McJoke is a sham

Sept. 23 (Bloomberg) -- The lobbying firm of the man Republicans say John McCain has chosen to begin planning a presidential transition earned more than a quarter of a million dollars this year representing Freddie Mac, one of the companies McCain blames for the nation's financial crisis.

Timmons & Co., whose founder and chairman emeritus is William Timmons Sr., was registered to lobby for Freddie Mac from 2000 through this month, when the federal government took over both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Newly available congressional records show Timmons's firm received $260,000 this year before its lobbying activities were barred under terms of the government rescue of the failed mortgage giant. Timmons, 77, is listed as a lobbyist for Freddie Mac on the company's midyear financial-disclosure form.

While Republicans say Timmons is making plans for the transition if McCain wins in November, the campaign wouldn't confirm his role. Timmons didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

Why the hell is Palin metting with Bono?He is a nobody and should be barred from the U.S. I have no respect for this woman now.

Even Fox protested the attempt to shield Palin? Wow.

But then again, who cares. Her 15 minutes are up, now that she's just another investigation-ducking Republican. Its an old, boring story.

McCain and his economic adviser pushed through the deregulation to get us into this mess. A couple of months ago his adviser said there is no recession, that it's all in our heads and we're whiners. Last week McCain said our economy is strong. A couple of days ago he said the deregulation *helped*. Now we're watching the biggest bailout in history, and he's pointing the finger at the head of the SEC. What kind of fool trusts this guy?

She cat talk because she is in an ethical legal battle .. I cant beleive the media hasnt mentioned this.

She is a fake- a dirty person in power- uses her power to get what she wants -tells lies after lie she is a clone of Bush. McCain should know better but all he cares about is the votes she can get for himI wonder if he has mild dememtia started????? The ride on the skirt tail of a unknow is over Honest the American people are not stupid .......They both should be replaced by honest people....

She is a disgrace. Voters must not accept this incompetence & secrecy.

we will run an open government

uh huh just like your campagin

Wow! The McCain campaign threw you guys a bone? Great! What transparency...I would just as soon have done without Palin's meetings. She's a very bad joke played on the American people. Great choice McCain.

RGEIER,

BECAUSE BONO HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE UN ON THE UN'S MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS BY BRINGING AWARENESS AND MEETING WITH WORLD LEADERS TO ASK THEM TO JOIN THE PROGRAM AND COMIT THEIR COUNTRIES (EX, CANADA) SINCE 2005.

THE UN IS PREPARING FOR A WORLD SUMMIT WHERE THIS PROGRAM WILL BE DISCUSSED, IN NEW YORK

THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN SPENT TIME POINTING OUT THAT SENATOR OBAMA WAS SPONSORING A BILL FROM SENATOR DAVIS THAT REQUIRED FOR THE UNITED STATES TO MEET THE COMMITMENT LEVEL WE PROMISED BACK WHEN THE PROGAM BEGAN. SO BASICALLY MCCAIN KIND OF SORT OF REJECTS IT? BUT HE HAS NO PROBLEM FREE LOADING AND USING THE VERY SAME SUMMIT TO GIVE HIS RUNNING MATE, SARAH PALIN, A QUICK "DIPLOMACY FOR IDIOTS" 101

THAT IS HOW SARAH PALIN GOT TO MEET WORLD LEADERS, AND BONO.

FUNNY ENOUGH, RUMORS FROM MCCAIN BACKERS ARE SPREADING ABOUT OBAMA NOT WANTING TO GO TO THE VERY EVENT HE SPONSORED A BILL FOR...

MCCAIN - VOTE FOR HIM, HE THINKS YOU ARE STUPID.

If they don't want to be covered leave them alone.

THE PRESS SHOULD BOYCOTT THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN.

Refuse to run their commercials.

Do not cover their campaign events.

The jerks will come back crawling.

Never in America shall we elect a President and Vice who have not been scritinzed by the REAL PRESS (not FAUX NEWS).

None of you deserve any time with her. Your treament of her and her family was a national disgrace. None of you have any right to demand anything from her.

Your Sarah Palin is quite psycho chick. She shoots wolf from helicopter but is too weenie to face the press. You Americans dig up the craziest weirdos to run your country, no wonder you fat blobs are in such trouble.

Wow! SOME VP candidate - "pulling up in a motorcade to a side entrance and quickly sneaking inside".

I hope the media and the TV networks take note of that.

Looks like the proximity to Russia has instilled some totalitarian ideas into Palin.

The question is - what's wrong with the media??

Is this still the United States???

Where are the journalists???

How about this scenario:

McCain and Palin get elected.
McCain falls ill and/or dies, Palin takes over as President.
God tells Palin the Rapture is coming.
Palin gathers her family around her and prays.
Palin pushes the Red Button so she and her family can go to heaven.
We all die. Except for the cockroaches.
There. It's all over. We don't have to worry anymore.

Let me get this straight, she is ready to be President if necessry and is afaraid of journalists? I know you guys are a tough crowd but come on sooner or later the girl has to speak. Can she speak?

If this story was about Obama I'm sure it would be front page news. Will the media continue to allow McCain and crew to slap them around? Do the American people deserve to know about the people we are voting for? Or we becoming socialist not only with our economy but with our elections as well.

"The McCain campaign eventually relented after the television networks threatened to ban and not use any footage of Palin meeting with leaders"

Photo-Op?

Forget Friday nights debate... I'm waiting for the VP debate.

How can there be any doubt in anyone's mind, of any political party, that Palin is a big zero. Trying hard to be kind. Palin and her high school educated husband are each on their own just a big zero. McCain is not much better because he picked her and keeps defending her. Hopefully the majority of Americans will vote for the USA and cast their vote for Obama/Biden because the election is between Obama/Biden and Palin/McCain, no other party ticket. I am amazed that anyone who is not mentally impaired still supports Palin/McCain. For the record, I am not a democrat but I will be voting for Obama/Biden instead of Palin/McCain because Palin is a huge zero. Being nice.

"None of you deserve any time with her. Your treament of her and her family was a national disgrace. None of you have any right to demand anything from her." s.b., you obviously do not understand that this woman is running for the second highest PUBLIC office in the land. We, the AMERICAN people pay her salary and expect our government to act on our behalf. We have EVERY right to demand that she be properly vetted by the media and the fact that McCain's campaign ROUTINELY sheilds her from the media sends a very loud and clear message that they do not trust her to be able to answer the questions properly or knowledgeably. I could care less that she kills moose or has a pregnant daughter and I don't want to know any more details about her private life BUT I darn well want to know EXACTLY how she can handle world leaders, the economy and domestic issues and if McCain won't let us see how she can do it then obviously he has no faith in her ability.

DUH like she is a hollow shell no content. Why else hide her from the news reporters???

"Never in America shall we elect a President and Vice who have not been scritinzed by the REAL PRESS (not FAUX NEWS)."

What real press?

Does Palin meet with President Uribe of Colombia today (after George W. Bush yesterday) to insure him that the $4,319,000 (over 4+ billion) 2001 - 2008 that GWB has sent on the "war on drugs" will continue to flow to the corruption of his government and military under a Palin-McCain Administration? Talk about a covert CIA operation like the supported dictator in Guatemala that killed tens of thousands of indigenous Indians - Uribe is a crook. He was condemned by all Latin nations for his killing of innocents in Ecuador. Why is Palin choosing sides? Get this woman off the world stage before she does more damage than GWB could imagine.

How can anyone support yet another candidate (Palin) who believes they do not have to answer to the public. It is reminiscent of the secrecy of Cheney, Harriet Myers and other Bush administration officials hiding evidence, "losing" thousands of e-mails, and refusing to appear before Congress, even when subpoenaed.

And why is the news media lettting her get away with refusing to answer questions or have press conferences??

Everyone should write the national news media demanding action and coverage.

Haven't we had enough of this??

Shame on any of you journalists if you cover Palin on ANYTHING from now on. Let's put the focus on somebody with a brain. . . Obama.

allie STFU we can ask of her everything and if she can't supply that info she doesn't belong in the race.

Wow, s.b. Are you the transgendered teen whose identical defense of Britney Spears was quite the sensation on You Tube for a while? If so, it worked better with video and tears.

s.b,

What are you talking about. So an unknown vp candidate's background is off limits?

Since McCain refused to vet her the media have every right to vet anyone seeking the office of the Vice Presidency and may even end up becoming President.

At least the more we now know of Sarah Palin the better informed we are about who she is, what she believes in and how she had be running Alaska with her husband and cronies.

Job well done by the media

About time the media is standing up to this sort of non sense that the McCain camp continues to dish out but then they get upset when the table turns. Should have vetted the Beauty Queen.

She is a disgrace to all women..... Just plain dumb!

HA..HA..HA..looks like the baracutta bit the press yet again, and the press decided to bite back. I see blood in the water. It's a feeding frenzy.

"We have EVERY right to demand that she be properly vetted by the media and the fact that McCain's campaign ROUTINELY sheilds her from the media sends a very loud and clear message that they do not trust her to be able to answer the questions properly or knowledge"

Very simple, don't vote for them. It's that easy. Not that you were going to vote for them anyway. Phony indignation.

s.b. -"None of you deserve any time with her. Your treament of her and her family was a national disgrace. None of you have any right to demand anything from her." Hell yes we do!! She wants to lead this country. We have every right to ask legitimate questions of her. Such as her views on foreign policy, education, the economy etc. She is running for office and if she is planning on being by Vice President, she had better get her head out of her ass and start talking. She is an idiot.

Sarah Palin is just another marketing strategy used by the Mccain camp to get votes. The Mccain campaign was hammering Obama about his inexperience,then they go out and pick a VP that has no experience either. Okay,Obama doesen't have executive experience,but neither does John Mccain.I think Obama has this election all rapped up just go to http://www.politico.com/convention/swingstate.html. Politico has Obama winning on November 4.

Ba Gawk.... chickens. I'd hide her too, she is a mess and cannot talk without someone's hand making all the movements of her lips. I wonder if Kissinger is rolling his eyes at this time, thinking about what a ninkompoop she is.

I dont deserve time with her? she could one day be helping to run or runnig our country... I think I should be allowed to talk to her. And the family issues... wow seems we talk about those more than the political ones she will be handeling.. wonder why that is *rolles eyes*

Wow, if she can't even handle a friendly pool of reporters after 3 WEEKS of training, what on earth makes anybody think she could handle Ahmenijad? Not ready to lead, not fit for duty!.

Independent for Obama.

Well now you have your answer press!
Refuse to televise any footage of them.
Neither of them could tolerate that. Remeber how John McCain was having temper tantrums when Obama was overseas holding high profile press conferences with world leaders. He will do anything to keep his face in front of the cameras.

So unless they allow them selves to be held up to scrutiny by the AMerican people every day. No video footage of them on tv.
They are not Diety, and they should be required to faced the AMerican people.

If that is transparency I will vote for them.

She is a big girl she can take it, every time they attack her, she gets stronger. McCain and his team are making a tatical mistake. Get her out there, the people like her. But no, McCain just wants a photo op, and wreck his campaign like Hilliary did hers. Awful!

What the hell?? She acting like Britney Spears with the Paparazzi.. who's the Celebrity wanna be now MCSAME?

Paul I couldn't have said it better.

I think Fox might be waking up now that their paychecks and taxes are an everyday topic like the rest of ours have been for the past 8 years.

s.b. you said "None of you deserve any time with her. Your treament of her and her family was a national disgrace. None of you have any right to demand anything from her.".....sorry sister I've got more right than you want to know about. I am related to someone killed in Ecuador under the direct orders of President Uribe of Colombia and Ms. Palin has chosen to talk to him, but not to Ecuador. So sit on it and don't let the sunshine in.

Another example of the many mistakes and naiveties of the blundering staff of McCain campaign in their handling of their celebrity fame, Gov Sarah Palin. Reminds us of the inept same staff that lost McCain the presidential primary in 2000 after his momentous victory in the New Hampshire contest. There should be a better way to handle the Obama leaning media reporters and commentators. One way is to make them pay in Millions for exclusive coverage and reporting. Same way Hollywood and famous Superstars Celebrities have done to control the media and at the same time make them pay.

The phony indignation is priceless. The bots can't stop chattering about Palin.

For Heaven's sake, Palin is an idiot. Of coarse they don't want any media coverage. Remember when Florida's Republican women were going to boycott Oprah because she did not want Palin on her show. Palin did not want to go on Oprah. Palin does not have the education or experience to be V.P. of the U.S..

The main stream media should cut Palin off. If the McCain-Palin Camp is not going to allow the American public to start asking her some tough questions, then drop her. The Republican campaign should get a taste of their own medicine; not unscripted Q&A from the press pool - no press pool. All the reports traveling with her should walk out. Sarah Palin is proving to America she is a fake. She will help John McCain lose this election and in the process lose in Alaska when she returns defeated (and there will be no GOP/McCain lawyers to assist her anymore). Walk out Media - Walk out!

Hey dem in Chicago,
Who the heck are you to judge! Your guy is a Socialist!!! You nuts jobs either don't care or what I suspect. That blame STUPID!! Get over your Palin Derangement Syndrome. If the Liberals have there way. Our National Symbol would be changed to a sickle and hammer

has anyone checked laura's closet recently, i think palin is bush in drag. it is the same old act of lies and stonewalling. wake up america we are near financial collapse now. do you want total collapse with her and mcpain?

what's wrong with protecting our rock stars from the media?
sounds like Michael Jackson to me

Duck and Shuffle the Artic Princess dances away from the press like stink from a skunk.

Very simple, don't vote for them. It's that easy. Not that you were going to vote for them anyway. Phony indignation.

Mack - I never said I was going to vote for them. My indignation and disgust are quite real (and I have, incidentally, voted Republican on a state level several times). I'm just sick of ignorant people bowing before the alter of Palin when they know nothing about her and say she doesn't need to be vetted. That is ridicuous. Obama was vetted - remember Wright? I was equally as disgusted by that and would not be voting for him if I had any reasonable alternative.

Four weeks have gone by and still no press conferences. Yet you routinely publish any trash they put out for McCain and against Obama. You are being used.

The press is just a paper tiger, this will amount to nothing. His supporters love it.

WOW! Heres a campaign who can literally say and do whatever and not have to deal with the american voters! You cant expect me to go cast my vote for someone who I cant even get a solid response from on important matters that will affect my kids, and myself, wow! And where is the OPEN CAMPAIGN they promised! These two are the biggest jokes I've seen in a while! And to all women who think she stands for what you stand for, please think again! McCain in 26 years has yet to pass any legislation for women's equalities, and he's using her to implement the basic republican strategy, DIVIDE AND CONQUER!!!

Sarah Palin is Bush in drag. Think about it, when bush speaks he makes a 10 minute prepared statement then turns it over to the so called "thinkers". Sounds just like Palin. Afraid to answer the tough questions in fear of political suicide. How dare the others say we are atacking her when Hilary Clinton was taken to the cleaners during all of her campaigns. HOW DARE YOU! Palin deserves to be put through the ringer even for the basic reason that she is running to be second in line to lead this country.

hey if it was obama doing this it will be albout in the press she got no experience is this a joke cant they see macain choose her just to get clinton vote come on america u cant go on the same path of gearge w bush make a change cant u read body lamguage mccain is lying

WHAT DO YOU THINK????
THE WORLD KNOWS THE AMERICAN MEDIA IS UNASHAMEDLY ROOTING FOR OBAMA AND PALIN STANDS BERWEEN OBAMA AND THE PRESIDENCY--
THE MEDIA WOULD ONLY BE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WAY SHE SAID THIS .. OR SHE SHOULD HAVE SAID IT THAT WAY OR..OR IF SHE WERE TO BECOME PRESIDENT SINCE MCCAIN IS ABOUT READY TO CAPUT, SHE WOULD HAVE TO GREET KARZAI THIS WAY AND NOT THAT WAY..
SPECULATIVE TALKING HEADS WITH NO BRAINS..
GOOD JOB, KEEP THE MEDIA PESTS AWAY FROM HER

MCCIAN/PALIN 08

Me thinks something's rotten in Denmark. The smell is Palin stinkin' up the joint.

Media shielding...lol. Is this not the most bizarre thing ever??

Wow ... the liberals that frequent
CNN are total freaks. You complain about Palin but the "Community organizer" that you Liberals have elelected is the REAL joke.

You complain about Palin hunting but give yourselfs a pass on killing babies
on late term abortions. PATHETIC!!!

So Liberal of you to demonize people for their beliefs. You liberals are full of excrement that comes out of
your hypocritical orifices.

The only reason this election is close
is because of an unpopular war and the
economy. Your "community organizer"
can not even pull ahead even under these
perfect circumstances of disadvantage for Republicans.

You Democrats are a total joke... the
world wants a Democrat for president in the US that they can push
around and be Europe's errand boy. Thats exactly what Obama is... an errand
boy for America's enemies including the
Taliban and Muslim terrorists.

Muslim terrorists WANT Obama to win.

LOL .... I pity all of you dumbass Liberals... you are pathetic!!!! LOL!!!!

ProudRepublican has spoken!!!
Go back about your abortions you pathetic liberal maggotts.

So much for FREE PRESS in a McCain/Palin insular kind of self-serving parasitic world.

BEWARE!!!!!!

This is embarrassing for America. How can we have a VP candidate who has to "cram" to have any foreign relations experience? This should be horrifying to us as Americans.

Thank you, press, for forcing the McCain camp to at least show a morsel of somewhat unscripted Palin time. Keep it up. This is ridiculous.

i'd love to give that stupid excuse for a woman a piece of my mind.

ANOTHER NAME FOR THE PRESS..

IN THE FRANTIC SEARCH FOR 'GOTCHA!'

STAY AWAY FROM HER!!!

What are they so afraid she is going to say? This is insane. Put her out there so we can make an informed decision based on her answers to questions. Mccain will not get my vote this year, the Mccain of 2000 would not have let these criminals run his campain like this, what happened to mccain2000?

Why is this being allowed. She is running for VP shouldn't we be able to hear from her directly. How can we make an informed decision? Why is the media not making more of this? This is ridiculous!

Go ahead and vote McCian and Palin. Write ins are still allowed. ;) Or maybe it's Palin/McCain... ask Simple Sarah for her definition... Is it Palin/McCain or McCain/Palin? She likes to say it's Palin/McCain... whateever the princess wants. I doubt she will live "happily everafter" I cannot wait for her constituants in UPPA US throw her to the polar bears.

anyone ever heard of the constitional right...FREEDOM OF THE PRESS!?!?!

sarah palin: if you can't take the heat, stay out the kitchen!

Don't cry foul when the Media family do not cover McCain-Palin's on the air. I see the headlines, Palin meeting World Leaders, a gimmic to establish her credential? What a joke, is she meeting with the World Leaders bringing forth any relieve for our Wall Street crisis? What is Palin's thoughts on the economic crisis today, shall we all move to Alaska to drill and sign up for whale or moose hunting for food? Will that be apart of our solution?

Palin being the back up leader of the free world and a Presidential candidate having THIS BAD of judgment on the job of the Presidency

is literally something out of a sci fi comedy about the end of the world...

Its on the records that Sen. Obama benefitted from the lobbyist from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac he was 2nd in line with his hand held out. If he's so concerend why doesn'the give it back? He can't its spent. He sits down with terriorist Lew Ayers..he said he doesn't have a problem with a tiny nation like Iran? They are not like Russia he says. Who does he think he's fooling? The american people are not ab out to put someone like Obama in to bring us to nuclear war. Russia is in bed with Iran and others..Don't be fooled by his smile and he lacks trust. Mark my words our enemies are not to be trusted. As for Gov. Palin the McCain campagne is sheilding her. Look what was said on SNL Saturday night about her husband sleeping with his girls..that's disgusting and its not funny. The media needs to go back to journalism school and start all over..they don't know how to report anything accurate anymore.

"Wow ... the liberals that frequent
CNN are total freaks. You complain about Palin but the "Community organizer" that you Liberals have elelected is the REAL joke."

At the end of the day, liberals are still the most despised group by typical Americans. And there are more of those that far-left wing nuts in this country. Good luck with the #1 and #3 most liberal Senators.

The big bad media is going to kill us all!!! Run for your very lives!!!

There is a conspiracy with ABC, CBS, CNN, Oprah, an all other media outlets to destroy Palin...wow. Can you believe they actually believe this? How can educated...nevermine.

So, this is the McCain/Republican idea of boosting her (Palin's) "foreign affairs" experience. We have an old saying here in England; "Give a rat a piece of cheese and he'll believe that he's a full fledged grocer."

I've said it before numerous times, and I'll say it again: Gov. Palin SHOULD NOT be on anyone's ticket! The majority of Americans HAVE THE RIGHT to know who is running for the presidency AND vice presidency, and WE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT to know who the candidates are in this election!

Since the Republican party, to include McCain and Palin seems to have a problem with the media, then damn it, DON'T GIVE THEM ANY PRESS! Instead, FOCUS ONLY ON THOSE WHO WILL ALLOW THE PRESS IN THEIR CAMPS!

Whether you're a Republican, Independent, or Democrat, EVERYONE has the right to know more about a person, or persons, who will ultimately represent OUR COUNTRY in the end!

What should the American people do, or the Press for that matter? Watch "America's Most Wanted" to find out more information? Perhaps they can learn more about this Palin woman and the DIRT THE REPULICAN PARTY is dishing out!

Now that the Bush election team has taken over the McCain campaign, voters will never see Palin outside of a carefully stage-managed venue. The Bush people will control the images, the access, the talking points and the message. They're terrified of letting Palin free. Choosing Palin, McCain's first executive decision, was reckless, impulsive and desperate. Not the qualities we need in a President. Even George Will has decided that McCain can't be trusted in the White House.

Bush/McCain?? No More Years!!

How can anyone think that having a VP that needs minders, tutors, and must be coddled is a good thing? I can understand that a lot of people who share the same religious beliefs as she does may appreciate her brand of conservatism, but even the most ardent evangelical must be able to see that she does not have the education or experience to be on a world stage. If anything should happen to McCain, if he were to win, Palin would only be able to act as a puppet that needs someone to pull her strings. She would not be able to function as president, she would only be able to read the speeches and inform the American public what her controllers have decided.

"anyone ever heard of the constitional right...FREEDOM OF THE PRESS!?!?!"

Yeah! Freedom of the corporate owned press! We need to get our agenda out there to sell more product!

Gee isn't it nice for Uncle John to take little Sarah on a field trip to the UN.

By all means she should be allowed to talk in front of the camera. We could all use a good belly laugh in these tough times.

Proud Republican: How are you feeling about your gal pal Sarah these days? Your anger tells me you're panicking. Oh and by the way, I know of NO ONE, liberal or conservative that approves or would even suggest a late term abortion. Go fish off someone else's pier. Your stink here is not welcome.

Is this vist to the UN the equivalent of a matchbook education in foreign policy? Hey! Make it easy. Have Sarah look south from Alaska. She'll see Canada and know a lot about another country.

Why should she talk to the press?

Even when she does, all they do is take what she said and twist it around in some way so that she can be ridiculed.

Palin makes more sense when she speaks than Obama with all of his lofty rhetoric, and Biden who continually puts his foot in his mouth, yet the media does nothing but take shots at her.

the scarier thing is all the p[eople still saying she deserves not to be asked anything

how many idiots do we have in this nation that would still vote for this ticket as they hide the person who will be the back up leader of the free world?

and how dumb do you have to be to not see that they are playing games with the future of our nation...