Political Punch

Everyone is on Obama about his past with Rev. Wright. Well, how about John McCains past with Charles Keating? Listening to Pat Buccanon tonight it sounds like the Christian right is already gearing up. I seem to remember them pumping up G.W.Bush. Good job.

We have had 8 years of misery under Bush. I will not take another chance on them just because the Republican VP pick has ovaries. The Gop had their chance. Let’s give Obama a try. He has been successful in everything else he has tried. If we lose site of the facts, I fear for America. Make sure you are all registered to vote. They don’t look like the same old republicans but boy they sure do think like em’. My purse is tired of republican rule. Sarah Palin GIRL POWER and all that, but I am sorry maybe next time. Obama for change 08!!

Whow, what brilliant reporting! She put the jet on Ebay, but it didn't sell on Ebay so they had to sell it the traditional way with a broker.
You missed the whole point.
The important thing is that she got rid of the jet and all its trappings and expenses. Do you have a clue as to how much it costs to maintain, fuel, and staff a jet? The fact that she first tried to sell it on Ebay to save the State the broker fee was smart.
No need to thank me for thinking this through for you.
Maybe now you can look into your next big story. What did Barack Obama do with his Greek columns?

The media is so biased it is sickening,
no one ever mentions how Obama stated that Jeremiah Wright had been a friend and mentor, (any body know a mentor is, apparently the media doesn't) and then when the heat is turned up Obama disavows Wright.
The media doesn't even mention a suit has been filed in Pennsylvania challenging Obama's citizenship.
Obama may not even be a US citizen, now there is a news flash if true, what will the media say.
When the media tries to dig up meaningless BS somebody's afraid of her potential to rally turn the country around, as president of the Senate she would be in a great position to expose many self serving politicians.

Beckie -

No one here is jealous. This isn't high school. This isn't a student council election. This is the future of our country and in my own case I am legitimately scared that there could be an emergency and she may have to step into the presidency.

Ms. Palin may be an appealing person, someone equipped with common sense, and a former broadcaster able to read a scripted speech, but Senator McCain clearly did not choose her because she is not the best-qualified person to take over in a worst case scenario. She's not.

Hmmm...Obama detractors said that his supporters blindly followed him after hearing one or two speeches. Sound familiar?

As McCain has said, he doesn't know much about economics.

He DOES know how to be economical with the truth, however.

We LOVE Sarah! What a lady - a real role-model for the modern woman! Love the jealousy - keep it coming! It makes me happy to know that she is the centre of your universe! LOL!!

There is something important going on here, I think. When we speak we make deliberate choices to influence others -and we also have distinctive "tells" those little body language or verbal clues as to what is really going on. The message comes as part of a complete package.

When the words contradict the facts, then that causes other judgement mechanisms to activate themselves. Senator McCain's comment that the plane SOLD on eBay is just such a statement. The fact is well known - the plane was listed and sold elsewhere. Gov. Palin said that she put it on eBay...That appears to be true. So at the very least we have a presidential candidate who doesn't weigh his words carefully, whose speech is not nuanced and that is distressing. Diplomacy is a nuanced "discipline", one where every word is analyzed by an opponent looking for weakness. The President of the United States must be first and foremast a supreme US patriot and booster, but second and closely behind must be diplomatic, accurate, trustworthy. Sadly, I feel that the McCain/Palin camp must value the truth a great deal - they use it so sparingly.
Remember that the McCains' relationship was built ona few lies (which were told PROUDLY at the convention). The both lied about their ages and he didn't bother to talk about still being married. Now there are some fine family values.
Is the other side any better? Certainly the nervousness and hesitation that we sometimes see in Senator Obama is concerning. Certainly there is worry over the Rezko affair. There will be other skeletons coming out of the closet. I don't think, however, we will see the kind of fast and loose with the truth kinds of behaviors as we do on the McCain/Palin ticket.
Where is the outrage against Mrs. McCain's business? After all there is a huge number of people who think that alcohol is sinful. Drinking it is bad, but presumably distributing it and profiting from it is worse. Can they in all conscience support the McCain/Palin platform?
My point here is that we all have our own "ladders of inference" we will agree strongly with those things that support our core beliefs - and give them more weight than they deserve. We will dismiss things that are in opposition to our core beliefs more strongly than they deserve as well.

Don't feel to bad for Sarah she has a sea plane docked in her backyard.

drjohn - Do you not understand the meaning of the word "insinuated?" That doesn't mean she actually SAID she sold it on eBay. It only means she made it sound as if she did.

She delivered the speech well, I'll give her that, but how can they say she's ready to potentially step into the presidency when they won't let her step into an interview on Meet the Press, Face the Nation, etc.?

Palin told the truth. She did not claim to sell it on eBay.

Get over it.

Stop insulting women

Palin insuinated she had the plane sold on E-Bay and an ommission of full truth is as much a lie, as lying all the way. So what else is this individual not being truthful about?? Her marriage? Her Baby? Her qualifications? Which are pitifuly non-existant.

Sarah Palin's candidacy has been a revelation about the media and Obama's supporters.

Suddenly they're worried about a candidate's background.

Suddenly they're worried about the truth.

Suddenly they're worried about experience.

Awesome! But about 18 months too late.

Remember folks, politicians use their words very carefully. The "e-Bay" reference was used to convince Joe and Jane Voter that Palin is just an ordinary American, putting something for sale on e-Bay that is no longer needed. Of course, Palin wanted to give the impression that the jet sold on e-Bay without actually stating such (since it is not true)! Are they sure this woman didn't go to law school?

I love the fact that she saw it as a waste of taxpayer money and put it on eBay. Whether or not she actually sold it through them doesn't matter to me (though to say that it "sold" there is a slip-up that shouldn't happen again). She did sell it; that's the bottom line.

McCain/Palin will save the taxpayers money; that's REAL Change We Can Believe In!

All I can say is "Write in Ron Paul"

Also...everyone says, "She's only running for the second spot on the ticket and Obama's at the top." Well, that would normally be a good argument but the odds of her having to step into the presidency on an emergency basis are greater than they normally would be. McCain seems energetic and robust but I shudder to think what would happen should - God forbid - anything happen to him.

That is why this choice was so very important and why it makes me question Senator McCain's judgment.

Wonder how much Obama's styrofoam temple would sell for on eBay?
Maybe $6.00

It cost 6 million for one night of glory.
Obama's good judgement and reckless spending.

Maybe in the grand scheme of thing this story isn't that important but I hate feeling manipulated - they did want to create the perception that she "sold" it on eBay.

Still, I continue to shake my head. Vain? Arrogant? Condescending? Inexperienced? An empty suit with no knowledge of national security or world matters? Someone with attachments to radical fringe groups? (Todd Palin's former membership in the Alaska Independence Party - they want to LEAVE America, not put it first.) Someone who has sat in a church and listened to hate speech?

Those criticisms have been slung at Obama by his detractors. So why did the McCain campaign choose someone who can be described in the same way?

The more I read about her the more petty and vindictive she seems. Anyone who wants to ban books from the local library would never have my vote. And the stories coming out show that she seems to like firing people who don't agree with her.

I teach in a small-town high school and have worked with plenty of PTA moms. Some are in it because they truly care about the kids. Others are in it for their own glory - it make THEM feel special and powerful. And from what I've seen, she's the latter.

MaCain + Palin = McPain!!! America beware!!! There never could have been a worse combination of Mavericks!

Okay I give, what is the difference between a "myth" and a lie?

It can't be lipstick.

Smooth Sarah, and the magic plane.

Why are stupid people saying she lied , see said only that she didn't think the Governor needed a jet and put it on Ebay, which is all true. In a national speech she should have went into the fine detail and said well a didn't get bids so through word of mouth from my staff we sold it privately and then count the pilot, fuel and maintenance costs she saved anally plus the jet itself and she if it was a profit. The big story is she said she put it on Ebay (true) and McCain said she sold it on Ebay (not true)sold it privately.

How can you sell a jet at a profit, who would pay for a 2 year old jet the original price, and let's not add the fuel, pilot, and maintenance costs which anally would be another couple of hundred thousand a year, just ask P.Diddy. Next time she tells the story she can go on to every detail, how she put it on Ebay and after a couple of months it didn't sell so then through word of mouth ........ would that make the fine (unbiased, saw this story yesterday on Huff.) media happy. She recouped 90% of the plane's cost for the tax payers and the maintenance and fuel costs, what a bad bad person.

The real Bridge to Nowhere goes from Palin's mouth to the truth. She's told so many lies and half-truths that it's appalling. Palin would not last 5 minutes in a Q&A with Tim Russert.

What they don't mention is that she had to blow the guy from Valdez to get him to buy the plane. Talk about a dedicated public servant. And it's not like the Governor of Alaska would ever need a plane, since there are no vast distances to cover there.

Sometimes selling airplanes or boats at a loss is better than keeping them and feeding them (and paying for their maintanance and pilots)

My God, what a woman! Obama would have added this to the jet he already has (the one he painted over the American flag on it's tail before the world tour and added his "O" logos for $500,000)...and to let go of the cook and housekeeper in the Governors mansion! With 5 kids and what must be a terrific husband! I can tell you, I wouldn't have done that, but she really must be a reformer and straight talker. I love McCain's pick and it's his first Executive decision and millions of us approve!
HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN/PALIN

Don't forget the other "bridge to Nowhere' that is proposed from Anchorage to near Point McKenzie, (near Wasilla). It is more expensive, and about as worthless as the one in Ketchikan. The Dept of Transportation continues to spend $ orignally earmarked for it, but like the Gravina Island bridge was never returned.

"Palin supported the bridge to nowhere.
Palin raised taxes.
Palin hired a lobbyist for her town.
Palin put her town of 7,000 in $26 million dollars of debt."

And she was elected Governor with over 80% approval rating.

The un-biased media myth.

She'll be out before the debates. It's one lie after another with this woman and McCain will be persuaded he can't carry her baggage. The only reasons she's still on the ticket are McCain's infatuation and the big bucks flowing in from the religious right.

I recommend putting Al Gore and Obamas jets on E-Bay. It would be good for the enviornment.

Palins another crooked republican who just knows how to massage some good p.r for herself.

So many conflicting storys

Sell the plane, push to get federal highway funds, then say you don't want the highway funds, say your for small govt, then run up deficits in both Wasilla and the state budgets,

Palins another crooked republican who just knows how to massage some good p.r for herself.

So many conflicting storys

Sell the plane, push to get federal highway funds, then say you don't want the highway funds, say your for small govt, then run up deficits in both Wasilla and the state budgets,

Sarah "I soold it on eeebbay" Palin is wrong for the job. Did she sell her integrity on ebay too? I don't think she has told the truth yet.

Palin supported the bridge to nowhere.
Palin raised taxes.
Palin hired a lobbyist for her town.
Palin put her town of 7,000 in $26 million dollars of debt.

Obama and Biden appropriated the funds for a bridge to "nowhere"(Which Palin objected to the reference to an Alaska town as nowhere".

A time-honored Bush/Cheney tactic: repeat a lie often enough until enough people believe it to be true! So much for "change!"

She wasn't in labor when she boarded the plane. She was leaking amniotic fluid. But as most women know, doctors advise women not to travel in their last few months of pregnancy because it can induce labor. So, I think flying in the first place was foolish and shows a lack of judgement. Not to mention not telling her family the baby had downs. Her older children were surprised at the hospital.From an interveiw in the current People magazine.

Oh, puh-leeze. She got rid of the plane. It seems the left would be impressed that she therefore wasn't wasting the fuel it would take to run it, but nooooooo.

But, Barack Obama has yet to repudiate the man who launched Obama's career in his own home, who happens to also be an unrepentant self-declared terrorist.

Good luck reading about anything to do with Barack Obama's inexorable disingenuousness here.

bearsr154, her pitch isn't just that she 'said no' to the bridge to nowhere (which isn't technically true either), but that 'she told congress thanks, but no thanks' (which is a bald-faced lie).

She's trying to sound tough like she stood up to congress or something, but she has to lie to do it.

But it's not true.

Show me ANY proof that proves beyond any doubt as you seem to imagine.

WOW VP listed the kind of stuff buyers ONLY find on eBay.

McCain got it wrong. Thompson and Giuliani got it wrong.
But so what?

Meg Whitman probably told her to say it (eBay founder, spoke that night, heavy set blonde woman in dark pantsuit who came before Hawaii gov.)

Right now, I'm reading the very damaging Vanity Fair Power&Politics timeline..."The Authoritative Trig Palin Conspiracy Time Line"

"I see a bar and the internet as one and the same."

It depends on the bar.

Public sites like this I view as biker bars. Always be ready to fight and rip someone head off.

Have a great weekend.

What's really pathetic is McCain can trot out dozens of people from his past to testify who he is.

Obama can't because they're all wanted criminals and other horribles.

We'd be in much better shape as a nation today if our leaders told us the clear and evident truth and not some shaded, slanted mincing of the truth version instead. Technically, it's not telling a lie, but it's also not telling the "God's honest truth" either. It's more of a calculated, intentional exaggeration for political gain...sound familiar. "Eight is enough!"

Tim. That was my point.

-RL in Illinois. Why do you care about the price of it? Rezko was a shady person and plot was brought from shady person and whole deal is shady to make it legal on the paper.

"Ummmm....in case you haven't been around the last 8 YEARS, GWB is an honorary member of the House of Saud. He is considered part of the family. Where is the scandal, LOL!"

Exactly why we need real change. Not more of the same.

That plane was an '82 and the previous governor way overpaid. She did put it on eBay and it didn't sell. She never claimed it sold on eBay, just that it was placed for sale there. If the truth be known, the eventual purchaser probably analyzed the deal when it was on eBay and closed the sale later.

Everyone in Alaska knows all about it.

And they are always running around touting the fact that only they have any morality. What a joke!

Posted by: citizen | Sep 5, 2008 7:39:43 PM

In case you haven't noticed, they are called REpublicans. US good - THEM bad.

"BELLE CAN YOU GIVE US THE DETAILS OF THIS SALE ... "
-----
Moi? No idea.

The point is that Palin was overwhelmingly elected to a position that came with a fancy jet -- and instead of keeping it, she DIDN'T keep it.

Another interesting thing is that McCain -- whose wife could buy him his whole air force -- was carrying his own bags, and flying coach, when he was being pushed out of the Republican primary race a little bit ago.

"You prove why we want CHANGE!!"

You'll get real change and it won't be empty rhetoric.

Also they don't have to pay $50/hour for low-skilled union workers over there either.

Posted by: Concerned in OH | Sep 5, 2008 7:43:05 PM

They are also not bound by OSHA standards and EPA guidelines, which means they can pollute the host country's environment with impunity.

So she actually accomplished something. Where's Barry's accomplishments?

Posted by: Mack | Sep 5, 2008 7:40:33 PM

Wow, how Karl Rove of you. Instead of sticking to the point and answering the question, use distraction and misinformation. Thanks! You prove why we want CHANGE!!

The biggest tax advantage companies have for shipping jobs overseas is paying a lower corporate rate in those countries. Also they don't have to pay $50/hour for low-skilled union workers over there either.

"Also, CNN just reported when she went on about passing the bill to get the money to build a natural gas pipeline, it MAY begin contruction by the year 2018. "

So she actually accomplished something. Where's Barry's accomplishments?

I just love how the pro-McCain group thinks that anything Palin does is wonderful (lie, have ethics violations, mislead the public, little experience nationally, etc.) and yet everything Obama does (and even things that he has not done) is/are horrible. What a double standard these traditional, moral, upright (sarcasm here) conservatives have. And they are always running around touting the fact that only they have any morality. What a joke!

BELLE
CAN YOU GIVE US THE DETAILS OF THIS SALE BY PALIN----MAKE MODEL AND VALUE----PRICE SOLD FOR AND TO WHO.--IT IS A STRAIGHT FORWARD QUESTON ON TH SUBJECT OF THIS BLOG---I CANNOT GET AN ANSWER FROM ANYONE---SEEMS LIKE A GREAT SECRET---AND MCCAIN STARTED IT

Also, CNN just reported when she went on about passing the bill to get the money to build a natural gas pipeline, it MAY begin contruction by the year 2018. What I would have thought it was under contruction or built by the way she talked about. What a bunch of half truths! When she finally said no to the bridge to nowhere, after she was for it, Alaska kept the money.

"I know Obama did not got it."
-----
No indeed: Mr. "Change" got a brand NEW plane. And then had it completely re-done when it was around a year old -- to segregate the press inside, and to add more "presidential"-seal-like flash to the outside.

It is about credibility. It's great that she sold the jet, but why lie about the ebay thing. And then have John McCain say it again "She sold it on ebay, and at a profit"

The problem is Sarah Palin was just introduced to us a week ago, and very few of us had ever heard of her, and we only have 8 weeks to learn who she is.

So lying in your speech, just hurts that process.

"One of the questions I think needs to be asked---Is why Sarah Palin made such a stupid decision to board a plane in Texas while in labor?"
-----
This is way past the prevailing "sexism" into misogyny.

We haven't heard from any of you Abominoids that any of Palin's children was actually BORN on a plane ... so what -- assuming this actually happened -- was "stupid"?

And what on EARTH does any such subject have to do with job performance?

thanks for looking out for us, jake. it's still impressive that she tried to sell it on e-bay and that she ACTUALLY sold it so as not to waste tax payers $.

good to get the facts straight and yet, not lose sight of the point.

ps the city of seattle is trying to hock the city's $150,000 special toilets ON EBAY. maybe we can contact the buyer of alaska's former jet and see if he is in the market...

"Not a lot to investigate there - the information is all public knowledge and pretty straightforward to understand."

So why the need to lie on national television and say that he barely knew him?

DIAMOND
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF BLUE BOOK VALUE

Somehow this part got cut off:

Thank god, you are relatively sane. :)

I see a bar and the internet as one and the same.

Also, ever notice that American corp taxes are higher than most European tax rates? I found that surprising...

A tax cut, in itself, would encourage all companies to develop in the US wouldn't it?

The people of Alaska now do not have to pay for a palne that they don't need, a crew, mechanics, etc. I'm sure the Alaskans think that was worth it... or should she have kept it until she got book price for it. Like anyone sells a used anything at book value?!

The Ebay reference was a cute little marketing to the 'in crowd' and another
reference to Feminist Capitalism and
those angry Hillary supporters who have no ethics(all 10 of them)

Non-starter. another bit-o-camoflage,
moving on...

Thank Brooklyn Democrats, It will answer Rodney's Question. So, the Palin was smart.

Debra

You vote on emotions? Cool. You are qualified to be a candidate. Here is the instruction manual for the nuclear arsenal.

Wade,

To answer your questions,

On GOPers

Teddy Roosevelt is one of my fav people in history.

I give credit to Bush for his aids initiative in Africa. I also thought he learned lessons from his 1st term and handled the Georgia crisis better than I thought he would, using the tools of international pressure.

I am proud of the mayor in San Diego who refused to support a gay marriage ban in this state.

I see some statesman in the GOP ranks but they tend to be a rarity.

Corp taxes.

I would like to see tax breaks for companies that keep jobs rather than having tax advantages from shipping jobs overseas.

I also like good community tax break incentives for things like green building, community work, scholarships that sort of thing.

Wade,

I imagine if we met in a bar we would enjoy a good debate that remained civil and cordial.

But the internet is a different place.

BROOKLYN
AT LEAST THAT IS PART THE ANSWER---I FEEL THAT SOMEONE GOT A SWEETHEART DEAL----COULD BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL.

You're being euphemistic, Jake. This is not a myth. It's a lie. Perhaps we've been fed so many lies over the past eight years that we can't tell the difference. The Washington Post is breaking a story that the plane was eventually sold to a wealthy businessman...and Republican campaign contributor.

ebay is a business model that created new jobs for people. People who can FIGHT have started doing business and created supplimentary revenue for themselves. So, reference to ebay was required for people to encourage people to do same.

Not like Maytag who sneak a political ad(Florida incident).

*************
Indeed it was PREMEDITATED DECEIT, to make fools of the audience to say "I PUT IT on e-Bay", when "having put it on e-Bay" was irrelevant.
.
This shows her sagacity to deceive voters and innocent, well-intended people in need of true, honest leaders.
.
Furthermore, the sale was at a loss, and to a campaign contributor, according to record checkers.
.
This is typical Bush-Cheney deceit tactics, and Sarah Palin willingly participates in that.
.
O Lord, please have pity on us. Open our eyes, and let us not be deceived by those who are eager to take advantage of our wishful thinking. Amen.
***********

to RL in Illinois, It may be anyone any rich guy who knowa Palin or some random guy or the company who has valid tax id. What is the issue here? She reduced the Luxury expenses.

Do you think if she would have brought this topic in convention and brought trouble for herself?

Ryan C...what was the timeline? Who owns it now?

The cost of maintaining luxury planes, their hanger cost, their gas cost was eliminated and it might have saved much more money than loss that have incurred in selling.

-Rodney Media, JT and people like you who have selective hearning problem are creating nuisance.

MACK
YOU WILL LOVE MCCAINS BETTER I GUARANTEE THAT---NOW ANSWER THE QUESTON ABOUT THE PLANE.

"CANNOT GET WHAT THE PLANE WAS AND WHAT IT SOLD FOR ---AND TO WHO--I MUST HAVE HIT IT ON THE HEAD-----SOMEONE SPECIAL GOT A SWEETHEART DEAL.
THAT SUCKS"

Instead of worrying about the plane why don't you investigate Barry's real estate deal with Rezko while he was under idictment.

Ryan We Know and We Clarified. It was McCain Slip Up

Okay Ryan C:

Your posts are consistently anti-republican, and filled with well-surfed factoids. Let's see how consistent you are.

Got a challenge for you. Can you name a positive attribute or act of Bush or any other republican?

Here is another sample question. Are there any positive effects of lowering corporate taxes? If so, what are they?

My theory is that if you can't, you are so subject to the "true believer" phenomenon that you can't have a rational discussion with someone of another viewpoint.

So, let's see...

I know Obama did not got it.

TIM
ANSWER THE QUESTION WHAT WAS THE PLANE AND WHAT DID IT SELL FOR AND TO WHO.
ANSWER THE FREAKING QUESTON

EXTREMLY BAD REPORTING

The jet was sold at a considerable profit over book.

KURT
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FLIP FLOPPING

Enough with the lame stories. You guys are turning into US Weakly.