so now Bristol is "so fucking what" news. makes sense.

9/28/2008 3:09:59 AM

Quote :

"Where was John McCain? Not on Capitol Hill. After interrupting his presidential campaign to come back to Washington on Thursday morning to try to push forward a $700 billion bailout deal, Mr. McCain remained in his condominium in Arlington, Va., until 12:30 p.m. Saturday, when he emerged and made a one-minute trip in his motorcade to his campaign headquarters around the corner. Mr. McCain, who arrived home at 4 a.m. Saturday from the presidential debate in Oxford, Miss, could be seen in his car talking on his cell phone. But there was no word from his campaign on who he was talking to, or the extent of his involvement in ongoing negotiations. By mid-afternoon, Mr. McCain’s closest adviser, Mark Salter, told reporters that Mr. McCain would not go to Capitol Hill on Saturday but would make phone calls to try to push the deal along. “He’s calling members on both sides, talking to people in the administration, helping out as he can,’’ Mr. Salter said. Asked why Mr. McCain did not go to Capitol Hill after coming back to Washington to help with negotiations, Mr. Salter replied that “he can effectively do what he needs to do by phone.’’"

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/back-in-town-but-not-on-capitol-hill/

Suspending one's campaign is serious business.

9/28/2008 9:58:38 AM

Congress isn't open on Saturday

9/28/2008 10:04:39 AM

John McCain is like school on a Saturday...he's got no class!!! omgtehlulz

But seriously, I'm sure we're all aware of the fact that congress was at the hill all day Saturday until like 12:30 last night. If we aren't, we can read this link which we will be edified by:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/28/bailout.deal/index.html

But at least eliminating earmarks will solve all our problems, right?




O WAIT

9/28/2008 10:12:30 AM

Obama & Biden were in Greensboro this weekend the day after the debate.

Quote :

""Not once did senator McCain talk about middle class families, not once did the talk about what they are facing right here in North Carolina and around the country." "He had nothing to say about the fact that more and more Americans can't afford to pay for their college education." "He said nothing about the need to end this war so we can invest in good jobs, and rebuild roads, and bridges, and put broadband lines all across rural North Carolina, all across America, so we can be competitive for the future" "Well North Carolina I know what we need to do, we need to stop giving tax cuts to corporations and CEO's on Wall Street and start standing up for families on Main St, we need to turn the page on the failed policies of the last 8 years, and finally put working people first, and that's why I'm running for president of the United States of America.""

[Edited on September 28, 2008 at 10:44 AM. Reason : .]

9/28/2008 10:43:07 AM

Quote :

"A Freddie Mac Money Trail Catches Up With McCain Michael Isikoff and Holly Bailey NEWSWEEK From the magazine issue dated Oct 6, 2008 Few advisers in John McCain's inner circle inspire more loyalty from him than campaign manager Rick Davis. McCain and his wife, Cindy, credit the shrewd, and sometimes volatile, Republican insider with rescuing the campaign last year when it was out of money and on the verge of collapse. As a result, McCain has always defended him—even when faced with tough questions about the foreign lobbying clients of Davis's high-powered consulting firm. "Rick is a friend, and I trust him," McCain told NEWSWEEK last year. Last week, though, McCain's trust in Davis was tested again amid disclosures that Freddie Mac, the troubled mortgage giant that was recently placed under federal conservatorship, paid his campaign manager's firm $15,000 a month between 2006 and August 2008. As the mortgage crisis has escalated, almost any association with Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae has become politically toxic. But the payments to Davis's firm, Davis Manafort, are especially problematic because he requested the consulting retainer in 2006—and then did barely any work for the fees, according to two sources familiar with the arrangement who asked not to be identified discussing Freddie Mac business. Aside from attending a few breakfasts and a political-action-committee meeting with Democratic strategist Paul Begala (another Freddie consultant), Davis did "zero" for the housing firm, one of the sources said. Freddie Mac also had no dealings with the lobbying firm beyond paying monthly invoices—but it agreed to the arrangement because of Davis's close relationship with McCain, the source said, which led top executives to conclude "you couldn't say no." The McCain campaign told reporters the fees were irrelevant because Davis "separated from his consulting firm … in 2006," according to the campaign's Web site, and he stopped drawing a salary from it. In fact, however, when Davis joined the campaign in January 2007, he asked that his $20,000-a-month salary be paid directly to Davis Manafort, two sources who asked not to be identified discussing internal campaign business told NEWSWEEK. Federal campaign records show the McCain campaign paid Davis Manafort $90,000 through July 2007, when a cash crunch prompted Davis and other top campaign officials to forgo their salaries and work as volunteers. Separately, another entity created and partly owned by Davis—an Internet firm called 3eDC, whose address was the same office building as Davis Manafort's—received payments from the McCain campaign for Web services, collecting $971,860 through March 2008. In an e-mail to NEWSWEEK, a senior McCain official said that when the campaign began last year, it signed a contract with Davis Manafort "in which we purchased all of [Davis's] time, and he agreed not to work for any other clients." The official also said that though Davis was an "investor" in 3eDC, Davis has received no salary from it. As to why Davis permitted the Freddie Mac payments to continue, the official referred NEWSWEEK to Davis Manafort, which did not respond to repeated phone calls. One senior McCain adviser said the entire flap could have been avoided if the campaign had resisted attacking Barack Obama for his ties to two former Fannie Mae executives, which prompted the media to take a second look at Davis. "It was stupid," the adviser said. "A serious miscalculation and an amateurish move." Still, this adviser said, McCain's faith in his campaign manager remains unswerving."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/161218/output/print
This is just kind of weird. But everybody check out this totally sweet web dev company that is totally for realsies and isn't a front for Davis Manafort at all: http://www.3edc.net/index.cfm

9/28/2008 10:54:10 AM

Quote :

"""Not once did senator McCain talk about middle class families, not once did the talk about what they are facing right here in North Carolina and around the country.""

what exactly are we facing here in North Carolina?

9/28/2008 12:04:19 PM

Rising unemployment, a shit economy, gas prices, foreclosures...

9/28/2008 12:23:03 PM

hmm...I'll let you know when those things bother me

until then...Obama's a bit out of touch with my issues

9/28/2008 12:31:31 PM

maybe he could help nc state find a constant qb, then

9/28/2008 12:34:01 PM

^^ Hah.

"rising unemployment, a shit economy, gas prices, foreclosures?"

WHO CARES ABOUT CRAP LIKE THAT? VOTE McCAIN!

9/28/2008 12:43:06 PM

we need more than a qb marko


A shit economy? Tells me you are too young and dont know much about history.
Gas prices? We elected dems in 2006 who promised cheaper gas... how did that work out? Oh, but raising the taxes on gas compnaies will do wonders to lowering the price... right.. right.

Alot of our problem is bc our govt is ineffiecent and spends too much. Wanting to give them more power and wanting more spending is dangerous at this point.

Some of obamas promises sound great, until you look at his actual plans.. they are disasters. Fairpay act, healthcare (which the main media ignores), and his energy plans. Opposing drilling and nuclear? come on fellas.

Boone, you support vouchers for schools I bellieve. Obama seems to be just another lib democrat. In the pocket of unions, less privatization, less competition, and more bureaucratic mess and waste.

9/28/2008 12:51:20 PM

Quote :

"A shit economy? Tells me you are too young and dont know much about history. "

Not entirely true. I have vague recollections of the shit economy under Reagan and Bush.

Quote :

"Boone, you support vouchers for schools I bellieve. Obama seems to be just another lib democrat. In the pocket of unions, less privatization, less competition, and more bureaucratic mess and waste."

Which is why I'll probably vote for McCrory. Too much is at stake in the national election to let a small issue like vouchers sway my vote.

9/28/2008 1:00:48 PM

Quote :

"WHO CARES ABOUT CRAP LIKE THAT? VOTE McCAIN!"

when I choose to be poor, refuse to pay for gasoline, and buy a house more expensive than I can afford then crap like that will matter

9/28/2008 1:12:16 PM

BTW, the talking points this morning are that McCain HAD to suspend campaigning because he couldn't accomplish anything by just "phoning it in".

Quote :

"I came back because I wasn’t going to phone it in."

John McCain on This Week

Quote :

"John didn’t phone this one in. … You can’t phone something like this in. Thank God John came back."

Lindsey Graham on Fox News

It's hilarious considering that "phoning it in" is, quite literally, what he did.

9/28/2008 2:23:10 PM

^^ That's some hardcore compassionate conservatism, right there.

9/28/2008 2:41:10 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec3aC8ZJZTc

I love how they cut off Obama at "but"

9/28/2008 3:44:06 PM

^^ well, why should we care about people who choose to be poor? WHy should we care about people who buy more house than they can afford?

9/28/2008 4:29:09 PM

Quote :

""He had nothing to say about the fact that more and more Americans can't afford to pay for their college education." "He said nothing about the need to end this war so we can invest in good jobs, and rebuild roads, and bridges, and put broadband lines all across rural North Carolina, all across America, so we can be competitive for the future""

These two lines are ones I found particularly interesting in their valuing of education, technology, infrastructure.

9/28/2008 4:55:18 PM

sorry. it;s NOT the federal government's job to put DSL lines throughout the country. that is the job of private business and local governments. period.

and let's be honest. Obama won't use war-money to fund that. he'll use it to fund more welfare queens

[Edited on September 28, 2008 at 4:57 PM. Reason : ]

9/28/2008 4:57:18 PM

ron paul shouldve stuck to being a vagina doctor

9/28/2008 5:02:32 PM

and u should have stuck to the side of your mom's leg instead entering her vagina

9/28/2008 5:11:23 PM

Quote :

"Wanting to give them more power "

RAWR Government power bad.

Quote :

"more spending is dangerous at this point."

RAWR Democrats spend. How do you know which candidate will spend more? I don't see where either one of them released a budget.

Quote :

"Fairpay act"

Women getting paid equally to men is disasterous?

Quote :

"Opposing nuclear?"

Obama is not against nuclear. Thats just flat wrong.

Weak stuff, Doc.

9/28/2008 5:28:07 PM

Quote :

"sorry. it;s NOT the federal government's job to put DSL lines throughout the country. that is the job of private business and local governments. period."

yeah, and over the past 5 years whenever a local government has even attempted to build or supply internet access to their citizens, a telecom has swooped in and sued them into oblivion so they can continue their monopolistic ways.

Now, i'm not saying that the feds should be the ones laying down copper or fiber optics, but they need to be doing something. The US is the only major country that doesn't have a comprehensive broadband-access plan. Really - the country that invented the internet is being left in the dust by all of Europe and most of Asia as far as access penetration, speed, and robustness. Like it or not, the Internet backbone is now as important to the country's infrastructure as the Interstate Highway system, and we cannot leave the future of the Internet up to monopolistic telecoms to decide.

9/28/2008 7:47:35 PM

are there any republicans left that will actually defend Palin being ready to be VP?

i mean, you all realize by now that she's way out of her league, right?

9/28/2008 7:54:44 PM

palin is a walking/talking disaster

9/28/2008 7:55:24 PM

Quote :

"Really - the country that invented the internet is being left in the dust by all of Europe and most of Asia as far as access penetration,"

I would mention at this revelation that the US is number one but i do not want Duke suspending me again

9/28/2008 7:58:42 PM

^ damn.

those posts are always so enjoyable to read and a real solid contribution to discussion, what a shame

9/28/2008 8:24:34 PM

It's true that Palin is a total newbie in the world arena, but McCain totally invented the Blackberry without ever sending an email, so he's practically a wizard anyway.

[Edited on September 28, 2008 at 8:46 PM. Reason : -]

9/28/2008 8:46:05 PM

McCain/Palin #1

9/28/2008 8:59:15 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwo43sl7g8M&feature=related

Quote :

" Katie Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that? Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land... boundary that we have with... Canada. "

Hilarious

9/28/2008 10:48:21 PM

HEY KIDS, It's time to play, "Name that quote!"

One of these quotes is by a Vice Presidential candidate, and the other is by a late-night comedian impersonator! See if you can guess who's who!

Quote :

"That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this position that we have been put in. Where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy. Um, helping, oh, it's got to be about job creation, too. Shoring up our economy, and putting it back on the right track. So health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions, and tax relief for Americans, and trade – we have got to see trade as opportunity, not as, uh, competitive, um, scary thing, but one in five jobs created in the trade sector today. We've got to look at that as more opportunity. All of those things under the umbrella of job creation."

Quote :

"Like every American I'm speaking with, we're ill about this. We're saying, 'Hey, why bail out Fanny and Freddie and not me?' But ultimately what the bailout does is, help those that are concerned about the healthcare reform that is needed to help shore up our economy to help...uh...it's gotta be all about job creation, too. Also, too, shoring up our economy and putting Fannie and Freddy back on the right track and so healthcare reform and reducing taxes and reigning in spending...'cause Barack Obama, y'know...has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans, also, having a dollar value meal at restaurants. That's gonna help. But one in five jobs being created today under the umbrella of job creation. That, you know...Also..."

9/28/2008 11:04:14 PM

Quote :

"Quote : " Katie Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that? Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land... boundary that we have with... Canada. " Hilarious"

hmm, yes.... reminds me of something....
oh yes, right - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5xVRXLgLxw

9/28/2008 11:07:58 PM

Palin is cracking under the pressure.

9/28/2008 11:57:54 PM

"...we need to turn the page on the failed policies of the last 8 years..."

yea..and get some new failed policies from Obama. Tax increases, and more gov't power.

9/29/2008 12:32:42 AM

we just don't need any more retards anywhere near the White House

9/29/2008 12:47:41 AM

^guess that rules out Palin and Trig...













too soon?

9/29/2008 12:48:55 AM

nah, pretty sure they might have the same iq

9/29/2008 12:52:49 AM

^^

9/29/2008 8:47:56 AM

carzak, actually read the fairpay act, then tell me if that sounds like a good idea.

And how do we know which one will spend more? Are you fing serious? While neither have a budget, they have these little thing called proposals...which tend to cost money.

9/29/2008 9:05:37 AM

i'm sure it's posted elswhere as well

http://www.wetmtv.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=ba3fc702-938a-4760-af0d-9ea147e5018f

9/29/2008 10:27:17 AM

Oops.

I'm sure they'll apologize for it.

9/29/2008 10:31:39 AM

It must have been a mistake. Everyone knows obama would not run a dishonest ad.

9/29/2008 10:37:43 AM

Quote :

""...so we can invest ""

Remember that everytime Obama uses the word "invest" that means taxing and spending your hard-earned money.

Quote :

"are there any republicans left that will actually defend Palin being ready to be VP? "

Quote :

"William Kristol: With respect to his campaign, McCain needs to liberate his running mate from the former Bush aides brought in to handle her — aides who seem to have succeeded in importing to the Palin campaign the trademark defensive crouch of the Bush White House. McCain picked Sarah Palin in part because she’s a talented politician and communicator. He needs to free her to use her political talents and to communicate in her own voice. I’m told McCain recently expressed unhappiness with his staff’s handling of Palin. On Sunday he dispatched his top aides Steve Schmidt and Rick Davis to join Palin in Philadelphia. They’re supposed to liberate Palin to go on the offensive as a combative conservative in the vice-presidential debate on Thursday. That debate is important. McCain took a risk in choosing Palin. If she does poorly, it will reflect badly on his judgment. If she does well, it will be a shot in the arm for his campaign. "

9/29/2008 11:40:23 AM

^ I actually think that Kristol's analysis is accurate there. Palin is a competent speaker, as evidenced by her Alaskan appearances, and she clearly wants to talk to people to me.

This all could be a smokescreen too, to lower the expectations of Palin to lull Biden and Obama in to complacency, then she comes out swinging at the debates. Considering peoples' attention spans, this wouldn't be a bad strategy.

But, Palin has said some dumb things, but I still think people are underestimating her charisma, if she were let off the leash.

Quote :

"Remember that everytime Obama uses the word "invest" that means taxing and spending your hard-earned money."

It's better to state it upfront, than to tell you otherwise and then do it anyway, like the Republicans do.

And in any case, for VAST majority of Americans, they'll be paying less taxes under Obama than McCain. So you can try and whine about "paying more taxes" but it can't stick, because most people will be paying less.

[Edited on September 29, 2008 at 12:32 PM. Reason : ]

9/29/2008 12:28:36 PM

Quote :

"And in any case, for VAST majority of Americans, they'll be paying less taxes under Obama than McCain. So you can try and whine about "paying more taxes" but it can't stick, because most people will be paying less. "

Right, where have i heard this before? If you think he can do all the things he is promising and only touch those above 250k, ill call you naive...thats the nicest I can be.

Also, gotta love how dems have moved past jealously and are now onto class envy.

9/29/2008 12:49:24 PM

Quote :

"when I choose to be poor, refuse to pay for gasoline, and buy a house more expensive than I can afford then crap like that will matter"

yeah being poor is so awesome, I wonder why more people don't make that choice

9/29/2008 1:34:17 PM

Maybe this is why Bill is so lukewarm with his praise for Obama.

.

[Edited on September 29, 2008 at 1:41 PM. Reason : ,]

9/29/2008 1:39:23 PM

Quote :

"If you think he can do all the things he is promising and only touch those above 250k, ill call you naive...thats the nicest I can be. Also, gotta love how dems have moved past jealously and are now onto class envy."

Ha, Obama's not really promising a lot. And in any case, as they both noted during the debates, the $700,000,000,000 bailout basically threw a wrench in to both of their plans for how to spend tax dollars. I expected no matter who gets elected, both of their spending proposals will look drastically different.

9/29/2008 2:11:37 PM

moron, I really really hope that is the case. McCain was the only one I heard mentioning large spending cuts. Obama talked about some spending cuts.. then universal healthcare..

I would hope that this would change some of thier opinions towards spending. But yes, obama has promised alot.

9/29/2008 2:32:28 PM