2009
McLame-o-rama
Be glad McCain isn’t calling the shots:
Every last statement he’s made–at least, those that I’ve seen–has been (a) fabulously uninformed and (b) dangerously bellicose…The point is, neoconservatives like McCain and Wehner just can’t seem to quit their dangerous habit of making broad, extreme statements based on ideology rather than detailed knowledge of the situation in Iran and elsewhere. This was always the main problem with McCain’s candidacy–he would have been a trigger-happy President, just as Wehner’s old boss, George W. Bush, was. We are well out of that.
Just imagine if McCain and that Wackjob Palin were in there. Jeezuz! That was a close one! Palin–hardly worth mentioning her ridiculous Letterman feud–we knew was unfit for the job, but McCain? He should know better. Don’t these guys know how to handle things in a cool calm manner?
Alright, I’ll mention that ridiculous Letterman feud. What a friggin nut, this woman. What a bullet we dodged with this one! And what an insight into the people who follow her, with this Fire Letterman protest that drew 15 people. Watch the video at that link and know that America is a little saner with these people on the outermost fringes and not in power.
But this is perfect, Dave’s Top Ten last night: Things Overheard at the Fire Dave Letterman Rally. I really hope he keeps on pushing this thing like he did when McCain canceled on him. Enough with the apologies, Dave!
2008
Walk the Other Way
Nope, I’ve never been a big fan of Aerosmith. Overrated as hell. Now Joe Perry has come out for McCain. So they’ve got that going against ‘em now too. How about cranking out another cheesy power ballad for some shitty soundtrack, guys? Pay day!
2008
Semi-Live Blogging Wino
I can’t believe I’m not watching the Cubs in the playoffs instead of this debate. Looks like the Phillies and the Devil Rays right now. Great, another team that’s been around since the late 90′s going to the World Series.
Hey! John McCain is angry! I, on the other hand, am drinking red wine. Gallo Sonoma Reserve Merlot, whatever that means. Whoa! I’ve been watching the debate, and I can’t bring myself to type. A little fire! Nice. Obama explains Ayers. McCain finally got the memo to speak like a right-wing blog. Meanwhile, the two cats clean themselves next to me on the couch. It’s very possible that by the end of the week there will be another creature here to join the cats, namely, a tiny bouncing little baby girl. All hell is going to break loose. It could happen tonight for all we know.
But anyway, back to the debate. Actually, can you believe Tampa Bay has been a franchise since 1998 and has finished last every year but one? And now… The Cubs…I…oh, to hell with it.
McCain keep sniffing real loud, or breathing heavy. What’s the problem, white man? Get him an oxygen mask. Now I’m bored again. Get back to the arguing! Where’s Joe the Plumber? Obama keeps smiling at the goofy shit McCain says. Wait! Joe the Plumber is back! This guy is going to be a national hero after tonight. I just checked Drudge and it looks like McCain has won! 74% to 24% Wow. The debate is half over and the people have spoken!
Alright, here we go with abortion. Fun issue. McCain just said he wouldn’t have a litmus test for appointing judges, but that someone who believes Roe v. Wade is good law would not be someone he would consider. Sounds suspiciously like…a litmus test! McCain’s got a real sneer tonight. He’s all worked up. What’s with this guy? Oh yeah, he’s losing, big.
America’s youth are our future! I like that. I’m one of them! No, not really, but hey, whatever. I’m youthful. Young at heart. Young Americans. David Bowie. What? It’s over already? Final statements, here they come. McCain is stuttering his way through his. “Stewards” has been used twice so far. Alright, now Obama. Weird final handshake between the two, with McCain repeating “good job, good job, good job!”
On PBS David Brooks comes right out and says nope, not good enough. Stephanopolous is talking about McCain’s worst moment, bringing up Ayers. Flip to 5 and I got nothing, just blabber. CBSÂ has a woman who is uncommitted, still. Come on! Alright, who cares, I’m done here for now. Wait, NBC has 6 noodleheads who still don’t know who they’re voting for. They all raised their hands when asked if Palin would cause people to vote against McCain, but they still couldn’t say they were voting for Obama. Idiots.
Romney says nothing, now Hillary Clinton speaks to Brian Williams. Her heart isn’t into it. Maybe she’s destined to be on the Supreme Court. George Will blabs on ABC and you know what? I’m done. I’ve made my decision!
2008
The Last Campaign
It is common to hear about the use of Barack Obama’s middle name, Hussein, as a way of winking at the crowd, as if to say “whoa, his middle name is just like a terrorist’s name!” It appears that McCain and Palin are often introduced by folks who employ this line of rhetoric at their rallies.
Khaled Hosseini, the author of the great book The Kite Runner, writes an op-ed in the Washington Post addressing this insult (yes, it is an insult):
Obama’s middle name differs from my last name by only two vowels. Does the McCain-Palin campaign view me as a pariah too? Do McCain and Palin think there’s something wrong with my name?
Related is this column in the NY Times from Frank Rich, about the way McCain and Palin have used this name association, and other questionable insinuations, to fire up their crowds. Much has been made of the reactions from McCain/Palin rallies this past week, including racial incidents and cries of “terrorist!” in Obama’s name, and whether they are inciting a call to violence.
I recently finished reading The Last Campaign, by Thurston Clarke, about Robert Kennedy’s 82-day campaign that ended with his assassination in June of 1968. I have tried to ignore the fear that I’m sure some may have regarding Obama’s safety, and indeed, I have not truly been worried or even thinking about it, but reading this book did put the thought, or concern, in my head.
The events of last week did not help. I wonder about the racism that still exists and to what level it will inspire anger, or even violence. Reading about Bobby Kennedy, it is amazing to realize the atmosphere that pervaded in that year, in those times; he was considered a “friend of the Negro,” and people hated him for it (whether this was his shooter’s motive, no one seems to know, though it seems unlikely). It seemed almost inevitable to everyone around him that Kennedy’s life would be in danger, and it is with little surprise to most of them that he was shot. RFK was an inspiring figure, but alas, a doomed one.
Now it is 2008, and we are beyond that, I think. But it is disappointing to read about, and in some cases watch the videos of, people attending these rallies and saying the things that they say. McCain finally took the microphone away from some sad old lady who said Obama was an Arab (implying what, exactly?) and everyone applauded him, from media hacks to Obama himself. Everyone, that is, but the very crowd that came to hear McCain rip into his “terrorist-loving” opponent. Booo!
I expected this kind of rabid response for Hillary Clinton, had she been the candidate, but for Barack Obama? You have to drag him into the mud and smear his face in it just to get him to speak ill of his opponents, and even then he’s kept his head high above the fray for the most part. I’m not sure what he has said or done to inspire any fury, but then, I’m not listening to the talk shows and hearing the noise. And I don’t plan on it. But the name, and his background, certainly appear to be frightening a small, and small-minded group of people. An ever-shrinking group, to be sure.
One last thing about this: in Rich’s column he notes that a quote was used in Palin’s convention speech by an author named Westbrook Pegler, a columnist known for anti-semetic and racist views. Palin was praising “small-town” Americans with the quote, drawing apparent contrast to us dishonest city folk with our lack of values and such. As I also noticed when reading The Last Campaign, and as Kennedy’s son Robert Jr. notes here, Pegler is known for another quote, this one uttered in 1965, in which he expressed a quite specific wish for RFK:
“Some white patriot of the Southern tier will spatter his spoonful of brains in public premises before the snow falls.�
2008
Great Expectations
How sad is it, to realize that the only reason this race is/was ever close is because of Sarah Palin? I mean, really. This is what the base of that party wants; not McCain, the “Maverick.” He had a resentful following until she came along and fired up the ticket. He’s nothing without her. You saw the debate.
They don’t want a “straight talker,” as he was once perceived to be (long ago), but instead someone who talks–like Bush did–in a folksy way, appealing to the lowest intellectual level. All heart, no brain, like Colbert! Why such a low bar? Why not impressed by those who are more intelligent, or who may know more about the position they strive for?
Is the Republican base that insecure?
It bothers me, only in that there seem to be so many who think this way. You have that fierce nationalistic pride that disallows any criticism: “you’re either with us or against us,” “the fundamentals of our economy are strong,” and the trumped up patriotism of the Bush years that we all have endured. What is the point of such pride if it produces such meager results? What, exactly, is there to brag about?
That’s why you have the strange paradox of a Republican running against his own party’s past eight years with a running mate who represents its worst qualities. She won’t give a press conference and lies pathologically while pandering to the “I’d like to sleep with her” crowd (an update to the “I’d like to have a beer with him” crowd that voted so impressively in the past two elections). Winks and high heels, what else is there to know?
I wish for a higher standard. Obama may be a boring president, and wouldn’t that be great? Cool, calm, and collected–isn’t that what the country needs right about now? None of the fumbling and stumbling that we’re used to? I think I’ve stumbled upon something myself: a president who lacks deep thought and follow-through forces the rest of us to do the job for them. It’s been an exhausting eight years trying to warn, prevent, bitch, and try to fix the missteps; don’t we deserve to be in surer hands, so we can live and prosper, and not have to worry about all of this?
McCain tried to invoke Teddy Roosevelt in the debate, but Obama quickly shot that down; it’s silly to think McCain would speak softly and carry a big stick, not with the way he and his running mate conduct themselves. Talk about telegraphing your moves. “Bomb bomb Iran” is a guarantee with the ill-tempered P.O.W.
I’d like to think positively about this: perhaps there aren’t so many of these people with low standards after all; perhaps they are just the loudest? I’ll do my best to ignore them and vote for intelligence, judgment, and temperament on November 4. I have high expectations, you see.
2008
Post-Debate White Russian Discussion
Yep, I mixed up a nice Caucasian and am sifting through the noise now, with Letterman in the background for now. A flip over and Bill Maher is on Leno making me laugh, but the audience and Jay are all offended at everything he says. Can’t wait to see his new film Religulious. I switch to see Tegan and Sara on Dave. Cute.
As I read the spin it is pretty clear that Obama won handily. The Corner gets funnier. People are writing in saying they are pulling up their McCain/Palin signs. Ha ha! Some total nut named Andy McCarthy goes off the deep end:
Memo to McCain Campaign:Â Someone is either a terrorist sympathizer or he isn’t; someone is either disqualified as a terrorist sympathizer or he’s qualified for public office.
Wow. This guy really knows how to appeal to mainstream Americans! And no, he’s not desperate. He just needs you to know that Barack Obama is, for all intents and purposes, a terrorist. Now why didn’t McCain bring that up tonight?
Moving on, in Drudge world the debate was “B O R I N G,” but his readers give the win to McCain easily, 65% to 32%. That means Obama won too. (The content at that link will likely be different in the morning).
Time passes, another White Russian and some Charlie Rose, and then Death Cab for Cutie on Conan. Everyone seems to be making a big deal about the way McCain called Obama “that one,” without looking at him, but that’s par for the old goat. He’s angry! He can’t stand Obama. And so losing to him is going to really upset the McCains, especially Cindy, who called this the “dirtiest campaign” in history. Woman, you must be on drugs.
Back to that Pakistan thing. I thought that was one of Obama’s strongest moments, after McCain gave his silly Teddy Roosevelt spiel. This, from Slate, describes it pretty well:
Obama had two replies. First, he wasn’t calling for an invasion of Pakistan—just for “taking out” Osama Bin Laden if we had him in our sights and the Pakistanis couldn’t or wouldn’t do it. Then he won the round decisively by remarking, “This is the guy who said ‘Bomb, bomb Iran,’ ” who called for “the annihilation of North Korea,” and who, after we ousted the Taliban from Kabul, said, “Next up, Baghdad.” That’s not talking softly. (McCain’s response, that he was just joking with an old veteran friend, was, first, not true—he said it in a public forum—and, second, quite lame.)
My friends, McCain could have used some folksy talk and a wink right about then; sure beats substance and truth, gosh darn it.
2008
Not Live-Blogging
Just a comment for the moment: who said that Obama was not so good in town hall debates? Or rather, who said that McCain was so good? Obama looks and sounds vital and intelligent, and McCain looks and sounds…well, old and out of touch. This whole Pakistan thing, what Obama said and what McCain claims he means, makes McCain look like a dummy. More afterward…
AFTERWARD:
I don’t how much more clear I can be about this: Obama is easily the winner of this debate, much more decisively than he was in the first. The myth of McCain as the experienced leader has no bearing in reality. And there is no grading curve for Obama–he’s not winning on low expectations, unlike some others we’ve seen. This is only going to increase his lead.
Good indication that Obama won: the whiners at The Corner blame the moderator, and general gloom fills the air!
This was, I think, a mauling: a devastating and possibly electorally fatal debate for McCain … All I can say is that, simply on terms of substance, clarity, empathy, style and authority, this has not just been an Obama victory. It has been a wipe-out. It has been about as big a wipe-out as I can remember in a presidential debate. It reminds me of the 1992 Clinton-Perot-Bush debate. I don’t really see how the McCain campaign survives this.
2008
The Endgame
Joe Klein of Time Mag comments on “what a desperate empty embarrassment the McCain campaign has become,” in a great post titled “Embarracuda.” The man has a point. Keep the foot on the throat!
2008
Yesterday…and Today
Yesterday: “It’s the fault of one man: George W. Bush.” – Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune.
Today: “I do not like you, John McCain.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times.
2008
Storm Clouds
I’m glad I’m not a McCain supporter or a White Sox fan right about now. Mostly, though, I’m glad I’m not a McCain supporter right about now.
McCain’s dismissal of Obama brought back memories of how advocates of the war arrogantly dismissed those who insisted (rightly, as it turned out) that the conflict would be far more difficult and costly than its architects suggested.
Yes, what we need now is another hothead with shitty judgment who doesn’t listen to anybody else.
UPDATE:
A headline that speaks volumes: “McCain Takes Credit For Bill Before It Loses”
The rush to claim he had engineered a victory now looks like a strategic blunder that will prolong the McCain’s campaign’s difficulty in finding a winning message on the economy.
Good thing he suspended his campaign! But wait–how do we know when he un-suspends it? Oh, he did? Huh.
2008
Clean Steve (They Don’t Come Any Dirtier Than Me)*
Ah, so much I’ve missed. Well, I didn’t miss it so much as I’ve failed to comment on it.** I’ve been relatively offline since Thursday, up in Wisconsin on a spiritual retreat. Just kidding. What’s spiritual for me involves living off the land, pioneer-style, rubbing sticks together, all that stuff. Still kidding. Okay, I had a grill, lighter fluid, meats and beer. Some tequila too. I did not have hot water though, which was a surprise, so it’s been…what day is it? Sunday? Almost four full days without a shower. Luckily, I was alone the entire time. The animals flocked to me (seriously, pictures to come!).
Actually, I decided to clean myself in the lake on Saturday because it was just so nice out, so I went down to the beach (Lake Geneva) and dipped my dirty body in. Then I got out, dried off and went back in again. Good as new, clean as can be. It’s amazing how quickly I can revert to a primitive lifestyle when conditions call for it. I ate terribly except for my dinners, which involved Italian sausages, hamburgers, and chicken; also, red peppers, onions, and Pillsbury crescent rolls. The rest of the time it was white powdered donuts, gummy bears, and beef sticks. I slept very odd hours, odder than usual, and killed many mosquitoes and flies.
I saw the debate, and that was fine. A little boring, but Obama took care of business. The Katie Couric interview was…painful. I actually felt sorry for this woman. But she has no business running anything but–really, anything at all. And to prove that you really can’t make this shit up, the SNL skit actually used lines from the interview verbatim. It was funnier the first time, but still, man! That is embarrassing.
Oh, and that Letterman thing. Nice job by Dave, keeping the screws on McCain. You know he didn’t do a damn thing. He made a whole big fuss about suspending his campaign and not debating and then went to Washington…eventually…and did what exactly? Like this wasn’t some kind of gimmick–much like the entire campaign. I mean, it’s still not a done deal, even if it might be by tomorrow, but he didn’t even stop campaigning, and he showed up for the debate. So, why the drama? Oh yeah, the poll numbers. The Couric interview. The general lack of substance. And the Couric interview. Gotta make sure no one pays attention to that!
McCain doesn’t realize it, but on the Internet, nothing goes away until we say it does! You have seen it by now, yes? Jesus, it’s a train wreck.
* Title taken from my favorite Robyn Hitchcock album, Eye, and the song, yes, it is “Clean Steve.”
** Bob Porter: Looks like you’ve been missing a lot of work lately.
Peter Gibbons: I wouldn’t say I’ve been *missing* it, Bob.
2008
McCain Gives Up
My first reaction when I heard that McCain was suspending his campaign was “What? Huh? Ha ha ha! What? Um… Huh? Ha ha ha!” And then he wanted cancel the debate? “What? Huh? Ha ha ha! What? Um… Huh? Ha ha ha!”
I can’t believe that anyone would take this seriously. By “this” I mean the campaign of brave John McCain and cute-as-a-button Sarah Palin.
2008
Leave the White Guy Alone
I think it’s ridiculous to use guilt-by-association as a basis for judging candidates; they should be judged on their own words and actions. But if there were any fairness in the way the media conducts itself, we would be hearing all about John McCain’s pastor:
Mr. Hagee, it’s true, did not blame the American government for concocting AIDS. But he did say that God created Hurricane Katrina to punish New Orleans for its sins, particularly a scheduled “homosexual parade there on the Monday that Katrina came.�
And John McCain’s radical friend:
Last November, McCain went on his radio show. Liddy greeted him as “an old friend,” and McCain sounded like one. “I’m proud of you, I’m proud of your family,” he gushed. “It’s always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great.”
Which principles would those be? The ones that told Liddy it was fine to break into the office of the Democratic National Committee to plant bugs and photograph documents? The ones that made him propose to kidnap anti-war activists so they couldn’t disrupt the 1972 Republican National Convention? The ones that inspired him to plan the murder (never carried out) of an unfriendly newspaper columnist?
But then, no one seems to care much about Mr. McCain. He’s this year’s Bob Dole.
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