The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

Ana Lucia:

You're welcome.

Dody:

Do you also think I am "harping" on Hillary or McCain's middle name?

guess you are anonymous:
I also just want to say that I am 32 years old, and ever since I entered High School there's been a Bush or a Clinton in the White House. I've never had any temptation to get involved with a campaign before, because I've never felt like what I did would make a difference. But I have now registered Democrat (I used to be registered Republican. although considered myself Independent), and I've donated, volunteered, and am writing blogs on Washington Post :) There has to be something (more than pretense) that is making people like me excited.

Posted by: | April 10, 2008 1:38 AM

As am independent voter, I echo you.... this candidate, Barack Obama has inspired me to the fact that he has opened up my pocketbook of limited fundings.
Barack the Vote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAN WE PLEASE PUT AN END TO THE MUSLIM COMMENTS ABOUT OBAMA! HE IS A CHRISTIAN - THIS IS WELL-ESTABLISHED THROUGH MANY CHANNELS. WILL THE SMALL-MINDED PLEASE STOP HARPING ON HIS MIDDLE NAME. SO WHAT IF IT'S HUSSEIN! GROW UP, PEOPLE!

It was interesting that he reaffirmed the Reagan mantra.

He did spend some time at the University of Chicago.

University of Chicago is the birthplace of current neoliberalism.

The effects of which is very pro business, free market oriented.

So embracing Reagan is good to win independents. Reagan busted the unions. The American worker has been on the backslide ever since.

But this comment is not change. It may not be what the working class wants.

So while taxes may go up, corporatism may continue.

Just a couple of comments:

1, There is not one single 'new' idea in anything Obama has proposed. About 90% of his platform is straight Howard Dean. Just because you didn't pay attention before and what he is saying is 'new' to you because you failed to educate yourselves doesn't mean it is a 'new' idea for Obama. (Trust me Obama knows this even if you do not).

2, The great thing about Obama probably has nothing to actually do with him. If/once he becomes president America will finally be able to eliminate affirmitive action based on race, and move towards a color blind society. The only indicator that should count in terms of getting government aid, should be income. So we can strike the column that includes race off of every form created by the federal government and America can move forward in true equality.

In response to Steve --- Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both graduated from Ivy League Law Schools (Hillary from Yale, Barack from Harvard). Barack Obama was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review, and he could have gone on to make hundreds of thousands at a big law firm of his choosing. Instead, Obama went on to practice as a Civil Rights lawyer, while teaching Constitutional Law at Chicago University, before being elected to the Illinois Senate. Hillary Clinton spent 6 years on the board of Wal-Mart. Obama most certainly did NOT come from a privledged family...at least not in the financial sense, his priveledge was the family he had, and their values -- not the amount of money they had (he got into private school based on scholarship)

I am not anti-Clinton, but I do get frustrated by repeated mischaracterizations of Barack Obama by both sides.

This has been a tough race, and I respect all people running: McCain, Clinton and Obama. I just think Obama's the best person for our country, right now :)

I also just want to say that I am 32 years old, and ever since I entered High School there's been a Bush or a Clinton in the White House. I've never had any temptation to get involved with a campaign before, because I've never felt like what I did would make a difference. But I have now registered Democrat (I used to be registered Republican. although considered myself Independent), and I've donated, volunteered, and am writing blogs on Washington Post :) There has to be something (more than pretense) that is making people like me excited.

Obama is uncomfortable talking to mostly working people he's used to an adoring crown who want lofty fluff. Hillary knows the bread and butter of defining a working plan and implementing it. She has economic vision.

Obama is trying to compete with Hillary's brilliance in this area, but he's struggling, because he's not a natural at dealing with real world problems. He's spent his career depending on consultants, and colleagues to do the planning for hi, and he's the front man... Like Bush.

Obama can't really relate to working class people because he's an elitest to the core. He went to the finest private schools all his life. Then went to work for Wall Street (he doesn't talk about that) and later focused on his assent in politics. He's never really made change happen he's just smart enough to talk about it because he knows what Bush's doing hasn't worked.

Hillary is a problem solver and sees the big picture and understands people of all races and socioeconomic groups and focus on strategies to get US where we want to go to restore peace and prosperity to the USA,

I am happy to say that I was at the Malvern "townhall meeting" today, and I'd like to respond to one of the quotes in this article ("The changes to our economy that began in the 1980s were in response to policies that needed to change..."). While he said that updates DID need to be made during the 80s to outmoded regulation, he also added that the response was too far in the other direction. It led to an environment of greed in the corporate world/Wall Street. He also, after alluding to the recent Washington "bail out" of Bear Sterns, remarked that "Pain trickles up." In other words, we have to look out for the intrest of the citizen, because if the American citizen is unable to pay bills, if the citizen's interest isn't the priority of business or government, then ultimately our corporations will fail too, and everyone will suffer. These points were VERY consistent with Obama's economic speech in March at Cooper Union (http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBRqm).

Dear Jake d,
With supporters like you Hillary Clinton and Mc Cain don't need enemies!!
Thank you :)
Obama08

John McAncient is literally in bed with federal lobbyists

Every person on here trying to protect Obama from being called a Muslim is just as much of a racist idiot bigot as the embicel who keeps capitalizing his middle name. Christianity is not superior to Islam in any way shape form or fashion. American "Christian" pop culture is violent, sexist, materialistic, promiscuous, and out right racist. So how the hell are these people going to claim superiority over anyone. Barack Obama needs to address how devilishly divisive and racist it is that I climate could exist in such a supposed advanced society that being Muslim could possibly be leveled as an incriminating accusation. So what about this religion? Is the bigoted suspicion about Muslims going to become so popularly accepted that a new form of anti-semitism is imminently on the horizon. Will there be mass burnings and lynchings. Will there be millions of Muslim Americans thrown in internment camps. And, if so what will be the consequences for the world.

Glad to see you'd be concerned.

Any evidence anywhere HUSSEIN is more likely to be a Muslim secret agent than Clinton and McCain are Christian bigots?

And yeah, scary isn't it, over 15 million dead instantly and many more millions over the next 50 years.

Yes, I would be concerned.

Back to my scenario, though, the American President has the largest nuclear weapons stockpile in the world at his fingertip -- over 5,000 per current estimates -- let's just assume, for a moment, that he (or she) managed to detonate only FIVE of those, one each over New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia. That's a total of over 16.6 million dead instantly. Again, talk about "efficient".

JakeD
Of course it would matter if he were lying about that! It would matter a damn lot.

I'm asking if Clinton and or McCain were lying as well. No normal bigots as we are used to by now...Secretly planning to eliminate all the infidels in the world, which exactly what the terrorists are trying to do to Christians and Jews.

Would you be concerned ?

Again, I am not insinuating anything untoward against Barack HUSSEIN Obama -- in fact, I think that name even means HANDSOME -- but it is fascinating to see his supporters claim that it wouldn't even matter if he were lying about that?! I mean, how much WORSE of a scenario could anyone think up? This "dovetails" perfectly into our previous discussion, as American cities are much more populous and nukes are much more "efficient" than 1945 ...

I disagree that it would be the "same manner" whatsoever -- a secret Muslim agent would have to be running for office with the intent of affirmatively losing the war on terrorists -- otherwise "normal" bigots have no doubt been elected to the Presidency (I mean, come on, half of our Founding Fathers OWNED slaves) and the worse we got from that was a Civil War.

JakeD
Godd idean , let's agree on term definition first. :)
A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own

A Christian bigot would then be a Christian intolerent of other religions in the same manner I believe you mean by "secret Muslim agent, lying about it in order to gain the Oval Office".

P.S. to jaybeberny:

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/39690e91-49c2-49ea-9440-cbdf713c1363.htm

"Bigots" against race or Christianity?

JakeD, would you be concerned if Clinton or or McCain were Christians bigots ?

disgusted:

If he were a secret Muslim agent, lying about it in order to gain the Oval Office, that wouldn't concern you at all?

a lot of these comments are trying to paint Obama as a Muslim. These must be the Bush die hards. If you don't like Obama, please give us a rational argument, not one that's been discredited (over and over: he's NOT a muslim and even if he were, who cares?). Obama was against the war: that alone would have saved us a trillion dollars as of this year, plus trillions more on future costs. Also, that would have allowed us to help finish the mess in Afghanistan. Obama '08!

JakeD
OK let's agree we disagree on the definition of the term efficient and replace it by: "skilful at avoiding responsability"

My conclusion remains,

Our history is filled with both. Our current President has become one of the most "skilful at avoiding responsability" killers of all time.

The only way to build a better futur is to elect a President with a broader knowledge base than what we've had so far.

Of the three candidates we have, only HUSSEIN fits the profile. You, my friend, have convinced me!

CD:

You're welcome.

maxd:

Are you still around?

For all of you morons who voted for Bush-
and for those who plan on voting for McCain.
Thank you for ruining a perfectly good country.
Obama is our only shot in hell of regaining any of the respect weve lost over the last 8 years in the international community. You cant fight everything and everyone with guns - (the NRA does disagree, however). We need a president who isn't afraid to speak to resolve the real issues instead of one who is too much of a pussified idiot to talk and has to resort to bombing and killing.
Also, tax cuts for the rich will only let all the money pool up in the hands of the few - and increasing wiretaps and government power will only serve take power from the people and also give it to the few. who are the REAL COMMUNISTS.
Please - i beg of all of you neo-con christian supremicy retards
ASK GOD FOR A BRAIN - THEN ACTUALLY USE IT YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING

Oh, come on, Mudville9, using your loosie-goosie definition then, we've "killed" millions more simply by licensing abortionists -- using any REAL definition posted above, actual, affirmative taking of human life has never been more "efficient" -- and, hopefully, never will be. Let's just agree to disagree on this one.

Yeah, Barack, way to win over the Democratic Party's base: PRAISE Reagan and TRASH Roosevelt. How has this Richard Nixon-wannabe suckered so many progressives into buying his lies?

It is notable that many McCain-Clinton people ask those of us in the next generation: Which will it be "government can't solve every problem" or "government has a role to play in dealing with economic inequity?"

What this means is that the either-or, zero-sum set - mostly older, less educated and more likely to enjoy a shouting match than a solution - is still out there.

Strange, our founders understood the notion of compromise. So did the mid-20th century leaders that maintained the "vital center" for well nigh two generations of unprecedented (and unrepeated) economic prosperity and growth in middle class America.

But there remains a strange group of people whose eyes glaze over whenever Senator Obama (or anyone in the next generation of leadership) begins to talk about a solution-centered approach to politics - one that can hold opposing ideas in tension, even transcend them.

The only comfort those of us that see such an approach as obvious can take is in the old saying: Hundred years from now, all new people.

JakeD
The thing is, no one is talking about bombs but you.

You asked for a more efficient killing than Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I gave you one.

Here's another one, we've killed millions of cuban just by denying them trade opportunities (which is our right) and no bombs whatsoever. Ain't that efficient.

Stop thinking of efficiency as number of dead bodies didived by the number of bombs.

In Bush case, his efficiency lies in having kiled hundred of thousands of civilians lives without having to pay the consequences.

I'm not just talking E=MC2 here, I'm talking total efficiency. I think anyone (other than you) will admit that TWO BOMBS killing 220,000 people is about as "efficient" as we've ever seen in all of human history.

JakeD:
False affirmation, the energy outpout of an 2 atomic bombs is astronomical. The killing in Jonesville for an example killes "only" 1000 people but required an infinitesimal part of the energy deployed to kill in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Much more efficient killing energy wise.

Dennis:

As soon as you answer my question ("Does Bill Bennett get all his gambling losses back then too?") I will be happy to answer your questions.

I'm sure this is news to most, but:

OBAMA IS AN EMPTY SUIT...maybe a little mor emty than "Lurch" was and is... very good while reading off a teleprompter but severley challenged when talking off hand.

EMPTY ( hello...hello...hello.....) SUIT

Johnnie on the spot:

First of all, you should use the word "all" then. Second, regardless of what you think we "deserve" President Bush is not running for, and cannot be elected to, a third term. Never fear, as you will soon have a President McCain to hate.

Bush/McCain aren't just for denying aid for investors or second homes, they do not want to provide any government money to assist any homeowner, period. Name one proposal McCain or Bush has supported that would use government money to assist individual homeowners. Yet they support bail-outs like the Bear Sterns bail out.

Mudville9:

Of course you could kill only one person and be very efficient -- it's MORE "efficient" to kill 220,000 people short of expending 220,000 times the effort -- besides, what do you think were all the negative "consequences" to Truman after Hiroshima and Nagasaki?! Look, we are simply never going to agree on this (unless you can find me even a example of more killing using ONE bomb -- that would be a higher ratio of the output to the input of said system -- for instance).

Americans are all idiots ( not all of you,just the ones who blog on this post) you deserve another 4 years of Bush.

Would the "real" Barack Obama please stand up...?

He talk's endearing about Reagan's low tax and small government agenda. TRUTH: REAGAN INCREASED GOVERNMENT SPENDING ONLY SECOND TO GEORGE BUSH! AND PUT AMERICA IN TRILLIONS MORE DEBT.

He talks about having an "open border" economy. TRUTH: MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS HAVE LOBBIED TO KEEP THE 'CHEAP LABOR' FLOWING!

He talks about working people with no health care. YEAH, WHERE'S THE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ... BY THE WAY, WHERE'S OUR SOCIAL SECURITY!

He talks about kissing the Republican's rear-ends during his presidency... "I can work well across the ailse." TRUTH: THE GOP WILL BEND YOU OVER THE TABLE WITHOUT OFFING YOU ANY 'KY'

Obama has a messiah complex that is both naive and extremely dangerous! TRUTH: BEWARE OF WHAT YOU THINK YOU HEAR!

The Media distorts and misrepresents which includes information suppression... The Elite will never let "the people" truly determine the next president.

SUCKERS!

Exactly, Dennis, if we bail out everyone including people who should have known better and bought houses for speculative purposes, to rent, or as second homes -- where will we draw the line? Can Bill Bennett get all his gambling losses back then too?

JakeD

You still think of efficiency in terms of numbers.

You could kill only one person and be very efficient.

The real definition of efficiency is the ratio of the output to the input of any system (Priceton Dictionary).

W has killed hundreds of thousands of inocent Iraqi civiilans without spending any energy whatsoever to avoid consequence.

That's efficiency!

Jake-

I'm just quoting your post, you said:

"...the government cannot (or, at least, should not) solve the housing crisis if that means helping lenders / individuals who made bad decisions."

I think that is bad policy that exaults theory over reality.

"The Republicans here say we should do nothing to help individuals who made "bad" decisions. The bad decision they made was to be talked into a bad loan they did not understand. The punishment for that, under your position, is that the individuals lose their home and have their credit destroyed so they can never own a home again. While the government bails out Bear Sterns despite its "bad" decision to invest in those loans. Look up the definition of "social Darwinism." I think our government can do better than that. Peoples' lives should not be destroyed because of one bad decision."

Since you are willing to force others to help people out, I can only assume you have contributed a great deal personally to people with foreclosing homes.

Anyways, that is a false dichotomy: bail Bear Stearns or bail homeowners. How about bail neither?

Dennis:

I'm not a Republican, but (again) to quote the Republican running for President: "Any assistance for borrowers should be focused solely on homeowners, not people who bought houses for speculative purposes, to rent or as second homes. Any assistance must be temporary and must not reward people who were irresponsible at the expense of those who weren't."

Why do you read that as: "we should do nothing to help individuals who made 'bad' decisions"?

roto:

Thanks.

A VERY GOOD ARTICLE FROM FACTCHECK.ORG ABOUT THE RACIST THEOLOGY OF OBAMA''S CHURCH:
The "theology" that Wright teaches at his church is nothing like Christianity as most people understand it. The brand of theology which Wright has been teaching Obama and the others at his church is called "black liberation theology." Wright admits this and it is stated on the church's website. Black theology is based upon the premise of the white oppressor against the black oppressed. This is why, for example, that Wright refers to Jesus as black, and his killers as white. This is the only way the story of Jesus fits within this brand of "theology." Rev. Wright cites James Cone, another proponent of black liberation theology, as his theological inspiration. Here are just a couple of James Cone's quotes: (1) "To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people." (2) "While it is true that blacks do hate whites, black hatred is not racism." (3) "All white men are responsible for white oppression." (4) "Theologically, Malcolm X was not far wrong when he called the white man "the devil." (5) "If there is any contemporary meaning of the Antichrist, the white church seems to be a manifestation of it." (6) "Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community ... Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love." *** These statements, and this "theology," are fundamentally racist and divisive. The fact that Obama has chosen to belong to this racist church for 20 years speaks volumes about his character and judgment, and flies in the face of his pronouncements about his ability and intent to "unite" this country.

Hillary Clinton has made statements unequivocally trumpeting NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread. The Buffalo News reports that back in 1998, Clinton attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and thanked praised corporations for mounting "a very effective business effort in the U.S. on behalf of NAFTA." Yes, you read that right: She traveled to Davos to thank corporate interests for their campaign ramming NAFTA through Congress. On November 1, 1996, United Press International reported that on a trip to Brownsville, Texas, Clinton "touted the president's support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying it would reap widespread benefits in the region." The Associated Press followed up the next day noting that Hillary Clinton touted the fact that "the president would continue to support economic growth in South Texas through initiatives such as the North American Free Trade Agreement." In her memoir, Clinton wrote, "Senator Dole was genuinely interested in health care reform but wanted to run for president in 1996. He couldn't hand incumbent Bill Clinton any more legislative victories, particularly after Bill's successes on the budget, the Brady bill and NAFTA."

Hillary failed inclusion and diplomacy with congress on her once universal health care bid. Subsequently she surrendered and aligned herself to the health care industry. Nobody can argue that the biggest problem with health care in the United States are pharmaceuticals and insurers. Hillary Clinton became the second largest recipient in the Senate of health care industry contributions. "As she runs for re-election to the Senate from New York this year and lays the groundwork for a possible presidential bid in 2008, Mrs. Clinton is receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from doctors, hospitals, drug manufacturers and insurers. Nationwide, she is the No. 2 recipient of donations from the industry, trailing only Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a member of the Republican leadership." Raymond Hernandez and Robert Pear, "Once an Enemy, Health Industry Warms to Clinton," New York Times, July 12, 2006. Lastly, her vote for the Iraq war was the greatest error in judgement for the health of thousands of U.S. men and women in uniform. Not to mention the health of millions of Iraqis.

I wish I was speakin for everyone, cuz I like Jake D. Jake D haters: He's cuttin through all the bull; talkin to the regular hard workin guys like me. Jake D, you're the kinda guy I wanna sit down an have a beer with, you know, not the kinda beer those yuppys drink, like a real beer like a bud.

The Republicans here say we should do nothing to help individuals who made "bad" decisions. The bad decision they made was to be talked into a bad loan they did not understand. The punishment for that, under your position, is that the individuals lose their home and have their credit destroyed so they can never own a home again. While the government bails out Bear Sterns despite its "bad" decision to invest in those loans. Look up the definition of "social Darwinism." I think our government can do better than that. Peoples' lives should not be destroyed because of one bad decision.

Using your word "efficient" Truman killed as many as 220,000 Japanese with just two (2) bombs. Since then, of course, thousands more died from injuries or illness attributed to exposure to radiation released by said bombs. Please cite to ONE other more "efficient" mass-killing.

Mudville9:

You said "Our current President has become one of the most efficient killers of all time."

ef·fi·cient (adj.)

performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable: a reliable, efficient secretary.

pro·lif·ic (adj.)

producing in large quantities or with great frequency; highly productive: a prolific writer.

maxd:

(Perhaps it's a language barrier, but here's my question to you again) Is there "one" comment of mine that you think is most stupid? After that, I would love to find out what you think you know more about the last three presidential candidates than I do ...

JakeD... you mixe up prolific with efficient...

Mudville9:

If we're just talking "efficiency" Harry S Truman killed far more Japanese using just two (2) bombs ...

jaybeberny,

If I hadn't done my research, I wouldn't be comenting like I id. As a researcher myself, I realised after reading thru the comments posted on this article that I know more about your own country then both you and JakeD. I believe I also know more about the last three presidential candidates than both of you.

The problem with most Americans today is that you assume too much that the rest of the world is stupid.

My last comment was directed to JakeD...

Hi, nick. Thanks for your post. Did you miss where I said, above, that I agree it is time for someone other than a Bush or Clinton in the Oval Office? Perhaps you missed where I used McCain's middle name too. I'm wondering if you think that's a "childish reference" as well (or, should I wait for someone from Ireland or Australia to be "offended" at that too)? Again, thanks for your post, and I look forward to many, many more.

Your argumentation is based on religion.

Religion is not the reason we fight all around the world. Racism and violence are. Our history is filled with both. Our current President has become one of the most efficient killers of all time.

The only way to build a better futur is to elect a President with a broader knowledge base than what we've had so far.

Of the three candidates we have, only HUSSEIN fits the profile. You, my friend, have convinced me!

To Jake D...

I am sure I speak for a lot of bloggers.

Your childish refernces to Obama's middle name and contextually suggesting he is a terrorist is offensive to the extreme. You may think that soliciting such moronic garabage which is best left to 1930's Germany is clever. I am a practicing Jew, active in my community and probably as far removed from the idea of Islam as you can get....

Your snide little comments offended me. It reminded me of the types of people who exterminated vast numbers of my relatives.

I expect you are undecuated to any great extent, it may be that you have been raised in impoverished surroundings and have suffered a great deal, hence your shameless bigotry. I am sorry for that.

Though I very rarely swaer or use an profanity as I respect my children, I am on this occassion inclined to imagine that your surname begins with 'D' and ends in the word 'head'. Because that is all you have shown us...

At any rate your vote will not matter as it is our great fortune that the majority of voters have more balanced and pragmatic views. That is why we on occasion change governments!!! Do you get it yet?

There are imbiciles on either side and they will simply strike each other out...

The sensible majority will always prevail, and that includes some good muslim and jewish.

God Bless America, land of the free.

See ya : )

jake,
bravado aside, your last post,
that was well said. very good. thanks for the posts,, signing off

How about NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg (would his Judism be a problem too)?

O I meant JakeMOROND is here!!!

My Bad!

jake, I have thought that was a possibility, especially after several weeks of interviews with Hannity. But the reality is that JM does not like him. Actually, hates him from inside sources. Personally I am disappointed to hear that, also the fact he is a mormon, would not bother me, but probably would bother the heartland.

I agree that it is time for someone other than a Bush or Clinton (or an Obama) to occupy the highest office in the land.

JakeD,

All posturing and bravado aside, I like McCain and I like Obama. In a better world, I wouldn't mind and Obama-McCain or an Obama-Hagel type of ticket.

I beleive McCain is an honorable man - principled and does his best to tell the truth. I believe the same of Obama.

I like the vision of Obama - that of unity and moving beyond divisions. He is not a Muslim - if he were he would not bother aligning himself so much with Christian faith. The experience factor is thin - however it seems the experienced politicians seem to lose when it comes to common sense and that is how the country is where it is now.

The Clinton's however great their contribution to public service, I believe are in it more for themselves than the coutnry. And I fear the truth does not rank highly in their list of priorities. I genuinely believe that if the Clinton's could not get all their agenda's completed in 8 years as President and First Lady, the fact that they need another four or eight years is a testament more to their ineptitude than to their ability to lead.

I also feel, as with the Bush clan, America is not a monarchy and it is time for anyone other than a Bush or Clinton to occupy the highest office in the land.

maxd, you need to get an education before you start to post you slams against other people who have done more research than you. you speak of emotion only, its is obvious.

jaybeberny:

What about Mitt Romney for VP?

maxd:

Is there "one" you think is most stupid?

now we got a post going, we see the same when it comes to corruption and the difficulty in picking a candidate. or me , Obama is just a fad, he is truly not ready for the man in the White House. But the other two candidates pose real problems. Hilary, just another lying Clinton. And Mc, well he needs to pick a good finance guy for the VP or I m totally lost with my vote.

This is not the first time Obama has switched his position based on who he was talking to. Obama denies he filled out an extremely liberal questionnaire, saying an aide filled it out that way to try to get money from the organization the questionnaire was for. So, he fills out questionnaires differently depending on who is putting up the money?? (Of course, his claim that he didn't answer so liberally was proved to be a lie, when a copy of the questionnaire surfaces with Barack's handwriting all over it.)

Don't forget that one recent time when the candidates were at work in the Senate, a fellow Senator introduced the spending bill it would take to get Obama's programs passed. It was defeated 94-0--even Obama voted against it. ;~)

JakeMoronD is here!!!

JakeD,

As a foreigner reading the various comments posted on this article, yours is the most stupid one.

Ignorant mindset like yours is what's turning off the people of the world towards America. That kind of mindset will be the undoing of America.

Mark my word.

Andrew:

I wouldn't vote for her either in a million years.

Dear JakeD,

The only candidate out of the three that has definite ties to MUSLIM money by way of the emir of Dubai his Hillary RODHAM Clinton via her husband Bill - follow the missing 15 Million from the Clinton tax returns.

as one who is riding in the wagon and not pulling it i hope obama wins because he's already promised 61 billion on new programs and i'm sure i can sign up for some of those goodies.sorry i missed getting a sub prime loan,i'm sure the dems.and obama would have found a way to pay it off for me.so take care of me brothers and sisters were all in this together.please go to work so i can go fishing.

Thank you, jaybeberny. From John SIDNEY McCain's speech on this topic: "Any assistance for borrowers should be focused solely on homeowners, not people who bought houses for speculative purposes, to rent or as second homes. Any assistance must be temporary and must not reward people who were irresponsible at the expense of those who weren't."

Excuse me, government cannot solve the housing problem nor should they. then why don't they solve the problem when every investment goes bad.

Ryan:

You must have missed the latest "scurrilous, baseless accusation": Rev. Wright used to be a Muslim. Check it out at New Republic ; )

First off, how much of a tool do you have to be to think that emphasizing Barack Hussein Obama's middle name is making a point? Are we supposed to be scared of a name that's not Anglo-Saxon? Secondly, it's a logical statement to say that while government can't solve all problems in the economy, it can solve some, like housing. Finally, you folks need to make up your minds; are you going to make baseless accusations that he's a muslim, or scurrilously obsess over his Christian pastor? You can't have it both ways, so decide how you're going to justify hating this nation's best candidate.

June Watson, Cleveland OH:

As I said, above, I am not trying to put FEAR in anyone -- knowledge is the cure for FEAR -- look it up, in the Koran ; )

The mistake in the USA was not to have a mandatory draft for 2 years after HS for all, so that we would not have so many spoiled, and lazy Americans that think they are entitled to a free ride. Obama, has had a gravy life, as do all these politicians. I am from divorced parents and made it just like Obama, but I work for the man and pay taxes. As Americans we have done more fro the free world than any other countryy on the planet. DONT EVER FORGET THAT!. There is nothing wrong for serving humanity and your country. There is nothing wrong for dying for a cause as long as you believe in it. The problem is the media is corrupt and jaded so Americans cannot make accurate and realistic decisions anymore. At least the Americans you know do not have the ability to even post comments like we are doing. Be grateful we all live in this wonderful nation. We need to have a say in our Government, not just one man who is a paper tiger at the top. Empty promises have been a virtue of both the Dems and Rep.

Andrew Kenneth:

What he ACTUALLY said, on March 25, 2008 --

"Thank you for joining me here today. I just returned from a trip overseas that included assessing the state of affairs in Iraq, the Middle East, and Europe. I will have more to say on those important issues in the days and weeks to come.

While I was traveling overseas, our financial markets experienced another round of upheaval. This market turmoil leaves many Americans feeling both concerned and angry. People see the value of their homes fall at the same time that the price of gasoline and food is rising. Already tight household budgets are getting tighter. A lot of Americans read the headlines about credit crunches and liquidity crises and ask: "How did we get here?" In the end, the motivation and behaviors that caused the current crisis are not terribly complicated, even though the alphabet soup of financial instruments is complex. The past decade witnessed the largest increase in home ownership in the past 50 years. Home ownership is part of the American dream, and we want as many Americans as possible to be able to afford their own home. But in the process of a huge, and largely positive, upturn in home construction and ownership, a housing bubble was created.

A bubble occurs when prices are driven up too quickly, speculators move into markets, and these players begin to suspend the normal rules of risk and assume that prices can only move up - but never down. We've seen this kind of bubble before -- in the late 1990s, we had the technology bubble, when money poured into technology stocks and people assumed that those stock values would rise indefinitely. Between 2001 and 2006, housing prices rose by nearly 15 percent every year. The normal market forces of people buying and selling their homes were overwhelmed by rampant speculation. Our system of market checks and balances did not correct this until the bubble burst.

A sustained period of rising home prices made many home lenders complacent, giving them a false sense of security and causing them to lower their lending standards. They stopped asking basic questions of their borrowers like "can you afford this home? Can you put a reasonable amount of money down?" Lenders ended up violating the basic rule of banking: don't lend people money who can't pay it back. Some Americans bought homes they couldn't afford, betting that rising prices would make it easier to refinance later at more affordable rates. There are 80 million family homes in America and those homeowners are now facing the reality that the bubble has burst and prices go down as well as up.

Of those 80 million homeowners, only 55 million have a mortgage at all, and 51 million are doing what is necessary -- working a second job, skipping a vacation, and managing their budgets -- to make their payments on time. That leaves us with a puzzling situation: how could 4 million mortgages cause this much trouble for us all?

The other part of what happened was an explosion of complex financial instruments that weren't particularly well understood by even the most sophisticated banks, lenders and hedge funds. To make matters worse, these instruments -- which basically bundled together mortgages and sold them to others to spread risk throughout our capital markets -- were mostly off-balance sheets, and hidden from scrutiny. In other words, the housing bubble was made worse by a series of complex, inter-connected financial bets that were not transparent or fully understood. That means they weren't always managed wisely because people couldn't properly quantify the risk or the value of these bets. And because these instruments were bundled and sold and resold, it became harder and harder to find and connect up a real lender with a real borrower. Capital markets work best when there is both accountability and transparency. In the case of our current crisis, both were lacking.

Because managers did not fully understand the complex financial instruments and because there was insufficient transparency when they did try to learn, the initial losses spawned a crisis of confidence in the markets. Market players are increasingly unnerved by the uncertainty surrounding the level of risk, liability and loss currently in the financial system. Banks no longer trust each other and are increasingly unwilling to put their money to work. Credit is drying up and liquidity is now severely limited -- and small business and hard-working families find themselves unable to get their usual loans.

The net result is the crisis we face. What started as a problem in subprime loans has now convulsed the entire financial system.

Let's start with some straight talk:

I will not play election year politics with the housing crisis. I will evaluate everything in terms of whether it might be harmful or helpful to our effort to deal with the crisis we face now.

I have always been committed to the principle that it is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks or small borrowers. Government assistance to the banking system should be based solely on preventing systemic risk that would endanger the entire financial system and the economy.

In our effort to help deserving homeowners, no assistance should be given to speculators. Any assistance for borrowers should be focused solely on homeowners, not people who bought houses for speculative purposes, to rent or as second homes. Any assistance must be temporary and must not reward people who were irresponsible at the expense of those who weren't. I will consider any and all proposals based on their cost and benefits. In this crisis, as in all I may face in the future, I will not allow dogma to override common sense.

When we commit taxpayer dollars as assistance, it should be accompanied by reforms that ensure that we never face this problem again. Central to those reforms should be transparency and accountability.

Homeowners should be able to understand easily the terms and obligations of a mortgage. In return, they have an obligation to provide truthful financial information and should be subject to penalty if they do not. Lenders who initiate loans should be held accountable for the quality and performance of those loans and strict standards should be required in the lending process. We must have greater transparency in the lending process so that every borrower knows exactly what he is agreeing to and where every lender is required to meet the highest standards of ethical behavior.

Policies should move toward ensuring that homeowners provide a responsible down payment of equity at the initial purchase of a home. I therefore oppose reducing the down payment requirement for FHA mortgages and believe that, as conditions allow, the down payment requirement should be raised. So many homeowners have found themselves owing more than their home is worth, because many never had much equity in the house to begin with. When conditions return to normal, GSEs (Government Sponsored Enterprises) should never insure loans when the homeowner clearly does not have skin in the game.

In financial institutions, there is no substitute for adequate capital to serve as a buffer against losses. Our financial market approach should include encouraging increased capital in financial institutions by removing regulatory, accounting and tax impediments to raising capital.

I am prepared to examine new proposals and evaluate them based on these principals. But I think we need to do two things right away. First, it is time to convene a meeting of the nation's accounting professionals to discuss the current mark to market accounting systems. We are witnessing an unprecedented situation as banks and investors try to determine the appropriate value of the assets they are holding and there is widespread concern that this approach is exacerbating the credit crunch.

We should also convene a meeting of the nation's top mortgage lenders. Working together, they should pledge to provide maximum support and help to their cash-strapped, but credit worthy customers. They should pledge to do everything possible to keep families in their homes and businesses growing. Recall that immediately after September 11, 2001 General Motors stepped in to provide 0 percent financing as part of keeping the economy growing. We need a similar response by the mortgage lenders. They've been asking the government to help them out. I'm now calling upon them to help their customers, and their nation out. It's time to help American families.

More important than the events of the past is the promise of the future. The American economy is resilient and diverse. Even as financial troubles weigh upon it other parts of the economy hold up or even continue to grow. I have spoken at length in other settings about the need to keep taxes low on our families, entrepreneurs, and small businesses; to make the tax code simpler and fair by eliminating the Alternative Minimum Tax that the middle class was never intended to pay; to improve the ability of our companies to compete by reducing our corporate tax rate, which today are the second highest rates in the world; to provide investment incentives; to control rising health care costs that threaten the budgets of our businesses and families; to improve education and training programs; and to ensure our ability to sell to the 95 percent of the world's customers that lie outside U.S. borders.

These are important steps to strengthen the foundations of the millions of businesses small and large that provide jobs for American workers. There is no government program or policy that is a substitute for a good job. These steps would also strengthen the U.S. dollar and help to control the rising cost of living that hurts our families. These are important issues in this campaign and the debate with my Democrat rivals. But I will get my chance to talk further another day. Now I look forward to hearing from our small business owners -- the very lifeblood of our economy."

Listen Up Jake, You are not putting FEAR in anyone. What you are doing is showing your true color, your ignorance, your fears, and your doubt in yourself. You give a lot of attention to negatives which has me questioning your stability.

Your now president does not even realize the country is going into a recession if it's not already there. You just simply don't know truth when it SCREAMS at you Jake. That's a pity.

You see Jake that is something Senator Barack Obama don't have a problem with; the truth about the White House, the war, the economy, the housing crisis, his opponents, his religion, the oil crisis, and in whole the absolute state of AMERICA.

I'm not positive you realize the crisis this COUNTRY is in or you could see clearly the genius in Barack Obama and his blueprint for AMERICA. By the way have you read it? Let me tell you boy, it is some good reading and he makes so much sense, ah, you would change your mind about your fears you harbor, I guarantee you. Stand up and take a stand, Make Obama your Man.

GO TO BARACKOBAMADOTCOM AND CHECK OUT THE
BLUEPRINT FOR OUR LIVES IN AMERICA.

John McWar
Said that 20 million people at risk of losing their homes are more or less on their own.
He wants to continue the failed Bush policies
and is already being advised by Karl Rove

Actually, my last name is DORT. What's your full name, "SA"?

Jake D. Must stand for D**k

If you are offend by one of your own Texas democrat....then vote for McCain.....and when the draft comes up .....we real democrats will not have sympathy for your loss or anyone else who voted for George Bush III......so quit crying and get over it.....Obama represents us all.....and if you think McCain and Hillary do you may want to check out they family bank statements and then you will see or not.....Obama 08 dont hate

coco0331 wow! thanks for the post, I may not be getting it all the way you mean it but, I have to agree with where we are going. USSA. redistribute the wealth. Big Big government, lots of control, litigation and new laws. We will all be crying, but we will be the same and all be fine, just like Obama promises

Abigail, who does he surround himself with? Who has collaborated with Saddam Hussein? William Ayers is now a professor at the University of Illinois. Are they hiring sworn enemies of the state now days? You have credentials, but there seems to be something lacking. You sound very radical right wing.

ShaunN:

When every last voter knows his middle name, then I will happily move on.

JakeD!!!

JakeD
JakeD
JakeD

Get over the middle name thing...

It's old. Can't you come up with something new, or can't you think either?

I've been seeing the same comment for a while now.

I must say that I am sorry that Obama can promise the American people a safe a social democratic free society all he wants. He and all that candidates and hypocritical politicians will not address is:
Tax cuts and protecting large biz that supports, donates, sponsors, and give so much money in America and abroad, and the working Americans who pay taxes can only do one thing, give more money.
What can Obama do as president to curb government spending, or budget a government that spends money like a spoiled child with no regard to what impact it has on the economy. Please Obama, with your so called new wisdom, speak to us about the real problem. Government overspending the gross national product and a tax dollars.

stefanie:

I simply assumed he's trying to get Reagan Democrats and Independents to vote for him.

John G:

In my hypothetical scenario, he either fooled Rice or Powell.

Alex:

"With a population of 222 million people in 2006, it is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation ..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia

The best thing for everyone to do here is to ignore the comments of JakeD. He just wants attention and to get a rise out of people. If you don't rise to the bait and respond, then he will be all by himself, with only his own words to ponder.

Obama finally said what the people wanted to hear. He did not mention what he was going to do about the Islam gang behind and supporting him! I dont for one second believe this man, and neiother should the rest of Americfa. There hanf=gs a veil over his background that is unhealthy for this country and talks the double talk of thetypical rabble rouser he is. Smile today folks because there will be plenty of crying by making anothe ]r bad mistake in voting for the man who has backers that hate this country. , and he believes in them

1776-2000, Obama is the proof that its all over but the crying. Communism took over in 2000 controlling the broadcasters and news media. After destroying the Carter administration with foreign weapons deals and C.I.A. hostages along with destroying the economy with high gas and fuel prices. The insurgents dumped the law for truth in broadcasting and continue to make a total mockery of that law. Corporations now own your broadcasting and all of your news media. Propaganda controls the whole country just like it does Russia. The United States is now controlled by organized crime in government. What they want you to hear and see, you will hear and see. The communist manifesto can be described as two steps forward, one step back. It can be described as the top 4% control everything, and donate 10% back to the 90% work force. The other 6% ride for free. The Clinton administration had a better plan for the population, the communist party in America did not think they could win, and did not apply the effort to win. In their effort to destroy Clinton they spent 157 million dollars investigating his administration. Not to mention billions in propaganda destroying him and Gore, and now Hillary. The savings and loan crisis, Enron, Bear Sterns, The Home mortgage crisis, The trade deficit, The national debt. Big oil, conflict of interest, Coke and Columbia, heroin and Afghanistan. All connected to the republican party, How dumb are you? How can a man with the intellect of W be president? These creeps biggest fear is the Clintons. And you'll never know it. And I can tell you Obama doesn't have a clue on how its going to work for him, or just exactly what his plan is. All MCcain knows is his legacy of a president, cause he woke up without a brain around 7 or 8 years ago. Like I said, its all over but the crying. United Socialist States of America.

Thanks Charles Talors, I'm really scared now. Please tell me what should I do next?

As more and more information comes out about Senator Obama's links to various people and organizations that are arguably a danger to American security, I think it's time to ask some questions - and it's time the Senator provide some answers. Why does Senator Obama surround himself with sworn enemies of the state, from William Ayers, the former Weather Underground member, to Jeremiah Wright, to others who have collaborated with Saddam Hussein? Why does he choose such people? And how does that jibe with his wife's lack of pride in the USA? More important - what does it tell us about his judgment - that "judgment" he touts as his greatest quality, the reason he should be given the office of the presidency - and entrusted not just with America's safety and security, but with its integrity and standing in the world?
By Abigail R. Esman
World Defense Review columnist

Looking at Obamas speech, as one poster
declared, these are comments made 4 years
ago.. they didn't work then and they will
not work now.. Obama forgets something, the
robin hood theroy does not fly anymore.

While I do not condone violence (e.g. voting), Obama seems to be the lesser of the three evils (Obama, McCain, and Clinton). McCain has absolutely no idea about economics (he said he would take "The Wealth of Nations" to the White House if he had to choose one book other than the Bible) and wants to start a war with Iran.

Clinton has a good idea about economics but is willfully ignorant to gain votes. She is seeking to gather the disenfranchised vote by giving empty promises (not that Obama isn't making empty promises, but her promises are beyond absurd).

Obama at least understands that you can't solve every problem with government. Still, he makes a large number of mistakes. He claims that the Bush tax cuts are the reason we are in a recession when it was obviously the credit boom (followed by a bust) heavily directed by the Fed, which led to mass speculation in the (then rising) housing market. He also feels as though he can stop any sort of job-outsourcing in the long run. The cyclical economy is inherent in the mercantilistic model countries use. All countries boomed from mercantilism and now the citizens expect these outdated modes of production to produce prosperity for generations to come. Get a clue: China is the next US.

Bush, Cheney, McCain and General Betrayus should all be charged with treason against the US.

What does Obama know about "we are in this together"? We heard the man that Obama follows use "we" and it is certainly NOT we, meaning ALL Americans. Obama is a fraud and stated in 2006 that he did not have the experience to run for President. But he ran anyway and ran on judgement and unity. Well, we have seen his judgement and what he considers "unity." And if he escapes with this Democrat nomination, be assured, he will not be elected in November. He has insulted the majority of Americans. And come November, we will remember.

JakeD:

I am loving how pathetic stupid ignorant you are...making a complete fool of yourself of your little knowledge. There is no such thing as MUSLIM INDONESIA...you fool. I am loving to see you shaking that Obama is going tobe our next president.

Kevin the attacks on Obama's supporters, family, church, pastor, patriotism etc... Would stop if the man would say ANYTHING that contained substance.

John McAlzheimer's can't talk about the economy with any clarity even with the aide of a teleprompter
He doesn't know the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni, even after being reminded by Campaign staff and Lieberman
I'm not being ageist but he definitely is Cognitively impaired, which will also explain his volatile temper
He would lose the general, plain and simple because he can't grasp the economy

Wow, JakeD, it looks like you Repub smear guys are really workin hard. Do you get paid by the post?

Of course, they do have Baskin Robbins in MUSLIM Indonesia, though Barack might have been too young at age 6 to work the booth.

http://www.baskin31.com/menu.htm

I just wanted to mention, i was recently in Buffalo Ny for shopping and the lady ask me where are you from sir i said from Canada the lady replayed back saying is that near California i was amazed by the answer, to this day i am wondering what happen to america that everybody admired.

NB: Canada is only couple blocks from the Canadian border. what a shame!!!!!!!!!

all i want to say is please educate your people please. Rush Limbaugh himself is blind not physically but mentally also.
period.

Jake D,

I don't know what your problem is, you lowlife racist dog, but get used to seeing President Obama around DC.

NEO-CONS FOR HILLARY ! ! !

Pretend that you're a Democrat (Hillary supporter)

Smear Obama with any of the following:

1. He's a Muslim
2. He's not Black enough
3. He's not White enough
4. He's not patriotic
5. He's a racist

note: never address any "issues", instead smear him with any association: his pastor, someone who endorses him, his wife, his father,etc. always make racist commments (i.e. compare him to Jim Jones), put his middle name in capital letters...and MOST IMPORTANT repeat it over and over (check FoxNews for latest smear)

remember: Americans are stupid! (look how we got them in the Iraq war!)

if you repeat anything enough, they'll believe it.

then

SAY IF OBAMA IS NOMINATED, YOU WON'T VOTE DEMOCRATIC IN NOVEMBER

* note: this is generally true, but if Hillary is nominated, it doesn't matter who gets elected...you can vote for whomever you want....McCain is slightly better, but both are in our lobby's pocket, i.e. both Clinton and McCain will put America in our WARS

THE NEOCON LOBBY OWNS BOTH MCCAIN AND HILLARY.

but not Obama

WE MUST STOP OBAMA !

Ok Hillary supporters, you've gotta admit this is funny. The name of the Elton John concert:
"Elton and Hillary: One Night Only"

That's about how long till her campaign is over.

She's a train wreck.

what is the yardstic to measure Obama's economic policy. 'hope and the change we we can belive in' are only slogans to attract voters. Obama has Shifting positions on both the economy and Security. In some cases, he just echoes Clinton's economicy policy by making some changes into it. Let us not be deceived by Obama's empty promise and rhetorical speech. We want result that can be achieved at less cost.

The person who said this must think that the housing crisis is the only problem afflicting America.

They must not be aware that invoking the name of Hussein in order to provide a battleground for psychological, terror based campaigning is probably a greater and more long term American problem than any Sub-prime loan.

--------------------------

Which one is it then, Barack HUSSEIN Obama?

1) "We know that government cannot solve all of our problems, and we don't expect it to"

or

2) "We know that government can solve the housing crisis"?

Once again Osama is high on style and low on substance.

"Obama said the broad goals of his "new direction" would include paying down the national debt, narrowing the income divide (in part by raising taxes on wealthy people)"

That is a critical statement to identify where he'll take the country economically. Paying down the national debt is an admirable goal. But he will be hard-pressed to even balance the budget, let alone pay down the debt, particularly with his plans for national health care and the impending social security and medicare crisis.

The second point though is madness. The past 28 years have shown that lower taxes stimulates the economy while higher taxes depress it.

Raising taxes on the wealthy will do nothing to close the income gap because, #1, it will result in the wealthy producing fewer jobs, and #2, will result in the wealthy taking their money off-shore.

For the record, I have not posted anything against "socialism" : )

...if Obama were a secret Muslim agent ???

JakeD, perhaps you are the perfect person for the job of determining if Obama is a secret agent. You think?

Consider that if Obama were evil, or even justifiably suspected of being evil, he would not have drawn praise from Condoleeza Rice for his race speech, or enthusiasm for his candidacy by Colin Powell.

Obama is invoking the economic polices of the 80s??? Is he kidding? I guess not since most of his economic advisors are from the Freedman school of economics (trickle down my ass!)

Why does he keep invoking Reagan??? The 80s is all about Reagan. Is he trying to woo Republicans? And if he is, why aren't the Obama followers calling him to task for this?

I, for one, do not want to go back to the economics of the 80s.

JakeD and RAT-the are amusing. They only exemplify the reasons so many people are against cloning. Imagine more than one of each...hmmmm!!!
I believe that the definition of socializm is obviously a paraphrase, which means that RAT-the has no idea what he is talking about. There are a number of democratically ruled countries (or republics) that employ what would be considered by many socialist means and laws to even the playing ground for all. It all depends upon the extent to which they are enacted. Take Healthcare... Would not it be a good thing to see your tax dollars providing healthcare (some of the best in the world) to the citizens instead of those dollars going overseas to governments who will use them to arm themselves. To see jobs created, to see education made affordable. Instead, there is no accountability by the government for the tax dollars that they spend... At least they don't seem to listen to those who pay taxes. There is always the excuse that there is not enough money for roads, bridges, retirement, to help the needy.... Why, then, do politicians get a cost of living raise that exceeds many citizen's income, and do it with those citizens' taxes....Socialism, when appropriately administered, does give you bang for the buck.

Jake D - I will say that the roots of our belief systems are probably the same; however, your way of expressing your distain for Sen. Obama are irresponisble, and quite frankly idiotic. If your hope is to persuade people not to vote for some making up false accusations like he being a Muslim, a "secret spy", or using his middle name is not the way to do it.

Instead focusing on the issues, and the man is the proper way to participate in a real conversation. Bring issues up like "what has Barack done?" Sure he is a fantasic orator and inspiring speaker, but truly do his words have anything behind them? What does this phenomonal word "change" even mean? Sen. Obama should be focusing on what he is going to change, and not just throwing the word around.

If "attacking" is your desire than attack him on staying in hateful church that uses the pulpit not as a place of inspiring "hope," but a place to attack institutions that are "dragging down African America." To summarize, there are a multitude of ways to have a sensible argument against Obama. So for the sake of us who do not want him in office, please make reasonable statements against the probable democrat nominee.

for those of you that like to say HUSSEIN
I would like to tell you that there are good people named HUSSEIN like Obama and there are also bad people named HUSSEIN just as there are good people named George and there are bad people named george like BUSH jr. Etc. Etc. Etc.
If you fear the name HUSSEIN there is absolutly any hope for you because you probably are also afraid of your own shadow.
Most good people agree or disagree in an agreeable way knowing that no one ever learned any thing from anyone that totally agrees with them BUT often learn from each other with open minds when they don't compleatly agree with each other.
BUT then there are those that never learn any thing at all.

RE: JAKE-D
You are a PATHETIC and MENTALLY ILL person. People like you love to blaspheme, no wonder Jesus was crucified, and you originated from that tribe of ILL..

ABC news has footage of Hillary supporting non-union Walmart executives with sexist statements from the old news reels:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4619734&page=1

And the Center for Public Integrity is also cited in the ABC news article:

http://www.publicintegrity.org/clintonwalmart/index.htm

Goodness, but the "fake" JakeD and "anonymous" posters sure are out in force today ...

I never said that "HUSSEIN" was a bad name. In fact, I believe it mean "handsome" (again, little known facts for those of you who did not know -- knowledge is the cure for fear ; )

I apologize for what I've said. The truth is that I love Barack Obama. I will continue to say stupid things and I'll even deny that I said I love Obama... but just know that I don't mean what I say. Try not to take me too seriously.

Hey Jake D,
Hussein is not such a bad name! Haven't you ever seen the photo of Rumsfeld with Saddam Hussein, the dictator of choice during the Reagan Admin. And where do you think Saddam Hussein got the chemical weapons he used on the Kurds? The Reagan Admin. You have met the enemy and he is you! Hussein...one of Rush Limbaugh's favorite ploys when he mentions Obama's name. Get original bud! Repreating the same garbage only worked for Goebbels.

JakeD said:

"However, IF Barack HUSSEIN Obama is lying about being a Christian, and is indeed a secret Muslim agent, even that would be of no concern to you?"

I guess JakeD, you could call Captain America. You want his number?

Great!! Excellent!!!Well done....You are the next President, man..Some of you bolggers cannot bear to listen to the man's powerful ideas...

Nikhil B:

I have not been promised anything, nor have I received anything, to post here. How about you?

Caleb:

That was my hypothetical question about. If Rev. Wright an/dor Barack Obama were Muslim, and didn't lie about it, that wouldn't bother me either. No need to apologize : )

Obama has to speak in broad sweeps about economy because the only specifics he can come up with always follow on Clinton's heels.

Jake D - crackpot

I think Bob Dylan needs to update "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues" for JakeD and company (http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/birch.html):

Well, I was feelin' sad and feelin' blue,
I didn't know what in the world I was gonna do,
Them [Islamacists] they wus comin' around,
They wus in the air,
They wus on the ground.
They wouldn't gimme no peace. . .

And by the way, to answer your question, I am not just being leniant on Obama because he is my candidate. I was going to vote for Hillary before I found out what a liar she is, plus the suspicious disappearances of at least 20 people around her.

No you're not! You're Joe, and you have 23 minutes left before its time to clock out, or 15 minutes til class starts and like shooting fish in a barrel! While I salute your zeal, I'm incredulous that THEY let themselves get trolled like this. Then I realize THEY are most of America, and it makes me weep. :`(

Jake, that's kind of different. Though I suppose for your purposes (because you don't separate Muslim from Islamofacists) sure that would bother me. And if I found out that either Rev. Wright or Barack Obama were FACTUALLY Islamofascists then I would not vote for them. But them simply being or being around Muslims at some point doesn't bother me. That's like me saying I'm gonna be a Gypsy now because my best friend in college was a Gypsy. A silly insinuation at best.

Sorry for accusing you for taking Rush's lies as truth, I simply have to assume that. So that's fair.

Jake D , how much is Hillary promised to pay you for your comments here ? Don't rely on her buddy, she is already having problems managing her finances !!!

David:

I would recommend just ignoring the "fake" JakeD ...

I'm JakeD. I'm everything that is wrong with America.

Franklin:

I am neither Hillary Clinton's id nor Mark Penn. Next question?

Obama looks promising! Give hima chance.

JakeD is part of the problem in this country. Ignorance.

LOL! Anonymous! I would have to say History already vindicated me on that Slaves should have stayed argument!

You had better believe that the few that did, and integrated into the Communities holding the jobs they were trained for, were a whole lot better off than the ones who had to flee their failed Black Communities and try to wiggle back in!
Unfortunately, there were very few that opted to stay, and unfortunately, they probably suffered some unjustified resentment due to the actions of the vast majority!

Again, I have never lived in the "Deep South", so I have no first hand knowledge of how any Black Family lines that opted to stay managed. If they did, and somehow got caught up in the general bad feelings by ignorant people who just looked at their Skin-or not, I would say I could and would sympathize!

I am SOOOOO tempted to make a Smart Alec Joke right now, but I am actually for once trying to be serious(er).

TRUTH-Neither side benefited from the decision to divide! :-(

Shame on you for letting JakeD troll you.

Caleb:

The point being, of course, that you are NOT lying about being a Christian. I find it hard to believe that if McCain were lying about being a Christian, and was instead brain-washed as a POW to be a Communist agent, that wouldn't bother you either?!

Also, I found out that Rev. Wright used to be Muslim at New Republic.

wow...what a spirited debate.

Someone remind me again why I should vote Republican...I swear I keep forgetting.
Is it WAR, economy (stupid), gas prices, governmental corruption...?
Oh wait, it's only about abortion and gay marriage.

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There are three things that dissapoint me about the article. Instead of reporting on Obama's economic message in a objective manner, Shailagh Murray makes a number of comments that are unfounded and meant to biased comments that are meant to discredit Obama's policy without attacking it directly. First, Murray criticizes Obama for "an erratic, sometimes clumsy process" and implies that the current rhetoric is practically pandering to a specific constituency. Pandering and drastic changes in policy are common in political campaigns, but given this appears far from the case here. I agree with Adam on his comment that these comments by Obama can be traced back to when he started speaking on a national stage and before that in Illinois. Obama's rhetoric on the economy and most other issues (regardless of whether it is correct or not), has at least been generally consistent across time.
On a secondary note, the use of the words "toughest converts" to describe blue collar voters, implies that voting for Obama is synonymous with being the convert of a religion, instead of a rational citizen. Finally, the note on "raising taxes on wealthy people", which is put in parenthesys in the middle of Murray's description of Obama's broad economic goals, comes off as a narrow attempt to reduce his policies to a democratic caricature. Here are some facts about Obama's economic policy. He has been rare among democrats by attempting to see taxes in a practical manner and urge for greater fairness in the distribution of the tax burden. As the article says, he has defended certain principles of Reagan as the reaction to outdated democrat policies, not in a general election, but in the middle of a Democratic primary. He has suggested that overall, the government is too large and needs to be made more efficient.
As a politically conscious citizen I have used all the information available to judge the candidates and have decided to support Obama. However, as a journalist from the Washington Post, I would expect Shailagh Murray to restrain from infusing a bias into political articles, and instead provide a relatively objective description and analysis of the news. I hope people will go through information critically and fully inform themselves using the available sources to make rational decisions.

I'm not insinuating anything -- although I did hear on the radio today that Rev. Wright may have been Muslim too -- not that there's anything wrong with that, per se. However, IF Barack HUSSEIN Obama is lying about being a Christian, and is indeed a secret Muslim agent, even that would be of no concern to you?

Posted by: JakeD | April 9, 2008 4:15 PM

Obviously, you don't get it. His religon is irrelevant. Even if it was, your statement implys that somehow being a muslim is bad. Here is a fact, the vast majority of muslims are not trying to harm you or this country.

I'm starting to think that JakeD may be Hillary Clinton's id speaking out.

Either that or its her current employee, despite what the fake nonstories said, Penn.

Nope. :) I personally don't care about religion. I care about the person. We could elect a Scientologist for all I care. Tell me, friend, where did you hear Rev. Wright used to be Muslim? Rush Limbaugh?

Though I wouldn't be too surprised. You must realize that Rev. Wright is a product of a period in history that incited RIGHTFUL radicalism. He was probably a fan of Malcolm X and was at least exposed regularly to Nation of Islam. Why should that have any bearing on who he is now? We all used to be things in the past we may or may not be now.

For example, I used to be a Christian. :)

LOL, secret Muslim agent. Where do I come up with this stuff?

I think I've been watching too much James Bond with Arabic subtitles.

Hi. I am a troll.

JakeD you are an ignorant IDIOT!

ProfessorInIndiana and Caleb:

I'm not insinuating anything -- although I did hear on the radio today that Rev. Wright may have been Muslim too -- not that there's anything wrong with that, per se. However, IF Barack HUSSEIN Obama is lying about being a Christian, and is indeed a secret Muslim agent, even that would be of no concern to you?

You still haven't addressed how silly it is to believe that Democrats are radical Socialists. They're just as much a part of the system as Republicans.

Communism-State Controlled Economy and System.

Socialism-Democratically selected Elitist Lawyers gain regulation of Business and Systems. By Seizing Control over Private Enterprises and directing Equities, the Central Authorities try to distribute barely adequate care to the masses. Sort of like "Big Brother" caring for his lessor siblings!

And EVERYONE knows Big Brothers are soooooo Benevolent! ;~)

Rat_the

You previously stated that slaves should have stayed to help out their former owners after they were freed. You also went on to say the ones that left were
ungrateful. Please explain to me...Why should anybody take anything you say seriously?

"Socialism does not work and neither do the People!"

Rat-the, stop insulting America. The American People work harder than anyone else on Earth. Stop being such an America hater.

Republicans like you are the only ones who don't work.

Jake, you may not be spreading fear, but you are misleading people to believe he is an Islamofascist. Look, what you're trying to convey by saying he comes from MUSLIM Indonesia is that he is, in fact, a Muslim. Which is absolutely not true. He's said himself he's been cynical about religion for most of his youth until he became active in Christianity.

Personally, I just wish he didn't have a religion. Of course, then NO ONE would trust a man with "no moral fiber."

Dear JakeD;

It's rather sad when the only thing left in your bag of tricks is to resort to calling Obama names. So what if his middle name is Hussein. Get over it. I think it is a good thing that Obama had a multi-cultural upbringing (unlike you). Do you really think that people will believe that Obama is a Muslim by insinuating that he is? Don't you think people will realize that Obama is a Christian? Second, is there anything wrong with being a Muslim? The way you are throwing it around, it sounds like being a Muslim is an evil thing. A couple of billion people on this planet are likely to disagree with you. Third, are you really that freaking retarded? Throwing around such ridiculous insinuations demeans your own candidate.

Anonymous Poster(s):

Leaving aside the personal attacks against me, the government cannot (or, at least, should not) solve the housing crisis if that means helping lenders / individuals who made bad decisions. Also, I never said that I have been capitalizing Obama's middle name "because I like middle names" -- I am simply drawing attention to little-known facts -- I never said that "MUSLIM" was his middle name either. The last thing I want to be accused of doing is spreading fear -- knowledge is the cure for fear -- I think that's in the Koran ; )

Sure, RAT, Socialism doesn't work. But there's nothing to say that using Socialist policies in a Democratic society (or in this case a Republic I suppose) wouldn't work. It's happened before, can happen again.

Besides, what Obama is saying is barely Socialism. That's ridiculous. Americans have little grasp on what Socialism really is if they think that Democrats are hardcore Socialists.

Open your mind, and turn off Rush.

It's fair to expect JakeD to continue his middle name thing as long as Obama supporters feel compelled to respond.

RAT-The: What is the difference between socialism and communism?

"The changes to our economy that began in the 1980s were in response to policies that needed to change," he told a cheering crowd of 1,400 people. "The high taxes and outmoded regulations of the New Deal did need to be reformed for our changing times."
===================

So, I guess the Clintons were right in SC and NV when they pointed out Sen Obama's admiration for Reagan's policies? Sen Obama was positively indignant at the time in his denials.

"Which one is it then, Barack HUSSEIN Obama?"

Posted by: JakeD | April 9, 2008 3:10 PM

"Was that a Baskin Robbins in MUSLIM
Indonesia?"

Posted by: JakeD | April 9, 2008 3:39 PM

Jake D

You have proven yourself to be a liar. You've consistently said the reason you have been capitalizing Obama's middle name is because you like middle names. If that is the case why are you capitalizing muslim? That is not his middle name. Could it be that you doing it is to spread fear? Ummm

From Beyond the Chron:::Obama has a way of duckin