of the financial and mortgage problems? The answer from history is a clear NO. Here's the lead of a New York Times story on September 30, 1999:

"Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending" [link below]. That's 1999 folks. Clinton Administration, I believe.

Here's the lead of a New York Times story on Sept. 11, 2003:

"The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago. "[see link below] The Democrats killed the reforms.

McCain said in co-sponsoring the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190:

"If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole. The Democrats killed the Bill.

What was Barney Frank and fellow Democrats saying at the time of these attempted reforms? According to reports, Representative Barney Frank(D-MA) claimed of the thrifts :

"These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis, the more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."

Representative Mel Watt (D-NC) added of the reforms "I don't see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing." [ See Community Reinvestment Act, link below w/ history]

re: The Real Showdown

cmbyl — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:57:08 GMT

Despite the negative language you use in characterizing Obama's ground game, Mr. Fineman (vote-hauling, avoidance, liberal groups, fat billionaires, machine, high-rise office), those of us on the ground know that Obama's great success is based on his campaign's "we're all in this together" climate that scorns drama and focuses on hard work, honesty, and yep, you guessed it, hope. As Obama's been saying from the beginning, "What the opposition doesn't understand is that this election is not about me. It's about you." He's right. We're working to elect Obama, but we're working on behalf of ourselves.

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:03:51 GMT

re: The Real Showdown

Foyelady — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:19:00 GMT

Sorry Nowforthetruth,

What bought the financial companies down was tearing down the wall between investment banks and commercial banks. This was a pet project of none other than Phil Gramm, McCain's former/secret current financial advisor. These institutions (Citi, Bear Stearns etc) took the securitized mortgage debt & borrowed $20-$30 for every dollar of collateral. That would be like you owning something worth $100,000 and using it for collateral to borrow $2,500,000. Once those mortgages went bad the whole house of cards fell in. The upshot is that they all KNEW these securities were based on subprime mortgages. Why would these MBA's put themselves in that position. Could it be GREED?

re: The Real Showdown

Anticrisis — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:20:29 GMT

McCain and his Palin are simply unorganized. They're reactors, followers....flags in the wind - have they said anything about a new policy or way to govern? No - I thought it was a bit too cliched to say they'll just keep up the GWBush tactics - but I'm listening and Mc-Palin you've said nothing....'We're going to build a strong America'....great, how does that affect me? Do I need to do anything or will you just make it strong? Oh good - I feel better.

Give me something, plant something in their heads, please...I'm tired of listening to this - it's an embarrassment to the R party. While trying to get the mob-attitude assembled to go after the Dem ticket - they'll have a poor showing at this as well - maybe the beauty-queen will lose her place on the teleprompter or the old guy will blow up at the wrong reporter and decide to tell us that he's always fought the people he's counting on to vote for him, feel better?....they've needed some organization for a while, as well as some sound judgment - they've had neither.

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:46:47 GMT

ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation

ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters has been raided by Nevada authorities looking for evidence of voter fraud.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20081007/Voter.Fraud.Probe/

re: The Real Showdown

BryanW — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:14:02 GMT

sorry Foyelady

1977: Pres. Jimmy Carter signs the Community Reinvestment Act into Law. The law pressured financial institutions to extend home loans to those who would otherwise not qualify. The Premise: Home ownership would improve poor and crime-ridden communities and neighborhoods in terms of crime, investment, jobs, etc.

Results: Statistics bear out that it did not help.

How did the government get so deeply involved in the housing market? Answer: Bill Clinton wanted it that way.

1992: Republican representative Jim Leach (IO) warned of the danger that Fannie and Freddie were changing from being agencies of the public at large to money machines for the principals and the stockholding few.

1993: Clinton extensively rewrote Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's rules turning the quasi-private mortgage-funding firms into semi-nationalized monopoies dispensing cash and loans to large Democratic voting blocks and handing favors, jobs and contributions to political allies. This potent mix led inevitably to corruption and now the collapse of Freddie and Fannie.

1994: Despite warnings, Clinton unveiled his National Home-Ownership Strategy which broadened the CRA in ways congress never intended.

1995: Congress, about to change from a Democrat majority to Republican, Clinton orders Robert Rubin's Treasury Dept to rewrite the rules. Robt. Rubin's Treasury reworked rules, forcing banks to satisfy quotas for sub-prime and minority loans to get a satisfactory CRA rating. The rating was key to expansion or mergers for banks. Loans began to be made on the basis of race and little else.

1997 - 1999: Clinton, bypassing Republicans, enlisted Andrew Cuomo, then Secretary of Housing and Urban Developement, allowing Freddie and Fannie to get into the sub-prime market in a BIG way. Led by Rep. Barney Frank and Sen. Chris Dodd, congress doubled down on the risk by easing capital limits and allowing them to hold just 2.5% of capital to back their investments vs. 10% for banks. Since they could borrow at lower rates than banks their enterprises boomed.

With incentives in place, banks poured billions in loans into poor communities, often "no doc", "no income", requiring no money down and no verification of income. Worse still was the cronyism: Fannie and Freddie became home to out-of work-politicians, mostly Clinton Democrats. 384 politicians got big campaign donations from Fannie and Freddie. Over $200 million had been spent on lobbying and political activities. During the 1990's Fannie and Freddie enjoyed a subsidy of as musch as $182 Billion, most of it going to principals and shareholders, not poor borrowers as claimed.

Did it work? Minorities made up 49% of the 12.5 million new homeowners but many of those loans have gone bad and the minority homeownership rates are shrinking fast.

1999: New Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers, became alarmed at Fannie and Freddie's excesses. Congress held hearings the ensuing year but nothing was done because Fannie and Freddie had donated millions to key congressmen and radical groups, ensuring no meaningful changes would take place. "We manage our political risk with the same intensity that we manage our credit and interest rate risks," Fannie CEO Franklin Raines, a former Clinton official and current Barack Obama advisor, bragged to investors in 1999.

2000: Secretary Summers sent Undersecretary Gary Gensler to Congress seeking an end to the "special status". Democrats raised a ruckus as did Fannie and Freddie, headed by politically connected CEO's who knew how to reward and punish. "We think that the statements evidence a contempt for the nation's housing and mortgage markets" Freddie spokesperson Sharon McHale said. It was the last chance during the Clinton era for reform.

2001: Republicans try repeatedly to bring fiscal sanity to Fannie and Freddie but Democrats blocked any attempt at reform; especially Rep. Barney Frank and Sen.Chris Dodd who now run key banking committees and were huge beneficiaries of campaign contributions from the mortgage giants.

2003: Bush proposes what the NY Times called "the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago". Even after discovering a scheme by Fannie and Freddie to overstate earnings by $10.6 billion to boost their bonuses, the Democrats killed reform.

2005: Then Fed chairman Alan Greenspan warns Congress: "We are placing the total financial system at substantial risk". Sen. McCain, with two others, sponsored a Fannie/Freddie reform bill and said, "If congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole". Sen. Harry Reid accused the GOP ;of trying to "cripple the ability of Fannie and Freddie to carry out their mission of expanding homeownership" The bill went nowhere.

2007: By now Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee over HALF of the $12 trillion US mortgage market. The mortgage giants, whose executive suites were top-heavy with former Democratic officials, had been working with Wall St. to repackage the bad loans and sell them to investors. As the housing market fell in '07, subprime mortgage portfolios suffered major losses. The crisis was on, though it was 15 years in the making.

2008: McCain has repeatedly called for reforming the behemoths, Bush urged reform 17 times. Still the media have repeated Democrats' talking points about this being a "Republican" disaster. A few Republicans are complicit but Fannie and Freddie were created by Democrats, regulated by Democrats, largely run by Democrats and protected by Democrats. That's why taxpayers are now being asked for $700 billion!!

re: The Real Showdown

mrzoid — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:20:20 GMT

Here is a link to an interesting piece about the origin of the term, "Maverick":

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/weekinreview/05schwartz.html?no_interstitial

re: The Real Showdown

T3T3T3 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:31:37 GMT

Right wingers continue to attempt to put the blame on the CRA signed into law by Carter. However, anyone who saw this weeks 60 Minutes regarding credit-swaps or read a recent Newsweek article (link below) knows this not to be the case. Blaming the CRA is simply a convenient scapegoat for the right-wings failure to regulate the market.

Link:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/162789?from=rss#

re: The Real Showdown

BunchofChemies — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:32:25 GMT

Actually, I expect the debate tonight to be next to impossible for McCain. This is high pressure, and his emotionality and gambling nature is likely to induce a shoot-from-the-hip reaction, made more likely by the "town hall" environment. It is unlikely that the impulsive shoot from the hip will go over well with the electorate. You are right about the ground game, Howard, but Obama is also a very disciplined campaigner. He already upset Hillary Clinton, and he is methodically disassembling John McCain and Sarah Palin. He will move on to be a transformative President like FDR, who was on the right side of history and had the political wiles to make it happen.

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:41:20 GMT

ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation

ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters has been raided by Nevada authorities looking for evidence of voter fraud.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20081007/Voter.Fraud.Probe/

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:42:33 GMT

ACORN Vegas Office Raided in Voter Fraud Investigation

ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters has been raided by Nevada authorities looking for evidence of voter fraud.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20081007/Voter.Fraud.Probe/

re: The Real Showdown

acoustictherapy — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:01:25 GMT

The bottom line for tonight's debate is really that Obama just has to continue being himself to win, and not get suckered into playing McCain's game.

McCain, on the other hand, will have to completely redefine himself in the minds of undecided voters, who have, so far, only seen his erratic, mean-spirited and impulsive responses.

If McCain spends the whole debate in personal attacks against Obama's character, he will fail miserably to gain new voters. Obama can win just by not losing.

re: The Real Showdown

labman57 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:11:00 GMT

McCain and Palin can't sell their platform because even they realize that they have no substantive policies to present which differ significantly from those of the Bush years.

So instead they rely on instilling fear and hatred of somebody who is "different", a philosophy that is consistent with the history of the extreme right of the GOP. They are all about morality, but care nothing about ethics.

re: The Real Showdown

UncleRoy — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:12:47 GMT

NowFortheREALREALTruth:

McCain crashed at least 3 Navy planes while learning to fly; and then was shot down over Vietnam.

Also, he looked the other way when his buddy Charles Keating was robbing (YOU!!! - WHO HAD accounts in Lincoln Savings and Loan in Az. in the '80) and McCain went along with Keating's "Don't report me?" request.

Look what self-policing has done via Phil Graham in Bank deregulation in the '90s.

Look who he picked for his VP??? What does she bring to the table other than stilettos!! I know that a few million women could out-anything her!

UncleRoy

re: The Real Showdown

dsmb2007 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:13:38 GMT

I disagree with the statement "If Sen. Barack Obama wins, the reason--as much as any other--will be a superb ground game". Instead, I believe, that if Obama wins the reason, more than all the others, will be McCain's inability to get voters to see anything other than a bitter, overly aggressive, pandering old man who picked a VP candidate that shocks even the most conservative of Republicans. Despite all the problems today, this was McCain's to win or lose. And he lost it in such dramatic fashion that people are going to be weary of the Republican party for quite a while.

re: The Real Showdown

MsGingerRogers — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:15:34 GMT

I am 22 years old and I the last election could have been my first time to vote. I did not, because I felt conflicted. I opposed Bush with all of my heart, but I did not feel neceessarily inclined to vote for Kerry. Nor, did I feel (because of the electoral college) that my vote mattered.

However, this time it's different. Obama is unique, he appears honest, and forth coming. His ideals shake off the conservative views of the past, without being unwholesome. When he says he is ready for change, I truly believe he is committed to the ideal and not only that, the action. More importantly, just as he has so sucessfully organized his campaign I feel he has the capability to pull through it.

Not only that, this election has never been more critical. Just because I am young, does not mean I am not feeling the pinch. I work a full time job as does my husband and I feel it every day. That is why this time we have registered to vote. I am twenty two, and he is twenty three, and though we live in Texas (so they probably won't mean much), our votes will go to Obama.

re: The Real Showdown

andreagaines — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:16:40 GMT

This is so true. Obama will be elected president and his political accomplishments will eclipse Bill Clintion's. And that is saying something.

If Obama had a pregnant teenage daughter, if Obama had a wife who had abused perscription drugs, if Obama had pickled a VP with zero foreign policy experience in a time of war, his campaign would be over. Finished. Gone. Done.

The fact that he plays with such a gigantic handicap (his race) and has come so far in spite of it has barely been talked about.

re: The Real Showdown

Fisherman144 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:23:05 GMT

Obama has been amazing! Thank goodness he has come along when we needed him most. McCain continues to lose ground as Barack picks up more states and changes the typically Republican states to his favor.

re: The Real Showdown

camcfarlane — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:25:32 GMT

I have to agree - Barack is brilliant, in more ways than one, and has honed his skills like no other, or unlike many others. We need brilliance in the White House (PLUS Integrity and Vision).

But I must give it to David Axelrod, who, like Plouffe, is 'putting it together' like no other. I believe that Barack and Dave Axelrod make the #1 team, and thank goodness.

Yet it's more than just logistics, statistics and strategies. Sure, the new wave of youth and technology being tapped into as never before, and the moment in history which calls all those who will respond to lead and follow, and the great need, globally, for great leaders have converged in an amazing way.

Barack has a unique message and style of leadership. We might just need other leaders, worldwide, to follow his example. Let's not reduce him to the nuts and bolts of the running of a campaign!

re: The Real Showdown

lepremierjour — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:27:12 GMT

I agree that Obama is working very hard to gain support among young voters but I'm not convinced that that is what will swing the election. I think (hope) the two factors that will push most undecided voters toward Obama are 1) McCain's choice of an inexperienced VP (especially considering McCain's age) and 2) the current financial crisis that McCain seems incapable of handling.

I'm in the young voters age group myself and I honestly don't think we're as important as undecided voters.

re: The Real Showdown

DaveWK — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:32:14 GMT

His "game" only works because he's the candidate with the character and ability to correct the course of this country. Mr. McCain calls himself a maverick, but follows the disasterous Republican line 90+ percent of the time. That's led us to into an economic crisis (recall the party that presided over the beginning of the last depression) , fiscal irresponsibility (recall that Clinton balanced his last several budgets) and intractable ground wars (recall that Clinton kept us out of same). McCain's personal qualities, now on vivid display, are equally ill suited for the office of presidency. Given his well known temper and abusiveness, implusiveness, peculiar superstitions, and admitted infidelity, he's a fine one to raise temperament and character at this stage of the election. But what else can he raise?

re: The Real Showdown

wanttheelectionover — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:32:24 GMT

Hang onto your hats folks. One of the Nevada's offices for ACORN was raided today for yet another case of voter fraud. They even registered Dallas Cowboys in this one and made up more ficticious names. Past accusations include registering people who were dead and a 14 year old from North Carolina. With Obama's connections to this group and his $800,000 donation from his campaign to ACORN, the fight is not yet over. The FBI needs to raid all the ACORN offices to ensure that this is truly a fair election.

re: The Real Showdown

DannyJumper — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:40:12 GMT

Mr Fineman,

I grew up in an area south of where Senator Obama was doing his community organizing. Declare he was not very effective if you desire but please state your definition of effective in the context of that area. Do you know what the main products are that are advertised on bill boards in the area? Pink Pearl, a hair straightener, and Jack Daniels. Both are escape products. When kids in schools in those areas are taken out of those schools and put in down-state schools, they're amazed to walk in the front door and a) not see bullet holes from after school shootings b) no police at the door and c) no drug dealers with their posse.

I believe it was in the 1980s there was a TV show where a young attorney went riding with truck drivers and used his knowledge of the law to keep the truck drivers from being ripped off. It was that sort of idealism which gripped Barack Obama when he decided to a) go to Harvard Law School and b) to return to the Chicago hoods. As he moved up in government, he saw that the structural nature of the problems came from higher up. He took the chance and move higher up.

Once elected President, and that seems increasingly likely, the national psychology about minorities will be forever changed. That's good in and of itself. He constantly ticks off the four major goals he believes will improve the situation for hte middle class.

Will he wave a wand and it'll appear? Of course not. For one thing, as a parting gift, the Republicans left us a finncial situation where it was necessary to suck out of the economy most of what could have been counted as a surplus to advance the social agenda. I suspect that was done intentionally so the Republicans can lay the ground work to regain the White House in 2012. They're like a bunch of angry old men in a nursing home.

Senator Obama doesn't walk on water but to judge him based on the results of his organizing efforts in one of America's hell pits isn't valid. No one else had made a dent either. The difference is that at least he tried and will continue to try. It starts with education and good jobs for all Americans. That isn't going to happen with Americans competing against Chinese earing a buck twenty-six an hour. .

re: The Real Showdown

bobcat4424 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:40:56 GMT

It is interesting how he has done to John McCain nationally what he did to Hillary Clinton in Iowa. John McCain is in the posuition of having to defend all the "toss-up" states and now Indiana, Georgia, and West Virginia which are trending toawrd Obame. While Obama can concentrate his resources on one or two of the toss-up states and win the election. I just can't see how McCain let himself get into this jam. If Obama runs the country half as well as he has run his campaign, we will be in pretty good shape.

re: The Real Showdown

btorched — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:52:49 GMT

Obama, hopefully will get the White House and will re-ignite the population as a whole to retake the wheel of our own future and once again be the true BEACON OF HOPE for the world!

re: The Real Showdown

arabeguiled — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:05:58 GMT

fineman you should be proud you and your fellow journalists made this victory possible. you got your man in by compromising your principles and just enflaming hatred of born again christians. congrajulations

re: The Real Showdown

trogers — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:24:28 GMT

I have to agree that the Obama campaign works harder and better than any previous Demoratic campaigns in my area. In my neighborhood Democrats never bother with direct mail or with person to person knocking on doors. Now they do. In my County, the Republican County Clerk is beside herself trying to find ways to disqualify new voter registrations which are heavily Democratic. In my state, Republicans always had the advantage in organization and fundraising. Not this time. Obama might not win in Colorado, but it won't be for lack of trying. Just as he beat Hillary at her own game; he is beating the long entrenched Republican establishment here with hustle and money. Throw in a little anti-Bush sentiment and a failing economy and Obama could succeed.

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:43:56 GMT

Hey, : BryanW (October 7, 2008 at 5:14 PM) . That was great! Mind if I borrow that?

re: The Real Showdown

thehappyamerican — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:39:04 GMT

Well, in the debate That One failed to win. He's still stuck on his Americans Suck First camapaign and as questions about Biden swirl around corruption on credit cards That One-- B. ACORN Obama-- himself, reminds the country Deleware has lax credit card laws!

Thank you,The One! Thank you THAT one! (Biden must have needed an air sickness bag, there!).

It's NOT presidencial to tell the enemy you will withdraw troops and the time frame ... or that you will attack! Only a jerk would do that and give the enemy our military intentions like that! It gets our military people killed and wounded!

But we saw how much That One cares about this. It's too late to visit the wounded troops during your Germany show!

The show is over!

re: The Real Showdown

monnie12 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:28:46 GMT

Americans need to grow up and stop watching so-called "reality" tv and cop shows. Neither candidate can answer the question as to the future of the US or global economy, for the next several days/months it's going to be a moving target. I knew Wall Street and the global "wall streets" had been trading shares in the overinflated shares of our and their investment houses and banks, and was wondering when the other shoe would drop -- well it did yesterday. I do know this and neither of the candidates in a hotly contested race will say this to the "head in the sand " American people, it's going to take five years or more for our economy to return to the pre-collapse days and we may as well relax, if you can, and suck it up. We weren't always like this, and I know and hope there are more like me. Hopefully with a new President we can begin anew a conversation with our international partners and get support so that we can get out of both Iraq and Afganistan and put the milions of dollars we're spending to work fo for the American people. The middle class is so busy fighting each and applauding sound bites we've lost sight of the billions hidden by the uber rich in off-shore tax havens -- let's cut the tax breaks, get down to work, repair American infrastructure, our global reputation, and our economy. By the way, I'm voting for Obama but love all of you whether you are or not.

re: The Real Showdown

greatmidwest — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:30:07 GMT

Senator Obama demonstrated that he has both the experince and the wsidom to become our next President of the United States. Obama used the town hall format to not only connect with the American people, but commuincate his ideas and vision for a more responsive federal government, of which McCain has been a member for years though has done too little to make a difference throughout his career which he made a point of mentioning many times during the debate. Obama had fresh new ideas for solving our nation's serious problems. McCain just had more of the same old policies of the past. Obama appeared strong and presidential, while McCain appeared dated and tired.

re: The Real Showdown

quasqueton — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:32:40 GMT

I remember growing up in the 60's "don't trust anyone over 30". I think know it's "don't trust anyone under 30"!

re: The Real Showdown

BunchofChemies — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:44:59 GMT

The format was terrible, making the debate boring. John McCain wanted to do a dozen of these? That would be reason enough to not vote for him. I am wondering how all you ultraconservatives judge McCain's call to buy my $600,000 mortgage, reissue it for $450,000 and pay the bank $150,000 out of taxpayer's money while cutting $300 billion in taxes, continuing a costly war, and freezing government spending, while easily solving the Social Security funding issue? I'm wondering how conservative it is to pay down the principal on everyone who bought an overpriced house in the past 6 years to its current valuation. Please, I just have to have that explained just how conservative that is.

re: The Real Showdown

tc125231 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:03:13 GMT

BunchofChemies is entirely on target. McCain in particular, and conservatives in general, want to do things but they NEVER want to pay for them. Declare two simultaneous wars? Let our grandchildren pay for them. Declare a prescription drug benefit that is more of a gift to the big pharmaceutical companies than it is to the elderly? Make our grandchildren pay for it.

When in doubt cut taxes. You guessed it. Make our grandchildren pay for it!

Many aspects of the current crisis are arcane and complex. Some are obvious --and were identified by Warren Buffet over a decade ago in his parable --"Squanderville". No one, not even whole societies, can survive indefinitely on borrowing.

There is only so much that people can be plausibly expected to believe our grandchildren will pay for.

re: The Real Showdown

rube — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:37:53 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me that philosophers, scholars, and writers in droves write about the current fleecing of our constitution our nation, and the American middle class all the while conservatives continue to flock to right wing evangelists, tabloid pundits and GOP theology all this after 7 and a half years of GOP subversion and failure. What does our nation have to show?

An economy in shambles, unfinished wars more on the horizon and debt so enormous China and other foreign countries now own much of our nations remaining equity!

Conservatism is a dismal failure, all the proof is in your house equity, your bank accounts, your paycheck, it’s on Wallstreet, its on the shelves of your supermarket, its on the corner gas station, its in job and houseing loss, and its still on

the streets and inthe deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan.

With the second debate we were informed once again that Mccain has two huge lumbering problems that weigh him down like a sinking anchor tossed from a massive vessel.

For 26 years he has voted against regulation and oversight of Americas financial institutions! During this time he also voted down numerous times against any and all science, development or implementation of sustainable energies!

He voted for articles of war for Iraq despite the truth. The truth was -the intelligence to go to war was way beyond weak, it was nonexistent!

During which Mccain was a leading advocate for war!

It seems that John has never met a war he didn’t approve of!

“Maverick fundamentalism” - no way!

re: The Real Showdown

sboss1960 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:11:58 GMT

Will any Republicans out there please tell me how both candidates are going to pay for everything? I keep hearing both candidates talk about a middle class tax cut. I guess we in this country think that money will simply keep growing on the Chinese or Dubai lending tree and we never have to actually pay for anything.

At some point I hope countries stop lending the US money and say "get your financial house in order". We are a nation of people who love the credit card both at the federal level and in our own personal lives. We also love tax cuts. I argue that if taxes were at NOTHING people would still be overextending themselves. True wages have stalled but we started down the poor savings and bad money management road a long time ago....................

re: The Real Showdown

willnotvoteobama — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:35:24 GMT

All eyes on Obama since he is up in the polls! This is great for mccain with 3 weeks before the election! All eyes on Obama means that the skeptics will be picking apart obama's policies and his tax plan! All this focus will let the voters see that under an Obama administration. They will be subject to higher taxes albeit his plan says otherwise but with 3 weeks left the skeptics get to look at it real good and also look at independent reports that debunk the Obama tax plan! Mccain may have played this one just right with one debate left he should be able to pull ahead in the polls before November 4 leaving Obama no time to adjust! FYI; ON OCT 9TH 2004 AL GORE HAD A 12 PT LEAD IN ALL POLLS OVER G.W. BUSH! BUT LOST TO HIM.... ADD THE FACTS THAT ACORN OFFICE GOT RAIDED WE JUST MIGHT HAVE A GAME CHANGER AFTER ALL!

re: The Real Showdown

caraprado — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:07:33 GMT

From:

Head of State

http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/that-one.html

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

"That One"

What a very odd thing for McCain to say.

McCain repeatedly invoked the need for a "steady hand on the tiller" tonight--for someone who will be calm and cool in the crises that the upcoming years will present us.

Yet this is a man who is utterly unable to contain his contempt--even on a night when, even as Bill Bennett says, he needed to "break through", and even when such a strange expression of disdain could only highlight pettiness, anger and partisanship that voters wish that candidates would steer away from in the greater interest of the nation.

McCain's fundamental position--one from which he finds his momentum and meaning--is so often one of a contemptuous anger for those who do not understand what he believes he has learned--e.g., "them".

This is the impulsive, gut-driven, black and white thinking that we have seen throughout the campaign.

We have had 8 years of a President driven by impulsive, black and white, gut-driven, categorical thinking. In those 8 years, from a position that manifested from the very start an angry, assumed knowledge, and a contempt for the position of others, we have now seen the results.

So this time: choose that one.

Cite:

Head of State

http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/that-one.html

re: The Real Showdown

caraprado — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:07:56 GMT

From:

Head of State

http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/fear-and-loathing-in-town-hall.html

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Fear and Loathing in the Town Hall: A Predictive Fantasy

(The camera looks at the hall from above, into the hall, from the POV of the stage. Red meat has been hung from the walls and rafters, along with dollar bills which, upon closer inspection, are prop money.

The crowd is seated. They are strangely quiet. Their manner is that between those who are waiting for their instructions, post-op surgical recoverees, and post-war survivors. They are slightly slumped, in the same posture.

The candidates enter from opposite sides of the rear of the stage and walk to their podiums. The crowd rises as one and cheers with a loud, aggressive fervor reflective of their desperation.

Obama is standing tall in stride, looking a bit overcome by the experience, although genuine. McCain is smiling--his cheerful public grimace, although there is some genuine pleasure. His eyes have the slightest glaze of a gradually oncoming fog.)

MODERATOR: Tonight is a different format--one where you, the public, can ask your questions directly to the candidates. None of the questions have been screened in advance, and the candidates have been given no advance notice of what the questions, or who the questioners, might be. And with that, we begin. Our first question:

CITIZEN 1: My name is Jan, I'm from Murfreesboro? I've been watching the news, and I'm scared. I can't say that I've listened much about the stock market before? But I know that it's going down, and that's bad. I don't know what's going to happen to my job, or my house, or my kids. My question is for Mr. McCain? What will you do to help us understand what is going on, and to make it clear just what you will do about it?

(Crowd applauds vigorously as Jan sits down with a bit of embarrassment).

MCCAIN: (Holding the top of the rostrum with both hands and smiling): Well, first, I want to welcome each of you here tonight. You know, I know what each of you are feeling. I think that each of you must be scared--as I am, of not verifying myself in my father's and my grandfather's eyes. But, that's not so important today--or, at least saying it isn't. What is most important is to appear that I understand an economy that just months ago I said that I had little understanding of at all. I want to win. I need it, frankly, as a way of overcoming my own personal horrors and demons, of overcoming the anger that was bestowed and thrust, unwillingly, upon me. And that's why I'm still willing, even as the sharpest edges of mental function fade, to propel myself through this mass of insult. I understand how to respond to insult. With anger. And impulse. And that's what I'll bring to the White House, come January of 2009.

(Crowd applauds vigorously)

MODERATOR: The next question is for Senator Obama.

CITIZEN 2: Thanks. My name is Ross, from Shreveport. First-time caller, long-time listener. My question is: Senator Obama, it's not an error that you were given the middle name "Barack". We know that that is the same name of the murderous. Communist leader of Iran--and that's no accident. (A slight murmur from the crowd. The moderator looks vaguely stunned, but does not interrupt). Now, when you were going to Russia, with Bill Ayers, and dodging the draft--just like William Jefferson Clinton--(speaking more quickly now, more aggressively, turning to the crowd)--why weren't you here at home, saving our banks from the Liberals and the Socialists who want to take our money away from us and just give it to the terrorists?

SARAH PALIN: (Poking her head out from the wings, with a big smile): You betcha'!

(She withdraws).

OBAMA: Well. First of all, I also want to welcome you all here tonight. You know, I know that this is a difficult time. Many of you are worried about your jobs, your families, your homes. There are times that test a man's soul, and every woman's as well. And I know that this may be one of those times. I can understand why you would be frightened, even angry at what this nation has done. But we are a nation that has risen up in adversity even in the best of times, we found our strength, and honor, and courage, our ability to work as one, when faced with the most difficult situations. And I want to call on each of you, in that spirit of patriotic sacrifice, to join with me in that effort in the days ahead.

(Silence. Then applause, as the recognition of actual thought begins to spread through the crowd. It swells, and finally, subsides).

MODERATOR: The next question is for Senator McCain.

CITIZEN 3 (He is a man who appears to be in his early 40's wearing blue jeans that are stiff and obviously brand-new. They are perfectly creased. He is wearing a tight fitting, also obviously new T-Shirt that says "Average American...And Black With Rage!" beneath which is an American flag. He is wearing black wing-tip shoes. ). Senator McCain, I'm just an average American, just an average Joe, just your Average Joe-Sixpack (Blackberry begins ringing)...Oh...

excuse me...just...a...sec...my boss's phone...(whispering tensely into phone:) "No...I said sell. Sell. Yes, the entire portfolio. No, not Ghanan timber, for god's sake, gold, the lot of it. Jesus H....(tucks Blackberry back into pants pocket and then readjusts his stance to that of average Joe, slumping to one side again and changing his voice back to it's original tenor). Like I said, just an average Joe Sixpack. And I'm wonderin'. I heard what Mr. Hussein just said about "rising up", and I'm wonderin' if that's exactly what he wants to do! Oh, sure, he wants us to band together to rise up--where have we heard that before? Socialists! That's what they do! (crowd begins to murmur, and in the rising heat, the smell of the fresh meat begins to waft faintly through the hall). Rise up! That's what he wants to do! Well, we need to rise up! Against those kind of Socialist, Communist, Fascist, Atheist, Marxist policies! (the crowd is talking, some nodding their heads). And so what I want to ask you, Sen. McCain (crowd quiets), as an average everyday American, is this: What is it like, being a fighter pilot and all, when you know that Barack Hussein was out there, palling around with his Communist friends?

MCCAIN: Well, my friend--and by that, I mean that all of you are my friends--I'm glad you asked. Not everyone has had the luxury of gaining an education merely on the basis of their own talent, or the opportunity to travel the world learning how to be separate from important family members without their having significant pull, or to be able to experience the variety of foods that one has the chance to consume when they are paid for by the State. And, I can say that, in that way, I haven't been quiet as lucky. But I will say this--I will not look such fortune in the face and say: 'Fine, I'll work on education with the Bill Ayers of this world', "I'll be at the top of my class at Harvard", when I can be down, down there with you at the bottom! I know what it's like to be at the bottom when I've had all the opportunities--and I want to share that experience with those of you who have had none. You're angry. I'm angry. We have that in common. Let's be angry together, satisfied that, for another for four years, we've put those who have the arrogance to think for extended periods in their place, content in knowing that we're right--even if we're wrong.

CITIZEN 4: Hiya. My name is George, from Midland, altho' some would say Kennebunkport, heh, heh. I have a question for ya, John, and it's this. Listen: I'm goin' to be out of a job soon. Oil futures aren't lookin' that good, and I've got to tell ya', I didn't have too much luck there in the first place. So I'd like to ask ya, one flyin' man to another--what do you think I oughta do?

PALIN: (emerges from wings with purposeful strides to McCain's podium): I've got to take this one, John. Mr. Bush, if you can't figure out what you want to do after you leave and we move in, take a little time off, and then you come right up to Alaska. They love hunting just like you--and you can fly, you can learn to do it from a plane! The pipeline's big enough for any number of mistakes. So you come up here when you're finished--we've got plenty of bars with plenty of bowls of nuts and plenty of televisions right on Wasiila Main street--we'll take care of you right!

(Bush smiles and sits, crowd applauds, Palin, smiling and waving, exits).

CITIZEN 5: Well, look. This is a serious question. I'm John, from Carpenter. It's for both of you. I've got two kids, 4 and 6, a boy and a girl--so sweet. You know. My wife, she was working for the WaMu branch, center of town. It's closing next week. She's been looking in the ads, the newspapers, online--nothing. It's all she can do to keep a smile on her face for the kids. Myself, I built a commerical trucking business from the ground up. Sixteen years. Sweat everyday, grease on my hands, I can never get it out. We were never rich, but I made a good living. I didn't know about investing--who does, you're not born with it! Anyway, I went to an investment advisor, it seemed like the safe thing to do, protect the kids, plan for the future, not use my own dumb head (smiles). Well, he was so smart, and he was so sure, and he had it all planned out. And it looked so impressive on paper. Now--all of a sudden--it's gone. Everything is changing. It's changing so quickly. It seems like nobody--nobody knew. Not even the people who were supposed to! Everybody was talkin', makin noise, thinkin' of one thing: Themselves, themselves, themselves. Never worrying to think about someone else, about the future, about the next moment.

Well, now the next moment is here. And I wanna know--what are the two of you really going to do about it?

(The room is quiet as his last word echoes in the hall. The raw meat is rocking, slowly in the air, and the paper bills are gently fluttering). You can see Palin in profile, standing in the wings, holding her chin in her hand. The two candidates stare straight ahead, holding the podium. They are silent).

Cite:

Head of State

http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/10/fear-and-loathing-in-town-hall.html

re: The Real Showdown

whoiamnow — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:23:56 GMT

Beauty and the Beast unleashed their inner pit bulls and are attacking Obama with their same old tricks- character assassination, lies and distortion. But Joe Six Pack isn't fooled.

This is a quote from foxnews.com:

"The analysis also concluded that in the latest period, nearly 100 percent of the McCain's ads were negative, compared to 34 percent of Obama's ads."

McCain has nothing good to say about himself. How pathetic.

re: The Real Showdown

LudwigVanBeet — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:34:33 GMT

I'm afraid that after listening to Bill Kristol of Weekly Standard encouraging McCain to go after anything that can damage Obama with any means possible , and every trick, that if this thing gets to ugly and the Goober Rednecks go nuts that this could be a disaster. when Obama wins People like Hannity, Kristol and Pat Buchanon should share some responsibility if it gets Horrific. I've heard them say time and again that they need to use ANY CARD that they can come up with. After that the Bigot Redneck Goober Army started yelling threats, etc.

re: The Real Showdown

LudwigVanBeet — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:40:21 GMT

I pray that The slightly darker version of Abraham Lincoln and the Secret Service keep there eye out for John Wilkes mcTooth. Goober and the Pitchfork Noose Gang are already lathering at the Mouth and their Eyes are Bloodshot. Mr. Fineman--- NICE HAIR!!!! Hello Keith O.

re: The Real Showdown

paulte — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:17:03 GMT

It looks like Obama probably will win but what then? McCain is not much of a candidate and Palin was not a good pick for VP. The only real reason to vote for McCain/Palin is that they are not Obama/Biden. Is the Wall Street slide due only to the financial crisis? I don't think so. I think that investors have made their mind up that Obama/Biden will win. It wasn't so long ago that the Dow Jones was at 12000; now it is slightly over 9000 and still sinking. Obama & Biden in tandem with Pelosi & Reid will be a disaster for the country. The Dems controlling all the levels of federal power! It's scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope the country wakes up to this reality!

McCain is an idiot advancing the notion of bailing out home owners to the tune of $300B on top of the $700B. Obama has criticized this idea and rightly so. Okay, so Obama has one good point! McCain has played right into his hands. Once again McCain is alienating conservatives. He is so dumb that he actually thinks people will vote for him based upon himself! Wake up and smell the coffee sir, you are the anti-Obama and this is why people should vote for you and Sarah! We need a veto over the Democratic control of both houses.

McCain does have his points. He is a war hero and a true patriot. The country will be safer under him. He is at least a mainstream Republican if not a conservative. I would place him center-right on the political spectrum. He is pro-life and will appoint strict constructionist judges.

On the negative side his personal life in the past vis a vis his first wife and the Stepford second is a bit seedy. He was an adulterer but that was awhile ago. He has a nasty temper and he is too cozy with Democrats. So the man is not attractive to vote for. I concede this to the Obamians.

But just who is this Obama ('that one", as McCain would say)? He is an empty suit. He was only in the Senate for two years when he declared for the Presidency. He has the most liberal voting record in the Senate. He is 100% pro-choice and he has an obnoxious wife. Who the hell does he think he is anyway?

But I must admit that he has done something for which every conservative will be eternally grateful. He kicked Hillary out the race and with her went Billary! She didn't come near getting the VP slot. Hillary is truly the wicked witch of the west. Now she can fly back to Oz! No one ahould ever forget the good deed he did the nation here. Thank you sir!

But, this good deed does not qualify him to be President! Even evil people can do a good deed. Remember Dorian Grey of Portrait fame?

So let us all reject Obama & Biden. They are tax & spend, pro-choice & pro gay, pacify & regulate. They don't expect people to act responsibly and so on and so forth! They are true Liberals just like the Father of Liberalism, the fallen angel Lucifer!

Go, McCain & Palin, go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOBAMA, NOBAMA, NOBAMA, NOBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

re: The Real Showdown

americandefender — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:32:24 GMT

You right wingers sure like to muck up the facts and love to mix religion with politics, you can't stand anyone else having an opinion unless you agree with it beacouse you have no tolerance. I will pray for you to see the light beyond your ignorance. A toast to Obama our next president!!!!!

re: The Real Showdown

Krohn — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:24:55 GMT

They harassed her until she registered to vote six times!:

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.html?maven_referralObject=3145562&maven_referralPlaylistId=&sRevUrl=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:48:53 GMT

From: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/rnc-obama--acorn-fact/story.aspx?guid=%7B29569FA1-136D-4B95-9D51-4EF9E87ED547%7D&dist=hppr

Obama's Campaign Paid Over $800,000 To ACORN For Get-Out-The-Vote Efforts, But "Mistakenly Misrepresented" Their Work To The FEC:

Obama's Campaign "Paid More Than $800,000" To ACORN For Get-Out-The Vote Efforts; The Campaign Originally "Misrepresented" The Group's Work To The FEC. "U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign paid more than $800,000 to an offshoot of the liberal Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now for services the Democrat's campaign says it mistakenly misrepresented in federal reports. An Obama spokesman said Federal Election Commission reports would be amended to show Citizens Services Inc. -- a subsidiary of ACORN -- worked in 'get-out-the-vote' projects, instead of activities such as polling, advance work and staging major events as stated in FEC finance reports filed during the primary." (David M. Brown, "Obama To Amend Report On $800,000 In Spending," Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/22/08)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122247015469280723.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

re: The Real Showdown

Nowforthetruth — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:48:54 GMT

From: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/rnc-obama--acorn-fact/story.aspx?guid=%7B29569FA1-136D-4B95-9D51-4EF9E87ED547%7D&dist=hppr

Obama's Campaign Paid Over $800,000 To ACORN For Get-Out-The-Vote Efforts, But "Mistakenly Misrepresented" Their Work To The FEC:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122247015469280723.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

re: The Real Showdown

DOUGLASFIELD — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:22:17 GMT

SENATOR OBAMA, ANOTHER POSSIBLE INNOCENT POORER BLACK AMERICAN NEEDS YOUR VOICE FOR JUSTICE AND REASON ????

DOES GOD NEED TO LOBBY OUR US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD ON BEHALF OF OUR POORER AMERICAN’S SENATOR OBAMA,OR ARE YOU WATCHING OUT FOR THEM ??

SURELY OUR US CONGRESS & US SUPREME COURT BOTH KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STATE MURDER OF TROY DAVIS IN GEORGIA, OR A POSSIBLE EXECUTION OF TROY DAVIS IN GEORGIA ???

OUR US CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF THE FREE WORLD CONTINUE TO DENY MIDDLE CLASS AND WORKING POOR AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION EVEN THOUGH WRONGFUL EXECUTIONS & FALSE INCARCERATIONS CONTINUE ALL ACROSS AMERICA ???

*** 700 BILLION $$$ AVAILABLE FOR US BAILOUT, & NO $$$ FOR ALL POORER AMERICANS PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION ???????

WHERE ARE AMERICA‘S RELIGIOUS LEADERS ??

SENATOR OBAMA, THIS JUDICIAL INJUSTICE HAS BECOME AN AMERICAN ART FORM, AND NO LONGER CAN BE KEPT HIDDEN OR SECRET FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EVEN IF CERTAIN (501c3) U$ RELIGIOU$ LEADER$ HAVE BEEN $ILENCED ??

LETS ALL HOPE OUR MEDIA FRIENDS CONTINUE TO SHOW AN INTEREST IN REPORTING ON THIS AMERICAN HORROR FACING THESE (TENS OF THOUSANDS) FORGOTTEN AND TRAPPED POORER AMERICANS, AND HOW THIS PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HANDLES THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE FACING AMERICA’S LATINO AND BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ????

WITH 80% OF THE BLACK AMERICAN VOTERS SAYING THEY SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW PRIOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HOW THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TRULY FEELS ABOUT THIS AMERICAN JUDICIAL INJUSTICE CONTINUING TO INFLICT GRAVE HARM ON THE BLACK & LATINO AMERICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE ??????

*** WHEN GOD’S FACE BECAME VERY RED ***

THE US SUPREME COURT GAVE ENEMY COMBATANTS FEDERAL APPEAL HC RIGHTS LAWYERS AND PROPER ACCESS TO US FEDERAL COURTS,AND POORER AMERICANS (MANY EVEN ON DEATH ROW) ARE DENIED PROPER FEDERAL APPEAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OUR US FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL, AND ROTTING IN AMERICAN PRISONS NATIONWIDE ?????????

**** INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DENIED REAL HC RIGHTS WITH THEIR FEDERAL APPEALS !

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE $LOWLY FINDING OUT HOW EA$Y IT I$ FOR MIDDLE CLA$$ AND WORKING POOR AMERICAN$ TO FALL VICTIM TO OUR U$ MONETARY JUDICIAL $Y$TEM.

****WHEN THE US INNOCENT WERE ABANDONED BY THE GUILTY ****

The prison experts have reported that there are 100,000 innocent Americans currently being falsely imprisoned along with the 2,300,000 total US prison population nationwide.

Since our US Congress has never afforded poor prison inmates federal appeal legal counsel for their federal retrials,they have effectively closed the doors on these tens of thousands of innocent citizens ever being capable of possibly exonerating themselves to regain their freedom through being granted new retrials.

This same exact unjust situation was happening in our Southern States when poor and mostly uneducated Black Americans were being falsely imprisoned for endless decades without the needed educational skills to properly submit their own written federal trial appeals.

This devious and deceptive judicial process of making our poor and innocent prison inmates formulate and write their own federal appeal legal cases for possible retrials on their state criminal cases,is still in effect today even though everyone in our US judicial system knows that without proper legal representation, these tens of thousands of innocent prison inmates will be denied their rightful opportunities of ever being granted new trials from our federal appeal judges!!

Sadly, the true US *legal* Federal Appeal situation that occurs when any of our uneducated American prison inmates are forced to attempt to submit their own written Federal Appeals (from our prisons nationwide) without the assistance of proper legal counsel, is that they all are in reality being denied their legitimate rights for Habeas Corpus with our US FEDERAL COURTS and will win any future Supreme Court Case concerning this injustice!

For our judicial system and our US Congressional Leaders Of The Free World to continue to pretend that this is a real and fair opportunity for our American Middle Class and Working Poor Citizens, only delays the very needed future change of Federal Financing of all these Federal appeals becoming a normal formula of Our American judicial system.

It was not so very long ago that Public Defenders became a Reality in this country.Prior that legal reality taking place, their were also some who thought giving anyone charged with a crime a free lawyer was a waste of taxpayers $$.

This FACADE and HORROR of our Federal Appeal proce$$ is not worthy of the Greatest Country In The World! ***GREAT SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT PROTECT EVEN THEIR INNOCENT, BECOME THE GUILTY!

A MUST READ ABOUT AMERICAN INJUSTICE:

1) YAHOO 2) GOOGLE

MANNY GONZALES THE KID THAT EVERYONE FORGOT IN THE CA PRISON SYSTEM.

** A JUDICIAL RIDE OF ONES LIFE !

lawyersforpooramericans@ yahoo.com

(424-247-2013)

re: The Real Showdown

AMbi071 — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:28:05 GMT

The next president should be selected based on what they stand for! I am tired of Americans being stupid---I hear people make comments why they are voting for one over the other-WHAT IS THIS?

Look at what policies the person stands.

Look at what their beliefs.

Look at their record for what they have voted for in the past.

Look at their running mates in the same way.

Democrat or Republican you have to know why you are voting or praying for one over the other. Be wise!!!

God does have his hand in this election, but God looks within not the outside!

BE A SMART AMERICAN ----FIND OUT!

re: The Real Showdown

Sandra Block — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:46:55 GMT

Newsweek:

How can you allow this obviously fake document be published on your website? This is truly an Abuse of the privilege to speak your mind. Comments are one thing, but allowing this to be an avenue of spreading lies and defamation of character is WRONG!! This document is not signed nor sealed by any Court. I am asking that you inform "njeannev" to not post this link again. It is clearly defamation of character, which has become a "SOP" of the Republican Party!!

Average, intelligent people will see this for what it is. A FAKE document (probably printed off your own home printer)!! Where is the Seal? Where are the signatures (even of the Atty. who supposedly is the one filing)? No date it was ordered. And finally, even if this was real, than why hasn't the Media picked up on it? Come on.....no one is listening..

re: The Real Showdown

Krohn — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:32:26 GMT

THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CANDIDATE!

NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY HAS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BEEN GIVEN SUCH A FREE PASS BY THE PRESS AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE!

I AM WAITING FOR A BLACK PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO MAKE IT ON HIS OWN MERIT.

COLIN POWELL COMES TO MIND!

re: The Real Showdown

Jim Johnson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:46:35 GMT

Who can answer all these questions honestly and completely?

1. Which member of the Communist party was a mentor of Obama???s while he lived in Hawaii?

2. Which domestic terrorist was a close friend and associate of Obama???s, held a fund raiser for Obama, jumpstarted Obama???s career, and contributed to Obama???s campaign fund?

3. Which domestic terrorist appointed Obama to chair his charity, who Obama attended meetings with and shared in the presentations, and who bombed government buildings and said he was proud of it??

4. Which convicted real estate embezzler was close friends with Obama, helped Obama buy his mansion at a $300,000 discount, and who paid full price for a lot next to Obama???s mansion and sold Obama a strip at a great price to enlarge his yard?

5. Which convicted real estate embezzler received an ear mark of 14 million taxpayer dollars from Obama, held a political fundraiser for Obama, and donated to Obama???s political campaign fund??

6. Which convicted real estate embezzler was close friends with a real estate tycoon wanted by England, who had ties with Arafat and Saddam Hussein and who the Obama???s share a table with at a dinner??

7. For which convicted real estate embezzler did Obama work on one of his real estate projects?

8. Which university professor was a close friend of Obama???s that supported the PLO terrorists, was anti-Israel, and was the main supporter of Ahmadinejad???s visit to the U. S. and his university??

9. At which university professor???s retirement did Obama give a speech and praise the professor even though Obama knew he was a terrorist supporter?

10. Which church did Obama attend for 20 years whose minister preached hate for America and white people, and whose minister served as Obama???s personal and political advisor?

11. Which radical Catholic priest was a close friend and advisor to Obama?

12. Who is the leader of the Nation of Islam who praised Obama and whose million man march Obama participated in?

13. Who hired members of the Nation of Islam to work in his political offices?

re: The Real Showdown

Jim Johnson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:47:12 GMT

Click and get sick!! You have been warned!!!

http://usawakeup.org/USSA.htm

re: The Real Showdown

Jim Johnson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:48:40 GMT

Obama explains his objection to our National Anthem and Flag!!

Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides,' Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the Anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'

WHAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!!!! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this could possibly be our next president. I, for once, am speechless.

He better take sides..........if he is not on the side of AMERICA he MUST NOT EVEN BE CONSIDERED for the office he is seeking. We do not need a man in office that will not salute the flag. The world knows how to sing, what they need to know is that the USA will defend what that flag stands for.

re: The Real Showdown

Jim Johnson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:50:26 GMT

Obama, the one you can trust! The American people are like leeches on the government. They can no longer think for themselves. They can no longer take care of themselves. They need to be bottle fed and have their diapers changed. Obama is their savior, their Messiah. They can no longer fight for their freedoms. They must succumb to the beautiful words of promise and hope from Obama. He will make their lives great and trouble free. He will make us one world with no bounderies. Everyone will be equal. There will never be rich people or poor people again. We will all be middle class. That is where the world is headed and we will be the first to get there. All medical help and medicine will be socialized. The government will lead the people down the rosey path to hell. The people will serve the mighty leader, Obama. He controls all human activities and tells us were and when to go. He will tell us what to drive and when to drive. He will tell us where to set our thermostats in our houses. He will tell us the kind of food we must eat. He will create the perfect society, the perfect human race. We will never want again. He will provide everything we need. If we are without, he will make the neighbors share with us. He will insure that everyone will have something to eat and something to wear. He will be the guiding light to our future. We will all be happy and full of joy because Obama says we are. He will control our attitudes and provide us with hope that he will always make things better for us. Life could not be easier or better. He will look out for us. Put your full trust in him and he will deliver. He is the almighty, the Messiah, and the keeper of the people. We will get on out knees and worship him and the ground he walks on. We will never want anything again because he will make everything readily available to us. He has the answer to all our problems and our shortcomings. He will forgive us for our misdeeds and make us whole again. May our new God have mercy on our souls and bless our new kingdom; Obamanation! Always remember that you will have the Quran to fall back on, to read, and to enjoy! Always keep it near you and always look into the eyes of Obama in the pictures that will be provided to you. The pictures will always remind you who your savior is and to whom you will owe your great life. Teach your children and grandchildren to worship the man in the picure and they will always remain wholesome and happy! He will always show them the path to follow to become a great person like him! They must idolize him if they expect to be blessed. And, be sure to pat yourself on the back for choosing the Messiah and giving your children and grandchildren the security and wellness the Messiah has to offer. Always keep your Quran and his picture next to your bed and close to your heart and you will be happy forever! Brothers and sisters, I love you, and we will be together as one forever and ever!

re: The Real Showdown

Jim Johnson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:56:50 GMT

I have always believed that birds of a feather will always flock together and if you CANNOT trust one of them, you can't trust any of them.

We all select our friends and associates by their character. If we do not agree with their character and how they lead their lives, then we will NOT accept them as our friends. I, personally, would never associate with anyone that was involved in any kind of criminal activities or racial activities, or involved in any kind of demonstrations against the country which I love with all my heart. I have too much self respect and pride to associate with these types of lowlife trash.

But, for some reason, we CANNOT and will NOT hold our President to these same standards and good judgement. It seems that a president who has 'no sex' with a young intern in our Oval Ofiice is beyond scrutiny and is still considered to be a GREAT president. It doesn't matter that his actions destroyed the view of the office of the presidency in the eyes of our friends around the world and destroyed the morals of all of our young people. The character of a president is just not important to the American people any longer.

Promises of 'hope and change' and empty rhetoric has replaced the need of a presidential candidate to have good judgemnet and good character. As long as they are shrewd enough to 'look presidential' and said what the POOR STUPID Americans want to hear, that is all that is important. The American people no longer need evidence, REAL evidence, that a candidate is capable of fulfilling his promises and is capable of protecting and serving the people. Talk is cheap, but the right talk has proven to be all that is required by the American people. Judgement, character, and experience is no longer required.

I have always believed that birds of a feather will always flock together and if you CANNOT trust one of them, you can't trust any of them. The American voter is willing to accept Obama at face value, without thoroughly researching his background. I would like to know how many Americans are willing to send our young men and women into combat overseas to fight terrorists, and, at the same time, are willing to accept a president who has been friends with domestic terrorists for years, and a president who is supported by Hamas and many, many other radical groups and leaders from around the world.

Just keep in mind that Obama would never be accepted in the FBI or CIA, but the American voters would elect him as their president and Commander-in-chief of their brave military men and women!!!! May God bless and have mercy on the souls of all the misguided voters!!!!

re: The Real Showdown

Jim Johnson — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:54:20 GMT

Obama's view of the future of America - Socialism which is the next step to Communism!!

Under socialism a ruling class of intellectuals, bureaucrats and social planners decide what people want or what is good for society and then use the coercive power of the State to regulate, tax, and redistribute the wealth of those who work for a living. In other words, socialism is a form of legalized theft.

The morality of socialism can be summed-up in two words: envy and self-sacrifice. Envy is the desire to not only possess another's wealth but also the desire to see another's wealth lowered to the level of one's own. Socialism's teaching on self-sacrifice was nicely summarized by two of its greatest defenders, Hermann Goering and Bennito Mussolini. The highest principle of Nazism (National Socialism), said Goering, is: "Common good comes before private good." Fascism, said

Mussolini, is "a life in which the individual, through the sacrifice of his own private interests??realizes that completely spiritual existence in which his value as a man lies."

Socialism is the social system which institutionalizes envy and self-sacrifice: It is the social system which uses compulsion and the organized violence of the State to expropriate wealth from the producer class for its redistribution to the parasitical class.

Despite the intellectuals' psychotic hatred of capitalism, it is the only moral and just social system.

Capitalism is the only moral system because it requires human beings to deal with one another as traders--that is, as free moral agents trading and selling goods and services on the basis of mutual consent.

Capitalism is the only just system because the sole criterion that determines the value of thing exchanged is the free, voluntary, universal judgement of the consumer. Coercion and fraud are anathema to the free-market system.

It is both moral and just because the degree to which man rises or falls in society is determined by the degree to which he uses his mind. Capitalism is the only social system that rewards merit, ability and achievement, regardless of one's birth or station in life.

Yes, there are winners and losers in capitalism. The winners are those who are honest, industrious, thoughtful, prudent, frugal, responsible, disciplined, and efficient. The losers are those who are shiftless, lazy, imprudent, extravagant, negligent, impractical, and inefficient. [What about the role of luckbeing in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the wrong time? R. R. Pope}

Capitalism is the only social system that rewards virtue and punishes vice. This applies to both the business executive and the carpenter, the lawyer and the factory worker.