2 Bad

NBC News:

JM cmpgn mgr Davis: Mon Conv activities 2 b abbrev. to official bus frm 3 to 5 local time. Pres Bush will not appear. Past Mon, TBD dep on Hurr status

How Much Of A Problem

TPM reviews Troopergate (well, really PalinGovernmentGate)

The investigator appointed by the state legislature began trying to arrange a time to depose Gov. Palin last week -- in other words, in the final days before her selection.

... We rely on elected officials not to use the power of their office to pursue personal agendas or vendettas. It's called an abuse of power. There is ample evidence that Palin used her power as governor to get her ex-brother-in-law fired. When his boss refused to fire him, she fired him. She first denied Monegan's claims of pressure to fire Wooten and then had to amend her story when evidence proved otherwise.

The available evidence now suggests that she

1) tried to have an ex-relative fired from his job for personal reasons, something that was clearly inappropriate, and perhaps illegal, though possibly understandable in human terms,

2) fired a state official for not himself acting inappropriately by firing the relative,

3) lied to the public about what happened and

4) continues to lie about what happened.

These are, to put it mildly, not the traits or temperament you want in someone who could hold the executive power of the federal government.

Even Though BHO Says It Doesn't Matter

Today's Gallup Daily Tracking Poll (interviews 8/27-8/29)

How's It Playing?

Women View Palin More Skeptically than Men

These numbers pretty much speak for themselves, but men have a favorable imperssion of Palin by a 35-point margin, whereas women have a favorable impression of her by an 18-point margin. Conversely, by a 23-point margin, women do not think Palin is ready to be President, whereas Palin lost this question among men by a considerably smaller 6-point magrin.

And From Our Opponents....

Political Animal assembles reviews from some of the most loathsome major league writers that the right has to offer.

Which means they all heart Sarah, ya?

Nein.

THE RIGHT OFFERS SOME REVIEWS.... It's probably fair to say most sensible people would find it tough to defend John McCain's choice of running mates, but I've been genuinely curious to see how Republicans respond to yesterday Sarah Palin announcement. I don't mean campaign surrogates or Fox News personalities, who don't have a choice; I mean more traditional Republican voices who actually have to consider this decision on the merits (or lack thereof).

* Charles Krauthammer: "The Palin selection completely undercuts the argument about Obama's inexperience and readiness to lead.... To gratuitously undercut the remarkably successful 'Is he ready to lead' line of attack seems near suicidal."

* Noah Millman, presenting a defense for Palin: "I realize, of course, that she's totally unqualified to be President at this point in time. If McCain were to die in February 2009, I hope Palin would have the good sense to appoint someone who is more ready to be President to be her Vice President, on the understanding that she would then resign and be appointed Vice President by her successor."

* Ramesh Ponnuru called it "tokenism," adding, "Can anyone say with a straight face that Palin would have gotten picked if she were a man?"

* David Frum: "The longer I think about it, the less well this selection sits with me. And I increasingly doubt that it will prove good politics. The Palin choice looks cynical.... It's a wild gamble, undertaken by our oldest ever first-time candidate for president in hopes of changing the board of this election campaign. Maybe it will work. But maybe (and at least as likely) it will reinforce a theme that I'd be pounding home if I were the Obama campaign: that it's John McCain for all his white hair who represents the risky choice, while it is Barack Obama who offers cautious, steady, predictable governance.... If it were your decision, and you were putting your country first, would you put an untested small-town mayor a heartbeat away from the presidency?"

* Kathryn Jean Lopez: "As much as I loathe Obama-Biden, I can't in good conscience vote for a McCain-Palin ticket. Palin has absolutely no experience in foreign affairs. Considering both McCain's advanced age and the state of the world today, it is essential that the veep be exceedingly qualified to assume the office of president. I simply don't have any confidence in Palin's ability to deal effectively with Iran, Russia, China, etc."

* Mark Halperin: "On the face of it, McCain has failed the ultimate test that any presidential candidate must face in picking a running mate: selecting someone who is unambiguously qualified to be president."
The phrase "jump the shark" keeps coming to mind

Worst Ever?

Maybe...

If so, what damage to the gains made by HRC? What happens to all those cracks in the glass ceiling?

Politcal Wire:

This guest post is offered by pollster Del Ali, the president of Research 2000.

Sarah Palin will wow cultural conservatives in areas where they may not have come out to vote before the selection. This is right out of Karl Rove's strategy of getting more of your own to show up and vote.

However, in many of the swing states that Bush carried in 2004, there were anti gay ballot measures to motivate the cultural conservatives to vote. There are very few of these measures on the ballots in those key states in 2008. Palin may not be enough for them to get out and vote. Clearly Rove felt in 2004 that Bush would not have been enough, thus the ballot measures.

In fact, as Palin's cultural views become better known -- she oppose abortion in all cases and opposes the use of birth control pills and condoms even among married couples -- she will undoubtedly scare the hell out of the soccer moms and 98% of Hillary voters. In fact, many of these women may feel insulted by this choice in that McCain and the GOP think they are stupid and would bypass their own interest (reproductive and economic) to vote for the ticket due to gender and anger that Hillary was not the nominee.

In my estimation as a pollster and analyst, while historic for the GOP in selecting their first woman on a national ticket, this choice may be the worst selection by a major party nominee for President in modern times.

Just In Time For Milwaukee

The Country has a chance to remember Katrina anew.

Hopefully, the reminders are gentle.

NEW ORLEANS — As potentially dangerous Hurricane Gustav approached the Louisiana coast on Saturday, New Orleans began a far more carefully planned evacuation of the city than it experienced exactly three years ago when Katrina struck. Buses began ferrying low-income residents to shelters in the north, cars began streaming out on interstate highways and hotels shooed away valuable tourists

New Orleans was expected to get at least tropical-storm-force winds from Hurricane Gustav by Monday. By early Saturday the storm had strengthened into a Category Three hurricane with winds of up to 120 miles per hour as it moved toward Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico, and forecasters said it was most likely to strike the Louisiana coast early Tuesday. New Orleans could get winds of up to 73 miles per hour, and possibly greater.

Officials here, exercising deliberate caution after the disaster of three years ago, said they could declare a mandatory evacuation of the city by early Sunday morning. Hotels were closing, and the sound of boards being hammered over windows could be heard. The state police on Saturday morning reported moderately heavy traffic on a principal highway north, Interstate 55, and a voluntary city-organized evacuation plan for the poor, elderly and sick — the principal victims in Hurricane Katrina — was in full swing.

How They View The Home Girl

Not exactly what you'd want from the Hometown Crew.

Politcal Animal:

THOSE WHO KNOW HER BEST.... There's never been a politician from Alaska on the national stage before, so I kind of expected Alaskans and the Alaskan media to have a decidedly positive attitude about Sarah Palin joining the Republican ticket. It's not exactly turning out that way.

* The Daily News-Miner in Fairbanks: " She has never publicly demonstrated the kind of interest, much less expertise, in federal issues and foreign affairs that should mark a candidate for the second-highest office in the land.... Most people would acknowledge that, regardless of her charm and good intentions, Palin is not ready for the top job. McCain seems to have put his political interests ahead of the nation's when he created the possibility that she might fill it."

* State Senate President Lyda Green, a Republican from Palin's hometown of Wasilla: "She's not prepared to be governor. How can she be prepared to be vice president or president?"

* Dermot Cole, a longtime columnist for Alaska's second largest newspaper, The Daily News-Miner, called McCain's choice of Palin "reckless" and questioned her credentials.

* Mike Doogan, a former columnist now serving as a Democrat in the state legislature: "John McCain looked all over the United States to find the single Republican who is qualified to be, as the saying goes, a heartbeat away from the presidency, and he came up with Sarah Palin. Really? ... [L]et's be honest here. Her resume is as thin as the meat in a vending machine sandwich.... The long and short of it is this: We're not sure she's a competent governor of Alaska. And yet McCain, who is no spring chicken, has decided she's the best choice to replace him as president if he should win and then fall afoul of the Grim Reaper. Sarah Palin? Really?"

* The Anchorage Daily News' Gregg Erickson: "[Palin] tends to oversimplify complex issues, has had difficulty delegating authority, and clearly has some difficulty distinguishing the line between her public responsibilities and private wishes.... It is clear that she has not paid much attention to the nitty-gritty unglamorous work of government, of gaining consensus, and making difficult compromises. She seems to be of the view that politics should be all rather simple. That often appeals to the wider public, but frustrates those who see themselves as laboring in the less glamorous parts of the vineyard."

Erickson's description kind of makes Palin sound like George W. Bush, doesn't it?

Reaganesque - The Latter Years

Paul Begala: "John McCain needs what Kinky Friedman calls 'a checkup from the neck up.' In choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate he is not thinking 'outside the box,' as some have said. More like out of his mind."

Speaking Of Age

McCain is 23 years older than Alaska.

Tops!

Top eleven things Hillary felt when hearing about Palin:

11) Initially, too busy braving sniper fire to notice.

10) Ordered fur-lined pantsuit for on-site opposition research.

9) Traded in Michelle Obama voodoo doll.

8) Shorted Lieberman on InTrade.

7) Canceled "Hillary '12" signs, ordered "Hillary '16" signs.

6) Started clinging to guns, religion.

5) Took solace in the fact that she still owns www.firstwomanpresident.net.

4) Called Oprah.

3) Told Bill that watching old Miss Alaska footage did so violate their agreement.

2) Went hunting with a bottle of whiskey, as she always does when needing to unwind.

1) "Found her voice."

What We'll Be Saying

The Dems assemble their oppo research. Along with trooper gate:

— Palin didn’t back McCain in the primary. She stayed neutral in Alaska’s January primary — perhaps on account of McCain’s opposition to drilling in ANWR. “A lot of us are sitting back and waiting to see if there will be new players in there," she said in 2007. "That’s probably why that box that says ‘none of the above’ is so popular right now."

— Mayoral performance. Palin, who portrays herself as a fiscal conservative, racked up nearly $20 million in long-term debt as mayor of the tiny town of Wasilla — that amounts to $3,000 per resident. She argues that the debt was needed to fund improvements.

— Stevens and Young, redux. Palin has distanced herself from the state’s two most popular politicians, but both appeared at Palin fundraisers during her 2006 gubernatorial bid.

— The environment. As governor, Palin vetoed wind power and clean coal projects, including a 50-megawatt wind farm on Fire Island and a clean coal facility in Healy that had been mired in a dispute between local and state governments.

— And, maybe, censorship. According to the Frontiersman newspaper, Wasilla’s library director, Mary Ellen Emmons, said that Palin asked her outright if she "could live with censorship of library books.” Palin later dismissed the conversation as a “rhetorical” exercise.

GT12 adds:

-- She wants Creationsim taught in schools

-- TrooperTrooper Gate:A fter the allegedly improper firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) appointed former Kenai Police Chief Chuck Kopp to the post.

Kopp served just two weeks this summer as the head of law enforcement in Alaska, resigning on July 25, after a past complaint of sexual harassment and a subsequent letter of reprimand surfaced in news reports.

-- In an interview with the right-wing site NewsMax, Sarah Palin gave a scientific pronouncement that goes against John McCain's own stated position as well as most credible scientists. On global warming: "I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made."

Why?

It was kind of a 'My Pet Goat' moment, only in reverse.

Politico Offers 6 reasons, but the first is most telling:

1. He’s desperate.

Let’s stop pretending this race is as close as national polling suggests. The truth is McCain is essentially tied or trailing in every swing state that matters — and too close for comfort in several states like Indiana and Montana the GOP usually wins pretty easily in presidential races. On top of that, voters seem very inclined to elect Democrats in general this election — and very sick of the Bush years.

McCain could easily lose in an electoral landslide. That is the private view of Democrats and Republicans alike.

The risks of a backlash from choosing someone so unknown and so untested are obvious. In one swift stroke, McCain demolished what had been one of his main arguments against Obama.

“I think we’re going to have to examine our tag line, ‘dangerously inexperienced,’” a top McCain official said wryly.

“… America knows this is John McCain’s agenda"

Coming to a cable channel near you

Trooper-Gate

TPM Muckraker Has the skinny of Palin's trooper problem:

The scandal concerns allegations that Palin's office improperly fired the state's public safety commissioner because he refused to remove Palin's ex-brother-in-law from his job as a state trooper after his bitter divorce from Palin's sister. In addition to the legislature's investigation, the Alaska attorney general is also looking into the matter.

Palin had at first denied that her office had a hand in pushing to have the trooper fired, but was forced to retract those denials when taped evidence emerged that a staffer in her office was involved.

"The Palins can't figure out why nothing's going on," [Frank] Bailey (Palin's director of boards and commissions), said in the recorded phone call. "Todd and Sarah are scratching their heads ... 'Why is this guy representing the department, he's a horrible recruiting tool.' You know? So from their perspective everybody's protecting him."

The investigation could be particularly poorly timed for the GOP. Steve Branchflower, a former state prosecutor who is conducting the investigation, has a three-month contract for his work, which started August 1, and will end October 31, according to Alaska State Senate Judiciary Committee chair, Hollis French (D), who is overseeing the probe. French told TPMmuckraker that he expects Branchflower to release his report in the days before the November 4th presidential election.

Dis-Honorable

I have always asserted that the biggest lie about John McCain is that he even remotely resembles an honorable man.

Would a Patriot suggest that such a person as Sarah Palin be 'One Heartbeat Away From The Presidency'?

Sullivan wraps it up:

Think about what the Palin pick really says about how McCain views this campaign and how he views his potential responsibilities in national security.

Think about what it says about the sincerity of McCain's own central criticism of Obama these past two months in foreign affairs.

Think about how he picked a woman to be a heartbeat away from a war presidency who hadn't even thought much, by her own admission, about the Iraq war as late as 2007.

Think about how he made this decision barely knowing the woman.

Think about the fact that the most McCain could say about his potential war-time vice-president in foreign affairs and national security when selecting her is that she commanded Alaska's National Guard as governor and has a son in the military.

Think about the men and women serving this country who have every right to trust that their potential commander-in-chief, whatever their party, would have some record of even interest in foreign policy before assuming office.

Think about how the key factor in this decision was not who could defend this country were something dreadful happen to McCain in office but how to tread as much on Obama's convention bounce and use women's equality as a wedge issue among Democrats because it might secure a few points here or there. Oh, and everyone would be surprised. And even Rove would be annoyed.

This is his sense of honor and judgment. This is his sense of responsibility and service.

Here's the real slogan the McCain campaign should now adopt:

Putting. Country. Last.

Bigger Than China

Nielsen Media Research said more people watched Obama speak than watched the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, the final "American Idol" or the Academy Awards this year.

July incomes drop by largest amount in 3 years

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - Personal incomes plunged in July while consumer spending slowed significantly as the impact of billions of dollars in government rebate checks began to wane.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that personal incomes fell by 0.7 percent in July, the biggest drop in nearly three years and a far larger decline than the 0.1 percent decrease that analysts had expected.
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer

McCain said to choose Alaska gov as running mate.

Sent from Express News
DENVER - John McCain tapped little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate, two senior campaign officials told The Associated Press on Friday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer

When It Rains ...

Let's Not Forget that today is Gramp's 72nd Birthday.

Anyway:

Republicans reportedly considering delaying convention

In a post in this space on Thursday, Vincent Rossmeier noted that there has been discussion inside the White House about possibly canceling President Bush's speech at the Republican convention next week, depending on the turns taken by tropical storm Gustav.

Now, the Washington Post is out with an article that takes things one step further -- because of Gustav, the Post says, "Republican officials ... are considering delaying the start of the GOP convention." The Post also has the same report about deliberations inside the White House about whether to cancel Bush's appearance.

As the Post says, there's a very good reason why Republicans would want to avoid holding their convention as a storm batters the U.S.: Hurricane Katrina. Even if it weren't for Katrina and the negative perceptions still attached to the party from the damage the hurricane inflicted, holding what is essentially a political party while Americans suffer just doesn't look good.

Judgement And Temperment

Palin is Choice for Gramp's Veep?

Today In The Wall Street Journal:

Alaska's Palin Faces Probe
Star GOP Governor To Be Investigated For Abuse of Office

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- When Sarah Palin was elected governor as a Republican outsider in 2006, she didn't just take on an incumbent from her own party. She took on Alaska's Republican establishment.

Ms. Palin vowed to clean up a long-cozy political system that had been sullied by an FBI corruption investigation. She endeared herself to Alaskans by making good on her reform promises and showing homey touches, like driving herself to work.

Now, one of the bright new stars in the Republican Party has suddenly become tarnished. The state legislature this week voted to hire an independent investigator to see whether Ms. Palin abused her office by trying to get her former brother-in-law fired from his job as an Alaska state trooper.

"This is a governor who was almost impervious to error," says Hollis French, a Democratic state senator. "Now she could face impeachment, in a worst-case scenario."

The allegations against Ms. Palin are less serious than -- and entirely separate from -- those that have been leveled against a number of Alaska's most prominent politicians since 2006, when a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into influence peddling by oil-field contractor VECO Corp. came to light.

Since then, five state legislators have been sentenced to prison or face prosecution on corruption charges. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens was indicted on criminal charges related to the case. Mr. Stevens says he is innocent.

Mitt-Less

Romney Reported to be out of the running

Mind Your P's

News reports confirm that Governor Tim Pawlenty (MN) will not be McCain's running mate.

News reports also confirm that a charter aircraft flew from Anchorage to Near Dayton OH last night.

Is Governor Sarah Palin (Alaska), the only Pro-Life Republican Woman of any stature, getting the nod from Grampy McSame?

Give In

Here It Is. Watch!

Why We Will Win

Because Saul Alinsky Lives.

From Politico, a story that tells you how good this campaign is:

But the Illinois senator remains a community organizer at heart, and the multitiered football stadium had been converted into its own meritocracy to entice campaign volunteers.
Delegates and their guests did their best, of course, with floor seats or at the 50-yard line. But closer to the end zone, volunteers who had performed at least six hours of work in a prescribed period were rewarded with tickets. And those who made at least 10 calls from stadium phone banks to urge outsiders to turn on their television sets to see Obama had a chance to move up closer under an elaborate lottery system.
Obama's communication director, Dan Pfieffer, said that 10 people were chosen to go back and meet Obama as part of a separate e-mail contest, and the 100 winners of the afternoon phone bank lottery got to sit on the floor, front and center.

"This event is a tribute people who didn't get here because they have a buddy who is a major donor," said Rep. Artur Davis of Alabama, an early Obama supporter

Best Ever?

Andrew Sullivan, Taegen Goddard and Pat-Fucking-Buchanan are calling it the best political speech ever.

As the kids say, he kicked ass.

Know Hope.

Now!

NBCNews:

Obama accepts nomination

-This moment-this election-is r chance 2 keep, in 21st cent,American promise alive. On Nov 4th,we must stand up & say-8 is enuf

All That Beach Front Property Makes Demands On A Guy

NBC News:

Richardson - McCain may pay hundreds of dollars for his shoes but we re the ones who will pay for his flip-flops!

Once Again That Shining City On The Hill

We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So dont tell me that Democrats wont defend this country. Dont tell me that Democrats wont keep us safe. The Bush-McCain foreign policy has squandered the legacy that generations of Americans -- Democrats and Republicans have built, and we are to restore that legacy."
As Commander-in-Chief, I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will only send our troops into harms way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home."

I will end this war in Iraq responsibly, and finish the fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. I will rebuild our military to meet future conflicts. But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."

I'm Not That Guy

Unlike John McCain, I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship our jobs overseas, and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America. I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. I will cut taxes cut taxes for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class. And for the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East."

90

But the records clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush 90% of the time. Sen. McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush was right more than 90 pct of the time? I dont know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change.

It's Coming

Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you cant afford to drive, credit card bills you cant afford to pay and tuition that is beyond your reach. These challenges are not all of governments making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed presidency of George W. Bush."
"America, we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this

Barry Saves Me $

Calculate your Obama Tax Cut

Kill The Pig!

The Daily Show Reports On Mile High Tensions Amongst The MSNBC Crew

Something Nice That Our Friend SM Could Do For His Father-In-Law In Dayton

Plenty of Tickets Still Available!

McCain Still Trying to Find Spectators

According to the Dayton Daily News, Sen. John McCain is still giving away tickets to his Friday rally where he will unveil his running mate. He's having trouble filling a 10,000 seat arena.

The contrast with Sen. Barack Obama giving a speech before 75,000 people tonight is striking and speaks to the excitement factor between the candidates. Obama tickets have been sold out for weeks.

The Obama People Are Telling Us Not To Pay Attention To Gallup But ...

Gallup Daily: Obama Moves Ahead, 48% to 42%
Democratic candidate gains in Monday through Wednesday interviewing

PRINCETON, NJ -- Democratic candidate Barack Obama has gained ground in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking average from Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and now leads Republican John McCain among registered voters by a 48% to 42% margin.

The Best Of The Night

John Kerry Finally Finds His Warrior

Poll: California voters oppose ban on gay marriage

Sent from Express News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A majority of California voters oppose a ballot initiative to ban gay marriage, though they are evenly split on the practice itself, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The ballot question essentially will ask voters to prohibit the practice of same-sex marriage, which was approved this year by the California Supreme Court.

By JUDY LIN Associated Press Writer

Biden says nation needs more than a good soldier

Sent from Express News
DENVER - Joe Biden accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination Wednesday night and declared that the challenges America faces require "more than a good soldier" in the White House, hailing Barack Obama as a wise leader who can deliver the change the nation needs.

In a single sentence, Obama's new running mate complimented John McCain's years of military service and slapped his claim on the White House.

By WALTER R. MEARS AP Special Correspondent

His Grave Is Spinning Even Though He Isn't In It

I'm watching MSNBC as Pat Buchanan sits stunned as Gene Robinson and Michelle Bernard talk about the nomination of a Black Man for the Office of President.

Did You Ever Think That This Would Happen?

NBC News:

Dramatic roll call-NM yields 2 IL yields 2 NY. HRC moves 2 suspend rules & nominate Obama by acclamation. Second, all favor w/screams. Motion carried.

Another Great Anniversary For This Convention Week

Today is the 100th Anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's birth.

Every so often lately you can hear someone remarking on the continued absence of this man from the DNC show.

So it has been since 1968. But this year, we see the fruition of a big dream that was his as much as anybody's.

We need to remember this man, the most important white civil rights activist of the 20th Century.

Wiki:

In conjunction with the civil rights movement, Johnson overcame southern resistance and convinced Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed most forms of racial segregation. Johnson signed it into law on July 2, 1964. Legend has it that, as he put down his pen, Johnson told an aide, "We have lost the South for a generation," anticipating a coming backlash from Southern whites against Johnson's Democratic Party.[28] In 1965, he achieved passage of a second civil rights bill, the Voting Rights Act, that outlawed discrimination in voting, thus allowing millions of southern blacks to vote for the first time.

In 1967, Johnson nominated civil rights attorney Thurgood Marshall to be the first African American Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. After the murder of civil rights worker Viola Liuzzo, Johnson went on television to announce the arrest of four Ku Klux Klansmen implicated in her death. He angrily denounced the Klan as a "hooded society of bigots", and warned them to "return to a decent society before it's too late." He turned the themes of Christian redemption to push for civil rights, thereby mobilizing support from churches North and South.[29]

At the Howard University commencement address on June 4, 1965, he said that both the government and the nation needed to help achieve goals:
To shatter forever not only the barriers of law and public practice, but the walls which bound the condition of many by the color of his skin. To dissolve, as best we can, the antique enmities of the heart which diminish the holder, divide the great democracy, and do wrong — great wrong — to the children of God...[30]

Reaganesque

Politico:

[Senator] Leahy told Vogel yesterday the media has given McCain a free pass on flubs including mixing up Middle East geography, Shiite and Sunni Muslims, and referring to Russia's relationship Czechoslovakia — a country that hasn't existed for 15 years.

"It was the same way with Ronald Reagan in the last few years he was president," Leahy said, referring to the belief that Reagan experienced early signs of Alzheimer's disease late in his presidency.

The press "let Ronald Regan get away with" slips, Leahy said, though he denied he was suggesting that McCain was experiencing mental decline.

"No, I'm just saying he gets a free ride," Leahy said.

Message Refinement

Obama Modifies 'Yes We Can' Message To Exclude Area Loser
'Yes We Can, Except Nate Walsh,' Obama Says

COLUMBIA, SC—In a nationally televised speech Friday, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama altered his vision of a unified America to exclude Dayton, OH loser Nate Walsh.

According to Obama, the 32-year-old Walsh, who has lived with his parents intermittently since receiving his associate's degree in 2001 and still does not have a credit card in his own name, no longer figures into the senator's long-term plan of rallying Americans from all walks of life around a common, higher purpose.

"People of South Carolina, people of the world, this is our time, this is our moment," Obama said before 72,000 supporters at the University of South Carolina's Williams-Brice Stadium. "That is, unless you live in apartment 3L at 1254 Holden St., you watched Money Train on TBS last night at 3 a.m., and your name is Nate Walsh."

Joe And David Unite

To go after the mayor of 9/11

Why Some Prayers Shouldn't Be Answered

At the time of this interview I was 16. My only dream was to spend time with this guy. I still would like to, but it's probably good that it didn't happen then.....

PA!

NBC NEWS: "On the Road to Change" - Obama and Biden leave Denver on Friday for the first campaign tour as the Democratic nominees. First stop - Pennsylvania.

Dis-Unity

MSNBC Is Clearly A Tough Place To Work.

Page Six reports

ANIMOSITY among MSNBC anchors has reached a mile-high peak at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, with on-air squabbling between such big egos as Joe Scarborough, Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews and David Shuster.
Scarborough, who served in Congress as a Republican representative from Florida, seems to be particularly touchy being the only host who isn't openly pro-Democratic.
Yesterday, after Shuster referred to "your party, the Republican Party," Scarborough went off, sparking a seven-minute exchange.

"I will let you know that 'my party,' my party loathes me much more than your party, the Democratic Party, loathes me," Scarborough seethed. "What about your party? What's your party, David Shuster? David, what's your party?"

"I have no party. I'm a complete independent," Shuster replied.
"Oh, I feel so comforted by the fact that you're independent. I bet everyone at ...

At a forum on Sunday, when Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell called MSNBC "the official network of the Obama campaign," Brokaw said, "I think Keith has gone too far. I think Chris has gone too far."

Insiders say Olbermann is pushing to have Brokaw banned from the network and is also refusing to have centrist Time magazine columnist Mike Murphy on his show.

Watch it:


Last Night Chris Got Quite Testy With Keith:


And Then There's Keith and Joe:


Can't We All Just Get Along?

Brian Schweitzer

The Wyoming Governor's speech was great and showed How a Red State Dem Can Take On McCain. We Must all use the term 'Petro-Dicatators' ....

Unfortunately, the talking heads thought they had better things to say and so you didn't hear this.

Watch it now:
Part 1

Part 2

GT12's Mark Warner

OK, not great. If you listened, he did hit home the BHO theme quoted above in our masthead (or whatever) and demonstrated the message that gets Dems elected in Red states. Not that that makes for a great Keynote Speech.

TPM writes:

...wasn't really the keynote speech of the convention at all. It was the warm-up to the main event of the evening, ...
...
Warner, it's true, didn't really draw a meaningfully sharp contrast with McCain, though he uncorked a few predictable lines about us not being able to afford four more years of Bush policies.

But rather than ideologically stiff-arm the left, Warner, who has succeeded in a historically red state by playing the role of post-partisan technocrat, sounded mostly predictable bipartisan tones that weren't at all out of sync with Obama's talk about reaching across party lines to get things done, etc., etc

Here's the Whole thing. I thought the delivery was better than expected.

HRC

OK, What more, reasonably, could we have asked for? She stayed true to points she could be sincere about and then hammered them.

The Truth About PUMA's

Able to Donate $10 mill to help HRC reduce her debt? Hundreds of thousands ready to lead the march to Gramps McSame?

Yesterday they had a party in Denver ... sort of

They had a private party in a small room of a generic bar, and truly, it was the room of the damned. There was a smattering of actual PUMAs, outnumbered perhaps 3 to 1 by genuine McCain Republicans looking to create a press event, noshing on thoroughly unappetizing appetizers, and taking advantage of a theoretically open bar and the open hearts of a few unrelenting Clinton fans, so thoroughly crushed by the loss of the candidate in whom they believed so strongly, that they were willing to present themselves to the world as a Democratic joke and a Republican prop.

I felt sorry for the PUMAs, to be perfectly honest

A 10 day old Kos report that bears up:

The overwhelming and unstoppable PUMA coalition that Bowers and other selected-not-elected leaders have repeatedly claimed numbers in the 2-2.5 million members range could only get together sixty people for the “conference” and, because they didn’t meet the 250 registrant requirement imposed by the Wardman, they had to move the conference to ... get this ... the Country Inn next to Dulles Airport in Sterling, VA. Is it any wonder they got way secretive and polished up their double agent decoder rings before this monumental event? Their “conference,” which was scheduled to be held at a picture-perfect symbolic location in the heart of our nation’s capital (the press woulda loved it!), had to be moved due to poor attendance numbers to a crappy, middle-of-nowhere airport hotel located approximately 30 miles away from D.C. proper.

Rachel Will Not Let This Ride

Brilliant.

Imagine Their Disappointment

NBC News:

Michelle O's surprise for daughters-they didn't know Barack would be on screen. Michelle: "I've got a surprise 4 you." Malia: "Is it the Jonas Bros.?"

Possibly The Only Non-Embarrasing '70's Era Picture Of A Non-Entertainer

Joe Biden: Not Jimmy Page, but more importantly, not one of 'us' in the '70's.

We Want Pictures!

‘Dream On’ this: Steven Tyler working on memoir
Aerosmith frontman is ready to spill his 'tales of debauchery, sex and drugs’

Tyler, known for heavy hits such as “Walk This Way” and “Dream On,” is working on a memoir to be published in 2009 by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins. The book is not yet titled.

“I have so many outrageous stories, too many, and I'm gonna tell 'em all,” Tyler said in a statement Thursday. “All the unexpurgated, brain-jangling tales of debauchery, sex and drugs, transcendence and chemical dependence you will ever want to hear. And this is not just my take, this is the unbridled truth, the in-your-face, up-close and prodigious tale of Steven Tyler straight from the horse's lips.”

GT12 Central Devalued

Average Housing Price in Chicago down 9.5%

Amtrak train runs out of fuel, stranded 2 hours

Another Republican success story

Sent from Express News
SAN DIEGO - It was the little engine that couldn't - because it was thirsty for fuel.

A quick train trip down the coast turned into a long haul for more than 80 Amtrak passengers when their train from Los Angeles to San Diego ran out of fuel Sunday night.

The Associated Press

Who Knew?

Hundreds Of Musicians Removed From Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame For Drug Use

The General Vs The Idiot Liar

Andrew assembles a compare/contrast:

From Newsweek:

Petraeus is careful not to credit all the progress to the surge of U.S. troops in 2007. The sea change came last year from a series of movements now known as the Awakening. […] So would the Sunni Awakening have succeeded without the surge? Possibly, he concedes.

And McCain:

COURIC: Sen. Obama […] says that there might have been improved security even without the surge. What’s your response to that?

McCAIN: I don’t know how you respond to something that is such a false depiction of what actually happened.

Michelle

I was teary through most of it

The Dream Lives On

Teddy the Great!

Tom Too!

Keith Hearts Michelle

Not terribly 'objective' but, he's gotta be right ... or I'm moving to Ireland.

A New Future For Lily

Yes She Can!

Serious Props to Chris

Matthews rails against the criminal stupidity of anyone who fails to see that Barack and Michelle are the epitome of the American ideal of hard work and achievement.

Thanks Chris.

Hope

NBCNews:

Ted Kennedy-This November the torch will b passed again 2 a new generation of Americans...The work begins anew.The hope rises again & the dream lives on

Whew!

Just In:
Per Brian Williams, NBC News:
Bruce Springsteen will NOT be performing at the convention. It s an unfounded rumor, vigorously knocked down by E Street sources

Prize Winning

Wonkette brags that this quote appeared in today's New York Magazine article on Joe Lieberman

“It’s like two quarter-pound stools of alien space shit crashed into a toxic-waste dumpster in Stamford, Connecticut, fucked, and out came their mutilated, blood-soaked carcass of a baby rat-child, Senator Joseph Lieberman.”

This May Mean That I'm A Sexist Pig

But I how can you not love this statement of refusal?

From Simon's article:

... Solis Doyle had coined the term “Hillaryland” to describe Hillary’s female inner circle. The term caught on, and many stories were done about it. But some were unimpressed, feeling that the Hillaryland talent pool was shallow for a major presidential campaign. An influential member of Congress, who was being wooed furiously by both Clinton and Obama, was invited to meet with the people of Hillaryland. He declined. “That’s OK,” he said. “I’ve already seen ‘The Vagina Monologues.’”

What We Missed

Politico's Roger Simon looks at the Barry and Hill's primary campaigns and finds this quote - which I send out to my (I like to call her 'my') Hiltard:

A longtime Clinton staff member said: “I have been around Hillary for years, and nobody should have been shocked. Her team has been dysfunctional for years. It was called a juggernaut, but it was a joke. What shocked and saddened us was that it took her down. We hoped that she would be bigger than her organization.”

I Think Wonkette (Sadly) Sums This Up

Bruce Springsteen Will Doom Obama’s Campaign, Too

If there’s one thing Democrats can count on, it’s that New Jersey billionaire Bruce “He’s The Boss” Springsteen will play lots of his songs for the presidential candidate, who will then lose the election. That’s why Republicans are so excited about Springsteen playing a couple of songs at Obama’s Acceptance Concert on Thursday.

According to the Rocky Mountain News, 1980s’ hitmaker Bruce Springsteen will play two songs, just him and his plodding acoustic guitar, for a special part of Obama’s acceptance program called “HOPE Takes a Nap.” Then, or maybe before, briefly famous hair-rocker John Francis Bongiovi, Jr., will also play a song or two on an acoustic guitar, perhaps from the hit record “Slippery When Wet.”

Springsteen has crushed many Democratic presidential hopes with his musical “help” in the campaign. He repeatedly showed up at John Kerry events, four years ago, and managed to hand another dreadful four years to Bush/Cheney.

The Boss, Bon Jovi headed for Obama’s acceptance speech at Invesco Field [Rocky Mountain News]

No Love Of Country

Forget what Chris Matthews and the other MSM jock sniffers think. John McC tried to set the record straight in '02

"I didn't decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. . . . In truth, I'd had the ambition for a long time."

– John McCain, "Worth the Fighting For”, 2002.

Don't Know Much

A Scent For My Hiltard

Thousands Tell Fox News To Fuck Off

Really.

Pictures Of Lily

GT12 Meets A Hilltard

So, yesterday GT12 took one of our regular trips to red county land (now represented by a Dem and not by Dennis Hastert). We were feeling very pleased after the O-B Springfield Smackdown and pumped to discuss this fine turn of events with our newly liberated friends to the west (40 miles west that is).

We were introduced to a new acquintance of our host, a woman a few months younger than us.

When, as they invariably do when GT12 is around, talk turned to politics, this new member of the circle began to express fears that Joe B's locquaciousness, and his anti-Obama barbs from earlier in the campaign, might be a problem. I offered that those problems can be plusses as Biden takes the battle to Johnny Mac.

But... Before long we found ourselves face to face with the crazy rage of a bonafide Hillary dead-ender, mouthing all of the most irrational whines from Hillaryland and Camp McCain....

"Obama's not for gay rights like Hillary is."

"Obama just wants to talk to people ... All Kumbayah and hearts and flowers" (this from a social worker who earlier had expressed her appreciation for Alzheimer Patients because they're so 'in the now' - helllooooo!)

etc.

I have read of women with these opinions (see Dahliia Lithwick's Slate article on 'Hillary Harridans) and seen a few fake Dem PUMA's on the TeeVee ...but to actually meet one .....

As I swiftly dismissed her rationa concernsl she upped her ante with the the loony and,forgive me, hysterical arguments of the type used by men as examples of why women are not ready to rule the world.

She finally settled on 'well you clearly have issues with women, especially your mother...'

I am rendered momentarily speechless by the absolute childish, victimized, and wildly ill-informed reactivity of this. It took me a minute to come to grips with the fact that such foolishness could come within three blocks of a gathering of people that I hangout with.

I could only say:
"That is the singularly most insane thing that anyone has ever said to me at a party"

One of my old bosses, a woman, was sitting next to me. She thought I was quite restrained to have not also mentioned that my Mom was dead.

It felt good.

Reaction to Obama choosing Biden as running mate

Sent from Express News
Reaction to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's selection of Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate.

---

"In naming my colleague and friend Sen. Joe Biden to be the vice presidential nominee, Sen. Obama has continued in the best traditions for the vice presidency by selecting an exceptionally strong, experienced leader and devoted public servant. Sen. Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic vice president who will help Sen. Obama both win the presidency and govern this great country." - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

---

"There has been no harsher critic of Barack Obama's lack of experience than Joe Biden. Biden has denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy judgment and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realizing - that Barack Obama is not ready to be president." - Ben Porritt, spokesman for the John McCain campaign.

---

"Today is a great day for Democrats. We now have the ticket that's going to bring the change we've all been hoping for. I join all of the members of the Senate Democratic caucus in congratulating Joe Biden - a great friend, a great Democrat, and now our party's nominee for vice president. This campaign is going to make history." - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

---

"I congratulate Sen. Barack Obama on his selection of my friend, Sen. Joe Biden, to be his vice-presidential running mate. I have enjoyed for many years the opportunity to work with Joe Biden to bring strong bipartisan support to United States foreign policy." - Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind.

---

"Joe Biden is the right partner for Barack Obama. His many years of distinguished service to America, his seasoned judgment and his vast experience in foreign policy and national security will match up well with the unique challenges of the 21st Century. An Obama-Biden ticket is a very impressive and strong team. Biden's selection is good news for Obama and America." - Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.

---

"I believe that Joe Biden is an excellent choice. He is a man of experience and high integrity. He will be a valuable running mate to Sen. Obama." - former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.

---

"Obama has spent millions on his change message in Indiana. Biden has held onto a seat in the Senate since 1972. How does that represent change?" - Indiana GOP Chairman Murray Clark.

---

"This is a terrific choice. Joe Biden understands the challenges facing our country at home and abroad, and his long history of bipartisanship in the Senate will be a welcome asset. He will be a tireless and enthusiastic partner for Sen. Obama in the campaign and in the White House." - Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

---

"Sen. Biden will be a tremendous partner for Sen. Obama and for Michigan. Our state has been battered by the policies of the Bush administration, so it matters to us that Sen. Biden has a long-standing reputation of bringing real results that matter to Americans. It also matters that his track record on foreign policy will be invaluable to the new administration in helping to secure our nation's place in the world." - Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Lt. Gov. John Cherry of Michigan.

---

"In choosing Joe Biden to join him on the ticket, Barack has struck Olympic gold. I competed against Biden in the '88 campaign. He is a bona fide expert on the judiciary and foreign policy. He is always extremely well prepared, is very smart, a top level debater, gutsy, strong and has great personal integrity." - the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

By The Associated Press

Real Joe-mentum

Jonathan Cohn:

"Conservatives will blast [Biden's] record, just as surely as liberals will (or should) celebrate it. But one of the virtues of having Biden as the vice presidential nominee is that he won't take those kinds of attacks lightly. He'll fight back. He'll remind people, rightly, that being a liberal Democrat means raising the minimum wage, making sure everybody has affordable health care, providing strong public schools, and protecting human rights. Then, he'll ask why conservative Republicans don't want the same things. That's exactly the kind of political debate this country needs. By picking Biden as a running mate, Obama has signaled that he welcomes this argument--and intends, finally, to win it."

It's Joe!

GT12 called it months ago.

The text mail came at 2:47 AM.:

Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!

Why We're Waiting

Just a theory.

Don't you think Team O wants to milk this McCain house thing for all it's worth?

So we wait another day to allow McCain to be buried further while the MSM tells us it's Biden and that Kaine and Bayh know that they're out.

Need A Little Wartime, Right This Very Minute

It worked in '02 and '04 but had faded by '06.

Time for a new war to help the Republicans

Andrew cites Pat Buchanan then comments:

Pat Buchanan points out a salient fact:

From January 2007 to March 2008, the McCain campaign paid Scheunemann $70,000 -- pocket change compared to the $290,000 his Orion Strategies banked in those same 15 months from the Georgian regime of Mikheil Saakashvili. What were Mikheil's marching orders to Tbilisi's man in Washington? Get Georgia a NATO war guarantee. Get America committed to fight Russia, if necessary, on behalf of Georgia. Scheunemann came close to succeeding.

That a key McCain adviser nearly got NATO committed to a war with Russia over South Ossetia should send up alarms about a McCain presidency. Is there any war McCain would not be prepared to launch if he felt his honor were impugned or a bully was getting his way? Just because Putin is paranoid doesn't mean McCain isn't out to get him.

Comin' Atcha Gramps

Another kick to Johnnymacs

Mittens

Time thinks McC will choose the Mittster.

Can it get any better?

It's Not Just Being Snarky

Hilzoy:

The reason it matters that John McCain can't remember how many houses he has is just this: with one little remark, he has made it impossible for Republicans to run their usual storyline about their candidate as an everyday guy in touch with ordinary people, and the Democratic candidate as a scary elitist who lives on latte and arugula. That line of attack, which was always ludicrous and never relevant, has just gone glimmering, to be replaced by the stories like this:

"McCain, who has portrayed Obama as an elitist, is the son and grandson of admirals. The Associated Press estimates his wife, a beer heiress, is worth $100 million. Obama was raised by a single mother who relied at times on food stamps, and went to top schools on scholarships and loans. His income has increased from book sales since he spoke at the 2004 Democratic convention."

About time. With that line of attack neutralized, perhaps we can get to actual issues.

Coming Monday

Marc Ambinder's friends send him a pic of next week's ground zero

Why It's Time For Joe

Steve Benen (taking over for Kevin Drum) over at Political Animal show why we need to be Biden Time:

A NOUN, A VERB, AND P.O.W..... After the McCain campaign responded to yesterday's flap over the senator's untold number of homes by emphasizing his background as a former prisoner of war, I started wondering just how often Team McCain plays this card.

Perusing the last couple of weeks, I found four examples: 1) in response to questions about McCain's marital infidelities; 2) in response to criticism of McCain's healthcare plan; 3) in response to a question about the first thing that comes to his mind when he thinks of Pittsburgh; and 4) in response to allegations he may have heard the questions in advance of Rick Warren's recent candidate forum.

The Huffington Post's Sam Stein went a little further, noting that McCain also emphasized his background as a prisoner of war while railing against earmarks and again when talking about his taste in music.

After all of this, for the first time, McCain is actually starting to face some media push-back.

Champagne Dreams

It's OK To Take The Gloves Off

Glen Greenwald finds this from Limbaugh in 2004:

I mean, [Kerry]'s been there, but he's basically a skirt-chaser, folks. He's a gigolo. . . Kerry is cheap. Most gigolos are. I mean -- I think it -- I think it goes with the, with the definition. . . I mean, he's a gigolo. Everybody knows this. There's nobody in our party really has much respect for this guy and you can see it last night, but I can't say that. I mean, you got sugar daddy wife back then. You got sugar daddy wife now. He worked his way up from a blue blood to a platinum American Express card, and it doesn't have his name on it.

And this from Coulter:

He lives off the money made by other men and left to their daughters or wives.

Coulter:

if he has an economic plan, I think the one I'd like to hear about is how to snooker millionairesses into marrying me and living off them. I mean, that is not an, a, a trivial point.

And they go on.

So That makes McCain what?

Yes. Go With That.

Back To Tone Deaf?

In an LA Times article about the house flap we read this about McCain:

A nine-car motorcade took him to a nearby Starbucks early in the morning, where he ordered a large cappuccino. McCain otherwise avoided reporters.

Huh?

Raw Story:

Little-known Texas Rep. Chet Edwards finalist for Obama VP pick

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama prepared to name his running mate, perhaps as early as Friday, from a small field that included at least one dark-horse finalist.

Democratic officials said little-known Texas Rep. Chet Edwards was one of the few Democrats whose background was checked by Obama's campaign and he was a finalist for the job.

Among others mentioned: Govs. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, as well as Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Evan Bayh of Indiana.

Obama was to disclose the name to the world through a text message that could be sent at any time before a massive rally in Springfield, Ill., on Saturday, where he will present his No. 2 to the nation. The two then will undertake a pre-convention tour of battleground states.

The Illinois senator refused to say who he chose but gave some hints in an interview aired Friday.

We'll Get A Minority President One Way Or The Other

The Onion Reports:

Aaron Sorkin Announces New 'West Wing' Animated Series At SorCon

SAN DIEGO—On day two of the 2008 San Diego SorCon, the biggest Aaron Sorkin convention in the world, screenwriter and producer Aaron Sorkin revealed plans for his next project, an animated continuation of his most popular franchise, The West Wing.

"I'm excited to bring my Emmy Award–winning writing to the field of animation," Sorkin said in a speech before approximately 30,000 screaming fans, many of whom were dressed up in the business-suit costumes of their favorite Sorkin characters. "The costs of live-action production restricted me to a set only slightly larger than the actual White House and an ensemble cast of under 15 actors. But animation technology will enable us to provide fans with extended 40-minute walk-and-talks, digitally compressed dialogue for faster delivery, and a cast of over 70 main characters. My vision will finally be presented in its truest, most uncompromised form."

The new project, which was rumored in the Aaron Sorkin press in the days running up to SorCon but unconfirmed until yesterday's announcement, marks Sorkin's first television project since 2006's Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, which was canceled after only one season. The new show, tentatively titled The West Wing: The Santos Administration, is the first foray into animated entertainment for the acclaimed Sorkin, who is considered by many to be the most important writer-producer of political and entertainment-industry workplace-comedy-dramas working today.

"When Aaron hit the stage and announced The West Wing animated series, the crowd went wild," said self-described "Sorkin nut" Karla Waples, 33, who has attended SorCon every year since its inception a decade ago. "It was such an adrenaline rush to see him make TV history yet again. This is why people drive all the way across the country to be here."

For You But Not For Me

TPM does a little catch-up reading:

From Vogue: "It is a late Sunday afternoon in April, and I am sitting in a condominium in Coronado, California, taking in the view of the gorgeous San Diego Bay with Cindy McCain. She closed on the place just two weeks earlier, and the only things unpacked so far are the family photos that dot almost every surface. It's her family's second condo in the building. "I like the ocean, and the kids love it here, and I love that," she tells me, curled up on a nondescript couch that looks like it might have come with the apartment. "When I bought the first one, my husband, who is not a beach person, said, 'Oh, this is such a waste of money; the kids will never go.' Then it got to the point where they used it so much I couldn't get in the place. So I bought another one.""

According to a July story in The Politico, a McCain family corporation spent a combined $4.7 million on the two condos in Coronado.

If the interview was conducted sometime in April, and she'd closed on the condo two weeks earlier, that means that the latest the closing could have happened is mid-April, and the earliest is mid-March.

On March 25, John McCain said:

And 51 million homeowners are doing what's necessary: working at second jobs, skipping a vacation, and managing their budgets to make their payments on time.

Countdown

Oregon tribe to allow same-sex marriages

Sent from Express News
PORTLAND, Ore. - At the request of a lesbian couple, the Coquille Indian Tribe on the southern Oregon coast has adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriage.

Tribal law specialists say the Coquille appear to be the first tribe to sanction such marriages. Most tribal law doesn't address the issue. The Navajo and Cherokee tribes prohibit same-sex marriages.
By JOSEPH B. FRAZIER Associated Press Writer

Obama may announce running mate later today

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - Presidential candidate Barack Obama says his pick for a running mate - he's made a decision but isn't giving out a name just yet - had to meet three standards to join the Democratic ticket: Prepared to be president, able to help him govern and willing to challenge his thinking.

Those criteria did little to narrow the guessing game as Obama prepared for a massive rally in Illinois on Saturday to present his No. 2 to the nation and undertake a pre-convention tour of battleground states. He planned to disclose his choice by unleashing text messages to supporters, perhaps as early as Friday.
By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer

At top of Greenland, new worrisome cracks in ice

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - In northern Greenland, a part of the Arctic that had seemed immune from global warming, new satellite images show a growing giant crack and an 11-square-mile chunk of ice hemorrhaging off a major glacier, scientists said Thursday.

And that's led the university professor who spotted the wounds in the massive Petermann glacier to predict disintegration of a major portion of the Northern Hemisphere's largest floating glacier within the year.
By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer

Obama raps McCain for ignorance of his own houses

Sent from Express News
WASHINGTON - John McCain may have created his own housing crisis.

Hours after a report that the Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting didn't know how many homes he and his multimillionaire wife own, Democratic rival Barack Obama launched a national TV ad and a series of campaign stops aimed at portraying McCain as wealthy and out of touch.
By MATT APUZZO Associated Press Writer

Obama inspires black Republicans to switch parties

Sent from Express News
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sen. Barack Obama isn't just inspiring black voters to register in large numbers as he gets closer to being the Democratic presidential nominee. Evidence indicates that he's motivating some black Republicans to switch parties.

The only three states that track voting registration by party and race show black Republican registration dropping slightly since the beginning of the year.
By BRENDAN FARRINGTON Associated Press Writer

Fine

Obama rips Fox News

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) personally went on the attack Wednesday on a best-selling new book that falsely describes him as a closet Muslim.

Talking about "The Obama Nation," Obama said author Jerome Corsi was just making "stuff up."

“But it gets a lot of play on Fox News,” he said to loud boos.

The news network has interviewed Corsi.

Obama said GOP attackers “will run negative ad after negative ad, attack after attack, with the goal of making you lose focus on the issues. … and focus on me and try to make me out to be a risky, scary guy.”

“Now I must say: I don’t find myself particularly scary or particularly risky," he said.

Tease

Obama says he's decided on a running mate

CHICAGO - Barack Obama says he's decided on a running mate, but he won't say who. The Democratic presidential candidate told USA Today on Thursday that he went with someone who is independent and would challenge him in the White House. He also said he wanted someone who is prepared to be president and would help him strengthen the economy.

He wouldn't say whether he's informed his pick yet. He says he won't reveal anything else about the decision until he announces it.

Obama is planning to do so in a text message to supporters sometime before Saturday afternoon, when he's scheduled to appear with his pick in Illinois. Asked by an Associated Press reporter when the text would be sent, Obama just grinned and said, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

There's Gnome Place Like It!

Hallelujah!

Politico:

Poll: Majority wants churches out of politics

For the first time in a dozen years, a majority of Americans believe that churches and religious institutions should “keep out” of politics, according the annual Pew Religion and Public Life Survey.

It’s the highest level of public concern with faith’s effect on politics since Pew began asking the question in 1996.

The rise in Americans’ desire to separate religion and politics – from 44 percent in 2004 to 52 percent today – appears due to a surprising increase in conservative distaste for mingling the institutions – from 30 percent in 2004 to half of conservatives expressing the view today.

Among white evangelicals, 36 percent want religious groups to stay out of politics, a dramatic rise from 16 percent four years ago.

The findings come in the wake of the Saddleback Civil Forum Saturday, when in unprecedented fashion both presidential candidates – Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama – joined popular evangelical leader Rick Warren at his mega church for their first back-to-back campaign appearance.

But the study, the most authoritative national survey of politics and religion, was conducted prior to event, July 31 to Aug. 10. Conducted on mobile and landline phones, the survey had a large national sample of 2,905 adults, with an overall margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

In the survey, about half of Americans who view gay marriage and abortion as “very important” voting issues say churches should not be involved in politics. In 2004, only one in four voters who saw gay marriage as a top issue said the same, while a third of those who saw abortion as a top issue agreed as well.

Overall, 48 percent of Americans believe that social conservatives wield “too much” influence in the GOP.

Oh Hell! Visit 'Em All!

Thanks to Google Earth we can visit ALL the McCain Homes!

Well, That's It Then

Now on the Hallmark aisle: Gay marriage cards

Aug 21st, 2008 PORTLAND, Ore. -- Most states don't recognize gay marriage — but now Hallmark does.

The nation's largest greeting card company is rolling out same-sex wedding cards — featuring two tuxedos, overlapping hearts or intertwined flowers, with best wishes inside. "Two hearts. One promise," one says.

Hallmark added the cards after California joined Massachusetts as the only U.S. states with legal gay marriage. A handful of other states have recognized same-sex civil unions.

The language inside the cards is neutral, with no mention of wedding or marriage, making them also suitable for a commitment ceremony. Hallmark says the move is a response to consumer demand, not any political pressure.

"It's our goal to be as relevant as possible to as many people as we can," Hallmark spokeswoman Sarah Gronberg Kolell said.

Hallmark's largest competitor, American Greetings Corp., has no plans to enter the market, saying its current offerings are general enough to speak to a lot of different relationships.
Hallmark started offering "coming out" cards last year, and the four designs of same-sex marriage cards are being gradually released this summer and will be widely available by next year. No sales figures were available yet.