Will McCain be a good President?

[iheartscience]

Date: 10/22/2008 2:47:19 PM
Author: decodelighted
Thought this was kinda comical ... McCain using American Idol''s Makeup artist on the campaign trail ... to the tune of 5K to 8K per month (at least in August & September).


The Washington Post says of before/after photos: it''s worth it!

*Snort*-totally worth it! Some of the comments under the Wash Post article are hilarious!

 

[trillionaire]

Al Qaida for McCain...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27321701#27329983

claims of reverse psychology in 5...4..3....

 

[trillionaire]

Fake America located

In tonight''s NBC News interview with Brian Williams, McCain explains that the "elites" are located in D.C. and New York City:

WILLIAMS: Who is a member of the elite?

PALIN: Oh, I guess just people who think that they''re better than anyone else. And-- John McCain and I are so committed to serving every American. Hard-working, middle-class Americans who are so desiring of this economy getting put back on the right track. And winning these wars. And America''s starting to reach her potential. And that is opportunity and hope provided everyone equally. So anyone who thinks that they are-- I guess-- better than anyone else, that''s-- that''s my definition of elitism.

WILLIAMS: So it''s not education? It''s not income-based? It''s--

PALIN: Anyone who thinks that they''re better than someone else.

WILLIAMS: --a state of mind? It''s not geography?

PALIN: ''Course not.

WILLIAMS: Senator?

MCCAIN: I-- I know where a lot of ''em live. (LAUGH)

WILLIAMS: Where''s that?

MCCAIN: Well, in our nation''s capital and New York City. I''ve seen it. I''ve lived there. I know the town. I know-- I know what a lot of these elitists are. The ones that she never went to a cocktail party with in Georgetown. I''ll be very frank with you. Who think that they can dictate what they believe to America rather than let Americans decide for themselves.

UPDATE: Numerous readers in those cities note that they were the targets on 9/11.

 

[mimzy]

"Who think that they can dictate what they believe to America rather than let Americans decide for themselves"

a little bit of irony does the body good, eh?

 

[trillionaire]

A long, but interesting look at the McCain Campaign from the inside...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/magazine/26mccain-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

 

[Irishgrrrl]

I just LOVE the GOP's priorities!

Palin's stylist makes more than McCain's foreign policy advisor.

The article reads, in part: "Amy Strozzi, who works on the reality show "So You Think You Can Dance" and has been Palin's traveling stylist, was paid $22,800, according to campaign finance reports for the first two weeks in October. In contrast, McCain's foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was paid $12,500, the report showed."

So Palin's stylist works on "So You Think You Can Dance." Well, then NO WONDER she was hired as the stylist for "So You Think You Can Be Vice President"! LOL!

 

[zhuzhu]

Maybe that''s why she knows so little about any foreign affairs?
All that investment for knowledge went up to her hair?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/24/2008 2:07:43 PM
Author: Irishgrrrl
I just LOVE the GOP''s priorities!

Palin''s stylist makes more than McCain''s foreign policy advisor.

The article reads, in part: ''Amy Strozzi, who works on the reality show ''So You Think You Can Dance'' and has been Palin''s traveling stylist, was paid $22,800, according to campaign finance reports for the first two weeks in October. In contrast, McCain''s foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was paid $12,500, the report showed.''

So Palin''s stylist works on ''So You Think You Can Dance.'' Well, then NO WONDER she was hired as the stylist for ''So You Think You Can Be Vice President''! LOL!

 

[luckystar112]

Hey Ellen...
I saw your other thread about how you probably aren''t going to vote in this election because you don''t feel like you can back any candidate. I think I know why you don''t want to vote for McCain, but have you posted anywhere what your reservations about Obama are?
I''m just wondering for my own curiosity, and wondering if I missed it somewhere.
I hope you don''t think I''m "baiting" you or anything.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/24/2008 6:06:48 PM
Author: luckystar112
Hey Ellen...
I saw your other thread about how you probably aren''t going to vote in this election because you don''t feel like you can back any candidate. I think I know why you don''t want to vote for McCain, but have you posted anywhere what your reservations about Obama are?
I''m just wondering for my own curiosity, and wondering if I missed it somewhere.
I hope you don''t think I''m ''baiting'' you or anything.

No, I haven''t specifically listed reasons why I have reservations about him. My problems with Obama are not unique. Let''s just say I too question some of his relationships, and the less than honest (imo) explanations we have received. For me personally, it has been enough to make me pause.

I wish it weren''t this way, I really do want to back him 100%. Because he has at times given me hope in a world where there is so little to me now. I can remember him speaking a few months ago, and my eyes welled up with tears, as my heart welled up with that hope. Part of me wants to believe he is that man, who can fullfill that hope, and part of me questions who this man really is.

That''s what I struggle with.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/24/2008 5:57:49 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 10/24/2008 2:07:43 PM
Author: Irishgrrrl
I just LOVE the GOP''s priorities!

Palin''s stylist makes more than McCain''s foreign policy advisor.

The article reads, in part: ''Amy Strozzi, who works on the reality show ''So You Think You Can Dance'' and has been Palin''s traveling stylist, was paid $22,800, according to campaign finance reports for the first two weeks in October. In contrast, McCain''s foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann, was paid $12,500, the report showed.''

So Palin''s stylist works on ''So You Think You Can Dance.'' Well, then NO WONDER she was hired as the stylist for ''So You Think You Can Be Vice President''! LOL!

Ba dum bum!

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/24/2008 7:00:34 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 10/24/2008 6:06:48 PM
Author: luckystar112
Hey Ellen...
I saw your other thread about how you probably aren''t going to vote in this election because you don''t feel like you can back any candidate. I think I know why you don''t want to vote for McCain, but have you posted anywhere what your reservations about Obama are?
I''m just wondering for my own curiosity, and wondering if I missed it somewhere.
I hope you don''t think I''m ''baiting'' you or anything.

No, I haven''t specifically listed reasons why I have reservations about him. My problems with Obama are not unique. Let''s just say I too question some of his relationships, and the less than honest (imo) explanations we have received. For me personally, it has been enough to make me pause.

I wish it weren''t this way, I really do want to back him 100%. Because he has at times given me hope in a world where there is so little to me now. I can remember him speaking a few months ago, and my eyes welled up with tears, as my heart welled up with that hope. Part of me wants to believe he is that man, who can fullfill that hope, and part of me questions who this man really is.

That''s what I struggle with.

Ellen, I hear ya. Obama is definitely not perfect. But, horse people have a saying: "The perfect horse doesn''t exist." I think it''s the same way with presidential candidates.

I hate that we often feel like we have to choose the lesser of two evils in a presidential election. But, I think Obama is one of the best candidates we''ve had in quite a while, IMO. Having said that though, I totally understand why you might choose not to vote at all. I think that sometimes makes as much of a statement as voting does.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/24/2008 7:14:48 PM
Author: Irishgrrrl
Ellen, I hear ya. Obama is definitely not perfect. But, horse people have a saying: ''The perfect horse doesn''t exist.'' I think it''s the same way with presidential candidates.

I hate that we often feel like we have to choose the lesser of two evils in a presidential election. But, I think Obama is one of the best candidates we''ve had in quite a while, IMO. Having said that though, I totally understand why you might choose not to vote at all. I think that sometimes makes as much of a statement as voting does.

You''re right Irish, I really do realize that. And if it were something else, as in another "problem" I had with him, it would most likely be a whole different ballgame. But I just have a problem with honesty, or lack thereof. My SIL says I''m honest to a fault. And I admittedly do hold certain people in certain situations to an extremely high standard, myself included. Maybe it IS a fault, but, this is a presidential election.....

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Date: 10/24/2008 7:28:57 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 10/24/2008 7:14:48 PM
Author: Irishgrrrl
Ellen, I hear ya. Obama is definitely not perfect. But, horse people have a saying: ''The perfect horse doesn''t exist.'' I think it''s the same way with presidential candidates.

I hate that we often feel like we have to choose the lesser of two evils in a presidential election. But, I think Obama is one of the best candidates we''ve had in quite a while, IMO. Having said that though, I totally understand why you might choose not to vote at all. I think that sometimes makes as much of a statement as voting does.

You''re right Irish, I really do realize that. And if it were something else, as in another ''problem'' I had with him, it would most likely be a whole different ballgame. But I just have a problem with honesty, or lack thereof. My SIL says I''m honest to a fault. And I admittedly do hold certain people in certain situations to an extremely high standard, myself included. Maybe it IS a fault, but, this is a presidential election.....

Ya know, I think everyone has their "dealbreakers" when it comes to presidential candidates. Honesty is definitely a biggie, and if that''s a dealbreaker for you, then that''s completely valid. Like I said, choosing not to vote . . . not just apathetically not bothering to go to the polls, but making a conscious CHOICE to abstain from voting . . . makes just as much of a statement as casting a vote does. I think, along with the right to vote (which is a wonderful thing, don''t ge me wrong!) we also have the right to NOT vote if we so choose. Ellen, whatever you decide to do, please know that the only opinion that should have any bearing on your decision is YOURS! ((((HUGS))))

 

[Ellen]

Thank you Irish.

 

[iheartscience]

McCain Advisor Endorses Obama Ouch!

"Charles Fried, a professor at Harvard Law School, has long been one of the most important conservative thinkers in the United States. Under President Reagan, he served, with great distinction, as Solicitor General of the United States. Since then, he has been prominently associated with several Republican leaders and candidates, most recently John McCain, for whom he expressed his enthusiastic support in January.

This week, Fried announced that he has voted for Obama-Biden by absentee ballot. In his letter to Trevor Potter, the General Counsel to the McCain-Palin campaign, he asked that his name be removed from the several campaign-related committees on which he serves. In that letter, he said that chief among the reasons for his decision "is the choice of Sarah Palin at a time of deep national crisis."

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 10/24/2008 7:50:48 PM
Author: Ellen
Thank you Irish.

Thanks for the explanation, Ellen. I totally understand your P.O.V. Ditto to everything Irish said (except that whole, "Obama best candidate" thing).

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/24/2008 11:39:17 PM
Author: luckystar112

Thanks for the explanation, Ellen. I totally understand your P.O.V. Ditto to everything Irish said (except that whole, ''Obama best candidate'' thing).

You''re welcome.

 

[iheartscience]

The McCain campaign just makes it too easy...Cindy McCain is a "small businesswoman" now? And so is a former CEO of a multi-million dollar boat building company is "Bob the Boat Builder"?!

"Ever since John McCain discovered "Joe the Plumber," he has exalted "small business" owners -- inviting them to announce their professions on signs at rallies -- as the country''s only virtuous economic movers.

But now McCain has begun to define the term upward, leaving no mogul or tycoon behind.

On Thursday in Sarasota, Governor Charlie Crist introduced J. Robert Long, the CEO of Marine Concepts as a "small businessman." The man McCain dubbed "Bob the Boat Builder" spent, as Crist noted, most of his career at Wellcraft Marine, which reported revenues of $67 million last year, according to Yahoo! Finance.

Tonight in Colorado, Senator Lindsey Graham, a close friend of the McCains, described Cindy as "a great small businesswoman." Her "small" business -- Hensley & Co., a family-owned Anheuser-Busch distributor that is the third largest among the 800 in the country -- had revenues of nearly $200 million last year, according to Yahoo."

(I already posted this is the Palin thread but I guess it really goes here!)link

 

[oshinbreez]

Date: 10/25/2008 9:26:51 AM
Author: thing2of2
The McCain campaign just makes it too easy...Cindy McCain is a ''small businesswoman'' now? And so is a former CEO of a multi-million dollar boat building company is ''Bob the Boat Builder''?!


''Ever since John McCain discovered ''Joe the Plumber,'' he has exalted ''small business'' owners -- inviting them to announce their professions on signs at rallies -- as the country''s only virtuous economic movers.


But now McCain has begun to define the term upward, leaving no mogul or tycoon behind.


On Thursday in Sarasota, Governor Charlie Crist introduced J. Robert Long, the CEO of Marine Concepts as a ''small businessman.'' The man McCain dubbed ''Bob the Boat Builder'' spent, as Crist noted, most of his career at Wellcraft Marine, which reported revenues of $67 million last year, according to Yahoo! Finance.


Tonight in Colorado, Senator Lindsey Graham, a close friend of the McCains, described Cindy as ''a great small businesswoman.'' Her ''small'' business -- Hensley & Co., a family-owned Anheuser-Busch distributor that is the third largest among the 800 in the country -- had revenues of nearly $200 million last year, according to Yahoo.''


(I already posted this is the Palin thread but I guess it really goes here!)link

"Small business" is based on the number of employees. And yes, Marine Concepts is a "small business". Small business definition

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/25/2008 9:46:08 AM
Author: oshinbreez



''Small business'' is based on the number of employees. And yes, Marine Concepts is a ''small business''. Small business definition

And sales.

"A small business is a business that is independently owned and operated, with a small number of employees and relatively low volume of sales"

 

[MoonWater]

Thanks Ellen...

(for keeping me sane this morning)

 

[Ellen]

Hey moon, just saw this!

And would ya lookie here, seems Senator McCain was FOR the same tax cuts that Obama''s calling for, before he was against them.

 

[trillionaire]

Why I Can''t Vote for John McCain:
I admire the man, but his party has been taken over by anti-intellectual extremists.
By Anne Applebaum
Posted Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, at 8:17 PM ET

This weekend, while reading the latest polling data on John McCain, Sarah Palin, and their appeal—or growing lack of it—among "independent women voters," it suddenly dawned on me: I am, in fact, one of these elusive independent woman voters, and I have the credentials to prove it. For the last couple of decades, I''ve sometimes voted Democratic, sometimes Republican. I''m even a registered independent, though I did think of switching to the Republican Party to vote for John McCain in 2000. But because the last political party I truly felt comfortable with was Margaret Thatcher''s Conservative Party (I lived in England in the 1980s and ''90s), I didn''t actually do it.

The larger point, though, is that if I''m not voting for McCain—and, after a long struggle, I''ve realized that I''m not—maybe it''s worth explaining why, because I suspect there are other independent voters who feel the same way. It''s not his campaign, disjointed though that''s been, that finally repulses me; it''s his rapidly deteriorating, increasingly anti-intellectual, no longer even recognizably conservative Republican Party. His problems are not technical, to do with ads, fund raising, and tactics, as some have suggested. They are institutional, to do with his colleagues, his advisers, and his supporters.

I should say here that I know McCain slightly: He spoke at a party given for a book I wrote a few years ago, though I think that was as much because of the subject (Communist prison camps) as the author. But it''s not his personality I admire most. Far more important is his knowledge of foreign affairs, an understanding that goes well beyond an ability to guess correctly the name of the Pakistani president. McCain not only knows the names; he knows the people—and by this I mean not just foreign presidents but foreign members of parliament, journalists, generals. He goes to Germany every year, visits Vietnam often, can talk intelligently about Belarus and Uzbekistan. I''ve heard him do it. Let''s just say that''s one of the things that distinguished him, for me, from our current president, who once confessed that "this foreign-policy stuff is a little frustrating."
Share this article on Digg
Buzz up!
Share this article on Buzz

The second thing I liked about McCain was the deliberate distance he always kept from the nuttier wing of his party and, simultaneously, the loyalty he''s shown to a recognizably conservative budgetary philosophy, something that many congressional Republicans abandoned long ago. Fiscal conservatism, balanced budgets, sober spending—all these principles have been brushed away as so much nonsense for the last eight years by Republicans more interested in grandstanding about how much they hate Washington. McCain was one of the few to keep talking about these principles. He was also one of shockingly few to understand that there is nothing American, let alone conservative, about torture and that a battle for civilized values could not be won by uncivilized means.

Finally, I admired McCain''s willingness to tackle politically risky issues like immigration, the debate about which has long been drenched in hypocrisy. Those who want to ban it are illogically denying both the role that immigrants, especially the millions of illegal immigrants, already play in the American economy, as well as the improbability of forced deportations; those who want to allow it without restriction don''t acknowledge the security risks. McCain tried to put together a bipartisan coalition in an effort to find a rational solution. He failed—blocked by the ideologues in his party.

But if these traits appealed to me, I''m guessing they would have appealed to other independents, too. Why, then, has McCain spent the last four months running away from them? The appointment of Sarah Palin—inspired by his closest colleagues—turned out not to be a "maverick" move but, rather, a concession to those Republicans who think foreign policy can be conducted using a series of clichés and those in his party who shout down the federal government while quietly raking in federal subsidies. Though McCain has the one of the best records of bipartisanship in the Senate, he has let his campaign appeal to his party''s extremes. Though he is a true foreign-policy intellectual, his supporters cultivate ignorance and fear: Watch Sean Hannity''s "Obama & Friends: History of Radicalism" if you don''t believe me. Worse, in a fatal effort to appeal to the least thoughtful, most partisan elements of his base, McCain has moved away from his previous positions on torture and immigration. Maybe that''s all tactics, and maybe the "real" McCain will ditch the awful ideologues after Nov. 4 if, by some miracle, he happens to win. But how can I know that will happen?

Here''s what I do know: I would give anything to rewrite history and make McCain president in 2000. But in 2008, I don''t think I can vote for him. Barack Obama is indeed the least experienced, least tested candidate in modern presidential history. But at least if he wins, I can be sure that the mobs who cry "terrorist" at the sound of his name will be kept away—far away—from the White House.

 

[decodelighted]

Vanity Fair & other news organizations investigate whether McCain was involved in a fatal car accident that they believe the Navy helped cover up back in 1964. My dad worked on the base at the time ... wonder if he remembers the accident in question.

And some old abuse of office accusations get revisited by The Nation.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 10/28/2008 7:52:04 PM
Author: decodelighted
Vanity Fair & other news organizations investigate whether McCain was involved in a fatal car accident that they believe the Navy helped cover up back in 1964. My dad worked on the base at the time ... wonder if he remembers the accident in question.

And some old abuse of office accusations get revisited by The Nation.

I just saw this, too! Very intriguing...I''ll be extremely interested to see what Vanity Fair and the others can find out about this.