Dude Clay wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:13 AM:Except for a few guys with a pocket protector for each day of the week, WHO CARES?

Why do you waste our time with this stuff...was it a writing assignment to finish your GED??

Good grief!

Amei friend wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:15 AM:Why should tax payers pay for a rail system for anyone to get from Escondido to San Diego...they don't bring any money to spend...let them have a rail system to get them to Toledo, Ohio or somewhere!

Give me a break Erin wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:17 AM:How much money can people from Temecula and Murrieta bring to our area. They can't even make their mortgage payments on houses that are among the cheapest in California!

Hey Tom and Sandy wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:20 AM:Do you really think anything someone in the downtown area has to say is going to sway my vote? Yeah, like I'm going to look for a financial planner in a homeless shelter!

Come on Timothy wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:23 AM:Quit your whining. You don't make any money, so your solution is more me to pay more taxes so you can comfortably get around town.

Maybe you should give up college so you can work harder, put some money away, and pay for your own transportation...then go to school!

Lets see if I have this right Frank wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:27 AM:Obama "...intends to bring the value of the dollar back to the consumer, away from the investor who has insider trading knowledge."

Yeah, and I, like the next American candidate for Miss Universe, "...intend to end world hunger, educate all the children of the world, and save the Pandas!"

Yo David Johnson wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:29 AM:Can you name a good habadasher so I can get a tinfoil hat as fashionable as yours?

Duh Bob Ference wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:30 AM:Yeah, it did look like a temple...I think they were trying to make it look like one!

Let me explain Linda wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:33 AM:Its not rocket science...people vote for "certain" people, because they only have so many choices!

Who do you vote for? Pee Wee Herman?

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:39 AM:LOL, all the liberaLS cab talk about is Palins 17 y/o pregnant daughter. I wonder if they'd be spewing this much hate if she was a lesbian? McCain talks about oil & Gas prices and the effect it has on jobs, inflation, and the stock market values of everyones 401-K plans and liberals are beside themselves that Planned Parenhood hasnt grabbed Palins daughter. Hussein had the opportunity to waltz into the White House, now he'll go down in electoral history standing next to Mike Dukakis

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:42 AM:>>November, the 11th month, has a name meaning "ninth month," and December, the 12th month, has a name meaning "10th month." How could such a perplexing set of errors have occurred?>>> Mr Northcote, they had public schools way back then, too. (and probably union tenure, too)

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:47 AM:>>>Sen. Obama tried to upstage JFK's 1960 acceptance speech given at the L.A. Coliseum>>>
Hussein may have arrive on a chariot, and waved his staff and the crowd, making them swoon and faint at his very presence, but as they say in Brooklyn, "Senator, I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine, and Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy". Instead of arriving at the stadium on a chariot, it would have been more appropriate for him to arrive on the symbol of the Democratic party. (A jackass)

No McCain wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:23 AM:If McCain cared about New Orleans and the Gulf Coast he could have done something these past three years since hurricane Katrina. When Katrina first struck, he was celebrating his birthday with President Bush in Arizona. Since then, he could have made Gulf Reconstruction his issue, he could have excoriated his party for pushing federal dollars into the hands of cronies, for providing inadequate resources, for allowing the further destruction of the wetlands that serve as the only natural barrier to storm surges. He could have taken on the insurance companies that have been serially screwing the residents of the gulf. But he was too busy pushing for more troops, and more war and running for president. Now, when a few more Hurricanes come during his convention, he postures to appear as if he cares? The irony is astounding.

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:23 AM:Please ignore the initial 9/11 reports from CNN and MSNBC that WTC Buildings >>>1, 2 and 7 were controlled demolitions. Please disregard the NYFD stating they need to get people out before the next bomb goes off. Please overlook Dan Rather's commentary: "For the third time today, it's reminiscent of those pictures we've seen too much on television before when a building was deliberately destroyed by well-placed dynamite to knock it down>>>
Sir, please check into the local looney ward and outfit yourself with on of those cute canvas jackets with lots of straps and buckles, and by all means take your meds before you turn your computer on again. Your party already knows that Bush orchestrated 9/11, all by himself

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:48 AM:tHE McCain camp is calling the media's coverage of Palin 'offensive'. It's McCains own fault. He should have found a VP who befriends terrorists, and who makes shady real estate deals with criminals, and then the liberals would have nothing to complain about. Or, even better, he should have nominated a gay as VP.

Some month names are misnamed wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:49 AM:Cool thanks for the info, that could be the next million dollar questions and I will know the answers. I love crazy trivia. Thanks Clay

All hail Ron the feminist wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:59 AM:Listen to Ron yesterday sounding like he's been reading The Second Sex. Naturally, he continues his war of words with the liberal that exists only in his head, the only liberal he's smarter than. As a liberal and as a feminist, I have admiration for Ms Palin's career. I find her positions on the issues that I've heard about so far repellant, and some of them, I believe, are downright nasty to women. Unlike feminists, Ms Palin believes women, even women who've just been brutally raped, have no choice over the fertilized egg that may be implanted in them. Unlike feminists, Ms Palin believes that there should be NO education about sexuality except to "just say no", which, the research tells us, is a failure. So, Ron, see if you are capable of understanding this. A feminist believes that women are equal to men and should have as much choice in their lives as men do. So we salute Ms Palin's successes and decisions to serve. But we also strongly disagree with many of her political beliefs as being anti-feminist, anti-woman, because they remove choice from women and do so in a thoroughly paternalistic way. So please, Ron, try to understand the difference between trashing Palin and trashing her opinions. Finally, just as a practical matter, I am curious as to how she and Mr P plan to manage the family with a vp job to do. Because we live in a patriarchy, this question has not come up when men have run: we good little Americans just assume that wifey will do the job of raising the kids and being praised to heaven for it. Ms Palin is in an interesting position: she is and is not a feminist, as I've said. I wonder how she and Mr P will handle the awesome job of raising the kids. I know, it's their business. But what's "their business" has not exactly been respected when people run for office (at least not if it's Obama's church or Edwards' affair), so it's par for the course to be curious about this, just as curious as you, Ron, are about whether Edwards is a daddy. So, to recap, listen carefully: as a feminist I celebrate Palin's career and detest her anti-feminist politics. You see women, like men, have a right to strong political opinions. And women, like men, must take responsibility for those opinions. Comprende?

No McCain wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:14 AM:Sarah Palin and her husband were members of the Alaskan Independence Party in the 1990's. This is a party that questions Alaska's statehood, calling for a vote for Alaskan "Independence". Some in the party even propose having Alaska join Canada. Sarah only joined the Republican party when it became politically expedient in her run for Mayor in 1996. But have her views really changed? Perhaps she would still put Alaska first over the needs of our country if she were to become VP.

Yokozuna wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:19 AM:As uninteresting as Mr. Northcote's letter it does bear some corrections. Note the following from Thinkquest.
"At first the Roman calendar consisted of ten months. This changed when Julius Caesar, a dictator ruled and added the month of July, which is named after his name. His son Augustus Caesar ruled after Julius, and like his father he too added his own month, August. In short, the names of the months on the Gregorian calendar had a Roman origin."
Please note the additional two months were not added at the beginning of the year.

No McCain wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:20 AM:The Alaskan Independence Party was founded by Joe Vogler. Mr. Vogler has been quoted as stating "I'm an Alaskan, not an American. I've got no use for America or her damned institutions." This was the party of Sarah Palin, the woman McCain supposedly vetted as his running mate. In reality, he only met her once before last week, and the FBI has admitted they did not vet her at all.

WhatCouldBeMoreHateful wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:39 AM:What could possibly be more hateful to liberals, and especially Hussein.
McCain picked a woman, a heterosexual woman that fishes, hunts, skins, owns guns, is an NRA member, is raising a Downs syndrome baby, and has a daughter who is a heterosexual, who didn't go running to Planned Parenthood for abortion counseling. I'd say Palin pretty much the height of a hateful candidate, as far as liberals are concerned, and boy, is the hate spewing forth. LOL. You better tell Hussein Dukakis to back off

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:42 AM:>>>added the month of July, which is named after his name. His son Augustus Caesar ruled after Julius, and like his father he too added his own month, August>> Didnt Obama try to add a 13th month during his annointing. Maybe I can go on vacation on Hussein 16, 2009??

Oh Please wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:50 AM:Chuck et al: Listen to you whine. You don't like it when the libs and the Democrats apply the slimly Rovian book of slander and lies or misinterpretation of the truth to your candidates and families.
Too bad, Chuckie. You have been one of the top instructors of it on this blog. Blaim yourself if we are apt students.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:01 AM:The letter from Bob Sheard talks about the expense of the process to desalinate water and the cost of desal water.
With NEW water meters being installed every day, even if current users cut back, the demand for water will increase.
The Delta Smelt Decision, the lack of rainfall, the lessening of the Sierra snow pack all combine to make water a more scarce resource every day.
Unless we get significantly more than average rainfall and snowfall for at least 2 or 3 years in a row, we will absolutely need desal plants, as in more than one, as in reeeeaaal soon.
I still am of the opinion that I'll reduce my water usage even more than I have already if and only if there is a moratorium on new water meters.
Until the local governments demonstrate that they are going to do what they tell us to do, to reduce water usage and demand by ceasing to install NEW water meters, they will remain being viewed, at least by me, as complete hypocrites and do not deserve to have their words be heeded.
Regards, Alf.

jvc wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:03 AM:It's PeePee Wee Herman!

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:06 AM:Thanks, "Chuck" at 4:42AM,
for the humor. It was much needed.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:18 AM:Well, "Chuck" at 6:23AM,
David Johnson also missed the part of the instantly Photoshopped images of the airliners flying into the buildings.
What David Johnson might not realize is that most newscasters haven't seen all that many airliners fly into big buildings but they have seen probably hundreds of scenes of buildings being "imploded", footage of such "implosions" are often used in movies as well. David Johnson fails to ask what else can newscasters use as a frame of reference.
Regards, Alf.

Karl wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:22 AM:Oh Please @ 7:50 AM:

"Too bad, Chuckie. You have been one of the top instructors of it on this blog"

Okay Professor Chuckie, where's my diploma?

Campaign lesson for Republicans wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:22 AM:All you Republicans out there, repeat after me: "What's wrong with that?". Again: "What's wrong with that?" This will be a sentence that you will be using a great deal in the coming months as statements, simple declarative true sentences, will be made about Ms Palin. Not attacks, just simple declarative true sentences. She backed Buchanan for President. Ready? "What's wrong with that?" She wanted Alaska to secede from the union. Here we go: "What's wrong with that?" She's being investigated for abuse of power. C'mon, everybody! "What's wrong with that?" She was hardly vetted by McCain and not vetted at all by the FBI. You know the line: "What's wrong with that?" The key: practice, practice, practice...because the simple declarative true sentences are in their very early stage. McCain and Palin need you to be ready with that repsponse. Class dismissed.

question for what could be more hateful wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:32 AM:Can you please cite any statements that Barack Obama has made that are critical of Ms Palin? Thanks in advance. And don't forget, at least half of the things that you say liberals hate about Sarah are true of Hillary, heterosexual, heterosexual daughter (though not pregnant and so not having to wonder about consulting PP). Poor conservative hate-mongers. For less than a week, they've had a taste, a mere taste, of what it's like to have a candidate be raked over the coals. This is something they thought only they had the right to do, because all Republicans are so perfect and upstanding. And listen to them howl about it. And yet, unlike those of Republicans, just about every sentence that is being said about Ms Palin is, um, TRUE! No one has insisted that Sarah is a Muslim. No one says she cavorts with terrorists. No one says that when she smiles at her hubby, that smile is a secret terrorist code gesture. No one says she trained with Saul Alinsky. Just simple truths. She backed Buchanan. She was an Alakan sepratist. Her daughter is pregnant, five months, and is only now talking about intending to marry the fellow. You know, TRUE sentences, NOT hate-mongering, swift-boating attacks. Get used to it folks, this is only the beginning of what we learn about Ms Palin. And get used to the implications of this pick for what it says about McCain's famous "judgment". Not that it's Palin, but that a vp was picked in such a hurried, incomplete, irresponsible, and shoddy manner. That's the point. It's about McCain.

Asteroid wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:36 AM:I’ve said it from the very beginning; one of the biggest mistakes of the Bush administration was rolling over and taking the blame for the New Orleans, Katrina debacle. Does anyone wonder what it cost for the recent evacuation of New Orleans for the anti-climactic cat 2 hurricane? Did anyone notice that kind of response when the Midwest was being flooded most of the early summer? Did you ever even hear FEMA mentioned while people sat on their roofs and watched their belongings float by? But that’s how it will be from now on; every time a tropical storm event occurs in the Gulf, millions of tax payer dollars will be spent to taxi New Orleans government dependant residents back and forth to safety.

Cluck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:54 AM:... Yeah those abstinance only campaigns are just another failed conservative policy. And now the self righteous conservative talking mouths are so dismayed over the "nastiness" directed towards her. Really? My, how so very "conservative" of you to forget the slime you throw. Granted, their slime is lies so I guess we should all just "keep our sense of humor" about it. But when you get real, well that's another thing all together. I for one commend her decision to keep the baby. And I find it iRONic that conservatives say the same thing. A decision implies there is a choice. She can thank liberals that she lives in a country where she can make such a "decision".

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:55 AM:Thanks, "Asteroid" at 8:36AM,
for proving "News Flash" at 5:35PM on Aug. 31st correct on at least one count.
Go look it up, it only takes a few clicks and a scroll.
It would appear that you'd prefer to be sorry than safe.
Regards, Alf.

To Julia wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:59 AM:Oh come now Julia you don't have a heart! You don not have compassion for the plight of others! Your letter is full of your constant diatribe against immigrants. My heart bleeds for you, boo hoo!

Cajun wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:01 AM:Asteroid[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:36 AM:
Semms you are saying that we should give every body an equal opportunity to drown.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:01 AM:From todays Wall Street Journal Online (for DD's pleasure):

"According to memos disclosed Sunday in the New York Times, even senior officials at the State Department and Pentagon opposed the surge. President Bush, heeding Generals David Petraeus and Ray Odierno as well as John McCain, overruled the defeatists and ordered a renewed U.S. commitment to Iraq.

The Anbar handover is above all a tribute to the hundreds of Americans who have fought and died in places like Fallujah, Ramadi and Hit over these last five years. Over the horizon of history, we tend to recall only the successes in previous wars at such places as Guadalcanal, Peleliu and the Chosin Reservoir. We forget that those wars and battles were also marked by terrible blunders and setbacks, both political and military. What mattered is that our troops, and our country, had the determination to fight to an ultimate victory. So it is with the heroes of Anbar."

Military Experience wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:04 AM:Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, considers Palin "extremely responsive and smart" and says she is in charge when it comes to in-state services, such as emergencies and natural disasters where the National Guard is the first responder.

But, in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday, he said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:05 AM:>>>Okay Professor Chuckie, where's my diploma?>>> Would you recognize it, if I gave you one!!???

Which reminds me of the time I volunteered to work in the Gaslamp for one of the Superbowls here. I was assigned to Budweisers brewing school. My job was to pour small taste-test quantities of beer in cups and distribute them as the brewmaster talked about how that beer was made. Then, at the end, I handed out Bud School diplomas as people left. This is where I made a huge error. One kid, probably a drunk gang member got pushy and demanded his diploma to be handed to him immediately, and after doing a bit of taste testing myself, I may have been a bit off. And I said to the guy, Here's your diploma, and I know its the first one you've ever seen. The brewmaster came up to me privately and said "thats the funniest thing I've heard in my life, but it's not how we want people to associate Budweiser with, so button it up, or go home" It was hard, but I buttoned up

jvc wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:06 AM:We should truly outlaw abortions that has given the Christian Right and
Republicans a rallying cry for its members! And since the Christian Right
and Republicans are made-up of the wealthy in our society, they can take care of these children!The Christian
Left, who are among our poor and support abortion on demand can never support unwanted children even with mandated assistance of as long as five years for poor mothers!

Double Standard wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:08 AM:Second submission attempt:

To: What Could Be More Hateful at 7:39 a.m.

YOU JUST DON'T GET IT, DO YOU.
It is not about one family's personal challenge. It is the repeated hypocrisy of conservatives:

NOT INCLUDING mere money scandals such as defense contractor profiteering by supposedly military hero Randy "Duke" Cunningham betraying those he sent into combat, liberals are sick and tired of Republicans and conservatives campaigning on "family values" and lecturing everyone else about their private lives when they can't control their own:
--Sen. David Vitter (R-La) - one of the strongest proponents of strong "social conservative" intrusions of government into private lives.
--Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) - voted against same-sex rights, while carrying on repeated same-sex dalliances, including at his favorite hot spot, the Twin Cities airport! (Free tours for RNC delegates.)
--Rep. Mark Foley - supervisory role over Congressional pages and wrote legislation to protect children while engaged in predatory and lewd behavior with Congressional Pages.
--House Speakers Newt Gingrich, Bob Livingston and House impeachment prosecutor Henry Hyde, all carrying on full-on affairs while prosecuting Bill Clinton for oral sex.
--Alaskan Gov Sarah Palin - outspoken supporter of absitnence ONLY in sex education and opposed to ALL reproductive choice (not even for rape or incest), but who had a baby 7 months after her wedding, and whose abstinence-only sex education worked so well for her daughter, and who allowed her daughter to make the "choice" about her pregnancy, thouse she won't allow anyone else's daughter the same right.

And then there are the Republican pornographers:
--Lynne Cheney, author of "Sisters," a novel replete with explicit lesbian sex scenes.
--Phil "Nation of Whiners" Gramm (author of the bills to deregulate speculation in oil futures trading and subprime lending markets - how's that workin' out for you? - oh, and author of John "I don't understand the economy" McCain's economic policy) - who produced the porn flick "Truck Stop Women" -- which was subtitled on one poster: "No rig was too big for them to handle"
--Bill O'Reilly -- who wrote his porn novel "Those Who Trespass" years before getting hit with his sexual harassment lawsuit from co-worker Andrea Mackris.

In contrast, the Clintons worked through adversity and preserved the sanctity of their marriage. Their daughter was a model child and honors student. Yet Republicans made fun of her and ridiculed her, when she was only TWELVE! Talk about HATEFUL!!!
The Obama's and Bidens have exemplary family values and model families.

Liberals don't care about other people's private lives. But we are sick and tired of being lectured to by those who are much worse. HYPOCRITES!

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:21 AM:Whom comes first?

News of Mrs Palin's former membership in the Alaska Independence Party comes as the latest in a string of potentially embarrassing disclosures about her past.

The party has lobbied since the 1970s for the right to hold a referendum on whether Alaska should secede from the United States. Its motto, "Alaska First", contrasts sharply with the John McCain campaign slogan: "Country First."
Just where does her loyalty lie?

Okaaaaaaaay wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:35 AM:I can't let this post from yesterday go by without comment. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Ron arguing in favor of Pro-choice:

"Ron
[-] wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:19 PM:
I think your post exactly phrases what I've been trying to say, Thank You!
"Ron and straw as usual" @8:34 PM.

Thank you for pointing out that each individual women in America needs to think exactly like you think.

And then, and only then... could she ever be thought of as a real woman.

Do you hear yourself talking?

Like I said, she can not make her own choices, she has to chose what you want her to chose, to meet your definition.

Told ya, liberal menu of choices.

My friend, that is thought police stuff.

Inbelievable..."

Yes you are, Ron. Unbelievable.

thanks raoul wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:36 AM:I agree that the handover of Anbar to the Iraqis is great news and our military should be proud of its work. I don't really get, though, how you manage to give Bush and McCain so much credit for this. McCain was one of many, many voices urging Bush to increase the size of the US force in Iraq going back to the early days of the invasion. In fact at first, McCain stood with Bush and Rummy insisting that a larger force was unnecessary. The McCain/Bush/Rummy position at that time was a large factor in causing the deadliest months of the insurgency to begin with. Then McCain switched his opinion, to his credit, and joined the chorus of people screaming for more troops. Finally, after a couple of YEARS, Bush made the decision, now called the "surge". It's bizarre to me that you applaud Bush so enthusiastically for this. His stubborn reluctance led to the deaths of many Americans and God knows how many Iraqis. It allowed the situation in Iraq to get completely out of control (you might read accounts of what Iraq was like in the worst months of the insurgency...hair-raising...and Bush still refused to "surge"). Finally, after all this true horror, Bush gives in, and you call him a hero for "saving the day"! And you attribute the surge idea to McCain, when in fact he was one of hundreds who felt this way, and was not even there in the beginning? What a strange, partisan-blinded person you are, raoul. Do you think no one out here reads? Or thinks? Or knows anything? Good grief!

Karl wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:41 AM:Chuck, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Budweiser many, many years ago. You've read the stories of child prodigies who graduate from college before most graduate high school, well I was one of those child prodigies that graduated from the University of Budweiser. I think this is the reason that I have only one lonely brain cell and one lonely feeling left.

After years of using my handy BA from the UOB I have decided it is time to go for the masters. I have already been accepted to the University of Coors Light in Boulder Colorado (they even have a golf team). Is it as cold there in the winter? Is the ocean temperature as warm at the Colorado beaches as it is at our SoCal beaches?

I've seen the curriculum and I should be sporting the Masters on the wall in about 6 months and then on the the University of San Jose Cuervo for the PHD.

Peace

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:42 AM:>>>The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.>>> That is contrary to Callyforneya whre Ahnuld controls the National Guard, and has told Bush more than once, to shove it when it comes to the use of the National Guard

McCain and the Republicans wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:43 AM:Hey, you all should check out the official Republican platform. Fascinating. Did you know the word "McCain" does not appear in it? Did you know it includes stands on issues that are directly in opposition to stands McCain takes on those issues? While everyone was celebrating how "divided" the Democratic party was because of Hillary and Obama, who happen to agree on just about every iota of policy, here are your stalwart Republicans, flouting their opposition to their own candidate in their own official party platform. Fascinating time to be alive, isn't it?

Wow Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:45 AM:How shocking to hear that someone has ever had the opinion that you should button it up! So what you're saying is that you've been insulting and stereotyping people all your life, and that your inability to see that it offends people is an old story. Well thanks for sharing!

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:48 AM:McCain is a dangerous loose cannon

My personal feeling is that the pregnancy of Palin’s daughter is not the business of the public, and the public has no right to make a moral judgment of the 17 year old daughter. Nor should we make a moral judgment of the mother, Sarah, unless she was negligent in her responsibility in educating her daughter in sex education and use of condoms; or unless she failed to be truthful with McCain and his party in the vetting process. The fundamentalists of the religious right will likely react negatively, and this will hurt McCain’s election chances.

Nor should the girl’s pregnancy reflect upon John McCain unless he failed to vet Mrs. Palin fully or simply he failed to reveal the information to his Party. Such deceit character is not acceptable for this nation’s leader.

I hope McCain loses big time, but not for the reason of this 17 year old girl. I hope he is rejected because the public comes to understand that McCain justifies the bombing and killing of hundreds of thousands Vietnamese and Cambodian children and innocent civilians in a criminal, immoral and unnecessary war, and has never expressed any contrition. To this day he does not admit that air strikes against and slaughter of Iraqi and Afghan children and civilians is a war crime. We do not need another criminal mind in the White House.

The most troubling conclusion about McCain is that he is shallow, undisciplined and irresponsible. He is no mere maverick. He is a loose cannon rumbling across the deck of the ship of state, out of control, unpredictable and very dangerous.

Karl wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:49 AM:Chuck, You'll know the diploma is hanging when I sign in as Doctor Jose de la Coors Budweiser PHD.

This will be my second PHD. I already possess a Poway High Diploma.

esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:51 AM:Thanks Clay, that's been killing me all my life.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:53 AM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:01 AM:
My Dad was at Guadalcanal, 2/11 1st Mar Div and at Peleliu, Silver Star, two purple hearts. My father in law was at Chosin with the 7th Marines. The first war was part of a World War. The second was a UN war in which the US led in the fight against communist aggression. They have nothing to do with Iraq. Iraqi war was never necessary period. Iraq did not attack us. Anbar was a success due to the dedicated tenacity of our armed forces but also because the Suni's decided it was not in their interest to fight us anymore and because our government is making payments to them.
This is common knowledge If you are paying tribute to the actions, sacrifice and victory of the Marines in Anbar, I concur.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:57 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:05 AM: Well, pard, all the cowhands around the fire think that this was a grand yarn.

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:59 AM:Aimee Bui thinks the taxpayers should build her a railroad from Escondido to San Diego. Why doesn’t she organizer her economic laggards and build their own railroad. Aimee just wants a free ride at the expense of the economically productive class.

Joan wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:06 AM:How nice of you to share this information with us, Mr. Northcote. I was not aware, but found it quite interesting. I am sharing your info with my grandchildren. Just goes to prove, you're never too old to learn new things. Thank you.

Whew wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:19 AM:Thank God it was Palin's daughter and not one of Obama's. Many Americans would not be as understanding. A black unwed, teenage mom in the White House? Forget about it.

Silence of the Wolves wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:23 AM:C'mon! Gimme a break! Does ANYONE seriously believe that Ron, Raoul and Chuck - not to mention all the hatemongers of right wing radio - would be calling on us to respect people's privacy if the shoe was on the other foot - if it was the Democrat who made a hasty, unvetted, shoot-from-the hip choice of the candidate to be a heartbeat away from a 72-year-old four-time cancer survivor?

COUNTRY FIRST FAMILY SECOND wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:27 AM:At age 44, Sarah Palin is still very capable of having more children herself. If elected as VP, and if she finds herself suddenly President: what if she also finds herself pregnant yet again? Clearly birth control is NOT something this family supports. And this family has proven that their "Abstinence Only" ideals DO NOT WORK, especially for them!

Having a lot of children does not a family make! It’s fairly common knowledge that when a teenage child becomes pregnant, usually something is missing in the family. Usually the case is that mom and/or dad are not all that available as parents to their children.

But maybe Palin and McCain are showing the world that a Man can handle a large family on his own while his other half is busy running the White House. Proving that the 'traditional' family that conservatives always we all must strive for is really not necessary. A man can do it alone.

Sounds to me like it’s a fairly easy step from that stance to the one that says gays can raise children. After all, what children really need is a responsible and loving adult at home to raise them. Right Sarah?

How does McCain and Palin think that ANY parent, mom or dad, can deal with a family of 5 children that include a son freshly deployed overseas as a soldier in an ugly war, a daughter dealing with adolescence, another in grade school, a new-born infant with downs-syndrome and an unmarried teenager pregnant with their grandchild to be born just as before inauguration of the highest offices in the world???? PLUS DEAL WITH: Russia, Iran, North Korea, Columbia, Darfur, China, Iraq, Afghanistan, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Hurricanes, terrorists, nuclear proliferation, oil crisis, house markets failures, bank failures, global warming (just to name a few very real issues) and God Knows what else will be throw at the world over the next four years???

Who can deal with all that at the same time? NOBODY. And if Sarah finds herself in the fairly likely position of Commander in Chief, she will be faced with some VERY DIFFICULT decisions: the needs of her young and expanding family and the needs of the turbulent and ever-changing world.

No one should have to make that choice. And no one should suffer for whichever choice she makes. Her family deserves the attention they require from BOTH parents and this country and the world deserve the attention we all require from our leader.

Pretty simple really, Sarah Palin is years from being ready to be President of the United States. Maybe in 2016, at age 50 and with a smaller immediate household, she can manage to be a good parent and a good president but today, she obviously cannot be good at both at the same time.

esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:30 AM:The liberals may be loons, but I believe most of them do not buy into the "US orchestrated 9/11" thing. Anyone who believes that really should have to start over in education and should have to give back any and all diplomas. But I suspect the believers of that garbage would never hold any kind of diplomas.

esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:34 AM:Solon, so does that make Obama better? I think not. McCain ain't great, but voting for Obama is a vote for a mushroom cloud over your hometown. Thanks.

Christian man wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:37 AM:Stop blaming all "LEFTs" for attacking. I 'm a hard-right Born again Christian and was already appalled at a 'Mom of 5!" running for the VP - new baby? what? Disabled new baby? What what? now, the lady who wants our respect is the same one who has been lying to many about her "sick" daughter at home, who was kept at home to hide her pregnancy , which I get, but to win the VP slot she suddenly drags her out of the house , where it could have been kept a private matter, and has her daughter holding the baby just to cover her stomach - to hide ? are you kdidddddding me ? This is ridiculous and with all the other lies, I'm DONE DONE DONE. Cut her loose now , she'll be lucky enough to keep her gov't job. it's over now. Family values what a joke she doesn't represent me.

Small correction for Solon wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:38 AM:On Sixty Minutes in, I believe, 1999, John McCain DID say that he had been a war criminal for bombing villages and the children who lived in them. But he did not, as you correctly say, apologize for this. On the contrary, he got back in that cockpit again and again. When an accidental explosion on his carrier did to his compadres what he had been doing to those children, he was, he admitted, horrified. But he still got right back in that cockpit to burn more villages. Decades later, he was among the loudest cheerleaders for the similar bombing of a major capital city, population more than one million. Both of these campaigns were based on lies sold to the American public as reasons for war. By all moral reasoning, wars should be fought in self-defense as a last resort. Neither of McCain's wars come anywhere close to meeting these criteria. The man has no respect for the sanctity of human life, that's for sure. As long as it's dressed up in a military uniform, McCain thinks murder of children is just ducky. I could never vote for such a person either.

Apple Pie Mom wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:41 AM:I am a Republican and a Christian and I won't vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.

It isn't the circumstances, but the candidates response to these circumstances. The Governor should not have accepted the nomination. Her family has gone through major changes this year, yet she is willing to move over 4,000 miles away.

SHAME on those of you who compare this to Biden who traveled 75 miles to the Senate and had his mother move in to assist him with his young sons during the tragic death of his wife and daughter.

I listened to Focus on the Family for 15 years, but that ended last week. Dr. Dobson has a lot to account for as he takes his flock astray to persue his own political aspirations.

Other Republican Moms -- I emplore you to write to Dr. Dobson and tell him the truth in love. We have listened to him talk about the value of motherhood above all else. That we should work with our spouses through all things -- even infidelity. Yet he supports a ticket that smacks against all those values we hold true.

I am truly disappointed in his leadership.

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:41 AM:>>>Chuck [-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:59 AM:Aimee Bui thinks the taxpayers should build her a railroad from Escondido to San Diego. Why doesn’t she organizer her economic laggards and build their own railroad. Aimee just wants a free ride at the expense of the economically productive class.>>>>

I see some liberal, devoid of any character, finds it necessary to use my name to make a post. It just shows how desperate you truly are

Old Timer wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:43 AM:A subject written about constantly is that "I am not going to pay more tax for Schools, Hospitals, Mass transit etc. etc" What is not written about is how under trickle Down economics, increased national debt has increased your taxes way more than a hospital, school etc. and most of you are not smart enough to see this. The real culprit is the hidden tax imposed by all the wasteful spending that the Republicans did when they were throwing money around like they didn't care where it came from. Now the falling dollar is a hidden tax that causes inflation not just for our generation but for generations to come. A real tax increase on future generations while claiming to not increase taxes. Republicans must stay up late at night figuring how to best fool the American foolish.

How Does She Do It wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:44 AM:... Fair is fair.

Does Linda Setter really not understand how political decision making works?
Bill was against Obama in the primary because the choice was between Hillary and Obama.
With that as the choice, be believed that Hillary was the better choice.
Now here is a surprise for you: HE STILL BELIEVES THAT.
But Hillary is no longer an available option.
Now the choice is between Barack Obama and John McCain.
Barring some unforseseen tragedy, one of those two men will be sworn into the presidency on January 20, 2009.
That is the choice.
Between those two options, Bill Clinton sincerely believes that Barack Obama is the better choice.
Not perfect. Just better.
Does Setter also condemn all the Romney, Giuliani and Huckabee supporters who are now behind McCain? (You know, the ones not voting for Ron Paul or Bob Barr.)

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:47 AM:>>>So what you're saying is that you've been insulting and stereotyping people all your life,>>
Yes, as they do to me. I must admit, I get joy out of pushing peoples buttons. But, I don't intend it in a hurtful manner (most of the time)especially if that person is bigger than me.

Apollo wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:50 AM:Re: SDRaoul (9:01 a.m.)
So what was your point, Raoul?
The purpose of the surge was to quiet the hotspots long enough for the political rapprochement to occur. Our brave military did their part. So where is the POLITICAL rapprochement this was supposed to enable? Obviously the political side, the Bush administration, dropped the ball, fumbled the play, struck out - you pick the metaphor.
The military did their job, but THE SURGE IS AN ABYSMAL FAILURE.
In the meantime, our initial victories in Afghanistan have been reversed, the Taliban is resurgent, and Osama bin Laden thumbs his nose at America and plots the next invasion.
We cut and ran from the real war on terror.
THE SURGE IS AN ABYSMAL FAILURE.

Nick wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:55 AM:The other day, "Gracchus" did not like the fact that I call Obama a liar. When I pointed out that I do this because of his refusals to take money from Big Corporations and Lobbyists, all the while doing so.
My friend "Gracchus" says that this was not a lie, but a change of tactics, and if I can't see the difference than there is no use arguing the point.
While I understand your point "Gracchus", it is that very statement which solidifies my point that Obama is indeed a liar. You see, if he had never accepted a dollar from Lobbyists PAC's and Big Corporate donors thru "Joint-Committees" BEFORE his bold claims, you would be correct.
The fact of the matter is that he has been taking Lobbyists money from day one and it goes back to his days in Chicago.

This is a quote straight from Obama's website on ethics:

“I am in this race to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over. I have done more than any other candidate in this race to take on lobbyists — and won. They have not funded my campaign, they will not run my White House, and they will not drown out the voices of the American people when I am president.”

— Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, November 10, 2007

There is a great website called "Open Secret"(I know it sounds fishy, but it's not)which is the Center for Responsive Politics and is a nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy.
Give it a look "Gracchus" and I think you will find it to be very informative on finance in all areas of Government.

What I really found interesting were the ones running for re-election in the House and the Senate.
In The House, the majority of people in the pockets of the PAC's and Lobbyists were Democrats, where as in The Senate, the majority were Republicans.

Check out the webiste "Gracchus", I think you will find it very insightful and usefull.
Cheers, Nick.

Greenergy wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:11 AM:I suspect that the real reason the price of oil dropped more than $4 a barrel when all drilling stopped in the Gulf due to weather (thus conclusively disconnecting the link between more drilling and lower prices) is that Big Oil has recoiled in terror at the prospects of a Republican/Alaskan (separatist?) taing over when Pres McCain's head explodes and nationalizing (i.e., socialism) the oil industry like she did in her state.

In the meantime, all those Republican apologists (Ron, Raoul, Chuck, I'm talkin' about YOU) need to go back and re-read the list of Republican scandalmongers and hate speech in the blog by "Double Standard" at 9:08 a.m.
Then stop all hate speech against liberals until you have answered every one of those.

Oh Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:16 AM:It's obvious that you get pleasure out of pushing people's buttons. But I don't believe you when you say you don't intend it in a hurtful manner. I've been reading your posts. They seem to be quite straighforwardly hurtful in their intent. If you were a gay man reading the posts of Chuck, how else would you take them other than hateful? What will you say, Chuck? The gay reader doesn't count? Deserves it? Well, hey, those are hurtful too! No, I don't believe you don't intend harm and hatred, and I don't believe you are so dense as to really believe you are as innocent of these as you claim. I think you are simply a bully, filled with rage and bile, and toss in little "I don't mean harm" phrases when you think, for a moment, how awful your views and posts actually are. Sorry. I take people at their words. I'd do some serious soul-searching if I were you. It's not nearly all as funny as you think.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:26 AM:Chuck[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:42 AM: The subject is the Alaskan National Guard and the comments of its Commanding General. But, I have a feeling that Chuck is using this a segway to another wonderful yarn. So, come closer cowpokes to the fire. The Master story teller is almost ready.

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:28 AM:Nick[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:55 AM: Hey Nick thanks for the info. I am always looking for more sources that check out the sources. Regards Gotta Wonder

Its settled then wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:36 AM:Gracchus makes the point. And now it is agreed. If you decide to vote in November, you will be voting for a man who has lied. There.

RAOULS POINT wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:37 AM:Apollo at 10:50 a.m. asks Raoul what is point was.
Don't you get it, Apollo?
HE DIDN'T HAVE ONE!
His McCaindidate is being revealed as a shoot-from-the-hip loser so he's trying real hard to "move on."
Raoul was just trying to change the subject.

hardtack wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:38 AM:Frank Crowley’s economic insights raise more questions for Crowley than Crowley seems to be willing to acknowledge.
Crowley says: “Bush devalued the dollar with his policies.” Has Crowley not noticed that Democrats are equally adept at passing pork laden appropriation bills?
Crowley says: “[the devalued dollar] results that Americans pay more for imported goods.” Has Crowley asked himself what motivates Americans to buy imported products in the first place?
Crowley says: “[Obama] will strive to eliminate the federal deficit and bring fiscal responsibility back to the federal government.” Does Crowley not think that every administration since Woodrow Wilson has “strived” to do the same thing – like an alcoholic “strives” to not have another drink?
Crowley needs to come up with something a lot better than this to get me to pull the lever for McBama.

thanks esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:40 AM:Ah, the famous mushroom cloud is back. You may be right, but remember: the closest thing to a mushroom cloud over the US happened on the watch of George W Bush. The one President that failed to protect us from an actual disaster of a terror attack. The only one. A fact that will not go away. So if you voted for Bush in 2004, you literally voted for the candidate that had allowed the attack to occur. The candidate whom McCain has agreed with more than 90% of the time. I just don't see that your political acumen is anything to brag about, esteban!

Ron wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:42 AM:They are taking the bait, folks.
Hook... line... &... sinker.

You do not want to compare Palin to Obama. DON'T DO IT!
Proper comparison: McCain to Obama.

Your only making our case for us.

Inquiring Minds wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:43 AM:Attention to Tabloids: A tabloid recently was correct about John Edwards and his affair to remember. Well, it is rumored by a tabloid that GWB and Laura will be divorcing after the elections. Inquiring minds do want to know?

OBAMA MAMA wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:43 AM:Best commentary yesterday was by OBAMACAN, in response to Ron’s attempt to choke off free speech and exchange of ideas:

This was her powerful commentary once again:

"Cindy McCain:
She is a rich heiress who inherited all her money as Daddy's only child and sole heir.
She met McCain when she was 24 and he 42 and still married to and living with the first wife who had waited for him through his years of POW captivity.
She has a history of drug addiction, including admissions of stealing drugs from a charity she was involved with. Oh well, we can see the ulterior motives behind her "volunteer charity work."
The company she inherited from Daddy is the nation's largest BEER distributor, with extensive lobbying activities opposing efforts by MADD to limit DUI and underage drinking risks, so extensive that McCain has had to repeatedly recuse himself when alcohol industry interests have come up for vote or appeared before his committees. How can a president recuse himself?

Michelle Obama:<.B>
Born to poverty and disadvantage on the mean streets of the South Side of Chicago, overcame obstacles to make steady academic and professional achievements, completing a degree from Princeton University and then a law degree from Harvard University -- a truly self-made record of achievement
Instead of inheriting wealth from a rich beer distributor, had a father with a medical disability who showed a work ethic by showing up to a city job every day
Found a quality husband of her own, not needing to steal someone else's husband
Became a highly respected attorney working for a law firm and later a hospital

No wonder you [Ron] don't want to compare wives

And as for all those who want to minimize how black women are looked down on if they get pregnant, I think I would rather hear from Ms M and Obama Mama who know I'm right, than Ron, Raoul and a bunch of those who will stop at nothing to prevent a black person of either gender from making historic gains in equality of opportunity. Again, if Chelsea or Sasha got pregnant, Ron and Raoul would be first out with their daggers, and it wouldn't have been pretty. Think how Chelsea was ridiculed, and she was a model student!

And the issue is NOT THE DAUGHTER!!!
Liberals don't care about other people's private challenge.
But we are sick and tired of those who scold everyone else from always turning up with far worse skeletons in their closet, or denying others the choices for their own kids that they insist on for their own kids." END OF QUOTE

SOCIALIST wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:45 AM:Sarah Palin is a Socialist

Palin had been in the governor’s seat only a few months when she raised taxes on the oil corporations in Alaska and distributed the new found wealth to the citizens of Alaska. He popularity soared to over 60%. The oil corporations do not like her, but the populace did.

Nick wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:52 AM:It seems to me that "Double Standard" is guilty of his double standard.
Apparently he thinks that only Republicans are sexual deviants....lol.
Let me help you out with a small list of Democrats---Fair is Fair:

1. Sen. Teddy Kennedy. The liberal Massachusetts senator testified in defense of nephew accused of rape, invoking his family history to win over the jury in 1991.

2. Former Rep. Mel Reynolds. The Illinois Democrat was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault with a 16-year-old. President Bill Clinton pardoned him before leaving office.

3. Former Rep. Gerry Studds. He was censured for sexual relationship with underage male page in 1983. Massachusetts voters returned him to office for six more terms.

4. Former Rep. Wayne Hays. The late Ohio Democrat hired an unqualified secretary reportedly for sexual acts. Although he resigned from Congress, the Democratic House leadership stalled in removing him from the Administration Committee in 1976.

5. Former Rep. John Young. The late Texas Democrat increased the salary of a staffer after she gave in to his sexual advances. The congressman won re-election in 1976 but lost two years later.

6. Former Rep. Fred Richmond. This New York Democrat was arrested in 1978 for soliciting sex from a 16-year-old. He remained in Congress and won re-election—before eventually resigning in 1982 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and drug possession.

7. Former Sen. Brock Adams. The late Washington Democrat was forced to stop campaigning after numerous accusations of drugging, assault and rape, the first surfacing in 1988.

8. Rep. Barney Frank. The outspoken Massachusetts Democrat hired a male prostitute who ran a prostitution service from Frank’s residence in the 1980s. Only two Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to censure him in 1990.

9. Former Rep. Gus Savage. The Illinois Democrat was accused of fondling a Peace Corps volunteer in 1989 while on a trip to Africa. The House Ethics Committee decided against disciplinary action in 1990.

10. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The 82-year-old Hawaii Democrat was accused in the 1990s by numerous women of sexual harassment. Democrats cast doubt on the allegations and the Senate Ethics Committee dropped its investigation.

If the Blog Ed's can post your list of Republican sex scandals, they must surely post the one on Democrats.
Cheers, Nick.

Bill wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:53 AM:If Sara Palin is such a bad candidate, then why are liberals hysterical right now?

The same reason they were hoping for disaster in New Orleans this week.

The same reason they want gas prices to remain high until after the election.

The attacks on Palin tell me all I need to know.

Optional wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:54 AM:If you had the choice of George W. Bush or Palin for President, who would you select?

Bucky wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:58 AM:Let me remind you that the Democrat Party has been in charge of Congress for two years. If their economic, environmental or governing principals were so great, why are we in this economic slowdown. As VP candidate, Joe Biden recently said, “I’ve never seen it so bad in Congress”. If things are that bad in congress it is the Democrat policies of Rep. Nancy Pelosi that are the problem.
Want more economic bad news, vote Democrat!

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:03 PM:My bad - I apologize

I must apologize profusely to readers for the glaring mistake in my post of 9:21 AM, and hasten to say it was a typographical error, not a deliberate one. I wrongly used the objective case Whom instead of the correct nominative case word Who.

chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:04 PM:I feel terrible. Something must have gone wrong in Denver. The news is reporting that Obama's DNC bounce was smaller than others and shrinking.Gee, to bad. And see, there is never a small bounce with Palin.

OBAMA MAMA wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:07 PM:Pregnant daughter:

Sarah Palin’s 17-year old daughter is five months pregnant, it was revealed yesterday by the NY Times. This is a personal family matter unless: (1) mother Sarah failed to instruct here daughter in sex education, use of condoms and taught abstinence only (2) Sarah Palin failed to disclose the matter to her party during the vetting proces (3) McCain was aware and failed to reveal it to his party. Premarital sex is forgivable. Dogged deceit is not.
Submitted 9:05am - resubmitted 12:07pm

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:19 PM:>>>The military did their job, but THE SURGE IS AN ABYSMAL FAILURE>>>> It is. I only hear that on NBC, MSNBC, and CNN. And how long would those retired Generals be picking up paychex from them if they said the surge was a success??

OBAMA MAMA wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:30 PM:Test McCain for Alzheimer’s

Great suggestion by Ms M, yesterdat 6:35 PM -- Not only should McCain be tested for Alzheimer’s and senility, but he should be given a comprehensive test on Constitutional government and law

januaryM wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:31 PM:Palin must certainly be an egotist.How do you throw your pregnant unmarried seventeen year old daughter under the bus like this? I am appalled at this Mother's actions.
If she would do this to her child what would she do to her country ?
My child at any age or in any situation would be priority to me.

jvc wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:36 PM:Please, some civility on these blogs!

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:59 PM:Sloppy and unprofessional vetting

The real question about John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is whether his campaign actually checked her thoroughly before she was put on the Republican ticket. It is sounding more and more as if the campaign has just not been honest about its vetting process. This is from this morning's New ork Times: "A series of disclosures about Gov. Sarah Palin, Senator John McCain's choice as running mate, called into question on Monday how thoroughly Mr. McCain had examined her background before putting her on the Republican presidential ticket. . . . At the least, Republicans close to the campaign said it was increasingly apparent that Ms. Palin had been selected as Mr. McCain’s running mate with more haste than McCain advisers initially described."

I think McCain's handling of this process is a real problem for him. What do you think? Has McCain's campaign been straight about this? Will Palin still be on the ticket in November?

to How Does She Do It wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:03 PM:Claiming that someone is not fit for the job is far different than saying my spouse is better than the other guy.

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:03 PM:You can’t blame an old man

According to the Post article linked by the moderator, Governor Palin was a supporter of Patrick J. Buchannan in the 1990s. This is more disturbing than any of the tabloid gossip. That would confirm that her "philosophy" and political views are not just conservative, but far radical right wing. Those views are something that the voters really need to consider.

Apparently, this did not bother Sen. McCain. Or maybe the old man simply was unaware. You can’t blame the old man for what he doesn’t know, can you?

It is suicide wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:34 PM:It is suicide.

Cheney shot his friend in the face. McCain, on the other hand, has committed suicide.

Some things about McCain’selection of Sarah Palin just don't wash:

1. McCain met Sarah Palin for the second time the day he chose her to be his running mate. It's as if it doesn't matter to him who will serve a "heartbeat away" from replacing him in the Oval office.

2. Palin's selection undercuts one of McCain's basic arguments against Obama, his inexperience. Palin makes Obama look like a senior statesman. Comparing her to Joe Biden makes her look like a school girl.

3. Do they really believe they can pull disaffected Clinton voters with this pick? Just being a woman is not enough. Ask Geraldine Ferraro. Palin is, if anything, the anti-Clinton. About the only thing she does is shore up McCain's standing with the christian right.

4. If they knew about Bristol's pregnancy before the announcement, whoever scheduled the announcement should be fired. When you have a flaw in your running mate, you get that flaw out early and with a ton of other information so that it just seems like part of a much bigger package. Instead, it became topic "A" on the first day of the convention.

I'm not even convinced that Palin knew about the pregnancy before the announcement, although a girl who is five months pregnant should be showing. This is the most bone-headed choice for a running mate since McGovern picked Eagleton. At least in that case, Eagleton's mental health history was actually fairly minor and very well hidden.

McCain had a tough fight before this. He is really in deep doo-doo now.

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:44 PM:>>>Except for a few guys with a pocket protector for each day of the week, WHO CARES?>>>

And what is wrong with guys with pocket protectors??

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:44 PM:Damned if knew, and . . .

. . . damned if they did not know. If they did know about the pregnancy before the announcement, it was a stupid blunder to hold that information back when they made the announcement. If they did not know, vetting research was sloppy and unprofessional. It is apparent the latter is true. The McCain campaign is sloppy and flawed, typical of the out of control loose cannon that marks McCain himself. How dumb is that?

He would run his administration the same way. McCain’s campaign is headed downhill into humiliating defeat. I kind of feel sorry for the old man.
But I do not feel sorry for the syndicate he works for.

Lbs wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:47 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:41 AM:
I just checked with the other three liberals. We four liberals are innocent as lambs, snow white and without blemish. Maybe it was just another wanna be conservative wanting to be Chuck.

Just waiting ... wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:48 PM:I’m just waiting to see an ad of Pat Buchanan's racist, homophobic, extremist rant at the 1992 Republican convention with a tag line that Ms. Palin moved to support his candidacy AFTER that speech.

No Doug Flutie --- wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:09 PM:This McCain maverick really threw a Hail Mary pass ... but as usual, it failed ... and the clock is running out.

Ron, Chuck, Pluto and Asteroid are spin-meisters for the grand old old old party. Republicans are spinning McCain’s selection of Palin as a view of his “Maverick” credentials. However, if this selection shows anything, it’s McCain’s poor and impulsive judgment.

The selection also appears to be a desperate political “hail merry pass”, except McCain is not Doug Flutie. This decision is too great to be played as politics. If McCain is elected, Palin will be literally a heartbeat away from the presidency. Given McCain’s family heart ailment history (both his father and grandfather died of unexpectedly for heart attacks), advance age (72), and being a cancer survivor, I am not sure if Ms. Palin is most appropriate person to be one heartbeat away from the Presidency. She is basically out of her league and main stream to be that close the oval office.

Chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:10 PM:The news says Hundreds gather for Ron Paul rally in Minneapolis. Too bad Ron didnt learn how to get tens of thousands to his rally. All he needed to do was to get the Beach Boys or some other hot rock band to give a free concert, or he could have just opened the doors and walked into the Mall Of America to speak there

Three hour void ... wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:12 PM:It is now 2:15pm, and the last post was 11:26pm.

We know newspaper staffs are overworked and understaffed. But the readers are impatient.

GFN wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:30 PM:Estabon, 10:34, I've got to congratulate you for this line: "McCain ain't great, but voting for Obama is a vote for a mushroom cloud over your hometown." Man, I spit up coffee all over my keyboard; that was hilarious! I haven't heard the "mushroom cloud" thing since 2003 when we were trying to justify-lie-invading Iraq! Best satire of the day!!!!

Apollo wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:37 PM:Re: Bucky (11:58 a.m.)
Here we go again. More distraction from the latest Republican embarrassments.
Bucky (or someone using the same online identity) has made this statement several times in the past and keeps getting knocked down.
OK, Bucky, for the umpteenth time:
THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF THE CONGRESS.
Oh, they do have that majority in the House. But they only have 49 in the Senate, NOT A MAJORITY, and they do NOT have enough votes to either break a filibuster or override a presidential veto. Even so, they have been able to attract enough crossovers to get a few key pieces of legislation passed and hold some hearings, but have primarily been blocked by Republican obstructionists in the Senate and White House.
Do you really not get this, or is this just more bait and switch dishonesty trying to "change the subject."

And Re: Nick (11:52 a.m.)
Do you really shoot off at the hip (McCain style) without reading the posts you are replying to?
Double Standard clearly said that Democrats do not care about people's private lives - the issue is the HYPOCRISY!!!!!
Which of the Democrats you listed was preaching morality to anyone else?
Double Standard listed specific instances of how the Republicans in question were doing the very things they were preaching to others about. You conservatives are amazing!

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:39 PM:Well, "Optional" at 11:54AM,
I'd check the box that says -
NONE OF THE ABOVE.
Regards, Alf.

Libs wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:40 PM:Bill[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:53 AM: It is completly untrue that we wish gas prices to remain high or that New Orleans should suffer. That is just trash talking.
Get it from Rush today-did you. It is true that me and my four libs are hysterical about Gov Palin. All of us (3 men and 1 woman) want to date her.

esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:43 PM:Uh to "thanks esteban"...you know the terrorists planned 9/11 during the Clinton years because of his refusal to attack them right? Oooops, forgot about that didn't ya?

esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:44 PM:GFN...thanks, I have more.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:44 PM:Well, "Bucky" at 11:58AM,
the Democrats don't have enough people to stop a filibuster or over-ride a GWB veto,
so explain to me how they were "in charge".
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:51 PM:Well, "OBAMA MAMA" at 12:30PM,
knowing about the Constitution AND respecting, honoring and complying with it are, or can be, vastly different things.
GWB may or may not know much about the Constitution,
but he sure knows how to use it for and treat it like toilet paper.
Regards, Alf.

Attacks are not necessary wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:56 PM:So far with Sarah Palin, I don't really see the need to attack her at all. Just simple, factual sentences about her politics and career, and she attacks herself. With Obama, the yahoos HAVE to attack with swift-boat lies, because the guy himself looks pretty good. So let's say he's a Muslim. That he'll take the oath on the Koran. That he and Michelle's fist-bump was a terrorist gesture. No, these are what desperate people have to resort to when they have nothing. With Palin, there's nothing needed, just sit back and allow the simple facts to come out, as they would for any candidate. They say plenty about the judgment of McCain, about his "country before politics" bumper sticker.

chuck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:03 PM:What could be sweeter than all of America watching liberals trying to tear down a woman candidate, right after they tore down Hillary.
They see their jobs disappearing because liberals wont even vote on drilling, they wont allow nuclear plants to be built, inflation is out of control because of liberals, and workers 401-K's are collapsing.
AND THEY ARE ASKING YOU TO VOTE FOR THEM. LOL

Gotta Wonder wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:03 PM:Chuck[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:10 PM:
No. He should have gone to Germany. He could have looked out over the 200,000 peopled audience seeing American flags and hearing OBAMA,OBAMA,OBAMA.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:05 PM:Well, "GFN" at 2:30PM,
don't tell me that you don't have a air raid/a-bomb shelter deep below your back yard with a 2 year supply of everything.
Please don't tell me that you don't practice your "duck and cover" 3 times a week and the other 4 days make sure that you're never more than 25 seconds from your shelter.
Regards, Alf.

Bill wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:07 PM:When did the the Democrat mantra go from change to experience?

When McCain actually selected a candidate of change and Obama selected a Dick Cheney type to be the real president.

All to explain Obamas lack of experience.

How funny is that?

What change?

The only change I see is the theme of Obamas campaign. Obamas campaign looks nothing like it did 6 months ago.

The war, the surge, change.....

Now its all about the experience that he doesnt have.

Help.............Mr. Wizard!!!!!

Its about McCain wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:08 PM:While all you conservatives are yammering about how unfair it is that Palin is being attacked (can any of you imagine attacking a candidate) please remember that it's not really about Sarah. She is who she is. It's primarily about the decision-making judgment of John McCain, the man who, we are told, briefly met Sarah once before he chose her. This will be an interesting test for the so-called liberal media that has become famous for giving McCain free passes and no tough questions. Will they press him on this the way they did, say, Obama on Rev Wright? I hope so. Palin is a thousand times more pertinent to this campaign than Rev Wright is. He said a few offensive things over the course of 20 years. She might be our next Vice President. We need to know everything about her, as long as the things are true. And everything we learn about her will be a side-comment on the judgment of Mr McCain. Stay tuned.

Oh Please wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:09 PM:Bucky[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:58 AM:
You must have your statement on macro.
You have been answered repetitiously. Please go back to your sand box.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:11 PM:I checked over the subject matter, the opinions and the replies to sames. Are we bored or what? I am going to the beach.

Nick wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:14 PM:Your very welcome "Gotta Wonder". A lot of really good facts and figures there.
Cheers, Nick.

One old timer to another wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:20 PM:I’m having a hard time following your thinking at 10:43 AM. What’s “trickle down economics” got to do with over-spending and the resulting taxation, debt and inflation?
The “trickle-down” effect in economics (assuming people don’t stuff their money in mattresses any more) is virtually natural law. To, somehow, invoke “trickle-down” economic theory as fall-guy for government’s compulsive spending habit makes as much sense as blaming gravity for obesity, because gravity aids the ingestion process.

thanks esteban wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:23 PM:The fact remains, the only really disastrous attack on American soil occurred on Bush's watch. I know that if your mushroom cloud happened while Obama was in the White House, you would not allow me to get away with, "well, you know it was planned when Bush was President". We can speculate all we like. But the attack happened when it happened, on Bush's watch. And you voted for him 3 years later. Those are the facts. You can't wish them away. History books will give the date and the name of the man who was President. They will say nothing about what bin Laden was thinking, when he was thinking it, or any of your other excuses. Just the facts.

Oh Bill wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:29 PM:As a liberal, I didn't change my ideas from change to experience. Let me remind you: it was Republicans, including McCain himself, that chanted endlessly about Obama's lack of experience. Then McCain chose an inexperienced running mate, invalidating his own criticisms of Obama. McCain said, in effect, "Remember how I said that experience was absolutely crucial? Well, I changed my mind." I never bring up Palin's inexperience. Why would I? McCain took inexperience off the table. That's fine with me. We knew you were unsettled, to say the least, by Obama's relative inexperience. Do you feel the same way about Sarah? Up to you. I think Sarah should be evaluated on her career and her political beliefs, just like anyone else, and all the more so now that inexperience doesn't count. Comprende? Simple!

Bob wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:31 PM:Extremely Cynical, all very cynical

They know most Americans are worried about the Economy, Health Insurance, Mortgages, Home values, and that they (the Repubs) are to blame.

McCain will go around starting wars (Iran? Russia over Georgia?) and four years later we'll be a few steps closer to bankruptcy while the richest 5 % are putting their tax cuts into the Caymans.

of course if a President McCain falls by the way side we'll have a token far right religious nut in office making sure our kids learn Creationism at school. Sorry in the 21st Century I don't find that funny.

Ms M wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:32 PM:Last night on CNN Campbell Brown was interviewing Tucker Bounds, a member of McCain's campaign, about the foreign experience of Palin. Unfortunately Tucker could not come up with anything, nada, zippo. McCain, candidate of the cons, cancelled an interview with Larry King because Campbell was "over the line" in asking questions about Palin's qualifications to be CIC.

So help me out folks, is it not the duty of McCain and Co to give us the necessary information to form an opinion about his vp candidate? If he is shutting out the press while campaigning just what would it be like if he were president? As I stated previously - McCain looks worse than Bush - and that is scary!

Ms M wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:36 PM:From ABC news:

Is the McCain campaign afraid of an 'October surprise' involving vice-presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska?

The Alaska state senator running an investigation of Gov. Palin says the McCain campaign is using stall tactics to prevent him from releasing his final report by Oct. 31, four days before the November election......Sounds like Bush to me! You know if McCain had done his job in vetting his candidate, folks would not have all these questions.

HAHAHAHAHA wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:36 PM:"Ron
[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:42 AM:They are taking the bait, folks.
Hook... line... &... sinker.

You do not want to compare Palin to Obama. DON'T DO IT!
Proper comparison: McCain to Obama.

Your only making our case for us."

Ron, you and your party are the only ones who think there is any comparison. Did you think we weren't paying attention? Sorry. Sucks to be you right now.

To Bill wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:40 PM:You mistake hysterical laughter for hysteria. The Libs are having a great time, thank you.

Try again Bill wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:46 PM:"Bill
[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:53 AM:If Sara Palin is such a bad candidate, then why are liberals hysterical right now?"

Can you name one liberal who is hysterical about Palin? Everyone is too busy laughing. Except the Republicans.

"The same reason they were hoping for disaster in New Orleans this week."

It was actually extreme right wing preacher Dobson who prayed for disaster. Karma doubled it back on his own party.

"The same reason they want gas prices to remain high until after the election."

Prove that statment or shut up.

"The attacks on Palin tell me all I need to know."

You forgot to mention that Obama has asked that the children not be included in the politics. Just like you not to give credit when it doesn't support your point.

Thanks Ms M wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:54 PM:These stories about the McCain campaign are fascinating. The McCain temper flares because the media has the nerve to ask questions about the running mate. McCain pressures an ongoing investigation. And all the while, McCain trumpets "country before politics". I think the Obama campaign can take a little vacation. Every news story that comes out about the McCain campaign is an Obama ad!

Ron wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:02 PM:Well, I gotta say....
We got ourselves our own little Springer world going on right here!

But, let me cut to the chase, as I always do.
The Left needs to destroy this woman because they are threatened by her.
Savvy, pretty, competitive, smart, and worst of all.. Pro-Life.
And that's, why they need to kill her now, before other women in America get a good look at what a real leader can be.
She is the epitamy of what a real liberated woman should be, and they can't stand it.
I'm telling ya.. lay off the daughter, it won't look purdy to the rest of American, you going after her like that.
And.. take it easy on the Woman too.
She'll be your new VP for 4 years, maybe 8. And after that, I would love to watch her & Hilster go at it.
And you now I'm right about this, cause.. can anyone say the last time I called it wrong? FISA, Drilling, Nuclear, the list is endless.
Prophet.

Issues Who Cares wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:03 PM:McCain Manager: 'This Election is Not About Issues'

UPDATE, 6:18 pm: In reaction to Rick Davis' comments about the election not being about issues, Barack Obama campaign manager David Plouffe released the following statement: "We appreciate Senator McCain's campaign manager finally admitting that his campaign is not in fact about the issues the American people care about, which is exactly the kind of cynical old politics people are ready to change."

ORIGINAL POST

Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.

"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."

Ron wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:05 PM:Try again Bill@3:46 PM.

>>>Can you name one liberal who is hysterical about Palin?>>>>

Yeah... YOU!

Scared to death. LOL

p.s. I apologise for my absence today, but duty calls, and someone has to make sure those checks go out.

Ms M wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:26 PM:Ron
[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:02 PM:...And that's, why they need to kill her now, before other women in America get a good look at what a real leader can be...Ron, why is asking questions (questions that should have been asked in the vetting process) trying to kill her. Asking questions will allow us to know just what she has going for her. Why can't questions be asked of her. A vp pick that is under investigation for abuse of power. Tell me what experience in foreign affairs does she have? We know that she is savvy, pretty, competitive, smart and pro life - but so are quite a few women. Tell me please what are her qualifications to be CIC. I THINK YOU CONS ARE AFRAID OF THE ANSWERS OR MAYBE SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS.

Watching wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:26 PM:Personally I think the hands free cell phone law is an example of overstretching by government; bad drivers are bad drivers whether they have a cell phone to their ear or not. However, it is my understanding that the law applies to all vehicle operators. Does anyone know if Police are exempt when in their police vehicles? This morning at 6;30 AM I observed two Oceanside Police Department cruisers turning from the I-5 southbound Oceanside Blvd. exit heading east. The driver of the lead cruiser had his cell phone to his ear. If there is special training that makes it safe for police to use their cell phones when driving where can I take that training/

Poppy wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:35 PM:On the subject of abortion, I think it's very important to remember that making abortions illegal will not stop women from having them.

Roe VS Wade is specifically critical and was hailed as landmark legislation at the time because IT GIVES WOMEN THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN DECENT MEDICAL PROCEDURES WITH LEGITIMATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT is why it's critical.

Oh Ron wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:40 PM:You're on some bizarre campaign, out to prove liberals want to "kill" Sarah Palin. If you read the posts, the newspapers, or anything else, you will learn that we liberals know that we needn't say much of anything about her. The simple facts about her career are coming out, and about her life, just as was done with Obama and all the other canidates during this endless election season. I don't have to scream that she's inexperienced. It's obvious and it was YOU (and McCain) who were screaming that Obama's lack of experience was crucial. I don't have to attack her for being in a party advocating the secession of Alaska. This speaks for itself. Same with her being investigated for abuse of power. These are simple facts. They aren't lies, such as you guys tossed out about Obama and Saul Alinsky, Tony Rezko, Louis Farrakhan, and all the rest. With Sarah, we liberals are happy to remain silent. This is the moment when she and McCain can stand in the full glare of the spotlight where all can see them. She is what she is. McCain's decision to pick her was an important act of judgment. I am pro-choice, so I disagree with her views on abortion rights. I don't think being homosexual is an abomination, so I guess I differ with her on that issue. I think sexual education should encourage abstinence, but that it should also include all sorts of good, true information, so there's another issue I disagree with her on. Does this sound to you like I want to "kill her"? Are you mad? Please, Ron, get real. And, yes, McCain/Palin might win the election. The American voting record is what it is, and that makes a McCain/Palin victory quite possible. If that happens, and your joy over it gradually fades, and, when it's no longer about competition with your dreaded liberals, then you'll have time to think about McCain and Palin just as they are. Not better than Obama or Biden, just two people in charge of the mightiest nation in history, in a most complex and difficult era of history. You'll be alone with your thoughts, whatever they may turn out to be. I wish you the best.

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:42 PM:To GFN: (2:30 PM)

Thank you for pointing to Estaban’s satirical statement about Obama’s mushroom cloud. I missed it altogether because of my habit of not reading his commentaries. Sometimes accidental jewels of wisdom come from the mouths of the untalented.

Perhaps one of these days, not too far off in the future, he will come up with another accidental piece of wit.

Oh Ron PS wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:44 PM:Funny, but in all your posts over the months that I've read, I have never, ever heard you say "lay off" a person running for, or being in, office. I have never seen you "lay off" anyone you were going after. I never had the sense that you believed that some people should not be questioned, criticized (if that's how you felt about them or their views). This is fascinating. You, like McCain, suddenly decide that this poor fragile woman needs a man's protection, and that treating her like any other candidate, just asking about her views and knowledge and history, was unfair and should be off limits. I never thought of John Wayne as a true feminist before, but you and McCain are settin' me straight on that, pardner. LOL

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:52 PM:Well, "Ron" at 11:42AM,
isn't that "sink, line and hooker"?
(describing how backwards you have it)
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:56 PM:Well, "Ron" at 4:02PM,
the proper spelling of your "epitamy" is -
"epitome".
Your welcome in advance.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:06 PM:Well, "Watching" at 4:26PM, you are right to question.
Police must use their police radio while driving,
they must speed to catch speeders,
they have a strobe to trip traffic signals to give them priority (as do fire trucks and ambulances),
they must, if necessary discharge a firearm in city limits, etc, etc, etc.
In short, they do have certain privileges that others do not have and are exempt from many laws with which the rest of us must comply.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:09 PM:P.S. to my other response at about 5:06PM to "Watching" at 4:26PM,
those exemptions are mostly for when they are on duty.
Regards, Alf.

Oh Please wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:13 PM:Bill: He must be kidding. The experience factor was begun by your Republican conservatives. Do we have to take the time to list all the McCain quotes? Now your ilk do not want the experience of Palin challenged. You just want us to ignore it. Boo Hoo. McCain failed to vet her. Now she will be vetted publicaly.

Apollo wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:13 PM:Re: Ms M (4:26 p.m.)
Always love your blogs, Ms M - and your point about Ron calling legitimate questions about the character and social policies of a candidate "trying to kill her" is only reflective of the character assassination he, Raoul and Chuck have been trying (unsuccessfully) to do against Obama, who is a truly heroic figure in our nation today and who will be a great president for most of us, but a true disaster to the very few [real] elitists who have been benefitting from the years of Republicans' class warfare against the middle class.

Four Libs wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:16 PM:chuck
[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:03 PM: If you Repubs wanted to drill for oil or go nuclear, you could have done it when you had the entire Congress for 6 years and GWB for President. WHY DID YOU NOT DO IT?

gracchus wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:20 PM:nick, i did look at the websites which myou suggested in your commentary of 10:55 a.m.

i agree that pam martsen's 2 part article on what she calls the obama bubble raises important questions concerning his political donations from law firms that engage in lobbying and from other wealthy donors. it would be nice for obama to address the issue. the most troubling problem in martsen's article for me is obama's support of change in bankruptcy laws, passed in 2005, limiting the right to sue predatory lenders. it would be nice for obama to explain his vote.

open secrets' evaluation of obama's funding sources especially interested me. for full disclosure of his sources, it rated him more than 92%. that is higher than mccain's disclosure rate or of ron paul of whom you write admiringly.

you are perfectly correct, nick: obama lied when he stated that he would take no money from lobbyists or corporate interests. he also equivocated when he declined to accept federal election financing, so that he did not need to cap his acceptance of funds from political donors.

but is this a substantive lie? i don't think so. the source of money to finance our political campaigns is a grave problem facing the country. but as your sources indicate, everyone who seeks and obtains political office in this country is somehow beholden to those who have supported him.

politics is about negotiation and compromise. in their work all politicians have to deal with people who are not nice and occasionally give those people a piece of the pie. to sustain their offices they sometimes have to do what appears unscrupulous to most people. for example, most people today have a highly negative opinion of neville chamberlain. he valiantly endeavored to avoid war with hitler; and he failed. after winston churchill became prime minister in 1940 britain was on the brink of defeat until hitler attacked the u.s.s.r. and with whom did churchill and ultimately ally to defeat hitler? joseph stalin, a despot just as cruel as, if not more than, hitler.

so, nick, i welcome the citation of your sources which you have clearly declared. each reader can go to your recommended sources and determine for himself the gravity of obama's lie. for me he engaged in politcal expediency and he absolutely has broken no law.

nick, i accept that you don't like obama. i respect your right to call him "a slimey weasel." but you haven't convinced me that obama is a liar on substantive issues.

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:20 PM:Who has experience... ?

... and who has good judgment? Bill raised this question once again at 3:07 PM. I seem to remember that the rattling head of the radical right started this whole dialogue of inexperience. Now that issue confronts the very people who raised it and they thunderstruck -- dumbfounded.

Senator Obama may not yet be a Thomas Jefferson or an Averill Harriman, but Obama’s experience is so far ahead of that of Sarah Whatzername, that she is like a kindergarten kid, and he the dean of the law school; and the judgment of McCain compared to Obama is like comparing Union General Braxton Bragg to Confederate genius Gen. Robert E. Lee.

McCain is an old fumbling blusterbuss who can’t even dance a simple diplomatic two-step. Full of noise, but void of brilliant strategy. Putin will eat him like a borscht sandwich, and pass around the vodka.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:26 PM:Russia and McCain: The European Union has voted not to sanction Russia about Georgia. Seems it is not in their interest. I rather doubt that its military arm, NATO, will take any action.Bush, despite his beliigent speak has no comment. So, what I want to know is McCain look Bush, talk and not action? Or, will he fly over there to fill relief boxes and say how great Palin is?

Some advice ... wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:33 PM:Drink the Vodka first.

Dear Solon: I would advise Putin to drink the bottle of vodka first before he made McCain into a borscht sandwich. Yuck!!

Oh Please wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:33 PM:Ron
[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 4:05 PM: Keep issueing them with money you obtain from the government contracts.

par for the course wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:42 PM:I don't know much about Ms Palin but judging by the left leaning partisan hacks that follow Obama like lemmings, she must be doing something right. It's not enough to sway my vote from RP but it sure is tempting. I am truly amazed that both sides of the political spectrum on this site accuse and verbally abuse each other over their own candidates actions/history (huh? did I say that?) Let's see, if my guy does it it's okay because the other candidate did it first.

By the way McCain is forming a line on the Oceanside pier and Obama is forming a line at pier sixty on the beautiful Hudson River so that all you lemmings can jump in to show your strong support for the status quo. Just make sure that you kiss your candidates feet and will them all your worldly belongings(especially cash) before you jump.

Myself, I'll be watching you nuts on taped delay. Y'all (I have a buddy in from Austin) had better hope that Ron Paul has enough support to buy plenty of life preservers.

Peace (and some rain please) for all

POLICE STATE - wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:42 PM:The police state has taken over St. Paul for the Repugnicans.

Since last Friday, local police and sheriffs, working with the FBI, CIA and Homeland Insecurity, conducted preemptive searches, seizures and arrests. Noted law attorney Glenn Greenwald described the targeting of protestors by "teams of 25-30 officers in riot gear, with semi-automatic weapons drawn, entering homes of those suspected of planning protests, handcuffing and forcing them to lay on the floor, while law enforcement officers searched the homes, seizing computers, journals, and political pamphlets."

Journalists were detained at gunpoint and lawyers representing detainees were handcuffed at the scene. I saw footage in which the Gestapo attacked a journalist from the NYC Post, and heard him screaming “Stop hitting me. I’m a reporter from the Post -- for God’s sake, that’s a Republican newspaper!” But it didn’t make no never mind no more. They beat him up anyhow.

"I was personally present and saw officers with riot gear and assault rifles, pump action shotguns," said Bruce Nestor, the President of the Minnesota chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, who is representing several of the protestors. "The neighbor of one of the houses had a gun pointed in her face when she walked out on her back porch to see what was going on. There were children in all of these houses, and children were held at gunpoint."

The raids targeted members of "Food Not Bombs," an anti-war, anti-authoritarian protest group that provides free vegetarian meals every week in hundreds of cities all over the world. They served meals to rescue workers at the World Trade Center after 9/11 and to nearly 20 communities in the Gulf region following Hurricane Katrina.

This is like a bunch of Nazi style goons out to quash freedom of the press in America. SIEG HEIL!

Bull wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:00 PM:Military Affairs - As Governor, Pollen (sp?) is authorized to deploy Alaska's National Guard in times of emergency. And while the Guard's Adjunct General admits that she plays no role in national defense, and isn't briefed on military exercises, the fact is -- she's been photographed holding a machine gun, while Obama has yet to wield so much as a .38 for the cameras. When it comes to keeping me safe, that's all I need to know.

OBSERVATION wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:02 PM:By Paul Kane
ST. PAUL -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee who revealed Monday that her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant, earlier this year used her line-item veto to slash funding for a state program benefiting teen "mothers in need of a place to live."

Why watch wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:17 PM:One reason to watch the Repubs' convention is for the sheer zaniness of the humor. Wait: let's think of all the stuff McCain has done in the last week. OK, got it? So Lieberman (Lieberman!) stands before the faithful and proclaims that McCain "transcends party". Wait, I have to catch my breath. Think of anyone who is independent hearing this in light of the week's events. They are thinking, "If only!" Now let's think of the rank and file Republicans. They are thinking, "Tell me about it. The guy's not been a Republican since day one." Joe, you better stick to whispering "facts on the ground" to your pal, and then keep it to yourself. I can't wait to see what Bush says! You know, after telling us that McCain fathered a black child, then spitting in McCain's face as he made a signing statement to negate the law against torture that McCain, at first, believed in, and then hugged his wondrous body, Bush is going to tell us how cool McCain is, and we're all going to pretend to believe him. Is this an endorsement? From Bush? Really, folks, I think this is the latest installment of "Last Comic Standing". Stay tuned. Maybe they'll have Dobson come in and do a spoof weather report! I love these guys!

After the votes are counted wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:49 PM:the rightwing stalwards who camp out hear will be making the argument for the next three years that even though Obama won the Electoral Vote, McCain won the popular vote.

That's how its gonna happen, so get the tissues out to dry your eyes, Ron, Chuck, et al.

Nick wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:13 PM:I am glad to see that you and I are finally starting to find some middle ground and understand each other a bit better "Gracchus".

You are correct when you state that all those who enter into Politics eventually end up taking money from some people, groups or companies that they probably wish they didn't. It is an unfortunate reality of Politcs. The treachery runs deep on both Party lines from the top to the bottom.

My biggest beef with Obama is that he base his campaign on ethics and campaign finance reform, when in reality he has always taken money from lobbyists. You don't come out on National TV and tell the Country your not going to take money from lobbyists and your going to reform campaign financing when you have been doing the very thing for years.
It's not like he lied about smoking a few joints in college, because a whole lot of us have smoked a little weed over the years.
He lied about ethics, which speaks to morals, and there in lies my beef.
Not to mention his ties to The Trilateral Commission, The Bilderberg Group and The Council on Foreign Relations(which his wife sits on the board of the Chicago chapter).
Obama is just as tied to the Power Elite, who really control what happens in the world, as are GWB and McCain. A vote for either of them is NOT a vote for America, but a vote for those who wish to control us via social and economic routes and disolve our freedoms and Constitutional rights.

You note that I speak highly of Dr. Ron Paul and one of the reasons is that he knows the truth about the Power Elite and is not afraid to confront them and put and end to it.
I posted a letter a few weeks ago on a speech by Dr.Ron Paul to the House Financial Services Committee 5 years ago on September 10, 2003; predicting the crash of Fannie Mae and the housing and loan crisis we are now in(5 years ago he saw this coming). Google it, I think you will enjoy the speech.
My point was that unlike the 2 candidates we have now, who really don't have a clue how to turn this Country around, Dr. Ron Paul has real solutions and he has had them for years.

I'm glad you found the website intersting and informative, as did I. I found the statistics on "Bundling" very eye opening.

I think you and I will just have to politely agree to disagree, but I am sure we will have more to discuss as this disgusting debacle of a Presidential Election continues to unfold before the final days leading to the election.
Cheers, Nick.

sdraoul wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:34 PM:Change the subject, no. I just pointed out that we turned Anbar over to the Iraqi Army. It is the whiners and weepers who ask what my point was. Only non-intelligent people ask such questions. John McCain was way out in front of the curve on Iraq.

He was 100 percent right on how many troops it would take to win the war, which we did in three weeks. He was right that we needed more “boots on the ground” for the occupation. He was right to champion the surge before anyone else did. One blogger wrote he was one of many – OK, name one Democrat Senator who championed the surge, one.

Of course the surge is a success. During its success, the Iraqi government has met 16 of 18 benchmarks Congress insisted on and has taken control of 10 of the 18 provinces and smashed the Mahdi Army in the process.

While “doofus” Joe Biden was suggesting that Iraq be broken up into three countries, allowing Iran to
step right in to control almost all of Iraqi territory and oil, McCain pointed out the folly of such a stupid notion, the Biden Plan.

Then there is the Obama directed smear campaign against Governor Palin. His minions in the MSM are even trying to prove that Governor Palin never had a passport until she went to visit Alaska National Guard troops in Kuwait and Germany. What poppycock! Barack Obama has never even visited Mexico, not even Tijuana, even as Mexican citizens are covering themselves with glory in Iraq and Afghanistan in our Marines and Army. But, what does he care? Does he even know that between our NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, we get more oil than we do from Saudi Arabia? He might know that if he spent more time in Mexico than in Germany, a country that buys less from us than Northern Mexico..

As for Governor Palin, Commander-in-Chief of the Alaskan Armed Forces, the National Guard, exactly what did that moron General say, the General she appointed? Oh, that she hasn't anything to do with the Guard WHEN IT IS ON FEDERAL DUTY...except, of course, to appoint that General to his job and to promote him or fire him.

Governor Palin has more experience in five minutes as governor on the military than Obama has had in all 46 of his years.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:01 PM:Bull[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 6:00 PM:
So what? I have used a machine gun. It does not qualify me to be a candidate for President much less hold the office.
The axiom that the "pen is mightier than the sword." is true.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:02 PM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:34 PM:
Well that does bring up a question. Can a governor relieve a general when he and the units that are commanded by him are federalized and on active duty?

Oh Pleaase wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:19 PM:POLICE STATE -[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:42 PM: Yes we live in Bush's Police State. Homeland Security can do anything that it wants to any person or any organization with impunity. Be carefull. You just might find yourself whisked off to GITMO as an "enemy combatant." There is no real Constitution any more. It adorns Bush's tiolet.

Oh Please wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:31 PM:sdraul: "Governor Palin has more experience in five minutes as governor on the military than Obama has had in all 46 of his years." That ain't say very much for either of them. But, then again, military experience is not a requirement for the office of President or Vice President.

Wondering Out Loud wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:33 PM:Republican Convention: Is McCain running for President or POW?

Cluck wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:44 PM:The Great Divider hath spoken. Just when I thought that this president could not stoop any lower, could not exhibit any behavior more despicible than his past 7 and a half years, just when I thought he could not damage the very fabric that holds this great country together, he goes out and demeans half of this country's citizens. He demeans half of the American people. He demeans Americans. Saying that the resolve McCain showed could not be broken at the Hanoi Hilton and that it won't be broken by the "angry left" is an absolutely dispicible thing for a sitting president to say. And of course the apologists will applaud wildly. He is celebrating his own failure. And there are so many things just wRONg about the statement; he disparaged McCain's service during the 2000 election, and in fact McCain's resolve was broken during his stay in that prison camp and he spoke out against his country under the duress and it's the number 1 reason why any and all torture should be outlawed in this great country of ours. And to dismiss half of the country as simply "angry" is a great disservice to this country. And it would mean a lot more if it didn't come from the "hateful" right, one might say. Could you imagine if Obama said something like that?!? He's right though about one thing; we are angry. We are angry about how poorly he has governed, about all of the lies(too many to list), the deceit, the ineptitude, the failure, the current state of the union, the economy, the standing they have left us in the world, the division in this country, the corruption, and the absolute lack of compassion and intelligence of this president. An absolutely despicible thing for the President of the United States of America to say. And typical. Divided we fall. He should be reminded of something very important; We are not the angry "left". We are angry Americans.

Ms M wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:48 PM:sdraoul
[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 7:34 PM:
From the Vet Voice: ...Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, considers Palin "extremely responsive and smart" and says she is in charge when it comes to in-state services, such as emergencies and natural disasters where the National Guard is the first responder.
But, in an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday, he said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations.....Um Raoul, I don't think her being over the ALASKA National Guard makes her CIC material - I can just see her talking with leaders of other countries - it's not a pretty site!

Chuckie wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:49 PM:sdaroul: Are you trying to change our votes for Obama? If yes, you are wasting your time, Get out there and campaign for McCain. After you elect him, you can marry him.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:57 PM:sdraou et al: Go to snopes and look under new where you find Gov Palin in an American flag bikini hold a scoped automatic rifle. No one has to smear her.
She does it all by her self. But, I will have to agree that is military experience and exposure. Night Night.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:02 PM:Chuck: I just could not resist. Enjoy.
"AUSTIN — Ginny McCallum, 43, who has been confined to a wheelchair for much of her adult life, came to hear presidential candidate Barack Obama speak at the University of Texas. Afterward she found herself in a wheelchair access breezeway as Obama and his entourage exited the arena. The candidate spotted her, came over, grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She found herself standing for the first time in eleven years.
"He smiled at me and said, ‘Yes, you can,’" she says. "I was so stunned I didn’t know what to do." Obama Comes!

sdraoul wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:22 PM:Besides appointing National Guard officers, GovernorPalin has deployed National Guard troops in Alaska. That can be confirmed by calling the Alaska National Guard.

To sdraoul wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:32 PM:Sdraoul is totally confused. What war did we win in three weeks? This war is far from over. The surge may have temporarily lowered casualty rates but these so called insurgents are still out there and they are not done. Time is on their side and they are waiting. This is the way these people fight and this is how they have survived throughout all these years. Then Sdraoul goes on and on praising Palin's experience as Commander in chief of the Alaskan National Guard as experience that guarantees her readiness to assume the role of Commander in chief of the greatest military force in the world. I'm sorry but the experience of being governor of Alaska for two years is not even remotely close to being Commander in chief of the US Armed Forces.

Alaskan wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:25 PM:sdraoul[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 9:22 PM:
My goodness gracious. That takes a phone call and a signed order. Big Deal. Exagerating simple tasks is an example of fear.

Watching wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:33 PM:I think Oceanside Police do a good job, but if they can drive with a cell phone to their ear, while listening to the police radio, negotiating a turn then I think perhaps the whole cell phone must be used hands free is more nanny state law than needed public safety law. I doubt police get special driving training on not being distracted while using a cell phone.

SOLON wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:35 PM:Fake photo of Palin in flag bikini

To Focal Point (8:57):
I found the photo of Sarah Palin in the U.S. flag bikini with a rifle in hand, on Snopes, exactly as you said, but Snopes proves that it is a photoshop altered fake.

Snopes show two other, but authentic photos, one showing the exact same head of Sarah Palin, and the other showing the exact same bikini-clad body of another lovely woman. Palin’s head was simply pasted onto the body of the other woman’s photo.

Well, talented photoshop bloggers out there have been proving for years that pictures lie. I have a friend who is such an expert at photoshop, he can remove your wrinkles and give you a tummy tuck in an hour’s time.

SORRY! Palin has enough scandal without photoshop tricks. She has turned into an albatross around the old man's neck, but if McCain cuts her loose, he will just continue to sink.

MVet wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:02 AM:RE: Diaz will keep Escondido competitive.....

I was almost interested until the writer had to throw in the "Race Card"

She just lost my vote. Because I know that is what is really about.

He Said wrote on Sep 3, 2008 5:35 AM:to Cluck @8:44.. Uh... if you think half the country is "angry left" you've been reading too many newspapers and watching too much television. Maybe the operative word is Angry?. I just do see it when talking to people.

Focal Point wrote on Sep 3, 2008 7:41 AM:SOLON[-] wrote on Sep 2, 2008 10:35 PM: Too bad it turned out to be a fake. Man, I sure wanted to buy one of her campaign buttons.

gracchus wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:16 AM:nick, in your commentary of 7:13 p.m. on september 2, you once again affirm your enthusiasm for ron paul. this is the congressman from the former confederate state of texas who declared last year, and whose declaration i heard with my own ears, that abraham lincoln was responsible for the civil war. i immediately dismissed paul as a serious public officeholder.

paul also advocated in that interview the abolition of the income tax. income tax was ratified into the constitution in 1913. the timing of its ratification doesn't surprise me. mark twain described the 1890s as "the gilded age." this was the era of conspicuous consumption among a few wealthy elite while the slums in our cities festered. the income tax was a response to that situation.

can anyone deny that the first decade of the 21st century is another gilded age. the bush administration has given tax cuts to the wealthy and during his tenure we can see the cultural results. celebrities brazenly tell tabloid news sources that they have spent $35,000 for a dinner at a fancy restaurant. VANITY FAIR writes of hedge fund managers in long island who purchase multi-million dollar mansions only to tear them down and erect more elaborate palaces. and while we as a nation place so little emphasis on education by not properly financing it, many of our children seriously believe that they can become a part of that miniscule wealthy elite.

i do not see ron paul as a man who has offered any serious solution to our problems. if he thinks that abraham lincoln started the civil war, wants to abolish the income tax, and proposes that we unilaterally end our foreign policy commitments which we have maintained for more than 60 years, how can anyone take him seriously?

browny wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:13 PM:On the subject of abortion, I think it's very important to remember that making abortions illegal will not stop women from having them.

Roe VS Wade is specifically critical and was hailed as landmark legislation at the time because IT GIVES WOMEN THE RIGHT TO OBTAIN DECENT MEDICAL PROCEDURES WITH LEGITIMATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

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widecircles

Marilyn wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:45 AM:Why are we still spending time arguing Roe V Wade ? Its law folks.Get over it.The time people waste arguing over it could be better spent on a child that is already born and waiting for a family to love & care for it.
Put your money where your mouth is.Adopt a child.Mentor a child.
Do something beside argue a woman's right to choose.
We have that right and we are not going to allow you to take it from us.EVER.