What a bizarre, dark and totally involving show. I've been sucked in. It took me forever to remember that the lady that plays Peggy was the daughter from the West Wing. Old age I guess.
Mad Men.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Late Night Distraction
Analysis: Obama revels in contrasts with McCain
By Paddy
Bingo. All we/they have to do is keep this meme alive.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Barack Obama has found something that eluded him during the primary season - contrast.
And, he's basking in it.
"He will not bring change," Obama always asserts, rightly or wrongly, of rival Republican John McCain. "I will."
In McCain, the likely Democratic nominee faces an opponent who is the opposite of him in every way - an Iraq war backer who supports free-market economics, opposes abortion rights and is a Republican. Obama delights in pointing out the differences, and does so often.
The 2008 election is over: Bush may bring more Iraq troops home in September
By GottaLaff
I'm not exactly jumping up and down. At first I thought the Alcoholic In Chief might move some troops to Afghanistan, which actually is mentioned in the article. Then my mind went straight to Iran. Oh, but I'm such a Doubting Debbie. I should be all shiny and sunny and gullible and patriotically heartfelt:
The Bush administration is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September, according to administration and military officials, raising the prospect of a far more ambitious plan than expected only months ago. [...]Although no decision has been made, by the time President Bush leaves office on Jan. 20, at least one and as many as 3 of the 15 combat brigades now in Iraq could be withdrawn or at least scheduled for withdrawal, the officials said.
The desire to move more quickly reflects the view of many in the Pentagon who want to ease the strain on the military but also to free more troops for Afghanistan and potentially other missions.
The "potentially other missions" is what has me nervous. Want to know what has me angry? This:
The most optimistic course of events would still leave 120,000 to 130,000 American troops in Iraq, down from the peak of 170,000 late last year after Mr. Bush ordered what became known as the “surge” of additional forces. Any troop reductions announced in the heat of the presidential election could blur the sharp differences between the candidates, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, over how long to stay in Iraq. But the political benefit might go more to Mr. McCain than Mr. Obama. Mr. McCain is an avid supporter of the current strategy in Iraq. Any reduction would indicate that that strategy has worked and could defuse antiwar sentiment among voters.So, so many things wrong with that paragraph. Let's review them together, shall we?
One: 120,000? Those were the same troop levels we had in 2005, and that's if Bush pulls the maximum, most "optimistic" number out. His Big Move is to Iraq as progress is to Michael Jackson's moonwalk (see video).
Two: The "surge" (read: escalation) worked? When did that happen? It is not worth the time it takes to type out the reasons it hasn't.
Three: The Big Move would blur the differences between McBush and Obama? Who of the two supported the invasion? Who still does? What were the consequences? You can't blur that.
Four: The strategy worked? See "One" and "Two". And 4118.
If the withdrawals continued at the same pace, roughly one every 45 days, three more brigades could leave Iraq by the end of Mr. Bush’s presidency.Why is that ringing a bell? Oh. I know. Barack Obama, July 3, 2008:
"There is no contradiction of wanting to bring home 1-2 brigades per month and what [I am] saying now."But forget about Obama's crazy, unrealistic notion of bringing the troops home in a safe and orderly way. It's superfluous now. If Bush withdraws his 1-3 brigades in September, then the election is over. John Sidney wins. We can all stay home in November.
FedEx reaches out to overseas voters. Advantage: Obama
By GottaLaff
Seeking to alleviate a top concern for overseas absentee voters, FedEx will team up with a voter participation group and ship ballots for free or at heavy discounts this fall, the company announced this week. [...]Could you all hang on just a minute while I try to pronounce Susan Dqoiuteqiweuqwe- Siweurqpeoui's name? I was going to put in a call to her and thank her, but I'm afraid this is a bit of a deterrent.
"The number one question we get around election time is: did my ballot arrive and did it get counted?" OVF President and CEO Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat told The Hill. Her organization has been dedicated to overseas voter registration and participation since 2005.
Hmmm, I wonder what BushCo can do to sabotage these efforts. Maybe infiltrate FedEx? I can't imagine anyone taking notice if Rove were to use his private e-mail account to intercept confirmations:
Maybe there will be an Executive Order to impose the all-new emergency Stop Overseas Voting Act! Just in time for Election 2008!Overseas voters will be able to print FedEx forms and request ballot pickups on OVF’s website. FedEx will send confirmation emails when votes are delivered, and voters will have access to FedEx tracking tools via OVF's site, allowing them to monitor their ballots' voyages.
That, OVF’s Dzieduszycka-Suinat says, will give overseas voters "a level of confidence that really isn't otherwise provided in this system."
Participation and satisfaction among overseas voters have been flagged as problems by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), an independent body created under the 2002 Help America Vote Act to review and guide federal election procedures.
EAC Chair Rosemary Rodriguez thinks the FedEx/OVF program could have a drastic impact, as slow mail is a top concern for overseas voters.
"If we can really get the word out it could be exponential," Rodriguez said. "It could really make a difference."
Standard mail often takes too long for ballots to be sent and returned in time, posing a significant obstacle to overseas votes being counted, Rodriguez added.
Hmm, and I wonder which candidate would benefit...
The program comes at a time when overseas interest in the U.S. election, particularly among civilian ex-pats, could be at an all-time high. The Washington Post documented unprecedented interest in Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) among Americans overseas, and a Global Primary for overseas Democrats drew 20,000 votes, with Obama raking in 65 percent.Overseas voters will be able to ship their ballots at the lowered rates between September 15 and October 29. Alabama will be the only state not to participate, as it requires overseas ballots to be sent via U.S. mail.
Well shut my mouth and call me Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat! Overseas voters are expected to benefit Obama. I can't foresee any problems with the FedExers' plan then. None at all. Oh, and about that Alabama:
The gap between John McCain and Barack Obama in Alabama has been cut nearly in half. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state finds McCain ahead 51% to 36%. Though McCain still has a solid advantage, his fifteen-point lead in the Yellowhammer State is down from the twenty-eight point lead he enjoyed last month. This is consistent with other polling in Republican leaning states showing Obama closing the gap since clinching the Democratic Presidential Nomination.
Everything should go swimmingly. After all:
At FedEx, we are passionate about sustainably connecting people and places and improving the quality of life around the world.And isn't that exactly what the Bush administration stands for?
John Sidney McMinus 300 Economists
By GottaLaff
It's now clear that a good number of the 300 economists who "endorsed" John McCain's economic policies did no such thing. Many see a conflict between the costs of an extended war and McCain's promises back home; others didn't bother to read the specifics of what they were asked to sign.It's just one embarrassing McFiasco after another. I look forward to the next
John Sidney McCain vs. The Librarian, Part Two
By GottaLaff
Where is the statement from McCain's staff in this story? And why did it take the Secret Service two days to claim they had nothing to do with my ouster? Also, the part about the security guard had me smiling. The DCPA's Suzanne Blandon seems to be saying that because he is not "a trained speaker," and because it was "the height of the moment," the words "Secret Service" just popped out of his mouth. Huh. [...]
Many of you have been inquiring about the status of legal proceedings. Colorado ACLU has deputized two attorneys to handle my case: criminal defense lawyer Pete Hedeen will take care of the trespassing charge. I will not pay a fine, I will not accept diversion. That leaves two options: dropped charges, or going to trial. After that is resolved, David Lane will proceed civilly.Carol Kreck is a librarian and former Denver Post reporter who lives in Colorado.
I hope she throws the book at him. Pun intended.
H/t: ClancyPants for the link to the tee shirt photo
527 reasons why election season drives us crazy
By GottaLaff
Maybe, just maybe, a bunch of delegates to the Democratic Convention in Denver will change their minds at the last minute. Maybe there is an outside chance that between now and the last week of August a critical mass will decide that Barack Obama is not their guy -- that, to the surprise of one and all, Hillary Rodham Clinton is to be the 2008 nominee after all.
That is the thinking behind a small but determined band of Hillary backers, some of whom have formed a 527 fundraising committee that has already run one $9,700 ad in the Chicago Tribune, and plans more in the weeks to come.
But they're just exercising their rights. Hey, it's a free country! They should be able to do whatever they can to get Hillary nominated!
You do know I'm kidding, right?
The Denver Group: Keeping the Democratic Party democratic. The ad:
"Senator Clinton's name must be put in nomination. Her supporters must be allowed to make speeches on her behalf of her candidacy. There must be an honest roll call vote, not a symbolic one, so superdelegates can cast their votes honestly, for either candidate, as their judgment, conscience and democratic principles dictate."Color me crazy, but I could have sworn the votes were in, the superdelegates were declaring for Obama in droves, and we could actually, you know, move on.
Feldman argued that it is entirely conceivable that an open vote could produce a Clinton victory.It's also entirely conceivable that I could reach for a fork and poke myself in the eye.
Bush/McCain Economy 101
By GottaLaff
Tomorrow's lesson: How to pack for a gas tax vacation.Protected by Washington, Fannie and Freddie Grew
Helped along by robust lobbying efforts, the imperiled mortgage finance companies resisted stronger oversight as they expanded.
John Sidney McGaffe
By GottaLaff
Republican presidential candidate John McCain let his tongue get the best of him at a town hall meeting Friday, revealing what critics would say is the true effect of opening US coastlines to drilling he now supports after years of opposing."I'll do everything in my power to get those offshore reserves exploited ... um, er, explored, discovered and um..." McCain said, drawing some knowing chuckles from the largely Republican audience.
He had to stop and collect his thoughts. Already he had been answering a woman's question about lowering gas prices for nearly two minutes -- squeezing in a joke about France in the process -- and he seemed flustered.
Thoughts gathered, he continued. The oil reserves around coastal states like Florida would be "explored and exploited and we will send the message ... all over the world that the United States is on the road to becoming independent from foreign oil." (emphasis his)
I'd provide the video, but I can't upload it since I still don't have my own program-rich computer back from Mr. Fix-It yet. However, I plan on putting together a bran new snarky video of my own of J Sid as soon as I can. Stay tuned....
Florida registration: "Huge swing" towards Democrats
By GottaLaff
More than twice as many Democrats than Republicans registering in Broward County? Oh yeah!
What's that? There's more? Over six times as many Democrats statewide? Weeeeeeeeee!
What's that? There's more? Over six times as many Democrats statewide? Weeeeeeeeee!
Sun-Sentinel: Through May Democratic voter registration in Broward County is up 6.7% compared to GOP registrations, which grew 3%.If we could pull off Florida this time around, it would be so suh-weet.
Democrats have posted even greater gains statewide, up 106,508 voters from January through May, compared with 16,686 for the Republicans.
Odds of Israeli strike on Iran before Jan. 2009: "Slightly above 50-50"
By GottaLaff
Simultaneously wringing my hands and typing is not easy:
While Israeli national security experts say that Israel would not act without coordinating with the US, and there are other significant factors weighing against prospective Israeli military action on Iran before the Bush term ends, there are also emerging differences between the US and Israel on the accepted intelligence over when Iran would be considered to have a nuclear breakthrough, as well as what would constitute a "redline" that would prompt military action, Washington analysts say.But let's not talk about this on the Big TeeVee Broadcasts. The new iPhone, now that's news.
In addition, the US, unlike Israel, feels more deeply constrained by the considerable investment it has made in blood and treasure in stabilizing Iraq, which could be risked by the tumult that could follow military action on Iran. "My sense is the Pentagon would be worried or opposed to an Israeli attack," says David Wurmser, former Middle East adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, who left the White House job late last summer. [...]
US sources who did not wish to be identified describe a disagreement between the US and Israeli intelligence communities over the timetable of Iran's alleged weaponization and research and development efforts. [...] The Israelis allegedly presented the US with Iranian weaponization evidence that they consider very credible, which the US intelligence community allegedly did not consider credible. [...]"Even beyond the question of whether McCain or Obama wins, the Israelis are afraid that no new administration is really going to be able to get its act together quickly to be able to mobilize a plan and do something," Wurmser said.
Wurmser put the odds of Israel striking Iran before Bush leaves office at "slightly, slightly above 50-50."
Let's not bother him then
By GottaLaff
The former presidential candidate tells Radio Iowa while promoting his book that he hasn’t been asked for vetting materials and doesn’t think the McCain camp would ask him to be No. 2.
“It’s pretty clearly obvious that what I’m doing — I’m not sitting around waiting on the phone to ring and right now it would really mess up a lot of things I have going,” he laughs.
Pardon the intrusion then. We'll see ourselves out.
Obama/Hillary Ticket Saga: Part Ad Nauseum
By GottaLaff
Barack Obama told a potential donor to his campaign that Hillary Rodham Clinton is on his list of possible vice presidential running mates, but that her husband's status as a former president makes matters "complicated."
- We've heard this before. It's an old story. It's a story that's old. Enough already.
- Obama isn't about to publicly reject her.
- His campaign has made it clear she's not exactly his first choice. How many times does Obama have to repeat the same response to the same question?
- He'd lose some support from Hillary voters if he came right out and excluded her, especially now.
- He's already said he will not divulge any definitive information until he's good and ready.
- Bill Clinton.
- See Number 1.
Quick Saturday Morning Link List
By Paddy
A few things I don't want to write about but you might want to read about.
Heinz drops the 'baked' from it's iconic beans brand
Budget Deficit Twice as Big as Last Year's
100 New Book Classics: The Top 25
Front of U.S. Capitol Closed Off After 30 Fowl Found Dead (warning- Fox link)
Irish eyes are roving, to beers other than Guinness
Ex-Diplomat Sentenced for Anti-Arab Threats
Disingenuous Headline Of The Year
By Paddy
I shouldn't get this angry this early in the morning. I worked on and off for a few years in market research and I could have told you that the Newsweek Poll that showed Obama with the huge lead last week was a total statistical fluke made up of the end of primary bump and the reluctance of people to self identify as Republicans. When you do a poll, you're given a finite time to conduct it in, quotas in male and female age groups and (in political polls) quotas of political parties. You can't always fulfill all the quotas, and as such the poll is noted with the deficit. Last week's poll was weighted towards Democrats because they couldn't find enough people to self identify as Republicans.
Now obviously the Republicans have come back from their summer homes in the Hamptons and are answering their phones. There is no "loss of momentum", and believe me, McCain is not gaining traction. He can barely traction through his own votes.
Poll Shows Obama Losing Momentum
The latest Newsweek poll shows Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain by just 3 percentage points, 44% to 41%. The statistical dead heat is a marked change from last month's survey, where Obama led McCain by 15 points, 51% to 36%.
"But perhaps most puzzling is how McCain could have gained traction in the past month. To date, direct engagement with Obama has not seemed to favor the GOP nominee. McCain has announced major initiatives on energy and the economy but failed to dominate the conversation on those issues. Last week's shake-up of the campaign's senior management did little to halt calls from Republicans for a major overhaul in McCain's message. Nor did it quell the lingering suspicion among Republicans that 2008 is simply destined to be a Democratic year."
But none of these realities will keep the cable talking heads from clucking their tongues and yakking it up over "Loss Of Glow" or the right wing talkers from ignoring their own protests last week over the poll to claim the same.
**NOTE** And like clockwork I can hear Pat Buchanan in the other room wailing about Obama's "failure to seal the deal" and "A loss of 12 points in one week? Something is very wrong". Sigh.
My Concept Of Hell
By Paddy
World’s longest jam session under way
Swedish musicians are trying to set a new Guinness World Record for the world’s longest jam session, Svenska Dagbladet reports.
A marathon jazz improvisation featuring over one hundred musicians started Friday afternoon at the Clarion Hotel in Stockholm.
The Swedes intend to continue playing for five full days, until the Stockholm Jazz Festival kicks off on the afternoon of July 16. This should easily beat the current record of two days and 10 minutes.
There can be no silent seconds or minutes during the “jazzathon” if it is to be officially recognized. That shouldn’t be difficult to establish, since the entire event is being streamed live at www.stockholmjazzathon.com.
Research 2000: Obama Leads in Missouri
By Paddy
Numbers never lie.... or something.
A new Research 2000 survey in Missouri finds Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain, 48% to 43% with 9% undecided.
Bernie Mac makes off-color joke at Obama event
By Paddy
Oh Noes!!! A comedian known for off color jokes made an off color joke? What will happen next? Blues singers singing the blues? Modern dance dancers dancing modern dance? Sheesh. I await the kerning to begin for Obama to condemn/reject/renounce Mr "Also Black" Mac.
CHICAGO—Comedian Bernie Mac endured some heckling and a campaign rebuke during a surprise appearance Friday night at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Toward the end of a 10-minute standup routine at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago, the 50-year-old star of "The Bernie Mac Show" joked about menopause, sexual infidelity and promiscuity, and used occasional crude language.
Tony Snow 1955-2008
By Paddy
Condolences to his family and friends.
WASHINGTON - Tony Snow, a conservative writer and commentator who cheerfully sparred with reporters in the White House briefing room during a stint as President Bush’s press secretary, has died of colon cancer, Fox News reported Saturday. Snow was 53 years old.
Snow, who served as the first host of the television news program “Fox News Sunday” from 1996 to 2003, would later say that in the Bush administration he was enjoying “the most exciting, intellectually aerobic job I’m ever going to have.”
Friday, July 11, 2008
The humiliation of George W. Bush
By GottaLaff
I meant to post this earlier today, but forgot, probably because I couldn't bear to think about it:
What a card. What a freaking laugh riot. Wow, poking fun at the very preventable cause of illness, destruction, and death. Why, that's almost as funny as when he made this joke about his failure to find WMD.George W. Bush ended his time at the G8 summit, the last that he will attend as U.S. presidency, with the following statement.
Goodbye from the world's biggest polluter.
According to the Telegraph reporting,
He then punched the air while grinning widely, as the rest of those present including Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy looked on in shock.
It is impressive that, after all these years of idiocy and bad policy making, that George W Bush is able to shock me as well.
And, it wasn't only national leaders who were in shock:
Nothing surprises me about that contemptible excuse for a human being any more. Check that: He's beneath contempt.One official who witnessed the extraordinary scene said afterwards: "Everyone was very surprised that he was making a joke about America's record on pollution."
Why liberals should donate to Barack Obama
By GottaLaff
Comment A:
So far the guy is turning out to be pro-spying, pro-gun, pro-death penalty in non-homicide cases, and an even bigger pro-Likud hawk than Hillary Clinton.
A liberal like me should be excited to send him money why, exactly?
Comment B, in response:
Health CareThis concludes the TPM comment portion of this post. Thank you.
Iraq
Education
College Affordability
Economy
Disability Issues (I'm deaf, and I would suffer under a McCain administration)
Environment
Global Warming
Family Leave
Global Market Competition
Highway Infrastructure
Mass Transit
Quality of Life
John Sidney McTicket
By GottaLaff
CBS has a rundown of possible John Sidney McCain running mates. I've only included the summaries for 3, but you can go here and see all of them.
 1 |  | Mitt Romney | Bio The former Massachusetts governor has emerged as the heavy favorite to be McCain's running mate. While there are some concerns the former rivals wouldn't get along, that may not matter and Romney brings some bona fide advantages to the ticket, especially in raising money and ability to compete in Michigan. Added to that is that Romney has been an effective surrogate for McCain at fundraisers and on cable TV. |
 2 |  | Tim Pawlenty | Bio The Minnesota governor appeared with McCain yesterday where the candidate called him "a wonderful friend and a great leader." But Pawlenty also told reporters that he had not been asked for information from the campaign. "I'm not aware that I'm under consideration," he said. That doesn't mean he won't be asked in the future, but for now the buzz is with Romney. |
Charlie Crist | Bio 
Rob Portman | Bio 
John Thune | Bio 
Bobby Jindal | Bio 
Tom Ridge | Bio 
Mark Sanford | Bio 
Sarah Palin | Bio And number 10.... ::drum roll::....
| 10 |  | Joe Lieberman | Bio Al Gore's running mate has become McCain's "bipartisan wingman" as he continues to be a key surrogate on the trail and joined him last week in Colombia and Mexico. But while the two senators are obviously of one mind on foreign policy, would the rank-and-file accept his positions on domestic matters? As Harry Reid pointed out to The Hill yesterday, "Anytime we have a problem here, with the exception of Iraq, Joe Lieberman's with us." |
On the outside looking in: Haley Barbour, Michael Bloomberg, Chris Cox, Carly Fiorino, Rudy Giuliani, Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, Jon Huntsman, Kay Bailey Hutchison, David Petraeus, Condoleezza Rice, J.C. Watts, Meg Whitman
Lessons Barack Obama taught me
By GottaLaff
Let's review.
People speak. They often speak in different languages... especially if they're not from the United States. They often come here to live. We live together in the same country. We need to speak to each other. Communication is important.
Very good. So:
Lesson: It is helpful to learn each other's languages.
Lesson: Learning another language takes skill.
Lesson: Skills can be taught.
Lesson: Skills can be learned.
Lesson: Foreign language skills are a good thing.
Lesson: Knowledge is a good thing.
Lesson: That's what Barack Obama is saying.
Lesson: What Barack Obama is saying is wise.
Lesson: Fear of other languages or those who are different from you is ludicrous.
Lesson: Listen to Obama and ignore quivering, ethnocentric, intolerant, xenophobic, insular little people.
Thank you.
Barack Obama on Fareed Zakaria's GPS this Sunday
By GottaLaff
ObamAlert!
This week on
An exclusive interview. Senator Barack Obama answers the tough questions on the world's greatest crises, from Iraq to Afghanistan, from Israel to Iran. Don’t miss what promises to be one of the best interviews of the year!
GPS, CNN Sunday at 1pm ET.
What pundits should be discussing instead of "who won the week": Bank meltdown
By GottaLaff
This can't end well:
H/t: Commenter Jack
UPDATE:
The federal government said it took control of troubled IndyMac Bank today, in what regulators called the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history.Um, yikes.
The Office of Thrift Supervision in Washington, the chief regulator of Pasadena-based IndyMac, said it transferred control of the $32-billion bank to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. [...]Eek.
IndyMac's failure had been widely expected in recent days, as its stock has plummeted to mere pennies a share and some nervous depositors have been pulling their funds.
The bank has been reeling from losses on defaulted mortgages made at the height of the housing boom.
"The OTS has determined that the current institution, IndyMac Bank, is unlikely to be able to meet continued depositors' demands in the normal course of business and is therefore in an unsafe and unsound condition," the agency said in a statement.Help.
H/t: Commenter Jack
UPDATE:
March 25, 2008H/t: Commenter EveSAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. plans to add about 140 workers to its bank failure division in coming months, an increase of 60%, to handle an anticipated rise of troubled banks, The Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing comments made by the FDIC's chief operating officer. "We want to make sure that we're prepared," FDIC COO John Bovenzi told the AP. There are about 76 banks on the FDIC's "problem institutions," the AP reported.
John Sidney McEconomic's trusted friend
By GottaLaff
From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell: Republican sources say they do not expect the McCain campaign to "strip" Phil Gramm of his "volunteer designation" as a co chair with the McCain campaign. At least not now.Oh, so he's still around. He just won't be visible. Or audible. He'll be our very own little "mental recession".
However, other surrogates on economic policy will be "driving the policy" for McCain, sources said. Already prominent business executives Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina along with former Congressional Budget Office head Doug Holz-Eakin will speak on these issues and deal with reporters.
Gnarly Carly is another perfect choice to advise McNoExpert on these things.
Hewlett-Packard Co. Chairman and CEO Carly Fiorina, one of the most powerful women in corporate America, is leaving the troubled computer maker after being forced out by the company's board. [...] "The stock is up a bit on the fact that nobody liked Carly's leadership all that much," said Robert Cihra, an analyst with Fulcrum Global Partners. "The Street had lost all faith in her and the market's hope is that anyone will be better."
Yep, she should do nicely.
Gramm will not have a public role, but remains a "trusted friend of the campaign."I often keep my trusted friends under wraps. It demonstrates the confidence and pride I have in them. This helps to explain why McCain treated his first wife the way he did. Out of sight, out of mind.
Roll Call Report Card: John Sidney McCain gets an F
By GottaLaff
Roll Call Report Card
John Sidney McCain's attendance:
Barack Obama's attendance:
With the Senate grinding on this week to a long, painful finish, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saw it fit today to take presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain to task for failing to show up for tough votes -- or any votes -- even as his Democratic opponent has been leaving the campaign trail to attend to Senate business.McCain has not voted in the Senate since April 8.
"I should mention how glad my fellow Democrats and I were to have our nominee for president here to vote on these important bills. Senator Obama has come to work and taken tough stands. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Senator McCain," Reid groused. "Perhaps taking tough stands on important issues is not part of Senator McCain's campaign strategy. Perhaps he's just too busy on the campaign trail to do his day job."
Obama left the campaign trail this week to vote in favor of warrantless wiretapping legislation he was roundly criticized for supporting, and for legislation preventing a cut in physician reimbursements from Medicare. McCain expressed his opinion -- in favor of the former, against the latter -- but did not cast a ballot.
I've posted about this before, but it's gotten worse. J Sid is the No. 1 absentee in the Senate (number two was Tim Johnson, who has been recovering from a brain hemorrhage). Worst presidential candidate ever.
Shallow Thoughts: Election coverage edition
By GottaLaff
Who Won The Week?How about, "How will the candidates deal with the issues"?
New Obama Radio Ad Hits McCain As "Shameful" For "Makin' Stuff Up"
By Paddy
Boom. The Obama campaign responds to the above ad. The "George Bush all over again" is just lethal. Via TPM.
MAN: Oh man - he's starting already...
WOMAN: What now, honey?
MAN: John McCain. He's got new ads attacking Barack Obama on taxes.
WOMAN: Well, that's not new. Bush, McCain, Karl Rove - that's how those guys work.
MAN: Oh yeah, but this is shameful. He's just makin' stuff up.
WOMAN: Yeah?
MAN: But get this. Independent sources are putting McCain in his place. I went to FactCheck dot org. They said quote "it's not true."
WOMAN: Huh.
MAN: And look what Time says. Quote, "It makes sense that McCain is returning to the old playbook. But that doesn't mean he can just make up his own facts." End Quote.
WOMAN: Yowza! So what's the truth?
MAN: Obama's plan cuts taxes on the middle class - and won't raise taxes on anybody making less than two hundred fifty thousand a year. But McCain wants billions in new corporate tax breaks...and no way to pay for it.
WOMAN: Hmm. Sounds like George Bush all over again.
MAN: Guess that's why they say: John McCain - McSame as Bush!
WOMAN: Uh-huh.
Voiceover: On taxes, get the facts. Visit BarackObama.com
Obama: I'm Barack Obama, candidate for President, and I approve this message.
Update- I just got an email from Fact Check on this exact topic- you can read their rebuttal of McCain's lies here.
Obama Has Huge Lead In Wisconsin
By Paddy
Gotta have those afternoon numbers.
The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Wisconsin shows Barack Obama earning 50% of the vote while John McCain attracts support from 39%. This is a big improvement for Obama who held a statistically insignificant two point lead in the state a month ago. Last month’s poll was taken just before Hillary Clinton dropped out of the race. When “leaners” are included in the current totals, it’s Obama 52% and McCain 42%.
Chuck Hagel Going To Iraq With Obama?
By Paddy
Tongues will wag. I'm thinking it's much more a show of bipartisanship than a test run for veep.
The Wall Street Journal reports: "The buzz this week that Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is planning to join Sen. Barack Obama on an up-coming visit to Iraq is correct, two sources with knowledge of the trip confirmed Friday.
"While it is standard practice for such trips—known as CODELS, or congressional delegations—to be bipartisan, in this highly charged election year it is likely to raise eyebrows that the retiring Nebraskan senator—a prominent Iraq War critic—is the Republican expected to join the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee on what is sure to be a closely watched visit to the region."
"We are not commenting on that," Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told First Read.
Quote of the Day
By Paddy
The man speaks the truth.
"We have no safe seats now."
-- Scott Bensing, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, quoted by the Kansas City Star.
Poll-itics: Muslim Obama who is really Christian Obama is actually Jewish Obama
By GottaLaff
The latest Pew Poll (in which Barack Obama leads John McCain 48-40) asks registered voters what religion they think Barack Obama is. Only 57% say that he's Christian. 12% say Muslim. Another 25% don't know. 1% say he's Jewish! (Must be that Aipac speech)Shhh, it's a secret, but I'm such a yenta, I just had to share. Next thing you know, Malia will be Bat Mitzvahed.
Oy vey.
H/t: Awesome Bob Cesca
Headlines: Iran, Iraq, Beijing
By GottaLaff
Iran missile tests seen more as theaterNow back to scouring for more stories while the Interwebs are still free.
'Iran is ready for negotiation,' Iranian cleric says
Dog meat off the menu during Beijing Olympics
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Obama goes NASCAR
By GottaLaff
SI.com has learned that for the first time in history, a major presidential candidate may sponsor a race car in NASCAR's premier series. According to sources, Barack Obama's campaign is in talks to become the primary sponsor of BAM Racing's No. 49 Sprint Cup car for the Pocono race on August 3.I told you he was smart. Okay, you already knew he was. But I can gloat if I want to.
As of now, this is a one-race deal.
Racing sources claim one of the options being considered would allow individual campaign donors to get their name on the race car for as little as $100. Obama will also be present for a second private fundraiser on July 30 in Miami, in which team owners Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau -- staunch Republicans -- will give the Democrat an opportunity to spread his message of change. Randy Moss and Fergie are among the celebrities confirmed to be a part of that fundraiser in support of the candidate and his venture into NASCAR.Smaller donors are being encouraged again. Smart, smart, smart.
While George Bush was prominently featured on Kirk Shelmerdine's No. 72 car in '04, this is the first time a national presidential campaign has actually given its own money to make itself a primary sponsor of a race car. The sport has typically shown itself to be a Republican stronghold, a trend two-time champ Jimmie Johnson recently alluded to when he said he believed John McCain was the candidate of choice for most NASCAR fans this year.Not any more, Jimmie. Obama's in town.
Paddy adds- The McCain campaign just announced that Cindy McCain is going to participate in the Nashville Firestone 200 Indycar Race. Coincidence?
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