The Blog to Nowhere: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Palin's style slightly different than Biden's...

John McCain has declared that Sarah Palin is one of America’s foremost energy experts. If that is so, America is in serious trouble. If someone can tell me what she is talking about in the video below I will give you a cookie.

What is the flavor of hope?

so i want to make cupcakes with the obama campaign logo drawn on them, but i'm having a hard time coming up with a good flavor. if barack obama were a cupcake, what flavor would he be? chocolate with raspberry filling (no obvious label intended - i like chocolate better than vanilla)? something pineapple-related? i figured sarah palin would be something like chocolate "moose," or maybe even something involving bacon, to represent all of that pork barrel spending. mccain would be plain jane vanilla (maybe with a nasty horseradish frosting). :) suggestions?

Top Ten Reasons Sarah Palin cancels debate

10. Suspicious Russian tourists spotted across the Bering strait in Dezhnevo

9. Wrasslin' a bear

8. Learns Tina Fey will be watching

7. When taken on tour of White House by McCain handlers, is "inadvertently" locked in Cheney's man-sized safe

6. Schedule for memorizing state capitals thrown off by need for new schedule to memorize states

5. Speechless after finally looking up what "MILF" stands for

4. On deadline to finish her book, Namin' Your Baby the Alaskan Way

3. Needs more time to really nail those hilarious hair-plug zingers

2. No matter how hard she scrubs, she can't get Kissinger's moral stank off of her

1. Stuck in traffic on the Bridge to Nowhere

Monday, September 29, 2008

Riding his white horse off a cliff.

So, McCain and his surrogates spent the weekend taking credit for bringing everyone to the table to pass the bailout (Romney: "This bill would not have been agreed to, had it not been for John McCain"), and up until about lunch time on Monday, McCain was riding his white horse around and waving his sword over his head while making the claim that he had gone to Washington to bring people together so that the bill would pass and save us all from economic ruin. He said, "I know that many of you have noticed, it's not my style to simply phone it in". Then, he mocked Obama for "monitoring the situation" and said that Obama was "watching from the sidelines", while he rolled up his sleeves and got his hands dirty to make this happen. The "phone it in" line was used repeatedly by McCain's surrogates, including Lindsey Graham.

On Rachel Maddow's show, she pointed out that McCain was reported to have sat mostly silent during the meeting with George Bush and Obama at the White House, then he went back to one of his condos to make some phone calls to key people. The following day he spent less than two hours on Capitol Hill before leaving for the debate in Mississippi. After the debate, he spent the weekend making more phone calls from his condo. When asked why he wasn't making appearances on Capitol Hill, campaign advisor Mark Hill said, "Because he can effectively do what he needs to do by phone."

Then, the bill fails. Sixty-seven percent of Republicans, the people McCain went to Washington to rally, voted against it. The response from McCain, only a couple of hours after mocking Obama and taking credit for the impending success of the bill, was to say that "Senator Obama and his allies in Congress infused unnecessary partisanship into the process. Now is not the time to affix the blame. It’s time to fix the problem." Literally in back-to-back sentences McCain blames Obama, and then tries to claim the high ground by denouncing the blame game. That may be a world record for speed in hypocrisy -- even for a politician. Well, if McCain wants credit for the results of this weekend's labor in Washington, I'm happy to give it to him. He deserves it.

Biden's Greatest Hits

If you've got time to watch this, it's worth every minute. I don't think we have much to worry about Biden when it comes to debating. If you don't have the seven minutes, then just watch the short one below this - it's delightful!

a taste of biden

Katie Couric's joint interview with McCain/Palin

Katie Couric gets another chat with Palin, who this time has McCain along to make sure she answers the questions correctly...this was like sitting through a "helicopter parent"/teacher conference where the parent is making excuses (badly!) for their child's behavior. McCain keeps looking at her like he's thinking, "Just like we practiced honey!" Kudos to Katie Couric for continuing to chase the issue...

Somebody Hand McCain a Dictionary

Maverick: n. 1. An unbranded range animal 2. Nonconformist

Obviously, when McCain refers to himself as a maverick (which he does, at great length), he's thinking definition No. 2. I hate to break it to you Senator, but judging by this, No. 1 is fundamentally closer to the truth:

Oh god, here we go...

Now I'm really getting worried... After a solid week of Congress working on this bill, do they have a plan B???

-Sarah

BAILOUT FAILS; STOCKS PLUNGE

Dow Loses 777 Points After Vote

House Rejects Package, 228-205

For Stocks, Worst Single-Day Drop in Two Decades

if she's been watching political speeches since she was in 2nd grade, why isn't she more up to speed?

“I’m looking forward to meeting him, too,’’ she said. “I’ve never met him before, but I’ve been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, second grade.’’

--sarah palin on joe biden

cute, sarah, but maybe you should refrain from age-related jabs. obama would have been lambasted for making the same joke about mccain.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Another "what I (she) meant to say" moment for McCain.

WASHINGTON (CNN)— Sen. John McCain retracted Sarah Palin's stance on Pakistan Sunday morning, after the Alaska governor appeared to back Sen. Barack Obama's support for unilateral strikes inside Pakistan against terrorists

"She would not…she understands and has stated repeatedly that we're not going to do anything except in America's national security interest," McCain told ABC's George Stephanopoulos of Palin. "In all due respect, people going around and… sticking a microphone while conversations are being held, and then all of a sudden that's—that's a person's position… This is a free country, but I don't think most Americans think that that's a definitve policy statement made by Governor Palin," McCain said. “And I would hope you wouldn't, either."

My take:

What part of Palin saying, "If that’s what we have to do stop the terrorists from coming any further in, absolutely, we should," would lead us to believe that she is making anything but a definitive policy statement? Am I wrong, or is McCain suggesting that its inappropriate to believe anything a candidate says when they're not in a formal interview? It wasn't like she was recorded by an eavesdropper while having a private conversation. It was a specific response to a direct question. McCain may be right about one thing, though. By now "most Americans" may very well understand that he and Palin are not to be taken at their word.

palin and the dinosaurs

By Stephen Braun, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 28, 2008

ANCHORAGE -- Soon after Sarah Palin was elected mayor of the foothill town of Wasilla, Alaska, she startled a local music teacher by insisting in casual conversation that men and dinosaurs coexisted on an Earth created 6,000 years ago -- about 65 million years after scientists say most dinosaurs became extinct -- the teacher said.

After conducting a college band and watching Palin deliver a commencement address to a small group of home-schooled students in June 1997, Wasilla resident Philip Munger said, he asked the young mayor about her religious beliefs.

Palin told him that "dinosaurs and humans walked the Earth at the same time," Munger said. When he asked her about prehistoric fossils and tracks dating back millions of years, Palin said "she had seen pictures of human footprints inside the tracks," recalled Munger, who teaches music at the University of Alaska in Anchorage and has regularly criticized Palin in recent years on his liberal political blog, called Progressive Alaska.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

potential palin sighting?!

rumor has it, sarah palin will make a cameo on SNL tonight, alongside tina fey.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/will-palin-make.html

Who really has veterans' support?

Last night I felt uneasy about McCain's late attempt to paint himself as the champion of veterans' rights. There's no denying that his work after Vietnam is commendable and notable. My problem is with the "What have you done for veterans lately?" question. Today we have a whole new generation of veterans. We're getting new ones every day, and they have very serious needs. I was puzzled by McCain's failure to support the recent GI bill, and so I wondered after his claim of having veterans' support last night -- what do the veterans' groups say?

Well, ridiculously late last night I stumbled onto an interview that went a long way to answering my question beyond Joe Biden's statements after the debate. The first 1:40 of this is skippable, but the rest of it really resonated with me.

Fact Checking the Debate

This is going to save me a lot of searching!

The facts from FactCheck.org.

Grandma's Wisdom

Hi, everyone. I'll bet I'm up before any of you. Thought you might like to know it was very peaceful and quiet around here last night. It was nice because I was able to hear every word, and didn't have any desire to argue. Just watched by myself in my room. Even though I didn't sign up for the blog ( which I should have), I have a good idea how all of you feel. I thought Obama was great. McCain couldn't look him in the eye at all, no matter how hard McNeil tried to get him to. McCain will always be impulsive and erratic, and I think very dangerous, just like his running mate. He seemed older than his age, and I am not of the opinion that just because someone has lived longer they are any smarter. We always have a lot to learn from you younger guys. I wasn't sure of Obama when he was nominated, but I am now. I went to bed before midnight, thinking of all of you and your scorecards. I just couldn't stand hearing the know it all pundits, and I'm glad now that I got some sleep. Will be very interesting next Thurs., but maybe painful. Hope people don't start feeling sorry for Palin. Love to all of you, A

Cool mug --- but, unfortunately, it is made in China

http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=16530

Biden's Take

Here's Joe Biden's take on the debate, for what it's worth. To my complete amazement, I haven't yet found any interviews with Palin for counterpoints. Shocker, I know.

Olbermann is predictably pitching softballs, but Biden makes a couple of good points.

"I just want to point out that disabled veterans in America rate John at 20% on his voting record. The veterans' groups don't think John has cared for the veterans coming home." It appears he took exception to McCain's attempt to own veterans' issues.

And on McCain's multiple boasts about his travels abroad:

"I've traveled to all those placed John traveled... just because I was there doesn't make me right."

Scoring

Tonight will not be a good night for sleeping, so I must vent. Initial pundit reactions indicated that the two candidates came out even; however, as the minutes tick on, several commentators, including those on beloved FOX, admit to a definite win by Obama.

I used the scorecard that I sent out this afternoon, but I realize that its format may have been limiting. Thought I’d share my scoring, in case anyone is interested. Curious about others' reactions.

Opening Remarks: I’ll give them both 5’s.

Speaking Style: Obama 5; McCain 3

Hands down, Obama wins here if you include the fact that McCain NEVER looks at Obama, blinks repeatedly and rambles.

Presidential Manner: I give them both 5’s, although McCain surprises me here.

Content of Answers: Until I can fact check everything that they both said, I’ll give them both 5’s.

Personal Exchanges: Obama 4; McCain 2

McCain smirks, laughs, and again, that no eye contact thing really freaks me out. Obama was put on the defensive for sure, but I thought he came back effectively each time.

Closing: Obama 5 McCain 4

I docked McCain a point for saying how much he loves the veterans – ugh! Obama was strong in his argument about the way the world views us.

Okay, so far it’s Obama 29 McCain 24

BUT

Zingers and Blunders:

McCain

-No credit to Churchill for “end of the beginning or the beginning of the end” quote (-1)

-says that we are sending $700 billion dollars overseas – got his crises mixed up (-1)

-says Obama doesn’t know the definition of rich – give me a break (-1)

Obama

+Reference to McCain’s comments on No. Korea and bombing Iran (+1)

+Contrasts using a hatchet vs scalpel to ?domestic programs?- I think (+)

+Wishes that he had been wrong on his stand against going to war in Iraq (+1)

So …..

Obama 32 McCain 21

If the undecided just need to see that Obama is presidential, confident and knowledgeable about foreign policy, then this debate gives him a huge boost. I refuse to grade anyone on a curve - give McCain higher marks because he didn't bomb, or have higher expectations for Obama because he's intellectual.

Can't wait until Thursday's debate between Palin and Biden ----unless, of course, she drops out before then.....

Friday, September 26, 2008

Vote with "truthiness" (your gut) on the poll, but here's some good news.

It appears some VERY preliminary polling is looking good for Obama.

Fight Night Live Blog

7:29:
I may just be hungry, but I think this debate is starting to lose some steam. I can't think of too many 30-second sound bytes throughout, which is probably good for Obama, really. My impression- McCain keeps talking down to Obama, but has a better ability to control the conversation. It's bizarre- Obama is a great orator, but kind of rambles in a debate. McCain is a horrendous speaker, but is engaging and emotional in a debate.

McCain relied very heavilyin this debate on bringing up his decades of experience. Is this a smart move? Are people looking for that right now? Also, is it smart for McCain to keep bringing up on-the-job training? I mean, has he met Sarah Palin?

7:24:
McCain says offshore drilling is a "bridge." Sorry, dude, it's really not. Gotta say he's ranting.

7:19:
Did anyone else notice that McCain is not wearing lapelle pin?

7:15:
McCain just got pretty pissy over his friend of 35 years Dr. Kissinger. I think he took that one a little too far. Obama should have been a bit more patient, but I think McCain looked worse.

7:10:
Personally, I'd love to have Ahmadenijad over for tea.

7:03:
What is this second holocaust thing? I heard Sarah Palin say it too...

7:00:
Obama has a bracelet too!!!!! These bracelets smell like exploitation.

6:53:
Hmmm- McCain saying how it's more complicated than more troops. I have to say, McCain's owning this issue right now. At least he's sounding like he genuinely knows more. Obama, saying McCain sung songs about bombing Iran... zing! McCain is now discussing his war voting record- not sure where he's going with this. "So, I have a record." Oh God, here comes the bracelet.

6:46:
Now we're getting a lot of back and forth. This is getting pretty good. Arguing about what the Generals are really saying. I think Obama is holding his ground- giving some specifics about how to deal with Afghanistan & Pakistan. Complaining how we're funneling tons of money with McCain's support to Pakistan with no action in return.

6:40:
McCain discussing Iraq. Is it just me, or is he claiming victory in Iraq? Obama chaging this to Afghanistan... good move. Iraq- 10Billion dollars a month. This is a little rambling to be honest. McCain says the past here doesn't matter to the next president. McCain asking why Obama didnt have oversight hearings about Iraq... Obama- that's senate baseball. Obama- yes, bring up McCain's comments about Iraq being quick and easy. Keep going, keep going, sir.

6:37:
Obama just had good attack on McCain voting for all of Bush's budgets. Seriously, we know you're a maverick. We know you're not Miss Congeniality.

6:30:
McCain still talking about wasteful spending- contract overspending, blah, blah. Obama, we've got to do something about insurance and healthcare lobbying. i.e. get this google for government thing up. McCain is proposing a spending freeze. Uh, wow, is that really a good idea? Let's just shut this thing down.

6:23:
No clear frontrunner here. McCain criticizing Obama for flip-flopping!!!? Obama- here's what he have to have: (a) Energy Independence. (b) Healthcare reform. (c) Education reform. (d) Infrastructure improvements. Fairly general descriptions, but notice, heavy on the domestic issues. McCain- hard to reach out to someone as liberal as Obama. What a dick face.

6:19:
Obama, "Eliminating earmarks is not the solution here." Man, Lehrer wants direct confrontation.

6:17:
Hmmm- have to say, McCain is being pretty direct and effective here. But, damn, he keeps recycling his jokes.

6:15:
"Bear DNA" joke again?????? "You will know their names" line again???? Seriously, come on. Throw me a frickin bone.

6:13:
Jim Lehrer: "OOOOKKKK, nice points but what are you guys going to actually do about this mess?" McCain getting on the earmark schpeal.

6:10:
McCain talking about calling for firing of SEC head. Didn't we already dismiss that idea? Eeeks- some awkwardness here. Do they talk to each other directly or not?

6:05:
McCain's not feelin too great. Poor guy. This guy needs a fake laugh track- jokes feel a little awkward here.

6:03:
Obama: "Can't think of a better time to talk about the future of the country." Main Street stuff- fairly typical stuff here. Listing rqments of any bailout. Bringin it back to Bush. Linking Bush to McCain. Wrap it- ship it.

6:01:
Here we go. Jim Lehrer with the intro. "Rule number one- no touching of the hair"

5:58:
Whoa. John didn't say "Bye-Bye." What is this world coming to?

5:51:
They've moved on to Bill Clinton. What is the dude really thinking? Does he want McCain to win? John asks, "Did Obama make a mistake not picking Clinton?" Mort, "Yes." Ummm.... did anyone see Palin's interview with Couric. Oooh- Elenor disagrees. Clinton is still too controvesial.

5:47:
Now on the McLaughlin Group on PBS. Setting up a section on economic bailout. Reviewing the salaries of various bank CEOs. Basically, they're f-ing rich. Mort Zuckerman says taxpayers will make back some of this money. Tony? Tony? No Tony Blankley tonight. John says, "WRONG!"

5:45:
Bob Schieffer on now: McCain's intent was good, but crashed and burned once back in Washington. Not looking so good for McCain...

5:43:
Katie Couric discussing the pre-debate drama. Ooooh. Obama- "It's important to just move forward" with the debate. Do I hear a "silly-season" coming?

5:40 PM Pacific:
Hello friends and family....er, hello family. Iiiiiiiiittttt's fight night!!!! McCain vs. Obama. It's Greg here, soon to be joined by Sarah for a fancy live blog of the debate. Refresh your browser to see this post updated as we move along the night.

Deja Vu

Jon Stewart compares Bush's bailout speech to the Iraq speech...yikes! How sad that we cannot trust this guy with ANYTHING! "Those who do not study the past get an exciting opportunity to repeat it."

How do I add a video clip?? Not sure this will work, so here is the link as well:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/26/jon-stewart-bush-bailout_n_129588.html

PS I love Jon Stewart :)

"totally incoherent"

this comes from today's transcript of democracy now (courtesy of my friend, shawn). paul krugman's response to palin's answer is hilarious...and sad...

AMY GOODMAN: I wanted to play for you Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s comments on the bailout. She was interviewed by CBS’s Katie Couric. Couric appeared on The Early Show and introduced part of her interview with the Alaskan governor.

KATIE COURIC: She’s not always responsive when she’s asked questions and sometimes does slip back to her talking points, so it was a really interesting experience for me to interview her yesterday.

MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: Let’s see if that’s the case here. We have an excerpt where you ask her about her opinion on the bailout.

KATIE COURIC: OK.
Why isn’t it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with healthcare, housing, gas and groceries, allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy, instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

GOV. SARAH PALIN: That’s why I say, I, like every American I’m speaking with, we’re ill about this position that we have been put in, where it is the taxpayers looking to bailout. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the—oh, it’s got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So, healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we have—we’ve got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing, but one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today. We’ve got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.

AMY GOODMAN: Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on CBS. Paul Krugman, your response?

PAUL KRUGMAN: You know, I’m sorry, but, you know, I am a college teacher, and that sounds like nothing so much as a freshman who hasn’t actually done any of the—read any of the readings and is confronted with an essay question on the exam, and so he throws in sort of random paragraphs of stuff that he thinks kind of sounds like economics. That was incredible. That was totally incoherent.

Dewey Defeats Truman! (?)

Take a look at this post from Daily KOS that contains a screenshot of an advertisement about McCain winning tonight's debate. LONG before it takes place. Are you kidding me?! Could this be yet another Republican prematurely declaring "mission accomplished"?

It's been brought to my attention (thanks Elizabeth) that this image may be carried over from a 2007 campaign advertisement. The Daily KOS site appears to show the add on a present-day news article in the Washington Post, but it's possible someone has been up to some Photoshop mischief. I guess we'll have to see if someone can provide proof one way or another.