Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

LVUONG — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:48:32 GMT

It is not race, but many black people are more qualified than Obama is. Experience counts, and other issues such as abortion are heavy in voters' hearts, in the tradition of Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. American peopler are smart, and morally and spiritually mature.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

tdn0024 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:06:28 GMT

I voted for Obama.

One thing for liberals to remember always was Hillary's statement "hard working Americans, white Americans."

If a conservative had said this, Democrats would hang it around his/her neck as the only thing you ever needed to know from that person. The media would still write about how the 'code' had been set aside for some rare 'frank talk'.

Nice to see that on the day before the election, Obama is poised to win a higher percent of whites than Bill Clinton did. Guess those are, like me, lazy Americans. ;0

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Southern Bell — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:28:29 GMT

McCain waged an ugly campaign. He was either unable or unwilling to force his running mate to put an end to chants of "McCain not Hussein" at her rallies. The "palling around with terrorists" was an ugly swipe, not to mention the Republicans attempts to label Dems as socialists, communists and marxists.

If McCain pulls out an upset it will be because of his nasty campaign. He will precide over a very divided country that become that way partly because of the same old attempts by Repubs to divide and then conquer America.

McCain deserves no respect for the way he ran his campaign.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

millerm84 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:35:47 GMT

Lvuong its funny to me that you mention experience and Abraham Lincoln in the same sentence, Lincoln held fewer political offices then Obama, yet was able to guide the country through the worst crisis of our history.

And abortion for Reagen "Early in 1967, the national debate on abortion was beginning. Democratic California state senator Anthony Beilenson introduced the "Therapeutic Abortion Act," in an effort to reduce the number of "back-room abortions" performed in California.[53] The State Legislature sent the bill to Reagan's desk where, after many days of indecision, he signed it.[56] About two million abortions would be performed as a result, most because of a provision in the bill allowing abortions for the well-being of the mother." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan#cite_note-Cannon51-55

As for Washington his only political office was that of president. Yes he led the colonial armies, but he did not reside in offices of government and stew like McCain has.

It always make for good political jockeying to drop major historic names but , Obama is more like Lincoln then McCain, Reagan introduced abortion to California (I'm sure McCain really endorses that move) and only had two terms in a state level office much closer to Obama's state and national levels of office. Experience counts but its the man or woman behind that experience that matters.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

40YearR — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:45:05 GMT

With thanks to wendydk, here are answers to some of the smears against Obama using various non-partisan sources. Investigate for yourselves before believing anyone's version of the facts or "unanswered questions":

Where Obama was born and his birth certificate: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

Rezko: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/money.asp

Ayers: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ayers.asp

Rashid Kahlidi: http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=23 and McCain’s donations to him http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccain-funded-rashid-khalidi.html

Are three former Fannie Mae executives economic advisers to Obama?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/are_three_former_fannie_mae_executives_economic.html

Is Obama's brother really dirt poor in Kenya and living on a dollar a day?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_obamas_brother_really_dirt_poor_in.html

How many times did Obama vote PRESENT as a state senator and why?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/how_many_times_did_obama_vote_present.html

Obama"s relationships with corrupt Chicago politicians

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/guilt_and_associations.html

NRA ads regarding Obama violating second amendment right to bear arms

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/nra_targets_obama.html

Jerome Corsis The Obama Nation:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/corsis_dull_hatchet.html

Obama wants to teach sex ed to Kindergartners?

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/off_base_on_sex_ed.html

Obama plans painful tax increases for working families:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/a_new_stitch_in_a_bad_pattern.html

Context Included: Obama on Iran

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/context_included_obama_on_iran.html

Did Obama write that he would stand with the Muslims and that he nurses a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity toward whites:

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_obama_write_that_he_would_stand.html

Other purported quotes from Obama’s books: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp

Did Hamas endorse Barack Obama?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_hamas_endorse_barack_obama.html

Claims that Obama is a Muslim, attended a Wahabi school in Indonesia, took his Senate oath on the Koran, refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and is part of an Islamic plot to take over the U.S.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html

Barack and Michelle Obama spent $450 on lobster and caviar at the Waldorf at taxpayer expense

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_michelle_obama_spend_450_on_room.html

50 Obama lies and counting

http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=9

The Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan Controversies

http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=21

A 40 year republican

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

40YearR — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:46:14 GMT

“Nowforsomethingotherthanthetruth” exemplifies the measures employed by the McCain campaign starting with the anonymous smear emails that began when McC hired the Bush propaganda machine.

This deception campaign tries to benefit from party loyalties. It preys upon hate, prejudice and fear, and on the “unanswered questions” fabricated by the anonymous emails this campaign perpetrated. Links to debunks of many of those fabrications are in an earlier posting.

This is by far the greatest extreme ever in American politics. It is a fundamental threat to our political process. It would further entrench the Bush operatives who took over the McC campaign, and the republican lobbyists who represent only the megarich who looted our economy.

McC was a maverick. He promised to root out the lobbyists he said are what’s wrong with Washington. He said he would not take the low road employed by the Bush machine when it smeared him. He sold out when he got behind and subscribed to the ideology that the end justifies the means.

McC would continue the Bush tax give away to the rich that McC previously opposed and called “irresponsible” because “it only benefits the rich.”

McC now wants to give more billions in tax give aways to oil companies that have just reported the largest profits in history for two consecutive quarters, while he claims that lowering taxes for everyone under $250k in after-deduction income will somehow keep businessmen from starting businesses.

“Nowfor” has employed many of the themes in the anonymous viral emails. He recently said it was “revealed that Obama has PLO buddies” referring to Rashid Khalidi to whom McC donated $440k:

http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccain-funded-rashid-khalidi.html Guilt by association.

"Nowfor" continues repasting that the cause of our problem is a law decades old that encourages loans to qualified low income people.

Alan Greenspan said the cause is that an entire financial system was built outside of regulation; "we trusted" these self-interested looters “to regulate themselves”. Credit Default Swaps resulted. They increased from $106 trillion in '02 to $531 trillion under R stewardship.

The legitimate news has reported that Fannie and Freddie paid many millions to McC's campaign manager, Rick Davis, who received up to $35K/mo. from Fannie and Freddie from 2000 to while he has been McC's campaign manager.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/us/politics/22mccain.html and http://www.newsweek.com/id/164732/page/1

Trillions were looted from our economy because the Rs allowed it. The Rs, including McC's campaign manager, are in the pockets of big money.

Without solutions, it is necessary to campaign with deception, misdirection, fear, smears, hypocrisy.

Attempts to hijack our political process with deceit and abuse of the trust of party loyalties are reasons I'm voting for Obama after 40 years of never voted for a Dem.

A 40 year republican

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

DaveWK — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:47:39 GMT

McCain is due very little credit for the tone of his campaign as a whole, which has been exceedingly negative. Remember the claim, of which he said he was "proud," that Obama had favored teaching sex ed to kindergarteners? The nonsense about assoications with Ayers and Khalidi (turns out McCain had directed over $500,000 to the latter's organization). Labelling Obama as a socialist for opposing tax cuts for the rich which McCain also opposed before he sold his soul to Bush. For his part, Obama has shown himself to be thoughtful and always respectful of McCain (he consistently praises his history of service and silences any booing at his rallies). He hasn't played the same guilt by association game (never mentioned McCain's connection, of which he was "proud," with the anti-Catholic Rev. Hagee). He's an honorable and intelligent man, who will do the best job possible to bring this country together.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Ms.Optimistic — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:49:14 GMT

McCain and Palin are out of touch with atleast half of the United States. Obama and Biden have both experienced underprivileged and privileged lives, so they can relate to ALL people. They also understand that no matter where you live, how much money you make or what ethnic background you belong to, we are all Americans, good , bad or indifferent.

I live in Harrisburg, PA and I am so tired of the Reverend Wright ads. The more I see them, the more I feel sorry for McCain and Palin. I hope they understand the hate they are breeding.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

think4yourself — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:50:23 GMT

Obama was the ONLY ONE who use racial tatics in this campaign.

THE RACE IS NOT OVER!!! Both Rasmussen and Masion/Dixion saids race in ALL BATTLEGROUND STATES are TOO CLOSE TO CALL. We are all in for a late night. DONT BELIEVE THE LIES.

GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!!

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ldr041 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:51:54 GMT

True for the most part. McCain's "Barak Lacks Experience" ad seemed to be a bit of an attempt to post the word "Black" on the page

Barak

Lacks

Sort of doubt this escaped the attention of the ad designers...almost a subliminal the way the words fade away to the right. Go here to see it: http://www.johnmccain.com/tvads/

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ssbn777 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:55:47 GMT

"the bottom line is this: the country has changed. There was a time, and it wasn’t that long ago, when you could run on race or religion or both. You can’t do it anymore."

Are you for real? 98% of blacks are voting for Obama, and the media are doing nothing but praising that activity. How is that not racist? Double standard, anyone?????

Furthermore, Obama sat in that church's pews for TWENTY YEARS. The racist venom spewing from that pastor, who actively espouses "black liberation theology", is well documented. If Obama had a problem with that, not only would he not have remained a member of that church, but he wouldn't have that man marry him and his wife, baptise his children, and title a whole book after him. He didn't "cut all ties" with Wright or that chuch until it became politically expedient -- this past springtime during his primary Presidential run....

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

baybluv — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:05:16 GMT

If McCain doesn't have a racist bone in his body then why doesn't he acknowledge his Black cousins and family that his great-grandfather sired when he owned slaves.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

voicewithin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:05:23 GMT

Actually I find it real strange that McCain held off blasting Senator Obama with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I find it strange because McCain and Palin lied and smeared Obama in every area but this one... Why? McCain didn't want to bring religion into the race. He is not religious himself. He chased after Rev. John Hagee who is anti-gay, anti-Catholic and anti Muslim. McCain sought the support of Rev. Jerry Fawell before his death. He sought Dobson's endorsement and Rod Parsley also. All of these are fanatical and radical evangelical Christians.

Then there is Sarah 666 Palin's religious background which is real scary!

For more information on John Stumbling Bumbling McCain and his sidekick Shopping Sarah 666 Palin visit http://www.ibelievethis.us

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

voicewithin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:25:57 GMT

There are two words that go together VOTER FRAUD and Republican! This is a shame!

I caucused for McCain but VOTED EARLY FOR OBAMA! I could not get over how McCain change views on taxing wealthy Americans. It deep;y disturbed me that McCain selected Governor Palin. In eight weeks NOTHING has convinced me that she is qualified to be Governor let alone Vice President or President. She is a disgrace to the Republican party as is Steven's and Craig!

McCain and Palin have lied and smeared Obama. This was wrong! They will lose the election. Republicans may lose the Senate because of these type of politics. Looks at Dole in North Carolina. Her comments where so out of order! Republicans we have errored in letting the radical fanatical evangelical Christian right to dominate our party politics. We are going to pay for this for years to come.

The youth of our country don't like it. The Republican party will become the party of age... Republicans are headed for a serious split! Moderates -vs- religious radicals. We have earned EVERYTHING WE ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE in the election!

For more information on John Stumbling Bumbling McCain and his sidekick Shopping Sarah 666 Palin visit http://www.ibelievethis.us Obama began to Obama began to pull ahead.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

benluclar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:28:25 GMT

Well, Americans may be portrayed as sunflowers rising and facing the sun, but, I, for one, do not rise like a sunflower for any EARTHLY being. In fact, this is the exact portrayal of an entire wave from this candidacy which I find not only alarming, but IDOLISTIC, not IDEALISTIC.

To think that a media icon could actually make this comparison is truly frightening, if not insightful to this whole race.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

C. MacLean — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:32:50 GMT

In general, both campaigns showed restraint, but unfortunately, large groups of individuals didn't. The blog entries on this website show that plainly enough.

But you're correct about one thing - progress is progress, and we should celebrate it, where ever we find it.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Bass Pro — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:35:21 GMT

Sorry to interject this comment in this blog. Senator Obama's grandmother has died of cancer.

Fox News. may they rot, had a different but not unexpected take on Senator Obama's trip away from the campaign to see her. the campaign had said she was gravely ill and had broken her hip a few day ago and was very depressed. Senator Obama said she may not see election day.

Fox news had an article suggesting the "grave condition" may be overstated and that a broken hip was not a grave condition. In other words Obama was using his grandmother as a political prop.

If you're an independent or have not voted yey, either Republican or Democrat like myself, run don't walk and send a message to the GOP that they'll never forget.

Tell them that hate doesn't turn you on and dancing to tune of hate mongers like Dick Morris, Sean Hannity and rush Limbaugh is not for you. It will be the best thing you've ever done for yourself and your party regardless of which party you belong to.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

benluclar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:45:19 GMT

Senator Obama SUPPORTS "DO NOT RESUSCITATE" a baby who LIVES THROUGH and ABORTION.

Please, please ALL VOTERS KNOW THIS.

48 MILLION BABIES HAVE BEEN ABORTED IN THE UNITED STATES.

If a baby LIVES in a BOTCHED ABORTION, Senator OBAMA says LET IT DIE. DO NOT RESUSCITATE.

Instead of sending Republicans a message, as suggested earlier by someone so sad about Obama's grandmother, KNOW THAT IF SHE WERE A BOTCHED ABORTION OBAMA WOULD NOT ALLOW YOU TO SAVE HER.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Braes — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:48:35 GMT

Muslim is just the new code word for the N word.

When I hear people calling him a Muslim, I see people whose parents ran the Klan.

Just a view from the South, where for the most part, this was all in the embarassing past.

They didn't avoid racial warfare, they normed it for today's audience.

Bass Pro, I had to call my Cable Operator to get Fox unblocked so I could watch a World Series game. I have since reblocked Fox, Fox News. I will not allow that trash in my home.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

birdyfiggis — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:53:09 GMT

ARe you kidding me? McCain -- and especially Palin -- all but called Senator Omaba a n-----. They whipped up their crowds with expression of hate. I believe they crossed the line into illegal activity, and have lost all respect for McCain -- and I am a Democrat who once admired him -- because of this.

birdy figgis

columbus, ohio

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

markci — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:53:10 GMT

*** If a baby LIVES in a BOTCHED ABORTION, Senator OBAMA says LET IT DIE. DO NOT RESUSCITATE. ***

Actually, moron, that's been proven to be nothing but GOP lies.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ariziowa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:00:09 GMT

Guess what, Braes - I can say "***" "white trash", "***", but not "higger". Why is that?

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ariziowa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:03:26 GMT

Well, if they can call us devils and infidels - what is wrong with me calling them "towl-heads" or " camel jockyes".

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Bass Pro — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:04:27 GMT

bennuclear, Is the first comments you've made that didn't at least contain 1 or 2 Barrys, Hussiens or Muslim? Since when have you been the right to lifer. You're a pathetic puppet! If you were a pro-lifer,then why all of the other slimey, mouth-breathing referrence. Do these slurs override the importance of making a pro-life statement. By the way. i'll guarantee you that Barack Obama has more respect for human life than John McCain. John McCcain was in the Congress that had the majority for 6 years of Bush/Cheney. Did he bring a bill to the floor that was pro life? No! Did Bush bring a case before the supreme court to overturn Roe and send the issue to the states? No!

in truth the last thing in the world an elected R epublican needs is for that to happen. Without this issue the party of hate would suffer greatly.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ariziowa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:07:02 GMT

I assume you little osama fans are little white girls.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

jonathanw — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:08:01 GMT

He is putting that ad now because this is when it would be effective. If he had put it before, people would have got used to it. McCain has run the most dishonrable campaign ever. Anyways, the real good news is that this is still "old news" and most people don't care.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:08:48 GMT

Obama’s plan for jobs on Pennsylvania, Virginia , West Virginia , Kentucky, Tennessee, and other states, and Obama’s plan for dealing with the high cost of energy, including electricity generation.

An audiotape of an interview Barack Obama did in January 2008 with The San Francisco Chronicle has surfaced in the final days of the presidential campaign. On the tape Obama tells the interviewer, “so if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can … It’s just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted."

Now, why would Obama say that in San Francisco and not Pennsylvania?

And why did Newsweek take their story on the Pennsylvania campaign down yesterday after this story broke?

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ariziowa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:11:43 GMT

Probably not - why does that bother you! Hmmm - pathetic puppet. I believe you should look in the mirror. Please, little fisherman - the party of hate, as you know, are the Democrats.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Linda Janie Broussard — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:12:03 GMT

"...this country can be proud of the way it has, for the most part, conducted itself in the process this year..." "...Obama used his race mixed-race heritage as a calling card when it suited him."

Mr. Fineman, with all due respect, have you misplaced your brain?

From day one, Sarah Palin pandered to the lowest common denominator, vulgarizing the campaign in ways I have NEVER seen, and I’m from South Louisiana, so I’ve heard some serious political trash talk…

As for John McCain, HE’S GOT JOE THE PLUMBER CAMPAIGNING FOR HIM. Joe the Plumber said Obama 'tap danced like Sammy Davis Jr.' Joe is McCain's spokesperson; this doesn't say... something ugly to you???

Obama has discussed his racial heritage SOLELY because it’s an issue.

Ce qui ? Senator Obama devrait faire... ce qui ? Pretend he isn't half black and half white and not talk about what everybody else is thinking? This country is not color blind, Mr. Fineman. Not yet. You think John McCain’s a great guy, no prejudice in him? Wonder what his good pal Joe the Plumber would say about you, seeing as how you appear (peut-être je suis confondue) to be a well-educated, non-Christian, minion of the evil Mainstream Media.

You need some rest and vitamins, you. Cette election vous a rendu fou. Spend a couple days fishing and eating right, get some sunshine, you'll be able to think a little more clearly. Ai-yee.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

benluclar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:14:43 GMT

Bass Pro.... I think you have me mixed up with someone else.

I have never used the word Muslim in any comment I have made on this blog ever.

Obama does NOT believe in MEDICAL CARE for BABIES who LIVE in PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION.

That is a fact, and the only fact, that I have ever portrayed.

You have your posters mixed up, my dear.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

4astrongamerica — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:16:12 GMT

I completely agree with this article. When people in this election are pointing to code words like "Hockey Mom" to show racial bias, you know that we've come a long way. I specifically think that McCain used great restraint in not bringing up Rev. Wright. Rev. Wright epitomizes racial hatred and McCain could very easily have used this to his benefit. America obviously still has racial discrimination on both sides, but should be applauded for the great strides that have been and continue to be made.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Linda Janie Broussard — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:16:24 GMT

Posted By: ariziowa (November 3, 2008 at 6:07 PM)

I assume you little osama fans are little white girls.

***

Mr. Fineman, I just posted a comment suggesting you get some rest, then I saw this. I also reported it as abusive, because it is.

Res ipsa loquiter.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ariziowa — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:16:52 GMT

Well, I realize osama has more money than Allah! I get at least 5 emails each day, and 3 phone calls, for osama's campaign - all are very disturbing - "osama will save the world - John McCain will ruin it"! Grow up little ***.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

kelsey — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:22:06 GMT

Howard, you are wrong. Obama's race-baiting in South Carolina deserves much more condemnation that you give it. His insinuation that the Clintons were racist was (besides being pure bunk) divisive, mean spirited, calculated, and wrong. It is the reason why a country that should be united behind the Democratic nominee will instead have to endure another four years of partisan fury due to a nail-biter of an election. Obama's race-baiting will thus make a victory tomorrow pyrrhic at best. And if he loses, he can point back to South Carolina as his own personal killing field for post-racial politics.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

benluclar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:33:55 GMT

Kelsey .... Excellent post. You have hit the proverbial nail.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

4astrongamerica — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:35:57 GMT

Although I am not an Obama supporter because of basic ideological differences, I am glad that this election has brought the conversation of race to the forefront. I long for the day when we can all be truly equal without any regard to the color of ones skin. Obama's views differ greatly from my own, but his ascension to this level should prove to all minorities that great success is possible for anyone regardless of your ethnic heritage. Minorities must reject the long standing premise touted by many Democrats that they cannot achieve success without the help of government, a legislated advantage in school or the workplace and an elevated playing field. Minorities are just as intelligent and capable of success as anyone else. Through hard work, sacrifice, motivation and desire, any American can achieve great things.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

tom343 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:43:47 GMT

Newsweek, like The Nation or for that matter National Review is a journal of opinion. I wish it would label itself as such.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Loden Green — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:25:19 GMT

Pardon me while I roll on the floor laughing. You have spent some time in the South, Howard, during this campaign. Some state amd local GOP folks were playing the race card--sometimes subtly and sometimes not--like it was the last card in the deck. Ity was sickening and disgusting.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

northwesterner — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:34:10 GMT

The whole point of the matter is that race WAS INVOKED! We did NOT have a clean campaign. Obama's race was touched upon and used by Rush Limbaugh and Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin and Hannity and the police officer who announced Palin and every other individual who brought up "Hussein" as his middle name.

I see no room for any pats-on-the-back here. The truth is race was invoked - but the results of the election will show that using race was not enough to scare people anymore. Our Country is growing up...

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:48:56 GMT

Alaska Personal Board report out today finds no violation by Governor Palin.

http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live_asx.html?stream=stream3

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:48:57 GMT

Alaska Personal Board report out today finds no violation by Governor Palin.

http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live_asx.html?stream=stream3

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

underdog — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:01:19 GMT

Race has been played in this election. Not overtly as in days gone past , but, more low key. Hillary mentioned getting the white vote over Obama. Obama had his "angry white gun owner "moment. Even the press has been involved with the mindless white guilt. Why do they endlessly say this is an "historic moment" and "history is being made"? Give it a rest. We are having an election where once again the republican party has imploded, just like under Nixon, no more ,no less. If Hillary had been nominated she probably would be ahead in the polls as well.

And if you believe, after 20 years of listening to Rev. Wright, that by denouncing him as a saving act for a politcal campaign pardons Obama for listening to this guy all that time, your nuts. He didn't suddenly wake up and repent the lessons of Rev. Wright. He through Rev. Wright under the bus to save his campain. What a true politician.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ObamaYesWeCan — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:07:54 GMT

This moronic scumbag Samuel J. Wurzelbacher "Joe the Plumber" had his AZ driver license suspended

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/128323

Wurzelbacher, who lived in Mesa in 2000 and had an Arizona driver's license, had his driver's license suspended by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division on May 4, 2000, following a nonpayment of a court-imposed fine for civil traffic violations, according to court records.

...owes nearly $1,200 in back taxes, according to public records, still owes more than $700 to the Mesa court system.

Records show he was cited for failure to stop at a red light and for failure to provide proof of insurance on Feb. 9, 2000, in a black Dodge truck at the intersection of Dobson and Baseline roads in Mesa.

After failing to pay his original fine of $627.50 issued in March 2000, his license was suspended and the fine was handed over to a collection agency along with a 16 percent surcharge. The now-resident of Holland, Ohio, still owes $727.90 to the Mesa Municipal Court, according to court records.

Hopefully the collection agency will break both of his legs so he'll never be able to walk nor work ever again. This typical Republican scumbag deserves it.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

underdog — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 01:24:29 GMT

I love it when I read people attcking Samuel J. Wurzelbacher "Joe the Plumber" . His crime, he asked the holy one an unscripted question. How dare he! His punishment, we will smear him , ridicule him, lay his life open for everyone to see. This is right out of the Republican playbook. I guess, deep down, fanatics on for the demcrats are just like the fanatics for the republicans. ObamaYesWeCan, I'm sure you make Karl Rove proud.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

40YearR — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:50:18 GMT

"underdog", "......yeswecan" used to give a link to his website. He stopped when it was pointed out that it obviously showed it was created by someone who wants people to believe that a an Obama supporter would engage in the same kinds of invective that is so commonly directed at Obama.

"......yeswecan" is a fake. It is just part of the propaganda machine.

"......yeswecan": show us your website again....

A 40 year republican

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

40YearR — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:53:56 GMT

Where Obama was born and his birth certificate: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

Rezko: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/money.asp

Ayers: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ayers.asp

Rashid Kahlidi: http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=23 and McCain’s donations to him http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccain-funded-rashid-khalidi.html

Are three former Fannie Mae executives economic advisers to Obama?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/are_three_former_fannie_mae_executives_economic.html

Is Obama's brother really dirt poor in Kenya and living on a dollar a day?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_obamas_brother_really_dirt_poor_in.html

How many times did Obama vote PRESENT as a state senator and why?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/how_many_times_did_obama_vote_present.html

Obama"s relationships with corrupt Chicago politicians

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/guilt_and_associations.html

NRA ads regarding Obama violating second amendment right to bear arms

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/nra_targets_obama.html

Jerome Corsis The Obama Nation:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/corsis_dull_hatchet.html

Obama wants to teach sex ed to Kindergartners?

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/off_base_on_sex_ed.html

Obama plans painful tax increases for working families:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/a_new_stitch_in_a_bad_pattern.html

Context Included: Obama on Iran

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/context_included_obama_on_iran.html

Did Obama write that he would stand with the Muslims and that he nurses a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity toward whites:

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_obama_write_that_he_would_stand.html

Other purported quotes from Obama’s books: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp

Did Hamas endorse Barack Obama?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_hamas_endorse_barack_obama.html

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html

Barack and Michelle Obama spent $450 on lobster and caviar at the Waldorf at taxpayer expense

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_michelle_obama_spend_450_on_room.html

50 Obama lies and counting

http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=9

The Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan Controversies

http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=21

A 40 year republican

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

40YearR — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:54:51 GMT

“Nowforsomethingotherthanthetruth” exemplifies the measures employed by the McCain campaign starting with the anonymous smear emails that began when McC hired the Bush propaganda machine.

McC would continue the Bush tax give away to the rich that McC previously opposed and called “irresponsible” because “it only benefits the rich.”

“Nowfor” has employed many of the themes in the anonymous viral emails. He recently said it was “revealed that Obama has PLO buddies” referring to Rashid Khalidi to whom McC donated $440k:

http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccain-funded-rashid-khalidi.html Guilt by association.

"Nowfor" continues repasting that the cause of our problem is a law decades old that encourages loans to qualified low income people.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/22/us/politics/22mccain.html and http://www.newsweek.com/id/164732/page/1

Trillions were looted from our economy because the Rs allowed it. The Rs, including McC's campaign manager, are in the pockets of big money.

Without solutions, it is necessary to campaign with deception, misdirection, fear, smears, hypocrisy.

Attempts to hijack our political process with deceit and abuse of the trust of party loyalties are reasons I'm voting for Obama after 40 years of never voted for a Dem.

A 40 year republican

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:58:54 GMT

In the exchange with "Joe the plumber" Obama unintentionally revealed that he really is as radical as his early political mentors and acquaintances, Davis, Ayers, Wright, Khalidi etc., (gee, there sure seem to be a lot of them) and that he is into the failed economic policy of wealth redistribution. Now there is absolute proof. In 2001, Obama, the "community organizer" turned legislator, said in an interview:

"And I think one of the tragedies of the civil rights movement was that the civil rights movement became so court-focused, I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and organizing activities on the ground that are able to bring about the coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change, and in some ways we still suffer from that,"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck

2001 Chicago Public Radio Interview.

Obama's tax and spending plans alone would be bad enough, but add Reid and Pelosi to the mix, with the three of them controlling both houses of Congress and the executive branch without any effective restraint, and you have something that should causes concern even among moderate Democrats.

See Wall Street Journal: A Liberal Supermajority:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122420205889842989.html

Indeed, some democrats are publically saying as much. See Barney Franks comments on the news, including face the nation last week, stating essentially that Democrats in Congress intend to greatly raise taxes and go on a spending spree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Mazjm_A5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJGnSAlqjoU

See http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/23617.html

Obama's ill-conceived programs will require him to tax, and his health care plan alone is a substantial hidden tax on all business, large an small. In reality, it does not really matter who he taxes, those taxes are going to be passed through the economy. He has to tax, because it is they only way he can pay for his massive social engineering experiments. Any first year economics student knows that taxation is a tool used to contract an economy experiencing inflation, because it reduces demand by reducing the amount of money individuals and businesses have to spend. It is contractionary, which is exactly what you do not want to do when the problem is that the economy is contracting already into recession. Like Hoover and FDR, Obama's plans will only make it worse for longer.

See e.g. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/03/opinion/main4499465.shtml

And

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/FDR-s-Policies-Prolonged-Depression-5409.aspx

The democrats failed social engineering policies in the housing market are what brought us to ruin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr1M1T2Y314&feature=related

Even Bill Clinton says so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsynspIqAoE

Obama and a supermajority of Democrats simply is not the change we need, nor is it change we can afford.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

trogers — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 03:57:28 GMT

This is the 'it could have been worse' rationale to explain the campaign when a larger movement really explains what happened.. I think alot of the ' terrorist, muslim, and socialist' rhetoric during this campaign was meant to stir up the same old racial message. It didn't work as well as it used to work. Maybe it was not as effective as in the past because racism is not as prevalent as it once was. Maybe Oprah, or Michael Jordan, or Colin Powell, or Tiger Woods or most of MLB and the NFL ( ok not most of the NFL) have actually changed attitudes that were set in concrete a few generations ago. Skin color still matters in many parts of the country, but it matters most to older white Americans who lived much of their adult lives separtely as the dominant race. They never knew any Hispanics or Asians and always thought black culture amounted to welfare, watermelon, malt liquor, fried chicken and incarceration. Call it the Californication of America, but the growing minority presence throughout America is actually changing us. The Republican party better catch on before it is too late. All that diversity they have fought against all these years is finally coming home to roost. It takes more than white to be right in this society anymore.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:18:55 GMT

The problem with Obama is a simple one. One association does not a radical make. But in Obama's case, the list of left-wing radical mentors and associates is seemingly endless, (Davis, Ayers, Wright, Khalidi , etc., etc.) with a new revelation practically every day. With that trend, a picture begins to emerge, and that picture is that Obama is as steeped, not in just left-wing political thought, but in radical left-wing economic and race ideology, to the same extent that Pat Robertson was steeped in the ideology of the radical Religious Right. I would not have voted for Pat Robertson for dog catcher, and for similar reasons, I will not vote for Obama.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Zig Zag — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:13:48 GMT

truth will be told (a.k.a. Loriw) - how naive do you think we are? No candidate has an "impromptu" rally a day before the election.

And people accuse me of doing too many drugs!

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

ariziowa — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:55:39 GMT

Gee, "zigzag" - who are "we". Do you do too many drugs?

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

willnotvoteobama — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:10:50 GMT

12 REASONS BARRACK CHAVEZ OBAMA IS NOT THE ONE

1. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the causes of this financial disaster. In order to ensure that they were not regulated these corrupt companies bought off congressmen. This is corruption. In just 3 years, these corrupt companies gave Obama $123,000 to buy him off. $123,000. Obama was the second largest recipient of Fannie and Freddie corrupt donations. This is the corruption McCain has fought against his whole life. $123,000 is corruption.

2. Earmark projects are corruption incarnate. Obama had 1 billion dollars worth of earmarks. 1 billion dollars. This is CORRUPTION RUN AMUCK. This money goes to political cronies in return for support and donations, relatives, family members. We are in this financial mess because of this kind of corruption. It created a culture of corruption that lead to the wall street debacle. Barrack Obama is at the very center of this CULTURE OF CORRUPTION. He is the WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE. 1 billion dollars of hard earned tax payer money FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET BOWL OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION.

3. Barrack Obama gave his First Cousin $70,000 of tax payer money. $70,000 of hard earned tax payer money to his first cousin. We elect representatives to Congress to serve the people. Not to ENRICH themselves. Not to enrich their family members. Not to enrich their political supporters. THIS IS TRULY CORRUPTION.

4. Obama wants to raise taxes on corporations, small businesses, capital gains. If you raise taxes in this economic crisis YOU WILL CAUSE A GREAT DEPRESSION. Business won’t create jobs. People will not invest. The 401 ks of seniors and all Americans won't be worth anything. The DOW WILL COLLAPSE TO to 4000/5000. The US will become another failed state like Venezuela. It’s that simple. If you want a SECOND GREAT DEPRESSION BARACK OBAMA IS YOUR MAN.

5. Obama wants our troops out of Iraq in 16 months. As General Petraeus has warned such a withdrawal will lead to the collapse of the Iraqi government. Iraq is not Afghanistan. IT IS AT THE VERY CENTER OF THE OIL PRODUCING UNIVERSE. If the Iraqi government collapses, OIL PRICES WILL SOAR TO $200.00/barrel and $10.00/gallon/gas. If you want to pay $10.00/gallon/gas vote Barrack Obama.

6. Barrack Obama called our troops fighting in Afghanistan WAR CRIMINALS. He said that they were air raiding villages and killing innocent civilians. WAR CRIMES. You cannot be commander in chief of our great armed forces and call them WAR CRIMINALS. Not only that but these statements put THE LIVES OF OUR TROOPS AT RISK.

7. When Move On. org - a large money Barrack Obama supporter called General Petraeus - one of the greatest American generals - GENERAL BETRAYUS - Barrack Obama refused to vote on a senate motion defending this great general. You cannot be President of the United States and stand by while one of your generals is being viciously maligned. Obama did this because he didn’t want to lose the money from Move On. Barrack Obama is A COWARD.

8. Barrack Obama gave $800.000 to a organization called Acorn. Acorn is trying to steal this election by fraudulently registering thousands and thousands of voters throughout this country - registering everything from dead people to cats, dogs. THIS IS CORRUPTION. Obama has a long and illustrious relationship with Acorn. Incredibility - ACORN leader Wade Rathke was in the Weather Underground along with Bill Ayers.

Ladies and gentlemen of America in the rescue package of 700 billion just passed by Congress the Democrats tried to include $500,000,000 for ACORN. DO YOU HEAR WHAT I JUST SAID - 500 MILLION FOR ACORN. THATS ONE OF THE REASONS MCCAIN RUSHED BACK TO WASHINGTON TO KILL THIS FRAUDULENT FUNDING. In Chicago, Obama was involved in training Acorn activists to go to the HOMES OF BANK PRESIDENTS AND THREATEN THEM IF THEY DID NOT GIVE OUT FRAUDELENT LOANS THAT COULD NEVER BE REPAID. $500 million to Acorn by the democrats in Congress and $800,000 from Obama. Can you imagine what will happen with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Obama in charge. Acorn will get the 500 million. 100%. Every vote is precious. It is the very essence of our democracy.

9. Bill Ayers was a terrorist who bombed the Pentagon, police stations and homes of people trying to capture him. Obama has a long and illustrious relationship with this arch criminal and hater of the US. Obama received $50 million dollars from Ayers to indoctrinate children in Chicago in revolutionary ideology. NOT READING AND WRITING AND SCIENCE BUT REVOLUTIONARY IDEOLOGY like Chavez teaches in Venezuela . Obama says - he was just a guy living in my neighborhood. Obama doesn’t understand that as President one of your most important obligations is NOT TO LIE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

10. Obama called the people of this country when he thought nobody was tape recording his great genius - Bitter people clinging to their bibles and their guns. You cannot denigrate the great people of this country and be their president.

11. In order to create a PERMANENT DEMOCRATIC PARTY MAJORITY - Obama and the Democrats will FAST TRACK CITZENSHIP FOR ALL 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants. And all those who will pour into the US to share in the new STATE WELFARE STATE. This will happen immediately. Funds will be poured into ACORN to organize Chavez style American cities to create a class of permanent dependents permanently dependent on the Democrats for handouts all educated in the education of anti - capitalism revolutionary politics.

12. By refusing to honor his agreement made to McCain and the American electorate to accept public financing, Obama is buying the Presidency. The McCain- Feingold reform imperfect as it was, at least made an attempt to take money and hence corruption out of Presidential politics. There is $200 million campaign contributions unaccounted for by Obama. By swamping the elections with money, Obama has institutionzed corruption making a farce out of democracy and the democratic principal of free and fair elections.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

GregHere — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:53:58 GMT

..........................................Todays Election will expose the need for Early Voting in every State and modernized and updated voting procedures adapted everywhere. To me Tuesday is an akward day to have as our National Voting Day, perhaps Saturday would be better and I believe that the Early Voting Time Period should include both Saturday and Sunday voting. More emphasis should be placed on Absentee Mail In Voting which is the easiest way to vote and avoid congestion at the Poling Places for others to vote. There should be less pressure to announce political winners as close to 11 PM PST to please The Media and make voting a Big Show..............Eertified Election Winners should be anounced 3 days after all elections so that the votes will be counted accurately which should be the goal instead of the rush to announce quickly........voting is too important to do it the way it has been done this year and in past elections..........Lets learn and do much better when we vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

voicewithin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:57:06 GMT

Howard I often watch you on Keith Olbermann. Yes the candidates did take the higher road in a few areas. Yet we both know McCain / Palin were at the bottom of the bottom most of the time.

I am a moderate Republican that is anti abortion, anti lying to the public and anti smearing other candidates who did NOT vote for McCain / Palin! I caucused for McCain but I voted for Obama / Biden. I feel good! I FEEL CLEAN! HEY! I want CHANGE!

OBAMA / BIDEN 08

For information on McCain / Palin visit http://www.ibelievethis.us

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:17:15 GMT

Obama's plan for jobs on Pennsylvania, West Virginia and other coal producting states, and Obama's plan for dealing with the high cost of energy, including electricity generation.

"so if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can ... It's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted."

Also says he's policy will cause price of electricity to skyrocket.

Now, why would Obama say that in San Francisco and not Pennsylvania? We've seen him do that before, right? Something about guns and religion.

And why did Newsweek take their story on the Pennsylvania campaign down Sunday after this story broke?

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

hannamin — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:17:58 GMT

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If you haven't decided who to vote for than take the test. Visit Electoral Compass.com

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i am a obama fan..

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re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

40YearR — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:52:08 GMT

Where Obama was born and his birth certificate: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

Rezko: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/money.asp

Ayers: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ayers.asp

Rashid Kahlidi: http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=23 and McCain’s donations to him http://richmonddemocrat.blogspot.com/2008/10/mccain-funded-rashid-khalidi.html

Are three former Fannie Mae executives economic advisers to Obama?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/are_three_former_fannie_mae_executives_economic.html

Is Obama's brother really dirt poor in Kenya and living on a dollar a day?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_obamas_brother_really_dirt_poor_in.html

How many times did Obama vote PRESENT as a state senator and why?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/how_many_times_did_obama_vote_present.html

Obama"s relationships with corrupt Chicago politicians

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/guilt_and_associations.html

NRA ads regarding Obama violating second amendment right to bear arms

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/nra_targets_obama.html

Jerome Corsis The Obama Nation:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/corsis_dull_hatchet.html

Obama wants to teach sex ed to Kindergartners?

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/off_base_on_sex_ed.html

Obama plans painful tax increases for working families:

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/a_new_stitch_in_a_bad_pattern.html

Context Included: Obama on Iran

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/context_included_obama_on_iran.html

Did Obama write that he would stand with the Muslims and that he nurses a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity toward whites:

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_obama_write_that_he_would_stand.html

Other purported quotes from Obama’s books: http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp

Did Hamas endorse Barack Obama?

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_hamas_endorse_barack_obama.html

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html

Barack and Michelle Obama spent $450 on lobster and caviar at the Waldorf at taxpayer expense

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_michelle_obama_spend_450_on_room.html

50 Obama lies and counting

http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=9

The Jeremiah Wright and Louis Farrakhan Controversies

http://jews4barack.com/react/?p=21

A 40 year republican

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:15:02 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck

2001 Chicago Public Radio Interview.

See Wall Street Journal: A Liberal Supermajority:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122420205889842989.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Mazjm_A5k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJGnSAlqjoU

See http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/23617.html

See e.g. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/03/opinion/main4499465.shtml

And

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/FDR-s-Policies-Prolonged-Depression-5409.aspx

The democrats failed social engineering policies in the housing market are what brought us to ruin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr1M1T2Y314&feature=related

Even Bill Clinton says so. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsynspIqAoE

Obama and a supermajority of Democrats simply is not the change we need, nor is it change we can afford.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Nowforsomemoretruth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:12:33 GMT

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

Praying for our Country — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:07:47 GMT

Dear Friends:

My name is Bethany. I live in FL. I'm 27 years old, a born-again Christian, a daughter, a sister, granddaughter, a hard worker, and a soon to be homeowner. I don't considerable myself to be either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are 'two Americas ' - but that every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there - and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first.

The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so-called 'news', thinking that what they hear is always spun by whoever is reporting it. They can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs.

We are in the unique position in this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a few people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is - a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?

I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and calling it 'change.'

Change what?, I ask.

Well, we're going to change America, they say.

In what way? I query.

We want someone new and fresh in the White House, they exclaim.

So, someone who's not a politician?..I press.

Uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama, they state.

So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news and win his party's nomination for the White House - that system's all wrong?

No, no, that part of the system's okay - we just need a lot of change. And so it goes. 'Change we can believe in'. Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me. In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. My closest friend that lives in Illinois, also says most folks are voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell us why-only that he's going to change a lot of stuff. Change, change, change. We have yet to find one single person who can tell us distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on earth - other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change. We've all seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore this for a moment.

Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, what qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?

CHANGE WHAT?

Friends, I'll be straight forward with you - I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them - NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton, look it up on the web. This is whose lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.

For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice. Here's a question - where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas…2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time, about 2,000 days, 2,000 nights of sleep, 6,000 meals, give or take. John McCain spent that amount of time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp.

When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down. A regimen of beatings and torture began.

Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.

Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq. Barack Obama is fond of saying 'We honor John McCain's service...BUT...', which to me is condescending and offensive - because what I hear is, 'Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change.'

I don't agree with John McCain on everything - but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President - he wants to lead America, and there's a huge difference. Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in 1981 and elected to the Senate in 1982.

Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or his strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe 'likeability' is a higher priority for them than 'trust'. Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America - but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.

Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, 'Enough.' It is time for people of all parties to stop following the party line. It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why. There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country.

I want a President who's qualified to lead. I want my country back and I'm voting for John McCain.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

pmstar02 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:18:07 GMT

We can't vote him in!!!

What is wrong with everybody!!!!????

He will give blacks more in welfare, and tax cuts than every other race. everyone earning more than 250k will be screwed!!! This is mostly white Amewricans and he knows it!!! He wants us to to support them. The black dads who have kids by the thousands and don'r care. This is a substantial part of America. I just PRAY McCain gets elected!!!

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

pmstar02 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:18:37 GMT

We can't vote him in!!! Obama

What is wrong with everybody!!!!????

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

cadub — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:59:43 GMT

Praying for our country... you vote for your guy, i'll vote for mine. you're not changing any minds today.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

holliroc — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:04:41 GMT

What's this about?????

South Florida Times

Some of McCain's black relatives support Obama

BY ELGIN JONES

In the rural Teoc community of Carroll County, Miss., where the ancestors of Sen. John McCain owned enslaved Africans on a plantation, black, white and mixed-race family members unite every two years for their Coming Home Reunion, on the land where the plantation operated.

Some of McCains black family members say they are not sure exactly where they fall on the family tree, but they do know this: They are either descendants of the McCain family slaves, or of children the McCains fathered with their slaves.

White and black members of the McCain family have met on the plantation several times over the last 15 years, but one invited guest has been conspicuously absent: Sen. John Sidney McCain.

Why he hasnt come is anybodys guess, said Charles McCain Jr., 60, a distant cousin of John McCain who is black. I think the best I can come up with, is that he doesnt have time, or he has just distanced himself, or it doesnt mean that much to him.

Other relatives are not as generous.

Lillie McCain, 56, another distant cousin of John McCain who is black, said the Republican presidential nominee is trying to hide his past, and refuses to accept the familys history.

After hearing him in 2000 claim his family never owned slaves, I sent him an email, she recalled. I told him no matter how much he denies it, it will not make it untrue, and he should accept this and embrace it.

She said the senator never responded to her email.

Although Charles is uncertain who will get his vote for president, several of John McCains black and white relatives are supporting his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama.

I am absolutely supporting Obama, and its not because hes black. Its because he is the best person at this time in our history, said Lillie McCain, a professor of psychology at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan.

We simply need to look at the economy, and McCains campaign does not take us there, said Joyce McCain, Lillies sister, a retired engineering manager with General Motors who lives in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He is my cousin, but we are in dire times right now and people are hurting. Sen. Obama is clearly the best choice to be president.

Charles McCain and his wife, Theresa, who still live in Teoc, started the reunions over a decade ago. Charles is the deacon of Mitchell Springs Baptist Church, the only black house of worship in the area.

When Theresa McCain started the family reunions in the late 1980s or early 90s (neither he nor his wife is sure of the exact starting date), only black family members attended. But as word spread about the gatherings, white members of the McCain family got involved. Today, the reunion has expanded to the point where it is becoming a community event.

The reunions website, teocfamilyreunion.ning.com, has pictures, postings and other information about the family gatherings. While Sen. McCains brother, Joe, and many of his other white relatives attend the reunions, family members say Sen. McCain has never acknowledged them, or even responded to their invitations.

Well, a lot of the people who had moved away and were living up north, would send money to help us maintain the church, said Theresa McCain, 62. Myself and others began inviting them back home for picnics, just to show our appreciation.

The McCain campaign did not respond to repeated questions about John McCains black relatives, or about his relatives of both races who support Obama. Pablo Carrillo, a media liaison with the McCain campaign, said the senator was aware of his African-American relatives, but asked the reporter to put his questions into writing, and that someone would get back to him.

After the reporter sent questions in writing, and made repeated follow-up phone calls, neither Sen. McCain nor anyone else from the campaign responded.

Based on information obtained by the South Florida Times, the senator has numerous black and mixed-raced relatives who were born on, or in, the area of the McCain plantation. The mixed races in the family can be traced back to the rural Teoc community of Carroll County, Miss., where his family owned slaves.

Sen. John McCains great, great grandfather, William Alexander McCain (1812-1863), fought for the Confederacy and owned a 2,000-acre plantation named Waverly in Teoc. The family dealt in the slave trade, and, according to official records, held at least 52 slaves on the familys plantation. The enslaved Africans were likely used as servants, for labor, and for breeding more slaves.

William McCains son, and Sen. John McCains great grandfather, John Sidney McCain (1851-1934), eventually assumed the duty of running the familys plantation.

W.A. Bill McCain IV, a white McCain cousin, and his wife Edwina, are the current owners of the land. Both told the South Florida Times that they attend the reunions. They also said the McCain campaign had asked them not to speak to the media about the reunions, or about why the senator has never acknowledged the family gatherings.

In addition to distancing himself from his black family members, John McCain has taken several positions on issues that have put him at odds with members of the larger black community.

While running for the Republican Party nomination in 2000, he sided with protesters who were calling for the rebel battle flag to be removed from the South Carolina statehouse, only to alter that position later.

"Some view it as a symbol of slavery. Others view it as a symbol of heritage, John McCain said of the flag. "Personally, I see the battle flag as a symbol of heritage. I have ancestors who have fought for the Confederacy, none of whom owned slaves. I believe they fought honorably.

Novelist Elizabeth Spencer, another white cousin of John McCain, noted the slaves the family owned in the familys memoirs, Landscapes of the Heart. Sen. McCain has acknowledged reading the book, but claims to have only glossed over entries about their slaves.

Thats crazy, said Spencer, who also attends the reunions in Teoc. No one had to tell us, because we all knew about the slaves. I may not vote, because I dont want anyone to think that I have an issue with John, but I dont want to see him become president because I think Obama is entirely adequate, and its time for a Democrat.

Spencer acknowledged donating money to the Obama campaign and to what she called Democratic causes.

Sen. John McCain was born in 1936 at the Coco Solo Naval Air Station, a segregated military installation in the Panama Canal, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Navy. His family returned to the states shortly after his birth; where he went on to attend segregated schools in the Teoc community and elsewhere around the country.

He served in the Navy, where he was a prisoner of war during Vietnam, before being released and eventually running for Congress.

After he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, McCain voted against the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday in 1983. When he arrived in the U.S. Senate in 1986, he joined North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms in opposing the holiday again, and voted in 1994 to cut funding to the commission that marketed it.

John McCain also aligned himself with former Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham.

Mecham was the governor in McCains home state of Arizona from January 1987 to April 1988, when he was impeached and removed from office for campaign finance violations. As a state senator and governor, Mecham publicly used racial slurs against black people and other minorities. He was also a member of the John Birch Society, which opposes civil rights legislation. In 1986, Mecham campaigned for governor on a promise to rescind the states recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, which he did in 1987.

Earlier this year, during the 40th anniversary recognition of Kings assassination, McCain, by this time a presidential candidate, said he was wrong for opposing the national King holiday.

Politics in America has long been steeped in the dynamics of the countrys myriad cultures, diverse ethnicities, and varying religious beliefs. Several of Sen. McCains black relatives say Obamas candidacy represents progress.

He is denying his black and white relatives in Teoc, said Joyce McCain, 54,. I think he may not want the country to know his familys full history, but times have changed and we need to move on, and thats why Im supporting Obama.

EJones@sfltimes.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photo: Lillie McCain, left, and her husband, Jack Vickers, right, pose with Joe McCain, center, during this years family reunion.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 18 October 2008 )

George Bush On Best Political Blogs » Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

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re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

motorider — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:47:11 GMT

Lets start talking about something other than the election and why he won. There is no reason to even speculate. He won because only about 25% of minorities usually vote. Since there was a minority running about 90% went to the poles. That is the one and only reason he won. If you believe he can do what he said he was going to do you are a retard. Political promises are only made to be broken.

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

motorider — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:47:12 GMT

re: Campaign Avoided Racial Warfare

motorider — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:02:10 GMT

I will admit i dont listen to what presidential canidates say or keep up with their views as much as some. But this should have been the only issues. DO THEY BELIEVE IN GOD AND WOULD THEY GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR THEIR LOVE OF AMERICA. OBVIOUSLY a lot of you did not do your homework and only voted for his color.

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