9/28/2008 02:51:00 AM
Three clear reasons why Obama won last night's presidential debate:
1: McCain Scared to Face Obama.
No psych degree required here - McCain is either afraid of what he'll say if he looks at Obama (think 'watch it, you uppity colored boy'), or just flat-out afraid of Obama himself.
Only today are pundits really talking about this - maybe I should be on TV.  As I watched it live, McSame's inability to face Obama was his most obvious mistake, in my view.
(Incidentally, some right wingers are spinning McCain's behavior as "measured indifference" -- not a particularly insightful spin, considering McCain's camp is trying like to hell to paint Obama as an elitist.  Whatever indifference McCain may have conveyed was anything but 'measured.')
2: Obama Comfortable; McCain? Not So Much
Again, no advanced degree in studying human behavior required.  Grampy McSame was clearly antsy; Obama was visibly relaxed.  McCain's attempts at humor seemed strained, whereas Obama's reactions to ridiculous claims by McCain -- like when he compared Obama to Bush (which is still funny today) -- were genuine, but reserved chuckles.  Obama was apparently having a good time.
3: Obama Versed on Foreign Policy
Once the financial angle on the USA's global standing ended, the conversation shifted to more conventional foreign policy matters.  This was supposed to be McCain's strength.
Instead, Obama played him to a stalemate in a game of differing foreign policy approaches.
Today, many on both sides are grumbling their candidates weren't aggressive enough.  McCain, though obviously grumpy, did not "go for the jugular" (as neocons would've liked); Obama was too conciliatory, allowing McCain to "get away" with plenty of exaggerations, mischaracterizations, and even saying McCain was "right" about at least five points.
But political fans who complain about their candidates' diluted attitudes are either freshmen, or not very astute.  Holding candidates back the first go-around is what successful campaigns do.  Both camps "held back" last night... purposely so.
Holding back is the filter through which both campaigns are gauging poll reactions.  If the numbers show McCain's moments of "mean guy" reactions worked, then he'll be much meaner next time around.  Likewise, if polls show Obama's coolness was counterproductive, he'll be more aggressive the next time around.  This is all part of how experienced campaigns work.
The advantage in holding back for the first debate is Obama's.  He's a level-headed guy by nature.  McCain - not even close.  He's a hot head.  We all know that.
It's exactly why he looked so uncomfortable last night.  And it's why he lost to Obama.
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9/20/2008 01:42:00 AM
(A handful of) Afro-Cubans (try to) Steal the Show
If you didn't see it, several Cubans stood up during Barack Obama's speech today in Coral Gables, Florida, with anti-Obama signs reading "Blacks Against Obama" etc.
Obama handled it brilliantly, even dishing out the dismissive "See ya," when guards escorted the Black Latinos out of the arena.
Supreme poise.
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9/17/2008 08:25:00 AM
the Sex Offender (Part 2)
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I was hoping the possible linkage between Levi Johnston and Ryan Johnston (see previous post, below) would get some attention. Apparently I just don't have the visibility. Bummer.
No biggie. I'll keep yelling until someone notices.
Oh, there's more juice left in this little tomato! The address given by Ryan Johnston (Wasilla, Alaska Sex Offender - again, see below) is only half a mile away from Levi Johnston's home.
Check it -
Aint the internet neat?
9/13/2008 11:58:00 AM
9/12/2008 11:40:00 AM
9/09/2008 09:13:00 PM
-- Don't be so quick to dismiss the account of Sarah Palin calling Barack Obama "Sambo" as a smear. Video of Palin's racism (and sexism) - inevitable to surface soon - will tear down the McCain campaign. Read all about the governor's racist comments here.
We've all met Republicans who still talk as if they're plantation owners, and so even before we get video proof of this "lady"'s racism, we know it to be a fact.
If, worst case scenario, the video doesn't surface until post-election, and Mcsame and Palin actually win, it'll be the death knell of the GOP for decades to come.
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9/04/2008 12:11:00 PM
Our famous friend shares some more GOP gaffes:
Peggy Noonan (R - booR), Mike Murphy (R - Rogain lover) and Chuck Todd of MSNBC spoke about the Palin pick while (they think) they're off air.
Long story short - Noonan told the world the GOP blew it. Called the pick "bullshit." Murphy fights his way through numerous tacky tongue moments. LOL.
Truthishly, I mean, like, it's another classic. And we should just accept that.
Thank you, Mr. Shearer.
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9/03/2008 09:21:00 AM
9/02/2008 12:02:00 PM
If He Knew; If He Didn't Know
Did McCain vet Sarah Palin? Here are the facts we know, just four days into Sarah Palin's VP nomination:
Palin is so wrapped up in a nepotism-themed legal battle that she's just had to hire a lawyer.
There's an abundance of video proving Palin lied about her position on the "Bridge to Nowhere."
Her unwed, teenaged daughter got knocked up in the 11th grade.
IF McCain did vet Palin, then...
1. He's willing to drag Palin's family through the mud. Including the pregnant daughter - 17 years old - through a veritable shit storm of political mudslinging. And this, coming from a guy who criticized Obama for letting his ambition get in the way of his good sense? Tsk tsk!
2. He's more desperate than we thought. Most of us immediately picked up on the desperation upon first hearing who McCain's nomination was. But for a person whose political life is in its infancy, and who we've only known for four short days, this seems satirical. Pinch me - am I dreaming?
3. He may be going senile. Eight years ago he didn't seem dumb, but these days he's more and more (apparently) losing it. How incoherent do you have to be to knowingly hire a woman with this much dirt? Especially the sort of dirt your party typically pretends is the provenance of the Democrats.
IF McCain did not vet Palin, then...
1. He's a liar. He's already gone on record stating he knew all these things before asking Palin to be his VP nominee.
2. He's a fool. Anyone with one-fourth the time he's had in Congress should know: vet, vet, vet! Everyone agreed the "estimated risk" in this pick was sacrificing his experience argument against Obama for a VP who would energize the base. But this is a base who thinks abstinence-only education actually works! Referendum on judgment? You bet!
3. He's a loser. In any competition, it's one thing to take a risk. But only the loser denies having misjudged the risk once it proves unsuccessful (see item 1).
One thing is certain: McCain has just handed the Democrats the election on a silver platter. Let's hope Obama really does stand for change - change to the way the (D)s handle silver platters.
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9/02/2008 10:22:00 AM
  "Because sex education doesn't work."
It doesn't?
  "No! Abstinence-only training is the only true way to keep teenagers out of trouble."
That's idiotic. Children will do what they're going to do, and the best way to keep them out of trouble is by teaching them about condoms. Republican families know this as well as Democratic families do.
  "Hey, you name me one republican family that...
OOOPS!
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!
This is fucking classic.
Eat shit and die, you loser GOPhers. Your senile, limp dick fossil chose a real winner, didn't he?
BWAH HA HA HA HA HA!
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9/02/2008 09:36:00 AM
9/01/2008 03:19:00 AM
Sound familiar?