Most Democrats, many Independents, and even a few Republicans flocked to Obama because he promised "Change" with a capital C. War on terror? Gone. Excess spending? Gone. Huge government, excesses? Gone. Earmarks? Gone. The schism between the two Parties? Gone.
Everyone from the media to the mindless masses swallowed his lines and gulped the kool-aide.
Now we're living with the reality of Obamavision.
War? Shift the troops to Afghanistan and pull 'em back from Iraq. When are the troops coming home? Roughly the same time President Bush said they'd be coming home and a bit further out than Obama originally promised.
Excess spending? Without the stimulus-porkulus-scamulus package Obama's budget still, especially coupled with the $410 billion Omnibus package and all the other bits he's doling out, makes Bush look like Ebenezer Scrooge.
Cutting back on government? Hold on, I am having to laugh at this one... picture busy little bees building glorious hives, ever expanding hives, bzzzzz, bzzzz... except the end result sure isn't going to be sweet. Maybe a better analogy would have been the killer ants that sweep through areas decimating them.
Earmarks? He stood strong on that one for all of about ten seconds didn't he? Have you ever heard such a lame excuse as the one he is using to justify the signing of the killer Omnibus (if it gets through, when it gets through). He's not going to veto the bill that President Bush said he'd veto because it was something that got started during the "I'll veto it" Bush administration. Wouldn't it make a bit more sense to say, well, President Bush wouldn't approve it during his administration, and I don't believe in earmarks, so I will veto it unless you strip the earmarks?
I wish every Republican who had an earmark in the Omnibus would stand up and ask to have it dropped from the bill. Wouldn't that say something? It would also take "true grit" and we know that's something many of our Republicans haven't got. Yet.
Kumbaya, love and happiness between the Republicans and Democrats? Sure, Obama said he was a miracle worker. Then he starts pumping out advanced socialism (as opposed to socialism 101), starts printing money like it's not real, raids the kids piggy banks for generations to come, ignores the Republicans, goes on a rampage to reverse every good thing President Bush and / or the Republicans ever did and then invites everyone to share a group hug. Kind of hard to hug someone who's slapping and kicking you.
So now Obama is channeling Cheney in regards to wire-tapping according to the Wall Street Journal. Anyone surprised?
You know, if he weren't destroying the country with all his actions, I'd be laughing at the fools who voted for this man. I'd be saying "I told you so." You wanted change? However, while he may not be keeping those campaign promises that drew the crowds, he's making other changes that are bad-news serious. Seems he's managing to alienate people on both sides of the aisle. An equal opportunity destructo machine.
Based on the poll numbers it appears that many are still in la-la land when it comes to seeing the reality of what's going on. Obama is out there campaigning and selling his wares just as successfully it seems. I pray our fellow citizens wake up before his actions take us too far over the brink.
Obama Channels Cheney
The Obama Administration this week released its predecessor's post-9/11 legal memoranda in the name of "transparency," producing another round of feel-good Bush criticism. Anyone interested in President Obama's actual executive-power policies, however, should look at his position on warrantless wiretapping. Dick Cheney must be smiling.
In a federal lawsuit, the Obama legal team is arguing that judges lack the authority to enforce their own rulings in classified matters of national security. The standoff concerns the Oregon chapter of the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, a Saudi Arabian charity that was shut down in 2004 on evidence that it was financing al Qaeda. Al-Haramain sued the Bush Administration in 2005, claiming it had been illegally wiretapped.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123638765474658467.html?mod=djemEditorialPage
Showing posts with label earmarks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earmarks. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
He Who Has Earmarks, Let Him Hear
And now, back to our regularly scheduled spending. One week after the shock of the $1.3 trillion stimulus hit home, President Obama and his party are back at it, promoting fiscal responsibility while exercising anything but. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), fresh from her taxpayer-funded vacation, lifted the veil on a $410 billion omnibus bill that fails to live up to the President's campaign promises of "earmark reform."
"[W]hen I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely," he told a crowd in Mississippi last year. Of course, the irony is that Congress introduced a bill with 9,000 earmarks on the same day that the President delivered a speech to economists on spending restraint. "[I]f we want to spend, we'll need to find somewhere to cut," the President suggested Monday, mere days after he signed the biggest spending bill in U.S. history. At the same meeting, Obama vowed to reduce the deficit by half in his first term, which would be a real feat considering that he has already expanded it by roughly a trillion dollars. Got vertigo yet?
Liberals claim the omnibus, now under review in the House, is pork-free. The evidence suggests otherwise. A portion of the $5 billion in earmarks is slated to fund: a "Tattoo Removal Violence Prevention Outreach Program" ($200,000); the creation of a "Ted Kennedy Institute for the Senate" ($5.8 million); the National Council of LaRaza ($473,000); "the promotion of astronomy in Hawaii" ($2 million); and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum ($143,000), where Sen. Harry Reid's son served as a board member.
The flagrant waste, while upsetting, is far less damaging to values voters than the shifts in social policy, which often go undetected in spending bills like this one. Of particular concern to FRC are the diminished pro-life "riders" attached to the legislation. (For a better understanding of the term "rider," check out the FRC Action Blog). Unfortunately, we learned yesterday that the President has reinstated $50 million for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA). For the first time in eight years, the U.S. will be knowingly subsidizing forced abortion and sterilization.
The President demanded $545 million ($88 million more than 2008) in contraceptives and other "family planning" activities that do not merit public support. In a major setback for the Community-Based Abstinence Education program, the White House asked for a $13 million reduction in CBAE grants, while increasing its funding for Title X birth control programs to $307 million. Another provision would give college health and abortion clinics the ability to purchase contraception and Plan B at a "nominal" price. (Keep in mind that leaders are proposing this while a network of California Planned Parenthood clinics is under investigation for fraudulently re-selling these same drugs at higher prices for profit.)
On the education front, the bill includes language that would eliminate the D.C. school voucher program and bars new students from participating in the program despite its documented success. In a subtle move, House liberals have also pushed for $1.2 billion in "anti-bullying programs." In the past, these funds have been used to introduce pro-homosexual curricula into the nation's public schools. Last, but by no means least, the report language launches a sneak attack on marriage by encouraging reconsideration of the ban on benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees.
Tonight, despite these assaults on American values, the President will address the nation with the familiar themes of hope, camaraderie, and optimism. But, as we have come to expect in Obama's first month, the rhetoric of this administration falls miserably short of reality.
Additional Resources Kitchen Table Blog: What Exactly are Pro-life Riders?
Tony Perkins
Family Research Council:
801 G Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
P: 202/393-2100 or 800/225-4008
W: frc.org
"[W]hen I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely," he told a crowd in Mississippi last year. Of course, the irony is that Congress introduced a bill with 9,000 earmarks on the same day that the President delivered a speech to economists on spending restraint. "[I]f we want to spend, we'll need to find somewhere to cut," the President suggested Monday, mere days after he signed the biggest spending bill in U.S. history. At the same meeting, Obama vowed to reduce the deficit by half in his first term, which would be a real feat considering that he has already expanded it by roughly a trillion dollars. Got vertigo yet?
Liberals claim the omnibus, now under review in the House, is pork-free. The evidence suggests otherwise. A portion of the $5 billion in earmarks is slated to fund: a "Tattoo Removal Violence Prevention Outreach Program" ($200,000); the creation of a "Ted Kennedy Institute for the Senate" ($5.8 million); the National Council of LaRaza ($473,000); "the promotion of astronomy in Hawaii" ($2 million); and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum ($143,000), where Sen. Harry Reid's son served as a board member.
The flagrant waste, while upsetting, is far less damaging to values voters than the shifts in social policy, which often go undetected in spending bills like this one. Of particular concern to FRC are the diminished pro-life "riders" attached to the legislation. (For a better understanding of the term "rider," check out the FRC Action Blog). Unfortunately, we learned yesterday that the President has reinstated $50 million for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA). For the first time in eight years, the U.S. will be knowingly subsidizing forced abortion and sterilization.
The President demanded $545 million ($88 million more than 2008) in contraceptives and other "family planning" activities that do not merit public support. In a major setback for the Community-Based Abstinence Education program, the White House asked for a $13 million reduction in CBAE grants, while increasing its funding for Title X birth control programs to $307 million. Another provision would give college health and abortion clinics the ability to purchase contraception and Plan B at a "nominal" price. (Keep in mind that leaders are proposing this while a network of California Planned Parenthood clinics is under investigation for fraudulently re-selling these same drugs at higher prices for profit.)
On the education front, the bill includes language that would eliminate the D.C. school voucher program and bars new students from participating in the program despite its documented success. In a subtle move, House liberals have also pushed for $1.2 billion in "anti-bullying programs." In the past, these funds have been used to introduce pro-homosexual curricula into the nation's public schools. Last, but by no means least, the report language launches a sneak attack on marriage by encouraging reconsideration of the ban on benefits for same-sex partners of federal employees.
Tonight, despite these assaults on American values, the President will address the nation with the familiar themes of hope, camaraderie, and optimism. But, as we have come to expect in Obama's first month, the rhetoric of this administration falls miserably short of reality.
Additional Resources Kitchen Table Blog: What Exactly are Pro-life Riders?
Tony Perkins
Family Research Council:
801 G Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
P: 202/393-2100 or 800/225-4008
W: frc.org
Stop the Bailouts Petiton
"No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law..."—Article 1, Section 9, the Federal Constitution.
http://stopbailouts.net/
Petition to the 111th Congress of the United States
Whereas, the United States Congress has otherwise appropriated, committed, borrowed, and printed some $10 trillion throughout 2008 and into 2009 over and above the regular budget, and
Whereas the bulk of these funds have been used to “bailout” or otherwise subsidize banks, financial firms, delinquent homeowners, and other institutions, and
Whereas, all of this record-setting expenditure has been borrowed funds not otherwise available to the Treasury of the United States, and
Where, the conditions leading to the current financial crisis were created by government and are a direct result of 15 years of flawed fiscal, monetary and social policy,
Now therefore, we the undersigned citizens of the United States do hereby call on Congress to take the following immediate actions:
1. Insist that all funds expended or committed by any agency or authorized agent of the United States be subject to a public vote of the elected Congress.
2. Undertake an immediate investigation of exactly how all funds have been spent, to whom the Federal Reserve has issued loans and the terms of such loans, and otherwise make the entire process of the financial bailout completely transparent.
3. Block all moves by the Obama Administration to hand homeowners of mortgages in default or near default a reduction in principle of the amount of the mortgage.
4. Bring an immediate end to the bailout and subsidies for firms and individuals who have made bad decisions and allow market forces to find the appropriate price level of housing and securities to enable the market to again function.
http://stopbailouts.net/
http://stopbailouts.net/
Petition to the 111th Congress of the United States
Whereas, the United States Congress has otherwise appropriated, committed, borrowed, and printed some $10 trillion throughout 2008 and into 2009 over and above the regular budget, and
Whereas the bulk of these funds have been used to “bailout” or otherwise subsidize banks, financial firms, delinquent homeowners, and other institutions, and
Whereas, all of this record-setting expenditure has been borrowed funds not otherwise available to the Treasury of the United States, and
Where, the conditions leading to the current financial crisis were created by government and are a direct result of 15 years of flawed fiscal, monetary and social policy,
Now therefore, we the undersigned citizens of the United States do hereby call on Congress to take the following immediate actions:
1. Insist that all funds expended or committed by any agency or authorized agent of the United States be subject to a public vote of the elected Congress.
2. Undertake an immediate investigation of exactly how all funds have been spent, to whom the Federal Reserve has issued loans and the terms of such loans, and otherwise make the entire process of the financial bailout completely transparent.
3. Block all moves by the Obama Administration to hand homeowners of mortgages in default or near default a reduction in principle of the amount of the mortgage.
4. Bring an immediate end to the bailout and subsidies for firms and individuals who have made bad decisions and allow market forces to find the appropriate price level of housing and securities to enable the market to again function.
http://stopbailouts.net/
Rep. Jeff Flake’s anti-earmark resolution up today
Floor Update:
We have begun up to one hour of debate on the Rule to provide consideration for H.R. 1105 – Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. We then expect another series of votes at approximately 1:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Following votes, we expect to proceed with up to one hour of general debate on H.R. 1105 – Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. We then expect another series of votes.
The House may then begin up to forty minutes of consideration on the suspension bill H.Res. 183 - Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. Following suspension debate, we expect to consider the Rep. Flake (R-AZ) Privileged Resolution. We then expect our final series of votes.
Article (via RedState, please subscribe, good articles & tips, http://www.redstate.com/):
Rep. Flake targets earmarks amidst PMA controversy
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), the House’s most vocal critic of pork barrel spending, is trying to shake the ethics committee into action on the link between earmarks and campaign contributors.
We have begun up to one hour of debate on the Rule to provide consideration for H.R. 1105 – Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. We then expect another series of votes at approximately 1:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Following votes, we expect to proceed with up to one hour of general debate on H.R. 1105 – Consolidated Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009. We then expect another series of votes.
The House may then begin up to forty minutes of consideration on the suspension bill H.Res. 183 - Expressing condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims of the crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407. Following suspension debate, we expect to consider the Rep. Flake (R-AZ) Privileged Resolution. We then expect our final series of votes.
Article (via RedState, please subscribe, good articles & tips, http://www.redstate.com/):
Rep. Flake targets earmarks amidst PMA controversy
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), the House’s most vocal critic of pork barrel spending, is trying to shake the ethics committee into action on the link between earmarks and campaign contributors.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
We knew the spending bill had earmarks... but 9,000?
Change. Reform. A different Washington. Hope. No more earmarks. Cut wasteful spending.
There is change. It's now worse than ever. He says one thing, does the complete opposite. When is America going to wake up? Tea Party? I hope the Tea Party is HUGE. I hope mainstream media actually covers it. They're ignoring all the protests being held when Obama shows up to mouth his empty words.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/stimulus_bill_earmarks/2009/02/23/184512.html?s=al&promo_code=7AD3-1
Obama's New Spending Bill Has 9,000 Earmarks
William Douglas and David Lightman, McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — During the 2008 presidential campaign, candidates Barack Obama and John McCain fought vigorously over who would be toughest on congressional earmarks.
"We need earmark reform," Obama said in September during a presidential debate in Oxford, Miss. "And when I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely."
President Barack Obama should prepare to carve out a lot of free time and keep the coffee hot this week as Congress prepares to unveil a $410 billion omnibus spending bill that's riddled with thousands of earmarks, despite his calls for restraint and efforts on Capitol Hill to curtail the practice.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/stimulus_bill_earmarks/2009/02/23/184512.html?s=al&promo_code=7AD3-1
There is change. It's now worse than ever. He says one thing, does the complete opposite. When is America going to wake up? Tea Party? I hope the Tea Party is HUGE. I hope mainstream media actually covers it. They're ignoring all the protests being held when Obama shows up to mouth his empty words.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/stimulus_bill_earmarks/2009/02/23/184512.html?s=al&promo_code=7AD3-1
Obama's New Spending Bill Has 9,000 Earmarks
William Douglas and David Lightman, McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — During the 2008 presidential campaign, candidates Barack Obama and John McCain fought vigorously over who would be toughest on congressional earmarks.
"We need earmark reform," Obama said in September during a presidential debate in Oxford, Miss. "And when I'm president, I will go line by line to make sure that we are not spending money unwisely."
President Barack Obama should prepare to carve out a lot of free time and keep the coffee hot this week as Congress prepares to unveil a $410 billion omnibus spending bill that's riddled with thousands of earmarks, despite his calls for restraint and efforts on Capitol Hill to curtail the practice.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/stimulus_bill_earmarks/2009/02/23/184512.html?s=al&promo_code=7AD3-1
Monday, October 27, 2008
McCain-Palin - I can't wait to see them in the White House!
Isn't it going to be great in January when John McCain and Sarah Palin move into the White House? I can't wait for the changes we're going to see!
I know everyone keeps dumping on how minute the earmarks are, but to me they're a big thing. It speaks to the mindset of those we've elected, their ego, their need for power, their need to stay elected and their lack of concern for our hard-earned tax dollars.
I saw a thing today from the Wall Street Journal comparing the tax plans of Barack Obama and John McCain. It spelled out very clearly how much better McCain's plan will be for all, not just the few.
I'm in the process of re-reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I highly recommend it to everyone. I don't agree with everything she puts forth, but I think it is a timely read given what we're hearing from the Obama campaign.
I am hearing more and more enthusiasm for our ticket! Today while scanning through blogs and email messages I saw the news about the W.A.M. '08 group (http://www.wam08.org/ I think). This is a group of thousands and thousands and thousands of Independent, Democrat and Republican groups and individuals working together to get McCain-Palin elected.
Then I received an update from http://www.teamsarah.org/ and saw the huge increases in numbers overnight! It jumped 10,000 in just one day! Impressive don't you think?
And then I saw the post by one of my fellow bloggers about the http://www.catholicvote.org/ (or .com?) group that is over a million strong. Pro-LIFE, which should mean pro-McCain-Palin.
There are many, many people who are working hard, doing things that aren't making it into the mainstream media. We can do this friends, we can and will win on Nov. 4th! Start thinking about all the great things the future holds for us with Sarah Palin out there working to make us oil independent! She's going to be a superb advocate for our special needs children, too.
Palin and McCain are going to be able to make great strides in Washington to clean up the rabble. I think they'll probably be fighting a Democrat Congress, but in two years if we keep working we can hand them enough votes to work miracles during the last two years of this term.
I noted that Priests for Life (Catholic group) is asking members to pray every night for the right choice on Nov. 4th (or something like that). I think all Christians and those of any praying faith should be joining them in sending up prayers for wisdom for voters.
Loved the slogan I heard shouted out today at a Palin rally: Use your brain, vote McCain! Catchy.
I know everyone keeps dumping on how minute the earmarks are, but to me they're a big thing. It speaks to the mindset of those we've elected, their ego, their need for power, their need to stay elected and their lack of concern for our hard-earned tax dollars.
I saw a thing today from the Wall Street Journal comparing the tax plans of Barack Obama and John McCain. It spelled out very clearly how much better McCain's plan will be for all, not just the few.
I'm in the process of re-reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I highly recommend it to everyone. I don't agree with everything she puts forth, but I think it is a timely read given what we're hearing from the Obama campaign.
I am hearing more and more enthusiasm for our ticket! Today while scanning through blogs and email messages I saw the news about the W.A.M. '08 group (http://www.wam08.org/ I think). This is a group of thousands and thousands and thousands of Independent, Democrat and Republican groups and individuals working together to get McCain-Palin elected.
Then I received an update from http://www.teamsarah.org/ and saw the huge increases in numbers overnight! It jumped 10,000 in just one day! Impressive don't you think?
And then I saw the post by one of my fellow bloggers about the http://www.catholicvote.org/ (or .com?) group that is over a million strong. Pro-LIFE, which should mean pro-McCain-Palin.
There are many, many people who are working hard, doing things that aren't making it into the mainstream media. We can do this friends, we can and will win on Nov. 4th! Start thinking about all the great things the future holds for us with Sarah Palin out there working to make us oil independent! She's going to be a superb advocate for our special needs children, too.
Palin and McCain are going to be able to make great strides in Washington to clean up the rabble. I think they'll probably be fighting a Democrat Congress, but in two years if we keep working we can hand them enough votes to work miracles during the last two years of this term.
I noted that Priests for Life (Catholic group) is asking members to pray every night for the right choice on Nov. 4th (or something like that). I think all Christians and those of any praying faith should be joining them in sending up prayers for wisdom for voters.
Loved the slogan I heard shouted out today at a Palin rally: Use your brain, vote McCain! Catchy.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Even MORE from the press on the debate!
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos: "These guys came to play on each other's turf. It was really surprising to me is that John McCain came in here with a disadvantage on the economy. Barack Obama had a big advantage, yet I think he spent the 30 minutes very effectively pounding home the points that have to control spending and earmarks." (ABC News' "Vote 08: The Candidates Debate," 9/26/08)
· Stephanopoulos: "I thought other interesting stylistic differences, John McCain, good on emotion, good on establishing emotional connections with his stories." (ABC News' "Vote 08: The Candidates Debate," 9/26/08)
MSNBC's Pat Buchanan: "John McCain clearly won this battle on points. He was aggressive all evening long. He was very tough. He constantly portrayed Barack directly and indirectly as sort of weak and indecisive and inconstant making these statements. He also had a most powerful, emotional moments. I think that Wolfsborough story and that 640 guys re-upping in Iraq, and that woman giving him that bracelet--I think those things reached the heart and the gut. I will say this about Barack Obama. He did what he had to do in the sense that he came off as a tough fellow, a counterpuncher who would stand up to John McCain, and I think he helped himself in that regard, but overall I really think John McCain came off as the winner of this debate, but I go directly to Chris' point." (MSNBC's "Presidential Debate," 9/26/08)
"Obama To McCain: You're 'Absolutely Right'" (Susan Davis, "Obama To McCain: You're 'Absolutely Right,'" The Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" Blog, blogs.wsj.com, 9/26/08)
CBS' Jeff Greenfield: "I also think that McCain in the section on foreign policy also gave a strong performance when he said we can't snatch defeat from the jaws of victory." (CBS News' "Campaign '08 Presidential Debate," 9/26/08)
NBC's Tom Brokaw: "That was the most distinctive difference obviously once we got into the area of national security. John McCain bored in on Barack Obama. He's been reading the same polls we all have. There are grave reservations in most of the polls about whether Barack Obama has enough experience and whether he's qualified to be commander in chief. And tonight Senator McCain went right after that vulnerability in Barack Obama." (NBC's "Presidential Debate Coverage," 9/26/08)
The New York Times' David Brooks: "I think McCain was sharp and experienced." (PBS' "Post-Debate Analysis," 9/26/08)
The Politico's Jeanne Cummings: "When we moved into foreign affairs, clearly john McCain hit his stride. It is his strength, and he showed, demonstrated that he is quite knowledgeable." (PBS' "Post-Debate Analysis," 9/26/08)
ABC News' Rick Klein: "9:12 pm CT: ... This is another area where McCain is in his comfort zone. He's having a long discussion on the preconditions line." (Rick Klein, "Live Debate Blog," ABC News, blogs.abcnews.com, 9/26/08)
· Klein: "9:20 pm CT: Meaty discussion on Russia -- with lots and lots of Russian names for McCain to pronounce. If people care about this, McCain looks strong." (Rick Klein, "Live Debate Blog," ABC News, blogs.abcnews.com, 9/26/08)
MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell: "He [McCain] had a good night on the very issue of taxes and spending. He did seem to dominate the first 30 minutes." (MSNBC's "Presidential Debate," 9/26/08)
The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "10:19: McCain's strong on non-Iraq foreign policy issues." (Marc Ambinder, "The Debate: Liveblogging IV," The Atlantic's "Marc Ambinder" Blog, marcambinder.theatlantic.com, 9/26/08)
National Review Online's Jim Geraghty: "From where I sit, McCain had a surprisingly strong night." (Jim Geraghty, "A Surprisingly Strong Night For McCain, While Obama Energizes His Base," National Review Online's "The Campaign Spot" Blog, campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/26/08)
· Geraghty: "But the overall message of the night was clear - McCain is smart, familiar with the issues on a striking level of detail, knows what he wants to do: 'I don't think I need any on the job training. I'm ready to go right now... I know how to deal with our adversaries, and I know how to deal with our friends.'" (Jim Geraghty, "A Surprisingly Strong Night For McCain, While Obama Energizes His Base," National Review Online's "The Campaign Spot" Blog, campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/26/08)
· Stephanopoulos: "I thought other interesting stylistic differences, John McCain, good on emotion, good on establishing emotional connections with his stories." (ABC News' "Vote 08: The Candidates Debate," 9/26/08)
MSNBC's Pat Buchanan: "John McCain clearly won this battle on points. He was aggressive all evening long. He was very tough. He constantly portrayed Barack directly and indirectly as sort of weak and indecisive and inconstant making these statements. He also had a most powerful, emotional moments. I think that Wolfsborough story and that 640 guys re-upping in Iraq, and that woman giving him that bracelet--I think those things reached the heart and the gut. I will say this about Barack Obama. He did what he had to do in the sense that he came off as a tough fellow, a counterpuncher who would stand up to John McCain, and I think he helped himself in that regard, but overall I really think John McCain came off as the winner of this debate, but I go directly to Chris' point." (MSNBC's "Presidential Debate," 9/26/08)
"Obama To McCain: You're 'Absolutely Right'" (Susan Davis, "Obama To McCain: You're 'Absolutely Right,'" The Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" Blog, blogs.wsj.com, 9/26/08)
CBS' Jeff Greenfield: "I also think that McCain in the section on foreign policy also gave a strong performance when he said we can't snatch defeat from the jaws of victory." (CBS News' "Campaign '08 Presidential Debate," 9/26/08)
NBC's Tom Brokaw: "That was the most distinctive difference obviously once we got into the area of national security. John McCain bored in on Barack Obama. He's been reading the same polls we all have. There are grave reservations in most of the polls about whether Barack Obama has enough experience and whether he's qualified to be commander in chief. And tonight Senator McCain went right after that vulnerability in Barack Obama." (NBC's "Presidential Debate Coverage," 9/26/08)
The New York Times' David Brooks: "I think McCain was sharp and experienced." (PBS' "Post-Debate Analysis," 9/26/08)
The Politico's Jeanne Cummings: "When we moved into foreign affairs, clearly john McCain hit his stride. It is his strength, and he showed, demonstrated that he is quite knowledgeable." (PBS' "Post-Debate Analysis," 9/26/08)
ABC News' Rick Klein: "9:12 pm CT: ... This is another area where McCain is in his comfort zone. He's having a long discussion on the preconditions line." (Rick Klein, "Live Debate Blog," ABC News, blogs.abcnews.com, 9/26/08)
· Klein: "9:20 pm CT: Meaty discussion on Russia -- with lots and lots of Russian names for McCain to pronounce. If people care about this, McCain looks strong." (Rick Klein, "Live Debate Blog," ABC News, blogs.abcnews.com, 9/26/08)
MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell: "He [McCain] had a good night on the very issue of taxes and spending. He did seem to dominate the first 30 minutes." (MSNBC's "Presidential Debate," 9/26/08)
The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "10:19: McCain's strong on non-Iraq foreign policy issues." (Marc Ambinder, "The Debate: Liveblogging IV," The Atlantic's "Marc Ambinder" Blog, marcambinder.theatlantic.com, 9/26/08)
National Review Online's Jim Geraghty: "From where I sit, McCain had a surprisingly strong night." (Jim Geraghty, "A Surprisingly Strong Night For McCain, While Obama Energizes His Base," National Review Online's "The Campaign Spot" Blog, campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/26/08)
· Geraghty: "But the overall message of the night was clear - McCain is smart, familiar with the issues on a striking level of detail, knows what he wants to do: 'I don't think I need any on the job training. I'm ready to go right now... I know how to deal with our adversaries, and I know how to deal with our friends.'" (Jim Geraghty, "A Surprisingly Strong Night For McCain, While Obama Energizes His Base," National Review Online's "The Campaign Spot" Blog, campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/26/08)
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