Don’t Dismiss Our Anger * Open Thread
By Ani on October 13, 2008 at 1:55 AM in Current Affairs, John McCain, Open Thread
Yesterday, I posted an article “Republicans Aren’t the Only Ones Who Are Mad As Hell.” Scrolling through the comments, I came across a one from Monet, one of our regular posters, and I wanted to it share with you.
Monet rightly points out the anger, frustration and fear that so many Americans are gripped with right now in dealing with the current economic crisis, and in that regard, offers Senator McCain an interesting prescription for how to conduct the rest of his campaign.
Please take a look at Monet’s excellent post:
Washington Post:
McCain advisers dismissed the crowd’s angry tone as an exception and not representative of most of the campaign’s events. And they noted that those gathered seemed most upset by the media’s handling of the contest, and simply wanted McCain to be more aggressive.
As usual, McCain’s campaign is downplaying something they should be taking note of and grabbing hold of.
A few weeks ago they had Senator McCain telling us the economy was fundamentally strong when everyone from a Wal-mart greeter to the CEO of Bank of America knew we were teetering on an edge of a cliff. You didn’t have to have a ph.d in economics to know that, all you had to be doing for the past few years is running the every day errands of the average American to the grocery store, the gas station, the dry cleaners and then dropping by the bank to deposit the paycheck (or checking the statement to see if the check was electronically deposited).
This is a Wisconsin political audience that has angry and frustrated people. Wisconsin of all states!!! This is a state that only gets fired up by the Green Bay Packers. And we’re not talking about riled up like the Oakland Raider fans who nearly riot in the stands every Sunday afternoon. No, this is Wisconsin where they put on cheese hats and jovially jump up and down in the stands to intimidate the opposing team.
Wisconsin is an optimist’s utopia. Where everyone is sure tomorrow will be a better day, the latest crisis will have a good outcome, there’s a silver lining coming once those clouds move out over Lake Michigan. This is Wisconsin that is turning against the media, screaming nasty things about Senator Obama, etc. This isn’t a rough and tumble state. Does the McCain campaign really think this isn’t representative of how America is feeling across the country? That they somehow wandered into a bubble that exists nowhere else? Or do they realize this is an emotion that is growing strong nationwide and instead of finding a way to use it in a healthy, productive way – they’re running scared from it and pretending it doesn’t exist? Is Senator McCain going to suspend his campaign for a few days this week to let America calm down a bit?
Hey, Senator McCain – I’ve got news for you. America is angry. We’ve worked hard to build financial security in our lives with our 401ks and homes. While we were working so hard on that financial security, the financial industry, Executive branch and Congress were on a feeding frenzy binge that now has all the markets in the world teetering on collapse, taking huge corporations and banks with them. We’re angry. We’re frustrated. We’re scared. We have the right to be. And you’re going to dismiss how we feel by saying Wisconsin is not representative of the majority of campaign events you stage? Get a clue before you’re one more failure for the American people.
Forget your maverick stump speeches. Forget your rhetoric of taking on Washington. Forget the earmarks. Stop telling us off shore drilling and new nuclear plants are going to keep us employed. A gallon of gas has dropped over an dollar in the past month – that’s an old issue now. (That doesn’t mean in January you should forget about energy independence, it means that is no longer an issue you need to press on the campaign trail).
Get out there and tell us you’re as angry as we are. Show us exactly how you’re going to bring financial stability and security to our lives again. Tell how us how our Justice Department is going to go after those who cultivated the fraud, mismanagement and negligence in our financial markets. Tell us how oil speculators are no longer going to be able to determine how our paychecks are spent. Tell us how greedy speculators in every market will no longer be able to hold us hostage under your administration and the executive branch with all those departments (SEC, FDA, etc.) will start enforcing the laws and regulations they have been entrusted with.
We don’t want to hear about how you’re going to reach across aisle in Congress. We want to hear about how you’re going to take on the markets that have been run by out of control speculators who have been permitted to skirt the laws and regulations and who have created a financial mess that is threatening to bring down the entire world from capitalists to communists. That’s job number one right now, Senator McCain. We need someone to step up to the plate and lead. You have yet to do that and behind door number two we have that other candidate, and we have no idea who is actually behind him, but we do know who ever is backing Senator Obama doesn’t have the best interests of the American citizen and the rest of the world citizens in their playbook.
I’m hunting for a leader, Senator McCain. I’m an Independent/former Senator Clinton Democrat/former Senator Edwards Democrat. This past June, after researching all of the candidates (including third parties), I became a supporter of your campaign. While I disagree with you on many social issues, I decided you were the best candidate to lead us and the global community to stable, secure prosperity and peace. There are hundreds of thousands of Independent voters out there just like me, who have never voted for a Republican candidate for president and are willing to do so in this election. Our patience is running out and we would really like to know if you’re going to step up to the plate and lead us or continue to be bogged down in countering the Obama campaign. Please take the lead and leave Senator Obama in the dust.” [emphasis mine]
Thank you, Monet, for stating this so well. Let’s hope someone is listening.
What say you all?
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AOL straw poll has been updated. It is now reflecting a much more plausible out come then it did before. The numbers are actually looking a lot like 2004. BTW, It states that PA has 51% registered democrats to 38% registered republicans. If the pollsters are using those numbers to come up with the polls they will have a rude awakening on Nov 5th.
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/09/18/aol-straw-poll-sept-18-25/
Dont forget that a lot of Republicans registered as Dems to vote in the Dem primary since the GOP primaries were already finsihed.
That guy’s article is spot on. Wake up, Senator McCain, finish like a warrior here and you won’t be finished at all.
As for people in crowds, keep his feet to the fire. This is a contest to win, not to lose gracefully.
I think he should also hit a lot harder on the “getting rid of corruption and cronyism” theme. That lies behind a lot of the insane things that were done by the geniuses running our economy – like the SEC in 2004 dropping the law that investment banks had to hold a specified percentage of capital against debt. It took all of 55 minutes to change the rule and investment banks like Bear Stearns proceeded to go to a 33 to 1 debt to capital ratio and we had to bail them out! The cronyism involved in this decision – including the media which did not bother to report on this – was evident.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/03/business/03sec.html?em=&pagewanted=print
By the way, McClatchy strikes down the idea that the crisis was casued by Fannie and Freddie. Since McClatchy was one of the the few media outlets that told the truth about WMD I trust their reporting.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/v-print/story/53802.html
Fannie And Freddie guidelines are what are used by lending institutions to determine if a mortgage was viable for sale to other investment firms.
All Due DIligence is based on the Minimum standard to be met for the reviewer to say this here loan is GOOOD!
Those guidelines are based on Fannie and Freddie.
THe Private sector lowered their standards to Fannie Freddie standards in making those loans because fannie freddie was esentially guaranteeing those loans.
YOur article is misleading.
Fannie and Freddie, the Comunity Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Barney Frank Chris Dodd and the Democrats were DIRECTLY responsible for the lowering of these standards.
Barack Obama and Acorn were Directly responsible for suing a CHicago Thrift Firm because they didn’t lower their lending standards and accused them of being essentially a racist bank.
THe resulting court case started a domino that caused the lending institutions across the nation to lower thier lending standards to be more in line with Fannie Freddie.
Fannie Feddie didn’t go out and make these loans directly but their lending standards are the defacto that is used in the lending industry to make a loan and their govenrment guarantee is what the lending industry believed was its safety net in being forced to make them.
When the Police tell you that they are rasing to 70 Mils an hour the speed limit from 55 you don’t drive 55 anymore.
And you dont worry about driving 69 mph cause you wont get a ticket now.
THe Predatory Lending industry was created by the lowering of standards for safe mortgages by Fannie Freddie.
Banks don’t hold those mortgages they sell them for less than the total value to get their cash back and some of the profit.
Lenders obs are to make more loans.
THose bad mortgages are not sitting in the banks mostly they were sent off in portfolios that retirement funs and investors poured money into because they were considered safe investments.
Its not just the foreclosures now that are the problem its all the people and the organizations who are holding that bad paper and how it reduced the value of thier paper assests.
It wasn’t one thing that has led to the credit crisis and current economic meltdown. Lower standards for mortgages didn’t help, but that alone wouldn’t have the severe crisis that has raced around the globe that we’re seeing.
The investment bank exemption on capital to debt ratio has played a big part. The big five didn’t have the capital to weather a storm.
Also playing a major role in the crisis are the “insurance policies” that were sold on Wall Street along with the mortgage securities. Investors weren’t eager to buy the mortgage securities and Wall Street had to make them attractive. The answer was to sell “insurance policies” with them, if the mortgages defaulted, the buyers of the mortgage securities didn’t lose money.
If a company sells an insurance policy, under the insurance regulations, the company has to have capital in reserve to pay off the policy if a claim is filed. That would have cut into the profits Wall Street was experiencing. The solution was to sell the policies along with the mortgage securities but instead of calling them insurance policies, they were called Credit Default Swap Trades. With the new names, the insurance policies didn’t fall under the regulation of insurance laws.
AIG sold $450 billion in Credit Default Swap Trades, it was a booming business. The division selling the swaps had employees (including lower level ones) making an average of a million dollars an year. Mortgages began defaulting, claims were filed. AIG didn’t have the capital to pay the policies off. AIG went running to Washington.
No one knows how many Credit Default Swap Trades were sold because the market isn’t regulated. They’re not sold just for mortgage securities but can be sold to insure any loan or bond where the buyer or any party for that matter wants to limit the risk. One article I read estimated there might be $60 trillion in swaps out there.
CRA had good intentions. It helped minorities who were denied mortgages not because of their ability to pay but on skin color to invest in a home. Along came ACORN with it’s own agenda. Then Fannie, Freddie and Wall Street. Then the insurance industry. Add in the rest we have yet to discover, add all the ingredients over thirty years, mix it well, let it simmer for a few years and we have a catastrophic economic meltdown on the global level.
Definition of a Credit Default Swap Trade:
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/creditdefaultswap.asp
Explanations of how the Credit Default Swap market works:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/29/magazines/fortune/varchaver_derivatives.fortune/
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/engdahl/2008/0606.html
An year ago, the Credit Default Swap market was doing a booming business:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a6rWlv5K5sH8&refer=home
The DTCC in recent days has been busy trying to mitigate how involved the Credit Default Swaps are with the current economic meltdown:
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081011005030&newsLang=en
It wasn’t one thing that led to this mess. It was a mixture that led to a feeding frenzy binge that our government turned a blind eye to.
I think posters here are forgetting that one of the slams the MSM and 0b0ts were prepared to use against McCain was that he is a crazy temperamental old man. You see what occurred after the WI town hall – the MSM and 0bot mouthpieces slanted it to look like McCain was whipping up the crowds to a frenzy. He has to present a moderate and temperate demeanor.
That said, someone on the McCain circuit – Rudy, Tom Ridge, Carly – needs to articulate that the people are justifiably angry that the MSM is not doing its job and in fact suppressing vital information about 0bama. We have a right to know the truth about our presidential candidates!
I think posters here are forgetting that one of the slams the MSM and 0b0ts were prepared to use against McCain was that he is a crazy temperamental old man.
Good point.
The point is that McCain is NOT those things. He gets upset at stupidity, but he’s been good keeping that in check.
I think that all Obama’s personal characteristic show him to be a narcissist–as Ani points out. Narcissists absolutely can’t accept that they are guilty about anything. McCain and Palin have to calmy and clearly line out his “guilt.” Give dates, times, quotations, behavior. Have a list of these examples of guilt ready on all issues and in regard to all associations. Imply the guilt, for example, that shows with his lack of transparency in regard to birth records, etc. If you want to see anger and bitterness, it will come from a narcissist who has been accused of being guilty.
Morgan — I watched McCain this morning and he gets it. This was the best speech I have ever seen him give. He hears the anger and he feels it too. It was the kind of populist speech a Democrat might have given during the Depression. Today John McCain was President.
Tell John McCain how you feel:
http://www.johnmccain.com
Go to “Contact” at the bottom of the home page.
and a LOT of lifetime Dems such as myself will be voting GOP this year :0)
Sadly, for my liberal credentials, I just did vote for McCain/Palin by absentee ballot. I
say sadly because the Democratic Party is essentially on life support. And the Party of FDR, JFK, RFK et al. has been hijacked by pretenders. Their brand of liberalism is so far left, they have chased their tails around the corner and ended up fascist.
I way toying with thowing my vote to a third party candidate when I overheard this admonition on a conservative radio talk show:
“Commander-in-chief” Enough said!
ginaswo — On 10/18/08 our early voting begins and I will vote John McCain. First Republican vote ever–THIS ONE IS FOR MY COUNTRY.
Truly. Even Gov. Rendell said today the PA race is a lot closer than the polls are indicating.
Can you imagine his private thoughts?
His worst case scenario is coming to life.
PA would be safely blue if Hillary were the Dem candidate.
I heard Rendell say he had to twist arms in Chicago to get Obama to come out to Philly this weekend. (via NPR)
*hehe…..really?
Very interesting. I like Rendell. He’s a kick.
Thank you for the great post Ani, and I share Monet’s outrage. My family had a reunion today and the majority of them are Bots. They had nasty remarks about Palin, some about McCain, but the women in my family really dislike Palin for some reason. I aired my view and my family considers me misinformed, and told me Barry would win come November. I refuse to even speak to these family members again until after the election, if then. I am outraged by the blatant misogyny and sexism (like so many others are outraged) and have the women in my family dismiss it. I am the only political activist in my family. I am a lesbian who has been in the trenches for reproductive choice and equality for all for decades. I am a feminist leaders in my community, and, again, am the only one in my family, who has spent hours and hours lobbying, testifying, etc. etc. for equality. After this election, and hopefully McCain will win, I am becoming a Republican and working against all the candidates who supported Barry. And I will never lift a finger again for reproductive choice. This is what this election has done for me; changed me from a left wing liberal to a moderate Republican. November 4th can’t come quick enough for me.
Welcome! (From another Republican moderate:-)
Good for you Snickers! Your time is too valuable to waste it seeking their uninformed opinions.
It’s pathetic when you see what’s at the bottom of the Dem’s black hearts = hatred of women.
Including self-hating women.
Sure, they’ll use us to help put them in office, but help us – forget about it.
They’re gonna pick a jerk guy every day over a great woman.
hang tuff Snickers!! I too have laid down the ‘law’ to some terribly ‘misinformed’ friends and made it absolutely frakkin clear I am for MAC/PALIn and I think THEY are totally deluded and we should probably not talk again until post Nov 5th if they can get a grip, LOL
Yep my very first evah GOP vote, what a world
MAC/PALIN 08
Hillary 12
snickers — Lets spend the rest of these next 3 weeks doing what we can to get McCain elected. I can tell you that his campaign is seriously out manned. As McCain said this morning the media has said we’re finished and the people haven’t even voted yet. This good man needs some help — I am phone banking for him later today. Nothing comes easily and the best things are worth fighting for. GO MCCAIN/PALIN.
my jump wasn’t as far, started out as a conservative democrat, and while my party is now Independent, I can consider my viewpoint moderate Republican.
Hitler2 is uniting us – to the Republican party.
Thanks for all your encouraging words. I will volunteer for McCain/Palin, even though I live in Oregon which is fairly blue. I’m glad to have NQ, all these great writers and all of you to help keep my sanity.
This year in PA I’m seeing many more McCain lawn signs than I did Bush signs in 2004. This is either stronger Republican and Independent support, or Dems crossing over.
Another thing I noticed is that there is actual vandalism of McCain signs. Usually the signs just disappear (on both sides). This year I noticed two McCain signs slashed and left on the grass. (Which I guess is appropriate, considering the Freddy Kreuger mentality of the average 0bot.) I’m going to get replacement signs for both those homes.
PA n0bamaDems and Independents will have to come out in force in November to overcome the Philadelphia 0bama stronghold and perennial voter fraud. Although this year there will be some city precincts that will poll more favorably for the Republican candidate. I do believe PA will go red by a slim margin.
People are telling him so much. I think he may wake up and smell the coffee.
It’s bad when you are having to fight the Media too, since they are not telling the truth. Another thing people need to realize, Obama has your kids, the early 20’s, 30.s mesmerized with his ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ Hitler speeches…..You all better wake up, and put your children to sleep until this is over
My kids and grandkids are voting McCain.
wow like the good little sheep that they are.
My children and grandchildren are about split on who they are voting for… leaning more toward Obama.
Who my other family members vote for is NEVER cause for not speaking to them as another blogger mentioned. I try to educate them to facts and hope that they make an informed decision.
Don’t perpetuate hate-mongering.
Now aren’t you some kind of superior being? Go drink a latte and get over yourself.
BRAINY — The last poll I saw showed that 86% of Republicans thought the media was in Obama’s pocket and 49% of Dems believed the same. These numbers are huge and are limiting the media’s influence over this election. Obama decided to run this race for the youth and the AA voters. He forgot that there are 76 Million Boomers and 43 Million Seniors who VOTE in every election. By only going after the cool people while telling the Democratic Base they can stay home –he has cost himself millions of voters and he can go back and play rap music to himself in the Senate.
Well, I have 99 problems, but Obama ain’t one.
Just saying.
I don’t think the anger is going away. I think it will just intensify once it is revealed that Obama is planning a welfare state with his tax credits.
Anger? YES! But there are things going on that people hear but fail to recognize until they take the time to listen. As an example I offer the following excerpt from Obama’s speech on 2 July, 2008 at Colorado Springs, CO:
“We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we’ve set,” he said. “We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded.”
Think about this and ask some questions.
Barack Obama said: ‘civilian national security force’.
Civilian – Would NOT include military or other Law Enforcement agencies.
National – Would NOT recognize State Boundaries.
Security – Security for what?
Force – This word usually denotes power and authority.
Why does Barack Obama want a Civilian Security Force?
1) Just as powerful as the Military.
2) Just as strong as the Military.
3) Just as well funded as the Military.
What will Barack Obama have this “Civilian National Security Force” do?
Help in hurricanes or other disasters? – we already have the state National guard.
Some have said ‘The National Guard is in Iraq and Afghanistan’ but Barack Obama plans to have them home less than halfway through the Obama administration.
Who would they answer to? Congress or the President?
If America ignores this threat of an Obama personal ‘Security Force’ – America is doomed.
I agree. I want answers to this issue.
I’ve also been VERY alarmed by this proposal of Obama’s. It’s a costly (some would say radical) social program, based on the Public Allies program he and Michelle lead in Chicago. It’s getting ZERO MSM exposure. Why? I feel the MSM knows if the public were to focus on this it would SCARE THE HELL out of many voters. Besides the merits or lack thereof, can our country really afford a social experiment like this, considering all of the economic challenges we face?
So the story’s being suppressed. Beyond shameful.
Jim, thanks for laying this out so succinctly. The “civilian security force” is the most disturbing thing that The Precious has proposed. I am deeply concerned about militaristic fascism growing in the USA after an Obama victory. He’s already gotten control of the media. The dominos are in place and ready to fall. All it will take is another “terrorist” attack to provide the tipping point.
We already have a private military presence in the U.S. It’s called Blackwater–I should say
quasi-private as your tax dollars are subsidizing it up the gazoo (to the tune of about $900. per
day per man). And they like “action.”
This is the scariest part about Obama getting elected. Having been born in Post WWII Holland, I heard all of the stories about the brownshirts and this scares the heck out of me. I’ve been talking about it since his speech but yours is the first comment I’ve really seen address it too.
Thanks for this insight, when we think about it a little deeper -and as a veteran I can tell you, people serving our country in the military do it for PRIDE. To them, COUNTRY FIRST really means something. We take a vow to defend our land and flag. A strong and active military will act to defend this country, even from a rouge president. Obama wants that military disassembled.
A civilian military has no such pride, it becomes the equivalent of a militia. Think about all your friends that are gun owners and strong supporters of the 2nd amendment and what do they tell you is their reasoning – most will say to defend against government militias. Seems like someone knew the potential of this happening.
The very first time I heard Hitler2’s thugs threaten riots if he did not win the election my views of gun control changed immediately.
Reminds me of the “Guardian Angels” we had in the NY/NJ area. A bunch of teenagers who marched around in berets and who enforced what they felt was the law of the neighborhood.
They did do some good things. They also did a few bad things, and their presence tended to intimidate.
It was kind of like a healthier (but not completely healthy) version of a gang. Kids got something to belong to, and the net effect of their belonging to it was not as bad as if they belonged to a gang.
The Guardian Angels were not under the control of a charismatic NATIONAL leader with unprecedented power and both houses of Congress at his beck and call, and with the national media as his supplicants. Think “Hitlerjugend”–not “Guardian Angels.” The Precious is thinking far beyond a benevolent neighborhood watch.
That is so true. His tax cuts will give the 40% of the citizens of this country who pay no taxes now, a tax credit. They will get a check while those of us who work our butts off, provide jobs and grow our income, pay more. Why should we, if we can get free money from the govt. for doing nothing. It’s welfare disguised as a tax cut. Obama wants to redistribute the pie just like Michelle said he would. Hope you didn’t want a whole piece of it. Almost half of it is going to someone else who doesn’t deserve it because they put nothing back into the ingredients to make the pie. Bad baking if you ask me and we are hiring a really awful head baker. Socialism, reparations, redistributions: the calling cards of Obama.
chris — Obama talks “pie in the sky” stuff. He wants healthcare for all Americans. So do I but we don’t have the money to do that right now. It would call for more healthcare professionals, more hospitals, more testing centers and 3 Trillion dollars. Obama says what the people want to hear and if he gets in the people will be the last thing he cares about.
I agree. He needs to explain that Obama is planning on sending “tax refund checks” to people who don’t pay taxes.
LOL*
That’ll frost the middle class but good.
This is an email I wrote to the campaign a few weeks ago when my frustration level was getting unbearable. It was harsh, but I feel the McCain people need to hear us in these emotional terms.
From: Vince P
To: info@johnmccain.com
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 5:22 AM
Subject: Angry at impotent campaign
I’m writing in regards to this article
Why McCain Goes Easy on Fannie and the CRA
This is my comment to you, the McCain Campaign:
This Country Needs Defending
Who the heck does John McCain think he is?
We’re under a full assault by Marxists, and he wants to be polite?
UNACCEPTABLE
What was all that talk about fighting with him? If he didn’t mean fight against his opponent , who the heck was he talking about? Was he talking about the Republican Party? Gee he doesn’t seem to have any problems telling Republicans where to go..
This country is under assault , if McCain doesn’t want to run for President, for the good of the country, drop out of the race and we’ll get someone who wants to .
Shame on you for disrupting the Palin family’s life, subjecting them to the most vicious hatred and humiliation.. for what?
I’m outraged and disgusted.
My country is being treaded on, and once again the stupid Republicans do nothing.
Good for you Vince. I hope everyone follows your example. I inform anyone who’ll listen everyday about the fraud that the Dems are attempting to perpetuate on us. I will write to the McCain campaign too and let them know that most of us think it’s time to let it rip.
Sounds as if the markets are going to surge upward tomorrow so let’s hope some of McCains ideas are getting some reception.
VinceP1974 –
EXCELLENT LETTER TO MCCAIN – I’ve sent one similar to this as well – get up off your ass and DO SOMETHING – bring it on or get out.
Thanks for the message..
I do want to say , in general, that yes.. we all should contact the campaign and encourage them / demand they / compel them / etc.. to fight with all they have … and that for us people not to let our anger lead to demoralization or demotivation to vote.
I don’t think that’s a major problem with the crowd at this blog, but it’s important to let the “regular” people that we know know … do not internalize the media message that McCain has no chance to win and that his campaign is beyond hope.
My complaining is sometimes taken as a sign that i wont vote or that i wash my hands… not so.. it’s trying to knock some sense into some misguided political consultants who appear to be from another time and place.
thanks vince, just wrote mine
Excellent message!
MG-PUMA
Hey Vin I wrote McCain as well and asked if he were at the ballet. So much for the warrior bs. Who the hell is running his campaign? I never thought I would live to witness this blatant “assault” while most (at least people I know) either don’t care or shrug it off as Repub. propaganda tactics.
This is for Vince.
I agree with everything you said to McCain in your e-mail, about standing up and fight for us. I live in Fl and I saw the ballot that we will be using and they have a place to write in under President. I wonder if all States have this on their ballots and if so, why not put Hillary Clinton in if need be.
some states take a write in and give that vote to that party’s candidate, check with your registrar of elections :0)
I am MAC/PALIN 08
Hillary 12
:0)
Booyah!!!
wouldn’t it be absolutely sweet if MCain wins by 500,000 votes and Hillary gets 500,001 write in votes.
Thank you Ani and thank you Monet. Do they hear us in Washington? Can’t they feel the anger coming in waves from all across this country? Everyone I talk to is burning up with it and doesn’t trust anyone in government anymore. The media and politicians think we are stupid sheep.
Write, call and let them all know. The louder you are, the more they get the message. And write brief letters to your local newspapers as well.
It will get harder and harder for the media to keep selling the koolaid to unwilling citizens.
Making noise really does make a difference — even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Hell yea!!!
Does John McCain read this blog? They should. If they take that excellent advice, they can win this thing easily. McCain has already started with his 401K idea, but I hope he will continue to press on.
Forget about spending, earmarks, and bipartisanship. Talk about the crisis, what happened and how you’re going to fix it! The time is NOW. You can start by throwing your plans and your passion in the final debate. I don’t want to hear the same spending, maverick boring crap. Details!
Call Hillary if you need specifics.
Write to him — tell him!!!
I just did. If enough of us write in with the same message, he will listen.
I told him he isn’t the underdog, this is his election to LOSE. Any other Republican would have destroyed Obama by now and you’re playing nice with him, after this man attacked your HONOR and INTEGRITY? You’re a WAR HERO, ACT LIKE ONE.
It was a little harsh, but he needs to fight on this!!
james — McCain must have been listening to you. He gave the speech of his life this morning. He was amazing.
And for those in the media who have argued that McCain’s Ayers ads have inflamed the republican fringe, I wonder what has inflamed the DEMs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQalRPQ8stI
I just read this post from youtube:
“To all the people who are writing smears about and mongering fear about free speach, answer this: What is the value of Free Speech if it is only expressing a lie? No value. The world would be a much better place without lying, that is why Obama now has Truth Squads which will hold people who spread vile lies about Obama accountable! The days of unmitigated disastrous “free” speech are over – no more swift boat veterans for Truth! You’ve got to stop these neo-cons from the start! ”
—-I cannot believe this idiot is supporting Obamas truth squad
This is the most damning evidence if you want to compare Obama to Hilter. This is exactly what the Nazi supporters of Hilter did. That is what the Nazi’s were. They were not a political group, they where the “truth” squad for Hitler.
Interesting Steven….Of course lots of folks really don’t understand the concept of free speech until they lose it…Until they are silenced.
I’m an artist and as such am aware of censorship and artists of various mediums are regular targets of censorship…Particularly if the work hits a nerve.
Critics…whether they be social or political critics are frequent targets as well.
Democracy is a messy business…But that is part of it’s inherent charm…It’s messy and it’s supposed to be if every voice is heard.
Nothin more neat and tidy than totalitarianism…
I don’t know if this has been posted or not I haven’t been around most of the day. So apologies if so, from the Washington Times:
HYMAN: Obama’s Kenya ghosts
Mark Hyman
Sunday, October 12, 2008
First he talks about Odinga
Then he goes in to tie Obama in with Odinga, this is not the full article you have to go to the link for that.
http://tinyurl.com/4k2e5o
Monet, you speak for me also. I am so angry and feel helpless and McCain is reducing this campaign to playing nice and respecting a guy none of us knows anything about.
There have been some great posts here over the weekends. Our emotions are raw and will only be getting worse. I would think by this point in the game Larry Johnson would have developed the reputation that would afford him the privilege to get and audience with the McCain staff. This is the best way for McCain to see and hear how angry we really are. Unfortunately I do not think our emails do any good.
I listen to a lot of talk radio..
Rush Limbauagh
Glenn Beck
Mark Levin
Dennis Prager
All of them say the same thing… that they wish the campaign would listen to them.
Apparently this is a very introverted and insulated group of people.
Who knwos.. maybe they would they open to hearing from Democrats… they certainly are closed to hearing from conservatives.. especially conservatives who spend hours each day talking with millions of people and could certainly related to the campaign what so many people are really thinking.
It’s a mystery to me. I gave up trying to understand.
gah.. not my best written comment ever.. it’s late
I don’t think McCain is doing anything at all wrong.
HE’S FROM THE INCUMBANT PARTY!!!
Anyone, after last week, who gets back to within 4 points in a major poll?
That’s a winning strategy in this enviornment.
Now, we just need a good old-fashioned international security incident.
*just kidding*
I want to give a big AMEN to this part of the article above:
This cant’ be emphasized enough. I mean who doesn’t know about his anti-earmark stance by now?
What I hear is that everyone responsible for the GSE debacle is put on charges.
I want to hear that CRA is going to be repealed.
I want to hear that the days of America living off credit while amassing HUGE budget deficits and trade deficits are over.
I want to hear him say: SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WILL BANKRUPT THIS BANKRUPTED GOVT IN TEN YEARS.
I dont care if he has a solution for this.. but I want the Klaxon Alarms to be sounded
I want to hear that by any means necessary the 2010 budget will be balanced.
Of course none of this will happen.
I want him to tell Obama to tell Biden to lower the usurious credit card rates the companies in Biden’s state are charging the American public.
Wow, Monet is right on the money with a righteous rant. Those are all excellent points that the McCain campaign needs to focus on. I completely agree with the need to change the stump speech. JM needs to be on the side of the citizens of this great nation and not the special interests. Rather than just repeating that mantra, some great examples are called for, as Monet outlined.
Go after the root causes of this meltdown, go after the politicians, lobbyists and activists that made it happen. Announce a plan that’d keep this from happening again. Eliminate the causes of bubble economies. Impose some regulations on hedge funds. Modify Sarbanes-Oxley and mark to market rules. Tell us more about your plan to streamline and unify that alphabet soup of agencies you mentioned.
Futures suggest the stock market is going to surge upward Monday. The outcome of the G7 meeting is having a very positive effect on world markets. Stopgap measures can help in the short run but we need long term solutions. McCain should be able to gain much needed ground by seizing the initiative on positive solutions that voters can identify with.
There is no good reason why the state of the economy should be a good issue for Obama. He’s part of the problem, not the solution. McCain can shine here.
McCain must not misunderstand that the emotion he’s witnessing is TERROR
OBAMA THREATENS US, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
He threatens to dismantle our country for what he and a few sick zealots deem fit.
McCain also needs to drive home that Obama et al ORCHESTRATED AND TIMED THE WALL STREET CRASH TO PROFIT FROM IT BY VOTERS BLAMING THE INCUMBENT.
They’re mad about their finances? OBAMA USED THEIR MONEY CALLOUSLY FOR HIS POWER GRAB.
Via G. Soros, Hedge Funder: Soros Fund Management and Quantum Fund.
MG-PUMA
I’m sorry, I disagree with many points of this rant.
PEOPLE FORGET THAT MCCAIN GETS FLACK FOR HAVING A “BAD TEMPER.”
The worst thing he could do right now is come off as “angry.” The Obama campaign will be prepared for that and be all over it, bringing up issues over his temperament.
McCain is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. My advice would be for him to maintain his calm and let Palin get all fired up – she can be the “fall guy” for any flack re: the race baiting etc.
who gives him the flak? the media does! it is time to say screw the media and do what needs to get done. it is time for him to say, my base does not care what you think, they are pissed and we are going to do something about it starting now!
exactly
Hillary tried to play it laid back also, but when she showed FIGHT and FIRE then she started rolling up the wins
IGNORE THE MEDIA FILTER SEN MCCAIN
WE ARE REAL AMERICANS AND WE WANT TO SEE YOUR PASSION AND YOUR RIGHTEOUS ANGER OVER WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO MIDDLE AMERICA
I am a lifetime DEM voting GOP, the world has tilted on its axis, now is the time to FIGHT
dont worry about looking like an angry old man , I WANT AN ANGRY EXPERIENCED LEADER TO SET THINGS RIGHT
SHOW YOUR PASSION, FIGHT FOR US, FIGHT!!
Do not go gently into the socialist night!!
I certainly don’twant him to lose his temper, but there is a way to eviscerate someone on the issues and be completely calm.
Remember what Hillary did to Obama at the PA debate — perfect.
McCain is not the debate Hillary is, but he is a leader and he knows his stuff inside and out. He can be a fighter without sacrificing his dignified exterior.
John McCain’s dad and grandfather were both Naval Admirals.
Our John McCain was a Navy jet pilot.
And a Congressman. And a U.S. Senator.
And a fine one he is.
Right now…..
We need the fighter pilot.
He’s in there, to his core.
And he’s been in tough races before (remember, they pronounced his primary campaign dead in the water more than once). One thing Mac does not do is flinch or run from a fight.
He knows what he’s doing.
So, while we’re all telling him what he needs to do to win this race (and they do read the e-mails and these blogs), we need to be thinking, as well, about what WE can do to win this race.
Stand up!! Make it count!!
totally,people the polls are swinging our way and thats with them heavally weighted in barkys favor.hold your water as the debate this time should be interesting.
excellent point
I am seeing if I can go to NM, next weekend to get out the MAC PALIN vote
W00T!!!
Hey sweetie- I been screaming that from the beginning. This was so obvious what Pelosi, Frank, Dodd & the DNC were planning for a looooong time. October surprise? Indeed! It was the perfect sonata.
The Bush Economy
The GSE’s operate under terms set buy Congress…. any action by FM can be attributed to a Nancy Pelosi Ecoomy.
She also took out a $50 thousand dollar HELOC when she was 85 y/o. I wonder what she did with all that money or if she expected to have to pay off her loan?
How horrible, that is the CVTRYWIDE VIP Loan giving to Dodd, head of Banking and fannie fredi payoffs to Frank Dodd Kerry Obummer
yeah, sickening
that poor woman God Bless Her
and Dodd sits in his ctrywide VIP loan home with no shame..
What is really telling is that when the Obama campaign comes out and says, “McCain should do that, because it will just hurt him. The american people don’t want to hear about that.”
Think about that comment. Why would your opposition tell you not to do something that would benefit them?
HELLO! McFLY!
Obama didn’t write ‘Dreams from My Father’
he is a complete fraud
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77815
I think McCain needs to be careful. A lot of those voters he’s trying to reach don’t follow this stuff hourly like we do.
He needs to get the truth out, but in a way that doesn’t drive undecideds away (have I said before how much undecided voters bug me??) we need those voters.
Anyway, I believe McCain is fighting for us and I believe he has a plan. Let’s trust him on that.
I think if McCain comes out swinging too hard he is going to be obliterated w criticism that he has a bad temper and that is not good leadership. There are ways to get at your opponent but I don’t believe anger is it. When you get mad you no longer have control. Do we want Opposuma to have control? No, of course not. I know ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE PISSED OFF. I am as well. This is righteous anger and it is good to express it. But McCain does not have that luxury.
I agree he needs to get specific about what to do about the economy. New regulation, investigation and prosecution of all involved on Wall St, Congress and at the banks. Stop w the bipartisan bullshit and lets get down to brass tacks.
Whatever Senator McCain does, he’s going to be criticized by the media. Show no anger, he’s a milquetoast. Show anger, he’s a cannon on the verge of misfiring.
Senator McCain shouldn’t direct his anger at Senator Obama. Senator Obama isn’t the cause of the global financial meltdown. He’s had his hand in the financial meltdown cookie jar, but he’s not even a whole drop in the bucket.
There’s a fallacy that all anger is negative, that it is something to fear. Anger that is displayed by punching people, calling them derogatory names, destroying property, etc…, numbing it with alcohol or drugs, pretending it doesn’t exist and letting it grow as a silent cancer are negative methods of dealing with anger. Anger can be productive when it’s harnessed and directed at a positive result. Anger can fuel a resolve to tackle and conquer a problem. Anger has served this nation well, from the Boston Tea Party to the women who burned their brassieres in the 1970’s.
Anger is taking over this election, in both parties, with people who have no allegiance to any party and with people who have no intentions of voting. The anger needs to be harnessed, given an outlet to relieve it and an outlet to grow it into a force that can conquer every crisis we’re facing.
At this point, neither candidate is going to pick up more supporters with their tax plans, health care plans, energy plans, scandals (Ayers, Wright, Keating, Troopergate,etc…), bipartisan claims, claims to slash the budget, etc…
If Senator McCain wants to pull ahead of Senator Obama and out of the dead heat I believe they’re in (even though the polls don’t show it), he needs to harness the anger that is rolling across America. So far he’s apologizing for the anger at his rallies, making excuses for it, mitigating it and hiding from it. If he continues on that path, he’ll be back in the Senate in January.
Senator McCain needs to give the anger an expressive outlet, one that is productive and provides relief. Maybe he should have blow up punching bags made, like the Yogi Bear ones we punched as kids. Call them Wally the Bull for Wall Street. Encourage people to punch them at his rallies, let out all of their anger, frustration, disappointment and fear. It sounds silly, but you never know what will catch on with angry people. Once they’re all pumped up with the enthusiasm of anger relief after punching the nefarious Wallys who have killed their stock portfolios and put them into debt with risky mortgages and high energy costs, then it’s time to inform them how he, Senator McCain is going to take on the institutions, lobbyists, activists, CEOs, CFOs, industries – oil, insurance, banking, finance, pharmaceutical, medical, etc.. that have run amok and bring back prosperity. Tell us exactly how the SEC, FDA, FTC, the Justice Department, etc… are going to start doing their jobs and enforcing our regulations and laws.
We need a leader who embraces our anger by making it his, harnesses it, gives it an outlet and then uses it to resolve the current crises that face us. What we have gotten so far in Senator McCain is a candidate who reacts to the Obama campaign. He’s thrown a few curve balls and taken the lead a few times, but then he drops the ball to talk about mavericks and earmarks while chanting “drill baby drill.” That isn’t going to get him elected.
On the other side we have Senator Obama. He’s harnessed the anger, frustration and disappointment in the American Dream into his passionate hopey, changey, post racial nonsense. He has people actually believing he knows some secret that will right the wrongs they are experiencing and they’ve grabbed onto that sliver of hope. I’ve perused his campaign’s website, I’ve listened to his speeches. He has no secret that is going to resolve our problems locally, nationally or globally. His only secret is knowing how to fuel a movement with his passion. But that movement is going nowhere further than bringing prosperity to the shadowy people in his background who have groomed him for the Oval Office. Exit the neocons, enter the neolibs.
Anger is good when the emotion is harnessed and directed towards a resolution. Senator McCain can do that. He gave us a taste of it with his “Fight With Me” ending to his convention acceptance speech. But this time, he needs to back that “Fight With Me” with passion, with anger, with reserve – he needs to give it life this time by fueling it with emotion. Senator McCain has three weeks. If he drops the ball again and ignores the anger that is trampling the amber waves of grain across this nation, it’s going to continue growing silently until it explodes into a cancer that no one may be able to defeat.
Kim Strassel explains the various openings McCain missed in the last debate in a clever article at WSJ:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122360618747721991.html
This is scary: How Barack wants to decimate our national defense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb6EE3C7uWE
I think John McCain needs to just be himself…because that’s what I like about him. Always have liked that about him and I’m a former life long democrat… ( currently in exile )
LET REPUBLICANS BE REPUBLICANS…
DEMOCRATS ALWAYS UNDERESTIMATE REPUBLICANS…MCCAIN IS DOIN BETTER THAN WE THINK…IMHO
Usually, I’d agree with you that Democrats make the mistake of underestimating Republicans. However, until recently the anger in the campaign was limited to the Democrats, both Obamabots and Hillary Democrats. It’s now spread to Senator McCain’s rallies. I think unless Senator McCain deals with the anger in a productive way beyond what he has been doing, he’s giving Senator Obama an opening that will put Senator McCain on the fast track to losing the election. Senator McCain has passion, we’ve seen it. He needs to embrace the anger of the American people, give life to the anger that grows into a passion within him and come out fighting.
Hmmmm….It’s my opinion that McCain is doin fine and he’s got Palin doin the workingclass ire thingy…
But you know…My opinion is worth about as much as my caucus vote in Texas…
It is my belief that Barky and the media exploit these doubs to their benefit and I for one am not going to give Barky a freebie…or let the MSM drive up ratings…I’m just sayin’
I think McCain should do all of the above. He can cover all the bases. Doesn’t just need to be all angry like the letter.
AND, as time has gone by…I am glad Ayers was not mentioned at the second debate. Obama would have just told another lie the media would have ran with. Instead, ads came out and people started searching it more and even CNN (gasp) covered it.
McCain is doing fine. He’s got the message.
XCELLENT POINTS KAT…Timing is everything…No?
Also need to mention, there is a lot of post primary anger, still in the blood of some of us newly non-democrat voters. We are seeing a repeat, encore performance by the o machine, and it is not something we intend to let happen again. I think this is some of the anger that will never get talked about. MAny of us are tired of the tricks and lies that were used, allowed and encouraged by the dnc and media, and now we see it all played again, the race card, the sexism card, ageism, over and over, and no one else is allowed to say squat. Not this time, not again. Still healing from the last raking over the coals by my previous party, I’ll be damned if I’ll watch these liar, race bating cowards get away with it again. SO yes, there is still much of a piss off hangover to go with the new found disgust over giving the O machine a free pass on behavior that is not becoming of a future CIC. Imagine the resume: Memberships, Clubs and Volunteer work:
Would you put that on your resume?
I agree. My anger is from having to watch part 2 of the horrible primary story. Didn’t like it then, don’t like it now.
McCain needs to make a bold point that he is NOT Bush. Obama keeps harping on “another 8 years of Bush policy”. McCain needs to point out differences, let Obama know hes not running against Bush, let the people know that he will work for the middle class, not corporate America, Washington will not “tax and rule”, it will be “fair tax and you rule” in the McCain/Palin Washington. McCain needs to let Pelosi know she is on notice, because he will not tolerate her rants in his Congress! He needs to let Barney Frank and Dobbs know getting “favors” and not putting the American People first will not be tolerated, he will have every bank CEO, Fannie and Freddie, wall st. failure investigated. McCain needs to press Obama on his being nieve on his associations. He didn’t know who Ayers was. His Odinga Association, Rezko Association, Acorns tackticks, Does Americans needs such a nieve President??? He’s a danger to U.S. and other nations.
At this point, the only politician I take at face value is Sarah Palin. She didn’t seek the position she is in now and my guess would be that if someone issued her an ultimatum, she would either say, “shove it” or “fine, I’m heading back to Alaska.”
The rest of the politicians, and that includes the Clintons, don’t ever really tell the voters all they need to know. A lot of circumstances beneath the surface could be motivating McCain right now. Who knows what the “intelligence” people are coming up with these days. In that respect, I trust McCain’s judgement to try and keep things cool for now.
I believe the timing of this financial crisis is deliberate and may be part of some grand global strategy. The price of oil has dropped from around$145 a barrel to less than $80. Some headlines are claiming the oil cartels will loose some of their power as a result. If I am not mistaken, similar post election recessions affected OPEC and the Japanese. Whoever wins this election will be in a great position because they can disavow responsbility for the whole mess and will have a free ticket to exercise shock therapy.
I believe that the ultimate powerbrokers chose both McCain and Obama as the nominees. But we are not living in a perfect world. McCain is a “loose canon” and Obama is a compromised sleaze. So they, the powerbrokers, probably have some contingencies, yet to be revealed.
As for the voters, seeing one’s life savings shrink to a fraction in days is disturbing. But the anger needs to be directed and focused starting at the ballot box. Good-by Ms Pelosi, Mr Hoyer and right on down the ticket.
I hope McCain is elected because I believe he will finish the housecleaning the voters can start. More than anything, this voter wants honest, honorable government.
OT- This is insane. BOYCOTT FISHER PRICE !!!
Fisher Price Baby Doll says “Islam is the Light” UPDATED
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/10/baby-doll-says-islam-is-the–light-in-owasso-oklahomaowasso—when-gary-rofkahr-from-owasso-heard–there-was-a-baby-doll-on.html
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20156048&BRD=2754&PAG=461&dept_id=597380&rfi=6
Fisher Price Doll Promotes Islam in the US
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYaEcj9IVBI
Oh Brother!
What’s Next?…Ayatollah Muppets?….sheeeesh!
As I read through these comments I feel everyone’s outrage of what has happened in our country and to our country. Rage is almost and understatement.Our economy at it’s worst point, people being put out of their homes, our election process over-run with fraud and we aren’t supposed to show anger because it will offend Obama and members of the democratic party. Well, as a former democrat of 40 years, I say let’s offend them. Obama has nothing but smooth-talking rhetoric, has no policies of his own and he and his campaign have landed some pretty low blows to McCain and Palin. I say take off the gloves because the media is playing hell with you anyway.
I’d like to see some anger thrown Obama’s way. How could we not be angry when we keep hearing someone that is running for POTUS, “that I didn’t know.” Obama is such a liar and his character certainly is in question as well as his judgement.
McCain needs to take off his gloves and come out fighting for the American people because our voices are not being heard.
Americans are furious about this mess we’re in and it came from both sides of the aisle. I ran across this thread while lurking on a once-reasonable left-wing board which is now pretty radical and racist: http://forums.therandirhodesshow.com/index.php?showtopic=12427 Rather than acknowledge the facts in this series, the rank-and-file membership attacked it simply as a right-wing attack piece.
My point is that the reasonable Dems – the ex-Dems who supported Hillary who now support McCain – we need to be sure that we understand the basics of this mess, and then, we keep on the McCain campaign to do the right thing here and stop ‘messing around’. We don’t have enough time for the tact that they’re taking now. We need action. We need for McCain to SAY exactly how he’s going to stop this mess, and put an end to the corruption. Obama just refers everyone to his propoganda website, where still there is no detail after over two years. McCain should clearly outline it- briefly and succinctly – so all can understand.
We MUST be showing Obama’s shady connections to terrorists and hate mongers, to criminals, to his funding of left-wing organizations such as ACORN, to his well-hidden background, and of course to the fact that he has yet to produce an actual vault copy of his birth certificate proving that he is even ELIGIBLE to run for the office of POTUS. If the mainstream media won’t do it, it’s up to us.
Sarah Palin at least brought the ACORN and Ayers matters to the public by mentioning them in her speech. That’s the first time there has been actual coverage. So let’s keep up that tact!
Monet’s post is brilliant. Please send it to the McCain campaign and Schmidt. Somebody needs to help them strategize.
Monet,
We are loyal and faithful to McCain/Palin and we all OVERWHELMINGLY approve your message!!!
GREAT piece!!
Every election cycle, these handlers twist a candidate into such a knot that they become unrecognizable!
McCain needs to speak truth to power like he did in the Senate, and in his convention speech!
The pundits keep repeating that America won’t elect an angry president…under the circumstances, we need some motivating anger!
Don’t allow the media to keep painting “O” as all “sweetness and light”!
Fight or flight!
Monet, that is outstanding. This should be read by Sen. McCain and his handlers. This is dead on.
another great piece Ani, many thanks
I saw your ‘pixxed for good reason’ piece cited at redstate of all places LOL
An uneasy (and surely temporary if we can drag our DEM party back from the brink of its crazed leftness) alliance we have formed; PUMAS and Indies and GOPers, all placing COUNTRY FIRST, the way it should be
we need an ad campaign reminding voters it will be Pelosi Reid and Obummer with NO CHECKS just our SCOTUS to try and hold the ine on our Consditutional Rights if he steals this thing
NO NO NO, as a 20 yr bleedin heart Lib DEM that idea leaves me with chills, the baaad kind…everyone please GET OUT THE VOTE FOR MAC/PALIN!!
BOOYAHHH!!
and
W00T!!!
and MONET!! Thank YOU for the excellent piece cited here by our Ani
I always enjoy your comments as well :0)
I respectfully disagree with most of the posts on this thread as far as strategy and tactics go. The polls are tightening in spite of the fact that the MSM/Obama campaign wants us to believe issues like Ayers are of no interest. I believe the polls of last week combined with the aura of inevitability scared people. As of today, the polls look pretty good. McCain’s still very much in the race, much to the chagrin and best efforts of the MSM to thwart him.
IMO, surrogates and advertizing should throw the bombs. McCain needs to appear presidential and statesman-like. Remember all the flak he took for simply saying “that one” in the last debate? The fake outrage of Obama and the MSM about things like this is laughable but the public evidently sees through it.
I don’t understand why it is that many women/Independent voters get turned off by hardball tactics, especially if deployed by the candidate, but they do. McCain needs their votes and he’s walking a tightrope.
I’m being as patient as I can be, but I share a lot of the alarm, anxiety and frustration expressed here (I’m smoking again, dammit). But my fears are allayed by the fact that the RNC will be spending $160,000,000 and they haven’t even fired the heavy artillery yet. Three weeks is a long time. Timing is everything.
Agree with all your points.
The polls are tightening. However, all Senators McCain and Obama are doing is trading the undecideds back and forth. Today’s polls show that the undecideds who are angry, not buying into Senator Obama’s hope and change stick and are voting for Senator McCain. Next Monday their anger may decide hope and change is the answer.
Senator McCain has to grab their anger, give them something more than hope. If he does that, he’ll have the undecided and the moderate Democrats voting for him on election day. He can’t go into a dead heat on election day with just the undecided vote to win this election. If he does, he’ll most likely join Senator Kerry and Vice President Gore. Senator McCain has to show he understands our anger, he feels it too and our collective anger movement is going to change the path we’re on and clean up every mess we’ve gotten into. If he doesn’t, Senator Obama’s hope and change movement may carry the day.
Here’s a reality bite. What LARK thinks is the solution is not what I think.
What Susan who runs the blog isn’t what I think.
I actually generally am in agreement with Larry, so that’s not a good example.
Uppity….I’m not in agreement, but I “get” it.
In short, this is a democracy. There is NO single message McCain can or should send.
that’s egocentric thinking.
He needs to be himself…….and let all of us, who differ, come together.
I love this letter. John McCain should not be feeding the Obama campaign by continually responding to the nonsense emanating from it, but starving that campaign by offering the American people real leadership with real solutions. He will win this election with good, solid ideas, not mindless platitudes of a utopian society.
Well put.
Obama and his supporters have used the “Alinsky” method throughout this contest. Hillary was demonized for any criticism of Obama and that is what they are trying to do to McCain – so he does have to rely on his surrogates. Also, anti-Obama 527s need to voice their opinions. Have any yet?
Lewis’ remarks comparing Wallace to McCain’s campaign are like a drunk throwing a haymaker. I suspect the Fox poll late last week (/3 of voters are less likely to vote for Obama because of his friendship with Ayers) is accurate and why Obama maxing out the race card as a weapon against McCain. A lot of people are sick of it.
McCain has to continue providing the voters with the truth about Obama’s values and worldview. This means what Obama has said, where and who Obama has been with.
I hope McCain is truthful, direct, calm and assertive in the last debate against Obama this week.
The major polls tightened this weekend, when McCain was actively working with his crowds to tone down the aggression. At the same time, Lewis was out claiming racism. Is it connected?
Could be. I think McCain is doing just fine right now. Calls for anger make no sense to me. I don’t like angry people. LOL* I want a leader who is confident and has solutions. If one doesn’t work, dump it, try a different solution.
But anger? No thanks.
annin — today McCain spoke about the anger and fear. He gave the speech of his life. He was tremendous. Nice guys finish last — smart guys who hear the people — WIN.
McCain is going up in the polls because Obama voters are having buyer’s remorse. Acorn has a lot to do with this. If Obama is doing so well then why does he need to register dead people?
Sorry if it offends you but people are angry and they will vote for the man who taps into that anger.
I caught the tale end of Senator McCain’s speech today, he was using his “fight for me” again. He needs to add more force, anger and passion to his “fight with mes” and I think he can pull out of the dead heat with Senator Obama. He can’t just tighten the polls. A dead heat will most likely give Senator Obama the advantage because it appears right now that the Obama campaign has manipulated the voting process fraudulently.
McCain needs to add emotion that breathes and lives, that we can feel. They’ve got to work with him over the next week to get that emotion out of him. It’s there. Deep inside. He has to tap into it.
Doesn’t offend me at all. I’m thrilled that McCain is now channelling the fear and anger into a sharp speech.
This is a year where we’ve gotten to see how the candidates apply skills.
I’m very impressed with John and Sarah.
I’m not impressed with Biden and Obama.
I’m delighted.
Whether it translates into a win? We’ll see.
I personally think John is beating him.
Monet–great post, well thought out and articulated. PLEASE send it to the McCain people.
He has got to break through the mediocrity. I want to see the passionate McCain we saw the last few minutes of his convention acceptance speech and from that clip last week in Albuquerque. If he gives another boring dead performance Wednesday he’s finished.
Please send this and other great ideas from the commenters above to McCain right away.
I’m sure someone on his staff reads NQ but this is top priority for the debate.
I don’t think McCain needs to BE ANGRY to harness and acknowledge people’s anger. It will make him appear more in touch with the feelings of the electorate out there.
He needs to show passion and stop with his laundry list of positions. Focus on the economy and corruption and let the surrogates keep talking about Ayers, ACORN, etc
What say you all? I say, “Hear, hear!”
From Monet’s lips to McCain’s ears. And not just restore enforcement of law in the markets, but in a broader sense as well.
I think McCain’s decision to not go personal will cost him the election. See the difference is Senator Obama doesn’t have to go personal because his media mouthpieces do it for him.
McCain has no one.
I think Obama’s broken record of 8 more years and “he’s just like Bush” should be McCain’s starting point for any speech or even the last debate. BO is more like Bush than McCain ever was and he should open by saying “My opponent thinks I’m just like Bush but the truth is his rhetoric and record is more like Bush’s than any candidate in the past 18 months. The Palin rally in Virginia today was great–she did not repeat talking points, she is speaking directly to the people with all the authenticity that BO does not have. 20,000 plus people. Keep the faith.
When did Senator Obama get his own flag with the stripes, a splattering of stars and the ‘O’? How did I miss this one?
And does that flag remind anyone else of the tv show Jericho?
Oops. False alarm. I discovered a video from today and it turns out the flag belongs to the State of Ohio. The flag looked so much like something the Obama campaign would come up with, no wonder they placed two of Ohio’s flags behind Senator Obama today. The Obama campaign has come up with so many “brilliant ideas” like the Obama seal that it didn’t even occur to me the flag could represent anything other than him.
For anyone who wants to see the Ohio state flag and how it looks behind Senator Obama:
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/57197-obama-economic-rescue-plan-for-middle-class