The Politics of Stupidity

re: The Politics of Stupidity

NewsWkDickG — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:10:29 GMT

Once again America is caught up in a tight Presidential race and with a whole lot of emotion being placed on the questions who is the most experienced, who has demonstrated a real understanding of Iraq, who has the best plan for fighting terrorism, who comprehends and can best resolve Global Warming, energy costs, dependence on foreign oil, rising unemployment, growing inflation, rising cost of living, runaway medical costs, humongous deficit, growing trade deficit, lost jobs, lost revenue, declining family values, who is the most intelligent, who is the best looking, who is the most likable,,, and not to forget the subdued racial issue. Is there any one issue that could make all of those issues subordinate and that then could be considered above the rest? I think so and that is simply honesty. What each candidate offers on each of those issues is important but when discerning who to vote for, if we can’t trust their answers, if they practice a policy of deceit, if they literally use a strategy of boldly, arrogantly and continually lying without hesitation or conscience, as if that is their privilege, then their answers are meaningless and all we can expect from them is more lies. Now both candidates and their supporters will say it is the other doing that but is there any real and consistent evidence that one side is literally being aggressively dishonest? I think there is irrefutable evidence that is the case. As I see it, it has been a consistent Republican strategy, a Karl Rove like tactic, to say whatever they want loudly, boldly, often and have others repeat it so that some will accept it; if they get cornered, then they just arrogantly, boldly and dishonestly say something else the same way and move on. It can be denied but it is what we have constantly witnessed with most everything from the Bush Administration over the last eight years. Even Scott McClellan in his book WHAT HAPPENED told us that President Bush consistently practiced self-deceit (Scott’s words) and it would be really hard to find anything that they haven’t lied about, either to justify or rationalize or excuse or to hide or even to attack their opponent. Senator McCain also does it but isn’t quite as bold as Gov Palin who is right up to the task and could give Bush a run for his money. There is so much that is coming out now that shows she has no hesitation or restricting conscience to stop her from saying anything. Like Bush, she is bold, arrogant, feisty and dishonest, as she herself says, ‘a pit bull with lipstick’ but also extreme and even bazaar in her beliefs and actions. I could provide a long list but it would go on for some length and anyway it is all there to be seen by anyone who wants to be rational and objectively look and those who don’t, they will just use the Rove tactic to rationalize that Obama is worse. Hopefully this time around there will be enough voters concerned for the truth and we will then get it right in November.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

NewsWkDickG — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:11:53 GMT

Gov Palin prides herself in being the ‘pit bull with lipstick’ and now she and Senator McCain want to take credit for her being a ‘pig with lipstick’, which of course is their privilege. If Senator Obama wanted to insult her I doubt it would be that veiled and subtle or unimportant as there is so much he could address with real meaning. Obama-Biden are literally focused on the issues, on what is important to the people, while McCain-Palin instead have emphatically stated they want it to be about personalities. Now why would they do that when all you have to do is look and see that the country desperately needs and wants change? Maybe because when you take away the camouflage on what McCain-Palin offer, all you find is more of the same. Maybe they have no choice because who they are loyal, indebted and committed to are those that want to continue with more of the same. The Republicans just want to make issues out of the meaningless and totally forget about the meaning in the issues. They could be called the party of one-liners, cute but empty.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

darlenev — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:29:15 GMT

I did not realize before that there is a difference between an honorable soldier and an honorable man, until now. Mr. McCain, you were an honorable soldier, but if you want to win this election with lies, than you sir are no honorable man.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

wildlifeusa — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:38:13 GMT

MC Cain is not who he say he is.. He sold out his men in vietnam, so he could save his own skin.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

bluebloodedLV — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:38:59 GMT

Typical right wing spin.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

thebob.bob — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:47:59 GMT

McCain couldn't have demonstrated his 'More of the Same' credentials than with both of these juvenile, name calling slimy attacks. Distortions, Lies, exaggerations. He's turned around completely away from McCain 2000 and adopted the Rove Attack Campaign book as his own.

Obama says it best:

I love this country too much to let them take over another election with lies and phony outrage and Swift Boat politics. Enough is enough."

"We've got an energy crisis," Obama said at a campaign event where he had planned to focus entirely on education policy. "We have an education system that is not working for too many of our children and making us less competitive. We have an economy that is creating hardship for families all across America. We've got two wars going on, veterans coming home not being cared for -- and this is what they want to talk about.

"You know who ends up losing at the end of the day? It's not the Democratic candidate. It's not the Republican candidate. It's you, the American people. Because then we go another year, or another four years or another eight years without addressing the issues that matter to you."

A coherent, logical statement by a politician! Now that's a change!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

eagles1776 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:48:35 GMT

MCCain and many others have also used the lipstick on a pig analogy. How stupid of them to call this sexist. That is unless the McCain camp is calling Palin a pig themselves. Either she is a pig or a bitch (female pitbull) as she called herself. My question is what about the issues. The real issues not this garbage and mud slinging? Is McCain afraid to talk issues? Is he afraid he will lose based on issues so he resorts to the Karl Rove dirty politics? McCain picked an right wing extremist as his running mate. I only hope people realize this before the election. Otherwise it may be too late and we'll really be in trouble.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

steveriffle — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:54:57 GMT

I predicted the media would say this election is " too close to call" months ago. Obama will win in a landslide, but that doesn't sell news. It has to be close, so there can be commentary and people will watch, wondering what will happen next. Hello corporate America. It is a fact that the vast majority of Americans feel we are going on the wrong path, and I highly doubt a majority will vote for another Republican, that really hasnt told us much about what will be changing. They have nothing to sell.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

vickiob63 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:56:49 GMT

The most frightening part of all of it is that unfortunately the American people are THAT stupid. The number of people (and the poll numbers are beginning to reflect it too) that believe the lies being told by McRove I mean McCain is unbelievable - both anecdotally and in the aggregate. The Rove/Cheney Method at work again - repeat the same lie on enough TV shows & ads loud enough and long enough and people will believe it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

BabbleOn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:57:39 GMT

Copy and paste the URL below to see how Governor Palin responded to her African American and Native American constituents who reached out to her. This is a professed "first blog" so the writer apparently feels the information is important.

http://freerangewriting.blogspot.com/

re: The Politics of Stupidity

rose13 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:57:49 GMT

I believe McCain is a good man, but not above dirty politics.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

AnAmericanwithabrain — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:01:15 GMT

Thank God someone in the media has the guts to spell this out. Please tell McCain and his appalling VP choice to start campaigning on issues. If they win this election, its an indictment of this entire country as morons. Stop listening to this garbage and give us solutions to REAL problems. McCain isn't simply mimicing Bush these days, now he's turning into Karl Rove too. What an absolutely travesty for democracy - what this says about the American people is a joke. Fake outrage and lies are more important than actual plans, or record, or character.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ara9557 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:07:10 GMT

Smart as fox that McCain... It has Obama on the defensive and not talking about issues. As much as we don't like it, politics is hand to hand combat and all is fair. The funny thing is that McCain is not saying anything and keeping above the fray and his surrogates are cutting Obama to pieces. Obama gets angry and gets in the mud with the pigs so to speak. One likes it there and the other just gets muddy and angry. Poor B.O.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brSF — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:11:16 GMT

Thank you. This country is in a mess. The very people who are enthralled by the politics of identity and the absurd ads are the ones who risk losing the most in terms of healthcare, available higher education, affordable mortgages (or homes for that matter). The latter is the tip of the iceberg. Our country's reputation internationally is abysmal. The unnecessary war in Iraq has lost thousands of American and Iraqi lives and thrown our country into debt, from which we will struggle mightily to recover. Our dependence on oil is creating horrendous environmental problems, as well as fiscal ones personally and for the economy. We are talking about "lipstick?"

The citizens of this country need to pay attention. It is not the "liberal elite" who are going to suffer if we have 4 more years of the same economic policies. It is the everyday, economically lower and middle class, working family who will suffer. It's terrific that John McCain and Sarah Palin have compelling stories, so do Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But the tickets could not stand in sharper contrast on the issues.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Bluegrass Woman — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:11:31 GMT

Exactly; McCain counts on the stupidity of the white women and white American, in general! Why shouldn't he? Eight years of Bush have proven the point!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

SEA Observer — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:12:50 GMT

I believe that this writer has his head so far up Obama's !ss that he can't think straight..... Oh, and you are right... you are stupid!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

nweekreader — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:15:39 GMT

You can say all you want that Obama was talking about McCain's with his 'lipstick on a picg' comments, and he really was. However..... adults watching him give these comments would admit that he was playing to Palin's comment about pitbulls and lipstick. He paused as soon as he said 'lipstick on a pig' and waited for the laughter of those present -- he knew why they were laughing -- and then he went to to the fish comment.

I absolutely know that he was't actually calling Palin a pig. He was trying to be cute and now he's paying for it. He was playing on her recent comment (even though many have talked about pigs and lipstick) and did tie his comment to her statement by the pause and waiting on the laughter.

His delivery was a stupid as the fingers now being pointed at him. He just opened the door to look foolish and people are coming in to see. Dumb...

re: The Politics of Stupidity

rpelley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:17:53 GMT

THANK YOU at last for some honesty and integrity! Lipstick, pigs, liars will never provide us with the economic relief we so desperately need! The McCain campaign tactics are pure Lenin/Hitler in philosophy: i.e. "If you repeat a lie often enough, convincingly enough and at the top of your voice, it becomes the truth!" I am ashamed for McCain at what dishonor these insidious tactics bring to him, and I am desperately afraid that we have become such a Jerry Springer drama-driven nation that people simply abdicate the truth in favor of sensationalism. THE TRUTH DOES MATTER DESPERATELY!!! AND THE TRUTH IS FAR MORE THAN WHAT YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH... Let's pray that Lincoln's view that " You can't fool all of the people ALL of the time finally comes to pass!!! AMERICA!!! In the name of all who have fought to give birth repeatedly to this nation... In the name of HONOR...cling to the truth and DO YOUR HOMEWORK BY CHECKING YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU BUY INTO THIS SCANDALOUS EVIL SCHEME!!!! gEEEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mrzoid — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:18:27 GMT

Im missing how any of his article, and i generally think he's a ***, is anything but correct. This whole campaign has turned into a bad high school class president race.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

tjb072800 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:19:36 GMT

It was Barak America Obama who said he wouldn't run an old style campaign, and he has sent 30 investigators to Alaska to find potential dirt on Palin. Would've been a more fair article had you included that. Even if Barak America meant no harm, it was poor choice of words.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

msalvo — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:20:15 GMT

Why the Lipstick comments of Obama were offensive and McCain's were NOT:

This is difference between the “lipstick on a pig” remarks of both McCain [about the Hillary heathcare plan] and Obama’s... Sarah Palin had made lipstick one of her calling cards and Hillary hadn’t. Obama would have reacted the same way if the words “Boy” or “Spade” had been referenced. In this election there is no place for phrases like “calling the kettle black”. ANY reference to these would hit a sore spot, and rightly so. Well, Palin is the only one here wearing lipstick and we need to be more aware and sensitive. Obama just threw gas on the fire with his non-apology and claim that it was “phony outrage.” This insensitivity is why women are snapping out of their stupor and fleeing Obama-land in droves.

Ironically while Obama is trying to link McCain to Bush, it is becoming clear that it is OBAMA NOT McCain who shares the same stubborn, prideful streak and the same inability to admit they are wrong as George Bush. It takes both of them a long time to come back with an actual sincere, adult apology without the “BUT” qualifiers and by that time it is ususally to late.

Lessons learned:

1. The words you say are not as important as the way they are perceived

2. A sincere “I regret my poor choice of words and that others might have been offended” was the balm of Gilead needed here, NOT a lecture on phony outrage. Not only would it have aided the healing, it would have shown maturity and wisdom to admit to unintentional mistakes, beg forgiveness and course correct.

Every woman will forgive a man who is big enough to say “I’m sorry” [even if he isn't man enough to pick her as his running mate.]

The Palin choice has upset the apple cart because McCain’s Queen check-mated Obama’s King. This is a whole new game board and all of us need to become more aware of how our words are perceived.

Unfortunately we all know men, like Bush, who are so prideful they can not admit they are wrong. I suppose just like all the other people thrown under the bus by Obama he will came back in a day or so and attempt to walk it back to the starting-line [like with Reverend Wright and the surge]

But an opportunity to show strength and guts and leadership has been lost and the race may already be over by the time he does and he may well find himself outrun.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

teamchaos — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:20:31 GMT

Obama knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he made the 'lipstick' comment. Say what you want about him but the guy's comic timing is flawless. If the audience didn't associate the comment with Palin, there is no way that comment gets as much applause. Dirty politics, Chicago style.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DoriONeal — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:21:59 GMT

I have never considered myself to be very naive. Apparently, though, I was mistaken. I am continaully surprised that I walk away from listening to a politician with a defined feeling of just having been personally insulted. I cannot imagine choosing to vote for someone, anyone, who has chosen to speak of me, to me, for me or about me as though I were some ridiculous, feeble-minded chic. You know, not quite all there in the intelligence department? I am offended that although I am expected to raise my children to become responsible, productive citizens; maintain a healthy relationship between my household and our economy - contributing to the growth and wealth of all to the best of our financial capabilities; be a concerned citizen and a responsible tax-payer - - that I am still considered too stupid/naive/blissfully unaware to recognize an analogy when I hear one. I am offended that because I am female that I should jump to vote for another female. I am not a member of the Ovarian Sisterhood. I am an American. I will, therefore, vote for the person/persons who I feel best represent the values and goals that I feel the majority of Americans are concerned about. Just because I decided to end a sentence with a preposition does not make me as stupid as some of these politicians seem to believe me to be.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

MoJabar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:22:11 GMT

Has everybody but me missed obvious reference to Palin's sex; with the "stinking fish" mentioned right after the "lipstick pig"? Obama is clearly a woman-hater. And Palin, the poor dear; she requires 'deference.' Never has a woman been so mistreated.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

katiec — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:27:11 GMT

You are right. This campaign should be about issues.

But Mccain/palin have not allowed that to happen.

They attack, lie and distort. Why??

Well:

Can they run on accomplishments? NO, because they have none.

Policies? The republicans policies have almost destroyed our country.

Records? Not when they have voted against every bill that would

have benefited our veterans, our equal rights, minimun wage, our

country and middle class America.

Our country is sitting on quicksand and they just do not get it.

It is a matter of survival and all they can do is play their dirty

games.

Who has judgement? Who cares? Who tries to run a decent campaign?

Who talks about policies?

ENOUGH!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

tomheu — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:29:04 GMT

Well said. Keep saying it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

TheVigil — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:30:50 GMT

I am getting so tired of the overreactions of my fellow Americans.

It's a turn of phrase. Palin and McCain do not own all references to the word "lipstick" for the rest of the summer.

I'm going to refrain from joining in the mood of insults and backlashing that accompanies this, but it's hard. I could have some really strong words to say about the rationality and patience - or utter lack of it - that my countrymen are displaying.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

onlineswede — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:31:57 GMT

Unbelievable. We are at a critical time in history in every way imaginable and all that McCain and the news media can talk about is Obama's use of a colorful phrase? I am really frightened that this is what we have come to - that a person who wants me to vote for him to be the leader of my country and of the free world is using tactics that aren't worthy of a junior high student. Why would I want that? In what way does that serve the people of America? Yet, it seems that the use of a red herring to divert the voters from the real issues actually works! Are people really this stupid? Do people really think that this is a critical issue of the day? Do they think the use of the word "lipstick" is more important than foriegn policy, energy, the environment, education, America's slipping influence and image in the world, poverty, health care, the economy....... I think that campaign managers, politicians, and news media who employ these kinds of sickening and destructive ploys should be charged with treason: their allegiance is questionable and they are acting in a way that is disloyal to and subversive of good government. They betray the American people and exploit the very worst in us as a people. If that's treason, tell me what is.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mcleodmn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:35:20 GMT

You can put lipstick on a filthy, lying, power abusing religious zealot, its still a republican.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

paystub — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:35:47 GMT

The problem with the article is that it is assumed that McCain is in charge of his campaign. Since he allowed a Rovite to take over awhile back, he is just the front man for typical Republican political tactics. That includes lots of lies, "Weapons of mass distruction, Mission Accomplished, No torture, We are winning in Iraq, etc." Why would anyone be surprised by the current methods being used against the only person between the Republicans failings of the last eight years and a return to decency and the right track in this country. How many high level Republicans were caught lying this past eight years? Do we need or want more of that?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:35:54 GMT

Some of you guys have got to be kidding. McCain talk about the issues? Not a chance in hell. Looks like we'll just have to figure it out for ourselves. Research, analysis, etc, McCain and the Republican Party are not your friends and they have no respect for the American people. Best thing we can do to win is get out there and motivate Democrats to vote.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

hmmmmm77 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:36:20 GMT

ara9557 - McCain smart as a fox? Right. Try Karl Rove and his clones that are running the McCain campaign. If McCain were smart as a fox he'd be offering some real solutions for the mess this cuntry is in - as a result of 8 years of Repub rule - instead of letting SP repeat the same lines from her RNC speech over and over and over again...

All of you that were suckered by Bush/Rove in the last two elections are about to be suckered again - unfortunately, you're dragging the rest of us with you again, too.

Jon Stewart to Mike Huckabee - "So what you're saying is that your party is the only one that can lead us out of the mess that your party created...."

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kloepper — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:37:45 GMT

Republicans only care about themselves.

The truth doesn't matter, otherwise they wouldn't treat it with total disregard.

You really want someone like this running the USA???????

re: The Politics of Stupidity

larryjoe — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:38:47 GMT

Great analysis of what the Republican spin machine thinks about the intellegence of the American voter. Unfortunately, they are probably correct. Joe Sixpack and Rosie Redneck love to latch on to this stuff as an excuse for the racial attitudes that will ultimately determine their vote. They don't want to hear about policies because that would involve listening to more than a 30 second soundbite and perhaps reading more than three sentences. (Assuming they can read at all). They are basically stupid and lazy and there is not a damned thing anyone can do about that. The irony is that they and their children are the ones who will pay the biggest price for four more years of Bush. The economy, the war, poor schools and poor health care will affect them far more then the "eletes" who seek to elect Obama.. THAT,MY FRIEND, IS KARMA IN ACTION

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Pupster — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:40:13 GMT

She's a book banner.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5768584

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LrunnerR — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:40:22 GMT

MoJabar:

Oboma is a women-hater? Can you honestly be that ignorant to believe such a snide, arrogant, with no substance statement like that? Here is the lay of the land. Studies have proven the 90% of the time voters go to the poll booth with one thing on their mind, and that is their emotions - not their intelligence. McCain is simply playing on the fact that Americans as a whole are stupid - and would rather be fed by a spoon than go out and harvest a dinner for themselves. Mr. Romano who I've tended to disagree with couldn't be more right with his article. Do you really think Obama wouldn't know a sexist comment would make "news" within minutes of its departure from his mouth? The guy is intelligent enough to be the Dem. Pres. Nominee, he can figure something that simple out. Which means - him saying that isn't a choice of hating women, its him doing something he always does - add humor into a speech to mock an opponents arrogance/unintelligence. If you ever went to one of his speeches you would know that the audience laughs often - because the man knows how to provide comic relief. Saying John McCains policies mock that of a lipsticked pig is funny, sadly becuase its true. At the end of the day McCain's campaign is like a appendix - it is completely useless, and if let loose will destroy you. Dont let McCain/Palin destroy this once great country.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ajkriv — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:41:35 GMT

Thank you for a real take on politics. This is a great article, pointing out the discusting tactics on both sides of the political fence.

I am really tired of it. We have very important issues in this campaign that are being ignored in favor of "tabloid journalism". The media needs to wake up and quit coveing this junk.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iam4thiscountry — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:43:22 GMT

What bothers me is that the McCain camp does think we are stupid. I remember believing that this election was going to be different. Why? Because Obama wanted to change the Way politics was done and it seemed that McCain was of the same mind. He wanted a civil capaign based on issues. He obviously thinks we have forgotten what he has said. McCain wants to be president so bad that he has turned around and hired the same people that destroyed him in 2000.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Susan 50 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:44:03 GMT

I'm truly sorry for John McCain. Since he's hired the former Karl Rove team, his campaign has taken a turn towards pond scum. The Rove idea is to trash the opposition with so much mud that the public can't see anything else. And, unfortunately it works!

John McCain is a better man than his campaign .... but at this point, I can't see myself voting for the garbage behind the candidate.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:47:46 GMT

American proverb: when one starts swinging, you better, sooner rather than later, swing back.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

orion12 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:49:20 GMT

Thank you Andew Romano. You know this election shows the mentality of the american people. It is amaziing how naive and small-minded some people are. Imagine getting all excited about Palin because she can shoot moose, or saying she is a pitbull, etc. Imagine voting for her because she has five children. Imagine putting someone like her in the VP chair when all common sense indicates that she just does not have the credentials. I am amazed at how people cannot see through the sneaky behavior of McCain. He wants a woman there to win and nothing else matters. The lady has not yet shown any of her abilities, apart from mocking and putting down Obama. I am not impressed.

I have been watching both McCain and Obama closely. Obama wants to discuss issues. McCain wants to attack. Look at his speeches. He uses the work "fight" sooo many times. All he knows is to be agressive. He can only talk about war. Well, compared to Obama, I must say that there is a big intellectual gap. He is just a jock!! Period. The man is starting to make a mess of the election.

I find McCain to be very dishonest. This is because he attacks Obama for using words that others and himself use. I have what Obama said. It has been taken out of contexxt completely and wilfully. McCain is not interested in talking about issues, he waits in the sidelines, ready ot pounce at every comment Obama makes. That is not honorable and this makes me want to know more about his military career. Was he such a great "fighter"? What did he do to survive.

I think again the American people are being taken for a ride. In fact McCain takes them for idiots. He sincerely believes that people will just believe what he says. It makes me wonder about his staff. What sort of people are they? For sure not very honorable. In other countries people will laugh at McCain and Palin. Really!! I think Americans should stop istening so much and believing so much what they hear and see on the radio and tv.

I believe Obama is more a man of honor. He is trying very hard to conduct himself in the way he preaches. However with such dirty politics what can he do? Does he attack back? If he does not people say he is weak. If he does people say he is sexist. Even Hilary Clinton will jump on him. Look at these women lobby groups now grouping to "protect" Palin. This whole thing is ridiculous and makes me feel very sad. I think America is going madder.

Obama should continue to push forward his ideas and discuss issues that are more important than lipstick. He should leave McCain to the only tactic he knows: fighting. (Even at that, he does not seem to do that very well). Let him indulge in his bullying ways and in the end I am hoping that the electorate will see through all of his (McCain's) ploys.

Finally I have a comment for women. Please do not let yourselves be used by such cheap tricks. McCain is playing on the emotions of women, that they want to see one of their own there in the White House. Well I do not think that is the right tack to take. Put a person who will have impact. From what is coming out Palin may surprise many people because she is not as hot as she wants people to believe. In my view anyway, women are their worst enemies. Palin of course feel that they whine too much. Well we have only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as she and McCain are concerned. They both will make many voters regret casting their ballots for them.

As an aside, I have heard of how he insults his wife in public, using vile expressions. If that is not sexist, then I wonder what is. An women are rushing to support him, when he does not appear to even respect his own wife? Let us start thinkin.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

COMMONSENSE408 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:52:43 GMT

We are once again being subjected to the politics of diversion. McCain is unable to come up with new policies to help Americans. To divert national attention, he relies on cheap entertainment tricks. Lipstick on a pig is good for at least one news cycle. Then he plays with "sex education in kindergarten." But if one were to really "make fun of" Palin, one would not need a lipstick reference. One could look at her receiving millions in earmarks but claiming she is against them.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lw/w&w — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:53:02 GMT

I suggest that both men decease and desist in using folky idioms ( I don't see either of them as that folky - though Palin does it well); and discuss the issues honestly and forthrightly. I as a voter am not impressed with the tit-for tat.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mart7lin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:57:59 GMT

The Bush/Palin/McCain camp is counting on Americans be STUPID. Why not? The did it the last 2 cycles when they elected George W. Bush and got rewarded with the worst economy in history. The SAME people who fooled last time (KARL ROVE) are working for John McCain. Why are they doing it? Because they want more of the same politics we had. It benifits them not us.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

atsamee — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:58:09 GMT

Here's the bottom line.....

If you take the lipstick off of a pitbull, it's still a freakin' PITBULL !

sheeeeesh! I'm mee, and I approve of this statement. So cut the crap, McBush/Palin and stop hiding behind your phony ads!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ksliberal — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:59:21 GMT

This whole discussion is ridiculous. That comment has been made by McCain several times, and by Obama before, with no one paying attention. We want to talk to talk sexist.... John McCain is on audio calling his wife a c*nt, on video laughing at Hillary Clinton being referred to as a b**ch, and telling jokes about how ugly Chelsea Clinton is. He left his wife and two children for a much younger, hotter, and richer women.

As a women, I do not think that she is being mistreated at all. All other three candidates went through their time with the media- why would she expect anything different? I have been watching her and McCain campaign videos- she has said absolutely nothing that has not come straight out of her speech from the convention. The McCain campaign is just using this to get their conservatives all up in arms and sheild themselves from the issues that truly need discussed. They know they can't win on issues, so they don't interview or discuss them. Unfortunetly, the Obama camaign is falling for the garbage and starting to look like idiots too.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

shekki_azziz — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:59:34 GMT

People really are stupid enough to believe the lies and innuendo. I was watching ABC news last night and they interviewed supposed registered women Democrats, and they were all giddy of the prospects of voting for Sarah Palin. None of them knew what she stands for or her qualifications to be president. most only talked about her looks, her attitude and the fact that she is a young woman. One woman even said that she didn't consider McCain before because of his age, but that now that he selected Palin to be VP, his age doesn't matter. What?? Women voters are excited to vote for a woman. That's is fine, but you MUST look at the issues and what that candidate stands for. Palin is NOT a replacement for Hillary Clinton. Palin has no experience in foriegn policy, the economy, or any other facet of running a country like the United States. Being a mother does not automatically qualify her for office. Wake up people. The selection of Palin is window dressing. A tactic that was concieved by the Republican party to take the focus off of the current mess we have in the White House. Don't be so stupid as to fall for the same old tricks. McCain is not going to change a thing. Think for a second....people are worried about Obama not being experienced or ready to lead. What if 72 year old McCain dies? We have President Palin. That is a scary thought.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

amycnote — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:59:44 GMT

Thank you for saying exactly what every other smart person watching this election is thinking! Why does everything have to be so sensationalized? We're supposed to be talking about the future of the country here and all anyone can think about is whether or not Obama was referring to SP with the pig comment - come on! Can't we just get past all the bull%*&t?!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

stacon — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:00:46 GMT

If segments of the American public were such morons, to be taken by the such deplorable republican tactics, we would see less of this stuff. Your comment about McCain believing that the Americans are stupid enough to buy is accurate and a fact. Hell, they were stupid enough to re-elect Bush when country was already teetering to its knees. That same stupidity McCain is counting on to win the election and bring the country to full cardiac arrest.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

cps1959 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:01:22 GMT

Yea, yea, yea ... stupid! I wish McCain had let it go and been the better the man, but I gotta' say, Obama is starting to fray under the pressure of the campaign. I've read his camp claims not to pay any attention to the polls, but his confidence isn't quite up where it was before. Concerns me because if the campaign frays his judgement, what will happen when he's at the helm and we're in the midst of a major crisis. I understand the comment about fish was directed to McCain's CHANGE package ... just like McCain's reference to lipstick on a pig was reference to Hillary's health care package and NOT HILLARY herself. But given the way lipstick has been used and given the fact that Sarah Palin and Change are the two components that McCain has ... I take Obama's comment as a direct hit to Sarah. Sorry. It was stupid and low and Obama knows it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

nweekreader — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:01:48 GMT

Posted By: Pupster (September 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM)

She's a book banner.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5768584

What a doofus....

http://www.newsweek.com/id/157986

re: The Politics of Stupidity

orion12 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:01:56 GMT

Mojabar, please tell me what is sexist about Obama's comments about pig and lipstick and stinking fish. Please let me know. Because I must be missing something very important here. What is so "poor dear" about Palin? The woman is hitting heard and crying "please I am a woman" when someone hits back. That is dishonest. You may have a real slant to all of this, based on your experiences. I am just dying to hear about it, why pig and lipstick and stinking fish is insulting to Palin.

I must remind you that Palin called herself a pitbull with lipstick. Is that only sexist when a man uses that word. This is madness.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Jon from Indiana — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:07:09 GMT

McCain wanted a campaign based on issues a long time ago. He wanted to stage town-hall meetings around the country with Obama and be asked real questions by real people. Obama said no. The only thing left is to run the kind of campaign Obama apparently wants to run. One based on routine stump speeches and sound bites. If Obama really wanted to change how politics were run in this country, he would have agreed to McCain's plan to get away from the media and get to the people. He apparently prefers his teleprompter.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Picabo — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:09:34 GMT

I think the author is correct in his observations. You can read what you want into any comment anyone makes if your intent is to confuse the issue. Obama was actually referring to McCain in his comments. If people are offended, then they must indeed think Palin is a pig, because otherwise why would they attribute the comment to her. However:

I do believe John McCain is out of touch and it probably has to do with his age and the fact that he has so much money and privilege at his disposal

I do believe John McCain means he will stay in a war for 100 years if it takes that long to achieve victory.

I do believe John McCain is Bush III, but scarier because I believe he is a war monger.

I do believe John McCain is computer illiterate and not living in the 21st century.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

teamchaos — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:11:02 GMT

I can't believe some of you. Obama could have taken the high road, but he didn't. Now when McCain responds, you are lamenting the fact that the campaign is not about real issues. Obama didn't have to go there, no fair pointing the finger at McCain now.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mcleodmn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:13:44 GMT

Dear Senator McCain,

You have lied about Sen. Obama's record ... Explain yours:

* McCain voted AGAINST Equal Pay for Women

* McCain voted AGAINST Violence Against Women Act

* McCain voted AGAINST Title X Womens Health Care Services

* McCain voted AGAINST Children's Health Insurance Program-SCHIP

* McCain voted AGAINST aid to Children of Domestic Violence

* McCain voted AGAINST Emergency Funding for Victims of Hurricane Katrina

* McCain voted AGAINST Funding Law Enforcement

* McCain wants to bring back the DRAFT

* McCain voted AGAINST GI Bill

* McCain voted AGAINST Funding VA for Vets

* McCain voted AGAINST Funding Military Equipment Shortages in Iraq

* Palin continues to LIE about the bridge. Palin SUPPORTED the bridge, TOOK THE MONEY for the bridge, KEPT THE MONEY for the bridge and SPENT THE MONEY for the bridge.

* Palin AND her husband AND her children BILLED the taxpayers of Alaska, $16,000.00 so the Palin's could have Family Time.

* Palin REFUSES to answer questions from reporters. In fact, Palin REFUSES to answer reporter's questions on her plane... SUSPICIOUS?????!!!!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

gh49 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:16:06 GMT

Finally, a news article that is willing to report the facts on what is going on with these news agencies and the McCain and Palin campaign. I have been looking for you. After all the nonsense that I have been reading lately, I have wondered am I living in the outer limits. Let us as a nation get real. We have real problems that need real solutions and if we allow McCain and Palin to get into office it maybe the final nail in our coffin.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

getzsen — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:16:48 GMT

Lipstick on a pig? Much ado about nothing, sounding brass on tinkling symbols, what ever.

Why would anyone even respond to something so inane? Has McCain anything of substance to deliver?

If anyone thinks Obama is a sexist they should listen to Michelle Obama. No way would she have married a sexist.

getzsen

re: The Politics of Stupidity

nanl55 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:17:41 GMT

Just last week McCain said he honored Obama. He is a phoney--just like Bush and now Palin.

I don't understand how like Bush he can fool so many people. Haven't people suffered enough the last eight years because a liar was elected? If everyone who knew someone who lost their home or job or worse yet a family member looking for weapons of mass destruction that didn't exist, voted as they should this would be a landslide for Obama. McCain is the same--war, lies,

tax cuts for the wealthy oil people and other corrupt corporations. He says he is fighting lobbyists yet they work in his campaign? He chooses a vice president to be a heartbeat away from the presidency who has no experience and who lies as much as he does just because she is a woman.

And now all the women are flocking to her so it is working. How can everyone do this three times in a row? People need to wake up before we have a depression or worse yet no middle class.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

befair — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:18:33 GMT

John McCain introduced the American people to Sarah Palin and then slammed the door in our faces. He will not let all the main stream media inteview her and ask the same kinds of questions they have asked every other candidate. He wants us to blindly accept her and not even care where she stands on the issues. He has done a masterful job of inventing a woman who in all likely-hood, does not really exist. It is the REDDEST of flags when he denies the people the right to question his running mate. I can think of no scenario where a Democrat would be allowed to get away with this. I will not let McCain distract me from the issues that effect my life and the lives of my family. He will have to tell me what he really plans to do for the country before I blindly cast my vote for him.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:18:56 GMT

You all need to stop being so reactive to what McCain does or does not do, does or does not say. He plays both sides of the coin. He just waits to pounce. Now let's support Obama and kick some...tush!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

jlgab — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:19:06 GMT

With Meghan McCain telling how her dear old dad once dated a stripper, it now sheds light on why old John disgustingly 'teased' that Cindy participate in the stripper contest at the bikers rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. To even remotely put such a thought in people's heads of a potential first lady is reckless and unbelievably disrespectful towards his wife. McCain really will say anything for a vote. I wonder if John will now suggest Palin join Cindy in the stripper contest? I thought no one could ever be as much an idiot as Bush but I see McCain is well on his way.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

morethanmad — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:19:42 GMT

When will the press start doing it's job! With all the important issues facing this country they allow this nonsense to dominate the airways. I hold the media equally responsible for the "dumbing down" of political discourse. I guess I shouldn't expect any better from the same group that covered the run-up to the Iraq war. What a worthless group of "talking heads".

re: The Politics of Stupidity

spook — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:20:57 GMT

with all respect, i believe that everyone (republicans and democrats) are missing the point. while the DNC faithful continue in denial mode over the viability of the mccain-palin ticket, it loses the ability to recover the momentum of the campaign. drop the "colourful american idioms" and provide more than "change" as an analogue to being anti-bush-cheny. articulate what "change" looks like.

for the GOP, the ticket must be able to respond with more than platitudes and outrage; it needs to present deliverables that are understandable and acceptable. capitalise on the energy surrounding the fascination over palin to present a "to-do list" of reforms and programs representative of a "maverick."

as for mr. obama's "lipstick" comment, anyone could have told him (and he should have known -- and probably did) that ANY reference to "lipstick" would reflect on palin. (40 million americans watched that speech and laughed at the joke.) it was clear when he said it that the audience thought of palin; and obama's pause demonstrated that he knew what they were thinking, too. if it was just the use of a folksy idiom, it was stupid. if it was intentional, it was puerile.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

careerdaytrader — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:22:35 GMT

WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DEFEAT THE MORON OBAMA!

If Mc Cain uses ads like this God bless him!

We don't need more taxes during the beginning of a recession.

Whatever he does to destroy Obama is ok with me, great job Mc Cain!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

phillyart2wear — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:22:39 GMT

Thank you, thank you for reaffirming that there are signs of Intelligence still out there.

These Constant Diversions are Boring and yes, Stupid. While we Americans are suffering from a failing Economy, Complete lack of a Legitimate Health Care System, Rising Fuel prices, Failing Banks, Massive layoffs, Job Losses, threats of Recession, etc., What does McClain complain about?

Somebody called somebody a "Pig?"

Mr. McCain, tell that to the Family who just lost there home that they've worked for all their lives!

Tell that to the Man, who just lost his Job because his Company just moved Overseas.

To the Cancer patient who can't afford the Health Care and Treatments they need to Stay Alive!

There's some Name calling out there and it's about YOU, and it's a lot stronger than "this little Piggy wears Lipstick!"

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Tonylnbv — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:24:12 GMT

Overall, this election cycle has proven just how low journalistic integrity has fallen. The distinction between a journalist and a commentator has been so blurred that people believe other people's opinion constitutes news in an unbiased fashion (e.g. Olberman and Matthews).

With that said, this is the second article today that has written about on how stupid American's and the electoral process are. The timing of the messages is also not so subtle. 1 day after it's announced that McCain has taken the lead in the race, journalistic integrity stooped to another low in order to insinuate that American's are some how stupid and that we don't get it. Well, I'm sorry that my masters degree doesn't come from a top 40 school but as a voter, I am pissed off that because I support McCain, the media has to resort to insuations that I and those like me, are not clever.

I do think that the campaigns have gone a little bit overboard in their reactions, but that's their job - to put their candidate in the best light. And if a campaign makes a mistake, especially a campaign that is based on someone's judgement (Obama), then any mistakes or bad choices are fair game because it reflects poor judgement.

Another poor judgement that I don't think has been written about is Obama taking his daughters to school. He's been going around the country talking about fixing up the education system and repairing the public schools, but he won't even let his daughters attend public school - Come on...give me a break....

re: The Politics of Stupidity

amls — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:24:46 GMT

WOW unbelievable !!!!!!! Republic and and John McCain campaign or sick! Obama stood up for Sarah Palin when everyone was giving her family and her pregnant daughter a hard time. He defended them. Now Republicans are now taking a comment out of context. The same comment Jonh McCain used in the past, to get their American voters mind off of what's really matter.

Republican must think the American people are just downright stupid. How low we'll you go?

Do you people have any dignity. WOW!!!!!!! what a country!

I am independent and had enough. I will vote for Obama now!

http://www.PoliceyourPolice.com

Amy NC

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Pagen Grey — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:26:07 GMT

You must be the only sane reporter in America today not busy licking the lipstick off the pig in the making nothing out of nothing campaign. There is not a single other thing that could be reported on today? 2 wars, failing economy, failing schools? Okay pigs might be more fun. Seriously do we have to cheer Ike on to make some real news happen and move everyone off this nowhere mark? Pitiful!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

amls — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:26:59 GMT

Republican must think the American people are just downright stupid. How low we'll you go?

Do you people have any dignity. WOW!!!!!!! what a country!

I am independent and had enough. I will vote for Obama now!

Amy NC

re: The Politics of Stupidity

bennettsusan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:27:52 GMT

Sadly, McCain's integrity went out the window when panic set in. He feels so close to the white house he can taste it. Maybe he was hoping the Clinton's wouldn't step up to the plate at the DNC and when they did, he abandoned the high ground to improve his numbers in the pols.

He may tell himself that it's all a means to a noble end. The problem with that is, along the way, you become the means everytime. He mused that Obama would probably pick a running mate based on political pandering instead of qualifications and not put "Country First". Now he finds himself sequestering his pick in a hotel with a host of tutors. But hey, she delivers a great sarcastic speech ripping his opponent. So what if much of what she spews has been discredited? He even listens to her repeat those lies with a smile on his face because she draws crowds he hasn't been able to do on his own. Now if he does get in the white house, how is he suppose to regain the integrity he sold to get there? He can't, he'll be stuck in his own means.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:28:20 GMT

Do we dare?

Do we dare call Sarah Palin a gimmick, even if it is true.

Do we dare talk about her lack of experience and education.

Do we dare criticize her for her refusal to meet with the press.

Do we dare attack her, even when she attacks others.

Do we dare expect her to meet the standards of excellence that characterize the vice-presidency.

Yes, we dare.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Jake1988 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:29:11 GMT

Either Obama was too stupid to not see the connection between the most watched part of Palin's acceptance speech and his one liner or he thinks Americans are so stupid that they will believe that every word out of his mouth, while on the stump, is not strategically planed.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

m9taylor — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:29:15 GMT

Why are you surprised? We all actstupidly believing everything they tell us. If that were not the case we wouldn't have elected George W. twice to the presidency of the US of A. The are simply doing what they have done for the longest of time and it has worked for them because the MSM does not report on it, we just hear biased comments. You will see that a huge number of us will have to again have to tolerate a president who knows nothing , hears nothing and see nothing that is contrary to the interest of the rich so that they become richer. I'm starting to sound like a progressive??? or Socialist???? but it is beyond anyone with a piece of working brain how we can elect this kind of people. It just shows how stupid the majority of American are. I comp;etely disagree with Barack Obama who chooses to think better of the american electorate.. Time will show him better.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

jlgab — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:30:10 GMT

One of the most stupid things to happen in the USA was OJ Simpson getting off from murder charges. A very close second was re-electing the dumbest president ever, Bush. When McCain opens his mouth, nothing but lies comes out. If old John is elected, or a 3rd term Bush, we are DEFINITELY the dumbest people ever. Question:Why would old John lie about something as small as the sale of Palin's or the state of Alaska's plane? Answer:Stupidity and lack of honesty.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

shekki_azziz — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:32:52 GMT

bennettsusan - exactly. Couldnt have said it better myself.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

larryjoe — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:33:47 GMT

Question: Do you agree that ignorence, apathy and inertia are real problems with American voters? Answer: I don't know, I don't care and I really can't be bothered, so pass a beer and hand me the remote. Thanks Andrew for reminding us of this. God bless the United States. We will need it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Red Meat Democrat — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:34:15 GMT

All is fair in love and war. Oink!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

befair — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:35:42 GMT

Lipstick on pigs or bulldogs or what ever, it does not matter to me who wears the lipstick. The point is Obama's comment went as follows, "John McCain says he's about change too, except for economic policy, health care policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy and KarlRove style politics. Thats just calling the same thing something different. You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig." In this quote, Obama said the word policy 5 times before he made the pig comment. Only someone who was looking for an excuse to create a controversy would hear that and relate it to Sarah Palin. Just like Obama says, it is PHONY OUTRAGE.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ron823 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:35:53 GMT

The McCain campaign is disgraceful, showing they are just like Bush in more ways than just issues but the dirty Karl Rove tactics. I am also very disappointed in MSNBC for running this story all day long. As Chris Matthew’s said this morning, this is a “500 ponder looking for a 100 pound donkey to ride”.

SHAME on MSNBC!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

yorkielover2 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:36:11 GMT

Ziadora....I love your "Do we dares?".....They are the very reason the Republicans picked Palin. Not because she was the best candidate for the job, but for the reasons you just mentioned. Those of us "former" Republicans saw that connection the minute we heard the choice.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:44:12 GMT

Palin approached librarian Mary Ellen Emmons three times to ask about the possibility [of removing books], which could legitimately appear to some as something of a pressure campaign (especially considering that Palin attempted to have the librarian removed afterward). Seth Colter Walls, Huffington Post

Hitler waited 90 days after taking office before banning...books. Mayor Sarah Palin waited 11 days after taking office before attempting to ban books.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:45:31 GMT

Posted By: yorkielover2 (September 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM)

Ziadora....I love your "Do we dares?".....They are the very reason the Republicans picked Palin.

Yes, you dared the following: I'm a college graduate. I have a BS from University of Idaho in journalism. I'm mayor of Wasilla, population about 5,000. I hired an administrator to run the town. I'm governor of Alaska with less than two years of experience. I have never ordered the Alaska National Guard to do anything, but I did visit them in Kuwait once. Other than Kuwait, I've been to Germany........and Ireland too, for a fuel stop.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

cowen123456 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:46:09 GMT

I'm surprise that instead of answering Mccain on his message that Obama is wrong on education, energy, Iraq and judgement. Obama opted instead to run against Mccain's VP Sarah Palin and called her a pig with lipstick. Really.....While I admit that Palin dissed Obama pretty badly at the convention and really got me to spit out my chocolate milk when she said 'sterafoam greek columns', that is still not enough for Obama to begin calling her farm animal names. I think after this incident, I'm pretty certain on who I will vote for.

Obama may be a very nice person, I believe he is not ready, tends to hold a grudge and have very thin skin. When I think of all the name calling the Bush and his family has received from americans as well as foreigners as well as dictators, it makes me easy to think how Obama will react if some terrorists decides to play the fear card and threaten to kill his girls? Will he just push the button out of anger? or will he call some sort of conference and begin nasty name calling and start some sort of WWIII? I think he's just too inexperienced, immature and unprepared for what the presidency truly means. He probably thinks its all fun and game with helpers catering to you hands and foot......well, theres a flip side to it too and so its no surprise that all historical presidents have gone away from the office looking like they've aged 20 years instead of the 4-8 years that it was. No way, Noobama.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

msdx — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:46:16 GMT

You're right it is going too far, way too far. Obama is entitled to defend himself against someone not only assailing his character, but calling him a child molester. I mean come on how dumb does McCain think we are?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

vstillwell — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:46:29 GMT

Yep, this independent feels the Republican party is completly destroying what was left of the political process. Sucks. I can't believe I fought for this crap. Thanks Karl, John, Sarah, and Karl Jr. Thanks for dumbing down the political process. You can't freakin' sneeze without those 'tards making a commercial about it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:49:10 GMT

Posted By: yorkielover2 (September 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM)

Ziadora....I love your "Do we dares?".....They are the very reason the Republicans picked Palin.

Yes, you dared the following:

WASHINGTON — The federal government will run a near-record deficit of $407 billion this year, according to the latest Capitol Hill estimates. CNN

"You would like to think that someone who is going to be vice president and conceivable president would know what Fannie and Freddie do," said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. "These are huge institutions and they are absolutely central to our country's mortgage debt. To not have a clue what they do doesn't speak well for her, I'd say."

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Red Meat Democrat — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:49:41 GMT

How very stupid everyone becomes when your candidate is down in the polls.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ziadora — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:52:44 GMT

Posted By: yorkielover2 (September 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM)

Ziadora....I love your "Do we dares?".....They are the very reason the Republicans picked Palin.

Yes, you dared the following: Sarah Palin believes the Iraq war is a task from God.

American's killed Iraq: over 4,000

American's wounded In Iraq: over 100,000

Iraqi deaths due to invasion: over 100,000

re: The Politics of Stupidity

msdx — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:54:03 GMT

cowen123456 no offense but I think thats the most ridiculous comment I've ever seen. Your asserting that because Obama defends himself he is somehow going to push the button to nuke someone. That is a very illogical leap to me. I mean I have defended myself before, but that doesn't mean I am going to shoot someone. With your logic we would all be closet psychpaths waiting to annihilate one another because some of us disagree and thats just not true. I agree with former Mayor Koch. Palin is the one that scares the heck out of me. Just because she is white does not meanshe has experience. This is not someone running for class president here. I agree she looks appealing, but looking appealing does not help anything when she cannot even face Barack Obama of all people. When it is Putin saying things to her what will she do? Run and hide just like now while they attack us. So where is our safety if this WHINER gets in office? What happens to our kids then when the Russians hit the button because our VP is weak?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

superbad1 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:54:36 GMT

I'm a registered Republican who worked for the GOP in the past and I can tell you that I will NOT support McCain/Palin. I may vote 3rd party or even for Barack Obama before I put my checkmark next to McCain. Any person with at least half a brain can see the type of campaign McCain is running. A reformer? A maverick? NOT!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lwta — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:54:59 GMT

Speak it, Andrew.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Red Meat Democrat — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:57:12 GMT

definition: rational voter = someone who thinks exactly like me.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Mike in Sac — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:00:03 GMT

Dear cowen123456 and all who believe the McCain Campaign,

It can cut a couple different ways. Either you believe in the "The Politics of Stupidity" or agree with it. One meaning you are just incapable of rational thought and want what you think to be spoon fed drivel mixed up by Rove et al or the other being that you do not want a democratic country based on the truth, honesty, and honor. Instead you want a country that has leadership who will do and say anything to achieve their goals and ends. This last being what we have had for 8 years and why we are in such a hole.

Either way, you are part of a problem that threatens the very foundation of our country. Ignorance and dishonesty are two things we can't afford any longer.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Blortag — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:06:37 GMT

-cowen123456-

Simply put, you're an idiot. I mean that as seriously as possible. Did you read the article? Are you aware that "lipstick on a pig," is a saying that McCain himself has used to describe Hilary Clinton? Stop getting so upset over little things that make no difference to you or others. Your comment actually scares me, by the fact that if your comment is sincere, and you truly believe that Obama called Palin a pig, that many other people may be 'stupid' enough to believe that as well. Has this country really become that idiotic? To quote John McCain, "Do not be distracted by the grey noise." He said this as protesters tried to distract from his speech at the RNC.

And another thing. Stop using declarative statements to describe either of the candidates. You don't know what either of them will do in crisis situations in the White House. How do I know that? Because neither of them has been in a crisis in the white house. I can tell you this though. Obama will not sit and do nothing at the moment if a terrorist does attack our country, like a certain George W Bush did. And may I also add that neither McCain nor Obama have "experience" for the presidency. Many presidents have stated after leaving office that no previous training could have possibly prepared them for the responsibility and actions required for president. So, in a sense both of them would be "learning on the job," as Rudy Giulianni put it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:07:28 GMT

Obama is mad you can tell, he is totally off track. Sarah has taken his thunder and she is not giving it back. This election is slipping away from him and he knows it, he is off message and is stumbling and bumbling. This guy wants this office and he is prematurely grabbing for the trophy of American president he is taking shortcuts and his decision to say the pig statement.

Obama screwed himself when his said " You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig" That is priceless, what an idiot, at least at the moment he sure was acting like one. Unbelievable. His assistants probably at first said that was clever. Then when it hit the news CNN, Fox they were like "Why did you say that" Political suicide.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Chris in PA — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:07:32 GMT

Media: Senator McCain, can you tell us your position on the state of the economy in America?

JMcC: Well, you see, when I was a POW in Vietnam I did not have an opportunity to participate in the American economy.

Media: OK… how about health care reform. Would you like to tell us your thoughts about health care reform?

JMcC: You know, when I was a POW in Vietnam I did not receive any health care whatsoever. In fact, they were quite mean to me.

Media: Err… yes. Well, we know you have strong opinions about the war in Iraq. Would you mind sharing them with us.

JMcC: Ladies and gentlemen, may I present your next vice president, SARAH PALIN!! YEEEEEHAAWWWW!!

SP: (whispering to JMcC) What do I say?

JMcC; (whispering to SP) It doesn’t really matter. I just needed to find a female in the GOP, and you certainly have the qualifications for that!

SP: I’m a pitbull sent by God!! Argh!!!

Media: My goodness!! We are certainly glad to meet you, Mrs. Palin!

SP: I’m a pitbull sent by God!! Argh!!!

Media: Indeed you are! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

SP: I’m a pitbull sent by God!! Argh!!!

Media: I see. Well, I’m sure the American people would love to hear the platform you are running on. Please?

SP: I’m a pitbull sent by God!! Argh!!!

Media: Got it. Senator McCain, back to you, then. Our audience would love to hear your positions on the major issues facing the country today.

JMcC: Hey! Did he just say “lipstick”. He can’t say that! I’m the one with the chick on my ticket (hehe)! Did you all hear him say “lipstick” It’s an outrage!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kjbogart — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:12:01 GMT

I'm glad the media is starting to wake up to how ridiculous this campaign season has become. I just wish that more people were paying attention. The McCain campaign is out there day after day repeating things they know are completely false, such as the Bridge to Nowhere issue, the idea that Obama will raise everyone's taxes and other distortions. Even though the media has repeated pointed out clear evidence to the contrary, they just keep spouting the same lies. And they are lies. When you say something you KNOW isn't true, in the real world we call it what it is, LYING. I honestly believe that McCain was a different person in 2000. He had some real integrity back then. I think this time around he's given that up. He finally got tired of losing and the Republicans came along and said "We're not too thrilled with you, but if you want to win this time, here's what you absolutely must do". And McCain sold out and tossed his integrity out the window. For months, people have been talking about "Rove-like" tactics, well guess what people, Karl Rove is now officially (but quietly so hopefully no one will notice) "advising" the McCain campaign. This is why we've seen the ads get nastier, slimier, and more outlandish recently. And now we have this stupidity about "lipstick". I don't care if Obama knew how this would play out or not. The crucial points are these. 1) Obama wasn't talking about or referencing Palin, people are assuming he was alluding to her. If that's what Republicans want to think, then that's their issues, but I'm not buying it. 2) Palin, and by extension the McCain campaign, do not have a copyright on the word "lipstick", 3) And this is the biggy...this has nothing to do with the issues.

This is such a low tactic. The McCain campaign has cried foul at absolutely everything. Frankly, if they're finding the general election so daunting and unfair to poor McCain and Mrs. Palin, maybe politics isn't really for them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the outside world is much tougher to deal with. But if they're in for the long haul, and I'm guessing they are by the amount of spiteful, dishonest, and malicious rhetoric the campaign is throwing out there, my best suggestion is to get a helmet and a cup, this is politics and you've stepped into the big ring. If you have the guts to step up and start swinging, which Palin's been more than happy to do from day one, then you can't complain if you get popped in the eye during a round. The Republicans are the absolute best at the old double standard. Rachel Maddow did the best job I've heard recently of pointing this out.

To paraphrase Rachel:

Obama is a celebrity for his popularity, Palin is not (regardless of her popularity)

Obama is to be judged on his experience, Palin is not

Palin is to be commended for giving one good speech (which she keeps repeating verbatim everywhere she goes), Obama is to be criticized for giving many

And in the same vein...

Obama is to be scrutinized about his church and religion, Palin is not

Palin (and McCain) can make personal attacks on Obama and Biden without repercussion, even when blatantly lying. Obama and Biden must watch every single word they say because Palin is a woman and McCain is a veteran.

Obama's experience as a community organizer is irrelevant, but Palin's experience as a mom is

Obama is ambitious, Palin (and McCain) is not

Obama is criticized for being intelligent, Palin and McCain are to be praised for being uninformed because they're just like regular people...like you and me.

Well, here's a news flash, I want the smartest person in the room running the show. Just because Palin and McCain are uninformed doesn't necessary mean that the American public is. I happen to be middle class, making less than 35K a year, but I am also college educated and very well informed. I am a women, white, over 40, raised in a small town and I am one more thing...

I am not fooled.

I am not distracted away from the fundamental issues of this very important election by the shiny object McCain has tossed into the race to divert attention for the multiple crises this nation is facing. I couldn't care less if he picked a woman. It was done as just another gimmick. And for Palin's part, she doesn't seem to have any problem with being used by the party, which tells me just how ambitious she is. Yes, she's a woman, but she's a woman that I disagree with 100%. You can't buy my vote with a chromosome.

The only thing I can do is support my candidate, talk to anyone who's willing to listen, and vote on election day. The sad part is after watching this country elect Bush twice, you can never underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups. If the world thought Americans were stupid for electing Bush again, I can only imagine what they'll think if McCain and Palin get in.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

toobraids — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:24:32 GMT

If Palin was outraged as some perceived slight by the Obama camp maybe she should take a good hard look at who she is running with. McCain called his own wife the "c" word in public not to mention trading his first one in on a newer model. I could say that McCain doesn't know women or care about their issues but the truth is he doesn't care about anyone with income below higher eschelon

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:24:38 GMT

man that last comment is like those long emails you get where you just delete them no one has time to read all the blah blah blah kjbogart dont bogart that joint you have been smoking

re: The Politics of Stupidity

vallihi — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:26:55 GMT

When Hillary Clinton ran for office for the first time, it was for Senator of New York, a state to which she had no ties whatever. She has held no other elected office.

During her entire campaign she refused to appear in a news conference to be questioned by reporters, except when she selected reporters that she knew supported her views and her candidacy

So much for fairness.

Sarah Palin will tell her story and her views directly to the American public without being defined by the prism of biased reporting which abounds in the News Media.

A concerned grandmother

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kjbogart — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:30:29 GMT

I'm sorry Kittykat9. That reading thing must be a real drag. The soundbite world seems to be just your speed.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

snoz4kicks — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:32:52 GMT

Kittykat9,

Are you kidding me? did you even bother reading the article above or you're just too stupid to get it. It is morons like you that the McCain need and his hand trophy needs to give us another 4 years of hell.

I hope to hear you moan 3 years from now when our country is completely broke because idiots like yourself choose to be ignorant about the issues.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

chuckhasker@yahoo.com — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:33:43 GMT

One thing is for sure, I heard with my own ears and I saw with my eyes one thing, I heard and saw Obama make his famous lip stick remark. I may have not read Torie Clarke's book, or heard the comments of others about lipstick and I could care less because those comments were at another time and place in history. But Obama's words can not be ignored. Everyone knows he was talking about Palin. He can wrap his words up in spins and hope they go away but his words still stink. Obama has nothing going for him but his golden tounge, he has no executive management skills or experience, Palin can run circles around him when it comes to experience and Obama knows it and is doing everything he can to take the focus off his lack of experiece. Chuck Hasker

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:36:07 GMT

Pots calling kettles black. That's how middle of the road Americans are seeing this. It's okay when Obama gets away with it, but it's ascertions like Romano's "It's that he seems to think we're all stupid, too."

If by "you," Romano, you mean the media -- yes, middle America thinks you are stupid. Hence the latest Rasmussen poll number that 70% of Americans think the media is grossly biased against McCain. It's also why the political spin-meisters and pundits can't take off their elitist glasses long enough to realize that this election is not going to be driven by the media.

You want a "smart" campaign, then maybe the media should step to the plate and urge Obama to meet McCain in life town hall meetings that aren't scripted. I don't think the undecided middle wants policy via TelePrompter, and the ground-swell in the middle in recent days going against Obama these recent days has nothing to do with McCain "smear" tactics -- the media and Obama are directly responsible for the backlash of middle of the road Americans, particularly women.

Oh, by the way, keep it up.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

yorkielover2 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:38:11 GMT

kjbogart.....We could be sisters. I am also middle class, less than $35K a year, educated and well informed. I am also a woman, white and over 40. The only difference between us is I was raised in a Navy family and moved a lot. I also agree with everything you said.

And I am also not fooled.

Also, my parents (Republicans) are in their 70's (Dad retired Navy) refuse to vote for McCain so will not be voting this year for the first time in their lives. Their not fooled either.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

snoz4kicks — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:39:43 GMT

Thanks grandma Vallihi for the take on the issues, as usual republicans don't care what happen to this country as long as their candidate is elected. It is like a war that must be won as all cost regardless of the consequence. You people deserve Bush and McSame but unfortunately we share the same space with you idiots so it is up to us to make sure the your stupidity does not go unchecked.

Enough is Enough, not this time we are not all the Dummycans ( I mean Republicans)

re: The Politics of Stupidity

AskPlus — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:42:03 GMT

Sadly, Americans are dumb enough to believe the crap coming out of the McCain camp. Look at the polls. Most countries watch us now, not as an example, but like we're some strange reality TV show. In the end, McCain may be president, and we'll get exactly what's coming to us. Bad.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mespelbrunn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:45:05 GMT

Anyone who honestly believes Obama actually targeted Palin is an idiot and/or is desparate to latch on to anything to make Obama look bad. It is both of these attributes the McCain campaign is shamelessly exploiting. It is standard Republican operating procedure: appeal to the worst in us in order to win. The remaining respect I had for McCain has finally dwindled down to absolute zero.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

thehappyamerican — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:46:42 GMT

We do not have to shape the campaign season to Obamas convenience. He's not battling Hillary now! This is no longer a campaign among two competing liberal contenders covered by a liberal news media!

Trying to extract his self from his My-Moslem -Faith affirmation, becoming Americas' certified pig and lipstick expert and promoter of sex education for grade K are making it worse on his on his self and Bill Ayres probably has no suggestions!

(Try a bitter clinger tire guage?).

Obama is irritated by any opposition in a contest where there will be a whole lot! And no..it's not going to be a contest customized to his convenience at all!

The whining seems to be the Republicans are not following the DNC's script for them!

Obamas' Americans Suck First campaign was easy when it was two liberals competing with a liberal media as referee!

Palin and McCain do not subscribe to the liberals' Americans Suck First campaign! They never will and the news media can cry and whine all they want about it.

millions of Americans think Americans are fantastic! Obama might try getting on board!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brooklynkevin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:47:19 GMT

So many of us do not have enough to put our children through college.

So many of us do not have enough to pay our mortgage.

So many of us do not have enough to pay our bills.

So many of us do not have enough for health care.

So many of us do not have enough for gas.

So many of us do not have enough.

But there is something we have had enough of.

Enough of Bush.

Enough of McCain.

Enough is enough.

Kevin B

I'm saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 - 2017

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kjbogart — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:49:04 GMT

Thanks Yorkielover2. Hopefully there are enough of us out there to make a difference.

Also, I wasn't raised in the Navy, but I married a Navy sailor so that should count.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mespelbrunn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:51:21 GMT

You notice how the pro-Republican comments are far more likely to contain mispellings and grammatical errors? There is no solace in saying McCain pursues the dumbass vote when there are unfortunately such a massive number of dumbasses.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Stimpygato — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:51:32 GMT

The right is clawing and scratching for anything to get worked up over because THEY KNOW that Governor Palin is a sinking ship. She may have launched the her McCain/Palin campaign in a Titanic way, and is convinced that even God can't sink this one....

Lifeaver anyone?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Stimpygato — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:52:05 GMT

Lifesaver anyone?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:53:17 GMT

Yes I read the article, and even if it is a old saying just not real smart to say.

People who write long winded blogs are just full of themselves and like dump there whole brain onto the blog. Thinking that they are so intelligent and magnificent just for the plain fact that they are liberal, like the Obonehead they worship.

Maybe that’s why liberals are so angry, because anytime we say anything against Barry and how he will hide behind the sofa when he gets that call at 3am we are insulting the new liberal idol they worship and they are coming out swinging.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

jradmacher — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:58:45 GMT

I am really getting sick of Palin and McCain. I remember when they said the media was paying too mcuh attention to Obama. It's ok to be a celebrity if you are a Republican but not if you are a Democrat. I like what Noonan said when asked if Palin was the best woman John McCain could have picked and she said that the Palin pick was political bullshit. I couldn't aggree more.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

jradmacher — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:59:32 GMT

It's over," Noonan said.

When Chuck Todd asked her if this was the most qualified woman the Republicans could nominate, Noonan responded, "The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political bullshit about narratives. Every time the Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and that's not what they're good at, they blow it."

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Boulder Sue — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:00:10 GMT

I think generally speaking, the Repubs think we are all stupid and assume that none of us bother to research what the realitie of issues are. Unfortunately, hopwever most people don't have the time or the will to get beyond the sound bites. Obama is called elitist, professorial, etc. because you have to listen to more than three to five word to get his meaning. Granted, his campaign has been guilty of some uncalled for accusations against McCain. I don't think any realist believes that McCain really wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years. How long and for what reaso, though, is still a valid question. And what did the "bomb, bomb,Iran" ditty tell us? The Palin question, I think, is still open on a lot of levels simply because so much info and faux info has been flung around in barely a week's time. Before that we knew nothing at all about her. Only Alaskans were familiar with her background, beliefs and policy positions. I am still waiting for the Repubs to allow her to leave the nest, but I'm not sure they believe she is ready to serve as anything but a skirt for McCain to hide behind. The crowds they have been attracting are not due to McCain's presence, I'm sure. That's natural. Everyone is curious about the new kid on the block, including me. So far I'm impressed by her as a good mom (though I was slightly aghast at the wide exposure of Bristol and her fiance. Those are kids under a lot of pressure and were needlessly used, in my opinion. She is a woman of HER faith, but I don't want her ideas on that matter imposed on me. I guess she's pretty popular in Alaska, and there must be a reason for it, but that does not qualify her to be VP, let alone President,if , God forbid something were to happen to mcCain, should he be elected). We shoul all smarten up and stop letting anyone assume we will go with the loudest or most outrageous sound bite, or the first thing we hear. We, as Americans, have something to prove: that we are not stupid or lazy.As someone said, we get the government we deserve.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

El Mugroso — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:02:31 GMT

The REAL POINT of the add is TO INDUCE FEAR IN PEOPLE and capitalize on fear.

The add says "OBAMA: WRONG FOR YOUR FAMILY" and that shows that McCain's and campaign's willingness to take advantage of FEAR in constituents.

It's not that different from recent lies like "there are weapons of mass distruction, give me your money to protect you".

For now it's "give me your vote" and I'll protect you from "Obama".

But, dear friends, Your Vote is Your Money.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

MarLouWilk — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:08:18 GMT

Why don't we all just grow up! The world has run amuck. Obama talked for 15 minutes last night on Countdown about McCain complaining about him and not sticking to the issues -- and yet during that 15 minutes I did not hear Obama talk about even ONE issue. Who's going to set the example? Who's going to say "enough!" The first man (or woman) that shows they just mentally(not physially) matured about 15 years will get my vote. Right now -- I think I'll vote for Puddlehead. At least he has a good philosophy!

This whole thing about lipstick is merely a symptom of a bigger problem. People aren't stupid. We don't want this garbage. Stick to the issues. Come on, play fair. Even though the phrase he used was a common phrase, he knew when he said it how the other party would react. The audience reaction proved that. It was still a ploy. And as for the other guy -- come on McCain -- stop reacting to stupidity and give us some volume here. Let it go, Man! Stick to your guns. And Obama -- oh, for heaven sakes, grow up!

And then, there's the media. I am sick and tired of "liberal" and "conservative" cabel TV and newspapers. Sorry -- call me old fashioned -- but I miss good-old-fashioned facts-only news. I'm an intelligent person. I can reach my own conculsions. I don't need the media spelling all this out for me. Even though I don't agree with him a good part of the time, I have to admit that O'Reilly is the only cable news commentator that I've seen that actually asks the tough questions and gets answers to REAL issues. He doesn't let anyone he interviews wander into ranting and raving. Come on, media people. Stop fueling the flame and start filling our lives with useful information. We love you guys -- we wish you loved us, too. Give us what we NEED -- not just what attracts attention.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DaveWK — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:08:46 GMT

I thank the author for doing his best to expose this nonsense. The problem of course is that Republicans have profited from these kinds of smears and distortions in presidential campaigns time and time again, so we can't expect them to desist on pangs of conscience. McCain himself was the victim of smears emanating from the Bush campaign in 2000 (remember, he was the father of an illegitimate black child?). Apparently the lesson he learned from the experience was, if you can't beat them, join them.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

joelj889 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:10:23 GMT

BHO IS wrong for your family.

He's wrong for EVERYONE'S family.

It is the simple reason he is going to LOSE.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LTBROWN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:11:34 GMT

Republicans are pathetic. And that's why I can no longer vote with them.[since 2000]. The new Obama "lipstick" smear ad is NOT GOING TO PLAY. It angers intelligent Americans LIKE MYSELF. You've already lost my republican vote. Plus 120 people in my group, with the Palin pick. You're hypocrits.

EXPERIENCE? In what? Insults?

CELEBRITY? So what are you trying to do with Palin?

I see you guys signing autographs at stump speeches. :smh: Get to the issues are get to the house. NOW!

They talked of how inexperienced Obama was. Then why is he the only one speaking on issues? Why is Bush now using his strategy in Iraq? And no we do not need to drill and the surge didn't work. The reason we went was based on lies. Another 4k American dead [Iraq and Afghan] plus 9-11 was almost 4K. Bush record of killing us is sickening. No more! No Way! No how! No McCain nor Pitbull Palin. The crap is to elementary. They're even using Obama's platform. "Change!" haha

HYPOCRITS!

Sorry but we see you for what you are. Get out of here! I'm voting for real Change. Change we can believe in. Obama/Biden 2008

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LMAO — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:12:43 GMT

It was quite telling when he made the comment about lipstick on a pig PLUS fish stinks after wrapped in a paper for 8 years. This is clearly a reference to Palin as she used the lipstick comment in her speech PLUS she & her husband ran a fishing business. And he did it intentionally with the notion he could wriggle out and claim it is a common expression. However the pig & fish together speaks volumes.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LTBROWN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:15:36 GMT

@Posted By: DaveWK (September 10, 2008 at 5:08 PM)

==================================

Lol Exactly. McSame is his new name. And I hope the Dems will use that new name next. haha

re: The Politics of Stupidity

rpbncb — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:16:52 GMT

I just can't believe people would be stupid enough to vote for McCain-Palin in Nov. Haven't we had enough lying,under the table politics, illegal wire tapping, disregard of the constitution, Iraq war, ETC? Come on people, where have you been for the last eight years? The country is in shambles and Bush-Cheeney couldn't care less! Quite frankly, I don't see why someone would want to inherit the mess this administration will be leaving but I do know that if McCain is elected, it's four more years of The american people getting scre_ _ _. Obama on his worst day is better than McCain on his best day! Wake up people! HELLO........

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DoriONeal — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:17:24 GMT

Kittykat9 -

Are you high?

If so, please turn of your computer and call 9-1-1. Apparently, you've OD'd. Because you seem to be spouting nonsense. Congrats to you, though, you've finally accomplished burning off that last pasky brain cell. . . .

re: The Politics of Stupidity

rpbncb — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:20:45 GMT

Kittykat9 you're evidently a Republican idiot!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

orca2008 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:27:28 GMT

my.barackobama.com - Lynn Ehrlicher's Blog ^ | Sep 7th, 2008 at 1:31 pm EDT | Lynn Ehrlicher aka Lynnie Gal

Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 4:15:25 AM by KayEyeDoubleDee

Lipstick on a Pig

By Lynnie Gal

Sep 7th, 2008 at 1:31 pm EDT

It is appropriate that Palin refers to herself as a pitbull--an ugly, snarling, threatening animal. But we all know that the lipstick she talks about isn't on a pitbull. She is lipstick on a pig, the pig being the Republican party in general, John McBush in particular.

We've all heard the joke that Washington is Hollywood for ugly people. I get that. But we need to push back on the cynicism that McSame is pushing, knowing that signing on a sexy grandma will get white men to vote for him because they want to sleep with her. You know it's true!

Let's send out a steady stream of Democratic women on the news show circuit NOW, and capitalize on the fact that they can't send Palin out there because she KNOWS NOTHING. The repuklicans know that the hard questions the press will ask her are going to destroy her, and that's why they have to keep her locked in her dressing room All we will see are the sound bites from the solitary speech she gave that was written for her by a Bush speech writer, and the press will have to play them over and over and over ad nauceum until it gets drilled into the head of the common folk that she really is lipstick on a pig.

NOTICE THE DATE AT THE TOP. THIS WAS PLANNED Obama is a fake and a phony. From his radical stance on abortion to his prominence in the corruption scandals that has been virtually ignored by the mainstream media, Barack Obama is not fit to be Senator -- not to mention the next President of the United States.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DoriONeal — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:29:15 GMT

Kittykat9 -

Are you high?

(Please, pardon my typographical error. . . )

re: The Politics of Stupidity

votenic — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:36:38 GMT

And this 2008 Presidential Election Weekly Poll says it all.

You Won't Believe These Results!

http://www.votenic.com

re: The Politics of Stupidity

fatherx — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:41:34 GMT

Palin and reverse discrimination!

Just as with racism there are a lot of sick people in the US. It would not take a rational & God seeking person 5 seconds to see the hypocrisy with Palin and TrooperGate. And the fact that so many Democrats are not speaking about Father Rights and/or a Children Right to a Father underscores my point.

Let us switch the sex roles for one second. Let us assume that Palin was a man and he used his power to try and get his ex-sister in law fired. In no way would we be having this discussion about Palin. He would be totally discredited. But cheating Fathers and Children out of Fathers has become routine in America. And the Democrats by not standing up for these rights are just as much to blame.

I do not think that the Democrats will have any chance of making TrooperGate and October surprise unless they make a long needed stand for Father Rights and/or a Children Right to a Father. But for now they have completely boxed themselves into a corner and have taken a position that Father Rights and/or a Children Right to a Father is anti-Women Rights.

If the Democrats continue to fail to take a position that Father Rights and/or a Children Right to a Father than TrooperGate will be an asset for Palin. regardless of the Alaska Legislature Investigations.

Sincerely,

Father X

From www.savebabyx.com

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:41:50 GMT

I truly wonder how the Republicans are going to spin the current bush administration scandal involving big oil and the Bush administration to be somehow the fault of America or more to point of interest these days, the Democrats? I suppose they will say that Obama has something to do with this somehow, after all, they just this morning sunk to a new and ridiculous low by taking what he said today completely out of context. They have gone so far as to get on national news and express fake outrage over something their candidate himself has said in the recent past. They have even run television ads decrying fake issues against Obama today. Is that all the Republicans have? At what point are any of the news channels going to take them to task for their non-stances on any issue that truly matters to the average American? Is it better to report only the stupidity that Republicans want to institute in this election or actually cover their responses to actual issues, which to date, they have had none? I think the Republicans continue this line of campaigning solely because they would have to clearly show everyone that they will continue the Bush policies for lack of their own original ideas and thus show their true hand (In essence, a third term for Bush).

re: The Politics of Stupidity

newz4i — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:44:51 GMT

This just in:

Bush reaches for Laura's lipstick for help.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

jm2001 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:46:45 GMT

Come on Andrew. You may be correct that Obama was talking about McCain's education plans, but he knew EXACTLY the response he would get from the crowd when he used that "lipstick on a pig" metaphor. Watch the video again. Watch his timing, waiting for the inevitable laugh he KNEW would follow based on the press over-exposure of that one ad lib from her acceptance speech. It was so obviously planned and got the response he was looking for. I think the response from team-McCain surprised him, however. He seems off-balance with every new step he takes now days. What an arrogant fool to think he can use a subtle and backhanded quip to truly disrespect Palin.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

CJ Votes — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:49:27 GMT

It may seem like a stupid thing to focus on to you. But I guarantee it seems a lot less stupid, and a little more offensive, to quite a few of the voters who wear lipstick.

We aren't stupid -- we heard it when Obama made these little swipes before against Hillary, and we hear it again now. He needs to get his act together and stop this petty stuff before he pisses off a lot of the female voters that will decide this election this fall.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:55:34 GMT

McCain/Palin is just an insult to anyone of intelligence, why they are being allowed to continue in this fashion escapes me. The ridiculousness of this day only goes to show which campaign is desperate. They are so desperate to keep from talking about the real issues, that they stoop almost on a daily basis to redirect the news to cover any and every act of stupidity they can invent. They clearly want Obama to defend himself from whatever they can create, regardless of its' validity or ridiculousness. Anything to keep from being asked how they plan to do anything or even what it is they plan to do. How long are we going to go for this America? Are we gonna' wait for the election to be over before we demand more from this election? "McCain-Palin 08'--Two Bridges To Nowhere"

re: The Politics of Stupidity

OldUncleTom — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:58:51 GMT

The good news... intelligent people see through this trash easily

The bad news... this is America, and there are only a few hundred of us.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LeAnneM — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:00:53 GMT

We live in a sad, sad world if people are actually thinking of voting for McCain-Palin. That's what I think. The thought of having another George W. Bush in office makes me physically ill.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Nmaitre — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:01:31 GMT

i can not believe what mccain thinks about being president of this country without having any qualifications, therefore any reasons at all; may be it is because he loses 85 percent of his brain function, or may be he thinks that the white house is a nursing home for him to stay or a club for palin to have her daughter come with babies without fathers. who is the father/ i don't think so. they all think that american people are stupid to vote for them.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:02:38 GMT

Why is it when Obama says something legitimate, it gets taken out of context and everyone says he needs to get his act together, but whnever McCain or any of his people say something, regardless of how ridiculous it is or how untrue, no one expresses any type of outrage or disdain? I think McCain needs to get his act together and state how he plans to do anything or even what it is he plans to do. Can it be that he actually has no plan other than to continue with Bush's failed policies?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:05:46 GMT

Republicans really seem to believe that Americans are stupid, but look at the evidence, we put Bush Jr. in office twice and are beginning to buy into McCain's charade more and more, we allow people to take office with no real stance on anything but empty promises of what they will do.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

jpmba — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:06:38 GMT

This is appalling for America to give attentive ears to such low grade politics. But unlike many of my colleagues, I don't think average America is stupid. Sooner than later, we are going to wake up and think and perhaps say, "what was I thinking?".

Let's recognize that the McCain campaign has scored a lot of points recently. He gambled with the VP pick by choosing an unvetted candidate, just because he couldn't make his base swallow the bitter pill of a McCain/Liebermann ticket. It injected enthusiasm in a campaign that was boring. Nevertheless, picking Palin was a botched first real-life decision of president McCain. That has now been pushed in the back of our concerns, even though this is what we should be talking about now. But who am I kidding?!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DUMPLIN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:08:32 GMT

OBAMA IS AN IDIOT AND WILL LIPSTICK HIMSELF OUT OF THIS ELECTION WITH HIS SLANDER OF MCCAIN AND PALIN. WOMEN WILL NOT PUT UP WITH BEING CALLED PIGS NO MATTER HOW OBAMA TRIES TO DENY HIS MEANING.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LTBROWN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:08:43 GMT

The odds in these blogs about Obama/McCain sure don't match up with all these fake polls the media keeps putting out. I've done the averages on over 200 blogs this week. 13% of the comments are favorable of Obama. Unless you go to a McCain site [97% for] or Obama site [99% for].

Odds I can live with, I think. lol

This is the eve of 9/11. All the media should be ashamed for playing into this political game. Because you know that's all it is. Get your heads on straight and demand some facts. And get Palin to come out of hiding and take some questions. Or they're surely going to be home for Superbowl.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mcleodmn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:09:08 GMT

Palin is that word that McCain calls his wife....

Whats that word again?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DUMPLIN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:09:35 GMT

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME OBAMA SAID ANYTHING LEGITIMATE? HE CAN'T SPEAK WITHOUT A TELEPROMPTER, DUH.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kafn8d — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:10:08 GMT

You write the best blog, Andrew. Always thought-provoking and quite amusing! Keep up the good work!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

bbebop — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:12:05 GMT

to quote lt. gen. russell honore (ret) of katrina fame, "don't get stuck on stupid!"

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DUMPLIN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:12:06 GMT

GEE ROMANO, WHAT ARE YOUR POLITICAL LEANINGS AS IF ONE COULDN'T TELL. OH, I FORGOT, YOU'RE AN UNBIASED JOURNALIST

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DUMPLIN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:12:07 GMT

GEE ROMANO, WHAT ARE YOUR POLITICAL LEANINGS AS IF ONE COULDN'T TELL. OH, I FORGOT, YOU'RE AN UNBIASED JOURNALIST

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:12:28 GMT

If you are rich(i.e., a part of the top 5% of the nation), I can understand your vote for McCain/Palin, you want to keep making money while the country goes down the toilet, who cares right, you can buy a place to live anywhere in the world. If you are not rich (i.e., anyone who is directly affected by Bush policies, the other 95% of the nation), then you really should be voting for Obama/Biden, because you truly care about this country and can no longer even afford to keep your current house, let alone buy a new one across town, let alone somewhere else in the world. So why is this race a dead heat at this point? "McCain/Palin--Two Bridges To Nowhere"

re: The Politics of Stupidity

the_shelton — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:14:57 GMT

If CJVotes would find out where that stupid remark came from, you might not be so high and mighty. It was directed by McCain earlier than this at Bush. Get your facts straight lady and someone might start paying some attention to you. Right now you are supporting someone just because she wears a dress. Look at your next door neighbor and then the one across the street and then the one behind you at the grocery line. These are the girls that are "ONE OF US". Do you really want that to be running your government.

Let's get all the poultry farmers outraged because some other political idiot said "If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck". Cripes, let's look at something that has some sense to it. Are we going to get into the same lame stupidity that ran rampant at the primarys? If lipstick and moose dung are the best you can do, you have no idea of the troubles that are facing this country. I wouldn't be saying anything, if it weren't for the seriousness of this situation. We have some real problems here folks, time to put aside your bigoted, prejudiced ideas and get down to something substantive. McCain is going to lead us down the same path his forerunner, "THE IDIOT" has. He has no new ideas. He says his campaign is all change because someone in his campaign said to him that that was the only way to try to win. This man will say anything, do anything to win. His idea of change is getting a different set of lobbyists to tell him what to do.

He needed something to divert the attention away from him and his stale ideas so he brought in Barbie. Sorry folks but if you are seriously considering her as a back up to the almost certain occurance of him not living out his term, then you really haven't had enough of this mess that has been brewed by those wonderful people who could care less about you and your plight. I can see Bush now, dancing around on the White House steps, because he an oil man and oil went over a hundred dollars a barrel. Do you honestly think that he really cares one hoot about you? I can see his concern as he sits around waiting on his term to be over. All the rats (Rove and company) have jumped his ship and are busy setting up house in McCains boat to nowhere.

If it wasn't so serious I would set back and watch all of you dingdongs try to cover your butts if he got in by stripping off your "Go McCain" stickers after the first year in office. Your mortgage down the drain, gas at $5.00 a gallon, in another war with Afghanistan and possibly Iran, the price of bread at $5.00 a loaf and half of our kids practicing "Do you want fries with that?".

Get your heads out of your butts and start to look at something that makes sense. Lipstick, moose dung and reverand Wright aren't really the issue here. It is the whole future of the US. Personally I am taking it one hell of a lot more serious than you are. Grow up.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

LTBROWN — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:19:54 GMT

http://www.votenic.com/

Even if we didn't look at this. You can look at the comments in here and any other nonbias website. No one is feeling McPalin. Sorry. The affirms for Barack in here are 10 to 1. hmmmmmm. Votenic looks about right to me too.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:23:22 GMT

the _shelton has it exactly right, finally, someone who has the balls to say what I have been trying to convey all along. Make the Republicans own up to their position, which is truly to continue the policies of Bush, due to McCain's inability to come up with anything new on his own. If we want to hear the Republic stance on any issue, we will have to wait for the Republican puppeteers to give it to them.... "McCain/Palin--Two Bridges To Nowhere"

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Alongwayback — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:30:54 GMT

I truly wonder what would happen to these so-called polls which show it being neck and neck if John McCain was made to actually express what he and Palin actually plan to do and how they plan to do it for this country?

"John McCain is consistent--Consistently for the rich"

"McCain/Palin...Two Bridges To Nowhere"

re: The Politics of Stupidity

snippet — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:31:55 GMT

Personally, I don't give a rip about the "feelings" of the candidates or whether they are offended about anything. I want to know what they are going to do about the horrendous problems that plague the United States due to 8 years of George Bush and the Republican party. I don't care what they wear, how their hair looks, whether they have their kids with them, whether they go to church, what kind of car they drive......................I care about what they can do for America. The Republicans are a tour de force in typical Rove/Bush fashion.................STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES. The Republican party have proven to those that voted Republican the last two times that they truly consider voters dumber than rocks and campaign accordingly, continuing the vicious move forward in the "dumbing down of America". I hope republican voters are smarter than their party gives them credit for and turn away from the hitleresque propoganda being used by McCain....I hope the media stops spending precious information time on petty distractions by the Republicans. It would be nice if the media set their own rules:

'we will not consider anything news worthy unless it has substance in reference to issues of naitonal and world affairs and are predispossed to answering questions honestly in regards to what matters to the health, safety and welfare of America and her citizens"...........THIS CAMPAIGN TO THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT ABOUT THE FEELINGS OF THE CANDIDATES OR THEIR ATTIRE OR THEIR HAIR OR WHETHER NO NOT GOD TALKS TO THEM--IT IS ABOUT SAVING AMERICA FROM BEING SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER, ABOUT COMPETING IN THE WORLD LANDSCAPE IN EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY, ABOUT ECONOMY, ABOUT WARS THAT COULD LAST FOREVER, ABOUT HOMELESS PEOPLE, ABOUT HUNGRY PEOPLE, ABOUT HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS, ABOUT PAYING OFF OUR DEBT AND LEAVING A SOLVENT AMERICA FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. My kids put up with worse verbal crap in junior high school than the candidates have had to deal with. Time for everyone to GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!! This is serious stuff and should be treated as such. Rove's time is up, everyone knows his moves and they don't work anymore..not even on Republicans. That's the thing about becoming aware....once you are there there is no going back---knowledge is power. Feel the power people and don't let any politician take that away from you...be smart, vote smart and take back what has been taken away from you by the Republican Party. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain..........................there is no great and powerful Oz, even though Rove/Bush/McCain want you to believe there is. REALITY CHECK. For what ever reason you may not think you can support Senator Obama I would ask that you consider supporting him for change.....change from Republicans and the fact that over the last 8 years they took your confidence and support in them and abused it and Americans------and if you are Christian you should ask yourself in retrospect over the last 8 years.."what would Jesus have done?" Would Jesus have taken money from the poor and given it to the rich? Would Jesus have sent his children to war to die for oil? Would Jesus have cut benefits to veterans? Would Jesus have hurt the education system, the healthcare system and allowed for the horrendous actions of voter fraud and discrimnation and disenfranchisement that took place in both 2000 and 2004? I think a man as great and compassionate and honest and loving as Jesus would never call himself a Republican.

This time vote against Republicans and for something else...anything else. Don't be dumbed down and don't be ignored. This is not a popularity contest this is real life....your life and the lives of your loved ones-vote accordingly-vote smart-be informed. don't let someone else make this decision for you------------------let everyone know there are no sheep in America, the sleeper has awakened. (PS we're once again the laughing stock of the world with our pettiness...it is a shame because we had so much potential in 1776.)

re: The Politics of Stupidity

snippet — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:31:57 GMT

re: The Politics of Stupidity

the_shelton — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:33:02 GMT

Dumplin, I can see that from your posts, the term lipstick probably does apply to you, But if you look at the text of Obama's speech it clearly was directed at McCain and his superficial ideas of change and trying to gloss over them with some new statements.

I once had a great respect for McCain. He was my Senator. But after many years of that, the bad representation he did for us, his stultified ideas of what to do with illegal immigrants, and his misguided attempts to rationalize this war, I have lost any respect I have for him. If we march an elephant (since everyone seems so fond of using animals) and sit him on top of someone, sooner or later they are going to give in. If we throw enough money at a problem, it will hopefully go away, if we send enough money and men to Iraq, we will start to make a difference. In what? You can't force a country to be democratic, you can't force people who have been under dictatorial rule to roll over and be independent. Hell, it took us, from 1776 to 1789 (the year Washington took office as president) and we didn't have a bunch of people shooting at us, and really it was our idea.

We fall back on the same old ideas (if someone upsets us, let's go fight them). Try that philosophy with your children the next time they come home with a problem at school. If someone cuts you off at at corner, get out and shoot their stupid butts. If the lady at the PTA doesn't have the same ideas as you ask her to step outside and duke it out. That's the mentality of the old school. We don't practice any of their policies in our regular life, why should we use them in our country's life.

Those are the old ideas, putting a new picture of patriotism on them and calling them "Change" isn't. That's the lipstick. It isn't Palin, she doesn't have any ideas or if she does, she is keeping them to herself or practicing her lines until they sound like hers. These are McCain's ideas and they are stale, putrid and time to be replaced.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:38:26 GMT

Obama is a poser, doesn’t know anything and will lead this country to no where. He is always trying to inflect down in his voice as if that makes him sound in control or intelligent, can figure out if he is trying to imitate someone like john Wayne, (who was a nice guy) or what.

The intelligence factor left him with the pig comment. You liberals just wish the Republican Party made such a gaff. I laugh so hard every time I think... what a bone head for saying that, way to alienate the public but especially women who are undecided.

Obummer and Hoe Biden are scrambling with the rest of you liberal lipstick wearing piglets

re: The Politics of Stupidity

GregHere — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:54:21 GMT

.......................................McCain continues the George Bush tradition of twisting language upside down to use words to his advantage in promoting his campaign and his political philosophy. McCain says the McCain Campaign's mantra is "Country First" when their thrust is just the opposite and should be in reality titled "Me First". McCain represents the selfish, well positioned wealthy who do not have much concern for their fellow Countrywomen/Countrymen and want to talk that they are Big Patriots but want to Privatize everything they can inorder to hold wealth, power and position for themselves to use as much as they can get away with. McCain is a Wealthy Aristocrat who has found Sarah Palin to use against America's women in ways to match the Right Wing Republican Philosophy.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

VoiceOverWorx — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:59:46 GMT

The McCain Campaign has dissolved into a farce that is appealing to the uninformed and blindly biased...people who do not seem to take the time to read, listen or get the facts about the slurs that are being flung about.

How is it credible that anyone would even entertain the possibility that the lies and distracting tactics being used are of any importance since they are used to seemingly keep the minds of folks off the fact that they have nothing new to say.

Palin has had one speech written for her and she has regurgitated its' high level of snide insults ad nauseum...the fact that it is filled with the same smoke up your a** methods amazingly does not seem to make a difference to far too many people. Does the Truth matter anymore? Apparently not for the Republicans who have used deceit to gain power for far too long now.

It has been said that a country elects the government it deserves...I pray to God we do not deserve McCain and Palin.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

purrmonsta — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:02:59 GMT

kittykat9 YOU are the one who doesn't know anything...Obama didn't get through Harvard Law and become the first African American to run Harvard Law Review without knowing quite a lot.

Most of this country is sick and tired of you Republican sycophants (go look it up in the dictionary moron) ruining our country while THINKING you are doing something great for YOURSELF. GET OUT OF THE WAY and let somebody who actually WANTS to runa government do the job.

You can call us piglets if you want to, but you clearly resemble the posterior end of a horse.

Obama/Biden must prevail in order to save America from further decay into corporate facsism.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:10:02 GMT

the_shelton and others miss the mark widely: what has Obama been but the voice of the far left and the political chicanery of the corrupt Chicago political machine? As for Joe Biden, he never met a special intersest he wouldn't cater to for the right amount of money.

Are McCain and Palin perfect? Of course they aren't. In the scummy political waters of American politics, even mavericks and reformers have to kowtow to those that spend money shaping the political landscape. The difference is that sometimes -- as with Palin and McCain -- they rise above the backbiting and bickering, to a purpose greater than their or some special interest group or their own party, for what they believe is right.

What the undecided, middle-of-the-road voter wants, is the hope of change. McCain and Palin have shown that despite the corruption of the American political arena, they can at the right times and for the right reasons, rise above it.

I think every voter knows there is no "perfect" candidate. But I didn't hear from Obama what I would have considered worthy of commitment: the inclusion of ideas from all sides and regardless of where the credit goes, the acknowledgement that government does not and never will have all the answers.

Talk about lipstick gloss jobs, Obama has managed to gloss over the cracks behind the scenes of his own party and profess them "healed," instead doing the right thing and adding Clinton to his ticket. Not only does Obama lack personal courage and integrity, he lacks political courage and integrity as well.

And the liberals wonder why Obama/Biden is going down faster than the Titanic. Because intrinsically Americans see through the political smoakescreens they've thrown up since the Palin nomination, and they can see the hypocrisy ... we'll take a refreshing small change that might lead to bigger ones over the same old corrupt Chicago political machine machinations and Biden-delivered PAC-whoring any day.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Neo_ — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:37:04 GMT

Hey, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/us/politics/10educate.html">Obama</a> did head the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, where he oversaw the spending of $150 million to improve the public schools of Chicago, but had little impact.

Given that this is his only executive experience, it's easy to see why Obama perfers to take a pummeling for not having any executive experience, rather than admit he headed a failure.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mayflower31 — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:38:33 GMT

Raising character assassination to a new level, John McCain now accuses

Barack Obama of favoring sex education for kindergartners - a cruel and

reckless distortion of the fact that Obama voted for legislation to teach

kindergartners how to protect themselves from sex predators. Is John McCain

the new Joe McCarthy? I say to John McCain, "Have you no sense of decency,

sir, at long last have you left no sense of decency?"

Phyllis Sinrich

Stamford, CT

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:40:20 GMT

purrmonsta and VoiceOverWorx epitomize why they are out of touch with most of America: condescending, elitist snobbery.

Being the first Afrian American in charge of the Harvard Law Review. Wow. Now I have to completely re-evaluate what it takes to be President of the United States.

Here's the thing KittyKat9 and others: Obama can't win without the middle, and he's losing the middle faster than celebrities on Weightwatcher's do.

So keep posting your snitty, superior, look-down-your-nose at ordinary Americans remarks purrmonsta and Wrox, it only helps move the middle closer to McCain.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Ezana — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:49:20 GMT

The fourth estate has lost it's nerve. You have all caved to pressure from right wing think tanks/ and the McCain campaign and think you have to be ideologically equal all the time. While the Republicans are driving this country over a cliff, you entertain even the most transparent BS like it's as valid as the truth (lipstick on a pig!?!). You are both weak of character and complicit! The right hasn't a leg to stand on! The great defenders are fighting a war paid for by China, letting the majority slip into poverty, and killing the constitution! To all of you who used to be journalists; GROW A PAIR!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Ezana — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:51:21 GMT

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:56:58 GMT

This might be a first ... I agreed with Ezana up to the first period. After that, the Koolaid went right to the head.

We need objective journalism, and there are still many objective ones out there. The major media conglomerates, however, have sold the fourth estate to political ideology (by the way, did you count that "estate" in the "houses owned by Obama" equation?).

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:58:04 GMT

TRAIL OF HARASSMENT: HARASSING, LOCAL LIBRARIAN, HER EX-BROTHER IN LAW, TO FIRING HIS BOSS FOR NOT FIRING HER EX-BROTHER IN LAW AFTER PALIN AND HER HUSBAND HARASSED THE MAN FOR 17 MONTHS, VIA PHONE CALLS, EMAIL AND PALIN'S STAFF HARASSMENTS.

----------------------

PALIN LEFT HER TOWN OF WISALLA ALASKA, IN DEBT.....

HER BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION OR PROJECT WAS A "ICE HOCKEY RINK" WITHOUT PURCHASING THE LAND TO MAKE THE ROADS THAT LEAD TO THE RINK, WHICH IS NOW IN LITIGATION !!!

SHE ALSO LIED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S PLANE SHE SOLD "AT A PROFIT" ON EBAY...HA !!!

THE PLANE WAS NEVER SOLD ON EBAY AND SOLD PRIVATELY, AT A LOSS OF 600,000 DOLLARS !!

NOTE: WHEN THE GOVERNOR'S PLANE WAS NOT BEING USED, IT WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT ALASKAN PRISONERS TO THE STATE OF ARIZONA, WHAT MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AT THE TAX PAYERS EXPENSE, IS PALIN USING NOW, TO TRANSPORT ALASKAN PRISONERS...HMMMM

THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE" MILLIONS WAS NOT REURNED, AS SHE IMPLIES "WE'LL DO IT OURSELVES" NO WAY IN THE HELL, DID ALASKANS "DO IT THEMSELVES" PALIN TOOK THE MILLIONS AND USED IT FOR OTHER STATE MATTERS...

OPPOSED TO SENDING THE MILLIONS BACK !!!

THE GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO SEND THE REAMAINING MILLIONS, SHE WANTED AND JOHN MCCAIN WAS DEAD SET AGAINST IT AND VOTED AGAINST IT AS WELL AS OTHERS!!

THEY SAID TO PALIN "IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A DAMN BRING, TO WHEREVER, BUILD IT YOURSELF"

INSTEAD, THE HEFFA, USED THE MILLIONS GIVEN TO ALASKA, TO DO OTHER THINGS, BUT SHE & ALASKA WAS NOT SO SELF SUFFICIENT THAT SHE RETURNED THE MILLIONS, GIVEN TO THAT GOD AWFUL & CORRUPT STATE !!!

THAT GAS AND OIL PIPELINE, THAT SHE BRAGGED ABOUT LAST WEEK, WAS PLANNED BY THE LAST GOVERNOR, THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED NO MATTER WHAT !!

THE OIL COMPANIES ARE BUILDING A GAS AND PIPELINE ON THEIR OWN ANYWAY IN ALASKA !!

THE B!TCH IS A FRAUD !!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

albert einstein — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:58:58 GMT

bidden should get going now and show the american voters who the repulicans are. A bunch of liers and pirate. Obama should remain on the issues and not be distracted by the republican low road.

I admire the dignity of Obama and i am touched by his genuine concern for the average american who are now suffering. I support his aproach to foriegn policy and he is the man for the job. America would have missed a great oppurtunity for change if they selected another replubican. I am not an american and im am being geniune. Good luck in your elections.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

emmarcee — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:02 GMT

Free ad for Obama coutesy Newsweek. In November we will show who gets the rear end of that pig!!!. I will surprised if it is Osama Bi -nl-aden team. !!.

It was his Moslem heart that spoke.. they hate Pigs. Just like dogs, which are banned from his home.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:01:42 GMT

Omaar hasn't discovered you can turn off Caps Lock, evidently. Thanks for the erudite commentary, you totally persuaded me to change my mind. NOT.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

emmarcee — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:02:15 GMT

Omaar Husein -- go to some of those middle eatern countries where you can practice your..

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:02:48 GMT

albert einstein should stick to what he does best these days: stay dead.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:03:35 GMT

Barack Obama: Not Bad for a Highly Educated Jr. Senator, from Illinois

A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.

He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, he announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in January 2003.

After a primary victory in March 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He was elected to the Senate in November 2004 with 70% of the vote.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, he helped create legislation to control conventional weapons and to promote greater public accountability in the use of federal funds.

He also made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During the 110th Congress, he helped create legislation regarding lobbying and electoral fraud, climate change, nuclear terrorism, and care for returned U.S. military personnel.

Comment: Barack Obama 110th Congress

-------------------------------------------------------

Barack Obama 109th Congress

Obama took an active role in the Senate's drive for improved border security and immigration reform. In 2005, he cosponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act" introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). He later added three amendments to the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act", which passed the Senate in May 2006, but failed to gain majority support in the U.S. House of Representatives. In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the Secure Fence Act, authorizing construction of fencing and other security improvements along the United States Mexico border. President Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law in October 2006, calling it "an important step toward immigration reform."

Senate bill sponsors Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Obama discuss the Coburn-Obama Transparency Act. Partnering first with Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN), and then with Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Obama successfully introduced two initiatives bearing his name. "Lugar-Obama" expands the Nunn-Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons, including shoulder-fired missiles and anti-personnel mines. The Lugar-Obama initiative subsequently received $48 million in funding. The "Coburn-Obama Transparency Act" provides for the web site USAspending.gov, managed by the Office of Management and Budget. The site lists all organizations receiving Federal funds from 2007 onward and provides breakdowns by the agency allocating the funds, the dollar amount given, and the purpose of the grant or contract. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law the "Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In August 2005, he traveled to Russia, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. The trip focused on strategies to control the world's supply of conventional weapons, biological weapons, and weapons of mass destruction as a first defense against potential terrorist attacks. Following meetings with U.S. military in Kuwait and Iraq in January 2006, Obama visited Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. At a meeting with Palestinian students two weeks before Hamas won the legislative election, Obama warned that "the U.S. will never recognize winning Hamas candidates unless the group renounces its fundamental mission to eliminate Israel." He left for his third official trip in August 2006, traveling to South Africa, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Chad. In a nationally televised speech at the University of Nairobi, he spoke forcefully on the influence of ethnic rivalries and corruption in Kenya.The speech touched off a public debate among rival leaders, some formally challenging Obama's remarks as unfair and improper, others defendin

------------------------------------------

110th Congress

In the 1st month of the newly Democratic-controlled 110th Congress, Obama worked with Russ Feingold (D???WI) to eliminate gifts of travel on corporate jets by lobbyists to members of Congress and require disclosure of bundled campaign contributions under the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act," which was signed into law in September 2007. He joined Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in sponsoring S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections, including fraudulent flyers and automated phone calls, as witnessed in the 2006 midterm elections. Obama's energy initiatives scored pluses and minuses with environmentalists, who welcomed his sponsorship with John McCain (R-AZ) of a climate change bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds by 2050, but were skeptical of his support for a bill promoting liquefied coal production. Obama also introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007," a bill to cap troop levels in Iraq, begin phased redeployment, and remove all combat brigades from Iraq before April 2008.

Later in 2007, Obama sponsored with Kit Bond (R-MO) an amendment to the 2008 Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges, and calling for a review by the Government Accountability Office following reports that the procedure had been used inappropriately to reduce government costs. He sponsored the "Iran Sanctions Enabling Act" supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, and joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism. A provision from the Obama-Hagel bill was passed by Congress in December 2007 as an amendment to the State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. After passing both houses of Congress with bipartisan majorities, SCHIP was vetoed by President Bush in early October 2007, a move Obama said "shows a callousness of priorities that is offensive to the ideals we hold as Americans

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Nmaitre — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:04:10 GMT

Dumplin. What did you say about Palin's offensive word lipstick to differ pitt bull from hocki mom? Don't you think she is idiot and stupid? Of course, she is.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:12:12 GMT

Keep trying, Omaar. By the way, nice paint job on the synopsis. For those who want a fuller accounting, I suggest reading the Daily Congressional Record (though it is long and tedious reading) as well as the various bills referred to in the post. Committee prints are also available at http://www.gpo.gov.

All in all, Omaar, it is a rather skimpy record ... which is why, I suspect, Biden was added to his ticket, even though Clinton would have been the smarter choice. His Senatorial experience marks him to exactly what he is: a babe in the woods -- Clinton, Biden and McCain put his paltry experience to shame.

Not that I'm denigrating Obama ... but let's see how he stacks up in another 8 years or so, once his political training wheels are off.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

albert einstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:16:17 GMT

briannm see why you lack in substance. you follow the example of Mccain and do not respond to the issues in discussion. Instead you stupidly take a shot at my name. How typical you are.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

albert einstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:16:20 GMT

briannm see why you lack in substance. you follow the example of Mccain and do not respond to the issues in discussion. Instead you stupidly take a shot at my name. How typical you are.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:17:26 GMT

Todd Palin was a 7 yr. Member of the ....

[AIP] THE ALSKAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY, THE 3RD MOST POPULAR POLITICAL PARTY IN ALASKA...HE'S AN ALASKAN SECESSIONIST !!!

The founder of the Alaska Independence Party -- a group that has been courted over the years by Sarah Palin, and one her husband was a member of for roughly seven years -- once professed his "hatred for the American government" and cursed the American flag as a "damn flag."

The AIP founder, Joe Vogler, made the comments in 1991, in an interview that's now housed at the Oral History Program in the Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

"The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government," Vogler said in the interview, in which he talked extensively about his desire for Alaskan secession, the key goal of the AIP.

"And I won't be buried under their damn flag," Vogler continued in the interview, which also touched on his disappointment with the American judicial system. "I'll be buried in Dawson. And when Alaska is an independent nation they can bring my bones home."

Pretty strong language -- rather "inflammatory" I would call it.

So, why did Sarah and Todd Palin, at the beginning of her political career, decide to have these associations and why did he become a member for seven years?

Palin has courted the group over the years.

Three years after the controversial interview, in 1994, Palin attended the group's annual convention, according to witnesses who spoke to ABC News' Jake Tapper. The McCain campaign is disputing her presence there, but Tapper found two people to attest to it.

The McCain campaign today produced Palin's voting registration records, and said they proved she was never a member of the party.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:18:29 GMT

Karl Rove's Electoral Map Favors Obama as Discussed on Fox news Sunday Morning (260)

Looking at Karl Rove's electoral map which was done by polling in all the states, Obama currently has (260 Electoral Votes) based on states that are solidly in the democratic column. You need 270 to be president.

The biggest changes since 2004 so far is that Obama now leads by double digits in two states that Bush won solidly in 2004. Those two states are New Mexico and Iowa which combined is an additional 12 points for the democrats and minus 12 for the republicans. Obama only needs 10 electorial votes out of the remaing 7 battle ground states which combined is 57 electoral votes.

looking at the electoral map, I would put most of my resources in Ohio, Virginia and Colorado if I were Obama. I say Colorado because if Obama some how lost both Ohio and Virginia, Colorado combined with any one of the remaining states would put Obama over 270. We all know Nevada is leaning democratic so Colorado and Nevada would do it. Colorado has to be in that state "combination mix" if Obama loses Ohio and Virginia because Colorado has 9 electoral votes. (just looking at the worst case scenario) If Obama wins either Ohio or Virginia, it would put Obama over 270. There are other combinations of Obama winning but it would require him to win alot more states which may be difficult to do. But because of Obama picked up Iowa and New Mexico, it has allowed him to be able to win the presidency without Ohio and Florida.

Keep in mind in most polls Virginia is tied. The state hasnt been this close in turning blue since the 1960s. Its a state in which the black vote could put Obama over the top in Virginia which would then give Obama the presidency.

with less than two month til the election we can now get a clearer sense who is likely to win. I tell people dont focus so much on national polls. Both the campaigns are focusing on the electoral map and where they are up in each state. The map favors Obama which is why McCain made such a bold move by picking Sarah Palin to energize the republican base. But I think its too little to late. Obama has a strong foundation laid in these battleground states and he has a good chance in taking Ohio. John Kerry loss Ohio in 2004 by 200,000 votes. If John Kerry had won Ohio, hed be president now. The Obama campaign has registered almost a million new voters in Ohio while republican voter registration has declined in the state. Do the math. Kerry lost by 200,000 votes and Obama has gain almost a million voters through a kind of aggressive voter registration campaign which won him his seat in the US Senate. But even though Colorado, Nevada and North Dakota are toss up states in the margin of error, all three are slightly leaning towards Obama. So this is a good sign for the Obama campaign.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

aef66 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:18:56 GMT

Well said, Andrew! I have to say that I've lost all respect for John McCain in the last two weeks... and I just wrote a letter to the editor to that effect and posted it on my blog here: http://torqopia.blogspot.com/

This campaign has become ridiculous, and the McCain campaign's cynicism is largely responsible. As I said in my letter (and please don't twist what I'm saying here, John): If you aren't part of the solution, get out of the way!

There's far too much at stake in this election to play these stupid games. We, the American people, deserve better.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:19:54 GMT

Source: ABC News, Jake Tapper On The Pig Farce

McCain said Clinton's proposal was eerily similar to the ill-fated plan she devised in 1993.

I think they put some lipstick on a pig, he said, but its still a pig.

A common expression, right?

McCain surely wasn't calling Clinton a pig.

After all, McCain's former press secretary, Torie Clarke, wrote a book called "Lipstick on a Pig: Winning in the No-Spin Era."

Elizabeth Edwards told some health journalists that McCain's health care plan was like painting lipstick on a pig.

Tonight Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said of McCain painting himself as a change agent, "You know, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."

The crowd rose and applauded.

(Some of them no doubt were thinking he may have been in some way alluding to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's ad lib during her vice presidential nomination acceptance speech last week, "What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.")

"You can wrap an OLD FISH in a piece of paper called 'CHANGE,'" Obama continued, "it's still gonna STINK after 8 YEARS. Weve had enough of the same old thing! It???s time to bring about real change to Washington. And thats the choice youve got in this election."

Obama's campaign insisted that he was not alluding to Palin at all.

"That expression is older than my grandfather's grandfather," said Obama campaign spox Jen Psaki, "and it means that you can dress something up but it doesn't change what it is. He was talking pretty clearly about the fact that you can't just call yourself change when you've voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time."

Obama has used the expression before.

Last September, around the time McCain said it about Clinton's health care plan.

"I think that both Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker are capable people who have been given an impossible assignment," Obama said in a telephone interview.

"George Bush has given a mission to Gen. Petraeus, and he has done his best to try to figure out how to Put Lipstick on a PIG."

Why should anyone believe McCain didn't mean it about Hillary Clinton, but Obama meant it about Palin?

---------------------------

Had said, "You can wrap an old FISH in a piece of paper called 'CHANGE,' it's still gonna STINK after 8 YEARS."

A reporter then reminded Swift that in December, McCain was asked about criticisms coming his way from then-opponent Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., and McCain replied,

"Never get into a wrestling match with a PIG. You both get dirty, and the PIG likes it."

Was McCain calling Romney a Pig ? A reporter asked Swift.

Of course not, Swift said.

It seems to me we should have one rule. If Obama was calling Palin a pig, then McCain was calling Hillary Clinton one. If McCain wasn't, then Obama wasn't

re: The Politics of Stupidity

olderwiser — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:21:26 GMT

Pig. Lipstick. Pig lipstick. Piggy poo. Piggy poop. Lipsticky. Piggy lipstick. Piggy Lipsticky. Doggy lipstick. Doggy poop.

That should take care of today's campaigning.

Tomorrow we will take up hairdos and horn rimmed glasses. I am really having a hard time deciding whether to vote for the Pit Bull with lipstick, the septuagenarian with the white hair and the bad jaw and arms or the tall guy with the relaxed gait and the oratorical skills. Sometimes I think that the lady with the pregnant daughter ought to win so that she can be consoled for her family troubles. It would perk her up a lot and she looks too sweet to deserve the depression that comes with such bad luck. Some government work would take her mind off those troubles. On the other hand, the Obama children are so cute. They shouldn't have to endure the barbs of their classmates if their daddy loses. And then there's Biden. He has been totally ignored. He lost some family in a wreck and maybe he ought to win. I guess that I'll just get into the booth and flip a coin. What else can one do with the information that we are getting to vote on?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

slogirl — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:25:56 GMT

The MSM gave McCain so many passes with you should have been "calling him out". Now, that he and the Repugs are gaining strength, you are beginning to see that this country is headed towards a cliff. If McCain is elected, the rest of the world will look at this country as a "country for old men". If he dies while in office, WE ARE FUC*ED!!!

This country can not afford another war, unless we start a draft. Sarah may can "charm" the "policitians" in Alaska, but in the rest of the world..she will be "chopped liver".

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:26:22 GMT

albert einstein:

First, I doubt that is your real name. Secondly, as you pointed out, you aren't a voting American citizen. Lastly, you put nothing of substance worth responding to in your post.

Omaar:

Why not be a consciencious and courteous poster and put links to the articles intstead of burdening the blog with paste-ins. Those that are interested will follow the link. I suspect most will do what I did with your opinion by cut and paste ... bypass it.

And you still don't get why I, and I suspect most of the middle of the road crowd, are flocking to McCain.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:32:29 GMT

slogirl:

Thank you for pointing out that 80+% of Alaskans are politicians. Of course, if Obama is elected, with his plans to grow government, the lower 48 might attain that as well.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:33:39 GMT

Karl Rove's Electoral Map Favors Obama as Discussed on Fox news Sunday Morning (260)

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:35:38 GMT

http://greensboring.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=8854

Karl Rove's Electoral Map Favors Obama as Discussed on Fox news Sunday Morning (260)

----------------------------------------------

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ndrick — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:38:24 GMT

every middle of the road person I know is voting for obama, mccain is running a dirty and corrupt smear against sen. obama and it won't work.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:39:23 GMT

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1839724,00.html

Palin has continued to repeat the already exposed lie that she said "No, thanks" to the famous "bridge to nowhere" (McCain's favorite example of wasteful federal spending). In fact, she said "Yes, please" until the project became a symbol and political albatross.

Back to reality. Of the 50 states, Alaska ranks No. 1 in taxes per resident and No. 1 in spending per resident. Its tax burden per resident is 2 1/2 times the national average; its spending, more than double. The trick is that Alaska's government spends money on its own citizens and taxes the rest of us to pay for it. Although Palin, like McCain, talks about liberating ourselves from dependence on foreign oil, there is no evidence that being dependent on Alaskan oil would be any more pleasant to the pocketbook.

---------------------------

Alaska is, in essence, an adjunct member of OPEC. It has four different taxes on oil, which produce more than 89% of the state's unrestricted revenue. On average, three-quarters of the value of a barrel of oil is taken by the state government before that oil is permitted to leave the state. Alaska residents each get a yearly check for about $2,000 from oil revenues, plus an additional $1,200 pushed through by Palin last year to take advantage of rising oil prices. Any sympathy the governor of Alaska expresses for folks in the lower 48 who are suffering from high gas prices or can't afford to heat their homes is strictly crocodile tears.

-------------------------------

As if it couldn't support itself, Alaska also ranks No. 1, year after year, in money it sucks in from Washington. In 2005 (the most recent figures), according to the Tax Foundation, Alaska ranked 18th in federal taxes paid per resident ($5,434) but first in federal spending received per resident ($13,950). Its ratio of federal spending received to federal taxes paid ranks third among the 50 states, and in the absolute amount it receives from Washington over and above the amount it sends to Washington, Alaska ranks No. 1.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:45:56 GMT

Posted By: ndrick (September 10, 2008 at 8:38 PM)

"every middle of the road person I know is voting for obama, mccain is running a dirty and corrupt smear against sen. obama and it won't work."

I suspect you don't know many middle of the road Americans ... the recent polls show McCain enjoying a widening margin there, particularly among women.

Dirty and corrupt campaign? McCain? Maybe -- I'll set this aside -- but it is a case of the kettle calling the pot black. Politics doesn't get dirtier than in the Chicago political machine -- and that's Obama's power base.

So kindly go spin yourself somewhere else. The people I know, in what elitist leftists like to call "flyover" country, who were ambivalent before the conventions and VP nominations are now seriously looking at McCain. Not on the basis of smear campaigns, but on substance.

And that goes with Post-O-Matic Omaar too.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

albert einstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:47:19 GMT

Brian,

you will never find anything subtantial to respond to as far as issues are concerned. Stereo typical of your type. Another thing, just because i am not an american does not mean i am not qualified for a view of your politics typical of your type. America is very vocal about politics in my country. I welcome that. It helps to keeps things balance. A lot of people outside of america shares my view of obama. He may bring that fresh air the whole world needs.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:54:29 GMT

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

Maverick Misleads

September 4, 2008

A McCain ad comparing Palin to Obama isn't all above board.

Summary

McCain's campaign launched a TV ad touting his running mate, Palin, and offering a comparison to Obama. Some of its claims are off the mark:

It says Obama "gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways," citing his votes for a 2005 energy bill. But the bill slightly raised taxes on the oil industry overall.

The ad plucked a positive blurb about Palin from an Associated Press article that, in fact, was very much a mixed review. The AP said she "brings an ethical shadow to the [Republican] ticket," for example.

The ad says Obama is the "most liberal" Senator. But the National Journal rated him the 16th most liberal in his first year and the 10th most liberal in his second. It rated his votes "most liberal" only in 2007, when he was busy campaigning and missed one-third of the votes on which the rating is based.

Analysis

Sen. John McCain's campaign says the ad, titled "Alaska Maverick," will run in "key states," though it will likely get plenty of media coverage as well. It's misleading on a few fronts.

Don't Forget About the Tax Hikes

John McCain 2008 TV Ad: "Alaska Maverick"

Announcer: The Journal says: "Governor Palin's credentials as an agent of reform exceed Barack Obama's."

He's the Senate's "most liberal."

She "took on the oil producers."

He gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways.

She's "earned a reputation as a reformer."

His reputation? Empty words.

John McCain: I'm John McCain and I approved this message. The MOST MISLEADING in the ad is that Obama "gave big oil billions in subsidies and giveaways," a reference to the 2005 energy bill that we've debunked again and again.

Actually, the bill, which President Bush signed into law, slightly raised taxes on the oil industry.

Obama voted for the bill... McCain AGAINST IT

The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said that the energy act "included several oil and gas tax incentives, providing about $2.6 billion of tax cuts for the oil and gas industry.

In addition, [the act] provided for $2.9 billion of tax increases on the oil and gas industry, for a net tax increase on the industry of nearly $300 million over 11 years."

In total, the vast majority of the billions in tax breaks and subsidies included in the bill went to electric utilities and nuclear power, as well as alternative fuels research and energy-efficient cars and buildings.

McCain's ad attempts to contrast Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's record on "big oil" with Obama's. It says she "took on the oil producers." Maybe so.

The ad's quote comes from an Anchorage Daily News article that said Palin had pushed through a bill to have an independent company build a gas line that oil companies hadn't moved on quickly enough, according to Palin, and she also BACKED INCREASED TAXES.

But Obama is making attacks on oil companies a centerpiece of his campaign, while Palin favors drilling in places that even McCain wants to keep off limits, most notably the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Praise in Context

The ad uses a partial quote – she "has a record of bi-partisan reform" – from an Aug. 29 Associated Press report. Those words do appear in the article, but so do several others that aren't as flattering.

In fact, the AP report raises some questions about Palin's credentials, saying:

"She is younger and less experienced than the first-term Illinois senator, and brings an ETHICAL SAHDOW TO THE TICKET." It also says,

"Palin's lack of experience undercuts GOP charges that Obama is not ready to be commander in chief."

The ad also quotes the Wall Street Journal as saying, "Governor Palin's credentials as an agent of reform exceed Barack Obama's."

But those words didn't come from the newspaper's reporters, they came from the WSJ's editorial board, which is notably conservative and generally friendly to Republicans and hostile to Democrats.

Liberal Leanings

The ad also says Obama is "the Senate's 'most liberal,' " a claim that rests on flimsy evidence to say the least. It's based on one analysis of votes cast in 2007. Obama was ranked as the “most liberal senator” by a National Journal evaluation of voting records in 2007 –

But that wasn’t the case during his first two years in the Senate, when he ranked 16th and 10th on the most-liberal scorecard. Obama also missed one-third of the 99 votes on which National Journal based its rankings last year, due to his campaign schedule.

We have no argument with the fact that Obama is Liberal – he is a Democrat, after all – but we note the ad's claim rests on one evaluation of last year's votes.

According to another analysis, this one of bill sponsorship by the independent site GovTrack.us, Obama is a "Rank-And Ffile Democrat."

That's a step below the ranking of "Far-Left."

– by Lori Robertson, with D'Angelo Gore

re: The Politics of Stupidity

albert einstein — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:56:14 GMT

Brian nm

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:56:40 GMT

Koch backs Obama, calls Palin 'scary'

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, who endorsed and worked for George W. Bush in 2004, is endorsing Obama today, NY1 first reported.

I asked Koch just now what prompted the move.

"The designation of Palin to be vice president," he said. "She's scary."

He said he was alarmed by the report that she'd triggered a conflict with the local librarian in Wasilla, Alaska by inquiring about the possibility of banning books.

"Any time someone goes to the library and says, 'I want to ban books,' and the librarian says 'no,' and she threatens to fire them -- that's scary," he said.

(Palin at the time said she was just inquiring about the library's policy on banning books, with no aim of actually banning any. "It was a rhetorical quesiton -- nothing more," the McCain-Palin campaign said in a memo yesterday. And no books were banned, the town says.)

In an endorsement statement, Koch wrote that "the issue for me is who will best protect and defend America" and that both parties were strong on terrorism.

I have concluded that the country is safer in the hands of Barack Obama, leader of the Democratic Party and protector of the philosophy of that party. Protecting and defending the U.S. means more than defending us from foreign attacks. It includes defending the public with respect to their civil rights, civil liberties and other needs, e.g., national health insurance, the right of abortion, the continuation of Social Security, gay rights, other rights of privacy, fair progressive taxation and a host of other needs and rights.

If the vice president were ever called on to lead the country, there is no question in my mind that the experience and demonstrated judgment of Joe Biden is superior to that of Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin is a plucky, exciting candidate, but when her record is examined, she fails miserably with respect to her views on the domestic issues that are so important to the people of the U.S., and to me. Frankly, it would scare me if she were to succeed John McCain in the presidency.

Koch said he'd visited six states for Bush in 2004, primarily Florida, but also several others. ("Why they sent me to Iowa, I don't know.") He said he'd be happy to campaign for Obama "if they ask me to."

Koch is a member of a set of secular, swing-voting Jewish Democrats who may have been pushed away by the selection of Palin, and his endorsement may be a marker of an opportunity for Obama to strengthen his campaign among older Jewish voters in Florida.

Koch's full endorsement statement is after the jump

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lawdgg — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:57:53 GMT

Every middle of the road perrson i know is voting for McCain. To suggest that Obama should be taken seriously as a candidate is ridiculous. in his own words "you will see a light," and "you will tell yourself, I have to vote for Barack Obama! I think the only light seen was the Chicago Police via Helicopter descending on Resko's (Obama's neighbor and friend) property next doror and hauling him off to jail..and on Rev Wright. I guess everyone in Denver saw the light.... Did they bother to ask about the $1 billion Obama has taken in earmarks/pork barrell to the tune of $1 million per day? Guess the light has not fully shown on that one until now. And did you check Biden's pork Barrel spending.. and Hillary's (if he had selected Hillary.. it would have been a PIggy contest.. Without a script Obama sticks a pig's foot in it everytime he opens his mouth. Don't look foward to his winning, but unfortunately for some.. the light may never come, which is why they will vote for Obama, an unqualified, untested, individual who is a great risk to the security of this great nation. He claimed he would sit with leaders of rogue nations, but did not even want to meet McCain in open town meetings (because he would not have a script); Yes we can sounds like Yes I CAN.... give me one of them CANNED speeches!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:00:35 GMT

Well, thanks Albert ... much better post. I will disagree, however ... no one out of the corrupt Chicago political machine is going to bring a "breath of fresh air" to American politics. especially if they haven't had the physical and political backbone to fight it.

As I've maintained here and elsewhere: McCain/Palin isn't a perfect choice, but they are a better choice because their record does show that they occasionally arise from the mucky waters of American politics to actually promote change and get it done.

Name one instance where Obama has bucked the Chicago political machine, his own party or a president of his own party. A quadriplegic can count them on no hands. This is what is selling McCain to the middle (no, not the quadriplegic) ... we are HOPING that McCain stays true to form as one who will fight for principle as he had, as well as Palin. We (the middle of the road) know that Obama/Biden can't. And the sad part is, I know that both I and my wife were willing to take a look.

After that look, I am convinced that Obama is not "the one." I don't agree with everything McCain and Palin propose or represent -- but in the choice before us, they represent the only choice that has indicated the ability and the willingness to listen to all ideas from all sides, regardless of who seeks credit.

The rest of what we are now seeing is pure election-year muckraking. If both sides are slinging mud, they can't go pointing fingers at the other for "playing dirty."

If Obama had wanted to sway me and impress me, he should have taken McCain's offer to travel jointly to town hall style meetings (and this was way before the VP picks were made and the conventions). He took a pass to come to Albquerque with McCain, look us in the face and tell us in his own words what he believes and why. So I'll return his favor -- I'll pass on him.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:00:53 GMT

She's not going to WIN Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell Called palin Out as being Unfit as a Mayor of a Small TOWN, A Bad Governor and a Unfit Governor, regarding ABUSE OF POWER !!!

AN ITS ALL SO ... TRUE

-----------------------------

Gov. Ed Rendell decried a double standard in the treatment of Sarah Palin on Monday, saying that if it was he who was at the center of the "Trooper Gate" Investigation,

"The Press would be Calling For His Head"

"She [claims to be] a Reformer," said the Pennsylvania Democrat. "And yet she is being Investigated on the charge that she Used Her Power as Governor to Fire Someone who was going through a Messy Divorce with a Relative of Hers.

Could you imagine if I was doing the Same Thing in Pennsylvania ?

You would be Calling for My Impeachment."

The remarks came at the end of a long list of criticisms that Rendell, one of the foremost supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary, launched against the Republican vice presidential nominee. Ignoring the directive of the Obama campaign to focus attentions on McCain, Rendell called out Palin on everything from ETHICS TO EARMARKS.

"[The McCain camp] has tried to again obscure the facts about Gov. Palin. 'She is a REFORMER and AGAINST EARMARKS.'

NO SHE IS'NT, when she was mayor of that TOWN SHE HIRED A LOBBYIST TO GET EARMARKS...

'She was against the Bridge to Nowhere.' No She Wasn't... She was FOR the Bridge to Nowhere First...

She is a BUDGET BALANCER. But she left the TOWN IN GREATER DEBT then when she became Mayor !!!

"I like her," Rendell concluded. "She is a good person, she has tremendous potential but in No Way, Shape or Form is she RERADY to be President of the United States."

The Rendell call, organized to preempt a McCain appearance in Pennsylvania, was ostensibly on the topic of how the Arizona Republican has engaged in dirty politics when it came to discussing Obama's tax record. And on this issue, Rendell was again in vintage outspoken form.

"First of all, let me say it should be embarrassing for the Republican ticket that Rick Davis, Sen. McCain's campaign manager, said 'this election is NOT ABOUT ISSUES'

Good Lord, with all the challenges facing America it has to be about Issues...

They don't want to talk about issues because when the TRUTH COMES OUT ABOUT THE ISSUES the American people will favor Sen. Obama tremendously."

The Republicans, he added, "would make the All time All-Star Team for Spiders the way they can SPIN."

But most questions, as has been the case since the Palin announcement, were focused on the Alaska Governor.

Would she siphon of Clinton supporters in Pennsylvania ? NO, said Rendell, who expected Obama to receive somewhere along the lines of "95,96, or 97 percent of the vote."

Was she Qualified to Serve as VP ? Absolutely NOT, he bemoaned.

The McCain camp argues that, "Governor Palin, because of her Executive Experience as a Mayor of a (Small 9,000 Person Town and Governor of Alaska for 20 months), has that Experience.

Well, I refer you to a McCain camp document they put out when [Virginia] Gov. Kaine was considered to be vice president.

They attacked his Experience and Derided Richmond [where Kaine was Formerly Mayor] because it was the 105th Largest City ...

BIG NOTE: I think Gov. Palin was mayor of the 50,000th [Most Populated] City in the America... It was Fair Game to say Gov. Kaine was not Qualified because of his Credentials. If they are going to be CONSISTENT then they believe that Gov. Palin is Unqualified to be Vice President."

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:04:23 GMT

lawdgg:

These city slickers know it all, don't ya know? ;) And you hit the same nail on the head I did: All Obama had to do to earn my respect was to take up McCain's offer to meet in unscripted town hall meetings. If it looks like a cow patty, smells like a cow patty, and tastes like a cow patty, it is a cowpatty -- and I don't care what spin the media or Obama tries to but on it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:06:04 GMT

Palin shares that sense of Exceptionalism. But the myth is contradicted by some inconvenient facts.

Only 1 percent of the state's land is in private hands, and the economy is dependent on oil and other natural resources controlled by the federal government or Big Oil. As a result, nearly 50 years after statehood,

Alaska remains deeply dependent on the federal government for support.

Social ills are RAMPANT !!!

THE SATTE'S LEVELS OF DRUG ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE ARE ABOVE AVERAGE OR AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY !!!!!

-----------------------------------------------

Palin "Bridge to Nowhere" line ANGERS MANY ALASKANS!!!

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - It garnered big applause in her first speech as Republican John McCain's vice presidential pick, but Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's assertion that she rejected Congressional funds for the so-called "bridge to nowhere" has upset many Alaskans.

During her first speech after being named as McCain's surprise pick as a running mate, Palin said she had told Congress "'thanks but no thanks' on that bridge to nowhere."

In the city Ketchikan, the planned site of the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere," political leaders of both parties said the claim was false and a betrayal of their community, because she had supported the bridge and the earmark for it secured by Alaska's Congressional delegation during her run for governor.

The bridge, a span from the city to Gravina Island, home to only a few dozen people, secured a $223 million earmark in 2005. The pricey designation raised a furor and critics, including McCain, used the bridge as an example of wasteful federal spending on politicians' pet projects.

When she was running for governor in 2006, Palin said she was insulted by the term "bridge to nowhere," according to Ketchikan Mayor Bob Weinstein, a Democrat, and Mike Elerding, a Republican who was Palin's campaign coordinator in the southeast Alaska city.

"People are learning that she pandered to us by saying, I'm for this' ... and then when she found it was politically advantageous for her nationally, abruptly she starts using the very term that she said was insulting," Weinstein said.

Palin's spokeswoman in Alaska was not immediately available to comment.

National fury over the bridge caused Congress to remove the earmark designation, but Alaska was still granted an equivalent amount of transportation money to be used at its own discretion.

----------------------------

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:11:37 GMT

Omaar, come check out Roswell, NM. You'll fit in with all the other folks that go there looking for aliens.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:16:19 GMT

Posted By: purrmonsta (September 10, 2008 at 7:02 PM)

kittykat9 YOU are the one who doesn't know anything...Obama didn't get through Harvard Law and become the first African American to run Harvard Law Review without knowing quite a lot.

You can call us piglets if you want to, but you clearly resemble the posterior end of a horse.

Obama/Biden must prevail in order to save America from further decay into corporate facsism.

Report Abuse

PukeMonster, all you seem to be able to do is spew vile names at me; I am just a kittykat meow. YOU need to use a spell checker because maybe Obama will runa government, but McCain he will Run the government with the experience that this country needs.

Obama wasn’t paying attention in class very well when it came to how to be a Politically smart, I have seen him get cranky with Hillary and now it wasn’t a very intelligent move to say the pig with lipstick comment. That was funny and we couldnt pay for better advertising of how he is not ready to lead anything and makes poor decisions by making that STUPID comment.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:16:34 GMT

Source: Newsweek, Politics Section

---------------------------------

Palin shares that sense of Exceptionalism.

But the myth is contradicted by some inconvenient facts.

Only 1 percent of the state's land is in private hands, and the economy is dependent on oil and other natural resources controlled by the federal government or Big Oil.

As a result, nearly 50 years after statehood,

Social ills are RAMPANT !!!

---------------------------------------------

NOTE: THE STATE'S LEVELS OF DRUG ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE ARE ABOVE AVERAGE OR AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY !!!!!

Alaska remains deeply dependent on the Federal Government for Support.

1. WIC

2. FOOD STAMPS

3. WELFARE

4. HIGH TEENAGE PREGNANCIES

5. (2) CHECKS PER YEAR, WITH TAX PAYERS DOLLARS STATESIDE.

ALASKAN'S RECIEVE 2 STIMULUS CHECKS VIA STATESIDE TAX PAYERS...

MAN OH MAN OH MAN !!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:22:10 GMT

Omaar: If you get an original idea, join on in. As for the cut and paste posting ... that's par for the course for those -- like Obama -- who have nothing substantive to say.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:23:29 GMT

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1839724,00.html

----------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------

Sarah Palin: The Frozen Tundra Queen of EarMarks & Pork Barrell Funding

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-------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://greensboring.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=8854

Karl Rove's Electoral Map Favors Obama as Discussed on Fox news Sunday Morning (260)

--------------------------

-------------------------------------

There are other combinations of Obama winning but it would require him to win alot more states which may be difficult to do. But because of Obama picked up Iowa and New Mexico, it has allowed him to be able to win the presidency without Ohio and Florida.

--------------------------------------

---------------------------------

---------------------------------------

The Obama campaign has registered almost a million new voters in Ohio while republican voter registration has declined in the state. Do the math. Kerry lost by 200,000 votes and Obama has gain almost a million voters through a kind of aggressive voter registration campaign which won him his seat in the US Senate. But even though Colorado, Nevada and North Dakota are toss up states in the margin of error, all three are slightly leaning towards Obama. So this is a good sign for the Obama campaign.

----------------------------------------------

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:23:41 GMT

Report Abuse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:28:21 GMT

BRIAN: WHEN YOUR LAME AND ARGUMENTATIVE A!! PURCHASES ALL SHARES OF NEWSWEEK, I'LL HEED WHAT YOU SAY...

BUT UNTIL THAT MYSTICAL, MAJICAL & MAJESTICAL MOMENT HAPPENS OR OCCURS.....

TALK TO THE SCREEN OR JUMP OFF A 15 STORIED BLDG. FOR ALL I CARE....

--------------------------------------

"I'M OMAAR AN I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE" !!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

emmarcee — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:29:03 GMT

OK muslims speak... the rest listens... Omar yo think this is Saudi, ...

BTW Romao's momma looks like that pig in the picture!! really!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

emmarcee — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:30:01 GMT

Omaar do you have a pig in your house?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:35:42 GMT

Still having issues with your Caps Lock key, I see. All I asked was that you post your own views in your own words. You can put links to articles in to your heart's delight.

Your response indicates your mentality, you have put forth no argument excepting lamely posting articles in their entirety. Say hello to your jihadist brothers and sisters for me. Being of sound mind, and (mostly) sound body, I refrain from talking to my monitor. As for 15-story buildings, I've jumped from higher altitudes while serving in the US Army, Airborne, kiddo.

I'm a veteran of the US military, and we approve prosecuting the war with victory in mind. Remember our motto: Smart bombs kill stupid people.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:36:51 GMT

EMMARCEE & BRIAN: WHEN YOU (2) ARGUMENTATIVE A!! WIPES... PURCHASES ALL SHARES OF NEWSWEEK, I'LL HEED WHAT YOU (2) SAY...

BUT UNTIL THAT MYSTICAL, MAJICAL & MAJESTICAL MOMENT HAPPENS OR OCCURS.....

TALK TO THE SCREEN OR JUMP OFF A 15 STORIED BLDG. FOR ALL I CARE....

THAT GOES DOUBLE FOR YOU...EMMARCEE !!

YOU CAN TAKE 1.] CHRISTIANITY, 2.] ISLAM & 3.] JUDAISM AN STUFF ALL 3 OF THOSE RELIGIONS UP YOUR A!!

I'M NOT A BELIEVER NOR FOLLOWER OF THOSE RADICAL, TWISTED AND PERVERTED BELIEFS.

ALL THREE ARE THE VERY BANE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE....

AMMARCEE: YOU AND BRIAN ARE LIVING PROOF OF THAT !!!

I BET YOU (2) BELIEVE THAT MAN HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR ONLY 5-6 THOUSAND YEARS LIKE PALIN TOO. THAT THE DINOSAURS WERE AROUND 5-6 THOUSAND YEARS AGO...

OY VAY !!!! GO AWAY !!!

--------------------------------------

"I'M OMAAR AN I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE" !!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:45:31 GMT

First of all Omaar, you are a presumptuous twit quite full of himself. Years ago there was a record album "Legend in His Own Mind, Rumor in His Own Time" ... that seems to fit you aptly.

The Cap Locks key is just to the A key you like to use.

Insfoar as the age of the universe (and thus the planet), we know fairly certainly that it is about 7 billion years old.

Coming from you, your supposed insults will be taken as compliments. One has to consider the source in such things.

Now, in your own words:

Describe your proposed solution to oil independence for America.

Describe your proposed solution to America's economic course in a global marketplace.

Describe your proposed solution to medical insurance, education and other social issues.

Then I might change my mind about your worthless self-promotion and ad nauseum posting.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:49:09 GMT

Matt Damon On Palin: "Like A Really Bad Disney Movie...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I AGREE WITH EVERY WORD..TOO !!!

Actor Matt Damon spoke out on the Republicans' choice of hockey-mom Sarah Palin for VP. Damon compares her rise to a 'really bad Disney movie' and says it's absurd that this woman could become President.

-------------------------------

NOTE: "I think there's a really good chance Sarah Palin could become president, and I think that's a really scary thing... I think the pick was made for political purposes...

-------------------------------

Do the actuary tables and there's a one out of three chance, if not more, that McCain doesn't survive his first term and it'll be President Palin...

It's like a really bad Disney movie.

The hockey mom, you know, 'oh, I'm just a hockey mom'... and she's facing down President Putin...

It's totally absurd... it's a really terrifying possibility...

------------------------------

"I need to know if she really think that Dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago".

"I want to know that, I really do. Because she's gonna have the Nuclear codes".

------------------------------------

re: The Politics of Stupidity

umblefish — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:22:38 GMT

I was an undecided voter and was beginning to lean toward the McCain/Palin ticket. I am deeply troubled by the news today regarding the 'lipstick' issue. John, you are a better man than this. Don't allow your campaign to digress to this level of politics. Talk about issues and why I should vote for you. Stop all the vile, disgusting attacks and deal with the real meat of the election. You have almost lost me and I am deeply disappointed in the way you are conducting yourself and your campaign.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:27:36 GMT

umblefish:

Maybe we can get a petition going to get Obama to join McCain in town hall style off-the-cuff meetings answering real questions from average Americans. I am tired of the media, both camps' political spin machines and the whole left/right viscious smear tactics.

I'm with you, I'm supporting McCain/Palin for various reasons - and I probably still will unless Obama and the media treat the whole Palin issue with the same dignity and respect they expect in kind. The pot can't call the kettle black, and vice versa. Until then, I'll look at what substantive information is available and stick with my current position.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lisaooo — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:36:37 GMT

I agree wholeheartedly. This week has gotten me utterly depressed, by the appalling way politics and this campaign is being carried out and the realization that the American public may indeed be as dumb as the Republicans are treating us. I had hoped that we had put the nightmare of 2000 and 2004 behind us, but with the selection of Sarah Palin (accompanied by Rudy's and Mitt's speeches at the convention and Palin's too), the Republicans and the McCain camp have ignited (purposefully) a culture war. While they claim to put people and the country first, their conduct over the last few weeks has been so harmful and so divisive that I think it is criminal. This, my friends, is apparently called WINNING AT ALL COSTS. This is what that looks like. McCain is guilty (of course Obama and his camp are not complete innocents either), in that his desire to be elected has taken precedence over good judgment and honor and integrity. We had the possibility of a professional and respectful and issue-driven campaign, maybe it would look something like a competition of top candidates for positions at Fortune 500 companies would look, but instead McCain, desperate to win, invited Rove and the Bush tactical team into his campaign. It was all over then. With the choice of Palin, with the choice of the ads and tactics of late, we know that either McCain is no longer in control, or that he puts winning first and not his country. This is a sad and embarrassing time in my book. Anyone feel the same?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lisaooo — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:41:28 GMT

Omaar I agree with many of your points, but this is a place for people to comment their opinions. It's not helpful for you to take up all of the space and make this place a drag by cutting and pasting every article you see. It just makes people skip over your posts and is a pain. We want to see individual opinions and comments, not have you go and pull articles for us. We can use the Web and find them if we want to on our own. So just tell us your succinct thoughts, and leave out the lengthy cut and pastes. Thanks!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

denmantblue — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:46:49 GMT

Our Presidential campaign is being regarded as stooping to the level of "Playground Taunts" by the Times of London. I read through all these blogs on all the websites regarding these elections and get so absolutely turned off by the Rep/Dem, left/right childish behaviour, taunting, ridicule and rudeness that is being slung back and forth. It's bad enough that the politicians, for whatever reason, are ignoring the issues, but do all you bloggers have to play at their game? This is so counterproductive. It solves nothing and only creates more bitterness. These posts by omaar and briannm are truly the living end. Can't you gues stop baiting each other or at least come back later after cooling down. Keep it to the issues guys.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:50:35 GMT

Putin and other heads of state she would have meetings with would be saying Sarah your really cool I think we could work together. Bottom line is Sarah is really, really likeable no doubt about it.

But most liberals don’t know that in that they have not watched video of her.Sarah is like the sun to a vampire, it just make liberals boil that she is so liked by more than just the republican base. She is the Joan of arc of this century.

And Obama is sulking, angered, pissed off that she has come on the scene, and you see all he can think about too is Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, too. He is asking himself, how this could have happed to his beautiful campaign of “Yes We can” Now its “crap... what is happening.” All Obama cares about is his proposed meteoric rise into the history books not about America.

Obama’s problems it’s more than just lipstick. Check out MSNs story on right now.

Im kittykat and I approve this message.

Omaar stole it from me on another blog.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:50:59 GMT

lisaooo:

Join the petition drive for McCain and Obama to join in unscripted town hall meetings. That ought to stir up the pundits. lol Can you imagine the indignation: "Hmf. Substance in a presidential race, who would have thunk it? The voters are being downright unreasonable."

All kidding aside, I am a bit disappointed in the past few days' worth of mudslinging. From both sides - now we get the distinct plesaure of the pot calling the kettle black, and vice versa, with the tarnished media getting to serve as referees. As an American voter, doesn't that just send chills of joy down your spine?

The shame of it is, I don't think McCain and Palin need to resort to that. As for the winning at all costs, it applies equally to Obama. All-in-all, I think we're doomed to more of the same, and it is up to each of individually to do our own homework. We can't rely on the media to be the watchdog, nor either party to present their candidate and issues concisely, clearly and objectively.

I know one thing, though ... :) ... Obama/Biden won't challenge them to a moose-skinning duel. But it would be nice to see Obama take up the McCain gauntlet of town hall style meetings, with no scripts and questions from average voters. Nah. I must be tired and delusional after blogging today (a first for me) ... forget I said it :) lol

re: The Politics of Stupidity

MilesTrane21 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:58:53 GMT

I haven't agreed with everything this column has asserted, but I've always recognized that Mr. Romano has shrewdly and unbiasedly voiced what he considers to be he truth. This time, I think he's spot on.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

dweb@dabajaba.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:01:25 GMT

Since when have presidential campaigns been about the issues? You're too young to remember, and I doubt that you read much history, but all you need do is look back at the last 10 elections: In 1960, Nixon sweated too much on TV; in 1964, it was the lunacy of Barry Goldwater; in 1968, it was Hubert Humphrey (enough said); in 1972, it was the wimpiness of George McGovern; in 1976, it was about maps; in 1980, it was Jimmy Carter (enough said); in 1988, it was Willie Horton; in 1992, it was Bush's watch; in 2000, it was Gore's stiffness; in 2008, it's Palin's lipstick Since when have the American people NOT been stupid?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kcirish — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:05:23 GMT

I want Palin to put some lipstick on my dipsitck.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

WestCoastMessenger — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:11:56 GMT

Romano, you only thought that the polticos hit a new low. You yourself managed to take it even lower by choosing sides. Obama took the first shot on this round - he went negative. McCain went negative on the negative. Obama griped that McCain was attempting to paint him extremely negative. And so goes the vicious circle. What a joke.

Now to give balance I'll add the following. If I were going to choose sides I'd have to give Obama the biggest thumbs down. He said he was not going to go negative, he wasn't about politics as usual. Before its over, the definition of politics as usual is going to be a picture of Obama.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:29:11 GMT

Thank you, WCM, you said it very succinctly in the first two sentences.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lisaooo — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:39:57 GMT

Good save, Palin! She's on CNN now live and started talking about energy independence and started to get confused and her dialogue started being non-sensical and she shifted out of headng towards a calamity by saying "Oh heck I'm not going to go into all of this because I am preaching to the choir here in Alaska!" LOL, she might not be anywhere up to the task of VP (not even close) but she sure is adept at not revealing that and letting her likeability overshadow real substance. House of cards, she is, but a likeable one. Plus, you would never know she has pretty evil positions. Quite deceptive. In her case, lipstick on a pig sort of works, at least preliminarily. (I'm a woman, so shut it about my use of that phrase.)

re: The Politics of Stupidity

kittykat9 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:43:22 GMT

BOSTON.COM Biden: Clinton a better veep pick than me

Joe biden sounds like hes backing out. he is not digging this storm brewing around obama I think he is regretting his choice to be vp

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:52:32 GMT

lisaooo:

Do I think Sarah needs more polish (and not on her nails!)? Yes. But that is about as well as a newcomer to the national stage can do when they flub. She at least seems to have recovered gracefully, unlike many other politicians who don't -- including the PRESIDENTIAL nominee, Obama.

Why this insistence of comparing the #2 on one ticket to the #1 on the other? Seems a no-brainer to me -- you compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. With each attempt at that contrast, I find myself wondering why is Obama the head of his ticket if he barely holds his own in comparison with the Republican #2?

Again, I would relish McCain and Obama entering joint town hall meetings answering unscripted questions from American voters. McCain threw down that gauntlet long before Palin was named, and Obama skirted it.

That tells me, the undecided voter, a lot right there. I'm still waiting for Obama to give me ANY reason to vote for him and he's failed to date of doing that. I am not alone in this assessment in light of recent polls. Obama is losing the middle, without which he cannot win, and desperate times call for desperate measures, it seems. A pity, I would rather have listened to the candidates being as real as politicians can be: face to face with the voters and answering direct questions.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

bammer — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:59:31 GMT

IF YOU WERE RUNNING OBAMA'S CAMPAIGN, HOW DO YOU SELL THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS TO NORMAL, EXPERIENCED, AMERICAN VOTERS?

* I WAS AGAINST FISA, BEFORE I VOTED FOR IT

* I WAS AGAINST DRILLING BEFORE I WAS FOR IT

* I AM AGAINST CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY BEFORE IS WAS ASKED ABOUT IT IN PENNSYLVANIA

* I WAS FOR FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FINANCING BEFORE I WAS AGAINST IT

* I WAS AGAINST THE SURGE, BUT I NOW THINK A 16 MONTH WITHDRAWAL WILL NOW WORK DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE SURGE, AND IRAQ'S AGREE WITH ME.

* I WAS FOR RAISING TAXES, AND I AM NOW WAFFLING DUE TO ECONOMY

* I WAS FOR RAISING TAXES TO PAY FOR A TRILLION IN NEW SPENDING, BUT I WILL NOT TELL YOU THERE IS LESS THAN 10% CHANCE OF EVER PASSING SPENDING INTO LAW

* I WILL WILL NOW SAY ECONOMY IS BETTER IN DECEMBER, SO I CAN RAISE TAXES IN FEBRUARY

* I AM NOW THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SECRETARY, BUT I HAVE NEVER PASSED ANY EDUCATION LEGISLATION

* I WILL PROMISE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, BUT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FUND IT

* I AM GUIDED BY MY MUSLIM FAITH, BUT NOW MY CHRISTIAN FAITH

* I AM NOT SURE IF I WAS A SUNNI, BEFORE I WAS A SHIITE

* I PREACH ABOUT PALIN'S EARMARK'S AS MAYOR, BUT I WILL NOT MENTION GETTING $1.0 BILLION IN EARMARKS FOR MY PORKERS

* I HAVE THROWN WRIGHT, REZCO, AYERS, AND PFLEGGAR UNDER THE BUS, BUT I DID ONLY AFTER HE I GOT $100'S OF THOUSANDS OR EVEN MILLIONS FOR THEIR PROGRAMS OR MY HOUSE

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:02:05 GMT

kittykat:

I was wondering when Joe's knees would go all rubbery -- didn't take him long. This ought to make tomorrow's media coverage really interesting. Can Obama play kiss and make up with Hilary? Will he? Stay tuned tomorrow folks to "As the Dems Turn" ... as for me, it's late and I've enjoyed my first blogging day.

To use a tennis aphorism: Advantage, McCain. There certainly is no love, but is it match point? We'll see, I guess.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Battlegroundvoter — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:27:14 GMT

The same old garbage brought to you by the same people that brougth you the last eight years of the Bush regime. I have VERY serious concerns for anyone who is still drinking their kool-aid.

You can spin it all you want, but it is unprecedented that a veep candidate has gone so long without answering questions. Our focus is on her family situation and lipstick wearing pigs...this is pure lunacy. I agree that these are the things that we should not be talking about and we should not be focused on, but what I call into question is who has directed our attention here....The first week after Governor Palin was announced as Senator McCain's running mate, we as a nation were innudated with information about her. This should come as no surprise, considering the fact that we knew nothing about her. With all of the facts coming out and rumors circulating, the one thing that I heard the McCain camp comment on (more than once) was the fascination with her daughter's pregnancy. With so many questions out there and so much coming out, why is this the one thing that was responded to? Personally, I ALMOST started to feel sorry for Governor Palin, until I picked up my People magazine last week to find a cover story and a seven or eight page spread of an interview almost exclusively about her family with a barrage of family photos. I also had to question why a mother so deeply concerned about her daughter's privacy would parade her in such an obviously pregnant state out on the national stage. I know Alaska is pretty far removed from where the rest of us live, but did they really think that none of the national media would take notice???? For a campaign that is so focused on getting as far away from Bush as possible, I would hope that they would come out with as much force in explaining why the people hired to tutor and advise Governor Palin on foreign policy issues were all Bush advisors. I guess they are hoping that will get swept under the rug and not noticed if they keep us worked up about pregnant teenagers and lipstick wearing pigs.

I can't be the only that one that can't help but feeling that my attention keeps being directed "over there" so I don't see what is happening in front of me.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

gobbledegook — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:29:20 GMT

Why you, you.... I double you. Oliver Stone is gonna make a sequel to ?W? called ?McW with cheese?

.... or my name ain't Jack McSplat

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Montana450815 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:11:07 GMT

I am appalled and disgusted by the lies that the mccain campaign suddenly started spouting with the addition of sarah palin to the ticket. I guess they figure with palin on the ticket now they can say whatever they want and if anyone says anything they are sexist. Or they start something like the stupid lipstick thing. It was obvious to anyone listening that Sen. Obama was not talking about palin. It makes me ashamed to share the same sex with that nasty woman. Christian? And as for mccain, he has obviously forgotten what honor is about. Anything to get elected. Where are the Christians who want to plant the ten commandments on public property? Isn't one of the commandments Thou shall not lie? How can they stand by and let this happen and go to church like they are godly people when they are supporting someone who is flat out lying and distorting the truth. Karl Rove is obviously back in town. What a shame. What vile and disgusting people they have become.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:31:00 GMT

McGill:

I agree with the Hillary offer. This ought to make for an interesting media circus as Joe tries to find the exit.

Montana:

Seems your outrage to mudslinging should extend to both sides, with an extra heaping of scorn tossed in for the media, else you betray your hypocrisy.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:40:35 GMT

------------------------

Republican presidential nominee John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, equated lawmakers' requests for funding for special projects with corruption on Wednesday even though Palin herself has requested nearly $200 million in so-called "earmarks" this year.

Campaigning in Virginia, McCain suggested Earmarks are particularly shameful at a time when families are struggling with rising food, gas and home mortgage costs.

He vowed again to veto any bill that contains such funding.

"I got an old ink pen, my friends, and the first pork barrel-laden earmark, big-spending bill that comes across my desk, I will veto it.

You will know their names....

I will make them famous and we'll stop this corruption," McCain said during a rally at a park in suburban Washington, D.C.

Palin has sought [$197 Million Worth of Earmarks for 2009], down about 25 percent from the [$256 million she sought in the 2008 budget year].

As mayor of tiny Wasilla, Alaska, she hired a lobbyist to seek federal money for special projects. Wasilla obtained [14 earmarks, totaling $27 million], between 2000-2003, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.

---------------------------------------

--------------------------------------

its Official, McCain is [Senile] He's Talking about his Running Mate

Sarah Palin, the [Greatest EarMark-Pork Barrell] Queen of All Time....

McCain must Think that he's back in the [1960's] We have the internet, We have YouTube and we have Wikipedia and Google...

You know, the search Engine that Mccain Did'nt use to Vet Sarah Palin !!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:43:10 GMT

Wasilla. Alaskans regard themselves as a breed apart—more rugged, self-reliant and free than other Americans. Palin shares that sense of exceptionalism. But the myth is contradicted by some inconvenient facts. Only 1 percent of the state's land is in private hands, and the economy is dependent on oil and other natural resources controlled by the federal government or Big Oil.

As a result, nearly 50 years after statehood, Alaska remains deeply dependent on the federal government for support. Social ills are rampant. The state's levels of drug abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence and child abuse are above average or among the highest in the country.

To the extent Palin has a governing philosophy, it was shaped by her political mentor, former governor Wally Hickel. The 89-year-old Hickel is a member of the Alaska Independence Party, which espouses, among other things, greater autonomy or even separation from the United States.

(Husband Todd Palin is not a member of the party now, but he was registered as an AIP voter at different periods of his life totaling seven years. Sarah has never been a member but attended a party conference in her hometown of Wasilla.) Hickel advocates an "economy of the commons," which would place the state's vast energy and mineral wealth in the hands of the state government and its citizens. In that vein, Palin this year ordered a one-time $1,200 energy refund distributed to each Alaska resident. (The revenues came from recalculating the tax on oil producers.)

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:44:34 GMT

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re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:59:37 GMT

JOHN AND CINDY MCCAIN HAD 4 NANNIES TO RAISE THEIR DAUGHTERS AND SON.

SARAH PALIN AS YOU CAN SEE CAN MAKE BABIES, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO JUGGLE RAISING THEM, ESPECIALLY THE GIRLS, IN KEEPING THEIR "CHRISTIAN VIRTUES"

AS SHE DRINKS ALCOHOL, SENSUALLY KISSES HER FEMALE COUSIN AND SPREADS HER LEGS APART TO HAVE SEX WITH AN 18 YEAR OLD UNEDUCATED BOY, WITH NO DISCERNABLE SKILLS OR EDUCATION....

TO EVENTUALLY GET IMPREGANTED BY THE YOUNG DUMMY, PRIOR TO BECOMING A MARRIED GIRL, NOT A MARRIED WOMAN, I SAID A MARRIED GIRL, WITH NO EDUCATION HERSELF OR PROFESSION AND THE CUTE ONE [WILLOW] IN ALL LIKLIHOOD IS NEXT ON THE LIST TO GET PREGNANT !!!

INSTEAD OF TEACHING HER ABSTINENCE, PALIN SHOULD'VE HAD HER TUBES TIED...

MAYBE IF SHE HAD A NANNY OR IN MICHELLE'S CASE A MOTHER [MICHELLE'S MOTHER] TO ATTEND TO THE LITTLE ONES...

MAYBE TYHINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT...HMMM

NAH, THATS JUST MOUNTAINOUS, POOR RURAL SOUTHERN-UPPER NORTHERN, RURAL & REGIONIONAL BEHAVIOR..THATS ALL.

PALIN'S EX-BROTHER IN LAW HAS [MARRIED 4 TIMES] SO ITS NO WONDER.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:59:49 GMT

JOHN AND CINDY MCCAIN HAD 4 NANNIES TO RAISE THEIR DAUGHTERS AND SON.

SARAH PALIN AS YOU CAN SEE CAN MAKE BABIES, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO JUGGLE RAISING THEM, ESPECIALLY THE GIRLS, IN KEEPING THEIR "CHRISTIAN VIRTUES"

AS SHE DRINKS ALCOHOL, SENSUALLY KISSES HER FEMALE COUSIN AND SPREADS HER LEGS APART TO HAVE SEX WITH AN 18 YEAR OLD UNEDUCATED BOY, WITH NO DISCERNABLE SKILLS OR EDUCATION....

INSTEAD OF TEACHING HER ABSTINENCE, PALIN SHOULD'VE HAD HER TUBES TIED...

MAYBE IF SHE HAD A NANNY OR IN MICHELLE'S CASE A MOTHER [MICHELLE'S MOTHER] TO ATTEND TO THE LITTLE ONES...

MAYBE TYHINGS WOULD BE DIFFERENT...HMMM

NAH, THATS JUST MOUNTAINOUS, POOR RURAL SOUTHERN-UPPER NORTHERN, RURAL & REGIONIONAL BEHAVIOR..THATS ALL.

PALIN'S EX-BROTHER IN LAW HAS [MARRIED 4 TIMES] SO ITS NO WONDER.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:05:46 GMT

Karl Rove's Electoral Map Favors Obama as Discussed on Fox news Sunday Morning (260)

Polls can't Help McCain's Old Semi-Senile A!! Out Now !!!

-------------------------

If Obama wins either Ohio or Virginia, it would put Obama over 270. There are other combinations of Obama winning but it would require him to win alot more states which may be difficult to do. But because of Obama picked up Iowa and New Mexico, it has allowed him to be able to win the presidency without Ohio and Florida.

---------------------------------------------------

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ojibwa — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:24:01 GMT

When on the path of revenge, dig two graves.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

mccaincursingonyoutube — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:06:19 GMT

ojibwa:

Did you come up with that yourself. I love it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ervinst@hotmail.com — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:58:30 GMT

I wonder who is paying some of the reporters and most all of the news media. I would hope that they, the media, would be looking for the truth in this election...however, it does not seem to be that way.

Wouldn't it be interesting for an election where, if a lie or a stretch of the truth was caught and given back to the person who made the remark to see just how honest they are. I have not nor expect to see it now or in the future . seems to make for better print if misspoken "truths" are the norm.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:09:15 GMT

You don't really want this Woman Palin or her Tag Along to the Office, [AIP] Secessionist Husband Representing the USA...Do You...Really

Big Note: Just think, If McCain is Too ill to Serve or Dies while in Office, this Woman could Name her Husband Todd Palin as...... Her Vice President !!!!!!

The Palin's Vs. The Wooten's are the Modern Day....

Hatfield Vs. The McCoys Event !!

Pettycoat Junction Meets The Clampetts

Green Acres.....A Filmways Presentation Come to Life !!!!

Pure Trailer, Pure Trailer...

Pure Jerry Springer Trash and Maury Pouvich Trash and you want this in the White House !!

if they take this Petty Trash Situation and Drag it through 17 Months of Harassment to a Public Official, for not doing what they Demanded, what won't they Do in the White House..Hmmm

I know Wooten has been Maried (4-Times) !!!

Which is Very Common Behavior among (Rural, Southern & Mountainous People) Not to mention Alaska is a Haven for Domestic & Child Abuse, along with High Teenage Pregnancy !!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:17:31 GMT

PALIN'S TRAIL OF HARASSMENT:

HARASSING, LOCAL LIBRARIAN, HER EX-BROTHER IN LAW, TO THE FIRING HIS BOSS FOR NOT FIRING HER EX-BROTHER IN LAW AFTER PALIN AND HER HUSBAND HARASSED THE MAN FOR 17 MONTHS, VIA PHONE CALLS, EMAIL AND PALIN'S STAFF HARASSMENTS.

----------------------

PALIN LEFT HER TOWN OF WISALLA ALASKA, IN DEBT.....

HER BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION OR PROJECT WAS A "ICE HOCKEY RINK" WITHOUT PURCHASING THE LAND TO MAKE THE ROADS THAT LEAD TO THE RINK, WHICH IS NOW IN LITIGATION !!!

SHE ALSO LIED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S PLANE SHE SOLD "AT A PROFIT" ON EBAY...HA !!!

THE PLANE WAS NEVER SOLD ON EBAY AND SOLD PRIVATELY, AT A LOSS OF 600,000 DOLLARS !!

NOTE: WHEN THE GOVERNOR'S PLANE WAS NOT BEING USED, IT WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT ALASKAN PRISONERS TO THE STATE OF ARIZONA, WHAT MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AT THE [TAX PAYERS EXPENSE], IS PALIN USING NOW, TO TRANSPORT ALASKAN PRISONERS...HMMMM

THE B!TCH CAN'T USE A TRAIN OR BUS, TO SEND ALASKAN PRISONERS TO STATESIDE PRISONS FROM ALASKA,CAN SHE ?

NOTE: MOST GOVERNORS HAVE PRIVATE OR OFFICIAL STATE PLANES OR JETS, ANYWAY...

THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE" MILLIONS WAS NOT RETURNED TO THE GOVERNMENT, AS SHE IMPLIES "WE'LL DO IT OURSELVES"

NO WAY IN THE HELL, DID ALASKANS "DO IT THEMSELVES"

PALIN TOOK THE MILLIONS AND USED IT FOR OTHER STATE MATTERS...

OPPOSED TO SENDING THE MILLIONS BACK !!!

THE GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO SEND THE REAMAINING MILLIONS, SHE WANTED AND JOHN MCCAIN WAS DEAD SET AGAINST IT AND VOTED AGAINST IT AS WELL AS OTHERS!!

THE GOVERNMENT SAID TO PALIN

"IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A DAMN BRING, TO WHEREVER, BUILD IT YOURSELF"

INSTEAD, THE HEFFA, USED THE MILLIONS GIVEN TO ALASKA, TO DO OTHER THINGS, BUT SHE & ALASKA WAS NOT SO SELF SUFFICIENT OR SELF RELIANT, THAT SHE RETURNED THE MILLIONS, GIVEN TO THAT GOD AWFUL & CORRUPT STATE !!!

THAT GAS AND OIL PIPELINE: THAT SARAH PALIN BRAGGED ABOUT LAST WEEK, WAS PLANNED BY THE LAST GOVERNOR, THIS OIL & GAS LINE PROJECT, WOULD'VE HAPPENED NO MATTER WHAT !!

THE OIL COMPANIES ARE BUILDING A GAS AND PIPELINE ON THEIR OWN ANYWAY IN ALASKA !!

THE B!TCH IS A FRAUD !!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:33:43 GMT

need to quit validating your point by the numbers of yesterday Omaar. Ras polls today show Mccain ahead by two in New Mexico--so there goes that theory. They also give Mccain a 50% chance of winning over Obama.

By the way--nice stero-type of rural areas--your condensention is duly noted. That you think everyone in the South are stupid, barefoot, and pregnant is why you people keep losing this election.

I see you didn't mention the epidemic of teen pregnancy in urban areas right now.

LOL

]

where do you people come from?

LOL

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lexi97701 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:48:16 GMT

CALLING OBAMA A MUSLIM AND A SUNNI OR SHITITE.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lexi97701 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:48:20 GMT

CALLING OBAMA A MUSLIM AND A SUNNI OR SHITITE.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:50:15 GMT

Wait--here's the BIGGET reason why you are now behind, and why you will lose this election.

Slanting the facts is now trite Omaar. Everyone is watching, and everyone knows what is bs and what is not. There are so many holes n your postings it would take all day to respond. However, people reading it are laughing for sure--because they know better.

Idiots like you come on here thinking you can post garbage and go unchecked, but mis-stating the facts only makes you look stupid.

Case in point--Palin said in her speech she put the plane on ebay. Not that she sold it on ebay. she make the point of how it was a gross over expenditure. SELLING IT AT A LOSS WAS BETTER THEN SPENDING GOV MONEY ON MAINTAINING IT MORON> So selling it at a loss was cheaper for the Alaskan tax payers than keeping it. You act like SHE BOUGHT IT, then sold it at a loss.

People like you are truly lost.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

sieg6529 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:53:20 GMT

This election has gotten foolish. It is just like watching pro wrestling, but with earth-changing ramifications. Weep for the future, no matter who wins.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:56:52 GMT

That is probably the best assessment I have ever seen on her Sieg. Of that, there is no doubt.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:01:59 GMT

10 questions for Gov. Palin.

1. Should any local government be allowed to put meaured restrictions on gun ownership?

2. Should government set a minimum wage or should that be left to employers?

3. As alternative fuels are discovered, are you concerned that Alaska's economy which is primarily built on fossil fuels will lose it's ability to distribute payments to citizens?

4. Should the draft be re-instated?

5. Does the government have a role in ensuring everyone has the right to health care, or should the market decide?

6. Should women be allowed to compete for every job in the military including special forces?

7. Should all affirmative action programs be struck down as discriminatory?

8. There is a large part of the population that exists in poverty in urban areas. What do you think is the cause?

9. As it stands, every person born in the U.S. is granted automatic citizenship. With illegals coming here and having children, should this policy be re-examined?

10. What are your thoughts on dealing with the rising economies of India, Brazil, China and an resurgent Russia?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

lexi97701 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:04:41 GMT

My comments were intended for the reviewer...sorry. People commenting that Obama is a muslim, a sunni before a shitite. We have one guy talking pretty vividly about a teenagers sexuality and another talking about where he would like Palin's lips. GROW UP PEOPLE, and WAKE UP. Quit acting like grade school children and holier than thou. We need help in America and I'm looking for who will honestly do it. So far in my judgement as an independent has McCain's team is losing based on their absolutely awful performance and judgement. Stop talking about how Obama is misbehaving if you can't see the way McCain's campaign is forcing his rebuttals. And frankly, not only do I feel used by his selection of Palin, who I do NOT feel could handle the presidency if need be...but I think they're totally using the sexism game, God forbid anybody say ANYTHING, it'll be called sexist. LET"S SEE ADS AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT, and its not a pregnant teenage daughter, its about foreign policy, the war, unemployment...GIVE ME THE ISSUES, whish it appears only the Dems are trying to do, the other side is using smokescreens to divert my attention from the fact that they're now hiding her, he can't get the crowds ithout her and they won't talk facts. Am I the only one with eyes and a brain that can see this happening? Why can't we ever have a real election without the games? Give me the truth folks and spare me your immature games.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Ian in LR — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:10:59 GMT

It is truly sad how stupid the Republicans think most voters are. First came the Palin pick and everyone was dumbfounded. However, by the end of the convention, and every day since, the number of adoring Palin fans has seemed to increase exponentially. Why? Because she is tough talking and down to earth - and, oh yeah, a woman. A growing cadre, made up mostly of white, rural Americans, both male and female, is suddenly in awe of this VP nominee. So are some apparently very embittered former Hillary supporters. Never mind that Palin's views and positions are completely antithetical to those of their former champion. Never mind that on the day of her selection, McCain's top argument had to be changed from "Experience" to "Reform" so as not to shine a spotlight on his blatant hypocrisy. (Not two weeks earlier McCain stated that the primary qualification for his yet to be determined running mate would be that person's capability to be president on Day 1.) "Country First" rings a little hollow now - unless the name of the country is McCain. Never mind that Palin was picked entirely for political reasons and not for any expertise she brings to solving the host of serious problems our country faces. Never mind that McCain is still at the top of the ticket and that her being added is unlikely to change anything he might do once in office. Never mind that the McCain campaign was a lack-luster, boring caravan of idiotic slogans and repetitive tripe - and still is. "Drill, drill, drill!" has been replaced with "Reform, reform, reform!" Reason appears to be on holiday when reporters ask starry-eyed rally attendees what they think about Palin's stand on some issue and these people have no clue. They "just like her". Great. You can put lipstick on the Rove playbook, but it’s still the Rove playbook. Distract and conquer is alive and well.

Maybe the Republicans are right.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:27:38 GMT

See, Lexi--the problem with your argument for sense is that, in saying she could not handle the presidency--you are illuminating the flaws with Obama. Simply because she has more experience than he does. That you want a President with less practice at executive positioning than someone you don't want for VP because of that reason makes you seem transparent, and illusionary as anything more than Democratically minded--while making the same Democratically hypocritcal ideals that everyone else who is Democrat has already tried--to no avail.

That's why Mccain's team is NOT losing . Check your facts and numbers. He is ahead in every poll right now. Even Rasmussen--who has been calling it for Obama when others have not, finally conceded today that Mccain has a better chance of winning right now.

You want people to grow up. Join the crowd. Be accurate in your assessments. Check your facts--before you accuse one side of losing--who by all counts--is actually ahead right now.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:32:27 GMT

LOL

Ian--the very reason Dems have been behind Obama this whole time is because the "just like him."

LOL

No experience. No record to stand on to give you a history of why he would make a good president. Just a bunch of eloquent speeches that have swayed you. And you are upset that people "just like" the GOP candidate for VICE Pres.

LOL

You guys are great.

Never mind the ten months Obama kept trying to say Mccain wanted to be in Iraq for a hundred years--no distract and conquer there at all.

But now that they are getting a stomach full of it--its somehow not fair.

LOL

Love it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:34:45 GMT

Does any Palin Supporters care to give her postions on the 10 questions posed below? Or is it simply name-calling day?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:34:55 GMT

Do any Governor Palin Supporters care to give her postions on the 10 questions posed below? Or is it simply name-calling day?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:40:56 GMT

Iota:

First of all, it is inappropriate to answer FOR Governor Palin; your thinly-veiled and supposedly disingenious attempt didn't work. Since it Sept. 11, why don't you go and give remembrance to those who died on this day in 2001?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:42:54 GMT

All of this banter is just a pure example in an experiment of panic. For the past year, Dems have truly believed the election was a cinch to win. That it was yours to lose. Well, you are now losing--and just look at the posts of those who are freaking out. All of this Palin attack stuff is only increasing her appeal, and you really can't see that. That she ruffles the feathers of the liberal left so much is WHY people are trending to her, even more so than her gender. Keep believing it's just a woman thing, and you are going to keep stomped. Every day you post about her, every day the media tries to hit her--just keeps her news worthy and in the forefront of political discussion--which is going to the Mccain advantage.

Eight weeks to go.

Mccain ahead.

And for all you who think its just a bounce--think about this. Mccain's jump in the polls has now lasted longer than the Obama jump after the DNC. This is now a surge, and the numbers are holding--and gaining--not receding--every day.

Keep up the attacks--while saying how dare they attack us. Its funny. And it is costing you the race.

LOL

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:49:23 GMT

I think what is best in evidence that the Dems are in trouble shows in how they have all but stopped talking about Mccain. It's all Palin, Palin.

When the race becomes a battle between one parties candidate for president VS the other parties candidate for VICE president--I think that campaign is in deep ca-ca.

How is Obama going to beat Mccain, when he can't even beat Palin?

LOL

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:49:48 GMT

Was inside the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. 20 years retired Navy. I actually like Senator McCain. I believe he is a good man. I would hope all this back and forth would die down if Governor Palin spoke for herself or someone could explain her positions. I do not support her, but would not comitt suicide since it is a package deal.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:54:37 GMT

Ian:

You posted, "A growing cadre, made up mostly of white, rural Americans, both male and female, is suddenly in awe of this VP nominee. So are some apparently very embittered former Hillary supporters. Never mind that Palin's views and positions are completely antithetical to those of their former champion."

Her appeal, I suspect, is three-fold: first, she is a fresh persona on the stage of national politics. This has been enhanced by at least the perception she has been treated by the left-leaning media unfairly and Democratic supporters. Most Americans rankle when their notion of fairness is ruffled -- the media, liberals and Obama's party haven't a clue and keep feeding this. The fact that she has a compelling personal story, a winning smile and is eloquent has helped in that.

Secondly, Palin appeals to women (as I've posted at length about in the Stumper "Palin's Appeal to Moderates?" blog) at a visceral level that transcends class, party and race. Every woman in America has faced sexism in their lives, and sans Hilary, Palin is quickly becoming their "Everymom" icon. The fact that she is being treated unfairly -- having questions asked of her that no man would ever face -- is becoming an increasing undercurrent in this election that resonates with women.

Lastly, the media and Obama's compaign keeps the focus on her by contrasting Obama (their #1 candidate) with Palin (the Republicans #2 candidate). In sports, or almost any other endeavor, you do not compare your #1 to anyone else's #2. Who is going to compare the #2 quarterback of any NFL team with, say, the starting quarterback of the Colts? It gives subtle undertones of weakness and inferiority, especially when the perception is that the #2 compares fairly well with the #1. Ouch. And the media and the Dems still haven't gotten that point.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:58:30 GMT

In the truth of politics--her positions are extemely conservative. That is the very reason I like her anyway. More consercative than even Mccain in fact--which really shores it up for me. The reason she is not speaking--in a politcally genius move--is because as long as she is not--people can't stop talking about her.

Just look at the hype before the RNC even happened.

When, and if, it does die down--that is when she will be back in the public forums.

Right now she is too busy riding on the wave--giving public performances in all those small towns that Obama so eroneously disparaged. That is one reason the numbers are now coming in so strong. Keep the public talking until the VP debate--let her wow em by slamming Biden, and this race will be over.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:11:07 GMT

Iota:

I am part of that "middle" that both sides are trying to woo. After scrutiny, I find the McCain/Palin ticket to be more acceptable than Obama/Biden. Note that I do not say "perfect." But they at least offer the possibility -- based on their track records -- of being able to introduce real change and reform in Washington, something (again, based on track record) that neither Obama nor Biden is capable of.

The clincher, however -- at least to me -- is that before the VP nominations by both sides, offered to campaign jointly with Obama in town hall style meetings, answering unscripted questions from American voters. You can't get more fair than that. What did Obama do? He ran for the hills. To me, this told me all I needed to know about Obama's character and courage. McCain's character and courage we already know, and it is unassailable (though one idiot recently tried that to his peril).

But there is a caveat in this: the Republicans better heed McCain's convention call to "get back to basics" and "earn the trust of the American people." Here again, Obama didn't have the personal or political courage to do that at his party's convention. McCain appealed to everyone at his convention, Obama put on a media show depicting himself in some messiahanic fashion, a modern day Apollo or Delphi Oracle.

As was said, "One uses change to promote his career, the other uses his career to promote change."

All-in-all, McCain is the better choice, and an increasing number of voters are seeing that. I just hope his campaign has the wisdom to rachet down the attack ads and focus on the theme established in his convention: Getting back to basics, focusing on the issues and reiterating the message that McCain wants to reach out to everyone, regardless of party, for ideas, solutions and reform.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:15:38 GMT

To see how intelligent this GOP campaign truly is about the devisive culture of this country, just take a look at the "lipstick on a pig" deal.

While it is being touted as distractive, no one is really looking at the true intent of the argument.

Whether Obama meant it towards Palin is irrelevant. The point of it all was to make it appear that way regardless, because in coming to her defense--rightly or not--the move shows Mccain as being intolerant toward any sexist remarks, or any attempt at sexism of any kind during this race. It thereby gives him more credibility for women who are themselves tired of sexism in this country, whether the accusation stuck or not.

You are missing what is actually going on by getting caught up in it.

By defending her, more and more women are going to flock to the GOP ticket, if anything, for the very reasons that brian just cited.

You forget that just two months ago, Mccain himself was accused of not being for the working woman.

Oh, my--how they have turned that table around.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:26:19 GMT

As an aside: Good morning to you, Rametyn, from out here in "flyover" country.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:27:44 GMT

@Briand and Rametyn - This is how intelligent political discussion can take place without rancor. President Bush won the White House, and yet Al Gore did not do too badly afterward. Regardless of what happens, Senator Obama will do fine. Being elected to the United States Senate is one hell of a resume enhancer, and he will not lack for job offers afterward (A Harvard Law Degree does that for you).

I hope he follows the Al Gore example and gives himself to a cause greater than himself. I wish both of you well in life.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:28:56 GMT

And to you sir,

Hope you are keeping well and safe.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:33:58 GMT

One of the joys of beng rmoved from party lines Iota.

You hope for the best direction of your county in all sense of patriotic fervor--but do so far removed from nonesensical idealisms that betray both parties. I am biased only by sense of duty, and the by the hope for the fate of my family. Therfore, don not wish any malcontent toward anyone regardless of their belief. I only hope most have the country's best interest in mind; and regardless of the outcome, wish you all the best as well.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:40:27 GMT

Brian,

Did you see the new poll numbers fromn Rasmussen today?

Showing Mccain now ahead In New Mexico.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

olderwiser — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:41:09 GMT

The nation is polarized, Rametyn. It is near fifty fifty. The parties are apparently viewing the swing voters as in possession of juvenile mentality, to be swayed by arguments over how to use the word "lipstick" in a speech. As far as the rest of the voters outside of the supposed swing group, they have already made up their minds and it doesn't matter to them what anyone says from the bully and bovine pulpits. They already hate each other enough to stay in line for their respective sides.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:43:06 GMT

Iota:

You are exactly right. With 300 million people bringing 300 million divergent life experiences to the table, we are NEVER going to agree on everything. Knowing that, reasonable and reasoned people will sit down to find the middle ground -- the art of compromise where it isn't win-lose, but win-win, at least in a manner acceptable to the majority on all sides of the issue.

McCain was right when he was interrupted the second time at his convention by demonstrators, "The American people expect us to stop yelling at each other." Damn right we do.

McCain has reached across the aisle, and Palin's 80%+ approval rating in Alaska and her appointment of Democrats and independants to her cabinet indicates she can do likewise. This is not something I see in either Obama or Biden, and it is certainly nothing they've reinforced in their campaigning or their convention.

So beyond all the policy rhetoric on both sides, the fundamental issue is this: who will give a voice to Americans, regardless of party, socio-economic condition, educational background or ideologic stripe?

The issues will shake themselves out in Congress and in the public forum in due course, so what is really at issue is character and record. McCain wins handily on both counts.

"I am the one..." I think not, Mr. Obama.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Battlegroundvoter — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:44:51 GMT

WAG THE DOG!!!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:45:07 GMT

Perhaps Olderwiser,

But on the shift in women voters it is still having an effect--which I am pretty sure was the intent--seeing as how a lot if pundits do see the independents as the demographic most likely to move this race as it stands.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

asjrb — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:48:06 GMT

McCain is resorting to diversion because he is reincarted version of Bush. It is pure childish, immature and lowest level of politics at its best.

This country is in major turmoil with huge debt, failing infrastructure, credit crisis, housing collapse, greedy CEOs and failing health care and education.

Would this old man talk about any of these issues. What would a governor of 600K people know how to run a country of 300M. She is no different in telling lies and thinking that American people are dumb.

I hope we all realize that we can't afford another Bush term. It will put our country back many years and our children will pay the price.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

olderwiser — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:49:26 GMT

No, BrianNM, I think that it will be decided by how to use the word "lipstick" properly. The swing voters are right in there for a called strike three. Lipstick. Mc Cain wants it to be used only in a certain way. See, his uncommitted voters like this and Obama's uncommitted voters think that it sucks.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:50:08 GMT

I think what I am most curious about, as Olderwiser points out, that in a state where the country seems 50/50, how much is the Bradley effect actually playing in these new numbers.

Comments?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

maninthewilderness — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:52:51 GMT

I have to agree.. McCain and idiot goes together like America and Apple pie...

hopefully people will see just how angry and stupid this guy is before its too late....

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:53:46 GMT

You should read the last excerpt from Romano's article asjrb.

Mccain in now way is the only one that has been guilty of such tactics.

And, as has been noted by many, trying to win the election by painting mccain as more bush is just why the election is now shifting.

It is no less accurate than the lipstick on a pig deal, and doesn't hold weight with most voters.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:54:02 GMT

You should read the last excerpt from Romano's article asjrb.

Mccain in now way is the only one that has been guilty of such tactics.

And, as has been noted by many, trying to win the election by painting mccain as more bush is just why the election is now shifting.

It is no less accurate than the lipstick on a pig deal, and doesn't hold weight with most voters.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:55:18 GMT

Stand by.

Here come the absurdities.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:56:37 GMT

olderwiser:

Yes, the country is polarized, and thus far McCain is doing the better job of swinging the middle. For reasons I've expressed here and elsewhere, he has gained my support -- conditionally. And here where we know what a cow patty looks like and smells like, this lipstick brouhaha isn't a factor.

Rametyn:

Doing extremely well, thanks, I hope you are doing likewise. Yes, I saw the new number of New Mexico. You have to understand our priorities here -- the first order of business is not to answer the blue/red question but the blue/green question. It's an inside joke about our wonderfully addictive Hatch chiles. The second order of business here is to do our daily work, whatever it may be. Eventually we get around to politics. McCain has been airing Hispanic-lnaugage ads and appealing to the Native American vote. Obama has not. In the end, albeit probably as closely as the last two elections, I think the Republicans will carry this state.

Why do I think so? Obama doesn't seem to appeal well to most folks down here outside of extremely liberal Santa Fe, and Richardson doesn't enjoy enough popularity to guarantee delivery of the 5 electoral votes. Arizona, our neighbor, faces the same illegal alien/border security issues we do, and most New Mexicans are comfortable McCain will represent the interests of southwestern states well in that regard.

The Bradley is a great force equalizer ... oh wait, not that Bradley effect ... :) lol

Fundamentally, the middle traditionally wins elections, and as of this moment, McCain is doing a better job of taking the middle. Can he hold it and increase it? That remains to be seen, but I suspect so. Tactically and strategically McCain has run the better campaign thus far. In an attack/smear campaign, however -- all bets are off and we can go with "Pick 'Em" on game day.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

olderwiser — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:58:03 GMT

Rametyn, I have pretty well decided that the women voters are just one half of the middle uncommitted voters and that men are the other half and that they cancel each other out. The women vote was heavily emphasized by the Hillary campaign, but in the long run, it didn't make any difference. Naming a "women vote" category is more of an effort to try to prejudice women voters against a male running against a female, but it doesn't stick that well. Today's woman is just too sophisticated and independent for such crap. Most of them are smarter than their other male halves, so to speak, and nearly all of them can tell him to stick it if he doesn't treat her right. She cusses, guts wild game, consorts with whoever she wishes, controls her body however she wishes and sees through the crap. Today's woman will not just vote for a woman to be president, knowing that the president, even if a lady can screw up a woman's life if she misuses the power just as much as a man can screw it up.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:02:09 GMT

They were talking yesterday about Richardson's aide in helping with the Hillary thing during the Dem race for the candidacy. The question was, "can he help Obama clinch NM in the election?"

It was noted that Richardson himself had said he doubted it--that NM was going to be pretty tight regardless of his influence.

I agree with you, according to past trends, Mccain will pobably pull that out.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

olderwiser — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:03:12 GMT

Well, Brian NM, I would never argue with a person who is acquainted with cow patties and cites that acquaintance as political prescience. Though, it does resemble the Mc Cain campaign, I will admit.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:05:44 GMT

Not true Olderwiser,

If you study the polls, they show that many demographics of men in the middle are also trending toward Palin, and they are not cancelling themselves out. That is what makes her so damaging to the Dem party right now. IT IS NOT just women; but also many men with more consertative values and viewpoints on the issues.

And if they were so intelligent as to fall for that--then you have to explain the HUGE shift in women voters from Obama to Mccain.

The numbers are there man, sorry.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:05:44 GMT

The rancor of those like maninthewilderness is one of the factors propelling a building ground swell for McCain. Keep it up, mitw, you'll help deliver the middle ground to McCain.

olderwiser:

The women's vote is going to be key in this election. What pundits, and I suspect a good many liberals and the media, are missing is that the whole Palin issue resonates at a visceral level -- every woman has faced bias -- the glass ceiling of double standards and sexism -- and it is beginning to become a significant undercurrent in this election. So liberals, keep attacking Palin unfairly -- or what women and middle of the road Americans perceive to be unfair -- and you will lose this election ... and likely in a landslide. Make Palin a martyr of sexism in America at your peril.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:05:56 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr5hpJKuh-s

The Truth has a way of Running people like you.... AWAY !!!

ABC News Brian Ross-Reports: Women's Groups In Alaska Rally Against... Sarah Palin !!!

Palin is seen giving Congratulations & Praise of [Walt Monegan] and his Fight against "Domestic Violence Towards Women & Sexual Abuse Of Women"

Alaska is #1 Per Capita in Rapes & #2 Per Capita for Men Killing Women...

I Told you this Group of People [Alaskans] are Very Rural, Appalachaian & Mountainous, in their Behavior .... Real Cave Men, Real Low Lifes !!!

The McCain Camp & Fox News are Alledging that [4-5 of the Committee] Investigating Palin are Obama Supporters [Democrats]....

But McCain's Campaign Fails to Disclose the Majority on this Committee are....

[10 Republicans]

This a Majority Republican Investigation and, in a Majority Republican Controled State [Alaska]

Moneghan has Proof of Contact Via Phone Calls and EMail !!!

Sarah Palin may tell Charles Gibson tonight, that she is Finished and will Withdraw from the McCain Ticket or Wait until, Later to do so ?

But she will Ressign or Withdraw and McCain's High Stakes Gamble at All Cost Politics will be seen as an Incompetent Semi-Senile Political Move, opposed to choosing C. Rice or Kay Hutchinson or Elizabeth Dole...

McCaIn went for A GOOD LOOKING WOMAN OUT OF THE SOUTHRN, RURAL & MOUNTAINOUS MAN'S.. DREAMS !!!

McCain chose a Gimmick and No Decent Woman Or Man will get on McCain's Ticket, after this ....POLITICAL FIASCO...

I said DECENT WOMAN OR MAN !!!

McCain should Step Down as well, for Not Properly Vetting this Woman and Lying to the American Public for saying he did Vet Sarah Palin... But He Won't !!

She's going to Dropout, Sooner or Later

PS: MCCAIN BY HIMSELF IS NOT GARNERING ATTENTION ON THE ROAD, SO THERE WILL BE MORE PALIN-MCCAIN STUMPS, OPPOSED TO MCCAIN BY HIMSELF. WHEN SARAH SPEAKS, THE MAJORITY OF WOMEN SCREAM AND SHOUT TO A HIGH PITCHED FEENZY... WHEN MCCAIN SPEAKS, ITS THAT.....

OH GET OFF THE STAGE OLD MAN, LOOK !!

"WE WANT TO HEAR AND SEE SARAH PALIN, SAY THE SAME DAMN THING, SHE'S SAID LAST WEDNESDAY LOOK" !!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:07:52 GMT

Reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr5hpJKuh-s

-----------------

The WallStreet Journal

-------------------

Ethics Adviser Warned Palin

About Trooper Issue

Letter Described

Situation as 'Grave,'

Called for Apology

By JIM CARLTON

September 11, 2008; Page A8

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- An informal adviser who has counseled Gov. Sarah Palin on ethics issues urged her in July to apologize for her handling of the dismissal of the state's public safety commissioner and warned that the matter could snowball into a bigger scandal.

Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten (right) answers questions about the 'Troopergate' investigation on Tuesday.

He also said, in a letter reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, that she should fire any aides who had raised concerns with the chief over a state trooper who was involved in a bitter divorce with the governor's sister.

In the letter, written before Sen. John McCain picked the Alaska governor as his running mate, former U.S. Attorney Wevley Shea warned Gov. Palin that "the situation is now grave" and recommended that she and her husband, Todd Palin, apologize for "overreaching or perceived overreaching" for using her position to try to get Trooper Mike Wooten fired from the force.

Mr. Shea was acting on his own in writing the letter, with no official capacity. In late 2006, Gov. Palin asked him to co-write an ethics report for Gov. Palin with then-House Democratic leader Ethan Berkowitz that recommended new financial-disclosure rules for elected and appointed officials in the statehouse. That report served as a key document for the ethics bill she later signed into law.

Read the letters from Wevley Shea to Gov. Palin and her aides.After his initial letter in July, Mr. Shea followed up with another letter, dated Aug. 4, in which he told Gov. Palin that she probably couldn't legally shun a legislative investigation into the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.

Gov. Palin has taken the opposite tack, hiring a private attorney to advise in a matter that has become known as "Troopergate." Seven Palin administration employees have refused to meet with the independent investigator. The McCain-Palin campaign has argued that the state legislature has no right to look into the matter. Palin spokesmen say the state personnel board is the appropriate investigative body, setting up a showdown between the state's legislative and executive branches.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Juneau, Alaska, on Sept. 5, 2007.

The McCain-Palin campaign referred comment on the letters to the governor's office, which confirmed receipt of them. "While we can't always act on every idea, Gov. Palin thanks Mr. Shea for his counsel," Sharon Leighow, the governor's deputy press secretary, said in a statement.

Members of the House and Judiciary committees overseeing the probe -- which lawmakers want wrapped up by early October -- meet Friday to consider issuing su

re: The Politics of Stupidity

piinalu — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:12:31 GMT

It's sad to see a great man surrounded by so many small ones. I can't believe that John McCain endorses or supports the idiotic claims of the "shocked" and "offended" on his side. I don't think that's his style, and I don't think he believes the country needs this kind of nonsense. Yet, here we are. I like and admire the man, but he's keeping some questionable company.

Is this it? Is this what we've become as a nation? My patriotism, my belief in the system, my belief in my fellow Americans, says we're bigger than this, smarter than this and engaged enough to know that real issues need to be addresses by intelligent committed people, but that faith is getting tested daily.

I don't care who you vote for, just do it with some informed opinions about issues, not false outrage over distractions and non-issues. We need to respect the people that are engaged in the process. They're not the enemy. The people sitting on their hands are.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:12:50 GMT

olderwiser: Both sides are flinging, and the smell is odious from both camps, so I wouldn't point a finger at just McCain. I hope the McCain campaign shakes off the attack rhetoric, at least at such a nonsensical level -- there are many legitimate issues on which to attack Obama. My advice to the senator from Arizona? Stick to the high ground, militarily and politically it affords incalcuable tactical and strategic advantages.

Obama, on the other hand, has used such tactics -- first against Hillary, and now McCain and Palin -- and has been always been a weapon in Cook County corrupt politics. So I don't see the likelihood of Obama's camp changing.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:15:33 GMT

Wow,

Hasn't all of this disparagement abour rural areas, and people from small towns done enough damage to the Democratic party as to teach them it only increases the invalid ability to understand that not everyone who lives there are morons?

It is like they are self-destructive or something?

I actually come from the Appalachian area, am a freelance writer with a fairly lucrative career, and sure am glad you told me I was a caveman; I had no idea.

Maybe I should try and get a job doing some GYCO commercials.

As I said earlier, keep stereo-typing everyone who live in these areas, you only tick em off; and as the trends are showing, push them more and more to NOT vote for the Democratic ticket.

It is that kind of narrow-minded mentality that discourages people from rallying to your cause.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:17:35 GMT

piinalu: Agreed. To surrender the high ground by attacking the low ground concedes a huge tactical and strategic advantage. McCain, as both a Navy man and as a long-time shrewd politician, should know better.

But in American politics, there always seems to be a round or two where both sides try to throw vicious blows below the belt. You can block them without resorting to in-kind retaliation.

So come on, John, get back to your strong suit and winning strategy.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:19:46 GMT

Bada-bing, Rametyn. And the sad part is, the Democratic far left just never seems to learn that lesson, despite having their butts handed to them time and again.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:22:11 GMT

Well brian,

As can be expected, the political discussion among the fact vs fiction perpetuations seem to ensue everytime the angry gaggle of Democrats start to pop up.

Catch ya later, when, perhaps, there is a more civil level of tonality. I hate wasting time trying to sit and argue with such ridiculous banter.

Come the night of Nov 4, I think am I just going to get on here and post LOL--over and over again.

Take care.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:25:05 GMT

Take care, my friend. At least this election got interesting in a hurry over the past few weeks. I thought I was relegated to keeping my posts to FoxSports until after Nov. 4. lol

I'll see you on election night.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Rametyn — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:29:33 GMT

See you then.

We'll have race to see who can get the mos LOL's in at one time.

Ahem, lol.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:33:10 GMT

This just in my email in box:

"The Irish Are Such Clear Thinkers

'We, in Ireland, can't figure out why you in the US are even bothering to hold an election.

On one side, you have a lawyer married to a lawyer, that ran against a lawyer who is married to yet another lawyer.

On the other side, you have a war hero married to a good looking woman who owns a beer distributorship.

The decision is obvious."

The Irish always bring a predictable and poignant view to the table :) lol

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Evax — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:37:56 GMT

Obama = Quasi-Muslim terminator who is programmed to profile and licensed to kill.

Palin = Religious terrorist who fosters free sex without marriage and sets up a Down-syndrome child for life-long failure.

Biden = Once a plagiarizer, never a leader.

McCain = Cancer + Diabetes + Alzheimer's disease + -----

Wright is right = "God damns America".

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Jack 8590 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:40:18 GMT

Let's face it; What Obama said about rural Americans clinging to religion and guns may have been politically incorrect and may mean he doesn't become president. I would also agree that politically, the Democtrats are self destructing.

But at the end of the day, Obama got it right. The Republicans cater to the lowest common denominator. For a generation now Republicans have offered cliche's and nasty politics (name calling?) instead of sound policy. "You are either with us or against us" fired up that lowest common denominator that really doesn't want to think too much about the implication of those words. When presented with such a false choice, rural America responds!

It's okay if rural America want to believe that homosexuality and abortion are the biggest issues facing America today. If you make these the major issues of the day, you can easly ignore runaway deficits, an errant war, the collapsing economy, Rodriguez, libby, Meyers, betrayed CIA agents, and a bridge to nowhere.

It's okay if rural America hasn't realized that trickle down economics didn't work. The very people they elected (Reagan and Bush and Buch II) have enabled large corporations to move jobs out of the USA. So when you chant "USA" at your convention is has an ironic tone to it. Especially when a Chinaman is doing your job for 50 cents an hour. And don't blame the unions. They have pretty much been driven to extinction by "Reagonomics."

Rural America will vote en masse for McCain/Palin and the rest of us will have to deal with it. That's the America that I love! And I will have to deal with it - as will everyone else. But don't get offended when talking heads and pols say that rural Americans aren't carefully considering their vote.

You can put lipstick on a rural American, but it's still a rural American.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:50:37 GMT

Jack:

Which is why I respect McCain, in the midst of his convention, calling his own party to task to "get back to basics" and "earn the trust of the American people."

Did we see a similar call by Obama at his convention? Had he, I might still be on that undecided fence.

McCain and Palin aren't perfect, but --however tenuously -- they do bring a track record of reaching across the aisle and working with the other party. This is something Obama/Biden cannot bring to the table.

If McCain is sincere in his call to his party -- and I think he is -- then it isn't about "four more years of Bush" as rhetoric spouters try to make it sound. There is now a possibility -- albeit a small one -- that change and reform can be brought to Washington.

Again, Obama/Biden promise change -- and it should be noted (as it was by Rudi Guilliani), that change is not a destination, and there is good and bad change. I do not see Obama delivering meaningful change, nor do I see any sign of political reform -- in his party, nor in Washington.

Ultimately, this is the defining aspect in contrasting the two tickets, at least in my mind and in the minds of many other middle of the road voters.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:51:21 GMT

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/a366363f97ea8d566a780d65521e8269.htm

http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/27/news/economy/bankruptcy/

http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/04/news/economy/automakers_Congress/index.htm?postversion=2008090519

It's sad that I don't hear anyone on the various networks talking about these stories. And regardless of who wins, does anyone on this blog believe these problems will be addressed in a serious manner?

I'll wait..............................................

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:57:06 GMT

I suspect it will be a long wait, Iota. Unfortunately, the media is more interested in promoting mudslinging than substance, particularly if it favors Obama. So much for he objectivity of the watchdog.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Jack 8590 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:24:26 GMT

Brian -

I would not be upset with a McCain presidency per se. What would bother me is if he continued with the same nonsense that we have seen the past 8 years.

If that is the case, he will go the way of Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush; one term and you're out.

It is my sincere hope that McCain can put an end to this. But Brian, with the choice of Gov. Palin, I fear the worst......

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:35:54 GMT

Jack:

Agreed. I guess it boils down to taking McCain at his word at the convention -- for his party to return to basics, for inclusion of all Americans in the democratic process of policy, and for reform in Washington.

If he can deliver any two of those three, he will be a widely-respected and successful president. If he can't, it'll be four more years of nothing -- except that we will remain secure and militarily strong. Obama can't promise better, the "change" he is promoting is no change, it is a repackaging of the socialistic, big-government, big-brother, wealth redistribution, sometimes anti-American, anti-military ideology of his party.

So once again, it seems the case could be made by ideologues of both sides, that we are forced into a vote of Dumb and Dumber. The only glimmer -- however slight -- is that "Dumb" this time offers us a faint hope of real change and reform: not so much of policy, perhaps, but of the politics of Washington.

So, it comes down to a slim hope versus no hope. Being basically an optimistic person, I'll go for the slight hope.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:43:26 GMT

As a ps:

As far as Palin is concerned, the pick doesn't bother me. She has an 80%+ approval rating for a reason, and I have no doubt she'll be a popular VP in the lower 48 too.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:45:02 GMT

pps:

As the VP presides over the Senate, won't that just make for great banter between Reid and Palin? lol

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Battlegroundvoter — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:49:22 GMT

McCain wins on character and record? How? He was one of the Keating 5, he brought the biggest ear-marker per capita on his ticket while campaigning against it, blatantly lying day after day about the bridge to nowhere even after they have been called out(she supported it and kept the money in case you don't know) and much, much more. I used to really like John McCain (I met him in person and thought he was a really nice guy) and I really respect the fact that he served in the military and suffered as a POW, but his behavior lately is disgusting. I refuse to even watch the most recent "Sex-Ed" commercial, you can't get much more offensive. Geez, if McCain has a problem with a bill to protect children from sexual predators...logic says that must mean JOHN MCCAIN SUPPORTS PEDAPHILES, won't that make a lovely commercial?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

garysgary — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:55:32 GMT

McCain is going to say and do anything...his political career could be over in seven weeks and he knows it! His political advisers are all trained by Rove...they are vicious...they hurt this country...but it is what it is.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Iota1963 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:03:21 GMT

OK, I'll try again. Right now my home has about 7 televisions (including HD and LCD), various big ticket items such as refrigerator, dishwasher, etc..... Between my wife and myself I think we have 3 computers, 3 cell phones, and 2 blackberries, Most of our clothing is manufactured out of this country. I doubt if any of the food we purchase comes from the small family farm of yesteryear, (Archer Daniels Midland, ConAgra, and other large agricultural concerns probably take care of that).

While none of that makes us unique, when you multiply it by millions of other purchasers of comsumer goods, I would like to hear the candidates thoughts on that. I beg everyone to stop looking at this election as some sort of sporting event where you take pride if your team wins.

We talk about jobs, but even what we are best at (software) is now pirated in China, India, and

other places with little respect for our copyright laws. Boing signed a deal for China Airlines

to purchase the new 767's, but with one caveat. China insisted 50% of the plance must be

built in China. Can you imagine the gains they made in metalurgy and other manufacturing

techniques?

Yes, it's all well that an Africian American,a Hockey Mom, a War Hero, and a Regular Joe

who takes the Amtrak to work from Deleware are running for office, but what about the record bankruptcies, record lob loss, record home foreclosures, etc....?

We get our goods from overseas, and our labor from south of the border. Does anyone care?

re: The Politics of Stupidity

citizenX — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:20:45 GMT

No mater what you say, Mr. Obama needs to show us that he can stand up and fight in order to win the election.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

ThePrairiePrankster — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:22:59 GMT

I am through with the republicans. I am no fan of the Democrats but the level of imbecility that the McCain has shown is beyond redemption. McCain has no honor and is a disgrace as are all who associate with his campaign. Vacuous, superficial and insulting to our intelligence, the republican media hacks have dug their own grave and I will be very happy to dance on it.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

Omaar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:52:22 GMT

The WallStreet Journal

-------------------

Mccain is going to Lose, because he did not Vet Palin at All !!

1. The Trooper Gate Investigation.

2. Her husband was a card carrying member of the [AIP]

3. Her Daughter was Pregnant and she did not disclose until after the press got the info.

4. Creationism

5. Anti-Abortion, even when a Woman is Raped or when a Woman is impregnated via Incest.

6. The Bridge To Nowhere Lie and the EarMark & Pork Barrell Millions to Alaska.

7. Questions surrounding whether or not that infant is Her son or her Grandson ?

------------------------------------------------------------

Ethics Adviser Warned Palin

About Trooper Issue

Letter Described

Situation as 'Grave,'

Called for Apology

By JIM CARLTON

September 11, 2008; Page A8

Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten (right) answers questions about the 'Troopergate' investigation on Tuesday.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in Juneau, Alaska, on Sept. 5, 2007.

Members of the House and Judiciary committees overseeing the probe -- which lawmakers want wrapped up by early October -- meet Friday to consider issuing subponaes to her staff !!!

re: The Politics of Stupidity

dunnhaupt — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:45:35 GMT

The problem is that stupidity works with stupid people. As P. T. Barnum said years ago: "Nobody ever lost money who underestimated the intelligence of the American people."

re: The Politics of Stupidity

brianNM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:15:49 GMT

Paying for Change: Cutting Through the Bull

Obama: New taxes (and if you think the taxes are restricted to just the "upper 5%", you need psychological help), new government bureaucracies, increased foreign aid to Africa.

McCain: Cut off $700 billion in aid to countries that don't like us very much, lower taxes for everyone, creation of new jobs and job retraining in energy-related fields.

As a sidenote to Obama's foreign aid to Africa: He's willing to send our tax dollars there, but he won't send his own dime to a half-brother who subsists on about $1 a month. John and Cindy McCain, on the other hand, brought an orphan from India to the US, adopted her, and raised her quality of life significantly. Sometimes it's the little things that helps put the bigger picture in perspective.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

DynaBMan — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:13:10 GMT

Let me be up front. I am a Republican who supports John McCain. Although I do not agree with him 100%, he is still a lot better than Barack Obama. Having said that, I believe the McCain campaign is making a big mistake in attacking Obama in this fashion, instead of sticking to the issues at hand. I have watched the video of the lipstick comments by Obama and I found nothing offensive about them. To say he was referring to Sarah Palin is a bit of a stretch.

You have written a very good and informed article, Andrew. I enjoy reading your blog because you are always fair in what you write. Keep up the good work.

re: The Politics of Stupidity

sissyt — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:53:50 GMT

McCain is not going to cut taxes, you people are amazingly ignorant. anyone who gets into office is going to raise taxes, call a spade a spade you don't want Obama because he is black and thats all there is too it.. Palin is ok as long as she is white right, with little to less experience your willing to take four more years of hight taxes, poverty, holesness, forclosre and special interest groups. so typical of white america

re: The Politics of Stupidity

sissyt — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:53:50 GMT