August 21, 2008
John McCain, too rich to be President.
How many houses does he have? "It's seven. Worth thirteen million dollars." You don't want a President who's managed to become rich, do you? So pick Obama, who lives in a hut. No, wait, that's Barack's brother George. Obama lives in... that Chicago house that cost... how much?
UPDATE: The McCain campaign rushes out this ad to respond:
Today's the day things really went negative.
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253 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 253 of 253I'm wondering why people have the idea that John McCain was born poor? He certainly was not.
Well, he served in the military, and both the Democratic Party and the media repeatedly insist that only the ignorant poor end up fighting for their country. So people probably just assume McCain grew up poor -- if not, what was he doing in Vietnam? :)
Aww, poor miserable Palladian, mistaking a factual statement for some display of sensitivity. The truth hurts, girl, but you know all about pain, don't you.
Taking out an adjustable rate mortgage is an effen retarded idea period. No one in their right mind would do so.
Not at all. I took out an 11+% ARM a decade ago because that was what I could get. I "underbought" house-wise, buying about a half of what would be recommended.
Three years later--before the adjustable rate could adjust--I refinanced to a fixed-rate (at a much lower rate). Worked great.
The key for me was paying about the same as I'd have to for rent.
But hey, a buck is a buck, right? Doesn't matter whether it has blood on it?
Oh, seriously, Eli? You want to start looking at what our politicians' ancestors did for their money?
I don't see that working out for anyone. (Well, okay, maybe the voters. Heh. But not the parties.)
"So people probably just assume McCain grew up poor"
You know, I'm still thinking about vspurs's earlier comment about Jimmy Carter being rich, ala JFK and FDR. When I voted for the doofus (sorry about that) I certainly didn't know that. That just goes to show how much things have changed in election politics and what the average voter knows.
I for one count myself lucky having lived past the 70's.
I'm not sure I understand this issue. Is it being suggested that McCain lives in all these houses?
Or is he just, y'know...a landlord? A real estate investor?
Lots of people who aren't rich own eight homes. A friend of mine who's a poet owns four. His wife bought a fourplex as an investment years ago. It's been a good deal for them. And they aren't rich. It's just where they happened to put some savings, or an inheritance.
If McCain owned a big apartment building, would Obama say he has 100 homes?
Maybe I'm just being too literal here.
Today's the day things really went negative.
You mean, today is the day Obama got desperate.
Losing by 5% to an old fart after the world declared you President of their Hearts? Impossible.
Cheers,
Victoria
Obama will not be good for my family.
His tax proposed income tax increases will reduce our ability to pay for private school tuition, thus reducing our standard of living.
His proposed capital gains tax increases will reduce the value of capital assets such as stock and housing, which will reduce our standard of living.
His plans to increase government spending will reduce economic growth in the private sector which reduces our standard of living.
His opposition to free trade will increase prices for my family which reduces our standard of living.
His softness on foreign policy will lead to more costly wars and interventions in the future, thus reducing the wealth we have to spend on education, etc.. ultimately reducing our standard of living.
His proposed National Health Care program will reduce the overall quality of health care, thus reducing our life span standard of living.
His radical support for unions will increase prices costing my family more for every day items, thus reducing our standard of living.
His support to ban more oil drilling will increase the price of gas, thus reducing our standard of living.
His radical position on abortion will result in even more abortions reducing our population which will ultimately reduce our standard of living.
Obama's overall philosophy is for "fairness." This means taking from those who work harder and redistributing it to those who have less and work less. This reduces our standard of living because there are diminishing returns for harder work.
Overall, maybe Obama is a good guy. Maybe he has a good heart. But, Obama's policies will be bad for America and bad for the ordinary citizen. It's Obama's proposed policies that makes him an elite snob, not how much he made off is book, how many houses he owns, or his ivy league education
John Stodder wrote:
I'm not sure I understand this issue. Is it being suggested that McCain lives in all these houses?
John, this reminds me of a funny quote by King Michael of Romania. When a Life magazine reporter went to do a spread on him (only 27 years-old and one of the world's most eligible bachelors in 1946), the reporter pulled a stat out of his ass.
He claimed the King owned something like 57 castles.
The King later said, "I have no idea where he came up with this figure. The man must've counted every shack, chickencoop and outhouse on my property".
LOL.
Cheers,
Victoria
It's really getting ugly now. Obama just equated Russia's invasion of Georgia with our invasion of Iraq. I don't recall even Putin attempting such a comparison.
God help us.
Also, just to reiterate I don't post by anyone elses name. No dtl or Maxine. That would require too much time and energy and I don't give a shit about that...really.
And yes, she breaks for rainbows, is from the B-52's. So is Brenda Holiday. I love that song and love them. That song came out right when Ricky Wilson died and I was devastated, listening to that album, in my house in Waunakee, Wisconsin. He was so young and it was so sad.
Good place to go to prom for dinner in my hometown would be The Inkeeper which is the only decent Supper Club in Waunakee-hope that answer settles that I am the real Titus.
Still a little weird that someone would use my name.
Lastly, I try not to be confrontational with other posters although Pallladian and I have gone at it I believe that we have reconciled. Now give me a big hug Palladian. If I am going to come here and post I don't think it is worth being all nasty, especially to our hostess with the mostess. That other titus wannabe was disgusting to Althouse. I try and be respectable. Yes, I am a whore, but a respectable whore.
Lastly (again), for those of you who have read things that I wrote here I am all into yoga and the dali lama and shit and karma and crap and those postings go against what I believe. I believe if you are really nasty and awful that it will come back to you tenfold. I know totally ridiculous but I try and give out good vibes. I also tend to stay positive. My friends are generally the same. Negative things I try and block from my mind-not that they don't appear-I am not perfect. Although I have a killer ass.
Namaste.
I try and be positive.
Titus--
Good to have the real you back.
And the Chinese gymnasts did cheat. The IOU is investigating. Strip them of their medals, please.
They can tart up that 10 year old all they want with makeup but the fact is her birth certificate doesn't lie. She was not 16.
The sad thing about that story is that they will all end up in some labor re-education camp. Depressing.
My father is 72 and has 8 homes, including a farm, and if someone asked him how many homes he had would of stumbled on that question.
This is a ridiculous. Yes, Mccain should of known, but still it is a stupid issue.
Also, talking about what Obama eats is equally stupid.
I can understand, though, that some voters would find Mccain's response to the question as out of touch with "regular people".
When I interact with the painters and window washers, and the security people who service my building I like to get their views on the presidency. It tends to be very different than the "professional" and more educated people that I deal with daily.
dr kill wrote:
...but for fuck's sake stop whining.
Whining about whining is still whining, so follow your own advice.
Headline from the Independent:
Cindy McCain's half sister emerges to put down 'only child' claim
Oops!
Oh boy! Comedian Rush Limbaugh's latest:
To me, it is striking how unqualified Obama is and, and how this whole thing came about with, within the Democrat [sic] Party. I think it really goes back to the fact that nobody had the guts to stand up and say no to a black guy.
How many boo boos are you rightwingers going to give this clown before you pull the plug on him?
Recall also that they were selling two city lots, one developed and one undeveloped.
Revenant replies:
Incorrect. The property had been a single lot. They split it in two to sell.
Uh, Revenant, the property was split into two lots to sell. Therefore, for some strange reason, you're disagreeing with your own position. I don't mind if you want to argue with yourself, but it does make you look foolish.
Revenant babbled:
...both the Democratic Party and the media repeatedly insist that only the ignorant poor end up fighting for their country.
This is simply a lie, and a pretty damn stupid lie too.
John Stodder wrote:
I'm not sure I understand this issue. Is it being suggested that McCain lives in all these houses?
Or is he just, y'know...a landlord? A real estate investor?
No, he's not just a landlord. If you're curious, you can read about his homes here.
Maybe the McCain campaign should claim McCain suffered another "memory lapse." If Team McCain is worried about a negative reaction by voters to McCain's wealth and substantial real estate holdings, a claim of dementia will probably work nicely.
Yes, Mccain should of known, but still it is a stupid issue.
STOP IT! I won't have you ruining the good, err, bad, err, FABULOUS name of Titus.
"Should of", indeed. Phoney.
Cyrus Pinkerton returns?
What up with that, homes?
In t'other thread you said you came around but once a month, you know, like a visit from Aunt Flo, or when the "Communists have invaded the summer house", that is, "the painters and decoraters are in", or "it's Japanese week", or ta cursai mna agam.
yaknowwhutImean?
In other words, Cyrus, your posts could use a little Modessty ...because.
I dislike Obama, but the complaint about him not helping his brother is silly. We don't know their relationship or what kind of person the brother is or whether he's even asked for help. I don't even understand this notion that one is obligated to simply give money to family members.
Mr Global Tax on US taxpayers, whose Kenyan half-brother lives in poverty, during the Saddleback forum had this to say:
When asked what America's greatest moral failing was, theological Obama said it was our collective failure to "abide by that basic precept in [the Book of] Matthew that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me."
Isn't this just a tad hypocritical to not reach out to a relative in need, to require others to do so, and then castigate Americans through quoting scripture for their selfish preoccupation?
John McCain is a war hero who married a babe who owns a huge beer distributorship.
Why are we even bothering with an election?
"John McCain, too rich to be President."
What... and Kerry was a pauper??
Ah, dagnabit... I should atually read the comments thread before saying the same damn thing 40 other people here have (*blushes*).
el cyrus otra vez
Poor Pogo, dumb as a stump. At least Roger J. has the good sense to run away after his dim-witted "tough guy" comments. But poor Pogo reliably sticks around to confirm his gross stupidity as if he hasn't already provided a lifetime of proof.
Lei è uno scaricatore di porto, Pogo.
I wasn't going to mention this specfically since I find Pogo's reference to the human menstrual cycle pretty tacky, but for the sake of Pogo's education it's worth noting that the menstrual phase averages about 4 days. As a doctor, it might come in handy for him to remember this fact.
So, Pogo, using the analogy of your choice, you should expect to see me here for the next four days (although that's just an average so it could be longer).
Cheers!
Of course Kerry released them and there was nothing new in those records.
link please. and not a link to a hack who claims to have looked at them. a link to the "released" records
The lefties are ecstatic. Something. Finally. No matter how trivial, or irrelevant. What delightful desperation to witness...
Obama Crushed in McCain Victory
Practice, children, practice. It will lessen the pain.
Cedarford,
Are the following allegations true?
Robert Timberg:
Despite his low "class standing," and no doubt because of the influence of his family of famous Admirals, McCain was leap-frogged ahead of more qualified applicants and granted a coveted slot to be trained as a navy pilot.
Doctor Phillip Butler (a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals.":
"People often ask if I was a Prisoner of War with John McCain. My answer is always "No - John McCain was a POW with me." The reason is I was there for 8 years and John got there 2 ½ years later, so he was a POW for 5 ½ years."
"I furthermore believe that having been a POW is no special qualification for being President of the United States."
"I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand."
"Senator John Sidney McCain, III is a remarkable man who has made enormous personal achievements. And he is a man that I am proud to call a fellow POW who "Returned With Honor." That's our POW motto. But since many of you keep asking what I think of him, I've decided to write it out. In short, I think John Sidney McCain, III is a good man, but not someone I will vote for in the upcoming election to be our President of the United States."
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_2,00.html
Don't McCain supporters think that McCain is overusing the POW card? It is his response to the Saddleback "cone" questions, he trots it out repeatedly during Saddleback, it's his response to the number of houses questions.
So we know that he's eager to use his POW history for political gain. Why are we supposed to assume that he didn't use his family ties to advance in the Navy? Or, are folks naive enough to think that this sort of helping hand never occurs?
"it's worth noting that the menstrual phase averages about 4 days."
Unfortunately, the only treatment for Cyrusorrhagia is a Pinkertonectomy.
In the meantime, it's pads and the 'mouse'.
Where do you find this stuff?
About Cindy's half-sisters? National Public Radio.
Incorrect. The property had been a single lot.
Have you ever looked at a Recorder's map? The property the MD couple had for sale consisted of two buildable lots -- "city lots" in the local jargon.
To better understand the situation: Imagine buying the house next door, razing it, and running a fence around the entire property.
What McCain should have said:
"We live in the house in Phoenix and the condo in DC. We have two get away places: one in Sedona and one on the coast by San Diego. Then Cindy owns some other places as an investment - you'd have to ask her because I don't keep track.
I don't think DTL is even sane.
"Glenn Reynolds - the anti-gay prick with his gay-conversion-therapy implanted wife."
Proof, a**hole. Anything I've ever in my life seen or heard Glenn Reynolds say was pro-gay and pro-gay marriage. Openly and consistently so. His wife doesn't deal with gays she deals with violent offenders, so link some proof or admit you're an insane liar.
Obama, on the other hand HAS THE EXACT SAME OPINION ON GAY MARRIAGE AS MCCAIN.
McCain (unlike Reynolds) actually is against gay marriage (but it's a state issue.) OBAMA is AGAINST gay marriage (but it's a state issue). Same show, different channel.
When are we going to hear some hating toward Obama? You know the Dems only like gays when they can be used as a stick to beat Republicans. Obama's policy on gay marriage is identical to McCain and a Dem controlled congress has proven that they can't be bothered.
As for the political ads... I've finally seen them (don't know why the video links didn't appear before) and the anti McCain one is blatant class baiting. The anti-Obama one suggests that Obama has given political favor to those who are willing to enrich him. So... "Neener, Neener, McCain is rich!" vs. "Neener, Neener, Obama is corrupt."
I can certainly see how the anti-Obama ad might seem meaner. Because it's certainly got to hurt more.
And no matter how Obama tries... no matter how many people point out that he's not "rich" and only makes $40K or whatever... when is the last time *you* went to Hawaii on vacation? I haven't seen my mother for two years because I can't afford to travel across the country just now, even with far more than $40K a year, and all that would take is time off work and driving, so who's kidding whom?
Kerry can not have released all of his military records to the public (by signing the one single form authorizing this, which he has not done) and we can know this for sure because we do know that, no matter his discharge situation, that his officer evaluation would include an intelligence test as did George Bush's military records.
We KNOW that this is not available because right-wing pundits would not ever, no how, no way, pass up the opportunity to (even this late in the game) demonstrate that G.W.Bush is brighter than J.F.Kerry.
He never signed the form.
His entire records were never released to the public.
Oh... and didn't Obama also have a recent vacation to the Bahamas?
Who pays for those?
Obama's policy on gay marriage is identical to McCain and a Dem controlled congress has proven that they can't be bothered.
Actually it isn't identical, and the problem Democrats have with the issue isn't that they can't be bothered--rather, it's that they don't have the political courage to tackle the issue directly.
On the other hand, Republicans aren't really willing to leave the issue up to the states. Political hypocrisy is not in short supply.
when is the last time *you* went to Hawaii on vacation?
But I don't have a sister and a grandmother to stay with in Hawaii.
I haven't seen my mother for two years because I can't afford to travel across the country just now, even with far more than $40K a year, and all that would take is time off work and driving, so who's kidding whom?
Have you tried flying Southwest? My wife flies cross-country three times a year to see her mother -- we just budget for it.
didn't Obama also have a recent vacation to the Bahamas?
They went on Easter weekend to St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
My aunt used to travel to all these places on a secretary's salary, back in the 1960s. By buying good used cars and taking a brown bag lunch to work every day, she could afford nice vacations.
FLS,
C'mon. Are you suggesting that Obama managed to get to the tropics by "brown-bagging" it?
But I don't have a sister and a grandmother to stay with in Hawaii.
Once again: C'mon, are you suggesting that they crashed at his mom's pad? If so, you have the McCain camp in a direct lie, as they say he stayed on a private beach!
This whole thing is stupid: Who but a rich man can make a credible run for President?
Poor and middle-class people, by definition, have to work for a living. I guess a guy on welfare could run for Pres. There's a winning idea.
Your childless aunt could take vacations?
My childless coworker just spent two weeks in Canada with a friend and she only works part time.
And it's not that I never go anywhere... it's that a vacation requires both funds and time. Usually time is the real kicker. People can save and plan and go just about anywhere. Even if they have to buy six airline tickets to do it. It takes significant effort. And not only is it necessary to save up, but you have to be able to afford the lost income for missing work.
But really... you think Barry is brown-bagging it?
For most people it's not a matter of brown-bag lunches... it's a matter of not having a car that's trustworthy for cross country or simply needing new tires and propane for winter and maybe school clothes.
Next summer we're all going to Minnesota. All six of us. With saved vacation and forfeited hourly wages and someone paid to take care of the dogs.
And when we get there we'll stay with family for free.
Just don't suggest that Obama is living at the same level of worry about mortgage payments, car maintenance or which kids need new winter jackets and which ones can get by without this year. He can try to define himself as "not rich" but it's really all the same.
In terms of real-life and human reaction McCain and Obama are both quite rich and the degree of richness is irrelevant.
Neither of them are worried about the depth of the tread on their minivan.
Can you see it?
M: Barry honey, don't you think the front tires are looking a bit thin? I drive the girls to piano in this van you know.
O: The tires are fine. They've got a whole quarter inch of tread left.
M: You aren't looking! See the inside edge of them? I think the wheels need alignment too. No. You have to really bend over to see it at all.
O: They're fine. We can't afford tires anyway.
M: They aren't fine! Barry, I'm afraid to drive in this car!
O: Well, maybe the paycheck after next because the mortgage comes out next week. We could get two new tires. And then next month two more. There. Are you happy?
M: You sure have been a grouch since we flew to the Bahamas.
I don't understand the preoccupation with Obama's net worth. It's pretty clear that he's better off than most Americans (as are all senators), and it's just as clear that he's nowhere near as well off as McCain. Concerns about where and when he vacations seem beyond trivial.
As far as I'm concerned, the only important bit of information that emerges from all of this is the evidence that confirms how out of touch McCain is. Fair or not, some may draw the conclusion that McCain is not sharp; unfortunately for McCain, old and confused is not a winning image.
I don't understand the preoccupation with Obama's net worth.
Obama just attacked McCain for being too rich.
That's where it comes from.
I agree that it's stupid but that's what class warfare gets you.
So it's fair for the McCain campaign to call Obama an elitist, but when the Obama campaign points out that McCain has seven houses it's class warfare?
If there's nothing wrong with McCain owning 7 homes, why does he say he doesn't know how many homes he has? Is he trying to hide the fact that he owns 7 homes so that people don't see him as uberrich and just a man of the people? Or is he just forgetful about something as simply as the number of homes he owns?
Interesting also to me that the campaign only turned ugly yesterday when Obama finally put out an ad attacking McCain, when McCain's ads for over a month have been attacking Obama.
Obama just attacked McCain for being too rich.
No, Blake, I have to disagree with you on this point. Team Obama nailed McCain for being out of touch. It's not an issue of wealth, but of understanding, similar in character to the incident when Poppy Bush visited a supermarket and appeared to be unfamiliar with UPC code scanners. Just as Poppy Bush appeared to be out of touch with the experiences of working Americans, McCain's inability to identify the number of homes he owns leaves him vulnerable to the charge of not understanding the economic difficulties that working Americans face.
In any case, none of this explains the preoccupation with Obama's net worth. Surely we can agree that Obama is richer than the average American, but not nearly as rich as McCain. We should also be able to agree that there are stark differences in how these men acquired their fortunes. Neither of these facts play to McCain's political advantage, so I can't fathom why McCain supporters want to discuss them. What can you possibly hope to gain by making Obama's wealth an issue?
If so, you have the McCain camp in a direct lie, as they say he stayed on a private beach!
Unfortunately, the McCain camp was fibbing, because no beach in Hawaii is private.
Obama body surfed at Sandy Beach, described here:
http://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/beaches/sandy-beach-park.php
http://oahu.aloha-hawaii.com/activities/sandy+beach/
And the family picnicked at Ala Moana Beach Park:
http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/beach/ala/index1.htm
No, Blake, I have to disagree with you on this point. Team Obama nailed McCain for being out of touch. It's not an issue of wealth,
McCain is out of touch with his finances? Or his wife's finances, more likely? (How do you answer that question, anyway? What do I own, what do we own, what does she own? I wish I had those kinds of problems, mind you.)
but of understanding, similar in character to the incident when Poppy Bush visited a supermarket and appeared to be unfamiliar with UPC code scanners.
You mean false?
Of course, as we know, "false" doesn't matter.
Just as Poppy Bush appeared to be out of touch with the experiences of working Americans, McCain's inability to identify the number of homes he owns leaves him vulnerable to the charge of not understanding the economic difficulties that working Americans face.
That's good, in theory. But I'm not sure he's running on "wnderstanding the economic difficulties that working Americans face."
Maybe he is, and maybe you're right: GHWB was sunk by a bit of (false) reporting--which, actually, as trivial as it was, doesn't even speak to whether or not he was "in touch" with anything--but it ain't 1992.
In any case, none of this explains the preoccupation with Obama's net worth. Surely we can agree that Obama is richer than the average American, but not nearly as rich as McCain.
Yeah, see, when yoiu put it that way, you are implying that wealth is an issue.
We should also be able to agree that there are stark differences in how these men acquired their fortunes. Neither of these facts play to McCain's political advantage, so I can't fathom why McCain supporters want to discuss them. What can you possibly hope to gain by making Obama's wealth an issue?
By framing it as "Obama's wealth was acquired with the help of a sleazy slumord" presumably.
Did anyone else catch that this ad said Obama had to get help to buy a house he couldn't afford?
That means he's not any where near as rich and 'out of touch' as McCain keeps trying to imply he is.
Who is more likely to be out of touch? The person who just paid off their student loans a couple of years ago and had to get help buying is 1 home or the person who married wealth 3 decades ago and doesn't even know how many houses they own?
"Out of touch" is a stupid idea.
If we have a problem in this country, it's that the government's too freaking in touch.
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