Wonder how many gaffe's he'll make between now and the election? I guess we shamed them into letting him loose. They picked him, now the Obama has to live with him...
Biden Tells Reporters McCain Won’t Give Up
by Aaron Bruns
LIMA, OH — The muzzle is off.
Joe Biden stopped by a local burger joint for late night take-out, but wound up taking 12 minutes of questions from national reporters who haven’t been able to talk to the Delaware Senator since a flight to Kalispell, MT on September 7th — telling them he expects a tight race.
This election is going to be a lot closer than everybody thinks it is,” Biden said. “I think it’s going to be close in Florida, it’s going to be close here, it’s going to be close in Missouri, I think it’s going to close…I don’t think it will be that close in Pennsylvania, I feel very good about Pennsylvania.”
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/31/biden-tells-reporters-mccain-wont-give-up/
Friday, October 31, 2008
Re: Press shut down
"A Right Wing Conservative" asked what Obama would do to us on the blogosphere... I've already been wondering how long we'll have the luxury of using Blogger since the owner of Blogger is Google and the owner of Google is a staunch Obama supporter.
I know I get a bit paranoid at times with all this (at least I HOPE I'm being a bit paranoid), but when you see Obama in action and hear what he's telling us he's going to do, one has to worry about freedom of speech (among other things).
A lot of Dems / Liberals have been pushing the so-called "Fairness" Doctrine already. Bet that's one that comes up fairly quickly if we have Dems in control of all government bodies.
How long will it be before dissent or disagreement with Obama's policies becomes a national security risk and we all have to zip our mouths and quell our nimble fingers from typing on our keyboards?
"Lipstick Republican" pointed out something I missed --- "The shutdown began last week with the Obama campaign refusal to honor an interview appointment after Biden was asked something other than the usual softball questions. No major outcry over that, so this week they're going a little further. Which reporter gets muzzled next?"
We all know they're now "Hidin' Biden" to keep him from making any gaffes. I did see him today giving a scripted talk. I heard that Obama hasn't given an press availabilities for over a month, except the last time Biden gaffed and he was forced to talk candidly to the press.
I think the press is being patently stupid, no make that REALLY STUPID, by supporting someone who's going to turn on them before it's all said and done.
I know I get a bit paranoid at times with all this (at least I HOPE I'm being a bit paranoid), but when you see Obama in action and hear what he's telling us he's going to do, one has to worry about freedom of speech (among other things).
A lot of Dems / Liberals have been pushing the so-called "Fairness" Doctrine already. Bet that's one that comes up fairly quickly if we have Dems in control of all government bodies.
How long will it be before dissent or disagreement with Obama's policies becomes a national security risk and we all have to zip our mouths and quell our nimble fingers from typing on our keyboards?
"Lipstick Republican" pointed out something I missed --- "The shutdown began last week with the Obama campaign refusal to honor an interview appointment after Biden was asked something other than the usual softball questions. No major outcry over that, so this week they're going a little further. Which reporter gets muzzled next?"
We all know they're now "Hidin' Biden" to keep him from making any gaffes. I did see him today giving a scripted talk. I heard that Obama hasn't given an press availabilities for over a month, except the last time Biden gaffed and he was forced to talk candidly to the press.
I think the press is being patently stupid, no make that REALLY STUPID, by supporting someone who's going to turn on them before it's all said and done.
Obama Starts His Shut Down of the Press
He's already showing his leanings in many ways... now he's starting the typical shut down of the press that you expect to see in a regime.
The campaign has kicked three national newspapers who endorsed McCain off the campaign plane. New York Post, Dallas Morning News and Washington Times.
More as I get the facts...
The campaign has kicked three national newspapers who endorsed McCain off the campaign plane. New York Post, Dallas Morning News and Washington Times.
More as I get the facts...
Swaying the Last Minute Voters
We have just a few short days to get Sarah Palin and John McCain the votes they need to WIN on Tuesday. There's a lot of enthusiasm out there and I believe we can win.
If the enthusiasm that's there now had been there earlier it would be a land-slide win!!! We can do it, just keep trying, keep reaching out, and keep working to change the minds of any lager's and get those slowskies out to the polls.
How anyone could not know who they're voting for right now is beyond me, but there are many who are easily swayed, and sway they do... McCain, Obama, McCain, Obama... for many it's simply going to be a matter of who talks to them last about the election, which candidates calls them the most, the number of signs they see on lawns as they drive to the polls...
I have run or worked on a ton of local campaigns and I can tell you that in my informal exit polling, voters make choices for the dumbest of dumb reasons.
"He reminded me of my grandfather"
"He's cute"
"I was voting for my neighbor who's running for X and didn't know any of the other candidates so I just voted out the incumbent"
"I never vote for incumbents"
"She has more signs than anyone else"
"My aunt was voting for the other guy and I can't stand her"
Yep, I had people who really said some variation of all those, and they were willing to share.
Those are the voters that should be staying home in my estimation, but they are the ones who are the easiest to sway. If only we can reach them.
Obama's crowds are made up of many kool-ade drinkers. Many are simply followers and they are caught up in the idea of "change" without knowing what they're asking for with that "change".
Obama has done a great job of making himself the cool guy this election. I'm hoping there are enough thinking folks in our country who will look through the personae and vote with their brains.
Go visit www.JohnMcCain.com and go to the tab to the right about making phone calls. They give you a script and phone numbers to call. It's easy and it's fun! If you call during the day you're likely to get a recorder. Even if all you can do is make five calls and convince one person to vote for McCain, you will make a huge difference.
(BTW: Loved the Sarah Palin event earlier this week where everyone started shouting "Use Your Brains, Vote McCain." Wish we'd started with that one a lot earlier.)
If the enthusiasm that's there now had been there earlier it would be a land-slide win!!! We can do it, just keep trying, keep reaching out, and keep working to change the minds of any lager's and get those slowskies out to the polls.
How anyone could not know who they're voting for right now is beyond me, but there are many who are easily swayed, and sway they do... McCain, Obama, McCain, Obama... for many it's simply going to be a matter of who talks to them last about the election, which candidates calls them the most, the number of signs they see on lawns as they drive to the polls...
I have run or worked on a ton of local campaigns and I can tell you that in my informal exit polling, voters make choices for the dumbest of dumb reasons.
"He reminded me of my grandfather"
"He's cute"
"I was voting for my neighbor who's running for X and didn't know any of the other candidates so I just voted out the incumbent"
"I never vote for incumbents"
"She has more signs than anyone else"
"My aunt was voting for the other guy and I can't stand her"
Yep, I had people who really said some variation of all those, and they were willing to share.
Those are the voters that should be staying home in my estimation, but they are the ones who are the easiest to sway. If only we can reach them.
Obama's crowds are made up of many kool-ade drinkers. Many are simply followers and they are caught up in the idea of "change" without knowing what they're asking for with that "change".
Obama has done a great job of making himself the cool guy this election. I'm hoping there are enough thinking folks in our country who will look through the personae and vote with their brains.
Go visit www.JohnMcCain.com and go to the tab to the right about making phone calls. They give you a script and phone numbers to call. It's easy and it's fun! If you call during the day you're likely to get a recorder. Even if all you can do is make five calls and convince one person to vote for McCain, you will make a huge difference.
(BTW: Loved the Sarah Palin event earlier this week where everyone started shouting "Use Your Brains, Vote McCain." Wish we'd started with that one a lot earlier.)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sign the Fight FOCA Petition
www.fightfoca.com
Barack Obama made a promise.
Last year before the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Barack Obama told pro-abortion activists:
The first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.
SEE THE VIDEO IN THE RIGHT SIDEBAR (scroll down) —->
With a single stroke of the pen, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.
Twenty Senators (including Sen. Barack Obama) and 109 U.S. Representatives have co-sponsored this "Freedom of Choice Act." The stated aim of this legislation is to "end the abortion wars."
To these legislators, "ending the abortion wars" means allowing abortion for any reason, at any time, without any restriction or any regulation. This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support.
FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.
Americans United for Life (AUL), a pro-life law and policy organization, has prepared an analysis of the "Freedom of Choice Act." Please click here to read AUL Vice President & Legal Director Denise Burke’s analysis of this horrendous legislation.
Please add your name to the Fight FOCA petition and let your friends know about Barack Obama’s promise to expand abortion throughout the country.
www.fightfoca.com
Barack Obama made a promise.
Last year before the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Barack Obama told pro-abortion activists:
The first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.
SEE THE VIDEO IN THE RIGHT SIDEBAR (scroll down) —->
With a single stroke of the pen, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.
Twenty Senators (including Sen. Barack Obama) and 109 U.S. Representatives have co-sponsored this "Freedom of Choice Act." The stated aim of this legislation is to "end the abortion wars."
To these legislators, "ending the abortion wars" means allowing abortion for any reason, at any time, without any restriction or any regulation. This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support.
FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.
Americans United for Life (AUL), a pro-life law and policy organization, has prepared an analysis of the "Freedom of Choice Act." Please click here to read AUL Vice President & Legal Director Denise Burke’s analysis of this horrendous legislation.
Please add your name to the Fight FOCA petition and let your friends know about Barack Obama’s promise to expand abortion throughout the country.
www.fightfoca.com
Obama's 2005 Letter to Daily Kos --- Very Telling
Obama's 2005 Daily Kos Post : Tone It Down , and Usher in a New Progressive Era
By Kerry Picket October 30, 2008 - 19:58
Barack Obama sent a letter to the Daily Kos which was posted back in 2005 to talk strategy and "change" to the Kossacks. Obama was very serious about toning down the rhetoric only until it was safe enough to "enforce a more clearly progressive agenda.” (h/t to Gateway Pundit for bringing this back through Sweetness and Light) (my emphasis added:)
I thought this might be a good opportunity to offer some thoughts about not only judicial confirmations, but how to bring about meaningful change in this country.
By Kerry Picket October 30, 2008 - 19:58
Barack Obama sent a letter to the Daily Kos which was posted back in 2005 to talk strategy and "change" to the Kossacks. Obama was very serious about toning down the rhetoric only until it was safe enough to "enforce a more clearly progressive agenda.” (h/t to Gateway Pundit for bringing this back through Sweetness and Light) (my emphasis added:)
I thought this might be a good opportunity to offer some thoughts about not only judicial confirmations, but how to bring about meaningful change in this country.
Hiding Biden?
What a hoot - the Obama campaign is "hidin' Biden"
posted by Fayette Front Page.com at JMac Politics - 1 hour ago
The Obama campaign is calling it Operation Hiden Biden (or Hidin' Biden I suppose). They are keeping this supposedly experienced Vice Presidential campaign out of the limelight and are not letting him spea...
Time: Obama Campaign Hiding Gaffe-prone Biden From Reporters
By Noel Sheppard October 29, 2008 - 15:14 ET
Although it goes without saying that Time magazine is one of the nation's leading Obama-loving media outlets, national political correspondent Karen Tumulty published an article Wednesday which surprisingly addressed how the junior senator from Illinois' campaign is doing everything in its power to hide the gaffe-prone Joe Biden from reporters.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/10/29/time-obama-campaign-hiding-gaffe-prone-biden-reporters
posted by Fayette Front Page.com at JMac Politics - 1 hour ago
The Obama campaign is calling it Operation Hiden Biden (or Hidin' Biden I suppose). They are keeping this supposedly experienced Vice Presidential campaign out of the limelight and are not letting him spea...
Time: Obama Campaign Hiding Gaffe-prone Biden From Reporters
By Noel Sheppard October 29, 2008 - 15:14 ET
Although it goes without saying that Time magazine is one of the nation's leading Obama-loving media outlets, national political correspondent Karen Tumulty published an article Wednesday which surprisingly addressed how the junior senator from Illinois' campaign is doing everything in its power to hide the gaffe-prone Joe Biden from reporters.
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/10/29/time-obama-campaign-hiding-gaffe-prone-biden-reporters
Idea for Business Owners
Rec'd this via email, love it:
Dear Fellow Business Owners
As a Business owner who employs 30 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barack Obama will be our next President, and that I will be forced to lay off 6 of my employees.
This really bothered me as I believe we are family here and didn't know how to choose who will have to go. So, this is what I did. I strolled thru the parking lot and found 8 Obama bumper stickers on my employees' cars. I have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off.
I can't think of another fair way to approach this problem. If you have a better idea, please let me know.
I am sending this letter to all Business owners that I know.
Dear Fellow Business Owners
As a Business owner who employs 30 people, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barack Obama will be our next President, and that I will be forced to lay off 6 of my employees.
This really bothered me as I believe we are family here and didn't know how to choose who will have to go. So, this is what I did. I strolled thru the parking lot and found 8 Obama bumper stickers on my employees' cars. I have decided these folks will be the first to be laid off.
I can't think of another fair way to approach this problem. If you have a better idea, please let me know.
I am sending this letter to all Business owners that I know.
Breaking Up With Barack Obama
Ladies and gents in the Read My Lipstick Network (and others) you just have to read this great blog. We need to invite Conservative Insights to be a member of our network, she's priceless! Thanks to Coyote Blue Jay for finding this and sharing.
Breaking Up With Barack Obama
Nauseated. That is the overwhelming feeling I have now every time I see Obama on television. Now to be clear, I don't dislike the man personally and it's not even political, it has just become too much. He is everywhere and you cannot escape him, its like the guy has decided the only way to win is to suffocate the electorate with his presence. Last night's infomercial is what finally put it over the top. The music, the wheat flowing in the wind...did I mention the music? Obama was his usual catatonic self, lit in a setting worthy of a Werther's Hard Candy commercial and that is when it hit me: it has finally become too much and I think the electorate is ready to end their relationship with Obama....
http://conservativeinsights.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/breaking-up-wit.html
Breaking Up With Barack Obama
Nauseated. That is the overwhelming feeling I have now every time I see Obama on television. Now to be clear, I don't dislike the man personally and it's not even political, it has just become too much. He is everywhere and you cannot escape him, its like the guy has decided the only way to win is to suffocate the electorate with his presence. Last night's infomercial is what finally put it over the top. The music, the wheat flowing in the wind...did I mention the music? Obama was his usual catatonic self, lit in a setting worthy of a Werther's Hard Candy commercial and that is when it hit me: it has finally become too much and I think the electorate is ready to end their relationship with Obama....
http://conservativeinsights.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/breaking-up-wit.html
Obama votes present ho often?... and he's late to do it!
This is a great video showing many of the times Obama was late getting to the Senate. It's not like he had to be on time to vote "present" like he did on so many occasions... but still, a little respect please! Talking on the phone, too. Rude.
It's on YouTube twice that I could find, not sure which is best or who owns it.
It's on YouTube twice that I could find, not sure which is best or who owns it.
The Night Before Elections
I have no idea who wrote this, it came via email... but I just had to share:
'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
'On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On ACORN, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
"America will never be destroyed from outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln
'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
'On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On ACORN, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
"America will never be destroyed from outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Turn off TV's 8 - 8:30 tonight.
Join us in the following strategic actions to make a real difference in the outcome of this tight race:
JOIN OUR MEDIA BLACK - OUT - TURN OFF ALL TVs 8-8:30 tonight
Show the Media our votes are not for sale to the highest bidder!
Thanks for participating in grass roots democracy - it really matters right now.
Find out more about Wake Up America at http://www.wam08.org/.
Pass this along, time is short!
JanetRead My Lipstick Network
http://readmylipsticknetwork.blogspot.com/
JOIN OUR MEDIA BLACK - OUT - TURN OFF ALL TVs 8-8:30 tonight
Show the Media our votes are not for sale to the highest bidder!
Thanks for participating in grass roots democracy - it really matters right now.
Find out more about Wake Up America at http://www.wam08.org/.
Pass this along, time is short!
JanetRead My Lipstick Network
http://readmylipsticknetwork.blogspot.com/
FLOOD the LATimes with Calls People...Demand That Tape!!
Posted by Natalie on www.TeamSarah.org:
Below is contact info for the LATimes. I called them twice this morning and emailed them once and will do so every day till election day to put pressure to release this tape. We need to DEMAND as John McCain did for the release. This is an easy one, people, make that call, send that email and do so thru Tuesday. We must do all that we can and leave no stone unturned.
Please do your part to demand fair news when it is very obvious what is going on here. I've listed several different number for you and ultimately, at the bottom, I've posted a direct link to be able to get additional number is you need them. When I spoke with the operator, it was obvious that she was stressed from people calling.
letters@latimes.com
fax: (213) 237-7679
Telephone message line: (877) 554-4000
Washington, D.C., area: (202) 824-8300
(213) 237-7072
(213) 237-7092
http://www.latimes.com/services/site/la-contactus-editorial,0,64597...
Below is contact info for the LATimes. I called them twice this morning and emailed them once and will do so every day till election day to put pressure to release this tape. We need to DEMAND as John McCain did for the release. This is an easy one, people, make that call, send that email and do so thru Tuesday. We must do all that we can and leave no stone unturned.
Please do your part to demand fair news when it is very obvious what is going on here. I've listed several different number for you and ultimately, at the bottom, I've posted a direct link to be able to get additional number is you need them. When I spoke with the operator, it was obvious that she was stressed from people calling.
letters@latimes.com
fax: (213) 237-7679
Telephone message line: (877) 554-4000
Washington, D.C., area: (202) 824-8300
(213) 237-7072
(213) 237-7092
http://www.latimes.com/services/site/la-contactus-editorial,0,64597...
So Long, Democrats by Wendy Button, Democratic Speechwrier
I highly encourage you to read the entire article rather than the excerpts I've included. Wendy Button is not alone, there are many, many Democrats and former Democrats who are supporting Sarah Palin and John McCain. Read this article, then do a search on topics like Democrats for John McCain, Hillary Supporters 4 McCain, Wake Up America Movement and PUMA. There are more and more across the country who are putting principles before party on both sides of the political divide.
So Long Obama
October 28, 2008 6:55am
A speechwriter for Obama, Edwards, and Clinton on why she’s voting McCain.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-28/so-long-obama/1/
Since I started writing speeches more than ten years ago, I have always believed in the Democratic Party. Not anymore. Not after the election of 2008. This transformation has been swift and complete and since I’m a woman writing in the election of 2008, “very emotional.”
... This is what the Democratic Party has been for me; it’s family. Now, it doesn’t even feel like a distant cousin.
This drift started on a personal level with the fall of former Senator John Edwards. It got stronger during the Democratic National Convention when I counted the substantive mentions of poverty on one hand and a whole bunch of bad canned partisan lines against Senator John McCain. Some faith was lifted after Senator Hillary Clinton’s grace during a difficult hour. But that faith was dashed when I saw that someone had raided the Caligula set and planted the old columns at Invesco Field.
The final straw came the other week when Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (a.k.a Joe the Plumber) asked a question about higher taxes for small businesses. Instead of celebrating his aspirations, they were mocked. He wasn’t “a real plumber,” and “They’re fighting for Joe the Hedge-Fund manager,” and the patronizing, “I’ve got nothing but love for Joe the Plumber.”
Having worked in politics, I know that absolutely none of this is on the level. This back and forth is posturing, a charade, and a political game. These lines are what I refer to as “hooker lines”—a sure thing to get applause and the press to scribble as if they’re reporting meaningful news.
As the nation slouches toward disaster, the level of political discourse is unworthy of this moment in history. We have Republicans raising Ayers and Democrats fostering ageism with “erratic” and jokes about Depends. Sexism. Racism. Ageism and maybe some Socialism have all made their ugly cameos in election 2008. It’s not inspiring. Perhaps this is why I found the initial mocking of Joe so offensive and I realized an old line applied: “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party; the Democratic Party left me.”
The party I believed in wouldn’t look down on working people under any circumstance. And Joe the Plumber is right. This is the absolutely worst time to raise taxes on anyone: the rich, the middle class, the poor, small businesses and corporations.
...That’s not exactly the philosophy of a Democrat. Not only has this party belittled working people in this campaign from Joe the Plumber to the bitter comments, it has also been part of tearing down two female candidates. At first, certain Democrats and the press called Senator Clinton “dishonest.” They went after her cleavage. They said her experience as First Lady consisted of having tea parties. There was no outrage over “Bros before Hoes” or “Iron My Shirt.” Did Senator Clinton make mistakes? Of course. She’s human.
But here we are about a week out and it’s déjà vu all over again. Really, front-page news is how the Republican National Committee paid for Governor Sarah Palin’s wardrobe? Where’s the op-ed about how Obama tucks in his shirt when he plays basketball or how Senator Biden buttons the top button on his golf shirt?
Oh right, this story goes to the sincerity of her Hockey Mom persona. What planet am I living on? Everyone knows that when it comes to appearance, there’s a double standard for women politicians. Remember the speech Speaker Pelosi gave on the floor the day of the bailout vote? Check out how many stories commented on her hair that day and how many mentioned Congressman Barney Frank’s.
Here we are discussing Governor Palin’s clothes—oh wait, now we’re on to the make-up—not what either man is going to do to save our economy. This isn’t an accident. It is part of a manufactured narrative that she is stupid.
Governor Palin and I don’t agree on a lot of things, mostly social issues. But I have grown to appreciate the Governor. I was one of those initial skeptics and would laugh at the pictures. Not anymore. When someone takes on a corrupt political machine and a sitting governor, that is not done by someone with a low I.Q. or a moral core made of tissue paper. When someone fights her way to get scholarships and work her way through college even in a jagged line, that shows determination and humility you can’t learn from reading Reinhold Niebuhr. When a mother brings her son with special needs onto the national stage with love, honesty, and pride, that gives hope to families like mine as my older brother lives with a mental disability. And when someone can sit on a stage during the Sarah Palin rap on Saturday Night Live, put her hands in the air and watch someone in a moose costume get shot—that’s a sign of both humor and humanity.
Has she made mistakes? Of course, she’s human too. But the attention paid to her mistakes has been unprecedented compared to Senator Obama’s “57 states” remarks or Senator Biden using a version of the Samuel Johnson quote, “There’s nothing like a hanging in the morning to focus a man’s thoughts.”
....I can no longer justify what this party has done and can’t dismiss the treatment of women and working people as just part of the new kind of politics. It’s wrong and someone has to say that. And also say that the Democratic Party’s talking points—that Senator John McCain is just four more years of the same and that he’s President Bush—are now just hooker lines that fit a very effective and perhaps wave-winning political argument…doesn’t mean they’re true. After all, he is the only one who’s worked in a bipartisan way on big challenges.
Before I cast my vote, I will correct my party affiliation and change it to No Party or Independent. Then, in the spirit of election 2008, I’ll get a manicure, pedicure, and my hair done. Might as well look pretty when I am unemployed in a city swimming with “D’s.”...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-28/so-long-obama/1/
So Long Obama
October 28, 2008 6:55am
A speechwriter for Obama, Edwards, and Clinton on why she’s voting McCain.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-28/so-long-obama/1/
Since I started writing speeches more than ten years ago, I have always believed in the Democratic Party. Not anymore. Not after the election of 2008. This transformation has been swift and complete and since I’m a woman writing in the election of 2008, “very emotional.”
... This is what the Democratic Party has been for me; it’s family. Now, it doesn’t even feel like a distant cousin.
This drift started on a personal level with the fall of former Senator John Edwards. It got stronger during the Democratic National Convention when I counted the substantive mentions of poverty on one hand and a whole bunch of bad canned partisan lines against Senator John McCain. Some faith was lifted after Senator Hillary Clinton’s grace during a difficult hour. But that faith was dashed when I saw that someone had raided the Caligula set and planted the old columns at Invesco Field.
The final straw came the other week when Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (a.k.a Joe the Plumber) asked a question about higher taxes for small businesses. Instead of celebrating his aspirations, they were mocked. He wasn’t “a real plumber,” and “They’re fighting for Joe the Hedge-Fund manager,” and the patronizing, “I’ve got nothing but love for Joe the Plumber.”
Having worked in politics, I know that absolutely none of this is on the level. This back and forth is posturing, a charade, and a political game. These lines are what I refer to as “hooker lines”—a sure thing to get applause and the press to scribble as if they’re reporting meaningful news.
As the nation slouches toward disaster, the level of political discourse is unworthy of this moment in history. We have Republicans raising Ayers and Democrats fostering ageism with “erratic” and jokes about Depends. Sexism. Racism. Ageism and maybe some Socialism have all made their ugly cameos in election 2008. It’s not inspiring. Perhaps this is why I found the initial mocking of Joe so offensive and I realized an old line applied: “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party; the Democratic Party left me.”
The party I believed in wouldn’t look down on working people under any circumstance. And Joe the Plumber is right. This is the absolutely worst time to raise taxes on anyone: the rich, the middle class, the poor, small businesses and corporations.
...That’s not exactly the philosophy of a Democrat. Not only has this party belittled working people in this campaign from Joe the Plumber to the bitter comments, it has also been part of tearing down two female candidates. At first, certain Democrats and the press called Senator Clinton “dishonest.” They went after her cleavage. They said her experience as First Lady consisted of having tea parties. There was no outrage over “Bros before Hoes” or “Iron My Shirt.” Did Senator Clinton make mistakes? Of course. She’s human.
But here we are about a week out and it’s déjà vu all over again. Really, front-page news is how the Republican National Committee paid for Governor Sarah Palin’s wardrobe? Where’s the op-ed about how Obama tucks in his shirt when he plays basketball or how Senator Biden buttons the top button on his golf shirt?
Oh right, this story goes to the sincerity of her Hockey Mom persona. What planet am I living on? Everyone knows that when it comes to appearance, there’s a double standard for women politicians. Remember the speech Speaker Pelosi gave on the floor the day of the bailout vote? Check out how many stories commented on her hair that day and how many mentioned Congressman Barney Frank’s.
Here we are discussing Governor Palin’s clothes—oh wait, now we’re on to the make-up—not what either man is going to do to save our economy. This isn’t an accident. It is part of a manufactured narrative that she is stupid.
Governor Palin and I don’t agree on a lot of things, mostly social issues. But I have grown to appreciate the Governor. I was one of those initial skeptics and would laugh at the pictures. Not anymore. When someone takes on a corrupt political machine and a sitting governor, that is not done by someone with a low I.Q. or a moral core made of tissue paper. When someone fights her way to get scholarships and work her way through college even in a jagged line, that shows determination and humility you can’t learn from reading Reinhold Niebuhr. When a mother brings her son with special needs onto the national stage with love, honesty, and pride, that gives hope to families like mine as my older brother lives with a mental disability. And when someone can sit on a stage during the Sarah Palin rap on Saturday Night Live, put her hands in the air and watch someone in a moose costume get shot—that’s a sign of both humor and humanity.
Has she made mistakes? Of course, she’s human too. But the attention paid to her mistakes has been unprecedented compared to Senator Obama’s “57 states” remarks or Senator Biden using a version of the Samuel Johnson quote, “There’s nothing like a hanging in the morning to focus a man’s thoughts.”
....I can no longer justify what this party has done and can’t dismiss the treatment of women and working people as just part of the new kind of politics. It’s wrong and someone has to say that. And also say that the Democratic Party’s talking points—that Senator John McCain is just four more years of the same and that he’s President Bush—are now just hooker lines that fit a very effective and perhaps wave-winning political argument…doesn’t mean they’re true. After all, he is the only one who’s worked in a bipartisan way on big challenges.
Before I cast my vote, I will correct my party affiliation and change it to No Party or Independent. Then, in the spirit of election 2008, I’ll get a manicure, pedicure, and my hair done. Might as well look pretty when I am unemployed in a city swimming with “D’s.”...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-28/so-long-obama/1/
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