Faux News Channel

WHY OBAMA WON

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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WHY OBAMA WON

Blacks Against Obama?

(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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Wasilla, Alaska Native Johnston is a Sex Offender

Wasilla, AK Resident Johnston:

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 -

Ryan Johnston's home is half a mile from Levi Johnston's home.

Aint the internet neat?

Oh sure, the town of Wasilla is small, and so half a mile may not be very much.

But remember, this is Alaska: land of small populations with lots and lots of land. It's no surprise even a tiny town like Wasilla occupies quite a breadth of real estate:

Click image for a larger image

If it turns out that one of Levi Johnston's relatives is this registered sex offender, there can be no way the BFEE can steal this one. And I'll gloat for years to come.

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Wasilla, Alaska resident named Johnston is a Registered Sex Offender.

Is Levi Johnston's cousin a sex offender?

Any resemblance?

I've never lived in a really small American town, and so I don't know how common common (sic) surnames like "Johnston" are in these inbred sorts of communities.

But I do know there's a 22 year old registered sex offender from Wasilla, Alaska named Johnston. His full name is Ryan Edward Johnston, and it looks like he could easily be related to Levi "fuckin' redneck" Johnston. You know, that charming sperm donor who knocked up "Non Blinking" Sarah Palin's righteous Christian daughter.

You can check out the Alaskan Sex Offender Registry here.

Of course, if it turns out there is a relationship between this sex offender and Levi Johnston, it won't matter to the Ann Coulters of the world. They've rationalized Bristol's belly bomb away; they'd do the same with this news.

Man oh man, the crap I've been hearing about Bristol Palin for two weeks now (keep in mind, I work with right wing nutjobs). "Well, everyone knows a family who's had to deal with the dilemma of an over-eager teenage daughter!" they chime. "It's real common these days - certainly something most families are dealing with..."

Makes Rump Leakage 's logical leaps seem mild.

Seriously, I hate to beat a dead horse, but if the presence of a pregnant, unwed child in the family can be so easily rationalized, so could a good ol' sex offender.

"Well, everyone knows a sex offender. It's real common these days - certainly something most families are dealing with. It just shows she's one of us..."

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"Bush 'Dock-Trin' ?"

(They never told me about that...)

Although I'd love to have heard/seen her answer to the Bridge to Nowhere lie, I was pretty happy after the tidbits of this interview ABC aired tonight. I can't imagine those but the most rabid Ann Coulter types were impressed by this interview.

First - the 'not blinking' thing. Do you think she'll repeat this line? I hope so, because not only does it show she's more adolescent boy than sane mother, but America will see a "non-blinking attitude" as 100% George Bush.

Another non-blinker

Secondly... WOW was she smarmy and manipulative.

"Charlie" "Charlie" "Charlie"

If you're my waiter, and try that "kneel and act like you're my buddy" crap at some point during the meal, your tip just got cut in half. I say "thanks, but no thanks" to patronizing BS. What we saw in the Charlie Gibson interview was Palin doing that waiter/waitress "kneel and act like my buddy" shit.

This cutesy act may not strike some at first, but the more they see Palin do it, the more everyone will catch on. Not only it she a manipulator, but she doesn't think you'll notice it.

Third... she can't say NUCLEAR... HA. The "nuculer" caught me off guard. (Incidentally, someone please find that 2002 "new clear" cartoon I did and send it to me. It showed Karl Rove trying to teach W how to properly pronounce "nuclear" by turning the word into "new-clear").

Nuculer

It's like Beetlejuice. Maybe after so many repetitions they'll disappear.

But the highlight of the clips shown on ABC this evening was her inability to answer the Bush Doctrine question.

Dude, I'm an uneducated, enlisted man - younger than Palin (ok, not by much) - and I know what the "Bush Doctrine" is.

Whew.... okay. Okay.

Palin is like candy. Initially everyone on the right is all, "wow - this is GREAT!" but it won't take long before many will go "OK, seriously, do we want this psycho a septegenarian heartbeat away from the nuc-yoo-ler button?"

LOLOLOLOLOLLLLL!!!!

"So, Sambo Beat the Bitch"

-- 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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"Republicans Blew It" - Noonan

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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Palin Opposes Free Speech

Sarah Palin Opposes Free Speech?

This just keeps getting better . . .

The best part is watching the GOPhers are in full denial!

LOL!

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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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Palin Daughter Pregnant???

Question: Why don't you neoconanderthals want to teach sex education in public schools?

"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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Check McInsane, joking about the victims of Hurricane Katrina

Oh, oh, you're killing me... stop!

Yes, nutso, dead poor people are always funny. You silly, senile old "sin"ator.

And to think you used to have respectable positions that contradicted those of the GOP.

Palin Hypocrisy

Sarah Palin Supported "Bridge to Nowhere" Before She Opposed It.

Sound familiar?

It's Ann Coulter with a figure (and smaller testicles)

Sarah Palin - Another GOP Crony

By the way, unlike the Corsi parody below, this is 100% real.

Read it all for yourself. The "lady" is vile.

This is all straight from the Daily Sitka Sentinel.

Sally Palin fired a man simply because he refused to fire a man who dissed her sister.

Oh, and he didn't share her political views either.

Why am I not surprised?

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Jerome Corsi: Child Pornographer?

Is Jerome Corsi a Child Pornographer?

I'm no journalist, and I haven't the resources to research this allegation . . . but someone out there should really check this thing out.

This site has some pretty compelling evidence that the same Jerome Corsi of Unfit for Command, Swift Boats for Truth (sic), and now Obama Nation fame was convicted just five years ago for peddling child porn.

Anyone taking politics seriously should read Jerome Corsi's biography before buying anything else by the man (sic).

This isn't an allegation - just a question. An innocent little question couldn't hurt, regardless how untrue or libelous its implications may be... am I right?

Again, here's the link - Jerome Corsi Bio

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Adiós, España

*Adiós, España* All good things must come to an end. Sadly, our trip to Spain has drawn to an end. No doubt we're sufficiently rejuvenated, but like every other time we've gone to Europe we are returning freshly reminded of the things that distinguish European culture from our own. For example, where in the USA can a couple of middle-aged foreigners stroll around the center of a city of 2 of 3 million people, at 2 or 3 a.m., without the slightest threat of being mugged, or worse?	Along Spain's most famous street, Las Ramblas
	The streets aren't just figuratively clean in Europe, they're also literally clean. Typical of everywhere you go in Europe, store managers could be seen sweeping up the areas in front of their businesses. In other spots garbage collectors cleaned up the streets, picked up stray trash, and so forth.&nbsp Little to no litter, anywhere.
Gas is still higher, but not by as much. Smart cars, mopeds, bikes abound. Of course, like so many other European people, the Spanish walk everywhere. If it's within a couple kilometers, forget about driving. Which meant we saw very few fat asses in Spain. In fact, with the exception of one very boisterous German couple, the unhealthy looking tourists we could hear spoke a very American sounding dialect of English.
	But it's not just the walking that keeps our European cousins in better shape than us. The absence of fried food from virtually every menu we looked at (the lone exception being the McDonald's we stepped into one afternoon for McFlurries); the predominance of olive oil, vegetables, and seafood. And a drink or two per day is also good for the heart, right? Naturally, we did our best to follow that guidance... But the most striking difference between American and European towns is the collective level of stress evident in people's attitudes. The first time a stranger talks to you on some random street corner, the American reaction is a defensive one: who is this weirdo, and why is he talking to me? A drunk stranger, laughing hysterically, greets you on the street at 1:30 in the morning... your reaction betrays your citizenship. In Europe, it's a given that anywhere you go, the natural state of things is an amosphere of friendliness. You probably won't get the same sort of feeling on the streets of Baltimore, Albuquerque, or Cleveland.
But as much as we'd like to live there, we couldn't afford it. Not now. The dollar is ridiculously weak right now, which makes the inflating Euro especially tough to deal with. So it's back to texas for this sunburnt pair of Barcelona-loving winos. *Yee ha.*	Sunbaked travelers.