Oh, That Joe! (No. 26 in a Series) — Obama is ‘Fighting for You,’ McCain is ‘Fighting Mad’
"A middle class voter voting for John McCain is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders," Rich Trumka, Secretary/Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, said today in Ohio as he introduced Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., "and if the Republicans get in, you’re gonna get plucked!"
Trumka also referred to Biden as “the next president,” before correcting himself to introduce “the next vice-president.”
Biden broke down the choice for Buckeye State voters in a different manner, illustrating the distinction between the campaigns of Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., who is currently bunkered down for debate prep across the state in Toledo.
"I think this is the best way to look at this, folks, and the honest way,” Biden said. “The distinction could not be clearer: one guy’s fighting for you and the other guy’s fighting mad."
Biden continued: "At the end of the day, there’s a fundamental difference between Barack Obama and John McCain, and Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. And it’s literally this basic in my opinion –"
Biden was suddenly interrupted when an audience member yelled “brains!”
As the crowd laughed in approval, Biden paused.
“Maybe I should stop here,” he said.
Biden also thanked two prominent Buckeye State lawmakers who also appeared at the outdoor amphitheater event with him Tuesday morning.
“Thank you all for sending Sherrod Brown to the United States Senate,” Biden said. “You know, you often wonder when you meet a new guy or a new woman that you’re working with, you know, what made them what they are? Where’d he get all this spunk? Where’d he get all this grit? Where’d he get such a well-educated guy who’s ready to get down in the trenches and absolutely battle it out tooth and nail with you?
“And then I went to Mansfield, Ohio, I stopped at a diner and guess who I met? I met mom. I met his mom.”
“Meet Mrs. Brown and you’ll get it,” the Delaware lawmaker continued. “The first thing I said is, ‘You must be proud of your son’ and she said, ‘Which one?’"
With Sen. Brown sitting to Biden’s side on the stage, Biden called him out on his blushes.
“I’m embarrassing him but that’s what senior senators are allowed to do – embarrass junior senators,” said the six-term senator, pulling rank on freshman Brown.
Biden also thanked another Buckeye State legislator, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, in his inimitable Biden style.
“The problem with Tim is he’s too young and good-looking,” said the 65-year old Biden, who was recently accused in the Washington Post of using Botox (falsely, his spokesman said). “I don’t like young, good-looking guys anymore. I don’t like ‘em anymore. You know, I used to be young, I don’t know about the other part, but I used to be young, you know.”
A woman in the audience then shouted a compliment about Biden’s looks, prompting him to ask her to pass it along to his wife, Jill, who is back home in Delaware.
“Would you write a note to my wife and tell her that, alright?”
Biden emphasized to Buckeye State voters the importance of their presidential pick, noting that “Ohio is likely to determine who the next president of the United States is."
He appealed to organized labor and auto workers, recalling that it was labor “that brung me to the dance” when he was first elected to Capitol Hill in 1972 at the age of 29.
And the colorful veep nominee also recounted fond memories of one of his first cars, a 1956 Packard.
“We used to call it ‘The Battleship’,” Biden said, preaching to the crowd that the region needs fewer auto museums and more auto plants.
– Jake Tapper and Matthew Jaffe
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That’s illustrative. When Biden crowds yell out, it’s to says “Brains” is the difference between the two tickets. When Palin crowds yell out, it’s to say things like “Terrorist”, “Kill him” and “Sit down, boy”. Seems a clear choice based on sanity alone…
Posted by: Pacific moderate | October 14, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
“We thought it couldn’t get more anti-choice and more extreme for women and for health care than George Bush and John McCain. But let’s face it — with Sarah Palin, John McCain has outdone himself. Women voting for McCain-Palin is like chickens voting for Col. Sanders. That is not a risk we can afford to take.” –Cecile Richards, Huffington Post
Regardless if he stole the line, he’s right!
Posted by: Jodi | October 14, 2008, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
every four years, two guys step onto this stage and bloviate about how great their party is and how terrible the other guy’s is. Seldom do we have an opportunity to vote for a candidate who has the courage, independence and reputation for sticking it to his own party when it’s wrong, and stick it to the opposing party with equal ferocity when they’re wrong. Most recently, Sen. McCain called for the resignation of Sec. Chris Cox, and if he doesn’t, Sen. McCain called for Pres. Bush to fire him. Sen. Obama should have the courage to call for Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd and House Banking Chairman Barney Frank to resign from their chairmanship, and if they don’t, Sen. Obama should call on the Democratic caucus to strip them of it, and he shouldn’t do it as a result of Sen. McCain’s goading. Of course, he can defend their positions, as if a “(D)” is an excuse for all mal-feasance, but that’s a decision the American people can decide on, if Sen. Dodd and Rep. Frank really are innocent bystanders in this meltdown.
Posted by: Obamacrat for McCain | October 14, 2008, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm
“Oh” Joe! You nailed it!
Posted by: beck | October 14, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
Biden continued: “At the end of the day, there’s a fundamental difference between Barack Obama and John McCain, and Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. And it’s literally this basic in my opinion –”
Biden was suddenly interrupted when an audience member yelled “brains!”
As the crowd laughed in approval, Biden paused.
“Maybe I should stop here,” he said.
Now, that’s funny!
Posted by: Bubba Bobson | October 14, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
Thomas Jefferson once wrote:
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
Go Fannie and Freddie….Go bottom up approach because taxing 63% of small businesses that make up 75% of our economy will not effect you in any way……LOL….right, this is coming from the JOKER whom could not make a housing project work in little ol Chicago….but he sure can fix the entire US economy……LOL…..
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
I love Joe Biden! He can be a nice president as well!
Posted by: leighg1 | October 14, 2008, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
the choice in this election left the table a few weeks ago when mccain as his first duty as president elect nominated sarah palin as his vp
this is the person he thinks is the second most qualified person in all of america to take on the responsibilities and tasks as commander in chief
i saw the interviews i saw the debate
and you know shes right she is joe sixpack
and i dont want me running the country i want someone who is smarter than me, smarter than the average american..
i want the best and the brightest running this country
not some hack
so mccain, because you picked your vp based on a political gamble and stunt, and because you have failed to give us any kind of reasonable answer to the economi crisis
and because you still can not figure out how to respond to any of this..
its going on what 3 weeks now since market meltdown… or i mean fundamentally strong
and you still have yet to figure any thing out?
the choice has left my friends… and now there is only one solution
obama biden 08
Posted by: Bhrandon | October 14, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
Cnn is know doing a story on the ALASKA INDEPENDENCE PARTY and the Palins role in it Apparently the aig group wants to destroy the United States Goverment interesting stuff what SARA AND FIRST DUDE were involed in also seems the Palins have some strong Corruption ties with Sen Stevens from Alaska involving the Palins 12 million dollar house in Wasillia Seems the GOV Abused her power more then once THE OCTOBER SURPRISE IS COMING!
Posted by: angie | October 14, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
BTW……..ALL Obama is fighting to do is stay in the race long enough to snow ball all of you SHEEP into thinking he is the Messiah that Farhhkan called him:
Taxes: Will end up hurting the middle class and keeping the lower class poor and dependant on the government
Universal Insurance: Ask Canada and other countries how well that is working out….how much are they paying in taxes because of it and how many end up getting private insurance anyway because the governmental insurance is a scam……
Foreign Policy: Obama has ZERO Experience
WAR: Obama has zero experience, wants to negotiate with terrorist and had no idea that Russia has VETO powers…..can you say “LORD we are in trouble”?!?!
EDUCATION: Just ask Ayers, because it is a known fact that this is the deaological belief that Obama suscribes to
Govermental Spending: $900 Billion dollars more in spending-at our expense!!
Economy: Obama could not even make a housing project work in little ol Chicago….how on earth is he going to fix the US Economy…..LOL
Character/Truthfullness/Trustworthyness:
Ayers + Rev. Wright + (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) + ACORN + Giving $800,000 to ACORN for what appears to commit fraud + Farrakhan + Rezko + Raines + Khali Al-Mansour + Communist Frank Marshall Davis + Rashi Khalidi + Refusal to show full length vault copy of Birth Certificate + Refusal to prove he is no longer an Indonesian Citizen + Refusal to show college transcripts to prove he actually graduate from college denoting his grades + Refusal to show thesis (which is something America will not appreciate from what I hear) =
= Corruption, deceitful, and liar with obvious criminality ties and/or behaviors.
BUt….all-and-all….I can see why you guys will vote for Obama….he is such a stand up smart guy
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
Biden is a nice guy? LMAO
Okay……he is a moron!
He cannot come up with a single idea of his own—plagerizing others when he was in law school and running for his multiple runs at president but never got it….so now he is trying to ride in on the coats tails of the Messiah because he is not smart enought ot get the job dones himself.
**Does not know the Constitution
**TV’s were around in the 20′s
**Who was president when?
**Just got with me to a restauarnt and ask anyone–You mean the one that has been closed down for over 20+ years
**Wasn’t there 14 other things he got wrong during the VP Debate regarding bills, votes and their passages/non passages???
Yes….Biden is real smart….
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
sandra – FOR THE LOVE OF ALL GOODNESS, the man was born in Hawaii which the last time I checked is one of the 50 states in the United States of America. McCain is the one born elswhere on a Navel base in the Panama Canel I believe. (Yes I know that it was technically the United States.)
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | October 14, 2008, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
I guess UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 must LOVE Palin!
Posted by: leighg1 | October 14, 2008, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
unpolitically correct
Like you VP CANIDATE HAS ANY OUNCE OF BRAINS LOLOLLOOL THE woman cant even do a simple Interview or answer a Simple question Apparently she cant even read a legal report your funny!
Posted by: angie | October 14, 2008, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
unpolitically “**Wasn’t there 14 other things he got wrong during the VP Debate regarding bills, votes and their passages/non passages???” Read your list and just had to respond to the last one. Does anyone know how many errors McCain has made in this campaing and all of the debates ? …. ANYBODY?
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | October 14, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Biden is a moron. He said the biden administration.
Biden called Palin Lt governor.
Biden has had brain surgery and anyone that thinks he is bright needs brain surgery as well.
Biden is a gaffe waiting to happen.
Biden is also all ego telling someone i have a higher IQ than you. Saying he was the only one to get a scholorship when that was a lie. Bragging how he graduated with 3 majors which is a lie and where he finished in his class which was a lie.
Biden is in the back pocket of the credit card companies.
Biden got 5 draft defernments even though he was an athlete and swimmer. What a disgrace this election is.
Posted by: Jeff | October 14, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Hey Joe any comment about your Deputy Director of Policy Wambu (of Baker Wambu)?
Posted by: geevill | October 14, 2008, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
Jenny Rome Ga
Obama’s grandmother and other relatives say they were present when he was born in Kenya.
Posted by: geevill | October 14, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
David Plouffe gives examples of the Republican “Suppress Out the Vote” campaign.
“. In Michigan, the chairman of Macomb County Republican Party has threatened to use lists of persons whose homes have been foreclosed to challenge those persons at the polls. Only after public exposure, did he deny that this was the plan for Macomb County, and this matter is now before the federal district court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
· In Florida, the RNC has mailed non-forwardable letters to Democratic voters asking them to “confirm” their party affiliation as Republican—thereby raising doubts about their registration status and creating the basis for possible challenge lists. Even top Republican election officials in Florida, including the Secretary of State,have publicly condemned this tactic.
· In Wisconsin, the Republican Attorney General, who serves as co-chair of the McCain-Palin campaign in the state, has filed suit challenging the refusal of the state’s own election administration authorities to throw thousands of voters off the rolls based on dubious and impractical matches of identifying information.
· In Ohio, Republicans are challenging the decision of the Secretary of State to allow first-time voters to obtain an absentee ballot at the time they register even though the law clearly affords this right.”
Posted by: Sarah | October 14, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
“Women voting for McCain-Palin is like chickens voting for Col. Sanders. That is not a risk we can afford to take.” –Cecile Richards, Huffington Post.
This nicely summarizes what is at stake for us women.
Posted by: chris | October 14, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
Obama is so classy compared to this drooling old man who is rich and mad that he is not getting what he thinks is his due and why? because he was a POW even though the MAJORITY of the POW’s that were incarcerated with him say that he gave up the United States while others, more honorable than McCain, did not.
A spoiled rich brat in the dictinary is beside a picture of John McCain…while a picture of Palin? Shows a saliva covered racist.
Posted by: Grissom | October 14, 2008, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
geevill
That issue of Obama’s birthplace has been settled.
Posted by: The Unshrub | October 14, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
We cannot allow the Republicans to suppress free and fair elections again.
Posted by: Sarah | October 14, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
UnPoliticallyCorrect2008
Your comments would be interesting if there was any truth in them.
Posted by: The Unshrub | October 14, 2008, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Rick Sanchez of Cnn just reported on the ties between the Palin’s and the AIP.
It was shocking to hear the AIP’s very hateful remarks concerning the American government…certainly smacks of domestic terrorist ideology!!
Given the days and days of coverage the media reported on Rev. Wrights hateful remarks, one assumes you will be reporting on the AIP’s idieology and Palins ties to it as well?? Sanchez reported that Palin attended their 2008 convention as well as showed her televised address to their convention. The voters have a right to hear more coverage of this.
Posted by: Dee | October 14, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
JEFF
And what are the great things about your vp canidate?
Posted by: angie | October 14, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Love you, Joe. Go Obama/Biden ’08/’12.
Posted by: geecee | October 14, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
ABC REPORT ON AIG NOW THIS IS NOT FUNNY STUFF PLEASE!
Posted by: angie | October 14, 2008, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Sarah…..LMAO
We cannot allow the Republicans to suppress voters but Obama can pay ACORN $800,000 to commit fraud and forgery so that he might be able to win…..RIGHT!!
We cannot supress voters but Obama can have ACORN get in the faces of those whom oppose him and threaten their lives and families…..RIGHT!!!
POOR OBAMA….he is just mistreated…
POOR OBAMA……Farahhkan needs to come and comfort the poor Messiah…he might need a diaper changing……
Wait, could one of you small business spare some pampers for Obama while you pay more in taxes for “those less fortunate” like ACORN and trying to give them $500 million + out of the bail out package…..
RIGHT….you see, Obama played dirty politics in Illinois for the last 10+ years…now the tables are turning and all he can say is “it’s because I am black”…….LMAO…remember, he started playing the race card first people……
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
Seems like the Palins have been Palling around with Alaska domestic Terriost these people hate America could this be why she bought up Ayers because she knows sooner or later this stuff is gonna come out THINK ABOUT IT!
Posted by: angie | October 14, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
PS…..For those less informed……
That birth certificate that is on is site is NOT REAL…..and leaving that aside….if he is whom he says he is…
Why will ne not produce the info to the courts???? Why hide his college thesis?? Why hide his college transcripts???
Why the secrecy…..just show the documents and be done with it, that is if you are whom you say you are!!!
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
The Unshrub….what is not true about what I stated?
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
That issue of Obama’s birthplace has been settled
really? I didn’t hear about the lawsuit being settled.
Posted by: geevill | October 14, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
The Unshrub…I am “assuming” this is what you were speaking of, therefore I will ask you again what is NOT true:
Taxes: Will end up hurting the middle class and keeping the lower class poor and relying on the government
Universal Insurance: Ask Canada and other countries how well that is working out….how much are they paying in taxes because of it and how many end up getting private insurance anyway because the governmental insurance is a scam……
Foreign Policy: Obama has ZERO Experience
WAR: Obama has zero experience, wants to negotiate with terrorist and had no idea that Russia has VETO powers…..can you say “LORD we are in trouble”?!?!
EDUCATION: Just ask Ayers, because it is a known fact that this is the deaological belief that Obama suscribes to…(proof is where the $50 million dollars went to)
Govermental Spending: $900 Billion dollars more in spending-at our expense!!
Economy: Obama could not even make a housing project work in little ol Chicago….how on earth is he going to fix the US Economy…..LOL
Character/Truthfullness/Trustworthyness:
Ayers + Rev. Wright + (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) + ACORN + Giving $800,000 to ACORN for what appears to commit fraud + Farrakhan + Rezko + Raines + Khali Al-Mansour + Communist Frank Marshall Davis + Rashi Khalidi + Refusal to show full length vault copy of Birth Certificate + Refusal to prove he is no longer an Indonesian Citizen + Refusal to show college transcripts to prove he actually graduate from college denoting his grades + Refusal to show thesis (which is something America will not appreciate from what I hear) =
= Corruption, deceitful, and liar with obvious criminality ties and/or behaviors.
But….all-and-all….I can see why you guys will vote for Obama….he is such a stand up smart guy!!
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Tighten your hair plugs Crazy Joe, you are in for a bumpy ride!
Posted by: Captain America | October 14, 2008, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
Obama-Biden will bring disaster for everyone, middle class or not. Obama is a man who has not done anything in his entire life except getting (or free laoding)an Affirmative action degree from Harvard, which he could not utilize to help anyone. All he does is talk. In the Senate, he helped relax the financing regulation to help people to get easy loans from bank without thorough evaluation and created the sub-prime crisis that all tax payers have to pay for now. He wants a moratorium on home foreclosures so that cheaters can get away with their cheating and every honest US citizen will have to pay for that. When mortgage crisis hit, all he could do is to call Paulson every day. Is that man qualified to be President of a superpower? Absolutely not. McCain Palin have strong positive administrative and service track-record. It will be dishonorable not to vote fro McCain Palin for anyone, middle class or not.
Posted by: Shyam from NJ | October 14, 2008, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
UnPoliticallyCorrect2008
You are making the claims, so are the one who must prove your claims. You have presented any proof, just a bunch of big talk.
Posted by: The Unshrub | October 14, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
This place in Ohio in this report was my home town, I was there and have pics…I will tell you this…I have never seen a better run campaign in all my 50 plus years.
I am sorry but voting for McCain is going back…nothing wrong with the good old days, but I have been there and now I want a future for my daughter and Obama will make it possible to go to college.
I don’t care what any of you say about the other party, you will never change my mind and I don’t intend to change yours.
Obama/Biden ’08
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
If Obama has not settled his court case about his citizenship, then his name should be removed from the ballot until it has been determined by the court. All he has to do is provide the proper documents. Why is this such a problem? It would be a shame for folks to vote for him and then find out he was born elsewhere and therefore doesn’t meet the criteria to be president…
Posted by: NorAnder238 | October 14, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
Sorry I am a woman and I don’t support racism in any form.
And until McCain stops holding Palin hostage and not letting her answer questions to any reporter, then we can talk with reason.
Barack Hussein Obama/Joseph Robinette Biden 2008
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
NorAnder238 …guess you have not done enough research…he was born in Hawaii….I mean duuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh…don’t you think the Senate, congress, FBI or any other government agency would know?
Or, are you that leery of your own government, because if you are, then you did need to vote for Obama.
Barack Hussein Obama/Joseph Robinette Biden 2008
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
Joe Biden does provide entertainment. His gaffe’s are one source of amusement in our household. What is the guy going to say next? Barak America? Priceless…Good for a laugh, but totally off the bean for a VP candidate. He might slip up and make somebody in a foreign government really mad…
MCCAIN / PALIN ’08
Posted by: NorAnder238 | October 14, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
UnPoliticallyCorrect2008…I am talking to you and you are acting like my enemy.
A lot of things get solved by talking…shooting first does nothing.
Even the head military on the ground say that you need and should talk to your enemies.
With no conversation all you get is a destroyed planet.
Then who talks????
Barack Hussein Obama/Joseph Robinette Biden 2008
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
NorAnder238 …when was the last time the examiner was nothing but partisan and Berg sues everyone.
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm
I commend Jake Tapper for his sense of humor to start this “O that Joe” series…It’s good to find something to laugh about in the midst the political fireworks… :-)
MCCAIN/PALIN ’08
Posted by: NorAnder238 | October 14, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm
Proof…that Obama is a citizen…if you care to read it all.
Berg has no leg to stand on…
If you care to know the truth, there it is in black and white.
I am so done with this and it is so yesterday.
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
Honestly, Bev, my cynicism of the mainstream media has risen to a level that I’ve become very skeptical of their polls, articles and reverse spin logic…This is too uneven. It is “almost” an all out attack on MCCAIN and PALIN and then Obama get off with HUGE holes in his past that are totally unaccounted for. The media is hiding things about Barak Obama. His life is not an open book, but a cloud of mystery (Smoke and Mirror effect). Palin on the other hand cannot twitch with some media hound hyper-analyzing it to see what she did wrong. Totally unfair and biased treatment! JMO…of course…
MCCAIN/PALIN ’08
Posted by: NorAnder238 | October 14, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
One more point please on Obama’s birth..just to put it to total rest….
Statement from fact check…..
Recently, FactCheck.org staffers “touched, examined and photographed” the original birth certificate kept at the Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago and concluded the document is genuine.
“The evidence is clear: Barack Obama was born in the U.S.A.,” FactCheck.org staffers concluded.
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
NorAnder238…then maybe you should do like I do..I read 20 plus papers, watch too many networks to even list, research everything 50 times and then once more to be sure.
Obama has things in his past, but you also need to know the things in McCains past and Palin that some don’t know.
When McCain hit that woman during the VietNam inquiry about men still held prisoners ..made me believe in his temper and disrespect for women.
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
NorAnder238…Oh and if you want an open book on Obama…read both his books…you might learn something.
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
Maryb…That was brought up two days ago and they did not condone it whatsoever.
Posted by: Bev | October 14, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
John Nichols Reports in The Nation on McCain-Palin team’s trouble with the Republicans :-)
In recent days, he has lost both Christopher Buckley and, now, Christopher Hitchens. Both have announced their plans to vote for man who opposed launching the Iraq War: Democrat Barack Obama.
First, Buckley, the apple-did-not-fall-from-the-tree son of William F., writes a column titled, “Sorry, Dad, I’m Voting for Obama,” in which he writes:
I have known John McCain personally since 1982. I wrote a well-received speech for him. Earlier this year, I wrote in The New York Times–I’m beginning to sound like Paul Krugman, who cannot begin a column without saying, “As I warned the world in my last column…” — a highly favorable Op-Ed about McCain, taking Rush Limbaugh and the others in the Right Wing Sanhedrin to task for going after McCain for being insufficiently conservative. I don’t–still–doubt that McCain’s instincts remain fundamentally conservative. But the problem is otherwise.
McCain rose to power on his personality and biography. He was authentic. He spoke truth to power. He told the media they were “jerks” (a sure sign of authenticity, to say nothing of good taste; we are jerks). He was real. He was unconventional. He embraced former anti-war leaders. He brought resolution to the awful missing-POW business. He brought about normalization with Vietnam–his former torturers! Yes, he erred in accepting plane rides and vacations from Charles Keating, but then, having been cleared on technicalities, groveled in apology before the nation. He told me across a lunch table, “The Keating business was much worse than my five and a half years in Hanoi, because I at least walked away from that with my honor.” Your heart went out to the guy. I thought at the time, God, this guy should be president someday.
A year ago, when everyone, including the man I’m about to endorse, was caterwauling to get out of Iraq on the next available flight, John McCain, practically alone, said no, no–bad move. Surge. It seemed a suicidal position to take, an act of political bravery of the kind you don’t see a whole lot of anymore.
But that was–sigh–then. John McCain has changed. He said, famously, apropos the Republican debacle post-1994, “We came to Washington to change it, and Washington changed us.” This campaign has changed John McCain. It has made him inauthentic. A once-first class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence; he makes unrealistic promises, such as balancing the federal budget “by the end of my first term.” Who, really, believes that? Then there was the self-dramatizing and feckless suspension of his campaign over the financial crisis. His ninth-inning attack ads are mean-spirited and pointless. And finally, not to belabor it, there was the Palin nomination. What on earth can he have been thinking?
Then, Christopher Hitchens, erstwhile former Nation columnist turned Iraq warrior, writes a column headlined: “Vote for Obama: McCain lacks the character and temperament to be president. And Palin is simply a disgrace.”
Like Buckley, Hitchens is embarrassed by McCain as a candidate and as the man who has attempted to put Sarah Palin one heartbeat away from the presidency:
Hitch argues deliciously that:
McCain occasionally remembers to stress matters like honor and to disown innuendoes and slanders, but this only makes him look both more senile and more cynical, since it cannot (can it?) be other than his wish and design that he has engaged a deputy who does the innuendoes and slanders for him.
I suppose it could be said, as Michael Gerson has alleged, that the Obama campaign’s choice of the word erratic to describe McCain is also an insinuation. But really, it’s only a euphemism. Anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear had to feel sorry for the old lion on his last outing and wish that he could be taken somewhere soothing and restful before the night was out. The train-wreck sentences, the whistlings in the pipes, the alarming and bewildered handhold phrases–”My friends”–to get him through the next 10 seconds. I haven’t felt such pity for anyone since the late Adm. James Stockdale humiliated himself as Ross Perot’s running mate. And I am sorry to have to say it, but Stockdale had also distinguished himself in America’s most disastrous and shameful war, and it didn’t qualify him then and it doesn’t qualify McCain now.
The most insulting thing that a politician can do is to compel you to ask yourself: “What does he take me for?” Precisely this question is provoked by the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin. I wrote not long ago that it was not right to condescend to her just because of her provincial roots or her piety, let alone her slight flirtatiousness, but really her conduct since then has been a national disgrace. It turns out that none of her early claims to political courage was founded in fact, and it further turns out that some of the untested rumors about her–her vindictiveness in local quarrels, her bizarre religious and political affiliations–were very well-founded, indeed. Moreover, given the nasty and lowly task of stirring up the whack-job fringe of the party’s right wing and of recycling patent falsehoods about Obama’s position on Afghanistan, she has drawn upon the only talent that she apparently possesses.
It therefore seems to me that the Republican Party has invited not just defeat but discredit this year, and that both its nominees for the highest offices in the land should be decisively repudiated, along with any senators, congressmen, and governors who endorse them.
These are important statements, especially as expressions of concern about McCain’s dwindling capacity and their dismissals of Palin.
They form the intellectual underpinnings for a rational rejection of the Republican ticket by mainstream Republicans and independents–and with it the prospect (though not the certainty) of an Obama victory sufficient to allow him to actually govern.
Buckley actually provides the language for those who may not ever be Obama enthusiasts, but who may be Obama voters:
“Obama has in him — I think, despite his sometimes airy-fairy “We are the people we have been waiting for” silly rhetoric — the potential to be a good, perhaps even great leader. He is, it seems clear enough, what the historical moment seems to be calling for.
“So, I wish him all the best. We are all in this together. Necessity is the mother of bipartisanship. And so, for the first time in my life, I’ll be pulling the Democratic lever in November. As the saying goes, God save the United States of America.”
Posted by: Jane Sixpack | October 14, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
Biden A+
Palin C-
Posted by: anon | October 14, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Bev, “The Obama Nation” would be a great read. Really eye opening. That’s definately one you gotta read.
As far as how many newspapers and networks (MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ACBNews, CBSNEWS, CBS3, reuters, foxnews, thepage, time, NYpost,Ireport, examiner, BBC and on and on. Too many to name. I won’t even start on papers.) a person researches and analyzed. Too many! I’ve lost track of all the news sources for research purposes.
But this is beside the point. The point is…if Barak Obama could provide proper documentation to the court, why hasn’t he? Why are they trying to get it dismissed without complying with the courts request? You do know who “owns” factcheck.org don’t you? Why did they not provide the same document to the court that Factcheck.org is showing and why did the court not accept that one? Or could it be that the one highlighted on FactCheck.com is easily forged. Follow the money…Have you ever noticed how a Poll that is released always favors the candidate whose party PAID for the poll to be done. Of course Factcheck.org owners do indeed have a past connection with Barak Obama.
MCCAIN/PALIN ’08
Posted by: NorAnder238 | October 14, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
Bev…Bev….Bev…..
Give the papers to a court for examination, not a friggin company than is known to be in the tank for Obama.
Come on….it is pure common sense…..
Besides….if his paperwork is real and he has proof he is no longer an Indonesian citizen, then he has NO PROBLEM showing the paperwork to the courts.
Whats the problem Obama–why won’t you just produce the papers instead of filing motions to dismiss???
Posted by: UnPoliticallyCorrect2008 | October 14, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
McChicken/Falin
McCrazy/Stalin
Posted by: sid | October 14, 2008, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
Matthew 7:15
“You will know them by their fruits”
Matthew 7:16
Posted by: truthBtold | October 14, 2008, 11:54 pm 11:54 pm
Obama has been stroking his ego and lying to you for 8 years and McCain has been working and fighting for you for 26 years.
Posted by: True American | October 14, 2008, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm
Yes I know who owns Fact check…Annenberg of which McCain is supported by the wife’s founder…your point???
And if I want to read Obmanation I would have to get my sheets cleaned first.
Too much racism from that man.
Some of you would not even believe your own eyes if you saw it yourself because you are too blinded by the fact that according to you, no uppity black man should ever try to run “your” country.
How sad for you because hate and fear eat at you and it takes more energy to hate then it does to care.
I am not trying to change your mind, it will never happen, and you can not change mine, but I will defend your rights to voice your thoughts, then defend mine as well.
Obama/Biden ’08
Posted by: Bev | October 15, 2008, 6:04 am 6:04 am
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
Matthew 7:15
“You will know them by their fruits”
Matthew 7:16
___________________________________
And as any minister will tell you, scriptures can be placed at anyone’s feet.
You can interpret anything to fit anyone…maybe McCain is offering you fruits as well.
You will never know…so quoting scriptures shows you might know the bible, but you don’t know what GOD meant by what he said…it all comes down to interpretation.
Obama/Biden ’08
Posted by: Bev | October 15, 2008, 6:09 am 6:09 am
Strange how that when anyone begins to ask questions about Obama’s past or the questionable associations that have shaped him through the years, some cry racism…They play the “race card…This is a cover to try and discourage truthful discovery! Racism has nothing to do with how well a job they may do as a presidential candidate. In fact, perhaps someone with a different ethnic background than the current administration may very well do a better job, but just not the current democratic presidential pick. Obama’s NOT the man for the job. There are too many unanswered questions, hidden agenda’s and questionable associations to make him a “safe” choice for America. Contrary to Obama’s eloquent “stump” speeches attempt to portray him as your “typical” afro-american candidate, he most certainly is not! His radical associations have shaped his heart to believe the radical philosophies himself. Of course, He will tell you anything you want to hear until 2 minutes after the votes are counted. I respect your choice, Bev, but I just think people need to take another look before they leap. Not all change is for the best, especially considering Obama’s extreme leftist philosophy and the views of his ‘close’ associations from the past…JMO…
MCCain/Palin ’08
Posted by: NorAnder238 | October 15, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am