By the time this interminable presidential campaign is over, we may all have our favorite examples of MSM gone wild –whether by way of blatant bias; unfounded allegations; intense scrutiny of one candidate while giving a free pass to the other (fill in the names as you like); etc.
But for a prize specimen of hazily sourced trashing of Sarah Palin in particular, I am marveling right now at an article from the CNN web site, which — a joint labor of not one, not two, but three CNN reporters – has been getting enough attention to have popped up this evening on the main screen of google news.
The headline is “Palin’s ‘going rogue.’ McCain aide says.” Well hey, that sounds juicy.
But who is the “McCain aide” who is saying this? It turns out the aide quoted in the headline is never named. The article begins with the sweeping statement that with the election imminent, “long-brewing tensions between GOP vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin and key aides to Sen. John McCain have become so intense they are spilling out in public” – but according to whom? Well, apparently it’s not so public that anyone doing the spilling is willing to be named. So CNN wraps up that bold intro with: “Sources say.”
The next paragraph mentions “Several McCain advisers” — unnamed — “who have become increasingly frustrated with what one aide” — unnamed — “described as Palin ‘going rogue.’ ”
So the quote in the headline is from an unnamed source who is one of several unnamed advisers, rounding out a picture attributed to unnamed sources (plural).
It gets better. Briefly, there is “A Palin associate” — unnamed — offering a defense of Palin. Then the criticisms resume, with the article citing: “McCain sources” — unnnamed — “A Second McCain source” — unnnamed (and not clear if this second source is one of the previous plural McCain sources, or an independently consulted unnamed source). That “second McCain source” is quoted for two full paragraphs, taking nasty swipes at Palin, but the source remains anonymous.
Then we get “A Palin associate” — unnnamed, and unclear if this is a second Palin associate, or the same one unnamed above — who is described as defending her, but the quote given to illustrate this defense is actually a criticism, describing Palin, as “not good at process questions” (according to this unnamed “associate,” who is further referred to only as “this Palin source”).
Then, at last, in connection with what is described as a defense of Palin, we do get a name — an actual name – that of Palin’s press secretary, Tracey Schmitt, who is also described here as having tried urgently to end an unscheduled session Palin had with the press. But there is no attribution for this information, and the only quote from Schmitt herself, which comes lower in the article is a statement she gave to traveling reporters that: “Unnamed sources with their own agenda will say what they want, but from Gov. Palin down, we have one agenda, and that’s to win on election day.”
After the mention of Schmitt, it’s back to the unnamed sources, this time by way of “a different Palin adviser” — unnnamed — who is quoted delivering yet more backhanded criticism of Palin (”We acknowledge that she should have been out there doing more,” etc).
Then a reference to a story on Politico, which mentioned by name two McCain advisers, Nicolle Wallace and Steve Schmidt, as having decided to limit Palin’s initial press contact to Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric, “which all McCain sources admit were highly damaging” — note, the “all McCain sources” here are all unnnamed.
CNN did get an email response on the record from one McCain source, Nicolle Wallace, “If people want to throw me under the bus, my personal belief is that the most honorable thing is to lie there.”
Then it’s back to “But two sources, one Palin associate and one McCain adviser” –both unnamed — “defended the decision to keep her press interaction limited… both saying that she was not ready and that the missteps could have been a lot worse.”
From there it’s on to “another McCain source with direct knowledge of the process…” — unnnamed. From this source, identified on second reference as “The source” — still unnnamed — comes another quote that takes a swipe at Palin.
There follows a brief account that “Yet another senior McCain adviser lamented the public recriminations.” And “this adviser” — who is, guess what? also unnamed — is then quoted as talking about “finger-pointing and scapegoating” in the campaign.
Finally, near the bottom of the article, we are handed the highly relevant information (but putting it higher in the story would have deflated the entire story) — that squabbles among aides are pretty normal: “Tensions like those within the McCain-Palin campaign are not unusual; vice-presidential candidates also have a history of butting heads with the top of the ticket.” (Then comes the lone paragraph mentioning that Joe Biden “has gone off the reservation as well” — though in this case there are apparently no sources, anonymous or otherwise, worth quoting to illustrate dissent in the Biden-Obama ranks).
But this comes only after about 20 paragraphs in which the slamming of Palin is done by “sources” who cannot be challenged or further questioned, because they are anonymous. The article ends with some lines from a Democratic pollster, who — imagine this! — is quoted by name, Peter Hart, delivering one last swipe at Palin.
There are circumstances in which journalists may reasonably cite or even quote unnamed sources. And if campaign reporters are privy to squabbles among aides, that may well be an interesting story. But when a story amounts to a litany of swipes framed as quotes from nameless “sources,” there comes a point at which a line is crossed between news and rumor, between reporting and hype, between anonymous in-house gossip and “spilling out in public.” Is it Palin who’s going rogue here? Or CNN?
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137 Comments
1. movie fan:there has been mixed signals from the McCain camp since it’s inception… looks like not even Sarah Palin can keep up with McCain’s endless wavering between “straight talker” and crooked politician
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:47 am 2. cfbleachers:Claudia
Below is the Code of Ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists. It is beautifully conceived and elegantly put forth. It is also, shamefully, completely ignored by the entrenched media.
The profession, in practice, has lost its moral compass. Violations of this Code are routine and have not even the deterence factor of a posted speed limit. The self-policing of this profession is a cruel joke.
Ombudsman are trained seals, balancing beach balls and sophistry on their ever growing noses as they routinely alibi, excuse and obscure in defense of the indefensible.
I am reminded of something I heard as a young attorney from an older attorney. He said, when an innocent victim is being viciously attacked by an evil criminal, he cries out for a cop. But when an innocent victim is being viciously attacked by a cop, who can he call?
When a profession is imbued with a sacred public trust and it befouls that trust with moral bankruptcy and then circles the wagons with a Code of Silence and crooked ombudsmen, it is not merely a disgrace. It has a magnified impact on us all.
From the list below, we can pick out item after item after item of ethical violation upon ethical violation that have been blatantly imposed upon our information stream, not just in this election, not just against Sarah Palin…but nearly universally in a corrupt and diseased system of delivery of our information to our public.
We need a new language to describe the lack of conscience, the lack of integrity, the lack of honor in that diseased profession. It’s slurnalism now. There are no longer columnists, there are only calumnists. The Code of Ethics is dead and buried, and it is replaced by a Code of Silence, a conspiracy of epic proportions.
It is no longer a matter of “not knowing” their own internal biases, and them “seeping” into reporting. That’s myopic and disingenuous at this point. This is the intentional, widespread, institutionalized rape of our information stream.
As an exercise, one should go down the list below and check off each and every item with a vivid example of betrayal of these ethics by the entrenched media. And when that exercise is completed, if one isn’t shedding tears at the loss of our ability to self-govern this land of ours…one has no soul.
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
Seek Truth and Report It
Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Journalists should:
— Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error. Deliberate distortion is never permissible.
— Diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them the opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing.
— Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.
— Always question sources’ motives before promising anonymity. Clarify conditions attached to any promise made in exchange for information. Keep promises.
— Make certain that headlines, news teases and promotional material, photos, video, audio, graphics, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.
— Never distort the content of news photos or video. Image enhancement for technical clarity is always permissible. Label montages and photo illustrations.
— Avoid misleading re-enactments or staged news events. If re-enactment is necessary to tell a story, label it.
— Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story
— Never plagiarize.
— Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.
— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.
— Give voice to the voiceless; official and unofficial sources of information can be equally valid.
— Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.
— Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
— Recognize a special obligation to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open and that government records are open to inspection.
Minimize Harm
Ethical journalists treat sources, subjects and colleagues as human beings deserving of respect.
Journalists should:
— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
— Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
— Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.
Act Independently
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public’s right to know.
Journalists should:
—Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.
Be Accountable
Journalists are accountable to their readers, listeners, viewers and each other.
Journalists should:
— Clarify and explain news coverage and invite dialogue with the public over journalistic conduct.
— Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.
— Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.
— Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.
— Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.
The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of
writers, editors and other news professionals. The present version of
the code was adopted by the 1996 SPJ National Convention, after months
of study and debate among the Society’s members.
Sigma Delta Chi’s first Code of Ethics was borrowed from the
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:16 am 3. Pajamas Media » Who’s Really ‘Going Rogue’ - Sarah Palin or CNN?:American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1926. In 1973, Sigma Delta Chi
wrote its own code, which was revised in 1984, 1987 and 1996.
[...] Read the entire story here. [...]
Oct 26, 2008 - 5:58 am 4. ed_bernays:I had the same reaction to that story, that is was the biggest collection of unverified sources I’d ever seen in one alleged story. (I also shook my head at the effort to attach Quayle to Palin.) I think journalism committed suicide this election season, and I fear it’s phase-one of an unfolding tragedy.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:07 am 5. Ed Wallis:Nice article.
“going rogue” = CNN-speak for “inspiring voters.”
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:17 am 6. R a Z o R:Tis CUJO Biden that bites his master Obama on
a daily basis . Biden just gaffed … MARK MY
WORDS … IT WULL NOT BE SIX MONTHS BEFORE
OBAMA BRINGS THE WORLD TO THE BRINK OF
NUCLEAR DESTRUCTION .
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:25 am 7. Jeannette Parker:_____________________________________________
—- C O M M A N D E R * I N * C H I E F —-
_____________________________________________
———– J O H N * M c C A I N ———–
_____________________________________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8rZWw9HE7o
Palin needs constant coaching in what she should say.She is not qualified to be running for Vice-President.McCain took her to help get more votes from women.Big mistake.Next time, choose a “qualified” person as a possible Vice-President.Do you Americans really want a broken down war hero & his ninny to run the country then get ready for the biggest depression of all times.The U.S. will sink & come very close to its destruction financially.Canadians will not feel sorry for you if you choose McCain.You deserve what you get.SO!Wake up and smell the coffe.We like Americans.Just don’t be stupid.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:27 am 8. Jeannette Parker:What affects the U.S. also affects Canada.If you want near finanical destruction of the U.S. then vote McCain.Canadians,not being as affected as Americans, see McCain for what he really is.Broken-down war hero and poor choice for a running-mate.We are by far more detached so we REALLY SEE McCain for what he truly is, as said above.Save your country and vote OBAMA PLEASE!!!Good luck to you all. Canadians like Americans.Easygoing & friendly nation.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:34 am 9. Jim:Is CNN even relevant anymore?? Does anyone with 1/2 a brain even consider them a legitimate source of news? SO much Obama hype, so much McCain/Palin/Republican swipes, and it seems that every 15 seconds their anchors have to remind us that they have the “best political coverage team” in the country. Can’t wait for the announcement of the CNN/MSNBC political coverage merger, to save dwindling resources . . . perhaps Wolf, Anderson and Campbell can flip a coin to decide who, in the words of an unnamed source, “gets to turn out the lights” on this network.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:38 am 10. idov:The New York Post, a paper that has generally been fair if not outright favorable to the McCain-Palin, ticket is headlining a similar story today, PIT BULL TURNS ON MCMAVERICK — NOW PALIN’S BUCKING HER OWN TICKET so I believe there is some fire to all this smoke.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10262008/news/politics/pit_bull_turns_on_mcmaverick_135366.htm
I think the underlying factors are that she is more politically savvy than her handlers and feels they are holding her back; and also she seems to be justifiably irked by being held up to ridicule with this clothing controversy. It looks like she feels those handlers should have foreseen the negative fallout before stripping off the hangers in such a ham-handed manner.
But what’s the problem here? If you have the name, maverick, you don’t play the game? Going back to drilling at Anwr she’s already said there are areas where she doesn’t agree with the boss. She’s a rebel and she’s just being Sarah Palin, not a yes-man (or the female equivalent of that) and that’s why people love her. McCain is like that himself — like father, like daughter, so to speak.
Look at the difference between her and Biden. Every day he demeans himself by denying everything he said in the past about Obama such as calling him out on cutting off funds to the troops in the war theatre. Biden shows himself to be a straw man without principles or guts, the very opposite of Sarah Palin, who because she’s never afraid to speak her mind, will make a great vice-president.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:41 am 11. Valerie:Newspapers at the local level in the United States do not print anonymous accusations of wrongdoing. They consider it unethical.
Perhaps CNN needs to raise its ethics standards to those of our local newspapers.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:50 am 12. MJOJAN:TWO surprises First I see that someone wants to name the source of an accusation and second is that the other side is also presented – at the same time??? What happened?? Did we get a newsperson that feels we are entitled to make up our own decisions. Two indicators that McCain poses a threat are the lack of support from the RNC and the push to vote early. Now, as we get closer to a VOTE AGAINST INCUMBENTS because THEY DON’T LISTEN day we are told if we can wait nine months without wages things will straighten out and those with money will make fantastic bargins.
Oct 26, 2008 - 6:58 am 13. momof3:First off, Jeannette, we don’t give a rat’s ass what canadians or anyone else thinks of this election. You care so much, become a citizen and vote. We don’t want to be like canada, we like having actual good healthcare.
Second, why are unnamed sources even allowed? I can go write an article citing unnamed sources claiming to have watched Obama sacrifice a child to satan. Doesn’t make it true. If an aide thinks that america needs to know this, they should have the balls to put their name next to it.
I’ve already early-voted, for McCain/Palin. Because I actually live in the US, and therefor my opinions are relevant.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:29 am 14. Moultrie:CNN just lies like all the Lefty Canadians. I never believe a word they report.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:42 am 15. Eric:O/T but I want to sprinkle this everywhere especially in light of Biden’s interview with the FL reporter.
Important distinction that NEEDS to be made over and over again between now and Nov. 4.
When Obama talks about reducing taxes for 95% of working Americans he is only talking about income taxes. He is not talking about payroll taxes which is where the funding for new programs will come from.
The nationalized health care plan the Dems are salivating about is a 7% payroll tax, the new retirement plan to replace our 401k’s is a 5% payroll tax, and the wage insurance is a 1% payroll tax for a total new tax burden of 13%. Add that to the current 6% Social Security payroll tax and the 1% (or more) Medicare payroll tax and we’re looking at a payroll tax burden in excess of 20% which is not subject to the deductions the income tax is.
No one is exempt from payroll taxes so Obama is simply lying.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:44 am 16. Wrightman:Although the point is good, it’s irrelevant. All news media report gossip, especially at election time. Media more and more report unsourced gossip– especially coming out of campaign offices. Did you really expect a disaffected McCainite to identify himself?
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:03 am 17. Richard Rhodes:The media — last time I looked — was both privately owned and licensed to show its own political biases. If the RNC truly wants a Republican CNN, then the RNC should simply buy one.
Finally, the main point. When a political party begins to blame the media for its own failures, it’s a certified failure. Ms Palin is an attractive figure — for a cheerleader. She answers real questions with extended, unpaused scripts, one cliché flowing from another, jut like a beauty queen would, during the verbal part of her performance. Here she comes, Miss America! John should have had his head examined before he committed this goof.
Jeannette “Palin needs constant coaching in what she should say.She is not qualified to be running for Vice-President” How exactly is Obama qualified to be president? Of course quoting unnamed sources you will try to make a case that just isn’t there. Biden needs constant coaching on what he shouldn’t say, but sometimes he just can’t help himself and the truth just slips out. I think he would make a great history teacher or Middle East affairs consultant and expert. Scary that Obama has to bring him in to try and burnish non existent foreign policy experience, but the guy proved real well how lacking he is. And movie fan isn’t it interesting how even Ted Kennedy says John McCain is one of the most honest people he has ever known. I made a mistake I should have attributed this statement to unnamed sources. Then you would have believed it. And the push to vote early statement by mjojan. That was for the sake of convenience. You know, for people like you who find it very difficult to go at least a mile or so to a polling place. The lazy one’s who find it so hard to participate in one of the most sacred parts of a democracy. And show me all the lack of support from the RNC. I volunteer on a regular basis at an RNC campaign headquarters and the place is really buzzing. And if this is getting a VOTE AGAINST INCUMBENTS election, why are you so damn eager to vote for two incumbents from the side who was mostly responsible for the financial mess in the first place. I guess you don’t listen or pay attention to much either. The big thing I think all the above mentioned people have in common is they don’t listen to what the democrats have to say especially Obama, because if you listened to him you would not find any substance at all. the scariest thing about this election is the fact that so many people like you who don’t know a damn thing about the issues or where anyone stands on them are going to vote. Voting is a privilege, but there is also a responsibility for people who do, to be informed, and I am way more informed than people who make stupid statements like you three.
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:11 am 18. ic:Wrifhtman: It’ll be helpful to point out how Palin’s non-answers differed from other politicians’ non-answers.
What has Obama done? What is he going to do? How did he answer unscripted questions? By attacking the questioner, e.g. Joe the Plumber, and the local TV station that actually asked a question.
The unnamed disaffected sources can always quit to protest and write tell all books. I despise and can’t trust self-serving weasels. On the other hand, if Gibson could tell Palin that her “we are doing God’s plan” was a straight quote from “We pray that we are doing God’s plan”. If a secret service agent actually blew his own cover to deny that “Kill him” rage reported by the media, may be it’s time not to believe the media.
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:31 am 19. BC:To momof3: Canadians, like most folk, just want to have good neighbors they can trust, not have to worry about, and maybe even be friends with. Your rude response and dopey, clueless vote doesn’t exactly add up to good neighbor material.
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:36 am 20. Rudy:Wrongman, Lets see, the messiah never uses cliches does he? Like “Change we can count on”, “Tax cuts for 95% of Americans”,etc. Look at his primary positions and compare them to where he is today and you will see that he has reversed on almost EVERY position! What a leader. His new flag should be a fu*king windsock!
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:41 am 21. jerryofva:Ms. Parker:
Since you are a Canadian your access to information on any of the candidates is quite limited. Your knowledge of our system of government is probably nil. Therefore, I will excuse your show of ignorance about Governor Palin.
You may not know this but in the American system Governors are higher up in the ranking of elected officials. A Governor is a mini-President and his/her powers and authorities match quite closely. It is merely a matter of scale. A Senator is supposed to represent the interests of his state in Washington. In effect he works for the Governor. If you go online you can find a copy of the United States Constitution and you will read that in event of a Senate vacancy occurring, the Governor appoints a replacement.
Now the duties of the Vice President are described in both Article I (defines the authorities of the Legislative branch) and Article II (Defines the authorities of the Executive branch). The Vice President’s duties are simple. First and foremost, the Vice President presides over the Senate casting his vote only to break ties. The Vice President also in the “heir” should the President be unable to finish his term of office. It is a rather simple job. Oddly enough the Senior Senator from Delaware did not understand the VP’s role while the Governor of Alaska did.
As far as qualification go, Governor Palin was responsible for the Health, Safety, education and provision of other services in a town of 9000 people; she has served on the Alaska State Oil and Gas Commission and as Governor out-negotiated British Petroleum, brokered an US-Canadian partnership to build a critical natural gas pipeline; and runs the largest state in the United States and has authority over its 25,000 civil servants. As you can see even being mayor of a small town in Alaska is a more demanding job then that of the Vice President
Now that I have provided you with additional information as to Governor Palin’s experience you might now form a more informed opinion of her. Perhaps you might wish to share with me and others why you think Senator Obama’s and Senator Biden’s qualification are superior to hers.
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:50 am 22. trangbang68:Really, Jeannette. We are so concerned with what you and the rest of the dim bulbs in America Junior think. My mother was born in Canada, but fortunately for me, she moved here so I was born in the greatest country on planet Earth. Your analysis is lame, your opinion unwanted and your country second rate; so go away,’ey.
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:57 am 23. Michael D. Giles:Jeannette: “Palin needs constant coaching in what she should say.She is not qualified to be running for Vice-President”
Oh really? She is the only one of the candidates that has any executive experience. And didn’t she negotiate a treaty with Canada on a gas pipeline? And why the hell are Canadians always giving Americans advice on who to vote for? Besides what you see and hear from our bulls**t media, do you actually know anything about this country?
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:08 am 24. Dave:A Payroll tax on an employee is a tax on his employer. It increases the cost of having that employee. Anytime you increase the cost of an employee, you–
reduce the likelihood that he will get raises
increase the likelihood he will be laid off
RADICALLY decrease new hiring
These things combined are a dreadful blow to the economy, hitting small business hardest of all, and small business makes 3 out of 4 jobs in this country.
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:09 am 25. Heather:It annoys me to see a fellow Canadian making silly comments about your election. Canada Free Press expresses my opinions much better than Jeannette ever could.
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:13 am 26. elixelx:Really Jeanette; now that you quebecois can’t even get your own pussy cat, Dion, elected, do you REALLY have to come south and beg Americans to get their pussy elected?
BTW you are a misinformed simpleton if you think that Obama is going to be better for Canada than McCain/Palin. But I forget; you are undoutedly a Quisling Quacker from Quebec!
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:13 am 27. Ash_N:Jeanette Parker does not speak for Canada! She obviously has been watching too much CNN & the like & has bought the Obama snake oil. Please take a moment & read this article – we still have real journalists in Canada. http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/5790
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:18 am 28. p. a . lawless:Thank You.
Ash_N, Toronto Canada
Let’s make one thing clear. Journalism is not a profession. It is a trade. And that is an insult to all those good tradesmen out there.
There is no formal training. How do I know? I know because it is not required to go to journalism school and get a degree. There are no tests for licensing. There are no boards for qualification as in my medical profession. There are no requalifications exams because there is no qualification required. And that is because there is no basic fund of knowledge they must master. They only need to show up and type.
So in the end there can be no standards because there is no one to enforce them. They can prattle on about standards but when they are violated nothing happens to the perpetrator.
Is it any wonder that they behave the way they do? They are a joke. They have betrayed a right in the first amendment to the everlasting detriment of our country. They should be ashamed but they never will be because their ideology trumps all.
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:34 am 29. Self-hating boomer:Aside from the obvious (the ’source’ is probably named ‘Doodad Pro’), this really stinks of misogyny. When a man is in control, he’s ‘presidential’. When a woman is equally assertive, she’s ‘rogue’.
This was also true with Hillary Clinton, btw. We expect our leaders to be assertive and forceful, and in control, as long as they’re male.
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:45 am 30. rspar:Typical big gov’t type a spending freeze translates to them as no wages for 9mos. Duh a spending freeze means no raises.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:06 am 31. JKB:Thank you CNN for a wonderful piece about Sarah Palin’s qualifications to win this election. Seems she doesn’t listen to Rep DC insiders either. Even though those insiders have been horrible at managing this campaign. Palin is still going for the win while the political class are trying to keep their phoney baloney jobs by cozying up to Obama.
And “Diva”? Come on who’s the diva in this story, Palin, the distinguished female politician or the unnamed source who is full of themselves. Palin is the headliner but she does not consider herself in a class above the voters. She may very well consider herself as the leader and not the figurehead of the VP campaign staff, however.
I submit this story about Palin signing a woman’s artificial leg as an example of her very non-diva self. Watch the video if you want to see genuine human concern from a politician.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:14 am 32. Clare Spark:I don’t know why the RNC does not buy its own cable network, as suggested above. It would be very instructive if they educated the electorate without assuming that Americans are too stupid to understand economics, diplomatic history, and the stratagems of propaganda.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:23 am 33. david:Forget Fox News. I would guess that Rupert Murdoch is after maximum numbers of viewers, and is so worried about the appearance of “fair and balanced” that his personnel are generally afraid to probe too deeply into the issues they raise.
I just watched Michelle Malkin discussing media bias. This election it is so complete that they have become a propoganda machine for the left and are thus utterly worthless, nay, unendurable. And it is not “every election”. This is the march of the lemmings into the sea and they are trying to take our country with them. The United States is resiliant but the destruction of Obama will be an order of magnitude worse than Carter who gave us Islamic Fudamentalist Terrorism as well as Ronald Reagan. The damage to the Middle East and the reputation of the United States as an allie will be nearly insurmountable. Bin Laden still thought the U.S. was
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:31 am 34. Northern Light:enslaved by the guilt we suffered over the abandonment of Viet Nam. He was obviously in error.
The effect of an Obama presidency will stand out in American history, if there is any one to write it.
There seem to be some Canadians responding here. Forgive us for eavesdropping on your election, we just had an election here that was awfully boring.
First, nobody is disputing that Palin went off message when she disapproved of cutting and running in Michigan. She is also quoted as saying she disapproves of the robo-calls. Those aren’t from unnamed sources, they are quotes from Palin herself.
Perhaps none of this outrage would have been directed at CNN if the headline read “Palin takes maverick stance on campaign”.
So far Republicans have lashed out at polling firms, the media, and the voter registration process. I guess all that’s left to attack is democracy and the American people. but there’s still a week and a half to go. More than enough time to find someone else to blame.
By the way, I really hope McCain wins. But anyone can see it’s slipped away from highly unlikely to damn near impossible.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:43 am 35. Mike_K:Canadians have no free speech and don’t want us to to have it either. Well, we have a good way to emulate the Canadian version of “free” speech. Vote for Obama and see how long before we have Human Rights Tribunals.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:43 am 36. NahnCee:Doncha just love it a lot when a dumb damn Canuck, forbidden free speech in their own hick country, parachutes into an American discussion and deigns to tell us all how badly we’re doing it?
Listen, moose-people — when you’re paying taxes in America, THEN you can have an opinion on our elections. Until then, STFU! We don’t need your loser backwards opinions — we can muddle through quite well on our own and *still* leave you-all gasping in our dust.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:47 am 37. Mack:Jeannette: What the freggin hell does a dumb lib from Canada know about America’s economy or healthcare?
You’re giving advice to Americans about healthcare when your own healthcare system is in the toilet, give me a break! (ò¿ó)
Canada is weak and impotent; their advice is mute and should not be ignored!
By the way, Clinton, Bareback Barney and the rest of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac democrats had everything to do with the mortgage foreclosure crisis.
BC: good neighbors?
We can tell by all your anti-American sentiments at the hockey games,If it weren’t for America Canada would be overrun by any rouge nation that wants it, and aren’t you having a Muslim immigration problem? Who’s going to bail you out of that mess? Canadians are a little ungrateful! Don’t you think?
“A useful idiot is a person who is a gullible, sometimes well intentioned, apologist for Communism, Marxism, Leninism and extreme forms of Socialism”.
Vladimir Lenin coined the term.
A Military Family War Hero or muslin trick baby, that’s a no brainier fool (ò¿ó)
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:54 am 38. cfbleachers:slurnalism The writing, broadcasting, wire servicing, of cheap theater and fraudulent “news” stories.
network fraudcast The TV element of slurnalism above. (see also, network fraudcaster
fauxtography The taking of slurnalism pictures, designed to intentionally mislead the viewer and leave them with a false impression. (see also, fauxtographer, fauxtoshoot, fauxtospread, fauxtoshopping)
Green Helmet Emmy The staging of a story by slurnalists and fauxtographers, in which an event which never took place is directed and produced complete with rehearsals, retakes and outtakes
anonymatic weapons The use by a slurnalist who has no legitimate sources, of layers upon layers of “unnamed” persons to slander someone, almost always on the opposite side of the political spectrum, to produce a “hit job”.
fauxmissions The act of a slurnalist or fraudcaster of intentionally omitting key facts and information from a story in order to give the viewer or reader a false impression and to disguise, shroud or misdirect the truth.
Oliver Twist Often used in Shillywood, the use of crockumentary tactics in which false facts, are weaved into actual events in order to make a story look conspiratorial and to produce a “long con slander”. (use as in “He gave that film an Oliver Twist. see also “mooring whips”…where a subject is beaten with a pack of lies using an “Oliver Twist” by a fat slob anarchist.)
S & P 100.
The worst offenders in slurnalism among deadwood calumnists and fraudcasters. The Slander & Pander 100 is much like a “most wanted” poster.
Deadwood Calumnist A member of the necrotic and dying ink stainers who have a 20 year old picture next to their name and above their pack of latest slurnalistic fauxmissions and anonymatic weapons.
infestigative reporter A slurnalist who poses as someone who is “digging” for a story, but really is there to create a “cockroach” effect, by teeming with hundreds and hundreds other vermin to plant a false idea over and over into the minds of viewers and readers. These are the “worker drones” doing their part in the Big Lie.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:14 am 39. Wrightman:Rudy and IC, you make interesting points. However, that’s not what I meant to say. Of course, all politicians are full of rhetoric and cliché. Some, though, are worse than others.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:23 am 40. susan:We’re talking about peforming to the media here, not just the politicians by themselves. The media’s job is to ask hard questions, not softies.
I grant that this bumff about Sarah’s expensive wardrobe is all leftish media hype. However, big however, who’s at fault? It was Sarah who’s billed herself as Jill Six-Pack. She reaps only what she herself has sown.
Dress in yer own clothes, you silly calf, if you bill yourself as an ordinary heffer.
Your solution is oh so simple. Fox TV is a pro-Republican outlet and CNN is generally pro-Dem. OK, go get Fox to ask Joe Biden hard questions and get Fox TV to report them. But please don’t whine about CNN unless you’re prepared to buy it from its owners or legislate reporing equity on TV.
You’re libertarians, right? I hope I hear you thowing up at this point.
Now to the matter at hand. Two legitimate TV reporters, Gibson and Couric, had prime-time interviews with Sarah Palin. I watched both of them. They were absolutely mainstream, fair-ball interviews with questions that were polite and actually required real answers. Ms Palin was a disaster.
Yet the format favored Ms Palin. Facing a hostile interviewer is an advantage, not an obstacle. In an interview where somebody asks you all the questions, it’s the interviewee who has the upper hand, not the interviewer. Sarah Palin had an invitation to say absolutely anything she felt like saying. She flunked.
This leads back to the question of Ms Palin’s general performance during interviews. When asked for specific answers to specific, fair questions, she has floated over the questions and glided into a pre-programmed ramble, beauty-queen style. You’re old enough to remember the pageants, aren’t you? Rambles about this, rambles about that, body language, and everything in-between for hot-buttons. McCain had all sorts of excellent women Republicans he could have chosen. He blew it on a show filly not ready to run.
BC, canadians are going to the USA when their social system fail.
This is the only thing they are interested in.
Canadians like any other bordering country just want to have something to exploit and get something for nothing.
A parasitic mentality that you probably share and practice.
Gimme Gimme Gimme is the code word, isn’t it BC? Does that stand for british columbia?
Oh I guess it’s all clear.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:23 am 41. AnonymousPatriot:Jeannette Parker:
Last time I checked, Canadians don’t get to vote in American elections (thank God!), ergo, your opinion on American politics doesn’t matter.
As far as your dislike for McCain/Palin goes; I’d vote for them even if they were both 100-years old. With age comes wisdom, humility and EXPERIENCE.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:32 am 42. elfman:Beautifully written and analysed!
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:34 am 43. heather:I am a Canadian.
Most Canadians are comfortable with Obama because most Canadians sit far to the left. We taxpayers up here support our version of NPR (CBC), and most people get their news via that network. We are “Nice.” We have “Human Rights Commissions” which harass anyone who disagrees with the Leftist view of the world. Read Mark Steyn and get the $10.00 book by Kathy Shaidle, “Tyranny of Nice”, to understand the full corrupt hypocrisy blanketing the Great White North.
Thus,BC and Jeanette. Neither realizes that be sitting beside the USofA, we have, like Europe, sat aside and let the US pay for OUR defense, throughout the last part of the 20th Century. Our economy depends upon the American one, because most Canadians live/huddle along the American/Canadian border in large urban settings. We make national parks out of our ‘wilderness’, and when any one wants to develop any of that wilderness, they have to jump through the endless bureaucratic hoops set up by Jeannette and BC so they can pretend to be tough when they ‘hike’ through one of our national parks.
The Province of BC would be almost at a 3rd world level after decades of socialist rule, except that under-the-table, its main export (to the USofA) is marijuana, grown throughout the pristine wilderness.
There would be no Alaska Highway connecting the south with Alaska without American labour and money. There would be no White Pass Railway linking the Pacific with the Yukon without British Money and American Engineering.
Canadians did not support the USofA after 9/11 because the ruling elite of the time was hand-in-glove with the French Total Elf Fina oil company, which at the time had a very big contract with Saddam Hussein to develop one of the Iraqi oilfields.
Do you want me to go on, Jeannette? When we Canadians actually contribute more than a grudging penny to our OWN defense; when we actually look to our OWN country as a place to develop for our OWN people; when we actually start reproducing at an actual replacement rate instead of depending upon third world immigration;
then, we can afford to sneer at the Yanks.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:38 am 44. Kelvin:It all comes to when I see or hear any news that I don’t like, I will question the credibility of the source of the news. But I won’t question the credibility of the news that I like/agree on.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:47 am 45. OhCrapIHaveACrushOnSarahPalin:Claudia – good points made about unverified sources. I made the point yesterday that it was just a bunch of leaks to the press, part of a strategy to scapegoat Palin for something that hasn’t even happened yet.
I guess we’ll see.
Oct 26, 2008 - 11:56 am 46. heather:Furthermore, the Transnational Elite (among whom reside most Canadians) have not thought through the consequences of the USofA withdrawing from its ‘foreign committments.’ Neither have Americans, by the way. It is a FACT that the USA’s military is the world’s municipal cop. It replaced the Brits after 1945.
Obama is an isolationist, with a veneer of liking the banquets they lay out in Brussels, but that is about it.
Just a question: what happens when the USA decides to draw down the Fifth Fleet in the Pacific??? Hmmm.
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:00 pm 47. Elayne:CNN, together with NBC, CBS, PBS, ABC most of the entertainment industry, has lowered itself to a degraded form of political news coverage, as noted in Claudia Rossett’s article. Where did any of these anchors and reporters go to to journalism school? What personal principles encourage and allow them to so blatantly violate the public trust? And when did any of the schools of note, such as Columbia, ever advocate that quoting unnamed sources in order to slime a candidate upholds the highest ethical standards of journalism that they claim?
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:01 pm 48. Gunner Sykes:The “Palin going Rogue” article shows that CNN has sunk to the level of washed-up, has-been Dan Rather. All are complicit in a massive fraud being committed against Americans, and the pollution of the election process that has been, up to recently, the honorable legacy of our Founding Fathers.
Unnamed sources placed very highly in the Obama camp assure me that CNN has only the best interests of the public at heart and that things will be much better as soon as Obama is elected.
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:05 pm 49. Marc Malone:BC – Don’t presume to lecture momof3 about being a good neighbor. If YOU want to try being a good neighbor, butt out of our business.
Americans, in general, have a poor opinion of Canadians. Yours is a socialist State. You have high unemployment always. During the Cold War, we couldn’t count on you to fund your military properly. It was too small, and used obsolete equipment. We can’t get you to properly seal your borders. You’re our greatest liability as regards to terrorism. The list goes on and on.
The whole free world does indeed rely on us… because everyone else is so danged ineffective. Don’t presume to criticize how we do things, because it affects you. If you don’t like it, carry your share of the load, then we’ll talk. Anything else is just being an armchair general.
Never in my lifetime has any other country asked what they can do for the U.S., but they’ve always been quick to look to the U.S. for help. They have always had opinions on how we should behave and how we should allocate our resources, but never want our input on their ways. Hypocrites all.
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:21 pm 50. jane:Perhaps Jeannette takes time away from standing in line trying to get specilized testing done in Canada to work on Palin’s staff? How else would she KNOW “Palin needs constant coaching in what she should say?” Or perhaps even Canadiens get the DNC talking points or read the left wing blogs?
Who knows – there probably is unrest in both the Obama & the McCain campaign. Don’t you imagine that there are Obama aides pulling their hair out everytime Biden opens his flapping mouth?
The CNN article is nothing more than unsourced rumors – why would anyone believe it?
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:36 pm 51. Tom:Palin is right to distance herself from the disastrous campaign that McCain has been running. Just look at one aspect of the McCain campaign. McCain has been unable to explain his health care plan – which is a good one, to transfer the tax credit for health insurance from corporations to individuals – and is getting killed by the Obama campaign which is falsely accusing McCain that he wants to tax health care benefits. McCain probably does not understand the plan himself, so he cannot defend it. McCain’s performance has been disastrous since the financial crisis began and the only person that helped him was Joe the Plumber. However, Joe the Plumber cannot salvage the McCain campaign – the only thing that can save the McCain campaign is an upside explosion of the stock market next week which will take the Dow back to above 10,000. Given the very low probability of that event taking place, Palin is right to think more of 2012 than 2008, which is probably a goner for Republicans in any case. She has the experience to relate to. She was running for Lieutenant Governor in Alaska in 2002. She lost, but the experience gained helped her to capture the Governorship in 2006.
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:58 pm 52. davod:17. Richard Rhodes: Stop it.
Oct 26, 2008 - 12:59 pm 53. sbmcgraw:IS IT POSSIBLE TO START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MEDIA…?
If I had millions, I’d figure a way to take the NYT, CNN and bunch of others to court for criminal intent to fraud the public.
Isn’t this possible?
Oct 26, 2008 - 1:09 pm 54. MG:2 words… Eason Jordan
No other name is necessary to explain why CNN deserves to have its US corporate charter revoked.
Oct 26, 2008 - 1:24 pm 55. USAF Captain:NahnCee writes:
“We don’t need your loser backwards opinions — we can muddle through quite well on our own and *still* leave you-all gasping in our dust..”
Right on, Nancy! Why, we could even kick the crap out of them with The Messiash as POTUS tied to us..
..it’d be close, though!
Oct 26, 2008 - 1:26 pm 56. AdrianS:The extensive broadening of John McCain’s presidential popularity.
http://www.nextgenerationcorp.com/NextGenBlog/?p=75
Is it Obamalies or Lies Obama tells?
Oct 26, 2008 - 1:33 pm 57. JMS2008:http://www.nextgenerationcorp.com/NextGenBlog/?p=73
Oh, Jeannette. You really don’t know what you’re talking about. If you’re so sure Sarah Palin is not qualified to be VP, please explain to me, then, how Barack Obama is qualified to be President. I don’t mean that rhetorically. I really want to know. Anyone I’ve asked that to has been unable to answer. One person actually said, “Well, I just love the way he talks.” Wow. In that case, let’s elect James Earl Jones. I love the way he talks, and my guess is he’d be a way better President than Obama.
So, even though Obama is running for President and Palin for VP, let’s compare Governor Palin and Senator Obama on experience. Palin has 10 years experience in executive branch government (as mayor and governor) to Obama’s zero. Palin has stood up to her party, Obama never has. In fact, if Obama wins this election, he’ll spend the entirety of his first and only term rewarding all the people who backed him. That payback will take at least 4 years, maybe more. McCain and Palin won’t have to waste their (or our) time doing cow-towing to anyone. Let’s continue: Governor Palin has taken on big oil returning $1,200+ to every citizen of the state (not just some people, everyone), and she balanced her $11B state budget (ending up with a surplus). Obama? What would he do with a surplus (let’s just pretend he could ever have one)? Hmm. Spend spend spend more more more!!! Palin has accomplishments under her belt. What does Obama have under his belt? His belly button.
Now onto Joe Biden. He slammed Obama on his lack of experience during the Democratic primary. Now, he’s the VP nominee. He accepted so he could enhance his career, not because he believes Obama will be a good president. How many of his so-called “gaffes” are really gaffes? Hillary would have been a better VP choice: true. Obama will be tested by a generated international crisis: true. It won’t be apparent that Obama will have the correct response to such a crisis: true – probably because he won’t know the correct response, just as he didn’t know how to respond to Russia’s attack on Georgia. Biden has the same diseaase Jack Murtha has: Foot-in-mouth disease.
Obama/Biden: These two gumballs don’t know their ass from third base, and you, Jeannette, want them elected. Thank goodness you can’t vote in the U.S. I realize that your lack of choices and freedoms to run your own life up there in Canada makes you wish you could participate in some sort of political discussion, but please know what you’re talking about before you do. Down here, we don’t need the government to baby us. Even those of us who aren’t rich prefer to make our own choices so we can take our lives in any direction we choose. I don’t need hand outs from the government at the expense of citizens who have experienced financial success. Good for them. I’ve made my own choices, and I am very happy with my life as it is. I don’t need money from the government. I’d rather have jobs and a stimulated economy. I’d rather not see business move out of the U.S. to countries where they can be more profitable. I’d like to see those businesses be profitable here. We are not a culture of bitterness and resentment toward the rich, with a “what about me?” mentality. We are a culture of choice and opportunity, freedom and privacy, responsibility and independence. We make our own decisions and live with them. That is freedom. Keep your handouts, Jeannette. In my opinion, handouts only create dependence on government, and when that happens, no one can improve. That’s not hope. That’s just sad.
Oct 26, 2008 - 1:39 pm 58. Old Soldier:Wrightman, it must give you great pain to recall that the woman you disparage as a “calf” and a “filly” is in fact the governor of the largest state in the union, and that she got there entirely on her own merit. She continues to draw enormous crowds wherever she goes, exciting and inspiring people of all ages to get involved and stay involved in a race many of us had little interest in before her selection. And lastly, unlike many of her critics, she’ll continue to be an important figure in the Republican Party when she’s Vice President.
Oct 26, 2008 - 2:03 pm 59. Paul:CNN is hit and miss on their journalism and communism. Sometimes they do good reporting.. othertimes you think it must be written by dailygross.
-Paul
Oct 26, 2008 - 2:05 pm 60. RE:http://mccainpalin2008.blogspot.com
Last time I checked, Canadians don’t get to vote in American elections (thank God!), ergo, your opinion on American politics doesn’t matter.
Is that true? I’m not so sure anymore. ACORN just might have a workaround in place for little nuisance details like that. There’s also that Ohio attorney general that seems inclined to look the other way if you have the correct political views.
Our corrupt media has put us on the road to becoming a banana republic. An Obama administration will fully leverage this MSM propaganda arm as it assaults our First Amendment rights, accelerating our devolution. George Orwell must be spinning in his grave.
Oct 26, 2008 - 2:11 pm 61. rachel peepers:If CNN wants a real news story about Palin, check out how Drew Griffin came up with such an untruthful question when he quoted Byron York’s National Review article. Who did the research on the question? Who approved the question? Was it a mistake or intentional? Why didn’t Griffen or CNN publicly apologize to Sarah Palin. CNN, now get to work.
Oct 26, 2008 - 2:22 pm 62. Jim Ritchie:Dear Claudia: Accumulating evidence is being created by The MSM itself against its own consistent and relentless violations of The Ethics of Journalists (cited above by cfbleachers)and it is vitally important to complain and record that:
Oct 26, 2008 - 2:31 pm 63. cjg of eroticalee:(1) The MSM has been the functional equivalent of “A 527 Organization” operating as a political advocate of The Barack Obama Presidential Campaign. The 527-MSM is subjected to all federal restrictions, regulations and prohibitions of The Campaign Finance Laws (beyond the scope of provisions of those Lawe exempting news orgs. which are in fact functioning as fair and balanced news orgs).
(2) The after-election analysis will high-light what we all know–that The 527-MSM has not merely covered but “covered for” Obama’s life experience and alliances to this point, it has been his campaign staff for “spin”, “spin-control”, protecting The One, attacking any emerging truth that may reveal His Flaws, attacking any one who dares to inquire into his prior words or actions, generating poisonous lies, accusations, smear, ridicule and outright intimidating humiliation against anyone or any thing The 527-MSM perceived to threaten Obama’s self-created “image”.
(3) This role as Obama’s lobbyist, Barack’s propagandist, his spin-doctor, his working “round-the-clock” staff, Obama’s writing brigade and stealth-means for penetrating the “mind-of The-Public”, when performed by The 527- MSM “carries tremendously more weight with The Public” than could any law-constricted campaign-staff or candidate acting without benefit of “Such A Heavy Lifter”, ie, The Gorilla In The Ring For Obama—-The 527 MSM.
(4) Then, whew, we get to The 527 MSM’s chinese water torture “job” against McCain from inside the McCain Campaign itself !! Oh, how does that work ? Why, of course, by those “professional journalists” embedded within based on the false-assumption accepted by McCain’s Staff that “these are fair and ethical journalists”.
(5) No, no, and no again—now we know beyond any doubt that no such representatives of The MSM exist—All The MSMs Are 527 Organizations Acting Sub Rosa, that is, deceitfully, they’re (ala Gore) “playing on our” Good Faith Attribution of Good Ethics and Fairness On The Part of The MSM. Now that seems incredibly naive in retrospect !!
GREAT ARTICLE CLAUDIA, Jim Ritchie of Roswell, Georgia.
A very polite “up yours Jeanette” from a fellow Canadian.You sound like a typical NDPer or Liberal who can’t keep their opinions out of other peoples politics and couldn’t get their own party out of “honorable opposition” status in the last election.A slight correction for you Heather.Something like 90% of BC bud is grown in what are called grow-ops not in the pristine wilderness.
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:11 pm 64. zeppenwolf:Jeannette Parker: Palin needs constant coaching in what she should say.
Not like Obama. He needs constant “advising” in what he should say.
Jeannette Parker: She is not qualified to be running for Vice-President.
If “qualified” means going to an ivy-league school, mastering the art of talking forever without saying anything, making nice with the corrupt Chicago political machine, voting present, hanging out with Ayers, Khalidi, Wright, Rezko, etc, never having run anything in an executive way, funneling millions of dollars to wacko lefty “education” groups, etc…
then no– she’s not qualified to be Vice-President.
But in that case, would you consider allowing her to take a much less demanding job? Say, governing Canada?
PS: Mark Steyn says, “Hello.”
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:11 pm 65. Cat:8. Jeannette Parker:
That is strange, your worried that Palin is not qualified to be a Vice President. Come on tell us the qualifications that Obama has in being the President. I guess one of the qualifications is that he is a Socialist, he wants to take money from the rich (which in reality Obama considers the rich to earn a mere $42,000.00) Here in the states that is middle class. I guess his example of middle class are those who earn less and they do not pay taxes. Oh well I guess they have to pay around 2 or 3%. I really would like to know his other qualifications from a Social Worker that has never run anything. Oh I forgot the people he hangs out with. Aren’t they such good human beings. I would love to have a terroist as a friend and one that says “God Damn America”.
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:23 pm 66. Cat:Also I really thought that this election was who the American people were going to put in as President.
FYI – We are doing really well here financially.
I would like to congratulate your country for the victory of the Conservative Party leader and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. How wonderful.
And last of all don’t waste your time with “vote for Obama please” as it will not make a difference for us.
17. Richard Rhodes:
Richard – Jeanette speaks as if she is a Canadian. So if she is she is probably getting her major liberal view from Canada. I did congratulate her on the victory of the Conservative Party leader and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:30 pm 67. Karen:Honestly, y’all should do what I do. Whenever I hear one of those stations doing a bash job on McCain or Palin (while singing the praises of JOE and OBAMA), I turn the TV off (or switch the station). It does wonders for my blood pressure. I don’t buy newspapers anymore either because they’re mostly filled with biased crap.
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:38 pm 68. Mack:heather: I applaud you for stating the truth. (ë¿ë)
We could use more levelheaded people like yourself with commonsense down here in the USA. (ô¿ô)
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” ~John Adams
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:46 pm 69. Cat:26. Ash_N:
Oct 26, 2008 - 3:50 pm 70. Patrick Taylor:Thans Ash_N for the article. Great article.
I think Heather just handed Jeanette and BC their respective heads on a platter. Well said, well played…and well, there you have it Canada!
Oct 26, 2008 - 4:03 pm 71. Jake:Unfortunately Heather is right. Canada is not a normal country. Our national culture is primarily rooted in not being Americans – and in national bureaucracies. We’re the Non-Americans w/ a national health care system. Oh and we’re nice and civil, which means that we don’t enjoy the freedoms of speech and assembly – those promote incivility and bad feelings after all. And our national media is effectively an organ of the state.
Oct 26, 2008 - 4:32 pm 72. NahnCee:“Right on, Nancy! Why, we could even kick the crap out of them with The Messiash as POTUS tied to us..
..it’d be close, though!”
I always thought that Seattle, Washington and Bill Gates on one end and Maine on the other could defeat Canada all by themselves. Texas could take out Mexico. And Hawaii could handle Japan. I *know* New York could deal with Yurp. Leaving the rest of us to try to deal with the traitors and no-goodniks like Wright, Ayers and Dohrne who are trying to take over in our midst.
Oct 26, 2008 - 4:42 pm 73. Sandra M:The CBS interview with Katie Couric was the single most damaging Palin event.
Nicole Wallace, assigned to Palin’s team was with CBS. If she arranged either the interview with her chum Katie or with Charlie at ABC, she should be kicked out.
Friday morning, I heard Palin was to give a major policy address. I got excited and then learned her subject was to be “special needs children”. Sorry, but what makes me fume is the neglect of gifted children in our educational system. We throw tons of money at children who may someday learn to tie their own shoelaces. One such kid was FLOWN BY JET to school at a cost of $300,000. Insane.
I wanted Palin on the ticket because of her expertise in energy. I want her to give a major policy address on energy independence, and drilling for oil which the Democrats, confident of victory, have already said they’ll have nothing to do with.
If McCain/Palin don’t win, I will the next day look for people to join me in a Palin for President effort.
Oh! And I don’t want her giving that great wardrobe (which someone else bought without her input) back. She’s going to need it.
Oct 26, 2008 - 5:12 pm 74. pica:You really think this is a CNN hit-job? You really believe the other media reporting this story are making it up? You really don’t believe that panicking individuals within the McCain camp are covering their asses, thinking of their next career move and leaking in all diections?
Really?
Oct 26, 2008 - 5:19 pm 75. Jim Baker:The media has been just as one-sided in every Presidential election I have witnessed in my lifetime. This is not new, folks. My opinion is that a real conservative candidate could have smoked this communist. McCain can’t draw enough of a contrast with the communist. I wish he could, because I think the communist will do irreparable damage to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
Oct 26, 2008 - 5:31 pm 76. Wrightman:I tend to agree that Jeanette should be barred at the border.
Oct 26, 2008 - 5:44 pm 77. USAF Captain:However, what border would that be? Talk about this blog being tied to a red herring (no pun intended). Jeanette could be a troll for the RNC, not a real canuck. The canucks I know apologize when they stumble into someone else’s house. They don’t brag about being canucks. Also, they don’t go round saying Americans are friendly.
If the RNC is now trolling Willie Horton as a Dumb Canuck, the RNC is in a bit of trouble.
Apologies for the “calf” and “filly” remark I made above. I meant absolutely no disrespect, and was trying to be humorous. Ms Palin has a great, spontaneous presence and a sharp wit. Unfortunately, she’s channelling the Reagan message at exactly the wrong time. Republican Washington is dead in this election.
She’s a great young find, though, and will blossom in about 2012.
Sandra M writes:
“If McCain/Palin don’t win, I will the next day look for people to join me in a Palin for President effort.
Oh! And I don’t want her giving that great wardrobe (which someone else bought without her input) back. She’s going to need it.”
..Sandra, me too (on both counts). When (if) you have to start your effort, count me in. (I can send along my e-mail address if you like and we can get this ball rolling now.)
Wrightman (above) has it nailed; I really believe that the pendulum has swung to it’s apex (perigee?) and four years of “Ears’n'Plugs” (Obama/Biden) and Pelosi-Reid will just about trash the country enough so that people will be clamoring for another Reagan. Sarah will just about fit the bill and come out of nowhere because the lib trolls and MSM will think of her as having been dismissed as yesterday’s news. They will underestimate the seething rage that will have built up from Carter II.
2012 == 1980.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:24 pm 78. Ken Horne:YOU HAVE GOT TO GET THE STORY OUT OF THE LA TIMES STOPPING THE RELEASE OF A VIDEOTAPE OF OBAMA AND RASHID TOASTING THE END OF ISRAEL.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:31 pm 79. Cat:SURELY SOMEONE ELSE HAS A COPY.
GET MCCAIN TO DEMAND THAT IT IS SHOWN ASAP!!!
73. pica
Hey, in some countries your name is obsene. Either you know what it means or before picking a name do some research. Also, before talking I would do some research with the media. You might find out some interesting things. You might find out how the media has been so biased and finally even NYT (Not Yet True)newspaper has endorsed BO. I’m sure you will learn a lot.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:41 pm 80. Kelvin:To all radical conservatives out there. I bet most of you voted for Bush in the past 2 elections. Which means that you are responsible for the mess United States in. Now, do you have anything to say about that?
And I still don’t understand that you would label Obama a socialist when McCain and Palin have never said that he is.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:45 pm 81. momof3:BC: we don’t give a rats ass about being good neighbors to you. The only reason Canada is still a country is no one dares to invade an American neighbor. Something that won’t hold true come an Obama Presidency. So unless you’re one of the muslim canadians, you better pray Obama loses.
You can talk about how great canada is compared to the US when people from all over the world, including the US, give their lives trying to sneak INTO your country. Till then, STFU, as has already been suggested.
Oct 26, 2008 - 7:46 pm 82. AnonymousPatriot:#78 Kelvin:
Your post is testimony to exactly what Claudia Rosett was pointing out. You obviously subscribe to the NYT and watch CNN for your “news.”
Oct 26, 2008 - 8:56 pm 83. Scott:Jeannette…If it were not for Gilles Duceppe’s 5th column (the BQ)Stephen Harper would have a vast majority
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:16 pm 84. Scott:I do admire Jack Layton….
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:19 pm 85. Kelvin:What part of Mrs. Rosett writings that I am testifying? And by the way, I also read Wall St Journal, CNN.com, Fox, ABC, Time magazine, and Yahoo News. Where do you get your sources from?
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:21 pm 86. heather:77. USAF Captain:
Sandra M writes: “If McCain/Palin don’t win, I will the next day look for people to join me in a Palin for President effort. Oh! And I don’t want her giving that great wardrobe (which someone else bought without her input) back. She’s going to need it.”
..Sandra, me too (on both counts). When (if) you have to start your effort, count me in. (I can send along my e-mail address if you like and we can get this ball rolling now.)
As a Canadian, I can’t help Sarah. But I would advise Palin supporters – if McCain loses – to watch Alaska closely. There will be a concerted effort to destroy Palin by the Dems who know a great opponent when they see her.
Oct 26, 2008 - 9:42 pm 87. Ron:Sarah Palin is John McCain and the GOP’s “Fatal Attraction”. She and her AIP supporters infiltrated, manipulated and “destroyed the GOP” in Alaska, and used the party base to get governorship. She is now manipulating the lower 48 GOP and using McCain to entrench herself in the hearts and minds of the Party. Watch out for this cute pit bully.
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:42 pm 88. Terrence:Do you somehow think it would be better if this story hadn’t been reported because cowardly (or wise) sources refused to go on the record? Ideally, yes — the sources should have been named….but would you, as a journalist, have spiked this story because of that if you knew it to be true?
Oct 26, 2008 - 10:57 pm 89. Huan:McCain has not run a very good campaign. I still hope he wins over the socialist. That Palin has disagreement with how the campaign is a healthy sign for Palin. On the stump she has pushed the envelope of what McCain needs to say but hasn’t. Never has she spoken against him or weakened him like Joe Biden has with Obama.
I say this report strengthens my respect for her, not weaken it.
Oct 27, 2008 - 5:18 am 90. SiouxLady:Terrence: Unnamed sources tell me your real name is Chris and that your leg still thrills everytime Obama speaks. Twas a named source, Evan Thomas of Newsweek, who told us in 2004 that biased media coverage accounted for 15 points of a Democrat leads over a Republican. (Google “Evan Thomas fifteen points.) So subtract 15 from O’s lead in the polls and you’ll get the real, not manufactured, sentiment for an O presidency.
Kelvin: I voted for Bush/Cheney both times. I regret some of their socialistic actions (NCLB & Medicare Part B), but not my vote. All I have to do is remember that we could have had Gore or Kerry – pale (no pun intended) versions of Obama’s rank socialism
(”spread the wealth” as in “from each according to his ability; to each according to his need”) I surely do not need McCain or Palin to tell me what to think of Obama as, apparently, you need Obama to tell you what’s what.
JMS2008 – Unfortunately, apparently, less than 50.1% of us agree with you.
Oct 27, 2008 - 5:56 am 91. Believer:In response to #80:
I’d like voters to remember two things:
1. Obama promotes “spreading the wealth around.”
2. Obama worked to “spread homeownership around.”
We all now know how disastrous that was: it caused the crisis in our financial institutions and subsequently, our market meltdown. It’s had global repercussions as well.
I guess that’s what he meant when he said he’d change America and change the world.
But this should come as no surprise. Chaos and despair have surrounded Obama for decades. His way has never worked. Look at his own backyard: Chicago. It’s again the murder capitol of America.
I’m not willing to let this man do any more damage to our great nation.
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:01 am 92. Broadsword:The name of the film escapes me, but the mind’s eye I can see the WWII GI saying something like this, “Look it’s the straight dope. I got it from a guy who knows a guy who was there when this other guy heard him say it to another guy.” (Might have been Stalag 17.) Heh.
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:19 am 93. SiouxLady:Cripes, I shoulda gone to Powerline first where this gem appears. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck Obama himself defends his socialistic views.
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:22 am 94. Bob:Jeanette Parker: “[Palin] is not qualified to be running for Vice-President.” And John Edwards was more acceptable during in the previous presidential campaign? He had only 2 years experience in the US senate; prior to that, he was a trial lawyer. Heck, at least Obama had some time as a state senator. But somehow Edwards was amply qualified in your eyes?
Unlike Obama, who previously never ran opposed (in Illinois, he had his opponent disqualified), Palin actually ran against some entrenched interests, and won. And unlike Obama, she didn’t need the help of an established political machine to carry water for her.
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:26 am 95. Michael:And that’s the whole point Terrence. The media is so biased and has been caught in so many “mistakes” that only lean one way that people don’t trust any journalist. Journalists report what they WISH to be true on a regular basis and that is why they are becoming irrelevent. Only Obama can save them now.
Oct 27, 2008 - 7:52 am 96. Doug:I’m an American, but I’ve been living abroad for many years. I agree that those CNN sources should be named, and that sensationalism drives the mainstream media. While most of you apparently believe the media bias is all to the left, however, in fact the wingnuts spin in both directions–Bill O’Reilly, Bill Kristol, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh are just a few that revolve to the right.
What scares me is the way Palin, and to a lesser extent McCain, have incited such hate and divisiveness in public forums. Do you seriously believe getting someone in the audience to yell “Kill him!” about your opponent is a responsible act? I sure don’t. Maybe I’m not a “real American” anymore, but that is not the America I grew up in, nor do I believe it is an America I would want to live in again.
What I’m truly shocked at, though, is the level of belligerence and provincialism expressed here. Momof3’s comment (”we don’t give a rats ass about being good neighbors to you. The only reason Canada is still a country is no one dares to invade an American neighbor.”) is one stark example. Believe it or not, folks, the U.S. does not exist in isolation. We need our neighbors in Canada, and Mexico, and those in Europe and Asia and elsewhere, too. We’re all woven into the same tapestry. They’ve both acted as our financial enablers and ridden the money wave we generated.
Now it turns out that that wave was made of cotton candy–tasty, but mostly air and unhealthy to boot. The resulting financial meltdown has most of us scared to tears and either hunkering down or lashing out blindly.
Bottom line: No one who encourages divisiveness the way McCain and Palin have should be elected to lead the U.S. when the global economy is stuttering and the world needs to pull together.
Oct 27, 2008 - 8:10 am 97. Kelvin:Siouxlady,
Could you tell me the reasons and proof why you believe that Kerry and Gore are Socialists? What about Bill Clinton? Do you think he’s a Socialist?
Here’s some facts:
Democrat’s Clinton 8 year administration left US 5.6 trillion dollars of budget surplus. Compared to Bush’s 8 year administration legacy of more than 10 trillion dollar U.S debt. (Source: LA Times, CNN, Wall St Journal, factcheck.org, etc)
And as for “you don’t need McCain or Palin to tell what Obama is”? These Socialists and Marxist labelling started when McCain and Palin implied so in their rallys. Soon after that, you started calling Obama, Biden, and apparently democrats, as Socialists.
Oct 27, 2008 - 8:13 am 98. veracious:I look forward to a Palin presidency. In a land without a core of strong men to chose leaders from, I thank God that he raises up a woman to fill the gap.
She’s another Margaret Thatcher in the making.
Leadership isn’t a matter of sticking ones finger in the air, to see which way the wind is blowing. It’s chosing the path of righteouseness and leading that way courageously, against all odds.
Oct 27, 2008 - 9:34 am 99. veracious:Kelvin 97.,
It’s understood by most that the government purse is owned by the legislative branch. That seems to skew the Clinton VS Bush financial eras quite some.
However, POTUS _has_ shown himself to lean heavily towards world views rather than American.
Oct 27, 2008 - 9:45 am 100. Drew:Compared to today’s hard-news journalists, Walter Winchell was a documentarian!
Oct 27, 2008 - 10:03 am 101. BMusic:One thing that is of great concern for all of us in America is the reenactment of the Fairness Doctrine under the Obama administration. Under this you can bet what little remaining money you have left that Pelosi, Reid and Obama will make sure that conservative talk radio and tv will be shut down and be supposedly replaced with “fair and balanced” (but edited). Closely following this will be control of the internet – you can bet that will occur also. Control of free thought and speech plus indoctrination into this new change of politics Obama promises will sweep across the U.S. If you’ve read some of the small print to Obama’s welfare/tax (your money give aways) – the college tuition will have strings attached that require community (Peace Corps) or military sign up agreements. This smacks to much of indoctrination into an “Obama nation” if you have seen some of the videos and discussions held on different news channels – Fox, CNN, ABC. I’m trying not to be an alarmist but this man has come up too quickly from no where, with WAY too much money from the internet, with some very questionable Marxist/Leninist liasons and is married to a woman who has some very strong “black libertarion theology” leanings.
Oct 27, 2008 - 10:08 am 102. jerryofva:Doug:
There you go again repeating a lie. The Secret Service investigated the “kill him” charge and found that nobody in the vicinity of this so-called journalist heard it. It’s an MSM big lie. There was a similar incident in 2004 when at a rally in Milwaukee (I think) an AP reporter claimed that when President Bush informed the crowd of Elizabeth Edward’s cancer diagnosis and asked for prayers the crowd boo-ed. Fortunately the TV cameras were rolling and word got out quickly that the AP story was a flat out lie.
If you want to see who really spews hate take a look at this: http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/27/the-tolerance-of-the-left/
Now tell me who are the haters? One way I know of determining what is in the mind of the left is listening to what they say about their opponents. It is merely a projection of their own hate an corruption onto their political opponents.
Oct 27, 2008 - 10:32 am 103. Kelvin:Veracious #99
While the government purse is owned by the legislative branch, the executive branch plays the major role of determining the economy and budget policy with the approval of the legislative branch.
And I’d also like to point out that The Republican party was the majority of the legislative branch for 6 years before The democratic party took over. Therefore, For 6 years, Republican party had a complete control of the government.
And my questions are still not answered. Do you think Bill Clinton is/was a socialist?
Oct 27, 2008 - 10:42 am 104. SiouxLady:Kelvin, As I recall, Clinton inherited a going economy from Bush 41 (who inherited that from Reagan). In 1994, Republicans took control of the House of Representatives and Clinton (no fool he – like Obama now hastening toward the center) announced, “The era of Big Government is over.” Thus, the surplus. However, when Bush 43 took over in 2000, the economy due to Clinton was in mild recession, then 9/11 due to Clinton’s ineptitude, then Katrina, then Saddam was taken out, yeah! This is what ate up the “Clinton” surplus.
You said in your previous post, “And I still don’t understand that you would label Obama a socialist when McCain and Palin have never said that he is.” Now you say “These Socialists and Marxist labelling started when McCain and Palin implied so in their rallys.” Your gonna (as Barack would say) have to keep your story straight from comment to comment.
Clinton,Gore and Kerry, like McCain, “are mixed economy-ists.” With McCain being somewhat less so than the first three.
Obama is a “Red Diaper” baby. So really the only question is whether he is an “International” Socialist like the Lenin, Stalin,”We-will-bury-you- Khruschevian Comminternists, a “National” Socialist like Hitler, Mussolini and Franco or a Fabian Socialist like Sydney and Beatrice Webb.
You tell me . . .
Oct 27, 2008 - 10:43 am 105. Kelvin:SiouxLady
Actually, Clinton inherited a recession from Bush Sr. Remember the Gulf War? Which was the main cause of the economic problem of the time? Now it’s Iraq war by Bush Jr. and the recession. Sounds familiar?
And please note that “implying” is not the same as “saying”.
And here’s another fact:
Bruce Carruthers, a sociology professor at Northwestern University; Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution; They both said that Obama is not a socialist (Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-obama-chicago-socialist,0,4048540.story)
Now, you tell me…
Oct 27, 2008 - 11:15 am 106. jerryofva:Doug:
There you go again repeating a lie. The Secret Service investigated the “kill him” charge and found that nobody in the vicinity of this so-called journalist heard it. It’s an MSM big lie. There was a similar incident in 2004 when at a rally in Milwaukee (I think) an AP reporter claimed that when President Bush informed the crowd of Elizabeth Edward’s cancer diagnosis and asked for prayers the crowd boo-ed. Fortunately the TV cameras were rolling and word got out quickly that the AP story was a flat out lie.
If you want to see who really spews hate take a look at this: http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/27/the-tolerance-of-the-left/
Now tell me who are the haters? One way I know of determining what is in the mind of the left is listening to what they say about their opponents. It is merely a projection of their own hate and corruption onto their political opponents.
Oct 27, 2008 - 11:20 am 107. Kelvin:And please also remember that your Social Security system, Medicare, your public schools education system, there are a lot of socialism elements in those systems.
Oct 27, 2008 - 11:26 am 108. James V. Yardley III:Is the MSM biased? Of course it is. It might be considered the worst display of factual distortion in the history of our great democracy…except that it isn’t! I recommend to everyone a book by Eric Burns, “Infamous Scribblers” which traces the beginnings of American journalism, and from reading it I’d have to say that today’s media is rather calm. Granted you have to grade on a curve, but it’s something. But the point I’d like to make is that we, Republicans, Democrats, liberal/progressive, conservative, and whatever other splinters of opinion float around our nation need to agree, and fight vigorously, ANY attempt to muzzle the media. The Fairness Doctrine is utterly unconstitutional. Nowhere does the First Amendment limit the level of bias in a published article.
Besides, do you really think the MSM will favor the Fairness Doctrine once conservatives realize that they can demand time on CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC et al?
Oct 27, 2008 - 11:55 am 109. Robert Hurley:Believer:
What are you going to do when Obama wins? I wonder if you will refuse your handouts – Social Security and Medicare?
Oct 27, 2008 - 1:04 pm 110. Robert Hurley:This from Chriopher Hitchens
“This is what the Republican Party has done to us this year: It has placed within reach of the Oval Office a woman who is a religious fanatic and a proud, boastful ignoramus. Those who despise science and learning are not anti-elitist. They are morally and intellectually slothful people who are secretly envious of the educated and the cultured. And those who prate of spiritual warfare and demons are not just “people of faith” but theocratic bullies. On Nov. 4, anyone who cares for the Constitution has a clear duty to repudiate this wickedness and stupidity.”
Oct 27, 2008 - 1:21 pm 111. juliej:CNN and all the mainstream media…WHO NEEDS YOU ANYMORE?!!! We find more credible news everyday through the internet. I don’t even turn on the TV anymore and I’m more knowledgable about current events and politics than any Professor I know.
So their advertisers are spending money and keeping them in business BUT NO ONE IS WATCHING…. 2008 the year the media is irrevalent!
Oct 27, 2008 - 4:02 pm 112. narciso:Sarah has challenged the Murkowski,-Stevens machine, the recalcitrant oil companies who were willing not to drill, but live of their reserves; crooks like Ruedrich, hacks like Lyda Green (the source of the Trigtrutherism)
She’s right on guns, ballistic missile defense, our role in the middle east, the pro-life question, traditional family values. She saw Kennedy, Boumedienne, & co
as get out of jail (or noose) free cards for
rapists, and terrorists. She realizes that responsible energy exploration; is a key to economic development; hence her work on the pipeline. She’s not arrogant enough to imagine that we’re responsible for global warning. She recognizes that Putin’s neo-czarism is a bad idea.
Actually the S&L crisis was a precursor to the Subprime mess. It was a result of the deregulation of Democrats such as Freddy St. Germain, was propped by Jim Wright in Texas, Keating in Arizona and Ohio, and California
Oct 27, 2008 - 5:38 pm 113. Diggins:Kerrey in Massachussetts (who had David Paul, the frontman for Saudi financier Ghaith
Pharaon, as his Democratic SenatorialCampaign
treasurer) It fell to Bush to deal with this problem, as it would likely fall to McCain; even though the culprits from Countrywide to Fanny Mae and Washington Mutual are almost all on the Democratic side of the aisle.
..Grow up..”Sarah Palin is nothing more than a soundbite with lipstick”..
Oct 27, 2008 - 5:41 pm 114. Marina:As I’ve alreaedy said, my post is being blocked. If anyone is interested in Obama’s “CROWD FRAUD”, please, help us:
(our previous post):
OBAMA FAKE CROWDS:
http://strata-sphere.com/blog/index.php/archives/6765
Please, read it if you want, but please, please send it to Rush, one of our last mouthes:
ElRushbo@eibnet.com
MY PROVIDER BLOCKS IT ALL THE TIME, PLEASE HELP ME,
OBAMA REALLY FAKES HIS CROWDS!!!!!!!!!
Send it to Rush or wherever you like, spread it, please,
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:01 pm 115. David:DON’T LET THEM KILL OUR SPIRIT WITH THEIR FAKED POLLS!
As a frequent Canadian business visitor to the US – the best neighbor any country could wish for – I am appalled by that Jeanette person and the vileness she spews against Palin and the US in general. But both our countries are infested with know-nothing nobodies whose own rather putrid lives and moronic jealousy are clearly reflected in their speech. Sadly, some of the responses to her have verged on the same thing.
Over many years, my experience is that average Americans and Canadians are basically good, decent people, with a great deal in common, including similar social values and respect for each other. Yes, our institutions are different, as are some of our policies, but we are much more alike than we are different.
In this election, I know that many of us – both Americans and Canadians – are concerned about the real background, associations and statements of Obama, along with the activities of ACORN and similar occurrences, and with the undeniable support he continues to from the media, which is then mirrored by left wing rabble rousers in Canada like that deranged woman I mentioned.
No, we can’t vote in the US elections. We had our own here a couple of weeks ago (after a six week campaign!) and the Conservative Party is once again in command.
But if I had a US vote, it would be McCain/Palin all the way.
And a suggestion, if I may. Abolish caucuses! Clinton won 14 primaries, but after Obama’s ACORN thugs were bussed in from out of town and even out of State to overrun the caucuses that followed, then surprise, surprise, Obama was declared the winner in 13 of them. You wuz robbed, to quote a famous American.
I sincerely hope that won’t happen on November 4
Best Wishes, from one of the majority of Canadians who want the best for our best neighbor
Oct 27, 2008 - 6:48 pm 116. Chip:CNN understands exactly why Palin is in Florida:
http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/florida_poll_102408.htm
And the movement in Ohio is likewise the same:
http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/ohio_poll_102408.htm
This kind of political posturing by CNN is a dead giveaway that the McCain ticket is making huge strides…
The Colorado Hispanic population is rapidly moving towards McCain. With Colorado, McCain has 274 electoral votes.
Oct 27, 2008 - 8:13 pm 117. David:\
Re #110
When Christopher Hitchins says “This is what the Republican Party has done to us this year,” he is not referring, by “us,” to regular, working Americans. He is referring, as he inadvertently points out, to the “educated and the cultured.” In other words, he and his glitterati society friends, who have little in common with the average working man or woman.
His fame, such as it is, comes from his biting, anti-conservative, anti-religious, criticism, written in his dramatic imitation of upper class English literary style, which goes down well with his fawning audience, who are in awe of his verbal mastery. It’s all a sham, but the money is good, thank you very much.
In truth, he is simply another Olbermann, or Matthews, but with an English accent and a better vocabulary. Think of him in that way, and it will put his invective into proper perspective. And yes, I’m English, and I know the type so well.
Oct 27, 2008 - 9:12 pm 118. Marc Malone:Marina – It’s blocked because you’re spamming. Stop it. I don’t like it when the left do it, and I don’t approve of it when the right does it.
Dave – So, are you British or Canadian? There IS a difference, you know. I suspect British. Canadians are generally not so conciliatory towards Amis.
Brits, when off the island, tend to be much more warm towards the U.S. Same goes for most Euros who come over here. It’s so different from what we’ve heard; and Americans are so open and nice; etc….
Oct 28, 2008 - 12:44 am 119. Marc Malone:Kelvin – Your reference to our system by the use of the term “your” tells me you’re a furriner. We shoot hostile furry critters….
Seriously, you’re misrepresenting the various economic situations. I’ve detailed the truth in various other threads, and no one has ever refuted my statements, although many have complimented my posts. It takes too long to write it all out again… especially for a furriner.
Oct 28, 2008 - 12:48 am 120. Believer:One day Christopher Hitchens – and Robert Hurley – will know Truth.
In the meantime, “anyone who cares for the Constitution has a clear duty to” VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN.
It is the “wickedness and stupidity” of Barack Obama that we must “repudiate.”
Clearly, we now know he thinks he can improve on our Constitution. How stupid and wicked of him.
Oct 28, 2008 - 12:54 am 121. Believer:David is sooo right. Obama won the caucuses by busing supporters from state to state. He stole the nomination from Hillary.
Every campaign he’s ever run has lacked integrity and ethical behavior.
I just hope the rest of America is as ready to remove this guy from the national spotlight as I am. Let him go back to doing nothing in the Senate. Just disappear, please. Only don’t let him get his hands on any sensitive information — remember, he couldn’t get a security clearance.
Over the next few years I hope the rest of America will learn just who he is. And count their blessings that he didn’t win this election.
I think a peculiar thing that was said some time ago is now making more sense:
Maybe this explains why Michelle (HIS belle), way back in the beginning, said, “BARACK’S ONLY DOIN’ THIS ONE TIME.”
She knew they’d be racing the clock — that he’d never survive close scrutiny — he had only this one chance to win the presidency before we all learned his full history. They knew he couldn’t be elected if the entire truth were known.
It’s why they’ve lied about it all from the start. Nice folks, wouldn’t you say?
Oct 28, 2008 - 1:13 am 122. S. Weasel:Ummm…not to be a jerk or anything, but the article used the word “unnnamed” — with 3 n’s — like, six or seven times. I understand the temptation to copy and paste a frequently used word. I also understand spellcheck.
Seriously, if we want to swim in the adult pool…
Oct 28, 2008 - 2:05 am 123. Believer:Well, Robert Hurley, I just noticed you addressed me directly.
The prospect of your candidate winning is becoming less probable as the days go by. Thank goodness.
As it turns out, I don’t really need either ‘hand-out.’
If my ‘contributions’ over the years had been invested by me rather than by the government, I’d be receiving a far greater return on that money than I’ll ever see from the government.
I supported Bush’s proposal that we be allowed – should we want – to invest a portion of our money ourselves.
Of course, it shouldn’t be forgotten that BO and his pals — with their CRA — have very nicely dented some of the investments I now hold. So things aren’t as rosy as they were a several months ago.
I’m thinking other pals of his — super wealthy Soros-types — might be adding to the crisis: manipulating the markets right now. Hopefully, things will look better after January. You know, when he no longer needs this ‘crisis.’
I do know when BO was way up in the polls, the markets really tanked. Investors know he’s the worst thing for the economy. TAXES THROUGH THE ROOF. Too bad most folks don’t know that.
Do you think he wants to destroy our economy — or is he just doing it out of stupidity?
He’ll give it his best, though, wouldn’t you say? You’ve got to hand it to him… And the darndest thing is, those polls Chip linked to showed that most everyone thinks that commie BO will do a better job with the economy than McCain!
Boy, do we have our work cut out for us: learnin’ our fellow ‘Mericans what’s right. And we’d better do it fast.
‘Cuz if that BO does get elected, guaranteed he’ll pretty much decimate the rest of our investments.
Oct 28, 2008 - 2:18 am 124. Terrence:SouixLady: if the media could really add 15 points to a candidate’s lead, we’d see a lot more democrats in office.
Michael: There’s been biased reporting to be sure — I’m just doubting that this is an example of it. Certainly the press made no secret that John Kerry grew to hate John Edwards.
Oct 28, 2008 - 3:58 am 125. Brian Richard Allen:Thanks (114 & 116) David.
My home of homes is in Pacific North-West Washington and I’m a regular visitor to Canada. (And went to college in New Brunswick) Sure wish I could return the “… best neighbor any country could wish for …” compliment.
But you and I know our beloved fraternal republic’s being the world’s best neighbor is, post your nation’s very own Obama-like traitor, Trudeau, not reciprocated. And that the majority of Canadians, including most of its feral and provincial politicians and most certainly about 98% of its chattering classes — as if the way they feel is our fault — project their morbidly hesperophobic envy of everything American and the way that makes them feel — as naked hatred.
In this instance that hatred is projected as love of the anti-American, Obama, in whom they are able to recognize a kindred spirit.
But, that said, every now and again I come across a man like you, who typifies the kind of Canadian whose 1945 RCAF had trained half the world for battle, whose 1945 Royal Canadian Navy was the world’s third largest and who was the norm when I was at school there in the late 1960s/early 70s.
I very much appreciate your remarks — and both our countries need more like you.
And, God knows we shall all need one another. For should the self-and-America loathing mobbed-up Marxist murtadd Muslim Arab-African, B Milhous bin B Hussayn bin Hussayn Muhummad Ubama’s ACORN and other Brown-Shirts — by the employment of the same corrupt Chicago-Machine tactics of stand-over and fraud they have on display throughout the land and by means of which they stole the Caucuses, be able to steal next week’s election?
Simply put, the likely irreversible damage that will be done to America and to the very Judeo-Christian/Western/Human Civilization we have long vanguarded, may very well precipitate America’s and all of Civilization’s very rapid descent into a new Dark Age from which, given the state of the world and that the barbarians are already well established within our walls, the Human species is unlikely to ever again emerge into the Light.
Brian Richard Allen
Oct 28, 2008 - 7:02 am 126. Brian Richard Allen:Los Angeles – CalifOBAMAcated 90028 – & the Far Abroad
73 Sandra M – 77 USAF Captain:
Count me in!
Oct 28, 2008 - 7:05 am 127. Kelvin:Marc,
My point is, on what base do you call Obama as a socialist? Don’t tell me it’s just because of the one sentence he said, “it’s good to spread the wealth around”.
If you believe that I am misrepresenting the various economic situation, then by all means, give me the proof of that. I am open to other opinions, just as long as they are backed with the facts. Not just “empty” opinions. That being said,
According to American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of Socialism is any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
Now can you prove that Obama is a Socialist by linking him to the above definition. Even the Republican Candidates never said that Obama is a socialist.
Oct 28, 2008 - 8:31 am 128. Ronsonic:This whole reported conflict between Palin and the campaign aides is being completely misreported.
It is not logically possible that Sarah Palin could go “rogue.” As the candidate for office she is the principal – the aides who are, by definition, “aides” could (and apparently did) go rogue. As the principal, the candidate makes the decisions. If an aide disagrees it is he who must adapt or quit.
Oct 28, 2008 - 10:31 am 129. Kelvin:Interesting commentary from CNN Anchor Reporter
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/27/campbell.brown.palin.diva/index.html
Oct 28, 2008 - 11:48 am 130. Believer:For anyone in doubt about who Obama is, read
“Barack Obama and the Strategy of Manufactured Crisis” posted at
americanthinker.com
last month about 9/28. The article will fill you in on all his associations and connect the dots.
Should be required reading for any voter — or at least anyone still laboring under the false assumption that our Barry is a benign being.
Oct 28, 2008 - 5:40 pm 131. Marc Malone:125. Kelvin – I will not reprise all my comments on the true economic numbers just because you are a Johnny-come-lately here.
However, I will offer you some proof of Obama Socialist views. A Scoialist, btw, is someone who advocates Socialism.
Using taxes to redistribute incomes is Socialistic. That’s controlling the means of production by reallocating a resource (money). “Spreading the wealth.”
Healthcare as a right (the 3rd debate). Not a privilege. Not a responsibility. A right. Mandating healthcare, thus establishing control. Businesses that don’t provide it will be forced to provide it or face “fines”.
Controlling the Media (Fairness Doctrine). This was an idea put into place decades ago, when the amount of media was limited. It was an attempt to force the MSM to be balanced. What it did was shut down little guys, because they couldn’t afford to fight the lawsuits. It was discarded. Obama has stated his support for resurrecting it, thus limiting political discourse to the big guys (the ones on his side) and with government oversight/control.
Housing. Obama has been a big backer of the CRA, actually acting as a lawyer for those forcing banks to make bad loans to ucnreditworthy people. They effectively seized assets of banks under the CRA, determining who gets loans, rather than the banks getting to determine that.
NAFTA. Obama wants to start putting more controls on free trade.
Open ballots for Unions, instead of secret ballots. This will force people into unions through coercion. These will then be beholden to his party. If that’s not a means of production, what is?
Closing loopholes on corporate taxes, taking away legitimate deductions.
Volunteerism. Rewarding “volunteerism” Oxymoronic idea)with college funding. A National Civilian “Peace” Force as large as the Army. This is code for brownshirts or blackshirts. Or think Hitler Youth.
Judicial Activism. “Special sensitivity to the needs of the poor.” “The inherent flaw in the Constitution.” “To go beyond the limits of the Constitution to spread the opportunity.”
I could go on, but you get my point. He’s talking about nothing less than eventual complete control. Marxism. Socialism. This Guy is SCARY!
Oct 29, 2008 - 3:14 am 132. David:117 – Marc Malone.
Actually, I’m a former Brit who is now a Canadian. There is a difference, as you say. However, I’ve lived in Canada for many years and traveled throughout the country, as I have throughout the US. This year, I have spent time in Chicago, Atlantic City, Albuquerque, Savannah, Syracuse and many times in Washington. I’ll be in DC most of next week, as a matter of fact. And I was in the UK twice this year. So I do travel quite a bit, meet a lot of people, and therefore feel my observations are valid.
On the attitudes of Brits living in the UK, I can only say that there is an innate, though low level, envy/jealousy of the US among many, resulting from the US taking over world leadership which they felt was always their right. A stay in North America changes that – for some of them!
I agree with just about everything you have said in your posts, although you are a bit harder on Canadians than I am. Maybe the attitudes you have met are those of Brits now living there who have yet to shake off the views I mention!
These are indeed troubling times for the US. I see today that in Ohio, individuals can now use a park bench as their “residence” to become a registered voter. No doubt it will turn out that by next Tuesday, every Ohio park bench will have ten or more registered ACORN “residents.” Yet what amazes me is there has been little public outcry against this outright fraud across the country. I pray that it may show up next Tuesday.
As for Kelvin, I can only suggest that he looks at http://colony14.net/id41.html. If he can still believe in Obama after reading even a quarter of this very well researched and fully documented history of the man, then there’s nothing anyone can do to change his mind.
Oct 29, 2008 - 11:55 am 133. Kelvin:To Marc and David,
You might want to note the fact that Bush government recently sent citizens rebate checks. Do you remember? How about unemployment benefits from the government? $700 billion bailout? Your social security? Medicare? Don’t you think that those have socialistic elements in there?
I would say that you have done you homework and you have given a valid argument. However, I too can go on and on with the facts and my opinions. However, since I have no intention in making you switch positions nor do I expect you to change mine, I think it’s going to be a whole other pointless debates and a waste of time, don’t you think?
And please also understand that the main reason why I think Obama is a better candidate is not just from his compelling and complicated history. But also from the way he runs his campaign, his way of thinking and addressing issues, and by comparing those with John McCain’s.
So, do you mind if I say that we respectfully agree to disagree?
Oct 29, 2008 - 2:51 pm 134. Someone75:It’s funny that hearsay is “dubious” when it’s against McCain, but a “terrible secret truth” when it’s against Obama. What hypocrisy.
Oct 29, 2008 - 7:44 pm 135. Marc Malone:Someone75 – It’s not hypocrisy. McCain is a known quantity. For Heaven’s sake, he’s 72. He’s been in the Congress/Senate 26 years. He ran hard for Prez in 2000. His record, good or bad, is clear as can be. Has he changed positions? Some. I’m okay, because it seems to be in the right direction.
Too much of Obama is specifically concealed. Minor revelations here and there seem to be building a consistent theme, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
Completely different personal situations get different treatment.
Oct 30, 2008 - 12:29 am 136. Marc Malone:Kelvin – I’m not here to convince you. That’s a poor reason to engage in discourse. I’m here to exchange ideas and info. As I said in my previous post, I agreed with much of what you said, but explained why it’s not our way. Did you not find the viewpoint enlightening as far as understanding where we’re coming from?
I don’t think Obama’s campaign has been all that, because he never prepared his positions, and that’s why he can’t close. He keeps getting caught out, and leaving an opening. He focussed on the process, and not enough on issue preparation. He sells well, but has a jury-rigged product.
McCain has run a worse campaign, it seems, because his circumstances were very different. He won his primary early, but had little base support. Fund-raising and ground game development were poor as a result… until Palin.
He also had to do the media’s job. He lacked the money and resources to do it.
He avoided anything to do with race, so couldn’t use Wright, Farrakhan, or Frank against Obama. Those were big guns he shelved.
He’s running on a tarnished party platform. He has less money. What’s amazing is that he’s still in this race. His campaign may be better than you think. Mostly, though, he just won’t quit. You can’t knock him out. He may yet win. He’s better than you think.
Oct 30, 2008 - 12:58 am 137. Kelvin:Marc,
From what I see, McCain is not doing well in issue preparation. He didn’t outline his plans in economy in depth. All he did was responding to Obama’s economic plan instead of coming up with his own. And although I commend McCain for having defended Obama about Wright (source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/mccain-obama-does-not-s_n_92076.html), Palin did repeatedly use Wright to attack Obama in her rallies, but the tactic didn’t work. Most of the time, McCain campaign focuses on attacking Obama instead of talking about solution. On the contrary, Obama’s campaign has spent most of their time and their ads talking about economy and responding to McCain’s attack.
I understand your point of view, as I said before, you have obviously done your homework and gave a valid basis for your argument although I do not always agree with your views.
Although we do not share the same view, but I have a good time arguing with you.
Oct 30, 2008 - 5:08 am