Negativity Reigns Again In South Carolina

CBSNews.com Reports: Another GOP Primary In The Palmetto State Brings A Fresh Round Of Mudslinging

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com political reporter David Miller.

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If North Carolina is the Tarheel State, neighboring South Carolina, host of Saturday's crucial Republican primary might aptly be called the Tar Pit State - at least when it comes to politics.

After a few weeks of relatively civilized campaigning in Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan, the mud has flown freely during the last days of the South Carolina race. The top candidates are going after each other and outside groups have seemingly emerged from nowhere, using questionable tactics - some would say dirty tricks - that lift one candidate, bring down another, but risk tarnishing them all.

None of this, of course, is anything South Carolina voters haven't seen before. Infamous GOP strategist Lee Atwater, who once planted a reporter at a press conference to disclose an opponent's electroshock therapy treatments, was a fixture of state politics in the 1980s. In 2000, John McCain, then campaigning against George W. Bush, was the target of a vicious underground smear campaign, one Bush denied being involved with, that accused McCain, among other things, of fathering a black child out of wedlock and abandoning veterans, and claimed his wife had a drug problem.

That race has gone down in the state's political history as one of the nastiest ever waged. This year hasn't seen that level of mudslinging, but the tone of the race is undeniably more negative than in the states that came earlier on the calendar. The opening salvo may have come on Jan. 10 when Fred Thompson - who needs a strong showing on Saturday to keep his campaign afloat - came out swinging at Mike Huckabee during a debate in Myrtle Beach.

"This is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and its future," Thompson said at the debate. "On the one hand, you have the Reagan revolution. You have the Reagan coalition of limited government and strong national security. On the other hand, you have the direction that Gov. Huckabee would take us in. He would be a Christian leader, but he would also bring about liberal economic policies, liberal foreign policies. He believes we have an arrogant foreign policy in the tradition of 'blame America first.' He believes that Guantanamo should be closed down and those enemy combatants brought to the United State to find their way into the court system eventually. He believes in taxpayer-funded programs for illegals, as he did in Arkansas. He has the endorsement of the National Education Association, and the NEA said it was because of his opposition to vouchers. HE said he would sign a bill that would ban smoking nationwide. So much for federalism. So much for states' rights. So much for individual rights."

Thompson, appearing more animated than he has most of the campaign, ended with a stinging indictment: "That's not the model of the Reagan coalition - that's the model of the Democratic Party."

Since then, all the Republican contenders have been on the receiving end of some vicious barbs. McCain has once again seen his time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam questioned. This time, he's been accused of betraying his fellow POWs - a claim he and his supporters quickly, and strongly rebuked.

And plenty of attention has gone to the escalating tensions between Thompson, a former Tennessee senator, and Huckabee, who has joked that Thompson's debate outburst indicated he'd finally woken up. The animosity between the two camps really escalated, however, when an outside group supporting Huckabee, Common Sense Issues, started placing automated phone calls to South Carolina voters that effectively questioned Thompson's conservative credentials - particularly on abortion - under the guise of a poll.

Patrick Davis, the GOP consultant behind Common Sense Issues, denied that he's up to anything underhanded.

"The facts of a person's voting records, public statements and public positions are up for fair analysis in any election," he said. "We use the information we gather for where people stand on those issues to encourage them to support leaders who stand with those positions. Sen. Thompson and Sen. McCain and Gov. Romney and Gov. Huckabee are all mentioned in our phone calls."

But what Davis portrayed as a voter education effort has been labeled by others as a "push poll," phone calls that purport to be legitimate surveys of public opinion, but only serve the purpose of pushing negative - sometimes false - information about a candidate onto voters. And by South Carolina's standards, the anti-Thompson calls might actually be considered tame.

"I would have to say that, yes, it was a push poll, but it was kind of a nice one," said Neal Thigpen, a longtime GOP activist and political science professor at Francis Marion University. "This was genteel by South Carolina standards."

Other candidates haven't been spared, either. Mitt Romney's rightward shifts on social issues and Mormon faith have been frequent targets and Thompson has been strongly critical of his opponents on immigration.

Perhaps remembering the treatment McCain endured in 2000, his campaign has tried to stay out of the fray and, at least publicly, denounced the fighting between Thompson and Huckabee even though they might stand to benefit.

"I think that anytime someone is partaking in these negative activities, it only hurts all of us. It's detrimental," McCain spokesperson B.J. Bolling said. "I think it would be purely speculative to say that Gov. Huckabee and Sen. Thompson or any other candidates going back and forth helps a third candidate."

So why is this Palmetto State primary, like others in years past, standing out for its negativity? The makeup of the Republican electorate may play a role. In contrast to Iowa, no one candidate seems to have a lock on evangelical Christians and other socially conservative voters - sparking a fiercer competition, especially when several of the candidates could see their White House hopes extinguished by a poor showing.

Huckabee resoundingly won over social conservatives in the Hawkeye State and his odds of winning Saturday will rise if he can do the same in South Carolina - something Thompson's camp doesn't think will happen.

"I think Gov. Huckabee has relied upon social conservatives to build his campaign starting in Iowa but the socially conservative voter in South Carolina is different than the average socially conservative voter in Iowa in that they're a big picture voter," Thompson spokesman Jeff Sadosky said. "They're interested in tax issues, national security issues."

But whether it's national security and taxes in 2008, or the Confederate flag in 2000, the mud is always sure to fly in South Carolina, and splatter anyone who's unfortunate enough to be standing nearby - after yet another negative campaign, it makes one wonder why the state comes so early in the process, instead of toward the end.

[gkc99]

"the socially conservative voter in South Carolina is different than the average socially conservative voter in Iowa "

The folks in Iowa don''t like to horsewhip their Nigras?

Come back General Sherman and trash South Carolina again the way you did once before! We need you!

[stezzer]

I hope Mr. Romney wins. His religion is irrelevant. Global recession is looming, and the world needs a man who has an outstanding fiscal record. Mitt Romney is that man.

A dollar in the pocket is worth more than two Baptists in the White House.

[j-whitman]

Hello Stezzer,,,, Do you remember the swift boat attacks on John Kerry & the attacks on Jane Fonda calling here Hanoi Jane ????

The same people are siftboating John McCain now. They have adds calling him "The Hanoi Songbird"

http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/

[boatdocster]

That race has gone down in the state''s political history as one of the nastiest ever waged. "This is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party and its future," Thompson said at the debate.

Agree, the black heart and soul of today''s GOP party. Screw your neighbor, his wife, and the children before they screw you.... No thank you!

[ajmarine1]

Reagan, Reagan, Reagan;.....why don''t they just dig him up and have him run?

[cfin5]

Here%u2019s Dr. Paul%u2019s six-point immigration plan:



* Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
* Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
* No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That%u2019s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
* No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules. But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
* End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong.
* Pass true immigration reform. The current system is incoherent and unfair. But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation. This is insanity. Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.

[themartyred]

Forget the negative, antiworker, warmongering, unionbusting party of no hope and BUSH!

TODAY IS THE DAY! donate to JohnEdwardsDOTcom (change DOT to a period)

$7 Million Dollar Grassroots Fundraising Challenge!

FRIDAY JANUARY 18th! MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Even $25 is a huge help!

[ioweign]

Reagan, Reagan, Reagan;.....why don''''t they just dig him up and have him run?

Posted by AJMarine1 at 08:46 PM : Jan 18, 2008

They did and he saw what he had to work with and said "No more B movies !"

[pakaal]

Dr Paul: "Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals."

"Physically secure"?! There''s a plan, put a fence around all 16,000 miles of our land and sea borders! They got like, one-fiftieth across Texas with a fence and couldn''t get any further - you think securing the other 99% is going to happen?! I''ll put the odds on it at about the same as Dr. No being elected President.

[pakaal]

AJMarine1: "Reagan, Reagan, Reagan;.....why don''''t they just dig him up and have him run?"

Why not, look how well Thompson''s doing with the same physical challenges.

[mcv57]

Nagative??? What is there to be positive. Deception, distraction, or illusion does not offer solutions.

I have yet to hear anything that remotely sound constructive from any the presential candidates. America is fed-up with the B*U*L*L* SH*i*T, and frankly I cannot blame this generation or the next.

The Taxpapers of tomorrow will not have a future because government criminals and the White House regime has destroyed any honorable solution to the condition of the country.

[mcv57]

Reagan, Reagan, Reagan;.....why don''''t they just dig him up and have him run?

Posted by AJMarine1

Reaganomics is nothing more than what Hilter did for the 3rd Reich. Build-up the military industrial complex and accumulate mass public debt. The only thing that Ronny did not do was to be an international bully, like the Bushwacker. I guess the Bushwackers thought he could mirror his idol, Reagan.

[merlgrey]

fresh from politico.com:

"On the stump in economically struggling Michigan and South Carolina recently, Mitt Romney has been making the case that %u201Cit always makes sense to fight for every single good job.%u201D

But this position seems to be at odds with the Republican contender''''s one-time role as chief executive officer of Bain Capital, a large private equity firm.

In 1992, the firm acquired American Pad & Paper. By 1999, the year Romney left Bain, two American plants were closed, 385 jobs had been cut and the company was $392 million in debt. The next year, Ampad was forced into bankruptcy.

Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs bought Dade International for about $450 million in 1994.

The firm quickly fired or relocated at least 900 workers. Over the next several years, it sunk increasingly into debt and laid off 1,000 workers.

In 2002 it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

A 1997 buyout of LIVE Entertainment for $150 million resulted in 40 layoffs, one in four of the company''''s 166 workers.

Job cuts affected all aspects of the company, from production and acquisition to legal and public relations.

In 1997, Bain bought a stake in DDI Corp, a maker of electronic circuit boards.

Three years later, Bain took the company public and collected a $36 million payout. By August 2003, the company filed for bankruptcy protection, laying off over 2,100 workers."

what are people thinking?? michigan??

[kansas1946]

South Carolina. When we fought the civil war against cesession, maybe we should have exemped South Carolina and just let it go. Then we would have 47 contiguous states and one third-world country.

[mcv57]

Lol, I just notice the confederate flags . . . some the matter redneck, white trash? The good ole boy program not working (the Bushwacker is a southern).

Hatred is a sign of ignorant ethic divide when bigots and racist find themselves unemployed.

[mcv57]

Lol, I just notice the confederate flags . . . what''s the matter rednecks, white trash, b*a*s*t*a*r*d? The good-ole-boy program not working (the Bushwacker is a southerner).

Hatred is a sign of ignorant ethic divide when bigots and racist find themselves unemployed.

[jimbo554]

Is it any wonder people are fed up with the GOP and all its ugliness?

[tylenol6]

Mudslinging???????????? They are all a bunch of Bush
Morons, EXCEPT FOR RON PAUL. RON PAUL puts all these
IDIOTS TO SHAME. vote RON PAUL

[tylenol6]

Regarding John (bomb, bomb, bomb Iran) McCain''s wife
having a drug problem, that was not a smear. I use to
live in Arizona and Cindy McCain STOLE prescription drugs from the charity she was representing. Oh my god, John McCain probably wanted to kill her for embarrassing him. She was a drug addict. I don''t know if she still is or not. So CBS, DON''T SAY IT WAS A SMEAR!!!!! IT WAS A FACT CINDY MC CAIN STOLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS....get your story straight.....

[pilgrimsway-2009]

When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya . His
mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia. When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia . Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta . He also spent two years in a Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama''s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that he is not a radical.

[rowdytexan2]

McCain needs to get off the war on terror. Once the terrorists are out of the White House it will be a moot issue.

[ioweign]

South Carolina. When we fought the civil war against cesession, maybe we should have exemped South Carolina and just let it go. Then we would have 47 contiguous states and one third-world country.


Posted by kansas1946 at 09:16 PM : Jan 18, 2008

You mean they DIDN''T do that !

[iceman_1960]

"Crooked Claims About Clinton

January 18, 2008

Four-time convicted felon falsely accuses Clinton in video viewed by millions.

In a video that has logged millions of views on the Internet since early October, Peter Paul, a felon who helped produce a gala fundraiser for the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton%u2019s 2000 Senate campaign, makes a number of false or misleading charges against the presidential contender and former First Lady."

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/crooked_claims_about_clinton.html

[kansas1946]

When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya . His
mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia. When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia . Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta . He also spent two years in a Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama''''s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that he is not a radical.



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Posted by pilgrimsway at 10:15 PM

*****************************
You need to do better research pilgrim

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

Barack Obama is not, nor has he ever been a Muslim, radical or otherwise. He is although, the epitome of the American dream and we should all be proud of him.

[kansas1946]

Is it any wonder people are fed up with the GOP and all its ugliness?


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Posted by Jimbo554

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

The Republican party started this slide in the early 80''s mainly because of abortion and become more radical and hateful every year since. In Kansas the Republican party actually put it out in the nineties that if you were pro choice, or supported civil unions, you were a RINO (Republican in name only) and they would just as soon you not be in the party.

Of course, the Democrats weren''t throwing out pro-life people. The Republicans have sunk so low, are so corrupt, and are so out of touch with America that no one should seriously consider voting for one of them. If you can''t stomach voting for a Democrat, vote for a Libertarian, or a Green, or a Progressive, or whatever party is on your ballot that you can stand. The Republican party needs a good house cleaning and maybe it will come back and become a decent group of folks.

[kansas1946]

Regarding John (bomb, bomb, bomb Iran) McCain''''s wife
having a drug problem, that was not a smear. I use to
live in Arizona and Cindy McCain STOLE prescription drugs from the charity she was representing. Oh my god, John McCain probably wanted to kill her for embarrassing him. She was a drug addict. I don''''t know if she still is or not. So CBS, DON''''T SAY IT WAS A SMEAR!!!!! IT WAS A FACT CINDY MC CAIN STOLE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS....get your story straight.....


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Posted by tylenol6 at 10:12 PM : Jan

******************************************
What is the effin point?? Cindy McCain is not running for president. Lots of people have problems and overcome them. So what. I would never vote for John McCain, but good God, could we stay on issues and get off of the families. If there are any perfect families in America, I would really like to know who they are.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by pilgrimsway

You''''re full of it. Just tell the truth and say you don''''t want a "Black" man as president, quit hiding behind lies and false excuses for your racial intolerance, that is the coward''''s way.

I am an American, non Muslim, and have lived in Indonesia for the better part of fifteen years, I have helped build, and given Jazz music seminars and demonstrations at several madrassahs throughout the country. They are just like the private catholic schools all over the US, none are training terrorists.

Even if Obama were a Muslim, that only means he respects the god of Abraham, nothing more, but the fact that he claims Christianity is something a true Muslim would never do, renounce his religion for the sake of "blending in". Some of you fake Christians might, but I challenge you to show and examples where a person claiming to be Christian was actually a Muslim.

So, admit your racist leanings, and stop wasting the time of rational people with your lies, they don''''t convince anyone of anything, except your as-yet-unclassified mental illness.

This "pilgrimsway" cowardly racist is very possibly a paid staff worker for one of the neonazicon candidates who wants to appeal to the inbreds that probably make up a portion of his or her constituency, but is too cowardly to wish to be directly associated with such idiocy.

[jerr11]

GOP dirty politics at work.

What do you expect from a party bankrupt of any good ideas? All they know is borrow and spend on phony wars, and enrich themselves in the process.

It''s the party of WARMONGERS and scare mongers.

These GOP sleazeballs know only how to divide the people with their politics of fear and smear.

Bring on the swiftboat veterans!

It''s the GOP gone wild!!

LOL!

[nolalou]

pilgrimsway, here we go again, another IDIOT spreading B.S. about Obama! Frankly, you have no f-ing clue what you are talking about! Your head is so far up your butt, you can''t see the truth, because of the c-rap in your eyes!

CNN looked into that so called Muslim school, it was a public school where most of the students happen to be Muslim, since Jakarta is mostly Muslim. No religious instruction was included. Obama''s step father Lolo Soetoro was NOT a RADICAL, he was a non-practicing Muslim! RADICAL Muslims would not pretend to be Christian! I repeat, you are spreading lies and you are a blithering IDIOT! If you don''t want to vote for Obama , fine, but stop spreading bull s-hit!

[Con Mohrat]

Cindy McCain is not running for president. Lots of people have problems and overcome them. So what. I would never vote for John McCain, but good God, could we stay on issues and get off of the families. If there are any perfect families in America, I would really like to know who they are.

Posted by kansas1946 at 11:49 PM : Jan 18, 2008
=========

What about the Newsweek article of last month. Mike Huckabee''s son and his friend hanged a dog.
Someone was asked to look into the matter. That person looking into it worked for Huckabee and was in that job for years. Huckabee fired him.

I think that is an example of sleeze. Huckabee did not hang the dog, and probably did not give orders to hang it. But he fired the man whose job was to investigate this misdemeanor. If we accidently voted him president, he would improperly fire whistle blowers too.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by nolalou

Not only is it a public school, but we have several students in our music school that were, or are students of that school.

This "pilgrimsway" is nothing more than a BS merchant, and time will tell which of the idiots running for office he works for...

[might15]

I like how minister Huckabee says "I think the states should decide on their flag" talking about the C-flag in SC. He goes on to say "if someone came to Arkansas and told us what to do with the flag, we''d tell them what to do with the pole".
So much for the Christian values. Show your true colors why don''t you Huck!

[jsilver2th]

Romney slinks off to the holy land- the Mormon promised land - The State of Deseret - NEVADA WAS PART OF LDS unrecognized provisional State of Deseret in the 1800''s and much of it was in the Territory of Utah before Utah Statehood- They''ve had that state wired since then. Since Joseph Smith was murdered campaigning for the Presidency. Romney campaign is significant to Mormonism.

Why does Romney say that his favorite book is the Scientologist L Ron Hubbard novel?

[mcvet]

Leave it to a bunch of Southern Nazi''s to turn any race into a slime pit. If these are not the most disgusting creatures to ever inhabit any planet, I''d like to know who is. Sieg Heil Y''all.

[greatdrivew]

Wow....the GOP is in rough shape.

Mike "Gomer" Huckapyle: He seems like an okay guy, but a Southern Baptist minister stands a zero percent chance in the general election.

John "Military Industrial Complex" McCain: It''s really creepy how often he obsesses over the military. Though he''s got a crazy, Napoleonic look in his eyes, he would run close with HillBillary in a general election; but he''ll get blown away by Obama.

Mitt "New World Gospel" Romney: Like Huckapyle, he''s a more-or-less congenial candidate, which suits him well in this year''s GOP primary nightmare. However, he stands a 0% [zero] chance of winning a general election.

Rudy "9/11" Giuliani: This guy is seriously deluded. His campaign is so far away from contender it''s laughable. Don''t take out any loans for campaign expenses, Rudy.

Fred "Action!" Thompson: Ummmm, Fred, the hunting buddy routine is getting old. Also, you were last to enter the race, and have yet to say anything memorable or inspiring. I wonder if it''s too late to get your acting job back?

Ron "I Can''t Get No Respect" Paul: Though his ideas are inspiring, and probably correct, the inconceivability of his bare bones government leads to low numbers.

Prediction for Next November: Obama blows McCain away a la Bush v. Dukakis.

[formrusmcsgt]

Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee has the backing of 9 percent of registered Republicans in the survey, with Rep. Ron Paul of Texas at 6 percent and Rep. Duncan Hunter of California at 1 percent.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/18/poll.2008/index.html

Ron Paul announced his candidacy and had 6% of the electorate.

After campaigning for a year now, Paul is still at 6%.

Where is the flood of support the Paul backer''s are always claiming?

In their imagination, obviously.....

[piercetheval]

The war in Afghan. and Iraq is nothing more than a good ''ol Texas Lynching Party. It don''t matter who''s really to blame. The "LNYCH PARTY" wants blood. Look at how many "innocents" have been released or are awaiting release in Texas due to "NEW" irrefutable DNA evidence. All of you "HAWKS" are part and party to it...The Republican Party = The Lynching Party. Ain''t ''cha proud? YEEEHAAWW!

[gkc99]

"He also spent two years in a Catholic school.
Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama''''s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that he is not a radical."--Posted by pilgrimsway



The Slime Boating has begun! Total lies, of course, but under the Rovian Doctrine of Bushit, the bigger the lie, the more your lackeys spout it. Hitler said the same thing--"the big lie" theory.

It was revealed Friday that Mitt Romney is actually an alien from a flying saucer who wants to use the White House as a landing platform for spaceships. Aliens find hmans tasty, and Mitt is making arrangements for sacrifices to be performed on the steps of the Washington Memorial, the meat going to the alien''s favority charity.

[Pattypye]

John McCain wants to talk about abortion, terrorism, the economy, ANYTHING but illegal immigration. He has used every tactic to avoid that subject, but I don''t think South Carolinians are falling for it. They worked too hard to defeat the amnesty legislation concocted by McCain, traitor Graham, and Ted Kennedy to retreat and vote for its strongest proponent.

[shutupnvote]

Hey I had to work in the South for a few years and attended a class on culture difference; a big one is everything is personal before it is business. And yep, I generally found that to be the case.

[skyk-2009]

John McCain wants to talk about abortion, terrorism, the economy, ANYTHING but illegal immigration. He has used every tactic to avoid that subject, but I don''''t think South Carolinians are falling for it. They worked too hard to defeat the amnesty legislation concocted by McCain, traitor Graham, and Ted Kennedy to retreat and vote for its strongest proponent.


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Posted by Pattypye at 08:44 AM : Jan 19, 2008
+ report abuse

True and these people have a very long and bloody history to support your point!

[cbs_oliver]

gkc99 and others.

My understaning is that:

The best strategy to use with slime attacks is to not repeat or describe the slime attack but instead to target the attacker and associates for being the scum they are.

The way the human mind works when we say something isn''t true we actually generate in the mind of others a residue of unconscious belief that it is true. That residue gradually rises to the top and becomes the dominant memory over time. That is why slimers do what they do. It works.

Every denial or debunking argument is actually a further blow for the slimer.

[piercetheval]

McCain and Obama are both suspect of being "Manchurian Candidates", Do you want to risk 4 years and...in support of questionable allegiances?

[sminersc]

I see people attacking Ron Paul and he wasn''t even mentioned in the article, what''s all the fuss? My hats off to CBS (see BS), they were fair and left out Rudy as well. As far as securing our borders, Ron Paul has said that we can''t do anything until we bring our troops home from Iraq and around the world, we can''t afford to do much of anything until we do that first. So get your *** together ( pakaal and others) and stop speculating when you don''t know what you''re talking about and not considering the whole content of a candidate''s message. Ron Paul is the only candidate with ideas that work. Period. Exclamation point. Lightbulbs. Alarms. You uneducated voters drive me nuts when you grab a candidates oneliner stance on an issue and attack it with no thought except how to make a spin attack on it. It''s lazy and shallow. Think about the power a president actually has and what they can actually do when they get in office. The economy and the devalued dollar and the War on Terror are the issues tied together. You can''t fix anything without ending the war. So you either want to end the war and then deal with the economy and other issues at home, or you want to keep the War on Terror going and you have no problem with our current economic crisis. So you can vote Ron Paul (or Kucinich or Gravel to be fair) or pick a candidate out of the hat from either side.

[piercetheval]

Hey CBASSVILIFIED....she''s trying to keep the "MOB" from the political process. Do you know ANYTHING about who owns them hotels in Vegas and how the Hotel and Culinary Workers Union is controlled?...I didn''t think so

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Sorry for my comments. Its what I read at.
Do not go to this address its full of lies.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

[piercetheval]

Hey, Luigi...AMORTE" FACIA TUI! FACIA MORTE...CAPICHE?

[inventagod]

Wait until they get to Maryland,
Diebold has delivered the Republicon vote already...

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011808S.shtml

[pilgrimsway-2009]

Sorry for my comments.
Do not go to this address its full of lies

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2006/12/barack_hussein.html

[culturechang]

I notice the press still wont show Ron Paul''s picture but they will show Thompson. Paul has beat Thompson in every primary so far and very handily.