Political Punch

Folks there were other people there, credible people, who back Obama account of what happened. The story written by this reporter was a "second" hand account of what happened. There is no reason to "bash" our ambassador to Iraq and Sen Hagel because he doesn't support what you wan't, he is a honorable man.

As far as some of you talking about Obama getting 95% of the African American vote. Stop listening to the media. Traditionally, Dem's get the same numbers even though they have a white candidate, so it is unimportant. If Obama losses, it will be because people disagree with his stance on issues, no race.

If McCain losses, it will be because he failed to get his point across to the American people and he picked "No Brains" for a VP.

This is all coming from a African American Republican, who after reading posting from my Republican brotheren, truely understand why minorities will feel the way they do about us. Instead of staying on message, we attack and that is just wrong. Even when confronted with the truth, if we don't like the person, we cannot admit we are wrong. This is what has been wrong with our current Republican administration.

I have served my country for 23 years and I love it so. I hope one day, it loves me the same way.

Let's look at part of the article. "According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari", Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.

"He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington," Zebari said in an interview.

Obama insisted that Congress should be involved in negotiations on the status of US troops - and that it was in the interests of both sides not to have an agreement negotiated by the Bush administration in its "state of weakness and political confusion."

According to being the most important part of this article. This was a second hand account of a conversation between a group of people. Three of the individuals in the room back Obama's version and one individual gives an account to a reporter and he in turn writes a story.

People, in addition to Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, this July meeting was attended by Bush administration officials, such as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and the Baghdad embassy's legislative affairs advisor Rich Haughton, as well as a Republican senator, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Hagel is a honorable man along with our Ambassador and there is no evidence to repudiate this.

Even if you don't like Obama, come on, you have to believe those folks. So stop the nonsense!

PS: For the record, I am a Republican!

I have to wonder, if the allegations against Obama are not true, why is there no prosecution of those making the false claims? If they are true, why is there no prosecution of Obama? Could it merely be another case of the DC insiders looking after their own?

Obama: Married to 1 woman for 19 years. 2 sweet kids. 1 car. 1 house. 3 yrs as director of Developing Communities Project. 10+ yrs Senior Lecturer of Constitutional Law (U. of Chicago), Columbia U. grad (poli sci/int'l relations), Harvard Law magna c.um laude and Editor of the Harvard Law Review. 9 yrs as civil rights atty. Senator in 5th largest state for 8 yrs, spnsring 823 bills, srvng as chrmn Health&Human Svcs Cmtee. US Senator since '05, serving on cmtees: Foreign Relations; Enviro&Public Works, Vets' Affairs; Health, Ed, Labor&Pensions; Homeland Security; Gvnmntl Affairs. Chrmn of subcmtee on Euro.Affairs, w/trips to Europe, MidEast, Africa. Spnsrd/cospnsrd hundreds of bills.

So "Strategic Framework Agreement " being delayed is ok ??

That's what the ABCNEWS thinks is acceptable?

Why can't that be done NOW?

If this were reversed and a republican nominee had gone against a sitting democrat president in this manner, there would be no end to the howling of the mainstream media. I believe that the mainstream media has become truly dangerous to the country and I thank you, Mr. Tapper, for not toeing their line.

More and more middle Republicans are voting Obama, not because he is Democrat, but because McCain is being led by his Far Right Tycoons. Republicans, like me feel he is letting his lobbiest speak for him, which has been giving McCain a bad rep. He needs to come closer to middle America and fight for a long term American way, and not side with his 'quick buck' lobbiests. Even the unions are starting to look at a long term effect, McCain can not support. We are starting to discuss, his non support for education issues at a younger level. It starts when the children are at a young age. Not just in high school. Obama has a support of military families, that want to see their sons and daughters again. Thank you Obama, for giving us a 'hope', in America, again.

I think mcCain and Palin are just nervous that Obama has already talked with American allies. mcCains lobbist see a loss of their personal foreign bank accounts, and may have to invest in America, when Obama wins. McCain has almost picked a fight with our Ally Spain. At least the spanish newspapers understands, 'he is getting old'. Ouch.
Even Palins 'shoot first', idea is being talked about in other countries. Duck Tape, please.

Only ten days ago, the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat quoted a statement by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.  Zebari described the June 2008 conversation between him and Obama.  In June, Obama said the same thing to Zebari that Amir Taheri reported in the New York Post. 

You wrote that Obama campaign national security spokesperson Wendy Morigi stated "Barack Obama has never urged a delay in negotiations."

But on June 16, 2008 2:22 PM, NBC's Domenico Montanaro reported that Obama did indeed urge a delay in negotiations. You can read it for yourself

Obama campaign national security spokesperson Wendy Morigi stated "Barack Obama has never urged a delay in negotiations."

But on June 16, 2008 2:22 PM, NBC's Domenico Montanaro reported this statement by Obama:

=== He said he told Zebari that negotiations for a Status of Forces agreement or strategic framework agreement between the two countries should be done in the open and with Congress's authorization and that it was important that that there be strong bipartisan support for any agreement so that it can be sustained through a future administration. He argued it would make sense to hold off on such negotiations until the next administration. ===

Only ten days ago, a statement by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari was quoted in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. Zebari himself said this about Barack Obama:

=== This question he asked me (Barak Obama) when I was in Washington some time ago I met with McCain and with Obama and Obama asked me why you urgency in signing this agreement, especially with the approaching change in the American administration and why not wait until the advent of the new administration next year even signed an agreement with A new administration and we agree on some issues and matters and the answer is with Obama, including: Iraq, I think that even if there was a democratic administration in the White House, it is better to have a policy instead of thinking exists in the file for a long time to be resolved including the nettle that the Convention are not binding The next administration be comfortable in dealing with the Iraqi people rather than the start of the crisis and their problems and seek solutions. ===

Jake Tapper, you wrote:

==="Barack Obama has never urged a delay in negotiations," said Obama campaign national security spokesperson Wendy Morigi . . . .===

But on June 16, 2008 2:22 PM, NBC's Domenico Montanaro reported Obama's statement:

===He said he told Zebari that negotiations for a Status of Forces agreement or strategic framework agreement between the two countries should be done in the open and with Congress's authorization and that it was important that that there be strong bipartisan support for any agreement so that it can be sustained through a future administration. He argued it would make sense to hold off on such negotiations until the next administration.===

Guess who I believe.

Nick,
I'm 30, I make about 50K a year and I support Obama, and I will tell you why.
First of all, you are right, it seems that politics have become a circus.
But you have to look beyond that and all the stuff the media put before your eyes. If you want answers and you want to be able to vote smartly, do your own research, don't just listen to what people tell you. Before I supported Obama, I researched his past, what people who knew him in a professional capacity thought of him. I read the books he wrote to see what he actually said in there instead of taking the bits offered on TV, without any prejudice or passion. And guess what, turns out the guy is actually as smart as they come, very thoughtful of his peers, competitive on the basketball court, and someone who will listen to what everybody has to say in a debate, not just impose his own opinion. He is far from perfect, but from where I'm standing, he's the best in the linenup. That behavior runs from the days when he was a professor of law. All that crap about elitism, guns, his color, flag pins that the press and republican ads push are distraction. What matters is where are we now and who can actually pull us out from there. McCain admitted he doesn't know as much as he should about the economy, and he tends to be unpredictable. He seems to be a cool guy, but that doesn't cut it. Also, his economic plan is weak and certainly won't fix the economy. His bragging about the surge he's backed up working is BS. It worked because of ethnic cleansing in the region, and people being tired of getting in the crossfire between US soldiers and terrorist from other countries who came in and don't care about collateral damage. If anything it was luck that made it work, more than the number of troops. I think Obama is right to try to get us out of Iraq ASAP, Iraq was a mess up by the Bush administration, when some fools in the white house decided that they would built facts around the policy making up for a weak casus belli (case for war).
As for voting, it's a privilege that some other countries dream on. Don't waste it. That's what validates you as a citizen. That what makes sure you can't be taken for granted by the powers that be. Don't let that right go because you are disenchanted, it's a mistake. Even if you are going to vote for McCain/Palin, go ahead, exercise your civic rights. You vote based on who you think will make your life and the life of your peers better. Not who looks good, who claims what. The only way you'll vote right, and the only way things will change is if you get actively involved, not just complain about the status quo. Do your research on the candidates and support the ones you want.

The dems in congress who aren't talking keep quiet because obviously Obama has something on each of them. They all knew Biden's son was on the take from Freddie and Fannie probably others. That is why Biden got railroaded into accepting the VP nod from Obama. He made it clear in the past that he was never interested in taking the post from Hillary Clinton.

I believe Tehari's article read both and Obama's rebuttal in Tehari's subsequent piece and the truth is clear. All those present are simply lying to Bush and the American people so that they can not be charged with treason. Furthermore, I no longer will believe ABC, the network which edits and poorly pieces together interviews in order to make female VP candidates seem incompetent. I also have no respect for their journalists, with the exception of Diane Sawyer or George Steph, the rest are a useless bunch of Obamabots. Gibson, you suck.

You guys are hilarious. All of you. I have read many of these comments, and none of them have convinced me to change my vote.

Chuck Hagel and his WIFE have MADE
political DONATIONS To OBAMA !!!!!
HAGEL IS AN UNPAID ADVISOR and has already openly supported the Messiah !!
Good Grief is the OBAMA MEDIA operates at ABC getting this desperate ?? I love that LIE about "Other unnamed sources " in the Bush administration.
McCain and Palin are going to win despite this UNREAL NON STOP Propaganda peddled by the Obama Media !

Obama is a FRAUD! It is NOT McCain that blew the whistle on this "story" - but - the Iraq leaders.
SO.....who should we believe???
Once again - obama will have a spin on what he really means. - DISGRACE

McCain/Palin

Zebari's quote: "He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington."
Limbaugh's representation of Zebari's quote: "He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement on US troop withdrawal until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington."

Aren't you tired of being spun? See my earlier entry about why those few words matter.

Don't vote someone who can turn America into thirdworld.

1. Chuck Hegel is not a source to anything. He is a treator.
2The whole argument is simply disgusting. Everybody is talking about a meeting with Maliki, Hegel and many toher persons. The NT Post article IS NOT ABOUT THAT MEETING AN dthat foreig minster gave the info to the NY Post journalist. Who has absolutely no reason toimagine a discussion described.

I have no doubt that the article is correct, and that Obama is committed a criminal act by saying what he sayd.

It is as simple as that. The rest is just misinformation, falsification and cover-up a criminal act.

My goodness..... McCain and his unbelievable lies.

Dont you guys feel sick when you see McCain?

oops.. my earliet comment cheering redgirl was a mistake, my cheer was actually for ...alanmary.....sorry. , even though i misread the name of poster, my thoughts are the same...agree with alanmary

no excuse for mccain not having enough intelligence to learn computer. ...i know a man in his later 40's who is totally blind, does not type, uses verbal clues and instructions, and with windows vista, can talk into microphone, dictate, etc, he even has his own website, ...he is not exceptional, ..he just has a functioning brain, like most of us....i was 60 something before i started learning, and i know how to install operating systems, sound, etc, because of having all operating systems from win,95,98,98Se , windows xp, windows millenium, windows vista, and other, and i am just a retired grandma, who did not want her grandchildren, who learn in grade school how to use computer, to be smarter and more proficient than their grandma, and i wanted to be able to talk to them when they told me which site to go to in order to learn something or a new game to play,.....so the only reason mcvain has in not knowing how to do the computer is...laziness,inability to concentrate,...or cannot remember things long enough to learn. sorry, but that is the truth, and in this day and age computer knowledge is paramount to research and keeping up with what is happening all over the world.

Hey someone, if you don't vote, then don't complain. It's obvious you are a Republican and you have no African-American friends. 85% of African- Americans support Obama the others are Republican or undecided. Anyone with African-American friends would not refer to their “FRIENDS" as” the blacks"! And by the way all the issues you say you are concerned about are the issues Obama focuses on. His plan is to cut taxes for the middle class not raise them.
Unless you make around $5 million in McCain’s world you aren’t anywhere near the middle class! This race issue you speak of is an issue because some Caucasians will vote for McCain just because he’s “a white” damage the country or not, too old or not, Palin: no experience, so what, knowledge of foreign policy, who cares, she can see “Russia from her house”! At the age of 20, you might consider going back to school and getting more education it’s clear you either dropped out of high school or have a G.E.D. Most educated “people” under the age of 45 are going with Obama (Fact; check it out)

The republicans in the room have to side with Obama's version of the story or they would be in hot water. Zebari has no reason to create this story. If Obama is telling the truth (lol) then why when he released his statement did it sound a lot like a smoke and glass version of Zebari. I agree let Obama call Zebari a liar to his face. Regardless of all facts Obama should not have had any discussions in Iraq while running for President. His agenda is a conflict of interest with that of our President. This will send the wrong message to leaders of all nations.

Hagel is a true maverick. Why didn't McCain simply ask Hagel before believing the lies of Taheri, who has a track record of being a lying neocon shill? Maybe McCain has had one of his uncontrollable temper episodes with Hagel and they're not talking.

When the truth is discovered and you choose to believe the lie, that’s called stupid. When you choose to vote for McCain/Palin, both liars (and she is highly unqualified) and you know that chose will more than likely cause further damage to your future, in southern terms, that's called cutting off your nose to spite your face!

if you dont Vote you are an insult to those who died (like my two Uncles) fighting facism and communism

Yaaaaay.......redgirl..i pray that your comments wake millions up for the sake of all of us, not just are grown children and grandchildren, but to preserve what is left of america and our rights as americans, i am for obama and biden as they at least represent some hope.

GOP cant stand the truth when they lie so much

BUSH appointees were also there

you hagel moron!

i'm 20 and i don't plan on voting now or ever. there is no point in voting when in the end everyone gets screwed no matter who gets picked as the president. politics are shady, down right dirty, and has no truth behind anything. all i see is news about barack obama and how great he is. why not hear more about the shady past? considering the media feels the need to put mcain/palin under a bus every day. what happened to unbiased media? oh wait there never was unbiased media. all i hear is obama this obama that. you hardly hear about mcain/palin unless it's negative. you never hear the real negatives about obama. why? people want to paint him as this saint who will change america. he promises change but seems like we hear that every election and there is still NO change so why should obama be any different? i'm tired about hearing how he will be the 1st blck president if elected. i have nothing against blacks... but my black friends hate him because he's being painted as a full black when he isn't. one friend told me that she doesn't understand why he's considered black when he's half white. she said if obama looked whiter and didn't look as black as he does people wouldn't be making a big thing about him being black. race is being an issue in this presidential election when it really shouldn't just like age shouldn't be a huge factor either. so what if mcain is 72? so what if obama is half black? these things don't matter. the facts matter, the issues matter. i don't hear anyone talking issues. i don't hear anyone talking about russia and venezuala. i don't hear anything substantial coming from anyone except mcain. he wants to help the economy, obama wants to raise taxes in a time of crisis. tell me how is that going to help anything? at the end of the day what would he accomplish? people work hard in this country, why should we be taxed heavily for giving back to our country? why give government more of our money we worked for? why should health care be so expensive average americans can't afford? i went to several health care providers and was quoted $300.00 per month. i can barely afford the bills, food, and gas that there is no money for health care. gas is still $4 a gallon and the price per barrel is going down. us americans will not see a drop in prices for months! by the time prices begin to change the price per barrel will be on the rise all over again and we will be stuck paying $5 per gallon. we need off shore drilling, solar, wind, bio fuels, electric cars, natural gas. we need cheaper alternatives to oil. we need an economic boot, we need cheaper health care, and more money for our schools so our children of tomorrow can learn and be successful. we need a president who knows what they're doing, someone who will change america for the better and ot for the worse, someone who is experienced, someone who knows forgeign policies, who know what to do if america was attacked. obama wouldn't know what to do if the answer was staring at him in the face. he can have all of his stupid advisors, and political garbage. if i was voting i can say i'm leaning towards mccain/palin.

all the republican are whining and whining because they know if palin has to do anything besides a set script, she knows nothing about real life or good morals at all, she is the one that said the whining comment about hillary, and now repubs are whining their butts off about how unfair it is to prove what liars ad immoral they are....evidently they cannot take the heat, so they should have stayed out of the kitchen, so to speak, truth always wins eventually, even if it takes years, i am just afraid if palin and mccain,as she billed herself one time, gets in , the world may not have time to prove what liars and what their motivations truly are, as i believe the world will see our country is in the hands of ignoramouses....once again or still!

why and how is it that dishonest, corrupt people with not even the slightest moral values and common sense, who live in the past, can even run for high offices, mcvain and mcvain terrify us all because if their worthless values are the role model all young people in this country follow, you might as well kiss america goodby for good. Good heavens, sen. obama's running mates wife, Jill Biden is more educated and moral and honest than either mccain and palin. I vote obama/biden 08, but even if i did not believe i them, i would NEVER vote for the total destruction of america which affects my grown children and their children and their children, and if i voted for mcvain and mcvain, that is exactly what i believe will happen. They are both liars and they do not even respect laws made for the protection of this country.

Live in the Midwest, as I do, and Chuck Hagel's name doesn't inspire confidence OR trust. Don't count on him being around much longer. His political days are numbered, JMHO.
Back to the reason for this post, anything that goes on , involving this country's dealings with Iran should be thoroughly but fairly investigated.
To suggest Mc Cain should have been above the frey, by wanting the facts of a report that could possibly have led to a charge of violation of the Logan Act, is , ummm, PHONY OUTRAGE, perhaps ?

McCain is a liar, is VP pick is a liar and his campaign is replete with liars. Why in the world would they bother to find out the truth?? I mean, the truth really doesn't help the lying, does it?

Jake, Jake...just because some choose to believe the lies spread by Obama and the rest of the MSM, including yourself, it just wash. Obama is for Obama period, end of story. Perhaps you still believe the Rosenbergs were innocent?

Sen. Chuck Hagel why didn't you run fur President? You're the real person of honor!! - and I say that as a Democrat
Please serve as Secretary of State for President Obama

Jake Tapper - Thank you for following up to uncover the "real" facts which underscores the need for consistent and quality reporting when it comes to the McCain political camp and of course the NY Post (Murdoch).

When will the "real" media start to pin down McCain for his continued breach of honor [honesty] and this "fake" country first claim. More like I'm 72 and I will do/say anything to be President.

KC

So it is official? The Washington Post is no longer a credible source, yes?

Posted by: Vile Pliskin | Sep 19, 2008 9:17:28 PM

New York Post... NOT Washington Post... big difference... no comparison!!!

Dear Mr. Tapper:
Thanks for your great reporting. We need more real reporters like to keep us informed.
Respectfully,
MB

Everyone, don’t forget to register to vote before OCT 1st. Do early voting and show the world what we can do!!!!!!!

Becky

Take it from an Australian.. Murdoch runs Australia the (Liberal party) and in the UK (The torries) aswell as the Republican party in the US.

Here we have Fairfax media which has done a great job getting the truth to Australian and we got Rid of Howard (Liberal party) as PM.

In the UK they got Rid of The Torries thanks to the gardian news paper, virgin media and the BBC and then Murdoch made a deal with PM Blair we all know how that worked out!

Murdoch tells ever American what he is doing its in every ad "FOX the most powerful name in news" he is a monster!

For America to be free everyone needs to turn off any news corp owned channel or paper!

Get free of him America vote Obama and boycot anyone that has ads on FOX.

Good luck to all the Obama supporters the world is on your side.

Vote on the issues not on the BS.

Country first over here is seen as code for white first is that how its taken over there ?

Country first would be to vote for the man who's campaign is paid for by the people. For the guy offering tax cuts to middle America..

Good luck people vote smart!

Be the good country you guys used to be.

with lov from Australia.

11. Everyone you need to look this up.
Keating 5 and the S&L Crisis. This was the worst economic crisis since the depression. Guess who was right in the scandal involving senators influencing government agencies to protect the CEOs of the S&Ls that were stealing America blind.
---------------------------------------

Lets not forget the Keeting 5 were:
The five senators, Alan Cranston (D-CA), Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), John Glenn (D-OH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Donald W. Riegle (D-MI), were accused of improperly aiding Charles H. Keating, Jr., chairman of the failed Lincoln Savings and Loan

After a lengthy investigation, the Senate Ethics Committee determined in 1991 that Alan Cranston, Dennis DeConcini, and Donald Riegle had substantially and improperly interfered with the FHLBB in its investigation of Lincoln Savings. Senators John Glenn and John McCain were cleared of having acted improperly but were criticized for having exercised "poor judgment".

The Senate Ethics Committee ruled that the involvement of Glenn in the scheme was minimal, and the charges against him were dropped.[24] He was only criticized by the Committee for "poor judgment."[27]

The Ethics Committee ruled that the involvement of McCain in the scheme was also minimal, and he too was cleared of all charges against him.[25][24] McCain was criticized by the Committee for exercising "poor judgment" when he met with the federal regulators on Keating's behalf.[6] The report also said that McCain's "actions were not improper nor attended with gross negligence and did not reach the level of requiring institutional action against him....Senator McCain has violated no law of the United States or specific Rule of the United States Senate

Isnt the NY Post owned by Murdoch too? I dont know about you but I do not take quotes from any Murdoch owned enterprise as anything but a Republican distortion of the truth...

I am actually starting to think that Murdoch/Fox runs the Republican party NOT the other way around. Funny thing is...Murdoch isnt even American.

Tapper didn't state the deceit and the damage done to Obama harshly enough. The right seized on Taheri's central theme; delaying the withdrawal of our troops, instead of the true theme which is to urge a delay in negotiating a 'Strategic Framework Agreement'.
Many in Congress fear that the agreement may lock America into obligations that Congress, the American people, and the new administration won't be prepared to support. Most reasonable people believe it's
an agreement that should be negotiated by the next administration.
The US has 'Status of Forces' agreements all over the world. That agreement or a new UN mandate would give us a legal basis to be in Iraq after December 31st of this year. I haven't heard anyone argue that we don't need that issue resolved before the end of the year. The more treaty-like agreement (strategic
framework) should be delayed. Agree or not, that's the issue that Taheri distorted by stating that Obama tried to stall troop withdrawals.
The damage has already been done. The right seized Taheri's story and ran with it. Rush Limbaugh distorted the story even further calling Obama's position treasonous. Congress has held numerous hearings on the subject and many have come to the same conclusion as Obama and are urging the administration to delay the 'Strategic Framework Agreement (not withdrawals). According to Limbaugh's reasoning, they must all be treasonous.
The Limbaugh distortion is obvious on it's face. His transcript of one of the Zebari quotes in this article reads: "He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement on US troop withdrawal until after
the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington." It's amazing how adding a few little words to the quote can change the meaning.

Limbaugh and others who picked up the story are willing to have their readers believe that Obama is telling his supporters that he'll get the troops home while secretly urging the Iraqi's to "hold them". They're calling Obama a hypocrite and call his actions treasonous. Understanding the issue as an oversight function and presenting a reasoned position as a Presidential candidate is hardly treasonous.

Only one of three conclusions is possible regarding McCain's response. Either he is content to allow the American people to believe the smear, he has not educated himself about the issue (including the hearings), or he's content to let Bush make Iraq decisions for him if he wins the election. I think his position
demands an explanation.

reprinted from HMMMMMMM:

"According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July."

""He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington," Zebari said in an interview."
______________

"A lot of this information has disappeared....... .... but there are still small patches of truth around.

If Obama had not said these things, why has he taken so long to deny them?

And why doesn't he call Zebari a liar to his face?"

hmmmmmmmmm?

Well, if Palin cannot even take on the "liberal, biased media", and does not want to do interviews with them, because she is not treated with "respect and deference", how is SHE going to deal with Ahmadinejad, Putin or Chavez who will be even less charitable?

You know, I think the reason why it seems that the media may like Obama more is because he's friendlier and an easy person to talk to, and he didn't call down fire and brimstone on reporters when the Rev. Wright thing exploded, and instead went up front to give a speech about it. Unlike Palin who prefers to play victim and dissed the media.

They now only have themselves to blame if the media's not on their side.

Look at Cheney, he had to go to Georgia. A VP's roles are now greatly expanded and not just ceremonial.

And Palin doesn't even know that it was Georgia who started the Ossetian conflict, not Russia.

The way a candidate runs their electoral campaign offers a foreshadowing of how they'll run their administration if they win.

Instead of rebutting Obama/Biden's policies, they have to first distort them until they are completely unrecognisable before then self-righteously slamming Obama/Biden. An example: Sex-ed. McCain camp claimed Obama wanted to teach comprehensive sex ed to children, when in truth, he supported a program that would teach them just enough to avoid sexual predators. They simply nitpick and have to distort Obama's policies in order to be able to rebutt them. What does this say then?

Bush played up Iraq, exaggerating its ties with Al-Qaeda. That Saddam was a tyrant only served to provide some moral justification for those who were on the fence about the invasion. The anarchy and civil war in Iraq is the product of jumping in without getting all the facts, by distorting facts in order to draw support for your cause.

Iraq wasn't a hot bed for Al-Qaeda before the war, but now it is. The surge may have helped repress the violence, but it's a stop-gap measure, and in the long run, Iraq needed a evolution in its people's minsets to supprt democracy and prevent the country from falling apart due to sectarian divisions, and a sudden regime change like that when Iraqis have been under colonial rule and a dictatorship for the past century has left them not able to adjust their mindsets to support a democracy and help stability.

All gaffes considered I'd put the Gallup 9/20 daily at O-man plus 6 Saturday, plus 7 on Sunday.

With all the new material the worst Obama does at the first debate is a draw.

With Palin's statements today re: "partisan Democrats" to blame for quashing her pro-Israel rally appearance (I guess she thinks democrats hate jews) and thereby accusing dems of ignoring Israel's supposed exposure to a "second Holocaust (umm doesn't Israel have 100+ nukes which kind of distinguishes this "threat" from slaughtering unarmed civilians) a game changer), it is obvious she will not be able to digest the What's Happening In the World" Cliff Notes she was given two weeks ago. So, it seems pretty likely Biden, and the moderator, will dust her at the second debate.

TiVos on from here on out. I want to see McCain's "Country Last" pander VP pick blow up in his face, over and over again.

Are these not just distractions from the real issues facing Americans? How are Americans going to cope with this huge debt? How will we fund education, health care, housing, new energy supplies, mitigate global warming, etc. etc. I cannot understand these bloggers who make these spurious comments while not even slightly understanding the issues facing the country. Having an argument about who voted against body armor? Everyone knows that Rumsfeld and Defense did not provide the troops with the proper equipment during the first 2 years of the war. That was confirmed by the troops.

Why would anyone want to elect a 72 year old man who is the biggest celebrity and elitist in Washington, who owns 9 houses, is out of touch with real Americans, whose wife wears a $300,000 dress to the RNC, who picked a running mate after meeting her a couple of times and who is totally scary and unqualified for the job. And it is even scarier to think she could land in the Oval Office. Talk about Bush #2. She is exactly the female version of President Bush.

As a professional and smart woman I am thoroughly insulted by McCain's choice of Palin. What's up with his judgment?Where is the McCain I so loved in 2000?

Children, quiet down now and take your seats. Lets stop the name calling. Lets see if there are some issues we can discuss to see the difference between the tickets.

I must first clarify something. McCain is the REPUBLICAN candidate for President. He was at their convention, adopted their platform, and swore loyalty to them. His party has had the White house for 8 years and 6 years of the Congress. Unemployment is higher than it has been in 15 years, real income has dropped dramatically, the national debt has almost doubled to $9.4 Trillion. Mortgages have gone into foreclosure at a higher rate since the depression. Yet, he is running away from HIS REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT faster than Usain Bolt ran the 100 meters. Just two questions for McCain. Are you proud of the job President Bush has done on foreign policy and the economy (you voted with him 91% of the time? And, why won't you take a picture with him?

1. I believe being well educated is a good thing, not bad. I know this is controversial, but go with me on this. Sarah Palin attended 5 colleges before she could get a degree in journalism and was at the bottom of her class. John McCain was last in his class at the Naval Academy that his daddy got him into. George Bush barely got through Yale (the elitist). Barack Obama graduated at the top of his class and was President of the Harvard Law Review making him one of the brightest, most mature and well-read men of his generation. He got in on scholarship since his single mother couldn't afford the tuition.

2. Can we agree that Sarah Palin knows nothing about foreign policy and has admitted that she never gave it much thought? Being able to see Russia does not make you an authority on Russia, agree? What was the last book she read on foreign policy before she was nominated for VP (if she has read anything). She has never met a world leader (or any world figure of importance) and has only visited Canada and Mexico on vacation in the last year and spent a few days in Kuwait on a military base. She never set foot in Iraq and her saying so is a lie, and even if she did, she was there for 5 minutes not making her an authority on the issues between the Shia, Sunni and Kurds. During Gibson's interview She was told to say that the U.S should not second guess Israel if it strikes Iran. The problem is that this is not U.S. Policy. The U.S. has not approved a strike by Israel and has asked Israel not to launch an attack. It happens to be McCain's position also. She needs to keep her mouth shut or she is going to start a war. Probably with Spain since McCain's not talking to Spain.

3. Confronting a biased press is a good thing, not a bad thing. Can we agree that Sarah Palin has done everything she and her puppeteers can do to avoid her having to face serious questions about her behavior and conduct as Mayor and Governor? Even if the press is "biased", a person of substance and courage would face the press and prove that the stories they told were true. Hillary Clinton never ran away from the press. Sarah oh Sarah, the truth will set you free (but then again will end you political career).

4. Secrecy by our government officials is bad. If Sarah Palin and her family and staff have nothing to hide on Troopergate, forget the investigations, just go on CNN and present all your e- mails and phone calls to prove that no pressure was put on anyone to fire your ex-brother-in-law.

5. Sarah Palin and John McCain believe that Roe v. Wade guaranteeing a woman the right to choose should be overruled and will appoint justices to do it. Sarah Palin believes that if your are raped and have an abortion that you are a murderer. Why won't she just say that on TV in front of all the women in America?

6. Can we agree that even if the "surge" reduced violence in Iraq at this time that if the country listened to Obama and not cowboy George that we would not have needed a surge and 4,200 U.S. soldiers would not be dead and 30,000 not wounded? Which decision do you want to make sure the President gets right?

7, If the surge was so successful in reducing violence, why are we being told it is fragile and Iraq could revert to violence at anytime. So, the surge is working and we need to keep our troop level over 140,000 and can't bring anyone home. But, if the surge didn't work we couldn't bring our troops home because there would be too much violence and we have to stay and fight. So, WE CAN NEVER BRING THE TROOPS HOME until Iraq is a nice friendly democracy where everyone is singing Kumbaya. Simple, if McCain wins the troops stay in Iraq for at least 10 more years. If Obama wins, he brings them home in 18 months and makes the Iraqis defend their democracy.

8. John McCain announces he would fire the Chairman of the SEC. Uh, John, the President can't fire the members of the SEC (helps to understand the rules of the government you want to lead) and you do understand this guy is a friend of yours who you voted for. Even the WSJ called you an idiot today for suggesting this.

9. John McCain, will you stand in front of Obama and call him a coward during the debates and say that you are a real patriot and Obama is not? Shame on you, but then again you are just like Bush -- if people don't agree with you they are evil and a traitors. Country First! Duetchland Uber Alis!

10. John, what kind of man is away from his wife for 4 years, comes back to find her in a wheelchair and dumps her and their 3 children for a woman 17 years younger than himself and who has hundreds of millions of dollars? What do we call a man like that? I believe we call that man of low character and disloyalty. And, at your inaugural, why didn't you show pictures of your kids from your first wife and have them on stage with you. Are you ashamed of them that they remind people of what a slime you were to your first wife.

11. Everyone you need to look this up.
Keating 5 and the S&L Crisis. This was the worst economic crisis since the depression. Guess who was right in the scandal involving senators influencing government agencies to protect the CEOs of the S&Ls that were stealing America blind.

Finally I feel bad, and want to give Sarah an easy question. Is North Dakota north or south of South Dakota? This is not an open book and you have only one answer. I will give you a clue. The names of the states are revlevant. You have 30 MINUTES.

McCain is not honorable in the least. The Republicans have been doing this sort of thing for years. But I know that my local paper will write about this, but in the end will endorse McCain, and say he has earned the the right to be elected.

This is crazy that a man running for president can smear and defame an individual, be called on it, and still be in the running. Not once but over and over again.

I think the public needs to be educated about it's civic duty.

Ummmm ... Perhaps the NY Post is just another Murdoch rag meant to distribute distortions on non-right-wing nuts?

Hello!!! You really need to waste time debunking the NY POST?????

The MSM must stop falling for strawman bogus arguments like this one, global warming does not exist and that drilling for oil now will lower gas prices!

C'mon, man, get with the program ...

So after several days, Hagel & Co. have figured out the "truth" as it best suits the agenda of an Obama presidency, and now Obama supporters are defending the Bush administration. What a Difference a Day Makes!

Whether one agrees with John McCain's platform or not, one must observe that he is and always has been passionately loyal to the United States, and has consistently striven to serve the interests of this country, and, indeed, causes greater than his own self-interest. He keeps his friends close to home, and, to the manner born, he is not interested in alliances to achieve financial gain or personal status in the eyes of the world.

Yet, many people, including independent voters like myself, have observed the Republican Administrative Establishment's lack of support for their designated candidate.

I always knew that John McCain is quite different than President Bush. I am now certain that John McCain must also be quite a formidable figure. How else could John McCain's appeal to voters during the 2008 election, when the Democratic candidate was naturally supposed to win, have necessitated such cooperation against him from what is, ostensibly, considered to be "both sides of the aisle." After all, he has been around a long time, and he speaks his mind.

Of course, perhaps several of the strange attempts to undermine John McCain, however subtly, that emanate from those calling themselves either Republicans and/or Democrats at present are not really a bipartisan effort, if one considers the greater historical context.

I am tired of all the half-truths and outright lies the McCain campaign has been spewing. Sure, the Obama campaign has stretched the truth a few times, but it is nowhere near the untruths of the McCain campaign.

-Bridge to Nowhere
-Claiming Palin didn't take earmarks
-Claiming Obama asked for $1 billion in earmarks when he had asked only for around 300million, and Palin had asked for many times that amount per capita.
-Obama wants to teach 3-year olds "comprehensive" sex-ed when he wants to teach them enough to protect themselves from getting molested.
-Claiming Franklin Raines is Obama's econ advisor when all the contact they had was a few discussions on econ issues. (McCain on the other hand, has golden parachute Fiorina who nearly killed HP as his econ advisor).

And now this.

Obama is also on the Senate Foreign Policy Committee, stands to reason he would be there anyway.

Please remember what happened the last time the President lied to America- Iraq- over non-existent WMDs. Bush insisted on jumping in when the UN Atomic Agency told them they had so far found little evidence of WMDs and asked the Bush Admin to at least allow them 6 more months to finish the report if he really wanted to jump into the Iraq mess.

Sadly, they were ignored.

Randy - Sarah Palin is not like me or any other woman I have ever come across either - and that is not a compliment. I've known woman from every religious background, every political affiliation, women from across the country, born-agains and atheists - but I have never met a single woman who has made the choices Palin has made. Obama says famlies are off-limits. Sarah Palin's decisions regarding her family are not off limits - they reveal her character. And I do not know a single woman, who, if they had one child who was a baby with special needs and a vulnerable 17 year old in trouble who would compromise the commitment she made as a parent and run for a demanding poitical office for sheer ruthless political ambition and put that kid ina national spotlight to get ahead herself. I don't know a man who would do it either. And the fact that she is the "Focus on the Family" candidate makes it worse. She has no character. She is not "every woman" - whether that woman has money (like a husband who pulls $100K from big oil), has no money. comes from a small town or New York, has a PhD or no degree at all. She is in a class all by herself - and she doesn't represent me or any wom