The Battle Over Narrative

re: The Narrative Wars

suzvoter47 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:33:06 GMT

McCain due his lack of leadership and desperation to WIn will employ the most sleezy and deceitful campaigns I think I have ever witnessed.

Our econoy is tanking, trillions of dollars have been lost this week in portfolios of reired persons and McCain wants to talk about character, mainly because he knows not wha to do. WE as AMERICANS deserve better than this for our country. Furthermorem his WOR means nothing anymore as he has flip flopped and changed his tune so many times I have lost count...

If all he can do is attack and nothing more than it should be clear than he is not Presidential material.

re: The Narrative Wars

thebob.bob — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:43:16 GMT

The McCain campaign is collapsing. In a state of panic, they lash out with distortions and lies about Obama. He's turned his campaign over to the Rove-crowd to fan the flames of hate, fear and division. He promised a "civil discourse", he calims he bucks the Party and goes his own way and yet, when the going gets tough, he panics and turns to the same old Republican character assassination that got the failure Bush elected. McShame should be ashamed of his dishonorable actions.

re: The Narrative Wars

Politicswithagrin — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:51:59 GMT

At the very least, McCain could stop playing into the "erratic" narrative that Obama has crafted.

http://www.politicswithagrin.blogspot.com/

re: The Narrative Wars

Huskie1 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:38:10 GMT

Even the Republicans consider MCcain too radical for the main stream ideologs. His history of being a mavrick is not paying off as emphatized by the total lack of support from the GOP. So, what remains in the arsonel of tactics for tonights debate? Character assination as opposed to a reasoned economic package. This crisis demands true leadership of which McCain has shown very little skill for. Our time requires a change from the past. We need new leadership with fresh ideas. I want to face the future with a renewed hope that we can overcome the "old ways" of doing things. I am voting for Obama.

re: The Narrative Wars

papernot — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:39:45 GMT

After researching McCain's life, I believe he is deeply driven (as George Bush was to avenge the perception that his father failed in the 1st Iraq war). This unbalanced drive for McCain is to outdo his grandfather and his father, both of which were Admirals. At this period in his life, he can't achieve their status, except to become President. To my way of thinking, it's the wrong reason to seek the office.

re: The Narrative Wars

tadbare — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:43:54 GMT

Senator McCain, a two part question.

Part 1. Why did you "choose" to remain a POW instead of leaving when offered the opportunity to be healed by US medics and return to combat missions. You have said you saw a prisoner who had been there longer, not a palatable answer. We taxpayers paid to train you, you were a military asset and should have been eager to return to combat as have troops in Iraq who have lost limbs, gone through rehab and returned to action. They, in my view, are heroes.

Part 2. Was your decision influenced by addiction to pain killers?

re: The Narrative Wars

not.Brit — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:47:14 GMT

Perfectly insightful, Andrew. And illustrates beautifully why I have so enjoyed watching Obama's rope-a-dope strategy.

re: The Narrative Wars

Jose52 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:53:46 GMT

To paperless and Huskless, What a load of psycho crap! You dems are playing the spin game and tying to pull Obambi across the finish line. Barry is an illusion in your mush filled minds. Does he anything in his past that shows his experince in economical or diplomatic arenas? Does his character show anything where he will show leadership to make hard desicions and deal with any difficult situations? NO!

Get over your Bush hate and think American!

re: The Narrative Wars

Jose52 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:56:12 GMT

Get over your Bush hate and think American! Vote McCain!

re: The Narrative Wars

Jack Peter — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:05:46 GMT

The Republicans cry "wave the white flag of surrender" when leaving Iraq is suggested. Surrender? WE WON. According to GW Bush, our goals were 1) remove Saddam 2) remove weapons of mass destruction 3) set up a new government and constitution in Iraq. We have done all three. Declare job well done by our troops and bring them home.

re: The Narrative Wars

paulte — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:19:50 GMT

Stumper is right. It is a little late in the day for McCain to start calling Obama a terrorist! I guess it is his pride or human nature but McCain seems to think that most people are going to vote for him rather than against Obama. McCain should just take a laid back attitude, set his platform out and let Obama trip himself up. Name calling and attacks don't win votes.

Something is bound to come out about Obama or Michelle yet. McCain is pretty much an open book. And when the bombshell drops, people will look and see an agreeable grandfatherly type against an upstart. He needs to take a leaf from Ronald Reagan's book, "There they go again, those silly Liberals!"

America is more conservative than liberal and more white than non-white, so why should Obama who is neither be a shoe-in? I venture to say we are seeing a rather elaborate ploy by the liberal media to elect a black man as President only because he is black. This is their great black hope. It's just the garbage of diversity for the sake of diversity.

Who in their right mind would think that someone like Obama is the most qualified person of any race or gender or sexual orientation or whatever to be President? Let him go back to community organizing. He's good at that and giving speeches!

Go McCain & Palin, go!

re: The Narrative Wars

suzvoter47 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:33:40 GMT

To Jos52: Im an independent white woma, voting for Obama because as has been clearly demonstratd McCain and Palin dont have the ability to LEAD. By the way before you call me a PYCHO, Im a psychologist and by all accounts McCain's affect, temperment and erratic behavior indicates to me

he is unable t o use any form of decent jugement. He is all over the map!!!! Palin on the other hand is a power hungry, narcissicitic women who will do anything to win and its all about Power. Perhaps akin to Cheney in a skirt, but just not as smart, a very dangerous combination.

Not all of us fall for yor type of demented rantngs, perhaps it just goes to your fears about a black man being the president of the USA .

Bush and the republicans put this coutry into the toilet and it is time we pulled ourselves together and put a new power in place. One that wll think about America and what it has was meant to be fo so many. America has been lied to ENOUGH by so many so get over it, perhaps it is your mind that is filled with mush.

America has been dumbed down for long enough,its time for change.

re: The Narrative Wars

ljw54321 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:36:12 GMT

McCain's problem is that his goal is shallow....he just wants to "be president". That's why he doesn't get it. Palin either, she's just blind ambition, comfortable when talking to adoring fans, but like a deer in the headlights when forced to actually answer a question..

Obama is focused on repairing the damage done , He understands the struggles of the middle class; things like not having access to health insurance, how hard it is for an average wage worker to send their childred to college, what it's like to live in a neighborhood where there aren't enough cops to keep the peace. He understands why America's image has tarnished. He understands that the was in Iraq needs to end.

McCain's only chance is to sling mud.

re: The Narrative Wars

suzvoter47 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:43:42 GMT

Paulte that is your take not all us are lberals and since when di being a conservative become so good.... I wonder about that now that our most current administration has thrust this country into the toilet and we Americans will end up paying for it all.

Stop hiding behind the idea that the media wants to elect a black man, perhaps it is that America wants to elect the right man and McCain has shown a thorough disregard for all he has said.

Ameicans are no longer dumb like they have been for the past 8 years and to ge real McCain started this whole slamming garbage.

The only hidden agenda is in McCains brain, there is no conspiracy, no terrorist, just McCains depseration to win at all cost.

By the way the The Keating 5 scandal is REAL. My family lost money in those Savings and Loans and McCain got off with a slap on the wrist. Maybe its time he took accountabilty for helping thousands of people LOOSE all they had worked hard for and saved for..

he cannot be trusted and he has not changed so how can he be a Maverick and change this country. Old dogs dont learn new tricks, and leopards dont change their spots, they just attack.

re: The Narrative Wars

dsmb2007 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:14:38 GMT

I believe McCain/Palin is going to lose not because the country wanted 'change', but because McCain himself lost the election. He pandered too much to the party's base, those evangelical zealots who look at abortion as the end all and be all of American politics. They would have voted for him anyway, but he had to pick Palin of all people for VP to give them the warm fuzzies. Those are the only people in America who would feel comfortable with Palin in the White House. Palin certainly energized the base... of the Democratic party and I believe the thought of her as VP has scared enough undecideds into the blue. I truly believe a majority of people in this country feel the Republican platform on economics, international affairs, and social issues is superior to the Democratic platform. The GWB election/re-election are proof of that. Plus, there is no other reason this election would appear this close at this point in time. People (a majority of people, I do understand that there are many true Democrats, and God bless you!) want to vote Republican, but he has given us a reason NOT to vote Republican.

re: The Narrative Wars

StormAZ100 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:15:43 GMT

"The problem for McCain is Obama has basically boxed him in."

I disagree. McCain has boxed himself in. Obama didn't make him say the fundamentals of our economy are strong. Obama didn't make him suspend his campaign and run to Washinton DC, only to look like an idiot who did more harm than good.

And Obama didn't start the mud slinging about past associations. McCain did all that by himself, and it's increasingly apparent that he simply lacks good judgment.

McCain is 72 years old. He need to retire and enjoy the life that he's earned, and that he has the means to live.

re: The Narrative Wars

orion12 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:17:03 GMT

Paulte, I address this to you. It is your type of mentality that will make McCain lose this election. Instead of him bringing useful issues to the table he is digging for dirt to smear Obama. Can I ask yu a question? Is Michelle Obama running for office? The mere fact that you mention her name shows that you are not voting for McCain because of issues. You are either a die-hard republican or someone who does not want Obama to be president. Period. To people like you, it makes no difference if Obama will make a positive change in America. You just do not like him and would prefer empty headed Palin and irrational McCain to lead.

re: The Narrative Wars

kamakiriad — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:37:07 GMT

Betting that McCain's frustration over the next two debates forces an N-word out of him on national television. He get's angry and can't control his mouth. He called his wife the c-word fer cripes sake! You think at his age he doesn't have some deep-seeded racism he has to hold back with all his might. All Obama has to do is get him angry enough, and Grampy will finish himself with the gaffe of all gaffes.

re: The Narrative Wars

orion12 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:46:32 GMT

When you read about McCain enough and objectively, one will be surprised by his actions. The man is an aggressive person. His classmates, his friends, his fellow aviators, his fellow senators, all echo the same behavior. He has been fighing and being pushy since he was a kid. He will never change. Note when he talks, how many times he uses the word "fight". He has emerged as a scary person. One of his senate colleagues talks about having chills down his spine when he thinks McCain could be president.

For those of you who are so anti-Obama and racist, put aside the issue that you do not want to see a black man as president. Just compare McCain to Obama and tell yourself who has more class. Who commands details of the issues? Who is cool and organized? Forget about the name, Hussein. Forget about your deepest fears about your "superiority" been watered down by one of "us" not being POTUS. You will agree that Obama has outperformed McCain.

At the beginning, all sorts of nasty things were thrown at Obama. Now all of that has been tested and proven to be lies. The Reverend affair, Bittergate, Ayers have been used to show Obama is a foreign person to America. They have called him an angry black man. Even his wife has been labeled. But has he shown he is an angry man? No!! He has shown nothing but a strong will, intelligence, good management, caring for people, etc. It is too late now to try to soil him with garbage. People now has seen him in action and base their choices on his performance.

McCain has his tactic of declaring himself a hero. He sayys he is the one who put country first. But his Keating affair and his associations do not at all show that. He is only interested in himself. He supports his rich friends. He makes a lot of noise and in time people start to believe it all. He appears to feel that the country owes him because he was a prisoner. This is one reason he cannot even look at Obama. "How dear Obama to compete with me?" He tries to project his superiority by talking down to Obama, who ignores him very well.

Tonite will not be anything extraordinary. regarding the debate. McCain will try to put Obama down. Obama will on the other hand remain level-headed. In the end the voters will again see who is the better candidate.

re: The Narrative Wars

preco — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:51:27 GMT

John LeBoutillier

Media Ignore John McCain's Offenses

Among the revelations in this fascinating article: When McCain returned to the United States in 1973 after more than five years as a prisoner of war, he found his wife was a different person. Carol McCain, once a model, had been badly injured in a car wreck in 1969. The accident "left her 4 inches shorter and on crutches, and she gained a good deal of weight."

Despite her injures, she had refused to allow her POW husband to be notified about her condition, fearing that such news would not be good for him while he was being held prisoner.

But, just a couple years later, McCain, while pondering a future in politics, met Cindy Hensley, an attractive 25-year-old woman from a very wealthy politically-connected Arizona family. While still married to Carol, McCain began an adulterous relationship with Cindy. He married Cindy in May 1980 just a month after dumping his crippled wife and securing a divorce.

McCain followed his young, millionairess wife back to Arizona.

Reports from a variety of U.S. publications exposed McCain's true scandalous character:

• The Arizona Republic, Oct. 17, 1989, reported ". . . both in telephone conversations with reporters and on a live radio talk show; the Republican senator was far from calm. He was agitated. Angry. And the way he dealt with unpleasant questions was to bully the questioners . . . 'You're a liar,' McCain snapped Sept. 29 when an Arizona Republic reporter asked him about business ties between his wife, Cindy McCain, and Keating . . . 'That's the spouse's involvement, you idiot,' McCain sneered later in the same conversation. 'You do understand English, don't you?'

". . . Not content with just bullying reporters, McCain tried belittling them: 'It's up to you to find that out, kids.' . . . McCain wasn't talking to liars. He wasn't talking to juveniles. The senator was talking to two reporters.

"McCain, in a radio talk-show appearance last week condemned disclosures of his family's ties to Keating as 'irresponsible journalism.'"

• In an article in the Phoenix Gazette, on Nov. 13, 1989, "Reporters also 'discovered' that the senator's wife and father-in-law invested $359,100.00 in one of Mr. Keating's projects in 1986 . . ."

In was reported in another article from the Arizona Republic, dated Aug. 24, 1994, that Cindy McCain escaped prosecution for stealing/using drugs. "Cindy McCain, the wife of U.S. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, admitted in a series of media interviews Monday that she became addicted to the painkillers Percocet and Vicodin.

"She said that she used the drugs from 1989 to 1992 and acknowledged that she had stolen some pills from the American Voluntary Medical Team, a charitable organization of which she is president . . . at one point, McCain, 40, was ingesting 15 to 20 pills a day . . . the normal dosage for seriously ill patients is 6 to 10 a day for a short period."

Another article by the same publication, dated Jan. 17, 1995, detailed greetings sent by John McCain to a noted crime family member: "About 300 guests turned out Saturday night to celebrate the 90th birthday of Joseph 'Joe Bananas' Bonanno, retired boss of New York's Bonanno crime family. He retired to Tucson in 1968 . . . John McCain, R-Ariz., and Gov. Fife Symington sent their regards by telegram."

All of the above is but the tip of the iceberg on the real John McCain.

re: The Narrative Wars

andreagaines — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:56:17 GMT

Mr. Romano says: "McCain needs to find real-time, newsmaking examples of Obama acting dangerous, or radical, or inexperienced, or whatever."

Just once I'd like to hear a journalist say, in reference to McCain's Presidential Campaign, "I have never in my life seen such recklessness. Recklessness in its lies. Recklessness in its clearly unprepared pick for Vice President. Recklessness in how it shifts policy positions, not based on belief but based, pure and simple, on winning."

It''s not something I want to believe about John McCain -- he had some principles, once. But it's true, darn it.

He's 72, and health wise, more vulnerable than any recent president to the possibility he would need to turn the reins over to his VP at some point, and yet he picked Sarah Palin for the position. He knows that Obama's not a supporter of terrorism. Knows it. But here is McCain, talking about it with the conviction of a holy man.

This is what the Bush Campaign did. To his then opponent, John McCain. This is why McCain will be a repeat of Bush should he get elected.

That's what journalists should be saying. That is what is meant by reporting on the news -- 'cause it is the truth.

re: The Narrative Wars

El Mugroso — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:59:54 GMT

Is Sarah Palin is really honest, she'll spend the next 8 years of the Obama Administration trying to prove that Obama is a terrorist, or a friend of them, or not patriotic, or not like the rest of us, or no a Christian, or not a Joe-Six-Packer, or is too tall, or too skinny, or eats roasted babies, or has never been to Alaska, or any other slander like those.

Let's wish her good luck.

re: The Narrative Wars

Murray Rizberg — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:05:58 GMT

to dsmb2007, who wrote: "I truly believe a majority of people in this country feel the Republican platform on economics, international affairs, and social issues is superior to the Democratic platform. The GWB election/re-election are proof of that. Plus, there is no other reason this election would appear this close at this point in time. People (a majority of people, I do understand that there are many true Democrats, and God bless you!) want to vote Republican, but he has given us a reason NOT to vote Republican. "

Umm . . . where to start disagreeing with this analysis. First off, GWB's election in 2000 is most obviously NOT proof that the majority of the US population agrees with the Republican platform because Bush DID NOT WIN THE MAJORITY OF VOTES. How quickly some folks forget. And - with some very dubious goings on in urban (read: Democratic) voting districts in Ohio in 2004 - to this day nobody can explain why many heavily populated districts had only ONE voting machine for people to use, which in turn caused a large number of voters to forego the hours-long wait to vote - GWB BARELY won a majority of the popular vote in 2004.

And let's face it: the only reason this election is this close is not because McCain hasn't given Democrats enough reason to cross over, it's because Obama is black - pure & simple. If he were white, the powers-that-be would simply call off the election process because of the 15-20 point lead Obama would have in the polls. The GOP wouldn't even be trying to purge voter registrations in urban areas or rig voting machines because the writing would be too clearly written on the wall. This country is BEGGING for a change - have you seen GWB's approval ratings lately? - and it's more than obvious that John McCain is not going to deliver legitimate change from the failed policies of GWB to get the votes. Obama offers more of a change - not much more if you ask me - but the fact that he is an African American with a Muslim-sounding name has been scaring off potential voters who think he actually might be the better candidate. If you don't think this is the reality, you're not living in the real USA.

re: The Battle over Narrative

Murray Rizberg — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:15:13 GMT

To kamakiriad, who wrote, "Betting that McCain's frustration over the next two debates forces an N-word out of him on national television. He get's angry and can't control his mouth."

Actually, I suspect he'll be less obvious by calling Obama "son" or perhaps even "boy." Any of those scenarios would simultaneously frighten, amuse and delight me!

re: The Battle over Narrative

dsmb2007 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:22:11 GMT

to murray: you're analysis may be true, but whether it's because Obama is black OR the majority vote republican, this was McCain's to win or lose. And he's losing it.

re: The Battle over Narrative

caraprado — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:31:12 GMT

From:

Head of State

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

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Fear and Loathing in the Town Hall: A Predictive Fantasy

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Crowd applauds vigourously as Jan sits down with a bit of embarassment).

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

(Crowd applauds vigorously)

MODERATOR: The next question is for Senator Obama.

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

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

(She withdraws).

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

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

MODERATOR: The next question is for Senator McCain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cite:

Head of State

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

re: The Battle over Narrative

secondedition — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:06:36 GMT

It is too late to redefine Senator Obama and this very tactic was attempted during the Democratic primaries and it got no traction then. The reason? It is so far fetched.

As for Senator Kerry's "labels", the "87 million" remark and the BS that followed was nothing but gotcha politics and Senator Kerry went to great lengths to educate the public on the reasoning behind his comment. This was a small badly worded honest explaination of how the Senate works. it should not have even been news. Of course, the media was happy to just carry the water for the Rebublicans on this matter of a so called flip flopping.

Senator Kerry faced an uphill battle the entire 2004 campaign-he had to fight not only Rove, but a great majority of the media who gleefully played the 2004 election like a game of win or lose anything goes, I believe the media failed Senator Kerry in 2004. One has to wonder how much better off we would all be now if Kerry had been able to overcome the lies and smears and had more assistance in doing this from the media who was suppose to be fmature, fair and unbiased.

re: The Battle over Narrative

Harvybing — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:36:34 GMT

The Very People Responsible For Setting The Fire That Is Rapidly Burning Our Economy To The Ground Are Going Free.

They Are Being Helped By John Kerry and Henry Waxman Who Are Putting Up An Effective Smoke Screen To Shield The Truly Guilty Parties.

You Have Jamie Goerlick, Franklin Raines, Daniel Mudd and Jim Johnson, all former CEOs or Assistant CEOs at Fannie Mae which was at the heart of the meltdown.

They Were Aided By Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, Chuck Schummer, John Kerry, Henry Waxman, Maxine Waters, Artur Davis, Harry Reid, Lacy Clay, Gregory Meeks, and Nancy Pelosi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

These people owe the American People an explanation, an apology, and at the very least some jail time.

Don't take your eye off of the ball. These are the people who lit the match. Jamie Goerlick is set to be our next attorney General.

We simply CAN'T let this happen or the crooks will all go free.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=67068