On a housekeeping note, you can always make a donation thru the PayPal button to the right. Also, if you are thinking of buying anything from Amazon, if you use the links over to the right (for all the books we know you've already bought), just using one of our links to buy anything gets us a couple pennies a transaction. Time to stock up for Christmas!!!
Pics via.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Happy Obama Pictures
The Robo Call Database. McCain vs. Obama: All Calls, All Sides, All Races
By GottaLaff
The only place on the internet to see all robo calls, from all sides, across the nation. Dirty tricks, push polls, you name it, we got it.H/t: Marc AmbinderThe National Political Do Not Contact Registry Robocall Database.
IWRC* Palin 2012? Not so much, say Republicans
By GottaLaff
If John McCain is not elected president, which one of the following three possible candidates would you be most likely to support for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012?She's already so scandal-ridden, the butt of so many jokes, and so ill-equipped to run for anything but the hills that she might want to consider starting a new career as a personal shopper for the next female candidate.Mitt Romney 35%
Mike Huckabee 26%
Sarah Palin 20%
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
Gramm-pa McCain's version of the "B Hoax" simply not credible
By GottaLaff
"If the incident turns out to be a hoax, Senator McCain’s quest for the presidency is over, forever linked to race-baiting."Our reporting did not find any direct evidence that the McCain campaign's national headquarters played a role pushing the story.
However, the national campaign has now come forward and lied about what happened in Pennsylvania. McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers has now told NBC that alleged quotes from the McCain campaign in early reports of the story were actually the product of "sloppy reporting" and that they were actually quotes from the Pittsburgh police.
This is simply not credible.
Initial reports specifically quote the McCain campaign. And at least two sources involved in the contemporaneous reporting have come forward and said on the record that the quotes came directly from the McCain campaign. To believe that two separate local news organizations made the identical mistake with the same quotes and are now both covering it up is simply not credible. But that is what Rogers is now claiming.
The McCain campaign's after-the-fact lie about its role in this hoax makes it essential that it provide a complete and honest account of both the local and national campaign's role. As I said above, we did not find direct evidence of the national McCain campaign pushing this story. But Gov. Palin did call Todd after the purported attack, as did Sen. McCain. And news of these calls was provided to the press.
The involvement of the candidates and specifically the release of such information -- which was clearly intended to bump up interest in the story -- shows some level of involvement by the national campaign.
Time to return some of those phone calls for a change, Grammps.
Colorado's Katherine Harris threatens the '08 Election
By GottaLaff
The story on the left describes [Secretary of State Mike] Coffman's efforts to invalidate roughly 5,000 registrations (depending on which source you ask). Here's the crux of what's going on:
"5,000 Coloradans whose voter status is in limbo because of [a] controversial check box...The registration form asks for a driver's license or state ID number. If applicants don't have that, they're supposed to check a box and then put down at least the last four digits of their Social Security numbers. But thousands of people didn't check the box. According to a policy adopted last year by Secretary of State Mike Coffman, these applications are supposed to be listed as incomplete...National and local voting-rights organizations criticize Coffman's policy, saying it violates other federal laws. They say Coffman is unfairly putting up barriers for people who are eligible to vote and want him to change his policy."The check box is "controversial" because you are asked to check it on the form if you don't "have" a driver's license or ID card. Here's what it looks like on the form (which you can download and see yourself here):
So, here's the thing - what's the definition of "have?" I may have one at my house or in my car, but not with me at the very moment I am filling out the registration form. [...]
And yet, if you made any of those logical choices - if you gave all the social security information required by law, but simply didn't check the box - Coffman is attempting to use that choice to potentially invalidate your registration and prevent you from voting.
[...] Thus, it isn't surprising that the Rocky Mountain News notes that "the largest number [of registrations affected by Coffman's edict] are Democrats, followed closely by unaffiliated voters," and "hundreds live in predominately minority neighborhoods in Denver and Aurora" (ie. traditionally Democratic constituencies).
Remember, Coffman is an up-and-coming Republican "star" - he's simultaneously Secretary of State and running to replace Colorado U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R). So he's not some nonpartisan election observer - as I said before, he's positioning himself to be Katherine Harris, who also went on to use her notoriety as an election thief to win a seat in Congress.
[...] But what we're seeing here in Colorado is a very public attempt to use Republican-controlled offices to potentially disenfranchise thousands and rig the election. Indeed, the Denver Post now reports that Coffman has asked his fellow Republican crony, state Attorney General John Suthers (R), to validate his moves with an official legal opinion so as to trip up potential pre- and post-election legal challenges to the disenfranchisement. This isn't a conspiracy theory - it's happening all right out in the open for everyone to see.It all adds up to the kind of coordinated Republican scheme we've seen in the last two elections. And once again, that scheme could throw a national election.
Remember Iraq?
By GottaLaff
Iraq's largest Sunni party said Saturday that it has suspended official contacts with American military personnel and civilians after the killing of a man near Fallujah. [...]How's that Surge working out for you, Gramm-pa McCain?The party said it "has decided to suspend all official contacts with the Americans, both military and civilians, until the party receives a reasonable explanation about what happened, along with an official apology."
It also demanded assurance those responsible would be punished, compensation for the victims and the release of the five detainees.
Supporters of the Iraqi Islamic Party rallied Saturday in Fallujah to protest the raid.
The IIP has been locked in a bitter rivalry with Sunni tribal leaders who joined forces with the United States against al-Qaida in Iraq in so-called Awakening Councils that started in Anbar and spread to other Sunni areas.
That has raised concerns that the political tensions could lead to new violence by disrupting the Sunni revolt, which is considered a key factor in recent security gains. [...]
Iraq's Cabinet decided Tuesday to ask the U.S. for changes to the draft agreement as key Shiite lawmakers warned the deal stands little chance of approval as it stands.
The decision also raised doubts that the agreement can be ratified before a new American president is elected next month.
Poll-itics: Gramm-pa McCain's another day older edition
By GottaLaff
Say the rhyme with me: I lerve Nate at FiveThirtyEight!
With fewer than ten days to go until the election, John McCain is another day older and deeper in the polls.:
It is hard to find any trend at all at the national level, although Barack Obama's position improved has incrementally in a couple of the national trackers. Indeed, our model now perceives that the popular vote has been flat for roughly the past two weeks. It seems almost as though voters made their collective decision after the second presidential debate on October 7 -- perhaps Obama's clearest win of the series -- and decided on behalf of the Democrat. [...]Older and deeper.
Obama, at least, does not look to be competitive in South Dakota or Arkansas. It will be very difficult for Obama to win more than about 397 electoral votes, which is where he'd end up if he wins all the states where we currently have him favored, plus North Dakota, Montana, Georgia, and Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Obama would have to win West Virginia to break the 400 barrier, and I don't see that happening; the other long shot is Arizona, which hasn't been polled in some time.
John McCain's win percentage is now 4.3 percent, down from 5.1 percent yesterday.
Poll-itics: Why-o-a are they in Iowa? edition
By GottaLaff
Why-o-a go to Iowa if you're Gramm-pa McCain or IWRC* Palin?
Beats me. But they are leading in Kentucky, 55% to Obama's 39%.Lee Enterprises Poll: Obama Way Ahead in Iowa
Sen. Barack Obama has extended his lead slightly to 15 points over Sen. John McCain in Iowa, 54% to 39%, according to a new Courier-Lee Enterprises poll.
Key finding: "Obama continued to lead among independent voters 57 to 36 percent, as well as with both men and women and every age group."
Key questions: Why is McCain campaigning in Iowa tomorrow? And why was Gov. Sarah Palin there today?
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
VIDEO-- What Gramm-pa McCain does when he's down: Smearage
By GottaLaff
How's that smear campaign been workin' for ya so far, Grammps?
That poll, among others, is why we're seeing this:
And if that's not scary and creepy and bad guyish enough, there's always the dreaded ::dun dun dun-n-n:: takeover:
Republican presidential nominee John McCain, trailing in the polls, raised the prospect on Saturday of a complete Democratic takeover of Washington as a reason to elect him over Democrat Barack Obama in 10 days. [...]"Senator Obama's tax increase would put even more people out of work," McCain said. "We've seen this before in other countries. It doesn't work. The answer to a strong economy is not higher taxes."But that is exactly what's going to happen if the Democrats have total control of Washington. We can't let that happen. Are you ready for Obama, Pelosi and Reid?" the Arizona senator said.
Hide the children!
Quote-O'-The-Moment: Gramm-pa McCain is taking the whole party down edition
By GottaLaff
Former Bush speechwriter David Frum: "There are many ways to lose a presidential election. John McCain is losing in a way that threatens to take the entire Republican Party down with him... I could pile up the poll numbers here, but frankly... it's too depressing. You have to go back to the Watergate era to see numbers quite so horrible for the GOP."November 5th won't be easy for Grammps.
Say Buh-Bye to Idiotic Republican Obama Birth Certificate Lawsuit
By GottaLaff
To all the Commenters who have been asking about it, that should finally put the matter to rest.A federal judge in Philadelphia last night threw out a complaint by a Montgomery County lawyer who claimed that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was not qualified to be president and that his name should be removed from the Nov. 4 ballot.
Philip J. Berg alleged in a complaint filed in federal district court on Aug. 21 against Obama, the Democratic National Committee and the Federal Election Commission, that Obama was born in Mombasa, Kenya.
Berg claimed that the Democratic presidential standardbearer is not even an American citizen but a citizen of Indonesia and therefore ineligible to be president.
He alleged that if Obama was permitted to run for president and subsequently found to be ineligible, he and other voters would be disenfranchised.
U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick had denied Berg’s request for a temporary restraining order on Aug. 22 but had not ruled on the merits of the suit until yesterday. [...]
In a 34-page memorandum and opinion, the judge said Berg’s allegations of harm were “too vague and too attenuated” to confer standing on him or any other voters.
Surrick ruled that Berg’s attempts to use certain laws to gain standing to pursue his claim that Obama was not a natural-born citizen were “frivolous and not worthy of discussion.”
The judge also said the harm Berg alleged did “not constitute an injury in fact” and Berg’s arguments to the contrary “ventured into the unreasonable.”
H/t: Chris
VIDEO: Joe Biden v. wingnut anchorwoman. Guess who wins...
By GottaLaff
The woman is Orlando WFT tv anchorwoman Barbara West. It is from October 23, 2008.
She asks Biden if Obama is a Marxist. She asks him if the plan is to turn the United States into Sweden.
Biden so disliked West's line of questioning that the Obama campaign canceled a WFTV interview with Jill Biden, the candidate's wife.That's our Joe!
"This cancellation is non-negotiable, and further opportunities for your station to interview with this campaign are unlikely, at best for the duration of the remaining days until the election," wrote Laura K. McGinnis, Central Florida communications director for the Obama campaign.
H/t: SeattleDan
The further misadventures of IWRC*: Palin Diss-Rogued
By GottaLaff
Now even the Republicans on her own team are dissing IWRC*, the Ambitious Rogue Candidate. I posted earlier about that here, but before I knew it, out came some more juicy tidbits, and it's all over the TeeVee Machine, too:
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
With 10 days until Election Day, long-brewing tensions between GOP vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and key aides to Sen. John McCain have become so intense, they are spilling out in public, sources say. [...]A second McCain source says she appears to be looking out for herself more than the McCain campaign.
"She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone," said this McCain adviser. "She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else.
"Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."
Stop the presses! She doesn't even trust... Piper? Or Willow? Or Bristol? Or Trig? Or Track? Or First Dude Guy TweedleTodd? A down-home family gal like her? That doesn't sound exactly Christian family valuey to me.
But back to crumbling Team Gramm-pa. They lamented a lot that they held her back, because she was unprepared and needed more time, see, because, see, "she was not ready and that the missteps could have been a lot worse. They insisted that she needed time to be briefed on national and international issues and on McCain's record."
If she was "not ready" for a few basic questions, then how can they possibly claim she's ready to lead the entire country?
The worstest of the worst, by the worst, and for the worst. It can't get much worse than that.Yet another senior McCain adviser lamented the public recriminations.
"This is what happens with a campaign that's behind; it brings out the worst in people, finger-pointing and scapegoating," this senior adviser said.
"She's no longer playing for 2008; she's playing 2012," Democratic pollster Peter Hart said. "And the difficulty is, when she went on 'Saturday Night Live,' she became a reinforcement of her caricature. She never allowed herself to be vetted, and at the end of the day, voters turned against her both in terms of qualifications and personally."If IWRC has provided us with that kind of track record already, then by 2012, we'll have volumes.
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
Second IWRC* Palin Troopergate Investigation Moving Quickly
By GottaLaff
IWRC* has a habit of saying things that, on their face, make her sound better than she is. This seems to be one of those attempted betterisms. But she's not fooling anyone this time.Yesterday, Sarah Palin gave her deposition to the second Troopergate independent investigator, Tim Petumenos. Petumenos flew out of Alaska to question Palin on the campaign trail in St. Louis. The details are scant, but we do know a few:
- The deposition took two hours.
- Petumenos told Palin he was moving quickly, but couldn’t say whether the investigation would be complete before Election Day.
- Palin wants to make the transcript of her interview public.
“I am so pleased to finally have gotten the chance to tell what really happened and get the truth out,” Palin said in a statement released by her attorney, Thomas Van Flein. ”It was the right thing to do to bring this before the Personnel Board and have a true arms length unbiased and apolitical investigator look into this.”
I have a hunch that Petumenos will have nothing to do with that last request, for two reasons. First, although Palin herself has waived her right of confidentiality, other members of her staff have not. So it would be difficult, if not impossible, to tease out the information that has only to do with Palin and nobody else.
Second, I think Petumenos will realize that the release of her deposition would make the whole thing look political, which is the LAST thing that Palin wants. Right?
We all know that if Palin really wants this “out there,” all she has to do is hold a press conference. I doubt that reporters will come up with any questions that Petumenos didn’t. Nothing is stopping her. So, why doesn’t she do it? Because she doesn’t want to. One independent investigation has already found Palin guilty of an ethics violation. Branchflower and Petumenos are both highly respected men, known for their professionalism, and thorough unbiased work. All of Branchflower’s work was turned over by request to Petumenos for use in his own work. It would be stunning if the second investigation found anything different.
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
An undecided Republican couple sours on Gramm-pa McCain
By GottaLaff
Audra and Sam Kochansky decided to come to John McCain's rally at the New Mexico state fairgrounds today "to hear what they're going to do for us." But they weren't happy with what they heard."More of the same," said Audra Kochansky of McCain's remarks.
"This is saber-rattling," said her husband, Sam.
Although these may sound like Democratic talking points, the married pair of nurse anesthetists are lifelong Republicans, but they consider themselves undecided in this election.
Mr. Kochansky, who describes himself as a "diehard Republican who's registered independent," says that Republicans disheartened after eight years of the Bush Administration have been left with an unsavory choice. "I'm trying to make a decision," he said. "That's not the way the Republican Party should have conducted itself." [...]
"Bush has been very disappointing and I thought maybe there was some hope in McCain but quite frankly it's the same saber rattling, just a different century, and it's disappointing," said Mr. Kochansky. "I want to hear about what he can do for us middle class people. I want specific ideas. I want some specificity to a political plan. Right now it's more negative. It's what Obama's going to do to us but not what he's telling us. He votes for this package for the congressional bailout but then he blames the Democrats."
This is obviously a very perceptive, astute, intelligent couple.
The pair also said they were surprised that the turnout for today's event, attended by less than a thousand people, was so small.Are you surprised? I'm not surprised. Why are they surprised? No surprise here. Nope. None.
Yep. A wise, reasonable, perceptive, disappointed couple."Just from talking with our neighbors and such it's we're tired of the last eight years and even though McCain says he's not Bush, take a look around you," he said. "It's still the Republican Party, and unfortunately my Republican Party is still the last eight years and that's very disappointing to me." [...]
But would they consider voting for Obama?
"We've had eight years of saber rattling," Mr. Kochansky said. "It's time to move on, and so if Obama comes down the pike and says 'I have hope for America and this is what it's all about,' yeah, I'll vote for Obama."
Mrs. Kochansky agreed.
VIDEO: Gramm-pa McCain Florida staff member threatens interviewer
By GottaLaff
From the Things Gramm-pa's Campaign Don't Want You to See Dep't:
The real fun starts at 4:20. And why is it that Gramm-pa's paid volunteers must sign a "confidentiality agreement"?
Another AP investigation: IWRC* Palin's Big Important Pipeline
By GottaLaff
 |
| ADVANCE FOR OCTOBER 26; map locates TransCanada proposed pipeline project that will run from Alaska to Alberta, Canada; |
Poor perky Palin's pitiful, problematic pipeline pipe-dream plunges precipitously, proving her propensity for predicaments:
Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment - a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48 - emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows.Problem.
Beginning at the Republican National Convention in August, the McCain-Palin ticket has touted the pipeline as an example of how it would help America achieve energy independence.
"We're building a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline, which is North America's largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever, to flow those sources of energy into hungry markets," Palin said during the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate.
Despite Palin's boast of a smart and fair bidding process, the AP found that her team crafted terms that favored only a few independent pipeline companies and ultimately benefited the winner, TransCanada Corp.
Predictable.
And contrary to the ballyhoo, there's no guarantee the pipeline will ever be built; at a minimum, any project is years away, as TransCanada must first overcome major financial and regulatory hurdles.Picky, picky, picky.
The leader of Palin's pipeline team had been a partner at a lobbying firm where she worked on behalf of a TransCanada subsidiary. Also, that woman's former business partner at the lobbying firm was TransCanada's lead private lobbyist on the pipeline deal, interacting with legislators in the weeks before the vote to grant TransCanada the contract. Plus, a former TransCanada executive served as an outside consultant to Palin's pipeline team.Painful.
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
Obama makes personal condolence call to campaign worker's widow
By GottaLaff
Susan Swensen of Sparks holds a photo of her husband Dewey, who died Saturday, Oct. 18, while campaigning for Barack Obama.
(By Tim Dunn/RGJ)
Once again, Barack Obama shows what a mensch he is. I can't imagine Gramm-pa McCain doing this, or at least, doing it convincingly. From the Reno Gazette-Journal:The widow of a Sparks man who died while campaigning door-to-door for Barack Obama last weekend received a personal phone call from the Democratic presidential nominee expressing his condolences.Flowers, a call... Obama has proved that he's not only smart and capable, but sensitive and compassionate. His warm, caring (mutual) bond with his supporters is a far cry from the erratic, confused, and more recently, hostile attitude that the McCain campaign exudes.
Edmond Dewey Swensen, known as Dewey, was campaigning in Sparks on Oct. 18 when he suffered a massive heart attack and died, his wife Susan Swensen said Friday.
In addition to speaking to Obama, Susan Swensen said she also received flowers from him and has VIP seats for his campaign appearance in Reno today.
She said her husband, 64, had been campaigning for Obama for just four days but that it had changed him.There it is. That's the effect Obama has on people. Not loud shrieks of hatred. Far from it. Barack Obama elicits positive energy and a sense of purpose to change things for the better.
“It was like he had a complete purpose,” she said.
When Obama called her on Monday, Susan Swensen said she didn’t answer the phone because she didn’t recognize the number, but called back and spoke to Obama directly.Bush bragged about being a "compassionate conservative" while bombing Iraq to smithereens and shredding our Constitutional rights; Grammps insists that Obama's part of some terrorist plot and has run the most negative smear campaign imaginable.
He’d also left a message on her voicemail to offer his condolences and express his gratitude for Dewey Swensen’s campaign efforts.
“I’m so sorry for your loss and so grateful to you and Dewey for volunteering for the campaign,” Obama said in the message. “Obviously it’s a heartbreaking situation, but I just wanted to you to know I was thinking about you and praying for you and I hope all the great memories that I’m sure you must have tide you through these difficult times.”
In telling her story to friends and family members this week, she said people have been moved by Obama’s compassion.
“Of all these thousands of people ... he took the time to call me. Me,” she said.
Swensen, 64, grew up in Oakland, Calif., and worked for General Motors for 42 years until retiring in 2006.
When Swensen decided to canvass for Obama, it gave him a new energy and excitement, Susan Swensen said.
Barack Obama makes condolence calls, sends flowers, and speaks of hope and change.
H/t: One of our Anonymi
The Barack and Bill show! Now with Bonus Obama Baby Photo!
By GottaLaff
Former President Bill Clinton and Senator Barack Obama will appear together "within the week," a source close to one of the men said. [...] It's an opportunity to stage another symbolic passing of the party's torch, and to command media attention on one of the dwindling number of days left in the campaign.Here are a few bonus quotes from Obama, back from his Hawaii visit to his ailing grandmother. From Reno, Nevada:
"McCain Has Been Throwing Everything He's Got at Us, Hoping Something Will Stick.""He's even called me a socialist for suggesting that we focus on tax cuts, not for corporations and the wealthy, but for the middle class."
"Then, the other day, he took it to a whole new level. He said that I was like George W. Bush. You can't make this stuff up, folks. In what may be the strangest twist of all, Senator McCain said that I would somehow continue the Bush economic policies – and that he, John McCain, would change them."
"Well, let's be clear: John McCain attacking George Bush for his out-of-hand economic policy is like Dick Cheney attacking George Bush for his go-it-alone foreign policy."
Complete transcript here.
Trending Obama
By GottaLaff
The next one goes back to what I said here:Early Voting Trends Favor Obama
"In the 32 states that allow people to vote before Nov. 4 without a special excuse, election officials report heavy turnout as the presidential campaign reaches its frenzied last days," the Los Angeles Times reports. [...]
"A surprise is the makeup of the early voters, election experts said. In past campaign seasons, Republicans have used early voting to their advantage, mobilizing a slice of the electorate that typically skews their way. Yet a look at voters in a handful of crucial states suggests that Obama is turning out his base in numbers that surpass those of Republican John McCain."
GObama!Todd: Virginia, Colorado Lean to Obama
Chuck Todd on NBC Nightly News: "We're going to be, this weekend, moving Virginia and Colorado - two tossup states - into the 'lean Obama' category. That moves his total to 286. ... If Nevada, which is a state that's also trending in Obama's direction, went in his column at 291, that means he could lose Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida to McCain and still be at 270. It's a big shift. It just shows you the expanded playing field for Obama has paid off. He is not banking on those big states."
Handle her? I hardly know her! IWRC* Palin May Cut Off Handlers
By GottaLaff
And-- now tell me if you've heard this old chestnut before-- Randy Scheunemann called bulls*** on this very thing just yesterday. Coincidence? I. Don't. Think. So:
Four Republicans close to Gov. Sarah Palin tell Politico she "has decided increasingly to disregard the advice of the former Bush aides tasked to handle her, creating occasionally tense situations as she travels the country with them.""Rogue" as in countries that harbor terrorists? Why, that would mean that she's just like them!
Said one: "She's lost confidence in most of the people on the plane. I think she'd like to go more rogue."
"Anger among Republicans who see Palin as a star and as a potential future leader has boiled over because, they say, they see other senior McCain aides preparing to blame her in the event he is defeated."Everybody now! Join me in singing The Blame Game. "Palin! Palin, Palin, Mo Malin, Banana Fanna Fo Failin'.... "
*"In What Respect, Charlie?"
Obama camp to file FEC complaint against Gramm-pa McCain
By GottaLaff
Obama and co. want a little look-see into Gramm-pa McCain's fundraising:
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) plans to file a fundraising complaint Monday alleging that John McCain's campaign accepted contributions that exceeded the federal limits and took donations from anonymous backers.
Democrats say in the complaint to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that Sen. McCain's (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign received 6,653 donations that each were at least $1,000 greater than the $2,300 donation limit. McCain also took 23 anonymous contributions that were greater than the $50 limit on donations from unnamed supporters, the complaint says. The complaint is based on records provided by the McCain campaign on its own website.The DNC is asking the FEC to conduct an audit of all of McCain’s contributions.
I'll give you one guess as to how Gramm-pa reacted. Yep:
The McCain campaign has yet to respond to questions about the complaint.
Elect him, that's what.
Poll-itics: Newsweek gives Obama 13 point lead edition
By GottaLaff
THE POLL: Newsweek poll, national presidential race among registered voters nationwide.
THE NUMBERS: Barack Obama 53 percent, John McCain 40 percent.
OF INTEREST: Obama's lead is as strong among likely voters, 53-41. Obama appears to be consolidating his support across demographic groups, leading in every age group and among men as well as women. In a reversal from April, when McCain led Obama among working-class whites 53-35, the poll found Obama with 46 percent to McCain's 44 percent. The survey also found that 62 percent now say they have a favorable view of Obama, versus 32 percent who have an unfavorable view.
GObama!
A post by our Commenter in Chief from Connecticut
By Commenter Chris via GottaLaff
Chris e-mailed me the other day regarding the subject below, and I invited her to send me a full post on it. It's happens to be about, but not limited to, Connecticut and the effort to introduce ballot initiatives, bypassing the state Constitution:
First, a little background: Connecticut amends its Constitution through conventions . They meet and propose whatever changes, which are then put before the electorate for approval. Any proposals approved by the voters become part of the Constitution.
So, November 4, 2008 being the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the even-numbered year next succeeding the expiration of a period of twenty years from the date of convening of the last convention, electors in Connecticut will vote on the ballot question:
"Shall there be a Constitutional Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the state" as required by Article 13 of the CT Constitution. [Sec. 2] If a majority votes yes, then a convention must be held no later than one year after the date of the vote [Sec. 3]. If a majority votes no, a Constitutional Convention may be held in one of the intervening years [but not earlier than 10 years from the date of the last convention] at the request of a two-thirds majority in each house of the Legislature [Sec. 1]That's how we do it and it's complicated for a reason.
This year, proponents of holding a convention want to put forth the proposal of changing Article 13 . They want to implement an "Initiative Referenda", which basically means doing away with the conventions and bringing proposed amendments directly to the voters, the way it's done in other states, such as California. I don't like it.
For the record, I live in California, and I don't like it either.
Our Constitution has been around longer than the US Constitution and it's supposed to be difficult to change it.
It's supposed to be a deliberative process, rather than one that is subject to popular whims and fears, which is what direct initiative will bring us.
The proponents say that they will push for an agenda to amend the Constitution to provide for limiting property taxes (how well did that work out for ya, CA?). They also want hard changes to the Constitution for immigration reform, a three-strikes law, ethics reform, eminent domain reform, term limits, a recall provision, and "More!!! Much More!" .
All of those things (except eminent domain – which does need reform) can be accomplished by the Legislature. We don't have to change the Constitution for them, except maybe the recall provision, which I'm not convinced is a good idea anyway.
And then there's gay marriage. The CT Supreme Court decision earlier this month made direct initiative imperative if the voters want gay marriage banned. Richard Blumenthal, CT Attorney General, said that the court was the final arbiter and the decision would be respected.
Jodi Rell acknowledged that banning gay marriage was a fight she could not win. The decision was based on the equal protection under the law clause of the Constitution, so any amendment would have to address that. Do we really want to screw with equal protection? Do we really want one segment of the population deciding what rights another segment is allowed to have??
A major point of the Constitution is to protect the individual from the tyranny of the majority!
There are others ideas out there which could find their way onto the ballot from initiatives - things we haven't thought of yet. And every popular whim that can gather enough signatures on petitions will make it to a ballot in November. We could be taking a lot of the decision-making power out of the hands of the people we've elected to make decisions about the way the state is run.
After writing all this, it is clear to me that my opposition to the ballot question isn't about amending the Constitution; it is against direct initiatives.
It is an argument best given when the question is about amending the Constitution to allow for Initiative Referenda. But still, I'm voting NO on the ballot question, just to be safe.
I completely agree with Chris. We have had election after election in which we vote on initiatives that are worded badly, are too convoluted for many to understand (I believe Rachel Maddow made that point last night), and most importantly, should never have made their way on to the ballot.
Chris's heartfelt and intelligent e-mail to me was too important to gloss over, and I'm thrilled to have been able to share it with you.
White Support For Obama At Historic Level
Poor Rush Limpballs, his theory's blow to pieces.
Barack Obama, the first black major party nominee, is positioned to win the largest share of white voters of any Democrat in more than three decades, according to an exclusive Politico analysis of recent Gallup and Pew Research Center polling.
The most recent two weeks of Gallup polling, which includes roughly 13,000 interviews, show 44 percent of non-Hispanic white voters presently support Obama - the highest number for a Democrat since 47 percent of whites backed Jimmy Carter in 1976.
(snip)
No Democrat has won a majority of white voters since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. John McCain has shuffled between 48 percent and 50 percent support in recent weeks - which would be the lowest share for a Republican candidate in a two-man race since Barry Goldwater's run.
New Obama Ad- 'Defining Moment'
What, no fear mongering or mud slinging? How in the world can you win an election by being positive?
Ohio Newspaper Poll: Obama Pulls Ahead
Mid day poll p0rn for thee!!
The latest Ohio Newspaper Poll finds Sen. Barack Obama has erased Sen. John McCain's previous lead in the Buckeye State and now holds a 3-point advantage, 49% to 46%.
"The poll shows that support for Obama has increased by 7 percentage points since the first poll was taken in mid-September. McCain's support has declined by 2 percentage points since then, and he has lost ground with white voters and with men."
Denver Checking Whereabouts Of 11,000 Mail-In Ballots
Eleven thousand here, ten thousand there. Eh, I'm sure it won't make a difference.
DENVER -- Denver elections officials are trying to determine the whereabouts of more than 11,000 mail ballots, the Rocky Mountain News reported Friday.
Sequoia Voting Systems reported delivering 21,450 ballots to a Denver mail processing facility on Oct. 16, but the U.S. Postal Service said Friday that the facility received 10,364 ballots that day, the newspaper reported. The Postal Service said it delivered the ballots to the homes within a couple of days.
Obama "Bat Signal" Appears In Raleigh, NORTH Carolina
The bat signal is a modified spotlight to project the iconic bat symbol into the sky or onto a building to contact and request the presence of Batman in the case of an emergency. The Obama signal above appears to indicate we are in an emergency and his assistance is needed to get us out of it.
Couple more pics here.
Which Carolina corrected in title, that's what I get for not reading the comments soon enough. And I was sooo good in geography in grade school!! ::sigh::
The GOP Never Leaves Home Without It
Graphic by Oliver, h/t to watertiger reminding me I wanted to put this up last night.
Rocky Mountain News Poll: Obama Surges in Colorado
I'm thinking the McCain camp saw some internal polls that looked like this right before they decided to pull out of Colorado.
A new Rocky Mountain News poll finds Sen. Barack Obama has surged to a commanding, double-digit lead in Colorado over Sen. John McCain, 52% to 40%, "amid soaring anxiety about the country's direction and a massive shift of independent voters into the Democratic column."
Haters For McCain Unite!
As I said before, at least now we know who the haters are.
Family is chanting NoBama over and over.huge h/t to Pam
Man #1: he ain't no real American.
Another man is shown punching a cardboard Obama in the head.
Man #2: eight years of terrorists!
Man #3: (sarcastically) Hussein...that's cool!
Woman to Obama supporter: Are you sick? Are you a socialist?
Woman #2: He's a fraud...he's Osama!
Man #3: He's a Muslim Communist!
(the videographer asks this man if he really believes that) The response:
Man #3: Yeah, absolutely. His wife made him say he is a Christian so he could get elected.
Man #4: Socialist...communist! He's a communist!
Man #5: You need to read the Communist Manifesto 'cause that's what you're all about.
Man #6: Lookit -- the important thing is, God may not be on my side, but Satan is on your side.
Man #7: I don't want to be a communist, I don't want to be a socialist. I want to be an American.
Woman #3 holding a McCain/Palin sign: Communist! Communist!
Man # 8: He's a stupid bum.
Man #9, holding a baby: He's bullshit and a piece of crap he is.
Obama completes break from trail to visit sick grandmother
Psychic hug Senator Obama, now go kick McCain's ass.
HONOLULU, Hawaii (CNN) — Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama wrapped up almost two days worth of time away from the campaign trail Friday evening, as he finished spending time in Hawaii with his ill grandmother, 85-year-old Madelyn Dunham.h/t for pic.
Earlier in the week, senior strategist Robert Gibbs described Dunham's condition as "very serious," but the campaign has not provided any further details.
Since arriving in Hawaii Thursday evening, Obama has kept a low profile, appearing within cameras' range only once, when taking a walk alone through his grandmother's neighborhood near Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Poll-itics: Obama maintains Ohio lead edition
By GottaLaff
GObama!
PPP Poll: Obama Maintains Lead in Ohio
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Ohio shows Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain by seven points, 51% to 44%.
The result is "almost identical to a PPP poll conducted in early October that showed the Democratic nominee leading by six points in the state. There haven't been any major shifts in the numbers since that time."
Joe McCain says Brother Gramm-pa won't be happy with him
By GottaLaff
He tells WTOP he'll write an apology to the 911 operator and to the Alexandria police. In the meantime, he stopping any campaign activities. He says his brother won't be happy about the incident.Read the original post here.
Poll-itics: IWRC* Palin "ouch!" edition
By GottaLaff
A new Washington Post-ABC News national poll is out, and guess what:
While top-of-the-ticket rivals John McCain and Barack Obama both remain broadly popular heading into their Election Day showdown, public perceptions of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin have fallen dramatically since she emerged on the national political scene at the GOP convention.Good golly, and what with IWRC bein' out there talkin' to the press and mixin' it up with Brian Williams and all, and ... well.... it didn't work.
A majority of likely voters in a new Washington Post-ABC News national poll now have unfavorable views of the Alaska governor, most still doubt her presidential qualifications and there is an even split on whether she "gets it," a perception that had been a key component of her initial appeal. [...]Ouch.
Obama is up by a large margin among women, 57 to 41 percent in the new Post-ABC tracking poll. And the senator from Illinois just about ties McCain among white women -- 48 percent back Obama, 49 percent McCain...
In polling conducted Wednesday and Thursday evenings, following the disclosure that the Republican National Committee used political funds to help Palin assemble a wardrobe for the campaign, 51 percent said they had a negative impression of her. Fewer, 46 percent said they had a favorable view. That marks a stark turnaround from early September, when 59 percent of likely voters held positive opinions.
The declines in Palin's ratings have been even more substantial among the very voters Republicans aimed to woo. The percentage of white women viewing her favorably dropped 21 points since early September, among independent women it fell 24 points.
Ouch!
More broadly, the intensity of negative feelings about Palin are also notable: 40 percent of voters have "strongly unfavorable" views, more than double the post-convention number. Nearly half of independent women now see her in a very negative light, a nearly three-fold increase. [...] In the new poll, 58 percent said she is insufficiently experienced.Ouch!
Perhaps more fundamentally for Palin's national political future, though, is that voters in the new poll are evenly divided about whether she understands their problems. Three weeks ago, 60 percent said she did; now, it is 50 percent yes, 47 percent no.
Both Democratic and independent women are half as likely as they were in late-September to see Palin as empathetic. Among independent women, the percentage who view Palin as in tune with people like themselves slipped from 73 to 50 percent.
Ouch, ouch!
Taking the tickets together, 53 percent of voters express favorable views of both Obama and Biden, 41 percent of both McCain and Palin. Those numbers are very close to current vote preferences in the latest Post-ABC tracking poll: 53 percent said they would vote Democratic if the election were held today, 44 percent would opt for the GOP.
Anyone got a Tylenol? Ouch.
Toilet humor
By GottaLaff
Via Taegan:
"The reason the Republicans found Joe the Plumber was to find someone hanging around a toilet other than Larry Craig."The video is one of my earlier efforts. If you've already seen it, ignore. I just threw it in for fun.
-- James Carville, quoted by Politico.
VIDEO duo: "Wassup!" and "The Vet Who Did Not Vet (a cautionary tale)"
By GottaLaff
Wassup! (Did we already post this? If we did, that's okay, it's worth another look):
The Vet Who Did Not Vet:
H/t: Sean for "Wassup!"
Pennsylvania Republicans Send False Anti-Obama E-mail
By GottaLaff
A new e-mail making the rounds among Jewish voters in Pennsylvania this week falsely alleged that Mr. Obama “taught members of Acorn to commit voter fraud,’’ and equated a vote for Senator Barack Obama with the “tragic mistake” of their Jewish ancestors, who “ignored the warning signs in the 1930’s and 1940’s.” [...]Where to begin? A former state supreme court justice was involved with this? I'd start reviewing her past court decisions, for starters. And the others on the list? Ptooey! And the warning to Jewish voters? About the '30s and '40s... Don't go there.But where most of the attack e-mails against Mr. Obama have been anonymous, this one had an unusually official provenance: It was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Republican Party’s “Victory 2008” committee.
And it was signed by several prominent McCain supporters in the state: Mitchell L. Morgan, a top fund-raiser; Hon. Sandra Schwartz Newman, a member of Mr. McCain’s local and national task-forces monitoring Election Day voting, and I. Michael Coslov, a steel industry executive.
After several calls for comment about the e-mail, leaders of the state party repudiated it on Friday. They said it had been released without their authorization and that they had fired the strategist who helped draft it – but whose name is not on the letter – Brian Rudnick. [...]In a brief interview earlier Friday, Judge Newman — a former state supreme court justice now in private practice –- said she had helped write the letter. Then she quickly passed the phone to Mr. Brudnick. He said the e-mail was sent to 75,000 voters in Pennsylvania and asked that other questions be e-mailed to him.
But he did not respond to that e-mail.
I'm sputtering. I can't even think. Tell ya what. Pick a word, any word, from the list of synonyms. Then insert it here: These people are utterly _____. That will suffice for now.
.jpg)