Notes From St. Paul — Shadows of Katrina and John McCain’s Dilemma
First of all, I have to say that St. Paul , Minnesota is one of the beautiful medium-sized cities in America- tree lined streets, beautiful gardens, vital neighborhoods and non mall environments, and a beautiful convention center, the Excel energy center.
The place will not be humming on day one of the GOP convention because of the Gustav threat and the reality that this is not an appropriate time for celebration. But as the GOP watches the hurricane’s path, there is a real problem facing the John McCain campaign. It is imperative that McCain have his chance to speak to the convention. The convention prime time speech, especially with eight weeks left, is critical. This is a dilemma. It is also a dilemma for the GOP. Caring is one thing. Overdoing it might seem not very genuine, and possibly exploiting a disastrous situation. In that regard, this is a dangerous tightrope walk, a political journey into the unknown. The Republicans want redemption from the Katrina catastrophe. Ironically, when Katrina was happening three years ago, George Bush was presenting a birthday cake to John McCain.
I might add that some Republicans, angry over the choice of Sarah Palin as the Veep choice, are deeply concerned that she won’t play well in those purple states, like New Mexico, Colorado and North Carolina that Obama hopes to win. This is purely subjective. Palin may turn out to be one of the most refreshing new faces of 2008, but the Obama campaign will have a touch theme – do you want to trust a 72 year old President taking office with a first term Governor with no foreign policy experience.
On that score, our sources report that Governor Palin will soon receive a private briefing on foreign affairs from Secretary of State Condi Rice.
Also, a notable to watch for at the GOP Convention. Pat Meehan, former US Attorney, will be making the rounds as he eyes the Governor’s race in 2010.
I’ll be back.
Comments(170)
GOP in no win situation.
If they go on with convention and storm becomes another national disaster, they look insensitive and out of touch. Call it the Katrina Syndrome.
If they postpone, ammend or cancel convention and storm turns out not to be a big hurricane, they’ve lost their bounce opportunity and likely will not get it back.
Sarah Palin will be McCain’s demise, and he didn’t need any help. A bad choice even on a good day, she brings nothing to the ticket but a token woman running mate way in over her head. Call the Dan Quayle Syndrome.Larry goes to a convention and disappears for 5 days with a peep. Call that the Las Vegas Syndrome.
Vrooom
Larry you are so far in the liberal tank it is not even funny. Your bias comes through in everything you right. You’re not as obvious as Leo but it is pretty clear where your political feelings lie. The birthday cake shot was true Larry Liberal. I hope McCain defies the odds and gets elected so that you and your liberal pals have to sit through 4 more years.
Tighten your lugnuts Larry. Got to go.
Jeff Gordon, you took the words right out of my mouth. Just compare his Democrat covention post to today’s. The bias is stunning, today he looks at just negatives, except for throwing a bone to Palin, probabaly when he realized how negative he was being. They have not even started the convention yet and he’s wringing is hands and trying to be the first to tell us how screwed up everything is.
I wonder if he’ll write about the difference of between having a Democrat govenor versus a Repiblican in LA. Things seem to be going pretty well down there.
As far a mayors go, who would be the most disasterous African American Mayor in American history? Ray Nagin, Wilson Goode, David Dinkins,or Marion Barry?
Vrooom
George let’s call this the Jane Fonda Syndrome.
257 laps to go. Got to go!
When I return to the Senate the first thing I am going to do is sponsor a bill giving woman the right to openly breast feed in all public areas. The VP candidate, Sarah Palin, inspired me. She is a working mother of five, and has a new baby to breast feed. All too often woman in America have to pump their breast milk in dirty bathrooms or broom closets. Woman have to throw blankets over themselves and their babies when the infant is feeding in public.
I say enough! We need legistation that will allow, in fact require, woman to openly breast feed without any fear of repercussions from those who find it offensive. Under my bill, a woman will be able to sit in an Olive Garden Resturant with both lactating breasts out in plain sight, and as long as a infant is near by, she cannot be hassled or charged with a crime. She can eat her dinner in peace while ocassionally feeding the baby and/or pumping the other full breast.
Sarah Palin is a woman that can effectively operate a Black Berry and a Breast Pump at the same time. I say all woman should be able to do this openly in all public places. Further, all places of business and government offices will be required to provide lacation station rooms. These all glass rooms will be centrally located so that a woman will feel comfortable but will always be in plain sight of all co-workers so she does not feel isolated as a result of her milky full breasts.
This bill, my frinds, is long over due. It took the nomination of an attractive fertile Republican woman with supple lactating breasts to get the attention of this legislator. In this regard I am bi-partisan, and will not let party politics get in the way of bringing about this important law for all woman, no matter their party affilation or sexual orientation. The health benfits of breast feeding are irrefutable!
come on guys,Ronald Reaegan was 70 when he took the oath of office andhe served 8 years.So McCain isn’t so old,my husband will be 74 and I don’t consider him old,he works,he drives he has intelligent conversations,his step is a little slowere but thats it.Give McCain a break and give Sarah a chance,We’ve had to put up with the chosen one for almost 2years now and I’[m sick of hearing about him,seeing him on every news channel,lets see sarah,lets hear her,then make your own intelligent choice,not the chose of the news media,like matthews and his cohorts.
Sarah Palin bought a cheerleading outfit in Ohio and was booed in Pennsylvania for making her inapt Hillary comparison. She’s the anti-Hillary, and the women know it. Hillary would never buy a cheerleading outfit. Even I know Hillary’s into substance, not merely appearances. Palin is as deep as a piece of paper.
I love how all of these pundits on the right are flip-flopping, dropping the “inexperience” attacks on Obama now that they’ve got someone who is even more open to that charge. And they’re welcoming her with open arms. The hypocrisy is staggering.
Leo praising Hillary,too much.I wonder if JR considers that flip flopping.
Sacre bleu John Kerry.For theese breast feeding in public there should be rules.Age & weight limits,no ? In Paris only the models can breast feed in public.In the country of Germany,all the woman can.Is one reason the Captain stays away from Germany.
Larry,I always knew Leo had great respect for Hillary,Bill and Chelsea,way to break out the closet,Bravo Leo Bravo.
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OOOJ-stop crying in your beer,you sound like a sailor that just read a dear John letter.
Down, jr. I did not come to praise Hillary; I came to bury her. I’m just pointing out that even someone who is anti-Hillary as I am can see that Palin is no Hillary.
JR, I don’t want 4 years of the emptysuit Obama anymore than you. Furthermore, I’m not willing to return to Robin Hood politics of the pandering Democrats without hope. I guess the only silver lining is that Clintons are gone for another 4 years regardless what happens in November…
P.S. I’m glad there’s nothing important going on in the world that would prevent Condi Rice from spending time preparing information and briefings for a governor who probably doesn’t have the national security clearance she would need to hear anything meaningful anyway.
Leo, I’ve only been on this sight a little over a week, and have been spending more time here since the convention ended and I’ve also been on pillows with a nasty hemeroid. But one thing is clear, Leo you don’t like much of anything and seem to be a bitter nasty person. Well, to each his own, as a Democrat and proud veteran who fought for your freedom to say mean assine things, have at it Leo, but don’t forget to douche afterward.
Palin’s 17 year old daughter is pregnant! I guess the question the Democrats like to ask, what if your daughter had an unplanned pregnancy? Has been answered. Palin’s daughter will obviously carry this baby to term. Now, is the pregnancy the result of rape or incest? Larry that’s what you need to ask Sarah Palin at the convention, its your big shot to find out if she’s truely pro-life!
Right on Pat! I know many active people in their 70s who’ve got more game than a lot of 40yr olds. Older people also have wisdom, and you dont get that at Harvard or in a room full of south siders trying to shake down the city of Chicago for money and perks. What is it that Obama did as a so called community organizer? Did he create jobs, or just ask for money and hand out Thanksgiving turkeys and Christams gifts. No one has ever reported what he did as community organizer, if it was substantive I think we’d have heard about it. The press has igored and supressed what he did. Does anyone know?
And if Condi Rice didn’t take the time to brief Palin then Rice would be negligent & Palin would be too lazy to get involved.Correct ?
Apparently the Evangelical birth control system of abstinence doesn’t work…. Palin should resign her candidacy immediately and return home to Alaska. While she was out making a name for herself her own daughter was shacking up with Yukon John. This type of example for our youth is unacceptable and leaving Palin run for the office of veep is a subtle way of condoning this behavior. Palin please step down and let our youth know there are consequences to one’s actions. In other words be careful or there is a price to pay.
Ed, I heard they are changing McCain’s campaign theme song to Junior Walker’s “Shotgun.”
This demonstrates how ludicrous abstinence only education is. It shows that Palin places politics above family and parenting. What parent chooses to accept a VP nomination knowing that she’ll thereby drag her pregnant 17-year old through the national media wringer?
I feel sorry for the girl. I doubt she has any real voice in whether to keep the child. That’s being driven by momma’s political agenda for sure. And I feel sorry for the girl and the father of the child. I doubt that the boy is ready to marry. I wonder how much pressure is being brought to bear on him to save Sarah Palin from a ZOMG reaction on the part of the religious right people who were so quick to embrace her. Can’t have any single mothers around here!
I’m laughing all the way to the polls (except when I’m feeling sorry for the people in Mrs. Palin’s family that she’s dragging through the dirt).
By the way, Senator Kerry, I was part of Kerry Haters for Kerry. It was a jolly site. You would’ve loved it.
Leo, I have to agree with you. I am totally off McCain and Palin. Do you think Obama is upset I called him oBUMa?
Or a typical south side political hack, or effete silverspooned Harvard blowhard, or an inexperienced neophyte in way over his head?
Ed, I don’t think baseless and inaccurate criticisms bother Obama.
Vrooom
Hey Leo does Obama consult with you on what should bother him? You seem to know a lot about him. Are you his brother in the hut in Africa?
Check your lugnuts. Got to go!
Leo seems to know an aweful lot about Obama. What makes Obama tick Leo? Tell us some more snide things about Sarah Palin’s daughter. Even though Obama asked that his supporters not attack her, you don’t need to listen to Obama, you know better than the Chosen One. Had I gone to the same community college as you instead of Yale, I might be president today.
John Kerry he is a snide little worm that is very self important.
LB, you are quickly become as unpopular as Obama on this site.
Have Grandson Will Travel reads the card of a woman.
A knight without armor in a savage land.
Her fast gun for hire McCain’s the calling wind.
A soldier of fortune is the woman called Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin Where do you roam?
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Far, far from your comfort zone.
She travels on to wherever she must;
A chess knight of silver is her badge of trust.
There are campfire legends that the Alaskans spin
Of the woman with the grandson,
of the woman called Sarah Pa-l-l-l-l-in
Larry,the attacks on Sarah Palin and her family by the media and the wacked out die hard Obama supporters are similar to the abuse that Hillary Clinton and her family received in the primaries and up to the last days of the convention,there must be alot of fear in the Obama die hards and the bias media to act out like a pack of wild dogs,it’a a disgrace and un-American and Larry I hope you step up and comment on it on your next post.
That Richard Boone really knows ho to turn a tune.
Kudos to Jack Russell for stepping up and defending Sarah Palin and her family. Too bad he ruined the moment by bring up the Clintons.
JR, Larry is busy filling sandbags and placing them outside his hotel room in St Paul just in case Gustov turns north. He’s been sandbagging for years. Next blog next week.
Sarah Palin is a terrible mother. She knew that her minor daughter was pregnant (abstinence only education notwithstanding, but, hey, at least she didn’t know how to use contraceptives). Yet she still accepted a VP nod that she knew would make her daughter into Jamie Lynn Spears II, thrusting this “private” issue into the public spotlight. To me, that’s pretty much the definition of horrible parenting, putting your ambitions above your family’s well being.
I’m just waiting for SNL to do a Juno/Juneau bit.
I guess McCain found a way to keep people from talking about how many houses he has.
Juno/Juneau aside (and that was pretty good)… LB, you are incessantly complaining about the ‘right wing noise machine’ bashing poor Obama. Yet you never miss an opportunity to trash McCain and now Sarah Palin. Don’t you find that very hypocritical?
Juneau who the father is?
I don’t know I alaska.
OOOJ, it’s one thing to make factually inaccurate smears (e.g., Obama is a muslim and Michelle is an angry black, etc.) and another to point out hypocrisy based in fact or objective facts. So, no, I don’t see any comparison. I never promised to run a positive campaign.
The only thing that I’ve said that’s even remotely similar is to compare McCain and his incessant refrain of “But I was a POW” to the Manchurian Candidate. But that’s not serious; it’s intended to show how silly the right wing noise machine is with all of its made-up smears of Obama by turning their technique around on their own candidate.
LB, so even though you know nothing about what kind of parents the Palins are, you are willing to call them bad parents because their 17 year old daughter got pregnant? So you are saying that any parent whose underage daughter gets pregnant is a bad parent? Is that a fact or the LB noise machine?
YFAP, are you AWOL?
OOOJ-I bring up the Clinton’s because they the media and die hards accused Bill of racism and Hillary and Chelsea just because there female,also Larry gave obama an interview never gave equal time to Hillary,so you’re right Larry will let us down.
Also obama’s mother was seventeen when she got pregnant,thanks to his grandmother he’s is here today and he threw her under the bus for the rev wracist.
Re; Palin receiving updates from Rice
Larry, is this true? Are there any other sources/outlets reporting this?
I have to chime in hear for a moment. In order for McCain to win he had to run a flawless campaign. The Palin pick looked like a real show stopper until her kid turned up preggers. That in itself is enough to throw the straight talker under his bus. The Republican spin on this situation is what I call hypocritical. Palin is now being portrayed as a mother that we can all more closely relate to. I’m not buying it. She should decline the nomination right now and just go home. Consequences,
there’s got to be consequences for one’s actions…..
Bad choice getting worse
Not really. Read my post at #30. What more do you need to know about them than the facts that are clear in the timeline of events? None. And I do think that the approach Sarah Palin advocates for sex ed constitutes bad parenting. It’s obviously ineffective. Worse, because it doesn’t teach kids about the proper use of contraceptives, in could result in even more Bristol Palin situations, and for people who don’t have the resources that that family does, the results could be catastrophic.
Leo constitutes 9/40 posts on this string , that’s about 23%. He’s obviously free to post as much as he wants, but we should ask ourselves, what’s the point of engaging him? There’s no give and take with Leo, just a constant drone of arm chair know it all talk.
OOOJ, why don’t you try not engaging him to see what outrageous things he will say about McCain /Palin to get attention. A precosious child is best ignored.
So all Catholic parents that don’t advocate or inform their kids about contraceptives are bad parents?
George, stop the flattery. All that and FREE AIR will get you a date with your favorite home boy, sailor. ;)
OOOJ, I don’t see what being Catholic has to do with it at all, aside from you trying to rev up the issue on some inflammatory grounds. I know plenty of Catholics who accept birth control and are glad their children learn about reproductive health and contraception in school. As a rule, however, I’d say that parents who try to keep their kids from learning about contraception and reproductive health until they leave the home are, in fact, bad parents who are needlessly exposing their children to serious health risks and to the risks of unwanted pregnancies.
Still, my point was that Sarah Palin knowingly put her daughter in the national media spotlight, knowing full well what that would entail. I would not trust the judgment of such a person. That is bad parenting at its worst. I might have different feelings if she were not to have paraded her children around for a few days, trying to capitalize on them politically, before suddenly claiming that her family is “private.”
It happened.Larry introduced a virus onto my work computer & as a result I can’t post during the day.I’ve been reset,as it were.In all candor,I don’t seem to have missed much.
YAP, it’s terrible in here. Leo is on a rampage, attacking Sarah Palin, her pregnant daughter and her mongaloid baby. It’s turned into the Lord of the Flys, he’s about to start probing us with a broom stick if you dont do something. This blog makes Viet Nam look like breakfast at Tiffinys!
Where is this Larry Kane fellow? Today I spoke to a group about Iraq and there was a retarded midget there, very twin peeks. Anyway, I’m told by my handler the correct term is “mentally disabled little person”. That’s a much better way to describe them. Theresa says I need sensitivity training. Well, I think she needs it, but I’m afraid to tell her, I’m actaully afraid of her, I’ll admit it.
YFAP, you are giving Larry and his IT minions far too much credit.They have neither the means nor the will to inflict a virus. Either you are pulling our pud or you’re more paranoid than anyone guessed. Hang tough big guy!
The LB Noise Machine is working overtime trying to drown out the right wing noise machine on this blog. The 7 regulars (and countless sock puppets) greatly appreciate his efforts on our behalf. He is such a selfless crusader for the truth. What would we do without his rapier wit, bombastic personality and condescending style.
John Kerry, I know you have access to a pistol or two. Here’s my advice. Go into your library, have a seat at your desk, pull out your 9mm and aim it at your head, then pull the trigger…….
Ed, taking such action would result in my certain death. I, sir, want to live to flip and flop another day. You seem to be tounging down Leo over this Palin matter. Relax, the base is fired up, the election will come down to a few hundred thousand people in PA,OH MI, FL. Palin can swing these people, its the only chance McCain has, a big but necessary gamble. I had picked up a lot of ground over Gore in these states in 04, Imagine what Obama will do there. But dont worry, there’s stuff going to come out about Barry in october, it will make the Palin stuff irrelevant.
John Kerry with a pistol in the Conservatory
Today I finally realized that I am not a Republican. I’ve voted Republican but I really can’t identify myself with the Evangelicals who seem to run this party.
Creationism, abstinence, pro life is only part of what I don’t agree with.
Yet I am definitely not a Democrat, with their cradle to grave philosophy. Hey John Kerry tell me you’ve got enough of everything so tell me why are you a Democrat?
Vrooom
Yo Ed John Kerry is from Massachusetts. Nuf said. Home of a family of rich well to do do gooders. They feel guilty about their wealth so they go to Washington to take other peoples money.
Tires changed. Go to go!
Vrooom
Dick Chainey is looking pretty good about now in this bunch of 4 stiffs.
Topped off fuel. Got to go!
Unlike my brother Hurricane Carter I only killed twenty odd people during my rampage across the path of my destruction. I hope you all appreciate my intervention of the republican convention. I know Sarah Palin does. What is worse than than a bunch of Democrats getting together, it’s a bunch of Republicans getting together. If only I had some brothers and sisters that could help you put an end to this ungodly election process. Oh wait I do. There’s Hannah, then Ike, and Josephine.
Good luck everybody!!
I guess we have to be careful what we ask for. We ask for FREE AIR and we get Hurricane Gustav. Someone is not listening carefully enough. We want that big, free air compressor in the sky, not some 60mph, tropical depression.
Bloggers unite and don’t let a sock hurricane blow off its wind on this blog.
I personally wanted to drop by to comment after meeting Mr. Kane in St. Paul. Your lucky to have him reporting on events for you, even if he wouldn’t eat the pemmican my husband made out of a polar bear I shot while it was swimming in the Arctic Ocean. No ice, don’t you know! It makes them easier to shoot.
Anyway, thanks to those of you who are protecting me against viccious smears from the Demoncrats. They don’t understand what it’s like to be a real woman who has a daughter who is pregnant and who’s privacy must be respected. I worked hard as mayor and for the past few months as governor to make sure that teens have more opportunities to get pregnant and marry. It makes for strong families, and you see the value of that.
I will protect you from the Russians. I can do this as the leader of the Alaska National Guard. The Russians are just a few miles over the sea from Alaska, and I say bring em on!
Just remember that Hillary put millions of cracks in the glass ceiling, and I’m hear to break it. In closing, I am for world peace, puppies, and a gun for every home.
God bless Alaska and God bless the Republican Party!
Sarah nice to hear from you. Leo has been trashing you all day. First, it was the shreaks from Hillary that cracked the glass, not the votes. Secondly, don’t let your husband swim in the Arctic Ocean (MAJOR shrinkage).
I never had sexual intercourse with that woman, Bristol Palin. I never even smoked cigars with her.
Larry,hurricane gustav was overhyped and caused those poor people from neworleans to live in walmart and use johnny on the spot as a restroom,I’ve been worst in storms then that riding my schwinn letour back from cape may in the summer of ‘77 I rode right thru it with one stop at big bill’s custard stand on rt 73,fema did not try to rescue me,red cross drove right by me and the salvation army was closed.
Larry,I hope you get to the bottom of the overhyped hurricane,I know you’re an expert on air.
Vrooom
Jack I can remember Talladega back in 1999. It was a category 3 hurricane. Hurricane Georges. They put the yellow flag out on the 56th lap but I never saw it. I drove another 194 laps all by myself only to find out that everyone in the stands had been evacuated and the race suspended. Only Ricky Bobby and I were still driving.
What does wet spandex smell like?
I did smoke some shorties with Jewel at one of her concerts in Anchorage. I did not inhale though.
Nice touch to introduce some Medal of Honor winners last night but aside from Bud Day,I didn’t recognize anyone.Same with the former POWs,thought I saw Leo Thorsness but couldn’t be sure.Anyone know if the attendee’s names were shown or if any stories today carry the names ?
OOOJ-Regarding Comrade Bloom,you left out smug.Could be he’s practicing for Attytood,or maybe he’s there with a different “nom de guerre”.
Back from travels in Europe. Great end of summer family break, but expensive. But there was free air at most petrol stations.
So I watched some of the RNC last night. Man have they got their work cut out for them. I laughed when Joe Lieberman talked about what a maverick McCain is and then cataloged what makes him a maverick. Every issue was one that his base rejects and most of which McCain also now rejects. Some maverick. He could not even choose the people he wanted to choose for his running mate, reported by sources close to his campaign to be Lieberman and McCain. Where is his backbone? Like they say, St. Paul underwent a conversion on the road to Damascus, and John McCain underwent a conversion on the road to St. Paul.
I read that Bush is pissed that McCain denied him his legacy, a chance to personally address the convention of the party that nominated him twice.
I’m amazed at the number of politicians posting here, Larry. Good work. This blog’s going to get some recognition yet.
YFAP, you’ve either broken the code or you were pulling our pud.
He’s starting to panic as the election is starting turm on Obama. Fred Thompson was classic last night.
Larry, you’ve got sock puppets up the wazoo here.
I’m looking forward to Palin’s speech. I wonder if she’ll talk about how she requested more than 12 times as much in earmarks per citizen last year via Ted Stevens, for a state that’s already flush with money from oil revenues, as Obama did for Illinois. Alaska was number one in the country last year in terms of earmarked dollars per citizen.
She’s a reformer? She’s against earmarks?
Where’s the beef?
And, uh, CT, I don’t think McCain was choosing himself as running mate. Ask Larry. It was Ridge. He got down on hsi knees before the socially conservative wing of his party.
his knees. sigh.
LB, you have no idea who McCain really wanted as his VP and neither does Larry.
As the LB Noise Machine drones on you’ll only serve to have fewer people read your blogs. I’m sensing real fear for the first time.
Palin may not be perfect but probability and history say that she’ll never be President starting as a VP. Obama would be unprepared from day one as the President.
Even Hillary had some experiences in the White House. Waiting for that 3AM call from Secret Service to come pick up Slick Willie.
After dismounting from my high horse let it be known that even the most naive can be forgiven for sticking the business end of their equipment into the reproductive site of a woman. While I continue to call for consequences, it is what it is……. Having sworn off McCain/Palin I am now back on the fence.
I am confident that either party would love to have my vote. I might even vote Republican just to cancel out Leo’s vote.
OOOJ, I’ve read those same reports CT is talking about. People involved in the campaign said McCain was going with Lieberman or Ridge until he faced threats of convention floor fights from social conservatives, who promised to reject Lieberman or Ridge. That seems to fit with the fact that McCain didn’t meet with Palin until near the end of last week, mere hours before he made the announcement.
I could care whether you read what I write OOOJ. The fear you’re sensing is coming from the Republican Party and it’s desperate thrashing to portray an obviously inexperienced politician who would be a far greater disaster than Bush for this country if she ever became president as a maverick reformer.
It’s really tough to argue that Palin was a smart pick. She’s going to speak tonihgt, so lets give the woman a chance to let us get to know her rather than the press define her. As much as I like her Pat Bucananesque views on just about everyhing, it seems the selection is alienating more voters than its attracting. Mitt Romnney would have been the best and most obvious pick, but I think McCain must just hate him for some reason, otherwise why roll the dice on Palin?
The Obama economic agenda will tip the economy into a deep recession. I actually dont mind if that happens as it will prove what most insightful people already know, plus reccsions present excellent opportunities to capitalize on the hardships of others, and that’s what has made this country great! Come to think about it, Obama is good for the country in that regard.
George, McCain couldn’t pick Romney. Romney owns even more houses than McCain does. While he might have brought some economic credibility to a ticket that now has almost less than none, I think he would have driven away a lot of average voters, who might have found the GOP ticket even more aloof with him on it.
I’m just waiting for Sarah Palin to make the comment that she’s been abducted by aliens and probed. She wasn’t vetted, so I’m hopeful she’s got that up her sleeve.
Comrade Bloom-You mean “a far greater disaster thean Obama “,correct ?
OOOJ-It’s just my work computer,not my home computer.Right now I’m on someone else’s here in work.Larry hasn’t put the same virus on this one.
No, YBP, I don’t think the GOP is trying to portray Obama as a maverick reformer.
They tried to question his experience. Now they’ve got someone with less than two years experience in an idiosyncratic state that’s entire population is so low that there are fourteen cities with greater populations and more complicated social issues, including Chicago. Pigeons come home to roost, and Sarah is covered with pigeon crap.
Come on Leo, they don’t have pigions in Alaska! How about, “She’s got moose dung in her hiking boot treads” that might be more apropos.
The house count with Mitt would surely break 10, but they could have gotten past that. I think McCain just hates him, plus Mitt proved in primary that evangelicals didnt care for him either.
You know, Huckabee could have solved his problem with the base and that guy has beed pretty well vetted. I really don’t know what McCain is thinking, either genius or disaster, and its feeling like the latter, but let’s give the cutie a chance to speak tonight before we pile on her, as much as we’d like to do that in any event.
George, I agree that if the uncoventional social conservative was the card McCain wanted to play, Huckabee was probably the way to go.
By the way,Cindy was looking good last night,eh ? What a contrast to that hideous Michelle Obama.Not that that’s too important,just the fact that their opposite ends of the continuum is so apparent.
Big speech from Sarah Palin tonight.We should have a better feel after that.People attacking her lack of experience seem to overlook that she’s running for VP,not President.
I think if semi nude pics of Sarah Palin, even if from 20 years ago, surfaced on the internet she’d have to withdrawl. Hopefully McCain and company thought to ask her that one. Her oldest daughter and son appear to have wild streaks, and the husband was a party boy back in the day, so you’ve got to wonder what Sarah was doing in late 1970s early 80s, pretty recent era and it was wild back then. As a cheerleader and beauty contestant I doubt she considered how her actions then would play in 2008 as a VP candidate. She could be the first withdrawl since Thomas Eagleton, this is not looking good “my friends”,as McCain likes to say.
George-as long we are saved from seeing photos of the ice queen chelle obama and her big donkey.
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YBP-Cindy is very attractive lady but some of her outfits are for a younger woman or a barbie doll,I wonder how she would look in a gold pantsuit.
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Larry,it seems that Hillary Clinton supporters are flipping to John Mccain in record numbers,at the end of this race it may be Hillary that will beat obama after all.
George-Still kind of tame compared to what Backtrack was up to.And wait ’til the stories come out about Wright & Farrakhan getting money from Syria & Libya to finance Obama’s run for office.He’ll wish he was back as a life guard.I’m sorry,community organizer.
JR-That’s YAP,not YBP,to you.Leave the homo-erotic fantasies to Comrade Bloom.
Jack, you got your game on today my friend, I burst out laughing at your Cindy commentary.
I really don’t see too many Hillary supporters going over to Palin, at least the ones I’ve talked to, but I’m around a lot of northeast liberal woman that want; drive through on demand late term abortions without parental notification, and if baby is miraculouysly born alive then chase it around operating room and kill it etc.
I think independent woman who are not hung up on abortion rights will really identify with Palin as a loving mother and hard working professional woman. She may surprise on the upside, I’ve never been so uncertain about a candidate, but promise no “told you so’s”, Palin could be huge positive or negative, I just don’t know.
One thing for sure, Palin is no sour puss big ugly donkey zone that slaps her children around when they dont mind. Okay, that’s not fair, let’s strike the slapping children around so Leo doesn’t come after me with the broomstick again.
Mr. Kane, I’m betting a bottle of ketchup and a windsurfing lesson that Yankee Air Pirate and Jack Russell are two socks on the same body.
George, you’re right about Sarah Palin being a professional woman. You know the profession I’m talking about here. It’s an old one that I happen to like a lot.
The major theme I got last night from watching the GOP convention is that John McCain has fought a lot with Republicans during his career, and should therefore be elected President. The other major theme I got was that Barack Obama has fought a lot with Republicans during his career, and should therefore be denied the presidency.
What I didn’t hear was a single policy proposal more novel than copying Reagan like a desperately unprepared high schooler sitting next to him during a vocabulary test. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll actually see the fact that Republicans don’t have a coherent agenda for America besides prosecuting and arguing with themselves become, I don’t know, a narrative?
Now wouldn’t that be a twist ending?
JK-Negative.On the plus side,you didn’t throw Pat, (whoever that is)into the mix.Lots of speculation about you JR.Stand up for yourself.
M.Night Whatever-Stop watching CNN so much.Narrative was the word du jour among the talking heads last night.Would you describe the Democrats plan as coherent ? Seems like a pipe dream to me,which dovetails nicely with Backtrack & his background.
#82 is not the real John Kerry, just a Kerry wanna be, probaly voted for him though.
My bet is JR is always himself and never a sock puppet and YAP is a distict person, they have completely different styles. I consulted a forensic writing expert from the University of Pennsylvania, who also found Leo frequently poses as a sock puppet, most recently attacking Sarah Palin and her pro life views, appearing as “Pock Suppet” #98 post yesterday.
Vroom! Vroom!
Is this the new NASCAR event? I heard they was serving pemmican. I love some jerked meat.
#84, M Night post, also Leo!
M.Night-I overlooked you saying Obama has fought a lot with Republicans during his career.What career ? His career as a “community organizer” ? Lots of Republicans in Chicago,just like here in Philly.
George is swiftboating me. I am who I am.
Did someone order some country music? I like donkey zones, and I’m here to play.
Whoa. Maties,I’m nearly out of grog. Arrrrggggh. Me pegleg smarts & I’m be disembarking at penns landing,so deal with my parrot ye skurvy land lubbers.
Arrr. There be imposters afoot, says I. Ye’d find me on the Missipippi, but the foul winds turned me ship away. Arrr.
I heard there were some pirates here. Mmmm. Delicious!
I’m kind of enjoying Larry being away. It’s like in high school when the teacher is absent and they dont get a substitute, you can talk about whatever you want, or go out in the hall and wonder around, go get a snack in the cafeteria etc. No rush in coming home Larry, we’re getting along quite well without you, even Leo is playing nicely with others today.
I wager a tin of ship’s biscuit that McCain is the best maverick o the bunch of ye. In me travels, sees I many high-spirited men, but none so high in spirit as McCain. Were he to sport an eyepatch, I’d be proud to call him mate, and many adventures we’d have on the seven seas.
Uh, Larry, your blog is spinning out of control. You’ve got regulars making crude remarks about Michelle Obama, and “irregulars” popping up like toadstools. Some evidently are trying to discredit my posts by running interference. I won’t be discouraged by that. My smug, condescending posts will continue apace. FREE AIR! FREE TIBET! FREE BRISTOL PALIN!
Mr. Kane, we need some federal regulation here. I’m too rich to bother to do it myself. Backtrack will help you.
YAP-my mistake,and I like the community organizer comment.
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George-yes I forgot about that sourpuss face,lady obama is a very angry woman,I wonder if she slaps lord obama around.
***
John Kerry-negative,you flip flopper.
#98 is really leo, #99 is not really John Kerry, #100 is really Jack Russell
102 is really George.
#102 is not George.
From one Larry to another, did you see what that idiot Campbell Brown did to me? I lost my get on McCain because she mocked one of his guys. This will not stand.
Larry, you need to lock down this page and bar duplicate identities per IP address. Now someone has sock puppeted me here. It was funny for awhile, but it’s getting out of hand. It’s impeding serious discussion here. While that serious discussion might only involve FREE AIR, what good is it when all the “pirates” show up? I can’t even tell to whom I’m responding anymore.
It’s like McCain’s new strategy of blaming the media for vetting Sarah Palin simply because he didn’t have the time to do so. She’s above scrutiny because he says so? Because she’s a down-to-earth hockey mom? It makes no sense.
Guys,I like donkey zones too. How about my new MIL? More like MILF to you. But I already did! ka-ching!!!111!!!11! w00t!!!11!!!!1!11
#106 is leo.
Breaking News:Sock Puppets Gone Wild.
Led by a radical flame throwing liberal blogger.Details at 11.
Larry, liberal whine whine make them stop liberal whine whine.
I just dropped by to say that you all are doing fine work. Obama is a racist. Palin is the Virgin Mary. And I am Leo Bloom!
Sacre blue! New pirates ahoy! Protect Lady Liberty!
Barney,you said a mouthful my friend. Watch RNC with me tonight? I got Bartles & Jaymes.
Arrrggggh. Will no one invite a salty dog in to watch the speeches and finery? I likes bartles & james as well as me grog.
Le Sacques,you sissified french don’t stand a chance. Arrrrggggh. Have fun with nobama when McCain wins.
Jacques Le Sack-Mr.Savior Faire himself.Sacre bleu indeed,theese is the site for men,not such as yourself.
Ah, but there are some fine ladies in France. Ms. 16 millon votes doesn’t let me go there without a chaperone. I can’t even spread pate on my thighs and have them clean me off. I miss being president.
Eleven straight puppet post,might be a new record.
Who are you calling a puppet?
Join the dark side and become a liberal. Obama did. Leo did. Look how popular he is now. Hi, Leo, you handsome devil.
John, I’ll be there. Can we play pirates again? Will Theresa come out in a hunter’s outfit again and lecture me about gun control?
I know being a Liberal is just a phase but it’s a phase I seem to have missed.Gladly,I might add.
Pock Suppet-You are Leo,try to deny it.You love yourself.I know the Democrats plan to send you here to disrupt things failed.Backtrack & chelle chelle will lose.
Pock Suppet-How about another Hanoi Hilton story,with McCain and female KGB agents ? You tell such good ones when you smear him.
Brrrraaaaaainnnnnnssss!
Vroom
No one can puppet me. I am slik like Dupont teflon. I got a tee shirt car wash from Sarah and Bristol. They got my endorsement!
Leo, I must agree with you on locking down this page and controlling it better. It has in fact devolved into the Lord of the Flys and it turns out we, albeit arch enemies, must find a way to come together and save this blog. It was funny for a time, but it’s now just spam and utter silliness. If we stop posting LArry won’t have much of anything here (also with due respect to the others who post sensible things here)
Larry, with you away and no substitute teacher things were fun for awhile, but now some really bad kids have come into the class room and they are creating a disturbance and the principal is going to come and find that you did not leave a proper lesson plan or arrange for a substitute for your planned abscence. I know you think the union will protect you, but this is quite serious, do something Citizen Kane!
Leo-Something we can agree on.Who would’ve thought ?
I can’t believe George and I agreed about two things today.
Well, at least it looks like the sock puppet “surge” has petered out.
The last real post from me was #48. What the hell kind of blog do they run down there in Phildlelphia? Who is this Larry Kane anyway? My handlers told me he was a serious hard nosed news guy who told it like it is. He doesnt even report news or commnetary from the convention hes supposedly attending.
Why dont you pin heads pull your fingers out of your anuses and write something intelligent on here. I’m a smart Yalie, I dont know how to talk to row house people, its scary you guys actually get to vote, no wonder George Bush got two terms. Nimrods like you in Ohio cost me the damn election! I feel like making a virtual bowel movement in this blog as a token of my appreciation to the working class people of American and to those who are so stupid they serve in the U.S. military.
It is a first Leo, but I’m not too optimistc about tomorrow. I’m bracing myself for your reaction to Palin’s speech. Frankly, its quite exciting because never before has the country known less about a VP pick (maybe admiral Stockdale), or had such a short time line to accept or reject them. My bet is she does well and people warm up to her, but would not bet tire on it.
George, who needs reactions to a hastily scripted speech when you’ve got open mics?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/03/peggy-noonan-mike-murphy_n_123647.html
p.s. I don’t think that’s the real John Kerry. He’s much too aggressive.
Peggy Nonan said what most of us think, its up to Palin to disprove it, almost impossible at this point and by November.
Should Nancy Pelosi step down since she has five kids? Kids eventully take care of each other and the husband can quit his job and help out if they move to DC. Obama has spent very little time with his children over the last two years, but they seem fine and people dont hassle him about it, no one expects him to be too involved, not because he’s African American, but because he’s busy running for president.
I dunno. Are any of Nancy’s kids a few months old with Down’s and no parent who stays with them? Are any unmarried pregnant minors being thrust into the national spotlight because of Nancy’s political activities? I don’t think those are reasons for Palin to withdraw, but I don’t exactly see that as an apples and apples comparison.
Vrooom
Drill baby drill.
JK, can a sock puppet be impersonated by another sock puppet?
Time to tighten lugnuts. Go to go!
Vrooom
JK LK is in St Paul but hasn’t left his hotel room yet. He’s sitting in his underwear eating Cheetos drinking winecoolers and watching reruns.
Tires changed. Got to go!
Miss Congeniality can read. I guess that’s on the list of VP qualifications. Good job, Sarah.
Larry,Palin hit a grandslam she bitch slapped obama last night made look like a community organize with foam columns,but her comment about John Mccain going from a 4 foot by 6 foot box to the white house was great it made you feel proud of America.
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look out joe biden she’s coming after you next.
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Rudy G. was very good too made obama and biden sound the laurel and hardy.and biden should get that vp in writing…
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Leo get out from under your bed you loser,to attack mccain’s military record is cowardly and un-American
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Larry,I hope you comment about this on your next post.
LB, so nice of you to approve of her reading. I’m sure that made her night. I’m sure it ruined Obama’s night though.
McCain’s campaign is hiding her from the media for a week. Great confidence. She read a speech she didn’t write, but one which did contain numerous distortions. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check
Anyone who thought Rudy gave a good speech needs to have his head examined. Clipped delivery, awkward timing, and poorly executed attacks don’t make a good speech.
A pitch perfect speech from Sarah Palin, she knocked it out of the park! Unborn and disabled children are rejoicing across the nation this morning.
Now we just have to see if delivering a great speech translates into being a strong candidate that thinks on her feet. We’ll see soon enough.
The irony of Palin getting ripped after giving a great speech is too much.Obama is in a position to win the Presidency based on having given a good speech four years ago.Liberals are such hypocrites.
Looks like McCain out smarted the liberally biased media this time. Obama must be scrathcing his head, saying “What they talkin bout Willis?”
YBP, Obama wasn’t running for VP four years ago.
Have you seen that McCain actually has criticized Palin for pork-barrell earmarks she requested as mayor of Wasilla and as governor of Alaska? Her speech was disingenuous in many respects, although it will play well with people on the right.
Also, watch for a backlash on the “star is born” refrain in the media. I guess she’s now a political celebrity on the right who can be put in attack commercials with Jamie Lynn Spears.
Speaking of Jamie Lynn Spears, did you see any of the clips featuring right wingers attacking her for getting pregnant out of wedlock? Those same right wingers are praising Bristol Palin just a few months later for getting pregnant out of wedlock. Talk about hypocrites.
Mothers of pregnant daughters make strange bedfellows. Liberal and conservative woman who’s daughters have suffered an abortion make stange bedfellows. John Kerry and Barney Frank make great bedfellows.
Right you are,Comrade Bloom.He wasn’t running for VP four years ago,his Presidential campaign had already begun.Of course the only people who know this were Obama,Ayers,Wright,Farrakhan & his benefactors in Libya & Syria.
YBP, are you sure you’re the pirate? You’re more like a parrot sitting on the shoulder of the right wing noise machine.
Who is YBP Leo?
I don’t know who “YBP Leo” is. Is that a sock puppet?
Larry, the inmates have taken over the asylum. Send help.
“YPB Leo” is the new sock puppet who is male, but dresses in a female sock and presents himself as a female sock puppet on blogs.
Things have declined so much in here its hard to know what’s real and imaginary without Larry’s guidence. He’s going to say positive things about Palin (now that its safe and prudent) then say he’s looking forward to the debate, where he secretly believes his buddy Joe Biden will take her apart. Not so fast Lars…You must be beside yourself because McCain was one of the few Republicans you could have suppported, but now- not so much. What say you Mr Kane?
I forgot to say “community organizer” and then burst out laughing. Better yet, get a friend to say the term when you’re eating and drinking, then spit the food and drink out while laughing hysterically. That’s how this election will be won, in the VFW posts and knitting circles of rural America, one long spewing of food and drink to the punch line- community organizer- rural white folks get the joke!
On post 146,his is intended to modify Obama,not Farrakhan.Grammar rules seem to be escaping me.
Yeah, George, it’s another Republican governor with nothing to offer other than insulting people who try to help and scaring uneducated whites about people who are different than they are. Great politics. I especially like the speakers who keep attacking the bad work the Republican administration has done for the past eight years as if it’s a Washington thing and not a “Mr. Bush, the last outsider governor, goes to Washington” thing. It’s empty rhetoric that only speaks to the worst in Americans. Kudos to the Republican party for perpetuating the techniques what Leni Riefenstal and her pals did so well with in Germany. Country first!
You’re right Leo, but now can I just say: Community Organizer! baaa ha ha ha haa haa,haha ha… I need a napkin to wipe up all the chewed food and soda I just spewed out… please just dont say it again, I’m sore from laughing so hard.
But seriously Leo, you’re pretty much right. Who isn’t scared of Obama and Biden, they are credible characters, that’s that hasnt been in Republican opposition for a number of years, thank God for the community organizer punch line or we’d have nothing!
George-that community organizer punch line is pretty pretty funny:)
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Larry,you’re your report is turning into the modern version of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and we all know who Randle McMurphy is.
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did you say community organizer? LOLOLOLOL.
Country First
Why is it that the “empty rhetoric” charge only applies to Republicans ? If you could give me examples of substance (not outright lies ) coming from Obama’s speeches,I’d be glad to listen.But I will give you style points for hiding the Nazi cliche behind a filmaker.The sock puppets will have to extropolate their own meaning.
Empty rhetoric. “We understand the common working people and their struggles”:
Laura Bush
Oscar de la Renta suit: $2,500
Stuart Weitzman heels: $325
Pearl stud earrings: $600–$1,500
Total: Between $3,425 and $4,325
Cindy McCain
Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100
Uneducated schlubs who buy GOP empty rhetoric and false statements? Priceless.
Re: community organizer, there are two ways a population that needs help can try to get it from a government that is out of touch. On the one hand, they can organize and, by bringing their voices together, bring about change. That’s what’s responsible for just about every workplace protection and civil right enjoyed today. That’s the kind of work Obama did in Chicago.
On the other hand, they can hire corrupt lobbyists connected to Jack Abramoff and Ted Stevens and get millions of dollars in earmarks to expand government. That’s what Sarah Palin did as mayor of Wasilla–drawing specific mentions for Wasilla on McCain’s lists of the most egregious pork projects–and as governor of Alaska, where she requested more dollars in earmarks per citizen than any other governor or senator in the country. That’s reform? Drawing criticism from the “Maverick” makes you a maverick?
The image they’re trying to sell for her is a lie. It’s all surface. Frankly, I don’t think she’s going to be able to keep it up for two months outside of an audience that was primed for the disingenuous attacks she was leveling.
Oh she’ll be able to keep it up , because guys like me, JR, and YAP will be keeping it up everytime she talks. We believe in her Leo. Everything you say ,no matter how smart and insightful is lost on us. We’re like little kids that put our index fingers in our ears and talk when someone trys to tell us something important. We’re rubber and you’re glue, everything you say bouces off of us and sticks to you. Did you guys hear the one about the “community organizer” ? ….bahaaa haahhaahahahahaahahahahaahahhahahaha!
Country First
I just assumed “Leo Bloom ” was a man.But since you know the price of an Oscar de la Renta dress (frankly,even the name )obviously that’s not the case.So those aren’t homo-erotic fantasies you have,just fantasies.
George-You started something.Community Organizer now has a whole different meaning for me.No longer will I confuse it with lifeguard.
I’m glad to hear you admit ignorance and bigotry, George, as well as to hear you praise them as virtues. I’d expect nothing less. The right wing noise machine will try to support Palin, despite the glaring factual flaws in her speech and the troubling inconsistencies in her record. You’re right about that. The game has to be about something other than issues, as McCain’s campaign admitted, because McSame/Failin’ are dead losers with the American people on the issues. So the Rove ploy of instilling fear and hate plays out again. If people are stupid enough to fall for it again, we can count on getting more of the same poor government from another Republican administration. China will end up owning us. That’ll be fun for NASCAR nation.
Comrade Bloom-Your passionate responses notwithstanding,don’t you see how both side’s arguments can be turned around ? You’re guilty of the same things.
Leo, why resort to name calling? You now have cutsie names for McCain and Palin, you’ve called me an ignorant bigot, you’ve said terribly gender biased things about Palin and her daughter before you could have possbly known enough about them.
I dont get it, you’ve raised petty name calling to a high art form, you seem to be engaging in semantic masterbation to come off as clever and informed, which you are, but you’re losing us with the meaness and gotcha politics of the left. Try a kinder gentler approach like father Bush pursued, in retrospect it wasn’t too bad, compared to his son’s compassionate conservatism. Leo the lion has a heart of gold. How’s that for kinder and gentler? or do you have some problem being compared to a lion, precious metals and a body part? I bet you do, and that my friend is why a regular woman like Sarah Palin will capture the hearts and minds of regular Americans who don’t get Barrack Obama. Its that simple, all of the bluster from us doesnt matter to those people, they dont care what we think, or Tom Brokaw et al. They vote with their gut and Sarah connects, as does John McCain.
George, gender biased things? By questioning a parent’s judgment thrusting a pregnant teen child into the national spotlight? Amazing, George. That’s not remotely close to gender bias.
You proclaimed yourself ignorant and bigoted when you claimed not to be able to listen to any argument whatsoever. That’s the definition of ignorance and bigotry. I think you said you were “like little kids that put our index fingers in our ears and talk when someone trys to tell us something important.” Your words, not mine.
And, yeah, why not use cutesy names for McSame/Failin’ if the right wing noise machine is going to crank up “Backtrack,” etc.? Why not be “fair & balanced” like Faux News?
I’m just waiting for people to make the connection between the Bush/Cowboy narrative in 2000 and the McCain/Maverick narrative in 2008. Old wine in even older bottles.
Maybe then you don’t get hyperbole, and self depricating humor. Do you really think I put my index fingers in my ears and talk when people are talking so I dont have to listen? If I really did that there would be no point in reading what you and others write. I’d just take those index fingers and do a John Kerry with them.
By the way, a new record number of posts today, anyone heard from Larry? I’m starting to get worried!
I’m here. I’m busy and George, are YOU ok?
I’m fine Larry, thanks for asking. Most exciting election in our life time. Check Peggy Noonan WSJ online editorial today, excellent take on Palin. Also she got caught with an open mic on MSNB and had to explain what she said. Leo brought it to my attention, I must admit. We’ve been having some fun here while you’re away, have a safe trip back.