Political Punch

Palins husband told a local newspaper that Palin was against the rape kits because:

Rape kits also contain...emergency contraception...

It all becomes so clear when you know that!

'Country First'? What a joke!
Putting your country first means you pick the VP candidate that is the very best qualified for the position, regardless of how many votes they'll get or how much money they can raise. Presidential candidates don't usually do exactly that, but they don't then claim that they are putting 'country first' before winning the election. Do you think that we are going to believe for a second that Sarah Palin is the very best the Republicans have, besides getting conservative votes that they need? For their sakes, I hope not!

"Ryan C., you just proved it."

That was the point of the joke MEW.

Do try and keep up.

Ryan C., you just proved it.

John,

Ironic that you and the McCain campaign cite that fact check article which basically calls out a McCain ad as misleading.

When Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla, the city billed sexual assault victims and their insurance companies for the cost of rape kits and forensic examinations.

Palin had been in office for four years when the practice of charging rape victims got the attention of state lawmakers in 2000, who passed a bill to stop the practice.

Former Democratic Rep. Eric Croft, who sponsored that bill, said he was disappointed that simply asking the Wasilla police department to stop didn't work. Croft said he strongly doubts Palin was unaware of the practice.-From CNN

Ad that with this statement at the time:

Palin's then Police Chief Charlie Fannon told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, the local newspaper. "We just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer."

We still dont know who Obama realy is. We dont even know for sure if he is an American citizen. And he is telling his supporters to get into the faces of people who is not supporting him, and terrorize them. How can the American people trust this guy to be a commender in cheif?

moderate

Palin charging for rape kits is true look it up yourself! google it!

the quote is true!

Just because fox news say's something doesnt make it true!

J
A
K
E

Can you do a basic fact check? Okay, the visual is misleading, but the fact is true.

Joe Biden Voted In Favor Of The Democrats' FY 2009 Budget Resolution. (S. Con. Res. 70, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 51-44: R 2-43; D 47-1; I 2-0, 3/14/08, Biden Voted Yea)

The Democrats' Budget Would Raise Taxes On Individuals Earning Approximately $42,000 Or More. "The resolution Obama voted for would not have increased taxes on any single taxpayer making less than $41,500 per year in total income, or any couple making less than $83,000. The $32,000 figure is approximately the taxable income of a single person making $41,500 per year, after all deductions and exclusions." (FactCheck, "The $32,000 Question," factcheck, 7/11/08)

It's almost time folks: Another hilarious episode of Babbling Barbie.
'Debate'?? Ol' Joe just has to sit back with the rest of us and watch the fun. This is going to be classic...

"Be fair now--Democrats could put God himself up there to debate Palin and still find reasons to wring our hands. It's what we do!"

*chuckle* too true.

Be fair now--Democrats could put God himself up there to debate Palin and still find reasons to wring our hands. It's what we do!

I'd prefer a few gaffes to a whole lot of lies.

Jake,

Your allegiance to Obama is well established in this and many other of your "reportings" here.

Might want to try and least appear neutral and in so doing, maintain at least some thread of authenticity. Too much to ask for, Jake?

As for Biden, there is a reasopn he has run for President more than once and got his butt kicked. People don't trust him. Period.

Biden is taking one for the team thi syear so that Hillary can be the nominee in 2012.

The DNC screwed things up this year and America will teach them a lesson on Election Day.

The Obama Democratic Party is over.

COUNTRY FIRST!

McCain-Palin '08
Hillary 2012

Biden also seems to have a problem with dealing with the issue at hand. A Washington Post article, “The Case against Joe Biden,” quotes Post writer Dana Milbank on Biden’s actions during the Samuel Alito Supreme Court hearings:

"Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., in his first 12 minutes of questioning the nominee, managed to get off only one question. Instead, during his 30-minute round of questioning, Biden spoke about his own Irish American roots, his "Grandfather Finnegan," his son's application to Princeton (he attended the University of Pennsylvania instead, Biden said), a speech the senator gave on the Princeton campus, the fact that Biden is "not a Princeton fan," and his views on the eyeglasses of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)."

I'm an Obama supporter, and I didn't think that ad was too bad. Kind of funny actually. But like some other posters here said, I'd rather have a gaffe then lies and dishonor from which we will get from a McCain/Palin presidency.

James, stop spreading that lie. maybe early on there were people who believed the tall tale that Sarah Palin, as mayor, charged women for their rape kits. That lie has now been debunked, including by Salon, hardly a bastion of conservatism in the tank for Palin. It IS NOT TRUE. I suspect, however, given the breathless tone of your whole post and your ridiculous list of assertions that contains numerous other lies and errors, that you already know that.

Seems as good a place as any to chime in with my pet peeve for the day-- this garbage about vice presidents. It seems to be a Democratic talking point that has-- well, imagine that-- been picked up by all the cable folks. What am I ranting about? The meaningless statistic that "1/3 of vice presidents go on to be president." It's part of today's chatter to again attack Palin on lack of (Washington) experience, to scare people with "she's a heart beat away, is that good?" junk. First of all, I'm perfectly content with her a heart beat away-- McCain isn't dropping dead any time soon and she'll learn more and more every day she's on the job.

Let's face it, VPs are chosen for lots of strategic reasons in order to help a candidate get elected. Biden was chosen, for example, to provide experience that Obama lacked and to maybe appeal more to bluecollar workers in places like Pennsylvania. He was NOT chosen because Obama thought he was the second-best person in the whole world to be president, after Obama himself. Don't kid yourself.

Anyway, back to that meaningless statistic. Every time it comes up, its said in tones that imply-- presidents die, vices get thrust into the Oval Office. But the vast majority of the Vice Presidents who went on to be President did so by winning an election when they used their VP experience to run for the highest office. Only a few became VP because a President died in office. So there is NOT a 1 in 3 chance that either Biden or Palin will become president in the next four years.
neither side is well-served by this silly talking point, even though it was clearly directed at Palin.

"Do you want the most likable guy in the room fly the airplane, or the most competent and trained pilot?"

The most competent. That would be John McCain. Obama's experience is as a community organizer radicalizing students and as a lawyer suing banks to force them to issue subprime loans.

Of course, if an economic tsunami part II is what you want, by all means, vote for Obama.

The Democrats have turned Palin into the 50 foot tall Veronica chasing Archie and Jughead. Even Joy Behar admits Palin is a smart woman and scares her. How the heck can you expect to lead the world when you are scared of a hockey mom? Or did the fact that she is a very successful hockey mom and chief executive of a State somehow actually make it on to your radar?

Gaffes don't matter as much as a track record of success. Face the facts, she and McCain have a track record of success. Obama has zilch. He was editor of his college's law review. He was the chosen of a group of shady Daley machine men in Chicago. Otherwise, nothing, bupkus. He didn't even make his own career moves.

Low information voters vs low experience voters is a bad contest to decide an election.

I guess it's more forgivable to gaffe than it is to outright lie.

It's all over. Resistance is futile.

Prepare for the New New Deal coming to your neighborhood soon. Economic justice is on the way.

Speaking of gaffes

Sarah Palin has committed yet another political blunder after claiming she had held talks with a British ambassador - talks that never actually took place.

In an answer to questions about her foreign policy experience ahead of tonight's make-or-break vice presidential TV debate, her aides listed numerous contacts with foreign officials - including Britain's ambassador to Washington, Sir Nigel Sheinwald.

However the meeting never occurred. Officials at the embassy swiftly contacted the McCain-Palin campaign to inform them of the discrepancy.

A British Embassy spokesman said the error arose after Sir Nigel's name was listed among those who had attended a US Governor's meeting in July.

McCain camp spinning the truth to shield the McCain:

Obama's an elitist.

Truth McCain has 7+ houses and 13 cars on his second wife spent his life in the senate with government paid for health healthcare.
Flying on private jets his campaign is ran by lobbyist for lobbyists!

Obama's Dangerous.

This is from the guy who was the cheerleader for the war in Iraq bassed on a lie which will be known as America's biggest foriegn policy mistake ever! "BOOMB BOOMB BOOMB IRAN" and lets "LETS NUKE NORTH KOREA"

The same guy who has picked the worlds most ignorant (can't name a newspaper she reads, "I can see russia from my house") political candidate ever
in Sarah Palin.

A woman who as mayor charge woman for their own rape kits costing approximately $5,000 to $14,000...

Imagine that working to pay off your rape kit.

Palin's then Police Chief Charlie Fannon told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, the local newspaper. "We just don't want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer."

Should you get pregnant due to the rape she believe you MUST have the baby.

So not only are you attacked and violated against your will you also lose your right to choice to be a parent or not!

How does anyone support this **** ?

Vote smart vote Obama!!

we can create an entire whole movie of McPalin gaffes. Dumb Dumber Dumbest!

RCP Electoral Count

Obama 259 McCain 163 Obama +96

No Toss Up States

Obama 353 McCain 185 Obama +168

Needed to win 270

Do you want the most likable guy in the room fly the airplane, or the most competent and trained pilot?

Do you want the most likable doctor operating on your kids, or are you going to pick the person you want to have a beer with?

Trying to spin for Caribou Barbie has got to be one of the most painful tasks for the McCain campaign surrogates. Just watching Joe Loserman claim that her lack of knowledge is a plus is downright scary. No wonder the US is the laughing stock of the world.

"She had the book on pre-order since August. McCain didn't oppose her then. McCain is just doing what he always does play politics."

McCain didn't oppose her yesterday either.

But hey today is a new day so its time for a new position.

Mack

McCain has a bad habit of doing that. 1st it was Iraq, the Election, the debate... What's next?

squitnz,

remember, this ad does come to us from the campaign that put out an ad claiming their candidate won the debate...before the debate occurred.

(Peeks head in room)

Nope, no random acts of intelligence here.

"McCain supporters are working, and of a certain age that they will make the grown up choice for McCain."

Of a certain age?

That's how women approaching menopause are described.

I have more respect for McCain supporters than that.

Currently Obama leads in all age groups but 65+ and he's within a few points there.

Posted by: Ryan C | Oct 2, 2008 3:24:46 PM
----------------------------------------
Ryan C., hadn't heard much from you today.
Of a certain age; also includes men with ED, and I am not referring to McCain.

What total nonsense. Biden has an actual grasp of the issues while Palin is a parrot.

AP is confirming that McCain is pulling ads in Michigan

Bob Barr just called McCain a hypocrite and refuse to call Obama one. (McCain talking points - Barr is in the pocket of obama).

Funny ad. That said, I'd take Biden's gaffes over Palin's ignorance any day.

squitnz

Hey we agree, I nearly wrote the exact same thing earlier in the blog. You wrote it better though.

Brenda

She had the book on pre-order since August. McCain didn't oppose her then. McCain is just doing what he always does play politics.

Now wait a sec. I thought the pre-debate spin was to downplay your own candidate's strengths, not the other sides'. Now if he doesn't make a foolish gaffe he looks good? Doesn't sound like a winning bet to me, McCain team.

You know what...Biden has a higher IQ than you do

Does Crazy Joe suffer from flashbacks due to his helicopter being forced down by al Qaeda and the Taliban?

Does he wake up at night in a cold sweat with guns ablazing? (remember: Obama don't take my guns away)

Senator McCain's disadvantage has nothing to do with Gov. Palin, and everything to do with the press. It doesn't matter how many libs or demos voting for BO claim that it's BO himself, NO, it isn't. The press has handed everything to BO. If you had the least bit of honesty, you would admit it. Instead of vetting Obama, they are in Alaska trying to decide whether Palin paid for her own tanning bed, and whom she took flowers from, or even talking to her hairdresser. It actually makes me want to vomit. Now tonight you have a moderator in the tank for Obama. McCain is waging a war against Obama and his press corps.

I don't believe America will fall for it. I don't believe they will vote for a man that counts a terrorist and racist among his friends.

Not for a minute.

Crazy Joe the master of the unartfully phrased answered. Palin the queen of the unartfully, generality, incoherent mess that comes after a question is ask.

Biden may his gaffes but he does have coherent positions and can articulate them. Unlike Palin. And McCain is his own gaffe machine....plus having poor judgement and erratic behavior...

Maybe the rest of the world doesn't like us, but with Crazy Joe as vice president, they can at least mock us.

Everybody knows Biden runs at the mouth sometimes. Nobody really though Palin was clueless.

At least his gaffes are coherent which is more than we can say for Palin.

Crazy Joe, only a heartbeat from the presidency? please don't let that happen

This is why you spend time talking to your shortlisted VPs.

DLM:

I think the media has spent about as much time with plagiarism as with McCain's Keating. Stealing from old women as they did with Keating is far worse then lifting a few lines from an old book. Again, you conveniently forgot a few facts.

MM says...

What am I talking about?

I'll take Crazy Joe over
Awkward Silence Palin

"McCain supporters are working, and of a certain age that they will make the grown up choice for McCain."

Of a certain age?

That's how women approaching menopause are described.

I have more respect for McCain supporters than that.

Currently Obama leads in all age groups but 65+ and he's within a few points there.

DLM

Too bad some of your facts are only made up.

Damn, that's Crazy Joe, best strip club lounge comic in the Senate.

Hey, let's make him vice president.

Clinton = Womanizer

Bush = Decider
McCain = Gambler

Having Biden one step away from the Presidency should cause alarm in all Americans. Obama could have done the smart and right thing and chosen Hillary as his running mate, but he wasn't man enough to put country before his enormous ego and hurt feelings.

hmmm, Biden's gaff of asking a guy in a wheel chair to stand up compared to Palin stating her foreign policy is strong because "you can see Russia from Alaska".

Biden stating high IQ before stating questionable information compared to Palin not able to name a magazine or newspaper she read prior to being named VP to keep up on national and international affairs.

Biden stating paying taxes is patriotic compared to Palin who is all for crossing over the border of a soverign nation without their permission.

I would take Biden's foot in the mouth comments over Palin's war mongering, ignorant ones any day.

lol lol lol

I guess they have never heard the term

"people in glass houses..."

Even if the people in those glass houses... can't help being cranky with senility or dumb.

they still have glass houses.

lol lol lol

jcarob

But that same case applies to McCain/Palin except we don't want Palin either. Biden 99th richest Senator in a Senate of 100.

Yesterday I listened to both Obama and McCain speak. McCain spent one-half of his time criticizing Obama and Obama spent his whole time explaining in detail where he was going to cut the federal budget. There is a difference between the two of them. McCain whine and claims Obama is lucky by being ahead. McCain needs to stand up and be a man instead of a crying little child.

"I think that is bigger then 1 event. Why Wisconsin?? Wisconsin is a swing but it is a leaning Obama swing state. McCain needs to win Pennsylvania to win the race, period."

I'm not sure.

I think both are lost causes for McCain.

Who knows, the strategy could be at this point to try and deny Obama an overwhelming electoral victory and concentrate on Congressional races.

I noticed today that redstate was heavy on Congress talk today and very little about the debate this evening beyond calling for Ifill to step down.

hmn

President Barack Hussein Obama = the Same?
Talking Points Gone Wild!

Gaffes, Schmaffs. What people need to focus on is the fact that Joe Biden ran for President on several occasions and almost everyone IN HIS OWN PARTY voted against him in the primaries. Yet we could end up with a president that no one wants, should something happen to Obama. The only worse scenario is that Biden succeeds Obama, has a heart attack and Pelosi takes over before a new VP can be appointed. As Jake would say, YIKES!

Ryan C

Indiana is very conservative and often votes Republican. They shouldn't have to pour resources into Indiana. Indiana also houses the HQ of the KKK, but that is another story. The fact is Obama is popular because of a lot of Illinois-Indiana relations just like Wisconsin and sometimes Michigan. Chicago bleeds into Indiana. Gary is a reflection of old Chicago blue collar beginnings. Ohio is leaning closer to Obama because of Pennsylvania and the job market there.

How about Joe's plagerism....has the media covered that yet?
So glad the disproportionate number of bloggers here are always the unemployed college kook aid crowd. McCain supporters are working, and of a certain age that they will make the grown up choice for McCain.
Idealizing a guy with no resume and no judgement on who he runs with, just because he's black is why he's still even in this race...is not for me.
Obama said himself he would not run (like he would not take public financing for his campaign)but as usual, flip flops on everything. HE IS DYING TO BE FIRST BLACK PREZ...and I would love to vote for a that too....just not THIS black candidate.
When will his cohorts be investigated....."show me who you are with, and I will tell you who you are".

McCain/Biden THE SAME. Obama/Palin THE SAME... Either way your STILL SCREWED!!! Got it!

hmm... bomb bomb bomb Iran...... I'll get back to ya..... fundamentals of the economy are strong.....I am suspending my campaign.... Economics are not my strong suit..... bush doctrine is the current president's view of the world.... I don't know how many homes I have..... Iraq is a major sponsor of terrorism....
I can keep going John.

Ryan C
"McCain will go off TV in Michigan, stop dropping mail there and send most of his staff to more competitive states, including Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida"

I think that is bigger then 1 event. Why Wisconsin?? Wisconsin is a swing but it is a leaning Obama swing state. McCain needs to win Pennsylvania to win the race, period.

Obama took Ohio and Florida out of the equation probably because voting fraud , voter caging, and things of that nature. But Florida started turning blue when Bill started campaigning for Obama. Icing on the cake maybe.

"McCain has to put resources in Virginia and N. Carolina now. I been saying it since the primaries Obama is trying to make the Republicans defend red states while we keep Kerry and Gore states. Iowa being solid blue helped but Obama support in Virginia and the Carolina are what is hammering the GOP financially. It has been a while since a Democrat has been competitive in Virginia and N. Carolina."

MM,

The RNC is pouring resources into IN of all places.

There is much left to be done but I am optimistic.

I loooove Joe Biden. Joe Biden is brilliant and his "gaffes" can be overlooked. He tells it like it is. Palin on the other hand - not so much. She can't answer one legitimate question about national or foreign policy. Biden is going to wipe the floor with her tonight and America will see how inexperienced and unqualified she really is.

No gaffe this season has been as BAD as McCain's "The Fundamentals of the Economy is Strong".

McCain is pulling out of Michigan!!!

Really, Really? John McCain is criticizing someone else for gaffes? Really? seriously?
I guess he would know wouldn't he.

DLM looking to cram as many talking points as possible into a nonsensical post.

I think the McCain campaign should not give you points for that effort.

> "it also contains some distortions as well."

Also... as well. Okey-doke.

There is a problem, though, our "fact checker" alleges only one "distortion," that of saying that the Biden quote dealt with his willingness to raise taxes for those making $40,000/year; otherwise, it is spot on.

Why is the McCain camp attacking Biden? Because they know that the media will note. On the other hand, Axelrod has said he's relying on the media to attack Sarah Palin.

McCain has to put resources in Virginia and N. Carolina now. I been saying it since the primaries Obama is trying to make the Republicans defend red states while we keep Kerry and Gore states. Iowa being solid blue helped but Obama support in Virginia and the Carolina are what is hammering the GOP financially. It has been a while since a Democrat has been competitive in Virginia and N. Carolina.

"I am hearing reports of McCain pulling out of Michigan to focus on PA, OH, and FL."

He's canceled an appearance there.

Though one wonders why he went to IA recently.

He was closer in MI than IA.

God love him....I like him SOOOOOOO MUCH MORE THAN BARACK HUSSEIN. Really I do. And I know he and McCain ARE GOOD BUDDIES. I know there is probably more affection between these two candidates than any of the four of them.
I know Biden felt bad when Obama reamed McCain for not being able to use a key board (computer) because of POW beatings. I know McCain and Biden have great respect and affection for one another....but my Lord, Biden CRACKS ME UP. He has had at least two dozen gaffes since being chosen as VP and cried THREE TIMES, once with a hankie. The passes he's been getting from the liberal media is outrageous, as Gov. Palin can't sneeze without being ripped apart. I am a Hillary supporter who immediately switched to McCain, but love laughing at Biden...thank God most people vote top of the ticket.

I'm truly flabbergasted.

I knew things were going bad down at McCain campaign HQ, but man...!

They're attacking the least discussed politician of the 4 (Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden) now?

That's more than McCain just being desperate; it has all the hallmarks of Team McCain no longer knowing what to do.

Oh, and this just in: MCCAIN CAMPAIGN PULLING OUT OF MICHIGAN!!!

*...and stunned silence filled the room...*

I am hearing reports of McCain pulling out of Michigan to focus on PA, OH, and FL.

Aren't they suppose to up-play the opponent and downplay Palin as pre-spin for the debate??? So all Biden has to do is not gaffe to be Vice President.

"Are those Jake's comments in braclets? Is ABC getting paid by the Obama campaign. First George saves Obama from his Muslim Faith slip, now Jake is trying to defend OH that Joe from his gaffes."

Geevil interprets a journalist posting the truth and context about a political ad's staements as being biased.

He would rather the political ad stand on its own.

Such is the strange inconsistency of the right wing mind.

"Ready to gaffe? Yes. Ready to lead? No."

Is he speaking of Sarah Palin?

This is a sad attempt by the McCain camp to change the storyline. It won't work.

Obama/Biden landslide 08

McCain campaign puts out misleading web ad (#378 in the Series)