The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

It was interesting Mccains take on all of those orphans that here in the US we make so difficult to adopt. He conveniently did not mention that the reason those folks like him go to other countries is because that is where you can get small white babies. Hard to find here. He is such a hypocrite

Don't worry dems, McCain will send Obama back to al-queda for you - when he's done with him.

Wouldn´t a boxing match between McCain and Obama be a great way to select the next president? This would be a lot more entertaining than the 4 plus months of mudslinging that we now face before the November elections.

Play the ring-fight on http://obama.play.de/us

This is really cool!

Obama is a bumper sticker politician. He'll repeat whatever one-liner sounds good. He knows he'll flail unstructured town hall meetings because he needs everything scripted.

As for the "McSame" analogy, Obama would be 4 more years of Bush. 4 more years of another floundering idiot.

McCain is the best choice now.

First Obama eliminated his political competitors in Chicago, depriving the voters the right to choose their candidate ... then, after 20 years in an anti-American racist church, he tried to force Hillary into dropping out, even though she was ahead in the popular vote ... now, he is trying to high jack the Presidency, by keeping the voters from finding out what he really knows and believes, by avoiding town hall debates with Senator McCain. LIke his supporters, Obama has no substance. Wake up America ... McCain for President in '08

Oh, God! Just heard on the new, McSame is giving ANOTHER town hall meeting right now. He must believe any and all press releases that SOME said his first town hall meeting went off well. This tells me he is NOT listening to his advisers and his ego is more in play than not. Less than 24 hours and he is doing another town hall meeting. What McSame doesn't realize is that Obama is letting him just take the moment to step in it big time and then he will have further amuminaton. Considering, McSame is a military guy you would have thought he realized to pace himself in all this and timing is everything. Guess, McSame, never read the 'Art of War'.

Oh, God! Just heard on the new, McSame is giving ANOTHER town hall meeting right now. He must believe any and all press releases that SOME said his first town hall meeting went off well. This tells me he is NOT listening to his advisers and his ego is more in play than not. Less than 24 hours and he is doing another town hall meeting. What McSame doesn't realize is that Obama is letting him just take the moment to step in it big time and then he will have further amuminaton. Considering, McSame is a military guy you would have thought he realized to pace himself in all this and time is everything. Guess, McSame, neve read the 'Art of War'.

I also think McSame's people didn't suggest this. I would think it was mostly "his" idea and no one could tell him differently.

I call it too as a loss for McSame, and then watch how 'all of a sudden' McSame's schedule can't accommodate any more of these town hall meetings. McSame just thinks he'll be able to control the format. He is that clueless? Yeah, he is. You know perception in these type of situations is everything. So, 'why' would McSame want to be on a stage with someone who not only will be disagreeing with what he proposes, but also Obama will tower over him. McSame is only about 5'8" tall and Obama is at least 6'2". What's McSame gonna do, get in Obama's chest. I can just see that military, 'in your face' demeanor coming out of McSame. He wants town hall meetings because the format will NOT be an actually debate between the two, but more of McSame prinning. The questions should be submitted beforehand and then drawn randomly for either candidate to be a fair discourse.

Well, no surprise that McSame's audience consisted of Repub's and Independents, only. Those were the invitations extended. McSame is just trying to bully the agenda with Obama and he and us are not falling for that anymore, not after 8 years with McBush. What's McSame gonna do when Obama brings his posse too at one of these town hall meetings? What's he gonna do when he get's a question he just doesn't like? Double-talk and more double-talk and that creepy, condensending smirk of his. I'm hoping there will be a moderator AND the folks are picked randomly and/or their questions to a true test to this whole process. I guarantee you, McSame will try an monopolize the discoure and it will be hoot to actually 'see' that famous temper of his. Oh, it will happen. Typical of a military dependent.

Anyone who says, "End of Debate" is afraid of debate.

Obama is gutless just like Carter was afraid to debate Reagan.

McCain will be trounced by Obama in this forum. I almost can't believe his people suggested this. I think the suggestions that McCain is doing this for the free exposure is correct...I'm just not so sure this is going to wind up the type of exposure they hoped for. Many believe Obama can't communicate off-script. They obviously haven't seen him in such a forum. He might even be better in a candid format. I'm calling it now. This will go down as a mistake by the McCain campaign.

You people act as if the two parties are different. Don't excuse Barack for anything. He's different in that he has the audacity to make believe that he is different. Calling McCain another Bush shows that Obama has learned a lot from GW - keep repeating lies and eventually they will stick. GW held the US hostage by calling the Democrat Party weak on defense. GW called on the Democrat Party to impeach him if he was guilty of the things they said he was. Don't let Barack get away with the same tactics. How is McCain like Bush? McCain believes in the Powell Doctrine. We are the world's only superpower; we cannot abandon the Middle East. GW is an idiot. There will never be another GW. Obama scares me - Obama could become another GW. McCain is too independent a thinker.

mccain should hold on to his hat- because once indepemdent voters see that is is an uber hawk, who has long been out of touch, who has lobbyist grafted to his soul and, is woefully incomplete in so many area's that W bested him, watch out this could be a laugher.

Barrack Obama is A TROJAN HORSE! He claims to be a friend of America yet he's actually quite the opposite. Does anyone understand what he really is!?!? He Hates America more than Hitler Hated the Jews. His hate is unforgiving and everlasting! He is ACTING! Simply ACTING! Think about his church! He was there for over 20 Years, that's 20 years multiplied by 52 Sundays, which equals 1,040 Anti-American Sermons! He then, finally, signs an "official resignation" and we're all supposed think everything's alright?!? The KKK should have Sunday Church and we can all attend for 1,040 Sundays then just "resign", I'm sure noone would ever think we still shared the KKK's views... WAKE UP!!!!!! "IF" America has a 2nd Civil War it will be called "The War of the Free" I am ashamed of our country, just ashamed... We have become the United States of Retardica! If "we" fall the world will... We are a Benevolent Country, GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Obama is full of empty rhetoric.

Obama is an empty suit.

Obama was propped up mainly by black voters.

Obama was rejected by the majority of Democratic voters.

Obama was beat by a woman but got the nomination anyways.

Obama didn't win any debates.

Obama is a freshman senator who has never done anything real.

Obama is a freshman senator who has never done anything real.
Obama didn't win any debates.
Obama was beat by a woman but got the nomination anyways.
Obama was pushed over the top by radicals in caucus states.
Obama was rejected by the majority of Democratic voters.
Obama was propped up mainly by black voters.
Obama was made by black racist radicals in Chicago.
Obama hasn't paid his dues and has a blank resume.
Obama is full of empty rhetoric.
Obama is an empty suit.

America is ready to elect a black President. Just not one with no experience yet.

"I predict:"
"McCain will try to use FEAR to get votes."
"Obama will try to use HOPE to get votes"
Posted by: Seer | June 4, 2008 12:52 PM

I predict that Obama will avoid and evade any debates and discussion forums with McCain because he's an empty suit who doesn't know anything. The Dems elevated him because he's black, not because he won any debates.

McCain thinks that if he can corner Obama into this style of debate, he plays to his own strength and Obama's weakness. Obama doesn't need to debate him nowhere. 8 yrs of republic rule has shown the country where it is now, and where it needs to go. End of debate! End of story!

This of course means he doesn't want town hall meetings. He desperately needs moderators like Tim Russert.

"Senator McCain: let me first say that I enjoyed the BBQ at your house. Now, if you knew that withdrawing from Iraq would lead to the deaths of 6 million Iraqi civilians and allow Iran to overrun Israel, would you still do it?"

"Thank you Tim, and let me say to people and especially to Israel, NO! I will save you and keep you from bamboo cages."

"Senator Obama: why haven't you invited me over for ribs? Do you not know how to cook? Is your house dirty?"

"Is that your question, tim?"

"No. The same question to you: why do you plan on killing 6 million Iraqi women and children and wiping out Israel?"

"Nice frame job, Tim..."

"This is a perfect example; my opponent will not answer a simple question. He doesn't even have an express. Watch me pound my fist with every word for emphasis: I have a straight talk express!"

"Tim, he forgot to pound his fist."

"I DID TOO, YOU NIG.. LING LIAR!"

"Mr. Obama, John said that he did pound his fist."

"Tim, you clearly saw that he did not pound his fist. He said he would, but he didn't. Watch: this is how you pound your fist."

"Tim, that was a disgusting display of anger - pounding on the furniture like some kind of monkey. It's a good thing you didn't give him a stick before this event."

"Is that true, Mr. Obama? If you had a stick, would you hit the two white men on this stage, or would you run into the audience and him them?"

I can't wait until McBush is entangled in a sparring of wit against Barack at a town hall meeting. McBush is void of the ammunition of wit and will be reduced to uncomprhensible double-talk.

What an event it will be!!

Poor McSame...needs free TV time desperately. Hey, all you male posters lining up to give McCain a lap dance - why don't you go send him some money? Maybe help him buy a better slogan. What is it again? "Change the leader?...leading the change?...I'll take on Al Quaeda with my bare fists?"

Obama is the EMPTIEST suit the democRATS have ever run. PLUS he's a MARXIST campus commie ( Oh and his sorry Wife outdoes him ) gee that DOES sound like somebody we have put up with for many years, doesn't it...

Some people apparently don't know what a debate is. There is no possibility of scripting because the point is to analyze and respond to the other's remarks. Debates require sharp listening and reasoning skills, and the ability to think on one's feet.

By contrast, McCain's "Town Hall meetings" feature screened questions and prepared answers.
This is why Obama says 'debate' and McCain says 'Town Hall Meeting'.

Obama will get wiped by McCain.

Obama stinks without a script or haven't you noticed.

Apparently muskrat fails to RTFA, too.

Fair enough - lets see what this fraud, er, I mean - Obama, is made of. McCain has challenged him to debate. Lets see if Obama will do it. My guess - if it doesn't involve a prescripted teleprompter, Obama says no.

Popular vote, including caucuses according to RealClear Politics:

Obama:17,869,542 Clinton:17,717,698 Obama +151,844

Caucuses do count because real Democrats voted a preference.

I was just thinking that and then thinking back to the gas tax thing that blew up in his face. Who is coming up with this stuff? He has no idea what will happen in a town hall meeting or how he may come off. It could be the defining moment in his campaign that sinks him. You don't gamble like that. In court you never ask a question you don't know the answer to. This is the same thing. Mccain has no idea what will happen and he throws this out. It may be the kind of thing you do as a last desperate attempt at something if you are losing anyway but not at the beginning. He and Obama have only just began to engage each other. I can only think he has very bad advisors. Probably the same ones who thought up the gas tax holiday.

++++++++++
Maybe McCain wants free air time by having Town Hall meetings since he has trouble raising money or attracting crowds. These challenges and dares remind me of Hillary's campaign strategy.

Posted by: Connect_the_dots | June 4, 2008 6:47 PM

That old saw: "There's no such thing as bad publicity" only applies to movie stars. If McCain thinks that this will work for him, he's toast.

Maybe McCain wants free air time by having Town Hall meetings since he has trouble raising money or attracting crowds. These challenges and dares remind me of Hillary's campaign strategy.

I'm guessing that green background behind McCain last night was supposed to be used for some kind of video overlay that didn't pan out. Boy, it sure made him look terrible, his teeth looked quite yellow. If this is the best he can do, he's in big trouble.

Why would any Hillary supporter vote for McLame? That doesn't make any sense.

Hillary voters didn't support her just because she's female. At least I hope not. They supported her because they believe in what she stands for. I've read her platform and agree with a lot of it. After all, she's a Democrat.

For a Hillary supporter to vote for McLame they would have to reject everything they supported Hillary for.

Hillary needs to squash this in the bud and publicly tell her supporters NOT to vote for McLame.

Any Hillary supporter who votes for McLame is INSULTING Hillary by doing so.

I call bullcrap on this at 6:40 pm.

You can say the same about Hillary but even more so. When she was approched about running for the senate in NY she didn't want to do it because she would lose and didn't want to go trough it. They felt it would be something historic for a former first lady to run for office even if she lost and she got some support. Well she ran and low and behold Rudy gets cancer and she wins almost by default. Second term through political pressure she wins again running unopposed. Now she makes a run for the presidency and comes within a whisker from being the candidate. She is so unqualified it is remarkable. If not for Rudy cancer she is just another has been from politics whose claim to fame is being in the center of a white house scandal.

+++++++++++++
Barak Obama: The first affirmitive action presidential candidate. He clenched the nomination without the popular vote of the Democratic Party and was "helped" by the media to defeat Hillary Clinton. Talk about PC. No resume, no experience, but the right color.

Posted by: Kevin | June 4, 2008 6:16 PM

I'm remembering Nixon, his sweaty brow, and his terrible suit. Kennedy understood how TV works and kicked his ass.

Be careful about your predictions regarding debates and other types of face-to-face discussions. Remember, the Bush campaign managed to lower expectations sufficiently that everybody thought GWB deserved a standing O every time he completed a grammatically correct sentence!

Sorry, it's Douglas. I know, I know. I'm sorry.

Here is how the Lincoln-Douglass debates went (thanks, Wikipedia):

One candidate spoke for an hour, then the other candidate spoke for an hour and a half, and then the first candidate was allowed a half hour "rejoinder." The candidates alternated speaking first.

Today's audiences would be nodding off, but back then, people were riveted.

I can't imagine McCain being able to speak more than a few sentences at once without drifting off into gibberish. There's no way he's going to go for it.

Kevin is a typical racist Repuke jerk.

Senator Obama has plenty of experience.

And he got plenty of votes. Enough to beat Hillary.

Go back to your trailer and screw your sister, you Repuke moron.

Barak Obama: The first affirmitive action presidential candidate. He clenched the nomination without the popular vote of the Democratic Party and was "helped" by the media to defeat Hillary Clinton. Talk about PC. No resume, no experience, but the right color.

Criminals are criminals and there's no denying that.
Unjust wars are unjust wars and there's no denying that, either. But we need a military and we need to respect those who stick their necks out for the rest of us. And we certainly should not confuse military experience with what it takes to lead our country.

Nobama needs to be aware of Fort Marcy Park. McCain needs to change parties as a matter of honesty.

Oh good. McCain got to say "Town-Hall" at least 3 times. And even "Federal Hall" once! Therefore he MUST be a true blue American.

C'mon Gertrude, we're gonna go down to the square and see the politician man that looks like Ben Franklin. Don't forget your fascinator!

"We all have great respect for McCain's military service. Every veteran should be treated with the same respect and honor.
Posted by: Fran Taylor"

So you would treat Lt. Calley with the same respect that you would treat Pat Tillman?

I don't have any respect for soldiers who commit war crimes, give intel to the enemy (which McLame did) or get a dishonorable discharge for whatever crimes they did.

Respect is earned. By individuals.

Putting on a uniform does not grant you any instant respect. You still have to earn it yourself.

Pat Tillman was murdered, btw. He was about to speak out against the war so his buddies shot him in the head at close range. They knew who he was and they shot him anyway. Then the Pentagon covered it up.

I have no respect for the US soldiers who murdered Pat Tillman.

McCentury McCain-Bush III Mission Accomplish Republican Failures.

America, Europe and the World are tired of selfish short sighted and backwards thinking Republican Super-capitalistic failures.

No more Republican Wall Street failures (Oil, Wars, Wall Street nose dives, grand larceny or Our Treasury, lies, lies, lies, pathological lies) destruction of Our Country and the World.

America, Europe and the World need healing through Harvard Scholar and future thinking Barack Obama.

Barack Obama will unite America, Europe and the World in friendship and cooperation.

America, Europe, Asia and South America are looking forward to cooperating and working with Barack Obama.

Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates
Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates
Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates
Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates
Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates
Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates
Harvard Scholar Beats Navy Crewman in Intellectual Debates

Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar
Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar
Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar
Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar
Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar
Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar
Navy Crewman Requests Dictionary During Debates With Harvard Scholar

Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III
Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III
Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III
Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III
Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III
Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III
Harvard Obama Intellectually Defeats Old Navy McCain-Bush III

The idea of the senecescent senior senator having to debate Obama in front of live audiences is too much. Hope he can keep Iraq adn Iran straight.

We all have great respect for McCain's military service. Every veteran should be treated with the same respect and honor.

"Although I am a democrat and support Obama for president, I have great respect for McCain's military service."

You won't, once you find out why his fellow inmates at the Hanoi Hilton nicknamed McLame "Songbird".

I have absolutely NO respect for McLame and that DOES include his military service. He got ahead because his dad was an admiral.

Insiders say the Obama camp are almost jumping up and down. Mccain may have one of those "Becareful what you wish for" moments. They want to do it but not right away.

+++++++++++
One weakness of Obama's that he's been pegged with is that he's a manufactured candidate. That if a speech isn't scripted for him, he folds and is not a great communicator.He could put this all to rest by accepting McCains challenge but only if it's not true. If he doesn't accept a more impromptu venue at some point, he'll look bad for it. This would be a good opportunity to put these thoughts about him to rest.

Posted by: Kathy | June 4, 2008 5:32 PM

lightnin is a typical inbred braindead redneck Repuke moron.

He's whining about some government money going to Wright's church. Big freakin deal. Wright's church does a lot of social programs.

Meanwhile, Chimpy has funnelled BILLIONS of dollars to Religious Reich churches for "faith based" programs.

So, lightnin is saying that it is okay for the reich wingnut churches to get all the taxpayer money they can stuff in their pockets, but Wright can't have any??

IOKIYAR. The old double-standard lives.

lightnin, why don't You ask him and get back to us with the answer. In the meantime, let's talk about debates.

Although I am a democrat and support Obama for president, I have great respect for McCain's military service.

Heard on the news a couple of days ago that, over the past 15 years, while "Rev." Wright has been spewing his hate-filled, racist, anti-American, anti-white speeches, and Obama has "not-heard" any of that, their "church", which recently gave a Lifetime Achievement award to Louis Farrakhan, has quietly been the recipient of $15,000,000 of our tax dollars! They are probably still getting it!

How'd they arrange to get that much of our tax money, who set that up, do you think? Separation of church and state? Has that been repealed? Do you think anybody should ask Obama if he had anything to do with getting that "church" this money? If he didn't, who did? Shouldn't we know?

Jack has a great point, but Think Of All The Disenfranchised Voters! Oh No!

Hillary thinks she's been invited.

Has anybody told her that she LOST yet?

Hillary seems to be delusional about this.

Wow, what an original idea posted by Newt a year ago.....

Please don't feed the trolls.

I wouldn't do it until after the Republican convention for sure. We wouldn't want the party to see the dying elephant in the room before he's the official nominee. They may realize he's way beyond his time and can't compete with Obama and make a principaled move get someone else as a standard bearer. Oh that's right they have no principals, standards and no-one else anyway. Sorry for taking up space on the blog.

Those 'popular vote" numbers are meaningless in primaries.

They don't count.

Delegates and superdelegates are the only things that count in primaries.

You Hillbots are idiots. No wonder you're too stupid to realize Hillary mathematically lost months ago.

Obama isn't going to pick Hillary for VP either. She's been too divisive.

And as Jimmy Carter noted, Hillary has a negative rating of 50%. That's a vote killer.

Chimpy's negative rating is over 70% now.

Kathy, if you RTFA you will see that Obama has already challenged McCain to "a format that is less structured and lengthier than the McCain campaign suggests".

Both on the same plane? I can just imagine the Secret Service loving that one.

Bring it on, Mister Magoo!!

Obama will kick your ass from town to town, from coast to coast.

McLame, you are TOAST. You have NO chance to win. You're 4 more years of Chimpy.

One weakness of Obama's that he's been pegged with is that he's a manufactured candidate. That if a speech isn't scripted for him, he folds and is not a great communicator.He could put this all to rest by accepting McCains challenge but only if it's not true. If he doesn't accept a more impromptu venue at some point, he'll look bad for it. This would be a good opportunity to put these thoughts about him to rest.

Who's this Hillary person? She's not invited.

Obama should not even answer McCain request for the town hall meeting. McCain is too old to be amongst large crowds like the ones Obama gets. Obama should go to his own meetings and not do what McCain asks him to do. McCain wants Obama to go to Iraq with him and now wants Obama to go to town hall meetings with him. Is McCain afraid to go places by himself. We do not need a scared President.

I misread your post. Althiugh there are 800,000 votes from overseas not included

=========
18,000,000 more?

+++++++
With SD and MT now counted, Hillary finished this race with 18,000
more votes than Obama - EXCLUDING Michigan. Toss it in, it's a
346,000 lead.

Ladies, if you are ready to demand that Supers honor that - or you
will vote McCain - read and sign at;

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Nobama

-

Posted by: RG | June 4, 2008 5:01 PM

Posted by: | June 4, 2008 5:07 PM

hey, if McCain wants media exposure, let him pay for it, the old fashioned American way.

And spent most of those years drunk.

+++++
We are talking about a former president of the Harvard Law Review debating a guy who finished 894th of 899 at the Naval Academy.

Which one is the windshield, and which one is the bug?
Posted by: Fran Taylor | June 4, 2008 5:06 PM

18,000,000 more?

+++++++
With SD and MT now counted, Hillary finished this race with 18,000
more votes than Obama - EXCLUDING Michigan. Toss it in, it's a
346,000 lead.

Ladies, if you are ready to demand that Supers honor that - or you
will vote McCain - read and sign at;

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Nobama

-

Posted by: RG | June 4, 2008 5:01 PM

We are talking about a former president of the Harvard Law Review debating a guy who finished 894th of 899 at the Naval Academy.

Which one is the windshield, and which one is the bug?

With SD and MT now counted, Hillary finished this race with 18,000
more votes than Obama - EXCLUDING Michigan. Toss it in, it's a
346,000 lead.

Ladies, if you are ready to demand that Supers honor that - or you
will vote McCain - read and sign at;

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Nobama

-

There is something else about this - McCain seems to attract the same size of groups as Clinton used to do - small groups, that only show more impressive if you put them in a small room. McCain is just looking to appear before a big crowd, and Obama is the only one of attracting those.

Awesome: compare calling Obama "Osama" to calling McCain "McSame" or "McBush".

The former is absolutely loaded because Osama is a terrorist who attacked this nation and a muslim extremist at a time when muslims are largely feared in this country.

The latter is a relatively simple play on words, perhaps childish, that alludes to our current president and McCain's inability to show himself (to some) as being different than him.

And you're suggesting they're the same? Really?

I was watching Charlie Rose the last week and they had a guy on who was an expert on the Middle East. This guy was so interesting and informative I ended up staying awake till 2 in the morning. At the end of the interview Rose asked him what he was doing now? He said he had been working for and an advisor to Obama. Rose said you are kidding and he said he had been worked for Obama for over a year. Obama has been preparing for this for a while and quietly surrounding himself with the best he can find. He is a brilliant man and fast learner. He is exactly what we need as a president right now. Mccain is a total dunce.

+++++++++++++++
Obama has had numerous military advisors during the entire campaign. One example is General Merrill McPeak, former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, who is Obama's campaign co-chairman.

To me, the fact that McCain wears his "service" (i.e., bombing Vietnamese civilians) on his sleeve is one reason he should not be president. Another blustering militarist is exactly what I don't want in the White House.

And BTW, Matt Welch is a libertarian, not an "ultra-liberal".

Posted by: Jay | June 4, 2008 4:13 PM

Our soldiers took that slap in the face when Bush sent them in there for oil and business deals for large corporations. There lives are on his head. First it was WMD's, then it was the terrorists, which were not there, now it's freedom for the Iraqi people. We are 11 trillion in debt, the dollar is worth spit, our economy is in the toilet, and American taxpayers have to pay to rebuild Iraq. Guess what companies make the money on that deal. We go broke so Halliburton & friends can get rich. Why do you think McCain wants to stay in there. Some of you people just don't get it. These people will profit at any cost. Look at the stock market. They come up with a new scam every year, and we wind up paying for it because our government let's them do it. There's no regulation. Wake up already.

"If he were to work with those high ranking officials than he would have a case, but untill then he should keep his mouth shut about IRAQ"

You think he hasn't been speaking to military officials?

The executive decides what needs to be done, the military decides how to do it.

In a democracy anyway.

And you men, fawning over Obama. It's disgusting. We let GW get a way with dancing around difficult questions. We let him get a way with pardoning Scooter Libby for outing Valerie Plame. We let him get a way with Gitmo, and rendition, and failing to protect us during 9/11. What will we let Obama get a way with? He's talked a pretty good game. If he becomes President, let's not make excuses for partisanship, let's hold his feet to the fire. Let's make him live up to his promises.

McSame says "Does America want a president that will talk with Iran and Cuba and North Korea"

I say YES... because what Bush/McCain are doing IS NOT WORKING!

The last 6 Secretary's of State (including Colin Powell) and Defense AND the 9/11 Commission (Jim Baker (R)) Say we must talk with Iran. But I guess Bush/McCain know better ... they always do don't they (like WMDs).

I like the idea. Its just to early for Obama to agree to such a format, next week. And McCain is an irritable mean old man with a forced smile on his face. He cant play the role of Mr. Warmth in front of Obama for all the world to see. That will be a losing concept.

You partisan types are idiots. You talk about these politicians as if you know them personally. We don't know them and they don't know us. Now is one of the very few times that we can ask them tough questions and get them on record, before the money-men and power-brokers encase them in a Washington bubble. Oh, Obama is good. I've interviewed types like him before - promise the world with no experience and can't deliver sh#t when it comes down to work. The way he talks, its as if he actually has experience in reaching bipartisan compromise. For McCain, it'll be difficult to govern with the Bush apologists in the Republican Party.

John McCain is an angry man and I don't think America want's an angry man as president. - George Will

Obama has had numerous military advisors during the entire campaign. One example is General Merrill McPeak, former chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, who is Obama's campaign co-chairman.

To me, the fact that McCain wears his "service" (i.e., bombing Vietnamese civilians) on his sleeve is one reason he should not be president. Another blustering militarist is exactly what I don't want in the White House.

And BTW, Matt Welch is a libertarian, not an "ultra-liberal".

What's this war hero stuff have anything to do with running the country? My grandfather has a purple heart does that mean he should be running for president as well? I acknowledge his service but to use that to make a case for presidency is rediculous.

After watching last night's appearances of McCain and Obama, the only thing town hall debates can possibly get for McCain is the sympathy vote. John McCain can't hold the stage when he's the only person on it. These debates will be like Obama and a clown; the audience will get to laugh at McCain, and cheer and applaud for Obama.

I don't believe John McCain. - George Will

First of all, McCain needs to be spanked in public and told "we will discuss this with the campaigns, and whatever WE come out with will be a joint announcement. At that point the two of us will announce it to the public." He does not control the format, time, place, venue for Obama, he can only control it for himself.

I am sure Obama's campaign intends to show the contrast between the two of them. Whatever townhalls, debates, or whatever they do, should be in the fall after the conventions are over. Under no circumstances should he travel with him, or in any way limit his ability to move around the country for his mega events of 10,000 - 100,000 people. People love these sessions, they are once in a lifetime events and represent their participation in the making of American history. He can fly in for these joint Obama/McCain townhalls, and fly right out to another City for something else.

I'm sure crazy uncle Fester would love 10 debates that free money. 3 are enough to get their massage out as if we don't all ready know. Anymore than 3 would as crazy as 20 during the Democratic primary's.

You do relize you just asked: how can Military experience prepare someone to be the leader of the military right? Or do you not understand that Cammander in Chief is? And like i said it's fine if you pledge to work with high ranking official. In that case the whole military question is throw out the window. But you can't lead the military w/o having a sense of whats going on.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

How does Military experience prepare someone to be Commander in Chief? That's like saying that working at a McDonald's prepares you to be CEO. Hogwash!

If your referring to me i never said he can't run the country w/o military experience. What i said was he should be talking to the high ranking military officials about what to do with the war, instead of making his own decisions when he doesnt understand the consequences. If he were to work with those high ranking officials than he would have a case, but untill then he should keep his mouth shut about IRAQ

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

Oh thats a good one. Obama has not served in the military so how can he lead this country. Any moron can pull a trigger. Where do you people come from. Can't you see that the republican scum is trying to run this country into the ground. We are being replaced by Chinese slave labor. They don't get pentions or benefits, they must obey their master. Did you know bush spent all the money in the social security fund. People have paid into that all their lives, and now it's gone. How is our country going to fix this debt when we don't produce anything in this country anymore. Big tax cuts for the rich will keep adding to the debt. Bush and McCain let these big companies poison our land and water for profit. We are on a path to self destruction. This country has produced a bunch of money grabbers that want to fill their pockets at any cost.

Sure McCain wants townhall meetings with Obama, that's the only way McCain can get anyone to show up to see him is if Obama is with him. Look at the arena crowds Sen Obama draws compared with the tiny senior citizen lunchroom groups that go to hear Sen McCain.

How does Military experience prepare someone to be Commander in Chief? That's like saying that working at a McDonald's prepares you to be CEO. Hogwash!

Oh thats a good one. Obama has not served in the military so how can he lead this country. Any moron can pull a trigger. Where do you people come from. Can't you see that the republican scum is trying to run this country into the ground. We are being replaced by Chinese slave labor. They don't get pentions or benefits, they must obey their master. Did you know bush spent all the money in the social security fund. People have paid into that all their lives, and now it's gone. How is our country going to fix this debt when we don't produce anything in this country anymore. Big tax cuts for the rich will keep adding to the debt. Bush and McCain let these big companies poison our land and water for profit. We are on a path to self destruction. This country has produced a bunch of money grabbers that want to fill their pockets at any cost.

You mean Matt Welch the ultra liberal? There is a creidble sorce. The media is the one to portray him as a "war hero" (which his is) he simple calls into question others like Obama who do not have experience in the military, on those such issue. I dont believe that the veteran factor really has much to do with it. But if you are going to run for office and you have no experience in combat, you better pledge that you will work with the men in high military standings to create a plan, not just sit back and say you'll remove all the troops from Iraq because we shouldnt have gone in there in the first place. That doesnt matter were in there now and it would be a complete slap in the face to all the soldiers who have fought for us in Iraq as well as the American Tax payers to let the place become over run with terrorist once more.

Also, expressing your pride for your country is not showing off your metals.

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

It is also considered disrespectful to flash ones medals or use ones military service for self promotion. He hides behind it or throws it in someone's face every chance he gets if cornered or challenged. It is his claim to fame. He reminds me a someone who picks fights who wares glasses and uses them as a reason to not take a punch.
Read this book
"McCain: The Myth of a Maverick " by Matt Welch
and you will have a different take on the guy.

I've got an even better idea. Why don't they both take PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION to their town hall meetings or debates? That would show much more clearly that they are concerned about the issues and are willing and eager to make changes. Or is reducing greenhouse emissions just something for the "other guys" to do?

You saw Bill Clinton on the trail. It would not take much study and preparation to push Mccains buttons. The guy is half nuts as it is, you could make him go completely off the air. He could not help it

+++++++++++
I can't wait to see how these debates turn out.
Lately, I've been seeing a lot of selective memory going on. Obama looked like a fool in every debate against Clinton. All but one debate had moderators lofting him fat easy tomatoes for questions, and he still came up looking confused.
Now, McCain is pretty bad at public speaking. But debating is something different. It takes intelligence and craft.
We may find out which candidate has those traits, and it makes me worry for our future.
Kerry...er, Obama, is going to feel the heat of pressure pretty fast once they begin.
Posted by: Ryan | June 4, 2008 3:44 PM

do you think it's possible that this could be a step towards a new type of campaigning? One that has less to do with mudslinging and more to do with people debating ideas? I dont think so but thatwould be great. Im sure its funny to other nations that we call ourselves "United" yet our political parties are so seperate. I think it's time people stop with the need of a title as "president" and worry more about patriotism and making this country better.

There's a old definition for the height of conceit: a flea floating down-river with an erection yelling "Open the draw bridge!"
That's John McCain challenging Obama to debate.

Of Course McCain wants this!

He can't afford to run ads, so he has to beg Obama for free airtime.

I can't wait to see how these debates turn out.
Lately, I've been seeing a lot of selective memory going on. Obama looked like a fool in every debate against Clinton. All but one debate had moderators lofting him fat easy tomatoes for questions, and he still came up looking confused.
Now, McCain is pretty bad at public speaking. But debating is something different. It takes intelligence and craft.
We may find out which candidate has those traits, and it makes me worry for our future.
Kerry...er, Obama, is going to feel the heat of pressure pretty fast once they begin.

McCain can't raise funds in off-camera klatches with George Bush and then ask for a new tenor in public. He can pick one or the other.

It is also considered disrespectful to flash ones medals or use ones military service for self promotion. He hides behind it or throws it in someone's face every chance he gets if cornered or challenged. It is his claim to fame. He reminds me a someone who picks fights who wares glasses and uses them as a reason to not take a punch.
Read this book
"McCain: The Myth of a Maverick " by Matt Welch
and you will have a different take on the guy.

+++++++++
Im sorry Pete im going to have to argue that point. John McCain is a war hero just as any American Soldier who has willingly fought for us. You can try to relate it to other member of the world, but in their supporters eyes they too are heroes, even if there ideas are questionable. Do NOT discredit anyone who serves in the military, because if you have any patriotism whatsoever you know damn well that each soldier who fights for his/her nation IS a hero and deserves great repect. (KEEP IN MIND THIS STATEMENT IS NOT POLITICAL LIKE THE OTHERS, ALL SOLDIERS DESERVE RESPECT)

Posted by: RobertT | June 4, 2008 3:26 PM

Pete - McCain was offered early release by the Vietnamese, but he refused unless all other American POWs captured before him were also set free. He refused to take advantage of his father's high position (which the Vietnamese knew of). He upheld this code of honor and elected to be held captive longer and be tortured. Pretty heroic in my book. See the film Bridge On the River Kwai where the POW Colonel Nicholson chooses actions that follow a code of honor despite knowing that he risks (and he got) extreme punishment for it. Courage, honor, and duty.

Ever since I first heard of this idea that JFK and Goldwater had agreed upon (from watching the HBO documentary "Growing Up Goldwater") I thought, "Wow, now that would have been a great style of campaign"

Insteed, history is left with the "Daisy Ad".

As an Obama supporter, I would strongly encourage him to except McCain's challenge. And turn some heads while doing so.

Plus, them flying in the same jet would reduce the carbon footprint of the campaign.

This is the best idea I've heard come out of McBush, must have not been his. I think this will put to rest the notion that he's an empty suit, claimed by the high intellects of HRC backers. I personally think he'll put McBush to shame but then again who knows what the republican slime balls have waiting for him.

Honestly Pete, Shut Up! One combat medal (including the Purple Heart, of course) or a re-up during a time of war - these are the requirements for being a war hero. Do not start denigrating the people who serve this country! John Kerry is a war hero and it was disgraceful that his service was called in to question. John McCain was one of the few republicans who stood up for him, and John McCain absolutely is a war hero.

He Ralphinphnx, are you in some sort of contest where the idea is to string as many words together as possible. Spewing out non-stop insults does not help your preferred candidate. You are just preaching to the converted; you make these comments and all of the other Neanderthals can nod in vigorous assent, but people with higher than a third grade intellect will be turned off. There is no point in refuting all of your ridiculous point; I doubt you would even listen. But there is one major point you make that really irks me - the allegation that Obama is a service evader (by the way, you didn't mention whether you actually performed military service, Mr. Hero). In case you weren't aware, in the 1970's our military was switched from a citizens' army (with a draft) to a professional army - so only persons actually wanting to join the military would do military service. So neither Obama (nor me, for that matter, as I am one year younger than him) were obliged to perform military service. To join the military has become a career decision, and the US military certainly does not want to invest the money in persons who will only be in the service for a short period of time. So, for all practical purposes, if a person whishes to have pursue some other career than the military, they cannot do military service. This disposes of your suggestion that Obama's failure to perform military service is either an indication of cowardice or bad character.

A far more significant point is that we are a civilian democracy, not a military junta. The military is run by civilian officials, and the government is not run by the military. The President is a civilian official who also has the highest position in the military (this fact is the highest expression of the principle that the military is subject to civilan control). While there is nothing to prevent a person who has been in the military from joining politics (in periods when military service was mandatory for all, most men of that generation were in the military, and many famous military heroes went on to become presidents, such as Washington, Jackson, Grant, T. Roosevelt and Eisenhower), it is certainly not a prerequisite. You, I and all citizens can choose who they feel is best to run our government. If it is important to you that the Presidents should have military experience, then you are welcome to vote that way; it is your right. But don't try to tell the rest of us how to vote.

America the Beautiful United as One America.
No more divisive Republican media induced failures failures failures
No more black black black black black black black black
No white white white white white white white white white
No male male male male male male male male male male
No female female female female female female female
No Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic
No Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican
No more divisive Wall Street Super-capitalistic greedy Media lies
No more Super-capitalistic sending American job