The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

"Steam. The Stanley Steamer ..."

I'd say ... natural gas.

Big Oil is buying in big (see today's WSJ), investing billions in the new shale gas biz in the U.S.

McSame is like the GM workers, outmoded and about to be fired.

Where was the old git 25 years ago when these solutions would have made a real difference?

Ignore that evil racist twaat Dianne72.

Oh, did anybody else laugh out loud when they read how McCain praised Bush's new withdrawal plan?

And Mike - McCain doesn't have a chance in MI...you know, with all those imaginary bad economy whiners there and all. Nice try, though.

I don't think the reference to "breeding" is considered a racist term. It has more to do with background and upbringing. This term is commonly used in the upper classes and the aristocracy in Britain. No, Mrs. Obama does not have the breeding of Mrs. Kennedy. she is what you might call a "common" woman.

The more John McCain offers sound and timely correctives to the malaise diagnosed by his senior adviser Phil Gramm, the more he will appease the so-called "whiners" who keep complaining about joblessness, the threat to present jobs and the inadequacy of income, and the cost of gas.

But McCain's geezer jokes don't endear him to every other senior citizen. For instance, according to Sam Stein, Norma Coile (now with the Arizona Daily Star) reported that McCain referred to Leisure World, a retirement community, as "Seizure World." If nothing worse, McCain's hair triggered outbursts remind us that the old fellow's mind is getting on up there in age, and that it often seems to suggest a shortfall of good judgment.

I see a lot of posts waiting for Gedot, and or the electric car. Until that time may I suggest a used car lot, looking for an '80's Suburu 4 cyl. Some junk yards specialize in them because they ran forever (300,000 miles) and because they were so cheaply made (light) they get 40 MPH. The newer ones are twice as heavy. Anyway, you should be able to get a good one, say 80K miles for around $500 to $800. That way you can keep your SUV (tough time to sell) for specialized missions, and use the Subu for non status A to B commuting. The insurance is nothing as well. Should get 10 more years out of your recycle, and by that time you can ponder a 2nd generation Volt or Japanese equivilent.

He'll need to include a subsidy for rooftop solar-voltaic panels too, to charge all those cars. The oil/gas industry lobby will never allow it. Cheney will lead the charge (no pun intended)!

November 2008 Electoral Vote Results:

OBAMA: 386 Electoral Votes (36 States and DC)

McCain: 152 Electoral Votes (14 states)

Source: Znarpy National ESP Polls

wow, $5K a car... bet GM just up's this price by $5K. Anybody?

Not only is McCain losing in Michigan he is also losing his own state of Arizona by 3 points in a poll that was done by Zogby. They also say that Bob Barr is having a serious negative effect on McCain by taking a lot of conservative votes from him. They say Bob Barr could do some serious damage to McCain if these people stay with Barr in November.

Even if they have to carry McCain into the oval office I would still vote for him over the unknown terrorist connected Obama. Where si all of his money coming from ? If you think its from the average black American family think again pal !!! The media and the DNC idiots keep shoving this idiot down our throats- wait til November when Obama loses the electoral vote- then we'll see what chaos his loyal backers will cause in this country. He is not what he seems and he will be a disasterfor this country. Michelle is an even bigger hate filled disaster and she is no match for the grace and elegance of Cindy McCain who devotes alot of her time to helping poor disabled children.

So why is John McCain leaking the details of Obama's trip to Iraq? They should be kept secret. This shows that John McCain has loose lips and can't keep anything straight. He would be a terrible Commander in Chief. He shouldn't have a security clearance. None of our national secrets would be safe. That old man has a fading brain for sure. He will be senile soon.

Wow Diane72
You stole your entire riff from the Washington Post 7/5/08.

racist AND dumb.

The oil companies dont want you to know there is an easy solution with technology we already have, which provides fast, large cars capable of pulling a trailer with a horse or boat.

Steam. The Stanley Steamer could go 150 miles per hour.
They can burn any fuel, anything to boil the water.
Why didnt they stick around? The engineering was not women-friendly, and when the cars got automatic starters, instead of cranks, gas power took over. However, the solution was always available, and the Stanley Steamer kept its old ways to appeal to men, who liked to tinker. Not necessary now with electronics.

Therefore, someone with the resources will be selling steam powered cars soon. NO infrastructure necessary, either.
No hydrogen to create. Burns anything.

Relax, someone rich enough and smart enough will do steam powered cars soon enough.
And yes, this form (boiling water) is not going to work out in upper Michigan's winter like it will in South Louisiana, but for most of the country for most of the year, steam works fine. And for remote colder places, they can either garage the vehicle or use a small electrical water warmer to melt the water in the morning. But for 80% of the country, steam will replace oil easily.
Happy day everyone.

Good "breeding"? Really Diane72?
Would that be a racist comment from you (again)?

Maybe she means her husband will galvanize this country like no one since JFK has, and she will support him in that.

To Mike
Quote your sources

MICHIGAN-President
July 14 Rasmussen Obama (D) 50%, McCain (R) 42%
MICHIGAN-President
July 10 Zogby Obama (D) 47%, McCain (R) 33% ...
MICHIGAN-President
June 26 Quinnipiac Obama (D) 48%, McCain (R) 42%

Mike, the liar. Is that a personal attack, or do you want to quote your source for your lie about the polls in Michigan?

Mike, a typical right wing devil worshipper. Just make up stuff and hope the idiots believe in your fake data.

Bush promised $6 billion for alternative energy research in his inaugural address. He never put the money where his mouth is.

Dont expect anything but drill drill drill from McSame.

Ever notice Mccain does like one of these town hall meeting every other day, they are his meat and potatoes. They don't get much press, we all know that but you would think the Mccain people would put all of them on youtube. They don't and you know why? Because in almost every one they are just short of being completely embarrassing to Mccain, He comes off looking like an idiot, every time. He is asked questions he stumbles over, often he can't remember what he was talking about. He misspeaks and goofs up all kinds of things and it is so common it isn't even news anymore. Unless he does something so stupid like his Checklosvakia thing it isn't even news. It;s like, "Yea we all know the guy is an idiot, so what else is new". I hope someone is recording all this and can put it on a loop to show what a complete dunce this guy really is. You would need a whole day just to watch it.

Michigan:
Obama: 47%
McCain: 39%

=Obama +8.0

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/michigan/election_2008_michigan_presidential_election

For anyone who saw the documentary: "Who KIlled The Electric Car"...

They'll know it was GM and the Republican Party that dismantled California's mandate to get that going by lying about the lack of demand (uh... has anybody counted the number of Prius's on the roads in California right now... demand?). They also recalled all the EV1 batteries and destroyed them. Yes, let me repeat: DESTROYED THEM.

How appropriate that McCain's giving his speech at the company that helped his party destroy the electric vehicle.

And we're suppose to believe them now?

McCain may look to GM for an electric car, but who is he looking to for the electricity?? coal is dirty; nat gas is expensive? or does he believe in the ConEd fairy.

all white folks is racist. they have ruined this country and they trying to ruin obama. that alright cause we taking over in november. just like the inventer of the peanut said, george washington carver, the black can't get free until he is up inside the white house.

GM spend a gazillion dollars on their EV-1 all-electric car in the mid-90's. At the time, gas was super cheap (compared to today), and the manufacturing costs were so high, ($80,000/car) they didn't think anyone would want it, so they discontinued it. Plus the battery technology hadn't advanced to the point where it would be practical on a daily basis. Ironically, Subaru already has an all-electric car operating in NYC today. It travels about 50 miles on a full charge, but it only takes 15 minutes to recharge up to 90% and you can plug it into a normal household socket.

Latest Michigan poll: 7/18/2008

McCain - 67 %
Obama - 33 %
_________________________________________
That's funny!
The latest poll I have seen for Michigan was
Obama - 47%
McCain - 39%

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) promised to provide a $5,000 tax credit for Americans who buy electric-powered cars such as the future Chevy Volt and "other automobiles that put us on the path to energy independence," even as he suggested he might alter his climate plan to aid the auto industry
__________________________________________

So, McCain is for environmental change but also against.
He doesn't flip flop, he's just confused!

McSame = The same kind of man that made America Great!

McChange = John McCain

McShamed = For anyone's doubt that John McCain is the only solution left for America!

Wow... Must have been a huge week?

RCP Average 06/17 - 07/10 -- 48.7 41.0 Obama +7.7

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/mi/michigan_mccain_vs_obama-553.html

************************

Latest Michigan poll: 7/18/2008

McCain - 67 %
Obama - 33 %

Posted by: mike | July 18, 2008 3:19 PM

I hope John McCain continues to hold lots more of these town hall meetings. They are an excellent venue for his low-key brand of confusion, obfuscation, flip-flopping, and just plain old pandering. He has made "catch the gaffe" a daily pastime of this campaign season.

Latest Michigan poll: 7/18/2008

McCain - 67 %
Obama - 33 %

Everyone seems to forget the Republicans standing up 8 years ago and pretty much stating that they would do NOTHING to encourage the auto industry to work on alternative fuels, hybrids, or increases in fuel economy. Had the GOP been willing to show that kind of leadership when they were in power things would be much better today. Instead we have yet another industry in decline and a bunch of politicians trying to react to a situation that was pretty much their fault to begin with.

O'Bama-McCain, McBama-O'Cain they are all sounding the same. These ideas are great for the future. We need something today...and look carefully, we already have the tools to strike the problem today. All the old, tried and true paths to using less gas (ah but what am I saying...the US economy only survives if we consume like rabid wolves/wild fires (!). Is that why none of these leader(or wanna-be leaders) are talking about conservation? I last bought s few gallons of gas in late May. I commute, go shopping, places on weekends etc. Guess how I do it! Long may the price of gas escalate...I don't care. And yes it affects inflation, big-time, especially in dollars!

The article was not complete and mislead many who have commented. The car can be plugged in and charged. It can go 40 miles on a charge without using gas. When it needs to, it operates like a hybrid gas/electric. The gas engine starts and recharges the battery. It can do 80MPH and it is a multi-use vehicle - city car on a charge or an extended range hybrid gas electric. If it is priced right and is well built it will be a big seller.

http://brokengovernment.wordpress.com

GM, Ford and Chrysler are on the ropes. The situation is desperate at Chrysler, but because they are "private" there is no way that Wall Street can short their stock. The next American president will have to face the facts and decide if U.S. jobs are worth yet another rescue due to poor management and lack of foresight. Will a President McCain come to the rescue of U.S. autoworkers? I think NOT. Remember during the Michigan primary he said USA jobs are gone for good overseas? Yet another flip-flop. Years ago, a U.S. president, Clinton, got Detroit together to tout a new gas-electric hybrid car. Detroit gave lip service to the plan and it disappeared, only to be replaced with another pie in the sky idea, hydrogen. Guess what..Toyota thought the U.S. was serious and produced...the Prius...come on USA...we have great workers but corporate managers are in the buggy whip era ...again. I own GM cars and I think they are very serviceable. But why? Because I can buy them dirt cheap. Corporate leaders need to make way for new thinkers...The Boss of GM had his chance.. What did he do? Close the Saturn small car plant in Tennessee and decide to build a large crossover vehicle. Why wasn't Saturn updated?? Friends got 150,000 miles out of them but now Saturns are based on GM German designs and are very expensive. GM spent BILLIONS on Saturn while starving Chevrolet. Why???
We need corporate leaders who live and breathe CARS...Make a good product at a good price...

Even with a lot of innovation they will not be what the public wants, not for many many years. The reason they have never built them is, who would buy one? People want to go farther then 100 miles before they have to plug in for 8 hours. They want to carry more the two people and go 80 miles an hour. They want to be able to haul their boats and so on. Actually all they want one now fro is because of the price of oil, nothing else. Few are really willing to give up anything. My nephew still drives his hummer, he can afford it and could care less. People would rather do a little regulating of their driving habits to get the savings then give up the real utility on a standard car. They want cars that get better mileage but not a go cart. An electric car will be a tough sell unless gas goes to like $8.00 a gallon.

+++++++++
I would buy an electric car in a second if it was mass produced and I could afford it. I blame the auto manufacturers for the lack of action until now. They have been talking about making eletric cars since the 1970's with the "Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act." GM just doesn't want to take the risk. GM - I have news for you, jump on this!! The time is right!!
We have had this technology since the 1800's, use it!! Dont make a "limited" run of the Chevy Volt to see what the response will be!! It takes YEARS for new technologies to catch on. IMHO, the electric car has always been a more attractive option than the hybrid cars. The only reason gasoline powered engines came into existence was a result of the success of the Model T Ford in 1908.

Posted by: Mark | July 18, 2008 12:54 PM

GM is one of the first big corporations to offshore their production with corporate greed in mind and nothing else. Now they're having a dose of their own medicine, but how nice the tax payers money is going to bail them out. The crisis in this country has been long in the making and the economy is at the brink of collapse, mostly thanks to the corporate greed with no ethics and no accountability, but manipulating people with pseudo moral and empty promises to line big execs pockets. HP ex CEO Carly, who started the anti HP tradition and laying workers off, had to have TWO corporate jets. One wasn't enough for her. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, and the middle class is vanishing in lightening speed thanks to those big execs who laughed all the way to their financial planners.

The only way to take back the government is to vote for someone who's NOT connected to this two-party sellout. WWW.VOTENADER.ORG. It's time for a REAL change.

I would buy an electric car in a second if it was mass produced and I could afford it. I blame the auto manufacturers for the lack of action until now. They have been talking about making eletric cars since the 1970's with the "Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act." GM just doesn't want to take the risk. GM - I have news for you, jump on this!! The time is right!!
We have had this technology since the 1800's, use it!! Dont make a "limited" run of the Chevy Volt to see what the response will be!! It takes YEARS for new technologies to catch on. IMHO, the electric car has always been a more attractive option than the hybrid cars. The only reason gasoline powered engines came into existence was a result of the success of the Model T Ford in 1908.

4 more years...4 more years ya think DTW can take 4 more years McPain .

This back-and-forth over climate change and cap-and-trade sounds just like the political expediency McCain has been torturing Obama over. Flip-flop, flip-flop...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Ever notice Mccain does like one of these town hall meeting every other day, they are his meat and potatoes. They don't get much press, we all know that but you would think the Mccain people would put all of them on youtube. They don't and you know why? Because in almost every one they are just short of being completely embarrassing to Mccain, He comes off looking like an idiot, every time. He is asked questions he stumbles over, often he can't remember what he was talking about. He misspeaks and goofs up all kinds of things and it is so common it isn't even news anymore. Unless he does something so stupid like his Checklosvakia thing it isn't even news. It;s like, "Yea we all know the guy is an idiot, so what else is new". I hope someone is recording all this and can put it on a loop to show what a complete dunce this guy really is. You would need a whole day just to watch it.

And the polling report at http://www.votenic.com says everything!
You won't believe these results!

I agree so let me know where you live so I can come over and cut your throat and take what ever you have for mine. I think that is a very good system.

========
As a God fearing Republican I completely reject climate change doom and gloom. The Earth is our toilet. We should do what we want to it. We should live for the here and now. Who cares about future generations. Our jobs now are the most important consideration. Innovation is nothing more than a buzz word. A 5.6L V8 is the master of the road. It is the here and now.

Posted by: rambling troll | July 18, 2008 12:12 PM

McCain: "You won't be having these jobs for very long, given I have no clue on the economy or business. At least I have a job for you in the Military! (If you don't mind living in Iraq & Iran the rest of your life!)

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" John F. Kennedy

As a God fearing Republican I completely reject climate change doom and gloom. The Earth is our toilet. We should do what we want to it. We should live for the here and now. Who cares about future generations. Our jobs now are the most important consideration. Innovation is nothing more than a buzz word. A 5.6L V8 is the master of the road. It is the here and now.

That a boy John, Tell them anything they want to hear and get the hell out of there.