What accounts for that? Is it all about Sarah? Picking her was "strong and decisive." Or was it something more general about the 2 conventions.
More on this new poll here.
Here's another interesting Gallup poll -- showing a big post-convention shift among independent voters, from 40% supporting McCain to 52%.
***
And this, for some reason, makes me want to add that Andrew Sullivan, who's only posted once today, says he's "absolutely fine," don't worry about him, "nothing has changed with this blog, no one is pressuring me to write or not write anything," and he's just taking some time off.
IN THE COMMENTS: Simon writes:
[Sullivan] is perhaps trying to get to grips with the reality that his weird idea about how picking Sarah Palin was a mistake has been rapidly and publicly falsified.He was so deeply committed to this prediction and intent on making it come true that it must have been mortifying to realize that attacks like his on Sarah Palin were making her far more popular than she would be now if she'd been treated with ordinary, boring respect.
AND: Sullivan has a couple more posts now, and Ace decodes them.
Posts
449 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 449 Newer› Newest»Brent,
I don't see the conflict between what I wrote and what Frum wrote. Could you be more specific?
I can't imagine that anyone reading my ridicule of liberals could not see the many forms of humor(parody, satire, irony, sarcasm) my disdain takes.
You're not a very good writer. It takes talent to use parody, satire, irony, or sarcasm in a written medium; lack of talent results in you simply sounding like an idiot.
Victoria--when the presidential candidate has to refer to the down ticket candidate, you know they are in trouble and out of arguments
Victoria
For someone that is so aghast at smears, you just can't wait to come here and spread them.
Just watched the tape of Obama. Can he win by constantly whining that McCain took his marbles (change)?
Thanks for the video, Victoria. Note that "her" name was not mentioned anywhere...he was talking specifically about the McCain campaign.
If people start calling this sexist (which I'm sure they will), they are really reaching.
Still, in today's drive-by, soundbite media...it seems pretty risky to say something like that, even if it's true.
A few weeks ago there was something about Obama fatigue.
Essentially, we've had Obama for the last year or so. Amazing story, family, looks, political machine. There was enough of a current that anyone who didn't like him was racist.
Large numbers of people were looking for a reason not to like him.
Sarah Palin said something about mayors being community organizers with real responsibilities. She said it well, with a smile.
She gave a good reason to dislike Obama. And since nature abhors a vacuum, became the object of fascination and interest.
And she hasn't disappointed.
I asked on another thread why Obama was complaining about how the GOP was treating him. I think I figured it out.
He has to keep up fundraising over the next two months. So he has to keep his base fired up, being the victim that needs salvation by cheque. But that will hurt him with the greater electorate.
Serious strategic mistake.
Derek
Obama is an even lamer horse than I thought just a few hours ago.
At this rate, he may seriously stumble before the week is out.
(thanks for the vid, vbspurs)
I'm absolutely fine, nothing has changed with this blog
These statements are mutually exclusive, as the current state of his blog indicates an unhinged mind beset with a deranged obsession.
And that graph is cracking me for how utterly flat it is for months :p
Notice how Obama scratched his head before delivering the "you can put lipstic on a pig... still a pig"
The Obama self destruction countdown continues.
Why would Obama say something that would only appeal to the base?
I can see Sarah making a commercial with a little pig like babe from the movie.
Most here have had their guy in office for 8 years and appear to be headed for another 4.
Why is everyone here still so pissed off at liberals, you are getting what you want?
What is with that stupid accent of his, too? You can tell he's going off the reservation when he starts in with that. "Policeh"?
I hate audiences. I can't stand listening to people feed politically homogeneous audiences applause lines. Which is why I can't watch the Daily Show or listen to political speeches.
integrity--I am not possed off at liberals--I am pissed off at the poseurs who claim to liberal--liberalism was once a decent cachet--it has been coopted by the progressive loonies.
I'm not pissed off at actual liberals, though they're few and far between.
the democratic party, not unlike the republican party, let their extreme finges capture the party. The American public is not extreme, and recognizes extremism when they see it--the dems are going to suffer this election cycle.
He um-um-um's during rehearsed speeches too.
How does this complaining about McCain stealing his Hope and Change go over with his own audiences?
McCain and his flunkies that run his campaign ARE pigs. As much as I'd love Obama to actually come out and say that, he can't. He was talking about the bogus "change" mtheme that only a Republican would have the nerve to say with a straight face. Also see "Reformer", "Maverick", "Country First", "Fought against Pork", "I told Congress thanks but no thanks", etc etc etc.
Who's desperate?
John McCain in 2007:
While he said he had not studied Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's plan, he said it was "eerily reminiscent" of the failed plan she offered as first lady in the 1990s.
"I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," he said of her proposal.
Dude, if you think I have had my guy in office the last 8 years you are mistaken. Compassionate conservatism my right nut.
it's just the alternative is so much worse. I voted for Ross Perot, remember?
ZPS---it is no more a reach than turning McCain's "100 years" comment into a claim he wants war for 100 years, or McCain twisting Romney's timetables comment. I have absolutely zero mercy in things like this now. Live by the sword die by the sword.
He was talking about the bogus "change" theme that only a Republican would have the nerve to say with a straight face.
Obama's a Republican?
Garage--you are losing it man--whose desperate? with a fifteenn point shift to indys favoring mccain? Barry and joe are crapping in their pants
and garage: please tell me what change barack obama has accomplished--inquiring minds want to know. A slogan change we can believe in is not change--but my all means tell the group here what change Obama has wrought. You can't do it, but surprise me
Remember 'Read My Lips'?
I do.
zps---good find. Does Hillary wear lipstick?
And so another black man gets lynched for being rude to a white woman.
it is no more a reach than turning McCain's "100 years" comment into a claim he wants war for 100 years
Two wrongs don't always make a right.
But now that we see McCain used the lipstick/pig line with Hillary last year, can we all agree that this issue is over?
Or, can we at least all agree that everyone is sexist and all women are pigs?
I think everyone who wants to ought to send Senator Obama a tube of lipstick:
Senator Barack Obama
713 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
"Most here have had their guy in office for 8 years and appear to be headed for another 4."
That's assuming a lot.
In 2000 I didn't care one way or the other... I liked Gore well enough. In 2004 the choice was Bush or Kerry. Voting for Bush while holding one's nose doesn't quite make him my "guy". I think he's done an okay job during a difficult time, but that's just a matter of *not* having BDS.
McCain is so very unappealing but he's what we've got and again, the choice is McCain or Obama... not "my guy" Giuliani or the others I liked better.
I like Sarah Palin a whole lot and only wish waiting a few years had been a viable option. I can be excited about her and that's sort of nice. Instead of simply voting against Obama I can at least vote for Sarah.
Individual state polls are what matters. The electoral vote count remains squarely in Obama's favor. This hype will pass, or it won't, but McCain and Palin will still lose.
And I believe America will be a better place for it.
Whether he means to degrade Palin or not with the pig comment, its a bad and stupid phrase to use. The damage is done.
Watching the video over again, his body language and cadence suggested he was alluding to a woman. You don't use pig and stink like a fish with a woman running against you. Relating to women, what stink like a fish?
and on cue UWS plays the race card--Nice job, man--classy in the extreme--
ZPS: Obama was using code words and as a gay man I shouldn't have to explain to you what fish meant.
mike,
State polls lag national polls by 1-2 weeks. Don't get your hopes up.
What if Obama's daughter got knocked up? What if her boyfriend had a myspace page where he said, "I'm a fucking ganster and I'm proud of it"
would the democratic party put them up on stage and applaud? Or would we be bemoaning the plight of unwed black mothers in america who don't even have high school educations and Obama would probably lose his senate seat after being dropped as the democratic nominee.
Where the white women at? There's a reason that's a funny line.
I don't think Obama was calling Palin a pig. Similarly, I don't think Lynn Westmoreland was appealing to racism when he used the word "uppity" in relation to Obama. But it was a dumb thing to say no matter what.
mike--you are absolutely right about electoral vote--but the state polls at this point are woefully out of date--lets revisit this question in two weeks
"And so another black man gets lynched for being rude to a white woman."
How so? By noticing that he was rude? And then having the gall for saying that it was stupid and rude?
This is the standard now for declaring *lynching* for pity's sake?
I don't see how it's any different at all that Obama said this and not white man. It would be stupid and rude because that's what it is, stupid and rude.
Is everything about race for the left?
Individual state polls are what matters. The electoral vote count remains squarely in Obama's favor.
That is no longer true. You are relying on some state polls that are over 30 days old. Newer ones are showing big movement to McCain 9 points in Ohio, 8 points in Washington, double digits in NC, halving or more of Obama leads in WI MI and PA.
I think 'integrity' might be the code name for dumpster muffin. I see she came down out of the trees on the Berserkeley campus this afternoon.
Good evening Ms Muffin. I hope to hear more from you later, after you have bathed.
Randy--as a devout heterosexual I havent the remotest idea what fish means--I am suspecting, however, it isnt suitable for work--but if it is, could you enlighten me?
Revenant said...
I can't imagine that anyone reading my ridicule of liberals could not see the many forms of humor(parody, satire, irony, sarcasm) my disdain takes.
You're not a very good writer. It takes talent to use parody, satire, irony, or sarcasm in a written medium; lack of talent results in you simply sounding like an idiot.
If I were a great writer I'd be writing a great book, not sitting here dicking around with you.
Is it more fun to try to figure out if someone is speaking literally or if the poster is up to something else? You remind me of the MSM, where every word uttered is interpreted as literal, regardless of what someone's intent was. How many times have you watched a clip of someone joking around and then watched the MSM present the joke as a serious statement, and in some cases then try to destroy the person based on something that was not meant to be taken seriously.
If anyone can figure out Sullivan's Desperate Housewives clip please let me in on the joke. I don't get it, is he trying to apologize for his Palin posts. I really figured he was waiting for the Palin interview, now I can't figure out what is going on.
When did Hatcher get a 'fro?
"These are the douchebags being offered up, ridicule is the only response."
It's difficult to disagree with this sentiment. Three of them are senators, after all.
"Andrew's posted again with a quote from Wittgenstein saying..."
As Kurt Vonnegut said in Breakfast of Champions, "Wittgenstein was a pederast". 'Nuff said.
"But I guess with his present paying gig, he doesn't bleg any more."
Only if there's bukkake involved, or if he's got a chance to be Lucky Pierre.
"It tells you how deep his Christian faith is."
Actually, I'm not of the "Obama the secret Muslim" school of idiocy, but Obama's statement there is of a feather with Al Gore in 2000 talking about people's "faith traditions", which caused many religious types to sit up and wonder, "who the hell talks about their faith like that?" It's what I'd call a gaffe of the "silent but deadly" variety.
"And don't forget, it was Sarah herself who compared herself to a dog last week. Fair game."
I'm not inclined to defend people who don't need defending (like a VP nominee, for instance), but Obama is fond of talking about his "funny name", and how he "doesn't look like those other guys" on the currency, and the Muslim thing. Does that mean it's now fair game to make ignorant jokes about his name and skin color, and to discuss whether he really is a "secret Muslim"? Your statement logically leads to that conclusion.
“You can put lipstic on a pig… it’s still a pig”
I dont think this is a mere gaffe.
"These are the douchebags being offered up, ridicule is the only response."
It's difficult to disagree with this sentiment. Three of them are senators, after all.
"Andrew's posted again with a quote from Wittgenstein saying..."
As Kurt Vonnegut said in Breakfast of Champions, "Wittgenstein was a pederast". 'Nuff said.
"But I guess with his present paying gig, he doesn't bleg any more."
Only if there's bukkake involved, or if he's got a chance to be Lucky Pierre.
"It tells you how deep his Christian faith is."
Actually, I'm not of the "Obama the secret Muslim" school of idiocy, but Obama's statement there is of a feather with Al Gore in 2000 talking about people's "faith traditions", which caused many religious types to sit up and wonder, "who the hell talks about their faith like that?" It's what I'd call a gaffe of the "silent but deadly" variety.
"And don't forget, it was Sarah herself who compared herself to a dog last week. Fair game."
I'm not inclined to defend people who don't need defending (like a VP nominee, for instance), but Obama is fond of talking about his "funny name", and how he "doesn't look like those other guys" on the currency, and the Muslim thing. Does that mean it's now fair game to make ignorant jokes about his name and skin color, and to discuss whether he really is a "secret Muslim"? Your statement logically leads to that conclusion.
What if Obama's daughter got knocked up?
She'd get an abortion, to avoid being "punished with a baby".
What if her boyfriend had a myspace page where he said, "I'm a fucking ganster and I'm proud of it"
I would hope that anyone who declared himself proud to be a criminal would be looked down upon.
Sorry Roger - it is gay slang for "woman."
Babe: Well, I have to warn you, I may be small, but I can be ferocious if provoked.
(Babe, Pig in the City 1998)
Randy--thanks
Trooper: LOL!
Anyone else remember Mickey Kaus wondering when Obama was going to have his Sistah Soljah moment? Obama made his big splash at the 2004 convention by beating on Dem accepted wisdom.
All the folks getting too cocky about Palin need to remember that Obama still has a lot of tricks to play - his cohorts in the Dems/MSM are giving him a lot of Sistah Soljahs he can wail on.
Kaus seems to have given up on him ever finding a convenient whipping boy on the left and going to town on him. If someone just reminds him that the primaries are over and it is time to tack to the center I think he can do a lot to mitigate Palin momentum. His tacking to the center on policy is not as useful as him just taking a bat to a Keith Olbermann. He seems quite unwilling to do so - but I think that would be his best move.
He seems to be giving up on moderates and independents. Perhaps he believes there are enough folk on the left to win. If he does (whether he cheats ACORN style or not) - he will have a mandate for a leftist administration we have never seen before.
Oh wow, I hadn't realised we had hit 200 already.
Just to say: cherchez la femme.
This has the biting tongue of Michelle Obama written all over it. I bet you she was watching the Palin RNC speech, and shouted at the TV: "You mean pig with lipstick!". Effete Obama, who doesn't know how to fight properly, just picked it up and ran with it.
Maybe this is his version of white rural hick accent? He must think we're stooopid.
I mentioned his cadence being more like a black preacher on Sunday, these days.
Since he's a black American, this must be his way of sounding "downhome" because you can be sure he doesn't speak with that weird accent normally.
He never does in interviews with (white) reporters. He didn't narrating his two audiobooks. He doesn't in debates.
This voice of his is supposed to make him more approachable, and it achieves the opposite "phoney" conclusion.
Does that mean it's now fair game to make ignorant jokes about his name and skin color
If that's what you need to do, I don't care. Obama, as you saw in the clip, was criticizing the McCain campaign, not Palin.
Your statement logically leads to that conclusion.
Not even close.
Obama refers to his critics (who have unfairly smeared him over his name, alleged religion, etc.) in a pejorative way. There's a huge difference between using an old trope to critique someone's policies and calling them a terrorist.
Garage--you are losing it man--whose desperate? with a fifteenn point shift to indys favoring mccain? Barry and joe are crapping in their pants
Weren't you the same guy saying two weeks polls don't mean squat? :)
I say desperate because the attacks being leveled by McCain doesn't smack of a guy that thinks he can win it without accusing his opponent of treason, or jumping on this stupid story today, or running an ad saying Obama wants to teach sex ed to kindergartners, or jumping on a hideously stupid and untrue story by a fox reporter that Democrats left thousands of flags on the floor at the convention.
Democrats seem shocked every 4 years after Republicans unleash a Tsunami of Stupid on the public and turn the race into a cheap tawrdy mudwrestling contest, and I don't know why they should be surprised.
But now that we see McCain used the lipstick/pig line with Hillary last year, can we all agree that this issue is over?
OUR guy chose a lady as his running mate, giving women the respect they deserved as co-equals.
Obama and the Democrats dissed the best candidate in this 2008 election.
So would you care to ask your question to Hillary supporters, ZPS?
I also noticed what I perceived to be the attempt to do the black preacher schtick--about like hillarys southern drawl not particularly effective IMO. Black preachers are in a class by themselves, and Obama is no black preacher.
Obama is no black preacher.
I agree. TD Jakes is an amazing preacher. He makes me jump up from my seat and cheer.
oops accidentally deleted my post so now Victoria looks like a mind reader.
Here are the two clips that I wanted to reference as Obama's new theme song.
this or maybe this
The lipstick/pig thing is just stupid all around. Stupid for Obama to say it. Stupid for McCain and his camp to make a big deal about it.
Where are the grownups?
Seriously, the comments today are fascinating as is the Obama whine.
If Obama is elected, he will form his "Blue Shirts" and IMHO force Socialism on the country. Dissent will not be tolerated. Durbin, Leahy, Clinton, et al, will be helping him for their piece of the pie. Saul Alinsky will have his legacy and we'll no longer have the form of government we've had since 1789.
The issue is about power for the people or for Socialist elites, about continued American exceptionalism or Socialist style conformity. Other issues are present and germane but these two are prime for me.
and mccain called his wife a cunt...
Where were you all when Fox slandered Obama's wife with the "terrorist fist bump?" Or when Fox news called her Obama's "Baby Mamma"?
Oddly, the republican party has an actual baby momma in the ticket's family but that word is no where to be found...oddly...
If Obama called his wife a "ho" there would be much lamentation about the poor state of black women in america...
Garage,, take a deep man and listen to me; I am one who has said and will continue to say that national tracking polls dont mean squat--but as I said when you disaggregate the data and look at trends within sub groups they develop a lot more meaning--now quantititave numbers dont mean much; you have to look at qualititative trends. And clearly, at least to me, there is significant movement among independants toward McCain and those qualititative trends, irrespective of the numbers are interesting. Clear enough?
Now I think I challenged you to indicate any change that Obama had wrought while a senator. Devote your attention to THAT question. And good luck--you totally failed to respond to my question, although I did respond to you. The ball is in your court, sir
In fact I remember Ann Althouse not caring one bit that they called her a "baby momma" and there was a lot of ignorant joking in that thread as a matter of fact.
I ask for the grownups, and instead I get UWS Guy.
Someone upstairs hates me today.
Funny blog. Roger J has to ask Randy, a gay man, what the fish reference meant. Heh.
Randy- thanks for that address. It would be funny if Obama's office got thousands of lipsticks.
This was just a dumb thing for Obama to say. He meant what he said, and in a sly, indirect way, was referring to Palin, and everyone knew it.
So did the McCain people: they know Obama isn't stupid.
McCain's people are smart. They will demand an apology and not get one and let it simmer with Rush, Hannity, and You Tube viral. Palin herself will not mention it at all, unless asked. They will go on.
Obama is wasting time on Palin. This is beyond stupid. He is getting off message because Palin is messing with his head. Palin is also doing something to their internal polling, which is what Obama's behavior tells me as well.
I guess I should say "good comeback", but I'm not in fucking middle school s and it's not 1990 anymore so I'll just ignore that
aj--give me a break may--I am 66 years old and have led a sheltered life. an old fart who drives in the left lane with his turnsignal blinking--randy was decent enough to give me an answer and it added to my store of information. I am so glad that algore invented this internet
OUR guy chose a lady as his running mate, giving women the respect they deserved as co-equals.
So Obama is a sexist for not pandering to women voters by picking the "best candidate"? I'd call that very respectful of women for not just assuming they would vote for him because he picked a woman.....unlike "your" guy.
1,000,000 million knights in shining armor arise to defend the honor of the virgin sara.
That has to be the reason Palin polls better among men than women. Misogyny, who would have guess it would work for the republicans.
I think section9 is right. (BWDIK?)
Garage Mahal says:Democrats seem shocked every 4 years after Republicans unleash a Tsunami of Stupid on the public and turn the race into a cheap tawrdy mudwrestling contest, and I don't know why they should be surprised.
The sad part is, it looks to me that the Obama people are in fact surprised by this, and a lot of other things they shouldn't be surprised about. While I certainly don't think it's time to panic over the polls (neck-and-neck isn't a bad place to be), Team Obama hasn't impressed me much during the past month or two. Things started going downhill when he had the big idea to give a speech to 200,000 Germans (otherwise known as "non-voters"). The fact that the German speech was the lead story coming out of his international tour, rather than the implicit endorsement of the Iraqi government of his Iraq policy, was where things started to turn south.
It's still way too early to call it, but he needs to make himself into the strong horse again, if he wants to win this thing. And, as an aside, yes, I still think Hillary would have done a better job with all this.
AJ: On second thought, it might be a bad idea - they'll have to scan every package that comes in. But the idea of thousands of lipsticks pouring out of the Senate mail room did have its appeal. LOL!
and mccain called his wife a ****...
Keep repeating the story. Maybe you'll eventually convince yourself it is true.
Where were you all when Fox slandered Obama's wife with the "terrorist fist bump?"
Staying right here in reality, where no such slander ever happened.
Or when Fox news called her Obama's "Baby Mamma"?
Listening to you complain about how horrifically racist and sexist that was.
Oddly, the republican party has an actual baby momma in the ticket's family but that word is no where to be found...oddly...
Unless you read, say, the Huffington Post or the New York Daily News, in which case you can find it easily. :)
Seeing the video, he certainly hesitated long enough to take the opportunity to think about the implications of the lipstick remark.
I sensed some trepidation, but it appears he seemed to think he could deflect any later blame for the obvious inference by citing the generalized trope.
Too clever by half.
We won't get mad if you use
"lipstick on a pig"
in reference to our team if you don't go bananas if we use
"pot calling the kettle black"
Roger
Change versus Bush? Republicans? Status Quo? Oops that was redudant.
Somefeller
Word. Hillary would have been clubbing McCain like a seal looking to take it's fur coat. Muzzling the 527's was incredibly dumb too.
Muzzling the 527's was incredibly dumb too.
Dude, don't even get me started...
So Obama is a sexist for not pandering to women voters by picking the "best candidate"?
Considering that Hillary only narrowly lost to Obama among Democrats, how would choosing her have been "pandering"? She was quite literally the second-best choice for President, in the eyes of Democrats.
I doubt it was sexism that motivated Obama, but it certainly doesn't look good to reject the woman in favor of some old white dude nobody cares about.
Come on Garage--be intellectually honest--I asked you for specific examples of what change Obama has accomplished--You apparently can't or wont answer the question. Grow a set of balls garage--Answer my question--I responded to you. I did think better of you.
What makes anyone here think that it was Obama who rejected Clinton?
Roger:
Believe me I wasn't criticizing or making fun of you.
I just found it humorous and of course a tribute to this blog and the internets and its inventor, Al Bore.
The right response would be for Palin to wait until asked about it, and then laugh while saying "I am sure that's not what he meant. Anyone can have a bad day."
And then move on to other things.
If Obama decides to keep using that metaphor after that, he's just stupid.
AJ--thanks and I think I knew that--sorry to come across as wounded here--I have followed your posts for a long time and know you to be sane! been a long day for me and should probably not be posting
The sad part is, it looks to me that the Obama people are in fact surprised by this, and a lot of other things they shouldn't be surprised about.
This is the first competitive race Obama has ever participated in. He's making a lot of mistakes he wouldn't have made if he's waited a few Senate terms before running.
7:
Nothing really now that you mention it. Hillary's rejection could splain the delay in announcing his super selection of Slow Joe.
But you can't discount Caroline kennedy's role. She is a Manhattan elite and was probably blinded by Obama's universal appeal (i.e Pauline Kael's post election comment). Caroline believed all Obama needed was a VP with foreign policy gravitas.
Hahahaha, Wine Dude Guy, don't you understand that male Republicans from all corners of the Big Tent open doors for women and also pick up the check?
Is that so difficult to understand? Perhaps that is the problem for y'all.
You Progressives are pathetic. Ask W. J. Clinton, there's a guy who knows his women.
Obama is a loser.
The idiot Dems figured this year was such a slam dunk they didn't need to trim their sails by nominating an American centrist, so they went with the leftist novice who never voted for the war, or much of anything else in his scant legislative career.
Yet he was The One.
So The One defeats the Democrat with support amongst centrist voters; but while he and the idiot Democrat primary voters where distracted by the primary, the U.S. essentially secures its victory in the war with a strategy The One disclaimed as doomed to failure. So The One didn't have his signature issue anymore; worse yet, he was proven utterly wrong. But The One was new, and preached that he was The One to deliver "Hope" and "Change" - even in Berlin - despite his long record of accomplishing exactly nothing at all, ever, anywhere.
So McCain inches closer into a virtual tie before Oh-Bah-Muh's Nuremberg rally at INVESCO Field at Mile High, and then McCain hits The One with Palin like a 2X4 to the skull.
Utter chaos follows as The One and his supporters wet their pants.
Lipstick on a pig, indeed.
Generally, I'd advocate euthanasia for mercy, but The One and his insufferable supporters deserve seven more weeks of this pain.
The right response would be for Palin to wait until asked about it, and then laugh while saying "I am sure that's not what he meant. Anyone can have a bad day."
And then move on to other things.
If Obama decides to keep using that metaphor after that, he's just stupid.
Good advice, EC!
Hillary would have been clubbing McCain like a seal looking to take it's fur coat. Muzzling the 527's was incredibly dumb too.
I believe you're right, Garage. Now answer Roger's question, please.
Women don't need men to pick up their checks they have jobs now.
can you guess how many repeat dates I get?...
I went on a date with a Hispanic Studies professor. A real feminist in Monterey Calif. We went to out to indian food.
She made me pick up the check hahaha.
Wow UWS you are a real cocksman, no? We are SO impressed--how about providing the name of the lady so we can check your story out
This is the first competitive race Obama has ever participated in. He's making a lot of mistakes he wouldn't have made if he's waited a few Senate terms before running.
That's probably true. Alan Keyes wasn't exactly a tough sparring partner. However, once the hype machine got into full gear over Obama like it did in 2006-2007, some were arguing that he wouldn't get that sort of lightning in a bottle again, so he needed to run then.
Still, it's too early for anyone to call the race for either side, yet, so panic and recriminations are premature.
I think you miss my point Roger J.
She was a hard-core leftist feminist and even she thought it was my duty to pay for lunch.
Hahaha, Hispanic Studies, give me a fucking break. Are you serious? Ask her if she knows how to get a bet down at the chicken fights, and I'll believe your story.
Ocho Cinco my ass.
UWS--if I missed your point I apolgize--may I suggest that a gentleman does not talk about his dates on a public forum? whatever the context. some things should be left private
Wait wait...
My story is unbelievable because you don't believe colleges have chicano studies majors?
You mean I am forever forbidden from telling an anecdote about a date when I don't even name names?
Sorry that's not chivalry. You're confusing "kissing and telling" with a story of 2 adults meeting over lunch.
Roger!
I asked an honest question. Change against his own party or change against what Bush was trying to enact? There is not alot to go by I admit from his time in the Senate, but I think his time there was honorable and somewhat productive. Almost anything he voted on was change from repubs and Bush. We can both go look what he voted on and for and dissect it. The more fruitful question is what he wants to do as Pres. And for me it's all about the Supremes.
Garage--suck it up man--You tell me what change Barack Obama has accomplished--thats a simple question and you are totally failing to answer it. I dont like Bush except for his war on terrorism--THAT isnt the issue here
you have danced around this question: TELL ME WHAT CHANGE BARACK OBAMA HAS ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED. I responded to your question on polls. But you cant seem to muster up the courage to give me an honest answer. Come on, Garage--I am starting to think you are a pathetic hack. I did think better of you. Typical leftist hack, no guts
Hold it - now Barry "My Muslim Faith" Obama is talking about unclean pigs? What's next, a bacon sandwich? That will never sell amongst the Hasidim.
Does that mean the gloves are off?
Can I start using the N-word, and start talking about Eugenics, Mandingo, Monkeys, and House-slaves without fear of being deleted on this blog ?
Anything goes.
What's even more interesting than the 'pig' remark is the way he mutters and is hunched over and searches for his next word...he is cracking...I continue to predict a major meltdown, possibly on live TV.
Althouse post on McCain/Palin ad saying that Obama wants to teach kindergartners explicit sex in
3
2
1....
Maxine I don't think Ann has ever deleted anyones comments before.
Am i wrong?
I think you’re all missing what Obama actually meant with his “putting lipstick on a pig” comment.
Obama wasn’t referring to Governor Palin as a pig.
What he was doing was announcing that he planned to put lipstick on an actual pig and kiss it for the cameras to prove that – contrary to his previous gaffe –he isn’t actually a Muslim.
(Also one of his campaign advisors suggested that it might make him seem more likable to rural voters but only in Iowa which he’ll probably carry anyway)
No.
1)He wanted to protect kindergartners from sexual predators
2)by teaching kindergarteners certain aspects of sex education.
The whole thing is the truth. Republicans are lying by omission when they leave out the first part. Democrats are lying by omission when they leave out the second part.
The AUDIENCE knew exactly to whom he was referring.
I agree. However, it was off message. It was a clumsy attempt at humor. It made him look like an idiot.
it was a terrible blunder politically.
Hows about a little joke 'bout egg on a Monkey.
Still a Monkey, no matter how ya slice it.
Slurp.
UWS: Yes, you're wrong.
Maxine I don't think Ann has ever deleted anyones comments before.
Ann has deleted comments in the past.
Wow, she really deleted comments? What were they?
Roger
I guess I'm a pathetic hack. I had planned on doing a substantive reply after I determined exactly what the hell you wanted me to answer. Change in the Senate is like changing the sex with your wife of 30 years.
last post and going to bed--garage if you havent got the remotest shred on intellectual honesty and cant respond to a straight foward question, you are simply a pathetic little puke and a sorry excuse for a thinking person. One last time: tell us what change Barack Obama has accomplished.
Really sad, Garage--thought you were a better man than that
Roger
Good night.
"Wow, she really deleted comments? What were they?"
I've seen two types.
There was a Titus impersonator who got axed.
There is some ex-student of hers who basically acts like some sort of stalker.
Those are the only deletes I have seen Ann do.
Oh, and on a couple of threads, she has deleted obviously off-topic stuff. I think she got one of mine recently. You know the kind-- a thread goes up about X, and some dumbass, like me, posts "Hey, I am not interested at all in what you set this thread up about, but did you see this story? http://xxx.yyy.zzz Unreal!"
I think mine was about the sport of curling. Go figure.
UWS: It has varied and it hasn't happened often. Off the top of my head, some have written highly inappropriate things about Althouse's family, revealing personal information. There were a few highly offensive diatribes of some sort or another. Repetitive comments made with the sole purpose of annoying. That sort of thing.
EnigmatiCore: That is a fair assessment of the hay each side is trying to make. Kudos.
In this case, however, I find the Republicans' hay more redolent.
Reader_iam-- as far as policy, I think it would be great if schools made it available for as young as they have, with parents opting in when they feel it is appropriate.
But I also think that it is a local decision before it is a county decision before it is a state decision before it is a federal decision. We are about four levels removed from where it should be discussed.
But most of all, I am tired of the disingenuousness of both sides. Say what the issue is, without spin. If you are on the right side, people will back you. If you are on the wrong side, they won't. Plain and simple.
EnigmatiCore: For a second time, kudos.
I agree with you.
garage mahal said...
Funny how people like Althouse wonder about a blogger like Sullivan who's been away for 2 days but ask nothing about a VP pick that's been sequestered for over a week. Maybe that's his angle.
That is because Joe Biden is on the run. The last time he was seen he was being chased by a bus full of community organizers that had stickers all over it. It was driven by a mystery woman who kept cackling loudly "it's mine Joe, it's mine. All mine."
From end to end of your latest comment, and every jot and tittle between.
I guess I'm a pathetic hack. I had planned on doing a substantive reply after I determined exactly what the hell you wanted me to answer. Change in the Senate is like changing the sex with your wife of 30 years.
So why'd Obama run for Senate? Was he not bright enough to realize that, or was it just that change isn't what he's really interested in? Why not run for -- for example -- governor of Illinois? Governor is an excellent position to change things from, and also a much easier place to ascend to the Presidency from.
OINK.
Boy, this is a fun election, isn't it?
I'm supposed to know why he ran for the Senate? Why dont you go to a townhall and ask him yourself. I've never said once how much change he would bring so I dont know why I'm being asked. It's a choice between mediocre improvement or complete and utter disaster for me. Any Democrat will do.
Why not run for -- for example -- governor of Illinois?
And displace Blagojevich our beloved boy-wonder?
Any Democrat will do.
Really?
Camille Paglia's latest Salon column on Palin.
DBQ, Roger, guys, we're not the only ones who noticed Obama's newer hip-hoppier accent.
As I said in my last column, I have become increasingly uneasy about Obama's efforts to sound folksy and approachable by reflexively using inner-city African-American tones and locutions, which as a native of Hawaii he acquired relatively late in his development and which are painfully wrong for the target audience of rural working-class whites that he has been trying to reach.
This is a big-ouch from Paglia:
The witch-trial hysteria of the past two incendiary weeks unfortunately reveals a disturbing trend in the Democratic Party, which has worsened over the past decade. Democrats are quick to attack the religiosity of Republicans, but Democratic ideology itself seems to have become a secular substitute religion. Since when did Democrats become so judgmental and intolerant? Conservatives are demonized, with the universe polarized into a Manichaean battle of us versus them, good versus evil. Democrats are clinging to pat group opinions as if they were inflexible moral absolutes. The party is in peril if it cannot observe and listen and adapt to changing social circumstances.
Quite.
Cheers,
Victoria
The wheels are coming off the Obama campaign now.
The One is rattled.
Petulant. That is what Obama has become.
It's a real shame that Paglia doesn't blog when she is such a natural blogger.
Whatever cash she is making over there she could easily make blogging. At the least, she should cut her ties with that shit hole Salon. Hey, maybe The Atlantic will make some space soon...
garage mahal said...
I'm supposed to know why he ran for the Senate?
I know why. He was guaranteed a win. Any Democrat running in Illinois that year could have won. A moron, a cretin, an idiot, even you could have run. The win was guaranteed by the Party. He was ordered to run by Emil Jones. Obama is a good little boy. He takes orders and does as he is told. That is all he has ever done.
Gee Whillikers.....Maxine posted a comment on Camille Paglia's site (letter #14) and it wasn't deleted.
Of course, she didn't use the N-Word which Althouse has vowed to delete.
Funny, it's ok for black men to call white women pigs, but not ok to for white women to call black men N's.....according to the Althouse Code-Of-Conduct.
And yes, Althouse has deleted prior posts that use the N-Word.
Reader
Yes. I can't think of a prominent Democrat I wouldn't vote for at this point considering the alternative(s). I sense you are noticeably neutral, I'd be curious if you're leaning....?
"Why not run for -- for example -- governor of Illinois?"
"And displace Blagojevich our beloved boy-wonder?"
Seems to me I heard a story lately about a person who decided to fight corruption even if it meant going against her own party to run for an office that wasn't "open."
I suppose that's too much to ask of someone who believes in change.
It seems that the Palin water carriers are starting to get very scared over 100s of brewing scandals.
Not scared, just tired. it's gotten to the point that they aren't even new scandals, just another damn fool who has mastered control-C/control-V.
Paglia:
Since when did Democrats become so judgmental and intolerant? Conservatives are demonized, with the universe polarized into a Manichaean battle of us versus them, good versus evil. Democrats are clinging to pat group opinions as if they were inflexible moral absolutes. The party is in peril if it cannot observe and listen and adapt to changing social circumstances.
Hmmm? who do they sound like? A group that is entrenched in blind group speak, a group that is entrenched in intolerance and hatred, a group that cannot adapt to changing social circumstances?
What group of people is like that? Oh no. It cannot be. Is it possible? The Democratic party is Islamic?
1. I don't really know why anyone would get upset about a policy on someone's personal blog against one single, sordid word that is easy to avoid. You are free to use it on your own blog.
2. I think it's important that we who oppose Obama don't caricature him. He's a good person and his story is remarkable. He just favors crappy policies and he is too inexperienced for the presidency.
You guys have just got to listen to this.
Sen. Mike Gravel on Pacifica radio.
I'm sticking with my original suspicion, that Andrew will get fired. Or leave The Atlantic under mutually agreeable terms.
Althouse cited Ace. Ace received an email from someone who said they worked at The Atlantic, and claimed that Andrew was told to stop posting re Palin, but Andrew refused.
The premise does make sense, even though the email has not been verified: up until his last posting Sunday night, Andrew was unrepentant, even defiant, linking to the much anticipated, but eventually deflating puff piece ("Meet the baby") re Trig. Andrew's blog title for this link was provocative: "Your move, McCain."
But could he have been just suspended for a week or two, and told to be on his best behavior afterwards? This doesn't seem likely, as they would have probably have posted something on his blog saying he was taking a couple weeks off.
The mysteriousness and suddenness of the matter suggest a standoff.
But The Atlantic holds all the cards. He'll get fired unless he submits. Like the boy named Andrew in the "Desperate Housewives" video.
Michael in IL said...
Why not run for -- for example -- governor of Illinois?
And displace Blagojevich our beloved boy-wonder?
Well, if Blago gets indicted and convicted Obama may have a good shot at it. The Dems make him governor, he gets real experience and if he can stay out of prison he can run for president again. Community organizer may be passe by then.
I've been waiting for the collapse of a major party my whole adult life. I think we're closer than ever.
Two things I know.
1. Pride comes before a fall.
2. Smart Democrats need to figure out a way to distance themselves from the media. Maybe, like this guy, they will become Republicans.
garage mahal said...
Reader
Yes. I can't think of a prominent Democrat I wouldn't vote for at this point considering the alternative(s).
Prominent democrat is an oxymoron.
"It seems that the Palin water carriers are starting to get very scared over 100s of brewing scandals."
Not so much that as wondering how the "scandals" can seem so huge to some people.
I have complete faith in anyone being able to dig up dirt on *anyone*. It all depends on what you want to call dirt and how picky a person wants to get about it.
I was quite willing to go with Giuliani. The reason the Palin style "scandals" seem so numerous is because for the *other* candidates no one is looking with a microscope. There are bigger things to concentrate on.
I think it's important that we who oppose Obama don't caricature him. He's a good person and his story is remarkable.
Oh please. There are no higher stakes than those offered to the victor in a United States presidential election.
Obama's story is not "remarkable." It is banal. He's in way over his head. McCain is making mincemeat of his campaign.
It isn't Obama's opponents who are making a caricature of Barak Obama. After all, why should they interrupt a master at work?
Seven Machos: Explain why it's ok to call Palin every name in the book, "Whore" C-word, B-word etc...
Yet I can't use the N-word to describe the Democratic candidate ???
"Yet I can't use the N-word to describe the Democratic candidate ???"
Can I ask a different question?
Why on earth would you want to?
peter hoh,
Don't you just love it when they use Communist Chinese terms to describe groups in the legislature;
Gang of 16, gang of this, gang of that. It remminds me of the political fallout after Mao died.
Seven Machos: Explain why it's ok to call Palin every name in the book, "Whore" C-word, B-word etc...
Examples?
Obama's story is not "remarkable." It is banal.
Come on. Take off the ideological blinders. It's absolutely remarkable. That a half-African-American man from a single-parent household could go to Harvard Law School, become a senator, and run for president by the age of 47? You've got to be kidding. That's storybook stuff.
He's in way over his head.
Absolutely. I concur 100 percent. But that takes nothing away from his story.
McCain is making mincemeat of his campaign.
Let's stay focused here and not get cocky. Save it for the inaugural ball.
If anyone here called Palin a cunt, it would be in honor of an inside joke of some standing. It wouldn't surprise me that the word bitch has been used, or other words.
Do you really think that cunt has anywhere near the socio-politically odious baggage as the n-word? You must be joking, Maxine. Stick to cosmetics.
Maxine Weiss said...
Seven Machos: Explain why it's ok to call Palin every name in the book, "Whore" C-word, B-word etc...
Yet I can't use the N-word to describe the Democratic candidate ???
Because, Maxine, life is not fair. Why should Democrats be.
Palin the bridge the bridge, the bridge..."
"Palin's inexperienced, she's inexperienced, inexperienced, small town mayor, Hiding from Press, Alaska small state, ..."
"Palin, teenage daughter - pregnant, right-wing extremist,creationist, pro-life, shoots polor bears, Jews for Jesus,..."
ZZZZZZZZ. Nobody cares lefties.
Obama had better stop attacking Sarah - the VP second on the ticket - and start going after McCain.
Prominent democrat is an oxymoron.
Only if you don't know what the word "prominent" means. But, I suppose that's no surprise, given the speaker.
EnigmatiCore -- I just listened to the clip you posted. Wow. There is such a thing as a smart Democrat.
(And yes, I know that Gravel is no longer a Democrat. Like I said, he's proven that there is such a thing as smart Democrat.)
My hat's off to Gravel. If liberals/Democrats had listened to him back when that aired (on Monday, Sept. 1, according to the YouTube info) the Democrats would have been in a much better position.
Seven Machos said...
Come on. Take off the ideological blinders. It's absolutely remarkable. That a half-African-American man from a single-parent household could go to Harvard Law School, become a senator, and run for president by the age of 47? You've got to be kidding. That's storybook stuff.
Like Bill Clinton.
I listened, too, and thought it was great. What was with the woman deejay's ridiculous accent? Was she trying to sound sophisticated? Where do people talk like that?
You want a good Democrat? How about Brian Schweitzer?
Seven Machos said...
Do you really think that cunt has anywhere near the socio-politically odious baggage as the n-word?
Call a woman one to her face and you will find out real quick.
Peter V. -- Yes. Exactly. Bill Clinton's story is amazing as well. I never voted for him but, in retrospect, he is certainly right that he governed as an Eisenhower Republican. (Why he did that is open to debate, but that's what he did.)
My hat is off to Bill Clinton, and to Obama. I would incredibly proud to have my son grow up to be like either one, warts and all.
My point here is simply that we should stand athwart the fray of the personal invective, yelling, "Stop!"
I have called women cunts to their face and lived to tell about it.
Hey, maybe The Atlantic will make some space soon...
Good one, 7M.
I never did say this before, but I found the Andrew Sullivan challenge, "Your move, McCain" to be creepy one one level.
It's like he's directly talking to McCain, in his mind.
Many of us do that in the comments, though it's fairly certain that Michelle Obama or whomever won't read our posts. "What now, Dubya?", etc.
But with Sullivan, it's almost like in his mind, he and McCain are going mano-a-mano. The rest of us are just the audience at the prize fight.
It's very trippy.
I have called women cunts to their face and lived to tell about it.
Still the only word one cannot use on UK television. F-bomb all night long, no c-word.
BTW, men use it to other men in jest all the time. Use it to a woman, and hooboy, moose will fly.
Seven, I think her accent is supposed to sound Europeanish. We're so sophisticated here at Pacifica News. La la la la la.
I loved how the hosts couldn't handle Gravel when he started making sense.
Exhibit 5,389 as to why liberals lose.
But you can't discount Caroline kennedy's role
I can. That was just a dog and pony routine to bring a little bit of the real Camelot thing in for show. She never had any actual real say. Axelrod, Barack, and probably Michelle to a lesser extent call all the shots including selecting the VP.
SM: but now they call you "scarface!"
I'm watching Family Guy, and the President of that time, Clinton, is a character in the skit.
How innocent and jokey it all seemed, back then. Even with the paedophile old neighbour.
This will all seem innocent and jokey in a few years, provided that the super collider doesn't destroy the earth in a few hours. And if it does, I want to say to all of you that I have enjoyed your company.
Maxine I don't think Ann has ever deleted anyones comments before.
Am i wrong?
You're wrong.
Yet I can't use the N-word to describe the Democratic candidate ???
Nerd? Yes. I suppose Obama does remind me of Urkel. But, still.... speaking as a person who participates in MMORPG role playing games, I think the "N" word is really pretty harsh. Calling Obama a Nerd without actual proof, is just bigoted.
Peter Hoh: LOL! I had basically the same impression while listening to that interview. Brian Schweitzer is one person who I'd like to know more about.
Seven: he is certainly right that he governed as an Eisenhower Republican.
I agree! And you're right about Obama's career, too. They both have their negatives as well (as you pointed out already).
But I will never forgive you for stealing my intended sign-off about the super-collider ;-)
Speaking of Pigs, here's a when pigs fly moment. Newsweek is coming out this week with a Palin-tology issue, which will feature a "smears" clarification article.
Sliming Palin
It's a start.
Come on. Take off the ideological blinders. It's absolutely remarkable. That a half-African-American man from a single-parent household could go to Harvard Law School, become a senator, and run for president by the age of 47? You've got to be kidding. That's storybook stuff.
The only thing "storybook" about Obama is that he's half-black. Otherwise, he's a fairly typical south Chicago Daley machine political hack. His main problem is that he's recently risen to the level of his incompetence.
Let's stay focused here and not get cocky. Save it for the inaugural ball.
Fair enough. Even so, think of the Titanic, the "unsinkable" monster ship. Obama's campaign, speeding along at record speed looking to set the record time for a trans-Atlantic passage, has just hit an monster iceberg, and I'm afraid it is taking on water fast.
Oh, and there aren't nearly enough lifeboats.
Seven Machos said...
Peter V. -- Yes. Exactly. Bill Clinton's story is amazing as well.
That is why I love Sarah Palin. Her story is more cmopelling than both put together. If she keeps telling her story andignores the Demo smear campaign, she will be the one people will write the books about. Work very hard, have persistence, and you can succeed.
Obama's story not so much. there is no real accomplishment there. He is more celebrity than substance. At least Clinton governed a state. All Obama did was do well in school. The rest was Chicago Politics. In Chicago, if you are connected you can achieve anything. If not, you work for a living.
he's a fairly typical south Chicago Daley machine political hack
First of all, Daley is a pretty good mayor. Second of all, there's not a machine here. Third, how can you say that a man of any skin color of humble background who graduated from Harvard Law and became a senator and a major-party nominee for president is a hack?
Come on, man. You have to respect what Obama has achieved, even if it's not nearly enough to warrant election to the presidency.
"What was with the woman deejay's ridiculous accent? ...Where do people talk like that?"
My first guess was India, or maybe Pakistan. The woman conducting the interview is Sonali Kolhatkar. She is "vice president of the Afghan Women's Mission, a group that works in solidarity with Afghans to help improve health and educational facilities for Afghan refugees in Pakistan. " She wrote a piece entitled "By Any Standards, This is a War Against Afghans."
Here is her article and interview with perennial leftist cause, Mumia Abu Jamal, on KPFK's Pacifica radio out of LA, a segment called -I am not making this up- Uprising: Subverting the Airwaves.
Peter V. -- No. You are thinking of Washington, DC. We have a vibrant economy here and you can be immensely successful in all kinds of endeavors without local political connections.
Is Mumia dead yet?
Gedaliya, where have I seen such preening overconfidence?
Oh yeah, from Democrats, back when Gustav was headed for N.O. and McCain had just announced his VP pick.
Seven Machos said...
Peter V. -- No. You are thinking of Washington, DC. We have a vibrant economy here and you can be immensely successful in all kinds of endeavors without local political connections.
I meant political connections in re politcal success. I must have forgot to type that. I live in Chicago. I know how things work here.
First of all, Daley is a pretty good mayor.
He runs a tight ship.
Second of all, there's not a machine here.
I take it you're being facetious here.
Third, how can you say that a man of any skin color of humble background who graduated from Harvard Law and became a senator and a major-party nominee for president is a hack?
Because he is a hack. For years he carried water for the Daley machine in the Illinois legislature, and he lucked out when Carol Mosely Braun went down in flames.
Obama is a most unimpressive man.
Come on, man. You have to respect what Obama has achieved...
I'm impressed that he out-maneuvered the Clintons for the nomination. But he bit off more than he can chew. That fact diminishes both his achievement and my respect for his accomplishments.
ABOUT SARAH PALIN
I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992.
Everyone here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a
first-name basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her
father was my child's favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a
first name basis with her parents and mother-in-law. I attended more
City Council meetings during her administration than about 99% of the
residents of the city.
She is enormously popular; in every way she's like the most popular
girl in middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and
won't vote for her can't quit smiling when talking about her because
she is a "babe".
It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She
kept her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents
for seven months.
She is "pro-life". She recently gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby.
There is no cover-up involved, here; Trig is her baby.
She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked out at the gym.
She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out
there" and if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.
Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a
champion snowmobile racer. Todd Palin's kind of job is highly
sought-after because of the schedule and high pay. He arranges his
work schedule so he can fish for salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or
so in summer, but by no stretch of the imagination is fishing their
major source of income. Nor has her life-style ever been anything
like that of native Alaskans.
Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.
She's smart.
Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000
(at the time), and less than 2 years as governor of a state with about
670,000 residents.
During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running
this small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been
pushed to hire this administrator by party power-brokers after she had
gotten herself into some trouble over precipitous firings which had
given rise to a recall campaign.
Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a "fiscal conservative". During her 6
years as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over
33%. During those same 6 years the amount of taxes collected by the
City increased by 38%. This was during a period of low inflation
(1996-2002). She reduced progressive property taxes and increased a
regressive sales tax which taxed even food. The tax cuts that she
promoted benefited large corporate property owners way more than they
benefited residents.
The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration
weren't enough to fund everything on her wish list though, borrowed
money was needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it
with indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage
the voters to borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said
she supported? The sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? or a
new library? No. $1m for a park. $15m-plus for construction of a
multi-use sports complex which she rushed through to build on a piece
of property that the City didn't even have clear title to, that was
still in litigation 7 yrs later--to the delight of the lawyers
involved! The sports complex itself is a nice addition to the
community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she claimed it
would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5m for road projects that
could have been done in 5-7 yrs without any borrowing.
While Mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office
redecorated more than once.
These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.
As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus
in Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will
make us energy independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she
proposed distribution of this surplus to every individual in the state.
In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she
recommended that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while
she proposed distribution of surplus state revenues: spend today's
surplus, borrow for needs.
She's not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas
or compromise. As Mayor, she fought ideas that weren't generated by
her or her staff. Ideas weren't evaluated on their merits, but on the
basis of who proposed them.
While Sarah was Mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected
City Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from
the library some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents
rallied to the defense of the City Librarian and against Palin's
attempt at out-and-out censorship, so Palin backed down and withdrew
her termination letter. People who fought her attempt to oust the
Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.
Sarah complained about the "old boy's club" when she first ran for
Mayor, so what did she bring Wasilla? A new set of "old boys". Palin
fired most of the experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as
Governor she hired or elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people,
creating a staff totally dependent on her for their jobs and eternally
grateful and fiercely loyal--loyal to the point of abusing their power
to further her personal agenda, as she has acknowledged happened in the
case of pressuring the State's top cop (see below).
As Mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla's Police Chief because he "intimidated"
her, she told the press. As Governor, her recent firing of Alaska's top
cop has the ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure
and she had every legal right to fire him, but it's pretty clear that
an important factor in her decision to fire him was because he wouldn't
fire her sister's ex-husband, a State Trooper. Under investigation
for abuse of power, she has had to admit that more than 2 dozen
contacts were made between her staff and family to the person that she
later fired, pressuring him to fire her ex-brother-in-law. She tried to
replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been reprimanded
for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she withdrew
her support.
She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in
help. The City Council person who personally escorted her around town
introducing her to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council
became one of her first targets when she was later elected Mayor. She
abruptly fired her loyal City Administrator; even people who didn't
like the guy were stunned by this ruthlessness.
Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything
publicly about her.
When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got
the best, Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one
of the few jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no
background in oil & gas issues. Within months of scoring this great
job which paid $122,400/yr, she was complaining in the press about the
high salary. I was told that she hated that job: the commute, the
structured hours, the work. Sarah became aware that a member of this
Commission (who was also the State Chair of the Republican Party)
engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy move which some
undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah solved all
her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and
garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a
gutsy fighter against the "old boys' club" when she dramatically quit,
exposing this man's ethics violations (for which he was fined).
As Mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from
Senator Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel
politics and publicly humiliated him. She only opposed the "bridge to
nowhere" after it became clear that it would be unwise not to.
As Governor, she gave the Legislature no direction and budget
guidelines, then made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing
projects, calling them pork. Public outcry and further legislative
action restored most of these projects--which had been vetoed simply
because she was not aware of their importance--but with the unobservant
she had gained a reputation as "anti-pork".
She is solidly Republican: no political maverick. The State party
leaders hate her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated
them. Other members of the party object to her self-description as a
fiscal conservative.
Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah.
They call her "Sarah Barracuda" because of her unbridled ambition and
predatory ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly
stories circulated around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made
point guard on the high school basketball team. When Sarah's
mother-in-law, a highly respected member of the community and
experienced manager, ran for Mayor, Sarah refused to endorse her.
As Governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package
of legislation known as "AGIA" that forced the oil companies to march
to the beat of her drum.
Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to
global warming. She campaigned "as a private citizen" against a state
initiaitive that would have either a) protected salmon streams from
pollution from mines, or b) tied up in the courts all mining in the
state (depending on who you listen to). She has pushed the State's
lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior's decision to list polar
bears as threatened species.
McCain is the oldest person to ever run for President; Sarah will be a
heartbeat away from being President.
There has to be literally millions of Americans who are more
knowledgeable and experienced than she.
However, there's a lot of people who have underestimated her and are
regretting it.
CLAIM VS FACT
*"Hockey mom": true for a few years
*"PTA mom": true years ago when her first-born was in elementary
school, not since
*"NRA supporter": absolutely true
*social conservative: mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill
that would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships
(said she did this because it was unconsitutional).
*pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to
promote it.
*"Pro-life": mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby
BUT declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life
legislation
*"Experienced": Some high schools have more students than Wasilla has
residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska.
No legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on
supervisory or managerial experience; needed help of a city
administrator to run town of about 5,000.
*political maverick: not at all
*gutsy: absolutely!
*open & transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at
explaining actions.
*has a developed philosophy of public policy: no
*"a Greenie": no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores
and disconnected parking lots. Is pro-drilling off-shore and in ANWR.
*fiscal conservative: not by my definition!
*pro-infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city
without a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built
streets to early 20th century standards.
*pro-tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden on
residents
*pro-small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city
government in Wasilla's history.
*pro-labor/pro-union. No. Just because her husband works union
doesn't make her pro-labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim
that she is pro-labor/pro-union.
WHY AM I WRITING THIS?
First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed
voter. I am a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting
programs in the schools. If you google my name (Anne Kilkenny +
Alaska), you will find references to my participation in local
government, education, and PTA/parent organizations.
Secondly, I've always operated in the belief that "Bad things happen
when good people stay silent". Few people know as much as I do because
few have gone to as many City Council meetings.
Third, I am just a housewife. I don't have a job she can bump me out
of. I don't belong to any organization that she can hurt. But, I am no
fool; she is immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will
cost me somehow in the future: that's life.
Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100
or so people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah's
attempt at censorship.
Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to
say anything because they were somehow vulnerable.
CAVEATS
I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in
spending & taxation 2 years ago (when Palin was running for Governor)
from information supplied to me by the Finance Director of the City of
Wasilla, and I can't recall exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust
for inflation? for population increases? Right now, it is impossible
for a private person to get any info out of City Hall--they are
swamped. So I can't verify my numbers.
You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the
population of Wasilla, ranging from my "about 5,000", up to 9,000. The
day Palin's selection was announced a city official told me that the
current population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was
5,460. I have used about 5,000 because Palin was Mayor from 1996 to
2002, and the city was growing rapidly in the mid-90's.
Anne Kilkenny
August 31, 2008
Michael, you know how to link, don't you?
I have a lot of respect for Obama. He seems uniquely American to me. We disagree on a lot, often irreconcilably, but that doesn't mean that he is bad, or bereft of ideas.
And, no, Chicago has no machine. The Democratic primaries here are full of battles. Beyond that, we are a benign and only slightly corrupt autocracy. I am not being facetious.
Ged, you sound like nothing so much as the comical goons who fill up the leftist hothouse blogs.
Seven Machos said..."I have called women cunts to their face and lived to tell about it."
WHAT A STUD.
What a horrendous cut-and-paste job. Seriously. Who is going to read that?
Thank you, Michael. You would be less of a cunt if you could learn html. Good night.
Seven Machos - Keep in mind most here have never been out of their home city much less to Chicago.
Just read the stilted comments based on nothing of substance, only opinion or innuendo.
Thanks to Michael for the opportunity to improve my high-speed scrolling skills.
Oh, Michael! Anne Kilkenny's memo has been known to the world for days now. As you already know, many all of the lies about Palin started with Kilkenny, who has hated Palin since an argument in 1996. There is a whole website devoted to pointing out the inaccuracies of these lies. You know where to find it. Others have recommended it to you repeatedly over the last couple of days.
Ann should consider deleting your post as the only purpose in your posting that long rant here is to be taking advantage of her high traffic volume in order to spread the misrepresentations contained therein. Your actions here tonight demonstrate how easy it is to spread lies and distortions on the internet with malicious intent. If Althouse leaves it, then people like you will tell others "I read it on Althouse" piggybacking on Althouse's reputation. Shame on you.
Thanks for the upthread link to the Paglia piece. Wow!
Hard to pick the best 'graph, but I thought this was worth repeating.
Now that's the Sarah Palin brand of can-do, no-excuses, moose-hunting feminism -- a world away from the whining, sniping, wearily ironic mode of the establishment feminism represented by Gloria Steinem, a Hillary Clinton supporter whose shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades has severely limited American feminism and not allowed it to become the big tent it can and should be. Sarah Palin, if her reputation survives the punishing next two months, may be breaking down those barriers. Feminism, which should be about equal rights and equal opportunity, should not be a closed club requiring an ideological litmus test for membership.
Synova asks: "How does this complaining about McCain stealing his Hope and Change go over with his own audiences?"
Assuming you're talking about the no-enemies-to-the-left (NETTL) crowd, it plays great; it's a core axiom that Republicans steal. No problem there at all.
Browse the comments by uws_guy, starting at "And so another black man gets lynched for being rude to a white woman."
No, he's getting blasted for being either (a) vile, sexist, and manipulative in his use of language or (b) dumber than a bag of hammers.
But to the NETTL constituency, Obama, as Our Man, can't be criticized on legitimate grounds. So we get madness in torrents from the left, and filtered madness from the media, who understands the bread still needs to be buttered.
And when Obama shakes up his campaign staff on October 10, the press is going to see which way the wind is blowing and suddenly get interested in where the Annenberg Challenge money went.
At this rate, Obama may have to get the dead to each vote twice in Chicago to avoid a 50-state loss. But to uws_guy, it will just be another example of how The Right keeps righteous Americans under the boot.
Peter -- I live in the Gold Coast. My alderman is a thirty-something guy who beat out an alderman of long, long standing. He's great. I saw him at Dublin's once. I wrote him a letter about a rat problem in the nearest park. He wrote me back, twice, and the rat problem went away.
The trash gets hauled. The snow gets cleared. The streets are clean. The graffiti gets painted. Where I live, crime is low and the public schools are reportedly tremendous.
I'm sure things are different in other neighborhoods. I know there is corruption. However, at the city level, politics is retail and I can only say that I am happy with the service I get.
Further, big cities elect Democrats. That's never going to change. Compared to alternatives I have experienced, Chicago is fabulous.
Another result of THE SURGE:
Army suicide rate may exceed U.S. population's
The rate of suicides among-active duty soldiers is on pace to surpass both last year's numbers and the rate of suicide in the general U.S. population for the first time since the Vietnam war, according to U.S. Army officials.
On Tuesday, the VA also announced results of a study that shows suicides hit an all-time high in 2006 among younger U.S. military veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
blake said..."Thanks to Michael for the opportunity to improve my high-speed scrolling skills."
You're welcome.
Now, let's get to work on reading comprehension.
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