The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

FACTCHECK.ORG
DISPLAYED THESE WORDS ON THE INTERNET

The Whoppers of 2007
December 30, 2007
"We review some notable political falsehoods and distortions of the year.
Summary
The year 2007 wasn't a good one for political honesty. Though not even technically an election year, it provided a bumper crop of falsehoods and distortions nonetheless.

Presidential candidates kept us busy":

I read these with much interest and was profoundly impressed to discover that Senator Barack Obama was seen to be absent from the list of politicians who didn't have their facts straight but were presenting them as if they were researched and true No doubt there were others who did not qualify for the lists. Hillary Clinton's and John McCain's names were present in the lists associated with falsehoods and distortions.

What grabs me is that present condemnations often labelled as 'flip-flops' do not take into account that worsening conditions, with the passage of time, may require acceptable changes in thinking, emphasis and procedure such as when the portion of the country affecting some families, goes belly-up, as it has already for so many, and needs a shift in emphasis to the greatest extent possible for their collective wellbeing and restoration. Flip-flops may be a familiar term to those who do it, but I am confident that it doesn't fit with the behavior that Barack Obama requires of himself. Changes must be accepted if they present the wisest course of action. Obama should be expected to choose the wisest course for America.

I haven't been standing out in the heat too long, because we haven't had much of it all spring! My personal warmest wishes to all Americans.

donmcleodpeng@gmail.ca

please note that I have corrected the extension to be .ca

I never intended for my recent comment to be displayed four times. I guess I got impatient with the SUBMIT button ...

Love you guys!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBORS

and to Barack Obama's older daughter a very Happy 10th Birthday.

I remember how my older brother on his tenth birthday made me wish that I had two numbers in my age too! He made me wish I had them!
I remember, or as our Canadian Province of Quebec says in its motto "Je me souviens". Yes, we have much to remember such as the landing of Samuel de Champlain at the site of what is now Quebec City, as he named it New France ( in French, of course!) exactly 400 years ago,

The memories of future Americans will include the things that are being done today which build upon the same foundation established 232 years ago today with the Declaration of Independence formally approved by Congress. The thirteen American Colonies had been at war with Great Britain for over a year in what was labelled the American Revolutionary War. This was the birthday of the United States of America -- Independence Day -- Happy Birthday, United States of America,
A Very Happy Birthday! Thomas Jefferson would be so very impressed with what they and future generations of Americans have been able to accomplish in only these brief 232 years. Congratulations to all of you.
Well Done!

It is time now to recognize the strength of Barack Obama's genius and his proper place here and now, in the continuing progress of the United States of America to its world leadership role, first at home, and then globally again. The premises on which your wonderful country has been founded, established and trusted must not be replaced by 'seekers after personal fortune' and 'I like me, who do you like?'

Barack Obama and whoever he may choose for America's Vice-President are sure to leave Republican Arrogance back in the dust, and the healing of your great country is sure to take place over time. Confidence is needed that you will land on your feet. God Bless America.

donmcleodpeng@gmail.com

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBORS

and to Barack Obama's older daughter a very Happy 10th Birthday.

I remember how my older brother on his tenth birthday made me wish that I had two numbers in my age too! He made me wish I had them!
I remember, or as our Canadian Province of Quebec says in its motto "Je me souviens". Yes, we have much to remember such as the landing of Samuel de Champlain at the site of what is now Quebec City, as he named it New France ( in French, of course!) exactly 400 years ago,

The memories of future Americans will include the things that are being done today which build upon the same foundation established 232 years ago today with the Declaration of Independence formally approved by Congress. The thirteen American Colonies had been at war with Great Britain for over a year in what was labelled the American Revolutionary War. This was the birthday of the United States of America -- Independence Day -- Happy Birthday, United States of America,
A Very Happy Birthday! Thomas Jefferson would be so very impressed with what they and future generations of Americans have been able to accomplish in only these brief 232 years. Congratulations to all of you.
Well Done!

It is time now to recognize the strength of Barack Obama's genius and his proper place here and now, in the continuing progress of the United States of America to its world leadership role, first at home, and then globally again. The premises on which your wonderful country has been founded, established and trusted must not be replaced by 'seekers after personal fortune' and 'I like me, who do you like?'

Barack Obama and whoever he may choose for America's Vice-President are sure to leave Republican Arrogance back in the dust, and the healing of your great country is sure to take place over time. Confidence is needed that you will land on your feet. God Bless America.

donmcleodpeng@gmail.com

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBORS

and to Barack Obama's older daughter a very Happy 10th Birthday.

I remember how my older brother on his tenth birthday made me wish that I had two numbers in my age too! He made me wish I had them!
I remember, or as our Canadian Province of Quebec says in its motto "Je me souviens". Yes, we have much to remember such as the landing of Samuel de Champlain at the site of what is now Quebec City, as he named it New France ( in French, of course!) exactly 400 years ago,

The memories of future Americans will include the things that are being done today which build upon the same foundation established 232 years ago today with the Declaration of Independence formally approved by Congress. The thirteen American Colonies had been at war with Great Britain for over a year in what was labelled the American Revolutionary War. This was the birthday of the United States of America -- Independence Day -- Happy Birthday, United States of America,
A Very Happy Birthday! Thomas Jefferson would be so very impressed with what they and future generations of Americans have been able to accomplish in only these brief 232 years. Congratulations to all of you.
Well Done!

It is time now to recognize the strength of Barack Obama's genius and his proper place here and now, in the continuing progress of the United States of America to its world leadership role, first at home, and then globally again. The premises on which your wonderful country has been founded, established and trusted must not be replaced by 'seekers after personal fortune' and 'I like me, who do you like?'

Barack Obama and whoever he may choose for America's Vice-President are sure to leave Republican Arrogance back in the dust, and the healing of your great country is sure to take place over time. Confidence is needed that you will land on your feet. God Bless America.

donmcleodpeng@gmail.com

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBORS

and to Barack Obama's older daughter a very Happy 10th Birthday.

I remember how my older brother on his tenth birthday made me wish that I had two numbers in my age too! He made me wish I had them!
I remember, or as our Canadian Province of Quebec says in its motto "Je me souviens". Yes, we have much to remember such as the landing of Samuel de Champlain at the site of what is now Quebec City, as he named it New France ( in French, of course!) exactly 400 years ago,

The memories of future Americans will include the things that are being done today which build upon the same foundation established 232 years ago today with the Declaration of Independence formally approved by Congress. The thirteen American Colonies had been at war with Great Britain for over a year in what was labelled the American Revolutionary War. This was the birthday of the United States of America -- Independence Day -- Happy Birthday, United States of America,
A Very Happy Birthday! Thomas Jefferson would be so very impressed with what they and future generations of Americans have been able to accomplish in only these brief 232 years. Congratulations to all of you.
Well Done!

It is time now to recognize the strength of Barack Obama's genius and his proper place here and now, in the continuing progress of the United States of America to its world leadership role, first at home, and then globally again. The premises on which your wonderful country has been founded, established and trusted must not be replaced by 'seekers after personal fortune' and 'I like me, who do you like?'

Barack Obama and whoever he may choose for America's Vice-President are sure to leave Republican Arrogance back in the dust, and the healing of your great country is sure to take place over time. Confidence is needed that you will land on your feet. God Bless America.

donmcleodpeng@gmail.com

Richardson would be a great VP and would help get my vote.

Hi to America,
Here today in Canada we are celebrating our Canada Day and on the fourth of July we are thinking of all Americans who are celebrating Independence Day, and My Dad's birthday on that day. He was born on the fourth of July in 1887 in Hallock Minnesota where he lived until he was eight years old and moved to Selkirk Manitoba with his American parents where my Grandfather opened his Bakery.

The most interesting part for us is that they had to get the Doctor out of the parade and he was dressed as Uncle Sam.
My Dad's first impression of where he was, included the presence of Uncle Sam. We always had American flags displyed on the fourth of July.

I love your penny which says "In God we trust". My early years were in the depression of the thirties, I remember my Mother saying, "We always land on our feet" (we always did and we still do today). I wish each of you Americans God's richest blessing and the confidence of "We always land on our feet".

With love from a Canadian, (and hurry up November).

donmcleodpeng@yahoo.ca

As seen by a Canadian: So now Lehman Brothers has joined hands with the London Stock Exchange for their collective benefits, which could cost some hungry people in the world their next meals. This may be an extension of the same
beat-the-system mentality that has provided for market trading after the markets have closed.

In a similar vein, work has left North America to chase after the benefits of cheaper labor supply and to avoid negotiated benefits that have already been granted to a unionized work force. In many cases the plants of North America have closed and the talent that had been working in the closed plants, has disappeared into the woodwork and may not be available to attract the work back. As costs are rising in China and as alternative locations in India and Korea are being considered, there is the new costly aggravation of high fuel and transportation costs that are wiping out the benefits once had from distant, less costly markets.
When firms were relocating out of America for higher profits they might have been made to understand that the finished products would be subject to a 40% to 60% tariff, with the selected percentage within that range to be established by show of reasonable cause. This would have avoided the pummeling of GDP and devastation of American industry that exists today. It needed action that would affect the bottom line and be inconsistent with any government policies that might favor corporate business.

Sharp financial practice is still thriving and the world is seeing more poverty and hunger.
Obama is needed now. Hurry up November

donmcleodpeng@gmail.com
.

A word from Canada not that it is another State to be campaigned as the Republican McCain made it appear. I am 77 and once walked out of a heavily attended funeral of a man who had grown up in the same neighborhood as I had, and this man had made many friends in his lifetime,hundreds of whom were present, but each and every one was white!
I wonder if the voters in the U.S. are too pro-white to abandon racial prejudice, look at the condition of their country and the world around, and choose new politicians that are capable of change which is so greatly needed to restore the U.S. and the rest of the globe that has been so heavily damaged by Republican arrogance.
I'll be a supercanadian with a vote that doesn't count but I will cast it for the brilliant Barack Obama.

As an old man I had a dream, in this dream a phone rang which I answered and it was a lady's voice that said, "This is Hillary Rodham Clinton" and I said, "but I don't even get a vote!" and hung up. Isn't that a hoot?

donmcleodpeng@gmail.com

Bill Richardson would be great. I would vote for the pair in a New Mexico minute. Ya mismo!

So you believe that blind loyalty is more important than, say, competency. Who are you, George Bush?

How rich...Judas joins the Faculty Lounge. Perfect pair, they deserve each other. Richardson was up for sale and Obama offered him his selling price.

Sorry, Richardson...won't happen. You're trash, you bring nothing to a ticket. You won't even make a welcome mat in the next Whitehouse.

Forget Bill Richardson and the Clintons. Look instead at Bill Richardson - mixed family, mixed national upbringing. The man speaks French fluently, along with Spanish and English. Secretary of Energy, Ambassador to UN, many positions in New Mexico. Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 4 times, Darfur, Iraq, North Korea, etc., etc. Is he an opportunist? Probaly - but so is EVERY politician, business person, stock investor, etc.
He has Eastern US credentials, Washington credentials, cabinet credentials, Hispanic credentials, international credentials.
He is 60 - a different generation than Obama, but not in his 70's like Nunn or McCain. I think he would be perfect.

Governor Richardson on his own merits is hard to match. Alas he isn't from an Electoral College big state -- while Virginia, Pennsylvania have top drawer political leaders who if on the ticket would make a big difference when the Electoral College meets.

croman

love the guy but I think a black and a Mexican would just not be thinking outside the box, but ignoring Richardson's larger role played as a Sec of State.

My money remains of Leahy, the ONLY Democrat that stood up to Bush/Cheney.

I donated twice to Governor Bill Richardson's campaign for president, because with his executive and international experience, he is more qualified than Senator Obama to be president. However, he showed me who he really is, an opportunist, when he did not remain neutral. He owed and owed President clinton, he should have remained neutral. I've lost all respect for the man.

Obama is smart enough to know that having Judas as your VP will give even more reason for half of the party not to vote for him.

I think Gov. Richardson has been running for vice president all along. He simply changed horses in midstream.

What's disheartening about this whole thing, is that people lose sight of the REAL issues that are affecting our country. Instead people are so obsessed with whose going to be on the ticket rather than focusing on what needs to change in our country. I've seen people go as far as saying that they will vote for McCain if Hillary is not the ticket. That's just juvenile to me. Have we not learned our lessons on the past elections? What we need to keep in mind is that the President, not the Vice President will be leading our country. It is time for the Democrats to unite and not give another election away.

This hasbeen joined the right team: CHAMELEONS, with OBAMA being the chief of course!

CHAMELEONS are CHANGING CREATURES....the end justifies the means! (Sound like the survivor 'game' on TV?)

Yes, agents of "change".....no values or convictions for a better America, only themselves.

Brooks of the NY Times was right about a month ago when he said the Democrats are into GREED in this election, just as the Republicans pulled over the last 8 years!

Signed: an Independent now, thanks to the DNC and OBAMA! (and all the other hasbeens, going nowhere Dems in Congress!)

comments such as those by migli3x and bhagwan deol reinforce my opinion that a former first lady's running for president is unfair, and should be made illegal.

If loyalty to a former president is expected to keep people from competing with her, or from supporting her opponents, we have not only lost the opportunity to assess all the candidates fairly, we have probably also lost the choice of some candidates whose loyalty prevented them from entering the contest in the first place.

Bill Richardson DID NOT OWE Hillary his endorsement!

No surprise here. We've all known from the beginning that Obama's message of change, out with the old - in the with new, was a load of bull. Anyone with any sense knows a rookie can't do the job. You have to have someone with experience. But of course, that doesn't apply to Obama himself. LIke Bush, he'll surround himself with "oldies but goodies", people with Washington experience, and hope the voters will call him a "genius". Yeah, sure, like we did with Bush, the current rookie. And look where that got us.

I was not bashing Richardson. Merely stating a fact: He was disloyal and I do not believe that Obama will pick someone who is disloyal. Would you?

Let's calm down with the Richardson bashing. The Democratic primary campaign is over. He didn't do a darn thing wrong. He would make a great VP.

Richardson was heavily courted by both Obama and Clinton for his endorsement. I defy you to find any coverage from that pre-endorsement period that suggests "of course he is politically obligated by well-known unwritten rules to endorse Clinton, so there's no suspense here." Nope. All the coverage was all about, "Who will he pick?" It was a jump ball.

Once he endorsed Obama, the Clinton campaign, having failed to label Obama as "the black candidate," immediately went for the "just the Latino endorser" card, by saying that Richardson hadn't endorsed Obama "when it mattered," in the states with more Latino voters. Then they really went over the top and compared him to Judas Iscariot.

Why were they so vicious? I believe they were terrified of a stampede of superdelegates in Obama's direction and wanted to scare the others by the way they smeared Richardson.

But now that the primary season is over, that distasteful episode has no purpose anymore. Forget it. It was politically motivated, he's a national party leader who did nothing wrong, and he's a reasonable candidate (among several) for VP. Obama should ignore the Pennsylvania campaign's uglier moments and look ahead to build a good team, whoever he picks.

Obama will not select Richardson for one good reason: He is disloyal. Richardson was unknown until Clinton tapped him for various positions is his administration. The least he could have done was remain neutral, but no, he smelled possible cabinet appointment or VP slot. I would never consider doing what he did to someone who had been my benefactor.

richardson could not even deliver his own state for obama in the primries how could he help in the election. he is hated by hilary's group making it even more difficult for the dems to come together.

if obama picks richardson as vp it will show two things: 1) there was a deal struck between them for richardson's enorsement showing obama to be a real politician backroom hack and 2) he has very poor judgement (again)

Maybe Richardson should head the search committee? LOL

any one can qualify for vp post except TRAITORS LIKE BILL RICHARDSON. HE BETRAYED CLINTONS IN THE PAST AND HE WILL BETRAY OBAMA TOO. BECAUSE HE IS AN OPRTUNIST SCUM BAG.
AT PRESENT OBAMA DOES NOT LOOK LIKE BEATING MCCAIN SO HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PICK SOME ONE WHO CAN BRING MORE VOTES AND RICHARDSON DOES NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE HE ONLY TOK 2 % IN THE FEWW SATATES HE WAS ON TICKET.
OBAMA,S EGO WILL NOT LET HIM PICK HILLARY SO WE WILL SEE MCCAIN IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
HE MAY NOT BE TOO GOOD BUT HE WILL DEFINITLY BE BETTER THAN DICK(THE REAL PRESIDENT) AND GEORGE (pRESIDENT BY NAME )

bhagwan deol los angeles

BR would be a great choice, and I strongly urge the Dems to select him.

However, there's another way Kerry could have won the presidency. Instead of being like BR and supporting illegal activity, he could have done it by supporting what's in the U.S.'s best interests:

http://lonewacko.com/blog/archives/002149.html

And, if you aren't aware of just how bad BR is, here are just some data points:

youtube.com/watch?v=MiszkrzoOs0
youtube.com/watch?v=i0YRHXoygRM
youtube.com/watch?v=CifLm6z32eA
youtube.com/watch?v=mN2o208PFhg