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Nowhere for McCain to GoPosted on Oct 7, 2008By E.J. Dionne Tuesday night’s debate, a town-hall discussion dominated by economic questions, made it clear that John McCain’s effort to change the campaign’s focus to the culture wars of the 1960s is not going to work. Voters want candidates to talk about problems and how to solve them, especially the enormous ones we are confronting now. And so it was that while McCain took shots at Barack Obama—about his “cronies and his friends” at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, about his tax proposals, about his health-care plan—he could not drag the debate into the more obscure and personal assaults on his Democratic foe that his campaign is peddling. Doing so would not have looked serious or in touch. A few days ago, McCain lieutenant Greg Strimple told The Washington Post that the Republican side is “looking forward to turning a page on this financial crisis.” The debate and the continuing meltdown in the markets showed that this just isn’t going to happen. It’s clear why Strimple wishes that page would turn. America’s economic upheavals have transformed the electoral landscape in Obama’s favor. Ohio, which I visited on the eve of the debate, is Ground Zero of the McCain implosion. It’s a state McCain absolutely must win, but recent polls show Obama with a clear lead. Ohio Democrats sense that a contest they once feared losing has turned decisively in Obama’s direction because the economy is “front and center,” said Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat whose district includes Youngstown. “People are listening more, they’re more open to what [Obama] and his surrogates are saying, and they don’t want four more years,” Ryan said. The main lesson of the debate is that McCain realizes he must get voters to listen to him, too. He has to find his way back to substance and prove he would provide, in his words, “a cool hand at the tiller.” Presumably, he will leave it to his running mate, Sarah Palin, his consultants and his surrogates to peddle the mud. Palin seems eager to do the job of exaggerating Obama’s ties to Bill Ayers, the veteran of the violent Weather Underground of the Vietnam era who has become a community activist in Obama’s Chicago neighborhood. On Saturday, Palin cast matters in the most offensive way possible, accusing Obama of “palling around with terrorists.” It was thought that McCain might continue that line of attack Tuesday night. Instead, the debate was as sober as the current circumstances call for. Neither candidate committed a large error. Both demonstrated that there are large philosophical differences between them. McCain kept reverting to talk about spending cuts and individual choice in health care, though he did propose an expensive-sounding program to buy up defaulting mortgages. Obama spoke of the costs of deregulation, the need for new programs in health care and an aggressive government response to the economic crisis. McCain kept highlighting the conservative past with reverent references to Ronald Reagan. But at the moment, the conservative past is on trial. It represents the era Obama unmistakably wants to end. There was a revealing exchange about midway through the debate. When asked whether Americans other than our men and women in uniform should be asked to sacrifice for the country, McCain spoke almost entirely about cutting or freezing government programs. It was a strange answer from a man whose military career was characterized by years of punishing patriotic sacrifice. Obama caught the idealism behind the query, criticizing President Bush’s call for Americans to shop after the Sept. 11 attacks. He spoke of the need for individual energy conservation; called for expansion of service programs, including the Peace Corps; and described the hunger among young people to serve their country. McCain sounded like a legislator, Obama like a president. A few days ago, McCain, pressing his effort to paint Obama as a strange and mysterious figure, asked: “Who is the real Barack Obama?” The debate raised a different question: Who is the real John McCain? Is he the man who used to tout himself as a problem-solver, or is he the desperate candidate who lurches from attack to attack? The first McCain showed up Tuesday night, insisting that our “situation today cries out for bipartisanship.” But is that the McCain who would govern? Is that the McCain who is authorizing all those attack ads? Is that the McCain we’ll see tomorrow, and the day after? TAGS:
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By AT, October 10, 2008 at 9:51 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Tthe liberal media never reported that Cindy McCain was breaking into a clinic for those who couldn’t afford to pay for their medical treatment, to steal drugs to feed her habits. She was convicted but never serve time jail time?
Report thisBy thebeerdoctor, October 9, 2008 at 2:37 am #
re: KD-Texas
You should vote for Obama because electing McCain would be far worse. You mention taxes, but you seem to have left out the fact that John McCain wants to tax employees for their company granted health benefits, which he hides under the claim of providing a $5000 dollar tax break. This is voodoo economics at its worst. The same goes for his recent proposal of buying up the bad mortgages, on top of the $700 billion bailout.
Report thisOn top of all this, the Arizona Senator wants to slash social security. Apparently his zeal to ignite new conflicts across the globe takes precedent over actually helping the citizens.
Obama not be much in your estimation, but at least he has a functioning brain. McCain’s judgment should surely come into question, after naming probably one of the most unqualified candidates to be his running mate. Being ignorant and disinterested, like a substantial portion of the electorate, is not a recommendation.
By BigIslandDave, October 8, 2008 at 11:58 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
McGramps is toast, and so is his attack bitch, Caribou Barbie.
President Obama has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Report thisBy Fred Evil, October 8, 2008 at 8:17 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I used to respect and admire John McCain. But his lust for the Presidency, plus his win at all costs attitude and actions, have besmirched his image, and leaves me shaking my head.
Isn’t there a single Republican willing to tell him this is the surest way to LOSE the election?
Report thisBy KD - Texas, October 8, 2008 at 6:12 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
For you graduating college students:
Here’s your financial future, be careful how you VOTE:
What is WEALTHY? What is FAIR? It’s Patriotic you know!
Cost of Pro Degree - TX
Low - High
97,000-231,000
Cost of Pro Degree - CA
Low – High
249,000-320,000
Cost of Pro Degree - NY
Low – High
174,000-348,000
Cost of Pro Degree - Ivy League
Low – High
288,000-339,000
*Data taken from SallieMae College Tuition Cost Comparison (http://www.SallieMae.com)
Your post College cost depends on which part of the country you go to school, from, CA, TX, NY to Ivy League, you would have spent $97,000 to $339,000 on tuition and not including living expenses for 6-7years of school.
Now that you are in debt approximate $97,000-$339,000 (depends on which school), you will start an entry level professional position that may pay you around $100K annual (MBA, Lawyer, Doctor).
Depends on low long it takes you to get to a higher six figures income. Assumed it took you 5 years to build your career and income up. You will now have worked an average of 100 hours a week ($20hr) as a professional doctor, lawyer or MBA businessperson. After 5 years into your professional career, you are generating a new income level of $250,000 annually. Hopefully you have paid off your school debts in those 5 years.
Your reward is going to be higher taxes, approximately 41% according to the Tax Policy Center studies on Obama’s tax increase plan for WEALTHY Income Earners of $250,000. (http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/411759_can didates_tax_proposals.pdf)
Now, that sounds very encouraging since you slaved your college days studying and swallowing the cost of college. You probably had a limited social life. You then enter the professional career and slave your way into being a professional doctor, lawyer or MBA business person. So why reach for the stars because before you classified yourself as WEALTHY, your reward by the Feds is this… the more you make, the more we take, it’s only FAIR. Cause you are WEALTHY……….It’s the OBAMA/BIDEN way of thanking you for your cerebral minds, law abiding and tax paying citizens.
So why don’t you work this equation backwards and don’t go to college or just go to community college and study basket weaving . Cause you probably will enjoy a better comfortable social life. Having paid only $3,000 for four years of community college. Have a job that pays you $10 hourly or maybe $36,000 a year. Be encouraged by ACORN and The Federal Housing Act to buy a home with no money down and more than you can afford in property taxes and utilities. Then you can bail on your mortgage cause you lost your job and had no savings or investment account. Then one day a socialist President of USA will grant you more money to keep, a stimulus check, bailout of your foreclosure, and give you free healthcare (it’s your RIGHT) paid for by others who worked twice as hard and took more risk.
This is the AMERICAN way……it’s only FAIR………..
LESS WORK = MORE REWARDS MORE WORK = LESS REWARDS…….
Report thisCan someone please tell me why I should cast a vote for OBAMA and the Democratic Fairness Party
By WARIS SHERE, October 8, 2008 at 5:56 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
It is indeed a sorry fact of American political life that campaigns for the United States
Report thisPresidency is getting ugly in their final weeks. Both Senator John McCain and his running mate
Governor Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling and disgusting campaigns in recent memory, the New York Times editorial said. “They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent’s record — into the dark territory of race-baiting and
xenophobia. Senator Barack Obama has taken some cheap shots at Mr. McCain, but there is no comparison.” New York Times editors have criticized the campaign and the Alaska governor for
suggesting Obama is “palling around with terrorists,” saying that Palin is implying that “Mr.
Obama is right now a close friend of Mr. Ayers — and sympathetic to the violent overthrow of
the government.” New York Times columnist David Brooks, doesn’t believe a negative campaign can
be successful.“They don’t understand how the same political tactics that they’ve used before,
going after liberal, liberal, liberal, that’s not going to work now because something has
overshadowed it,” Brooks explained. “And that overshadowing, that economic anxiety is just
going to dominate the next five weeks. There’s no way around that. And if they’re not touching
that, then they’re not touching the core issue. And John McCain has not done it. And he hasn’t
done it, where they’ve been attacking Obama for being too liberal or not loving America
enough.” The second debate, dominated by economic questions, made it abundantly clear that Senator John McCain’s effort to change the campaign’s focus is not going to work this time. Public want candidates to talk about problems and how to solve them, especially the financial crisis many are facing at this juncture. It is a pity that Governor Sarah Palin seems more than eager to do the job of exaggerating Barack Obama’s ties to Bill Ayers. One certainly expects and hope a better from Senator John McCain and his running mate Governor Sarah Palin.
By reil, October 8, 2008 at 5:46 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Watching the debate was a revelation of characters. Obama was cool and collected during the debate, he can rebut all the childish slurr of McCain with clarity and command. McCain is trying to be safe by answering general issues with vague and his-storical past. I am an independent and undecided. It looks like Obama is revealing himself who really he is.
Report thisBy scaredstraight, October 8, 2008 at 5:19 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Life long democrat in Ohio and I cannot understand how we got here? A man with no record and only dubious relationships is our candidate? We coudl have had Bill again! remember the good ol days when the economy soared and we only had to worry about Monica? Now we have to worry about not only the unknown but the known of Obama’s past.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YzI2MWRmYT M3NTYwNmU4MDlkODI4MjM0YmRmZmM4NTY
Report thisBy Pier, October 8, 2008 at 4:43 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
The choice for USA president affects not only the American continent but the entire world, much is at stake in such a selection. Many eyes are watching and brains are thinking from far away and within neighboring quarters, and what is it that they see? Part of what they see is a junior and veteran senators, one long-lived with years of experience, and the other with a strength and solidity of character unseen before. Most importantly, they see emerging the facets of these two candidates current personalities; they see how they would act and re-act if and when they take up the presidency. Take one example, the choice of VP: What does it tell about each candidate? What led to their choices? What considerations were made before selecting each VP? How thoroughly was each choice made? What does it say about the way each candidate relates to the American people? What does it say about the priorities each candidate has? What does it tell about the focus of each presidential candidate? What does it say about each presidential candidate’s understanding of how the presidency and vice-presidency works? Partly, the answers to these questions can be gleaned by watching and learning more about what Joe Biden and Sarah Palin are ‘made of.’ A good choice shows its worth and merit, and tells much about the character, qualifications, and judgement of the person making it. I’d like to wish all American to show the right character, qualifications, and judgement in their choices in November.
Report thisBy Catherine, October 8, 2008 at 3:38 pm #
The Jed Report notes that in a rally today, Sen. John McCain referred to his audience as “my fellow prisoners“:
Strange…very, very strange….
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/08/mccain-my-fello w-prisoners/
Report thisBy frank, October 8, 2008 at 2:54 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
If McCain say he will reform or change Washington one more time, I am going to puke.McCain is constantly saying that he will be the one to change thing because, believe it or not , he has done it before.
Report thisWell if he has brought change and reform to Washington before why is it still the same?Why has all that change McCain has brought to Washington not reformed Washington.McCain will bring more change based on his previous record then there will be no change at all.The record speaks for itself.
By rylly, October 8, 2008 at 1:30 pm #
Why McCain thinks the town hall format is his strength is beyond me. The first thing I noticed was his limping and unsteadiness, it added years to his age. And his palsy “my friends” gets damn old and tiresome.
Report thisWhen he says “I know, I can win wars, I know how to save this country”...etc, it seems like he has a massive ego with little to back him up. Its obvious he does NOT know, he is lying again.
He turns people off…and that is a good thing.
By montymarket, October 8, 2008 at 12:32 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
McCain can’t remember without scribbling on his pad. Brokaw had to repeat the question about whether health care is a right, privilege, or responsibiliy, which McCain had to write down before he could answer.
Sarah Palin is thinking how wonderful the bear skin will look in the oval office when McCain gives up the ghost.
Report thisBy Carol A., October 8, 2008 at 11:54 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Most of the Conservative pundits are hanging their heads in disappointment this morning. They were counting on blood sport last night, salivating for sleazy, vicious personal attacks, and McCain lacked the courage or the stomach to come through. The previous four days of smear had them primed to watch someone like attack dog Palin up there on the stage!
The debate format, which was supposed to favor McCain, was awful. Seeming as cranky and as old as McCain, the moderator did an awful job. We’d heard those same questions and their stump speech answers before. A more formal debate where the accusations were left at the door and the candidates had time to speak to specifics would have been much better. And where. pray tell, did they find that deadpan, no emotion audience?
Seeing both candidates, side-by-side, emphasized McCain’s age. Troll-like, he tottered around on the stage and “my friends’d” everyone to death. His retell of history, memories of Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt, and KGB, made him sound like my old grandpa- you listen politely but all the while you fidget, roll your eyes, sigh, and giggle under your breath. A huge part of his disconnect is that what seems relevent to McCain- the Cold War, Viet Nam, USSR, even Bill Ayers- is old history to voters under 60, ancient history to those under 40. It sounds like McCain is still fighting the wars of a generation ago- civil rights issues, women’s rights, and the draft vs. peaceniks battles of the 60s. After all, he filled the seat of Senator Barry Goldwater in Arizona.
Stick a fork in McCain; he’s done. He needs to call off the slimy personal attacks, finish the last 27 days with the honorable campaign he promised, and leave the election with some shred of personal integrity left.
Report thisBy hippy pam, October 8, 2008 at 9:00 am #
I CAN NOT GET THIS IMAGE OUT OF MY MIND….I woke up about 2:30 in the A.M.from a NIGHTMARE…......sarah palin in thigh high black leather stiletto heeled boots-12 foot bullwhip in hand-black bustier-STANDING OVER “JOHNNIE MC” SAYING “WHO’S YOUR DADDY”?....THE KICKER???????HE HAD THAT BIG SHIT EATIN’ GRIN SPREAD ALL OVER HIS FACE…..
Report thisBy Purple Girl, October 8, 2008 at 8:51 am #
Reason Mac steered away from Ayers..He was affiliated with an anti Communist Group who provided aid & comfort to the budding AQ and it’s leader Bin laden in the ‘80s.
Report thisToo Bad Obama let Mac’s recount of all those ‘Afghani Freedom fighters’ we gave aid to against the USSR in the ‘80’s.
I’m guessing Mac ‘Knows how to get Bin Laden’ because he knows Exactly which Palm island he lives On! If Mac is going to Chase Binny ‘to the Gates of Hell’, will he follow him through, or just stop and Call it good?Is there a Palm Island Called Hell- or is it just it’s nickname?
Of Course we need not go so far back to see Mac’s connection to Domestic Terrorist- need only look over his right shoulder at Phil Gramm- The ring leader of Economic Terrorist Who have toppled our Economic Security and Future. Bin Laden must be cheering Phil right along with DICK!
As For Sarah, her Seperationists hold very similar ideologies to the Michigan Militia (they hate the Feds too)And what did that mindset ‘Give’ US ...the Destruction of the OK Federal Building, it’s workers and the Children in the Daycare on the Main floor.So If Sarah want to build a Bridge from an 8 yrs old to a ‘60’s Radical, We WILL Build a Bridge from AK Separationist to Domestic Terrorism by their Ideological Twins the Michigan Militia.
For that matter We can build a bridge from her anti abortion stance right to those who Bombed Planned Parenthood Clinics and lite off a Pipe Bomb at the Atlanta Olympics and several MD assasinations.
Sarah would be best served to step down now and back away Quickly, Her running mate has found himself once AGAIN in the middle of what Ails Ameirca- on 3 fronts…The WallStreet Collapse, The Quagmire in Iraq and the Devasting effects of Hoarding Oil on OUR Economy.Keating to Phil Gramm. ‘Anthrax’ to the Purge. Big Tax Breaks for Oil Corps to Appeasing them with Off shore drilling. Mac’s goose is Cooked!
FYI Mac WE ARE NOT YOUR ‘FRIENDS’..WE ARE YOUR BOSSES (Your Judge , your Jury!)..so stop fucking winking at US!
By thebeerdoctor, October 8, 2008 at 8:50 am #
Yes Big B, Barry is going to have a very full plate, if and when he gets elected. Combine the real global politics with the outdated rhetoric, the war mongering mythology with the need for international peace, the realization that there are venal interests who want to maintain the status quo no matter what the cost to everyone else.
Report thisBarack Obama should consider what Rachel Maddow said about his Iraq policy: “He got it right in opposing the war, but his war policy stuff is bullshit. It’s total bullshit, and I’ve never been impressed by it. One or two brigades a month? You want your son to be in the last brigade?”
By Big B, October 8, 2008 at 8:23 am #
Barry has had more than ample opportunity to put his foot on the throat of the McCain campaign, to vanquish this old dinosaur once and for all. He has chosen the conservative, pragmatic route instead.
The time for pragmatism is not now!
While this sort of sit back and let the other guy hang himself strategy may work in this election year, it will hardly be the radical “New Deal” approach that Barry will need to take to turn the nation around. The next four years will be the most trying in recent american history, and Barry isn’t exactly making me beem with confidence.
But it could be worse, it could be McCain.
Once again we are forced to vote for the lesser of two evils.
Report thisBy thebeerdoctor, October 8, 2008 at 6:14 am #
John McCain has to make a silk purse out of a Sow’s ear. Unfortunately for him, events have swept aside his fictional biography and made it seem obsolete. Especially when it is now being reported that most 401-k portfolios have now lost at least 20% OF THEIR VALUE. That’s that economic instrument that until recently, was suppose to replace a pension. That privatization of Social Security that Senator McCain now pretends he never advocated.
Report thisAs everybody knows, I do not think much of Obama, but still I am definitely voting for him. Perhaps some of the hard core Obama supporters will turn him around on misguided policies. But considering the people he has advising him, I doubt that very much. Still, he has the intelligence and grace that just might provide some very badly needed reassurance that the ship will not completely sink. Providence is at thy rudder, B.H.O.
By cyrena, October 8, 2008 at 3:51 am #
Thank you Catherine. You said most of it..maybe ALL of it. I’m voting for the ‘other one’ too. (guess you guys already knew that
)
Indeed, the old rich couple go home, (can’t be so bothered with the rest of us…after all, it’s only OUR contributions that have kept this thing going for this long) while the ‘regular’ folks like Barack and Michelle hang around to talk about what matters to us all.
I too noticed the constant reference of McCain the dottering old fool (even mentioned to a family member that it would take less than a feather to blow his ass right out of dodge…come ON…the guy couldn’t even keep his physical balance, and we KNOW his mental capacity is already in the grave) to Lieberman. (along with Feingold on the campaign reform that is over a decade old, and that he no longer supports himself) That’s the best he has to offer??? Why no mention of Palin???? Because she’s an EMBARRASSMENT???
To be honest, I’m not so sure. I don’t think he’s even embarrassed about the selection of Palin, because that’s just how deep his arrogance and cynicism dwells. He doesn’t even GIVE A SHIT that he’s insulting every last one of us!!!! He honestly thinks we’re ALL that STUPID!!
I think we’ve got news for him..we are NOT!!!
Report thisBy Catherine, October 8, 2008 at 2:20 am #
I watched the second debate and thought John McCain looked like a dottering old grandfather. He kept recalling (are we surprised?)the past, referencing Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and the KGB…He really had to struggle not to slip up and say the ‘M” word. Oh, he wanted to in the worst way but with his pal Sarah singing that song over and over again, I guess Johnny decided he’d better let it go.
OR did he forget that Joe Lieberman isn’t his running mate? McCain mentioned Lieberman several times and never said Palin’s name that I heard.
I thought it was also very revealing of McCain’s overall disdain for the middle class in that McCain and his wife did not linger to talk following the debate. Obama and his wife were mixing and mingling, smiling, and talking to the audience, having their photos made with them, giving their autographs. That will make an impression in Tennessee. The old rich couple go home while the less fortunate hang around and have a good time.
It seems that McCain has also decided he’ll hide his face in shame under Sarah’s skirts (can you breathe, Johnny?) and let her do his dirty work “out in the field.”
Whatever, I’m still voting for “that one.”
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