Pajamas Media

78 Comments

1. Ed Wallis:

How timely!

Here may be the answer to your question (”Did he attempt to undermine the foreign policy of a sitting president to shore up his own political base?”), Mr. Owens:

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/16/did-obama-just-confirm-taheri/

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:24 am 2. The Wizard:

Isn’t this treason? Who gives Obama, a candidate for president, the right to negotiate for the US. Outrageous and hubris.

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:27 am 3. C. Jordan:

Pathetic

Does Obama have no shame?

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:35 am 4. Marina:

SO MUCH FOR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

The main problem with Obama is not the lack of international experience, but the very sinister experience he actually has. Not only in Iraq. Remember what he had done in Kenya? And and in the PA? I don’t know what for his (already fired) international advisor was sent to Hamas, but I remember that Fatah (and Abbas personally) said: no peace deals with Israel until the American election.

Oh, this guy has international experience! What a great Commander in Chief will he be: “I better bring this country (and the rest of the world) to desaster than loose the election”. Good boy, Barack, the UN will be very proud of you.

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:37 am 5. Macgawd:

I for one believe that this story demands in-depth investigation. If true, Obama is certainly guilty of treason under the Logan Act, which forbids unauthorized citizens from engaging in negotiations with foreign governments, in an attempt to influence or defeat the legitimate actions of the United States Government.

While it would be unlikely for Obama to actually be prosecuted under this law, it would certainly kill his bid for the presidency.

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:47 am 6. Joe Buzz:

Bob, what is more important? Determining that Team O wants our troops home in a hurry or a feather in his cap, or that the snowbilly purchased and installed a tanning bed with her own money?

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:52 am 7. David P:

The only “CHANGE” we’ve witnessed Barrak Obama make is his allegiance to the controversial church he was extremely active in for 20 years.

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:56 am 8. Concerned Citizen:

Guys (and Gals), if this is true, Barack Obama is in for a big problem. This might be a big IF, but some follow on interviews with the Iraqis should push this story one way or the other. This is a story that the blogosphere will pick up and because it is such political dynamite, and it would be too big for the MSM to ignore.

Not only is this potentially a violation of the Logan Act, which I believe is a felony, it truly shows bad form and judgement by a candidate. I worry for the safety of our brave men and women serving in Iraq who, if this is true, are being used as pawns for the political benefit of Senator Obama, who seems more interested in his campaign than the welfare of U.S. troops.

Sep 16, 2008 - 7:02 am 9. Cowcup:

I really wish this is not a reversed Palin story all over again. At this stage, benefit of doubt should be extended. McCain camp should be very, very careful. And republican supporters should demonstrate that they are above their opponents.

This is just too much. And, sincerely, I don’t want to believe that a major party candidate could do this.

Sep 16, 2008 - 7:33 am 10. Anna:

Correct if I’m wrong, but I believe the Constitution does not permit the Congress to negotiate treaties – that is an executive branch responsibility. Congress must “advise and consent” to any treaty. So, if that’s the case, where does Obama get off telling the Iraqis that the US Congress needs to be part of the negotiation process? For someone who was supposed to be a constitutional law professor, he certainly doesn’t know his constitution! Oh, I forgot – he is The One – and cannot be questioned!

Sep 16, 2008 - 7:42 am 11. Ed Graef:

Does the end justify the means? The Obama supporter will have no problem with this treasonous tactic; however the swing voter might see this as a bit on the shady side.

Frame this issue right, and you got a knock out punch. This could be McCain’s silver bullet.

Sep 16, 2008 - 7:58 am 12. the-allen:

If true, this shows what so many others of his actions show: arrogance, ignorance and self-service. The day he gets in is the day the loonies have taken over the asylum.

Sep 16, 2008 - 8:26 am 13. Dave II:

“Curiously, the New York Post reports that the Obama campaign has not called the editorial department to ask for a correction or retraction of the Taheri article. The Obama campaign has also refused to respond to requests by Pajamas Media to confirm or deny the story. For the time being, let’s interpret the lack of a more forceful response by the Obama campaign to be acquiescence…”

Well..there you go! Maybe they just can’t find any “plausible deniability” angle. Is this the best we can expect from a campaign so ready to “Fight the Smears”???

Something is cooking…and it may be Obama’s ASS being handed to him!

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:01 am 14. “Obama’s Questionable Diplomacy in Iraq” « Rosettasister’s Weblog:

[...] http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/obamas-questionable-diplomacy-in-iraq/ [...]

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:21 am 15. ozziepat:

From Instapundit:

THIS OBAMA DENIAL DOESN’T SOUND LIKE MUCH OF A DENIAL TO ME:

In the New York Post, conservative Iranian-born columnist Amir Taheri quoted Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari as saying the Democrat made the demand when he visited Baghdad in July, while publicly demanding an early withdrawal.

“He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington,” Zebari said in an interview, according to Taheri. . . .

But Obama’s national security spokeswoman Wendy Morigi said Taheri’s article bore “as much resemblance to the truth as a McCain campaign commercial.”

In fact, Obama had told the Iraqis that they should not rush through a “Strategic Framework Agreement” governing the future of US forces until after President George W. Bush leaves office, she said.

In the face of resistance from Bush, the Democrat has long said that any such agreement must be reviewed by the US Congress as it would tie a future administration’s hands on Iraq.

I’m not seeing a lot of daylight between what Taheri said and the Obama campaign’s response here.

>>>

Hmmmmm…

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:28 am 16. Ex-fetus:

Tempest in a teapot! Ego-maniacal Americans are always running off to see some dictator and trying to gain an advantage from it.
Short list, Jimmy “peanut” Carter, Jesse “Not my child” Jackson, Sean “pinhead” Penn, and a whole bus load of Hollywood type with flagging careers looking for some ego bo or free publicity for their next box office bust.

If it is illegal, nobody ever gets prosecuted for it, which makes it ‘legal’, since there can be no law without enforcement.

My question is; “When did Congress approve a peace treaty between the USA and Iraq?
SoDA’s are not stand alone treaties, but an addendum to another treaty. normally a SFA, or a Mutual Defense pact.
So Ohhhhhhh……BAAMA seems to have his cart in front of his horse. What can you expect from a whippersnapper that can’t tell the difference between a pit bull and a pig?

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:43 am 17. Kirk:

Reality Check Please. The minute Barack Obama was nominated in the Democratic convention, he became bulletproof to violations of law like this. Hell, he could leak his daily intelligence briefing to Al Quaeda and not be touched. It would have to be the Bush DOJ that would have to charge him. The congressional self policing system is completely corrupt and everyone knows it. After reading the quotes it sure sounds like a clear Logan Act violation. Republican courage would be required to hold him accountable ; who here thinks they have that kind of courage?

Ya. Thought so.

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:45 am 18. always right:

Let’s step back one bit and think this through. How likely is this accusation true? A junior US Senator running for POTUS, eager to shore up his foreign policy credentials, on his first trip overseas in a war zone.

Can he (would he) try to advise our ally to delay negotiating with current administration, because (at that time, early to mid July) it looked like an Obama administration would have a dramatic change in policy?

IIRC, his trip to Iraq and Afghanistan was in company with other Senators (a “fact finding” trip), who else was on that trip? How come not one peep from any of these other people? Was he alone in negotiation with Iraqi FM?

Can Sen. Obama plead ‘ignorance’ and ‘inexperience’ instead of the more serious charges of undermining current administration? Would it make any difference in his supporters’ eyes?

/It is just too bad that this news is buried among the financial crisis nowadays.

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:50 am 19. Danny:

Actually it isn’t unprecedented Nixon interfered in Vietnam to get the South Vietnamese gov to dig their heels in..

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:54 am 20. always right:

BTW, it just occurred to me.

We were told Sen Obama is a Constitutional Law expert, he taught it at school.

How can Sen. Obama not know the accused action was in violation of our Constitution, therefore, there is no way he is ever attempting such said accusation?

Sep 16, 2008 - 9:59 am 21. Yes, Obama tried to block troop withdrawal UPDATED | The Anchoress:

[...] Bob Owens has more at Pajamas Media. [...]

Sep 16, 2008 - 10:01 am 22. Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » Politics Before Country (The Obama Doctrine?):

[...] 09/16/08 10:00 Bob Owens Glenn Reynolds Share and [...]

Sep 16, 2008 - 10:05 am 23. John McLachlan:

I am a British citizen, although I follow the US election because, in my view, western civilisation stands or falls with the USA.
The discussion seems to focus upon the duplicitous Senator Barack Obama, undermining the sitting president, although most Bush-haters would forgive him for that, regardless of any considerations of constitutionallity.
I have not noticed any reference to the fact that because soldiers are being killed in Iraq, Senator Obama is probably contributing to the avoidable and unnecessary deaths of the same soldiers whom he seeks to command. Sacrificing them, not in defence of their country, but rather to further his polital career.
Additionally, his own supporters have reason to be dissatisfied. Many of people who prefered Senator Obama to Senator Clinton did so because of his strident demands to leave Iraq immediately. If his private actions are in contradiction to his public words in this context, just as with regards the free trade issue, then there are grounds for believing that he will say anything to get elected, but break any promise whenever he wishes.
If any member of my family served in the armed services and was treated as this, I would feel bitter indeed.

Sep 16, 2008 - 10:14 am 24. Thomas Vann:

Certainly the seriousness of the charge requires a full Congressional & Senatorial investigation into the matter immediately. If true I believe the honorable Senator has violated laws of the United States and is not fit for the office of President.

Sep 16, 2008 - 10:25 am 25. B Dubya:

This is an apparently shopworn tactic written into the Democrat playbook after the 1972 leftist coup that wrenched the party steering wheel off the American course and onto that of the fellow travellers.
Ted Kennedy engaged in the same sort of tactic in the 1980s, in an attempt to undermine Reagan against the Soviets. Unfortunately for Ted, his KGB handlers lost control of their OCD maintained files after the fall of the Evil Empire and Russians released the incriminating evidence. Of course, Teddy was dealing with the Communist Worker’s Paradise, the one the Democrats post ‘72 apparently want to establish here (with them in perpetual control of the proles), and of course that was the entity who had once promised to bury us.
Treason? I’d say Democrat politics as usual.

Sep 16, 2008 - 10:50 am 26. Falshrmjgr:

Obama’s defense seems to be with regard to WHAT he was negotiating, not that he WAS negotiating. The verbage of the Logan Act is clear, as is the Supreme Court opinion in US v. Curtis Aircraft.

What should happen? Simply put, and independent council should initiate an investigation.

What will happen? Not damn thing. This doesn’t even get reported, not even on Fox News.

Sep 16, 2008 - 11:42 am 27. Ex-fetus:

“The minute Barack Obama was nominated in the Democratic convention, he became bulletproof to violations of law like this”

IIRC, his overseas jaunt preceded his nomination. Besides, I thought the Logan Act was legislation not law. Has anyone every been charged and found guilty?

“The Logan Act is a United States federal law that forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. It was passed in 1799 and last amended in 1994. Violation of the Logan Act is a felony, punishable under federal law with imprisonment of up to three years.

The text of the Act is broad and is addressed at any attempt of a US citizen to conduct foreign relations without authority. However, there is no record of any convictions or even prosecutions under the Logan Act.”

From Wikipedia, for what that is worth;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_Act

But wait, there’s more;

“The clear intent of this provision [Logan Act] is to prohibit unauthorized persons from intervening in disputes between the United States and foreign governments. Nothing in section 953 [Logan Act], however, would appear to restrict members of the Congress from engaging in discussions with foreign officials in pursuance of their legislative duties under the Constitution. In the case of Senators McGovern and Sparkman the executive branch, although it did not in any way encourage the Senators to go to Cuba , was fully informed of the nature and purpose of their visit, and had validated their passports for travel to that country.”

So it looks like Ohhhhh…..BAAMA did nothing illegal. This time. Although if the 4th estate was doing their job….. Anyone with that many earmarks is a crook. If I was an ink stained wretch of a sleuth, I would look at the times he actually voted something besides Present. It would be interesting to see if there was a pattern of him voting after receiving something. That is working off the assumption he voted ‘present’ all those time because he didn’t want to give anyone a ‘freebie’.

“Criminal: A person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation.”
Howard Scott
(1926 – )

Sep 16, 2008 - 11:46 am 28. Believer:

This was to be expected. Barack Obama told us who he is when he allowed his own two children to sit in the pews of TUCC: he puts himself before others.

I asked then: How can we expect someone who cares so little for the well-being of his own flesh and blood take care with the well-being of those he hardly knows?

He has betrayed the trust of his nation and its citizens.

No character. No judgment. Unfit for public service. Of any kind.

Sep 16, 2008 - 11:51 am 29. RP:

Obama’s attempt to influence the very agreements that a sitting administration was in the midst of negotiating is absolutely outside the scope of any legislative duties. Regardless of the applicability or desirability of claim(s) under Logan, at the very least Obama should face an electorate armed with the knowledge of his questionable antics. That should bring a quick end to this candidacy.

Sep 16, 2008 - 11:58 am 30. always right:

RP: That should bring a quick end to this candidacy.

Sep 16, 2008 – 11:58 am

Wait just a minute, “President” Biden?

Hillary?

/shudder

Sep 16, 2008 - 12:09 pm 31. BobNC:

Why would you even bother to ask a question whose answer is so obvious? Of course, Obama is in a position superior to most American diplomats. When Obama talks to Iraqi government officials, it is muslim to muslim. Obama doesn’t need a translator because his Arabic is so good. I am voting for Obama because he is a muslim and,as such, can probably get the best terms from other muslims when he surrenders the nation.

Sep 16, 2008 - 12:22 pm 32. Sandy Salt:

This would fit the Obama anything for me mold, but it doesn’t matter because absolutely nothing will come of this. Has anything come of anything Obama has ever done? The answer is no, so it is only wishful thinking that this will be any different. I see this country very divided at this point and Obama is doing nothing to bring the country together. McCain on the other hand is at least spouting the BS people want to hear about cleaning up Washington, of course he has no solid plan or names to put a plan together. So as we head into the booth on November 4th, we get the choice of empty suit or empty promise. It really isn’t much of a choice, but I trust that McCain won’t sell us out to Russia, Iran, or whomever else is out there. I can’t say the same for Obama, so there you have it.

Sep 16, 2008 - 12:24 pm 33. tim maguire:

It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s true (and Obama wouldn’t be the first Democrat to violate the Logan Act–Jimmy Carter comes to mind), but I’d bet it’s more naive stupidity than intentional treachery. Probably, Obama is used to thinking of everything in terms of political strategy and it never occurred to him that there might be something improper about undermining his country in a time of war in order to gain power.

Which, in my opinion, makes him even more dangerous than if this were straight up treachery.

Sep 16, 2008 - 12:36 pm 34. Robert Hurley:

Please check your facts before believing any of this:

In terms of a Status of Forces agreement, Obama has consistently made clear that he believes any such agreement should be delayed until after the election — so that a President Obama or McCain would not be bound by an agreement negotiated by a weakened Bush administration. The McCain camp did not object when, in June, Obama told reporters at a press conference that he had made exactly this argument to Zebari in a phone call.

The Obama campaign’s statement released yesterday in response to the report was consistent with this position: “Barack Obama has consistently called for any Strategic Framework Agreement to be submitted to the U.S. Congress so that the American people have the same opportunity for review as the Iraqi Parliament,” though, perhaps unwilling to alienate antiwar voters, it artfully omitted the fact that Obama has argued that this should be delayed until the next administration is in charge.

As for a shorter-term drawdown — which is what Taheri seems to mean by “a draw-down of the American military presence” — Obama has never suggested that this should be delayed. And again, yesterday’s statement backs that up: “Unlike John McCain, he supports a clear timetable to redeploy our troops that has the support of the Iraqi government. Barack Obama has never urged a delay in negotiations, nor has he urged a delay in immediately beginning a responsible drawdown of our combat brigades.”

Still, if Taheri’s report were accurate, and Obama had indeed talked to Zebari about delaying any shorter-term deal, it would at least represent a change of position for the candidate.

But Taheri doesn’t exactly have a reputation for care and precision in his work. In May 2006, he published an explosive story in the Post (since removed from the paper’s site), as well as Canada’s National Post, about an Iranian law that forced Jews to wear a yellow stripe, stoking fears of a second Nazi Germany. Only problem: it turned out to be a complete fabrication.

That turned out to be typical of Taheri’s work. A 1989 review of Taheri’s book, Nest of Spies: America’s Journey to Disaster in Iran, written for The New Republic by noted Iranian scholar Shaul Bakhash and unearthed by TPMmuckraker in 2006, noted that Taheri “repeatedly refers us to books where the information cited does not exist,” and is “capable of generalizations of breathtaking sweep and inaccuracy.” According to Bakhash, “[Taheri's] interpretations of the documents are often egregiously inaccurate,” and he “has trouble transcribing even the simplest information.”

Sep 16, 2008 - 12:38 pm 35. Louis Spielman:

What ever happened to the Logan Act? I thought unauthorized private diplomacy was ILLEGAL.

Sep 16, 2008 - 1:11 pm 36. davod:

Obama is just following in the tradition of other Democrats, such as Kerry negotiating with the North Vietnamese while we were still at war and Senator Kennedy talking with the Russians.

Sep 16, 2008 - 1:23 pm 37. Redefining Denial « LGF II: Charles and Killgore Free Footballs:

[...] Also see: Pajamas Media: Obama’s Questionable Diplomacy in Iraq. [...]

Sep 16, 2008 - 1:24 pm 38. Susan:

Do a bit of research, ok?

This “article” appeared in the New York Post, a very reputable rag, in the Opinion section. They didn’t even have the guts to print it as real news.

Before your undies get entirely in a bunch, check the ’story’ and learn about its author.

Next!

Sep 16, 2008 - 1:58 pm 39. tomw:

Robert Hurley: Nice post. This entire article is worthless gossip.

McCain supporters are just pissed because Bush torpedoed McCain by negotiating an exit timeline, just as Obama suggested.

Sep 16, 2008 - 2:36 pm 40. Ed Wallis:

“BobNC” 12:22 –

OMG…finally..and ANTI-Astroturfer!!!

Thank you for the laugh today!

Sep 16, 2008 - 3:35 pm 41. Ed Wallis:

“tomw” –

I’m sure, as a Zerobama supporter, that you would only too gladly see this matter dismissed quickly.

HOWEVER, as this IS a serious and legitimate question – one which deals with national security and the sanctity of our Constitution – I consider a reasoned, deliberate and thorough investigation warranted.

In your lingo, not so fast, sweetie.

Sep 16, 2008 - 3:39 pm 42. Roger W. Gardner:

Thank you for covering this.
rg

http://radarsite.blogspot.com/2008/09/will-most-damaging-obama-scandal-of.html

Sep 16, 2008 - 4:21 pm 43. tomw:

Ed Wallis,

You’re mistaken. I would love it if McSame attempted to make an issue out of this. He wont though, because there isn’t any issue here. You understand that Obama is a US Senator, right? He’s allowed to represent the US and our interest when speaking to foreign heads of state. In the debate on foreign policy, who would win right now? The guy who said we should stay the course for 100 more years or the guy who suggested that we set a time line for departure? Who turned out to be right on that?

Sep 16, 2008 - 4:25 pm 44. AT3:

Today The Start of The McCain Rally

Sep 16, 2008 - 4:59 pm 45. Daedalus:

The Wizard stated in part: “..Who gives Obama, a candidate for president, the right to negotiate for the US….”

The answer is the same hubris that John Kerry used when he tried to negotiate directly with the North Vietnamese and Viet-Cong near the end of Vietnam war. He thought the rules didn’t apply to him, and now history repeats itself as another self centered far left liberal thinks he has all the answers to everything. Thank GOD that Kerry lost his Presidential bid, and hopefully Obama will manage to repeat Kerry’s incompetence.

Sep 16, 2008 - 5:02 pm 46. JMS:

I feel the same way as The Wizard. This needs to be investigated more fully. If Obama is sending lawyers to Alaska to dig up dirt on Palin, then he should expect that the same will be, and in his case (unlike Palin’s) should be, done to him. This is a serious problem. It reaches far beyond firing someone. What would happen to a senator not running for president if he or she went to Iraq and did the same thing behind the president’s back, behind everyone’s back? I expect some sort of misconduct charge, no? This is a problem.

Sep 16, 2008 - 5:12 pm 47. newscaper:

Hyperventilating over the Logan Act is sheer nonsense in practical terms.

Obama’s motivation is not high minded (don’t prematurely tie the next administration’s hands regardless of who it turns out to be) but low:
steal what might reasonably called a sign of ‘victory’ from Bush (w/ a sideeffect of leaving the issue hobbling McCain thru November) and then setting himself up to deliver on his ‘promise’ of ‘bringing the boys home.’

What an evil bastard.

Sep 16, 2008 - 6:45 pm 48. Ed Wallis:

“tomw”: Hyperbole does not become you.

“The guy who said we should stay the course for 100 more years… Q: did we “stay the course for 100 more years” after WWII by keeping troops in e.g. Germany? And, was that such a bad thing?

“…or the guy who suggested that we set a time line for departure?2 Zerobama wanted us OUT at a point in time (roughly a year ago) when we would have left Iraq lost to al Qaeda…is that what you call “right”?! POOR ARGUMENT.

We are leaving – slowly – only now, as al Qaeda has been driven sufficiently back to permit Iraq’s government to take control of their own country. In no way does that make Zerobama’s “retreat” bleatings “right.”

Sep 16, 2008 - 8:03 pm 49. vb:

Check out Pete Hegseth’s article on this at NRO.

Sep 16, 2008 - 8:16 pm 50. mik:

perhaps….maybe….interpret….claimed….may have….if….likely….this sounds like the national enquirer!

hahahhahaaaa….so this is where smears, lies, and distortions come from.

you guys spew anger, hatred, and spite towards a guy you supposedly, don’t deem worthy. why exert all that energy to someone you supposedly don’t care about?

oh, and if you think your guy is all about ‘country first’, then see below -

“I didn’t decide to run for President to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. I was sixty-two years old when I made the decision and I thought it was my one shot at the prize.” Sen. John McCain

and when the devil himself (karl rove) says you’ve gone a little too far into sleazeville, what does that say about mcliar?

oh, if you want to go on another goose chase, I’ve got one for you. mcsame has said that he knows where bin laden is and will tell us AFTER he is president. can you check that out for us? thanks

Sep 16, 2008 - 11:51 pm 51. Ed Wallis:

Owens: “Did he attempt to undermine the foreign policy of a sitting president to shore up his own political base?”

Story confirmed:

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13897

Sep 17, 2008 - 3:12 am 52. SAF:

I actually think it is good news that Obama tried to undermine a sitting president. Of course it is clearly treasonous but hey he’s a democrat so all is forgiven.

Why do i think it is good news? well Obama has a good chance of being the next president and it is heartening to see he has the guile and sneakiness required for the job.

Sep 17, 2008 - 4:12 am 53. Joe Six-Pack:

The source is questionable. What we do know is that Barak Obama has been against the war from the beginning, and wants U.S. troops out of there as soon as possible.

Al-Qaeda has fought us in Iraq to attempt to kick us out by force. Withdrawal from Iraq is in agreement with what Al-Qaeda wants. Seeing that we are at war with Al-Qaeda, I want the opposite.

This war is going to last a very long time. (Unless it goes nuclear) Iraq and Afghanistan are only the beginning.

Sep 17, 2008 - 6:31 am 54. TERRY:

HAS ANYONE TRIED TO CONTACT MR ZEBARI TO CONFIRM ALLEGATIONS? FOX NEWS HAD THE GUY WHO OFTEN SUBS FOR BRITT THERE RECENTLY – WHY NOT GO TO THE SOURCE?

Sep 17, 2008 - 8:13 am 55. Ed Wallis:

An additional take on this matter:

http://www.northstarwriters.com/dc207.htm

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:13 am 56. Ed Wallis:

“Joe Six-Pack” and “TERRY”,

I don’t quite understand why you are still asking, as Sen. Obama himself has corroborated it…amen…as there were multiple witnesses, it would have been difficult to…ahem…deny.

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:14 am 57. “The Freshman’s Arrogance” «:

[...] beginning a responsible drawdown of our combat brigades.”Tellingly, the Obama campaign never attemptedto push the Post for a correction or retraction of Taheri’s charges, and observers quickly [...]

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:28 am 58. Agnes:

Obama’s Mentors and beast friends are enemies of you and I and America. It is obvious who is typing the words into his teleprompter.
Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn. In the late sixties, both were presented rings from the North Vietnamese. Ayers got his in Canada. I forget where Bernardine Dohrn got hers, but the rings were made from US aircraft shot down by the North Vietnamese.

You think Jane Fonda was bad, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, the mentors of Barack Obama, received rings for their anti-American work! And, in fact, the Cubans allowed Bernardine Dohrn to establish a Students for Democrat Society operation based out of Cuba. So about these rings, for their fingers, made from US aircraft shot down over North Vietnam — when Bill Ayers received his ring from the North Vietnamese in Canada, he had to leave the room in tears. He was so moved by the gesture, he said that he realized he was living in evil — the United States — and that he was in the belly of the beast. It wasn’t just 40 years ago that Bill Ayers tried to blow up some buildings. It wasn’t just 40 years ago that he was moved to tears with a gift of a ring from the North Vietnamese. And yet, Obama says, “Well, you can’t hold a guy engaging in this stuff 40 years ago.” Ayers still has the same mind-set about his country. These people are desperate.

Posted by: Agnes on 09/17/08 at 10:18 AM

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Obama’s Mentors and beast friends are enemies of you and I and America. It is obvious who is typing the words into his teleprompter.
Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn. In the late sixties, both were presented rings from the North Vietnamese. Ayers got his in Canada. I forget where Bernardine Dohrn got hers, but the rings were made from US aircraft shot down by the North Vietnamese.

You think Jane Fonda was bad, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, the mentors of Barack Obama, received rings for their anti-American work! And, in fact, the Cubans allowed Bernardine Dohrn to establish a Students for Democrat Society operation based out of Cuba. So about these rings, for their fingers, made from US aircraft shot down over North Vietnam — when Bill Ayers received his ring from the North Vietnamese in Canada, he had to leave the room in tears. He was so moved by the gesture, he said that he realized he was living in evil — the United States — and that he was in the belly of the beast. It wasn’t just 40 years ago that Bill Ayers tried to blow up some buildings. It wasn’t just 40 years ago that he was moved to tears with a gift of a ring from the North Vietnamese. And yet, Obama says, “Well, you can’t hold a guy engaging in this stuff 40 years ago.” Ayers still has the same mind-set about his country. These people are desperate.

Comments
I agree, whole-heartedly, and am somewhat surprised this point hasn’t been raised more yet. As many differences can be drawn between the 3 remaining presidential candidates, people are pretty mum on the fact Obama arguably represents the first post-boomer candidate to make it this far (depending on where one argues the boomer birth year span ends). Technology is moving so much faster than politics, and I have to imagine leader of the free world is a somewhat high-tech gig. “The Internets” have absolutely had a profound impact on the way the younger generations think, the way we take information in and process it. W would come across as more of a tech-dinosaur if he hadn’t come on so strongly as a complete idiot in all things past, present and future. McCain in the White House conjures images of the late Phil Hartman’s SNL character, ‘Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer’ (who, upon a quick wikipedia check, apparently also ran for President). It’s not an ageism thing as much as it’s a job qualification thing, and the exponential evolution of technology shapes the reality we live in. I, especially after the past 8 years, would greatly appreciate a President from somewhere closer to the reality we live in.

Posted by: Bacon on 03/24/08 at 12:45 PM

I guess the McCains are a “twofer,” because without his wife, McCain’s 3 am call will be a 12-year-old reluctantly getting back to him about how to print out a document.

Posted by: JP on 03/24/08 at 12:46 PM

Mcpain is an idiot through and through.
I guess that makes him a natural for the job.

Posted by: RTMAN on 03/24/08 at 5:32 PM

McCain is not suitable for his current office and he will never be anywhere close to being a suitable candidate for the Oval Office.

Posted by: Gord Metcalfe on 03/25/08 at 4:42 AM

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Beetch and moan about the old guy who can’t navigate the computer. So friggin’ what? Rest assured that when you’re his age, and someone of your generation runs for President, there will be younger wits pizzing and moaning about how out of touch your generation is with current technology. Bet the ranch on it.

Posted by: Tim1979 on 03/25/08 at 1:42 PM

You still print out documents? Perhaps you’re the one a little behind the times…..

Posted by: Tim1979 on 03/25/08 at 1:45 PM

Cut John McCain some slack. He might not know how to use a computer– but how many of you out there know where all the great early bird specials are?

Posted by: Mac2 on 03/31/08 at 7:10 PM

The problem is the media hasn’t made an issue of it. Not just McCain, look at all the really old senators and congressmen we have. Why do we trust the country to people that may be senile!?

And they don’t really understand tech; many are so far behind the times.

Posted by: I’veSaidItBefore! on 06/11/08 at 11:33 AM

My grandmother is 82 and loves youtube. If she can surf the net, there’s no reason someone vying for the presidency shouldn’t.

Posted by: PATina on 06/11/08 at 6:04 PM

This wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the fact that all these old people, most of whom know little about technology, are trying to legislate the internet.

Posted by: stuff on 06/11/08 at 7:00 PM

As all information and news are today on the internet and available thanks to technology, you can imagine how informed this man is about what is going on in the world. Do not trust to somebody who is unable to find basic information himself and moreover obviously cannot understand the role of technology in our world and future.

Posted by: Lucie on 06/12/08 at 7:53 AM

OK, he can’t use a computer. The most important question is, can he wipe his own butt without assistance. That, to me, is one of the major qualifications in a presidential candidate.

Posted by: Harryfreeloader on 06/12/08 at 9:05 AM

This lack of technical ability is just an indicator of his ignorance off science and technology in general. He has refused to participate in the ScienceDebate 2000 dabate that is being sponsored by the organization of the same name. This organization is supported by Noble lauriates, members of the American Academy of Science and may other respected associations of scientists. Science is the key to the future welfare of our country.

Posted by: hal on 06/13/08 at 9:49 PM

McCain’s lack of computer skills and knowledge is crucial to him NOT being qualified to be President in this modern world. It has absolutely nothing to do with knowing how to use Google or a Blackberry. Much of this country’s business, security, and infrastructure is WIRED. You CANNOT lead in the 21st century without understanding all the underlying issues behind eComerce, digital security (both corporate and national) and all the electrical, telecommunication, transportation, nuclear systems and even educational issues that rely on broadband (wired and wireless) communication. It has been well documented that terrorism’s next intended target includes these systems. How can you even comprehend how to defend against that when you don’t understand the technology or the impact of such an attack?
Having John McCain as a candidate is like having a caveman running for modern day office.

Posted by: MartaK on 06/26/08 at 6:05 AM

I never did think Ted Stevens could walk and chew gum at the same time.

Most of the Neanderthal Republicans think that the internet is the work of the devil, except, of course, for Larry Craig.

Posted by: Gary Roseman on 07/07/08 at 5:52 AM

Nice work, Jonathan!

Frank Rich linked to you in his column in The New York Times!

Posted by: js on 07/07/08 at 9:10 AM

Thanks Frank Rich, that’s how I found it..why isn’t this on youtube for mass consumption!

Posted by: AW on 07/07/08 at 11:46 AM

McCain’s favorite film is Viva Zapata?

Posted by: Valkerstein on 07/07/08 at 3:14 PM

McCain’s favorite film is Viva Zapata? Really, Zapata?

Posted by: Valkerstein on 07/07/08 at 3:15 PM

Yes, Viva Zapata, a film made 56 years ago, starring Marlon Brando, Jean Peters and Anthony Quinn, all of whom are now dead and gone — much like John McCain’s chances of ever being President.

Posted by: Michael Day on 07/08/08 at 6:11 AM

Big whoop. McCain doesn’t use computers. Neither did um… 40 or more other presidents?

Posted by: Ben Mordecai on 07/08/08 at 8:20 AM

the lack of computer knowlage shows major problem’s for a presidentual canidate… the refusal to change, the lack of ability to lern, the lack of ability to creat a simple document that a president will have to creat during his term at some point and the extra cost going to some one to creat documents and help out with any computer needs of McCain

Posted by: Happy on 07/08/08 at 12:11 PM

Of course, part of the problem for Obama is that a significant segment of the public is only marginally computer literate, and so McCain will get sympathy votes from the technophobes. The president has staff people to do virtually all the mundane stuff, including keeping his calendar, answering his mail and Googling for information he might need. I’m more appalled with McCain’s lack of understanding of economics, which permeates all government policy, from tax policy to energy policy, from unemployment to global warming, from foreign aid to waging war. I’m not an economist and my knowledge of economics is limited, but if I were thinking about running for any public office, I’d take a course or two in basic economic theory just so I could speak somewhat intelligently on the subject. This is another area in which McCain = Bush (I hope I don’t get cited for that last equation, like the little old lady librarian in Colorado).

Posted by: lawyerfan on 07/09/08 at 12:35 PM

McCain is not unique in this regard. Many of the over 50s crowd are even afraid to touch computers. As a pretty much defunct typing teacher, I’ve watched the age of computers creep upon us. If I were not in the field, I certainly would not know as much as I do but for continuous training by the company. I’ve been through the typing with carbon era, electronic typewriters, mag-card, vydec, then syntrecs, and finally various versions of the PC. Where my bosses were not able to even type with two finger, I find that the new group of professionals can pretty much do their own work and are encouraged by the firm to do so. The new computer kids know more about computers than I. This is a little unnerving and I can say with relief that I am glad retirement is just around the corner as my job as I know it most certainly will be phased away. So, for the olsters out there including McCain, have the whiz kids do the computer work for you

Posted by: carrisima on 07/09/08 at 2:03 PM

I am not one bit surprised! Knowing nothing is a prerequisite for holding any office in government. Just say yes to the man with the money! Osama Obama is no different. Your article implies that there is a choice. Got news for you, no choice with the vote, same old same old! Just don’t bother to vote, why give them any confidence?

Posted by: Richard Neva on 07/09/08 at 2:37 PM

At his age and level of political seniority, McCain (or any of the other high-profile aspirants for President or high DC office) rarely do things directly. Instead, they and most leaders of large organizations get other people to do things for them and in their name. The systems these people know well are the political systems that apply to them, and the system of motivations that can get other people to do something for them. Who needs to be nerdy when he can hire (or better yet, hold something over) the top nerds in whatever field is currently of interest?

This is why it is almost axiomatic that the guys at the top almost never cop to knowing how to use tech of the day. For most people, professing tech skills gains status among their peers. For politicians and other “great leaders,” such skills are considered eccentricities and irrelevancies, which can actually lose status within the peer group, if not carefully spun. What gains status is having a large staff to advise them or do it for them. So the proper question isn’t “what can he do,” but “who’s on his staff” and “who can he tap”? (I realize that the last question has multiple meanings, and I suppose that they are all apt when discussing Presidential candidates, these days…

Posted by: James Anderson Merritt on 07/09/08 at 3:02 PM

I just wanted to clarify that, in saying “the systems these people know well…,” above, I was referring to the high-level leaders, not to the people that help or advise them.

Frankly, before we accuse people of incompetence on the basis of their not being able to use a computer, I think we should first disqualify them for not writing their own speeches. On the other hand, if they don’t know how to do that, and must hire speechwriters and pollseters to put words in their mouths, does it really matter that they also need to have people’s help when using a keyboard or using “the Google”?

Posted by: James Anderson Merritt on 07/09/08 at 3:08 PM

Richard Neva suggests: Just don’t bother to vote, why give them any confidence?

I suggest: Shake what confidence they might otherwise get.
Vote for every third party or independent candidate on the ballot and scare the sh!t out of ‘em!

As to McCain using a computer: Who Cares!?!?
Whoever is president will have scores of staffers doing all that busy-work and spoon feeding him what he needs to see anyway.
He just has to watch out for the one under the desk in the Oral Office.
That one can spell REAL trouble!

Posted by: DemoPublicans One And All on 07/09/08 at 5:32 PM

Yeah, and they will want someone younger and more tech savvy to lead their country, just like we want. And they will be right.

Posted by: Maggie on 07/09/08 at 7:50 PM

“Many of the over 50s crowd are even afraid to touch computers.”

I disagree. Some of us may not be able to type super fast, but don’t lump us all into luditeville. Most of our age bracket (50/60) are not afraid to use computers. Mr. McCain is over our age bracket and I don’t feel that he can be flexible enough for the times. I am not voting for McCain, period. His lack of computer skills have nothing to do with it: his kissing up to W convinced me that we would have 4 more years of bushwhacking.

Posted by: canlekat on 07/10/08 at 12:03 AM

Your spelling,punctuation,and lack of attention to detail, are a clear sign to me that you are not one who is in a position to judge another man’s qualifications. I think that McCain’s a senile drongo, but I’m not a doctor………

Posted by: Canby Obtuze on 07/10/08 at 2:59 AM

Considering that America RE-elected a gormless n’er do well – after he led them into a ridiculous war to secure oil agreements for his family business, at the cost of young American lads: I am almost holding my breath as I watch on PBS and CNN,CBS and ABC; what a fabulous waste of time and money. I love it…

Posted by: dedsetmad on 07/10/08 at 3:21 AM

What would any President do with a computer?
The first thing our security does when an individual takes that office is to take away their cell phone and their computer. These are highly sensitive cache’s of information which can be hacked, monitored, and GPS co-ordinated.
The tech savy who comment on this story reveal they are political outsiders who apart from their sheer emotions, which are an expression of self and which casually and recklessly steer the commentator’s here off the topic of any President’s need for computer literacy. Apparently knowing little beyond emotions and insults as tools to dialogue with while complaining that others don’t use a computer to dialogue with.

Posted by: Airborn on 07/10/08 at 1:08 PM

Jesus, Mary and the Donkey!!

This is the best the Republican Party has to offer???

Pathetic!

Posted by: Beverly S. Hill on 07/12/08 at 4:59 PM

you can bet your ass i won’t be running for president in my golden years!!! I’ll be too busy trying to keep that Dennis kid next door out of my vegetable garden!!!

Posted by: zedkitty on 07/15/08 at 9:17 PM

Beverly S. Hill aska: “This is the best the Republican Party has to offer???”

Actually, no.
But just as with the Democratic wing of our single Oligarchy Party, this is what the Elite of the party has decided to feed us.

Just as with the Democratic wing, this is the character the Elite have calculated they can best control, and keep in line, thereby preserving their own controlling interests.

Posted by: DemoPublicans One And All on 07/16/08 at 9:43 AM

DemoPublicans One And All—“But just as with the Democratic wing of our single Oligarchy Party, this is what the Elite of the party has decided to feed us. Just as with the Democratic wing, this is the character the Elite have calculated they can best control, and keep in line, thereby preserving their own controlling interests.”

Don’t tell that to these dyed-in-wool-I-think-Obama-is-God Demos. If you’re not for him, you’re a racist. I got called one this morning because of Obama’s voting stance on the FISA bill. He hasn’t even received the official party nomination and he’s already selling us out. I said I don’t think he’s “qualified” for president and Cynthia McKinney wasn’t either. Because I named two of the three candidates stating, in my opinion, that they are not “qualified,” and because they just happen to be black, I am now “officially” a racist, even though my main point was “qualification” and not race. I guess because I don’t like John McCain either—and he’s white—that it’s OK to say HE’S not “qualified.” McCain comes across as arrogant as GWB. He acts as though he knows for a fact he’ll occupy the White House next year and that it’s already been settled. Something’s wrong here.

Posted by: harryfreeloader on 07/16/08 at 12:11 PM

You have the nerve to criticize John McCain, you can’t even spell correctly. Learn how to use a dictionary!

Posted by: smc341 on 07/20/08 at 12:39 AM

Having John McCain be a nominee for president is truly a disgrace to the intelligence of every human being in the USA. He has no clue on anything at all…he says negative things about his opponent which a 4 year old child would say…he makes what he thinks are jokes that even a child would not laugh at. He gives a speech and everyone is sooo bored because never anything regarding the issues is said. The media does not follow him around because of the above.
This man in my book is a sorry individual in any walk of life…my question is how in “God’s” name did this guy get where he is today?
He reminds me of Don Rickles who turns me off too bigtime…trying to be funny,but no one likes his jokes which are sooo stupid.
Obama is not my choice anymore either…as he has recently shown he is one of the others also…flip flopping to suit the occasion he is speaking at.
I am now an independent…and writing in “Jesse Ventura”…he is not shy and tells the truth.

Posted by: Ronald McDonald on 08/02/08 at 1:19 AM

You have the nerve to criticize John McCain, you can’t even spell correctly.

Posted by: hekimboard on 08/02/08 at 2:16 AM

LOL do you really qualify a person for President by the ability to play WoW or cruise through UTube? Even if they could, do you really think a president has the time?
Get real

Posted by: Susan R on 08/06/08 at 8:08 AM

Nice video, thanks. )

Posted by: kpss cd on 08/19/08 at 5:51 PM

Today there are numerous independently owned and operated concierge companies. Many of these companies provide errand services, as well as informational services for their members. Services include informational requests, setting dinner reservations, making telephone calls, researching travel arrangements and more. Typically, concierge companies will bill on an hourly rate, and depending upon the type of task at hand fees can fluctuate drastically. Other companies have reinvented the business model by billing a flat monthly fee based upon the number of requests a member is allowed to place each month. The number of independently owned concierge companies has skyrocketed as the start up costs and barriers of entry are quite feasible for many entrepreneurs. Concierges also entertain their clients.

Posted by: Conciant on 08/21/08 at 11:05 PM

It would seem that at least some of those complaining about McCain’s ability to use a computer DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE SPELLCHECKER!

Posted by: TedEbayer on 08/22/08 at 3:06 PM

Funny sh*t, huh? McCain can’t type due to the injuries from when he had his arms broken by the north vietnamese, keep laughing, you a-holes don’t deserve him as president.

Posted by: Danny on 09/12/08 at 4:09 PM

YOU IDIOTS>>>>look on drudge report…mccain is physically unable to use a computer do to his war injuries….wow just wow

Posted by: wow on 09/12/08 at 5:19 PM

“MCCAIN’S SEVERE WAR INJURIES PREVENT HIM FROM COMBING HIS HAIR, TYPING ON A KEYBOARD, OR TYING HIS SHOES.”

BOSTON GLOBE ON 3/4/2000

Posted by: a.m. young on 09/12/08 at 5:58 PM

HE CAN’T TYPE BECAUSE OF HIS WAR INJURIES YOU MORONS!

Wondering No More [Jonah Goldberg]

Yep. The day after 9/11, as part of its “get tough” makeover, the Obama campaign is mocking John McCain for not using a computer, without caring why he doesn’t use a computer. From the AP story about the computer illiterate ad:

“Our economy wouldn’t survive without the Internet, and cyber-security continues to represent one our most serious national security threats,” [Obama spokesman Dan] Pfeiffer said. “It’s extraordinary that someone who wants to be our president and our commander in chief doesn’t know how to send an e-mail.”

Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by “extraordinary.” The reason he doesn’t send email is that he can’t use a keyboard because of the relentless beatings he received from the Viet Cong in service to our country. From the Boston Globe (March 4, 2000):

McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.

Posted by: Eliza Taylor on 09/12/08 at 6:08 PM

McCain was injured and tortured as a POW during the war. Fighting and nearly died for a bunch of ungratefull selfish little wimps who can sit a home hiding behind their computers. Shame on you. I also am a disabled Veteran who suffers in severe pain every day. The hope is some group of young people would learn to appreciate the generation that made their freedom possible.
The news media or a coward like Obama never fought bleed or suffered for you.
Thank God their are young men and woman who are serveing honorable for their nation. Obama is a disgusting piece of garbage for posting his ad. A pox on him and his slimy campaign

Posted by: USMC on 09/12/08 at 6:13 PM

McCain was injured and tortured as a POW during the war. His disability prevents him from typing.Fighting and nearly died for a bunch of ungratefull selfish little wimps who can sit a home hiding behind their computers. Shame on you. I also am a disabled Veteran who suffers in severe pain every day. The hope is some group of young people would learn to appreciate the generation that made their freedom possible.
The news media or a coward like Obama never fought bleed or suffered for you.
Thank God their are young men and woman who are serveing honorable for their nation. Obama is a disgusting piece of garbage for posting his ad. A pox on him and his slimy campaign

Posted by: USMC on 09/12/08 at 6:15 PM

I do apoligize for mocking McCain. You are right Obama is a disgusting piece of dung for attacking a hero and a combat disabled veteran. I and my family hang our head is shame that we supported that coward. We will vote for McCain and we are sending him a contribution now. What kind of low life communist pig could attack a hero like that

Posted by: Ralph on 09/12/08 at 6:22 PM

I am ashamed of Obama that he would mock and ridicule a hero and disabled war time veteran’s injuries and disability. I guess he is the stupid idiot who could have checked out Mc Cains injuries befor his sick perveted commercial. I do not want Obama as my Presaident with his poor judgement

Posted by: Jinny on 09/12/08 at 6:27 PM

Being a vet myself, I have a lot of friends who got hurt in Vietnam. Some are in wheelchairs, but they still use the Internet. McCain doesn’t bother with it because he doesn’t have to. He’s got plenty of people to use it for him, including some of those who sent up these last few posts. I don’t believe for one minute that a former marine posts here to shame all these McCain mocking liberals. And I’m not fooled one bit by Ralph’s “apology.” Come off it. McCain is grabbing at straws, and these tactics are just as hollow.

Posted by: smitisan on 09/12/08 at 7:54 PM

Obama has the audacity to mock McCain for the disabled state he is left in from his POW treatment on the same day he questions his patriotism?

You people are scum. Pure and simple.

Posted by: Roark on 09/12/08 at 7:56 PM

McCain was playing with technology that most of you can’t even dream of, before most of you were even born. Remember he was a navy fighter pilot. And flew one of the coolest plane ever built! They don’t let idiots become fighter pilots. But anyone can become president of USA. Even someone who has done nothing to prove them self or done anything meaningful for our nation.Such as a first time senator from the mid west.

Posted by: gary on 09/12/08 at 8:13 PM

You’re mocking a combat vet for his handicap. The guy can’t tie his shoelaces or comb his hair either — what an idiot, eh? How out of touch he must be.

When this was posted, I’ll guess you didn’t know the full extent of his pain.

Now you do.

Fix it please.

Posted by: enrique on 09/13/08 at 12:58 AM

This is about right. Since 2000 it has been reported that McCain cannot type because of his injuries.

I hear Obama challenged McCain to a one on one hoops game.

And then HORSE.

That ought to be a laugh, huh?

Then Obama will take on a five quadriplegic vets in full court bball.

Posted by: drjohn on 09/13/08 at 6:35 AM

Shame, shame. Mr. McCain cannot be blamed for his physical disabilities. Other notable American presidents have had physical disabilities, ie: John Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.
I work in special education, and let me say…I get so tired of people looking only at a physical disability instead of the whole person.

Posted by: ncgma on 09/13/08 at 7:59 AM

The ad comments on the fact that McCain doesn’t KNOW how to send an email or use a computer. While he might not be able to, that isn’t what the ad is claiming. The ability to do so vs. the knowledge to do so is different. The fact still remains: he doesn’t KNOW how to use a computer or send an email. Once again, people are missing the point. While I think it’s ridiculous in this day and age, he’s so old and out of touch I honestly don’t expect him to know this. It’s probably reason number 402 why he shouldn’t be president. There are many other issues that are ahead of this one but you can add it to the long list of why he shouldn’t be president. Anyone that likes McCain really better like Palin since she will be running the country when he kicks it. McCain is so old he should not be buying green bananas.

Posted by: al on 09/13/08 at 8:25 AM

al states: While he might not be able to, that isn’t what the ad is claiming. The ability to do so vs. the knowledge to do so is different. The fact still remains: he doesn’t KNOW how to use a computer or send an email. Once again, people are missing the point.

So al, how many things have you bothered to learn how to do that you aren’t physically able to do?

You are intimately familiar with how to do any number of things that you aren’t able to do, and so we should expect the same of John McCain.
Is that the point we’re all missing?

Somehow, I tend to doubt that you’ve wasted your time learning how to do things you can’t do, and if you’re holding elected office and wasted your time in such fashion, then you should definitely refund your salary to the taxpayers you’ve been ripping off.

Posted by: Not al on 09/13/08 at 10:26 AM

drjohn reports: I hear Obama challenged McCain to a one on one hoops game.

Obama doesn’t have the cojones to challenge Sarah Palin to a game, and he’d get his a$$ handed to him if he did.

She’d make him look like the white man he really is.

Posted by: Dr. Feelgood on 09/13/08 at 11:14 AM

McCain can’t use a computer because of his war injuries.

A Boston Globe report eight years ago cited by the National Review’s Jonah Goldberg said McCain’s “severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes

Posted by: danaa on 09/13/08 at 11:52 AM

McCain is smart enough to fly a multi-million dollar jet while Obama does not have enough brains to turn it on!!! All I hear is Obama going uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, and he graduated from Harvard!!!!!!! Obama has to have 300 advisors to write his speeches and he is no good at it without a teleprompter!!!!!!! Now who do the Liberal Democratic defenders and Obama say is illiterate now???? When you liberals out there are pointing at McCain remember you have 4 of your own fingers pointing back at you

Posted by: George on 09/13/08 at 12:21 PM

I note that there are plenty of images of McCain using a cell phone. So limitation to reach and two-hand dexterity are different than the inability to hit a key with a finger. Even less true of inability to move a computer mouse and click a button. I find this “prison camp” defense of McCain’s deliberate elitist attitude (”I’ll have my people do it for me”) unconvincing–it’s just another attempt to attack Obama emotionally, since facts are not McCain’s friend.

Posted by: Warren in Miami on 09/13/08 at 4:54 PM

George said “McCain is smart enough to fly a multi-million dollar jet . . .”
And Gary said “McCain was playing with technology that most of you can’t even dream of, before most of you were even born. Remember he was a navy fighter pilot. And flew one of the coolest plane ever built!”

Yeah, and crashed five of them. Hey, if you were the son of an admiral, they’d let you fly them too, even after the first four, even after you graduated at the bottom of your class.

Posted by: smitisan on 09/13/08 at 8:35 PM

“McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.”

Do your research.

http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml

Posted by: Jessica Benjamin on 09/14/08 at 4:58 AM

I can’t believe the amount of ignorance being displayed here by those that are so ‘tech savvy’. McCain can’t email? So what? Do any of you ’sharpies’ know why? I’ll tell you – it’s for the same reason he can’t lift his arms over his shoulders in some positions. His body endured horrible torture and bone breakage in ‘Nam and he’s physically unable to type. Furthermore, how many of you ‘cerebral giants’ know that a President isn’t allowed to use email? It’s for security and the Pres is prohibited from any emailing. Kudos to McCain for having the class to forego responding to such a despicable campaign ad.

Posted by: Robert on 09/14/08 at 8:12 AM

Obama is a low life piece of trash. I am a 100% disabled combat veteran who suffers in pain. It does hurt to sit at a keyboard and I do get severe muscle spasams. McCain was injured serveing you. Obama has served only himself. are you so hard hearted and selfish that you can make your arrogant snide remarks about McCain. Let this country come under an attack from foriegn power Who will you trust to defend this country and you? Obama is a coward who can not even talk without sttutering. I am very disapointed in many of you who can not honor a man who laid his life down for you and country

Posted by: Bob on 09/14/08 at 8:37 AM

I would rather have a commander in chief who can not type but has a set balls then one who whines and crys Raceism when you disagree with his marxist thoughts. He cant even speak fluidly with out a bunch of umms. The eleprompter is his only way to speak clearly and thoese words are coming from some one else. Obama past is filled with unsavory people. From anti white racist middle eastern terrorist to mafia and muslim anti american. Thank God for the 2nd amendmant. It was designed for us to protect you in case a Obama came into power.

Posted by: Mary on 09/14/08 at 9:00 AM

Guess you wpuldn’t have liked FDR since he couldn’t walk….

Posted by: mike on 09/14/08 at 11:30 AM

I like McCain even less after he picked Palin.

Posted by: marty on 09/14/08 at 4:15 PM

All the whining I hear is coming from the McCain campaign and its buds. You know, you can paint POW with lipstick all over a self-serving pig, and he’s still a pig. Do I make you sick? Good. It’s payback time.

Posted by: smitisan on 09/14/08 at 6:06 PM

Smitisan
As a combat veteran you do make me sick. I hope some terrorist cuts your yellow belly head off. Let you and your coward milatary haters cry out for protection. You ungratful pig. Go to another country where queers like you will be taught to appreciate the freedom that was paid for by real men known as veterans. Remember your freedom to be a worthless pig and jerk was paid for by the blood of real men. I will get even with you turds I am sending Palin McCain one hundred dollars. and will go out and sign up thousands of Mc Cain supporters showing them your worthless letter

Posted by: Brutis on 09/14/08 at 6:56 PM

After seeing the post by smitisan I am ashamed to be a Obama supporter. After reading these posts I am convinced that McCain is the only way to cast my vote. My Grandfather was killed in Iwo Jima as a US Marine fighting for that worthless group of ungrateful anti milatary girly boys. This is not the democrat party I used to know. The men are like woman and the woman are like men. Then you get smitisan and I wonder if he is the result of barn yard sex his daddy had.

Posted by: Claudia on 09/14/08 at 7:10 PM

Excuse me, but if you had bothered to look at some of my other posts you’d know I’m a Nam vet myself, but I stopped and looked at what was really going on and realized I wasn’t fighting for my country or for anyone’s freedom, but for a bunch of crooks like Nixon and McNamara who didn’t care how many people they killed in the process of keeping the US in power over the rest of the world, as if this was all some high school football game. So you can call me yellow belly or whatever else you want, I quit caring about your opinions a long time ago, but you talk about my Dad, who did two tours in Nam and one in Korea, and you’re just indulging in the same sleaziness Obama has already called you on!

Posted by: smitisan on 09/14/08 at 7:32 PM

After reading about paying woman less I am disgusted. That lieing hypocrite Obama. My husband was right He said that Obama looks like he can not look you in the eyes. And he said Obama lies always. My husband is a Chicago police inspector in the vice squad. Now I do believe the stories he told me about bath house Obama. If he was exposed here what else is he lieing about. After dumping Hilliary I am voteing for Sara and John

Posted by: Jasemin on 09/14/08 at 7:52 PM

And by the way, I can’t help but notice that both Claudia and Brutis misspell “military” as “milatary.” I’ve also noted that the grammar problems in a lot of these anti-Obama posts are consistent. Whoever you are, you’re not fooling anybody.

Posted by: smitisan on 09/14/08 at 7:54 PM

So I guess those who figure McCain should be excused from using technology have never heard of voice-software or the numerous other aids for the handicapped? He can talk can’t he? Do you really want to argue that being handicapped is an excuse for not using computers? Sure it might make it harder but handicapped people have been successfully using computers for years. In fact, computers are always being designed to *make it easier for handicapped people to get by in the world*.

Posted by: UberShaman on 09/14/08 at 10:49 PM

smitsan
you are a veteran and pigs do fly. I am a retired combat Marine and i can honestly say that any man that fought in a war would never mock a disabled veteran. Especially a POW. There is a a code of honor and admiration. Real combat veterans do not talk like smitsan. If smitsan honestly was a veteran he fought a pencil sharpener. and a coffe maker. After reading the posts by Obama supporters I thank God that I will support McCain. He may not do E-mails but he is a real leader and tells the truth. Just look at the crazy nut jobs follwing Obama

Posted by: CHESTY on 09/15/08 at 5:58 AM

smitsan
you are a veteran and pigs do fly. I am a retired combat Marine and i can honestly say that any man that fought in a war would never mock a disabled veteran. Especially a POW. There is a a code of honor and admiration. Real combat veterans do not talk like smitsan. If smitsan honestly was a veteran he fought a pencil sharpener. and a coffe maker. After reading the posts by Obama supporters I thank God that I will support McCain. He may not do E-mails but he is a real leader and tells the truth. Just look at the crazy nut jobs follwing Obama

Posted by: CHESTY on 09/15/08 at 6:00 AM

smitsan
you say you are a veteran and pigs can fly. You are a big mouthed wanna be. I am a retired combat Marine and i can honestly say that any man that fought in a war would never mock a disabled veteran. Especially a POW. There is a a code of honor and admiration. Real combat veterans do not talk like smitsan. If smitsan honestly was a veteran he fought a pencil sharpener. and a coffe maker. After reading the posts by Obama supporters I thank God that I will support McCain. He may not do E-mails but he is a real leader and tells the truth. Just look at the crazy nut jobs follwing Obama

Posted by: CHESTY on 09/15/08 at 6:08 AM

Well, chesty or claudia or whoever you really are, the VA is treating me for PTSD I didn’t get from a coffee machine attack, and I’ve lost a job because gossip around the pencil sharpener after I took a gun away from a fellow who was shooting up the office was all about how dangerous us crazy vets are. So you just mocked a veteran, though I’m not a physically disabled one. I’m not mocking McCain for being a disabled vet; I’m mocking him for thinking that having been a POW somehow excuses him from everything the Republican party has done since Reagan to undermine this country. I’m mocking him for being smack dab in the middle of the savings and loan scandal, for championing half-assed campaign finance reform that went nowhere but looked good, and for caving to everything he once stood for but using that POW label as if it exonerated him. He’s not a POW now, he’s a Republican politician. After Gingrich, Atwater, Rove, Ken Starr, and Bush and Cheney, that makes him the enemy. This is war, and this one actually is for my country. So there, pffft.

Posted by: smitisan on 09/15/08 at 7:01 AM

Smitisan,

I salute you. Veterans are people, therefore you have good ones and bad ones. Just because you’re a veteran doesn’t mean you are automatically more patriotic than all the “whiney” folks who didn’t go to war. We need the military to protect our country (but not necessarily from Terrorists). I’m not so sure we need to brainwash our soldiers though and that is exactly what the military excels at!!!

Posted by: The Hell You Say on 09/15/08 at 7:18 AM

And I just wanted to say that I seriously doubt that McCain’s war injuries stop him from using a computer. If he can use a cell phone, he can use a computer.

Posted by: The Hell You Say on 09/15/08 at 7:21 AM

Have you ever heard of voice dial?

Posted by: lawmom90 on 09/15/08 at 7:48 AM

Absolutely. And I pray daily that I have the good sense to sit back, offer support and the wisdom of prior generations and don’t try to tether future generations with my own limitations. I’m 52 and wouldn’t know a RSS reader if one bit me…but I’m not bragging that it makes me a better person. Or blaming prior injury (however heroically sustained). Or belittling those who do use current technology.

Posted by: Lesandjon on 09/15/08 at 3:14 PM

John McCain was tortured for 5 years and is now disabled, his arms don’t work very well. Mocking him for his disability seems very mean-spirited.

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:30 am 59. Agnes:

Obama’s Mentors and beast friends are enemies of you and I and America. It is obvious who is typing the words into his teleprompter.
Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn. In the late sixties, both were presented rings from the North Vietnamese. Ayers got his in Canada. I forget where Bernardine Dohrn got hers, but the rings were made from US aircraft shot down by the North Vietnamese.

You think Jane Fonda was bad, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, the mentors of Barack Obama, received rings for their anti-American work! And, in fact, the Cubans allowed Bernardine Dohrn to establish a Students for Democrat Society operation based out of Cuba. So about these rings, for their fingers, made from US aircraft shot down over North Vietnam — when Bill Ayers received his ring from the North Vietnamese in Canada, he had to leave the room in tears. He was so moved by the gesture, he said that he realized he was living in evil — the United States — and that he was in the belly of the beast. It wasn’t just 40 years ago that Bill Ayers tried to blow up some buildings. It wasn’t just 40 years ago that he was moved to tears with a gift of a ring from the North Vietnamese. And yet, Obama says, “Well, you can’t hold a guy engaging in this stuff 40 years ago.” Ayers still has the same mind-set about his country. These people are desperate.

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:32 am 60. Ed Wallis:

SO…Agnes, were you trying to show us what it is like, if one were to go to DKossack or HuffBlo…thanks…but NO THANKS!

Sep 17, 2008 - 11:33 am 61. Nightly Ramble:The cracks are showing; more | BitsBlog:

[...] of the Annointed One, Bob Owens has a nice peice up today on the bit with Obama trying to get the Iraqis to hold our troops for longer. According to [...]

Sep 17, 2008 - 1:04 pm 62. Yehudit:

wow. AstroTurf much?

Sep 17, 2008 - 1:24 pm 63. misanthropicus:

Horrible, horrible, and this, and certainly many other ugly, still unknown, machinations were the side activity of the Hope’n Change candidate during his brilliant trip abroad! No wonder that Vladimir Putin, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales love Obama and enthusiastically await to do business with him!

And this story also confirms so many people’s dark suspicions about this man, Obama – rank, cynical ambition, wanton, complete disregard for this nation’s legitime interests, and willingness to destroy anything, anything in order to satisfy his vanity.
It is understandable for a politician to change his/her position regarding a foreign affairs situation if that situation indeed, materially changes. Yet to deliberately try to orchestrate self-serving changes in such an important, and tragic situation like the Iraq war in order to fulfill your ambitions home, is beyond the worst normal people can expect from a politician – Obama went beyond a slimy weasel and now is full fledged traitor.
Oh tempora, oh mores! Obama’s act is sheer sedition – and we reached the point where liberals are knowingly supporting a man with so many and deep character flaws as a superb choice for the US presidency.
No wonder that for the NY Times gen. Petraeus is a traitor and Obama is the glowing savior.

Sep 17, 2008 - 1:43 pm 64. The Obama in Iraq Scandal Continues to Grow: When Will the Investigation Begin? : Stop The ACLU:

[...] – Yid With Lid – Confederate Yankee – Redstate – American Power – Power Line – drillanwr (PD) – PJM – VFF’s Pete Hegseth – Tanker Brothers – Perri Nelson – Macsmind – Ironic Surrealism – STACLU [...]

Sep 17, 2008 - 2:05 pm 65. Ex-fetus:

“mcsame has said that he knows where bin laden is and will tell us AFTER he is president. can you check that out for us? thanks”

That is EASY. Osama is in a former CIA safe house outside of Miami. It was used as a debriefing site for KGB defectors.
I know the street address, if you want to know it, you will have to look in the Church Committee report. You can get that from the GPO for about 65$US. The Russians flew him out of Kubal. From there he went to Moscow and then to Israel, there the CIA took over and brought him into the USA. He is too valuable to kill and knows too much to let go, so he is on ice until the CIA types running the op decide the best way to use him. Most of the CIA is trying to find him, but a few at the very top are running them in circles. I think he is someones retirement plan. 50 mill will buy a LOT of beer. Another thing to consider is that NOW is not the time to tear the CIA apart. They have gotten a bloody nose already, as well as a bureaucratic death sentence of having their O-chart box moved from near the top to under DHS. “Finding” ObL right now would be a case of the cure being worse then the illness.

By poll, 25% or so of Hillery 18,000,000 supporters are going to vote for McCain. That is 4.5 million votes that Ohhhhhh……BAMA doesn’t get and McCain does. A swing of 9 million votes in an election that 55 million will win.
Throw in a 20 or 30 million pro-lifers and suddenly it’s easy to see why the Marxists are running scared.
BTW, I’m almost 70 and have no problem running a computer. I made my first million as a Computer consultant back before the average Obamanic was born. A President that answers his own E-mail isn’t doing his job. POTUS is like the conductor of an orchestra, He co-ordinates the players and keeps them on the same page. A President that climbs down in the pit and picks up a flute isn’t doing his job.
Staff does all that stuff. White House Staff is a very critical and much sought position. Or at least it is now that the Clintons are history.

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, in Irving Good, The Scientist Speculates (1962)
US (Hungarian-born) biochemist (1893 – 1986)

Sep 17, 2008 - 4:47 pm 66. Carl:

Barack Obama’s Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Connection
Fox News ^ | Sep 16, 2008 | John Gibson

Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 18:02:40 by fightinJAG

Freddie and Fannie used huge lobbying budgets and political contributions to keep regulators off their backs.

A group called the Center for Responsive Politics keeps track of which politicians get Fannie and Freddie political contributions. The top three U.S. senators getting big Fannie and Freddie political bucks were Democrats and No. 2 is Sen. Barack Obama.

Now remember, he’s only been in the Senate four years, but he still managed to grab the No. 2 spot ahead of John Kerry — decades in the Senate — and Chris Dodd, who is chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

Fannie and Freddie have been creations of the congressional Democrats and the Clinton White House, designed to make mortgages available to more people and, as it turns out, some people who couldn’t afford them.

Fannie and Freddie have also been places for big Washington Democrats to go to work in the semi-private sector and pocket millions. The Clinton administration’s White House Budget Director Franklin Raines ran Fannie and collected $50 million. Jamie Gorelick — Clinton Justice Department official — worked for Fannie and took home $26 million. Big Democrat Jim Johnson, recently on Obama’s VP search committee, has hauled in millions from his Fannie Mae CEO job.

Sep 17, 2008 - 5:50 pm 67. nlcatter:

thanks for the laugh exfetus

morons refresh me!

Sep 17, 2008 - 9:26 pm 68. Curt Johnson:

Senator Obama is not President Obama.

Senator Obama is not Sec. Of State Obama.

Senator Obama is not Ambassador Obama.

But Senator Obama is (supposedly) Constitutional Law Professor (or at least Lecturer) Obama.

As such, Senator Obama should have a detailed understanding of the concept of Separation of Powers. So if these allegations are correct, we can conclude that either Constitutional Law Professor (or Lecturer) Obama is hopelessly ignorant and incompetent, or Senator Obama does not give a damn about the Constitution. You can get good odds on which.

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:06 pm 69. Vin R:

TREASON=Standard operating procedure for democrats

Sep 18, 2008 - 1:02 am 70. Bob A:

Good post and many good comments. He is a typical liberal. Hillary clinton exposed the true colors of the Democratic party by her actions. Invited to and accepting an invitation to participate in a Jewish groups protest against Iran in front of the UN, when she finds out Governor Palin is also invited says if Palin is there no way is she going. Too funny. She said she didn’t know that it was going to be a partisan political event. When it is Democrat only I guess it is not partisan but when it also involves Republicans it becomes by magic partisan.

Sep 18, 2008 - 4:38 am 71. Thanks to Sarah Palin… » Blog Archive » The Hidden Sinisterisms of the O Campaign:

[...] withdrawal date.” They declined. (…)”. Bob Owens in a PJs article “Obama’s Questionable Diplomacy in Iraq” has a reaction to the allegations from the Multi-National Force Iraq Press Desk. At the same time, [...]

Sep 18, 2008 - 1:44 pm 72. tomw:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/undermining-mcc.html

“Lending significant credence to Obama’s response is the fact that — though it’s absent from the Post story and other retellings — in addition to Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, this July meeting was also attended by Bush administration officials such as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and the Baghdad embassy’s Legislative Affairs advisor Rich Haughton, as well as a Republican senator, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

….

Two officials of the Bush administration say that if Obama had done what the Post story asserted – which they believe to be untrue – U.S. Ambassador Crocker and embassy officials attending the meeting would have ensured that the Bush administration heard about it immediately. If such an incident occurred in front of officials of the Bush administration, it would have constituted a foreign policy breach and would have been front-page huge news; it would not have leaked out two months later in an op-ed column”

Sep 19, 2008 - 11:15 am 73. Lee-Missouri Ozarks:

This seems to be a Democrat “thing”

First SanFranNan Pelosi in Syria and now B Hussien Obama in Iraq, bath sans diplomatic credentials. They were in no way authorized to “negotiate” or commit the United States to any action whatsoever.

This is the clear cut duty of the President and his very specific appointees.

I belive our Constitution is very clear on this matter. Any direct or indirect unauthorized attempt to subvert or alter the foriegn policies of a sitting president that involve enemies or enemy supporting governments is TREASON.

Foriegn Policy and combat involving United States Military is the domain of the POTUS. I really don’t know how it can be any clearer.

PC is Thought Control
LEE

Sep 19, 2008 - 12:52 pm 74. tomw:

Lee MO-Ozark:

I guess it’s a good thing Obama was authorized then, huh?

Sep 19, 2008 - 3:22 pm 75. Rubicon:

It is doubtful Obama tried to do this. In addition, it is likely that if he did, Petraeus told him NO. Obama was probably feeling out Petraeus & others for what they felt was going to happen or could happen. That is an entirely different issue.
It is true that during or just after his visit the Iraqi PM & others started talking about withdraw timetables. There he may have influenced them by telling them if they worked with him on this, he might work with them on long term issues relevant to them & their political survival. Not cool, but certainly legal.
I would bet this is all a comedy of coincidental errors & events. That’s all!
On McCain… it is on the Congressional record he is one of the most tech savvy Senators we have. His non use of a PC is based on injuries from torture that make using a keyboard or mouse extremely difficult & painful for him. Tech savvy is more important than being able to send an email. He has been on the forefront on tech issues & he has been a champion of tech issues. Those who think otherwise would do themselves a favor & not encourage Obama or his people to challenge McCain on tech issues. They will lose out, big time. Just because someone “wants” a story to be true, does not mean it is. Wishful thinking has blown up in the face of many over the years, especially politicians.

Sep 21, 2008 - 11:42 am 76. Wonk Room » Maliki: Bush Tried To Delay U.S. Withdrawal To Help McCain:

[...] week, the right-wing fever swamp was bubbling up over an article by Amir Taheri, in which Taheri claimed that Barack Obama had [...]

Sep 23, 2008 - 7:32 am 77. AFNonline » Blog Archive » Candidate Obama’s Meddling in Iraq Confirmed:

[...] withdrawal date.” They declined. (…)”. Bob Owens in a PJs article “Obama’s Questionable Diplomacy in Iraq” had a reaction to the allegations from the Multi-National Force Iraq Press [...]

Nov 7, 2008 - 8:42 am 78. smitisan:

Geez, somebody done went and made me famous all over right wing blogs. Well, the election’s over now, you lost, and I’m LMAO. And I guess McCain, with all those plans for ending the war and fixing the economy and all that “I know where Osama is” BS is just going to take his marbles and go home now, huh? And as for the topic here, I seem to remember the great Gipper negotiating with Iran when they were holding American hostages. All a matter of whose ox, ain’t it?

Jan 8, 2009 - 2:14 pm

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