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Obama's Defense Policy
Barack Obama's defense policy plans threaten foreign policy consequences inimical to American interests, and would pose perilous problems for some of our key allies around the world ,should he assume the Presidency.
And, from outside the political sphere:
Grapevine student with top grades won't be valedictorian
Women
Obama 51%
McCain 38%
OH HELLLLLLLLLLLL NO
Column.
I'm scrolling through HuffingtonPost, and what do I see?
How Obama Can Win the White House
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, 06.10.2008
HELL NO
After he's toted water for Hillpatine THIS ENTIRE TIME...
uh uh.
Not even linking to it, because I'm NOT giving him that kind of respect.
The New Republic
Mr. Right?
by Bruce Bartlett
The rise of the Obamacons.
Post Date Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The New Yorker is hardly the optimal vehicle for reaching the conservative intelligentsia. But, last year, Barack Obama cooperated with a profile for that magazine where he seemed to be speaking directly to the right. Because he paid obeisance to the virtues of stability and continuity, his interlocutor, Larissa MacFarquhar, came away with the impression that the Illinois senator was an adherent of Edmund Burke: "In his view of history, in his respect for tradition, in his skepticism that the world can be changed any way but very, very slowly, Obama is deeply conservative."
As The New Yorker's assessment shot across blogs, many conservatives listened eagerly. A broad swath of the movement has been in open revolt against George W. Bush--and the Republican Party establishment--for some time. They don't much care for the Iraq war or the federal government's vast expansion over the last seven-and-a-half years. And, in the eyes of these discontents, the nomination of John McCain only confirmed the continuation of the worst of the Bush-era deviations from first principles.
But it was hardly inevitable that this revolt would translate into enthusiasm for the Democratic standard-bearer. After all, you could see similar signs of unhappiness four years ago, and none of that translated into mass defections to the John Kerry camp. And, despite Ann Coulter's vow to campaign for Hillary Clinton over John McCain, the old bête noir of the right would have never attracted many conservatives. That's what makes the rise of the Obamacons such an interesting development. Conservatives of almost all ideological flavors (even, gasp, some supply-siders) have been drawn to Obama--out of a genuine affection and a belief that he may actually better embody movement ideals than McCain.
There have been a few celebrated cases of conservatives endorsing Obama, like the blogger Andrew Sullivan and the legal scholar Douglas Kmiec. But you probably have not have heard of many of the Obamacons--and neither has the Obama campaign. When I checked with it to ask for a list of prominent conservative supporters, the campaign seemed genuinely unaware that such supporters even existed. But those of us on the right who pay attention to think tanks, blogs, and little magazines have watched Obama compile a coterie drawn from the movement's most stalwart and impressive thinkers. It's a group that will no doubt grow even larger in the coming months.
The largest group of Obamacons hail from the libertarian wing of the movement. And it's not just Andrew Sullivan. Milton and Rose Friedman's son, David, is signed up with the cause on the grounds that he sees Obama as the better vessel for his father's cause. Friedman is convinced of Obama's sympathy for school vouchers--a tendency that the Democratic primaries temporarily suppressed. Scott Flanders, the CEO of Freedom Communications--the company that owns The Orange County Register--told a company meeting that he believes Obama will accomplish the paramount libertarian goals of withdrawing from Iraq and scaling back the Patriot Act.Libertarians (and other varieties of Obamacons, for that matter) frequently find themselves attracted to Obama on stylistic grounds. That is, they believe that he has surrounded himself with pragmatists, some of whom (significantly) come from the University of Chicago. As the blogger Megan McArdle has written, "His goal is not more government so that we can all be caught up in some giant, expressive exercise of collectively enforcing our collective will on all the other people standing around us in the collective; his goal is improving transparency and minimizing government intrusion while rectifying specific outcomes."
In nearly every quarter of the movement, you can find conservatives irate over the Iraq war--a war they believe transgresses core principles. And it's this frustration with the war--and McCain's pronouncements about victory at any cost--that has led many conservatives into Obama's arms. Francis Fukuyama, the neoconservative theorist, recently told an Australian journalist that he would reluctantly vote for Obama to hold the Republican Party accountable "for a big policy failure" in Iraq. And he seems to view Obama as the best means for preserving American power, since Obama "symbolizes the ability of the United States to renew itself in a very unexpected way."
You can find similar sentiments coursing through the Boston University professor Andrew Bacevich's seminal Obamacon manifesto in The American Conservative. He believes that the war in Iraq has undermined the possibilities for conservative reform at home. The prospects for a conservative revival, therefore, depend on withdrawing from Iraq. Thus the necessity of Obama. "For conservatives, Obama represents a sliver of hope. McCain represents none at all. The choice turns out to be an easy one," Bacevich concludes.
How substantial is the Obamacon phenomenon? Well, it has even penetrated National Review, the intellectual anchor of the conservative movement. There's Jeffrey Hart, who has been a senior editor at the magazine since 1968 and even wrote a history of the magazine, The Making of the American Conservative Mind; and Wick Allison, who once served as the magazine's publisher.
Neither man has renounced his conservatism. Both have come away impressed by Obama's rhetorical acumen. This is a particular compliment coming from Hart, who wrote speeches for both Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. They both like that Obama couches his speeches in a language of uplift and unity. When describing his support for Obama, Allison pointed me in the direction of a column that his wife (who has never supported a Democrat) wrote in The Dallas Morning News: "He speaks with candor and elegance against the kind of politics that have become so dispiriting and for the kind of America I would like to see. As a man, I find Mr. Obama to be prudent, thoughtful, and courageous. His life story embodies the conservative values that go to the core of my beliefs."But, if you're looking for the least likely pool of Obamacons, it would be the supply-siders. And you can even find some of those. Take Larry Hunter, who helped put together the economics passages in the Contract with America and served as chief economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He concedes that Obama is saying the wrong things on taxes but dismisses it as electioneering. Of far greater importance, in Hunter's view, is that Obama has the potential to "scramble the political deck, break up old alliances, and bring odd bedfellows together in a new coalition." And, what's more important, he views the Republican Party as a "dead, rotting carcass with a few decrepit old leaders stumbling around like zombies in a horror version of Weekend at Bernie's, handcuffed to a corpse." Unless the Republican Party is thoroughly purged of its current leadership, Hunter fears that it "will pollute the political environment to toxic levels and create an epidemic that could damage the country for generations to come."
I know what Hunter and the rest of the Obamacons are talking about. As a conservative, I share their disgust with a Republican Party that still does not see how badly George W. Bush has misgoverned this country. But, while I am sympathetic to the Obamacons and have a number of friends that are, I am not one of them. I'm not ready to join the other side.
Still, I have enjoyed watching the phenomenon, which has the potential to remake the political landscape. It will also produce some of the good comedy that inevitably accompanies strange bedfellows. The blogger Dorothy King, an archeologist and strong conservative, recently outed herself as an Obamacon. This was a culturally awkward position for her. She wondered, "Do I now, as a newly minted Obamaphile liberal elitist, have to serve my guests Chablis? Or would any old chardonnay do? ... Am I even meant to admit to going to the supermarket? Should I pretend to only go to the local Farmers' Market?" There, undoubtedly, will be much more of such dislocation in the months to come.
Bruce Bartlett is the author of Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy.
"Anyone playing the GOP Veepstakes game on MSNBC.com"?
-----------------------------------
Yup! And have been voting like crazy!
I know you don't want to hear this, but ok....
If this were a White kid, I doubt this would have ever come up.
Yeah, I said it. Disagree with me if you wish. They only thread the needle about ' the rules' like this when your skin isn't White.
Oh, I know.
I'm more amazed at the stupidity of it all.
The GOP takes aim at Michelle Obama
I'm thinking less GOP and more from the 527s.
Then too, it's not like Cindy McCain hasn't been attacked.....
Obama, the 'blank slate' is letting the far-left remake him in their image they are putting Obama in a 'liberal/radical' box from which he will not be allowed to 'escape'
McCain is seeking, and gaining the support of moderate Democrats in the Leiberman, DLC mold and the far-left can't push them out of the party fast enough.
___________________________________
Obama's selection of Jason Furman as economic advisor is criticized
Labor union officials and some liberal activists say Furman is too enamored of globalization and too easy on Wal-Mart.
This along with Obama's anti-free trade stance toward Colombia and his pandering to unions to renegotiate NAFTA will hurt Obama among moderates who see free trade with our allies as a key component to economic growth.
_______________________________... and other anti-war groups will not allow Obama to
1) Acknowledge improvements in Iraq
2) Support continued progress
3) Recognize that Iraq is America's responsibility.
___________________________________
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is attracting elite Jewish Democratic donors who backed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and are concerned about Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) stance toward Israel, say McCain backers who are organizing the effort to court Democrats.
___________________________________
To be "centrist," Obama would have to 'tweek' his support for race-based quotas and preferences, retract his opposition to the Born Alive bill, which makes it illegal to murder a newborn who survives an abortion, and cut back his claim that he would withdraw from Iraq, even if generals on the ground assure him a devastating defeat would result. To be "optimistic," he will have to restrain all of his supporters who view this country as 'downright mean' or worse.
____________________________________
Obama wheezed, not sailed across the primary finish line. It is easy to blame this on 'angry feminists' and Appalachian 'racists' but it may have more to do with the fact that Obama has yet to 'move to the center' and give moderates a reason to vote for him.
Obama's pledge to eschew 'old politics' is eroded daily as contradictions between his rhetoric and reality are exposed.
Obama isn't president yet, and he cannot afford to be painted into a corner by his own supporters.
What do most Americans want in a 'first lady'? How do each of these women conform to that ideal? How do their past words and deeds reflect on that role?
The hatred and vitriol spewed here and at other dem blogs at Cindy McCain and even Laura Bush is disgusting. It will backfire on Obama if his supporter personally attack Cindy McCain on her past.
McCain 47%
Obama 45%
A statistical tie.
Your post is very contradictory. On one hand, you said the candidates' wives are fair game, then in the next breath you criticize comments about Cindy McCain and Laura Bush as "disgusting", and that Obama will suffer if his supporters attack Cindy McCain.
Disagree.
It is disgusting. However, it's to be expected as well.
What's really contradictory is how people expect Michelle's comments-made in public forums, mind you-to not be scrutinized, but are quick to refer to Cindy a "homewrecker," "Stepford wife," etc.
Is turnabout still fair play?
5. Joe Lieberman (wasnt Rated Previously) Im pretty sure he knows that once Barack BECOMES Potus, HIS SEAT IS GONE!
4. Sean Hannity. Peak position 2.
Last rated at 3..On his radio show he say's hes the "Proud home of the Stop the Radical Barack Obama Express."
3. Pat Buchanon Previously Ranked
5th. Made mention recently on several radio shows that if Barack were white Hillary would be the nominee.
2. The Clintons..Previously, Hillary #6, and Bill not ranked.
They somehow remain in the spotlight b/c there the Clintons. I find this hard to believe.
Hillary's voters are now an issue, Bill has came out with an enemy list, and b/c of them FL and Mi (about as Blue as it gets ) are polling in favor for McCain. I assume Mi will turn blue in time, but they soured enough of the feelings in the party to remain legitimate by creating a "base" of Harriet Christians.
1. Fox News Channel Previous Position #1. Peak Position #1. Gotta be honest, a station that say's its fair and balanced that only has one Dem, (and he's worthless) on its channel is not very fair. ED Hill calls fist Jabs terrosist related, not once have they questioned Karl Rove about Seigelman, AND HES ON THERE ALOT, and im convinced, that all the personalites have daily briefs, about how to bash BARACK.
Im seconds away from blocking this channel. The only reason I KEEP it around is b/c I want to hear what crazy baseless rumor they can fester up next.
I know wife's are fair play to some on the right, but if I read an article I saw somewhere recently, McCains first wife, might be the blow he suffers the most pain from when it comes to women.
He essentially left her for a much younger, thinner and prettier woman. A pracitce many women consider the Holy Trinity of Man Hate. It wouldnt be so bad if she had left while he was in captivity, but she stayed. However, in her time of need, he bolted.
McCains First Wife
It should be noted that he does pay her medical expenses. In my opinion though, this still looks really bad to Johnny Mc.
Do you think-had Michelle not been dragged into the spotlight/put her foot in her mouth (whichever explanation fits best)-that the story of McCain's first wife would get a mention?
You hope that it will hurt McCain with women, that why you bring it up. Know one can really know what goes on in a marriage and the fact that McCain and his first wife are on 'good terms' and she endorses his candidacy.
IMO, what Michelle and Cindy do now. How they comport themselves and what they say, how they choose to contribute to their husbands' campaigns is far more relevant and merits discussion.
The rest is just '[old politics' and given the high bar Obama has set for himself to eschew such 'politics of personal destruction' he will suffer the most from its practice.
Best keep it classy.
How ya'll feel about this? America embraces/loves the Obama Presidency so much that in 2016, Michelle decides to run for President (she would not follow the Hillary-Senate-to-Presidency Plan).
I know that this feels "dangerously" like a monarchy, but if the country is prospering and everyone is happy, then...Obamas in the White House for four terms.
Personally, I would not mind if Webb runs for Pres in 2016 and then Michelle is the VP on that ticket...Obama-Webb, then Webb-Obama...lol.
Yes. Dukakis' wife was allegedly burning a Flag, Hillary was as well John Kerry's wife Hated America, and so forth.
Someone on the right, has figured that the best way to get to Dems, is to make there wives fair play.
"just 'cause she says so."
Believe what you will but it reflects poorly on you and other Obama supporters to engage in this kind of speculation.
Webb's Rebel Roots: An Affinity for Confederacy
Can you say 'irrational exuberance'?
I just cannot make sense of what goes on in his mind. Can you?
As rare as it is, I couldnt agree more with you..
I dont think it will be Obama throwing the dirt on this one. Much like I dont think McCain will be the one throwing dirt on Michelle. Surrogates have a mind of there own.
Pundits have already began disecting every thing no matter how miniscule. I just read somewhere how Barack didnt support a guy running for School board..WTF??
That story I linked to above, didnt come from the Obama camp..
-----------
Webb,
Is there any word on Politico's (and others) most recent story about Jim Webb's love for the confederacy.
I cant speak for everyone on this blog, but IMO, this is bad.
“Most Southern soldiers viewed the driving issue to be sovereignty rather than slavery,”
His Words not made up..
Theres no doubt in my mind that he honestly believes this, but this has Macaca written all over it.
IMO, there are valid criticism and character assinations.
Character assinations are disgusting. "The only thing in Wind-up-Cindy's mouth are those pills she stole from the charity."
Then there are valid criticisms:
Michelle Obama has made some cynical statements about our country that do not reflect a more optimistic view other citizens may have toward this country.
Michelle Obama has made some statements that portend a more 'collectivist' political philosophy that among those who value individual freedom over equality of outcomes, is troubling.
Sorry, won't happen.
Just think about the hell-deserved or not-that Michelle's catching now.
Multiply it by 100, and add four years of whatever happens during an Obama administration.
The right wing would crucify her.
He's "The Decider"..He knows there's know one brave enough to call him out in this Congress. Dennis Kucinich is the only person on record to put forth articles of impeachment, and Pelosi has in the past vowed that Bush will walk away scott free from this.
Bill Clinton gets a BJ and for a yr and a half we get to suffer through what Is is . Yet this guy can wage propaganda like wars, treat POW's like silly puddy, out CIA operatives, and can go home safely to clear brush when its all done b/c he got the Mother of all Free Passes...
If He were a democrat, i get the strange notion that he wouldve been impeached, but the blow woudlve came from a Dem. first..How sad is that??
He would definitely have to answer for those writings otherwise "enthusiam will be dampened" for a confederacy lover...even so, the irony could not be any greater:
A confederacy-loving Vice-President reporting to the First AA President of the United States...LOVE IT!!! Got goosebumps...record that shyt in the history books...you got to love America.
How sad that you must resort to stereotypes, it diminishes you and the Obamas.
Frankly, if voters prefer a more 'traditional' first lady, Cindy McCain may be preferred. Michelle is and will be a more 'modern' first lady.
In the end, I am sure they will bring honor to the role, should their husband be elected.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/10/activists-preparing-against-use-of-brown-note-at-dem-convention/
(org source: O Hell Nawl!)
I just threw up. That is terrible.
In other news: GEN Peter Pace is getting the Congressional Medal of Freedom.
Grapevine student with top grades won't be valedictorian
Thanks for that link, D.
That Texas decision was absolute appalling and thoroughly offensive.
You don't think the Confederacy thing is a problem for Webb?
I do.
I think it's just a way of vetting Webb, so when Obama doesn't pick him, folks will understand.
Ticking off women AND Black folks?
You can tick off one or the other, but not both.
There's a White man in the Democratic Party that won't tick off either; Obama just has to find him.
It is a fact that Cindy McCain was addicted to pills. It is a fact that she stole pills from a charity as a result of her addiction. It is a fact that such behaviour would be considered a felony in most jurisdictions. Lesser beings would have been prosecuted for such a criminal act. So please save your fakeass indignation for people who don't know any better.
Junglecat
Cindy McCain is THE OTHER WOMAN.
She cheated with a much older MARRIED MAN.
She's also a pill-popping embezzler.
And, if Michelle Obama had done ANY OF THIS....it would be running on an endless loop on Fox News.
The same Negroes who would have choking fits at Jim Webb are the same ones advocating Hillary for VP. And personally I find Hillary's racebaiting much more disturbing and destructive than Jim Webb writing about the Confederacy.
I don't get caught up in the "He loves the Confederacy so he's automatically suspect or racist" because Hillary was no ways tired and we see what happened there.
Jim Webb may see the Confederacy as being hijacked by haters and wants to explain the point of view of the regular person who fought for it. I have no problem with that because I don't see him as trying to belittle or diss anyone...
...unlike Sen. George Macaca, who deliberately dissed that guy and laughed about it. George Allen is a fake Confederate (no Southern roots) who hijacked the Confederacy to support his race baiting, race hating agenda. The real hero of the 2008 election cycle is S.R. Sidarth. If he hadn't posted that Macaca video on YouTube, George Allen might be the Republican nominee.
I think there are other reasons to disqualify Jim Webb from the VP spot other than he wrote a book about the Confederacy.
Who's the known quantity?
Huckabee/Jindal in 2012!
eek
No one can criticize Cindy comments because she doesn't make any, she just stands around like a statute. The only time she said anything was to take advantage of the skewing of Michelle Obama's statements.
She really doesn't have to speak for us to judge her character though, she has shown that through her theft of drugs and other people's recipes.
McCain's character is also in view. He lies, abuses women and apparently had no concern for his children while he was out womanizing.
He will further damage this country by taking us to war with Iran and continuing to fill the bank accounts of the country's wealthy to the detriment of the rest of the country.
If Michelle had done any of that, Barack would NOT be the nominee..
Hillz operatives woudlve spun that one around so bad that it wouldve made Bill look like a saint in womens eyes.
Webb's a huge problem.
The reason why Cindy's issues aren't all over the news is because they're run their course. When they were stories, they were given their proper airshare.
I don't think they are anymore.
yeah, her status prevented prosecution. What's weird is that she's wealthy and could find a doctor somewhere willing to prescribe narcotics. It's the public deception that I find disturbing. It's this wearing of a mask of "respectability"...deceiving with the blond hair, the impossible skinniness, the expensive clothes, the barbi-ness...the Miss-Teen USA-ness. Giving the public what it wants. So comforting.
Obama will be pressured to choose a pro-choice woman.
Stealing recipes? That's a newsworthy offense?
Everyone knows Cindy's had issues. The McCains have been in the political spectrum for, what, 20-plus years?
The Obamas-relatively speaking-just got here. This-fortunately or not-is how the game is played.
If Cindy chooses not to make any comments, that's on her. If Michelle chooses to comment, that's on her.
But once the comments are made, they're open to scrutiny. If you can't deal with that....then don't comment.
youre right, there are TONZ of reasons why Webb should not be considered.
The special father/son moment he writes of about Southeastern Asians is all I have to see.
(There's no doubt this one would come up)
For some of us, the Confederacy, is just one of those topics we dont see logic in. No matter how its expressed. Sorry...
Im ex-military, and I fully support his GI-Bill, and if Barack selects Webb, im in, I just know that If I a dem. blogger can point out holes, theres no doubt the Rethugs, will bury Webb on these.
...................................BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions
By Jane Corbin
BBC News
Waxman: "It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."
A BBC investigation estimates that around $23bn (£11.75bn) may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.
The BBC's Panorama programme has used US and Iraqi government sources to research how much some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding.
A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.
The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.
War profiteering
While Presdient George W Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.
To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.
The president's Democratic opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.
Henry Waxman, who chairs the House committee on oversight and government reform, said: "The money that's gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, it's egregious.
"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."
In the run-up to the invasion, one of the most senior officials in charge of procurement in the Pentagon objected to a contract potentially worth $7bn that was given to Halliburton, a Texan company which used to be run by Dick Cheney before he became vice-president.
Unusually only Halliburton got to bid - and won.
Missing billions
The search for the missing billions also led the programme to a house in Acton in west London where Hazem Shalaan lived until he was appointed to the new Iraqi government as minister of defence in 2004.
Judge Radhi al Radhi: "I believe these people are criminals."
He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2bn out of the ministry. They bought old military equipment from Poland but claimed for top-class weapons.
Meanwhile they diverted money into their own accounts.
Judge Radhi al-Radhi of Iraq's Commission for Public Integrity investigated.
He said: "I believe these people are criminals.
"They failed to rebuild the Ministry of Defence, and as a result the violence and the bloodshed went on and on - the murder of Iraqis and foreigners continues and they bear responsibility."
Mr Shalaan was sentenced to two jail terms but he fled the country.
He said he was innocent and that it was all a plot against him by pro-Iranian MPs in the government.
There is an Interpol arrest warrant out for him but he is on the run - using a private jet to move around the globe.
He stills owns commercial properties in the Marble Arch area of London
...................................
Answer. They havent stolen enough from US taxpayers.
My eye would be immediately be drawn to something with my name on it.
I would be annoyed that I wasn't informed that my name was being used...assuming she didn't know(wink,wink) I would be even more alarmed that the recipes were not mine. I'd ask my husband "So, my meatloaf isn't good enough for your website?"
What I'm saying is, with John's flip-flopping, Cindy's stealing pills...they're dishonest and elitist. They're contemptuous of the "unwashed masses". She knew, and wasn't outraged by the deception, until she got caught.
because she is a lying, thieving, racebaiting snake who cannot be trusted under any circumstances.
The Soros Conspiracy Theories have come to JJP.
Cindy's character is questionable. It's not that the recipe stealing is newsworthy, but if she would steal pills,recipes, and husbands, what else would she do?
If you can't handle that, you need not comment.
The comments were given during an interview with CNBC. Discussing rising gasoline prices, Obama said: "I think that I would have preferred a gradual adjustment. The fact that this is such a shock to American pocketbooks is not a good thing.
Obama also said that "if we take some steps right now to help people make the adjustment, first of all by putting more money into their pockets, but also by encouraging the market to adapt to these new circumstances more quickly, particularly U.S. automakers, then I think ultimately, we can come out of this stronger and have a more efficient energy policy than we do right now.
Obama/Soros '08!!!
Ms. Martin,
The "if you don't like that..." wasn't directed at you personally.
Here, let's go way into right field for a minute:
Report: Actress Johannson, Obama in Regular Correspondence
Ah ha!! Obama's an adulterer!!
'Ha, if you hit the back of Cindy's head, pills go flying everywhere."
ahahahahahah!
Just today, when asked if he knew when American Troops could come home, he said " No, but thats not too important"
Olbermann may have just got his headline for tonight. No doubt Barack is getting ready to trounce on this. Johnny say's Troop withdrawl is not too important
My point is why blast Webb on the Confederacy as being "insensitive to blacks" but give Hillary "Hard Working White Americans" Clinton a pass? Why say that Webb is disqualified from the VP spot for writing a book on the Confederacy but push for Hillary and her dogwhistle to be the VP?
Clearly, no one on this website is advocating for Hillary to be VP; that would be silly. But for the MSM to say "OMG Webb = Teh Confederacy OMG," but overlook the rampant racism of the Clinton campaign is hypocritical.
If Webb's Confederacy writings automatically disqualify him from the VP spot, so should Hillary's racebaiting.
I guess I'm not understanding why the white man's racism must be put on blast and eradicated while the white woman's racism has to be tiptoed around.
As someone who frequents this blog Often, let me at least reassure you that HERE, Hillz got lambasted for her Hard Working Wite American Comments. She still gets it, (which is due.)
The MSM ignores Hillz b/c as Tweety put it, she has an army 18 Million strong. The MSM has been attacked by team Clinton as being sexist, and played the victim card on reverse Racism.
No one callz out the Clintons b/c no one wants to argue with them. They are treated like that friend who you never argue with b/c to them, there always right. You can never get a word in, and they are going to stay in your face until you see things there way.
You're killing me! You got me rolling about Cindy McCain & those pills flying!
Wooo! Too funny!
stumble digg reddit del.ico.us news trust buzz up Posted June 11, 2008 | 10:57 AM (EST)
I am catching this a little late, but this is important to correct. The McCain campaign attacked Barack Obama for saying that the surge would result in an increase in violence. Pointing to this quote from Obama:
"I am not persuaded that 20,000 additional troops in Iraq is going to solve the sectarian violence there. In fact, I think it will do the reverse."
McCain says that that was clearly wrong saying:
Sen. Obama said that the effect would be the reverse. So, he has no fundamental understanding of the entire situation that warranted the surge, which led to the success."
This is ridiculous. The surge DID increase violence in Iraq. Yes the last eight months violence is down - but the eight months before that were the most violent since the war began - making 2007 (the year of the surge) the deadliest year for American troops (see the chart from icasulaties below). Putting U.S. troops in the most dangerous neighborhoods of Iraq was bound to increase violence.
Violence has decreased since - and while the troop increase and the change in strategy has had an important impact, other factors (factors not a part of the original of the surge plan) explain the decline in violence much more effectively. What are these:
1. We cut deals with the enemy. The Anbar awakening and the deals struck with Sunni insurgents were the most important factor contributing to the decline and violence. But its important to note that this was NOT part of the original surge strategy but was arrived at due to the escalating violence and the failures of Iraq's political leaders to make any headway on the political benchmarks laid out by the Bush administration as part of the surge.
2. Ethnic cleansing was more or less achieved in most neighborhoods. As in other ethnic conflicts - violence usually peaks at the outset, as integrated neighborhoods are forcefully segregated. As neighborhoods become segregated they are often walled off - creating more security for neighborhood residents by preventing outsiders from entering. This has been a tactic deployed by Petraeus and is a common counter-insurgency tactic. While this is effective at preventing violence, it also has the negative side effect of freezing sectarian divisions in place creating a significant long term obstacle to reconciliation (think Belfast).
3. We had a cease-fire agreement with Sadr, which has been extremely important in lowering attacks on the U.S.
Attributing the recent decrease in violence solely to the increase in troop levels and ignoring the fact that violence significantly increased during the first eight months of the surge is indicative of someone who "lacks a fundamental understanding of the entire situation that warranted the surge."
So is the surge working or not?
I imagine most of her messages say UR TEH AWESOME!!!1!! UR GR8!!1!!! You PWNED Hillz!!1!!!1
This was probably posted yesterday but because ED Hill bugs the crap out of me more than any other woman I have ever seen (including Hillary and Tubby-Jones) I am posting again. Finally Fox gets something right.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/10/fox-news-changes-terroris_n_106306.html
House Members Want Birth Control Provision in War Funding Bill
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/25076322#25076322
The surge is working and Obama cannot acknowledge it or support it in any way. The djchefron's of the world will have none of it. And this only benefits McCain in the end.
McCain and Obama's positions are clear...and the success of the surge will show Obama to be boxed in by the anti-war, anti-military far left.
Moderates may be against the war, but they want to see us to succeed before we withdraw, and they are certainly not anti-military.
Dems will continue to try and paint McCain as a warmonger and label the surge 'a failure' but this will do nothing to close the 'security gap' that exists between Democrats and Republicans.
Q: If it’s working, senator, do you now have a better estimate of when American forces can come home from Iraq?
McCAIN: No, but that’s not too important. What’s important is the casualties in Iraq. Americans are in South Korea. Americans are in Japan. American troops are in Germany. That’s all fine.
I'll let Ambinder do the heavy lifting:
Obama believes that the presence of U.S. troops exacerbates the tension and gives Iraqis a crutch to delay political reconcilliation. McCain does not. One would think that those differences are a sufficient basis upon which to launch a political attack. Instead, though, in a conference call with reporters, in remarks by Democrats like Joe Biden, in a blistering statement by Rep. Rahm Emanuel, McCain is being portrayed as, inter alia, not caring one whit about casualties and deaths and chaos and certainly not about the families of troops who dealt with deployment after deployment.
If the Obama campaign was really committed to debating substantive issues of war and peace in good faith and in a civil tone, they'd repudiate the comments being pushed by their surrogates. And if Obama thinks that McCain is indifferent to the sacrifices being made by U.S. soldiers in Iraq, let him say it himself.
Don't worry...I know that, and the facts on the ground-not just from Fox News, but from the people who have actually been there-show it.
Political Play: Now, a word from Obama 46 minutes ago
CHICAGO - Sen. Barack Obama gave four dozen 8th graders a graduation to remember Wednesday when he unexpectedly walked onstage in the middle of their ceremony.
The mostly black crowd of students, family and friends erupted in squeals of disbelief in seeing the Democratic presidential candidate, who had just finished a hastily arranged economics forum across the hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Screams and cheers nearly drowned out his brief remarks to graduates of the Young Women's Leadership Charter School of Chicago. "I'm proud that you graduated from the 8th grade, but it's just the 8th grade," Obama said. He urged the students, all girls, to read, turn off the TV and decide "how can I make myself the best young woman I can possibly be."
Obama shook a few hands and walked off as those in the auditorium, still pinching themselves, chanted "Change, change."
He can't even get his attack lines right.
::
James Fallows sums up my feelings about Webb and the confederacy issue:
Jim Webb as "Confederate"
I think Webb should stay in the Senate too.
He said, “We’re going to go to the small towns in Pennsylvania and I’m gonna to tell them I don’t agree with Senator Obama that they cling to their religion and the Constitution because they’re bitter.”
Obama wants to run as a populist, but in fact he’s much more of an autocrat, believing that he knows better than the voters what they need and want from government and life.
I think he just said, in response to a question about attacks on Michelle, that she was a tough, accomplished person who can take it and handle her own, but then he said something along the lines of: "But I tell you what. The hottest rung in political hell is reserved for those who would attack an opponent's family."
And he even said it with geniality.
Made the host gulp.
When did the Democrats grow spines?
I guess Barack has inspired his supporters to be pitbulls.
This is going to be a new kind of general election campaign.
My point is that it seems that there's only a problem when Cindy McCain is the target. And to be honest, Cindy hasn't received a tenth of the scrutiny Michelle Obama has.
You talk about "character assassination". Well, when one thinks of that phrase it conjures up thoughts/images of someone spreading lies in order to damage another person's reputation.
It's a FACT that Cindy abused drugs, hence her being called "a pill popper".
It's a FACT that Cindy stole drugs from her own nonprofit.
It's a FACT that Cindy had a relationship with a married man that was NOT her husband, hence her being called "a homewrecker".
With Michelle Obama it is NOT A FACT that she doesn't love this country. You entire comment was(purposely)not shown, and even then it would be left up to individual interpretation, but still one cannot say that she isn't patriotic.
It is NOT A FACT that there's a videotape showing Michelle saying "whitey". The rumor of the tape was a lie put out to damage her reputation.
So, who's character is really being assassinated?
But honestly, neither of you are interested in preventing anyone's character assassination, manslaughter, homicide....etc. You're interested in protecting your candidate and his associates. Period.
Made me smile just thinking about the looks on those girls' faces when Barack walked in.
The dhimmicrats have grown a pair. I'm all for a fair fight.
Sepia,
I don't think anyone really, truly wanted to bring up Cindy's past until Michelle started talking-and Cindy responded.
At that point, they both became fair game.
Which is my point: neither one is off limits.
"This is nothing more or less than his “100 years” line in another form, reiterating the point that it’s not a troop presence overseas that Americans really object to (or else they’d be pounding the table about Okinawa) but troop casualties."
A troop presence in Iraq will lead to troop casualities because Iraq and Iran do not want a U.S. occupation there.
But that's exactly what McCain and Bush want so they can have an excuse to invade Iran.
Again, the media may be holding Michelle up for scrutiny for the first time, where as Cindy McCain has been in the public eye for some time. While the news of her past drug use may be new to Obama supporters eager to use this information, it had been the focus of media attention.
The 'whitey' tape has been debunked by both the right (NRO's Jim Geharty, Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit, etc) and left. It was started by Hillary supporter Larry Johnson, who has a less than stellar reputation. I have said in comments here that the tape does not exists and I, in fact posted the first 'rickroll' of the 'whitey' tape in an open thread before it was posted on the main page.
You will not find me attacking Michelle personally. I think she's somewhat cynical and a very tough customer but I think she would be a great first lady.
Likewise, Cindy McCain's battle with addiction and her story of how she overcame, could prove to be inspirational, should she ever choose to share it. I think she is more content to stay in the background, and that is her choice.
I have not defended her misdeeds.
The one who seeks a more active role in the campaign will naturally garner more attention and criticism.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/flashback-mccain-praised_n_106518.html
You're not serious.
War criminals? I'd take offense to that, if it weren't so funny.
I've got some friends of mine who've lost people in Iraq that would love to hear you say that to them.
We wore the uniform, so I'll call you brother/sister-as appropriate-at the end of the day, but you're a fool.
I remind you that those same dhimmicrats who are card-carrying members of the "Bush lied" crowd saw-or had the opportunity to see-the same intelligence the President did. Hell, they signed off on the war.
I wish the war really had been about oil; maybe I wouldn't be paying as much for gas as I do. Fact is, though, that it wasn't.
I believe that Saddam posed a threat to us. I have no regrets about my service, and I'm convinced that the world is a better place with him and his sons dead.
I do not share your cynical worldview, nor your pessimistic attitude towards our mission in Iraq.
The great thing about democracy is that it provides for the a way to 'fight' without taking up arms. As Iraqis become more engaged in a democratic political process they discover a way to resolve conflicts without taking up arms.
As for 'what will they do when the money runs out,' Oil is at a record high and iraqi oil production will create a revenue stream for the country that will be shared by all the citizens.
I was not for the war. But all of that is moot now. Iraq is our responsibility and I have every confidence that we can make it a success if we remain resolute.
If I must choose between optimism and pessimism, success or failure, victory or defeat, support or retreat, I choose to say, "Yes, we can!"
Brother, fair enough.
Thanks for your service as well. You've earned the right to an opinion in a way most people haven't.
One of our occasional military correspondents writes regarding his recent tour in Iraq;
I’m one of the Army officers who's written you from time to time about various things. I returned from my extended deployment to Iraq late last year, so at the micro-level I saw things improve dramatically from fall 2006 to fall 2007. And of course I've followed events closely since coming home. While it may be too early to schedule the ticker tape parade, I think recent statements by the CIA director and yesterday's article in the Wall Street Journal by Frederick and Kimberly Kagan point to what a lot of people are feeling: that we're on the cusp of a major victory against Al Qaeda in Iraq. I’d like to offer up a parallel that I think aligns with many other themes you use.
Last year I finished a great Civil War book by Albert Castel titled Decision in the West. It described Sherman’s campaign to capture Atlanta throughout the summer and fall of 1864. What I found interesting was that the campaign was originally conceived to complement what was intended to be the “decision” (decisive operations) in the East by Grant’s forces then operating against Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. As the year wore on with little progress in Virginia, horrific casualties, and an election looming against emboldened, conciliatory Copperhead Democrats, the Union Cause was in great jeopardy. Grant, bogged down around Petersburg, wrote Sherman that "the decision would have to come in the West." After frenetic maneuvering and a few relatively small-scale but decisive battles, Sherman was at last able to capture Atlanta. Union morale was restored and the war was over approximately six months later. No one expected at the beginning of the Atlanta campaign that it would be the year's decisive operation and the death knell of the Confederacy.
I think this is illustrative of what has taken place in Iraq against Al Qaeda. For years now we have been expecting that the decision against Al Qaeda would occur in the East, in Afghanistan. OIF was expected to complement world-wide efforts against state-sponsored terrorism, but not to defeat Al Qaeda per se. As it has transpired, however, it turns out that the decision against Al Qaeda has occurred in the West – in Iraq, both physically and morally, with global ramifications that we will be assessing and (hopefully) exploiting for the next few years. Anyone who cannot comprehend or refuses to acknowledge this is betraying a great inflexibility of mind or duplicitious nature.
Obama: Metaphorically Black or Literally Black?
As one of my buddies said today, "Obama has fucked things up for lazy negroes, man. He's raised the bar."
If you are suggesting that the only people who have a right to express an opinion about the situaton in Iraq are people who have served, then methinks its time you took a refresher civics course.
Junglecat
Nope; though I almost said, "in a way that most people won't."
What bugs me about this is it's clear she lost because she was 1. out smarted 2. out organized and 3. simply lacked a clear focus and narrative to her campaign.
To say that she lost this nomination because of sexism lets the women out there that want to hold their vote for McCain drag their fee further. It paints her as a victim, as if she somehow lost it because of gender and not because she was not up to running an effective campaign.
It pisses me off that instead of just accepting she lost because she could not defeat her opponent they want to put her up there as some victim. How is she supposed to be a role model for women if the message is always going to be "she lost because she's a woman."
And where is the special comments from Katie Curic for the race baiting? The attacks on Michelle Obama. In fact Katie actually asked Obama if having Hil as VP wanted to make him go "eww" So what the hell is all this sister hood shit coming from.
LOL I'm sure you can do it better than me. I'm just tired of victim hood memo.
Clyburn shrugs off rumors of Clinton backlash
ANTI-OBAMA "MOVEMENT" SPOKESWOMAN INTERVIEWED ON FOX THINKS OBAMA IS A TERRORIST WHO PRACTICES POTENTIALLY LETHAL MIND-CONTROL HYPNOSIS
From NewsHounds:
Hannity & Colmes hosted crackpot Cristi Adkins, a die-hard Hillary Clinton fan who is now supporting John McCain. Adkins' website makes the outlandish accusation that Obama is "the home-grown terrorist sleeper cell." ...
Adkins said she was there as part of some coalition called, "Just Say No Deal." The website states: "We are a coalition of millions with one thing in common: NObama." ...
There's video at the NewsHounds link. Hannity and Colmes take this guest quite seriously.
How reliable is she? I think all you need to know is the fact that she posted this comment at a fellow Obama-basher's blog back in March:
Be Aware of the Hypnotic Power of the O'Bama Kool Aid…
Is It DANGEROUS?
Yes, Obama is a powerful speaker, make no mistake about that. As with all motivation speakers like Anthony Robbins and Marshall Sylver, he has a hypnotic quality about him. However, what's he really saying? As his voice lowers in pitch, softens a bit, you'll also notice the lights are lowered, the background music gets the audience pumped, he meets your gaze eye to eye during the rally and his voice seems to lull you into the 'feelings' of hope, inspiration and excitement. But when you leave the rally, you are left with one message. 'Change.' The amazing principle of Group Think is applicable, but there is another side to the coin.
...who is this empowering man that can inspire thousands of young, innocent, voters to go to the poles, even on blistery, dangerous highways during an ice storm..such as it was in Virginia and Maryland on February 12? ...
It is the same power that convinces thousands of unsuspecting enthusiasts to drink the red Kool Aid which leads to their ultimate destruction. It's called Mind Control, or in some circles, Hypnosis.
Mr. Obama is highly skilled at bypassing the critical thinking mind and getting straight to the subconscious mind; he knows how to hit what really makes voters tick. It is said in the world of Mind Control, when you control someones emotions, you control them. This is same tool and technique highly recognized in the speaking industry and used by the Anthony Robbins and Marshall Sylvers of the world. Unlike Bush, who used the Fear of Terrorists, O'bama's fear hits even closer to home. It is a sublimina fear of being publicly ridiculed if you say anything negative about a 'well liked' black candidate. Other emotions target the votes as they hope to stay out of a recession, fear losing their homes, desire a better life with greener pastures, excitement builds as the democratic race is the best reality TV to observe….
Keep this in mind when you place your vote. Do you want to be vote with your heart and emotions, with the facts or jump on a band wagon with a mysterious pull to drink the Obama Kook Aid? ...
Cristi Adkins, RN Cht
There's your Fox News "expert."
Of course, judging from this PDF at her workplace, perhaps Cristi is just feeling professional jealousy:
Cristi is a registered nurse who provides holistic nursing and holds a Masters Certification as a Hypnotherapist by the National Guild of Hypnotists. Originally born and raised outside of Baton Rouge, LA in a small town called Denham Springs, but has since moved on to become one of the masters in subconscious reprogramming.
As Registered Nurse she specializes in the body-mind-spirit approach. As an activist in holistic medicine, Nurse Cristi served as the state representative for the American Holistic Nurses Association for the state of Utah in 1998-1999 to bring about awareness to the field of Holistic Medicine. Holistic principles back the Fatloss Forever! weight loss program.
...Cristi offers complimentary consultations for the following services:
Hypnotherapy
Meditation
Audio Spa with the Light Sound System
Ionic Detox Foot Spa
Weight Loss
Nutrition
Holistic Health
Call today for your initial consultation....
I'm not sure why Cristi didn't try to use her skills at hypnotic mind control to persuade voters not to vote for Obama, given the fact that she's a pro, while he's just an amateur (unless there's some truth to the rumors I've heard that he has a master's from the Bin Laden School of Mind Control and Global Domination).
Then again, maybe that's exactly what she's doing -- I'm feeling very sleepy....
..................................
Kudos to No More Mr. Nice Guy Blog
Your candidate McCain said it was. Twice.
Her surrogates keep talking about her, and the overwhelming support she supposedly has. It is undermining. There is no way that she can be on the ticket after thorough vetting.
Just read also that she's not on vacation as reported, but talking to SD's on the phone. Who knows...
After Concession Speech, Reporters Wonder: Where's Hillary Clinton?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/11/21256/4677/594/534342
Fox News calls Michelle "Obama's baby mama," slang for an unwed mother. ]
This is fucking BS. What can we do?
Peace ya'll
when you're a Black man whose had his ass beat LITERALLY for just wanting to be treated as a human being...
do you REALLY think Clyburn gives a shit about being on Billary's Enemies List?
start calling Cindy McCain
McCain's Pill-Poppin' Piece-On-The-Side.
I was hoping my How Obama Won Series was an antidote for Miss Hillary's Whinefest.
I'm not the person to do it. I don't think CPL is the person either, because, though I'm not speaking for her, I do believe we are in sync on this, and there's nothing polite that could come from either one of us on this topic.
Jill Tubman is your best hope for this..LOL
"I have seen the light.
I, Erick-Woods Erickson, do this day endorse Barack Obama for President. He has done all I have asked and now I should do at least one thing he asks and give him my support.
When I beat up Obama for failing to repudiate Rev. Wright, Obama threw him under the bus.
When I punched Obama for telling the Teamsters he'd let them out of federal supervision, he backed down on that through a statement "clarification."
After I questioned Obama's patriotism because of his lack of a flag lapel pin, he put one on.
After harassing Obama for saying Iran was no threat, he willingly changed his mind and decided Iran is, in fact, a serious threat.
When Obama opened his mouth and lied about his family connection to the holocaust, he clarified again. Never mind that he's told several different groups several different variations -- he still attempted to do what I thought he needed to do.
When I bullied Obama over not going to Iraq with John McCain, his campaign decided he might just go.
Heck, I even picked on Barry for his "unilateral meetings with rogue nations" and Barry graciously nuanced his way out of it.
Then there's the other stuff like his fully transparent campaign. He harassed John McCain for being secretive like the Bushies, I punched back, and Obama released just one page on his medical history so we couldn't see that he actually has health problems due to his continued smoking. Likewise, he won't even release his birth certificate to prove he really is an American citizen. I love that he's willing to let this story and the whole "closet Muslim" story fester rather than be transparent like he claims he is. That just helps me out! And it signals that he really is just like the other guys; never mind the marketing.
Oh, and now after I demanded he throw Jim Johnson under the bus, Barry Obama does just that.
I love this guy. Everything I ask him to do, he does. Sure, sometimes I have to bop him on the nose, but just cause he's into S&M; doesn't mean he's not my type of guy.
Hell, look at John McCain. People attack him over supporting the surge and he does not cave. Those of us on the right beat him up over believing in that global warming crap and he will not yield to us. We wanted him to support the Bush tax cuts and he refused. And he does not apologize for it! The nerve of that guy.
Some people call that leadership. I call it stubbornness. Contrast John McCain's stubborn refusal to do as I say when I say with Barry's willingness to cave faster than a Taliban member with an F/A-18 over head.*
I have to endorse Barry Obama. Thus far he's done nothing but signal his willingness to be my gimp. And me likey that!
*Note to the libs: this is a play on the word "cave" not a play on the word "Hussein"."
At least 14 Republican members of Congress have refused to endorse or publicly support Sen. John McCain for president.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/new-gang-of-14-wont-back-mccain-2008-06-11.html
Is it just me, or is it ironic that the article was "contributed" to by someone with the last name Kucinich?
Really-sometimes, you can't make this stuff up.