Political Punch
Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper
Jake Tapper is ABC News' Senior White House Correspondent based in the network's Washington bureau. He writes about politics and popular culture and covers a range of national stories.
RECENT POSTS
- An Actual Press Release from the Office of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Florida
- Biden and Napolitano Give Warning About Potential Attacks Involving WMD
- First Black President Facing Diversity Pressures As Well
- Obama Abandons Windfall Profits Tax on Oil Companies; Liberals Smell a Corporate Rat
- Obama Taps Richardson for Commerce Secretary
- Obama Expresses Sorrow with Loss of Richardson Beard
- PEBO Taps Becerra to be Top Trade Rep
- The Holder Nomination
- Louisiana Lowdown
- Obama Team Hawks Obama-Themed Stocking Stuffers, Health Care Conversation
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Obama: Public Thinks of McCain as POW -- I Need to Remind Them of his Policies
August 20, 2008 1:29 PM
At a Martinsville, Virginia, town hall meeting just now, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, said that the public thinks of his opponent's war record, but it's his responsibility to remind them of his policies.
"John McCain – let’s face it – he has a compelling biography," Obama said. "He is a POW and so that is what people kind of think about instead of focusing on the fact that he wants to continue the same economic policies that George Bush has been doing for the last 8 years."
Concluded Obama, "so my job in this election is to say I honor his service, but I don't honor his policies and I don't honor his politics."
-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
August 20, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (172)
If McCain is going to use his military service and POW years as credentials to be President, then his war story needs to be analyzed. He was never a commander in war time. He served about 20 hrs of combat duty in 23 missions before being shot down yet he received 23 medals. Yes he survived 5.5 years as a POW but we only have his version as to what happened. Some question his story. I know he got a lot of publicity when captured as well as when he came home due to his family and political ties. But can we trust the media hype? Propaganda in war time is always used. Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman are examples. John McCain the war hero could have been used by the Nixon administration to counteract the numerous anti-war veterans who were getting media attention during the Vietnam War. I just wish some investigative journalist would look into the validity of the McCain military story. I wish everyone would really take a look at this carefully and ask whether he really qualifies as better candidate based on a story that he has used throughout his political career. Why is this off limits? I for one am concerned with his neocon ties and "bomb bomb Iran" joke. If he really had to make the tough decisions that a high level officer has to make in time of war I would be more convinced. I admire his service to the country and his tenacity to survive a POW camp but it does not convince me that these make him qualified. Our country is in need of serious reforming to keep viable in these challenging times. I do not hear maverick McCain anymore. He sounds more and more like another corporate mouthpiece. He has even crossed the line pandering to the religious right. Barry Goldwater would not be happy with this candidate at all.
Posted by: Jann | Aug 22, 2008 4:27:50 PM
BAMMMMM again - another tough shot from Obama. I bet McGeezer is just fuming.
It's about time someone said this out loud.
Good job obama!! Keep 'em comin'.
Posted by: julianne | Aug 21, 2008 5:02:29 PM
Maybe the focis should be on the Obamas late term abortion issue instead.
In a letter his wife sent out on his behalf in 2004, Michelle Obama denounced a federal law banning partial-birth abortion, writing that "this ban on a legitimate medical procedure is clearly unconstitutional." Clearly!
The Supreme Court later found the law not "unconstitutional," but "constitutional" -- which I believe may have been the precise moment when Michelle Obama realized just how ashamed she had always been of her country.
Posted by: ruth | Aug 21, 2008 11:48:57 AM
Emm-whatever makes you feel better, but you did not explain McCain's supportive comments on the draft on at least four other occasions. She may have had a long statement/question - but McCain is setting the record for a draft. 1 X - a pass - time #5 - bye bye....
Posted by: No Draft | Aug 21, 2008 12:44:46 AM
She made a personal opinion statement. Rather than spend another 10 minutes pulling about her speech, he simply agreed not to disagree and move on. Hmm, kinda like when the Dems tack on some pork fat to a bill and Bush vetoes the whole thing until they get it right.
Posted by: Emm | Aug 21, 2008 12:25:56 AM
Okay Emm.... so why has McCain made similar comments on the draft on at least four other occasions? Why hasn't his campaign "walked-back" those comments? You state 'Anyone would have gotten confused". I beg to differ - Your 72 year old candidate did and appears often "confused".
Posted by: No Draft | Aug 21, 2008 12:20:32 AM
Her life's story was:
"Senator McCain I truly hope you get the opportunity to chase Bin Laden right to the gates of hell and push him in as you stated on your forum. I do have a question though. Disable veterans, especially in this state have horrible conditions, their medical is substandard. They drive four hours one way to Albuquerque for a simple doctors appointment which is often canceled. Our VA hospital is dirty it is understaffed, it is running on maximum overload. The prescription medicines are ten years behind standard medical care we have seven hundred claims stacked up at the VA office in Albuquerque some of them are ten and seven years old waiting to be processed in the mean time these people are homeless. My son is an officer in the Air Force, and I am a vet and I was raised in a military family. I think it is a sad state of affairs when we have illegal aliens having a Medicaid card that can access specialist top physicians, the best of medical and our vets can’t even get to a doctor. These are the people that we tied yellow ribbons for and Bush patted on the back. If we don’t reenact the draft I don’t think we will have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell."
Not after all that,where is a question mark indicating a question? None, so anyone would have taken the 99% of information that was actually heard (not counting the possibility of him clearing his throat, stage noise, etc) and answered the same way. Grain of sand.
Posted by: Emm | Aug 21, 2008 12:00:36 AM
From Today's Town Hall:
If we don’t reenact the draft, I don’t think we’ll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell.
To which McCain responded:
Ma’am, let me say that I don’t disagree with anything you said.
Posted by: No Draft | Aug 20, 2008 11:50:04 PM
So Emm... McCain doesn't pay attention to what people ask him in his town hall meetings nor does his answer speak for him? His own campaign did not send out a "walk-back" or anything on the statement. Town hall is not nappy time.
Posted by: No Draft | Aug 20, 2008 11:46:38 PM
Wrong. What he said, after a woman asked him a rather long, convoluted, multiple points all jumbled together, was that he didn't disagree with what she said. Anybody would have gotten confused with her mumbo jumbo. He was just being polite instead of saying "Pick a subject and verb and get back with me."
Posted by: Emm | Aug 20, 2008 11:36:09 PM
Just returned from dinner here in Republicanville where McCain just lost a lot of support with his comments today supporting a draft. Friends packing their kids up to send them off to college, many Ivy League are never going to vote for a man that wants to pack their kids up and forcefully send them into war.
Posted by: No Draft | Aug 20, 2008 11:15:21 PM
"decentAmerican"
I've always said it would be a tight race. I've even worried on another board that his high poll numbers were dangerous because it could make people who are fed up with Repubs and their policies complacent. There are far more people fed up with Repubs than there are Repubs. Even Repubs were so fed up with Repubs that they nominated a man who they thought was hardly a Repub. Repubs are so easily fooled.
And McCain is in a real bind: go to the center and the evangelical base will be outraged; go to the fringe and Obama will make inroads into the heart of the Republican party.
McCain had to spend his campaign money before the convention and he spent it like a drunken sailor. After the conventions, Obama will have the money advantage to chase McCain down to the gates of hell.
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 20, 2008 9:33:15 PM
Will Obama get a big bounce during the convention? If he doesn't, the fat lady will have sung!
Posted by: Martin Slueg | Aug 20, 2008 7:48:46 PM
Obama: The more you hear him, the better McCain looks.
Posted by: Martin Slueg | Aug 20, 2008 7:37:41 PM
GO OBAMA
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
Posted by: rodney | Aug 20, 2008 7:32:11 PM
POOR MARTIN YOUNG AND NOT INFORMED-----VERY ORIGINAL JFK SOUND FAMILIAR.
Posted by: rodney | Aug 20, 2008 7:20:29 PM
rodney
That was not an original statement.
Posted by: Martin Slueg | Aug 20, 2008 7:18:31 PM
hey martin
HOW ABOUT FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
GO OBAMA
Posted by: rodney | Aug 20, 2008 7:11:33 PM
Which words best describe a real leader?
(1) We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
(2) The buck stops here.
(3) Damn the torpedos and full speed ahead.
(4) That's above my pay grade.
Posted by: Martin Slueg | Aug 20, 2008 7:06:55 PM
mccain claiming to be a military expert---5.5 years in the hanoi hilton makes him an expert..wow what a stretch of the imagination.check this guys records ---school and military--mccain is really dumb.
Posted by: rodney | Aug 20, 2008 7:04:28 PM
mccain is a fake --his claim to fame and fortune is his wife and her money.
Posted by: rodney | Aug 20, 2008 6:52:35 PM
Sooooooo, Mr. Oranje, you are now saying that the polls are wrong, and we shouldn't rely on them, and that the outcome will be different, regardless of what the polls say? OoooooKkkkkkkk......I agree that poll results are not written in stone, but you can't tell me that the Obama campaign as well as the DNC are sweating right now looking at the polls. But, believe what you want.....a few months ago the Obama supporters were doing a jig because Obama was so far ahead, but now that it flip flopped (much like Obama!), polls dont' count?
Suuuuuuuure.......OK
Oh, and every knows it is fact, that Obama is a liar. No doubt about it.
President McCain....maverick, hero, patriot
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 20, 2008 6:50:38 PM
willem--
just the truth at the time.this guy is scary-and aprofessional lier.
the truth would put an end to his campaign
Posted by: rodney | Aug 20, 2008 6:47:58 PM
Awe, poor Cindy. Caught in several lies:
she was not an only child, she's got two half sisters ....
And that tearjerker that ‘Mother Theresa’ personally convinced her to to bring home two orphans from Bangladesh ?
She's never met Mother Theresa.
How Christian. What lovely family values.
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 20, 2008 6:30:27 PM
hihihi, decentAmerican, you are relying on a Zogby-poll?
hihihi.
Zogby's final poll in California showed Obama winning by 13%, but the actual results showed Hillary winning by 10%, a 23-point difference! Far beyond the margin of error. Zogby has had several spectacular misses (Kerry 311 electoral votes, versus 213 for Bush, with 14 too close to call ....)
As have a lot of other pollsters.
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 20, 2008 6:24:24 PM
It has een proven that Mccain is a LIAR....FACT FACT FACT
McCain is a LIAR
Posted by: McCain is a LIAR | Aug 20, 2008 6:22:05 PM
Badger1 -
I'm afraid that the race card did not expire forty years ago. The LA Times/Bloomberg most recent poll found that nearly one out of five Americans do not think that "America is ready for a black president." Unfortunately, racism is still with us.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | Aug 20, 2008 6:19:22 PM
I thought Obama was always finding common ground with his opposition and was a uniter? Why is he being "so mean?" Heh heh.
Posted by: Wade | Aug 20, 2008 6:12:18 PM
Mr. Obama better focuses on himself and tells us more about his own biography. I do want to know more about his own "real" policies and his own "records"...unless he wants to hide behind McCain policies and records
Posted by: frieda | Aug 20, 2008 6:10:28 PM
Right wing Vet group
Shorter Bellavia: The problem with Hagel is that he does not love America, and would prefer we lose wars.
Somehow, I think that constitutes an attack on a Vietnam veteran!
Bellavia went on to add, "Now, again, with Sen. Hagel -- my problem with Sen. Hagel is, again, his experienced is based on what? The Mekong Delta. It's based on Vietnam, a totally different fight, a totally different enemy, and by the way, it was 30 years ago. That doesn't cheapen his service. That doesn't cheapen his expertise. But when it comes down to Iraq, I will take that specialist who's 20 years old from Decorah, Iowa, who served three tours in combat, over anything any member of the House or Senate has to say."
Unless I missed something, the current GOP contender for President is not a specialist from Decorah, Iowa but a man whose "experience is based on" the Mekong Delta. Flying above it, anyway. Sometimes violently colliding with it. In fact, one of the only differences between the service records of Hagel and McCain is that McCain was tortured in a POW camp. Of course, if you listen to the Bush White House, McCain wasn't tortured, either.
Posted by: McCain is a LIAR | Aug 20, 2008 6:06:08 PM
McCain's supporters often want to point out that he had been tortured when he was a POW.
They're wrong. According to their own interpretation of torture, McCain was merely ‘enhanced interrogated’. According to them, McCain merely endured some hazing
Posted by: Willem van Oranje | Aug 20, 2008 6:05:36 PM
Richard Clarke said it perfectly
"I'm sure he [McCain] loves his country. It's just that loving your country and lying to the American people are apparently not inconsistent in his view."
Posted by: McCain is a LIAR | Aug 20, 2008 6:05:03 PM
Joe -- you still haven't looked at RCP, have you? You will also see that their electoral vote tally, which they have been following diligently for months, now shows McCain AHEAD with no toss up states. This is miraculous considering Obama was ahead.....way ahead, up until now.
but go ahead and ignore the numbers, to your peril. Never mind that the campaigns follow them closely themselves. And never mind that Dukasis was 17 points ahead of Bush before he lost in a landslide. And now Obama starts out behind McCain, and you expect him to have a mouse's chance of winning?
hehehehehe......(me giggling in amusement).
And, voter in PA, i am sorry, but I had to gag on my coffee when you used "honest" and "sincere" in the same sentence as "Obama". He has been PROVEN to be a liar. How can you continue to trust a man who has lied to you countless times? What has he DONE (not told you, but DONE) to prove his honesty and integrity? And as for your attacks on Hillary for her campaign, have you seen Obama's campaign tactics? No, because they haven't been released, but if and when you do, I am sure you will find more vicious and cruel strategies that they have used. Things like calling the race card when there is no racism, or playing victim. And when Bernie Mac (RIP) called women vulgar names, Obama pretended to chastize him, and then said "I'm just messing wiht you man".
This is a man you want in the whitehouse? I wouldn't let this horrible man near my family, much less running my country. He is an utter disgrace to Americans.
President McCain.....maverick, hero, patriot.
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 20, 2008 5:59:51 PM
If McCain is so patriotic, why does he constantly vote against veterans benefits? Actions speak louder than words.
Posted by: Patriot | Aug 20, 2008 5:53:53 PM
So much for McCain's pledge to wage an honorable campaign. Just another broken promise.
Posted by: Patriot | Aug 20, 2008 5:52:04 PM
McCain was a hero among many in Vietnam. There were over 600 POWS. 8 Medals of Honor;42 Service Crosses; 590 Silver Stars; 958 Bronze Stars and 1,249 Purple Hearts were given. It's sad that the McCain hero in Vietnam has failed to be a hero for veterans and servicemen while in the Senate.
Posted by: Jennifer | Aug 20, 2008 5:52:03 PM
-This freaking woman, who cannot even deservingly be called a woman continually underestimated him-
Assume you are speaking about Senator Clinton. Why doesn't she deserve to be called a woman? Maybe we need to call Obama the 'woman' in the primaries.
You want rules broken: take a GOOD READ ON WHAT WENT DOWN WITH MICHIGAN AND FLORIDA, just for starters.
Posted by: pls go away | Aug 20, 2008 5:47:37 PM
Funny how Obama feels compelled to remind Americans that McCain is more than his past military and government service.
By the same token, someone should remind Americans that Obama is more than his past. He's...um, uh...well...can someone turn the teleprompter back on?
Posted by: FishMonger | Aug 20, 2008 5:36:34 PM
Well Obama was a community organizer and that was how many years ago, again?
He started in 1985 and if I recall did this for 3 years so ended in 1988 so that was 20 years ago.
And yet, he still refers to it in his speeches
(I still have yet to hear about the results he achieved. I know what he tried to do and the projects he worked on but what did he accomplish for the people he served?)
Maybe both clowns need to shut up about their past.
A little balance here.
Posted by: None of the Above 08 | Aug 20, 2008 5:29:05 PM
"A leader that God has blessed us with at this time". Pelosi reminding us how blessed we are to have Obama.
God help us if Dean, Pelosi, and Obama control this country.
I never ever thought I would see more arrogance than the Bush administration but Obama tops them all.
America please wake up!
Posted by: riley | Aug 20, 2008 5:24:33 PM
I see no reason McCain should ignore his POW experience or not mention it.
First, the fact that he served in the military, is a vet, and suffered for it will influence their vote.
Second, one moment in a person's life can have a profoundly transformative effect on an individual (I know this is true: The lives of the 9/11 victims and their families changed in a matter of minutes changing the entire trajectory of their lives and (potentially) their perspective on the world. My own life was changed radically in less than 10 seconds. I am a very different person because of it).
McCain was a POW for years. This absolutely had some sort of effect on who he became as a person (whether you like him or not).
Posted by: None of the Above 08 | Aug 20, 2008 5:24:30 PM
perhaps i'll stand corrected as I cannot speak for all, but I can speak for many who feel the way I do. Its personal. Very personal.
And to the comment about him winning the primary with thug tactics? lol, are you serious?
who broke the rules?
who agreed to the same rules they broke?
Who lied about bosnia?
did Obama point fingers about the Bosnia lie?
"shame on you Barack!"
" i shoot ducks and i love guns, people aren't bitter!"
"Mccain has experience , OBama has a speech"
This freaking woman, who cannot even deservingly be called a woman continually underestimated him, mocked him, attacked him, stooped to an all time low, so don't blame Obama for her self -destructing campaign. She did it to herself.
I suggest reading the internal memo's from her capaigne published by the atlantic recently. To have a campaign staff (mark penn) who says " cannot image America electing a president during a time of war who is not at his center fundamentally American in his thinking and in his values" , you call that a good campaign?
Posted by: voter in PA | Aug 20, 2008 5:17:59 PM
Llama:
That's not "trickle down," it's "trickle slow" or "trickle stop" Anyway, "trickle down" was an epithet created by critics of "reaganomics," not an actual economic theory. It may have represented the notion (supported by Al Gore BTW) that "all boats rise.." I think that is the positive metaphor for the same idea...
Posted by: Wade | Aug 20, 2008 5:17:41 PM
depravedmaniac: Sheesh, I am just playing devil's advocate, in case you didn't read. I agree that greed can often create more wealth at the top, although your characterization is cartoonish. Anyway, thanks for your well-wishing. Again, assume you are right. What will higher taxes do to keep manufacturing jobs in the US? Glad you have the best grasp on reality here.
Posted by: Wade | Aug 20, 2008 5:14:38 PM
voter in PA - No, it doesnt work that way. Let's stop talking about slavery, and start talking about credentials. The race card expired 40 years ago. Obama is supposed to be the unity candidate, yet instead of choosing a traditional Christian church he chose a black power church. If Obama was so concerned about the plight of African americans, he should have known that the Selma Alabama march took place in 1965 and not 1961, while he was pandering to the black vote.
Posted by: badger1 | Aug 20, 2008 5:12:24 PM
Tax Cuts and cut spending.
The gov't should stop all the social welfare and give aways.
Where in the Constitution does it say we should study Bear DNA and build bridges to nowhere???
NO MORE EARMARK SPENDING. Save trillions of taxpayer money.
Posted by: susie | Aug 20, 2008 5:10:33 PM
-What people fail to realize that the following behind Obama is not a cult of personality-
May I call on the American people to decide for themselves (pls take note of the use of the media for the mases):
A cult of personality arises when a country's leader uses mass media to create a public image through unquestioning flattery and praise. Cults of personality .. found in dictatorships ..can be found in some democracies as well.
Posted by: pls go away | Aug 20, 2008 5:09:48 PM
So much for Obama's pledge to not go negative. Just another broken promise.
Posted by: Terry | Aug 20, 2008 5:07:57 PM
McCain`s energy policy is offshore drilling. he lacks new ideas.
Posted by: keith | Aug 20, 2008 5:06:20 PM
Badger, I am well informed , and I will admit that I am emotionally invested in this significant moment in world history. What you fail to realize is that he cannot be held accountable for what Wright said. sure he attended the church but do you also blame the thousand others that were and STILL are a member of the church? The black church is heavily influenced by racial relations, it was built with grassroots movement that stemmed from a legacy of slavery, torture, and continued exploitation of the black race. So excuse me if we have strongly opinionated views and mistrust.
what will this election is empathy, human understanding, diplomacy, and change. And the man best equipped to bring this is Obama.
I'll see you in Washington at inauguration. :)
Posted by: voter in PA | Aug 20, 2008 5:04:44 PM
McCain lacks the judgment to be president. He has strongly supported every fail policy of Bush.
Posted by: krista | Aug 20, 2008 5:04:11 PM
Posted by: fact check | Aug 20, 2008 2:31:26 PM
Biden a good man?
Har.
Posted by: drjohn | Aug 20, 2008 5:01:40 PM
Obaman - There you go again, expecting people to actually belive that Obama wasnt aware of Wrights ideology for 20 years. Hilarious. Let's not forget Obama celebrated his right of passage into Chicago politics at the home of William Ayers. Then there is the longstanding friendship with Pfleger. Please stop with this nonsense Obaman
Posted by: badger1 | Aug 20, 2008 5:01:34 PM
-I believe in the HONEST,SINCERE, BALANCED, OPEN MINDED, DIPLOMATIC Senator with Integrity.- Obama.
-honest- snicker
-sincere- double snicker
-balanced- in straight-jacket mode
-open-minded- my way
-diplomatic- eliminate Democratic female opponents with thug tactics
-integrity- once I make you believe "I'm not a liar, I'm just a Harvard latte guy that speaks in lofty terms that confuses the schmucks whose votes I need".
Posted by: pls go away | Aug 20, 2008 4:59:27 PM
20 YEARS listening to WRIGHT!
It doesn't take a genius to realize 0bama's judgement is THOROUGHLY flawed.
Try and defend it guys...go ahead.
Posted by: Truthand Humor | Aug 20, 2008 4:56:51 PM
What people fail to realize that the following behind Obama is not a cult of personality. Not by any means. It is a movement of people, and for many, the first time in their lives they have been emotionally, physcially, and politically engaged in this whole process. What you cannot not deny is the inspiration for this movement, for people to believe that change is possible. When you do attack Senator Obama for whatever frivilous personal flaws you seem to see in him, do not forget his influence, his character, his intergrity, ability to inspire millions.
Posted by: voter in PA | Aug 20, 2008 4:56:06 PM
Yea right Badger1,
I can tell you saw Obama in the pews all those 20 years when Rev. Wright preached the fiery stuff.B.I.A.S. seems to overwhelmingly cloud your vision.Please drive safely.
Posted by: ObaMan | Aug 20, 2008 4:54:12 PM
Wade,
That "trickle down" theory hasn't worked. The rich get richer and the middle class, the largest group of taxpayers, are all but gone.
Posted by: Llama in Pajama's | Aug 20, 2008 4:53:43 PM
What democrats cannot understand is that some people (republicans, libertarians) actually believe that their bosses and the rich should NOT be taxed more...say your boss makes $350,000 a year. That's a lot, right? Well, if he owns a business or has a larger family, maybe not.
He (or she, sorry) has all kinds of expenses, works hard, and wants to be rewarded for it somewhat(okay assume he or she works hard, too). If they get taxed more, they think, for example, crap, I can't send my kid to the college I want. Guess what, my employees get a smaller raise this year. OR, I am not going to get a boat, so the boat store lays a guy off...computer will not be upgraded til next year, no solar panels, whatever. Dampens the economy a bit when the feds get a bigger cut (not saying no taxes...)
My point is, there is support to wanting such taxes to be relatively lower, even on the "rich." Democrats tend to fail to see that point and just assume that the rich should pay more and more to even the playing field.... Maybe they are right, but I am just saying there is another viewpoint that has some validity.
Posted by: Wade | Aug 20, 2008 4:50:10 PM
-Obama having traveled to Pakistan and lived in Indonesia in his youth isn't a bad thing. But it also doesn't equal foreign policy experience.-
Absolutely, but what details do you have, has the MSM researched, investigated and reported on, about the trip to Pakistan in 1981, about his life. Why the lack oif information and/or obfuscation about the trip, about his religions, about his names, about his relations with Chicago characters, why denial to CDC records. You want nothing to be wrong with it, then come clean with information and people will stop the speculation.
Posted by: pls go away | Aug 20, 2008 4:48:49 PM
I am tired of ignorance, I am tired of xenophobia, I am tired of lies, I am tired of war mongering, I am tired of worrying about my future in this country.I am tired of racism, overt and inovert. I am tired of people who refuse to acknowledge that none of us have rights to this land, WE ALL CAME HERE. on a boat, plane, whatever.
I am tired of fear. I am tired of being so self absorbed and not knowing enough about others in this world.
I need hope, I need change, I need to believe.
I believe in the HONEST,SINCERE, BALANCED, OPEN MINDED, DIPLOMATIC Senator with Integrity.
I Believe in Obama.
2008.
Yes, it will happen.
Posted by: voter in PA | Aug 20, 2008 4:47:39 PM
Obaman - Youre kidding right? Obama remained in that church for 20 years, only leaving for political expediancy. Nobody is buying your garbage that Obama all of a sudden after 20 years had a change of heart, and ideology,
Posted by: badger1 | Aug 20, 2008 4:46:53 PM
Obama is a fraud. The forum last Saturday showed it as clear as day. He has no core.
I can't wait for the debates. McCain's lead is only going to grow from there. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama loses by 10 points this November.
Posted by: Truthand Humor | Aug 20, 2008 4:46:42 PM
Don't worry, Angie, McCain's lead will soon be in the double digits.
It appears that the Obama kool-aid effect is just now starting to subside, and as soon as everyone is once again thinking clearly, the polls will begin to reflect this.
Posted by: SandyB | Aug 20, 2008 4:45:17 PM
Obama only distanced himself from Rev. Wright when it became absolutely politically necessary. That isn't character and it isn't kosher.
Obama=Wright. You can count on it.
By the way - why are the Obama-Ayers Annenburg Challenge files disappearing?
Posted by: marylou | Aug 20, 2008 4:44:43 PM
-Go ahead, vote for a liar. And when you lose your job, house, children, and sanity expect a good lie to calm you down.-
that is what you will get from the the redistribution of wealth Obama.
Posted by: pls go away | Aug 20, 2008 4:44:41 PM
Real heros do not wear thier medals on their sleeve.Mcain was not the only POW.
This is Mcain's second shot at the White House,he could not do it when he was younger and he has less of a chance now!
Posted by: D.M CA | Aug 20, 2008 4:44:01 PM
Obama having traveled to Pakistan and lived in Indonesia in his youth isn't a bad thing. But it also doesn't equal foreign policy experience.
Posted by: marylou | Aug 20, 2008 4:42:11 PM
Fact: Obama's tax-cut policies will let the vast majority of taxpayers keep more of their hard earned money.
Posted by: Patriot | Aug 20, 2008 4:41:34 PM
Even with three hundred foreign policy advisers, it still takes Obama 3 days to form a reaction to world events. This is a candidate we can trust? I think not.
He's too tied up in spouting ambiguities to know what to do with a fact!
Posted by: Martin Slueg | Aug 20, 2008 4:41:00 PM
hap,
Your bias carries no weight.The record,which you know,shows that Obama has dissociated himself from Rev. Wright and others.Furthermore, your count on period spent in US Senate is inaccurate.Even if it were correct,you fail to recollect that Obama was also a state senator in Illinois.
Posted by: ObaMan | Aug 20, 2008 4:40:45 PM
Hmm. How will Obama's policies improve the economy? I get that he wants to tax the rich. Fine. Maybe they deserve it and that would be fair. Then what?
Also, isn't that being negative? Obama's presumption is that everything Bush has done is a "failure" or "failed" (black and white thinking? Is that really true? What about increases in revenue? Didn't that work as they said it would?) Isn't it negative campaigning then to suggest that McCain would be a continuation of what democrats think is the worst administration in history?
Could it be argued that Bush's tax policies prevented a worse downturn and/or recession? Just a thought...not sure if there is support for it or not. Please engage this idea and do not vilify me. Seems like a tough answer for that one, but its probably unprovable either way.
Posted by: Wade | Aug 20, 2008 4:40:23 PM
Yea I looked up the polls there are 5 national ones 3 of them are in Obamas favor and two of them are in Mccains. The rest of them show Obama making decent inroads on states that are heavy republican. And winnig easy in demo states!
Posted by: Joe | Aug 20, 2008 4:38:23 PM
My family loves McCain, our true patriot.
Go McCain!!!
SGM USA, (retired)
Posted by: rey | Aug 20, 2008 4:36:59 PM
Many think of Obama as the hope, change, sound judgment candidate. Its my job to remind the people that Obamas decision to join and remain 20 years in a racially polarizing church,his choice of anti-american asscociates,his liberal voting record, and his major flipflops, on party defining issues COMPLETELY CONTRADICT his mantra of change we can belive in, hope, and judgement to lead. No way, Nobama
Posted by: badger1 | Aug 20, 2008 4:36:35 PM
Your right it is too polls that lean heavy republican. But hey waht ever we'll give them there glory for now. But the polls really don't mean much yet.
Posted by: Joe | Aug 20, 2008 4:35:27 PM
LOL...Jackt -- check out rcp polls for today....LONG list of state polls, nearly all RED. Ie....."nearly every".
And so sad, just before the DNC convention too. Kinda takes the wind out of Obama's puffy sails, don't it?
lol
President McCain 08
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 20, 2008 4:35:03 PM
Mccain conrtinues his support of the war because he'd rather spend 10 billion a month, kill Iraqi civilans and United States solders,than risk losing the election...Again. His motivation has always been to be president and nothing else. That is why he has ran so many times. Mccain is an arrogant self serving war monger who puts his intrests ahead of the american people.
Posted by: Joe | Aug 20, 2008 4:33:00 PM
Yes Joe, polls don't matter, especially when your precious candidate is losing, and losing bad. Keep telling yourself that. LOL!!!
President McCain 2008
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 20, 2008 4:32:46 PM
Jiminy Cricket! The flop-sweat from
the Obama crowd is raising global
humidity to a dangerous level. Where's
AlGore when you need him?....oh yeah,
working on his big convention speech.
We'll hear for the umpteenth time that
those wascally Wepubs stole his bacon
in 2000.
Posted by: Trajan | Aug 20, 2008 4:32:30 PM
Decent (SIC) American said:
"Goodness Gracious! on RCP polls, McCain is ahead on nearly every poll, including two national ones, with Reuters having him ahead by 5 points!"
How does ONE Poll (and Zogby at that) become "nearly every" except in your PUMA" mind? Wishful thinking,!!!
Obama 08/12
Posted by: jackt51 | Aug 20, 2008 4:31:12 PM
The campaign now has come to a question of who has the gut and the strength to lead the country. Obama is sure a loser on this front. No matter how harsh he sounds or will sound, people will always be reminded of his lack of determination.
McCain may not have the best policies, but he is the man with conviction and devotion to this country. This quality triumph Obama's celebrity.
Now Obama is starting negative campaign (and even cowardly doing the so called quiet negative campaign). This only paves the route for republicans to use more negative stuff against him -- Wright, Ayers. All those kinds of ads will come out later on.
Obama is so weak -- he is begging people not question his patriotism, dogging hard question with "above pay grade" answer. All these match up well with his 130 present votes in IL, his willing ness to sit in Wright's church for 20 years, and his awkward pandering for support among Jews.
He is a joke. My prediction: McCain, an honorable man, will win a landslide.
Posted by: Amy | Aug 20, 2008 4:31:12 PM
Tim-- actually, it's the McCain supporters, and anyone else with reason, can not understand how so many people can support Obama, a man with no experience, can't talk without a teleprompter, and has lied so many times.
Do you want your family and country's security threatened by a President who has not clue about foreign policy, as evidence in his weak statements on Russia/Georgia? Vote for Obama.
Do you want your life savings and your job and house down the tubes by someone who has no clue how to manage the economy, and thinks that inflating tires will solve our energy crisis? LOL...vote for Obama.
The Obama supporters are not only lemmings, but lemmings on kool aid.
I often wonder.....America is such a good country, and Americans are such good people. What did we ever do to deserve a candidate as horrible as Obama? I mean, really?
President McCain.....maverick, hero, patriot.
Posted by: decentAmerican | Aug 20, 2008 4:30:33 PM
Obama is trying to scare voters by saying Mac will be a 3rd Bush term.
So I guess Obama teaming up with Dean and Pelosi is supposed to comfort us with a 9% approval rating.
An arrogant, inexperienced candidate propped up by a grumpy attack dog.
Obama/Biden will be a Bush/Cheney 3rd term or worse.